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Thanks for reading my first story on SF! A big thanks (again) to Kaynyne for proofreading it for me. I hope to get a new chapter released at least once a month, but hoping for a bi-weekly release. Thanks and enjoy! ^.^

Cold Days

Chapter 1

May 16th 2013,

I'll never forget the feeling I felt today walking back from school. Dakota and I were still going out, in fact she was holding my paw the entire way home. I felt both our grips tighten, however, when we saw a large, yellow civil defence siren perched atop a metal pole. I felt my mouth go dry and my stomach sink deep into my body. I looked towards my girlfriend, and seeing her in absolute terror almost destroyed me.

Tension has been boiling up the past year between the two superpowers, Canada, the States and England joining an alliance against the Germans and Russia. I've read about the cold war, I've seen the movies, the devastation, the research. Nuclear war is something we all want to avoid.

I know my girlfriend was coming over with me, but the first thing I did when I stepped in that house was turn on the TV to the local news, and sat on the couch. Dakota followed behind and sat right next to me. I turned the volume up on my surround sound and placed my arm around hers. She started shaking, and before I knew it the corgi's muzzle was buried into my cotton t-shirt, crying. I pet her head and down her back trying my best to comfort her. I was just as scared as her, though.

Every news station seemed to be covering it. Civil Defence Siren Test Saturdays at Noon read every news ticker on cable. Reporters instructing us what to do in the even the sirens sound.

"N-Noah?" Dakota looked up at me, her eyes red from tears. I moved my paw to dry them.

"Yea, sweetheart?"

"It's not really going to h-happen, will it? You know, all this nuclear stuff?"

There was a difficult silence.

"I can't say it will, babe. But I can't say it won't..." I trailed off. I could tell it hurt Dakota, but I just can't lie about this kinda stuff. "I'm sorry."

Dakota sighed and got up. Her eyes no longer wet, probably because there was nothing left to cry.

"It's not your fault, hon." She said as she embraced me tightly, rubbing my otter back and moving down to my thick tail. I murred softly, knowing this always excited me. I moved my paw down Dakota's back, rubbing the lower part. She moved her muzzle towards mine and gave me one of her infamous shy kisses.

"I love you, Noah Stark." She whispered in my ear.

"As I love you, Dakota Welsh." I repeated. Our cheesy romance was interrupted, however, by my phone going off.

"My little pony, my little pony, ah, ah, ah, ah, ahhh-" My phone delightfully sang. I answered it as soon as possible, trying to hide my embarrassment. Dakota laughed at me playfully, making fun of me for being a brony every chance she got.

"Hello?" I asked, even though I had caller ID.

"Hey, Noah!" It was Kayleb, sounding extremely content.

"Oh hey, Kayleb. What's up?"

"Nothing really, just chilling with Caylen."

"Wheels." I joked. Caylen was Kayleb's boyfriend: Two years younger than him, almost finishing his freshman year at high school. To Kayleb's defence, the two have been dating for over 3 years now.

"Hey!" He practically yelled. "Fruck you."

I laughed and continued the conversation. "So why did you call?"

"Oh, I was just wondering if you and Dakota wanted to chill tonight with us. Justin might tag along too."

"Yeah? What were you guys planning to do?"

"You guys wanna go see a flick?"

"I'll ask 'Kota, hold up."

"A'ight." I tapped hold on the touchscreen and placed my phone aside.

"You wanna go see a movie with Kayleb, Caylen and maybe Justin?" I inquired my lover.

"Sure, that'll get my mind off things, hopefully..."

"Alright baby." I picked up my phone and resumed the call.

"Kayleb?" I asked as if he left.

"Yeah, broski?" He answered, making me feel a bit stupid.

"What are we gonna see?"

"How about Zombieland 2?"

"Sounds great. Meet you there?"

"Sure. Showing at 7:15. You good?"

"Yeah, we'll see you there. Love ya, buddy."

"Love ya too, buddy." I hit end, and tossed my phone on the carpet beneath me. Kayleb and I have been friends since well, before we were born. Our parents grew up knowing each other, and still are good friends to this date. We told each other everything. I was the first one to know he was gay, which I took well back in the 6th grade. Our conversations ranged from sports, to who we thought was cute. And although he was interested in guys, I didn't mind him talking about how he "ploughed Caylen last night", or the cute new boy at school. I was happy that we could be ourselves around each other and was a bit proud of him. I loved and cared for him like a brother, knowing he'd do the same for me.

