FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

"You're getting better, dude!" Encouraged the otter as he changed back into his normal clothes. He was a white river otter who's black markings were similar to that of a fox's on his limbs, along with one around his neck and tail tip. "I'm surprised how quickly you're picking this up!"

"Thanks, hun," the tiger replied. "It's still...difficult for me to get used to doing those fancy strokes."

The otter cocked his eyebrow. "I've only shown you the basics, Taylor." He then noticed the tiger was still in his swim trunks and was pulling his t-shirt over his large, round belly. "By the way, why haven't you gotten rid of those baggy trunks yet? I'm sure having a pair of speedos or jammers might help ya."

Taylor sighed. "You do realize I have...this, right?" He pulled his shirt up for a moment, showing off that white belly and a little bit of his chest. This also exposed a bit of his dark orange fur and back stripes that wrapped around and tapered off on his sides.

"So? I like it!"

"Yeah but my ass is pretty...flat."

"Taylor..." The otter placed a paw on his boyfriend's belly, then wrapped his arms around him as much as he could, having to stand on his toes some. He looked into Taylor's green eyes. "You look great just the way you are. Besides, I--" He cut himself off, taking a quick look around the locker room to make sure no one was looking. He then snuck a paw over Taylor's butt and gave it a little grope, as well as playing with that stripy noodle tail. "I like that my big kitty has a big ass," he cooed, softly.

Taylor blushed and grinned. He too glanced around, hoping no one was watching. "Connor, not now, ya silly otter."

Connor slid his paw back up and gave the tiger a loving squeeze before releasing him. "But I'm serious, though. I'm not sure if we can find you a speedo in your size, but jammers tend to have larger sizes that might fit."

"But why? I feel more comfortable wearing my trunks, plus they double as shorts with pockets." As he said this, Taylor began to grab the rest of his personal belongings from his locker. He proved his point by jamming his wallet, phone, and keys in their usual spots.

"I get that, but it's not like you can just...wear a pair of shorts over your swim wear; you'd just need to take those off before dipping in the pool." Connor also finished getting his things together as he spoke.

Both of them closed their lockers almost simultaneously. Despite his legs appearing shorter and thicker, Taylor tended to have a quick stride for someone his size. This became more apparent whenever he'd feel anxious. Of course, his history of being forced to participate in active sports during his younger years contributed to his surprising athleticism. Connor had no trouble keeping up with the larger tiger. He may not have ran or done any sports Taylor did, but swimming was his thing, obviously. It kept him lithe but strong, and he got good at it over the years ever since he was a pup.

As they walked out into the warm summer air towards Taylor's car, he felt his phone buzz repeatedly in his pocket. He growled and flicked his tail as he pulled it out, checking to see who it was, but did not recognize the number.

"What is it?" Connor asked when he noticed the tiger getting a little agitated.

"No one...Probably another scam caller, most likely," he replied, hanging up and putting his phone back in his pocket.

"Yeah, I've been getting way too many of those lately too."

They eventually made it to Taylor's car and got in. The tiger stretched a bit before starting the car. "So, our usual place for food? I'm freakin' hungry."

"Pfft. Of course. And we can go shopping for you afterwards, but it depends if you'd rather buy new or used."

"I'm assuming you're talking about getting me some new swimwear?"

"Yep!" He replied with a slight squeak in his voice.

"I'll think about it...I know that stuff isn't exactly cheap..."

Connor placed a paw on his thick, stripped arm. "Don't worry about the price, hun. There is a used sporting goods store I used to frequent that has good quality control of what others bring in." He then rubbed his arm a bit and smiled, which seemed to cheer Taylor up.

"Thanks." He reached over and took that small, black paw in his, rubbing his pads on top. "I'm...pretty stingy with money."

"I know." With one last scritch on the tiger's arm, he slid his paw off, though kept his attention on Taylor for a moment.

"But first: food. Now." With that, he quickly pulled out of his parking spot and sped off, almost hitting an oncoming car and a pedestrian in the process.

