Honestly, he was feeling sick right now.

Leaning back on the chair, Octo watched this bear in front of him with disinterested eyes. He put the side of his head on his fist, looking bored as hell to cover his nausea. This bear was the boss of the operation here, yet Octo felt like the bear threw all his pride outside the window the moment he walked here. The bear was polite, yes, but the panther felt like he was trying so hard to lick him.

“…and that is it, sir. Everything is running smoothly as of now."

For a while, Octo didn't answer. He only stared at the bear who was trying to make himself as small as possible, then at the paperwork on the table that he'd read before. Tch, he hated this; he hated everything the bear said. He said like all of this was worthy of protection. He said like all of this had meaning.

Although, he couldn't deny that this had been very informative. So, his suspicion was true; they were so clean and thorough to do their business and cover their tracks. Operation Flaming Rock, for example, was done to infiltrate the lower-ranked members of the Barrowislander police and they did it with moderate success. Now he saw just how far his father's reach was, and in extension, how far his own reach was. He could actually get inside by pulling not many strings.

Yet, the thought of it repulsed him. He was not one to look for easy ways. He learnt that everything was earned through hard work.

The room was silent. No one seemed to dare speak in his presence, even Richard who was just behind him. Maybe he looked scary? “I have to say, I am impressed." He finally said, and he could sense a collective sigh in the room being let out. “The police and the city government are not suspicious?"

“No, sir. They are taken care of. We pretty much have moderate control of the lower ranks of the police while we still need to pull some longer strings to the city government."

Yes, he needed to puke.

There was still one thing, though. He already got Richard's point of view of the story, now he needed to get Big Boss' point of view. Although he read the reports in front of him, he's still like a verbal explanation “There is something, though. Elaborate me about Red Wolf to warrant such assassination attempt."

The bear looked at the panda beside him, then back at him. “We know he's a university student at the University of Barrowisle. He joined the operation in Chapmanhein, then he quit it and killed several members and burned all files related to him. He was only an operator in Chapmanhein."

In other words, they didn't know much about him. However, he noted the details. So, in summary, Red Wolf joined the operation and wanted to quit, but instead of quitting normally—which was actually rather challenging—he killed several members of the operation and destroyed all files related to him… somehow. He then moved to Barrowisle and attended the University of Barrowisle.

Octo nodded, taking the information in. He was still conflicted about why Red Wolf needed to be assassinated. He didn't seem to have done anything that interfered with or disrupted the operation, whether supplies or distribution. Maybe it was more like a personal grudge? That would explain, but that would be utterly petty of them to have launched that against him.

Really, of all the reasons to launch an assassination attempt, they chose personal grudge. Such a useless reason.

Nonetheless, they seemed to have given up on assassinating him. He would still watch them closely, though. “Understood, then." said the panther, straightening up. “Thank you for the briefing and information. Now, if you would, I'll excuse myself." Without waiting for an answer, Octo stood up, nodded at them, and left the room.

Though, he remembered something when he was about to open the door. “Oh, also, please keep me informed about Red Wolf." He looked over his shoulder while opening the door.

He was ready to call it a day and lock himself in his room. This was too much. He felt like he had blood in his hands.

No, he had blood in his hands.

“Come in, wolf. Welcome to my den!"

At first, Kevin freaked out a bit about bringing Tom here—yet another occasion where he acted before thinking. It was the place where they had a fight and subsequently made up. He felt bad; he did quite a nasty wound on Tom. The grey wolf only gave him some slash marks, but him…

Well, looking at said grey wolf who was looking around the room, Tom didn't seem too bothered by it. In fact, he looked like he was bothered by something else. Kevin just took his jacket off and threw it on the bed before turning the telly on. “Just sit down on the bed. I'm gonna get the watermelons."

He was going to wolfify him, so he should get some watermelons, oxen fur and meat, and a box of lunar light to complete the transformation.

Kevin chuckled to himself as he went to the kitchen. That new fiction series Under the Moon on Furflix was really good. Despite the speciesist theme, and quite a backlash from both some of the wolf and ox population, it quickly became a fan favourite. Wolves are mostly divided over it, either liking it or hating it. Kevin liked it a lot because dang, it packed amazing action scenes.

He took one half of the watermelon he bought earlier today from the fridge. He also made a cup of tea like how Octo told him. The panther said Tom wasn't picky about tea, so he bought one exactly like the panther bought.

Cutting the watermelon, he wondered if anything would happen tonight.

The red wolf shrugged it off. Max would kill him if he found out. Nah, that was just the horniness in him talking. Octo said he'd do him later today, so his insides were tingling in anticipation. The panther would come here later tonight when he was done with his stuff. Done cutting the watermelon, he took the plates and the cup and brought them to the living room.

Tom was sitting on the bed, watching the television. There was nothing wrong with that, but somehow, Kevin felt something was off. He put the plates and the glass on the small table next to the bed and looked around.

