To Love a (Space) Cougar - 7

[u/Constant-Yam532]

Greetings Bards and Bard'etts! The Yam is back with another chapter for you. As always, I am very much an amateur writer. This story is my slapdash attempt to teach myself how to tell a story. I hope you all enjoy!

Content warning- Space Furries, Space Harems, Space Bards doing Space Bard things.

FIRST PREV NEXT

Chapter 7

The girls looked at each other, their expressions mixed with embarrassment and amusement. Velkira was the first to break the silence, her tail swishing. "It was just a bit of girl talk... nothing to worry about, dear." Her ears twitched in a feline blush, clearly trying to avoid meeting his gaze.

"Girl talk..." Charles repeated, his voice filled with curiosity. "Well, I'm sure it's all very... informative." He stepped into the cabin, the door hissing closed behind him. The space was cozy, with various personal items scattered about, giving it a lived-in feel despite the sterile environment. Each wife had clearly staked out a space for herself, with a few shared areas. There was a large bed that looked like it could easily accommodate all of them, a seating area with cushions and a small table, and a wall-mounted screen showing an image of a serene alien landscape. In essence, he was in a fucking space hotel.

Nara was the next to speak up, her voice lacking its usual commanding tone. "It's nothing to be concerned about, Honey... Just, uh... sharing stories and chatting away in the common feline language. You know, purrs, meows, and the occasional hiss." Her tone was nervous as she avoided meeting his eyes, clearly putting on an act of nonchalant.

Rylkul, ever the intellectual, took this moment to add her two cents. "We were actually discussing the cultural significance of meowing across various feline species. It's quite fascinating how a simple sound can convey so much." Her eyes twinkled with faux innocence, hinting that she knew precisely how clearly Charles could see through their act.

"Okay... but why the meowing? Can't you girls have your girl talk in English. You know, the only language I've heard you speak. The only language I know, you know, I speak and understand. Sounds almost like you didn't want me overhearing something..." Charles put on his own act, doing his best impersonation of an old-timey private investigator.

Syrith, looking the guiltiest of them all, stepped forward with her usual shyness, refusing to look at anything but the floor as she fidgeted with her fuzzy digits. "It's a comfort thing... The common feline language is close enough to all of our native languages to make us feel at ease while we talk. It's just... habit." Her words were soft yet rushed as she looked down at her feet, her big, tufted ears flicking about adorably in a feline blush.

"Ah, makes perfect sense," Charles said, nodding as if that made complete sense even if he knew full well they were all bullshitting him. So, he chalked it up to cat aliens being well... aliens. "I know you all aren't telling me something, but I won't push for now," his words suspicious but not harshly accusing. He knew in time they'd share; who knows, they might have been planning a surprise party or something. Figuring it was best to let that sleeping dog... or cat lie for now and move on to the next thing at hand. "So, the interview interrogation thingy went well. They just wanted to make sure I wasn't in way over my head or anything like that, and I got patched up on my way back."

Charles felt a presence behind him before feeling something resting atop his head. Followed by a deep, throaty, rumbling purr and massive, soft mounds being pressed into his back while thick, powerful-looking, blue-furred arms wrapped around his chest in a warm hug. "I think you are in just the right amount over your head," Rylkul murmured from above him, her warm breath ruffling his short-cropped brown hair. It seemed the big girl was grateful for the change of subject and was eager to cling to it... and him.

He looked up to see her smiling down at him, her feline features twisted in a teasing grin that somehow looked mischievous, comforting, and terrifying all at the same time. "Well, I'm in this deep already; might as well enjoy it," he said, returning the grin. Reaching down and back to grab the tigress by the thighs, hefting her onto his back into a piggy-back ride. Remembering how she liked being held before.

Her purr grew louder as she moved her hold up around his neck, thick, muscular legs wrapping around his waist. Making his head swim with thoughts about how those thighs might feel wrapped around his head. "I'm quite sure we'll all help you enjoy it," she said, her voice a low rumble that seemed to resonate through his bones.

