Changing Seasons

Story by ShatteredPaladin on SoFurry

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A man and a female, both with checkered pasts, try to find romance with each other.


Changing Seasons

I

The Autumn Party

The tall amazon-like Bonnie Valentine, a humanoid rabbit, studied her reflection in a full-length mirror. Brilliant sapphire eyes examined her naked form as long and slender fingers did the same. The bedroom light highlighted the sleek, silky black fur of her body and short cropped mane of hair on her head. Just under her nose and along the length of her torso, a strip of white broke the ebony fur coat. Starting at her neck and running down her sides, Bonnie traced the line where the two colors met and merged and stopped just above her navel. Next, one hand came up and touched one patch of white fur around her eyes. They were the most visually striking aspect of her body. The pattern of that fur resembled a shape similar to what one might imagine a star bursting would look like.

Her hands rose and lifted her heavy breasts. They were large enough to be more than a handful, for most, and she let them drop. Gravity took hold and pulled them down with a pleasant bounce that made her smile. She then turned to look at her body in profile and struck a flirty pose. One hand pushed her bangs up and stayed there while the other moved and rested on her backside. Bonnie bent one knee and winked at her reflection, striking such a flirtatious pose. Everything about her amazonian frame was perfectly proportioned. Nothing looked out of place or shape.

She flashed her reflected double a wide smile while gripping her butt and felt, with satisfaction, the taut and developed muscles hidden under the soft fur. She could see the white underside of her otherwise black tail, and the interior of an ear, which was also white. Bonnie turned again to face her nude reflection and put her hands on shapely hips in a triumphant stance.

"In your early thirties and you're still sexy," she said. In the small house, which she called home, there was no one to listen to her congratulations. It was empty apart from her. Bonnie lived alone in a single story, two-bedroom affair. The modest house was in one corner of an unassuming cul-de-sac in an out of the way suburb. It was these qualities that had attracted her to the place. And the quality of the neighbors, most of them anyway, convinced her that this was the right place to live. "You've come a long way, girl, and tonight is going to be the night you make your move." Even as she worked to pep herself up, Bonnie's hands came together, only to fidget as she paced the length of the room. She had a man on her mind and intended to become more than just good neighbors with him.

Before moving to this quiet, humble little cul-de-sac, she had lived quite a different life. Bonnie had worked, for just over a decade, in an industry which carried a certain kind of reputation. It also came with its share of fame, or infamy, depending on how one looked at it. Within her former profession, one could never form what most would consider a normal, or healthy, romantic partnership. She had taken care not to date anyone outside of the business, but they were never very serious. Thinking about her neighbor, and proposing to get closer to him, was once again making butterflies do somersaults in her stomach.

Christopher Panzer was an odd human to her. He was an even odder male from her experience with the gender. Most whom she met had either been fans or had knowledge of her from her past industry. Ever since she had left that particular business and tried to find a romantic partner, she never had success. Whether they had followed her career, or had a passing interest, each one had ended the same. All of them, to a man and sometimes a woman, wanted to know what it was like to share her bed. When after the second, or the rare third, date she wasn't getting naked under the sheets with them, they broke things off with her. Bonnie had once been one of the most popular pornstars in that end of the entertainment industry. It was a profession that carried a certain reputation.

Moving over to the bed, she threw herself onto it on her back. Turning over to grab a pillow, she lay on her side and hugged it. Her mind drifted off to think about the tall, tanned, and broad shouldered human. He was not a man who would win accolades, as she had, for being sexy. His knuckles were scared and a long, thin scar ran along the left side of his face. No, he would never win an award for being a sexy man, but Bonnie found him to have a rugged handsomeness all the same. As she thought about him, one hand strayed down her body, aiming for the area between her thighs. She sighed and turned over onto her back, looking at the ceiling.

"He's never mentioned my past. I wonder if he even has a clue," she spoke to the ceiling. If it knew anything, it wasn't saying. "If he knows, he's done a damn fine job of keeping it hidden. Or maybe he really doesn't know." Bonnie let out a rueful laugh. "Maybe he just doesn't like fur covered females. Or hell, maybe he's only into men." With a bitter sigh, she turned back over and curled up against the pillow. Black, thorn-like thoughts wrapped around her mind, and not for the first time. "Maybe I'm just wasting my time," she whispered.

