The wind was slow, peaceful. The leaves were falling from the trees, making the scenery calm and peaceful as the trees gave out their precious leaves to the ground and surrendered themselves to nature. On the table were a cup of hot green tea and another of hot coffee, with a phone in the corner next to the window.

“I never properly congratulated you for the conference." In front of him, Max sipped his coffee from his cup. He smiled at the wolf. “Congratulations."

Tom smiled back. “There's no need but thank you very much."

He glanced outside, the wide windows allowed him to gaze over the campus park, slowly getting more and more orange as days went by. They had just finished their midterm examinations, and a break was much welcome.

The wolf had won the conference just about a week ago, and while the wolf and the dog had plenty of encounters since then, they were very busy because of the midterms. He had also bought Mr Beck a pizza. The deer refused it at first because Tom didn't win the first place, but Tom insisted and wanted to say thank you to him, so he accepted it.

“Have the midterms always been this deadly?" he asked as he mulled over the week. He had read too many books, stayed up for too many nights, and typed more reports than he had before. They didn't get any project examination, so they were stuck with papers, both literal and figurative, and there were lots of them.

“Nah, not really." Max chuckled and sipped his black coffee. “Usually they're much, much deadlier."

Tom laughed a little.

He never thought the large dog would agree to hang out with him, even after knowing his definition of 'hang out'. Glancing over the dog, Max seemed content being here, and Tom was glad of it. Even Martin thought that going to the campus café and getting some drink wasn't worthy of being called 'hanging out'.

“I never thought you'd agree on going here with me just to get a cup of tea and coffee." He said.

“It's been a busy week. I'd like some refreshment, too." Max just smiled. “I guess we're more compatible with each other than we thought we were."

Compatible with each other.

Every passing day, Tom realised more and more that he had a crush towards the German Shepherd. He was exactly his type, bigger than him, muscular, looked kind of scary, yet still gentle, nice, and understanding. He didn't even make fun of him. He really cared for him, and he likes to be so damn hot while doing so.

Tom looked at the dog. Max was looking at the window, so he took the opportunity to appreciate the dog. His eyes were blue, sky blue, in contrast to his brown fur. His inner face had lighter brown fur, his muzzle was deeper brown, and his ears were big and cute compared to his build.

He was wearing a baggy black t-shirt, his jacket put aside next to the wolf's, and Tom could make out his upper pecs over his fur. Even his thick biceps and triceps were full on display despite being covered by fur and sleeve.

If he dared say, he had just met an angel. Or at least his type of angel.

He took a sip from his cup and looked over the window, not wanting to get caught.

It was stupid to wish, he knew that. He often wished that Max were gay, or at least bi, so his pathetic excuse of a self could get a chance at a relationship. It wasn't often he dared open himself so quickly to someone, so, was this some sign that he had finally met 'the one'?

Keep dreaming but watch out for the ceiling.

He took another sip and gave a content sigh. The gossip was all over the place, but Max himself had been touchy-feely with him, so he just ignored them. He imagined that if they were really Max's fans, they wouldn't think bad of him. He wasn't taking advantage of him, anyway, they were friends with each other, although somehow he hoped they could be closer…

“It's nearly autumn, isn't it?" he asked instead, distracting himself. “We should wear jackets more often."

Max laughed. “I thought you're already warm enough with your thick fur there."

“Excuse me, I have a body to maintain."

“Sure you are." The dog snickered at him, then sipped his coffee. “If this is your normal fur, then I can only imagine how fluffy your winter fur will be."

Tom just rolled his eyes. While he was nowhere as hot as Max, he was quite fit, if he said so himself. He wasn't skinny while wasn't fat either. He was just of average build. If he tried hard enough, he could make out abs on his stomach.

But he was sure Max's were a lot more defined.

Okay, back to autumn before his mind could conjure up something else.

“It is peaceful, don'tcha think?" the dog said, his eyes on the fallen leaves across the road. He looked at peace like this, like there was nothing in the world that could bother him.

