FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

The Weaver family car made it's way through an empty forest road, the four mountain lions were quiet, tired from the long trip. Max was half asleep in the back seat of the van, head against a pillow which was propped up against the window. Kelly, the youngest, was on her Switch, playing the same game she'd been played since last year. In the driver's seat was Sean, with his wife, Jessica, in the passenger seat, trying to find something to listen to on the radio. Crescent Moon Bay had it's own station, though it was just some man ranting. Sometimes they could catch a broadcast from San Francisco, but it was never clear through the mountainous woods surrounding the small logging town. So, she settled on the lunatic who decided to play an entire Jethro Tull album, start to finish.

"Fuck it! Can't decide which song I want." He laughed, with the glee of some James Bond villain, "Look to the skies, my friends! Look to the skies!" He added as the music started.

Jessica sighed, shaking her head at the voice. Max thought he must have imagined it as he came back into the waking world. He was told they'd be living in some coastal town, but all he saw were the trees. The winding road sloped down as they approached their new home. He could see the small town nestled against the circular beach through the trees, which lay below them a ways. He could only think of how small it looked from where they were. The whole town was disconnected from the rest of California. In it's own little crater. At the south end was the radio station, to the north, high up in the mountains was an observatory. The rest were patches of loggers.

"Fun fact!" the eldest mountain lion said, "Below us somewhere there are tunnels for the trains." He grinned.

"What for?" Kelly said, not taking her eyes off her game.

Their father shrugged, "Freight, I guess."

"Freight?" Kelly asked, automatically.

"Stuff, things, items of interest."

"Resources." Max's little sister and father nodded in unison. The two of them had a short hand with each other. From playing games on their computers. At times it was almost a psychic link.

Unlike his sister, Max didn't speak to his parents much. Especially now that he was still upset at having to spend his last high school year in some new school in a tiny town. He'd only have to suffer a year before going back to the city for college. He pretended to sleep through the rest of the downhill roll into town.

The terrain flattened out after a while, giving the trees around them a more fully encasing feel. Like there was nothing else in the world around them but the trees and the road. Slowly, houses started to appear, streets darting in different directions. It was a gradual change from woods to the town itself. The city center was calm, welcoming the new family into it's grip. Sean drove straight to their new home. A large two story house that was too big for a family of four. Sean did point out that most of the building was also to be used as the town clinic and even mortuary. The first floor was devoted the business. The old doctor was still there, a moving truck of his stuff sat out front, ready to leave at a moments notice.

Sean was hired on to be the town's new doctor. Crescent Moon Bay's mayor gave them access to use the second floor to live in. Beside the parking area was a dense patch of trees leading into the woods. Even Max, who was trying his hardest be be disinterested couldn't help but be awestruck by the new place. It was a behemoth of a place compared to the small bungalow they rented in Los Angeles.

The van pulled into a small, dusty parking lot sat at the building's side. In one of the empty spaces there was a shipping crate with their belongings. It was mostly new furniture that hadn't even been removed from their boxes. They decided the new place could feel like starting a new life. Their old furniture was given away or with family down in LA. Against the wall there was a propped up bike.

Max's family exited the van, stretching their various limbs. Max grabbed his backpack and skateboard from under his seat, pulling the hood from his sweater over his head. The first thing he noticed was the calm quiet here. He could only hear the trees catching the wind and the ocean in the distance. The silence was only broken when a badger burst from the house, keys in hand.

"Dr. Weaver! Just in time!" The badger smiled, "You can take your first patient while I show you how everything works."

"Should I be taking someone so soon?"

The badger shook his head, "It's nothing at all, you'll be fine!" He said, loud enough that whoever was hurt could possibly hear.

"Uh.. Alright." The mountain lion sighed, accepting the keys from the old doctor.

Max followed the two into the building, not wanting to waste time finding a room. Inside, the front room had some seats laying about, a staircase beside an elevator and two double doors on the left and right walls. There was an empty desk beside the door, which was probably for a nurse. In one of the seats in the room there was a small feminine deer boy around Max's age. His head was held back against the wall as he held a bloodied cloth to his nose, while his other hand lay limply in his lap. The old doctor was standing in front of the kid, explaining the injuries to Sean.

Max headed towards the stairs, his gaze meeting the poor deer's for a moment. The kid had tears in his eyes. Max felt awkward, so he gave the deer a wave and a nod as a hello, trying to appear friendly or sympathetic. Raised his limp hand with a wince, forgetting to return the welcome as the doctors turned their attention back to him. Max hurried up the stairs, feeling like he shouldn't be involved with the business.

