FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

"Why do you need me for this?" I asked, irked that my sister decided to drag me along for something at THIS point. Seriously, months of wedding planning and she never needed any of my input (Not that I wanted to give it anyway) but suddenly she needs me to help her pick out flowers or something for....some part of the wedding.

"Mom said I have to include you Anon! Besides, you're good at flower stuff" Lily, My sister, answered as she swerved around an 18 wheeler, driving much faster than necessary.

"I'm a botanist, not a gardener! And slow down, I know you're excited or whatever but you can't get married if you're dead!" I retorted, latching onto the grab handle of the car to avoid being yanked around despite my seatbelt.

"Quit whining! We're almost there" Lily quipped back, whipping the steering wheel to the right, crossing 3 lanes of the highway in one go and shooting off at the right exit.

"At least use your turn signal Lil!" I protested as the car screeched to a halt at a red light, seemingly inches from the car in front of us.

"I did" She pouted at me, trying to look as pitiful as possible. The look she gave would've made most people apologize, only problem is I had been dealing with her shit for 25 years and knew it was an act.

"Yea you signaled the wrong way" I stated blandly, pointing at the still dash where the "left" turn signal was still flashing. The pitiful look instantly turned to a smirk as she flicked it off.

"Still used it though"

"Whatever, just get us there without killing us, or at least not killing me"

Lily huffed in annoyance but didn't answer, driving the car at a much more sedate pace until we pulled up to the local flower shop. A large light up sign says "Flora Ambrosia", but other than that it looked like a normal store. Large plate glass shows off several different styles of bouquets with an impressive variety of flowers.

"We're here Anon, try not to stare" Lily said teasingly as she got out of the car.

"Why would I stare? I study plants, doesn't mean I'm gonna go crazy and analyze the flowers or whatever" I said as I got out of her car. Lily was a small lady, so she drove a small car. Unfortunately I happen to be a 6 foot 5 or six foot 6 depending on the shoes I'm wearing, which meant that I didn't so much as get out of the car as unfold out of the car.

"Just trust me" she said annoyingly as she walked to the shop door and went inside. I stalked along behind her, annoyed at the whole thing. Stupid little car, stupid flower shop and stupid -

"LILY!"

A warm voice cut through my inner grumbling, making me focus on my surroundings. The flower shop was well lit with lots of plants everywhere, which was to be expected. It was different from other flower shops I had been to though, whereas those had a lot of clipped flowers in vases, tacky cards and Knick knacks; this one had living flowers all planted neatly and growing healthy. Roses, lavender, jasmine and even what looked like a very well taken care of bonsai tree. All of that was pushed to the periphery as the owner of the voice came into view. She was a dog anthro that for sure, but I wasn't sure of the breed.

"HONEY" my sister chimed, hugging the anthro tightly. "Honey" was probably 6 foot tall, wearing jeans, a white t- shirt and a dirt smeared pink pastel apron.

"Lily! Back so soon? Need anything new for the wedding? It's tomorrow right?" Honey answered, pulling my sister into a tight hug. It was hard to see Honey's body behind the loose jeans and apron, one thing that was definitely noticeable was her large chest, the apron suspenders looks stretched to the point of breaking with how big there were.

"Mom wanted my dumb brother to look over the flowers" Lily responded as she pulled her face for Honey's cleavage. Anger sparked in me for a moment.

"I'm not the dumb one, I'm the one with a PHD you dropout" I grumbled, tearing my eyes away from the spectacle, instead looking at the bonsai tree on display.

"Ohhh this is Anon? The botanist?" I heard Honey ask as I checked the bonsais leaves for moisture and to try to look busy. Lily was right to warn me to not stare. Honey caught my attention with a quick bouncy wave and a warm smile.

"Hey Anon, long time no see! I dunno if you remember me but I was 2 years behind you in High school" Honey said, gently, her smile waning a little. Her robin egg blue eyes, which were almost luminous for how bright they were, studied me; looking for a spark of remembrance. I blinked hard a few times, recalling eyes like that but on a totally different person.

"W-wait...H-honeysuckle? From business leaders?" I stammered out, looking in amazement at her. My mind reeled back to 11th grade when I was in a business class, I didn't really pay attention to the class but the teacher asked me to help lead the after school program. I didn't want to do it at all, but I recalled a dog anthro with an unusual name. Then she had been pretty unremarkable, maybe a little cuter than most girls but not this. Now she was a bombshell, a totally different looking person.

"Yep! That's me!" Honeysuckle stated happily, her big smile returning. "Honeysuckle Bell! But my friends call me Honey!" She wrapped her arms around me in a hug like we were old friends.

"You can call me Honey too" She said into my ear matter of factly. Trying to stay focused can be a very hard thing sometimes and Honey's hugs would cause even the most focused man to lose it. I could feel my face flush a bit as I returned the hug, earning a small chuckle and a quick extra squeeze from Honey.

"Uh anyway yea, our uh- mom wanted me to uh- help look at the flowers for the wedding" I floundered the words in my mouth, breaking the hug and forcing myself to look back at the bonsai. Honey giggled and picked up the bonsai and held it out to me.

"Well let's see IF you can tell anything about plants before we go over the flowers. What do you think of this bonsai?" She asked as I took the small tree.

"This one is a Japanese Maple Or "Acer Palmatum", looks like you've taken good care of it but having been giving it Hard water" I started, feeling the soil and the leaves. "Looks like you've done its bi-annual repotting recently and just pruned it too" I continued as I dug a finger into the soil feeling the root systems space from the pot walls.

"No diseases or fung-"

"OK Nerd boy we get it! You know plants! Now let's get a look at the flowers" Lily interrupted, with an exaggerated sigh. I gave a kind of half smile to Honey as I handed back the small tree.

"Sorry, got a bit carried away" I said sheepishly, scratching the back of my head nervously. Honey's eyes were absolutely twinkling at me though as she set the plant back down.

