Behind the Helmet Chapter 2

Story by BossTom on SoFurry

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#2 of Behind the Helmet

Thomas sat in the library in a solitary corner. He had in front of him a length...


Thomas sat in the library in a solitary corner. He had in front of him a lengthy textbook on crustacean biology. He was reading over the section that pertained to lobsters, more specifically symbions. He uncapped his pink highlighter, highlighting relevant sections of the text. He sighed, snuffling a bit as he got a whiff of the marker's fumes.

A sharp series of giggles came from the other side of the library. Thomas looked over and glared. He recognized one of them, a black panther like himself, and promptly knew what they were giggling about. The black panther in question was the girlfriend of Will from the football team, and word had it that his dick was quite substantial.

Judging by the other giggles and "oh's coming from the group, the panthress must have gone and done something with another guy. Thomas sighed, thinking of the kisses of his very own guy. He shook his head, and kept reading his dense book. He found another section to highlight, then accidentally dropping the pen on the floor.

The library doors slammed open and a she-wolf, dressed in nurse's clothes, ran into the library. The brown and white furred girl looked around the library, her gaze finally resting on Thomas's corner. The girl ran towards the panther, tears flowing from her emerald eyes. She stood in front of the studying panther, panting.

"Oh my god Thomas," She began breathlessly, "Thank god I found you."

Thomas looked up, closing his book.

"Hey Christine," Thomas began, his voice taking a more concerned tone as he continued, "Are you ok? You look just about run to death, come on sit down."

Christine shook her head, finally catching her breath.

"I'm ok Thomas," Christine began, "I... its Bryce."

The black panther sat stock still, eyes watering.

"He's in the hospital Thomas," the she-wolf continued.

Thomas began to visibly shake, Christine reaching down to hug the feline.

"O-oh," The black panther began, holding back tears, "W-what happened?"

Christine sighed and sat down beside Thomas, rubbing his back reassuringly. The feline pressed into her side, trying to shrink away from the world.

"Someone viciously attacked and raped him," Christine replied.

Thomas's eyes began to water and he fought to hold back sobs.

"He's got broken ribs, and cuts, he told me to go and get you," Christine continued, cut off from telling more by Thomas's sudden movements.

He had flipped the table over, sending its contents crashing to the ground. He turned and sprinted for the door, trying to unsuccessfully hide his tears. He sprinted down the library stairs, nearly tripping over a pile of backpacks. Thomas then burst through the library doors, panting as the cold winter's night air enveloped his body.

Thomas sobbed and ran for the campus hospital, which was a good four miles away. The panther started to sprint again, his breath entering with ragged sobs and exiting with puffs of steam. He vaulted over one of the campus creeks, slipping and nearly falling in the icy water.

The black panther picked him self up, panting as hard as he could and started off again. He found the path to the hospital and sprinted off, slipping and sliding on the black ice covered concrete. He panted and gasped for breath, colliding with a nerdy kid carrying a precariously stack pile of books and papers.

The nerd, a skinny Doberman, gave a squeal of surprise and fell down with a crack, his snow pants clad legs ass deep in a puddle. The panther heaved for breath, the well lit hospital in sight. He put on an extra burst of speed, and lunged through the double glass doors of the hospital.

There was no-one in the lobby aside from the receptionist, who sat idly flicking her acrylic nails. Thomas panted and staggered over to the receptionists desk, putting a paw on it and doubling over. The receptionist, who was a hefty hyena, just ignored the panting cat, and flipped idly through a magazine.

"Excuse me," Thomas began, trying to get the attention of the hyena.

The woman ignored him, continuing to read. The panther coughed and waved at her, but to no avail. Thomas growled and breathed deep, screaming at the hyena.

"EXCUSE ME YOU STUPID BITCH!"

The hyena looked up, eyes wider than a barn door. She huffed, putting the magazine down.

"Can I help you sir?" She began, fluttering her eyelashes innocently.

"Yeah, DO YOUR FUCKING JOB AND," The panther stopped, his eyes tearing up, "And tell me where Bryce Wilkins is, it's an emergency."

