Special Assignments - Chapter Twenty Four

Story by Billy Leigh on SoFurry

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#24 of Special Assignments

Malcolm wasn't looking forward to starting at college. The University of Beldover was not his first choice. However, the arrival of a new Fox professor might just liven things up.

Chapter Twenty Five to follow soon...


My dick felt a little sore as I woke up, but that didn't matter.

Waking up in Lachlan's arms was pure bliss. He was still asleep, but I watched his muscular chest rise and fall as nestled himself into the covers. I placed my arm gently over his chest and his eyes fluttered open.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you," I whispered.

"It's okay," he yawned. "Come here."

He reached out and pulled me closer. I cuddled up close and used his chest as a pillow.

"What time is it?" I asked.

"Almost ten, we slept in," Lachlan said, glancing over at the bedside clock before nuzzling me. "So, the question is what shall we eat for breakfast?"

"Hmm, I'm fine with whatever there is."

"Are you feeling okay?" Lachlan asked, hugging me close. "Last night was fun for you, was it?"

"It was," I replied with a smile. "It's just that my mum was going to have lunch with me today."

"Is that a bad thing?"

"Not really," I replied. "It's just," I sighed and took a deep breath. "May I ask an honest question, does it bother you that my mum doesn't know I'm gay?"

"Bother me?" Lachlan repeated.

"I didn't want it to be a case where I come out to my mum with my boyfriend there," I explained.

"Well, it doesn't change how I feel about you, if that's what you're worried about," Lachlan said, nuzzling me between the ears. "As for you making that announcement to your mum, tell her about you, but how about she gets to know me first before you introduce us as mated?"

"I think she'd freak out if she found out I was dating a professor," I sighed. "But I don't want to lose you."

"You won't lose me," Lachlan whispered, giving my nose a lick. "Like I say, let her get to know me, feel comfortable around me, and then tell her. I did that with my first boyfriend."

"It's funny, I never think of you being mated before me," I said. "I assumed you probably were, but I don't think about it."

"The relationship is history now," Lachlan replied, giving me another hug. "But Danny and I still friends, we met on deployment. I introduced him to my parents as my friend, and then later revealed we were a couple. That made it easier."

"That's a possibility," I said, although I was still concerned about what my mum would think.

"Just don't use a beard, like I did."

"A beard?"

"Yes, Carrie was mine - my grey vixen friend who I think you spied from across the carpark. My mum thought she was my girlfriend, and Carrie thought so too," Lachlan said with a melancholy smile. "It took her a while to forgive me."

"I won't do that," I replied, kissing Lachlan's cheek. "I've just got you, I only want you."

Lachlan pulled me close again and we cuddled in silence for a minute.

"I won't ever drift away, don't worry," he whispered.

"Good," I replied, kissing his lips. "Although I suppose I should get ready to go after breakfast," I added with a sigh.

"It won't be long 'till we're getting on a plane together," Lachlan said, giving me a kiss back. I smiled and savoured the feeling of comfort in his arms. "I'd better go and get breakfast started, you rest here."

Lachlan gave me another kiss and nuzzle before scooting off the bed. He had stripped out of his underwear during the night, and I got a good view of his behind as he went to open the door. He paused and perked his butt in my direction with a grin before stepping out into the hallway.

I listened to the sound of him moving about the kitchen before I yawned and sat up.

Better go and help.

I made my way to the kitchen to see Lachlan piling the dirty dishes into the sink.

"Heh, didn't want to stay in bed? I'm thinking I shouldn't make too much if you have lunch later," he said. "Is some fruit and cereal fine?"

"That works for me," I replied.

I knew where Lachlan kept the fruit juice in the fridge so I retrieved it.

"You're finding your way around here, that's good," Lachlan grinned, wagging his tail. "It makes me feel like I'm finally sharing this place with someone."

"And it makes me feel more at home," I replied, setting the orange juice down on the table.

Lachlan added the rest of the food and we sat down to eat. I poured some cereal.

"Sorry, this probably a very student style meal," Lachlan laughed.

"Heh, no worries," I grinned. "To be honest, I much prefer what we do together to the typical student lifestyle."

"Because there's always food," Lachlan winked.

"Ha! Well there's that, but the last few parties I went to I came away with a headache or feeling heartbroken."

"I suppose it depends on the party," Lachlan shrugged. "But yes, you don't have to get drunk to have a good time."

"I learnt the hard way," I sighed.

Lachlan reached across and took my paw in his. We gazed into each other's eyes for a minute.

"Well, from now on you can do whatever makes you feel happy or comfortable," he reasoned.

"That's true, and I'll try from now on," I replied.

We finished our breakfast and Lachlan stood to clear the table.

"I suppose we'd better get dressed," he said.

I made my way back to the bedroom to retrieve my clothes. I sniffed at my chest fur to make sure all of my cum had been cleaned off in the shower last night. There was no obvious scent of it, so I deemed myself good to go.

