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The GreenMount Chronicles, Chapter 14 "Diving In"

*splash*

The surface of the pool rippled as Roger dove in. His stripes vanished into the blue of the water as his sleek body slipped inside.

Calvin watched from the side, standing on the tiled floor by the wall. There were a few others in the swimming pool, but it was mostly empty, as everyone was leaving for the night.

GreenMount Highschool kept some faculty there during the summer, and sometimes the kids would come by to swim in the large pool, or use the gymnasium or the weight room. Roger was one of the guys who frequented the pool, since swimming was his favorite physical activity and it was very hot outside.

Calvin was there as an observer, mostly. He brought a towel, and only wore a pair of swimming shorts, but he seemed reluctant to get in the water. Instead he stood there looking slightly uncomfortable and awkward.

Roger swam three laps across the pool and then pulled himself up onto the side, sitting on the tile. He motioned for Calvin to come over and sit next to him. The dalmatian did, dipping his paws into the water.

"You should swim with me," Roger told him, grinning. "Not a lot of schools have an indoor pool, you know."

Calvin smiled back. He looked at Roger, and then away quickly, as if he didn't want to be caught. "Yeah, I guess you're right. You're a lot better at it than I am."

"Anybody can do it. It's just because I practice all the time," said the tiger. "I mean think about it. How often do you see a cat who loves the water? If I can, anyone can."

Calvin chuckled and looked down at the clear water. He was always amazed at how water could be perfectly clear on the surface, and yet blue when he looked through a large amount of it.

A tall, burly bear came walking by. He was dressed in a white T-shirt, shorts, and a hat. Around his neck was a whistle.

"I'm locking up now," said the bear. "You can stay late if you want, but don't let anybody in, and turn the lights off when you go."

"Thanks coach Brock," Roger said. "See you next week."

The bear grunted and walked off, herding people out of the pool. One by one they went into the locker rooms, got dressed, and left.

Calvin watched this and asked Roger, "Does he always let you stay late?"

"Sometimes," the tiger said. "I was pretty valuable on the swim team this year, so he lets me do what I want."

"That's great," Calvin said.

Roger looked at him. "Yeah. I thought we could stay for a while, if that's okay with you."

The dalmatian nodded. "Sure." He glanced at Roger and looked away again. Then, "What for?"

Roger had never spent much time with Calvin. Once in a while they had passed each other in the bustling hallways between classes, but their paths never really crossed.

That was before the phone call to Leon. He had missed his lion friend ever since school had let out, so one day he'd called him to see how he was. They had a long, friendly conversation, and at some point Leon had mentioned that Calvin liked guys. Leon had said it in an absent kind of way, and he probably didn't even know he'd said it.

But Roger knew, and he remembered. Immediately after the phone call, he began to make plans to meet Calvin and spend time with him.

Something in him snapped when he saw his brother and Rock messing around. It had started when he walked in on Mike and Victor and only grew from there. He felt an undeniable need to know, to really find out what everyone was doing. He'd always heard about guys messing around with each other, and recently it had been the focal point of his thoughts. He needed to know what it was all about.

It had only taken a brief phone call to Calvin's house to convince him to meet at school as the sun was going down.

Roger continued to gaze at the dalmatian. He spoke softly. "I like you. I know we never got to know each other during the school year, and I was hoping we could."

Cal watched as Brock, the last person in the building, left through the front door. He glanced at Roger, their eyes locked briefly, and then he looked away.

"You can look at me," Roger said gently. "You don't have to pretend that you're not."

Calvin sighed. He looked down at his feet, lifting one foot out of the water, watching it drop from his toeclaws. "I'm sorry," he murmured. "It's rude and I shouldn't do that."

"No, it's okay," Roger said soothingly. He put a hand on the smooth back of the canine, feeling the sleek fur. This caused Calvin to jump a little. "Go ahead and look."

Reluctantly, Calvin turned his head and gazed at Roger's body from his supple legs, to the defined abs, his slim, firm chest and his broad shoulders.

