{"sf1_id":10717,"sf2_id":"AnK20D5m","title":"Just Like A Fairy Tale (Part 2 of 2)","author":"WhiteClaw","words":6094,"posted_at":"2006-05-09T03:15:00.000Z","tags":["Human","M/M","Masturbation","Plot Development","Romance","Story Series","Wolf"],"url":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/10717-just-like-a-fairy-tale-part-2-of-2","original_url":"https://sofurry.com/s/AnK20D5m","image_url":"https://cdn.sofurryfiles.com/submissions/thumbnails/4a/aa/4aaa3dba-8f86-4f58-896d-3ba9ae9b0a9b","description":"#2 of Wolves","content":"Wolves 1:  \nJust Like A Fairy Tale  \n  \nBy WhiteClaw  \n  \n  \nMike stood outside Tracy's door, dripping wet. The coat had offered little protection from the storm  \noutside, and even now a pool of water was forming at his feet.  \n  \n\"My God, Mike, what happened to you?\" Tracy said, opening the door all the way now and ushering him  \nin. She took off his coat and walked over to the bathroom where she hung it on the shower rod to dry. She  \nthen pulled several towels out of the drawers and handed a few to Mike while she placed the others on the  \nfloor where Mike's wet footprints had soaked the carpet.  \n  \n\"Sorry,\" Mike said, kicking his shoes off.  \n  \nTracy picked them both up and put them in the bathroom with the coat. She grabbed a few more towels  \nand spread them over a chair. \"Here,\" she said. \"Sit down, and tell me why you're soaking wet.\"  \n  \nMike shuffled over to the chair, one of the towels wrapped around his neck to catch water from his still  \ndripping hair. Tracy settled down on the edge of the bed and waited.  \n  \n\"It's sort of a long story,\" Mike said, using the towel to dry his ears and face.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; \"Well you must have really wanted to tell me or you wouldn't have come by this late,\" she said with a  \nsmirk.  \n  \n\"Not really,\" he said, now using the towel to dry his hair. \"I--I just didn't want to go back to my room.\"  \n  \nTracy frowned. \"Why not?\" she asked, but Mike just stared at his feet and said nothing. \"Did you have  \nJeffery have a fight ?\" she asked.  \n  \nMike flinched. \"Something like that,\" he mumbled.  \n  \n\"Odd time to have a fight. In the middle of the night, I mean.\"  \n  \n\"Actually it only happened about half an hour ago. That's how long it took me to get here in the rain.\"  \n  \nTracy glanced at the clock on her nightstand. It was almost ten-thirty. \"But half an hour ago we were all  \nup at the mall.\"  \n  \n\"Yeah, I know,\" Mike said. \"It was right after you guys left.\" He took a deep breath and started to say  \nsomething else when he suddenly looked up and glanced around the room. \"Where's Connie?\" he asked.  \n  \n\"She had a last minute thing come up and now she's spending the night with a friend of hers that lives in  \ntown.\"  \n  \n\"Ah,\" Mike said, biting his lip and once again staring at his feet.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; \"Did you want to talk to her?\" Tracy asked.  \n  \n\"No,\" Mike said a bit too suddenly. \"No, that's alright. I just...I just didn't want, um--\"  \n  \n\"You didn't want her to overhear,\" Tracy finished for him.  \n  \n\"Yeah,\" he said  \n  \n\"Well she's not here, so you can tell me whatever you want.\"  \n  \nMike still seemed a bit unsure. \"If I tell you--\"  \n  \nTracy cut him off again. \"Please, Mike. I live with the biggest gossip on campus. I don't need to be told  \nthat I shouldn't let her in on this.\"  \n  \nMike gave a weak smile at that. The silence settled over them again, but this time it was expectant and  \nMike knew he would eventually have to say something.  \n  \n\"After you left...after both of you left,\" Mike started, \"Jeffery showed up at the mall.\"  \n  \nTracy frowned, again. \"But I thought the mall closed at ten.\"  \n  \n\"It does. He wanted to see me about something.\"  \n  \n\"Okay.\" Mike had suddenly clammed up again and Tracy felt the need to prod him so he would continue.  \n\"Well, what did he want to see you about?\"  \n  \nMike folded his arms together and rubbed his elbows with his hands as if he were suddenly cold. \"Well,  \nearlier, we had had a sort of accident. I mean...I accidentally took his coat instead of mine. So he came by  \nand gave me back my coat.\" He lifted his head to glance at Tracy's face before returning his gaze to the  \nfloor and adding, \"While I was in the bathroom.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; Now Tracy was really confused. \"Um, okay.\"  \n  \n\"I was in the bathroom,\" Mike repeated, this time with a bit more emphasis.  \n  \n\"Um, okay, so you were...\" Tracy trailed off, not sure what Mike wanted her to say here.  \n  \n\"I was washing my hands,\" he supplied.  \n  \n\"Oh,\" she said. \"So, what, he came in and gave you back your coat while you were washing your hands?\"  \n  \n\"It was...yeah, something like that,\" Mike mumbled.  \n  \nTracy slowly slid off the bed and sat on her knees next to the chair Mike was sitting in. Calmly she reached  \nover and grabbed both his hands. \"Mike, look I know there's something else you want to tell me here, but  \nyou keep hovering around it like you're afraid to say it. But if you're going to tell me, don't you think you  \nshould just do it and get it over with,\" she pleaded. She smiled warmly. \"That way we can talk about  \nwhat's really bothering you.\"  \n  \nMike sighed then took a deep breath. \"When we were in the bathroom,\" he started, \"I took off his coat and  \nlaid it on the sink counter,\" he said. Tracy nodded, encouraging him to keep going. \"He came up behind  \nme. I guess he was going to hand me back my coat, but when I turned around he dropped it.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; \"Okay,\" Tracy said, nodding for him to continue.  \n  \nMike's face grew pained, like he didn't want to go past this point. \"He was right behind me,\" he repeated.  \n\"Really close. And when I turned around, he was...he was right there...and he dropped it.\" Mike's voice  \nwas getting softer now, like he was running out of steam. \"And instead he grabbed my arm and...and  \npulled me closer...to him.\" There were tears streaming down his face now.  \n  \n\"Mike?\" Tracy said, concerned.  \n  \n\"He kissed me,\" Mike said.. \"Jeffery kissed me. And he...he...\"  \n  \nTracy was shocked, not by just the news, but by the fact that Mike was actually shaking. \"Mike, are you  \nsure? Maybe he just bumped into you.\"  \n  \nMike shook his head. \"No he kissed me. He used his--\" Mike's voice shook too hard for him to finish the  \nsentence. \"He put his arms around me and he...he...\" Mike was sobbing now. His entire body was  \nconvulsing as he tried to say more but the words came out as choked off gasps.  \n  \n\"Mike,\" Tracy said, her voice shaking too now. \"Did he do something else? Did he hurt you?\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; Mike began to settle down and stared at her confused for a moment. \"No,\" he said at last. \"But...\" Mike  \nsniffed and tried to wipe the tears from his face. \"I think...I pushed him off me after that. He...he said he  \nwas sorry. That he hadn't meant to do it. Or something like that. But I...\"  \n  \nMike looked up at Tracy and beneath the tears streaks on his face, she could see him go red with shame.  \n\"But I didn't listen to him. I just yelled at him instead.\"  \n  \n\"Oh, Mike,\" she said, putting her hand to her mouth. \"You didn't...?\"  \n  \n\"I don't know. I don't really remember what I said,\" he replied bitterly. \"Just that I hurt him that he was  \ncrying when he left.\"  \n  \nTracy scooted back on the floor and leaned against the side of the bed. \"Mike?\" she said curiously.  \n\"Why'd you yell at him? I mean, was it really all that bad?\"  \n  \nMike stared at her like he couldn't believe what he was hearing. \"You're kidding, right?\"  \n  \n\"Mike, I've known you for a while,\" Tracy said, a thoughtful expression on her face. \"And you've always  \nseemed like an open-minded guy to me. I mean, you've lived with Jeffery now for most of the semester  \nand you've never once complained about it. And then there was the guy today at the McDonalds. He was  \nan otter and you were fine with that, too.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; \"Tracy, that's not the same thing,\" Mike said reasonably. \"I don't have a problem with people who aren't  \nhuman. That's not even what we're talking about.\"  \n  \n\"Yes, I know,\" she said, getting up. She walked over to Mike and leaned down next to him so she was  \nlevel with his face. \"Let me let you in on something though, Mike,\" she whispered, her voice just as quiet  \nas it had been back at the mall.  \n  \nMike leaned forward, expecting her to tell him something, when she suddenly leaned in even closer and  \nkissed him on the cheek. Mike started and pulled back in shock. \"What the hell are you doing?\" he said.  \n  \n\"Proving a point,\" she said with a smile, walking back over to the bed and sitting down. \"Now, how do  \nyou feel?\"  \n  \n\"Like I've got a sign on me that says, 'Kiss Me And Screw With My Mind,'\" he said bitterly.  \n  \nTracy laughed. \"No silly, I mean about the kiss. Did it bother you?