"Don't be, I like a guy who's passionate about what he does" She said with a slight wink and a smile. "Let's go look at those flowers"

Honey led Lily and I to an area of the shop there a display of White and purple flowers, all still potted. Lily huffed as she looked at the flowers but I knelt down to get a closer look. Might as well do what I was dragged here for.

"The wedding is supposed to be like royalty right Lil?"

"Yea why? What's that got to do with flowers?"

I brushed my fingers up against a vibrant hydrangea plant, noting the Turgor pressure in the stem

"In Ancient times, the color purple was often associated with royalty, Purple dye was hard to produce and thus only the rich could afford it" I answered as I checked over some of the other flowers. "That's why Mom picked, purple hydrangeas, Lavender and cosmos, didn't you wonder at all? Didn't you meet your fiancé is a history class?"

"No one likes a know-it-all Anon! Besides I took classes to socialize not learn and that why you're coming to the wedding alone" She retorted, crossing her arms in annoyance.

I grimaced to myself, and kept my face towards the flowers to not let the hurt from that jab show. I had gone to college, gotten my degree and gotten a job. But in that time I had forgotten to really socialize with my peers. I skipped the parties to study saying I would hang out next time, I would party when I didn't have so much on my plate. But when I finally had an empty plate, there was no next time and no more parties.

A gentle paw fell onto my shoulder "Alone? To a wedding?"

I could feel the sneer in Lily's voice as she answered "Anon doesn't have a girlfriend so it's only natural" I stood up from the flowers and shrugged it off, trying to remain stoic at those biting words while Honey's paw remained on my shoulder.

"Is what it is, the flowers here are in great shape, like really great condition. Good job growing these Honey" I said giving her a small smile. Her eyes studied my face for a moment, then she got what could best be described as a small mischievous smirk.

"Why thank you Anon, I take great pride in taking care of my customers and you know I would LOVE to see this wedding since my flowers are going to be on prime display" She said, winking at me and subtly motioning to my sister, who was looking through her phone idly, not paying any attention to us at all.

"Huh?" I murmured as my last 2 brain cells tried to figure out what Honey meant.

"Uh...Oh! Why don't you come to the wedding with me then Honey? We can catch up and keep those flowers looking beautiful" I asked after getting what she meant. That made my sister look up sharply from her phone.

"What??? You're asking HONEY to my wedding as your date? Have you looked at her? Talk about out of you lea-" My sister started, seeming astounded that I would ever dare to ask.

"Of course I'll go with you Anon! Thank you for asking me!" Honey answered, undeterred by my sister's words and smiling up at me.

"Wait wha? Seriously Honey? He's just a big nerd!"

Honey's smile got a little brighter "He's a man who likes plants and knows how to take care of them, I'm a woman who like plants and knows how to take care of them. Does that make me a nerd too Lily?" She asked as she grabbed one of those little cards that usually come attached to bouquets.

"Honey you aren't a nerd! He just wants-" Lily objected, but Honey just ignored her and pushed the card into my hand.

"My number and address" She said over Lily's whining, "I look forwards to seeing you tomorrow"

I looked down at the card and found that indeed have a phone number and address scribbled on it along with a little heart next to the number. I looked back up and smiled at Honey, who returned the smile along with a wink.

"Now go! Go both of you, if I'm going to a wedding tomorrow I got stuff to do and gotta close up shop" Honey said, suddenly serious and shooing us out of the shop. After we stepped outside she gave a smile final wave to me, or at least I hoped it was just to me. "See you both tomorrow" she said, then closed and locked the door, flipping a little card that said "OPEN" to "CLOSED".

"I can't believe you asked her to my wedding! Ugh you're the worst!" Lily complained as we got into her shoe of a car.

I shrugged "You were the one complaining that there would be uneven numbers at the ceremony, I'm just ...evening things out for you" I said, earning an annoyed "UGH" but luckily she stayed silent for the rest of the ride. I let my mind wander for a bit. What would she wear, how would she do her hair.

I had to shake my head to shoo those thoughts away, I had just met her, well re-met her. I shouldn't let thoughts like that pervade my mind, but those thoughts were still there in the back of my head. The picture of a tall gorgeous woman waiting for me if things went right. Maybe.

Just maybe.

---

I woke up feeling a little more than refreshed, having skipped parties from the night before like I had in college. This time however it wasn't because I had to study or work, but because I wanted to look my best for today. Some part of me told me Honey wasn't actually interested in me and that this was a pity date. Maybe it was, but still better to look good for the pity date. I went over everything I needed or needed to do.

Suit? Ironed and hung up. Purple tie? Set aside (with instructions on how to tie it). Dress shoes? Shined and ready to go. There were, other things and I went over them in my head as I killed time. The wedding wasn't until 3, so I mostly just relaxed and played vidyas to keep myself busy; but nerves I had never had before began creeping into my mind like ivy. Negative, doubtful thoughts crept in like parasites distracting me. Honey was just dragging me along. Honey was just tricking me. Honey was...- SHUT UP- uh- me.

I didn't need my own mind fighting me right now, so I did the one thing to disperse any doubts about Honey and our date. I just pulled out my phone and sent her a simple text.

"Hey Honey! It's Anon. Ready for the wedding?" I sent off to the number Honey gave me the day before. I sat overly anxiously for a few moments that felt like minutes before my phone buzzed, easing my worry and making me smile.

"Hell yea I'm ready 4 the wedding! Come get me!"

I couldn't help but smile wider as I looked at that message. I got dressed in my suit and tied my tie, checking myself in my bathroom mirror before setting off. I was the same as always in the mirror; tall, broad shouldered, messy hair that only kind of stayed styled; only now in a suit and tie. Only thing missing was a smile, but every smile I tried to give the mirror just looked silly. Walking away from a disapproving reflection is easier than the movies realize, after all it's just the reflection disapproving.

