Author's Note: Be warned, this story contains M/M sex. If you're easily offended, not into that, or your local / state / federal government or God of your choice says you can't look at it, then don't. But you're going to anyway. I've been there. PLEASE! I need comments and constructive criticism to improve!

The Photographer  
By Shilah (shilahwolf@gmail.com)

"Remember, your portfolios are due next week."

Kala quickly exited the classroom, sighing at the professor's reminder.

It had been three weeks since he had been given the portfolio assignment and he had managed to complete almost all of it. He had his landscape shots, his general news shots, his spot-news shots all organized and part of the portfolio. All he was missing now were his portrait shots.

Kala was small, even as far as foxes went, standing less than five feet tall and weighing not more than a hundred pounds. His fur was a tawny red, from the black nose at the tip of his muzzle to the white tip of his tail. His chest fur was creamy white and full, poking out slightly from under the t-shirt he was wearing; his chest and abs showed a little tone underneath the thick chest fur. Behind him, his long, flowing tail swished back and fourth and gave him a rather feminine appearance.

  Kala meandered down the hall, trying to figure out just how he was going to get portrait photos. Out of the edge of his eye, Kala caught sight of a poster hanging on one of the bulletin boards. He peered up at it through his glasses, reaching up to pull it down.

"Photographer needed for football media guide," the poster said. "Inquire at the athletics department."

Peering at the poster, Kala thought about it for a few minutes. Perhaps this would give him the chance to get the portrait photographs for his portfolio that he desperately needed and possibly even make some money off of it!

Kala quickly exited Tichenor hall and hiked quickly across campus, past the football stadium to the low, imposing structure that was the athletics department. He pushed open the doors, welcoming the cool air conditioning as an oasis from the summer heat. Kala quickly walked up to the receptionists' desk.

"I'm here about the posting for the photographer position," he asked timidly.

"Oh?" quipped the receptionist, giving him a quick look over. She picked up the phone and, after a brief conversation, turned back to Kala. "Third door on your right. Mr. Jackson."

  Kala walked down the hallway and knocked gently on the third door on the right, labeled Don Jackson, Director of Media Relations. A gruff voice bellowed from inside the office: "Come in!" Kala pushed open the door.

Mr. Jackson, a large imposing Doberman, looked up from his paperwork. "Well, what are you waiting for? Sit down. Tell me about yourself."

Kala was almost trembling with fear but he tried not to let it show. "Well, I'm a freshman in photojournalism. I've done some freelance work that's been seen in local papers. I'm currently working on my portfolio project and I thought this would be a good way to gain experience."

Jackson looked back at him, "Can you provide your own equipment?"

Kala smiled, "Yes! I have several cameras, including traditional film cameras as well as digital-"

"I don't need technical details." Jackson interrupted him, waving his hand dismissively. "When can you start?"

"I can start today."

"Good." Jackson leaned back in his chair. "The team is practicing this afternoon. We're in the middle of two-a-days, yanno? You can probably catch up with some of them after practice. We're not just looking for traditional head shots this year, though we'll need those too. We want to give our fans an in-depth look at what life is like for some of our biggest stars. You'll be assigned to follow one of our star players around for several days. Take pictures, write your thoughts. It'll all go in the media guide for this year. Think you can handle that?"

  Kala was a bit taken aback, but quickly regained. "Yes, I'll do it."

"Good," Jackson said. "We've been without a photographer since our last student photographer graduated. If you do well, there'll be good pay and a job here for you beyond just contract work. Be back here at 5PM this afternoon."

\* \* \*

Kala strode timidly onto the practice field, looking around at all the action going on. It was like walking into the middle of a battlefield; all around him people were yelling, players were hitting and catching footballs, and coaches were trying to get things organized. Finally, he spotted Jackson standing near the entrance to the field house, and made a bee-line course for him. Jackson quickly walked into the field house where the locker rooms were, with Kala trailing behind him.

"Good, you made it," Jackson said gruffly. "Practice just ended. They'll be out in 15 minutes or so. I think I'm going to have you follow Gabriel around for the next few days. He's our star quarterback, yanno?"

