Ding!

Max pulled his phone from his pocket. There were several messages. Did he take that long to dress up? He put it back in his pocket and put his shoes on. “I'll be back later tonight, or maybe I'll stay over."

“Gotcha. Don't forget your keys." His roommate replied, not moving from his spot on his bed.

“Sure." The dog put his cap on, took the keys and beer bottles, and walked out of the room.

Tonight was Friday night. He had several assignments to be done but he had tomorrow to do it. Besides, he'd contacted some of the vendors for next month's intercultural festival already, in which he was the one in charge of sponsorship division. The football guys had had some plans to go to Harry's or The Pinthole, however they ditched it because few were going to show up. So, Nathan suggested that they just spend the Friday night somewhere else, maybe in one of their dorm rooms. Andy's house was their top spot, but his family was having some guests tonight.

After some talking, they were going to spend the night at Octo's student housing, since his housemates were out of the city for the weekend and it was quite large. Although it wasn't as big as Andy's house, at least it wasn't as cramped as their dorms.

Well, it was a student housing unit.

The dog made a gesture to the dorm manager as he walked by her in the hall of his dorm building. He pulled his phone out to read the messages as he walked outside. There got to be some weird shenanigans, he was sure.

Andy Horny Kitty: “Hey where r u guys? Me n Octo r rusting here ????"

Octo Bad Kitty: “Ignore Andy, he's not even here yet."

Tom Bad Wolf: “M8s looks like I and Martin will be late, Ellie has some problems with her laptop,"

Nate Oversized Lizard: “Oh come on tom! Just bring her here????"

Martin Who: “Honhonhon."

Tom Bad Wolf: “It's a boy's night, Nate. And shut up Mart XD wkwkwk"

Nate Oversized Lizard: “Hey im at the front door w Kevin"

Yohan Santa's Deer: “Smn really gotta change this group's name from football disgrace '15 to campus' hottest bangers"

Kevin Horny Wolf: “I agree ????"

Tom Bad Wolf: “I feel somewhat left out by that."

Yohan Santa's Deer: “We're celebrating u tom!"

Kevin Horny Wolf: “yup we're celebrating u Tom!???????? go wag that tail woof!"

Tom Bad Wolf: “Piss the heck out of here, Kev???? and how much have you drunk njir smh it's still half to 20"

Max chuckled a little at the messages. He then typed his reply, “I'm omw. Anyone want me to bring something?"

John Daddy Doggo has changed the group's name from “Football Disgrace '15" to “Campus' Hottest Bangers".

John Daddy Doggo: “Ur welcome"

Octo Bad Kitty: “Your stupidity amazes me."

Nate Oversized Lizard: “John what the fuck! Your supposed to fight them not join them!"

Kevin Horny Wolf: “LETS BANG EM BOIS"

Literal Gym Rat: “Wait y is the groups name like that?"

At Octo's last message, he laughed.

He stood next to the stop sign and tidied up his jacket. Octo was staying at a student housing unit instead of a student dormitory unit, which was why he had a bigger place and had to share it with 5 people instead of 1. It was a bit far from the dorms so he'd like a ride.

Andy was supposed to pick him up here. He sent a message to Andy that he was in front of his dorm, and the lion replied almost instantly.

Several moments later, he arrived. Max quickly got into the car, and they drove away.

He was about to put his phone back when Andy said while giggling, “Check the group, really,"

Octo Bad Kitty: “Eh Max bring some more beer if you can"

James Tiger: “Ffs can't a tiger play his Logarnsquest without his phone buzzing round here?"

James Tiger: “OH RIGHT SORRY GUYS I FORGOT IM GONNA GET THERE QUICK"

Octo Bad Kitty: “I got that chocolate snack you want and you forgot about tonight? No snacks for you"

Yohan Santa's Deer: “FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT"

John Daddy Doggo: “For “fuck's" sake indeed lol"

Martin Who: “Eh guys anyway the baguette has to wait"

Nate Oversized Lizard: “MARTIN NO"

Literal Gym Rat: “I can't believe you just called your vice captain out like that john xD"

Kevin Horny Wolf: “I look forward to Octo vs James????"

