# Chapter 4: There's More

Author: Nathaniel Wolf
Tags: Coming Out, Fox, Gay, Gay Relationships, Plot Development, Story Progression, Wolf

#4 of Paul and Jamie's Story

Well, here it is, the fourth chapter.&nbsp; Sorry 'bout the long wait time.&nbsp; I did have this written a while ago, but I was never quite happy with it.&nbsp; I'll post it as-is and just be done with it!&nbsp; Anyway, I'm working on a sidebar chapter about Tré, and I'm far happier with how I'm writing it.&nbsp; This is a CLEAN chapter, (gasp!) more about the progression of story.&nbsp; I think I've rambled on enough...&nbsp; Anyway, enjoy!

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**Chapter Four: There's More** &nbsp; by Nathaniel Nocturne  
  
  
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Even as he was just waking up, Jamie could tell that it was going to be a good day.&nbsp; The alarm didn't bother him quite so much that morning.&nbsp; He sat up, pondering the past weekend.&nbsp; Jamie felt his lips pull back in a smile, knowing who would be waiting for him at school.&nbsp; Digging through his drawers, the fox selected a pair of tan cargo shorts and a light-blue T-shirt, devoid of slogans.&nbsp; Grabbing his stuff, Jamie hurried down the stairs and into the kitchen, feeling a jubilant bounce in his step.&nbsp; Kris looked up from the newspaper and smiled at her son, seeing his tail swishing every which way.

&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Well, good morning!&nbsp; Did you sleep well?"&nbsp;  
  
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Like a rock in a coma."&nbsp; Jamie grinned.&nbsp; He poured his cereal, and a dulled crunching was the only noise in the kitchen for a few minutes.&nbsp; Jamie finished, and started for the door.&nbsp; "See you later, mom.&nbsp; Love you."&nbsp; He gave Kris a quick hug.  
  
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Love you too, Jamie.&nbsp; Have a good day at school!"  
  
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "I will, mom.&nbsp; I will!"&nbsp; The fox teen walked outside, breathing in the spring air.&nbsp; The weather was very agreeable, perfect little clouds floating along here and there in the sky.&nbsp; Smiling, Jamie got into his car and set off for school, anxious to see his wolf.&nbsp;  
  
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; After he reached school, Jamie scanned around for Paul.&nbsp;  
  
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Lookin' for me?"&nbsp; A voice flowed warmly behind him.&nbsp; Jamie turned, and looked up into the eyes of&nbsp; his beloved Paul.&nbsp; His heart ached with want, wishing to be enveloped in those strong arms.  
  
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Hey..."&nbsp; Jamie smiled up at his friend.&nbsp; "How'd you sleep last night?"  
  
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Terribly.&nbsp; Something was missing."&nbsp; They grinned.&nbsp; "Oh, Jamie.&nbsp; I was talking to Kevin last night.&nbsp; He...um...he knows."  
  

&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Oh..."  
  
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "He's fine with it.&nbsp; Come to think of it, though, he seemed...sadder, after I told him.&nbsp; I wonder why...He was pretty quiet on the car ride to school this morning..."  
  
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Well, we gotta go to class."  
  
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Yeah..."  
  
\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*  
  
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Kevin met up with Keith at the usual spot before school, at one of the side entrances near the library.&nbsp;&nbsp; He still had no idea of what to say as he walked up to his friend.&nbsp;  
  
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Uh...hey, Keith..."&nbsp; The wolf mumbled, obviously troubled.  
  
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Hey Kev!&nbsp; Is, uh, everything alright?"&nbsp; Kieth leaned forward, looked at him sideways.&nbsp; "Something's up...What is it?"&nbsp; The leopard's six-ring pride necklace dangled from his neck, catching Kevin's eye.  
  
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Uh..."&nbsp; Kevin glanced around.&nbsp; There weren't too many furs around, but he didn't feel safe.&nbsp; "Can we talk about it later, at lunch?&nbsp; Not here..."&nbsp; The wolf could feel his ears burning.&nbsp; The rainbow pendant seemed to be egging him on, making him all the more nervous.  
  
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Come on...please?&nbsp; What is it?"  
  

&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Kevin felt his eyes burning.&nbsp; Biting his lip, he shook his head, looking down at the floor.&nbsp; "Later..."  
  
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Alright..."&nbsp; Keith shrugged.&nbsp;  
  
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Kevin was feeling torn up inside.&nbsp; 'Why am I feeling nervous talking to Keith?&nbsp; Gods...What'll dad do?&nbsp; Two gay sons?&nbsp; He'll kill us...damn it...'  
  
\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*  
  
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The morning flew by, leaving Jamie and Paul walking outside for lunch.&nbsp; They smiled coyly at each other as they made their way over to the bleachers.&nbsp; Paul looked up.  
  
