Part 1: Change is sweet
#1 of Change is sweet
Hurray, first story ever on so furry, and in general,
This story's clean (big suprise, it was in the clean section) but it does contain some M/M themes, but you know that, I mean it's clearly tagged with M/M... but anyways, if you're not into that kind of stuff, then click that handy back arrow on your browser and find yourself something else, if you ARE into it, read on.
ALSO: the two characters, Lance Cairne *me*, and Zack Yanhoff *fictional* are mine, please, ask for permission before using them. (I'd like if they were used, just not without permission)
Oh, and just so you know, i did 99% of this late at night or early in the morning, so if any little grammar errors pop up, then please let me know and i'll fix them as soon as i can
Now, ON TO THE STORY!
Slowly getting out of his bed, a loud creaking noise filled the room, followed by a yawn and joints cracking from the long, undisturbed slumber of the arctic fox, he got up and looked at his plain grey walls, then to the ground where his grey shaggy carpet met his footpads.
He walked to the door and into the main room, with the same grey walls as his bedroom, along with the same carpet. Fortunately the landlord had allowed the change of carpeting, due to the fact that the old carpeting had to be replaced soon anyways. The fox took a right before he had reached the walk in kitchen, and went into the bathroom, setting the shower to a soothing warm temperature and then looked into the mirror.
The fox was rather small, only 5'4", and his fur was a shimmering white-silver combination throughout his body, his eyes were unique, for the fact that they changed colors depending on the season. The fall weather meant his eyes were brown with a splash of green thrown into it, producing a warm hazel iris. He jumped into the shower after the water had heated up, and quickly washed himself off.
Once he was finished, he dried off and walked to his room again picking out a black button up shirt and dark blue jeans. After he got dressed he slowly walked back to the kitchen, and grabbed bread and eggs, putting the bread in .his toaster and started preparing his eggs.
The fox looked to the clock, finally noticing he had gotten up about an hour earlier than he intended. He shrugged it off and heard a springing noise and looked to see his toast had finished, and then resumed cooking his eggs.
After eating and preparing for work he went off to pass some time seeing as it was a bit early. The fox grabbed his keys, and then walked down the stairs of his complex. Feeling for his wallet and finding it in his back pocket he sighed. "Well lance... time for another horrible day..." the newly dubbed lance mused.
He drove down to a small coffee shop he had found on his nights out, deciding to finally try visiting it. As he opened the door, the bittersweet scent of coffee hit his nose, and he walked into the small, empty shop.
When he approached the counter the cashier, a black cat that was about 5'7", seemed rather surprised to find another fur in the shop. "Hello, what would you like to order?" He said with the bored perfection only a cashier could have.
"Well," said lance looking at the bored looking cat manning the register, noticing his icy blue eyes, "what would you suggest? I've never come here before so I'm not sure what's good."
"Well, I normally just have plain old coffee with cream and sugar." The cat said.
"Well, I'll try that then."
Lance waited while the cat prepared his drink in an awkward silence.
"So, what brings you here?" Asked the cat.
"Well I have an hour to kill before I have to go to work, and I've seen this place a few times
So I thought I might want to try it out."
"I see." The cat said.
"I don't have much else to do, so if you want I could keep you company for a while, this place seems dull all alone."
"Trust me, it is, if you don't mind then I would enjoy another fur to talk to."
The cat handed lance his coffee. "So I never did catch your name." Lance said.
"My name's Zane, I didn't get yours either." Zane said, looking at the fox.
Lance handed his money to Zane, and said "the name's lance, nice to meet you."
Zane handed lance his change and said, "Likewise lance."
As the hour swiftly passed the fox and cat, they found that they had many of the same interests, as well as a good amount of the same views on life.
"Well, I've got to be going," Lance said, "let me get your number so we can hang out some other time"
"Alright," Zane said, writing his number on a slip of paper, lance doing so as well "and if you're ever up this early, stop by, this place sucks during the early morning shift."
