Missing Piece

Story by riverchinfen on SoFurry

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#1 of Loose Threads

Robbie faces an existential crisis in college, and finds more than he bargained for in his roommate Garrett.


A light February snow fell, adding a fresh layer of white over the dead grass of the quad and the dull gray peaks of snowbanks pushed up by plows. From his vantage point on the back staircase of his dorm, Robbie looked out towards the mountains surrounding his college town, their weathered peaks obscured by the darkness and gently falling snow.

He leaned on the cold metal railing, and while the cold bit through the fur on his paws, it couldn't penetrate his thick overcoat. Behind him he could make out the dulled sounds of the party raging in his dorm apartment. A light fog of alcohol made his head feel light, but the sound, he knew, was too much for him.

He sighed, watching his breath coiling out like a dragon's flames, then reached into his coat and pulled out a pack of clove cigarillos. The irony of an overweight yet health-conscious asthmatic fox smoking no longer touched him. Not like he did it with any frequency. A pack could last him an entire semester. He held a cigarillo to his lips, already tasting the sweet spices, then reached into his other pocket and pulled out a lighter.

Relief flooded him as he took that first drag of his cigarillo. The smoke felt comforting in his mouth and lungs, even as it burned mildly. But the burn was no worse than the gin that he liberally helped himself to. He exhaled and surveyed the campus.

One more year to his BA, and then what? Sure, he had a growing portfolio of poems and short stories, and he'd even managed to get a couple published, but was that really a route to a living? His father had assured him that the road he was taking was long and difficult, but it was what he wanted to do.

Maybe he was just a spoiled rich kid, suckling on the teat of the bourgeoisie offered by his parents. But would he have gone to state college if he really had? He thought bitterly of his younger sister Ellie happily preparing to go off to a prestigious private university in Boston, and knew he was not.

A burst of sound announced that someone was leaving the party. He heard two girls giggling as they went down the stairs behind him. He didn't even bother to look up. The door shut, and he was alone again with his thoughts and the whisper of the wind.

The fox watched as the two girls stumbled through the grass to their own dorm across the way. Again he thought bitterly of his sister, but she alone did not hold his ire.

He squeezed his eyes shut and took another drag of his cigarillo as he thought of his sister's girlfriend. Those two had been inseparable since kindergarten, and they'd dated all through high school. They were so fucking happy together it was sickening. His parents and hers said they were a wonderful couple. Even he had to admit they were cute together, but at the same time it tore him apart. The only fur he'd ever dated had broken his heart, and try as he might he could in no way recover that little piece of his heart that Martin had taken.

Was he bitter towards he ex? Of course not. They both admitted that they were too different to be compatible. It was a very amicable breakup. But the fact that his younger sister and Martin's younger sister were such a happy couple always felt like a knife in his heart.

Another burst of noise as someone else emerged from the apartment. Robbie kept staring out into the falling snow. The sound died away as the door closed. This time the fur who emerged took up a spot next to him, leaning on the railing.

"Hey, Robbie."

A grin came unbidden to the fox's lips. His roommate's voice never failed to do that. He'd met Garrett back at orientation their freshman year, and they'd been in the same floor in the dorm. For the past two years they'd been rooming together. He was intelligent, respected Robbie's privacy, and kept his dating life and the drama of it separate from their room, which suited the fox just fine. He turned to the slender ferret next to him. "Hey, Garrett. Needed a break from the noise, too?"

The ferret sighed dramatically and feigned a faint in the corner of the balcony. "Goodness, yes. I love out friends but I needed some fucking AIR!"

"Oh, that's a mood," Robbie chuckled. He turned back to the falling snow and the open field and dorms and town beyond. "It can get hard to breathe in there when there's so many furs inside."

Garrett chuckled and leaned on the railing next to the fox. "Yeah... but I don't think that's the only reason you came out here, is it?"

Robbie sighed. "Can't a fur have a smoke in peace?"

"You can if you want to," Garrett said. "I just thought you might want some company." He stepped back from the balcony and started back upstairs.

"Wait," Robbie said. "Stay. I could use the company."

"Knew it," Garrett said. He grinned as he leaned against the railing again. "What's on your mind?"

The fox sighed. How could he explain what was going on in his head? "Just... thinking about the future."

"Aren't we all?" Garrett replied. "That's sort of the point of college, you know."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, learning skills to take us into the adult world, 'networking,' whatever the fuck that means," Robbie said, his voice laced with scorn. "I get all that. I guess I just don't buy into it."

"So what're you here for, then?" Garrett asked.

Robbie took another drag on his cigarillo. "Family expectations. My mom's a fucking psychologist, my dad's a lawyer. There's an expectation, but like fuck do I have any idea what I want to do, ya know?"

"I feel you," the ferret replied. "Hell, I'm studying philosophy, and what the fuck do you with THAT degree? At least English has some practicality to it, and your writing is great." He winked. "You've got a lot more options than me."

"Yeah, but you're brilliant and personable, and I'm ME," Robbie said. He sighed and dropped his cigarillo on the cement, then stamped it out. "You could talk someone into hiring you to do SOMETHING. Like hell if I could."

The ferret leaned back against the railing and crossed his arms. "It's the digital economy, baby. Freelance online. Surely you can get something out of that."

"Maybe," Robbie said. "But it's lonely."

Garrett smirked. "Maybe you just need to get laid."

Robbie rolled his eyes. "Right, like anyone's gonna wanna fuck THIS. I'm fat and chronically depressed and not exactly the life of the party."

