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It was hard to believe that Matt would go through so much in a single week for your ordinary Husky student. It was a tough week that he managed to survive but whether he would survive the next week or not was entirely different. It was exam week and it was unfortunate but his subjects just so happened to all have exams consecutively until Thursday, this was his final day and the most stressful.

Inside his blue bedroom in the dorm Matt began packing his stuff after the final exam as he had to leave the dorms for summer. None of the students were allowed to use them so as the university could allocate new places to incoming years and also fix up the place. Rob, Matt's cougar friend, was helping out with the packing and it was a pretty sad moment as the two wouldn't see each other until the end of summer.

Matt was emptying his drawers and wardrobe, dividing various articles into either the large black suitcase or his gray satchel. He let out a soft laugh when he found one particular item.

"Hey Rob, remember this?"

Rob looked embarrassed and hid in his paws, "Oh come on, I gave you that shirt as a joke."

"Hey, it's pretty much how we became friends. You calling that a joke?"

"Haha wise guy." The black t-shirt with a little cat saying "Mouse to meet you" with a little mouse tail in it's maw was indeed very cute and was what Rob bought Matt one day when he accidentally spilled his drink on Matt's shirt. Initially it was quite embarrassing but because of it the two grew close over the many classes they shared together.

"It's gonna suck not having you around man. I mean, who's gonna hold my drink while I pick up the ladies" Rob smiled with a grin, adding a subtle wink.

Matt responded with a rather blank expression, "The only picking up you do is the tabs of those Labradors at the bar. Oh and also the fake numbers of those Labradors. Smooth moves there tiger."

For the rest of the hour Matt and Rob exchanged sarcastic comments but Matt had to be careful as he needed to avoid any topic concerning alcohol or late nights. Last week he had gotten together with one of Rob's friends but left early in the morning without him knowing. It would have been hard to explain what happened so Matt believed it would be best to leave it to a later date.

Now that everything was packed it was time to say goodbye. The two were at the bottom of the dorms where students could leave their suitcases for a few hours.

"Well, I suppose this is it Rob. Take care of yourself over Summer. I'll be waiting for your report on all the females whos tabs you've collected."

The two hugged for the final time that school year, "Yeah I will, I'll see you later. Don't do anything too wild."

It was sad to see the cougar walk off in the cloudy weather but it wouldn't be the last time the two would meet so it wasn't too depressing. However, Matt now had to worry where he would stay for summer as those details were still uncertain. His parents had a house a few cities away but they were going to be away on business trips all year. Plus the city was a scary place, definitely not the place to be for a Husky who gets nervous at minor issues, it was one of the reasons he came to this university in such a small town.

A large sigh echoed in the small room. "I guess it's inevitable". Matt stared at the bus times for that day leading into the city. One of them left at 5 in the evening, which leaves plenty of time to visit the town before his departure.

The town was dark and quiet due to the absence of students and the gloomy clouds hanging overhead. Matt travelled over the Zebra crossing to the main line of shops on the street. There was a cherry red sweet shop which was had the sweetest old Lioness tending the till. Matt had talked to her on occasion when buying a few sodas for his friends and him. She was always worried about her granddaughter but Matt never met her. Matt's paws walked over the cold circular cover for the sewers which was oddly placed right under parking ticket dispenser. He let out a loud laugh as he remembered how his roommate once tried to convince him that the parking warden would drag people under from that hole, a result of David's drunken stupors no doubt.

Finally Matt reached his favourite spot in the town, the book shop. He'd grown to be a regular at this very spot and had grown close to the various clerks, knowing each by name chatting to them whenever the chance arose.

Today was a very special day for the bookshop. Matt was worried when he saw big white posters over the windows and started sweating slightly,

"Oh no, it's not closing is it?!"

He shuffled backwards to get a better view of the poster he had assumed to be a closing down sale sign. The gray satchel he was carrying fell to the ground slowly, almost spilling its contents, not out of shock but out of awe.

"Holy crap. Greg Furman, HERE, in THIS town!" It was hard to believe it at first but Matt had unintentionally found his favourite author. With the stress of exams he didn't see any other room besides his own bedroom and the exam hall but how such a huge event slipped out from under his canine nose will never be known. The husky's eyes opened more and more as he picked up his satchel and peered into the window, between the two big white posters.

There he was. A middle aged gray Mouse with small circular spectacles and a black burette sat in a small wooden chair, surrounded by large stacks of books. Usually it would be a funny sight as such a big author was miniscule compared to the large pile beside him, mostly obscuring him from view. However this didn't click with Matt as his jaw was halfway towards the cold stone pawpath in amazement.

A few minutes passed, the door opened and closed many times with some happy furs delighted with their signed books but Matt was overcome by nerves and too scared to even ask for a signing. It just so happened he had "Captain's Tail" in his satchel which was one of the authors more famous books.