I dressed myself as Lachlan walked in.

"Shame, if only we had more time," he grinned, stroking part of my exposed stomach as I pulled my shirt on. "But we'll have plenty of that soon."

I wagged my tail as I finished pulling my shirt down, but the feeling of anxiety suddenly pulsed through me.

I have to survive lunch first.

I tried reminding myself that having lunch with my mum was hardly the worst thing in the world, but Lachlan sensed my apprehension.

"Are you nervous about today?" he asked. I swallowed and nodded. He responded with a warm smile as he took my paw. "Remember, I'm waiting on the other side."

Lachlan's words were comforting, but I still felt nervous.

He gave my paws a squeeze before retrieving some clean clothes from the wardrobe. I glanced out of the window and wondered if I should drive back to Aunt Ruth's. Lachlan again sensed what was on my mind.

"If you have to go to get ready that's probably wise, but I'll drive to yours tomorrow to take you to the airport," Lachlan said, pulling me into a hug. "You're a strong guy Malcolm," he continued. "I know you are."

We hugged tightly and I did my usual routine of nuzzling and drinking his scent.

It's something you can't get enough of, trust me.

"I'd probably better go," I sighed.

Lachlan gave me one final squeeze before releasing me, although I grinned as he gave me a cheeky grope on my butt.

"That's not very gentlemanly," I said, sticking my tongue out.

I reached around and gently slapped his rump.

"And neither is that," Lachlan grinned, pulling me back into a hug. "I'll have to make sure you're properly punished later," he added, licking my nose and fixing me a wink.

"I look forward to that," I laughed, but my mirth faded as Lachlan released me and I went to pick up my rucksack.

We walked to the front door together, paw in paw.

"Message me when you get back," Lachlan said, giving me a quick nuzzle before opening the front door.

I nodded and stepped outside. The sun was shining, but that didn't dampen my nerves as I walked to my car. Lachlan was standing in the doorway and he waved as I climbed into the driver's seat. I waved back before sighing and turning the ignition.

I couldn't help but keep glancing in the mirrors as I pulled away from his apartment. Lachlan fixed me another wave before closing the door.

The drive back would have been pretty with the sun shining down on the fields, but I didn't pay too much attention to the sights. Instead, I kept my eyes fixed on the road and tried to ignore the resigned feeling in my stomach.

I noticed my mother's car wasn't on Aunt Ruth's driveway as I arrived home (good). I made my way inside and hurried upstairs with my rucksack. I dumped it on the bed and wondered if I should take another shower.

The doorbell rang before I could make a decision.

Great.

I glanced at myself in a small mirror above my desk. I was wearing jeans and a green shirt; presentable enough. I grabbed Lachlan's hoodie out of my suitcase and pulled it on.

I made my way downstairs to find Aunt Ruth ushering my mum inside.

"Hello again," my mum said as I walked over to hug her. "You smell strongly of fox," she added with a chuckle.

"I was at a sleepover last night," I claimed.

"He's been off out a lot," Aunt Ruth laughed. "Thomas, Auntie Eleanor is here!"

"Coming!" Thomas shouted from upstairs.

"Would you like any tea or coffee before we go?" Aunt Ruth asked.

"I'm fine, I suppose we could head off in a minute," my mum replied, glancing at her watch. "Shall we take my car?"

"Oh don't worry if you've just driven up, we can all fit in mine quite easily," Aunt Ruth replied.

Thomas appeared at the bottom of the stairs.

"Are we all ready?" my mum said.

I nodded and Aunt Ruth opened the front door.

"Shotgun!" Thomas called as we walked out to Aunt Ruth's Volvo.

"Thomas! Auntie Eleanor and I will sit in the front," Aunt Ruth laughed.

I climbed into the back with a resigned looking Thomas and we set off. I still felt apprehensive, but Aunt Ruth and my mum were already gossiping as we drove.

"Remember Elsa, the vixen who used to live across the street from me? Well the otter couple who have moved into her house have submitted planning applications for a huge extension. Two stories and a conservatory," my mum said.

"Really? I wonder if it'll involve a big pool," Aunt Ruth laughed.

I watched them talk. My mum was wearing a floral shirt and smart trousers. At a certain age, it seemed people who went to work wore clothes at the weekend that were barely distinguishable from the office. I thought back to my mum's house and tried to imagine taking Lachlan there; it was similar to Aunt Ruth's street, although the houses were more modern at it wasn't perched on the edge of a hill overlooking the town.

My bedroom there had more posters and a single bed, not ideal for sleeping two guys in but cosy enough. I hoped Lachlan would like it.

I noticed we were driving back out into the countryside.

"Which pub are we going to?" I asked.

"I booked The Plough over in Casterford," Aunt Ruth explained, before turning back to talk to my mum.

Casterford was a village nearby, and not too far from Lachlan's place. I glanced around, half wondering if I'd see him as we pulled into the pub's carpark.

Predictably, he wasn't around.

But I still wish he was beside me.

