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-Jevin-

College is the one place you're bound to eventually meet a micro if you're a norm. At least, if you can figure out who is a micro and who just likes wearing a ring every day. Many of us are eventually discovered or don't even keep it a secret to begin with. Irish and I are a bit of the latter. Irish is my room mate; a fox in graduate school. I'm late in my undergrad years. In my case, I never had to hide my natural height. Irish never really had a choice-- not with the job he took. I still think he's crazy for doing what he does but to each his own, I guess.

"Where you walkin' to?" a familiar voice mutters deeply behind me, interrupting my train of thought. I know who it is instantly... and what's coming. Before I can even finish turning around I feel my body shoved backwards and pressed into one of the walls lining the hallways of the college. In front of me is a feline whose collar bone is about level with the tops of my hears. He lowers himself so that his blue eyes are level with mine and a larger, stronger muzzle soon presses closely enough to my lips that I can feel him breathing. "I asked you a question, Jevin." His gaze locks with mine and I stare for -just- too long for it not to be awkward to say anything. The dark hoodie he wears does a good job hiding the long black hair and fur flowing around his ears and down his neck and back. It's covered in snow flakes-- I guess he'd just stepped in from outside.

"F-floh I'm--" He presses forward, shoving that muzzle against mine and soon forcing his broad tongue past my lips. I feel his hands grasp at my sides and lift so that he can stand up with me pressed to the wall, my feet dangling freely above the floor. He presses in more firmly so that I can't do much more than allow his tongue to slide its way over mine; filling my mouth and teasing at the entrance to my throat before the oversized cat pulls backwards. He licks around his muzzle for a moment and purrs softly before bringing his muzzle near to one of my ears. "Get smooched, nerd," he growls, breaking out into a grin.

Other people are staring at us now. Great. "Alright, alright, you got me," I mutter; ears reddening and head turning away from the other students glancing towards us. "Where's Sh--"

"Alright, Floh, we can't stay long. Let'em down," Shard calls as he walks over, pudge bulging his shirt out and long tail wrapped comfortably around his waist. Clasped in Shard's snowy-furred fingers is a large sack which I figure is probably full of food.

"Aww. Yea, I guess." Floh sighs before peering at me again and grinning. "I'll finish dealing with you later, Jevin. Someone has to remind you who's the top smoocher around here." He lowers me to the ground so that I'm on my own two feet again and rubs under my muzzle. "You okay hun?" He asks.

"Yea, I'm fine. But you I'd accept just, I dunno, a normal kiss. On the cheek-- especially in public. You don't have to pin me--"

"Shhh, walf. Relax!" Floh presses a finger to my lips and I quiet down on command. I don't know why.

"Anyway," Shard interjects somewhat impatiently, pushing at Floh so that he'll step aside. He puts on this look of being taken aback; crossing his arms and glaring at Shard while the fatter cat ignores. Instead, Shard holds the bag out to me. Soon as I take it, he brings one of those large, pudgy hands down to gently lift my muzzle so that I stare up into his eyes.

"This is for you, Jevin. Make sure you eat it all, alright?" The hybrid says firmly, giving his own brand of menacing grin. Much as Shard and Floh used to make me nervous every now and then I've gotten used to it. They're cats; cats are just weird I guess.

"Yes, Shard," I reply, shifting on my feet. He leans forward and plants a kiss against my lips before smothering my ears down beneath one of his palms. I lick back at his nose.

"There's a good little wolf. You need your food to grow big and..."

"Fat?"

"Your words." The foxcat grins. "Oh! And also. You're coming over for the Christmas party, right? I'm cooking so you'd better be there."

I'm already out of time-- class is starting. "I'll be there, I'll be there," I say as I start to shift and walk past the two larger felines. "I need to get to class, though."

"Not even a 'thank you for the food' or a hug?" Shard asks as I move. A small wave of guilt washes over me and I put the bag down before turning to wrap my arms as far around his stomach as I can.

"You know I appreciate it. With you around I'm probably the first micro that worries more about getting fat than starving." I chuckle at my own joke while he pulls me up and hugs me against his midsection; burying my face into his soft pelt.