Similarly, Roger was looking him over. Calvin's body was smooth, with fur that lay close to him, revealing his subtle curves. He was in good shape, too, but he was slim, sleeker than Roger. His shoulders were round, and his chest was full, and his biceps were visible, but they were all a part of the lithe, lanky form that was Calvin. His fur was white like snow, save the pepper of black spots which covered him all over. Roger smiled, thinking Cal looked as though someone had shaken a big fountain pen in front of him. A big splotch of black covered Calvin's right eye, and it made him look so... cute? He certainly wasn't used to thinking of guys as 'cute,' but he did see that Calvin was attractive. It was impossible to miss. He wondered why the girls weren't all over him. Perhaps they knew what Leon knew.

Being so close to him now, he could see Calvin's vulnerability, his fear. It was hidden just beneath the surface. It was like seeing a single flower in the middle of an industrial park.

"Cal, I wonder if..." Roger trailed off.

"If what?" Cal asked, looking into his eyes.

"Well, I don't know if you want to or not, but I guess... I don't know."

Anyone else might have thought Roger was babbling. But Calvin did not. He shifted his weight slightly, knowing what Roger was trying to say. And Roger knew that Calvin knew. It is amazing how much information is exchanged without words.

"I like you," Roger said. "Do you want to... maybe... do something?"

Cal said softly, "Do what?" He wasn't usually so coy.

"Stuff. If you don't know what I mean, then don't worry about it. I'm just being dumb."

Cal looked at him. "I don't think you're dumb."

He let his foot glide through the water until it touched Roger's. At first it seemed like an accident, but he didn't move it. He let his doggie paw rest lightly on the tiger's.

"Have you ever done it before," Calvin asked him. They were sitting very close now, the mutual desire between them was impossible to miss.

Roger shook his head. He suddenly felt very embarrassed and afraid. When he had imagined this moment, it had been entirely different. There had been no danger, no fear, and no shame. The way he imagined it, Calvin had been happy and willing, and there had been no apprehension. But this was not fantasy.

Calvin was gazing into his eyes. "I'll follow your lead then," he said softly, with a hint of a smile.

Roger was frozen. He could not move. Strangely he felt close to tears. He couldn't believe he had put himself in this situation. How horrible Calvin must have thought him, to invite the little guy over just for sex.

"I... I don't know how," he whispered.

Calvin saw something different in Roger than he had seen in any of the other guy's he'd ever met. He could see the fear in the tiger's eyes, and he could hear the shame in his voice. Neither of these was new to him.

But something was different about this. Roger wasn't doing this simply out of lust; there was a need to understand in him. He wondered if Roger had been curious for a long time, or if maybe he had a crush on someone... possibly someone else who might be willing. He wondered who it might be.

He slid off the tile and into the water. "Come with me," he said softly.

Roger slipped into the water. They were in the shallow end, so it only came up to his chest. He waded closer to Calvin.

When they were only a few inches apart, the waves their breathing made mingling between their wet bodies, Calvin asked, "Are you sure you want to do this? I can make you feel very good, but... are you sure this is what you want?"

Roger nodded. His voice trembled slightly, but his eyes expressed the desire he felt. "Yes," he said. "I like you, Cal, and I want to know what it's like. How... how do we start?"

"We can start small," said the dalmatian. With a guy who was just horny and wanted to get off, he would have started with some groping, or a hand-job. But he knew nothing about this encounter would be ordinary.

Calvin reached out under the water, and slipped his hand into Roger's. "Here," he said gently. "Let's start with this."

Roger nodded. He slid his hand over Calvin's, smooth tiger pads gliding over canine pads. They looked nice together, orange on white. He looked down and muttered something inaudible.

"What's wrong," Calvin murmured.

"I'm scared," whispered the tiger.

Calvin moved closer. "I won't hurt you," he said. "Come here, let me just hug you. Okay?"

And then they came together, softly, completely. The length of the tiger's body pressed against Calvin, and two gentle arms slid around him. Roger put his head on Cal's shoulder. The water gave way between them, ripples expanding out to all corners of the pool. It occurred to Roger that he had never hugged a male without his shirt on, and it was a wonderful experience. He felt hands roaming over his back. This was warm and intimate, in a way a hug had never been.

The buoyancy of the water made them feel lighter and every movement more fluid, more sensual. His fear was melting away in place of a new feeling, something much stronger. With both of them wearing only thin nylon shorts, there was no hiding the firmness which pressed against Calvin's thigh. This part of him was not afraid at all.

