full

[18+] “The Salt and The Wound” by Pascal Farful (read by Ta'kom)

[18+] Electricity and Water. Petrol and a Flame. Some things aren’t meant to go together. Neither are Wally and Harry. Not that they can resist.

Today’s story is “The Salt and The Wound” by Pascal Farful. He has a story in the award-winning historical furry fiction anthology When the World Was Young and outside of this is constantly finding excuses for Quebecois lemur detectives to do aerobics. You can find more of his stories on his SoFurry and FurAffinity pages.

Read by Ta’kom Ironhoof, the equine charmer.

thevoice.dog | Apple podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

If you have a story you think would be a good fit, you can check out the requirements, fill out the submission template and get in touch with us.

https://thevoice.dog/episode/18-the-salt-and-the-wound-by-pascal-farful

Transcript
Speaker:

Today’s story contains adult subject matter

Speaker:

for mature listeners,

Speaker:

as well as discussion of rough sex,

Speaker:

and situations some listeners may find reminds them of intimate partner abuse.

Speaker:

Listener discretion is advised.

Speaker:

If you find any of the above potentially disturbing,

Speaker:

please skip this one

Speaker:

and come back for another story,

Speaker:

another time. You’re listening to Pride Month on The Voice of Dog.

Speaker:

This is Rob MacWolf, your fellow traveler,

Speaker:

and Today’s story is

Speaker:

“The Salt and The Wound”

Speaker:

by Pascal Farful.

Speaker:

He has a story in the award-winning historical furry fiction anthology

Speaker:

When the World Was Young

Speaker:

and outside of this is constantly finding excuses for Quebecois lemur detectives to do aerobics.

Speaker:

You can find more of his stories on his SoFurry

Speaker:

and FurAffinity pages.

Speaker:

Read by Ta’kom Ironhoof,

Speaker:

the equine charmer.

Speaker:

Our first instinct, in looking for stories of Pride,

Speaker:

is to look for triumphs.

Speaker:

Love winning, it getting better,

Speaker:

someone finally getting used to it.

Speaker:

But sorrow and desperation and those we cling to because sharing them is better than carrying them alone,

Speaker:

these too are part of what we are.

Speaker:

And we must be proud of all

Speaker:

that we are. Not only our love,

Speaker:

but our loss. Not only victory,

Speaker:

but defeat. Not only the wonder and the glory,

but also:

“The Salt

but also:

and The Wound” by Pascal Farful

but also:

“You want your usual, Wally?”

but also:

“It is a fine night for bourbon.”

but also:

The raccoon muttered.

but also:

He watched the doberman in the leather thong pour the hazel alcohol into a small glass,

but also:

then slide it across the counter to him.

but also:

He stared at the little ice cube floating in it.

but also:

“I know how you feel, pal.”

but also:

He muttered to it,

but also:

before having a sip.

but also:

Smoke wafted through the old place.

but also:

All the seats were creaky.

but also:

Everything smelt of leather.

but also:

Guys kept trying to hide the fact they were fucking in the booths out to the side,

but also:

as though they had reason to regret it.

but also:

The door opened behind Wally

but also:

and the raccoon’s nose twitched.

but also:

The figure of a tall badger

but also:

stepped slowly into the bar and sat down on a stool

but also:

as far away from Wally as possible. “Evenin’

but also:

Harry. Usual?”

but also:

The doberman asked.

but also:

“It is a fine night for…”

but also:

The badger stopped.

but also:

He looked slowly over at Wally,

but also:

then sighed. “What he’s having.”

but also:

Wally drooped on the stool, staring at that ice cube again.

but also:

Noticing how it’d cracked into two small pieces

but also:

which kept trying to drift apart.

but also:

And couldn’t. The doberman placed the glass in front of Harry and poured out the bourbon.

but also:

“I wish I hated you.”

but also:

Wally said offhand.

but also:

“I wish I hated you too.”

but also:

Harry swirled his glass and sipped.