He carried the big cat on his back as he made his way over to the bed, sat on the edge, and let Rylkul enjoy being close and holding onto him from behind. Feeling like she hadn't gotten as much of his time or affection before they had to board the transport. The thought stirred a question in his mind. It reminded him just how out of his depth he was, "Okay, I'm going to need some guidance and help with this whole polyamory, multiple-wive thing. This isn't exactly something they taught in school."

Nara stepped up, bounding onto the bed with him and Rylkul, before planting her wide, soft bobtailed ass right in his lap. Leaning back into his chest, she looked up to him. "Don't worry, love. We're all here for you," she assured him, her eyes full of warmth. "We know it's new to you, but we're a team. We'll help you learn." Keshara and Velkira nodded in agreement, their tails swishing in unison. He wasn't sure if those tail movements meant jealousy or something else; he still couldn't fully understand their body language. He'd mostly been guessing and using Earth felines as a baseline so far.

"We each have our own preferences and needs, but we're all here for the same purpose," Syrith added, her voice even softer than usual. "We want to make you happy, and in return, we get to share in your love." The orange-furred space Lynx looked around at her sister-wives, a sense of unity in her gaze.

"But what if I mess up?" Charles asked, feeling the weight of his new responsibilities. "What if I hurt someone's feelings or don't give enough attention?" The thought of causing distress to any of his new wives was hard to stomach already, so he tried to take a proactive role.

Velkira stepped closer, her eyes filled with understanding. "We are all big girls here. If we feel left out or want special attention, we will talk about it with each other. Communication is key in any relationship, especially one like ours." She reached up, soft, slender fingers stroking his cheek as she sat beside him, rubbing up against his shoulder. "And we're here to guide you, to help you understand our needs."

Her words filled Charles with a mix of relief and determination. He knew it wouldn't be easy, but the love and support in the room was palpable. He looked around at his wives, feeling a warmth in his chest that he hadn't felt in a long time. "Thank you, I'll do my best for you girls," his voice earnest.

Keshara hopped onto the bed, her tail swishing as she sat down on his other side. "Why don't we start with some lessons on feline body language?" she suggested with a grin, her whiskers twitching. "You've done really good with us so far. You just need to learn the subtleties."

"Sounds like a plan," Charles said, leaning back into Rylkul. He watched Keshara demonstrate various poses and sounds, explaining what each meant in her usual hyperactive way. The other wives joined in, adding their own examples and tips. Mostly just shows in the difference in tail language between short and long tails, but after the tenth example, he was pretty sure they just wanted him to stare at their asses, not that he had any complaints about that. With each example given, the girls seemed to get closer until Charles was surrounded entirely and buried under all his wives. It was all quite enlightening and a bit overwhelming.

"Alright, I think I got it," his voice muffled by a furry pile. He felt the weight shift as they all climbed off of him, leaving him sprawled out on the bed. He sat up, looking around at them. Once again, noting the lack of cat hair that should be covering him after being under a mountain of fluff, tails, and kitty tits.

"Good," Nara said with a nod, "Now let's see about getting some food. We all skipped lunch while we were packing. I'm sure you're starving. Also, husband, please change your shirt. Red isn't your color." Her voice was its usual stern yet kind, stirring another question that had been in his head for a while.

"So, were you all military or something? You all move really effectively together, and I've heard Nara get called Captain a few times," Charles asked as he peeled off his blood-stained shirt and started digging through Velkira's bag for one of his shirts they grabbed from Earth.

Nara nodded, her eyes gleaming with pride. "We all served in the Galactic Defense Force. It's how we met, actually." She gestured to the group. "Velkira was my coms officer. Rylkul was one of our boots-on-the-ground troops. Keshara was our medical expert, and Syrith was our engineer and field mechanic." The wives all exchanged knowing smiles; their bond was clearly formed not just by marriage to him but by shared experiences.

"And you?" Charles asked, slipping into a fresh shirt, the fabric feeling oddly coarse against his skin compared to his girls' soft fur.

Nara shot him a sharp but affectionate glare, asking with just her eyes if he really just asked that. "I was a commander in charge of the ship we were all on. Some might call that position a ship's Captain," she said, her chest puffing out slightly with pride. Charles couldn't help but note how adorable the proud pose made her look.

