Loud snorting sounds erupted from around Lukan as he was jolted upright, heart racing. His vision was cloudy, and he could at first detect the brightness of the room he was in, and very little else. The raccoon took more than just a couple of seconds to realize the snorting sounds were his own snoring, and then being forced awake midway through one. He looked around as his vision slowly began to return to him, wondering what, if anything, had caused his nap to be interrupted. He saw his classmates sitting next to him looking completely and utterly bored out of their minds to his right. Looking, left and he saw the bright sunshine taunting them from outside the window, reminding everyone inside where they’d much rather be. 
Immediately, Lukan felt ashamed for falling asleep in class, as he had never done it before, but thankful that nobody else seemed to have noticed at all. It was only a week into his first venture into middle school after all, and the hours to endure it were significantly rougher than in elementary. He had to wake up far too early; the sun was barely even up, even in early September! The 12 year old raccoon’s next instinct was to look at the clock. And to his surprise, the period was almost over. Was he asleep longer than he had thought? Uh-oh… He had hoped that there was nothing significant he had missed. Ah well. If he had, it was just math class. It was already his best subject after all! 
Lukan was what he identified himself as a loner who was also on the nerdy side with a dash of emo thrown in for good measure. Though he was not up to fully being either stereotype entirely. He only resembled an emo for his affinity for black clothing, and being naturally monochromatic in fur color also aided this. He did not wear glasses and was more physically fit than a stereotypical nerd, though not by a lot. He was on the short side for his age, standing at just 4 foot 8 inches and with healthy weight to boot. Yep. Lukan was just a typical middle schooler. 
Lukan was just about to doze off again before a loud ringing sound made him jump in his seat, almost causing the desk to go airborne. With his heart racing yet again, he quickly realized that it was just the bell, alerting all within the school that the first period was now over, and they had only a few moments to scramble around the halls for their next class. For Lukan, this meant gym class. Probably the easiest class to pass, but ironically enough the most difficult for him. He was no wimp, but still outclassed by nearly every other boy in his class in terms of brawn. 
Lukan sighed as he groggily stood up and gathered his things. He left the classroom without looking at the students or the teacher. He did not even listen to what the teacher was yelling at them as they exited her classroom. Homework? News on a test? Just wishing for a good day? Lukan did not catch, nor did he care too much. Out in the halls, however, he was almost blasted by the sounds of many preteen creatures bustling about, chattering loudly with swear words in almost every sentence they spoke, crude humor abound, and banter that Lukan simply could not comprehend an 11-14 year old having. Lukan just rolled his eyes as he made his way to the gymnasium, which stood nearly on the other side of the school. Today was the day they were going to finally be getting their gym uniforms and taking their classes outside in the late summer heat. Joyous. Lukan always hated the very idea of hot weather. He knew that this class was going to be less than stellar for sure. 
Upon reaching the waxed wooden floors of the high roofed section of the building he looked around, like he usually did. Just as in the hallways, the other students in the class were enjoying crude banter with one another and Lukan wondered when the hell this nightmare was going to end. If only this was when he was sleeping instead. Just then, the coach barged in, holding a large cardboard box that obscured every part of their body from the waist up. Lukan could barely make out the pointed ears above the box however. When the coach set the box down on the bleachers, her face was revealed. A short, but fit middle aged female yellow furred labrador stood, eying her class. 
“Good morning class. The uniforms I promised would be here today are finally here so we can now utilize the locker rooms, and take our classes outdoors. Now. Everyone who wears a small size, line up first!” She had a loud, commanding voice that fit someone as a coach. 
Lukan wore a medium despite his smaller stature. Most of the creatures who wore smalls were creatures like those in the rodentia race. There were only four creatures of that classification in the class, Lukan observed. Two rats, a squirrel, and a mouse. He knew neither of their names, nor did he have any curiosity to learn them.
“Medium sized next!” 
Lukan started moving towards the coach before she had even finished speaking, which resulted in only two other creatures being in front of him out of the ten or so that stepped forward. An otter boy, and a rabbit girl, the former of which was directly in front of him. Something struck Lukan as he looked at the otter’s peanut butter colored fur as he stood, the thick rudder-like tail trailing behind him. Just as quick as that sensation came, it left, and it was forgotten about when he was given the uniform from the coach.
