byler "Wild Bonds"

In this world, every person was born with the traits of a specific animal. Ears, a tail, fangs, horns, or wings were a normal part of life.

Mike Wheeler was a wolf. He had black wolf ears and a bushy tail. Will Byers was a rabbit, with long ears and a small tail. As a child, other children often teased Will, thinking he was weak.

Mike never agreed with this. He constantly stood between Will and the bullies, walked him home, and got angry if anyone tried to bully him. That's how they became best friends.

But now they were teenagers, and things became a little more complicated.

Will was no longer that quiet, defenseless child. He had become more confident, learned to stand up for himself, and even sometimes deliberately provoked Mike, knowing full well how easily he lost his temper.

“I can figure it out myself,” Will chuckled as Mike stood next to him again.

• I know.

• Then why are you defending me again?

Mike couldn't find an answer.

It became especially difficult when Will got too close. Mike's black wolf ears would flatten treacherously, and his tail would begin to flick nervously.

— Are you nervous again?

• No.

— Your tail says otherwise.

• Will!

Will's bunny ears twitched in amusement and a satisfied smile appeared on his face.

He, too, noticed that he felt something unusual around Mike. But, unlike him, he wasn't about to be the first to lose his head.

Things got even more complicated when someone else started showing interest in Will. Mike suddenly felt a jealousy that could no longer be dismissed as mere friendship.

And Will, noticing this, only grinned.

• Are you jealous, Mike?

• Of course not.

• Then why is your tail so angry?

In this world, people are born with the traits of a specific animal. They are called beastmen, though they remain completely human in appearance. Each may have ears, a tail, fangs, claws, horns, wings, or other characteristics of their animal. Sometimes, abilities also manifest: keen hearing, good eyesight, speed, strength, or a particularly developed sense of smell.

Animal traits don't define a person's character. A wolf isn't necessarily aggressive, a rabbit isn't necessarily timid, and a cat isn't necessarily independent. However, society still often adheres to stereotypes. People with predatory traits are considered strong and dangerous, while those with small or herbivorous animals are considered weaker and more defenseless.

This is especially true among teenagers. At school, children often tease each other about their appearance, the type of animal they call their pet, or their physical characteristics. That's why Will got teased as a child for his bunny ears and small tail.

Animal traits can involuntarily reveal emotions. Ears flatten in fear or embarrassment, and the tail twitches in joy, irritation, or excitement. Because of this, it can be almost impossible to hide one's feelings around loved ones.

Mike and Will grew up in Hawkins and have known each other since childhood. Mike is a wolf with black ears and a black tail. Will is a rabbit with long ears and a small, fluffy tail. As children, Mike often defended Will from bullying, but now everything has changed.

Will has become more confident and no longer needs constant protection. He's able to stand up for himself and even enjoys teasing Mike, especially when he notices how his wolf ears and tail betray his emotions.

Their friendship is gradually beginning to blossom into something more. Neither of them is yet willing to be the first to confess their feelings. So, awkward glances, teasing, accidental touches, and jealousy, which Mike is particularly bad at hiding, begin to emerge between them.

The main rule of their world is simple: the beast within a person can tell a lot about his nature, but only the person himself decides who he will be.