Poast source: https://x.com/EpicandJana/status/2089490040279687267
To find more furry artists, check this out: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1HAuBuGyLBD6yQxifynha7ar53aQtstsOkSu-sMj0ULo/edit?usp=sharing
Is thare a mod to allow the Generators to use Diesel? If not, how would I make one?
>Hi Everyone!
>It seems i begin all of my recent chapters whith an Aploligy At the moment!, an i'm sorry about that, between this heatwave and burnout i've had no motivatiuon to write, so moving foward i will be changing my shediual to every other month, this give's me time to make sure my writing is not rushed, and so i can spend some time re-reading my work, fixing it and making a proper notebook on my lore so i dont start making plotholes & inconsitancys!
>Whith that out of the way as always i realy realy hope you enjoy the last of the Side chapters for now whith Jake & Andrew and before we return to Silver & Aloe, and once again thank you so much to u/Lizrd_demon for the Cover art!
[an hour passes, as Jake and Andrew drink, just as they finished the first and they were thinking about leaving, there friends came of shift, and sat whith them, brining drinks with them, one drink became two, two became three, three becomes four, the afternoon drags on, the lights start to dim, the atmosphere changes, the music comes on, not a club quite yet, it’s not loud, not dark yet, no strobes no dancing, light dim, music slow, close almost intimate, cozy, they relax in one of the corner booths whith a few friends as evening creeps closer]
[Kai & Nate sit across from Jake & Andrew, retelling a story about one of Nate’s Ex’s]
[Nate gestures in a somewhat exaggerated fashion] “So, I’m like sobbing, mascara ruined, eyeliner just running down my face, ugly crying, tear’s and snot, the whole package, ruing away in the pouring rain, as if it’s some kind of Rom Com drama show, real cliché, and he’s running after me, so picture that, me a ill gazelle guy all dressed up pretty, crying and stuff running being chased by this Hyena dude in his ripped up suit, must have looked real suspicious to see that at night as were running down the Boulevard, I’m screaming, well more like screeching, because I don’t want him touching me, because I do not want his hands on me after what I saw him doing whith that Kestrel guy”
[Kai interjects] “so I’m sat outside one of the bars when I see this mess coming down the street, and no one’s doing anything about it and I’m, well I’m not exactly strong myself, but I had to do something, so I shove the dude who was sat on my table trying to flirt at me off it and, I start trying to tip it on it’s edge, and as he runs past, I shove it as hard as I can, and it slams into the guys shins and he trips, lands on his face right in front of me so now he’s my problem, he picks himself up, Nate’s been grabbed by this rhino who’s put himself between him and the Hyena, the yean turns to me snarls, and before he can Lerch at me he gets kicked by the old mule lady who was tending the bar, he’s out cold, and Nate, just runs at me and grabs me, sobbing, shaking like a leaf, and then the adrenaline ends and I realise how scared I was, and I start crying too”
[Nate Laughs] “And that’s basically how we met, we became friends fast, it was cool, it’s how I ended up working here after I met some of the others”
[Andrew’s lent up on Jake’s shoulder, nursing his drink in his hands, he nods slowly head swaying a little] “you guys, allllll seem to have real interesting lives, you all have Crazzzzzy story’s”
[Jake, just smiles and pets him clumsily] “Don’t put yourself down kitty, I’m sure you’ve got some story’s to tell too”
[it takes Andrew a moment to respond shaking his head, breaking the moment of trance induced by the petting] “Not fun ones, there mostly all fights, I used to think they were cool story’s, but I don’t know anymore”
[Kai just nods gently] “It’s alright sweetie, we know you’re a nice guy really, just in a bad spot, I can’t judge you either, I used to be real scrapy as a kid”
[Nate’s gentle smile dims a little as he watches Andrew’s expression flatten] “are you ok, did that bring some bad memory’s back?”
