FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Jonas felt silly knocking on the door. It had been years since he showed up anywhere without calling beforehand. He knew George was in. He could even hear the TV on. He knocked again, harder this time. The show was paused and a reluctant "Coming" rang out.

The lock tumbler unbolted, a lion peeking his head around the angle. "Hello-" George started, before flinging the door open. "Heyyyy, Jay, what's up. You lose your phone?" Jonas' body was wrapped up by his man, the pair of felines purring.

"Nah." Jonas replied. He felt comfortable. "Just felt like doing something different." George's nostrils forcibly exhaled from a simple laugh.

"Well alrighty. This is actually convenient, I was gonna text you once I washed my stuff up."He planted his hands on Jonas' shoulders, looking over the tiger. "You look good." George inhaled "Smell good, too." Jonas scratched at his cheek bashfully.

"Thanks. Hey so uh, you doing anything today?"

"Texting you, just said it." George stuck out his tongue. George closed the door, leading Jonas to the couch. "Make yourself comfy, I gotta fix my bed head. You really should have called ahead."

"I don't mind waiting," Jonas mentioned, muting the tv. He draped his blazer on the couch before dropping himself on the cushions. Jonas flipped the input over and grabbed a controller to pass the time.

JJ crossed his feet under his legs as he sat on the couch. "Thank you for letting me in, Mrs. Evans." The young tiger said.

"Oh it's no problem dear, so windy outside. Wouldn't want you blowing away." Her tone shifted as she cupped her lips and turned away. "George! Finish up your homework! You have a visitor!" The lion yelled out. "Make yourself at home, he better be almost done. I trust you finished your homework?"

"Yes ma'am." JJ nodded. "There wasn't too much."

"That's good. You're a clever boy, George really appreciates your help, it's all he can talk about. Have you thought about where you want to go to college?"

"Not yet ma'am." JJ replied.

"That's all right, good to have options. I'll leave you boys to it." With that Mrs. Evans went off. JJ pulled at the controller, detangling its wire from the mess of options pushed into the corner. He booted up a game and turned off his brain.

"Hey JJ." Came a deep voice over his shoulder. JJ turned and saw the lion. A black flannel was draped over George's shoulders, his gray tank shirt leaving some openings to the golden fur below. "Ready to go?"

"Yeah." JJ grinned.

Jonas felt comfortable nestled up next to George. The lion's body was so warm. Jonas got him that blue crew neck sweatshirt last Christmas, and it always made him happy when George wore what he got him. The pair of felines strolled down the avenue, hands interlocked. "So what's the plan, my main man?" George asked, his voice rolling.

"No plan right now really." Jonas shrugged. "Just felt like going out today, enjoy the fall weather."

"Mm." George mumbled in agreement. The leaves were already turning, the fresh greens losing ground to brilliant reds and yellows. One leaf fluttered down lazily, the stem embedding itself into George's mane. Jonas plucked the tree feather out.

"Make a wish." He said, holding it out. A heavy claw flicked through the red plant, kicking it away. Jonas rolled his eyes. At least the lion didn't yelp any time a leaf got stuck like he used to.

"Remember when that leaf went down your pants." Jonas needed.

"You're such an ass." George replied, his turn to roll his eyes. "It was so gross and wet. You could have helped."

"Not my fault you wore everything so baggy. Surprised those shorts didn't end up around your ankles every time you stepped."

"It was an art form, believe me." The lion laughed.

Jonas didn't even have to look to know they had arrived. He leapt ahead of the lion, turning to pull open the door. The coffee shop's bell jingled and they entered. A slow jazz tune hummed over the speakers.

Behind the counter was some new squirrel. Jonas wished it was Irwin, but he could catch the dachshund up later. The girl looked a little perplexed at the exaggerated show of disgust Jonas made when George ordered his bitter tea. "Ignore him." The lion helpfully mentioned. While they waited together on a couch, bodies propped against one another, George hummed along with the ambient music.

JJ's heart was pounding. Every adventure in the overworld was a risk to lose every magic rune and piece of gear he brought with him, and that went double in the wilderness. What was supposed to be a fun trek deep for a treasure hunt turned into a nightmarish ambush. But, all things said and done, JJ managed to survive, thanks in part to the warrior with him.

"You saved my ass back there Bruizer." JJ clattered away on the keyboard. The world of Gielinor and the life of MorePestle was all that occupied the would be mage's mind, the internet cafe little more than a place to sit.

