“Samuel?”

The young fox gave a start and blinked. He was lying back on the side of the tub, just as he was earlier. Maple was reclining against his chest, the dripping cloth in his slender hand, the silver charm glinting with little droplets, hung from his wrist. 

“Are you well?” he asked. He dabbed Samuel’s face with the wet cloth. “You look as if you’ve seen a ghost.”

“I… I…” Samuel began, but then held his tongue. How could he say anything to Maple? He shook his head. “I’m fine, just wandered off there.” It was all in his own mind, thank heavens.

“That’s a relief,” replied Maple. He took up the cloth and carefully rubbed Samuel's furry chest. “You have a nice broad chest, Samuel.” 

Feeling the heat rising in his cheeks, Samuel turned his head away and said, “W-Well, I grew up helping Pa around the farm. Lot of lifting and carrying, you know.”

“Mmhmm,” nodded Maple. “I can imagine.” He grabbed Samuel’s wrist, wiping his calloused palm with the cloth. “Oh, and these hands. So rough and strong. I’ll bet the womenfolk just adore these. They’d make you feel so safe.” He placed Samuel’s open palm to his cheek. Letting his eyes fall closed, Maple sighed. “I know I do.”

Samuel gulped and pulled his hand away. Beneath the steaming surface, something was stirring. His ears drooped as Maple laid his heavy, round body against the young fox. His slender hands on Samuel’s shoulders, he lifted his muzzle to the fox’s ear. 

“You’re an exquisite kisser, I’ll have you know.” The syrupy whisper hit him like a battering ram. 

Samuel’s face drained of color as his body went rigid as a pole. “M-Maple? What did we--what did I do?”

He was met with a slim finger touching his lips. 

“Hush now,” came the reply. “You did nothing wrong, at least not from my angle.” He gave a sly wink. “But, sweet Samuel, I do believe some things are better left to the bedroom. There’s more room, for one.” The fox let loose a short, barking laugh. 

Samuel’s furry cheeks colored at the sharp, lilting melody. The sound of Maple’s voice was so oddly soothing to him, that felt the tension leaving his shoulders. 

“Now, let us to bed,” said Maple. He pressed his face against Samuel’s chest, his snout nuzzling the orange fur. Samuel smelled of leather and soil, of sweat and hard-work. His bushy tail wagged, sending tinkling droplets to sparkle in the moonlit air. 

“B-Bed?” Samuel’s voice was a thin squeak. Outside, the breeze made the leaves rustle.

“Of course,” Maple purred. “Surely you did not think we would stay in this old tub all night? Besides, the night grows late and chilly. I think it best we retire, don’t you?”

“R-Right,” Samuel mumbled. 

Taking Maple’s wrists, he sat the pregnant fox back and stood up. His black hands flew to his groin, covering himself as a grimace spread over his face. Slowly, he stepped out of the tub, being sure to keep his back to the wall, facing Maple the entire time. Falling into a crouch, he plucked up the fallen towel and wrapped it around his waist. All the while, Maple sat with his knees folded beneath him, a smirk splashed across his narrow face. The fox said nothing, but continued to watch Samuel, his eyes shimmering with hidden mischief. 

Samuel, his hand on the blanket covering the doorway, managed to mumble, “I-I’ll just be going to bed now. You can follow along in a moment,” before slipping back into the bedroom.

Alone, he staggered to his bed and pulled back the covers. The scratchy wool was rough, but warm and still better than sleeping outside. He let the towel tumble to the floor and clambered into the bed. Lying on his side, his back to the other bed and the room with the tub, he pulled the blankets up to his chin and shut his eyes. His ears pricked up as he caught the faint scuffle of bare feet padding softly on the cool stone, followed by the rustle of wool. Next came the squeak of bed springs as a heavy body laid down. As he was just drifting off, something round and soft pressed into his lower back. Samuel’s eyes popped open as his heart leapt into his mouth. He rolled over in an instant to find a pair of yellow eyes filling his vision. 

“Maple!” he squealed. He tried to sit up, but the other fox had his arms about him, pinning him to the bed. 

