Two weeks had passed since the Summerfest. Luckily, nothing had changed between Nish and him. Kris had wanted to talk about it, but in the end, it didn't happen. He didn't mind—he believed Nish felt the same about the whole thing anyway. It had been a good first experience, but becoming real friends with benefits would endanger their friendship. Things had been a little awkward after their make out session and apparently, neither of them felt like going through that again. That however didn't mean he never thought back to that kiss—or that he never wondered how it would be to kiss someone else. Someone like that little curly sitting in the front corner of the detention room, who was looking over his shoulder half of the time. Every time Kris caught his glance, the boy quickly looked away, his cheeks bright red. 

Kris might have told Safira a month ago that he wasn't interested in the Lion, but he couldn't deny the fact that it was impossible to ignore him a complete hour. There was just something... special about him. And one kiss—would that really hurt? He might even do the kid a favor. 

The bell rang, although the boy kept sitting, deep in thoughts. 

Only when everyone else had left the room and Kris got up, he seemed to snap out of his thoughts. With wide eyes, he looked over his shoulder and staggered towards the door. 

Kris couldn't resist. He used his gift to lock the door.

Bewildered, the Lion turned around. Kris stepped forward, trapping the boy between the door and himself. With a grin, Kris looked down on him, leaning one hand against the door. He could tease him a bit, right? "You think I never see you stare, Foxie?"

With wide, hazel eyes the boy looked up to him. Pure innocence. 

He's so vulnerable. 

He silenced the warning voice in his head. Vulnerability was deadly in a place like this. A little challenge would do him well. 

"S-sorry," Fox stammered. 

The boy was so nervous. Kris heard it in his breathing, he saw his hands shake. Strangely enough, he felt an unknown tension as well. His glance wandered to Fox's lips. Would he kiss just as fiercely as Nish? Kris held out his hand, letting a brown curl slip through his fingers. The younger boy held his breath. 

Kris looked him in the eye. He saw the longing, but also the insecurity, the disbelief. The thought that the boy might have fantasized about this kiss multiple times, made his heart beat faster. Very lightly, the back of his fingers stroked his heated cheek. 

"Just fucking kiss me if that's what you want."

The boy squeaked like a baby chicken and for a moment, Kris was afraid he would transform into one. Then, Fox answered: "Won't you laugh at me?"

Maybe, if you suck at it. 

He chuckled and winked. "Possibly. Just make it worth it." 

Kris didn't expect the kid to be bold enough but when their eyes met again, he felt his own heart skip a beat too. Unexpectantly, the Lion leaned into him and kissed him. 

For a moment, Kris was blindsided by the reluctant, soft lips greeting his. He dipped his head, weaving his fingers through Fox's curls. The boy pecked his lips a few times and pulled back his face. With pink cheeks, the boy looked shyly at him. 

Damn, why is that kid so fucking cute. 

It was such a contrast to Onyx, to Nish... but deep inside him, a warmth for this boy with his soft glance and shiny smile was welling up. Kris caressed his cheek and kissed him back. Controlled, even careful not to scare him. Fox relaxed a little, placing a hand against his chest before his lips parted. 

It was a clumsy kiss and Kris felt how the other boy was starting to panic when their teeth bumped. Kris raked his fingers through his hair in a reassuring way, tilting his head a bit and determining the pace until it went easier and the boy relaxed.

Once the younger boy got the taste for it, Kris didn't want to stop. Fox called up feelings inside him he had never expected. This was what he had been looking for, that time he kissed Nish. Feeling light-headed; something warm and vibrant in his stomach—and a loss for words once they broke the kiss. 

It looked like there were stars dancing in Fox's eyes. "Wow," he said, slightly panting.

Kris smirked, the adrenaline surging through him. Laying a finger underneath Fox's chin, he forced his face up to give another kiss. "You're a little Casanova, huh? With these brown puppy eyes and that charming smile, you must have seduced lots of guys."

The boy shook his head furiously. "N-no. J-just you. I, I mean—I didn't seduce you, right? You—you told me to kiss you." With every stutter, the boy turned redder. Kris wondered if he could only transform into animals or if there would be a tomato plant next to him soon. 

Kris chuckled. His finger still rested beneath Fox's chin and he turned the boy's head a little, so he could whisper in his ear: "You're damn cute, Foxie." He winked at the boy, reached for the door handle and made the stone disappear. 

Then, he stepped past the Lion and left the classroom. 

