Furville - 3. Struggles and Triumphs

DANIEL THETHAR

 

Daniel’s hand trailed across a row of books. This was his favourite store, and he made sure to visit every week. There was always a new story to find within the shelves; a new world to explore.

His hand tripped across a small black binding, and the dragon paused. He had learned to trust his instincts, and had found many a good book that way. This one felt different somehow.

He removed it, keeping an eye on the two tomes it had been stuck between. There was no title, just a blank black leather cover. The pages seemed worn with age, and Daniel was afraid to open the cover, lest he destroy the book. That was the last thing he wanted to do. He loved the older couple who ran the store, a lioness and a goat. They watched him now, the only regular customer they got these days.

He carefully carried the book to the counter, and cleared his throat.

“Did you find something dearie?” the lioness asked, her voice like warm honey.

“I don’t know…” Daniel admitted. “There’s no title, and no barcode on the back. And it looks fragile.”

The lioness took the book gently from him.

“Hmm… This binding is strong, but the pages do seem as though they’ve seen better days. I don’t recall seeing this anywhere.”

She turned to the goat.

“Albert, do you recognize it?”

“That binding seems like early nineteenth century work. If anything, that’s probably a first edition,” the old goat rumbled.

He handed it back to the dragon.

“It’s not one of ours though. Feel free to take it. A Christmas present from us to you,” he smiled.

“Thank you!” Daniel beamed.

“Would you like a bag for it?”

“No thanks. I want to make sure I get it home in one piece.”

The dragon made his way to the exit.

“Merry Christmas,” he said, hand on the door.

“And to you as well,” the two smiled.

 

Daniel returned to his flat, worn out from a day of exercise. It was his day off at the gym, but he didn’t like to miss a day of working out. The trip to the bookstore had been a little extra, but as he studied the black book again, he thought the trip had been worth it.

It sat on his table now, as he moved around the kitchen making dinner. One poached egg with tomato and bacon later, and he was seated with the book in hand.

He hesitated, a strange feeling coming over him. Whatever was in these pages, he felt like it could change his life forever. But he had no idea how or why.

“It’s just a book…” he murmured.

Just a book, sitting innocently on his table.

Daniel reached out, and slowly opened the cover. It creaked quietly, threatening to break apart, but he was gentle, and it held.

On the first page, he was surprised to see a neat cursive handwriting in bold ink. There was a date, and an entry below it.

“It’s a journal. From 1914.”

The date was plain to see, and he could easily read the writing, even over 100 years later…

 

1914, 1 January

The dawn of a new year, and perhaps a new start. I have returned to the land of my birth, to wander through the country for a time. Perhaps I will settle here, and make a new home, away from my memories. It wouldn’t be the first time I have had to flee my past.

For now, I will remain in my former home, deep within old Prussia. There is a village nearby, where I can meet others should I choose to. Nineteen years is a long time, yet I fear it will be longer still before I can forgive myself.

But I must leave for there is much to do before winter is through. I am grateful for my time in the west,. Rough though it was, it has taught me how to survive. I just need to keep putting one foot in front of the other, and I will make it through this.

 

The entry ended abruptly, not even halfway down the page. It seemed a waste of paper to Daniel, but he figured the writer was wasteful. It was strange though. The writing showed a steady, careful hand, not one used to spending without thought.

Daniel carefully turned the page, revealing another entry. This one was dated a little later, close to the end of the month, and Daniel wondered what had happened. New Year’s resolution gone awry? Did 1914 even have New Year’s resolutions?

Regardless, he decided to read one more entry before turning in for the night.

 

19 January

A blizzard came last night. I am locked inside the house for now. It is a good thing I returned from the village yesterday afternoon. I have been chopping wood in preparation for this as well. I am as stocked up as any dragon could be. I can last for a month in here, longer if I boil snow for water. The only issue I see for now is the chamberpot, and for that I have gramyre.

There is still much to do inside the house. I have a gramophone for music, as well as her violin. I’m making progress with it, though I still have trouble playing. I study my grimoire daily, learning new healing spells. All too little, too late. But I will be prepared should there ever be a next time. Then I also have my chores around the house, and my mother’s library to sort through. Should I remain for a long time, I will have to upgrade it.

But that is all for the day. I don’t expect much writing to be done. There won’t be anything of note for some time.

 

Again the words cut off suddenly, as though their master was afraid of farewells.

A dragon scared. The idea seemed humorous for some reason. It happened. Daniel himself was scared of being on the open water. So why did it seem so funny? And who was this dragon, so hurt by life? Musician and mage, and former love of someone’s life. Slowly the enigma would unravel, and Daniel would learn who this dragon was.

With that thought, Daniel recovered his bookmark, and slid the journal closed around it, saving the words for another day.

 

He woke early the next morning, the journal on his mind. His dreams had been plagued by a mysterious dragon. More magic, a gramyre that drew others to him.

Sighing, Daniel swung his feet over the side of his bed, and stretched his wings. For once, he had no desire to exercise. He just wanted to curl up in a chair and continue reading. But he hadn’t gotten his shape by taking breaks.

Throwing on a pair of sweats and a sweatshirt, the dragon headed for the door of his flat, grabbing his phone as he went. His feet crunched in newly fallen snow as he emerged from the building, and a gust of wind sent a shiver through his body.

Shaking it off, the dragon tucked in his wings, and took off, jogging north. He had done this run hundreds of times before, and the course was ingrained in his mind. Music played from his phone, the latest popular song from the radio. It was loud enough to be heard, but not so loud as to be annoying.

As he ran, he thought through a couple spells. Every dragon family carried a grimoire with them, and his was no exception, though it was relatively new, with only two generations of spells before his own. He was expected to change that, a task he took to with not a little trepidation.

Around kilometre two, his mind turned from a warming spell to the journal. It nagged at him constantly, and he was started to regret ever picking it up.

But he had started something and he could not just let it go unfinished. Kilometre three came and went as he turned back to home. There was no work to be done today, save for work around the flat.

As he returned home, Daniel made a beeline for the journal, promising himself he’d stop at one more entry.

 

29 January

I created a way out today. There is now an eight foot long tunnel of snow in front of my door. I couldn’t handle remaining inside any longer. A dragon’s got to fly.

It was my first flight in what they’re calling Germany. And it was cold, but it satisfied me. I will live another week. While I was out, I took the opportunity to chop some more wood. Magic can only do so much after all.

I have heard rumors stirring of unrest to the south. It’s no big news really. The Balkans have always been rowdy. Nonetheless, I will head to Hamburg tomorrow, and make sure my papers are in order. If there’s any trouble involving the country’s allies, I don’t want to be too suspicious.

 

A foreigner then. But still no name, and with no name, no story outside of what was within the pages of the diary.

It didn’t concern Daniel too much. He still wasn’t sure what he should do with the book. The owner was long gone. The best he could hope for was to find the surviving family, but would they even care?

He wanted to read on, to see if the next entry might give any inkling of a name, but he had told himself only a single entry.

Muttering under his breath about self imposed limits, Daniel stood up and tracked down his grimoire from where it lay in his bedroom. He spent an hour casting simple spells, building his ability and training his mind.

With his practice over, he went online to check on his American friend.

‘What’s new with you today?’

It took a few minutes, but Ryan eventually replied, ‘The same old shit. Jake’s being Jake and Kel’s being Kel.’

‘Eh, maybe you can’t teach old dogs new tricks.’

Daniel chuckled as he wrote, knowing it would probably go over Ryan’s head.

‘I guess not. I tried, and I’ll keep trying until it gets through his head.’

Daniel checked the time, sighing when he realized it was almost noon.

‘Gtg. The gym is calling my name.’

‘I thought you didn’t work today?’

‘I don’t, but it’s leg day for me, so I have to go in anyways. Later.’

‘Later dude.’

Daniel closed his computer, and laced up his trainers once more. The gym was only a ten minute run, but on leg days, he had a hard time getting home, so he took his car today. An hour of working out, and then he’d be back to the journal…

 

Ninety minutes and three hot compresses around the leg later, and Daniel had his hands on the journal once more. A plate of sugar cookies sat in front of him, a holiday treat. He munched on one as he opened the journal to his bookmark.

 

3 February

It is done at last. I am now listed in the annals of German citizens as David Enterai. Now I have the two day walk back home. I could fly, but not until i leave Hamburg, and the city is a big place.

It has been an experience coming into the city. There are these loud monstrosities moving around that they call ‘cars’. I remember hearing something about them, but to see one in person was quite the shock. Scared a few of the horses too. I haven’t been around this many people in a while either. I realize that I have really secluded myself in the past nineteen years.

I did manage to get the violin to a luthier for some tuning. The fox told me it would take a day to get it sorted out. I suppose I can find an inn, though I don’t have much money on me at the moment. I’ll pick up the instrument in the morning, and if it has been damaged in any way, may the heavens help that fox.

 

Enterai. David Enterai. He had a name now. It was a start.

Daniel grabbed his phone, and started typing. He wasn’t quite sure what he was looking for. A family? A death certificate?

“Wait… He’s alive?!”

Daniel stared at his phone, where a picture of a blue dragon stood with a tiger leaning against him. The facebook page listed a town in America, but didn’t give an actual address.

Daniel looked back at the journal.

“Shite, I’ve been reading this bloke’s memories…”

 

A week passed before he touched the book again. It felt weird, reading the thoughts of someone who was still living. He wanted to return the journal, but how could he? The dragon was across the pond, and Daniel was not planning on visiting America any time soon.

He continued his daily routines, working at the gym, and practicing his spells, but the journal continued to nag at him.

Daniel returned home from work after the New Year, and found the book laying open suspiciously.

“Fuck, I guess more wouldn’t hurt. I mean, he’s going to know I read it if he gets it back anyway.”

The dragon hated magic sometimes. Especially fatal magic. He would not be able to rest until he got the journal to this dragon. Maybe. It was still unclear exactly what he needed to do with it, but for now, he continued to read.

 

23 February

I bought a gun today. One of those Gewehrs they sell here. Upon inspection, I found it perfect for a marksman. Those bottles will never bother anyone again.

I don’t really need the weapon, but I feel like it helps me fit in. I figured, if Zenoan was still looking for me, he’d find me through the census. If he does show up, I’m ready for him, but I hope he’ll bury the hatchet and we can go our separate ways in peace. Father willed me the sword, it is mine by right.

I don’t want to get into all that again though. It’s been thirty years since I’ve seen family. I have to assume they’re going to leave me alone now.

 

Again it cut off. There was another name. Maybe he’d have an address?

Ryan looked up Zenoan Enterai, but was unable to find anything. It was just a name, nothing more than that.

Then he realized Ryan lived in the same town. He would know where David lived if no one else did.

It took only a moment to send the text. While he waited, Ryan continued to read.

 

2 March

Truly I live in an age of wonders. Yesterday a newspaper reported the successful flight of a balloon for over 3,000 kilometres. I don’t doubt that some day I will have competition over the sky. It used to be my place to think, my place of peace. Now the world has taken even the sky from me.

I will watch this ballooner with interest. Maybe I am wrong and this dream of flight will die as it begins.

 

Daniel’s phone buzzed, startling him from his reading.

‘There is a David Enterai here, but I don’t know where he live exactly.’

It had been a long shot, but Daniel still sighed with disappointment.

‘Thanks anyway,’ he replied, turning back to the book.

 

4 March

The snow has finally started to melt. Perhaps spring has finally arrived. It’s still cold, but at least now I can stand to chop firewood. Two axes can cut a lot of logs at once. I should have enough firewood to last until summer soon.

Tomorrow I’ll have to head back to the village. I’m out of fresh meat.

 

Nothing. There was nothing there. Daniel growled in frustration. What was his magic trying to tell him?

He skipped a couple pages, and found an entry from May.

 

5 May

I met a young wolf today in the village. Wilhelm Galathar. He has done things to me that I have not felt since I met John in the Nebraska territory all those years ago. Claire, I hope you can forgive me for my dalliance, wherever you are. I have to believe that you would not want me to be celibate, for it is too late now. He has undone me.

 

Strange. Claire was his great grandmother’s name. It wasn’t uncommon by any means, but Daniel still found it funny.

Also, David had apparently still been alive when Nebraska, wherever that was, had still been an American territory. Daniel grabbed his phone again and searched.

1867. The year Nebraska became a state. He was probably older than that.

Daniel took a deep breath. It was unnerving. Did all dragons share that lifespan? And he had lost what seemed to be his his wife. From what? Old age?

Daniel inhaled once more, shakily. He felt for the man. That would be a hell in and of itself.

And then there was that name. Claire. Maybe it was time to call his mum and get some questions answered…

 

“Aye, her name was Claire. She was married to a dragon, if I remember Mother correctly. Gave up the baby. I think it was an age thing. The husband was older than her, and she thought the child might be taken away because of the differnce. We never heard anything from his family. I don’t think he had any.”

“Thanks Mum. I want to do a little more digging, but this helps a lot,” Daniel said.

“What’s with all the questions?”

“Eh, nothing. Just a little personal project. I thought I might start a genealogy in my grimoire.”

“That sounds brilliant. If you have any more questions, let me know.”

“Thanks Mum. I will.”

Daniel hung up, and put his head on the table. This was his great grandfather’s journal…

He could still be wrong about it, but it was unlikely. Things were adding up too neatly…

 

He spent a month thinking, worrying, and planning. Finally, he called Ryan.

“Hey dude, what’s up?” the fox asked on the other end of the computer.

“I need to talk with David.”

“Um… sure, but I don’t know where to find hm right now.”

“I mean in person. I’m coming to America.”

“Oh. If you can wait a few months, you can stay at my place. It will save some money.”

“I can wait,” Daniel agreed. “How long is a few months?”

“Probably the end of the year. I’m thinking about moving out, and I should have my own place by then.”

“Jake’s not playing nice?”

“No,” Ryan sighed. “I need to go; he’s complaining about Tristan. Again.”

“Okay. We can plan the details later then.”

Ryan hung up,and Daniel glosed his computer. He was going to get his answers soon.

