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“Open and Shut Case of Love” by TiberiusRings & Fruitz (part 1 of 2)
Communication is the bedrock in any relationship. A lot of us fear bringing up things that may make our partner uncomfortable, or upset the balance we currently have. Yet if we do it right we can all grow in ways we never expected.
Today’s story is the first of two parts of “Open and Shut Case of Love” by TiberiusRings & Fruitz, who are co-authors of the series Come to Dust, published by Fruitzberg Press.
Read for you by Rob MacWolf — werewolf hitchhiker.
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https://thevoice.dog/episode/open-and-shut-case-of-love-by-tiberiusrings-fruitz-part-1-of-2
Transcript
Dog.You’re listening to Pride Month on The Voice of Dog.
Speaker:This is Rob MacWolf, your fellow traveler,
Speaker:and Today’s story
Speaker:is the first of two parts of
Speaker:“Open and Shut Case of Love
Speaker:by TiberiusRings & Fruitz,
Speaker:who are co authors of the series Come to Dust,
Speaker:published by Fruitzberg Press.
Speaker:The debate about “sexualization” of pride is doubtless by now
Speaker:wearily familiar
Speaker:to most if not all of our listeners.
Speaker:Lest there be any ambiguity, let us establish immediately:
Speaker:Pride has every right
Speaker:to be as sexual as it wants to be.
Speaker:When queer desire,
Speaker:queer bodies, and queer sexuality
Speaker:have been deliberately suppressed,
Speaker:it is an act not only of defiance
Speaker:but of restorative justice
Speaker:to flaunt them to every conceivable excess.
That said:there is no minimum quota.
That said:While many of us live, and love,
That said:in deliberately transgressive and extraordinary ways,
That said:those of us who do not wish to
That said:have just as much right to be proud of who they are.
That said:Please enjoy “Open and Shut Case of Love”
That said:by TiberiusRings & Fruitz,
That said:Part 1 of 2 “And that’s it for the edits, right?
That said:Okay, thank you Jake! I’ll have
That said:it done by next week.
That said:Have a great weekend!”
That said:With a cheery goodbye I hung up the phone—and immediately let out a loud sigh.
That said:“God dammit!!” I shouted into the void before
That said:taking notes on the corrections that I was told over the phone lest
That said:I forget. It was mentally taxing to maintain my facade of the jack-of-all-trades Milo,
That said:a spotted hyena who works in the video game industry as a graphic designer and concept artist,
That said:and who also happens to be the go-to guy for any quick edits should the higher-ups ever require a last-minute correction.
That said:And believe you me, that happened way too often for me to keep track of,
That said:because those corporate decision-makers apparently could not agree on anything but their upcoming bonuses.
That said:Oftentimes I would mute the call
That said:and take a long sigh
That said:to prevent any expletive from leaving my muzzle.
That said:Sometimes I wondered why I even bothered to step foot in such a stressful environment, but the answer was always clear.
That said:As a cub I’ve always had my head in the clouds and a pencil in my fingers, so I decided that
That said:putting my skills to paper
That said:wasn’t the worst idea.
That said:My parents saw my talent and nurtured it as I grew up, allowing me to land a job in this industry.
That said:Not everything was so doom-and-gloom, though.
That said:With enough experience under my belt, I was allowed to work remotely a few
That said:days of the week as a
That said:hybrid worker, so I was using the spare room as my studio office,
That said:which is where I am this sunny Friday afternoon.
That said:Standing up from my chair, I put my hands on my waist and stretched, groaning as I heard my back give out a satisfying “pop!”
That said:My entire body seemed to complain that I was sitting for too long.
That said:Time for a little exercise! I told myself.
That said:I headed downstairs in the two-floor apartment that I shared with Julian.
That said:We had an office and a guest room upstairs with our kitchen, living room and master bedroom
That said:downstairs. The windows were wide,
That said:since we were pretty high up in the building, giving us one hell of a view of the city when it wasn’t overcast.
That said:Turning the corner I passed a wall of what we had made
That said:all about us. It wasn’t vanity, but we were happy and
That said:we wanted to remember those times.
