Chapter 11: I Knew It. I'm Surrounded by Assholes! -Dark Helmet

Bryan awoke and his paw instinctively reached across the mattress for Jason. Instead of warm fur and firm muscles, the rabbit's paw found only cool sheets. Bryan frowned and rolled onto his back, stretching and blinking his eyes as he yawned. Rays of morning sunlight streamed in through their window, casting long shadows across their dorm room. The sight made Bryan feel strangely out of place.

"Great," Bryan muttered to himself, as he sat up. "What are you doing Bryan?"

His phone buzzed on the nightstand, and his heart leapt at the possibility that it might be Jason texting him. That hope quickly faded as Bryan looked and saw a string of messages from the other Pride Club members. They were all in a group conversation that had dozens of unread messages, with more arriving by the minute.

Toby: "DARLINGS! I know we said no special things- BUT! What about rainbow shirts for the group photo?"

Chase: "No."

Toby: "But the THEME!"

Chase: "Still no."

Nic: “I don’t actually own a rainbow shirt…”

Dreo: "Focus everyone!”

Dreo: “Photo time is in 2 hours.”

Dreo: “Student cafeteria.”

Dreo: “Don’t be late!"

Toby: “Someone, Anyone... PLEASE show Dreo how to Text more than 5 words at a time!”

Toby: “Also, Nic love - I gotchu.”

Chase: "No.”

As Bryan scrolled down the messages guilt gnawed at his stomach. Dreo, Chase, Nic, Toby- all of them had welcomed him without question, given him a space where he could be himself. Yet here he was, planning to skip their group photo because he was afraid of what Jason might think.

Another message hit his phone and the rabbit’s heart leapt once again. This time Bryan was rewarded with the sweet release of endorphins upon seeing Jason’s name on the screen.

Jason: "Coffee see you at 11:00, Toe Beans right?"

A simple text message. Just seven simple words and a time, yet they sent Bryan's pulse racing. After weeks of whatever this thing between them was, Jason actually wanted to be seen with him in public. It was a small gesture, but it felt monumental. A pivotal step in the two becoming… something.

"Don't read too much into it," Bryan whispered to himself, even as hope bloomed in his chest. "It's just coffee."

He started typing several responses, each feeling wrong:

"That's the place, 11 sounds great" - too eager

"Ok Yeah" - too cold

"You got it Can't wait" - definitely too much

Finally, he settled on "Yep see you there" and hit send before he could second-guess himself again.

Bryan stood, running a paw through his headfur as he checked the time. 9:30 AM. An hour and a half to get ready and work up the courage to face whatever this meeting might bring. An hour and a half to decide if he was ready to try and reconcile his two carefully separated worlds.

Meanwhile, Jason sat alone in the cafeteria, absently pushing eggs around his plate with one paw, his phone in the other. He had snuck out of their room earlier, being unable to sleep throughout the night. As the wolf sat his phone down on the table, his mind raced between thoughts of tonight's game, his upcoming coffee with Bryan, and the growing tension with Jessica. Jason's ears twitched at the sound of camera equipment being set up and tables being moved across the room. Some people were setting up some kind of photo event, according to an easel sign.

That might explain why the cafeteria felt unusually crowded for this time of morning. Students were clustered around tables, their chatter creating a constant background hum that for some reason set Jason's nerves on edge. Every laugh, every scrape of a chair made his fur bristle slightly. It was also the reason why Jason didn't notice a certain cat walk up to him.

"Thought I'd find you here," Jessica's voice cut through his thoughts as she slid into the seat across from him. "We need to talk."

Jason's grip tightened on his fork. "About what?"

"About what's been going on with you," Jessica said, her tail lashing behind her. "Ever since that night, you've barely looked at me. Now you keep making excuses. Is it because of what happened? Because I'm trying here, Jason. I told you we could work up to-"

"It's not about that," Jason interrupted, his ears flattening. This was not the time nor the place that Jason wanted this conversation to happen.

"Then what? Because here you are, clearly not missing me." Jessica's voice took on a bitter edge. "Hell, Jason, you've barely said five words to me in the last two days. You spend more time with that damn rabbit than me."

Jason's hackles rose. "Leave Bryan out of this."

Jessica's face scrunched in confusion, then anger. "Why are you defending him? You barely knew him a few weeks ago, and now suddenly he's what - your best friend?"