"No way dude. You saved My ***." His friend replied, the words caught in the censor but making sense all the same. What had started as a random call for help on a two person quest months ago evolved into a two person clan. JJ was thankful that BruizerDozer was the one that answered his general message.

"Those jack-***** had me, all I could do was hold their attention. You did all the work." Bruizer added, cursing out the three bastards they dispatched. The loot they dropped was worth more than the treasure JJ collected, a cumulation of the player killer clan's afternoon.

"I was tissue paper out there, you kept me alive long enough for the damage to add up." JJ insisted. His fingers clicked out another message "And honestly, I didn't really care if we made it out alive. It was just fun to do that with you." Before he hit enter, JJ stopped. No, that was too sappy. He didn't want to scare away Bruizer. Better to delete that message. Instead, he just said "ty".

With the goods evenly distributed, JJ opened up a trade window for Bruizer. He tossed over some wind, fire, and law runes. The beefy warrior had the good sense to get just enough magic to warp out of sticky situations. They teleported back to the trading hub city and walked over to the bank to drop off their goods. Even though it wasn't an official trading world, a few people were calling out looking to buy some armor and leveling goods. JJ considered staying to barter with the merchants, until he saw the time.

"Hey, it's getting really late. I haven't even gotten home after school, think I'm calling it a night." JJ PM'ed Bruizer.

"No worries Pestle. I was just about to take a sip from the bubbler and head out myself." Bruizer said. JJ autopilot over the message at first, until something caught his eye.

"Bubbler? You're from Wisconsin?" JJ asked, noticing that somewhat elusive term that other states never used.

"Yup yup." Bruizer said.

"Sweet, me too!" It was the first time JJ ever shared that much specific personal information online. But he trusted Bruizer wasn't going to be able to track him down with just that. Those internet safety pamphlets were a little paranoid. "Just chilling in your school's library?" The tiger asked.

"No, they kick you out after 5 if you aren't doing school work. I play at this shop, cool place by a 7/11. You?" JJ felt a ball form in his throat. A place by a 7/11. Sure, that could be anywhere in the state. But JJ looked at his gatorade. He just bought it at a 7/11, and he was in an internet cafe as well. The tiger's hands were flat over the keys. It was probably a long shot.

Except, he still stood up. JJ slipped the headphones around his neck. His voice caught in his throat. He honestly had no idea what his plan was. What was he gonna do, wave to this guy, and then what. Wouldn't hurt to try.

"Bruizer?" JJ said. It wasn't very loud. He didn't want to disturb anyone else that was in the internet cafe. What did he expect, that of all the places across the state, his best friend was in the same place as him? JJ pursed his lips. Just one more try.

"Bruizer!?" He called out, louder. A few heads turned at him, holding a finger up to the lips. His stomach was lead, embarrassed he even tried. It was such a long shot. JJ laughed at himself, shaking his head in embarrassment. In the corner of his eye, he saw a head half turn to him. The feline slipped his headphones off. He had seen that back of the head before a few times, the scruffy, half grown mane of a teenaged lion. He saw the guy's eyes pass over him. It was different than the people shushing him. This guy stood up. Finally, the lion broke the silence.

"Pestle?"

With their drinks in hand, Jonas and George continued their walk. The warm coffee was exactly what Jonas needed to warm himself up on the crisp afternoon. The pair passed by the 7/11, glad that they weren't still so addicted to the sickly sweet slushies served inside. "Hey, want to grab a bite to eat? Med's?"

"For sure." George replied. It was a quick walk, the turns ingrained in their muscle memory. A few people were out walking, enjoying the warm saturday air.

Over on the right side the couple passed by George's old school. Across the fence, the team was doing a padless walkthrough. "Row, damn Forders!" George shouted to the jocks, a thumb in the air.

"Row damn, yessir!" A few of the boys called back, giving a thumbs up in return.

"We beat Oak Lake last night. How did Hillsboro do?" The lion's voice rolled with an elbow jab.

"Hey, talk to me when the games matter, ok? I seem to remember a game where they did pretty decently."

JJ was sucking cold air sharply through his mouth guard. The quarterback gestured to the crowd to quiet down, but that just roused more from the visitor side. The zebra's eyes were darting across the defensive side, clearly shaken by the deep down and distance. 3rd and 9. He dipped his hips and got under the center. This was JJ's cue to press up to the line, shifting from dropping into the middle to a blitz. This frightened Mr. number 1, but with the clock low, he had to snap it. All JJ needed to do was contain, this guy loved to extend plays to buy time for his receivers.