“Tut tut,” the grinning vulpine chuckled. “I never said anything about going to [i]my[/i] bed.” His fingers cradled the back of Samuel’s shaggy head as his face came closer. Running a finger along the bridge of the young fox’s snout, he whispered with hooded eyes, “I want you to have sex with me tonight. And I believe, though you cannot muster the courage to say it, you feel the same.”

Samuel wanted to protest, to shriek his defiance, but his mouth would not open. His cock twitched, sliding up from its sheath as the pregnant fox’s soft belly nestled up against his stomach. The faint flutterings of warm life kicked against him and his hand fell atop Maple’s swollen belly. The fox closed his eyes and moaned softly as Samuel found himself rubbing that immense gravid orb. The short fur slid between his fingers as he pressed into the supple, tight flesh. Such fertility, he thought, such beauty. A primitive hunger welled up in his gut. Yes, Maple was right. He did want to have sex, so very badly. His hand ran along Maple’s belly to cup his fat ass. Then, his eyes closing, Samuel leaned in, pressing his lips gently to Maple’s mouth.

Maple arched his back and cooed softly as he fell into Samuel. It was not like in the bath, not at all. Hot passion had been replaced by a slow, sultry burn that lingered. Their lips met, separated and came together again, filling the room with quiet popping sounds. Maple’s lips parted, allowing for Samuel’s lapping tongue to enter. The young fox wrapped his hand around Maple’s head, twining his fingers into his loose, black hair. Scratching at the back of the pregnant fox’s head, he plunged deep into Maple’s hungry maw. His tongue flicked the smooth, white fangs, licking greedily at the supple gums until Maple moaned. Prying himself from the fox’s mouth, Samuel kissed the delicate chin, prompting Maple to lean his head back and offer his graceful throat. Accepting the offering, Samuel traveled down the gentle curve, tasting of the fox’s sweet flesh until he found the swollen breasts. The scents of warm milk and lilac made his head swim. He reached for a tender mound and squeezed, causing Maple to jump. 

“Oh, Samuel,” he whispered, placing his hand atop the young fox’s. “Please be gentle. They may be small, but they are very full and sore.”

Samuel’s fingers traced the swollen flesh, touching the black areola with loving care. The hard nipple stood up, a ripe bud eager for plucking. Samuel soon found himself tasting of that tender nub. His lips wrapped around Maple’s breast, spreading wide to take in the entire mound. His tongue nudged the sensitive nipple, making the fox gasp.

“S-Samuel, oh my.”

Samuel’s tongue swirled around the bumpy areola, flicking occasionally at the erect nipple. The hot sweetness of breast milk spread over his tongue as he worked a bead of white up from that ebon bud. Squeezing with his jaws caused a thin trickle to squirt into his mouth. Samuel gulped the fresh, warm milk, delighting in the sweet flavor. Meanwhile, Maple held the young fox close, a gentle smile spread over his face. 

“Drink deep, now,” he whispered. 

At last, with a kiss, Samuel parted from that precious orb. A trickle of white dripped onto the mattress as Maple shifted. The pregnant fox rolled onto Samuel, straddling his narrow waist with a plump thigh. 

“I want you to lay back and let me do all the work,” Maple said. “Just relax.”

Samuel’s head fell back on the pillow, his hands grasping Maple’s ample hips as the fox stroked his face. A black finger ran up the bridge of his snout to touch his black, shiny nose, then traced gently down his chin. Maple laid a hand on Samuel’s cheek, sliding down to his jaw and proceeding down his throat. Samuel let his eyes close as the pregnant fox laid both hands on his chest, spreading his fingers out over the firm muscle. He traced the curve of Samuels pectorals, sliding along the ripples of the fox’s hard belly, seeking ever closer to Samuel’s groin. The young fox moaned as Maple pressed his thumbs into his lower belly, working the taut flesh outward towards his pelvis. 

“Does that feel good?” Maple asked. “It should give you pleasure.” He pushed back, lowering his head so that his massive, orange buttocks was thrust into the air. His face came down to Samuel’s throbbing cock, now a shiny black rod rising towards heaven. Thick ebon flesh distended from his sheath, studded with ropey veins like steel cables beneath his skin. Like the guard of a dagger, a hard, swollen knot ballooned from the base of his member. Maple grinned and then placed two fingers on the hot, dark skin. Samuel gave a sharp gasp, startled by the sensation as the fox ran his fingers so lightly up his throbbing cock. 