The hyena ignored the show of emotion and put the name in the computer.

"A simple please would be nice you dick," She mumbled under her breath as she pulled up the file, "He's in the ICU sir."

Thomas sniffled, wiping his eyes with a cold paw.

"Well can I see him?" Thomas asked, tears streaming freely from his cheeks.

The hyena looked him over, her face softening. She looked down at her sheet, shook her head at it, then looked back up.

"Yeah you can," She began, "Just try to keep it down ok."

"Oh god thank you thank you!" Thomas replied, running down the hall towards the ICU.

He ran through, looking in all the windows. He was panting and sobbing furiously. He ran all the way to the end of the hall, finally seeing the face and fur of the man he was looking for. He stopped, trying to compose himself. Thomas only managed to get his sobbing down to quiet sniffles, and he decided that that was good enough.

The panther ran in, his face soaked with tears. Bryce was clad in bandages, the top of his skull and his entire torso completely covered. The akita was sleeping, chest rising and falling weakly. Thomas walked up to the injured canine slowly and knelt by the bed. He took the akita's paw.

"Oh Bryce," he began, sniffling.

Bryce's eyes fluttered open, and he squeezed the panther's paw. Thomas looked up, barely able to keep from bawling his eyes out.

"T-Thomas," Bryce replied, trying to stroke the panther's cheek.

The panther laid the paw back down on the bed with a kiss. The akita opened his muzzle to speak again, only for Thomas to plant a tender kiss. The panther moved back stroking the canid's black cheeks.

"Shh baby, shh," The panther began, "Just rest, I'm here, I'm here for you."

The akita sniffled, his tears soaking into the panther's paw. Thomas looked over the hunky akita, trying to stifle his whimpers and cries with his other paw. The panther cleared his throat and kissed the canine on the cheek.

"Who did this to you hon?" Thomas began, looking into Bryce's eyes.

The akita paused, and looked over at the panther. Thomas kissed Bryce on the cheek holding his paw tightly.

"I-it," Bryce began, "It was...,"

The door creaked open, and Roy was standing in the hallway. Bryce gasped and shut his mouth, looking away from Thomas. The panther sniffled and turned his head back gently.

"What is it hon?" Thomas began, "Who did this to you?"

The panther saw that Bryce's gaze was fixed at the door. He turned around, seeing the stocky coyote standing in the doorway. The panther looked back at Bryce.

"Who's this hon?" Thomas began, "Friend of yours?"

Roy looked over the two, his eyes tearing up.

"Oh my god Bryce," Roy began, "Are you gonna be ok? I came as soon as I heard."

Thomas got up and hugged the coyote. The brown furred canine was a head taller than the panther, and more muscular than Bryce. The coyote also smelled good, a fix of strong cologne and his natural desert musk.

"I'm Thomas," The panther began, "Bryce's... urm... friend."

"Oh," The coyote replied, smiling, "It's nice to meet you, I'm Roy."

The panther gasped and started to shake. Roy looked over the feline curiously.

"Are you ok buddy?" Roy asked.

Thomas squealed.

"Are you the starting cornerback?" The panther asked.

"Why yes," Roy began, "Why do you ask? Are you a fan?"

The panther squealed again.

"Hell yes I'm a fan!" Thomas replied, "That sack you had in the last minute of the championship game last year was fucking amazing!"

Roy chuckled and patted the panther on the back. He gave the feline another hug, smirking over the black cat's shoulder at Bryce. The akita whimpered and looked away, tears flooding his eyes. Roy and Thomas broke apart, the panther wiping his eyes. "I'm sorry you two," Thomas began, "I need to go to the bathroom."

Thomas knelt by Bryce's head and looked back at Roy. The panther kissed the Akita on the cheek. The panther got back up and headed out the door, closing the door behind him. Roy chuckled and called after the panther. Bryce whimpered, Roy turning to smirk at Bryce.

"Ok man," Roy began, "Have fun."

Bryce whimpered again.

"So is that your little boyfriend Bryce?" Roy asked, "Damn he's cute, maybe ill have to get to know him."

"L-leave us alone," Bryce whimpered.

