Date: Wed, 15 Aug 2012 16:00:24 -0700
From: Charles Wolfe <c.sportswolfe@gmail.com>
Subject: The Ultimate Man- Winter Break Chapter 11

      It was about one when the dance ended, not because of the time but
mostly because of the lack of dancers. Most of them had gone home or to
their rooms, leaving about 50 people still on the floor with their
partners. Looking around me, I couldn't help but suddenly get worried; Tay
was missing. So was Ryan. I had seen Ryan pull Tay off the floor a few
hours earlier but I figured it was because of the heat. They should have
been back by now.

      Looking to Michael, who at the moment has his hands around my waist,
I glance worried into his eyes. "We need to find Tay. He should have
returned by now, even if he took Ryan up to his room to change." Breaking
off from Michael, I glide him through the floor, heading for the
doors. Michael didn't object, knowing full well that it is all about safety
in numbers.

      Reaching the concourse, I pulled out my phone and called up Tay, the
first call going straight to his voicemail. Grumbling, I hung up and tried
again. Widening my eyes at Michael, I motion that Tay is getting on my
nerves, this not being like him. Trying again, I managed to get through,
speaking before Tay even gets the chance, "Tay, where the hell are you? I'm
worried about you." It was pretty blunt and I instantly regretted it the
moment I said it. "Sorry Tay, I didn't mean that."

      "Chris? Oh shit!" I hear a huge crash in the background, the thud of
something happening behind the speaker of Tay's phone. "Sorry Chris. Hey
what's up?" There is a muttered shushing in the background, someone else
near wherever he is.

      "Tay where are you? And who are you with? Where is Ryan?" I launch a
barrage of questions at Tay, hoping he might answer a few of them. Looking
to Michael, I can tell he is getting tired.

      "Umm... well... I'll meet you at the hotel lobby ok?" Before I could
respond, the click of the ended call cut me off, the phone shutting off
with the dropped call.

      Looking at my phone, I am baffled that Tay just hung up on me like
that. Eyes wide, I stare at Michael, "What is going on here?" Moving
towards the bridge that connects the hotel to the convention center, we
walk briskly, me leading the entire way.

      Michael offers his opinion, one that I don't know if I like, "Maybe
he was getting laid... I mean I think him and Ryan have something going
on." I didn't want to turn around and confront him about it but it was a
strong possibility. I mean Ryan and Tay were a great couple, but I don't
know... I was going into brother mode.

      Reaching the hotel lobby, I couldn't help but pace. Michael wanted to
stop me but I was too riled up to be contained. The instant Tay emerged
from the corner I was on him, a cheetah to a poor zebra. "Dude you know not
to leave the group! I was worried about you!" I tore into him, the stupid
move he pulled getting me angry.

      Before I could finish another voice piped up, a figure in pajamas
emerging from the corner. "Actually Chris it was my fault." Ryan stood
there behind Tay, his figure acting as a shadow over him.

      Tay stood there with his clothes wrinkled, his hair slightly
undone. It didn't take a rocket scientist to see what had happened between
the two of them. I didn't want to ruin their night so I just extended my
hand out, palm open. "Gimme your card to get into your dorm and go back to
enjoying the night." I didn't want to say more but I felt it needed to be
said. "Ryan, take care of him. Please."

      Ryan wrapped his arms over Tay's shoulders, giving the impression
that he almost owns Tay. It was cute to watch, especially when Tay looked
up at Ryan, his eyes glancing over Ryan's face. Ryan looked out over Tay's
forehead, his piercing green globes backing me down. Tay was no longer mine
to protect, "I will Chris. Trust me he will be safe."

      With that, Tay handed me his card and left with Ryan, their arms
wrapped around each other's waists. I was happy for the two of them, a bit
jealous on both parts, some of me wanting Ryan and some wanting to hold
onto Tay. Heading back to the car, I was reminded of what I have as Michael
interlaced his fingers with mine, his palm sharing warmth.

      *****

      Waking up next to Michael was a great feeling, even though we were
still clothed. It would have felt extremely weird to sleep nude in Tay's
room, even if he was not there.  Given that we took the chance to sleep in,
neither one of us actually getting active till around 10. We knew that we
were missing out on the convention but we were enjoying our alone time, the
ability to snuggle up close to each other was great.

