At this point in his life, Corey was used to hiding himself from the world.

            It was…over twenty years ago? Twenty-five? He was losing track of the time and was just falling into the habit. It was pretty easy to make sure no one could see what his body had become following the experiment…but every day was a constant reminder that he would likely be living alone in constant fear for the rest of his life. As Corey grabbed a hat off of the wall, he pulled it down upon his head before having it hide his two pointed fox ears covered in rusty orange fur.

            It wasn't often you saw a human with vulpine features.

            As he looked in the mirror with a deep sigh, the memories came rushing in. It got easier with time to forget about everything…push it all away in order to live his life to the fullest in the moment. But every day was a reminder of what happened. What he became. And how he would have to spend the rest of his life trying to keep everything hidden from those around him. It hurt for sure…but he'd spent years upon years getting used to it. The routine every day of hiding his changes, the constant need to buy more expensive hair care products to look after his growing fur, the shifting of his senses over the years, and always having to dodge the questions when people ask him 'aren't you hot in that?' 'you do realize it's summer, right?' 'that hat's a…choice.' It was all turning into background noise in his life at this point. He knew how to deal with it, and it wasn't all that painful anymore. Besides, he was still able to hold a job, have friends, live his life…yes, the frustration of having to accommodate something he didn't initially choose was beyond irritating, but he was managing.

            With his hat fully adjusted, Corey went to work at readjusting his bangs. A few bobby pins and a little bit of gel was a necessary part of his routine in order to cover up the patch of fur surrounding his left eye. It was difficult to hide the rusty orange fur behind his hair, but he'd managed to find a way that worked and didn't impede his vision. A few quick brushes with his hair strategically placed in just the right position and glued down with enough hair gel to set concrete, and everything was good. He turned his head side to side in front of the mirror to ensure everything was in the right position, and he finally nodded to himself with a smile. Now that the upper body was all set, his head turned behind him to look at the two large and bushy tails flicking casually at his back. This part was a bit trickier…but again, something he was entirely used to. Corey casually started humming to himself before grasping at one of his tails and brushing it down carefully, running his hands through the bushy fur and gently grooming it. 

            Today was supposed to be a pretty fun night with his friends coming over for a dinner party. It wasn't anything big, but he was excited to host some of his closest friends. He'd done it before on a smaller scale, but today? Today would be different. He was inviting a LOT of people today, and most importantly of all, Amanda would be coming over. His smile grew at the thought of her being there, especially since she 'volunteered' to come early and help him set things up. Corey's tail that wasn't currently being brushed down started to wag a bit faster, making him turn with a soft laugh before blushing idly. There was a chance Corey had a small crush on her, and though he knew things would never work out with…well, the state of his body, he could still dream. Thinking of how it would be if Amanda was sitting on his couch leaning against him, stroking and brushing one of his tails as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders…the two of them watching a movie…enjoying some takeout together…he'd had that thought on more than one occasion, we'll say. The thought was so comfortable every time it crossed his mind that it turned into almost a routine. Thinking about how happy he knew they could be, moving past the idle flirting and actually being together…

            As Corey hit a knot on his tail, the slight wincing pain brought him out of the daydream and back to his reality, seeing his face in the mirror with his hat over his ears and the hair covering his furred eyepatch. He took just a moment to stare at himself, letting out a pent up breath before he continued to smooth down the fur on his tail and wrap it around his waist. For the rest of the time he was preparing for the night, his thoughts went silent. The dreams were always so nice and calm, but he didn't see a future where that would happen. He couldn't go out in public without fear of someone calling the police and being found out. There was no way he could have a normal life like that, no matter how much he wanted it. The dreams were nice…but that was the thing about dreams. They were dreams. The second tail went a lot faster as he continued to smooth it down, tying it with the first along his waist before covering both up with his black jacket. His hands went to work smoothing them out to make it look more natural before doing one more quick once over along his body. Everything seemed to be in order…his khaki shorts not betraying any hint of his tails. His hat in just the right place. His bangs thinned out properly so the blue was acting as a good distraction from the fur underneath. Yeah…everything looked good! And just in time, too.