Tom looked at him, then followed his gaze. “Yeah." He said, taking a sip from his cup. “It is."

“I wish it was more like this every day."

“I wish it were, but I do wish that, too."

“Sir, yes, sir, mister Grammar Book, sir!"

Tom laughed a little.

Like this, life was good.

“My dad used to drink coffee like this, too, especially black coffee." Max started, sipping his coffee. Tom looked at him and prepared himself for a story. “First, he made the coffee by himself, then went to the back patio and drank it as he looked over the field behind our house."

The dog shifted a bit. “Sometimes during middle school, I started doing the same, often joining him on the patio. Dad would scold me for drinking coffee, I mean, I was just a mid-schooler back then." He let out a small chuckle. “At first it tasted like shit, but I was used to it by the time I went to high school. Dad allowed me more often, even invited me sometimes while my mom and my sister were hogging the TV in the living room. My big brother is pretty much a Furflix guy, so he doesn't watch TV often."

“Seems interesting," Tom said. “So, you only drink black coffee?"

“Dude, no." Max looked at him and took a sip. “I enjoy cappuccino, too."

“Just cappuccino?"

“Pretty much anything that has coffee in it." The dog shrugged. He then looked at Tom who was sipping his tea. “So, you like tea, Tom?"

“Hm?" The wolf put his cup down and leant on the chair. “Yeah."

“Any particular back story?" Max chuckled.

Tom looked at the window. There was a bus passing by, making the leaves glide in the air. It reminded him of his childhood a little bit. He could remember it, that day when he found out how to make his first cup of tea and how he found peace and stillness in it. “Not really," Tom replied, not wanting to deal with his past. “I just like it."

That was a lie, but Tom didn't want to ruin the mood. Nonetheless, he continued. “It tastes great, and I've learnt to appreciate how a cup of tea can make me calm down whenever I'm…" he searched for a tamer word. “…stressed."

“Like homework-stressed?"

“Like homework-stressed."

“Yeah, I went through that as well." Max laughed a little. “My mom often bullied me into doing my homework."

The wolf smiled. “That's the way it should be."

Max kicked him under the table, which made Tom chuckle.

“What about your parents, Tom?" he asked again.

“My parents?" Tom said. “They were… fine, I guess. I mean, my childhood wasn't very bright, so I didn't remember much." He shrugged a little to hold the rush of his past coming into his mind. He hated it when people asked about his past, although he could blame that on himself. He despised his own past.

It was as if it happened just yesterday, those days when he learned not to trust anyone. Those days were the harshest. He still remembered the streaks of his own blood on his bedroom wall.

“Seriously? That seems boring."

“Yep. It was boring." Tom sighed and sipped his tea. “Wake up, go to school, go home, sleep, repeat."

“No PS?"

“Not even a Gameboy."

“And you managed to survive? Dude, you've earned my appreciation." The dog said.

Tom just chuckled.

Someone walked to their table. Before Tom could look at the new arrival, the stranger already seated themselves on the chair next to Tom. When the wolf turned to look at them, he could feel his heart sink.

“Heya, hot stuff." Stranger said, smirking at both of them as he did so. “Nice to bump into you guys."

Tom looked away, blushing. He took a sip from his cup when he sensed the questioning gaze Max gave him. Why did he bump into him, or the other way around, in a wrong situation like this?

“Looks like the cute stuff is shy." The red wolf from the conference night said. He then looked at Max. “How 'bout you, hot stuff?"

Max looked at the red wolf, then at Tom, who shook his head in bewilderment.

“Excuse me, do we know each other?" The dog said to the red wolf, a little annoyance in his voice. “I didn't remember meeting you, and it seems my friend here didn't either."

“Aw, cute stuff, we've met before. Tell him."

Tom shifted away from the stranger and kept his tail steady by putting it between him and the wall, trying not to look at the stranger. “We… did meet, but I don't know who you are."

