FSE

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Running on Empty

Chapter 6

By Roofles

It was an early Sunday morning and the middle schooler was making his way out behind his grandmother’s house and into the field behind. Keith had left his mother a note, along with his church clothes, about what he would be up too for the rest of the day.

“Anything other than going to church!” It only said, the kid laughed aloud at his dumb wit. “That’d show her,” he only thought as he quickly made his way out. They were already running late and he knew she rather show up on time without him, than walk in late.

Keith’s shirt was unbuttoned at the top, refusing to tuck it in as it was; let alone into the old tan shorts he had put on underneath his church pants. Once his mother had turned her back he was out the door, stripping down and making a break for it.

She’d be mad, Keith knew. She was always mad unless she had a glass of wine in hand. Always complaining about something or other. Be it from the neighbors, Keith had never met. Or how the current pastor was just “Too soft on those unpatriotic liberals. And the gays.”

Keith was still a kid. He droned out most of what she had to say, not caring about his own opinion on things let alone his mother. He was only in middle school after all. Keith’s father was hardly around and when he was, his dad preferred to be in the garage working on something he’d claim. Keith knew there was an old TV in there where he could watch the games without his mother getting on him about it. Watching whatever sports were on so long as it didn’t have any “woman and few animals” in it.

“Those animals might be Un-American but they can throw a good ball! They were bred for that, you see. All they’re good for.” His dad had told him one evening, as if trying to educate his son for a change on the important values of life. Keith rather play the sports than watch them and shortly left after claiming he had homework to do.

“Can’t learn real life facts from a book, boy!” His father had only called after him as Keith left.

That had been something he’d been taught ever since he learned his ABC’s. “Their only good at physical labor. Not like you and me.” His dad had drilled into him just the other day. “We’re thinking men. Not like them, them dogs! Scrappin’ around for whatever piece of our hard work they can get their grubby hands on; taking good jobs from REAL Americans!” It had only gotten worse with every drink he had.

Those, the few there were, in his class seemed rather smart. Even one of his teachers seemed to know what he was doing more than his dad did. The old dachshund being one of the few people who Keith could learn from and made sense or “heads from tail of,” in his own expression, of the subject he taught. Math. Something Keith never exceled at. He ended up staying after school most days with Abraham helping him with his homework. His own father unable to make sense of it…

“I’m sure he’s plenty good at a lot of things.” The dachshund tried to assure him one afternoon when Keith told him about his father being unable to help. Abraham was a good old school, hardworking dog that had seen a lot of difficulties in his life. Keith couldn’t figure out how he stayed so happy all the time.

“Drinking all he seems to be good at.” Keith kicked a stone into the creek that ran through the side of the field, thinking about the conversation he had with the old canine. Old Man Creek used to “belong” to a prune of a man at the top of the hill, thus nicknamed such. Keith hadn’t seen him in church for the past month or so and wasn’t about to ask.

People in this small town were already nosy enough, wanting to get up in everyone elses personal business and make it their own. It was a boring, quiet town otherwise though Keith reasoned; still it didn’t seem very “Christianly” too always be judging everyone else, talking behind their back the second the turned it.

The young kid took his shoes and socks off, jumping down into the cool refreshing water. It was clear and on another hot day, like today was, it was a good way to relax. To forget about all these things for a little while. He was only a kid, he shouldn’t have to worry about what the “sodomites” were doing in their water system. He didn’t even know what a So-dom-ite was. Keith took a seat on a turned over tree that formed a natural bridge over the creek, shaking his head. Why did he have to get involved in all this. It was almost summer time! He should be hanging out with friends and having sleep overs...

He let his legs dangle off the side of the small tree, just staring up into the cloudless blue sky with a smile on his face. At least it was going to be a good day.

This was far better than sitting in an old, stuffy church filled with old people who are only there because their afraid of meeting their own maker. Able to gab away like a couple of hens after about who was the most religious amongst them and who was going to hell; “or whatever they talk about!” Keith wanted to shout.

It infuriated him as he laid out on the tree, one leg over each side and just let the cool breeze comfort him.

Keith was unaware of the large bumpy black nose sniffing at one of his discarded socks.

Diesel lived on the other side of the hill and would come out here after school. The great dane was still growing; his hands and feet seemed to get the notice ahead of the rest of him, making him rather ganglier. With semi-long arms and legs with heavy weighted paws on the end of each. The other dogs teased him about it endlessly, his parents assuring him that one day he’d fill into them too.

It didn’t help “now” however and the great dane spent most his time apart from the others, preferring isolation over being teased endlessly. Which was why he was startled to find someone else out here in the seemingly middle of nowhere.

Diesel recognized the scent; he was another boy in the same grade as him.

