The Box
_I wrote this story in 2004 as an attempt at writing something romantic without being too sappy. It was tricky, but I actually got inspired early on somehow and wrote the whole thing in a single night. Don't worry. It's the last time I'll do anything 'romantic'. =P
Thanks for reading!_
**Warning: This story contains stuff your parents told you was naughty!
The Box
By Lykos Bane**
"Class. Take your seats."
The boisterous assemblage died down, the classroom taking on that eerie silence once everyone found their seats. They all turned their attention to the front of the room, watching an older cheetah with rapt attention, or their best imitation of it. The teacher waited patiently as the final noises came to a halt.
"Very good, class," the cheetah began and looked over the group for a moment. "We have a new student. Come up here please, Mr. Mariks."
The cheetah's eyes looked at the back of the room, homing in on the owner of that name. The more inquisitive students in the class turned their heads to see. Most kept their attention on the cheetah in front. Those that turned to look were greeted with the sight of a handsome tiger as he stood and approached the front of the room. He seemed very timid. The tiger didn't stand out in any way, except for the fact he was a tiger. His clothes were plain; generic t-shirt and jeans. He kept his eyes on the floor to avoid getting anyone's attention or tried to block out the fact that he was now the center of it. His fur seemed to stand out on end, the black and white stripes zigzagging in a sharp pattern over his body, peaking out of his shirt and swallowing his head. A long feline tail extended from a hole tailored into the back of the jeans and flowed out behind him. The stripes almost looked like rings on their travels to the tip.
The cheetah at the front of the room gave a nod to the new student, "Mr. Mariks? Would you like to introduce yourself?"
The tiger shook his head once.
"Ok," the teacher nodded his head. The cheetah stepped up beside the new student. "Class, this is Christopher Mariks. His family just moved into town here. I hope that you all make him feel welcome." The feline cleared his throat, "Mr. Peterson?"
Nobody responded.
The cheetah sighed with a roll of his eyes, "Mr. Peterson!"
"Huh!" A wolf in the back of the room perked his ears, obviously a victim of the fabricated assiduity that also infected most of his peers. Shaking his head to rid it of that cataleptic state, he looked at the front of the class. It was the first time he noticed a strange feline standing next to the teacher. He tilted his head, an unspoken question. "Ummm... Fifteen?"
A couple of the other students snickered quietly.
"Nice of you to join us, Mr. Peterson," the cheetah said in an annoyed tone. "That answer might serve you better if used in your math class. Now, Mr. Peterson, I'm not going to introduce him again, but this individual right here is in all the same classes as you. I trust you can remain coherent enough to show him around the campus today?"
"What?" the wolf cringed.
"It's not that difficult of a task. I'll even go the extra mile and put my faith in you," the cheetah said with an almost sarcastic tang to his voice. The adult looked over at the young man next to him, "Please...have a seat back there by Mr. Peterson."
The tiger tried to escape the center of attention by going to the back of the room. He took the empty desk right next to the lupine. He was incredibly nervous. New place, new people...it was huge. He was used to living in a small town. The school was practically the size of his old town. He slumped down in his desk a bit.
The wolf looked over at the feline as the teacher went into his daily homeroom discussion, the sound more like a dissertation then a talk to get the students psyched for the day ahead. It was monotonous and long, like it was every day. The wolf continued to watch the feline quietly, his gaze getting lost in those stripes on his face, the twitching of Chris' whiskers almost like a hypnotic pendulum. The wolf could only describe him as beautiful.
The wolf continued to lose himself in the soft fur of the new feline until the bell signaling the end of class ripped him from his torpor. A shake of his head took his gaze away from the feline. He wasn't staring! Really! As if he would stare at another male. He grabbed his bag and glanced around as he stood up.
No one saw...right?
The gray furred wolf followed the other seniors out into the hall, and stopped suddenly. He clenched his teeth and balled his paws into fists. He knew he'd forgotten something.
Shit, he said to himself as he turned around.
The new kid was there. Whiskers twitched to display his disquietude. The wolf started to lose himself in the flocculent fur around Chris' muzzle. Dark blue eyes locked his traveling gaze in place and pulled the wolf from his reverie.
"Ummm..." the wolf stuttered.
"I'm Chris," the tiger said and extended a paw toward the confused lupine.
The tiger's voice was like a mellow whisper to the Andrew. The sweet and succulent purr, a rumble directly from the feline's chest, tickled the lupine's ear. The paw took the wolf by surprise: almost caused him to jump back. He thankfully caught himself and brought his paw up to intercept.
"Andrew," the lupine replied, grasping the feline's paw in a firm shake.
The tiger's paws were almost as soft as his facial fur appeared to be. Andrew was tempted for a split second to reach up and find out, one paw to shake with and the other to run through the nice...nice...fur. The wolf had to shake his head again.
That was kind of gay. What was he thinking?
"Umm...uhh...we should head for the next class," Andrew managed to say.
"Probably not a bad idea, man," the tiger smiled. A soft chuckle followed it.
Andrew felt a shiver run through his form as the feline's smile. It added a new beauty to the male the wolf hadn't seen before. The chuckle that followed those softly spoken words sent the butterflies in his stomach aflutter. Andrew was so confused at these feelings. The normally cool and suave...and straight...wolf trembled a bit before showing the new student to their next class...
The wolf looks over the schedule of classes as the cold air rushes by him. A particularly strong gust catches the paper and it rushes off with it like a thief in the night. The wolf doesn't even react as he continues to sit on the roof of the apartment complex. A box sits next to him, full of odds and ends that he has been collecting over the years. It is a box of memories, a time machine of sorts.
The lupine reaches back into the box and finds a ticket stub. Looking closely at it, a smile comes over his muzzle. The writing on it brings back memories to the wolf, the time machine doing its job.
The lupine goes into a daze as his mind drifts off, hardly hearing the banging that starts on the rooftop door.
"Come on!" Chris said excitedly, "We're going to be late!"
Andrew tried to keep up with the tiger. They were on their way to a movie and were apparently running late. The wolf chuckled as he saw the excitement in his friend. He never knew Chris had been looking forward to seeing the film.
The two were inseparable after their first meeting. Having the same exact schedule didn't help matters. The wolf wasn't complaining though. There weren't any from the tiger either. It took a couple classes, but the wolf finally managed to control the reaction he had to the tiger's voice and appearance. They discovered they had a lot in common. Their friendship just blossomed from there.
Andrew was shocked to have the tiger ask him to go to the movies. He didn't like that he got that excitement one gets when asked out on a date. He answered with a bit more enthusiasm than he had anticipated. That got Chris to chuckle again.
The wolf chased the tiger, like...well...a dog chases a cat...to the box office of the theater. He panted heavily as the tiger ran right up and ordered two tickets for the movie. Still breathing hard himself, Chris returned with an excited twitch in his tail.
"Let's go!" Chris exclaimed.
"We have plenty of time!" Andrew laughed, "You turn into a kitten for every new horror movie that comes out?"
"That's not all that turns me into a kitten," Chris said with a smirk before he turned from the wolf and walked toward the entrance.
Did he just flirt with me? Andrew asked himself before he realized his gaze was locked on the tiger's rump and that he was panting.
He followed suddenly, not wanting to lose the tiger, especially since he had both the tickets. The excited feline was calm enough to stop at the door and await his companion. A striped paw offered his companion a piece of paper. The wolf took the offered ticket and quickly cut in front of the tiger. He handed the ticket to the boar standing there, who tore it and handed him back the smaller piece.