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Hey, there's Kevin...and Keith..."  
  
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "It's alright; Kevin already knows, doesn't he?"  
  
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Yeah..."  
  
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; They picked their way up the bleachers to the younger furs, calling up to them.&nbsp; Kevin turned away from Keith, looking solemn.  
  
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Oh...Hey Paul, Jamie."  
  
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Somethin' up, Kev?&nbsp; You were kind of down this morning."  
  
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "I was just talking to Keith, and..."&nbsp; Kevin braced himself.&nbsp; 'Why does it feel so hard to say it?'&nbsp; He wondered.&nbsp; The wolf looked into his lap, hunched over.&nbsp; "I'm gay, too."  
  

&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Instantly, Kevin felt arms around him.&nbsp; Keith was hugging him tight.&nbsp; "You were worried about THAT?&nbsp; Why would you be worried about what I think?"  
  
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "I...don't know..."&nbsp; Kevin's eyes began to leak hot, dripping tears.&nbsp; He collapsed into Keith's arms, his shoulders shaking.&nbsp; Paul was blown away.&nbsp; Kevin was always reserved and kept his calm.&nbsp; This wasn't like him.  
  
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Shh..."&nbsp; Keith whispered.&nbsp; "Come on, it's okay...it's nothing to be ashamed of."&nbsp; Jamie couldn't help but smile to himself.&nbsp; The scene was quite familiar. He remembered all the pain he felt, and suddenly felt like he needed a hug.&nbsp; Jamie scootched closer to Paul, holding his favorite wolf tightly.&nbsp; Looking at the younger couple, Jamie added, "He's right, Kevin.&nbsp; It's not wrong.&nbsp; It just takes a while to come to terms with it.&nbsp; Believe me, I know."  
  
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "I know..."&nbsp; Kevin sniffed.&nbsp; "I'm...afraid.&nbsp; Paul, what's dad gonna do?&nbsp; You've heard him go on about gays before.&nbsp; And we're his only kids!&nbsp; And mom..."&nbsp; Kevin looked away.&nbsp;  
  

&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Kevin..."&nbsp; Paul sighed.&nbsp; "Mom will still love us.&nbsp; And Dad...well, he'll have to accept us sometime or another."  
  
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Yeah...you're right, Paul."&nbsp; Kevin tried a smile and wiped his eyes.&nbsp; "But what are the chances?&nbsp; You and me both?"  
  
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Paul laughed.&nbsp; "Wow..."  
  
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The group finished their lunch in relative silence, Kevin shyly sidling up next to Keith.&nbsp; Jamie and Paul smiled, then got up to leave the younger couple in peace.  
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;  
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Kinda ironic, isn't it?"&nbsp; Paul asked as they left for the building.  
  
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Hmm?&nbsp; What?"  
  
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "My dad's such a homophobe, right?&nbsp; And now he's got two gay kids.&nbsp; Must have a dormant gay gene or something."&nbsp; Paul laughed.&nbsp; Suddenly, he sobered up.&nbsp; "Hey, there's Tré...&nbsp; What's up with him?&nbsp; He looks miserable..."&nbsp; 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.  
  
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The fox approached them slowly, almost...hesitantly.&nbsp; His face appeared haunted, pained.&nbsp; His eyes were bloodshot, from an apparent lack of sleep...  
  

&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "...H-hey, guys..."&nbsp; Tré averted his eyes from Jamie.&nbsp; 'Fuck, I don't know what to do!&nbsp; I can't ruin anything...I don't want to hurt my friends...'  
  
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Tré...God, what happened to you?&nbsp; Are you alright?&nbsp; You look, well..."&nbsp; Jamie didn't know how to finish.  
  
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Fuckin' terrible...I know..."  
  
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "What happened?"&nbsp; Paul's eyes were contorted with concern.  
  
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "...This..."&nbsp; He reveiled his wrists.&nbsp; He felt a terrible shame upon hearing his friends' gasp.&nbsp; "I...I..."&nbsp; He couldn't finish.&nbsp; Tré's face crumpled, and he fell forward, Paul catching him.&nbsp; The wolf felt shocked.&nbsp; What could've driven Tré to the brink of suicide?&nbsp; Loud sobs sounded from the fox, his voice cracking.&nbsp; Paul lead him over to the side of the building, and they lowered against the wall.  
  
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 'Oh God...'&nbsp; Jamie locked up.&nbsp; 'Tré tried to cut his wrists...Why?!'&nbsp; He almost felt sick.&nbsp; He'd almost lost a friend.  
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;  
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Tré managed to get himself into relative control after a couple minutes.&nbsp; "Guys, I...I completely regret what I did.&nbsp; I was hurting...for the same reason as you."  
  

&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "So...you're...?"  
  