That said:All kinds of things were hanging from well mounted pegs;
That said:our degrees in shining museum glass, awards Julian had won, awards I had won,
That said:either framed or sitting on small shelves.
That said:“Should probably dust here…”
That said:I said out loud as I walked by the photo gallery
That said:starring me with my special painted dog.
That said:The first photo was one that always made me smile.
That said:It showed Julian and I,
That said:our arms around one another.
That said:My signature hyena mohawk was
That said:painted in a rainbow,
That said:and Julian colored his fur like a painter’s palette.
That said:Because he’s a painted dog, haha, get it?
That said:Yeah, that joke flew over many people’s heads when I told them.
That said:Both of us were shirtless and wearing just a pair of shorts, with a
That said:bit of rainbow paint under my eyes and drinks in our hands.
That said:We stood there smiling at the camera,
That said:two undergrads who met one another at a Pride event that took place near the campus.
That said:We were instantly drawn together like two magnets.
That said:The following photos were an array of moments from our college years, both undergrad and graduate.
That said:Hanging out, living and vibing, going on hikes, swimming
That said:(Julian always did look better than I did in a speedo),
That said:doing fun things that two men in love would do together.
That said:The kids smiling in those images were so bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.
That said:I like to think we haven’t lost that side of us.
That said:I was smiling as I kept moving.
That said:Here our photos took on more
That said:professional tones.
That said:Articles about me in
That said:some magazines as an up-and-coming designer,
That said:a case that Julian had argued and won in court,
That said:and his promotion to the partner status at his law firm,
That said:complete with a photo of him at a fancy dinner shaking hands with his boss.
That said:The photos were less about us together and
That said:more about us as individuals.
That said:Our careers didn’t really overlap, so that was to be expected.
That said:Still, it left a weird feeling in my stomach.
That said:Arriving at the kitchen, I opened the fridge and poured myself a glass of juice.
That said:The kitchen was alight with sunlight,
That said:and I saw my own reflection in the window.
That said:I wasn’t the pristine, hot hyena boy from college,
That said:but Julian and I had always
That said:made sure to take care of ourselves.
That said:Walks, runs, weights, eating right…it
That said:was all there.
That said:Thankfully Julian managed the food
That said:part of it all, since I didn’t seem to have a head for it.
That said:But it kept me looking lean and muscled, and him slightly broader in build.
That said:Not to be self-praising, but we were handsome for two gay men who had just recently entered their third decade circling the sun.
That said:I heard the door buzz open,
That said:followed by footsteps on the wooden floor.
That said:“Babe?” I called out,
That said:putting the container of juice back in the fridge.
That said:“It’s me, Spots!” I turned the corner
That said:and welcomed home my handsome painted dog,
That said:who was unbuttoning his suit jacket and loosening his tie.
That said:He was a looker, and I can’t put into words just how handsome I thought he was.
That said:He slipped up to me and gave me a peck on the lips.
That said:“Mm…orange juice,” he said
That said:and kept undressing,
That said:getting out of his business suit
That said:slowly as he headed into the bedroom.
That said:I looked at the clock on the wall.
That said:“You’re home a little early,”
That said:I said as I followed Julian into the bedroom.
That said:“Yeah,” he said while tugging his shirt off,
That said:followed by the fitted undershirt. “Don’t
That said:you remember I have that thing going on?”
That said:“Oh. I forgot…” I tried to process what that was. It had
That said:been a busy week and we hadn’t talked much about what was going on in our individual lives. “Mmm,” he gave
That said:me one of those looks.
That said:One of the signature Julian looks; I knew what it meant. “Milo, you oughta listen more—” “I know, I know,” I sighed and held my hands up in defeat. “So what’s
That said:going on that you came home early for?”
That said:Not that an hour early wasn’t exactly a land speed record.
That said:Julian kicked his pants off, standing there in a pair of his hip, designer burnt-orange briefs.
That said:They laid low on his belly and
That said:let the contours of his stomach flow into his waistband.
That said:Did I tell you he was a looker?
