FSE

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formerly SoFurry search engine

Striped Candy

Chapter 5

By Roofles

The alarm went off. Buzzing steadily on the nightstand next to his bed. Jeff lay there on the warm black fur covered chest of the panther, Lars, savoring the moment. Or just being lazy. The large cat was still snoozing away heavily. One arm draped over his naked back, snoring lightly, blissfully unaware of the waking world. Or even of the alarm still buzzing on the nightstand.

A needle could drop on the floor and Jeff would wake up. As such, his alarm was silent. Only the vibration buzzing on the nightstand made any sound in the room. Other than the panther beneath him.

It had nearly been three months since that Saturday afternoon. Jeff had left it at that and Burt, Bruce whoever he was hadn’t texted him since that day. The tiger hadn’t even tried to get in contact with him. Not evening seeming to care. If that’s how he wanted it, Jeff wouldn’t argue with it. For once, he wouldn’t be the guy chasing after the other person. Jeff would wait for Bruce to make the first move. He’d be open, talk about it when he did. Figure it all out no matter how awkward and embarrassing it would be. Or how angry Jeff was with him, or still was.

Bruce never had though.

Every time his phone buzzed, his alarm went off. Even when he got a call from his mother the other day, Jeff instantly though it was Bruce trying to get in contact with him. The human found himself looking at his phone even when it didn’t go off. Just looking at the screen, as if to make sure he hadn’t missed something.

The tiger didn’t seem to have any interest in him any longer. Forgetting about the human and just going on with his days. Jeff had walked by Bruce’s food truck just the other day, just wanting to see if the tiger was still there. He was. Still serving food to hungry people down near Parker Street.

Seeing him didn’t make it any better. It only ended up making it all worse. As if some part of Jeff had decided that the tiger wasn’t around anymore. That there had been a reason for his absence and silence. That he hadn’t tried to contact him, even try. There hadn’t been the case. Bruce had been here the whole time.

The friendship he thought he had with the tiger had been nothing more than a farce, it seemed.

Jeff finally turned the phone off, putting the snooze button back on before moving over to lay back down at Lars’s side. The panther stirred, grumbling in his sleep as one arm blindly searched for him. Jeff felt his rear grabbed by those strong, paw padded fingers and with that a heavy murr filled the panther’s rising chest. Lars turned a bit towards him, wrapping an arm around him and pulling him close, back up mostly onto his broad chest. As if Lars preferred to use him as a blanket instead in the cold room.

Satisfied with him back, the panther rumbled back to sleep, turning his broad whiskered muzzle to the other side and exposing his neck to the human. Jeff knew what Lars wanted and moved closer, pressing his lips against the loose flesh there. Lars chest rumbled at that and a sound akin to a purr began filling the room as Jeff snuggled back up next to him.

The two knew their relationship was only physical. It didn’t mean they couldn’t enjoy themselves. With Lars coming in and out of state for the games, it left them little time to be able to actual see one another. When they did get together they’d start off with a dinner, a movie or watching an old game at one of their places. They knew that wasn’t the case for why they wanted to see one another. That too was just a farce. It always ended up in the same place, not that either seemed to mind.

Jeff winced as the panther’s hand rubbed over his scratched up back. Scratches just deep enough to draw flecks of blood or leave red lines behind. The human had to admit, Lars did become something almost feral during it all. When he was there, in the act.

That hand graced down to his rear, making Jeff wince. It was still sore, leaking from last night from riding the panther.

Jeff began to drift off again, recalling it…

Sitting in Lars’s lap as the panther held his thighs securely in those strong, warm paw padded hands. The panther’s head had been tilted back, muzzle fully open with those teeth showing as he rolled his hips up and into Jeff once more. Pounding into him. Humping him up off the bed, lifting him up in the room and pulling him back down as Lars brought the two back down hard enough to creak the bed they lay on. Those nails poking into Jeff’s thighs lightly as he did so. Holding him to the point the human couldn’t pull away for fear of being scratched once more. Grunting growls filled the room, chuffing heavy breaths with deep lustful murrs of pleasure soon followed as Lars thick shaft spread him wide, pulling at his insides as he withdrew even a fraction of an inch.

The panther’s body reacting on its own. The teasing of those barbs on the underside of his meaty shaft only made the panther more wild, feral as he got into it.

Though human in nature, the minor barbs on Lars’s pewter gray shaft flared out, scratching, and tugging the human from the inside. Pulling lightly but just enough to get a noticeable reaction from Jeff. The panther savored that, watching as he teased the human so.

Lars knew Bruce and Jeff had never been together but in that moment, deep inside him… he wasn’t thinking that. The jungle cat inside of him was coming out, thinking about the tiger topping the human, breeding him. And now Lars was here, trying to get all of it out before filling his human up. So only his seed would take. That after all of Bruce’s hard work, it would be he, Lars, that would in the end get the prize. Not some tiger. Breeding the human and filling him with his kittens instead.

The thought of that, the feel of him. Knowing that he, a panther, would be the one to breed the human instead was all Lars had needed after the long steamy, groaning, panting, sweaty night of foreplay and lovemaking that the two had done.

Lars’s rich natural, earthy musk had already filled the small room. He had come right after the flight, after all. Still he wanted, needed Jeff to know it. To smell him and smell only him. To forget about anyone else, specially that tiger in this moment. The human attention should only be on the panther right now. In this moment…

Kissing, petting, grinding their naked bodies against one another... Making Jeff smell the long day he had, smelling only him in that moment… That no one else was there to help the human. Could save him from the panther’s lust. Lars would have his way with him, mark him as his… It had all been too much in the end to hold back any longer.

And Lars yowled loudly. A sound that would make the neighbors pound on the walls, throw boots at the alley cats as he came, hard, inside this human. Barbs flaring out as his hefty rich obsidian furred sack tightened against his body, the core of his being and emptied everything he had thought about, stored up during their time apart… emptied it all deep into Jeff’s body as Lars pulled him down roughly against him one last final time as he thrust his length as far as he could into the human, thigh’s slapping against Jeff’s firm rear.