“Sex is about sensation,” Samuel heard him whisper. Maple’s fingertips brushed his quivering shaft, dancing their way up to his fat tip. “So many just rush into the hot thrill, but that’s not the way to love. Not at all. You have to be slow.” He slid up, pressing a finger against Samuel’s tip. “Purposeful.” He traced down the plump undershaft to grasp Samuel’s knot with thumb and forefinger. 

Sweat dampened Samuel’s already wet fur as he arched his back and groaned. As Maple squeezed his knot, working the firm flesh with his fingers, his other hand came up to wrap around the young fox’s shaft. His thumb pressed gently against the black skin, sliding up the trembling rod and then back down. All the while, his fingers would flutter against the slight curve of the top of Samuel’s penis. Samuel’s belly heaved with sobbing breaths as he dug his clawed fingers into the mattress. 

“O-Oh, ooohh…” he groaned. 

“Sshh, now,” Maple said softly. “Just relax.”

Samuel let out a cry as a thin spurt of glistening precum burst from his quivering tip. “Na-aah, Maple.”

“So eager,” the pregnant fox chuckled. “Well then, I believe it is time. I’ll lead.”

He released Samuel’s erect shaft and sat up on his knees. Samuel opened his eyes and saw Maple’s massive belly thrust into his face. His tail began to wag before the fox turned and faced his back to him. Samuel’s breath caught in his throat, cast in the flickering glow of the waning candlelight was a pair of cheeks like he had never seen. Each was the size of the pumpkins he had helped Pa bring in, and just as orange. Massive, jiggling spheres of orange fur wobbled above his pelvis. Samuel’s heart pounded in his chest, his face burning up, but this time he would not look away. Maple squatted and craned his neck around. Those beautiful, quizzical eyes glittered in the dim light. Two orbs of flashing witchfire that seemed to regard the young fox as if waiting for him to make a move. Samuel’s trembling hands rose to touch the soft, round cheeks, finding them oddly more firm than he expected. Soft as fresh dough and yet unyielding as he found the lithe muscle beneath, they made his heart leap. Samuel spread those fat cheeks to reveal a tight, black ring that was opening as Maple’s ass lowered. 

“Shall we make this old bed sing?” Maple asked. He sank his ass down, his ring taking in Samuel’s tip. 

“O-Oh, yes,” Samuel whispered, his throat becoming tight as the hot flesh contracted around his cock. “Ngh, yes.”

Maple closed his eyes and uttered a groaning sigh as he dropped down fully, impaling himself onto Samuel’s quivering rod. Hot, smooth flesh engulfed his cock, clamping hard around him until the young fox feared that Maple would break it off. Maple lowered his hips until his ring kissed the swollen mound of Samuel’s knot. Now having taken the young fox fully within him, the pregnant fox, placed his hands on Samuel’s thighs and tilted his head back. His ears swiveled back as he savored the hard, quivering rod within him, feeling how it stretched his rectum with a pleasing ache. Taking a deep breath, he rose, lifting his hips up. Samuel gripped Maple’s fat ass hard, overcome by the way the fox’s ass seemed to close in around his cock. Like a thousand tiny hands, the muscles encircled his rod, stroking, rubbing, massaging his hard cock as Maple rose up. His tight anus pulled, yanking Samuel’s hips up slightly along with him, then at the top his rise, let go. Samuel’s rigid member slid effortlessly along the hot, smooth flesh, caressing the walls of Maple’s trembling rectum and sending ripples up the pregnant fox’s spine. 

“Mmm,” Maple moaned, lowering himself down and rising once again. Over and over, his hips bucked against Samuel’s groin.

