Author's notes: This is the second in "The Photographer" series following Kala and Gabriel ("The Photographer" being the first, so read that one first). This story takes place a few weeks after The Photographer sort of acts like a hammock between it and my next story - Homecomings - involving these two. And I promise it won't be two years until that one is released - life's just been a little strange recently! 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! :P

The Away Game  
By Shilah (shilahwolf@gmail.com)

Miles and miles of nothing.

Cushioned by a pillow, Kala's narrow fox muzzle rested against the window of the bus, his blue eyes staring listlessly at the misty countryside passing by. His glasses rested lopsidedly on his muzzle against the window. The sun was just barely beginning to peak over the mountains to the east; heavy fog still rested among the trees and farms that bordered the highway. The soft crooning of Elton John echoed in Kala's pointed ears, flattened back against his head as he attempted to get some sleep though it wasn't happening.

  The bus trundled ever on, through the foggy morning of nothingness in the valley while Kala buried himself in his blanket.

The four-bus convoy left the Westshore University campus in Stevensberg at three in the morning for an eleven o'clock game at Dogwood City. Two buses for the football squad, a bus for the band, and a bus for the coaches and support staff. Unfortunately, Kala could not ride with his beloved Gabriel, instead riding on the support staff bus. He sat in the back, wedged against the window and, mercifully, with an empty seat next to him.

Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Don Jackson, the Director of Media Relations - his boss - walking up towards the back of the bus, coffee in one hand and ever-present cigar hanging from his muzzle. The large, imposing Doberman moved with some difficulty through the narrow aisle of the bus, apparently heading for the restroom. He stopped briefly by Kala's seat; Kala quickly pulled the clips off his ears.

"Doin' okay, sleepy?" Jackson asked.

"Yeah," Kala grumbled. "I don't usually ever see 3 AM."

  "Yeah, it sucks," Jackson added, chomping on the cigar. "Comes with the job, though. I think you're gonna do great in this job, if those shots for the media guide are any indication."

"Thanks!" Kala said brightly, feeling a little pride in his work.

"Get ready, though," Jackson warned. "You think the players get physical? You've gotta keep up with �em on the sidelines to get the good shots."

Jackson turned into the bathroom, working with some difficulty to close the door behind him. Kala put the clips back on his ear, welcoming the music over the roar of the road. The bus cruised ever on, and Kala thought back to a few days earlier...

\* \* \*

"Damn fine work, Kala. Damn fine."

Don Jackson chomped on his stoagie, staring through bifocals at the small fox on the other side of the desk. The Doberman had his legs kicked up on the desk as he flipped through some papers, looking for just the right sheet.

Finally, he threw the papers dismissively aside. "Everyone said your work with Gabriel for the media guide was wonderful. The media loved it and the fans ate it up. Your writing was also quite stellar. I think you're just the kind of person we need working here. If you're interested in the job as Westshore's new sports photographer, it's all yours."

  Kala smiled joyfully, "Yes! I'll take it!"

"I didn't figure it'd take you much thought," Jackson said, stoagie hanging from the side of his muzzle. "Your base pay is ten dollars an hour. We cover all expenses for you, including travel to events, hotels, the works.

"Your first assignment is this weekend. Our football team is playing Dogwood City, yanno? Game time is 11am, which unfortunately means our convoy leaves Westshore about 3 am. You'll meet the team busses here at the athletic complex.

"Be prepared," Jackson drawled, smiling. "You're gonna get a workout."

\* \* \*

Kala squeezed himself into the back of the crowded visiting team locker room as all the players got dressed. Fortunately for Kala, being as small as he was, this was not a difficult task. All around him, shirtless players were lacing up their pads and getting ready for the game. The roar of the crowd could easily be heard outside.

Across the room, Kala spotted the greek form of Gabriel, just donning his pads. The German Shepherd looked chiseled from stone. Gabriel smiled across the room at him and winked; Kala flashed him a quick thumbs-up and smiled back � the unspoken language between them more than adequate.

  Kala pulled out his camera and began to take a few shots as the players lined up in the tunnel and ran out onto the field. The energy of the moment was amazing and he found himself wanting to be in the middle of the mass of orange and blue. He felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up to see Jackson holding his shoulder.

"Get ready," he smiled. "Now the fun really begins."

For the most part, the game moved pretty quickly. Westshore's offense didn't have any problems moving the ball against Dogwood City's anemic defense and Gabriel was finding receivers all over the field. Of course, this kept Kala busy running up and down the sidelines keeping up with the action, hauling a camera bag over his shoulder and looking for the perfect shot. Once, he moved just in the nick of time to avoid being hit by a receiver diving out of bounds.