Christopher had not been the first person to meet her when she moved into the cul-de-sac three years ago. That had gone to Mister and Misses Rodriguez. They were an elderly couple who hosted block parties at almost any chance they could. The day she moved in was the first official day of fall and, as a new neighbor, they enthusiastically invited her to the party. When she arrived, she got the usual stares she almost always did. Some, usually the men, looked with recognition and longing. Others, often the women, with envy or scorn as they quickly scolded their husbands . What they looked at online was something she had no control over. While he had not been the first neighbor she met, Christopher had been the first to break the ice.

Bonnie's hand drifted down the length of her body as she recalled that day. Seeing a human male approaching her. He moved, and still did, like a predator who was trying not to be seen as one. It had sent a shiver down her spine. His grey eyes reminded her of a storm ready to break. There was a fire in those stormy eyes she didn't understand. Bonnie gave a soft pant as her hand reached between her thighs. Christopher had made introductions and acted as a chaperone with her helping to break the ice and getting to know her neighbors. She distinctly remembered the powerful jaw and close cut hair. Thinking about the way his muscles moved like living iron whenever he had to use them caused her to gasp as her fingers moved between her thighs. Bonnie groaned a little as her eyes closed and she bit the pillow softly. A sudden buzz from the kitchen shattered her pleasure fueled memories as she leaped from the bed.

"Shit!" she cried, while racing to the kitchen. She saved the food for the annual Autumn block party just in time. Leaning against the island counter with arms folded under her breasts and contemplating what she was going to wear and just what she was going to say. Bonnie's mind was made up. Even if her past haunted her and dogged every step with either lusty or judgmental stares and whispers, she was going to make a move. Tonight, she determined, would settle if nights of sweat-dampened fur and soaked fingers could become a reality.

The early autumn evening was cool and clear. The sounds of conversation, children playing, and food filled the air. Bonnie had dressed in a short sleeve blouse and a skirt that fit the mold of being traditional and conservative. It was a shade of orange that complimented her fur and eyes. Like a true social butterfly, she flitted about between several conversations. It was a developed skill to talk about more than superficial matters and to not overstay one's welcome. This was a skill Bonnie was quite adept at.

She bantered with the Widow Butler, who had eyes on the equally widowed Mister Thatch. The darling elderly woman still had a feisty streak. Bonnie fluttered from there to speaking with the Heart family. They were a pair of grey wolves with six children and another on the way. The pair were a young and energetic couple and she always enjoyed talking with them. Although by now they both knew about her past, neither dwelt much on it anymore. It was refreshing to spend any time with them and even fawn over Misses Heart about the child she was clearly carrying. Excusing herself, Bonnie stepped away to look at the table prepared with her contribution to the party's food supplies.

Although she dearly enjoyed the company of the Hearts, and appreciated their almost familiar concern for her, Bonnie always felt a little empty after being around them. Without thinking about it, one hand moved to her belly. It was not the first time she cursed what nature had taken from her. Still, she knew nothing good could come of being bitter about it, and she dropped the thought. Approaching the table, she smiled, seeing that two of the four dishes were already gone. The third was nearly eaten, and the fourth was already halfway gone.

It filled the rabbit with a sense of pride that her cooking was so well received. Her former career was not one which cultivated such domestic skills. Bonnie had worked at improving what little she had from when she was a girl. The results, she noted, were speaking for themselves. As she moved behind the table to get out the desserts, her mind drifted to Christopher. He was a hard man to miss, and she had caught sight of him, but always while he was busy with someone or something else. She sighed and then stiffened after setting the baked goods on the table. A visible ripple ran through her fur as she spotted two human females coming right towards her. Bonnie took a slow, steady breath to calm herself as Cathy and Veronica approached.

"Can't I just go one social night without these catty bitches bothering me?" she thought. The two women looked exactly like how one might imagine upon hearing their names. Cathy was a short, pudgy woman who waddled as she moved. She was the kind of the lady who wore too much makeup and too much of a cheap imitation perfume. Her hair was always pinned up in some fashion and her nails done with meticulous precision. Veronic, on the other hand, was a tall, sinewy woman who forsook the use of makeup entirely. Shrewd eyes, thin lips and a hawkish nose gave the impression that she was always hunting for something. "Sometimes I think the only thing that brings them together is how much grief they give to other people." It was not the first time the bunny had such thoughts.

"Bonnie, dear, how are you?" Cathy said. The close-set eyes of the pudgy woman quickly swept over the table before coming to rest on the amazon of a rabbit. Bonnie crossed her arms as her ears turned and lay flat against her head. Cathy's deep voice already had that poking tone, which caused nothing but verbal irritation.

