FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

(flashback)

“A+ again! That’s our princess!”

“B+, huh. Do better next time, or at least try to be her, okay?”

…

“Kyle, wanna join us for basketball?” came the question that interrupted the sound of flipping pages. It was their daily lunch break game, though what puzzled Kyle was why they bothered with him in the first place. Despite beastfolk physiques being generally superior to humans', he was hilariously average even by human standards. In other words, Kyle really saw no point in scrambling helplessly for a ball amidst towering beasts, who could easily send him to the hospital if they got too carried away and forgot who they were playing with.

“Pick someone your own species…” was pretty much what Kyle wanted to tell those beastfolk upperclassmen, but he’d already turned them down twice this week alone and he didn’t want to push his luck. Begrudgingly, Kyle set his half-read book aside and followed the pack of excited students, trying to devise a plan to make it out in one piece.

Upon arriving at the gym, another group of beastfolk - the opposing team - had already occupied the basketball court with a crowd of spectators gathering around. Among them, a tall and muscular but lean grey wolf walked straight towards Kyle, basketball in hand, regarding him with a piercing glare akin to that of a predator assessing its prey.

“Who’s this kid?” the wolf snarled, voice dripping with disdain.

Kyle flinched, not from fear but anger. He knew his physique couldn’t compare to theirs, but this wolf’s condescension had really struck a nerve. Before Kyle could do anything, however, one of the beastfolk accompanying him quickly responded, “He’s Kate’s younger brother.”

So that’s the catch, huh. I should’ve known…_Kyle thought bitterly. Beastfolk may scorn mankind for their lack of raw strength and numerous physical disadvantages, but in terms of beauty, humans stood at the undisputed peak, and when it came to feminine allure, Kyle’s brunette sister, Kate, was as close to perfection as possible. A lot of people, in fact, _did consider Kate the gold standard; she was a far cry from the stereotypical airhead portrayed in cheap sitcoms, and thus had no shortage of admirers, humans and beastfolk alike.

In short, these beastfolk were playing nice with him solely because of Kate.

The realization that he was basically a hook-up tool added even more fuel to the fire already lit by the wolf’s arrogance. Kyle decided to change his plan. He wanted to show them he wasn’t someone to be trifled with, someone who could easily kick their furry asses. Locking eyes with the wolf, Kyle retorted, “The name’s Kyle, get it right. Since you’re so superior, why don’t you join my team to see if you can still win with a human ‘dead weight’? Or maybe you’re only a ‘tough guy’ when the odds are stacked in your favor?”

A collective gasp echoed across the gym. All eyes were on the grey canine, whose ears twitched and his expression became unreadable for a few seconds before breaking into a scornful grin, “Interesting…”

“Wait Hector, you’re not actually going to-”

“You heard the challenge.” The wolf – Hector - chuckled, his eyes still fixed on Kyle, “Alright kid, let’s see what you’re made of.”

Kyle gritted his teeth, his glare unwavering. He’d get back at that jerk later. For now, he needed to focus.

…

For the next 50 minutes, the gym was filled with a cacophony of squeaks and thuds, punctuated by the spectators’ roars. Yet Kyle hardly registered any of it. He had initially planned to just stand back and enjoy watching his team struggle with a handicap as payback for dragging him into this, but now the game had unexpectedly become the highlight of his college life. Taking advantage of his small frame and agility, Kyle continuously weaved through any opponent he came across. His 100% passing accuracy more than compensated for his clumsy shooting.

Funnily enough, the primary recipient of his passes was none other than Hector…not due to some strange “spiritual connection” nonsense, but simply because the wolf was the most recognizable figure in the court. To Kyle’s chagrin, the grey wolf didn’t slack off either, sinking almost every shot. In fact, even Hector was surprised by their synergy, given their lack of experience and the animosity between them just minutes prior. Every time the ball was fed to him, Hector somehow knew it came from Kyle even as he remained hidden among a forest of towering beastfolk.

Their lethal combination of playmaking and finishing resulted in a crushing victory. Pleasantly surprised by his skills, players from both sides flocked to Kyle, showering him with compliments and urging him to join the school team. While any ordinary person would be on cloud nine, Kyle realized he was in a world of trouble as his adrenaline rush subsided and his temper cooled. Kate must have watched this entire game. Ordinarily, she would have been the one swarmed by these beastfolk, not him.

A cool breeze interrupted Kyle’s quiet lament, and he looked up to find Hector handing him a bottle of sports drink. With no reason to refuse, Kyle accepted and took a few sips, feeling the electrolyte-infused liquid quench his thirst and wash away his tiredness.

“Didn’t expect you to give everyone here a run for their money. I have to admit, I’m impressed.”

“People are more than just looks,” Kyle shrugged, perhaps too tired to notice a slight tease in the wolf’s voice, “Though this is a one-off thing. I don’t intend to join the school team or skip my lunch break for this ever again.”

“Why not?” Hector was slightly taken aback, “You’re too good to miss out on this.”

“Guess this ‘kid’ isn’t meant for the spotlight.” Kyle grabbed his towel and turned to leave the gym, “Thanks for this, Hector.”

Little did Kyle know, his lonely figure and brooding shoulders were closely watched by a pair of lupine eyes.

…

Spinning a pen between his fingers, Kyle stared blankly at his finished assignments and waited for the inevitable. Normally, Kate would show up after her daily gossip session with her online besties. However, given the attention he’d received today, Kyle knew his sister could hardly wait past dinner to harass him.

Then came a knock at the door.

Speak of the devil, Kyle sighed. He stood up and dragged himself to the door, and when it swung open, there she was with her perfect smile. Any boy at his college would kill to have Kate smile at them like this…if only they knew better.

“Hey, sis.” Kyle greeted emotionlessly.

“You really surprised me back there. When did you get so good at basketball?”

“I was just lucky. They wanted me for the school team but I declined. I don’t want to give them the wrong idea.”

Kate’s smile got even sweeter, to the point that Kyle’s poker face threatened to crack, “That’s good. They’ll have a friendly match with our rivals soon; distractions are the last thing they need right now. How did you do on the latest test, by the way?”

“B+, as always. Guess I still have a long way to catch up to you.”

“I’m sure you’ll improve.” Kate patted her brother’s shoulder, ignoring how stiff he’d become, “Try your best next time.”

Kyle nodded. Only after the door had closed did he let out a long sigh of relief. Kate’s pretentious cheeriness never failed to leave him breaking out in a cold sweat.

“You bitch…”

Returning to his desk, Kyle suddenly noticed a half-empty sports drink next to his backpack. How it had managed to evade the trash can all day remained a mystery, but the drink certainly reminded him of a certain annoying grey wolf. His lips curved into a smirk as he remembered the grudging respect on Hector’s face.

…

The next time Kyle bumped into Hector, it was sooner than he had expected. Only a few days after their basketball game, while leisurely making his way to campus, Kyle ran into a familiar figure – the grey wolf who had managed to get on his nerves during their first encounter.

“There you are.” Hector greeted. The wolf’s towering shadow stretched across the pavement, engulfing Kyle’s smaller frame, “I’ve been looking for you for a while.”

“How did you know I’d be here?” Kyle asked warily, pulling out his earbuds.

“Relax,” The wolf shrugged, “Knowing you, I figured you’d pick the most secluded road.”

“Since when do you guys know a thing about me?” Kyle retorted, “What do you want?”

Hector was slightly baffled by the human’s excessive animosity, “Not me - the guys. They wanted to hang out with you for lunch.”

“I thought I made myself clear about the basketball team.” Kyle sighed.

“When did I say anything about the team? They just want you to join for lu-”

“And you honestly believe that?” Kyle scoffed, “They’ve barely spoken a word to me before, and boom, now they’re all chummy? No thanks, I’d rather keep to myself.”

“Avoiding people again. You can’t do that forever, you know.”

“I know, but I also see no point in trying to fit into an unwelcoming crowd.” Kyle nodded, then pivoted, “What about you?”

“Huh?”

“Since when did someone like you become their errand boy? I know what they want, but what do you want, Hector?”

“I…’ Hector was at a loss for words. A wolf of his stature normally wouldn't stoop to such errands, yet he’d found himself unable to resist when he realized Kyle was the one they were inviting. Something about those lonely shoulders had compelled him to act against his better judgment.

Kyle smirked, putting his earbuds back on as he brushed past the stunned wolf, “Think about it and answer me next time.”

Hector could only watch as Kyle disappeared from his sight once more, his ears slightly flopped. Indeed, he knew nothing – not about Kyle, not about what he truly wanted from him.

…

FML!!!

Kyle’s 3-letter status on Furbook perfectly summed up his swirling thoughts. So much for acting all tough and cool in front of Hector, only for the wolf to become his designated partner shortly afterward, and in art class, of all places! The group assignment itself wasn't the issue; it was the person he’d been paired with! Kyle could already picture his older sister pestering him to no end, questioning whether he was trying to snag Hector or was simply acting out of spite.

