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Rules of Engagement

Chapter 14

By Roofles

“It’ll be fine.” Charles just said, trying to reassure his husky friend. He was in a summer outfit. Bright vibrant colors and tan shorts. He had a pair of sunglasses on as well. “We’re just meeting up for lunch, to talk about… things.” Charles was blushing a bit as he explained that things would be ok.

Togo was holding his hands, standing a little too close and looking down into his eyes as he took in everything Charles said. Just like Clem, Togo had a habit of standing uncomfortably close. Watching him with an interest that no human seemed to take in him. Absorbing every word he said with a bat of an ear here, a flick of a tail there with those animated eyes watching him as he acknowledged his words in his own way. Charles was still getting used to the attention of it, to reading the subtle body language of a canine and appreciating it.

Where as a human would focus on a cellphone, texting while talking or looking around a room; they, canines, seemed to be more inclined to focus solely on the one they were talking too. Or maybe it was just Togo who seemed to enjoy what he had to say, what he had on his mind. His thoughts, his opinions on things and for the husky that was worth dropping everything else for. And it made him feel special for a change. For once in his life that his mere existence had some meaning.

“I won’t be gone for that long. We just need to chat about all this. Figures expenses out and just…” Charles trailed off a bit, looking away from those eyes. He felt bad for his dear, beloved friend. Togo had offered to come along for moral support but they both knew that would only make things worse. This was just something Charles had to do, to hone up too and accept whatever consequences came from his actions.

This was his problem. Charles had been the one to cheat, to lie and to break up his Seven year relationship with the only person he had ever loved; or at least physically.

He honestly didn’t know how Marcy would take this all. If she would be happy or furious, if she would just accept it and part ways. Would she sue? Demand some sort of repercussion for it all? That alone seemed to tell Charles everything about their relationship. Even after all these years he couldn’t even begin to imagine what the woman he had planned to marry would do. How little they really knew one another after all these years.

“I’ll text you after, ok?” Charles finished with. He pet the side of the husky’s face, the whiskers tickling his palm. Togo looked empathic, wanting to say more. To do more for his cherished friend but there wasn’t much the canine could do for him right now. He would be there after and for the days to come, that would have to be enough he decided.

“Ok.” Togo finally managed to choke out. He looked on the verge of tears while at the same time looked as if he was going to put his rather large paw down and demand he come along. A mix of emotions rushed between the two and there wasn’t making sense of most of them. “I’ll see you soon, then?” He managed to whine out; he was gripping his hands tightly now with folded ears.

“Of course.” Charles finally let go of the husky’s hands. Togo then just hugged him tightly. The hug lasted a bit longer than need be and Charles was becoming increasingly awkward from it.

It wasn’t as if they were the only ones in the room, no. All the other dogs were there. Watching with mostly bored looks as they watched the drama unfold. Clem had even made popcorn for the occasion; well more like he had made it for the movie they were about to watch and it just came in handy earlier than planned.

“Ok.” Togo just said again with a sheepish smile, petting the side of Charles face now after pulling away from that hug. The husky giggled a bit at the rough scratchiness on his cheek. Charles had begun to let his beard grow out for once due to his new profound freedom. And the husky was loving the additional fuzz to scratch on. “We’re still going to the beach today, right?” And his tail wagged at that as he tilted his head to one side, that smile still tugging on his thick black lips with sparking eyes. Charles couldn’t tell if there were tears in them or if they were naturally so.

“Uh, I think it’s supposed to rain later today.” Clem jumped in. The boxer tossed an arm around Togo’s shoulder, leaning in close enough to give Charles a sniff. “Might want to dress up a bit more pup.” It was so like Clem to stick his snout in between the two. A part of Charles thought it might be because Clem was jealous, not of them, but of the attention that was diverted away from Togo and his friendships.

“Well. If it doesn’t, we will.” Charles just rolled his eyes as he shoved the boxer’s face away from his own. “You’re coming too, right?” Charles asked Clem who just grinned widely at the invitation he forced on himself.

“Well, if you insist.” Clem just wagged his stubby tail as he moved around the two and over to the couch. He propped up his feet in the recliner and focused on the tv. One of his ears swiveled to face them though.

