Reflash

by Sandrine Gasq-Dion

  “Just…don’t move.” Austin stood still as well. The other wolf was now making its way towards him.

  Kurt held his breath as the wolf got closer, sniffing the air. From the light of the full moon, Kurt caught a glimpse of its coat, a beautiful , richly-colored mahogany. The damn thing was so big it came up to his waist . He felt a cold nose on his hand, and then the wolf nuzzled it. “Um, it’s like, touching me and stuff.” Kurt looked over at Austin.

  “I see that,” Austin eyed th e wolf by his leg ; it s light brown coat shone in the moonlight . The wolf nuzzle d his leg, then his hand. Austin felt pressure on his thigh as the wolf nudged him to move. “Okay, does that mean I can pee now?” Austin looked at the wolf . The eyes looked sad. “Hey,” Austin crouched down, looking at the wolf. “I don’t think they’d hurt us, Kurt.”

  “I think you’re right, God knows why, ” Kurt moved in the direction the wolf was pushing him. He stopped in front of a tree, and the wolf turned around facing the opposite direction. As soon as Kurt was done, he walked back over to the tent, the wolf right on his heels. Austin met him at the tent’s opening and they both watched, as the wolves settled in where they had been before.

  Austin smiled. “Goodnight - an d thank you for the save.”

  Kurt smiled at Austin. “It’s l ike they can understand you.”

  “Pfft, go to sleep.” Austin stepped inside the tent, and zipped it up the best he could ; one side had been torn to shreds by the bear.

  ~~ Wesley looked over at Tucker. “That was too close.”

  “No shit, why did you have to chase that rabbit?” Tucker snorted, dropping his head between his paws.

  “Get some sleep, I’ll pull first watch.”

  “Do you know how scared I was?” Tucker lifted his head. “They could have been a bear snack if we’d been a minute later.”

  “But we weren’t, and they’re okay.” Wesley looked up at the full moon. “I thought I was going to shit myself when I heard them shouting.”

  “Well, he won’t be back; I think we made ourselves clear, ” Tucker chuckled.

  “The look of shock on that bear’s face when I bit his ass! I think the best one was when he realized we were bigger than him!”

  “He reminded me of the ‘Snuggle’ bear.” Tucker dropped his head between his paws again, closing his eyes . “Wake me when it’s my turn.”

  “Yup, night, Tucker.”

  “Night.”

  ~~

  Austin woke up to sunlight streaming through the small window at the top of the tent. He rubbed the sleep out of his eyes and looked over at Kurt. Soft snores were coming from Kurt, who was on his back, arms crossed over his chest. He never knew anyone who slept like they were dead until he met Kurt. Austin stretched his legs out, and climbed out the torn side of the tent. It didn’t make sense to unzip it now. Both wolves were still in th e same position from last night; the darker one looked over at him as he walked toward a tree to rid his morning erection.

  “Hi, ” Austin smiled, walking slowly. The wolf’s eyes followed him as he moved. Austin looked over his shoulder as he relieved himself. The wolf looked away until he was done. Austin walked back over to the fire pit and sat down on one of the rocks. The area had been cleaned last night and they’d cleaned the fish well away from their tent. The food had been put up as well. The problem? The whole area smelled of fish and blood. No wonder the bear had come to investigate. The wolf got up, stretching first its front legs, then the back. It trotted over and sat down in front of Austin.

  “Wow, you are just… beautiful.” Austin put his hand out slowly, hovering inches from the wolf’s face. The wolf moved closer, rubbing against his palm. “This is so weird, ” Austin whispered. Austin petted the wolf’s head, scratching behind its ears. The wolf whined softly, nuzzling him. “I like you, too.”

  Movement came from the tent and Kurt stepped out, shielding his eyes from the sun. He scanned the area and saw the wolf from the night before, lying in the same spot. Austin was with the other one, petting it.

  “So, they stayed the night?” Kurt walked over to one of the trees furthest away from the camp.

  “I guess so,” Austin smiled at the wolf in front of him. “Guarding us, h uh?” He got a lick up his cheek and chuckled.

  “That’s really weird, don’t you think? I mean I don’t know much about wolves, except for the fact that they rarely attack humans and they are not that big.”

  “Maybe they eat bear, and that’s how they got so big?” Austin laughed.