“Kev?"

He just grunted as a response, trying to pinpoint what was wrong. The television was still there. The table wasn't broken. The dirty clothes were piled up on the corner of the bed. Everything was in its correct place.

Wait, everything was in its correct place?

“Dude, did you clean my apartment?" He asked the smaller wolf, dumbfounded. “And in less than what, 10 minutes?"

Tom only shrugged. “It's messy. You should take care of it more."

“Uh, well…" He scratched his nape, suddenly feeling uncomfortable. “You really didn't have to do that…"

“Nope. I'm not going to leave your place that messy. Besides, I organised everything based on types, so you should be able to look for things pretty easily. Also, it's musky here. Get some freshener or something." The smaller wolf moved to sit on the floor and pulled his tail softly. “Anyway, come on, begin the ritual."

Kevin gave a huff and sat down on the floor next to Tom. “Okay. We got the watermelons here."

“The tea?"

“Nah that's for you later. So, you ready?"

“Ready." They each took a slice of the watermelons.

“One, two, three."

They ate the watermelons, their tails waving in contentment. It tasted sweet, almost like candy. Kevin wiped his muzzle; he couldn't afford to let just one drop fall lest they be cursed for eternal life.

He chuckled at that.

“How's it?" he looked at the grey wolf.

“Tastes like watermelon."

He took a second slice. “See what you're missing?"

Tom shrugged. “I can already feel the flow of time and the electromagnetic waves around me, so I guess…"

They laughed.

“But really though, yeah, it tastes good. I can see why you like it. Me sih, reckon I'll put this in the nice-but-not-essential category."

The red wolf groaned. “Think you need more than just one slice."

“How many have you anyway?"

“Bought two earlier today."

“And you eat it every day?"

“Depends though."

“I feel safe already that the little guy isn't an addict."

Kevin pushed him away playfully. “Who're you calling little?!"

“The watermelon of course. I was afraid that it's addicted to being eaten by you."

They went quiet to process the joke. However, the red wolf interpreted it differently. “I'm not into vore but yeah I can see the appeal."

This time, Tom pushed him rather forcefully, though he was laughing. “What is wrong with you?!"

Kevin laughed, letting the smaller wolf punch him repeatedly. Really, he didn't know he could feel this way with the grey wolf. He felt… connected, in a way, like he was not alone and there was someone with whom he could take the mask off and just be what he wanted. Somehow like Vilkas, but deeper.

He saw Tom's tail swaying and he couldn't hold back a smile. Tom wasn't the first wolf he met, but certainly the first he felt connected to. Kevin knew that he should be independent, that he should be his own leader of his own family one day, but he wasn't meant to be that just yet. He had an older brother, for fuck's sake, and he was meant to look up to him, but instead…

“Thanks for the watermelon, mate." Tom said with an easy smile. Kevin smiled back, maybe almost a grin. The grey wolf's eyes were as red as Kevin's fur, and somehow, he found it dangerous.

No, people should find it dangerous. This was the wolf whom he had bitten to blood without batting an eye.

…okay, set the creepy things aside for now.

He took the grey wolf's cup. “Heh, there's more in the back if you want." However, as soon as he tasted the tea, he put the cup back on the table. “What the fuck!"

“Looks like my tea is safe." Tom laughed and took the cup, sipping from it.

“Dude, that's more bitter than Vilkas' ass!"

Tom flinched. “Oi, I really don't need the details."

“Seriously, you like that shit?!"

“Nope. I love it." The grey wolf took another sip and grinned at the red wolf. “Pahitnya manis."

“I have no idea what you just said but that tasted just like Satan's cum."

“Have you ever tasted Satan's cum?"

“No but I know!"

Tom just shrugged. “So, you've never had bitter tea. I reckon you've never had bitter coffee too."

“Nope I don't like bitter things."

“But you seem to like saying bitter things."

Kevin stared at him, then sighed exaggeratedly and slumped. “Come on! You wound me!"

“I didn't wound you, only stating the obvious."

“Thanks for rubbing salt on the wound."

Grinning at him, the grey wolf took another slice of the watermelon and wiggled his brows. Maybe he should be careful around this grey wolf… wait no, scratch that, he should've been being careful around this wolf. He seemed to have the ability to turn almost everything into insults. Deadly ones, at that. He could say he drank water and Tom could find a way to make an insult from that.

…he had to learn that ability!

“Anyway," Tom said. “Come here."

Kevin looked at him curiously, munching the watermelon. He then put the watermelon away and shifted closer. “You're not going to kiss me, are you?"

Tom just ignored him, instead, he gently took his muzzle and moved it side to side. “Hmm." He caressed Kevin's muzzle and cheeks softly.

Unable to fight a grin, Kevin only let him. “Heh, that handsome, huh?"

