The familiar clatter and wheezing of Carla’s ailments sounded in Finley’s ears as he navigated the turn onto “Northwoods Road,” the street that ran the length of the college campus and held most of its administrative buildings - something he had learned months ago, when a light brown bunny had taken him on a personalized tour of the campus.
“And THAT building, my dear soccer-ball-chasing canine friend? The dreaded South Dining hall.” Silus paused for dramatic effect, “Do NOT eat there, if you can help it. Rumor is that the head “chef” - joke of a title of course - was once a student but got kicked out. And now he tries his best to make the days of every student more and more terrible by assaulting their taste buds one horrifying dish at a time.”
Finley couldn’t help the small smile that danced across his face - the first smile he had been able to manage in what felt like forever (but had only been a few weeks) - as he remembered the thin, energetic bunny pulling him around campus, showing him every place of interest. The best coffee (which Finley had, apparently, experienced), the worst food, the dreaded administrative offices. His smile grew even wider as he remembered meeting the bunny’s mother in a hectic, chaotic whirlwind as Silus insisted on helping clean Finley up after the coffee spill.
It was at that same administrative building Finley now parked. There was a small lurch from Carla as he turned the ignition off, and his mind came back to the present. His eye drifted up to the rear-view mirror - imagining for a fleeting moment that his family was in the car with him. His father, offering him well-meaning but unnecessary critique of his parking job (“Could have backed in to make unloading easier…”), or his brother asking questions at a mile a minute (“And ALL of this is the same school?” “They have their own MOVIE THEATER?” “Just how many people are students here?” “THEY HAVE THEIR OWN COPS!”). Maybe even his mother, hand on his shoulder, telling him how proud she was of him…
The slamming of a car door nearby, another student who had parked a few spaces down from him, snapped his back to reality. His head shaking, he met his own eyes in the mirror - noticing not for the first time the weariness in those eyes. Even to himself, they didn’t appear as bright as they once were. His fur did a decent job hiding the bags underneath, but he could tell.
He closed his eyes and took in a deep breath before reaching up to adjust the mirror back to its correct position. When he had tipped it down he didn’t remember. Maybe he had bumped it in his sleep.
He glanced over his shoulder to the back seat, eyes taking in the scene there. A thin pillow against one door, blankets crumpled on the floorboard - a gym bag open, clean clothes inside when dirty ones lay on the floor surrounding it. His nose twitched a little as he took in the slightly stale smell in the car.
At least he wouldn’t have to deal with that for a while. Now that he was on campus, he could start using Carla for her intended purpose - to, most of the time, get him from point A to point B. And, he thought to himself as he leaned his head forward to sniff at the fur at his armpit, I will be able to take a real shower again. The showers at his local gym were where he had been washing himself for weeks now - a membership his mother had thankfully forgotten to cancel when she had, seemingly, canceled everything related to Finley.
He glanced down at his phone, imagining it pinging with a notification from Mark, Ethan or anyone… but it had been silent for weeks now, aside from when he connected it to wifi. And even then he ignored what notifications did come, unable to face his friends. He had tried reaching out to Ethan a few times, but his messages had not even been read by his brother. Not since THAT night.
He thought briefly of Silus once more - who had become one of his best friends in the months since they met at the Campus Days event. Silus whose messages he had swiped and ignored. Finley knew he’d have to face the bunny soon - and answer for having not responded in weeks. He had formulated a story… but he did hope that, perhaps, he would have to face that too soon.
Finley let out a shuddering sigh as he ran a hand through the fur on his head and closed his eyes. He breathed in again, that shudder becoming more steady. And with one more breath, the shudder practically gone,
“Okay Finn. You can do this. You’re Finley Barclay. You’ve got all the confidence that you need to survive this. You’re going to start fresh. No one here knows what happened. No one here needs to. You ARE a star soccer player. Well…. In high school, at least. You are here on a scholarship. YOU earned it. You are going to play hard. Study hard. Make friends easily, like you always have. Be charming.”
The voice in the back of Finley’s head, the one telling him that he shouldn’t hide. Shouldn’t pretend. Should act like everything was fine when it wasn’t - that voice became quieter and quieter - and was practically silent after the pep talk he gave himself.
When his eyes opened, there was an easy smile on his face. His eyes were brighter, somehow - reflecting more so the image of a charming, handsome athlete.
He nodded once, “Let’s do this.” before reaching over to grab the envelope with his registration paperwork filled out (luckily he had kept that in his car and not at home, or else he may not have had it today), before opening his door and exiting Carla.
He glanced around, taking in sight of the campus - relatively quiet compared to the last few visits he had made here. There were still people milling about, but much less than usual. In the back of his head, he said a silent thanks to whatever deity or good juju allowed him the chance to start living on campus earlier than most.
Athletes had to arrive earlier than most students - needing time for practice, training, medical evaluations and all those sorts of things, all before school actually started. The next two weeks before the semester actually began would be filled with training for him, which he was glad for. It also meant he didn’t have to move in when the majority of students were, so he didn’t have to fight being trampled by everyone else moving in at the same time as he was - he had heard that move in days was crazy.
He looked around and saw some signs staked in the ground, with the words “Early Registration” and arrows pointing him to one of the entrances to the administrative building.
He steeled himself, mind repeating the words of his personal mantra (that he had made up only moments before), before nodding and walking in that direction. His gait was hesitant at first, but the anchor of the last few weeks of his life seemed to ease the further he got away from Carla and the memories she seemed to encapsulate. That hesitant gait became more confident and sure-pawed, his mind doing its best to let his natural athleticism take control.