  Kurt sat down on the other rock, regarding the wolf still lying down. “It’s beautiful ; I wonder if it’s a girl or a boy?”

  “I think the massive balls hanging from it suggests male, ” Austin tilted his head to the side.

  “I wasn’t looking that close, ” Kurt narrowed his eyes at Austin.

  The other wolf raised its head and got up ; it stretched it s legs out before trotting over to Kurt and sitting down. A soft whine escaped it as it laid its head in Kurt’s lap.

  “Aw, I think he likes you.” Austin ran his fingers through the fur of the wolf currently in front him. It was softer than he expected it to be. The wolf’s beautiful eyes gazed into his. It was odd - they looked almost hazel, like Tucker’s.

  “I really don’t want to leave now.” Kurt petted the wolf in his lap. The fur was soft and silky, not rough and coarse. It slid through his fingers easily. The rich color was highlighted by the sun’s rays. It was beautiful. “I’ve never seen anything like this , ” Kurt whispered.

  “Nobody would believe us,” Austin smiled, nuzzling the wolf’s face.

  Kurt smiled as the wolf put his paw on his leg. “I don’t care.”

  They spent the day with the wolves, running and swimming. By the time the sun was going down, Austin didn’t want to leave. They packed up the camping gear and tied the boat back down on the top of Austin’s Excursion. Checking over the area again, Austin made sure the fire w as out and double checked to mak e sure they had everything. The wolves sat by the fire pit , watching them pack everything up. “They look so…sad,” Kurt said.

  Austin crouched down in front of the wolf, putting his arms around it. “Thank you for saving us. We w ill come back to visit.”

  Kurt knelt down , smiling as the wolf nuzzled his face. “See you soon, buddy.”

  Climbing in the truck, Austin took one last look in the rearview mirror, before pulling back out onto the road.

  ~~ Tucker snorted, pushing Wesley in the ass. “Come on, we have a long run back to the car.”

  “I can’t wait to get back home, five days and I w ill get t o go out with Kurt.”

  “I know. I can’t wait to be alone with Austin in human form. Maybe I’ll even get to kiss him this time?” Tucker flicked his tail in Wesley’s face .

  “Last one to the car drives!” Wesley took off.

  “Ass!”

  Chapter Five

  The whole week at work was driving Austin nuts. They’d been called out to another fire the day they went back, and this one was worse than the last. The abandoned building went up quickly. The fire was deliberate, as were the three before it. Seattle had an arsonist on its hands. Dean Anderson, probie, had almost gotten them killed when he froze up again. The building hadn’t been empty - a homeless man had been found curled up in a box. Dean had stood there as most of the building fell down around him. Austin had dragged him out right before the building’s roof had come down.

  Austin got out of the shower and ran his fingers through his wet ha ir. He’d gotten hit in the face when Dean panicked. His eye was swollen and tur ning black and blue. “Great, ” Austin sighed.

  “It looks sexy,” Kurt winked.

  “Did you talk to the c hief?” Austin

  pulled his T-shirt on.

  “Yep. Probie does well until there’s a

  dead body. He has to see the shrink this week.” “I thought Sean was going to hit him over

  the head, ” Austin smiled .
/>   “They had to pull him off of him when he

  elbowed your eye. I thought for sure we’d be attending Dean ’s funeral. I’ve never seen Sean

  that mad.”

  Austin chuckled, checking his cell phone.

  He had one voice mail message. Austin called his

  voicemail and smiled when he heard Tucker’s

  voice. “Hey, Austin. I’m off on Friday, I know

  you’re busy at work, so how about a movie and

  dinner Friday? Call me when you get a chance.” Kurt watched Austin’s face as it turned

  into a huge grin. “Tucker?”

  Austin nodded. “Yep. Did Wesley call

  you?”

  “Yes, we have plans tonight. Working all

  week was an excellent idea by the way, kept us

  busy, ” Kurt grabbed his bag.

  “I’ll meet you out in the parking lot; I

  have to call Tucker back.”

  “Okay, hurry, ” Kurt said.

  Austin waited for Kurt to leave before dialing Tucker back. The phone rang twice before

  Tucker’s s leepy voice came over the line. “Hey,” Tucker said.

  “Hi,” Austin blushed despite the fact

  Tucker couldn’t see him. Just hearing his voice

  sent delicious tingles spiraling down his body.