It was here that the family would be living. The first floor was for business, basement for handling the dead and dying, but the second floor was for the family, and an attic for storage. Up on this floor, Max found a living room, a kitchen and a hallway with a few rooms. Out of the four rooms, Max picked out the smallest for himself. He knew he'd only be here until he finished his last year of high school and went back to L.A. For college. He also didn't want to get used to a nice room before having to be in a dorm. The room had a nice view of the forest on the other side of the parking lot, and not a lot else. He let his skateboard slip from his paw, nudging it forward with his foot once he dropped his backpack onto it. It drifted across the wooden floor, bonking into his closet door.

He looked the room over, deciding in his head how to set it up. Out the window he saw the crate with the furniture. With a sigh, he sat himself down onto the floor. He gave up fuming about the move and finally let himself think about what was in store for him this year. He let his mind wander for a bit before the sound of the crate opening pulled him back to the real.

---

The sun's light was obscured by clouds as Max was half way through building his new bed. Headphones on with the instructions on his lap. He looked up to the window to see the dark clouds draped across the sky. Looking down at his phone, checking the time, he saw that his old friends sent him a picture of them all at the skate park, another cat was standing beside them. They all looked like they were having fun. Max sighed, looking around the room, feeling angry again to have to be here. A year was a long time to wait for his friends. He felt they already replaced him. He felt a lump in his throat that he tried to keep down.

He stood up, tossing the small booklet onto the box with his rolled up mattress. He fumed, walking over to turn the light on. He grabbed his board, part of him wishing he could just break it in half. They weren't even gone two days and there was some new guy in their circle.

He left his room, skateboard in hand, slamming the door. He stomped down the stairs, passing his father on the way. He was holding a pizza in his hand.

"Hey, what's up" The older cougar said.

"I'm going out."

His father frowned, "I got pizza."

"I'm not hungry." He spat.

Sean cocked his head, Looking at his son's tail swishing aggressively. "Why not?"

"I hate this stupid house!"

"I mean, I wouldn't say it's a house so much as a-"

Max yelled, "I don't care what it is. I never wanted to come here."

"I thought you were just staying a year."

"You never gave me a choice!" Max pulled the door open, "You just made us move up here. You ruined my life!" He slammed the door behind me.

He chose a direction and rode as fast as he could, only to feel the first drops of rain on his face a couple blocks from the house. He continued, not wanted to deal with the blow-back of his sudden outburst. The rain was building around him, so he put his hood up. As he slowed to get the cloth over his furred head he saw the deer walking his busted bike on the side of the road. He was putting his newly cast-covered arm into his jacket, his gaze low, trying not to call attention. Max rolled over to the deer, who's stance became immediately defensive, shrinking onto himself.

"Please, just leave me alone, okay?" He said, his voice was shaking.

---

Max picked up his board, "Hey, I didn't mean to scare you."

"I'm not scared." The young buck bleated.

"Are.. You okay?"

The deer stopped, turning to glare at Max, "Of course I'm not!" He yelled, "I should have been home hours ago, some assholes threw a fucking branch at my bike, my wrist is broken and now it's raining!"

Max almost slipped some angry words of his own, but his anger escaped him looking at the deer's tear filled eyes.

"I'm sorry." Max said as the rain began to drip onto the two. He opened his arms to offer the deer a hug. The deer dropped the bike into the mud, throwing himself into the feline's arms. Max felt a little weird, but also needed the hug.

"I don't know your name." The deer said, getting his antlers unstuck from Max's hoodie.

Max pulled his hood down, "I'm Max." He sighed, "I guess I'm the new guy."

"I'm Trevor." He pulled back, "Thanks." He smiled, though it turned to a frown quickly, "You should probably have just stayed wherever you came from."

"I wanted to." Max replied.

Trevor nodded, "Well, it's nice that you're here, now." He crossed his arms, "Today has been a rough day."

"Because of the arm?"

Trevor half shrugged, "Not just that." He looked towards the northern mountain, "Today's just a bad day."

"Something happen?"

Trevor picked his damaged bike up, "When I was a kid there was a storm. A big one." He sighed, "Today is the same day it happened."

"Oh." Max replied, "Did you get hurt?"

The deer shook his head, "I was fine, but when my dad was getting me to safety, there was a landslide and my mom..." He went quiet, as if unable to finish the story.

Max leaned in to hug the buck, who had started to cry.

"Thanks." Trevor said between sobs, "I'm sorry about being a wreck."