"He's helping me pass my classes," Jason growled. "Which is more than I can say for-"

"For what? For me?" Jessica's voice rose slightly. "Why won't you tell me what’s going on Jason?! Is it me? Is it something I did?"

Several heads turned their way, including Derek and Mike at a nearby table. Jason's claws scratched against his tray, leaving faint marks on the plastic.

"It’s not - look, you don't know what you're talking about," Jason said through clenched teeth.

"Because you won’t talk to me. Dammit, Jason! If you’re going to break up with me just man up and do it because from where I'm sitting, it looks like-"

"Looks like what?" Jason stood abruptly, his chair scraping back with a harsh sound. "Go ahead, say it."

Derek appeared at Jason's side, placing a heavy paw on his shoulder. "Hey, Fields, cool it. We've got a game tonight, remember?"

"Yeah, man," Mike added, moving between them. "Coach will bench you if you start something."

Jason's breath came in hot, heavy pants as he looked between them. His fists clenched at his sides.

Jessica stood, gathering her things with sharp movements. She gave Jason one final scathing look before scoffing. "Let me know when you decide to stop acting like a child."

As she stormed off, Derek's paw dropped from Jason's shoulder. The wolf collapsed back into his chair, Derek and Mike flanking him.

"Maybe she's right Bro- you have been acting weird lately. Almost like you're avoiding everyone except that roommate of yours."

Jason whirled on Derek, his voice coming out with a harsh, low growl. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Woah, just pointing out the obvious Bro!" Derek held up his paws. "What's gotten into you?"

Mike pulled Jason back. "Come on, man. You need to relax. Maybe hit the gym or something, work off some steam."

Jason shrugged them off and grumbled an apology as he stood up again. His mind was spinning and he had a ringing noise in his ears. In just over an hour he was supposed to meet Bryan for coffee. It had seemed like a good idea last night - a way to show Bryan he was trying. But every passing moment made him more anxious and caused him to question his decision. He wasn't sure what he wanted anymore. Was he doing this because he wanted to, or because he felt obligated? The line between those two reasons had become increasingly blurred.

"I need some air," Jason muttered, leaving his untouched food and two confused teammates behind in the cafeteria as he walked away.

Jason pushed his way out of the cafeteria doors and stepped outside into the morning air. Even out in the open it felt like there were too many people around him, too much noise. There wasn't enough space. Jason quickly made his way toward an empty, out of the way, pathway between buildings. Once he found a quiet spot, Jason leaned against the cool brick wall and closed his eyes. He was still finding it hard to calm himself as his breaths came in short, sharp pants.

Tonight’s game loomed over him like a storm cloud. Coach Martinez's words echoed in his head: "Whatever you're doing, keep it up. Good job out there." How could he keep it up when he felt like everything was about to fall apart? His carefully constructed walls were crumbling, leaving him feeling exposed and vulnerable.

Bryan's smile flashed through his mind - warm, accepting, genuine. So different from Jessica's suffocating intensity. The rabbit had never pushed, never demanded more than Jason could give. Yet somehow the fear of disappointing Bryan made the pressure Jason felt all the worse. Bryan's patience only highlighted Jason's own inabilities.

His phone lit up with a new message. Jason glanced down at the screen, seeing a message from Bryan: "Looking forward to seeing you later :)"

Jason's paw clenched around the device, his claws leaving faint impressions on the case. The simple text carried the weight of possibilities he wasn't ready to face. Everyone wanted something from him - Jessica wanted commitment, Coach wanted focus, the team wanted victory, Bryan wanted him to change. What did he want?

The wolf took a deep breath, inhaling the crisp morning air. He straightened his shoulders, pushing off from the wall. He had an hour or so before meeting Bryan for coffee. It was precious little time to figure out if he was brave enough to choose what he wanted over what everyone expected. For now, though, he needed to find a way to stop feeling like he was drowning.

Bryan stood in front of his mirror in their dorm room. The rabbit adjusted his shirt collar for the third time when his phone buzzed. Bryan knew the message wasn't from Jason. He knew that because he had already checked the previous two messages. This new one was just another in a string of texts from Dreo.

There was another buzz and Bryan groaned as he gritted his teeth and looked up at the ceiling.

Another buzz as Bryan took in and let out a deep breath.

Another buzz and Bryan yanked his phone out of his pocket and checked his messages.

