Kyle was humming the victory song from the Final Fantasy series. He had quite a lucky day at the grocery store, luckily saving up a bunch from the deals going on today. Stocking up on the ingredients to make his favorite lasagna, he decided to spend some extra funds on getting his favorite Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, a tub of cookies and cream ice cream, and one of Sara Lee's frozen strawberry cheesecake.

The assistant manager of the local four-star hotel had decided to use all of his days off at the beginning of October. Not using it as a relief from the stressful job, no. He actually had a blast working there, friendly coworkers and encountering interesting events from the customers using the hotel's facilities. A gamer at heart, Kyle decided to have a time to himself where he can finally get through his list of games he wanted to play and also having some extra time at the gym as well.

Kyle whistled as he stocked up his fridge, and started to prep some of the ingredients for the lasagna. After the preparations were made, he placed the lasagna into the oven. While waiting for his dinner, he opened one of the Reese's bags in the fridge and ate two pieces.

Once he heard his alarm ringing, he removed the lasagna, plating an appropriate amount for dinner while putting the rest securely in a container and placing it in the fridge as well. Kyle blissfully enjoyed the lasagna he learned from his mother, while enjoying this month's Nintendo Direct played on his TV. After finishing up his meal and cleaning up the dishes, he enjoyed the rest of the night playing his first game on the list - Fatal Frame.

"This week is going to be great! It's too bad that Brandon is away for the week." Kyle sighed.

.....................

Brandon is Kyle's best friend from college. The two met in the gaming club, immediately clicking from their shared interests over video games. As they graduated, Brandon got a job in the construction company located nearby.

Both of them were overjoyed when they spotted a cheap townhouse. Deciding that it was too much of a hassle to knock at the front door, the two created a connecting door between the houses. This allows for easier access to grab some extra snacks if needed for their scheduled gaming sessions over the weekend and during holidays.

Kyle pouted when he heard Brandon has something to do with his work throughout the week. His best friend apologized profusely considering how abrupt this change of plan was, but Brandon promised to make it up to Kyle afterwards.

"Oh well, can't help it. Good luck with work!" Kyle said with a smile, hoping that it's a sincere one that hides his feelings.

Little did Kyle knew as he went back into the house, Brandon murmured as he slapped his forehead, "Of course, the one time I didn't check the calendar, and this happens..."

..................

The second day started with confusion. "Did I really eat that much of Reese's yesterday?" Kyle scratched his head.

He was on his way to grab some milk for his breakfast cereal, and he stopped as he glanced at the bag, with almost half of it gone. Kyle was not sure since he did grab a bit more during his gaming session, so he just reminded himself not to go way too crazy on his sweet tooth if possible.

Kyle frowned as he set his cereal bowl on the dinner table, noticing the welcome mat in front of the connecting door looking a bit ajar. He decided to arrange it, thinking that he must have forgotten all about not making a mess as he got back from the store yesterday.

"Eh, whatever! Let's open up that cheesecake." Kyle drooled. He scooped up a slice and dropped a scoop of the ice cream as a snack. Clearly, that was just being clumsy, right?

During the night, Kyle briefly jolted awake. He thought he heard the refrigerator being closed, but he drifted back to sleep due to the complete silence. "Must have been a bad dream..." Kyle dozed off.

...................

Third day was a nightmare. Kyle trembled as he saw the contents of the fridge. "What the fuck!?" He exclaimed.

The second Reese's bag was haphazardly opened by brute force. Well, more like some scratch marks at the middle, with half of it gone. Three slices of the cheesecake devoured with some of the crumbles left on it, leaving quite a mess. Surprisingly, the ice cream was left untouched, same with the lasagna.

"Maybe that sound last night? Fuck this, I'll catch them tonight. Fuck, they messed up the mat again!" Kyle grumbled, approaching the mat. He spotted some dirt on it too, but that's...

Kyle was confused. "Brandon said he's away for the week, and I swear I didn't hear anybody next door..." he thought.

Well, not much he can do for now. He cleaned up the mess, and decided to take a quick nap. With Kyle's trusted baseball bat and his phone to capture the culprit, he's ready to start the hunt.