[Jake looks over and catches it too, he gently removes the drink from his hand, and pulls him into a hug] “It’s alright, don’t let it convince you your bad, your not a bad person, it’s ok”
[Andrew, hesitates held in the hug, unsure for a few moments before he returns it] “Thank you”
[Nate, slyly grabs Andrews half-finished glass and, puts it at the end of the table whith the empty glasses, and gives Jake a glance, one the staff here are familiar whith, one that says, this one’s had enough, Jake flicks his ears in response, as he speaks]
“Well kitty it’s gating late, and we’ve had a long day, I think it’s time to get you home, and into your freshly made bed”
[Andrew looks up] “ok, I am kinda tired I guess, but I’m having fun here”
“I know, I am too but those guys need to go home too”
[Kai & Nate both stand up, Nate starts collecting the glasses on a tray] “he’s right I’ve got to get my beauty sleep if I want to stay this cute, and if I remember right Kai’s got to get his bike down to the mechanic tomorrow”
“Ah shoot, I actually forgot, thanks”
[Andrew sighs, as he lets go and get’s to his feet] “ok, ok, some sleep is probably good I guess”
[Jake smiles as he gets up and the duo wander back to the staff room to grab there stuff, and to see if anyone on there way back could give them a lift, Al had long since left, and the evening shift had not long begun, they’d need to take the bus]
[Bags in hand the two walk, staggering slightly, Andrew more so than Jake out of the club, and onto the busy street’s, now bathed in the orange light of the streetlamps, streaks of couloir from the Nightlife neon light’s cutting through the dim orange, they press through the crowds down the road towards the bus shelter, siting down next to a few drunk folk, they begin to wait, Andrew leans into Jake, resting his head on his shoulder]
[Time passes by, people come and go, and eventually there bus arrives, Jake gently helps Andrew to his feet, and they clamber abord, finding seats near the back of the bus they ride home quietly leant into each other, there final few drinks still in effect, the journey home is short and soon enough they pull into the stop outside the uni gates, and they clamber out, on the final stretch]
[They stumble through the halls, into the elevator, and up to the dorm halls, and back to his room, passing a few of his dorm mates up late drinking and playing games in the lounge as they finally reach his room, and drop the bags and fall onto the bed and they catch there breath]
[As they lie beside each other, Andrew turns to Jake and smiles sleepy, and still a little tipsy] “Thank you, really, thank you your so kind, and like handsome, and so nice to me and I still can’t understand it but it’s just great, your really great”
[Jake smirks, his ear’s flushing a little pink, not yet sober himself] “Your welcome kitty, your cute, and you’re a good guy too, just a lil stuck that’s all”
“you actually think I’m cute?..”
“Yeh, your short and small but really feisty, and I find that adorable, plus I have a soft spot for the small athletic types, and the soft & squishy types too, and also the muscly types, and the tall ones, And… wow I’m hela gay, I just like dudes”
“Hu… so I’m cute”
“Yeh”
[Andrew manages to sit himself up, leaning back whith his paws behind him, propping him up as he looks down at the sprawled-out Jake]
“So um, I want to say thank you, but um I don’t know how else to so um, can I uh, I um, I want to do something for you, to um say thanks”
“what do you mean, you don’t owe me anything remember, you just need to try stay clean”
[Andrew’s tail flicks across back & fourth] “Well um, can I give you something extra?”
“Like, you don’t need to give me anything if you don’t want to, what is i-”
[Andrew rolls over, and leans down till he’s almost Muzzle to Muzzle, straddling over jakes thigh, his tail wrapping around jakes thigh] “I want to Kiss you ok, t- to, to say t-thanks, ^(since you liked it last time…”)
>
(Writer’s note: steamy kissing ahead, nothing Sexually explicit but rather hot & heavy, spoilered for Moderation read if you like, skip if you don't)
>![Andrews' nose and ears flush a bright pink, as jakes begin to do the same, his tail wagging, he gently places a paw on Andrews' cheek, his other on his waist] “it was nice but, you sure that’s what you want? I don’t want you to regr-”!<
>![Andrew leans in and plants a kiss on him before he can finish his sentence, taking that as an answer, Jake pulls him back in whith his hand, and kisses him back, what begins as an exchange of light kisses on the cheeks and lips, becomes more intense, as there breathing becomes heavier, they press their lips together, more and more forcefully, for longer and longer, only stopping to take a few warm, laboured breaths before kissing again, jakes grip on Andrews waist grows stronger, eventually pulling his weight on top of him, Andrews paws, search for purchase behind jakes head, intertwining his fingers into his fur, Jake begins to growl gently as he begins to push his Toung into Andrews maw, meeting his rough tongue, Andrew purrs the vibrations reverberating through there interlocked jaws as they grip each other tighter and tighter, pressing themselves together, Jake, whith his grip on Andrews waist rolls over, reversing the positions, Jake now on top of him they stop for a moment, a string of saliva forming and breaking as they pull back just a centimetre or two, panting heavily, they gaze into each other’s eyes, and see in each other a hunger only predators know, there tails coil and Jake leans back in, past Andrews lips, pressing his nose into his neck, and begins sniffing him, licking and Sniffing, moving slowly, tracing his collar bone, before opening his jaws wide, Andrews Claws Extend in anticipation, digging into jakes skin as his maw finds purchase around his shoulder, Jake Snarls as he clamps down whith a carnal growl of satisfaction, Andrew turns his head inwards, his own fangs searching for something to grasp, managing only to grab at fur as his muscles tense up, pain rushes down his spine as teeth threaten to Pearce skin, the moment holds before jakes grip loosens letting go, and Jake whispers in a low growl into his ears, the hot beath on the sensitive skin, entirely different to his usual gentle voice]!<
