FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

"Remind me again why should I go?" I say to the Daschund getting dressed next to me.

"Come on Luke!, it will be fun" he replied while struggling to push his head through the neck of his shirt. "Those are- Ah!, our coworkers, besides- oof!" he unceremoniously fell in a heap as he tried to put on his pants.

I chuckled when I heard the pitiful whine that Max let out, if he hadn't been in such a hurry he probably wouldn't have fallen in the first place. Being the thoughtful roommate that I am, I decide to help him.

"Please don't say 'Besides, it's Christmas!'" I help my friend get up and I finish pulling his pants up for him, I swear sometimes it's like I'm his dad since I always have to be looking out for him, not that I mind of course... wait, isn't Max kinda silent?. Looking up at his face I am met with such a mischievous look that only a puppy up to no good is capable of. I can hear his short tail going a mile a minute and the small excited whine barely escaping his lips. I roll my eyes.

"No." I say before he can say it.

"But Luuuuuke." he begs, extending my name, as much as I love this guy he'll have to work harder than that.

"I said No, Max." I repeat myself as I calmly finish helping him with his shirt.

"I know you don't like Christmas, but it will be fun, everyone will be there!." Max continues, I busy myself with picking up the clothes lying around our shared room. Max could be quite messy sometimes since he was always in a hurry.

"Doubt everyone will go, people tend to have plans with their families." I say, trying to dodge out of the Christmas thing at the bar-restaurant. "hAlso the clients will most likely get in the way, it won't be much of a fun time if I have to be serving and kicking drunk dudes, Max."

"Burry said it will be just us!" he pressed on. "the guys will be there." he continued whining a little. "Alon, Dandelion, Rune, Burry invited Cooper to come since he is cool, Thistle, Teak... Everyone really, the only one not invited is Cole since he is still too young to come to that kind of get-together. little guy was *pissed. *"

I sigh.

"Max... I appreciate Burry's intention, especially since he was the one to... you know." I say not wanting to point out how Saint Bernard got me out of the streets on a Christmas eve after getting kicked out of my own home for coming out of the 'closet'. The way he gave me a job in his barely operational recently inaugurated Bar, back when it wasn't as famous or successful. Gave me a place to stay until I could move out on my own. "But I-... I don't know, it might bring out bad memories."

"Luke." Max's eyes reflected tenderness and care. "You won't have a bad time, I promise." he grabbed one of my hands in his paws. "And even if you have Teak and I will be there to salvage the fun, and even THAT doesn't work we can always go to Momma Donna's place." Max smiled sweetly nosing my face with his Muzzle. "I'm sure she will gladly accept us as Christmas guests."

I chuckled from Max's affections, it's still so jarring for most humans how affectionate Anthros were, and most don't approve of other humans hanging out with Anthros. I know my parents didn't, wherever they are now... Especially the part in which their son was gay and dating a lion... they were not happy at all... getting thrown out on the snowy streets was still a fresh memory for me every Christmas. the cold of the snow after being out for hours...

"pleaaaseeee." I looked at Max as he now hugged me, no wonder anticipating where my mind was going.

"I don't know Max, why don't we just go to Momma Donna's ho-" I lose the word out of my mouth when I look at Max.

that bastard

"Please Luke, I would be so sad if we didn't have fun together with the others." in his face was the most efficient, deadliest, biggest puppy eyes I have ever seen.

"Oh don't you even dare!." I warn him.

"Pwetty pwease." I try to escape his iron grip, knowing that this was his plan all along.

"No!, Max there is no way that will work on-" His eyes just glisten more in the light.

"NOOOOOO!"

---

*LATER THAT NIGHT*

"Screw you, Max." I say clutching the heavy jacked that was trying its best to protect me from the cold and snow. I shiver, I refuse to get a new Jacket, Rune spent a week's savings on this to give it to me as a gift two years ago, the thing was more brand than actually functional but I'm not about to appear in front of him wearing the much warmer hoddie and coat Momma Donna knitted for me... Even though those itches a lot.

"Sorry, there's no time for that tonight, we will arrive late otherwise!" Max winks playfully from beside me as we walk towards Shelter, it just got dark out and the lazy snowfall that covered the streets gave the sense of a magical pure tale, matching Max's Christmas outfit. the Daschund is wearing a synthetic red-furred jacket with a paw on the back and underneath he has a long-sleeved cotton shirt, its dual-color evenly distributed right down the middle.