* * *

When they arrived at Prairieburg Mall, the large parking lot surrounding it was packed, save for the farthest spaces closer to the road. However, due to the mall's increased popularity, a parking garage was added several years ago. Despite the increased parking space, not many parked their vehicles here except during the winter months. Surprisingly, the mall itself wasn't large and looked more like a large, grey, concrete block, with little to no variation in its shape.

Even though most would rather shop elsewhere, it became Connor's and Taylor's go-to hangout spot ever since they started living together. Even though it quickly became the most popular hangout and shopping center, it was easy to navigate around, easy to shop in, and easy to get to from almost anywhere in Priarieburg.

Taylor drove around the building for a good ten minutes, making Connor squeak in fear anytime they had a close call with another car. He bit the bullet and opted for the parking garage. As convenient as it was, he always felt a slight tinge of claustrophobia; it was one of the few times he would drive a lot more cautiously.

Once he found a spot and parked, he felt his phone vibrating again as he killed the engine. But, again, it was the same, mysterious number that called him before. Again, he just hung up and got out of the car.

Meanwhile, Connor was already out and trying to calm his nerves as he headed straight for the mall. "We're taking my car next time," he growled, not caring if Taylor heard him or not.

"Hey! Wait up!" He called out, quickly catching up to the otter.

As they made their way inside, Taylor yanked Connor by the shoulder. "Hun. Wait."

Connor did just that and gave the tiger his attention, albeit with a sigh. "What?"

"Look, I—whew...hang on...one sec..." Taylor panted, trying not to lean forward. If all those years of sports taught him one thing, it was to always keep yourself upright if you feel winded.

"Take your time. I remember you saying your cardio tanked once you graduated high school." The otter's tone was more flat, though with a slight touch of sympathy and irritation.

After taking a moment to breath again, Taylor started over. "Are...Are you mad at me about something?"

Connor sighed. "No. Just wishing you'd let me drive us around for a change. I mean...you really are not the best driver."

"I know. I know. But I don't want to damage your car because of...well, you know..."

He placed a reassuring paw on his boyfriend's much bigger one. "My car can handle it. If anything, you can always spread out in the back and get a cat nap in."

He chuckled at his boyfriend's quip.

"And Taylor?" He said, looking into those emerald tiger eyes. "I'll never stop reminding you that I love you just the way you are. I know you're trying to lose weight and I want to help you with that in any way I can."

He smiled as his stripy tail swayed gently behind him. "I...have been enjoying our swim lessons, even though I'm not...well, the best at it."

"You'll get better in time," he replied. He started to walk forward with the large tiger paw in his smaller otter paw. Taylor followed immediately so they could walk side by side. Connor could feel that thin, flexible tail brush against his thicker one every so often. "Besides, it's one reason why I've enjoyed dating you."

"Oh yeah?" He asked, though he already knew the answer.

"You're a cat that looooves being in the water. I don't think I'd be able to handle dating any other."

Taylor chuckled and felt his cheeks warm a little. But that warm feeling was interrupted by a cheetah and a painted horse half-running half-walking past them, almost bumping him into Connor.

"Hey! Watch it!" Squeaked the otter. Though the two were already gone by the time he said that. "Darn kids."

"Actually, they kinda look around our age and a bit...familiar." Taylor pondered but shrugged. "Could be wrong, though."

"Well, I almost got crushed by you. Not...that I'd mind, of course." He then felt his cheeks warm as he said that.

Eventually, they made their way further into the mall. Like its exterior, the mall's interior was simple and easy to navigate. The upper level walkways were wide, but didn't span across the larger, open areas; these were more a periphery and only crossed over if necessary.

This also meant the food court was easy to get to, as it was near the center of the mall. It had the usual fair one would find in a mall: fast-food, Chinese, Mexican, Japanese, stir-fry, subs, pizza, gyros, ice cream, a coffee shop, the works.

Once the tiger and the otter got there, Connor immediately let go of Taylor's paw and darted to the Japanese stand, as it's the only place that served raw fish. Taylor chuckled and shook his head. He then looked around, trying to decide on what to get.