“Ok, get on out of here.” Togo just went on as if nothing had interrupted the two. In fact, Charles was sure the house could be burning down and Togo wouldn’t have been able to notice in the mind set he was in now. The husky had his full attention on the man. Which somehow made this all harder. Just how much he meant to the husky after all these weeks that had rolled into months.

“I would, if you let go.” Charles chuckled as he looking down at the husky’s strong hands holding his own once more.

“Oh, sorry.” Togo yipped.

“You’re still holding them.” Charles pointed out.

“So I appear to be, yes.” Togo just nodded as he looked down.

“And you still are.” Charles frowned a bit now, yet a smile was tugging at his cheeks.

“Not sure if they’re going to let go or not. In fact this might just be a bad day, let’s do this another day. How about that?” Togo asked getting more energetic with every word he spoke until he was right up in Charles face with a grinning muzzle and wide eyes. His ears had stood up and he was bouncing on his toes at the prospect.

“Right,” Charles rolled his eyes before kissing Togo’s wet nose, which he instantly regretted. “I’ll be back in an hour or so.” And he finally pulled his hands free and headed out. Togo deflated in the doorway, watching him go with large puppy dog eyes, waving him off.

Charles only rolled his eyes once more as he waved goodbye to the husky who watched him go. It could have only been worse if the husky had his face pressed up against the window with tears running down his face. If it wasn’t for just how pathetic it was, he’d have felt some sort of guilt over the matter.

Instead he just focused on what was to come. It was a sunny afternoon downtown; the clouds in the distance showed that a storm was coming in though. Charles shook his head as he got out of the car. He’d have to break the news to Togo that it wouldn’t be such a great idea to go to the coast with that looming around the corner.

Something he had suggested in the first place. Some sort of reward, a distraction after doing this all.

Despite his best efforts, he was still thinking about the husky as he made his way into the small Italian bistro a half hour later; finding parking had been a bitch with the lunch rush. It was a nicer establishment that was ritzier than what Togo and he normally went too. It was in an arch tunnel in the base of one of the large apartment buildings made of some type of stone work that had been glossed over. Which was redundant as the plants in the place was as fake as the hostess that stopped him.

“Reservation?” She asked with no smile and far too much judgement, looking him over. Defiantly not a place he’d take Togo.

“For two. Should be under Marcy’s name…” Charles stopped at that with a frown. Why was it always under her name anyways? “Marcy Walde.” Charles added before the hostess could ask.

She spent far longer than need be to look up the listing. There were only a couple of other couples here today, even on a Friday. There could only be six to seven reservations total.

“And you are, Mr. Walde?” The hostess just asked, eying him suspiciously. As if putting it under her name was saying enough about their relationship. In a way, it did.

“Uh, something like that.” Charles just said, looking around. Of course, she couldn’t have arrived early. She liked to make an entrance. “Just a corner seat would be great.” Charles tried to press. Instead, he got an outdoor table. At least the rest around them would be empty.

“Anything to drink, sir?” She asked pressing the last word between her lips.

“Just water.” Charles said, wanting to keep this light before getting smashed tonight with Togo. The hostess only gave him another look at that and left. Charles wondered if this was how everyone treated someone like Togo or Clem. Out of place, like they didn’t belong here.

It took another half an hour for anyone else to show up, letting alone the person he was waiting for. Charles had half a mind to just leave. But then that damn hostess would be right about him and his ego wouldn’t let that stand.

When she did show up, Charles had to stop himself from face palming. Marcy was known to make an entrance, to make a scene and then complaining about the attention from it. This had to top the list. With a black hat, veil and dress it looked as if she had just come from a funeral.

In fact…

“My grandmother died.” Marcy said first before taking a seat. Charles wanted to sink beneath the table after that. This was not going to be a good day.

“I’m sorry to hear that.” Charles could only say to that. He hadn’t prepared for that. And now all his mental note cards were scattered.

“Hm.” Marcy just took his menu for her own and looked over it for the next several minutes in silence. Charles was desperately trying to scramble to regain the upper footing and was failing terribly; what did you say after a bombshell like that dropped? “Wine?” She finally asked.