His eyes shone a brightness and he gave smiles and nods to those he passed on his route - a pair of short, older mice who he assumed were teachers, carrying a tote between them. A doe, likely around the same age as he was, looking down at a map then around - likely just as new as he was.
Then there was the group he passed, a group he assumed belonged to the basketball team judging by the ball they were passing between them and the practice jerseys a number of them were wearing. A tall horse, a large lion, a pair of lynx and a lithe, red fox made up the group.
“Jacob here was lucky to have survived the summer after Alison found out he had been sleeping with Sidney! Seriously, dude, I thought she was going to hunt you down!” The horse shoved the lion's shoulder as he laughed.
“SHE DID! Seriously, I had to hide out at my uncle’s cabin for a month! I’m pretty sure she has cameras in my place...” the lion replied in a conspiratorial tone.
As he passed them by, Finley gave a confident smile and a wave (toooootally not forced) to the group - which was returned by a few of them as they kept walking.
“You’d better be careful, then. She knows where the frat house is, dude. Probably will be waiting in your closet one night for you to go to sleep…”
It wasn’t the conversation that made Finley stop and pause. Rather, it was the feeling on the back of his neck, a tingling that made him almost shiver.
He looked over his shoulder and his eyes landed on those of the fox.
The fox had slowed down his pace, allowing the others to pull ahead of him. His dark amber fur and tall frame made him hard to miss. He was instead focused on Finley - his eyes even from this distance were intense and sharp, and his gaze hit like a punch.
When Finley’s eyes met his, the corners of the fox’s lips turned up and there was an intensity that burned in those brown orbs, piercing you.
The hair on the back of Finley’s neck, already tingling, prickled even more. His tail, which had stiffened behind him, flicked and he felt one of his ears flatten.
“Blaze, are you even listening, dude!?”
The fox gave Finley a bit of a nod before he could almost swear he saw the fox’s tongue dart out to lick his top lip as he turned his head back forward to his friends. There was a sway to those hips just after Blaze turned, his large fluffy tail twitching and raising a bit. Finley could swear the fox was intentionally giving him a better view of that fox-ass.
Likely… surely, it was just a fox doing fox things, right?
It took him a few more seconds to steady himself again, but he does and continues on his way to the building and into registration.
The banners and signs inside the building made it easy for Finley to find his way, “WELCOME NEW STUDENTS!”, “REGISTER HERE.”, “DON’T FORGET TO SIGN UP FOR….”
Finley’s heart was still pounding a little faster than normal, an echo of those deep brown eyes and knowing smirk still vivid in his mind. He took some deep breaths, still unsure why he was so unsettled. He couldn’t let something like that distract him. He had a plan and he needed to stick to it - be charming. Be confident. Have control. Be… straight.
His heartbeat finally began to settle as he slipped into line behind a slim, spotted cheetah girl - athletic, focused, holding a stack of papers in her paws. She wore fitted athletic shorts and a snug t-shirt that hugged her lean frame. She had been looking down at some papers she held in her hands - but as Finley slipped into place her tail twitched and she looked over her shoulder at him. She must have sensed him.
Their eyes met for just a second, and Finley found his “charming, in control and straight” subroutine kick into action. He smiled, polite and what he knew many found charming. His head tilted slightly and he twitched an ear. He knew, from the outside, he’d look the part he was playing.
And he knew a moment later that it had worked, as her eyes widened slightly and she turned her head forward - a slight red blush quickly spreading over her cheeks.
The subroutine continued forward, Finley leaning into what he knew he needed to appear as on the outside. He stepped a little closer, his smile practiced - easy, natural, just as it was supposed to be.
“Hey,” he said, and he let his eyes meet hers again as she looked back at him, “You a freshman too? Isn’t the size of the campus crazy?”
Her golden eyes fell as a shy smile played on her lips. “Yeah, I’m a freshman.” She ran a finger over her ear as she answered,
“And yeah, it is huge! I got lost… twice trying to find this building.. Well, one and a half times. I blame my mom for the other half.” A twang of something strong and sad played at Finley’s heart when he heard that, but he didn’t let it show (or so he hoped).
Finley found himself smiling, the mask holding and charm continuing, “Ha. Yeah, I had to stop and double check the map at least three times - and I’ve been here before.”
Her ears perked slightly at that. “Oh? You’ve visited?”
“Yeah, for Campus Days.” He replied, giving a small nod, “They brought in scholarship students for a weekend - tours, school spirit, meeting trainers and coaches.”
Maya’s smile widened, “Oh yeah! I was invited too. But my family had a trip planned forever, and I didn’t want to miss that - so I couldn’t come.” She shrugged, her tail giving a little flick, “Tennis, by the way. And I’m Maya. What about you? Let me guess - soccer?”
“How does everyone seem to know? Do I have “chases balls for a living” stamped on my forehead?” Finley’s hands went up to his forehead, feeling around as if he could find the words stamped there.
She laughed - a soft, but real sound, a sound that was easy and made Finley think she did so often.
Finley chuckles a bit, before he continues, “I’m Finley, by the way! Sorry, totally skipped the whole “introduce yourself” part.” He holds out a hand, “Let’s do this right! Hi there, I’m Finley and I’m new here. I kick a ball around and run a lot.”
She laughs again - bright and cute, and Finley finds himself smiling wider as she accepts his hand, “Hi there, Finley. I am Maya, and I swing a racket and hit balls with it. And sprint a lot.”