Dreo: "Can we talk? It's important."

Dreo: "Just hear me out.”

Dreo: “Please?"

Bryan's shoulders slumped and his ears drooped. The rabbit’s frustration quickly turned into shame as he typed back: "Not a good time."

Dreo: "Already here with Chase. Just 2 minutes"

With a frustrated sigh, Bryan turned and opened his dorm room door. The rabbit stuck his head out into the hallway. Bryan didn't see anyone immediately, so he stepped out and closed the door quietly behind him. Down the corridor, he spotted Dreo and Chase rounding a corner near the stairwell. The oncilla's face lit up when he saw Bryan, while Chase maintained her usual disinterested expression.

"Bryan!" Dreo called out, hurrying over. "Listen, about the photo-"

"I already told you no," Bryan cut him off, his voice tight.

"I know, I know, but hear me out," Dreo pressed. "This is our chance to come together as a group. It would mean a lot to everyone if you stood with us."

Bryan's paws clenched at his sides. "I know the spiel, Dreo. I said no."

"Is this about your roommate?" Dreo asked softly. "Because if he's making you feel like you can't-"

"Don't," Bryan snapped, his ears flattening. "You don't know anything about it."

"Then help me understand! We're supposed to be supporting each other, but you keep pushing us away."

Chase stepped forward, sensing the rising tension. "Dreo, don’t push too hard here."

"No, he needs to hear this," Dreo insisted. "You can't keep hiding who you are forever, Bryan. It's not healthy."

"Healthy?" Bryan laughed bitterly. "What's not healthy is you showing up at my dorm, trying to pressure me into something I've already said no to."

"I'm trying to help!"

"I didn't ask for your help!" Bryan's voice echoed in the hallway. "I don't need you to save me or fix me or whatever this is."

Chase moved between them. "Alright, that's enough. Dreo, we're leaving."

Dreo's shoulders slumped. "I just... I care about you, Bryan. We all do."

"I know," Bryan said, softer now. "But this isn't the way you help me."

As Chase led Dreo away, Bryan nervously checked his phone. There hadn't been another response from Jason. Bryan sent another quick text: “Looking forward to seeing you later :)”

Bryan looked down at his message as he nervously tapped his finger against his phone case. He wished he felt as confident as the text on the screen implied. The message showed as delivered but as Bryan watched the screen, no response came back.

The rabbit leaned against the wall, letting his head fall rest against the cool surface as his emotions warred inside him. The hallway felt suffocating despite being empty, his fur prickling with nervous energy. He had over an hour to kill before meeting Jason, over an hour to overthink every possible way this could go wrong.

Bryan's phone buzzed and his heart leapt as his paws fumbled to check the screen. Instead of Jason's name, all he saw was another message from Dreo.

Dreo: "I'm sorry. You're right. Take all the time you need. We're here for you when you're ready."

Bryan's throat tightened as he read the words. The oncilla meant well - they all did. That's what made this so hard. His friends in the Pride Club had given him acceptance without question, while Jason... Jason gave him hope, desire, and fear all wrapped into one complicated package.

With trembling paws, Bryan put away his phone and closed his eyes. He'd worked so hard to keep these two parts of his life separate but the walls were crumbling, and he couldn't stop it. He didn't want to stop it. That didn't make it any easier. Unable to face returning to their empty room, Bryan found himself walking toward Toe Beans Coffee.

The new shop had opened just last week, quickly becoming popular despite its off-campus location. Nic had enthusiastically recommended it during Pride Club, their usually quiet voice animated as they described the welcoming atmosphere. Bryan had mentioned it casually to Jason later, carefully omitting where he'd heard about it.

The morning air bit at Bryan's exposed nose and ears as he made his way through town. His breath came out in small clouds that dissipated in the chill. Through the shop's front windows, warm light spilled onto the sidewalk, and a small rainbow flag hung proudly in the corner. Bryan hesitated at the door, his paw hovering over the handle before he steeled his nerves and stepped inside.

The rich aroma of freshly ground coffee enveloped him as he entered. As expected for the early time of day, the shop buzzed with activity - students hunched over laptops, locals reading newspapers, baristas calling out drinks and names. Behind the counter, a cheerful otter took orders, their register decorated with a small rainbow sticker that made Bryan's chest tighten slightly.

With trembling paws, Bryan ordered his usual hazelnut macchiato.