I have to admit that Christmas colors do fit him, and as I dare more furtive glances at him I'm more convinced how much they fit him when I look at the Santa hat adorning his head.

"Easy for you to move in this cold with all that fur plus the jacket." I shiver. "I don't have that luxury, man."

"I told you to wear what Momma Donna gave you." Max raised an eyebrow, his trademarked 'I told you so' look on his face.

"You know I can't do that to Rune, he would be devastated!" I reply, I seriously can't do that to Rune. Max's puppy eyes are killer, but Rune's sad face is just apocalyptical.

Max rolls his eyes. "I'm sure Rune wouldn't mind that you had to use something warm." he smiles sweetly then, looking at me with those cute eyes of his. "Here."

he closes the distance between us and opens his furred jacket, he grabs my arms and slips them inside the jacket he then wraps his arms around my body as he rests his muzzle in my shoulder. hot damn it's warm inside Max's jacket, I feel goosebumps from the delicious change in temperature. I bury my face into his shoulder and wrap my arms tight around the warm body sharing his body eat with me like a lifeline. After so many years since knowing him, I'm still taken aback by how fit Max is, with how thin he is many think he is just a twig, but holding him like this I can feel all the muscle underneath. I sigh contently, enjoying this moment, I can hear his tail wagging behind him and feel how he muzzles me tenderly.

We do have something to attend too though.

With a final sigh I separate from him slightly, his hands are still on my shoulders and my arms are still around his torso, but now we are looking into each other's eyes, the lamp above us giving a surreal glow to his rich fur. My face is all red, yet, I smile.

"Better?." He asks sweetly, his right hand fixing some of my hair back into my hat. I grab onto that hand after it's done, rubbing my thumb over it.

"Thanks, Max, you're a lifesaver."

he chuckles. "We can always stay home, if you really, and I mean REALLY don't want to go, or we can call Teak and tell him to meet us at his mom's place you know he would do anything for-"

"Max..." I interrupt him, Fully separating from him except for my hand holding his. "It's okay, I already set my mind to going and I don't want to disappoint the others on Christmas eve." I chuckle. "That would be rude."

He laughs and we resume our walk towards Shelter, now hand in hand.

---

**AT SHELTER, BAR/RESTAURANT**

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?" I hear Teak's booming voice before I see him. Shelter's number one bouncer trotting over to us.

"Mom would kill me if you guys get sick or something!" Teak reprimands us.

As the towering Tosa Inu gets closer to us I notice he was taking off his white winter jacket, leaving him with just the black tight tank top he had underneath that did absolutely nothing to hide his impressive physique. The snow that fell on his exposed thick arms evaporated almost instantly just from his body heat, the cold seeming to do nothing to the 'Adonis' type body, his light brown jeans pants barely contained his legs that were as thick a trunks, anyone looking at him would never suspect of him being an awkward as hell giant that was fretting over his two childhood friends... or at least-

"Gee Teak, glad you're more worried about what Momma Donna will do to you if we get sick than our actual health." Max comments unimpressed, voicing my thoughts exactly. I try to hide a laugh but I'm unsuccessful.

I feel Teak's huge Jacket wrap around the both of us, and I'm instantly relieved from the much-needed toasty warmth. I reminiscence of the time when we were kids and we would use Teak as a heating mattress when we had sleepovers or camped in his backyard. Momma Donna, Teak's mom, would buy marshmallows for us to cook over the small fire she would prepare for us and Teak would burn all of his so I had to share mine with him since Acri, Max's twin didn't let Max share theirs... Then Acri would trick Max and eat over half of their stash, anyway... That little shit.

"Oh no, The cold's already got Luke!", I snap out of my thoughts, realizing that Tek had been talking to me for the past 5 minutes, the Tosa was leading us inside Shelter, its huge wooden doors that were made specifically to seem like steel doors stood out magically in the weather as an unmovable wonder fortress. "I wasn't sure if he was going to come so I didn't bring extra coats or-"

"Teak is fine. Just nostalgic." I place a hand on his burly forearm.

