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Momma says if you can make a man a fillin' meal and coffee just the way he likes it he ain't ever gonna leave. I hope that's true, cause right now I'm watchin' Wesley stick a price tag on a box of his old things and hammer a 'For Sale' sign into the yard.

Cracking open the window I shout to him. “Come n' get your grub!"

I set a plate of ham and eggs on the table with his coffee. The kitchen is pretty barren on account of most stuff bein' packed up and on tables outside, but he left the dinner table and some dishes out so he doesn't have to eat on the floor.

“You're a lifesaver, baby bear." He kisses my muzzle and starts to eat.

It makes my ears warm when he calls me that! "Anythin' for my man."

“How long before you leave for work?" He asks between bites.

“There's a little time before I gotta go." I sit across from him, watching as he takes his first sip of coffee.

He growls, satisfied. “Damn, Jim, you gotta tell me how you make this."

“Maybe some other time." I ain't ever gonna tell him.

Once he's finished eating he returns to work in the front yard while I shower and get dressed. I can't help but feel sad when I see all the stuff out on tables. It means he's leavin' soon, I know he has to but… I wish he'd stick around.

Momma and Grace arrive just as I leave, they've been helping Wes with the house and the yard sale. They even packed up most of it while we were campin' last week. That was a good trip, and Wesley smiles a lot more since we got back.

I try not to think about him leaving while I drive to work, and do an okay job, I think. Mostly I think about what I can do to convince him to stick around, or at least come visit sometimes. He said he'd try to come for the holidays, but I wanna see him more than that.

At least work will be a good distraction.

Work is borin', like usual. Same dumbass farmers n' guys who don't listen when I tell 'em they need to treat their equipment n' vehicles better, and that it's a helluva lot easier, and cheaper, to maintain stuff before it's broken. But no, they don't wanna pay no maintenance fees.

It's exhaustin' fixing the same machines over n' over again, but at least it's easy.

Worst of all is the dumb paperwork and all the math n' stuff. Wesley would be good at this part, I think. Not that he's boring or anything jus' he's got a head for numbers and words and stuff.

“Hey, Park, you finished workin' on Thompson's tractor yet?" An annoying voice shouts down the hall.

Fuckin'… Don't he have anything better to do? “Not yet, still waitin' on the part I need. Should be here this afternoon."

A bright-orange-furred, white-faced fox sticks his head into my little office. “You whackin' it in here again?"

“Fuck off, Eddie," I say.

“Relax, Park, damn," He steps inside and takes a seat in the beat-up old chair across from my desk.

I try to ignore him and pretend I'm busy.

“I hear Groves is back in town."

I sigh. “Yeah, Eddie, his Pa died."

“Drink finally gettem?" The fox laughs.

“Show some respect, damn." Fuckin' Eddie.

“What crawled up your ass, Park?" He leans in, a mean smirk crossing his muzzle. “Was it We–"

“I got work to do, and I bet you do too. Don't want Yates on your back for shoddy work again, do ya?" I glare.

“Fuck him," Eddie says. “You goin' to that bonfire this weekend? Grace was talkin' about it at Bucks, not that you'd know, bein' 'busy' all of a sudden."

“Dunno," I stare at my computer screen.

“S'probably gonna be lame, n' cold as fuck." He complains. “Cheap asses only buy the woke beer anyways."

“So don't go?" Eddie spends a helluva lot more time runnin' his stupid smart-mouth than he does working.

Eddie thinks about what I said, if he's even capable the damn moron. “I got a date with some gal in Oakbend. Trev says she puts out easy and–"

Fuckin' Eddie. Braggin' about bangin' some poor girl he ain't even met yet. But if he's busy that night… Maybe Wes will go with me? If Grace is there that's at least one person he likes, besides me o'course.

I know for sure he don't wanna see Eddie if he can help it. Not that I blame him, I don't think anyone likes Eddie, but his parents own a bunch of land, and his Ma's the county commissioner.