"It's okay." Max said, rubbing the deer's back.

"Today's the tenth year anniversary." Trevor gripped his bike, "Only time this shithole ever got any attention."

"Big disaster will do that." Max said as the two began walking.

"Sometimes I wish the whole town could get buried." Trevor said.

"If this rain gets any worse it might." Max chuckled, trying to lighten the mood.

Trevor looked at Max, "That's a terrible thing to say right now." He laughed.

---

The two leaned back, looking up at the sky which had no signs of slowing it's downpour. They exchanged a slight grin and began walking towards the woods. Trevor took a few glances towards Max, as if trying to speak up about something.

"So, where are you going?" Trevor said.

Max shrugged, "I'm kinda just not being home."

"Ah." Trevor then laughed nervously, "My dad's having some people over. Um, you can come if you like."

"What kind of event?"

"It's sort of a reunion?" The buck shrugged, "It's the ten year thing of that storm and some of the townsfolk come by to like, toast to those we lost."

"Wouldn't that be kinda weird?" Max got back onto his board, "Some new kid being there?"

Trevor smiled, "It would be nice! Learn some history of your new home."

"I dunno if I would call Crescent Moon Bay my new home.."

"Oh, right." the deer frowned, "Temporary living space?"

"I.. Guess so." Max said flatly, "So where is this place?"

"Right, here!" Trevor pointed at a small triangular cabin. It was a small house which looked like a really big wooden tent.

"You live here?"

Trevor nodded, "Yup, just down the street." He grinned, "It's a small town."

"Some party." Max gestured at the house, which looked empty from the outside.

"It's more like, a reunion. Bunch quiet old people talking about the past." He tossed his bike against a tree inside their fence.

"Trev!?" A voice came from inside the small house. A deep voice.

The young deer sighed, "Here we go."

The door burst open and a large buck ran out the door. He looked at the younger male, examining the cast, "What happened?" He was frantic.

"Can I tell you later, dad?" He motioned upwards, "I'd really like to get dry."

Trevor's father nodded, practically pulling him in, "Who's this?"

"The new doctor's son. He walked me home."

Max gave a wave as he, too, was ushered into the small house. It was warm inside, inviting. The older buck looked over to Max, "Please, make yourself at home." Before following his son up the small staircase to what had to be a tiny second floor.

The living room was cramped, even from the entrance of the house, he could see the back yard through some sliding glass door. People were gathered, sitting around a fireplace which seemed to be built to be both inside and outside at the same time. He overheard the conversations, most people were talking about the even that had taken place ten years ago. There were pictured set up around the room, above a table with food on it. Max grabbed a plate and piled on some of the offered goods, sitting on an empty couch as the other parents gave him weird side glances.

---

Max was half way through his handful of chips when Trevor's father walked down the stairs. He didn't look angry at all. Max couldn't guess what the two were talking about up there. Though the conversation was short. Guests called over to him. He was a tall, strong man who was quick with a smile to the others in the room. Max could see that the man was heading towards him. Max set down the plate that was in his lap onto the coffee table in front of him. The buck sat next to him with a sigh.

"Hello," max said, shrinking into his seat.

The older deer grinned, "Hey, little guy." He gave Max a pat on the shoulder, "So I hear you're the new kid, eh?"

Max nodded, feeling a bit disarmed by his friendly demeanor, "Just got in, today."

He nodded, "You can call me Hank." He beamed, "Welcome to Crescent Moon Bay!"

"Thanks, I'm Max"

Hank sat back on the couch, resting his large arms on the seat, "I just wanted to thank you for walking my boy home." He frowned, "Some local kids haven't been very nice to him."

"Bullies?"

The deer nodded, "Sad to say." He lit up, "Maybe you two could be friends!"

"I don't think that's how this works."

"Sure it does." He smiled, "He likes you."

"Does he" Max paused, "Have any friends?"

Hank's expression went from friendly to deadly serious, "Look, it's a small town and" He sighed loudly, "He's the only gay person in town."

Max's eyes shot open, "Are you trying get us to date?"

"No no no!" He laughed, "Nothing like that." He grinned, "Unless you'd like to." He laughed.

Max stared at the man, "Uh.."

"I'm kidding!" He chuckled, "City-folk are more tolerant to.. y'know?"

Max nodded, "I guess that's true."

"Good!" He stood up, "I hope you would consider it. He's a good kid." He then walked off to talk to guests taking up room in his small home.

Max figured Trevor had come downstairs at some point during the conversation as he soon sat beside Max with a plate in hand. He looked nervous.