Finley could feel the heat of her hand - and registered her cheeks turning a deeper red as their hands touched. His hand fell away, and he heard her talking, but his internal voice was louder:
‘Okay. You’ve played the straight athlete well enough. She’s interested. Now pull back. Don’t want to get too involved. Just enough to keep up appearances…’
“-so, what classes are you looking forward to?” Maya finished as she moved forward with the line, which had been at a standstill, was moving once more.
“Oh, I don’t really know. Thinking I’ll focus on core classes this first semester or year. Then branch-”
“FINLEY BARCLAY, YOU GHOSTING SON OF A DOG BISCUIT!”
The voice blasted through the registration hall, causing more than a few heads to spin around.
Maya’s was one of them, her ears twitching upright at the sudden outburst.
Finley’s eyes widened. He didn’t even have to look. He knew that voice.
SHIT. I thought I’d have more time before …
He could barely register the blur of brown fur that collided into his side, arms wrapping around him, and punching the air from his lungs.
“Si-Silus!” Finley wheezed as he staggered slightly.
“Don’t you Silus me, mister!” the bunny retorted.
Silus pulled back from the hug just enough to free his hands, so he could start slapping Finley’s chest in dramatic, rapid bursts.
“Ghosted! Ditched! Left to rot with messages that were read but never answered!”
Slap!
“I thought you were dead!”
Slap!
“Or kidnapped!”
Slap!
“I had the “Have you seen this Border Collie?” posters ready to print!”
Finley winced with each slap. He was trying - and failing - not to laugh at the bunny’s antics.
Silus’s hands went to Finley’s shoulders, and he held the border collie at arm’s length, examining him from top to bottom.
“Both legs, check. Arms and hands? Check! Face? Check! Tail? Wagging. All limbs accounted for.”
“SO WHAT IS THE EXCUSE, MY SUPPOSED TO BE BEST FRIEND AND ROOMMATE!?”
There was a beat of stunned silence - Finley was honestly too stunned to be able to respond - that was broken by a quiet, stifled laugh from Finley’s side.
Maya was there, one hand clutched over her mouth and eyes dancing with the laughter she was trying to suppress.
Silus’s ears twitched at the sound, raising and almost comically swiveling in her direction, and his head snapped in her direction.
Finley had only a brief moment to react, his eyes widening slightly, Oh no….
Silus removed his hands from Finley’s shoulders and stepped forward, moving between the collie and the cheetah. "And who is this?" he asked as he moved, eyes twinkling, “Meeting ladies without notifying your wingman? The audacity.”
He practically bowed, playfully, and extended a hand out. Maya giggled a bit before accepting it,
“I’m Maya.” She responded with a smile,casting a glance at Finley, who stood behind Silus sheepishly rubbing the back of his neck.
“Well, Maya.” Silus began, “Tell me, how do you feel about coffee? I happen to know my handsome roommate here loves hazelnut…”
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
The summer sun warmed Finley’s fur as he exited the admin building,
“Haha! Securing you a date before you are even registered? Tell me I am not the best wingman ever!” Silus practically skipped beside him, the bunny’s voice dripped with smug satisfaction as they walked in the direction of the parking lot.
“... Yeah. You are a pretty great wingman…”
A date! He somehow actually has a date. This was not the plan. Just needed to look normal. Flirt a little. Not actually go on a date. It felt… wrong. Too real.
Finley found his fingers clutching tighter to the stack of folders and paperwork he held now, gathered from registration,
How can I get out of this?
Finley was brought out of his thoughts when he felt an elbow at his side, “Seriously, though, Fin. I was worried.” Silus’s pace had slowed, and his green eyes searched Finley’s face, Finley felt himself internally bracing. He knew this would come. But… was he ready?
“You freaked me out a bit. Weeks. Weeks of silence, after we were talking practically every other day. Messages read, but no reply. I was really worried. I wanted to call hospitals.” Silus stopped walking, and the bunny’s hand held his shoulder lightly, stopping him mid-step. Silus’s voice, when he spoke again, was softer. More serious.
“What happened?”
Finley felt his heart stop for a moment. He had prepared for this. Planned a speech. A great explanation. Broken phone. Swapped service providers. Trip to the woods where reception sucked. He had prepared them all, knowing this would come up at some point when he saw Silus.
But none of the planned excuses were what he found himself saying,
“Sorry, Silus… There was just a lot going on. Work, packing… I sort of just.. Forgot? I’m sorry. Won’t happen again.” Even as he said it, Finley groaned internally at the lameness of the excuse - knowing it would never live up to scrutiny.
But, it didn’t have to. Green eyes sought his, narrowing slightly, searching, before Finley caught the slightest nod from the bunny, whose smile returned as he released Finley,
“Humph. Fine. Next time you get busy, though, take the time to at least shoot your best friend and wingman a text saying you’re alive.”
And then Silus was walking again, and Finley, after taking a moment to let out the breath he didn’t know he had been holding, began to follow.
“So, my dear collie - where is your car? You get the new one you were talking about yet? The one your dad was going to give you?” Finley twitched - a tiny, involuntary flick of his ear - though, luckily, Silus wasn’t looking at him to catch it. He remembered, now, that he told the bunny about the promised college gift from his father. One that had not come to pass after getting thrown out…
“And speaking of - where are the parental units? And the brother - I was promised a showdown with the little gamer, remember?”
