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"Ongoing series. Two emotionally damaged boys become friends and fall in love. Very emotionally heavy, themes of trauma including verbal and physical abuse, depression, anxiety, and ADHD.", "count": "10", "submission_left_submission_id": "3421513", "submission_left_file_name": "5205160_StupidSquirrel_charliech3.doc", "submission_left_thumbnail_url_huge": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/huge/5205/5205160_StupidSquirrel_charliech3.jpg", "submission_left_thumbnail_url_large": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/large/5205/5205160_StupidSquirrel_charliech3.jpg", "submission_left_thumbnail_url_medium": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/medium/5205/5205160_StupidSquirrel_charliech3.jpg", "submission_left_thumb_huge_x": "300", "submission_left_thumb_huge_y": "300", "submission_left_thumb_large_x": "200", "submission_left_thumb_large_y": "200", "submission_left_thumb_medium_x": "120", "submission_left_thumb_medium_y": "120", "submission_right_submission_id": "3421518", "submission_right_file_name": "5205165_StupidSquirrel_charliech5.doc", "submission_right_thumbnail_url_huge": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/huge/5205/5205165_StupidSquirrel_charliech5.jpg", "submission_right_thumbnail_url_large": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/large/5205/5205165_StupidSquirrel_charliech5.jpg", "submission_right_thumbnail_url_medium": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/medium/5205/5205165_StupidSquirrel_charliech5.jpg", "submission_right_thumb_huge_x": "300", "submission_right_thumb_huge_y": "300", "submission_right_thumb_large_x": "200", "submission_right_thumb_large_y": "200", "submission_right_thumb_medium_x": "120", "submission_right_thumb_medium_y": "120" } ], "description": "[url=https://inkbunny.net/s/3421506]Chapter 1[/url]\n[url=https://inkbunny.net/s/3421512]Chapter 2[/url]\n[url=https://inkbunny.net/s/3421513]Chapter 3[/url]\n[url=https://inkbunny.net/s/3421515]Chapter 4[/url]\n[url=https://inkbunny.net/s/3421518]Chapter 5[/url]\n[url=https://inkbunny.net/s/3421520]Chapter 6[/url]\n\nI wanted to write something very different from my first story, and this is the idea that popped into my head. I don’t know the “proper” way to write, I just think of an idea and write shit off the cuff as I think of it.\nI enjoyed writing this one, even if the ending may feel rushed. I’d thought of a different ending at first, but I personally like how this one turned out.\nMy girlfriend of 10 years broke up with me half way through this one, I hope there’s no noticeable shift in style from that. I tried not to let it change anything.\nThis is only my second time writing, and I’ve found that it’s something I really love. It’s quickly become my happy place, just writing for me, the stories that I would want to read. It’s still nice to share them here, too. I hope you enjoy them.\nEvery favorite watch and comment genuinely means the world to me, seeing people like something that I made. It’s a special feeling.\nCharlie will be back as a character in the future. He didn’t exist before I started writing this one, but I love him now :3", "description_bbcode_parsed": "Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6

