Durguno

As the hyena stood there trapped in a prison of his father’s arms, he desperately wanted to break free and run, but he was frozen in fear. He stood there for what felt like hours, until he finally wrapped his own arms around his dad in a hug. His mind was racing, What the hell is happening!? He hasn’t given me a hug since I was five! I need to get out of here, I can’t stay…

He was interrupted by what sounded like sobs coming from the older hyena, “I’m sorry for everything that I did to you!” cried the older hyena. 

Something snapped within MIguno’s mind and his confused look turned to one of complete fury, he then pushed the other hyena back, “You can’t just say I’m sorry. Not after all you did to me.” He said trying his hardest not to break and scream like he so badly wanted to. 

“Why?” he asked, wiping tears from his eyes. 

He was slowly breaking and it was showing as a tear broke free and streamed down his face. “Why.” he chuckled, “Why?” More tears started to stream down his face, he couldn’t hold it back anymore. 

“You wanna know why! You are the reason that I have these,” the hyena dropped his guitar case on the ground and lifted up his shirt revealing multiple scars, “You are the reason that mom left and never came back, you are reason that I’m scared that I’ll never be good enough, you are the reason that you no longer that you no longer have a son!” 

His dad looked at him with guilt, tears slowly pouring from his eyes and his mouth agape. Miguno looked at his dad as tears were pouring from his eyes, this was the biggest mistake of his life. He picked up his guitar case, and suitcase, and started to walk away from his dad, “This was a bad idea, have a nice life. I mean it.” As he walked off he had a guilt building up in his chest he pushed down and didn’t look back. 

Miguno pulled out his phone and dialed Durham’s number, after a few rings the coyote picked up and his familiar voice came over the line. Before Miguno could even speak, Durham did, “Did it go well, are you okay!?” Miguno smiled, not at the situation, but at Durham and how caring he could be for him. 

“I’m fine, just pick me up at the edge of Falker St. It was a huge mistake.” Before Durham could respond he hung up the line and continued walking to his pickup location. 

…

Durham continued on his walk not having packed almost anything at all for his two week break, he took about two outfits, some manga he still hadn’t finished reading and that was about it. He really didn’t need clothes for home, most of his outfits that he wore were in his closet in his room, his room he hadn’t seen for too long. God he missed when he could just sit there and not think about all the horror’s of life, all the discrimination, all the.. devourings. 

While having all these thoughts, he finally reached his house. It wasn’t fancy by any means, it was a one floor three bedroom house, but to him it was home. A place where all discrimination didn’t matter, where he wouldn’t feel judged, a place where he was loved for who he was. As soon as he made it to the front door he went for the handle only to find out that it was locked and then he noticed a note on the door. He slowly took it off and started to read what was written on the note. 

Durham if you get home before I do the key is under the plant on the steps, I will be home shortly I am at the store gathering some ingredients for that special dish you and Miguno like so much, dad is still at work he should be home at midnight he will be extremely happy to see his two boys again.

Love Mom 

He still hadn’t told his mom about Miguno attempting to live with his dad for the two weeks of break, all he could think about was seeing the look of fear in Miguno he just wanted to make it all go away. He picked up the potted plant and picked up the key, he unlocked the door and entered the homey smell hitting his sensitive nostrils immediately getting rid of any tension in his body. 

He looked around and everything was right where it was when he went back to school a year ago, he just wished he could stay here forever, the very first room you see when you enter the house is the living room, two chairs and one couch sitting in front of a fireplace. He slowly closed the door behind him and made his way to the room where he and Miguno would spend most of their break. He made his way to his bed and sat his suitcase on the floor. He slowly sat down and took a breath in and out. He didn’t know what to expect from this break, but what he did know was he had to plan some outing with Miguno. 

Before he could even come up with anything his cell phone started to ring, he quickly took it out of his pocket already knowing who it was probably going to be. “Did it go well, are you okay!?” he quickly asked without thinking, waiting for the response, his tension quickly built back up. 

“I’m fine, just pick me up at the edge of Falker St. It was a huge mistake.” He was about to ask what happened but the line hung up before he could say anything. 

He didn’t want to say that he was happy it went wrong, but he was, this meant he would get to spend more time with his best friend. He didn’t even think he picked up the house key, locked the door behind him and left to go meet up with his best friend. 

… 

Durham was slowly coming upon the street that Miguno said in the call, he turned the corner of the block and there was the hyena sitting on a bench waiting with his guitar on one side and his Suitcase on the other. He slowly made his way towards Miguno, he looked stressed, well more stressed than he was when we were at the school a few hours ago. He was almost in front of him when Miguno finally noticed him, “Durry!” he shouted and rushed up to give his friend a hug. “Hey, you ready to go?” He asked, while returning his friend's embrace, “Also, when do you call me Durry, I thought I was the nickname guy?” 