Finley twitched, a barely perceptible tightening around his eyes, thankfully hidden as the bunny bounded a step ahead. Ethan… the casual mention of his little brother sent a fresh wave of aching loss through him.
“Uh, no,” Finley mumbled, forcing his paws to keep moving, keeping his gaze fixed somewhere straight ahead. “Still got Carla. The new one… was too much. I figured we could use the money for tuition.” Another lie. It was exhausting. “And, nah, my folks… They couldn’t make it today. They had a trip planned. An… anniversary cruise. They were going to cancel, but I told them not to.” He repeated the flimsy excuse he’d formulated earlier, praying Silus wouldn’t dissect it. “E is with my grandparents, since I couldn’t watch him while they were gone.” He was banking on Silus not knowing the truth - that Finley didn’t have any grandparents left to watch Ethan.
He risked a glance sideways. Silus was nodding, seemingly accepting the explanation, Silus was already launching into a story about the one cruise he'd gone on with his family — apparently, it had been a "bunny-exclusive" deal organized through some extended relatives.
"It was like a rabbit apocalypse, Fin," Silus said, his ears flopping as he gestured wildly. "Hundreds of us. Just imagine - a buffet line thirty bunnies deep, all shoving and hopping and stealing dinner rolls. I almost lost a tooth fighting for a piece of carrot cake. Never again."
Finley huffed a small laugh despite himself, grateful for the distraction as Silus prattled on about a surprise 'bunny talent show' that had ended in three minor injuries and one extremely traumatized magician. The story carried on most of the way to the parking lot - a bubble of absurdness temporarily pulling Finley from his tangled reality.
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
(Silus POV)
Silus ended his story with a flourish.
“And let me tell you, Fin - I’ve never seen anyone look happier than the captain once the last of my uncles was moved off on the stretcher. I doubt they’ll ever agree to a Fairview Extended Family cruise again!”
At least, that was how Silus remembered things. So what if the tale was a little exaggerated?
Silus had used his time telling the tale well, in his opinion. He was good at multitasking - and while he was recounting the story, he was processing some observations he had made about his roommate.
First of all, Finley looked exhausted. Not physically, though there was some sign of it around the Border Collie’s eyes - but emotionally. Sure, he had put on a good face - but behind those eyes, Silus didn’t see the bright and cheerful person he had met months ago. Something was off.
And the excuse about his parents being on an anniversary trip? Silus wasn’t buying it. Not for a penny. The car. Ethan. So many things were not adding up, even for a bunny who sucked at math.
Silus decided, then and there, that he’d get to the bottom of it - but he wouldn’t push too hard. Because it was obviously something Finley was trying to hide, and Silus would respect that.
For now.
It was because of his suspicions that he was ultra focused on Finley as they approached the lot, and he caught an almost imperceptible stiffening of the collie’s posture, the slight hesitation of his steps - and a flick of something - anxiety? - dart across his roommate’s face.
“You know, Silus,” Finley’s voice was casual. Too casual. “I could probably get everything myself. Not a lot of stuff. Just… enough to get started. Only a few bags.” Finley gestured to the car Silus remembered from campus days - an old hatchback that had seen much better days.
Silus was suspicious instantly, He doesn’t want me looking inside.
“Nonsense!” Silus chirped quickly, intentionally injecting brightness into his tone, skipping a bit forward, “Many paws make light work! And besides, we are roomies. And roomie help each other…” He patted Finley on the shoulder, “It's even in the Roommate Code Book. Rule… 7, I think! Look it up!” He shot Finley with what he intended to be a bright grin as they made it to Carla, and Silus bounded to the side of the car, “Got stuff in the back seat?”
Finley let out a sigh that sounded suspiciously like resignation as he fumbled with his key briefly, before unlocking the doors with a click of the key fob (Silus was impressed Carla had one. Must have been a new thing when she came off the line!).
“Just a gym bag. I’ll get what's in the back…” Finley mumbled as he walked on the other side of the car towards the rear of the car.
Silus grinned at him and nodded, “Right-o! Gym bag retrieval mission: Begin!”
Silus caught the stiffening of Finley’s features. How he didn’t look at Silus. Had his head down slightly, as if not wanting to look at Silus. Silus filed that all away as he opened the door and leaned in to grab the gym bag that was on the back seat.
I REALLY need to get to the bottom of whatever is going -
On.
Old cars had character, of course. And Silus remembered Carla from campus days. But there is a distinct… staleness that made his nose twitch - a lived-in smell.
It reminded him of the time he had gone on a disastrous cross-country family road trip for a reunion. Them and his uncle’s family. Seven bunnies. One minivan. 3 days. He recalled the van smelling of despair and old Fritos, even though no one in the van had Fritos the entire trip. He remembers thinking that was an odd smell. A similar smell hit him now.
That was the first sign. Clues began to fall into place:
1. The smell.
2. The pillow propped against the other door, with a shallow impression where a head had been.
3. The grocery bags on the floor. One, filled with what looked like trash. Small wrappers. Cups from gas station soda fountains. The other bag, filled with what looked like dirty laundry (a small voice in the back of his head couldn’t resist noting: ‘Boxer briefs, knew it!’).
4. The blanket on the floorboard nearest him - not folded neatly, but strewn there as if shaken off by someone leaving the seat…
Silus’s hand hesitated as it hovered over the handles to the duffle bag. His breath caught. By this point, Finley had opened the hatch - and Silus risked a glance in that direction. Finley was neatly packing a few items into a large duffle bag. Silus could see the tightness of Finley’s jaw, and registered how he was intentionally not looking in Silus’s direction.