  “So, um, tonight is good for me.”

  “Yeah?”

  “Yes, if the offer’s still on the table?”

  Austin asked.

  “Of course it is. So, seven? Is that all

  right?”

  “That’s perfect,” Austin said. “Okay, I’ll see you tonight, Austin.” “Okay, bye Tucker.”

  “Bye.”

  Austin hung up the phone and realized

  he’d been standing there the whole time with a

  huge smile on his face. What was worse was that

  Preston, Wyatt and Sean were standing behind

  him, wearing grins of their own.

  “So - a date with Tucker, huh?” Wyatt

  winked.

  Austin’s cheeks heated. “Knock it off

  guys, I’m nervous enough already.”

  “Tucker’s a hot man , ” Sean said. “Are you sure you’re not gay?” Austin

  cocked an eyebrow at Sean.

  “Yep, I’ve got Olivia, remember? Doesn’t

  mean I can’t find a man good looking.”

  “The shiner’s hot, ” Preston motioned to

  Austin’s eye.

  “Oh no.” Austin looked in the mirror.

  “Look at me!”

  Wyatt turned Austin around and took him

  by the shoulders. “I don’t have to say this, but I

  w ill anyway. I’m sure you know by now that Tucker’s got feelings for you. I doubt he’s going

  to care that you have a black eye.”

  “You think he has feelings for me?”

  Austin asked.

  “I know he does , ” Wyatt said. “Now go

  home and pace , ” he grinned.

  Preston waited for Austin to leave before

  turning to Sean and Wyatt. They all knew Wesley and Tucker were Kurt and Austin’s mates,

  and had been watching for months as Austin and

  Kurt drove themselves crazy. “I think this might

  be the night for all of them.”

  “God, I hope so , ” Wyatt sighed .

  ~~ Kurt paced back and forth. After changing five times, he’d finally settled on his juicyass-jeans and a tight blue T-shirt. Austin had suggested the shirt, right before he’d almost thrown up from nerves over his date with Tucker. Austin was still in the shower now, probably rocking back and forth like a patient in a mental ward. Kurt looked at himself in the mirror , checking himself out from all angles.

  “You look good, bro,” Kory grinned. “Yeah?” Kurt faced his brother. “You don’t think this is weird? Me hanging out with Wesley?”

  “You just went camping with Austin, all alone.” Kory crossed his arms.

  “That was different,” Kurt said.

  “Why? Because you don’t have feelings for Austin?” Kory smiled as his brother’s face went beet red.

  “I…uh…I…”

  “Relax bro. I saw i t the night we went out to Cuff s and Stuff. I saw the way you looked at him when you two were dancing.”

  “What?”

  Kory walked to his brother and took his hand. “I saw the way he looked at you , too. He cares about you, like, a lot. Don’t let Mom or Dad influence you ; if you like this guy, tell him. Be happy.”

  Kurt looked at his younger brother in awe. “When did you get so smart?”

  Kory hugged Kurt. “I had a great role model.”

  “You’re…not freaked out?” Kurt asked.

  “The night we went out? This guy was looking at me from across the bar. It wasn’t sexual or anything, not really, but just the way he smiled at me…” Kory grinned. “It was just…I don’t know how to explain it, and he was really good looking, I mean really good looking.”

  Kurt’s mouth dropped open. “So you…?”

  “Find a man attractive?” Kory nodded. “Yes, I do.”

  The doorbell rang, cutting off Kurt’s next question. His hands began to sweat immediately. Kurt pulled himself together and answered the door. Wesley stood there in black jeans with a shirt that showed every damn muscle he had.

  “Hey, you look fantastic,” Wesley said.

  “I…” Kurt stammered.

  “What my brother is trying to say, is that yes, he’s ready, and wow, you look hot , ” Kory said.

  Wesley chuckled. “Is that right?”

  Kory elbowed Kurt. Hard.

  “Ow!” Kurt narrowed his eyes at Kory. “Yes, I’m ready and yeah, to what he said.” Kurt turned his face away; he knew his cheeks were red.

  Wesley smiled, taking Kurt’s arm. “So, I thought we’d have dinner first. Is that okay?”

  “Yes, that’s great,” Kurt said.