☆☆☆

Fox ran through the abandoned school, his backpack bumping against his back. He was so full of energy that he couldn't stop running. 

He kissed Kris. 

Just like that. 

His lips were still tingling; he could still feel Kris' fingers moving through his hair. 

It had been perfect. He was sweet, but also tough and... and....

He dropped his iNet because he had been trying to text Safira. He skidded to a stop, took a few steps back and picked up the divice. Wobbling on his toes, he typed: Where are you? I KISSED KRIS. AAAAAAAH. 

There were plenty of other sounds he could add, but he lacked the patience to type and put his iNet away. The smile on his face was so wide it almost hurt. 

Kris told him he had puppy eyes.

That he had a charming smile. 

That he was cute. 

This was absolutely the best day of his life!! 

With an impossible combination of hopping, dancing and running, Fox left the building. Once he was outside, he transformed into a bird and flew to the campus of the Buffalo's, where he tapped against Safira's window. He needed to unload. Would she believe him? What if she thought that it was all a daydream? Or that he hit his had? 

Did he hit his head? 

And a daydream—that wasn't that strange. 

The window was opened and Fox hopped inside. Safira had been watching a movie, the screen was paused. 

Fox was so enthusiast he started to rattle immediately, but when there was only twittering leaving his beak, he quickly transformed back. 

"Did you read my text?" he asked the moment his feet touched the floor. 

Safira shook her head. She went for her iNet, but Fox grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the bed. He would tell her right away. 

"I kissed Kris!" He squeezed her hand so tight it must hurt, but he didn't care. "I really did! I wasn't paying attention in detention—the hour was over but I didn't notice. And then we were alone. I wanted to walk away, but he closed the door. And then... Then he told me he saw me staring all the time and that I just had to kiss him if I wanted that and then I told him I was afraid that he would laugh at me and then he said I should make sure it was worth it and..."

"Don't forget to breathe, Fox." She pulled her hand away, rubbing the fingers he might have accidentally bruised. 

Fox took a deep breath and jabbered on, telling her every detail he could remember. He had been sure he couldn't fall deeper in love, but he could almost literally see pink clouds everywhere around him. When he was (finally) done talking, he wrapped his arms around his legs and looked at her, gloating. 

Safira didn't look happy at all. 

It confused him. She was supposed to feel happy for him, right? 

Was she in love with Kris too? Was that the reason she was never enthusiastic when he was talking about his crush? 

Or...

"You don't believe me?" he asked softly. 

Was it indeed too good to be true? Kris had been so out of his league—perhaps this didn't make sense at all. 

"Of course I believe you." Safira studied his face and sighed. "I'm sorry. You're so happy and my reaction is so cold. It's just... What do you think will happen now, Fox? Did he say anything else to you? That he has feelings for you too? No, huh—he just walked away." A grim expression flashed across her face. "I just don't want you to get disappointed. He gave you certain expectations now and I'm afraid that he was just... in the mood to kiss and saw easy prey."

Fox shrugged, showing her a sheepish green. "I don't mind being easy prey. And hey—I can hunt too. I can hit on him too. Valentine's Day is months away and I will start already."

She sighed. "What are you going to do? Send him chocolate and roses?"

"Who doesn't like chocolate?"

Safira bit her lip. "I don't know if Kris is the type of guy who likes such things, Fox. You're such a sweet boy—I'm just afraid he will make fun of you."

"Why would he?"

"Because he's a dick."

"He was really sweet today. He wasn't rough or anything, he was... gentle," he said quietly, his cheeks flushing. He intertwined his fingers. "I really really really like him, Saf. Maybe everyone believes he's a dick—but I don't. And I don't mind telling him. And if he makes fun of me anyway..." He shrugged again. "Then so be it. It's not like he's the only one."

Safira sighed. "It's up to you. Just... don't rush it. A kiss means the world to you, but to other people it's less special, that's all I'm trying to say. I'm just afraid he'll break your heart and I would hate that."

Fox showed his best friend an understanding smile. "I will be fine. I don't have anything to lose anyway. And sometimes... we have to dare to dream, right? Either way, I kissed the hottest guy in school. No one is taking that away from me."

Shaking her head, Safira nudged his shoulder. "You're a stubborn little shit, you know that?" Her lips turned up into a smile. "But who knows, but that stubbornness is what will make your dreams come true."

Fox smiled. Maybe it will.