“Lukas Benka, right?” she asked formally. “Alright, and here is your locker number and combination.” she added, giving him a small slip of paper with a series of numbers on it. It never stopped being weird when someone called Lukan by his proper name of Lukas. Hopefully the “N” will be taking precedence as the year goes on. 
Lukan followed the others into the locker room, and was immediately hit by heat, humidity, and the overwhelming scents of young, male bodies, as well as various types of deodorants. Such a nasal cacophony made Lukan dizzy. But he did his best to keep his composure as he looked for his locker. Without realizing it, he had bumped into another boy just as he located it. Immediately embarrassed, he said his quick apology, before realizing that he had bumped into the tan otter from before.
“S-sorry,” he stuttered, looking down.
“It’s alright. It looks like we’ll have lockers next to each other,” the otter said, revealing his face to Lukan, who saw vibrant and verdantly green eyes that complimented his face very nicely. 
“O-oh yeah?” Lukan prompted awkwardly as he realized that there was an open locker right next to the one that matched his number with said otter standing in front of it. “Oh yeah! I-it looks like we do! Hope that is not a problem.”
The otter’s whiskers twitched a bit. “I would assume not. You seem like a nice creature to me. My name’s Klaus by the way.”
“I-I’m Lukas. But everyone calls me Lukan,” Lukan replied back.
“Oh really? Interesting! Hehe hey! Our names have the same letters as each other, if Lukas is spelled with a “K”!” Klaus said cheerfully.
“I-it is,” Lukan mumbled, not having any eye contact. 
“Oh nice! You… don’t seem like you like talking though. Are you okay?” 
Lukan jumped at the otter’s observation. “N-no, I’m fine! Just not a talker really.”
Klaus only nodded. “I see. Well, I guess we had better not keep Coach Nolan waiting, right? Let’s get ready to go!” And with that, Klaus took off his shirt with swiftness. 
Lukan felt his heart jump when he watched the otter’s shirt come off, exposing his bare, short furred chest. And for some reason completely he was completely unable to take his eyes off him. His hands trembled as he struggled to keep them placed on his own shirt, and his shyness of knowing he’d have to do the same almost overwhelmed him. But what overwhelmed him was what the otter had done next. And that was the removal of the otter’s pants. Lukan’s heart raced faster as he observed the otter’s green boxer briefs, the color matching the creature’s eyes perfectly. Lukan watched as the slender body stretched with the exchange of clothing, and that was all Lukan could focus on. He felt a tightness all over his torso as he watched. And when the otter slipped on the gym shorts, only then was Lukan able to snap himself back into reality and direct his eyes to Klaus’ head. To his relief, the otter did not seem to notice the raccoon watching him undress. But Lukan stood there as the otter completed the uniform, wondering what had just overcome him. And why.
“See you in the gym, Lukan.” Lukan felt himself jump yet again when he heard the otter speak, but he could barely understand him. Once he had left, Lukan slowly, and sheepishly undressed himself to put on the loose fitting nylon clothing given to him. He did this so slowly that, despite being among the first in the locker room, he was among the last to leave, his heart still pounding heavy in his chest. 
Once outside the building in the grassy space between the running track, Lukan was mostly brought back into reality by the sheer heat and the unrelenting rays of the sun beating down on him. No clouds. No wind. Just what the raccoon was afraid of. The lighter clothing did make it more bearable, but not enough for him to think the conditions were even remotely acceptable. But despite the weather trying to shake his mind, the tornado of sensations he felt when watching Klaus had already done the damage; it only took a moment for him to day dream in his mind about it. There was something about the way that otter so confidently undressed in front of him that struck Lukan. It struck Lukan in such a way that he couldn’t grasp. The image of the underwear he wore crossed his mind, and he felt his face growing hotter than the sun could manage. He held it there as long as he could as he stared at him. The tightness in his body returned as the memory flooded--
“Lukas! What are you doing over there? Staring into space? Go join your classmates on the track for your warm up jog!” Coach Nolan called to him to pull him back into reality. 
As Lukan shook his head towards his retreating classmates, he realized that his shorts felt tighter than usual. Strange, he thought. Nylon gym shorts were supposed to be light, loose, and breathable right? Why was this happening? Was it something about the hot weather? Somehow, Lukan doubted this, but paid no more mind than that as he half jogged to catch up with his classmates. As he did so, he looked for Klaus in the group. It did not take long to find him. His body was drooping slightly. Lukan jogged up next to him, only to hear him sigh in exasperation.