"Oh!" His ears perk up. "Thank Dog, don't know how I would have explained to mom- I mean, DONE... Yeah, what I would have done if you guys got sick, hehe." he looks to the side embarrassed, he knows he ain't fooling anyone.

I decide to ignore that as we get finally cross Shelters front doors, I'm blasted in the face with the warm air inside the restaurant. Goosebumps instantly wreck my body from the pleasant change in temperature. Teak removes his oversized jacket from Max and me and hangs it on a nearby rack. He and Max remove their winter boots, canines usually only wear footwear if it's absolutely necessary or they belong to the Anthro high-class. I also take notice of Teak's cute Christmas Socks, while Max goes as most dogs do, bare pawed. they both go in leaving me behind.

Max strikes a conversation with Teak about who was already at the place, why we were late, and a bunch of different things that I don't pay much attention to. I'm brought back to the day when I first worked here after the literal next day Burry saved me from dying of frostbite after getting kicked out of my parent's house years ago. The walls were barren, we only had a few tables and no clientele at all... All this compared to the behemoth that the bar-restaurant is now is like comparing a letter to a smartphone in terms of sending messages. Our investors had given us enough money to buy the empty businesses next to Shelter, expanding its size significantly, walls were full, from pictures, messy drawings, paintings, decorations and on workdays you could barely fit among all the Anthros that came for a drink and a nice meal but stayed for the company, a home for the lost, for those that were not welcome anywhere else or had nowhere else to go.

"MATE!"

Oh shit, that's my only warning to dodge out of the way before-

"YOU FINALLY CAME!!!!" I'm violently tackled in a hug from an overgrown dog, our bodies roll across the floor, his body cushioning any real damage that could be done to me.

"HELP, RUNE'S GOT ME!" I jokingly yell for help as I'm pelted with Rune's affections, Teak and Max decide to ignore my perilous situation, the pair of bastards laugh at me as they get deeper into the building leaving me alone with the big... Shirtless husky?... What?

"AWOOOO!"

"Rune, where is your shirt?" I ask the heavily scarred dog, the only thing on his fluffy torso is a red harness that loops several times over his chest, several bells were hung over the harness making Rune jingle with every move he made.

"You like it, mate?" Rune asked es we came to a stop with me laying down face up on the warm carpet and Rune sitting on top of me, his rump resting 'conveniently' on top of my groin. "I thought since everyone will be dressing in Christmas themes I may as well do something more... 'Me'." he says as he gives me his trademarked devilish smile. The husky grabs my right hand in both of his, the callouses and scars tickling a bit. he moves my hand to his abdomen making me feel his abs and his impressive physique. "What do you say, mate? can you help this reindeer know if he is good at *riding?." *

I laughed at Rune's ridiculously exaggerated eyebrow movement trying to be extra sexy. "You are missing the antlers though." I say between chuckles, I also note that his normally black nose had been painted red.

"Damn, knew I missed something." He said, more calmed down but no less 'excited', half-lidded eyes peered at me, one of them greyed out but no less attractive and I gotta admit that blood rushed to my face and other lower regions. Rune looked really appealing from this position. touching his scars reminded me of how I met the sweet horny Husky.

He was actually robbing me at the time...

But when I saw the poor hungry dog that just got blinded in one eye to some people he owed money to, I couldn't help myself and offered to talk, a warm meal and to tend to his wounds I never thought he would accept. After that he would come regularly to talk and flirt with me, we got closer over time until he applied for the job of bartender and got it, He even gave back what he had initially stolen from me the very next day I met. I knew from the start Rune had a good heart, he was just a victim of his rough upbringing.

"Can I give you your Christmas present now?" he drawled as he started leaning down towards my face, his muzzle slightly parted. he no grabbed both my hands and held them over my head with just one of his. "Come on Luke, let's give this reindeer a ride he won't forget, hehe."

" AHEM"

Rune stopped, his our lips a breath's away from each other. what a way to kill the mood. Rune wiped his face towards whoever was that was interrupting us. "Oh." I could feel Rune deflate from his position on top of me. "It's just You, Alon", ouch... the disappointment in Rune's voice was palpable.

"Yes, it's me, Alon. The dark accountant." The black-furred wolf standing to the side, lighting up a cigarette in what I can easily tell is a really expensive all-black suit. dark lustrous dress shoes shined from how clean they were. He also had one black-colored custom eyepatch covering one of his red eyes (though I know from reading his resume that he has no actual medical condition that warrants it), the only Christmas thing on his person was the Christmas bowtie he had... Though, even that was all black save for the candy cane and 'Merry Christmas' sewn on it.