Nate Oversized Lizard: “GET BACK HERE MART"

Nate Oversized Lizard: “also kev octo is literally sitting in front of you shaking his head"

Kevin Horny Wolf: “OR MAYBE TOM OR MAX VS ME PLS GUYS HELP ME MAKE IT HAPPEN"

Yohan Santa's Deer: “kev ur too horny for your own good lmao"

Max laughed and put his phone in his pocket before the newer messages could make him laugh harder. Oh, for a good measure he sent another text, “Kevin go bang a tree or something lol"

They arrived not long after. Max took the beer bottles from the backseat and waited for Andy to park the car. There was also Nathan walking when they got out of the car.

Max gave the crocodile a fist bump. “Where's Stephan?"

“Not coming. He's got a remedial test tonight."

“That hurts." Andy said.

“Doesn't hurt as much as our baguette-less party." Nathan slumped a little. “That little brat."

Andy kicked him, “Just get the fuck in!"

Max chuckled.

Several bottles of beer, a few video games wins, and many bad decisions about beer and wine combo later, Max threw himself to the sofa. He was already getting quite dizzy, but fortunately nowhere near that new year party at Andy's. Fuck Andy and his schemes.

“Gotta say, John had the right idea for changing the group's name." Yohan the deer laughed and slapped the dog's arse.

“Shut up." Max covered his ears. “I knew I shouldn't take that mix Andy created."

Said lion perked up. “Hey! I worked hard on that!"

“Fuck off."

Octo put his cards down smugly, making James, Andy, and Kevin groan and throw their own in frustration. “So, any ideas? We could always watch horror films."

“And let you cling on me? Hell no." Nathan said.

“Isn't it the other way around?"

“At least I didn't grop—fuck it, Yan! The fuck did you have to trip all over me?!" replied the crocodile, but he barked when Yohan's car on the game flipped on his own and made it explode.

Yohan just laughed. “Maybe you gotta get back to Intro to Driving." Then his own car hit a building and exploded. “Fuck!" he threw the controller.

“Watch the antlers!"

Max sat up on the sofa and took his phone, only to find it wasn't in his pocket. Right, he was charging it next to the console. Instead, he looked at the clock.

“Since Octo has oh so graciously beaten me four times and your cars exploded, how about we play a game instead?" said Andy, already collecting the cards he had played and tossed them away, making Octo roll his eyes.

“For your information," the panther corrected him. “I only won twice, both James and Kevin won once."

Max's ears drooped a bit. “If this is one of your stupid games, then I'm not joining."

“How about the winner gets to see everyone's porn stash?" The lion continued with a grin, his mane waving around. “I know you guys want to see mine."

“No thanks."

“Not interested."

“I'm not getting off to girls."

“You got some crazy kinks, lion."

The lion threw his hands. “Oh, come on! At least are you interested in seeing what Octo got? The straight part, that is."

“What th—"

Max's ears went up slowly. “That's… a bet."

“What game are we playing?" Kevin leant back, curious about Andy's idea.

“We're playing gay chicken!" Andy lightened up as if the game was his best invention. “The last one standing gets to see every loser's porn stash."

“Yes!" Kevin swung his hand, contrary to the disgust on Max's face as his ears drooped. “What?!"

“Only straight guys allowed."

“Aw!" Kevin's hand went down.

“I'm sure you already knew how this one works." Andy sat in the middle of the room and beckoned the others to join him. Nathan and Yohan shrugged and joined him while Max lay back down on the sofa in disbelief. “Only straight guys allowed, so piss off Kev, Oct."

Kevin grumpily stood up and sat on the sofa next to Max. Octo just shrugged and went with him.

