“Where were you the day before yesterday?"

Kevin looked up from his—well, Vilkas'—laptop. “Got stuff to do." The wolf replied simply before focusing his attention back on the laptop.

“Stuff?"

“Stuff."

Vilkas closed the book in front of him and let out a sigh. He was done with the outline for chapter 2 of his thesis and was here to help the wolf with his. However, looking at the wolf, it looked like Kevin wasn't doing it.

The blue husky reached out and pulled the laptop screen down, earning a curious glance from the wolf. “You're not even doing your thesis." He said when he saw a video playing on the screen.

Kevin took the laptop back and flipped it. “Fuck off, dog," he said and continued watching.

The husky just leant back on the chair and looked at the ceiling. “What date is it today? Hmm, 17 February?"

Kevin groaned. “Ugh, don't fucking remind me, Vil!"

Vilkas chuckled. “I wonder how your roommate handles you." He stood up and put the books on the desk, then sat next to the wolf on the bed. “What are you watching anyway?"

The moment he saw what he was watching, Vilkas stood back up and returned to the chair, letting out an exasperated sigh.

Kevin just grinned at him.

“The fuck are you watching porn right now?"

“It's not porn! You're just seeing the porny part."

“Yeah, sure."

Suddenly, Kevin gave the laptop to the husky. “Ugh, it turns into straight porn."

The husky just took it and saved the address. “Nice."

The wolf then lay on the bed and closed his eyes. Vilkas just looked at him; Kevin was really hot, and he was a big tease, especially his clothes, or maybe lack thereof since he tended to wear one that was either too tight or too loose. The way his tail lazily waved beside him was also tempting; they had pulled each other's tail for more times than he could count, both literally and figuratively. He also liked to make sure that Vilkas knew that he was hot, as demonstrated by his teasing.

And he was so handsome, but Vilkas would never say it to the wolf because it would get his ego through the roof.

Pushing the thoughts aside, the husky leant back on the chair and enjoyed the view of the hunk in a tank top sprawled on the bed instead.

“You know, Octo is moving here."

The husky's expression fell at that. Why did Kevin have to talk about that? He just turned his gaze to the window, unenthusiastic. “Mhm."

“I was helping him settle in the day before yesterday." continued the wolf.

“Oh." He said simply. So that time the panther asked him about available flats, he was really serious about moving here. It seemed like it would be harder for him to spend time with the red wolf from now on with the panther living here.

Vilkas sighed, ignoring his jealousy. Sometimes, he dreamt if Kevin was really his 'true love' or something, but then reality came in and brought Kevin's arseholery with it. So… most likely no. Yet he still found himself falling for the red wolf. Kevin was the one who showed him another side of life. Maybe this was just a dumb crush, maybe this was just him falling for the wolf because they had sex in that bedroom almost 4 years ago…

This was pretty strange, though. When Kevin told him that he had a crush on Tom, he felt fine, supportive even. Kevin and Tom looked like the perfect couple; both were wolves and their personalities balanced each other, Kevin being a hot-headed person and Tom being an observant person. But then Octo came along…

Now that he thought about it, that time with Tom was actually the strange one.

“Vil, you think... he likes me?"

The husky turned his head towards the wolf. Did he just ask him what he thought he did?

Kevin was looking at the ceiling, out of character with his tail swaying softly. It was rare that he asked him deep questions, but when he did, it was sudden.

“Dunno. I don't know him, you know." he shrugged, but not without a visible sag to his shoulders.

Kevin sighed.

“You know you two are in different genera, right?"

Kevin sighed again, this time more heavily. “I know."

The atmosphere turned awkward after that, at least to him. If Kevin was going to ask him about relationship advice... well, Vilkas guessed it was time he started looking for a boyfriend or girlfriend for himself to get his mind off the jealousy.

The husky looked back at the window. Winter was coming to an end. With winter ending, thesis came. He was getting ready to write the literature review chapter, while Kevin hadn't even submitted his proposal. The laptop sat on the table, forgotten as their attention turned elsewhere.

“Hey, Vil…"

“Mm?"

“Uh…"

Vilkas just grunted.

“You… uh… wanna brush me?"

“Last time I brushed you, we ended up fucking. I'm here to help you do your thesis, horndog."

“I know but uhh… I'm pretty sure that'll help me find some inspiration."

The husky looked at him inquisitively, his brow raised. “You've decided on a topic, ne?"