"So.. Your dad talked to me." Max stated.

Trevor rolled his somewhat puffy, red eyes, "Oh god! He didn't!"

"He seems nice."

"Always the life of the party.."

"He asked me out for you."

"Shut the fuck up."

Max laughed, "He really did."

"And you're not mad?"

"Eh." Max shrugged, "I've dated bigger dumpster fires."

"Wow! Fuck you, too."

---

Max laughed, "Not a date, but I do need a local to show me around."

"I can do that" Trevor shrugged, "Not that there is all that much to see."

Max nodded, "Cool, maybe sometime when it's-" He was interrupted by the sound of the door being opened. The old wooden door squeaked loudly, announcing to the guests that a new visitor had arrived. Through the door came three sandy furred rabbits. Two parents and boy also around Max and Trevor's age. He had a smug look about him. Trevor sighed audibly beside Max.

"Who's that?" Max asked, nodding towards the other teen.

Trevor let out a small groan. "That's Chance." He lifted up the arm in a cast, "He did this."

"What's he doing here?"

"They lost their home in the landslide." He shook his head, "Kinda hoped he wouldn't show."

"That must have been hard."

"It was. On everyone who lost things." Trevor frowned, "He still turned out to be a dick, though."

"Is he one of those homophobic types?"

Trevor shook his head, "It goes a little further than that." He gave a sort of grin, "We've been enemies since preschool."

"Why is that?" Max asked, watching Hank call Chase's parents over with a smile on his face and a phone in his hand.

"We used to be neighbors. His parents and mine are best friends." He glared at Chase, "But he's always been out to get me."

"Did you do something to piss him off so hard?"

The deer shrugged, "At first I think it was just the whole macho thing." He looked down at the floor, "He was the first person to find out I was gay."

"I'm guessing he didn't react well."

Trevor's face took a serious turn, "He told a lot of people."

"I'm sorry to hear." Max gave him a pat on his shoulder.

"Well.." Trevor chuckled to himself, "I did have a few of his baby pictures. I've mostly been able to hold my own against him."

Max nodded, "I'm sensing a but."

"Today he caused me to crash my bike." He looked over the rabbit

Chase was standing at the food table, the rabbit looked there way briefly, causing the two to quickly turn their attention towards the fireplace.

"You the new kid?" Chase's voice came up from behind the two. He didn't sound friendly.

---

"Uh.." Max sat, half turned to the rabbit standing behind the couch, "Yeah, that's me."

Chase eyed the two, "You queer, too?"

Max shrugged, "Only for rabbits with Napoleon complexes."

"Hmph, whatever, weirdo." He turned to leave, looking disgusted, "Fuckin' fags." He said before heading to where his parents had gone.

"Asshole" Trevor muttered

Max nodded, "Real nice guy."

"Ugh, I don't want to be here, want to see my room?"

Max's nearly jumped, "Wait what?"

"Not like that, Jesus." Trevor rolled his eyes, "I just don't want to be around him."

Max felt his cheeks start to burn, "Oh, uh, yeah, lead the way."

Trevor stood up, turned to Max with his good hand extended. Max accepted the hand and was pulled up off the couch. Trevor led the cougar up the stairs. It just had one door at the top. As it opened, Max stood in awe of the room. It was the master bedroom. It was a short room with slanted walls that peaked at the center. The house was a strange shape, but it made good use of the small space. At the end of the room was a single door. The rest of it was well kept, with all the things any seventeen year old beach town gay man would like.

"This is your room?" Max asked, looking around.

Trevor nodded, closing the door after him, "Mhm. It's too short for dad, so he uses the downstairs room."

"This is a really nice room." Max eyed a well used, but well maintained surfboard.

Trevor grinned, "Thank you."

"Does your dad ask every new kid to date you?"

Trevor shrugged, "Only the ones wearing a pride flag on their shirt."

"What?"

"You don't know what you're wearing?" Trevor asked, cocking his head.

Max looked down to realize the pink, yellow and blue striped flag on his shirt with the words "we are everywhere" written on it.

Max sighed, shook his head and with a chuckle, said, "Oh, right"

There was a knock on his door. Trevor rolled his eyes in an melodramatic sort of way as he headed towards the door. He opened it only a little and Max could hear frantic whispering coming from Trevor. He could see Trevor's tail poof up behind him. From the tiny bits of info he could get, he could tell it was Trevor's dad.

After a moment, Trevor turned around, closing the door quickly, he was holding something in his hand. A small square with a circle indentation in. it was something he'd only seen in health class. Trevor was blushing brightly.