"Theater two to your left," the boar said in a monotone voice, obviously disenchanted with his current occupation.
The tiger followed a moment later, having gotten stuck behind a family of otters. He growled a bit as he walked up to the wolf, the family having taken its time to get in. He mumbled something the wolf didn't catch.
"Oh," Andrew said with a snicker. "There you are. I thought you wanted to see this movie."
"Come on, smart ass," Chris said. The playful slug didn't come as a surprise to the bigger wolf.
They both headed into theater two and found their seats towards the back. They got settled not a moment too soon, the illumination dimming until they were left in an aphonic theater for a split second. A moment later the screen came to life, spraying the audience with incandescent light.
Andrew looked over at his friend. Holding back a smile was impossible when he saw the tiger's bright eyes reflect the images that played over the large screen. The wolf wondered if that's how he looked when he stared at Chris. He wondered if that's how he looked right now. He managed to tear his eyes away from the beauty that was next to him to watch the disgusting on the screen.
Andrew didn't fully watch the movie though, too lost in thought. These feelings confused him; their effect totally foreign. Hell, he had been drooling over a hot female the day before he even met the feline. That was natural though, right? Why was his tongue hanging down to his feet every time he looked at the tiger next to him?
The wolf was torn from his thoughts by a pressure at his side. He looked over and realized that Chris was against him. They never pulled the arm rest down. The lupine just smirked when he realized the tiger was scared. He could smell the scent of fear in the audience as well. Damn...he was going to have to watch this movie again to see if it really was that good...
Wait a minute!
Andrew's eyes widened a bit. The tiger was pushed up against him! The wolf had barely accepted this fact when he felt a paw close around his own, that same soft paw he had shaken his a few weeks prior. Every atom in his body directed him to pull his paw away, look shocked or disgusted...or something. He did the only thing he could do.
The wolf tensed up.
This had no effect upon the feline at all. Andrew wondered if Chris knew what he was doing. Did he know that he was pushed up against another male or gripping his paws?
Does he know he's turning me on? Andrew asked himself. His free paw moved to his lap to cover up the bulge there, hoping the sharp scent of fear cloaked the smooth smell of arousal.
The movie continued like this; the tiger huddled up against the wolf and the wolf resting his paw in his lap. A couple of times, Chris jumped and squeezed the wolf's paw again, surprising the lupine in the process. Andrew could only hope that his panting would be mistaken for fear as well.
When the movie ended, Chris released the paw and moved away a bit. He glanced over at the wolf, and blushed deeply, "I guess...I should have told you that these movies get to me huh? I...hope you didn't mind."
God, he's even cute when he blushes! Andrew thought, looking at the feline for a moment.
"Not at all!" Andrew managed to get out, "It was a scary movie."
"At least it didn't make me pant," the tiger smirked, sticking his tongue out at his friend.
"Heh," the lupine began, it being his turn to blush. "I guess it just scared me too."
"Come on, puppy," the tiger said sarcastically to tease the wolf.
He called me puppy! Andrew forced himself to growl to tease the feline back
Chris just laughed and stood up, "I need to get home. I have some homework to do still."
Andrew and Chris made their way to the wolf's car and got in. They chatted about this and that as the car sped down the road. In no time, they were home and their night was coming to an end.
Andrew got out of the car with the tiger so they could finish their conversation and enjoy the cool air. After about half an hour, the topic came to an end and the two just looked at each other for a moment. Chris broke the silence.
"Well...I should...be going in."
"Yeah," Andrew nodded, agreeing with the tiger.
Without warning, the tiger leaned and quietly licked over the wolf's cheek. Andrew's paw came up, almost instinctively, and brushed over the soft fur of the tiger's cheek. His claws made trails in the fluff as the tiger pulled away.
With a blush, Chris was gone, having run up the steps and into the house. Andrew stayed where he was for a moment longer, paw still in the air and muzzle agape. Slowly lowering his paw, the wolf turned away and started the long walk home, almost in a complete trance. He was only able to think one thing.
It was as soft as his paw.
He got home about an hour later, the walk having been long. It at least gave him time to think everything over, the lick, the touch, everything. He found that none of it disgusted or offended him; that he actually liked it.
"Hey honey," the wolf's mother called from the living room. "You're home late. Didn't hear your car pull up."
Andrew perked his ears then, "Car?" He cringed a moment later, the paw he had used to touch the tiger came up and covered his eyes, "Shit...the car."
The ticket stub suddenly joins its brother, now property of the wind. The wolf watches this piece dance with its invisible partner, spinning and twirling as it grows more distant like the memory it is attached to. He looks away when the small paper becomes part of the back ground, disappearing into the dirty city that surrounds him.
The vehement pounding grows even more, a voice accompanying it now. The impact only a dull thud in the lupine's ears, his mind elsewhere.
He reaches into the box again as the voice grows in his head, along with the force against the metal door. He looks at the picture, recalling the image immediately.
"Andrew!" More pounding, "Andrew! Unlock the door!" The sound didn't stop.
"Andrew! Andrew! Look over here!"
Andrew looked over at the camera. He grinned from ear to ear as he stood proudly in his cap and grown, holding up a diploma. Beside him stood Chris, adorned in the same attire as the wolf. The lupine moved closer and placed his arm around the tiger's shoulders. Both looked at the camera and grinning widely.
"Ready? On three?" Andrew's mother said, "One...two....three!"
At the same time, both young males twisted their muzzles into grimaces until they were both making a face just as the camera flashed. This got the desired reaction out of the wolf's mother. She growled deeply and looked at them from over the camera.
"Don't make your obituaries say you died on your graduation day."
Andrew and Chris laughed. Well...until they had the flash of the camera blinding them.
"Perfect!" the older wolf called out, sticking her tongue out at her son. She got two tongues in return.
The wolf and tiger started to work their way through the crowds of families congratulating their children on their big accomplishment. They finally reached the end of the field of people, panting and chuckling at the same time. It was a big day. They were finally done.
"So what now?" Chris asked the wolf with a quick glance over at him.
They had grown closer after the night at the movies. They never spoke of the incident again, but their friendship wasn't harmed by it in any way. They had a strong bond and they both knew it.
"I don't know," Andrew said. "There are all kinds of parties going on tonight."
"Eh," the tiger cringed a bit, showing his distaste for that option. "I think I'll sit those out. Don't let me stop you from going though."
"Eh," Andrew shrugged, having decided against parties before the tiger could even finish his statement. His ears perk, "I know! How about we go get some dinner and then go for a drive?"
The tiger brightened up at that idea. Andrew always loved it when his friend perked up like that. It always brought a smile to his muzzle.
"Yeah!" Chris exclaimed, "That would be great!"
They made their way through the crowd to Andrew's car, the wolf unlocking the door for his friend before moving to the driver's side. They both removed their gowns and tossed them into the back seat. They got in and drove away, beating the traffic they knew would build up when everyone else got the same idea. They had said their goodbyes to all their friends so there was no reason to stay there anymore.
Later that night, they were flying through the winding roads that led into the mountains. The wolf loved driving quickly through the turns, having created almost an art at it. The first time he had brought the tiger with him, the feline almost jumped out of his skin. Now, Andrew could tell the tiger was enjoying it as much as he did.
They continued their pursuit of the best pull off possible, having left civilization far behind. They kept their eyes peeled for anything as they continued to drive. The feline perked up.
"How about that one?"
Andrew shook his head, "I know of the one we should go to. It's far back there. We won't get bothered. It also has the best view."