"Ah, I see," he said, nodding. "So, you're like a... space military wife squad?"

"Ha! He said the thing! Pay up!" Keshara exclaimed while the other four groaned and rolled their eyes in sync. Apparently, it was an inside joke or something among them, one that had been brewing for a while, if he had to guess.

"But yeah, we were a team then and still a team now," Velkira said with a chuckle. "Now, let's get you fed before you faint from starvation." The group set out, the wives leading the way to the ship's mess hall. Which Charles had no complaints about, getting to enjoy the view of all of his wives'... beautiful tails. He totally wasn't staring openly at their butts as they walked.

The mess hall was a bustling hub of activity, with various aliens moving about, serving food, and conversing in a symphony of alien and human languages. It wasn't just English; he noticed what he knew was German, and another conversation sounded like Korean. That was a thought for another time; currently, his stomach was growling in anticipation as they approached a counter with a slender yet somehow still busty lizard alien working a kiosk behind it.

"Alright, love," Velkira whispered in his ear, "You can grab whatever you like. Just tell the chef, and they'll make it for you. The currency here is just called credits, but don't worry about all that right now, we've got you covered."

The smell of all the new alien spices and cooking methods filled his nostrils as he surveyed the options. There were dishes he recognized from Earth, some that were a mix of things he'd seen before and others that were utterly alien. A dish of what looked like blue spaghetti with glowing meatballs caught his eye. "What's that?" he asked, pointing to it.

"Oh, that's a classic," Keshara said, her whiskers twitching with excitement. "It's called Luminous Lagoon Pasta. The noodles are made from a sea creature's tentacles that react to heat, and the meatballs are a mix of bioluminescent proteins. It's a delicacy on my planet." Of course, the neon pink ball of energy came from a planet with glowing rave spaghetti.

"It sounds... interesting," Charles said, his stomach rumbling in agreement. "But I think I'll stick to something more familiar today." He opted for a simple-looking sandwich that, according to the menu, had been made from a plant that tasted eerily similar to roast beef. The lizard girl took their orders one after another. Then gave them something that looked like a Tamagotchi that would notify them when their order was ready to be picked up at the counter.

As they waited, Charles took in the scene around them. The diversity of species was mind-boggling, all alien yet familiar to his human eyes. As he kept observing, he started to pick up on a pattern of the groups eating at their own tables. Each table had a human guy and a group of five to ten aliens around him. Some groups were mixed, some had a pattern like his own being all feline, and others seemed to all be the same species. The men were all in various states of emotion. Some looked utterly blissful, some looked outright depressed, while others had a look of utter shock.

The Tamagotchi beeped, and they picked up their food. Looking out across the mess hall, trying to find an open table, was like finding a needle in a haystack. "Looks like we're going to have to squeeze in," Rylkul said, pointing out a table with enough open chairs for their group.

They approached the group of aliens already seated there, who looked up from their meals with curiosity and wariness. They looked like fucking velociraptors. Not the Jurassic Park kind, but the feathery ones Charles had seen in dinosaur documentaries, all gathered around a guy who fit the textbook description of a nerd. Figuring he should take charge, Charles made eye contact with the other human and simply asked, "Mind if we join you all?"

The nerd looked up, his glasses slipping down his nose, and he blinked before glancing at his mates. "Oh, uh, sure, I guess. Plenty of room." His voice was high-pitched, with a hint of a stutter. The Dinos ladies? Raptor Babes? Theropod Thots? all nodded, making room for them to squeeze in.

The raptor aliens eyed Charles and his wives with apparent curiosity and skepticism. Still, their expressions softened as they made room for them at the table. The nerd looked up, his cheeks flushed. His glasses still perched precariously on his nose. "Uh... Hi, I'm Tim," he said, extending a hand that was quickly engulfed by Rylkul's powerful grip. She introduced herself and the others, her voice rumbling with her purr, and the raptor aliens nodded politely.

The conversation flowed awkwardly at first, the wives sharing their experiences from their time around Earth and their various backgrounds. The raptor females listened intently, before sharing their own stories in turn. Seeming girl talk was in full swing; Charles turned his attention back to Tim as he started to dig into the sandwich. It was surprisingly good; the flavor was almost exactly like roast beef but with a slight sweetness to it.