>!“Good boy… you are a delicious thank you snack”!<
>![Andrew’s only response is a quiet yowl, an involuntary reflex]!<
[Jake then gently let’s go, and leans back taking deep breaths, he looks down at Andrew, his voice returning to normal though clearly a little daisied, the hunger fading from his eyes] “I should stop, before I take this too far, you ok, was that [Pant] what you were [pant] Looking for Hmm Kitty, I wasn’t too rough was i”
[Andrew Just looks at him, panting himself, collecting himself smiling] “I um… I, you um… yeh… did you uh, do you feel um… thanked”
“Yeh that was um, that was really good, sorry I bit you,.. I’m well I get nibbly when uh you know”
“That’s ok, sorry about the claws, I uh, think I liked it…”
“it’s ok, it happens, and me to, I know I do, sorry let me get off you”
[Jake rolls to the side landing beside Andrew, tails pulling apart as he moves, Andrews eyes follow him, turning his head as Jake lands]
“So um, what now, I um, I don’t know what this is”
[Jake turns to look at him] “That’s kinda up to you, well both of us, it come’s down to what you want this to have been, and we go from there”
“What do you mean?”
“well, are we just friends?, you can Kiss your friends, you don’t have to like Each other like that to make out, it can be just because it feels good, some friends are just verry very comfortable whith each other, though usually there is something going on when you get that close, you know, friends whith Befits so to speak, or was that a way to tell me something?, you were clearly enjoying that, like Alot”
“You were too…”
“Yes I was…”
“Soooo”
“if you don’t know yet I get it but this is the second time you’ve kissed me, so it’s not a one off anymore, I’m not going to press you now, were both tired, and sobering up slowly, and I want you to have time to reflect on what happened, but tomorrow id like to talk about it, to understand how you feel about me, about us”
“do you know how you feel?”
“I think so, but I want you to figure yourself out first, and I want to be sure about myself too”
[the room goes quiet for a while, before Jake sits up] “So um I suppose I should go back to my room right”
“Yeh I guess so, unless you want to pass out together again, my rooms actually clean enough for company now”
“That sounds nice but If the guys outside don’t see me leave the rumours are going to be crazy, and I don’t want that hassle for you unless it ends up true, I know how well… catty Prides can be ok, plus I want to give you space to think when you wake up”]
[Andrew sits up and nods] “ok, goodnight Jake, sleep well, and thank you again”
[Jake smiles petting him as he stands] “Goodnight Andrew, rest well ok, text me whenever your ready”
[Jake then walks away waving, before opening the door, and winking before saying just a little too loud in a playful tone as he leaves] “Next time I’m not carrying you home from the bar ya drunk, you’ll scare off the ladies like that”
[he closes the door and walks away giving a passing nod to the few guys they saw in the lounge, and walking back to his own room, striping and passing out straight away…]
[The night passes, neither of them sleep much]
[Andrew wakes first, he sit’s up slowly, groggy he grabs gently at his shoulder, he falls back, covering his face, as he blushes and his body warms as the memory’s return, his warmth, his scent that clings to him, the feeling of his weight pining him in place, the taste of his maw, the deep growl, the pain and euphoria of his fangs digging into him, the look in his eyes, it all returns]
“Wow ok, um I actually did it, I kissed him, I did it, fuck, it felt so good but like I shouldn’t be doing it right, it’s not like were dating, do I like him like that?, he’s so sweet, and kind and he’s good looking, and he smells really good, but should I like him, he’s a wolf, cat’s & dogs shouldn’t date right, were both preds but like, Canid & Felid are a no go right, what if people make fun of us for being friends, or like being you know, close, he’s so nice I don’t want him getting mixed up in my shit, besides, my dad’s going to kill me if he figures out I’m gay, well Bi, but he won’t care about the difference, he’s going to kill me if he finds out I’m not dating a felid, and he’s going to kill me if he finds out I’m getting clean, I’m like triple dead, well not yet were not dating,… I don’t think, no not yet, I just have to say no and just be friends, tell the guys he’s just another customer, one of those smart kids whith a vice you know, but if I do that he’s Gona get I trouble for that, fuck, how do I explain this to anyone having a Canid friend is weird as it is, let alone having a wolf boyf- No, he’s not my boyfriend, we just kissed,.. while drunk,… Passionately…. Twice, a drunk accident, he’s kinda feminine, you know, a drunk accident, a dare or something, fuck no one saw us, why am I thinking about that, no one knows we made out, right…, no one head us right, why am I making excuses for it, fuck I’m so confused but it makes me so… NO stop thinking about that, go down already!, NO, I can’t like him I just can’t, even if I like him which I don’t we can’t it’s going to be too much trouble for us, for him, I should just hit up some chick, I can do that right, it’s easy, just buy them bags and stuff, laugh at there jokes, I can just be straight again right, kissing girls feels better anyway, I’ve Probably had Beter make out sessions whith chicks right, whith um, what was her name, and then there was um, uh the panther um, I don’t remember her name, I was too high, but that was good right, I even scored after, that was definitely better, Probably… FUCK!”
