FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

"Love Unseen"

** ** It was a hot summer morning, the very tail end of the season found Simba Conroy walking the famliar route to his bus stop. He didn't listen when it came to matters of going out on his own; he still had his sense of smell, he had his cane that tapped along the ground near his feet, even at twelve years old, he practiced a stern independent streak. As the dog counted the steps in his head, he felt the curb in front of him and paused at the walk to listen for vehicles. He pressed the button to his immediate right and heard the soft ding that it had taken his input to request to cross. As he waited motionless, he listened around him. Cars whizzed by on the street, he could smell their exhaust, and cigarette smoke coming from some of the vehicles as they rushed past; probably to avoid being stuck behind the light before it changed.

Bzzt! Bzzt! Bzzt!

The familiar tweet of the light changing sounded out, then the loud chirping of the signal to cross. Simba stepped down and felt the gravel under his feet as he started to walk across. It usually took about thirty steps; he was on step twenty-five when he heard a loud screeching noise, a car likely not paying attention to the crosswalk was coming straight for him. Before he could react, Simba felt a sudden bump from someone literally tackling him out of the way. He felt the breeze of the car roaring past as he and his rescuer both fell to the opposite curb.

"Holy crap! What is with the people in this town? Didn't you see that thing com--" The kid's voice cut off as he spotted Simba groping around for his glasses on the ground. "Oh man... I'm--I'm sorry." He said. "I didn't notice you--"

"No problem." Simba answered kindly. "It wasn't like I had a big sign around my neck or something."

The kid wrapped an arm under Simba's elbow and helped him back to his feet. "Here." He said, placing the dog's glasses into his paw. "I guess you're looking for these."

"Real great on the word use there." Simba said as he put his glasses on. "And... thanks, you really saved my tail there."

"Aw, it's no problem." The boy giggled. "I'm Adam, nice to meet you."

"Oh, Simba." He said reaching out a paw. "Simba Conroy." He felt the paw clamp over his own and shake it.

"You headed to the bus stop? You're that new kid right?"

"Sort of." He said. "I mean... it's my chance to catch up with normal classes, I've spent the last two years in a school for the disabled, I guess I outgrew it after I learned how to read and navigate with this thing." He raised his cane and waved it briefly. "It'll be good to get back to a normal school."

There was a long pause before Adam answered. "Boy, you have been gone a long time, haven't you?" He asked.

"What do you mean?"

There wasn't an answer because just as Simba asked that, the familiar sound of the bus' loud air breaks could be heard from half a block away. Adam had heard it too, and without a second thought, grabbed the shepherd by the paw and started hastily running with him. "Hey! Hey!" Simba stumbled as he latched his cane into his hand and felt the wind swoosh by his ears like he was in a race. "What if I fall down!?" He called to the other canine.

"Don't worry, I won't let you fall." Adam answered with a cheery laugh and the two of them made their way toward the rumbling noise of the bus. "Hold on!" He heard Adam shout. "Wait for us!"

The bus, which sounded like it was starting to pull away then stopped and the squeaking noise of the doors slid open as the bus driver inside called back to them. "You're damn lucky I heard ya kid. Get on both of you, I'm not gonna be late."

Adam hopped up and helped Simba climb the steep steps into the vehicle. Guiding him toward the back, the dog could hear hushed whispers and remarks toward his sunglasses and his cane. He blushed and cleared his throat, trying to clue people in to the fact he could hear them, but none of them seemed to care.

"Here, have a seat." Adam said, guiding Simba into a seat next to the window, he could feel the breeze from the opening and the heat radiating through from the sunlight as the bus pulled into motion with a lurching grind. "So..." Adam settled into the seat next to Simba. "What happened? You haven't always been blind like that, right?"

Simba shrugged a bit. "No, it just happened one day. Woke up, and I couldn't see... the doctors ran some tests, I guess something in my body isn't wired right and it shut down my eyes."

"Oh man, that's rough. I mean the least of _our_worries is not getting our homework done on time. I couldn't even imagine not being able to see."

"Thanks." Simba said sardonically.

"Oh, well I didn't mean it like that. It's just that... um..."

"I know what you mean." Simba sighed. "It isn't easy for me either. I can't watch a movie, I can't even go to the playground without adult supervision anymore. It sucks. Hey Adam?"

"Yeah?" Adam answered with a sound in his voice like he'd stuck something in his mouth.

"What are you?"

"Oh. Ha!" Adam laughed. "I'm a husky, not a lot like me down in this area. It's so hot..."

"I'll say, I thought most huskys lived in Alaska."

"Or Canada. That's where I was born but mom and dad moved here when I was way young, so I got dual citizenship."

"Well, that's cool!"

"Mmm. Want one?" Adam asked as he held something that smelled very sweet near Simba's nose.

"Want one what?"

"Oh a sucker. I got a bag of 'em, teacher said next time I got caught with a sucker and didn't bring enough for everyone then I'd have to stay after school and beat chalkboard erasers."

Simba smirked. "You've got a sweet fang, huh?"

"Mmhmm..." He answered, slurping his words as he spoke. "That's what my mom keeps telling me." He handed Simba a sucker and he took a lick. It was Cherry; and it would always be his favorite flavor.

The morning went by slowly; Adam managed to wrangle Simba into most of the same classes. It was the first time Simba had been to a school that changed classrooms every period, and he would have found it impossible to navigate so quickly without him. Third period they had to split up because Adam had English and Simba had Math, so the husky dropped him off in front of the classroom. After their goodbyes, Simba entered the fairly chaotic room and Simba found a desk empty to sit in;

"Oops! Excuse me!" A larger feline bumped himself against Simba, sending him to the floor. "This seat's mine, sunglasses. Find another seat."

