Here's the short update for the story, hope you guys enjoy it UwU
(Spicy bedroom content in this chapter, jk jk)

“Nice to meet you! My name is Jean.” She said while putting her hand towards me, asking for a shake.

All I could give her was a smile, a handshake with a curt reply: “Torku”.

“I’ve heard so much about you from your brother!” She was still wearing that smile, eager to talk with me, not knowing the pit at the bottom of my stomach.

“I’m really happy that I can meet you in person…” I nodded, getting lost along the way. Truth be told, I didn’t catch any words she said after that, only mindlessly replied to her by instinct. Can’t she tell how hard it was for me, why did she have to torture my poor heart like this?

“Don’t mind it, he’s a bit shy.” Larke’s voice chimed in, pulling me to reality.

“Awwww, he really is cute!” Now she said I was cute! My face was burning from the embarrassment. Leaving the guest unattended is rude, not least my brother’s girlfriend, no I kept enduring.

After all this time, I finally met her in person. She sat before me, a sleek coyote with a coat that shimmered in varying shades of gray under the kitchen light. Her amber eyes glinted with curiosity, piercing through my fur in hope of getting something out. She looked just like an angel on a mission to steal my brother. And that mission was really successful.

I just want to be left alone.

***

After that introduction, they officially announced they were dating. So it’s just like that, huh? Simple, short, expected yet unexpected at the same time. 

Larke is so handsome—that was the first thing I said. And very... manly, to say the least. His presence commands attention without him even trying. He’s a real gentleman, always considerate and kind, and as if that wasn’t enough, he can cook too. But what really surprised me was discovering that he’s not just practical and dependable; there’s a soft, romantic side to him that I never expected. It caught me off guard in the best way possible.

It shouldn’t have surprised me that he got a girlfriend, but somehow, it slipped my mind. Maybe I should consider finding someone too... but am I really ready for that? At least my brother has someone he truly cares about now, and that thought leaves me feeling content.

Dinner, on the other hand, was unexpectedly pleasant. Larke and Jean were deep in conversation the whole time, their laughter filling the kitchen as I focused on my food, looking for any distraction. My brother had outdone himself, preparing an entire banquet for the occasion. The dishes were so delicious, they became a welcome distraction in themselves.

After the dinner, Jean waved goodbye to me, said that it was too soon to spend the night here, I mumbled something in return, though I wasn’t quite sure what. She smiled brightly as she left. My brother quickly followed her out, walking her to the door, and I watched them, feeling an odd mix of satisfaction and distance.

***

“What do you think about her?” Larke grinned as he put his arm over my shoulder, pulling me into a side-hug.

“Ack, stop.” I groaned, it’s been so long since he’s being this happy.

“Hehe.” Larke still kept that shit-eating smirk on.

“Gosh, you’re terrible.” After a while, I continued: “She’s… pretty.”

Just at that sentence, he’s pulling me to another tiger-breaking hug. “I know, right?”

Ack, just let me die, no need to choke me to death.

Finally, after what felt like forever, he released me. I slumped down, drawing in deep, fresh breaths as if I hadn’t realized I was holding them. When was the last time we hugged like that? It had been so long, I’d almost forgotten how comforting his embrace was, how nice he smelled—familiar and safe, like a memory I didn’t know I missed until now.

“Hahaha, look at you, all flustered!” Larke laughed out loud, letting his finger poke my face. I swatted at his hand, but he was relentless, and I quickly realized there was no escaping his playful taunts. Defeated, I just buried my face in the sofa cushions, mumbled a few curses towards him, all the while trying to hide the warmth creeping up my cheeks. His laughter echoed around the room, and though I was embarrassed, I couldn’t help but smile to myself, hidden beneath the fabric.

“Hey…” I hesitated, my voice quieter than I intended. Suddenly, an unexpected urge rose inside me—a need to be closer to him, like we used to be. ‘Can I… sleep with you tonight? Like old times?’

Larke froze for a moment, clearly caught off guard. His expression softened as he processed the request. “Sure, sure... why not?” he said, a bit of surprise still lingering in his voice. “It’s been so long, I thought maybe you didn’t want to anymore.”

There was a hint of something unspoken between us, but in that moment, all I wanted was the comfort of familiarity.

***

Turns out, it was a terrible choice—probably one of the worst I’ve ever made. Lying beside him, pretending to sleep, was agonizingly awkward—especially knowing he was already in a deep slumber, completely unaware of the turmoil churning inside me. The room felt heavier with each passing moment, his steady breathing somehow amplifying the silence between us. I kept my eyes shut, hoping the awkwardness would fade, but all I could think about was how close he was, how the space between us felt both comforting and unbearable. But the worst part?

I was hard. Fuck. 

My body betrayed me in the most unexpected way, and I lay there, frozen, torn between shame and something I couldn’t fully understand. The moment his scent filled the room, something inside me shifted. His mere presence in the bedroom set off a flood of emotions—intense, unfamiliar, and overwhelming. It stirred something in me so deeply that it hurt, like a knot tightening in my chest. I swear, I’ve never felt like this before. Why is this happening now? Does this mean I’m... gay? The thought rattled around in my mind, growing louder with every passing second. I’d never questioned myself like this until now.

Should I?…

No no no, what the hell am I even thinking? Are you out of your mind?

But there he was, lying under the blanket, wearing nothing but his undies. My heart pounded so hard it drowned out everything else, leaving only my chaotic thoughts. It’s now or never… the moment to confront the suspicion gnawing at me.

I slowly sat up, eyes fixed on him. He was still asleep, peaceful and oblivious to the storm brewing in my chest. I felt the guilt creeping up on me, a sick feeling that only deepened the longer I looked at him. He looked so innocent, and that exactly made my stomach churn. How could I even think this?

Yet, I found myself leaning closer. I gently touched his face, feeling the warmth of his fur against my fingertips. He unconsciously leaned into my hand, a soft sigh escaping him. My cheeks flushed—I’d never felt so conflicted, so guilty, yet so... aroused. 

I scratched his face lightly, feeling the smoothness of his fur beneath my claws. He purred in response, a quiet, content sound that sent shivers down my spine. Against every rational thought, I brushed the blanket aside, exposing his body, a mix of admiration and dread building inside me. He’s so handsome... I couldn't tear my eyes away. In the dim light, his features seemed almost surreal, every line of his body drawing me in deeper. My heart pounded in my chest as I stared at him, taking in the quiet rise and fall of his breath.

I can’t.

This is so wrong.

The thought hit me like a wall, jolting me back to reality. My chest tightened as guilt washed over me, heavier than before. I forced myself to stop, gripping onto the last shred of self-control I had left. Every instinct screamed at me to pull away, to let this go.

I squeezed my eyes shut, willing the urge to fade, begging my mind to quiet down. I had to sleep. I needed to sleep. But even as I tried to bury my feelings, the tension refused to disappear, lingering in the space between us like a shadow I couldn’t escape.

One thing I can be certain. I like Larke, and not as the brother.