The hyena reluctantly pulled away and gave his friend what Durham thought was a genuine smile, “You can’t be the only one giving nicknames to me, I thought I’d call you a few. Durdude!”

“Well, I don’t if I like this, but I think that I’ll have to get used to this, Miggy.” Miguno smiled. 

“Yeah, you’re damn right you will have to get used to me calling you this!” Durham returned his smile. 

“You wanna tell me what happened, or do you wanna wait until we get to my house?” asked Durham. “Um, let’s wait till we get to the house,” Miguno ran to the bench and grabbed his suitcase and his Guitar. 

Durham turned around and started to walk while Miguno ran up beside him and they made their journey back to Durham’s house. 

… 

Most of their journey back was spent in silence every once in a while they exchanged a few words, after about twenty minutes they were at Durham's front door. “So here we are, home sweet home,” he looked towards Miguno who didn;t say a word, but just stood there looking at the house as if he hadn’t seen it in years. Durham decided to break the silence, “So ready to head inside.” 

 MIguno seemed to snap from his daze, “Yeah. Hell yeah!” he said excitedly and ran to the door, tried to open it but it was locked. Durham came up behind him and held up a key, “A little excited are we, you do need a key.” the coyote started to wave it in front of the hyena’s face before unlocking the door and opening it. He then waved his hands toward the door and as the hyena walked past him he whispered in his ear, “Magica!” 

Miguno turned around and flicked him in the nose, earning a painful whimper from Durham, “Hey! What was that for?” 

Miguno gave him a cocky smile, “For being a dumbass.” 

“I am not a dumbass, i’m charming!” said Durham as if his pride was hurt, but a slight smile was forming on his face. 

“Okay Prince charming, where do you want me to put my stuff? Do you want me to just put it in your room, I’m assuming that is where I will be sleeping.”

“Yeah just sit in my room, that should be fine, and it isn’t my room, it’s our room remember.” 

Yeah that memory from two years ago, those were weird times, Miguno slowly made his way to Durham’s room taking in the house’s smell, man did he miss it here. It felt so good to finally be back in his best friends house. As he entered the coyotes room he sat his stuff next to his friends on the floor, he suddenly felt a pair of arms wrap around him from behind, “You sure you're okay you seemed a little weird when we first got here?” asked Durham. 

Miguno shook his head, “Yeah I’m fine, I am really happy that I am back here, the reunion with my dad really freaked me out.” 

Durham released Miguno from the backwards hug and sat on his bed he patted the spot beside him motioning for the hyena to sit down. Miguno made his way to the bed and sat down beside the coyote the heat radiating from their closeness making him feel safe. “Are you going to tell me what happened when you saw your dad?” 

Miguno couldn’t get over the comfort he was feeling from his friend. He needed to be closer, he scooted closer and laid his head on the other’s shoulder. “Well, one thing’s for sure it wasn’t how I expected the whole thing to go, as soon as I got there he put his hands on me.” As soon as those words left his mouth he felt Durham tense up, “HE DID WHAT! I”M GOING TO KILL TH-” he was cut off by MIguno hand holding his mouth shut. 

“But he didn’t hurt me, he was hugging that didn’t make me any less scared, but then he started crying apologizing for what he did to me for the past ten years like nothing else mattered.” Miguno’s breathing was picking up and Durham noticed, so he put his arm around his friend pulling him in closer, “I told him that’s not how it works he can’t just apologize and all of the stuff he put me through, my trauma would just go away, I was trying so hard not to scream. He had the nerve to ask me why, that’s when I snapped.”

“I… I.” tears started to pour down his face, “I started screaming, and I couldn't’ stop, I never scream at people, I just.. I was so angry for what he did to me, after I finished I was crying and so was he. I didn’t know what to do so I picked up my stuff and told him to have a good life and I left and that’s when I called you.” 

He was full blown crying at this point, Durham fully pulled the hyena into a hug, “You didn't do anything and you shouldn’t feel upset, you did what you thought was right, and if it was me I would’ve socked him in the face.” Miguno continued to cry into Durham’s chest, Durham rubbed his hand up and down the hyena’s back. Very slowly the sobs turned into heavy breathing and the heavy breathing turned into normal breathing, “Thank you.” Miguno whispered into the coyote’s chest, Durham smiled he was happy that he could help a friend, “No problem, what else are friends for.” 

