An Encounter or Two.
Here is part 4! I hope you all enjoy it <3
*Warning! This story may contain adult and/or sexual material. If you are under the age of 18, do not read, and if you do, don't get caught ;)*
Spot turned to gaze at the stranger. A tall figure looked back at him, his large brown eyes swimming with concern.
Spot recognised the stranger's black muzzle and light brown fur as that of a German Shepherd. He was tall, well-built, and strong. His large ears were pricked up cutely, and his head was slightly to one side. He wore a simple black T shirt and black jeans, accentuating the dark ebon of his muzzle. And on his face was the most enrapturing expression of reassurance; it made Spot's tears dry and caused the most amazing sensation of safety to wash through him.
The large dog sat next to Spot. "Is everything okay? You seem pretty upset."
Spot sniffled and wiped his nose with his paw. "Yeah, I just..." he began, his voice wavering. "I'm having trouble coping with some...complications."
Silence hung in the air for a moment. Then the larger canine laughed.
"Let me guess. Afraid to come out?" the Shepherd said. Spot's bright green eyes widened as he stared at the big dog.
"H-How did you-?"
The Shepherd waved a hand at Spot sassily. "You're not the first, you know." The dog prodded himself in the chest with a paw-finger and winked at the surprised wolf. Spot gaped at him, filled with indignation and comfort at the same time. The dog's face abruptly turned serious as he grabbed Spot's paw in both of his.
"I know it's hard," he said, gazing deeply into Spot's eyes. "But it'll get easier, trust me. Here." The Shepherd pulled a marker and a scrap of crumpled paper out of his pocket and scribbled onto it.
"Call me if you need to talk, or if you want to hang out." The big dog slipped the paper into Spot's paw, giving it a slight squeeze. The dog rose from the bench and began to walk away. Spot shouted frantically after him.
"Wait! I don't even know your name!"
The canine stopped and turned his head slightly, a grin on his face
.
"You can call me whatever you want, cutie." The dog laughed and walked away, leaving Spot clutching the scrap of paper he had given him. Spot looked at the note.
"Ben 555-3160"
Spot watched the space where the big brown dog had left, and for the first time in weeks, he smiled a genuine, happy smile.
*****
The weekend ended and the week commenced. Crisp brown leaves cascaded down from the trees and coated the earth with a russet blanket. That lunchtime, Keirn invited Miles to sit with his friends at their table.
Keirn and Miles sat together, with Keirn's rabbit friend Daisy on Miles' right, giggling loudly. To Keirn's left was a short little raccoon named Colin, who chattered away to a plump goose named Fiona. On the other side of the table sat Jackie, a heavy-lidded Maine Coon cat who was re-applying black eyeshadow. Next to her was Gareth, a cheeky tiger with a huge grin permanently plastered onto his face. And Spot sat daydreaming, half of a goofy smile on his muzzle.
"So, Miles, where are you from?" Gareth asked.
"I'm from Michigan. I moved down here with my family." Miles replied.
"Michigan?" Daisy said. "I heard it's really nice there. Why'd you leave?"
Miles winced slightly. "I...um, I'd prefer not to talk about it, if that's okay."
The table went quiet as Miles stared down at his clasped paws. Keirn rubbed his mate's shoulder and gently kissed him on the cheek, before remembering that he had yet to reveal his homosexuality to the group. Keirn's eyes widened as chagrin coloured his cheeks.
The silence was broken with an amused purr from Jackie.
"You two are cute together, you know that?"
The group laughed and agreed. Keirn and Miles beamed together, squeezing each other's paws beneath the table. Keirn turned to his friends.
"Um, do any of you have any issues with me and Miles? I'd just like to know."
Fiona gasped and snapped her beak.
"Of course not! You're still our lovely old Keirn!"
Gareth nodded, Jackie smiled, and Daisy grinned buck-toothedly. Colin giggled and stuck a paw halfway into the air.
"While we're doing this, I'm bi!" he snickered.
Jackie gasped dramatically and placed the back of her paw to her forehead. "Alas, so am I!"
Spot raised his head and grinned guiltily.
"Gay," he said. Keirn's mouth fell open in shock, but Miles nodded sagely.
"I saw you with that German shepherd in Math. What's his name?"
Spot's expression turned slightly dreamy. "Ben."
Daisy slumped in her seat. "Aww, he's gay? He's so hot! Damn!" she exclaimed. Spot chuckled.
"Back off, sister," he growled playfully. The group laughed and continued their conversation, sharing secrets and discussing classes. Keirn gazed happily at Miles, who smiled and smooched his nose. Autumn had brought around a new season of love.
*****
Miles skipped along to his locker, retrieving his satchel and cardigan. The small fox shivered; the afternoon had turned damp and chilly. Miles slipped his fluffy grey coat on, zipping it up to his throat. Clouds hung in the sky menacingly, threatening to erupt at anytime. Miles hugged himself to retain warmth, waving to Fiona and Colin and walking quickly around a corner.
