{"sf1_id":239043,"sf2_id":"rnaK9POe","title":"Chapter 4: There's More","author":"Nathaniel Wolf","words":1945,"posted_at":"2011-04-10T08:39:00.000Z","tags":["Coming Out","Fox","Gay","Gay Relationships","Plot Development","Story Progression","Wolf"],"url":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/239043-chapter-4-there-s-more","original_url":"https://sofurry.com/s/rnaK9POe","image_url":"https://cdn.sofurryfiles.com/submissions/thumbnails/b9/c0/b9c01bf1-e798-4a84-a702-3f0b9fd5c2d2","description":"#4 of Paul and Jamie's Story","content":"Well, here it is, the fourth chapter.\u0026nbsp; Sorry 'bout the long wait time.\u0026nbsp; I did have this written a while ago, but I was never quite happy with it.\u0026nbsp; I'll post it as-is and just be done with it!\u0026nbsp; Anyway, I'm working on a sidebar chapter about Tré, and I'm far happier with how I'm writing it.\u0026nbsp; This is a CLEAN chapter, (gasp!) more about the progression of story.\u0026nbsp; I think I've rambled on enough...\u0026nbsp; Anyway, enjoy!\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n**Chapter Four: There's More** \u0026nbsp; by Nathaniel Nocturne  \n  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Even as he was just waking up, Jamie could tell that it was going to be a good day.\u0026nbsp; The alarm didn't bother him quite so much that morning.\u0026nbsp; He sat up, pondering the past weekend.\u0026nbsp; Jamie felt his lips pull back in a smile, knowing who would be waiting for him at school.\u0026nbsp; Digging through his drawers, the fox selected a pair of tan cargo shorts and a light-blue T-shirt, devoid of slogans.\u0026nbsp; Grabbing his stuff, Jamie hurried down the stairs and into the kitchen, feeling a jubilant bounce in his step.\u0026nbsp; Kris looked up from the newspaper and smiled at her son, seeing his tail swishing every which way.\n\n\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Well, good morning!\u0026nbsp; Did you sleep well?\"\u0026nbsp;  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Like a rock in a coma.\"\u0026nbsp; Jamie grinned.\u0026nbsp; He poured his cereal, and a dulled crunching was the only noise in the kitchen for a few minutes.\u0026nbsp; Jamie finished, and started for the door.\u0026nbsp; \"See you later, mom.\u0026nbsp; Love you.\"\u0026nbsp; He gave Kris a quick hug.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Love you too, Jamie.\u0026nbsp; Have a good day at school!\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"I will, mom.\u0026nbsp; I will!\"\u0026nbsp; The fox teen walked outside, breathing in the spring air.\u0026nbsp; The weather was very agreeable, perfect little clouds floating along here and there in the sky.\u0026nbsp; Smiling, Jamie got into his car and set off for school, anxious to see his wolf.\u0026nbsp;  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; After he reached school, Jamie scanned around for Paul.\u0026nbsp;  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Lookin' for me?\"\u0026nbsp; A voice flowed warmly behind him.\u0026nbsp; Jamie turned, and looked up into the eyes of\u0026nbsp; his beloved Paul.\u0026nbsp; His heart ached with want, wishing to be enveloped in those strong arms.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Hey...\"\u0026nbsp; Jamie smiled up at his friend.\u0026nbsp; \"How'd you sleep last night?\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Terribly.\u0026nbsp; Something was missing.\"\u0026nbsp; They grinned.\u0026nbsp; \"Oh, Jamie.\u0026nbsp; I was talking to Kevin last night.\u0026nbsp; He...um...he knows.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Oh...\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"He's fine with it.\u0026nbsp; Come to think of it, though, he seemed...sadder, after I told him.\u0026nbsp; I wonder why...He was pretty quiet on the car ride to school this morning...\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Well, we gotta go to class.\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Yeah...\"  \n  \n\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Kevin met up with Keith at the usual spot before school, at one of the side entrances near the library.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; He still had no idea of what to say as he walked up to his friend.\u0026nbsp;  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Uh...hey, Keith...\"\u0026nbsp; The wolf mumbled, obviously troubled.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Hey Kev!