Samuel’s hands slid around Maple’s hips, taking him by the belly. The young fox fell into a groaning chorus and the two lovers met in a warbling song that filled the room. His strong fingers groped the swollen flesh of Maple’s gravid belly, feeling the weight and the solidness of his pregnant belly. So big, so round, he thought. His cock throbbed, aching as he cupped the tender orb. His heart hammered as his mind drifted, imagining himself planting his seed. Why should he not? He was a farmer’s son, after all. Yes, Samuel bucked his hips up into Maple, making the fox rise with a squeal. He would till this fertile soil, plant his seed. He would sow such a harvest. His finger’s dug into Maple’s belly, kneading the taut flesh. Sensing the young fox squirming beneath him, Maple rose up on his knees, allowing Samuel to slide out from under him. Still connected, Samuel sat up on his knees, his hard belly pressing into Maple’s back. His arms, strong, hard arms, wrapped tightly around the pregnant fox, his hands clasping his pregnant belly. 

“Oh my,” Maple laughed. “It seems someone else wishes to lead. Please, be my guest.”

Samuel’s muzzle nestled into Maple’s neck. “I love you,” he said in a voice that was almost a whimper. His fingers spread over Maple’s round belly. “I love you so much.”

The words spilled from his lips. Samuel felt no shame in any one of them. He bucked his hips, thrusting hard into Maple. The pregnant fox winced and let out a small gasp. 

“Ah, not so hard, Samuel.” He placed a hand atop the young fox’s wrist. “Listen to your partner. Feel their movements, hear their breathing.”

Samuel pulled back and willed himself to relax. His body leaned heavily against Maple’s back as he slowly inhaled and then let his breath escape in a slow puff. Maple’s round body shifted in his arms, the muscles contracting around his waist, lowering. Samuel’s ears pricked up as he heard the soft rustle of air as the fox breathed. As Maple inhaled, his body would rise, then fall as he exhaled. Samuel understood now. His ears swiveled back and the young fox met Maple’s breath with a slow, forceful push. His quivering shaft slid up to strike the fox’s core, sending ripples of delight shivering up Maple’s spine. 

“Oh my, now that is perfect,” he moaned. 

As the fox exhaled, Samuel rocked back, then came back in with the next breath. His cock buried itself deep, plunging up to the firm knot as Samuel ground himself into Maple’s anus. The pregnant fox’s body came alive in his arms, muscles moving to the slow, steady dance. Their hearts kept the beat in time as their hips rocked in a luxurious swaying rhythm punctuated only by the sharp cries of Maple and the low grunts of Samuel. 

Their bodies locked, the pair rocked back and forth, Maple’s groans rising and falling in cadence to the movement of Samuel’s hips as he thrust himself against the walls of the fox’s battered fortress. 

“Oh… Oh… Oh… A-Ah, Samuel, yes,” Maple groaned. 

His glistening black lips peeled back in a wide smile as he let his head hang limp from his shoulders. Samuel brought his hand up, his fingers tracing up the curve of Maple’s throat to caress his delicate jaw. Tilting the fox’s head back, he placed his lips to Maple’s honeyed mouth, drinking deeply of that proffered chalice. 

“Mmm,” a quiet sigh rumbled up from Maple’s chest. He clutched Samuel’s strong arms, as his belly quaked. Such a warm fullness in his lower belly. Maple’s head swam. How long had it been since he felt such raw passion? “Oh Samuel,” his voice was a soft whisper. “Oh, yes.” Such an ache in his heart. What was this feeling, like a hot needle piercing his chest? His heart quickened as Samuel’s lips found his shoulder. “If only I had not been pregnant before we met,” he muttered under his breath. His ears suddenly pricked up and his yellow eyes snapped wide. What was he saying? 

“What was that?” Samuel’s voice whispered behind him. 

Maple said nothing, but placed a hand to his lips. Meanwhile, Samuel’s body screamed with the need for release. His balls churned, itching to spill their fresh seed. His cock spurted quick little pumps of precum into Maple’s ass as the young fox clenched his fangs. 

“Ugh, Maple,” he groaned, his hands tightening around the pregnant fox’s belly. His firm fingers pressed into the supple flesh, kneading Maple’s belly in slow swirls. “I-I can’t hold out much longer.”

“I see,” Maple replied. “Then let us conclude our dance.” He leaned forward, stretching his arms out so that he took hold of the foot of the bed. His fat, round ass thrust up, pushing back against Samuel. “Now, my love, take me like you want to.”

