Max leant back on the sofa and smiled at the red wolf. “Oh, it's you. Took you long enough, Kev."

Kevin gave Tom a quick grin, making the grey wolf fluster even more than he already did. He then looked at the group and smiled friendly, though still incredibly alluring as his outfit showed his defined build and his tail lazily swayed behind him. “Hi guys, I'm Kevin Huntington from Management. Nice to meet 'cha." He put his hands in his red jacket pocket.

“Hey, Kev!"

“Hi."

Everyone greeted him. Kevin was easy to handle himself in a situation like this, wasn't he? If only he knew Tom felt like walking into a jungle just a few moments ago.

Although, looking at them as the red wolf exchanged friendly punches and kicks with Max, Tom wondered how much closer had they gotten. Max was a lot friendlier now compared to their first few encounters. What happened? Did Kevin give him a 'service' or was there something else?

They chatted for a while. Andy gave the red wolf a cup and poured him some beer. Tom drank from his own and lay back on the sofa next to Max. Kevin exchanged jokes with the others as if they were good friends before. Sometimes he envied both Kevin and Max for having such high social skills.

“You know, it's not often the basketball ace visits a non-basketball party before." Nathan said as he drank from his cup.

Tom's ears perked up at that. That was… new. He silently watched them as he took the new information in.

“Yeah, sorry if I haven't been really sociable lately. It's been an annoying semester." Kevin said while sheepishly scratching his ear. “But a certain someone brightened it up."

The grey wolf's ears lowered as a wild thought flashed in his mind. Was Kevin talking about him?

Andy shoved him on the side. “Sounds like someone's in love."

“Fuck no!" Kevin bit back with a laugh. “Well, I wouldn't call it love. More like a fond liking. I'm over the crushing part."

“Sounds the same to me."

“Eh anyway, can I borrow Tom for a while?" the large red wolf suddenly said and looked at him and Max. The dog raised his eyebrows in curiosity but did nothing. Kevin took a bottle of beer from the table and beckoned him to follow him.

Max gave Tom a concerned look as he stood up. Tom just nodded at him, quietly saying that he would be careful, then left the group.

They navigated the crowd again. The music was now playing something soft instead of hip hop like before. In front of the stereo system, some couples danced together to the soft music. He saw Martin and Ellie dancing together, the former was trying to hold back his laugh every time Ellie took a wrong step.

The living room was a bit less packed than before. When Tom looked at the clock just above the telly, it showed almost 22. Had it really been that long here?

Kevin led him to the stairs and climbed up. There were still people on the second floor, but it was a lot less crowded here. They walked to the balcony and Kevin sat down on a bench there, putting the bottle down on the floor.

The red wolf patted the seat next to him, “Come here."

Tom debated whether it would be a wise choice to sit there, but he complied nonetheless. It was cold here. He shifted away a bit when he got the thought that Kevin might use that as a reason to move closer to him.

And he did. Kevin moved closer to him, their sides touching. “It's cold here, isn't it?"

“Uh, sort of?"

Kevin chuckled and took the beer, then poured it to his and Tom's cup. “Drink some."

“Ya, thanks." The grey wolf accepted the cup and took a sip. “Anyway, you never told me you're the basketball ace."

Kevin let out a small apologetic laugh. “Sorry about that. I just don't want people to know right away that I'm the basketball ace." He gulped his drink. “Much like Max, I guess. Did Max tell you that he's the football star?"

“No, sih. He's never told me that, but I knew that anyway since the day we met because he… kind of attracted crowds of people."

“That bound to happen." He laughed again.

“Why don't you tell people that anyway? Wouldn't that mean you get popularity and a lot of guys?"

“Well, yeah. Don't get me wrong, I like the popularity, I just don't like the hassle. It was really fun at first but as the semesters go on… it's more like a chore than a blessing. I still use that sometimes to pick up dudes, though." He grinned.

“That's got to be easy." Tom chuckled a little. “I… uh… I don't want to make friends with people just because they're popular, though. I want to be friends with Max because we want to be friends. I like reciprocity I guess."

“I know, dude." Kevin put his arm around him. To Tom, the action felt more friendly than flirty, but it still made him shudder a bit. He could feel the red wolf's muscles on his shoulder and sides. “I know you won't use my or Max's status just to earn yourself a blast in popularity. That made me like you." He ruffled the smaller wolf's head fur, earning a slight growl to which he only chuckled. “Don't tell anyone about me, though, okay?"