\"  \n  \nMike frowned. \"Well I mean, a little. It was kinda weird. I mean, you've never acted like you liked me  \nbefore so I'm sorta surprised by it.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; \"Hmm, okay well then here's a better question. Compare how you feel now to how you felt when Jeffery  \nkissed you. Did it feel the same.\"  \n  \n\"Well no, of course not. Jeffery's a guy.\"  \n  \n\"So you're not bothered that he kissed you just because he's your friend?\"  \n  \n\"Well no. I mean, yeah, a little I guess. I suppose I feel a little...I don't know.\"  \n  \n\"But I'm your friend and you're not yelling and screaming at me.\"  \n  \nSome of Mike's usual flair came back and he gave her a crooked grin. \"Just wait,\" he said. \"Besides, that  \nwas on the cheek. Jeffery kissed me on the lips.\" Tracy wiggled her eyebrows and puckered up her lips.  \n\"That's not funny,\" Mike said.  \n  \nTracy let out another laugh. \"Don't worry, I'm not going to do it again. But what I'm trying to get at is  \nwhat's the difference between what I just did and what Jeffery did? Or rather, what's the difference in  \nterms of how it made you feel?\"  \n  \nMike shrugged. \"I don't know. I'm kinda lost here.\"  \n  \n\"You reacted much stronger to when Jeffery kissed you, though.\"  \n  \n\"Well yeah, but like I said, he's a guy.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; \"What's the difference. A kiss is a kiss, isn't it.\"  \n  \n\"No, of course not. It feels different.\"  \n  \n\"So you're saying that a kiss from a guy feels different? But why? Is it because you don't feel anything  \ntowards him? Because you're not attracted to him?\"  \n  \n\"Well yeah I guess.\"  \n  \n\"But at the same time, you're not attracted to me are you?\" Mike started to stumble out an answer but  \nTracy cut him off. \"Mike, this isn't about my ego,\" she said rolling her eyes. \"I'm a big girl. You can tell  \nme the truth. Just answer honestly. Did you feel anything when I kissed you?\"  \n  \n\"Well no,\" he said, \"but Tracy, you're my friend,\" he added hastily. \"It'd...It'd just be wrong.\"  \n  \n\"Hmm,\" Tracy said and nodded to herself. She spent the next several minutes in thought before she finally  \nspoke again. \"Well Mike, if you want my opinion,\" she said, pausing to make sure that Mike was giving  \nher his full attention, \"I think the reason you had a bigger problem with Jeffery kissing you than with me, is  \nbecause you like him.\"  \n  \nMike huffed defensively. \"Tracy, that doesn't make sense!\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; \"Sure it does,\" she said reasonably. \"Oh, c'mon, Mike. Look, when was your last girlfriend? Like maybe  \nback in high school? I don't know how things were back then, but I know how things are now, and you  \nhaven't acted the least bit interested in finding a girlfriend since I've known you.\"  \n  \n\"Look, I don't have time,\" Mike said seriously. \"I've got--\"  \n  \nTracy finished the sentence for him. \"Studies, work, hobbies, blah, blah, blah. Look, I've heard it all  \nbefore. But you could have made time for someone. I know you could. And you can say you're just  \nwaiting for the right person to come along, and that much I believe is true. But quite frankly, I think the  \nright person for you is a guy, not a girl.\"  \n  \n\"You think I'm in love with Jeffery?\" Mike said appalled.  \n  \n\"Hey, you tell me,\" Tracy said with a shrug. \"You two have always been pretty close, though you may not  \nrealize it. You've lived with him for a while now. You both like a lot of the same stuff, even though you  \nhave your individual tastes. But hey, they say opposites attract. You've got all the right reasons to like  \nhim.\" She waited for Mike to say something but he just stared blankly at her.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; \"Look I'm not saying I know for sure, but answer me this: Did you like it when he kissed you? Even if it  \nwas just for a moment, did you like it?\" Mike didn't answer. \"Well?\"  \n  \nMike still didn't answer. Instead he said in a sullen voice, \"So you want me and Jeffery to go out? Is that  \nwhat you're saying?\"  \n  \n\"Hey look it's your choice. I'm just letting you know that if you do, I wouldn't care. I think you two  \nwould look kind of cute together, actually,\" she said with a grin. She quickly sobered again. \"But  \nseriously, Mike, I've always been an open-minded person. So if you decide you do feel that way about  \nJeffery, whatever it's worth, you have my support.