FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Sampson patted Larry on the leg. The touch made the gryphon's heart race, and he felt an almost electrical current rush through his spine. "Well, I'm glad I got some company. Nobody else trusts my driving."

"You just got it a couple weeks ago."

"And I just got permission to drive into the city last week."

Larry swallowed audibly, a lump forming in his throat. "If I'd known that, I would've flown."

"Too late, Larry Bird!" Sampson proclaimed, flashing an exaggerated grin as he leaned forward, as if about to run over someone. Though with how he eased the car out of the parking lot, Larry wasn't too sure his friend would be good at hit and runs.

"Don't call me that, I don't even like basketball." Larry didn't care for the joke about his name and the fact he was part bird. He wasn't even sure if this Larry Bird was still in basketball.

"Sorry, Larry, but you know us kids can be cruel."

"My brother's worse than you could ever be."

"I still think he ate your neighbor's cat."

Larry chuckled as the car got on the 395 highway. "Dude, he doesn't eat pets. He says cats taste awful."

"And how would he know they taste awful, huh?"

Larry opened his beak to speak, then clacked it shut. Sampson had a point, which was scary enough. "Crap."

"All I'm saying is I'm not letting my dog out of my sight when he's outside and Freddy's around."

When they reached the small shopping center that contained the Pirate's Pizza, Larry's sharp eyes picked out the familiar sight of his father's truck, along with someone in the bed of the vehicle. "Oh, great," he moaned when he saw the quadrupedal gryphon climb out of the truck. "My brother came with dad."

Sampson pulled into the parking lot. "Good thing my dog isn't around. I'd hate for your brother to be tempted with a canine snack."

Larry rolled his eyes. "Freddy wouldn't eat your dog."

"Did he tell you dogs taste awful as well?"

Larry gave Sampson a cold stare. Crush or no crush, he wasn't so smitten with his friend as to be blinded by his incessant teasing. Once the car was parked, Larry unbuckled his seat belt and got out. He waved to his family and teammates. "What're you doing here, Freddy?"

Freddy's claws clicked on the pitch of the lot as he walked over to Larry. "Same reason you're here, duh." He sat on his haunches and tugged on one of his gloved forepaws.

"Oh, you won a soccer match? Funny, I didn't see you playing."

Freddy's ears twitched a bit as he waved a forelimb dismissively, as if dispersing a cloud of smoke. "I came for the free pizza."

"Dad's buying it for the team, not for bottomless pits who pose as older brothers."

Freddy grinned, standing up as tall as he could on all fours. He was larger than a German shepherd, almost as large as a pony, but not quite able to look at his younger brother in the eye. Not unless he stood on his hind legs. "You sure do talk smart, little bro. Remind me to beat you up when we get home. We bullies always gotta beat up the nerds."