 

FAELAN EUNUCH

 

Faelan lay against Pip, reading a book Abbie had loaned her. Outside, rain pattered gently on the windows, a early summer storm. She loved listening to the sound, though she was missing the crackling of a fire that accompanied the rain in the winter.

A peal of thunder struck in the distance, and she set the book aside. Standing, she turned to Pip.

“Come on. You were going to teach me how to cook that soup, right?”

Pip chuckled.

“Faelan, it’s just onion soup,” he said.

“So? I don’t know how to make it and I want to learn. What better time than the present?”

The rabbit stood up, and followed the fox to the kitchen, nimbly ducking under the entrance to the room.

“Okay, let’s get started,” he said, pulling a large pot out of a cabinet.

Faelan saw a flash of lightning outside the kitchen window and counted until the thunder sounded. The storm was drawing closer.

“Here, slice these for me,” Pip said, drawing the fox’s attention to a couple large onions. “You should wear those so you don’t hurt your eyes.”

The rabbit pointed to a pair of goggles hanging on a hook.

“Thanks.”

Faelan pulled the goggles over her eyes, and began slicing the onions.

“A little thinner than that,” Pip said a moment later, cutting another onion.

A flash of lightning lit up the room, and the thunder boomed almost instantaneously after. A loud clatter followed as Pip dropped his knife.

Faelan put her paw on Pip’s arm, looking into the rabbit’s eyes.

“Hey, you okay? We’re at home, making the soup,” she said quietly.

The rabbit blinked, staring at her.

“Sorry,” he murmured, stooping to pick the knife up.

“Don’t worry about it,” Faelan smiled, standing on the tips of her feet so she could kiss Pip’s chin.

She returned to the onions.

“Are these thin enough?”

“Those are perfect,” Pip said, pulling a loaf of bread out of the fridge.

He sliced the bread quickly, setting the pieces aside for later.

“Get me some flour and a stick of butter please,” the rabbit requested, turning on the stove.

Faelan passed him the items, standing next to him as the rabbit stirred the onions into the melting butter.

The thunder pealed yet again and Pip flinched, but continued stirring.

“You know, Cog and Boom are always setting up little parties in the park. I think we should host our own party for them right here,” he said.

“That’s a great idea!” Faelan exclaimed.

Pip began sprinkling flour into the pot, as Faelan stirred.

“The storm’s moving away,” she said, listening to another, quieter, crack of thunder.

Pip relaxed visibly, tension draining from his shoulders.

“Can you put the bread into the toaster for me? Golden brown.”

Faelan did as the chef told her, setting the toaster oven to brown the bread. Pip added broth to the onion mix, and stirred until the mixture boiled, throwing in a pinch of salt and a pinch of pepper.

“Almost done,” he said a few minutes later, as Faelan removed the toast.

She set the toast two slices to a bowl, as instructed, and Pip sprinkled thickly grated cheese into the bowels, before ladling the soup in on top.

“Perfect,” he smiled. “Let’s eat.”

The two carried their bowls to the living room table, Faelan once again enjoying the sounds of rain against the windows. The worst of the storm was over.

 

ABIGAIL ANNIS

“Themis, what are we doing here?” Abbie demanded.

“Shh. Just come on,” the fiery fox said, dragging Abbie into an old brick building.

“I swear, if you dragged me away from my book for another rave…”

The two entered a dark room, the echoes of their footsteps suggesting that the room was large. Themis released Abbie’s paw, and crossed the room, flipping a light switch.

The two were standing in a ballroom, with a covered piano in the corner of the room. A chandelier hung from the ceiling, granting light to the entire room.

“Remember when you asked me where I go occasionally? Here it is,” Themis gestured.

“This place is awesome!” Abbie said, looking around in wonder.

Themis set her phone on the piano, music playing.

“May I have this dance?” she asked.

“But I don’t know how to dance…”

“Neither do I. Come on,” Themis urged.

Abbie hesitantly held out her paw and was swept away, Themis leading her swirling around the room. The two spun around and around, Abbie losing herself in the music. It was almost as good as reading.

Themis tripped over her foot, and fell, dragging Abbie down after her.

“Ow,” she laughed,

Abbie giggled, standing back up.

“You okay?” she asked, helping Themis back to her feet.

“Yeah. Let’s do that again,” Themis grinned.

The two heard footsteps outside the room.

“Later though,” Themis said, grabbing her phone and shutting the music off. “Run.”

She led Abbie back out the building, and the two ran toward Themis’ car.

 

DAVID ENTERAI

“Enrehun du mei heyno,” David smiled. “Welcome to my home.”

Max looked around the entrance hall, his eyes wide as saucers.

“This place is huge!” the tiger gaped.

“It should be. I’ve been adding onto it for the past hundred years.”

Max was silent, trying not to think of David’s age.

“Sorry,” the dragon apologised, seeing he had hit a nerve.

Max noticed a young doe sitting beside David in a sepia tinted photograph on the far wall of the room.

“Who’s that?” he asked, approaching the picture.

“That was my wife,” David said quietly, a note of sorrow in his voice.

“You were married?”

David nodded, looking at the photograph. He remembered that day well…

 

“Quit fidgeting,” Claire said sharply.

“This suit itches. You know I don’t like wearing it,” David argued. “Besides, there’s no space for my wings.”

“Just sit and it will be over in a minute,” the deer urged.

David grumbled, focusing on the large camera facing the two. This whole photograph thing had sounded fun. He hadn’t realized he would have to sit for so long.

 

“She looks young,” Max said.

“She was twenty when that picture was taken. It was the only time we sat for a photograph. I wish there had been more,” David sighed.

“There’s a pair of rings under it. Are those…?”

“Our wedding rings,” David nodded, looking at the bands as another memory came through his mind.

 

A band of gold glinted in the midday sun as Claire’s fingers glided across the strings of her violin.

As good as she was, her instrument still screeched at times, and the noise made David grit his teeth.

“Can’t you play that thing somewhere else?” he pled, looking up from his newspaper.

“Can’t you read somewhere else?” Claire returned, a slight smile on her face.

Muttering about devil deer, David folded his paper and stood up, walking to his office.

A minute later, he heard the footsteps of his wife following him.

The doe gently turned the dragon’s head and kissed him.

“I love you,” she said.

“I love you too, mei areula,” David replied quietly.

 

“What happened to her?” Max asked, pulling David out of his memories.

The dragon continued staring at the picture.

“When I was younger, I never thought about my heritage. I am the son of a dragon and an elf. I am practically immortal. I didn’t stop to think that I would be forced to watch the woman I loved waste away before my very eyes. There is no way to stop a natural death, despite all the magic within me.”

A final memory came to the dragon…

 

He stood beside her, as she lay in their bed. Her fur was sprinkled with white, her eyes clouded with cataracts.

“I am sorry mei areula. I couldn’t save you,” he whispered.

“Don’t be sorry. You gave me the best years of my life.”

Tears ran from his eyes.

“I’m going to miss you.”

“Someday you’ll see me again,” she promised. “But not for a while.”

The deer began singing a song, one she had played so often on her violin. The words were strained, but they were unmistakable. David joined in, their voices intertwining, until it became a solo, then ended.

 

TRISTAN THARN

Water washed over Tristan as he sat in the tub. Steam filled the room, swirling serenely in the air. Its calming pattern had no effect on the dog.

Music played quietly from Tristan’s phone beside the sink. Normally it would relax him, but not today.

Tristan closed his eyes, breathing deeply. Kel. Kel was his only hope now. If the wolf didn’t come, he was finished.

Almost as if on cue, Kel opened the door.

“Hey,” he said, entering the room.

“Hey,” Tristan replied listlessly.

Closing the door behind him, Kel sat next to the tub.

“It’s bad again.” he stated.

Tristan nodded, taking the wolf’s hand.

“I’m sorry to drag you out here.”

“Don’t be. I wasn’t doing anything important.”

Tristan sat forward, turning up the temperature of the water. Kel could feel the heat washing off him, almost stifling.

“Can I help at all?” he asked.

Tristan shrugged.

The two sat in silence for a few minutes.

“Is there anything in particular on your mind?” Kel questioned.

“Not really.”

“Okay. You can talk to me about anything.”

“I know.”

Tristan sighed.

“There’s a bottle in the cabinet over there,” he motioned with his head.

Releasing the dog’s hand, Kel stood up and opened the cabinet. He found the bottle easily. Inside was a single pill.

“Tristan, what is this?”

“I don’t want to fail again…”

Tristan pulled back the fur on his neck, revealing a long, thin scar.

Kel sat down.

“That’s why you were wearing that scarf… Tristan, there’s no reason for you to kill yourself.”

“I’m not doing anything with my life. I just go through my day numb, aside from the time I spend with you.”

Kel set the bottle aside, and leaned over, shutting off the water. Helping Tristan out of the tub, he towelled the dog off.

“It sounds like you’ve already decided,” the wolf said quietly.

Tristan shook his head.

“I didn’t decide anything.”

Picking up the bottle, the dog set it back in the cabinet. He led Kel out to the bedroom, where they sat on his bed.

“If you do take that pill, tell me before you do. I will be here for you.

Kel placed his arms around Tristan, holding him tight.

“You’re not going to stop me?”

“It’s not my place to stop you Tristan. That decision is yours alone. All I can do is hope my presence will keep you from making a rash decision.”

The two lay beside each other. Kel wrapped his leg over Tristan’s, knowing the pressure would soothe him.

“I love you Tristan,” he whispered, running his fingers through Tristan’s hair.

 

Tristan stood in front of the cabinet, holding the bottle. He could hear Kel snoring in the bedroom.

Images flashed through his mind; his guitar, Cog’s parties, Kel in a tuxedo on their first date. His thumb brushed over the semicolon tattoo on his inner left wrist, bought after Cog’s Christmas party.

Dumping the pill in his hand, Tristan stared at it.

“Not today,” he whispered, letting it fall back into the bottle.

Replacing the lid, he set the bottle back into the cabinet, and went back to lay beside Kel.

 

ABIGAIL ANNIS

Abbie stood in front of Themis, hand tucked behind her back.

“Guess,” she insisted.

“Hmm… A wasp nest?”

“What? No!” Abbie laughed.

“Well, it couldn’t be a book. You’d keep that one for yourself. A new scarf?”

“Nope!”

Abbie grinned, enjoying teasing Themis. It was rare that she got a chance like this, and she was going to make full use of it.

“A sloppy kiss given with love.”

“You can get that any time you want.”

“How about right now?” Themis smiled innocently.

Abbie giggled, and leaned in to kiss Themis. The other fox darted around her and grabbed the mystery item.

“Kingmaker? I’ve been wanting this forever!’ she explained, looking at the computer game.

“Happy birthday Themis,” Abbie said, kissing the fox.

“Thank you so much!”

Themis hurried to her computer, and shoved the disc in it. Within minutes, she and Abbie were sitting side by side, enjoying the game together.

 

BOOM THERABBIT

Boom sat in a chair, twisting a ring around on his finger. Butterflies filled his stomach, flittering around inside the dog.

The day was here. He was getting married. Here he sat, in the house of his beloved, waiting on Jake to give him the count. And he was terrified. And it was exhilarating. Nerves battled with emotions battled with his stomach full of butterflies.

Keeping to the superstition of seeing the partner before the wedding, he had not seen Cog all day. The rabbit was everywhere in his mind though.

Someone knocked on the door to the room, and opened it. Jake sidled in a moment later.

“It’s almost time. How’re you doing?” he asked.

“I’m okay,” Boom shrugged.

Jake reached forward and fixed Boom’s tie.

“Just remember to breathe. You’ll be fine,” he said.

Pulling out his phone, he checked the time.

“You have two minutes until you go.”

Jake slipped back out of the room, closing the door behind him as Boom focused on his breathing.

Two minutes. Time stretched before him; an eternity of anxiety and nerves. But he counted.

One minute and thirty seconds. David and Jake had just began walking, making their way to the gazebo that had been set up in Cog’s backyard.

One minute, twenty five seconds. A door slammed in the house, startling Boom. He hoped Faelan hadn’t lost the collars.

One minute. Zuko was walking down the aisle, ready to officiate. They had been lucky to find him. He was rough around the edges, but so were many of their friends. And somehow they all got along.

Fifty five.

Fifty four.

Fifty three.

Cog was the social one. He had brought the group together and they held together through the rabbit. Boom didn’t know how, but he was grateful that he didn’t have to be the life of the party.

Forty eight.

Forty seven…

This was insane. Two whole minutes of waiting all by himself. His tail thumped against the chair nervously, and he yawned.

Forty seconds.

Faelan was about to go, a basket of flowers in her hands, and the collars tucked somewhere on her person.

“Calm down Boom. Everything will be okay,” the dog whispered to himself.

Thirty seconds. Faelan just went.

Boom began whispering the seconds as they passed, whimpering as they seemed to go slower and slower the closer he got.

“Ten. Nine. Eight. Seven.”

Opening the door, he hurried to the back door, ten feet away.

“Five… four… three… two… one…”

Opening the second door, he stepped outside,

His ears picked up the beginning bars of Pachelbel's Canon, strummed on the black guitar Tristan had received for Yule. Slowly walking forward, he was nearly blinded by the setting sun on the other side of the gazebo.

“Shit…” he muttered to himself.

The venue, chosen for the setting sun, wouldn’t be much use if no one could see the ceremony. It was too late to turn back now.

Continuing down the white aisle strewn with red rose petals, he shivered slightly. Everyone’s eyes were on him. Kel, sitting near Tristan, bore a smug look, as usual. Pip stood in the back, taking a video. Themis was busy taking pictures, while to her right, Abbie had actually set her book aside for once. Their new friends, Clarisse and Max, sat somberly, observing. Even Zenoan, David’s brother, had made an appearance.

He was halfway down the aisle now. Zuko stood under the gazebo, waiting, with David and Jake standing on opposite sides of him. Faelan stood off to the side, her basket set beside her feet. She gave Boom a small smile, and Boom soldiered on.

He reached the gazebo, standing before a shallow drop in the land. Breathing a sigh of relief, he turned to face the house, as Jake gave him a thumbs up. The hard part was over.