His dad owns the car dealership across the street from the shop we work at, we get a lot of business from them. I dunno how Eddie even got a job, he don't know what he's doin' most of the time.

S'gotta be uh, a word I heard one time… Neapolitan? Yeah, I think that's right.

Eddie laughs. “She was crazy about me, but y'know gotta keep my freedom. Don't wanna be tied down, right Park?"

“...Guess not."

“You get it." Eddie stands, thank God. “See ya, Park, n' if Yates asks I–"

“Was orderin' a part. Yeah." I roll my eyes as Eddie leaves.

Flipping my paw over I see a new message from Wesley.

'<3 Boyfrend <3: Yrd sales gone good, dnt think theres gonna be anything left. Sum1 evn asked about the house'

That's… Good, I guess… Before I get too upset I see another message from Wes.

He'd sent me a picture of him with his shirt lifted to show off his muscular body and his pants and underwear around his knees. He's winking and, well, I'm glad no one's around to see this.

'4 U l8r ;)' is all the message says.

Fuckin' hell I'm glad he's my boyfriend.

Thankfully Eddie doesn't show up to bug me the rest of the day and I manage to leave on time. Stopping at the grocery store I pick up a couple of beers, some snacks, and uh… lube. We ran out after the last time.

Thank God for self-checkout, I dunno what I'd do if someone asked me why I was buyin' that stuff. I get out of the store without running into anyone I'd have to talk to, you know jus' to be polite, and speed (Just a little bit) back to Wesleys.

Er…Wesley's Pa's. Or it was. I guess.

I frown when I see the 'For Sale' sign in front of the house. I know he doesn't really wanna stay… but I wish he would. Momma think's he will, and he's definitely comin' over for Thanksgiving n' Christmas, so even when he leaves this time it won't be too long before I see him again.

That makes me happy. Knowing that he won't be alone for the holidays, and best of all he'll be spendin' them with me! I gotta get him a good present for Christmas, but that's a couple of months away I guess…

Distracted by my fantasies I don't notice Wes walk up to my truck and I jump when he knocks on the window.

“You alright?" Wes laughs.

“Yeah, yeah, jus' thinkin' about stuff." I get out of the truck. “How'd the yard sale go?"

I don't really gotta ask, the tables are almost all empty besides a couple of clothes and knick-knacks. I'm surprised everything sold as well as it did, but folks around here love yard sales for some reason.

He smiles. “Almost everything is gone, gonna take the old clothes and blankets to a thrift store in the city before I leave. There's some old furniture left, but I listed it online, should sell pretty fast! Making a decent buck, too."

“Good! But, uh," I glance at the for sale sign. “Where you gonna stay once everything is packed?"

He shrugs. “I have an air mattress."

“Right."

“Come on, I need your help moving the kitchen table."

“Who bought it?"

“Mr. Halley, my old shooting coach. He's coming by to pick it up."

“Oh. Okay." I follow Wes inside and notice that he, Grace, and Momma were really effective at emptying the place out. I almost can't believe there was ever anything here. It makes my stomach ache a little.

Wesley seems glad it's all empty, which should make me happy, but it doesn't. I know that soon he's gonna have the place sold and… and then he's gonna leave. Will we still be boyfriends? Could we do long distance? We could always visit each other, but I don't like the idea.

I hope we stay boyfriends, even if we don't get to see each other every day.

“Jim,"

If plane tickets aren't too expensive I can fly out to him every couple of months.

“Jim,"

I'll have to save some from every check, but–

“Jim!"

“Whuzzat?!" I blink at Wes.

“Are you sure you're okay? You seem distracted," He places a hand on my shoulder. “What's bugging you, baby bear?"

My face n' ears get warm when he calls me that. Gah! I can't think! “Nothin', uh…" I frown. “Actually, uhm, there's a bonfire this weekend and I was wonderin' if you, uh, wanna go. With me. Together."

“That sounds nice," He's smiling but seems worried. “But are you sure you want to go?"

“Whaddya mean?" I ask.

“Well, people would see us together." He says.

“So?" I ask.