"Damn straight." Shard lets go and I turn to see Floh peerin into the bag.

"Geez, Shard. This is enough for a few days."

"It's Jevin's food, Floh," Shard huffs. "Now give it back so he can go to class."

Floh smirks and hands the bag to me. I shake my head and hug the other feline too; receiving a purr and a tight squeeze in return. "Alright, Jevin. Have fun in class," Floh smiles

"I'll see you later guys." I take the bag and walk off to be late to the course. At least Irish would be happy when I got back home-- Floh was right. Shard packed at least a couple days worth of food. then again, I'm not surprised he thinks this is all one meal. I worry he'll actually expect me to eat this kind of portion size on Christmas.

-Irish-

"You're late," my advisor mutters as I walk in. he's not wrong-- and covered I'm in snow-- it's really blowing outside.

"Sorry, Dr. Emrich. I-it took me longer to finish cleaning up the lab yesterday than I thought it would. I got home late, did some of the grading and had to finish homework. Only slept about four hours."

"Excuses," he waves a dark-furred paw. Dr. Emric is a fox just like me-- except older. And not a micro. I only stand about as high as his chest with my cloaker on. "But I guess I shouldn't be surprised." He doesn't have the best opinion of fox micros in particular. I think one time he told me he'd 'never met a more loyal subspecies deserving of someone teach them how to behave'. Even so, he took me on, gave me money, and promised to try and teach me-- good enough. Though it did come with strings attached.

You might ask why I'm working beneath someone like him but believe it or not he's one of the rare members of faculty here willing to give us micros grant money to use for school. Usually he's not that bad-- usually. "I--"

"No no, don't bother retorting." He kicks two large, sneakered paws up on the edge of his desk. "I want a good licking this morning, Iris." He sometimes calls me that. Says he likes that name more than Irish; my birth name. I sigh and walk over to the larger fox's feet. I'll give him this much-- he has handsome paws; big too. Also seems like he works out or at least does a lot of outdoor work at home. As I slide those enormous sneakers off, my nose is re-introduced to the scent I've become used to over the course of the year; I'd never forget the humid smell of this fox's feet for as long as I live.

His black-furred toes wiggle in the air while he moves to stare at his computer screen again; ignoring the micro at his feet for the moment. I bring my muzzle in close to his soles and begin to lick at one; lapping away salt and sweat while his fingers dance across the keyboard. Some would say it's humiliating doing something like this. It's not -that- bad. Especially since he doesn't normally make me take my cloaker off.

At one point, another student walks in to get help. He looks familiar-- one of Jevin's friends; Mekuto, I think. I don't say anything, though, and he only glances at me for a while, seeming confused. While Dr. Emric answers Mekuto's questions, I keep my muzzle buried against the norm fox's soft sole pads. Before long, I'm licking and grinding my tongue across the texture of his heel-- it's pretty rough, as usual. I don't doubt he'll have me scrubbing it one of these days. Alright so maybe it helps I have a fetish for feet. I mean, if I have to deal sizeism and being told to clean between a pair of toes then I could at least enjoy it. And I almost always do.

The two continue to ignore me until Mekuto is satisfied with answers to his questions and walks out. As he walks past I can feel his gaze on me; I know it looks weird having a student pampering a faculty member's toes-- it's definitely not the kind of work the builds pride. It is work, though. "Alright, Irish. That's enough." He pulls his feet back and begins to dry them off with a towel he keeps around. As he does so, I stand up and begin picking my stuff back up to leave. "If that's it I can go finish the grading and try to start on some of the resear--"

"You're not done," he states, unzipping his crotch and letting a thick, throbbing cock peek out from his jeans. One of his dark handpaws begins to stroke and roll over the 9 inch monster and I both inwardly sigh and become erect at the same time. I have a lot of grading to do but... I'll admit I didn't wholly dislike sucking him off; I know, I'm a mess.

"Yes sir." I walk over to his desk and lower myself beneath it; I know the routine. He gets into position and I can hear him begin tapping a this keyboard as I get to work choking down his thick member and allowing the tip to slide partially into my throat. This is nowhere near as bad as it used to be-- the first time I sucked Dr. Emrich off I nearly vomited.