Tristan continued the song as Cog stepped through the door.

The rabbit looked like he had just stepped out of a Victorian era novel. He wore a dark tuxedo, with a cravat peeking out from his neckline. A top hat completed the look. He looked… dapper. And sexy as hell.

Tristan brought the music to a close as Cog stepped under the gazebo.

“You look amazing,” Boom smiled at Cog.

“Thanks. You do too.”

Zuko stepped forward, a small book open in his hands.

“We have gathered today in friendship to celebrate the blending together of two lives. As Boom and Cog come before you here today as two, they will leave this place as one, united in marriage. As family and friends, each of you has played some part, small or large, in bringing them to this moment and in various ways will continue to support and contribute to their relationship. We solemnize this unique time in their lives and make it meaningful by entering into it in an attitude of respect for their deep commitment to each other,” he read.

This is it. I’m getting married.

“Cog, Boom,” Zuko looked at each of them in turn. “Today you commit yourselves to honoring and protecting one another above your separate selves, and to valuing your union above your own interests. In so doing, you will find a wealth of love and peace not otherwise attainable. But with this joy comes a profound responsibility to protect the bond you share. For it is only with continual care that your love is truly secure in the face of life's inevitable tests.”

He paused momentarily, taking a breath before continuing.

“You must regard each other with the deepest respect. You must appreciate each other's talents, foster each other's dreams, and be ever mindful of the many gifts that the other offers you. You must inspire and encourage one another. For by strengthening your spouse, you strengthen your marriage. Bring out the very best in each other. Be sparing in criticism and generous in praise for things well done. In communication, be honest and open. For the heart that communicates truth without hesitation earns trust and builds a secure home. With truth comes respect, and with respect, love grows. So accept your marriage as a work-in-progress that will hereafter consume your attention, and yet never be completed. Because a lifelong love requires a lifetime of hard work. But it is a joyous labor, whose fruits are the very richest.

“A future together stands before you, vast and unknown. That future, with its hopes and disappointments, its joys and its sorrows, is hidden from your eyes. But it is a great tribute to your belief in each other that you are willing to face those uncertainties together. May the pure, simple love with which you join your hearts and hands today never fail, but grow only deeper and more certain with every year you spend together.

“You have written your own vows to each other. You may share them now.”

Boom pulled out a notecard, clearing his throat.

“Cog, I love you unconditionally. I vow to love you, encourage you, trust you, and respect you. Together we will create a home filled with learning, laughter, and compassion. I promise to work with you to foster and cherish a relationship of equality, knowing that we have each other’s back. I accept you as who you are and offer myself in return. I will care for you and stand beside you through all life’s adversities and all life’s joys, from this day forward, and all the days of my life.”

Cog pulled a similar card from his breast pocket.

“Boom, with you by my side, I feel that I can conquer the world. We are two halves of a single whole, and my love for you knows no bounds. I accept you for yourself, for there is no one in this world I want more than you, as you are. I will spend the rest of my life with you, through the good times, and the bad. I love you, and will love you, always and forever.”

Boom smiled as Cog was bathed in the light from the setting sun. He loved this rabbit so much.

Faelan stepped forward, holding a wooden box, in which sat two leather collars.

Zuko continued, “The two of you have chosen to exchange collars in lieu of the more traditional rings. These items have little value in and of themselves. It is through what they symbolize that their true value is shown. Let these collars be a sign that love has a past, a present, and a future, and that, despite its occasional sorrows, love is a circle of joyous wonder and delight. Boom, take Cog’s collar, place it around his neck, and repeat after me.”

Boom picked up the collar on the right, and set it around Cog’s neck, repeating the words Zuko spoke.

“Just as this band is strong, so too shall my love for you endure. With this collar, I take you as my partner for life.”

At Zuko’s bidding, Cog picked up the remaining collar, fastening it around Boom’s neck.

“Just as this band is strong, so too shall my love for you endure. With this collar, I take you as my partner for life.”

“Inasmuch as you have sealed your vows in the presence of those gathered here by the giving of these collars and have consented together to live in marriage, it gives me much pleasure to pronounce that you are now husband and husband. You may kiss your groom.”

Cog and Boom leaned forward, and their lips met, as the onlookers applauded. Boom heard the click of a camera, and smiled as he and Cog pulled away.

Tristan began playing The Book of Love on his guitar, as Cog motioned down the aisle. The two newlyweds walked back down the aisle, holding hands the entire way.

They made their way back into the house, Cog scooping Boom into his arms before walking through the door, much to the amusement of the group.

“Hey!” Boom exclaimed, as the door closed behind them.

Cog set him back onto his feet, and kissed him.

“I wanted to do it right,” he laughed.

Boom kissed him again.

“I know I just made it clear how much I love you, but I want to say it again. I love you Cog.”

“I love you too Boom,” Cog smiled.

Faelan walked through the door.

“Okay lovebirds, I’m taking over now. You two have ten minutes and then we’re on our way to the park for pictures and the reception. Themis says pictures have to be done by six thirty, or the ambient lighting won’t be enough,” she said.

“Did Pip teach you to be a drill sergeant?” Cog chuckled.

“Watch it mister.”

Faelan scowled at the two.

“You need to step up your act. You’re married, congratulations. Tonight is about you, and I’ll be damned if I let bad timing screw everything up. Oh, and good job with the sunset. That was amazing.”

“Thanks,” Boom smiled, feeling bubbly.

“Okay, I’m going to leave you guys now. Don’t do anything stupid, don’t mess up your tuxes. I will be back in… seven minutes.”

The fox hurried out of the room, and Boom embraced his husband, just holding the rabbit close.

“Do you think she’d get mad if I had a snack?” he asked.

“Not if she didn’t know,” Cog chuckled, as the two walked into the kitchen.

He pulled out a pepperoni stick, and cut off a couple chunks, handing one to Boom.

“Mmm, lunch,” Boom grinned, before biting into the meat.

“Pip said he was taking care of dinner. But he was at the ceremony,” Cog said.

“That rabbit is very resourceful,” Boom shrugged. “I wouldn’t be surprised if he pulled a full buffet out from behind his ears.”

“He did the coffee bar too, huh?”

“That’s what he said.”

“Pip’s fine. He and his friends did a great job setting everything up. Max helped with the food, too,” Faelan said, walking into the kitchen.

“I thought you said seven minutes,” Cog started.

“It’s been six and a half bunny boy,” Faelan replied. “Let’s go.”

She ushered the two out the front door, and into a waiting car. Jumping into the driver’s seat, she was off like a rocket.

Ten minutes of muttered swearing at red lights later, they reached the park where Cog and Boom had first met. It looked different in the growing dusk, lit with lanterns and torches. The pavilion they always used for barbecues and parties was covered in mosquito netting to keep the bugs out of the food that was sitting on folding tables underneath.

Faelan led them to a copse of trees, where Themis was waiting with a camera on a tripod.

“You three have fun,” she said, looking back at the pavilion. “I need to make sure David and Tristan have everything ready.”

She hurried off as Themis fiddled with her camera.

“Okay, we have ten minutes before we run out of light,” Themis said. “Let’s get you in front of that oak.”

The two stepped in front of the camera, and Themis took several pictures, directing the two into various poses. A few minutes later, Faelan was back.

“Before you two go, I want to show you something,” Themis said before Faelan could drag them off again.

She held out her camera, showing the picture of Cog and Boom kissing under the gazebo. Just above their heads was a green flash from the setting sun.

“Oh my gosh, this is amazing!” Boom exclaimed.

“Yeah, this is a great shot Themis!”

“Come on you two. Everyone’s waiting,” Faelan pressed.

“Hey, calm down Faelan. The time sensitive stuff is done. Let’s just all have fun,” Themis said.

“The rest is up to David anyways,” Cog added. “Why don’t you and Themis go find your seats? Boom and I will be there in a minute.”

Faelan huffed, and walked away.

“Congratulations you two. A green flash at your wedding is an auspicious sign. See you in a couple,” Themis smiled, taking her camera and tripod.

Boom breathed a sigh of relief.

“Thanks. I didn’t know how to get rid of her.”

“We are going to hear all about that later,” Cog said.

He held out a paw.

“Shall we?”

Boom smiled, taking the paw. The two left the trees, and walked to where everyone sat at tables for two, plates set out, and champagne glasses filled with grape juice beside them.

David saw them coming, and spoke into a microphone.

“Ladies and gentlemen, it is my honor to introduce to you the Misters Cog and Boom.”

As the two stepped forward, Boom reached over and swept Cog off his feet. The dog sauntered to their table, carrying the rabbit in his arms, as everyone laughed.

“You ass,” Cog chuckled.

“Turnabout’s fair play,” Boom whispered back, kissing the rabbit before setting him back on his feet.

Cog cleared his throat.

“My husband and I would like to welcome all of you to our wedding celebration, and thank you all for coming. They say time flies when you’re having fun. I have never found that statement more true than when I am spending time with Boom. His smile, his very presence, is enough to make any bunny giddy. And I am lucky that he chose me out of all the others in the world.”

“What my husband failed to mention,” Boom said, with a smile at Cog, “is all the times he has been the source of my smiles, and of my laughter. No one gets me more than Cog, and I am honored to call him mine.”

The two kissed, and Cog turned back to their waiting friends.

“Now that we have bored you sufficiently, let’s break bread and make merry together.”

Cog led the way to the tables of food, where they found sushi, rice, chicken, pasta, and other foods the two enjoyed. A two tiered white cake stood to the side, topped by miniatures of a dog and a rabbit.

Filling their plates with a bit of everything, Boom and Cog returned to their table.

“I can’t believe Themis caught a green flash,” Cog said, swallowing a rice ball.

“That was some amazing luck,” Boom agreed.

He found Cog’s leg under the table, and wrapped his own around it. Smiling, Cog speared a piece of chicken on his fork, holding it out for Boom, who accepted the offering.

“You are one hot dog,” the rabbit said.

Boom laughed, as Jake stood up.

“Can I get everyone’s attention please?” the other dog called.

Gradually the conversations in the vicinity died out.

“I would like to make a toast to the happy couple. It is always a pleasure to spend time with these two, and to be allowed the honor of being Boom’s best man is a privilege I will never forget. Cog, take good care of this dog, and he will do the same for you.”

Jake raised his glass of juice.

“To Cog and Boom. May they find eternal happiness together.”

As Jake took his seat, David stood up.

“I first met Boom six months ago, a young dog with passion in his heart, tempered with the wisdom of experience. I never thought Cog would find someone like Boom. They seemed so different at the start.

“But over the past months, they have shown me looks can be deceiving. These two find their support in that difference, playing off each other’s strengths in ways that I find amazing. And it makes me so happy to know that both are in good hands. To the newlyweds. May they always find strength together.”

The dragon remained standing as everyone drank.

“Before we get to the dancing, I would like to turn your attention to this cake, lovingly made by Pip and his French pals. And now we are going to cut it into pieces. Boom, Cog, if you’d come here please.”

Standing up, Cog followed Boom to where Pip stood with a knife and a rope.

“Cog, please place your right wrist over Boom’s left.” Pip requested.

Cog did as he was bid, and the taller rabbit bound their wrists together before carefully handing them the knife.

The two stepped up to the cake, as Pip said, “As you are bound now, so too shall you be bound together against all of life’s trials.”

As they clasped the knife together, Boom felt Cog’s nails against his hand.

“Are you ready?” he whispered.

The rabbit nodded, and together, they lowered the knife, making the first cut into the cake.

“Now left.”

“Three inches,” Boom finished, as their hands moved as one.

The knife descended a second time, and then a third, before the two scraped the cake onto a plate that Boom held beside the table.

Cog laughed with nervous relief, the tension of the moment broken.

“Heh, piece of cake,” he grinned.

Boom burst into laughter. Setting the knife and plate aside, they held out their hands for Pip to untie.

Taking their plate back to their table, they each picked up a fork as everyone else stood up and went to get some cake. Cog cut a corner of the cake off, and held it out on his fork for Boom.

Boom bit into it, and chewed.

“This is really good. These guys knew what they were doing,” he said, swallowing. “It’s not too moist, but it’s not dry either.”

He saw David walk up to Tristan and tap the lab on his shoulder. The two walked off together, and Boom said, “Looks like our dance is brewing.”

Cog grabbed the dog’s paws and held them. The two sat there, gazing into each other’s eyes, until someone cleared their throat next to the table.

“Are you two ready?” Tristan asked.

Cog stood up.

“I’m ready if you are Boom,” he replied.

“I was born ready,” Boom grinned.

“Great,” Tristan smiled, leading them out of the tables, and to a makeshift dance floor. “I want to thank you for inviting me to do the music tonight.”

“You’re welcome,” Boom said. “You are doing great.”

“Ladies and gentlemen, if you'd turn your attention to the dance floor, it is time for the happy couple’s first dance,” David said through a microphone.

The dragon was seated behind a keyboard, and Tristan walked up next to him, picking up his guitar. He strummed once, checking the guitar’s tuning, before David counted him of and he launched into the opening bars of Steam Powered Giraffe’s Honeybee.

Taking Cog’s hand, Boom stepped onto the dance floor. As David began singing, they turned to each other, Cog placing his hands on Boom’s waist. They started swaying in time with the music, quickly picking up the beat.

“I love you so much,” Cog whispered into Boom’s ear.

“Cog, I adore you. You are my sun and my moon; I need you like I need the oxygen in the air. I am utterly, completely in love with you.”

“I think I’m going to cry,” the rabbit said.

Boom kissed him tenderly as the song ended to applause.

“At this time, I would like to invite all the couples onto the dance floor,” David said.

Faelan and Pip were the first out, the rabbit dwarfing the fox. Tristan set his guitar aside, waving Kel onto the floor. To Boom’s surprise, Themis and Abbie joined them as David began another song,

“I didn’t know you danced Abbie,” Boom said, as he and Cog danced beside the two vixens.

“I don’t. Themis dragged me out here,” Abbie said, as Themis spun her around.

“You need to get out more you bookworm,” Themis laughed.