Chris only nodded, looking back at the road again. They both grew quiet and enjoyed where they were at and being near each other. The only sound was the hum of the motor since the radio was turned off a long time ago.
"There's something we need to talk about," the wolf said, breaking the silence.
Chris looked over questioningly, his head tilting, "Yeah, Andrew?"
"Well," the wolf tried to think of the words. He glanced over at his friend, "What do you have planned now that school is over?"
"I'm really not sure?" Chris replied, "Probably pick up a few classes at the local college. Why do you ask?"
"I was just wondering," Andrew said, going quiet.
"W..what do you have planned?" Chris asked a moment later, the dread in his voice getting caught by the lupine's keen ears.
"Well," the wolf started, sighing softly. "I've sent out my applications to a couple of Universities. All of them have denied me so far, but I still have some apps out."
"Awww," the tiger said quietly, the dread being replaced with sorrow for his friend. "I'm sorry to hear that."
Andrew nodded his head and continued to stare at the road, "Well...I should know better in about a week if I get into any of them."
"That's great!" Chris said, elated by his friend's news.
"They're in another state," Andrew said after his friend barely had a chance to finish, the wolf flicking his ears back. "I'd be leaving in a month."
Chris was speechless, his muzzle falling open as he stared at the wolf. He swallowed a bit once he managed to close his maw, working on the lump that had suddenly formed in his throat. The tiger spoke a moment later, his voice shaky.
"W..what?"
"I'm...sorry," the wolf sighed, ears remaining back. He could hear the hurt in the tiger's voice.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Chris asked quietly.
"I...wanted you to have a good graduation today. It wasn't a day to ruin."
"But..."
"I'm sorry."
Chris went quiet for a moment, looking down at his lap. He was going to lose his friend, but he knew that the wolf had to do it. He looked back at the wolf.
"I...can't stop you from going," Chris forced a smile then. "And I wish you luck. I hope you get in. College is important."
Andrew glanced over at the feline, feeling better when he saw the smile, but knew it was forced by the tiger. He nodded his head slowly, "Thanks."
The drive continued in silence then. Neither the tiger nor the wolf, took their eyes off the road. Andrew perked up after a bit.
"Close your eyes," Andrew grinned, glancing at the feline.
"What?" Chris asked, chuckling softly, "Why?"
"Come on," Andrew whimpered mockingly. "Do it for an old friend. It's not like I'm going to do anything to you."
"Alright," Chris chuckled and closed his eyes.
Andrew glanced at the tiger and then looked back at the road, feeling that same flutter of butterflies in his stomach. He was excited to show Chris this spot. He knew he'd like it. As he approached, he brought the car to a stop and turned onto the dirt that filled the turn out.
"Keep them closed," Andrew said as he put the car in park and hopped out of it. He ran around to the other side and threw open the passenger door. His paws caught the tiger's shoulders and gently guided Chris out of the car, "Don't open them until I tell you."
He walked, holding the tiger's paw gently, away from the road and deeper into the turn out. The wolf slowly came to a stop and moved behind the tiger. He put his paws over the feline's eyes and grinned.
"Ready, kitten?" Andrew felt Chris' ears perk when he called him kitten. It was an accident, but the wolf didn't try to cover up for it. The tiger nodded once quickly, smiling wide. The wolf removed his paws then, "Open them."
Chris opened his eyes and looked around for whatever the special surprise the wolf had for him. He didn't have to look far. His eyes widened as his jaw dropped, looking over the valley before him.
The wolf had taken him to a high look out point far back in the mountains. In the distance, the feline could see the downtown area of the city. The buildings stood in a soft veil of clouds, the lights from them dulled to soft smears of color. He could see cars driving along the labyrinthine roads. Above it all, a full moon cast down a soft light that caused the town to glow in its white effulgence. It all seemed so insignificant. Funny how such insignificant things can be so beautiful.
"Oh...my...god..." the tiger finally managed to get out.
"You like?" Andrew said as he stood behind the feline, looking over it all as well.
His answer came in a hug that took the wolf completely by surprise. He stumbled back a couple steps, but found his arms moving around the tiger as well and gave the feline a tight squeeze. He loved the way it felt.
"I love it!" Chris said, looking up at him.
Andrew met his gaze, looking down at his friend, and kept the tiger completely enclosed in his arms. His gaze remains locked with the tiger's for a moment. Neither move for what seemed like an eternity.
Then it happened.
Andrew dipped his muzzle down as Chris moved his own upward and their lips meeting half way. Both males closed their eyes as they kissed for the first time, the taste of the other only serving to excite them more. They both shivered as the wolf slowly worked his tongue into the tiger's
maw. The kiss grew more passionate by the instant.
When it finally broke, they were both breathless. Andrew's eyes widened as he realized what happened, his arms opening up. He released the tiger as he stepped away, his face a map of bewilderment and shock. What had they just done? He just kissed his best friend.
"Oh god," Andrew shook his head, his ears flicking back. "I..I'm so sorry, Chris."
Chris panted wordlessly for a moment, his gaze locked upon the wolf still. He didn't move or react to the lupine at all, his eyes appearing dazed. He shook himself out of it as a grin spread over his muzzle.
Before the wolf could react, he had a tiger pouncing him. He barked out in surprise and stumbled back a couple of steps. He tried to regain his balance, but found it impossible. He started to fall down. Their tongues were wrestling with each other by the time his rump landed upon the hood of his car. Chris kissed him passionately. A moment later, the wolf relaxed and submitted to the pleasure the tiger brought him; more than happy to return it.
Their paws began to explore each other. Starting at the tiger's shoulders, Andrew rubbed over and downward, trailing his paws over Chris' back. He stopped when his fingers rubbed against the base of the tiger's tail. He shivered slightly, the hesitation evident when his tongue stopped exploring the cat's muzzle, but he pushed on and dipped his paws lower to grip the feline's rump.
And it was as firm as it always appeared to be.
Andrew could feel the feline tremble in his arms. He could feel the tiger's paws scratching over his back, even through the fabric of his shirt. He could feel...could feel the tiger's arousal pressing against his own. He moaned deeply into the kiss and started to pant.
Chris was in the same condition as the kiss broke, the wolf giving his lips one last flick of his tongue. The tiger panted heavily and watched his friend. He slowly dipped a paw down, brushing it over the bulge in the front of his friend's pants.
"C...Can I do something for you..." Chris gave the bulge a firm squeeze, continuing to look at the moaning wolf. "...pup?"
"W...what do you...want...to do?" Andrew began, talking through his panting.
"You'll see," the tiger grinned wickedly.
"I...don't know..." the wolf said again, still panting. "Are you...sure you...want to?"
Chris nodded his head, "I've been sure since the night you and I went to see that movie. I wasn't sure you wanted to. You never...spoke of that incident again...so I thought it would be better to leave it."
Andrew went quiet for a moment, watching the feline. Chris' eyes glowed with alacrity and excitement. It was the brightest the wolf had ever seen him. He didn't know if his smile could be larger. That's when the wolf realized that the paw had never left his groin. He leaned back against the car and nodded his head, not needing to say anything.
Chris eased the zipper down on the wolf's pants before slowly working them open in a teasing manner. He grinned up at Andrew and licked his lips before he watched the wolf's shaft come into view. It was larger then he had expected, but not overly sized or anything. It throbbed with the lupine's excitement. The base already made promises of a sizeable knot.
Andrew watched while his friend knelt before him, and couldn't stop his heavy panting if he wanted to. He had been with a few females before this. He knew what a blow job was like. He just never knew he'd be getting one from another male.
