Chapter 3: Old Mill

The sun was setting on the great ocean outside the town, casting brilliant reds, oranges, and purples upon the land. Clouds hung in the air covering some of the colored streaks. The birds were flying back to their nests, communicating with each other with soft chirps. The shadows of two dogs moved with their swaying steps.

"Would you calm down? You're going to be fine," Jack said as he sauntered in front of Nero.

"But what if she asks me back to her place?" Nero asked.

"Don't worry. That won't happen."

"Oh, ha, ha, very funny," Nero sighed. "But what if something happens? What if I screw it up?"

"You won't do any of those things. Trust me; you're going to be fine."

They rounded the corner and came upon the huge double doors of the Mill. The building was an enormous wooden building with a conveyor belt coming out the right side. Loud talking could be heard coming from the inside, causing Nero's tail to drop. Jack looked to the sighed before punching his friend on the shoulder.

"C'mon, don't be like that. You'll be fine."

"I don't know…maybe we should just head back-"

"Hey, look who we have here," a low, almost scratchy voice came from behind them. Both dogs turned to find a massive bulk of a black Malamute smiling at them. A slightly smaller golden husky stood next to the malamute, with an equally evil smile on his face. "New meat."

"Who are you?" Jack asked.

"Me? I'm the alpha dog in this town. The name's Steele. This is Kaltag," the malamute replied. He circled the corgi mix and sopped next to Nero and put his face right next to the huskies. "And what's your name?"

Nero looked at the malamute up and down. His body was so compact, with muscles rippling under his long, sleek fur. He had a wide brown collar with golden metal studs running down the leather. Steele's eyes were bright blue sapphires that glistened in the setting suns glare. His chest puffed out which looked perfect against his rock hard stomach. But Nero's eyes stopped on the malamute's package. The only thing he could think of was of how big it was.

Steele looked to where Nero was staring and the malamute came back with a malicious smile. "Hmm. Seems like we have a faggot on our hands."

"Yeah, he seems to really like you junk," Kaltag snickered.

"Hey, back off him, alright," Jack said stepping closer to Steele.

"Oh, who's this? Your boyfriend?" Steele asked.

"No," Nero said barely audibly as his ears folded back.

"I can't hear you, faggot," Steele smiled. He swatted at Nero's legs sending him crashing into the snow. The husky lay on his back, stunned, when he felt a weight on top of him. He peered up and Steele had positioned himself over the husky. He looked back at Jack who was being pushed back by Kaltag. For a husky, he was surprisingly strong.

He tried to push Steele off of him, but the malamute wouldn't budge. He just smiled and pushed closer, his sac only inches from Nero's. "You like this don't you, faggot?" Steele closed his eyes as he spoke. His breath crept up to meet Nero's awaiting nose. The towering malamute just smelled so good.

Nero only managed to close his eyes and mumble. He could feel his stomach churn with delight as his face grew hot. He tried to flex his stomach to try to stop the blood from flowing down. He felt himself slipping, when a soft voice crawled into his ear.

"Get off of him, Steele."

They all turned to see a rusty red coated husky with rich brown eyes glaring at the malamute. The husky tail was up and Nero could see him trying to keep his teeth hidden.

"If it isn't the mutt's mutt," Steele laughed as he stepped off of Nero. He swaggered over to the husky and stood at least five inches taller. "What are you going to do about it?"

"Well, I won't abandon people in the middle of a snowstorm if that's what you mean," Kodi replied, smugly.

Steele frowned and bared his teeth. He opened his mouth but closed it shut. He turned to the double doors and called to Kaltag to follow. The husky followed Steele into the Mill, leaving Kodi, Jack and Nero outside.

The sun had set even more, but the sky was still a brilliant mirage of colors. Nero thought it went well with Kodi's fur. Even though the husky wasn't as big as Steele, he still looked hot. Kodi was smaller, but his muscles were still prominent.

Kodi cocked his head and looked himself up and down. "Do I have something on me?"

Nero realized he had been staring, "Um…yeah. Let me get it." He brought his paw up to Kodi's neck and lightly brushed the soft white fur. He shivered at just the slightest touch from this dog. "Got it." He stood back and tried to keep his tail up, but it just seemed to want to stay down.

"Hey, don't beat yourself up over that. Steele's a huge dick. He's just mad that my dad saved the town instead of him," Kodi said placing a paw on Nero's shoulder. Again, the husky gave the slightest shudder at the touch.

"Wait…you're Balto's son?" Jack asked.

"Yeah. Oh, that reminds me, I have to go. Maybe I'll see you around…um…" he trailed off waiting for them to give their names.