Miguno similed, “For being dumbasses obviously,” the coyote chuckled, “Are you sure I’m the dumbass?” 

Miguno shook his head and slowly pulled back from the hug, “What else would you be? Well you are a good friend.” 

“Anyway, I am so happy I calmed you down in time, my mom will probably be home any minute, I don’t know how I would be able to explain you crying.” 

“Neither do I, but I’m sure you make a stupid or embarassing reason,” said MIguno.

“You are one hundred percent right about that.” replied Durham. 

And with that they sat and talked on Durham’s bed for about thirty minutes before they heard the front door open and the all too familiar voice of Durham’s mother came through the house, “Hello, Durham, Miguno you boy’s here, I saw that the key under the pot is missing and you didn’t lock the door?” 

Miguno was the first to leave the room and see the older coyote who was holding a multitude of bags in her hands, Miguno quickly went to grab some of the bags and help her, he took some bags and took to the kitchen table, “Hey it’s so nice to see you again Miguno, where is Durham?” asked the older hyena, “I’m right here mom,” said Durham as he turned the corner and was tackled in a hug by his mom, “Oh i’ve missed you so much!” 

“Missed you to, could you let go now I'm going to die from embarrassment?” said the younger coyote. Before Durhams mom could release Durham, he felt another pair of arms go around him, “Well, there’s nothing to worry about even Miguno wanted in on the hug,” his mom chuckled. 

“Great, but can you both get let go of me, Please.” he begged, the two eventually relented and let go of the now bright red coyote. “Anyway it is so good to see you again Mrs. Durham,” Miguno then again took in all of the groceries, “What is all of this for?” 

“First of all call me mom, and second of all, I thought since it has been so long since we have seen each other we could fix a great dinner or feast as you will for you boys.” 

“You didn’t have to do that, we would be fine,” said Miguno, “But since you got all of the groceries, we could probably help with the preparation, it..” he was cut off by Mrs. Durham speaking over him, “NO! I’m good, last time you tried to help, you almost burnt down the house. You boys go to your room and don’t worry about it. I'll yell when it is ready.” Both Durham and Miguno had a look of remembrance and guilt painted on their face, “We are sorry about that, we’ll go back to our room, nice cooking.” said Miguno as he pulled Durham around the corner. 

As soon as they got back to Durham’s room they started to put all of their stuff in a different place so they wouldn’t be in the way and Miguno ended up taking out his phone and looking at the time Eight Thirty, had it really been that long since they left the school it felt a lot shorter than that. 

“Now what do we do, it’s not like we would have almost burned the house down again,” Durham complained as he plopped on his bed face first. “Wait could you play me a song on your guitar, I haven’t had a front row seat to you songs for a long time.” 

“I don’t know, I haven’t got any good songs to play for you right now, are you sure you want to hear one.” 

“Anything is better than sitting here doing nothing, come on just one it doesn’t even have to have vocals, just music.” Miguno sighed and pulled out his guitar from its case and sat down next to Durham on the bed. He then got a pick from his shirt pocket and strummed the first note which sent a shiver down Durham’s spine and he then another note rang out and the shiver was gone. 

Suddenly music filled the Durham house hold and you could even hear Mrs. Durham humming to the music in the kitchen, Durham though was caught in the music found his leg slowly tapping to the rhythm of the guitar. 

Durham couldn’t explain it was like electricity was coursing through his entire body forcing his body to do things. He slowly started humming to the melody of the guitar chords, and as soon as the song started the song ended. He was kinda sad that it ended and that the electric feeling he had disappeared. “That was amazing!” he heard his mom say from the kitchen. 

“It wasn't that good, I messed up on a few notes.” he said with a small smile.

“That’s bullshit that was amazing!” screamed Durham, and then another scream came, “Language, watch your mouth, talk like that outside!” Durham visibly frowned at this, “Sorry mom,” he replied. 

Miguno turned to him, “You really think it was that good,” Durham shook his head, “That was the best song I have ever heard in my life, you are really talented.” 

Miguno felt all kinds of weird feelings going through his body. What were these feelings, “Thanks man, you are the best friend a hyena could ask for!” he said excitedly and leaned over and gave the coyote a kiss on the cheek, Durham immediately paused and was about to say something but stopped, he yet again turned a bright shade of red, Miguno looked over at him, “Are you okay?” asked Miguno, Instead of a response he felt Durham pull him into a full blown mouth on mouth kiss. This time it wasn’t Durham that turned red, it was Miguno. When they pulled apart they looked at each other in the eyes. “So that just happened.” said Miguno, “Yeah it did.” said Durham. 