The two were in different classes, Keith was with the other humans while Diesel was forced to cram into one of the smaller side buildings with everyone else. Even years ago, humans had begun to dwindle in the majority. The segregated classes were only in certain states and school districts; one reason why Keith’s parents had enrolled him in this one.

“To keep him safe.” They had explained to him, while talking about the others when he was out of the room. “Dogs. Animals. Beasts. Can’t believe they would want our own children in the same classes!” They had said in hushed angry voices. That was the PG version of it too.

The smell of the human was strong and Diesel could match a face to it without much effort, his nose being better even than his eyes when it came to memory on things. Still, the great dane pup didn’t know he had another classmate way out here in the middle of nowhere. It was an hour bus ride to school for the canine.

His tail twitched at first in a wag. It was lonely out here, the neighbors were few and far apart from each other as it was. Diesel stood up out of the tall weeds growing in the field, his droopy ears perking up as he looked around for the human the sock belonged too.

Diesel would just make sure the scent matched the face before he did anything. The great dane was already beginning to have doubts, not wanting to get picked on again by someone else.

“Hey!” Keith called over. “You found my sock.” And it was the first time the two actually exchanged words with each other.

Diesel ears burned hotly at being caught in the act, still holding the sock to his nose. He turned around and ran for it. Keith was hot on his heels.

“That’s my sock!” Keith just shouted running after him. He only got ten-feet before Diesel stubbed his bare toe on something in the grass, his oversized hind paws betraying him the next second and causing him to fall flat on his face. Diesel hated wearing shoes, he was regretting it now as he rubbed his nose with a hand.

“That’s why I wear shoes.” Keith teased a bit. Diesel large ears drooped down, his eyes falling down as his fears became true as this other boy was picking on him too. Then a hand offered to him. “Hi, I’m Keith. I didn’t mean to startle you.” And the human gave him a warm smile that made the great dane flush even more inside his large droopy ears.

Diesel took his hand and was helped to his feet, awkwardly offering the sock back to its owner.

“Thanks.” Keith just laughed, still holding the great dane pup’s oversized hand. “You have no idea how many socks I’ve lost out here.” The human just shrugged. “What’s your name?” Keith just asked letting go of his hand and offering the other one, “I’m Keith.” He repeated himself to be friendly.

Diesel looked down at it, then at him with a quizzical expression. One eyebrow lifting up, his head tilting slightly to one side as the opposing ear stood tall. Keith laughed at the look he got. Diesel had been a very cute puppy.

“You shake it.” Keith shook his own hand to show him. “It’s a form of greeting… why, how do you do it?”

Diesel perked both ears at that and moved his muzzle forward. Keith flushed as he watched the canine sniff at him several times. One hand holding Keith’s arm while the other was placed on his shoulder, the canine getting far closer than anyone else had ever gotten in the human’s life. At first Keith thought the great dane was going to hug him.

“Well, that’s one way to do it…” Keith wasn’t sure why he was blushing so much. The canine was standing far closer than any human would have in this situation. “This is partially you’re fault, so you’re gonna help me find my socks! And shoes. You know how hard it is to get good shoes?” Keith grumbled to himself, trying to change the conversation and not focus on why his heart was pounding so quickly, why his palms were sweating or why it felt like his throat had become a desert.

Diesel just nodded, going along and helping Keith back to where he had been. Letting the human drone on endlessly about one thing after another, just talking with the canine as they went. Diesel just listening to him as they searched around the fallen tree for Keith’s other sock and shoes.

Keith was just happy to have someone to talk to about how sucky Sundays were and Diesel, Diesel was just happy he had found a friend.

Keith had taken a seat next to the creek while Diesel searched, the human just watching the great dane sniffing around until he tracked down his lost shoes. Keith was a careless kid and lost far too many things out here over the years.

“Amazing!” Keith only exclaimed loudly, hugging Diesel tightly. The great dane wagged his tail in reply. “How’d you find everything so quickly?” Diesel only wiggled his nose. The great dane bent down and helped Keith into his socks and shoes making the human flush brightly in the face even more; Diesel’s father had always taught him it was their ‘duty’ to help humans when they could.

At least this human smelled nice. It wasn’t strange for another dog to be this open and friendly. Keith was flushing in the face as Diesel rubbed his foot a bit before putting his shoe on.

“That’s… so… cool!” Keith eyes lit up as he thought about it after he made sure both shoes were on the right feet. “I can’t believe you found them!” Keith’s eyes lit up as he thought of all the random things he had lost over the years and maybe, with this canine’s help, he could track them all down. It would be like a treasure hunt! “Wait here! Count to like ten, no fifteen! And see if you can find me.” Keith got up, turning around. “An no peeking!”

And with that the two had begun their first game of hide and seek.

Diesel could easily track Keith down wherever they were in the field. The human had even tried to hide where the sunflowers grew, unaware sunflowers didn’t have a smell to them; other than just another plant. The great dane could easily pick out his scent if the wind was favorable. Diesel had come to adore it with the months together that would pass.

