FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Chapter 1.

15:13, Friday, the 13th of April, 2028.

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When I stepped into the restaurant, the smell of burgers and burning oil hit me like a wave of nostalgia. It had been months since I'd last seen my friend, and I was actually excited to see him--I wouldn't tell him that, of course, but I couldn't quite hide the bounce in my steps as I approached the table in the corner. He looked the same, except for a weird sort of calm about him--like he'd figured something out.

Sliding into the seat across from him, I wasted no time. "Yo," I began, unable to stop myself from grinning, "I hear you've been hanging out with dragons. What's that like?"

He paused mid-dip, a chicken nugget dripping in barbecue sauce held between his fingers. "Who told you that?" He asked, narrowing his dark eyes yet smiling just enough to make me suspicious.

"Doesn't matter," I said, waving him off. "What's it like?"

He shrugged, popping the nugget into his mouth. "It's... different."

"Different how?" I pressed. "What, do they have weird dragon quirks or something? Like, do they hoard gold and breathe fire when they're mad? I've only met a few."

He snorted. "Not really."

I was about to push him for details when something caught my eye at a nearby table. "Wait," I said, lowering my voice, "what's that?"

He glanced over, immediately catching on. A gryphon--a real, honest-to-god gryphon--sat at the table, her talons methodically dismantling a Fillet-O-Fish like she was performing surgery. I'd never seen a gryphon in person before, and I couldn't stop staring.

"I think she lives here," my friend said conspiratorially. "Always here whenever me and Hrod come. She always gets the same thing, too--a Fillet-O-Fish--and then she does… whatever that is.”

The wrapper had been carefully torn open, and she was now using a single talon to strip the breading from the fish patty with unnerving precision. The top bun lay discarded on the tray, along with the tartar sauce and lettuce, all neatly separated like she was dissecting her prey.

"Why doesn't she just order it plain?" I asked, unable to look away.

"A friend of mine said that it triggers some kind of primal hunting instinct."

"Seriously?" I glanced at him, half-expecting him to laugh, but he just shrugged.

"Yeah. Something about the process makes it more satisfying, apparently."

We both watched as she worked, completely engrossed in her ritual. By now, she'd peeled the patty free from all traces of breading and held it up to the light, examining it like a jeweller appraising a diamond. Then, with a snap of her beak, she devoured it whole.

"Okay, yeah, that was kind of amazing," I admitted.

"See?" He said, grinning. "I told you it's cool."

"Cool is one word for it," I muttered. "But seriously, what's she doing with that filet? You think she--"

"Maybe it's a kink."

"A kink?" I repeated, laughing despite myself.

"Sure," he said, leaning in closer. "The way she's handling that filet... Maybe she finishes the ritual by, I don't know, putting it between her lips."

"They have beaks, you idiot," I replied, exasperated.

My friend didn't reply right away. Instead, he gave me a long, slow nod, his expression shifting to something suspiciously shifty. He said nothing, but the look on his face made my skin crawl.

"...Wait," I said, narrowing my eyes. "You're not talking about beaks anymore, are you?"

He shrugged, his lips twitching with a smirk.

"You're sick," I muttered, throwing a fry at him.

He chuckled, but the sound died in his throat as we both glanced back at the gryphon hen. She wasn't dissecting her fish anymore. She was staring directly at me.

Her sharp, cerulean eyes locked onto mine, and the way she tilted her head ever so slightly made it clear she'd noticed something. She rose gracefully, her wings shifting slightly, and began walking toward our table.

"Uh... she's coming over," I whispered, instinctively sitting up straighter.

"Yep," he muttered, his voice low, nerves creeping in.

The avian stopped just short of the table, her movements deliberate and smooth, talons clicking faintly against the tiles. She looked between us for a moment, but her gaze settled on my friend. She leaned in slightly, sniffing once, long and slow.

He shifted uncomfortably, long fingers drumming against the table. "Can we help you?"

The gryphon's eyes narrowed, and she recoiled slightly, a soft huff escaping her beak. Her feathers fluffed faintly as she straightened, fixing him with a disdainful look. Without a word, she reached into the small bag slung across her side, pulled out a business card, and extended it to me.

"You seem like the responsible one," she said smoothly, her voice rich and lilting. "You should have this. Keep it safe."

"Hey!"

She ignored him entirely, her gaze lingering on me for a moment longer. Then, with a flick of her feline tail, she turned and strode back to her table, her wings rustling faintly as she moved.

I stared down at the card in my hand, dumbfounded. It had a name--Kayt--and a phone number written in elegant, looping script.

Cole groaned, rubbing a hand over his face. "She smelled Hrod,” he muttered.

"What?" I asked, completely lost.

"She smelled Hrod," Cole repeated, sounding tired. "Dragons and gryphons don't exactly get along. And, uh... I guess I reek of them right now."

"Reek of--hold on, what?"

Cole hesitated, clearly debating how much to say. "Dragons are... kind of territorial," he said finally. "They, uh, leave scents. It's a whole thing."

I stared at him, horrified. "So she just gave me her number because you smell like your…" I trailed off, unable to finish the thought, or how to phrase my question.

"Pretty much," Cole said, grabbing another nugget. "You're welcome, by the way."

"Welcome?" I gaped at him. "How do you even live like this?"

He smiled weakly, leaning back in his chair. "Carefully."

I shook my head, still trying to wrap my mind around everything. "You know," I said, studying him, "you seem... different."

"Different how?"

"I don't know. Calmer. Like… Yeah, I don’t know."

