Sauna Serenity

© Cederwyn Whitefurr

17^th February, 2024

All Rights Reserved

Bernard set down the utensils, one beautiful ear flicked forward, the other back before he swallowed and grinned across the lunchroom table at his friend, the hybrid mule deer who set down his sandwich and looked back, his eyes filled with curiosity and a little nervousness.

“Ceder - “ Bernard smiled, his infectious smile spreading from one ear to the other, as the extroverted kangaroo smiled warmly.

He's planning something, usually with him, it's unexpected, such is his nature – pure chaos, often with the purest of intents, he's such a sweet, trusting, and gentle soul. Ceder thought to himself, his eyes slightly widening, his floppy ears brushing quietly across his robed shoulders.

“I've been thinking,” Bernard continued as if he hadn't paused for a moment. “how about a sauna day?”

Cederwyn's frown intensified before he opened his mouth and Bernard reached across and gently cupped the nervous buck's chin, pushing it up.
“Uh uh, hear me out – please?” Bernard begged in that adorable way he had.

“Sauna?” Cederwyn whispered, his eyes turning down at the outer edges, his lips following, reflecting his hesitation.

Bernard could sense Cederwyn's uncertainty, and his look spoke more than the quiet hybrid did. With a gentle smile, Bernard nodded and gestured wildly, painting a picture of relaxation and camaraderie. “Imagine it, my deer friend! A place where warmth envelops us, steam swirls around, and worries just dissipate! It's the perfect way to unwind and share stories!”
As Bernard continued to expand at length, Cederwyn's expression softened. His initial worry transformed into contemplation, and a sense of trust in the younger marsupial's words began to blossom within him. The kangaroo's contagious excitement started to work its magick on the hesitant and skittish deer.

“I don't - “ Ceder began, then Bernard snorted and laughed in that beautiful, sweet voice of his.

“Perfect! Tomorrow, 0930, it's a date!” Bernard nodded, standing up and giving the hybrid a friendly kiss on the cheek.

As Bernard bounced off in the way he had, Ceder felt like the breath had been stolen from his lungs, the warmth, love, and light, seemingly sucked out of the room as Bernard left. Slowly, Ceder placed a dark-furred paw against his forehead and rested it there.

“What have I gotten myself into now...” He quietly muttered.

*

Bernard, dressed only in a towel affixed around his waist, rolled his eyes and tapped a long foot on the floor before he chuckled and turned about. “There, happy? I'm not looking - “

Nervous, Ceder turned his own back, untying the cord belt and then the light forest green robe that he tugged up over himself, folding it in three, then setting it in the locker.

“Such a shy deer,” Bernard's voice reached Ceder's ears. “It's so cute!”

Ceder blushed, his inner ears turning a rich salmon color, as he took a pool towel and covered his nakedness.

*

As they moved past jacuzzis and spas, Bernard bounced around with that tireless energy and exuberance the young kangaroo had, his excitement palpable. As they entered the more tranquil area Bernard had booked, Ceder's nostrils flared, catching the scent of eucalyptus, chamomile, and other pleasant fragrances that filled the air, soothing and relaxing.

Bernard, with a flourish only he could pull off, revealed he was dressed in a colorful pair of swim trunks, as he eagerly led the way to the sauna. Cederwyn, slightly more reserved, followed suit, keeping a very tight grasp on his oversized towel, trying to shake off his lingering nervousness, his cloven hooves clicking on the non-slip tiles.

“Hey - “ Bernard giggled, clapping his paws together. “Over here!”

Ceder blinked then snorted, shaking his head as he cleared it, following Bernard.

*

The sauna door opened, turning into an airlock of sorts, Ceder closed the thicker outer door, feeling the room pressure change with a subtle hiss. As Bernard opened the inner door, Bernard, with a mischievous glint in his eye, gestured for Ceder to enter first. The mule deer took a deep breath, feeling the heat envelop him as he stepped inside. The wooden benches and the subtle crackle of the heated rocks created an atmosphere both enclosing and serene.