[As Andrew continues this back and forth in his head, in his own dorm, Jake wakes, whith a wince as the claw punctures on the back of his head and shoulder greet him as he comes to consciousness]
“Wow ok, so that did happen, dam this is going to be so messy isn’t it, he’s really sweet when he feels safe, and he is cute, but he’s going to be so confused and insecure, would it be more fair on him to say no, let him figure it out first, but I don’t want him to pick a bad dude like I did and have a bad first experience, am I just worried about that or am I getting possessive, I shouldn’t be, were not dating, he can do what he wants, but I need to level whith myself here, I need to have myself in order, for both of us, I think I do like him, but is that in like a boyfriend sense or am I just adopting him just to protect and fix him, I can’t do that to people, I can’t just take them and ‘Fix’ them, do I like him as a friend and just want to give him a healthy introduction or do I just like him, it’s probably both, let’s not kid ourselves, you know you Pack bond to lost people to easy, why is this always so messy in my head, but you know he’s the kind of guy you like, it was nice having someone bold enough to initiate, but also small enough that I can overpower him, and he’s a good kisser, it was really nice… Dam it now I’m, NO calm yourself you can’t think whith that brain, he’s nowhere ready for that, ok ok, think what’s the verdict, we probably like him and that’s amplifying my pack brain need to protect, that makes sense, that’s why were cleaning him up, it’s to protect him and to try find his safe side, let him drop his guard to see him for who he is, cursed dam knowledge, I’m trying to profile and read him, find out if he’s suitable, ok, stop, you need more than your own voice, you need a sound board, I should ask my mum’s, they can probably help me comb through this they can help me ask myself the right questions, want to catch up whith them anyway, I’d like them to know if I’m going to have a boyfriend soon anyway, I’d like them to meet him…”
[Jake, reaches for his abandoned clothes, and fishes his phone out of his pockets, and looks through his contacts till he finds ‘Mum & Mum Home’ and hits the dial button]
[A warm voice greets him] “Morning my little puppy, how are you doing sweetie, how’s Uni…”
“Haya Mum, morning, I’m alright just a little confused about something, can I borrow your brain for something…”
>
I really hope you enjoyed this chapter! And are liking the story as a whole, as always, please please, feel free to provide feedback & criticism, I'm always looking to learn!
>And if you like my writing, please check out my wonderfully talented Wife u/Little_Vee_'s work Here. She's even worse, or rather better at Procrastination than I am (And that's a feat and a half), so please feel free to leave a comment to give her a poke to get on whith it, I want to read the next chapter too!
Stolen From Losertopia
>Haya, my lovely creatures!, It is I!
>I'm so so sorry I vanished for a while, life keeps hitting me whith stick after stick, I'm so so sorry I never finished last month's chapter, unfortunately life happens, and sometimes people leave you to clean up their own messes and take care of the people they hurt, but now everyone is safe again, I can get back to it!
>whith that said, I sincerely hope you enjoy this month's chapter, and are enjoying the little break we're taking here whith the side chapters.