.................

Kyle turned off all the lights, while making sure that his bedroom door is open. He made sure that his phone is fully charged, and wore the fluffy bunny slippers he bought last year. The young man looked stupid, but whatever it takes to protect his fridge's sweet, sweet contents.

Kyle was just playing through one of his mobile games as he heard the fridge opening. Taking deep breaths, he slowly creeped into the kitchen. Kyle saw the fridge slightly open, but he could not see whoever is munching on the Reese's. He made sure he got close enough to the counter and used the rapid flash feature on his phone's camera. As it clicked, beginning the start of its frenzy of taking pictures...

"Gah!" Kyle jumped back as he saw glimpses of whatever it was, definitely not human. The... monster seems frightened as well, it yelped and sprained its back on the counter.

During the confusion, Kyle grabbed hold of his baseball bat tighter and turned on the lights. "Show yourself, f-food thief! I'm armed, so you better not do something stu..." His jaw dropped over what he saw.

A towering beast with drool drooping out of its maw, rubbing its head with its paw. It seems to be... groaning and whimpering over the earlier contact with the counter?

Kyle stuttered, "B-B-B-B-bear!?"

To his surprise, the bear held up its paws. "W-w-w-wait! I'm friendly! Don't hurt me!" The bear said with its deep voice, completely contradicting his feral appearance.

"A talking bear!?" Kyle blinked. What kind of a weird situation is this?

"A... bear?" The bear looked down, seeing his paws. He was bewildered as he realized his surroundings. "Oh fuck... No, no, no..."

Not giving Kyle a chance to do something else, the bear kneeled and bowed his head. The bear did it a bit too enthusiastically and groaned once more as his head hit the kitchen floor with a loud THUD sound.

"Oof! Ugh... S-sorry, I must have lost control with the moon! I-I usually had complete control with it, but this month... Candies everywhere, and I couldn't help it. I deeply apologize, Kyle." The bear apologized, still in his bowing position.

.....................

"The moon?" Kyle wondered. He saw the full moon looming in the night sky. Once it clicked in his mind, he blurted, "You're a... werebear or something? I thought you guys aren't real! Wait, how do you even know my name!?"

The bear chuckled as it stood once more, Kyle's head only reaching his chest. "Well, I sure am real, last time I checked. Also, I'm hurt. You don't remember me, bud?" He grinned widely, showing off his sharp teeth.

Kyle noticed the attire the bear was wearing. The sweater looks strained, as if it's a matter of time until it gets torn apart from trying to contain the massive bear. Wait... "B-Brandon!? You said you were away for... Wait, never mind that, how are you a werebear!?" Kyle blabbered.

Brandon looked away, putting his paw on the back of his head. "Yeeeahhhhh, about that... Been one since I was born. You didn't notice how I am never available whenever it's a full moon?"

Kyle blinked, "I never bothered checking on that, Brand. Besides, you know me, never believed in supernatural stuff until... now. Well, whatever! Why are you eating my snacks?"

Brandon sighed. "Not sure. I made sure to stock up a lot of supplies beforehand, but... I-I guess all that exposure to the Halloween candies in the stores made it worse? W-well, I didn't exactly have the time to eat some beforehand either, so..."

Kyle smirked, "A giant bear having a sweet tooth, color me surprised. You're just trying to one-up Winnie the Pooh, aren't you?"

Brandon blushed, "W-well, I can't help it! It's this stupid condition of mine. I have a stronger urge to change when I smell candies, and this time of the year is always awful to deal with. Not to mention that I have to smell the damn thing whenever I stock up too! I think this is the first time I didn't remember what I'm doing, either!"

Kyle laughed for a while, and then paused. "Why my house though? Of all the places, why didn't you rush into the closest supermarket when you lose control?"

If he was not covered in fur, Kyle would have noticed that Brandon is blushing furiously, as red as a tomato. "Well, I dunno! The bear does whatever he wants?" Brandon tried giving an excuse.

