WARNING: Contains some adult language; reader's discretion is advised :)



Comfort Zone
A “Cozy” Thursday Prompt Story

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“uh, not…really,” the brown and beige wolf replied rather uncomfortably. He stood there with a discerned look upon his face, tilting his head slightly when his beloved mate Ammy - a well-toned tannish colored wolf asked him if he wanted to go to a party.

“What? Why not?! Mark, Belle and Eric are all going! Why don’t you want to go have a good time and hang out with friends?”

Hunter was a very introverted wolf, never comfortable being around large crowds and he felt unease as he was always afraid he’d embarrass himself when he drank too much. This party she had mentioned, was an improv; there was no special occasion or nothing to celebrate, just simply people who wanted to get together, get drunk and have a social gathering.

“The only one’s I’d know is you guys! After all, you only heard it through the grapevine that a party was even being held! Belle mentioned it and invited you guys, not me!”

Ammy frowned at Hunter’s doleful attitude, “Belle knows we’re a couple and that by inviting me it was implied that you were invited too! Quite frankly I’d see it as rude if you were not to go…”

Hunter bit his lip and put a paw at the back of his head, rubbing his neck fur in anxiety. Deep down he hated venturing out and going to parties, it was not his normal thing. He was all too happy to be by himself, to feel free and do as he wished. He felt pressured, something he wanted to avoid; he was hopeful Ammy would be ok with his desire not to go and let him pass. However, it didn’t work in his favor, and instead the pressure eventually quelled him.

“Alright fine…I’ll go, but I don’t want to stay long Am,” Hunter sighed, a hint of annoyance in his tone. He didn’t want to go but didn’t want to be rude either; he could at least show his face and say ‘hey’ to those he knew before leaving. He began to dream up a scenario in his mind to use as an excuse to leave.

Maybe he could say his favorite show was coming on soon. Or maybe he could have a few drinks, and claim he wasn’t feeling well. Maybe he could say he forgot something at home, and just sneak away and stay. The ideas and scenarios to leave, kept racing through his head before he even joined the party. Whatever the excuse was, he wanted it to sound legit and to not make a scene or make himself feel any more awkward than he already was.

Ammy sighed and shook her head, “Alright, but I want to stay…you can leave when you want to, but at least try to enjoy yourself”.

Hunter’s intentions were to walk back home and to leave Ammy with the vehicle to drive back home after the party was over. Luckily, she was not a big drinker, so he knew she’d be safe to drive in the dark and not have to worry about her being impaired. He didn’t care how long the walk was – 1 mile or 10 miles – he would make the track back and just enjoy the quietness and coolness of the autumn air in the stillness of the dark.

It was more of a private party, held specifically for hybrids who felt more comfortable with their own bodies and relying on their natural coverings than wearing clothing like their human counter-parts. Nudity in this community of shape-shifters was a norm, and nobody felt shame for their appearance amongst friends and acquaintances who shared similar interests. It was one of the freedoms Hunter enjoyed most about being a wolf hybrid.

Having all that proud fur, made wearing clothes more uncomfortable. He would need to wear shirts and pants a few sizes larger than what he normally would to keep from tearing the seams. His bare paws would get rather hot and be unable to breathe confined inside shoes or boots; and socks? Forget them! Matting down his leg fur and even making his paws feel trapped, let alone feeling the friction of his thickened muscular legs pressing against the taut fabric.

As they pulled up to the quaint two-story house, it was clear the party had already started. Several vehicles were parked out front, and there were a few of the patrons standing out front, holding beers and chatting.

“Look there’s Mark!” Ammy exclaimed pointing to the muscular copper and white furred wolf leaning against the railings on the front porch and holding a beer in his hands. He was a tall, burly fellow; his copper color furred back was intertwined with greys, while his belly, forearms and legs were solid white. Grey dominated his face, forming a mask around his forehead, temples and eyes which transitioned to his copper colored muzzle.

Mark was chatting with another wolf, Hunter had not recognized before. A white furred individual with a long, shaggy coat and a fluffy tail. Once Ammy and Hunter vacated the vehicle, they noticed the white wolf had soft and gentle voice, recognizing it as a female.

“Hey! Hunter and Ammy, so glad you two could make it! This is Alice, she’s a friend of mine,” Mark smiled gesturing a paw to her as she turned and waved to the two approaching wolves.

“So nice to meet you! Mark has told me a lot about you guys!” Alice spoke with great warmth and kindness it made Hunter feel a little better about being here.

“Nice to meet you too,” Ammy said with equal fondness, shaking Alice’s paw. “A great pleasure,” Hunter smiled and copied the gesture.

“Where’s Eric?”, Hunter asked Mark curiously. “Oh, he’s just inside, He and Belle are probably at the bar, getting a few drinks in…speaking of, go ahead and grab you a beer, man. There’s plenty in the fridge in there!” Mark suggested, tossing a thumb at the door.

“Thanks, will do,” A few drinks in his system would probably help Hunter chill out a bit. He was feeling a bit anxious at the prospect of tons of unfamiliar faces here at the party. But as he walked in he was surprised at how small the gathering was.

Soft rock music poured from the speakers of the stereo which helped calm his nerves, and seeing that there was only a dozen or so hybrids socializing about, Hunter began feeling a little more comfortable about this supposed party – at least as long as it stayed like this.

“Hunter?! I thought you’d never show; don’t be a stick in the mud, get your ass over here and get a drink,” the gruff, deep voice was recognized instantly; drowning out the soothing sound of the rock music. The brown wolf turned to see it’s source, a dark grey, nearly black furred wolf was standing at the bar, the tip of his muzzle and ears, as well as an area centered in his neck was of a lighter gray. His dark brown eyes seemed to stand out against his dark fur, which covered a heavily muscular and strong frame.