Spurred on by Honey's response, I confidently drove to the address on the card she had given me; which lead me to a complex of townhouses. The visitor parking spot wasn't hard to find, But Honey's exact house was a mystery. That is until I got a solid buzz on my phone.

"I see you <3, pull up to 114, just to ur right"

I followed her instructions, parking in front of townhouse 114 and stepping out of my car. I approached townhouse, which had a solid wooden fence that opened to a small yard that was totally covered in potted plants from all over the world, just a glance and I saw flowers and plants from Asia, Oceania and the pacific islands. All leading up to a sliding glass door where Honey stood, wearing a dark purple sundress.

How to describe it? Looking at her was like looking at the sunrise for the first time. Not the cheap city version of it either, the version where you saw it from atop a peeling concrete skyscraper in a city that smelled of rotten milk. This was more like the sunrise a blind man saw for the first time. That's how I felt looking at Honeysuckle as she walked to my car and got inside it.

"Oh! I'm so excited! I always get to prepare stuff for weddings but never get invited!" Honey stated happily, buckling her seatbelt and giving a luminous smile. I held out a hand to her and she took it in both her paws, still smiling.

"I'm excited too, you look absolutely gorgeous Honey" I said in a tone that was much calmer than I actually felt.

"Aww you don't have to be so nice Anon, Just tell me how I really look"

"I'm not being nice, I'm just telling the truth, you're damned attractive"

I looked at Honey with a smile and she beamed back, her presence seeming to swell with pride at my words.

"Oh uh before we go, I uh... made you something for the night" I said apprehensively, fishing around my cars back seat awkwardly. I grabbed the plastic container and pulled it open, showing the contents to Honey. Inside was a corsage with a large white flower as the main display. I glanced up at Honey's face to see a huge smile and a brightness in her eyes.

"A Corsage! How thoughtful! I thought these were usually for proms or something though." Honey said as I slipped the band around her wrist. I cringed internally as I answered.

"I uh... thought they were for all occasions, I never went to prom, never got invited or had a date, so I just worked through them" I mumbled with a half-smile. Honey's ears drooped slightly but still she smiled.

"Honestly prom was overrated, and my date never did something so thoughtful Anon, I love it" She said, holding the wrist and admiring the flower.

"I.. I don't recognize the flower though, It shames me and my family that I don't recognize it as a florist; so I must commit Sudoku" with those words she drew an imaginary sword and stabbed herself, then fell limp in the car seat; her tongue flopped dramatically out of her mouth.

"It's not one many would recognize" I said, taking her paw in my hand gently and holding up the wrist and therefore flower. "It's a rare one from my work, the flower of a giant saguaro cactus, they bloom fo-

"For only 24 hours" Honey finished, staring with wide eyes at the corsage. "What did I do to deserve such a rare thing?"

I turned away while scratching my head on a nervous reflex, starting the car with my free hand.

"A beautiful rare flower for a beautiful rare gal" I muttered with a half-smile, looking sideways at Honey as I started driving. She sat with a stoic look on her money holding her wrist with the corsage in a paw while staring at it.

"Something wrong?" I asked apprehensively, pulling my car out into the street and back onto the main road. Those words seemed to snap Honey's attention from her wrist back to me.

"N-nothing's wrong I just wasn't expecting this, you didn't have to do such a sweet thing for me Anon" She said, just above a whisper and barely audible above the car's AC. I took her left paw in my right hand as I drove, and smiled.

"I didn't have to do it, but I did it to say, that I didn't have to do it but I would anyway" I recited with a broad smile and a wink. That earned a laugh and a small swat from Honey on my shoulder. Her laugh was infectious, even when is just a single laugh it made me smile.

"Well, you've gone above and beyond Anon, my prom date never got me a corsage or anything like that...he just saw my tits and thought "hey prom means sex" and got mad when I turned him down" She said quietly, still staring at the flower on her wrist.

"Better than my prom experience" I responded "I worked during my prom, no point in going when you don't have a date or a group to go with, so better to save up for college"

"Why didn't anyone invite you? You seem nice enough and super sweet" Honey asked, holding her wrist for emphasis.

"I...I focused on school and work over everything else. I thought "Why waste time with high school when I have college" then when in college I thought "why waste time with college when I have real life"" I answered truthfully, no reason to sugar coat the truth to make me look better or whatever. Honey gave me a smile and took one of my hands in her paws.

"I've had an almost opposite problem, people see me and my body and just jump at it" she starts, emphasizing her breasts with a paw. "So many men just think I'm a big titted bimbo who works at a flower shop"

"Well if it's any comfort, I see you as a lady who needs to water her bonsai trees better" That response earned me a slight punch on my arm and a laugh. I looked over to see Honey with mock anger on her face and a fist raised.

"Bad talk my lil trees again I dare ya! I double dog dare ya!" she said, shaking her fist melodramatically.

"Ok ok they're pretty good, you're surprisingly good at taking care of plants Honey, where did you learn that?" I asked, mock throwing my hands up in surrender while keeping them on the steering wheel.

"My parents were BIG Hippies; ya know peace love and whatever" Honey said with a smile "They had a homestead, so I learned to take care of a TON of plants and animals"

"Ever wanted to go back to that?" I asked, mainly out of sheer curiosity.

"Maybe, but I like modern life" She answered "But I would give all this up for the right guy"

My heart fluttered for a second at those words, but instead I focused on what was in front of me.

"She's here for the flowers not the "right guy"" I said to myself.

I ignored myself and just smiled as we got to the church, I got out and offered an arm to Honey. She took it and gave me a big smile, looking around at the flowers her shop provided.

"Your employees set these up?" I asked as I walked her through the church where a huge amount of flowers were.

"Mmmhmmm! I might not always set them up but I take care of them until they are needed" she stated proudly, leading me to a large display.

