Best Days of our Lives - New Brother Chapter IV

Story by GabrielClyde on SoFurry

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#4 of New Brother

First day at his new school, and Josh faces the consequences of some of Nathan's actions, as well as a school tradition gone awry. When it comes to consequences though, it is Nathan most in the firing line, as he finds to his chagrin that not everyone shares his unreasoning hate for the pony.

Will Josh rethink his strategy, or double down on the war of attrition?

New characters are introduced, new alliances formed, and chickens aplenty will be coming home to roost in the next chapters.

This is also the first appearance from a character provided by a fellow SF member. Kashito91, welcome to Josh and Nathan's world.


The bus slowly wound its way closer to school, the usual gang of misfit schoolkids clogging up the aisle with their schoolbags getting dead snake looks from the "real people". The pony looked determined, but I could smell his unease like a good predator wolf. A couple of my mates on the bus had given me a paw five when we got on, their looks and hand gestures telling me they had seen the vid of pony boy. A small tinge of regret was starting to filter its way into the part of my brain others would recognise as a conscience, but I clamped down on it hard. Too late now anyway.

"You are going to be in my classes for today pony, so don't you fucking make me look bad ok?"

"Ok...thanks for looking after me Nathan."

"Spare the thanks. Just don't fuck up."

I rolled my eyes over the back of the pony's head at one of my friends. Janet the fox, and boy was she a fox. Almost enough to turn this gay wolf straight, she was perennially popular but seemed to stay aloof like a marble statue in spite of many a guy laying determined siege to her virginity. She returned my glance, but her look was anything but encouraging. What the fuck had I done to her now?

We arrived finally, the mass of school kids bursting their way from the unfortunate bus with no regard to the poor office workers forced to share the unhappy conveyance. Briefcases and ipads flew as a screaming mass of pimples redistributed itself on the pavement before heading for class. Pony was still beside me, his eyes now betraying his anxiety as well as his scent. As we approached the wrought iron gates, imposing gold sign proclaiming it as "The Hayles Grammar School" Janet caught up to us and gave me her best withering stare.

"You are a cunt Nathan."

The blunt statement caught me off guard, and even had Josh taken aback.

"Janet, what the fuck is wrong?"

"You know what's wrong Nathan. How the hell could you do that to someone?"

Her eyes strayed pointedly to Josh, filled with all that feminine compassion and shit. Oh crap, she didn't like the joke and was feeling sorry for the pony. Lucky she didn't have to live with the tosser.

"Janet, chill out, it was just a joke..."

"Not a funny one. Your jokes never are though are they Nate?" she shook her head, profound disappointment written across her face. The tinge of regret was beginning to build but for the moment it was mostly making me angrier. It was all Josh's fault, I was sure of it.

Deliberately ignoring me, she turned to Josh and smiled.

"Hello. I'm Janet, nice to meet you. I assume you are Nathan's new foster brother Josh?"

"Uh...yeah...hi nice to meet you Janet. Are you a friend of Nathan's?"

"Good question... I'm not sure Nathan has friends. Just people he uses from time to time or people who use him. Anyway, hope you have a great day Josh, come see me at lunch ok?"

"Yeah, thanks Janet. That would be awesome!."

She turned on her heel and stalked off, fluffy tail swaying with each determined step. A couple of my classmates were grinning at me, enjoying the exchange and the sight of me being taken down a peg or two by Janet. Jealous bastards.

"I like your friend Nathan. She seems to know you very well. What is this about a joke?"

"Fucking can it pony!"

Jeeze this was going to be a long day.

Maths was first period, Mr Dawson the old badger droning his way through calculus as if he was trying to bore us all to death. The pony ended up in a seat a few spaces across from me so I had some breathing space for the moment. I heard the soft giggles in places, sign that some had recognised Josh and the word was spreading. The pony was going to be notorious by the end of the day.

I was next to one of my best mates, Morris 'Moo' Mitchell, a big bulky bull. Moo had come from New Zealand a few years ago, and was at the school on a sports scholarship. A natural rugby prop forward, he also played Australian football even though he hadn't even seen the sport before he came here. He was a natural, not just an overgrown kid relying on bulk. He was also as dumb as a bag full of hammers.