Oh, Finley.
The puzzle pieces were beginning to slam together in Silus’s mind. The weeks of ghosting. The flimsy stories about the phone, new car and anniversary trips. The exhaustion that seemed to run deep into Finley’s soul.
A coldness swept through Silus - a dread, but also an anger. Not at Finley, but at whatever - whoever - had caused such a hurt to his friend.
Something bad had happened. Something Finley didn’t want to - or was too proud to share. Or too afraid to.
He saw Finley brace himself slightly - perhaps Silus had been looking for too long, and Finley had felt his gaze - still not looking up. The border collie clearly anticipated questioning. Pity.
Deep breath, Fairview. Can’t push him yet. He doesn’t seem ready to tell. Act normal. Be a friend now - give him something safe, and we’ll dig into whatever this is later.
With that, Silus grinned brightly - his best, nothing-is-wrong-here smile. He snatched the gym bag off the seat, and shut the door.
“Right then!” His voice boomed with brightness again as he threw the strap of the duffle over his shoulders and walked around to the back of the vehicle, “Anything else for me to carry? This is an awfully light packing job - but I can respect the minimalistic approach - as long as you have something good to wear to the coffee date tomorrow. If not, we will be raiding my closet for you tonight.”
Finley had already zipped up the duffle bag he was packing, and Silus could see the tension drain from Finley’s shoulders - and a look of relief washed over his face, and as his eyes met Silus’s the bunny caught a glimpse of gratitude.
Silus knew from that look that Finley knew he had figured something out. Or had major suspicions. But for now, a silent agreement passed between them. Silus would respect Finley’s privacy and would not push.
For now, Silus said to himself, his smile not faltering for even a moment.
“Come on, then! To Oak Hall and our prison for the year, dorm room 312!”
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
Silus was practically vibrating with forced energy as he led the way from the parking lot. He had the small gym bag slung over one shoulder - and he gave a dramatic sigh as he looked over his shoulder to Finley, “You certainly weren’t kidding about not bringing a lot of stuff, huh?”
Finley chuckled lightly - something that sounded forced to Silus’s ears, “Ha. Yeah, I know. But I figured I’d build up a lot of stuff while I was here, ya know? And my parents plan to bring more when they visit.”
Silus’s grin didn’t falter, but a small part of him winced internally. That was too practiced.
Right, Fin. You could at least sound like you believe your own lies.
“Right! Then it’s my solemn duty to make sure you survive in the meantime, my ball-kicking roomie!”
The image of the live-in hatchback - the pillow, the blanket, the smell - was seared into Silus’s brain, but he pushed it down. Nope! Not gonna focus on that for now. Finley needed normal. Finley needs safe. Finley needs the fun Silus.
“Not far to Oak Hall - third floor, corner room - excellent view of the west quad, if you like to people-watch!”
Finley gave a huff, “Not as much as you do.”
Oh, so you can get to normal-collie-mode quick, huh?
“I’ll have you know that my people-scouting skills are renowned far and wide - and you’ll thank me for them one day!” Silus threw a look back at Finley as he skipped forward, “Speaking of - we should go over the plan for the year. Step one: Establish Campus Social Cred.”
“Social Cred?”
Far too naive, my young padawan. Silus thought as he waved off Finley’s question.
“Social Cred! We have to get started early. You may think it is okay to coast under the radar - but we, my friend, will make sure everyone knows the names Silus and Finley.” Silus shot a bright grin back in Finley’s direction, “You, of course, have your ‘I’m a great soccer play’ thing going on. That already bumps you up a few notches. And, of course, you have an already established…. Reputation that will be built upon. We can’t let our head start to go to waste, though. By the end of the year, we will be at the top of all the invite lists! All the right parties.”
“Speaking of, I was thinking “Siley. Or Finus.”
“For what?”
“Why, our team name, silly!”
“... Silus…”
“Don’t worry, we can shelve it until next week!” Silus grinned, “Next on the agenda, dorm rules. Really, I only have one. Use Herbert, and use him wisely.”
Finley was giving him a look, “... okay, who’s Herbert?”
“Knew you’d ask.” SIlus waggled a finger in the air. “Herbert is our signal. Our warning. Our invitation.”
A pause.
“... I have no idea what you are talking about, Silus.”
“You’ve heard of the sock rule, correct?” SIlus didn’t wait for an answer, “Of course you have. Everyone has. Socks, though? Booooring. And basic. And sometimes I don’t have clean ones. Who wants to put a dirty sock on a door knob?”
He slid up to Finley and looped an arm around the collie’s shoulders.
“So we, my dear roommate, shall rise above the mundane. The boring. The basic. We shall have Herbert the Sloth.” He said it with a flourish of his hands.
Silus continued smoothly, “Small, incredibly chill, stuffed sloth with velcro hands. Herbert shall hang from the doorknob whenever one of us is - how shall I put this - whenever one of us is having an extracurricular activity.”
“You mean getting laid.”
“Exactamundo!” Silus beamed, “Now, it’s not a ‘keep out’ sign. More of a… notice. ‘Enter at your own risk - or pleasure!”
He nudged Finley’s side, “Maybe Maya soon, ehe?”
Finley rolled his eyes and shoved Silus playfully,, “Seriously, Silus?”
“Nothing could be more serious!” SIlus wiggled his eyebrows like a cartoon villain, “And I, for one, will always welcome you to enjoy - or join- the show.”
Finley’s groan melded into a laugh as Silus blew him a kiss and continued down the path.