Kevin's ears fell. “Yeah, but… I dunno much about it."

“That's why I fucking told you to read more about it, twat." He threw the wolf a thin book.

“Ouch!" It hit the wolf on the chest. “Sheesh, yeah, yeah."

Then went quiet again. Vilkas just took another book from the desk and began reading it.

Eventually, Kevin then spoke up again. “Hey, dog, you, uh… you wanna do me?"

The husky's ears straightened up as he turned his head sharply towards him, surprised at what he said. Did... what? Wait, what? Kevin had been turning him down all this time and now he was offering it? “You're kidding."

“I'm serious."

Vilkas closed the book, scrutinising him with his gaze. Was Kevin playing around with him?

The wolf then took his tank top off and leant on his elbows, effectively showing off his mouth-watering body to the husky. “Come on, I'm ready. I know you want it since forever." He said with a smug smirk and a tail wave.

However, Vilkas caught a glimpse of nervousness in that smirk. Not a strange thing, though, since the wolf, as far as he knew, never bottomed. Maybe he had done that for Octo, but even if that were the case, he didn't really mind.

Still dumbfounded, Vilkas kept staring at him. He knew Kevin to be someone full of surprises but this one still… was still so out of character for him. He had been asking that, he knew, but as time went on it felt more and more like playful banter rather than him really asking for that.

“Come on, what are you waiting for?"

“Kev, I'm not really in the mood for games." The husky said, crossing his arms.

“I'm honest here. Don't you wanna do me hard?"

“I do but if this is one of your pranks…"

“It's not, I swear."

The husky narrowed his eyes. “I'm serious, wolf."

“I am, too!" Kevin clicked his tongue. “Look, seriously, d'you wanna fuck me or what? I'm offering here!"

Gripping the base of his muzzle, Vilkas just closed his eyes to calm himself down from the funny tingling in his chest. “Okay, sure, but we're going my way."

Kevin blushed—he fucking blushed—and the husky had to stifle a laugh at that. “Just get here and fuck me already!"

“Okay, okay." The husky stood up, admiring the hunk lying helplessly on the bed. What a very nice surprise, he thought. He licked the side of his muzzle, wanting to tell him who was in charge. “So, bad boy finally wants to bottom, huh?"

The red wolf smirked—well, tried to. “Don't you wanna stretch this bad boy wide?"

Vilkas got on the bed and pushed the wolf down, taking his hands and pinning them on both sides of his head. He then licked the front side of the wolf's muzzle, making said wolf's ears droop. “You want me that badly?" he said as he loomed over him, a dominant smirk on his face.

Kevin gulped at that. “Y-yes."

“You gotta know whose tail to pull, you know." He freed one of his hands and put it on the wolf's chest, trailing down. Kevin was hard all over, as befitting the basketball ace. “Good thing tomorrow's free."

“So?"

“So you can spend tomorrow on the bed because you won't be able to walk."

The apprehensive wiggle of Kevin's tail made him laugh, then he leant down to kiss him. The wolf refused a bit, but then he obeyed and let Vilkas take the lead. The husky put his knees between the wolf's legs, spreading them for access. He would make sure they enjoyed this moment.

At least he could continue pretending that the wolf was his for today, maybe tomorrow too. It should be enough.

Should it?

Max closed the book he was reading and put it on top of a pile of books next to his laptop. “Ugh, this is enough for tonight, don't you think?"

Martin and Lucy looked up from their laptop at the dog. “I'm almost done with mine." Lucy said.

“What?! Come on! Help me!"

He shushed the fox and opened another book. “Seriously, I could use pizza right now, even if I just ate."

“It's almost 21, Max, you sure wanna eat pizza?"

The German Shepherd let out a heavy sigh and leant back on the chair. “Why not?"

“Don't you have, you know…" Martin said as he put the book he had been reading on the table. “strict diet and all that stuff?"

“I wouldn't say strict, but even if, thesis deserves an exception." He let out a tired sigh.

Martin looked at Lucy, the cat just shrugged.

“Anyway, where's Tom, really? I haven't really seen him much." continued the dog. “Last time was… during that thesis briefing I think."

Lucy sighed as she closed her laptop. “Yah, you know Tom. When he says something, he really means that." Her shoulders drooped in tiredness. “He said to me he needs some time to himself."

“He also never answers when I come to his room." the fox added.