Fortunately for Kyle, the wolf seemingly wasn’t in the mood to mock him.

“Alright, one final reminder about your pair assignment,” the art lecturer announced, “Discuss with your partner, pick out a song, record a cover, and most importantly, write a 500-word paper on your perception and meaning of that song. Understood?”

The class nodded in unison. Some seemed more enthusiastic than others but no one complained. They knew better than to trigger a never-ending ramble about the importance of art and an even heavier workload. The lecturer nodded, “Good. Class dismissed.”

Maybe I should just swap partners with Kate, Kyle considered. But before he could find the right words, Hector beat him to it with startling decisiveness, “How about Viva la Vida? Sounds good to you?”

“Viva… what? You seriously still want to work with me?” Kyle was bewildered, completely missing the look of quiet confidence in the wolf's eyes, “After…this morning?”

The wolf gave a curt nod, his ears twitching slightly. Hector didn't mention how, just minutes ago, his keen ears had easily picked up the rhythmic beat leaking from Kyle’s earbuds. He knew exactly what he was doing.

Kyle, on the other hand, felt a shiver of disbelief. He wished those eyes could also read the looming dread of dealing with Kate, but for now, he was struck by the sheer coincidence.

Fate really has a twisted sense of humor, Kyle thought, finally resigning himself to the situation. “What was your suggestion again?”

“Viva la Vida… it’s my favorite,” Hector lied smoothly, or perhaps it had truly become his favorite the moment he heard it through Kyle's earbuds. “I don’t want our teamwork to start on a sour note like last time.”

“No, it’s great… perfect, actually,” he replied, a small, genuine smile finally slipping through his defenses.

…

“How many times must I tell you, sis? Hector wanted to work with me, I can’t change his mind,” Kyle rubbed his forehead in frustration. As always, Kate was hounding him again. This time, the spoiled bitch was even more blatant, demanding that her brother swap partners with her. Kyle tried to explain that he and Hector had already planned out almost everything; a swap at this point would mean starting from scratch and dealing with the mess from the art lecturer.

And even after all of that patience and reasoning, Kate didn’t bat an eye. She remained unfazed by his potential troubles. She was fixated on Hector, just like she’d always managed to take everything from her brother.

Beyond fed up, Kyle finally snapped, “Quit your yapping! Why do you always expect me to fix your problems? You want Hector? Go talk to him. Convince him. Put that big mouth of yours to good use and earn something for once!”

“Don’t you dare talk to me like that, or dad will...” Kate threatened, her sweet smile twisted into something ugly.

Kyle wasn’t fazed. He retorted with a smirk of his own, “Dad? Even he can’t touch me for things I haven’t done. Tell you what, maybe you should ask him to tag along when you go see Hector. Maybe then Hector will realize you’re just a precious daddy’s little girl, and he’ll fall for your fake-ass pleas. Now get lost!”

“This isn’t over!” Kate hissed before storming out.

…

“You look like you’ve been on a bender. Is everything alright?” Hector inquired as he put his recorder away. The two had agreed to film their cover on the college’s rooftop, but things hadn’t been going smoothly. Kyle was trying to act like his usual self, but Hector could tell there was something terribly wrong.

“What makes you think so?” Kyle replied, trying to sound unbothered. His lame attempt didn’t stand a chance against the wolf’s piercing gaze. As it turned out, Kate had indeed told their father, and even though the old man could do little but berate him, Kyle still had quite a rough night. After all, the only thing worse than a spoiled bitch was a spoiled bitch and her doting daddy.

“Alright, I’m a bit stressed out right now.” Kyle admitted, “Mind if we take a short break?”

The wolf nodded. Curious as he was, Hector knew he had no right to start prying – not unless Kyle was willing to share.

Funnily enough, it was Kyle’s turn to get personal, “Say, Hector…”

“Huh?”

“What do you think about my sister?”

“Your sister…ah, Kate, right.” Hector searched his memory, “What about her?”

“Well, you’re the hottest…I mean, most popular guy on campus, and she’s a knockout. Haven’t people tried shipping you two?” Kyle said gingerly; internally cursing himself for letting that word slip. It was fine to call a guy “hot”, sure, but not when it came from another guy.

The wolf stared at Kyle, then began to chuckle uncontrollably, much to Kyle’s surprise, “W-what?”

“So, you’re suddenly interested in my love life?” Hector replied, still struggling to control his laughter. Flustered, Kyle averted Hector’s gaze, his ears burning with embarrassment. He was completely unaware that a certain wolf was thoroughly enjoying his flustered, pouty expression.

“I’m kidding, okay. People do try to make me and Kate a thing, but I don’t really care. As for her…” the wolf paused, searching for the right words, “She’s alright. I mean, she seems like a do-no-wrong Little Miss Sunshine, but something about her just feels…off.”

“Off?” Kyle asked, his mood finally lifting. No one had ever referred to Kate in that way before.

Hector continued, “She smiles all the time, and I mean, all the time. Sure, that’s cute and all, but how can anyone maintain a grin like that with all the crap life throws at them? It’s almost like a mask she can’t take off for some reason...”

Hector broke off mid-sentence. He looked at the ground, then back at Kyle, before letting out a self-deprecating laugh, “Hang on. Here I am, on a rooftop with my partner, ranting about his sister. What is wrong with me?”

Kyle chuckled, “Nothing. I like this version of you better than the grumpy jock.”

“And what’s wrong with the grumpy jock?” Hector rolled his eyes, tail thumping softly against the floor, but he didn’t seem offended.

Kyle sat down beside the wolf and took a sip of water, “I don’t know, calling random people ‘kid’?”

“Didn’t know you held grudges. How long has it been, a week?”

“Give or take a few days, but first impressions often last a very long time.” Kyle shrugged.

“What do you expect from a grumpy jock? At least I haven’t called you that since then,” Hector sighed heavily, “I’m trying to be nice here, so give me a break, will you?”

“Point taken. Speaking of jock, how long do you think it’d take you to go pro?”

Kyle was expecting a fast answer yet the wolf seemed to take an eternity. When he finally spoke, he had an uncharacteristically bashful look, “I just play basketball for fun. I actually want to become a programmer…or a writer.”

Kyle let out a short chuckle, but when he saw Hector’s flattened ears, he quickly realized his partner was dead serious. “Dude…”

“Dude, you’re like…scary good, and you’re telling me you just play for fun?”

Hector nodded wordlessly, and an awkward silence fell between them until Kyle broke it, “Let me guess…people see something you’re good at and just assume that’s what you want to do for the rest of your life?”

Another wordless nod.

“Hector,” Kyle put a hand on the wolf’s shoulder, “It’s fine to hear people out, but don’t let them take away your own voice. I’m not trying to sound preachy here, but you only have one life, why live it the way others want instead of how you want?”

The wolf stayed silent for a while before asking, “But…if I waste my talent, does that make me…selfish?”

“Hell no, who gave you that idea?” Kyle waved his hand dismissively, “It’s your talent, your life, as long as you have no regrets, do whatever the fuck you want with them!”

Springing to his feet, Kyle spread his arms to make an ‘I’m king of the world’ pose, “Look at me. I’m bang average! I’m not good-looking, my scores suck and I didn’t even know I could play basketball until last week. But you know what the most important thing is?”

“I’m happy.” Kyle winked at the dazed wolf, who raised his head just in time to catch his partner’s cheeky grin against the gentle glow of sunset behind him.

“Thank you.” Hector whispered, his voice hoarse with emotion.

“No problem. Let’s get back to work.”

…

The duo’s effort paid off big time. Though their editing was amateur at best, the sheer passion Kyle and Hector put into their work was enough to convince the melodramatic lecturer, even moving him to tears.

Kyle normally didn’t give much thought to pair or group work, but this time it came with various perks. The shower of praises from their art lecturer felt oddly satisfying. And, petty as it was - Kate’s constipated face only made the victory ten times sweeter, though there would be hell to pay at home.

None of those, however, held a candle to the best part: His discovery of Hector’s nerdy side. Kyle thought he’d done his best, but no, it was nothing compared to the fervor his partner put into the 500-word paper, down to the minutiae! Before last week, he would’ve jeered at the idea of a popular basketball jock vehemently recounting the French Revolution, but now…guess the joke was on him, and frankly, Kyle didn’t mind being the punchline this time.

During their walk home, Hector hesitated for a few seconds before speaking up, “Kyle…”

“Hmm?”

“Is there any chance you would reconsider…you know, the basketball thing?”

Kyle frowned, “Hector, you’re my friend now, but we’ve talked about this. I’m not…”

“It’s not about them!” the wolf quickly interjected, and immediately lowered his voice, “Sorry. But please, hear me out…”

Kyle shrugged. Part of him was intrigued by this uncharacteristic bashfulness, but even more so by what the wolf had to say.

“Remember when you asked me about what I wanted? My mind was blank back then, but now I know.”. Hector said, his tail giving a small, uncertain flick, “I want to play basketball with you.”

