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Confessions

“I'm a werewolf."

Few things disturbed the quiet of the sports bar today: the clatter of pool balls in the corner, a few flat-screens mumbling overhead as a basketball game progressed in high definition. A couple pints of Guinness and a plate of fried onion rings separated two men. One of them swiveled his pint on the bar, waiting for the murky beer to settle. The man had a limber but confident stature with calm eyes and a friendly face. “What you mean—like in bed?" he said.

“I can be, maybe later tonight," said the other man who could have been mistaken for an athlete, perhaps a bodybuilder, laughing between bites of a crispy onion ring. Even with an athletic-cut shirt, his large chest strained against the white fabric. Every part of him roared big, with broad shoulders that nearly nudged his friend off his own chair. The barstool below him strained beneath his weight whenever he moved.

“Shit, Rube. A big guy like you, drunk? This ain't that type of bar."

The bartender gave a smirk, listening in on their conversation, as he arranged a few tumblers on the counter, filling them with various spirits or mixed drinks for other customers.

“'Rube?' You haven't called me that for, what, five years?"

“Last time we hung out. You prefer Reuben now?"

“Naw, I miss Rube." Another loud bite of an onion ring. “Reminds me of our childhood days playing Mario games on Super Nintendo and picking on your older sister."

“You still have a crush on her? She's a happy military wife, you know."

“She wasn't the one I had a crush on, Eddie." Reuben took a sip of his Guinness, glancing at the basketball game before turning back to his friend.

“You know I don't go by that."

“Sorry—Edon. Speaking of happy wives, how's the old ex?"

Edon placed the onion ring he'd been twirling around his fingers back down onto the greasy plate. “Is that why you're MGTOW for life? Don't want to lose everything like I almost did?"

“Not exactly. Did she get the house and kid?" Another sip.

“She got the house, of course. I officially moved out a few months ago. Thank god the courts granted me joint custody. They weren't fooled into thinking I was 'an evil, vindictive man with a Napoleon complex in the bedroom'—direct quote from she who will not be named. Pro tip: Don't have a kid until after you're married."

“Dude, what she talkin' about?" Reuben shook his head incredulously. “I've seen you in the locker room. You're perfectly average."

Edon gave a curt laugh. “Thanks…." He took a bite of the onion ring and a gulp of beer, watching as the tallest basketball player secured a rebound, passing the ball to the MVP who slammed down the court for a blocked two-point shot. The referee called a foul. “Total flop!" Edon cried before regarding Reuben next to him. “Enough of that. I want to know what my old friend's been up to. How's the single life been all these years? Don't tell me you keep hitting the gym, getting all big and buff for nothing."

“Dude, single life equals extra time up the face. All I do is eat, obliterate some weights, and work." Reuben flexed a bicep, the mass of muscle straining against the hole of his sleeve. “Feel this!"

Edon gave a playful squeeze. Reuben's hard bicep wouldn't give. “Impressive! Perhaps we should hit the gym before you take off. Give me some pointers." Edon took a sip. “You still a glorified pet sitter?"

“Guf-faw." Reuben downed the final third of his beer in one gulp. “I believe you meant wildlife biologist. Common mistake."

“You sit around watching dogs, cats, and birds eat, shit, and fuck—yeah, glorified pet sitter."

“If only it were that simple." Reuben signaled the barkeep for another round, shouting out a compliment for the good pour. Edon's eyes darted to a crescent-like set of faint scar lines on Reuben's raised arm.

“No shit." Edon pointed. “Some animal attack you on the job?"

“Oh, this?" Reuben traced a finger over the scars. “My team got ambushed by some crazed lone wolf a couple years back. Strange behavior considering wolves typically avoid people."

“Anyone else get hurt?"

“No, just me. Had to rip the animal off the poor intern who luckily had a backpack for a shield. The fucker took a good bite before I scared it off with a swift kick to the nuts. Ended up getting so sick that night I thought death would pay my doorstep a little visit. The doc gave me four rounds of rabies shots to be safe."

“So that explains why you're now a werewolf," Edon said, unamused.

“I believe so, as a matter of fact." Reuben traced the healed bite marks with a finger again. “However, that's only one reason why I called you up for a visit."

“The other reasons?"

“Well, considering how you're back on the market—"

“Back on the market? What the fuck you on about?" Edon shook his head with a grin, killing the last of his beer just in time for the next round. Edon thanked the bartender with a smile as he set their pints of Guinness neatly on the counter. “So what, you transform every full moon now and go hunting for us peasant-folk?"

“Yes to the first part, no to the second," Reuben said before sampling the thick, creamy head of his pint. “I'm kinda like this type of beer. Looks like it'll taste real heavy, but it's actually pretty smooth."

“Lies!" Edon laughed. “It's a whole meal in a glass!"

“Well, after you get used to it…." Reuben said with a sigh, shaking his head. “But here's the point: I'm not as scary as I look after transforming. Don't judge a book by its cover and all those fun platitudes."

“I'll try to remember that." Edon rolled his eyes. “So tell me, Mr. B-Horror-Movie-on-Legs, what's it feel like morphing to the big not-so-bad wolf?"

“The first transformation hurt! Felt like each muscle fiber in my body held a second job as a wet bar mop." Reuben added a wringing motion with both large hands for effect, squeezing out the last bit of moisture from the invisible cloth. “Not sure where the extra bones and tendons originate to form a tail. Plus, I grow a foot taller and sprout all this black fur like some fucked-up chia pet."

“Cue the incredulous gasp!" Edon gave a faux look of surprise.

“Even I still find this hard to believe. I get all this extra mass from nowhere, which doesn't make sense scientifically—and that's ignoring the fact that werewolves exist in the first place. It's been crazy since that attack. Who knows what else exists out there hidden in the blind spots of science?"

“Are you used to the transformations now?"

“You believe me?" Reuben glanced at his friend with a curious look, giving the strong features of his face an innocent appeal.

“Of course not, you idiot. But let's hear it. Get it out of your system."

“I'm used to 'em now, I guess. The change happens three or four nights in a row, when the moon is full enough—adjusted to the pain pretty quick." Reuben turned back to his beer and the basketball game but seemed to quickly grow bored of it. His nose twitched as a plume wafted over from the pool table, the mouth of a mod-sucking patron bursting with cotton candy-flavored vapor. “Still hurts like fuck. But you won't believe how great it feels afterward. The scents, the sounds, this newfound strength coursing through each cell of my body—like I'm supercharged."

“Mm-hmm."

“And the effects don't wear off completely once I'm… uh, human again. Like a residue. How do you think I got so ripped?"

“Steroids? No one's naturally this big." Edon gestured at the entirety of Reuben. “I didn't want to say anything."

“Drugs aren't my bag. Remember when that guy Jake got us to smoke a joint with him?"

“Only because of you! You laid on that peer pressure pretty thick."

Reuben laughed. “Remember how we couldn't stop coughing for an hour? Hated it." Reuben gestured at the guy vaping by the pool table, another plume of vapor diffusing through the air. The man sent a clatter through the bar from a break, drawing the attention of Reuben's ears. “But now even that shit's too much. All the smells are amplified. All the noise, too."

“Mm-hmm," Edon echoed from earlier.

Reuben took an onion ring, glancing at his friend through the round hole. “You know tonight's a full moon."

“Can I watch you transform?"

“That's another reason why I'm here. I want you to watch, if you're okay with that."

“Totally, dude. You won't bite?" Edon took the last onion ring from the plate and bit into it dramatically, the appetizer giving an audible crunch.

“Maybe if you ask—although I had something else in mind." Reuben offered a cheeky smile, raising his eyebrows.

“Oh, do tell!"

“We'll see how the night goes."