“Congratulations you two,” Abbie said, as she passed by again, following Themis’ lead.

“Thanks,” Cog smiled, echoed by Boom.

Abbie scurried away as David announced the dance floor was open for everyone. Cog noticed Zenoan had vanished, though Clarisse had pulled a chair up to the table where Jake and Max sat, and was conversing with the two.

“Hey, can I get one more picture of you guys?” Themis asked.

“I don’t see why not,” Boom said, glancing at Cog.

“I’d love as many pictures of tonight as we can get,” the rabbit added.

“Awesome!”

Themis ran to grab her camera from her seat, returning with her tripod. Leading Cog and Boom to a spot with a lantern nearby, she set her camera up quickly.

“I want the two of you to hold each other and kiss. But you need to hold the pose for a minute,” she said, pulling out a candle.

“Sounds easy enough,” Boom said, licking his lips as he looked at Cog.

“Yeah. Let us know when you’re ready,” Cog continued.

“I’m ready when you two are,” the fox replied, after a couple minutes.

“Okay then.”

Boom stepped close to Cog. Gazing into the rabbit’s eyes, he slipped his paws into Cog’s back pockets, as the rabbit did the same to him.

Leaning in together, their lips met, and they held the kiss, as Themis lit the candle. The fox slowly moved the flame in the shape of a heart around the two, adding flared wings that branched out from either side of the heart.

She blew the candle out after a minute.

“Okay, you can move again.”

Cog pulled away slowly, sliding his paws out of Boom’s pockets.

“We are going to have so much fun tonight,” he whispered.

Boom giggled.

“You guys are going to love this one,” Themis said, looking at the picture in her camera. “I should have them all edited by the end of the week.”

“Thank you so much Themis,” Cog smiled.

“Yeah, we really appreciate it.”

“Thank you. This helps me a lot actually,” Themis said.

They rejoined the dance, starting to wind down.

“It’s about time to wrap things up,” Tristan said after the last song had ended. “We all have beds waiting for us. But before we go, I would like to dedicate a song to the celebrities of this evening. Boom, Cog, you are married now. New beginnings are in front of you, wide roads ahead to follow. But with every beginning comes an ending. The two of you have finished a chapter in your lives, and are about to start on a new one. As you look forward always, I implore you to never forget where you came from, and what has brought you to where you are today.”

David held up a violin, signalling he was ready, and Tristan began strumming, then singing.

“Another turning point, a fork stuck in the road; Time grabs you by the wrist, directs you where to go. So make the best of this test and don’t ask why. It’s not a question but a lesson learned in time. It’s something unpredictable, but in the end it’s right. I hope you had the time of your life.”

Tears leaked from Boom’s eyes as he listened. The whole time he and Cog had been planning their wedding they had been looking to the future. And though he had already come to terms with the past, it still hit him hard.

Cog wrapped his arm around Boom as they listened.

“When we’re older, we will look back on tonight and be grateful,” he said.

“I already am,” Boom whispered, placing his head on the rabbit’s shoulder.

As the song ended, David stepped forward.

“Well everyone, that concludes our festivities for this evening. I’m sure the newlyweds are eager to get to some of the night’s other entertainments.”

There were more than a few chuckles at that.

“Cog, Boom, I bid you farewell. Love and joy be with you always, and have a great honeymoon.”

“Thanks everyone!” Cog called, as he and Boom made their way toward the parking lot, where David had left their car earlier that day.

Climbing into the driver’s seat, Cog gave Boom one more kiss before the two drove off, ready to start their lives together.

 

PIP LAPIN

Pip sat up in bed, careful to avoid disturbing Faelan. Standing up, he quietly made his way to the kitchen. There would be no sleep for him tonight.

He warmed some leftover casserole up, carrying it into the living room. Eating the casserole while he waited for his computer to warm up, Pip signed into his account, and opened Word.

“They’re back again tonight. This is the fourth night I’ve seen their faces. I don’t want to sleep. I cannot sleep. I know Faelan worries about me, but I am strong. I won’t include her because it will only hurt her, and she’s been through enough pain herself. This is my fight.”

Pip thanked Cog silently. Maybe the rabbit hadn’t been the one who had gotten him that journal, but he had organised the party where Pip had gotten it, and it had opened his eyes. He wrote in the journal often, though he made sure to exclude anything that would harm those who read it. He knew Faelan would never read his journal without permission, but he didn’t want to take any chances. They both had their secrets, and they both knew not to pry.

“I know they don’t blame me for what happened. But I do. I know I could have stopped it.”

The screen blurred in his eyes, and the rabbit rubbed them. Exhaustion had set in long ago. It didn’t matter.

The rumble of a tank filled Pip’s ear. The room around him took on a dusty appearance, furniture vanishing and cracks webbing the walls.

“Front room’s clear,” someone called

Scanning the room, rifle in hand, Pip called, “Back room’s clear.”

A tiger entered the room.

“That’s the last house then,” he said. “Let’s head back to the truck.”

There was a loud crack, and the tiger dropped. Pip followed him down, moving quickly across the ground. The man was breathing rapidly and had his palm held tightly just under his heart.

“There’s a sniper in one of the buildings to the east,” someone crackled through Pip’s earpiece, as the rabbit pried the tiger’s arm away to look at his chest.

A hole the size of a quarter sat beside the tiger’s heart, frothy blood flowing heavily.

“Henri is down,” Pip called out, pressing his own hand over the wound.

“How bad is it Doc?” the tiger wheezed.

“I’ve seen worse,” Pip replied with a false smile. “You’ll be okay.”

You’ll be okay

Pip startled awake as the words echoed through his mind. The worst lie he had ever told.

Taking in his surroundings, Pip took a shaky breath, painfully aware of the air rushing into his lungs. He was home, safe.

Faelan sat on the floor beside him, her head in his lap. She looked up at him and asked, “Couldn’t sleep?”

Pip shook his head silently.

“I’m here if you need to talk,” the fox offered.

“I know,” Pip whispered. “Let’s just go back to bed.”

The two stood up, and went back to the bedroom. Faelan placed her arm across Pip’s chest, and was soon asleep again. Lying on his back, Pip stared at the white ceiling, not daring to close his eyes. The words continued through his head, taunting him, mocking him.

You’ll be okay.

 

MAX MARKHAUS / DAVID ENTERAI

“Dude, can’t you let me win for once?” Max asked, as the pool ball sank neatly into a pocket.

“How will you get good without a challenge?”

The dragon pulled the tiger aside, giving the pool table to the next pair of people. Max still wasn’t comfortable in bars. This was only his fourth foray into one. He could see David wincing at the noise levels.

“Let’s head outside,” he suggested, motioning to the patio door.

The two walked outside, and David sat, dangling his legs in a pool lit with lavender lights.

“I needed to get out of there. Thanks,” he said.

“Yeah, I saw you freaking out a bit. What was that all about?”

David took a deep breath as he leaned back on his hands.

“Ancient history,” he replied.

Max sat beside him, resting his head on David’s shoulder.

“You can tell me,” he said quietly.

“The First World War. I was in the fights at Verdun.”

“The music in there gave you a flashback?” Max asked doubtfully.

David shook his head.

“No, it just brought up memories. Or… something. Just the loud voices.”

He looked at Max.

“This is why I don’t do bars.”

“We can go if you want.”

“Yeah. That’d probably be good. I have some wine in my cellar that we could share tonight.”

“I’d like that,” Max smiled slightly.

He stood up, and helped the dragon to his feet. The two shared a chaste kiss before heading to David’s car.

 

David headed down to the basement as soon as he got home. Max hung back, taking a picture of Claire’s photograph on his phone, before following the dragon.

“I found a good one. 2015 Riesling,” David said, holding up a bottle.

“I’ll have to trust you,” Max shrugged. “I know nothing about wine.”

He followed David back upstairs, into what David had referred to as the sitting room. It looked like a normal living room to the tiger, complete with couch, tv, an extra chair, and an empty fireplace along a wall.

They sat on the couch, and David snapped his fingers. A short table appeared in front of them, complete with a pair of crystal wine glasses.

Max yelped in shock, and David chuckled.

“That one takes some getting used to,” he said. “Sorry I didn’t warn you.”

He poured the wine, and set the bottle aside.

“Did you want to watch a movie?”

Max shook his head, picking up his glass.

“I’m happy just sitting with you,” he said.

“You’re so sweet,” David smiled. “To new experiences.”

The two clinked their glasses, and drank.

“Not bad,” Max said, setting his aside.

Removing his shoes, he curled up next to David, placing his hand on the dragon’s thigh.

David took ahold of Max’s hand, rubbing it with his thumb.

“I love you,” he whispered softly.

“I love you too,” Max replied, just as quietly.

The two lay cuddling on the couch for the rest of the evening, both sipping their drinks until they were gone.

“Do you want to stay the night?” David questioned.

“I can’t,” Max mumbled drowsily. “Work.”

“Okay. I’ll take you home.”

 

An hour later, the two stood in front of Max’s apartment, the tiger shivering in the chill autumn breeze.

“Thanks for tonight,” he said.

“It was my pleasure.”

The dragon cupped his hand under the tiger’s chin, and kissed him.

“You have a good night.”

“You too.”

Max opened the door, and vanished inside. David hung around until he heard the snick of a lock engaging, before heading to his car.

 

TRISTAN THARN

Tristan approached the door as someone knocked loudly.

“David? What are you doing here?” he asked, as the dragon stood outside with his violin case.

“Kel said you were feeling down. I thought I’d come try to cheer you up with a good old fashioned music jam.”

Tristan stepped aside to let the dragon in, flinching as David narrowly avoided stepping in discarded Chinese food containers. The room was a mess, but Tristan hadn’t had the energy to clean up lately.

David took it all in stride, dodging plates and clothes with ease and clearing a spot for his violin case.

“Get your guitar and let’s get started,” he smiled.

Hurrying through his bedroom door, Tristan grabbed his guitar and quickly exited the room, hoping David hadn’t seen the mess inside. Not that it really mattered, he supposed, with the living room looking as bad as it did.

David tuned his instrument with the motions of a master, as Tristan pulled his guitar out of its case. The dog followed David’s lead, his mind racing.

“Take a deep breath,” David advised, applying rosin to his bow.

“What are we even doing?”

“Anything and everything. We will let our hearts lead us today.”

David played a few slow notes.

“Join me and find your rhythm. Then, take the lead,” he said.

He continued playing, not playing a song, just stringing notes and melodies together. Tristan quickly found the pace and fell in time, fingerpicking until he was leading the dragon. Their instruments sang in harmony with each other.

Cautiously, Tristan changed the tune, picking up the pace, yet still holding back.

“Clear your mind Tristan. Don’t worry about hitting the right notes. There are none.”

Closing his eyes, Tristan sped up his playing. David changed his own sound to complement the dog, watching Tristan.

Tristan knew he shouldn’t feel so down. Kel loved him, and he had friends who cared about him. There was no reason for his depression, and the fact that it remained pissed him off.

His music grew louder, more angry. David backed off, letting the dog have his head. Violent tears dripped from the lab’s eyes, and he squeezed them away.

With a loud twang, one of the strings on the guitar snapped. Tristan held the instrument, body shaking.

Setting his violin aside, David held his hands out for the guitar. Tristan surrendered it, and the dragon held the ends of the broken string together, murmuring a word. When he took his hand away, the string was whole once more.

“Do you want to continue?” he asked, handing the guitar back.

Tristan nodded, hiccoughing.

Reclaiming his violin, David began playing again, soft as a lullabye. Tristan’s tune changed to match; a melody of peace and mending.

The two slowed to a stop.

“Do you feel any better?” David questioned.

“Actually, I do,” Tristan replied, with a slight smile.

“Awesome. Remember your music. It can be a light in dark times,” David smiled, patting Tristan on the back. “And if you ever need help, don’t hesitate to ask. It’s what friends are for.”

He packed up his violin, and headed for the door.

“I’ll see you for our normal practice, right?”

“Yes. You will,” Tristan replied.

Nodding with satisfaction, the dragon excused himself from the apartment.

Tristan took a deep breath, and walked into the bathroom. Pulling a bottle out of the cabinet, he opened it, and pulled out a single pill. Dropping it into the toilet, he flushed it, confident he wouldn’t need it.

 

PIP LAPIN / FAELAN EUNUCH

Pip whirled through the kitchen, busy preparing dinner for himself and Faelan. He was in the zone, everything in an orderly mess.

Faelan stood against the wall, watching him as he worked. She had learned to stay out of his way when he got into a frenzy like this. She had fun watching him though, a master at his work. Not that Pip would say such a thing. He prided himself in constantly learning new things in the kitchen.

A ring of the doorbell tore the rabbit out of his work

“Zut,” he muttered angrily, moving toward the door. “Faelan, make sure the breads don’t burn.”

“Shouldn’t be too hard,” the fox grinned, taking his place in the kitchen.

Ducking under the ceiling fan to avoid hitting his ears, Pip crossed the room and opened the door.

A short rabbit stood outside, black sable fur contrasting against pure white eyes. His nose twitched at the sight of Pip.

“Pieter?!” Pip gaped, staring at the rabbit.

“Hallo Pip. It’s been a long time,” the smaller rabbit smiled. “May I come in?”

Pip stepped aside, as Faelan walked into the room.

“Who is it-?’ she stopped short, looking at Pieter. “Oh.”

“Faelan, this is an old friend of mine, Pieter-”

“-Konijn. I know him,” the fox interrupted.

Pip blinked in surprise.

“Oh,” he said, realization passing through him. “I hope you were a gentleman with her,” he added, looking at Pieter.

“Just as I was with you,” Pieter winked at him.

Faelan raised an eyebrow. Pip knew all too well about her time on the streets. It was how the two had met. This was the first she had heard of his conquests though.

“Ah, she did not know. My apologies, Liefde,” Peter said to Pip.

“That’s enough of that. What happened in the past, remains in the past,” Faelan said.

“Perhaps it shouldn’t,” Pieter said, giving Pip a look. “Sometimes you need to lean on others; accept their help.”

“So, you’re out?” Pip asked.