A feverish heat rushed to Kyle’s face, making him choke on the candy bar he’d been munching on.

“Kyle…you okay? Kyle!” Hector exclaimed, hastily patting his friend’s back to help Kyle catch his breath.

The human struggled to pull himself together, but when he finally did, he began to replay the moment in his head…The deep, almost rumbling voice; the pleading, puppy-like eyes; the handsome lupine face and that deeply sincere message – all of it was so absurd yet utterly adorable. “Adorable” – he knew Hector wasn’t a guy typically associated with that word, but Kyle honestly had no better way to describe him just now.

Strangely enough, his cheeks started to heat up again. Kyle quickly turned away to avoid the wolf’s gaze, unaware that his reddish earlobes were still in plain sight.

Clearing his throat, Kyle asked, “You…really meant it?”

“I do.”

“Fair enough, I guess…” Kyle stammered, still blushing and wondering why the hell he was blushing, “Th-then, see you tomorrow.”

As he said goodbye to the wolf, Kyle awkwardly shoved the candy wrapper into his pocket and inadvertently pushed out a crumpled piece of paper. Hector noticed and picked it up, but by the time he straightened up, Kyle was already gone. Curiosity got the better of him, and the wolf smoothed out the paper, only to be left speechless by the contents.

Scribbled on the paper was the solution to a mind-bogglingly difficult equation – one that their entire class had spectacularly failed at solving earlier that day.

…

A loud slap echoed across the small hall, but its recipient didn’t bother to dodge or react at all. In fact, all he did was stare emotionlessly at his assailant before speaking coldly, “Done?”

Furious, Kate completely dropped her usual cheerful façade, but she couldn’t really do anything more since her brother seemingly had no intention to physically retaliate. To her further irritation, Kyle began to jeer at her, as if he no longer considered her worthy of his effort, “Why hit me, sis, just because I got the better of you in class once? Don’t tell me you’ve been surrounded by your sycophants for so long you actually think you’re untouchable?”

Before Kate could respond, Kyle’s verbal beatdown continued, “When have you ever given this little bro of yours a single thought? You, pampered your whole life, have been nothing but self-centered, egotistical and delusional. I guess you could never imagine being inferior to anyone, let alone me, right?

Well here’s a little news flash: Loads of people out there are better than you, I am better than you. Don’t worry, nothing will change at school, but I’m done being your little servant here. Now do us both a favor and fuck off, I have better things to think about than wasting my time with you.”

Slamming the door in his sister’s face, Kyle sank into his chair and let out a long sigh, rubbing his stinging cheek. It had taken him a massive amount of willpower to maintain that facade, but now that he was alone, the throbbing pain started to seep into his flesh, making him wince, “Fuck, my teeth almost came off! What the hell is wrong with her, all of this just because she can’t have Hector? Does she really love him, or just want to mess around?”

And thus, Kyle’s ‘better things to think about’ had somehow circled back to Hector again. As he thought of his lupine friend, his memory eventually drifted to their earlier encounter, and soon both of Kyle’s cheeks were flushing. He shook his head violently in an attempt to clear his mind, only to realize - much to his frustration – that the more he resisted, the more vivid Hector’s image became.

“Why can’t I stop thinking about him…” Kyle murmured to himself as he applied ointment to his slapped cheek. Looking back at everything between him and the wolf, his own words and actions seemed to grow increasingly out of character the more time they spent together. Hector’s initial disregard had provoked his competitiveness, yet the wolf’s sincerity also coaxed Kyle into revealing a softer side of himself, even going as far as giving him a free therapy session.

And now, it’d gotten to the point where he got flustered after a few heartfelt words.

Slowly but surely, Hector was unravelling Kyle’s layers of defense, one after another. It was as if the wolf was Kyle’s sole greatest weakness, and the young man could only narrow it down to two explanations: Hector was his ultimate nemesis, or-

Still, jumping to a conclusion was always the last thing Kyle would do. He needed more time to confirm the second possibility.

…

Kyle stared blankly at the blackboard, a single question swirling in his mind.

“Someone, please, explain to me why Hector is sitting next to me?!”

Sure, there was no such thing as assigned seating in college, but this just felt completely out of nowhere, especially when the wolf beside him right now was the very wolf who had been haunting his thoughts all night.

Looking around the lecture hall, Kyle quickly located the guy he usually sat with, who caught his eyes but only offered Kyle a mouthed “sorry man”. Kyle muttered a curse before turning to his lupine friend, “Hey, what brings you here today?”

“Don’t know. Maybe I just needed a change of pace.” Hector replied playfully.

“Of course…”, Kyle sighed in resignation. Steeling himself, Kyle focused back on the lecture. It was just Hector sitting next to him, what could possibly go wrong?

Before long, Kyle was lost in his multi-tasking habit, unaware that a pair of keen lupine eyes were tracking his every move.

By the time the lecture came to an end, Kyle had also finished his leftover assignment from yesterday. Again, he crumpled the note and was about to put it away when a wolf’s voice nearly made Kyle jump out of his skin, “What have you got there?”

Fumbling to stuff the paper into his pocket, Kyle answered sheepishly, “Nothing, just some...lame drawings. Gotta kill time somehow or I’ll be bored to death, ha ha.”

“Is that so.” Hector nodded. Funnily enough_,_ for someone who had spent his whole life being cautious, Kyle completely bought into the idea that Hector actually believed his flimsy lie, “Never mind that, let’s hit the court.”

As Kyle hastily packed his belongings to leave the lecture hall, he missed Hector’s conflicted gaze. The wolf let out a sigh.

Those in the gym were pleasantly surprised when they saw Kyle, but their joy was short-lived. Hector took the liberty of explaining his friend’s disinterest in the school team, making it clear he was only there for recreational purposes. Many expressed regret; some even attempted to convince Kyle to reconsider, only to stop dead in their tracks when met with Hector’s warning glare.

Unwilling to prolong the awkwardness, Kyle spoke up, “Alright guys, chill. Like Hector said, I’m only in this for fun, but I believe we can all find something meaningful in this.”

Everyone but Hector was taken aback when Kyle, of all people, addressed this issue. Kyle’s voice wavered for a split second as he realized all eyes were on him. A flush of heat crept up Kyle’s face. But after an assuring nod from Hector, he continued, “I know you’re here for a reason. You love basketball, but perhaps we should try not to overthink it. Just forget everything and have fun once in a while. We can only make the most out of something if we enjoy it to the fullest, right?”

“He’s got a point.” someone admitted, and before long, cheers and applause filled the air. It felt as if a weight had been lifted from their shoulders. Indeed, why were they putting so much pressure on themselves? If they played to their heart’s content and without regret, the results would come. Even if they didn’t, they could still hold their heads high, knowing they had done their best.

“Alright guys, game on.” Hector declared, putting an end to the chatter. They split into two teams, and it didn’t take long for everyone to notice that no matter how the draft turned out, Hector and Kyle always ended up on the same squad. Their harmonious teamwork made them virtually unbeatable. Eventually, one player from the opposition complained, “Hey, it’s not fair that you always have him. C’mon Kyle, help us out for once!”

“Sure.” Kyle shrugged. But before he could move, a certain wolf interjected sharply, “No.”

“What?” the opposing player frowned.

“Kyle’s staying with me and that’s that. Got a problem with that?” Hector growled, his upper lip curling as he almost bared his teeth.

“Jeez, okay, okay…if I didn’t know better, I’d think he was your date or something.” The player said, holding up his hands in surrender, “No switching. Let’s continue.”

Strangely enough, no one paid attention to the human who was at the eye of the storm - and thankfully so, as they would’ve easily noticed his reddening face. Even though Hector had practically stripped him of his freedom of choice, Kyle felt…oddly pleased.

For a moment, everything around Kyle seemed to stand still as he focused on the wolf in front of him: This stupid wolf who had patronized him during their first encounter; this stupid wolf who had dragged him out of his shell and into all kinds of mess; this stupid wolf who brought him unnecessary beef with his bitch of a sister; this stupid wolf…that he loved.

Figuring out his feeling was hard enough, actually dealing with it was a different beast entirely. No matter how Kyle looked at it, the easier option would be for him to just leave things as they were - his feeling concealed but his friendship with Hector protected…or he could put his cards on the table and risk everything: The one and only healthy relationship he’d managed to forge, the only person who’d ever truly touched his heart.

The stakes were too high; Kyle didn’t know if he was willing to gamble. Yet he also knew if he kept bottling these feelings up, they would eventually ruin him.

“Kyle!” a scream snapped Kyle out of his trance. He was yanked to the side, having barely any time to register anything except the sensation of a blanket of fluff wrapping around his body, cushioning the impact of the fall. What was going on? Why had his vision turned completely grey?