I wanted to write something very different from my first story, and this is the idea that popped into my head. I don’t know the “proper” way to write, I just think of an idea and write shit off the cuff as I think of it.
I enjoyed writing this one, even if the ending may feel rushed. I’d thought of a different ending at first, but I personally like how this one turned out.
My girlfriend of 10 years broke up with me half way through this one, I hope there’s no noticeable shift in style from that. I tried not to let it change anything.
This is only my second time writing, and I’ve found that it’s something I really love. It’s quickly become my happy place, just writing for me, the stories that I would want to read. It’s still nice to share them here, too. I hope you enjoy them.
Every favorite watch and comment genuinely means the world to me, seeing people like something that I made. It’s a special feeling.
Charlie will be back as a character in the future. He didn’t exist before I started writing this one, but I love him now :3", "writing": "This story contains depictions of non sexual child abuse, both verbal and physical. It contains scenes of homophobia, and a scene of homophobic violence. This story deals with mental health issues including depression, anxiety, and ADHD along with the guilt that comes attached with them. It will be tagged accordingly, please use your blacklist if you cannot handle these themes.\n\nm/m, teen(14/15), oral sex, awkward, shy, first time, romance, gratuitous blushing and crying\n\nCh 4\n\nCharlie slowly opened his eyes, the faintest sliver of light hitting his eyes as the sun began to rise and shine through the half opened curtain in Dexter?s room. Momentarily disoriented and confused, Charlie remembers where he is upon seeing the sleeping gray boy next to him. The young cheetah can?t help but stop and look at the figure next to him, taking in his sleeping features in the dim light and smiling, happiness filling him as he slowly comes to full consciousness. ``Dexter?'' he whispers, ever so gently nudging the boy's shoulder in an attempt to wake him peacefully. Not wanting to make too much noise in case Dexter?s mother is still sleeping in the room next to them, he leans in close to the boy, just next to his ear to whisper again. ``Dexter, wake up. it-'' Charlie is stopped as Dexter?s eyes slowly crack open and his face turns towards the quiet, breathy voice he's hearing, close enough that their noses make contact. Charlie is briefly frozen in place, eyes wide and mouth agape as his cheeks burn brightly before quietly squeaking out a small noise of embarrassment and jumping back as Dexter?s face begins to rapidly redden along with him.\n\nBoth boys share a long moment of awkward silence, eyes locked as neither quite has the courage to speak through their embarrassment. Dexter is the first to speak, shocked to full consciousness by his surprise awakening. ``Uh, h-hi Charlie. What were you d-doing?'' he manages to squeak out. ``i- uh, I was just trying to w-wake you up. I didn't want to be too loud so I just l-leaned in too far by accident.'' he looks down at the floor to avoid the boys gaze, hands clasped together in front of him and nervously twiddling his thumbs. ``Oh.'' is all Dexter can think to say. Charlie works up the courage to tear his eyes from the floor and look at the squirrel again. ``W-why are you on the floor?'' Dexter turns his head slightly, embarrassed to maintain eye contact as he feels that strange fluttering feeling in his chest again as he remembers last night. ``I uh, you f-fell asleep when I was brushing you. You l-looked real comfy and I didn't want to leave you down here a-alone...'' Charlie can?t hold back a shy smile at what his friend says, his own heart radiating a comforting warmth throughout his body at the squirrel's admission. ``Oh...uhm, t-thank you. It was- uh, it was nice to see you when I woke up. I was c-confused at first I thought I f-fell asleep at the park again, haha.'' The confusion on Dexter?s face could be seen from miles away. ``Fell asleep at the park again? What do you mean?'' Charlie gasps slightly as his heart sinks upon realizing what he'd just said out loud, accidentally revealing a secret he hadn't yet wanted his new friend to know.\n\nCharlie forces himself to come clean about some of his situation, leaving out the worst parts for now. ``So, yeah. Sometimes I sleep at the park. It's not as bad as it sounds, honest. I uh, I promise I'll tell you the rest later...'' he finishes his explanation. Dexter feels awful as he takes a minute to fully absorb the information he'd been given. He couldn't imagine how hard it would be if he'd felt unwelcome in his own home to the point he had to sleep outside alone just to feel some level of peace and comfort. He couldn't imagine how awful it would be to have an older sibling at home who spent all his time making him feel small and stupid for no reason. Home was the only place Dexter had ever felt comfortable, able to really be himself. The one place he felt safe and loved, despite his depression and anxiety often overwhelming at night. He wanted nothing more than to rush over and hug his new friend, but as he was getting ready to stand, Charlie stood too. ``C-can we watch something on the big TV in the living room? I never seen one that size before.''\n\nStepping through the hallway, the boys hear quiet talking from the dining room table they couldn't make out. ``We would be more than happy to watch him for as long as you need. I've never seen Dexter so excited before.'' the boys heard the familiar voice of Dexter?s mother finish speaking as they rounded the corner to investigate. ``Dad!'' Charlie shouted, excitedly running up to a mystery figure Dexter had never seen before seated at the table with his parents as they spoke over steaming cups of coffee. ``Charlie!'' the older cheetah stands from his seat to embrace his son, happy to see the boy in person for the first time in months, having not been able to take enough time off work to make his way over for a secret visit. Dexter was in awe of the man, truly the tallest person he'd ever seen in his life. Standing at 6 feet 5 inches, Charlie's father looked just like an older and taller version of the boy, same spots and all. \n\nDexter?s mother gestures for the boys to take a seat at the table with them, having pulled out some folding chairs they stored in the closet in case of guests. Sitting next to each other, the boys looked confused as they waited for someone to explain what was going on. ``Charlie, there's coffee or orange juice on the counter in the kitchen if you'd like some, help yourself.'' Charlie looked over to the voice he just heard, noticing an older chubby squirrel he hadn't noticed before. ``Oh! H-hello. I guess you're Dexter?s dad, huh? I thought- never mind. It- it's nice to meet you!'' He says before heading into the kitchen to get a drink. Dexter gets up behind him to fill up a tall glass of orange juice as he sees his friend preparing a cup of coffee. ``How can you drink that stuff?'' the squirrel asks, curious. ``It's so bitter and weird, even when I put sugar and stuff in it.'' Charlie turns to the boy next to him before responding. ``It helps my brain shut up.'' Dexter is even more confused as he hears this. ``What? How? It always made me feel all jittery n stuff. I can't even drink more than a small cola without feeling like I'll vibrate out of my skin, haha.'' he laughs. Charlie feels a little embarrassed explaining himself, despite knowing his friend had no intention of making him feel bad or uncomfortable. ``It uh, I dunno. I went to the doctor as a kid and they told me I had, uh, AHD or something like that? Makes my brain kinda dumb. It just kinda races a lot without really thinking all that much and I can't focus too well. Caffeine makes it quiet for a little while. Makes me ramble less.'' He explains. ``Oh. You mean ADHD? I have that too. We tried medication for it but it just made me feel weird.'' Dexter replies, before adding ``I hope it doesn't make you too quiet, I like your rambles...'' Charlie's face flushes bright red as butterflies form in his stomach when he hears this. He waits for Dexter to turn and sit back at the table before taking a sip of his coffee and then opting for the juice instead.\n\nRejoining the adults at the table, the boys turn to the middle aged cheetah sitting at the end of the table as he starts to speak. ``Charlie, I got a few days off work for a family emergency when Dexter?s mom called yesterday and told me everything. I rushed over as fast as I could. I just got in town 2 hours ago and came straight here. I'm going to be staying at the motel right up the street from here, I?m going to give you a spare room key and you're free to come and go as you please, but Dexter?s parents here have agreed to take care of you for as long as you'd like to stay. I called Mrs. Blythe at the trailer park and she said the cops taped up the trailer and talked to the neighbors with management. It's being condemned after they saw the state of it, they found mold everywhere. They talked to Jimmy at work, he's staying with his girlfriend now. I have to take you down to make a statement later, it's up to you what you want to tell them. Nobody's going to pressure you to say anything you don't want to.'' Charlie nods along as his father speaks, not at all surprised to hear any of it. ``Cops? What? What happened?'' Dexter squeaks out, confused and anxious looking to his friend. Charlie looks at his friend, ashamed and heavily apologetic for mostly keeping him in the dark. ``I'll tell you later, I promise.'' he holds up his hand and sticks out his pinky, the squirrel quickly locking it with his own to seal the deal.