"Excuse me." Simba said sternly. "I got the seat first."

"Well my butt's already in it, so phthbthb!" The raspberry was a sour, disgusting smell which erupted from the kid's mouth and Simba's sensitive nose picking it up made him gag.

"Ugh. Fine, take it, take it." He said, waving his hand in front of his face.

"What's that? Are you making fun of me? You saying I smell?"

"I'm not saying you smell. No." Simba said. "But your breath is enough to peel paint off walls."

"Why you--!" Simba felt a hand; a BIG hand grab him around the collar and yank him to his feet. He was ready for a punch but a sharp toned voice interrupted him:

"Samuel Edgar Davis! You put that boy down this instant!"

It was Mrs. Rice; the math teacher, having come in at the last second, Simba sighed in relief as the bully released his collar and let him fall mostly toward the floor. There was a growl from the kid holding Simba before a begrudging release. "You got luck this time." He said as he walked away, immediately the hands of someone else touched him as if checking on his well being.

"Are you alright?" She asked sternly. "If you're having any trouble adjusting to your first day..."

"I'm... f-fine..." Simba said, brushing her hands out of his face.

"Okay, students?" She called out, taking Simba's shoulders and holding him in front like he were some sort of a trophy, making him blush with embarrassment. "This is Simba Conroy; he's our new student, and he has trouble seeing--"

"I... can't see at all." He said pointedly, but was ignored by her.

"So I want you all to take whatever time you need to introduce yourselves, let him touch your faces if you want, it helps him get a better look at you--"

"It's really not--"

"Hi! I'm Charlotte!" A cat forced herself against Simba's palms, making him pull his hands back in surprise. "Nice to meet you!"

"It's just like a kid with a disability. All this special treatment." He heard the bully from before scoff. "I bet you like the attention, don't you kid?"

"You sound like you're too old for this class." Simba quipped fast. "Maybe you should go graduate or something?" There was a long pause and a growl before Simba felt something solid hit his face and knock him backward.

"Samuel!" He heard the name echo in his head as he hit the floor.

There was a dizzying feel as Simba regained consciousness. He groaned a bit and put a hand on his face. "Oh I'm glad you came around, it's been almost an hour."

The voice was soft and comforting as a firm hand checked the pain above Simba's eyebrow. "Ow, what happened?"

The school nurse was male, he let out a soft sigh as he began to apply something to Simba's brow that made it sting. "Sam Davis happened to you. You really need to learn who you can or cannot smart off to. He's sent more students to my office than he's been sent to the principal's office if that gives you a clue. Are you okay? Feeling dizzy?"

"Yeah."

"Here take this." He said, handing Simba a pill and a cup. Simba downed the pill with the cold water. "It's just a little aspirin, did you want me to call your parents? You want to go home early?"

"No... I'll be okay."

There was a chuckle of approval. "Well that's a good sport. A lesser kid would want to go home. Well, I can't force you to go, you're not in need of an emergency room, but you need to watch yourself around kids like Davis. They're full of piss and vinegar and won't take a smart kid outsmarting them."

Simba smiled. "Thanks."

"I think the lunch bell rang just a few minutes ago. You better hurry down or you'll miss it."

"Oh. I don't know where it is." Simba admitted.

"You had a visitor after you came in, if he's still out there I'm sure he can show you the way."

As the nurse guided Simba to the door of his office, he was surprised to feel a hug. "Oh I'm glad you're okay." He suddenly recognized Adam's voice. "When I saw them bringing you here I just had to rush down as soon as my class finished."

"You saw that too?"

"I wouldn't be surprised if the whole school did. Thanks, Josh I'll take him for some lunch."

"Okay Adam. You kids be safe, okay?"

"He was nice." Simba admitted.

"He's one of the only adults here that talk to us like we're equals. Don't forget that."

The pair made their way down a short flight of steps as Adam guided Simba each way. Simba used his cane to tap any obstacles that Adam would have missed and stepped around, but otherwise was getting the jist of how the school was laid out pretty thoroughly. He could smell the cheap Salisbury steak from a few corridors down, and heard the sudden eruption of noise as the lunch room door opened. As the pair made their way through the lines, the overload was almost too much for Simba to keep up with the individual conversations all happening around him at once. Adam gave him the rundown on what to eat and what to avoid, and somehow he ended up with a tray of pizza slices, pudding a glob of jello and a pint of milk. The room had quieted down by the time they found themselves a seat.

"So I heard you stood up to Davis!" A voice startled Simba from behind.

"That is so cool, did he give you that cut?" Someone else said, touching the sensitive sore under his bandaged forehead.

"Ouch." He whispered.

"Dude, he could've killed you!" Someone else muttered.

' "Will everyone just shut up and let the kid eat?" Adam shouted above the others before whispering to Simba himself. "Jeeze, looks like you've become the most popular kid in the sixth grade and it's still your first day."

"Yeah... lucky me." Simba said sarcastically as he took a sip of his milk.

School ended a couple hours later, Adam and Simba shared the last two classes and the shepherd was dragged out of the last class like a shot by the husky. He'd never been around another kid who had gotten so attached to him so fast. The bus ride back to where they'd started seemed to last a lot longer than the ride out that morning. The pair exited the bus with four other kids who split off in other directions, but Adam stayed with Simba as they walked the street toward his apartment building.

"So, where'd you move into?" Adam asked.

"Just down the street here." Simba answered.

"Oh."

Simba smiled. "You can come over if you want, mom would be happy to see I made a friend."

"A f-friend? Really?"

"Yes, really." Simba said, poking the husky with his stick. "But you tell anybody and I'll kick your butt."

