FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Unjust Love

A Shepherd’s Love: Part Eight

By Roofles

Bradley got drunker than any skunk. He drunk like a fish. Drunker than he’d been in a good long time. Drunk enough he couldn’t even recall what happened that afternoon and was trying to figure out where he was that evening.

He’d gotten into a fight with his brother that morning, Bradley could recall. He had checked out mentally after that and was on auto-pilot mode the rest of the rehearsal. Forced to endure a lunch meet with the family, something he only remembered due to the fact the chimichangas weren’t mixing well with the alcohol at the moment. A lunch meet that had dragged on until he was roped into making dinner plans with them as well; the family seemingly aware if they let him leave they wouldn’t see Bradley until the following day.

Bradley was dead on his feet by evening. A zombie as he dumbly just nodded along, pretending to listen or care at this point as he snagged another drink for himself. His liver was going to pickle at this rate.

And he still had the actual wedding to get through!

Maybe it was knowing that there was a safety net in Tan Colt being there, the K-9 incapable of getting drunk. Tan Colt following him around the rehearsal the entire time like a lost puppy, unable to talk to or connect with anyone else there that allowed Bradley to find that “Southern Comfort” at the bottom of a bottle. He hated taking advantage of the K-9 but greatly appreciated it at the same time, unsure how he’d get by otherwise.

Tan Colt tried to talk in Bradley’s place. A buffer between him and his family. Taking the shots for his partner that were always seemingly fired in Bradley direction. Despite his best efforts, they still managed to sneak past the wall of German Shepherd to hit Bradley where it hurt most.

His career. Him moving away. His love life. Being single. Needing to find a family. To have children already. Adoption was always an option! One thing after another stacked on top of each other. Each topic only fueling the flames of the next and Tan Colt was at a loss at to what to do about it.

Tan Colt was an extroverted guy. He was outgoing and friendly. But that only ever worked when people hadn’t already written you off as something akin to furniture or Bradley’s pet dog... With tucked ears and tucked tail, the German Shepherd followed Bradley around to make sure he didn’t do anything stupid with a soft whine.

More than once Tan Colt had to physically direct Bradley away from his brother who he still “had a few choice words” to give him.

“Let’s just put down the weapon,” Tan Colt snatched the empty crystal glass from Bradley’s hand and quickly put the dangerous object out of his reach.

“I broke my dad’s nose once!” Bradley bragged as Tan Colt pushed him off towards the side. “Never lost a fight, either! Not a fair one, anyways.” He hiccupped and the German Shepherd didn’t need a K-9’s nose to detect the alcohol on his breath.

“I’m sure you did.” Tan Colt politely responded as he refused to leave Bradley’s side despite several family members wishing he would just go “wait in the car” like the good dog he should be. How they had left their own dogs out there, which had to be some form of animal abuse Tan Colt was convinced of, and that Tan Colt needed to join them.

Maybe the old Tan Colt would’ve listened and obeyed before calling them out behind their backs. Anomalously reporting them for animal cruelty. Ticketing them. Fining them. Do something… But, right now, his only concerns were for his dear friend who was struggling to get through the rehearsal dinner they were currently at.

It was a first for Tan Colt. Putting Bradley above the law he was born to uphold. The human had helped him ease up on working when they weren’t in their uniforms these past couple of months. It looked like all of Bradley’s hard work was paying off finally. Still, the thought of these lawbreakers barely even crossed Tan Colt’s mind as he tucked an arm underneath Bradley’s own to support him.

Able to put his badge aside during their visit here.

After the quick ceremony, mostly going over what “not to do” instead of what to do, the whole family headed down to a family pizza joint where they could politely catch up on. Tan Colt snorted at the very idea. His keen ears were picking up conversations all over the place and it was anything if polite.

People talking about them, of course. Always behind their back. Not wanting to cause any confrontation during the “happy occasion.” They were more than happy to talk shit though about the groom when they thought no one could hear them.