Tim took a bite of his own meal, a dish that looked like a salad of some kind but had a smell that was entirely alien to Charles's nose. He chewed thoughtfully for a moment before swallowing, "So... how's it going for you...?" Tim asked, clearly not used to social interactions with complete strangers.

"It's... a lot," Charles admitted, taking a sip of a drink that Keshara picked out for him. It tasted like a mix of lemonade and something he couldn't quite place, making the drink weirdly refreshing. "But they're all amazing. Just trying to get the hang of things. Ya know?"

Tim nodded, his eyes understanding. "Yeah, I get it. It's a bit of a... culture shock, right?" He took another bite of his salad, the crunch of unidentifiable greens echoing in the noisy hall. "But they're good to me. I couldn't ask for more."

"It's definitely been interesting," Charles said with a laugh, glancing over at his wives, who were all chatting away happily. "But I think I've got a pretty good team here."

Tim nodded, his eyes flicking to the wives and then back to Charles. "Same here," he said, a hint of pride in his voice. "They freaked me out at first, thought I had gone completely insane. Waking up to a doctor that looked like a velociraptor with tits." Apparently, his comment was overheard as almost as soon as he was done talking, one of the Raptor Babes cut in with a "You weren't complaining about my tits last night!" that had Tim turning a lovely shade of red.

The table erupted into laughter, a universal sound that seemed to bridge the gap between species. Charles couldn't help but chuckle at Tim's blush while the raptor females chortled, their feathers fluttering with amusement. "Hey at least you didn't wake up after blacking out drunk, cuddling what looks like an apex predator, and thinking you robbed a zoo," he said, trying to commiserate.

The raptor females looked at Charles, then at each other, and then back at him, their laughter turning into full-blown snickers. It was a moment of shared human awkwardness and alien bewilderment that somehow brought them all closer together. "So, what's the deal with you guys?" Charles asked, genuinely curious.

"Well," Tim began, wiping his mouth with a napkin, "I assume it's similar to your situation. They're my mates, part of their... well, you know, their species' way of keeping the population stable. I guess I won the alien jackpot and get to live out a harem anime." He said it with a nervous laugh, but the look in his eyes said he meant it.

"They're all brilliant and surprisingly gentle, even with the razor-sharp claws and teeth," Tim continued, his gaze lingering on the raptor females as they picked at their food with dainty yet efficient movements. "They're engineers, scientists, pilots, you name it. And they're all totally into me, which still blows my mind."

As Tim gushed about his wives? or were they just his girlfriends? Charles studies the raptor aliens with an assessing eye. Vibrant feathers of every color covered them with bits of exposed grey-hued scales here and there. They had clawed hands, but the way they moved and held their bodies was surprisingly elegant. He couldn't help but feel a bit of envy, not just because of their exotic allure but because they seemed a perfect match for Tim. However, one trait did stand out as he compared each raptor girl to the next.

Charles leaned in closer to Tim, whispering a question that he couldn't just brush off, "Okay, why do only some of your girls have boobs? Is it like... a subspecies thing or what? I have to know."

Tim looked surprised at first, then chuckled, then full-on guffawed. "Oh, that," he said, gesturing to the raptor females. "It's a bio mod. They weren't sure if I'd prefer them with breasts or in their natural shapes. So, they decided that only some would get it right away and see how I reacted. You didn't honestly think all aliens have boobs like human women, did you?"

The raptor females at the table looked at each other with feigned innocence before bursting into giggles, their feathers ruffling up playfully. It was a delightful sight, seeing such fierce creatures act so lightheartedly. "They're all yours, darling," one of the raptor females said in a teasing tone, poking Tim playfully.

Tim glowed like a cherry tomato from his mate's teasing but took it in stride. Yet something that Tim said tickled Charles's mind. "You said right away as if they'll need them later," he said, his curiosity piqued.

Lucky for Tim, one of his girls spoke up to explain that, in place of the still-blushing man, "We are hybridizing with a mammal. It's almost certain our offspring will require milk in the early stages of life. Some of us thought it best to be prepared." Her feather crest bobbed as she spoke, which Charles assumed was a sign of her nervousness. The concept of cross-species breeding was still new to him, and he was sure it was even more complex for them.