Pads cracked and all JJ saw was the stout lineman smothering him. Big but slow, but he had just enough speed that any attempt at going around would open a lane. He cheated up the field a little, the pocket collapsing on the strong side. It was all the qb needed to see as he tried to step up field. JJ feinted going farther up field and the wall ahead bit on it. The rhino never saw his quarterback trying to slip past. JJ drove the qb into the dirt.

JJ hopped right up, reveling in the gasps and boo's. The ref ran up to take the ball from the quarterback, 4th and 11. JJ hopped up, surrounded by teammates yelling and slapping his helmet and shoulder pads and ass. The tiger punched the air victoriously. Coach Steiner was yelling for them to come over. Clearly didn't want an unsportsmanlike penalty to breathe new life into the home team. JJ jogged off field, feeling all eyes on him. He dropped onto the bench, a cup of water handed over. The tiger peeled his helmet off, looking up at the home team's stands.

Every face on that side looked at the rival linebacker with envy and regret. Every face, but one. He managed to pick George out of the crowd early on. The lion cheered along with his team. But every time JJ was the one to make the play, his reaction was mixed. With that sack to seal the playoff upset, George looked outright comfortable. JJ made a mental note to let him know he should come to their next game. Probably get him a Hillsburo shirt from the bookstore so he can blend in.

"Just water's good for now, thank you." There was no wait before they got their table and some hot bread. It felt nice, washing down the garlic dip. Ice cubes bounced against the plastic cups, a tell tale plinking that just sounded right.

"You got a smidge on your," George gestured to the side of his own lip. Jonas dabbed the paper napkin into his water and gently dabbed the side of his face. "Your other left." He laughed. He reached out and smeared the garlic into the orange fur.

Jonas snorted. What was he doing, trying to be so fancy. He even was idly ruminating on having a wine. It wasn't that kind of a date. Honestly, it never really was that kind of date ever, unless they were going out with another couple. Jonas dipped a clean claw into the spread, and flicked a drop of the dip right at his boyfriend. "Your left." Jonas indicated.

The tiger's face was tense. Dad was so keen on him, asking for details about this "friend from another school". The older man just made an assumption that this was a date. And what was JJ gonna do, run it back and tell him about some Guy that he met online?

A dish of a white semi fluid was set between the two teenagers. "You'll love this stuff" George said, grabbing a piece of hot bread. JJ grabbed at a spoon and scooped up some of the garlic dip. He didn't see the hardly contained laugh of the lion until he bit into the pure garlic.

JJ immediately reached for his water. The crisp drink even had the tinge of garlic embedded. "Sorry sorry." He held his palms up. "I did the same thing my first time."

"Hey," JJ said, no longer saturated with garlic. You got something on your nose," he gestured to the side of his mouth, using a certain finger. George laughed, and everything felt right.

Alongside the river, the two felines sat. George's golden mane looked beautiful. He was sprawled on his back, propped up on his elbows. He had a content look on his face. That was what was lovely about him. The world slowed down in his presence. "Too cold to go for a dip, huh?" George asked.

"You don't even have a swimsuit."

"I have boxers, close enough?"

"You're such a doofus." But, part of him wanted to see that happen. The sight of the lion stripping to his underwear to sprint down the hill and crash into the water. JJ shook his head, amused. There was no more denying how he felt about his friend. His heart was doing back flips.

JJ trusted George. That's all that mattered. He could think and think and think and think about his next move but never feel like it was right. He just needed to.

"George?"

"Yeah JJ?" He looked over.

"Close your eyes." George shut his eyes, his face angled just right. JJ didn't need to think about it. He leaned forwards, pressing his lips to George's lips. "Ok, you can open them." The lion opened his eyes and smiled.

George cupped a hand behind the tiger's head and brought him closer for another kiss. It wasn't the first time he had a first kiss. But this was the only first kiss that mattered to JJ.

"Do you remember that first time?" Jonas asked. George was enjoying the sun, propped up on his elbows trying to get the last of the warmth into his system before winter.

"Always." He looked as beautiful as the day they met.

"Close your eyes." George smiled and did what was asked.

"Ok." There was a slight pause. "You can open them now." Before George knelt Jonas, a ring in his hand.