The rabbit had arrived almost an hour early, anxiety driving him here before he could talk himself out of coming. Bryan chose a small table for two near the center of the room. Pendant lights cast a warm glow overhead, and the location offered clear sightlines to both entrances. Bryan told himself the choice was practical - good lighting, easy access - definitely not because it would be impossible for Jason to miss him.

Bryan’s drink was sat down on his table shortly after the rabbit had settled in. The Styrofoam cup was steaming hot, but Bryan barely even registered the barista setting it down. The rabbit's attention kept drifting between his phone and the door. Around him, conversations and coffee machines created a symphony of normalcy that only heightened his growing unease. Each minute that crept closer to eleven felt longer than the last.

As eleven o'clock approached, Bryan's paw tightened around his phone. At the top of the hour, Jason didn’t walk through the door. Bryan’s anxiety turned to dread as the first minute past their meeting time crept by. By five minutes past, Bryan’s ears had drooped and the rabbit’s stomach was in a knot. At ten minutes past the hour, Bryan was contemplating leaving while sinking ever lower in his chair.

At 11:11, the door finally opened. Jason stepped in, his fur was disheveled and his ears were flat against his head. As their eyes met across the crowded space, Bryan's heart skipped painfully. He straightened in his chair, forcing a smile as he waved the wolf over.

"Hey," Bryan said softly as Jason approached. "Found us a good spot."

"Yeah, sorry I'm late," Jason mumbled with a hesitant smile. The wolf shifted his weight from one foot to the other nervously. "I- uh. Do you want a coffee?"

Bryan glanced down at his cup on the table and Jason’s eyes followed.

“Oh,” Jason said.”Yeah- right. Just give me a moment then.”

Jason stepped away and walked over to the cafe’s counter. Bryan watched Jason in line, noting how the wolf's tail twitched as Jason fumbled with his wallet. When Jason returned, he gripped his cup like a shield, sitting stiffly.

"Pretty busy today," Jason said, eyes darting around the various faces in the room.

"It's nice though," Bryan kept his voice deliberately light. "Change of scenery."

"Sure," Jason's responded.

Bryan bit his bottom lip as he looked over at Jason. "How's Business Analytics going?" Bryan asked, trying to keep casual. "That last assignment seemed tough."

"Fine," Jason muttered, his eyes darting to a group of students who'd just walked in.

"And football practice? Coach still running those drills?"

"Yeah." Jason's paw tightened around his cup.

Bryan's ears drooped slightly at the clipped responses. In their room, Jason would have launched into a detailed breakdown of Coach Martinez's latest tortures, complete with dramatic reenactments.

"I was thinking," Bryan tried again, "maybe we could review chapter six tonight? There's this interesting part about market trends-"

"Can't. Game."

"Right. Of course." Bryan stirred his cooling coffee. "What about tomorrow? I could help you with-"

"Look," Jason cut him off, voice tight. "Can we not do the whole tutoring thing right now?"

The sharp edge in Jason's tone made Bryan's nose twitch anxiously. Gone was the wolf who'd spent hours explaining football plays to him, who'd laughed at his terrible sports puns, who'd fallen asleep mid-sentence while they studied.

"Sorry," Bryan said softly, his paws fidgeting with his coffee cup. "Just trying to keep things normal between us. Like how we study together, you know?"

"Normal?" Jason's laugh was bitter, almost harsh. His claws scraped against his cup as his ears flattened further. "Nothing about this is normal, Bryan."

"But it is. Nobody's paying attention to us," Bryan tried, glancing around at the other customers absorbed in their own conversations and laptops. "We're just two friends getting coffee. That's what everyone sees."

"Right. Friends." Jason's voice dripped with sarcasm as his tail lashed behind him. "Is that what we are?"

"Hey look, it's alright Jason." Bryan's paw inched across the table, his fur barely brushing against Jason's knuckles. "I know this is a change, but we can take it slow-"

Jason recoiled so violently his coffee sloshed over the rim, droplets spattering across the table. "What are you doing?" His voice was a harsh whisper, eyes wide with panic.

"I thought..." Bryan's voice dropped to barely above a whisper. "I was just trying to show you that it's okay-"

"Not here," Jason hissed, standing so abruptly that his chair scraped loudly against the floor. "Not with everyone -"

"So I'm only good enough behind closed doors?" Bryan's expression saddened, hurt and anger warring in his voice. "When no one can see us?"