            The ringing of the doorbell captured his attention as he smiled softly and took out his phone. Still plenty of time before dinner started, which meant this could only be Amanda. With an idle hop in his step, Corey made his way to the front door before smoothing out his jacket, readjusting his hat, and opening it to let his friend in. And there she was. Her golden blonde hair washing over one of her shoulders and cascading beautifully against her midnight black dress with white patterning along the chest and shoulders. She chose two emerald earrings, reflecting in the porch lights as her jaded eyes were turned down to her phone. As soon as she heard the door opening, she lifted her head and gave Corey the brightest, warmest smile he'd ever seen. Without even saying a word, her arms stretched out and embraced him tight. Corey returned the hug with a gentle smile, the two of them exchanging idle greetings before Amanda stepped past him and into the house.

            “Oh hey, the house looks nice!" Her voice was bubbly and excited as ever, looking around the entrance hall before going into the dining room. Corey hadn't had anyone over in quite some time, and he did his best to make sure his house was cleaned and organized as best it could. “You didn't do all this just for me, did you?" She teased, winking at him before heading toward the kitchen.

            “Not COMPLETELY for you. Just…mostly." Corey teased right back, scratching the back of his neck as he followed along with her. The majority of dinner was already prepared, just needing a couple more steps and the proper table setup. As Amanda walked around and looked at what was already done, she awkwardly tried to find something to help out with. Her heels clacked loudly along the tiles as she continued to look for something to do…some way to be useful. Finding nothing, her attention turned back to Corey before crossing her arms in front of her and giving him a playful glare.

            “You didn't need help setting things up, everything's already done!" The attempt to sound upset didn't work very well, Corey raising a brow before leaning against the doorframe to the kitchen with an idle shrug.

            “Well I needed someone to try the food. What if it's poisoned? After all, we can't-"

            “No Clue quotes tonight! You promised."

            “Look, when I said 'No,' I really said no meaning yes, and-"

            He didn't have a chance to finish, Amanda walking over and pushing him lightly on the shoulder as he stumbled out of the door frame. His laugh caught them both off guard, the two sharing a quiet moment before both going back to the kitchen and starting to set up the dinner table. They continued the conversation, the two of them taking idle playful jabs at each other while talking about what was new. It was a lot of conversation about nothing, but the moments of connection were what mattered. Being able to just spend some time alone, the two of them in Corey's house as Amanda was dressed to the nines with a smile to match. She went out of her way while carrying a large plate of vegetables to pass by Corey and idly bump him with her hips. “Whoops, should really get out of the way!" She poked at him, Corey taking the tray from her and sneaking around her and maneuvering sneakily as she tried to steal it back. The two rolled around each other, carefully trying to steal away the food before Corey placed it down victoriously on the table. Amanda glared playfully at him, rushing back to the kitchen to grab the next tray as they continued the game as carefully as they could.

            The two spent the next twenty or so minutes setting up the table and trying to outdo each other in this new made-up game they developed. Apparently whoever put the most dishes on the table and set up the most spaces for guests would win some sort of unseen prize. Neither of them really cared about it, but their playful competitiveness was all they could really focus on. The teasing and jeers were all lighthearted, and it spoke to two friends who seemed to have more in mind than just friendship. It brought back some of those dreams Corey thought about, being happy and accepted as he was with his changes. But every time he moved past Amanda to try and get another tray past her, he was making sure his tails were secured. His hat didn't shift. His bangs were still covering his eye. There was so much he had to worry about, but at the same time? He felt like he could let his guard down a little bit around Amanda.

            Just a little bit. 

            “You know," Amanda started, the two of them resting in the kitchen as the majority of the dishes were already set. “You should really let more people see your eyes. They're such a pretty color and you always keep them hidden away by your bangs." Her voice was softer, taking a step closer to Corey as she lifted her hand to brush the hair away. A sudden pang of fear rushed through Corey's heart, nightmares coming true in that moment as he cleared his throat and tried to play off pushing her hand away as a playful joke. Unfortunately, the action was too successful as Amanda simply grinned and tried to do it again. “Oh, it's gonna be like that? Alright, Corey. Little did you know I've been training for this moment!" She laughed and teased him, reaching forward again as Corey did his best to push the hand away once more. Another lunge and Corey repelled her again. They moved across the kitchen until Corey was up against the wall, his breath picking up as he was feeling a sudden wave of anxiety washing over him.