The conversation steered from Tan Colt for a change over to Bradley and Georgy fight earlier, their childhood and how things came to be… they blamed the fact that both parents had to work. From there it was an easy transition to talking about how Georgy’s wife, growing up, had a thing for Bradley but no one knew at the time he preferred men and how she still wasn’t over him. And now, how, Georgy was jealous of his brother because of it.

Then there were the allegations of infidelity.

That wasn’t even talking about the fact that Susan, Georgy’s soon to be wife, was due to have a child in three months… and Tan Colt didn’t even need to think about the math involved to know this whole wedding was just a sham so that the baby wouldn’t be born out of wedlock in the eyes of their church and pastor.

It was interesting. How friendly these people seemingly were face to face with one another. And just how fake they were with their smiles. Something Tan Colt had spent many a month learning how to properly do. How polite and kind they sounded, even to Tan Colt. But the very second he turned his back they were more than happy to drive several daggers into it. Talking about his appearance above all else. How unnatural it was to have him here. An animal in a church.

“Surprised he didn’t burst into flames after walking through the front doors.” Someone joked off to his left.

There was a lot of that. Joking. Jokes that would puncture and twist and salt the wound after, just to make sure it stings until the very end. They would play it off as “we’re just joking” or “just kidding around, relax” if they were ever called out on it. Twisting the situation around so that they were the victims somehow, the innocent party and that Bradley just needed to “calm down” when he came to Tan Colt’s defense on the matter.

“Just mind your own business, Susan.” Bradley glared at the three blurry woman before him as his friend stayed nearby.

Tan Colt quickly realized the trigger word for his human and quickly steered him away from his aunt and uncle who was repeating it over and over again. “Calm down, Bradley. We’re just teasing your new… friend. Calm down.”

“I’ll show you to calm down!” Bradley had to be physically lifted and carried off after that one.

“Let’s get you some gin and tonic.” Tan Colt bribed the human with.

The K-9 couldn’t fault Bradley for drinking and wished he could partake, for once, in the “sinful beverage.” Funny how so many people talked behind Bradley’s back for drinking then would happily guzzle down a gallon themselves when they thought no one was looking. His aunt Susan wasn’t convincing anyone that was just water in her cup.

Tan Colt could feel his fur standing on end as he steered them away from Bradley’s grandparents and to the other side of the room where they were being called towards. Or at least, Bradley was being called. Forced to do his rounds. Make sure to say hi to everyone and listen to their own personal problems, ignoring any discomfort Bradley had in any of this. To have those problems spewed, dumped, and puked onto Bradley’s lap for him to… what? Fix? Tan Colt was pushing his own limits as he made sure to check off everyone at the party so the two could escape guilt free; he already knew they’d hold it against Bradley if he neglected to say hi to someone.

Then again, they always seemed capable of finding something to fault Bradley with no matter how hard he tried.

“Bradster, get over here!” An older gentleman was waving at the two and calling Bradley over. He was a heavy guy with a beer gut that was barely being restrained in the tight fitting, button up plum color vest he had on. Tan Colt eyed each button, just waiting for one to pop off.

“Dad.” Bradley managed to get out before leaning against the K-9 and trying not to hurl his guts out in greeting. Getting drunk made family bearable, at best. “Howz it gonna go?” Bradley tried to get out and fumbled with the words.

“Here’s some water,” Tan Colt kept pushing on him. Not wanting Bradley to have a hang over for the wedding. It would be the cherry on top of the shit sundae this was all turning out to be.

“There you are! Was wondering if you’d show up.” Another poor joke. “Was about to send the dogs out. But looks like you already brought one!” Another, seemingly, friendly jab at Tan Colt and Bradley’s expense. “Won’t have to worry about that, I suppose, when you move on back this winter! Don’t got to wonder if ya’ gonna show up for an event or not. Too bad you’ll be stuck in the kennel out back.” And still another poorly timed joke. Played off as friendly but was clear to anyone watching it was anything but.

It was hard to tell if James even noticed at this point, what kind of an effect it would have on someone.

His dad, a sheriff from their hometown, was constantly trying to talk to Bradley about moving back and rejoining the “Family business.” His father, James, and his brother Georgy were both police officers and Tan Colt quickly learned it ran in the family. He was learning far more in this single day than the past six months with Bradley about his human.