\u0026nbsp; Is, uh, everything alright?\"\u0026nbsp; Kieth leaned forward, looked at him sideways.\u0026nbsp; \"Something's up...What is it?\"\u0026nbsp; The leopard's six-ring pride necklace dangled from his neck, catching Kevin's eye.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Uh...\"\u0026nbsp; Kevin glanced around.\u0026nbsp; There weren't too many furs around, but he didn't feel safe.\u0026nbsp; \"Can we talk about it later, at lunch?\u0026nbsp; Not here...\"\u0026nbsp; The wolf could feel his ears burning.\u0026nbsp; The rainbow pendant seemed to be egging him on, making him all the more nervous.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Come on...please?\u0026nbsp; What is it?\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Kevin felt his eyes burning.\u0026nbsp; Biting his lip, he shook his head, looking down at the floor.\u0026nbsp; \"Later...\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Alright...\"\u0026nbsp; Keith shrugged.\u0026nbsp;  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Kevin was feeling torn up inside.\u0026nbsp; 'Why am I feeling nervous talking to Keith?\u0026nbsp; Gods...What'll dad do?\u0026nbsp; Two gay sons?\u0026nbsp; He'll kill us...damn it...'  \n  \n\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; The morning flew by, leaving Jamie and Paul walking outside for lunch.\u0026nbsp; They smiled coyly at each other as they made their way over to the bleachers.\u0026nbsp; Paul looked up.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Hey, there's Kevin...and Keith...\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"It's alright; Kevin already knows, doesn't he?\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Yeah...\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; They picked their way up the bleachers to the younger furs, calling up to them.\u0026nbsp; Kevin turned away from Keith, looking solemn.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Oh...Hey Paul, Jamie.\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Somethin' up, Kev?\u0026nbsp; You were kind of down this morning.\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"I was just talking to Keith, and...\"\u0026nbsp; Kevin braced himself.\u0026nbsp; 'Why does it feel so hard to say it?'\u0026nbsp; He wondered.\u0026nbsp; The wolf looked into his lap, hunched over.\u0026nbsp; \"I'm gay, too.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Instantly, Kevin felt arms around him.\u0026nbsp; Keith was hugging him tight.\u0026nbsp; \"You were worried about THAT?\u0026nbsp; Why would you be worried about what I think?\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"I...don't know...\"\u0026nbsp; Kevin's eyes began to leak hot, dripping tears.\u0026nbsp; He collapsed into Keith's arms, his shoulders shaking.\u0026nbsp; Paul was blown away.\u0026nbsp; Kevin was always reserved and kept his calm.\u0026nbsp; This wasn't like him.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Shh...\"\u0026nbsp; Keith whispered.\u0026nbsp; \"Come on, it's okay...it's nothing to be ashamed of.\"\u0026nbsp; Jamie couldn't help but smile to himself.\u0026nbsp; The scene was quite familiar. He remembered all the pain he felt, and suddenly felt like he needed a hug.\u0026nbsp; Jamie scootched closer to Paul, holding his favorite wolf tightly.\u0026nbsp; Looking at the younger couple, Jamie added, \"He's right, Kevin.\u0026nbsp; It's not wrong.\u0026nbsp; It just takes a while to come to terms with it.\u0026nbsp; Believe me, I know.\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"I know...\"\u0026nbsp; Kevin sniffed.\u0026nbsp; \"I'm...afraid.\u0026nbsp; Paul, what's dad gonna do?\u0026nbsp; You've heard him go on about gays before.\u0026nbsp; And we're his only kids!\u0026nbsp; And mom...\"\u0026nbsp; Kevin looked away.\u0026nbsp;  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Kevin...\"\u0026nbsp; Paul sighed.\u0026nbsp; \"Mom will still love us.\u0026nbsp; And Dad...well, he'll have to accept us sometime or another.\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Yeah...you're right, Paul.\"\u0026nbsp; Kevin tried a smile and wiped his eyes.\u0026nbsp; \"But what are the chances?\u0026nbsp; You and me both?\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Paul laughed.\u0026nbsp; \"Wow...\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; The group finished their lunch in relative silence, Kevin shyly sidling up next to Keith.