“If you're popular then people are bound to know you, you know?"

“I know, but don't tell those who don't."

“But at least tell Mart and the others. They're nice people, they won't tell anyone else." Tom sipped his drink. The arm didn't leave; instead it pulled him closer to the red wolf. This close, Tom could smell the other's scent stronger, and it smelled… kind of nice, actually. It was rare for him to be able to be this close to another wolf, so he was a bit glad.

“I think they'll find that out by themselves." He gulped his drink. “Or if they won't, yeah I'll tell them."

“It's kind of amazing, the basketball ace of the campus had a crush on a puny no one like me." The smaller wolf said, smiling shyly.

Kevin laughed. “You should consider yourself honored."

Tom laughed along, then they went quiet.

It was a comfortable silence. Tom watched the sky as the snow was slowly falling. He was trying to process this new information; he had a crush on the football captain of the campus, all the while the basketball ace had a crush on him. That was actually quite delightful for an amateur romantic yiff story.

His fluffy tail swayed contently beside him.

The grey wolf took a sip from his own cup, enjoying the scenery and the embrace. Kevin was right, it was cold and the gesture made him feel warmer.

Kevin finished his cup and said. “Um, Tom?"

“Hm?" Tom turned to look at him. Somehow, the other's face had gotten paler than usual. Probably he drank too much.

The bigger wolf didn't continue, he just looked away and poured himself another cup. Tom had the impression that he was nervous, which was near impossible considering how forward the red wolf was.

“I'm wondering," Tom took a gulp from his own. “did you bring me here just so that you can grope me in private?"

Kevin let out a small laugh. “Definitely."

Tom rolled his eyes as Kevin grinned nervously, his tail wagging next to him. For some reason, it didn't really bother him. Probably it was the alcohol making his mind a bit calmer.

What did he want from Kevin?

He wasn't sure of it. The red wolf had made it clear that he was interested in him, both sexually and emotionally… emotionally? He wasn't sure. Tom himself, while physically interested in Kevin, wasn't really emotionally attracted to him. They barely knew each other, far less than him and Max.

Tom wasn't looking for that. In fact, physical relationship wasn't really his thing. True, Kevin was hot, but what use would it bring if he didn't know him? For him, relationship based on sex was unimaginable. Maybe this was why he had never had one-night stands.

He could always get to know Kevin as they progressed, yet as much as he wanted that, anything could go wrong while he was already starting to like him. Besides, he already had his eyes on Max. Straight might Max be, at least the dog was dependable and saw him as someone close. Kevin was too emotionally unstable for him.

Or that was what he thought. He could be wrong, but first impressions certainly told him that.

The grey wolf let out a deep breath. “Hei, Kev," he started as he took a sip from his cup. “you said you were over the crushing part. What do you feel towards me as of now?"

Kevin didn't answer. Tom turned his head to look at him and found the red wolf was staring into the sky, his fur softly waving from the wind.

“Like I said," Kevin started, his tone soft. His ears were on half-mast. “I'm over the crushing part." He said, followed by a small, sheepish laugh and looked at Tom. “Though honestly I'm still attracted to you and I won't turn down any advances you make. I don't know, this attraction has changed from physical into… er, emotional, I guess." He scratched his head.

“Emotional?"

“Remember that time we went to that restaurant with Max, when I was so drunk you two had to carry me to my dorm?" he asked; Tom nodded. “That time I realized that you're strong as a rock. Max was right, you're dependable."

Tom chuckled a bit. “Max said that?"

“More than you know. I realized that… well… these few weeks I've been leaning on you more and more. I know I sound stupid, but you're one of the most trustworthy people I know." Kevin tightened his embrace a little bit.

Tom looked away in embarrassment. He didn't know he had such an effect on other people.

“Maybe drinking too much beer wasn't such a good idea." The larger wolf continued with a small chuckle. “You know, I'm actually more sober when I'm drunk."

“Lah you just realised that now?"

“Too long."

Tom chuckled along. Then Kevin took hold of his hand, making Tom curiously look at him. The red wolf didn't show any other expression other than a small smile as he guided Tom's hand onto his chest.