            “H-hey, come on, Amanda. L-let's not right before-"

            “I will never give up!" She declared in a joking over-the-top manner, Corey against the wall as she was able to pin him by his shoulder against it. His body froze in the panic, worry and fear making his breath come in even faster as his eyes went wide. He could see her moving in closer, hand aimed directly at his bangs as time seemed to stand still. This was it. His heart was pounding in his chest as his lungs were heaving, shivers rushing up his back as he'd had dreams of this exact moment. The news cameras in his face. The men in dark suits carrying him away. The experiments. The examinations. The scientists. Everyone. Everything. Panic, fear, and anxiety becoming the only emotions he could feel as his mouth opened to try and say words but found none. His fingers twitched. His tails were fighting against the ties. His throat closed. Ice ran through his veins as her fingers were twitching closer and closer and closer. Then suddenly…everything went cold. Then hot. Burning hot. Like a stake of heated metal deep in his heart as something made his body convulse, falling down to his knees with labored breaths causing his chest to convulse. In that moment, all sound disappeared outside of the heavy thumping of his heart beating heavily, the ragged breaths trying to pull air into his lungs. He'd felt like this a few times before in his life. It meant…

            “C-Corey? Corey are you ok??"

            Amanda's voice felt so far away as Corey's mind was both frozen and moving at the speed of light. Everything around him was standing still, but he felt like he was in some sort of hyperbolic time chamber where everything around him was moving so quickly. His hands were on the floor, resting on all fours as Amanda's words felt like they were being fed to him through some sort of filter. His eyes were wide, the heat building higher and higher and higher as he had a sinking feeling he knew what was happening. It had been years. Why now? Why at this exact moment?? His teeth gritted as he fell to his side, head pounding in a massive migraine as he couldn't focus on anything outside of the world around him. There was an enormous cramp in his body. Low. Lower toward his feet as the pain became unbearable faster than he could understand what was happening. He must've let out a cry of pain as Amanda was kneeling down next to him, resting a hand on his shoulder and rubbing along his back. While it was a nice gesture, it did nothing to help ease the pain as Corey kicked at the floor. The noise and twitching of his body brought a shocked gasp from Amanda as she shifted back just a bit and tried to figure out what was wrong. His shoes were hardly hanging on, something changing as his heels were starting to feel strained…almost as if they were slipping out of his shoes and pushing them away from his body.

            As the silent seconds passed, his toes started to press against the inside of his shoes with a gentle tearing sound. Amanda's attention was torn for a moment, still rubbing along Corey's back as she was doing her best to try and ease him into a state of calm. She assumed he was having a panic attack, but Corey came to realize it was so much more. A sudden cry escaped from the back of Corey's throat as he could feel his toes tearing through the front of his shoes. Amanda must not have noticed yet as Corey could hear the whispers of unintelligible words coming from his friend. His eyes opened and looked down at his feet, the terror increasing as he saw something orange pressing out of the front with a sleek, black claw hanging off of it. “N…no. N-no, no no…" he mouthed to himself, Amanda asking him what was wrong in a stutter as he couldn't respond. Instead, he felt that same tearing as the growing claws on his other foot shredded the front of his shoe sock. The cold breeze of his air conditioning brushed along the fur growing along his toes, making his breath pick up even heavier as he could see all of his wildest fears coming true.

            The changes were happening in slow motion, Corey's toes pressing out of his shoes as the remnants of his socks still clung to his claws. They pushed out further as his internal anatomy seemed to shift in a manner he couldn't wrap his mind around, worried about how far it would go this time. His toes curled as there was a strange twitch at the ball of his feet, soft yet leathery pads stretching along his skin while his heels both pressed out and away from the remnants of his shoes. He could feel his balance shifting, head spinning as that orange fur continued to spread up toward his former heel and his ankles. Try as he might to urge this all away and wish he could just wake up, the panic and pressure continued to wash through his body faster and harder. He gritted his teeth, feeling as if everything was focused on his feet and legs but knowing that was enough to make his life that much tougher. And through all of this, he could hear Amanda's voice rising in a panicked yelp. It must've looked…literally unbelievable to her as he could feel her eyes burning on the changing parts of his body. This was what he feared. What he had nightmares about. His closest friends finding out and being stricken with fear to the point that they treated him like some sort of monster. A demon. A…thing.