They stood there, two beings of one desire. Calvin was pliable, conforming to Roger's movements, but firm enough to be comforting, to be in control. He whispered, "Are you still scared?"

Roger pulled back just enough to look into his eyes. He did not hide or mask his vulnerability. "A little," he replied softly. "Not as much."

Calvin touched his cheek. "I'm going to kiss you now, okay?"

Roger stiffened slightly. He whispered, "What do I do?"

"Just part your lips a little and tilt your head toward me."

Roger's lips were still wet from his swimming, and they glistened in the light. As he parted them, Calvin saw just a hint of his white tiger-teeth.

Calvin moved slowly, feeling every motion with clarity. He knew he would never have something like this again, something so pure and new. The air seemed to be filled with a kind of magic. The reflection of the rippling turbulent water made ribbons of light on the walls, on their bodies.

His lips touched Roger's, and he just let them touch for a moment. Lips are such smooth, frictionless things when moist. And then Roger began to kiss him back. It was tender and exploring. First a gentle tug, then again. Then he let his tongue graze over the dalmatian's lips.

Calvin ran his hands over Roger's chest, the feline's beautiful body. His fingers circled a nipple, and Roger moaned quietly in surprise.

They pulled back with a soft click as their lips tugged one last time. They were both panting quietly.

"Are you all right," Calvin whispered.

"Ohh yes," Roger whispered back to him. "Haven't been this all right in a long time."

They stood close, but with enough space to let their hands wander. Roger was emulating Calvin's movements, sliding his hands over the canine's body. Calvin noticed that with guys who were completely new to sex, they would follow their partner's lead. If Calvin rubbed his chest, Roger would follow suit. If Calvin kissed his navel, Roger would likely return the favor. It was such a show of vulnerability, of trust, and he found it sweet.

"I never thought you would come to me," Calvin told him. "Other people, maybe... but not you."

"Why not," Roger asked.

"You just seem so... happy. So content with everything."

"I can be," Roger said.

Calvin stroked Roger's cheek. "You are so beautiful," he whispered. "I've watched you swim before."

With his other hand, he reached forward and cupped the front of Roger's shorts. In the water, the fabric seemed almost non-existent, and his palm pressed up against a thick rod of tiger cock.

The tiger sighed a moan, and he reached for Calvin's groin in return, grabbing distractedly.

"Later," the dalmatian whispered. "You can touch me later. Just enjoy this."

He nudged Roger backward, gently but determinedly, causing him to walk backward until he reached the stairs. There were six stairs in the water, leading out, and he sat down on the second one from the top, so that his waist was just above water.

The top step was longer than the rest, with enough room for him to lay down on his back along it, in two inches of water. Calvin laid him back on the step, and Roger put his hands behind his head. The water rippled around him but it was not deep enough to cover him -- it left his muzzle free, as well as his chest, tummy, and the bulge in his shorts.

Calvin pulled his shorts down, freeing seven inches of smooth, sheathed, aroused tiger maleness. The length of it was covered in a sheath of white furry foreskin, with only the pink head showing at the top. Calvin cupped it in his hand and kissed this, listening to Roger whimper with pleasure. Delicately he pulled back the sheath, revealing the pink, glistening surface. He cupped the tiger's balls in one hand, feeling their size.

He tilted his head as he gazed down at Roger. "Beautiful," he whispered.

And then he began to give it a slow, thorough cleaning, one of the best blowjobs he'd ever given. He took it into his mouth gradually, tasting the clean water and the smooth skin. Something about a wet cock was enticing to him, and he relished it. One hand curled around the base of the shaft, and he swallowed it up in the warmth of tongue and throat, gliding back and forth like velvet over the sensitive skin.

Roger moaned softly, at length. Unlike most of the other guys Calvin had been with, he did not try to find his own rhythm. He did not thrust or push himself into the muzzle encasing his manhood. He simply laid there in the turbulent water, eyes half-closed, lost in the moment as he experienced, for the first time, the amazing pleasure of being licked and sucked on.

Calvin felt a little guilty. He had, after all, gotten so much practice over the past year, that he had become very good at it. And if the tiger went to someone else, they most likely wouldn't be as good as this. He was happy to be giving Calvin a good first time, though he felt like he was spoiling him for the next person to come along.

