FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Julie lay on her back in the dark, staring up at the ceiling while Midnight sat and groomed himself at a distance, his rings lighting the walls off and on. They'd finished at the food court over an hour ago, and it was the most fun Julie had in a long time between laughing, chatting, and discussing her favorite subject.

She'd thrown herself atop her blanket the moment she got inside and had yet to undress. Julie couldn't think about anything other than Anna's text. She had to open it and make a decision before it got any later. The party was tomorrow.

Midnight sat up after cleaning his tail and looked at Julie, who seemed as if she were asleep with her eyes open. Her mind was somewhere in space, which was a common occurrence.

He was in thought, too, but only off and on about tonight, where he and Calda had a genuine conversation, making her enjoyable to be around. Midnight had never seen that side of her but preferred it to her overly playful eevee-like one, not that he was planning on getting close to her or anything.

Julie heard her phone vibrate and grabbed it from beside her, opening her messaging app and seeing that Anna had sent a follow-up text:

'Hey, saw you in class today. I hope my offer didn't make you uncomfortable. 100%, there's no pressure. I know you're just starting out, so I wanted to show you some harmless fun.'

Julie sighed. Now she felt bad. Maybe avoiding Anna wasn't the move. She read her original text before it:

'Texting you like I said to see if you've made up your mind about Sunday. It'll start at 10 p.m. No rush. Just let me know. It'd be cool to have you.'

Julie held her cell with both hands and lifted her thumbs. "How to approach... mh." She still didn't have her mind set and likely never would. It was just too difficult to decide, but this genuinely might be what she needed in order to loosen up a little. Who knew when this chance would arise again?

Julie would type what came to her and revise it afterward.

Midnight stretched and watched her text, her screen illuminating her face. Now she appeared focused on whatever she was tied up in. Maybe Julie was going through something. He'd always seen her happy since leaving Ecruteak, and she even seemed well off here, so Midnight wondered what was bothering her.

He walked and sat next to her. She didn't take her eyes off the screen, but he'd wait. If he had a middle name, it'd be patience.

Julie was at the end of her message, typing her concluding sentence while mumbling her words. "Sorry... again... for avoiding... this." She relaxed slightly now that she had a rough draft of her response ready and noticed Midnight in her peripheral vision.

Julie lowered her phone. "Love, do you need something?" How long had he been sitting there? "Sorry, I was glued."

"Mbre." He was just checking on her, which Midnight tried to convey through his eyes by looking over her and her phone.

"What?..." Julie stared at him until getting a slight idea. "I was just replying to a text." It occurred to her that he likely saw her staring into space minutes ago as well. "I'm fine, though. Don't worry."

She looked back at her phone and proofread read her message: 'Hey, I'm sorry I didn't reply sooner. I didn't know what I wanted and still don't think I do, but I think I'll try it. Sorry again for avoiding this.' Julie held her breath and hit send, dropping her phone beside her and setting her eyes back on Midnight, who was still sitting there.

"Love," she giggled. "I'm okay, seriously." Julie beckoned him with her hand. She didn't want Midnight to be concerned and certainly didn't want him knowing she was going to a party. Julie felt he wouldn't care, but he was still her partner, so she didn't want him to get the wrong idea by chance.

Midnight stood and sat closer, watching her reach and hold his front leg while rubbing it with her thumb. If she says so. Julie didn't have to tell him. Maybe it wasn't anything serious. He overheard her talking on the phone recently but couldn't recall what it was about or if it related. He had to get better at eavesdropping.

Her eyes shot to her phone upon hearing it vibrate. She grabbed it with her free hand and swallowed. Anna had replied and was surprisingly understanding, which brought Julie relief:

'You're good, honey. I know I kind of threw it at you outta nowhere. I can come to your building tomorrow so we can walk to the place together if you'd like? You can bring your pokémon too.'

Julie would take up her offer on walking together. She wouldn't feel comfortable leaving campus alone at night. She wasn't taking Midnight, though. Julie going was enough.

She replied: 'That works. I'll be ready.' And left it at that. She wasn't sure if she'd tell Alyssa, but she'd end up having to either way since Alyssa would pester her to death.

Julie set her phone down again and grinned at Midnight, shifting so she was on her side and beneath him. She wanted to leave the situation behind for a while and focus on him. "You tired? Not sleepy, but tired?"

"Umbre." He looked down at her. He was tired after their evening but wouldn't be able to fall asleep until late tonight.

Julie brought her hands and placed them on his sides, moving up to kiss his chest several times, then pulling back and looking up into his beautiful orbs. "I'm both. I just have to double check when some assignments are due since I'm always cutting it close."

She moved up some more, right under his face, and puckered up slightly.

Midnight swayed his tail, leaning in and pressing his lips to hers. He closed his eyes slightly, watching her face while they kissed. He'd always feel lucky to have Julie and couldn't think of being with anyone else.

He most likely wouldn't find another teen to fall in love with him long-term. From what he's overhead in the past, that mainly came from lonely older females. Younger ones did mate with pokémon out of curiosity or uncontrollable arousal, but it didn't usually result in a relationship. Besides, Midnight couldn't imagine a better one than Julie.

She broke it after a couple more kisses, bringing her hand up and caressing his cheek. "I love you." Julie used her other to twirl his ear between her fingers, feeling it twitch. She hoped to feel this strongly about Midnight forever.

"Umbreon," he returned, pressing his cheek to her palm and keeping a soft gaze. It was always heartwarming to hear coming from her. Even if Midnight didn't know what kind of problem she was dealing with, he'd snuggle her until she fell asleep. It was the most he could do.