      "How many more days is this going on?" Michael speaks into my ear as
he pulls himself close to me, the tension of his arms increasing. He has
morning breath to him, a normally unsexy smell but I know I have the same
scent so I can't complain. It's one of those many joys of sleeping
together.

      Groaning out loud, I wiggle a little then respond. "It goes for
another few days but I think today might be our last. I don't know about
you but I want to get back home to make sure I have everything for
college."

      Michael leans up over me, kissing me on the cheek. "I totally
understand. And to be honest, while I am enjoying the costumes, I really
don't know if this is my thing. I mean it's cool and all but I just don't
feel like I fit in." His shirtless body flexes as he lies over me, the
pecks taunt.

      Getting dressed was a bit of fun, the two of us almost dancing around
each other in Tay's small room but we made it work, being on the road
around 10:30ish. After grabbing breakfast on the way, we had a very nice
ride in, very little traffic on the freeways (it was the weekend by the
way). Finding parking though... that was a different story. Unlike the
previous few days, for some apparent reason the parking structure was
nearly full today, maybe it was because of our tardiness.

      After finding a spot near the top floor, we moved at our own pace to
get into the convention, the rush of Tay not pushing us towards any
particular goal. Being that it most likely was our last day, we wanted to
relax and enjoy it for what the furry community was; a hobby.

      Moving down the elevator, we were surprised to see so many other furs
coming in at the same time as us. It felt kind of weird being the only
humans in the elevator; a lion behind us, a cat and bunny to the front. On
our sides were some really nicely dressed dogs, one of them appearing to be
a Doberman, the other a Pit-bull. As much as I have been enjoying the
community, I was glad to escape from the confines of the ride, the
claustrophobia getting to me, all the animals piling out when the doors
opened.

      Flooding into the convention's lobby, Michael and I went for Ryan's
booth, or HuskRy to be correct, as this was his persona while here. It was
no surprise to see the two of them working there, HuskRy signing autographs
while Tay helped out when needed. Approaching from a distance, the two of
them looked like they connected well.

      "Hey you two, how was last night?" I poke, diverting their
attention. Holding a coy grin, I crossed my arms and waited for their
response.

      While I couldn't exactly see Ryan's expression, HuskRy's movements
said it all, a quick look to Tay then back to his computer, not answering
in Tay on the other hand held it well, his face expressing a "I don't know
what you're talking about" emotion. It didn't last long though before the
crack of a grin appeared, breaking wide across his face. "It was... great."
Tay spoke softly, as if everyone around us knew what we were talking about.

      Michael held a grin on his face as well, enjoying the banter between
the group. While he did not partake in the actual conversation, I still
knew he was there, his presence behind me welcoming. Raising my eyebrows,
all I muster out is a "Uh huh." After a few seconds of enjoying the
awkwardness, I break the ice again, this time on a different subject. "Well
Michael and I are going to hit up a writing seminar. We will catch up with
you guys for dinner ok?"

      A simple but understanding nod was all I got from the two, the topic
of their last night's romp not wanting to be discussed. It will have to be
something I poke Tay about later on. As Michael and I walk towards the
conference room, I couldn't help but wonder how good of a guy Ryan actually
was.

      Entering into the room, there were tables all around us, and groups
already sitting down. Some furs were clustered together in one area, humans
in the other. While I wanted to sit with the humans, I felt that the subtle
segregation needed to be broken, moving instead over to the furry area,
Michael and I grouping in with a dragon and two cats.

      The three of them seemed to know each other and our immediate
presence got their attention, a hush taking over their
conversations. Making idle chat with them before the seminar began; we
found out that they were professional writers, only coming to the seminar
to brush up on their skills. It was a great writing class, focusing most of
its attention on descriptors; the cats and dragon helping us out to write
our own short erotic story.

      It was a fun exercise, our group taking the dirtier aspect than the
rest of the room. Poking fun at each other, Michael and I teamed up to
write "the cat sucked furiously on the throbbing barbed cock" on our
papers, and then pass them to the furs to see how we could improve upon the
statement. Eyeing them playfully we watched as they teamed up as well,
returning the paper with the sentence: "The frisky young cat mewed as he
sucked down on the throbbing cock, furiously working over the barbs, almost
ripping the nubs off the skin as the man milk seeped into the mouth, it's
juices flowing slowing down the felines throat, adding a burning desire for
more."