but also:

“We could skip to the screaming match if you want?”

but also:

The raccoon grumbled.

but also:

“Too tired for that bullshit.”

but also:

“How’s your new man?”

but also:

The badger asked.

but also:

“What new man?” Wally replied,

but also:

head still down on the counter,

but also:

making no attempt to meet the gaze.

but also:

The badger’s gaze dropped to the grimy wooden floor.

but also:

“Yeah, me too.” “Mine liked superhero movies and played in a bar band.

but also:

band.” Wally mumbled, taking another swig.

but also:

“Then I broke his heart

but also:

and he walked out.

but also:

He’s taking better dick now.”

but also:

Harry looked back to his own drink.

but also:

“Mine turned out to be a fascist.

but also:

He stole money from me before I could kick him out. I had to

but also:

skip dinner a few days back just to make rent.”

but also:

“Dumpster that motherfucker.”

but also:

Wally growled. “I oughta set fire to his house and total his car.”

but also:

The badger took another sip.

but also:

“I thought you hated me?”

but also:

“Wish I could.” The badger put his glass down hard on the mat.

but also:

“Every time I try and love someone they fuckin’ hurt me.”

but also:

Harry growled. “It’s like every gay man around here sees me as a

but also:

punching bag. After a while you start to think it’s gotta

but also:

be a you thing.

but also:

That I’m the fuckin’ problem.”

but also:

The raccoon looked at his glass again.

but also:

The two separated ice cubes had melted into a small puddle at the bottom.

but also:

“I want you to be my problem.”

but also:

Wally admitted. “I keep hurting people,

but also:

I keep saying the wrong things,

but also:

keep fuckin’ up people’s dreams.

but also:

I’m a dumb, arrogant loudmouth who can’t hold his tongue.

but also:

And the people I love keep running away.

but also:

Everyone I touch,

but also:

I hurt.” He snarled,

but also:

before turning and finally locking eyes with Harry.

but also:

“‘Cept you.” The raccoon turned back to his glass.

but also:

The doberman offered to refill it and Wally agreed. “God,

but also:

I gotta stop drinking or I’ll start crying.”

but also:

He grunted as the liquid filled the glass.

but also:

“You can cry if you want.”

but also:

Harry whispered. “Nah,

but also:

every time I start crying you thrust slower.

but also:

When what I really want is you to grab me by the throat and make it hurt.”

but also:

Wally grumbled, swigging from the glass.

but also:

“Somethin’ about the way you use me like a flesh light,

but also:

then walk out on me in the morning

but also:

and never say goodbye

but also:

makes me feel like a man.

but also:

I get what I want,

but also:

you got what you want,

but also:

I never have look at you

but also:

and see the pain in your damn eyes.”The

but also:

raccoon stopped to keep from tearing up,

but also:

but the tears came anyway.

but also:

“Why can’t I hate you?

but also:

I felt so guilty using you.

but also:

I don’t want you to love me,

but also:

I just want you to hurt me.

but also:

And then I had to

but also:

fucking fall in love with you, didn’t I?”

but also:

Harry downed his glass and rumbled.

but also:

“I can’t just leave in the morning.

but also:

No matter how much you tell me you want it,

but also:

when you lie there sobbing,

but also:

I can’t just leave.

but also:

Even though I know it’s what you want.”

but also:

He tapped his fingers on the desk.

but also:

“And the fighting only feels good when we’re horny.

but also:

When we need it. But when it’s just over dinner,

but also:

over the TV, over the stereo…

but also:

we’re just two broken men with a love that can’t mend.”

but also:

The smoke seemed to retreat out of the air

but also:

into other corners of the bar.

but also:

It didn’t want to be in the room with these two either.

but also:

The doberman seemed unphased, however:

but also:

experience did that to a man.

but also:

“I meant it when I said I didn’t wanna drink no more booze tonight.”

but also:

Wally said at last,

but also:

flagging down the barman again.

but also:

“I don’t like making mistakes drunk.

but also:

Can almost justify them.”

but also:

“How many glasses?”

but also:

The barman asked.

but also:

“Two, I need him sober too.”

but also:

The raccoon grunted.

but also:

Harry moved to object, knowing what that “need” involved,

but also:

then faltered. He took the offered glass of alcohol-free red wine

but also:

and sat with it for a while.

but also:

“I want it again.” Wally admitted finally.

but also:

“No you don’t.” Harry lied.

but also:

“I do.” The raccoon insisted.

but also:

“I wish I didn’t but I do.”

but also:

The badger closed his eyes tight.

but also:

“You know how it ends.

but also:

It always ends the same way.”

but also:

Wally stared at the wall.

but also:

“It ends with your with your paw

but also:

squeezing my throat,

but also:

shoving me against walls

but also:

while you fuck my asshole raw

but also:

and tell me everything’s my fault.”

but also:

The raccoon started to smile, raising his head.

but also:

“I remember the time I begged

but also:

and begged for you to hit me.

but also:

And then finally you swung your paw and smacked me so hard around the muzzle

but also:

that I just came my fucking brains right out.

but also:

Never came so goddamn hard in my life.”

but also:

Wally’s ravelry stopped short,

but also:

his head drooped low

but also:

and he sighed. “Only to look into your eyes

but also:

and see you crying.”

but also:

Wally stole a glance at Harry,

but also:

then back to his drink.

but also:

“Who knew “I love you”

but also:

was such a good safeword.”

but also:

“Fuck you, you wretched little asshole.”

but also:

Harry bellowed.

but also:

“I never wanted this.

but also:

Never wanted to feel so fuckin’ hurt

but also:

that I’d get off on taking it out on some wreck of a man like you.

but also:

I hate that I feel better when I’m squeezing your throat. I feel

but also:

like a fucking monster when I hurt you

but also:

because it feels so good

but also:

to be in control for once

but also:

and I don’t wanna become the kinda monster that keeps coming for me.”

but also:

The badger had got to his feet, gesticulating wildly at Wally. The raccoon

but also:

met his gaze.

but also:

Eyes wet, a twisted, dripping smile on his face

but also:

and a heavy stain of pre growing on his trousers.

but also:

Harry's diatribe ground to a halt

but also:

when the effect it had, both on Wally and himself,

but also:

dawned on him. He snatched the wine bottle and sat back on his stool,

but also:

then poured another glass for himself.

but also:

“You keep asking me to hurt you.

but also:

Sometimes I even try.

but also:

For me, For you. And I really do think you are a Grade-A son of a bitch.”

but also:

Harry brought the glass to his lips

but also:

and drank. As the wine drained from it,

but also:

anger drained from him,

but also:

until both badger and glass were empty.

but also:

“But I can’t do it.

but also:

I can’t truly hurt you.

but also:

I love you too much to mean it.”

but also:

“And then the morning comes and…

but also:

we’re just two broken men again.” Wally whispered,

but also:

“Arguing over a grocery list.

but also:

Arguing over where to go for lunch.

but also:

Arguing over just…

but also:

the dumbest, most pathetic shit in the world.”

but also:

He snorted. “We argued over a packet of mints one time, remember that? ‘Cause

but also:

I couldn’t decide if I wanted peppermint

but also:

of spearmint and you said-”

but also:

“They’re only a dollar each, let’s get a packet of each.”

but also:

Harry interrupted.

but also:

“And we turned that

but also:

into a fight. Over mints.”

but also:

Wally laughed as an emotion of last resort.

but also:

“I started out with two bucks,

but also:

a boyfriend and a bed to share

but also:

and within 10 minutes I had two bucks,

but also:

nobody to love and a bus ticket back home.”

but also:

Harry stared at his glass.

but also:

glass.“I’m so tired, Wally.”

but also:

The badger said “I want us to both find guys we love

but also:

and then we’d never have to sit in this bar or hatefuck our problems away.