"Hi, Alon!... Uuuh, Merry Christmas I guess?" I'm not used to saying this since I don't attend Christmas shit since... well.

"The others are waiting for you, Burry insisted that we don't start eating until everyone is present." Alon rolled his only visible eye.

I get up to fix my clothes and help Rune do the same, even though he is wearing much less than me. I take off my winter gear since Shelter is so much warmer than the weather outside, Rune uses the chance to openly 'Dog-whistle' at me while I take off the multiple layers of fabric. I chuckle and grab a nearby article of clothing to throw at the literal horndog.

"stop that you perv! go wait for me with the others." the husky skillfully dodges to the side.

"sure thing, boss!" Rune playfully replies, his tail wagging. "Let's continue our play session after everything is over!" he winks to me as he leaves.

I finish hanging my not-so-effective-winter gear, leaving me with a bright red long-sleeved shirt with tons of small canine paw prints sewn into the fabric, I keep the green scarf that Thistle gave me on my birthday and put on the Santa hat that I borrowed from Max's collection. I turn around and notice that Alon is still here with me, openly staring me up and down. The wolf's red eye slowly moved from my boots up to my borrowed hat.

"See something you like, Alon?" I tease.

I see him tense for a split second before his face turned from me, looking to the side as he scoffed. I smile, messing with my favorite wolf is so fun.

"I was merely making sure that you had the proper attire for the occasion." He glanced at me before turning his head again. "It would be a shame if you ruined this Christmas story because you wore the wrong thing." I snort a small laugh, Alon sometimes said weird things like that.

I walk towards him, my arms outstretched, would Christmas be enough of a reason for him to finally let me give him a hug-.

"..."

I only see black for a moment, wiggling my face a little I come to the realization from the softness against my lips that Alon just stopped me in my tracks with his hand against my face... Again... though I gotta admit that this time he let me get much closer than ever before. I'm aware of the fact that if I reached with my arms I could still pull him into a hug, but I don't feel like pushing my luck, he manages everybody's payroll after all. The last time I pissed off Alon, he made sure I received ONLY what I was supposed to exactly earn by the hours I worked and deducted every second I wasn't working.

"I think I've already said this before but I don't-"

"Yeah, I know." I interrupt him. "I just thought tonight I would finally have the gratification of-"

"You thought wrong."

"Okaaay, Then you can take your paw off my face... By the way, it smells really great, which soap do you use if I may ask?"

His hand remains a couple more seconds than it should on my face before he slid it off my face and I swear I felt his clawed thumb run a quick semi-circle on my cheek. As he turns around I also feel his tail brush my thigh I little harder than how it should have been if it were an accident. I quickly follow, wondering if he had done it on purpose. twelve seconds later I see him glance in my direction and he gives me a mocking smirk.

The asshole had done it on purpose.

as we cross Shelter corridors we come across the dining section, a huge space specifically designed to handle hundreds of clients on our regular day-to-day lives, on this special, however, many tables had been placed side to side to make a very large single table. On top of the improvised tables were tons of different kinds of food, Burry had clearly outdone himself tonight. I could see the roasted chicken with a large variety of vegetables, the pork ribs slathered with his special BBQ sauce, some huge fish was mounted on sticks with bread pieces under it catching any juice droplets that fell from the weird albeit delicious-looking fish.

My mouth was watering and I have not even sat down!.

Most of all of Shelter's workers were here, each sitting among their little group of close friends. I also see Alon take a seat that had no immediate companion, preferring to sit by himself.

"Awoo!" I hear Rune's unmistakable cry for my attention. "Sit here, mate!" he waves his hand enthusiastically from his spot. can see the empty seat to his right, and to the right of that seat is Diederich, the huge Dane, who in my opinion is the true definition of a gentle giant. Max and Teak are also across the table from that seat, so I decide that maybe I should go over to the spot Rune saved for me.

"Luke!"