"Oh my god, why is my dad like this!" he said, walking over to his bed, tossing the wrapped item onto his desk.

"What did he say?"

"He says he invited your folks." He looked at the silvery square, "And that we have half an hour."

"No offense, but-"

Trevor shook his head, "Seriously, don't worry about it." he unzipped his sweater, tossing it into his bed, "my dad just really wants to see me happy."

"He.." Max stopped, becoming increasingly distracted by the deer. Max generally would pride himself on his lack of seeing only the outside beauty of someone, but he had to admit Trevor would be unattainable back home. It threw him off guard. The deer was stunning.

"What is it?" Trevor asked as he kicked off his shoes.

"I uh.." Max sat down at the desk, leaning forward with his hands in his lap, "I'm sorry what?"

"You were saying something?"

"Oh, uh." His face felt on fire, he had to say something, anything, "So uh.." No, something else., "Uh.."

"Are you okay?" Trevor walked over to him.

---

"I uh" Max blurted out.

"Just say it." Trevor said, looking almost hurt, "Please. Is something wrong?"

Max stood like a deer in headlights, He spoke as fast as he could, panicking,"Please don't freak out but I just noticed how impossibly good looking you and I usually don't use that as an excuse for liking someone but my parents are on there way and thirty minutes isn't enough for all the things my brain is thinking and I think we should do something sometime and now I am going to go grab a drink do you want anything?"

"Oh." Trevor blinked, "A Sprite, please."

Max backed up towards the door, nodding, "I'll be back, unless my folks get here." He frowned, backing out of the room. He made his way briskly through the small gathering to where the food was. Chase was still looking at all the food. Max stood next to the rabbit.

"So, I heard you guys were friends once." Max said, looking over to Chance.

Chase scoffed, "What are you, some kind of detective?"

"Just getting to know the people." Max grabbed a handful of chips.

Chase ate more of his hotdog, "Maybe you should ask him."

"Seriously, what gives? His side isn't the only side."

Chase put down his plate, "Our moms always wanted us to be friends."

"Were you ever?"

The rabbit shrugged, "Our parents seemed to think so. But how would you like to have a best friend forced on you?"

"And you just what? Didn't want a friend as a kid?" Max raised an eyebrow.

"Fuck no!" Chase pointed at the stairs, "Not with that weirdo. No one wanted to be his friend."

Max frowned, "So he didn't grow up with a single friend?"

Chase shrugged, "I dunno.." He suddenly seemed unsure of himself.

"Must have been miserable." Max looked Chase dead in the eyes, "Growing up with you as his only friend."

"Fuck you!" Chase puffed out his chest, "You don't know shit." He grabbed his food and walked off.

---

Max stood at the table, watching the rabbit head off, into the crowd. He sighed, not having learned much good from the conversation. He searched around for the kitchen, eventually finding the soda that the deer had asked for. He grabbed a couple of them. Thinking about what to tell his parents when they eventually arrived. Without a doubt he was going to get chewed out tonight. His heart sank, he was embarrassed by storming off, but he'd never have wound up here had he not.

On his way back to the room, he saw that Trevor was walking towards him. He had on a large warm sweater and a tall umbrella in his hand. His eyes lit up when he saw the cougar. Almost running towards him. He didn't waste time in grabbing the feline by the arm, leading him to the back of the house.

"What's up?" Mex said, following his new antlered friend.

Trevor looked determined, "I think I want to show you something."

"What is it?"

Trevor grinned at Max, "Could just leave you to wait for your parents."

"Let's go."

Trevor nodded as they passed into the back yard of the house. It was a nice yard, with a good awning to give plenty of room to escape the rain. They bumped into Hank on the way out, who offered some of his large sausage he had been grilling.

"Gonna show the new guy the old town." Trevor said, waving away the cooked meats.

Hank nodded, "It'll get dark soon, don't be long."

"Just gonna hop over real quick." Trevor said, opening the umbrella. It was just big enough for the two of them. They headed across the muddied back yard towards the woods behind the house. The rain was a calm steady drizzle. The woods were dense, but Trevor knew the way, weaving them through the trees. After about half an hour of walking through the damp woods their was a break in the forest.

"Welcome." Trevor said, dramatically, "To the old town." He moved out of the way to let Max see the open area.

It was an old street that nature at reclaimed. There were only a couple buildings standing. An old gas station and what was at one point some kind of storefront. They were across a grass covered street from each other. A few streetlights still poked from the ground.

"It was once main street." Trevor said, walking towards the derelict gas station.