Roy scoffed, flicking the injured akita's ribs. The black canine yelped and whimpered.

"Come on bud," Roy began, "We're best friends, aren't we buddy. That and you need me."

Bryce whimpered and looked away.

"I," Bryce began, his voice gaining more resolve, "I don't need you, and I don't need any of you jock assholes.

Roy laughed and stood up, pacing around the room. He glared at the akita, advancing up to the foot of Bryce's bed.

"You know the only thing keeping Will and the nastier guys of here is me right," Roy began.

The coyote jumped up onto the bed, pressing his paw against the akita's throat. Bryce gasped and gagged, whining in fear. His eyes went wide with fear, his black paws trying to dislodge the heavier coyote's. Roy chuckled and then snarled into the black canine's face, staring into his eyes.

"You tell anyone," He began sinisterly, "I'll sic those guys on that little flamer bitch of yours, and they'll rip him limb from fucking limb."

The coyote got up off of Bryce, scoffing and shaking his head. The akita started to cry, trying to shrink away from the coyote.

"Oh you don't want that faggot?" Roy asked.

The akita shook his head.

"No, Please don't," Bryce begged.

"Then you know what to do then don't you Bryce," Roy replied.

Bryce nodded and started to sob quietly, his body racking with emotional pain. Roy chuckled and looked back at the Akita.

"You know," Roy began, "Maybe I should meet this cute bitch of yours, make sure he's good for you."

Bryce started to sob more desperately.

"Oh god please," Bryce began, "Leave him out of this, don't hurt him."

Roy chuckled and crawled up so they were face to face again. Bryce shrunk away again, tears streaming from his eyes.

"Maybe I'll give him the same treatment as I gave you," Roy replied evilly.

"No," Bryce cried, "NO, god please no, anything but that, I promise I'll do everything you say."

The doorknob turned and Roy collapsed down on Bryce's chest, sobbing deeply. Thomas sniffled, watching the display of emotion. He locked eyes with Bryce, mistaking the akita's tears of fear with tears of sadness.

"Oh god Bryce I'm so so sorry," Roy began, sobbing, "I wish I could have done something."

Bryce pulled the coyote up to his face level. Roy curled his head into Bryce's chest, sobbing harder. The akita whimpered and whispered in the coyote's ear.

"I'll do whatever you guys want, just don't hurt Thomas."

The coyote nodded, still crying. Thomas came up to the crying pair, rubbing Roy's broad shoulders. The canine looked back, sniffling still. The panther leaned down and kissed the coyote's forehead.

"Roy," Thomas began, "The hospital wants us to get out of here."

The coyote sobbed harder, getting up off of the akita. Thomas mewed comfortingly and gave the crying coyote a hug. Roy wrapped his arms around the panther tightly, crying his eyes out. "Roy," Thomas whined, looking into the coyote's eyes, "Are you ok?"

"Y-yeah," Roy began, "I'm just so sad and worried about Bryce."

Thomas hugged the coyote again.

"Oh I know I know," Thomas began, "Look Roy, would you wait outside for me, I'll be right out ok."

"Y-yeah," Roy replied, wiping his eyes.

Thomas waited for the coyote to leave, not noticing the glare he gave Bryce. The akita whimpered slightly, the sound cut off by the panther's tender lips on his own. The panther pulled back, holding the akita tightly.

"Bryce darling," Thomas began, rocking gently.

"Y-yeah Thomas?" Bryce replied, looking up at the panther.

"The hospital said I have to go now," The panther began, kissing Bryce's cheek, "I'll be back tomorrow to visit you."

The two kissed again, Bryce whining as they pulled apart. Thomas shushed the akita, stroking his cheek tenderly. Bryce lifted his paw up holding the cat's paw to his cheek. A lone tear rolled down the akita's cheek.

"Ok Thomas," Bryce replied, "Thank you so much."

They kissed a final time, only a quick smooch. The panther then got up and walked to the door. He turned and looked back at the canine.

"Rest up Bryce," Thomas began, "Good night hon."

Bryce sniffled, whining as Thomas left the room.

"Goodnight, my love," He replied quietly.