“Kyle, you okay?! Kyle?!” came the rumbling, worried voice of the fluffy blanket, or – to Kyle’s horror, his lupine friend. There Hector was, looming over him, eyes and voice brimming with care and concern. Yet, all Kyle could hear was the thundering of his own heart.

“I’m good, but…what happened?” Kyle asked groggily.

“The ball had nearly hit you.” Hector explained. Once he was certain of Kyle’s well-being, he finally noticed the space between their bodies – or rather, the alarming absence of it. The wolf hastily scrambled up and pulled Kyle to his feet, “It’s rare to see you that unfocused. What was on your mind?”

“You.” the word slipped before Kyle could even catch it.

“Me?” Hector tilted his head in amusement. Kyle almost wished the damn ball had hit his head instead; anything was better than this agonizing embarrassment! Luckily for him, an impatient jock came to his rescue, “Quit flirting, you two. Get over here!”

What was meant to be a harmless joke somehow hit the nail on the head. Kyle’s self-control was on the verge of collapsing, so he quickly resumed the game, though his blushing face and uncharacteristic clumsiness didn’t go unnoticed by Hector. An impossibly bold speculation flashed through the wolf’s mind, tempting him to test it out.

Kyle’s performance fortunately didn’t affect his team too much as they managed to scrape a narrow win, mostly thanks to Hector. When the game ended, Kyle knew he’d better run for the doors. The longer he lingered, the more likely he was to make a fool out of himself. A wise idea, indeed - but whether he could carry it out was a different story. Kyle’s attempt to sneak away amidst the chaotic aftermath was ruined by an all-too familiar wolf.

“Going somewhere? Don’t we have the same class next?” said Hector as he casually wrapped an arm around Kyle’s shoulder. The wolf was still sweating profusely from the basketball exertion, and his intense body heat seeped into Kyle, threatening to set every single one of his cells on fire.

“Get off me, you stink!” Kyle tried to push him away, only to be reminded of the glaring strength difference between humans and beastfolk. Even with just one arm, the wolf’s grip on him still proved too much, and Kyle found himself pulled even closer to his lupine friend, who flashed him a toothy grin, “Come on, don’t hurt my feelings.”

“Fine, but could you please take a shower. Your fur’s sticking to my clothes.”

“Thanks, Captain Obvious, but I’m not the only one who could use a shower. Have a look at yourself.” the wolf retorted.

At Hector’s reminder, Kyle inspected himself and realized that he too, was in desperate need of a scrub. Still, the last thing he wanted right now was walking naked into a shower full of dudes with Hector being one of them, and given his usual luck, this pesky wolf would definitely stick to him from start to finish.

And as luck would have it, Hector immediately suggested, “Hey, why don’t we go in together?”

Kyle almost recoiled from his friend’s idea, “But…”

“But what?” the wolf tilted his head, “Don’t tell me you’re going to wait until everyone else is gone? Look at the locker room, Kyle, by the time you can have it to yourself, school will be as good as over.”

Noticing Kyle’s wavering hesitation, Hector continued, “You’ve never used that part of the locker room before, have you? We use stalls instead of communal showers here, so you don’t have to worry about privacy. If you don’t want to walk around naked, just wrap a towel around your waist, problem solved. You’ve agreed to play basketball regularly, might as well get used to this.”

Kyle quietly contemplated his friend’s words and concluded that the wolf was right. If it were Hector alone he could manage, but he’d indeed promised the guys in the locker room that he would train with them, and Kyle was in no hurry to infuriate that many beastfolk. Not even Hector could protect him from a mob of angry jocks.

“Alright.” Kyle sighed in resignation; part of him utterly embarrassed by his own lack of school facilities knowledge. Then again, Kyle was thankful his lupine friend was the one to do the explaining; he’d rather die under a rock than ask for help from any other person here. At least he had brought spare clothes and a towel.

Again, Kyle hadn’t realized he’d missed a crucial detail until he stepped into the shower: Why was he so allergic to the idea of getting help from anyone but Hector?

“That damn wolf is messing with my head…” Kyle murmured as the cool shower cleansed the sweat from his body, yet it was of little help to his troubled mind. Coincidentally, Hector was using the stall right next to him, and they even stepped out almost simultaneously. Kyle barely managed a customary “hey” when he noticed his lupine friend staring at him.

“What’s wrong, do I have soap on my face?”

“No, I just realized you look really good when your hair isn’t messed up.”

“Good, as in ‘cool’?” Kyle stammered, though it seemed like he was convincing himself rather than correcting Hector.

“As in ‘handsome’.” Hector replied, and the air between them fell into a long, awkward silence. Both desperately wanted to clear the air, yet the only thing they could do was stare at each other.

“Get a room, you two.” Someone whistled teasingly - none other than the guy who’d requested Kyle to join his team earlier.

Just kill me already, Kyle gazed blankly at the ceiling, though given how many times his self-control had been pushed to its limit just in the last hour, he was on the verge of giving in, “Could you stop staring, Hector? Our class starts in ten minutes.”

“Ah…right, sorry. Hey Kyle, are we still going home together today?”

“Yeah…Don’t worry, I’m not holding those stupid jokes against you. Not to mention…” I wish they were real.

…

Unlike lunch break, the rest of that day was more or less uneventful, and despite his uneasiness around Hector, Kyle had calmed down significantly by the time school ended. Coincidentally, he also forgot his habit of hair-ruffling after Hector’s comment on his hairdo.

When the bell rang, Kyle eagerly packed his stuff, ready to head home for a much-needed rest when out of nowhere, his lupine friend suggested, “Hey Kyle, want to go get something to drink, my treat.”

“Why so sudden?”

“You seem stressed today, so I thought I could cheer you up somehow.”

“Oh…alright, but no alcohol for me. Coffee will do.”

The wolf nodded. He led Kyle to a rather secluded vendor a couple of blocks away from their college, run by a surprisingly mild-mannered coyote, whom Hector revealed was his cousin – Alan.

“Hey Alan, care to take orders for two?” Hector said.

“Two? Who’ve you got with you today?” Alan inquired, and quickly spotted his answer, standing behind Hector and perusing the menu curiously. The coyote chuckled as he gave Hector an understanding look, “Oh, I see…”

“Just take the damn orders!” the wolf growled through gritted teeth. Alan’s coffee was among the best in town, but Hector always felt uneasy around his cousin. The older coyote just seemed to know everything on his mind.

“Alright Grumpy, what do you want?”

A few minutes later, as Hector was paying for the drinks, Alan winked playfully at him, “This one’s a cutie; don’t lose him. Maybe I should give you a good luck gift. How about a 50% discount?”

“Shut up!”

…

“You don’t like Alan or something? He seems like a cool guy,” Kyle asked, taking a sip of his espresso, “and he certainly knows how to brew coffee. This is by far the best I’ve ever had.”

“He just…how do I put this…he just reads me like a book, and I don’t like that.” Hector shrugged.

“Oh…yeah, that makes sense. Hey Hector, being around strangers actually feels more comfortable to me, you know why?”

The wolf shook his head, signaling Kyle to continue.

“Because when someone knows you too well, they tend to do whatever they think is best for you. They just…I don’t know…give themselves the right to poke their noses into your business. Of course it’s not always the case, but you get the idea, so I’d rather keep my distance, you know, better be safe than sorry. I guess the same goes for you and Alan.”

“You want to consider changing major to Psychology?” Hector suggested, “Honestly though, you sound like someone who’s been in that situation.”

“I had it worse…” Kyle smiled bitterly and took another sip of coffee, “At least the people I’ve just mentioned have good intention. I have to deal with narcissists who think they’re inherently superior to me. I just thought, maybe if I try hard enough they’d acknowledge me, but after a while I realized they’d never give a rat’s ass, so I told myself: what the hell, why even bother?”

As he spoke, Kyle absent-mindedly put a hand into his pocket, and Hector knew exactly what was inside – the solutions for their assignments, which would probably take the wolf himself a few days to complete. How Kyle finished that workload while listening to their lecture still puzzled him, but at this point, pretty much nothing about him surprised Hector anymore.

As they walked on, Kyle became increasingly lost in his thoughts, leaving the air around them an uneasy silence. It wasn’t until his cup was empty that Kyle noticed the worried look Hector was giving him. Forcing a smile, Kyle waved his hand dismissively, “It’s not an excuse to give up. I’m still doing my best, just…not in front of them.”

“Sorry…I didn’t mean to bring that up.” Hector said.

“No, I should be the one to apologize. I didn’t want to spew this self-pity crap on anyone; it won’t happen again.”

The wolf stared at his friend, fighting back the urge to wrap his arms around Kyle and whisper into his ear, telling him how amazing he was and that he had nothing to hide.

After a while, Hector suddenly spoke up, “Why are you doing this?”

“Doing what?” Kyle asked, puzzled.

“Letting your guard down. You just helped me understand you better, and I didn’t even have to pry it out of you.”

“Oh…” Kyle blushed, “Well, you’re my friend, like…a really close one.”