There we go. Some genuine laughter. Knew I could get it out of him. Still, I need to find out why he is so guarded. Must have something to do with - OH MY HOT HONEY CAKES.
Silus stopped in the middle of the path in an instant - his hand reaching out and grabbing Finley’s shirt near the shoulder and gripping tightly.
“Oh. My. Look at that, Fin. Just look!” Silus’ voice was breathy and heavy as he pointed and stared at one of the most beautiful sights he had seen in… ever.
They were close to their dorm building, and were walking next to the quad that their building overlooked. This quad had an outdoor basketball court on it - which currently was hosting a game with some of the Most. Beautiful. Men. Ever. A truly spectacular display of athletic bodies.
Not that Silus was at all unfamiliar with distractions - this was just unfair. All of these at once? It's like an ambush.
Six figures, each worth a drool in their own right. And three of them were giving Silus a perfect view - as it seemed even in college, shirts vs skins (fur?) was the way teams are designated.
The shirts team consisted of two lynx - twins, by the looks of it - and a tall, lanky raccoon. Each of these players would easily be welcome to grace Silus’s bed any time they desired. But it was the other three that Silus would bend over backwards - or in any direction - to simply have a chance to sit next to.
“You don’t have any high powered binoculars in one of these minimalistic duffel bags, would you?” Silus doesn’t even bother to hide the way his voice must sound right now - and he was sure his internal temperature had gone up a few notches. There is a chance he would need a bottle of water soon. Or a couch to faint on.
“That horse there? Dom. Dominic.” Silus explained as his eyes examined the well built body. “Captain of the basketball team. Nothing gets through him when he is on defense…” Chestnut fur. Tall. Broad shoulders that rippled with power every time he moved. His short fur did little to hide the sweat glistening down the powerful muscles of his back and chest, catching the sunlight like liquid bronze.
“Hnnn….” Silus doesn’t know what sound he just made, but he continued on, “The lion? Jacob. Another powerful defender - but don’t let his size fool you. He is quick, and has the best 3-point shot on the team.” Shorter than Dominic, Jacob was built like a brick house. Thick, powerful limbs that moved with grace. You could feel the strength in his movements - like a predator at play. His mane was pulled and tied back loosely, revealing the strong column of his neck. Jacob passed the ball to the last of the shirtless players.
“And that fox? Blaze.” Silus’s words were almost reverent, and he could have sworn he heard a bit of an intake of breath next to him - though it might have been his own. Regardless, he could not take his eyes off Blaze. Not now - not ever, if he had a say in it.
Where the horse and lion were power, Blaze was pure energy and sleek lines. Not nearly as bulky - but every muscle was defined, honed - lean cords visible along his arms and abdomen as he twisted and turned, darting between the other players with a grace that was simply unfair. His dark amber fur clung damply to his body as he moved.
Seriously, the other three didn’t stand a chance. Not against Dom, Jacob and Blaze. Honestly, \no one stood a chance. Not in basketball, not in a swimsuit contest, or in bed - from what Silus had heard.
“I’d give my left ear just so I could spend a night with any one of those three.” Silus’s grip on Finley’s shirt lessened as he finally looked over at his roommate again - wait, is that… is Finley flushed? It was unmistakable. Just under his neck fur, and around his cheeks, the border collie’s skin had certainly changed shade. Silus knows that look - slightly wide eyes, mouth opening just slightly…
Silus knows that look – the way someone's body betrays them before their brain catches up. Staring for a beat too long. A breath they didn’t know they were holding. Slight tightening of the shoulders.
If I didn’t know better… I’d say our Mr. Barclay here is flustered. And not by my antics, but by… the sights. Interesting.
Silus’s tail twitched slightly in satisfaction - another clue filed away. Finley had tried flirting with Maya earlier - in a rehearsed way that SIlus hadn’t quite bought, but had chalked up to nerves. But this… hm…
“Especially Blaze.” Silus’s words were now a bit louder, and he nudged Finley’s side playfully. “Seriously, have you ever seen someone move like that? So sleek. So natural.”
Finley didn’t confirm. But he didn’t deny it, either. He didn’t respond at all. Just kept his gaze fixed on the court, his tail swaying with stiff twitches.
Silus’s close examination of Finley came to a halt as movement from the corner of his eye caught his attention. Blaze had the ball and was executing a blindingly fast crossover - slipping past a lynx before launching into the air and finishing an elegant layup. Silus knew more about the players than the game, but even he knew that was an amazing play.
Blaze landed lightly on his feet, sharp white teeth flashing a triumphant grin as his teammates roared and hollered, celebrating. Back claps, cheers, and laughter floated from the court as the players began to mill about, the game clearly over.
“Well, damn. Got here too late to catch most of the game, I guess, Fin. Continue to head to the dorm.” Silus dropped his ears dramatically in mock sadness, as he began to turn to head down the path. He was stopped when he heard an intake of breath behind him.
Confused, he glanced back to Finley - and as he turned his head he saw what he was sure the reason for the breath intake was: Blaze - shirt tossed over one bare shoulder, water bottle in hand, walking in their direction.
Silus’s breath caught in his throat. I AM NOT DRESSED FOR AN UP CLOSE ENCOUNTER! OH NO!
Breath, Silus. Breath. You’ve got this. Play your cards right, and you’ll be in with the team in no time. And the parties! Oh, it is said they throw the best parties!
