Did… did all of that really happen?

Max lay on his bed, staring at the ceilings. So, Tom asked him out. It was somewhat like Lucas, but he’d only known Lucas for maybe two months before the coyote asked him out. Tom, though, he’d known the wolf for two years. Even though he was technically the one who made Tom ask him out, it still felt… unbelievable.

He let out a sigh. A guy—no, a man asked him out, and this time, he was thinking about it seriously. His masculine side was repulsed; he should be the one asking out, not the other way around, but his rational side didn’t feel that way. He should be the one asking a girl out. Everything was upside down now.

Was it a bad thing? He didn’t know.

He had been straight all his life. He never messed up with any guy, ever. Not even with the football guys during high school in the locker room. Yes, he had seen men’s private parts, but he didn’t think much about it. He never did things like comparing dick size or jack-off marathons with anyone. He had never been interested in that kind of thing.

But what was between him and Tom was not just physical, it was emotional. This was totally different from what he used to believe, that gays were attracted to each other physically. Tom told him that he used to like him only physically and now he also liked him emotionally.

That alone broke so many premises that he knew about gay people.

If it were just a guy asking to have a fuck, that would be easy. However, this was not; Tom asked him out properly and it messed up what he knew about himself. While Lucas did not beat around the bush and asked him out in a short time, Tom waited for two years, making him comfortable first. In a way, the wolf seemed to want to make sure that he wasn’t overstepping any boundaries, and even if he did, he asked if he could do that. Unbeknownst to him at the time, he allowed the wolf, and now he had to be responsible for that.

He never expected Tom to be gay at all. He had suspicions, but they seemed like a passing thing. The wolf was not what he thought gay men were. He just… was. The polite, soft-spoken, apparently deadly wolf he’d known for two years.

Should he give it a try? His past relationships were not something to be proud of, so he wanted to try again properly even though this was a guy asking him out. Good thing they were in the same species, so he only needed to think about the homosexual side of this.

Could he even do this? Coming to terms that he might be bi was one thing, but actually being boyfriends with a guy was another thing entirely. Looking back at it, he seemed to already have feelings for the wolf, but till now he wasn’t sure if he really was crushing on him or it was just a phase.

Was this just a phase or did he really like Tom? He didn’t know, and frankly, was afraid to find out. Yet, when he remembered Tom’s smile, something inside him felt happy. He really was happy with Tom around. He wanted to be the one the wolf could depend on and the one making the wolf happy too. Tom was hurt, and somehow, he wanted to be the one protecting him.

Ugh. He wanted to talk to Octo, but he didn’t want to tell anyone. He felt somewhat ashamed, like his masculinity was at stake. He should sort this out by himself.

“Hey Rob, dinner’s almost ready!”

Max looked at the door, then sat up and sighed. “Coming!”

Perhaps he could talk to his family in the meantime.

He scratched his nape as he sat up. Would he be able to be in a relationship with a guy? Was he brave enough for that?

Standing up and looking at the mirror, he stared at his reflection there. Yeah, he admitted, he was hot. Kevin had said several points about him being irresistible to gays. Coupled that with the fact that many gay guys used to hit on him, no wonder Tom liked him.

However, could he like Tom in the same way? Emotionally, he might already do, but physically… maybe he could learn? If he really were bi, then it shouldn’t be hard, right? …right?

Why was he even thinking about this?!

Max put a t-shirt on, then took his phone on the nightstand as it beeped. There was a new message from Octo.

Octo Bad Kitty: “Hey, man. Have you kicked Hans’ ass for me?”

Despite himself, he chuckled. While he and Octo didn’t see each other romantically, they saw each other platonically, almost like brothers. Maybe it was like him and Hans? Maybe. Octo was one whom he could trust and one who trusted him, even if they were kind of silly sometimes.

Also, although the panther was bi, he made it clear that while he thought Max was hot, he didn’t want to ask anything sexual from him. They did tease each other sometimes, but that was it.

Maybe it really was a good idea to talk to Octo. He could learn from the panther’s experience with… coming to terms with his sexuality. Octo was a nice guy and he trusted the panther.

…um, now that he thought about it, why was his inner circle so… gay?