\n\nPiling into Dexter's mom's car, the group make their way to the local diner for a nice special breakfast together. The drive is quiet and uneventful, Dexter staring out the window, Charlie unable to look away from the squirrel next to him, truly grateful for these last 2 days as he looks forward to the next few as he begins to feel warm inside thinking of how nice everyone has been in is time of need. The joy he felt was nice, feeling as though he'd actually mattered, but just below the happiness was a gnawing sense of guilt for asking for and accepting help. He always hated needing help, always preferring to be the helper and going out of his way to repay whatever debt he felt he owed for the acts of kindness he was shown. He promised himself during that car ride that he'd find a way to repay the squirrel family for their generosity and for treating him as one of their own. \n\nPulling into a parking space just outside the door, everyone gets out of the car and makes their way inside. ``Man, we haven't been to Benny's in ages. I hope they still have my country fried steak.'' Dexter says as they walk up to the front counter. Charlie's ears perk up at this, intrigued. ``Country fried steak? What's that?'' Dexter turns, a playful shocked gasp as he feigns offense at his feline friends question. ``what's country- Charlie I'm hurt. It's only the bestest thing on any cheap diner menu. Only the finest cuts of bargain bin beef, pounded flat by the rage of a minimum wage line cook with a steel hammer, breaded and deep fried and smothered with gravy.'' Charlie can?t help but laugh at his friend's sarcastic tone. ``Far from the crying kid on the grass at school when he's comfortable, huh?'' the cheetah thinks to himself, smiling at the thought of the boy being at peace around him so soon. ``that sounds pretty good. I think I'll get one too if it's not too much.'' Dexter smiles at getting his friend to try one of his favorite foods. ``They're real big and it also comes with scrambled eggs n stuff. We can split one if you want, I can never eat more than half and it's not very good reheated.'' Charlie smiles and blushes lightly at the thought of sharing a meal with the boy as the fluttering feeling inside of him comes back for a moment as they're taken to their booth.\n\nDexter sits at the open end of the booth together with his parents, Charlie sat directly across from him on the other side with his dad as they look over the menu. Dexter sees the older cheetah nudge Charlie and lean down to whisper something to the boy he can't hear. ``you were right, Charlie. He is cute. Good eye.'' Dexter watches as Charlie's eyes nearly pop out of his skull as his face flushes redder than ever. ``Dad! Shut up!'' he whispers a little louder than he'd meant to, briefly catching Dexter?s confused look across from him as he quickly picks up his menu to hide behind in shame, his father laughing next to him as if he'd just heard the funniest joke of his life. Lost in his makeshift hiding spot as he zoned out in his embarrassment, Charlie hadn't noticed the waitress coming to take everybody's order until his father nudged him to get his attention. ``Huh?'' he says, as he lifts his head up and folds the menu. ``What can I get ya, kitty?'' Charlie quickly thinks back to a minute ago before they'd sat down. ``Oh! Uh, we're gunna split one of the country fried steaks.'' he says as he motions towards the small boy seated across from him. ``Oh and can I get a coff- er, do you have chocolate milk?'' he adds. ``sure do, sweetheart. Comin' right up. Y'all two are adorable together. Oh, to be young again.'' she looks between the boys as she turns to walk away. All the adults at the table try their hardest to hold back laughter as they see two tomato red boys, wide eyed staring at each other, mouths agape as they realize what the waitress just said.\n\n``Whoa, that thing is huge!'' Charlie says, surprised at the slab of fried meat the waitress had just set down between him and his squirrel friend. ``No wonder you can never finish it.'' the waitress finishes serving everyone's food and drinks, looking down and realizing something. ``Aw, shoot. I forgot to grab an extra plate for you two. I'll be right back.'' She starts to turn around before Dexter chimes in ``Oh don't worry about it. We can share.'' he says. ``can we switch spots?'' he asks charlies father, the man happily nodding and getting up to switch with the boy, giving his son a sly wink nobody else can see.\n\nCharlie and Dexter look down at the large plate of food in front of them as the adults across from them smile at the sight of the boys together briefly before digging into their own meals. ``Go on, Charlie. You can have some first. I'll just eat some eggs.'' Dexter says as he turns the plate so the pile of eggs is in front of him. Charlie nods and picks up his fork, easily slicing through the meat with the side of it, not even needing his knife. He sees the squirrel next to him bring a large forkful of fluffy scrambled eggs to his mouth and bite down happily, not noticing the cheetah's looks. Charlie smiles to himself, seeing how happy the boy looks as he stabs the chunk of meat he cut off the slab and brings it to his nose for a sniff. Dexter turns to stare intently at the boy as he motions to take his first bite, anxiously waiting for his reaction to the squirrel's favorite diner food. Charlie opens his mouth and takes the full bite off his fork, chewing through the juicy tender meat as his eyes light up and his mouth waters. ``Whoa that is good. It's so tender. And peppery!'' he says as he quickly chews and swallows while cutting off another chunk from the slab. ``I can't believe you've never had it before. It's always been my favorite every time we go to a diner.'' Dexter says as he happily watches his friend eat. ``We were always more of a pancake shack family before the div- er, before things changed.'' Charlie's father says. ``You wouldn't know it looking at him now, but this boy could pack down short stacks like nobody's business. Sausage links, too! I swear he swallowed em whole!'' the man finishes, another sly wink at his son as Charlie's eyes go wide as he hears his father speak across from him. ``Dad! What the hell!'' Charlie blushes at the implication of the last half of what the man said. ``Whoa. I wanna see that! Mom can we get Charlie some sausages?'' Dexter asks, oblivious to why all of the adults burst out in laughter at his question as the cheetah next to him feels the heat boiling his cheeks burn up to the ceiling.\n\nCharlie eats the rest of his fill of breakfast in silence and quietly turns the plate to face the steak towards the squirrel next to him. Dexter noticed Charlie's silence and had been catching glimpses of his face as he ate, clearly upset at something. Dexter slides over a little to butt his leg up against his friends, leaning over to whisper to him. ``Are you okay, Charlie? You look sad. Did- did I say something wrong?'' Charlie looks down at the shorter boy, surprised at his question. ``No, you didn't do anything, Dexter. My dad's sausage joke just got to me a little. You're fine, promise!'' Dexter looks up at the boy. ``Joke? Oh, do you not really like them that much?'' Charlie opens his mouth to respond again. ``No, I like them it's just the- you really didn't get it, did you?'' he asks, Dexter looking confused. ``Get what?'' the squirrel asks. Charlie can't help but smile at his little friend's innocence. ``Nothing, Dexter. Don't worry about it, haha.'' the cheetah can't help but laugh at his friends confusion.\n\nCharlie watches Dexter chow down on his half of their meal as his thoughts flood in, thankfully quieter now than when he was eating. He'd always struggled with his feelings, just recently having become more confused than ever before. The cheetah had his fair share of crushes on girls he thought were cute, nothing ever coming from it after they spent time with him when he was trying to make friends. He talked fast, and he talked a lot when he was excited or talking about things he enjoyed, his demeanor always putting people off rather quickly when they couldn't keep up with him. Kids always had a special level of cruelty towards those who were different, Charlie was always thankful he hadn't fallen into the far end of that category. He remembered the time a boy he tried being friends in elementary school with was seen holding hands with another boy at recess. Charlie had been ridiculed by his peers many times before, but he'd never seen that level of torment before or since. He'd never forgotten the words he heard that day as he saw those kids huddled up and crying in front of the swing set, one of them holding a shirt over his bloody nose from being kicked after he was pushed down. ``Daddy says faggots like you belong in the ground where you can't hurt nobody!'' Charlie remembered his blood running cold hearing that, as he ran to find a teacher while the rest of the kids on the playground stood around and watched the beating. \n\nIt was far too late to salvage the situation by the time he got back. Both boys had been beaten unconscious by a small group of 4 as half of the kids on the playground cheered them on, the rest watching on in shock unable to move or look away. He remembered one boys face so swollen he was unrecognizable, unable to even open his eyes and his nose broken and misshapen from being kicked and hit with sticks. The other boy had fared no better, his face recognizable but bloody, his left arm broken and bent the wrong way at the elbow, suffering several broken ribs as well. Charlie was terrified. He'd never seen so much blood before, never seen someone in so much pain or witnessed violence like that. It sat with him for life. The group of 4 was suspended from school for 2 weeks. The police got involved but nothing came of it. The two boys who were beaten to the brink of death spent 2 months in the hospital before they could even imagine going to school again. Charlie never wanted to be treated like that, thankful for getting off light with some ridicule for his behavior. He was happy he never had a crush on a boy. He never understood why it was wrong, he never thought it was. The worst part was he knew the beating was a misunderstanding. They weren't holding hands, they'd been shaking hands after making a deal when the leader of the group turned and saw them.\n\nCharlie had never liked a boy before. He was always terrified at the thought of it, remembering that day. He still never thought it was wrong, why anybody else should care, but now he was cursing himself, flooded with endless guilt as the first boy who'd ever given him that fluttery feeling inside sat and happily ate a greasy slab of gravy smothered beef next to him. This pudgy, short little squirrel boy with those big green eyes he couldn't get enough of, talking to him like an actual person, treating him normally, showing interest in his problems, showing genuine concern. In just two days Charlie knew for sure. He had a crush on Dexter, having fallen for him far harder than any crush before in such a short time. He remembered his shower yesterday, the guilt he felt at his behavior in there, the awkward changing in the boys room after, the calm and warmth that flooded his chest as the boy started to brush him. His shock at the instant transformation of the boys demeanor from the huddled up crying ball at school to the boy pushing him down to stay on the floor for his brushing when he tried to get up in shame. He smiled despite his shame and guilt, the boy next to him none the wiser to anything running through the cheetah's head as he finished his king sized meal.