Blushing a bit at the feeling of those pecs, Tom struggled to manage to keep a straight face. Kevin felt nice, warm and firm, and he could feel the strength inside. He could feel the other wolf's heartbeat; it was a bit faster than his own panickily beating one. Come on, this isn't the right time to fluster.

“You know, Tom, argh, this sounds stupid," Kevin said, then took another swig from his cup. “I know you're not attracted to me. I just want you to know that you're the first one I still feel attracted to even after my crushing part is over. If you need anything just tell me and I'll give it. Even my virgin ass."

“Kev, you're drunk." Tom gulped. “We barely even know each other."

“I know, so let me just say this. I like you, like, really like you. Which is weird considering we've known each other for just less than two months." He let out a sigh. “Can I get a kiss?"

“Um, wut?"

Kevin looked away and blushed. “Or if you're not into it that's fine. I just wa—eep!"

Honestly, that was too cute. Tom pulled his hand from the larger wolf's chest and took hold of his muzzle, earning a yelp from him. Kevin's eyes immediately locked on him, his confusion and surprise clear on his face. Tom's heart was beating too quickly, was he really going to kiss him? How long was he going to fool himself and keep telling the other that he wasn't interested?

Their eyes met, and Tom swore everything became warmer. To cover his growing nervousness, the smaller wolf smiled, and brought Kevin's muzzle to his level. The larger wolf just let himself be manipulated.

Tom then kissed him on his forehead as tall as he could reach. “You're too cute."

When Tom released him, Kevin was blushing madly, his ears completely flat, his tail wagging so hard next to him. He pulled his head and looked away as Tom let out a small laugh. “D-don't just tease people!"

“You have to taste your own medicine sometimes." Tom retorted with a grin.

“Fuck you."

Tom laughed again. Somehow, his heart was now calmer, not beating as hard as before. That request was unexpected, and he kind of thought the other would ask for a… well, a grope or a fuck. He didn't think the red wolf would be this cute and ask for a kiss.

Kevin's tail was still wagging. Tom wondered how much he actually didn't know about the other.

He sighed and finished his drink. “We should head back, it's getting late. They're probably looking for us right now."

“You're right." Kevin said, still not looking at him. Tom didn't blame him for that. They then stood up, Kevin taking the beer and bringing it with him.

When they went inside, a lot of people had already left. He didn't even see Martin or any of his guys, save for James who was talking and joking to Octo in the kitchen.

Now that was curious.

“Oh, hey, Tom." Nathan greeted him when they were close enough to the previous spot. There were only Max, Nathan, and John. “The others left already."

Max put his cup down. “Martin and the others were looking for you," he said drunkenly. “you weren't there."

Next to him, Kevin chuckled. Tom, though, was not impressed. “Right, I forgot what a party animal is Max." He said to himself, then he asked Andy whose tail was visible from the kitchen. “Andy, how much has Max drunk?"

“Too much, I think." Andy replied from the kitchen, taking care of the mess the others had left. “I don't think he could walk home." He added with a small chuckle.

“Fuck no! I'm perfectly cabaple!" Max suddenly stood up and stumbled forward, making Tom reflexively hold onto him. The dog wobbled, and sat back down on the sofa, sighing as he did so. He then looked at Tom with an apologetic face. “Erm, sorry."

Tom just let out a fond sigh.

Max stood up again, this time more slowly. He clung on to Tom who was nearly crushed under the dog's weight. The grey wolf held onto Max's arm as best he could and supported his chest while trying his hardest not to fluster. His breath reeked of beer as he panted, and his scent was so strongly entering his nostrils. He really didn't have to sniff his jacket, did he? He could just fit snugly to the dog's side like this.

Kevin approached them and held the dog's other arm. “Here, let me help."

“Thanks guys."

The grey wolf shot Kevin a look, but Kevin didn't grin or smirk. His face was serious as he adjusted the arm.

If Kevin wasn't trying to take a chance and grope him, then Tom would let him help. He let out a sigh and said, “Andy, me, Max, and Kevin are going home. Thanks a lot for the party."

The lion appeared from the kitchen, a concerned look on his face. “He's not gonna pass out, is he? I want to let him stay the night but my room's all full."

Max looked up at him and smiled weakly. “'S fine. Prolly, but I got my buds to help me if I do."

The fluster on Tom's face became redder.

“Sorry for the mess, though, the party was a blast." Kevin said.

“No probs, mates! Take care!"