All thoughts left his head as the feline's tongue made contact with his sensitive flesh and collected the pre that had already leaked from the tapered tip. The wolf moaned deeply as his maleness slowly disappeared into Chris' muzzle. The tiger took him to the base, the feline's whiskers perfect for teasing his swelling knot.
Andrew's mind was going a million miles a minute. He watched his friend's head bob over his length, working more and more of the thick shaft with each movement. The wolf began to tense up more when his knot expanded to full size. It bundled his sheath down around the base like a bunched up sock. The paw closing firmly around his knot caused him to do something he hadn't done in years as it brought upon his climax.
The wolf threw his head back and howled at the moon.
"Andrew Peterson! We know you're out there! Open the door!"
The pounding on the door continues as the wolf slowly runs a claw over the picture of the laughing tiger. A smile forms on his muzzle as he continues to look at it. A moment later he flicks the picture off the edge of the building, giving the wind help with this piece. His eyes watch as it twirls like a Frisbee into obscurity.
Andrew reaches into the box and pulls out a white envelope, his paw shaking as he holds it.
"Open it!" Chris said excitedly.
The wolf held the envelope with a shaky paw. He nodded his head but never took his eyes off the envelope. He ripped into it and quickly pulled out the contents hidden within. He looked back at the tiger.
They had grown closer after that night in the mountains. They both knew they were more than just friends now. They hadn't done anything since that night beyond the occasional hug or lick to the muzzle, but neither felt a rush to do so.
"I...can't. You read it," the wolf handed the paper to the feline.
Chris took the paper and unfolded it. He started to look over it. Andrew tried hard to read the feline's expressions, but failed miserably. A dread started to build in him as the tiger remained silent. It wasn't good. He knew it wasn't. He could just feel it.
"Well?" Andrew asked, close to hyperventilating.
The tiger looked back at Andrew, his expression cold, showing no emotion. It broke a moment later into a wide smile, "You got accepted!"
"Yes!" Andrew barked out and practically tackled Chris.
Without thinking, the excited lupine kissed the tiger as they lay on his bed. They held it for a bit until it slowly broke, the wolf had regained control of his breathing. He smiled and gave the tiger an affectionate lick to the nose.
"Congratulations!" Chris said, happy for the lupine.
Andrew's tail wouldn't stop wagging. It moved rapidly from side to side as he took the paper and read over it. It was true. He had been accepted. He got into the university. He'd be going to college in the fall.
His happiness ended right there, realizing what that meant.
He'd be leaving Chris soon.
Looking back at his lover, the wolf flicked his ears back, "I don't think I'm going to accept it."
"What?!" Chris said, a growl coming form his chest, "What the fuck are you talking about? You're damn well going to accept it and you're going to go!"
"I...don't want to leave you," the wolf said sadly. "Not now."
"You have to. You can't turn an opportunity like this down."
The wolf only nodded as he dragged his gaze from the tiger. He sighed a bit and felt like crying. He looked up when he felt the paw on his shoulder, into the tiger's smiling face. If he had felt any sorrow at the news, he was hiding it well.
"You won't be leaving me," Chris said with a shake of his head. "You'll come back and I'll still be here."
"Will you..." Andrew stopped, thinking the phrase over. He had no idea what they 'were', only that they were very close.
"Will I what?" Chris asked.
Andrew sighed again and built up his nerve, "Will you wait for me?"
The tiger wasn't expecting that question, his ears perking a bit, "You mean...here?"
"I mean it in all sense of the word. Will you be mine?"
Chris could only blink. Was Andrew asking him what he thought the wolf was asking him? The tiger thought for a moment, Andrew waiting for his reply.
"You mean...as your boyfriend?" Chris finally asked.
The wolf could only nod his head. He looked hopeful, but knew it was a lot to ask. He didn't want the tiger to wait for him to return and miss out on something wonderful with someone else, but he couldn't stand the thought of losing what he believed they had.
"Of course I will," the tiger replied finally. "I'll wait forever for you."
Andrew's tail started to wag again at that. He didn't give the feline a chance to react and kissed the tiger's muzzle once again. They held it a lot longer this time. The wolf dropped his acceptance letter as he laid his boyfriend back on his bed. The kiss seemed to last an eternity, neither of them wanting it to end.
When it did, the wolf looked down at the feline he fell for and smiled, "How about the day before I have to leave, we go out and spend the day together? We can head back into the mountains again. I know of a wonderful lake. We can have a picnic and enjoy the water. No one will bother us there."
"I'd love to!" Chris said, his own tail flicking a bit under him as he looked back into the wolf's eyes, drawing the lupine's muzzle into another kiss.
The two weeks that followed passed faster then either of them would have liked. They could almost feel the sand in the hour glass as if slipping through their own paws. They didn't waste a day though, spending as much time with each other as possible.
Finally, the day came. Andrew picked up the tiger early in the morning to give them enough time to fully enjoy the day. Chris seemed happy, keeping himself in high spirits. Of course, he was always happy when he was around the wolf.
The sun slowly woke up behind them as they drove off into the mountains and made their way deeper into the wilderness. Once again, they fully left civilization behind them, but neither cared. Their destination was ahead and they were both eager to get there.
The drive ended up being a lot shorter than either of them had expected. They followed the dirt road until it ended. They parked the car and gathered their things for the two mile hike to the lake. Neither of them cared about the distance. It was just more time for them to spend together and they were having a wonderful time.
The sun was high in the sky when the lake finally came into view.
"Here it is," the wolf said, leading the tiger through some brush.
They came out in a little clearing with trees on all sides. In the middle was a small lake. Andrew set their supplies down while he let the tiger take in the sight. Chris found himself mesmerized by the sheer beauty of the spot. The water reflected the suns radiance perfectly; the small ripples in the water caused the light to dance before him.
The tiger closed his eyes tightly, taking in a deep breath of the cool air. He let it out with a sigh. When he opened his eyes, he looked over at the wolf and found him staring back at him.
"What?" Chris asked with a slight tilt of his head.
Andrew looked on for a moment before shaking his head slowly, "Nothing." He smiled, "Let's go for a swim?"
The tiger didn't even answer. He just ran for the water, stripping off his shirt as he did so. He pulled off his shorts as well which left him in only his swimming trunks. The wolf admired his lover's form, the fur hugging his body tightly, slight muscles showing from underneath. He truly was beautiful and he belonged completely to the wolf.
"Are you just going to stare or are you going to join me?" Chris said with a soft giggle, "I mean...I don't care if you just sit and stare, don't get me wrong...but its kinda counter productive to the whole point of this trip."
"You talk too much, kitten!" Andrew said jokingly, already moving toward the water.
He removed his clothing as well and steeped up to the bank, clad only in his swim wear now. He stood next to the tiger and looked into the clear water. The bank sank immediately at the edge, making it deep right away. He reached over and took the tiger's paw into his own before he squeezed it tightly.
"I hope you like it," the wolf smiled.
Chris could only nod his head. They both looked back at the sparkling water before them, enjoying the moment for just a bit longer. The feline leaned over and nuzzled the wolf's ear.
"I bet you look sexy all wet," Chris said softly and gave the lupine a lick to his ear that would have caused a rock to shudder.
Andrew's ears perked up a moment later, "Wha....?"