“Yes, but are you… ready for that?"

Ready for… Oh. Right. Only Grace, Momma, and Daddy know about us datin'. I swallow. About me being gay. I think I could handle it with Wesley there, and Eddie isn't going as far as I know. He's the one that always starts shit, anyhow.

I can handle it. For sure.

“I can always go as your 'friend', Jim."

A whine sneaks through my nose. “...Thank you."

He hugs me. “Anything for my baby bear, now come on, let's get this moved."

Getting the table moved is easy together, besides getting it through the door. We did it without fighting too much, though. Daddy says if you can move into or out of a place without killin' each other you'll be together forever.

I hope that's true.

We sit on the front lawn and enjoy some beers. Wesley is layin' on his back and staring at the sky, smiling. He must be thinking of leaving. I watch the road for Mr. Halley, mostly cause I'm gettin' anxious looking at Wes.

Just before sundown, his old jeep comes rolling down the road with a trailer rattling behind it. Wes sits up and walks over to the driveway as Halley pulls in. He looks excited to get, probably to get rid of the table.

Mr. Halley waves at Wes as he walks over. Real slow, on account of his bad knees. Tough old goat, though. He's got big glasses and his fur is grey all over, but he was old a decade ago. Which would make him, uh… really old now.

He opens his arms. “C'mere young man!"

I'm surprised when Wes doesn't hesitate to hug him back. “Mr. Halley, it's good to see you." He even sounds like he means it.

Halley's voice is rattly and his hands shake, but his tone is upbeat. “Sorry about your father. I meant to talk to you after the service but–"

“Sorry, I… I didn't want to be there."

“Can't blame you, sad affair n' all," Halley says.

“How have you been, uh, one sec," Wes runs inside and comes out with a couple of lawn chairs. “Have a seat."

Wes helps Halley into the low seat and the goat sighs with relief once he sits. “Thank you," He laughs. “Happy t'see my star pupil's got good manners."

Wes smiles. “I can't still be your star pupil. I bet you've got lots of sharpshooters in training."

“Nah, I retired a couple years back." He holds his hands up and they're all tremblin'. “Can't shoot worth a shit anymore. Me n' the missus are movin' to Arizona."

“Oh, well, what about the marksmanship club? The youth shooting programs?"

“There ain't one. Not since I retired."

Wes' jaw drops before he clamps it shut. “I–I see."

“Real shame, ain't one in Oakbend neither."

“Why not?"

“Gal over there runnin' it moved. I think she jus' comes to town to do hunter safety every autumn."

“Wh-what about the scholarships?"

“Goin' elsewhere I suppose."

Wes doesn't reply.

I clear my throat. “Let's get the table loaded up. You gonna need help with it at home, sir?"

“Nah, grandkids'll take care of it."

Halley takes the conversation back to his retirement and his new place in Arizona. Wesley doesn't talk much. He seems real worried about the shootin' stuff, which sort of makes sense. But I thought he didn't like bein' in the club?

Once Mr. Halley leaves Wes sits back down in the yard, frowning.

“You okay Wes?" I sit next to him.

“I can't believe there's no one to run the club. People here are obsessed with guns."

“Well, yeah, but like… big guns. Explode-y ones."

“That's dumb."

"I thought you didn't like bein' in the club?" I ask.

He shakes his head. "No, I just didn't like that my dad forced me to be in the club. I eventually started to like shooting, though, cause I was good at it."

"Oh." I say, he looks sad.

He stares after Mr. Halley.

“I think I know what'll cheer you up…" I say with a sexy face. I think it's sexy, hopefully.

“Hmm?" He looks at me, confused. “Oh. Hah! Alright, come on."

For the most part, my plan worked, and Wes showed me how many different places in an empty house are good for foolin' around. Over the next few days, more people come to pick up big furniture or even check out the house.

By the time the weekend arrives all that's left is the air mattress, his Pa's guns, and a box of old games Wes wants to keep. I'm tryin' to be supportive n' to keep my spirits up but… This sucks.

