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I looked at my phone for the third time in the last three minutes. The text message from Francis hadn't changed at all.

"Drinks? Rough day here..."

I looked at my computer screen, finishing the evening's report for the next shift. I kept putting off a response. I mean, the last time we had gone drinking, Bruce had come back to my place, and things had happened. It isn't that I didn't want them to.

I finished the report, and sent it out to the next shift officer and took a deep breath, fingering the bridle on my face. I'd needed it more over the last several days since I'd seen Bruce. It put me in a good frame of mind, and reminded me I was strong, and that I could do this.

OK....I can do this....

I typed in my response and waited. I began putting my stuff away thinking about the hours I'd sat on my bed that morning, thinking about what it was I really wanted. I wanted more than just a friend, and more than just someone to help me get off, not that it hadn't been nice.

"Dinner instead?"

It had taken me a while to decide if this was a good alternative.

I heard my phone ding, indicating a new text message. It had only been a minute or so. I held my breath as I read the response.

"Sure, where?"

I smiled to myself. "The Pasture, 8pm." I sent.

**

"Aden??" I called out as I stepped across the threshold to our house. There were some things I needed to talk to my son about.

"Yeah Dad?"

He jogged downstairs. He was starting to take after his maternal grandfather every day. Arabian, athletic, and very intelligent.

"Listen son, I need to talk." I said calmly gesturing to the den. He raised an eyebrow as my equine son walked past and sat down on the sofa.

"Ok...what is it?"

I exhaled as I sat down in my old leather recliner. It was sturdy, and well worn. It was comfortable, and reminded me of my dad. He had owned one a lot like it.

"Listen....I'm.....going out tonight."

He gave me a quizzical look.

"Um...out to dinner."

My son smirked at me. "Oh?"

"Yes. And don't wait up for me. I don't know how late I'll be." I rubbed my hands together, they felt way too hot.

"Oh? Really? And who's the lucky filly?" Aden winked at me slowly.

"Never you mind!" I snapped. I didn't mean to, but I was flustered enough as it is. That startled him.

"Um...Dad, I don't really care, I just was...."

"It's ok, I'm sorry. I'll...well....I don't want to get too ahead of myself. I want to see how it all goes first."

Aden leaned forward and patted me on the shoulder.

"I understand Dad, just...well....good luck ok?"

I leaned forward and gave his shoulders a quick hug, then went to my room to dress.

I picked simple clothes. White dress shirt, black slacks. Nothing fancy, but nothing too casual.

**

The restaurant wasn't too crowded when I walked up. "Pastures" was a Fur herbivore eating establishment. It caters to anyone thought, but primarily the crows was equine, bovine, cervine and the like. I used to go here a lot with Emily. The lights were low, and the walls were adorned with simple pictures of nature of all kinds. Soft music played in the background.

A pretty filly was at the greeters desk. She wore a simple white blouse and black pants.

"Good evening sir! And how many in your party?"

She was very pretty in fact. Her eyes were grey to match her very light grey coat, her white mane flowed down.

I cleared my throat a little. "Um, two, if you please..."

She smiled. "Right this way."

I followed her. Her tail was carefully braided, and it caught my eye as I followed. It swished playfully from one side to the other. I found myself a little transfixed.

"Sir?"

"Hrm?"

I realized she was chuckling at me.

I looked up.

She was blushing a little and was holding a chair out. "I said, your seat sir?"

I shook my head and grew hot from embarrassment. I was hoping she hadn't caught me looking, but I knew she really had. I gave her a weak smile as I sat down.

She gave me a menu. "I'll be back when your other party arrives."

I turned to watch her go. My eyes once again transfixed on her ample rump and gorgeous tail...

What are you doing!? You're here to see Francis!

I glanced at the menu. All the food here looked good. Lots of traditional fur meals, with sizes listed for each species and appetite level. It was a fine balance finding enough to eat in human restaurants. At least most of the fur ones gave you a choice. A house feline fur would eat far less than a full tiger fur, and a bovine could out eat a cervine any day.

"Anything to drink?"

I turned my head. She was back. I finally noticed her name tag on her ample bosom. "Michelle."

"Um, Chardonnay? Is that ok?"

She smiled again.

"Of course, if that's what you want?"

I nodded my head. Over her shoulder I saw Francis enter. He waved gently to me, as he moved his huge bulk through the room. He was in a simple white t-shit, and jeans.

"Hi buddy!" Francis enthused as he neared.

Michelle, the waitress looked at Francis, and gave him a strained smile.

I noticed I could smell him from here. He obviously hadn't showered on the way here, or stopped to get dressed before he left work. All firemen kept some cloths at the station, and I knew he could have used the shower at least.

"Ah....um, you're the other party?" Michelle took Francis in from horn to hoof.

"Yup!"

The bull took the other seat and sat down sighing. "Can I have a beer?"

"Beer?" I asked looking around. It wasn't that "The Pasture" was a high end establishment, but it wasn't a Diner either.

"Yeah, I could use one!" The waitress gave me a strained smile. I just shrugged. "I'll see what I can find" she replied.

"Well, this is different...." Francis whispered as she left. "I've never been here before."

I handed Francis the menu since Michelle had neglected to give one to him after his request for a "normal" drink like beer. I'd already made my decision on an entree anyway. "Yeah, I used to come here a lot with Emily."

Francis kept glancing around. A few of the diners near by were giving him odd looks. Not because he was the most casually dressed, but more likely from the fact that a very musky huge male bull was sitting so close to them.