He typed his response. “Yep. You want me to do it again? Buddy’s discount for ma bud”

Octo Bad Kitty: “Do it twice more for a free €15 Chick-er-ed coupon.”

Max laughed and went out of his bedroom. “Anyway, how’s Tom?” Immediately the smell of food hit his nose, making his stomach rumble.

Octo Bad Kitty: “He’s fine. He’s hanging out with his gang. Don’t disturb him now, it’s their last hangout.”

“Yea I prob shouldn’t. Keep an eye for him, ‘kay?” He typed to the panther, then pocketed his phone.

His family was already on the table when he arrived at the kitchen. His mother put the chicken on the table and sat down. When Hans saw him coming, he stood up and hushed everyone. “Ssh! The lord is here!”

Everyone went quiet and looked at him.

Max just pulled his chair and sat down. “To evermore with you!”

Everyone laughed, making him smile in return.

They chatted as they ate. Hans occasionally made fun of him, but as usual, he made fun of him back. His parents just laughed at them, occasionally being on his or Hans’ side to roast the other. Even his sister roasted them both, making them groan and their parents laugh.

Right, he missed this so much. He had been home for three days, but he only had the chance to have dinner together on Monday and today. He’d been busy; he had old friends to reconnect with. Not that he didn’t like going to reunions or just hanging out with his high school friends, but he needed time for his family.

Done with the food, he put the utensils on the plate and pushed it away, burping softly. His mother’s chicken was still as great as ever. “Hey, uh, so, I wanna talk about something.”

“Ask away, Rob.” His father said.

Hans wiggled his eyebrows. “I’m pretty sure it’s about his girlfriend.”

“Shut up.” Max drank some water. “Well, yeah, actually.”

Hans laughed.

“There’s… this friend of mine. He asked me out after graduation, and I really don’t know what to do.” Max said and looked down, scratching his nape. He felt somewhat stupid that he had to talk about his relationship problem to his family, but it wasn’t something strange. Hans used to talk about his relationship problems to his family, too, which was why he never ran out of materials to roast him with.

“Rob,”

“I mean, I’m close with him, sure, but I… I don’t really know.” Max sighed. “He’s nice and all, but I… uh, I’m not sure I can do it, really, or else I don’t thin—”

“Rob—”

“Shut up, Hans. He’s really a nice per—”

“Rob!”

Exasperated, he turned to his brother. “What?!”

“It’s a he?”

“Yeah, what do you thin—”

His eyes went wide as he realised his mistake. Had he… had he been using ‘he’? Max looked at everyone with straight ears; they all looked at him with surprise on their faces. Turning red, he looked back at Hans with flattened ears. Disbelief was all over his face, too.

Had he… had he accidentally just come out to his family—wait, he wasn’t gay! …but the way he talked about it made it sound that he was gay!

However, when he saw his mother’s face, he was a bit relieved when he saw understanding there. His father and brother were still surprised, but his mother only smiled softly.

“Carmila, sweetie, how about you prepare your bed first?” his mother said to his sister.

“Mom, I’m 17.” Carmila said in annoyance, but he noticed she was the only one who didn’t seem to be too bothered. “But yeah, I’ll leave the talk to you all.” She gave him a pat on the shoulder, then excused herself from the table and went upstairs.

As soon as she went upstairs, Hans giggled excitedly. “So, Rob, it’s a guy?!”

Max looked down, ashamed. “…er, y-yeah.”

Hans squealed.

He looked up again, but this time, his parents looked at him understandingly. They just continued eating the dessert as if nothing had happened.

“…you’re… you’re not mad?”

“How could we be mad at you, honey.” His mother said softly and reached for his hand. “Just so you know, Hans isn’t fully straight.”

His father only nodded with a knowing smile. “As long as you’re happy, Rob.”

“Mom don’t tell him! I’m fully straight, I swear!”

“Sure, say that again, Hans?”

“Mom!”

“We’re happy with whoever you choose.”

“It’s nice that you come out to us, Rob. We really appreciate it.” His mother continued, petting his head softly. “We’re not angry; we understand the situation that you’re going through. It is unexpected, though.”

