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I couldn't stop grinning as I pulled up on Aunt Ruth's driveway.

I grabbed my gym bag and let myself into the house. Aunt Ruth and Thomas were watching a movie as I walked in.

"Hello Malcolm, how was the gym?" Aunt Ruth called.

"Excellent!" I exclaimed as I rushed up the stairs.

As soon as I was in my room I threw myself down on the bed. I'd left Lachlan's hoodie slung over my desk chair, but I grabbed it and held it close to my chest.

I lay in silence for a minute, snuggling the hoodie close to me. I knew I had to text Lachlan so I pulled my phone out.

Hi Lachlan.

Bland.

Hey Lachlan.

Cliché.

Hey fox.

Silly.

My dear Lachlan

Flowery.

I sighed and thumbed at my phone before an idea popped into my head.

I arrived home safely and I had a marvellous day. I imagine you're still driving back but I hope you are safe and well too. I know we must look out for each other. I can't wait to see you again and find out your dinner plan. Please let me know more about the idea soon. Your Shep, Malc xx

It was a long text, but I was pleased with it.

I started to imagine what Lachlan's home looked like. A muscular man who drove a motorbike and an Audi conjured up an image of someone who lived in a modern apartment, ate steamed fish for dinner and did crunches before bed.

But I found it hard to imagine him living such a lifestyle. Did he live in a cottage, a flat or maybe a manor house?

Someone who was regal looking would certainly own a fine place.

My phone buzzed and I grinned as I began reading Lachlan's reply.

My dear Malcolm

(Ha! He said it)

I'm so glad you enjoyed today. I arrived safely too. The first thing I did was check my phone to see if you'd messaged. I'm also happy you're excited about dinner plans. I'm going to look the restaurant up now to see what availability they have. Indeed, we must look out for each other. Keep yourself warm with my hoodie. Your fox, Lachlan xx

I squirmed with excitement and I also knew what this called for. I reached back for my phone and called Hudson's number.

"Hey there," the jindo said. "How are you doing after yesterday?"

"Fantastic," I grinned.

There was a pause.

"You feeling okay?" Hudson asked.

"Yeah I'm fine," I insisted.

"I was about to ask if you'd gotten over Adam and got with Foxybutt yet?"

I was about to laugh and say I did, but I stopped myself. Something occurred to me that I hadn't thought of.

"You okay man?" Hudson said. "Talk to me."

"Hudson, um, this might seem like a random question, but how did your parents react when you came out?" I asked.

There was another pause and I could hear Hudson breathing at the other end.

"I didn't tell my parents as such. I did the dumb thing of using the family computer to look up stuff online when I discovered the internet could also be used for doing that. My dad found it, and they kinda sat me down after dinner for a talk," Hudson sighed. "They were pretty shocked to discover that way."

"Shocked?" I repeated. "Given your appearance I wouldn't be surprised, no offense."

"None taken. I didn't dye my fur back then, I was an innocent little jindo. Anyway, they eventually gave me a hug and said they loved me, I'll always be their kid and because they couldn't have pups of their own they will always be glad I came into their family. My momma did ask me are you sure Hudson? And then said you have to be careful as some gay people aren't very nice, but other than that they took it pretty well and they've never had any problems since."

"I see," I replied.

"You gonna tell your folks?"

"I was wondering about it as my mum is coming tomorrow. I wanted to wait until I had a boyfriend, but now I'm thinking coming out that way would be unfair to a potential mate," I reasoned.

"That's all true," Hudson agreed.

"What should I say?" I asked.

"There's no default way of doing this I'm afraid," the jindo sighed. "Do you think your family would take it well?"

"I don't know," I said. "My mum has never expressed any opinions on gay people. She's not ultra-religious or anything like that, but she's asked a few times if I have a girlfriend. I sometimes wondered if she suspected something, but it could be nothing."

"Probably nothing," Hudson replied. "My advice would be do it at a time when she's calm, oh and don't say something like I think I like guys. You gotta be confident otherwise she might think it's a phase. Whatever happens Malc, I'm here for you, and if she disowns you we'll get married and I'll take you back to Canada. You'd make a cute ranch boy, just sayin'."

"I love you Hudson but I don't know about that," I chuckled.

Plus I want to be with Lachlan.

"I'm just messin'," Hudson laughed. "But don't be one of those kids who puts their coming out live on YouTube."

"Heck, I'd never do that," I said. "I wish I knew what to say though."