The two men finished off the early evening with more beers and light-hearted conversation about all the goings-on since last they saw each other. Edon made sure to swipe through pictures of his young daughter. She had long blonde hair and the same calm eyes as her father. Reuben remarked how he'd seen most of these on social media. Edon then regaled his old friend with heroic tales about his desk job. He rescued his boss from the towering ogres of paperwork on the daily and warded off the beast of gossip by the pool of knowledge: the water cooler. Adventure! His work's daily motto.

Reuben detailed the latest grant-funded project the state government hired him for, some sort of study on the change of bird migration patterns across the United States in response to climate change and the expanse of the built environment. He admitted to a growing interest in studying lupine behavior and promoting conservation efforts ever since the attack, much to Edon's surprise. He thought a wolf attack would scar anybody for life—lupophobia, according to Google.

As the evening grew late, more patrons blessed the sports bar with their pleasure-seeking presence. Senior students wearing bright orange and white shirts with the name of a local university piled in, looking to get shit-faced in preparation for the weekend. A grizzled man joined Reuben and Edon at the bar, his tired eyes affixed to the basketball game that had gone into overtime. A group of single women in their mid-20s also strolled in, chortling over funny groupie photos they had taken earlier that day. Edon nudged Reuben to talk to the cutest in the group, a short-haired brunette with mellow eyes and a tight rack. “Time for you to dip into the whole dating and marriage thing. I'll be taking a break for another year or two—or forever."

“Not my thing, dude. Hey, want to get out of here? I'm itching to hit up the town before it gets too dark."

“You good to drive?"

“Eddie, when it comes to booze, I have the constitution of a hundred Phyllostomid bats."

“Phyllo-what?"

“A type of bat known to handle the alcohol from ingesting fermented fruits."

“Reuben, you sure you weren't bit by the Discovery Channel instead? You know I ain't no scientist!" Edon dug out a five for a tip, then followed his friend out the door into the streets where the weekend traffic exhaust stank up the air. All the tall things—buildings, trees, lampposts—had draped the long, black wings of their shadows over the city since the two had first entered the bar, the evening sun throwing its fan of orange light against the world. The eastern hillside full of great shade trees seemed to glow. “How about I regale you with the exciting world of accrual basis accounting, see how that feels?"

“I'll pass," Reuben said, fishing out his keys for his vehicle, a white two-door Jeep Wrangler that doubled as research headquarters. They were squeezed between two smaller vehicles. “Who gets a business administration degree only to wear stuffy suits and slave away in a cubicle for eternity? That's not you! Should've studied underwater basket-weaving instead—would've been more fun."

“Had to support the family somehow," Edon said over the roof of the car. “A B.S. in underwater basket-weaving would've paid squat for the bills. Needed a safe bet, bro. I can't be as adventurous."

“Get in. I'll show you adventure." Doors biting shut after the two friends, Reuben brought his Jeep to life, a folk metal band blasting into the conversation with heavy guitar riffs and the medieval breath of a hurdy gurdy. The car had a background scent like dog fur masked by Febreze and open windows through the countryside. Reuben cranked down the volume. “Want to take a look at the new animal I've found?"

“New animal?" Edon said. He sat his feet carefully on the haphazard layer of random papers and notes below. “You discovered something?"

“I've mentioned it a few times back in the bar."

“You haven't mentioned shit." Edon gave a thoughtful look as he slipped on the seatbelt, flicking a black strand of hair off the polyester webbing. “You mean the Phyllo-whatever bats just a second ago?"

“No, no, no…." Reuben shook his head, tearing out of the parking lot and into the busy evening road. Local dine-in joints and other bars they passed were packed with vehicles and patrons, all the food smells and bright business signs drawing in customers like insects. “I'll show you."

“Dude, you need some time off from all those birds you've been studying—you've been acting cuckoo for cocoa puffs all day. You okay? We've been friends since kindergarten. You thinking of killing yourself or something? I'm QPR-trained, you know."

“Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Reuben interjected. “Where the hell is that coming from? If I'm the Discovery Channel, then you're some fucking Lifetime movie. Drama much?"

“Blame the alcohol."

“Look." Reuben growled in exasperation, turning the corner onto a quiet road as indicated by a hiking trail sign a moment back, near the turn to the hospital. “Man, this ain't easy to say. You remember that first chick you started dating in high school? What's her name?"

“Bernadette. Bernadette Marshal."

“Yeah, I remember now. You always called her Bern for short cause 'she was straight up fire.'"

Edon coughed up an embarrassed laugh, watching the trees of the forested thoroughfare whip by. “Yeah, kids say the darndest things. Hey, turn this up," Edon said as the opening scream over a blast beat segued into a folky flute melody. “I love this song."

“You know how bad jealousy ate me up inside when you hooked up with her?" Reuben nudged the volume up, the digital receiver flashing with the title REBIRTH.

“She had a twin sister, you know. Fraternal, so she didn't look the same. Still hot, though. No boyfriend or nothin'."

“Yeah… bummer I didn't ask her out." Reuben followed the elevation of the road as it twisted and turned into the breadth of verdant cottonwoods alive with early summer.

“Where you taking me anyway? When you said, 'hit up the town,' I thought you meant like a movie or something."

“Thought we'd head over to someplace quiet, away from everything—where it's safe to show you that animal. It's scary at first but sweet as fuck once you get over the initial shock."

Reuben pulled into a secluded parking lot just as the last vehicle stuffed with a large family sped off. The open mouth of a hiking trail shrank into the quiet darkness of the trees, the final shreds of daylight clinging to the clear sky, although none of the early stars have ignited into view yet. Reuben parked in the space closest to the trail, tires grumbling over the rocky asphalt. The music shut off abruptly as he killed the engine, leaving behind the quiet rustle of the woods the two friends could not hear from inside the car.

“I recognize this place," Edon said, looking left and right like a pedestrian about to jaywalk across a busy street. He opened the door to step out. “We've hiked here once before, like a year or two before college."

Reuben reached into the backseat for a couple of liquid-filled bottles, one small plastic bottle with a distinctive curve and one large made of glass, before joining Eden. “I remember that day and the sweet view over the city," Reuben said, stuffing the smaller purple-capped bottle into a pocket. “We had a two-hour conversation there."

Edon took in the cool evening air and the fresh scents of the outdoors away from buildings and cars, stretching out his arms. “Feels good out here. What did we even talk about?"

“Everything and nothing," Reuben said, making his way up the trail before gesturing for Edon, who still stood over the warm asphalt, to follow. Edon half-jogged to catch up. “Don't remember much. But I wanted to discuss one little thing. However, all sorts of scenarios raced across my mind: what I would say, what you would do after I said it. Probably why I don't really remember much of our actual conversation. In the end I chickened out."

“What were you hoping to talk about?" A raccoon poked its head out from the trees just ahead but quickly disappeared back into the foliage, sending them off with a flash of its ringed tail. “That the animal?"

“Let's head to the spot overlooking the city. I'll show you there."

“We have time? There's only an hour or two of daylight left."

“It's a short walk," Reuben countered, giving the large bottle in his hand a small shake. “Besides, we still got this bottle of whiskey to kill before we can say the night's over."

“I'm sure there's public intoxication laws."

“No one's here. Just us."

The two walked up a trail worn from decades of trailblazing and thousands of feet, stepping over loose chunks of stone and exposed roots. After several minutes, the city arrived from the valley below, then the busy stretch of highway that shrunk into the distance, connecting the secluded city to the outside world. After about fifteen or so minutes of hiking, the two friends came upon a cozy but dusty outlook half-protected by a large shade tree. Reuben rested a foot on the wooden picket-less fence, which consisted of two warped rails attached to a couple short posts, that separated him from the shallow drop-off a yard's length ahead.

“This is a good view!" Edon said, joining Reuben who had taken a pull of whiskey. “I wonder why we've only done this once."