Holding the cock at an angle parallel to the ground, straight outward, he moved his head forward and back, each time the pink length disappearing into his cheeks. He was lasting longer than Calvin had expected, but perhaps this was a good thing. Often people had good short blowjobs, or bad long blowjobs, but not everyone was lucky enough to have a good AND long blowjob.

Roger sighed in ecstasy. At times he gazed down at Calvin, watching him, but as his pleasure built, as it became more intense he let his eyes wander, traveling along the walls, watching the ribbons of light, reflections from the water, dancing along the walls. The sky outside was dark, and these light snakes were bluish, all that lit up the big pool area, save the floodlights.

Calvin listened to Roger as he began to breathe faster, and to tense up, and all of the typical signs that guys gave before they came. There was always an expectancy in the air, a silent anticipation when it was about to happen. Guys with a lot of experience relax at this point and savor every moment, letting the pleasure build on its own. But guys with little experience try to force the orgasm out, because they feel like they're supposed to, and this usually makes them last longer.

Calvin turned his head to the side, sliding his lips up and down the cock along its sides, so that it poked through one side of his muzzle and out the other, and that's when he brought Roger over the edge. He felt the hot liquid spurt out and on his cheek, and then he began stroking it with one hand, as it is always most sensitive during orgasm. He also kissed the head as it shot out its juice, and this caused it to splatter off of his lips, tongue and face.

This was one of his secret pleasures, letting them cum everywhere, making a mess with it, all over his face. It was something he usually never got to do, since they generally pushed into his throat when they came. (He had been lucky enough to experience it with Leon, even if that had been a bit of a sad experience as well.)

Roger watched this with amazement, mouth hanging open, eyes wide, even as his cock spurted out ropes of his seed across the bridge of Calvin's canine nose, onto his whiskers, and on his tongue. Finally the streams of cum ebbed away, and he just twitched, while Calvin continued to stroke him, drawing out the last waves of ecstasy until it was done.

Calvin sat there when it was finished, looking at him. There was a smile on his lips, a humble kind of affection. White juice which nearly mixed in with the color of his fur was all over his face.

He licked his muzzle with his tongue, and he smiled. "See what a mess you made," he teased.

Roger sat up dazed, letting his elbows rest on his knees. "That was incredible," he said softly. "I've never felt anything like that."

"I know," Cal told him, resting his hands on Roger's thighs. "It's supposed to be that way."

Roger reached behind him and picked up his towel from the side of the pool. He wiped the canine's slender face, his muzzle, nose, cheeks, and forehead. Even his big black nose. "I'm sorry I got messy all over you," he said.

Calvin grinned. "Well you're not supposed to cum in the pool. Besides, I wanted you to do that. I like it."

"You like... cum?"

"Yep. Not everyone does, but I do."

Roger nodded. He shook his head, as if to shake off the hazy afterglow that hovered over him. He climbed to his feet and waded back into the water.

"Come on," he called, waving Calvin over.

The dalmatian smiled. He splashed into the water, and they swam around for a bit. Roger found a volleyball, and for a while they played water volleyball. They talked and laughed, sharing stories about school, and the things they liked. Calvin told Roger about the time he'd hit the homerun on his birthday, with the bases loaded and the score tied. Roger told him about the time Mike, Scott and Leon tied him up and took him out of state for his birthday to a topless bar. They all looked old enough, and Scott had gotten some fake ID's.

"So you do like tits," Calvin said, grinning, tossing the ball to him.

Roger laughed, volleying the ball back, sending it in an arc through the air. "Of course! I mean... I guess I do. Well, I've never been with a woman before."

Calvin jumped out of the water, trying to hit the ball with his forehead. He had meant to bounce it back to Roger, but instead it smacked him in the nose and hit the water.

He yipped in pain and grabbed his nose.

Roger's eyes widened, and he swam over in a hurry. "Hey, are you okay?" he asked, voice tinged with concern.

Calvin grunted with pain, nodding. "I'll be okay."

Roger slid close to him, gently pulling the canine hands away from his face. He examined Cal's nose. "It's not bleeding. That's good. It might just be a little sore."

Calvin gazed into his eyes. "It hurts, but it's going away."