“No thanks, I’m driving.” Charles just said. Now he wished he did bring Togo along. At least he’d have some sort of buffer. This was feeling like another one of their dinner dates where only a couple of words were ever said between the two. Yeah, their relationship had been healthy...

The silence that followed only confirmed that.

“So… I’m staying at Togo’s currently.” Charles finally brought up nearly a good five minutes later. This was worse than a wasp family. He tried to break the ice by jumping head first into it.

“That’s nice.” Marcy answered as if it were a question. “When will you be home?” She asked with little interest.

Charles took a moment on that. “I’m… not coming back?” Charles said, confused. That seemed to have gotten her attention. She set the menu down slowly, confused. “You did get my message, right?”

“What? Oh, yes. I got that.” Marcy pulled out her phone, looking through it only to realize she had deleted his text after skimming it.

“Yeah. I said we needed time apart because this all… isn’t working.” Charles gestured around them.

“Well if you didn’t like the restaurant we could’ve picked somewhere else.” She glared back defensively; they both knew he had no voice on where they ate.

“No, not that.” Charles rubbed his temples for a second, trying to compose himself once more. “I’m staying at Togo’s place.” He began once more. “Moved most my stuff out already.” Charles pointed out something that should have been obvious. He had stashed what little he owned into boxes and shoved them into Togo’s closet.

“I see…” Marcy just began slowly, taking off her hat and setting it on the side chair. “On the day of my grandmother’s funeral no less.” She needlessly brought up making Charles feel worse about it all. “Is this about your parents coming?” She began, placing her hands together and looking at him with that cold, blank face. If he didn’t know better, he’d have sworn she had face work done.

“Anything to divert from the real issue, huh?” Charles just mumbled more to himself. He let out a heavy breath.

This just brought everything back up. No matter the issue or problem it was somehow both always about her and yet never her fault at the same time. Thus it was his fault.

“And you are calling the wedding off because of this? Is that what this is all about?” Marcy didn’t seem to be in the least bit upset about it. She just had a blank look on her already rather pale face. It was hard to tell what she was thinking; unlike Togo who was so animated when he talked.

“Well that and…” Charles mumbled the rest, coughing into his napkin after. This was it. Here was the moment he’d let the world know about his deep, dark, kinky secret. “And that I’ve been seeing. Someone. Else. On the side.” Charles was gripping the metal table to the point his knuckles were turning white as he spoke. His jaw was clenched and despite his best efforts, he was sweating now. It had gotten rather humid out as the storm began to role in.

“I see…” Marcy only said. Her face was as blank as it had been before. “Who?” Was the only thing she asked. The only thing to ask after hearing that. Her brain was in overdrive trying to think of every one of her friends. Her bride’s maids, her sisters or coworkers.

Charles swallowed loudly, his mouth having gone inexplicable dry. “T-Togo.” Charles nearly whispered.

That took a moment to sink in.

“The dog.” Marcy finally ended up just saying, not even as a question. Her face said it all. Pure disbelief on the matter. Her cold icy exterior shattering at hearing that name. Not only was Togo a male, he was also another species. A dog. And a male. A male dog. That still wasn’t processing.

“Uh, yeah…” Charles wanted to correct her but thought this was not the best time to be politically correct. “Togo. The husky. We’ve been, yeah.” He let that sink in, just sitting there and trying not to make eye contact.

“I see…” Marcy just repeated herself, seemingly lost in her own thoughts. The hostess picked the worse time to drop by to take their orders.

Which led to the most awkward ordering of a meal in the history of mankind.

“Get whatever, I’ll be paying… Of course.” Charles managed to say during it all. He just wanted to break the silence.

“I expect so, sleeping around and all.” Marcy said venomously behind her glass as she took a slow drink.

“And whatever wine you want.” Charles only stammered, trying to make this less painful.

“That makes up for everything, doesn’t it?” She coldly added on. And that was how the rest of the lunch went, from what little they did say.