He handed lance a slip of paper and lance handed one to Zane. "Call whenever, I don't bring my phone into work, so don't worry about interrupting anything." Lance said, "And I'll be sure to stop by when I have time to kill."
Lance walked out of his personal hell his boss called a job and got in his car. He picked up his phone and saw a text from Zane.
'Hey, wondering if you wanted to hang out once you're off work.' Lance smiled; it'd been a long time since anyone really cared about him so a friend was just what he needed in his life.
'Yeah, I'll meet you at the coffee shop all right?' Lance replied.
Almost immediately he got a response "yeah, I'll be there in a few"
'Someone's eager to see me...' lance thought, 'it's been a long time since that's happened..."
Lance drove to the coffee shop and walked in, sitting at a table.
He looked around and didn't see the cat so he went and ordered two coffees and went back to the table when they were done.
10 minutes later a familiar cat walked in, and looked around, spotted lance and rushed over to the table.
"Hey lance!" He said, with a very energetic atmosphere that completely contradicted their first meeting just that morning.
"You wouldn't believe how boring it was after you left."
Lance chuckled at that and handed the cat a coffee, "lets get out of here and do something."
Zane nodded, grabbing the cup and walked outside with lance, "I walked here so is it ok if I just go in your car?" Zane said.
"That's what I was planning on." The fox replied, and he unlocked the doors and got into the drivers seat.
Zane got in and they shut the doors and put on their seatbelts and lance pulled out of the parking lot.
They got into idle chat on the way to their destination when Zane decided to ask a question that had been nagging him
"So lance, what do you think about gay marriage?"
When Zane had asked the fox about his thoughts on gay marriage, he knew he was striking a delicate chord, because if lance were homophobic he would instantly accuse the cat of being gay and kick him out of the car.
But lance didn't get mad or lose his cool, he just replied "well, gay people deserve love too and if they want to get married then fine, and honestly, it really makes me mad when people go all 'gay basher' to two guys in love, it's like me getting mad at a straight couple, there's no sense in it... oh shit I'm ranting," lance laughed, "sorry about that."
"No it's fine in fact I totally agree, it's not fair to us gay people to be judged by who we love instead of who we are." The Zane said, then his eyes suddenly got wide 'oh shit... I said-'
"Us gay people?" Lance said, "So, you're gay?"
"N-no... I just accidentally said 'us' that's all."
"You're a horrible liar Zane; I just want to point that out." Lance said, keeping his cool not showing a sign of suprise from Zane's accidentally revealed gayness, "I don't really care, if you're gay then you're not different in my eyes." Lance said, seeing that the cat was wide eyed and tense.
The cat started to shake and looked petrified in the seat of the car, seeming to not have heard him.
Lance pulled off of the road into a parking lot, and turned the car off turning his attention to the cat, Zane had gone from petrified to about to cry his eyes out, fearing that his new friend would make him leave and lance wouldn't want to see him again
Lance put his arm around the cat and drew him onto his shoulder and pet the cats head, stroking his rather long head of hair with one hand and holding him with the other,
Zane calmed down in the fox's embrace, after a fit of crying that is, and looked at him, "y-you don't hate me?" He said, his eyes a pinkish red from crying.
"Why would I hate you for being gay? I told you I think gay people are the same as straight people." Lance said with a warm smile that Zane instantly loved.
Zane felt silly for breaking down now, especially in front of his new friend.
"Sorry for that," Zane said, in a small and still slightly trembling voice, "it's just I've done that before, and it didn't end well..."
"Its fine, do you want to just come over to my apartment and get something to eat?" Lance asked, "It's getting kinda late..."
Zane's ears perked and he gave a little nod, 'thank god that didn't end badly' he thought.
Lance then pulled out of the parking lot and went on his way home.
When the cat and fox pulled into the apartment complex it was getting near 6:00, and their stomachs started to protest their lack of eating.