Roger smiled. "Let's get you to safety." He suddenly slid one arm behind Calvin's legs, and another around his back. He lifted the doggie with no trouble, since the water made him much lighter.

"My hero," Calvin said, and they both laughed.

Roger walked Calvin to a ladder on the side of the pool. It was a simple metal ladder, with a pole on either side to hold onto.

Calvin turned to face Roger, holding the rails. The tiger slid his hands over Calvin's, floating in the water, facing him. Their bodies were pressed tightly together, and all the intimacy that had been between them before suddenly came rushing back.

Roger touched his nose to Calvin's tenderly. "Does it still hurt?"

"Does what still hurt," Calvin whispered, with a smile.

Roger licked Calvin's lips, running his broad pink tongue along them, making the canine shudder.

"I want to make you feel good now," Roger said softly. "Just like you did for me."

Cal blinked. "Huh?"

Roger pressed his hand to Calvin's stomach, and he slid it down into his shorts. His fingers grazed along six inches of firm doggie cock, and he began to stroke it tentatively, up and down.

"I wanna try sucking on you," he whispered.

The dalmatian's jaw dropped, and his eyelids fluttered slightly in pleasure at being touched. "Ohhhh wow... are... are you sure?"

Roger squeezed the firm shaft, and the doggie whimpered.

He smiled. "Why do you sound so surprised?"

Calvin rubbed his nose against Roger's. He gripped the metal railings more firmly. "It's been... a long time," he whispered. "But if you want to please... please do."

Roger nodded. "I want to try," he murmured.

Calvin climbed up the ladder a bit, so that his waist was above water. Roger could just barely touch the floor of the pool, but he was eye-level with Calvin's waist, so this was perfect for him. He pulled down the dalmatian's shorts and gazed up at him tenderly, almost lovingly.

At first Roger was visibly nervous. He looked at the dalmatian's penis closely. It did not have much of a sheath to cover it, so the pink flesh was perfectly visible to him, the smooth skin with a plump, round head. He first rubbed his lips along it, and then his tongue slid out to lick it. He paused for a moment, as if waiting for something to happen.

"My wrists didn't go limp," Roger said, grinning playfully up at Calvin.

The dalmatian giggled softly. "No, and the fag fairy isn't going to leave a showtunes album under your pillow tonight, either."

Roger giggled. With his fear melted away, he licked the shaft again, more slowly. He pointed it toward his muzzle, and slid it into his mouth.

Calvin sighed with delight, looking down at him, watching.

Roger began to slide back and forth on it, feeling the rubbery length fill up his mouth, sliding over his tongue.

Calvin hissed in pain suddenly. "Teeth," he whispered softly.

Roger grunted softly in apology, and he pulled back, pausing before going down on it again.

Calvin winced. "Slow down," he murmured, stroking one of Roger's ears. "Try this... slide your tongue out over your bottom teeth, and put your top teeth behind your lip. You don't have to rush. Take it slow and enjoy yourself."

Roger pulled off, and he looked up at Calvin. "Is... it okay?"

Calvin smiled, and he cupped the tiger's sweet face in his hands. "Oh yeah... you're doing fine. I just want you to enjoy it, too."

The tiger nodded. "Okay." He took the dalmatian's cock into his mouth again, but much more slowly.

"Ohhhhh... that's goooood..." Calvin whispered, running his fingers through Roger's hair, scritching a little. "That's much better."

And with that Roger began to slide up and down slowly, carefully, nursing the smooth shaft in his muzzle, putting gentle sucking pressure on it.

Calvin, through the haze of his lust, managed a few times to encourage him. "Relaaaax," he murmured. "Go easy on yourself... you're so beautiful... it feels so good..."

For Calvin this was a new experience. Nothing had ever been like this. Even with Mike had jerked him off, it was nothing like this.

Calvin could tell Roger wasn't great at it. He felt some teeth once in a while, and the tiger kept having to pull back so he didn't gag on it. But as he was learning, he was doing this less and less. But this was all understandable. Calvin remembered his first few times sucking had been unfortunate for the guys he'd been with.

But the fact that it was so new, that it was his first time for Roger, made it all the more amazing. The tiger was doing the best he knew how, and he was doing it because he cared about Calvin. This was what mattered to him. His skill could improve-- that was immaterial. His emotions, his warmth, his tenderness -- this was the real joy of their coupling.