"Dude, a fuck's a fuck," Garrett said.

The fox shook his head. "It's not that easy for me. I need to have a connection with someone before I can enjoy sex with them. Hookups just aren't for me. I need a partner, and so far I haven't found one."

The ferret nodded. "Well, there's someone out there for everyone," Garrett said. "You'll find them when the time's right."

"That's the problem, though," Robbie said. "The time hasn't been right, and it's frustrating as all hell."

Garrett raised an eyebrow. "What's the rush?"

The fox groaned. "The rush is that my sister has been dating the same girl since fucking middle school and it looks an awful fucking lot like they're gonna get married, and I can't make it past two dates."

A stunned silence fell between the two. In the three years they'd known each other, Robbie had never mentioned his sister's girlfriend. He'd even kept his own dating preferences a closely held secret. While most of the furs he had dated had indeed been female, he'd dated an odd male or two, though Robbie struggled hard to find any gay or bi males on campus who he could even tolerate, nevermind someone he might want to date, or perhaps more importantly, would want to date him. Garrett was the only gay guy he'd met who he could see some potential in, but he knew that the ferret wasn't an option for him.

"I... didn't know your sister was a lesbian," Garrett said after a minute.

Robbie shrugged. "Yeah, she's a lesbian. Don't get me wrong, I love her to death. But seeing her so happy with her girlfriend and I can't find anyone... it hurts."

Garrett was quiet again. That struck Robbie as odd. Usually the ferret was never at a loss for words. A chill ran down Robbie's spine that wasn't from the weather.

When Garrett broke the silence, his voice was quiet, barely loud enough to be audible over the wind. "So I guess you're at least LGBT-friendly?"

Robbie snorted. "Me and like three quarters of the other students here. But yeah, my sister's a lesbian, her girlfriend's trans, I'm bi... so yeah, I guess you could say that."

"Your sister's a lesbian AND dating someone trans?" Garrett asked. "Damn... wait... her girlfriend is a transfemme, right?" The ferret was suddenly at Robbie's side.

"Well, yeah," Robbie said. "Trans femmes are female, trans males are male. It's funny, actually, Jamie - that's Ellie's girlfriend - she started off with wearing Ellie's dresses. From there she figured out that she wasn't really a boy, and her dads supported her transition, so that was that."

"Dude, you are rocking my WORLD," Garrett said. "Your sister is a lesbian, dating a trans female, and her girlfriend has two dads?"

Robbie bit his lip. "Yeah, and her girlfriend's older brother is gay. And... my ex."

"Oh," Garrett said. "OH! Oh, I'm so sorry, I..."

"You didn't know," Robbie finished.

They were quiet for a minute. "Is it weird?" Garrett asked.

"What, my little sister dating my ex's little sister? Extremely." He sighed. "I know I should get over it, but I dunno... he made me feel so important, and when he dumped me so he could freely sleep around, it... it hurt. We're still friends, but our relationship is... strained. At least he finally stopped telling me about all the hot guys he's been fucking..."

"Oof!" Garrett said. "That seems a little dickish, doesn't it?"

"He didn't mean anything by it," Robbie said. "But it... was hard to hear sometimes, yeah. We fucked a few times since, most recently last summer, but it... I dunno. It's fun in the moment, but then I remember that he's no longer mine, and I just..."

Garrett put an arm around Robbie's waist. His head rested against the fox's arm, the short ferret not able to reach much higher. "That's rough. I can't imagine how hard that must be. I'm... well, I'm a virgin, myself. I've dated a couple guys here and there, but nothing really clicked."

Robbie chuckled and put his arm around Garrett's shoulders, pulling the ferret in close. "Hey, sex ain't all its cut out to be. It's a lot better when it's with someone you care about."

They fell silent for several seconds. Then Garrett whispered, "I care about you."

Robbie sighed. "Thanks... it's just frustrating at times. Seriously, who'd want to date me?"

"I might," Garrett said.

The fox swore he must have misheard. He knew that Garrett was gay. He'd disclosed that to him back in their freshman year, and he'd even been Garrett's emergency contact when meeting up with a couple guys he'd met on a dating app. But he never imagined that Garrett might be interested in him.

"You're kidding, right?" Robbie said.

The ferret leaned in, placing a paw on Robbie's cheek. "Try me," he whispered.

Another burst of sound interrupted the two. Garrett jumped backwards. Both males looked up at the door.

One of their other roommates was leaning out the door. "Hey, guys, we're gonna head into town and get some pizza! Wanna come?"

"Uh, yeah, I could go for some pizza," Robbie said.

"Hell yeah!" Garrett said.

One thing that could always be relied on: their friends plus alcohol will always equal pizza.

It was almost two in the morning when the group returned to the refuge of their dorm. Robbie and Garrett bid their roommates good night as they went upstairs to their own rooms. The fox felt a wave of relief as he pulled off his overcoat and tossed it over the back of his desk chair, then flopped on his bed. After a long night, he fell asleep almost instantly.

When he awoke the next morning, Garrett was already gone. No surprise there. He'd always been an early riser. Most likely Robbie would find him out in the living room with a book or chatting with one of their roommates. He shrugged and changed into fresh clothes, then emerged out into their shared living space.

Garrett wasn't there. None of their roommates had seen him either. The ferret turned up in the evening, saying only that he'd been in the library all day.

Things returned to normal for them over the week. At no point did Garrett bring up their conversation outside the party. Maybe the ferret had been more drunk than Robbie thought. He might not have even remembered it, and he wasn't going to go and pry.

