FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Ah, Sunday night. The day where people try to get out desperately doing what they want before the weekday force them back to work. And here I am, rummaging through my closet, chucking years-old clothes, to find what I should wear. Not sure if Trey would care what I would be wearing or not, he didn't seem the type. But all he's ever seen me in was in dusty and dirt-covered clothes...along with me being shirtless, but that's beside the point.

I gripped my head, frustrated with what I could possibly wear. Would he think I was way uptight if I came with a button up shirt? Would he think that I dress too much like a "badass" if I wore a leather jacket?

"You're getting defensive, over someone you just met." "It's 'cause he likes you. And maybe...you like him a little bit?" "Your girlfriend dumped you." "Admit it, you like him."

Tessa's words kept sinking into my mind, as if she was right next to me whispering them into my ear. Yes, I do like him, but not in the way she's thinking. There's nothing wrong with it, but I don't think I'd ever could do something like that. Though...it is nice to have someone who does like me. And maybe he cares about me. Just a little, maybe? And if he does, than should I show the same compassion as he does for me? But then, where would that lead me?

...Why am I even thinking about this?! It's an hour to the game, and I'm "still" not dressed yet!

I suppressed every thought I had in my mind and just grabbed blindly in my closet. I hardly could care how I looked at this point. I slipped a tight white shirt on, showing my fur-covered muscle through the fabric. The second piece, were a pair of the standard blue denim jeans, which looked like they've seen some wear through the years. And finally, a proud brown leather jacket, with that new hide scent still oozing from it.

"Huh..."I simply stated. "Doesn't look half-bad, actually. Why didn't I think of this sooner?" and with that left in mind, I made a mad dash for the truck, keys in hand.

The place Trey was staying at was very familiar to me. It was the same dorm building I stayed in when I was at Leon Valley Community College. The place appeared nice at first but with all the booze drinkers, pot smokers, the rowdy boys or any combination of the three, I pitied Trey for having to stay there. I only hoped he at least had a decent roommate, which sometimes smoothes the lunacy called "college life".

"Well...here we are. 14127 Bloodhound Drive." I had to have checked the address at least a dozen times before I decided to brave the insides of the next closest thing to hell.

Or so I thought. To my amazement, the place was near spotless. No broken furniture, no intoxicating smells of booze, weed or vomit, nothing. I was beginning to think I was in the wrong building. But when I made it to room 3F and knocked, Trey was there waiting for me.

"Oh hey Griff!" His tone was incredibly light-hearted, like he was happy to see me. Maybe too happy. "Hey Trey. You ready to get going here? The game starts soon." "Oh yeah, I'm ready." He slides his way past the door and shuts the door behind him, all with a strange smile on his face. "I didn't think you'd be this excited about going to a football game." "I've always wanted to go to one, especially to Leon Valley. Just never had the chance to." "Excuse me, do I know you?" I felt a poke and prod into my shoulder, from a hyena that looks like he's seen plenty of life. "Um...I'm sorry." I replied quickly, just wanting to get out of here. "No I'm sure I've seen your face before..." He took a good long look at me, squinting through his glasses. I'm not sure what this old kook was doing, but if he doesn't get out of my way in the next... "Ah! You're Griff, aren't ya?" "...how do you know-" "I remember that face." He said with a smile. "You used to be on the Leon Valley football team. Wide receiver, number seventeen? You should still have the uniform, right?"

"Listen, I don't know who you are, but..." "Griff, you were on the football team here?" Trey exclaimed. He looked at me like I was some sort of idol. Well, no getting around it I guess. "Yeah. I was on it for the few years I was here." I spoke, trying my hardest not to divulge any more than he already knew. "Ah yes, he was one of the most valuable players in his time here." The old hyena spoke, with great pride for some strange reason. "It was such a shame he left, only staying for a few years. He would've had an excellent future here."

The more he droned on, the more I felt my tail sink and my ears flatten. Yeah, the football would've taken me far but...it wasn't something I wanted.

"Look, thanks for the kind words," I told the old man. "But we really need to leave. We have plans." "Ah, of course of course. Don't let me keep you youngsters around." He politely stepped to the side, as I ushered Trey to get out of this building as soon as possible. It hadn't even been a minute before I started the truck and rode to the stadium.

"I'm sorry. I just didn't want us to be late. It's tough finding a parking spot as it is." I knew I was making up excuses, but I really really "really" wanted to avoid me being the subject of our conversation. "It's alright. I just never knew you played football. I guess that's how you got so muscular" His giggle at the end told me he still savored the image in his mind. I wasn't sure if he was being bashful, or trying to send hints to me. It was tempting to tell him I knew, but I didn't want to drop the bomb just yet. Not until I knew what to think.