I turn around and look at the huge saint bernard in front of me, and I instantly realize that this Christmas get-together is totally worth it. I can't really stop the smile that is forming on my lips upon looking at Burry, he is wearing a red denin button-down shirt with all sorts of small Christmas trinkets printed on the fabric, his dark jeans, green suspenders, and bowtie, finishing his attire with a size too big Santa hat paired with a fake synthetic beard. the most beautiful pair of gold eyes peered at me in surprise. I'm filled with the sudden urge to hug Burry.

so I do just that.

"You finally came! I'm really glad you- oof!" I bury my face in the Bernard's chest, my arms barely circling his huge torso, I hug him as if my life depended on it. after the initial shock wears off he slowly embraces me into his arms, digs his muzzle into my shoulder, and squeezes me into him.

"I'm glad Max convinced me to come," I say enjoying the feel of Burry's chest a bit more, He chuckles and I feel his chest rumble with the sound, I basically melt into his embrace.

"Well, I'm glad about that too" Burry pulls away, rubbing my shoulders. "Specially since we have a surprise for you, but only if you have been a good boy." he boops my nose with one of his fingers, it faintly smells of seasons and spices, making my stomach grumble.

"Someone is hungry!" I hear a boisterous laugh behind me. turning around I find my favorite blue heeler, his sweet smile and beautiful pair of silver-blue eyes beaming with absolute joy, his rimless glasses could never contain tho shining pearls of his.

"Thistle!" I say, glad to see the 'old' dog. Thistle looks light years better than what one might think a dog his age may look.

He also had his phone out, I can tell he is recording as well.

I immediately realize he is recording for his 'TikDog' fans. The heeler was the community manager for Shelter, he was in charge of advertising, online image, promotions, events and he also was the designated artist for Shelter's wall art and decorations.

"So, Luke. Want tah show sum' Christmas spirit to our lovely clients?" he puts his arms around my shoulders, his phone held at arm's length in front of us as if he was going to take a selfie. The soft red wool turtle neck sweater he has feels nice to the touch. The Christmas trees sewn in the front made him look so adorable I could honestly die, little white yarn flecks made it seem as if snow was falling all around and on the tree.

"Oh?, What do you mean by that, like a 'merry Christmas' thing or..." I lean my head into him, looking at our reflections on the phone's screen.

"Boy, ya are so pure. let's see how long it takes fer him to take notice!" He says to the phone, grinning at it. I get distracted by how cute Thistle looks doing something like this. What is it that I should take notice of? I try to focus my attention, his eyes look at the phone with joy from behind his glasses, his ears are up and there is a slight red tinge to them just like in his muzzle. The heeler's braided beard accentuates his handsome features, the Peeble-like things used to hold the braid together did look like-

Fuck.

"Hohoho, we got ourselves a winner, boys!" I cover my red face and hide the smile on it, I hear some chuckles around me, Rune gives me a 'Wolf Whistle'. I gotta admit Thistle's got me again, this ain't the first time that he has followed a trend on social networks and played a prank on me or made an accomplice/victim of it and then showed it to Shelters followers, all press is good press, as he would say.

It also doesn't help that many people on social media love his outgoing zero-filters attitude and the reactions he gets from me every time. Shelter has about 7.5M on 'TikDog', 4M on 'FurBook', 4.4M on 'Borkerr', and those numbers are increasing slowly but steadily since we began Shelter. part of the followers also took to 'shipping' many of the employees, and since Thistle messes with me so often it's no wonder 'ThistLuke', as they like to call it, became so popular.

Looking at the mistletoe holding Thistle's braid together I know for a fact what his target audience was.

"Boy ya gotta show the fans that ya respect Christmas traditions and all dat'" Thistle says with a seductive tone, Burry chuckles behind me while shaking his head, that traitor.

I roll my eyes, knowing Thistle I should have expected this kind of thing, he is basically as horny as Rune... But I do have my ways to bite back at him. I close the distance between us and place the offending plant in between my right thumb and index finger. Looking to the phone still recording in the heeler's right hand, and I smile at it. Thistle has all but frozen in my grasp, I let go of his beard and decide to do something else with my hands, I pretend to be fixing the senior dog's turtleneck sweater, our bodies really close, looking everywhere for imaginary dust o his clothing and 'brushing' it off for him. to say that the red in his ears intensified would be an understatement. with how close our bodies were I could feel the heat radiating from the old dog.