Reuben passed the bottle. “You started dating your ex-wife soon after. Two-hour conversations here with your best bro were scratched off the list."

“Good thing you brought this," Edon said, regarding the bottle of whiskey before taking his first pull. “Let's turn this to a drinking game. Every time you bring her up, the more the liquid in here"—Edon pointed—“ends up in here." Edon then gestured at his stomach.

Reuben apologized, sneaking the bottle back and taking another pull himself, rolling the liquid in his mouth before swallowing. He hissed at the burning finish.

“Man, that ain't no bottom-shelf whiskey," Edon said. “Got anything to chase it with?"

“Don't be a wuss."

“Burns good, but I'd still like a fully-functioning throat after tonight."

With a laugh, the two friends ruminated over their childhood memories between drinks, Edon resting his hands on the fence as he overlooked the city. The sun slowly drifted towards the horizon as they talked and joked and shot the shit like old times. Things took a somber turn when Reuben mentioned his parents' divorce back when they were still elementary-school kids. “Seriously, dude," Reuben said after another pull. “Spending the night at your house on the weekends saved me so much grief. My folks always bickered over finances. In the end, the all-mighty dollar defeated their vows."

“Tough times, dude. I work in finance, but that wasn't enough for me and the ex to get along. We only got hitched cause of the pregnancy. Wish I could have avoided the same fate for the sake of my own kid."

“She'll be fine," Reuben said. “You're a great father. I've seen the pictures. When someone smiles that big around you, you know you're doing something right." Another pull. “I love the one with the big flower on her head and a ponytail, the one where you're kissing her cheek."

“Yep, back from the first day of school." Edon looked pensive, glancing at the dying sun, its light barely touching his face.

“Don't worry so much. You have the knack for making the most out of a shitty situation."

“Tell me about it," Edon said. “Somehow I survived growing up with you."

“Hardy har har."

“Which reminds me, I need to say good night." Edon snapped out his phone. He gestured for Reuben to hold on a sec. “Hey, it's me. Yeah, put her on."

Reuben flung out his own phone, checking the time. He glanced at the sun, then back at his friend busy wishing his daughter good night, telling her how much he loved her. Yes, she could visit soon. Did she help her Mom with the chores? No, no ice cream this late. Good night. Yes, good night, honey. Love you.

“So, where's this animal of yours?" Edon asked, shoving his phone away and stealing back the half-bottle of whiskey. He brought the bottle to his mouth but lowered it back down without a drink. Instead, he twisted the lid back on with a huff.

“It'll be here soon."

“Dude, I know you're not talking about no real animal. Quit speaking in metaphors. I got a C in our Creative Writing class for a reason."

Reuben contemplated for a sec. “Edon, do you know how strange the human race is as members of the animal kingdom?"

“I guess so, although I think it's weird to think of people as animals." Reuben winced at that. “We're supposedly the apex predators of the entire earth, so we got to be doing something against the norm, right?"

“True," Reuben said. “For instance, we're one of the only few animals that mates for life—well, at least some of us. But very few animals do that shit. It doesn't make sense evolutionarily speaking, since the survival of a species depends on passing down their genetic codes. Mating for life seems antithetical to that goal. It limits the gene pool."

“Which animals do that?"

“Oh, you know, penguins, beavers, swans… and wolves."

“Why do I feel like you're getting to some sort of point?"

“Well, your hesitance to call people animals makes sense considering we have a considerable depth and complexity to our emotions that separates man from beast."

“Like love."

“Bingo," Reuben said, snapping his fingers. “I like the idea of some ill-defined inside force bonding two beings together for so long."

A stillness gripped the air save for the chorus of katydids in the background and the distant whisper of traffic. The taste of whiskey still lingered.

“Uh, Eddie." Reuben kept his eyes on the last light, running a hand through his dark hair. “I have a confession to make."

“Here it comes."

“I've never fucked before."

“What?" Edon exclaimed with a laugh, tossing the bottle back. “Here, you need this more than I do."

“Gee, thanks."

“Still a virgin—really? I find that harder to believe than your whole werewolf gag! You must be scaring off the chicks with them huge biceps you keep showing off. You know most chicks don't dig a guy with too much muscle. Not sure whom you're trying to impress by working out so much."

“Trust me, I work out a lot less than you think. Remember, ever since the attack—"

“You ain't got a small pecker like me, do you?" Eddie bit in with a laugh. “That could be the reason."

“You think this is small?" Reuben unzipped his pants and fished out his dick, letting it hang heavily from his hand.

“Dude, what the fuck?" Edon turned his face, raising a hand to block the view. “Okay, okay. That thing is huge. Put it away."

“Actually, I gotta take a piss. All this hooch wants out." Reuben let out a laugh before strolling around the fence to the cliff's edge. He let out a satisfying groan as his urine splashed audibly on a rock below. Edon glanced over, only seeing the broad back of his friend, before joining him.

“Dammit, Rube, now I have to."

“Bet you can't hit that tree."

“You're on."

Reuben ended up winning, splattering the lone tree down below, the broad leaves bobbing along from the stream. Edon cried foul. “You've got a few inches on me!" he laughed, zipping up. “But that's why you're still a virgin. No chick in her right mind wants to get split in two with that thing."

“This dick gets me a lot more attention than you realize," Reuben claimed as they made their way to the safe side of the fence again. “But that's what I'm getting at, the one thing I'm worried to discuss."

“Just say it, Rube. I lost a pissing contest to you—if that isn't a gesture of trust, then I don't know what is!"

Reuben offered a sideways glance. “What's your favorite memory of us?"

“Favorite?" Edon gave a fair minute to think. “Jeez, there's a bunch of good memories. It feels like one of those greater-than-the-sum-of-its-parts type of situations." Edon gave a short pause until his brow furrowed. He said, “Why are you asking such a question? You're not really thinking about killing yourself, are you?"

“Dammit, Eddie. I'm not suicidal—don't be so dense! This is just damn hard to say."

“Rube, for fuck's sake." In the sky, a couple stars ignited into view. “Let's go talk about this in the car. I can barely see my feet on the ground."

“Don't worry, the dark's not a problem for me anymore. Besides, it's happening soon."

“What's happening?" Edon dug out his cellphone, tapping on flashlight mode. The cellphone flooded the outlook with its impressive light.

“Eddie, I wasn't lying when I said I was a werewolf—"

“Oh my god, not this again."

“—I can feel the pull of a full moon as night falls like the one tonight. But that's the thing, Eddie. Telling you I'm a fucking monster doesn't scare me one bit. I've been telling you all night. Something like that won't cost us our friendship."

“But there's something else you want to say that might?"

Reuben gave a hesitant nod.

“Look, if you wanted to sleep with my ex-wife while we were still married or something, have at her."

“It's not that."

“Bern cheated on me with you? Trust me, I'm over her too."

“Getting colder."

“Then I don't know what else you could possibly say."

The last of the orange light bled into a dark-blue sky, more stars igniting awake against the pollution of lights countered by the city below. The evening traffic hummed in the background, a car alarm going off, punctuating the white noise with its annoyance. In the distance, the dark outline of their old middle school, Lakeside Junior High, sat kitty-corner to a small pond. Edon laughed, saying, “That was a good one."

“What?" Reuben smiled, Edon's laugh softening the mood.

“The memory of when you knocked me into that pond. The water tasted so gross! Fishy, although I don't think there were any fish."

“I only gave an encouraging pat. You wanted to see how far you could walk down that fallen tree trunk, but you weren't budging. You always needed a little encouragement doing anything with a modicum of risk."

“Got a week's grounding for that. Wasn't allowed there. My folks didn't want the evening news reporting another school-aged drowning victim."

Reuben chuckled softly. “Sorry about that. Feels good seeing this old town again, though. I'm surprised you never left."

“Kinda got stuck here. At least you pursued your dream job."