Small water droplets delicately fell on Matt's black and white fur but not soaking it. A more forceful feeling pressed down on his left shoulder, looking over he saw a large brown paw. A deep, soothing voice called out in his left ear.

"You know, I hear he's pretty nice in furson."

Matt's head slowly turned and jumped at the sight of a German Shepherd talking into his ear. It was professor Victor but Matt still nearly had a damn heart attack, falling on the floor like a nervous wreck.

"P-p-professor. I'm s-s-sorry"

The large brown paw was extended out to help him off the floor. Looking up at the German Shepherd he was like a bright angel in comparison to the dark gray sky. Matt's shaking paw extended out to the professors, but instead of pulling him up onto his hindpaws, he was quickly pulled up and into the shop in a matter of seconds. Before Matt could comprehend what was happening he was being edged closer and closer to the back of the queue by a smirking dog.

When Matt finally came to consciousness he looked around and panicked as he was now wedged between a much larger fur from the front, two fine red rope railings on either side and a laughing Shepherd from behind.

Slowly, paw by paw, step by step, the people in front disappeared.

"Here" the professor pulled out the book which was sticking out of Matt's satchel and handed it him. "You wouldn't wanna keep the man waiting would you?"

Finally Matt was face to face with the fur who'd enlightened his imagination and caused him to spend countless hours reading beside his bed light. Despite this nothing came out of his mouth and he clutched the book tightly, refusing to let go until the professor quite slyfully intervened.

"Sorry for my young friend here, he's just so excited to finally meet you."

The rodent edged forward on his seat, fixing his glasses on his nose to get a better look.

"Is that right young man? Ah and a fine book you've chosen. It's one that I still think back on today with fond memories. Would you like me to sign it?"

There were a few murmurs coming from the back of an anxious crew but with one stern glare from the German Shepherd they settled down. He whispered in Matt's ear, "Go on. Here's your chance."

"O-okay. Um, here. It's really one of my favourite books. I haven't even finished the series yet but revisiting this one every now and again makes me feel like I could do anything and explore everything I want to while still being cautious."

The author delicately opened the cover and began signing, "May any adventure you seek lay favourably in your path. May you always have the knowledge and curiosity to seek that which is important but also to do it safely - Greg Furman" He handed back the book with a smile which Matt gladly accepted with a big grin. It wasn't too long before he was whisked away to let others get their chance.

All he could do for a few minutes was stare at the lovable author as he delicately talked and signed to his readers. Being a small town with a small population allowed him to do this in comparison to big city shops where a book signing was more like a mechanised assembly line. The professor was looking at his own signed book as he walked towards the door until he heard the thunder from outside and then looked back at the Husky.

"Hey, it's pretty rough out there. I'll give you a lift."

"Y-yeah. That'd be great." With one final look at the happy mouse with his comically large stack of books, Matt ran for the old blue car parked outside and both the furs were soaked by the time they sat down. Both of them were wheezing but both were pretty happy.

"Quite a nice fur isn't he? This would mark the third time I've met him close up"

"Wow professor, that's..."

The brown paw was held up once more, "Please, call me Victor. For one it's too formal and I believe it creates a barrier to communication between teacher and student, and secondly we're not in school."

It was only now that Matt noticed how happy the German Shepherd was, definitely not like he was the other week.

"W-well then..... Victor. I'm so happy you showed up. I don't know why I get so scared to talk sometimes. Maybe it's because I feel that I'm wasting their time by engaging with somebody so useless as me."

It was the husky that sounded gloomy now, but he still had a smirk on his face.

"That's not it at all. Some people just get scared. Maybe with experience you'll get better at it. How about I take you to more signings if they appear. I'm sure it'd be fun."

The husky blushed a little and tried to hide it but his flattened ears gave away his embarrassment, which Victor could only chuckle slightly at.

"I think I'd like that very much actually."

The drive was silent apart from the pitter patter of rain on the windshield. It was relaxing.

"So are you staying in the dorms for Summer?"

"No actually, the ones I stay in close over Summer. I need to find a new place."

The German Shepherd was intrigued and began tapping on the steering wheel.

"Oh, well I suppose I'm driving to the wrong place then. Where is it you need to go?"

"Well actually I need to pick up my suitcase but after that I've no idea where I'm going. Going home is something I'd rather not do honestly."

For the first time since the book shop Matt now looked sad. The topic of him staying with his parents was always a touchy subject. Not because of a tragic past or anything, simply because he felt like he didn't belong there.

"Listen. I'm sorry about that but how about you use the phone from my house? It's quite comfortable there and you could make some arrangements without worrying about being on the streets."

Victor was very sincere in his words. The husky could only give a small nod of approval but he was very grateful. Not many furs were so willing to help others like that around these parts.