By the time halftime came, Kala was worn out and sat huffing on the bench. Don Jackson sat down next to him, chuckling softly. He light up his cigar and smiled at Kala.

"Looks like you're getting a workout," he said.

  "Man, you're not kidding," Kala said, in between huffs of breath.

"Let me give you some advice," he said. "After all, this is where I started out twenty years ago. Forget the idea of getting a perfect shot every time and just do your best. Then, ditch the bag and pick your favorite high-speed camera. And think ahead � I think you know Gabriel pretty well � so think about what he'd do in a situation and go where the action will be, not where it was. Move down the field a few yards from the line of scrimmage. That way you're walking between plays instead of running with them."

A part of that suck in Kala's mind: I know him pretty well?

The second half went much better for Kala. The advice Don gave him really paid off as he found himself running less and being closer to the action when it did happen. Sure, he'd miss the occasional shot but overall it was a lot better half for him. When the game finally ended in a 38-7 win for Westshore, Kala headed back into the tunnel exhausted but happy.

The locker room was a cacophony of chants and yells. All around Kala, media representatives were interviewing players and guys were slapping each other on the back or simply just resting against the lockers. Coach Kates, a large and imposing but somewhat pudgy lion, stood on a chair to address the team, "Y'all played great today! Execution was virtually flawless. Everyone, take the night off and have a good time!"

  This elicited a roar from the sweaty muscled bodies in the room. And across the crowd, Kala saw Gabriel wink at him, grinning broadly.

\* \* \*

Kala paced.

Gabriel had passed him a note to meet him at the back entrance to the team hotel at 6:15. It was now 6:30.

Kala paced.

He had his back turned when he heard the door open. He spun around quickly and found himself staring, at long last, into Gabriel's beautiful face. Kala ran and wrapped his arms around Gabriel's chest, hugging him closely. "Ohh Gabriel! You were wonderful today!"

Gabriel murred deeply, holding Kala tight. "Seeing you on the side was all the inspiration I needed, Foxie!"

"So where are we going, hon?"

Gabriel smiled broadly, "You'll see!"

Together they walked away from the hotel down a broad avenue. Kala strained his neck looking at the skyscrapers pacing. Gabriel seemed almost to be on a mission, tracking unseen prey. The lights were just beginning to flicker on as evening fell over Dogwood City. Without warning, Gabriel turned into an alley...

  ... and when they arrived on the other side, Kala could not have been more surprised.

All around him, rainbow flags hung from balconies and people in various states of dress wandered along the streets. Bars lined the pavement, their doors open to reveal various musical acts or dance clubs. People were dining in small outdoor cafes. And over at one end of the street, Kala thought he spotted a gay-themed bookstore.

"Welcome to Brook Street," Gabriel was saying, smiling broadly and waving his hand before Kala. "The gayest place in Dogwood City."

Without a second thought, Kala wrapped his arms around Gabriel and kissed him deeply. After a few moments they broke their kiss. "So," Gabriel began, smiling, "where to?"

"The bookstore!" Kala shouted gleefully, almost busting into a dance in the middle of the street.

"Should've figured." Gabriel smiled. "But I can't fault you for bad taste � Rainbow Books' my favorite place here!"

People bustled in and out of various establishments along the street; the thumping sound of dance music eminated from many of the open doors along the street. Gabriel stopped at a street vendor - a bare-chested leopard wearing a leather harness - and grabbed a couple of cappuchinos, passing one to Kala as they strolled along.

  "Gabriel," Kala said as they walked, passing in front of a couple dancing in the doorway of a club. "Mind if I ask a bit of a sensitive question?"

Gabriel held Kala's paw as they walked along, he himself peering at all the action on Brook Street. "Sure, foxie."

"How many people know you're gay?"

He stopped and thought for a few seconds, scratching a finger under his muzzle. "Not many, honestly. Unfortunately, I can't tell my teammates because it would harm the unity of the team and, as the saying goes, there's no I in team."

Kala nodded, looking downcast a bit. "I understand. It just sucks that we'll never be able to walk around campus holding hands and enjoying the evening."

Gabriel held the door to Rainbow books open for Kala. "Yeah."

\* \* \*

"I swear it was this way back to the hotel."

Kala didn't recognize anything around him, "I don't remember going this way earlier."