“I regret leaving. But life has a way of sweeping people away from each other."

A soft growl suddenly escaped Reuben, as if he'd stubbed his toe but didn't want to wake the infant he cradled. This made Edon jump and ask how he was feeling, blasting his friend with cellphone light. Without a response, Reuben pulled off his shirt, revealing his impressive, muscular build.

Edon's eyes went wide as fists. “What are you doing?"

“It's happening soon." Reuben hung his shirt over the fence railing. “It's a pain finding a shirt that fits right. Tore up one the first time it happened."

“What's happening, Rube? Talk to me."

“Why do you think I'm here, Eddie? You really think I drove across three states just for a few drinks?"

“Is it weird to think that old friends would want to catch up on occasion? If you have something else in mind, then say it."

Reuben let out a deep sigh. “Wanna know why I've never fucked before? I've had these… these stupid, wild thoughts that I'd…." Edon looked at him. “That I'd save myself for you." Reuben glanced over at Edon, who said nothing, only looking back with those calm eyes. “I'm almost thirty, and it's been… lonely. You know how much it kills a guy to be lonely for so long? But I dealt with it, hoping that one day… you know… and when you called and told me about your divorce, that lit up a spark of hope that we could be… damn, this is fucking embarrassing…."

“Together?"

Reuben let out another sigh as if every molecule of air escaped him.

“So that day on the ledge here, back when we were teens," Edon said, “you wanted to profess your undying love for me?" Edon gave a comforting laugh that elicited a smile from Reuben.

“Yeah, pretty much."

“I'm not sure what to say. I had no idea you felt this way or that you like other, you know, other...."

“Other guys. You can say it."

“Sorry."

“Guy, actually. Singular."

“Only… me?" Edon's face flushed red beneath the darkness.

“But haven't you at least thought about it?" Reuben hoped. “The both of us?" Edon looked back with no response. “Come on, I just poured my heart out. You know how many bedrooms I've been in, only to back out last minute and piss off every guy looking to fuck because it felt like I was betraying you? Be honest."

After a hesitant moment, “Maybe once, okay. But just once, like a two-second thought!" Edon's voice fell quiet. His face got warmer. “Was after Bernadette and I had called it off. Couldn't think straight for a week—pun not intended. But…." Edon gave a soft look. “I entertained a thought about us dating, what life would be like, what our friends and classmates would say. How my parents would freak. I quickly popped that thought bubble."

“We had so much fun as kids. Why not extend that to something more?" Reuben dropped a heavy hand onto his friend's shoulder, giving a squeeze. Edon responded with a flinch. “Wanna give something a try? Maybe you'll like it?"

“Rube, I don't know. Having a fleeting thought about being with my best friend one time when I was sixteen doesn't mean I'm attracted to guys. Check my porn stash if you don't believe me."

“Don't think of me as just a guy. We were so close. You said it yourself, you might not date another woman 'cause of the divorce."

“An exaggeration."

“Still," Reuben said, snaking his hand behind Edon's head. Edon's warmth could nearly singe. “Why not be with someone you already know and trust. It'll be like the good old times. I can move back here, find a new job. Or maybe you can move in with me. I can help you get back on your feet."

“It's not like I'm trying to find a roommate, Rube." Edon squirmed a little from Reuben's touch. “You're asking for a complicated relationship. Plus, there's also the little issue of…"

“Sex?" Reuben reached down his other hand to Edon's crotch, giving it a playful rub before Edon gripped him to stop.

“Yes, sex, Rube! And physical attraction and…." Edon embraced Reuben suddenly, sinking into him with an aggressive kiss. Reuben melted back into this embrace, into the taste of Edon's lips and the whiskey in his breath. Before he could fully savor the moment, Edon released. “See? Nothing. At least for me."

“Was not expecting that, Eddie," Reuben said with a hopeful smile. “But maybe this can change your mind."

Reuben slowly crouched down while maintaining eye contact, kissing Edon playfully along the chest a couple times, down the slope of his midriff, then the bulge of his crotch. Edon nudged him back with a firm grip. “Reuben, I really don't think I can do this."

“Can you say 'no' to these puppy eyes?" Reuben gleamed.

“I'm serious, Rube."

Reuben gave a slow blink and sighed. “Please, Eddie. Just give it a try, won't you? If things get too weird after tonight, we can just go back to being old friends. I'm heading back home in a few days and we can just forget this ever happened. I'll finally have closure and can start dating again without becoming so anxious. I'll know I gave you a fair shot." Edon looked almost convinced. “Why not close your eyes and imagine some chick's doing it? I won't be offended."

“Glad you're so reasonable…." Edon peered down without resistance or protest as Reuben gave Edon's bulge another kiss. Edon closed his eyes with a breath, leaning back on the fence as Reuben undid his pants, pulling them halfway down to reveal mahogany-colored briefs. Some of the small hairs on Edon's legs stiffened up from the cool night air. Reuben kissed his friend's bulge again, moving his large hands up Edon's thighs before hooking his fingers around the waistband, pulling them down slowly until Edon's flaccid cock sprung out. Reuben breathed in the clean musk. “Rube, I don't…."

Reuben shushed him softly, pulling Edon's briefs further down to reveal a pair of heavy balls. Reuben kissed them before sucking on the firm orbs softly, one at a time, tasting skin and a hint of that morning's bodywash. He then traced his tongue between them, then along the bottom length of Edon's maleness, tracing its shape. Reaching the slit of his glans, Reuben engulfed the whole thing, until an undergrowth of curly pubes tickled his nose. Reuben made wet sucking noises, bobbing along the entire length. Edon started to thicken and let out a groan, reaching for Reuben's head but stopping just short of touching him. He moved his hand back to the railing, gripping it so hard the old wood, warped from years of rain and heat, left ridges in his skin. Edon closed his eyes again and lolled his head back. He was completely hard.

Reuben strained against the fabric of his jeans. Unzipping his own pants with the free hand, his erection sprang up mightily, beating once against the muscular mounds of his abdomen. Reuben jerked himself off impatiently to the soft moans of his friend. A good chunk of time zipped past as Reuben remained focused on pleasuring both hard-ons simultaneously. Edon chanced a few looks down below but kept his eyes closed most of the time.

Reuben stopped for a breath. “Damn, I've been wanting to do this to you for so long. You taste great. You smell great. Your woody seems to be liking it too."

“Perfectly average for you?" Edon grinned.

“Quit talking dirty," Reuben joked.

“You're the dirty one. I can see you wanking off that gigantic thing of yours from here. I'm starting to think my ex had a point."

“Feels like I have an aluminum bat between my legs," Reuben joked again. “You got me so hard."

“You're lucky I'm drunk." Edon winced pleasurably to Reuben's slick hand as it moved back and forth, his intimate parts glistening from saliva. “I see why you brought some good whiskey. Good luck getting an encore when I'm sober, though."

“Better make this the best damn blowjob ever then—have you begging for seconds, and thirds." With that, he worked on his friend again, more fervently this time. With his cellphone's light fixed on his friend, Edon bit his lower lip, stifling a groan, then placed his free hand on Reuben's head, touching the softness of his hair, as it moved up and down his entire length. Reuben gagged periodically while Edon would sometimes squirm. Reuben stopped to take a breath here and there but kept working for as long as he could. He gagged again.

“What are you, a newb?" Edon laughed. “Is this how you plan to win over the man of your dreams?"

“First time sucking dick here!" cried Reuben, letting his hand take over as he caught his breath again. “It's harder than it looks."

“That's what she—"

“Okay, none of that. Wanna show me how it's done? My setting's on expert mode."

“I'll pass."

“Thought so."

Reuben continued. His friend seemed close to getting off after a few more minutes with all his moaning and breathing. Edon glanced up at the sky, noticing a hint of silver light peeking over the background of gigantic trees. “Hey, look," Edon interrupted.