\n\nEveryone sat and talked at the table for a while as Dexter?s parents waited for the check to arrive. Charlie sipped his chocolate milk when he noticed the boy eyeing his glass. ``Oh, did you want some?'' he asked, holding his drink up to his friend. ``Are you sure?'' Dexter asks, green eyes sparkling from the light hanging just above their table. Charlies heart soars, like he'd just seen an adorable puppy at the park. ``Yes, please, have some.'' he smiles as the squirrel takes the glass, not even thinking as he drinks straight from where Charlie had been drinking from. Dexter is oblivious as Charlie blushes slightly. ``I love chocolate milk. I didn't know they had it here, it's not in the drink menu. Thanks, Charlie. You're real nice.'' Just as he finished talking the waitress arrived with the check.\n\nOn the way home in the back of the car, Charlie thought about how to tell his friend everything that was going on. He didn't know why it was so hard. He'd told all the adults just fine, he felt terrible leaving Dexter in the dark, but something deep down made him terrified the boy would judge him, turn him away and never talk to him again. Or worse yet, ridicule him like all the other kids he tried to befriend. Even if part of him knew it wasn't true, he wasn't like that, the fear was too much as his mind raced with hypothetical scenarios where his friend left him alone forever, never getting to see the sparkle in those eyes again, never getting to hear his voice as he explained how to play the games he'd needed help with because he never played before. Never getting to see him smile so wide when he finally beat a level he'd struggled on.\n\nDexter could see stress in his friends eyes as the boy stared blankly out through the front of the car while his mind raced. He knew there was something wrong, but he knew the boy wasn't ready to explain things yet. He wanted so badly to help his friend, but he didn't know how. He decided to help the only way he could think of as he placed his own hand on top of Charlie's as it rested on his thigh and gave a gentle squeeze letting him know he wasn't alone, not wanting to push him to say something he wasn't ready for. Dexter knew those feelings, dealing with his mother growing up. He was all too familiar with being pushed to say things he didn't want anybody to know, things he still needed time to think about himself before he asked for help. He'd never wanted to make anybody feel that way. He felt a gentle rumbling in his hand as he looked over to see Charlie looking down to where it rested on his, eyes tearing up slightly as he smiles gratefully at his friend, involuntarily purring without realizing it. Charlies father had given a brief glance over, noticing the boys' hands together as he heard the telltale rumbling sound of a comfortable kitty, smiling at seeing his son happy despite his painful situation.\n\nAs the car pulled into the driveway back at home, Charlie's father spoke. ``Alright, Charlie. I gotta take you away from your friend for a little while, we got things to do. We'll be back before dinner tonight, I promise. I gotta get you down to the station and then I think it's time we had a good talk to catch up.'' he says, placing his hand on the boys shoulder and giving a light squeeze. ``Thank you both very much for breakfast. I'll go hit the ATM for some cash to pay you back before we come back.'' he says, turning his head towards the adult squirrels in the front of the car. ``Don't you dare. We're more than happy to help, it was our treat.'' Dexter?s mother replies, turning to face the man with a stern look, offended he'd even considered it. He quickly surrendered the idea of paying them back.\n\nDexter watched from the porch as Charlie and his father drove away, waving goodbye, sad to see his friend go but happy to know he'd be back later and they'd be able to talk again. ``mom?'' he says as he walks up next to his mother as she sets her purse down on the kitchen counter. ``What is it, sweetie?'' she replies, looking down at her son as he fidgets nervously. ``Do we still have that air mattress from when we went camping a few years ago? I don't want Charlie to sleep on the floor again. He should get to sleep good, too.'' The woman smiles and nods, quickly heading to the closet in her room and pulling out an old dusty box with an air mattress and a bike pump. ``You're a good boy, Dexter. I?m so proud of you. You made a friend on your first day and 2 days later you're already making feel at home here.'' Dexter blushes at his mothers words, his blush deepening slightly when he feels her hand land on top of his head, giving a few gentle strokes along his hair as she leans down to lay a gentle kiss on his forehead. ``You go pump that up and I'll see about getting you guys somethi-'' she's interrupted as her phone rings in her pocket, startled slightly by the noise. Quickly pulling it out, she glances at the screen and gasps in realization. ``Oh no, we forgot to call the school to say you kids wouldn't be in today.'' she says as she answers the phone. ``Hello?'' is the last thing the boy hears as he goes to his room to make his friend's bed.\n\nCharlie's face was soaked through as he sniffled and sobbed, sitting on the corner of his fathers bed in his hotel room. He decided to tell the police everything about the last 2 years leading up to yesterday, and not just that incident. He wanted it to be over, he wanted that part of his life gone and behind him. No more abuse, no more screaming and broken glass, no more sleeping alone in the park. He let out every little detail between sorrowful sobs recounting his verbal torment and living conditions. He asked to have his father in the room, wanting him to know everything as well. Even the older cheetah couldn't hold back his tears as he heard how truly downhill everything had been since the divorce. He always wanted to take Charlie with him, but alone he had no funds, and had been homeless living in his car to save for a place. He'd occasionally come to visit the boy in secret, not wanting to cross paths with the woman who'd destroyed their marriage, often bringing little trinkets and small bits of pocket money so he could take care of himself for a while, never knowing the state of the boys home outside of the yelling he occasionally heard over the phone. Charlie never wanted his father to feel bad, to feel responsible for any of these problems. They weren't his fault, they were her fault entirely. But Charlie took the blame almost daily, from both his mother and brother, never understanding why even Jimmy hated him so much. They used to be so close before all this started. He'd taken so many verbal beatings that he'd also started blaming himself for ruining his own life over a year ago.\n\nHe felt a large comforting hand gently set itself on his back, the weight of the man sitting down next to him making the mattress sink down, forcing the boy to lean towards his father. He turned to fully face the man, wrapping his arms around him tightly and laying his head on his shoulder as he fully let go, letting everything out that he'd been holding back. The man felt powerless to help his son, knowing the only thing that would help would be holding the boy and letting him scream his torment out. He was unable to hold back his own flood of emotion, sobbing with his son, neither speaking a word until the well dried up and neither had anything left to cry out. ``I'm so sorry, Charlie. I didn't know...'' is all his father can say before he falls silent again. ``I didn't want you to.'' Charlie responds before getting up to find a towel to try his tear streaked face. ``Dad?'' he asks as he finishes blotting the wet spots from his cheeks. ``Can you take me to the store before we go back? I'd like to- uh, I'd like to get something for Dexter if that's ok.'' \n\nDexter laid on his belly on the floor in his room, looking up at his TV as he made the little farmer in his favorite comfort game plant blueberries all over his farm. He heard a light knock at his door, normal for his mother. ``It's open!'' he shouts, pausing his game and turning to face her as she opens the door. She spots the fully made air mattress on the floor, complete with sheets blankets and pillows along with Dexter?s favorite stuffed animal. She smiles and asks ``That's sweet, Dexter. Giving him your plushie for comfort.'' Dexter looks confused for a moment, then understands what she means. ``Oh, no! The air bed is for me. I changed the sheets on my bed n stuff for Charlie so he wouldn't have to be uncomfortable on the floor while he's here. S'not fair. I dunno what's going on but he seems sad and that's not cool.'' The older squirrel smiles wide, eyes welling up before she stops herself from fully crying. ``You really like him, don't you, Dex?'' she asks. ``Yeah! He scared me when we first met but he's real cool and he's been nice to me. It's weird to have a friend, It feels like we get along good. It feels like I've known him for years already.'' She understood well what he felt, having met the boys father at a similar age and hitting it off instantly. ``Oh, Charlie's father called. He wanted me to give you this. He said they'd be back in a couple hours.'' She hands the boy a small piece of paper with a phone number on in labeled ``Charlie''.\n\nCharlie feels a buzz in his pocket as he sits in a cheap office chair, eating a cup of instant noodles at the flimsy desk in the corner of his dad's hotel room while his father watches an animal documentary on the nature channel from the bed. Pulling out his phone he turns on the screen and sees a message from an unknown number. ``Hi Charlie :) I hope ur doing ok. U seemed pretty sad when u left.'' confused, he turns to the man on the bed. ``Dad? Did you give Dexter my number?'' turning from his documentary on the TV, he faces his son and replies ``Yeah I called his mom earlier to give it to him. You looked like you could use a friend to talk to. Now you don't have to wait til we get back.'' he watched his son's face light up with a smile as he thanked him and turned around to talk to his friend. ``Hey squirrelly :3 i?m doin better now. Ill tell u everything after dinner tonight. How r u?'' his phone vibrated again almost instantly. ``i?m good. I wana show u another game later. It's not actiony like the other ones but it's my favorite n it makes me happy. I hope u like it too.'' Charlie smiles, looking forward to tonight. ``i'm sure I'll love it. What r u up to?'' Charlie's father smiles to himself at the instant change in the boys demeanor when he started messaging his friend, hearing the boy laugh to himself quietly and smiling wide as he turns around in his chair.\n\n", "writing_bbcode_parsed": "This story contains depictions of non sexual child abuse, both verbal and physical. It contains scenes of homophobia, and a scene of homophobic violence. This story deals with mental health issues including depression, anxiety, and ADHD along with the guilt that comes attached with them. It will be tagged accordingly, please use your blacklist if you cannot handle these themes.

