It was snowing softly, and Kevin wished he brought his coat instead.

The bus stopped, and the wolf got on it, tapping his public transport card. He gave a deep sigh after sitting down. Apparently, the position in the fast-food restaurant Shaun was working in was already filled. The manager said there were available positions at another store, though, so Kevin thanked him and went there instead to apply. It was near the restaurant he used to work at, apparently, so he also went there. The owner was still the same, so he really hoped he could be accepted.

He didn't know whether he would be accepted or not, but at least he tried. Being more familiar with Ausalt-on-Haye compared to Barrowisle, he also asked his old acquaintances for any job openings, even those he used to brawl with. Wolves together strong, he chuckled when he remembered the line from a popular film he watched. Besides, he was still going to apply through some apps later.

For now, he crossed his arms and looked out the windows as the bus drove away. Moving here was a sudden decision, but it had to be done. Vilkas and the other guys were surprised to see him quit so abruptly. His boss offered him a raise, but he had to decline as he also wanted to take care of his mother. They wished him the best and let him go.

Vilkas went to his flat later in the evening, interrogating him whether he really wanted to go or not. He said yes and made sure he still remembered that he owed the husky some money. Like a dumb sod, Vilkas hugged him and pretty much cried. That pained him, even more when the blue husky cried. They spent the night cuddled up on his bed, and for once Kevin didn't protest that. He would miss the husky.

Now, he wanted to stop being a fuckboy and become a good boy. He was tired. Life was telling him to start being responsible. Sex no longer felt as good as it was. Hoping for a miracle to come was merely a dream. He wanted to start again, the same way he started anew when he moved to Barrowisle almost five years ago. He wanted to take care of his mother in her condition and reconnect with his brother.

He was tired, and he wanted to be a better wolf.

Unlikely, he knew. If he told himself that a few years ago, he would probably laugh. Hell, if he told Vilkas that, the husky would also probably laugh.

The bus neared his stop and he pressed the bell button. Thankfully the snow had already stopped. Kevin stood up, then went down the bus and walked home, stomping on small white patches of the first snow of the season as he walked. Ausalt-on-Haye was on average colder than Barrowisle, and it usually snowed a lot in winter. He looked up at the twilight, then checked his phone. It was a quarter past 16, and there were still no notifications yet.

As usual, Jonathan, his neighbour, snickered as he saw him walking home. “Joh, nat is þes mín lév wolf. Hwa gás þú, e? Nåh an fag?"

He gave the rat the middle finger without looking at him. He was tired of fighting him all the way back since elementary school.

“Åw, nan låv fer smål Jonatan hér?"

“Sníþ þín blöðij stert av." He simply said when he walked into his house, taking his jacket off.

Apparently, Shaun was already home. The lighter-red wolf was reclining on the sofa, eating some amaranth crackers as he watched the telly. Usually, Kevin would just ignore him, but those crumbs were… ugh…

He walked into his room, took his clothes off, changed into a pair of more comfortable pants, and shouted to his brother. “Oi, move your tail to the bedroom! Imma clean the sofa!"

Shaun shouted back. “The fuck did you say?!"

After putting a headband on to keep his hair from going down, Kevin walked to the living room. “You heard me. Get to your bedroom."

“What the fuck did you just say, fag?!"

“Shaun, please." Kevin sighed and pinched the base of his muzzle, too tired to fight him. “You know I'm in a bad mood right now, just move so I can clean the—hell, I'll clean the whole living room."

The lighter-red wolf huffed and stared at him angrily. After a while, he stood up and moved to his bedroom, shoving his younger brother as he walked there.

“Yep, that's him alright." Kevin said to himself, then proceeded to effortlessly pull the sofas. He took the almost-broken vacuum cleaner and turned it on. He vacuumed the sofas first, followed by the floor. The sofas could probably use some cleaning, but maybe later next year in spring or summer.

As he started with the second sofa, he couldn't help but smile. This was actually pretty enjoyable.