Spring break was coming in close for the students of Cherryton and most people could not wait to get out of school for a long two week break. While some people aren’t so happy about going on break. While most people had a nice loving family to go back to, Miguno didn’t have a nice loving family to go back to, he had an abusive father who was cheated on and drank way too much. As soon as he got home two things could happen, one he’s completely ignored the whole time he is there, or two his dad tries to take his anger out on him. 

So while everyone else was packing up their stuff for a good two week break Miguno was laying in his bunk waiting, waiting for what exactly? He really didn’t know, all he knew was that he really didn’t want to go home. Maybe if he just sat here he wouldn’t have to get up..

“Miguno!” he heard a familiar coyote scream as he basically ripped the curtains off, he let out a loud groan and Durham continued, “What are you doing? You’re supposed to be packing for the two week break,” 

“Yeah, yeah, I know,” he slowly lifted his head to look at the coyote who was a lot closer than he first thought, their faces were inches apart, before he could say anything he felt something grab his wrist and pull him out of the bunk, “Ahh! What the hell are you doing?” he screamed as he basically fell face first into Durham’s chest.

Before he pulled away he took a deep breath and his smell was intoxicating, Why does he smell so good. He slowly pulled himself from the coyote’s chest and he could see a little bit of worry in his eyes. “You don’t want to go home do you?” the coyote sighed, “I told you, I already asked my mom and she said she was fine with you staying with us for the two weeks.” 

“Yeah, I know, but even if I did that he’ll come looking for me and that is the first place he will look.” Durham nodded in agreement, “I’ll be fine, I’ll survive! I think?” 

“Well, if you change your mind, you know where I live, but you still haven’t packed. Do you need any help packing any of your stuff?” 

Miguno shook his head, “No, but thanks i’m just going to take a few outfits, and my guitar, I should be fine.” The hyena looked around the room but didn’t see the other’s, “Wait, where are the others? shouldn’t they be packing?” 

“Dude they finished a while ago, we’ve been waiting for you outside the building, but when you didn’t come, they sent me to get you.”  

“Oh, I'm sorry, I will be out in a few minutes.” Durham nodded and left before he went through the door he looked back, “Remember, I'm always here for you dude.” 

And with that the coyote left the room leaving Miguno in silence. Miguno stood there for a minute to collect his thoughts before he grabbed his suitcase from the closet and started to rummage through his clothes until he found about seven outfits and stuffed them into his suitcase, he looked around a bit until he found his guitar case. He closed the suitcase and picked up his guitar case and walked through the door with a frown on his face, “Home sweet home here I come,” the door closed on the dorm as well to his happiness.

…

As he approached the exit to the building he saw all four of his friends waiting by the door, he opened the door and immediately his friends surrounded him, “Dude, what took you so long, we’ve been out here for like forty minutes!?” asked a white sheepdog, “Yeah, dude you have a girlfriend you haven’t told us about?” said a small fennec fox. A blush appeared over the hyena’s face. 

“N-No, I was just lost in thought, I’m just not too fond of going home right now,” he admitted with a small smile that didn’t reach his eyes. 

“What? Why not?” asked Legosi, “It can’t be that bad, I mean anything is better than school, Right?” 

“I mean, I'd rather just hang out with you guys the whole spring break than have to spend a day in hell with..” He cut himself off, debating on whether he should tell the others about his home life. Durham already knew and it was comforting to know one friend would be able to be there for him. Maybe if more friends knew that could help him just a little bit more with the baggage. Yeah he should tell them, they are his friends. 

“In hell with?” questioned Jack.

“How about we walk and tell you something I’ve only ever told one person before.” said Miguno as he started walking with a slump in his posture. 

The canines started to walk side by side with Durham beside with a look of empathy, “You sure you want to tell them this, you don’t have to, remember what happened when you told me.” 

‘It’s fine, I want to.” Durham smiled and nodded at him. “Well, how do I start, um I never had a perfect childhood.” 

“I mean I lived in a nice house, I used to have a nice mother and father, but that changed on my sixth birthday,” He took a deep breath in and let it out, “I was sitting in my room, my dad went out to get a cake a few hours before, while my mom was in the kitchen making dinner, she never let me have cake unless I ate real food.” He let out a small chuckle and a tear made its way down his face. 

“My dad got home a few minutes after my mom had made the table, she made a circle in the middle of the food for the cake, but when my dad came home he didn’t have the cake instead he was drunk. I’m positive he went to go drink with his buddies instead of going to get the cake. And mom was pissed, she scolded him and told him to go back and get the cake. They argued back and forth for an hour, and at one point it got-it-got..” There were now tears streaming down his face. 

