Welcome Home
by Winter

Chapter 11:

Terry woke up when he heard Tanya get out of the car. He rubbed his eyes and yawned, then watched her as she opened the gate. She seemed to be talking to somebody, but before his eyes could focus properly he was interrupted by another massive yawn. Then, all of a sudden, everything turned into chaos. A shrill scream was heard, then his door was yanked open and he was dragged halfway out of the car. Terry's seatbelt cut into his belly, and he grunted as he was caught in a crushing hug. The bag with his Wolf Star Lego set fell to the ground, but before he could reach down to pick it up he spotted a pair of bare, brown-furred feet.

A slight smell of sweaty fur from a full day of playing filled his nostrils, and caused a memory to stir. A memory from long ago, from before the divorce, of a small bundle of fur running round and round in circles. Someone he knew. He couldn't think more right then, because first he would have to save his own life. The arms squeezing his neck and the belt crushing his mid-section were slowly choking him. With an effort, he managed to reach back and undo the seatbelt, and together he and whoever was holding him tumbled to the ground.

As he regained his wits, Terry found himself staring into the grinning face and the bright blue eyes of a wolf boy his own age. The boy was clad only in a pair of worn denim shorts, so Terry could clearly see the random patterns of grey and brown fur that covered his body. This, combined with the furious way the boy's tail was wagging, made his memory work again.

"J-josh?" he tried. "Josh!"

"Yeeeah." Again, Terry was caught in a fierce hug. "See, Tanya? Told you he'd remember me!"

"So you did. Don't forget your bag, Terry."

"I won't." The wolf boy picked it up and handed it to him, still grinning and still with his tail beating from side to side. "Thanks, Josh. Oh my..."

"I'm so happy to see you, Terry! I missed you."

"Me too." This time it was Terry who initiated the hug. In the back of his mind he could hear Tanya drive away towards the garage, but right then he didn't care. "You were my best friend."

"Were?" Josh giggled. "I was kinda hoping I'd still be your best friend."

"You are! I mean... I've got other friends, back home, but..." He thought about Bobby, then remembered how much fun he and Josh used to have, and a smile spread across his muzzle. "You are my best friend, Josh. I have a best friend back home, but you're the best, too."

"Cool! You can never have too many best friends." They both giggled, then Josh poked his nose into Terry's shopping bag, curiously sniffing its contents before taking out the Lego box. "Wow, cool set! You go to the super mall? My big brother works there, in one of the fashion stores."

"Don't tell me, your brother's..." Terry rubbed his chin for a couple of seconds while thinking back. "Jeff, right?"

"Yeah! He'll be so happy when I tell him you remembered! He really likes you, too."

"Yeah, he was nice. Bet he still is."

"Oh wow, this is soo great!" Josh made a backwards flip, landed on his feet and then started running around in circles. "You're back! You're back! Man, I can't believe it!"

"Calm down..."

"No way! You're back!" Terry shook his head, grinning widely. Josh was every bit as insane as he remembered. "Arrrrr!"

With as much of a growl as a ten-year-old could manage, Josh suddenly pounced Terry, and they ended up on the ground again. Trying to protect his Lego set made Terry lose the wrestling match, but he didn't really care. Both their tails were wagging happily now, especially Josh's, where he sat on Terry's stomach, pinning his hands down. The wolf boy leaned in closer, and for a second Terry almost thought he would kiss him. But instead, Josh sniffed his still slightly sticky face fur, then both boys sneezed as their whiskers touched and tickled.

"You had the choc sundae?" Josh asked as he let Terry get up. "I love those."

"Yeah, it was good."

"Terry, can we get together later today? We got so much to talk about!"

"I guess so, but it is getting a bit late."

"What are you talking about? It's only... Eep!" Josh checked his wristwatch, bounced, then hurried to pick up his bike. "Gotta run! I forgot I was gonna watch my kid brother tonight. Catch you tomorrow!"

"You've got a kid brother?"

"Yeah, li'l Jerry. He's only four, so you've never met, but I bet he likes you, too. See ya!"

"Yeah!"

Terry stood there for a while, waving as his friend disappeared down the road, pedalling so fast his tires were skidding against the asphalt. He realised that he hadn't thought about Josh for years. Not really forgotten him, just letting him slip to the back of his mind. Yet, now it was as if no time at all had passed since the last time they had played together. True, they were bigger now, and maybe a little bit more mature, but they were pretty much the same as before. One quiet, thoughtful boy and one hyper-active maniac. Terry giggled at the thought, but his laughter was broken by another pang of sadness. He wondered if Josh had been sad to see him go. With the sudden move there had been no time to even say goodbye. One day the two of them had played happily together as if the joys of childhood would never end, then the next day there was no more Josh.

* * * * * *

He found Tanya in his room, where she was just putting away the last of his new shirts in the wardrobe. After taking his Lego set out of its bag and placing it on his desk, he walked up behind her and put his arms around her waist, rubbing his nose against her upper arm. She hurried to hang away the new denim jacket, then turned around and hugged him back.

"What's wrong, sweetie?"

