FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Alex stared out the window, idly fidgeting with a polished stone and watching the traffic kick up clouds of mist on the wet street. The drizzle outside made a dull patter on the roof, smoothing over the conversational murmuring of a not-too-busy café. They knew meeting for coffee was cliché, but couldn't argue with such a simple start.

The otter spared a glance at the door. He'd been there long enough to nearly finish his drink, and was beginning to worry that the wolf wouldn't show. He continued to anxiously toy with the stone, forcing his eyes back to the window with a heavy sigh. He shouldn't be too quick to assume the worst, he thought. After all, the weather wasn't the best, and Stray had mentioned something about 'walking distance', hadn't he? Surely it wouldn't hurt to wait a little longer.

A chime interrupted his thoughts, and his eyes darted back to the door. He clutched the little stone tightly in his hand as he recognized the wolf from the restaurant. He sat up straight, whisking the trinket away to his bag. His doubt felt so silly now, but the feeling was fleeting as he looked on. Alex admired the man as he shook the rain off his leather jacket, and combed back his wet hair with his fingers. He waited for an opportunity to catch his attention, which came when the wolf scanned the room.

Alex smiled and waved, quite happy to be able to meet his gaze this time. Stray acknowledged him with a wave back, his eyes flicking down just barely, to the otter's drink, no doubt. His ears drooped a bit, and he gestured across the room, indicating he'd make his order before joining up. Alex happily returned a gesture of approval. Once sure the wolf's back was turned to him, the otter took the few minutes he had to straighten and tidy his clothes and hair. It wasn't necessary, but he was too nervous to give it thought. He took a deep, calming breath and attempted to collect himself as his date drew near.

"I'm really sorry for being late." Stray said, sitting opposite the otter. There was a tiredness to his face, and a softened texture to his voice, both betraying invisible things Alex was all too familiar with. Truly, his doubt felt misplaced now. Still, the wolf had a generally positive air about him as he smiled. "Pedestrians get no respect out there."

"I _almost_thought you weren't coming." Alex grinned, crossing his arms and leaning on the table.

"Yeah, traffic's insane for how wet the road is. Almost fell twice." Stray laughed it off.

"Are you alright?" Alex's tone was light, taking the wolf's lead, but there was still the hint of genuine concern in his voice.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Keeps me on my toes." The wolf combed his hair back again, revealing a large gap in the armpit of his jacket.

"Oh my god, did that happen on your walk?" Alex pointed at the gap, the hint now full-blown worry.

"Huh?" Stray followed the finger's path, lifting his arm up further to investigate. "Oh, nah, it's been like that. It's old, but it means a lot to me," he explained, "haven't had the heart to retire it." He idly pulled at a loose thread.

"Stop that!" Alex protested, as though scolding a child. "You'll make it worse."

"Sorry! Sorry!" Stray raised his hands in a show of surrender, though grinning.

"How long has it been that way?" Alex was incredulous.

"Eh, I forget." The wolf shrugged.

"That's gotta be a nuisance, especially on a day like this." Alex frowned, gesturing out the window. "Y'know," he leaned in, elbow on the table propping up his chin, "I know a pro who'd be happy to fix it for you."

"I appreciate it," Stray said, "but I don't got that kinda money, to be honest."

"I happen to know that he quite likes the oatmeal cookies they sell here." Alex offered with a raised eyebrow and a smirk, tilting his head toward the counter. "You could easily bribe him with one." He raised a finger, feigning a more serious tone. "A big one, though, he's not a fool."

"Well, that sounds too good to be true." Stray's eyes narrowed, ears flattening as he paused for a beat, grinning. "I'm game." He got up and made for the counter.

"Hey." Alex gently caught the wolf's wrist as he passed by, and was met with a curious look. "Leave it." He said, tugging on the jacket's sleeve. Stray shrugged, slipping the leather off and casually handing it over before continuing on his way.

Alex held the jacket up, looking it over for his own curiosity. It was a vintage cropped bomber, and in pretty good condition, all things considered. Nice and stylish, he thought. Turning to the issue at hand, he laid the jacket on the table and took a few minutes to carefully appraise the damage.

