Another semester in college, another half year to ponder what was the meaning of life.

Tom nearly dragged his feet as he walked. He wasn't being lazy; heck, he was so looking forward to this semester's subjects. He could finally have some action! But he was finishing his essay last night, and what he thought would be just one or two hours of clanking away turned out to be almost five.

Having a class at 8 didn't help him at all. He didn't have time to get a cup of tea.

…wait, hadn't he ever been in this scenario before?

“Hey, Tom."

Tom was about to look around when he felt an arm wrapping itself around his shoulders. He glanced up and saw Max smiling brightly at him, his thick coat making him seem a little bigger.

The wolf smiled back. “Hai."

“Happy new year, wolf." Max pulled him close and gave him his fist. “How was your vacation? Bet the campus was empty."

“Happy new year, too." The wolf gave a fist bump and smiled fondly. “It was. Not fully, though, most of the buildings were closed, though that didn't stop me from exploring every reachable corner of the campus freely like every holiday."

The dog laughed and let go of the wolf.

They walked towards the Business faculty building, crushing the built-up snow on the way. It was snowing last night, and Tom kind of wished that today's class would be dismissed. But there was no such luck. “How was yours? You said it's been a while since you last visited your family."

“Yep." Max said, chuckling fondly. “My brother couldn't stop pestering me. At least my sister allowed me to breathe when my parents strangled me with questions."

Tom just smiled at him.

“Why didn't you visit your family anyway?" the dog asked.

“Uh, they were too busy. Besides, the tickets had probably run out anyway." He tried to evade the question.

“You could have booked, you know."

“Yeah, but they were too busy."

They reached the building and opened the door, shuffling their shoes to get the snow away before entering. Tom asked another question to change the topic. “We have the same class today, ya kan, mate?"

“Oh right, I got Corporate Business at 8. You?"

“Me too."

Max gave his shoulder a pat. “Let's get to class."

The class was… honestly, kind of boring. They didn't know the professor, and after a quick introduction, she just told them to read the textbook before giving their first assignment, and then the class was dismissed. There wasn't even a Q&A session.

Martin was a few minutes late, as did several other students, but she paid no mind. Tom doubted she even paid attention to them coming late. Lucy even came just a few moments before the class was dismissed yet the prof didn't even look up from her laptop.

He gathered his stuff into his bag and stood up. It was still winter, so he planned to take a walk in the campus park like he usually did when he had nothing to do. It was actually nice to take a walk in the park in winter like this. Sadly, while the temperature wouldn't really be a problem for him since his fur was thick enough, lately it was even colder than usual.

Right now, it was freezing, even with his thick coat.

“Your winter fur is this thick but you're still cold?" Max asked from behind him as they exited the classroom.

Tom let out a sigh, a fog forming under his breath. “Mate, it's -7 degrees."

“…you have a point."

They walked towards the lobby of the building. Martin and James were already there, nagging at Lucy like they usually did. The cat was giving them something, and when the wolf's eyes set on what she was giving, they widened in surprise.

Were those…?

“Hai, Tom!" Lucy said as they came closer. “Ada oleh-oleh, nih. Here's some sambal, rendang paste, and some Indomie."

Tom ran towards her, catching her hands and the gifts. “You're serious?!"

“Of course! Nih!"

Max let out a small chuckle as Tom shook the cat's hands and bounced excitedly while holding the gifts, his tail wagging uncontrollably. That must be some gift. Should he get some for the wolf?

Now that he thought about it, he felt a little bad for not bringing any souvenirs from home.

“Makasih banyak! Thank you so much!" Tom was still bouncing. Max sat down on the available seat next to James and pulled his phone. He yelped when Tom's tail nearly knocked it away.

Tom calmed down and sat next to the cat around the round table, his smile still wide on his face. He hugged the plastic package as if his life depended on it.

“Lagian ada tahu bulat juga nih." Lucy put another plastic package on the table. “You want? These are tahu bulat, round tofu."

Tom instantly took one and munched it down in glee. “Digoreng dadakan kan ya?"

Both Tom and Lucy laughed.

“Gotta love those inside jokes." Martin said, poking James next to him.

The tiger took one tofu and ate it. “As long as they're happy, I guess."

“How does it taste?" Martin asked.

Max took one and ate it. “Just like the one in the canteen, but the flavoring is different."

“I'm not joking when I say they should sell this stuff in the canteen." Tom said, already on his fifth one.

Lucy added. “The ones in the canteen aren't bad, but they're just plain tofu."

Max chuckled. James took another and ate it again.

“Anyway, Mart, you brought with you some French food?"

The fox smiled broadly, “Bien sûr, mes amis ! Je vous ai apporté ça ! Feel free to help yourselves." He then took something from his bag and put in on the table.

Everyone looked at it, but then James put a hand on it and asked the fox. “Can I open this?"