“But I…”

“Just make sure you don’t be… you know, all girly and stuff.” His father said.

His mother slapped his father’s shoulder. “Don’t be like that!”

“What? I’m just saying he has no talent for being girly. I mean look at him, he’s a fully muscled 190+ guy. Remember when Hans put on that weird fairy dress thingy when he lost a bet?”

Well, his father had a point.

His mother shot her husband one last look, then turned back to Max. “So, Rob, what is it? A guy asked you out?”

“Y-yeah but it’s not like what you think!” He held his hands on his chest as his ears went up, then he looked away and his ears went down in shame. “I… uh… I might be… bi.”

Hans put his arm around his shoulder. “Don’t be like that, bro! I don’t care whether you’re straight or gay or bi or trucksexual or whatever! As long as we can be drinking buddies!”

“Get off!” he pushed Hans away, then turned to his mother. “I mean, uh… I just found out that… er… I might be bi. I’m really confused right now.”

“So, now you’re considering going out with a guy then?”

“Sweetie, whoever you love, we accept them. I’m surprised that you might be bi, though, you never told us you had feelings for guys. Don’t worry, we’ve had the shock a few years ago with Hans.” She glanced at Hans who was chuckling sheepishly, then gave a sigh. “I’m not going to ask how and why, but I’m sure you’ll be easier to deal with than Hans.”

His father choked on his drink while Hans faked a gasp before pulling Max close. “Don’t taint him with my stories!”

“What the—”

“Shut up and go find a boyfriend or girlfriend, Hans. Rob beat you to it.”

“Mom, that hurts.”

“Anyway, yeah. This guy you’re talking about, is he from the football club?” His mother poured him more water.

“No. He’s my classmate.” Max slumped on the table with lowered ears, ignoring Hans babbling next to him. “We really started as friends, really, but we got closer and closer till I think we’re like best friends. He did give me some pick-up lines, but I thought he was just practicing it. Then, after graduation, he asked me out, though maybe I was the one who… kinda… forced him to confess… kinda…”

“Did you two do some hot and steamin’ lov—”

Max whacked Hans.

“That really sounds like a cheesy romance novel, Rob.” His father laughed. “But if it is a cheesy romance novel, I’m pretty sure it’s going to end well.”

“Y-yeah.” He was getting red.

“Maybe just accept it. See if you’re comfortable with him or not. If you’re really not bi, or if you just don’t feel like it with him, doesn’t matter which one, tell him. Be honest to each other, don’t lie. But don’t be too harsh, men are delicate creatures inside their gruff exterior.” His mother winked.

His father choked on his drink again. “Olivia!”

Max looked up at his mother. “Thanks, mom.” He hugged her. “You’re really the best.”

“You’re welcome, sweetie. Don’t be afraid to tell us anything, okay?”

“Yeah, mom. I’m gonna go to my room.”

With that, he got out of the seat, smiling at his parents. He was about to go upstairs when Hans poked him and made a gesture that he was going with him too.

Great, he thought to himself as he launched himself to the bed on his front. I just “came out” to my family when I’m not even sure myself.

However, it calmed him that his parents accepted him. It could’ve been worse, but he was glad at how it turned out. His father didn’t seem at all disturbed at that, and his mother was very supportive. That made him curious about Hans and how he “came out” to the family, though. As far as he knew, Hans was straight, often also bringing his now-ex girlfriends home.

Max turned to lie on his back and stared at the ceilings again. He got the green light from his family, but… could he do it? Should he do it?

“Hey, Rob,” the door then opened and Hans came inside. “wanna talk about it?”

Max glanced at Hans, but then looked back at the ceilings. “Bugger off.”

“Really, dude, don’t worry. I’m still gonna whack you whether you’re straight or gay.”

He let out an annoyed sigh and looked at his brother. Hans was… really the best brother one could ask. He could trust him with anything. “You… had experience?” Max asked him slowly, carefully choosing his words.

“Well… I wouldn’t say experience, but yeah.”

“…you did a circle jerk, didn’t you?”

“Hey, gotta keep college life interesting!” Hans crossed his arms on his chest.

Max only gave him a disgusted look.                   