“Even so, aren’t you afraid I’m gonna turn into the exact kind of person you just described? Why aren’t you keeping me at arm’s length like you used to?”

“I…”

“Kyle, something’s been on my mind lately…Am I just a friend to you?”

“Huh?” Kyle stared at Hector; his expression was a mix of confusion and uncertainty, though the wolf was sharp enough to catch a very small glimpse of apprehension – one akin to that of someone whose secrets were about to be revealed.

Of course he was afraid. After all, he still believed his feelings were one-sided, and they could cost him everything once spilled.

“Don’t get me wrong, I’m perfectly fine with the way we are now, playing basketball, doing cool stuff, walking home together. I just can’t help wondering…is there room for something more than just, you know, friendship?”

If anything, the wolf’s implication was as obvious as it got, but Kyle’s stunned silence proved he had yet to recover from his emotional turmoil and, obviously, didn’t fully comprehend his lupine friend’s confession.

Hector, patient as ever, continued, “Kyle, I’m not good with fancy words, I just want to say: You mean so much more to me than you think. I…I like you.”

As he spoke, the wolf took Kyle’s hand in his, and guided it to his chest, “Listen, see for yourself if I’m lying…and tell me what you really think of me.”

Kyle nodded. He could feel Hector’s heartbeat permeating the wolf’s soft fur; each steady pulse, accompanied by a wave of gentle heat. Unwavering. Reassuring. Encouraging.

Kyle’s voice cracked; tears welling up at the corners of his eyes, “I like you too…you stupid wolf! Do you have any idea how much you’ve screwed up my mind?! You’re the deepest connection I’ve ever had, but I was scared…that my own feelings would take it away. I’ve never felt so confused and vulnerable, and you just have to be the center of it all!”

Kyle’s revelation left Hector completely dumbstruck. Before he could say anything to apologize though, the human interrupted, “Don’t you dare say sorry. I don’t need your guilt or pity. Just shut up and be my boyfriend!”

Hector blinked, “K-Kyle, did you just say…?”

“I like you, you like me, what else are we supposed to do, or are you having second thoughts?”

“No, I just didn’t expect you to be so…assertive.”

“Hector, you know what was on my mind when that damn ball nearly hit me?” Kyle sighed, “Well, not that you don’t, since I blurted it out myself, but there’s more…I wasn’t just thinking about you, I actually confirmed my feelings for you. Then I spent the next few hours torn between what to make of them…and now, you expect me to take it slow? I’m not a saint.”

“No, no you’re not,” The wolf grinned, “I wouldn’t fall in love with a saint anyway.”

“Good, then let’s get right into the good part.”

“You mean…”

“Yep.” Kyle smiled and reached out to cradle the wolf’s face, as Hector leaned his heavy head into the human’s palm. Their moment, however, was interrupted by a high-pitched voice – one Kyle was far too familiar with, “Wait!”

…

“Really, now?! Fuck her!” Kyle cursed under his breath. He glanced at the noise, only to find his sister rushing out from a corner.

“Kate, what are you doing here?” Hector inquired. The wolf’s tone was calm as ever, but from his slight trembling, Kyle could tell he was less than pleased with her untimely interruption.

“Working on her new hobby of stalking me, obviously.” Kyle scoffed, “The real question is: Why are you here, sis?”

Kate glared at Kyle, though quickly decided to ignore her brother and go for Hector instead, “Hector, I could be seeing things, but just now, I thought you were about to…make out with him.”

“I was,” the wolf said coldly, his arm tightening protectively around Kyle's waist, “Something’s wrong with that?”

If Kate was on the verge of losing her sweet façade the moment she showed up, Hector’s merciless response facilitated the implosion magnificently. Pointing at Kyle, she screeched, “Are you out of your mind?! You and your first kiss should belong to me, not this…this piece of shit!”

“Watch your mouth!” Hector growled, and Kyle could see even his hackles were rising dangerously, “He’s your brother, what is wrong with you?!”

“Please, do we have anything in common?” Kate sneered, “Look at him, plain, stupid, boring. I feel sick to my stomach every time a guy uses him as an excuse to talk to me.”

The wolf stared at Kate for a while, before letting out an exhausted sigh as he shook his head, “You really are a lost cause. You don’t know anything about him, do you?”

“He comes off as lazy, uncaring, anti-social, and sometimes he can be stubborn and annoying.” The wolf listed, chuckling softly to himself.

“Hey!” Kyle protested.

“But in actuality, he’s smart, hardworking, insightful and patient…and more importantly, our feelings are mutual, so I’d appreciate if you stop being a buzzkill and just leave us be.”

Hector’s straight-forward remark left Kyle speechless for a moment, before he started laughing uncontrollably, “Sly dog…guess I’ll let you off the hook, just this time.”

Kyle then jeered at his dumbfounded sister, “You heard my man, get lost.”

That was it for Kate. She stormed toward Kyle, spewing insults along her way, “Who do you think you are, you little shit? You’re nothing but an unwanted child, a failed attempt at replicating my perfection. Without me, no one will ever notice your pathetic existence, you owe me everything in your life, and Hector is no exception. GIVE. HIM. TO. ME!”

As Kate came face-to-face with her brother, she swung her hand again. A resounding slap echoed in the air. Unlike last night, however, Kyle wasn’t the recipient, as his hand had already held hers firmly in place.

“You…you hit me, how dare you?!” Kate exclaimed in disbelief, holding her reddened cheek.

“How dare I?” Kyle chuckled, “Nah, how dare you? After all I’ve given you, how dare you demand my most precious thing in this world?”

“You…just wait until dad finds out…”

“Oh please, you think I give a damn about him?” Kyle interrupted, “I’m way past impressing him. Now that you mentioned it, I’ve been looking for an excuse to sever ties with that family, thanks for making it easier.”

“Don’t make me laugh. What can an insolent brat like you do? I bet you’ll crawl right back on your hands and knees after a few days, or better yet, just starve to death on the street?”

“Just between us, who is so spoiled rotten she hardly lifts a finger to do anything? Who’s the insolent one here? I’m done with your shit, Kate. Now if you excuse me, I have a wolf to enjoy. Adios, sis!”

Ignoring his sister, Kyle led Hector to the main road and hastily grabbed a taxi. Once they were inside the cab, the wolf inquired, “Where are we going?”

“My hom-…house. I need to pack my stuff before they get thrown out.”

The wolf gently reached for Kyle’s hand and held it in his, “Sorry it turned out this way.”

“Nah, she’s been nothing but nasty to me, it’s long overdue.” Kyle said nonchalantly, “And guess who my dad will side with? It’d be kind of him to just show me the door, though I doubt that’s the only thing he’d do.”

Hector gave Kyle a worried look, which he easily understood the meaning behind, “Don’t worry, I can fend for myself. I have a few part-time jobs, and perks of being a nerd, you know, I never get a reason to blow my money away.”

The two soon arrived at Kyle’s place, and luckily, his father still hadn’t gotten home from work. Hector couldn’t help looking around curiously when he was finally shown his room: average size, dark blue wallpaper and minimalist decoration with no poster or picture or any ornaments whatsoever. The room gave off a cool but lonely and clinical air - a pristine place but never meant to be lived in.

“There’s really nothing to look at, right?” Kyle grinned as he pulled out a suitcase from under his bed, then started cramming his clothes and belongings into it, “Wanna help me out?”

“So you’re just going to…leave like this?” Hector inquired, packing Kyle’s books into a large backpack that his boyfriend just tossed to him, “Isn’t it too convenient for Kate?”

“Oh no, it’s actually the opposite.” Kyle flashed his lupine boyfriend a smug, almost unsettling smirk, “In case you haven’t realized, she’s a bully and a narcissist. What do they fear most; being loved, being hated? No, they’re afraid of being ignored. They need to be the center of attention, to have people worship and appease them, that’s their whole shtick.

Imagine what’ll happen if I’m not here? Who will she antagonize, who will she boss around? My dad? Nah, he’s the one spoiling her rotten to begin with. She’d be left alone, unable to satisfy her massive ego. Hopefully it’d be a reality check for her, but if it isn’t, she will eventually self-destruct in the vacuum of her own vanity.”

“You really should consider Psychology.” Hector complimented and silently prayed for anyone who dared to cross his lover. When he finished cleaning, the wolf was rather surprised to find a bottle standing next to the pen holder, “Is this…what I think it is?”

“Oh…you noticed?” Kyle blushed as he grabbed the empty drink container and stuffed it into his backpack’s side pocket, “It’s the first thing you’ve ever given me…I can’t throw it away.”

“I’ll give you even more from now on.” Hector said fondly, “Let’s get out of here.”

“One last thing.” Kyle rummaged through his pocket and pulled out two keys - one for the front door and one for his room - and tossed them to the now empty desk. The metallic clatter of the keys on the wood echoed in the silent room, like the final click of a cage being unlocked, “Okay, we’re good to go.”

While loading Kyle’s luggage to the waiting cab, Hector couldn’t help wondering, “Where are you staying from now on?”

