Shade Knight

[GingaDensetsuAleu]

Bonus page today so that the story will end next Friday. Enjoy!

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Chapter 19: Dress Rehearsal Jitters

Shade looked out at the stadium. The seats were all empty for now, but tomorrow, they would be packed full. The six Milton ferrets, plus the Martin that Shade recognized as Keene’s boyfriend, were standing at the front row of seats, center stage, watching. Shade checked over the setlist one more time, then nodded and passed it out. “These are the songs we’ll play.”
He tuned up his guitar and looked around again. A twinge of nerves rammed its way through his body, and he closed his eyes to feel the breeze. He was already starting to have second thoughts about not calling in his stunt performer, and was extremely tempted to have Rock call him in.
After a moment, he opened his eyes again and turned to check the band. “You guys ready?”
They started playing, playing through the whole concert as if there was a crowd there, complete with costume changes and pauses where Shade addressed the imaginary crowd. It went really well, and the ferrets loved it. After one time through, Shade paused and rearranged a couple songs on the setlist, claiming it would flow better that way. They played through that section again, and the band had to agree, he was right; those songs did flow better in that order than in the original one.
After a few more tweaks, Shade announced that rehearsal was done, and he would see the band the following day. As he packed up, Sunny walked out from backstage and gave him a hug. “You looked great. You’re gonna be amazing.”
Shade nodded and put his hand against one of the stage braces, leaning against it. “Thanks… I’m gonna be sick. I’m gonna… be… sick.” He clapped a hand over his mouth. “Hrk…”
Sunny patted him on the back with a sigh. “Ahh.. The good old nervousness. You’re gonna be fine, hun. I’ll be right backstage with you.”
Shade nodded weakly and put his ears back. After a few moments, he started looking better, and did not lose his lunch, so he gave a weak little smile. “Think.. Your parents will let me stay the night in your room? I need some snuggles. I’m never going to be able to sleep tonight.”
Sunny smiled. “Mm. Probably not, but I can snuggle with you until it’s time for me to go home. Think that’ll help?”
Shade gave a weak smile and held his hand as they took the bus back to Babylon Gardens.
Sunny followed Shade into his house. “You still haven’t decorated.”
“I did. Look.” He pointed at a photo of Sunny, framed and set up nicely on a decorative table in the hallway. “See? All the decoration I need.”
“That’s super sappy, but this place is depressing. You need some more decorations.” Sunny snickered and kissed his cheek, following him into the master bedroom. Shade’s bed looked super small; he’d only gotten a twin sized bed, so there was loads of unused space. The bed was set extra low, so Shade didn’t need a set of stairs to get in. They climbed in together and snuggled close.
Shade smiled. “Look how much extra space we have even on this small bed. One good thing about being less than half the size, you take up less than half the space.”
Sunny kissed his forehead and grinned. “Mm. Yeah, it is nice to not feel like the bed goes on forever. Makes it easier to be cozy.”
Shade took off his hoodie and folded it neatly, setting it on the bedside table. He ran his phone charger cable into the pocket and plugged his phone in without removing it from the hoodie, then lay back on the bed with his head on the pillows. “Mm. Now that’s better.”
Sunny lay with him, tracing the marking on his chest with a finger. “Mmm. This is nice. We haven’t had this since… well, since before our fight.”
Shade thought about it. “Yeah, I guess you’re right. We haven’t really had proper cuddling time in a while.”
Sunny nuzzled into Shade, and they snuggled in silence for a while, before Sunny suddenly reached up and started stroking Shade’s head, right between the eyes.
Shade mumbled a little bit. “Mm. What are you doing?”
Sunny kissed his cheek. “It’s something my mom used to do. My… my real mom, not my human mom. When I was a puppy, if I was having trouble sleeping, she would do this, and it would help.”
Shade lay back. “Oh… do you think it’ll work on me? I’m… not a puppy. And I never was.”
Sunny continued lovingly stroking Shade. “Shhh…” He started humming a gentle, tuneless lullaby.
Shade watched his hand slide up and down, stroking the fur between his eyes, from his forehead down to his muzzle, and smiled. “Well… that does kind of… feel nice…” His body felt sluggish, and his eyelids heavy, all of a sudden.
“Shh… just relax…” Sunny whispered in his ear, snuggling closer. “Shh, shh-shh…” He resumed his gentle humming.
Shade cuddled in, finding his eyes starting to droop. His blinking came slower, his eyes staying closed longer between. Sunny’s hand felt so nice when it moved like that… Finally, Shade let his eyes stay closed for a little bit. Thoughts of tomorrow’s concert and how nervous he was were pushed out by Sunny’s presence. “Mmm… it’s so… nice…” He mumbled quietly.