Samuel gripped the fox’s hips hard, his rigid cock trembling. The muscles of his belly tightening painfully, he rammed himself hard into Maple’s jiggling ass. 

“Na-aah,” Maple cried. “Yes, harder! Now is the time to release your strength.”

Samuel bucked, tilting his pelvis forward as he leaned back, slamming into Maple and pushing deep, spearing the fox to the core. Maple let loose a whorish screech and tightened his grip on the bed as Samuel crashed into him harder, faster. Stars burst in Maple’s eyes as his breath was blasted from his lungs. His chest burned with each sobbing gasp, but he would not relent and neither would Samuel. The young fox came in again, the wet slap of raw meat echoing from the mossy beams as he buried himself into the moaning fox. Faster, he pushed, rising up, stirring the pregnant fox and then coming back down as he pulled back. Then, he came in once more, rose up and pushed again. Push! Push! He pressed further, deeper. Maple’s body was a living flame in his hands, quivering, writhing, squirming with desire. 

“A-Ah.” It hurt to speak, for simply to breathe was a struggle for the gravid vulpine. “Oh S-Samuel.”

“M-Maple,” Samuel groaned back. 

P-Please, finish me,” Maple cried. “Paint my womb with your fresh seed. Mark me, claim me as your own.”

Samuel reared back and thrust himself deep, locking them together. With a great cry, he erupted. Maple arched his back and howled as hot, thick seed poured into his belly, filling his hungry womb. His gravid middle churned, growing heavy as a gentle warmth spread through his lower belly. His skin stretched, growing tight with the fresh expansion of Samuel’s fertile semen. Maple ran his pink tongue over his lips, his yellow eyes glazed as he prayed to whatever strange fates had granted him this gift. Please let Samuel’s essence quicken within him, he would wish. Please grant another to grow within his womb. Crystalline tears welled up in the corners of his eyes. He had teased the young fox, hoping to get him to fall for him and yet, Maple realized, it was he who was taken. Such a simple, sweet male, this Samuel. A new ache stabbed Maple’s heart. He clapped a hand to his breast and uttered a sobbing moan. 

Seeing the fox shiver, Samuel scooped Maple into his arms. Lying back, his head on the pillow, he cradled the gravid body, so heavy, yet so light in his grasp. He nuzzled the long, black hair, shimmering softly in the waning candlelight. His hand fell to touch Maple’s swollen belly and his  ears pricked up. 

“Say, did you get bigger?” 

Suddenly, a pair of golden, glittering gems looked up at him above a broad, warm smile. “My belly grows bigger with love.” He stroked Samuel’s cheek, the silver fox charm at his wrist glinting in the light. 

“Maple,” Samuel said, catching the flash of the little charm. “Why do you wear that?”

Maple looked at the fox charm and chuckled. “I don’t know. It’s a fox, I’m a fox. It seemed natural. But, it’s been with me for so long. It’s almost a lucky charm now. I never go anywhere without it.”

Samuel ran his fingers along Maple’s belly. The fox’s navel was a small bump on the swollen orb. His ears drooped. Screwing up his courage, Samuel finally asked what was on his mind since he first learned that Maple was a male. 

“How did you get pregnant?” There, he said it.

Maple’s ears twitched and a mischievous grin played over his face. “Well, I think you might know something about that, Samuel. You certainly proved your worth tonight.”

Samuel’s cheeks grew hot. “No, that’s not what I meant. I mean how--”

“How did a male come to be with child?” Maple replied. He sighed and for a brief instant, a dull weariness crept across his face. “There are more things in Heaven and Earth, as a smarter man than myself once said. I am afraid that is the most I can tell you.” He placed his soft, warm lips to Samuel’s broad chest. “But, I can tell you that it is more than worth it.” He laid his heavy head into the crook of Samuel’s neck, his bushy tail curling overhead. His eyes fell shut and his breathing soon became slow and steady.

Samuel wrapped an arm around Maple’s slumbering body. With his free hand, he snuffed the remains of the guttering candle, plunging the room into darkness. The gentle warmth and the soft rustle of fur against his chest would remind him of the sleeping fox in his arms. He carefully nuzzled Maple’s head and then laid back. 