The time seemed to pass slowly for Kala, who just sort of stood there waiting for this Gabriel fellow. He didn't really follow sports, and really didn't understand most of what was going on around him.

  Jackson pulled out a cigar, lighting it up. "Here he comes now. Gabriel! Over here!"

As Gabriel walked up, Kala's jaw dropped and his heart did a backflip.

The tall German shepherd walked over wearing nothing more than a white towel around his waist. He stood about six-foot-two. His creamy white chest fur blended into darker shades as it wrapped around his body, to a hazel and finally to a dark burnt brown along his back, and seemed to shine from the water of the shower. His muzzle bore typical German shepherd markings; dark burnt brown coloring that blended into brown along the rest of his face. His abs were clearly defined underneath his fur; two small nipples poked out from his well-defined pecs. His legs were well muscled and covered with a thick layer of hazel brown fur, terminating in well-trimmed digitigrade paws. Out from behind him, a bushy canid tail waved back and fourth slowly as he walked.

Kala was mesmerized. He quickly raised a paw to his muzzle to make sure his mouth wasn't hanging too widely open. He zoned back into the conversation just in time to hear Jackson call him.

  "As I was saying," Jackson said, peering at Kala curiously, "we're working on the media guide for this year, and Kala here is going to shadow you for a few days. He's going to take pictures and do a little piece about you to give fans and media a look into what life is like for college athletes. Okay?"

Gabriel looked down at the little fox and smiled, "Sure, Don. Sounds okay by me."

"Good," Jackson said. "I'll leave you two. I've got a press release to write about today's practice. Good work out there!"

"Thanks!" Gabriel said, turning to Kala. "I'll be right back. I need to finish getting dressed."

He walked away, with Kala still feeling as though he had seen an angel. When he returned a few minutes later, he was wearing a pair of tight-fitting jean-shorts and a white t-shirt, with his gym bag slung over his shoulder.

"Well, come on. Lets head over to the cafeteria. I could eat a whole cow right now."

Kala, tagged along slightly behind him as they walked. He watched completely mesmerized as Gabriel walked � every part of his body seemed crafted perfectly and the way his fur seemed to shift with the muscles underneath...

  "Hey? You okay?"

"What?" Kala said meekly?

"You okay? I don't think you've said word one since Don put you with me. What's up?"

"Oh," Kala choked over words. What to say now? "I'm just hungry."

"Yeah, me too. Glad the practice fields are close to the cafeteria."

Gabriel pushed open the door to the cafeteria and held it open as Kala walked in. Within a few minutes they both had their food and were seated at one of the tables. There weren't too many people in this part of the cafeteria; the only sound other than the two of them was a TV sitting over in the corner.

"So," Gabriel asked, cutting part of his t-bone steak with a knife. "How'd you get stuck on this project?"

"I need the pictures for my portfolio project," Kala mumbled, mouth half full of hamburger meat. "The money's a nice touch, too."

"That's cool. You're a freshman, I take it?"

"Yeah," Kala chucked. "Does it show?"

"A little," Gabriel smiled across at him. "So, you know much about football?"

"Not really," Kala confessed. "I've never followed sports very much. I spend a lot of time reading."

  "Oh?" Gabriel's ears perked up. "Who's your favourite author?"

"I have lots," Kala smiled. "Stephen Baxter, Arthur C. Clarke, Ben Bova."

"Ahh, a science fiction fan!" Gabriel smiled across at him, chewing on a piece of steak. "I've read a lot of Baxter's work. Him and Clarke have a lot in common. I've also read a lot of Brain Jacques, and Michael Crichton. I'm a really big fan of classics, though. I adore Shakespeare, Voltaire, and Charles Dickens."

Kala peered at Gabriel as though he'd just been slapped in the face. Strong, good looking, and educated?

\* \* \*  
It was almost nine o'clock before they left the cafeteria. The sun had set and night had fallen over campus, with dark clouds moving in from the west. Kala and Gabriel walked slowly through campus talking as if they had long been friends.