It was only a fifteen minute walk to his house, and Miles was eager to get home before the rain began. Rounding another corner, the petite fox walked into something solid and fell onto his rear.
"Ouch! Oh, I'm sorry!" Miles said, looking up to see who he had walked into. Looming over him was an enormous rhinoceres, a scowl on his face. Behind him were three equally large furs, a lion, a Dalamatian and a Pit Bull, all wearing the uniforms of the senior football team. The rhino grunted.
"Watch where you're going, asshole," he rumbled, eyeing Miles savagely. The fox flinched, scrambling to his feet. His paws flew to cover his muzzle, shaking his head apologetically.
"Sorry!" he repeated, trying to edge around the Dalmatian. The four larger furs formed a circle around the small fox, cracking their knuckles. The lion grinned toothily.
"Well well, we got ourselves a new student," he said, taking a step forward. Miles gulped, glancing around for help.
"I, umm, I need to get home," he stammered. The Pit Bull shook his head.
"You ain't goin' nowhere, ya little faggot," the big dog snarled. Miles squeaked with fright, spinning around to face the fur behind him. The Dalmatian gave him a shove, making him stumble.
"Hey, don't!" Miles said, catching himself. A paw caught him on the back of the head, making him cry out.
"Ow! Leave me alone!" the fox said shakily. The rhino laughed, delivering a punch to Miles' face. Miles fell onto his bottom once again, clutching his eye. He whimpered.
"Please..." he whispered. The two dogs grabbed his arms while the large feline drove his foot into Miles' stomach. The little fox gasped, begging the assailants to leave.
"Hmm..." the rhino said, rubbing his chin in mock contemplation. "I think we should give this faggot what he really wants." The lion grinned, tugging at the waist of the fox's jeans. Miles' eyes widened and he screamed loudly, with unbridled terror. The Dalmatian clamped a paw over the fox's muzzle, silencing his scream.
"You just take it like a good little queer," he whispered. Miles sobbed with fear, struggling against the dogs' grasp. His jeans were dragged down his legs.
"Hey! Get off of him!" a voice shouted. Miles peered through his tear soaked eyes to see Keirn sprinting toward the pack of footballers. The Pit Bull growled, dropping the fox's arm and stepping toward the black wolf.
"This ain't your business, fucker. You wanna join him?" the Pit growled, laughing maliciously. Keirn balled up his fist, socking the big dog in the muzzle with all his strength. The Pit fell to the ground, bawling like a puppy.
"Get the fuck away from him!" Keirn shouted. The lion was pulling at Miles' underwear now, who was still weeping with terror. Keirn aimed a kick at the feline's back, knocking him off of his victim. The lion hissed, turning to face Keirn. The other two footballers abandoned Miles, leaving him tear-soaked and curled up on the ground. They surrounded Keirn, who stood in a slight crouch and a feral snarl on his maw.
Keirn bent and placed his hands on the ground, spinning around expertly with his legs extended. Downing the Dalmatian with his masterful kicks, Keirn spun and placed his feet back on the ground, facing the remaining two furs.
"Leave. Now!" he growled, baring his teeth. The lion sprinted away with his tail between his legs, abandoning his injured friends. The rhino snorted and charged Keirn, who stepped forward and drove his knee into the rhino's groin. The rhino let out a girlish squeal and fell to the ground, coughing.
The wolf panted with avarice, primal fury flashing in his normally gentle purple eyes. As he remembered his mate, his breathing slowed and the anger was replaced with fright. Keirn sprinted to Miles' side, who was curled up in a ball with his head on his knees, wailing.
Keirn embraced his mate, holding his head to his chest.
"It's okay, it's okay, they're gone," he whispered. Miles cried out, clutching onto Keirn and weeping into his chest.
"I w-was s-s-so s-scared!" the fox cried, nuzzling into his mate's arms. Keirn cuddled his boyfriend gently, picking him up and carrying him with ease. The wolf retrieved Miles' pants and hurried off, leaving the three footballers groaning in pain.
Keirn knew that his mother wouldn't be home yet, so he let himself in and carried Miles up to his bedroom, lowering him onto the bed.
"What happened, love?" he whispered, rubbing Miles' head fur. The fox gave a few little gasps and buried his face in his paws, shaking his head from side to side.
"No, no no no no!" Miles sobbed. Keirn held him close, soothing him with tender pecks on the forehead.
"It's okay," he said. "Now, tell me what happened."
"I...I ran into one of them on my w-way home," Miles said shakily. "Th-they h-hit me..." The fox lowered his paws to reveal a swollen eye and a trickle of blood coming from his lower lip.
"And...they t-tried to..." Miles broke off, fresh tears streaming down his face. He pressed into Keirn's warm body, soaking his boyfriend's shirt as he cried miserably. Keirn squeezed his mate tightly.
"I'm so glad you're okay, Miles. I love you."
The little fox sniffled and sat up, wiping his eyes.
"I love you too, Keirn. But...there's something I have to tell you."
That's it for this chapter. Oh, I'm such a cliff-hanging bastard, aren't I? Sorry, you'll have to wait for part 5!