"What am I in the mood for..." But his thought process was interrupted by another continuous vibration in his pocket. "Oh for fuck sake..." he muttered as he pulled out his phone. He immediately hung up and put it back in his pocket. "I can't fucking talk right now..." Not too long after, his phone buzzed once, though he assumed it was just a voicemail he'd only listen to later.

"Alright, where was I..." He looked around again, though as he did so, he spotted two familiar figures by the Chinese place. They were the same cheetah and painted horse that almost ran into him earlier. He hoped they hadn't notice him or Connor yet.

"Okay, not having that..." he muttered as he looked around. As he did, he began to feel self-conscious about how he looked again. "Oh my God, dude! Just pick something already! Who gives a shit if you're fat?" It was then he noticed Connor approaching him, his tray full but his cheery demeanor faded.

"Hey you...gonna get anything, hun? You kept saying you were hungry right when we got done swimming."

"Yeah, I just...am having trouble deciding, is all."

"Then I'm deciding for you," Connor replied. "You should get a pizza slice the size of your face over there," he said, pointing vaguely towards the pizza stand.

Taylor let out a soft mewl as his tail drooped. "I do like their oversized pizza..."

"Then get it, dude! And, before you say anything, you look great, hun. Who gives a shit what others think of you."

"Yeah...you're right," he sighed.

Connor took a breath and smiled. "I'll find us a seat. You go keep up your figure, okay sexy?" He teased, giving Taylor a wink.

Of course, this made the tiger blush a lot more and even become aroused a little. But his stomach rumbling cut off that soft, warm feeling and his mind immediately went back to getting food.

As soon as he sat down with Connor, his phone vibrated in his pocket again. Per the routine by this point, he immediately hung up after pulling it out again, but didn't put it away this time. He noticed there was one voicemail message and one text message, both from the same, unknown number. It didn't strike him before, but area code looked familiar to him. He took a few bites of pizza before looking up the number on a reverse phone number search site.

"Ah...so that's where this is from..."

"What is?" Connor asked, finish up chewing a bit of sushi.

"The area code for this number that's been calling me all day. Hell, whoever it is, they even texted me and left a voicemail."

"And?"

"Well, I don't know yet. I just know this is out of Axeford, and all the text said was 'Call me please.'"

"Huh...yeah, I wouldn't think it'd be a scammer by this point. Probably just have the wrong number, then."

Taylor shrugged and ate more of his pizza. "I'll deal with it later."

Connor beamed at him. "Good. Because we need to get you some better swimwear, stat!" He exclaimed, pointing his chopsticks at the tiger for emphasis.

"I know. I know." Taylor replied, rolling his eyes a little.

* * *

When they stop at Nick's Sports after they ate, it was more or less a bust. All they found were board shorts in the swimming section and jammers that were too small for Taylor. Of course, this didn't stop them from looking around and doing a little window shopping. The golfing section in particular got the tiger's attention; it was one sport he enjoyed growing up. Though right now, he knew he didn't have the budget for such a hobby, but has considered picking it up one day.

Connor just followed his boyfriend around, with nothing else peaking his interest. But he did enjoy seeing Taylor light up when something peaked his. He never cared about golfing and had no interest to do so. But with a little convincing, he said he would go on an outing with Taylor one day.

Deeming their mission unsuccessful, Connor suggest they try the local used sporting gear store, Second Season.

"I'm telling ya, hun, you'll have a better selection there than at any Nick's," Connor reassured Taylor as they navigated back to the parking garage.

"Okay. Okay. But...do you think they'll have anything for...well, bigger guys?" Taylor asked.

"Oh, I'm sure!" He exclaimed. "Come to think of it, I remember my mom wanted a new swimsuit but we couldn't find anything big enough for her anywhere."

"Except at Second Season, I assume?"

"Yep!" He squeaked. "Found a wide selection too, surprisingly."

Taylor chuckled. "Least you guys didn't have to go to a big and tall store..."

"Oh, we checked that out too. We found stuff that fit, but my mom didn't like the designs and they were...well, not cheap."

