The cold wind bit at my skin through my clothes and fur as I shut the door to the SUV, another cold blast went through to the backseat as mom and dad closed their doors. The lights dimmed in the cabin as dad started the SUV with the engine roaring to life, and I quickly pushed the heated seat button to warm me up.
“The truck will warm up soon, cuddlepup.” My dad spoke as he turned back to me, his ice blue eyes matching mine. He shifted it into drive and moved his paw to hold my mom’s.
“Okay, daddy.” Leaning my head against the headrest, I watch out the window. My throat hurt from singing so much tonight, and my eyelids felt heavy. Snow and ice covered the ground outside, reflecting all the colors of the lights from cars, building and street poles.
I could hear the sound of the turn signal clicking, as dad tapped his thumb on the chevy logo in time with it like always. Before long the engine growled as we started moving, as dad got into his lane I could feel the back of the SUV sway back and forth a little bit, probably just ice on the road. Finally I couldn’t hold back anymore, my eyes closed as I drifted off to sleep, feeling accomplished from practice tonight and listening to my parents talk back and forth with each other.

“Look out!” My eyes snapped open at the sound of my mom’s shrill scream. Lights to my left immediately drew my drew my eyes in just before the vehicle struck dad’s door sending us into a spin. The airbags deployed, and I felt my heart race as I tried to figure out which direction was which as the SUV spun, my ears were pierced with the sound of blaring horns and my mother’s screaming and my own.
My body was thrown to the side as the SUV struck something else, the weight shifted and I could feel the entire body of the SUV lean before finally tipping over. Sharp pain struck the back of my head as the SUV finally landed on it’s wheels and everything went black.

My eyes cracked open slightly as pain set in across my entire body. Trying to turn my head led to sharp shooting pain, my ears were ringing loudly as I tried to look around, I realized I was sitting in the snow with my back against my mother.
“Shhh...It’s okay sweetie. You’re okay.” My mother’s voice broke and shook above me, as she lightly tightened her grip with her arms around my chest.
My eyes drifted down to my mother’s arms, I felt my heart sink as I took in the sight of dark red smeared through her fur, my breath quickened as I saw my own paws coated in blood.
“Where’s daddy?” I couldn’t see him anywhere, it hurt to move which kept me from looking around more than my eyes allowed me. My chest felt tight as panic set in, my head already felt dizzy making it worse.
“Everything is gonna be okay, Hayden.” I could feel mom shake as she spoke, not only her voice, but her entire body.
He should be here! Where is he?
“Dad!” Even yelling hurt, my eyes frantically searched for him, darting around as I saw flashing lights and people I couldn’t recognize approaching us. I struggled against my mom’s hold. “Daddy!”
“Hayden stay still!” 

