FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

If I had to describe Kai, I could do it all in one word.

Kai was good.

He was kind, gentle, and cute, the way his eyes twinkled innocently in the light. His silver fur gleamed with radiance and was as smooth as the delicate tufts of snow on the winter solstice. He always had that childish grin on his muzzle, a smile that I couldn't help but return every time I met with him.

In other words, he was simply good, and that's all that really mattered to me.

Kai really was such a nice person.

It's too bad people don't see it the way I do.

Padding my way through the earthen trail, I hefted my medium-sized backpack over my shoulder. Today is one of those few days where I get to enjoy myself. The soft, whisper of the wind as it caressed my ear tips made me chuckle.

I wondered how Kai was doing.

My eyes stayed on the path, as I scanned over each pebble and stone I came across. The animals back at the city criticized my lackadaisical attitude, but I only respond with a genuine laugh.

As the town pilot, I appreciated the simplest of activities. Stargazing, sky watching, weather observing; these were the epitomes of my life.

Of course, I couldn't forget about Kai either. He deserved a special place in my heart for that.

A rounded stone stood in the middle of the dirt trail. I carefully lifted it, stroking the sphere with caring paws as if a single sound could shatter the smooth orb. One, single claw mark traced its way in concentric circles, forming an endless spiral.

The sign.

I rolled my eyes; Kai loved playing games like this. Laughing lightly to myself, I turned to the sky. Wisps of white stood out against an endless field of sapphire. At its center, a brilliant ring of light broke through the canopy of leaves and shone on my face, outlining the chocolate brown fur that surrounded my tan sheppie muzzle. My dark pink nose sniffed the air anxiously, picking up scents of morning dew, yellow buttercups, fresh air, and earthy musk.

I smirked. Above me, a grey, serpent-like figure swept lazily from left to right, moving with a rhythm like the metronome of an antique clock. How strange. I juggled the stone still in my left paw and continued on the path once more.

Was that a gulp I heard?

Ah, must have been my imagination. I launched the pebble overhead, not once turning back and giggled when I heard a yelp. My stalker lost balance and toppled over onto the grass below. With a groan, a black wolf rubbed the back of his head in pain.

"That really hurt, Kager! I just wanted to play a game."

I offered a paw to the 'handicapped' canine and he accepted it without another word. "C'mon Kai. I told you to just call me Kag."

The wolf pouted, twisting his lips into a frown.

"Well, puppy, you should have thought about that before you threw that rock at me." To emphasize his point, he pointed at his forehead. "See? There's a bruise now."

Kai was once again underestimating our height differences. My ear tips barely reached his chest. I couldn't see his forehead even if I strained my neck as far as it could go.

"Yeah, I can see it all right," I muttered sarcastically. Kai blushed.

"Sorry, I forgot again, didn't I?" he said, scratching the tip of his nose nervously. Kai really did behave like a child.

Now that I thought about it, the two of us were a strange duo. His broad, muscular chest contrasted against my sleek, thin frame. Not to mention the difference in fur color. I would tease Kai occasionally, saying how he looked like the grim reaper in wolf form. He didn't take that comment too kindly. I recall there being plentiful whining and tears; the canine finally told me about his fear of Hell.

Of course, there was always the concern with his, ahem, apparent 'lack in clothing.'

Being a pilot didn't exactly give me the monetary funds to purchase him ordinary civilian clothes, but Kai didn't seem to mind. I sometimes neglect the fact that Kai had a life before I came in.

He wore only a pair of tight blue shorts, made of lustrous satin material wrapping around his waist and draping down until his knees. I complained that it did nothing to cover him up, but then he would make those pleading puppy eyes that would make me melt.

That didn't stop me from trying.

"You really need to wear something more decent. What if somebody sees you? We already have other problems to deal with." I gave him a stern look, while thinking about the irony that a dog was planning to stare down a wolf with about ten times more muscle.

He just shrugged, a devious grin on his face. "Let them appreciate the view, then."

I just laughed then. Nothing special. But god, only Kai could make me smile like I do.

"Hey, Kager?"

"Hm?"

"Could you tell me a story?"

I yawned. "Maybe next time."

Kai whimpered.

Oh no...

He placed one paw on either side of my shoulder and bent down so that we were muzzle to muzzle. His eyes had that sadistic glint that only true wolves could pull off.

He brought his nose to mine and...

Ah!