The fact Bradley didn’t have a choice in his line of work dampened Tan Colt’s spirits as if a wet blanket fell over his body. Despite Bradley being a wonderful officer and a great partner, it was clear now with how his family treated him that he never had a choice in what he’d do for a living. His whole life planned out by his family. Let alone give him any respect for it.

“A paper pusher! A desk jockey! That’s all he’s good for!” His dad, James, joked openly with Tan Colt about it. Not seeming to mind the K-9 in the same way the others at the church did. He was still… indifferent to the K-9’s presence and Tan Colt didn’t buy the act for a second.

James didn’t see Tan Colt as some blasphemous hell spawn that was created through man’s pride and greed to circumvent the church and “god’s will,” no. He was a tool the police force could use to take care of the “unwanted” in the world. Something you could “sick on” the crooks and “chase down” the criminals. Out of everyone there, it was James that called attention to what Tan colt was above anyone else.

Even if he meant it as a compliment. A misguided black and white view that didn’t see Tan Colt as a person but what he could do for humankind. A nameless object and tool.

“You must be able to catch them in no time.” James just slapped Tan Colt on the back, making the K-9 wince. “Big strong, tough guy like you…” James gave him another two strong “pets” on the back making Tan Colt wince two more times in turn.

“For a big guy, you seem rather… sensitive.” Georgy, of course, had to point out standing nearby with an untouched drink in his hand. Even untouched, Tan Colt could smell alcohol on his breath and knew he was sneaking drinks when people weren’t looking.

“You try being slapped by dad’s fist.” Bradley just wobbled at Tan Colt’s side as the German Shepherd held him up. “You… big dumb, baboon.” Bradley just sulked against the German Shepherd’s side.

“Baboon?” Tan Colt could feel the pain shooting up his spine from where James had hit one of the ports connecting into it. The implants helped with the flow of nerve cables that ran down his spine to allow a K-9, like him, to walk on his hind legs. It wasn’t just about altering the body, muscular structure and bones but allowing the mind itself to be able to move the new body he had been given.

“Bradley always does that.” James waved it off. “Spouting something or other when he drinks too much.”

“Like any drunk, would, right...” Tan Colt never saw the appeal of drinking. Even if he could get drunk, it was just a waste of time. He didn’t like losing his inhibitions and was already dealing with that off the suppressants. If it wasn’t for Bradley, he’d have long since excused himself for the rest of the evening.

In one hand he wanted to toss Bradley’s father across the room. On the other hand, he wanted to schmooze up to Bradley’s family to try, in hopes, of being liked by them. For Bradley’s sake. He was beginning to understand why it was so hard for Bradley to just cut ties with his family.

Outside their small minded, bigoted, racist, sexist, religious views… okay, maybe Tan Colt didn’t understand why Bradley wanted to even bother with these disgusting people. Something to do with “they’re family.” Whatever that meant. Tan Colt took it as an apology though from Bradley whenever he brought it up throughout the day.

“I wish we could afford some guys like you on the force! Then maybe I could stay behind a desk all day, like our Bradley here does.” James ignored Tan Colt for the most part, seeming just glad to have someone to talk at rather than talk with. Spewing his politic views on how things “should be” and how things were so much better “back in my day.” He did enjoy the parts where James talked about Bradley, boasting about his son, even if it came off mostly… insulting. Telling Tan Colt one story after another from the force to Bradley’s past growing up in his hometown.

All things Tan Colt mentally tucked away to blackmail the human with later.

It was an interesting mix of good and bad flowing together to the point it was hard to tell one thing from the next.

“Unlike the rest of us real officers, Bradley gets it easy. Making you do all the work.” Georgy was glad to jump into the conversation if it meant ripping Bradley apart. Tan Colt was just glad his partner was too out of it to put up a fight.

Not that he blamed him by this point into the late evening.