Cole paused, his brow furrowing slightly as he thought. Finally, he shrugged. "Been through some stuff lately."

"Like what? Dragon drama?" I joked, but there was a genuine curiosity behind my words.

Cole chuckled softly.

But then that smile flickered. "Something like that. Made some… realisations… And I like them."

"Realisations?" I repeated, placing my chin in my palm. “Like what? That you like dragons?”

"Yeah." He nodded, face lighting up excitedly, like he was about to tell me something special. "K-Kinda. Hrod. They…” And then he stopped, strings cut. I didn’t press–I watched. I had an idea of what was up with him, what was choking him. He’d always been a little different, and he’d called his… partner them twice now. “Helped…”

I nodded, tried to focus on my food, failed.

…It felt weird.

Sure, I didn’t care if he was like that, really, honestly. But it didn’t make that odd swirling in my chest stop. Not disgust, just… surprise, maybe.

“I, uh, moved out.” He tapped the table, fingers drumming anxiously again; a tick he’d had years. “Convinced the internship to keep me full time so I’m making enough to afford it.”

That surprised me. The Cole I remembered was more about coasting than effort. "Wow. Nice. What brought all that on?"

He hesitated, glancing down at his tray. "Hrod helped," he admitted. "Being around them makes me want to do more, you know? So we can both have better lives."

I wasn't sure I did know, but I let it slide. He was hiding something. My attention drifted back to the card in my hand. The gryphon's name, ‘Kayt’, was written in a fine, elegant script. A good distraction from the tension. "So what do I even do with this?" I asked, holding it up.

Cole looked at the card, then at me, his expression unreadable for a moment. "Go for it," he said finally.

"Go for it?" I frowned.

"Yeah." He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. "Look, I hesitated with… myself, w-what I wanted, and that just made everything worse. If you're curious--or, you know, interested--why not see where it goes?"

I studied him, trying to gauge if he was serious. "How do you even... like... find feathers or scales attractive?"

Cole shrugged, a small, almost nervous smile tugging at his lips. "It's not just about looks.... Hrod’s different. Makes me laugh, challenges me, and doesn't let me get away with my usual laziness. They’re... fun to be around. Kind of amazing, honestly." I didn’t miss the red that spread across his cheeks.

I raised an eyebrow. "That's a lot of words for ‘I'm into dragons.’"

Cole chuckled. "Well... There's that too."

I looked at the card again, turning it over in my fingers. "You really think I should call her?"

"Why not?" Cole said, leaning back again. "Worst-case scenario, it's a weird lunch. Best-case scenario... who knows?"

I hesitated, imagining all the ways this could go wrong. But Cole's confidence--and his clear contentment with his own interspecies relationship, or whatever the hell you'd call it--made me pause. "Alright," I said, tucking the card into my coat pocket. "Maybe I will."

Cole smiled. "Good. Just, uh, don't mention me or Hrod on the first date. Gryphons aren't big fans of dragons."

"Noted."

As I grabbed a fry and stared off in thought, the sound of Cole's phone buzzing broke the moment. He glanced at the screen, then sighed, then smiled.

"What is it?" I asked.

"Just Hrod," he said, his tone fond, lovey. Still blushing. "Probably wondering where I am."

"Already?" I teased. "You've been gone, what, two hours? They know you have a job, right?”

Cole shrugged, his grin only widening. "Dragons are... intense. They worry. A lot. There was a whole thing with her and my mum."

I shook my head, still trying to process all of this. "Man, your life is wild."

Cole laughed, standing up and grabbing his tray. "You have no idea."

As he walked toward the rubbish bins, I glanced around the restaurant, half-expecting something else bizarre to happen. The bird was back at her table, tearing into a fresh fish fillet with the same ritualistic precision. My hand drifted to my pocket, fingers brushing against the card.

Maybe he was onto something.

#

18:22, Thursday, the 19th of April, 2028.

Moving back home was like trying to jump into a river midstream--fast-paced, chaotic, and impossible to get your footing without being swept along. Everything about the city felt sharper, louder, and busier than I remembered. And then, just when I thought I was starting to settle in, there was her.

The gryphon.

Kayt.

She had been elegant, sharp, and seemed sure of herself, like someone who always knew she had the upper hand. And for reasons I still couldn't fully wrap my head around, she'd handed me her business card before striding off with the kind of confidence that felt more like a power move than politeness. The card was baffling in its simplicity: her name, Kayt, and a phone number. No flashy logo, no tagline, not even an email address. It was almost as if she didn't want to be contacted--but why bother giving it to me in the first place?

Responsible?

But Cole, somehow now the voice of reason--or evil--had been quick to egg me on. "You should call her," he'd messaged when I asked later that week.

I'd laughed it off at the time, but his words stuck with me. So, one quiet evening, still surrounded by half-unpacked boxes, I gave in. Sitting on my couch with my phone in hand, I stared at the card for what felt like an eternity before finally dialling the number.

The phone rang twice before she picked up.

"Hello?"

Her voice was smooth and lilting, with an accent I couldn't place.

"Uh, hi," I said, awkwardness already creeping in. "This is Ethan. We met at the restaurant? You gave me your card."

There was a pause, the kind that felt long enough to be deliberate. "Ah. The responsible one," she said at last, and I could practically hear the smirk in her tone.

I laughed nervously. "I guess? Anyway, I thought I'd, uh... call. You know, since you gave me your number."

"Hmm," she hummed thoughtfully. "I wasn't sure you would. I figured your friend's mate might have said something."

I frowned. "Cole? No, he didn't say anything. Why would he?"