His hand still on the fox’s belly, he felt the movement of Maple’s unborn shifting about. “Perhaps one day,” he muttered. 

“HmmMmm, you can sire the next one,” came a thick, sleepy groan. 

Samuel’s ears pricked up and the young fox trembled with a restrained chuckle. Maple was talking in his sleep.

[center]***[/center]

The sun had not fully extended its first rosy fingers above the horizon when Maple was thrusting the silver pin back into his coiled up hair. His robe draped over his gravid frame, the fox scooped up his mandolin and ran a finger down the silver string. His padded feet scuffed quietly on the cool stone floor as he made his way to the door. His paw still on the latch, he stopped and turned to look back. Samuel was still lying on the bed, fast asleep. Maple had to smile at the way the fox’s chest rose and fell in a peaceful rhythm. His ears swiveled up and then parted, before pricking up again. 

“That settles it,” he muttered and let go of the door. 

Returning to the bed, he placed the mandolin down and plucked the silver fox charm from his wrist. With a grin, he placed the bauble on the nightstand and then, touching two fingers to his lips, proceeded to place those same digits to Samuel’s mouth. The young fox grumbled in his sleep and rolled over. 

“Come and find me, dear,” Maple whispered and picking up his mandolin, made his way to the door. 

Samuel awoke feeling something was amiss. Tossing back the blankets, he sat up and blinked the last bits of sleep from his weary eyes and looked about the room. Suddenly, his ears shot straight up as the realization sunk in. Maple was gone! Leaping from the bed, the young fox searched about frantically for some trace of the pregnant fox. Yanking back the blanket curtain revealed the tub from last night, the water now tepid and dull. Through the open window, the blue sky shone through as golden sunlight poured over the wet stones. Samuel staggered back into the bedroom and ran a hand through his shaggy fur. 

Flopping down hard on the bed, the young fox hung his hands between his knees and sighed. “So that’s it, then,” he muttered. “One night and then it’s all done. Didn’t even say goodbye.”

He slowly turned his gaze to the other bed, now neat and made up as if never used. No mandolin, no Maple. But, what was this? His ears twitched as he caught the faint glint of silver. His hand darted towards the nightstand, plucking something small and shiny. Bringing his hand up to his snout, he carefully opened his fingers. Samuel let out a gasp as he spied the familiar silver charm in his palm. 

“He left this behind,” the fox said aloud. “But, Maple said he never goes anywhere without it.” His tail swished behind him. “He never leaves without it!”

His heart soaring, Samuel leapt from the bed and dashed for his clothes. The charm still clenched in his fist, he tugged on his old trousers and jerkin. Tossing his pack over one shoulder, he raced for the door. The iron hinges shrieked as he flung the rickety old door open and ran for the front room.

“Morning, there son,” said the old badger. “Or is it afternoon now?” He gave a sly wink. 

The old bastard, though Samuel. He knew about Maple all along. “It was quite a night.”

“I should imagine so,” replied the old innkeeper. “Your friend left early this morning, settled up the bill for the both of you, so no need to pay me.”

“Great,” Samuel said and slid his other arm into the strap on his bag. 

As he turned to leave, the old badger raced a hand. “Say son, where you heading, if I might ask?”

Samuel paused. Tightening his fist, he whirled around and faced the old badger. “Sweetwater. I’m heading for Sweetwater.”

“Sweetwater eh?” said the innkeeper. He leaned on the counter and pushed his spectacles up the bridge of his nose. “Awfully far from the beaten path, son. What do you expect to find there?”

Samuel opened his hand, the silver charm shining in the sunlight cast from the open windows. “Something more important than all the silver in the world.”

Turning from the old badger, Samuel opened the door and raced down the dirt path. The sky was clear and blue and a gentle autumn breeze made the leaves rustle as he marched through the woods. As he rounded a bend, a maple leaf wafted down to settle on the path before him. 

“I’m coming,” he said to the leaf. “Don’t you worry, Maple. I’m coming.”

Shouldering his pack, Samuel continued down the path, his heart bounding with every step as he pictured a male fox with flashing yellow eyes and a silver pin thrust through his raven dark hair.