Kevin sighed as he leant back on the car seat. This was quick, really. Despite the unease when they talked about this for the first time, he was glad to trust Octo. As difficult as the panther could be sometimes, he knew that once Octo said something, he would always keep his word.

Now, as the familiar scenery of Barrowisle came into view, he couldn't help but smile fondly, eager to return to live in the city he'd grown to feel so comfortable in. In only one week, Octo had secured the house for him, and he only signed the paperwork five days ago. The miracle of being rich, he reckoned, and honestly, the more he knew Octo, the more he was fascinated.

The Over driver slowed down as they reached the other side of the river. His hands anxiously gripped the keys in his pockets as they drove past the still-in-construction Eastern Eyl metro station and into the housing complex. Seriously, Octo was too nice for him. The house must cost well over 250 thousand euros or more. Still, the panther offered it for him at the same price when he bought it a few years ago, sparing him the dreaded house price inflation. It was also located in a lively neighbourhood in Aestan-on-Eyl, with frequent buses connecting it to the rest of the city.

Shaun also came here five days ago to survey the place, and the brighter-red wolf didn't say much, too perplexed at how he could afford this house. The house was much nicer than its price, with more than enough space for three of them. He didn't comment when Kevin signed the documents other than telling him to be mindful of the mortgage.

And despite their dislike of each other, Shaun still said he was ready to pay the mortgage if something happened.

“We're here." The driver said.

As they got out of the car, he couldn't help but think. Was he seriously able to be boyfriends with Octo? The questions kept resurfacing, but as Octo held his hand and squeezed it, again and again the answer came back a resounding 'yes'. The panther then nuzzled his neck, almost purring, “Calm down. Your tail is a tornado and your ears haven't been up since we arrived."

“Y-yeah." Kevin let out a sigh and turned to the panther. “I-it's just the wind.

Letting him go, the panther chuckled fondly. “Just the wind."

He wanted to retort, but his phone buzzed. He took his phone and read the text. Shaun: “We're almost there."

Another wave of nervousness washed over him again. Like it or not, the thing that he wanted the most was validation that he could do something, that he wasn't as worthless as his father liked to say. It was nice to know that his friends knew he was not worthless, but he knew that his mother was the most important person he wanted to protect. She had been there, keeping him safe since he was little, always making sure he could sleep well every night and have food to eat every day.

It stopped when he went to middle school. She was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, making her forget about small things quickly. Shaun did not help at all; in fact, it was right around the time his relationship with Shaun began deteriorating. He loved her more than everything; he swore to make her happy for everything she'd done for him. He remembered her telling him that she wanted a bigger house since he and Shaun were getting bigger, and since then, he made it his personal mission to buy her a house.

The wolf closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Now, he was fulfilling his promise to himself. As another car slowly came into view, his smile grew.

After it stopped, he opened the door and helped his mother get out. “Hey, mom."

“Kevin, why are we here? Dexter was looking for you."

The red wolf laughed and hugged her. “Let him look for me. I'm still angry 'cause he destroyed my snowman."

“Oh, dear. I'll scold him later. Oh, good morning, there." She turned to Octo and smiled at the panther. “Are you Kevin's friend?"

The panther just smiled and took her hand. “Yes, ma'am. I'm the one who's been helping Kevin with his maths homework."

“Thank you, panther. Kevin really needs that."

“Mom!"

Shaun just watched their interaction, rolling his eyes. When Kevin noticed his brother walking towards them, he smirked. “Heh, got something for ya."

The lighter-red wolf clicked his tongue. “I still don't approve that you're pulling tails with that panther."

“That panther is the reason we're here." Kevin crossed his arms, still smirking.

Shaun growled but didn't answer. For once, he managed to make his brother run out of words. He felt a bit proud. “Anyway, how 'bout the old house?" he asked Shaun.

“Signed the end of lease and moved out. I got everything here, including all the trash in your room. They're in the boot."

“The beds and sofas?"

“Straight to the landfill."

He clicked his tongue. “I told you to give them away."