\u0026nbsp; Jamie and Paul smiled, then got up to leave the younger couple in peace.  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Kinda ironic, isn't it?\"\u0026nbsp; Paul asked as they left for the building.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Hmm?\u0026nbsp; What?\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"My dad's such a homophobe, right?\u0026nbsp; And now he's got two gay kids.\u0026nbsp; Must have a dormant gay gene or something.\"\u0026nbsp; Paul laughed.\u0026nbsp; Suddenly, he sobered up.\u0026nbsp; \"Hey, there's Tré...\u0026nbsp; What's up with him?\u0026nbsp; He looks miserable...\"\u0026nbsp; Tré was shuffling out of the nearest school exit; anyone involved in athletics used those doors on a regular basis, due to its proximity to the football field.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; The fox approached them slowly, almost...hesitantly.\u0026nbsp; His face appeared haunted, pained.\u0026nbsp; His eyes were bloodshot, from an apparent lack of sleep...  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"...H-hey, guys...\"\u0026nbsp; Tré averted his eyes from Jamie.\u0026nbsp; 'Fuck, I don't know what to do!\u0026nbsp; I can't ruin anything...I don't want to hurt my friends...'  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Tré...God, what happened to you?\u0026nbsp; Are you alright?\u0026nbsp; You look, well...\"\u0026nbsp; Jamie didn't know how to finish.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Fuckin' terrible...I know...\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"What happened?\"\u0026nbsp; Paul's eyes were contorted with concern.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"...This...\"\u0026nbsp; He reveiled his wrists.\u0026nbsp; He felt a terrible shame upon hearing his friends' gasp.\u0026nbsp; \"I...I...\"\u0026nbsp; He couldn't finish.\u0026nbsp; Tré's face crumpled, and he fell forward, Paul catching him.\u0026nbsp; The wolf felt shocked.\u0026nbsp; What could've driven Tré to the brink of suicide?\u0026nbsp; Loud sobs sounded from the fox, his voice cracking.\u0026nbsp; Paul lead him over to the side of the building, and they lowered against the wall.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; 'Oh God...'\u0026nbsp; Jamie locked up.\u0026nbsp; 'Tré tried to cut his wrists...Why?!'\u0026nbsp; He almost felt sick.\u0026nbsp; He'd almost lost a friend.  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Tré managed to get himself into relative control after a couple minutes.\u0026nbsp; \"Guys, I...I completely regret what I did.\u0026nbsp; I was hurting...for the same reason as you.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"So...you're...?\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Mm-hmm...\"\u0026nbsp; Tré sniffed.\u0026nbsp; But...there's more...I saw you two together, at the mall, and I was so...so jealous...I'm sorry.\u0026nbsp; It's just that...I've liked you for a while, Jamie, but I didn't know that you were gay...and then Paul beat me to it.\"\u0026nbsp; Paul's face was hot.\u0026nbsp; He didn't know how to feel.\u0026nbsp; Neither did Jamie, for that matter.\u0026nbsp; \"I'm sorry...I'm happy for you, I really am!\u0026nbsp; I...I was just so torn up...\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Oh...\"\u0026nbsp; Jamie was left without knowing what to say.\u0026nbsp; \"Tré...I'm still your friend...but Paul is my boyfriend.\u0026nbsp; I love him.\u0026nbsp; Hey, we're all still friends, okay?\u0026nbsp; You'll find someone, I promise.\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Thank you, Jamie.\u0026nbsp; Really.\u0026nbsp; I-I just...need someone to talk to...it hurts to be alone...\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"You can talk to us, Tré, whenever you\u0026nbsp; need to.\"\u0026nbsp; Paul gripped the fox's shoulder.\u0026nbsp; \"We fully understand...or at least Jamie does...\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"You know...\"\u0026nbsp; Jamie thought aloud.\u0026nbsp; \"We should start some sort of Queer Club or something...we've already got five members here!\"\u0026nbsp; Everyone smiled at that; even Tré mustered up a small grin.\u0026nbsp;  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Thanks, guys.\"\u0026nbsp; Tré wiped his eyes with the back of his paw.\u0026nbsp; \"It means a lot...and it helps to know that I'm not alone.\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Sure thing.\"\u0026nbsp; Jamie smiled, and the group entered the building.