“No fair! I could’ve sworn that’d work this time.” Keith would laugh and the Diesel would just smile at him in turn, being a dog of few words growing up. His own father always having taught him to be submissive when it came to humans, for his own sake. “Ok. This time for sure! And don’t go easy on me!” Keith would add and, for once, Diesel felt like he could be himself.

And Keith would go running off again. Diesel didn’t even need to stick his nose to the ground, it was easy enough to follow Keith around. And the two did. For the rest of the day and late into evening the two continued to play together. From hide and seek, to “Treasure hunt” as Keith began looking for his lost things.

Frisbees, shoes, army men, coats and jackets. They found a whole treasure chest full of valuables, to a kid that is, by the time the sun was beginning to set.

“Last time, I’ll win this time for sure.” Keith had tied both his socks together and used them as a blindfold over Diesel’s eyes after gathering everything together. The great dane just wagged his tail as Keith headed off again.

It wasn’t trickier than before, all Diesel had to do was follow his nose and he bumped, nose first, into the human who giggled as Diesel gave his chest a small lick after.

“Ok, ok you win. You are the best out there when it comes to hide and seek.” Keith only shook his head, taking a seat in the dry grass. Diesel joined him the dog look at his face then up at the sky, following his gaze.

Keith was breathing heavily, sweating slightly from the days effort to avoid the great dane and Diesel could smell it. The canine was still wearing the socks Keith had used as a blindfold around his neck as if it was a necklace.

“So, like… do I smell that bad?” Keith laughed, taking a sniff of his shirt. It was a brisk evening and the human took his shirt off giving it a once over trying to figure out how the canine could track him so easily. Diesel just watched, his tail lazily wagging behind him as his powder blue eyes roamed over the human’s body. “So, dog dude.” Keith looked over at him now. Diesel wagged his tail again at that.

“Diesel.” The great dane pup finally said.

“Die…sel?” Keith thought that over. “Like the gas?”

“No, like diesel.” The canine just laughed a strange gruff sound that was more growl than anything else. Keith flushed a little at that. Diesel closed his mouth quickly and looked away. “Uh… sorry. I k-know humans don’t like it when I talk…”

Keith frowned at that, unsure what to say at first. So he did the next best thing he could think of.

Diesel ears perked up and his short tail straightened out as the human took a sniff of him.

Keith pulled back, seeing Diesel’s face. “Uh… was that too strange?”

The canine only smiled at him and then crawled on top of the human; nosing and sniffing him all over and letting Keith return the favor. The human only ended up giggling as that cold nose pressed against his bare skin, underneath one arm and then up under his neck.

“A-are all dogs this friendly?” Keith could only ask, flushing even more as he lay on his back. Diesel leaning over him.

For Diesel, it wasn’t strange. To hang out and be this close with another dog friend. Clothes were optional in his house after all.

The human wasn’t used to this at all and his nose twitched as he took in that smell of the great dane. The mild musky scent of his waxy fur. Keith didn’t seem to mind, though he was embarrassed. “Does it bother you?” Diesel voice, even young, was coming in. It was deep and there was a low growl underneath it. Leaning over him like this, Keith couldn’t help but feel a little intimidated by the great dane whom he spent the full day with.

“Just,” Keith sat up and Diesel moved off. “I just, you’re my first dog friend.”

Diesel’s ears folded back at that. “I’m your friend?” He only asked. Keith couldn’t give a reply as he was soon crushed in a rib breaking hug.

“Ease up, ease up.” Keith winced, laughing as Diesel did. “Geez. Got to watch that if we’re going to be hanging out.” Keith rubbed one side.

“Sorry…” Diesel’s ears drooped with his muzzle. “You… you don’t mind being my friend?”

“Why would I?” Keith just asked ignorant to reality. “Did you kill someone?”

“What? No.” Diesel perked up though, wagging his tail

“Fart in class?” Keith just thought of all the social taboo’s that would somehow make a great guy like Diesel an outcast.

“Only once. And it was at the end so no one knew who did it.” Diesel laughed once more, showing his teeth this time. Keith looked away at that. Diesel stopped and covered his muzzle. “Damnit… sorry. It’s hard not to just smile.”

“No, no. You’re fine.” Keith only shook his head. “I’m just… not used to it I guess?” Keith couldn’t fathom why it bugged him so much, unaware of the social standing between them and humans. Things reinforced by his parents, by the media and just within school itself. “Maybe if I like see you do it or something… I don’t know.” Keith just shrugged.

“Well.” Diesel thought that over. “If it’d make you more comfortable.” And he scooted closer, one leg touching Keith’s. The human seemed to notice, Diesel didn’t. “Um… how do you want to?”