It was the following weekend that Garrett broached the subject again. The rest of their roomies had gone to a party with some mutuals who Robbie wasn't the biggest fan of, and Garrett had hung back with him.

"So, Robs. You still been worrying about finding yourself a partner?" he asked.

Robbie didn't look up from his book, the fox intent on finding the line he wanted to quote in his paper. "I mean, I guess it's been in the back of my mind, but I try not to dwell too much on my relationship status."

Garrett chuckled. "Well, if you're in the market for a boyfriend... well, let's just say that you're not alone there. And I meant what I said last week. I do think you're boyfriend material."

That caught the fox's attention. He looked around at the ferret, sitting on his bed. "You haven't been drinking already, have you?" he half-teased.

"Dry as the Sahara," Garrett replied. "I get if I'm not your type, but I figured I'd throw the idea out there."

Robbie snorted. "Dude, you're way out of my league. You're smart, personable, a hell of a lot sexier than I am. Why would you settle for me?"

"It's not settling if you're a good guy," Garrett said. "And fuck all that shallow bullshit." He leapt off of his bed. "You're a great guy, and I mean that." He crossed over to the fox and grabbed his paws. "Don't you dare try to say otherwise."

The fox was silent for a few moments. "I mean... I guess..."

The ferret raised an eyebrow playfully. "You guess what? That you're a good guy?"

"Well, that too," Robbie said. "But... you sure you'd want to date me?"

"Positive," Garrett said. "Assuming that YOU'D want to date ME."

"And why wouldn't I?" Robbie asked.

Garrett looked away. He was sitting on his bed, his legs dangling over the edge. "Well... I'm trans."

This time it was Robbie's turn to be stunned. Garrett, a guy he'd known for so long, trans? Suddenly some of his habits made more sense. He always wrapped his towel tight around himself after showers when coming back to his room, always made sure Robbie was out of the room when he changed.

"Dang, dude, I never woulda guessed," Robbie said.

Garrett smiled sadly. "I pass pretty well, huh?" He leaned back on his bed. "Yeah... s'why my parents and I don't talk anymore. They got pissy when their daughter turned out to be their son. They tried to stop me from getting on T, but jokes on them. I got it anyway. Got top surgery the summer after I graduated high school."

Robbie whistled. "Damn. I'm sorry your parents were douches about it. But hey, at least you can be yourself now, right?"

The ferret chuckled. "I guess. But, like... it's complicated. Being trans is one thing, and gay is another. A lotta gay guys won't have anything to do with a trans dude. Lotta 'eww, vag.'"

The fox got up from his chair. "Well, then, they don't deserve you." He hugged the ferret, then stepped back. "You're still all male to me. And... well, if you want to date me, I'm open to it. But there are a few things you should know about me first."

Garrett grinned and leaned against his bed. "Well, try me. Let's see how compatible we might be?"

Robbie cleared his throat. This was a lot harder to do in person than online, where he'd met most of his previous dates. "So, you know I'm bi, but I'm also polyamorous. So an open relationship is a must."

The ferret raised an eyebrow. "You're poly, but your ex broke up with you because he wanted to sleep around and you didn't want him to?"

The fox sighed. "It's complicated. At the time I didn't think I was okay with it, but now... yeah. I think I am."

Garrett nodded. "I feel you. Well, I'm gay and poly, so that's a done deal. What else?"

"I don't want cubs," Robbie said. "Ever. So if that's something you want, we may not work out long term."

Garrett beamed. "We're on the same page there, honey."

Robbie chuckled. "Third, I'm not looking for something short term. If I'm committing myself romantically someone, I want it long term."

"Saaaaame," Garrett said. "We might be young, but that doesn't mean we can play with each other's hearts, right?"

"Right!" Robbie said. Damn, he was meeting all of the fox's standards! How dare he! "Lastly... I've... never been with a trans guy. Or a trans anyone, really. So... if we end up having sex... you'll have to guide me."

Garrett stepped closer to Robbie and looked up at him. The top of his head barely reached the fox's chin. "I think I can make that work," he said. He wrapped his arms around the fox and rested his head on his chest.

Robbie blushed as he felt the ferret against him. He hugged him in return, and kissed his forehead. This couldn't be real. It had to be a surreal fantasy, a waking dream he was walking through.

The ferret's head turned up. Smiling eyes met Robbie's. Their noses brushed against each other, then their lips met. Robbie's eyes fluttered shut as he licked against the ferret's lips. His tongue met Garrett's, and followed its lead into the ferret's mouth. He tasted sweet, and as his tongue played against the fox's, he could feel a rush of warmth in his gut that he hadn't felt since the first kiss he had shared with his first boyfriend all those years ago.

His eyes opened as Garrett drew back. Both males had blushes seeping through their cheeks.

"You're not bad at kissing," Garrett whispered.

"Thanks," Robbie whispered. "You're... gods you taste good."

Garrett beamed. "Glad you think so."

Robbie stepped back. "Well, I don't think I'm getting any more work done on my term paper tonight. So...do you maybe wanna head into town tonight and grab a drink? Maybe see a movie together?"

The ferret took Robbie's paw and squeezed it. "I'd like that, very much."

Robbie grinned and squeezed the ferret's paws, then turned his attention to his closet. "Do you want me to step out while you change?"

Garrett laughed. "Nah. I mean, if we're dating, sooner or later you're bound to see me naked," he said. Just to emphasize his point, he pulled off his shirt and flexed.