"How about hi mum, I'm gay and being boned by a fox," Hudson teased, putting on his English accent.

"We didn't have sex and this isn't funny," I retorted.

"Sorry man, I know it isn't," Hudson replied. "Whatever happens, remember me and Charlotte are Team Malcolm."

"Thanks," I replied. "Charlotte seems much better in fact. She was worried we were going to abandon her in favour of new friends, but she said sorry for being distant."

"That's cool, we were messaging this morning and she said the same thing. After the silly video my roomies made I'm less inclined to hang out with them," Hudson said.

I was about to reply but Hudson spoke first.

"Rewind a moment, waddaya mean we didn't have sex, don't tell me you actually ran off with Foxybutt as a rebound from Adam?" he laughed.

"I did, but certainly not as a rebound," I explained. "We had a wonderful time at the gym and the pool. He looks so hot in speedos."

Hudson laughed.

"I'm glad your sense of humour is back," he said. "Mmm, Foxybutt in a speedo, fuck yeah I dig that image."

"This actually happened," I tried to explain. "I'm not kidding."

There was another pause.

"Eh?" Hudson eventually said.

"It happened," I repeated. "Listen."

I spent the next minute describing everything in detail.

"I feel really happy," I finished, thumping my tail against the bed.

"You almost kissed him and sat in a hot tub together? Dude, what the fuck!" Hudson exclaimed in a tone of disbelief and amused horror. "This isn't real."

"It is," I insisted.

"Seriously man, I want to believe this is a jerk off fantasy that you jumped into like Inception."

"We didn't do anything sexual, we just went to the pool, hung out for a bit," I recounted. "I didn't even get to kiss him in the end."

"Okay," Hudson replied, clearly trying to catch up with everything I'd said.

"I didn't feel at all nervous or weirded out, it just happened and I felt happy, I still feel really happy. Lachlan never made me feel unsafe or awkward," I continued. "Honestly, that's it."

"Right," Hudson said, and I felt my ears splay as I pictured him at the other end wondering whether to humour me or not. "Um, Malc do you want my honest opinion?"

"Let me guess, I'm getting it anyway?" I sighed, feeling disappointment and mildly irritated.

"Look dude, I really don't want to annoy you, and I can hear how happy you are which makes me glad after how you were yesterday."

"Just say it," I muttered.

"I don't want you screwing yourself up mentally. When I was talking about you running from one emotion and guy to another, I didn't think it would actually happen. Secondly, I know I keep saying this, but you've gotta be careful. Even if he's not a perv."

"He's not!" I exclaimed, cutting into Hudson's pep talk. "Lachlan never acted like one, he was very kind and gentlemanly."

"Okay, okay, but seriously dude. It's not just you that could get into trouble, he'd probably lose his job or something if anyone found out."

"I already prefer him to Adam anyway," I sighed.

"It's been one day," Hudson sighed.

I felt a flash of annoyance.

"I might hang up," I muttered.

"Malc, listen," Hudson said. "I'm not being a dick, I'm looking out for you. Besides, how do you know he's actually interested in you? Maybe you read something into this and he's just being friendly, a little too friendly in my opinion as most people would find the idea of a student and a teacher in a sauna together strange as fuck, but perhaps he was just being chatty, you read something into it and you bumped into him there. He didn't see it as romantic."

"I did think that, but he posed the idea of going out for dinner next if that answers your question?"

"Oh jeez," Hudson sighed. "This is too much."

"Fine, but I'm happy," I snapped before hanging up.

Annoyance coursed through me and I realised I was gripping my phone really tightly. I sighed and set it down.

It took a few minutes for the anger to gradually fade and I started to grudgingly wonder if Hudson had a point about Lachlan losing his job. I grabbed my laptop and searched what happens if a lecturer dates a student?

The web threw out a few results, including a People Ask section with the top question being what happens if a professor dates a student? The answer below stated it was forbidden in some colleges, but other universities had no policies on the matter. Quora and Yahoo Answers pages below gave pretty much the same answer, with some posts advising to wait until you had graduated. I had no idea if Beldover had a policy about it or not. It was not the sort of thing they discussed on their website.

I was still feeling shaken after hanging up on Hudson and I thumbed my phone, wondering whether to call back.

Instead, I took a deep breath and sent a message to Lachlan.

My dear fox, I hope it's okay to message again. I just wanted to say goodnight xx

My phone buzzed a moment later.