Her tone shifted, a touch more guarded now. "Dragons and gryphons don't... always see eye to eye. I assumed he might discourage you."

It took me a second to connect the dots. Hrod. I didn't know much about them, but from what he'd said, they seemed... intense. Territorial, maybe? I could kind of see why Kayt might think they’d warn me off.

"Well, they didn't," I said plainly, then added, "and I doubt Cole would let them. He's pretty chill about stuff like this."

Kayt let out a soft laugh, the tension easing from her voice. "I see."

"So, about this card..." I began, holding it up even though she obviously couldn't see me. "What's with the business card? Feels a bit... corporate for a McDonald's encounter."

"You're curious," she said, her tone playful now.

"Yeah, a bit."

"Take me to dinner," she said smoothly, "and I'll tell you."

I blinked, caught completely off guard. "Dinner?"

"Yes, dinner," she replied, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "Surely you eat."

I laughed despite myself. "Fair point. Do gryphons have any preferences?"

"Fish," she said immediately, her voice turning matter-of-fact. "Obviously."

"Obviously," I echoed, grinning. "How's tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow works," she said. "Text me the details."

"Will do," I replied, still grinning like an idiot. "Looking forward to it."

"As am I," she said, and then the line went dead.

I stared at my phone, still processing what had just happened. A gryphon had just agreed to dinner. My life was officially weird.

#

17:01, Friday, the 20th of April, 2028.

Friday came quicker than I expected. I'd picked a small seafood place that was nice but not pretentious, hoping it would strike the right balance between casual and thoughtful. I was standing outside, adjusting my jacket for the hundredth time, when she arrived.

Kayt was impossible to miss. Her feathers gleamed in the evening light, a perfect mix of gold and tawny brown, and her bright blue eyes immediately locked onto me. She moved with an effortless grace, her talons clicking softly on the pavement as she approached.

"You're punctual," she said, her voice smooth and approving.

"Figured you'd appreciate it," I replied, trying to keep my tone light. "You look great, by the way."

Her lips, or the small bit of skin behind her beak, curved slightly--her version of a smile, I assumed. "And you look... adequate."

I laughed, shaking my head. "I'll take it."

Inside, the restaurant was quiet but not empty. We were seated at a table in the corner, away from the main crowd. I caught a few curious glances from other diners--gryphons weren't exactly common around here, or anywhere--but she didn't seem to notice or care. She sat tall and poised, her tail curling neatly around the base of her chair as she picked up the menu.

"Do you always order fish?" I asked, glancing at my own menu.

She tilted her head lightly, a flicker of amusement in her sharp eyes. "Well, yes, but why wouldn't I? It's a seafood restaurant."

"Fair enough," I said, suppressing a cringe and forcing a grin.

We placed our orders--grilled salmon for her, fish and chips for me--and settled into a comfortable silence. Well, comfortable for her. I still felt like I was walking a tightrope.

"So," I said eventually, "are you going to tell me why you have business cards?"

She glanced at me, her eyes glinting with amusement. "I told you, didn't I? Dinner first."

"Right," I said, shaking my head. "You're really going to make me wait, huh?"

"Patience, human," she said, her tone teasing.

Our food arrived shortly after, and I couldn't help but watch as she meticulously dismantled her salmon. It was fascinating, the way her talons worked with almost surgical precision to strip the fish of its skin and bones. She caught me staring and tilted her head.

"Something wrong?" She asked.

"No, it's just... Do you always eat like that?"

"Like what?"

"Like you're dissecting your prey," I said.

She let out a soft snort. "Efficiency, Ethan. You should try it."

I laughed, shaking my head. "Fair enough."

As we ate, I couldn't help but blurt out the question that had been on my mind. "So, Kayt, what's the deal between dragons and gryphons? I've met a few dragons in passing, but I've never met a gryphon before. What's the story there?"

Her head tilted slightly, a small twitch of her feathers betraying some emotion I couldn't quite place. "That depends on who you ask."

"Okay..." I prompted, leaning forward. "What if I ask you?"

She was quiet for a moment, carefully extracting another bite of salmon. "Our history with dragons is complicated. Let's just say we've had our conflicts."

"Conflicts?" I echoed. "Like, serious ones?"

"Serious enough," she said vaguely, her eyes flicking to the side. "Some dragons don't see us as equals. Some see us as... competition. Others see us as food."

"Food?" I repeated, a little too loudly. A couple at a nearby table glanced our way, and I lowered my voice. "Seriously?"

She gave a small shrug, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "They were bigger and stronger, with armoured hide to go along with it all. Not all dragons, of course. But there was a time, not long ago, when gryphons and dragons fought over territory--and yes, a few saw us as prey. Let's just say it's a hard thing to forget."

"That's... intense," I said, suddenly feeling very out of my depth. "I didn't realise it was like that."

"It's not always," she said, her tone softening. "There are dragons I work with, dragons I respect. But it's very rare to see true friendship between us."

I nodded, filing that information away for later. It explained a lot about the tension I'd felt whenever dragons came up in conversation with her. "Well, for what it's worth, you don't have to worry about me. I'm not exactly friends with any dragons, either."

That earned me a sharp, amused look. "Good to know."

The rest of the meal passed in a surprisingly comfortable rhythm. Kayt was sharp and witty, her dry humour keeping me on my toes. By the time the plates were cleared, I'd almost forgotten about the business card.

Almost.

"So," I said, leaning back in my chair, "are you going to tell me now? About the card?"

She smirked, her sleek cheek feathers ruffling slightly. "Maybe next time."

"Next time?" I repeated, laughing. "You're evil."