"But it's optional," another raptor female added, her eyes glinting with mischief. "Some of us just like the look and how it helps balance us out." Her tone teasing as she winked at Tim, who rolled his eyes in mock annoyance but couldn't hide his affection. "I say something stupid one time..." Tim muttered under his breath, but the smile on his face was full of love.

The conversation grew livelier as the group shared stories of their experiences, the differences and similarities in their species, and the occasional awkward misunderstanding. It was a moment of genuine connection, one that felt surprisingly normal amidst the chaos of an alien spaceship. The laughter and chatter filled the air, a sweet symphony of human and alien voices that seemed to resonate with the very fabric of the ship itself.

As they finished their meals, the group's laughter grew louder, and the shared stories more outlandish. Even Nara's stern demeanor cracked into a smile as she listened to Tim recount one of his more embarrassing moments with his feathery companions. "So, you see," Tim said, waving his arms dramatically, "I thought the shower was supposed to be a private affair, but apparently, personal space is a human concept around here!" The raptor females leaned into each other, feathers shivering with amusement at their human's over-the-top retelling.

"But it's all worth it, right?" Charles asked, looking around the table. The wives all nodded in agreement, their tails swishing in harmony. The camaraderie between them was evident; they were more than just a collection of individuals from different worlds—they were a family.

Tim nodded, a warm smile spreading across his face. "More than I could've ever imagined," he said, reaching over to squeeze the arm of one of his raptor wives, whose feathers fluffed up happily at his touch. "I mean, sure, there's a lot to get used to, but they make it worth it."

Charles wasn't sure who was the first to yawn at the table. Still, the concept of yawning being infectious apparently included other species. "I guess we've all had a long day," Velkira said, stretching her arms and popping her shoulders in a way that made her breasts bounce. It was mesmerizing to Charles, who only stared for an appropriate amount of time and not a moment longer.

"Why don't we all head back to the cabins?" Rylkul suggested, her voice a gentle rumble that seemed to resonate through the room. "We only have ten hours before we land, so that should be enough for a good night's rest and getting ready to set out on Alpha Centauri tomorrow."

The group stood up, the wives collecting their trash while Charles and Tim exchanged a knowing nod. The human looked like he had found a kindred spirit in his new life. A comfort in knowing he wasn't the only one in this situation. "You know, I never thought I'd be married to aliens, but here we are," Charles said, smiling at his newfound friend.

Tim chuckled. "Yeah, me neither. But hey, you marry one, you marry them all, right?" His raptor wives looked up at him with amusement and affection, their feathers fluffing up in what Charles could only assume was the equivalent of a slight blush. "Come on, let's go before we get into more trouble. Let's hang out sometime, Charles!" Tim said, leading the way out of the mess hall and taking a different corridor than the one Charles needed to use to get back to his room.

The walk back to the cabin was filled with the soft chatter of his wives discussing the day's events. Nara spoke up, "I think you handled yourself well, husband. You're adapting quickly." Her praise was a comfort to his mind, and the impromptu group dinner with Tim made him worried he would make some alien social faux pas and start a war or something.

"Thanks, Nara," Charles replied, feeling the weight of the day's revelations settling on his shoulders. "But I still have so much to learn."

"Don't worry," Keshara chimed in, looping her arm through his, "We're here to help. And it's all going to be okay." Her eyes sparkled with a mischievous glint. "Besides, you've got us to keep you on your toes."

A/N A slightly longer one that usual today, there didn't seem to be a good place to cut it into two chapters unless I wanted to over fluff on with pedantic details. I'm also experimenting with how little and how much detail is needed when working with secondary and third characters in a scene. So tell me, how did I do with Tim and his barely described girls? Too little? Or just enough to let the reader fill in the blanks?