Tom almost laughed when he looked at James. His expression was priceless. He looked like a kitty who found his favourite toy and was waiting for permission from his parents.

“Bien sûr, help yourself!"

The tiger opened the package and put one of the snacks in his mouth, moaning as he munched it. “Chocolate profiteroles never get old!"

“It's choux à la crème, mon ami." Martin took one and ate it. “Choux à la crème."

“Eh, we usually just call it kue sus." Lucy shrugged.

Tom laughed a little, then jumped in his seat in surprise as a hand landed on his shoulder and someone said next to his ear, “What's that?" and took one of the tofu and sniffed it. “Hmm, nice."

He looked behind him. There were Kevin and Ellie, the latter holding some books. Kevin ate the tofu, then looked at Tom with his usual cocky grin. “Tastes like you, cute stuff." The bigger wolf said, purposefully lowered his voice right next to his ear, then booped the smaller wolf.

Tom turned around and stuffed his mouth with some more profiteroles to mask his reddening face. He kind of wished that Kevin would be nicer after that… um… staying-at-his-dorm-and-cuddling thing, but apparently Kevin was still Kevin. A hot, flirty, fluffy wolf.

Sometime later that night—at 3 or 4 in the morning—the red wolf pushed him off the small bed, waking him up. Tom was annoyed at that, but, well, at least it would be better if he slept on the floor instead. No matter how turned on was he, he couldn't bear to disturb that cute wolf sleeping. Besides, he could prevent being pushed off the bed again.

The next morning, after a bit of throwing up, Kevin was back to his usual flirty self and left after they had breakfast in the canteen. The breakfast was a bit awkward, though, since they didn't really have that many topics to talk about. When they did, they still weren't close enough to speak openly just the two of them; kind of weird, since they were both wolves. They never really met just the two of them since that “date" thingy.

“Come on, Kev," Max said with a frown on his face. “don't tease the 'cute stuff'."

Kevin laughed. “Oh? Isn't he cute, all shy like that? Makes me wanna eat him."

Tom's tail batted him, making the red wolf laugh again. He then looked at Max as if saying 'please help me'.

Max didn't say anything and kept eating more of the tofu. He did look not impressed, though.

While Lucy and Ellie greeted each other with some usual girly stuff, Kevin pulled another seat from a neighbouring table and sat down on it next to Tom. “Max, you up for gym today?"

“Sure. I want to burn all those wurst I've eaten. You, James?"

“I'll pass today. I got some errands to do."

“Too bad." Kevin took another tofu and ate it. “Really though, this is not bad. What's this stuff again?"

“Round tofu. And I'm pretty sure it's not going to add more fat."

James sighed and lay back on the seat as he kept eating the profiterole. “These two really mix together well. The one is a warm contrast to winter, and the other is a nice dessert."

“You bet, tigre!"

“Anyway, Tom," Max said, making the grey wolf look at him. “you wanna train at the gym?"

“…huh?! Me?! Gym?!"

“Don't worry, cutie. I'll make sure I'll be the one eating you." Kevin said with yet another grin on his face.

“Kev, that doesn't help."

Tom wrung his fingers together, his ears drooping down. “Uh, I don't reckon gyms are… really my place."

The shepherd chuckled. “That's fine. I'll be your trainer."

Tom's face went redder.

“So, the campus gym. 11 am this morning. Don't be late." Max grinned at him and stood up, taking his bag. “I gotta do some stuff back at Octo's. I'm gonna meet you at the gym. You know where it is, right? Kev, be nice to him and tell him where it is."

“Wait, don't I get a say in this?!" Tom protested, but Max already went away.

The grey wolf deflated on his seat. Martin gave him a profiterole, amusement and sympathy on his face. He ate the small pastry unenthusiastically.

“On the bright side, you get to stare at me all you want, and I get to stare at you both." Kevin said with a small chuckle.

Tom threw the red wolf some tofu, making him laugh.

The snow was starting to pile up on his umbrella, yet the wolf dared not come close. The gym seemed like both heaven and hell to him, and he had been keeping his distance from the pleasure inside, both heavenly and hellish. One small step, and he could be falling towards the endless expanse of the bottomless pit.

There was so much wrong in that place, but there was so much right. For someone like him, it was like a test of chastity, an entrance to immorality that was paved with guilty pleasure. It seemed as if the personification of said place, a demon with the wings of an angel, was teasing him to do evil in the name of good.

…or it was just a place where hot guys hung out and he was too nervous to greet any of them. He couldn't even look at any of them without… well… looking.

The place was innocent, really, but his dirty mind was abusing it. He might need one of those anti-horny sprays.

“Are you just gonna stand here and freeze to death?" Behind him, Max approached. His umbrella looked too small for someone his size.

Tom looked away. “Oh, um, I've just arrived."

“Yeah, five minutes ago but you were too busy staring at those inside through the transparent glass." Lain said inside his mind. Tom just ignored him.