[Stood amidst the steam, as he scrubs the last of the soap from his fur, and reluctantly he steps out of the shower, leaving it’s warmth behind, laid out on the counter is a towel and a set of clothes, jeans & a band shirt]
[He dries himself off and stands in the mirror trying to brush down his fur, which was now light and fluffy, puffing up in spots, eventually he manages to control enough if it to offset the kitten like appearance it gave him and slips into the slightly baggy clothes and then nervously leaves the bathroom]
[Jake looks over from his desk, opening a bag of donuts] “Haya Kitty!, I got snacks and coffee, and I’m working on a plan, I know what we need to start cleaning everything, come grab your Coffie while it’s hot, also I was right baggy is cute”
[Andrew looks away as he takes his coffee, his ears a little pointed] “I’m not cute, but it looks fine I guess,.. I actually know the band, there alright, anyway are you sure you want to help me, I can figure it out myself”
[Jake offers the bag of donuts and nods] “Of course I want to help you, your my friend, now hears the plan…”
[Jake and Andrew spend some time planning out the methods and order there going to clean everything in as they finish the last of the donuts]
“Right kitty, lets get to it, we’ll go down to the store and get what we need and make a start, if we push for it we can get it all done before lunch, we can go to the big mall near the city centre, get food then go clothes shopping”
“and your sure you want to help me, I can’t exactly pay for it right now”
“well I can, so don’t stress it, you can always get me a drink sometime when I’m off work”
“But… That’s not even close to…” [Jake leans forward, and grabs Andrews paws]
“ok look at me, how about a deal, you can do something for me in return to pay me back”
[Andrew freezes, Jake continues]
“Your going to sign up for the support group on campus, and your going to try come clean, on everything, no nip, tobacco or grass, nothing, you sign up for that and ill help you for free, all you have to do is try your best, you don’t have to succeed first time, you just have to try, if you don’t try, you have to pay me back in cold hard cash”
[Andrew shrinks back, taken by surprise] “But I’m broke, I cant pay you even if…”
[Jake smiles] “alright, and if you can’t pay me you have to… Um… Uh, I’m…, right!, you have to get a job at the club which means you’ve got to dress pretty”
[Andrew contemplates for a few moments] “ok fine, but I’m not dressing pretty ill just work in the back or something”
[Jake hakes his paw] “Sure, deal! now let’s go!”
[Whith the deal made, Jake and Andrew head down to the stores and come back whith a bag full of gloves, masks, cleaning chemicals, rags, wipes and sprays, and the slog begins]
[the first step in the plan is to clean the furniture then drag it out into the hall to get to the walls, they strip and spray down the mattress, then the bedframe, Jake teasing him about the mags hidden under the bed as they drag out the old and rather sorry wooden frame, pull the draws out of the desk, emptying out all the rubbish, then the desk itself, the duo finally being questioned as the desk itself comes out]
[a lanky serval stares them down] “Yo the fuck you doing, you moving shit?, your making a racket, and it fuckin stinks”
[Jake smiles as he responds to the agitated serval] “Just doing some cleaning, his place is a mess so I’m giving him a hand, hope were not being too much trouble for you”
[taken back by the unintimidated and friendly response they just shrug] “uh I guess not but -”
“great, we’ll be done by tonight, so we won’t block the corridor for too long, have a nice day!”
“Uh… you to..?”
[Jake nods and heads back into the room, and starts looking at the last piece, the wardrobe, and starts to empty it out, eventually finding a tin, containing some paper, a lighter, and some grass and just holds it up over the bin bag] “Your challenge starts today, I know you can do it, and I’m hear to help you ok”
[he drops it in the bag and ties it shut] “genuinely I’m proud of you for accepting my terms, it’s going to suck at first, but your going to be ok, and once your clean you’ll feel so much better”
[and then he starts to pull the wardrobe forwards] “Come give me hand this ones heavy, lets spray it down and get it out then we can deal whith the floors and walls once everything is out”
[Andrew hesitates, before he starts to help, as the wardrobe starts to come away there’s a soft thud and Andrew grimaces as Jake looks over to the bag that was once hidden between the wall and the wardrobe, and then at Andrew]
“you good?, your not a happy kitty”
“uh personal stuff, embarrassing”
“oh don’t be shy I saw the mags I don’t judge, they uh, toys hu?”
[Andrews eyes widen as his nose goes pink] “No!, that’s not it” [Then his expression becomes fear] “It’s um, don’t worry”
“dude, I don’t like prying, but you don’t seem ok, what is it?”
[Silence holds for a few minutes before Jake picks it up] “Andrew please talk to me, please tell me what’s in this bag”
[nothing, as Andrew looks to the floor, his ears pined back flat]
[Jake slowly opens the bag] “regardless of what I find I’m not going to hate you ok, I might judge you a little, but I’m not going to hate you, I’m going to help you”
[as he opens the bag, he finds, bags of Catnip, Grass, and weed, rolls of cash, and a notebook, along whith lighters, paper and scales, he looks up to Andrew] “Dude… I kinda knew you delt, but like… thought it was like you’d pick up some for your friends when you got your own, not like, a full on dealer, the hell?”
