A Thistle And Rafe Story

Characters by BrackenTheDare©

Story By The Furry Sith Lord

Thistle pulled his red hoodie over his head as he finished dressing. He looked in the mirror and adjusted his hair to make sure he looked good then smiled at himself. He wanted to make sure he looked perfect when he met with his boyfriend Rafe. 

It was unbelievable that a gray rabbit, like himself, and a wolf were dating but here they were. He had met Rafe one day as he walked through the woods on his way home from class. His first thought was to panic as he saw the wolf looking at him but their friendship developed into more over time. 

Thistle stepped out of his room to the typical chaos that was a usual Saturday morning at his home. His mother was busy trying to clean up after cooking breakfast while his dad was laying on his back trying to unclog the sink. 

His younger brothers tended to be lazy and instead of scraping the food off their plates before they washed the dishes they just let large bits of vegetables wash down the drain clogging it. He shook his head but he smiled because he remembered being like them when he was their age. 

Technically he was eighteen years old now and he could leave at any time but he wanted to finish his classes in college. Plus he was waiting for a chance to explain that Rafe was actually a wolf and not a rabbit like they all thought. Plus they had no idea that they were dating!

His older brother and sister were busy running around in their work clothes as they got ready to leave. They were busy arguing their schedules to each other as they decided who was going to get the car and who had to pick up who after their shifts. 

His two little brothers were sitting on the floor arguing about a cartoon they were watching. Their breakfast of scrambled carrots and lettuce strips sat on their plates untouched. Thistle walked over to the closest one next to him and reached down to mess up his hair. He saw his brother smirk at him but this did not pause the argument. 

“I’m off to see Rafe,” He called out to no one in particular but just announcing to his parents where he was going. His mom picked up a bag and brought it over to him. 

“I made you and Rafe lunch. It’s your favorite, Turnips and Carrots.” She said and he kissed her cheek. 

“Thanks mom, you’re the best.” He said. 

“When are you gonna bring him over? We’ve been dying to meet your new best friend.” She said innocently and Thistle felt his tummy turn. He hated to deceive her but he had no idea how to explain that he was dating a wolf and not merely visiting a rabbit that was thought to be his best friend. He wanted to tell them the truth but he was not sure how to break it to them. 

“I’ve been trying but he’s got this whole lone wolf motif going on.” Thistle replied.

“Oh My Paws, could you imagine if he was a real wolf? He’d eat you right up.” She said and Thistle nervously laughed. He kissed her cheek again and grabbed the lunch then scooted out the front door. His heart was beating rapidly and he needed to take a deep breath to calm his nerves. 

He walked down the street and the shops had set up their outside stalls preparing to sell their wares. He stopped at his favorite fruit stand to buy Rafe an apple. He reached into his pocket and found his last two dollars. He realized he had forgotten to get his allowance for the week. 

Since he was still in college his parents did not make him get a job, yet, and his father’s repair business made enough that they weren’t hurting unlike other families. 

“Good mornin’ Tissle.” A female hare shopkeeper said. He always got a kick out of her accent and how when he said his name it sounded like Tissle than Thistle. 

“Mornin’ Rebekka, may I have an apple please?” He said shyly as she eyed him but still smiled pleasantly at him. 

“Tissle, this for Raffie again?” She asked knowingly.

“Yeah,” He blushed because she had guessed one of his secrets a while ago. She knew that Rafe and him were dating; only she, like his parents, had no idea Rafe was a wolf. 

“Funny name Raffie. Never heard a rabbit or a hare with a name like that.” She commented as Thistle searched the pile for the perfect apple. 

“His parents gave him and his siblings weird names. Something about them attending Woodstockings or something.” Thistle said and Rebekka rolled her eyes.

“Explains a lot,” She said, then reached into her apron and handed him a giant red apple. 

“How much?” Thistle asked nervously because he was afraid it cost more than what he had on him. 

“Tissle, this is a gift for you and your partner. You are my best customers.” She said and his face beamed with pride as he looked at it. He shoved it into his hoodie and he sped off to find Rafe. Rebekka waved at him, smiling to herself. 

Rafe stood next to a large tree stump and he wiped some sweat from his face with the back of his paw. He was shirtless as he cut wood because he did not want it to get soaked in his sweat. It was warm today but a smell to the air hinted at cold weather approaching. He wanted to be ready just in case. His fireplace had enough wood but if it got to subzero temperatures then he would need more. 

A new scent caught his attention and as he turned towards its direction he ignored the piece of wood on the tree stump that tumbled off. The familiar scent was more important than the wood right now. He crouched low and carefully stalked towards the prey that wandered into his home tuff. 

He watched a rabbit in a red hoodie walking casually while he watched. He had to fight the urge to wag his tail. He reached out to snap a twig. The rabbit suddenly stopped walking as his ears picked up.

“Rafe?” He called out nervously as Rafe lunged out from the bush and landed on top of poor Thistle. 

“Gotcha,” Rafe whispered as Thistle frowned and tried to push the large wold off him. 

“You're wet. What is that? Sweat?, eww.” 

“Sorry, just cutting some wood for tonight in case…” Rafe said as he scratched the back of his head nervously as the little rabbit frowned at him. This made him blush which in turn softened Thistle’s expression. 

“In case? In case what?” Thistle asked.

“Cold spell coming.” 

“Cold night and a warm fire. Wish I could stay.”

“Why can’t you?” Rafe asked.

“You know my parents would have a fit!” 

“You still haven’t told them about us yet, huh.” Rafe said as disappointment filled his face. Thistle found himself lost in looking at his reflection in Rafe’s eyes. 

“I’m scared.” Thistle said softly. “I want to, I really do but the thought of you being a…” 

“A freak?”

“NO!!! I…” 

“You can say it because I am one, a freak I mean.” Rafe said sadly.

“You’ll never be a freak! But if loving a rabbit makes you a freak then a rabbit loving a wolf makes me a freak also.” Thistle counters. Rafe looks at him with his eyes shining with the start of tears. 

“Here I got a gift for you from Rebekka.” Thistle said as he took out the apple from his pocket. Rafe took it and ripped it into half using his bare paws and gave one piece to Thistle. 

“I love you.” Thistle said softly.

“I know. I love you more than you can know.” Rafe said. Thistle stepped and hugged Rafe as he stood there awkwardly for a moment then he wrapped his long arms around the smaller rabbit. 

“Whatever happens…. we'll face it together.” Rafe said.

“Together.” Thistle said as he pressed himself closer as if trying to merge into Rafe’s fur. Rafe let his head rest on top of Thistle’s as he closed his eyes…

To Be Continued…