Shade suddenly opened his eyes, staring at the ceiling for a moment. He reached out for Sunny and found nothing. Morning light streamed through the window. He sat up drowsily and fumbled in his hoodie pocket for his phone, pulling it out and blinking at it blearily. Nine in the morning.
He grumbled sleepily and put his phone back, stumbling out of bed and into the bathroom. After his shower, he put on his hoodie, tossing the plug end of the phone charger back onto the bed, and stumbled out to the kitchen for his breakfast of milk and kibbles.
A thought tickled at the back of his mind.
Concert day.
He shuddered and stuffed his maw with the rapidly soggying kibbles.
To the bathroom again. Brush the teeth. Make sure to get the fangs. Stick the tongue out, have a look.
Concert day.
He flinched as the thought forced its way back into his mind, and he went to the living room and its two-person sofa. A love seat, it was apparently called. He sat there, staring at where he would put a TV if he had been bothered to get one yet. He should probably get on that.
He pulled his phone out of his pocket and called Sunny’s house. Sunny picked up. “Good morning, sleepyhead. I told you it would work.”
Shade smiled, the knot in his stomach untying for the moment at the sound of Sunny’s voice. “You were right. It put me right out. Sorry I couldn’t kiss you good night.”
Sunny laughed into the phone. “I kissed YOU good night. You were just too busy sleeping to remember it.”
Shade smiled and glanced at the clock. Nearly eleven already. Time flew when you were feeling like you’d swallowed a whole jar full of rocks. “Rock’s limo is going to be here in an hour to pick me up for fur and makeup. I’m so nervous… will you chat with me until it gets here?”
Sunny’s voice spoke cheerfully. “I’d be more than happy to.”

[Amazee Dayzee]

Whatever Sunny did to make Shade calm down and fall asleep really worked a lot better than it should have. I will have to remember him doing that when one of my two anxiety-riddled dogs starts freaking out and barking at everything.

[GingaDensetsuAleu]

It works on cats too. <3

[Amazee Dayzee]

My cats don't really freak out and end up meowing and running around the house. If anything they are a little too OVER affectionate but I wouldn't change that for anything even if it is when I am trying to do stuff and they want love.

[GingaDensetsuAleu]

Bonus content day! Been waiting AGES to share this with you. I wrote Shade's new song and had an AI make an example of what it might sound like. It's too big for the forum's upload option, so for now I have it stored here until I can find a more permanent place to store it. (Yes, I know, AI bad, but I sound like a beached walrus and I can't play any instruments so this is better. I would never use it for making money, it's just an example for fun.)