      After reading it over once, I coughed hoarsely to Michael, "So what
do you think if we were to start writing like this for Mrs. Steiner?"

      Passing him the paper, he read over it, his eyes slightly bulging as
well. The furs snickered off in their corner, their focus going back to
writing their own stories. Michael laughs lightly, "Well umm... she would
be surprised I can tell you that." It was amusing catching him slightly
rearranging his pants, a bulge growing down in his groin.

      The rest of the session was just as erotic, us seeing who could edge
each other to the breaking point, writing the smuttiest thing we could
think of, while also trying to make it flow. There were a few times when
the dragon would correct us on our anatomy, what parts a feline has that a
dog or wolf would not. It was even more amusing when we got to read some of
their items, barely making it through the first paragraphs before things
got heated.

      After that, we wandered around a bit taking in the sights, wasting
our time as dinner got closer. Meeting up with Tay and HuskRy at 4, we all
went out for food at a local deli, a swarm of furs occupying almost half
the diner. "So what are your plans for the rest of the day?" Tay asked us
as we munched down on our sandwiches.

      Looking over to Michael, I broke the news. "Well we were actually
thinking of heading home, since there still is time for us to get back. If
Ryan doesn't mind taking you home, we were going to leave after this."

      Even though his mouth had become full of food, I saw a slight twinge
of disappointment in Tay's face; the want for me to stay longer with
him. Elaborating more on it, "School is starting next week and I am sure
Michael wants to get back home to wash, as I do too. Also I need to pack
everything back up Tay."

      His face softened as he began to understand; my time here was
done. HuskRy moved his paw over Tay's hand, then spoke out, "I'll make sure
he gets home alright. It does suck that you two couldn't stay longer but if
you have to get going, I understand. I'm lucky UCLA doesn't start for
another two weeks. Gives me more time to enjoy the break." HuskRy releases
a laugh as he nuzzles into Tay's neck, looking back at us with his wide
eyes.

      Finishing our dinner, it was a remembrance walk back, the four of us
all talking about the convention, as well as Tay and HuskRy talking about
what is still to come. I feel kind of bad during the walk that we are
leaving, one part of me wanting to stay for Tay, the other for the
convention to see if anything else really is worth the fun.

      Once we get back to the car, Tay moves up to hug me, pulling me
close. "Thank you for coming. It really has meant a lot to me that you were
here Chris."

      Holding him tight, I respond back, "Tay it was a lot of fun. If you
ever want to do it again, I would love to come with you." I mean what I
say, my emphasis showing that I am always up to join him.

      Releasing him, I move to shake HuskRy's paw, "Take care of him ok?" I
look sternly to Ryan inside the costume; my brotherly terms being laid out
to protect Tay. While I may not be able to see his eyes, I make darn sure
he notices mine, the commandment being placed before him that he better not
hurt my best friend. I was happy to see Michael hug Tay, a sign that they
had kind of gotten more on an even footing, the two of them respecting each
other now. Smiling, I moved to the car, opening the door to set off. It was
time to go home.

*****

      Michael drove a little that night, but around the halfway point I
took over, mostly because of my insistence that he rest for his drive the
following day. He left early the 15th, the drive down to Santa Barbara
daunting. I was relieved to hear he arrived safe that night, a few quick
texts assuring me his arrival before him heading to sleep.

      A few days later I left with Ally, the two of us switching off every
so often to rest. I was sad that winter break was over but it was time for
the semester to start back up again. I was looking forward to hanging out
with the Frisbee group, the thought of switching rooms to have Peter as a
bunk mate intriguing me. The next semester will be great.

*****

      Pound! Pound! Pound! I wake from my sleep, rub my eyes, and look
around. What was that noise?

      Pound! Pound! Pound! Shouting out, I pull off the sheets and step
down to the floor, my boxers hanging loosely from my waist. "Hang on! Hang
on!"

      Opening the door, this random dude stands before me, his face raged
with fury. "What the fuck did you do to Skyler?"