Adam laughed and swatted the cane away. "Okay, okay! I got it."

As they made their way across the last street leading to the large apartment building, Simba took a turn around the back toward the small garden at the back. "We're here. It's the third door from the left."

"Hi Simba! How was your first day at school?" Nadia was leaning over the stone wall outside of their door, slinging a towel over the clothesline that stretched from there to the end of the yard. "And who is this handsome young husky?"

Simba rolled his eyes, though they were impossible to see from under his glasses. "Mom, this is Adam. He helped me out a lot today."

"Well, it's nice to meet you Adam. I'm Simba's mom Nadia."

"Nice to meet you too." Adam answered.

"Well, if you're hungry, I've got hot dogs cooking on the stove and some macaroni and cheese to celebrate Simba's first day. You're welcome to join us."

"Oh yeah! I'd like that--ooooh shoot!" He exclaimed. "Only I just remembered that it's my mom's birthday and dad's taking us out to dinner. I can't stay." He frowned.

"Aw, that's okay sweetheart." She said. "You can come over anytime you like okay?"

Adam's smile widened. "Okay, thanks Mrs. Conroy!" He answered excitedly.

Nadia smiled and turned to go into the house, leaving Adam and Simba alone on the porch. "Gosh... I'm sorry you've gotta go." Simba said. "It wasn't something I said was it?"

"No, no." Adam shook his head. "I am serious, it's my mom's birthday. I just totally forgot about it."

Simba sighed, trying not to let his frown show. "Okay, so... I guess I'll see you tomorrow?"

"You know you will! If you want I'll even come by and pick you up. That way you don't have to risk getting hit by a car."

"I'd like that."

"Good." Adam said with a laugh before giving Simba a quick hug and scampering off.

As the husky's footsteps faded and Simba couldn't hear them anymore, the shepherd sighed. "Boy, I'd risk getting hit by a car anyday if it meant I get to meet you again."

"Next stop;

Main Street, Tiger's Cove. Next stop."

Simba opened his eyes at the sound of the train conductor's voice over the loud speaker. He must have fallen asleep a few hours back for them to make it to the city so quickly. He blinked and looked out the window as the familiar streets came into view. He'd only been able to see for about a year since the accident restored his sight, and everything still felt the same here. He reached up and dragged his suitcase down, hearing the sound of his old walking cane clatter against the plastic interior as he adjusted its weight and put it on the floor. He pulled the handle out and as the train came to a stop, he was among the first to stand up to make his way toward the door.

It was a seven hour train ride from school, but he wanted to come visit his mother on her birthday; after all, she was turning fifty. A ripe age for a surprise party visit. He adjusted his satchel and made his way off the train, spotting the familiar figure in the crowd. "Mom!" He called, waving toward her. Nadia's eyes lit up as she recognized him and she rushed over to give him a hug. "Oh Simba! I'm so glad you made it!" She laughed before wiping a joyful tear from her eye. "I hope your trip went well."

"Fantastic, at least the parts I didn't sleep through."

Nadia smiled. "Aw, well you always were the kid who couldn't stay awake during a long trip. You remember that trip we took with your father back when you were six?"

"Ugh." Simba groaned. "Lake Makanahee. I remember, that was the year I found out I was allergic to bee stings." He gave her a hug back. "Happy birthday, mom." He said.

He grabbed the handle of his suitcase and started walking alongside Nadia. She looped his arm under his elbow and patted his hand as they walked. "So are you planning on spending this whole weekend with your old mother or what?"

Simba raised an eyebrow at him. "Sure. Where else would I go?"

"Well, I was wondering if you'd be interested in spending some time with your... ah... friend, Adam?"

"Hang on. Adam's back in town? When did this happen?"

"Oh he moved back a couple months ago, his mom had passed away and he came back to settle her affairs. I guess he just decided to keep the house. I figured you knew?"

Adam paused. "I haven't talked to him in a couple years, I lost touch after he moved away. I don't even think he knows I can see again."

She pushed a knowing smile. "Well, maybe now is the time to let him know."

"Are you sure? I was going to come back to the house and--"

"I'll be fine. I'm a tough old lady." She said. "Go see him, I figured you might. You two never could stay apart, just don't forget to invite me to the wedding."

"Mom, how did you--very funny." Simba said stoically.

"Mother's intuition never lies." She said as she lifted onto the tips of her paws and gave Simba a kiss on the cheek. "Go have fun. But don't stay out all night, I still want my son's company for my birthday."

Simba smiled and was about to object, but she quickly snatched the handle of his suitcase and started to trot away. He stared at her confused for a moment, then he laughed and rubbed the back of his neck. "Whatever you say." He said.

The trip back to the old neighborhood was fairly easy, Simba hadn't been there in several years. Once his family moved while he started High School, they hadn't been back since. The neighborhood still smelled the same though; a subtle hint of asphalt with a constant buzzing of electricity in the outdated wiring far overhead. The small clay-red house still stood where it had when he first visited it:

"Wow... this place smells nice." Simba said as Adam led him into the small front yard. Despite not being able to see it, the shepherd could smell an assortment of smells that emanated from the house and from the yard; like roses, there was a bed of roses near the door that his mother probably worked on. And the aroma of pastries or pie sitting on the sill of an open window. Simba reached up and could feel the smooth texture of the window sill, and a warmth radiating from something on top of it. "And so does that..." He said.

"Shhh!" Adam giggled as he pulled Simba's hand away from the sill. "Mom catches you poking at her pie, she's gonna flip. Come on, I'll introduce you."

The two children climbed the stairs toward the front door, three very large steps that felt as cold as concrete to Simba. There was a grunt and Adam turned the handle and opened the door. "Mom? Dad! I'm home, I brought a new friend for you guys to meet!"

