Up and
#3 of Bridger Cross Country
First morning on the road. Off to a good start? Written 2014.
Bridger stared at the unfamiliar ceiling, waiting until it was time to get up. When the time came, he rolled over to grab his new phone from the table beside the bed. He poked at it, trying to turn off the alarm that was playing some annoying, repetitive tune. Finally it stopped and he sighed in success, then looked at the squirrel laying beside him, curled around his own fluffy tail. He prodded his friend's side, then sat up, "Wake up, Chester. We've got to get ready for that appointment you set up."
The squirrel groaned and hugged his tail tighter as the mustang got up and took a shower. He came back out, toweling off his mane and the squirrel was still in the bed. He threw his wet towel on the rodent's head, but that only made him roll over onto his belly with his tail over him. The horse sighed and finished getting dressed, then sat on the end of the bed. "I'm not going to carry you out there naked. You need to get up." He poked at a small foot beside him and the squirrel squirmed.
Bridger smiled and poked the other foot. The squirrel squirmed again. The horse pulled the squirrel's legs together and held both ankles in one large hand as he started poking both feet.
Chester wriggled and started giggling, "Hey, stop that!"
"Are you ready to get up?" He continued his relentless assault on the little feet.
Chester gasped for air as he laughed uncontrollably and fought to get his feet back. "That tickles!"
He teased the little toes and behind the pads and up to his heal and back, "Are you awake?"
"I'm awake! I'm awake! I give up!" The squirrel sprung into a ball when the horse suddenly released his feet, then sat up with them tucked under him, "That wasn't very nice."
"Well, how would you like me to get you up next time?"
Chester slowly grinned, "I could think of a few better ways to wake up."
"We don't have time for most of them."
"Aw, but you liked it yesterday." He crawled to the horse and reached for his lap, disappointed to find it covered by pants.
"Today, we have someplace important to be." The horse got up and stood over his friend.
"What time is it?" Chester slid off the edge of the bed, then followed it around until he found his bag.
"6am"
The squirrel dropped his bag and slammed his paws on the bed in surprise, "Six?!"
"Yeah, I let you sleep in."
"We don't have to be there until ten o'clock."
"You still need a shower and we don't know where we're going."
"I don't have my fan, so I'm not taking a shower this morning. I just use this." He dug in his bag, then held up a can labeled FurMate Spray.
Bridger took the can to read it as Chester collapsed, half on the bed, and groaned his frustration. "Kills odor causing bacteria and releases most debris without water, while helping keep your fur soft and shiny between washing. For everyday use. So, you just spray it on?"
"And brush it out."
"Huh. Who woulda thunk they made a shower in a can?"
"I did. Now can I go back to sleep?"
"You're already up."
"We could probably walk there by ten."
"Well, why don't we?"
Chester popped his head up, "What? You want to walk the streets of San Francisco?"
"Why not?"
"You remember that I'm blind, don't you?"
"Are you going to let that keep you from getting out in the world?"
The squirrel dropped his face back on the bed.
"Come on, let's get you dressed." The horse reached between his friend's legs to grab the bag, then picked it up, continuing when it met the squirrels crotch, and flipped the rodent and his bag onto the bed with a surprised squeak.
"You really are insane." His surprise faded quickly as he thought about the strong hand that just tossed him so easily, but gently sent him to bliss the day before.
"Chester."
"Mmm, yes Bridger?"
"Did you bring your baggy pants?"
"Of course, they're in my bag." In the silence, Chester realized there was more to the question and slid his paw down to find his happy stick standing tall. He smiled slyly, "Don't you want to help me out?" He felt the horse grab the top of his arm with his strong hand, then pick him off of the bed. He was really beginning to enjoy his friend's strength and nearly lost it there. He felt the strong chest against his back and the strong arm wrapped across his middle and let his legs dangle, waiting excitedly for that strong hand to stroke him to euphoria again as his tail swished against the horse's side. Instead, he felt something slide over his feet and realized that he was being dressed like a doll. He grunted as he was dropped back on the bed and tried to give the stubborn horse his most annoyed expression. "You forgot my underwear." Bridger's voice came distant, from another room and he realized he was glaring at nothing.