"Thank you," she said, her tone entirely sincere.

I shook my head, still grinning. "You're lucky you're fun to be around."

"I know," she said, standing gracefully. "Come on, walk me out."

Outside, the crisp night air was a welcome relief. She turned to me, her bright eyes locking onto mine.

"This was enjoyable," she said softly. "Thank you."

"Anytime," I said, meaning it. "So... next time?"

She smirked again, spreading her wings. "We'll see."

And with that, she took off, leaving me standing there with a stupid grin on my face.

Cole was never going to let me hear the end of this.

#

11:30, Saturday, the 28th of April, 2028.

A week had passed since the dinner with Kayt, and I was still trying to wrap my head around the fact that I'd actually enjoyed myself. More than that, we'd been messaging and calling since then--nothing too deep, just casual conversations that somehow always left me grinning afterward.

It was weird, though. I wasn't entirely sure how I could find a gryphon attractive. Like, was it just her confidence? The way she spoke--smooth and sharp at the same time, always with that teasing edge? Or maybe it was the way she carried herself with such ease, like she owned whatever space she walked into. Whatever it was, I knew I was at least a little into her. That much was clear.

Still, the whole situation felt surreal, and I needed someone to talk to about it. Naturally, that someone ended up being Cole.

He told me to meet him outside his new flat, some rough looking place in the dragon district of the city, but when I showed up, nervous from all the reptilian stares, I found him standing by the curb with a dragon. A purple dragon. Hrodvitnir, I assumed.

They were bigger than I'd expected--definitely bigger than Kayt. While Kayt's head only came up to my chest, Hrod's was about level with Cole. Longer too, their body more robust and powerful-looking, lithe and sleek like a panther, with thick muscles rippling under their shimmering violet scales. Even the teeth, visible as they animatedly talked with him, were more pronounced, sharp, and unmistakably predatory.

They looked so deadly that what happened next completely caught me off guard.

They reached into a satchel, took out a pack of–I think they were lambert and butler–cigarettes, lit one with a flicker of fiery breath and slipped the end between their teeth.

After taking a long drag, blowing it in Cole's face, getting smacked for it, they turned to me. Their eyes were orange. Scorching. “This your friend?” They said, nudging their boyfriend. Hrod’s voice was low and gravelly, each word scraping along the previous, yet not overly deep.

“Yeah. We went to school together.” Cole checked something on this phone, frowned at it and slipped it back into the zip pocket of his jacket. “We're heading to town for a bit. You wanna come with… or did you just want to make sure I made it down two flights of stairs?”

“Nah, I'm off back to bed. I've got Sorcha in charge of the kobolds in the shop.” Hrod let out a soft, smoke filled chuckle. “And sue me; you're delicate. Had to make sure you didn't crack a nail getting out of bed.”

“Sure things, babe.” Cole leaned in, gave them a quick peck and tried to walk over. Emphasis on tried, as before he made it a foot away, Hrod was on him. They gripped the side of his face with a delicate paw and pressed their maw against his mouth. It wasn't just a quick peck, either--there was this weird intimacy to it, the way Cole tilted his head to meet the angle of their snout.

Their lips, or whatever the equivalent was, pressed against his with an ease that suggested they'd done this before. It wasn't awkward, like you'd think kissing a dragon might be. If anything, it looked... natural. The only freaky part was the fact Hrod kept their eyes open and on him the entire time, whilst Cole didn't.

I turned away. It was too intimate to watch. Felt weird. Only when Cole clapped a hand on my shoulder did I look up from my phone. Hrod was gone, I noticed–we hadn't even spoken.

"You look weirded out," he said plainly.

"Can you blame me?" I shot back. "You just made out with a dragon in broad daylight. Forgive me for being a little curious about how that works."

"It's not that complicated," he said, shrugging. "You just, like... angle it a bit. Avoid the pointy bits.”

"Yeah, I noticed," I said dryly. "You've clearly got it down to a science."

He rolled his eyes. "Alright, come on. What are we doing today?"

"I need a new controller," I said as we started walking. "Mine broke during the move. But, uh, I'm poor too, so I'm hoping you can point me to something cheap."

Cole laughed. "You're asking me for tech? I've been living off minimum wage for years. I barely know what PS5 means. Closest I've got is a jailbroken Xbox One Oisin steals.”

"You're such a liar," I said, nudging him. "You were bragging about getting a cushy council job.”

"Yeah, well, it doesn't mean I'm rolling in cash," he said, grinning. "But sure, let's go find you a controller. Maybe you can sell your dignity to pay for it."

"Bold talk from the guy kissing dragons," I shot back, only to catch myself pausing mid-step. I was too curious. That wasn't what I wanted to say. I'd seen Hrod. Feminine, sure, but…

He just laughed, shaking his head.

As we turned the corner, I said, a little quieter, "Speaking of dragons, is, uh. Hrod. They, um…?”

Cole shot me a sidelong glance, his grin fading. "What?”

"Come on, man." I prompted. “I went to uni. You know I don’t care. I'm just curious.”

He stopped to look at me, narrow eyes sharpening as he regarded me. His hands were in his pockets, posture relaxed yet guarded. And then, with more confidence than I'd expected… “Nah. Secret.”

“Gay,” I said automatically, catching up to him.

“Little bit.”

“Lots of bits” Still behind him, I grabbed both of his shoulders and shook him. “Two dicks, Cole! That's very gay!” He shook me off and hurried ahead.

I took it as a good sign.