My dear Shep, not at all. Message all you want. Sleep well and have pleasant dreams. Your fox xx

"He calls me my dear Shep, proof he likes me," I said out loud, imagining I was getting another last word in to Hudson.

But the thought made me feel even worse. I didn't want to sully my feelings for Lachlan. I took a deep breath, swallowed my pride and sent a message to Hudson.

Hey, I'm really sorry I hung up on you like that. I know you're looking out for me. I appreciate that & I love you man

I could hear Aunt Ruth and Thomas preparing dinner downstairs, but I didn't feel like joining in.

I looked at my phone waiting for a response from Hudson but it remained silent. Instead, I grabbed The Hobbit off my shelf and began reading. I'd barely read four words before my phone buzzed. I rolled over to look at the screen, but my heart sank as I saw it was Adam.

Hey.

I growled and continued reading, but I couldn't concentrate. I looked back at the message from Lachlan on my phone. I wanted to fall asleep to a positive thought, and I kept looking at the message as I went to brush my fangs before curling up in bed.

"Good night," I whispered at my phone.

I knew anyone watching would think I was being weird, but I didn't care. I reached for the light and turned it off.

I was floating on my back in the water again, only this time it wasn't the pool, but an endless expanse of crystal blue water with a blue sky up above. Lachlan was beside me. The fox reached out and took my paw.

Don't ever drift away from me, I said to him.

Don't worry I won't.

That smile spread across his muzzle again.

I wondered if I could lean over and kiss him while floating. I smiled and tried to lean over, but I sunk into the water with a splash.

I woke up with a jolt and realised I had become tangled up in the covers, which no doubt had given me the feeling that I'd fallen in water.

My bedside clock said it was almost ten am and I could hear Aunt Ruth moving around downstairs. A faint hissing sound told me Thomas was in the shower.

I rolled over and checked my phone. There was still nothing from Hudson.

I sighed and wondered if I should message Lachlan. With Adam I had mulled over this, but with Lachlan I didn't want to feel hung up on worries.

My dear fox, I hope you have a wonderful day. My mum is coming to visit, I hope it goes well. Can't wait to talk to you later. Your Shep xx

The sound of the shower finished and I heard the bathroom door open. I waited until Thomas had finished padding back to his bedroom before I grabbed a towel and went to get showered.

Aunt Ruth was still in the kitchen by the time I dressed myself and made my way downstairs.

"Morning," I said. "Is there anything I can do to help?"

"I'm just making a salad at the moment, and I've put the main dish in the oven," Aunt Ruth mused. "I know, could you set the table for me? I know it's early, but that saves me a job for later."

I opened the kitchen cupboard and retrieved the plates. My phone vibrated in my pocket and I hurriedly set the plates out before checking it. I was hoping Hudson had messaged, but instead my stomach performed a backflip as I saw it was from Lachlan.

My dear Shep, I hope your mum's visit goes well. You'll be pleased to see her. I've made a reservation for Monday, after my class. I have more ideas if you're interested? But no pressure, only if you're comfortable

I grinned and was about to text a reply but Aunt Ruth walked over with some silverware.

"I just dried these."

I began setting the table and mulled over Lachlan's text. I wondered what his other idea was, and despite what he said I had mixed feelings about my mum visiting. It wasn't that I dreaded it per say, it was just the inevitable questioning about my personal life for gossip.

My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of tires on the driveway and glanced out of the window to see my mum's Ford Focus pulling up outside the house.

"I didn't know she was arriving this early?" I said.

"She wanted to see my plans for landscaping the garden," Aunt Ruth replied.

I watched my mum climb out of the car. Like me, she's a tan Alsatian with a black muzzle, but her eyes are brown (my green eyes came from my father). She was dressed in black trousers and a light blue sweater. Aunt Ruth went to open the front door.

"Hello Ruth," I heard my mum say, and I sidled over to the entrance hall. "There he is!" my mum said as she saw me.

I walked over and gave my mum a hug. The familiar scent of lavender laundry detergent filled my nose.

"Thomas, Auntie Eleanor is here!" Aunt Ruth called.

Thomas came slowly down the stairs.

"Hello," he said.

"Hello Thomas, haven't you grown," my mum cooed. "It's an auntie thing to say I know."

"I thought I'd stopped growing by now," Thomas sighed.

"Yes, you're probably right!" my mum said.