"Don't spill a single drop, little guy. I don't want any on my pants" he rumbles from above. "After you have your snack I'll let you go get your grading done-- nnnf..." he squirms in his chair, a large hand smothering my ears and head as he tugs my face forward and buries his dick more deeply in my neck. "Y-you're getting better at this, little fox. If you don't manage to do well enough in grad school you might have a career giving normal foxes blow jobs. This could be your calling," he snickers. "I don't even think my wife does it quite as well."

-Jevin-

The day wasn't that bad over all. I finished classes and then came right back to the apartment. Shard's bag was filled with ham, turkey, mac&cheese, a few pieces of cake, stuffing, greens, and more. He says I don't eat enough but I if this is what he calls "enough" then I think I'll try not to get to the point where he's satisfied with how much I consume.

"Man, 10pm already?" I grumble out loud, checking my phone. "I wonder where Irish is? I didn't hear him walk in." I stand up from my desk and walk out into the hallway to see if maybe he'd just walked in silently. No one. I guess I shouldn't be surprised, he'd been coming in late more often lately. Sometimes he'd not be back until one or two in the morning. I know it's not my business but I just feel kind of bad. I'm pretty sure his advisor takes advantage of his situation.

It's a whole two hours before I hear the door open. I walk out to find the fox dragging himself in with a weary look on his face. I approach and immediately smell-- feet and... sex. I just look at him, trying to work up the words. I know this is what he does but something in me just doesn't like it.

"I know what you're gonna say-- just don't. It's a job."

I sigh a little. I wish I could help him somehow. Sure, getting a job with Dr. Emrich had worked out for him-- tuition paid and a nice stipend. Still, is it really worth the price? "If you were a norm he'd never get away with something like this."

"Yea yea," he pushes past me. "It's really easy to say that kinda stuff when you don't have to worry about it."

That stings a bit but I guess it's true. "You know what I meant."

He grins a little, peering into the bag I'd brought home. "Smells good," he sniffs into it. "You gonna share?"

"Not like I can eat all of it. Wash your hands first, though-- bad enough you already touched the bag..."

"Pft! Anyway, yea I know what you mean. I do what I have to do to get through college-- it's just the way it is. It's not -that- bad. I used to lick paws and suck cock for free; at least I'm paid for it now."

"Well sure," I mutter. "But how many late nights can you do before it's too much? What'll he do the day you just don't get out of bed?"

Irish rubs over his head. "Will you let me worry about it? Why do you care? I'm the one that has to wake up and do the work. He pays me-- and it's experience. I'll get through it." He goes to the sink to wash his hands before pulling food from the bag. I sit at the table so I can talk with him a bit before I go to bed.

"You can do what you like, I'm not trying to preach at you. Just... take care of yourself, okay? Maybe you don't mind doing what he wants and maybe it's best you just grind through. It just worries me sometimes. You're up when I'm up and in bed three hours after I am sometimes. N one can keep that up for long. And it's not fair to expect someone to. Especially not a micro."

He shoves food into his muzzle while I talk and for a bit I think he's ignoring me. Eventually, the fox gives a little nod. "Yes, mom."

"Seriously? Look, fine. It's none of my business. Sorry for trying to be a friend. Anyway, Shard is having a Christmas party tomorrow. Think you can make that at least?"

His ears wilt a little. "Well, I dunno. I have to finish grades and there's still a lot of stuff to do for the project we're working on. I don't normally get a whole lot of time during the days so..."

"He has to let you off, though. It's winter break. The hell is he going to have you do?" I mutter.

"We'll see." Irish sighs a little. "Thanks for inviting me, though."

I just watch him eating for a while longer before shaking my head and twisting to leave for my room. I know it's rough on him and I know it's a bit unfair for me to stand there and judge his choices given I don't have to worry about the money. It's still frustrating, though. Really frustrating.