Charles was baffled by it all. He had told her the truth finally and here she was just sitting there having lunch. No shouting, no storming off or even drilling him about it. She just sat there and continued her meal. In silence. And in a way, that was worse.

Eating in silence, they might as well be a married couple. Charles tried not to smirk at the thought, Togo had been the one to make the joke. Thinking of the husky was the only way he was getting through all this. Even driving here, he had half a mind to call him here and now to pick him up and rescue him from all this as he had done before.

“Well?!” Charles finally spat, only after the meal had been finished and the check arrived. He even made the hostess jump at the sudden shout. “Nothing? No yelling or anything. Is that how little I mean? This means to you?”

Marcy just gave him a look, letting him finish his little rant. “It happens.” She said delicately putting her napkin back down after wiping her mouth off.

“It happens.” Charles repeated in disbelief. “It happens!” He nearly shouted again, gritting his teeth.

“Calm down, you’re making a scene.” She got angry at that, rather than at him. Not at what he had done. Him making a scene however was unacceptable. As if he had dented the car or spent their savings on a set of golf clubs rather than fucked their gardener. “This happens all the time.” She just waved it off. Beginning to go on about how her maid of honor did the same thing before she had gotten married. “Just sowing some wild oats.”

Charles was about to flip the table in disgust.

“My sister was seeing her pool boy for the longest time. Until Johnnie began getting suspicious.” Marcy even laughed, thinking about it. “It’s just something that happens. Without anyone knowing.” She added, taking another long drink from her wine glass. Appearances were everything in a family that comes from money after all.

“Are you seeing someone?” Charles asked still in stunned disbelief by her response.

“And if I was?” Marcy asked with a frown now. “Would that make this any better?”

“No…” Charles looked down in shame. She would abstain from sex all together if it would be just something else she could loiter over him.

“You have always been rather… indifferent when it came to sex.” Marcy spoke softly, barely above a whisper. “I knew something was up. I figured you were asexual or something. Not a closeted fur banger,” she slurred the word. “We all have our secrets I guess.”

Charles wasn’t sure how to respond to all this. He was waiting to grovel down and beg for forgiveness, to accept whatever punishment or anger she could dish out. This was not even on the table when he had been going over it.

“Just keep this all to yourself, don’t tell me about it and bring your things back. Looks suspicious otherwise. We have dinner guests coming.” Marcy just waved him off after they exited the restaurant. “And here I was worried it was drugs or something.”

“Like your brother.” Charles face fell as he turned away. Drugs would’ve been something far harder to hide from her family.

“When will you be dropping by? Jill and Henry are expecting us.” Marcy just got her keys out from her purse, double clicking to unlock her SUV.

“I’m not.” Charles just stopped in his tracks, balling both hands into fists.

“I know you don’t like them but,” Marcy began with a scoff.

“That has nothing to fucking do with it.” Charles said loudly. He turned around sharply, jabbing a finger at her. “I can’t stand this. I can’t have you holding something else over my head for the rest of my life! I rather die alone than spend another afternoon dealing with this shit.”

“Charles!” Marcy said loudly, looking flustered as people began to take notice. “We don’t want your family hearing of this.” She threatened knowing exactly where to push his buttons. Wanting, expecting him to back down and come groveling back to her so they wouldn’t find out.

Be the perfect married couple for the world to see. They would keep this as their dirty little secret and that was that. No one had to know, so long as everyone thought that she had finally settled down and began a family. It would look good for her career as well; they were always promoting the family driven people. She could be one of them, if only he continued to play along.

“So what!” Charles spat, finally breaking from it all. “I fuck a canine-American. I said it! There. And in fact?” Charles glared now. “He’s the one who does all the fucking. And man, oh man. It feels good.” He dragged the word out, twisting a bit for emphases as he did when Togo was sliding that fat cock up his ass. “Don’t even use protection because fuck you.” And with that Charles turned away and headed for his car down the road. He had to ignore the Doberman who was staring at him as he walked by. The doberman’s nose even twitched with a smirk on his brown fur face as he turned his back to them.