“Ja. After the incident with… After you left, people started dropping like flies. I paid my dues and got out as soon as I could. I met Faelan before that though, on my last leave before getting out.”

Pip remembered, though he tried not to. Having your friend’s life drain under your touch was not something you forget easily.

“I work with his brother you know,” he said.

“Max?” Faelan questioned, leaning against the wall again.

“Yeah,” Pip said quietly glancing down.

“Anyway, mijn liefste, did you ever get the money for your operation?” Pieter asked, watching Faelan.

The fox scowled.

“That’s none of your business,” Pip said sharply. “Why are you here?”

“I just wanted to say hi to an old friend, and stumbled upon two instead.”

“I wouldn’t exactly call you a friend,” Faelan said coolly. “You were a client, nothing more.”

“You wound me, mijn liefste,” Pieter grinned. “I’ll leave you two to your dinner. It smells delicious.”

Pieter headed back to the door.

“I hope I see the two of you around,” he finished, before leaving.

Pip and Faelan breathed twin sighs of relief when the door closed.

“Barracks buddies?” Faelan questioned.

“Not so much. Just an experiment during a drunken night,” Pip shrugged. “I know we agreed not to talk about it, but I have to know. Who was on top?”

“Me,” Faelan said with a smirk.

Pip laughed.

“I figured. He always seemed like a bottom. Come on, let’s finish dinner.”

They headed back into the kitchen, where Pip resumed his work. He worked more slowly now, his movements muted.

“Are you okay?” Faelan asked.

“Yeah. Just… just remembering things.”

Faelan hugged him from behind, her face buried in his back.

“I love you,” she said, her voice muffled.

“I know. “

The rabbit set his spoon aside, steadying himself against the counter.

“I know I’ve been quiet about my time in the service. It’s hard to relive it all, and I wanted to spare both of us the nightmares,” he said.

“It’s not working for you.”

It was a statement, not a question.

Pip nodded.

“It’s always the same one. The only time I ever lost a man. It turns out I wasn’t cut out for the job.”

The rabbit took a deep breath.

“His name was Henri. He took a bullet through the lung. We were pinned down by a sniper. There was no way to get him out.

“After we got back to base and made our report, Pieter took me aside and suggested that he could take my mind off the day. I believed him, mainly because I wanted to. I knew it wouldn’t last, I just needed those moments.

“We got drunk that night, and poured one out for Henri. Then Pieter took me to his bunk. The next morning, I paid my dues and got out. I visited Henri’s family on my way here. I told them what had happened, and apologised. They didn’t blame me, but I still do.”

Faelan stood on her toes and kissed Pip.

“You did what you could,” she said quietly. “How many people did you save? How many families remain intact because of you?”

“I’ve tried writing it all out, but the words bring no comfort.”

The rabbit shrugged.

“Maybe talking it out will help. Maybe not.”

“All you can do is try,” Faelan said, kissing him again. “Let’s finish dinner. Then I’ll rub your feet.”

“Thank you mon cheri,” Pip smiled.

 

Pieter stood outside, hearing every word spoken between the two within. There were things he had wondered about regarding Henri’s death, but no new information was brought forth.

He had achieved his goal though. Pip was talking about the past now, seeking help. He had the chance to be happy again. To be at peace.

Besides, Pieter could ask Henri himself.

The last member of Pip’s squad smiled as a stiff wind blew, dissipating his form, until all that remained were two glowing eyes, and a ghostly smile.

 

MAXIMUS MARKHAUS

Max sat beside David on the couch, the dragon holding the tiger close. They were watching a movie, though the tiger had no idea what the plot was. He was more interested in gently rubbing the hand that was draped across his shoulders.

He subtly shifted his other hand down to David’s waist, and the dragon scooted over a little to give his hand space, avoiding contact in the process. This had been happening for a while now, and it was driving Max insane. There was a reason David wasn’t letting the tiger touch him, and Max was going to get to the bottom of it right now.

The only trouble was he didn’t know how to broach the subject.

“Are you okay?” the dragon asked, startling the tiger from his thoughts.

“I’d be better if you were a little closer,” Max said innocently.

David moved a little closer, though he was still mindful of Max’s hand.

Max decided to go for broke.

“You know, you still haven’t shown me your sword skills,” he said.

David raised an eyebrow, something Max wished desperately he could master.

“I wasn’t aware you wanted to see them.”

Max laughed.

“Are you serious? I’ve done everything I can think of to hint that I want to have sex with you.”

“My apologies. I didn’t know.”

There was a moment of silence.

“So…”

David leaned over and shushed the tiger with a kiss. Max pushed his tongue through David’s lips, and battled with the dragon’s tongue.

Cautiously, David brought his hand down to Max’s jeans, and unbuttoned them. The tiger eagerly raised himself off the couch so his pants could be slid off. Breaking lip contant, he nearly ripped his shirt trying to get it off, and David chuckled quietly.

“Slow down. Let’s enjoy this,” the dragon murmured, licking the cat’s ear.

Max mewled at the warmth of David’s breath, and fell back onto the couch. The dragon climbed on top of the tiger, his wings tucked out of the way. Hands shaking, Max slipped David’s pants off his waist. David stopped him before he could reach the shirt.

“This one’s a little tricky,” the dragon smiled, pulling his wings through the shirt before removing the garment.

As soon as the shirt was gone, Max pulled the dragon back on top of him, both of them clad only in boxers.

David’s scales felt weird against Max’s body, but it was a good kind of weird. But it was gone too soon. Max whimpered as the dragon stood up.

“Not here,” David said, helping the tiger up.

They hurried to the bedroom, where Max threw himself on the bed while David grabbed lube and a condom.

Max began to remove his boxers, and David stopped him. Setting the supplies aside, the dragon straddled him, and slipped his fingers under the tiger’s underwear. He slowly started pulling at them, sliding them down a centimeter at a time.

Max moaned quietly as the dragon’s fingers brushed his most private areas. He was wet, so wet, and still David took his time, drawing the process out.

Then suddenly he was free, and David let him kick the shorts off as he admired the view. A full seven inches of straining barbed meat stood over Max’s groin.

David licked his lips as Max curled his own fingers under the dragon’s boxers. He wasted no time wrenching them down over David’s own member. Finally the dragon lowered himself, ever so slowly, hovering over the tiger.

Their dicks brushed, and Max gasped, thrusting upward. Groin met groin, followed by the rest of their bodies, and culminating in another kiss.

David shoved his hands under the tiger, giving Max’s ass a firm squeeze. This elicited another moan from the tiger, as the dragon began massaging the globes in his palms.

“This is your first time, right?” the dragon asked.

Max nodded wordlessly.

“If I hurt you at any time, let me know immediately, okay?”

“Okay…” Max breathed.

David unwrapped the condom and slipped it on. He took some lube and began oiling Max. The tiger bit his lip, tensing at the chilling touch.

“Relax. It will make this easier,” David said, working himself over next.

Slipping his hands back under the tiger, he gently push until Max rolled over onto his stomach. The dragon began massaging the tiger’s back, trying to loosen some of the tension. Soon, Max was a puddle on the bed, purring loudly.

Then David made his move. Poised at Max’s entrance, he slowly pushed into the tiger’s warm confines.

“Mmph… Ow…” Max gasped, tensing back up.

David immediately pulled back out.

“It’s going to hurt a bit,” he said.

“You don’t say?”

Max laughed slightly, wincing.

David placed his thumbs on Max’s lower back, and massaged the tiger more.

“We don’t have to go all the way tonight,” he said.

“No, we’re doing this,” Max denied. “I’ve waiting too long for this moment.”

He raised his ass and pushed it against David’s groin, his tail wrapping around the dragon’s right thigh. David pushed him back down and slowly grinded against him.

When Max was relaxed once more, the dragon tried again, pushing once more into the tiger’s insides. Max gasped, and clenched up, but he also pushed back against the dragon, trying to get him deeper inside. It hurt, but he could feel past the pain.

David began thrusting slowly, and Max moaned quietly. It was better, more intimate.

Then his insides exploded, and Max yowled.

David stopped.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

The tiger nodded mutely, his face pressed against the bed. His stomach tingled from the aftershocks of whatever David had just done. It didn’t feel bad. But it was one of the most intense feelings Max had ever felt before.

“Do you want me to pull out?”

“No!”

David began thrusting again, and Max’s dick throbbed. When the feeling came again, he was prepared, gritting his teeth and clenching.

The dragon slowed a few seconds later, and pulled Max over, staying inside as they lay on their sides. He started again, his hand wrapping around the tiger’s member and stroking in time with his own thrusts.

Max thrusted into David’s hand, impaling himself further onto the dragon. The sensations he was feeling were indescribable, a symphony of painful pleasures. David began thrusting more forcefully, and Max felt a warmth inside him that hadn’t been there before. The dragon’s hand ceased its administrations, and Max took over, working himself until he went over the edge after a few more seconds.

The two lay coupled, panting, for almost a minute.

“So, was it everything you hoped it would be?” David asked.

“And things I wasn’t expecting,” Max replied.

David pulled out, and Max shivered at the sudden emptiness. He rolled over and placed an arm over the dragon, nuzzling him.

“I love you,” he murmured.

“I love you too my little tiger…”

 

TRISTAN THARN

Tristan sat against a tree at the park, staring at the tattoo on his wrist. A reminder of his struggles, and a promise to himself that he would keep trying.

“Hey,” Kel said, walking up to Tristan.

“Hi. You said you needed to talk?”

Tristan stood up and leaned in to kiss Kel, but the wolf backed up.

“Yeah…” he said, glancing down.

Tristan's body tensed up.

“W-what’s going on?”

Kel sighed.

“I can’t be with you right now.”

“What?”

The wolf leaned against a tree, his hands shaking slightly.

“The last month has been too stressful. Every time I call, every time I come over, I wonder if I’m going to find you dead.”

“So you’re just going to end it.”

Tristan fell back against another tree, sliding until he was seated.

“I’m sorry. I really am.”

Tristan should have felt sad, angry even. But he just felt numb. He stared at Kel, the corners of his eyes dimming into darkness, and his body swayed.

“I just… I love you too much Tristan,” he heard Kel say. “I couldn’t handle it if you killed yourself. I need distance.”

“Fine. Go then. Honestly, I don’t care,” Tristan said, closing his eyes.

He focused on his breathing, trying to get this dizziness to go away. Tristan heard the crunch of leaves as Kel walked away.

Opening his eyes, he looked down at his wrist. The tattoo sat there, mocking him.

 

COG THERABBIT

Cog crawled back into bed, curling next to his dog with a smile. Boom mumbled something incoherent, taking most of the covers as he rolled over.

‘I’ll give him another minute.’

The rabbit draped an arm over his husband as they spooned.

“Your arm is freezing,” Boom muttered.

“I know. I have fresh coffee waiting if you want to warm up.”

“I’d rather stay in bed.”

The dog grunted as he sat up.

“Who’d run your cart if you stayed in bed?” Cog countered.

“I can take a day off. Maybe give you inspiration for your next book.”

“101 Ways to Lick a Bone?” Cog chuckled.

Boom smacked the rabbit playfully.

“I think you already have enough material for that one,” he said.

Yawning, Boom stood up, and made his way to the bathroom. Cog headed downstairs to finish making breakfast, knowing Boom would join him shortly.

A minute later, he felt Boom’s paws wrap around him.

“You know, it probably isn’t safe to cook with no clothes on,” the dog whispered in his ear.

“But if I have clothes on, how are you going to enjoy the show?”

“Can I help at all?”

“You could set the table.”

Cog gave the dog a quick kiss, before returning to the omelet frying in the pan. Soon he was placing the food on a pair of plates, and carrying them to where Boom sat waiting.

The two ate in silence, both planning out their day.

“You’ll be home around four, right?” Cog asked.

“Yeah. There’s not much point in staying out later. Lunch is busier than dinner will ever be.”

Cog nodded in understanding as he collected the now empty plates and carried them into the kitchen. He heard Boom walk upstairs, heading back to the bathroom.

Placing the dishes into a dishwasher, Cog went into his wardrobe, and gathered a skirt and a shirt. Ho followed Boom into the bathroom, stepping into the shower with the dog.

“Hey stranger,” Boom smiled.

“Hey yourself.”

The two kissed, before Cog grabbed a bottle of lavender shampoo. He began lathering Boom’s body, working quickly. There was a schedule to keep, if Boom wanted to work today.

Stepping under the showerhead, Boom washed off, before returning the favour. As Cog rinsed, the dog stepped out of the shower. He dried off, and was already dressed by the time Cog joined him.

“Will you do the honours?” he asked, handing Cog a bandana.

“With pleasure,” Cog smiled, fastening the bandana around Boom’s neck.

He dressed quickly himself, and the two headed out to the front door.

“You got everything? Phone, Keys, wallet?” the rabbit asked.

“Ye- wait, I need that skillet,” Boom remembered, hurrying back into the kitchen.

He returned quickly, the skillet in hand.

“There we go. I love you,” he said, kissing the rabbit.

“I love you too. Be safe.”

Opening the door, Boom walked out to his food truck. Cog remained in the doorway, watching his husband leave. When the truck was out of sight, he closed the door and made his way to the computer room, ready to start his own workday.

 

KEL DANTHOS

Kel startled awake, heart pounding in the darkness of his room. His breaths came in rapid gasps as he fought the urge to cry.

Tristan had finally done it. Kel had found him dead in the bathtub, covered in bloody water.

But he hadn't. It was just a dream.

Someone knocked on the door to his apartment, and Kel jumped at the noise. Taking a deep breath, the wolf stood up and pulled on a pair of pants.

He opened the door, and found Jake on the other side, hand poised to knock again.

“Oh,” the dog said, lowering his hand.

“What are you doing here?” Kel grumbled, squinting in the midday sunlight.

“I thought you could use some company. Can I come in?”

Kel sighed, and stepped aside, allowing the dog entrance. He flipped a light by the door, revealing a spotless apartment.

“So you heard,” he said.

“I heard that you locked yourself in your apartment. He’s just a dog. And you broke it off with him. This doesn’t make any sense,” Jake said.