"Look at these, lavender flowers they took a lot of..."

I felt honeys paw pads squeeze my arm as we inspected the display of flowers.

"Muscular" She breathed, her paw pads squeezing up and down my arm. "Y-you're stronger than you look" She said, looking from my arm to my face as if for an explanation.

"Most of my work is in the desert" I started, looking pointedly at the cactus flower on her arm.

"I'm currently trying to make it so most household plants require less water, to do that I need a LOT of desert plants, and those aren't easy to dig up"

"You mean like... make flowers need less water?

"Yea! That way more people will have household plants to provide fresh air, It wouldn't be a real big amount but it helps, especially if I can get it to work in major crops" I said, one arm linked through Honeys.

I looked at Honey with a smile. "Less water, more plants! Isn't that cool?"

Honey looked a bit perplexed, like I was speaking in a half understood language.

"So you mean, you could make it so people could grow flowers with a lot less work?" Honey asked, her free paw delicately checking each flower on display

"Exactly, more plants might only take 1% of the CO2 out of the atmosphere but it's still 1%" I responded, taking her paw into my hand; checking the strength of each stem with her paw and my fingers. Her paw was big for a woman's, but small compared to mine as I held it softly; Honey looked up at me with her brilliant blue eyes. I felt her paw pads intertwine with my fingers as we checked the flowers slowly, but all good things must come to an end.

"Oh you're here Anon, you should be part of the groomsmen given your relation with the bride" came an annoying, effeminate voice. I grumbled at the interruption, looking back to find Lily's wedding planner, a VERY gay man staring at an IPad named.... something... I never bothered to learn because honestly I didn't care.

"What are you doing anyway, the flowers were dropped off earlier you don't need to check them" he huffed, not looking up from the pad to talk to me directly.

"We were just making sure the flowers were as vibrant as possible, gotta uh... make sure the compliment Lily's dress" I said, pulling back from the flowers and standing up to my full height, still holding hands with Honey.

"Or do you want them to have parasites that could drain the color from the flowers, and then explain to my Lily OR my mother that you prevented me from doing my job? Literally the WHOLE reason they flew me out here" I towered over the man by a foot easily, and my words made him look away from his IPad and up at me, finally realizing the situation.

"U-uh, just make sure everything is ok sir!" he stammered before scampering off, leaving me and Honey in peace as wedding guests began filing into the church.

"Anon parasites don't drain the color from flowers?" Honey asked inquisitively, raising an eyebrow questioningly at me. I just smiled, and lead Honey to a part of the church benches that are out of the way and towards the back

"I might've be a bit hyperbolic and he doesn't need to know that, besides the more he leaves us alone the better, he's been hounding me to be part of the actual ceremony for weeks now" I responded, settling on sitting in a pew far enough away from the front to be nondescript but close enough to not be obvious.

"You don't want to be part of the wedding?" Honey asked, eyeing the spot I had chosen which was somewhere towards the middle. I gave a half smile and motioned towards the front of the church where people were beginning to get positioned for the ceremony.

"I... I don't like crowds, I always wanted to be that cool guy at the party but in reality I'm just not him. If I tried to go up there and give a speech or whatever I would be a blubbering mess, so I opted to just be here although I would rather be out in the desert doing my research" I confessed as I sat back in the pew, crossing my arms in annoyance. Honey scooted into the pew next to me, resting a shoulder against mine and leaning in front of me slightly.

"For what it's worth I'm glad you're here! Weddings are a ton of fun, more fun than work for sure" Honey said with a smile, her ears twitching slightly and she rested against me. "Plus you're thoughtful, I've never had a date be so thoughtful as to give me a corsage; and THEN you one up it again by having the corsage be a flower so rare no one else could top it"

"It's just a flower from wor-" I started, only to have Honey shush me with a pawpad.

"It's a beautifully rare flower that you decided to give to me" Honey's eyes looked almost through me as she gazed up into my eyes, smiling happily. I could feel her tail wagging and occasionally swishing against my side. I looked away and swallowed, staring at a stained glass window.

"You said you wanted to come to the wedding and I just wanted to make it a good one" I said dismissively, shrugging a shoulder "besides, I can't have my "wedding date" be miserable right?"

I could feel Honey's eyes on me as people started shuffling into the church. "I'm glad you're so thoughtful Anon, most guys wouldn't to that" she said finally. I looked at her and gave a small smile "I try, but let's shush for now, I think the ceremony is starting soon" I responded. I could hear the quiet murmur of people as they started shuffling into the church.

Slowly the ceremony got set up; Men in suits on a stage, women in matching dresses, family members I recognized and a ton of people I didn't. Either the groom...What's-his-face had a HUGE family or I had missed a few family reunions. People and a few anthros filed in, taking little brochures and making idle small talk. It was all...boring, these people all dressed their best. Well it was boring until I head a snickering next to me then felt my phone buzz against my thigh.

I looked over at Honey in confusion as she covered her mouth with a paw, suppressing a giggle. My phone vibrated once more and I fished it out of my dress pants pocket with some difficulty. As I pulled the phone out and turned towards Honey, hiding my phone from the rando sitting next to me to look at my phone. On the screen was a picture of a cat in a cardboard hut with the words "Hissing booth" written in sharpie marker. I admit I chuckled slightly, but I looked up at Honey only for her to put a finger to her lips and point towards the center of the church.

Lily stood at the entrance of the church, wearing a purple and white dress that looked more at home in the 1890s; all poofy arms and sleek body. She stood, looking down the aisle which was filled with purple petals, towards what's-his-face who wore a tux with a large purple sash. The ceremony hadn't started yet so she was there waiting got the signal to begin walking.