Bernard settled in beside Cederwyn, a grin still etched across his face. “See, my deer friend, this is the perfect place to unwind and let go of all worries,” he exclaimed, patting the space next to him.

Cederwyn hesitated for a moment, before settling down, the warmth gradually seeping into his fur, his skin, his very pores, and finally – penetrating the twitching, taught muscles and bones beneath. The initial tension began to melt away as they sat in companionable silence, the only sound being the hiss of steam.

As time passed, Bernard began sharing light-hearted stories, his animated gestures adding flair and drama to each tail. Cederwyn, initially reserved, found himself soon giggling helplessly, the sauna providing a safe, comfortable backdrop for their friendship.

Amid laughter and shared stories, Cederwyn began to appreciate the genuine joy that Bernard brought into his life. The worries he had harbored earlier seemed to dissipate in the sauna's comforting embrace.

Playfully, Bernard reached over and tenderly caressed Ceder's right ear, then snickered. “Ewww, it's so...wet.”

With a startled snort, Ceder pulled his head away, then shuddered and nervously giggled. “They're – like radiators I suppose, and very sensitive. When I blush, being what I am... the blood vessels dilate I suppose, and cause the...”
Bernard listened, both ears pricked forward. “You know, for an author, you're not very – descriptive – are you? I get the idea, they cause the most adorable thing I've ever seen!”

Cederwyn blushed even worse under his friend's gentle words, the sauna's warm intensifying the hue on his ears. As the conversation flowed, it became clearer that the sauna wasn't just a place to unwind but a genuine space for connection and understanding.

Some hours later, Ceder thinking he'd been steam cooked right through, Bernard led him to private showers. Here, Ceder stared, watching his sweat turn a milky color, as it sluiced off his fur and down his body. Once he was thoroughly clean, Ceder stepped into the dryer. It looked like a small shower cubicle with nozzles. He curiously touched the glowing panel, then bleated as warm air assaulted him from every direction at once, Bernard's chuckle coming from the adjacent stall.

At last, dried, clean, and redressed, Ceder shuddered, as Bernard grinned at him and placed a paw on Ceder's chest, that beautiful, adorable smile creasing the kangaroo's face.

“That was fun, wasn't it?” Bernard asked, his ears pricked forward.

Cederwyn couldn't help but return the smile. “It was... more than I expected, Bernard. Thank you for convincing me to give it a try.”

Bernard wrapped an arm around Cederwyn's shoulders, and they left the spa, the shared serenity of the sauna lingering in their hearts.

“So, no more stressed, nervous deer?” Bernard asked as he leaned back against his car, raising an eyebrow.

“Not for a while my friend, truly – thank you.” Ceder smiled nervously. “I can't help the nervousness, it's a part of what I am.”

“Mmm,” Bernard pondered, crossing one arm over his chest, the other one idly drumming his short dark claws against his cheek. “I'm hungry, let's go eat.”

Bernard chuckled, watching Cederwyn's startled reaction. Seamlessly, he shifted forms, his kangaroo features transforming into those of a mischievous coyote. The laughter echoed in his new form, and he couldn't help but revel in the wide eyes and down-turned lips on the deer's face.

The coyote that Bernard had become, snickered, meeting Cederwyn's widening eyes with a playful glint. Licking his lip, he maintained a mischievous grin, savoring the moment of unexpected transformation. His ears pricked forward, capturing every nuance of Cederwyn's reaction.

In Bernard's perspective, the shift in appearance was not just a mischievous display of shape-shifting abilities but an amusing twist to their interaction. He reveled in the surprise and wondered how Cederwyn would respond to this unexpected turn of events. The coyote's demeanor remained lighthearted, reflecting the playful intent behind the spontaneous transformation.

“Deer are friends - “ Ceder whispered skittishly, backing up against the side of the car. “not food...”

“Why not both?” Bernard's grin spread wider. “Hmm, I didn't think this through... I guess you're driving...”

END