m/m, teen(14/15), oral sex, awkward, shy, first time, romance, gratuitous blushing and crying

Ch 4

Charlie slowly opened his eyes, the faintest sliver of light hitting his eyes as the sun began to rise and shine through the half opened curtain in Dexter?s room. Momentarily disoriented and confused, Charlie remembers where he is upon seeing the sleeping gray boy next to him. The young cheetah can?t help but stop and look at the figure next to him, taking in his sleeping features in the dim light and smiling, happiness filling him as he slowly comes to full consciousness. ``Dexter?'' he whispers, ever so gently nudging the boy's shoulder in an attempt to wake him peacefully. Not wanting to make too much noise in case Dexter?s mother is still sleeping in the room next to them, he leans in close to the boy, just next to his ear to whisper again. ``Dexter, wake up. it-'' Charlie is stopped as Dexter?s eyes slowly crack open and his face turns towards the quiet, breathy voice he's hearing, close enough that their noses make contact. Charlie is briefly frozen in place, eyes wide and mouth agape as his cheeks burn brightly before quietly squeaking out a small noise of embarrassment and jumping back as Dexter?s face begins to rapidly redden along with him.

Both boys share a long moment of awkward silence, eyes locked as neither quite has the courage to speak through their embarrassment. Dexter is the first to speak, shocked to full consciousness by his surprise awakening. ``Uh, h-hi Charlie. What were you d-doing?'' he manages to squeak out. ``i- uh, I was just trying to w-wake you up. I didn't want to be too loud so I just l-leaned in too far by accident.'' he looks down at the floor to avoid the boys gaze, hands clasped together in front of him and nervously twiddling his thumbs. ``Oh.'' is all Dexter can think to say. Charlie works up the courage to tear his eyes from the floor and look at the squirrel again. ``W-why are you on the floor?'' Dexter turns his head slightly, embarrassed to maintain eye contact as he feels that strange fluttering feeling in his chest again as he remembers last night. ``I uh, you f-fell asleep when I was brushing you. You l-looked real comfy and I didn't want to leave you down here a-alone...'' Charlie can?t hold back a shy smile at what his friend says, his own heart radiating a comforting warmth throughout his body at the squirrel's admission. ``Oh...uhm, t-thank you. It was- uh, it was nice to see you when I woke up. I was c-confused at first I thought I f-fell asleep at the park again, haha.'' The confusion on Dexter?s face could be seen from miles away. ``Fell asleep at the park again? What do you mean?'' Charlie gasps slightly as his heart sinks upon realizing what he'd just said out loud, accidentally revealing a secret he hadn't yet wanted his new friend to know.

Charlie forces himself to come clean about some of his situation, leaving out the worst parts for now. ``So, yeah. Sometimes I sleep at the park. It's not as bad as it sounds, honest. I uh, I promise I'll tell you the rest later...'' he finishes his explanation. Dexter feels awful as he takes a minute to fully absorb the information he'd been given. He couldn't imagine how hard it would be if he'd felt unwelcome in his own home to the point he had to sleep outside alone just to feel some level of peace and comfort. He couldn't imagine how awful it would be to have an older sibling at home who spent all his time making him feel small and stupid for no reason. Home was the only place Dexter had ever felt comfortable, able to really be himself. The one place he felt safe and loved, despite his depression and anxiety often overwhelming at night. He wanted nothing more than to rush over and hug his new friend, but as he was getting ready to stand, Charlie stood too. ``C-can we watch something on the big TV in the living room? I never seen one that size before.''

Stepping through the hallway, the boys hear quiet talking from the dining room table they couldn't make out. ``We would be more than happy to watch him for as long as you need. I've never seen Dexter so excited before.'' the boys heard the familiar voice of Dexter?s mother finish speaking as they rounded the corner to investigate. ``Dad!'' Charlie shouted, excitedly running up to a mystery figure Dexter had never seen before seated at the table with his parents as they spoke over steaming cups of coffee. ``Charlie!'' the older cheetah stands from his seat to embrace his son, happy to see the boy in person for the first time in months, having not been able to take enough time off work to make his way over for a secret visit. Dexter was in awe of the man, truly the tallest person he'd ever seen in his life. Standing at 6 feet 5 inches, Charlie's father looked just like an older and taller version of the boy, same spots and all.