Before he could finish, two paws gave him a strong shove. Andrew danced with unbalance at the edge of the lake before he tumbled into the water. The cold liquid soaked into his fur immediately. The urge to suck in a breath of air was strong, but he fought it until he broke the surface panting. His ears picked up the sound of another splash before he could open his eyes. There was no sign of Chris, just a heavy flow of water from the epicenter of the disturbed water. A moment later, the tiger appeared next to him, a grin spread over his muzzle as he panted softly as well. The wolf's eyes narrowed as he returned the grin.
"I bet you think you're pretty damn funny, don'cha?"
Chris started laughing and nodded his head. Two paws pushed the tiger underwater mid-snicker. He came up sputtering a moment later when the paws released him. He spit some water out of his muzzle and coughed a bit. He growled at the wolf, which triggered the same reaction from the lupine, and they both attacked.
They spent a better part of the day wrestling and playing in the water. The two lovers felt like cubs again as they splashed through the entire lake. Finally, they both had enough, getting quite water logged after a bit, not to mention the incessant rumbling coming from both their stomachs.
Panting and dripping from every inch of their bodies, the two pulled themselves from the cool lake and into the nice afternoon summer heat.
Andrew stood there for a moment, watching the feline with a grin. Chris turned to watch him as well.
"What?" Chris chuckled, "It's really creepy when you do that sometimes."
Without warning, Andrew shook his fur violently, sending a wave of water over the tiger once more. He tried to shield his eyes from the onslaught, but found it futile. He could only let the wolf soak him with the scented water.
"Great!" Chris said in mock annoyance, "Now I smell like mongrel. Thanks, pup."
"Anytime!" Andrew replied with a grin before his stomach practically roared at him. A slight blush flushed through his ears, "Heh...I think its time to eat."
They didn't bother to dry off, instead opting for the sun and warm air to do the drying for them. They moved toward their supplies and got to work setting up the picnic. Andrew grabbed the blanket and flicked it open, the material expanded outward before slowly cascading down to Earth on the slight breeze. Chris brought their backpacks with the food over to where the blanket rested in the shade from a nearby tree.
They dug in. Chris ferociously tore apart a chicken breast and devoured it with animalistic fury. Andrew mercilessly ripped apart a turkey sandwich with rapacious ease. The feast continued this way, both animals satiating their voracious appetites.
They both laid back on the blanket when there was nothing left to eat, panting and rubbing their bellies. They moved closer together, gently holding one another. They remained silent; neither wanted to talk. As the sun continued its travel across the sky, they found themselves kissing.
Andrew and Chris' muzzles connected in another passionate kiss. Andrew wasted no time, his paw moving along his lover's side and made its way down to the now dry swim trunks. They didn't stop there though. The wolf eased a paw into the tiger's shorts. Chris grunted softly into the kiss when the lupine's paw found his swelling sheath and heavy balls. The wolf gave the tiger's package a firm squeeze.
The kiss ended slowly, like every good kiss should, and the lupine leaned up on an arm. He growled softly to the tiger as he leaned in and worked the moaning feline's muzzle upward. He started to nibble and lick over the now exposed neck of his mate. His growl grew and subsided accordingly.
Chris gasped when the jaws opened and closed firmly around his throat. His body went rigid under the wolf as Andrew moved to his knees. He leaned over to never release the tiger's neck. Using both paws, he pulled the feline's shorts down to reveal the tiger's already erect shaft.
Andrew released the tiger's throat soon after, panting heavily as his gaze traveled down his lover's body. He examined the length which protruded from the feline's groin, slowly running a paw over the smooth length, eliciting a moan from Chris' muzzle. His paw stopped at the barbs which slightly push out from the base of the cat's shaft, when the feline gasped as if he were hurt. He didn't realize it was such a sensitive area. It was obvious how much it drove the tiger crazy, though, and the wolf immediately compared it to his knot. Andrew began to exploit the spot with his fingers and traced the gentle bumps.
"I want you," the wolf growled breathlessly into his lover's ear.
He released Chris' throbbing cock and gently tugged on the feline's balls, causing the tiger to spread his legs a bit. Andrew saw his chance and dipped his paw lower, leaving the balls behind. His claws came to their target and gently circled the tiger's tailring which rewarded him with moan from the cat. The wolf felt his heart racing in his chest. This was his first time doing anything like this, and imagined it was Chris' too. It might have been his first time with another male, but he wasn't stupid.
He had an idea of what to do.
Andrew kept his finger where it was, teasing the spot under the base of the tiger's tail. He lifted his other paw and started to suck on two of his fingers. The wolf's eyes never left the tiger as he let his saliva drool onto his finger. They pulled from his muzzle and dipped down, soon replacing the rubbing finger with a prodding one.
"Do you want me, kitten?" Andrew growled as he pushed his slick finger into his lover's tight heat. It sank in to the first knuckle and the muscles quickly closed around the digit. It was so tight and hot.
Chris hissed at the burning sensation that shot through him. He lifted his hips with a growl, then went totally motionless, as if the finger held him there. He started to pant, but neither moved at that moment. With a nod of the tiger's head the wolf pushed in further and sank in to the second knuckle.
Andrew leaned down and kissed his tiger again. The muzzle lock muffled Chris' cry as he pushed the finger fully into the feline. The tiger squirmed with the finger as it moved within him. The cry turned to a deep moan that reverberated into the wolf's muzzle. The lupine began to thrust the finger in and out of the feline. After a few moments, the kiss ended and left the wolf to smile down at his lover.
Chris looked lost in his pleasure, eyes closed and muzzle open. The cock that rested over his belly leaked a copious amount of precum into the soft fur that gave it a slick sheen. He moaned softly when the intense burn dulled to a soft heat, gasping with each thrust of his mate's finger into him. He let out a soft whimper when the digit was removed, his eyes opening to watch his wolf reach over and grab a bottle of lotion from the bag near by.
"Get up, kitten," the wolf said softly. "I want you on all fours."
Andrew leaned back on his knees without any attempt of hiding the bulge in his own shorts. This allowed the tiger to roll onto his belly before taking position on all fours as his lover instructed. The lupine admired the feline's sleek form and the ass that's exposed to him.
Chris' heart rocked his chest with enough presence to sing in his ears as he exposed his rump and tail ring to the lupine. Andrew stared like it was the most marvelous sight he ever laid his eyes upon. White fur pushed out of the valley created by the cleft of the tiger's firm ass. It caught the deep glow of the sun brilliantly that made it glow a couple shades lighter then the stripes of orange that traces it. The white fur trailed down between his legs and coated his balls as well. They swayed slightly as Chris moved.
Andrew realized he didn't know what to do. What if he did it wrong? What if this wasn't how you fucked another male? What if he hurt Chris?
What if he was bad?
Their eyes met again, Chris looking back at the wolf who knelt behind him. It was obvious how nervous he was, but he smiled anyway. The sight of the tiger like that, offering himself so fully to him, made every question in the wolf's mind go unanswered. A new burst of confidence came to the wolf. There was no being bad at this.
Something took over the wolf, a beast he felt whenever he was with a female in this manner; a possessive monster. He growled low and leaned in, not giving either of them a chance to react before his tongue pressed firmly against the tiger's tail ring. Andrew found his senses a moment to late and realized he was licking someone's asshole.
And the wolf realized he didn't care, when one lick became two and two became a heated lapping.
The sensation of wet heat over his puckered entrance sent a slow groan flying from the tiger's muzzle. Chris' back arched, muzzle pointed skyward as his rump lifts more for the drooling lupine. He had expected more fingers, or lotion, but never this. Of course, no complaints came. The tongue was silky and acted as if it knew its way around him. It would trail down along the area directly behind his balls all the way to the base of his tail where it would circle the waiting bud of muscle. It was relaxing and the tiger found himself leaning forward after a bit, resting fully on his chest.