“Hmm, I think a small apartment will do. I’m not picky about where to stay…” Kyle considered, then admitted, “Can’t expect to live rent free anywhere but in my sister’s head.”

“But what about tonight?”

“Now that you mentioned it, I haven't really thought that far ahead. Guess I’ll find a motel somewhere.” Kyle rubbed his chin, “Do you have any recommendations?”

“Yeah, my parents are on a business trip this week, so…if you don’t mind, you can stay at my place until they return.” Hector offered hesitantly.

Kyle was slightly baffled. He found the timing too convenient, almost like something out of a novel, but he wasn’t above rolling with it, especially when the scenario sounded incredibly tempting. He’d never been to Hector’s, and more importantly, the wolf’s parents being out of town meant they could finally enjoy some quality time together, and then…

“S-sure, I’ll take you up on that one.”

“Alright you two, save that for when you get home.” the impatient cab driver teased. Kyle’s face flushed beet red as he scrambled into the back seat, while Hector just smiled to himself, a triumphant smile.

…

Hector’s place was a suburban house with modern design, much more spacious and well-arranged than Kyle’s. When he saw the wolf open a smart lock to reveal the high-tech interior, however, Kyle suddenly remembered an important detail he should’ve thought to ask, “Are there…cameras in your house?”

“Yes, but my parents have given me authorization to turn them off, and I did, on our ride here. Privacy is never an issue here.” Hector shrugged, “Come in.”

Kyle sighed in relief. He knew the invitation was from Hector, but Kyle wasn’t exactly thrilled at the prospect of introducing himself to the wolf’s parents, since he basically had zero knowledge of them or their attitude toward interspecies relationship… not to mention it being a same-sex one, just to add some extra spice.

When the door finally closed behind him, Kyle barely had time to appreciate Hector’s place before two powerful, furry arms yanked him into their owner’s embrace.

“Impatient, aren’t we?” Kyle teased, a playful smile dancing on his lips.

“You have no idea,” Hector murmured, his voice a low, vibrating rumble against Kyle’s ear.

“Help yourself, then.”

No sooner had he finished than a lupine muzzle pressed firmly against Kyle’s lips as the two shared their first moment of intimacy. It felt electrifying to say the least; Kyle shivered slightly as a mixture of warmth, giddiness, anxiety and happiness spread across his body. Before long, he felt the wolf’s tongue licking his lips, requesting entry, and happily obliged. The rough but soft tongue invaded his mouth, exploring every corner it could reach before joining Kyle’s own tongue in a dance of passion. Despite it being the first kiss for both, their collective lack of experience didn’t dampen the pleasure at all. If anything, their clumsy movements only intensified the feverish, almost dreamlike passion between the two, man and wolf alike.

The two showed no signs of stopping, and would’ve likely kept going had it not been for their air-deprived lungs. Reluctantly, they parted and took a moment to catch their breath, a single saliva thread connecting their lips as proof of their physical indulgence.

“I gotta say, you’re a natural.” Kyle panted, “That was one hell of a welcome kiss.”

“Thanks, you’re not too bad yourself. Shall we…continue?”

“Tempting, but I don’t think hallways scream ‘romantic’, you know. How about our gracious host shows me where I’m sleeping tonight first?”

“Well, we have three options, but scratch the couch, no chance I’m leaving my VVIP there. You can stay in the guest room, which is as good as any bed room here, or…”

The third option. Kyle already knew what it was, and he was waiting for Hector to say it himself.

“If you don’t mind, you can always stay in…my room.” Hector offered gingerly.

“Done.”

“Huh?” the wolf gawked at his boyfriend, probably flabbergasted by such a lightning-fast response.

“Too fast? If two people have time and privacy right after a successful confession, what would they do?”

“Kiss and…start cuddling?”

“No, that’s PG-13 bs from TV romance. Realistically, what’d they do?”

“H-have sex?”

“Bingo.”

“So you…” Hector started, only to stop halfway when he finally grasped his boyfriend’s implication, “Oh.”

“Uh huh…Not now though. It’s been a rough day, and I need some rest. I also have to sort out a few things for tomorrow.”

The wolf nodded. He found the delay disappointing but Kyle’s wish came first, and Hector wanted their first to be as enjoyable and comfortable as it could get. Unlike the ever-stupid presumption that predatory beastfolk always forced their way onto anyone weaker, particularly humans, wolves were in general, very respectful and loving when it came to their partners, regardless of their species.

When the door opened, Kyle was pleasantly surprised to find a spacious and neat room, with a king-size bed, a mini-fridge, two working desks, a huge beanbag and well-organized shelves displaying a plethora of books and collectible items, from all kinds of novels to game consoles, figures and TCG. Basically, it was a geek’s heaven.

“Quite the collection you have here.” Kyle whistled in appreciation.

“You think so?” Hector replied sheepishly. He’d had butterflies in his stomach on their way here about the way Kyle would react to his hobby, on full display: Would he scorn? Would he consider it a waste of money? Would he find it too much? So it was a huge relief to hear Kyle’s approval.

“What?” Kyle glanced at his wolf, and realization hit him. He began chuckling, “Hector, you really think me, of all people, am gonna judge you on this? You do you, fuck what strangers have to say.”

“But you’re not a stranger. Your words…they mean everything to me.” Hector replied; his ears flickers slightly as he lowered his head to meet his lover’s eyes.

Completely smitten and speechless, Kyle couldn’t do anything but caress his boyfriend’s fluffy cheek. The two remained lovely-dovey for a few minutes before separating.

“Why don’t you take a shower or bath, whatever you like. I’ll grab us something for dinner.” Hector suggested and gestured at his en suite bathroom.

“Wow, you even have one of those?”

….

After a quick dinner, Kyle - having finished all of his assignments earlier - was now browsing for a cheap and decent apartment while Hector was, for the lack of a better term, simping over his new boyfriend. There was something incredibly attractive about the way Kyle was always immersed in his own world whenever he focused…or his post-shower casual clothes, or his twitching eyebrows whenever he found something noteworthy, or…

Okay, this is getting creepy! The wolf scolded himself mentally. As much as he enjoyed watching Kyle, it was not the reason why he brought Kyle home. Hector started, “How’s it going?”

“Nothing yet,” Kyle replied, eyes still on his phone, “You know ads, always take them with a grain of salt. I’m just looking for some convenient places and see how things go from there.”

“There’s no need to rush, you can stay here until my parents return.” The wolf said matter-of-factly, now moving in to join Kyle on the beanbag.

“Hector,” Kyle grimaced “I really don’t like being a freeloader.”

“I wouldn’t put it that way. My mom and dad love bragging about how they just moved right in together after they became a thing.”

“Well I can wholeheartedly say I’m different from them.” Kyle sighed, “Look, I know you’re trying to help, and I appreciate that, I really do, but it’s just not how I do things.”

Gears frantically turned in Hector’s head when he realized their conversation was going off-track. There must be a reason Kyle was so allergic to an otherwise appealing idea. After all, who doesn’t like living with their lover...

No, that wasn’t the main point. The main point was the “freeloader” part, and it wasn’t simply due to cultural differences. From what Hector himself had seen earlier, Kyle’s (biological) family must’ve been neglectful of him for a long time, so he probably had to take care of himself from a very young age…and someone as independent as him would, of course, recoil at the idea of taking anything for granted. Long story short, Hector realized that for Kyle, 'help' sounded far too much like 'charity'.

“Alright, how about we work out a deal, quid pro quo. That’d make it fair, right?”

That certainly piqued Kyle’s interest, “I’m listening.”

“I’ve been struggling with some subjects, why don’t you help me in exchange for staying here, and we can even make it into a tutoring job after you move out. You get to earn more and I get to know more, it’s a win-win.”

Kyle stared at Hector, before letting out a nervous laugh, “Seriously, me, tutoring? Have you looked at my report card?”

The wolf remained silent, instead giving his boyfriend a knowing smile. His wagging tail, though, made his amusement very clear.

“I see…you already knew.” Kyle rubbed his forehead in resignation, “When did I screw up?”

Grinning from ear to ear, Hector pulled out a piece of paper from his pocket, “You dropped this after we talked about the basketball thing yesterday.”

“So that’s why you were on my tail this whole morning? To catch me in 4k?”

“Obviously, otherwise I wouldn’t see for myself how amazing you are!” Hector beamed and snuggled closer to Kyle.

“You really are gonna be the death of me one day.” Kyle shook his head, “Alright, I’ll do it, under one condition.”

“Hmm?”

“When we study, we study, no shenanigans.” Kyle stated decisively. Under any other circumstances, this wouldn’t be necessary, but given their current relationship, there was a big chance Hector could get…frisky whenever they were alone. Better set things straight now, lest their so-called ‘tutor’ turned into nothing but a glorified excuse to fool around.

“How did you know?” Hector’s ears flattened.