-Irish-

Hot shower water sprays over my head in the morning-- I really do need to find a way to get more sleep. Even getting out of the shower is hard at this point. Jevin's voice fills my head and I can't help but roll my eyes at him. He really can be obnoxious when he wants to be... I mean, I know he's worried and he probably really means what he says. What does he want me to do, though? If I get fired is he gonna pay tuition? It's so easy to sit there talking about 'micro rights' this and that when he's on a free ride. I try to push it out of my head well as I can-- gotta get to the college. With about fifteen more minutes I'm out the door and trudging through the freezing morning air towards the lab. Today I didn't have to meet with Dr. Emrich, at least. I'd be working on research all day. When I arrive, another student is already there. Another fox that works under my advisor. This is actually the first time I'm meeting him-- we hadn't been formally introduced yet.

"Hey," I say as I walk in, winning his attention from the computer he sits at. A small grin spreads over his muzzle.

"You're Iris?" He asks.

"Irish," I correct him. "What's your name? Dr. Emrich did say we were getting a new student in the lab."

"Yea, I just started." He seems to think for a second before he shifts his right foot and props it over his left knee. "Why don't you come over here and take my shoe off, hmm? Feet are kinda tired from yesterday. Could use some affection."

I freeze at the request. Sure, he's an attractive fox-- brown hands and feet and a full pelt of orange fur. Powerful-looking. This is kinda fast, though and he didn't even answer my question. Plus I have seniority here, not him.

"Uh... I have a lot of work to do--"

"It's just... Dr. Emrich said you do that kinda thing. Y'know? That's why you're here. Isn't it?" He asks.

"...There's still grading to do and he expected that to be done yesterday--"

"How about we call him up and ask?" he asks. "Maybe he'll come down and we can both get some work out of you. I do need to talk with him for a bit..."

My fist clenches a little. I don't know what he'd say but I have a good feeling my advisor would not be siding with me on this. I walk over, a little numb and dazed from what I was about to do. I don't know why I'm taking so much offense-- I mean, I do this kind of stuff all of the time! It's just... he didn't even answer when I asked his name. And I'm the senior student here! Even if I am a micro...

I try to grab a chair but he stops me. "Nope. On your knees."

I stare at him a while before slowly getting onto my knees. Maybe I could just do this for a few minutes and he would leave me alone. I could finish work and forget this even happend. The younger fox just chuckles under his breath as I remove his shoe and reveal the damp, sweaty foot to the air. Its humid scent fills my nose and the black, fully-padded sole flexes invitingly. I bring my nose in and begin to lick softly along the bottom of his foot while a heavy, brown-furred hand comes down over my head and presses firmly, burying my muzzle into murky, damp sweat and getting my fur wet.

"There's a good boy. You really are the bitch of this place like I heard. And what're you like 4 years older than me?" That stings, but I keep the worship up. He must be a freshman. His enormous hand leads my head towards his toes where the scent is strongest; masculine musk causing my crotch to bulge despite my anger. I slide my tongue between his toes for a while; dragging out salty dirt and flossing each pair clean. Eventually, he tugs my head back and flexes his damp toes through the air.

"Are you hard?" he asks. I notice where his gaze is aiming now and wince. I'm definitely sporting an erection right now. He stares for a moment longer then laughs. "You are! That's not bad for a micro." His foot shifts down and his toes rub up and down my twitching cock. I try to squirm backwards but his hand grips my head and keeps me in place.

"C-come on--" I call up to him, wincing. "I still have stuff to--" I stop when he tugs his paw back and shifts to bring it near his knee again. At first, I think he's done but that paw comes charging forward unexpectedly. All I feel is an enormous pain travel up my nose and my body hit the ground. I'm on my back, barely able to move, vision blurry and head spinning.

His weight comes down on my chest; enormous butt pressing down on my chest and causing my ribcage to strain somewhat. I don't really begin to fear until I feel him lift my arm up-- my brain says he's going for my cloaker but I can't work up enough focus to struggle properly. He holds it there for a moment before I feel his fingers clasp the small ring and begin to slide it off. My heart is racing too fast and my chest hurts just as much as my face. Everything goes dark for a second-- or it feels like a second.

Even before my eyes open I can smell and feel the humid rush of air rising from below me. I know automatically I'm probably above someone's shoe.