[Andrew slumps to the floor, and begins to sniffle] “it’s ok, you can go, you don’t have to be friends whith me any more, it’s ok, I get it”
[Jake closes the bag and kneels down next to Jake and wraps his arms around him, pulling him into his chest, and starts to gently rub his back] “It’s alright, I’m not going anywhere ok, I promised you, I’m not leaving, I’m still hear ok”
[Andrew breaks into tears and sobs, grabbing Jake and burying himself into his arms, Jake just holds him quietly, gently] “It’s ok, I’ve got you, you can let it out now, I’m not ashamed of you, your still my fiend.”
[some time passes, before Andrew lets go, his tears finally running dry, and he just looks at Jake, tired and sad] “I’m, i… I just, I can’t stop I’m stuck, I can’t back out now, I’m scared”
[Jake just nods] “ok, we can tackle that another time, but for now lets get this cleaned, having a clean space will do you good ok, and getting you clean on your own stuff too, that’s the first step in escaping that kind of situation, we can take this all one step at a time, ill help you ok, but for now I’m going to say nothing more”
[Andrew still dazed, just nods slowly and Jake helps him to his feet, and wordlessly begin wiping down the wardrobe, and drags it outside, whith the room empty the cleaning continues, they spray the walls, purging out the smell of smoke and cleaning the patches of mould that were forming under the windows, and then sweeping and moping the floors, before dousing the entire bathroom in bleach spray, opening the little frosted bathroom window and shutting the door to contain the stench]
[By the time the two are done, the whole floor could smell the miasma of chemicals from the cleaning Blitz the dorm sustained, but the room was cleaner than it had been in years, the pair now tired and sluggish, dragged the furniture back into the room and collapsed onto the bare floor outside the door throwing off the gloves and mask]
“Fuck me, my paws hurt from scrubbing, can’t believe I lived in that mess”
“yeh I’m going to feel this one tomorrow, but it’s alright, were almost done I promise, just need to clean up the bleach in the bathroom and your all good, but lets get a snack and a drink first, while it sits you know, I’m thirsty and feeling a little weak”
“You ok?, are you hurt”
“yeh I’m good just my blood sugar probably, something like that, I get kinda dizzy when they get low”
“ok ok, so long as your ok”
[they sit on the floor for a while longer before they get up and drag themselves off to the Caff for a coffee and some cupcakes]
[Andrew looks up mouth full of cupcake] “So… how do you make this work?, this relentless optimism thing, like you just don’t stop being nice to people, Kraz tried to be an ass to you and you were just so nice to him he just kinda fucked off, he’s an asshole to most people”
“Oh that, yeh I know he was being rude, but firstly, he’s scrawny so he’s not a concern to me, second he’s probably just fishing for a reaction because he’s bored or something, so by giving him a nice response he’s either going to get bored because he’s not getting the fight he wanted or he’s going to have a nice interaction whith someone and that might make his day and remind him that you can be nice to people, and lastly it’s a power play of sorts. Means he won’t try anything”
“how is that power play?”
“ok so look at it this way right, if someone threatens you there are generally 2 responses, you show submission to appease them, small body language meek responses and stuff to get them to not hurt you, or you respond whith your own aggression to scare them off, show your tougher than them, that’s what people expect right”
“Right ok”
“I simply did not respond to the threat, which can be read one of two ways usually, one is that I know there threatening me and I am so confident in my strength that I don’t consider it worth my time to acknowledge it, or the second more devastating one in my opinion is that he was so unworthy of a danger that my instincts did not even recognise his attempt to provoke me”
“ouch ok, yeh that is kind of cool”
“Only works is your confident about it, if not, people might think your dumb and didn’t catch it and would be an easy surprise target, that worked for me because I’m bigger than him and because I’m confident”
“Psychology scares me sometimes”
“Same… it’s terrifying… but hay these cupcakes are tasty, think I’ll be ready to clean up the last room and then we go shopping”
“Alright, I think I’m ready just give me a few more minutes, I’m not for persistence I’m for bursts”
[Jake nods whith a shy smile] “right yeh sorry, Feline, right I should have set the cleaning out differently for you then, I’ll try remember that, frequent short breaks”
[the last push is short but unpleasant, showering down the bathroom, to remove all the bleach residue, but after it’s all done the pair stand in the middle of the room]
“Well kitty, I think we did a good job, this room looks great, a little bare, but you can fix that whith some posters and maybe a few more plants, you plant looks nice by the way, I struggle to keep our house plant alive, but yours seems happy, maybe get some potted wildflowers or something”
“yeh, maybe, and uh… um, thanks”
“no worries, lets have a break then we can catch the bus downtown, parking by the shops sucks so I don’t fancy driving”
[the pair relax for a little bit, before heading off campus to one of the big shopping malls in the city centre]
“so you ready for a little bit of a fashion makeover, I know some good thrift stores that usually have good stuff, you seem to like sort of punk n’ grunge kinda stuff or is that more of a circumstance thing?”