"Finish getting dressed. I want to get going." He came out of the bathroom with his shower pack, picked up his bag and opened the door to take them to the car.
Chester groaned loudly, trying not to scream his frustration, then gave in. He took off the pants and found the can of FurMate. If he couldn't get that itch scratched, he was at least going to prevent another kind.
Bridger came back to see the squirrel naked on the bed again, brushing through his fur, "Ready to go?"
"Want to help me with my tail?"
"Sure." he pulled a chair over to sit by the bed and grabbed the squirrel's hips to pull him closer to the edge.
Chester squeaked in surprise again, then flicked his tail. "Y'know. Sometimes it's nice that you're so strong, but you're not being very nice this morning."
"I've got other things on my mind. Sorry. What do you need me to do?"
He held the brush and can over his shoulder. "Spray my tail, then gently brush it out, while I put my clothes on."
Bridger took the can and brush and sprayed over the fluffy tail. He started brushing the end and slowly worked his way up. His mind was grinding on thoughts of their plan. What if they couldn't find any of his mares? What if they did? Were they dead and he could have helped them? Were they alive and hated him for not saving them? He needed answers.
Chester pulled his clothes on quickly, then sat with his paws on the bed between his legs, quietly enjoying the attention to his tail. He gasped as he felt the large hand grab the base of his tail and tried not to make any sound that would deter the horse. The subtle movement rubbing there was starting to make it hard for him to control himself, but he fought to keep his tail still. When the brush reached the base, he couldn't contain himself any longer.
Bridger heard his friend squeak and froze, letting go of the tail, "Did I hurt you?"
The squirrel sounded out of breath, "No. you didn't hurt me."
Bridger put the brush and can in Chester's bag, "Good, let's get going."
"Um, Bridger, I think I should change my underwear."
"No time. You've been making excuses to stay in bed all morning. Let's go."
"Can I at least use the bathroom?"
"Okay, but hurry."
"Can you show me where it is?" The horse's large hands were on his shoulders and he was lifted in the air again. When his feet found floor again, he reached out and found a toilet in front of him. "You're starting to make me not like being picked up again."
"I'm sorry. I'll stop."
"Don't stop. Just ask to make sure I'm ready"
"Aright. Now, hurry up."
He pushed his pants down and sat on the toilet. As he adjusted himself, he realized that he was messier than he thought. He reached around and found the sink on one side and the tub on the other, but nothing to wipe with. "hey Bridger, where's the toilet paper?"
The voice came from the other room. "On the wall in front of you."
He stretched, but couldn't find anything. "Where's the wall?" Something bumped his chest. It was Bridger's hand, but what he was holding was fabric. "What's ... Oh." He realized it was clean underwear. Then something else hit his paw, a roll of toilet paper. "Thanks, Bridger." He cleaned up, traded underwear and got dressed, then flushed and found the wall to follow it out. "Hey Bridger." He found the doorway and went through, but his face hit abs. "Hey, um, I'm ... sorry I've been so difficult this morning." He felt the large hand land on his head and stroke over his ears.
"I haven't been exactly easy."
Chester chuckled at the double entendre.
"How 'bout we leave all that in the room. We'll step outside and start our morning there."
"Sounds good to me. Just make sure I don't leave any of my things."
"I took your bag out already. Do you have your other underwear?"
"Yep." He held it up and quickly regretted it.
"I'll take these out while you wash your hands."
"No, I..." He started to object, but the horse took his cum soaked underpants and he heard the door open and close before he overcame his embarrassment. He turned around and found the sink, just finishing up when the door opened again.
"Come on, Chester. Let's leave this place behind us."
He followed the voice, hoping there was nothing between them and was relieved when the familiar, large hand touched his back.
"Do you want a lift to the car?"
"Yes, please."
Those big hands slipped under his arms and lifted him into the air, placing him gently in the front seat. He heard and felt the big horse land beside him.
"I figure we can find a place to park near there, then walk around a bit, so we're not in a hurry." He started the car and headed out.