"Oh you've made a friend?" A woman's voice sounded off as she came into the hallway. "Oh--" she paused. "Oh dear, your glasses startled me. Don't you know it's rude to wear sunglasses indoors?"

"But mom..."

Adam's protests were halted by a clicking of her tongue. "Now now, you don't want to teach your friend bad manners, do you Adam?" She said. "Here sweetie, I'll just take these and put them some--"

Her voice cut off mid-sentence as Simba felt his glasses pulled from his muzzle. He wasn't sure if it was the blank, sightless stare, or the loud facepalm he heard Adam oblige, but there was a long, deep breath as the woman realized what she was seeing. "I'm--I'm sorry, I don't go many places without those." Simba said calmly.

"Oh dear... oh dear, I'm so sorry!" She screeched apologetically as she tried to shove the sunglasses back in place, nearly jabbing Simba in the eye with them. "I had no idea! Adam never said that you were--"

Simba smiled. "Well I can't see that coming up at the dinner table, no." He adjusted his glasses back on his face. "But I'm used to it."

"Yes... oh yes and what a brave little boy you are too. Adam go ahead and take your friend to your room to play. I'll call you when dinner is ready."

Simba sighed to himself as Adam led him down the hallway. He'd gotten used to the fact that being blind automatically makes adults treat you like you're four years old again. The shock in her voice though, his mother must have been completely embarrassed for such an obvious mistake. After a few dozen steps, the pair turned and walked through a doorway where Adam closed it behind him. "I'm sorry about her." He said as Simba found a seat on the bed on the other side of the room. Adam jumped up next to him a few seconds later. "She can be so embarrassing sometimes."

"Well, moms are like that." Simba said. "I didn't even get to introduce myself."

"After that, I'd think it'll be a miracle that she says anything to you around the dinner table." Adam replied. "I think it's funny; so many people look at you and all they see is your sunglasses... or your cane, you know?"

"Well after a while you get used to it." Simba answered with a shrug. "Why, what do you see?"

Adam was silent for a moment before slipping the glasses off, much more deftly than his mother had. Simba tried his hardest to find Adam's eyes, but he had no idea he was looking in the right direction. "Just you." He said. There was the briefest peck on Simba's lips just then, his face suddenly felt like it was on fire as he gasped and pulled his head back. There wasn't much more to think, but there was another silence before Simba felt the glasses shoved back into his hands. "I-I'm sorry I'm sorry!" Adam shouted. "That was stupid, I can't believe I did that!"

"Hey." Simba said, reaching forward and finding Adam's hand. "It's okay."

"It... it is?"

"Sure, why not?" Simba shrugged.

Adam chuckled nervously. "Oh hey, I got a new CD, wanna hear it?"

Simba smiled. "Sure."

Simba pressed his fingers to his lips, remembering that day. Something had awakened in him when Adam kissed him; he felt accepted, normal... he felt like somebody really cared for him. He exhaled slowly as he started across the street, checking both ways before getting to the other side. Digging his fingers into his back pocket, he pulled out his last pair of sunglasses and placed them on. Snagging a nearby branch, he whipped it behind his back as he managed the small steps to the front door. Using the branch he tapped loudly at the door and then placed it down in front of him, hoping the low lighting wouldn't give it away.

After a moment, the door opened and a blue-eyed husky appeared in the screen. He looked somewhat exhausted, but his eyes widened upon seeing his visitor. "S-Sim?" He spoke at last before letting out a laugh of relief. "Oh man! Holy crap, I can't believe you're here!"

"It's good to see you Adam. So to speak." He said. "I'm visiting mom and she mentioned you were in town."

Adam's expression grew disheartened, it took every fiber of Simba's willpower to fight the urge to react. "Yeah... my mom actually died a couple months ago. I was here for her will reading, to talk to her lawyer about settling accounts; it's actually really surprising how much debt a modest woman can have these days. Anyway, the time rekindled my memories of this place, so I figured I'd stay."

"Really? You're living here now?"

Adam shrugged. "Well staying here until I can find an apartment." He said. "There's still too much owed for me to pick up the house, so it makes more sense to sell it and get out of it what I can." He sighed. "Plus, the first few weeks here had been agonizing thanks to memories... oh well, come on in. Jeeze don't just stand out there like a random stranger on the street."

Adam opened the door and Simba slowly made his way inside; the house wasn't much different than he remembered, it still had the rusty-red carpet in the hall that branched off into the living room and kitchen, still the same pale white walls and the nice hanging light over the entryway. "You came at a good time, the realtor's doing a few showings tomorrow, so the place is pretty clean. If you wouldn't mind taking your shoes off though..."

"Oh, sure." Simba said, stepping out of his shoes one at a time.

"Do you remember where everything is? If not I can show you--" There was a long trail off of Adam's words as he noticed the branch in Simba's hands. Simba quickly played innocent and hid the branch behind his back. "That's not your cane, dude. What's going on?"

"What do you mean? Nothing's going on." Simba answered, finding it harder and harder to sound convincing.

"Sim..." Adam stepped forward and reached up to gently pull the glasses off the shepherd's eyes. To his surprise the brown stare gazed back at him and directly into his own eyes. "You..."

"It's good to... see you." Simba said softly, smiling as he placed his hands on Adam's cheeks, his thumbs ruffling slightly through the furry edges.

Teary-eyed, Adam suddenly threw himself toward Simba, kissing him so hard and so suddenly that it nearly sent both of them to the floor. Just as eagerly, Simba wrapped his arms around Adam's back and hugged the husky close, returning the kiss with so much passion that the heat of the moment caused them both to start panting heavily. After a good three minutes, they broke their embrace to catch some air, when Simba met Adam's eyes again, he nearly melted into their blue color, his body was charged with energy, but his stomach growled defiantly in the hopes of food before fun. Simba blushed.