They had spend hours in the bookstore discussing many topics, ranging from the impact of homosexuality on modern religions to biographies of gay celebrities to the rumors that many of history's greatest people may have been gay, all while sipping on coffee in the comfy confines of Rainbow Books. After awhile, they figured it would be best to be getting back to the hotel.

  They had left the Brooks Street by a different route than they had arrived. Apparently they had wandered away from the generally trafficked area and were now hopelessly turned around in the myriad of alleys behind the buildings. Dumpsters and empty boxes dominated the area, with the occasional back door leading into an establishment. The stench of garbage and rotting food permeated the air.

"Let's ask directions?" Kala suggested, a paw covering his nose.

"From who?" Gabriel mumbled. "Maybe we should go back-"

"It looks like some faggots got lost."

Gabriel and Kala both turned in utter surprise to find themselves facing four rather nasty looking characters. There were three lions and a cougar, the latter of which was wielding a chunk of wood.

"C'mon, man. We don't want trouble." Gabriel began, "Just tell us how to get back to the street, and we'll leave."

"This was a nice neighborhood before all you faggots took it over," the cougar growled. "We need to take out the fuckin' trash!"

The two lions charged Gabriel. With quick reflexes, he dodged one and a quick blow to the chest sent the other spiraling into a trash bin and knocking him unconscious. Kala screamed as one of the lions charged him; he jumped and scampered up onto a trash bin.

  He turned and felt the color drain from his face. He tried to scream, but couldn't...

As Gabriel fought with one of the lions, the cougar had snuck around behind him. With one stroke, he practically broke the piece of wood over Gabriel's head, sending him to the ground in a heap.

"YOU MOTHERFUCKER!" Kala screamed, and leapt at the cougar, swiping his claws across his face and drawing a good bit of blood.

"Oh shit! Someone get the little bastard!"

The cougar was effectively down, his face covered in blood. The two remaining lions circled Kala before one lunged for him. Kala jumped and landed on his shoulders, taking a swipe down his back and eliciting a blood-curdling scream from the lion. Unfortunately, the other lion grabbed him by the tail and slammed him to the ground.

"Say night-night, faggot bitch" he spat, preparing to pound Kala. Kala closed his eyes, preparing for the pain...

"Pick on someone your own size, fuckin' coward." was all Kala heard before the lion went spiraling sideways and into a wall. Kala couldn't make out any detail on the figure as it turned toward the cougar, which was trying to stumble to his feet.

  The figure grabbed the cougar and slammed him against the wall, holding him there. "You the leader of this posse?"

"N... no," said the cougar, bleeding and shuddering.

"Just what I'd expect from a coward," the figure spat. "Next time, remember us �faggots' travel in packs. Now get the fuck out of here before I put a permanent end to this."

The cougar stumbled away, leaving his friends to bleed on the pavement.

Kala opened his eyes. He could barely make out any detail. A light flickered overhead and Kala's eyes went wide.

Don Jackson tossed his stogie aside, "fuckin' ruined." He turned to Kala and smiled a bit in the dim light, "Funny meeting y'all here."

Kala was too shocked to speak.

Don ran over to Gabriel, looking him over. He turned Kala. "Help me with him. He looks okay, just unconscious. There's a coffee shop around the corner. I know the owner."

Kala helped Don drag the unconscious Gabriel down a few alleys before emerging onto the street. They quickly ducked into the Pink Flamingo Coffee Shop.

  \* \* \*

The whole world was a blur to Gabriel. It finally began to come into focus. Damn, his head hurt...

... then he remembered.

"Kala?! Kala!" he called, the concern in his voice bleeding like a knife wound.

"Shhh! It's alright. It's okay. I'm right here," Kala said soothingly, stroking a paw along his arm.

"Oh thank God. My head hurts like a thousand monkeys are beating on a thousand drums."

Don Jackson smiled across at him. "Settle down, Gabriel. You've had a rough night."

Gabriel looked shocked, then utterly horrified to see him. He tried to speak, but couldn't form any words.

"Don't worry," Don chucked, sensing Gabriel's fear. "Your secret's safe with me. So ... you and Kala, eh?"

Gabriel's world was spinning and he just put his head down on the table. Kala blushed deeply red, as revealed in by his ears, and pressed his small fox body up against Gabriel.

"You two make a cute couple," Don chucked. He sipped from his coffee. "So what happened? I was just walking by heading back towards the hotel, when I heard a beating and a voice that sounded like Kala's. How'd this whole thing begin?"

  "We were just walking. We were coming back to the hotel," Gabriel began, face still down on the table. "I guess we got turned around in an alley when those thugs showed up."