I know sellin' the house'll be good for him, n' then he can finally go back to his life like he said. I just wish I was a part of that, y'know, all the time. Not just for these next few days, not just for the holidays.

At least we have the bonfire tonight, that'll be fun. We can drink, party, jus' have a good time. Wes can really let loose cause the house is empty and everythin' is taken care of. Except sellin' the place, I guess.

“Jim!" Wes waves as he pulls a jacket around his shoulders when I pull into the driveway. “Ready?"

“Yep." I reply.

“Where's it at, again?"

“Grace said it was up at the lake, like a 40-minute drive I think, if the road ain't wiped out by the rain anyways."

Wes nods. He spends a lot of the drive talking about people lookin' at the house, complaining about lowball offers or dumb demands. He's kinda cute when he's all riled up like this.

“As if I should pay for them to put in new cabinets when– Wow, that's a lot of people." Wes nods toward the lake as it comes into view.

There are a couple dozen cars and trucks, I can tell by the license plates some people even came from the neighboring county. Damn, it's a lot bigger than I thought it was gonna be. At least Eddie won't be here, and if he was it'll be so crowded I doubt we'd have to deal with him.

“Sooo… If anyone asks about us what do you want me to say?" Wes asks.

“Uhh, I–I thi-think we should, uhm, I–" His hand squeezes my leg.

“You gave me a ride and your mom made you help me at the house," Wes says. “You don't have to say or do anything that makes you uncomfortable."

“Thank you, n' I'm sorry…" My ears flick around under my hat.

“It's hard, I know." He glances out the window and quickly pecks my muzzle. “Come on, let's go."

I grab the beers from the back and Wes carries the two lawn chairs. These things are almost always 'Bring Your Own Beer'. People share, of course, but it's rude not bring anythin' and jus' mooch. A couple folks got big speakers hooked up in the back of their trucks n' are blastin' music.

They haven't started the fire yet, people are still throwin' wood on the pile. I imagine it'll be started any minute now, though. Wes unfolds our chairs a safe distance away, from the fire and the music, and I crack the first of the beers.

We're barely sitting for a couple of minutes before someone yells our names.

“Jim! Wes!" Grace jogs over to us.

“Hi, Grace," Wes says. “You have any idea whose all comin' to this thing? I barely recognize anyone."

Grace lists the names of almost a dozen of our former classmates and shares what they've been up to since High School. She's more caught up than I am, which I guess makes sense since she works at one of the two bars in town.

Just as the cold becomes harsh the fire explodes to life. Glad I didn't miss that, s'always the best part. Wes cheers and takes a swig of his beer, Grace runs off to get her own chair. I smile when I see Wes. His smile looks nice, warm, and genuine in the firelight.

“I'm glad you invited me, Jim," Wes says reaching over to me, but he pulls his hand back before he touches me.

“Me too." I want to hold his hand, but I… I'm not sure I can.

Grace comes back and the three of us chat n' drink. A few of our classmates come and say hi to Wes or offer their respects for his Pa, but even that doesn't seem to bring him down. I'm so glad he's havin' a good time!

Maybe good enough to stick around. I know he probably won't but it's nice to imagine it.

I wish that was true.

My paw touches a cool and flimsy piece of cardboard when I reach for a beer. “Damn, out already?" I groan as I stand. “I'll be right back, grabbin' the other pack."

Wes and Grace nod and go back to their conversation.

Sneaking around the crowd on the outside edge of the bonfire is easier than pushin' through all those people. I watch some brave, or dumb, folks jump into the lake. Not jus' otters and the more, uh, aquatically designed, but even some humans or thin-furred people. Whackos.

Guess the fire'll dry em real fast, at least. Maybe I can get Wes to jump in with me? I laugh, imaginin' him all shiverin' and cold. Mmm, he'd need his baby bear to get him all warmed up n' cozified.

I grab the second six-pack and head back, pausing to watch more people jump in the lake. That looks like fun, I gotta get Wes to do it with me. Course, it won't bug me on accounts of my coat. I'm made for that sorta thing.