“Just like… open up?” Keith offered and Diesel did. With rows of sharp bumpy teeth and a quivering, drooling large carpet of a tongue Keith only looked away. “It’s just… so, dog like.”

Diesel snorted at that, laughing once more. “I AM a dog, dude.” And he wagged his tail.

“Like the growl too.” Keith just pointed out, the human only scooted closer and Diesel just smiled. “And the tail. Just… well it all!” Keith didn’t say it in disgust, in fact Diesel was sure, to a teenager like Keith, Diesel was some sort of marvel. Like a sup hero. And it made the canine heart beat quickly in his chest as his new-found friend admired what he was.

Something that had always been a stigma in his life; being a canine was the reason why Keith was so taken in by him.

“You’re so strong! And with your nose. Could easily fight crime.” Keith only confirmed what Diesel had been thinking about. The canine chuckled at that, blushing lightly himself now. It had been the first time anyone complimented him like that, that this body of his was a good thing to have. “I’m so jealous.” And Keith’s eyes lit up like stars as he thought about it.

There was a reason why most civil service jobs were taken by canines.

“If I ever do become a superhero,” Diesel only laughed. He shook his large head to one side, then the other. “You have to be my sidekick.”

“You could be dyno dog.” Keith just thought that over. And indeed, that very Halloween the great dane would dress up as such.

“Only if you’re the Blue Falcon.” Diesel just replied. And Keith would be.

The two laid down together, Keith trying not to think too much about it as the great dane let his human friend rest his head on his bare Smokey grey fur chest. Keith could feel the sound of his heartbeat underneath one ear. Diesel rested with both hands behind his head, closing his eyes and let out a low gruff sigh.

Keith wasn’t sure how long he laid there; he might have even fallen asleep at one point. It was late, was all he knew when he finally forced himself to pull away from the warmth of his friend.

“I got to get headin’ back.” Keith told him. Diesel sat up, then nodded.

“I didn’t keep you too long, did I?” Diesel asked , even back then concerned for his friend.

“Nah. So long as I turn up in the morning they frankly could give a damn.” Keith just gave a one shoulder shrug. He didn’t move from there, trying to think how he could say goodbye to Diesel.

“I live right around the corner,” Diesel just motioned towards the hill that separated their two houses. Diesel didn’t point out that they went to the same school. The two of them had no classes together and as long as the segregation held, they wouldn’t either. “How about I’ll meet you here.” Diesel motioned at the tree they were under. “Tomorrow?”

“I’d… I’d like that.” Keith was blushing and couldn’t explain why. His hands were beginning to sweat and butterflies danced around in his belly, unable to meet that strong gaze the great dane looked at him with.

“Do you mind if I keep these?” Diesel motioned down at the socks he was still wearing. Keith laughed at that.

“Only if I can keep yours.” Keith just teased, honestly not thinking Diesel had meant it. The great dane only showed him his bare paws. Keith laughed.

“I uh… hope you don’t expect me to sniff them.” Keith chuckled.

“I wouldn’t mind if you did.” Diesel only winked back at him, standing up now. He help the human up once more, holding both his hands as the two of them stood underneath the only tree in the field of sunflowers.

“You’ll… be back tomorrow, right?” Keith asked just to make sure. Unsure why he was still holding this canines, this males hands. Diesel’s hands were large and could easily hold his smaller ones in them. The paw pads were smooth to the touch, warm and it made Keith feel warmer than he really was.

Diesel wagged his tail. “Here.” And he guided the human over to the trunk of the tree. He let go of Keith’s hands. Diesel used one finger and began scratching into the bark with his dull nail. Keith watched as Diesel carved out a big D in it. Then underneath a K. “There.” And Diesel would add a heart around the two in the weeks to follow. “This’ll be our tree.”

Keith laughed at that. “That’s stupid.” He just said to save face, blushing even more as Diesel moved back over.

They exchanged a hug and the great dane licked his cheek. Keith paused at that then tried to do it himself; Diesel wiggled his whiskers at the feel.

“Did I do it wrong?” Keith just asked.

“You did it perfect.” Diesel only wagged his tail, licked his nose and finally the two exchanged farewells.

Months would pass from that day on. The two always meeting up after school or during the weekend to hang out with each other. Growing close as the days dragged on into weeks and summer was on them.

They’d spend every day practically together.

Going bowling and to movies. Diesel ended up getting his older brothers truck and the great dane was more than happy to take Keith out on long road trips; and Keith was more than happy to help the great dane push the truck to the next gas station.

They even tried cigarettes together; Keith had always been thankful the smell bothered the great dane too much for either of them to force themselves to keep smoking them. Didn’t mean they could steal a few shots of his dad’s whiskey he kept hidden in the garage.