Lars hadn’t let him go, no. The panther took several heavy breaths of his own rich musk that had filled the room before sitting up, keeping Jeff firmly in place as he did so. The panther didn’t wait, he just kissed the human then, licking over his cheek and nuzzled that broad whiskered muzzle against the tired, worn out human face. His plaything, his toy. Lars knew Jeff had come all over his stomach and chest; the panther didn’t care. He liked feeling dirty with this human as he nosed down Jeff’s neck to lick over the fresh, new scratch marks he had made that night.

That rough tongue was gentle against each one, licking away any red. Even after Lars had filed his nails down, during the moment he could be rougher than intended. Jeff didn’t seem to mind, just resting back as Lars licked over his chest, nipping, and teasing one of his nipples as he brushed those velvety soft black lips over one. Kissing down his belly to open wide, licking underneath and closing around Jeff’s own still stiff member and consuming it; giving it a strong suck, licking it clean before resting back.

The human shuddered at the feel of that tongue licking him. Just rough enough to give the hungry panther one last dose of Jeff before, finally, pulling off Lars. Slowly, carefully feeling the panther’s length resist. Pulling, tugging at his insides. Lars winced with a knowing smirk on his face, not even helping as the human had to work himself to get off the panther. Jeff had to give one last painful tug before finally it pulled out, still semi-hard.

“I got an early morning.” Jeff started up as usual, sitting at the edge of the bed. He looked over one arm. At least most the scratches were kept in places he could hide under his clothes during work. Or he’d look like some kind of junkie cutting himself.

The human didn’t seem amused by it, even if he hadn’t complained either.

“That’s nice…” Lars yawned loudly rubbing Jeff’s back with a hind, sweaty paw. Those firm paw pads squished against his skin as the panther curled his toes once, continuing rubbing it after. Knowing he sharing his scent with the human through them.

“My roommate will be home in the morning.” Jeff looked back over at the half-asleep feline. Lars covered himself partly with the blanket, not the part someone usually covered, still fully exposed to everyone in the room.

“Don’t think he likes me.” Lars only grunted, his face covered by the blanket. It smelled of Jeff. Of the last time, he was here. “You need to wash your sheets more often…”

“First off…” Jeff turned around, still panting slightly from it all. It took him a moment to find his breath. “That’s true… He does sort of hate you. People. Everyone.” Jeff thought that over a second before shaking it off, he rather not pull on that thread as to why Tom let him stay here. “And those are new sheets!” He pointed out, as if mad the panther hadn’t noticed.

“New as in from last time maybe.” Lars yawned loudly, pulling the blanket off as Jeff got up to head into the bathroom to clean up. “Need me to help apply any ointment for the uh…” He sat up a bit more, chuckling. The panther couldn’t help the large grin on his face from the work he had done to the human’s back.

Jeff came back with a warm cloth using it to clean himself up before walking over. Lars always did respect someone who could stand their ground butt naked without even a flicker of shame or embarrassment for it. The panther just watched him hungrily as Jeff sat on the bed once more washing himself off with that wet towel. Jeff noticed him watching and looked away.

The flush on the human’s face was cute, the predator had to admit. Almost timid before him. Meek, helpless... It was making his sheath stir once more at the thought. The way Jeff had walked alone told the panther just how much he had emptied into Jeff this night. Lars wouldn’t be surprised if his stomach was sagging from the weight of his load inside.

“It’s not as bad as the other times. Like the first.” Jeff shuddered a bit at that, giving a good laugh. He still had a fading scar from then.

“The first time, is always the worse.” Lars just grinned a toothy fanged smile as he scooted over a little. “You said you got an early morning…” He added patting the side of the bed. The panther showed no sign of leaving.

The panther was sly. Every time Jeff hinted at, tried to get him to leave early something or other would come up. Usually with him face down against the bed. Lars holding him down with his own as the panther laid over him. Another warm body in bed worked just as well on these cold nights.

“Fine. But you’re leaving first thing in the morning!” Jeff had said. Just as he had done all the other times. Lars smirked in victory once more.

And now he lay here, his alarm going off once more. Resting on this warm fur covered body. He was tired from the other night. Sore, scratched up and would be walking funny for the rest of the day. Sometimes he felt more like a scratching post for the panther than much else. Still… that warm body next to him, hearing the panther chest rumble. Feeling him stir next to him. The sound of every heavy breath he took and the musk still hanging in the air…

Sometimes, if only sometimes, life was kind…

Maybe he’d call out today… Jeff thought hopefully as he sat up anyways, reaching over to turn his phone off. “Damnit all.” He could only curse, unable to bring himself to it. That had been one of the things he and Bruce used to have in common. Both hard workers.

“I’ll call out for you.” Lars grumbled reaching over to try and find the phone. The panther left his arm outstretch, falling back asleep the next second. A low rumble that filled his chest as Lars began snoring lightly once more.

“I’m kicking you out when I get back.” Jeff only warned as he got up and headed towards the bathroom to shower and get ready. He even gave one of the felines feet a good shove just to make sure he wasn’t joking.

“Like to see you try!” Lars gave a gruff laugh in reply as Jeff exited the room.

Lars would normally get a few choice words at that and then this human would try an pry the panther off the bed. Instead, Lars found himself alone in the room as he sat up, waiting for it. Waiting for Jeff to come back in and try. It was just one of the few games they played. And now here he was alone, in this quiet empty room. The silence unnerved him as he waited for the shower to turn off.

The panther only frowned, giving a heavy chuffing sigh as his ears splayed out. And here last night had been so good for the two of them.

Roughly ten minutes later Jeff was back, towel around his waist as he rooted through his wardrobe for something to wear. He didn’t greet the panther or even look over at those glowing eyes watching every move he made.

“Something on your mind?” Lars rested both arms in his lap looking over at the human. His long monochrome tail swayed on the bed, unable to keep still as his nerves began to show. Jeff missed it.

“A bit.” Jeff didn’t lie, he felt no reason too. It wasn’t like the two of them were in a relationship or anything.