It was Eric, a wolf deemed as the alpha of his pack. The strongest member of their small group; he was ill tempered, intimidating, but an otherwise smart and respectable figure. By his side, Hunter recognized the mottled gray and white wolf as being Belle, Eric’s beloved mate and the pack’s beta wolf.

“uh, sure thing! Mark said beer was in the fridge, right?” Hunter smiled and walked to the bar to greet the duo who had been talking to the host, a lanky and tall red wolf who was getting himself another beer.

“Where the hell else would it be? A cold beverage needs to be cooled, doesn’t it? No sense in having it on the shelves of the bar!” Eric snorted humorously and sarcastically.

“Funny…I figured they would instead be shoved up your ass given your cold personality,” Hunter retorted with a grin and chuckle, making it obvious it was a joke while at the same time getting back at Eric’s dry sense of humor.

Eric’s yellowed fangs began to show through his black lips, indicating he didn’t like that remark at all. However, he had a sense Hunter was being comical and decided not to snap back. Belle and the red wolf both kind of cackled at Hunter’s joke, but felt the tension in the air before the host decided to lighten the mood.

“Ah come on guys, we’re here to have a good time! Here ya go Hunter,” the red wolf held out a cold beer from the fridge towards the brown wolf. The glass was slightly clouded from being chilled and began radiating steam from its surface once it became exposed to the warm air. “Thanks so much! And pardon me, I didn’t get your name…”

“Oh sorry, I’m Kyle, pleasure to meet you! I think you’ve already met my wife, Alice, she’s just outside”.

“Oh ok, yeah! Nice to meet you too,” Hunter said with a smile. He had failed to make the connection until now, when it now was so obvious.

He popped the top and began to chug on the soothing cool beverage which began to cool his nerves. This party, despite his previous thoughts, was rather welcoming and pleasurable. As time flew by, he continued to chat with Eric, Belle and Kyle at the bar until Ammy, Mark and Alice came inside to socialize. With one beer down, Hunter became more comfortable around strangers that he began to introduce himself as he sipped on his second.

For hours Hunter continued to chat and enjoy his time spent with new friends and acquaintances, holding Ammy close to him as the alcohol in his system completely shut out any thoughts of leaving or any symptoms of discomfort.

Eventually everyone began to play beer pong, charades and even began to dance to the beat of the music, and Hunter was right along with them. With more and more beers down, he felt the warm and welcoming atmosphere of everyone around him and didn’t want to leave.

With bellies full of cool beer, and a night full of high energy; everyone began to wind down and rest upon the series of couches in front of a stone fire-place telling stories and laughing. In the mean-time Kyle casually got up and gathered some firewood from outside and lit a warm fire in the stove, providing radiating warmth amongst the small group of friends huddled together on the couches.

Everyone held their respectable mates close-by; Hunter and Ammy both sat on one end of one couch snuggled in close and staring into the soothing warm fire as it cackled and popped. Holding each other in tight embrace, the brown wolf felt right at home; cozy and satisfied.

Eventually the numbers began to dwindle as the party disbanded; most returning home, tired and drunk from their night of fun. At last, the only one’s who remained were Eric, Belle, Hunter, Ammy and Mark alongside their hosts Alice and Kyle; who still remained to chat and enjoy each other’s company.

“You think we should head home hun?”, Ammy eventually asked Hunter as the clock ticked away. Hunter never thought it would be Ammy who asked if he was ready to leave, but she did. “I’m ready if you are.”

“You guys don’t have to leave, you could spend the night here, there’s plenty of room…for all of you!” Kyle suggested.

“Oh? Y-you don’t mind?” Ammy asked unsure, “Of course not! You’re more than welcome!” Alice reassured.

“Hunter?”

“Up to you babe, I’d be comfortable either way…though it is quite cozy here and it would be kind of rude to leave since they’re being so inviting”.

Ammy smiled and leaned her head against Hunter’s beige colored chest, nuzzling in his fur. She let out a muffled chuckle, “Ok, sounds to me like you don’t want the party to end”.

Hunter simply smiled and shook his head. Ammy smiled back, “Glad to hear…”

After another hour or so of casual conversation amongst the group, everyone was shown to their rooms and began to retire for the night. In front of the fire-place was so warm and inviting and calming for Hunter, he didn’t want to sleep in a room. Ammy was all too happy keeping him company, as the two slept on the couch, bathing in the cozy warmth of the fire as they cuddled each other.

In the end, the party turned out to be one of the best one’s the brown wolf had ever been to! And he looked forward to having another one some other time. Perhaps it would be their turn to host and invite their newly found friends over. In the comfort and coziness of their own home.

-END-

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This is my submission for the 11-30-2017 Thursday Prompt with the theme for this week's stories inspired by the word 'Cozy'

So yeah, like Hunter, I'm usually not a social butterfly, tend to prefer not to go to parties and just hang out with people I know and am usually pretty shy around new people. But yeah give me a beer or shot or two and I can open up XD

Thought this little story works wonders for this week's prompt as well as giving mix emotions throughout to brighten everybody's day as it is the end of the week! ^^ Hope you all enjoy!

If you'd like to participate in the Thursday Prompt, all you gotta do is give  Thursday_Prompt a watch and wait every Thursday when they post a new prompt, and then write a short story, poem or a few sentences of something that inspired you from the word(s), or phrases or sometime's it's an art piece and upload it to your profile and share it in response to the Prompt's original submission for the week.

It's fun and sometimes challenging and helps get the ol' writing blood flowing ^^