"I can't- this– this was a mistake," Jason looked down at their table, his paws were shaking. "All of it." Without another word, the wolf turned and fled, nearly knocking over another student in his haste to escape.

Bryan sat frozen, acutely aware of a few curious glances from nearby tables. His nose twitched rapidly as he fought to maintain his composure. While unbeknownst to either of them, a leopard sitting off in a corner booth closed the photo app on her phone. The cat’s claws clicked rapidly against the glass as she typed out a message.

As Brayn continued to stare at Jason's empty chair, the rabbit watched a drop of spilled coffee slowly make its way across the table. His own drink had gone cold, much like the hope that he had held onto last night. With trembling paws, he gathered his things, leaving both cups behind - one barely touched, one half-empty, both testament to another failed attempt at being something more.

Meanwhile, back in the student cafeteria, Derek flexed in front of the photographer, striking another pose while Mike let out a sigh.

"Come on man, you're burning through the guy's memory card," Mike groaned, running a paw down his face.

Derek grinned, switching to another pose. "Hey, these guns deserve proper documentation. Besides, the guy's getting paid hourly anyway."

"I doubt he's even taking pictures anymore," Mike said, glancing at the photographer.

"Sure he is." Derek twisted to show his profile. "Right?"

Mike caught the husky's eye behind the camera, who slowly shook his head with a look of tired resignation. The photographer had stopped pressing the shutter button ten minutes ago.

Jessica approached the two from the cafeteria’s hallway entrance, her tail whipping behind her as she walked. Her cheerleading uniform seemed at odds with her dark expression. "Hey, you two. Since Jason won’t speak to me - maybe you guys can tell me what’s going on with him?"

Mike shrugged, avoiding her gaze. "Nothing really."

“Nothing?” Jessica said with a sneer, “Absolutely nothing?”

"Other than him actually showing up to class?" Mike attempted a light chuckle. "Must be that tutor working miracles."

His laughter died as he caught the hurt in Jessica's eyes, her lower lip quivering slightly. The cat's usual confident demeanor cracked, showing the vulnerability beneath.

"Oh hey," Mike said quickly, elbowing Derek in the ribs. "Look, he's probably just stressing about the game. You know how he gets before matches."

Derek paused mid-flex, finally reading the situation. "Yeah, uh, Coach has been riding us pretty hard lately."

Mike shot Derek an exasperated look as Jessica let out a small sniffle, her claws fidgeting with the hem of her uniform.

"I just don't understand what could have changed," she said softly, more to herself than them. "We were fine until..."

Across the cafeteria, the doors leading in from the outside swung open as the Pride Club members walked in. Toby led the group, his rainbow scarf catching the fluorescent lights. As the group approached the photo area, the dalmatian's eyes lit up when he spotted Derek standing in front of the photo backdrop.

"Oh honey, is that supposed to be modeling?" Toby called out, looking Derek up and down. "Because we have an appointment now. But later, mmm - I have some notes."

Derek's ears flattened as he glanced between Toby, Mike, and Jessica, clearly caught off guard. "What? Nobody asked you."

Toby arched an eyebrow, his tail swishing. "Like anyone needed to, darling."

Derek blinked rapidly, his mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. Mike grabbed Derek's shoulder with a sigh, steering the tiger off toward a nearby table as Jessica followed. The cat didn’t even bother to pay the new group any further attention than a passing glance.

As the trio left, the husky behind the camera looked over the new group with the same tired resignation.

"You must be the eleven o'clock appointment," the photographer said, adjusting his glasses as he checked his schedule. "Club name for the registry?"

"The Hightail LGBTQIA+ Pride Club Alliance," Dreo announced loudly, his chest puffing out with pride as several heads turned their way.

From the adjacent table where he, Jessica, and Mike had walked over to, Derek stopped talking mid-sentence. "You have got to be shitting me," he muttered as he slowly turned back around. The cafeteria had grown noticeably quieter, conversations dying as other students also turned to stare.

Jessica had also stopped talking, her tail going rigid as her eyes narrowed. She and the others watched the group as they arranged themselves. Mike's usual easy smile had disappeared, replaced by an uncomfortable grimace.