“Want to uh… talk about it?” Lars got up slowly off the bed, it creaked as his weight shifted off it onto those large bare paws. His toes curled on the carpet as he stretched out, trying to make the question seem casual instead of invasive.

“Not really.” Jeff slipped a shirt on, dropping the towel and bending over to get something in the bottom drawer. Lars frowned.

That would have usually stirred him on for round two. Jeff lackluster tone was rather a mood killer and Lars hefty sheath hung loose and flaccid between his legs. He had at least been hoping for the human to crawl between them before heading out, as he had done last time. The human gave some amazing head, the panther couldn’t argue that.

“When do you head out again?” Jeff at least asked as Lars dressed in what he had been wearing the previous night. The panther not even trying on any of Jeff’s clothes this time, knowing the human wouldn’t give him the reaction he’d be hoping for.

“Not for a couple of days.” Lars spoke softly, his voice still gruff and heavy as the panther followed him down the hall and towards the front door.

“Cool, cool.” Jeff just nodded absentmindedly, taking another moment before even looking up at him. Lars was staring again. Those bright eyes just looking at the smaller human in front of him. Scanning over and reading every thought written over Jeff’s face.

The panther took a silent step forward, placing one hand on Jeff’s arm. “How about we get dinner.” Lars said, not so much as a question. Just a general statement.

“Sure, maybe.” Jeff wasn’t looking at him now. Just off to the side.

That made the panther’s tail flick, one ear batting as Lars muzzle twitched. The panther kept himself in check, not letting the feral beast in the bedroom leave it. Lars put on his people face as he eased his grip on the human’s arm.

A large paw brushed the side of Jeff’s face, holding it in a strong unyielding grip as Lars turned Jeff to face him now. To look in those eyes. Lars tilted his muzzle to one side, just a fraction of an inch before pressing those warm, velvety soft lips against Jeff. Stealing his breath away as he pushed the human back against the door the next second. Lars easily kept the smaller human pinned against it with just his body, using that hand to take hold of Jeff’s and pin it too against the door. Running his other down his side and around to the front.

Lars pulled back, licking his lips. “Dinner, then?”

“Yeah. Sure.” Jeff huffed, blushing a bit. Lars waited, waited for this human to look up into his face and meet his piercing gaze before smirking, easing up a bit as he licked his lips once more. Nosing down at him, brushing his muzzle against his face and sniffing underneath his chin as the human exposed his neck so willingly for him.

Lars muzzle parted, teeth dripping as he clamped down around it. Feeling as Jeff swallowed, tensing up as those teeth touched. Jeff tried not to shudder as that tongue licked over his throat. Closing his eyes, looking away as the hungry predator toyed with him like this. Making the human think only of him right now, of this moment. Of Lars. And that’s exactly what the panther had wanted.

Something crashed to the floor behind the two and Lars reluctantly let go, not even turning around as he looked over one of his broad shoulders at Jeff’s roommate Tommy.

“H-hey, just heading to work.” Jeff gave him a wave, flushing as he tried to cover the teeth marks on his neck. He looked to see that Tom had dropped the cereal bowl he had just gotten ready before bed, working the night shift these days.

“Right…” Tom only said not taking his eyes off the panther.

Lars couldn’t help but smirk a bit at that as he looked back at Jeff, opening the door for him and showing him outside.

“I could take care of him, if ya’ like. No one would ever know.” The panther gave a chuffing chuckle as he thought about it, licking his lips looking back at the closed apartment door.

“Har, har. Right. They’d come for the roomie first if he just up and went missing! They always do.” Jeff just played along, unsure why both Lars and Bruce found such dark humor amusing. “Besides. I thought you said you had to watch your weight, for work.” Jeff began heading down the stairs. The panther followed unnervingly quiet behind him.

Something that large shouldn’t be able to be so silent.

“Sure do.” Lars just smirked. “Got to eat my fair share after all.” Jeff just rolled his eyes at that as they reached the bottom of the stairs. Jeff didn’t answer or say anything else about that. Lars even nipped at the back of one of his ears with a playful growl, grinding up behind him. Jeff just shrugged it off with a shake of the head.

Lars liked to watch the human react to his teasing. Reading the emotions Jeff so easily displayed on his face. Smell it in the air, wafting off the human he could so easily dominate. How much Jeff had liked it, wanting it. Wanting him. Now, with the human distracted the panther found himself irritated by it all.

And he knew exactly who to blame for it.

Lars had to keep his nails from springing out as he growled to himself, jaw clenching before he let out a heavy breath. The panther had to watch himself as most predators did.

“I’ll see you tonight then.” Jeff said.

Lars just adjusting himself with one hand in his pants and then wiped it over Jeff’s face. The human pulled back a bit at that. “Now, now.” Lars chirred, brushing his thumb over Jeff’s lips, looking at him with those large piercing eyes. Waiting for the human.

“L-Lars, what if someone sees.” Jeff just asked, eyes darting behind the panther and up the stairs they had come down.

“Isn’t that half the fun?” Lars just smirked, zipping his fly down to teased the tip of his head with that thumb once more, sticking it in his hefty sheath before bringing it back up to Jeff’s face. “Longer you take, the more likely we’ll get caught…” The panther only added seeing Jeff hesitate.

The human shot him a cold glare before looking at that hand right in his face. He could smell the panther’s musk on it. See Lars smiling between those paw padded fingers. Jeff took hold of the panther’s wrist, using his other hand to guide it a bit closer before opening his mouth slowly and licking his thumb clean.

Lars tail flicked at that and he murred deeply as the human continued.

Tasting and feeling those thick, firm paw pads against his tongue as he continued to lick them clean. Cleaning Lars’s thumb clean. Tasting Lars musk on it, the pre that coated it. Rich, bitter and strong. Like Lars himself.

The panther adjusted himself once more, taking hold of his exposed hanging sheath with his other hand fully and giving himself a rub.

“Like that, huh?” Lars growled softly as Jeff suckled on his thumb. That tongue teased the slit on the panther’s finger where his claw was and Lars shuddered at that, fur standing up a bit as he pulled his hand back with a lewd grin.