The panther looked down the hall, seeing Roy leaning on the receptionist's desk. Thomas walked down the hall, stopping by the coyote. The canine looked over, wiping his nose with a tissue.

"Hey man," Thomas began.

"Hey," Roy replied, still sniffling.

"Look," Thomas began, "Do you want to go and do something? We shouldn't be out alone at a time like this."

"That sounds good," Roy replied, "Can we just go up to your dorm and talk?

"Sure," Thomas said, walking out the door, I have to go feed Bosco."

"Bosco?" Roy asked, shivering at the cold.

"Oh," Thomas explained, "He's my project for my major in marine biology."

The panther shivered, the temperature had dropped since his desperate run. The two started back for the four mile trek back to the dorms. It had started to snow, the light flakes coating every thing. Roy looked over and put an arm around the panther, who nuzzled in closer.

"I'm sorry Roy," Thomas began, "I'm just really cold."

"Hey it's no problem at all," Roy replied, taking off his coat, "Here, take it."

The panther put it on, smelling the coyote's scent. He murred slightly, it being one of the better thing's he'd smelled, aside from Bryce. Thomas shed a tear, his thoughts now all about Bryce for the duration of their walk. They got to the dorm building, Roy holding the door open for Thomas.

"I can see why Brian likes you," Roy began as they walked in, "You're really cute."

The panther blushed and replied as they started to walk up the four flights of stairs.

"Well thank you," Thomas began.

The two made it to Thomas's dorm room, closing the door behind them. The panther, unzipped the coat, heading over to a freezer in the corner, stocked with dead fish. The cat grabbed a sizeable chunk, and shot it into the tank, Roy watching all the while. Thomas sighed and sat down on the bed, the coyote sitting next to him.

"So," Thomas said, "What to talk about?"

Roy leaned onto the panther's shoulder, sniffling. Thomas mewled reassuringly and wrapped his arm around the crying coyote.

"Roy, Bryce will be ok, really," The panther began, "But, how did you know Bryce liked me?"

"Well," Roy began, "He talked about you at practice today. I supported him and tried to tell him that the others wouldn't approve. But he likes you so so much, he just, wouldn't listen."

"Oh god," Thomas sniffled, "Do you think it was one of the guys on the team?"

"We don't know," Roy replied, "I think it was some guy, he came in after we all had left, and Bryce was all alone in there."

Thomas started to sob and laid his head on Roy's shoulder.

"I don't want to hear anymore, I don't want you to be drenched in tears," Thomas began.

Roy held Thomas tightly, rocking him gently.

"It's ok Tom," Roy replied, "You can let it out."

Thomas started to cry into Roy's broad chest, the coyote holding the feline close. They sat like that for a good half hour, Thomas finally looking up from Roy's tear-stained shirt.

"I'm so sorry Roy," Thomas began, looking up into the coyote's eyes.

Roy looked back, lifting the panther up, and kissed him. The coyote's lips worked over the panther's closed ones, the canine's tongue licking across them. Thomas's eyes opened wide, and he tried to squirm out of the bigger fur's grip. He managed to jump back, shrinking against the headboard. Roy chuckled and pinned the panther to the wall, rubbing the inside of his thigh.

"You know you like it Thomas," Roy began, getting closer to the panther's junk, "Don't lie to me."

Thomas reached down and stopped the coyote's paw. Roy frowned and looked away, letting the panther out from the wall. He got up, heading for the door.

"Roy," Thomas began, "Why are you so mad about this? You know it's the wrong thing to do. Especially since I'm dating Bryce who's hurt and in the hospital."

"Whatever," Roy began, opening the door, "I just really like you too, and could take much better care of you than Bryce ever could."

Thomas got up with a sigh.

"Look cant we talk about this," Thomas began, "You seem like a nice guy, and I want to be friends."

"I have to take a test," Roy replied bitterly, "Goodnight."

Thomas sighed and went into his dorm. He stripped naked, his slim feline body shining in the blue light of Bosco's tank. The panther got under the covers, shivering slightly. He looked over at the clock, it reading midnight, and sighed.

"Good night Bosco."