Someone squeezes my shoulder and I jump. “Jesus!" My eyes almost pop outta my head when I turn around. “E-Eddie?!"

The fox smirks. “Thank God you got beer, Park!" He tears the top off the six-pack. “None of these assholes is sharin'."

Stunned, I don't stop him. What is he doing here?! No!

“I hope you brought more than this," He tears open the first beer. “Trevor and Buck are here, too."

My heart hurts.

“Trev ain't sharin' his whiskey, and Buck don't drink so–"

My stomach aches.

“You comin' or what?"

“I, uh, I gotta take a l-leak." I walk off, trying to put as much distance as possible between me n' Eddie.

Why is he here?! Why did he have to show up now?! I have to get Wes n' we gotta leave. I–We can't be here. We have to go! When did I start running? I frantically search the crowd, tryin' to remember where Wes n' Grace are sitting.

I see him. He's standing and laughing, talkin' to some coyote and Grace.

“You remember when we– Jim, hey, you remember Carlos? You just missed him!" Wesley gestures to the coyote walking away.

“Uh-huh, hey, Wes, we gotta go." I grab his arm.

“What? Why?" He pulls away. “We've only been here like two hours."

“We jus' gotta!" I plead. “Come on, let's–"

A high-pitched whistle makes me shiver. “Well, whadda we got here?"

No, please, no!

“Park, you hangin' with queers again?" Someone says, their voice is low and mocking.

“They're practically holdin' hands!" Another adds.

I tear my paw away from Wes. Why did I do that?!

“Hey, Wes," Eddie says.

Wes scowls. “Eddie."

“Fuck off, Eddie." Grace says, but Eddie ignores her.

The fox looks at me, and then back to Wes. “What're you hangin' around with him, for, Park?"

“I–I was jus' sayin' hello," I grab my cap and squeeze it. “Momma w-wanted me to help him, a-at his Pa's."

“Mighty kind, Jim," Buck says. “Jus' don't turn your back on 'im!"

They all laugh at the elk's stupid, stupid joke. I feel like I can't breathe.

“Funny," Wes says. “Now can you fuck off?"

The guys all 'ooh' and 'ahh' at Wes. Fucking grow up, assholes! And go away!

“What're you gonna do if we don't, faggot?" Trevor, a mountain lion, asks.

My jaw tightens at the word and Wes stares blank-faced.

His hand tightens into a fist.

Eddie and his stupid, stupid, friends step closer.

For a single, endless, horrible moment I think they're going to fight. God, please, no! No!

Wes exhales. “Just leave me alone, Christ."

“That's what I thought, gay boy." Eddie laughs and throws a false punch before turning to walk away. “You comin', Park, or you wanna hang out with your boyfriend?"

“H-He–" I start.

“We aren't boyfriends, and I was leaving anyway." Wes looks at me, sad and hurt. “Tell your mom I said thanks, Jim."

Grace shakes her head. “You need a ride home, Wes?."

Eddie grabs the half-empty case of beer from my paws. “Come on, Park."

Wes and Grace start to walk away.

No! He's leaving, I– I can't let him go!

“Park?" Eddie asks.

My head hurts, I can't breathe, I can't see, I'm scared!

Buck makes another stupid gay joke. Stupid, stupid!

“You better have more beer–" Trevor says.

I want to run away.

“Hope you didn't share any with the queer," Eddie laughs.

No! I watch Wes disappear into the crowd. He's leaving. What if he doesn't come back?! Something crawls up my throat, and it hurts. He makes me happy and I'm letting them walk all over him, and letting him walk away! NO!

“Queers don't drink beer, Eddie, he probably drinks fruity girl drinks." They laugh.

It's not funny. I hate it. I hate them, n' Wes deserves respect. I won't let them talk about him like this, no one messes with my boyfriend!

“What's your problem, Park?"

I squeeze my hat in my paws. I'm not scared.

I'm PISSED. Eddie reaches for another beer and I slap the case from his hands.