Tan Colt had to put up with drunks, lowlifes, and scumbags in New York. His entire training had been about disarming these kinds of situations and dealing with, well, people like Bradley’s family. This was nothing for the K-9 to deal with. It was beginning to irk him how they kept mocking Bradley, though. He was used to being insulted. It came with the territory of being a police officer and a K-9. To think Bradley’s own family, though, were the ones to say the worse things about his partner took the K-9 off guard on how to handle it. Family really did know where the bodies were buried and where to pick at.

“Why do you keep saying that?” Tan Colt asked James instead of Georgy who was mocking Bradley’s weight again with the cruel, childhood nickname “fatley.”

“Saying what?” James blinked the haze from his eyes, filling up another cup of whiskey before plopping a round ice cube in it from the bar. A pizza joint with a bar; Tan Colt sniffed. Yeah, this was more like a bar with a pizza joint attached to it. The entire family seemed to enjoy a good drink.

Cassie was off talking to Bradley’s grandparents with her third glass of wine in hand.

“That Bradley stays behind a desk all day?” Tan Colt tilted his head quizzically one way, then the other. He knew it put people off. Making them feel more at ease around the strange, six seven K-9. They’d see it as cute and innocent, allowing Tan Colt to disarm their hostile intent if his smile didn’t work. He had to bring out the big guns for this family.

“Doesn’t he?” James just glared now at the K-9. “You aren’t putting my Bradley out there, in that city, are you?”

“Bradley works very hard. He is a good, respectable officer.” Tan Colt honestly said honestly. He knew he should just play along with the friendly, if cruel, ribbings at Bradley’s expense but couldn’t deny how hard Bradley did work. It was one of the things he respected of the human.

“Well, isn’t that why you lot were brought in?” James asked getting a bit upset now, his face turning red. “So that good officers, like our Bradley, don’t have to go out into the field and risk getting hurt!”

“I would never let Bradley get hurt!” Tan Colt yipped; eyes widen at the very idea. Before, with the suppressants, he could deal with it. Put up with Bradley twisting an ankle or being shot at. Process and sort those thoughts, those feelings away.

But now…

The idea of Bradley going out on a routine patrol and never coming back… Tan Colt wouldn’t know what to do if that ever happened and wouldn’t let Bradley go out solo ever again. The German Shepherd already was putting himself in harms way when the two went out together, making sure he’d take any bullet fired their way. Going in first to the crime scene just to make sure Bradley didn’t…

The very thought made his fur stand on end, tail sticking out as if he’d been struck by lightning. Tan Colt shook his head quickly, trying to regain control. It hit so suddenly. That fear, that dread of losing Bradley like that.

“Exactly! You’re there to take the bullets for the real officers.” James just added needlessly at the end forcing Tan Colt to resist the urge to roll his eyes as he smoothed down the fur on his arms. “You can be the first responders. First on the scene! The ones who bust down the door. Jump into a flaming building! Disposable tools that can take care of the problem so that the real workers can come in and do their job safely. You know, the real work.”

“What do you mean by real?” A growl crept up into the K-9’s voice at the accusation. The idea that the large K-9 wasn’t real was beginning to rub his fur the wrong way. This entire day had been. From this morning to the afternoon “social” and finally into the rehearsal dinner.

Screw his training, if this kept up Bradley would be the one having to hold him back!

“Oh, don’t get like that.” James waved off his anger, both disrespecting and dismissing the fact he’d hurt Tan Colt’s feelings. “You know what I meant.” He just added on with such a tone… it was like he thought Tan Colt couldn’t feel things. That his emotions didn’t matter.

Like some dog…

But he could. Now he could. He was beginning to see that of the suppressants.

“No. Please enlighten me.” Tan Colt tried to keep his voice neutral and face blank as he replied snapping his teeth at the end, cutting off the growl forming. Tan Colt was calm. Deadly calm like the eye of a storm as he glared down at Bradley’s father.

“Well,” James lifted his belt before letting his belly drop back down with it as he moved into Tan Colt’s comfort zone. Despite people’s misgivings, most canines do not like people moving into their space, let alone being touched by an unfamiliar person. While Tan Colt could roll around on Bradley just fine, the idea of someone like James poking his finger against his chest was only asking for it to get bitten off. “We both know why you’re here.” James started up with.