            And yet, Amanda hadn't run away. Quite the opposite…she was still hovering around him and hesitantly started to rub his back in a poor attempt at comfort. Corey could feel her hands shaking as she was rubbing along his back, hear her breath coming in more ragged as the fear was clear to see. Corey was also hyperventilating and trying to fight back the confusion and pain of the shift…though Amanda's continued presence was nice. It was like…some of the fear was washed away, though he knew it was only temporary. And naturally, that momentary respite of a human moment was gone as he felt an itching along the tops of his feet and ankles as the fur was spreading further up his legs. He cried out and clenched his fists, idly pounding on the ground as the changes continued to toy with his anxiety. Amanda must have noticed how fast his heart was beating as she tightened her grip on his shoulders and tried to awkwardly rub them in a relaxing manner. He swore she heard her saying everything would be ok in a nervous stammer…and while the comfort was appreciated, Corey couldn't think straight. He was so incredibly focused on keeping the changes hidden and not having his entire world crashing down around him, late though it might've been.. But as his attention stayed trained on his changing feet, he could see how bad his shoes and socks were…could see the fur growing up the edges of his socks. Even if he could hide his shoes somehow, that wasn't something he could easily hide.

            This was it.

            “C-come on, just keep breathing, Corey. Deep breath in…calm breathe out."

            Amanda's words broke through the panic as he turned his attention back to her, watching as she gave a forced smile and held Corey up. He could see the fear and worry deep in her eyes, but…there was also a sense of care. Concern. Worry. Almost…love. The sight made the pain and anxiety go away every so slightly…Corey's breath steadying for just a second. The two were having a moment. He wished this day could've gone better…but if anyone was going to be here during his latest change, Corey was glad it was Amanda. His back arched again as he gritted his teeth with another huff of pain as the fur continued to slowly creep up his legs. He could do this. With Amanda here…he knew he could get through these changes and still feel as if everything would be fine. He knew-

            Amanda's arm shifted to support the back of his neck. Everything started to move in slow motion as something shifted along Corey's head. He could feel his ears flicking, twitching up against his hat before knocking it off. His eyes widened as he saw his hat falling down to the floor. He could feel those orange, triangular ears flicking in the air on the top of his head as the breath caught in his throat. As if to make matters worse, Corey felt another sudden spike of panic and anxiety as his body arched from the itching along his legs. The angle of his body made something else lurch he wasn't expecting, the ties keeping his tails smoothed against his body straining before one of them suddenly snapped. He let out a sudden yelp, his smoothed down brush of a tail pushing against Amanda's body and separating the two as Corey's body shifted along the floor and Amanda let out a soft shriek. The second tail was quick to follow, both of them flicking wildly in the air as his body was on high alert. The anxiety was going off the rails, panic and concern the only emotions he could feel outside of the discomfort from the fur growing further up his legs. His heart froze, a strange counterpoint between the heavy biting and the stillness of the air.

            Amanda's arms were no longer along his body. He saw her looking down at him as his bangs were brushed to the side and she could likely see the patch of fur along his face with his two differently colored eyes. As Corey opened his mouth to say something, he could only let out a cry of discomfort as his body curled up into a ball once again. The pain returned as the fur continued to grow up his skin, his socks and shoes tearing more as he kicked out his new paws and did everything he could to stretch them out and shake off the pain. Nothing worked. The crippling anxiety and fear was all he could focus on as his tails curled up around his body as a defensive mechanism. He grasped at his knees, clutching them tight to his chest with his eyes shut tight. This was all a nightmare. Some sort of nightmare as the itching along his ankles and calves was unbearable. No matter what he did, he couldn't shake that worry and concern and fear and anxiety that this was it. This was the end. It was all over. He didn't know where the changes would stop this time, and the worst part was that he had a witness. His closest friend. The woman he adored more than anything and anyone else. This was it. It was over.