"Aw sounds like someone's hungry." Adam said. "But I've been eating for one, I don't have a thing to cook in the house."

"Then let's go out." Simba said. "To celebrate a new life for both of us."

Letting out a scoff, Adam exaggeratedly put his hands on his hips. "Well, Simba Conroy. Are you asking me out on a date?"

Simba chuckled and again pulled Adam into his arms, who was all too willing to be swept into those muscular extremities. "Well I think I am. Unless you'd like to stay in..." Another growl from his stomach emerged. He growled, but Adam laughed.

"I think someone's objecting at least." The husky teased. "Let me get something on to go out in, we can hit Luigi's down the street, and if we're still up for it it'll be a quick trip back." He said.

Adam had dressed in a button up blue shirt, a white t-shirt with the sleeves sticking out and a pair of blue jeans when he returned from his room to find Simba watching the news about some big explosion on the TV.

"What's that?" Adam asked as he came into the room and dropped a pair of black converse onto the floor to put them on.

"Some explosion downtown. A jewelry heist attempt." Simba said. "It got foiled though by--"

"The Moonlighters? Yeah tell me something I don't know."

"You've heard of them?"

Adam nodded. "Yeah, they're this local group of superheroes trying to mop this huge influx of crime out. Sometimes they destroy a building or two, but they almost never fail to stop a crook or two. A lot of times they're also superpowered, but they seem to make it through all the time. Personally I think the Enforcer's pretty hot."

"The Enforcer?" Simba smirked. "You're not trying to make me jealous are you?"

"You? Up against a black spandexed mass of a lion who's got super strength and a penchant for having a wedgie that shows off every inch of his ass?" He waved his hand. "He doesn't compare." He said with a wink. "Okay, let's get down to eat before Luigi's closes, I don't want to go searching for another restaurant tonight."

"Hey Adam. About those superheroes..."

"What's up?"

Simba paused for a moment, not sure he even wanted to share with Adam that he too had... 'talents' of his own. He hadn't experienced them in several days and didn't want to jinx them to return by telling him about them and about his recovery from blindness all at once. "Ah, so who are the others?"

The trip to Luigi's wasn't long, even on foot it was only about two blocks down from Adam's house. They talked about the Moonlighters, and superheroes, and what powers they used to pretend having when they were children. A lot of catch up made it feel like two steps from Adam's front door to Luigi's.

"Ah, Luigi's." Simba reminisced as he stared at the familiar red bricks laid in an archway around the front door. "Best Italian in the city. I know how to spoil on a first date." He teased.

"Ooh, well. Let's be sure not to spoil the desert then?" The husky teased as Simba opened the door for him, the canine tail brushing against the shepherd's leg and almost driving him wild.

He inhaled and followed Adam in quickly, immediately and almost completely running into a Courser holding a menu standing immediately behind the door standing next to the host stand. He cleared his throat almost indignantly as Simba slowly drew his chest back and settled back onto his balanced paws. "Uh--sorry about that Gregorio." Simba said. "Two please..."

"Humph..." The dog uttered as he tossed a towel over his forearm and slipped a second menu into his hand. "This way, gentlemen." He said in a heavy Italian-accented voice.

"How did you know that was Gregorio?" Adam whispered as they followed the canine. "You were blind last time you came here right?"

"Blind yes, but my nose has always worked. No one can smell of cigars and expensive wine like Gregorio."

"We also have extremely good ears." The canine answered starkly as he showed them to the table. "It is good to see you back again signore Adam; Signore Simba. We remember you two as well." He let them slip into their booth and smiled before handing them the menus. "Would you care for something to drink? We've just gotten in a new sweet Frascati."

"That sounds good." Simba said. "Adam?"

"Sure, and could I also get some ice water?"

"Of course." The dog nodded his head before swiftly disappearing into the dimly lit room.

"So, you never mentioned. How'd you get your eyes back?" Adam asked, his attention focusing on Simba who was busy getting his wine glass ready.

"Oh, I'm not sure. The doctors were definitely baffled, it happened just before I left for college too. They think something must have happened to realign my eyes but they can't figure out what."

"Man. It's like you've had a second chance at life and stuff." Adam brushed his hand through his fur in amazement. "I mean, you've been blind since we were kids right? I don't even think you could see when we first met."

"No." Simba said. "We met just after I got back from a school for the blind."

"Right. Yeah you were walking across the road and some crazy taxi about barrelled you down."

Simba smiled, grateful that Adam remembered. "Yep. We became some pretty fast friends that day."

"I'll say. I mean, my balls had basically just dropped and I already found you completely irresistible." He snickered. "Funny how it happens isn't it?"

"Gentlemen?" The waiter had reappeared with a bottle of wine. Popping the cork, he gently poured the liquid into the two glasses. "Please let us know when you are ready to order." He said after pouring and just as immediately disappeared.

"Man, I almost forgot about the menu. I am starving." Simba said as he opened the black covered menu and began to scan the items listed.

"Hey, Sim?" He looked up to see that Adam was holding his glass of wine. "To old friends." He said with a quirky smile.

Simba picked up his glass and gently ticked it against Adam's. "And to reigniting old flames." He said.

As if on cue, Simba felt something suddenly jump from his throat in the guise of a hiccup. As his mouth released the air, there was a brief puff of smoke that thankfully fell unnoticed in the dimly lit restaurant. He clapped his hand over his mouth as Adam looked at him curiously. "Sorry, hiccups..." He said.