As the Pride Club gathered in front of the photographer's backdrop, Dreo fussed over everyone's positions. Chase leaned against the backdrop, her green-streaked fur deliberately disheveled, while Nic tugged nervously at their oversized sweater. Toby, ever the drama student, struck an elaborate pose that wouldn't have looked out of place on a runway.

The flash went off, capturing the moment - Chase's studied indifference, Nic's nervous energy, Toby's theatrical flair, and Dreo's earnest pride. Afterward, the oncilla immediately bounded over to review the shot, leaning close to the photographer's laptop screen in the eerily quiet cafeteria.

"Perfect! Let me make sure you have everyone's names correct," Dreo said, pointing at each figure. "From right to left: Chase Ringwood, Toby Fleece, myself - Dres'itro Melharia, and Nicola Rivercrest." He paused, then added, "Also note our unpictured member, Bryan Bramblebush."

Jessica's ears shot up at Bryan's name, her claws extending slightly. The husky nodded as he typed in the names. Then the Pride Club gathered their things and left as quickly as they'd arrived, Toby's scarf trailing dramatically behind him.

The moment they were gone, Jessica approached the photographer, her voice dripping honey. "Excuse me," she purred, batting her eyes. "That club photo - would you mind if I took a quick pic? For the school paper?"

The husky looked skeptical but shrugged, turning his laptop toward her with an obvious lack of care.

"Thanks so much," Jessica said sweetly, snapping several photos with her phone of the picture and its caption. As she turned and walked back towards Derek and Mike, her facade dropped as she began typing on her phone, claws clicking against the screen.

"Well, well," she murmured, a predatory smile spreading across her face. "Looks like your precious tutor's been keeping secrets, Jason."

Derek and Mike crowded around her, the tiger's whiskers twitching with curiosity. "What's the deal?"

Jessica's smile widened as she hit send, imagining Jason's reaction when he saw the message. "Just confirming what I suspected all along. Our star player's about to learn something very interesting about his roommate."

"You really think Jason doesn't know?" Mike asked, his voice unusually serious.

“Doesn’t know what?” Derek replied, completely oblivious.

"Oh, I think he's about to find out exactly who he's been spending all his time with," Jessica replied, her tail swishing with satisfaction. "He's got some explaining to do."

“Really? Doesn’t know what?” Derek asked again.

Back in town, Jason stormed out of the coffee shop. The wolf’s chest heaved with a mixture of panic and anger. Before he knew it, Jason had crossed over several streets and had walked into a small park area. As he went down one of the many deserted paths, Jason turned and swung his fist with all his might at a young oak tree. Bark cracked under his knuckles. The sharp pain helped clear his head but did nothing to slow his racing heart.

"Stupid, stupid, stupid," he muttered, pressing his forehead against the rough bark. The memory of Bryan's hurt expression made his stomach twist. The rabbit had only tried to touch his paw - such a small gesture that had sent Jason running like a coward. Why was he like this? Why couldn’t he just get over it?

After several deep breaths, Jason pulled back from the tree, flexing his scraped knuckles. He should go back, try to explain. He needed to apologize. Bryan deserved better than being abandoned in a crowded coffee shop. He was better than this. The wolf had taken two steps back toward the cafe when his phone buzzed.

Jason glanced down, it was a message from Jessica. The wolf almost ignored it but then an attached image loaded up and flashed on his screen underneath it. Jason immediately recognized Bryan’s friends and that caused the wolf to pause. Jason read the message.

Jessica: “Looks like your tutor’s been lying to you - Check out the new Hightail Pride Club member list.”

Jason's blood ran cold as he looked at the caption below the Pride Club photo. Bryan's name was clearly listed as a member.

What? Was all that Jason could think. When did he? Why was he? Were they? Jason’s paws were shaking as he forwarded the club photo to Bryan and hit the rabbit’s number on his speed dial. Bryan answered on the second ring.

"Jason, I-"

"Were you ever going to tell me?" Jason's voice came out as a growl. "Or was this all some kind of joke to you? See how far you could take things?"

"What are you talking about?" Bryan sounded hesitant on the other end of the line.

"The Pride Club! You're in the fucking Pride Club, prancing around school- and you didn't think that was something I should know?"

There was an intake of breath and a momentary silence. "I was going to tell you-"

"When? After you outed me to all your little rainbow friends? Is that what this was about? Getting close to me so you could-"

"Jason, stop," Bryan's voice cracked. "It's not like that. I joined before we... before anything happened."