  “Night, guys!” Kory sang out. “Have fun!” Kory shut the door and leaned against it. “Use condoms, ” he laughed.

  Kurt followed Wesley out to his car. He stopped when he realized it wasn’t a car. “This is yours?”

  Wesley smiled, hitting the remote for his Ford Bronco. “Yup, don’t tell me - you hate trucks?”

  Kurt snickered. “Nah, I’ve got a Chevy.”

  Wesley wriggled his nose. “Ew, I’ll let it slide, only because you look good.”

  Kurt laughed. “Oh, the whole ‘Ford vs. Chevy ’”?

  “There is no competition.”

  “That’s right, Chevy wins, ” Kurt grinned.

  Wesley pointed at Kurt. “You wanna walk?”

  “Ford is fine, ” Kurt said.

  “Good.”

  Wesley took him to a burger joint by the pier. They both ordered monster burgers and a beer. Kurt watched as Wesley sipped his beer. The biceps flexed with every small movement the man made. Kurt took a sip of his beer, wetting his suddenly dry mouth. Men and women were eyeing Wesley as they walked in, and were eyeing him even now as they sat and talked quietly. The burgers arrived and Kurt grabbed for the A1 sauce at the same time Wesley did. Their fingers brushed and Kurt felt his cock harden.

  “Oh, sorry,” Wesley removed his hand. “It’s okay; I didn’t know anyone else put this stuff on their burger.”

  “It gives it a kick,” Wesley said. “I slather that shit all over my steaks , too.”

  “Me too, I like my steaks a little pink , though, ” Kurt said.

  “I do too.” Wesley was captivated by Kurt’s mouth. He licked his lips slowly, watching Kurt chew his burger. “So, um, how are things at the firehouse?”

  “We got a probie, you know, a new guy. He’s okay when it comes to putting the fires out, but when he see s people dead he freezes up. He almost got me and Austin killed last time.”

  “What!?” Wesley choked on his beer.

 
“Yeah, he freaked out and panicked, elbowed Austin in the eye trying to get out of his grip. Austin’s got a nice shiner.”

  Wesley sat back looking at Kurt. “Oh Lord, Tucker’s going to shit a brick .”

  “Yeah?” Kurt grinned. “He cares about Austin, doesn’t he?”

  “You have no idea,” Wesley mumbled, taking a large bite of his burger.

  “Probie has to see a shrink this week.” Kurt popped a fry in his mouth. “Chief’s worried one of these times he’ll get one of us killed.”

  Wesley sat back, looking at Kurt. “If anything ever happened to you, I’d take him out myself.”

  Kurt choked on his fry. “What?”

  “I think you heard me,” Wesley said.

  Kurt lowered his head, smiling at his plate.

  “Um, so, I remember you saying you ran away from home, because of your parents , ” Kurt said.

  “Yes, I think I was an ‘accident’ because they never really paid me much attention. When I came out to them , that was it. I think I g ave them the excuse they were looking for , ” Wesley said.

  “You were so young, how could they do that?” Kurt said, shaking his head sadly.

  “I don’t really care to know now. Wayne raised me from that point on. When Tucker and I told him we were gay, he just shrugged his shoulders and smiled at us. He never, not once, treated us differently.”

  “He sounds like a good man, ” Kurt said.

  “He is, he encouraged me and Tucker to be whatever we wanted in life. He paid for our sc hooling, taught us how to drive…” Wesley laughed. “I think we aged him a bit. When we decided we wanted to be cops, he understood. I wanted to help people, make sure no kid went through what Tucker, Preston and I did.”

  Kurt took Wesley’s hand. “You’re a good man, Wesley Foster.”

  “Thank you.”

  The rest of dinner went without a hitch. Kurt listened intently as Wesley talked about his job, his life and what he and Tucker had been doing the last month in Seattle. Kurt was itching to ask if Wesley had dated anyone.

  “Kurt?”

  “Yes?” Kurt came out of his daze.

  “I asked if you’d dated anyone lately.”

  Kurt nodded. “I went out with a few women.”

  Wesley’s face fell. “Oh.”

  “I didn’t…well…I mean I haven’t dated in the last month or so. I just wasn’t into it. Most of the time, they’d take me out to whatever bar they hung out at, just to show me off or something. Then by the end of the night, I’d be wishing I had a lock on my cock.”