“Man, I hate running! I hope she knows that otters can’t run worth shit, right?” Lukan was only somewhat taken aback by the lutrine’s crude language since he was so used to it by now. 
Lukan nodded. “I know how you feel; I can’t run either,” he laughed nervously.
Klaus pouted. “Running is for cheetahs. We swim. You climb. Why are they making us run? Not fair!” 
“Could be worse,” Lukan said, not sure what to say.
“Oh yeah? How?” Klaus prompted.
“Well it uh… It could… It could be right after lunch?” Lukan’s words stumbled out as he was once again feeling the distraction in his mind. He was determined not to let it get to him again, whatever it was. But this determination was a distraction in itself. 
Klaus groaned. “Oh hell no. Yeah. You got a point there!”
	“On my count!” Coach Nolan’s voice rang out around them as they lined up at the start of the track.
Klaus seemed to ignore her. “You know, I like you. You wanna sit with me at lunch?” he asked.
“Oh uh… sure!” Lukan felt his heart jump a little. 
“Great! See you then. Hey! Let’s see who will finish a lap first. See who really sucks at running,” he added slyly.
“Wait what?” Lukan, startled by the sudden challenge, did not even register when Coach Nolan’s whistle blew.
“See ya!” Klaus chirped as he began to run.
Dazed for a brief second, Lukan eventually got his act together to run after his new… friend? Could he call him a friend now? He chased after the rudder-like tail as it swung behind the otter as he ran. And Lukan could not help but keep his eyes fixated on it as he followed. His pace was slower than he was capable of and he knew he could easily pass the otter because the lutrine’s short legs kept him from going very fast, but he wouldn’t. Or couldn’t. Something about the way the otter’s hindquarters kept Lukan firmly behind the otter, just for the purpose of staying right behind him. Even the harsh summer heat did not deter him too strongly. Not that it was that hot just yet, but hot enough to where under normal circumstances, Lukan would shut down. But not today. But why was Lukan feeling this way? The raccoon couldn’t figure it out. 
As he rounded the last corner of the track, he realized he was poised to be  the last creature to finish, but a part of him did not care. Another small part of him wanted to pass the otter at the last second just to mess with him. Actually, that part of him was growing larger, until he felt himself laughing softly to himself as the instinct to pass overwhelmed him. And so, just as the starting line was just a dozen yards away, he sped up his running, feeling his paws hit the hot tarmac hard as he pushed them. He ran next to Klaus for just a moment before passing him up. He tried to get a look at his face as he did so, but couldn’t see it well. 
	“Hey!” Klaus panted behind him. “No fair! You were behind me this whole time!”
This caused Lukan to laugh out loud. “I guess that makes you the worse runner!” he taunted, as he passed the line. 
“And just when I thought… I was gonna win!” Klaus wheezed as he came to a stop next to Lukan. “But I can’t be too surprised. I mean… look at these legs. Useless for running, I swear.”
	“Aww cheer up, Klaus. If this were swimming, I know I wouldn’t stand a chance! You otters got all that webbing on your paws and everything. Now that's what I would call ‘no fair’,” Lukan giggled. 
“Heh. You’re not wrong. You bet I am going to go to swim team tryouts when they have them!” Klaus’ confidence was reignited just like that! Something about that made Lukan feel happy. It was a similar feeling he got when he looked at the otter’s--
“Alright, now that we are all warmed up, is anyone up for a game of dodgeball?” Coach Nolan once again interrupted his mind.
Almost immediately, the sounds of the entire class jeering and booing the prospect of dodgeball filled the air. One or two of them were brazen enough to be the only cheers of excitement. Oh those poor souls, Lukan thought. Lukan couldn’t see who they were, but he did see Coach Nolan’s disappointed face as she gazed over the class.
“Now what’s wrong with dodgeball?” she pondered as if she were genuinely confused about the rejection. “When I was your age it was all the rage. Ah well. Guess we can fill up the rest of this time with more laps on the track then!”
And sooner than immediately after saying that there were even louder objections and backpedaling in favor of dodgeball being the day’s activity.
“That’s what I thought!” Coach Nolan said, satisfied. “Alright. Let’s see… Lukas! Klaus! You two are team captains! Pick your teams!” 
“Us?!” Lukan exclaimed, feeling his tail bristle in surprise as he glanced at Klaus.