The holidays would come by and the two would make up some excuse to hang out. For Halloween they went to one of the older kids parties and it was the first time they got drunk, together. Diesel able to hold his liquor far better than Keith. The great dane ending up carrying Keith over one shoulder as the pantless human cheered on the toga party they had snuck into. Only middle schoolers at a high school party; Diesel never thought he would be able to do such a thing alone.

Neither thought or figured the other one wouldn’t be there the next day. The two of them hanging out each and every day, even when Diesel was grounded for being expelled from school for a few days due to getting into a fight; another dog had been picking on “his human” and the great dane couldn’t sit quiet about it. Keith snuck over to his house to meet up with his friend underneath their tree.

The two took a leak there for good measure; Diesel always insisted that they do. This was their tree and they needed to mark it as such. The great dane masking Keith’s own scent on the tree with his, the canine was the top dog here after all.

In the years that had passed Diesel had become far more confident in himself; troubled by his family submissive standings when it came to equal rights, Diesel began to rebel in his own way. Taking Keith under his wing as he stood up for things that should just be equal. The great dane had become the Alpha dog of the local canines and each and every one of them knew that Keith was “Cool” and thus off limits.

Keith had very few human friends, most the other humans in his class kept their distance from him due to him being part of the “pack.” It only meant Keith didn’t end up spending time with anyone else but Diesel, and the great dane took great pride in that.

“It’s our tree after all.” Diesel just chuckled, giving his friend a strong one arm hug and messing up his hair with a large hand.

Diesel had grown in the past year, filling out nicely. The two hit the gym often together and Keith liked to tease the canine that his body was finally catching up with his oversized hands and feet. Diesel just shoved one hand into his face, still holding him under his arm. It had been the very hand he had held himself with when taking the leak and Keith knew it; Diesel just rubbing it all over the human’s face as the great dane’s animal side came out more and more the closer they got.

Keith never knew but Diesel would wipe his scent on him like this often. The thrill of the human unaware that he had been rubbing his balls a second before and just the fact, Keith would smell like him. Diesel couldn’t even explain as that canine part of him howled at the idea of making sure Keith was, and everyone knew, that he belonged to the canine.

“We also sweat through our paws,” Diesel growled playfully as he rubbed his musk all over Keith’s face once more. The human elbowed his side and the great dane finally let go.

“I can tell.” Keith gagged and wiped his face off, blushing hotly in the cheeks. Diesel nose twitched at that. He liked it, liked teasing his human like this. Fuck whatever their fathers had to say about it. “When was the last time you took a bath?”

“I never take baths.” Diesel turned his nose up. “It’s too hard to jerk one off in.” The great dane just chuckled loudly, his voice booming in the empty field around them.

Keith laughed along, blushing a bit more.

“You know you could… uh… join me, sometime.” Diesel cleared his throat as he looked off to the side. The canine only acted full of himself in front of the other dogs. When it was just him and Keith, like this, it was different and that meek side that Keith had first met would come out.

“Oh um… Dee, that sounds…” Keith stammered a bit abruptly going quiet.

“I mean like you could do me. And I could do you or just like…” Diesel cleared his throat once more growing more confident as he turned towards his friend. “There’s always plenty of pornos out there we could watch. Togther.”

Keith just nodded at that. “Sure. Maybe. Sometime.” He left vague and open. Diesel nose twitched. He could smell the human’s excitement at the idea. It made his tail wag. The nerves he had about it all wasn’t Keith’s fault; Diesel always blamed his human friend’s parents for his problems. They had always had a problem with Keith being friends with him.

“What’s so wrong about it?” Diesel spoke up, smelling Keith’s uncertainties on it. The human was interested in the canine, Keith wasn’t even hiding it. His human loved being with him, Diesel knew. Keith would always want to hang out and Diesel had never once had a problem with that.

“I mean a human and a dog…” Keith started up recalling all the lectures he had gotten from his dad.

Diesel just shook his head on that. “And?” The great dane had found his confidence befriending the human. Where Keith had been the strong-willed one in the beginning, as the two became closer Diesel was able to open up more with him. Be vocal about his feelings and his own opinions; something he had always been trained not to do as a canine.

Diesel’s own father would have him muzzled if he could, “For his own good.”

“Just… we’re both dudes.” Keith flushed even more now, taking a heavy breath of the brisk air. He still smelled Diesel’s musk on his nose. Could practically feel it on his face.

“Are you that bothered by me…?” Diesel asked, guilt tripping his friend.

Keith quickly told him it wasn’t Diesel that was the problem. Diesel just perked his ears, wagging his tail as his dear friend quickly defended him. Like a true friend would. Diesel had a right to hate Keith’s parents who made his friend feel this way about who he really was.

“Fuck ‘em.” Diesel final conclusion was. “Who cares about them?” And the great dane took a step closer, nosing down at the human. “All that matters in the end is your happiness, Keith.” And Diesel licked over his nose.