The fox took a moment to admire the ferret's chest. His body was trim and toned. There were two strips on his pecs just under his nipples where the fur was thinner. His fur didn't entirely hide the scars from his top surgery, but they weren't exactly pronounced. "Damn, dude... you're WAY too sexy for me," he said as he pulled out a button down shirt.

"Hey, it's up to me to decide if I'm too sexy for you," Garrett said. "And I've obviously decided that I'm not." He pulled his pajama pants off, then went to his own closet to pull out a pair of jeans and a shirt.

In short order, both males were dressed, not super upscale, but definitely a little more formal than their usual Saturday night wear. Robbie pulled on his overcoat, and Garrett his peacoat, then the two left arm in arm into the late February twilight.

As they walked into town, they amused themselves with a lively debate into the nature of art, and specifically whether the contemporary art in the local museum really counted as art. They were no closer to answer when they entered the bar than they had been when they left their dorm, but they were definitely cheerier for it. They took seats at the bar, ordered their favorite local brews, and settled in.

"Gosh, is it weird to ask about exes on a first date?" Garrett asked.

Robbie shrugged. "I mean, it couldn't be any worse than any of the other topics I've brought up on first dates. Heh... you wanna start?"

Garrett shrugged as he took a sip of his IPA. "It's a little hard for me. I can't say I've dated anyone long enough to even consider them a boyfriend, let alone an ex."

The fox gasped. "No way. Damn, I would've thought you'd have guys lining up to date you."

"Oh, they do, but a lot of 'em shy away when they find out I'm trans," Garrett said. "Gay guys can be such shallow pricks."

"Cheers to that," Robbie said. They clinked glasses, then the fox took a long drink of his lager. "Guess that just leaves me in the ex department. His name's Martin. We've been friends since first grade, and... I'd say we're still close, even if we're not dating."

"Really, now?" Garrett said. He leaned in. "Tell me more."

Robbie shrugged. "He might be a bit of a thoughtless douche sometimes, but he means well. He's still loyal as all hell. I know that if I called him up right now and said I needed him, he'd be here, no questions asked. We have our differences, sure. He loves sports and the outdoors, and I'm much happier inside with a book or a pad and pencil, but we share some interests too. Music, video games, history... he's a history major at his college and wants to be a teacher."

"Again, someone a tad more practical than me," Garrett joked.

"Oh, hush," Robbie replied. "And, I dunno... he's funny and kind, and even though he's a bit of a slut... or a lot of a slut... I still care about him, and that goes both ways."

Garrett nodded. "I getcha. Well, enough about him. So what do you think of our aesthetics class? For real. I can't stand that Morgan kid."

"Oh gods, tell me about it!" Robbie said.

The two fell into laughter as they shared frustrations about classmates and professors, joked about the tensions in their friend group, and lightheartedly ribbed each other. Down went four more beers between the two of them.

As they went, their talk got a little more raunchy.

"So, Robbie," Garrett said. "I'm not one to put out on the first date, but sooner or later we'll be getting there..."

The fox blushed. "I'm sure we will, but I'm in no rush. Gotta make that first time special, right?"

"Oh, for sure," Garrett said. "And the fucking dorm beds are barely suitable for sleeping, let alone other activities!" He laughed and finished off his third beer.

"True that," Robbie chuckled. "Ya know, I've got a queen size bed at my parents' place. I could see if my parents would be cool having you over for Spring break. It'd give us privacy and a comfortable place to do whatever we wanted."

"Mmmm... that sounds lovely," Garrett murred. He squeezed the fox's paw. "If you think it isn't too early to be introducing me to your parents."

Robbie beamed. "Well, you're a good friend already, and I feel like I can trust you, so why not? You can meet my parents, my sister, her girlfriend..."

"Your ex," Garrett teased.

"Yeah, even that little horn ball," Robbie laughed. "Though let's be fair, he ain't little. He's trim and fit, but he's like, taller than me, and he's got a big di-" He caught himself as he found himself talking about genitals.

Garrett smirked. "Oh really? And what about yours?" he teased.

A blush crept across the fox's face. "It's decent. Maybe a bit on the small side, but hey. It's mine and I like it well enough."

The ferret grinned. "I'm sure it's great, but I'll reserve judgment until I've gotten to explore."

"Ooo la la," Robbie said. Both of them laughed. Without another thought, they paid for their drinks and left the bar.

They never got around to seeing a movie.

A couple weeks later, Robbie found himself packing up to head home for Spring break. His mother had been delighted when he asked to bring his boyfriend home, and she seemed quite eager to meet him. There had been no question that he and Garrett would be sharing his bed. The ferret had seemed eager to do it, too, but Robbie still had his doubts. They'd only been dating for a couple weeks, even if he'd known Garrett for almost three years, and in that time they'd done little more than hold hands and share the odd kiss.

Robbie shook the idea from his head as he finished packing up his clothes. He'd figure it out when he got home. "Ready to hit the road, Garrett?" he asked.

"Just about," Garrett said. He checked his phone, then grabbed a couple of books off his shelf and stuffed them into his backpack. "There we go. That should be everything."

"Cool," Robbie said. He pulled his laptop bag over his shoulder, then grabbed his suitcase and led the way out of their dorm room to his car.

The trip home flew by for the fox. He and Garrett spent the whole drive talking, laughing, singing along with their favorite songs. As they neared Oakfield, though, the ferret started to show his nerves.

"Hey, Robs? Did you tell your parents that I'm trans?" Garrett asked.