“Ssh. You got some loose furs." He continued caressing his muzzle to catch more loose furs. “You're shedding now? Winter's just ending."

The red wolf shrugged. “Dunno."

“Move around and take your tank top off."

Kevin did so, taking his tank top off and giving the smaller wolf his red back. Tom softly combed through his fluff, making Kevin sigh in contentment. He had to say, it felt a lot better when he wasn't doing it himself. Tom's touches were soft and gentle.

“Really, Kev, shou—stop wagging your tail—shouldn't you start shedding later in spring? I haven't even gotten started yet."

“Dunno. My shedding schedule's been a mess lately."

“Stressed after graduating college?"

He shrugged, not wanting to talk about it. “Maybe."

“No wonder your bedsheets were full of fur." Tom plucked his fur, making him yelp in surprise. “Done."

“Don't you want to do my front?"

“Ih." He chuckled and discarded the small furball. “Well, wanna brush?"

Kevin moved aside and leant on his elbows on the bed. “I thought you were gonna ask 'wanna fuck'?"

Tom threw his tank top onto his muzzle.

“Dude! But that's part of the ritual?"

“Stertsniþer."

Kevin just laughed and removed the garment from his face. “Well, the brush is in the nightstand's second drawer."

“I changed my mind. I'm not gonna brush you."

“Aww, please?" Kevin couldn't fight the giddy feeling he had as he shifted closer to the grey wolf. Tom didn't reply, only watching the television. He elbowed the grey wolf softly. “Dude, keep talking."

“What do yo—oh."

Kevin grinned and put his arm around the grey wolf's neck. His accent still sounded hot. “So, how's work?"

Tom just shook his head and went back to watching the television.

Crap, he was found out! His plan failed! “C'mon!" He laughed. “Speak to daddy."

“I would but only if it were the last thing you heard."

“Kinky!"

Tom kicked him, making him laugh.

Standing in front of the door to Tom and Max's flat, Octo gave a sigh and knocked. Hopefully, the small coffee-flavoured cake he was holding would be enough of an apology for them. It was rather small but should be enough for them since neither had a sweet tooth. He felt really bad about the last time he was here, though it was actually Kevin's fault.

Yes, it was that horny wolf's fault. It made wrecking his arse as punishment last night was much more justified. Although he should've done that the day before yesterday, it was still satisfying enough. He was sure the red wolf couldn't sit, even now. Despite his extra deluxe snarkiness this morning, he knew the red wolf loved it.

He knocked at the door again, and this time it opened, revealing a smiling Max on the other side. “Hey, Oct. Come in."

He nodded at the dog and went inside. Really, it wasn't much, but he still felt guilty for making out in his flat. He also felt the need to apologise to Tom although the wolf didn't see them in the living room. Max acted like it didn't happen and simply forgot about it, but he still felt guilty. This was unlike that party where he and Kevin snogged on the couch in front of Max; that one was at Andy's place who just laughed and told them to get a room.

“What's that?" Max asked curiously when they sat down on the sofa.

“This, uh…" His tail swayed as he gave it to the dog. “Max, I'm sorry for that accident. I shouldn't have done that here."

The dog looked at him, his expression curious, then sighed. “C'mon, dude, it's fine. I know the feeling of morning wood. I don't hate you or anything, just freaked out, that's all. I don't wanna see my friend doing that, especially to another guy." Max shuddered a bit. “Well, also doing that in someone else's house." He then smiled at the panther. “Thanks for the cake, though."

“I still feel guilty."

“Heh, I know. You're gonna close yourself in your room thinking about your life decisions." He grinned. “Really though, please teach Kevin to not be horny in someone else's house."

Octo just smiled. “Thanks, I'll make sure to do that."

“I can tell you've written a script just to apologize to me."

“I most certainly have not."

“Yeah, right. Now cut the cake, I'm gonna get the plates. You want coffee or tea?"

“Anything is fine." The panther rolled his eyes good-naturedly. Of course, this was Max, his close friend. Being the captain and co-captain of the football club had certainly made them close, so close in fact that sometimes he wondered if he actually had feelings for him, and yeah, he actually used to feel a bit attracted to the dog during their first year after breaking up with his ex.

However, he knew that Max had a bad history with gays, so he kept it to himself. Moreover, when he decided to come out to him, Max was very supportive of him, even encouraged him to come out to the others. Now, he thought of the dog as a very close friend of his.

When he looked back at it, it was pretty funny.

He took his coat off and sat on the sofa. Max returned from the kitchen with two glasses of coffee and two plates and spoons and put them on the table. “Milk?"

“This is fine." Octo said as he put the cake slices on the plates.

“Thanks." Max took his plate and leant back on the sofa. “Looks like winter's ending."

Octo shrugged. “I was just enjoying seeing you being puffy."

“Screw you, dude!" The dog laughed. “Did you see Tom?"