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“Daddy!” Sitting upright, my voice cracked from my scream. My eyes searched my surroundings, as I tried to make sense of where I was. I felt like I couldn’t breathe, my chest was so tight, and my heart pounding in my ears.
“Hayden?” Noel rolled over in his sleep, sitting up to try to figure out what was wrong with me. “Hayden what’s wrong?”
Noel wrapped his arms around me and before I could even catch myself I began sobbing. Slowly it started to sink in that I was in Noel’s bed, and it was all a bad dream. At least a bad dream of what had happened anyway. Noel’s hug around me tightened as my body began shaking with my crying.
“I’m here, Hayden.” Noel cooed at me, not knowing what to do he tried his best give me any comfort that he could.
The door to Noel’s room swung open, catching Noel and I’s attention to see his mom and dad standing in the door way, his mom rushing into the room, knelt down beside the bed to wrap her arm’s around my just as her son did. Her paw rested on the top of my head, petting my fur. Though I was still crying, I felt like I could breathe just a little bit easier, my heart raced a little less fast.
“I think he had a bad dream…” Noel’s comment was edged with confusion, as he tried to let his mother know what had happened. 
“I’ll go call his mother.” Noel’s Father spoke, with tiredness ebbing from his voice in the doorway, before walking away to go get his phone.
After a short bit my shaking had stopped, my face was soaked in tears. Noel and his mom just kept holding me, not saying anything as if they knew nothing could help but time anyway. I let my weight lean against Noel, just for a moment enjoying the closeness of these two people that cared about me, the safeness I felt in their hugs, even if it wouldn’t fix what had happened.
“I think we could all use some hot chocolate after this night. What do you think?” His mother loosened her grip on me, as she stood up before diverting her attention to Noel that remained latched onto me. “Sweetie, make sure you bring him down in a few minutes.” Noel nodded in agreement before giving me another squeeze, reaching over to his bedside table he grabbed a small remote and clicked on a ring of led lights giving the room a blue glow to it. Sliding off the bed, Noel grabbed my paw giving me a light tug and smile to encourage me to come downstairs with him. Dragging my fit a bit, I followed behind him, as we reached the top of the stairs I could hear his parents talking faintly from the kitchen.
“I’ve tried five damn times already, Lily.” Mr. Dupont’s voice carried annoyance in it, and I didn’t blame him for it either.
“She’s probably just sleeping.” Mrs. Dupont tried to reason with him, and I could hear Mr. Dupont scoff before walking away.
No...She just doesn’t care.
Noel gave me another tug, urging me to follow him down the stairs. “Come on! We’re gonna have hot chocolate on the couch!” With my paw in his, he pulled me down the stairs and into the living room, pushing me down into the corner seat of the plush love seat. Plopping himself down, Noel went right back to leaning against me, idly playing on his phone.
“Momma! We’re ready for hot chocolate” Calling loudly to his mother in the kitchen.
“Alright already, no need to have a fit!” His mom laughed in her response back as she walked into the room, walking up to the back of the love seat and handing Noel and I our mugs over our heads. Wrapping my paws around the mug felt so nice, bringing it up to my lips I sipped at the hot liquid, letting out a sigh I felt it’s warmth wash over my body from the inside out, with a sensation like the strength of my mind and body were finally returning. Noel sipped loudly at his own hot chocolate, his mother had taken a seat on the couch closest to me, I could see her from the corner of my eye watching over us.
I watched as Noel slowly began falling asleep with his head on my chest, keeping my paw on his drink I made sure it wouldn’t spill onto us as his grasp grew weaker. As Noel got deeper and deeper into his sleep, I felt myself starting to drift as well. It was no surprise that I felt exhaust. Finally Noel’s mother broke the silence in the room with a soft voice.
“Hayden, let me get those drinks from you.” Standing up, her paws out stretched to remove the mugs I had been propping up. “Would you like to stay down here to sleep, Hayden?”
“Yes Mrs. Dupont.” I nodded my head weakly with a yawn.
Mrs. Dupont walked to the kitchen with the mugs to set the in the sink before coming back to the living, dimming the lights in the room, she grabbed the blanket from the back of the catch and laid it gently on top of Noel and I, wishing us a good night before returning to her own bedroom. In the low light, and my friend tight against me, my eyes shut in no time, drifting off to the most peaceful sleep I had had in a long time.