They got out of the car and the fox locked the car behind him, and walked to the complex, Zane following closely.
Lance walked into the outside stairwell in the middle of the building, and started walking up the stairs, to floor 4.
As they ascended the stairs Zane started to blush, noticing lance's rump was directly in his line of sight, and, had his fur not been black, he would be a bright red.
They then reached floor 4 and then entered the apartment.
"Well here it is," lance said, "home sweet home."
Zane walked into the living room and studied his surroundings; the walls had at least 2 pictures, of what he presumed were family members, on each wall. On the far wall, there was an average sized television, and a rather comfy looking couch.
"Would you like my 4 room tour or do you think you can manage?"
"I'm good" Zane said, his stomach growled as he said it.
"What? I couldn't hear you over your starving stomach," lance said with a chuckle, "come on I'll make some food really fast."
Lance and Zane walked over to the kitchen and lance started to prepare the kitchen for dinner.
"Any preferences?" Lance asked.
"Umm whatever you were planning on making is fine." Zane said.
Lance nodded and started to prepare spaghetti and meatballs, using his large array of spices to make the food flavorful.
After a short time cooking the noodles were done and the meatballs and sauce were ready soon after.
All of the wonderful scents coming from the kitchen had Zane's mouth watering until the food was served.
When the food was served the two ate and talked, about family and their lives.
Once they had finished with their meal, Zane stood up and exclaimed, "That was great!"
The fox then proceeded to blush slightly and said, "Thanks, I really like to cook."
"Well," the cat said, "you're really good at it."
"Thanks, I love to hear that my food is liked."
The pair chatted for a while and then decided that Zane had to get home.
"Well it was great hanging out with you." Lance said as he stopped at the address Zane had given him.
"Yeah, I was gonna say the same thing."
"I don't have work tomorrow so when I get up I'll keep you company at work if you want."
"Yeah! That'd be awesome!"
"Well then I'll see you then." Lance said, and he unlocked the door for Zane and watched him get back into the house and drove home.
The fox sighed as he pulled into the parking spot, life was going great now, 'how the hell did I last this long without so much as a friend?' He thought, but then flashes of his recent depression and his suicide attempt hit him when he was about to exit the car.
2 months earlier-
'There's nothing left to live for...' the fox thought, bringing a knife to his chest.
'Nobody would even notice that I died, nobody would even care... and if I do this, I'll get to see...' the fox started to weep at the thought of his diseased lover, and brought the knife closer to his heart, pumping blood to every part of his body, that cursed organ keeping him alive.
Just one simple stab and you'll be free... the fox's inner voice said.
How could he say no?
The knife didn't end up in his chest however, his hand trembled and lances head dropped.
"DAMN IT!" Lance screamed, in his mind he was trying to rationalize why he couldn't do it, and then the knife dropped onto the table, and he started to go into a fit of crying.
Nobody came to comfort him, he was alone and couldn't talk to anyone, because nobody cared, his parents had died in a car crash, and his extended family never even knew he was born, and wouldn't care either way.
He had no friends, all he had ever needed was... the thought again sent him into a fit of crying and despair, his lover had died the day before, and lance couldn't even say good-bye, or, I love you, before the living lover he'd known was a cold corpse, with a haunting blank stare that he couldn't escape.
Dreams brought no solace, he fell asleep to have the scenario repeat before his dream self for hours upon hours, the call, rushing to the hospital, and up to the dreaded room, and there he saw that green line that indicated death.
The doctor said things like "sorry" and "there was nothing we could do", but it was all in the background, his lovers cold eyes were what was his main focus, and the long screech that told him that his lover had passed on.
He didn't believe it, he then walked out of the room his mind spinning, he felt scared and dizzy, and then black enveloped his sight, and then came the images and realization within the time he fainted.
His eyes opened to the doctor looking at him with a worried expression, his mouth moving, but no words were audible, then, "hello, can you hear me?" The doctor said with concern evident in his voice.