            …

            …as he was spiraling in his concern and anxiety, Corey felt a pressure pulling along his arm. His body shifted, head resting against something as Amanda wrapped her arms around his chest and held him close. His head was pressed gently against her stomach, her head leaning down over his as she said nothing but held him close. He could hardly believe what was happening, expression shocked before the changes continued with another cry of pain. There wasn't time to think about it as he still had to ride out the last of his changes. His body twitched and shifted as he tried to fight against the changes, but Amanda just held onto him tighter and tried to keep him still. Corey's teeth gritted, letting out a groan of discomfort as her hands started to pet and stroke along his sides, his chest, his back. Everywhere to try and keep Corey calm and still through this strange and confusing moment. He was still twitching in her arms, his legs idly kicking and shifting as that orange fur kept shifting up calves and wrapped around toward the front. The fire was impossible to describe, but in that moment? It felt manageable having Amanda holding him close.

            The next couple of minutes passed by much in the same manner, neither one saying anything other than the grunts and pants of Corey trying to fight those changes with the gentle calming hushes of Amanda. Eventually, the anxiety and fear melted away and Corey was able to catch his breath. He didn't want to look down at what became of his legs. If he had to guess, he would assume his feet were now paws and his legs were covered to fur just up to his knees. As if hiding his tails wasn't hard enough…now he had to learn how to walk again. His breath was coming out in slower labored huffs…Amanda's sounding a bit shaky as he tilted his head to look up at her. She was staring out in front of her, gaze fixed on the ground as it was impossible for Corey to read her expression. He…thought he should say something. Thought he should try to offer an explanation, but nothing would come. Only that worry and concern gripping his heart like a vice as he struggled to even keep his thoughts straight. He kept his changes hidden so well for so long…and it all came crashing down in one unexpected moment. Would she even want to be friends with him anymore? Would he ever hear from her again? Would she tell the authorities? Would he be captured? Would-

            “Come on."

            Her voice broke the silence on the air. She still wasn't looking at Corey…but rather kept her eyes trained on the floor in front of both of them. Corey was looking up at her, uncertainty in his slitted blue and human green eye as he didn't know what to expect next. Amanda swallowed nervously, turning back down to Corey with a warm smile before brushing a hand along his head to shift the hair away from his eyes. She touched one of his ears in the process, hand pulling back in shock before she touched it…before moving back to brush along it with a gentle scratch. “That…that couldn't have been easy. And…I-I think you'll need some help, um…learning to walk on…o-on those new…" She didn't finish the sentence. It was all difficult for her to understand, but it seemed she was being…patience? Helpful? Accepting, almost? Corey took a moment, trying to wrap his mind around the situation before he sniffed idly and nodded. She was right…and the emotions hitting him in that moment were almost too much for him to handle alone. But fortunately…

            He wasn't alone.

            As Amanda's arms hesitantly shifted to support him along his hips, Corey draped an arm around her shoulders. He could feel how she tensed, the breath catching in her throat as it seemed as if Amanda was fighting against a lot of fear and worry. That made Corey pause for a moment and have second thoughts on whether having her here was the right idea. She would never be able to go back to what she had. She was in on everything now…and the fact that she hadn't run away made him think…made him hope…that maybe…

            No. He had to stay realistic.

            Every time he felt hope in the world, the changes came back. They were a constant reminder of who he was - of…what he was. What he'd become. And even as Amanda was supporting him up to his shaky feet, those paws felt too shaky, too foreign. The weight was too much to bear as he fell against her body and grasped hard onto her shoulders. Another gasp escaped from the back of her throat, but this time…Amanda looked down at him and brushed the hair out of his eyes. For a moment, the sight of his one changed eye and one normal eye took her off guard. He could see the gears turning in her head as she was trying to understand what he was. And yet, it only lasted for a brief moment. She forced a smile that was starting to look more genuine by the second before taking Corey gently by the arms. “S-slowly. Come on, it's…i-it's ok, Corey. I'm here, and…a-and I'm…not leaving, ok? We'll, uh…w-we'll get through…this, uh…th-thing?" The words were…worrying. But at the same time, what she said? It was what Corey was always worried about. She wasn't leaving…she wasn't…leaving.

            She wasn't leaving?

            She…sh-she wasn't leaving.