“Oh?” Tan Colt lifted a brown marked eyebrow as he looked at him, matching his gaze without backing down. “Do go on. Tell us, please. Explain so that everyone can hear!” Tan Colt’s voice rose so those watching could hear. “Why does James think I’m here.” He growled between clenched teeth.

“Bradley and Andrew broke up,” James sat his drink down hard enough to slosh most the contents out of the cup. “Now that was a good man. A good hard working, real man! He would’ve been great for Bradley! I don’t see why the two didn’t work out.” Tan Colt’s ear flicked at that. He was positive Andrew and Bradley’s relationship was purely… professional.

Bradley had insisted that the two were just good… coworkers. Just like Bradley and Tan Colt were… the German Shepherd was beginning to suspect that was indeed the case but at least Bradley enjoyed being partners. Around him. With him.

“Broke up with his boyfriend and now brings you here to be a buffer for the family. As if he needs that!” Georgy was glad to step by his father’s side, being seen as the golden child now that Bradley had seemingly fucked up. Again. “Bradley can’t ever be single. He always has to be dating someone! Or like, hooking up with someone! He even hit on our math teacher.” Georgy gagged at the very idea. “He can’t just be single.”

“Why does that bother you so much?” Tan Colt ear twitched and his lip quivered at the accusation that Bradley was some kind of slut.

“Gay men are just like that.” Georgy shrugged as if talking to a child, explaining how things worked. “They just can’t not be getting some.”

Tan Colt’s nose twitched. “You aren’t either.” He pointed out and got a bright flush from Bradley’s brother.

“What?”

“You aren’t getting any, either. So…” Tan Colt just gave him a look. Georgy stammered a bit, trying to come up with a defense. “Even your dad is getting more than you are.” And that made James bulk who’d been laughing at Tan Colt’s crude comment. “Bradley and your dad are getting way more than you but you’re the one getting married… What, saving it for the honeymoon?” Tan Colt couldn’t help himself.

He could smell the discomfort from this guy. See it as plain as day on his face. How true his words were, how being called out on it affected him and how it quickly shut him up from teasing and picking on his partner. It wasn’t like Tan Colt was going to win these people over.

So why try, anymore.

“What? Bradley sleeping with you?” Georgy tried to call Tan Colt out, getting angry as his voice rose with the reddening of his face. “Can’t have a normal partner and ends up with a dog like you?”

“Now, now.” James just chuckled, his belly shaking with the laugh. “Bradley might choose some… questionable people to take home but he’d never end up with an animal.” And he nudged Tan Colt’s side as if expecting the K-9 to take his side in this.

Tan Colt’s ears splayed back.

“Of course not. Bradley would never want someone like me.” Tan Colt muttered, more to himself than either of the two.

“Who could!” James laughed at his expense. “No offense, Tanner.” He added on. “Just, you know how things are.”

“Yeah. I know.” Tan Colt brow scrunched together. “I know very well how things are for Bradley. Or at the very least, how he feels…”

“What does that mean?” James got angry again. “You think you know my son better than I do?”

“I think… Bradley needs to lay down, is all. Sir.” Tan Colt bent down and helped Bradley back to his feet from where he’d been sitting down. “We’re going to retire for the night. We’ll see you later. Oh, and congratulations.” He gave a polite nod in Georgy direction before heading out without looking back.

“I warned you.” Bradley just groaned under his arm, rubbing his head.

“How long have you been awake?” Tan Colt asked with a lifted eyebrow.

“I never passed out, Tanner.” Bradley groaned. “I just… easier. To deal with family. When you… aren’t all there… to care what they say.”

“I can see that being a boon in your favor, yes.” Tan Colt assisted Bradley into the car and then back to their hotel. Never once did Tan Colt look back. He could still here muffled voices talking about them but couldn’t bring himself to care.

“We’ll shower, then go to bed. Get through tomorrow and leave the same day.” Bradley just rubbed over both his eyes with the palm of his hands.

“You going to be okay to drive?” Tan Colt smiled despite how today went.