When he was vacuuming the sofa, he caught sight of Shaun dumbfoundedly staring at him from his bedroom. The lighter-red wolf stared at him confusedly, as if saying “was he really cleaning the living room?"

Done with the sofas, Kevin put his hands on his hips and said to Shaun. “Oi, straight, do you wanna stare at this hot shirtless fag cleaning the living room all day or are you gonna help me?"

Shaun jerked up when he noticed that he was known, his ears perking up to attention before flattening again. Then, he rolled his eyes and went to the kitchen to take something, then back to his room.

That just made Kevin chuckle fondly.

After an hour or so, he pulled a chair from the kitchen to the living room and sat down on it. Finished with the cleaning job, he breathed heavily with his tongue lolling out. Fuck, this should be a workout on its own! He said he would clean the living room, but he ended up also cleaning the kitchen, his mother's room, and his own room as well.

He put his legs on the table and wiped his face. His mother was still in the hospital, so he had to fight his brother for the dominance of the house. The winner could watch the telly in peace. Although, right now taking a quick nap didn't seem like that bad of an idea. It was almost dusk anyway.

Kevin's ear swivelled when he heard Shaun come out of his room. There was a bit of silence, then there were some sounds from the kitchen cabinet, then something was put on the table next to his feet.

Opening his eyes, Kevin was a bit surprised to see a glass of watermelon juice there with Shaun standing beside him. “Put your tongue back in."

He just rolled his eyes. “You tell me to put my tongue back in after I cleaned the entire house." he said, then put his tongue back out.

Shaun crossed his arms and walked away, muttering something under his breath. He took his coat from the hanger and walked outside. “I'll go get us some food."

Beaming in happiness, Kevin gave him a thumbs-up and his tail started wagging. “Yup. Get me some dove!"

Shaun threw the detachable hood of his coat at Kevin's muzzle, but Kevin was too happy to care. This was something his brother rarely did; usually they bought their own food separately. Hell, they only do so few things together if not for their mother.

Speaking of mother,

The wolf glanced at the clock. It was almost 17.15. Last night was his turn to watch over his mother, so tonight was Shaun's turn.

He let out a sigh and put his tongue back in. For now, he turned the telly on and watched some cartoons to pass the time. However, the cartoon quickly fell on deaf ears. His mind instead wandered to Octo and Tom and Vilkas and all his friends in Barrowisle.

He missed them already.

He chuckled dryly, his good mood short-lived. He had been here for only four days, but that was more than enough to reacquaint him with life as a wolf here. He missed Barrowisle already. He… missed Octo already.

Kevin groaned. So much for a good mood. He turned the television off, closed the front door, and walked into his room.

Inside, he instantly threw himself into the bed. He sniffed his armpits; he was smelly and his musk was all over, but he didn't care. His fur was messy and unkempt, but he didn't care. Why did it have to go back to Octo? He knew he fucked up and now he wanted to just let it go already!

Defeated, he closed his eyes. Who was he to think that he had a chance with someone like Octo anyway?

For now, the wolf just pushed that hot, sexy, nice, handsome panther whom he betrayed out of his mind and sat up, taking the headband off. He should probably shower, but he didn't really feel like it. He took a comb from the drawer and combed his fur; at least he should not look like a walking rainforest. He was still shedding, and his fluff and hair were getting longer now.

Maybe it wasn't such a bad idea to go to a barber now. Also, he might be better off just trimming his hair and making it head fur instead. That way he wouldn't have to thoroughly make sure it looked good.

“Fag, here's your food." Shaun shouted from the kitchen area.

Kevin stood up, then groggily walked outside. “Coming."

His smile returned when he saw the package. His brother really did buy him some doves. He opened it and snickered. “Nice of you to get me some dove."

“Get knotted. Go eat it or something." Shaun said as he was taking a plate. “And go shower or something! You fuckin' reek, and your fur is all over!"

Chuckling a little, he took a plate and put his piece of dove there. “I just cleaned pretty much the whole house, y'know."