Taylor nodded, holding the door open for his boyfriend when they made it back outside. "Well, I really don't want to spend more than I have to," he replied as he followed Connor.

They continued conversing like this, talking more about swimwear, pricing, sizing, and how the clothing industry seems discriminatory against fat and tall people. Of course, they talked about whatever came to mind and how they want to spend the rest of their day after shopping.

However, when Taylor pulled his phone out after he and Connor entered his car, he saw it was dead. He hoped his car charger still worked, as it was well-worn and slightly damaged. "Geeze, that had...I don't know, about 60, 70 percent charge last I checked? We weren't even at Nick's that long either and I never looked at is since lunch...The hell is going on?"

* * *

Unlike at Nick's, they managed to find what they needed at Second Season. However, they could only find two in Taylor's size, but found the prices were slightly cheaper. He would've paid for them himself, but Connor insisted on doing so because he wanted them to be a gift.

When they returned to Taylor's car, he checked his phone and let out a low, irritated growl. "Well...so much for getting this thing juiced up," he sighed, putting it back in his pocket.

"It'll be fine, hun," Connor assured him, "I take it we're going back to your place?"

"Yeah," he replied. They both go in the car and Taylor drove them to his apartment.

"I don't understand who's been spamming me or why," Taylor said as he drove.

"You think it's a prior number you deleted? Someone you used to keep in contact with?" Asked Connor.

"Maybe...I can only think of two people, and neither of them I'd want to talk to anyway."

"Right..." Connor rubbed his paw on the tiger's arm. He knew exactly who Taylor was referring to, and didn't blame him for not wanting to talk to his parents ever again. They never understood him at all and were on the brink of kicking him out before he moved by choice. Part of him was glad he wasn't there with three tigers yelling and bickering at each other, but part of him wished he was there to support his boyfriend. But by now, what's done is done; nothing will change what happened then years ago.

They shared a few moments of silence. The only sounds were from the low roar of the engine and any cars that passed them along the way. When they were getting close to the apartment complex Taylor lived in, he spoke up. "Connor...if it is my parents trying to contact me...say they want me to come to their place. Would you be willing to come with?"

"Of course, sweetie," he replied with no hesitation.

"Thank you...I know you wanted to be there for me when I moved out, but..."

"It was before we met. I know."

He let out a shuddered breath. "Yeah..."

They were both silent again all the way until Taylor found a spot to park, thankful he could find one near his building and unit. Neither of them said a word when they got out of the car and headed inside and up the stairs to Taylor's unit. Though with this sudden realization as to who the mysterious number belonged to, there was no reason for idle chit-chat. But being in each other's company and entering one of their sanctuaries helped ease some of that tension.

* * *

It only took a couple hours until Taylor's phone could be turned back on as he and Connor were cuddling on the couch in front of his TV. Once the screen turned on, he wasn't surprised at the numerous text messages, missed calls, and voicemail messages that flooded his notifications right after. There were some from that same number he didn't recognize, but he was surprised at seeing another number with the same area code show up. He idly stroked Connor's flat, smooth belly as he went over the messages.

The text messages were brief, most of them saying "Call me, please" or "Emergency! Please call" or something similar. But when he went to check the voicemail messages, the very first one put him in a shock.

"You have: 8 new messages," uttered the robotic voice, making a noticeable pause between each word. "First message: sent today at 10:08 AM."

"Hi Taylor...thiiiiis is your mother..." said an older, female voice, "I know we had that little misunderstanding a couple years ago and I'm sure you don't like me calling you." At this point, her voice began to sound shaky. "I thought I'd let you know that...that Grandpa died this morning. It was so sudden and we're not sure what happened. Grandma's been distraught ever since and...well, she was there when it all happened..." She then sounded like she was trying to hold back tears. "I know you two were close...call me back when you can; we can discuss the funeral and committal. Goodb--oh and Tayl--"

She was suddenly cut off before she could finish.

After hearing what happened and hearing his mother's voice for the first time in years, he wasn't sure how to feel. Though he did begin to tear up himself, if only for the rush of mixed emotions that flooded his mind. He immediately went on to the next message.