Jeff only then seemed to notice Lars’s pants were still open. The human flushed, eyes darting back towards the stairs.

“Better be quick.” Lars growled a meow as he stepped backward underneath the stairs, away from the exit and into the shadows. Resting back against the wall with his legs open, pants hanging below his tail in the back and sagging around his knees in the front.

Jeff looked up the stairs once more, then at his phone. Checking the time before cursing and taking a step forward. Jeff crouched down right in front of the panther’s groin, holding Lars’s thighs for support as he just took a moment. Savored the sight of that hefty sack and sagging sheath. Lars didn’t usually wear anything under his pants and this morning hadn’t been any exception.

The smell of the panther was strong. The raw heat pouring from his groin made Jeff swallow, mouth going dry. Practically able to taste him already just from that raw heat washing over his face. Lars just rested one large hand on the back of Jeff’s head as the human moved forward, tasting him. Feeling the loose flesh of that fur covered sheath with his tongue, his nose, his face. Biting it with just his lips and pulling back. It twitched in response, the base of it filling up quickly.

Jeff ignored it for the time, instead nosing down towards that sack. Two heavy orbs hung between the panther’s open legs, barely contained in that loose fleshy hide of the panther. Jeff nosed one, feeling Lars suck in his gut as he did so. That orb bounced with the motion, falling against his face, draping over it. Lars pants fell off and the panther lifted one leg up, giving the human plenty of access between them now.

Jeff nosed forward, pressing it right underneath that sack. The musk was overpowering and his whole face was flushed as he took a heavy breath. Tasting him once more. That salty bitter taste of the panther’s sweat as he licked up over him. Closing around one of those orbs and suckling it clean. Licking every inch within his mouth before letting it drool out covered in saliva.

Lars’s nails sprung out on his other hand, which he was using to support himself against the wall. His sheath jumped and the panther had to bite his lower lip to stop himself from growling another meow. For a deadly jungle cat, Lars could be rather loud.

Jeff seemed to notice as he pulled back, standing up a little before pressing his forehead just beneath Lars’s stomach, which the panther sucked in. Bringing a hand up to stroke over that filling sheath and give it a good jerk, exposing that pewter gray shaft, before going down on him.

Mouth open, Jeff closed it around the opening. Licking deep inside, filling it with his tongue and cleaning every drop of the panther’s musky fluid from within. The taste of it only made Jeff hungry for more. Wanting to be filled again by the panther as he stayed there, bobbing up and down as Lars began to hump his barbed shaft into him.

The panther had his head tilted upwards, eyes closed as he let nature take its course. Lars didn’t even need to do a single thing, Jeff would handle it all. All Lars could do was give into instinct and let nature take it’s course, humping slowly, carefully up into that willing body between his legs. Jeff knew what he was doing and his tongue teased over the panther’s exposed head, over the small barbs on the underside. Lars grunted, coating Jeff’s mouth with more pre at that.

For a human, he knew his way around a feline’s cock.

The human was already rubbing his sack, playing with it. Loving it without Lars ever needing to ask or direct him there. Jeff seemed to know what the panther wanted, what he needed and that let Lars just rest back against the wall and enjoy every damn moment of this.

Jeff felt Lars’s tail wrap over his neck lightly as the panther moved that raised leg to rest it down on his back. Pulling him closer, further against his groin as Lars’s claws sprung out of his other hand and he scratched a long trail in the wall he was resting against. The sound of it, feeling his nails tearing into something made the panther’s cock jump once more.

Jeff had to bring one hand up now to hold the base of Lars’s length with it still within that hanging sheath. To keep the panther in check as the feline humped once more with a bit more force, barbs flaring for a second as more pre pulsed out of that length. Rippling up that pewter gray length and depositing into Jeff’s hungry mouth, gulping it down just as quickly.

Soon enough Lars’s sheath fell limp and empty, his shaft standing proudly free. It was thick, firm in Jeff’s hand and every dose of pre it released he could feel it run through his fingers first, still clasped tightly around the panther’s base. He jerked for more.

“Better hurry up.” Lars murred down at him, watching him now with those bright eyes. Jeff didn’t understand at first, thinking he meant about being late for work. Then he heard the voices coming down the stairwell.

The human tried to pull back, the panther held his head firm giving him a lustful warning growl at that as his rigid shaft throbbed in his mouth once more. Depositing more of the panther warm milky lust into him.

“Need to finish breakfast first,” Lars chuffed with a wry grin pulling on his cheek.

Jeff pumped his length quickly, suckling on the end. Teasing underneath along those barbs with his tongue and working the feline’s sack. The panther shifted, grunted and let out a heavy breath at that. Other than another good dose of pre, Lars didn’t finish. The panther just grinned, holding back as Jeff worked him. Trying to get him to finish before they were caught.

Lars bare toes curled, his tail thrashed to one side as the panther gritted his jaw. Sack tightening up against him. He held his breath. Waiting, holding it. Drawing out every single second as long as he could, just watching Jeff’s panicked face as the human tried harder. His brow furrowing up, his cheeks turning red as he worked the panther, glaring up at him.

Lars stuck just the tip of his tongue out at him. Jeff pulled on his sack roughly and the panther jumped at that.

It was too much and before Lars could stop himself, he came. Hard. Emptying his entire sack and being into Jeff’s stomach. Pumping his length with his own hand now, holding Jeff’s head with his other so he couldn’t pull back as it spilled out of the corners of the human’s mouth. Jeff’s eyes were watering as he tried to force himself to swallow it all, or as much as he could of the panther; unsure how he still had so much in him after last night.

Jeff could practically feel his stomach expanding as he gulped it all down. Throat bulging as he closed his eyes, swallowing once more. Going red in the face until Lars finally let go and he could pull back for some much-needed air.

The voices grew louder, just a flight above and before Jeff could say or do anything Lars had brought his head right back against his groin. Nose first against the panther’s furry inner thigh, feeling the sweat and heat of him as he held his breath. Trying not to make a sound as Lars moved back into the corner of the stairs with the human.