            The words repeated in his head over and over again, like a song from his childhood. A record he could never forget. His balance shifted not out of his new paws, but out of a sudden disbelief that he wouldn't…for once…need to hide. She continued to guide his body into a makeshift standing position as Corey's guard was carefully…slowly…hesitantly coming down. His tails unfurled from his body and started to casually sway back and forth, helping as a counterweight while he pressed himself down onto his new paws. He could feel those paw pads shifting against the carpet…his new claws brushing through each strand sticking up from the ground. The sensations were impossible to describe, and the more he focused on them, the more his breath started to pick up again. But every time he could feel his heart rate increase…Amanda was there. Urging him on. Calming him down. Lightly brushing a still-shaking hand along his cheek. Doing what she could to support his body weight. Eventually, the anxiety began to melt away as he was able to support himself on his feet. Amanda took a step back, Corey's arms in front of him as he could feel his body shaking. His legs were wobbling. His tails were thrashing ever so slightly. The worry was still plastered on in a concerned expression. But at the end of it all?

            He was standing!

            In that moment of celebration, any worry he felt disappeared as he let out a soft laugh. His gaze immediately turned to Amanda, whose expression made him freeze once more. She wasn't smiling. She looked happy, but it wasn't a smile Corey saw. It was fear. Concern. Uncertainty. Questioning. So many different emotions rushing through her mind that made Corey swallow the lump forming in his throat. Her eyes were staring off into the distance, a thousand yard stare that made Corey think of the worst. She had been so supportive so far, but…what if she left and never came back? What if she never spoke to him again? What if Corey was abandoned, just when he felt as if he and Amanda were getting closer. Developing feelings for each other. Giving him a sense of-

            “O-oh, sorry. I…was spacing out a bit." Her voice broke the abyss of his mind as he looked back up at her, seeing that same hesitant smile returning. “Now let's, uh…" She took in a deep breath, exhaling calmly as she slowly, ever so slowly, took a few steps toward Corey. “...l-let's try some steps now. Here-" Suddenly there was an arm wrapping under Corey's own, curling around his back as another went to his waist. He couldn't help but think about how soft her hands were…how gentle her touch was as she guided him forward in his first steps with his new legs. Shifting his weight felt so…awkward. As if he was learning to take his first steps all over again. He didn't know how long it might take, but pushing his weight over to one paw caused his body to collapse into Amanda's arms. She gasped and let out a soft yelp before catching Corey, her own body freezing as she held him before pulling him back up onto his feet. “I-it's ok, it's ok. Just breathe…one…one step at a time. You got this Corey. We…w-we got this." In the midst of Corey's heavy breathing, he couldn't help but feel a slight flutter in his heart. He…wasn't hiding from her. She could see most of his changes as she was holding him up and helped him back to his feet. He never thought this could happen and didn't know what he should do.

            After what felt like a half hour of awkward attempts at taking his first steps with vulpine paws, Corey was able to take a few shaky steps across the room on his own…with Amanda at his side. He laughed eagerly at the successful feat, Amanda comforting him every step of the way as his two tails were swaying and adjusting to his shifting body weight. Celebrating a first step with his new paws and legs wasn't exactly something he'd find on a greeting card, but it really did feel like something remarkable. He raised his hands into the air in celebration, immediately regretting the decision as his body started to waver in the air. Before he could even come close to falling over, Amanda was there to catch him. His left leg moved in front of his body and caught most of his weight, but with Amanda's help, it was hardly a fall in the slightest. He looked up at her with a soft smile which she returned…but it was at that moment Corey realized something was changing. He…would need to stop hiding. At least, from Amanda. She deserved that much in the very least.

            “Amanda…" He started, pulling her attention back as she met his gaze. He could feel his bangs falling back over his changed fur and eye, Amanda reaching out to brush it away before he grasped her hand suddenly. The action took her by surprise, the fear returning for a moment before Corey gently calmed his nerves. Instead…he brushed the blue bangs away and put them behind his ear which flicked in response. He also took a careful step away from Amanda, shifting his tails out to the side as he could feel the color rushing up to his cheeks. Presenting himself and his changes to another person wasn't something he was…used to. He'd never done it. But with all the help Amanda gave him, she deserved at least that much. He unzipped his jacket and brushed the base of his tails with a hand, making sure their full bushy length was free to float in the air. And now…looking down at his shins and feet, he shifted his legs around in a wider stance to make sure he could be seen on full display, albeit still a bit reserved.