“I did, and I even still wonder how he took care of all that fur."

“Hard. Believe me. He takes like 5 minutes to dry, even with a blower. Though I gotta admit it makes him look cuter." He ate the cake. “And hotter, somewhat."

“How's his fur?"

“Still coarse. How's Kevin?"

“Still an ass, but at least a thick ass."

Max laughed, but then stopped and grimaced. “Ugh, I don't think I'm ready for gay jokes just yet."

Raising his brows, the panther took another slice of the cake. “I wasn't saying that as a gay joke," then he snickered when he got it, letting out a chuckle. “Actually, that's not entirely false."

“Yuck!"

“You know, the fact that you interpreted it as a gay joke instead of me speaks for itself." He leant on the armrest and snickered at the dog.

Max looked at him dirtily. “Thanks, I hate it."

“You're welcome."

They went quiet for a while, just watching the television—well, the stream from Max's laptop. Somehow, Octo had the feeling that Max wanted to ask him something but was too nervous to do so. He glanced at the German Shepherd and noticed his ears twitching a bit now and then.

Yup, definitely wanted to ask him something but was too nervous to do so.

“Ask it."

Max turned to him. “What?"

“Just ask it."

“Ask what?"

“You know what. I can tell." He ate the cake.

He sighed in annoyance, “You can be an ass too sometimes, you know."

“I'll take that as a compliment."

He then asked the panther. “I'm just wondering about you and Kevin. Are you two dating?"

“Yes." Octo replied easily.

Max's eyes widened in surprise.

“What? We're dating, I'm not gonna deny that."

“And you didn't tell me?" asked the dog incredulously.

“We've been dating for just one week or so and haven't even taken the time to think about it."

“Oh." The dog took a sip of his coffee. “I thought you've been dating since you… uh…"

“Fucked each other?"

“...yeah, that."

The panther chuckled. “No, we've only been dating for a week or so."

Max smiled. “Finally." That smile turned brighter. “After all these years."

Octo rolled his eyes, but he couldn't fight the blush creeping up his cheeks.

“Why Kevin, though? No offense, but he's an ass."

“I'm wondering about the same thing." Faking a cough, he looked away. “Still, he's one hot ass."

“Never knew you like the bad boy muscle type, huh? I guess bad boys sticks to bad boys."

He looked at the dog and saw him grinning. “Tom is the epitome of a bad boy and you're a nice guy."

“Hey!"

“Besides, Tom is more bad boy than Kevin. His words can be brutal, you know." He chuckled. “I love it when he murders Kevin with his words."

“Kevin and Andy." Max chuckled along. “Gotta admit, they deserve those."

“I agree."

“And yeah, I gotta admit that Kevin is hot." Max scratched his nape. “Besides, Tom is more like chaotic good, while Kevin is chaotic horny. But anyway, now you must give me relationship tips. No buts."

“No butts?"

“Yeah, and yo—wait, was that another gay joke?"

Octo shrugged.

Max facepalmed.

“Come on, like Tom never gave you any."

“He never gave me any!"

“Oh, well. I'm going to give you some, then." The panther grinned. “And I still wanna slap you with the fact that you're dating a guy now. Come here."

“Shit, dude! You already did!"

He laughed. “Okay, I'll spare you. You two have been cuddling?"

Max was red and his ears were down. “Erm, yeah."

“Nice." He took another slice of the cake. At this rate, he would be the one finishing it rather than Max. “Tom's lucky, you know, getting this super hot, super cute boyfriend. I'm envious."

If it were possible that Max became redder, he would. “Oi!"

“I'm sure he was very delighted when he took you for the first time. I mean, just look at those muscles. Even I would want to tap 'em."

“Happy now?" Max looked at him, not impressed. However, his tail was wagging like a broom. Octo thought the sofa would be clean by the time they were done.

“Heh, still can't believe the big bad captain of the football team is dating a guy. What made Tom able to bend you, huh? I seriously gotta know his secret because that's some forbidden knowledge he has." He gave the dog's shoulder a weak punch. “But don't worry, I'm not Kevin. I'm not gonna bend those who don't want to be bent." He ended with a small laugh.

Max's ears finally went up. “Yes, you've made your point clear. Multiple times."

“I like to make myself as clear as possible." He let the dog go. “Anyway, why's Tom still out in Hasingham? Those meetings take too long."

“Not sure. He said they were mostly about done, though. Lucas and his boss did most of the negotiation, Tom's just writing them down." Max took another slice of the cake and glanced at the clock. It was close to 20. “He should be on his way back now."

“Good."

They went quiet again.

“Eh, Max?"

“Hm?"

“You're seriously not going to tease me with Kevin?"

Max mrf'ed, then sipped his coffee. “I think being Kevin's boyfriend is enough of a punishment for you."

Octo laughed. That one packed a punch.