The two people were talking about something, Jeff couldn’t even recall. Couldn’t even hear as his heart pounded loudly in his ears, face flushed and every breath he took was of the panther before him. That overpowering musk filled his lungs and clung to his face as Lars pulled him closer with the leg still draped over one of his shoulders. The two held their breaths.

Lars lowered himself, sitting practically on Jeff’s face. Hidden in the shadows of the stairwell as the two came into view. And walked right past them, out the door and into the main hallway of the apartment building.

The two let out their breath as silence once more filled the stairwell. Lars even laughed as he looked down at him. “Comfy?” The panther showed no sign of moving and Jeff had to pull the cat’s leg off.

“Put your pants on.” Jeff wiped his cheek off with the back of his hand, still breathing heavily. Panting, sweating from the ordeal.

“Where’s the fun in that?” Lars teased but was already doing so. He flexed one hand before bringing it up to help wipe the human’s face off. The panther licked his thumb off this time, tail lazily swaying behind him.

“I don’t uh… smell do I?” Jeff asked after cleaning up a bit.

The panther wasn’t sure how to answer that. His hand alone had coated Jeff’s face in his musk, scent glands between his fingers had been enough for that.

“You don’t happen to work with any other cats, do you?” Lars looked to one side, zipping up his pants as he asked the question.

“Not… really, no.” Jeff said almost in disappointment. Lars chuckled at that.

“Well, unless there’s any dogs or cats… you should be fine.” The panther offered taking a sniff at him. His nose twitched at his own powerful scent on the human. Maybe he over did it. The panther just grinned as he led Jeff out. “When are ya off for lunch?”

“Noon…?” Jeff asked as Lars licked his own thumb and rubbed the human’s cheek as if that’d help.

“I’ll swing by.” Lars just give him a wink. “Now get in.” He motioned towards his car. There was a waterproof car cover over it. Lars went around unlatching each strap from the tires before pulling it off in one clean motion.

A Jaguar F-TYPE was underneath. Sleek black as the panther’s fur.

“Holy fuck.” Jeff couldn’t help but whistle wanting to reach out and touch it. It had been the same thing he had said the first time he saw the panther naked. “Was this out here all night?”

“Where else would it be?” Lars just chuckled, ears perked up and watching the human marvel at his vehicle. “She’s my gal.”

“Does that make me your mistress?” Jeff laughed, standing a bit awkwardly on the sidewalk. It was early morning and few people were out. There was a chill in the air and a fog still settled over the streets.

Lars just unlocked the car with a knowing smile and got in. “I’ll give you a lift.” The panther just said pulling the car door shut and turning it on. It barely made a sound and as Jeff got in, Lars taking off, he could hardly tell the thing was even running.

“A jaguar, really? Isn’t that a little on the nose?” Jeff had to ask.

“My sack was a little on the nose.” Lars just gave a one shoulder shrug as Jeff blushed at that. “It’s a promotional item from the big wigs for the team. Drive cars named after cats. Makes sense. Totally not racist at all.” And the panther’s claws dug a little into the fine leather on the steering wheel.

Jeff didn’t say anything about that, just keeping his head down about the matter. He could tell the steering wheel had seen its fair share of clawing since the panther had gotten it. Much like his back had.

“Sorry.” Lars said nearly five minutes later. “I just… well… touchy subject.” The panther gave an angry chuff, shaking his head. “It doesn’t concern you. My business.”

“Do you need another blowjob.” Jeff just asked and Lars nearly hit another car before collecting himself.

“Ha ha, no. That’s fine.” Lars reached over an gave his leg a good squeeze though.

“Well there’s always tonight.” Jeff just kept up, trying to lighten the mood a little.

“True.” Lars purred deeply at the thought as he pulled up outside Jeff’s work. “Kitty might want some cream.” Jeff flushed at that, unable to even say goodbye as Lars gave him one final kiss before letting him out.

“See you for lunch.” Lars waved out the window, dark shades over his eyes. Even in the dead of morning. Jeff knew it was just to keep up appearances. Or maybe, he dared to hope, it had been for his sake. Either way, the human went about the rest of his morning with a smile on his face thinking about the cool panther he had just fucked.

Lars wasn’t in such a pleasant mood as he adjusted himself in his seat, coming to a stop outside Congo’s house nearly a half hour later. The gates swung open and Lars took his leisure time coming up the driveway, around the loop and parked in front of the twin doors. He left the car running as he took a moment or two before deciding to just get this over with.

“I hate getting involved.” Lars just bitterly told himself as if to reassure that this wouldn’t be an everyday matter he’d have to deal with. The doorbell rang and the panther tapped one foot, his tail flicking to the other side.

“Oh, hey dude.” Congo greeted him groggily as the door opened up. The tiger was in a large bathrobe and pair of equally large slippers. Both of which had the Sabers logo on it. Marketing went a bit far when it came to selling the team out.

“We need to talk.” Lars just started up, moving right past him and storming inside.

“About?” Congo just yawned not even bothered by the intrusion. The tiger took several lapping gulps of his coffee, with extra cream, before looking up at him.

“Your problem is cock blocking me.” Lars just said bluntly, not even about to drag this out any longer than it needed to be. “Well, almost. Still.”

One of Congo’s ears flicked at that, his eyebrow raising up. “What the fuck are you talking about?”

“You and your brother… just apologize, kiss and make up or whatever ya’ got to do!” Lars crossed his arms, tail tip flickering quickly in annoyance.

“Hey now…” Congo looked to one side, not meeting Lars’s eyes. “It’s not that easy. And it’s my problem!” He started up, growling low and showing just the very tip of his teeth as his cheeks quivered, threatening to rise up further.

“Well now it’s mine.” Lars just said not backing down. His steely expression made Congo falter.

“As I said, it’s just not that simple.” Congo scratched the back of his neck, looking away again. “I can’t just go down there and like…”

“Apologize?” Lars gritted his teeth. “Look.” And he jabbed a finger against Congo’s chest. “I stayed out of this whole damn thing. All of it. Since the beginning. But now it’s really beginning to tick me off. We both know Bruce was supposed to get the position, not Reggie!” Lars snarled the lion’s name showing his own pearly white teeth fangs.