Reuben stopped. “What?" he said with a mouthful.

“The full moon."

Reuben pulled out, forming a thin bridge of saliva. “Yeah, I know."

“You can see it from down there?"

“I can feel it. It tugs at some deep part of me. It's hard to explain." Reuben turned his head to glare up at the hint of moon peeking out, snapping the bridge. “Time to show you the animal, I guess. Damn, I really wanted to finish you off." Reuben stood, digging into the pants at his feet for the smaller bottle he'd pocketed earlier, tossing it to Edon.

“What is this?" Edon shined the light on the bottle, then back at his friend. “Lube?"

“You up for it?"

“If this is for what I think it is, hell no." Edon yanked up his pants. “One-way street back there, buddy. You're lucky we even got this far."

“Look, Eddie," Reuben began as he stripped off his shoes and stepped out of his pants to Edon's wide-eyed glare. “I was hoping there would be time to convince you to give a little backyard play a go, but I pussyfooted around this whole subject for too long. I'm out of time. I wasn't kidding about being a werewolf."

“Reuben, just stop!"

“Look, you better go." Reuben tossed his keys. They gave a metallic jingle as they landed in Edon's open hands. “You can find your way back just fine with that bright-ass phone of yours. Pick me up in the morning." Reuben muffled a painful growl. He glanced up at the moon peeking halfway into view. “Damn, it's happening. You better hurry."

“I'm not just leaving you," Edon said, unconvinced. “Let's take you back to my place. You need to sleep off the booze."

“Dammit, Eddie, quit being stubborn. Once I change, I don't think I'll be able to stop myself. I could take off myself, but I'd only double-back for you. And if you didn't see me change, you wouldn't know it was me. You'd go mental."

“What, you gonna devour me whole or something?"

“This isn't the movies, Eddie. There's no guy who goes berserk, kills everything in sight, and doesn't remember a damn thing in the morning. Not like that at all… I remember everything. I'm mostly in control."

“Mostly?"

“Yeah, like fifty, seventy-five percent, depending."

Reuben stood completely in the buff, all his clothes draped neatly over the top railing of the fence save for his shoes, which huddled on the ground just below his shirt and pants, his balled-up socks tucked inside, one in each shoe, along with his wallet and phone. Reuben's genitals hung heavily between his legs in full view of his friend, the bushy hairs of his crotch neatly trimmed. Even with just the spotlight of Edon's cellphone, the impressiveness of Reuben's bulk would be difficult for anyone to pass by without scrutiny or appreciation. Every part of him seemed well-defined and large, his upper-body chiseled into an imposing V-shape. Edon's eyes traced the hard lines of Reuben's stomach and thick legs. Even the size of his calves looked impressive.

“But there's still the wolf side of me," Reuben continued, “that instinct that wants to take over what I've been craving to do for so long. I'm not interested in hurting people, Eddie. But I really want to be with you… you know… intimately."

“In other words, you want to fuck."

“The plan was to do it after I transformed, once you were cool with it. I had a best-case scenario all planned out in my head, but now I'm feeling guilty as fuck over everything. I'm rushing things. If you don't leave now, I'm gonna end up pounding the shit out of you." Reuben's body began to gleam with tiny beads of sweat. Edon didn't seem to notice.

“You're fucking plastered, Rube." Edon crossed arms. “Fine. If you turn into this big horny wolf-thing, you can have at me. If you don't, we go. Let's give you, let's say, five minutes. Deal?"

“Better keep that lube handy," Reuben warned. Edon didn't blink. “If you won't go, then whatever you do, don't call for an ambulance or the police—that'll just make things worse. And please don't run. You'll only hurt my feelings. It's me in there, trust me. Plus, you'll be easy to catch, so there's no point."

Unamused, “All right."

Minutes passed. Nothing. Edon tapped off flashlight mode so he could check his emails. Nothing from work. No text messages either. He didn't look up to the muffled groans his friend emitted, letting the phone bask his face with its glow as he swiped through whatever. Edon eventually glanced up at his naked friend, who still stood there like a fool. “See? Let's go."

“No, Eddie!" Reuben growled. “Just… wait."

Edon stood in dumbfounded silence. After a few more moments, however, Reuben's breathing grew loud and quick. Overhead, the glowing disc of the moon slid into full view; as if on cue, Reuben let out a painful growl, doubling over as if he had to vomit. Without hesitation, Reuben's body began its change, the sound of bones snapping and grinding into new configurations hushing the nearby chorus of katydids into silent observers. Edon's breathing became frantic as he looked up into the sky, the full moon continuing its slow graceful arc, free from the grasping silhouette of the trees. Edon could barely respond. He fumbled with his phone to toggle on flashlight mode again.

Reuben fell to his hands and knees. Despite the white coolness of the moon, his body perspired as if baking under a desert sun. He could taste the salt from what dripped to his mouth. “Listen… Eddie… this looks a lot worse than it really is." Reuben tore the air with a horrible cry between heaving breaths.

“Fuck, man!" Edon's legs didn't move from their spot. His knees developed a wobble. “Do I call an ambulance? Tell me what to do!"

“No… I said don't!" Reuben growled, his voice trembling into a deeper timbre, into something bestial—something that could not be human. Not anymore.

More sickly sounds bombarded the night—bones grinding and flesh tearing as Reuben tossed back his head in another shout of agony, his face contorting as if the bones of his skull were pushing through his face, trying to escape. Edon covered his mouth but didn't turn away, keeping the light of his phone locked on his friend. He watched as Reuben's body warped and enlarged. Strands of hair pierced through his skin like black needles. He arched his back as the end of his spine seemed to elongate, lancing past the small of his back to form the bony whip of a tail. Fingernails thickened into a set of strong, black claws. Reuben fell over to his side as his legs bent in strange, inhuman directions—into the lupine-like legs that would soon support Reuben's new animal form. Reuben gave a final horrific cry before his body curled into a silent heap on the ground.

“God, Reuben!" Edon sobbed through the sting of tears, his hands shaking as he reached over. He took a precautionary step. “What do I do?"

Reuben only responded with heaving breaths. Edon took another step but withdrew with a gasp as Reuben turned to face him, his eyes glowing in the darkness, reflecting the phone's light. Edon refocused the phone onto Reuben—or the beast he had become, his face sporting a strong, wolfen snout and nose. Tall triangular ears swiveled from his head as if picking up distant sounds. Edon took a step back as Reuben, like a wet dog, shook out his black fur while on all fours. He then lifted himself onto his hind legs, showcasing his imposing height. Edon's eyes could still trace the lines of musculature through all the black fur, which grew thickest around the werewolf's neck. Reuben tested a step towards Edon, malehood swinging between his legs, countering the sway of his bushy tail. Edon stepped back, guiding his hand along the wooden fence.

“Holy shit, Rube." Edon stumbled over a loose rock but didn't turn away from the towering half-animal approaching him. “You're a fucking werewolf."

Reuben huffed, sending a plume of hot breath into the cool night air. In a few giant steps, he quickly closed the distance between them, Edon's back caught against the post at the end of the fence. Edon fell back onto the ground as Reuben leaned in. The werewolf dropped to all fours again, looming over the trembling man, prodding Edon's face for a sniff before giving him a few licks. Edon pushed against the werewolf's hard, furry chest, turning his own head away, the scent and taste of musky fur invading his mouth and nostrils. The werewolf panted between licks, his rough tongue plastering Edon with saliva. Edon's eyes blew wide as he got a good look at the long, sharp canines protruding from Reuben's mouth. He brought his leg up and felt something hard jab at it. Edon gulped as he looked down with the light of his phone at Reuben's arousal, the bulbous glans seeping pre-fluid. Reuben began sniffing down Edon's shirt until he reached the crotch of his pants, nudging at the bulge there with a whine. Reuben snaked a clawed hand into Edon's pants, tugging at them as if trying to pull them off without a tear.