“Anyone who remotely uses their brain could tell,” the human mercilessly pointed out, “And your tail’s still wagging. You may want to get that thing under control next time.”

“Easier said than done, try being a canine and you’ll see.” Hector grumbled, “Okay, I promise.”

“Cheer up, grumpy, I didn’t say we can’t have some…fun afterward.”

“For real?!”

“Sure, if we have time…” Kyle shrugged, only to halt when he realized something, “You…you were after this all along!”

Kyle looked at his boyfriend in disbelief. Indeed, it was a huge mistake to not clarify their time allocation right off the bat, now they could spend five minutes studying and the rest doing God knows what and it still didn’t violate any terms. Hector basically set a trap and he walked right into it…

Kyle facepalmed, realizing his logic had a gaping hole big enough for a wolf to jump through. His brain switched off when it came to this wolf, again!

While Kyle was busy berating himself, a certain wolf took the chance to climb atop his human. When the young man finally noticed the beanbag’s shifting movement, Hector was already looming over him, licking his muzzle like a predator drinking in the sight of its cornered prey, “Since we’ve come to terms, time to seal the deal with something…special.”

Contrary to the norm, however, this particular prey didn’t cower in fear. In fact, he was smirking confidently and defiantly, “Go ahead, show me what ‘special’ you’ve got.”

“As you wish.” Hector grinned, lowering himself as the two lovers surrendered to a feverish make-out session. Kyle felt Hector’s probing tongue as the wolf slurped at his mouth, and gladly parted his lips to allow his lupine boyfriend entry. Their kiss deepened; slippery appendages wrestling against one another in a bid for dominance until Kyle’s gradually gave in. Unlike their emotion-driven first time, this kiss was entirely governed by lust and neither bothered to hold back as the sounds they made became increasingly loud, sloppy and erotic. Even Kyle could tell his self-control was slipping away rapidly, replaced by a desire to fight back yet at the same time, be conquered by the wolf atop him.

Alas, their lip-lock still came to a reluctant end. Between heavy breaths, Hector growled, “Kyle, I love you…I love you so much! Can we…now?”

Kyle gulped, heart fluttering from anxiety and anticipation. So wolves were like this when they loved, no excessive pretentiousness but only pure and unbridled affection, so wild yet so irresistible. How could Kyle possibly say no to this hungry wolf, even if Hector looked like he was about to devour him. Reaching out to touch and caress Hector’s snout, Kyle replied, “Yes, just...please go slow…I want us both to enjoy this moment.”

The wolf gave a wordless nod, and Kyle let out a surprise yelp as Hector scooped him up and carried him bridal style to his king-size bed. With a soft thud, Kyle was dropped onto the mattress, and barely had time to register anything before Hector was all over him again. Nervous fingers fumbled to undress himself and Kyle, but Hector eventually got the job done save for their undergarments, and when the wolf was busy ogling his lover’s lithe nakedness, Kyle wasted no time taking a closer look at his lupine boyfriend’s physique. As expected from a regular basketball player, Hector was jacked, but the even muscular distributions really enhanced his appearance beyond that of a steroid-addicted gym-goer. Adding to that was a thick but luxuriously soft coat of grey fur covering his entire body, especially the fluffy chest tuft, giving the wolf a charming contrast of powerful and cuddly. Kyle made a sneaky mental note to make Hector his hugging pillow sometime soon.

And then there was the huge tent in his boxer, spotting a noticeable wet patch…and if things go accordingly, that would end up inside him soon. The thought was so terrifying yet so unimaginably erotic Kyle completely forgot about his own raging erection.

“Don’t worry, it’s all yours…but first we have some prep work to do.” Hector licked his muzzle, and with one brisk yank, stripped Kyle of his boxers. Without the garment’s confinement, Kyle’s hardness finally sprung free – a moderate 5-inch length with droplets of pearly white liquid dripping from the uncut head.

“Excited, aren’t we? Well, just in time for me to have a taste.” The wolf announced hungrily, and next thing Kyle knew, his entire erection had disappeared into the enclosure that was a lupine maw. Kyle shuddered from the unfamiliar sensation, one completely different from masturbation as this stimulation was manifold more intense and complex, a mixture of having his most intimate part engulfed by warm wetness and a rasping tongue constantly travelling along his sensitive shaft.

Up and down Hector moved, tongue lapping at the salty pre-cum and teasing his lover’s foreskin before finally peeling it back as the wolf finally went downtown on his human. Just like their first kiss, Hector’s blowjob was average at best, but the wolf’s sheer lust alone more than made up for it, not to mention the recipient of his oral service was also a first-timer with no prior experience whatsoever. It got even more stimulating, hearing Kyle’s heavy moans of pleasure, feeling his smooth length twitching continuously inside his mouth and tasting his musk, and when the human actively arched his back and started thrusting wantonly into his mouth, Hector happily approved himself and began sucking even harder as he sought to claim his reward for doing a good job.

As pleasure rapidly built up in his groin, it was impossible for Kyle to last long, and when frisky lupine hands started playing with his balls, Kyle finally reached his limit. An incoherent scream escaped Kyle’s lips, whether an ecstatic moan or him yelling Hector’s name he couldn’t tell. What he could tell, however, was a heart-stopping orgasm as semen began to dispend from his tip in violent jets, one after another shooting directly into a certain wolf’s waiting maw. Hector didn’t swallow immediately, instead letting the viscous liquid pool up in his mouth and taking his time savoring the rich, salty taste, and only gulped down the delicious treat when his lover had stopped discharging his love juice.

Chest heaving, gasping and huffing, Kyle had no time to recover from his explosive orgasm when his legs were lifted and hoisted over Hector’s shoulders. The wolf, seemingly hungry as ever, gave his boyfriend a toothy grin, “Don’t sleep on me, Kyle, the best’s still yet to come.”

The human was given no time to either question or grasp the meaning behind that when Hector resumed his work. A loud gasp, followed by moans and whimpered filled the room as the wolf lapped away at his boyfriend’s exposed pucker. Having just come down from his climax, Kyle was hyper sensitive, enough to feel even the smallest touch as Hector sampled his opening and plastered it in lupine drool. The slobbering sound reminded Kyle that he was being eaten out by a proud, sexy wolf was enough to fry his nerves, but when Hector tried to get inside, Kyle just threw away whatever left of his dignity and open his legs, practically inviting his lover to go deeper.

As if Hector actually needed an invitation.

Using both hands to spread his boyfriend’s delicate bud, the wolf nuzzled Kyle’s taint playfully, and with the conclusion that he had tenderized it enough, plunged his tongue toward his lover’s slick entrance. The appendage penetrated Kyle in one go, snaking itself a few inches into his butt and beginning its anal expedition. To Hector’s delight, Kyle had perhaps cleaned himself earlier, and now all he could taste was the human’s familiar musk, with by a faint earthy scent that not only didn’t put him off but also vastly magnified his lupine horniness.

It didn’t take long for Hector to find Kyle’s love button, and his effort was rewarded by a series of soprano moans from Kyle as the thick, flexible muscle continuously teased and flicked against that part. Kyle tried to squirm and writhe, but with his legs still under the confinement of Hector’s strong arm, all he could do was lie still and experience the torturously mind-numbing sensation, trapped on the brink of ejaculation, desperate to get off yet unable to as he was still in the middle of the cooldown process from his recent orgasm, which was more intense than anything his hand had ever generated.

Kyle’s building pleasure eventually became unbearable. Hoarsely, he tried to inform his lover, “Hector…I’m, nghhh, close again.”

The wolf was quick in response, instantly ceasing his ass-eating session. The night was still young, and he didn’t want to tire Kyle out before the main course, though it certainly didn’t make him feel less guilty to hear his boyfriend’s displeased groan when he was bailed out of another release. Of course he was about to make up for that.

“I think this much is enough. You ready?”

“Would you stop if I said no?” Kyle replied sarcastically, still gasping for air.

The wolf chuckled and walked to his desk, where he pulled out a bottle of lube and a pack of condoms from the top drawer. Kyle didn’t even bat an eye at them, just asking nonchalantly, “Lemme guess, you bought them when I was in the shower?”

“I just realize you also have a knack for fortune telling. Between Psychology and this, you’re one crystal ball away from becoming a millionaire.”

“Just get your snarky ass over here and show me a good time.” Kyle groaned, “And take those pants off while you’re at it.”

Hector had no idea his lover would be this impatient after he himself had been the one postponing their fuck earlier, but he found this new side of Kyle too adorable to complain. In fact, it made him want to tease Kyle a bit more, as he took his time removing his boxers. Hector could tell Kyle’s eyes were on him the whole time as he seductively slid his undergarment down his furred, muscular thighs to reveal his towering wolfhood - already twitching and leaking in anticipation.