Pulling the chair from the desk, Hans sat down on it. “So, what can I offer my lil bro about gay relationship advice?”

Surprised, he sat up and looked at the older dog. “R-relationship advice?! You dated a gay man?! W-wait, are you gay?!”

“No u.”

They stared at each other for a moment, then Max lay back on the bed with a thud as Hans guffawed.

“Okay, okay, getting serious now.” The older dog’s guffaw ceased. “I’m not gay. I… uh… maybe I’m bi? I dunno, never dated a guy and am horny only for girls.” He shrugged. “Not gonna lie though, gays usually give the best blowjobs.”

Max considered throwing his brother out of his room, but maybe… he might need some advice about… giving… a blowjob…

His ears flattened and he looked away.

“I got some gay friends, and they’re great guys, really. But honestly I don’t like it when they act too girly. It’s just a personal preference, don’t get all mad with me.” His brother continued, ignorant of the fluster creeping up his face. “One of them had been in a relationship for a pretty long time.”

“So… how are they?”

“They’re fine. I remember he told me something, though. ‘A great man is someone who can control himself’ or something like that.”

“Looks like you’re not a great man.”

“Never said I am.” Hans grinned. “You know how to give heads?”

This time, Max sat up and pulled his legs, trying to get away from his brother as far as possible. “Get the fuck away from me!”

“I wasn’t suggesting a practice. What do you think I am, a weirdo?” he rolled his eyes. “But really, Rob, if you’re considering dating a guy, at least think about the sexual side of it. Based on your explanation, you two are close, right?”

He nodded.

“I think you’ll get along well. I’m still kinda puzzled who’d top, though. You’re really too big to be the bottom and you never did a guy.” He then snickered. “Or did you?”

“How do you know about that kind of stuff?! And I never did a guy!”

“Like I said, I had gay friends. You had gay friends, right? I think you better ask them; they’re pretty understanding as far as I know.”

He thought of Kevin and thought that maybe Hans’ argument wasn’t based on enough data. But he had Tom, though.

“Still, Max, if you want to date a guy, research that kind of stuff with guys. No way you two aren’t gonna get physical. I’m not saying that I doubt your straightiness—though since you’re debating on whether to date a guy eeeh…” The older dog looked away and chuckled. That made Max’s already low ears go down. “but it’s important to know. Like, the one doing the fucking is called a top and the one being fucked is called a bottom. Also usua—”

“Yeah, yeah, I get it! Fuck! I’ll do my own research later!” He shuddered, but he knew Hans was right. Really, if he were going to be with Tom then he shouldn’t be repulsed by these things. But still, the thought of even touching another guy’s dick was… uhh… ugh…

Hans just tilted his head at him amusedly.

Max instead asked again. “Did you… did you ever… uh… have a dick stuck up your mouth or ass?”

“Ass, never. Mouth, a few times.” His brother just shrugged as if it weren’t a big deal. “My college times have been entertaining… very entertaining…”

“Knowing you, I can tell—”

“I remember doing a CPR exercise to this cute guy in front of the class…”

“Why did you never tell me about this, anyway?”

Hans shrugged. “Why would I? I mean, you’re straight, and I know some people don’t like to talk about it—wait, you were straight.”

Max stared at him in disbelief, then looked away in embarrassment. “Now everyone in this house thinks I’m bi, right?”

“I had a bi brother! No~! I’m not safe!”

“Right. I remember the part when you say you’re bi.”

“He’s gonna grope me when I’m not looking!”

“You don’t even turn me on! And get the fuck outta my room!”

That alleyway was closed.

Rodrigo looked at it across the road. The entrance was closed by white semi-walls, guarding it from view. There was a big ‘under construction’ sign in front of it. People around it were not suspicious, just walking by without batting an eye.

It could’ve fooled people, but not him.

He knew what happened, he was there when it happened. The horror was all over the air; that wolf massacred everything around him, not caring in the world if it were going to kill them or not. Blood was everywhere. Rodrigo almost lost an arm that day, only Luck graced him with a chance to keep it.

That day, he met Red Wolf, and he was still as deadly as when they first met.