“Oops, sorry, my bad. I'm pretty sure I introduced myself that night." There was no sorry in the other's voice. “Name's Kevin. Fifth-semester Management student. Although, you can call me hottie, or babe, or whatever you like." He extended his arms.

Tom turned to him to shake hands but wished he didn't. The red wolf was oh so hot and oh so handsome with that too tight deep blue tank top, or maybe singlet, because he doubted it was even his size. His muscles were full on display, making the grey wolf fluster. His biceps and triceps were out, and they looked thicc.

Just like Max, but more predatory.

His hair—hair?—was quite… er, spikey. And he'd be lying when he said he didn't find his colouration hot, white inner and red outer.

He quickly let the hand go and turned his head before he was caught eyeing him out. The stranger, er, Kevin, had too big of an ego, and he didn't want to let it get bigger.

In front of him, Max furrowed his eyebrows in question. Great, now the dog was probably thinking of all possible scenarios involving the phrase 'that night'.

“I ran into him during the conference. And it just happened to be in the night after the inauguration." He explained, inching away from that hunk next to him while secretly wanting to get closer. Damn, even his scent was so strong. “Wait, twice, actually. The first during lunch, in which he growled at me, and the second after the inauguration. He never told me his name, though."

“Aw, cutie, you angry 'cause I growled at you?" The stranger drank his chocolate frappe. “Please tell me you find my growl hot."

“I'm sorry, but it looks like he doesn't know you, and I also don't either." Max said quite sharply. Tom looked at him; Max looked like something snapped inside him. “So, if you would, please don't make my friend here any more uncomfortable than he already is, or you may leave."

“Really, hot stuff? Max, isn't it? The football captain?" Kevin casually put his hand around Tom's shoulders, making the poor wolf blush and look away as his ears flattened. “We're just buddies, wolves of the pack, that's all. Right, cutie?"

“Enough with the pickup lines already!" Max nearly growled. “This is a café and if you can't behave, then fuck off! Go to a bar if you're horny!"

He released Tom, who kept moving away from him as far as he could. “Sheesh, someone's sensitive."

Tom looked at the dog. Max looked angry now, clenching his teeth at the red wolf with his ears pinned down. His hand fisted, ready to punch Kevin any minute.

Before he could get flustered even more, Tom looked away and instead stared at the leaves on the street. They seemed more interesting now. Wow, look at them dancing in the air, how could they do that?

Max growled and oh boy.

“Tch, you're just too bland. I'm just helping you out, you know." Kevin defended. “You were taking too long to fuck him."

“I do not want to fuck him." Max growled. “Fuck off!"

Wow look at the leaves there. So elegant. So red. Probably as red as his face and ears right now.

“Give him to me, then."

“Fuck. Off."

“Okay, jeez." Kevin stood up. Tom turned to look at him and held back from flustering because holy fuck why was he surrounded by walking sins? The red wolf was incredibly alluring. “Sheesh, for a guy you sure too stupid." Kevin turned to Tom. “Bye, cute stuff. If you miss me you can call me." He winked and grinned at him, then walked away.

Good thing the café wasn't crowded. They would've made a scene.

“Tch, I hate gays!" Max said, still growling, his ears still pinned down.

That… made Tom's mind stop. What?

“I hate it when they just come and throw some pickup lines like they own the place." The dog continued. “Sometimes I'd like to remind them that I'm a predator, too."

“Um, er, yeah."

Max sipped his coffee and leant on his chair, his ears slowly getting up. “Dude, seriously. Honestly I don't mind gays but I really hate it when they just come straight away and act like horny sluts. I've had enough fucking share of gays acting like virgin bitches this week." The dog let out a sigh and ran his hands through his head fur. He looked at Tom, then furrowed his eyebrows in concern “…did I say something offensive to you?"