Just as his boyfriend being careful enough to purchase lube and condoms, Kyle had also been doing some preparation on his own. Some hygienic work in the shower, and some research on his phone while Hector thought he was looking for a rent, yet seeing the real thing was still exponentially more intimidating and exciting. The thing – a far cry from Kyle’s smooth genitalia – was easily eight inches long, veiny, blood-red in color and unevenly shaped, expanding in thickness as it went down from the tip, but the most outstanding feature was an enormous bulk of flesh protruding from a furry sheath at the wolf’s groin. The boubous mass, or “knot”, essentially prevented the penetrated from running away and made sure all the semen the male had to offer ended up inside the other. Sure, such function would be useless if the receiving partner was another male, but had that ever hindered the urge to shove the knot in and fully indulge in carnal desires?

“Yeah…the lube is a good idea…” Kyle nodded, “Just this time though, I think we can do without the rubbers.”

“We…what?”

“I mean, yeah, save sex is good, but this is our first time…I want to take a little risk, to feel you directly. Could we?”

“Of course!” Hector beamed as he hurried over the bed and placed a soft kiss on his boyfriend’s lips, “I was hoping for that too!”

…

Having generously applied lubricant on his penis, Hector sought confirmation from his boyfriend again, “Shall we begin?”

“Just get on with it.” Kyle nodded.

No further invitation was needed as the wolf positioned himself for entry; his erection kissing his lover’s wrinkling pucker. Slowly he eased forward, the tapered tip effortlessly penetrated Kyle’s virgin orifice, owning to the wolf’s extensive prep work. Kyle shivered as his innards were invaded for the first time, and quite he didn’t exactly find the sensation enjoyable - not yet anyway, it did come off as fascinating, knowing he was swallowing a bare lupine dick from the other end. The heat, the hardness, the length – altogether were quite overwhelming, and Kyle found himself eager for more.

As the widening girth began to stretch him beyond comfortable, however, Kyle started to second-guess his ability to take such a huge length up his ass. Fortunately for Kyle, Hector didn’t miss his painful reactions and immediately halted his movements and allowed him to accommodate, sprinkling in kisses and words of encouragement for good measure, “Relax, Kyle, you’re doing so well…that’s it, take a deep breath…look at me, you know I’m never gonna hurt you.”

“That’s a little corny, but thank you…” Kyle groaned and returned his lover’s affection with soft kisses of his own. As he made out with Hector, the human felt a shift in his stomach. His discomfort, while still lingering, had significantly lessened, and in its place was a…pleasing sense of fullness as his anus grew accustomed to the searing lupine rod.

Kyle wasn’t the only one having a hard time though. Hector’s mind was essentially split into two, one half reminding him to be careful and gentle, while the other urging him to hold nothing back and exercise his lupine horniness. The feeling of his lover’s warm, snug inside squeezing his penis nearly drove Hector insane, and God knew how much willpower he was exerting to not surrender to his mating instinct and just pounded away at his human. Thankfully, the wolf’s rationale won out, and with patience that even he himself had no idea he was capable of, Hector slowly slipped his length into his lover’s depths, once centimeter after another. It took seemingly forever, but eventually, both let out a collective gasp as the wolf finally hilted inside his human, save for his massive knot.

“You holding up okay?”

“Yeah…I think I’m used to it now, so the next part is…ack!” Kyle didn’t get to finish his sentence as Hector withdrew and pushed back in. The wolf didn’t apply too much force, but Kyle’s body still seized up as if the air had exited his lungs.

“This.” Hector gave his lover a toothy grin, unfazed by the latter’s glare, “Don’t worry, I’ll start slow.”

And the wolf kept his words. For the first few minutes, he only made short, swallow thrusts, barely enough for his length to graze over Kyle’s inner walls, gradually creating an inexplicable itch within Kyle’s depths – an itch which could only be soothed by relentless pounding and filling of lupine cock. The slow but consistent stimulus sent chills down Kyle’s spines, and then there was the fullness, the same sensation he’d experience earlier due to Hector’s penetration, now manifolds intensified from the wolf’s constant movements. Before long, the human was no longer content with their current pace and started to press himself back to meet his lover’s thrusts.

Hector, of course, didn’t miss out on the signs, and gladly granted Kyle his wish. Holding his human in place by the hips, Hector unleashed his mating instinct and plunged his stiff length at Kyle’s freshly deflowered rear with increased tempo. The wolf’s rhythm caused Kyle to gasp and moan uncontrollably; his guts heating up by the minute from the friction and the copious lupine pre-cum, and all the sounds he was making only added more fuel to his boyfriend’s blazing lust, who was very eager to fuck him into next week. In and out the wolf went as he helped himself to the intense pleasure of sheathing his needy member inside the deliciously warm and velvety tightness, while impatiently seeking a particular spot his tongue had found earlier.

“Ah!”

A loud, echoing cry - one of surprise and ecstasy - escaped Kyle’s mouth, and that when the wolf knew he’d hit the jackpot.

Hector’s hips became a blur as he doubled down on his effort to breed his lover; his cock exited and entered Kyle’s clenching hole with frantic thrusts, all with the sole purpose of smacking the human’s prostate into submission. Lewd slurps permeated the air, adding to the lascivious cacophony of heavy furred balls smacking against smooth backside and smooch-sprinkled noises of pleasure. With his love button savagely beaten and stimulated, Kyle was reduced to but a moaning mess, unable to concentrate on anything but the massive mating tool inside his ass and the accumulating pleasure in his groin, yet somehow between those chaotic thoughts, something else still managed to catch his attention - none other than the swollen base of Hector’s penis hammering and trying to breach his entrance.

Kyle knew the meaning behind it. The last step, the grand finale to k9 mating, whether it was a female or male they were shoving their cock into. Of course it wasn’t too late for him to establish a no-entry order, but that was if he actually wanted the wolf to stop, and he didn’t. Knowing Hector, Kyle was sure no matter how lust-driven the wolf was, he’d always put Kyle’s needs before his own, and such realization only compelled Kyle to spoil his wolf even more…Like Hector, he wanted both of them to enjoy their first time to the fullest, quite literally, not to mention he’d already taken a wolf dick nearly the size of his wrist, why not go all the way?

“Get it all in there, Hector. Tie me good.” Kyle whispered invitingly and braced himself for the imminent impact. Now given permission, the wolf could finally go all out with his endeavor of knotting his human; his movements grew significantly slower but came with much greater force. The wolf’s tongue flopped by his muzzle as he constantly switched from whines to growls; his hips worked tirelessly to tenderize Kyle’s pucker and pave the way for his knot to enter; each pull had three fourths of his length out before a powerful push drove it back in, hard. Little by little Kyle could tell his pucker was giving in, battered and softened by his lover’s continuous assault, yet when the thing finally penetrated his exhausted defense and popped inside, his senses almost came to a stop.

And so were Hector’s thrusts.

The two lovers held still and indulged in their joint orgasm. Kyle’s punished prostate, no longer able to handle the stimulation, finally triggered his second orgasm of the night; ropes of semen burst out from the tip of his cock and sprayed all over his chest, some even landed on his boyfriend’s broad, furry chest. Kyle came in such an amount he didn’t think was possible, as if his balls decided to milk themselves dry after years of pitiful masturbation, and it didn’t end there. In the wake of his huge discharge, Kyle felt the searing length inside him pulsed and began the insemination process. His ass, already full of lupine cock and knot, now flooded with wolf cum as liquid heat spread across whatever space and cervices left of his stuffed innards. The torrents of lupine puppy batter came in seemingly infinite volume and had nowhere to go but Kyle’s depths as the firmly lodged knot prevent any from escaping. By the time Hector rode out his orgasm, his lover was deliciously filled and visibly bloated – and had never looked more satisfied.

A few more minutes were spent catching their breath as both finally came down from their climax. Kyle rubbed his swollen belly, amazed by the sheer amount of his boyfriend’s load, “What’s the point of rubbers if you come this much every time?”

The wolf scratched his head sheepishly, “Uh…well, wolf condoms are actually quite flexible, and maybe I got too excited, you know…first time and bareback and all.”

“Good to know that.” Kyle sighed. It suddenly came to his mind that beastfolk had extremely keen smelling, and with this much lupine semen residing in his guts, he’d probably reek of Hector tomorrow no matter how meticulously he cleaned himself. It wouldn’t take long for the whole school to figure out what was going on between him and Hector…or for Kate to make a scene about it, “Crap, my sister won’t let this slide easily.”

“Let her be. What can she do on her own?” Hector chuckled.

“Yeah right, every guy in our school probably wants to bang her. What if she uses that to cause trouble for you?” Kyle frowned, surprised by how relaxed his lover was.

“If my friends really have to choose between her and me, I believe they’ll make the right call.” the wolf said confidently. He then wrapped both arms around his boyfriend and pulled him into a furry snuggle, “Enough about her. From now on, the only thing you should have in your mind is me.”

“As if you haven’t been there until now…” Kyle smirked as he allowed himself to be immersed in his lover’s warmth, inside and outside, “One last thing, Hector.”

“Hmm?”

“I love you too.”

(the end)