“Auto pilot does wonderful things for drunks.” Bradley just gave a dumb nod before resting back. “I’m sorry you had to be there… to see that.”

“Why do you put up with it? Up with them!” Tan Colt growled softly, trying to swallow the rising anger burning in his throat like hot bile back down.

“They’re family?” Bradley just offered with a half-hearted shrug of a shoulder. “It’s… hard to explain. They helped me when I needed it, at times. They might hold it against me after, but they still were there… they raised me, fed me, provided a roof over my head…”

“So… what? You feel like you owe something to them? Obligated to show up to these things!” Tan Colt was still trying to wrap his mind around it.

“It’s like those back at Project Tomorrow. They gave you a home. A place to stay. Fed and bathed you and took care of you when you were sick, right?” Bradley asked. Tan Colt didn’t mention he’d never been sick before but nodded anyways. “They raised you. Hell, it’s thanks to them that you were… born.” Bradley sat up a bit before looking out the window. It had begun to rain. “You… we… owe them that much, at least? To try where they won’t…”

Tan Colt frowned as he mulled the thoughts over as they drove the rest of the way in silence.

“You going to be okay getting up the stairs?” Tan Colt offered an arm, but Bradley waved it off.

“Thanks. I’m good. Just. Let’s go slow.” He took a heavy breath and took the steps one at a time. “I’m glad you’re here.”

“You’ve said that.” Tan Colt walked slowly up the steps, by his side.

“Yeah. Just. I don’t have a lot to be thankful for.” Bradley took a second. “Okay, like I do have a lot to be grateful for. Despite family… drama, they did put me through school and didn’t kick me out at eighteen like some people’s family do. Or expect me to pay them back, financially speaking. I got my health. I got a decent job! I’ve only been shot, once. And I got you as a partner… so yeah, I guess I am a rather lucky guy.” Bradley shrugged.

“Getting shot isn’t that lucky, Brad.” Tan Colt pointed out.

“It didn’t kill or cripple me, so I’ll take what I can get.” Bradley shrugged both shoulders. He let Tan Colt get the door, the handle was moving too much to grab. He was sure his speech was slurred as he spoke slowly to formulate his thoughts into words. “But I am thankful you decided to come along.”

“Where else would I be?”

“I don’t know! Out? Doing something! Hooking up with one of your K-9 buddies?” Bradley had that rosy tint to his cheeks as he said the thought. “Go down to the cop bar. I know drinking is basically pointless for you, but you could socialize. Get out! Play a few games of pool or darts. Watch the game. Do… something more. More than… this.” He gestured around them.

“Brad,” Tan Colt stopped in front of their hotel room door so the human could look up into his face. The German Shepherd’s ears perked up and trained in on him, tail lifting and wagged several times as he took a slow deep breath of the man standing before him. “There isn’t anywhere else I rather be, than helping you through this.”

Bradley took a second on that before cursing.

“What?” Tan Colt asked, ears drooping. “I thought that would be a good thing to say. Did I mess up…?”

“That’s the problem!” Bradley rubbed his face, wishing he hadn’t drunk so much now. He could still feel the warmth in his face and how it was affecting other parts of his body. “You’re always just so… so dang perfect!” He cursed once more walking inside. Bradley kicked off his shoes and began quickly undoing the stuffy vest he had to wear for the rehearsal.

Even at the rehearsal he had to look nice in front of his stupid family. If he ever had a wedding, it would be far laxer and more casual without so many restrictions and stipulations put on every member there.

“I’m far from perfect, Brad.” Tan Colt rolled his eyes as he walked over to take a seat on the edge of the bed. He fussed with his boot laces and pulled the heavy duty shoes off, specially designed for his paws. It was the nicest footwear he owned.

“You are! You just don’t see it! Which, in a way, makes you even more perfect!” Bradley openly laughed at just how ridiculous that was, shaking his head. “You’re fun to be around. You’re great to talk with. You’re both better at this job than I am and more capable. And enjoy it more! You can keep up with runners, deal with angry old grannies and even punch down a door!”

Tan Colt rubbed the back of his neck at that as the bed sunk underneath his weight.