“I know nothing about fashion, I just pick stuff that’s cheap, fits and won’t fall apart”
“ok but do you like the look you had, ripped jeans, band shirts and loose jackets is, it’s own fashion group”
“I guess”
“or would you try something else, you’d probably pull of techwere pretty good, you’d also look cute if you tidied up your fur and wore preppy stuff, but we should absolutely avoid streetwear think it’s best to not re-enforce your reputation as a thug”
“oh uh… ok”
“or we can just get casual clothes if you don’t want to stand out but be comfortable”
“I think I’d prefer that”
“ok that’s easy then, we can pick up some normal jeans, maybe some smarter trousers if you go out someplace a little fancy, some basic t-shirts, a shirt or two and some comfy jumpers”
“thank you again, I don’t think i… never mind, just thanks”
“don’t mention it, friends help friends, anyway I’m hungry I know a good noodle place in hear, it’s good stuff”
[Jake drags him off to a little noodle shop, before they begin the trawl through the stores, one by one, picking and trying different outfits, both for him and himself, it’s not until maybe the 5^(th) or 6^(th) store in when Andrew begins to become more quiet, a little more reserved]
“Hay dude, you alright, you’ve been in the changing room a moment, you stuck, you need a hand”
[silence]
“Andrew, you ok”
[silence]
“Ok I’m a little worried for you, I’m going to open the curtains and come check on you ok”
[Jake gives a few more moments before he steps in, sat in the corner, knees to his chest Andrew sits, chin on his knees, hands over his face, breathing heavy, Jake sits down in front of him]
“it’s ok, I’m here, whatever it is, I’m hear”
“I’m scared Jake, it’s like this ball of dread in my chest that just keeps getting tighter, and tighter, every time you help me and I don’t understand it, I can’t seem to get you to stop, you won’t go away no matter how rude I try to be, I can’t even bring myself to be an arse to you anymore”
“ok, I get it, I think I understand, it’s alright dude, why do you think it makes you scared”
“I... I don’t know but I’m afraid of you, of what I owe you”
“I think your afraid if the leverage that gives me over you, maybe of what I can ask for in return, you don’t think you could tell me no, it doesn’t sound like you’ve been able to say no for a long while”
[Andrew springs forward, claws out grabbing Jake by the neck and shoulder] “GET THE FUCK OUT, OF MY FUCKING HEAD, GET THE FUCK OUT, GET THE FUCK OUT, YOU CAN’T CONTROLL ME, YOU CAN’T, NO ONE CAN”
[He draws back a fist, Jake turns his head and closes his eyes] “please, no”
[Andrew hesitates, then looks down at Jake, his eyes still closed waiting for the strike, Andrew lets go and shuffles back into the corner, Jake shuffles back himself, to the other side of the cubicle, and a silence takes hold, the two unable to maintain any kind of contact, until Andrew begins to whimper]
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry”
[slowly Jake looks up, at him] “Stop… look at me”
[Andrew slowly drags his gaze to meet jakes, his face a mix of sadness, surprise maybe a little fear, and the smallest hint of anger] “you need to stop doing that, control yourself for fucks sake, your smarter than that, so fucking stop do you understand me”
[Andrew nods slowly, tears in his eyes] “I’m sorry, you scare me, it’s like Nate said, I feel naked in front of you, you rip into me so FUCKING… softly, and it’s fucking terrifying, you could rip me to shreds, mentally, and physically, I’m powerless, and I’m so fucking scared, everyone who’s been stronger than me has always just taken what they wanted I can deal whith that, but your not, and I don’t get it, and that terrifies me, you keep giving to me and I have no way to repay you, to make us equal”
“you can stop by not assaulting me, it makes me afraid that I’m going to fight back, and that would be bad, I don’t want to hurt you”
“Can you stop that, please just do something else”
“stop what”
“this, this..., you!, be angry, be upset, hit me, be mad, be sad be something other than, than, this!, shout, hate me, hit me back, leave me, just… just something”
[Jake takes a deep beath and exhales slowly]
“no, I’m not going to hurt you, I don’t do that, I’m not going to yell at you, I’m not going to belittle you, I’m not going to make you repay me for it, that’s not how I work, being cruel will get us nowhere, I’m strong Andrew, stronger than a lot of people, stronger than you, I’m not going to use that to harm you, or anyone else, if I don’t use what I am to be helpful I can at least cause no harm, I have to for my own sanity if nothing else”
“Your fucking crazy you know that, and if I didn’t know you better id think you conceited and arrogant, putting your noble wolf ass principles on everyone around you, making them be a good person based on your own definition of what that means, dictating if anger is right or not, you don’t get to just decide that for me”
“I know, but I can’t help but help people, I think I need it to feel like I’m doing good, my mum’s are just so kind all the time to everyone, like me and I need to keep that up, prove they raised a good kid, I do genuinely like helping people, but I know it’s far too important to me, I’m working on it, being able to let people who don’t want help alone, but you confuse me, you seem like you want help, you avoid it but you also clearly want it”
[Andrew’s head sinks as he murmurs]
“you are a great guy, genuinely, I’ve never heard anyone say anything bad about you, your kind your clever, your caring, your smart, and your always so well kept, you seem to have your shit in order so young and it’s… um, your… your great ok”
[Jake smiles softly, and responds his voice still a little weak]
“thank you, and sorry if I’m too much you can tell me to go away and I will”
“please don’t, please”
[they sit across from each other in silence for a few moments, perhaps collecting themselves before someone knocks on the side of the stall]
“you two alright, I heard shouting and a scuffle?”