Dexter?s mother gestures for the boys to take a seat at the table with them, having pulled out some folding chairs they stored in the closet in case of guests. Sitting next to each other, the boys looked confused as they waited for someone to explain what was going on. ``Charlie, there's coffee or orange juice on the counter in the kitchen if you'd like some, help yourself.'' Charlie looked over to the voice he just heard, noticing an older chubby squirrel he hadn't noticed before. ``Oh! H-hello. I guess you're Dexter?s dad, huh? I thought- never mind. It- it's nice to meet you!'' He says before heading into the kitchen to get a drink. Dexter gets up behind him to fill up a tall glass of orange juice as he sees his friend preparing a cup of coffee. ``How can you drink that stuff?'' the squirrel asks, curious. ``It's so bitter and weird, even when I put sugar and stuff in it.'' Charlie turns to the boy next to him before responding. ``It helps my brain shut up.'' Dexter is even more confused as he hears this. ``What? How? It always made me feel all jittery n stuff. I can't even drink more than a small cola without feeling like I'll vibrate out of my skin, haha.'' he laughs. Charlie feels a little embarrassed explaining himself, despite knowing his friend had no intention of making him feel bad or uncomfortable. ``It uh, I dunno. I went to the doctor as a kid and they told me I had, uh, AHD or something like that? Makes my brain kinda dumb. It just kinda races a lot without really thinking all that much and I can't focus too well. Caffeine makes it quiet for a little while. Makes me ramble less.'' He explains. ``Oh. You mean ADHD? I have that too. We tried medication for it but it just made me feel weird.'' Dexter replies, before adding ``I hope it doesn't make you too quiet, I like your rambles...'' Charlie's face flushes bright red as butterflies form in his stomach when he hears this. He waits for Dexter to turn and sit back at the table before taking a sip of his coffee and then opting for the juice instead.

Rejoining the adults at the table, the boys turn to the middle aged cheetah sitting at the end of the table as he starts to speak. ``Charlie, I got a few days off work for a family emergency when Dexter?s mom called yesterday and told me everything. I rushed over as fast as I could. I just got in town 2 hours ago and came straight here. I'm going to be staying at the motel right up the street from here, I?m going to give you a spare room key and you're free to come and go as you please, but Dexter?s parents here have agreed to take care of you for as long as you'd like to stay. I called Mrs. Blythe at the trailer park and she said the cops taped up the trailer and talked to the neighbors with management. It's being condemned after they saw the state of it, they found mold everywhere. They talked to Jimmy at work, he's staying with his girlfriend now. I have to take you down to make a statement later, it's up to you what you want to tell them. Nobody's going to pressure you to say anything you don't want to.'' Charlie nods along as his father speaks, not at all surprised to hear any of it. ``Cops? What? What happened?'' Dexter squeaks out, confused and anxious looking to his friend. Charlie looks at his friend, ashamed and heavily apologetic for mostly keeping him in the dark. ``I'll tell you later, I promise.'' he holds up his hand and sticks out his pinky, the squirrel quickly locking it with his own to seal the deal.

Piling into Dexter's mom's car, the group make their way to the local diner for a nice special breakfast together. The drive is quiet and uneventful, Dexter staring out the window, Charlie unable to look away from the squirrel next to him, truly grateful for these last 2 days as he looks forward to the next few as he begins to feel warm inside thinking of how nice everyone has been in is time of need. The joy he felt was nice, feeling as though he'd actually mattered, but just below the happiness was a gnawing sense of guilt for asking for and accepting help. He always hated needing help, always preferring to be the helper and going out of his way to repay whatever debt he felt he owed for the acts of kindness he was shown. He promised himself during that car ride that he'd find a way to repay the squirrel family for their generosity and for treating him as one of their own.

Pulling into a parking space just outside the door, everyone gets out of the car and makes their way inside. ``Man, we haven't been to Benny's in ages. I hope they still have my country fried steak.'' Dexter says as they walk up to the front counter. Charlie's ears perk up at this, intrigued. ``Country fried steak? What's that?'' Dexter turns, a playful shocked gasp as he feigns offense at his feline friends question. ``what's country- Charlie I'm hurt. It's only the bestest thing on any cheap diner menu. Only the finest cuts of bargain bin beef, pounded flat by the rage of a minimum wage line cook with a steel hammer, breaded and deep fried and smothered with gravy.'' Charlie can?t help but laugh at his friend's sarcastic tone. ``Far from the crying kid on the grass at school when he's comfortable, huh?'' the cheetah thinks to himself, smiling at the thought of the boy being at peace around him so soon. ``that sounds pretty good. I think I'll get one too if it's not too much.'' Dexter smiles at getting his friend to try one of his favorite foods. ``They're real big and it also comes with scrambled eggs n stuff. We can split one if you want, I can never eat more than half and it's not very good reheated.'' Charlie smiles and blushes lightly at the thought of sharing a meal with the boy as the fluttering feeling inside of him comes back for a moment as they're taken to their booth.

Dexter sits at the open end of the booth together with his parents, Charlie sat directly across from him on the other side with his dad as they look over the menu. Dexter sees the older cheetah nudge Charlie and lean down to whisper something to the boy he can't hear. ``you were right, Charlie. He is cute. Good eye.'' Dexter watches as Charlie's eyes nearly pop out of his skull as his face flushes redder than ever. ``Dad! Shut up!'' he whispers a little louder than he'd meant to, briefly catching Dexter?s confused look across from him as he quickly picks up his menu to hide behind in shame, his father laughing next to him as if he'd just heard the funniest joke of his life. Lost in his makeshift hiding spot as he zoned out in his embarrassment, Charlie hadn't noticed the waitress coming to take everybody's order until his father nudged him to get his attention. ``Huh?'' he says, as he lifts his head up and folds the menu. ``What can I get ya, kitty?'' Charlie quickly thinks back to a minute ago before they'd sat down. ``Oh! Uh, we're gunna split one of the country fried steaks.'' he says as he motions towards the small boy seated across from him. ``Oh and can I get a coff- er, do you have chocolate milk?'' he adds. ``sure do, sweetheart. Comin' right up. Y'all two are adorable together. Oh, to be young again.'' she looks between the boys as she turns to walk away. All the adults at the table try their hardest to hold back laughter as they see two tomato red boys, wide eyed staring at each other, mouths agape as they realize what the waitress just said.

``Whoa, that thing is huge!'' Charlie says, surprised at the slab of fried meat the waitress had just set down between him and his squirrel friend. ``No wonder you can never finish it.'' the waitress finishes serving everyone's food and drinks, looking down and realizing something. ``Aw, shoot. I forgot to grab an extra plate for you two. I'll be right back.'' She starts to turn around before Dexter chimes in ``Oh don't worry about it. We can share.'' he says. ``can we switch spots?'' he asks charlies father, the man happily nodding and getting up to switch with the boy, giving his son a sly wink nobody else can see.