"We're seeing Zombieland 2, you good?" I asked, seeing if Dakota would be alright.

"As long as we can cuddle during the movie, sexy." She flirted with a wink. I rolled my eyes and hugged her again.

*****

Dakota stayed over for a quick dinner of Mac and Cheese. It was still light outside as we walked towards the bus stop. A quick tap of my e-purse card debited $2.75 off my account and I found a seat for both of us. It didn't seem we could go anywhere without being reminded of the international crisis. Buses plastered propaganda and nuclear safety posters everywhere. I felt something grab my paw and jumped a bit.

"Oh my god, it's just you," I sighed in relief, realizing it was just Dakota.

"Haha! Did I scare my cute otter?" Dakota teased.

"Shut. Up." I sat the rest of the way in silence.

We got off at the closest stop to the theatre, which resulted in a 5 minute walk. It was a bit darker, but I could still see clearly. I grabbed Dakota's paw as we marched to the large cinema. I could see Kayleb and Caylen holding paws and waved to them. Caylen was an otter/fennec hybrid. He looked mostly like an otter, but his ears were particularly perky. Him and Kayleb met 3 years ago, and hit right off the bat. He was a very nice boy, never wanting to hurt anyone and always thinking of others. They came down the stairs and met us midway through the parking lot.

"Hey!" Kayleb said with enthusiasm. He was always a happy pup, despite how rough his life's been.

"Hey, bro," I responded back, giving him a "brohug", like we always do. Dakota hugged Caylen tightly, as if she was his aunt, or something.

"Hi, Caylen!" The corgi practically yelled.

"Hey, Dakota." The hybrid hugged back.

"I got me and Cay tickets, it's not that busy but you should buy yours soon." Kayleb explained

"Alright. Justin coming?" I interrogated.

"He's inside now, just buying snacks for himself."

"Go figure." I joked as we all chorused in laughter. "Okay, let's go."

I went to the debit terminal to pay for them, as it was fast, easy and, well, I had debit. I tapped through the pages on the touchscreen and found our movie and show time before adding two tickets to the cart. Dakota flipped as usual when I bought for her and handed her, her ticket. We met back up with Justin, a slightly overweight serval and decided what to do for the remaining 25 minutes before the film started. All of us chose to go find five seats together in the theatre and sat down.

"So how about those sirens?" Kayleb asked, trying to make conversation.

"Ugh, it's honestly a bit terrifying, Kayleb!" I contributed. "I mean, the fact that we need to be warned in case we get nuked? We shouldn't have to worry about getting nuked in the first place."

"Yeah," Caylen agreed. "I mean, I've seen those post-attack movies. It's scary as fuck!"

"Well, hopefully we'll all be with each other, should the time come," Dakota said with an ounce of fear in her soft voice.

"You're not leaving my sight if it does, neither are you, bro." I grabbed my girlfriend's paw and shot Kayleb an assuring glance. The previews got a bit louder, so talking was no longer an option. Agonizingly, we stared at the commercials of new movies before the lights dimmed and our movie started. Another civil defence safety message played. I guess this is going to be a regular occurrence. I moved the arm rest up and let the corgi lay in my arms. I saw Kayleb do the same with Caylen and Justin munching on his popcorn. I decided to turn my attention to the movie, and enjoy myself for a few hours.

* * * * *

The movie finished, and I decided to invite my best friend and his lover over to sleep over. Dakota was coming along too, but we all have a great time when they're over. Justin had to volunteer the next morning, so his attendance wasn't expected.

Telling jokes, some truth or dare and spin the bottle were just some of the things we did that night, completely forgetting about the tyrannical nations. I pulled out a blow-up mattress for the boys and revealed the pull-out couch for Dakota and I. Kayleb snuggled his 15-year-old boyfriend in bed and I stripped to my boxers. I went over to my best friend, and gave him a small nuzzle. Something we'd always do as cubs, and still when saying goodnight to this day. Dakota left the right side of the bed open for me and I gave her a kiss goodnight. Everyone quickly fell asleep after a tiring day. I couldn't fall asleep though. The thought of the possibility of an attack, and that I could lose, my parents, my girlfriend or my best friend put unpleasant butterflies in my tummy. I lay down on my back, twiddling my fingers with my tail as I blankly stare at the ceiling. I snuggled up next to the corgi, her dog fur was fluffy and delightful to sleep on. My eyes shut as I drifted gently off to sleep.