We ended up at a small computer shop not far from the city centre. The place had that distinct smell of new plastic and cardboard, and the shelves were crammed with everything from the latest consoles to retro games and accessories.

I made a beeline for the controllers while Cole wandered off to check out the clearance section. Most of the controllers were way out of my price range, but I managed to find a used one that looked like it might hold together for a while.

"Found something?" Cole asked, reappearing at my side with a boxed game in hand.

"Yeah, this'll do," I said, holding up the controller.

"Nice. What're you playing these days?"

"Mostly The Witcher and, uhh, that new Fable. Figured I'd start fresh since I'm stuck living like a hermit until payday."

He laughed. "Could be worse. You could be playing extraction shooters.”

"I'd rather die," I said immediately, making him laugh harder.

As we headed to the counter, Cole glanced at me, his grin fading slightly. "So, how's... what's her name? Kayt?"

I blinked, surprised he'd brought it up. "She's... good. We've been talking a bit. Messaging and stuff."

"And?" He prompted, raising an eyebrow.

"And... I don't know," I admitted. "She's cool. Funny, smart. I just--"

"Just what?"

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "I don't really know how this is supposed to work, you know? I mean, she's a gryphon. How does that even... make sense?"

Cole shrugged. "Does it have to?"

I frowned. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, who cares if it makes sense?" He said. "If you like talking to her, spending time with her, then why even overthink it?"

I hesitated, mulling that over as we paid and left the shop.

"You've got a point," I said eventually. "It's just... new territory for me."

"Yeah, well, welcome to the club," he said. "Take it from me--sometimes, you just have to roll with it."

"Easy for you to say. You've already got the whole interspecies romance thing figured out."

He laughed, slinging an arm over my shoulder as we walked. "Trust me--I do not. I'm just making it up as I go along."

"Comforting," I said dryly, though I couldn't help but smile. “How'd your mum take it, by the way? She cool with you and him?”

“Them,” he corrected gently as he walked. “And… no. Not cool, but it's whatever–life be like that.”

“Mmm. Yeah. Life do be like that sometimes.”

I'd expected it.

Didn't make it any less of a shock.

We walked a little further in silence before a thought popped into my head, one I wasn't sure I wanted the answer to but couldn't ignore. "So, uh... have they ever... you know, eaten a gryphon?"

Cole stopped mid-step, his arm falling away from my shoulder as he glanced at me, his expression caught somewhere between amusement and discomfort. "What? W-Why would you ask something like that?"

"I mean, it's a fair question, right?" I said, holding my hands up defensively. "You're dating a dragon. Gryphons are... you know... not exactly on the top of their friend list. And I like Kayt, so I kind of feel like I need to know if I'm introducing her to a potential... predator."

Cole winced, running a hand through his hair. "Honestly? I-I don't know for sure."

That answer made my stomach drop. "You don't know?"

"They've never said anything outright," he said, carefully choosing his words. "But Hrod doesn't talk much about their past. I know they had it rough before we met, family and stuff, bouncing around, even before moving to earth and dragons... they did what they needed to survive.”

"Wait," I interrupted, stepping in front of him. "Are you telling me there's a chance they've eaten a gryphon before?"

Cole sighed, looking conflicted. "Maybe. But they're friends with a few gryphons. I doubt it.”

"That's... not totally reassuring," I said, my voice rising slightly.

"Look," Cole said firmly, his gaze locking onto mine. "Hrod isn't a monster. If they've ever done something like that, it was because they absolutely had to, not because they wanted to. They've had to fight for everything in their life, and you have no idea what that's like for a dragon! Hell, I-I don't even fully understand it."

I took a step back, still processing his words. "So, you're saying you're not sure if they have or hasn't, but I'm just supposed to hope for the best if Kayt and Hrod ever meet?"

"They're not going to hurt Kayt," Cole said with a shake of his head. "Hrod isn't like that. I'd stake my life on it."

"That's easy for you to say," I muttered. "You're not the one imagining what might happen if things go south."

Cole softened slightly, his shoulders relaxing as he met my gaze. "I get it, Ethan. I-I do. But you've got to trust me. Hrod is a lot of things, but dangerous to those they care about isn't one of them. Kayt would be fine. They're a lot softer than you'd think. Trust me.”

His words hung between us for a moment before I finally nodded, though the knot in my stomach didn't go away. I wasn't entirely convinced, but for Cole's sake, especially after what he'd been through, I let it go.

Realising we'd been standing around like a pair of morons, we stepped into the checkout line at the gaming shop, my used PS5 controller tucked under my arm. Cole, as usual, couldn't just stand still. Gaming box set still under the Crook of an arm, he wandered over to a nearby display and came back holding the strangest-looking controller I'd ever seen. It was bulky, with oversized buttons and a strange, curved design that looked impossible to use.

"What the hell is that?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Controller for paws," Cole said, holding it up for me to see. "Oisin broke his old one."

"Oisin?"

"Hrod's nephew," Cole explained, getting back in line with me. "He's ten. Full of energy, like... too much . He got overexcited playing one of my games and crushed his old controller. Didn't even mean to. Just one of those things, you know?"

I snorted. "Bet that was fun to explain."

"Not really. He was devastated. He only comes over every now and again, too and his families a bit tight on money," Cole said, shaking his head. "It was a cheap second-hand one, though, so not a huge pain. But he's been sneaking glances at mine ever since, so I figured I'd grab him his own. Can't have him sulking every time Hrod tells him to keep his claws off my stuff."

"Wow," I said, smirking. "Didn't take you for the type to spoil your boyfriend's family."

Still felt weird.