Congo’s ears splayed out and his shoulder sagged, his whole body seemed to shrink in on itself as his long triple striped tail curled around himself.

“Go. Today. Talk to him and deal with this. If he wants money? Give it to him. If he wants to punch you in the face? Let him.” Lars wiped his hands clean right there in front of him. “Deal with it. Today. Now. Before I have to get any further involved in your fucked up shit.” And with that the panther left. On heavy footsteps that didn’t make a sound as he lumbered his bulk out the front door and slammed it behind him.

Congo muzzle was downcast and he knew exactly what Lars had meant by it all. It wasn’t long before Congo was putting on a bland cap, dark shades and a heavy letterman's jacket before heading out himself.

He took one of his side cars, something that he used when he was just going out to town and was hoping not to be recognized. Congo wasn’t one for attention as Reggie was. He barely liked the crowd he hung with. It might’ve been a tiger thing, he wasn’t sure.

Out near Parker Street, he pulled up near the park. Congo decided to put a good hour into the parking meter, knowing this would take some time, before tucking his large hands into his pockets and heading towards the food trucks with his head hung low, cap over his eyes.

The tiger waited in line, looking around at the crowd. Everyone seemed happy during this sunny day. There was a strong wind blowing and Congo had to hold onto his cap by the time he got up near the front of the line.

“Hey.” Congo greeted his brother. Bruce’s face was impossible to read as the other tiger noticed him.

“I refuse.” Bruce just said flatly. Cold, harsh. It was a better start than Congo had been expecting.

“I didn’t even say anything.” Congo interjected, already getting angry. This had been exactly why he’d been putting this off.

Bruce pulled out a sign and put it in the window. “I have the right to refuse service to anyone I so choose.” He said tapping the sign. “Now leave. You’re getting in the way of my other customers.”

“I’m not just leaving after coming all the way out here!” Congo gritted his teeth, trying to keep his voice nice and even. He rather not get into another fist fight with his brother and have it end up in the papers.

Bruce’s tail flicked at that. The tiger’s heavy brow lowering over his eyes as he just gave a cold stare at his own twin brother. Bruce didn’t say a word to that.

“Look. Just like. Go on lunch. We’ll chat, I’ll say what I have to say and then like you can go about your life.” Congo sighed, rubbing the brow of his nose. “And I’ll just leave ya alone, kay?”

“Are you going to order something, dude. Or like should I just…” Some human hipster punk said right behind Congo. The tiger looked over and down at him and the human quickly back away.

“I have nothing to say to you. Now. Or ever.” Bruce just stated once more, as blunt as Lars had been.

“Well I’m not leaving.” Congo just frowned himself now, staring right back at him. His tail flicked to the other side, in the same manner Bruce’s had.

“You’re scaring my customers.” Bruce nails extended, grating into the metal counter and leaving several scratch marks behind.

“Good! Maybe when they’re all gone, we can talk!” Congo nearly shouted now. Something about Bruce just got under his skin and before he knew it the two were already arguing again, in low hush tones. Trying not to get anyone else involved. With every word they said their voices rose high until they were practically shouting at one another.

“I can’t believe you’re doing this during my job. My work. My life!” Bruce snarled at him.

“Why are you being such a big baby? Five, ten minutes of your time tops!” Congo just tried to reason out. His voice made it sound as if he were accusing Bruce of some deep ill-seated crime.

“Cause I don’t have the time for that. Or you.” Bruce added harshly, he looked up past his brother and at the crowd watching the two with curious and fearful expressions. “I’m going to lose my damn truck if you don’t leave!” Bruce said with gritted teeth, spitting the words out in a vicious hiss.

“Then I’ll buy you another one!” Congo slammed a hand on the outside counter and leaned closer. “I’ll buy you a truck for every god damn minute you fucking give me.”

“Money, money, money. That’s all it ever is with you! Money can’t solve all of life’s problems.” Bruce shook his head.

“Yes. Yes it actually can! If you got cancer? Use lots of money for treatment. If you’re hungry? Use money to feed yourself. Money can in fact fix things!” Congo just said back unable to believe he was having this conversation, it was as if he were talking to a child.

“Well it can’t fix this.” Bruce just ended with.

A dead silence fell between the two. The crowd behind them were just as silent, everyone trying to appear as if they weren’t watching the intense argument between the two. And clearly were.

“I’m not leaving.” Congo just pointed out, planting both his feet squarely on the ground.

“I’ll call the cops.” Bruce threatened.

Congo almost smirked at that. “For what? Standing here?” He knew Bruce wouldn’t with his record.

Bruce eye twitched, his nails scratched into the counter and before he knew it he was turning the ovens off. “I’ll be back in ten! Special deal, twenty percent off everything!... Make that Ten percent… Never mind about that.” He just ended up grumbling walking away, trying to get everyone to stick around and just not caring by the end of it.

Congo kept his cap low over his face and quickly caught up with him.

“Why is it always so difficult with you?” Congo just started up when the two found themselves some space from everyone else. The tiger tail flicked once more as his own nails extended. He wanted to strangle his brother.

“Easy for you to say.” Bruce rolled his eyes, looking at his phone to check the time. “Can we just get this over with.”

“Well…” Congo sighed in relief, glad Bruce was going to be reasonable about this for once.

“I’m not forgiving you.” Bruce interrupted before Congo could say anything. “And I don’t want to be your brother, either.” The tiger added on as if to pour salt into the wound.

“Bro…” Congo tried to sound apologetic as he took a step closer.

“No.” Bruce only shook his head. “You left me behind. Everything I worked for gone. Just like that! And now when I finally get out, you don’t even show your face until it’s convenient for you.” The tiger lip quivered as he bared his teeth, trying to contain he anger boiling up inside of him. If he smacked Congo across the face, claws out, he wouldn’t be surprised.

“When are you going to let that go.” Congo groaned, shoulders slouching.