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Mm-hmm..."&nbsp; Tré sniffed.&nbsp; But...there's more...I saw you two together, at the mall, and I was so...so jealous...I'm sorry.&nbsp; 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."&nbsp; Paul's face was hot.&nbsp; He didn't know how to feel.&nbsp; Neither did Jamie, for that matter.&nbsp; "I'm sorry...I'm happy for you, I really am!&nbsp; I...I was just so torn up..."  
  
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Oh..."&nbsp; Jamie was left without knowing what to say.&nbsp; "Tré...I'm still your friend...but Paul is my boyfriend.&nbsp; I love him.&nbsp; Hey, we're all still friends, okay?&nbsp; You'll find someone, I promise."  
  
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Thank you, Jamie.&nbsp; Really.&nbsp; I-I just...need someone to talk to...it hurts to be alone..."  
  
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "You can talk to us, Tré, whenever you&nbsp; need to."&nbsp; Paul gripped the fox's shoulder.&nbsp; "We fully understand...or at least Jamie does..."  
  
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "You know..."&nbsp; Jamie thought aloud.&nbsp; "We should start some sort of Queer Club or something...we've already got five members here!"&nbsp; Everyone smiled at that; even Tré mustered up a small grin.&nbsp;  
  

&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Thanks, guys."&nbsp; Tré wiped his eyes with the back of his paw.&nbsp; "It means a lot...and it helps to know that I'm not alone."  
  
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Sure thing."&nbsp; Jamie smiled, and the group entered the building.&nbsp; Melancholy still plagued Tré's heart, but the way Jamie and Paul had comforted him had let him know that they cared.  
  
\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*  
  
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Kevin and Keith were meandering through the halls slowly; they had left the rest of the group and were relatively alone.&nbsp; Still not knowing what exactly to say, Kevin figured he should say something, at least, to break the awkward silence.  
  
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Keith..."  
  
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Hmm?"&nbsp;  
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;  
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Are we...I mean..."&nbsp; Kevin blushed.&nbsp; "I've liked you...for a while, now."&nbsp;  
  
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Me, too."&nbsp; They laughed.&nbsp; "I mean, I like you.&nbsp; I've had a mad crush on you since seventh grade."  
  
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Really?&nbsp; That long?"  
  
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Yeah..."&nbsp; Keith's frowned a little.&nbsp; "God, I hated middle school!&nbsp; I was closet for so long..."  
  
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Kevin touched the leopard's shoulder.&nbsp; "I can't imagine..."&nbsp; Keith shook his head.  
  

&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Sure you can.&nbsp; You've dealt with it too."  
  
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "I guess...but not nearly as long as you have..."&nbsp; Their eyes met.&nbsp; Kevin hesitantly smiled.&nbsp; "But we both understand what it's like."  
  
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Keith smiled.&nbsp; "It makes it SO much easier to deal!"  
  
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Hell, yeah!"&nbsp; They laughed quietly.&nbsp;  
  
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; RING!!!&nbsp; They sighed.  
  
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Damn lunch bell..."  
  
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*  
  
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 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.&nbsp; 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.&nbsp; Kevin was sure that he had feelings for his friend.&nbsp; They had talked earlier, sure, but he wasn't sure what to actually DO.&nbsp; 'Should I ask him out?&nbsp; Would it get weird?&nbsp; God, we obviously like each other...'  
  
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 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.&nbsp; Kevin asked, "Hey, Keith.&nbsp; You want to come over?&nbsp; I'd...um, like to talk, or whatever..."&nbsp; He felt his cheeks burn.  
  

&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Sure!&nbsp; That'd be cool."  
  
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Two certain older furs were glancing around the parking lot.&nbsp; By then, it was pretty empty.&nbsp; Smiling widely, Jamie buried himself into Paul's chest, feeling the wolf's head resting on his own.&nbsp; They hugged tightly.&nbsp; "Something up?"&nbsp; Paul asked.  
  
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Nope."&nbsp; Jamie's gaze met the wolf's.&nbsp; "I just needed another hug."&nbsp; After a quick kiss, Jamie walked slowly over to his car.&nbsp; Waving, he called, "See you tomorrow!"&nbsp; Kevin and Keith had since then reached Paul's car, and waved to Jamie.&nbsp;&nbsp;  
  
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "See ya, Jamie!"&nbsp; Paul yelled before sliding into the driver's seat.&nbsp; The remaining two climbed into Paul's vehicle, rolling away in relative silence.&nbsp; In the back seat, two paws crept closer and closer, meeting in the middle.&nbsp; They clasped, and the owners of said paws smiled.&nbsp; Kevin thought to himself, 'Today was a pretty good day after all...'

Source: https://sofurry.com/s/rnaK9POe
Part of the series Paul and Jamie\'s Story
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