“Haha! Looks like we got another competition opportunity,” Klaus teased. 
“I-I--” Lukan fumbled over his words.
“Good luck, Lukan. You’ll need it. Okay! My first pick is Platt!” Klaus added. 
	“Yeh!” Lukan recognized that voice. It was one of the only creatures who actually wanted to play dodgeball. He watched as an athletic looking, taller silver furred wolf walked towards Klaus’ side and Lukan suddenly got a pang of hesitance. Who was the other creature who… 
“I uh…” Lukan looked around the rest of the class, scanning for someone who looked as skilled as Platt did, but didn’t see anyone that struck him as such. “Uh…” 
	“It doesn't matter who you pick, Lukas, just choose,” Coach Nolan said, half encouragingly, half impatiently. 
Being put on the spot and being able to adapt to it was the opposite of Lukan’s forte, so when the realization hit him, he looked around the class frantically trying to find someone to choose. Then he saw a muscular looking snow leopard toward the back of the group. It took him several seconds to remember his name. “I-I choose Will!” 
	The snow leopard in question did not look amused, but his face also did not change at the call of his name. He sauntered forward, pushing through the class like he did not even care and joined Lukan’s side without a word. Lukan could not discern what the feline creature could have been feeling at that moment.
“Nate! You’re with us!” Klaus declared, almost as soon as Will stopped next to Lukan. Lukan watched as a thin looking black cat waltzed towards Klaus. He did not look strong, but he looked agile and adept at maneuvers akin to the name of the game.
Lukan chirred nervously as he realized it was his turn again. Lukan hated being in this position so much. With all the attention on him, he felt as uncomfortable as it gets. The pressure weighed down on him, and that compounds into working very poorly as such. But he knew he had to choose someone; he couldn’t just let Klaus win before it even began! “Aero!” he pointed almost instinctively to a golden furred fox that was standing off to the side. He wore a lightly sneering, confident grin on his face. He had a look of the competitiveness Lukan’s team was likely going to need. 
From there it got easier for Lukan to choose the rest of his team, mostly due to the fact that the pool of candidates got smaller and smaller as he and Klaus went through them. Lukan was not terribly confident in his choices since he mostly chose creatures he at least knew the names of, and none of them looked like they were going to be game changers for him. He was tempted to choose creatures he knew were bullies to others, but that fear of having the attention brought to him prevented that. Last thing he wanted for them to even glance in his direction, even though he knew they already had thanks to Nolan choosing him as captain.
Once the entire class had been sorted, Nolan had them take one side of the field that the track surrounded and dumped a large net of foam balls into the center of it. Lukan caught a glimpse of Klaus standing on the opposing line, and the otter looked straight at him. The raccoon had suspicions that the otter was going to target him for most of the match. 
While glancing around Klaus’ team, as well as his own, Lukan once again failed to pay attention to the sound of Nolan’s whistle going off to signal the start of the game. Lukan scrambled to follow his team to the pile of balls at the center. Thankfully for them, there was a rule that kept hits that were so close to the line from being legitimate. There had to be some sort of challenge, was the justification. Not that it was not already challenging for a creature like Lukan. The raccoon looked over to Klaus, who was also struggling to keep up due to the shortness of his legs. 
Once the first balls were snatched up, over half of them by Klaus’ team, they each ran back towards their sides and almost immediately, the air was filled with foam spheres of death flying in all directions. Lukan tried his best to watch for them as he weaved around the field looking for a fallen ball. He wanted to play defensively with it, using it to deflect incoming shots to protect himself. He was hopelessly outclassed when it came to throwing them. Still not the worst. But much closer to it than even average. Or so he assumed. 
There was a whooshing sound in his left ear as he felt the wind ruffle the fur there. A ball had just barely missed his face. He turned and looked and saw Platt looking right at him with hungry wolf eyes. Lukan felt his tail bristle out, intimated that he was targeted by such a powerful looking creature. Lukan felt himself instinctively step towards the back of the field. 
“Oooohh Lukan, check this out!” The sound of Klaus’ voice was simultaneously a comfort and a further intimidation for Lukan as he swiveled his head to watch the otter. He was greeted by the sight of the otter using his longer, more slender body to expertly dodge any of the balls that were aimed directly at him as he taunted Lukan’s teammates from just behind his side of the center line. There was something captivating about the way he moved that kept Lukan from looking away. All he could let himself watch him as he--
A stinging pain hit Lukan square in the face as he was unceremoniously pulled from his daydream and back into reality. He staggered backwards, crying out in surprise. It took him more seconds than normal to realize that he was finally successfully nailed in the face by a dodgeball thrown by none other than Platt. Had he been trying to hit him the entire time he was watching Klaus? Was Platt’s aim just that bad?