            “Something…s-something happened when I was really young. And I've been hiding myself because I…I-I don't…sorry, th-this isn't exactly, uh…"

            “Go on."

            Her encouragement quieted him, Amanda nodding softly as she had her arms wrapped around her body in a closed off and concerned posture. And yet…her full attention was trained on Corey. He sighed, steeling himself to continue as he nervously began playing along the bottom of his jacket.

            “...you're the first person I've…sh-shown this to. I don't know how to explain it but I'm…I-I'm becoming…well. Something else, and…th-these changes keep happening randomly throughout the years and I don't know when they're coming next and I don't know how much longer I'll be human, but…I've needed to hide from the world because I'm a-afraid. If the wrong person sees me like this then I…might disappear. Be taken. Be gone, and I can't go back there. Not…n-not again. And I finally have a life that works for me and is hard but still manageable and going back there knowing that I'll never be fully human again just…i-it just…I can't. I can't do it Amanda. I'm so, so tired of hiding…"

            His voice trailed off as he lost the words for a moment. It all sounded absolutely ridiculous, hearing his own words and realizing they were coming from his own mouth. It all felt so…absurd. Unreal. Fanatical. And yet, at no point in time did Amanda try and make him feel unheard. Crazy. Or like he wasn't worth listening to. Instead, she just nodded along with his words and kept eye contact. Corey nervously went to play with his bangs and had a moment when he realized they weren't there. The habit brought a pang of fear to his heart, but he remembered…he wasn't hiding. He was letting Amanda in, opening those long closed off doors and finding the vulnerability he could share with her. Baring everything and hoping she would be receptive. There were no words exchanged for the first few moments when Corey finished, instead finding nothing but silence and uncertainty. Amanda didn't look like she fully understood…but slowly, she took a few steps toward Corey before resting her hands on his shoulders.

            “Corey, I…" She started slowly, head tilting downward for a second as she searched for the words. “This is all…so impossible. And I can't think of anyone, ANYONE who's a nicer and kinder person and I wish that you…didn't have to deal with that fear." Her words were very carefully chosen, and Corey felt both comforted and terrified for what was to come next. “This all just…explains so many things. Why you've been so distant, why you constantly say no to hanging out, why you always cover yourself up so much. I always thought you just weren't interested in me or hanging out, but-"

            “No!! N-no no, the opposite. I…" It took him a split second to realize what he said…but at this point, the cat was out of the bag. He sighed…closing his eyes for a moment before he swallowed and continued to be as vulnerable as he could be. “...I've liked you for a long time. Not just as a friend, but…you know. As…more. I…I think you're amazing, Amanda. Wonderful, beautiful, a great person, a better friend with an unbelievable heart and wonderful personality who's beautiful and kind and gentle and knows how to make me laugh and-"

            “Ok, ok! I-I get it, heh…" Now it was Amanda's turn to blush as she nervously brushed her hair behind her ear and shifted around. The mood in the room was getting lighter, the fear and anxiety melting away for something warmer…something wholesome. Something genuine. Her interruption made Corey smile, hesitantly bringing his arms closer to wrap around Amanda's waist. She paused for a moment, uncertain at first of how to react before leaning in closer and wrapping her own around the back of Corey's neck. For a brief moment, they both stayed there in each other's arms. Amanda opened her mouth to say something, lips parting for a brief moment before they closed once more and she just let out a soft chuckle of a laugh. “You're a sweet guy, Corey. A really, really sweet guy. And…I'm so flattered that I don't know what to say."

            “Well…maybe you don't have to say anything? Maybe…" The sentence trailed off as they met each other's gaze, getting lost in each other's eyes for a moment before they could feel the gravity between them getting stronger. Corey's slitted blue eye and green human eye drank in every bit of her own emerald gaze. Their heads leaned in closer, slowly. Corey's arms shifted toward Amanda's lower back, pulling her in closer as Amanda gently squeezed along Corey's shoulders. The two of them closed the distance between each other, heads tilting to the side as the sparks were flying between them. Feelings were bubbling, their eyes slowly shutting as they could feel the distance disappearing. Seconds felt like hours, the two of them drawing closer before with the lightest touch, the briefest glance of their lips together. That first brush was like liquid electricity flowing through their veins, connecting as they shared a first sweet, gentle, loving kiss.