“I’m full of surprises,” he said, finally grinning again.

I nodded "So... you're telling me this kid smashed his controller just by playing, What? Garten of banban slop?" I asked, raising an eyebrow as we walked towards the food court.

Cole laughed, shaking his head. "Viva Pinata, actually, since he’s seen me play it, but yeah, it's kind of a thing with him. He's got these oversized claws for his age, and he's not great at controlling his strength yet. Poor kid looked devastated. I'm just trying to save my own controllers from the same fate."

"Big brother Cole to the rescue," I teased, nudging him with my elbow.

He rolled his eyes but grinned. "Look, it's either this or let Hrod chew him out for not being more careful. Kids are a handful."

We meandered through the mall, the chatter of shoppers and the faint hum of music playing over the PA system filling the space. It was one of those sprawling shopping centres where you could find anything from high-end tech to bargain-bin DVDs. My stomach growled audibly, reminding me I hadn't eaten since breakfast.

"Alright, I need food," I announced. "There's a pretzel stand over there. You in?"

Cole shrugged. "Sure. Can't say no to shopping centre pretzels."

We joined the short line, the scent of buttery dough wafting over and making my mouth water. I studied the menu, already debating between a cinnamon-sugar twist and a jalapeño-cheese pretzel. Beside me, Cole was fiddling with his phone, the light from the screen casting a faint glow on his face.

"What's so interesting?" I asked.

"Just checking messages," he said without looking up. "My mum finally..." He trailed off as his phone buzzed madly in his hand. His expression shifted from casual cheer to an oddly nervous frown.

He tapped the screen and turned away slightly. "Hello?" Out of respect for my friend, I shuffled a half foot away, pretending to study the pretzel menu. After some deliberation, I settled on a cinnamon-sugar twist, my go-to comfort snack.

"Yeah, I’ve talked to Sophie. She- Uh, Ethan?" I glanced back at him. His voice was strained, like he was trying to mask how tense he was. "Get me the same, please.”

I made an okay sign and, after taking the ten-pound note he handed over, went to place the order. Over my shoulder, I could hear his voice rising and falling, shaky and uncertain.

"Right... Yeah, I get that- dad… No, that’s not fair. I told you- Will you stop interrupting me?!"

I paid and stood there, waiting. Anxious. After some more back and forth, he hung up, ran a shaky hand down his face and stepped aside.

"You good, man?" I asked after a beat. He didn't respond immediately. I grabbed both of our pretzels when they were ready and nudged one into his hands. "That sounded... rough."

"Mum- she, uh, she's just going through some things, but..." He stared down at his pretzel, gripping it tightly enough to crush the paper wrapping. "I don't get why she's like this…”

"Cole?"

“Sorry, sorry. First time mum's talked to me in a month and it's to bitch.”

“Oh.” I didn't know what else to do besides eating my pretzel and looking supportive. “She- Sorry, I-I don't know what to say besides, like, she's wrong, y'know?” He looked up, frustration flickering to confusion. “You're happy, they're happy. You know there's nothing… like… Bad about what you're doing?”

I waved my hands like a moron, getting sugar and pretzel on the floor. “You're right, you and Hrod are good. So…” I trailed off, unsure of how else to phrase my thoughts. I knew nothing of the gay experience.

He looked at me, smiling awkwardly, a little shaky. “Yeah…” And checked his phone again, expression twitching. “I know that. It stings because I thought she'd be cool with it. Everyone told me she just didn't get it; cultural junk; that all I'd have to do was explain it, so when she didn't…” He pursed his lips, looked away, looked back at his phone. “So lame. It- Fuck, I'm sorry, I might dip.”

“You okay?”

He looked like he was considering it. “Yeah. I'm just kinda pissy right now. That's wrecked my mood. I'm sorry.”

“Oh, nah, I get it. That sucks. I've got my controller, at least. You gonna be on tonight? We could play that new dragon ball game you're always going on about?”

That got a smile. I hated PvP games and he knew it.

“Yeah, that'd be cool. I'm gonna head back now. We can hang tomorrow if you're up for it.”

“Yeah.”

We said a couple more awkward goodbyes before finally splitting up, leaving me standing off to the side, a little salty, a little concerned.

Still, there was gryphon to look forward to. Silver lining.

#

18:20, Monday, the 30th of April, 2028.

The idea of seeing Kayt again had me feeling... something. Excited? Nervous? Probably a mix of both. She'd agreed to meet up for dinner, and this time, I suggested a place with a little more flair. If she didn't like it, I'd blame Cole for his roll with it advice.

The restaurant was an upscale steakhouse with a reputation for its seafood. I arrived early and fidgeted with my phone at the bar while I waited. Kayt made her entrance like she owned the place, talons clicking sharply on the marble floor. Heads turned--not because she was a gryphon, though that was unusual enough--but because of the way she carried herself. She wore confidence like a tailored suit, and her sleek feathers shimmered under the dim light.

"You clean up well," I said as she approached.

She tilted her head, her beak curving in that almost-smile. "You're improving. That's almost a compliment."

I chuckled and gestured toward our table. "Shall we?"

We were seated in a corner booth that offered some privacy, though I noticed a few curious glances from other diners. Kayt didn't seem to care. She glanced at the menu and ordered pan-seared halibut with the ease of someone who'd been doing this for years.

"How's your day been?" I asked, trying to sound casual as I settled into my seat.

"Busy," she said with a sigh, her wings rustling slightly. "Meetings, deadlines, the usual chaos."

"Right. And what chaos do you manage, exactly?" I asked, leaning forward. "You never did tell me what you do."