"By the way, runt. The name is Cody. I'll be your labmate for a while. Just think of all the fun we'll have!" He snickers a bit darkly. "I've always wanted to try this out..."

"Wai-wait, man. G-give me a sec to--" his grip releases and I free fall into the shoe, only managing to avoid landing on my head because I've had to do it before. I land on my shoulder-- it stings but I'm alright. The landscape under me is damp and stale; it's obvious his shoes are old. I don't have time to admire the dingy interior or complain about the dirt getting between my toes and on my hands from the soppy insole since his toes immediately press into the entrance. All I can do is run until his foot overtakes and forces me onto my back, sandwiching me between warm, soft ballpad and soppy, cold insole.

The first time he takes a step is terrifying; I don't know if the pressure will kill me or not. The weight of his sole spreads over my body and presses bone inwards to the point of pain-- immense pain. And the scent-- the odor of the inside of the shoe is debilitating; it's like every breath comes at a loss... every inhale is just moist foot scent and no air. My pelt is instantly soaked and every other step he takes repeats the process over; steamrolling my body, sending pain shooting up my spine, and occasionally eliciting a popping noise from my joints.

The intense heat that builds up eventually causes me to pass out again; lungs burning for air and body sopping wet-- stuck to his foot at this point; I can tell since I lift slightly before his foot winds me on in the followings seconds. Don't ask why this is what my brain chose to focus on. This is the first time I've actually be scared since I got to campus. I might really die here-- crushed or suffocated under some freshman fox's sweaty foot. I can't even work up the ability to cry over it-- everything just hurts too much. I wish I could reach my phone. I wish I could call someone.

-Jevin-

"So he won't listen to you?" Floh asks as he rubs a hand over my ears; petting over my head.

"Well, he does listen... I understand why he puts up with it but I guess I just wish he'd... try to find a way out. It's not fair what they're doing to him. If he were normal he wouldn't have to deal with that kinda bull." I shift my head a little but remain primarily in place pressed between both cats, my head settled against Shard's stomach.

"You can't make him do what he doesn't want to. If he's unwilling to try and put himself into a better situation then what're you going to do?" Shard responds.

"I dunno. Maybe I'm just nosy. Maybe I wish someone would talk some sense into Dr. Emrich."

"Emrich? I'm taking a class with him," Mekuto says from Floh's feet; holding one of the cat's paws in his lap. My eyes wander down to him, watching his nose press against the undoubtedly scented catfoot.

"You do?"

"Yea. Are you guys talking about a fox?"

"Yea," I say. "Probably the only micro in his lab. Ends up under his feet all of the time."

"I saw him the other day licking the guy's foot while I was trying to get some homework help. Kinda weird to just have him there doing that but I didn't think too hard about it."

"Right? It was weird. Why would you make a student do that?"

"He didn't seem that unhappy about it. Tail was flicking and... he had an erection," Mekuto snrks. "I thought he kinda wanted that job."

"Well, look Irish is..." I shift. "He doesn't -dislike- it. And I'm not saying the footlicking or whatever is the problem. The problem is that he's being overworked and Emrich has zero respect for him. He's working Irish to death."

"Calm down, wuffles," Shard mutters, pulling me more firmly against his side. "I know you wanna do the right thing but that kind of stuff isn't illegal for you guys. At least if he's not hurting your friend. Going on the offensive and getting him fired isn't going to help him. We know it's a shitty situation but it's -his- situation. It's what he's choosing to do right now."

"Yea, give it time. Wait a bit longer. I mean, if it's really that bad he'll eventually come around. Until then I say you can't do much more than support him." Floh says as he shifts his foot and tugs one of his shoes over. "Muzzle in," he says towards Mekuto, purring softly.

I sigh and rub against Shard's side while I watch Mekuto shift and pull the massive, size 13 shoe over to press his muzzle towards the entrance; sniffing and closing his eyes before shoving his face all of the way in. As it shoves itself downwards, Floh's foot lifts and steps on Mekuto's head, holding it in the scented sneaker and likely warming the top of Mekuto's skull. "Good boy," Floh purrs, wiggling his toes over Mekuto's headfur.

"I guess you guys're right." I finally relent.