“Does it have to?”

Kel sat on a couch, resting his head in his hand.

“All I’m saying is that he shouldn’t matter if you broke up with him. Get back out there and forget about Tristan.”

Kel snorted.

“It’s not as easy as you make it sound,” he replied.

“No, you’re just making it hard.”

“Why do you even care?” Kel snapped.

“Damn it, this is why!”

Jake grabbed Kel and pulled him up. Their lips met, and Kel’s eyes widened. He immediately pulled back.

“What the hell?!” he exclaimed.

“You’re not bound to any one person. Think about it,” Jake said, heading for the door.

He closed it hard behind him, leaving Kel in a daze.

 

Kel stood in front of the red door, hand raised tentatively. He didn’t know why he was here. Had he made his decision? It didn’t feel like he had decided anything.

Sucking in his breath, Kel knocked on the door. It opened a few seconds later, Jake standing on the other side.

“I knew you would come,” the dog smiled. “Come in.”

The door was opened just wide enough to let Kel pass. As he walked through, he could feel the heat of Jake’s body, feel the closeness of it, and it made him shiver.

He knew what Jake was doing. He himself played mind games every day at work. But damned if it didn’t work on him anyway.

The dog closed the door, and made his way into the kitchen.

“Do you want something to drink?” he called over his shoulder.

‘Yes,’ Kel’s mind said, ‘Something to take off the nerves.’

But he sensed this was not a good idea. Jake seemed… dangerous somehow.

“No thanks,” he replied, without missing a beat.

Jake returned a second later with a beer in his hand.

“I assume you came here for a reason,” he said.

Kel nodded, trying to figure out why he had come here. He walked over in front of Jake’s sofa, looking at a painting of a wooded glade.

“That’s a nice picture,” he said.

“Isn’t it? I know the painter, Anthony Mareltho,” Jake said, standing at Kel’s shoulder.

Kel could feel Jake’s breath on his neck.

“Let’s not beat around the bush,” the dog whispered, a finger tracing down Kel’s cheek.

Kel shivered again, and he stepped away.

“You came here because you want me. You would have stayed away otherwise.”

He knew Jake was right. He was seeking comfort right now; strength to stay away from Tristan, to not run back and beg his forgiveness. What was he doing?

“I think I made a mistake,” Kel said, turning around.

Jake was in his face an instant later.

“You know I can give you everything he can’t. Confidence, experience-”

“And probably a disease.”

Kel stepped away again, not backing up, but stepping aside.

“Tristan is a spoiled brat,” Jake hissed. “He didn’t even want to be with you. All he does is whine all the time.”

“What makes you any different? Trying so desperately to get into my pants, it’s pathetic really.”

Kel walked with purpose, leaving the house and allowing the door to close hard behind him. He knew what he had to do.

 

TRISTAN THARN / KEL DANTHOS

Kel walked up a flight of stairs, his second walk of the evening. But this time, he knew exactly what he wanted.

Knocking on the door at the top, he waited. And waited.

A peal of thunder sounded over head, and a shower of water fell onto Kel. And still he waited, fear growing in his gut.

Knocking again, louder, he called out, “Tristan?”

When no one responded, he felt above the door, finding the spare key on the small ledge above. Unlocking the door, he let himself in.

“Tristan?”

The apartment was dark, and reeked of rotten food. Flipping on the light, Kel found a stack of carry out containers on the counter in the kitchen. The bedroom door was cracked, though no one was within. Taking a deep breath, Kel moved toward the bathroom, his nightmare taking shape before his eyes.

 

Tristan lay in the bathtub, lying in a mix of water, and blood from the fresh cut on his arm; one among dozens of cuts. One for each time Kel had said he loved him.

He heard the dog walking through his apartment, but didn’t care. Let Kel find him like this. It was his fault anyways.

The door opened slowly, and the light flicked on. There was a moment of silence.

Then Kel screamed.

 

It had happened. He was dead. Kel had killed him.

Kel lost all sense, falling next to the tub and grabbing Tristan.

“I’m sorry! I’m so sorry!” he cried.

“Wh-what?” Tristan croaked, the sound almost swallowed up by Kel’s sobs.

He tried to push Kel away, but the pain in his arms was too much.

“You’re alive!”

“Why are you here?”

Kel looked at Tristan, at those green eyes, clouded by pain.

“I wanted to apologize, and beg your forgiveness.”

Kel hiccoughed, body trembling as he tried to calm himself.

“You left me. I thought you didn’t care.”

 

Tristan was shaken. He had never once heard Kel scream like that. And it scared him.

“This is why I left.”

The wolf motioned at the tub Tristan still sat in.

“Why? Why would you do this?”

“Because you left.”

Tristan winced as he let his arm slip into the water. A moment later he was hoisted into the air, Kel cradling him in his arms.

“What the hell are you doing?” Tristan demanded.

“Taking care of you.”

“I don’t need your-”

“Tristan, your arm is bleeding like a stuck pig.”

 

Kel set the dog on his bed, and went hunting for bandages. He texted David, and returned to the room, wrapping Tristan’s arm tightly.

“You dumped me, remember? You don’t get to just come back in here,” Tristan said.

“I was selfish Tristan. I was thinking of myself, and I’m sorry for that. But clearly you can’t handle me being gone.”

“I can handle it better than you think.”

“That explains why your arms are torn up. You’re handling it really well.”

Kel went back into the bathroom to drain the tub, leaving Tristan seething.

 

Who did that wolf think he was? Tristan should have never gotten together with him.

“This is all your fault,” he muttered, sitting up.

But Kel was right. He was not handling this situation.

Kel came back into the room with a fresh towel. He started gently drying Tristan off.

“I can do it myself,” Tristan snapped, trying to grab for the towel.

His arms protested, pain shooting through them. He hadn’t meant to cut that deep. He had been numb, wanting to feel something, anything. And now he felt everything.

Kel picked up the towel again, and continued his task, working until Tristan was dry. Tristan tried to ignore the wolf’s closeness, but his body still reacted.

Kel took no notice, grabbing a pair of boxers, and helping Tristan pull them on.

 

His body still reacted to Kel’s touch.

Not that it meant anything. Kel’s heart had steadied, and he busied himself taking care of Tristan, trying to avoid thinking about the tub again.

Someone knocked on the front door, and Tristan stiffened.

“Relax. It’s just David. I need his help with your arms.”

“I don’t want him to see me like this.”

“Then let’s get some pants on you,” Kel said, reaching for the clothes.

“You know what I mean.”

“Yes. And you know your arms need to be looked at. So either we get David to look at them, or we take you to the hospital.”

 

Tristan sighed as Kel left the room. The lights flickered as he waited. Then David came through the door.

“The music didn’t work,” the dragon said.

“No.”

David shrugged, examining Tristan’s arm.

“It happens. We’ll have to find something else for moments like these.”

The dragon began whispering words Tristan couldn’t understand, and his arm began itching.

“Don’t scratch it. I can’t heal it completely; it’s too deep. But I can take the pain away-”

“No. Please don’t.”

The dragon looked at him.

“Okay,” he said, binding the arm again. “If you need me for anything, don’t hesitate to ask.”

Tristan heard the sound of a sink running, and he followed David out of the room.

Kel was washing dishes in the sink. David said his farewells, and left the building.

“What are you doing?”

“Cleaning,” Kel said simply, drying a plate.

“You don’t have to-”

“I want to.”

 

Kel washed a few more dishes in silence, letting the work take his thoughts.

“I love you Tristan,” he said finally.

The dog laughed sourly.

“That’s why you broke my heart. Because you love me.”

“I’m so-”

“No. You don’t get to say that. This is the second time you pushed me away Kel.”

“And I’m trying to make up for it-”

“How?! How do you make up for this?!”

Tristan held up his arm, swathed in bandages.

“I don’t know damn it!” Kel yelled. “I am trying so hard! Do you think it's easy for me, knowing that my boyfriend wants to end his life?! Why? Why do you want to end it so bad?”

“I don’t know. All I know is that you helped. And then you left.”

Kel walked to Tristan, and held him in his arms.

“I’m sorry Tristan. I never wanted to hurt you.”

“I love you Kel,” Tristan whispered. “Will you stay with me tonight?”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way…”

 

THEMIS FALIS

Themis lay next to Abbie, a happy smile on her face.

“And you call yourself inexperienced,” she teased. “I never thought of trying that before.”

“I am!” Abbie insisted. “I just read a lot. It gives me ideas.”

“Well then…”

Themis kissed Abbie’s snout.

“Don’t ever stop reading,” she whispered, tongue lightly tracing Abbie’s nose.

“I don’t plan to,” Abbie smiled.

 

TRISTAN THARN

Tristan sat in the park. Memories filled his mind, all bearing a connection to this place. Some were sweet; guitar lessons with David, and the first time Kel had kissed him. Others not so much. The day after meeting Kel was one of those.

The wolf stood a distance away, chatting with Faelan. Today was the summer party, hosted by Boom this time. Another memory, in the making.

Kel had been both a blessing and a curse for Tristan. The dog ran a finger over his throat, tracing the scar hidden by his fur. Eleven months. And each with its own challenges and rewards.

 

A dog sits in a tub full of water, a razor in his hand. Life has spiralled, far beyond his control now. Deserted by friends, forgotten by family, he has reached the end. He takes a breath, praying for it to be his last, and swipes across his throat.

 

Tristan squeezed his eyes shut, forcing the memory back. It haunted him, the void he had fallen into, but step by step he had pulled himself back out.

It started with Cog. The rabbit had seen Tristan’s sorrow, and had struck up conversation with him, in this very park.

 

The dog sits on a bench, red bandana tied over his throat. No one can know. No one can see the angry welt or the broken fur. A rabbit sits beside him, notebook and pen set aside.

“You look lonely, sitting by yourself.”

The dog remains silent. He is empty inside, a shell of his former self.

Undaunted, the rabbit tries again.

“I’ve seen you here before. You come here a lot, but you stayed away for a while. I got worried.”

This elicits a snort of disbelief, but that is all the answer that the rabbit needs.

“I know there’s a story in there. Everyone has one. I have the feeling yours is sad, but I still want to hear it.”

Silence, as the dog processes what he’s hearing. A complete stranger cares. Someone cares.

“My name is Cog,” the rabbit tries again.

“Tristan.”

It comes out in a croak, but it is a step.

“Well Tristan, anytime you feel like sharing, I’m all ears.”

The rabbit holds out one of his long floppy ears with a grin. The corners of the dog’s mouth turn up ever so slightly.

 

He had opened a little, but remained guarded. No one would ever know the whole story, not even Kel. After all, Kel had been the cause.

 

The dog stands in front of a car dealership, debating. He doesn’t have much but he needs a way to get around. He spots a wolf walking confidently toward him. There is an allure to the man, a sense that this wolf could lead the dog on the journey of his life.

“Hello. Can I be of any help?” the wolf asks.

“Yeah, I need a car-”

“-and you’re on a budget. Come on. I’ll show you around,” the wolf smiles.

The dog follows him for close to two hours, but all of the cars are too expensive for him.

“I’m sorry for wasting your time,” the dog apologises.

“I wouldn’t call it wasted. If I can help with anything else, let me know.”

The wolf scribbles something on the back of a business card and hands it to the dog with a wink, before sauntering away.

 

He had called that night, and Kel had taken him to his apartment. What happened there had pushed Tristan over the edge. There was no way he could know.

For weeks he talked with Cog, who always seemed to have a smile. Sports, movies, games, anything but Tristan’s story. But the rabbit seemed to have a way of worming information out. He discovered Tristan’s love for music.

Then came David.

Cog introduced the dragon to him, citing David’s love of music as the reason the two should meet. David and Tristan talked for hours that day, each learning the others favourite songs and bands.

 

The dog sits on the park bench, a guitar held in his hands.

“I sucked,” he says.

The dragon shrugs.

“No one is a star when they’re just starting out.” he replies. “You did well.”

The dragon looks at his phone and stands up.

“I’m supposed to meet someone soon,” he says, wings unfurling.

“What about your guitar?”

“You can borrow it. Practice a bit.”

The dragon flies away, leaving the dog alone with a guitar.

 

He learned fast. Soon David took him to an open mic, where the two performed together. It was a simple song to be sure, but the crowd had enjoyed it. Tristan’s confidence began its slow return.

It was around that time that Cog introduced him to Faelan. The fox had made it clear from day one that she would not allow Tristan to speak poorly of himself. Her manner was brusque, commanding; but he knew she meant well.

Things were looking up. Then Cog invited him to the rabbit’s annual Christmas party, and Tristan learned that Kel had also been invited.

With a sudden crash, his depression was back.

 

The dog stands in front of a rack full of bandanas. He is shopping for Cog’s boyfriend, Boom. The two haven’t talked much, and the dog doesn’t know much about Boom, except that he is always wearing a bandana. There aren’t many to choose from, but the dog wants to pick the right one.

‘It doesn’t matter what you pick. He won’t like it.’

The dog self-consciously pulls his scarf a little tighter. The wound has healed into a scar and his fur has regrown, but he feels better covering it anyway.

 

The party was the first time he had seen Kel since the wolf had kicked him out. Tristan had almost wanted to fake being sick to beg out of going.

But in the end he couldn’t disappoint Cog. So he went, expecting to just suffer in silence. He didn’t expect Kel to apologise.

Certain it was just another of the wolf’s tricks, Tristan rebuked Kel, until David had spoken with him. The dog gave Kel another chance.

 

The wolf sits across from the dog, the two studying each other silently.

The restaurant is dimly lit, soft music playing in the background. The dog ignores it all.

“Would it help if I said I was sorry again?” the wolf asks.

“No. And a fancy dinner isn’t going to magically fix anything.”

“I feel like it’s a start though. We interacted for maybe four hours. You didn’t see the real me.”

“It felt pretty damned real to me,” the dog growls.

“Look, I couldn’t stop thinking about you-”

“Neither could I. Thinking about how you took advantage of me when I was vulnerable.”

“It was supposed to be a one night stand. But there was something different about you. It scared me.”