but also:

I wanna get kicked out of your wedding for fucking my man in the back aisle. I wanna find you in the supermarket and brag about how good my man is in bed

but also:

and how I don’t need you

but also:

anymore. And I want you to stare me in the eye and say

but also:

“Good fucking riddance

but also:

you asshole. My man’s twice the man you are.”

but also:

Cause then this’d stop fucking happening.”

but also:

“Every time I have sex with someone,

but also:

I only notice that it ain’t you.” Wally uttered completely deadpan.

but also:

Harry put his head in his paws.

but also:

“Now you really are just lying to me to rile me up.”

but also:

Wally gestured for the bartender.

but also:

“You want some peanuts?”

but also:

“No. I wanna quit your ass.”

but also:

“Then do. You can’t choke me while I’m eating peanuts.”

but also:

“Sure I c-” Harry started,

but also:

before letting the rest of the words lay unspoken.

but also:

Regardless of whether Wally was just winding him up or not,

but also:

the stiffness in his trousers refused to be ignored.

but also:

“The longer I sit here, the more easily I can justify just tugging you off of that stool,

but also:

pinning you to the ground,

but also:

ruining you and spitting on you.

but also:

But I know it won’t do me no good.”

but also:

Harry asked softly;

but also:

“When you’re sat there, crying your eyes out

but also:

with an achey asshole after I’ve stormed out…

but also:

how does that feel?”

but also:

“Like it’s all my fault and I deserve

but also:

it.” Wally replied, utterly wistfully.

but also:

“Whenever I look at myself in the mirror, I see an asshole.

but also:

Some guy who’s too loud,

but also:

too arrogant, too full of himself.

but also:

He was too mean as a kid,

but also:

too ignorant as a young man

but also:

and too bitter as an old bastard.

but also:

I see an asshole who never got his just deserts.

but also:

An asshole who never truly felt what that misery he was inflicting was like.

but also:

People were hurt around me,

but also:

they kept telling me it wasn’t my fault, but I know it is.

but also:

I know that it is because when they walk away,

but also:

they’re always happier for it.

but also:

And I just want someone

but also:

to hit me and blame me and

but also:

let me heal.” “But we don’t heal.”

but also:

Harry protested. “For a night we do.”

but also:

The raccoon whispered.

but also:

“But then… we’re back to where we started.

but also:

Even if we could just accept that we love each other,

but also:

the morning comes

but also:

and we’re yelling at each other again.”

but also:

“I dream all the time.”

but also:

The badger said, having another sip of the wine.

but also:

“Dream of that healthy home, that happy relationship.

but also:

Being able to talk, to live how we want.

but also:

And I’m always with you in that dream.

but also:

That’s how I know it’s a dream.

but also:

I’d wanna settle down, you’d wanna travel around.

but also:

I’d want to go on holiday, you’d want to buy a new car.”

but also:

Harry’s ramble drew him to his feet again.

but also:

“But then every other man I meet

but also:

keeps trying to hit me,

but also:

hurt me, lie to me and steal from me.

but also:

Even when we fight,

but also:

you’re still the

but also:

only man I’ve fucked who’s treated me right

but also:

and that’s why it’s so fucking hard

but also:

to hurt you. You’re the only son of a bitch who doesn’t deserve it.

but also:

The only lie you’ve told me is that you deserve any of the pain you beg for.”

but also:

The badger sat back down roughly on the stool.

but also:

“Why can we only agree on how to fuck?”

but also:

“Because that’s our curse.” Wally grunted.

but also:

“Hatefucking each other

but also:

is what we’re about.

but also:

If anything I wish I could just accept that.

but also:

Accept that love lasts for one night

but also:

and the worse you treat me,

but also:

the more in love with you I am.

but also:

Then every other day of the week,

but also:

just have an affair.”

but also:

“It’s not even that I don’t think we couldn’t find guys who’d be down for that.

but also:

It’s just that I don’t think I could have an affair.”