"The thing Voltaire was trying to say in Candide," Gabriel mused, tossing a football up in the air occasionally, his gym bag slung over his shoulder, "is that the Enlightenment was a far from monolithic movement. He goes after a number of ideas and levels his criticisms against the church and the nobility among others."

  Kala nodded. "Voltaire hated the idea of the enlightened monarch, because a monarch could claim protective privilege as far as he wanted to-"

A crack of thunder echoed high above them, and it began to sprinkle.

"We should probably find shelter," Gabriel said. "You want to come over to my place for a little bit?"

Kala's heart jumped. "Sure! Where are you living at?"

"I live off campus. About four blocks from here."

Kala chuckled. "I guess we better make a run for it, then."

They tried to run for it, but the skies opened up, drenching them in a torrential downpour. Kala stopped briefly to make sure his camera was bagged, but continued running as fast as he could. Gabriel seemed to keep up a brisk walk but otherwise was not too hurried. They laughed, darting under trees and building awnings and trying to stay dry but failing miserably. By the time they reached Gabriel's apartment, they both somewhat resembled drowned rats.

Gabriel's apartment was typical for a college student: a small one bedroom apartment, with an old couch and a futon for seating surfaces. An old TV sat in the corner with a video game system hooked up to it, and a large bookcase filled with books along another wall. A short hallway lead to the bedroom and the kitchen.

  "Have a seat," Gabriel said. "I'll grab some towels."

Kala sat down on the sofa. A few minutes later, Gabriel returned wearing only a towel around his waist again. He handed a towel to Kala, who was just as struck as the first time he'd seen Gabriel.

"You can towel off in the bathroom if you want," Gabriel said, flopping onto the futon. "It's in the back, through my room."

Kala walked to the back of the apartment, trying carefully to avoid showing the bulge in his shorts. Gabriel's room looked about like he'd expected. A number of posters of famous athletes working out, a few trophies, a queen sized bed and computer in the corner. He quickly spotted the entrance to the bathroom and went inside.

He shed his clothing and began to towel down. He was still sporting a raging hard-on, and as the towel rubbed across the tip, he shuddered. Kala touched his member, closing his eyes, and began to rub along its length. In his mind he kept seeing Gabriel's hard body and he began to mumble, "Pretty doggy ... pretty doggy ..."

  "Kala, were you call-WOAH!"

He had forgotten to close the door.

Kala screamed and slammed the door closed right in Gabriel's face. He fell back on the toilet and began to panic. What to do?! What is Gabriel going to do? Is he going to kill me? Why didn't I forget to close the door? Kala puzzled for about five minutes, not saying a word. He resolved. He finished toweling off and began to collect his clothes. He opened the door a little ways and didn't see Gabriel. Maybe he could sneak out...

As he opened the door all the way, his jaw dropped.

There upon the bed, wearing absolutely nothing, lay Gabriel. He was turned sideways, his muscles rippling underneath his fur with every movement. Gabriel's sheath was clearly visible and the tip of his member was just barely poking out from inside. He stared a Kala intently, his muzzle hanging slightly open and tongue hanging slightly to one side.

"I really hope you were talking about me..." Gabriel said, smiling.

Kala just stood there, mouth hanging open. Gabriel held up a paw, gesturing him to come closer. Without even thinking, Kala dropped his clothing and towel, and moved slowly to Gabriel's side. Gabriel sat up and looked him right in the eye.

  "If you wanted to see me naked," he said as he nibbled on Kala's chest. "Why didn't you just ask?"

Kala panted from the feeling of Gabriel's nibbling, "I didn't ... know if you were okay ... with it."

Gabriel smiled, "You were making eyes from the minute you saw me." He nibbled the underside of Kala's jaw. "It was pretty clear you saw something you liked."

He pressed his muzzle to Kala's, kissing him deeply. Kala opened his mouth and literally melted into Gabriel's lap, completely lost in the kiss. Together, their tongues danced, Kala moaning deeply as he felt Gabriel's hand caressing the back of his head and back. Without breaking the kiss, Gabriel pulled Kala on top of him. They continued to kiss, Gabriel working his hands along Kala's chest, massaging him.