Kai's lips curved downwards to a subtle frown, extending outwards in that cub-like fashion. The usual cerulean-blue eyes turned glassy, a light glimmer twinkling in those luminous sapphires. To complete the look, his left ear was folded downwards in a sign of submission.

I sighed.

"Sure."

There was just no match against Kai's puppy dogface.

He gave me a solute and grinned with that wolfish expression on his face. "Thank you, Kager!"

Kai made a movement to embrace me, but I pushed him away with one paw. "Yeah, yeah. Whatever." Still, I couldn't help but smile as I said this.

If only the world saw Kai the way I did.

Sitting in our usual spots beneath the arbor of the redwood trees, I let Kai rest his head on my lap. His eyes sparkled with excitement and I cleared my throat. I observed the conveyed kindness within that massive body of his and was at once zapped with inspiration.

Opening my muzzle, I began to tell my tale...

***

Tights and spandex (I began. Kai giggled.).

Kelphan shivered at the thought. There was no way in hell that his father would get him to wear those. Not even Satan held the power to dress the dog in those form-fitting clothes. He didn't even want to start about the cape.

Sighing heavily, the German Shepherd wrapped his gloved paws around his favorite ceramic mug, a cutesy souvenir with a pink heart around the words, "I Love You," in cursive handwriting.

_ _

How girly.

At least, that's what his friends thought. Kelphan never really had the heart to mention why he still kept it, or who he got it from. Not even his father knew where the mug came from. The benefactor's identity remained a secret for Kelphan's mind alone, and no one, not even his spandex-wearing dad, could make him think otherwise.

And on that note, Kelphan groaned.

"Eww," he whined. His dad in spandex. Of all the things that could come to mind... it just had to be that.

Downing the hot chocolate in his mug in a single gulp, the canine placed the 'girly' cup in the sink and waited for the warm, sweet taste of the liquid ambrosia to take effect. Hot chocolate always did make him feel better.

He made his way to his bedroom, a spacious area that through the years he had imbued with his own personality. The walls were painted a midnight blue, courtesy of the dog himself. A carefully planned cloud motif traced the lower and upper edges of the room, and to the bedroom's right corner, several shelves were stacked with piles of books on aerodynamic properties and airplane schematics. Beside the lampshade on his bedside table, however, lied Kelphan's most prized possession. A wooden picture frame displayed a black-and-white photograph, free from dust and fingerprints.

The dog felt a soft grin grow on his muzzle as he gazed at the photograph within the frame. A giggling, ten year-old pup was being hoisted up into the air by his father and uncle. Kelphan thumbed his younger self in the picture, especially around his erect, pointy ears.

How time flies.

The past always seemed a bit fuzzy at times, but he guessed it happened to everyone. It wasn't that 'I-had-too-much-to-drink-last-night-and-woke-up-naked-in-my-father's-bed-the-next-morning' kind of fuzzy, but more like how the colors in his memories were so vivid that they start to blur. It filled him with this warm sensation that made his heart pound with excitement.

Must be the past... or the hot chocolate he drank recently.

Either way, how does that old adage go? The past sucks bitterly, the future is all glittery, and the present is a selfish bitch?

...

Something like that.

"Hey kiddo. Wha'cha up to, son?"

The canine jumped up from his spot in the bed, his brain speeding with adrenaline. Finally noticing whom his intruder was, Kelphan sighed. "Oh, dad. It's just you." He smoothed a paw over his head fur. "What do you want?"

Gareth frowned, his arms crossed in a stern manner.

The thirty-eight year old shepherd looked barely a day over twenty. He showed no regression of muscle that most parents typically experience near their early forties. Nah; Kelphan's dad had the physique of one of those canines on Play Dog magazines... without his work clothes.

His silver mask, tight athlete's shirt, flowing azure cape, and (dare he say it?) his scarlet-red spandex.

He looked like a dork. Just a hot, dreamy, muscular, superhero dork.

"You just seem a little depressed lately," Gareth said, the dog walking forwards to sit beside his son on the bed. "You're beginning to worry me a little."

Kelphan had to laugh. 'You want me to wear spandex and put on a cape. What isn't there to worry about?' he thought.

"I'm fine, dad. Just go out and save the world or something. I'm too busy." His father gave him a questioning look. "I have to go back to the garage."

Gareth made a sign of acknowledgement before walking out of the room.

"Working on the airplane, huh?" Kelphan nodded, scanning through his shelves for a specific airplane turbine diagram. The teenager hoped desperately for the silence that would follow once his father left.