"What happened?" Max said, following the deer.

Trevor shrugged, "Before I was born, guessing some time in the 70's this was the main street."

"Is this all that's left?" Max stepped onto the concrete street.

Trevor sat on the curb beside on of the street lamps, "I think you can follow the road towards the mountains you can find some houses, but.." He looked at the light fixture. It blinked into life, lighting the area a bit.

"It all still works?"

Trevor nodded, "No one likes coming here."

"It's a bit spooky, gotta say." Max laughed nervously.

"Good place to run when you're chased by bullies. Won't go past the dead end." He pointed north, towards the mountains where the broken road ends.

---

Rain pelted the broken old street corner harder, causing the two to huddle together under the umbrella. They faced each other, their breath misting between them. Max felt the pull of his hormones, aching for him to lean forward. It was there in Trevor's eyes, too. There was a jab of something hard at his side. He looked down to see Trevor had tried to touch him there, but the cast around his arm stopped him. Max listed his owns hands, remembering the cans of soda he had brought with him. They both looked at each other, letting out an embarrassed laugh.

"Good time to ask you out?" Max said, trying to cut the tension.

Trevor looked around the area before his face lit up, "I know a great place nearby!"

"Nearby here?"

"Yes, follow me!" Trevor said, walking towards the dilapidated storefront.

Max followed closely, as the rain began to escalate, "Is it safe?"

"It'll be fine!" the deer almost ran over to what was once a glass door.

The doors and windows were boarded up, but looking closely, Max could almost make out the word "DINER" above the door. Trevor awkwardly closed the umbrella, leaving them standing under a small awning.

"Is it locked?" Max asked as Trevor fiddled with the door.

Trevor shook his head, "It's just a little difficult one handed."

"Do you need help?"

Again, he shook his head, "I got it." Then, with a click, the door swung inward into the building.

It was as if they stepped into the past, the diner was perfectly preserved. Max walked around the small seating area as Trevor closed the door behind them.

"It's still brand new!" Max said, looking behind the counter.

"My dad's been fixing it up, I guess as a hobby since he was a kid." Trevor walked behind the counter, into the kitchen, turning the lights on.

"Why?" Max asked.

Trevor shrugged, "Grew up with this little area in his back yard. Guess there wasn't much else to do."

"And he got the power working?"

Trevor popped back into the room with a bag of chips, "The kitchen still needs appliances, but we got a microwave and an old fridge.

"I thought small town kids usually got tree houses."

Trevor set the chips down on one of the tables, "Nice for a first date, right?"

Max grinned, "Oh? This a date now?" He sat at the table, handing over one of the sodas.

"It could be." He slid over one of those straw dispensers Max had seen only in pictures.

Max cracked open the cans as Trevor popped open the chips, "Who'll get the check?"

"I'll put it on my tab." Trevor replied, sipping his drink.

---

Trevor looked out a crack in one of the boards, "Jesus, it's really coming down."

The sounds of the storm grew louder, angrier. The lights in the diner flickered a moment before turning off completely. They were left in the dark until Max pulled out his phone, turning on the light. Max scanned the dark room, seeing Trevor get up to hop behind the counter.

"This place is way creepy like this." Max said.

Trevor's antlered head came up from behind the register, "Storm must have knocked the power out in the area."

"Should we head back?" Max asked.

Trevor shrugged, "Lemme call my dad, first. Might already be on his way." He grabbed his phone and dialed his father.

"Hey, dad." Trevor said into the phone, "Yeah, we're at the diner."

"Powers out here, too." He nodded.

Max pointed the light around the diner, seeing how much progress on it they had made.

"Dad, of course not-" Trevor groaned, "Oh my god, dad, we're not there yet, calm down."

Max walked over to the counter, sitting himself on one of the bar-stools.

"Okay, we'll be here." Trevor said, lowering his phone setting it onto the clean surface.

"What did he say?" Max asked, swiveling around in his seat.

Trevor grabbed a lantern from below the register, lighting up the room with it, "He says storm blew a couple trees down, so walking back could be dangerous."

"So we hang tight in here?"

Trevor nodded, "Pretty much."

"Anything to do while we wait?'

Trevor chuckled, "My dad had some suggestions."

"He's pretty eager." Max leaned over the counter.

Trevor shook his head, "He just wants me to have a normal life."

"Uh, and fucking someone you just met is normal?"

"He's just trying to help?"

Max laughed, "Did it help?"

"More than the uh.. Toy he got me for my eighteenth."

"He didn't."