\"  \n  \nMike lowered his head. \"I guess I should probably find him and at least apologize.\"  \n  \nA huge grin spread across Tracy's face. \"You should probably give him back his coat, too,\" she said with a  \nlaugh.  \n  \n\"What?\" Mike asked perplexed.  \n  \nTracy laughed again. \"That isn't your coat in there,\" she said, chuckling to herself. \"It's Jeffery's.\"  \n  \n\"Ah shit!\" Mike said. \"You're kidding!\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; \"Nope,\" Tracy said still laughing.  \n  \n\"Great. Now I really do have to find him.\"  \n  \nTracy glanced at the clock. \"I doubt your stuff is dry yet. But I guess it won't matter if you're going back  \nout into the rain.\"  \n  \n\"I can probably get back to my dorm without getting wet, he said. But I don't know what I'll do if he's not  \nthere. Even if he is a giant white wolf, I'd never find him in this weather and I don't know where he'd go.\"  \n  \n\"Hurry up and get going then,\" she said going into the bathroom and coming back out with his shoes in one  \nhand and Jeffery's coat in the other. \"There still damp, but they're not going to get any drier,\" she said.  \n  \n\"Thanks,\" Mike said as he slipped his feet into his shoes and pulled on Jeffery's coat. For the first time, he  \nnoticed how much the coat smelled like Jeffery. He'd never really thought much about Jeffery's scent, but  \nhe didn't remember it having ever bothered him. Really, it was a nice smell, deep and earthy, like the way  \nthe dirt and grass smelled just after it had rained.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; He started for the door but stopped and turned to look back at Tracy. \"Tracy,\" he said, \"did you mean what  \nyou said earlier. I mean, if you're right and Jeffery and I...\"  \n  \nTracy walked over and put her arms around Mike in a hug. \"I might have to get a new roommate, since  \nConnie would probably talk my head off, but I'd still be your friend. And Jeffery's,\" she added with a  \nsmile.  \n  \nMike took a deep breath. \"Connie will probably be really pissed.\"  \n  \n\"Y'know what?\" she said. \"I don't really care. I've never really liked her.\"  \n  \nMike looked like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. \"All this time I thought it was just me,\" he  \nsaid relieved.  \n  \nTracy patted him on the back and laughed. \"Now go find that wolf and talk to him this time.\"  \n  \n\"Thanks,\" Mike said and hurried out the door.  \n  \nTracy closed the door after him and locked it again. She glanced back at the mystery novel she'd been  \nreading but didn't feel much like picking it back up. Instead she busied herself picking up the wet towels.  \n  \nHer life was turning into a regular soap opera. Connie was going to be a real problem if she ever found out,  \nbut hopefully they wouldn't have to deal with that problem right away. The others might have a hard time  \nadjusting too, but she really thought Mike and Jeffery would be able to work things out, no matter what  \nthey decided.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; So why did she have this nagging feeling that something was wrong?  \n  \n\\* \\* \\*  \n  \n  \nMike had to go the long way around, but he'd finally made it back to his dorm. Slowly he climbed his way  \nup the stairs. He'd spent half the evening running around town and the strain was finally starting to get to  \nhim. He reasoned that if he didn't find Jeffery back at their room he was going to collapse into his bed and  \nlook for Jeffery first thing in the morning.  \n  \nWell, first thing when he woke up, anyway.  \n  \nAs Mike mounted the last step, he pushed open the door to his hall...just in time to see Jeffery, a small  \nsuitcase strapped to his shoulder, and keys in hand, locking the door.  \n  \nThe suitcase couldn't have held more than a few sets of clothes, but Jeffery had too much stuff to just  \ngather it all together in the middle of the night and move out. Most likely he'd just packed a change of  \nclothes and a few other essentials.  \n  \nThe thoughts chased each other through Mike's head before they finally registered. Jeffery was leaving.  \nHe was leaving the room. He was leaving him.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; Mike walked slowly down the hall. For once, neither Jeffery's sensitive hearing nor sense of smell had  \nmanaged to detect him.  \n  \nJeffery let out a small sigh and gently touched the doorframe. He was already starting to turn down the  \nother end of the hall when Mike spoke.  \n  \n\"Jeffery,\" he said. His voice had come out much more rough and scratchy than he'd intended it to, and he  \nmight have stopped to worry that he was catching a cold if he wasn't so busy trying to think of what he was  \ngoing to say next.  \n  \nJeffery's head whirled around in obvious shock. He flinched when he saw who it was and Mike could feel  \nthe shame of what his words had done.  \n  \nBut what happened next caught Mike completely off guard. Jeffery suddenly turned and ran down to the  \nother end of the hall, slamming into the exit door as fast as could.  \n  \nMike stood there stunned before he did the first thing that came to mind: he ran after him. Jeffery might be  \na wolf, but Mike knew he was faster. He made it to the other end of the hall before the door had even  \nclosed.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; Jeffery had a head start though. He'd already made it to the second floor and Mike would probably lose  \nhim if he made it outside. Mike jumped over the first set of stairs and down onto the landing, barely  \npausing to wince. He charged halfway down the second set of stairs and jumped again, this time over the  \nrailing. He somehow managed to land on the last step of the next set of stairs without breaking his ankle,  \nbut he couldn't keep this up.  \n  \nThe stairwell design put him on the second floor; Jeffery was half way to the first. Mike was close enough  \nthe he could have reached out and grabbed Jeffery's shoulder, but he didn't have any leverage on the stairs  \nand there was no way he could stop him just by grabbing his shoulder.  \n  \nMike had a moment of panic. Forget grabbing him by the shoulders, Mike probably wouldn't be able to  \nstop him even if he tackled him. Hell, he's built like a linebacker.  \n  \nThe memory of the words echoed in his mind bringing with them a realization. He couldn't stop Jeffery.  \nEven if he was faster or found a way to corner him, Jeffery was just too strong. And Mike would never be  \nable to take him down with force alone.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; \"Jeffery!\" Mike tried to yell. It was hard to speak and run at the same time, but he had to find a way to stop  \nhim. Had to find a way to get through to him.  \n  \nMike gave up on jumping the stairs and focused on just trying to keep pace with Jeffery. \"Jeffery,\" Mike  \nrepeated, \"please, just stop for a second.\" But Jeffery wasn't listening.  \n  \nThey had finally made it to the first floor. Jeffery ran towards the emergency exit door, while Mike did his  \nbest to keep up, but his ankles were already sore from the hard landings he taken trying to jump the stairs.  \nAt best he was half running, half limping.  \n  \nOutside it was still raining and now Jeffery was gaining ground. Mike wasn't about to give up, though.  \nGritting his teeth against the pain, Mike ran flat out after him. If he lost sight of Jeffery in all this rain, he'd  \nnever find him again.  \n  \n\"Jeffery,\" he yelled into the night. \"Jeffery, please just...\"  \n  \nThe streetlights cast a blurry haze over everything, and the cold rain stung Mike's face. Jeffery jumped the  \ncurb and ran across the main road in front of the college. Mike was lagging behind again, unable to see  \nanything in the rain. He started to jump the curb, but the strain on his ankles was just too much and they  \nfinally gave out. He tripped instead and fell out into the street.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; There was a sudden flash as a blinding pair of lights materialized out of the gloom. He heard a car horn  \nand a horrible screech, accompanied by a spray of water.  \n  \nThe agony in his ankles was drowned out by fear as Mike struggled to understand what was happening.  \n  \nThen he felt something slam into him.  \n  \nFor a moment he thought he was flying. He could feel the air rushing over his body and he was spinning so  \nfast he felt dizzy. The streetlamps seemed to be dancing all around him, until he couldn't tell which was up  \nand which was down. The rain seemed to be coming at him from all sides.  \n  \nAnd then just as suddenly, the sensation faded, and the streetlamps were gone.  \n  \nAnd everything went black.  \n  \n\\* \\* \\*  \n  \n  \nJeffery turned at the sound of the car horn.  \n  \nWhen he'd first made it back to the room, he'd wasted several minutes on his bed crying. It was only after  \nhis eyes had run dry and his throat was too raw to continue sobbing, that he'd realized he couldn't stay  \nthere.  \n  \nHe'd packed what he could into a small suitcase and started to lock up. He'd paused a moment at the door  \nto mourn his loss and wonder if he'd have the strength to come back for the rest of his things.