The bison hated him for not killing him. He needed an escape from this world, from everything around him. He had done everything he could to survive, but instead they made him despise the world. Reality was harsh and he was nothing but a pawn in her hand.

Yet, as he stared at the white hospital ceilings with bandages all over his body, he realised that Red Wolf had given him a second chance.

He laughed mirthlessly. Even Death itself was the one who gave him a second chance as if rejecting him to come to Him and told him to restart everything. People thought he was dead now, and that gave him a way to start over, a redemption in life. A new beginning.

He looked at the scene one last time, then walked away from there, leaving his old self to die.

Now, he started anew.

“Excuse me.”

Rodrigo looked up. There was a panther almost walking into him. He snarled out of habit but regretted it quickly. The panther was much bigger than him, even casting a shadow on his face. Through the jacket, he could make out his muscles.

The panther didn’t reply to his snarl, though. He only nodded politely and moved aside, continuing to walk.

Furrowing his brows, the bison watched him go before huffing and pocketed his hands. For now, he should get something to eat, then, a permanent roof over his head.

Closing the door, Octo took a deep sigh and took his jacket off before sitting on the sofa and covering his eyes.

Earlier, Tom and his gang came here to visit. Octo was more than happy to let them in, especially since they brought a cake for him. They just hung out like usual, a bit tired from shopping in the mall earlier today.

Tom then excused himself to the bathroom near the kitchen. Octo was sitting on the sofa when the wolf walked away to the bathroom, then he went to the kitchen to wash his plate. However, with the bathroom door ajar, he could see the wolf taking his t-shirt off, revealing a big slash mark on his upper arm. At first, Octo just cringed because that looked nasty. Then, when he realised that the slash mark still looked fresh…

He couldn’t shake off this accursed hunch. Both Max and Tom said that it was a runaway accident. They were on their way home from hanging out when a car hit Tom and injured him. That could explain the slash marks on his muzzle, which could be caused by his muzzle scraping against asphalt, but on the upper arm…

Could it be… Tom was Red Wolf…? The one whom his mafia group fought that day.

Impossible! His mind screamed at him. Tom was a wolf, yes, but he was grey. He couldn’t possibly be Red Wolf.

However, Tom’s history was as grey as his fur. Tom never told anyone about his past. That was nothing weird, but one could suspect.

But no! Everything about Tom screamed no at him. The grey wolf was nice, soft-spoken, good guy. There was no possibility he could murder 15 people like that.

Or… was there?

He sighed heavily and put his hand over his face. No, no, no. Impossible. Tom was in no way whom they suspected. He wasn’t red. He had no history of being a part of a mafia group. He doubted the wolf was even able to fight!

Octo gave out another heavy sigh and turned the television on. He was so paranoid about it that he insisted on taking them to the bus station a few minutes ago, saying that he was going to a minimarket anyway.

He had to know more about Tom, but how? Asking Max was out of the question, and so was asking Tom. The grey wolf was very selective, and despite his openness, very secretive. After three years of knowing him, he only knew that he was an orphan recently after that incident. And even if he somehow dared ask him, that would raise suspicions. The wolf could become curious and ask him what was it about.

The panther groaned. This… this was just a wild suspicion, that was all. Tom wasn’t the one they were looking for. He just had a car accident, that was all. Heck, Kevin was actually more likely to be Red Wolf. He was red, he told himself he fought with thugs that day, and he also had slash marks.

Even still, all of this was just a wild suspicion.

He cursed Big Boss for just approving an operation without a clear identity on the suspect. Such a stupid move, really. Now he couldn’t track Red Wolf himself and had to run to this kind of coincidence.

Yes, this was nothing, just a sheer coincidence. There was no way Red Wolf was either Kevin or Tom. Although both were injured that day, there simply was no way either of them was Red Wolf. Tom was simply too weak to defeat that many people at the same time, and while Kevin was more likely, he doubted he was strong enough to fight 15 people at the same time.

Octo let out a deep sigh and sat up straighter. “Just a wild thought. Just a wild thought.” He told himself as he stood up and walked to the kitchen.

Yes, this was just a wild thought.

He needed to get to either Big Boss or Richard soon.

Oh Hans, you’re too naïve for your own good