but also:

Harry muttered. “Who’d

but also:

you be cheatin’ on,

but also:

me or them?” Wally asked.

but also:

“You.” Harry grunted.

but also:

“No chance in hell I could love someone more than you.”

but also:

Wally rumbled and finished his glass.

but also:

“Why can’t I disagree?”

but also:

“Cause it’s true.”

but also:

“Yep. That’d be it.” Wally sighed.

but also:

He poured another glass of wine,

but also:

then threw a peanut at Harry.

but also:

“Ow! Why the fuck are you like this?!”

but also:

The badger snapped, slamming his fist on the table.

but also:

The raccoon gesticulated aimlessly.

but also:

“Because I’m the kind of guy

but also:

who flicks peanuts at the man he loves

but also:

and you're the kind of guy

but also:

who hates it when the man he loves

but also:

flicks peanuts at him.

but also:

Trouble is, life keeps handing me peanuts

but also:

and keeps sitting you

but also:

in flicking range.”

but also:

“Can’t you just eat them?

but also:

Why do you feel compelled to annoy me?”

but also:

Harry demanded. “Because life’s a bitch.

but also:

We were born to fight and fuck and that’s just the way it is.”

but also:

Wally snarled.

but also:

“I hate how we fight and I hate how every time I walk away from you,

but also:

I can’t stop dreaming of you.

but also:

But nobody can fuck me or hurt me like you can.

but also:

So the heartbreak is worth it

but also:

because I know every fuck hurts more than the last

but also:

and I’m addicted to it.”

but also:

“I hate how you have to make it all about you!

but also:

It’s always your house I have to walk home from in the rain.

but also:

It’s always your heart that gets broken when we try and do it properly.

but also:

What about me?!” Harry bellowed.

but also:

“Fine! You want it?!”

but also:

Harry had scrambled to his feet,

but also:

about ready to clothesline Wally to the floor and-

but also:

“Please.” Wally whispered,

but also:

staring, pleadingly into the badger’s eyes.

but also:

The pair all but nose-to-nose.

but also:

“Hurt me.” The raccoon pleaded.

but also:

Harry stood motionless.

but also:

“No.” The badger muttered, deflating.

but also:

Tears began to pour down his cheeks.

but also:

“Because you don’t make it all about you.

but also:

It’s just easier for me if I imagine that you do.”

but also:

Wally pressed his head to his sleeve

but also:

so Harry didn’t have to see him cry a second time.

but also:

“This always ends the same fucking way.”

but also:

“Last orders folks.”

but also:

The doberman said to the pair.

but also:

“Last orders? God have we been going that long?”

but also:

Harry grunted. “Yeah.

but also:

Time flies when you fuck up your life.” Wally said firmly.

but also:

“Get me another alcohol free anything.”

but also:

“Same for me.” Two more glasses.

but also:

Two more drinks. Wally set down his empty glass at last.

but also:

The barman took his and Harry's

but also:

and started locking up the bar.

but also:

The badger didn't look over at the raccoon.

but also:

He sighed. Loudly.

but also:

Then he uttered "Wanna fuck?" Wally sighed too

but also:

and stood up.

but also:

“Yeah, I guess.” This was “The Salt and The Wound”

but also:

by Pascal Farful,

but also:

read for you by Takom Ironhoof, the equine charmer.

but also:

You can find more stories on the web at thevoice.dog,

but also:

or find the show wherever you get your podcasts.

but also:

Happy Pride, and thank you for listening

Next Episode All Episodes Previous Episode

About the Podcast

Show artwork for The Voice of Dog
The Voice of Dog
Furry stories to warm the ol' cockles, read by Rob MacWolf and guests. If you have a story that would suit the show, you can get in touch with @VoiceOfDog@meow.social on Mastodon, @voiceofdog.bsky.social on Blue Sky, or @Theodwulf on Telegram.

Listen for free

About your host

Profile picture for Khaki

Khaki