“Yeah, yeah. I gave them all to Dexter, dunno what he did with all that shit." Shaun sighed and wiped his face. “Barrowisle gotta be a whole lot better or Imma move back to Ausalt-on-Haye."

“Trust me, it is." Kevin smiled and punched Shaun's shoulders. No need to be gentle with him. The light-red wolf just huffed.

“Anyway, Kevin, your friend here said you have something for me?"

He turned to Cynthia, smiling even brighter. “Yes, mom." He took a key from his pocket and stared at it for a while. He had a proper gift for her. This was his doing. This was what he'd been waiting for. This was his dream. He did it.

Kevin closed his eyes, drops of tears falling on his cheeks. “Mom," he said, almost sobbing. He dropped to his knees and took his mother's hands. “Mom, I have something for you."

Cynthia petted his head. “Kevin, don't cry. What's wrong?" She then noticed Kevin putting something in her other hand. “A key?"

“Yes, mom. I-it's a key." He started sobbing. “It's a-a key to the house behind you."

She looked behind her, then gasped and looked back at him. “Kevin? Really?"

He stood back up. “Yes, m-mom. Really. It's… it's our new house."

“Oh, Kevin…" She pulled him into a hug. “Oh my Kevin… thank you so much, Kevin. I'm very proud of you."

He was not worthless. He could do something.

Kevin hugged her back tightly. She was smaller and shorter than him, yet he felt safe. She was the reason he was still here. She was the one who protected him all this time. Even though he was now an adult who was responsible for his own life, she still shone brightly as a beacon of strength for him.

Even when that beacon would go out one day, he was happy to know that he made her happy. That he gave her what she wanted the most. He basked in the warmth she provided, feeling safe and secure and happy.

“There, there, my little Kevin."

“Yes, m-mom… t-thank you… for everything…"

This was the least he could do for all the things she had done for him.

He finally stood up and wiped his tears. Now his face was matted but he didn't care. He guided his mother to the front door. “Unlock the door, mom."

Cynthia put the door into the lock, then unlocked it and opened the door. She gasped a bit, then smiled happily. “Kev, it's big!"

“Yeah, mom." He smiled as they went inside. “There's now enough space for me and Shaun."

“It's furnished!"

They explored the house. It had 2 floors, more than enough space for all of them. Everything inside was new and better than their old one. While it had 3 bedrooms, he wasn't planning to live there. Instead, he planned to live with Octo.

Shaun put his bag down and looked around the living room and the stairs before finally admitting defeat as his ears went down, “Fuck, Kev. You really outdone yourself."

Kevin smirked at him. “Aw, straightie is happy?"

“Shut your mouth or am gonna shut it for you, fag."

He just laughed. Then he hugged Shaun, whispering. “Thanks, bro, for not leaving when you had the chance."

Shaun froze in panic and his tail swayed in agitation, before finally clearing his throat and hugging Kevin back awkwardly with his ears flat and tail wagging. “We're not done yet, fuckface."

“Never expected any other way." He nuzzled his brother's fluff and tapped his back proudly. “Never expected it in any other way."

After settling down for a week, the new house now felt like home. It was still unfamiliar, but it now felt welcoming. He spent the nights here, tucking his mother to sleep like how she did to him all those years ago. After she was sound asleep, he went to the living room to sleep on the sofa. His bedroom was empty because he wasn't living here; for now, it would be used as a temporary storage room.

And heck, the Wi-Fi was a lot faster than in his old, crappy apartment.

They went shopping a few days ago, and it felt so freeing to be able to buy things they couldn't afford before. True, he was still limited because he only had two week's salary in his pocket, but it was still more than enough.

He remembered his mother's, even his brother's delighted face as he took them shopping. How his mother eagerly explored the supermarket. How Shaun admitted that he used to pick up drawing as a side hobby when he sheepishly put a set of drawing equipment into their tray. How proud Kevin felt when he took his mother and brother to a restaurant and did not care about the price of their food. How happy he felt when they finally, after a very long time, could spend time together as a family.

“Oi, Kev, where's the laundry?!" Shaun called him from upstairs.

Snapped from his thoughts, Kevin stepped back and put his hands on his hips, smirking in satisfaction as he looked at the decorations in the living room. That done, he walked to the stairs and shouted back. “In the basket near the washing room!"