            Their bodies moved in closer, the two holding each other tight as they breathed in each other's scents. They stayed perfectly still, the only movement the slight adjustment as they locked lips and shared their first romantic moment together. Stars swam in Corey's head, feeling his heart beating faster and butterflies fluttering in his stomach from what he thought would never happen. Showing off his changes with Amanda in his arms, kissing her after sharing his most personal feelings…there in his house…it had to be a dream. It couldn't be real. But the more they shifted their lips in that kiss and shared each other's warmth, he knew it couldn't have been a dream. It was real. His hands idly brushed along the small of her back while hers gently teased across his neck, sharing in the intimacy of the moment while basking in their shared grasp. It was everything Corey could've hoped for and more. His face was beet red, feeling so happy and so grateful for how the afternoon went that any and all initial fear he felt was gone. They held that kiss for what felt like hours, time slowing down in the intimate and caring moment.

            Finally when they at last pulled their lips away from each other and each let out a warm, intermingled breath, their eyes opened as one to stare into each other's hearts. They couldn't help but smile, foreheads leaning into each other as they shut their eyes once more. The intimacy and warmth was intoxicating. Neither broke the silence. They couldn't. They just wanted to stay there embracing each other for as long as either could stand. Finally, after ten minutes of maintaining that stance, Amanda guided them both to the couch to sit down. The weight off of Corey's paws was far more relieving than he was expecting, but he didn't know if he could maintain his balance after everything that just happened. Kissing Amanda…he'd wanted to do that for so long and figured he wouldn't be able to given the state of his changes. But it seemed like…almost as if she…

            …didn't mind.

            “I-"

            “Corey, you're you. You've always been you. You'll always be the same you, even if you look like…a fox? Those are fox tails, right?"

            “I…think so?"

            “Well…foxes are one of my favorite animals, so it works. You're not a rabbit, but foxes are good, too." She teased, giving him a genuine smile before they both laughed and hugged again on that couch. The afternoon went from terrifying to wonderful all in one quick moment, the two of them likely to share many more moments like this in the future. “But…I mean it. I'm so glad you feel the same way. All this time I figured you were just distant because you thought I was being too forward or something. But…this? This all…well, I can't say I ever would've expected it, but…it doesn't change how I feel about you, ok? If anything…I dunno. I don't wanna be rude, but it kind of fits you. Like your blue bangs, just feels…like Corey."

            “I guess it is…been like this for really long and I'm…kind of used to it. But you have no idea how uncomfortable it is wrapping tails up around my body and keeping them there all day." He scratched the back of his head with a sheepish laugh, tails curled up along his body before flicking against Amanda's leg. She stared at one, arm hovering in the air before she looked to Corey for permission. When he nodded gently, she stroked along its length and had the same look of disbelief as when she first saw his changes.

            “They're so…soft. And you hide these under your…wait…oh. Oh no, Corey. Dinner." As Corey looked to the clock on his wall, it was hard to believe how much time had passed. Amanda seemed more concerned than he, Corey smiling as he brushed a hand along her cheek.

            “Hey, it's ok. I was hosting, remember? Just need to go through my routine again. And, uh…figure something out for my legs. Like a crutch or something, I don't know. I'll figure it out, but I'm…not ready for others to see me like this at all, and dinner's ready. So…um…when people get here, would you let them know I'm still getting ready or something?" Her panicked look quickly faded away, glancing at Corey happily before pressing her hand against his.

            “I…think I can do that." Her voice was soft, the two staring at each other once more before somewhat quicker this time, they leaned in and locked their lips together in another kiss. Corey's hand moved down to grasp lightly along her shoulder before Amanda pressed her hand against his chest. They held that kiss for a while once again, letting the minutes tick by as the time for their dinner party inched closer and closer. And though Corey didn't know what the future might bring, when these changes would complete, or if he could live anything close to a normal life? There was one thing that he knew in that moment.

            He wouldn't go through it alone.