Kris stuffed the rolled-up blanket into his backpack and hung it over his shoulder. Did he need to bring more? It made him feel stupid, but he was still a little nervous. It made no sense because he'd known all along that Fox was crazy about him. He himself had been the one who needed more time, who was looking for more certainty. But by now he really couldn't ignore the truth. He had fallen for the Lion. And hard. Over the past month they had spent a lot of time together, and each time he had been confirmed in his feelings. And yet he thought it was quite a step.

Soon he really wasn't single anymore. Then he'd have a boyfriend—a relationship. He would more or less feel responsible for someone else's well-being and happiness. Not that Fox was someone who was difficult to make happy—on the contrary—but very occasionally, he still worried that it all sounded more fun than it actually would be.

He stepped out into the hallway and almost bumped into Nish, who was just coming out of his room.

"Hey!" His friend smiled at him. "I was just about to go see you. You wanna hang out?"

"Um—I already got plans."

"Oh." Nish's face twitched. "Again?"

Kris shrugged uncomfortably. The disappointment could be read on his face, but he didn't really know what to do with it. It was awkward that Nish didn't like Fox. Nish had gone with them to the woods once, but it hadn't been very fun. Fox had talked merrily to him, but Nish had rolled his eyes the whole time, and made snidey comments.

"What about tomorrow?" asked Nish. "Or do I have to book my best friend a week in advance?"

There was a sharp undertone in his voice—one he noticed more and more. Was he really spending that much time with Fox then? Usually, it was two nights a week; they saw each other a lot, right?

"Tomorrow is fine."

"What are you going to do now anyway? If you even bring a bag?" Nish's blue eyes stared at him suspiciously.

"I'm going into the woods. Maybe spend the night there."

"You going to sleep there?" Nish yelled. "Are you sleeping with that little brat?! You were just friends, you said!"

Kris wanted to lash out because Nish called Fox a little brat—but then he saw the tears in Nish's eyes and remained silent. He had wondered before if Nish was jealous, but when the latter denied it, he'd put it aside. After all, they were always honest with each other, right?

"We were just friends." He sought Nish's gaze, though he found it hard to see the tears in his eyes. "But I want to tell him tonight that I have feeling for him."

Nish snapped his head to the side.

"I'm sorry," Kris said a little lost. "I didn't know you also had feelings for me."

"Well I don't let everyone jerk me off if that's what you think," he snarled. "But from the looks of it, you'd rather fuck a pig than me." He took a deep breath and wiped his eyes. "Have fun with that." He turned and slammed his bedroom door behind him.

Bewildered, Kris remained standing. Guilt made his stomach contract. That night never should have happened. He felt tempted to go after his friend, but what was he supposed to say? He couldn't change his feelings for Fox, nor Nish's.

He didn't know if he was a bad friend or not, but he decided to give Nish some space and talk to him tomorrow. Nevertheless, he felt bad as he left the campus and on the way to the woods, he mused what Nish had just said and what it would mean for them. Had Nish had feelings for him all this time? Or had they started to grow after the Summer Festival? Kris felt stupid for never taking his suspicions more seriously and always dismissing them with a little too much ease. But even if he had; then what? It wasn't as if he had then suddenly developed feelings for Nish, or that he hadn't begun to feel anything for Fox. The outcome would have been the same, at most he could have prepared Nish a little better for it.

He was halfway to the forest when a bird flitted through the air and Fox appeared next to him. 

"Hi!" the boy said cheerfully.

At the sight of his smile, the situation with Nish faded into the background a bit. He would think about that tomorrow. "Hey," he smiled back.

"Look what I can do!" Fox transformed back into a bird, growing rapidly until it had a wingspan of two meters. The boy flapped his wings, looked back, and let out a raucous cry.

"Holy shit," Kris said impressed. He stepped closer and stroked the soft plumage with his hand. "Think you can carry me?"

The bird nodded affirmatively. A jolt of adrenaline swept away the remnants of the conversation with Nish and he climbed onto the giant eagle, which then spread its wings and dove into the air.

Not a day was the same with Fox. Where Nish and he often ended up behind the game console, Fox and he were always doing new things. Flying through the air was one of the most awesome things he had ever done, and when he was back on the ground, he looked at Fox with a big grin. "That was fucking awesome."

Fox glowed with pride.

Kris put an arm around his waist, pulled him close and kissed his temple. He told him almost right away what was on his mind, but in the end, he decided to stick to his plan. Fox had taken him to the same place they had been the day before yesterday. Kris had built a tower where they had looked at the stars. This time he was building a crystal wigwam.

"Let's stay here tonight," he said when the structure was finished.

Fox rubbed his hands. "It's cold."

Kris chuckled. " I'll keep you warm." He wiggled his eyebrows.

A wonderful blush trailed across Fox's cheeks, which intensified when Kris grabbed his hand and pulled him inside. He spread the blanket he had brought with him across the floor and placed another over it. He slumped down on it and gestured for the boy to follow his lead. Kris turned onto his side and supported his head with his elbow. He studied the face of his friend, who didn't really seem to know what to expect. Finally, he also lay down on his side and looked at him.

"Shall I tell you something, Foxie?"

"N-now?" stammered Fox.

The corner of Kris's mouth curled upward. He was still cute. "I like you. Really like you."

"O-o."

"Oh, he says," Kris said, shaking his head. "You're a pretty little thing, aren't you?" Laughing, he took his beanie from his head and pulled it over Fox's face.

As soon as Fox could see nothing, he kissed the boy. Finally. Heat stormed through him as he heard Fox gasp. With one arm around Fox, he pulled the boy closer, not letting go of his lips. Fox's lips parted and Kris responded immediately.

The kiss was less clumsy and careful than their first. Kris had hidden his desire away for a month and now it burst out; he kissed Fox with a passion that made him glow all over his body. Fox's fingers ruffled through his hair as he answered the kiss with just as much fire.

With every second that passed, Kris was strengthened in his resolve.

He wanted this. He wanted Fox.

He no longer cared how much they differed from each other; they would find a way.

A little out of breath, they finally ended their kiss. Fox snuggled so close to him that he could feel the warmth through their clothes. A hunger for more lit up, but he caged it immediately. It would take some time before Fox was ready for that, and he would wait patiently.

Satisfied, he stroked through Fox's curls, who pressed little kisses against his lips now and then and smiled shyly at him.

"Does this mean uhm...  that you are my boyfriend?" He almost whispered the last word, dropping his gaze while his cheeks were flushing.

Kris lifted his chin so Fox was looking at him. "Yes, Foxie. I want you to be my boyfriend."

They lost themselves in another kiss—and many more followed that night.

☆☆☆

I really thought I posted this update MONTHS ago, so sorry for keeping you waiting so long!