Andrew followed the feline's movements, licking harder and harder as he ate his boyfriend out. The scent from the tiger drove him mad, his nose buried in fur with a thick concentration of the musk. His paws tightened on the tiger and held the feline's ass at the perfect angle for his tongue to dive in.
Chris' lower lip curled into his muzzle as he gasped into the blanket. He couldn't believe how good Andrew's tongue felt, even as it spread him and slipped inside. The tiger also couldn't' believe how long it actually was. It wiggled along hidden spots that sent his nerves on fire and inflated his cock almost instantly. A wet sensation along his rump urged the tiger to open his eyes. The gentle sway of his balls caught his attention like a hypnotic pendulum a moment before a clear, slick fluid dripped from behind them.
A part of the tiger wanted to laugh at how much the wolf was drooling, but that desire disappeared instantly. Behind the slow of saliva was the wolf's throbbing dick. Andrew's paw worked like a piston up and down along it, spreading a thick coating of lotion along the length.
Andrew had no idea when he pushed his shorts down or when he applied the lube, but he stroked it madly as he continued to savor his boyfriend's rump. Hot breath blew into the thick fur along Chris' lower back as the wolf finally pulled back and withdrew his tongue. Normally, the wolf would be embarrassed about drooling, it was undignified, but right now he didn't care.
There was only one thing on the lupine's mind and it was presented right before him. The wolf reared up like and caught the feline's hips, drawing them back. Andrew's hips thrust a couple times before they met the tiger's ass. Chris caught his breath as the handsome wolf's cock tip found its target. Once again, the lover's eyes met and silently held that moment; imprinted that memory permanently on both their minds before they became one.
Andrew's body tensed as he sang out in bliss with his Chris, his dick finally spreading the tiger's virgin passage. The friction was like nothing he had ever felt before. The heat was even more intense and almost radiated from the feline's body. The pleasure was indescribable. A fire bloomed from the wolf's loins as he slowly eased himself in. Inch after inch sank in until their bodies touch in a way they never had before.
Both males panted hard as they held that position. Andrew gently rocked his hips and gained a hiss from the feline under him. There was a wild look in his eye that caused the tiger to shiver a little more. He felt so full, but it wasn't unpleasant like he had heard it was. The tapered tip of the canine cock eased the pain of insertion. By the time the shaft had grown thicker, the feline was felt no pain whatsoever. Regardless, his muscles reacted as if they were trying to push the wolf out.
The wolf groaned as Chris' inner muscles quivered around him. The tiger fit him like a glove and gripped his dick in all the right ways. It was amazing.
"A..Andrew..." Chris was panting heavily.
"Thank you, kitten," Andrew managed to say, through clenched teeth.
It was the only words either could manage as nature took control. Andrew felt conflicted as to how to continue. The beast wanted to howl out in possessive bliss and rut his bitch wildly while the lover wanted to happily cry at the gift the tiger had given him and revel in their shared heat. Both entities mingled in the bite the wolf took on the tiger's scruff and the arms that curled around the feline's chest. Andrew held his tiger tightly to himself as his hips began to dance, wiggling from side to side before finally pulling out.
Chris let out a cry at the odd sensation that came over him as the wolf pulled out. It was strange having the wolf within him, but even stranger to feel the emptiness that came as the wolf pulled out. He didn't have to feel that for long as Andrew thrust forward again. This time, when he hilted, he didn't remain that way for long. Another thrust and the tempo was set. The tense jaws on his scruff and the repeated bounce of the wolf's lap on his rump only served as a reminder to Chris that he was being fucked.
It felt incredible.
The lupine continued, the tempo slowly increasing over time, until he was smoothly fucking the tiger with the full length of his cock. In no time, the tiger was meeting his thrusts, pushing back on every inward thrust from the lupine. Andrew was close, and the tiger knew this due to the knot that kissed his tail hole with each thrust. Coupled with the erratic thrust told the feline the wolf was about to lay his claim.
Chris held completely still and gave himself fully to his lover. Andrew felt the change in the tiger and started to thrust double time, his hips a blur of sexual motion. Each thrust brought the lupine's growing knot closer and closer to sinking into his mate.
The tie was sudden. The wolf's knot sank in without warning and caught within the soft walls of the tiger's bowels. He released Chris' neck and started to pant heavily, his hips only capable of rocking from side to side now. His knot kept a constant pressure upon the tiger's prostate, which caused nothing but pleasure to surge through the moaning feline's body.
Chris cries out when Andrew's jaws close on his scruff again, this time dangerously tight. The wolf's legs tremble as they rock from knee to knee with his cock as deep in the feline as possible. The crash of orgasm rushes through the lupine before he whines deeply into the tiger's thick scruff. Neither lover moves as Andrew lays his claim, his thick dick surging within Chris' body. The wolf's essence flowed heavily into the tiger, tying him to the lupine in more ways then the knot ever could.
Chris felt a hot sensation rush into him as his lover's cock jerked and vibrated deep inside. The jaws on his neck went almost completely unnoticed as his own orgasm washed over him. His maleness swelled and sprayed the contents of his balls all over the blanket under him. It was the most intense climax of the young feline's life. He tensed up and squeezed the shaft inside of him, which caused the wolf to jerk his hips and brought them both to new levels of pleasure.
With a shudder felt by both of them, they collapsed onto the blanket completely spent. Within moments, they were both in the grip of slumber. The sun continued unnoticed, eating away at the few precious moments they had left together.
Andrew was the first to awaken, the soft glow of dusk bathing the clearing in a gentle yellow light. He shivered softly and pulled from his lover, awakening the tiger at the same time. With a soft moan and a yawn, Chris turned to face the wolf, smiling happily.
"Thank you," the tiger smiled and nuzzled the wolf.
Andrew took the tiger into another kiss, lightly rubbing at the feline's stomach. He smiled softly into the kiss, feeling the vibrations from his kitten's contented purr. He wagged his tail, letting it thump the ground behind him as he gave the tiger another affectionate nuzzle before sighing softly.
"It's getting dark," Chris said, the sorrow in his voice not going unnoticed.
"I know," Andrew replied, looking away, watching the sun disappear behind the mountains. "We should be going."
"I know," Chris agreed.
Begrudged and saddened, the two picked up their things and slowly got dressed before heading back to the car.
Later that night, Andrew sat alone in his room, packed boxes surrounding him. He was deep in thought about the events of the day and what he was leaving. Sighing, he reached for the light, flicking it off.
A soft peck taps the window no sooner than a moment after his light turned off. The wolf perked his ears and looks over at the window. He heard another tap.
Pushing himself from the bed, he moved to the window in time to see another pebble hit it. He opened it up and looked out. He slowly looked over the front yard.
"Andrew?"
He found the source of the voice in the form of a tiger. Chris stood down in the darkness, looking up at the wolf. He didn't look right, the wolf could tell that right off.
"I'll be right down," Andrew said and was gone from the window, only to open the front door a moment later. Chris met him on the porch, "What's wrong?"
Andrew's muzzle dropped when he saw the condition his kitten was in. His eye displayed a nice swelling, the flesh around it beginning to bruise and turn a sickly green that showed clearly through the fur there. His lip was swollen as well, a cut leaking blood down the cat's chin. He had scrapes and bruises along his arms as well.