"Before I go, I need to tell you something."

Kelphan moaned in complaint. "What now?" The German Shepherd felt a sweat drop roll down the side of his cheek, when he saw his father smiling at him.

_ _

Oh shit, this can't be good.

"Your uncle is waiting at the front door."

"W-Wait, what?"

The masked hero winked with those luminous sapphire orbs. "You heard me. Now go on already!"

Kelphan jumped from his bed, and with a speed that rivaled the superhero's, the teenager hurried down the hallway to the main doorway of the modest home. Fair enough, a young wolf at the age of seventeen stood by the entrance.

"Uncle Restrif, you're here!" Kelphan pounced on the wolf and hugged him tightly. The grey lupine chuckled, embracing the older dog with enough enthusiasm to match that of a certain father.

"Well how's my favorite little nephew doing?"

Kelphan smirked. "We both know that I'm older and taller than you."

Restrif responded with an equally amused smile. "Doesn't change the fact that I'm still your uncle. Respect your elders, mutt."

"Who's the elder again?" the shepherd asked.

His uncle waved the question away with a paw. "You know what I'm talking about."

"Sure I do. I'm still waiting for that respect."

"Ha! You'll die before I give you any respect."

"You sure about that?"

"Quite sure."

"What makes you think that?"

"You're older."

"So?"

"You'll die first."

"... damn."

Restrif made a satisfied grin. "I win."

Kelphan rolled his eyes and grabbed his uncle's paw, leading the young wolf into the living room. They traversed through the room's interior and finally settled on the leather recliner. Kelphan plopped down in the seat and indicated the extra space next to him with a finger. His uncle followed, giggling the entire way.

"God, you are such a girl," the dog muttered.

Restrif laughed, poking the older teenager with a claw. "At least I won't be wearing spandex anytime soon."

"Don't remind me," Kelphan whimpered, covering his eyes with his paw. "You haven't even heard the name that he came up with."

"C'mon, dude. It's not that bad," Restrif said, offering an encouraging smile. His expression changed from sympathetic to inquisitive. "He gave you a name?"

The shepherd growled. "Even if you beg, I'm not telling you."

"Didn't say you had to," the wolf retorted.

As he said this, his lips began to quiver. Ears folded down and a soft whine emanated from the lupine's throat.

"I know what you're doing, uncle. And it's not going to work."

The wolf continued staring up at his nephew with those gleaming eyes and quivering lip.

"Goddammit, Rez!" Kelphan growled. "Stop that!"

Restrif brought his paws to embrace his older nephew and allowed his whines to grow slightly in volume.

_ _

Ignore him.

_ _

Just ignore him.

_ _

Even if my heart feels like it going to be ripped in two.

_ _

I'll just steal one from a hospital.

"I promise I won't tell anyone," the wolf whispered. "Please... Kel?"

With those final two words, Kelphan gave up. The German Shepherd gave a loud sigh and nodded in affirmation.

"Fine," he muttered.

_ _

Rez was just like King Claudius... without all the fur.

_ _

A manipulative, cheating little bastard.

Kelphan jabbed a finger at the squirming wolf's chest. "I really hate you right now."

"Yeah, yeah. Love you, too," Restrif said, impatience dripping from his voice. "Now tell me!"

"It's the Aviator," Kel whispered.

"What?"

"The Aviator," he said louder. "You know, because I fly."

Restrif blinked. Slowly at first. Then burst out laughing. "Seriously, dude? Your dad has no creativity whatsoever. No wonder his name is the Sky Dog." His voice turned dramatic and exaggerated. "Here he comes! Brandishing his brilliant red spandex, Sky Dog ascends majestically from his marble pedestal!"

Kelphan let those words sink in for a while...

Ah!

The shepherd cringed a little.

"My father's... a bit crazy at times," Kelphan started. Restrif nodded sagely, his arms folded across his chest. "But..."

"But?" The wolf looked at him curiously.

Kelphan grinned. "I wouldn't have him any other way."

Rez paused, opened his mouth, closed it, and settled with a smile. "I'm glad you see it that way. As strange as my brother is, I'm happy that his son still loves him."