She hesitated, her bright eyes flicking to me before she responded. "Mergers and acquisitions."

I blinked, caught off guard. "You're in finance?"

"Yes," she said simply, her tone giving nothing away. "I specialise in evaluating businesses for potential acquisition or merger opportunities. I assess their value, negotiate terms, and ensure a smooth transition. It's demanding, but I enjoy it."

"Wow," I said, genuinely impressed. "That's... intense. I mean, how long have you been doing that?"

"Ten years," she replied.

I paused, doing the math. "You've only been here for… fifteen years, though, right? On Earth, I mean?"

"Yes. Same as the others." Her beak curved slightly. "But I was hired almost immediately after finishing school. Turns out we gryphons have a real knack for appraising value, understanding trends, and negotiating deals. Humans seemed eager to capitalise on that."

"That's one way to make an entrance," I said, grinning. "So, what made you get into finance specifically?"

Her feathers ruffled faintly, and she glanced away. "The truth?"

"Always."

She hesitated, then leaned forward slightly, her voice softer now. "When I arrived here, I saw what money could buy. Homes, cars, art, power--all of it. Gryphons, like dragons, are drawn to wealth and status, but we didn't have anything like this back in our world. Here, I realised I could have all of it. And I wanted it."

I nodded slowly, taking that in. "So, you just... decided to go for it?"

"Decided?" She repeated, her tone almost amused. "No. I hunted it."

The intensity in her eyes sent a shiver down my spine--not fear, exactly, but awe. This wasn't just ambition; it was instinct, something deep and primal. And yet, as she spoke, there was a hint of vulnerability beneath her confidence, a sense that she was still finding her place in this strange, human-dominated world.

Our food arrived, and the conversation shifted to lighter topics. The gryphon had a dry, cutting sense of humour that kept me on my toes, and by the time we'd finished eating, I realised I was having fun. More than that, I was fascinated by her--by the way she navigated her dual identity as a gryphon and some high-powered professional.

As we left the restaurant, walking together under the glow of streetlights, Kayt slowed her pace. Her talons clicked softly against the pavement, and she glanced at me, her sharp cerulean eyes unusually hesitant.

"There's something I should tell you," she said, her voice quieter than usual.

"What's up?" I asked, turning to face her.

She paused, her wings shifting slightly as if she were bracing herself. "The business card. The day at the fast food place. I didn't give it to you because I thought you were responsible."

I frowned, confused. "Then why did you--?"

"Because I thought you were... cute," she admitted, her beak curving in an almost-shy smile. "I didn't write it down at first because I was flustered. Gryphons don't exactly have much experience with... this... subtlety, I mean."

I stared at her, stunned. The confident, razor-sharp Kayt was suddenly vulnerable, and it was somehow both endearing and completely unexpected.

"Well," I said after a beat, grinning, "if it makes you feel any better, I've been flustered since the moment you handed me that card."

She let out a soft laugh, shaking her head. "I doubt that."

"S-Seriously," I said, stepping a little closer. "You've got this whole intimidating, untouchable vibe going on. It's hard not to be flustered around you."

She tilted her head, studying me for a moment. "You're weird," she said finally, but there was warmth in her voice.

"I'll take it," I replied with a grin.

The walk to the wine bar was full of easy banter, the kind that only happens when you've had just enough to drink to feel bold but not enough to regret it. Kayt, it turned out, had a sharp tongue when she let her guard down, and I was loving every second of it.

"So, mergers and acquisitions," I said, swirling the last of my drink in its glass, pretending my drink of choice wasn't corner shop cider. "Do you just swoop into boardrooms and scare CEOs into selling?"

She smirked, eyes sparkling. "Not quite. But intimidation has its place."

"I knew it!”I said, pointing at her dramatically. "You're weaponising the whole gryphon mystique."

"Of course I am," she replied, conspiratorial energy leaking into her words. "Wouldn't you?"

I laughed, shaking my head. "I don't think I'd make a very intimidating gryphon."

"True," she said, tilting her glass toward me. "You'd make a better... owl, maybe. All wide-eyed curiosity."

"An owl?" I repeated, feigning offense. "Not even an eagle or a hawk?"

Her beak curved into an almost-grin. "No, you're definitely an owl. But a cute one."

I felt my face heat up at the word ‘cute,’ but I played it off with a smirk. "I'll take it."

The conversation drifted as the drinks flowed, and by the time we stepped outside again, the buzz in my head made the city lights seem brighter, the air a little warmer. Kayt walked a few steps ahead of me, her tail flicking in a way I couldn't help but notice.

"You're quiet all of a sudden," she said, glancing back at me.

"Just thinking," I said.

"About what?"

I hesitated, then shrugged. "About how surreal this all is."

She stopped and turned to face me, her bright eyes narrowing slightly. "Is that a bad thing?"

"No," I said quickly. "Just... different. In a good way."

Her gaze softened, and she tilted her head, a playful look crossing her face. "Different in a good way," she repeated, her tone almost teasing. "I'll take it."

I chuckled, shaking my head. "Touché."

She studied me for a moment longer, then flicked her wings slightly, as if shaking off some invisible weight. "Want to see something even more different?"

I blinked, confused. "What do you mean?"

"My nest," she said casually, but there was a flicker of something in her tone--nervousness, maybe? "Unless you're too tired."

Her nest. The implications of her words hit me like a freight train. Was she suggesting...?

"Uh..." I began, stammering like an idiot. "Your... nest?"