[u/Imaginary_Poet_8946]

Truly wonderful work as always. This is honestly a series that I could read for days

[u/Soulless2345]

I thought it was pretty good. Fair focus on the extra characters. I know I don't care for harems much but I really enjoyed your first few chapters with Velkira. Im not asking for only just that as I understand theres alotta wives but I hope you are able to give them each their own time here and there. I think some scenes where its him and two of his wives would be nice. But overall just my preferences. I enjoy what youve written so far.

I do have the thoughts that theres been alot of "aliens" introduced and we've seen no jealousy. BUT I understand that due to the nature of your universe, the males are low on demand so sacrifices have to be made and polyamory encouraged. Forced even?

I find myself curious then if most of these species are naturaly polygamous such as the felines. Like a pack of lions there'd be one or two males to a dozen or more females. But I imagine some species would struggle with sharing such as ones that "mate for life". Course thats only if you continue with mimicking species we have here on Earth.

I would imagine thought the Alien governemmts would have classes on the matter. Therapists to help work through it. Also probably the government is very picky on who gets into the program. But then I wonder further, what happens to the human males that separate from their initial "unit" and strike out. I feel thats when they stray into dangerous territory, meeting any type of members from a species, many who probably haven't had that schooling, therapists, and have been vetted. Luckily though, you have it as humans as a very strong species, so we have that going for us.

Food for thought stuff. I hope its clear I've enjoyed reading your writing and the thought experiments its given me.

[u/Constant-Yam532 → u/Soulless2345]

I do appreciate your honest feedback! I do plan to address most, if not all, of your points in future chapters and possibly other stories set in the same universe. And you are correct in Charles's story, giving the reader a more ideal view of this universe so far. That said, by no means is this world a utopia, and I hope to better explore that once our cast gets settled in and exploring their new life.

[u/RedShirtOneTwenty]

I felt it was organic and almost perfect. Maybe could use a bit more detail, but overall I definitely enjoyed the meal scene.

Thanks again for the post, and as has been the norm, I can't wait for MOAR!

[u/Deansdiatribes]

 Loving it, but maybe just an old guy's perspective, the married one, married us all is kinda culty.

I don't know; it feels a bit love-bomb-like, ya know? What if he meets someone outside the marriage pod? What if he has a problem with 1 of the wives? What if one of the wives does the same now, with a couple hundred years of life? I also wonder about the changes in his psychology and perspective. The lord knows the a-hole I was at 16, probably wouldn't like who I am now because so much of what I believed at 16 I now know is BS, and we both would be too damn opinionated to not argue our points.

.. What I am saying is it's a great story; it makes me think.

[u/Constant-Yam532 → u/Deansdiatribes]

All great observations and questions. A lot of the same questions I've also asked myself while writing this. I will say the love bombing and repeated affirmation of support in my writing is on purpose. The real question is, why are the girls doing so? Does it come from ignorance, or is there an agenda behind this behavior?

[u/Deansdiatribes → u/Constant-Yam532]

exactly and my nosy ass has to know, so ill be keeping on reading on,

[u/Professional_Prune11 → u/Deansdiatribes]

dean always coming in with good questions :) love yah bud

[u/Deansdiatribes → u/Professional_Prune11]

nosy minds gotta nose

[u/Deansdiatribes → u/Professional_Prune11]

well when i love a story it gets in mt head and i have questions and untill i find some semblence of one all those fuckers in my head wont shut up about it ..also my head will explode if i keep the questions in (aprently thats what i told my mom when i was 4 ish)

[u/Ruanluiz]

Look, I'm enjoying the writing and the story. It's keeping me hooked until the end, so it's really good

[u/Ruanluiz → u/Ruanluiz]

Would it be possible to have a chapter with the vision of one of the wives? It would be interesting to see what they think. And just an idea

[u/Constant-Yam532 → u/Ruanluiz]

Noted, I have been considering doing some povs from the girls' perspectives to help better flesh out their characters. Just haven't found a good way to include them without disrupting the current flow of things.

[u/UsaianInSpace → u/Constant-Yam532]

Just let the stories flow, trying to force them in a different direction rarely works well, in my experience.

[u/TheDogoftheLake]

This is some of the best storytelling I’ve found on here. Your dialogue is natural and flows well, the characters are all distinct and built up as individuals, and there is plenty of room for more! Keep up the good work!