"Fuck!" Andrew barked, "What the hell happened?" He guided the tiger into the house, growling deeply, "Who did this to you?"
Chris shook his head, "Shh...I'm ok..."
"Who...did...this...to you?" Andrew was fighting to remain calm.
"It...was my father," the tiger replied.
"What? Why!?" Andrew was enraged, losing the battle to keep himself calm.
"He...he smelt you on me when I got home," the feline said softly. "He could smell rutting wolf. He had his suspicions but never had proof until tonight."
Chris began to cry then, losing it completely. He fell against Andrew and sobbed into the wolf's chest. Andrew gently rocked the tiger.
"Shhh...Its ok," Andrew said softly. "I'm here."
"But for how long!?" Chris cried and pushed the wolf away, "You leave in the morning. What am I going to do then?"
"H...He'll forgive you...right? Your dad's always seemed like a decent fellow," the wolf tried to calm the feline.
"Does this seem decent to you, Andrew?!" Chris growled as he tried not to choke on a sob, "He kicked me out! I have no place to go, no family to go to..." He looked at the wolf, "...No friends..."
Andrew thought for a moment, then looked at the feline, "Then you come with me."
Chris stopped crying for a moment, sniffling a bit as he looked at the wolf, "W...what? How?"
"I've got money saved up. I was going to use it for college and stuff, but it should cover us for a bit. My school is paid for...we can get a place instead of me moving into the dorms there. It'll work..."
The wolf was almost smiling. Why hadn't he thought of this before? It would be a bit harder on them both for a bit, but they could do it.
Chris slowly shook his head, "You can't do that. You have to focus on school. You don't need to take care of me. It's not your responsibility."
"It is though," the wolf said softly. "You're my kitten. What good would I be if I couldn't take care of you?"
"A...are you sure?" Chris began to smile as well, the wolf unable to stop his tail from wagging.
"I'm positive, hon," the wolf said softly. "We'll send my dad over to get your things in the morning. He'll probably be able to handle your father much better than either of us. Now come on...lets get you cleaned up."
Something heavy pounds the door with more weight than before. It sounds like something is being used to force the door open.
Andrew continues to ignore it though, tossing the envelope over the edge of the building and watching as it disappears into the darkness below.
How could such a wonderful memory end so horribly? It was and still is one of the best memories he has of the tiger. That day is one of the best he ever had. Chris must have felt the same. The wolf cries softly as he remains sitting there, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a newspaper clipping.
The metal door begins to creak, the center denting inward. It isn't going to hold for long.
The wolf looked tired, completely spent. He had been working very hard in school the past semester to stay on top of his studies. That, on top of a job at the local library, had the wolf totally drained. Life hadn't been as hard as he was expecting. He and Chris had moved into a nice apartment that was fairly close to school. They both managed to find decent jobs and everything just fell into place.
Regardless of how tiring it was, the smile from his tiger made it all better.
The elevator quickly took him to the twelfth floor. When the doors opened, he adjusted the bag of groceries cradled in his arm and entered the hallway. The walk to his door reminded him of how sore he was. He felt sore. It had been a long day. The book drive at the local library had nearly killed him. Then he had to go to classes after that. At least the shopping was done. The wolf decided to stop off at the grocery store on his way home. He knew he'd probably already be in a bath or snuggled up against his tiger otherwise. Both of those would come soon enough.
Hopefully he doesn't keep me up all night, he chuckled softly.
The wolf pulled out his keys when he reached their apartment, prepared for another fight with the doorknob. It really needed to be oiled, but that could wait. It'll get taken care of. The wolf pushed the key into the lock and the door swung open. Andrew stopped in his tracks, ears perked forward. The door wasn't even closed, let alone locked. Wood scraped along the floor as the bottom of the door dragged through some debris. It looked like it was part of the door itself.
Someone kicked the door open.
"What the fuck?" Andrew quietly asked the dark entryway that led into an even darker living room.
Andrew entered the apartment cautiously, ears alert for any sound; nose sniffing for a sign of what happened. Cold tendrils coursed down his spine to be delivered to every nerve in his body. He couldn't prevent the shiver. The tiger's scent was strong in the air, but that was to be expected. It mingled with something else, or someone else.
A jarring crash disrupted the silence from somewhere down the hallway. It came from their room. The bag of groceries fell to his feet, nearly tripping Andrew as he ran down the hallways. His paw flicked on the hall light as he passed it.
"Chris?" Andrew called out, "Chris!"
The tiger cried out before the wolf could throw open the bedroom door. The bedside lamp was on its side, its light like a spot light on the two figures in the room. Chris was on his knees before someone covered completely in black, from head to tail. The tiger's paws fall from the intruder and sway limply at his side.
The moment went in slow motion to the wolf. His blood flowed like ice in his veins as the tiger fell backwards, away from the bloody knife gripped in the gloved paw. It lifted to strike again.
It felt like he was watching some horrible movie. The wolf lost control. It wasn't him anymore, but there was nothing Andrew could do to stop himself. Before the tiger hit the floor, Andrew was on the intruder. He didn't care that the creature in black was armed. He didn't care that his life was in danger. He only saw red.
The intruder stumbled with the new weight on his back as the wolf wrapped an arm around his throat and tugged backwards. The knife swiped back at Andrew in a blind stabbing motion, but the wolf was faster. His paw closed around the wrist and squeezed. The lupine had the advantage in the situation. The creature in black struggled as both arm and paw gripped tighter.
The smell of blood was maddening and further drove the wolf into a frenzy. The wolf didn't know when he started snarling. His jaws took a tenacious bite on the back of intruder's neck, even through the wool mask worn over the head. He was rewarded with a masculine holler gave away the intruder's sex, but it fell on deaf ears.
When Chris' attacker struggled again, Andrew bit down harder. Blood soaked the ski mask when Andrew wrenched his jaws back, ripping loose flesh from muzzle. This time, the intruder screamed, a gurgled sound that was quickly cut off by the wolf's tightening arm. A series of vehement snaps Andrew's jaws brought the attacker to his knees. The coppery flavor of blood further drove the wolf into a blind rage. Something snapped between the wolf's strong jaws, but they continued to bite, even after the body went limp with a shuddered sigh.
Chris cried out again. The tiger's whimper stopped the wolf's attack; brought the lupine from the shores of insanity. He was left panting, red teeth bared. He realized he was drooling and looked down at the body he was on top of. Confused, the wolf pushed himself from the unconscious form. He hadn't bitten anyone since he was a puppy, and that had been because he didn't know any better. The wolf saw the knife had fallen from the attacker's unmoving paw, but was still in reach. Still dizzy from the encounter, the wolf grabbed the blade and threw it across the room.
Another whimper brought his gaze up to the tiger's prone form. Chris lay on his back a few meters away. His eyes were glassy, but aware as they watched the wolf. The wolf hoped the fear in them wasn't directed toward him. A striped paw clutched at his side, but it wasn't enough to prevent the surge of blood from flowing between them.
There was so much blood.
Andrew couldn't believe how much of it there was. He knew it was all coming from the tiger. The feline coughed, a wet raspy sound, as more blood appeared on his muzzle. The knife must have punctured a lung. Those beautiful blue eyes closed for a moment before they opened with a slow roll in their sockets. If the cat wasn't already in shock, he was drifting into its blissful embrace quickly.
"No..."
Andrew's plea was a breathless whine that fell on deaf ears. The wolf was at the tiger's side immediately, and clutched the young feline in his arms. Chris' eyes locked with his own and the tiger slowly smiled. It looked like the wolf was scared and he didn't understand why. The numbness he felt tickled his head as well. He only desire at that moment was to comfort the wolf.