“Uh, what? No! You didn't, really," The wolf stammered, sinking into his chair. All his hopes went out of the window again, but this time with a little bit more force. He wasn't planning to hit on Max, at all, but this made him reconsider his place as his friend. “Really, you didn't."

“Tom, you okay?" Max stared at him, his eyes filled with concern. “You look faint."

Tom sipped his tea, hiding his face. Was he really that red? Or was his surprise really visible?

The wolf wanted to run, wanted to cry. It was as if Max spat rejection right at his face. It hurt; he didn't know why but it kind of hurt. The dog wasn't even talking to him yet his words went right to his heart.

Okay, calm down.

“Yeah. The tea's getting warm." Tom said instead, slowly putting his cup back onto the table. “Maybe my face was just getting cold." He excused.

Max didn't look convinced; Tom didn't blame him for his poor excuse.

“Seriously, though, do you know him? I met him during the conference, but I didn't really meet him, more like we ran into each other, literally." He continued, though, masking his worry and insecurity. “I reckon he means trouble."

The large dog seemed to buy into this one. He leant back on his chair and looked at the window. “Me too. I have a hunch but I'm not really sure about it. I'll ask my guys later." Max sighed. “Maybe he just hasn't had a good fuck lately."

“Good grief."

“Oh, I mean," the dog continued almost immediately. “He probably… um… hasn't been pushed in his… backside properly this week." He fumbled with his words.

Tom stared at him as if he'd just grown a second head. Max just stared back with a small sheepish smile on his face.

The wolf chuckled. “Did you seriously think that I cursed because you said some bad words?"

“Uh, you didn't?"

“Mate, no." Tom laughed a little. “I said 'good grief' because I'm glad that he just hasn't had a good fuck lately, that means he was just around looking for one." Wouldn't it be nice if I could give him some?

Max chuckled along and sipped his drink. “Well, would you give him some?"

Tom was glad he wasn't drinking his tea right now because what in the fucking hell? He sharply turned his head to Max and stared at him, his eyes calculating. Some said that he looked most dangerous like his, eyeing someone with his gaze, even Martin said that. But right now he was just surprised at the large German Shepherd.

It seemed Max felt the same way. He held his hands up over his chest. “Hey, uh, I was just joking."

What the fucking hell had he just said before?

Of course he'd totally give him some! He would kill just to be able to touch those firm muscles. Kevin's fur even looked soft, a contrast to his seemingly brash personality. If only he weren't that pushy and forward with his advances, Tom would have him on his bed right bloody now.

Or, you know, a few ropes or chains wouldn't hurt.

Tom sighed a bit, he couldn't say all those things to Max, could he? Otherwise he'd risk being on the dog's bad side.

He sipped his tea and looked at Max. Max was… cute when he panicked. His eyes were wide, and there was a small apologetic smile on his face. Tom felt bad towards him; he didn't mean to look angry.

“No. I mean, yeah, I get it. And yeah, I was just surprised." The wolf smiled. “Did I really look that angry? People said I look dangerous when I stare at them in surprise."

“Yeah, well, they're right. You do look like you've found some prey and now waiting to eat it." Max chuckled nervously, wait, him? Nervous? Towards him? “Heck, who am I kidding? Seriously, it freaked me out."

That was… new. “Sorry."

“Nah. But really, you weren't planning to bite me, were you?" Max chuckled, this time good-naturedly.

“Yeah, but then decided that it's too much work."

“Ouch, I'm hurt."

Tom smiled, then finished his cup. He appreciated Max being honest with him. That must have taken some courage, being honest about one's vulnerability to someone like him.

He looked at the clock, then put his phone in his pocket. “I'm going to the computer laboratory to help Mart with his video, you want to come along?"

“Sure, why not?" Max shrugged. “As long as you don't bite me."

Tom stood up and put his jacket on, then took his empty cup with him. “I'll bite you alright." He played along.

“Oh, no." Max stood up with him, taking his own cup and jacket. “I'm so scared."

“Bugger off."

The dog let out a small laugh.