Trevor nodded, "To be fair, it is a nice one."

"And you used it?" Max stared, mouth agape

"Yeah, he looked so proud."

"He watched?!"

"He recorded it and everything. Up on the shelf next to my birth slash conception. We watch it every Friday."

"You're fucking with me." Max glared at the deer.

Trevor laughed heartily, "Of course I'm fucking with you. You think all us small town folk are incestuous backwoods hillbillies?"

The cougar shrugged, "A little bit, yeah."

"Well, you can go fuck yourself." Trevor flipped Max off with his good hand.

"I feel like you're dad would be disappointing about that."

Trevor rolled his eyes, "Oh my god, not you, too."

Max grinned, "We're just looking out for ya."

Trevor threw his hands up, "Wow, keep it up." He then walked over to one of the windows, peaking outside.

"Or what?" Max grinned

"Fuck." He looked back, he looked scared.

Max shot up, making his way over to the deer, "What is it?"

"It's really bad. We might be stuck overnight."

Max looked down at his phone to see that he had no phone service, "My phone's out."

Trevor looked at his own, "Mine, too."

"You think we're safe here?"

Trevor shrugged, "This building survived this long. We'll be fine." He tried to sound hopeful, but he looked worried.

---

Trevor got up to pace around the room. He was thinking hard about something. Max watched outside to see if there were any lights, but could only see the rain and water flowing through the street. He'd never seen it rain so hard. He let the panel fall back into place, looking over to Trevor.

"Does it rain like this often?" Max asked, his voice cracked.

Trevor nodded, "Every couple years." He looked down at the lantern in his hand, "But I'd like to find some batteries."

"Are they any here?"

Trevor shrugged, "I think my dad stocked the bunker."

"There's a bunker?"

"The diner was built when everyone was scared of bombs, so yeah." Trevor bounced on his heels, "I also want to find a radio, see if there's any news."

"In the back?" Max pointed at the kitchen entrance.

Trevor walked over to it, pushing it open, "This way."

Max follow the deer into the backroom of the diner. It was an empty, yet large kitchen. With only a small wood burning stove and an old fridge. The counters were all empty. There was an empty space where Max figured a walk in freezer had once been. Trevor handed the cougar a flashlight before he walked over towards a plain wooden door.

"I think we left the radio in the office, you go check out over there." He pointed towards the other side of the room, "Bunker door should be there somewhere."

Max nodded, turning the light on. The flashlight was dim and old, but it was enough to get him around without tripping. The kitchen hadn't gotten close to the work the front did. It looked like some horror movie. Slowly, he made his way to the back, where there was a solid metallic door.

It took a few tries, but it eventually cracked open. It was pitch black beyond the threshold. He leaned forward, shining the light down a small staircase. It was the creepiest climb he'd ever seen in his life. He took in a breath, telling himself it was just some basement. Stepping onto the first step, he felt it give a little. It was enough to hold his weight, it just shifted with his movements.

"Hey, brothers and sisters!" An loud voice came from behind him, causing him to trip, dropping the flashlight down into the basement as he grabbed the handrail.

"Jesus fuck!" Mas yelled.

Trevor called from across the room, "Sorry! Had the volume backwards." He slowly turned the volume back up.

Max sighed, making his way back down into the hole, lit only by the flashlight that was at the bottom of the steps. He picked it up, quickly scanning the room to make sure no monster was in there with him. It was a small room with shelves all over, even a few beds, which had recently been used. He took the time to search the place, the batteries were clearly labeled and easy to find, but he wanted to explore a bit. There was a bathroom and showers, the kind that Max would see at his high school gym. No privacy. He tested the shower to see if any water would come, but nothing came out.

Next to the bathroom area were some cots that were bolted to the floor. He sat himself down on the one closest to the way back out. Across the room from him was a small kitchen area. Mostly it was a newly made table with some camping stuff set up for cooking. Something Hank or Trevor probably put together.

The sounds of Trevor coming down the steps echoed around the room. With a radio under his arm and lantern held in front of him, he made his way over to Max. He sat beside the feline. With how cold it was getting, the two huddled together. After being poked a couple times with antlers, Trevor eventually found a comfortable position to lay his head on Max's shoulder.

---

With the sounds of Trevor's steady breathing and the calm distant sounds of the storm above them, Max found himself nodding off. It was cold, but the warmth coming from the deer was a comfort. The two moved from sitting to laying on the thin cheap camping mattress. Trevor had wrapped the cougar's arms around him with a small pleased murmur. Max took his hoodie off for them to use as a pillow. His fur did enough for him to keep warm, and it wasn't nearly cold enough to risk freezing to death.