His brother shoved him in the direction of the bathroom, then walked to the living room. “All the more reason."

Shaun sat down on the chair that he brought and turned the television on. Kevin just leant on the counter as he ate his food. They ate in silence, just watching the television lazily. Kevin noticed Shaun's tail wagging softly, which in turn made his own tail wag softly. The news on the television was showing an incident in the city, but that wasn't really important.

Kevin never really liked Ausalt-on-Haye. Despite his brashness and loudness, he preferred somewhere else to live. He never lingered in the city centre for long except when he had something to do. Contrary to Ausalt-on-Haye, Barrowisle was smaller, less populous, and more… peaceful, which was why he felt more comfortable there.

Maybe that was typical wolf, he noticed. Wolves generally disliked being put in a tight area. Maybe that was why the wolf population in Ausalt-on-Haye city centre was negligible; wolves simply didn't find the city proper very comfortable to live in. Besides, speciesism was also more prevalent there. Perhaps that was also the reason Barrowisle was one of the cities with the largest population of wolves. It was pretty much founded by wolves for the most part, so it conformed to wolven culture. The streets were wide and the buildings had more space between them without sacrificing walkability and greenery.

“You got accepted in that store?" Shaun suddenly said, waking him up from his thoughts. He didn't realise that Shaun was done eating and he was putting his plate in the washtable.

Kevin shrugged. “I just sent the application today, you know."

“Good point." Shaun sat back down on the chair, pulling his fluff together. “I'm gonna head to the hospital at 18."

“Sure."

“Lock the door when you sleep. And don't bring people here! If you wanna fuck, do it somewhere else."

He rolled his eyes as he put his plate down and washed his hands. “Tell me that when you stop bringing people here to fuck." He wiped his hands dry.

“I fucking mean it! I don't want you fucking a guy here!"

“So what?! You fuck girls here too! What's so different about that?!"

Shaun looked straight at him. “Because you fuck dudes!"

“So what?! It's not like I'm inviting you to join!" Kevin crossed his arms, not impressed.

They stared at each other, growling softly. Kevin then had to be the responsible one and looked away. “Tch, why are you so homophobic anyway? You tryna prove something?"

“You shut your fucki—"

“Yep. Mouth shut. See?" Kevin walked to his room. “I'm gonna go jerk off to gay porn or something. Don't go to my room or that might turn you even gayer than me."

“What the fuck is your problem?! You wa—ugh!"

Inside his room, Kevin grinned a little. Hitting Shaun's muzzle with the door felt pretty nice.

“Fuck you!" His brother shouted, but he didn't come inside.

Oh, right. He opened the door and saw Shaun starting to wash the dishes, tail still waving angrily. “Oh yeah, move the sofas back to their place when you leave."

Shaun dropped the plate he was cleaning and growled, slowly turning his head at him. “You do that."

“Looks like the straight is too weak to lift two sofas. Too bad." He said carefreely and closed the door as his brother bared his fangs.

Well, that was admittedly fun. He didn't care if Shaun was his older brother. Feeling a bit better, he sat on his bed and took his phone, opening OurTube. He had time to kill, anyway, and he didn't want to think about Shaun or Barrowisle for now.

At least some moment in a familiar place.

Somehow, Tom felt like he was being watched.

He looked around the busy station. There were too many people; he couldn't make out the one who was watching him at all. Lain could not, either. He could just ignore this and think that a toddler was watching him but he'd been having this feeling for the past few days or more.

“…so I told him, 'heh, you can't even talk to a customer without making them run away'. His face was priceless." Lucas laughed next to him.

Tom shoved him softly. “Eh, be careful. Don't talk to him too much or he can make you run away."

The black coyote laughed again. “Not even Mr. Spielberg wants to have something to do with him."

The wolf laughed along.

“But seriously though, how can he still work there? Pretty much everyone disliked him." He added.

“Yeah. I heard no one really wants to partner with him in the Marketing department."