"Yeah, I'm fine, don't worry." Lance said, "I'm just going to go home now." And with that he walked away in a dreamlike state, not sure if he was truly awake, without his lover there to be home when he returned.
He then drove home and as soon the door was closed he dropped to the ground in front of the door, and sobbed the night away.
Once he found the strength to get up he slowly walked to the bedroom and stripped his clothes, and got on the bed he used to share. Then he struggled his way to sleep to face the haunting nightmares.
He woke up to the grim reality, his mate was no longer keeping him company in his bed, then it all came crashing onto him and he walked to the kitchen, and picked up a knife...
Present Day-
Once lance had recovered from his flashback, he left the car, eyes red and puffy, locked the car and quickly made his way to his apartment.
He didn't have the strength to stay awake much longer so he made his way into the bedroom.
The next two months were great for lance, he became more social, and made some good friends, and work suddenly became much more enjoyable with friends there.
Lance had also become great friends with Zane, they saw each other almost every day, and lance had gotten in the habit of getting up early to talk with him at work and have a coffee to keep him up through the day.
"Lance, same thing as always?" Zane said as the fox walked into the store.
"Sure thing Zane, so how was that thing with Sam?" The fox replied.
"Eh... not good, I'd rather not get into it."
"Oh, I see, sorry to hear it." The fox could tell that Zane had at least gotten over whatever it was somewhat, because he had his regular energetic attitude.
"So what about you? Any girls you interested in?" Zane said.
"Nah, not any so far."
"Any guys?" Lance said, jokingly.
"Well, there is this one guy..." lance said, imitating Zane's tone, with a little chuckle at the end.
"When are you going to find yourself someone to love?" Zane said, the joking tone completely evaporated.
"I don't know, I just need some time to find the right person."
"Oh lance, when was the last time you had a girlfriend anyways?" Zane said.
"About.... uh... high school I think..."
"WHAT?" Zane said, over-dramatizing a bit.
"Eh, it's been a while since I had a girlfriend."
Lance said.
"Well have you had one of those special guys in your life?" Zane said, taking on his joking tone again.
Lance then said, with a dead serious tone, "Yeah, two months ago he died in a car accident."
Zane's face went blank for a split second before giving the fox a big hug and saying, "oh god, I'm sorry, I didn't think you were bi... you always acted straight..."
Lance closed his eyes and hugged him, "I know you had no idea, it's my fault for not telling you..." Lance said, enjoying the warmth of another fur against him, 'it's been too long since I've held someone close like this... it's so nice...'
Lance pulled back, and looked at Zane, "thanks." He said.
Zane looked confused, and said, "For what?"
"For being there for me, and being such a great friend for the past two months."
"No problem lance, and thanks to you too, you've been a great friend too." Zane said.
"I have to go, I'm gonna be late soon!" Lance said, grabbing his untouched and slowly cooling coffee from the table, and rushing to his car.
"See ya later Kain." Lance said, walking out of work, with a smile on his face.
"See you Monday lance." Kain, a 32 year old panther, about 5'9", said.
Lance walked to his car and picked up his phone, seeing he had a missed call and a text from Zane.
It read, 'hey lance wanna hang out at my place for the weekend?'
Lance replied, 'yeah, sure, what time should I head over?'
Lance started his car and his phone started playing a rock song from his youth, indicating he had a text from Zane.
'Well if you can pick me up from work, right now.'
Lance responded with 'on my way now, see you in a few.'
With that lance pulled out of his work and he started driving to the coffee shop.
Lance walked into the shop, and saw Zane behind the counter, making a coffee for a customer.
"Here's your drink and your change sir." Zane said.
Lance walked up to the counter, "so are you still working or are we heading off?" Lance said.
"One sec, hey Lenny! I'm going now, you're in charge, ok?"
"Yeah, see you Monday Zane." Lenny, the cheetah said.
"Alright, let's go."
"Alright." Lance said, and started making his way to the car.