“The door was stuck, and I was worried you were going to get hurt if I didn’t hurry up…” Tan Colt said talking about the time he had to bust into the back of a store when he heard Bradley yell out. It just turned out the human had closed the back door on his hand in his haste.

“Exactly! You even care about me enough to cause property damage. You broke the law to make sure I was okay…” Bradley laughed and ran his hands through his short brown hair, gripping it tightly before taking a seat next to Tan Colt as he exhaled. “I wish, so much, that I could be like you…”

Tan Colt shoulder’s hunched at that.

“Capable. Skilled. Competent! Then maybe my family…” Bradley trailed off as he rubbed his arm, looking away from the K-9. “Maybe then they wouldn’t be so… disappointed in me.”

“I…” Tan Colt voice caught in his throat. He wasn’t sure what to say to that. How he would’ve given his tail to be like Bradley and here Bradley wished to be someone like him. The grass was always greener on the other side it seemed.

There had been several other officers in the force that resented them out of jealousy or envy for what the K-9 were capable of. Of course, they only could do what they could do thanks to what they had been through. Half the time used as riot shields or battering rams. Tools, as Bradley’s father had oh-so-put-it earlier that day.

Tan Colt reached back to touch one of the cold metal nodes along his spine. Their bodies had been destroyed and repaired. Surgically corrected and fixed… broken down into nothing before being rebuilt into what they are now. Genetically altered on the molecular level. Bioengineered walking war crimes.

How he would’ve given so much to have just been like Andrew, Bradley’s old partner. A human that could be there for him, with his family. His life. So maybe Bradley didn’t have to feel ashamed for who he was. Or he was with.

Tan Colt opened his muzzle to speak before closing it once more seeing the look on Bradley’s face. His partner was just looking down at their hands as if comparing the two. Bradley seemed small, sitting next to the large K-9.

Instead of using words, Tan Colt decided to use what he had been given.

Lowering his head down, Tan Colt pressed his forehead against Bradley’s temple, nuzzling over his cheek with his snout before rubbing his furry face against the human’s own several times with a low soft murr that rumbled and filled his chest.

“I’ve never been disappointed in you, Bradley.” Tan Colt kept his voice soft as he spoke as if afraid if it were any louder, it would break this moment the two of them shared together. “Ever since I was assigned to you, I’ve only been… impressed. By you. You’ve taught me so much about myself. About life. The world. People in general… I’m sorry your family are such pricks.”

Bradley laughed at that. A soft sound that held the sad truth behind that fact.

“But I’m glad you weren’t… born, a K-9 like me.” Tan Colt pulled back as Bradley looked over at him. “If you were, I couldn’t do this.” And Tan Colt pet the side of his face with a single hand, looking into his eyes.

“What? Pet me?” Bradley eyes were watery as he returned Tan Colt’s gaze. Looking deep into those hazel golden flecked eyes staring back at him.

“No. This.” And Tan Colt leaned down, holding the side of Bradley’s face with his large meaty hand. And licked the very tip of his nose.

Bradley wrinkled it, blinked a couple of times before looking at him.

“Lick me?” The human laughed. That was not at all what he was expecting.

“I hate getting fur caught in my throat.” Tan Colt offered with a sheepish smile. “I could lick you all over and not have to worry about that…” Bradley face turned a shade of maroon Tan Colt had never seen before. “I could just…” He dared to try, dared to risk it as he pushed the human back with one hand on Bradley’s chest.

He felt a moment of resistance as if Bradley was trying to decide if he wanted this… or not. It lasted a breath. A breath that seemed to last forever as the two looked at each other, eyes searching for something there. Something more. Tan Colt insisted, and Bradley laid back for him, all signs of hesitation gone.

Tan Colt could smell it. Smell him. Know that Bradley wanted this… needed this. After today. After everything. He needed his K-9.

With a single hand he pushed the human onto his back, on the bed, as Tan Colt slowly crawled up and over him. Straddling his hips as he looked down at his partner and friend. Tan Colt licked over his teeth, nose twitching with both his ears perked up and focused on the sound of his human. His breaths. The sound of his heart thundering in his chest.