Charlie and Dexter look down at the large plate of food in front of them as the adults across from them smile at the sight of the boys together briefly before digging into their own meals. ``Go on, Charlie. You can have some first. I'll just eat some eggs.'' Dexter says as he turns the plate so the pile of eggs is in front of him. Charlie nods and picks up his fork, easily slicing through the meat with the side of it, not even needing his knife. He sees the squirrel next to him bring a large forkful of fluffy scrambled eggs to his mouth and bite down happily, not noticing the cheetah's looks. Charlie smiles to himself, seeing how happy the boy looks as he stabs the chunk of meat he cut off the slab and brings it to his nose for a sniff. Dexter turns to stare intently at the boy as he motions to take his first bite, anxiously waiting for his reaction to the squirrel's favorite diner food. Charlie opens his mouth and takes the full bite off his fork, chewing through the juicy tender meat as his eyes light up and his mouth waters. ``Whoa that is good. It's so tender. And peppery!'' he says as he quickly chews and swallows while cutting off another chunk from the slab. ``I can't believe you've never had it before. It's always been my favorite every time we go to a diner.'' Dexter says as he happily watches his friend eat. ``We were always more of a pancake shack family before the div- er, before things changed.'' Charlie's father says. ``You wouldn't know it looking at him now, but this boy could pack down short stacks like nobody's business. Sausage links, too! I swear he swallowed em whole!'' the man finishes, another sly wink at his son as Charlie's eyes go wide as he hears his father speak across from him. ``Dad! What the hell!'' Charlie blushes at the implication of the last half of what the man said. ``Whoa. I wanna see that! Mom can we get Charlie some sausages?'' Dexter asks, oblivious to why all of the adults burst out in laughter at his question as the cheetah next to him feels the heat boiling his cheeks burn up to the ceiling.

Charlie eats the rest of his fill of breakfast in silence and quietly turns the plate to face the steak towards the squirrel next to him. Dexter noticed Charlie's silence and had been catching glimpses of his face as he ate, clearly upset at something. Dexter slides over a little to butt his leg up against his friends, leaning over to whisper to him. ``Are you okay, Charlie? You look sad. Did- did I say something wrong?'' Charlie looks down at the shorter boy, surprised at his question. ``No, you didn't do anything, Dexter. My dad's sausage joke just got to me a little. You're fine, promise!'' Dexter looks up at the boy. ``Joke? Oh, do you not really like them that much?'' Charlie opens his mouth to respond again. ``No, I like them it's just the- you really didn't get it, did you?'' he asks, Dexter looking confused. ``Get what?'' the squirrel asks. Charlie can't help but smile at his little friend's innocence. ``Nothing, Dexter. Don't worry about it, haha.'' the cheetah can't help but laugh at his friends confusion.

Charlie watches Dexter chow down on his half of their meal as his thoughts flood in, thankfully quieter now than when he was eating. He'd always struggled with his feelings, just recently having become more confused than ever before. The cheetah had his fair share of crushes on girls he thought were cute, nothing ever coming from it after they spent time with him when he was trying to make friends. He talked fast, and he talked a lot when he was excited or talking about things he enjoyed, his demeanor always putting people off rather quickly when they couldn't keep up with him. Kids always had a special level of cruelty towards those who were different, Charlie was always thankful he hadn't fallen into the far end of that category. He remembered the time a boy he tried being friends in elementary school with was seen holding hands with another boy at recess. Charlie had been ridiculed by his peers many times before, but he'd never seen that level of torment before or since. He'd never forgotten the words he heard that day as he saw those kids huddled up and crying in front of the swing set, one of them holding a shirt over his bloody nose from being kicked after he was pushed down. ``Daddy says faggots like you belong in the ground where you can't hurt nobody!'' Charlie remembered his blood running cold hearing that, as he ran to find a teacher while the rest of the kids on the playground stood around and watched the beating.

It was far too late to salvage the situation by the time he got back. Both boys had been beaten unconscious by a small group of 4 as half of the kids on the playground cheered them on, the rest watching on in shock unable to move or look away. He remembered one boys face so swollen he was unrecognizable, unable to even open his eyes and his nose broken and misshapen from being kicked and hit with sticks. The other boy had fared no better, his face recognizable but bloody, his left arm broken and bent the wrong way at the elbow, suffering several broken ribs as well. Charlie was terrified. He'd never seen so much blood before, never seen someone in so much pain or witnessed violence like that. It sat with him for life. The group of 4 was suspended from school for 2 weeks. The police got involved but nothing came of it. The two boys who were beaten to the brink of death spent 2 months in the hospital before they could even imagine going to school again. Charlie never wanted to be treated like that, thankful for getting off light with some ridicule for his behavior. He was happy he never had a crush on a boy. He never understood why it was wrong, he never thought it was. The worst part was he knew the beating was a misunderstanding. They weren't holding hands, they'd been shaking hands after making a deal when the leader of the group turned and saw them.

Charlie had never liked a boy before. He was always terrified at the thought of it, remembering that day. He still never thought it was wrong, why anybody else should care, but now he was cursing himself, flooded with endless guilt as the first boy who'd ever given him that fluttery feeling inside sat and happily ate a greasy slab of gravy smothered beef next to him. This pudgy, short little squirrel boy with those big green eyes he couldn't get enough of, talking to him like an actual person, treating him normally, showing interest in his problems, showing genuine concern. In just two days Charlie knew for sure. He had a crush on Dexter, having fallen for him far harder than any crush before in such a short time. He remembered his shower yesterday, the guilt he felt at his behavior in there, the awkward changing in the boys room after, the calm and warmth that flooded his chest as the boy started to brush him. His shock at the instant transformation of the boys demeanor from the huddled up crying ball at school to the boy pushing him down to stay on the floor for his brushing when he tried to get up in shame. He smiled despite his shame and guilt, the boy next to him none the wiser to anything running through the cheetah's head as he finished his king sized meal.

Everyone sat and talked at the table for a while as Dexter?s parents waited for the check to arrive. Charlie sipped his chocolate milk when he noticed the boy eyeing his glass. ``Oh, did you want some?'' he asked, holding his drink up to his friend. ``Are you sure?'' Dexter asks, green eyes sparkling from the light hanging just above their table. Charlies heart soars, like he'd just seen an adorable puppy at the park. ``Yes, please, have some.'' he smiles as the squirrel takes the glass, not even thinking as he drinks straight from where Charlie had been drinking from. Dexter is oblivious as Charlie blushes slightly. ``I love chocolate milk. I didn't know they had it here, it's not in the drink menu. Thanks, Charlie. You're real nice.'' Just as he finished talking the waitress arrived with the check.

On the way home in the back of the car, Charlie thought about how to tell his friend everything that was going on. He didn't know why it was so hard. He'd told all the adults just fine, he felt terrible leaving Dexter in the dark, but something deep down made him terrified the boy would judge him, turn him away and never talk to him again. Or worse yet, ridicule him like all the other kids he tried to befriend. Even if part of him knew it wasn't true, he wasn't like that, the fear was too much as his mind raced with hypothetical scenarios where his friend left him alone forever, never getting to see the sparkle in those eyes again, never getting to hear his voice as he explained how to play the games he'd needed help with because he never played before. Never getting to see him smile so wide when he finally beat a level he'd struggled on.