Bruce gave a dark laugh at that. “Let it go? I lost three years of my life.” The tiger said dead serious. “Give me three years back and then, maybe, I’ll forgive you.”

“Bro, I can’t just…” Congo tried to apologize once more and found it getting caught in his throat.

“Exactly. You can’t. Can’t buy that either.” Bruce gave another laugh, void of any amusement.

“I’m sorry, ok.” Congo finally just said. “I’m sorry. For it all. It was a dumb, drunken mistake that just… happened.”

“You leaving me behind, just happened. You could’ve stayed.” Bruce just frowned. “Took the heat with me. But no. You only cared about yourself then, as you do now.”

“It was an accident! I was drunk. You were drunk.” Congo tried to point out.

“Reggie was drunk.” Bruce only rolled his eyes. “I didn’t expect that fucking coward to stay behind. I did expect my brother too.” He said with a low voice, shaking his head in disappointment.

Congo wasn’t sure what to say on that. So, he said nothing.

“I could’ve easily ratted you bastards out too. Reduce my sentence down to nothing.” Bruce told him. If only to bring up, “but I didn’t. I wouldn’t. Because that’s what real family does.”

Congo still didn’t know what to say.

“You didn’t visit once. You openly denounced me as your brother. Oh, I saw that in prison. Man, that’s always fun to see! Your own flesh and blood throwing you under the bus and THEN stepping on you when you’re already down.” Bruce gave another empty laugh at that.

“Look, I’m sorry! Ok. I just, didn’t want to lose my position on the team. We all worked so hard for it...” Congo tried to explain, to say anything in his own defense. “I feel terrible about it all. I’ve regretted it every day since.”

“Maybe, if you regret it for the next three years I’ll think about talking to you once more.” Bruce just shook his head. “My life. My football career. All my friends? Gone. Just like that. I didn’t ever think I would lose my family too.” And Bruce pushed past him, roughly shoulder bumping him out of the way as he headed back towards his truck.

“Bruce.” Congo tried to say something, anything. “Don’t take this out on everyone else just because I fucked up!” Congo pleaded, begged him to stay.

His brother stopped at that. Shoulders slouching a bit as Congo pushed the right buttons this time, touching a nerve.

When Bruce turned back around, Congo thought they could continue talking this out. Figure something, anything out. He didn’t even see the fist that connected with the side of his face. Congo was knocked clean off his feet and landed hard in the grass behind them off the sidewalk. Bruce cracked his knuckles as he looked down at him.

Congo didn’t react right away. He sat up a little, touched his cheek and winced. His lip twitched in a snarl but he swallowed it. He swallowed his anger, his pride and just looked up at his brother with the best apologetic eyes he could possibly make.

“Season tickets.” Bruce just glared down at him..

“What?” Congo blinked his eyes, sitting up a bit more.

“I want season tickets.” Bruce just said again.

“Then, do you forgive me?” Congo gave a stretch there and the look Bruce gave him at that told him enough that wasn’t about to happen any time soon.

“No. Not now. Probably, not ever.” Bruce just shook his head. “If you want to make yourself feel better by buying me shit? Fine. Whatever. They aren’t even for me. I don’t want to ever see you again…” And with that, Bruce headed back to work without looking back.

And Congo was sure, he had lost his brother once more.

Bruce reopened his shop and within the hour his phone buzzed. Showing the electronic tickets on there. He didn’t plan to use them, he meant what he said. He could go the rest of his life without seeing Congo and be perfectly happy about it.

The tiger had planned to give them to Jeff, in apology for it all. He didn’t need to see the human to do it, knowing where he lived. He figured Jeff, like himself, wouldn’t or couldn’t possibly forgive what the tiger had done and decided that this was the best way to go about it. To order the tickets, to get the physical copy and then to package them up and drop it off on Jeffery’s doorstep.

The tiger waited, several days later, outside it. He had planned on just that. To drop it off, ring the door bell and then run for it. As he rang the bell, he found his feet glued to the floor. Unable to move as he just stood there, waiting. Hoping to see Jeff, again.

It had been a long couple of months. Each day went by and Bruce couldn’t tell if it was a Monday or Friday as he turned the stoves in the back of his truck on. They all just blurred together and by the time Congo had come by, anyone had… it had been nearly three months.

And when the door opened up he was face to face with the panther from the barbeque. Bruce, honestly, wasn’t expecting that.

“Uh… hey.” Bruce just said unsure what else too.

“Hey.” Lars just gave him a once over, then at the package in hand. He opened the door the rest of the way up and left it open for the tiger. “Jeff’s in the back.” The panther only said as he moved back over to the couch, jumping over the back of it to sit down. Putting his bare feet back up on the coffee table and watching the TV.

Bruce took a heavy step inside, looking over to see that one of the old Saber games were on. Jeff had said he liked to record them. To watch in case he missed one or to rewatch on his days off. Bruce had never taken him up on the offer to watch any of the old games together.

“Jeff. You got company!” Lars shouted down the hall, not even looking back. The panther took another drink of his beer.

“Do you like live here now?” Bruce just ended up clumsily asking. The tiger had left the door open as if planning to make a quick escape.

“Sure. Why not?” Lars stretched out, scratched himself lewdly and then shouted once more to Jeff.

“I heard you the first time.” Jeff just shouted back, rounding the corner and nearly walking face first into the tiger. “Oh.” He stopped. “Hey.” Jeff just said looking up into that orange black striped, white marked face.

“Hey.” Bruce tried to begin. “Hey.” The tiger ended up saying again. “I got something for you… this for you.” He shoved the package into his hands, unable to make eye contact. The tiger turned around as if about to leave.

“Wait.” Jeff caught his tail, quickly letting go and apologizing for that. “It’s uh… good to see you again.” The human started taking a step closer.

“You too.” Bruce nodded. Taking a moment as he shuffled his heavy feet. “I just… wanted to say… and give you that… I’m sorry. For, you know. And stuff.”

“And stuff, yeah.” Jeff just nodded along.

“So, like… we cool?” Bruce tried to offer with a hopeful shrug.