Her feathers fluffed slightly, and she let out a soft laugh. "Relax, Ethan. It's not as scandalous as it sounds." She paused, then added, her voice dipping just enough to make my heart skip a beat, "Unless you want it to be..."

I swallowed hard, the mix of nerves and curiosity churning in my chest. "Sure," I said finally, trying to sound more confident than I felt. "I'd, uh, love to see it."

Her beak curved again in that sly almost-smile, and she turned, gesturing with a flick of her lion-like tail for me to follow. "Come on, then."

The walk to her place was a blur of city lights and muted conversation, my mind racing the entire time. By the time we arrived at her building--a sleek, modern high-rise--I was equal parts curious and nervous.

The elevator ride was quiet, save for the faint hum of the machinery. Kayt stood beside me, her posture relaxed but her eyes glinting with amusement, as if she could sense my anticipation. When the doors opened, she led me down a hallway and unlocked the door to her apartment.

"Welcome to my nest," she said, stepping inside and gesturing for me to follow.

The first thing I noticed was the sheer size of the place. The open-concept living space had high ceilings and massive windows that offered a stunning view of the city. But what really caught my attention was the nest itself, situated in the corner of the room.

It wasn't what I'd expected. Instead of a pile of sticks or straw, it was an enormous, custom-built platform covered in layers of plush blankets, pillows, and what looked like velvet-lined cushions. The whole thing looked absurdly comfortable, like something out of a luxury furniture catalogue.

"Wow," I said, stepping closer. "This is... not what I was expecting."

Kayt chuckled, closing the door behind us. "What were you expecting? Twigs and hay?"

"Maybe a little," I admitted sheepishly.

She rolled her eyes and walked over to the nest, hopping up onto it with an effortless grace. "This is Earth," she said, settling onto the cushions. "We adapt. Besides, I'm not sleeping on sticks when I can have this."

I hesitated for a moment, then stepped closer, eyeing the nest nervously. "Can I...?"

"Of course," she said, patting the space beside her. "It's not a real nest without company."

I climbed up, sinking into the cushions. The nest was even more comfortable than it looked, and I let out a soft laugh. "Okay, this is ridiculous. You live like royalty."

"Only the best," she said, her voice laced with humour. She stretched her wings slightly, then folded them again, her gaze softening as she looked at me. "So? What do you think?"

I glanced around, taking it all in. The city lights, the luxurious nest, and the gryphon sitting beside me, her feathers glowing faintly in the dim light. "I think," I said slowly, "that you're full of surprises."

Kayt laughed softly, and for the first time that night, I saw a flicker of something unguarded in her deep blue eyes. The sharp edges of her confidence softened, revealing a side of her I hadn't expected.

"You're not so bad yourself, owl boy," she said, her beak curving into a teasing smile.

"Glad to hear it," I replied, leaning back against the plush cushions. The nest's absurd comfort made it harder to think straight, and I wondered--not for the first time--how I'd ended up here. A gryphon's nest, a city skyline glowing through the windows, and a pair of sharp eyes watching me with a mix of amusement and curiosity.

Her gaze lingered, her feathers ruffling faintly as if she were debating something. Then, in a move so smooth it felt almost rehearsed, she shifted closer, her talons lightly brushing the cushion beside me.

"You've been staring at me all night," she said, her voice dipping just enough to make my pulse quicken.

"Can you blame me?" I replied, my tone light but my heart racing.

"No," she said simply, her voice soft now.

The space between us disappeared in a heartbeat. Her beak met my lips, cool and smooth, the sharp edges framing the kiss in a way I'd never imagined. It wasn't like kissing someone with lips--there was no soft give--but her movements carried a surprising delicacy. She angled her head slightly, the sharp curve of her beak slipping against my mouth with a careful, teasing pressure.

I hesitated, unsure how to respond, then remembered the way Cole had tilted his head with Hrod. Tentatively, I mirrored the motion, angling my face to meet hers better. It worked. Her beak caught the corner of my mouth with a feather-light graze before pressing fully against me, her touch growing more confident as if she'd been waiting for me to figure it out.

The strangeness of it evaporated as my hand slid to the back of her neck, fingers threading through her silky feathers. She responded instantly, a low, resonant hum rising from her throat as she leaned into me, her beak gliding against my lips with a rhythm that felt both foreign and breathtakingly intimate.

Her wings shifted, their edges brushing lightly against my arm. I let myself fall deeper into the kiss, into the warmth of her feathers and the quiet, deliberate way she drew me in.

When she finally pulled back, her eyes gleamed with a heat that left my heart racing.

"Well," I said, my voice a little unsteady, "that was... unexpected."

Her beak curved into that playful, knowing smile. "Was it?" she asked, her voice soft but edged with mischief.

"Not... totally," I admitted, grinning despite myself.

Kayt leaned back slightly, her gaze turning contemplative. "You know, Ethan... gryphons aren't exactly shy when it comes to what we want."

I blinked, my cheeks heating at the implication in her tone. "Oh?"

She chuckled, a low, almost purring sound. "Stay the night," she said simply, her tail curling lazily behind her.

The words hung in the air, and for a moment, all I could do was stare at her. The confidence in her posture, the warmth in her voice, and the undeniable chemistry between us--it all made the decision feel... obvious.

"Alright," I said, my voice steady despite the nervous energy buzzing in my chest. "I'd like that."

Her beak curved into a satisfied smile, and she shifted closer, her feathers brushing against my arm. "Good," she said, her voice soft and inviting. "Because I wasn't planning on letting you leave."

The city lights glowed outside the window, but my world had narrowed to the warmth of her feathers and the promise in her eyes.