“Reuben, I know what you want," Edon stammered, grabbing Reuben's paw to stop him. “But this is crazy!"

Reuben growled his disapproval, flashing sharp teeth. Edon dashed for the hiking trail after Reuben yanked at his pants again. He gained a few feet before toppling over, scraping his palms. Small chunks of rock dug into him. Edon spat out dirt that he'd kicked up. The werewolf did not hesitate, pouncing on top of Edon as he stumbled to his feet, forcing him to the ground again. The werewolf clutched at the man, pulling him close to his body, thrusting into his backside, jabbing at him. Edon cried out, trying to stand up to no success as the weight of the werewolf bearing down on him was too much.

“Okay, okay, Rube!" Edon yelled uselessly, the werewolf still humping at him. The werewolf buffeted Edon with hot breaths as he searched for a tight hole to slip into. “Dammit, stop!" Edon elbowed Reuben in the ribs, drawing a surprised yelp. The werewolf withdrew, panting hard.

When the werewolf didn't come at him again, Edon stood up calmly, dusting himself off and brushing away a few small rocks that stuck to his arms. He picked up his cellphone off the ground, pointing the light at the werewolf standing just a few feet in front of him. The werewolf's huge erection jutted upward as if trying to touch the moon. Reuben approached with a step and a flick of his tail, but Edon raised a palm.

“Rube, just wait a second," Edon said, his voice wavering but firm. Reuben's ears swiveled. “My heart's pounding a million beats per minute. This is… a lot to take in." Edon eyed Reuben's aching hard-on with a gulp. The werewolf was long, thick, and ready. “I'll let you do this, but just let me… prepare." With that, Edon walked slowly to the fence, searching the ground for the bottle of lubricant he had dropped. The sound of paw-steps almost echoed against the night as the werewolf followed. With the lubricant ready, Edon set his phone down before squirting the slippery liquid into a cupped hand. The werewolf stood, waiting, before giving long heavy pants as Edon, after a moment's hesitation, slathered on the slick lubricant. Reuben grabbed Edon's shoulders, bucking his hips slightly into Edon's slippery grip.

“Go gentle, big guy," Edon said, letting out a deep breath while the moon overhead continued its lonesome path across the darkness. He stopped to squirt more lubricant directly on Reuben's dick; he could barely wrap his hands around it as he continued stroking him off. Edon moved over the curves of the thick head, focusing his attention there, eliciting a lustful grumble—that felt good. Edon looked up at the werewolf. His eyes were sealed shut into blissful slits. Soon the werewolf's soft bucking became more forceful, his panting quicker. Edon stroked good and fast. Reuben kept thrusting his hips. His tail arced back and forth. His balls began to pull up close. Edon gasped as Reuben stopped suddenly and grabbed his hands, which seemed tiny in comparison to Reuben's strong paws. The werewolf gazed down on him, his tongue lolling out as he huffed and huffed. The werewolf shook his head side to side, the first real indication of humanity.

“Damn…." Edon capitulated. “Guess you're not looking for just a hand job, right?" Hesitating, his hand trembled as he unzipped his pants. He mumbled beneath his breath, “What am I doing?" As soon as Edon kicked off his pants and briefs, Reuben spun his friend around, bending him along the fence before jabbing a snout into his ass. Edon let out a gasp as Reuben's rough tongue lapped at the sensitive ring of muscle there, Reuben's paws clutching around his thighs, his dark claws leaving white trail marks on his skin. Reuben worked his tongue in, coating Edon's underside with viscous saliva. Edon could only stand there and groan, the werewolf forcing the long tongue deep inside him. The werewolf then stood, clutching Edon by the hips, then began grinding the length of his cock between Edon's legs as if warning him to prepare.

“Wait a second," Edon said, squeezing some more lubricant onto a few fingers to slicken his underside some more. He then braced himself on the fence railing. His breathing grew faster. “Go slow, Rube. Slow."

Reuben, unable to wait any longer, guided in the tip of his erection, the glans slipping into the slick hole with a firm push. Edon yelled out as if he had the wind knocked out of him. “Stop, stop. God, I can't do this!"

The tight sphincter around his cockhead only prompted the werewolf to thrust inward as he held Edon still around the waist with sturdy paws. Edon could barely move. He clutched on the railing as he writhed in Reuben's grip. The werewolf thrust back and forth, edging further inside the writhing man with each frenetic thrust, panting like crazy. Edon gritted his teeth, slinging expletives into the unresponsive night air. After several agonizing minutes, the werewolf slammed into the globes of Edon's ass. Almost completely inside of him. Almost balls deep.

Edon caught his breath. The werewolf paused, panting so hard as if back from a long run. The large paws clutched Edon around the shoulders again, pulling him in tight. The werewolf growled pleasurably as he began thrusting back and forth again, slowly this time, prompting Edon to bite at his lower lip and writhe in his spot again. “Damn, Rube… why you got to be so fucking huge...."

Reuben grunted a response, the wet, rhythmic slaps of their colliding bodies drowning out the remnants of traffic that traveled along unknowingly. Reuben's libidinous panting joined suit as his full tail thrashed about behind him, keeping time to their sexual score. The werewolf's large balls slapped against the lower part of Edon's ass again and again. After several minutes, Edon's painful moaning morphed into pleasurable groans, his own dick soon hardening from the werewolf's unrelenting thrusts. “Damn, Rube…" Edon said again under his breath, “starting to feel good…."

The werewolf's breaths became short and quick again, signaling the impending climax; he bucked his hips in frantically, shoving himself in deep. Edon tossed his head back with several moans, grinding his own hips back. The werewolf stopped, blasting the back of Edon's head with hot breaths, ready to blow his load. He stood there, panting, Edon's ass tight against his body, the werewolf's hard cock straining against his insides with a few throbs. When the danger of ejaculating subsided, the werewolf moved again. He dropped his hard, furry body onto Edon, rubbing his arms over his friend sensually, nudging his wolfen head against Edon's. Edon rubbed back. Reuben guided a clawed paw to fondle Edon's hardness, stroking him off rhythmically to his own slow thrusts. Edon clutched at the werewolf's arm, tugging at the fur. Edon kept grinding his hips back, the werewolf's warm muscular body so close to his that the taste of fur lingered, the soft, black hairs teasing Edon's bare skin. “God, Reuben, I'm close."

Reuben sped up, both his thrusts and the manual stimulation he provided. Just as their breathing grew quick and shallow, as the pleasure almost became too great, Reuben would stop just before the point of no return, both of their hard cocks aching to cum—he denied that satisfaction. The night went on like this: heavy thrusting, the werewolf jerking off Edon, their bodies warm against each other, the werewolf stopping just in time before any of them could release. After the last time the werewolf paused in preparation for another cycle of thrusting and moaning, Edon looked back at the huge werewolf behind him, reaching back to bring him close. He touched Reuben's muzzle, bending his short whiskers. “All right, big guy."

The werewolf gave the hand a lick, then leaned in heavily, gripping the creaking fence like Edon, both furry arms on either side of the man beneath him. He shoved his big cock forcefully back and forth. “God, Rube," Eden breathed, “harder…." The huge werewolf slammed as much of his dick into Edon's tight hole as he could between pants and growls of pleasure, the fence whining with each thrust. Edon jerked himself off, pushing back into the werewolf as much as he could as he kept himself propped up with one hand. The werewolf panted like mad. His thrusting became more frantic. The werewolf wrapped his large arms around Edon, tearing him from the fence, holding him in tight against his powerful body. The werewolf's dick worked like a piston as his large balls pulled into his body, Edon crying out. Finally, after several loud, lustful grunts and growls, Reuben gave one last thrust, his hard dick pulsing with wave after wave of pleasure as it shot thick ribbons of hot cum deep inside Edon. The werewolf tossed his head back, giving a deep howl into the night, his dick still throbbing, pumping his friend with more of his warmth. Edon gave a lustful groan as his own dick flung ropes of cum across the outlook, splattering the fence a few feet in front of him several times over. The last few spurts of cum leaked heavily from his glans, down his shaft, before dripping from his balls. The scent of musk and sex filled the air.