The storm was rolling in hard by the time he got back to the Dog House. The winds were howling, raindrops battered the front window of his car as he pulled up along the sidewalk. The yard was already beginning to become a swamp as he quickly made his way up to the door; wishing he had brought a coat along. He was still steaming by the time he got to the door, the weather couldn’t cool his anger over it all.

Weeks he had been beating himself up about this. Dying inside holding this dark secret from the world, from her, from everyone. He was suppose to be a simple man. That’s what his dad always told him, what everyone expected him to be. A simple nine to five worker like the rest, raising a family and living the good old American dream.

And truly? That was exactly what he wanted. And now here he was, a late Twenties man crying outside in the rain like a loser who couldn’t even get is life together.

The door opened before he could even get the right key out for it.

“Welcome home.” Togo was standing with open arms, a large beach towel in between them, and wrapped him in a warm toweled hug before Charles could even sniffle another tear out. Togo rubbed over his arms and back, chest and sides with the towel in the hug as he brought him inside and away from it all. Shutting and locking the door behind them. “Wet outside? Or just happy to see me?” Togo teased playfully, lifting his chin up to look in those eyes. “Oh, babe.” He said softly seeing those crocodile tears rolling down and hugged him even tighter than he had before.

“How’d it go?” Clem was the first to ask about it all. There were several dogs in the living room, most dismissed him while others lifted ears to eavesdrop. It was impossible to keep track of each and every one of them.

“It went.” Charles chuckled lightly after resting his head against the husky’s chest for much needed support. “Also it’s raining.” He sniffled a bit, only catching the faint smell of wet dog. Togo must’ve been outside waiting for him, even in this weather. Using this very beach towel to dry off.

“No shit.” Clem just turned back to the tv. The dogs were watching old B-rated horror movies in black and white. Mostly because nearly all the side actors were canines.

“No beach.” Charles shrugged, looking back at Togo. The man gave him a weak smile, trying to be strong for his dear husky friend.

“Well, plan B then.” Togo just shrugged back, guiding him towards the back room towards where the garage was. Due to the number of canines living in the house, the garage had been turned into a room. Carpet and all. “Close your eyes.” Togo whispered in his ears, covering his eyes for him from behind with his large hands.

“I’m not in the mood for that.” Charles smiled though as he was guided from behind towards the garage. Togo kept close enough that he was pushing the man most the way with his chest, stomach and groin and hips. The husky really knew how to move and manipulate his body from behind like this.

“Not that, dork.” Togo just chuckled, guiding him down the steps carefully. “Clem broke the news that it was going to rain and then suggested we come up with a plan B.”

“Plan B, huh?”

“Can’t you smell it already?” Togo was grinning now, unable to hold back his excitement.

“I smell… scented candles?” Charles could smell the cheap dollar store candles set up before he saw them. Togo finally pulled his hands away and placed them on his shoulders, gripping them a bit too tight in his enthusiasm.

The whole garage had been furnished with a tv, lights and even a small side kitchen. It was like a smaller house inside a house. A studio apartment that is. There was plenty of space, no walls and even less privacy here than out there. There was even another dog on the far couch, watching youtube videos on the tv. He ignored them all together even if his couch had been moved to make room.

The couches, lamps and table had been all pushed out of the way to be replaced with several large beach towels, a water cooler and even two parcels open to block out the would be sun (which was just the overhead light). Everything was colorful and vibrant like his soaking wet salmon shirt. There was even plastic buckets and shovels to build a sand castle with.

“If we couldn’t go to the beach?” Togo was grinning madly now.

“Bring the beach here?” Charles did laugh at that and turned around towards the husky. Who then began to strip him of his soaking wet cloths. “H-hey not in front of the C-L-E-M.” Charles flushed as Togo pulled off his shoes, socks and then began to work on his pants causing Charles to fall onto his rear. Clem had tagged along behind them and now was watching the strip show with a bored interest.

“I’ve seen it all before. B-.” The boxer just said taking a seat in an opened up outdoor lounge chair that he had apparently set up in advance for his use.

“What do you mean you’ve seen it?” Charles asked flustered, then got mad. “B-? The fuck. I’m at least a good solid B.”