“That's concerning." The cat opened her phone and looked for her text with the wolf, then gave it to Martin. “Here's the text from him. I don't usually worry about him but… well, it's Tom." She ended with a worried smile.

Martin gave her phone back. “Mais c'est tout en indonésien !"

Lucy took her phone and let out a small chuckle.

“He said that to me, too." Max reached out. “Lemme see."

“Uh, it's all in Indonesian, but the one I highlight," she gave the phone to the shepherd. “says 'I need some time to myself. I'm sorry'."

Max looked at her phone.

Thomas Purnama: Gua lagi butuh waktu sendiri. Maaf ya.

The shepherd sighed; he understood that whenever Tom said something, he meant that. This meant there could be something serious happening with him, if that eyepatch he was wearing was any indication. Should he go visit him? But the wolf said he needed time to himself, and whatever Tom said he really meant it.

Martin then stood up. “I'm gonna put these books away."

“Mart, these too."

“Put mine too."

The fox looked at them, then sighed dramatically. “Ugh, mine's heavy! No!"

Lucy shoved him aside and took her and Max's book. “You big cry-baby." She then stood up and helped Martin put their books onto the return tray.

Letting out a sigh, Max leant back on the chair and absent-mindedly tapped the phone on the table. He remembered last holiday when he was texting with Tom, the wolf said his head was spinning. Tom did also say to him that he was sick and he needed some time to himself a few days ago. Maybe those were just euphemisms of what was actually happening?

The dog crossed his arms. He was worried about Tom. After Martin told him that Tom had depression, he couldn't help but think about the wolf often. He'd become more than just a friend to Max, he knew. Tom cared for him, and he should care for him in return.

Fuck, Tom was having an episode and he wasn't there. Now, he should go there and help him. Who knew what kinds of thing was the wolf going through, not to mention what he might have been doing. He hoped the wolf had no tendency to inflict self-harm or stuff like that.

Max pinched the base of his muzzle. He should tell the wolf that he was coming over to his dorm, but probably not. Tom might just shrug him off and tell him that he was fine.

Best friends did not just abandon each other.

No, he was definitely coming over to Tom's and would help him in any way he could. Times like this were the worst to be hit by depression, they had thesis and it must be done in time lest they graduate next year. He wasn't sure what to do, but he hoped his presence would be enough for now.

When the two returned, Max stood up and picked his laptop up. “I'm gonna get to Tom's and see if he's alright."

“I wish I could too, but I have stuff to do at Michael." Martin said, displeasure in his voice. “But I guess you're a better choice for him right now."

“Make sure he's not hurting himself, ya?" Lucy added.

Max smiled at them. “Will do."

Tom's dorm room was quiet, like no one was inside. Max feared that it might be the case, but he had come here, might as well try it. If the wolf weren't home or had already gone to sleep, he could just go back.

With lowered ears, he knocked at the door gently. “Tom? Tom, it's Max."

No answer. Maybe he had gone to sleep? It was still a bit to 21, though.

“Ey, Max, right? You looking for Thomas the cute wolfy?"

The shepherd turned around at the mention of his name. There was a snow leopard a bit shorter than him with a smirk on his face. He didn't know the snow leopard, though. “Yeah," he scratched his neck. “You seen him?"

“Haven't seen him since a week ago, but mostly 'cause I haven't been here." The snow leopard shrugged. “Wolf's been pretty rekt recently, since new year maybe. I'm pretty sure he's inside since I didn't see him coming outside. I've been in the common room since afternoon."

Max turned to the door again. “Thanks for the info."

The snow leopard waved his tail and walked away. “No probs, dude."

He knocked at the door again. “Tom? You here? It's Max."

Finally, there was some shuffling sound from inside, followed by a thud. Then, the wolf responded. “Ya."

The dog let out a relieved sigh; he didn't even realise he had been holding his breath. However, when the door opened, what he saw worried him even more.

Tom looked like a car had hit him over. His fur was dishevelled, his ears were of different height. He looked stressed. There were dark furs on his face. There were even some small furless patches on his arms, like it had been slashed by something sharp and the fur there had not regrown yet. His scent was stronger even though the door was just open slightly, as if he hadn't taken a shower recently. He was also wearing that eyepatch on his right eye.

Max wanted to ask him “are you okay?", but that was stupid. The wolf was clearly not okay.

“Max, uh…" he looked down and scratched his ear. “Sorry that you have to see me like this. Not really the best time to visit, I s'pose."