"You know," lance said looking to Zane, "one of these days you're gonna have to get a bike at least, that way I don't have to pick you up so often." There was a thick layer of the joking tone they usually greeted each other with.
Zane chuckled, "hey, I'm banking on how irresistibly cute I am to get rides," Zane said, "and it's worked wonders so far" he said smirking.
Lance couldn't help but laugh at that.
The fox unlocked the car and the pair entered, putting on seatbelts and heading off.
Lance pulled into the driveway of Zane's small house.
Zane opened his door, and started to walk to the door, but looked back at lance, who still hadn't opened his door yet, "you gonna get out or are we spending all day in that little car?" Zane teased.
Lance laughed, "sorry, just thinking."
With that he opened the door, and walked with Zane to the house. Zane unlocked the door, and opened it.
"After you" Zane said, motioning to the door.
Lance walked into the house, and looked around much like how Zane had done in his house.
"So, do you want the tour or do you think you can manage?" Zane said.
"Hey just because I'm your best friend doesn't give you the right to use my line" lance said, snickering.
Zane's ears dropped in a comical fashion and he pouted.
"Oh, all right, how can I resist that face?" Lance said, with a laugh.
Zane smiled deviously and said, "you can't, that's the trick."
They both burst out laughing and entered the living room.
"So are you cooking or am I cooking AGAIN?"
Lance said, adopting a sarcastic tone.
"Well you know how GREAT I am at cooking..." Zane said mimicking lances sarcasm.
"I thought so, any preferences?"
"Whatever you can whip up is fine."
"Sounds good."
Lance started rooting through the kitchen for food, and came out with some common kitchen spices and red meat from the fridge.
"How do hamburgers sound?" Lance asked.
"Huh? Oh, sounds good."
"Somethin' on your mind?" The fox asked.
"Well, yeah... but I'll tell you later ok? I don't want to talk about it right now."
"Sure, whenever you feel like you wanna talk I'm all ears."
"Great, thanks." 'When will the right time EVER come...?' Zane thought.
After another great meal, the pair started to chat.
"So, I've been thinking about how you said I need to find someone to love," lance said, "and I've known that for a long time but I haven't had the strength to move past my old boyfriends... passing."
Zane looked at lance sympathetically at the mention of his diseased lover.
"But now I feel like I've accepted it, and I can move onto a new relationship."
"That's good to hear" Zane said, as he hugged lance.
He pulled out of the hug after a while.
"Anyone in particular you're interested in?" Zane asked.
"Oh just this cat I met..." lance said
Zane's ears dropped a little, "oh"
"Yeah, he's really nice, has black fur, and the most beautiful blue eyes I've ever seen." Zane's ears perked up again and he looked at lance, who gave him that warm smile he loved so much.
Zane started to smile too, almost bursting on the inside.
"Zane, I'm not one to rush things, and I'm not one to play with words, so I can't say that I love you with all my heart..."
Zane nodded, feeling a bit less ecstatic on that note.
"But it doesn't mean you haven't worked your way into my heart, and no matter what, there will always be a portion of my heart that belongs to you."
Zane somehow felt better than he did when his first boyfriend had said 'I love you' when they first got together. The way lance put it was like saying that he wasn't going to tell him those words until the fox himself was completely sure he did.
And that made Zane jump to lance and hug him, "I'll get you to say those words to me someday, that's a promise."
"I hope you do" lance said, hugging Zane back, and smiling, 'it's been too long since I've had this... I've needed it...' lance thought happily.
Well, that's it; part 1 of my first series (and first story ever!) is over.
Constructive criticism is greatly appreciated, (and so are nice comments!) but anyways, if you haven't figured it out yet, there will be more parts, just don't expect them to come out too fast, I have other stuff that's more urgent than writing stories.
The next one MIGHT have a yiff scene, not sure yet, again I haven't ever written one, so don't be surprised if it's not amazing (if there is one at all)...