My phone buzzed again, this time in my hand with a meme of a cat with red laser eyes pointed at a box over a comfy bed. I smiled at it even though I knew I shouldn't. I Looked up and Honey and mouthed "really?" to her, only for her to shrug and smile. More and more people filed into the church, settling around next to family then friends, then acquaintances.

We weren't really paying attention to them though, Honey and I were simply sending stupider and stupider memes to each other. Even as the ceremony started my phone buzzed with the meme of "Jazz music stops" right as the music stopped to show Lily was coming down the aisle in an overly poof purple and white dress. I heard Honey snicker next to me as my phone buzzed again showing a picture of a teddy bear with a head that was too small for its big body.

I should have paid more attention to the wedding, it was my only sister's wedding after all. Well, with her personality, probably her first wedding, but still I should have paid attention. The only problem was that it was as boring and generic as fuck, bride marches down the aisle, preacher mumbles about death do us part and whatever and the two people kiss sealing the deal. Honey and I kind of skipped all that boring shit by just sending stupid memes to each other. Even as the ceremony ended my got a picture that said "Disappointed but not surprised" from Honey making us both snicker to each other. It was refreshing in a way, like a boy and his crush sending notes back and forth while the teacher taught an ignored lesson.

"Thank you all for participating in this blessed union! The reception will be held at "Champ De Fleurs" off of first street, we hope to see you all there and have wonderful meal" one of the groomsmen said, honestly I wasn't sure who he was as I smiled at Honey and raised an eyebrow at her.

"What do you say to some free food and drinks" I asked with a smile, standing and extending a hand to Honey "I know your flowers aren't there but we can still have a little more fun"

Honey eyed my hand for less than a second before her paw slapped into it and I helped her to her feet. "Let's Boogie!" Honey exclaimed, mimicking Willy Wonka as she stood up. I stifled a laugh as offered her my hooked right arm, which she took without hesitation.

"Are ya gonna dance with me Anon? You gotta give me at least one dance" Honey asked, jabbing me softly in the ribs with her arm that was hooked in mine.

"Gimme a few drinks and we'll see" I answered as I escorted her out of the church to my car. I opened the door for her earning a loud and over exaggerated

"AWWW SUCH A GENTLEMAN" that was heard throughout the parking lot, causing a large number of people to look our way. I closed the door to the car before she could yell anything else and to hide my snickers. Honestly it was funny, Honey's contrast to how most people at weddings act. From what I was used to, it was a stoic serious ceremony then more serious business until one of the people in the "main party" cut loose a little too much. Honey instead turned it all on its side; why not have fun the whole way round?

"SHUT UP BABY, I KNOW IT" I responded loudly, mimicking Bender as I walked to the driver's side door. I could see Honey, laughing as I walked around the car partially leaned back. As I got into the car honey was wiping her eyes as tears formed from her laughing.

"Oh My GOSH Anon! Too funny" She giggled as I slid into the driver's seat. I winked at her over dramatically.

"Shut up baby, I know it" I repeated, earning further snickers from Honey. I knew the place my sister had picked for a reception, "Champ De Fleurs" was a night club on top of a bowling alley, trying to be more than a night club and bowling alley, hence the fancy name. For a long time they didn't serve food, opting for just drinks and snacks, thinking that would be enough. But a certain DD sued them because "they promoted drinking culture". Now they served Basic food, but I knew my mother would want more high class food, so more than likely the food was being catered by somewhere she had picked.

"I've never been to this place before Anon is it any good?"

I shrugged as I answered "good drinks, big dance floor, the food was lackluster but knowing my mother she got a place to cater that was 5 stars"

Honey smiled at that, relaxing into her seat as I drove through the town. "Champ de fleurs" wasn't far from the local church, and most of the locals knew a wedding was going to take place so the streets were somewhat clear. There were of course the kids attending the local college that didn't know something was up.

"So how is running a flower shop Honey? You take really good care of the flowers so you must have free time?" I asked as I drove through the town avoiding the more obvious routes to the reception.

"It's.... not busy but we always have customers. When you're the only flower shop in town people only come to you" she nervously chuckled putting a paw behind her head nervously. "most people want the regular thing, roses, so I keep a bunch on stock and growing so I can also grow the less requested flowers, why did you need some flowers?" she asked, bumping my elbow with hers gently.

"I don't need any flowers at the moment, but I always liked Honeysuckles" I responded as I pulled into the parking lot. Honey's paw fell onto my shoulder, pulling my focus from parking to looking at her.

"It's not nice to tease a lady" She murmured, not making eye contact. I was a bit baffled, so I took her paw into my hands.

"No teasing Honey, it's pure coincidence you name and my favorite flower are the same, besides; honey suckles are sweet, smell good and are very beautiful, just like you" I said squeezing her paw gently in my fingers. Her bright blue eyes surveyed me, looking from my face to my hands holding her paw gently. She then started laughing and squeezing my hand in her paw as she laughed.

"Ohhh man, I've never met a guy that's as authentic as you Anon, it's...it's really refreshing. I-I like honeysuckles too for what it's worth" She snickered out, a wide smile across her muzzle. Her smile was truly captivating and was only complimented by her eyes, like two glowing sapphires over a beautiful golden chain. I pulled my hands from her paw and got out of the car, walking around it to open the door for her. I offered her my hand to help her step out of the car with a smile.

"I'm glad to break the mold Honey, now let's have dinner and a good time together?" I asked calmly. Honey took my hand without hesitation, a smile covering her muzzle.

"Yea let's have a good time!" She barked out happily as I helped her out of the car. That was the end of my lead though; she excitedly pulled me into the restaurant, her tail flicking side to side fast enough to be noticeable but not fast enough to be wagging. It was adorable to be honest, but I didn't have time to focus on it as I got pulled through a large double door into the building.

Music, the smell of cooked food and cooking food, plus loud chatter greeted me as Honey pulled me into the building. As I stumbled into the building I took stock of everything around me. There were about 20 bowling lanes, an upstairs level, and a room of pre-cooked food.