Reuben returned from his howl, chest heaving. Edon looked back at him. “That felt amazing, dude."

Reuben looked down, his dick still hard and buried deep inside, then leaned in to give Edon's face a lick. He gave a few playful, pleasurable thrusts, his dick eventually softening, before he finally slipped out of Edon with a wet sound. The werewolf's dick swung heavily from his legs, slick from lubricant and semen. He twisted himself around Edon, sniffing at the strong scent of cum. He licked Edon's genitals clean, the taste sending the werewolf's tongue into a furor. Edon clutched at the werewolf's furry head and long ears, breathing in through his teeth as Reuben's rough tongue worked him over.

With a yawn, Reuben eventually slumped down onto a clear patch on the ground next to a large stone beneath the shade tree, his dark figure barely visible from the cool glow of the moon, the smoldering city lights. Edon's phone had died long ago, now buried in the darkness somewhere. Edon pulled on his pants but didn't bother to zip or button up. He jammed his feet into his shoes, then tiptoed to where the werewolf sat. Reuben watched through the burning amber of his eyes, its glow reflecting the light of the moon. The werewolf's tail thumped happily as Edon approached.

“Mind if I join?" With his back resting against the stone, the werewolf spread apart his legs, as if inviting his friend to join him there. “Not quite what I was thinking, Rube," Edon said with a grin, crawling between the werewolf's legs. Edon turned his back to lay against the big werewolf, who folded his arms over him. Reuben's tail kept thumping against the ground. The two gazed at the moon overhead, Reuben's ears swiveling occasionally to the sound of something or other. Edon stroked the fur on Reuben's sinewy arms.

Edon suddenly chuckled to himself. “Aside from all that buttfucking a moment ago, sitting with your arms around me like this is probably the gayest thing I've ever done."

Reuben huffed.

“But I think I'm okay with it, Rube," Edon said, “although I'll be walking funny for a week." He glanced up at the wolf with a laugh. “I guess this is the rite of passage, making you my werewolf boyfriend now or something."

Reuben's tail thumped its approval.

Edon gave a thoughtful look. “Not that I want you to, but if you were to, you know, bite me—" Reuben gave a stern look at that. "—would I become like you?"

Reuben shrugged.

“Bad idea, anyway," Edon said. The werewolf licked at his own muzzle. “Imagine having my daughter over during the full moon? What if something bad were to happen? She'd be scared. Can't imagine having to explain all that to the ex."

Reuben shifted in his spot. Edon changed the subject, releasing a floodgate of simple yes or no questions, to which Reuben gave a simple nod or shake. Edon wondered if Reuben knew other werewolves (no), if he liked being one (yes), if he only transformed during a full moon (yes), if he jerked off on his own in this form (…yes), if he had ever eaten somebody (jokingly, but no).

“Does anyone else know you transform like this every full moon? Any other friends?"

The werewolf gave a no, the fur around his head shaking with his movement.

“Here's another one," Edon said, pausing until the werewolf looked down at him, his eyes shining. “Next time, can I be on top?"

Reuben didn't move his head, but the thrashing tail gave away the answer. After the werewolf drained Edon of any more questions, the two sat in the dark, warm in each other's embrace, the city lights twinkling from below, a mirror to the stars overhead.

“This is all so hard to believe, Rube," Edon said, breaking the long silence. “We can discuss this more when you've changed back. You're not much of a talker like this." He yawned, giving an arm around him a couple pats. In the distance, the moon seemed to watch, a quiet unblinking eye in the cloudless sky. Reuben gazed back for as long as he could. Eventually, Edon fell silent in his arms, his slow breaths following the steady metronome of Reuben's tail thudding against the earth.

* * *

Two or three pokes. Edon forced his eyes open, the bright morning burning his eyes back shut despite the shade of the tree he rested under. The dusty ground sent a cold chill up his back, damp with sweat. In the distance, a chubby wren greeted the new day with its song. Edon cupped his hands over his ears. His mouth felt dry as the dust around him. He tried swallowing, getting saliva flowing. No luck.

“I ain't got no problems with you gays," said a middle-aged man clad in modest outdoor gear, giving Edon another gentle poke with a wooden walking stick, “but can't you boys have your fun in the privacy of a bedroom?"

“What's going on?" Edon mustered, blinking his eyes open. He brushed off a pair of heavy arms surrounding him then clutched at the side of his head with a groan. His body shivered despite the morning's warmth, despite the warmth of Reuben who still surrounded him with thick legs, with his body.

“Of course, being a man myself," the hiker went on, “your friend ain't got nothing I haven't seen before, so I'm not worried about no public indecency. However, a young family's making their way up this trail. Better get some clothes on your friend there before this becomes a scene." Edon apologized profusely, noticing his friend's nakedness. The hiker gave a hearty chuckle before continuing his morning excursion.

When the hiker doddered out of sight, Edon sat up from the large body he'd been sleeping against. Reuben's head rested against the large stone behind him. A thin trail of drool seeped from his gaping mouth. A few quiet snores escaped his maw. Edon turned to wake him, but groaned instead, hugging himself to ward against another shiver.

“Dude, wake up," Edon commanded weakly. He sunk back into his naked friend, waking him with a start. Edon looked up at Reuben who peered down at him from sleepy eyes. “I feel like utter shit. Worse than a hangover."

Reuben's eyes snapped open. “You're burning up!" He felt Edon's forehead. “Holy! You can cook eggs on this thing!"

“What did you do to me? I feel so dizzy."

“Let's get you home." After easing his friend back down, Reuben slipped his clothes on and retrieved Edon's dead phone. He pocketed the lubricant but fumbled around with the half-bottle of whiskey. Too big for pockets. He tried his mouth, clutching the bottle cap with his lips. Too heavy. In the distance, a family traipsed up the trail: two adults and their pair of young kids, a boy and a girl. The girl giggled over some joke her brother made. Reuben scooped Edon into his arms after setting the bottle in his friend's lap. Arms and legs bulged, and abs tightened from Edon's weight.

“Hi, there," came a friendly male voice from behind. His wife, wearing a wide-brimmed hat and an expensive-looking pair of sunglasses, approached the fence, testing its wobble. Reuben watched, looking worried. The woman peered upon the expanse of the city, taking a sip from her water bottle. “Something wrong with your friend?"

“Twisted his ankle up the trail," Reuben said, noticing that Edon's pants were unbuttoned and unzipped. The faint smell of sex lingered. Reuben's face got warm. “Yeah, uh… just carrying him back down to my Jeep, get him to the hospital."

“Daddy, I want to be as strong as this man!" said the young boy, no more than six or seven. The boy squinted up curiously, sun in his eyes. His brown hair looked a couple days shy from needing a cut.

His sister, only a year or so older, sent a finger to her lips, shushing him. The slender tips of a yellow mountain flower adorned her ear, blonde hair tied back in a ponytail. Reuben glanced at her, then back at the man in his arms, his eyes closed. Edon's breaths labored through his throat.

“He doesn't look so good," the father said, disregarding his children. He eyed the bottle of whiskey in Edon's lap. “Want me to call an ambulance? Signal's fine."

“No, no. Thanks anyway." Reuben hurried down the trail before the man could ask him any more questions. The wife joined her husband, wondering what that was all about. He shrugged.