"What's wrong, Thistle? I thought you wanted me to uphold the ancient tradition of the mistletoe." I tease, giving him the best bedroom eyes I can give. "You're not getting cold paws on me, are you?" I smile lazily my hands caress his sides as they go towards his muzzle, I can the goosebumps travel his body.

"Ah. Damn- well I- uh, didn't really think you'd be accepting and- uh. I... Wut?" he swallows hard one I finally hold his face tenderly in my hands, I move his face to look directly into my eyes and turn my head slowly towards the camera winking at them. My hand covers the camera as I lean into my favorite heeler.

I lock our lips as Thistle flails around in my grasp. After a few seconds, he pulls me into the kiss, with a hand on the back of my head and another one on the small of my back. His phone was all but forgotten, I lick over his lips, when they part I tease his tongue with the tip of my own.

I pull away with a chuckle.

Thistle is left frozen on the spot with his arms still outstretched and puckered lips, the tip of his canine tongue hanging between his fangs. I snort at the unimpressed expression he had aimed at where I was seconds ago. Looking to my side I see Burry blushing intensely, his face turned to the side and trying to cover his front with a food tray to hide his obvious erection.

"The tradition is *A * kiss. a single one, sir" I wink at Thistle, I hear Rune laughing.

"Oh, I'll be making ya' call me *sir * all proper like, boy" One of the Heeler's eyebrows had a tick from his obvious frustration. "Then I be having ye' swallow-"

"AHEM!"

I look to the huge table, realizing Alon was the one that interrupted our fun since he was half standing, one hand on the table and the other was spinning one of the black pens he always carried around. The threat was evident, I had been on the receiving end of those pens and the HURT.

*" * Come on Alon, don't be such a grinch. If you are so hungry you could just start eating... Like I'm about to do. " Rune chimes in, excited, grabbing a huge pork leg. one of Alon's deadly pens flyes out and strikes the leg away from Rune's grasps before he chomped it. Rune grins. "That's not going to stop me. I just have to reach for another-"

Rune's head suddenly jerks back from the impact of another pen. the Husky goes crosseyed looking at the deadly office utensil now stuck in the middle of his forehead, making him look like a canine-unicorn mix. The Husky pouts and me and Max can barely contain a laugh.

"That's rude." Rune protests, pulling the pen out of his forehead like it was but a simple splinter, thankfully the pen wasn't really that deep, in fact, no blood came out of the point where the pen was stuck. I'm still surprised to witness Rune's thick skull in action every time it happens.

"The one rude thing is YOU. Now can we get this going?" Alon fixes his suit and fur before sitting down gracefully. "I'm a very busy wolf after all"

"Yes. we should... Uh, calm down and continue." Burry takes a second to compose before directing us to the table once again.

"Need help?" I offer to my favorite saint bernard.

"Yeah, if you would be so kind to bring the last trays in the kitchen I would appreciate it, Luke." Burry smiles lovingly at me and I almost melt... But I persist, cant really melt when this handsome doggo needs my help.

I make my way to the kitchen, spotting other dogs going to and from the kitchen. I recognize all of their faces and they recognize mine, I'm warmly greeted by Pan the chubby chef Shiba, Mordor the Komodor security staff, Saffron the cashier golden retriever/lab mix, Mammoth our crop's section 'farm hand' huge Malamute, Chuch the Terrier our Cellar manager, Sayeed the afghan hound and Shelter's baker, Jing-Wei the bouncer who was a huge Sharpey, Mate the Australian cattle dog our the company's lawyer, Xiao the Pug he also was the electronics technician. And last but definitely not least was Jerry the german shepherd, my partner in crime out there attending the tables and the clients, the hug he gives me remains for a couple seconds too long but I accept it nonetheless. What can I say?, I really like the guy.

"Dandelion!?, What are you wearing?" I ask the Chihua in a full janitorial outfit.

"ACK- BOSS!" The poor small dog yelps in surprise, and jumps a few feet in the air from the movement alone, his arms flailing around in the air, he drops the broom he was holding. I feel slightly bad for startling him while he was cleaning the floor even though he was not supposed to be working tonight.

"Sorry, Sorry, didn't mean to scare you!" I place my hand on the Chihuahua's back, running circular motions to help him recover from the scare. I can practically see his soul hanging from his maw as he holds his chest in an effort to calm down his panicking heart. "Why aren't you at the tables and why are you still wearing your uniform. You're not supposed to be working tonight buddy."