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; Then Mike had suddenly appeared, looking like some haggard form of death. Even worse his voice had  \ncome out in a rough growl and called out Jeffery's name like a death sentence. Jeffery wasn't sure if Mike  \nwas going to attack him or just strike him down with a bolt a lightning. He hadn't waited to find out which.  \n  \nHe'd been running in a blind panic ever since. He didn't stop until he heard the car.  \n  \nHe'd been halfway across the street when he noticed it for the first time. Masked by the rain, it had  \nsounded low and far away, but Jeffery knew what it was. He'd slowed and finally stopped when he  \nreached the other side of the street, but by then it was too late.  \n  \nHe turned and watched as Mike tripped over the curb, outlined in the car's headlights as he fell. Heard the  \nblast of noise as the driver slammed down on the car horn. Saw the car try to stop but skid on the water,  \nthe back of it fishtailing, and a mighty spray of water rising up, hiding both the car and Mike.  \n  \nThen suddenly Mike flew up above the spray, his entire body pirouetting in the air as if this were all some  \nkind of strange dance. For a moment, Jeffery thought he would turn and land on his feet, but as the water  \nfrom the spray came down, he saw Mike's arms flail out and the spin died. Mike landed hard on the  \nground with a small splash. And didn't move again.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; A moment passed.  \n  \nThen another.  \n  \nJeffery felt his breath catch in his throat as he waited, but Mike still didn't move. Jeffery was suddenly  \ndown on his knees next to him. He didn't remember how he got there. All he knew was the he had to get  \nMike to wake up. Had to make him live again.  \n  \nSomeone was yelling at him. Telling him something. A man? A woman? They were flashing lights  \neverywhere now, but he couldn't remember what they meant or why they were there.  \n  \nThere was a siren now. Someone was talking to him. It was a calm voice, but he wasn't listening. Mike  \nwas gone. They'd taken him away, but to where?  \n  \nHe was standing again and he felt someone's hand on his shoulder. Someone was in front of him. A face  \nfinally swam into view. Someone he knew.  \n  \n\"Tracy?\" He stared down at her. Then snapped his head left and right, his eyes desperately searching.  \n\"Mike? Where is he? Where did they take him?\" Tracy didn't speak. She just stared at him, tears and  \nrain mixing into one another as they slid down her face. Jeffery slowly sank back down to his knees, his  \npaws reaching out to clench Tracy's jacket. \"Where is he?\" he pleaded. \"Please tell me, where is he?\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; Tracy shook her head. \"He's gone,\" she said.  \n  \n\\* \\* \\*  \n  \n  \nThe woman behind the counter wore a fake mask of sympathy. \"I'm very sorry about your loss, sir,\" she  \nsaid. \"What kind of flowers would you like?\"  \n  \nJeffery ignored her and stared down at the smooth wooden counter, instead.  \n  \n\"We have several different arrangements already made that we could send over. What time is the funeral?\"  \n  \nThe wood was so smooth Jeffery wondered if anyone ever used the counter for anything besides holding  \nflowerpots.  \n  \n\"I see, well if you'd like to take a look around the store....\"  \n  \nJeffery had never been inside a flower shop before in his life and now he saw why. It had to be the dullest  \nplace on earth.  \n  \nThe woman behind the counter finally put down the phone and turned to Jeffery. \"Can I help you...\" she  \nfaltered as most people did when they addressed him, \"sir?\" The small inflection at the end made it sound  \nlike she was more interested in asking how she should address him than how she could help.  \n  \n\"I'm here to pick up an order of roses under the name Jeffery,\" he said dully. \"I believe they've already  \nbeen paid for .\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; \"Ah, yes,\" she said, relief obvious in her voice as she disappeared behind the counter.  \n  \nMaybe I should have just asked her how to get to Grandmother's house, instead, he thought sardonically.  \n  \nThe woman returned a moment later with a vase full of bright red roses. \"Here you are,\" she said.  \n  \n\"Thanks,\" Jeffery said, suppressing the urge to give her a toothy grin as he left.  \n  \nOutside, Tracy sat waiting in her car. Jeffery ducked in, mindful of the roses, and sat with them firmly  \ntucked in his lap.  \n  \nTracy raised an eyebrow. \"Don't you think those are a bit much?\"  \n  \n\"Nah,\" Jeffery said.  \n  \nTracy smiled and decided it was best not to ask how much he'd spent.  \n  \nTraffic was hectic during that time of day and by the time they made it to the hospital, Jeffery was a  \nnervous wreck.  \n  \nThey both made it to Mike's room just as a nurse was leaving. \"Is it alright if we go in and see him,\" Tracy  \nasked. The nurse nodded and waved them in, raising an eyebrow at Jeffery and his vase full of roses, but  \nsaying nothing.  \n  \nMike's room was already filled with assorted get well cards, along with a suitcase of his clothes that Jeffery  \nhad packed for him.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; Mike himself was covered in bandages and wearing a hospital gown, but the for most part doing fairly well.  \nFortunately most of the damage had been on the surface, and the water had helped cushion his fall. He had  \nhad several nasty gashes on his forehead and arms though, not mention his side where he'd been hit by the  \ncar and the other where he'd landed.  \n  \nAmazingly, nothing had broken, but he'd lost a lot of blood and had twenty-nine stitches. He'd tried to  \nmake a break for it twice already and kept telling the doctors that he felt fine, but they were insisting on  \nkeeping him in the hospital for a few more days.  \n  \nHe looked over when he saw them both enter and there was a click as he turned off the television. \"Hey,\"  \nhe said, his voice still a bit weak.  \n  \nTracy walked over immediately and gave him a hug, careful not to squeeze too tight. \"Brought you some  \nstuff,\" she said, with a smile, producing a plush doll of a panther. \"Thought it would be a nice change from  \nall that chocolate and candy.\" She glanced at Jeffery. \"Not to mention flowers.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; Jeffery blushed and hid his face behind the roses.  \n  \n\"Thanks,\" Mike said, setting the panther down next to him in bed. \"He can keep me company at night.\"  \nHe turned to look at Jeffery. \"And who's your walking plant friend?\" he asked.  \n  \nJeffery set the vase of roses on a small table next to Mike's bed. \"I thought you might like some flowers,\"  \nhe mumbled.  \n  \nTracy laughed and patted Jeffery on the back. \"You know, I have a couple errands I need to run while  \nwe're in town, so if you don't mind, I'll come back and pick you up later.\" She walked over to the door,  \nchecked left and right to make sure no one looking, turned to give Jeffery a wink, and then shut the door  \nbehind her.  \n  \nJeffery was even more nervous now that he was alone in the room with Mike. He'd visited a couple times  \nbefore to bring Mike his clothes and check up on him, but Mike had always been asleep. Unsure of what to  \ndo now that Mike was actually awake, Jeffery stared at the ground and shuffled his feet.  \n  \n\"I like the flowers,\" Mike said after a moment.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; Jeffery blushed again. \"Thanks,\" he said.  \n  \n\"You can sit down you know,\" he said, gesturing to a wooden chair with green cushions on the other side  \nof the bed.  \n  \nJeffery made his way around the bed, briefly wondering when it was that the room had become so large,  \nand sat down heavily in the chair. \"How are you feeling?\" he asked at last.  \n  \nMike gave him a weak smile. \"Better. I'm still tired a lot. But I'm okay.\" He paused for a moment.  \n\"How about you?\" he asked.  \n  \nJeffery stared down at the floor. \"I'm okay,\" he said quietly.  \n  \nFinally he decided it was better if he just launched into it. \"Mike...about what happened...that night--\"  \n  \nMike cut him off. \"None of that was your fault,\" he said, sighing heavily. \"I said a some things I shouldn't  \nhave.\"  \n  \nJeffery shook his head. \"But you wouldn't have had to if I hadn't...in the bathroom.\"  \n  \nMike sighed again. \"I'm not mad any more. And I'm sorry I yelled at you.\"  \n  \n\"I'm sorry I ran,\" Jeffery said. There was no need to say the rest. Once again the silence settled over them  \nbut it was a bit more comfortable this time. \"So what do we do now?\" Jeffery finally asked.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; \"Well,\" Mike paused to scratch at the bandage on his forehead, \"I've been thinking...about things. About  \nyou and me actually. About us.\"  \n  \nJeffery stared at him confused. \"What do you mean?\"  \n  \n\"Um, well I guess what I mean is, I've been trying to figure out just what's been going on between us. I  \nmean, I pretty much figured out what's been going on with you.