"Timing was great." Stray said, showing off his drink as he took his seat, placing a very large cookie on the table. "So, what now?"

"As a friend of mine would say," Alex clapped his hands together, "'the contract is sealed'." With an eager smile, he dug into his bag. "Now," he produced a small leather pouch, opening it to reveal an assortment of sewing materials, "we work."

"Now?" Stray's gaze fell to the little repair kit, taking a moment to register what he was looking at. "You're the pro?"

"I have to be, with this figure." Alex smirked, vaguely gesturing at himself. "I made everything you see here, though, including _this_beauty." He indicated his own leather jacket, hung on the back of his chair. "So you're in doubly good hands." He said, doing a flourish with his hands and waggling his fingers.

"Good to know!" Stray brought his crossed arms onto the table, attentive and curious. "So, what's the damage?"

"Nothing serious, just a split seam. Lucky you." Alex teased him with a sly grin. "Should only take a few minutes."

"No doubt." The wolf nodded, seeming fairly upbeat about the assessment.

"So," Alex started, getting to work prepping everything, "I take it you do a _lot_of walking?"

"Yeah." Stray seemed a bit far away as he thought about it, staring out the window. "I like it though, when the weather's nice. Exercise, time to think, or listen to music. And everything I need is close by, so it's fine." He paused, taking a sip off his drink. "Traffic notwithstanding." He looked back to the otter with a laugh. "You?"

"I enjoy a good walk now and then," Alex said, taking his turn to be thoughtful, "but I live a little too far to get anywhere useful." He chuckled a bit. "Aaand since I'm too short to drive, my friends are nice enough to cart my big ass around." He emphasized the statement with a few pats on his large thigh. "Not nearly as interesting, I know."

"Nah, that's cool you got people to look out for ya." Stray offered. "You get to spend time with them and do stuff together, maybe. I bet that makes things pretty interesting."

"Yeah, I guess you're right." Alex considered the idea. "Not as adventurous then, let's say." He smirked.

"Maybe." The wolf looked away, a subtle grin spreading across his face. "Seems like _your_adventures start once you get where you're going, is my guess." He gave the otter a knowing glance.

"Oh god..." Alex buried his face in the jacket, careful not to stab himself. His stay was brief, though, as he dropped it and sat up straight, a look of resolute defiance on his face. "I almost died, y'know. And it was your fault," the corner of his mouth twitched upward, threatening to undermine the seriousness of his accusation, "you weren't supposed to catch me." His face broke into a full grin before he could even finish the sentence. Stray couldn't help but laugh.

"Yeah, I felt pretty bad about that." The wolf looked down at his drink, fidgeting with his fingers, his ears drooping. "I wanted to come check on you, but I was kinda swamped with customers. And I didn't know if it would be appropriate. It _was_really cute when you got all tucked up on your chair though." Stray fought a laugh, waiting on the otter's reaction. Wide-eyed realization wouldn't have been his first guess, but it's what he got. Alex groaned, dropping his head onto the table and wrapping his arms over himself.

"You saw ­all of it, didn't you..." The otter's muffled voice complained.

"I saw enough." Stray said. "Kinda played the same game as you, looking when I could." Alex groaned again in response. "Hey." The wolf's tone was gentle as he reached out to touch the otter on the arm. "I've been there too. Can't always bring your A-game, y'know?"

"That's exactly what she said!" Alex's head popped up as he slapped the table.

"Oh yeah?" Stray chuckled. "And what'd you say to her?"

"That she was right, and things weren't as bad as they seemed." Alex conceded pleasantly, leaning back in his seat with a look that said it was just as true now. "But then, like now, I just wasn't prepared and got overwhelmed. Happens." He shrugged it off.

"I hear ya." Stray nodded.

"In any case, I think we're done here." Alex perked up, testing the finished seam with a few tugs and finding it satisfactory. He carefully gathered up the jacket and handed it back with a professional smile. "Good as new."