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Chapter 20: Concert

The crowd chattered excitedly. It was full of humans and animals alike of all shapes, sizes, colors, genders, and creeds. The stadium was packed to capacity, every seat filled and some standing. Shade peeked out from behind the curtain, then drew back. He could feel his heart pounding.
He looked around, then started toward the back of the stage, toward the stairs. He tried to look casual as he made his way down the stairs and toward the tunnel leading to the private exit (which led through one of the teams’ locker rooms). A voice called out, “He’s making a break for it,” and he yelped, taking off running only to be tackled by a security guard within seconds. The guard gently scooped him up and dusted him off, carrying him back to his prep area. “Sorry, sir. Your own orders were to not let you leave.”
He put his ears back crankily. “I know… I did say that.” He sighed. “Sorry, guys… I’m just super nervous. Is Sunny here yet?”
“We haven’t seen him, but we’re still keeping an eye out. There’s still an hour before you’re supposed to start.” The security guard patted him on the back and headed off, talking on his radio.
Pit appeared at Shade’s side. “You look nervous. You sure you don’t want us to call John? Last chance. After this, it’ll be too late to get him here on time.”
Shade gulped and nodded, holding his stomach. “... Getting to be real glad I didn’t have lunch. Or dinner. It’d be all over the floor by now if I had.”
Pit frowned at him. “You’re going to pass out in the middle of the performance.”
He shook his head. “I’ll be fine.”
A guard ran past, speaking into his radio. “Golden times have arrived. Golden times have arrived at point B.”
Shade’s ears perked up. “That’s Sunny’s call sign! He’s here!”
Moments later, Sunny appeared at Shade’s side and hugged him excitedly. “Sorry I’m late, mom and dad were being… well you know how they are, but I’m here NOW!”
He looked Shade over, then grinned. “You’re wearing the jacket I made you.”
Shade looked down at himself. He was wearing a fake leather jacket, black pants that had been custom fitted for his legs, and a white tee shirt. There were metallic bits and bobs added here and there, including two clip-on earrings on one of his ears. He was also wearing some noise-reducing ear plugs so he wouldn’t hurt his ears on stage.
Sunny grinned eagerly. “You’re actually doing it, aren’t you? You’re going to go up on stage and sing for these people, in PERSON.”
Shade shook his head. “No, I’m going to go up on stage and sing for YOU.”
Sunny squeaked and blushed a little.
Shade hugged him, and they had a few minutes of snuggling before it was time for Shade to start tuning up. He grabbed his guitar and tuned up, making sure he was still in tune- he was, of course, because he’d already tuned up three times while nervously watching people file in, then stood just backstage. “Sunny.” He put his ears back. “... My legs won’t take me out there. Give me a push.”
Sunny gave him a quick kiss, then pushed him out onto the stage. Shade used the momentum to walk to center stage as the crowd suddenly grew hushed. He could see himself on the jumbotron as he approached the microphone set up for him. He paused then leaned into the microphone. “... Hi.”
The crowd was quiet, though a little murmur started as he adjusted the height of the microphone really quick; it was just a little too tall. “Hi.” He said again, looking out at the crowd. He felt his heart start to race, and closed his eyes for a moment, picturing the crowd gone. He opened his eyes and counted seats. There, front row center- his friends, and Sunny’s parents. He pictured Sunny with them, and the rest of the crowd gone. Just him and his friends.
“I don’t believe we’ve ever met. My name is Shade Knight.” He flinched as the crowd suddenly went wild. Even with his ear plugs in, it was a little loud. “I’m gonna give you a little show here, but first, I wanna get serious with you for a moment.” The crowd hushed, watching him. Ten thousand pairs of eyes stared at him.
He put his ears back and swallowed nervously. ‘For Sunny,’ he told himself, then set his guitar on its stand, moving the bottle of water they’d left out for him to under the stool, grabbing the mic off its stand and sitting up on the stool instead.
“So. You may have noticed, I’m a dog. I wasn’t always, but I am now.” There was a gentle murmur. He waited a moment.
“So, I had this boyfriend once. He was… not very nice. Abusive, emotionally, verbally, and physically. And at some point, I learned that violence was a form of love.” He paused quietly, thinking. This whole speech hadn’t been in the rehearsal, he’d decided to do it on the spot, and wasn’t sure what to say.
“I’m not in that relationship anymore, thank goodness. That guy’s… well, he’s in jail now. And now I’m dating the sweetest little Golden, and I love him so much. He’s nice, he puts up with all my baggage, he even helps me out when I’m having an attack.” The crowed oohed and awwed, and Shade smiled a little.
“But I’m having a hard time unlearning all the kinds of things my ex pounded into me about how to treat someone you love. Sometimes his behaviors peek through, and it makes me upset when I realize it. A couple weeks ago, my boyfriend and I had this little spat, and I caught myself about to punch him. I was able to stop the blow before it hit, but I was devastated that I even made a fist.”
He looked over the crowd. Most of them seemed to be paying rapt attention to him. A couple people didn’t seem that interested. Some were recording on their phones. So much for not having his face all over the internet.
“I’m having to relearn how to be loving because of one bad relationship. I hope none of you ever have to go through that. If you are, I hope you get out of that situation. It’s not a great place to be in, and I know better than anybody how hard it can be to leave it. My boy, he’s so nice, I don’t want him to EVER have to deal with any of that toxic behavior I put up with for years. And I almost put him through it myself.”
He bowed his head sadly, then stood up off the stool, approaching the microphone stand. He fumbled for a moment, putting the microphone back on its stand, and picked up his guitar. His stomach was doing backflips as he returned to speak into the microphone.
“So… Who wants to hear a new song about it?”
The crowd cheered a little.
“I can’t hear you! I said, WHO wants to hear a new song?!” He shouted into the mic, a little louder than he meant to.
The crowd loved it. They cheered louder, and Shade grinned nervously, turning to nod to his band. They prepared to play, and Shade addressed the crowd one last time. “Okay then! Just remember, if you’ve escaped from a bad situation, don’t let your ex be your bad influence for your next lover!”
The band started playing, and Shade began to perform his new song: Bad Influence.