“Max, get your ass here!"

Unenthusiastically, Max did so, though with his ears flattened down.

“Eh, Oct, why're you sitting this one out?" asked Kevin as he took a slice of the pizza and another beer bottle.

Octo leant back on the sofa and shrugged. “I'm bi."

“You're bi?!"

“Yep. You're bi too?"

“I'm gay." Kevin looked at him with a predatory grin on his face. “We should bang sometime."

“We'll see." Octo grinned back at him.

“I know you're planning to fuck each other, but hey listen up." Andy said, making them turn to look at him. “You guys be the judge, 'kay?"

The red wolf nodded with interest. “Sure."

“Okay, so!" Andy went back to the group. They were having different kinds of expressions. James was neutral, while Yohan looked interested. Nathan was slightly unnerved but fought it and Max looked like he didn't want to be there.

“Just…" Max said, his ears going up a little. “Just don't make us do crazy things to each other, okay?"

Andy laughed, “I'm not, I'm not! You already know the rules, right? Only kisses and gropes are allowed. No blowjob, no fucking. Is handjob okay?"

“Uh…"

“Fuuuck no."

“The hell?"

“Lion, stop drinking beer."

“Okay, so only kisses and gropes are allowed. No groping dicks. And no cheating, if you're gay or bi you're gonna be on the receiving end of Kevin's dick…"

Said wolf looked delighted.

“…though I doubt that's going to be a punishment. If you want to take more beer then go ahead." Andy took three bottles from behind him. “We're out of wine, though. So, let the bottle spin!"

The lion spun an empty bottle in the middle. They all watched with intense eyes while Octo amusedly watched them. Kevin lay back on the sofa and checked his phone.

When the bottle stopped spinning, it pointed at Max. Max looked like it was his first bone and his ears went straight up. “Ha! I fucking choose Andy!"

Everyone except Andy laughed.

“Ah, come on!"

Max gave the bottle to Andy who spun it lazily. “Gotta make sure you don't fuckin' chicken out from this, heh, Andy?"

The bottle turned to Nathan, who was surprised. James looked relieved, while Yohan seemed glad.

Max took a gulp from a new bottle. “I command you losers to kiss!"

“Thank god it's just a kiss." The crocodile said. “Come here, Andy!"

“Tch, fine."

The lion leant forward and closed his eyes. Max looked at him with mirth in his eyes. Then Nathan leant forward too. Their lips—or Nathan's front teeth—touched for a brief moment, then Andy pulled back quickly and gasped for air.

“Fucking hell!"

“HA! Andy loses!"

“Hey, we fucking kissed!"

Yohan held back his giggles and turned to Octo and Kevin. “So, how was that?"

Kevin looked up from his phone. “How was what?"

“They did kiss, so both win." Octo shrugged. “As long as they kiss."

Max was still guffawing like a madman. Nathan slapped him. “Get back to the game."

“Ha ha ha sorry sorry!" Said dog took another shot. “Okay, Andy, spin the bottle."

Spinning the bottle, Andy gave it a bit more push. He hoped it could end up on him so he could get his revenge on Max. Unfortunately, it pointed at Yohan who was eating a slice of pizza.

“Eh, me?" He took a gulp of the beer. “I choose… uh, James."

“What! Why me?!"

The deer just snickered and gave the bottle to James to be spun. When it stopped at him, he groaned. “What the fuck?!"

“Oh, the irony!" Nathan laughed.

“Karma's a bitch, isn't it?"

Yohan's ears drooped and he hissed in annoyance. “Come on, James, let's… let's fragging kiss."

The tiger went ahead and leant forward. “You owe me for this."

Their lips met for a moment longer than Andy and Nathan, but they eventually pulled back. There was no sharp pulling back, instead, James' face looked drained of colour while Yohan nervously looked away.

Kevin gave them a thumbs-up with a laugh. “This is more amusing than I thought."