Shard chuckles. "Cheer up. I'm sure if it's -that- bad it won't be long. You wanna relax? Take your cloaker off?"

I flick my ears a little then grin. "Well--" my phone buzzes and I reach into my pocket to unlock it. It's Irish.

"Hello?"

"Jevin? Hey uh..." He sounds shaken up.

"Irish? You alright?"

"I'm... could you just pick me up at the laboratory? I know it might be a bad time but I just... I really need some help."

Now I'm really worried. "Yea, I'm coming right now. Stay where you are." I hang up and shift off of the couch to go get my keys. "I'll be back, guys."

"What happened?"

"It was Irish. He says he needs some help and that he's in the lab."

"I'll come with you," Shard says as he stands, following me towards the door. "We'll be back, guys."

"Call the police if it's bad," Floh says, tugging his paw off of Mekuto's head.

It takes about twenty minutes to make it to where Irish is. As we walk in, I just see Irish sitting on the floor against a wall; body bruised all over. He smells terrible.

"What the hell happened?" I ask, approaching quickly and staring over his body. The fox looks away for a moment.

"Can you just take me home?"

"To the hospital, you mean."

"Can't. I don't have insurance."

I frown. "That doesn't matter--"

"Jevin." Irish sighs. "Look, you were right. I need... to talk to Dr. Emrich. Its gone too far. Just... everything hurts and I don't want to worry about anything else right now, especially not money, so please. Just this one time listen to me. Take me home. If you do that I'll let you rub in how much you were right and I won't complain, okay?"

"Let's just take him home, Jev. We can patch him up and if it gets worse we'll go to the hospital," Shard says from behind me.

I stare at him for a while longer then sigh. "...Fine. You know I don't want to rub anything in, though, right? I'm just worried." I move to take his cloaker off-- it'd be easier to carry him without it. "I never wanted to be right."

Shard carries him in the car as I drive back, listening to Irish recount what happened with Cody. It definitely doesn't help my mood much. Once we're back, Floh, Mekuto and Shard help get Irish settled and bandaged while I take pictures of him using my phone. I know he wouldn't want me to do this but I'm pissed. As I walk into another room with my phone, I start to have second thoughts, though. In my mind, Irish should drop this job like a bad habit and just take loans or find some other way. Nothing is worth his pride, especially after today. On the other hand, I realize it's... presumptuous for me to be making this choice for him. For me to act... like his 'mom' as he put it. I sigh a little and hit the call button.

"Hello?"

"Dr. Emrich? This is a friend of Irish's."

"...Yes?"

"Listen, I know you don't have any reason to hear me out but... this is important. Irish was injured today. He was taken from your lab by another student and thrown into that student's shoe for several hours. I have pictures." I take a second to send the photos off before I pull the phone back to my ear. "Take a look at those, please."

"...Why're you calling me? Have you called the police?"

"Irish doesn't want to get them involved. He's afraid-- he doesn't even want to go to the hospital. And the guy who did this is another one of your students... Irish said his name is Cody."

"...Cody did this?" I hear him swipe across his phone a few times. "Is... Irish alright?"

"I don't know. He's responding and he says he doesn't need to go to the hospital but I'm not as sure. Someone needs to know, though. And something has to be done about this."

"I'll have to talk with Cody."

"Talk with all of your students," I mutter. Of course, I'm trying not to be too pushy so I quickly amend. "For his sake. I know what he does for you and it seems like the other students you advise know, too. Look, whatever Irish is okay with doing is his business but they can't just treat him like dirt. Or this kinda stuff is going to happen."

"This is the first time. Nothing like this has ever happened before," he replies. "Just an anomaly. I'm sure a talk will straighten things out."

I sigh inwardly. Normals. "...At least give him the week off to recover? He deserves that much after today."

He seems to think about it but it only takes a few seconds. "Yes, that seems fair. A week to recover-- Cody will pick up the work as punishment... and, if you give me an address, I'll send a doctor over to take a look at Irish. It's a friend of mine, Irish won't have to pay."

"Deal." I rub over my head.

"Who did you say you were?"

"I'm a friend-- his room mate-- Jevin."