Andrew began to cry. He had no idea what to do. His tiger was slowly dying in his arms and he was completely helpless to do anything. The body went limp in his arms with a murky sigh from the tiger, the two beautiful blue eyes rolling back into his head. The convulsion was quick, a final waltz with life, before going completely still.
Chris was dead.
Andrew didn't know how long he remained where he was. All he could do was stare. The tiger looked at peace, almost to a point that the wolf could fool himself into thinking his lover was sleeping. The blood had cooled along the floor by the time he heard the intruder moan behind him.
Anger heated every frozen nerve within the wolf once again. That unknown beast reared its ugly head and its gaze landed squarely on the black form. He released the anger in a snarl unlike anything he heard before. The sound scared him, but again, there was nothing he could do about it.
The intruder tried to move when he heard the snarl, but could only wiggle his head partially. He whined into the floor, the sounds and scents of his fear a feast to the wolf's senses.
"Oh...my god! " the intruder whimpered meekly. "I...I can't feel my legs!"
The words might as well have been another language. The wolf didn't understand any of them. He just knew the fucker was still alive.
And that was unacceptable.
"What are..are you...doing? Please...help me," weakly moaned the intruder.
Andrew's paw closed around the marble base of the overturned lamp. He didn't know he had moved until the light bounced along the wall from the first strike of the lamp's heavy base against the back of the intruder's head. Another bounce and the intruder grunted again. The third strike didn't get any sound from Chris' murderer, neither did the fourth or fifth.
Something under the ski mask cracked. He lifted it again, the base repeatedly finding its target. Even after the intruder convulsed under him, the light continued to dance along the wall. The form of the mask began to lose its consistency. He still didn't stop. What was once the outline of a canine head now looked like a bag of rocks, lumps forming and being forced into new angles by the flat edge of the lamp's base.
He still didn't stop.
That was the last thing the wolf remembered when the light went out. A soft glow from the hallway cast its glow into the room, but the lupine was blind to it. His body was on autopilot and he continued to bash in the intruder's head.
By the time the police responded to a neighbor's call, the intruder didn't even appear to have a head, the marble lamp repeatedly bouncing off of wet carpet. The ski mask wasn't able to hold in the contents, which formed a puddle around the lupine.
"Drop the lamp!" The officers had their guns drawn, aimed directly at the wolf. The lupine continued to pound the base into the mess, "I said drop it!"
The lamp came down a couple more times before they stopped. A shudder ran through the lupine and escaped with a low, mournful howl. The police lowered their guns when the wolf fell to his side and cried. It took them a while to process the sight when they turned on the overhead light. The blood drenched lupine brought his knees. Beside him, a tiger lie on his back, blank stare directed at the ceiling. It was obvious what happened to the other body's head as the discarded marble lamp lay near by it.
The investigators later told the wolf that the intruder in his home was a petty thief. He had been hitting up the neighborhood all week. They found signs of a struggle from within the living room. They said that the thief obviously wasn't expecting anyone to be home. They told him that he had never hurt anyone before this. They said that the tiger must have surprised him.
They said that his murder charges could be dropped if he pleaded insanity.
They said a lot of things, but Andrew didn't care.
Andrew releases the newspaper clipping, giving it up to the wind as well. The pounding grows more insistent, but it all disappears and is gone before it reaches the wolf. The dent in the middle gets wider at the center, bending outward.
The wolf slowly moves to stand.
His parents had bailed him out of jail. He was supposed to report back tonight for his court hearing tomorrow. He never showed.
"Andrew! This is the police!"
Andrew looks at the door, then over the edge of the building. He hears the door breaking inward more, knowing that they are going to get it open no matter what happens, no matter how much time he needs. He looks over at the box, full of other memories from his time with Chris, good things that could bring smiles to his muzzle. He gives it a firm kick, sending it over the edge and into the shadows of the streets fifteen stories below.
The door bursts open.
"Andrew! Don't move!"
The wolf looks at the cops in the doorway from his perch on the edge of the building.
"We're going to need a negotiator up here!"
The wolf smiles softly as he steps up to the edge.
"Don't do it son. It's not worth it. Nothing is worth that."
And that's just what he had now....nothing.
The cop is right. Nothing is worth it.
The wolf looks up and sees the moon rising into the sky. The urge to howl grows in the wolf's chest, but it never comes. The lupine closes his eyes and leans forward.
"Andrew!"
Andrew slips silently over the edge and falls into the abyss. He is no longer crying, no reason to. The air whips by him with the force of an atomic explosion. Nothing holds him back now. Images and pictures of the past two years with the tiger rush through his mind like a movie on fast forward. The air screams by his ears, but he only hears the tiger's voice and laughter.
Andrew opens his eyes, the rush of wind quickly sapping them of any moisture. The street below rushes up to meet him. The wolf relaxes completely and prepares for impact.
Andrew's body almost goes into shock as he hits...and sinks into ice cold water. He almost takes a breath, but the surprise wears off in time for him stop himself. This isn't concrete. It wasn't even solid.
What the hell?
Oh god, Andrew panicked. It didn't kill me. I survived!
Andrew's body takes over and he kicks his feet to fight the water as he swims toward the surface, or at least in the direction he feels it would be. He finally breaks out and gasps for air, heart racing in his chest. He looks around frantically, trying to get some bearings on his situation.
He's in a clearing, the woods surrounding him on all sides. He blinks a bit, shaking his head and scanning the location. It's so familiar yet alien to him. The wolf continues to scan the area, completely confused. He should be dead. He should be dead!
Yet here he was, floating in the same lake he took Chris to.
His movement stops as his eyes land upon someone.
Their blue eyes return the gaze, a chuckle coming from the muzzle.
The wolf stares in disbelief, unable to move his eyes off the tiger floating in the water before him. His mind doesn't want to accept the image. His muzzle slowly drops open, only to sputter when a wave of water, directed by a stripped paw, washes over his face.
"You look like you've seen a ghost," Chris says, grinning.
"I..." The wolf tries to speak but has to swallow the lump in his throat, "I thought I did..."
Chris chuckles and swims around a bit, the sunlight dancing over the water as it ripples. The memory comes flooding back to the wolf. He shivers a bit, his eyes never leaving the tiger. His mind just won't accept where he is.
"H...how?"
"Don't ask questions, silly pup," Chris smirks. "I'm here...you're here...Lets enjoy it."
The wolf nods slowly and then finally finds his smile when he sees the tiger's expression brighten. He propels himself to the tiger and takes him into a tight hug. He doesn't move beyond that, only holding his tiger and taking in his scent. The tiger's heat filled him instantly when Chris' arms closed tightly around him. Andrew always loved the way the tiger purred and that moment, it was no different.
They play the rest of the day away, as they did that time so long ago. Neither has a worry in the world, neither questioning how it's possible that they're here again. They just enjoy paradise and each other.
Sunset finds them on the bank of the lake, holding each other quietly. They watch as they're bathed in the familiar radiance. Andrew leans over and kisses Chris affectionately, letting it linger for as long as possible: until they're both left panting.
The feline smiles, "It's getting dark."
The wolf just nods.
"Should we get out of here?" Chris still holds that smile.
Andrew ponders that question. Wherever here is, they were together. Neither of them has a place to be or anything to do. He slowly shakes his head and relaxes against his kitten.
"Just a bit longer."
The End