3 years BC (before covid):
Sam scrolled down his phone.
His breathing was an aerial sandpaper on his throat, his eyes waterfalls, his heart a star going into supernova. He read the message over and over again, looping himself in panic:
"Greetings,
I am William Addler, a private investigator. I was hired to deal with the Jack [insert canon surname] case, and upon research it appears you are the most likely culprit.
I would like to ask you a few questions. I have not yet notified the authorities as I feel like you can provide me some insight as to what motivated you to kill him, but you are under the span of four days to do so as I am obligated to report you. I would advise you to do so as early as possible and be truthful.
William Adler."
Sam whimpered. It had been two weeks since he felt that scared. He felt like he could die at any moment, and a part of him wanted that to happen.
But so great was the terror that he reached a state of just going through the motions, so instinctively he called back. As he waited the dread built inside his gut, as if his organs had been shredded. He tried as best as he could not to vomit.
"Yes?" a stoic voice finally answered.
"H-h-he tried to kill me" Sam sobbed hysterically, his voice cracking like porcelain, "I-I c-can prove it..."
"Hey, calm down" the voice responded, trying to be gentle but failing, "I believe you."
"Y-y-you d-do?"
"Jack has a criminal history and you do not, so I'm think the only reason someone like you would hurt anyone would be in self-defense."
Sam nodded, only to feel like an idiot since he knew William wasn't able to see him.
"Still, you have to describe in better detail so I can help make your case, okay? It seems you're a bit shaken, so you can tell me when you feel better, alright? Just know that you're not in any trouble."
"O-okay."
"So, do you think tomorrow you'll be feeling better?"
Sam sighed. A sense of warmth began to flourish where once was the pain of stress, and the shaking dissipated like waves under calm weather.
"I'm feelin' better, I c-can talk now."
"You sure?"
"Yeah, I'm sure."
***
1 year BC:
Sam scrolled down his phone.
His feed was composed of loyal and dedicated coomers and simps, with the occasional homophobe or porn studio CEO making offers or threats. He had just recently abandoned the industry to work as an independent sex worker in a new rising platform known as OnlyFans, tired as he was of the toxicity, blackmailing and harassment. Jack was the last straw, but now he had the means to seize the means of production. It wasn't perfect, but he could live comfortably enough, with the occasional help from his friends.
"You kids and your phones" William said.
Sam couldn't see it, but he knew he was shaking his head playfully. He heard him take a seat before him, and that's when he raised his red eyes to meet his brown ones. His heart skipped a beat and he felt his face warm up, but he kept his composture. William wasn't sappy and neither was he.
"Business related queries, Will."
"Ah yes, shitloads of blueballs crying out for an ass they'll never have."
"Who says they don't? I do sleep with some of my fans. Pretty sure some of those videos even leaked."
"Sam, why would I watch porn when I can rail you whanever I want?"
"Will! We're in a cafe!"
"Then I'll whisper."
And just like that Will dragged the chair slightly closer. As his muzzle approached Sam's ear the cougar bit his lip in anticipation, feeling blood pour into all the wrong places.
"You're so damn cute."
"That's it? You're losin' your edge if you think that's dirty talk."
"I'll hold your hands."
Sam looked at him with a "are-you-shittin'-me" look on his face.
"What, I see you kids say holding hands is a lewd thing. A meme or whatever."
"Will you utter boomer."
Sam then held William's paw in his own.
"Guess you have to report me for public indecency, uh?"
William just smiled, and kissed his cheek.
"What was that for?"
"So you know I'm always in your side."
It was as though a hand caressed his heart, and Sam began to wonder if their friendship was worth preserving. But he wasn't ready, not with Jack still haunting him and not without the certainty that William wanted that much intimacy.
"My place?" Sam offered, winking seductively.
"My truck."
***
Year of the plague:
Sam scrolled down his phone.
He laid leisurely on William's bed, only in his underwear. During the lockdown they decided to move together so they could be with each other through these travails, at least for the first five months or so. Plus, having some sort of support network and being freed from rent would help a lot. They both worked from home and left together for groceries and other crap, staving off infection very efficiently. The house was big so they could each take a break from each other if they wanted, though Sam increasingly wanted William's attention.
"Lot's of clients today?" as William exited the bathroom and sat beside Sam.
"I'm not a whore, William. I have fans, not clients."
"Same difference."
"No you fuckin' goof. I don't have to sleep with these people if I don't want to."
"Funny, I recall you once telling me you did sleep with them."
"That was before a satanic pincushion laid waste to humanity."
Sam took a deep breath. That was it.
"Besides, I don't really want to anymore."
"Oh? And why's that?"
Sam raised his eyes to meet William's. He couldn't quite read his face, but he felt some anticipation, like he knew what was going to happen. Sam felt a bit paralyzed, not sure how to proceed, so again he went through the motions like so long ago.
"I know this might sound absolutely fuckin' unbelivable, but I always kind of wanted a fairy tale ending. Don't get me wrong, I'm very sex positive and I get a kick out being the fantasy of so many, but I always wanted to find a special someone, to get married and grow old with my one true love. Yes, I know it's corny as fuck, but that's what I want, and its not easy to find when everyone just sees you as meat."
"I read once about how gay pornstars find it difficult to have romantic relationships. I can imagine you're in the same boat?"
"Yup. I may be independent now, but that's the one problem I couldn't fix. Frankly, I'm thankful for all the friends I have, you don't know how lucky I am for havin' you and the others seein' me as more than just a sex doll."
"Sam, you're my friend, my very best friend if I'm honest. Of course you fucking mean the world to me."
A tear run down William's cheek, and Sam felt a bit guilty for worrying him.
"I know, Will. And I'm grateful for that, grateful for you believin' in me and lookin' out for me. And you mean the world to me, too."
Tentitively, Sam reached out his paw to touch William's. There was an urgency to his touch, to his fingers rubbing the upperside. The words were born in his throat, and died there without materialising.
Luckily, they weren't needed. William took the hint and kissed him. And it wasn't the usual passionate kiss of a one night stand, but a soft lip touch, the most gentle the coyote had ever been in his life.
Fitting for a fairy tale. Even a Grimm one.
***
???:
Sam scrolled down his phone.
"Will, I found the perfect one. The pastor's even gay and married himself!"
William snooped over Sam's shoulder.
"Well, guess you win. And it's even close to the Mamaceqtaw nation."
"You reckon your family will come?"
"Nah, but it makes me consider embracing my heritage or something."
"Well, by all means do that. I know you get annoyed by church stuff, so I want to compromise with you however possible."
"You think I'll be annoyed in the happiest day of my life? ...Yes, but you'll distract me."
"I'd 'distract' you right now, but my ass needs a rest."
William groped Sam's butt, pushing him closer into an embrace with his free arm.
"Can't wait to get you preggers with ass babies."
"Fuck you."
"You can, if you want."
"You sure?"
"Yeah, I'm sure."