"Nothin'," he muttered as they sat down on his bed. Tanya raised an eyebrow, and Terry sighed, knowing that there was no way out except talking. "Well, I guess I remembered what it felt like to lose all my friends just like that. Was Josh sad?"

"Almost as sad as I was." Tanya held him close as he felt the first tear trickle down his cheek fur. "He kept coming over, you know. At first every day, then every once in a while, to ask if you were home yet. He always looked so heart-broken when we told him no, and sometimes he cried a bit. But he used to hang around anyway, and I guess the two of us comforted each other."

"That's good," Terry sobbed. "That's sort of what Bobby did for me when mom an I moved into our apartment. He was my friend from day one, and he always made me feel better when I was sad."

"We'll have to invite Bobby over some time. And maybe some of your other friends, too. I'd really like to meet him."

"Really?" Terry looked up at her through tear-filled eyes, and he felt a smile creep onto his lips. "That would be so neat!"

"I was kind of planning to do it as a surprise, but now I'd rather give you something to look forward to. Maybe during a school holiday."

"Tanya, that would be great!" He kissed her cheek. "I'm sure they're gonna love Josh."

"I've never met anyone who didn't."

"What?" Terry leaned back and eyed his sister cautiously. "Are you saying you love Josh?"

"Of course I do." She laughed at his sudden pout. "Don't be jealous, honey, I love you more. A little more."

"A little?"

"All right, a lot more. But he is cute."

"Tanya..."

"C'mon, admit it! He's a fluffball."

"All right, he is kinda cute. I always thought so."

"No jealousy, then?"

"Uhm, guess not."

"Shake on it?"

Terry giggled as he shook his sister's hand, then accepted a hug and a kiss on the cheek. He was still feeling tired, so when Tanya declined his offer to help her with dinner, he thankfully lay down on his bed. As soon as she had closed the door, he drifted off into a light nap.

* * * * * *

Half an hour later, Tanya opened the door to Terry's room again. She paused for a moment to watch her sleeping brother. Terry had turned over to lie on his side, facing her. He was obviously dreaming, because his nose was constantly twitching, and a smile played on his lips. Every now and then, his feet would kick as if he were running. Just as Tanya sat down to wake him, he let out a happy giggle.

"I missed you, too," he whispered, then rolled over to lie on his back. "Missed you so much."

Was he dreaming about Josh? Or maybe about her? Whatever the dream was, it was surely a happy one, because now he was smiling again. Tanya really didn't have the heart to disturb him, but dinner was almost ready, so she knew she had to. She gently took his hand and held it for a little while, stroking his fingers one by one. After about a minute his smile faded and a look of worry crept onto his muzzle. Then his eyelids fluttered open.

"There you are," he slurred, still half asleep. "I was wondering where everybody's gone to."

"I just went downstairs to make us dinner, baby. It'll be ready soon."

"Okay" Terry yawned widely. "I'm hungry."

"Go wash up, then you can help me set the table."

He yawned again, then trotted off towards the bathroom. Tanya went back downstairs and washed her own hands, then started making the final preparations for dinner. It wasn't long before she felt a pair of lanky arms slip around her waist. She leaned back into the cuddle.

"Thanks for everything, Tanya."

"You're welcome, baby." She gave him a quick kiss, then they started setting the table. "I had a lot of fun spoiling you."

"I'm not spoiled," Terry giggled. "But I don't really think I'd mind getting spoiled."

"Good boy." They sat down, and Tanya helped her brother to some beef stew. "By the way, Josh called a little while ago."

"Yeah?"

"Yup. He wanted to come over before the sun's up tomorrow, but I told him to wait 'til lunch."

"Hmm?" Terry asked around a mouthful. "Why so late? I really wanna see him again."

"Well, it just so happens that I might have a little surprise for you tomorrow morning."

"Really!?" Terry's ears perked and he bounced in his chair, almost spilling his milk. Tanya couldn't help laughing. "What is it?"

"No, I won't tell. Just restrain yourself."

"Noooo, please tell me! I can't wait!" He put his fork and knife down and pouted at her. "You know what I'm like. I'll pester you forever if you don't tell me."

"You're such a little kit." Tanya walked around the table and hugged him, then leaned in close to whisper in his ear. "Will you behave if you get a smaller surprise tonight?"

"I s'pose. Is it a good one?"

"I think you'll like it. Just wait until we go to bed."

"All right." He grinned happily. "I guess I can do that."

* * * * * *

After clearing away the dishes, the two of them sank down on the living room couch. Terry groaned as he clutched his stomach, then burped loudly and sent them both into a fit of giggles. Tanya found a TV show they both liked, so once they had settled down they watched in silence. After a little while, Terry moved over to lie on his back, with his head in her lap. She smiled at him, and in return got a wide, happy grin. There was no need for words; all she did was reach down and stroke his cheeks, pausing occasionally to tweak his nose. Terry started purring, and his gaze seemed to land on something a thousand miles away. And when Tanya reached in beneath his shirt and started scratching his tummy every muscle in his body turned to jelly.