Keith giggled at that, bowing his head and resting it against Diesel’s chest. The canine wagged his tail at that, knowing the human wasn’t aware of just how he felt for him. Canines tended to mature faster than humans did.

“I just need to finish school.” Keith thought aloud.

“Then we can run away together?” Diesel smiled down at him. His pants becoming uncomfortably tight being this close to his beloved friend. Able to smell Keith in the field around them. Smell his own mark scent on his human like this. It stirred parts of Diesel that he never knew he could feel for another.

“Something like that.” Keith only laughed, looking up at the great dane. “For anyone else…” And Keith shook his head. “Sorry, I didn’t mean that.” Keith brushed his hair out his face. Diesel just smiled at that; he was the one who encouraged his friend to grow it out after all.

“No. You did.” Diesel corrected Keith, nosing down at him. “We’ll get out of here together, from this hick vil. Together.”

“Diesel… What about everyone. Thing.” Keith tried to look around and Diesel caught his chin, gently turning it back towards him.

“Who cares. It’ll be rough at first. We’ll have to figure things out, live paycheck to paycheck but in the end…” And Diesel placed one large hand on the human’s chest. “We’ll be happy.”

Keith was still trying to figure out his own self, his emotions and what these strange feelings for his best friend were. Diesel ,like most canines, matured faster than his human friend… It was difficult in itself, the great dane wanting so much for Keith. Who just couldn’t fully return to him yet.

The subject lightened and they took a stroll through the field. Talking about what graduation would be like.

“Well I won’t be there.” Diesel spoke up.

“You won’t?” Keith stopped abruptly and the great dane nearly walked into him.

“Not in the same area, no. Our graduating class is inside…” Diesel just shrugged a shoulder, chuckling lightly about it as if it were no big deal. It would have been something he’d be furious with around the other dogs, still wanting equal rights for them. Admittedly, Diesel just wanted to see Keith walk up on stage and congratulate his friend in person.

“That… doesn’t make sense, why?” Keith only asked confused about the whole subject.

Diesel just shrugged. “It’s just another year.” Keith had to think about that. The great dane never pushed it with Keith. The human had never once seen him as anything other than his dear friend and, for Diesel, that was the most valuable thing in the world about their relationship.

“Then?” Keith just asked.

“College.” Diesel snorted, shaking his head once more as he let out a heavy sigh.

“And then?” Keith just asked, looking over at him. The human gave him a wry smile though, teasing him now.

“By then… I plan to spirit you away to the wonderful land of Diesel.” The great dane only smiled, waving a hand in front of the two as if trying to show him the place Diesel was talking about.

“Diesel-land?” Keith laughed at the idea. “What would be the rides?”

Diesel ears turned a dark maroon at that. “J-just the usual s-stuff.” He managed to choke out, walking ahead of Keith. The great dane having to adjust him. Diesel hadn’t been paying attention and his footing suddenly gave way and he fell face first into Old Man’s Creek.

It was a week before spring vacation.

Keith ran over to check on him, jumping down into the mud and water to make sure Diesel hadn’t hurt himself. The great dane wiped mud from his eyes.

“You ok?” Keith asked, knee deep in water. The great dane looked over at him and the human busted up laughing. Diesel tried to pull him into the mud but Keith quickly distant himself.

“I’m fine…” Diesel spat and got up.

“Clumsy as ever.” Keith tried not to smirk at that as the great dane wiped his chest and front off. “How about that bath now?”

Diesel only frowned further.

“Where are your folks at?” Keith whispered a good ten minutes later as Diesel helped him up and through the bedroom window. “And why are we going in through the window?”

“They’re at the local pack meeting.” Diesel grunted and finally pulled Keith inside. The great dane fell onto his rear and Keith fell on top of him. Diesel gave him a hug. “And I always wanted to sneak a boy in through my window.” The great dane grinned.

Keith rolled his eyes and pushed Diesel out of the way as he got up. It was the first time he had ever been in the great dane’s room before. Both their parents would freak if they ever figured out that he was over here; the last time Keith had brought up his dog-friend, his father had nearly flipped the table after a heated argument between the two.

There wasn’t much in the room. An old black and white tv, a used VCR, a frameless bed and a dresser that had clearly been bought when Diesel was still a puppy. His clothes were tossed onto it, spilling out of the drawers and scattered about the room. Some were even on the bed.

“This way.” Diesel whispered, just enjoying the idea that his parents wouldn’t know Keith was here. As if that would somehow show them.

“Wa-wait, I’m going too?” Keith asked, following after his friend quickly. The two sneaking down the hallway with all the lights off. Keith walked right into Diesel’s back when the canine stopped.

“Can’t have them finding you in my room, now can I?” Diesel just gave him a playful wink, taking his arm by the wrist in one hand and guiding him the rest of the way.

