Of Hard-drives and Fox-drives
A four-by-four truck trundled through the snow, traveling much slower than was legally allowed. The roads were sloppy...and these tires were close to needing be replaced, not to mention trucks were innately disagreeable in snowy weather. Discretion was the better part of valor. So, the gray fox behind the wheel drove slowly.
Cody worked in computer repair, and was proud of the fact that he never simply said "I don't know what's wrong with it." Even if the item was irreparable, Cody could always tell a client exactly what the cause of death was.
This particular item had him baffled, though. It didn't run on the system, but there just didn't seem to be anything wrong with it!
Cody was seventeen years old, and he didn't have any professional training. He'd just tinkered with computers for hours on end, ever since he'd gotten his first one. He'd destroyed more than a few pieces of hardware, but his tinkering had put him in a position where he knew a lot more about the internal workings of a computer than any average computer user. So now he worked at Sojourner Systems, repairing computers or building custom new systems for the basic home owner all the way up to the savviest gamer.
He was lean, but not thin. Athletically, he liked to run, which attributed all the more to his appearance. His fur color was granted to him by his ancestors, dark auburn on his back, to red around his sides, to ivory on his torso. His tail was his pride and joy, currently swishing slowly in small arcs behind him, quiet thoughtfulness. His tail was longer than any other species and more beautiful. Most important to him were his nimble paws. Without them, he could never work with computers. So absorbed was Cody in his work that he didn't even notice when the door opened behind him.
Cody, oblivious to the presence of the other fox, continued his investigation. The hard drive continued to perplex him. On a whim, Cody reached for a small device on the wall in front of him. It was an electronic meter, of some sort. It had a digital face on the main body, small enough to fit in the fox's palm, and two thin wires hanging off the end. He attached these wires to the power cable of the hard drive, and flicked the device on.
Cody smiled to himself. 2.1 volts...power enough to run the motor, maybe. But not enough power to run the whole drive. The power jack needed to be replaced. Cody began rummaging through a stack of reference books searching for the part number he would need to order.
Foxy!!!"
Cody's house was not very far away, so the ride was short, but made longer by snow on the roads. It was falling rapidly, and the roads were worsening, not improving. "Man, I'm glad it's Friday. I don't think we could have driven anywhere tomorrow. It's supposed to snow even more tonight."
The ride was over all too soon. After only a few minutes, they stopped in front of Cody's home.
The young fox stood for a little while watching Clay drive away. He heaved a sigh. He was nervous. He always got nervous. He supposed it was natural to be scared. Natural to be scared of the unnatural. Clay's truck turned a corner, and he was gone.
He finally turned and walked inside. Leaving the cold behind him, and the darkness it contained. Cody entered his front door and kicked off his boots, walking in his bare paws. He shed clothing as he walked, taking off his gloves and his coat. The house was empty, as his mother was not home from work yet.
The fox went through his normal routine. There were no email messages to answer. There was no one online to talk with. This didn't surprise Cody. There never were. He pulled up his art program, and proceeded with the task he'd been doing the night before: Creating a signature he could post beneath his messages in forums. Everyone had one, but Cody's was always something he borrowed from a website or the like. He finally decided to try making his own. He had taken a picture from an artist he liked, and was now augmenting it with his own background and darker shading.
A line here, some shading there. All with a click of Cody's mouse. This program really was well-made. Perhaps he should send an email to the company that made it. He was looking forward to lunch with Clay. At least, he thought he was. Cody never was sure what he wanted anymore. Life was too complicated to say for sure. Well, if there was one to ask, Clay would be it. Click, click, click.
* * *
The next day came more quickly than Cody was accustomed to days coming. It was nearly 2 o'clock, when Clay was due to arrive. But Cody had already been waiting outside on his covered porch since one. He was covered winter wear, guarded against the cold, but no coat could have possibly kept him warm in air this cold for that length of time. He sat on the railing surrounding the porch. It was made of thick wood, plenty strong enough for him to sit on. All four of his paws had long since gone numb, but he didn't really mind. Numb paws just made the joy of warming them up again that much sweeter.
"Foxy!" the cry echoed off the snow banks. It only took a few more moments for Clay to jog to the end of the Cody's driveway. He arrived with his breathing only mildly labored. He was nearly as physically fit as Cody himself was.
inside!"
"So, have you applied to any colleges yet?"
hurt to take art at all in college. It's really fun."
During the meal, they made small talk. Clay asking about Cody's work, and talking about how expensive Clay's apartment was getting. For the most part, Cody didn't say much.
Finally the silence became too ominous. Clay stopped and turned to the young fox.
"Cody?" Clay asked again.
Impossible.
"You can tell me, Cody. What kind of friend would I be if I couldn't listen?" Clay said.
It was a mistake. Cody knew that for certain. But it felt good. So good!
Clay blinked rapidly in surprise. "Cody..."
Cody felt a gentle touch on the side of his chin. He reflexively opened his eyes. Clay's expression was a strange one...not what Cody expected. Cody had expected anger. But no he was...amused. And perhaps slightly admonishing.
Clay escorted Cody inside then closed the door behind them, locking it. He leaned his forehead against the door, his back to Cody. He spoke slowly, thoughtfully. "Cody, you know I'm gay. You've known that for years now." He turned and looked at the younger fox. "Just because I do something doesn't mean it's a good idea. Or alright at all."
Clay sighed, walking to Cody, taking the small fox's paw in his own. "Come on, sit down with me."
"Go ahead, ask..." Cody said, looking away, face filled with disappointment. "I know you have to."
Ignore that?!?"
is unnatural. No one can argue with that. It's the truth."
"But even thinking these things, I've always known you were off-limits. I could look but never touch. This is," Clay paused, choosing his words carefully. "A change for me."
"But if you're willing to take it slow...we could try dating."
"Slow. Right." He gave a small smile. "I can do slow."
Clay softly broke the kiss, and nuzzled up Cody's cheek, pausing to whisper. "We'll go slow, yes, little foxy. But not slow enough that no one has any fun."
Clamp here. Twist of a screwdriver there. Who knew how filling this work could be. This feeling of accomplishing. It was beautiful. Beautiful.
It was getting later at night. Cody should head home. But could one more hour hurt? No, just one more hour.
now?"
Cody struggled to drink up Clay, to satisfy this unnamed thirst he'd been starving for these past days. His paws struggled to wrap around Clay's shoulders, as if maybe if he used every ounce of his strength, the little fox could bring them just that little bit closer.
Cody whimpered quietly, but obediently slowed himself. The kiss progressed, but not as franticly. But the heat was still there, oh, touching, sensing, loving. Not as energetic, no, but it was a little nicer this way. Cody could take his time and feel everything. Clay wrapped a strong arm around Cody's midriff and slowly started backing up, towards the now closed door. Clay's back bumped against the door, and his the combined weight of the foxes fell against the closed portal.
"Ooooh," Cody hummed appreciatively.
Cody's voice overflowed with fear and wonder. "Clay, oooh, I," he gasped. "I--"
"Come on, Hon, I need to get you home." Clay said with a smile. "Your mom's gonna start asking what I'm doing with you every evening, and I'm not sure I have a clean answer."
"It's almost a shame." he murmured to himself. "He seems like a nice kid."