“That's 100% true. Stephanie told me that."

“Hey, you noticed that lizard is watching us?" Lain said inside his mind.

He looked at said lizard's general direction just behind Lucas and found him staring, but not at him. “Doesn't really look like it."

“Hmm."

“Anyway, how long does it take for the metro to get here again?" The black coyote stood up and stretched a bit, earning some looks from other people. Tom smiled amusedly; really, the coyote was too clueless sometimes. Despite his mature and scary look, he was a big good boy inside. Maybe he was leaning to a himbo, but Lucas was actually a lot smarter than he looked. “You think we could get some bread first?"

Tom looked at the food stalls inside the station, then stood up and walked there. “Why not? Let's go get some."

As they ordered some bread, the wolf couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched even more intensely than before. The booth was empty, which was maybe why he felt like he was out in the open. People were waiting for the metro on the platforms.

Lucas gave the order and Tom turned around and gazed over the platforms. There were too many people there as it was the rush hour, he couldn't really tell if one of them was watching them.

But he did notice someone was walking towards them. His ears perked up and he smiled as that someone walked closer.

“Ay, ¿qué pasa, amigo?" Alejandro laughed and extended his arm. “¿Yendo a casa después del trabajo?"

Tom gave him a fist bump. “Sí, estamos 'sperando el metro. Eh, ¿cómo has 'stado? Sorry for really coming to the pub lately." He sheepishly scratched his nape.

Lex laughed. “Yeah, mate, I'm starting to miss your tail. All's been great. How have you been, by the way?"

“I'm fine, I'm fine." The wolf smiled. “Bit tired from work but yah, you know how it is."

“Sorry, Tom, here's your bread." Lucas suddenly said, making him turn around. He took the bread and saw the coyote smile at the bull. “Hey there."

“Hey." Alejandro gave the coyote another fist bump, then leant closer to the wolf. “Ay, lobo, ¿este es tu novio también? ¿Cuántos novios tienes?"

That made Tom instantly turn red. He gave the bull a weak punch. “¡No es mi novio!"

Lex laughed while Lucas could only watch them confusedly.

Tom grunted. “Anyway, here's Lucas, a workmate. Lucas, here's Alejandro, an old friend of mine from a pub I frequented. As you can see, he's Spanish."

“Placer conocerte." said the bull to the coyote. “Alejandro, but if that's too mouthful just call me Lex."

Lucas smiled. “Lucas here."

They shook hands, just as Lain told him, “Hey, looks like our ride's here." He put the bread into his jacket pocket and walked closer to the platform sign to check if that was their metro. When he found that it was, he called out to Lucas. “Luc, the metro's here! Line 6!"

“Line 6? That's my line too!"

Lucas and Lex immediately ran towards the wolf. They managed to get in before it drove away. However, inside was already packed. They couldn't find any place to sit. Tom was pushed against Lucas' back as the door closed. At least this was a lot better than being stuck standing in a tram or waiting for the bus.

“You're taking this line too? Usually you take line 7 like me." He asked the bull as the metro began taking off.

“Yeah, I got some stuff to do. You and your novio?"

“He's not my novio! But yeah, we also got something to do. Wanna visit a friend."

“Ah, got it."

For now, the wolf just stayed close to Lucas. The coyote was checking his phone, probably chatting since he chuckled now and then. Tom gave a sigh as he shifted on his legs. Those meetings earlier were really tiresome. Alejandro was pushed a bit away from them, giving them some kind of privacy.

Besides, it was a lot better to be pressed to the coyote rather than to someone he didn't know. It was a tight fit here. The joy of public transportation, he guessed. He wasn't going to protest, though; it's cheap and effective, not to mention accessible. He never had any vehicles, yet he could still go everywhere in the city and the suburban areas without difficulty.

Also, the coyote's scent was nice, but that was another thing entirely.

“Hey, you noticed that hyena's watching us?"

“Wait, where?"

“There, in the seat in the corner."