The car drove the driveway between two medium sized gardens which haven't been tended to in a number of weeks, approaching a rather large red brick house with many sun roofs for natural light. Matt felt strange, like he was invading on Victor's personal life but with the car now locked and it raining very hard it was difficult to not hurry inside with his suitcase in paw, Victor held open the large white door and grabbed the suitcase for him.

"Wow. This place is amazing."

They were in a hall which was finely decorated with many pictures a large ticking grandfather clock which echoed throughout the hall.

"Hmm I would like to think so. Please come this way, have a seat."

Matt's wet hindpaws went from the smooth wooden panels of the hall to the very soft red carpet in the green living room which was just as finely decorated. A large pronounced fireplace stood against the wall with many pictures hanging above it. Victor led Matt to a large white sofa in the middle of two other chairs which were looking into the fireplace that Victor was now lighting.

"If you wish the phone is in the kitchen but you should get out of the cold as quickly as possible. Terrible rain today."

"W-why thank you. I actually like the sound of rain on windows. It's comforting. That's a very amazing collection of books you have" matt replied as he stared at the multiple book stands lining the walls.

The match in the brown paw flicked and set fire to the wood now sitting in the fireplace. A yellow, comforting warmth radiated in the room, reflecting in the husky's eyes. It was only a moment before Victor left and returned with some blankets and tea.

"Here, these should warm you up a bit. I'm sorry about the lack of heating. This was my mother's old house and isn't very modern."

"Thank you. It is a beautiful house, very spacious."

Victor's ears flattened and he looked into his tea.

"Yes it is. Ever since my mother passed away two weeks ago it's never been quite so empty. A sad fact I'm sure. Nut I really shouldn't prattle on such matters."

Matt was a little panicked, he didn't want to upset him even more, "Oh I'm so sorry to hear that. It must have been hard for you."

In a matter of seconds Victor broke from his frown and began smiling.

"No it's alright. I made it harder on myself than it should have been. Long before her passing she made me promise her that someday I'd share this big house and not keep it to myself. She always wanted grandchildren but ..... that would be impossible. Plus, I haven't found anyfur yet"

Matt contemplated for a few moments. He didn't know if it was right to say it but it felt like he needed to help Victor.

"Y'know the last few weeks have taught me something that I think is very important." The German shepherd was now pulled away from his tea and was gazing at the still soaking Husky in the yellow light of the fire.

"Relationships are important to some people. And that's completely fine. For some they just don't know what they're looking for. I discovered that for me I would enjoy the comfort of somebody I could tell anything to knowing they'd listen and maybe join in on a lot of my past times, and I could join in on theirs. Sex isn't of as much importance and even if it's present I don't feel like it's essential to value it as a key to a relationship. Y'know Victor, I think you should just be yourself. If you find the right fur then that'd be amazing, but if you don't then there's nothing wrong with that."

Victor was just staring at Matt for a few minutes trying to comprehend everything he said.

"So....... just wait?"

Matt was getting more energetic, "Exactly, I'm sure your mother would be more proud of a son who loved himself, or a loving family, than a son who found the wrong partner just for the sake of having a partner."

The blankets lifted from Victors chair and he sat beside Matt. It wasn't exactly clear what he was doing. He let out a laugh that got louder and louder, managing to block out the loud ticking of the clock in the hall.

"In all my years I've never heard something so beautiful from a student" his eyes were nearly in tears, "You're completely right. Listen, you can stay tonight if you would like. H-honestly, I'd like to talk to you more."

Victor looked over to Matt with his large brown eyes staring kindly. Matt felt like blushing, it wasn'tthe orange light that was the most soothing thing in the room anymore. At that moment in time Victor made him feel at peace. It felt like this was the only place he'd like to be, sitting on that white sofa, snuggling under those warm blankets with his tea and staring at those big eyes and that fur shining in the reflection of the fire. The natural crackling from the burning log made the scene even more delicate and soothing.

"Y'know, I'd like that very much actually. I-It's nice here. Honestly I'd like to sit here all night and just...... talk. It wouldn't be often I meet somebody with such a wide interest in books."

The hours went by in that large lonely house. Long into the night the two furs talked and talked. They discussed their various interests long into the night until it was dark and the fire was slowly dying out. Matt was now lying on the sofa with his head on the opposite side of victor. Despite being fully sprawled out Matt wasn't touching the German shepherd with his hindpaws, just barely though, the sofa was pretty big.

Matt let out a large yawn, "Thank you for everything Victor. I-it's been nice talking to you. I'd love to talk some more tomorrow. Goodnight."

"Goodnight my young adventurer"

The last thing the husky felt as he nodded off was the warmth of blankets being pulled up around him and tucked in.

"Sleeping with such a grin, Makes a dog wonder."

Despite such an enlightening conversation with his young peer, Victor still felt like something was missing. Staring up at the picture of his mother above the fireplace he noticed her caring smile, almost like she was with him in that room.

"Someday soon" he whispered.