He could tell that the grey wolf tried to sound okay, but he failed. The voice was… wrong somehow. Tom sounded, hurt, lost, unlike his usual self. “You… mind if I come inside?" he said, a bit unnerved.

The wolf didn't answer for a while, but then he sighed and opened the door.

Max went inside and took his jacket off as Tom moved aside. His room was a bit messy, but nothing was overly suspicious. His sheets were all over the bed and his scent was even stronger compared to when he came here before during winter. Something that caught his attention was a wooden staff on the wall next to the bed with dark red marks here and there, eerily resembling dried blood. Although, if those were blood, he couldn't smell it.

Giving him a paper cup of water, Tom smiled tiredly. “I... uh... sorry for the mess."

“It's okay." Max replied, sitting on the table while the wolf sat on the bed.

They went quiet after that. Max felt awkward but relieved at the same time knowing that Tom was here, in one piece, seemingly stressed but still here. He drank the water while eyeing the grey wolf, not wanting to let him go from his sight.

“So… um…" the wolf scratched his ear. “What… what can I help?"

Max put the empty cup on the table. “I think I should be the one asking you that."

“Max, I'm fine. I just—"

“Thomas." The shepherd said firmly, making the wolf turn to look at him with a surprised eye. He then let out a small sigh and his tone softened. “Is there anything I can do? You've been locking yourself here for two weeks or so." He looked at the wolf. “If you don't want to tell me what's the problem, it's okay. At least tell me how I can help."

Tom looked stricken as he stared at the dog with one eye. The eyepatch unnerved Max; it just looked so, so wrong. To him, Tom was all about stability, both physical and mental, and looking at that eyepatch just made him look unstable.

“Why don't you take off your eyepatch?" he asked.

“Uh… I'm not comfortable."

“But you're in your dorm."

“I-it's okay."

This was the first time he heard Tom's voice wavering, and it sounds… wrong, disheartening. Max stared at him for a bit, deciding what to do. Then, he stood up and walked to the wolf.

Tom had been all touchy-feely lately, and for some reason, Max kind of missed his touch. He walked closer to the wolf, then gently pulled him into a hug, caressing the coarse grey fur of his fluff. The wolf looked away, trying to push him away softly, but Max didn't let him.

Tom did not respond, but after a while, he felt him hugging him back, followed by soft sobs on his chest.

The wolf was crying.

The cry pained him. Never had he thought he would see the wolf cry. His emotions had always been so stable, unlike him or anyone else he knew. The wolf was like a rock, ever so reliable and so dependable.

Yet even rock could decay.

After what seemingly like forever, the sobs ceased. Tom then pulled away and wiped his tears. “M-makasih, Max."

Max smiled softly at him, stroking his head fur. “If something happens to you, please don't just be quiet. Tell me, alright?"

“Y-yeah." The wolf took a deep breath. “Do you… do you mind staying for the night?"

“I don't mind." He said without hesitation. He sent a quick text to his roommate that he'd stay over at a friend's place for the night, then proceeded to take his jeans off and turn the lamps off. They had slept together a few times, so he had already been used to it. He adjusted his pants, then lay down on the bed. “Here."

The wolf lay down beside him. Max shifted a bit to make more room on the cramped bed.

“Max, uh... can... can I... hug you?."

Max's face turned a bit pensive at that, but he pushed the feelings down his gut and turned on his side, pulling the wolf into his arms. He didn't mind.

Even the strongest of the strongest still have feelings.

With the wolf's muzzle on his chest, Max gently ran his fingers through the wolf's fluff, his scent filling his nose. Tom's hand curled on his chest, then uncurled again, then it curled again.

“I'm here, Tom." The dog softly whispered as he caressed Tom's flat ears. He needed to free the wolf's mind out of the depression. “I won't let anything happen to you. I will protect you."

Tom's heartbeat calmed down, then he could feel the wolf's tail did too.

He was comfortable with Tom, he realised that now. He was comfortable doing anything with him, even things he usually considered gross or weird. Like this, hugging and cuddling each other on the bed. Were he anyone else, the dog wouldn't dare do this, but with Tom, it felt nice.

He looked up at the wooden staff. The red streaks looked creepy.

What happened?

Pulling tails while doing thesis. Nice, Kev. I wonder if you're going to graduate.

also I didn't expect him to be this popular with the chars, wow. Guess he really is a fuckboy.