"You haven't even taken a sip and you're getting the hiccups?" He asked. "That's weird."

"I need to go wash up real quick, when Gregorio gets back just... erm order me the spaghetti with meatballs okay?"

"Oh, sure. Go ahead, take care of business." Adam said with a nod as Simba quickly excused himself from the table.

It was a bee-line rush to the bathroom. Though now it was a multi-occupancy one, it was thankfully empty at the moment as Simba rushed in and threw himself against the sink to stare at his reflection in the mirror. "Okay, okay. Calm down Sim... calm down... it was just a one-time reaction. You're okay..." He turned on the water and quickly splashed his face, rubbing out his eyes and dabbing some of the water on his warmed nose. "You're over this you're over this, you're---BLAAAGHHH!" His mouth erupted in a cone of flame that nearly threw him backwards as it curled up into the air with a wisp of smoke that just as instantly evaporated into the air. He was on the verge of sobbing now out of frustration. "Not now! Come on!" He exclaimed, inhaling sharply and trying to control his breathing. "Come on now, don't lose it..." His breathing began to slow as he concentrated on not spewing flames. It was the hardest thing out of his new abilities to control. Sometimes he couldn't even feel it coming, other times he was able to cut it off at the pass but now... "Adam..." He realized and there was another hiccup and bubble of flame. "He puts me on edge like no one else, I want him so bad that I'm totally nervous over it... it's causing the backlash... I've got to calm down. He's not going to want me setting him on fire tonight... not literally!" He closed his eyes and breathed, he could feel his heart finally starting to slow down. He opened his eyes and looked down at the bathroom sink, which was now partly broken from his firm grip on it. He released it and breathed again as he looked at his reflection. "You've got this." He said. "Come on Simba. Don't be a chicken... there's no need to be nervous, me and Adam have been friends for years and he's always accepted me for who I am..." He sighed and bumped his fist against the sink. "But I can't tell him about this... he'd never trust me. All I can do is trust him though..." He inhaled and exhaled again, feeling a bubble of something in his throat, he opened his mouth and exhaled a burp. A normal, non-flammey, non-smoky belch. He let out a great sigh of relief and nearly collapsed on the counter. "There we go... we've got it covered..." He said to himself. "No problem."

As Simba walked out to the restaurant's dining room, he spotted Adam looking around for him and as he walked up his eyes lit up. "Hey, Gregorio just left with our order. I also got us an appetizer to share. Are you okay? You looked like someone ran over your tail a second ago?"

"Oh, anxiety." Simba thought off the top of his head. "Just a little much on the whole flashback front for tonight."

"I see." Adam said, sounding a little disappointed. "So, after this did you just want to catch up later? I didn't mean to seem too forward before assuming--"

"No, no!" Simba shook his head. "That much I am looking forward to." He smiled and took a sip of his wine, the boost of confidence that Adam wanted more of him than a simple catching up made him feel less nervous. Adam too seemed delighted to hear this.

After several glasses of wine and buying the bottle to take home with their leftovers, Adam and Simba left the restaurant at a little after ten, it hadn't even occurred to them that it had been about three hours. Simba growled in delight as he grabbed Adam by his shirt and pushed him against a lamppost to kiss him. The darkness outside and the virtual emptiness of the street made for a good frolicking. His tongue sank deep into Adam's mouth, tasting the sweet wine he'd been drinking, the two were pretty tipsy by now and neither could care less about being seen. Adam's hands aggressively tugged at the waist of Simba's pants, tugging their crotches together and neither seemed shy about the thick tents pressing against one another. Simba broke the kiss and smiled, grabbing Adam by the wrist as they continued down the street toward the house. It didn't take long before Adam wrapped his arms around Simba's waist and hugged against his back, the husky's paws slipped up under Simba's shirt and began to play with his bare chest underneath, making the shepherd huff in anxiousness as he reached his arms back and helped press Adam against his ass.

They staggered down the second block before Simba made the next move; grabbing Adam and yanking him in close before sliding his paw down the front of the husky's jeans and finding that not only was he going commando, but he was very well endowed at that; dripping and ready to be released. His hand slipped back behind Adam's tail and he gave the bubble butt a firm grope, enjoying the soft moan he heard come out of him. They kissed again; this time more passionately, wetly as their mouths parted with beads of spit and drool. The further they had to go, the harder it was for them to keep their clothes on. By the time they managed to reach Adam's front door, both of their shirts were nearly completely unbuttoned or ripped apart. Their journey through the door was tumultuous at best and Adam had been pushed into the couch in the living room where Simba feverishly unfastened the husky's belt and yanked his pants down. Adam gasped loudly as Simba's mouth wrapped around his flesh, the shepherd moaned when he felt the shaft pulse with excitement as Adam unbuttoned his shirt all the way and tossed it to the side. Simba grabbed the husky's balls and with his other paw, pulled Adam closer to him. Simba's tail swayed in excitement as he dragged his maw slowly down the girthy cock, corkscrewing a bit around the base and began to work his way back up as he felt Adam's stuttered breathing when he placed the top of his head against his stomach.

"Oh g-god... you don't know how long I've w-wanted this..." Adam panted as his hands grabbed at Simba's still-clothed shoulders.

Simba pulled his head clear and yanked his shirt up over his head. Throwing it to the side he pulled Adam closer. "Me too." He whispered before giving him a deep, passionate kiss.

Adam reached forward and grabbed Simba's pants this time. His fingers slick, they quickly popped open the belt and immediately the fabric became loose enough for him to pull down. Adam grabbed the other canine's balls and rolled them around in the palm of his hand. Simba moaned and giggled slightly at the feeling of being tickled below the belt. He stepped gingerly out of his pants and leaned forward, pressing his thick body against Adam's, pushing him into the couch even heavier. Their cocks touched and crossed like swords between them as their sexes both pressed against one another's abdomens. It was a feeling of pure and utter bliss.