“Can’t we turn on a light?” Keith blushed, hating when Diesel did this. He relied on the great dane to lead him blindly around in the dark. Diesel was too aware of the human night blindness and would purposely create a situation where Keith would fully rely on him like this.

“Nope.” Diesel only shrugged, helping him into the bathroom. The great dane slipping in behind him before shutting and locking the door.

“How about now?” Keith rolled his eyes, turning around. The light click on and the human whole face turned red. Diesel chest was nearly pushing against his face and the great dane was stripping his wet shirt off and dropping it to the ground.

“You’re not going to shower in that, are you?” Diesel teased grabbing the bottom of Keith’s shirt and lifting it up a bit. The human squirmed, trying to keep it down. “It’s just like the school showers after gym class.”

“We don’t have gym class together though.” Keith gave him a puppy dog look and Diesel had to take a moment before he could reply. That effect had the exact opposite reaction on the great dane than Keith had been going for.

“Don’t need to remind me…” Diesel let out his breath, letting go and taking a moment to calm down. “I’ll understand if you don’t want too, being a dog an all…” And the guilt trip worked once more as Keith gave in.

“No fair bringing that up twice in one day!” Keith just gave him a cold look as he undid his pants. He stopped then. Was he going to do this, here? It was with Diesel, his best friend. Still, the human was conflicted over it as he looked down at his shirt in hand.

Diesel moved past him in the large bathroom and began fiddling with the shower knobs. “The water takes a few to warm up,” Diesel spoke over the sound of the churning pipes in the wall. The shower head sputtered several times before spraying down into the tub. “Hey, you ok?” Diesel final noticed Keith and walked over to stand behind his friend.

He placed a heavy hand on the human’s shoulder.

“It’s just the two of us?” Keith asked, looking back and up at him.

“Of course.” Diesel smiled softly at his friend. “No one else here but the two of us, Keith. I promise.” Diesel spoke softly, his voice a low rumble as he wrapped both arms around his friend and gave him a hug from behind. Diesel rested his muzzle on top of Keith’s head.

Keith touched his arm.

“I wish you were in the same classes as me…” Diesel sighed heavily. “We could do homework together, and share notes… passing them back and forth when the teacher wasn’t looking.” The great dane chuckled softly. “Then we’d have to deal with gym together… we could share a locker and just…”

“Diesel, are you ok?” Keith asked as the great dane pulled back.

Diesel rubbed one arm, not looking into those eyes as tears formed in his own. Why couldn’t he just be with his friend…?

And the great dane looked down at himself. “I’m just kind of lanky and awkward and like…” Diesel hated his breed. He was taller than most the others, large with long thin arms and legs. It was before Diesel had begun seriously working out and it showed. “I don’t have any real friends…”

“What are you talking about?” Keith just asked looking at him. “You got me.” And that made the great dane’s tail wag as he wiped his tears away.

Keith joined the great dane for a quick shower, trying to think of it like a locker room more than anything else. Diesel even mimicked whipping him with the towel afterward and the two had forgotten all about the dreary talk before hand as they made their way back into Diesel’s room.

“What about my clothes?” Keith asked.

“Just toss em there.” Diesel motioned to the side. The great dane had a towel around his waist and nothing else on. He stripped it off and took a seat on the bed, stretching.

Keith neatly placed his dirty, folded clothes on a chair and then walked over to join Diesel. The human sitting next to his friend. Diesel was fussing with the remote.

“We don’t got cable or nothing… but the VCR works!” Diesel smiled as if that was some great achievement in itself. Keith thought he was poor until he heard about Diesel’s life.

“What movies you got?” Keith asked, trying not to think about the great dane being naked next to him. Just sitting there as if it was no big deal at all. The canine was covered in fur, it was natural for him to not be wearing anything; Keith tried to reason.

Then why was Keith naked too? The human tried to reason it was to follow his friend’s example.

“I got all the Rocky movies.” Diesel just wagged his tail, getting up to put the first one in. Keith looked away when Diesel bent over.

“Adrian!” Keith said loudly instead, then covered his mouth, giggling after. “Oops.” Diesel chuckled along with him and crawled back into bed next to him.

Keith shivered in the cold house, the canines never using the heater. If they even had one.

“Here.” Diesel offered, lifting up his blanket. The great dane was watching the opening credits with great enthusiasm as Keith slipped in under it. Diesel moved back a bit and slid his legs under without thinking much more as he wrapped an arm around Keith.

And that was the first time the two slept in the same bed together.

Neither mentioned or addressed the fact they weren’t clothed at all under the sheets as the first montage began. They were just enjoying each other’s company too much to think anything more about it.

Diesel even left him alone for the most part of the first movie. The great dane just bumping his leg against Keith’s. Then maybe a hand, he’d apologize and the two would continue watching it once more. He even scooted closer half way into the movie.