An open bar was on this floor and what sounded like a dance floor upstairs as neon spotlights blinked on and off. Honey comically stuck her nose into the air, sniffing deeply until a smile crossed her muzzle,

"Oooh Anon they made prime rib! It's my favorite" She stated with a happy bounce, pointing towards the area where food was being set out alongside plates and silverware. I made a mental note of that as I moved through the crowd, greeting the people I know. Honey knew more of them than I did which I chalked up to most of them being from her (and therefore my sisters) high school class. Together we mingled, holding hands while talking to old acquaintances. About half an hour passed of Honey talking to her old friends before a voice on an intercom sparked to life.

"OK everyone! Food is ready! Then we have bowling if you want to form teams and dancing upstairs! The bar is open for anyone to get what they want!" came....what-his-name's voice, I really needed to learn my sister's fia- husband's name. Honey's eyes lit up as her paw squeezed my hand.

"It smells SO good Anon! Can we get in line?" She asked, her eyes alight with eagerness. Even IF she hadn't been so cute I would have answered the same way.

"Lead the way Honey" I responded, squeezing her paw back. She gave me a brief luminous smile and led the way, still holding my hand as we made our way to the line. Unsurprisingly we made it to close to the front of the line, mostly due to a mixture of a 6 foot woman dragging a 6 foot 5 inch man through a sea of normal sized people.

"What should we try Anon?" honey asked as her tail slapped my lower back as it wagged excitedly. I piled my plate high with meat and some bread.

"Get what looks good" I said shaking my plate at Honey, who looked at it with a motherly gaze.

"No vegetables?" She asked as she began putting food (much more delicately) on her plate.

"People tell their kids to eat their veggies so they grow big and tall; I'm already tall so whatever" I responded as I got some horseradish cream for my prime rib. That earned a giggle as from Honey as she loaded her plate similar to mine, mostly meat. Like we were attracted to each other by magnets, we drifted through the crowds to a spot among the tables that was out of the way, but still close enough to see any developments. Honey wanted a view of the bride and groom "just in case something happens", explaining that in her pawsapp videos sometimes weddings have lightsaber battles or faked fights. Unfortunately I knew my sister Lily, she hated anything nerd culture and from what I had gathered from her husband is that he was whipped, that's why the wedding was totally planned just by my sister and mother.

"Anon? Can I ask you something" Honey asked experimentally as we ate our meals together. She was next to me at a long table with a plate piled high with meat and a small bit of salad, closely mirroring my own plate...

"You already did, but yea ok" I answered with a playful grin, wagging a fork at her and earning a gentle elbow.

"You know what I mean! you uh!...Meanie" She responded, huffing slightly and hitting the table with her fist and pointing a fork at me as casually one can with a threat involved.

"I'm just teasing Honey. What's up?" I asked casually, shooing the offending elbow and pushing the fork into a piece of prime rib on my plate. For the first time I had been re-introduced to Honey; I saw insecurity on her face, which confused me a bit.

"Why did you indulge me and invite me to this wedding?"

"For a simple answer, to mess with my sister, it was amazing to see her reaction when I asked you to come. But for a more complex answer? You are a gorgeous woman and from what I remember from high school you were nice; plus how could I not jump at the chance to take you out on a date even if it was a pity one?" I confessed, shrugging while poking at my food with a fork.

"oh Anon" Honey said, looking at me and gently holding my arm "It was never pity or anything like that, you were kind in high school, I remember when I worked with Lily on a school project you helped, even though you didn't have to."

"I remember that, you guys needed to go downtown to a museum and no one else was able to I took you in my old car" I reminisced, thinking back to the occasion. "You looked...different then"

Honey gave me a big smile and pointed to her teeth. "It was the braces right? That was totally it right?" Her expression sobered as she looked down at her body with a smile frown.

"I know it's my boobs, most guys don't really see me, they see my boobs and my body and just want to try to get with me" She lamented, looking up at me, her eyes searching my face "I know you've looked at them too"

"I uh I try not to for politeness's sake, and while they might be nice; they were hardly the first thing I noticed about you" I supplied, sliding my hand over one of her paws. Her eyes met mine and gave that paw a gentle squeeze.

"it was your eyes, I remember them being pretty in high school and they are just as captivating now, like pools of sapphire" I said, feeling my face flush as I pushed my fingers back through my hair nervously. Honey gave me a gentle playful shove while giggling, her previous frown turning into a bright smile.

"Stop teasing me you flatterer" She giggled, scooting closer to me just a bit so our hips were touching.

"I'll tease all I want, now I'm going to get us a drink; what would you like?"

Honey looked thoughtful for a second then smiled.

"Gimme one of what you have" with those words I nodded at her and stood, looking around for the open bar. I knew this place would have one, Lily wouldn't have approved of it otherwise. Being tall has its advantages and this was one of them, I could see over most of the crowd to where the bar was. I strode through the crowd, some were standing around talking, some were eating and a few were heavily invested in their drinks. I approached the zebra anthro bartender, who looked both bored and amused as she watched a guy try to tap a keg and get sprayed with beer.

"Can I get 2 jack and cokes?" I asked leaning on the bar, also watching the beer spray spectacle. The zebra gives a very horse-like snort as beer sprays out a second time, nearly launching a small mouse anthro from the pressure.

"Sure one sec" She says never taking her eyes of the spectacle. I could hardly blame her, it was like Americas funniest home videos in real life. Regardless she prepared the drinks almost robotically, never needing to look at the drinks.

"Here ya go" she said, sliding the drinks on the bar to me. I took them and snuck one last peek at the keg crowd. Nearly all of them were drenched in beer as another man tried (and failed) to tap the keg. I knew the bartender could do it easily, but she looked like she was having more fun watching. I collected the drinks and made my way back to my seat next to Honey, but when I got there some anthro dog guy was next to her, not at my seat but across the table from her. Honey had her arms crossed and wasn't looking at him, constantly shaking off his paw as her tried to touch her shoulders and arms. I sat down next to Honey, pushing the drink on the table to her, setting mine aside carefully.