Feeling Adam now grabbing his hands, Simba was somewhat stunned when Adam wrangled up the strength to flip their positions mid-kiss. Adam broke contact with Simba's lips and he began to move southward. "Mmmm...." He moaned as Adam brought his lips down to Simba's neck, he inhaled and exhaled sharply as Adam began to lap his tongue across his large chest, down toward his abdomen until he felt his shaft riding the space between Adam's shoulder and neck. Adam was still kissing downward and almost without warning, he took Simba's cock and wrapped his mouth around it, making Simba growl and grab the cushion of the couch almost instantly shredding them where his claws shoved in. "Oohhh...." He breathed as he felt Adam's wet tongue lick in one straight line from Simba's taint and across his balls before it dragged up to meet the rest of his mouth. Looking down into the husky's deep blue eyes, Simba couldn't help but blush as he gently grabbed each of Adam's cheeks and moaned as the husky responded by deepening his mouth's hold around his member. Adam's tail was naturally curled and even that was wagging as they wrestled around.

Sudden visions in Simba's mind made him shudder out of his drunken haze; visions of accidentally setting Adam on fire or slamming him so hard into a bed that he causes dire injuries. He sighed in pleasure. "A-Adam..." He said at last.

Adam lifted his lips from the pulsing shaft. "Is something wrong?"

Simba couldn't help but blush. "I--I don't normally ask, but you think you could take the reins tonight?" He asked. "I w-want... to feel you..."

Silently, Adam smiled before standing up. He kissed the shepherd again before taking his hands and helping him to his feet. The next kiss didn't end until they were standing at the doorway of Adam's room. Adam led him in and gestured Simba to the large bed near the back wall. Guiding Simba on with his hands and knees first, on the husky's gesturing, Simba finally came to a rest on his tummy, Adam moved in behind the shepherd's ass. Simba moaned as he felt the husky's breath against his backside, he felt the husky cup his ass and spread the cheeks apart. Adam slowly began to drag his tongue along Simba's balls, the tongue dangling each orb off one side or the other until it dragged far enough past them that they dropped rather heavily onto the bed as Simba looked back, moaning as Adam's tongue slowly dragged upward even further until it buried itself under the tight crease of his cleft. The muscle moved and the husky's nose trailed up higher, his tongue dragging up just behind it until it reached the ring of muscle directly under Simba's tail. Simba moaned and buried his head into the crook of his arm, lifting his backside slightly as Adam continued to spread his saliva across the surface.

"A-Adam..." Simba whispered between his moaning breaths until the husky slowly pulled away, kneeding his fingers across the shepherd's tight ass. Leaning toward the nightstand, Adam opened the drawer and withdrew a small bottle of clear liquid. As Simba watched, he silently poured a bead of it over his shaft and began to work it in, his hand working in a corkscrew until his entire flesh was glistening in the lamp's light. Turning the bottle over, he then poured a generous amount directly onto the wet hole he'd been preparing. He tossed the bottle aside casually and his fingers began to work at the lube. He was rather impressive in size, so it made sense to Simba that he'd know how to prepare. He felt every gentle gyration and push of Adam's fingers as they slowly slipped around the edges of his ring, pushing forward and withdrawing them one at a time. "Please..." He felt himself begging; another extremely rare case.

Adam situated himself up behind Simba, sliding the tip of his cock against the dog's ass. It slipped along the crack several times until the area was good and moist and then both felt the tip catch against the hole and push inward. Simba let out a gasp that ranged between pain and immeasurable pleasure. His ass raised up and Adam grabbed his hips even tighter. Pressing himself forward, there was the ultimate popping sensation as Adam made his way inward, raising Simba's ass with each long, slow thrust. Simba was hard as a rock during all this, and once he felt that penetration, he began to leak long strings of precum down into the blankets under them. Adam bucked himself forward with a grunt that Simba met mutually as he slapped his backside down into the husky. Then another buck, this one more intense than the first, riding from Adam's tip straight to his hilt as he went in harder than before, there was an audible wet slap of fur on fur as their bodies came together and Adam took hold of Simba's back, admiring the musculature as it flexed and twisted under him. This was already turning into an intense night for the both of them. Simba bit his lower lip and growled, his ears folding back in a feeling of pure pleasure as he felt Adam's balls pop slightly against his own with each moving thrust.

"AHHH! Nnnhh!" Adam tightened up suddenly, grabbing hard onto Simba's hips. "Fff-uck!" He panted as he came, a gushing flood of warmth shooting deep into Simba. Simba moaned and twisted, trying to pump every drop that he could. Could that be it? As close as Simba was, he would have been disappointed if it was over that quickly:

Adam answered that question rather abruptly by lunging forward and biting at the shepherd's shoulder. Wrapping his arms around Simba's waist, he rolled to the side then onto his back under him, his shaft never once dropping from the other dog's warmth. Simba quickly picked up on what was happening and repositioned himself to sit on top of the husky. His thick shaft bouncing against Adam's stomach as he felt Adam's hips rise then fall and rise again abruptly. He hadn't lost any of the swelling in his shaft and Adam's tongue ran along the ridge of his upper fangs with a wicked grin. Simba moaned and surrendered control to the husky, feeling his body rocking forward and back again. With a heavy breath, Simba leaned down and kissed Adam again, feeling him grind even harder; somehow deeper into his ass. His muscles clenched at the welcome invader and breathing simply through his nostrils grew loud as waves of hot air pushed out so hard that it made the fur on Adam's face flutter. Their mouths parted loudly as their tongues clicked together, wetly, messily. He felt Adam's muscles clench under him. Adam began to moan, gripping Simba tighter as he thrust up again, deep, hard and loud.