He wasn't sure about introducing Shaun to his friends, mainly because of his dislike for gays, but somehow, he had a feeling that it was more because Shaun just didn't like him rather than Shaun disliking gays in general. He remembered Shaun talking about him with that snow leopard and being cool about it.

Well, he was going to allow him as long as he behaved. Besides, the light-red wolf couldn't risk making a bad first impression, being new in the city and looking for jobs.

As if on cue, his brother stepped down the stairs, dressed in a casual shirt. He even combed his fluff and let it sway freely behind his neck and upper back. Usually, he either put it inside the shirt or tied it into a short ponytail. “How many of your guys are coming?"

“Twelve or so. I invited my past co-workers but I dunno how many of them are coming." He replied as he put the bottles of mead on the table. The drinks and snacks were done, only the biscuits remained. The red wolf then turned around and walked to the kitchen, stopping by Shaun in the process and said, “Be-fucking-have and keep your assholery to yourself. And don't, ever, call me fag. Barrowislanders are sensitive about homophobia. Don't think that just because Barrowisle mainly speaks South Icelandic, people are gonna think that fags mean cigs."

His brother snorted and crossed his arms. “I know how to attend parties, y'know."

“You better be." Kevin growled in warning, then walked to the kitchen, waving his tail at Shaun. “On that note, better start practicing your South Icelandic soon."

In the kitchen, Cynthia was taking the biscuits from the oven when Kevin came in. Her tail was wagging softly. She looked up and smiled at her son. “Oh, Kevin, are your friends already here?"

“They should be here any minute, mom. Do you need help?" He smiled back and extended his arm.

She swatted the hand away. “Shush, I may be old, but I can still bake."

Kevin chuckled.

“Just bring these to the living room. I'm going to wash up a bit."

“Sure, mom. Also, mom, remember what I said earlier?"

“What is it?"

“I'm already working, mom. These are my friends and co-workers, not my schoolmates." He took one biscuit and munched it. It tasted very delicious. “Octo the panther is my boyfriend."

Cynthia looked at him confused for a while, then laughed and waved her hand dismissively. “Ah, right, I'm forgetting things again! Thanks for the reminder, Kevin." Taking the apron off, she cleaned her clothes. “I'm going to freshen up, okay? Did you put my medication in my room?"

“Yeah, they're in the nightstand first drawer."

“Thanks, Kevin."

The doorbell rang. Kevin beckoned his mother to come. “Also, mom, here,"

He pulled her into a hug. It was quick, but he still felt warm and safe with her in his hands. His tail wagged as he bent down and kissed her forehead. “I love you, mom."

She hugged him back. “I love you, too, Kevin. Now let me freshen up."

“Oi, Kev! We got guests!"

Oh, right. The red wolf returned to the living room and saw Shaun greeting Vilkas and Lucas. They walked inside and smiled at him. “Good evening, Kevin. Congratulations and welcome back to Barrowisle." Lucas said with a wide smile, giving him a bottle of mead. “It's a nice house."

He took the bottle and shook hands with the coyote. “Heh, thanks a lot, yote!" He handed the bottle to Shaun and pulled the coyote into a quick hug. Then, before Vilkas could say anything, he pulled the husky aside. “Just come in, I'm gonna make sure the husky is 'husky' enough for the party."

Shaun rolled his eyes while Lucas just chuckled. The lighter-red wolf guided the coyote inside, talking with him.

“As for you, kinky husky…"

“Kevin, can you stop being horny just for one day?!"

“Aw, c'mon." He pulled him into a hug… well, it was a hug until his hands landed on the husky's backside. “I miss the locker room."

“Kevin, watch your hands!" Vilkas protested, but he didn't break away. “C'mon, wolf, your housewarming party hasn't even started and you're already molesting me?"

“Molesting you?" He pulled away and snickered, taking the husky's hand and putting it on his crotch. “You're the one whose hand's on my di—ow ow ow!"

The husky gripped his crotch, making him cringe in surprise. This time, he smirked at him. “Where's that cockiness now, huh?"