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With a yawn my eyes opened to the bright sunlight that had flooded the living room, squinting I looked around to get my baring remembering where I was, looking down Noel slept soundly with his head on my chest and an arm around my lower back. My ears gave a small twitch as I could hear TV laughter from a few rooms over.
Mr. & Mrs. Dupont must not have wanted to wake us up. What time is it even?
My paw fumbled under the blanket searching for Noel’s phone as mine was still in his room, finally I felt his phone, as I went to grab it in my paw, I brushed against Noel’s sheath. My entire body froze in place, my paw resting on his sheath, as I looked down at Noel to check for any movement. Noel gave a light murmur in his sleep, but didn’t stir anymore than that.
Wrapping my paw around his phone, I quickly pulled my paw back, feeling my body relax instantly. Pushing the blanket down some, I clicked on the screen with the clock reading out “11:23am”, definitely time to wake up.
“Noel?” I spoke softly as I gave his should a light shake trying to rouse him from his sleep. “It’s morning Noel, actually it’s past morning..”
Noel buried his head into my fur with a yawn. “What time is it?” Sleep hung heavy on his voice.
“It’s going to be noon soon, and I don’t know about you but I’m kinda hungry.”
Letting out a small growl Noel shift his weight off of me, wrapping the blanket around himself as he stood up, heading in the direction of the stairs. “I have to pee. Find something in the fridge.” The blanket trailed on the stairs behind him as he disappeared around the corner. Without the blanket I gave a shiver before standing up, my t-shirt dropping down to my knees as it could finally move again.
Not wanting to disturb Noel’s parents, but also wanting to announce we were awake, I made no attempt to step lightly as I made my way into the kitchen to riffling through the fridge I settled on a pop tart, eating it while I made my own way up the stairs to Noel’s room. Shutting the door to Noel’s bedroom, I went to my duffle bag and pulled out a set of clothes, set them down onto the bed and pulled my t-shirt over my head and tossed it into the laundry basket in the corner. Hooking my thumbs under the elastic band of my briefs, I pushed them down while bending at the knees and leaning forward. Just as I lifted my leg to step out of my briefs, the door creaked behind me. Turning my head, I caught a glimpse of Noel, and without even thinking about I turned around to face him in my nudity.
“Figured I’d get changed.” As I spoke I noticed the perk in Noel’s ears, and his brown eyes drifting lower, taking in the sight.
We just showered together last night, what’s his problem?
“Noel?” His eyes shot back up to mine, pulling the door a bit he covered himself.
“Sorry! Didn’t know you were getting dressed.” Finishing his sentence he shut the door hard enough to emanate a loud thud. Standing there for a moment, I could hear his feet pad back to the bathroom with the door shutting behind him.
What’s gotten into him?
A few ideas crossed my mind before I remembered that I was still standing nude in the middle of the room. Grabbing the clothes I set on the bed, I pulled on a fresh pair of briefs, followed by jeans and a thin long sleeve. Crossing the room back to the door, I cracked it open so Noel would know he could come back in. My ears gave a flick as I heard Noel cough from the bathroom.
Crawling onto Noel’s bed, I laid on top of the unkempt blankets from last night, picking up my phone and checking my notifications. Still nothing from my mother. Minutes flew by as I got lost flicking through social media waiting on 
Before to long the door swung open, casting my eyes to the side I saw Noel in his typical chipper manner standing in new clothes similar to mine. Jeans with a thicker long sleeve, the dark green of it complimented his shades of brown really well. Nearly jumping, he made his way onto the bed to lay on his side beside me.
“Sorry about earlier...I should have knocked.” His voice sounded sincere, as if he felt he had crossed a line he shouldn’t have.
“I don’t care if you see me naked, I usually don’t even wear clothes when I’m at home.” A small giggled passed my lips as I saw Noel’s eyes widen at the comment. “You don’t have to worry about it. We even showered together”
Noel stifled a nervous laugh as his ears fell back a bit. Silence fell over us, as I went back to scrolling on my phone, Noel laying on his side just watching me. Breaking the silence was the beeping from Noel’s phone, glancing over I could tell that Noel was reading something he liked as his ears perked up.
“Mom wants to know if we wanna go to the Paw N Burgers cafe in a little bit for lunch!”
“I...I’ve never been. I haven’t been many places here yet.” My ears lowered a bit, part in embarrassment that I still know nothing of this place, and part in due to it not having been my mother bringing me somewhere in town.
Noel’s eye sparkled at my comment, and you could nearly see the excitement building in his small body before he finally burst. “I’m telling her yes then! You haven’t experience life until you’ve had their half pound smothered burger! It has fries, and chili, and an egg all on the burger, and it’s delicious and you have to try it!”
I couldn’t help by laugh at his excitement, Noel’s cheer was always infectious. Noel carried on in excitement about how amazing Paws N Burgers are, and all the times he’s been there. It all blurred together, and I lost track of time as I got lost in my own thoughts.
The Dupont’s never said anything about mom calling, and it’s past noon now. Does she even know what happened, better yet, does she care? She’d be here if she did, right?
Before I realized it time had passed, Noel’s mom was calling us from the stairs, telling us to come down and get into the car. Noel’s ear perked, grabbing my wrist he lunged off the bed, pulling me with him out the room and down the stairs. We all packed into the spacious sedan with Noel’s mom driving, apparently his dad drove enough for his job he didn’t care to drive when home. Chatter filled the car as Noel went on about getting to go to the cafe, his mom and dad talked about different plans for the upcoming Christmas break, family tradition had them setting all their Christmas decorations on the first of December, which was still a few weeks away.
It didn’t take long for us to arrive at Paws N Burgers, stepping out of the vehicle I glanced around to see where we were. I realized we were only a couple of blocks from the school, I could see the football goals from here, and not much further from my house.
I could even walk here if I wanted to.
Noel bounced along as we entered the restaurant, Noel’s dad request a booth for us. Mr. and Mrs. Dupont sat together on one side, with Noel and I on the other side, we were given our menus and our drink orders taken as we all decided on what to get. 
“Haydeeeennnnnnn, you have to get the Smothered Burger with me!” Noel whined in my ear, a laugh breaking through at the end of it.
When the waitress took out orders, Noel and I ordered the Smothered Burger, Noel’s dad ordered a steak with fries and potatoes, his mom ordered a cheesy pasta dish which smelled when it came out. Mr. and Mrs. Dupont dug into their meals, but Noel bounced up and down in his seat as he waited for me to try my burger. Looking to cure his anxiousness over whether I’d like it or not, I picked the burger up in my paws, chili quickly fell out tainting my paw fur as I brought it to my mouth taking a bite. My ears perked up as a rush of flavors washed over my tongue, each one delicious.
Noel and I each only finished half our burgers, boxing it up for dinner tonight or tomorrow after school. As we made out way out the restaurant, I pulled phone out of my pocket, sending a text to my mother.