While the badger continued to mix up differentiation and anti-differentiation, we managed a brief whispered conversation.

"Psst...Bro..."

"Yeah Moo?"

"That your new foster bro?"

"that's the one."

"How long has he been with you?"

"Couple days."

"Couple days and you already want to fuck him up? What gives bro?"

"Trust me, he's a complete cunt Moo. Just you wait."

"I dunno bro...seems ok to me...hey what's that?"

I realised that my tie had fallen down sufficiently to expose my neck region as I hadn't done up my top button. Moo's gaze was fixed on that point, and it took me a moment to realise what he was seeing. I had almost forgotten that I had worn my new favourite piece of jewellery today, the pony's necklace carefully placed against my skin. The leather band and top of the pendant were showing. Glancing around to ensure the pony couldn't see, I pulled it out to show Moo.

"Holy shit bro. That's a good one. Did you do it right or did you just buy one yourself?"

"What do you mean?"

"It's a traditional greenstone Nate, from my homeland. You aren't supposed to buy one for yourself, someone who cares for you needs to give it to you. My dad gave me his before I left for Australia. They choose the design because of what you mean to them, and they wear it against their skin before they give it to you, passing their mana to you. The design of this one is the triple twist, it's supposed to represent two people joined, like friends or lovers for life. Did someone give it to you Nate?"

"Yeah it...came from someone else."

"Sweet bro. Whoever it is really wanted to show you that you mean something to them. More than you deserve pup. So...who's the lucky guy?"

"Mr Mitchell, please stop talking and pay attention. What is the answer to this problem here?"

The class had gone quiet, and I tried to disappear into my seat leaving Moo to face the music. He would have no idea I was sure, but the bull was on his own. I didn't do hero.

"ahh...pi Mr Dawson?"

"Nice guess Mr Mitchell...and also unbelievably stupid. I think you will enjoy joining me on Saturday for detention to discuss your lack of focus."

I joined in the general twitter of amusement as Moo let out a deep bellow of disappointment. He would miss the football match on Saturday afternoon now, poor calf. Still, it could help me out. I had been itching to get inside the big straight bull's pants for months now, his prominent bulge and straight arrow demeanour the perfect aphrodisiac for me.

I would go see him, bringing some of the best weed Bev could produce, and beg forgiveness, offering a blow job to the stoned bull as recompense. He had been curious about my sexuality ever since I had told him, making straight boy jokes about BJ's and "no homo" but I could tell he would be up for it with the right motivation, and the right excuse to cover up for breaking the male contact taboo. Weed would give him the excuse he needed to do what he wanted, and let me touch that thick bull meat. I love the way I could turn shit into flowers some times.

His information had got me thinking though. Someone had given this to Josh, probably someone who loved the colt. I thought no one had loved the cast off colt, that was why he was with us. This needed further investigation. I put a paw against my chest, feeling the pendant against my skin as I made random notes on my workbook while Mr Dawson monotoned away. My imagination wandered into random places, a naked Moo in my bedroom, then a naked Josh. I was going to have to take a break at lunchtime and drain my balls or final period PE was going to be interesting.

*****

Lunch proved a disappointment. True to her word, Janet had attached herself to the pony and showed him around the school with her group of friends in tow, while I tagged along like a lost wolf. The pony seemed to be making friends of his own, the few equines in the school latching on to him and giving enthusiastic whinnies of delight. I realised Josh had a natural ease about him that made him attractive, something I hadn't seen much at home, probably because he was always on edge there. Well good, at least I was making it hard for him.

There was also a growing tide of laughter following him around, as the video was shared in the way only school kids can, social networks doing their best to destroy. Josh was becoming aware of the tide of amusement, his ears twitching as he picked up the scent but not sure what it meant. Anticipation of the moment he realised he was a laughing stock kept me sane.