“Are you hungry?” Diesel had offered that night. “Thirsty…?”

“I don’t mind waiting.” Keith only said bundled up under the heavy blanket Diesel used. It stunk of the great dane and many nights of him alone, thinking of Keith. Diesel ears burned as Keith took a small sniff of it. “Dee?”

“Y-yeah?” Diesel just asked, his voice going slightly higher as if afraid Keith was aware of what were on these sheets.

“Did you mean what you said…?” Keith only asked instead.

“About what?” Diesel moved a little closer.

“About running away from this place.” Keith looked over at him.

Diesel looked into that faced, hesitating before brushing a strand of that long dirty blonde hair out of Keith’s face. “No.” He admitted truthfully. “But for you, I would…”

And for the rest of the night Diesel would hug his human close to him, rubbing his back as they watched a marathon of Rocky movies. They would stop after the second to get something to eat, only to end up back under those sheets for the next.

It wasn’t long after that, that Keith fell asleep next to his dear friend. Diesel turned everything off before curled up next to Keith, nosing down at him as the him slept under one of his arms. The great dane would wait some time before he rubbed one off, next to his dear friend. Thinking of Keith the entire time and even as he licked his fingers clean, he best friend.

Keith would leave early in the morning the next day. Smelling strongly of the canine as he snuck back into his own home, dressed in Diesel’s spare clothes. He didn’t mind at all. About being late, about wearing his friends things.

His parents did when they found out.

They had a fight and if they had any nearby neighbors, someone might’ve called the cops on them. Keith didn’t want too, he argued against it but after a good smack to the face he didn’t have a voice as they packed up their things and left they’re home for good. Never looking back as they moved to a new city to get away from Diesel.

The great dane wouldn’t know about it for hours to come. He waited out in the field, underneath their tree. He was fidgeting as he paced back and forth, unsure how he was going to tell Keith to their prom. Diesel class wouldn’t be officially having one; he and a few others had organized an area for them to go to however during the humans prom. And he was going to take Keith there; sure the human would prefer to be with him over anything else.

And Diesel would wait until the evening came and there was no sign or smell of his human. Diesel ended up running towards Keith’s home, afraid. Worried. Scared as he knocked on the front door for a good five minutes before going around to the windows.

The car was gone, several of their things were missing and there was no sign of his friend…

Diesel would wait each and every day underneath their tree out in the field of sunflowers for Keith to return as the days turned into weeks. And years would pass as Diesel finally moved himself for college; the great dane leaving one final note within the tree.

“Here.” Diesel called over years and years later after the two had reconnected. After they had shared that night together; and finally when they had time to come visit their old home.

Keith walked to the old tree. “Here what?” He asked.

Diesel was on his knees digging near the base of the tree. “I wasn’t sure if you would ever come back…”

Keith looked away at that, towards his own home. “It was…abrupt, wasn’t it?”

“You’re parents stealing you away from me? Yeah.” Diesel gave a low growl just thinking about it. He found the tin box and pulled it out.

Keith frowned a little before just shaking his head. “Away from you, huh?” The human just asked his dear friend as Diesel sat down next to the old tree. Keith joined him. “What do you have there, boy?”

Diesel gave him a cold glare before barking a loud laugh, making Keith’s ears ring.

“What I have here is something if you ever turned up here after I left…” And Diesel fussed with the lock. In the end he had to take a small rock and bang it against it until it finally broke off. “What I have here,” he just continued as if he hadn’t stopped. “Is something to remember me by.”

Keith looked at it. “A pair of old socks…?”

“These are the socks you were wearing the first day we met.” Diesel just chuckled, the inner part of his ears burning a bright maroon.

“I see…” Keith wasn’t impressed but smiled anyways.

“There’s a bunch of cool neat junk in here!” Diesel just assured him, going on as he pulled out an army man and then a movie stub. One thing after another as Diesel tried to name when and where he had gotten the thing from.

Keith began to blush as Diesel went over one thing after another from it, telling his dear friend.

“I just can’t believe you kept all this junk.” Keith tried to play it off. He got a cold bumpy nose pressed against his cheek for that. He shivered as if moved down to his neck.

“Like I would ever throw away anything you gave me.” Diesel just growled, nipping at his neck. “You have no idea how many times I wanted to do this to you back then,” the great dane licked over where he had bitten. “To taste you like this…”

Keith flushed as Diesel set the rusty tin box to the side and climbed on top of Keith once more.

“To feel you like this,” one hand ran underneath Keith’s shirt. “And to just….” Diesel pulled back, gritting his teeth and taking a moment.

“Diesel.” Keith said touching his hand. The canine looked at him. “I’m glad, you found me…” And the two shared a kiss underneath their tree.

In the field of sun flowers.