"Nah," Robbie said. "Figured it's not my place to say. They know you're my boyfriend. Whether or when they find out about your gender is up to you, not me."

"Cool," Garrett said. He reached over and Robbie's right paw. "Thanks. I appreciate it."

Robbie grinned at him. "Well, if it took you three years to tell me, I'm not just gonna go telling everyone."

Garrett chuckled. "Still, I appreciate it." He sighed and looked around as Robbie guided the car off the main road onto a tree-lined suburban street. "Think I'll get a chance to meet your sister's girlfriend tonight?"

"Probably," Robbie said. "She's over a lot. Ellie and Jamie basically alternate nightly between our house and hers."

The ferret laughed. "That's awesome. You've got some pretty great parents."

"Heh. Guess I do." Robbie guided the car into the driveway, then into a cement offshoot by the garage, slipping in next to a red sedan. "Well, Ellie's car is here, which means Jamie's probably here, too."

The two males climbed out of the fox's car and pulled out their suitcases and bookbags, then made their way up the short walk to the sky blue house. Robbie fiddled with his eyes, then slipped his house key into the lock, and led the way in.

"Mom! Dad! I'm home!" Robbie called.

As they entered, Garrett looked around. The spacious living room greeted them. A large sectional couch curved around two walls. A snow leopard and a red panda were curled up together on the couch, snuggled under a blanket. They raised their paws in greeting as the males walked in.

"Hey, Robbie!" the snow leopard said. She leapt up and ran over to the fox and gave him a hug and a quick kiss on his cheek. As was usual for his sister at home, she was nude save for her panties. "Who's your friend?" She showed no embarrassment at her state of undress, and made no attempt to cover herself.

Robbie grinned and hugged his sister, then put an arm around her shoulder as he drew Garrett in. "Ellie, this is my new boyfriend, Garrett. Garrett, my sister Ellie."

The ferret raised a paw in greeting. "Pleasure to meet you!" he said.

Ellie gasped, her ears perking. "Boyfriend?!" She squealed then threw her arms around Garrett. "Hi! I didn't know my brother had found himself a new partner." She kissed his cheek, then took a step back and looked him up and down. "Huh. Not quite the build I'd expect of someone dating my brother, but hey. As long as you two are happy, right?"

"Damned right," Robbie said.

Garrett cleared his throat. "You usually greet strangers in just your panties?"

The snow leopard giggled, then bounced back to the couch. "Not always, no. Robbie did tell you it's a clothing optional household, right? Well, anyway, it's nice to meet you, Garrett! I look forward to getting to know you better." She took a seat. "Oh, this is my girlfriend, Jamie."

The red panda giggled and shook her head. "Glad to know I'm an afterthought, sweetie," she teased. She leaned over to kiss Ellie on the cheek, but the snow leopard moved to catch the kiss on her lips. The girls giggled again, then Jamie turned her attention to the ferret. "Nice to meet you. We're just watching a movie right now if you wanna join us."

"I think we should drop our bags in my room first," Robbie said. "Where're mom and dad?"

"Working late again," Ellie said. "Mom should be home soon, though, but dad... who knows?"

"Gotcha. Well, come on, Garrett, I'll show you to our room," Robbie said.

The two ascended the stairs. "I like that it's already 'ours,'" Garrett quipped.

Robbie chuckled and shook his head as he led the ferret into his childhood bedroom. It was a rather sedate room. A bookshelf stuffed to the brim with books, a dresser, and a queen sized bed flanked by two small end tables made up the furniture. A few landscape paintings added color to the walls. The fox dropped his suitcase and laptop bag next to his dresser. "Welcome home," he said.

Garrett stepped in past the fox and put down his suitcase and backpack near Robbie's, then flopped down on the bed. "Funny, this is exactly the sort of room I would have expected of you."

Robbie chuckled. "I'm nothing if not predictable." He leaned against the door frame. "Do you want to join my sister and her girlfriend in the living room? Take the grand tour of the house?"

The ferret sat up and waggled his eyebrows at the fox. "Well, actually, I was thinking maybe you and I could have a proper cuddle session." He rubbed the mattress next to him with one paw and beckoned the fox over with the other.

"Sold," Robbie said. He shut the door behind him, then walked around to the other side of the bed and climbed in alongside the ferret.

Almost immediately Garrett was on top of him. "Gods, I've wanted this," Garrett whispered.

Robbie chuckled and grinned coyly up at his boyfriend. "My my, whatever do you mean, my mustelid man?"

Garrett blushed softly and grinned down at the fox as he laid down on top of him. "I think you know," Garrett whispered as he nuzzled the fox.

Robbie murred softly, his paws roaming over the ferret's sides. "I keep wondering about how soft your fur is," he whispered.

"Oh do you, now?" Garrett teased. He pushed himself up, straddling the fox, then reached down and pulled his t-shirt up and off.

The fox's breath caught in his throat. While he'd gotten to see glimpses of the ferret's body back in their dorm room, this time he got to see him up close. He was even more gorgeous up close. Fit, trim, not toned but by no means pudgy, either, an absolutely beautiful specimen of masculinity.

"Wow," Robbie choked out.

Garrett grinned and held his paws behind his head. "Well? You wanted to touch, didn't you?"

Robbie reached towards the ferret, stopping short of his belly. "You sure you're ready for me to touch you?"

The ferret grabbed the fox's paws and brought them the rest of the way to his tummy. "Yes," Garrett said. "Touch my body."

