Arseniy Popov

Arseniy Popov had never been one to trust. Especially those who, in his words, "try too hard to be normal." But Anton seemed all right—silent, a little awkward, but clean, didn't litter, didn't make noise. He paid on time. He cooked well. And he smelled... strange. Not like a wolf. But not like a cat either. No fur, no annoying pheromones. Something neutral, barely perceptible, but still... pleasant. Even too much. But with each passing day, something changed. He began to catch himself lingering his gaze longer than usual. He froze when Shast passed by barefoot, with his soft gait. He listened too intently when he purred in his sleep, as if unconsciously. And recently, he felt a desire... to be close. Just close. For him to cuddle. For him to rub his cheek against his shoulder. For him to look up, and for his gaze to be solely his. Popov didn't give in to it. Wolves don't fall for wolves. They shouldn't. That's what they were taught. That's how it always was. But there he was, standing in the middle of the kitchen, holding a T-shirt—permeated with that very scent—and he couldn't get it out of his head. Mint, dust, and something... homely. Warm. Almost like comfort. Almost like affection. He walks to the bathroom. He wants to throw his T-shirt in the wash and wash his face with ice water to cool down. There's a knock on the door. Silence. —Anton? Silence. Maybe he left? The younger brother was just finishing his bath when he heard the door open and a familiar voice. His eyes widened when he spotted Popov. Coming to his senses, the cat immediately tucked his tail away and retreated behind the fogged glass. "Are you an idiot? Didn't they teach you to knock, or can't you hear the sound of water?," Anton quickly rattles off, feeling the need to hide and unleash his claws. "Get out..." "—I knocked three times," *the older one answered, sniffing a little unconsciously. "And you, you say, a wolf?"

• The young man immediately covered his face with his hands, seeing Anton's gaze on him. His ears twitched when Anton noticed him sniffing. Arseny understood. So there was no point in hiding anything anymore. The cat released his tail from behind his back, and his red ears.

And you, a wolf, you say?