Well, he couldn't let him win. Instead, he moaned. “Oh, ah, Vilkas, not here!"

Laughing, the husky pushed him to the wall and took his tail from between his legs. “This reminds me of when we were working on our thesis."

The wolf licked the side of his muzzle as he playfully tried to get his tail off Vilkas' hand.

“Dude, I know you're horny as fuck, but really? In front of mom's biscuits?" Shaun suddenly appeared, making them jump in surprise. Vilkas quickly regained his composure and scratched his nape sheepishly while Kevin only straightened his shirt and shrugged.

“Uh, e-excuse me …"

“Tch, fuck off, Shaun, you're ruining the fun."

“And you're the dickhead who told me to behave." Shaun glared at Kevin, looking disgusted. He then tch'ed and walked back inside with the biscuits from the kitchen.

Vilkas chuckled as his ears went up. “So, uh, yeah, welcome back. That's your brother?"

“Yeah, not the best and a lot more of an asshole than me." He shrugged.

The husky ruffled his head fur, but Kevin didn't move and only growled weakly. So much for making sure his head fur looked good. “Let's have fun tonight."

Kevin mrf'ed. “Sure. Don't hog the snacks, y'hear?"

Vilkas laughed and went inside, pulling his tail softly in the process. “Yeah, yeah."

He was about to follow the husky back to the main room when the doorbell rang again. Opening the door, he smiled widely as he saw Octo, Tom, Max, and Hans. “Hey, babe! Hey, guys! Glad you could make it!"

Max crossed his arms and smirked at the red wolf. “Oh you're greeting Octo first now?"

The panther's ears went down a bit in embarrassment.

Kevin laughed and took the gifts from Hans and a pack of snacks from Tom. “Come on in!"

He led them into the living room where Shaun was still talking with Lucas while Vilkas tasted some of the snacks. He sat down on a sofa with Octo next to him. “Anyway, guys, that's Shaun, my big brother." He huffed a bit. “Unfortunately."

Shaun's ear flicked as it turned to him, then flipped the bird at him without looking.

Hans laughed. “Precisely like me and Rob, aren't you?"

“Eh, not really, but anyway, yeah, we got snacks! Go right ahead!"

“I'm honestly surprised your living room wasn't destroyed."

Kevin laughed as he gave the filled rubbish bag to Octo. “I thought you were the one who's supposed to destroy it."

The panther smirked. “Well, usually you're the one who destroys people's living rooms, so maybe I shouldn't be that surprised."

The party went very well. Tom brought his own homemade snacks which tasted very delicious. He and his mother exchanged recipes after that, which made him feel warm and fuzzy. Some of his new and old workmates also attended. Richard looked a bit tense while he could tell that the jaguar—er, Pacal, right?—was forcing himself. Nonetheless, they seemed more and more comfortable as the party went on. He was a bit confused about why they seemed to keep a distance from Tom, though. Maybe it was just because they didn't know each other very well. That was something Tom would do anyway.

He walked back to the living room and saw Shaun and Lucas still talking to each other as they munched what was left of the biscuits. Huh? That was weird. They didn't talk to each other during the party, but as soon as Mike and those from his old bar left, they talked to each other again. Lucas was gay as hell—okay, maybe not as hell—yet Shaun seemed comfortable with him. Either Shaun really had no problems with gays, or Lucas really was just that friendly. Walking closer to them to take the dirty paper cups, Kevin eavesdropped on their conversation.

“—of that. I mean, looks like there's many canine tits 'round here. Didn't have the time to go to a bar, though." Shaun drank his soda. “So, how 'bout you, yote? I'm sure with those hot guns of yours you got lots of 'em."

“Uh, I'm… actually… not into girls." The coyote said awkwardly.

Shaun stared at him, looked at him up and down, then gulped his soda. “Figures. Of course Kevin's friends are gay too." His tail waved sharply. “You don't look gay at all, though."

Scratching his cheek awkwardly, Lucas fumbled. “Um… yeah… sorry…"

He was about to tell his brother to knock it off, but the light-red wolf just gave a sharp mrf and shrugged it off. “Anyway, you got any job openings? I'm not gonna be specific."