That said:“Alex is coming over.
That said:He and I are going to that concert.”
That said:“Oh…Oh!” It was coming back to me.
That said:“What, that band I can’t stand?”
That said:“You’ve always had terrible taste in music,”
That said:my boyfriend teased me as he
That said:took out some much more comfortable clothes from the closet.
That said:I made a face of mock frustration and crossed my arms over my chest.
That said:“Fine, fine. You and Alex going to come back to the apartment after?”
That said:“Yeah,” Julian responded as he stepped into the bathroom.
That said:“We’re gonna need the bedroom, so don’t be asleep, okay?”
That said:“Okay hun.” “Thanks, love.” —---------------------------------------------------
That said:Three hours later,
That said:I was home alone on a Friday night,
That said:sitting on my sofa with my tablet in my hands.
That said:I flicked through news sites and social media while the TV played some
That said:random YouTube video that I was not even paying attention to.
That said:I messaged a few of the people locally but
That said:everyone had plans.
That said:I had no one to really blame but myself for that one—I had been working so hard on my current project that I became a recluse.
That said:I knew I could have butted in and joined something, but I didn’t want to impose.
That said:I’d gotten used to being a homebody as I got older.
That said:In college I was more outgoing,
That said:but when I got close with Julian and focused on my career,
That said:I started realizing that I liked just being home
That said:a lot. Julian kept me somewhat social,
That said:but for the last couple of years there hadn’t been much effort in that area
That said:—mostly because I always had an excuse to stay home.
That said:Julian’s job also forced him to be social.
That said:An attorney was always front and center,
That said:and he had to sell himself as much as know what the hell he was doing.
That said:He had to travel a lot sometimes and I couldn’t go with him with my own career
That said:—so he had friends all over the country and even in Europe and Asia.
That said:He was always the charismatic one out of us.
That said:The door opened up
That said:and in came Julian with Alex draped over his shoulder.
That said:The panther was drunk, or just hamming it up.
That said:Alex’s hobby had always been acting, and he did a lot of local theater while also working on his music.
That said:Alex could make you believe anything
That said:if he wanted to.
That said:But he was never a bad person
That said:with that skill. Alex’s hand was around Julian’s waist,
That said:sliding up under his shirt as he purred
That said:and kissed my boyfriend on the side of the muzzle.
That said:I looked away. Not because I was ashamed,
That said:but because I liked to give them privacy.
That said:We respected the boundaries of an open relationship.
That said:“Hey hun,” Julian said as he came up behind the sofa and wrapped his arms around me.
That said:He smelled of alcohol and weed.
That said:He nuzzled into the back of my head, then gave
That said:my round ear a gentle nip and patted my mohawk.
That said:“Did you have a nice night?”
That said:“Yeah,” I said, hand coming up to rub along Julian’s forearm.
That said:“You?” “Oh yeah,” Alex said from the other side of the living room as he took his jacket off.
That said:Alex was one of those guys who didn’t need to work at keeping a good body. He could eat a whole cake and not worry about the calories going to his thighs.
That said:I don’t think he even seriously lifted weights,
That said:and yet he was handsome as all get-out.
That said:“Show was awesome!” “Alex took me to this new bar downtown.
That said:We did some dancing
That said:but wanted to come home to…”
That said:I saw Alex gyrate his hips out of my peripheral.
That said:He wasn’t a dick about it, but when he was drunk like this, he could be a little grating.
That said:I paid him no mind though as I turned and looked up at Julian.
That said:“I know. You told me beforehand.”
That said:“Yeah, I just…I don’t want you to feel lonely.”
That said:“I won’t,” I lied. Why was I lying?
That said:Why didn’t I tell him that I missed him?
That said:That I wanted him to be with me?
That said:But that depressive thought lanced
That said:down into my core, triggering a sense of guilt. I couldn’t ruin their good time,
That said:their fun, and it would make everything awkward.
That said:We wouldn’t have sex and probably spend the night talking and then going to bed,
That said:both of us feeling a little weird and unsatisfied. No,
That said:the thing I needed to do was just keep my muzzle shut and let them have their fun.