“Well, good thing. C'mon." Max beckoned him to follow him. “Anyway, Kevin's not coming. He's got a make-up class to attend." he let out a sigh.

That was a... good thing?

They went under the shade and twisted their umbrellas to clear it of the snow, then put them on the available hanger. Max pushed the door open and went inside. “The Shep is here!"

“'Sup, bro?!" A bulldog behind the counter immediately greeted Max. They shook hands and laughed. “I knew winter hasn't killed you yet!"

“Haha, nice one!"

“So, burning some winter fat?"

“Yeah," the shepherd said, then stepped aside and sat on the stool, revealing Tom who was nervously trembling.

The bulldog noticed him and leant forward. “And who is this garoto fofo?"

Tom looked at him, then waved his hand with a bit more confidence. They had a topic to bond over! Now was his chance! “Uh, olá. Como estás? Me chamo o Luis."

Max looked at him with surprise while the bulldog looked delighted.

“Tudo bem!" the bulldog laughed. “Tudo bem?"

With a shy smile, he sat on the stool next to Max. “Tudo bem."

“Wait, wait, wait." Max cut in. “You speak Portuguese, Tom?"

“Uh, yeah."

“You never told me." The shepherd said, playfully making his voice sound disappointed. “I'm hurt."

“I told you I speak seven languages."

The bulldog put two glasses on the table, making the wolf jump a little in surprise. “Your pronunciation is good, amigo." he poured them some juice.

“Thank you."

“De nada." He laughed. “Me chamo o Pedro. Here's some juice, it's on the house for winter!"

“Obrigado." Tom smiled, then took a sip from the juice. Mission accomplished. Now he could drink his orange juice in peace.

Max instead laughed, “What did you say again?"

“Uh, quick introduction. My name's Luis and all that."

“Luis? Oh right your middle name." The shepherd drank from his glass and grinned. “Going all middle name now?"

“No, it's just… I introduce myself with my middle name to my Latin guys. Dunno I just find that easier. Just ask Martin."

“Fox always calls you loup, though."

“I think Luis fits you good." Pedro laughed, but then someone else came and he had to attend to them. “Nice to catch up with you guys, but I got work to do. Catch ya folks later." He winked at them.

Max stood up and beckoned Tom to do the same. “Can you save the drinks for later? And put him on my tab for today, okay?!"

“Sure! I'll tell the boss!"

He followed Max to the changing room on the back, not allowing himself to look around as they walked in fear he'd stare at them. Fortunately, there were only a few people in the changing room, all preparing to leave. Max walked to his locker and opened it with his key.

Tom looked around, there were several rows of lockers, and there was another door to the shower area. No wonder, seeing that this gym was quite large. If he weren't mistaken he saw a sign that said 'swimming pool' before.

“Put your stuff here." Max said, opening his thick coat, revealing his defined physique with a tank top. “You don't get a locker because you're not a member, but you can use mine." He proceeded with undoing his zip and taking his jeans off.

The wolf was… trying his hardest… not to stare.

Max unfolded his pants and stretched a little, not realising that he was being stared at. “Ahh, it's been a while. Family dinner was great but gotta burn those carbs." He flexed a bit. “Nice to get some action again, right Tom?"

Snapped back into reality, Tom looked away from the bulge in the other's pants. He then opened his own coat, revealing a black t-shirt underneath. “Uh, right." He said as he took his own trousers off and straightened his pants to hide his excitement.

“So, this is your first time to the gym? Or you've exercised before but it's been more than 3 months?"

“Uh, first time to the gym." He said, sitting down on the available bench because his knees were shaking slightly. Heavens, Max looked as buff as he imagined him to be. His arms were thick, his shoulders were wide, and his back was toned. He also seemed to never skip leg day. “I exercise every week, but mostly tame ones like jogging and push-ups."

“Well then, we gotta start slow." Max spoke, putting his gym gloves on. He smiled down at Tom and put their stuff into the locker. “We'll start with you, then you can rest while I'm doing my reps. C'mon, let's get started."

Tom gulped as Max turned around and started walking away, his tail wagging from side to side. Although the pants were loose, he could make out the shape of the shepherd's toned, erm, backside.

…

Trailing the dog, he looked away in shame before his mind could come up with something creative about mountains and valleys.

It was going to be hard, and not just the situation.

Notes:

Ada oleh-oleh, nih! = Here're some souvenirs!
Makasih banyak! = Thank you so much!
Lagian ada tahu bulat juga nih. = There's also some round tofu here.
Digoreng dadakan kan ya? = Fried on the spot, right?

Bien sûr, mes amis ! Je vous ai apporté ça ! = Of course, my friends! I brought you this!

Garato fofo = Cute boy
Como estás? Me chamo o... = How are you? My name is...
Tudo bem = All good/Everything's fine
De nada = You're welcome
Obrigado = Thank you