A football came flying into our little group, and Josh caught sight of it just before it hit Janet. With surprising agility and speed for a big colt, he jumped up to mark the football, and let loose a mighty kick, hoofing the ball a good 70 metres to the far group playing kick to kick on the oval. His display of prowess drew a cheer and applause, some of the footballers on the oval beckoning him to join them. Janet gave a smile and nodded, telling him she would like watching him play if he wanted to join them.

What the fuck? Janet hated all sport!

Even more disturbed than before, I sat on the grass embankment next to the oval with Janet and her girlfriends and a couple of Josh's new zebra friends, and watched the boys play football. Part of me wanted to die right there, just from the cliché. I hated to admit it though, Josh could play, something the other footballers could tell immediately as they let him strut his stuff. Fast, nimble, skilled, he stood out compared to the rest of the guys. Even Moo was smiling and backslapping him, even after Josh outmarked him one on one. I found myself watching the flow of his muscles as he ran and kicked under his uniform, the boner in my pants growing ever larger and more needy. I had to get this pony out of my life somehow, or I would go insane.

"He is a nice guy Nate, and hot. You are lucky to have him as a foster brother."

"Yeah, sure, fucking asshole."

"I mean it Nathan. You should be trying to woo him not kill him."

"The fucker is probably straight."

"Hmm...I don't know. Either way, I will say this. Stop trying to hurt him Nathan. Right now. Or I will remove your testicles and grind them into a fine paste and feed them to you at assembly. Capisce?"

Her sudden about face into threats caught me off guard, and I could only choke on my orange juice while staring slack jawed at Janet. One look at the set of her jaw told me she was serious.

"What?!"

"You can start by taking that video down Nate. Don't pretend that was Josh's work, I can smell your pawprints on that a mile off. I know about your little secret camera, don't ask me how but I know. Remember, Josh is the same age as you Nate, I asked. That means you distributed child porn when you loaded that vid, something my cousin the federal cop will be very interested to know about if you push me."

I had always liked Janet's eyes, for me they were the sexiest part of her. Now as I stared into their steely depths, I found to my horror that they were even sexier when she was threatening me. Somehow begging her for a fuck didn't seem like the best way out of this conversation though. Instead, I let my tail between my legs, flattened my ears and nodded. An image of federal prison and orange jumpsuits flicked across my brain, and I cursed my stupidity. My eagerness to fuck up Josh had led me to put myself in danger, now I had some rapid backpedalling to do.

*****

By final period I was a mass of nerves. I had done what I could to undo the mess, taking down the upload and sending an email to "Straight Studs" from the anonymous account telling them to take down the vid. I had no idea how long it could take before my trail was covered.

As I absentmindedly stripped in the change room, I realised I wasn't even eyeing off the other guys getting ready for the PE lesson like I normally would. At least my boner had gone down, so I should be thankful for small mercies. It was a moment before I noticed that Josh was missing.

His absence was explained a moment later when he emerged from the toilets fully dressed for PE, the uniform of white athletic shorts, with green and red striped polo top looking kind of hot on his built frame. Others had noticed him too, and Josh was about to find out about one of the traditions of the school the hard way.

"Hey, new kid. Too good to get changed out here with the rest of us?" it was Max who noticed first, the big Doberman in mid change staring incredulously at the colt.

"Um...no, I just thought I would get changed there, sorry is there a problem.?"

The little scene had attracted an audience now, including some of the biggest guys in the year level. This was not going to end well, it was sort of an unspoken rule that whatever you looked like, you changed with the rest of the guys or you were considered some sort of weirdo, defying school traditions. And those traditions were ruthlessly reinforced.

"Come on newbie, you haven't got anything to be ashamed of, after all half of us have seen your junk already."

This drew a chorus of laughter, and my heart sank into the deepest trench. Oh shit.

"What do you mean?"

"Here, take a look at this!"

Vince Peters had joined in now, the young bear always a bit of a jerk. He had his phone out, and held it for Josh to see. The shock should have been priceless, but I was too busy thinking of the consequences to enjoy it. Then Josh turned to look at me.