“At one point it got violent, instead of throwing insults, objects started to get thrown and when I heard stuff shattering I left my room to see what was happening, and when I saw my dad he was holding my mom against the wall there was blood running down her face like she had been hit with something. I was terrified so when I saw the blood I screamed, and it made him mad and the next thing I knew he let go of mom and had me up against a wall, and told me that if I ever told anybody about what happened here he would hurt her more.” At this point they arrived at the train station and the train was scheduled to arrive in about twenty minutes. 

“I never got to have my sixth birthday, and the next few weeks nothing was said about that day, my mom didn’t sleep in her bed she slept on the couch, and I felt like she was avoiding me, until one day I never saw her again. She left and never came back, over the next eleven years he blamed me for her leaving, never once accepting her leaving as his fault, he started abusing me, and when I left for Cherryton before I left he told me, That he would never forgive me, so every spring break or any break I stay at Durham’s, but he sent me a text a week ago saying that he’s sorry and that he wants to see me, but why would he want to see the failure of a son that he made me out to me.” He felt an arm pull him into a hug and then multiple people were involved.

“You’re not a failure, you’re perfect,” said Durham, “Fuck what your dad says about you, you’re better than he will ever be,” said Jack. “I don’t know who the fuck he thinks he is, but you one of the best people that I know.” Collot said, “You shouldn’t let anything he says get you down. You are one of the most talented people that I know,” said Voss. “You are great the way you are and your music is perfect.” Legosi said. 

“Thank You! Thank you all,” MIguno smiled, he really did have the best friends. 

As the train pulled up everybody piled in, it wasn’t as crowded as you would think with all of the students going home. The train took off towards the city and they all took separate seats as the seats were only able to hold a few people to a seat. Miguno and Durham took one, Jack and Legosi took another and Collot and Voss took another. Miguno was still a little shaken up from telling that long and painful tell to all of his friends, NO! His Family. 

“You feeling okay after telling all of that bud?” Durham asked a little worried, he put his arm around him and pulled him into a side hug. The hyena laid his head on the other’s shoulder, “Yeah, I actually feel better after getting all that off my chest.” 

“I’m happy you told the rest of the guy’s, they really care for you, but I still care for you a lot more.” Durham said, sending him a wink. 

“Aww! You actually have a heart.” said Miguno with a grin, Durham let out a small chuckle. 

“I will only let you see it, anyway do you want me to walk you home?” Miguno shook his head, “No, you’re fine, I should be able to make it home on my own, but thanks.” 

Durham just smiled, “Just be careful you live in a very shady neighborhood, I wish you luck with your dad, and as I keep saying, if anything goes wrong call me immediately and I will come get you.”

“I know, but I think I’ll be fine.” Miguno was about to say something when the train suddenly halted announcing their arrival into the city. 

“Well looks like we are here, all the canines stepped off off the trains and exchanged hugs, “Hey Migs, hope it goes well with your dad, said Jack and then he turned and walked off towards his house, “Yeah, Miguno if he does anything to you I will hurt him, I’ll see you around,” said Collot as he too walked off. Legosi nodded at him along with Voss and they too slowly walked off. That only left Durham and Miguno, they looked at each other for a moment before pulling the other into a deep hug, “You, enjoy your break, We’ll meet up later in the week see you later,” Durham tried to pull away but couldn’t, “What’s wrong?” 

“I just wanted to say thank you, for being such a good friend, I love you.” said Miguno. A tear rolled down his face and he wiped it away. “Love you too.” replied Durham. 

They slowly nodded at each other and they walked their separate ways. As Miguno made his way to the Streets they were bustling with people. He knew as soon as he entered the area where he lived that would be a different story. 

He made his way from street to street until he finally entered the rundown area where he lived, that’s when a feeling he hadn’t felt for a good few months came back once again, what feeling was that, the feeling of being watched. “Dammit, not again.” 

He turned around to see nobody behind him, so he started to walk at a much faster pace. Maybe if someone was following him again he could lose them. He made it another five meters and looked behind him again and there was nothing.

He was maybe five minutes away from his house so he started to walk even faster, but the feeling never went away and after a few minutes he could see his front porch which he hadn’t seen in two years or more. Here we go! Two years and here I am. I got this. He kept telling himself this all the while that feeling of being watched never went away. 

As he finally approached the front door he put his hand up to knock but hesitated before knocking exactly three times, no more than a second later, his dad opened the door, and to say he was surprised by what happened next is an understatement, he was terrified as arms wrapped around his body and a soothing voice said, “Welcome home, Son” 

Little did either of them know that across the street in an abandoned building stood the figure of a person watching them with great interest. 

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