He takes a couple deep breaths before replying. "The kitchen was dirty and it's my honored duty to get rid of the-"

"I. Said. No. Work." Well, Burry was the one to say it in the group chat since I was not originally going to come, but he probably doesn't remember that.

"I- Uh- Yeah. Maybe I- I should check with Burry since I reallywanttoclean...that." He rushes the last part in when he notices the crazy murderous stare I give him. "AS YOU ORDER, BOSS!" He gives me an exaggerated hand to the forehead salute.

I swear if I didn't stop him every time he got too into his job then he would probably work himself to death. I still remember how desperate he was to get the job back when he first started. Having to support all his younger siblings and provide for them since they lost their parents to a car accident. Burry thought at first that Dandelion was some drunk or junkie and rejected him, then Dandelion literary begged me for the job on his knees, hugging my leg as he cried his heart out with snot running out of his nose. he told me how as the eldest for quite a few years he would do anything we required him to do in order not to lose the only family he had left. I of course accepted. I even convinced Alon to give him a two months advance to get him out of the initial monetary crisis.

"Good, Now stop calling me boss." He grimaced at the idea, Ever since I helped him get the job he has been calling me boss instead of Burry. "At least for tonight, Dandelion." I roll my eyes when he starts twiddling his thumbs, not fully sold on that. "Please..."

He eyes me for approval once again shortly. "Fine" He finally relents. "I'll give it my best bos-, I mean Luke." He quickly corrects himself.

I smile, satisfied, all I really need to get Dandelion to not be so stubborn is to say please, he seems to respect that a lot. Deciding that that particular matter is already settled I move over to grab the last few trays in the kitchen, there is enough of them that I may need to come back for a second trip since I won't be able to carry all of them with me. Luckily Dandelion being always eager to help notices my dilemma and comes over to assist me. After helping him balance some things on his head we manage to grab all the remaining stuff and carry it to the table.

"How are your siblings by the way?" I ask as we walk, His face turns towards me abruptly and I have a mini heart thinking that he would drop everything, but he astonishingly keeps perfect balance on what he carries. "Did Tommy finish the Spanish tale that Mrs. Evans asked for, and did Emma stop biting on her nails and clipping them like I taught her?" I continue after catching my breath.

"Hmm? Oh!. Yes, and Emma is working on it, an eight-year old puppy has a hard time getting rid of bad habits." I'm glad, I like the little demons... Even though sometimes they are just like actual demons spawn from the depths of hell itself. "Thanks, Boss- I mean Luke, I appreciate all you have done and keep doing for me and my siblings, I uh- don't know what would have been of us if-"

"No need to dwell on what-ifs, the important thing is that you're ok and so are they." I interrupt him, smiling at the chihuahua, how could I not help him?. the small dog compensated for his size with his gold heart and good intentions.

he smiles back. "Yeah... Still thanks. OH!, also before I forget they wanted me to tell you to have happy holidays and that you have to visit soon because they miss you." I chuckle, Maybe I should indeed visit soon.

____________________________________________________

Having set up everything at the table I go take my seat between Diederich and Rune, as soon as my butt touches the seat my personal space gets assaulted. Rune basically pushes me into Diederich as he puts his arm around my shoulder and leans his whole weight into me, the Great, on the other hand, leans his head into mine and grabs my hand with his, and places them both on top of his incredibly meaty, beefy thigh. I know better than to try to fight canines when they get handsy, it's like trying to stop rain with your bare hands.

"At least let us eat first before you get to groping others, Luke." Teak barks across from me annoyed Max snickers. "...traitor..." He mumbles the last part and Max and I laugh. Oh Teak, You are so easy to read sometimes.

"You jealous Teak? I can always make time for you if you say please." I bite back. Max guffaws when Teak sputters.

"What!? Fuck you, homie. Why would I be jealous? I have no reason to be jealous or anything like that." The huge Tosa turns his head, clearly hiding the red tint on his face and ears. Max wipes a tear from his right eye before joining in.

"I don't know, Teak. You know what they say... Can't ever forget or replace your first time." Daaaaaaamn, Max is pulling out the big guns. The Dachshund guffaws once again, holding his belly when Teak finished processing what he just said.

