FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

A large black work truck growls its way off the street into the parking lot. It comes to rest, making itself comfortable in open space at the far end, away from other the other vehicles. The engine grumbles down to a silence before a sturdy framed jaguar steps down onto the asphalt. Powerful bulbs illuminate his way casting a clean bright artificial light despite the best efforts of the receding twilight. Storing the keys once more to warn belt loop from which they belong, he then pulls out a phone from the old pair of jeans so that he may check the time. Despite driving a smidge over the recommended rate of travel deemed appropriate, he still manages to arrive after his intended time. A slight quickness is seen in his step as he pockets the device once more and pushes through the cool autumn air in haste to reach his destination.

The large cat's stride lessened with respect to the increasing proximity to the building until he comes to halt; before grasping the handle and pulling against the resistance of the old wooden door. Upon gracing the threshold, the musty smell of the aging pub combined with alcohol overtones besieged his nose. His path brought him through the heart of the room as he traversed past the patrons enjoying meals or reminiscing with friends. Coincidentally, those were also were to his intentions for the evening. A handful of furs awaited his arrival in a booth towards one end, but had yet to notice him until he reached the table. They were far too busy making merriment with one another to perceive his presence until his seat was taken. The group of friends was celebrating the end of the first semester of the college schedule; food and alcohol were abundant.

"Mullen" some chimed upon sitting at the end of the bench seat, others finished their thoughts before greeting the newly arrived fur. Six in total now squished themselves into the booth, each greeted Mullen in their own time. Some jeered at his lateness other were just happy he could make it. It had been some time since they were all in the same room and with educational stresses forgotten, spirits were high.

"What do you want from me, I'm not even the last one here," Mullen proclaimed with a half embarrassed smile toward the smaller corgi fella against the wall.

"Why who's missing? Everyone's already here but you," he continued to jest at him.

Mullen recounts the his friends. He's right there are six, someone's missing. "Darius is missing," he claims.

"Who's missing," a fennec states as he walks up, lets down a chair and takes a seat at the edge of the table. "Thanks for holding my seat guys," the fox says as he takes the seat he prepared.

"Well you didn't have leave Darius," a tall pewter wolf mentions.

"Excuse me for needing a restroom," he rolls his eyes.

"Yea seriously, who does that. Darius that's gross," the corgi comments.

"Hey, Hey. Everybody poops guys."

"Nope, just you," the disagreeable corgi states.

Looking to offset the focus of the conversation, Darius changed the subject, "So, who's got the next round of drinks?"

The pewter wolf immediately gestures to the dark furred raccoon sitting at the far end of the table. "He's got it!"

The raccoon looks around in surprise at suddenly being volunteered, then tentatively yet purposefully reached into his pocket and placed his wallet on the table.

With a pursed lower lip and tightened chin emulating a frown, attempting to disguise a smile, the raccoon sarcastically stated "I've got two bucks, we're gonna go real far with that". A round of laughter rippled through the group, earning some unpleasant looks from the other patrons.

When the laughter died down, the disagreeable corgi pulled a credit card from his rather crisp looking leather wallet then slammed it down on the table with gusto. "Don't worry guys, drinks are on me" he states signaling a waitress. This earned him a round of cheer and a few pats on the back from the rather amicable group.

The cute waitress returned not long after and the merrymaking continued for some time. However closing time soon drew near and after the final round of last call, tabs are paid and the group made their way to the parking lot. Some went home with their mates, the pewter wolf made a pass at the waitress and left with a number. Mullen gave him a congratulatory punch to the shoulder as the wolf flashed the digits, before saying good night and making the trip back to his truck.

Mullen unclipped his keys and pressed the button that unlocked the door before his attention was broken and he waved toward the street. Several of the cars beeped or waved back as they sped onward to the place they were spending the night. His hand reached out and grabbed hold of the door handle as another hand reached from behind him and grabbed Mullen's shoulder.

His heart stopped for a moment and his fists clenched in a fight or flight moment, but he relaxed when he recognized the golden furred hand. Mullen turned to meet his friend Darius not too far behind him. Darius lets go his shoulder and moves his hand up to rest high on the door of his truck. He leans in and gets real close, making eye contact all the while. He opens a small portion of his mouth but closes it promptly as if he had something to say but was unable to find the words.

Mullen allows him time to gain his composure, the fur is obviously inebriated. There is definitely alcohol on his breath, makes long tired blinks and his stance is slightly off balance. Irregardless, Mullen sees fit to let him try and form the words. Darius probably just needs a ride home, he's in no shape to drive. Mullen kicks himself for not noticing earlier and offering to do so. He must have driven here himself as there are only two cars in the front parking lot and the other is recognizably as Darius'.

Darius touches the tip of his tongue to his lips before attempting to converse once more. This time he starts with an "I, ummm.. I..."

Mullen cuts him off now attempting to finish his sentence"...need a ride home?" Darius must be too embarrassed to ask him is all, he thinks.

"No, no.. I uhh need.. no, well maybe. I wanted to know ifff you were doing anything, umm later," he fumbled out.

Mullen chuckles at him. And enunciates to him, "No buddy. It's late and I'd like to get some rest but I have time to drop you off if you need.

"No no, are y..." He stops before trying again. "Are you seeing anyone?"

"What like a girlfriend? I've had a girlfriend, but not recently no." It clicked in Mullen's head, poor guy must be having girl troubles. That explains his serious disposition and maybe why he drank too much; he's lonely or getting over a breakup. He needs someone to vent to is all.

"Well... how about a boyfriend?" Darius asked hopefully, flashing him a nervous smile. I have to say this now, he thought, or I'll never get up the courage again.

"Um, well ah..." caught off guard. Mullen wasn't expecting nor ready for a question like that, his mind raced with though dozens of avenues, should he lie and say he's not interested. Would that hurt his friends' feelings? If he alluded to anything would he tell others and what would the thi...

His thoughts were interrupted by a heedless invasion of his personal space.While lost within the cyclonic mass of emotions of the stirring question, Darius had moved in closer. Lost in thought he hadn't noticed the fox move his hand up and with his forefinger and thumb, grab Mullen's chin and plant a kiss on unready lips. The motion was swift and thoughtful but threw Mullen for a loop. Stunned, he only looked forward, now once more aware of the world in front of him, he looked at Darius' closed eyes his boundaries were tested. Mullen knew not what to do other than to, mostly out of indecision, let it happen.

With the care only an experienced partner could manifest, Darius lovingly planted one on his friend. Darius embraces Mullen for a few moments closing his eyes and letting the moment linger. Should Mullen reject his affection and push him away right now, the moment just might have been worth it, but Mullen did not. Mullen allowed kiss to run its course. Blissfully content Darius broke the kiss smiling meekly up into Mullen's stunned expression before succumbing to the debilitating effects of the alcohol coursing through his body. Finally he lost consciousness to the welcoming comfort of a deep rooted sleep.

Mullen unsure of what transpired, he began to support the weight of the soon to be asleep vulpine. When he realized that Darius had only fallen asleep in his arms the jaguar lifted the dreamer into the passenger seat of his truck and buckled him in. Climbing in himself, Mullen started the vehicle, turned on the heat and hit the "home" button for directions.