[Jake and Andrews ears both perk up simultaneously]
“Yes everything’s alright, just a bit of an emotional day”
“Well alright, please sort yourselves out, and no funny stuff alright, I’m tired of finding you youngsters making out back hear, do what we did in my day and pick an alleyway like respectable teens”
[Jake & Andrew both look at each other, ear’s turning a little pink before Jake smirks and then snickers, And the two of them burst out laughing, the tension slowly dissipating as they laugh, until it tapers off to a chuckle and the two stop to breathe a little]
“Can we just sit here for a little longer, I haven’t got it in me to do much more, I just need to um, I don’t know but I need time, then I think maybe I’d like to get you and me a drink… I see the eyebrow, I do mean just one”
“alright, sounds like a plan, we don’t really need more than this anyway, we just need to pay hear and head out, we can go to sunshine, they won’t mind me hiding the bags in the back while we chill, Al might give us a ride home too”
“yeh that sounds nice, Al’s the Lion dude right? whith the dreads in his mane”
“that’s the one, you know the beads were a gift from us in the staff, we carved our initials on the inside of a bead each, a lot of his friends walked away when he came out, so we promised him we’d be his pride”
“you guys are seriously, just, whare the hell do you guys find ideas like that, every time I talk to them I hear another story of you guys being, just like, kind”
“It was Kai’s idea, apparently it’s a tradition, that there elders gift them beads when they do certain things, cultural landmarks apparently, as for why, you’ll learn that’s a community thing, there are some unkind people admits us it’s dangerous to us and really really sad, but most queer folks are lovely, they know what it’s like to be made to feel ashamed of themselves, to be cast out or ridiculed, or worse, so we all do our best to look out for each other”
“that’s kind of cool but also kinda sad”
“Yeh it is…”
[The silence hangs for a little before Andrew stands, and tries to change the subject]
“do wolves have any kind of cool traditions, I don’t think my sort have any”
[Jake nods as he gets up and they make their way to the till]
“there are a few tied to the really old religions, but my family doesn’t really follow those, there a few though, we have one about first fangs, your meant to keep them once they grow out, you make a little like string out of your fur and tie it around the tooth and put it on a necklace or bracelet, some people use it as an ear piercing, I have mine in a tiny tiny little jar, like ampule sized on a cord as a pendant, but I don’t usually wear it, don’t want to lose it, it’s supposed to mean that you have proper grown up fangs or something, silver probably knows more about them, he seems to know more about the old fashioned wolf stuff, it’s also different between kinds of wolves, that’s just a grey wolf thing”
“Hu that’s kind of cool,… drink’s on me, I have a little cash on me, you’ve spent enough today, you sure your gona be ok by the way at was a lot?”
“Oh yeh I’ll be fine, ill pay of the credit over time, couple of months and ill be fine, I save my credit for treats and emergency’s, and id say this qualified as both”
“you sure?”
“Yeh, ill be fine, besides if I need more I can always work in shorter shorts, I get better tips” [Jake smirks, and winks]
[Andrew’s ear’s flick as he breaks eye contact for a moment]
[The two pay and leave, walking a few city blocks to the club, letting themselves in through the staff door and stashing there haul in the locker room, and then round to the lounge, whith it still being late afternoon, it’s not a club quite yet, the music is quiet, the lights are on and people are relaxing, the pair walk up to the bar, and have what was definitely not just one drink]
>
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