Every now and then his loud purrs were interrupted by high-pitched yips and yelps, or by short giggles. Tanya found it so cute. His trust in her was so total, so absolutely total, that he allowed himself to drift away like this. The TV show ended, and she turned the set off, but Terry didn't notice. He was lost in some distant world where he moaned and whimpered as she toyed with his nipples. She kept pinching and rubbing those hard little nubs for another few minutes, but when she noticed that his hand had found its way into his pants, she moved away. Terry looked up at her with disappointment in his eyes, even more so as she pulled his hand away from his by now very hard erection.

"Not yet, love," she whispered. "Not yet."

He nodded, blushing, and then squealed as she stood up in one fluid motion, lifting him high into her arms. She felt his arms wrap around her neck, then his moist lips as they kissed her ear. A shiver went through her as he licked it, then once more as she heard his faint whisper.

"Better be soon. Real soon."

"Horny kit..." He yelped as she pinched his butt. "Shower first, but no funny stuff. Just cleaning."

"Aww..."

"Don't whine, baby." She pulled him back and kissed his nose. "It'll be worth it."

"You mean the surprise or the fun?"

"They both go together."

"Wow."

* * * * * *

Tanya washed him very thoroughly, not leaving one strand of fur unpulled or patch of skin unrubbed. Terry had to muster much of his willpower to keep from whining about things going too slowly, and from trying to initiate sex play. He had never been good at patience, but he didn't want her to call him a kit again. It was difficult, though, especially when she reached his private parts.

By the end of the shower, he was hard as a rock and so agitated that he almost forgot to get dry before dashing into their bedroom and hopping onto the bed. Tanya caught him, though, and despite his lame protests she wrapped him in a large, fluffy towel and began rubbing him all over. He purred happily, his tongue lolling out of the corner of his mouth. When he was dry enough he turned around to return the favour, but Tanya swatted his butt and urged him out of the bathroom.

"Get my purse, will you?" she asked while she started drying herself. "But don't peek in it."

"Okay."

Meekly, he strolled off, but not before he had shot one more glance at his sister's naked breasts. He was still hard, but the urge to do something about it wasn't as strong as it had been a few minutes ago. Tanya' purse hung on top of the coat rack in the entrance hall, where it seemed she always left it when they came home. He had to stand on his tip-toes, and even then he just barely reached it. A sudden thought came to his mind; what if someone were to open the door at that moment? He giggled.

Well, for a start they would see a butt-naked fox boy straining to get at his big sister's purse. Then they would maybe spot his erect penis as it pressed against a latex raincoat, sliding against the rubbery surface. And they were bound to see his bare butt, since his tail was stretched out behind him for balance. Another fit of giggles made him lose said balance, and he fell back onto the floor with a crash, dragging the coat rack down over him. At once, Tanya came running, dripping wet from the waist down but dry on her upper body. The sight of her sent Terry into uncontrollable laughter, and the slight pain in his buttocks from the harsh landing was soon replaced by cramps in his stomach.

He was still imagining some strange couple standing in the doorway taking in the entire scene. He didn't calm down until Tanya had carried him back into the bedroom and placed him on top of the comforter. Even then, it took him a couple of tries before he could convey the reason for his hysteria to the full. They both laughed long and hard, while Tanya finished drying herself off and Terry caught his breath.

"So," Tanya began as they lay closely together on the bed. "Did you wear yourself out laughing, baby?"

"Almost." He smiled, batting his eyelids as he held up her purse. She grinned, and a glint of lust lit up her eyes, making Terry's stomach flutter. "I'm not too tired, though."

"I think you will be, when I'm done with you." She opened the purse, and Terry felt his eyes widen, but to his disappointment she snapped it close again. "You know, I think I'm a very lucky girl."

"How come?"

"Well, because I caught you." She smiled, blushing slightly. "As my lover, I mean."

"Yeah," he grinned. It felt so good to hear her talk about him as her lover. "I'm lucky, too."

"Not as lucky as I am. You see, I'm beginning to think that you might just as easily have ended up with a boy. Am I right?"

"Maybe..." Terry laid his ears flat against his head, blushing heavily as he thought about Bobby. And about Josh. "But still..."

"Then, it would have been utterly wrong of me to try and win you over." She looked down at her lap. "It would all have been too late."

"But it wasn't!" Terry reached over and cupped her chin, lifting her muzzle up so that their eyes could meet. He could see that her eyes were brimming with tears. "You did catch me, and I'm yours to keep."

"Thanks, baby," she whispered as the first tear fell down her cheek. "But I'm still sorry for all the things you may have lost. Maybe you'll never know if..."

He cut her off by holding up a finger in a shushing gesture, then he kissed her. It took a couple of seconds, but then she started responding. Soon everything else was forgotten as they rolled around and around on the bed; kissing, touching, caressing each other until they were both on their way towards the heights of pleasure. Before any of them could come, though, Terry broke the kiss and sat up. He grinned, his tail wagging behind him as he playfully licked her nose.

"What about the surprise?"

"Oh, that..." She frowned at his crystal bell giggles. "You rascal kit! I bare my soul and you think of toys..."

"Well, you keep calling me a kit." He cupped his chin, burrowing his forehead as if in deep thought. "What else would I think of? I love toys."

"Then you'll like this." She opened her purse. "I got it just for you."

To be continued