"Jack."

"Nero."

Kodi smiled. "See you around." The husky walked past the two and opened the doors. Nero turned to watch the husky's swishing tail bob from side to side. When the door shut, he heard small laughter.

Nero turned to find Jack smiling at him. "Shut up."

"Dude what the hell was that?!" he exclaimed. "You were practically staring at that guy's dick. And when he jumped on top of you, you freakin acted like you wanted him to mount you right then and there! Then Kodi comes to the rescue. You looked like you wanted to make out with him for just stroking his neck. Yeah, I saw there was nothing on him."

"Look, just shut up," Nero said turning for the door.

"Hey, if you go gay, can I have Dusty?" Jack asked. Nero couldn't help but start laughing. "What?"

"I don't think you're her style," he said.

"What? Charming, handsome, funny-"

"Annoying, loud, obnoxious," Nero finished.

"Ass," the corgi mix lightly punched the husky.

{{_}}

Kodi walked into the Mill and was instantly surrounded by the variety of sounds and smells of all the dogs and cats of Nome congregating in one place. To him, this was his life. Running the mail, being with his family, and coming here. Even though it was the same routine day in and day out, it seemed boring to most, but exciting to the young husky.

But, that husky outside seemed a little…off. If it was just Kodi, but Nero almost looked like he was turned on by Steele jumping on top of him. And when he came over, Nero practically stared at him before he had to say something to stop him. He knew he had no dirt on him, he checked before he came. Maybe he was gay.

Kodi shrugged it off when he saw one of team mates lumbering towards him. "What's up Kodi?" Kirby smiled.

The corgi mix gave a little punch and placed and arm around Kodi. "Hey, Kirby. How those steaks treating you?"

"Oh, ow, hit me where it hurts. At least I'm not as big as Ralph.

"Yeah, he needs to lose some weight. We're dragging about a hundred pounds of lard."

Kirby laughed. "And let's not forget his 'delicate nails'. I swear the guy is gay."

"Oh, man, that just reminded me. I think there was this gay guy outside. He was staring at me and when I asked him if I had something on me, he said yes."

"Well, did you have something on you?" Kirby asked.

"No. I checked. He was definitely checking me out."

"Maybe you should tap him."

"Kirby!"

"What?" Kirby asked defensively. "You're a virgin. Might as well get some action before you die. And on the bright side: you can't get him pregnant!"

"Ha, ha," he scoffed as they came up onto his family and the rest of the team. Dingo was his only sibling that still lived in town with him. The rest were scattered throughout Alaska and even one in Canada. His mother was still had her ruby red fur that looked as bright as the sun against his father's brown coat. Dusty and Ralph were both talking to each other about one of the runs were Ralph slipped and tripped the whole team. Kodi walked up and greeted everyone with a smile.

"Hi, Kodi!" his mother nuzzled him. "How are you?"

"I'm good," he said returning the nuzzle.

"Something bothering you."

"I haven't even said anything except for hello!" Kodi said.

"What is it?" Balto asked. Now everyone around him stopped their little conversations and walked over.

"Nothing. It's just…some guy was checking me out," Kodi sighed.

"I knew it. I knew he was gay," Dusty smiled.

"Yeah, ha, ha. All I did was save the guy from Steele and he returns the favor by staring at me."

"Who was this?" Balto asked.

"Some grey husky. Nero."

Balto and Dusty's ears went up. "Nero?" Oh, my God, is he okay? Did Steele hurt him?" Dusty asked.

"Um…he's fine. Look, there he is now," Kodi pointed to a grey husky talking to a corgi.

"Nero!" Dusty exclaimed. The husky's ears perked and he looked towards the screaming dog. "Nero, come here!"

Nero said something to Jack who looked in the direction of Dusty. He said something to Nero to make his ears fold down and Kodi to make out the words 'Shut up.' Nero walked over but stumbled back when Dusty embraced him.

"Kodi told me what happened! Are you okay? Did Steele hurt you?" she asked. She opened her eyes and back away from him, smiling nervously. She pressed her fur down and rubbed the back of her head.

Nero gave a small smile. "Yeah, I'm fine. Uh, thanks Kodi."

"Oh, no problem. Hope Steele didn't hurt you," Kodi said.

"Just his pride," Jack mumbled.

"Shut up, will ya?" Nero asked. He stopped and then pointed his nose in the air. He took in three big whiffs before he turned back to Jack. "Do you smell that?

Jack sniffed the air, too. "That smells like…son of a bitch."

"What?" Balto asked.