"Right. Sure." Jason's claws dug into his palm. "Just stay away from me. Whatever this was - whatever I thought it was - we're done."

He hung up before Bryan could respond, his chest heaving. The wolf leaned against the tree again, as he tried to ignore the numb feeling creeping into his paws.

“Jason wait- I…” Bryan realized he was talking to no one as he desperately glanced down at his blank phone.

Jason had sent him a picture. It was of the pride club with a caption underneath it listing out all of its members. Bryan seethed as he clenched his phone in his paw.

“Dreo…” Bryan said through gritted teeth.

Bryan stormed back to campus. A singular thought and purpose in his mind. All of his frustration from the day focused into a single red hot pinpoint. Bryan marched through Pride Hall and slammed through the Pride Club door with enough force to rattle the newly replaced windows, his fury radiating off him in waves.

"Dreo! What the fuck man!"

The oncilla stood frozen at the whiteboard, marker suspended mid-air, while the others stared in shock. Even Chase's carefully cultivated mask of indifference cracked slightly.

"Bryan?" Dreo's voice wavered with confusion. "Is something wrong?"

"Yes! The group picture," Bryan's voice shook with barely contained rage. His paws trembled as he yanked out his phone, jabbing at the screen before walking over and shoving it in Dreo's face. "Look what you did!"

Dreo took a step back before carefully accepting the phone. The oncilla’s eyes looked over the screen. “Yes? What about it? You said you didn’t want to be included. So we took it without you.”

“Notice anything” Bryan spat.

“Yes? That’s our picture…?” Dreo hesitantly responded.

“Look!” Bryan shouted, his finger tapping insistently at the bottom of the screen.

Dreo looked again and his eyes trailed to the bottom of the photo. Underneath the picture was a text description. Pictured from Left to Right: Dreo, Chase, Toby, Nicola. Not Pictured: Bryan.

“Oh..” Dreo said as he started to understand the issue.

“Yeah…” Bryan said exasperatedly.

“What's going on?” Toby whispered to Nic.

The otter shrugged and both of them turned to Chase, who didn’t answer but was definitely paying attention now.

"Yeah, ‘oh’ is right," Bryan spat. "You've fucked me. You've seriously fucked me."

"I think maybe you're overreacting," Dreo said carefully, his tail twitching nervously. "You said yourself you're out and don't care-"

"Of course, I don't care!" Bryan yanked on his ears in frustration. "But what about Jason?"

"Jason?" Dreo's brow furrowed. "Your roommate?"

"Wait, the football player?" Toby perked up from his seat, earning a sharp elbow from Nic.

“You’re roommate… who.” Understanding dawned slowly across Dreo's face as the puzzle pieces clicked together. "No... you don't mean..."

"What's happening?" Toby stage-whispered to Chase as he rubbed his side. "I feel like I'm missing something huge here!"

“Noooo.” Dreo repeated.

Bryan looked over at Dreo with a hard and hurtful look.

“Nooo….” Dreo repeated yet again, the oncilla's face morphing into one of utter disbelief.

“What… what is going on!” Toby said unable to take it any longer. “I feel like I am missing something important here! Is he saying what I think he’s saying?”

Chase rolled her eyes. "If you think he's saying his gay football player boyfriend is in the closet and may just have got outed because of us, then yeah, you're catching up."

“Noooo…” Toby said, echoing Dreo, as the dalmatian quickly leaping up onto his feet.

“Ugh! He's not gay okay." Bryan started, then deflated slightly. "It's complicated."

“Sounds pretty gay to me,” Nic said as the whole room turned and looked at them. The otter’s eyes darted around as they slowly sank into their chair and hid behind their laptop screen.

Dreo approached Bryan slowly like one might a wounded animal. “ Listen Bryan. Look. I mean I thought you just had a crush on him, but honestly. I swear to the gods, I had no idea. I am so, so sorry.”

Dreo held out Bryan’s phone back toward the rabbit in his other paw. Bryan flinched at Dreo’s touch. He wanted to lash out. He wanted to yell at Dreo. Everything hurt. Bryan's anger crumbled, replaced by something rawer, more painful. His vision blurred as tears started to run down his cheeks. Without another word, he grabbed his phone and then spun and fled the room.

“Bryan!” Dreo called out to the rabbit as he ran, but Bryan didn’t turn back around.