No way to refuse an invitation like that. Robbie happily worked his paws over the ferret's chest. His fur was gently prickly, but soft once you got past the initial roughness. He stared in awe at the ferret's body as he felt the gentle curve of his belly, his slim sides, even up to his chest.

"Fuck," Robbie whispered. "I have no right to be with a guy with a body as sexy as yours."

Garrett leaned down and put a finger to Robbie's lips. "Hush, you. Only I get to decide who gets the privilege of being with me, and if you weren't worthy of it, we wouldn't be here." He took his finger away and lowered his muzzle, bringing his lips to Robbie's.

Their kiss carried an intensity that Robbie had yet to experience from the ferret. There was a hunger there, a longing, an urgency that both surprised and excited him. Before he knew it, he felt the ferret's paws at his armpits, his shirt up and almost off. They broke the kiss only long enough for Garrett to free the fox from his garment.

Fur to fur, Garrett's body truly shined. Again the fox thought that he had no right to be with someone as slim and sexy as Garrett, but he wasn't about to voice that thought, nor to complain. Garrett was hot, he was smart, and he was his.

After several minutes, Garrett finally broke away, slipping off the fox to lay beside him in bed. "Hey, Robs? Your family won't mind if I keep my clothes on, right?"

"Hm? Oh, yeah, they won't care," Robbie said. "Wear as much or as little as you're comfortable with. My parents will probably keep their clothes on, at least until they get to know you a little, so you won't be alone. But... well, I usually go in just my boxers. And you've seen what my sister wears around the house."

Garrett smiled and snuggled in close to Robbie. "Heh... maybe I'll try going topless." He rolled onto his back and stretched out. "That's not something I've been able to get myself to do without feeling self-conscious about my body."

"It's a shame," Robbie said. He rolled onto his side and traced his finger in circles around the ferret's chest. "A body like this deserves to be shown off and celebrated."

"Oh, you," Garrett said. He leaned in and kissed Robbie again, then gave a mischievous grin. "Besides... you haven't even seen all of me yet."

Robbie chuckled. "I know, but you're still damned sexy. I'm sure the rest of you is just as hot."

"Do you... wanna find out?"

The fox blinked. "Of course I do, but I don't want to rush you or make you feel pressured."

Garrett batted his eyelashes at the fox. "I'm not pressured. You've been nothing but a gentleman." His paws went to his pants and started sliding them down.

Robbie gulped and looked down. He watched as the ferret slid his pants lower, revealing his boxers beneath. The ferret's legs drew up as he pulled his pants down, and he discarded tossed the garment towards the dresser.

"Hot damn," Robbie whispered. "Fuck me, you're hot."

"Flattery will get you everywhere," Garrett teased. "We won't be disturbed, will we?"

"Of course not. My family respects my privacy," Robbie said. He shivered as he looked over the ferret's body. A curious feeling flooded his being. It wasn't quite lust, though there was definitely a hungry edge to it. It was less and more than that. He wanted desperately to ravish Garrett's body, not out of a desire for his own pleasure but for his. He wanted to make love to that ferret next to him.

"Well?" Garrett said.

Robbie was dimly aware that he had said something, but the words hadn't penetrated his consciousness. "Sorry, say that again?"

Garrett laughed. "I said, am I going to be the only one in my undies?"

"Oh... oh!" Robbie said. Quickly catching on, he started fumbling with his belt, his fingers trembling.

The ferret reached over and cupped his paws over Robbie's. "Looks like you need some help." He guided the fox's paws away, then picked up where they left off, unbuckling his belt. Next came his zipper. Finally, the ferret undid the button, and began pulling the fox's jeans off.

Robbie blushed as Garrett undressed him. The front of his boxers were already moist with pre, his cock straining against the fabric. When his legs were free, Garrett tossed the fox's jeans aside.

"So," Garrett said. "I... don't actually know what I'm doing here, either." He blushed, but grinned through it down at the fox.

"That makes two of us!" Robbie replied. "Well... I'm sure we can figure it out. But, uh... is there anything that's off limits?"

The ferret rubbed his chin. "Nothing penetrative right now. I, uh... I don't think I'm ready for that."

"Fair," Robbie said. "Anything else?"

Garrett shrugged. "If anything comes up, I'll let you know."

Robbie nodded. "And you can say 'no' at any time and we can stop."

The ferret smiled. "Good." And with that, he pulled down his boxers.

Robbie gasped as the ferret pulled down his underwear. He felt a shiver run down his spine as he took in the gentle curve of his groin. Between his legs he could see the suggestion of his labia, and the gentle mount of his dick standing away from his body. The fox drew himself from his trance long enough to take off his own boxers.

It was the ferret's turn to gasp when Robbie pulled off his last article of clothing. Garrett's eyes were locked on Robbie's dick. His glans was shiny with pre, his foreskin partially retracted.

"Wow," Garrett whispered.

"That's my line," Robbie said. Both males chuckled. Garrett leaned in, getting a closer look at Robbie's genitals. "Ya know, if you climb up and straddle my face we can both examine each other."

Garrett laughed. "Trying to get me to sixty-nine you?" he teased.

"I mean, if you want to use your mouth, I won't object!" Robbie replied.

The ferret crossed his arms. "Got any condoms?"

"Uhh..." That was actually a good question. The fox climbed out of bed and pulled out a drawer of his dresser. "Lemme see..." He pushed aside the clothing inside. "Ah ha!" he declared, and pulled out three condoms. "Strawberry, grape, or vanilla?"

Garrett smirked. "You come prepared. Toss me the grape, and we'll see if we use it."

