Perfect Imperfection - Extra 1
Just a simple extra I wrote for the story I consider my best work so far.
The Wolf and His King
“Are you sure about this, Kyle?” Hector asked nervously, his hands slightly tightening around the steering wheel, “There’s still time to stop somewhere for that cologne.”
Kyle, riding shotgun in his lover’s car, understood Hector’s implication perfectly. He shook his head and smiled, “No need for that. We both know no scent-masking cologne can survive a sweaty basketball session, and honestly, why should we hide anything? We are mates, are we not?”
Hector’s tail thumped softly against the leather seat; the wolf’s excitement almost palpable. Of course he didn’t suggest hiding their relationship out of shame, but rather, pure concern for Kyle’s mental well-being, but if Kyle had already prioritized their connection, then the wolf wouldn’t mind showing off his king to the rest of the world.
No one paid much attention when Kyle and Hector walked into the college’s hall way together, since words had gotten around about their budding basketball friendship, but as they came within the beastfolk student’s proximity, the change in their expression was noticeable, and Kyle could almost read the shock and realization as their sharp sense of smell put the pieces together – Their captain and the rising star human basketball player…they were definitely together. Hector had even ‘marked’ his territory, as Kyle was practically reeking of him.
Talk about a headline!
The two acted accordingly, which was to say, completely normal…except the fact that they were inseparable. They had breakfast together, attended the same classes and even strolled into the gym for the usual basketball practice as if they just hadn’t blown up the rumor mill, but Kyle could sense the tension in the air. After a while, curiosity finally prevailed, and one of the beastfolk slowly approached Kyle and Hector while they were having a short break between games.
“Hey…” the jock – a bobcat whom Kyle vaguely remembered as the one constantly teasing him and Hector about their closeness yesterday, said awkwardly, “So…is the rumor true? You two are together, like…together together.”
Hector wanted to reply, but Kyle gave his hand a soft squeeze and a determined gaze as if saying ‘I got this’. He turned his eyes back to the jock, and nodded, “Caleb, right? Yes, Hector and I are indeed together. I hope it doesn’t…complicate things with the basketball team.”
Kyle’s sharp eyes darted around the gym as he spoke, searching for the familiar figure of his sister, but Kate was nowhere to be found. She either was still recovering from the shock of discovering their relationship or was scheming something. Kyle honestly didn’t know and didn’t care, because he could handle whatever happened, even if the old man was involved.
“No, of course not.” Caleb replied sheepishly, scratching the back of his head, “It’s actually kinda…natural to see you two together. Besides, even if you don’t want to join our school team, you’re basically one of us anyway. Don’t worry, I’ll let the other guys know and tell them to not act out.”
Hector nodded approvingly, his hand still warping around Kyle’s as he watched Caleb join the rest of the jocks and whisper something to them. By the time lunch break ended, words had spread through the entire college, and everyone, including human students, had pretty much learned and accepted the undeniable relationship between a quiet human who, just days ago, had been dismissed as nothing but ‘Kate’s brother’ and the lupine star athlete…not that they could actually do anything about it, since even Hector’s fellow jocks seemingly had no issue either.
Just when Kyle thought his day would end peacefully and he could finally spend the night cuddling with Hector, Kate just had one final surprise for him. As he and Hector walked to the wolf’s car, Kyle spotted the girl whose spoiled expression he was familiar with during his entire life, now with an additional layer of rage and envy…and guess who was standing behind her, arms crossed, wearing the stern face that Kyle had once found intimidating, but only exhausting now.
“Kyle,” Kyle’s father started, looking at his son with a mix of disapproval and disgust, “This little stunt of yours ends now. Return home, apologize to your sister, and stay out of her way. This boy...Hector, right? He’d be much better off with her.”
Kyle could feel Hector tense up, but his slight tremble meant the wolf was furious rather than anxious. The human, though, stayed completely unfazed. He looked at his sister, who was wearing that smug, entitled smirk, and chuckled, “So this is your big plan, calling daddy again?”
Kate’s smirk faltered, but she quickly recovered, “I just want what’s best for both of you. Hecter should be with me, someone who challenge and enhance his image.”
“Right.” Kyle nodded mockingly, averting his gaze to his father, “As for you…don’t you ever get tired of cleaning up after her?”
“This isn’t a joke!” Kyle’s father snapped, “Either you do this the easy way, or you’re out! No more tuition fee, no more support, and don’t even think about the will!”
The threat hung in the air for a few seconds, before Kyle burst out laughing, “Really? Is that all you got?”
Hector shivered. He knew his lover too well, and this kind of laughter…could only mean Kyle was about to destroy someone. Sure enough, Kyle began to speak, “You really are a doting daddy, aren’t you? Going that far just to please your precious little girl, but it seems like…eighteen years of sharing the same roof and you still know nothing about me. You really think you can scare me back in line with that flimsy will of yours?”
Kyle’s father frowned, but didn’t say anything as his son continued, “Your will, your threats are worthless to me. I’ve been raising myself growing up, because I know I can never expect anything from you, and let be honest here, you’ll leave everything to Kate, and she’ll probably ruin everything in a few years anyway. Why would I want something essentially worthless?”
The old man’s face turned a shade of purple, clearly enraged, but before he could make another threat, Kyle’s voice cut through his intention, sharp as a knife, “Now, before you think about trying anything stupid, want to know what I’ve discovered, living in the same house with you for all these years?”
Kyle’s voice lowered, completely flat but laced with venom, “I know you’ve been cooking the books for years. I know how many people you’ve scammed; how much money you’ve hidden in those offshore accounts. Heck, I even know how long it’d take for your company to send you packing once they get wind of this. Want to test it out, dad?”
Silence. Even Hector felt it, but instead of terrified, he was exhilarated. Never had the wolf thought his lover could be this cool! So fucking cool!
After a while, Kyle’s father found his voice again, trembling as he pointed a finger at his son accusingly, “How dare you blackmail me, you ungrateful little…”
“Shush!” Kyle interrupted, “If I want to blackmail you, do you honestly think you’d be standing here, spewing all this crap at me and my boyfriend? I can send all the evidence to your company’s Board of Directors within two seconds, right now, but I won’t, because it’s my last favor for you as my DNA donor. We’re done here, and if you try any shenanigans, your mugshot will be featured on all local newspapers within days. I’m not threatening you, I’m promising you.”
“He’s bluffing!” Kate screamed, gesturing wildly to her brother and father, “Daddy, do something!”
“This is your last warning, leave us alone, or else, your lives will become very…uncomfortable, sis, dad.” Kyle declared, then slid his hand into Hector’s and gave the wolf a warm smile, “Let’s go home.”
Hector nodded. As they got into Hector’s car and backed away from the screeching Kate and her stone-faced father, the wolf couldn’t help commenting, “So that’s the daddy, huh? Guess the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”
“You don’t say.” Kyle exhaled. He wasn’t entirely bluffing back then, but Kyle really hoped he wouldn’t have to resort to the nuclear option. The old man did give him and roof and pay for his tuition up until this point, after all. Kyle leaned toward Hector and gave the wolf a soft kiss on his fluffy cheek, “Thank you, for just being with me.”
“Always.” Hector smiled and nuzzled his face against Kyle’s. The two drove home, to the wolf’s ‘den’, where the king was embraced and loved.