“W-well, Vilkas said there might be an opening in the bar he's working in, but I don't think you're gonna be comfortable there since it's a bisexual bar."

“Hard pass. I'm not gonna have horny dudes rubbing their dicks on me." Shaun sneered in disgust. “Anything else?"

Hm, maybe Lucas really was just that friendly. Even Kevin thought he was too adorable at times, a nice balance between hot, handsome, and bad boy and cute, mushy, and good boy. Like Vilkas.

Kevin chuckled. Speaking of Vilkas, he looked towards the kitchen where the husky was cleaning the dishes with his mother. The husky's tail was wagging cutely.

Too bad Tom along with Max and Hans had to leave early. The grey wolf was something he was really comfortable with. Tom was cute and nice and he wanted to spend some more time with the grey wolf. Fuck Shaun; Tom was his big brother.

Eh, well… maybe not that hard of a fuck you. At least Shaun was less of an arsehole now.

“Kevin, we have to go. We have work tomorrow." Octo said to him when he went back inside. “We need to do some last adjustments and begin promoting our restaurant. You said you wanna take some photos of the food."

“Aw, really? C'mon!"

“As much as I really would like you to have more time for your family, it's almost 23. You did say you want to pin me to the bed." Octo crossed his arms with an inviting grin and leant on the wall.

Fuck, sometimes this panther was so complicated yet other times he was so blunt. It was very hot. Kevin found himself getting aroused as Octo's tail swayed invitingly behind him.

“Uh… sure, lemme just, uh… give me five minutes!"

The panther chuckled as Kevin sprinted away.

“Mom, I have to go now, I have work tomorrow." He said as he came to the kitchen. They glanced at him. “My boss is reminding me just now."

“Isn't your boss Octo?" asked Vilkas.

“Yeah, he's reminding me just now."

The husky made gestures with his hands while Cynthia wasn't looking. Kevin grinned and wiggled his eyebrows at him.

She tiptoed to reach her son's face and petted his head. “You're so big now. When can I expect little Kevins?"

The red wolf groaned while Vilkas laughed. “Mom!"

“What? Oh, right." She laughed a little. “Well, you can always adopt if you want. Anyway, is the living room done?"

“Done. Just vacuum it tomorrow; it's in the storage room under the stairs."

She replied with a smile, then soon went to the living room.

Apparently, Lucas was already with Octo in front of the door. Shaun came out of the bathroom and noticed them being about to leave. The light-red wolf wiped his hands and walked to them.

Kevin snickered at him as he put his jacket on. “I'm heading home. Be a good boy and don't trash your new house, okay?"

Shaun growled, being called out in front of Kevin's friends like that. He crossed his arms. “Get going!"

“Heh." Kevin said, then turned to his mother. “Mom, we're leaving."

“Thank you, little Kevin. Thank you for the night. Work diligently, okay? Listen to your boss. Don't slack off." She smiled and hugged Kevin. “Visit often, okay?"

“Yeah, Kev, listen to your boss."

“I'll visit every weekend, don't worry. If you want to visit me, I'm just a bus ride away." Kevin let her go. “Tell us first that you're coming, though. Octo is a busy man."

Said panther coughed in embarrassment.

“Of course." She gave him another smile.

The others exchanged some goodbyes with her, then left the house. As he opened the car door, Kevin glanced at the house again. It stood there firmly as if telling him that he had fulfilled his purpose in life and that everything was going to be okay. Smiling, the red wolf closed his eyes and got into the car. Lucas drove the car away through the gentle winds of spring into the night as he stared at the house as it became smaller and smaller.

Inside the car, Octo smiled at him, then gently took his hand. Kevin just looked at him curiously. Chuckling a little, the panther pulled him close and nuzzled his neck, taking a deep breath and letting it out. The wolf grunted softly, slipped his hand on the panther's waist, and pulled him closer, his scent calming him down. He saw Vilkas look at him through the mirror, but he just flashed the husky a smile.

Everything was going to be okay. Now, he had to find another purpose in life, and he was sure that his new mission was to be a good wolf.