"Thanks for letting me know, Jevin. I'll take care of things from here. Let Irish know he has the week off and have him call me at his leisure once he feels better."

"Alright, I'll let him know."

"Good. Take care of him, Jevin." He hangs up.

"Norms," I mutter as I pull the phone away. I wanted to lay into him so hard. To tell him how he treats Irish is wrong and that Cody should be kicked out of the lab-- out of the school for what he did. But maybe my friends are right. Maybe I'm nosy. If this is what Irish wants then he can have it. At least he gets time to recover now, I guess.

-Irish-

I can hear Jevin in the other room accosting Dr. Emrich as if that's the thing to be doing right now. God that wolf is just too nosy. "Jevin!" I try to call out but it hurts enough to make me wince. "Nnf.. J-jevin--"

"Relax, nerd. You're hurt." Floh presses my nose with a finger. "One more word out of you and you'll get the smooch."

"... what are you--" His lips press to mine for a moment; is he kissing me?

He pulls back with a grin, eyes peering into mine. "Be good, alright? Stop moving and stop talking. The most important thing is that you get better and you don't wanna make your wounds worse. Let Jevin do what he does."

I just look away and try to relax again. Whatever-- if I lose my job because of Jevin it'll just be icing on the fucking cake. When the wolf comes back into the room he comes right over to me and rubs a paw over my head. "Am I fired?" I mutter.

He chuckles. "No, I... held back. I showed him some pictures and told him what happened and that you didn't want to call the police. He seems to think that this is just an 'anomaly' but whatever. He did say you could have the week off and Cody will cover for you. He wants you to call when you get a chance. You still have your job-- I didn't preach at him."

A wave of relief washes over me. "Thanks, Jev. I know I give you shit sometimes but I guess being mouthy can help now and again."

"Pft, whatever. You just get better. Doctor will be coming over tomorrow morning to check up on you-- for free. This could've ended up a lot worse, Irish. You have to be really careful from now on even in that lab."

"Yea, people've ended up eaten on campus before," Mekuto mutters. "It's dangerous for us to be alone if it can be avoided. If you're the only micro in that lab then you should be super careful."

"After today I think I'll be hiding my cloaker a bit better and keeping my distance. It -would- be nice if I had another micro in there with me. Or a normal I could trust."

"We'll work something out," Jevin says. "I'll visit now and again or maybe one of these guys will."

"Sure," Shard shrugs. "We come by to visit wuffles anyway."

"Yea, and I have class with him so I'm in the building a few days a week," Mekuto responds.

"And Shard can bring you lunch! I mean, Jevin can't eat all of it anyway so he'll have someone to share it with," Floh says.

"It's not -that- much," Shard mutters.

Jevin huffs. "Not to you. It's a literal mountain to me."

"Just means you need to practice."

"...Practice eating?"

-Epilogue-

Celebrating Christmas with Jevin's friends was... interesting. They seem like good people if a little odd at times. Then again, me calling someone else odd is probably hypocritical or something. I don't think I've ever eaten so much in a single day but Shard just kept putting things on my plate. He was really nice-- I guess that's why Jevin always comes home with food. For whatever reason, Jevin seemed a bit intimidated by it now and again but I guess I don't know-- not a mind reader.

I don't think that everything is fixed-- I still have to talk to Dr. Emrich. It seems like a step in the right direction, though. He did call a doctor and my bruises were properly cared for. I see no reason not to believe he spoke to Cody but I'll definitely be bringing someone to lab with me the next time I go-- just in case.

I'm not that worried, I figure I'll just enjoy this time off with some family-- I didn't think I'd have the time to make it home but here I am. Predictably, Mom and Dad were not happy to see my condition but I told tem it'd be okay-- they don't believe me but I can't just not go back. Ah well. I like my job; as I said, I used to suck cock and lick feet for free but I get paid for it now. Sounds like I didn't learn much, right? Maybe not. I won't let it get that bad again, though. No more 13 hour days and no more blindly doing what I'm told if it's not comfortable. I just want it it all to get back to normal... it'd also be nice if Jevin could stop preaching at me so much. God, you'd think he'd just start a micro rights club or something. Then he could preach at them instead.