“Dude, what the fuck?" Trevor gasps.

Buck steps back. “Uhh,"

“EDDIE!" I roar, not noticing everyone turn to look at me yell. “Y-You 'pologize to Wesley. This! INSTANT!" I throw my hat to the ground and stomp on it.

“Wh-what?" Eddie asks.

I growl and strangle the stutter in my throat. “APOLOGIZE. NOW!" I shove him.

Eddie stumbles back. “Fuck you!"

Grabbing him by the wrist I drag him through the crowd, Eddies 'friends' don't bother to help him. People move out of my way when they see me comin', I guess I look real scary. Good! Nobody messes with my man!

“Let go of me, fuckin' queer!" Eddie tries to tear away but I squeeze harder. Someone is yelling after us, Trevor or Buck I guess.

“WESLEY!" I shout when I see him.

“J-Jim?! What, what are you doing?!" His jaw drops.

“Eddie is gonna 'pologize." I yank the fox close and growl in his ear. “Ain't that right, Eddie?"

Eddie spits at Wesley. “I got nothin' to say to this faggot! I shoulda known you was queer too, Park, you big fuckin' que–" He yips as I twist his arm.

“APOLOGIZE. RIGHT. NOW!" I bellow, even Wes winces. I guess I'm kinda loud when I'm mad.

“Or what?!" Eddie scratches at my face, but I don't feel anythin', anythin' except angry.

I look around at the crowd that's gathered, and then I see someone run shivering out of the lake. “I'll throw you in the lake."

“N-no you won't," Eddie's stupid fucking laugh dies when he sees my face. “That ain't funny! It's fuckin' freezing! What about my phone, I just bought this jacket I–"

“You shoulda thought about that, before," I swallow and look at Wes. “Before you was rude n' disrespectful t-to my b-boyfriend."

“Jim?" Wes says, smiling.

“Good for you, now the towns got two fag-GRK! HEY!"

Hoisting the idiot fox over my shoulder I head toward the lake.

“LET GO OF ME YOU FUCKIN' HOMO!"

“Eat shit."

No one moves to help him.

“Jim, you really, really, don't have to do this," Wes says, following me.

“He should definitely do this." Grace adds, laughing.

“Listen to your boyfriend, you stupid queer!"

“I'm real fuckin' tired of that word, Eddie." I hold him over my head as I get to the end of the dock. “You ever say shit about my boyfriend again, and I'll kick your fuckin' ass."

“Wait, I'm– I'm sor–"

“Too late." With all the strength I can muster, I throw the screaming fox through the air.

He splashes into the water, screaming like a baby. Hah!

People cheer. Who cares? I got my boyfriend!

“Jim!" Wes runs down the dock. “I–Mmmph!"

Fuck Eddie. Fuck Buck n' Trevor, fuck everyone. I grab Wesley by the back of his neck and kiss him, hard! Like a good country boy. He makes this adorable whinin' sound as I push my tongue past his lips. I ain't lettin' him go again. I ain't letting anyone hurt him again.

Not now, not ever.

“You're mine." I hold him in the scruff of my neck. “He's my boyfriend!" I howl to the crowd watching us. “N' if you got a problem with that, you can go to hell!"

Wes stares at me with wide eyes.

I see a familiar elk and cougar standing at the end of the dock. “YOU TWO!"

Trevor shrinks back. “Y-yeah, Jim?"

“'Pologize to Wes, right goddamn now!"

He swallows. “S-sorry Wes. 'Bout everything."

“Now you." I nod toward Buck.

Makes me happy when I hear them all mutter their apologies, Momma would be proud.

“SOMEONE FUCKING HELP!" Eddie screeches from the water, flailin' around like a fish on dry land. Fuckin' loser.

Wes squeezes my paw. “Jim…"

His eyes are so darn dreamy.

He leans in close and whispers somethin' that makes my fur stand on end. “You make it really hard to leave, Jim."

"Then... then maybe stay?" I ask.

Wes shakes his head. "We'll figure something out."

I hope that's true.