Kyle did not budge. "Yeah, no chance. You always are a bad liar, not even being a huge bear can help with that. Out with it."

.......................

Silence. The sudden tension between the two, and the ticking sounds of the living room clock does not help either.

Brandon sighed, he put his paws on his face. "Yoursweetscentiswayworsethanthecandies."

Kyle asked, "My what now? Speak up, bear."

Brandon growled, "Your scent! I don't know what you are doing with your showers! Did you drench yourself in honey!? Fuck me, bud, it's getting tougher and tougher to control myself during those gaming sessions! You realize why I kept using the connecting door during those nights? I had to grab some sweets from my fridge to calm myself down! So, yeah, maybe that's why the bear decided to do that, and... and..." He blinked after this outburst, wiping the drool dripping out of his maw once more.

Kyle was shocked. "My scent? What does that have to do with anything? I just showered like usual, you dingus! Unless... Unless..." His eyes bulged out with the realization, and Brandon's flustered behavior just proves it.

Kyle asked, starting to blush. "Are we... going with the same logic as the fictional material here? Do you... have feelings for m-me?"

Brandon stuttered, "NO! I-I mean, uh... Fuck... Uhh... Yes, dammit! It was fine back in college, but it started getting worse and worse after we graduated! I don't want to lose contact with you, so I made sure to get a job here as well after hearing your news about getting hired in the hotel! I literally changed with joy after we settled in this house, because holy shit, we were so goddamn lucky to get this place! Well, until I realized I need to increase my sweet intake because your scent gets through that connecting door, but who cares!?" The bear panted after spitting out all of this, as if he just went through a rough workout session.

Kyle blushed profusely, "Well, uh... I'm flattered, bud. Really. I get why you're hiding this, but... I really hoped that you didn't scare the bejeezus out of me with you sneaking into my house like that. And, uh... ImgladImnottheonlyonehavingfeelingshere." He decided to say the last part really fast and quiet, hoping that Brandon did not get that last part.

Of course, Brandon's ears twitched and he smirked. "Ahhhh, how I love these enhanced senses. So, uh... heh... B-boyfriends?"

Kyle swore as his feelings got busted, oh well. He grabbed one paw and smiled, "Of course, Brandon. It's a weird start, but... we can salvage the situation?"

Brandon cheered. "Hell yeah! I'm done trying to be very quiet next door. Thanks so much, Kyle! So, uh... gaming night?"

Kyle smiled brightly, "Of course, my sweet bear. Now come on, I was just in the middle of finishing up Fatal Frame. You're doing fine with the candies for now?"

Brandon returned the smile, "Ehhhh, a bag of Reese's would be fine. I'll make it up to you tomorrow!"

....................

Five years later, Kyle and Brandon found a house to live together. The neighbors would hear gaming sounds coming from it, but not in a loud manner either. The inside is a bit more peculiar than that, though.

"Damn it, babe, I told you not to steal my stuff!" Kyle scowled as his player character died from Brandon's attack. He sat down on the floor with his back by the sofa and his head laying next to the werebear's belly.

"Sorry, love, can't help it. I just need that sweet, sweet weapon of yours!" Brandon guffawed as the bear laid down on the sofa with a giant bag of M&Ms right next to him.

"Don't make me show that again to you, babe," Kyle smirked.

Brandon jolted up, "No, please. Anything but that!" He tried to grab Kyle's hand, but it's too late.

Kyle showed that picture he took when he caught Brandon. Even during all that chaos, he ended up getting a perfect moment out of it. The bear looks very silly on the floor, with his tongue slowly lolling out due to the bump Brandon got with the kitchen counter.

Kyle laughed, "Awww come on, you know you love it. Come here, babe." He kissed the bear.

Brandon grumbled, "Of all the ways I wanted to show you this form, of course that's the one that got framed." He sighed. "Love you too, sweetheart, but we really need to change that silly picture!"

The couple giggled. Who knew that stocking up candies in Kyle's fridge can lead to this? Sure, the budget for them increased a bit, but the two don't mind too much about it since those sweets made them confess their feelings to each other.