He looked at the direction through the gaps but didn't find anyone watching him. There was a hyena there, but he was talking through his phone.

“You sure about that, Lain?"

“Ehh… not really. You haven't really been looking around, you know. I couldn't tell."

Well, Lain had reason. “Take over for now. I'm still tired from those meetings."

“Sure thing, boss." He stepped back and allowed Lain to take over. “Also, gotta admit yote's pretty cute."

Tom chuckled. “Talk to him, he's very nice, actually… wait, on the other hand, maybe not."

“Heh, let's see."

Lucas then turned around, making him wobble a bit. “Eh, Tom, you sent that email from Christine earlier? I should've sent it but I forgot."

Lain shrugged. “How should I kn—"

“Be nice!"

“Er, you should what again?"

Lain growled at Tom, then said to the coyote. “Yeah. Was gonna scrap the draft but Christine asked me about it. Thought you sent it."

The coyote scratched his cheek sheepishly. “Uh, thanks, bud. I was kinda busy, sorry."

“You think I wasn't?"

Tom rolled his eyes.

“Eh, sorry, sorry!" Lucas said apologetically. “I'm sorry, I was overwhelmed earlier! I coul—"

“Yeah, yeah, yote. At least you bought me some bread." Lain cut him off, dismissing him.

The coyote looked apologetic. The air turned awkward after that. Tom sighed and pushed Lain away. “Get back. You still suck."

“Hey! You fuckin' told me to take over!"

“I told you to take over, not to be snarky!" He spoke again to Lucas, pinching the base of his nuzzle. “Sorry, I think the tiredness got the better of me. Really, though, it was hectic, plus that guy from IT kept bloody pestering me, but at least we got some snacks from Jonah."

Nervously chuckling, the coyote put his phone into his pocket. “Yeah. That was amazing pizza, really."

Tom chuckled. His phone then buzzed with a new message from Max. Max Kleinschmidt: “Hey sorry looks like I'm not cooking dinner. I'm so beat rn. Just got home but I don't think I'll be moving from the sofa till you got here"

The wolf chuckled fondly. “Yeah it's okay, I'll go eat out before going home then. You want me to buy something?"

Max Kleinschmidt: “Nah I ordered an Over for us already"

Max Kleinschmidt: “But if you wanna get me some more food, sure :3"

Max Kleinschmidt: “Eh also I'm putting your part of the food in the fridge, kay"

“Hey, Luc, you want to eat something first? Or wait, can we eat dinner at Vilkas instead. I don't have anything at home." He asked Lucas.

“Lies. Blatant ruthless lies."

The coyote perked up. “Sure. My treat."

“Eh, no need…"

“Nah, you sent that email. Christine would be really angry at me tomorrow if you didn't."

Tom laughed. “Well, if you say so. Free food, I'm coming!"

“Yup, keep leeching off him. Who knows he'll suck you~"

“Shut up. Piss off."

After saying goodbye to Lex, they descended the train in Legerville station. As he stepped onto the platform, he felt… relieved. He no longer felt being watched. Looking around, there were still a lot of people here, but the consistent feeling was gone. Was there really anyone watching before?

“Tom? Come on before it gets even more crowded."

He narrowed his eyes, then turned around and followed Lucas outside. “Yeah."

Notes:

“Joh, nat is þes mín lév wolf. Hwa gás þú, e? Nåh an fag?" = “Yo, if this isn't my favourite wolf. How's it going, eh? Still a fag?"

“Åw, nan låv fer smål Jonatan hér?" = “Aw, no love fer li'l Jonathan here?"

“Sníþ þín blöðij stert av." = “Cut your fucking tail off."

“Ay, ¿qué pasa, amigo? ¿Yendo a casa después del trabajo?" = “Yo, what's up, amigo? Going home after work?"

“Sí, estamos 'sperando el metro. Eh, ¿cómo has 'stado?" = “Yeah, we're waiting for the metro. Eh, how have you been?"