"You ever, uh." Trevor nearly whispered, "Laid like this with someone?"

Max nodded, "Had a girlfriend back home."

"Oh." Trevor let out a sigh, "Are you two still.. Y'know?"

Max shook his head, "Nah, our other boyfriend got arrested and she stopped talking to the group."

Trevor stood still a moment.

"What?" Max asked.

"I don't know if you're fucking with me or not."

Max laughed, "That all really happened, yes."

"Is that the kind of relationship you're looking for?"

Max was going to reply when a banging sound came from above them.

"Trevor?!" An adults voice yelled out, "You there?"

Trevor shot up, correcting his clothing, "Down here!" He called out, heading over to the stairs.

"Hey, Trevor, wait up!" Max said, grabbing his flashlight, trying to catch up to the deer. He climbed up the stairs to see a blue-jay in a raincoat standing in the kitchen.

The blue-jay looked over to Max, pointing a talon at him, "Yeah, I don't know you." he said, bluntly.

"Max, I'm new."

"Weaver?"

"Mhm." Max nodded.

The blue-jay clapped his hands together, "Oh, good." He set down a large flashlight onto one of the counters, "I'm Nathan, hello.

"Hi." Max replied, walking towards the others, "Come to save us?"

The blue-jay nodded enthusiastically, "What are neighbors for, yeah?"

"Storm's on it's way out." Nathan said, "And this place isn't exactly sleep ready." He grinned

"Where's my dad?." Trevor said.

The bluejay pointed towards the door, "In the truck. We're going the long way 'round."

Max looked over to Trevor, something felt wrong. Trevor looked away almost as soon as their gazes met. He felt his heart sink a little, he felt he said something stupid, the line repeated in his head. The group headed out into the rain, but Max was still stuck in his head.

"Fuck." He sighed, keeping to the back of the group.

---

There was a large pick up truck parked in front of the diner when Max stepped into the muddy, wet street. The rain had died down some, but the wind remained a challenge. Muddy water flowed down the street, reminding Max of what would have caused this area to have been abandoned so long ago.

With a heavy sigh, he stepped into the river of sludge, hoping his shoes would be salvageable. The others looked on, confused by his hesitation to get his feet wet. Nathan ushered Max into the shell of the truck, along with Trevor. The bird then got into the passenger seat of the truck. The back of the truck was uncomfortable, but dry. The two were mostly left alone, with the small dividing window into the front of truck was closed.

Trevor eyed Max, "So uh, didn't answer my question."

"Hm?" Max cocked his head.

"About your past relationship?"

"Oh." Max frowned, "Was that a weird thing to bring up?"

Trevor shrugged, "I don't know. I wasn't really expecting it."

"Well, it's what happened."

"You were dating two people at once?"

Max shrugged, "Sorta."

"Is that something you are looking for?"

"I don't really think about it."

Trevor looked confused, "You did mention asking me out."

Max nodded, "Yeah, which I intend to do."

"But you don't really think about it?"

"I go with the flow, I guess."

Trevor nodded slowly, not really following, "That's not very romantic."

Max laughed, "I'm really more of the friend evolving into a boyfriend type."

"I didn't really know that was a thing."

"Is anything really a thing when it comes to dating?"

Trevor nodded again, a sadness seemed to creep over him, "So you want to start as a friend?"

"Naturally, yes."

"That would make you my only friend." Trevor looked down at the muddy floor.

"Think of it more like we're best friends." Max smiled, putting a paw on the deer's knee, "You're my only friend here, too."

Trevor smiled back, "I guess that's okay."

Max shook his head, "I know you're eager, given the situation."

"My dad's getting to me." He sighed.

Max laughed, "Yeah. He does want you to be happy. But do you really feel the love at first sight thing?"

Trevor looked hard at Max, "I.. Should I?"

"It's not like in the movies." Max said.

"I saw the way you looked at me in my room."

Max blushed, "That wasn't love."

"Oh?" Trevor grinned, "What was it?"

"Something I've been trying to keep out of my mind all night."

Trevor nodded, "Uh huh."

"Hey, we're both at that age.."

"You're starting to sound like my dad."

"Hey, we're just-"

Trevor held his paw to Max's muzzle, "Don't even with that-Gah!" He pulled his hand back, "You just licked me!"

"You taste muddy." Max grinned.

Trevor leaned forward, "You want to taste me, now?"

"Maybe." Max followed the deer's lead.