I was expecting anger, hate, even fear. I was not prepared for the look I got. The pain and shock, the betrayal. Somehow it went straight into me and hit a place I didn't know I had. I felt like a dickhead.

Before he could say anything though, the action got willing as more guys joined in. Moo closed in now, the massive bull gentle and coaxing but determined.

"It's ok new kid, you didn't know the school traditions, but it's not too late to make up for it. Just strip off now and then you can get dressed again with the rest of us and everything is fine."

"No!"

With sinking heart, I realised what the problem was. The scars on Josh's back had been spectacular enough when I saw them on the grainy video footage from the webcam, I could only imagine what they would look like close up. That was why the colt had been so shy about showing his body.

"No isn't an option bro."

"Leave me alone!"

The pained scream shocked me almost as much as the rest of the guys, but it didn't stop several of them closing in on Josh as he backed away towards the lockers. One of the guys in the class tried to stop them; Matt Bond, not renowned as a fighter, the tall lean mouse nonetheless was doing his best to stop the tide of jock hazing about to rain down on Josh. He was not having much impact though, as the guys closed in and reached for the pony.

Part of me realised I should probably do something, but mostly I just stood and watched, intrigued at what I would see and how Josh would react. The effect was even more incredible than I had anticipated though.

As the guys took hold of the cornered pony, Josh went mental, letting out a loud whinny and thrashing about with incredible strength. Two of the guys immediately flew out of the contest, but there were too many of them and eventually they lifted a struggling Josh from the floor and brought him over to the low table in the middle of the changeroom, face down. An exasperated and wounded Moo had hold of his polo shirt now, panting with the effort of controlling the bucking pony.

"Fucking hell bro, just chill ok? We just want to see what you look like, not kill you."

A snarling roar was Josh's only response as Moo finally drew his shirt off.

All sound quickly died in the room, and in moments you could hear a pin drop.

"Holy fuck!" breathed Moo. Not one to be shocked easily, I knew, so it must be bad. In spite of myself, I turned to see what it looked like. It was even worse in the harsh light of the changeroom.

The chestnut fur of Josh's back was mottled, some tufts missing where scars covered the surface of his skin, some regrowth lighter brown than his base fur. They were everywhere, all sizes, some looking like the size of small cigarette burns others large where whole patches of skin and fur had been removed. Lines also covered his back in a cross cross pattern, for all the world like whip marks, and the skin and fur puckered along the lines. With his shorts having pulled down partly in his struggles it was also apparent that the scars extended below his back, past his tail and onto the top at least of his ass.

The silence was broken by the sound of someone retching, one of the big tough jock studs, a husky named Cody, barfing his lunch onto the floor while everyone else just stared.

Matt recovered first, snatching the shirt from Moo's limp fingers and helping Josh off the table, pulling the shirt over the shaking colt.

"Josh...I'm...fuck...bro I'm sorry I didn't.."

Moo's apology was cut short by another cry from Josh as he swung his fists at the bull, Moo not even protecting himself as punches landed.

"What is the meaning of this?!"

The noise had had its inevitable result, our PE teacher Mr Ryan a large and paunchy tiger finally emerging from his office to find out why his class wasn't in the gym and why they sounded like they were wrecking the joint. Just as he came in, Moo and Josh were locked in a wrestle, Josh trying to kill and Moo trying to manage the delicate balance of apologising while trying to put Josh in a headlock.

"You two stop this instant!"

The bull and pony finally relented, both heaving with the exertion of their struggles as they eyed off the enraged teacher warily.

"Right, I don't know what is behind this nor do I care. You both will be joining me for detention after class today, and at the end of that you will shake hands and make up or so help me I will be seeing you every day until you do. Mitchell, I am ashamed of you. And you horse, I don't even know who the hell you are, but you will not be turning my class into fight club do you hear?"

"Hey, that's not fair, Josh was just protecting himself and..."

"As for you Bond, you should know better than to talk back to me. You and your scrawny ass will be joining me after class too. Now does anyone else want to say anything?!"