\u0026nbsp; Melancholy still plagued Tré's heart, but the way Jamie and Paul had comforted him had let him know that they cared.  \n  \n\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Kevin and Keith were meandering through the halls slowly; they had left the rest of the group and were relatively alone.\u0026nbsp; Still not knowing what exactly to say, Kevin figured he should say something, at least, to break the awkward silence.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Keith...\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Hmm?\"\u0026nbsp;  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Are we...I mean...\"\u0026nbsp; Kevin blushed.\u0026nbsp; \"I've liked you...for a while, now.\"\u0026nbsp;  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Me, too.\"\u0026nbsp; They laughed.\u0026nbsp; \"I mean, I like you.\u0026nbsp; I've had a mad crush on you since seventh grade.\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Really?\u0026nbsp; That long?\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Yeah...\"\u0026nbsp; Keith's frowned a little.\u0026nbsp; \"God, I hated middle school!\u0026nbsp; I was closet for so long...\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Kevin touched the leopard's shoulder.\u0026nbsp; \"I can't imagine...\"\u0026nbsp; Keith shook his head.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Sure you can.\u0026nbsp; You've dealt with it too.\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"I guess...but not nearly as long as you have...\"\u0026nbsp; Their eyes met.\u0026nbsp; Kevin hesitantly smiled.\u0026nbsp; \"But we both understand what it's like.\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Keith smiled.\u0026nbsp; \"It makes it SO much easier to deal!\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Hell, yeah!\"\u0026nbsp; They laughed quietly.\u0026nbsp;  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; RING!!!\u0026nbsp; They sighed.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Damn lunch bell...\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; At the end of the school day, which never seemed to want to end, the four found themselves out in the parking lot, down at the far end.\u0026nbsp; Kevin and Keith didn't have any afternoon classes together, so they both had time to think things through in a relatively solitary and peaceable manner.\u0026nbsp; Kevin was sure that he had feelings for his friend.\u0026nbsp; They had talked earlier, sure, but he wasn't sure what to actually DO.\u0026nbsp; 'Should I ask him out?\u0026nbsp; Would it get weird?\u0026nbsp; God, we obviously like each other...'  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Back in the present, the two of them were heading out to the parking lot; Paul was pretty much Kevin's designated giver-of-rides.\u0026nbsp; Kevin asked, \"Hey, Keith.\u0026nbsp; You want to come over?\u0026nbsp; I'd...um, like to talk, or whatever...\"\u0026nbsp; He felt his cheeks burn.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Sure!\u0026nbsp; That'd be cool.\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Two certain older furs were glancing around the parking lot.\u0026nbsp; By then, it was pretty empty.\u0026nbsp; Smiling widely, Jamie buried himself into Paul's chest, feeling the wolf's head resting on his own.\u0026nbsp; They hugged tightly.\u0026nbsp; \"Something up?\"\u0026nbsp; Paul asked.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Nope.\"\u0026nbsp; Jamie's gaze met the wolf's.\u0026nbsp; \"I just needed another hug.\"\u0026nbsp; After a quick kiss, Jamie walked slowly over to his car.\u0026nbsp; Waving, he called, \"See you tomorrow!\"\u0026nbsp; Kevin and Keith had since then reached Paul's car, and waved to Jamie.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"See ya, Jamie!\"\u0026nbsp; Paul yelled before sliding into the driver's seat.\u0026nbsp; The remaining two climbed into Paul's vehicle, rolling away in relative silence.\u0026nbsp; In the back seat, two paws crept closer and closer, meeting in the middle.\u0026nbsp; They clasped, and the owners of said paws smiled.\u0026nbsp; Kevin thought to himself, 'Today was a pretty good day after all...'  \n  \n\n","series":{"name":"Paul and Jamie\\'s Story","previous":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/159625-chapter-3-the-garden.json","next":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/239046-chapter-5-grindings-and-findings.json"}}