The rabbit ran blindly through Pride Hall's corridors, his feet carrying him automatically toward their dorm. Then he remembered - Jason had told him to stay away. The thought made him stumble and Bryan nearly collided with a display cabinet.

His phone buzzed in his pocket - probably Dreo again - but Bryan couldn't bring himself to check it. Everything he'd built over the past weeks, the careful balance between his two worlds, had come crashing down because of one stupid photo caption.

The worst part was, he couldn't even blame Dreo. Not really. The oncilla had just been doing what club presidents do - documenting their members, and building community. How could he have known about Jason? Bryan hadn't told anyone about their relationship - if you could even call it that.

Bryan continued to run. Eventually, he found himself outside the library, his usual sanctuary. But even that felt tainted now. This was where he and Jason had studied together, the only place they had been together outside their room. Where everything had started to change between them.

The rabbit slumped against the building's outer wall, sliding down until he sat on the cool concrete. His ears drooped as Jason's final words echoed in his mind: "Whatever this was - whatever I thought it was - we're done."

Across the campus, Jason stumbled back toward their dorm room in a daze. The wolf’s phone was clutched in his trembling paw. The call with Bryan replayed in his mind, each word feeling like another nail in a coffin he'd built himself. His scraped knuckles throbbed and bled, a painful reminder of his weakness, his failure to be what Bryan needed him to be.

The noon sun hung overhead as students milled about. Their laughter and casual conversations felt like mockery to Jason's ears. He'd done the right thing, hadn't he? Cutting Bryan off before anyone could find out the truth? Before he lost everything he'd worked for?

"Jason!" Jessica's voice cut through his thoughts. The cat stood blocking his path, her tail lashing angrily behind her.

"Not now, Jessica," Jason muttered, trying to step around her. “Why can’t you just leave me alone!”

The cat quickly stepped back in front of Jason and thrust her phone in front of his face, showing another photo - a snapshot from the coffee shop of him and Bryan sitting at a table- together. "You've been avoiding me for him?"

"It's not what you think," Jason backed away, his ears flattening. His mind raced, searching for an explanation that wouldn't destroy everything.

"Then explain it!" Jessica followed, her voice rising. "Your roommate is clearly gay, he's in that Pride Club, and now my friend sees you two having coffee together?"

Jason's hackles rose. "You had someone follow me!?"

"Don’t be ridiculous Jason. Tiffany saw you looking uncomfortable and called me to ask if you were okay. That’s what friends do Jason!" Jessica's voice cracked with emotion. "I'm worried about you. He's obviously manipulating you somehow. Is he threatening you? Using something against you?"

"You don't understand," Jason said weakly, feeling the walls closing in. A small voice in his head whispered that he could end this now and tell the truth, but fear kept him from speaking further.

"Then help me understand! Because from where I'm standing, this picture looks like he's forcing you into something."

Jason's panic peaked as realization dawned on him - she was offering him an escape route. A way to explain everything without admitting his own role, his own desires. His voice caught in his throat as shame and self-preservation warred within him.

"I... I have to go," he managed, turning away from her concerned expression. He couldn't do that to Bryan, could he? Blame him for everything? Would he? He desperately wanted to believe he wouldn’t, couldn’t do that. A small part of him begged himself not to do it.

“Jason if you won’t talk to me, at least talk to Coach Martinez! Because if you won’t- I will!”

Jason paused, his face contorting in pain. The mention of Coach Martinez made his decision crystallize - his scholarship, his future, his family's expectations, all hanging by a thread. As he walked away, he heard Jessica's phone dial and the cat speak up: "Coach Martinez? This is Jessica. We need to talk about Jason..."

The wolf fled to their room - his room - and sank onto his bed. Bryan's scent lingered everywhere, a mixture of old books and warm spices that had become as necessary as breathing. Now it just made his chest ache with guilt.

The wolf's eyes landed on Bryan's desk, where their shared study materials still lay scattered. Just a few days ago, they'd been laughing over coffee as Bryan explained market trends. Now everything was crumbling around him.

Jason’s cell phone rang. It was Coach Martinez. This was it - the moment to either come clean or let Jessica's story become the official narrative. His paw trembled as he reached for the answer icon. The choice he made next would change everything, and Jason wasn't sure he was ready for the consequences of either path. As he accepted the call, the only thing Jason did know was that there was no going back.