The fox grinned and followed his boyfriend's instructions, then hopped back into bed, his tail wagging.

"D'aww! I didn't realize your tail wags when you're excited!" Garrett exclaimed.

Robbie squeaked and blushed. "Y-yeah, that happens sometimes," he muttered.

The ferret grinned and kissed the fox's nose. "It's adorable."

"Yeah, yeah," Robbie said. He laid back in his bed, then looked up at Garrett. "Hey, Gare? What's with the sudden burst of horny? I'm not complaining, but you definitely didn't seem this into sex when we were back at the dorm..."

Garrett shrugged. "I... I guess I just feel more comfortable here, away from our dorm? And... well, I guess you're the first guy who I've really felt comfortable with, and who hasn't just rejected me out of paw for being trans. First time hornies? Is that a thing?"

Robbie chuckled and stuck his tongue out at the ferret. "It certainly can be. But I also want to make sure we're not going too fast for you."

"I appreciate you looking out for me," Garrett said. "But I'm certain that I want this."

Without another word, Garrett climbed on top of Robbie. The fox found himself staring at the ferret's vulva.

"So, why don't I show you around," Garrett said. He reached a paw down and spread his labia. "Have you seen anyone's vulva before, or am I your first there?"

Robbie blushed. "I've... eaten some pussy before, but trans guy puss is new."

Garrett grinned. "Good, so I don't have to introduce you to EVERYTHING." He brought his thumb and forefinger to his engorged clit and gave it a little stroke. "So, here's my dick. I know you've got some experience there, but... well, just be gentle with him."

"Got it," Robbie said. "Uh... anywhere you don't want me to touch?"

"Touch wherever you want," Garrett replied. "Just don't put anything in me. Fingers included."

"Yes sir," Robbie said. He licked his lips as he looked at his boyfriend's vulva, then looked down. "So, uh... my dick..." He wrapped his paw around it. "A gentle grip works best. My foreskin only goes back so far," he said, demonstrating by rolling it back. "Any more than this hurts. And, uh... if you wanna play with my balls a little, that's cool. Doesn't really do anything for me, but if you want to explore... just be gentle with them."

"Don't worry, babe," Garrett said. "I'll be gentle. But if I need to change anything up, just tell me. It won't hurt my pride or any bullshit like that."

Robbie grinned. "Damn. Shoulda dated a trans dude earlier."

The ferret gently bopped the fox's nose with his tail. "Oh you."

Their introductions out of the way, the males set their eyes on their prizes. Garrett's paw was the first to make contact, his fingers gently wrapping around Robbie's shaft. He started with slow, experimental strokes, watching the fox's foreskin roll back and forth.

The fox trembled at the first touch from his new boyfriend. It had been too long since he had felt the touch of anyone other than himself, and for someone who was, by his own admission, a virgin, he wasn't bad. "J-just like that," Robbie said. "You can go a little faster if you want."

As the ferret started picking up his pace, Robbie got his paws in on the action. He gently gripped Garrett's dick the way he demonstrated, giving a few slow strokes. It was a curious sensation. His dick was surprisingly firm, not as firm as his dick, for sure, but more turgid than he would have expected. The moan he earned from Garrett suggested that he was pushing the right buttons.

"A-ah... Robbie?"

"Yeah, Garrett?"

"I... I'm not sure if I want to go any further right now..."

Robbie nodded and pulled his fingers back, biting his tongue to catch his sigh. "Hey, it's cool. No pressure, honey."

Garrett climbed off of him and laid down next to the fox, draping an arm over him. "Thanks for being understanding," he whispered.

Robbie chuckled and kissed his boyfriend's forehead. "That's what being a partner is all about," he replied.

The ferret sighed happily and tucked his head into the crook of Robbie's arm. "I know... but it's still nice when folks actually, ya know... respect that."

An icy chill ran up Robbie's spine. In his mind, he knew that that's how everyone should be treated, but he also knew that sometimes furs weren't so kind or understanding. He wondered if anyone had ever betrayed this beautiful ferret in his arms. He was tempted to ask. But he wouldn't. If Garrett had anything to share, he'd share it in his own time.

"I'm happy just to lie with you like this," Robbie whispered. "Like... sex is great and all, but it's not the only important thing in a relationship. If this is as sexual as it ever gets, I'll still be proud to call you my boyfriend."

Garrett smiled up at him. There was a sparkle in his eyes in that moment, a spark of complete trust and adoration. Robbie couldn't help but to smile back.

A half an hour passed with the two lovers in each others' arms on Robbie's bed. A sense of total peace and calm blanketed them both. Robbie found it hard to believe that he had found such bliss with someone. From nearby, the garage door rattled open.

"Sounds like my parents are getting home," Robbie said. "Wanna get dressed and go meet them?"

Garrett chuckled and licked the fox's nose. "Sure thing, love."

They each rose and pulled on their underwear. Robbie was surprised when Garrett opted not to pull on anything more, but he didn't comment. He simply took the ferret's paw and led him out of his room and downstairs.

"There you two are!" Ellie called from the couch. "Have fun up there?"

"Oh, we most certainly did," Robbie replied. "We needed a little nap after the drive."

"Oh, a nap, was it?" Ellie teased. She made a crude hand gesture at the two males.

Jamie giggled and poked her girlfriend's nose. "Ellie, don't be nasty. Not like we've never just had naps together."

"I guess," Ellie said. She stretched and looked at the males as they got downstairs. "Glad to see I didn't scare you off with my tits, Garrett!"