Silus’s eyes glanced over to Finley, and he noticed something - Finley looked calmer than he had since orientation. His face and body looked relaxed, casual. His posture was straight. His face showed now of the doubt that had appeared when they were at Carla - or the heat a few moments ago when they were looking at the game being played. But Silus still noticed a few things that gave the collie’s inner turmoil away: A twitch of his tail, just at the tip. His ears were stiffer than normal. A slight flare of his nostrils.
Oh, you’re good, Finley. But I see your tells already.
Of course, who wouldn’t be giving something away as Blaze approached? Silus turned back in that direction now, and his breath caught again. Blaze was moving in their direction with an easy, predatory lope only few had mastered. Blaze was one of them. His dark amber fur was still damp from exertion, and it clung to his body - revealing lines that must have been sculpted by a sex god.
Sweat tracked down the muscles of his abdomen, disappearing tantalizingly into the waistband of his shorts. Every muscle was defined and well honed - but he wasn’t bulky, not like Dom or Jacob. Sleek and powerful, like a tight spring. His tail twitched behind him - large, fluffy with a darker tip. The scent of sweat and something uniquely… Blaze (maybe it was just fox smell, but Blaze is the only fox that matters right now) wafted towards them as he drew nearer, causing a shiver to run through Silus as his nose twitched when he caught it.
His eyes scanned the two of them as he approached, and a flicker or recognition crossed his face before he painted a devastating smirk on himself and he stepped near the two on the path,
“Well, well - if it isn’t Silus Fairview,” Blaze’s voice was a low, smooth rumble, “You finally going to be a student?” He ran a hand over his head, rubbing the muscles on the back of his neck while he spoke, “Come to critique our form? Or just enjoying the view?” There was a teasing glint in his eyes that Silus latched onto, grinning. Silus knew he had a reputation for appreciating the finer art of hottie watching.
“Blaze! Always a delight, my favorite fox!” Silus bounced on the heels of his feet as he spoke, “The view, of course. Nothing to critique, as always. And can you blame a bunny? With all these fine athletic forms out here on display in the quad already? Who can resist enjoying the view? I met the two lynx - are they new to the team?”
Even as he was speaking, Silus didn’t miss the not-so-subtle glances the fox was shooting in Finley’s direction. Oh, not even 2 hours on campus and my dear roommate already has a date with a girl and the attention of the hottest fox on campus? If I wasn’t jealous, I’d be proud.
“Huh. Yeah, they are freshmen. Twins. Leo and Liam. Don’t ask me which is which, though. I have no idea how to tell the difference. But I do hear they both swing for both teams, if that’s why you’re asking, Silus.”
“You know me too well, Blaze.”
“Yeah, most people around campus know you well enough.” There was a pause as Blaze’s gaze moved more firmly to Finley, “And who is your new friend, Silus?”
Finley, meanwhile, was a statue of nonchalance - a charming, polite smile plastered on his face. Silus could practically feel the effort it took him to keep it there, a thin veneer over whatever was going on under.
“Oh, how could I be such a terrible friend and roomie!” Silus chirped, stepping closer to Finley so he could place a hand on his roommate’s shoulder (he could feel the tension) as he introduced him, “Blaze, this is my new roommate, Finley Barclay! Future soccer star of the Northwoods soccer team! Finley, this is Blaze. Captain of the ‘Making Bunnies Swoon with a Single Look’ team - and, sometimes, he plays basketball too.”
Blaze’s chuckle was a low, smooth rumble, “Ignore his antics. I’m sure you’ll get used to them, but for now just know we have all been there.” The fox’s hand extended towards Finley, “Pleasure to meet you, Finley.”
Silus watched, fascinated and still, as Blaze’s eyes made a slow, deliberate crawl up and down Finley’s frame. It wasn’t a simple glance; it was an appraisal. An assessment. It was similar, Silus processed, to how he himself would examine ‘prospects’ - but with an additional confidence that made Silus’s own ears heat up.
“Ha! Nice to meet you too, Blaze.” Finley took the offered paw, his voice giving off that same easygoing charm he used on Maya - the tone that had dissipated a bit after they had gotten to the car. But Silus detected the slight hitch, and noted that Finley let go of the handshake a fraction too soon.
Interesting, Silus thought to himself.
“And don’t I know it! I’m sure he’ll grow on me over the year.”
Finley’s words brought Silus back to himself.
“Grow on you!?” Silus’s voice was colored with fake hurt, and he gave Finley’s shoulder a light slap, “You both wound me! I am a gift to any roommate or friend. I’ll have you know I had a long list of roommate applicants!”
Finley and Blaze both laughed, and the fox spoke again, “So, Finley - you play soccer, then? Here for training camp?”
Silus’s eyes focused on Finley - though he was looking for a different reason than he imagined Blaze was.
“Yeah. Just got here.” Finley’s voice continues its charming tone, The collie’s posture looked casual. His shoulders were relaxed, and he had a pleasant smile on his face. He looked like a picturesque, confident athlete. Silus, though, saw the finer details - Finley’s tail giving a stiff, almost imperceptible twitch. The way Finley’s gaze didn’t quite meet Blaze’s - instead fixing on a point just over Blaze’s shoulder.
Damn, he is performing.
“Good. Fresh players are a good thing, especially for our team. Soccer hasn’t been our best sport for a while now.” Blaze’s tone shifted as his eyes examined FInley one more time, as if confirming something, “Listen, a few of the guys from the team will be grabbing lunch tomorrow at The Tailfeather, just off campus. You know it, right Silus?”