The dog blinks. The wolf, scared? That didn’t seem possible.

“I don’t do commitments. But something about you makes me want to commit to a relationship.”

 

Giving Kel that second chance had been one of the best decisions Tristan had made in a long time. The wolf was caring and loving, often in ways Tristan never expected. For the first month, Tristan tried to find fault. Looking back, he hated how paranoid he had been.

They went to Cog and Boom’s wedding as a couple, their first official date. This picnic was their second.

Tristan closed his eyes and breathed a deep sigh. Things were better now. He was glad he had failed that day.

For the first time in over a year, Tristan felt at peace.

 

MAXIMUS MARKHAUS

They wriggled on his lap. Toes as blue as the sky, with nails as long as a thumb.

Max tore his gaze from the appendages, disconcerted by the ideas running through his mind. He focused on massaging David’s foot, but the toes still called.

Max licked his lips nervously, fingers almost digging into David’s foot as he kneaded it.

“Are you okay?” David questioned.

Max made a noncommittal grunt, pouring his focus once more into the foot.

Finally, he surrendered to the pull.

“What are you doing?” the dragon asked, as his foot was rested onto the couch.

Max knelt beside his lover, drawing ever closer to the toes. They were fresh from a shower ten minutes prior, squeaky clean. His tongue flicked out, testing one of the claws.

It scratched his tongue, but Max found that he enjoyed the sensation. He gently took a nail between his teeth and nibbled.

David breathed in deeply, his foot flexing at the feel of Max’s breath. The tiger took the opportunity to slide his tongue up the top of the foot.

A little salty, but not bad…

He tried it again, and David giggled.

“Careful. You tickle me too much and I might kick,” the dragon chuckled.

He gasped as Max’s mouth closed around his big toe.

The cat sucked for a moment, trying to wrap his mind around what he was doing; why he was doing it. His teeth scraped across the toe, and David moaned quietly.

A quick glance up left no doubt, David was turned on. Max smiled around the appendage, and pulled back to the nail, nipping at it once more.

“Are you just going to torture my feet?”

Max shrugged, not wanting to let go. He felt the claw slide away and growled, grabbing David’s ankle and pulling it back.

His tongue slipped between David’s toes, and the foot was yanked away as David broke down. The dragon curled up, laughing uncontrollably as Max dove for the foot again.

“Stop!” David giggled as the tongue flicked between his toes once more.

Max whimpered, but pulled back, and sat up. David grabbed his fur and pulled him back down. They kissed, tongues clashing as each pressed into the other desperately.

Standing up a moment later, David practically dragged Max into the bedroom. It was a night that would not soon be forgotten.

 

DAVID ENTERAI

The tiger purred and rolled around on the bed. David chuckled and stuck out a finger. A narrow beam of green light appeared on the wall at the head of the bed, and Max rolled onto all fours. He swatted at the beam before pouncing at the wall.

“Who’s my big kitten?” David teased.

Max mewled, attacking the light as it flashed across the wall.

David circled the bed, laughing at the tiger as he played. Max’s tail flicked back and forth across his naked butt as he stared intently at the laser. His ears stood erect, as did another part of his body.

David ran his hands lovingly up Max’s body, lacing his touch with gentle kisses as he turned the finger laser off. Max rolled again, knocking David on top of him and attacking the dragon’s mouth.

“I hate that light,” he smiled into David’s lips.

“Yet it brings you so much joy.”

“You know what would bring me even more joy?”

David’s smile widened as the tiger’s hands reached under his own tail.

 

MAXIMUS MARKHAUS

David and Max looked proudly at their creation. David’s house looked like it did all year, on the outside. But the inside would terrify anyone who entered.

“I’m going to beat that rabbit this year for sure,” David grinned.

“I don’t know. Cog has some pretty terrifying ideas,” Max said, as a group approached the house.

The tiger spotted a few children in the group.

“I got this tour,” he said. “You keep the main group busy.”

David nodded, spotting Tristan and Kel walking down the street.

“Just remember to stay out of the kitchen.”

“Yeah, sure,” Max huffed. “Honestly, I don’t know why you want me to stay out. Nothing in that house is going to scare me.”

David chuckled as Max lead the group into the house.

“We’ll see about that.”

“Hey David,” Tristan smiled as he approached, the setting sun at his back.

“How goes it?” David asked, pulling Tristan in for a hug.

“Not bad. I’m doing a lot better now.”

“What about you Kel?”

“I’m just happy this guy’s stopped being a moron,” Kel smirked as Tristan swatted him.

The smirk turned into a scowl as he spotted a grey dog and blue fox approaching them. Tristan placed an arm across the wolf’s shoulders.

“Hey David. Long time no see,” Jake said, ignoring Kel.

“Hi Jake. Who’s your friend?” David questioned.

“This is my roommate, Ryan. He wanted to check out the scariest haunted house in the town.”

“Well I hope I don’t disappoint,” David smiled. “It’s nice to meet you Ryan.”

He shook the fox’s hand as Abbie, Themis, and Clarisse approached.

The avuelent sniffed the air.

“Smells like wet dog. Is that you Jake?”

“Hey, let’s be civil people. This is my home, and if you can’t be nice, I don’t want you here,” David said sharply.

“Thanks for letting me borrow this David,” Abbie said, handing the dragon a hardbound book.

“No problem,” the dragon smiled. “Did you enjoy it?”

“It was very interesting. I haven’t read much Russian literature,” the fox replied.

David snapped his fingers, and the book vanished, returned to a table in his library, where he would shelf it later.

“Well, any time you’d like to read more, just ask.”

“Now that sounds interesting,” Cog said behind the dragon.

The rabbit held Boom’s hand, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

“You here to sabotage my haunted house?”

“Me? Never!” Cog grinned. “I wouldn’t be so sure about Boom though. He’s got a mean streak longer than my ears.”

“Hey!”

The front door opened, and Max led the group out of the house.

“Scariest haunted house in town?” Ryan scoffed. “Those kids don’t look frightened at all.”

David laughed.

“They got the kid friendly tour,” he explained. “Trust me, it’s scary. As soon as Faelan and Pip get here, we can get going.”

“We’ve been here,” Faelan said, breaking off of Max’s group. “That wasn’t the real deal?”

“I thought it was a little lame,” Pip added, joining the group.

“Oh, you’ve done it now bunny boy,” David grinned evilly. “I will personally see you run screaming.”

“Bring it on.”

Max dispersed his group, and rejoined them.

“Hey everyone. Good luck tonight,” he said.

“Who needs luck?” Ryan laughed.

“Alright everyone, before we begin, I would like to lay down a few rules. In my house tonight, you will be scared. Many of you will want to run. However, I don’t want any of you to be hurt. If at any point in the evening, you cannot handle any more scares, let me know, and you will be brought safely back outside. I know many of us have things in our past that affect us. If you are triggered by anything, let me know, and again, you will be brought outside for a short while while I fix the problem. Inside, I would like us all to remain as a group, again for everyone’s safety. Clarisse, I know you can get around pretty well, but if you need any help navigating, let either Max or I know.”

He looked around at the group, doing a quick headcount.

“Now that we got the pleasantries out of the way, let’s head on inside.”

The dragon opened the door to his house, and ushered the group inside.

They all stopped just beyond the doorway.

“Is this a joke?” Jake asked, looking around.

The place looked normal, if a little larger than most of them expected. There was nothing scary about the place.

“What the heck Max?” David questioned, looking around. “This place was all set up. What happened?”

“I didn’t do anything,” Max shrugged.

“Then where is everything?”

“Maybe it was a ghost?” the tiger suggested weakly.

Cog snorted.

“Looks like I won this year,” he said, turning back toward the door.

The chandelier overhead flickered suddenly. There was the sound of shattering glass and the room was plunged into darkness.

“Shit,” David sighed. “Does anyone have a flashlight?”

Faelan pulled out her phone and turned on the light. She found David, and handed the light to him.

“Should we reschedule? You seem to be having some troubles,” Cog laughed.

“No, I can figure this all out.”

David snapped his fingers, and the chandelier was lit with a red glow, enveloping the room in its flickering light. He handed the phone back to Faelan with a muttered, “Thanks.”

Max made his way to the door on the far end of the hall, and peeked inside.

“It’s dark in there, but everything seems okay,” he called. “I don’t know what happened in the entrance.”

David shrugged.

“Well, if you’ll all follow me, we can return to our regularly scheduled program.”

With a murmur of agreement, the group followed the dragon. As they entered the next room a fog machine whirred to life, filling the ground with its smoke.

As the group walked into the room, Ryan screamed, his leg kicking out. A green hand flew off his ankle and sailed through the air.

Max chuckled as he caught the prop.

“There’s one screamer.”

A large figure loomed ahead in the fog, a large axe in its hands. As the group passed by it, they realized it was a suit of armour.

As David walked past it, the armour moved, grabbing the dragon in a tight embrace. There was a bright flash, and David and the armour vanished.

“What the fuck?!” Tristan yelped.

“David?!” Max yelled.

There was a moment of silence, and Cog began clapping.

“Good job David. You got us,” he called. “You can come out now.”

There was no response.”

“This… this wasn’t part of the plan,” Max whispered. “David? Where are you?”

Again, there was no response.

“There’s no way this is real,” Cog muttered.

The fog machine sputtered, and stopped. As the mist cleared away, the group saw the floor was littered with various trip wires.

Taking a deep breath, Max turned to the others.

“I… I think he’s trying to play a joke on us,” he said. “He’s probably further inside.”

He led the group deeper into the house, entering the parlor. Several doorways led off this room, which was lit by a blacklight. Plastic spiders lined the wall, glowing in the darkness.

The sound of a cello reached their ears, a haunting tune.

“This way,” Tristan said, hurrying through the left door.

A wall blocked their path further in, and Tristan stopped.

“What…?” he breathed. “There was never a wall here before…”

He looked at Max, who shared his bewildered appearance.

Themis screamed suddenly. The group saw her melt into a wall and vanish. Abbie freaked out.

“THEMIS!”

The fox started pushing against the wall, certain it was fake. When it didn’t budge, she pounded on it.

“What’s happening?” Clarisse asked, an edge to her voice.

“Themis just got pulled into a wall,” Faelan shuddered.

“Olay, something is going on here,” Pip said. “We need to find David and Themis, and we need to avoid getting split up. Max, Tristan, you seem to know your way around here. If David was hiding, where would he be?”

“The cellar,” Max said instantly.

“But the music is still playing,” Tristan objected.

They could hear a violin joining the cello.

“This is so weird.”

“Guys, I’m out,” Clarisse said. “I’m blind, and I’m just going to get in your way. Let me know how things-”

The avuelent suddenly vanished, and the group gasped collectively.

“Screw this. I’m calling someone,” Kel said, pulling out his phone.

“There’s no signal in here. I already tried it,” Max denied.

“I’m telling you, they’re in the music room. Don’t you hear that?” Tristan said, as a trombone joined the other two instruments.

A bright light flashed, before the room was plunged into darkness.

“David needs to check the electricity in this house,” Cog said.

The lights turned back on.

“Damn it!” Tristan yelled. “Kel’s gone!”

A drumbeat joined the instruments, and Tristan charged at the wall blocking his path.

He gasped as he plunged right through it.

“Kel!” he yelled, scrambling to his feet and running.

 

“It’s a fake?” Boom laughed nervously, walking toward the wall.

He put his hands on the wall, and met a solid surface.

“What the hell?”

“Let me try,” Pip said, stepping forward.

The rabbit threw his weight into the wall, and bounced off.

“Ow…” he muttered, holding his shoulder. “Damn it David, this is not funny!”

“We’re not going to get anywhere just standing here,” Max said. “Let’s head back to the living room.”

They all followed the tiger out of the hall.

“This is why I don’t go places,” Abbie grumbled.

“Calm down,” Faelan chuckled. “We’ll find Themis. Personally, I think Tristan was onto something when he suggested the music room. Everytime someone vanishes, another instrument has started to play, with the exception of Tristan.”

“So? David and Tristan are the only two that can play any kind of instrument,” Jake said.

Faelan shrugged.

“That’s the only issue with that idea.”

“It does give us a good starting point though. Max, are there any other ways to get there?” Pip asked.

“Yeah,” Max said, heading through another door.

The group followed him, everyone glancing around warily.

“Everyone pair up. If someone else goes missing, I want to know about it immediately,” Pip commanded.

Ryan took Jake’s hand, gripping it tightly.

“Chill out dude,” the dog said.

Someone cackled, and everyone tensed up.

“Cog?” Boom called suddenly.

The cackling continued, and a flute was added to the ensemble of instruments, all still playing their haunting music.

“Oh, it’s on. No one messes with my husband and gets away with it,” the dog growled.

 

Tristan tripped over a rug and landed heavily.

“Fuck...” he groaned, sitting up.

The music was louder here. He was getting closer to it.

Standing, he hurried toward a closed door. Opening it, he found himself in an auditorium.

Instruments floated through the air, all played by ghostly hands.

“Kel?” Tristan called loudly, stepping further into the room.

The door slammed shut behind his, and he jumped.

The instruments began floating around him, faster and faster, until he felt dizzy watching.

Kel appeared before him, and the dog cried out in joy, reaching for the wolf. His hands slipped through the wolf, and Tristan was pulled into a dark room, far from any music.

 

“That’s a guitar,” Abbie muttered, her ears picking up the sound of yet another instrument.

“Is everyone still here?” Pip asked.

The group looked amongst themselves.

“I think so,” Faelan replied.

“Then they must have gotten Tristan,” the rabbit sighed. “Are we almost there Max?”

“Yeah,” the tiger replied. “Just two more rooms.”

Pip saw tendrils of fog drifting under the next door.

“I don’t like the looks of this,” he muttered.

The rabbit carefully opened the door, and yelped as he was pulled off his feet by a pair of tendrils snaking across the foggy ground.

“Pip!” Faelan yelled, diving for his hand as the rabbit slid across the floor.

She grabbed the rabbit, and pulled, fighting for her boyfriend.