"Wow, you can hardly tell." Stray said as he administered a similar test, then stood up to put the jacket on. He moved his arm around to feel the difference. "Oh man, that is so much better."

"Damn right." Alex straightened with pride, folding his arms over his chest. "Now don't let it happen again, young man." Alex affected an imperious tone, wagging a finger at the wolf.

"Yes mom." Stray said, and they shared a laugh. "But really, thank you."

"Can't have you running around catching cold, now can we?" Alex said, sliding the cookie into has bag, and packing up his kit. "One bribe per customer, not available at some locations, terms and conditions may apply." The otter held a little smile as he looked at the wolf, a moment of silence between them. He then stuck his tongue out through his teeth, getting a chuckle.

"You wanna go grab something to eat?" Stray gestured vaguely over his shoulder. "Like, _actual_food?"

"Yeah..." Alex hesitated, looking away.

"...'But'?" Stray sat again, raising an eyebrow.

"But..." Alex rubbed his hands together nervously. "There's a question I need to ask you, because the answer could... cut things short." He gave the wolf a worried look.

"Oh. Alright." Stray said with a warm smile, perking his ears upright and forward-facing, signaling the otter that he had his full attention. "Go ahead."

"What are you hoping for this-" Alex gestured between them, "-to be?"

"Ohh. I see. Uhm..." Stray took a moment, holding his chin as he thought carefully about the question. "I'm, uh... not?" By the sheepish look on his face, and the slight shrug, the wolf didn't seem too sure. Whether of his answer, or just saying it out loud, Alex couldn't quite tell. The otter simply tilted his head in response, hoping that he would elaborate. Stray took a deep breath and sat up straight, a move Alex recognized as someone preparing to commit to their position.

"To tell the truth," Stray stalled a moment longer, locking his fingers together and resting his hands on the table, "I'm... not interested in anything... serious. I just... the way you were looking at me at the restaurant... I wanted to indulge you." Alex raised his eyebrows, a bit taken aback by the admission, and prompting an addendum. "Perhaps selfishly. I liked the idea of... giving you what you wanted. Not for stroking my ego, just... for the sake of making someone happy, y'know?"

"Well." Alex leaned back in his seat, mulling over the confession. "That's a first, I have to say. But I do appreciate your honesty."

"I understand if that... changes things." The wolf's ears flattened, a hint of resignation tinting his words and his gaze lowering as he spoke.

"Oh! Oh, no! Not at all." Alex snapped out of his thoughtfulness, suddenly aware of the impression he'd given. He reached out, touching Stray lightly on the arm. "I will admit, it is... an odd approach_," Alex mused, "but I see where you're coming from, and I think it's sweet." Alex gave him a warm smile. "I'm actually _relieved; I feel the same way." Alex tried to sound encouraging. "Well, not exactly the same, obviously, but you know what I mean. We're having a little fun, that's all."

"Yeah." Stray confirmed with a little smile, his ears lifting cautiously. "Soooo...."

"So, did the rugged wolf have somewhere in mind?" Alex leaned in, fluttering his eyelashes and tapping his fingers lightly on the wolf's arm.

"I know a great sushi place." Stray offered. The tapping stopped and the otter drew in a deep breath, glancing away as his mouth scrunched to one side.

"I'm... not really a fan of seafood..." The tapping resumed, but the wolf could feel his agitation in the less delicate impact of each digit. He was clearly unhappy with the assumption, obviously based solely on him being an otter.

"My mistake." The wolf acknowledged his faux pas, placing his hand over the otter's fingers and looking him in the eye. "There's a lot of good places nearby. We can find something you like, if I could treat you to a walk?"

"Hmm." Alex eyed the wolf suspiciously, exaggerating his indecision as he considered the proposal. Stray smiled and his ears drooped, though still pointing forward, making for an obvious plea. Alex sighed with exasperation, grinning at the display. "Alright, alright! Just stop with the face."

"Yay! Walkies!" Stray exclaimed with a big goofy grin, not an ounce of shame in him as his tail swished briskly behind him. Alex chuckled, holding his face in his hand as he smiled.