Two in the Saddle

On the Road to Recovery...

His legs were slowly coming unfried, thank God, but it was still hell getting back on Exciter. It had taken Gibson a few weeks to get mobile after his and Knox’s hellish night in the desert, but with enough time, attention, and therapy, he was closer to rejoining the war effort. With a grunt and a wince, the tough young buck swung the other leg over, and was back in his motorcycle’s saddle.

He was all set to peel off across the driving range when he felt a sudden jolt at his back, and two leather-clad arms wrap around his waist. When he turned to look over his shoulder, his snout met Evelyn’s. “You coulda asked first,” Gibson smirked, nuzzling her.

The earthy-furred gal chuckled in kind. “Surprises are more fun. Besides, I can’t always be playing chauffeur. You da man of the house after all.”

“I bet that’s what you always say.”

She nipped at his neck and rubbed his shoulder with a gauze-wrapped hand. "Well, that was the fun of it I s’pose. You’re more fun to tease than Boss, though. Built ‘bout as tough.”

“If I had any exes, am I allowed to bring ‘em up every chance?” teased the tan wolf back. Instead of bristling at the remark, he felt her coil around him like a tensed boa constrictor.

“You can say anything you like,” she sighed, breath chattering. “Just don’t leave me like that. If you’re gonna get yourself killed, just go out guns-blazing, I—”

Gibson dropped the kickstand, spun around, and returned the squeeze tenfold. “Easy Teddy Bear, easy. You ain’t getting rid me that easy.” They stayed like that for a while, locked in a frenzied kiss, battered by the stirring desert winds, dust pelting their jackets and fur. When they finally broke, he took a good long look into those hazel eyes of hers.

“Shit,” he smiled, “You even let me call you Teddy.”

“Just remember why I got that name.”

“Let’s see if I can join the club” was all he had to say. The brown-speckled gearhead clung to her tan hellion lover, and with a kick of the stand and a twist of the handlebars, Exciter’s twin cylinders thundered to life, and the jet-black beast bolted into the driving range. It still hurt like hell, but between with his gal at his back, and his steed beneath him, the young soldier started feeling that strange, special way he did upon enlisting all those years ago. He felt passion, drive, and at long last, peace.

Soon, it would be time to put that to use.

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Thank you for reading! Dropping this note as a final appeal before 365 INFANTRY: The Ride for 2025 goes live on Kickstarter. To be honest, been struggling a bit with inspiration with all the work that’s been done (hence why these stories are dropping later in the day than planned), but if you dig the freedom with which we explore our world and want more of it, please considering pledging on Monday the 5th. The world of 365 INFANTRY is a world of endless possibility for imaginative science fiction, earnest slice-of-life, and pure pulp action, and we need YOUR help to keep that magic alive. See you Monday, soldiers!