Time passed then, quite a while, and Roger was getting considerably better at it.

Calvin felt the intense pleasure coursing through him, and he felt his body tensing up. Roger had picked up a common and effective technique -- using his hand and mouth together -- and it was bringing him over the edge. He shuddered all through his body, and held onto the metal rails tightly, feeling the sensations reaching their climax. And then suddenly he felt himself move past that elastic point of no return, his body deciding to throw itself headlong into sexual climax. He barked softly, his chest arching out, hips thrust forward, and his head thrown back.

Roger continued his same pace, stroking and sucking, even as Calvin's cock twitched and fired out cum from the top, into his muzzle. He seemed almost afraid to stop, since it was working so well. Calvin moaned again and again, his teeth clenched, shaft spasming and filling the tiger's muzzle with white salty juice.

Moments faded together, stretching out for what felt like an eternity, as Calvin looked at the water, the waves, the constant chaotic motion, head swimming with pleasure and hazy, unformed thoughts. He emptied the product of his lust into his tiger friend, and finally the electricity left him, and he went limp, slumping back against the ladder.

Roger pulled off of Calvin's cock, having taken all of his seed. He swallowed, and grimaced. "Ehh," he whined, his mouth open, his tongue sticking out. He grabbed Calvin's towel from the edge of the pool and rubbed it frantically on his tongue.

Calvin watched this through slitted eyes. He grinned. "Don't like it, do you" he said.

Roger closed his mouth suddenly. "Uhh... sorry. It's just not love at first bite, I guess." He smiled.

Calvin giggled at this. "Not everyone likes it at first. Or at all. I wasn't thrilled with it when I first tasted it, but I like it now."

Roger nodded. "It wasn't really the taste that I didn't like. It was just... realizing what it was. I'm sure next time would have been easier."

Calvin nodded back. "It does get a lot easier with practice." It did not escape him that Roger said 'would have' and not 'will be'.

But he was too delirious with the afterglow of it all that he didn't care. He climbed down off the ladder, into the cool water, and Roger met him there. The tiger slid his arms around the dalmatian, pulling him close. They held one another, bobbing up and down slightly in the water, sort of like dancing. And they began to kiss again, languidly, with no more urgency, no more hurry. It was simply an expression of affection and gratitude. Calvin didn't think he had ever had so much wonderful kissing in one evening in his life.

He would remember it forever. It would go in the same place in his mind as Mike's muscles, Leon's smooth voice, Scott's confidence and Lance's playfulness.

They stayed that way for almost a half-hour, whispering to each other, kissing, cuddling in the water.

Gradually they made their way to the stairs again, and both of them climbed out.

Roger laid his towel out on the floor, and Calvin rested his on it, and they laid down together. It was still hard tile floor, but they were both exhausted, and it was better than nothing.

"Can I ask you something?" Calvin asked this.

Roger nodded. They were facing each other, stretched out on the towels.

"What made you decide to ask me," Cal asked him. He was quietly pleading for an answer to the question that he always asked himself. Of course Roger didn't know this. Roger didn't know about Leon, Scott, Mike, Lance, or nearly a dozen others, who never gave a reason, or an excuse, who never explained why they all chose him.

They held eye contact. To gaze into someone's eyes so consistently is almost like touch. In private conversation, especially in a situation like theirs, it can be very intimate.

"I trust you," the tiger said. "And I like you. When I see you, I think of you as someone I want to like me. And now, it's even stronger. I want hug you and hold you." Through their staring eyes, they touched without touching, exchanging secrets, full of affection.

Calvin pressed him further. "How did you know I would say yes? I mean... how did you know I would say yes to you?"

"I wasn't sure... but I was. It was just a feeling," Roger said. Then he smiled. "Trust, I guess, and friendship."

Calvin smiled. "Trust and friendship. I like that. I'm also very attracted to you. You're beautiful, Roger."

"Beautiful?" The tiger seemed to taste the word. "How?"

"Your eyes. Your face. Your body. You're in great shape, even better than I am."

"I swim all the time," Roger told him.

"I've seen you," Calvin said. "I've watched you before. Your last competition, I was in the crowd."