"Mmmph! Gods!" Simba cried out as his flesh erupted all over Adam's stomach, shooting up to his chest and neck. Adam grinned in delight as Simba came on him. Wet slaps of fluid flopping against his body as they kissed again.

This time, Adam grabbed Simba and rolled him once again. The husky's flesh now slipping from the shepherd's ass with a wet, sloppy sound. He then straddled Simba's large torso. "W-wait..." He tried to object, but Adam put a hand over Simba's lips.

"Trust me." He whispered before leaning back.

Adam moaned as his ass pressed against the tip of Simba's cock, the ring wasn't quite as dry as Simba thought, Adam was using Simba's own seed to lube up his ass. With a grunt and a rather feral growl, Adam pressed back until the tip popped into him. Simba moaned and shuddered, panting at the feeling as Adam leaned back, riding the dog's massive flesh like he was already a part of it. Adam's flesh flexed upward like it was about to howl, precum dripping down it in pools across Simba's stomach. He leaned back a little further and began to ride Simba, his hands pressed firmly down on the shepherd's chest Simba could do little more than breathe loudly and moan the deeper he felt himself going and that grin never for an instant slipped from Adam's face. The husky's shaft bounced and rode through the fur on Simba's abdomen, each backward stroke was accompanied by a soft clutch to Simba's chest. Their moans began to synchronize and Adam's lunges backward prevented Simba from asserting any sort of control, Simba's head sank back into the pillows behind his head and he was howling, feeling the muscles clench tighter and tighter.

"AHH! Nnhh!" Adam grunted again, similar to how he'd cried out before, but this time he was getting Simba wet with his second load. Ropes spewed across Simba's body and even a few shots landing just above his head. Adam leaned in and kissed Simba again, shuddering and clenching every muscle through his climax.

Their kiss interrupted Simba's incoming howl and he ended up whimpering into Adam's mouth as he came again, he grabbed Adam's smaller frame and plunged in deep as he felt the flood of warmth drown his flesh and spill out all over his lap when it ran out of places to go. It was indeed a long-time coming and the two finally found time to relax out of the throes of their lust.

Simba awoke sometime later, he realized that Adam had fallen asleep on his chest, somewhere in the distance, he could hear a clock ticking. Simba's fur was still matted and covered in dry cum, he didn't mind it so much but he grew worried about these powers. If they had triggered at the wrong time... he looked at Adam, he could never know about them. Not so long as he could help it. Giving him a kiss, he turned the husky over and laid him on the bed next to him before getting up himself.

He made his way to the bathroom and turned on the shower. Looking at himself in the mirror he sighed. "What now? Should I stay in Tiger Cove and live with Adam? Or should I find someplace else to go?" He paused before getting in the shower.

Adam scrubbed himself clean, using the soap in the shower and he shampooed himself with a nicely scented shampoo and conditioner. He sighed as he scrubbed his fur clean and rinsed it off, still thinking about what he needed to do. Stepping out of the shower, he dried himself off as best as he could and made his way out to the living room, still draped in his towel. He checked the clock, it was about two in the morning, his mother is going to kill him for not calling. Sitting on the couch, he turned on the television and set the mute on as not to disturb Adam.

It was a news story about the Moonlighters; a group of mysterious heroes that appeared and helped to lower crime in the city by sixty-seven percent. It was then that Simba considered what he hadn't thought about before:

"I could become a hero..." He said. "I could... learn to control my powers by stopping crooks like the Moonlighters!" He spotted a nearby pad of paper and got to work.

Adam opened his eyes and realized that Simba had vanished. Yawning, he sat up and looked around. "Sim?" He climbed out of his bed and made his way back toward the hallway, spotting the television on in the living room. "Hey." He said as he leaned in the doorway, making Simba look up.

"Oh hey, I didn't mean to wake you." He said, quietly putting the notepad into the cushion behind him. "I just needed to take a shower and I didn't want to disturb you."

Adam smiled as he leaned over the couch, giving the shepherd a kiss. "If you could disturb me I never would've let you in my pants." He said with a wink.

"I don't think 'letting' had anything to do with it." Simba smirked. "Watching the news?"

"Yeah. More stuff on these Moonlighter guys. Anyone know anything about them?"

Adam shrugged. "No, not really. They just came and started fighting crime. No one's really sure who they are or how they got those awesome powers."

"Huh. Interesting. I guess these guys are the most exciting thing to happen to Tiger Cove in a while huh?"

"From what I'd heard yeah. If mom hadn't passed away I might not have considered coming back myself. But now I'm seeing a good reason to stick around."

Simba smiled. "Yeah... me too." He answered, pulling Adam in for a kiss.

"Mmm sorry, I've probably got pasta morning breath." He said. "I'm going to go take a shower and brush my fangs before I try to head back to bed for a couple hours. You coming?"

"Yeah." Simba said. "I'll wait for you in there."

"Oh. I meant for the shower part. I could use someone to help scrub my back."

Simba's flesh bounced under the towel as it regained a surge of excitement. "Well damn I'll be in there in a second then!" He said.

Adam winked and smirked as he turned from the doorway and disappeared into the bathroom. Simba pulled the notebook out from behind the couch cushion. Looking at the picture he'd sketched; one of a dragon head, his eyes turned to the line he'd written in "Name:" after a moment's pause he sketched in "Hotpaw" and re-hid the notebook before getting up and rushing toward the bathroom where the shower water had just turned on.

THE END