As we arrived at the college stadium of the Leon Wolverines, parking my truck in the maze of cars. I took a glance at Trey. His smile was still creased on his face, that innocent little face. I turned my head away, my mind disturbed with thoughts again. I can't get him and Tessa out of my mind. Maybe this was a bad idea. But what could I do now? "Hey Griff?" I turned back to Trey. "I'm really glad you let me come along. I don't get out much." "Really? I asked. "Don't you have any other friends?" "I have friends, but most of them are always too busy for me. And...I'm just glad it's with you." My ears wiggled around, confused for a minute. Wasn't he afraid of me a couple days ago? "But...you ran away from me the first day we met." "Well..." Trey wanted to say, I could see the tension twisting inside him. Maybe...maybe this was my chance. "You like me, don't you?" Trey's face flushed a bright red when I broke the ice. I just hope I didn't break him. "H-how'd you know?" "It's the way you were acting. You ran away from me, you couldn't look me in the eye and you didn't even want to bump against me at work." Admittedly, it was Tessa who told me, but the pieces fit together too. "You ever think about why I took my shirt off at work yesterday?" I said with a slight giggle. Trey's face, still beat red, was at least smiling a little when I mentioned my shirtless episode.

"Well...You aren't hard on the eyes. But...does that mean, you don't have a problem with..." "Of course not. And as for liking me..." I could feel a blush warm my cheeks. "It's nice to have someone around who does." "I'm sure there are plenty of people who like you. Who couldn't, with your charm and your...strapping body?" Did he just say "strapping"? Man he certainly didn't stay embarrassed for too long. But I loved it.

After our little talk, I became much more relaxed. I felt me and Trey had actually bonded quite strongly, and only in the first couple of days. We sat next to each other, trading off from watching the game to talking with each other. Trey was extremely comfortable with me, a totally different person from the one I met originally. He still sounds shy but I think he's just playing it up. Not that I mind, it's what I like about him.

---

It was already night when the game had finally come to an end. The Wolverines had won, but only just. Amongst the sea of people, Trey and I walked back out to my car. I kept my hand on his shoulder the whole time, hoping that'd be enough to keep him from getting lost. But once we lost the crowd and drew closer to my truck, I walked a little faster. It wasn't until I unlocked the passenger side door that I forgot Trey was behind me. Way behind.

I swore under my breath and turned around, trotting back up to him. "I'm sorry Trey. I thought you were right behind me." He waved his hand at me with a slight smile. "No, it's alright. I'm just a little-" His smile suddenly turned to shock, as a pothole in the road made him lose his balance.

I don't even know what came over me. All of a sudden, everything slowed down. I could feel my legs tense as my toes pressed against the ground. I lurched forward, snaking my arms under his and wrapping them behind his back, clasping my hands on his shoulder blades. His head and hands gently fell to my rock hard chest as my hands pulled him close to me, cushioning his fall against my firm body. "Trey, you alright?" I looked down at him, not even realizing I was holding him yet. "Y-yeah, I'm fine." He stuttered just a tad. His head slowly raised up to look at me. "I'm so sorr..."

And that's when the world stood still. I finally realized I was holding him. I could feel my fingers cup his back gently, keeping him in place. His own hands gripped my pecs, causing them to tingle slightly from the feeling. I could feel his breath whisp against my muzzle as I stared down into those amazing chocolate brown eyes, making my crisp yellow light up. I could feel his heartbeat against my stomach, as mine beat stronger than after running a marathon.

I have never felt like this before.

Slowly, the world came into focus. Time returned to it's normal speed as the both of us finally realized what just happened. I expected either one, or even both of us, to jerk out of each other's arms. But we just slowly let go of each other, not taking our eyes off of the other. "You...you ok?" My mouth was strangely dry, I found it hard to breath. "Yeah...I'm fine." His hand gripped his bicep, his shoulders were scrunched. "Maybe...we should get going." I can feel my fingers getting jittery, my stomach twisting in knots. "Alright. It's getting late." I could sense I shudder in his voice, as I watched his teeth graze his lip.

The ride back was silent. It didn't necessarily feel awkward, but it was quiet. I saw Trey looking at his hands, which fiddled constantly. I bet he was still trying to process what just happened, as I was. It felt like I slammed myself into a brick wall, every sense I had afterward had been dulled. But I remember the image clear as crystal. If I hadn't been so focused on my driving, I would've missed driving him home.

"Trey...you sure you're alright?" I don't know why I was asking him that. It just came out. "Yeah, I'm fine." I expected him to almost jump out of my truck, but he stayed, his hand clasping the door handle. Then he turned his head around, a soft smile across his face. "I had a really nice night." "Well, I'm glad you did." That little sentence made my heart flutter, before watching him turn around and step out of the truck. "I'll see you tomorrow then." He nodded, then walked back inside, leaving me to shut the passenger door.

The night in my house was the most strange I've ever felt. I laid in my bed, not exhausted and tired, but elated and amazed. I don't know what that feeling was, but even if it was just for a second, it was the best I've ever felt in my life. I spent almost all night, staring at the ceiling, wondering what this could possibly be.

It only took me about a month to truly find out.