The tiger looked down now, and he chuckled softly. "Wow. I didn't know I was so hot." He paused. "Does this mean... you love me?"

"Oh Roger," Calvin said softly. He sat up. Roger did as well. Calvin took the tiger's hands and said, "I love you. Tonight is something special for me, but I'm not 'in' love. Do you know what I mean?"

Roger sighed, audibly relieved. "Oh good," he breathed. "I'm not either. I just wanted to make sure."

He squeezed Calvin's hand. "But I know what you mean about tonight. I love you, too, you know?"

Cal nodded. "I know exactly what you mean."

Roger smiled. "Have you ever been in love?"

The dalmatian grinned. "I thought I was. Several times. But not lately. How about you?"

Roger's smile faded away. "Yes."

"You were, or you are?"

"I'm in love. With someone."

"Wow, that's cool," Calvin said.

Roger sighed and looked down. "Maybe. I don't know. It's complicated for lots of reasons. Also, he... already has someone who's special to him."

"Have you known him for a long time?"

Roger laughed. "You might say that."

"How long have you known you loved him?"

"About thirty seconds. When you asked me, I just blurted it out. I didn't even know until I said it. But it's true."

They were quiet for a few moments then. They were sitting with their legs crossed, and Roger reached down to touch Calvin's left foot, stroking it lightly. "You have small paws."

Calvin laughed. "What is it with you guys?"

"What do you mean?"

"Mike told me the same thing," Calvin said.

Roger blinked. "What did he say? What did he tell you?"

Calvin smiled. "You know Mike. He just wanted to point out how big his were. He said he compared with some of his friends, or something."

Roger nodded, relieved. "Yeah, we all know how Mike is."

They were quiet again, as Roger toyed with Calvin's foot, and Calvin ran his fingers through Roger's headfur.

"Did you like it?" Calvin asked him.

"What we did tonight?"

"Yes," Calvin murmured.

"I did. A lot." Roger smiled at him.

"But... you don't want to do it again." Calvin felt sure of this, although they hadn't discussed it directly.

Roger was silent for a moment. His smile faded. "No," he said.

Calvin nodded. "I understand."

"It would be too complicated. We're not planning on being boyfriends. If we kept doing this, it would be..."

"...weird," Cal finished for him. "I know. And one of us would get hurt in the end."

Roger's smile came back. "You were really great though, Cal. Tonight has been the most amazing night of my life. And I... think you're beautiful, too."

Calvin touched Roger's cheekfur. "Can I ask you for something?"

Roger nodded. "Of course."

It was Calvin's turn to feel vulnerable again. He felt his voice tremble. "Can we still be friends? I mean... are you going to keep talking to me after this?"

Concern melted the tiger's smile, and he looked into Calvin's eyes. "Oh Cal, I'd never run off, buddy. I promise! After tonight, I can't imagine us not being friends."

Cal nodded. "It'll be tough, knowing I can never do this with you again, but I can deal with that, I guess. I just really can't lose you as a friend. Not after getting to know you."

Roger held him tightly. "I love you, Cal, and I wanna be just like we were, and now more. I want to hang out more. You're a great guy and I never knew it. I wanna have the chance!"

"You mean it?"

"Yeah! I wanna play video games with you and baseball and watch girls and stuff... well, maybe not watch girls, but you know what I mean."

Cal smiled. "Yeah," he said. "I'm going to miss this, though."

Roger thought for a moment. "Well... we're still here, right? So we haven't really stopped. Not technically."

"R...right."

"I may not be able to do it again, but this is still our first time. It wouldn't count as 'again', if we keep playing now."

Calvin brightened a bit. "You mean it?"

Roger answered his question by kissing him on the mouth.

Following this, there was more swimming in the pool, more kissing and more sex. Calvin for once in his life felt that he wasn't losing something, but gaining. He had gained Roger's friendship, and a promise on it.

Even with Mike, who had been so kind to him, the experience had left him feeling a bit empty afterward, and there had never been the expectation of meeting again. It wasn't Mike's fault, of course, since everyone knew he didn't think that far ahead into things. But it still wasn't giving him what he needed.

Roger, however, actually told him he valued their friendship, and wanted it to grow.

And... who knew where that could lead?