"This bitch almost got us killed by the butcher. And we didn't even get any meat," Jack sighed.

"Wait. You guys were trying to steal from the butcher?" Balto questioned.

Jack smiled and rubbed the back of his neck. "Well, I wouldn't call it stealing as much as…um…theft."

"Jack, that sounds worse," Nero said.

"I think vandalism sounds worse than theft," a soft female voice said from behind Nero. He turned to find a small black cat making her way towards them. Her stance was confident and arrogant as she stepped up to face Nero. "Mmm, I remember you. Such a nice frame for such a nice husky. Nero, was it?"

Nero growled in response as Kitty circled around to now be in the center of the dogs. Nero turned and Kitty swung her tail in Nero's nose, causing him to sneeze. "My, my, so eager to see me again."

"What do you want, cat?" Jack snarled.

"I wasn't talking to you, meat shack."

"What did you just call me?" Jack growled.

"As I was saying," she ignored Jack and turned her attention back to Nero. "I noticed you got into a bit of a…hot mess, out there, no? Though, you didn't seem to mind all that much."

Nero growled low so only the dogs around him, and Kitty, could hear, "What are you doing here?"

The cat raised an eyebrow. "My, my, touchy, touchy. This is a public place where I come to unwind. So, Nero, do you bend bid dicked dogs that jump on top of you?"

"Shut up!" Nero jumped forward but Kitty had already stepped to the side. Nero bit air and swiveled around to face the cat again.

She laughed. "Well, I guess some part of what I said was true." Nero lunged again, but Kitty gracefully jumped over him and onto his back. "It's a real shame, though. You and Dusty look good together. And I wouldn't really mind if you could take me," she stuck one claw into Nero's back. "For a ride."

The husky yelped. "Jack, get her off!"

Jack jumped at the cat. She simply dropped off Nero's back and scampered up a barrel. She watched with humor as Jack plummeted into Nero sending them both to the ground.

"Well, it's been fun." The dogs turned their attention to her. "But, I should be off. Have fun, Nero! I hope you choose between your three crushes." She laughed as she jumped down from the barrel and disappeared into the crowd.

Nero shoved Jack off of him and stretched his shoulders. "Bitch."

"Yeah, you said it. Hey, um," he brought his muzzle close to Nero's ear. "She kind of just outed you to the whole sled team."

Nero's eyes widened and he turned to the sled dogs. They were all staring at him, except for Dusty who just looked sad. "Is it true?" she asked.

"What is?"

"About you. Liking…guys?"

Nero sighed. "Yeah…" he saw the look on her muzzle. "But I like girls too."

That got a brighter smile from her. "Really? That's great! I mean…that's nice." Nero couldn't help but smile at Dusty's attempt to hide her enthusiastic attitude of him still liking girls. She returned the smile. "Hey, um, you want to go get some water?"

"Um…sure!" Nero smiled as he walked besides Dusty towards the water vendor handing out bowls.

Kodi looked hatefully towards the two. Now he had to deal with a bisexual dog taking Dusty away from him? Just great. What's so interesting about him anyways? He did look okay, for a guy. His stomach was maybe a little harder than Kodi's and his tail looked more plump. His eyes were blue like the ocean's water…shit, Kodi, don't think like that. He's a…he! You like women. Women. There is a 'men' in 'women'. Damnit, just start talking.

"So…what's his story?" he asked his father. If anyone were to know about a new dog, it would be him.

"He wants to go out for the sled team. He is pretty fast, maybe as fast as you are."

"What? No he can't be."

"'Fraid so. And Kodi. Just because he is bi, I don't want you to treat him any differently," his father said.

I'd only treat him different if he took Dusty away from me. Or if he came onto me. But the last part of his thoughts. He kind of wished that happened. Kodi looked at the husky again.

He was trying to balance the bowl in his mouth as Dusty looked like she was trying to give him tips. She tightened her jaw and pointed to Nero's muzzle. He tightened his mouth and the water spilled over his head. The bowl crashed to the ground as Nero shook himself off. It brought a smile to Kodi's muzzle. Dusty laughed as she picked up her own bowl. Nero then smiled and used his muzzle to hit her bowl so that it splattered onto her.

They both laughed but paused as their faces were only inches apart. Nero was the first to back away. He looked…timid. He did seem on the shy side. Maybe he was okay.

(A/N): Sorry it took so long. I was busy with other romances and stuff like that so I've been a little preoccupied. But, I hope you like it. A little love square between Nero, Dusty, Kodi, and Steele going on, hope Nero makes the right choice :).