"Shall I show you the garden, and then we can have a cup of tea and ask Malcolm about university," Aunt Ruth suggested.

I watched as they made their way outside and walked back to the kitchen. I thumbed my phone, wondering whether to message Lachlan as I listened to them talking through the open back door.

"So, the pond is going to go there and the trellis here. Malcolm volunteered to help."

"Oh, that sounds like an excellent plan."

I wondered if I'd grow old to the stage where I would be planning how to landscape a garden.

Lachlan and I both? All things in good time.

My mum and Aunt Ruth spend almost an hour chatting outside before they must have realised the air was chilly and they made their way back into the kitchen.

"Shall we have a cup of tea in the living room before lunch?" Aunt Ruth suggested.

We sat in the living room and Aunt Ruth ushered a very unenthusiastic looking Thomas in to join us.

"So, how has university been? You haven't answered my emails," my mum laughed.

"Oh, sorry," I said, splaying my ears. "I'm bad at checking."

"He's been very sociable," Aunt Ruth said as she set down a tray of tea.

"Thank you Ruth, so who have you been out with, people from your course?" my mum asked.

"Yeah," I replied neutrally, taking a sip of my tea.

"Any nice girls in your year?" she asked.

That question again, does she suspect or is she just nosy?

Thomas looked in my direction and fixed me a sympathetic eye-roll.

"Well," I began, feeling flustered. "There are some nice girls."

"That's good," my mum nodded.

"Sorry Malcolm, it's a mum thing," Aunt Ruth laughed, before she and my mum turned to each other and began gossiping about something they had read in a magazine and I said a silent prayer.

I was off the hook. For now.

Eventually, we finished our tea.

"I ought to go and check lunch," Aunt Ruth said, getting to her hind-paws.

"How have classes been?" my mum asked. "Have they set you any essays yet?"

"Not yet," I replied, although I knew there were some coming up soon.

"I think lunch is ready!" Aunt Ruth called.

We all made our way to the table and sat down. Aunt Ruth had served a salad and a sweet potato, feta cheese and pastry tart.

"Was this out of that recipe book I loaned you?" my mum asked.

"It was," Aunt Ruth replied, and they promptly began talking about it.

The tart was good, but my mind began drifting as I glanced out of the window. I pictured Lachlan and I preparing dinner, no too dull. I pictured him in the sauna, his form-fitting swimwear emphasised his butt perfectly.

Would you like to see more?

Lachlan began easing his swimsuit down, giving me a better view.

"Malcolm?"

I glanced up to see my mum and Aunt Ruth were glancing at me.

"I'm sorry?" I replied.

"Auntie Ruth was asking if you liked the tart?" my mum said.

"Yes, I do, thanks Aunt Ruth," I nodded.

"You probably could just call me Ruth now," Aunt Ruth laughed. "I'm sure he's old enough."

With that, they both turned and continued talking to each other as if I wasn't there.

I sighed. Since Aunt Ruth and my mother had divorced, they had grown closer, which was good in some ways, however they didn't half gossip and forget everyone around them.

"You know Alison has one of those robotic vacuum cleaners," Aunt Ruth said. "You remember Alison? She says it's amazing, apparently it goes around the floor by itself. They have a lawn mower version too apparently."

"A robot cleaner is a great idea, especially with two boys in the house," my mum replied with a laugh.

"I clean!" Thomas protested.

He turned and fixed me another eye-roll which I could sympathise with.

The tart was followed by a fruit salad my mum had prepared. We ate the dessert in silence.

"Would you like to stay for coffee?" Aunt Ruth said to my mum.

"That'd be nice but I ought to drive home before it gets dark," she replied. "Allow me to help with cleaning up."

"Oh no, we can do that," Aunt Ruth replied.

"Use a robot cleaner," Thomas interjected.

"That would be nice," Aunt Ruth chuckled.

I walked with my mum to the front door.

"Goodbye Malcolm," she said, giving me a hug and a kiss. "Make sure you look out for my emails."

"Goodbye mum," I replied.

Aunt Ruth appeared and they walked out to my mum's car together.

I watched and felt a funny feeling inside. In the past I would have looked forward to seeing my mother, but the visit had been fleeting with absolutely no chance to come out, or even say anything at all. I was also conscious of the fact Hudson still hadn't messaged me.

My mum waved as she climbed into her car and I waved halfheartedly back.

Still, I had Lachlan's plan for look forward to.