Lumbering down the trail forced the occasional grunt out of Reuben, but he kept Edon up in his arms. Edon's eyes would crack open every few minutes, peer up at the man holding him, then fall shut. Once, he opened them wide when Reuben stumbled over an exposed root, which almost sent both Edon and the whiskey bottle flying. Edon offered to walk the rest of the way, but Reuben wouldn't hear it. A little later, Reuben let out a breath of relief when he saw flecks of a white vehicle through the foliage.

“Okay, Eddie," Reuben whispered when he finally reached the Jeep. Two other vehicles parked a comfortable distance from each other in the small lot. “I'm gonna set you down for a sec." He fished for keys. Goosebumps of panic surged through him when the usual lump they formed in his pocket was flat. Nodding to himself, he felt through Edon's pockets and found the keys there. He muttered a silent thanks to the heavens.

The drive to Edon's dingy apartment complex: uneventful. Reuben drove with a sense of urgency, but not too quick. Edon had keeled over in the back without a seatbelt on and the opened bottle of whiskey slung its liquid around the bottle from the front seat. Reuben kept the music silent and the windows up. He drove two miles per hour under the speed limit when he noticed a cop car watching traffic near the hiking sign from yesterday. He drove past the empty parking lot of last night's sport's bar, the neon open sign switched off. Only a couple miles south of that and they were home.

Edon's studio apartment was bare, the confines of a divorced man. Reuben had carried him up the flight of stairs, fumbling with the keys at the door, but they made it. Edon asked for water. He curled up on his futon, keeping his eyes closed. Reuben rummaged through the small kitchen for a cup. The sink coughed water into a tumbler he found. Reuben cracked open a bottle of painkillers from the counter.

“Here." Edon took the pills and downed the whole glass of water. “Better?"

“A little. I hurt everywhere."

“I know."

The silence Edon offered gave time for Reuben to glance around the room, which exuded a homely, slightly musty smell. There wasn't much. On one end table adjacent to the futon sat a picture of Edon and his daughter. A small box television slept like a black stone from its side of the room. Nothing decorated the walls, bits of white paint chipping at the edges. A few boxes filled with clothes and random things peppered the ugly brown carpeting.

Edon groaned miserably. “What did I catch? I felt fine yesterday. Think I need the E.R.?"

Reuben sat on the floor beside Edon. “Don't worry, this passes in a day or so. It was my fault." Edon's eyebrows raised. “I didn't know it could pass like that. I didn't nick you with a tooth last night, did I?"

“Don't think so. What do you mean 'pass like that?'"

“What I have. I assumed it could only pass from a bite, not… sexually. You have all the same symptoms."

Edon remained silent, as if weighing what had just been said. Reuben chanced an interruption. “Um, Edon? I know this is a bad time and you need rest, but I have to ask."

“You used my real name. This must be important." A pause. “Yeah?"

“Were you serious last night? What you said? Are we a thing? My stomach's in knots wondering."

“A thing? You mean a couple?" Edon closed his eyes.

“Yeah."

“That would make you pretty happy, huh?"

Reuben answered with a smile, although Edon didn't see. He watched until Edon's breaths became steady, sleep snatching him. The scent of sweat and dirt still permeated Edon's clothes, debris staining the black futon. Reuben touched Edon's cheek, at its warmth, then gently coursed his fingers through Edon's hair. The sick man remained motionless.

“I'm sorry, Eddie," Reuben whispered, “but I have to admit, I'm kinda happy this happened. Last night, I debated biting you—nothing serious, just enough to draw blood, to see if you would eventually change like me." A soft smile formed. “During the drive here, I wondered how it would be, you and me as werewolves, romping through the night doing awesome werewolf shit. I don't know, chase animals, howl, and… you know… it, of course." This drew a hushed laugh, but then Reuben's face went somber. “But when you asked about biting you, it took every mote of willpower not to do it right then and there. I didn't want to break your trust." Edon breathed. Reuben glanced at the end table, at the picture of Edon and his daughter and their smiling faces. “I feel like a selfish jerk…. But don't worry, I'll be there for your first change, give you some pointers. Wish somebody did for me." He stifled a chuckle. “I really liked that shirt."

Reuben hung around the apartment the whole day. He dug through the kitchen for ingredients to make a sandwich. No bread, but he recovered a package of bologna hidden in the clutter of the fridge. He snarfed down a few round slices. A warm shower rinsed away the dirt and smells from the previous night. He tossed on fresh clothes he had retrieved from the travel bag in the Jeep, then clicked the television on, keeping the volume quiet, and shuffled through a few channels of infomercials and reruns. He clicked the television back off. He settled for rummaging through his phone. Once, he helped Eddie up to pee. His legs still wobbled from the sickness, so Reuben had to help Edon stand over the toilet. After a sip to drink, Edon slumped back down on the futon for more rest. Reuben reclined on the floor next to him, shutting his eyes.

When Reuben opened them again, the orange warning of dusk had bent its light against the apartment walls. Reuben checked on Edon, deep in sleep, feeling his forehead. Still hot. “But perhaps not as hot as this morning," he told himself. He collected his wallet, keys, and phone he had sprawled on the counter and tapped on his shoes. Glancing over Edon one last time, Reuben slid out the door into the cool evening, his gaze drawn up as if something tugged at him from somewhere beneath the darkening sky.

* * *

“Another late night?"

Notes and scribbled data sets cluttered the lab's office, a large ornithology reference book smothering one side of the desk. The chair whined under a large man with careful, narrow eyes, his gut straining at the buttons of his shirt. He typed and clicked and grunted at his computer, the screen a flutter of numbers, graphs, and predictions. Pausing to glance up at the skinnier man addressing him, he caught a glimpse out the window, which framed a wisp of clouds swathing an otherwise lonely moon.

“Just finishing a few analyses."

“How do you keep yourself organized?" The skinnier man slumped at a desk adjacent to the larger man's, spinning his chair as he pushed himself closer. He glanced over the mess of papers, then snatched a cold slice of cheese pizza from an unmarked grease-stained box, its aroma mingling with the dank smells of the room. The stale crust crunched in his mouth, but the sauce and cheese were savory, not too salty.

“Finished ringing the last of 'em today?"

“Yeah… the mist nets need replacing, though." The skinnier man spoke between bites, spitting up crumbs. “A kinglet escaped one. We lose good data that way."

“No spare funding for that," said the larger man, tapping the desk with a forefinger to punctuate his words. “We'll make it work."

The skinnier man took another chomp at the pizza. “When you outta here?"

“Another hour. Need this done before the weekend. Report's due beginning of next week."

“Ain't that new guy supposed to be helping you, hm?" The skinnier man furrowed his brow. “Or is the meathead out for a late-night workout again?"

“Let him home early." The larger man's pudgy fingers smashed keys at the computer again. “Said he had an old friend in town."

“You know, I always say to hire advanced degrees. These undergrad-only kids never take the job as seriously."

“He's not so bad. Never gives me gruff from the grunt work he's assigned. He can work the statistical software too. That pizza he brought was a bonus."

“You could never refuse food bribes."

“Kid knows me well already." The large man smiled, still typing. “Plus, he seemed real excited to see his friend—he was like a big puppy." This drew a look from the skinnier man. “Couldn't keep him locked up for the night even if I tried."

The two men continued the night discussing the data, the skinnier man watching over the larger man's shoulder, pointing here and there when something caught his interest. Through the window, the full moon threw off its blanket of clouds, although both men were too busy to notice. But in the distance, a deep howl drifted through the warm night air. Both men craned their necks from the screen, taking notice, the skinnier man wondering if a wolf sanctuary had taken up shop nearby. The area wasn't the natural habitat for wolves, not by a thousand miles. The two returned to the screen, unsure. A second howl soon joined, harmonizing with the first—a duo of voices honoring the bright, silver moon that would watch, unblinking, for the entire night.