The ferret laughed and stuck his tongue out at the snow leopard. "It'll take more than titties to scare me away, girl!"

Ellie giggled. "Well, if you can survive a week with us, I guess you'll be a keeper!" As she said that, her mother emerged from the hall.

The vixen beamed as she laid eyes on Garrett and her son. "Welcome home, boys!" she said. She hugged her son, then his boyfriend. "Garrett, right?"

"In the fur," Garrett said. "Pleased to meet you, Dr. Langley."

"Oh, please, call me Terry," the vixen replied. "It's nice to see that you're already getting comfortable in our home. I hope you can think of it as your home in good time."

The ferret grinned. "Well, let's not rush into anything."

Terry laughed. "Of course not, but I know that you and Robbie have been friends for a good while now, so our door will always be open to you." She walked over to her daughter and her girlfriend and gave each of them a kiss on the cheek. "Dan's on his way home, so I think we'll order out for dinner. How's Thai sound?"

"Hell yeah!" Jamie said. "Gimme that SPICE!"

Robbie rolled his eyes. "What is it with trans girls and spicy food? I've only met three, but I swear, you all have a love affair with capsaicin."

"I think it comes along with the spicy girldick," Jamie teased. She grinned at Garrett. "I do hope Robbie warned you that I'm trans as fuck and proud of it."

Garrett chuckled. "He told me you were trans, but not that you were so open about it," he replied. "And aren't you still in high school, anyway?"

Jamie grinned. "Yeah, but I'm already eighteen. Don't worry, it isn't illegal to look at me!"

"Thank goodness for that," Garrett said.

Terry giggled and looked around the room. "Well, let me just head upstairs and get more comfortable, and then we can sort out dinner."

"Sounds good, mom," Robbie said. He walked over to the couch and flopped down next to Jamie. "Join us, Garrett."

"One of us, one of us," Jamie and Ellie chanted.

The ferret laughed and took a seat next to Robbie. "I think I'm going to like your family."

Dinner was an extra animated affair in the Langley house. Robbie's parents were quite interested in learning more about their son's new boyfriend. Trans topics came up thanks to Jamie, but Garrett made no mention of his own transness. He did, however, engage in a very lively discussion with the girls about queer issues. Thankfully, when Robbie asked to slip out to bed, his boyfriend accompanied him.

The fox lay in his bed, one arm around Garrett. Both males had ditched their underwear the second that they got into Robbie's bedroom. It felt so warm and peaceful in bed with him.

"Shame we can't share a bed like this in the dorm," Robbie muttered.

Garrett sighed and nuzzled Robbie's chest. "Hey, there's only a couple months left of the semester. And your mom did say I could stay here this summer..."

Robbie grinned. "Yeah, that's true." He kissed his boyfriend's forehead. Garrett kissed his chest in return, then playfully grabbed one of Robbie's manboobs.

"Robbie, you've got better tits than I ever had, you know that?" Garrett said.

"Jeez, make me feel bad, why don't you," Robbie deadpanned.

"I'm not saying it's a bad thing. It's cute," Garrett said.

"And besides, I'll have to take your word on it," Robbie said. "Not like I have any way to know what your tits looked like before."

"Maybe you do," Garrett said. He reached over to his bedside table and grabbed his phone, then started searching through his gallery. "Lemme see... here we go!"

Robbie squinted as the ferret held his phone over the fox's muzzle. On the screen was a picture of the ferret standing in front of a mirror, holding up his phone in one paw, his other fondling one of his breasts.

"Huh... guess I do have nicer tits," Robbie said.

"See? Told you!" Garrett said. He leaned up and whispered, "But Jamie has some cute ones, too."

Robbie winced. "Garrett, eww, that's my sister's girlfriend you're talking about! And I thought you were gay."

"Hey, just because I don't want to partake doesn't mean I can't enjoy the sights," Garrett teased.

The fox rolled his eyes. "Well... okay, fair, but still." He was quiet for a moment, then asked, "So what do you think of my family so far?"

"They're better than I could have imagined," Garrett sighed. "I wish my parents were half as accepting as yours. They seem so... perfectly happy to see their cubs dating same-gender partners, and they're on point with Jamie's gender."

"There's no question of yours, either," Robbie noted. "Not that you have to come out to them."

Garrett shrugged. "I probably will, sooner or later. But that's not exactly dinner table discussion."

"It could be in our family," Robbie said. "But don't worry about it. Whenever you're ready."

Garrett rolled onto his side and looked at Robbie. "You're a good guy, you know that?"

Robbie snorted. "Me? A good guy? Surely you jest. I'm mediocre at best."

The ferret bopped Robbie's nose with a pillow. "Don't say that, Robbie. You're great. Like... I can't describe it. You just make me really happy." He settled in again next to the fox.

Robbie sighed. He knew he should be happy. He had a wonderful boyfriend, a loving, accepting family, a roof over his head, good food in his belly. And yet somehow, something seemed missing. No matter how much the furs in his life told him otherwise, he couldn't shake the feeling that he didn't deserve anything that he had.

Garrett kissed his neck, and the shadows at the edges of Robbie's consciousness retreated for the moment. The fox held his ferret tighter against himself.

As they were settling in, Robbie's phone buzzed. The fox groaned and grabbed it off his bedside table. "Oh hey, Martin texted me."

The ferret leaned in as Robbie read it. "Mind if I peek?"

"Go for it," Robbie said. He grinned as he saw the text on screen. 'Hey. Heard you've got a boyfriend now. Congrats!' Maybe things were going to be okay between him and Martin.