After a few moments, Gabriel slowly pushed Kala up on his lap, breaking the kiss. He moved his hands to Kala's member, running a single claw up its length and smiling as Kala squirmed. He wrapped his paw around it and began to move slowly.

Kala murred deeply, lifting his waist to meet Gabriel's moves, his member emerging and growing as he became more aroused. He panted, and tried to rasp out something, but his mind couldn't form the words.

  Gabriel continued to pump ever so slowly on his member, before Kala finally managed to rasp out, "Cock."

"Oh?" Gabriel smiled mischievously at him.

"Please," Kala panted, almost pleading with Gabriel. "I want it."

Gabriel reached over and pulled a tube of KY out of one of the drawers. He spread some on his fingers and, as Kala lifted himself up spread it liberally on his cock. He used another small bit to provide some lubrication around Kala's tailhole. Tossing the tube aside, he held Kala's sides and slowly guided him down onto his member.

Kala moaned, his jaw clenched tight. Gabriel looked up at him concerned, "Am I hurting you?"

"No," Kala said, panting. "Just need ... to get used to ... it."

Kala slid down on it a bit more and after a few moments he rested on Gabriel's lap, with Gabriel's arms wrapped possessively around him. They stayed like that for a few minutes, just enjoying the warmth of each others' company. Finally, Kala lifted himself up slowly until only Gabriel's head remained inside, then just as slowly slid back down again.

  Gabriel moaned, moving one of his paws to Kala's engorged member. He began to work it as Kala slid up and down Gabriel's slickened member. Before long Kala was bouncing up and down on Gabriel's lap like a rag doll, and Gabriel jerking Kala's member like a blur.

"Not gonna last ..." Gabriel sputtered. "Gonna cum..."

Suddenly, Gabriel tensed up and slammed Kala down onto his lap. He arched his back and let out a bark as he emptied his seed into Kala's waiting bowels. Kala was totally gone, and came in a flurry all over Gabriel's chest. Gabriel continued to thrust into Kala until all his seed had been emptied into the fox. Finally, Kala collapsed onto Gabriel, panting and nibbling on his chest.

"So," Gabriel said, panting. "How about some of those pictures now."

Kala giggled softly and buried his face contentedly in Gabriel's chest.

\* \* \*

"Okay, I've graded all your portfolios. For the most part they were disappointing and some of you need to consider whether journalism is the right career choice for you. There were a few bright spots, though. If you have any questions, I'll be in my office after class."

  Kala waited for the rush to die down before going up to get his portfolio. His stomach was full of butterflies as he reached for the black binder that was his portfolio. He closed his eyes, looking in the back and hoping ... hoping ...

100.

"Kala," the professor wrote. "This is a fantastic piece of work. Your landscapes and news shots are all good, but what really blew me away is your portrait work. It's some of the best I've ever seen and I hope we see you down at the school paper this spring."

Kala was so relieved.

"How'd you do?"

He turned to find Gabriel standing there, fresh out of his morning workout. Kala ran and hugged him, "One hundred!"

"That's my foxie!"

\* \* \*

"This is it, folks," the announcer began. "Thirty seconds left in the fourth quarter. Westshore is down by three."

Kala stood, mesmerized in the middle of a cheering throng of students on a balmy Saturday evening and wondered why he had missed out on football all these years. This was great!

He pushed the earpiece of his radio into his ear to hear the announcer. "The ball is snapped. He's looking ... looking ... no receivers are open. Oh my God! Gabriel takes off down field! He's got blockers!"

  Kala was cheering and screaming so loud he could barely hear the announcer.

"He's at the forty, the thirty, the twenty, the ten, TOUCHDOWN WESTSHORE! Unbelievable! Unbelievable! Westshore wins! Westshore wins!"

He smiled as Gabriel was hoisted up by his teammates. Gabriel took off his helmet, smiled at Kala, who was standing in the front row of the students' section, and winked at him.

Kala knew it was going to be a wonderful night.

Copyright (c) 2004 Shilah