\"  \n  \nJeffery sank down lower in his seat. \"I'm so sorry,\" he said, tears starting fill his eyes.  \n  \n\"Jeffery,\" Mike said, reaching out to pull him closer and hug him. \"It's okay. It really is.\"  \n  \nJeffery hugged Mike back, but his heart wasn't in it. \"No it's not. I ruined everything.\" Tears were sliding  \ndown the side of his face now. \"I just wanted to tell you...but I screwed it all up.\"  \n  \nMike gave Jeffery another squeeze before he pulled back far enough so there faces were only inches apart.  \n\"There's something else, though. I think I finally figured out what's been going on with me, too.\"  \n  \nJeffery stared at him confused. \"I don't understand,\" he said.  \n  \nMike closed the distance between them by pressing close and giving Jeffery a gentle kiss. Jeffery stopped  \ncrying and tried to gasp, but only succeeded in pulling Mike into a deeper kiss. When they finally broke  \napart, Jeffery tried to speak, but couldn't find his voice.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; When he finally did it came out as only a whisper. \"Does this mean I don't have to move out?\" he asked.  \n  \nMike smiled and gave Jeffery another hug. \"I think you're stuck with me for a bit longer.\"  \n  \nEpilogue  \n  \nThree Months Later  \n  \n  \nMike sat at his computer, the glow from the screen the only light in the room as he tried to finish a story he  \nwas writing for his English class. It was almost midnight, but the story had to be turned in by tomorrow  \nmorning.  \n  \n\"Mike?\" a sleepy voice from behind him said. \"It's late,\" it said with a yawn. \"Come to bed.\"  \n  \n\"Just a sec,\" Mike said distracted. \"I still need an ending here.\"  \n  \nJeffery came up behind him, putting both his paws on Mike's shoulders and giving them a gentle squeeze.  \nMike leaned back into Jeffery's touch, feeling the pain in his shoulders fade. It had been three months  \nsince the car accident, and only a week less that he'd been released from the hospital. But the cuts and  \nscrapes on his shoulders had left scars that ached from time to time.  \n  \n\"You're gonna make me fall asleep,\" Mike said.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; \"Good,\" Jeffery replied. \"You've been running around all day. You need some rest.\"  \n  \nMike grinned despite his exhaustion. \"Somehow I don't think rest is what you have in mind.\"  \n  \nJeffery leaned down and licked his ear. \"Hmm, maybe,\" he said, wickedly.  \n  \n\"But I still need an ending for this blasted story,\" Mike said.  \n  \n\"Hmm, well what about, 'And they lived happily ever after,'\" Jeffery said, leaning down to wrap his arms  \naround Mike's neck.  \n  \n\"Well, that could work...if I was five years old,\" he said. Mike sighed. \"It's supposed to be an original  \nstory that relates to real life and I doubt my professor is going to accept 'happily ever after' as an  \nappropriate ending.\"  \n  \n\"Well then...why give it an ending at all?\" Jeffery said.  \n  \n\"Huh?\"  \n  \n\"If it's supposed to relate to real life, then why give it an ending. After all, in real life everything doesn't  \nend just because the adventure is over. So don't give it an ending.\"  \n  \nMike yawned. \"I must be tired 'cause you're starting to make sense. I guess you have a point, though,\"  \nMike said, hitting the save button and turning off the computer. In the ensuing darkness, Jeffery led him  \nout of the chair and over to the bed, where they both slipped under the covers and cuddled.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; They laid together for a few moments before Mike finally spoke. \"But life does end, eventually doesn't it?  \nI mean, no one lives forever.\"  \n  \nJeffery nuzzled Mike's neck. \"Maybe,\" he said, sleepily. \"But that's a long time from now. There's still a  \nlot more that has to happen between now and then.\"  \n  \n\"So do you think we'll always be happy together like that, like in a fairy tale?\" Mike asked.  \n  \n\"No, maybe not,\" Jeffery admitted. \"But I don't think I'll ever really stop loving you.\" He gave Mike an  \nextra squeeze and laid his head against Mike's shoulder. \"And I don't think I've ever been as happy as I  \nam with you.\"  \n  \nMike reached out in the darkness and stroked the side of Jeffery's face. \"Me either,\" Mike said.  \n  \n\n","series":{"name":"Wolves","previous":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/10716-just-like-a-fairy-tale-part-1-of-2.json","next":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/10718-silver-hoop-part-1-of-2.json"}}