Octo chuckled.

“James, um, spin the bottle."

“O-Okay."

The tiger spun the bottle sloppily, hoping the game to end quickly. When it stopped and pointed at Andy, he had to cover his ears.

Andy roared. “Yeeeah baby fuck yeah I fuckin' fraggin' choose Max!"

“You just want to get back at me, don't you?" The dog said, not amused.

“Spin the bottle, Max, spin it!" The lion continued. “Heh! Let's see!"

Meanwhile, Octo said to Kevin as they played. “Hey, Kev, if you haven't noticed, Andy is the only one in the team who constantly asks for punishment from Max."

“Max's the captain, right?" The red wolf asked him, eating another slice of pizza.

“Yup, but he never bosses us around, well, except Andy. That lion pretty much begs to run across the field every day. You should be there when Max literally barked at him to run twenty laps around the field for slacking off in practice." The panther chuckled. “Andy was laughing too hard to be offended."

Max huffed but spun the bottle nonetheless. It spun for a while, then it stopped while pointing at the door, just at the right moment when Tom walked in. “Hey guys, sorry I'm late. Here're som—"

The grey wolf was cut by Andy's loud guffaw echoing in the room. Max's ears flattened. Great, why the fuck did Tom have to come at the exact wrong moment? Now, Andy was going to make sure he wasn't going to forget this night.

“Um, what is it?" the grey wolf asked confusedly.

“Max," Andy started, making Max facepalm. “I command you to kiss Tom!"

The shepherd took a glance at Tom. The wolf's face was mortified and he almost dropped the plastic bag he was carrying. “Apa?!"

Max wanted the earth to consume him.

“See, Tom, Andy has this idea of playing gay chicken. Now it's Max's turn, then you showed up at where the bottle was pointing, so, well, yeah." Octo explained with a shrug.

“What?!" Tom put the plastic bag next to the beer bottles. “I'm not even playing!"

“Come on! Just fucking kiss already!" Andy pulled him, making him sit right in front of Max.

Max stared at Tom, surprised. They looked into each other's eyes, laughter echoing around them. He could even pick up Kevin's intense glare across the room.

Fuck, Tom's eyes never ceased to amaze him. It was so bright yet so pale. Small parts morphed up to create such a unique colour that he had never seen before. There was uncertainty in those eyes, maybe a little fear.

He wanted to calm the wolf a bit; it was just a game, a simple kiss was enough. Yet he realised that he was the one who was shaking a little. Never had he thought he was going to kiss one of his best friends, his buddy. Fuck Andy and his schemes.

Tom let out a sigh and looked away, closing his eyes. “Max, it's just a game, right?"

He trembled a little. Wait, why did Tom seem calm? “Y-yeah."

“I'm sorry." Then he looked at the dog and his demeanour changed a little bolder. If he were still standing, Max would take a step back, maybe three.

Tom's hand reached up to caress his snout so softly. Max was surprised at the contact but did not shy away. The hand slowly moved to his chin and pulled it. Max's hand went forward and touched Tom's chest, wanting to push him away but ended up just staying there.

The grey wolf closed his eyes and leant forward, and Max let himself be manipulated to do the same.

When their lips touched, Max's ears flattened and his eyes were wide.

Tom then licked his front teeth, which surprised him and made him open his mouth, only for the tongue to go deeper. When it touched his tongue, it instinctively pulled back. Yet Tom's tongue didn't go deeper. Instead, it waited at the entrance, so Max summoned every willpower he had and joined their tongue.

“Um okay guys you've proven yourselves."

There was a sense of disgust up his gut, but he quenched it down. This… this actually felt pretty nice. Tom was gentle with him; he didn't rush anything and it made this… pretty enjoyable. Max grunted a bit when Tom's tongue invited him into his own mouth.

Tom felt warm, nothing different from a woman, until his hand dropped a little and didn't feel the breasts there. But the kiss was nice, warm, nothing turning him on.