[Welsh Halfwit]

A sweet tale so far, with good characters and a compelling lead

[GingaDensetsuAleu]

Well we're two chapters from the end, but thanks anyway. I had fun writing it.

[Welsh Halfwit]

Well we're two chapters from the end, but thanks anyway. I had fun writing it.

THAT is the most important part, good sir.

[GingaDensetsuAleu]

Chapter 21: After Party

“WHOOO!” Butterfly squealed, waving around a foam finger as she entered Shade’s house ahead of him, then loudly started singing one of Shade’s songs. Shade snickered and put out his hand for his key back. She plopped it in his hand and spun in a circle.
Coco grinned. “I knew you two were up to something. Sunny wasn’t making OUTFITS, he was making COSTUMES, for you to wear during the concerts.” She nudged Shade playfully. “But you’ve been too shy to come out on stage.”
Sunny snickered. “I dragged those costumes to all six of his concerts and he JUST used them for the first time TODAY.”
Scout looked around. “Nice digs. Y’got this place all to yerself?”
August poked Shade in the chest. “So you’re saying you can make ALL THAT NOISE but your ears hurt if we talk too loud?”
Shade snickered and pulled his earplugs out. “These things help. I just don’t always have some on me. Plus, they’re not really good for your ears.” He grinned and went to his fridge, pulling out a huge platter of snacks that he’d had delivered and a couple different beverages, plopping them on the table and taking the lid off. “And now, let the afterparty begin!”
He had to jump back as the four hungry dogs descended on the snacks: Coco, Scout, Butterfly, and August. Sunny grabbed Shade’s hand and pressed noses with him. “I’m proud of you, Shade. You didn’t throw up.”
Paul let himself in, followed by Alice. Butterfly and August stopped and gaped. Butterfly tapped Coco’s arm to get her attention and pointed. Coco turned around and squeaked.
Shade looked between them for a moment, then smacked his own forehead. “Oh yeah! You guys have never actually met! Paul, Alice, these are my other friends. There’s Butterfly, Coco, and August, and the border collie who doesn’t seem bothered is Scout. He… could probably beat you up. Guys, this is Paul, and Alice. I met them when I was living at Wildside house.”
Paul purred, amused, and put out his hand. “It’s nice to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you guys.”
Coco shook Paul’s hand, looking starstruck at Alice. August snickered. “Coco thinks Alice is one of the coolest people to ever live here. She was devastated when she moved out.”
Paul grinned and had a seat at the table, glancing over at Scout for a moment before speaking. “Guys, relax. I’m just a normal guy.”
“Except you’re an AWESOME tiger!” Butterfly darted around the table and climbed up into Paul’s lap, bouncing excitedly.
Shade grinned. “See, I knew you guys would be popular.”
Paul snickered and scritched behind Butterfly’s ear. August smirked. “Be careful, she’s a pickpocket and a klepto. I bet she already has your wallet.”
“And his keys.” Butterfly grinned, closing her eyes and leaning into Paul’s scratches.
Coco, meanwhile, was staring at Alice and slowly approaching her. She put out her arms and flopped into the wolverine’s chest, wrapping around her in a big hug. “I love what you’ve done with your fur. And you’re so SOFT.”
Alice chuckled and patted her on the head. “Ah-hahaha… Yeah…” She smiled nervously. Shade knew that she wasn’t much of a ‘dogs’ type of person, and that he was an exception to that rule because she thought he was cute.
As the chatting continued, Shade retreated to the back of the room, his favorite position at any party. Sunny joined him, climbing up on the couch with him. “Mmmm… Congratulations on a successful concert.”
Shade leaned into Sunny quietly. “Mm. I was scared out of my wits the entire time. Mostly just nervous they were going to not like me anymore once they knew who I was. But we sold out of the single and a few thousand download codes on top of that.”
Sunny kissed his nose. “I liked that part at the beginning where you talked about me. That was great. I wish I could have seen our friends’ faces when they realized they were there to see you.”
Shade snickered. “Oh, I had the Miltons keep a camera on them and record it. I could sort of see, but it’ll be more fun when I can see it better.”
Sunny laughed. “You always know just what to say.” He cuddled into him. “Ew… you stink.”
Shade snickered and nosed him. “We’ll take a shower later.”
After cuddling with Sunny for a while, Shade went back to the dining room to check in with his guests. The snack tray was picked clean, and everybody was socializing happily, chatting about the show and other stuff.
Shade pulled Paul aside. “Hey… I heard you were thinking of moving out of Wildside house.”
Paul nodded. “Technically, I’m welcome to stay as long as I want, but since I’m done taking classes at the center, I think I should probably vacate my room to let someone else in.”
Shade took him by the hand and led him upstairs to the spare bedroom. “Think you could afford my rent price? I can give you a best friend discount, you only have to help pay for food.”
Paul snickered. “Is this your way of telling me you’re lonely and want to live with me again?”
Shade blushed a little. “Kinda? It’s too quiet around here living by myself, but I’m clearly not ready to live with Sunny just yet, so… you want it, it’s yours.”
Paul grinned. “I’ll take it. Although… I was sitting with Sunny’s owners… I mean, parents… at the concert, and I think they’re willing to negotiate Sunny coming to live here part time. A week here, a week at home.”
“On a trial basis. It took me ALL DAY to talk them into it.” Sunny appeared in the doorway with a grin. “That’s why I was late. I was trying to convince them that I’m mature enough to spend the night with my boyfriend.”
Shade grinned and grabbed his hand. “That’s great news! Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I was waiting until tomorrow. This is YOUR day.”
Shade kissed him happily and wagged his tail.
Sunny’s eyes bugged out. “That’s the first time I’ve ever seen you wag your tail. I just assumed you didn’t know HOW!”
Shade glanced over his shoulder. His tail wagged faster, and he grinned. “Why shouldn’t it wag? My best friend’s moving in with me, my boyfriend’s gonna start out with some overnights, I just rocked a whole stadium full of people without getting sick… It’s the best birthday ever!”
“Yeah, it’s a pretty good- wait, what?” Sunny stared at him.
“WHAT?!” Paul gaped at Shade.
Shade smirked and walked away, disappearing back down the stairs without another word.