Silus’s mind went into overdrive. An invite? From Blaze? To the inner sanctum? Oh, this is it! Our social cred is about to go supernova!
“Of course! Nice little bistro. Great veggie burgers. Open mic. Karaoke on Wednesdays."
“Yep, that's the one.” Blaze’s smirk was back - sharp and knowing, his eyes fixed on Finley, “Well, if you two want to join us, you’re more than welcome. Should be there around 1. A bit of an after practice refueling and relaxing.”
Silus was practically vibrating. He wanted to answer himself - but he knew that this invite was mostly for Finley - from the way Blaze was examining the border collie, Silus suspected this wouldn’t be the last invite Finley would get from the fox. Silus held his breath, eyes on his roommate.
“Ah, that would be really cool, Blaze,” Finley’s voice was smooth as silk. Silus’s heart did a little leap. Yes! “But I already have plans. A date.”
Silus’s mental celebratory leap, having preemptively been ready to celebrate their ascending to new heights in the social circles, turned into a face-plant. A DATE? WHAT DATE…. OH. Right. Maya. Coffee. For a second, Silus had completely forgotten.
Blaze’s eyebrows shot up a fraction, and there was a flicker of something in his eyes - surprise but then… something else. Amusement? A challenge? “Oh? A date? Already?” his voice was still smooth, but there was an edge to it now, “Who’s the lucky guy?”
Whoa. If Silus had been drinking, he'd have spit the liquid out.
The question from Blaze was like a perfectly aimed arrow, and Silus saw Finley’s smile tighten for a fraction of a second before it relaxed once more.
“Her name is Maya,” Finley said, putting a slight but almost natural emphasis on the pronoun, “Just met her at registration. Tennis player.” Finley shrugged, as if it was just another Tuesday (It’s actually a Thursday, but who cares?).
Oh, you are good Fin. Very good.
Blaze’s smirk widened. He knew. Or, at least, he suspected what Silus suspected. And Silus got the feeling Blaze was really enjoying this little dance, “Maya,” Blaze repeated, as if testing the name, “Cute. Well, can’t get in the way of a date.” Blaze shifted himself to turn back to the court, “Raincheck on lunch, then. Don’t let me keep you from unpacking. See you around, Fairview.” Blaze gave Finley one last, lingering look, “Finley.”
And with that, the sexy fox was on his way back to the court, his easy gait taking him to his teammates quickly, without glancing back.
For a moment after the fox departed, Silus was quiet, his mind a flurry of new puzzle pieces clicking into place. He watched Blaze’s retreating form, then turned to Finley, who had already started down the path toward their dorm as if trying to physically outpace the encounter.
“Well,” Silus finally said, skipping a few steps to catch up. “That was… something.”
“He seems… intense,” Finley offered, his gaze fixed determinedly forward, his voice still holding that carefully neutral tone.
“Intense? Fin, my dear, clueless collie, that was a Category Five Flirt Storm,” Silus declared, looping an arm through Finley’s. He felt the tension coiled in the collie’s bicep and decided to pivot to safer ground. “But you! A date with Maya! Turning down an invite from the basketball gods for a girl you just met!”
He felt, more than saw, Finley relax slightly at the change of subject. “It’s just coffee, Silus.”
“Coffee is the gateway drug to dinner, which leads to movies, which leads to… Herbert the Sloth being put on duty,” Silus sang, giving Finley’s arm a little shake. He kept the chatter light and breezy the rest of the way to Oak Hall, a protective bubble of nonsense to shield Finley from any more probing thoughts.
They finally reached Room 312. Silus swiped his new student card, and the door clicked open. He pushed it wide with a flourish. “Behold! Our humble abode for the next year! Try not to be too overwhelmed by its grandeur.”
The room was standard - a textbook dorm room. Two beds, two desks, two closets. The air smelled faintly of fresh paint. Finley dropped his large duffel bag by the bed on the right with a heavy thud and sank onto the mattress.
“Well, it's soon-to-be-grandeur! We will make sure it is decked out in all the necessary ways. I already have a “dorm-room-improvement” kit ready to go, just sitting at my place. We’ll grab it after we unpack your stuff.”
The moment the door closed behind them, change was immediate. The carefully constructed energy seemed to drain out of Finley in a rush. His shoulders slumped, the polite, charming smile vanished, and the mask was gone, replaced by that deep, bone-weary exhaustion Silus had glimpsed in the car. He looked small, suddenly, and profoundly tired.
Seeing him like that, so vulnerable now that the performance was over, made Silus’s protective instincts roar to life. The teasing, the probing, it could all wait. This was more important.
“You know what?” Silus said, his voice softer now, all the flamboyant energy gone. “Forget unpacking. You look like you could use a real, non-gas-station meal.”
Finley looked up, his blue eyes clouded with a weariness that had nothing to do with a long drive. “Silus, I’m fine, really,”
“Nope. Not taking no for an answer.” Silus pulled out his phone, his thumbs already flying across the screen. “My mom is making a pot roast tonight. It’s a religious experience. I’m texting her right now that I’m bringing home a stray.” He looked up from his phone, his expression firm but kind. “You, my friend, are coming to dinner at the Fairviews'. It is non-negotiable. Mom insists. She has been dying to see you again, after the whole shower fiasco during Campus Days. Still don’t know how a shower head breaks off - you really do have to show me how you accomplished that, but she was grateful, if I’m being honest. She had been bugging dad for an upgraded bathroom for YEARS. She was practically giddy…”
And with that, Silus was dragging his roommate from the dorm….