It was no use. The two of them slid across the floor as a side door opened, pulling the fox and the rabbit inside, before closing and locking.

The group looked on in horror, as a piano and a harp joined the music.

Max chuckled nervously.

“So which one of them was the harp?”

Abbie turned on the tiger.

“Look, if you know anything about what is going on, you better tell me right now,” she snapped.

“I don’t know what’s happening. I just know we’re dropping like flies.”

“Where does this door lead?” Boom asked, pointing to the left.

“The kitchen.”

Max took a step toward the door.

“Aren’t we going to the music room?” Jake asked.

“In a second. I need to see what’s in here. David said it was pretty bad,” Max said, placing a hand on the doorknob.

He slowly opened the door, and screamed.

“What the hell? What’s in there?” Boom demanded.

The door opened all the way, allowing the group to see a blue dragon wing, covered in blood and sitting in a large pot on the stove.

“What the fuck?!” Max cried.

“It’s fake,” Boom said. “It has to be.”

“I can’t do this any more…”

Max sank to his knees, and fell through the floor, vanishing like so many others before him. The sound of an oboe joined the orchestra in the other room.

“Fuck,” Boom muttered.

Ryan pulled Jake into the other room.

“Look, I’m not liking our chances right now,” he said. “I’m not going to leave things unsaid between us. I love you Jake. I know you’re still obsessed with Kel, and I know you probably will never return my feelings, but I wanted you to know they were there.”

“We can leave if you want-” Jake started.

“No. If this is all a hoax, I’m not going to be laughed at for running away.”

“Trust me, no one would laugh.”

Boom and Abbie followed them into the room. Abbie immediately made her way to the door the music spilled from.

“This is our best chance,” she said, yanking the door open.

Instruments circled through the air, but no living beings were in sight. The fox yelled in frustration.

“DAMN IT DAVID!!!”

She began fading away, angry tears streaming down her face. Another cello appeared among the instruments, adding its sound to the group.

Boom sniffed the air suddenly.

“Wait… I got you…”

He raced for a door on the far wall of the auditorium, and vanished through it.

“I think he’s onto something!”

Jake pulled Ryan along after the other dog. They hurried down a flight of stairs, entering a brightly lit room.

The music from upstairs stopped as they saw David seated amongst their friends.

“What the hell man?!” Jake yelled. “That was so not cool!”

David chuckled lightly.

“Yeah, I may have gone a little overboard.”

“You think?” Max muttered. “I warned you this was a bad idea.”

“But you did get a declaration of love out of it,” Cog grinned, looking at Ryan.

The blue fox blushed, glancing at Jake.

“Yeah, you and I have some talking to do at home,” the dog told him.

“Well, I hate to say it, but I think you beat me this year. I can’t compete against magic,” Cog added, looking at the dragon.

“So, what gave it all away?” David asked, looking at Boom.

“I recognized this guy’s fart,” Boom laughed, poking Cog.

Jake scanned the room again.

“Where’s Clarisse?” he asked.

“Outside. She said she was done,” David shrugged.

“So you’ve been teleporting us around all night?”

“Pretty much.”

“And the instruments?” Ryan asked.

“Illusions.”

“Well, you outdid yourself this year. It’ll be hard to top this one, even for you,” Cog said, standing up. “That means I got next year in the bag.”

“We’ll see. I hope you all had a fun time,” David said.

Max snorted.

David snapped his fingers, and a door appeared. He opened it, revealing his front yard on the other side.

The group filed through the doorway, and the dragon followed them, closing the portal behind him.

“Thank you all for coming, and Happy Halloween.”

As everyone left, Max slugged David in the shoulder.

“Ow!”

“That’s for the kitchen, you ass.”

Pulling the dragon close, the tiger kissed him.

“And that’s for a night I’ll never forget.”

 

FAELAN EUNUCH

Six o’clock on Christmas Eve. He was coming.

Faelan spritzed a little perfume on her neck, and double checked the powder on her face.

“Perfect,” she smiled at her reflection in the mirror.

Turning toward the bathroom door, the fox paused. She picked up a sticky bow and stuck it above her tail.

“There we go. Now it’s perfect.”

Faelan ran through the house, and threw herself on the couch as the door opened.

Pip looked at his girlfriend, wearing silk lingerie and a bow on her tail.

“Um, what’s the occasion?” he asked, untying the apron from around his waist.

“You are,” the fox grinned. “You gonna unwrap your Christmas present?”

“Faelan, you know I don’t like Christmas…” the rabbit sighed.

“Yeah, but I thought I could make it more enjoyable for you.”

Faelan wriggled her butt as Pip threw his apron into a hamper.

“Well, it’s hard to argue with that logic. Especially when you went through all this effort.”

The rabbit pulled his shirt off and sent it to join his apron. He studied the fox on the couch, who brushed her fingers over the rabbit’s abs.

Pip lifted Faelan’s tail.

“So does the bow mean this is open for business?” he asked.

“Maybe…” Faelan grinned.

“Mmm. I like my chances,” the rabbit smiled, plucking the bow off Faelan’s tail.

 

TRISTAN THARN

Tristan walked slowly up the driveway to David’s house. He was not a fan of the place; his last visit at Halloween had scared him away. For a good week after, David had officially been a Bad Dragon.

But now he stood before the door of the mansion, hand poised to ring the bell. Before he could move, the door opened, causing him to jump in surprise.

“I saw you coming,” David said, holding the door open for the dog.

Tristan shivered as he stepped over the threshold. Something about the house gave him the creeps, but he really didn’t know why. David worked hard to make it inviting, but Tristan could never shake the feeling of foreboding that came with the place.

“Are you okay?” David asked, closing the door.

“Your house scares me,” Tristan admitted.

“Yeah, it can feel a little off sometimes. Could be haunted. But I don’t have anything positive on that thought.”

The dragon led the dog through the foyer and the parlour, into an auditorium.

“I figured it was time to get you on another instrument. It’ll be loud, so I thought we could use my place so your neighbors don’t complain,” the dragon explained, pointing to an electric guitar next to a drum kit.

“Sweet,” Tristan smiled. “Let’s get started.”

 

MAXIMUS MARKHAUS

Max entered David’s house with a small wrapped box in his hands. Tonight was a special night for the two. It had been a year since they had met in that bar. Max smiled as he recalled trying to hook up with the dragon. Nothing had happened that night, but this year was a sure thing.

He was a tiger on the prowl, stalking through the foyer, and into the parlour. He saw the dragon’s tail sticking out of the bathroom door, the sink running in the background. Perfect…

Silently creeping through the room, Max closed in on his prey. When he was a foot away, the tiger pounced.

“Shit!” David coughed, spraying toothpaste from his mouth.

Grabbing a towel, he wiped his face and the mirror now speckled with his saliva before turning to glare at the tiger.

“Was that really necessary?” he demanded.

“Yes. And funny,” Max grinned.

He held out the present.

“Frohliche Weihnachten,” he smiled.

“You’re a day early.”

“I know, but I couldn’t wait any longer. Besides, this is also our anniversary.”

“I know mei areula. I was getting ready for dinner. May I finish?” the dragon asked, a bemused look on his face.

“You’re perfect just the way you are.”

Max kissed the dragon on the cheek, and backed out of the room.

“Two minutes. We’re not getting any younger.”

David chuckled, albeit bitterly.

“Don’t I know it…” he muttered, turning back to his task.

Max sat on an ornate chair, dimly recalling that it had been made in 1866. This place was a museum, and he loved the history it held, though it also made him sad on David’s behalf. It must be hell to go through centuries knowing the people you love were going to die long before you.

He tore his mind away from that thought as the dragon emerged from the bathroom.

“Are you ready?”

“I’m always ready for food,” Max replied. “Oh, but before we go, open your gift.”

He held out the package for David to take, and the dragon accepted it, opening the messily wrapped paper as carefully as he could.

Opening the box under the paper, David let out a gasp. Dropping the box, he held a picture frame in his hand.

“Claire…” he breathed, tracing the picture with his finger.

“I know it won’t have the memory of the original, but I thought you might want to have a coloured version,” Max said.

“How did you…?”

“It turns out Themis is a computer geek. She photoshopped a picture I took of the original. I had to look through your journal for a description of her. I hope you don’t mind.”

“No. It’s amazing. It looks just like her.”

The dragon gazed at the picture, lost for a moment. When he finally looked up, he said, “I’m sorry, this can’t take the place of the original. But it is something I will always cherish. Thank you so much.”

Max smiled.

“You’re welcome.”

David set the picture on the table in front of the chair, and cleared his throat.

“L-let’s get going…”

“Lead the way,” Max replied.

 

BOOM THERABBIT

Boom stood beside his rabbit, staring at a door that filled him with trepidation. Early evening noises sounded around them, people on their way home from work, a sprinkler running nearby.

“We can do this, right?” Cog asked, taking Boom’s hand.

“Yeah.”

The dog took a deep breath, then pushed the doorbell.

A few seconds passed before the door opened.

“Cog, Boom,” David said in surprise.

Cog’s eye twitched as he took in David’s shirtless torso. He spotted Max darting past in the background, and could have sworn the tiger wasn’t wearing clothes.

“Is this a bad time?” Boom asked.

“Um, no. Come in.”

The dragon held open the door, and after a moment’s hesitation, Cog entered, followed by his dog.

Max walked into the room, pulling a shirt over his head. He tossed another shirt at David, who slipped it on.

“Would you like some hot chocolate?” David asked.

“Sure,” Boom replied.

Max disappeared into another room, as David led the two to the sitting room. They sat on separate couches, near a crackling fireplace.

“So, to what do I owe this surprise?” he asked.

Boom cleared his throat uncomfortably.

“Um… well…”

“We… Boom and I , we would like to have a child,” Cog said.

The dragon looked at the two.

“And I’m assuming you don’t want to adopt,” he said.

“Well, we’re not adverse to it. We were just wondering if you knew of a way for us to have our own baby,” Boom said in a rush.

“Because of the magic and everything,” Cog added.

David steepled his hands thoughtfully.

“To be honest, I have never thought about this,” he said. “My wife and I were unable to conceive naturally, and we left it at that. At a certain point, I believe the species difference might make it impossible..”

Max entered the room with a platter of four steaming mugs. He set the platter on the table and passed the mugs around before taking a seat beside David.

Boom sipped at his mug, and licked his lips.

“It’s my own recipe,” Max said as the dog glanced at him. “I hope it’s okay.”

“It’s delicious dear,” Cog smiled tensely, taking a drink of his own.

“So you’re saying adoption is our only hope?”

David held up a hand to stop Boom.

“I said maybe. This is interesting, and I would like to look into it. I might even try to get my mother’s opinion on it,” he said. “However, this will take time.”

“We understand,” Cog said.

“Is there any way the two of us could help?” Boom asked.

“Do a little research of your own. You might find something I might miss, as my research methods are admittedly a little dated,” David replied with a rueful smile.

“I will also try to help where I can, though I feel like I’m way out of my league on this one,” Max added.

“One more thing, something to think about whether we succeed or not. A child is a major commitment. The two of you haven’t even been married for a year yet. You should enjoy each other as much as you can before adding another person into the mix.”

Cog and Boom looked at each other.

“Thank you David,” Cog said, as he drained his mug.

“We will keep thinking on this, but still let us know what you find please,” Boom requested.

“Of course.”

The four of them stood up, and David led Cog and Boom to the door while Max cleaned up the mugs.

“I hope you two have a good evening. Happy New Year,” David smiled.

“Happy New Year,” Boom replied, before dragging Cog back into the chill evening air.

The door closed behind them and the two breathed a little easier.

“Well?” Cog asked.

“We’ll see,” Boom shrugged, taking the rabbit’s hand.

 

TRISTAN THARN

Tristan stretched back against Kel, their naked bodies intertwined.

“Remember the first time we did this?” he asked, tilting his head back so he could see Kel’s snout.

“Ugh, don’t remind me. I was such an ass.”

Tristan chuckled, wriggling until Kel’s knot was stuck deeper inside him.

“At least we cured you of your obsession with fleeing,” he teased.

Kel nipped Tristan’s ear, and the dog yelped.

“Don’t be a dick,” the wolf laughed.

“Don’t pull out then.”

“Wasn’t planning to.”

The knot throbbed, filling Tristan with satisfaction. It felt right, having Kel inside him, and he never wanted to let the feeling go.

“You take your juice today?”

Kel interrupted his thoughts, and Tristan squirmed again, drawing a muffle ‘oof’ from the wolf.

“Yeah. I’ve learned that if I don’t he’ll just keep nagging me.”

“He cares about you.”

“I know.”

The dog grabbed Kel’s arm, and wrapped it around his torso. The wolf was starting to soften, and Tristan was trying to figure out how to keep him inside.

Kel reached around with his free hand and gently flicked Tristan. The dog hissed in surprise, and his cheeks clenched around Kel.

“Mmm…” Kel sighed.

“Rude,” Tristan muttered.

“So, I was thinking…”

“There’s a first,” Tristan laughed.

“Shush you. We spend more time at each other’s place than we do by ourselves. It makes no sense to be paying for a second apartment.”

“Are you suggesting that we move in together?” Tristan asked.

“I think it will be good to get you out of this place. There are some pretty bad memories here.”

Tristan couldn’t argue with that. He’d had to throw away a few towels because of the bloodstains on them.

“Sounds great to me” he said, laying back against Kel. “I love you.”

“I love you too little doge.”

 

DAVID ENTERAI

David stood in front of a grave, a single rose in his hand.

“I guess your time was up,” he sighed, setting the rose on the grave.

Max stood against a tree, watching the dragon. He had never seen David cry. And he wasn’t about to

The dragon walked back to his tiger stone faced.

“Are you okay?” Max asked.

“Yeah. My mother was not the nicest of people. This actually helped. No one expected it, and it means certain questions will go unanswered, but I’m glad for it. I can live my life knowing that someday I will be united with you and Claire.”

Max smiled, and clapped David on the shoulder.

“Don’t worry, we’ll have a great big party waiting for you.”

They walked out of the cemetery together, Neither one looking back at the headstone that marked the grave of an elf.