“Noel’s family just took me to an amazing burger place! We should go sometime, mom.”

Climbing back into the car, we drove back to the Dupont household, we talked on the way home about random things that crossed our minds. The day passed with Noel and I playing games, and horsing around upstairs, nothing special happened, and even though it was calm, I felt really content.

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Noel walked out of the bathroom in dark purple pajamas that fit to his thin form, steam billowed out around him as I pulled on my briefs, and followed him to his bedroom. Noel let out a yawn as he crawled into his bed, leaving the blanket down for me to get in after him. Picking up my phone from the nightstand before getting into bed, I opened my message app, staring for a moment as if willing a message to come in, but all the screen did was shut off.
“Noel? I’ll be right back, I’m gonna talk to your mom.” Without waiting for a response, I headed downstairs to find his mom.
Mrs. Dupont stood in the kitchen washing dishes, as I approached her, she turned her head to give me one of her warm smiles that always made me feel safe.
“Mrs. Dupont...could I talk to you?” Though I tried not to let how I felt show, my tail drooped behind me.
“Of course sweetie, let’s talk outside, alright?” Turning off the water, she walked behind me through the living room to the back patio, grabbing a blanket off the couch on our way.
Mrs. Dupont set the blanket around my shoulders as I sat down on the patio chair, even though I liked the cold, in only briefs the chill November night caused me to shiver. She took a seat beside me, waiting for me to talk to her as my leg bounced anxiously up and down before I could finally say anything.
“I haven’t heard from mom all weekend…” My lip quivered as I spoke, no amount of trying to hide it could stop it from happening.
“I’m sorry, sweetie.” Reaching out, she stroked my back. “What can I do to help?”
Not like mom cares...She probably hasn’t even been home.
“Can I spend the rest of the week here?”
“You can spend as much time as you need here, Hayden. Our home is your home, you’ve been a wonderful friend to Noel, and a pleasure to have over.” Leaning over to me, she wrapped her arms around me in a hug. Hugging her back, I felt all of worry wash away, the feeling of being safe washed over me.
At least I know I’m cared about here. A lot better than no where.
“But…” Though her tone was still warm, it also took on a stern mom tone that I knew to well. “It’s a school night, so you need to get to sleep. Plus, it’s cold out here! Go get up to bed.”
Nodding my head, I did as I was told. On my way back upstairs, I laid the blanket back onto the couch, and went up to Noel’s room. Opening the door, Noel looked up from his phone and gave me a smile.
“About time!” The fake anger in his voice caused me to laugh as I went to his bedside. “I was getting tired!”
I already asked one hard question tonight...What’s one more?
“Hey Noel?” His ears perked as I addressed him, while I found my confidence. “I usually sleep naked at home. Wanna try it?”
Noel’s head cocked to the side as he thought over the request. “Yeah, sure. We can try that.”
Taking off his shirt, he threw it in the direction of his wash basket, before sliding underneath the covers and shuffling around to pull off his pants and briefs to throw them into the wash basket too. Following his lead, I slid off my briefs, feeling Noel’s eyes on me the whole time. Leaving my briefs on the floor, I climbed into the bed, facing Noel. As he shifted closer to me, both of us laying on our sides, I felt his sheath brush against mine causing a shiver to run through my body.
“Your mom said I could spend the rest of the week here.” As I spoke, I made a mental note of just how close our muzzles were, one little move and we’d be pressed together.
“Yes!” Noel yipped excitedly, the tiredness in his eyes replaced with excitement as he yelled his celebration.