[GingaDensetsuAleu]

This has been a wonderful ride and I'm glad you've all taken it with me!

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Chapter 22: One Day in Babylon

Shade lay back on Doc’s couch and stared at the ceiling. “It was amazing, Doc. All those people there to see me, and my favorite part was that I was wearing a jacket Sunny made me, so it was like he was right there on stage with me, giving me a hug. It felt so good.”
Doc grinned and leaned forward. “Yeah? And I heard that Paul moved into your spare room.”
Shade nodded. “He did. I got some furniture, built it, and he was in the next day. Brought everything in one trip, of course, because that’s what guys DO. He was kind of funny, he hung one of the bags off his tail.”
“That sounds hilarious. And… about that other problem we discussed? Your emergent abusive behaviors?”
Shade sat up and let his ears sag. “Oh, I have Sunny on the case for that one. I told him, if he catches me doing anything like that again, he’s to let me know right away so I can correct it.”
“Excellent. And have you been doing your stress exercises? Your grounding technique and all that?”
Shade nodded. “Yeah, any time I need it. It really does help.”
“Repeat it for me one more time, so I can be sure you’ve got it right.”
Shade took a deep breath. “It’s five things I can see, four things I can touch, three things I can hear, two things I can smell, and one thing I can taste.”
“Good, good.” Doc took a note, then smiled at him. “You’ve been doing very good. Not backsliding anymore. I haven’t heard about you having an episode in weeks.”
Shade thought back. “Oh… I guess I haven’t. That’s good.”
Doc grinned and met his eyes. “Now… there’s one more thing. I heard that it was your birthday and you didn’t tell anybody.”
Shade hesitated. “I haven’t really celebrated my birthday in… oh… about seven years.”
“Since you started dating your ex, you mean.”
He paused. “... oh. I hadn’t put that together. I guess you’re right. He wasn’t big on celebrating… well.. Anybody that wasn’t himself.”
“Well… I got a little cupcake, and we’re going to celebrate together right now. You’ve grown a lot this year, made a lot of progress, and that’s something worth celebrating.” He opened his minifridge and produced a cupcake with a candle in it.

Shade ripped his cupcake in half and gave Sunny the top half, walking alongside him, hip to hip.
Sunny grinned. “How was therapy today?”
Shade leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. “Mm… It was great. Ready to go home?”
Sunny put a smear of frosting on Shade’s nose and grinned. “Of course I’m ready.”

THE END

[Amazee Dayzee]

I really did enjoy this story and so glad that everything worked out OK! I am so glad that Shade managed to move past everything bad that happened to him!