He laid his head on Kelphan's shoulder. "I remember when I doubted that he loved me at all..."

~~~

When I was young (Restrif began), Gareth was the only one I would talk to. My brother would always be there for me.

Of course, he had you at the time; so he had to split his priorities.

Being your father and being my older brother. That, and saving the world as usual.

I was amazed how he could balance all three at the same time. He was the coolest brother ever.

Then, he just stopped visiting.

I would call him everyday and he wouldn't answer. And when he did, he'd respond with: "I'm too busy right now."

You couldn't imagine how much I wanted him to come back home. Grandpa had died, and I desperately needed him, to comfort me, tell me that everything would be fine.

But he wasn't.

He was too busy with you.

I hated you at one point. For taking my older brother away. For stealing all of his affection and leaving none for me. I despised you... and at the same time, myself.

I hated someone that I've never met, someone who could, of all possibilities, actually be a decent person. Which turned out to be wrong of course. (Kelphan glared at him.)

Kidding.

Still, I had no one left. Mother and Father were off saving the world with Gareth, while I, who had no super powers, was left at home to sulk. I was completely alone.

It was bearable when your father was here, but then, I felt empty. I felt betrayed by the person I thought I could trust.

When Sky Dog finally came back from his long trip in Antarctica, I let my emotions have control. I shunned my older brother, no matter how much it hurt me, because deep inside, I knew that it was hurting him just as much.

We would pass in the hallway with a short exchange of glances, before we headed off in different directions. At night, I would hear him cry in bed, yelling at himself for screwing our relationship up.

I would be crying along with him.

It was both our faults. We were just too stubborn to apologize.

Only after a month did your father finally break the silence... and into tears on the floor. He begged me to forgive him, for being a terrible brother. I hugged him, apologizing just as much as he was.

"I'll always love you, Restrif. You know that, right?"

I buried my muzzle into his neck, the tears still dripping down my cheeks. "I know. And I love you, too."

From then on, I knew everything would be alright. When your father went off to defend the world from whatever freak alien attack, I always knew that he would come right back to tuck me into bed.

~~~

"Really?" Kelphan asked, laughing loudly.

"Hey, back then, I was only nine years-old." Restrif nodded. "But yeah, your dad was the best older brother I could ever ask for. And that's why, even if his superhero antics bother you," he continued, "always love him the way he is."

At that exact moment, a certain muscular father came barging through the front door... without his superhero clothes on.

He wasn't naked, thankfully. In fact, he was dressed rather normally, his civilian clothes consisting of an aqua-blue athlete shirt and plaid shorts.

"Speak of the devil..." Restrif muttered.

"I think you meant angel," Gareth interjected, flashing a toothy grin. "C'mon son. We've gotta fly."

Kel gave a confused stare. "In ordinary clothes?"

His father smirked. "Who says I'm the one flying?" He dangled the pilot's keys and aviator goggles in his right paw. "Why don't you show this 'old man' how to really fly?"

Kelphan felt a grin grow on his muzzle, and a blush when his uncle snickered.

"How romantic."

Snatching the keys and tightening the goggles that fitted perfectly around his rounded muzzle, the canine pilot grabbed his father's arm and led him out into the front yard. He could hear his father groan at his brother's immaturity.

"Hey Kel," Gareth shouted.

His son turned. "What is it?"

"Are you sure you want to be a pilot?"

Kelphan made a quick glance at his father and could see the pride flowing for his only son. The pilot-in-training answered in a confident voice.

"Absolutely."

***

"You're story's all mushy today." Kai laughed.

How such a man with the body of Adonis could look like a child, the world may never know.

"And why do you think that?" I asked.

The wolf scratched at the side of his muzzle nervously. "N-No reason. Y-You just seem happier than usual."

I frowned.

"Fine. No more storytime for you."

Kai gaped at me. "H-Hey! That's not fair!" the large wolf complained. He gently tugged on my arm. "Y-You're kidding, right?"

I flashed Kai an impish grin and danced out of his grasp. Spinning on my heel, I headed off into the opposite direction. "See ya later!"

"Kager, come back!"

I continued smiling as my secret friend chased after me, his feet pounding on the earthen trail; Kai would catch up with me eventually.

And when he did, he lifted up me into the air with no effort and spun me around, the two of us giggling like naughty elementary students. His arms encircled me, and I sighed happily in his embrace.

"Love you, Kai."

"Love you too, Kelphan."

I looked at him with a smile. "Kager sounds a lot better."

Kai smiled back. "Your father and uncle would probably agree with you." He nuzzled my cheek. "And so do I."

Thank you father. You too, uncle. For everything.

_ _

And I swear I could hear the distant familiar laughter of a certain wolf and spandex-wearing superhero far away.

Ah!