"Fine." She wanted to keep things short and to the point. Hopefully, it would allow things to remain civil among the women. There was no love lost between them. The two women were always quick to find some way to bring up her past. They did so as one would rub salt in a wound. A quick glance around showed Bonnie others had noted the gathering at her table and were already moving away.

"Well, that's just wonderful, dear," Cathy said. The smile on her fat face was one of a forced and false sincerity. "And it seems you've almost been cleaned out again, but you know all about being empty, don't you dear?" Bonnie's eyes were drawn back to the thick features of the short woman and saw the scornful mirth in those beady eyes.

"Well," Bonnie forced her voice to stay calm, "it's nice to know that my neighbors enjoy good food." She allowed a coy smile across her muzzle at the woman's reaction. The anthro was under no illusion as to what Cathy was implying. The verbal feint she just scored made the human's face turn a little more sour. As if on cue, the partner in crime picked up the slack.

"Don't you think it's a bit much, though?" Veronic asked. As Bonnie turned to look at the taller, but still shorter than her, female, and saw the sardonic smile. "I mean, aren't you trying a little too hard?"

"I'm not sure what you mean," Bonnie said. Her hands gripped tightly at her biceps.

"Well, I just mean," Veronica leaned in a little, "whores like you aren't very convincing at trying to be anything else. Your petty act is just a tad over the top, don't you think?" The words coming from that shrill voice were like daggers in Bonnie's ears. "Shouldn't you just stick to what you're good at?" To imply just what she meant, Cathy made a motion with her hand as if she were sucking on something.

"Well, maybe if either of you two were good at sucking cocks, your husbands wouldn't be jacking off to me." The words were out of Bonnie's mouth before she could stop them. She narrowed her eyes and clenched her jaw. Already the air around the table was turning fierce as both women readied a barrage to respond to her, but neither of them got the chance to say anything.

"Bonnie, you've done it again." A deep masculine voice with a clear Texan drawl cut through the cloud of hostility around the three women. Like a pane of glass cutting out a bitter wind, Christopher Panzer moved right in front of the two women and stood directly across from her. Bonnie took in those stormy grey eyes in a moment. The tension dropped from her body like a weight. "You've got to tell me how you actually managed to make a vegetarian chili so dang good." The rabbit let out a chuckle and turned her head even though her eyes didn't leave him.

"Excuse me, Chris, dear, but we were talking," Cathy said. Bonnie could not see her around the broad shoulders of Christopher, but the voice was clearly upset at being denied a chance to respond to the insult lobbed at her. The man turned slightly and looked over his shoulder at the woman.

"Yeah, you were." The tone of his voice was like a parent scolding a child. It was firm, and it was final. Bonnie heard the two women snort and walk off. But not before catching one last insult, this time not directed at her.

"Fucking furlover." Bonnie watched Chris for any reaction, but he just turned back to her and smiled. Her own head turned back to him before dropping a little. Her ears were still flat against her head, but not as tightly as they had been. The butterflies were back, and she fidgeted on her feet.

"Thank you," she said. The rugged man just grinned at her, which just made her fidget even more and even got a giggle out of her.

"It's nothing Bonnie. Those gals just can't have a good time, less they're putting the screws in someone else. They had already worked poor ole Thatch over. I saw 'em heading your way and decided it was time to just corral them before they soured everyone's night." He put his hands on his hips and seemed to fill the space in front of her. "I was wondering if you'd let me take you out to dinner tomorrow night?" Before she could even think about it, or gasp at the sudden proposal, Bonnie gave an affirmative answer.

II

A Day of Preparation

The barking of an alarm roused Chris from a troubled sleep. As he opened his storm grey eyes, a very large hand moved from the warmth of the blankets to turn the alarm off. He lay still for a moment as he waited for his other hand to stop twitching. Grim skeletal faces had bothered him as he slept, but this was nothing new to man. Slowly, his thick muscles tightened as he sat up and then swung his feet to the edge of the bed in order to sit. He grimaced, feeling the tightness of his body and knew that the first order of business was a hot shower. The powerful chords of his muscles were always tight first thing in the morning.

He rose from the bed and did a few stretches. Some old deep scars along his back and shoulders were usually the stiffest points on his body and needed that hot shower to loosen up. He padded to the bathroom and was soon soaking and stretching to limber his body up. Christopher Panzer was only thirty-five but in the morning his body felt twice that old.