There was a silence.

“Just fuck already!” Lars called from the couch. The two looked over at him. “I was talking to the announcers…” The panther shrunk down on the sofa as he pointed at the TV. Bruce tail flickered at that.

“How about a hug?” Jeff offered instead.

Bruce ears folded back, he shifted his weight before turning around to face him. The tiger awkwardly went down on one knee and opened his arms wide. One hand smacked into the side of the wall knocking over one of the picture frames hanging on it.

Jeff laughed at that as Bruce gave him a embarrassed, forced smile. Then grunted as Jeff hugged him roughly and let his arms fall over the human’s back returning the hug.

“You stink.” Bruce said softly in his ear.

“You smell worse.” Jeff only replied.

“Were you rolling in that panther’s gym cloths or what?” Bruce just kept it up.

Jeff smiled at the teasing. “You smell like you dove head first into a dumpster full of used jockstraps.”

“You smell like a panther sweaty ball sack.”

“You smell like a hundred used condoms.”

“You smell like you just got out of bed. An your bed is his sweaty socks.”

“Some people are into that.” Jeff pulled back with a laugh, blushing lightly as he sniffed himself. “I don’t really smell like sweaty used socks, do I?”

Bruce chuckled at that. “Maybe if he wore socks?” The tiger shrugged. “Do I smell like a dumpster of jockstraps?” The tiger just playfully asked, giving himself a sniff.

“Well…” Jeff stretched it out and Bruce gave him another hug at that. “No,” the human said softly as Bruce held him. “You smell like… sprinkles…”

“That’s really gay.” Bruce chuckled easing up a bit. “I do, though… From work.” He added as if it wasn’t obvious. “I use them with the crepe rolls and it just kind of clings to you and like…”

Jeff laughed at that. “I know.” He smiled, Bruce smiled and the two just stayed there for second too long. “I thought… you forgot about me…”

“Nah, I just was being stupid.” Bruce eased up, blushing under his white fur cheeks. . “And I’m sorry. Really. I was going to tell you, eventually…” He coughed into one hand standing back up and stretching. “Probably.”

“Bruce.” Jeff frowned now, unamused.

“Maybe…” The tiger just rolled one shoulder. “When has this been going on!” He asked, changing the subject quickly as he motioned between the two of them.

“You remember Lars, right?” Jeff asked re-introducing the panther and tiger to one another.

“Sup.” The panther waved from the sofa.

“What about your roommate?” Bruce asked, recalling the other human who lived here and how much he despised carnivores.

“I ate him.” Lars followed that up with a rather loud, convincing burp as he patted his stomach. “Was delicious.”

Jeff rolled his eyes. “Tom works nights and is usually out by evening…” He explained.

“And you just sneak in here when the boss isn’t home?” Bruce laughed lightly. The tiger looked tired as if he hadn’t been sleeping, Jeff didn’t say anything about it.

“Something like that.” Lars just looked back at the two. “Shut the door, ya’ animal.” He growled, looking over at Jeff. “Babe, get daddy another beer.”

“Daddy?” Both Bruce and Jeff had to ask. Lars just laughed and the human rolled his eyes, moving into the kitchen.

“Did the dumbass apologize?” Lars just asked, finishing his beer off and crushing it with one hand.

“You can recycle those.” Bruce just frowned.

“I’ll take that as a yes.” He looked at the package Jeff had left behind. “What’s that?”

“Season tickets.” Bruce didn’t know why he answered him.

“Hah.” Lars smirked, turning back towards the TV.

“What?” Bruce growled a warning, eyes darting over to make sure Jeff didn’t hear.

“I already got him some.” Lars just shrugged casually as if it were no big deal, even if he had been the one to bring it up.

“Is that so…” Bruce just gave a frown as Jeff came back in with a fresh six pack.

“Now, now. I hope you guys will get along.” Jeff lifted the beer up as a peace offering. “It’s the good stuff.” He added. “None of that cheap domestic crap.”

“I was thinking of heading out actually…” Lars started, getting up.

“No need too on my account.” Bruce just said, seeing where this was going. “I can leave.”

“You just got here… both of you probably have a lot to catch up on.” Lars feigned a yawn, looking away uninterested.

“Do you have too?” Jeff asked sitting the beers down and walking over.

“Don’t want to be a third wheel.” Lars just grimaced at the thought.

“Well, I would technically be the third wheel.” Bruce lifted one hand up. “Seeing as how you two are like together or whatever.”

“Well, not like you two weren’t like…” Lars grumbled bitterly to himself.

Jeff chuckled at that, looking over at Bruce. “Uh… no. We haven’t done anything.”

Lars frowned at that. “It’s kind of hard to think you two, after being so close…” The panther wasn’t talking to Bruce, he was looking down at Jeff. Who only chuckled once more.

“Well… Bruce’s is sort of…” Jeff wasn’t sure how to say it.

“I’m asexual.” Bruce just said flatly. The room went quiet at that.

“Oh.” Lars said, feeling a bit foolish now for feeling jealous about it all.

The two jungle cats exchanged a look before agreeing on a much-needed drink. The three barely fitting on the couch as they watched one of the games Jeff had recorded together, talking about the plays. Jeff sitting partially in Lars’s lap as he faced towards the tiger, catching up on everything they had missed.

Bruce didn’t say much, letting Jeff do the talking for the two of them. As he had done before. The human seeming to have instantly forgiven him for what he had done and Bruce wondered, if Jeff could forgive Bruce… could he forgive his brother, some day?

He didn’t think any more of that as the second beers for each of them were opened and the conversation quickly focused on the game.

“So, weird seeing a game like this that your in.” Lars just said.

“Yeah. But you look great.” Jeff assured him and the panther gave him a kiss at that.

“You know… if you really want to freak his roomie out,” Lars said to Bruce a good two hours later after the recording had ended. “You could stick around… then, when he gets home, we jump out and give him something to really worry about.”

Bruce chuckled at that. Jeff did not find it amusing. And the three shared a good laugh over it an hour later, several beers in, and Tom walking in on the three of them.