We climbed out of the car and made our way to the entrance.

"That's a new hoodie," my mum commented. "Did you buy it recently?"

"Oh, it belongs to a friend," I replied casually.

My mum sniffed at it.

"Hmm, it certainly has a fox scent too. Is it your friend who owns it?"

"It is," I said, as we walked through the door.

"You must tell me more about your friend, you don't say much in your emails!" my mum chuckled as Aunt Ruth walked up to a Pine Marten behind the bar.

"I have a reservation for lunch under the name of Hargreaves," she said.

The Marten nodded and led us through the pub.

"You must tell me about your friend," my mum said as we sat down.

"Okay," I replied.

"Mums need to know these things," my mother chuckled.

"It gives us good conversation starters," Aunt Ruth added.

Thomas fixed me a brief but sympathetic glance.

I sighed inwardly. Coming out to my mum with Aunt Ruth and Thomas sitting next to us in the middle of a pub was not an ideal scenario.

Wait for a better chance.

I wanted to get it over and done with, but I held my tongue and opened my menu.

"So, what are your friends called?" my mum asked.

"Lachlan, Hudson and Charlotte," I replied.

"They sound like an eclectic mix going by their names, what species are they?"

"Lachlan is a fox, Hudson a jindo and Charlotte is a vixen," I said, browsing down the menu and trying not to make eye contact with anyone's eyes.

"Well that explains the fox scent," my mum said. "And a jindo, that's more unusual, where's he from?"

"Korea, but he moved to Canada when he was a pup," I explained. "His parents are Canadian."

"That's nice, did you meet them in classes?"

"Yeah."

A small white lie.

"I hope I can meet them soon," my mum said with a smile. "You should tell me these things in your emails."

"You'll meet them soon I'm sure," I replied innocently.

Yes, the professor who is also my lover and my gay punk best friend.

The thought was oddly comical, but I also felt uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach.

"I think I'll have a club sandwich for lunch," Aunt Ruth said.

"I might be boring and have the same," my mum laughed.

"I'll get fish and chips, and coke to drink," Thomas announced.

"I'll have the same as Thomas," I added.

I thought I was off the hook, but my thinking proved wishful.

"Are you all going to Italy together?" my mum asked as she closed her menu.

"Um, just one of us."

"Is it Charlotte?"

I opened my mouth, but thankfully the Marten appeared to take our orders.

Aunt Ruth and my mum began chatting and I felt relieved to have been forgotten for the moment. I wondered if my mum was trying to determine whether Charlotte was a girlfriend or just a friend.

"I'm looking at an all-inclusive deal in Crete," Aunt Ruth was saying. "I asked Thomas if he wanted to come with me."

"But me and Paul are going to Cornwall," Thomas interjected.

"Yes I know dear," Aunt Ruth sighed.

"That reminds me, which of your friends were you going to Italy with?" my mum asked, turning back to me.

Dammit.

"Lachlan," I replied cautiously.

"I hope the weather is good," Aunt Ruth said.

"Hopefully," I replied. "Are you going anywhere?" I asked my mum, trying to deflect the conversation.

"I don't have any plans," my mum sighed. "With no children in the house it's harder."

"Come to Crete," Aunt Ruth replied.

"I might have to take you up on that."

Mum and Aunt Ruth kept chatting until the food and drinks arrived. I began eating and kept my head down to avoid further questioning. I knew I should be honest to build up a slow jigsaw puzzle for my mum to piece together, but I didn't want her to find out too much too soon.

"This is good, thanks for recommending this place," mum said to Aunt Ruth. "It reminds me of that place we used to go to when the children were little."

"The Oak Tree? I went there recently, they're not as good as they used to be," Aunt Ruth replied. "You'll probably have some good food in Italy," she added, turning to me.

"Whereabouts are you going?" mum asked.

"The North," I replied, not feeling entirely sure.

"You'll love Northern Italy," mum said. "I went when I was a teenager, my school friend Beth and I hitch-hiked across Europe. Goodness, that would be dangerous now!"

"You wouldn't let Paul and me hitchhike," Thomas piped up.

"It's quite dangerous," Aunt Ruth replied. "It's a good job you didn't tell mother," she added to my mum.

"Back then you didn't have mobile phones or FaceTime to keep track of people," my mum said. "You could get away with more back then, now mums can snoop more easily."

Yes, if only it was still back then.

I nodded and continued eating. The fish and chips were quite good, but I wished Lachlan was with us. We all finished and the waiter came to take my plates.

"Should we get dessert?" Thomas asked.

"We could, although I have tea and biscuits at home," Aunt Ruth replied. "Let's just get the bill," she added, to which Thomas grumbled.

My mum and Aunt Ruth settled the meal and we made our way back out to the car.

The parents chatted in the front while I sat in the back in silence with Thomas.

How can I do this?

I knew if I told my mum that I was gay she would put two and two together and realise Lachlan was my lover. I had to hope she didn't find out how we met.