Dexter could see stress in his friends eyes as the boy stared blankly out through the front of the car while his mind raced. He knew there was something wrong, but he knew the boy wasn't ready to explain things yet. He wanted so badly to help his friend, but he didn't know how. He decided to help the only way he could think of as he placed his own hand on top of Charlie's as it rested on his thigh and gave a gentle squeeze letting him know he wasn't alone, not wanting to push him to say something he wasn't ready for. Dexter knew those feelings, dealing with his mother growing up. He was all too familiar with being pushed to say things he didn't want anybody to know, things he still needed time to think about himself before he asked for help. He'd never wanted to make anybody feel that way. He felt a gentle rumbling in his hand as he looked over to see Charlie looking down to where it rested on his, eyes tearing up slightly as he smiles gratefully at his friend, involuntarily purring without realizing it. Charlies father had given a brief glance over, noticing the boys' hands together as he heard the telltale rumbling sound of a comfortable kitty, smiling at seeing his son happy despite his painful situation.

As the car pulled into the driveway back at home, Charlie's father spoke. ``Alright, Charlie. I gotta take you away from your friend for a little while, we got things to do. We'll be back before dinner tonight, I promise. I gotta get you down to the station and then I think it's time we had a good talk to catch up.'' he says, placing his hand on the boys shoulder and giving a light squeeze. ``Thank you both very much for breakfast. I'll go hit the ATM for some cash to pay you back before we come back.'' he says, turning his head towards the adult squirrels in the front of the car. ``Don't you dare. We're more than happy to help, it was our treat.'' Dexter?s mother replies, turning to face the man with a stern look, offended he'd even considered it. He quickly surrendered the idea of paying them back.

Dexter watched from the porch as Charlie and his father drove away, waving goodbye, sad to see his friend go but happy to know he'd be back later and they'd be able to talk again. ``mom?'' he says as he walks up next to his mother as she sets her purse down on the kitchen counter. ``What is it, sweetie?'' she replies, looking down at her son as he fidgets nervously. ``Do we still have that air mattress from when we went camping a few years ago? I don't want Charlie to sleep on the floor again. He should get to sleep good, too.'' The woman smiles and nods, quickly heading to the closet in her room and pulling out an old dusty box with an air mattress and a bike pump. ``You're a good boy, Dexter. I?m so proud of you. You made a friend on your first day and 2 days later you're already making feel at home here.'' Dexter blushes at his mothers words, his blush deepening slightly when he feels her hand land on top of his head, giving a few gentle strokes along his hair as she leans down to lay a gentle kiss on his forehead. ``You go pump that up and I'll see about getting you guys somethi-'' she's interrupted as her phone rings in her pocket, startled slightly by the noise. Quickly pulling it out, she glances at the screen and gasps in realization. ``Oh no, we forgot to call the school to say you kids wouldn't be in today.'' she says as she answers the phone. ``Hello?'' is the last thing the boy hears as he goes to his room to make his friend's bed.

Charlie's face was soaked through as he sniffled and sobbed, sitting on the corner of his fathers bed in his hotel room. He decided to tell the police everything about the last 2 years leading up to yesterday, and not just that incident. He wanted it to be over, he wanted that part of his life gone and behind him. No more abuse, no more screaming and broken glass, no more sleeping alone in the park. He let out every little detail between sorrowful sobs recounting his verbal torment and living conditions. He asked to have his father in the room, wanting him to know everything as well. Even the older cheetah couldn't hold back his tears as he heard how truly downhill everything had been since the divorce. He always wanted to take Charlie with him, but alone he had no funds, and had been homeless living in his car to save for a place. He'd occasionally come to visit the boy in secret, not wanting to cross paths with the woman who'd destroyed their marriage, often bringing little trinkets and small bits of pocket money so he could take care of himself for a while, never knowing the state of the boys home outside of the yelling he occasionally heard over the phone. Charlie never wanted his father to feel bad, to feel responsible for any of these problems. They weren't his fault, they were her fault entirely. But Charlie took the blame almost daily, from both his mother and brother, never understanding why even Jimmy hated him so much. They used to be so close before all this started. He'd taken so many verbal beatings that he'd also started blaming himself for ruining his own life over a year ago.

He felt a large comforting hand gently set itself on his back, the weight of the man sitting down next to him making the mattress sink down, forcing the boy to lean towards his father. He turned to fully face the man, wrapping his arms around him tightly and laying his head on his shoulder as he fully let go, letting everything out that he'd been holding back. The man felt powerless to help his son, knowing the only thing that would help would be holding the boy and letting him scream his torment out. He was unable to hold back his own flood of emotion, sobbing with his son, neither speaking a word until the well dried up and neither had anything left to cry out. ``I'm so sorry, Charlie. I didn't know...'' is all his father can say before he falls silent again. ``I didn't want you to.'' Charlie responds before getting up to find a towel to try his tear streaked face. ``Dad?'' he asks as he finishes blotting the wet spots from his cheeks. ``Can you take me to the store before we go back? I'd like to- uh, I'd like to get something for Dexter if that's ok.''

Dexter laid on his belly on the floor in his room, looking up at his TV as he made the little farmer in his favorite comfort game plant blueberries all over his farm. He heard a light knock at his door, normal for his mother. ``It's open!'' he shouts, pausing his game and turning to face her as she opens the door. She spots the fully made air mattress on the floor, complete with sheets blankets and pillows along with Dexter?s favorite stuffed animal. She smiles and asks ``That's sweet, Dexter. Giving him your plushie for comfort.'' Dexter looks confused for a moment, then understands what she means. ``Oh, no! The air bed is for me. I changed the sheets on my bed n stuff for Charlie so he wouldn't have to be uncomfortable on the floor while he's here. S'not fair. I dunno what's going on but he seems sad and that's not cool.'' The older squirrel smiles wide, eyes welling up before she stops herself from fully crying. ``You really like him, don't you, Dex?'' she asks. ``Yeah! He scared me when we first met but he's real cool and he's been nice to me. It's weird to have a friend, It feels like we get along good. It feels like I've known him for years already.'' She understood well what he felt, having met the boys father at a similar age and hitting it off instantly. ``Oh, Charlie's father called. He wanted me to give you this. He said they'd be back in a couple hours.'' She hands the boy a small piece of paper with a phone number on in labeled ``Charlie''.

Charlie feels a buzz in his pocket as he sits in a cheap office chair, eating a cup of instant noodles at the flimsy desk in the corner of his dad's hotel room while his father watches an animal documentary on the nature channel from the bed. Pulling out his phone he turns on the screen and sees a message from an unknown number. ``Hi Charlie :) I hope ur doing ok. U seemed pretty sad when u left.'' confused, he turns to the man on the bed. ``Dad? Did you give Dexter my number?'' turning from his documentary on the TV, he faces his son and replies ``Yeah I called his mom earlier to give it to him. You looked like you could use a friend to talk to. Now you don't have to wait til we get back.'' he watched his son's face light up with a smile as he thanked him and turned around to talk to his friend. ``Hey squirrelly :3 i?m doin better now. Ill tell u everything after dinner tonight. How r u?'' his phone vibrated again almost instantly. ``i?m good. I wana show u another game later. It's not actiony like the other ones but it's my favorite n it makes me happy. I hope u like it too.'' Charlie smiles, looking forward to tonight. ``i'm sure I'll love it. What r u up to?'' Charlie's father smiles to himself at the instant change in the boys demeanor when he started messaging his friend, hearing the boy laugh to himself quietly and smiling wide as he turns around in his chair.

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