"Next message: sent today at 10:11 AM."

"Dammit, sorry. I accidentally hung up there. Anyway, there was...something else I wanted to tell you." He could hear her let out a shaky breath and a sniffle before she spoke. "Look, Taylor I...I'm so sorry...I'm so...so sorry for the way me and your dad treated you..." She let out a sigh, struggling to hold back her own emotions now. "No wonder you liked going to Grandma's and Grandpa's a lot...especially in high school and when you were going to college. They...They seemed to understand you better than us, especially Grandpa. I mean...I even remembered you retreated to their place for about a month when you told me and your dad you were gay. And then...you moved." She began to bawl by this point. "I'm so...so sorry for everything we did to you...I just...want you to know that...that me and your dad still love you very much...please call when you can...goodbye."

Taylor began sobbing as well, not so much about his grandfather dying suddenly, but more how his mother spoke to him. Though he did let out a low, audible growl when she pinned him as gay; he told her and his father that he was bisexual, not gay. But as for the rest of the message, he wasn't sure what to think.

"Why couldn't you have apologized sooner..."

He then went over the remaining voicemail messages, though ended up deleting all of them. Aside from the first two, the rest were from his mother telling him, or rather yelling at him, to call her back. A few were from his father as well, though he either spoke sternly or yelled.

He soon reached the final voicemail message.

"Next message: sent today at 2:30 PM."

"Alright, dude..." groaned an older male voice, "I'm gonna keep this short as best as I can. You really need to call one of us back sometime today, please." Taylor assumed the voice was his father's, which he also hadn't heard in years. "We need to discuss some things for the funeral and such. You won't have to do much other than show up and be a pallbearer if you want. Actually, scratch that: just come up as soon as you can; you don't have to call us back today. If you want, you can stay over at Grandma's up until the funeral and committal. She...she definitely will appreciate spending time with her grandson during this time. Let us know when you'll be heading up and how long you'll be here. See ya when I see ya."

Taylor let out a groan and deleted the message, though choked a bit through his tears. He then sent a text message to his mother's number, saying he will be coming up tomorrow morning.

Meanwhile, Connor looked up at Taylor and frowned. As his boyfriend was listening to and reading the day's inbox, he was petting his arm and shoulder, though not so much as to distract him. Once he noticed Taylor began sobbing after hearing the last message, he reached up and petted the tiger's cheek. This instantly made Taylor close his eyes and rub his cheek into the otter's paw, letting out a soft moo; Connor couldn't help but giggle every time Taylor reacted like that.

"So, um...what was that all about, hun? Sounded serious."

Taylor leaned back into the couch and sighed. "...Grandpa died suddenly...no one has any idea what happened..."

Connor sighed as well. "I'm sorry, hun."

"It gets worse..." He sighed, letting his head droop forward, looking aimlessly towards his feet paws and Connor's belly. "There were two phone numbers I didn't recognize...both from my parents." He then turned towards Connor. It was clear there was sadness and frustration in the tiger's eyes, along with his drooping whiskers. "They want me to come up by them as soon as possible. I told them tomorrow morning and...I may be up there for a while..."

The otter sat up as much as he could while in the tiger's lap. "Hun. I'm coming with you."

This made Taylor smile, though only for a moment. "I want you to...thing is, my parents don't know about you at all. In fact, they probably still assume I'm single and 'gay.'" His tone became snarky at that last word.

"Okay but...were will we stay if we'll be gone for a while?" He asked, now sitting upright with his skinny, grey arms wrapped around the tiger's wide body.

"My grandma's. I think I remember where she lives, assuming she hasn't moved within the last couple years. You'll like her; she's fun. Plus her and Grandpa were...oddly accepting of me and treated me better than my own parents..."

Connor shuffled back onto the couch and hugged his boyfriend as tight as he could, nuzzling the tiger's neck. "I can see what I can do about work. I don't think I have any formal wear, though."

Taylor chuckled, hugging the otter tight enough not to suffocate him. "Guess we'll have to do some more clothes shopping then, eh?"

He chuckled in response. "I wouldn't mind that."