After bathing, he went over to the sink and grabbed the shaving cream and brush. He worked up a good lather and then reached for the straight razor. A long, thin scar ran from his left ear to his chin. The damage there made shaving with anything other than his trust straight razor a chore. With practiced precision, he stropped the blade and then set about grooming himself. He had to stop once, as his right hand twitched and shook again. When he finally finished, Chris looked at himself in the mirror.

"You have one ugly mug. No doubt she'll turn you down." He chuckled and then gripped the sink with both hands as he thought about what he was considering. It wasn't the first time he'd let this idea run through his mind. The path was well tread after two years. Christopher simply stared at the damp porcelain and sighed. "Well, no sense in fretting about it. Worst she can do is turn me down." With a nod, he went to dress for the day.

As he took a bite of toast, Chris looked over the list of chores Maria Rodrigeuz had given him. She and her husband Raul took these block-parties and neighborhood gatherings as seriously as a heart attack. They had the whole thing down to a science by this point. Since he was the general handyman, his part in things was detailed. It was all manual labor, such as getting fire pits ready, hanging lights and other tasks along those lines. He took another bite and knew he would be busy for the entire day. There was a lady on his mind, and he'd not have a chance to speak with her until the party was underway. His keen eyes picked up movement across the way and he was at the kitchen window in an instant.

Across the street Bonnie had stepped out to water her flowers. His grey eyes had been trained to a predatory sharpness, and they missed very little. At the moment, he was going over those shapely legs and ass as she bent over. Even in a pair of jeans, the shapely rear end and cute bunny tail were clear to his hunter's eyes. Her legs seemed to go for days. As she stood up, he studied the curve of her hips and waist. The color of her fur standing out among the colors of her flowers. Chris turned from the kitchen and headed for the door. If he was quick, he could catch her before he got to work. He stopped halfway towards the front door.

"What the hell am I thinking. That gal's getting her life on track. She doesn't need me coming in and wrecking it all." Instead of going to the door, he walked into the living room and sank heavily into a chair. Christopher knew who Bonnie Valentine was and what she had used to do. He was intimately familiar with that version of his neighbor. A lot of nights, lube and tissues had been spent getting familiar with her through a computer screen. She'd lived a life in a seedy industry and all he had were rumors as to what got her out. But he was in no place to judge her for past mistakes or how she once lived. Absently, he rubbed the scarred knuckles of the hand that liked to twitch. His own past was less than reputable. With a heavy sigh, he stood back up and went to gather some tools.

Work for getting the cul-de-sac ready for the party had taken him all day, just as he suspected it would. The results, however, were worth it. The block was lit not just from the street lamps at the entrance but by several strands of lights. Paper lanterns hung from some trees and added to the warm atmosphere. As the sun began to set the neighbors were bringing out their food and drinks to set out on the various tables. Every house had their own table and soon the smell of food filled the cool evening air. Chris was busy getting some fires going, but his eyes were always looking for Bonnie.

She was easy to spot as the only rabbit among the neighbors. Those long ears and her amazonian height caused her to just stand taller than most. He watched her flit about like a skilled hostess from conversation to conversation. Chris looked at the fire he had just started and he made up his mind for good. Standing up and brushing his jeans off, he made his way towards her table. No sooner had he started than he saw the neighborhood crows making their own way over. He stopped for a moment to speak with the elderly Mister Thatch and aimed him towards the widow Butler. The old man smiled and walked off towards his fellow septuagenarian.

"Judgemental witches," he thought. Old, ingrained skills went to work, and he began moving like a living shadow among the partygoers. He slipped around and off to the sides, just close enough to see but not be noticed by Bonnie or her two hecklers. Chris focused his ears to hear the conversation. It didn't take long for him to move. If he hadn't, then the table of women would erupt into far more heated words. With a word, he made his presence known and then stopped the conversation by standing in front of Cathy.

Chris was face to face with Bonnie and even as he gave her a line about her chili, which was damn good, he just drank in what he could see. Those blue eyes were the most brilliant things he'd ever seen. They didn't reflect the surrounding lights, but sparkled from the added illumination. The twin patches of white fur in that curious starburst pattern only highlighted the bright, vibrant sapphires that were her eyes. A delicate scent of vanilla and warm spices seemed to fill the surrounding air. Her fur was sleek and shimmered as she moved. The blouse and dress, while conservative, still hugged her body like a second skin and made his imagination run. He knew those curves only from a virtual distance. She thanked him and then; he took the plunge.

The rest of the night passed by without incident and as they packed things up and he put out fires, he worked out the details with Bonnie for their meeting. It was a date. As he lay down that night, a smile was on his rugged face. She had said yes. He slept well that night.