They guided Max out from the house. After giving a quick wave to James who was still talking to Octo and taking their respective coat and jackets, they went outside.

The snow had stopped falling. It was still cloudy, but the sky was clearer than before. Tom looked up at the last snow of the night falling from the sky, feeling a bit nostalgic.

“Not really what's expected, right?" Max weakly said and laughed a little. They wobbled a bit as they walked out of Andy's lawn. “Sorry for this, guys."

“Hey, a man for a man." Kevin said and gave him a pat on his back.

“Don't talk too much, Max." Tom smiled. “We'll take you to your dorm. You need either of us to stay over until morning?"

“Thanks, Tom, but is okay. I don't wanna ruin your holiday. 'Sides, I know tomorrow 'm gonna crash till afternoon tomorrow anyway."

The grey wolf's tail found the shepherd's, and when he curled his tail around it, Max did the same. “Call if you need help."

Max burped loudly, and the wolves laughed.

“We're here."

Tom turned around. Kevin was still behind him, his tail waving lazily from side to side. He was nervously looking at Tom, which was cute, considering how much bigger was he compared to the grey wolf.

Speaking of size, Tom's back hurt a little. Max was really heavy.

There were some curious glances from the onlookers as they walked side by side, but Kevin shrugged them off easily. They didn't look like they were hooking up for the night… did they?

“Thanks for walking me to my dorm, Kev." Tom chuckled and nodded at him. “Really, I should've been the one walking you to your dorm."

Kevin scratched his head. “Eh, that's fine. I'll manage. Though…"

Tom looked at Kevin curiously.

“Can I…" he said, looking away. “Can I stay the night at your place?"

The grey wolf's curious look turned to calculating as soon as those words were uttered. Was this why Kevin wanted to walk him to his dorm, to actually hook up with him? Tom's mind was a little hazy from the alcohol, but he was still sober enough to take his mind off all the things it wanted to do while Kevin was here. “Kev…"

“I know, I know! I won't grope you while you're not looking, I promise!" The red wolf quickly defended. He put his hands above his chest and shook his head. “Seriously, I'm not gonna fuck you while you're sleeping! I swear to god!"

...Tom allowed himself a small smile. “Kev, you're drunk."

Kevin sighed. “I know. Look, um, uh… I…" he looked away again and his ears flattened. “I just wanna spend one night with you if that's not much. I just… god, at least please allow me." Kevin looked at him and went closer, putting his hands on the smaller wolf's shoulder. “Please."

“Kev, you're drunk." Nonetheless, Tom nodded, masking his beating heart and trembling hands. “Okay, you can stay the night, though my dorm is cramped."

“Can we… um… can I sleep with you?"

“Okay." Tom put the keys into the door with a trembling hand. “I have a decently-sized bed, but I'm not sure it's going to fit both of us. Let's see."

Fuck this, he was done. He couldn't hide his unwanted feelings anymore. Kevin would discover that he was gay all this time and not only that, sexually crushing on him too.

But now that he thought about it, it wouldn't really be that bad. Drunk Kevin was surprisingly nice… not as nice as Max, but still, nicer than when he was sober. Even if Kevin was bullying him, he knew he had the upper hand. He just hoped that Kevin wouldn't bully him next morning when he was sober.

The door opened and Tom went inside, turning the lamps on. “Come on in. Sorry for the mess." He then took his jacket and trousers off, adjusted his pants to better cover his semi-erection, and walked to the kitchen area to get them some water.

“Mess? This is cleaner than even my mom's room!" He heard Kevin say, he just chuckled.

Good thing he had cleaned his room from his breakdown earlier today. It took a while but he didn't have anything else to do anyway.

He took two glasses of water and went back to the other wolf. Kevin was out of his jacket and sitting on the edge of the bed, curiously looking at the pile of books he borrowed from the library on the desk. Tom handed the water to him.

“Thanks."

Tom sat next to him, not too close or he'd risk the other sensing his nervousness. “You want to have a shower before bed?"

“Shower?" Kevin gulped down the water. “No thanks, too tired for one. You wanna take one?" He put his glass on the nightstand and lay on the bed, hugging one of the bolsters. “Anyway, sometimes I don't wear tops when I sleep. Sometimes they stink."

Tom chuckled nervously.

“Eh why do you only have one bed?"