“An A in my book.” Togo jumped in with a wagging tail, browning nosing him as he sniffed all over his naked wet torso now. Charles was knocked over onto his back as the husky crawled up on him.

“Togo stop.” Charles laughed, still with a stuffy nose, as he tried to push the husky’s face away, who was desperately trying to lick away the tears for him. “At least you literally didn’t bring the beach.” Charles laughed, sitting up a bit and instantly regretting it as Clem pulled out one of the plastic buckets and dumped sand in front of him.

“I am not cleaning that up.” Charles said, covering his face as the big bully Clem kicked some sand in his face. He flipped him off after. The boxer stuck his tongue out before slipping down onto the towels.

“Want to build a sand castle?”

“Uh, fuck yeah.” Charles just laughed scooting over to join him. Togo slipped in behind and began Patrick Swayze ghosting him. Placing those large hands behind his and guiding him to smooth out the sides of the sand. It still just fell apart, yet the two were giggling like children as Togo wrapped both legs around him for good measure.

“I finally told Marcy off.” Charles started slowly, still just playing in the sand as if he were fifteen, twenty years younger. “It went well.” He added in a monotone voice. “Going by Thursday to get the rest of my stuff. I’ll look for a new place in the meantime.”

Togo ears flipped up to high alert at that. “You already got a place to stay though.” He tried to sound confident but it came out more of a whine by the end.

“I can’t just be free loading off you guys.” Charles frowned, looking over his shoulder and back at him.

“You aren’t.” Clem spoke up first. “The assholes out there are.” He jabbed a stubby finger towards the living room. “Lazy, good for nothings, that eat all my food and don’t pay rent or utilities or…” He grumbled, chewing his teeth as he glared off to the side.

“Hey!” The cocker spaniel from the far couch barked at them. Clem clarified he meant the other dogs and that he was cool.

“You’d pay rent here.” Togo spoke up, leaning over to get a better look at him. “You wouldn’t have to stay in my room if you didn’t want too. We can figure that out later, but you’d chip in around here too.”

“More than those ass wipes.” Clem growled in agreement, turning back towards them. He opened a sick pack from the cooler and handed over two for them before taking one for himself. It was one of the hard ciders in town much to Charles surprise.

Clem had adamantly gone on about how shit anything was but good old fashion beer. Charles didn’t agree and it seemed even the boxer was trying to make him feel better, in his own way, by going out to get these.

“When we run out of milk or eggs, you could get them. If it’s your turn.” Togo chuckled, scooting around until he was face towards the human. Togo even pulled his legs up over his. “There’s a list we have.” Togo gestured with hands to try and show the pinwheel chore list they had up on the fridge in the other room; he then went back to petting up his hairy legs. “Every week we change It up. I’m on trash duty this week.” The husky smiled softly. “It’s not much, but it’s a roof over your head and a warm husky butt to sleep with.” He added with a chuckle.

Charles laughed at that, scooting a bit closer. It was a pained sound that cracked half way in and Togo hugged him as he broke down once more.

“Sh, sh. None of that now.” Togo growled softly, nuzzling the side of his muzzle against his face and licking at his cheeks again. “No more tears, ok?” He smiled brightly into that face, using his thumb to wipe away another tear.

Charles sniffled a bit, smiling back. Then kissed him. A full on, arms around the neck kiss that made Clem gag loudly.

“I need some real beer for this shit.” The boxer only growled, leaving the two as they made up.

“Togo, I’m sorry.” Charles breathed around their series of kisses. “I should’ve done this sooner. I just,” and he was silenced as the husky pushed his muzzle against those lips and slid his thick tongue in to silence him, stealing his breath away in the process.

“No, I should’ve done more. I shouldn’t have pushed you. I should’ve been more understanding.” Togo said back between wet sloppy kisses that made even the cocker spaniel in the corner blush.

Charles was crying again, laughing and hot in the face as he pulled away to wipe away husky drool from his cheek. “I love you, Togo.” He finally admitted not only to the husky, but also to himself.

Togo looked at him. Gave a smile. Then a rather large grin. “I know.” The husky just said victoriously as he crawled back on top of the man to chew and tease at his neck and chest.