For a moment I watched the reactions of both of them, the guy looked confused than frustrated than angry. Honey simply took her drink and sipped it appreciatively. The guy (Fuck it "Furbro") sneered at me, a look of triumph on his face as he spoke to Honey.

"A human brought you here? C'mon lets go have fun just you and me" he sneered, grabbing my cup before I could drink from it. He drank and looked sick from the brew, looking at the cup like it had been laced with the most detestable thing in existence.

"A little too strong for you?" I supplied, thinking to myself that I should grab a new drink. Honey actually giggled to herself as "Furbro" coughed and choked on my drink, His eyes were a fire as he looked at me and I could tell he settled on something. He stepped forwards from across the table, pressing his thighs against it with a snarl.

"I'm more of a match to her than you are human! Fuck off and get out of the way"

I ignored him and instead started to eat with Honey. I started eating half a chicken (or was it quail?) breast, Honey started eating the prime rib.

"Ohhhmph Anon try the prime rib ish sho good" Honey mumbled through a mouth full of food, nudging me with her elbow for emphasis. I was about to indulge her when a paw fell heavily on my shoulder. I think the owner was trying to make it painful, but years of digging the sun baked dirt of the desert had made my muscles more than the average person. Regardless, I looked up at the offending person to find the guy who had been hitting on Honey.

"I'm a better match for her, back off human" he insisted, flexing his claws into my shoulder softly. I twisted my neck slightly, earning a small pop as Honey looked at me. "Don't worry" I mouthed to her as I rotated my shoulders than stood up. In normal circles he would have been tall, standing at 5 foot 10 or maybe 5 foot 11, only problem is I'm six foot five or six foot six depending on the shoes I'm wearing. He gawked up at me, sizing me up again now that I was standing.

"Dude, she's not into you, go get a drink and bother someone else ok" I demanded, sounding bored as I pointed to the bar.

He looked from me to Honey, who I could hear was still eating and making appreciative sounds. His ears drooped and then he started to walk off. I stopped him and motioned over his shoulder.

"The wolf girl over there has been eyeing you dude, don't just run over there though." I whispered to him. His ears perked and he started to look over his shoulder.

"Don't just look! Grab a drink and check her out from there."

"Uh... thanks...sorry man"

"No prob, now go get her" I responded, patting his shoulder encouragingly. He pulled away, heading for the bar as I sat back down next to Honey. She had stopped eating and was looking me over with curious eyes.

"Tabitha wasn't looking at him Anon, why would you tell him that"

I couldn't help but smirk at her words, picking up a piece of the prime rib she had endorsed.

"Hey! What secrets are you hiding?!"

I gave an upwards Nod in the direction of the female wolf, who saw me and waved.

"Tabby is an old friend of mine, she got out of a relationship a few months ago" I said before biting into the prime rib. Wew Honey was right, it was delectable and seemed to just melt in my mouth.

"S-so? Why send him to her?" Honey asked, confused and looking from Tabby to me.

"She likes confident guys, and who would be more confident than a buzzed guy who already thinks the woman he's talking to is into him?"

Comprehension dawned on Honey's face as she looked at me.

"Sneaky Anon, and actually really thoughtful. You could have just yelled at him or something" Honey said, picking up her silverware and beginning to eat once more.

"Can't blame a guy for trying, only for pushing too hard, although he was close to that" I responded taking another bite from the prime rib. It really was as good as Honey said it was. Honey looked thoughtful for a moment, contemplating my words; then simply nodded. We ate in companionable silence with her hips against mine as we appreciated each other's company. I experimentally put my arm around her waist, which she didn't react to beyond a satisfied huff.

"May I have your attention please!" came a baritone voice, making me look at the "head" table. What I could only assume was the best man was holding up a fancy wine glass. I ignored him, instead focusing on my plate of food; I didn't know my sister's husband and didn't care what his best man had to say. It was similar to the ceremony in a sense, I ignored the entire speech honestly, awkward (and probably over exaggerated) childhood stories? Pass. Praise heaped on my sister for "accepting" him? Hard pass.

Honey acted likewise to my surprise, but also not totally out of character. Lily didn't invite Honey to the wedding, all the while depending on Honey to deliver flowers. All while knowing her from high school. That seemed like a dick move to me.

"Hey old friend, make my wedding perfect, but you aren't invited"

Towards the end of it though, Honey was trying to steal the last bit of Prime rib off my plate, while I tried to fend her off of it so I could eat it.

"Just... go ...get more Honey" I grunted, using a spoon to parry Honey's fork thrusts, all while trying to stab my own fork into it.

"This doofus is still talking and I'm still hungry" Honey giggle whispered, using her free paw to stop my fork and attempting to block my vision with her tail. I could see other wedding guests, glaring at us with the side eye, but I didn't care, I was having fun with Honey. I wasn't actually hungry and I could tell Honey wasn't either, we were just enjoying each other's company.

Before long people around use started clapping and raising glasses, so I stopped my defense to grab my cup only for Honey to steal stab the prime rib and eat it before I could protest.

"Not fair" I mouthed to her, raising my cup. She giggled as she chewed, grabbing her how glass and raising it with everyone else. She swallowed then leaned close to me.

"Totally fair" she whispered to me, close enough for me to feel her hot breath on my neck "fun too"

We both stood up only for her arm to snake around my waist, pulling me to her. Not one to give up a good situation, I put my arm around hers, which earned a bright smile.

"To the happy couple!" the best man boomed, raising his glass skyward. We mimicked the motion, raising our glasses.

"To the happy couple" I rambled off with everyone else, sipping my drink, expecting Honey to do that same.