Silence descended like the grave, the harsh breathing of Moo and Josh suddenly the only sound in the room. The tall mouse had visibly bitten his lip, ears quivering in indignation as he stared at me with eyes promising vengeance. What did he know?

"Good...now you bunch of motherless idiots, instead of playing soccer this afternoon, you are going to be running laps until you puke, so get out there and run! Now!"

Grumbling the class headed for the oval and a leisurely afternoon jog. As I pounded my way around the grass, I found myself alone, and wondered at it but found the solitude too enjoyable for the moment to enquire. Up ahead, I saw Moo running next to Josh, their heads bobbing in lively conversation. This did not bode well.

*****

Home was deserted when I arrived, my parents typically not getting back from work until well after I got home. I used the time to get on the net, frantically messaging the website to get the video taken down. A subtle text from Janet had spurred me on, a reference to the relevant federal crimes act provisions. She was such a thoughtful fox.

I didn't hear the door open at first, but the loud conversation from downstairs did reach my distracted ears and I headed out onto the landing to see what was going on. It was Josh, with Moo and Matt.

"Hey there Nathan. Good to see you. Josh invited us back to his place after detention, and we thought we would come see you too."

"Um, sure, but aren't you guys kind of enemies now or something?" God did I sound hopeful?

"Nah bro, everything is cool. Mr Ryan had us doing weight training after class as our detention, and we helped each other work out. Even Matt here was doing some weights weren't you?"

"Yes, Josh and Morris were great teachers. I may even have some guns worth showing off soon." The lean tall mouse grinned up at me, flexing his biceps in a bodybuilder pose as the two others gave each other a high five.

"Plenty of time to talk then Nate, and get over our differences. We're great mates now, real bros. Turns out we had some things in common too. And, all of us have one problem in common."

"Oh, what's that Moo?"

"You."

The three headed up the stairs, as I tried to formulate a response before they reached my room. Instead of heading towards me though, they headed into Josh's room, opening the door and walking straight for the desk by the wall. I followed, getting an increasingly sick feeling in my stomach.

"Turns out Matt here knows a friend of yours, Bevan. And he says Bevan shared some vids with him that you took, candid shots of your elder bro banging his girlfriend. Apparently, the background looked identical to the one in the vid with Josh. Now I know you were making out that the vid you linked to was something Josh made himself, but part of me thought, nah that doesn't make sense. After talking to Matt though it suddenly did."

Matt was running his fingers along the inside of the desk under the top, when he stopped suddenly. With a snort, he pulled hard, yanking my webcam out from its hiding place and into view.

"You are one sick fuck Nate."

The hurt in Moo's voice was painful to hear.

"Tell me you hadn't seen his back before today."

Somehow I couldn't even lie, just stare at the webcam in Matt's paw.

Moo shook his head mournfully, a low bellow coming from his snout.

"I can't fucking believe you Nathan. You could have warned us, warned me, and we wouldn't have done it. I can't believe I always stuck up for you when people said you were a cunt. I am a fucking fool aren't I"

Moo plucked the cam from Matt's grasp, throwing it to the floor and grinding it under one big hoof.

"Well, as of today, Josh is joining the football team. That means he belongs to us, and we belong to him. Think on that before you treat him like shit again. C'mon guys, lets head to my place. My auntie makes the best brownies and she promised me a fresh batch tonight."

Without a backward glance, Moo and Matt headed out the door. Josh stopped, looking like he was about to say something, but he just nickered and walked away, his big eyes trying to communicate but failing to break through my self-pity.

I had fucked it up badly this time, and I had no idea how to make it right. Leaning back on my bed, I lit up a large joint and let the smoke filter through my body, a Zen-like state of calm replacing the panic.

Wednesday would bring new chances, if Bevan was good to his word. I could get into the game, dealing the good shit like him and have enough money and connections not to care about these losers any more. And there was still the mysterious bear Bruno to find out about.

One thing was for sure, Josh had more secrets in his background to explore, and I was going to enjoy finding them. And when I did, I would see how the pony liked it when I had the upper paw.