“There's the other one." He pointed at the makeshift table he made across the room, the area he referred to as 'kitchen area'. “I live alone, so I turned that into a kitchen table."

“Oh."

A comfortable silence fell over them for a while. Tom thought the red wolf had gone asleep, but he moved his feet until it brushed with his tail.

“Um, you want me to read you bedtime stories?"

“Fuck yes!" Kevin sat up, excitement on his face. “Can I fap to that too?"

“Kev,"

“Haha, sorry, sorry." He laughed a little. “So… we just sleep?"

“Well, you said you were tired."

“Right."

Tom stood up and took Kevin's glass with him. Just when he was walking to the kitchen area, he heard some shuffling sounds. He turned his head, and found Kevin was taking his t-shirt off. That view sent waves upon waves to his nether region.

He was going to sleep next to that tonight?!

Before he could be caught, he turned his head and put the glasses on the table. He'd clean them tomorrow.

When he returned, he found Kevin already lying on the bed with his eyes closed, though he opened them and looked at the smaller wolf when he approached. He then offered a small smile.

That body was mouth-watering. His body was defined as fuck, his muscles so firm to look at it betrayed the fluff behind his neck. That made him wonder if Kevin was actually gay. There was nothing that even gave away the slightest bit that he was gay, he was masculine as fuck. His abs fur looked soft, masking the muscles underneath but followed their contour.

His arms looked strong, buff. It would be nice to be held by those strong arms, wouldn't it?

“Erm, uh, sleep." He walked to the switch and turned the lamps off.

He approached the bed as if he were going to sleep with a god and he had to please him tonight. He took his shoes off and slowly climbed up the bed, almost slipping and falling.

Kevin chuckled. “I'm not gonna bite, you know."

“Y-yeah."

“I'm not making you uncomfortable, am I?" the red wolf asked with a slight worry in his voice.

“No! No, you're not…" At least not in an unpleasant way.

Yet, as much as he wanted to grope him a little bit before going to sleep, his mind couldn't take another minute without powering down. He put his bolster between them and turned his back to the larger wolf.

“How about this," Kevin said, “I'm gonna turn my back to you so I'm not gonna disturb you."

Um, y-yeah. Before Tom even replied, he shifted to turn to his side, adjusting to the available space. “You know, actually I wanna grope you a little before sleeping." Kevin said, his chuckle muffled by the pillow. “But I know better than pushing my luck. You've been satisfying me more than enough, Tom. Good night."

“Good night." Tom looked at the clock on the wall. It was 00.34.

Okay go to sleep go to sleep go to sleep.

The grey wolf shifted multiple times in the bed as he tried to sleep. Yet, his body defied him. His mind was sluggish, but his heart was wildly beating in his chest. Allowing Kevin to sleep next to him was a mistake.

Tom looked at the red wolf. His back was wide, red, muscled like the rest of his body. It was just there, so tempting, demanding to be touched. So close, yet, so far.

He turned again, this time turning his back to him to direct his mind elsewhere. But he only managed a few moments before turning again.

He glanced at the clock again. It was 00.51.

Fuck it! Tom said as he shifted to get closer to the other wolf. I know I'm dead. There's no use in delaying the inevitable.

Kevin seemed like he was deep asleep. Tom cautiously put his hand around the larger wolf's narrow waist and hugged him from behind. His hand wiggled a bit as if looking for the right position when in fact he was trying to get his warmth. When he found it, his hand settled down. He leant closer to the bigger wolf's surprisingly soft red fluff on the back of his neck and upper shoulder and took a deep breath to inhale the other's natural scent; he would never have another chance to be this close with Kevin.

He wished his movement seemed to have been unconsciously made.

“Tom?"

The grey wolf nearly jumped when he heard Kevin speak. His tail shot out, his ears straightened. Kevin was… still… awake…?!

“Uh, Tom? You know I don't cuddle."

He didn't reply nor move, wishing that the other took the action as him moving in his sleep. Though, he wasn't sure if his tremble gave it away. I know you don't cuddle, that's why I wish you were asleep!

Kevin sighed, and Tom thought he would put his hand away and move it. But he just shifted a bit to… get closer? Kevin shifted to let Tom to hug him closer and allowed him to cuddle him.

Tom's heart nearly jumped his happiness.

The red wolf shifted closer, then let out a tired sigh. “Good night, Thomas."

For the first time in a long while, his sleep was peaceful.