"to the happy couple~" She whispered in my ear after everyone else to make sure I heard her, pushing herself closer to me and then drinking deep from her glass. I didn't know how to react to her beyond winking and raising my cup to her and only her. Honey gave me a luminous smile and clinked her cup against mine.

"And now it's time for the first dance!" came the announcers voice, directing everyone to watch on the dance floor. I Felt like Honey would have dragged me to the center of the dance floor to start everything off, but the DJ stated it was time for the new bride and groom dance together. Lilian, Lily, My sister, no matter what you chose to call her, was tone deaf as fuck. She couldn't keep a beat if that beat was literally beating her to death. Me and about hundred people cringed watching her try to dance and utterly fail. I honestly felt bad for the groom, who despite having his feet repeatedly stepped on, managed to keep a straight face.

The bouquet toss was a highlight, Lily managed to throw the bouquet into a spinning ceiling fan, causing it to explode into a shower of petals, leaves and stems. I hated seeing Honey's hard work destroyed, but the result was a rain of petals on the dance floor while the stems were flung somewhere.

It kind of looked like the dance floor was an anime, with flower petals slowly raining down on it. Although it was a WHOLE lot more awkward due to a bunch of people slipping. Turns out well watered petals plus an already smooth dance floor made for a slippery situation. I watched as several staff members cleared the dance floor, after all it was a momentary setback to the fun of the night.

Music started playing as soon as the staff were done and I got dragged onto the dance floor by Honey.

"C'mon c'mon! It's my favorite Song!" She exclaimed happily, dragging me to the center of the dance floor.

Honey began dancing, while singing along to the words leaving me standing awkwardly in the middle of the dance floor. Fuck it, I don't know most of the people here and probably won't see them again, so I simply began doing a kind of shuffle along to the music. Honey laughed and pressed against me, her paws meeting my hands as she somewhat guided me. She sang along Panic! At the discos song "Collar full" song as we dance together.

"Show me your love, your love"

"Gimme more but it's not enough"

"Show me your love, your love"

"Before the world catches up"

"Cause there's always time for second guesses, I don't wanna know"

"If you're gonna be the death of me, that's how I wanna go"

I could only smile as we twirled and she sang, her eyes on mine and her tail wagging to the beat of the music. Before long others joined, some with partners, some just doing their thing (although a bit drunkenly). I could see a bunch of little kids, some anthros some humans; "dancing" together and just kind of spreading across the dance floor. It was actually adorable to watch a lynx cub barely 5 years old dancing with a small human.

"O M G! So cute!" Honey swooned looking at the mismatched pair, while they ignored us and continued a weird kind of square step.

We stayed on the dance floor, shifting dances, some with us together, some with us apart; but always touching. Humans (and Anthros) are wired for touch. Our bodies are hardwired to need it and the simple touch of another helps with so many issues, from stress to anxiety to difficulty sleeping. We stayed together, spiraling like 2 stars caught in an eternal dance.

Before I knew it, it was late in the evening; the bar was still open and people and anthros were strewn all around us some passed out, some half awake and mumbling. For a moment my mind wandered how my parents paid for something like this. How much is it to cover a bunch of passed out idiots? No no no. Not idiots; just people who celebrated a bit too hard. We had literally danced the night away, two people together just enjoying each other.

"Alright couples, its late time to go home and have a good time" Came the voice of the DJ of the intercom. Honey and I looked around finally focusing on something other than each other. Most of the guests had left, a few remained; nursing glasses of either scotch or whiskey and conversing quietly to each other. Even the music was quieter and more...sensual. I spotted my sister being carried out of the venue, a bucket attached to her head as she lay limply over the shoulder of the groom. I looked at Honey and smiled, giving a shrug.

"Guess it's time to go huh?" I asked, looping an arm around her waist and pulling her close. Her ears perked up and I felt her tail wagging softly against me.

"I guesssss" She replied, drawing out the word as she reciprocated the gesture; putting an arm around my waist and allowing me to lead her gently towards the exit. As we walked towards the exit, her fluffy tail somewhat wrapped around me; around us. We walked like that to my car, where I opened the door for her in an overly exaggerated bow.

"Your ride m'lady" I exclaimed into the late night air, bowing deep to Honey. She slid into the car past me, making sure I got a face full of tail fluff to express her annoyance and her amusement. As she got situated I got into the drivers seat and started the car and started the drive to her apartment. Although we drove in silence, it was a content silence; one where we were just happy to be near each other with her paw in my free hand.

20 minutes later I pulled into one of the handicapped parking spaces in front of Honey's apartment (Stfu it was late and I wasn't parking cuz I never turned the car off). I got out of my car as Honey did the same, her hair and tail flowing as she made sure not to close the door on either. We met each other in front of my car, my hands held her paws gently as I searched for words to express the night.

"I uhh..."

Honey's paw grabbed my collar and dragged me down with surprising strength into a fierce kiss; not a lust fueled on but one of passion.

I found my arms wrapping around her waist instinctively as her free paw traced up my chest. We stood there, two together for a long moment until she pulled away, her bright sapphire eyes sparkling.

"I had a wonderful time with You Anon" She said, her paws wrapping around my hands. "I would love to see you again"

My heart was in my throat as I Nodded and responded. "I would love to see you too Honey"

She smiled warmly then gave me a quick peck on the cheek.

"Next Saturday, 6 pm, meet me here" She whispered into my ear after. Then before I could react or respond, the walked briskly away from me. I didn't really know how to react so I watched her until she opened the buildings door, where she gave me a smile and a wave; then disappeared inside.

I stood outside for a bit, processing everything that had happened. I got a kiss and a second date with a gorgeous woman, heck the first date had been random. I got into my car and started it up, thinking about the upcoming weekend. I drove off, happy at my chance to have run into such a beautiful flower.