Tan Colt could smell him. Smell everything about him. His excitement and nerves. His fear and worries of rejection. Tan Colt could feel the slight tremor in the human as he crawled over him. On all fours. Looking down at the man lying there. Tan Colt’s fingers ached for the feel of him. To just touch him. Hold him. Comfort him where others hadn’t. Others couldn’t.

No one could give Bradley what Tan Colt could give him.

“Just…” Tan Colt mouthed the word as he nosed down at the crook of Bradley’s neck and nuzzled against his shoulder blade, the dip next to it and then exhaled up the side of that fuzz on his face. Tan Colt rested a hand on Bradley’s chest, feeling his heart beating against it.

He felt Bradley shake. He was nervous, he could practically taste that. Taste it along with… interest. Arousal. Excitement. But above everything else, trust. Bradley trusted the K-9 more than he trusted his own family. More than he probably had trusted anyone in his entire life.

The steamy hot tongue drooled from Tan Colt’s lip, spittle dripping from the tip.

“Just…” That hot breath washed over the human’s ear sending goosebumps shooting up his arms as he drew in a breath between clench teeth. “Just stay like this, for me.” Tan Colt panted. “Let me… take care of everything, tonight.”

Bradley tensed under him as Tan Colt held the human’s arms down, resting his body over him protectively as he tilted his head to the side.

Tan Colt wasn’t even fully conscious of the moment his tongue touched the skin of his neck. Licking over it. Tasting him. Covering the crook of Bradley’s neck in hot dog drool. Giving him soft, tender K-9 kisses. Bradley gasped, shuddering from the feel of that thick, hot muscle lapped over him. The groove of it, the width of it, the heat and feel of Tan Colt’s tongue against his body was almost too much and Bradley had to bite back a groan.

That only excited the playful German Shepherd more. It would take a lot to turn this day around and Tan Colt planned on taking however long it did to do so.

“You’re shaking…” Tan Colt panted over him.

“Just a bit… cold, is all.” Bradley tried to say as he swallowed, not wanting to admit why he was so nervous in that moment. “You…”

“I think I can help you with that…” Tan Colt fingers twitched as he interrupted the human smugly. His hands eased up, letting go of Bradley’s wrists as his fingers dragged down his hairy arms. The human didn’t resist. He didn’t move. He didn’t try to stop Tanner Colton from removing his shirt, peeling it off his sweaty musky, hairy body and fling it across the room.

The shirt hit the wall hard as Tan Colt, on his knees in bed, looked down at the shirtless human before him.

He’d seen Bradley naked countless times but now… it was different. Things were different. Be it the fact he hadn’t taken a suppressant in several days or maybe something more, Tan Colt couldn’t say. All he knew was that the man before him was beautiful and the German Shepherd wanted nothing more than to shower him in these wet sloppy, drooly kisses.

Bradley had a soft tan from working outside most his life. He had short brown hair, a beard he trimmed on a weekly basis and a hairy, thick body. The “fur” was soft between Tan Colt’s fingers as he brushed his blunt nails over Bradley’s chest, finally getting a chance to play with it. He watched the human shiver from the touch. His gut shook with the motion. His nipples perked up just a little bit more from those coarse paw padded fingers brushing over it.

One single touch and Bradley had such a reaction to him.

Was the human as enamored with the K-9 as Tan Colt was with him? Was it because he was drunk, lustful, or just that touch starved? Or was Bradley just a horny fuck and only now was Tan Colt noticing that fact about his partner? It didn’t really matter, in that moment, as Tan Colt licked the drool from his lips and bent over to nose his human over.

All that matter was that Bradley was here, this night, with him. And no one, not even his family, could take this away from Tan Colt.

“You’re all mine…” Tan Colt hot breath washed over Bradley’s exposed neck as his fangs parted and drool splattered the skin beneath and the German Shepherd jaws closed around Bradley’s neck, tongue touching his Adam’s apple. “Mine,” Tan Colt only growl above him.

And in the dark of the night, Bradley swore Tan Colt’s eyes were glowing…