That said:I forced a smile and wore it like a mask.
That said:“I have this report I’m working on anyway.
That said:I want to get a handle on it by Monday.
That said:Alex isn’t gonna stay the night?”
That said:“No,” Julian said with a smile.
That said:“He hogs the covers,
That said:so you can come to bed when you’re ready.”
That said:“Of course.” “Love you, Milo.”
That said:“Love you too, Jewels.”
That said:And off they went.
That said:Down the hall and into my bedroom.
That said:The door closed, leaving me outside in my lonesome.
That said:You might be wondering why I didn’t just go
That said:join them. I’m sure the offer was there,
That said:but Alex and I didn’t really gel well together
That said:like that. He was a bit too brash for me, and Julian had said he could be a bit of a
That said:selfish lover, especially when he drank.
That said:Not that he wasn’t a good
That said:lay, but I just didn’t see him in that light.
That said:We were friends, absolutely,
That said:but not friends with benefits.
That said:I know I’d just focus on Julian
That said:and Alex would feel awkward.
That said:So I focused on work
That said:and put on some music in case they got loud enough that I could hear them.
That said:I pushed the negative thoughts aside
That said:and focused on the work.
That said:Always focus on the work,
That said:I told myself. Your career is important.
That said:Sacrifices have to be made. ————————————
That said:I don’t know when it happened, but I fell asleep on the sofa.
That said:I was slumped over and
That said:lying on my side,
That said:my hands still gripping the tablet, when I felt a hand
That said:come down and touch my shoulder,
That said:waking me up with a startle.
That said:“Woah!” Julian said and held his hands up.
That said:“Bad dream?” “No…just…deep
That said:asleep, I think.”
That said:I sat up and rubbed my neck,
That said:wincing at the ache there from sleeping so funny.
That said:I looked around the room and saw the automatic lights had turned off.
That said:“Alex headed home?”
That said:“About an hour ago.
That said:I’m surprised you didn’t wake up when the front door closed.”
That said:I yawned and stood up from the sofa,
That said:putting the tablet down on the coffee table.
That said:I turned and looked at Julian.
That said:He was naked save for a black jockstrap edged in gold.
That said:It matched his fur so beautifully.
That said:I felt my own heartbeat rush and
That said:wanted him…but he was fresh out of the shower;
That said:I could smell the wetness still clinging to his fur and the soaps he used to maintain it.
That said:I didn’t want to make him waste more time,
That said:so I pushed down those feelings and smiled at him.
That said:“C’mon, Spots, let’s go to bed.
That said:I changed the sheets and everything, so it’s good to go.”
That said:“Thanks,” I answered
That said:and followed him into the bedroom.
That said:I was stripping my own clothes off, tossing the shirt into the hamper
That said:and jumping up and down to get my jeans off.
That said:I scratched my stomach a little while I yawned and
That said:watched Julian walk to his side of the bed,
That said:pulling the covers back.
That said:I slid into his side of the bed and I followed,
That said:just wearing my briefs.
That said:Julian leaned in and kissed me on the muzzle,
That said:smiling brightly as he nuzzled into my neck
That said:and then rolled over so his back was to me. We usually slept back to back…not because we were
That said:disgusted with one another but
That said:because we just found it comfortable.
That said:I thought about touching him,
That said:caressing him…but I stopped myself even if I felt myself stiffen.
That said:He’d already had his fun.
That said:With an internal sigh I rolled over and tucked my arm under a pillow,
That said:closing my eyes and trying to sleep while ignoring myself
That said:poking into the bed.
That said:This was the first of two parts of
That said:“Open and Shut Case of Love”
That said:by TiberiusRings & Fruitz,
That said:read for you by Rob MacWolf, werewolf hitchhiker.
That said:Tune in next time to find out how Milo confronts his fears
That said:or if he decides to keep on the path he’s walking.
That said:As always, you can find more stories on the web at thevoice.dog,
That said:or find the show wherever you get
That said:your podcasts. Happy Pride,
That said:and Thank you for listening to The Voice of Dog.