I shook my head a little bit. Maybe I should have given him a heads up about getting some different clothes than his normal casual stuff. I didn't think I would have had to ask him to shower though.

"So...ah, how have you been?" I asked taking a sip of my water.

"Oh, not bad. Bruce has been hanging out with that John guy again. Says that John is going to join him at State."

"That's nice. I hear Dex is going as well."

He nodded absently finally seeming to settle his eyes on me.

"Yeah, I bet Aden will like that." Francis gave me a wink. I just rolled my eyes.

"I think they would have been happy no matter where they went, but I am glad they're staying close." I replied evenly.

Francis seemed nervous. Or was it me?

Michelle came back with a large beer glass, placing it in front of the bull sitting across from me. "So, can I take your orders?"

I placed my order for a nice large salad with mixed grains and a spicy dressing. Bruce ordered bread and cheese.

"Is that all sir?" Michelle's eyed Bruce again looking dubious.

"Why what's wrong?" Bruce looked back at her. He obviously didn't like having his choice questioned.

"Well, it's just an appetizer sir, wouldn't you rather...."

Francis snorted, the huge ring in his nose steaming up a little. "Then bring me four of them!?" He all but huffed loudly. He stared her in the eye. I could feel myself blush, then grow a little angry.

Easy Luc, not here, not now.

Michelle walked away, her tail whipping angrily about.

"Women...." Bruce began...

I snapped. "What is wrong with you?" I whispered lharshly.

Francis turned to look at me sharply. He looked confused.

"What does that mean?" He asked evenly crossing his arms over his broad chest, his shirt now taught against his shoulders.

"It means, what I said." I stated evenly. I tried to keep my ears from going back in anger, but I couldn't stop them from at least angling back.

"Like I said, what is wrong with you?" I gestured at him. "I ask you to dinner, and you show up, Ok I can understand a t-shirt and jeans, but, did you even shower today?"

He looked at me a little shocked. His mouth worked open a few times....."Well no....but...."

"And you're being rude to the staff!"

Now he looked uncomfortable and a little angry.

"So!? What do you care? It's not like you're trying to impress them or anything!" He huffed, his voice a little loud.

"No, no I'm not. But I was at least expecting you to at least be nice!" I replied. I found my fist had thumped the table a bit.

"What for?" Bruce stood up. He was obviously angry. His chair scrapped across the tile floor, and clattered to the ground. My eyes went wide. Maybe I had been entirely wrong about all of this.

"Well, when you go out to dinner...." I stammered for a second gesturing at my own clothes and appearance. Something clicked inside of Francis. His eyes went wide.

"What like on a Date!?" He stammered. I just stared. I had been totally wrong. This had been stupid. A really dumb idea. To think that Francis would have even thought about me in that way.

"No, but I thought that maybe...." I answered weekly. We had a full audience now. The entire restaurant, and wait staff were staring.

Francis looked incredibly embarrassed. He turned and quickly left. I sat there for a minute just staring at the door to the restaurant. I felt a hand on my shoulder. A wine glass was set down in front of me. I turned to look at the waitress. Michelle gave me a half smile.

"I think this one is on the house...."

I felt the tears begin to flow.

**

I staggered up to the door to the house and pushed it open, hard. Oops. Maybe I should have turned the handle first. I leaned down and stared at the splintered wood of the door frame. It blurred a little in my eye.

"Dad!?" Aden exclaimed looking down at me from the stairs. I swayed a little.

"Uh, yes?" I asked snorting a little. Pushing the remains of the door aside a little. I turned back and tried to close the door, not finding it following my orders. It wouldn't close right now. I kept slamming it back, harder each time.

Suddenly I felt arms pull me back from the door. "Dad...no, leave it, I'll get it."

"Fucking...door...wont shut..." I heard myself mutter. My son started to guide me up the stairs.

"Dad...are you ok?"

I shook my head. "Uh oh....ok means sober. I ain't...."

I almost fell when my hoof failed to rise properly to go up the stairs, but I caught myself against the railing. It groaned under me, the wood taking my weight, but barely. Stupid human house....retrofits don't always mean they're sturdy.

We finally navigated to my bedroom. I sat down on the bed. I ripped the bridle off of my head. I tried to unbutton my shirt, but I couldn't seem to manage....my hands were slapped away.

"Dad. I'll get it...what happened?"

I explained everything.

"And then the sweet little filly, Michelle she had really pretty eyes, gave me a glass of wine, and I cried. And well, she sat with me a bit, and told her how loonely I was, and how Francis was supposed to be a friend, and how I wanted to date him and so she got me more wine, and we talked, and she gave me her number and called a cab...gave me a very nice kiss goodnight with lots of tongue...then..."

I felt my son shake me. I looked up at him. My shirt was off. I felt very sleepy.

Aden's eyes had gone wide. "Francis!? Bruce's dad!? Date!?"

I nodded..."yeah, we've been friends' for a year now...and last weekend..."

I babbled when I was drunk. I didn't realize until I had finished that I had told him the entire story in great detail about the other day with Francis.

Aden just looked at me. He looked angry. Very angry. "It's ok Dad, I love you. You need to sleep, I'll see if we can do something...."

I nodded. The Stallion would. My son would see that he did. I felt safe. I laid down, and closed my eyes. I could still smell him in my nose though....I sighed as I drifted off to sleep.

**