"MAX!!!" Teak barked in betrayal and embarrassment. I can't help but laugh too.

"WAIT, SERIOUSLY!?" I hear Alon say from his seat far away, everyone who was looking at the ruckus we had suddenly went silent to look at Alon in shock. The usually stoic wolf was half-standing. a curious smile on his face... Well, until he realized everyone was looking now at him in shock.

he cleared his throat, fixing his suit and tie in the poshest way possible, eyes closed and an indifferent expression. Just as sudden as his reaction was it left, He sat down, Looking to the side. "I mean... seriously?..." He corrected with a raised eyebrow, no sign of his previous curiosity and excitement, pretending that it never happened to begin with.

Then everyone burst out laughing again.

Alon was pretty much shaking in anger and embarrassment. I could see through my teary eyes his pink nose and his eyes were completely red. His clenched fist was trembling, he took the fist to his mouth possibly to control himself... then I realized...

Alon was chuckling

he tried hiding it with his hand but after a while, he gave up and started laughing just like everyone else. His poor attempt at hiding his emotions led everyone to laugh at him and the HE laughed too... I never thought I would live to see this day. Christmas was truly a time of miracles.

Looking at all the dogs around me I realized that I was missing this... A family to celebrate Christmas with because at the end of the day, the holidays were not about Santa, religion, food, or presents...

________________________________________________________-

*After the dinner*

I stand up, The food had been incredible in a way only Burry, Sayeed and Pan were capable of, I enjoyed my time. After all was said and done Burry asked everyone if they wanted to say a few words to close the dinner portion of the night and continue to the more wild side of the get-together. The Saint Bernard even placed a laptop on the table with our top investor Mister Vuffski on a video call, to be with us in spirit, since he was busy on a business trip.

I clear my throat, not so much to clear it but to help with the knot building up in it. "I guess some of you know already that I don't... Really do this... Or that I even like Christmas and all that." I pause, collecting my thoughts.

"Truth is... Christmas wasn't really a fond memory of mine. It represented one of the worst times in my life, the day I lost my family and all that I cared about... I almost lose my life that day even." I blink to clear my misty eyesight.

"But then Burry saved me..." I motion towards the Bernard. his beautiful golden orbs are teary-eyed, yet they speak to me in volumes far louder than words: he had saved me that day and would do so again no matter what.

"And with him. Shelter came... We didn't have much of... Well, Anything back then. Not until we started reaching out to you... And you reaching out to us..." I look to everyone in the place.

"and with that came the most beautiful thing that could have happened in my life. I had people I cared about and they cared for me in return..." I swallow hard, trying to swallow the lump in my throat.

"Some I already knew..." I look to Max and Teak, the latter had tears freely flowing from his eyes as he smiled.

"Some were new..." I look to Thistle and Rune, Thistle wiping his eyes with a cloth, Rune grabbed that same to blow his nose on it. I chuckle despite the tear slowly rolling down my cheek.

"Some claim they didn't like me at all..." I look at Alon, his eyes trying to avoid me, failing to do so every time, looking at me after just a few seconds, his quivering lip told me how much emotion he was holding back.

"And some did most of the heavy work..." I look at the laptop on the table.

"You sacrificed so much for this. blood, sweat and tears to see this through... And guess what? it's working... thanks to you I get to have this. Many of us have a place to take comfort in, lost lonely souls to feel at home and welcomed. To feel accepted despite what many differences we could have. For that, I cannot thank you enough. Thanks for bringing Shelter to life." I close my eyes letting some tears fall from them, I take a deep breath composing myself.

"Were it not for Shelter I would not be who I am today. Would not have what I have today. Would not be part of the family I have today." I smile at my friends

"Tonight helped me realize that. The holidays were a time of discomfort and turmoil for me before... But Tonight I learned the true purpose of the holidays, what its true intentions were." I sniff, not holding the tears back anymore.

"It's about spending time with those you love and love you back.

It's about the memories you made with them and the new ones to come.

It's about those we lost and to celebrate their time with us.

it's about giving as much love as you have received.

it's about cherishing that love and..." I breathe trying to keep myself from letting out a sob. "What I'm trying to say is:

"I'm so happy to have met you. Thank you for being always there for me. Merry Christmas. I love you guys."