Three young men from very different homes, just coming into their own sexuality, bond at a time when information about homosexuality is scarce to the average teen. Their strong connection cannot survive high school and heartache, however, and their triangle collapses under the weight of prejudice and a need to escape.<br><br>Ten years later, Tucker is bitter and hurt by all the tragedy in his life since those long ago happier days. Reclusive, somewhat animalistic, and completely content to stay that way, he’s brought up short by an unexpected confrontation with the past and feelings that won't stay buried.

Fur, Feathers, and Claws

“You don’t have to be a shrink,” Chad said excitedly, his eyes closed, still arched, making it a bit hard to tell exactly which thing he was more excited about—his idea or the metallic masturbation. “Support groups and stuff. The hospital, I bet, would set you up with people. I find groups to talk to and with about being gay. You could…”


Tucker must have looked as panicked as he felt, or maybe he stopped the motion at the end of his claws. Chad lowered himself and looked over. “Sorry. Too much. What works for me might not work for you.”


Tucker touched Chad’s cheek. He never forgot his hands weren’t there, but he was forgetting to worry about it. “They set me up with a shrink,” he said. “But he wasn’t as good as the guy you saw. We didn’t have sex.”


“Whatever I worked out, whatever I’ve gotten over, I’ve done it on my own. I’m okay, maybe in just that one regard. And I’ve developed ways…I rub it against my gut or my thigh to feel skin against it. To—”


Chapter 94