Eventually, they pulled away. Max looked at Tom, his eyes a bit hazy. There was a shy smile on the edge of his muzzle which was still connected with him with a string of saliva. He himself was sure his eyes were hazy too.

He gasped for air a little. Tom's hand left his chin and pushed him a bit.

Everything around them was dead silent.

Max looked around. The guys were watching him intently, some with disbelief, others with a heated look. Andy, especially, looked struck and disbelief was all over his face.

“A week… of pizza." He said to Andy, who just nodded in return.

“Shit, that was hot." Octo said, making everyone turn to look at him. “Seriously, that was hot. I'm getting hard."

“I am hard." Kevin added next to the panther. His gaze was heated as he looked at them. “I'm so fuckin' hard right now."

“I don't know if you're that gay or if you're just really good at this game." Yohan said to them.

Nathan looked uncomfortable.

Max allowed himself to grin a little, but his insecurity caught up with him. He had just French-kissed a guy and he enjoyed it. He had just French-kissed a guy and he fucking enjoyed it.

“Okay, um, yeah," Andy nervously cleared his throat. “Spin the bottle, Tom."

The grey wolf moved aside and spun the bottle.

“Uh, I need to go to the bathroom." Max said, getting to his feet. He needed to get away from there as quickly as possible. He even almost missed the deeply apologetic look on Tom's face.

He nearly slammed open the bathroom door. This… this was too much. He closed the door and leant on it, going limp as soon as it closed. His legs were shaking a little and his tail was curled up in anxiousness.

Calm down, calm down. No one is 100% straight.

But I'm not gay either.

He washed his face and stared at his reflection, as if expecting he'd turn blue or some other anomalies to appear. The reflection only stared back, showing him his troubled face.

Max let out a quiet sigh. This was just a game… nothing more. That was just a mouth, both men and women had them.

He wiped his face with the towel. He took longer than necessary, but that was okay. As he put the towel back into place, he heard the bathroom door open.

“Uh, Max, um… s-sorry about that. I'm… I'm really sorry."

Letting out another sigh, he turned around to look at Tom. There was an apologetic look there, almost guilt at his own self.

Right, that was just a kiss in a game.

“It's okay." Max said, more to calm himself than to calm the wolf. “That was just a kiss in a game."

“Yeah. Just a kiss in a game." Tom blushed a little and looked away. “That was my first kiss, actually."

Max's ears straightened up in surprise. “What?! Really?! That didn't feel like a first kiss."

“I… I guess porn taught me a few things. But really, that… please," He chuckled nervously. “don't... please don't make that... change anything between us."

Max looked at him. Tom seemed anxious, like he was afraid he'd lose him. Sure, kissing one's own best friend was amongst the weirdest and grossest things in existence, but he wouldn't do that. “Yeah, nothing's gonna change between us. Just…" he trailed off. Tom was his best friend and he intended to keep it that way, kiss or not. “Just keep that to us and the gang."

Tom looked up and smiled grimly. “Again, sorry about that."

“You don't need to. Seriously, that freaked the fuck out of me, Tom, but that… that felt nice, actually, felt nothing different from a girl." He shrugged. “I didn't know you were quite a kisser, Tom."

“Max stop," Tom laughed a little, but the blush on his face and his tail wagging gave away his embarrassment.

“So, no sexual stimuli intended?"

“No sexual stimuli intended." Max patted his shoulder. “Let's get back there."

“Uh, I really need to go."

He shrugged, “Go ahead. Need me to wait here?"

“You can go ahead. Eh anyway I brought some rice wine, the same stuff Lucy brought a week ago. Martin couldn't come so he... uh... asked me to bring the baguette."

“Sure. Thanks." Max opened the door, “I really enjoyed that, and that freaked me out, Tom. Otherwise… well… it... it felt nice." He then went away with a blush on his face.

Fuck Andy and his schemes.