"Kala put up a hell of a fight," Don said, grinning proudly at the fox. "He took down two of them."

Kala nuzzled Gabriel's ear, "The thought of losing you sent me into a rage. I didn't know I could do that."

Don tossed a few coins on the table, smiling. "Let's get back to the hotel. You two have had enough fun for one road trip."

\* \* \*

Don unlocked the door to his hotel room, sliding the door card back into his pocket. "Y'all can stay in my room for tonight. Best you not have to explain some of those injuries to your teammates without a clear head, Gabriel. I'll be up in about an hour; I'm gonna get a drink down in the hotel bar.

"You two," he winked. "Get to bed."

Kala closed the door and helped Gabriel to the bed. As he sat down, Gabriel pulled Kala into an embrace and held him close. The big german shepherd buried his head in Kala's soft neckfur and sobbed softly for a few moments before looking the fox in the face.

  His cheeks were padded with moisture as he peered at Kala. "I thought I had lost you ..."

Kala, with tears appearing in his eyes, simply wrapped his arms tightly around Gabriel's thick chest and buried his face in his chestfur. He looked up at him.

"Gabriel," he began timidly, almost as though the words were still forming in his mind. "It's been only a few weeks and yet I feel like I've known you all my life. Tonight I feel like I almost lost you and it drove me mad. Whenever I'm away from you I feel empty and depressed. I just want to be with you..."

His voice trailed off as Gabriel leaned down and, reaching a paw up under Kala's muzzle, pressed down into a deep kiss. Their kiss ended a few moments later with Kala feeling breathless. He smiled, and gently pushed Gabriel down on the bed.

He kissed his way slowly down Gabriel's chest before reaching the button of his jeans. Kala peered up at Gabriel through slitted eyes as he slowly unbuttoned the jeans and slid down the zipper. Sticking his muzzle into the pants, he slowly began to lick and kiss Gabriel's growing member through his underwear, eliciting a moan of pleasure from the german shepherd.

  Reaching a paw up, he slowly pulled down Gabriel's underwear to reveal his hardened penis. He looked up at the german shepherd as he slowly and deliberately licked his throbbing member from base to knot to tip, pausing for just a moment before slowly engulfing Gabriel's organ in his mouth.

Gabriel began to thrust impulsively, murring deeply and panting and placing his big paw on the back of Kala's head. Kala smiled, reaching a paw into his underwear to slowly massage his furry orbs, his tail waving happily behind him. He twirled his tongue around the throbbing member suckling on it like a waning lollipop.

Gabriel's thrusts were beginning to become more and more urgent. Kala sensed this, and suckled harder on the cock. He reached a paw around and gently squeezed Gabriel's knot.

That did it. Gabriel let out a bark and yelp, thrusting hard into Kala's muzzle. He panted as he emptied his seed into the fox's muzzle, Kala swallowing as much of Gabriel's honey as he possibly could though some was leaking out around the edges of his mouth. Finally, he let the softening member slip from his lips to kiss his way back up Gabriel's chest and plant a deep kiss square on his muzzle.

  "Foxie ... beautiful foxie ..." Gabriel murmured through the kiss. He wrapped his arms around the fox and held him close, enjoying the glorious afterglow of their love together. As they dozed off, Kala felt at peace with Gabriel close to him.

Don Jackson returned to the room a short time later to find the pair in bed fast asleep, Gabriel's arms wrapped possessively around Kala from behind. He sat in a chair, watching them sleep quietly with only the air conditioning unit making any sound in the room. He couldn't help but smile.

\* \* \*

Miles and miles of nothing.

Kala gazed out the windows, his glasses hanging oddly from his muzzle. The morning sun was shining brightly upon the rolling hills and farms along the highway, with the mountains rising in the distance partially obscured by fog. The busses had left Dogwood City mid-morning on Sunday, heading back up to the Westshore University campus in Stevensberg. And all around Kala, he could see that the rest of the coaches and support staff on the bus with him were as ready to be home as he was.

  He pulled the blanket up and looked over at Gabriel, who was fast asleep next to him. He had been given "special dispensation" to ride on the support bus, obstinently to be interviewed for next weeks' media guide, though he had been sleeping the entire ride back.

Kala grinned broadly and reached a paw up under the blanket to squeeze his love's hand. He clipped the earphones back on his ears and let Elton carry him away as turn to watch the countryside rolling by. The bus tundled ever on, though the sunlight of a wonderful day.  
   
Copyright (c) 2006 Shilah