A whistle blew which made Lukan jump. “Platt! You’re out! No face shots!” came the voice of Coach Nolan.
Platt was immediately indignant. “Wha-! But I hit him fair and square!”
“A hit to the face can never be considered fair! To the side!” was Nolan’s retort.
Platt was grumbling incoherently as he stormed off to the side of the field, his face growing red from both anger and embarrassment. 
Lukan realized that he couldn’t let himself be distracted if he wanted his team to win the game. But there was also a growing side of him that didn’t want to win. He wanted to watch Klaus some more. But why was that? What kept him so interested in him? Lukan had never felt like that before. A loner like him suddenly wanting association with another creature was a contradiction that he didn’t appreciate. And yet… for some reason… it was there. And it did not seem to plan to go away any time soon. And due to this confusion, Lukan played the game significantly worse than he ever had in the past. And the past was nothing to write home about either. Thankfully, no one seemed to notice such a poor performance. And in the end it didn’t matter. His team seemed to win more matches than Klaus’ team. This had to be because Platt was a worse player than Klaus had thought. He kept missing, and even when he did score hits, most of them were face shots that immediately eliminated him. The wolf was a seething mass of silver fur by the end of the period.
The silver wolf was now practically ranting, almost screaming, incoherently in the locker room when the time to change back into their school clothes had come. The echo of the locker room made it difficult to discern the words he was saying, but Lukan picked up Nolan’s name mixed with an abnormal amount of cursing. Lukan could only shake his head. It was simply far too typical for him to comment. 
However, what was atypical was his body’s reaction to Klaus the otter, for he knew it was time for him to be in close vicinity of him once again. The problem- was it a problem though- was that he wasn’t back yet. Lukan wondered where he was, and felt sad that he was going to change without him. Wait. But why did he feel that?! Why was he looking forward to doing something like that with him there?! No, the otter being there couldn’t be the problem; it was the unexpected need to have him there that was the problem! Where was he…? Should Lukan wait for him, or just get ready for his next class? Lukan decided with a sigh to himself that it would be best not to be late for his next class. His next class was biology. And while the teacher himself was cool, he didn’t like tardiness by any means.
Just as Lukan began to lift his gym shirt off of himself, however, Klaus suddenly appeared from around the corner, making Lukan nearly fall off the bench with a yelp. “Oh my gosh, Lukan! You’re still here! I thought you’d have left by now.”
“I uh… had to use the bathroom,” Lukan lied as he regained his composure. 
Klaus laughed slyly. “Hehe. You should have just gone while changing. Just in your underwear! It’s easier that way. Well, not easier. Just more comfortable.”
Lukan felt the color drain from his face. “Wh-what? But the other cubs… they’ll all see me!” 
Klaus shrugged. “Eh fuck what they think. It’s not like we’re not seeing them all almost naked anyways, yeah?” 
“R-right…” Lukan didn’t know what to say to that.
“Hey, don't sweat it. I saw Platt pawing himself off in the showers once,” Klaus whispered to him.
“You what!?” Lukan exclaimed. That was a surprise. Mostly since Klaus brought that up out of nowhere.
“Funny thing is, he didn’t seem to care at all that I saw him. So if someone doesn’t care about that… why care about being seen in your underwear?”
	“I-I-” Lukan stuttered.
“Hahaha, you really are a shy raccoon, aren’t you?” Klaus seemed amused, which made Lukan go red. “You know what, I like you! I want to help you be more confident. Get out of your racc shell, you know?”
“But I-” He was interrupted by the sight of the otter slipping off his shirt and shorts in two seconds flat, leaving him in his bright emerald green underwear in no time. Lukan found himself staring at his soft, slender chest. He could feel his eyes trying to pan downwards, but the otter spoke.
“Now it’s your turn! Don’t worry; we gotta be the last ones here. It’s just me,” Klaus said in an enthusiastically encouraging way. 
	“I- Are you sure?” Lukan breathed. Under normal circumstances, Lukan would have no qualms in stripping down in front of others as long as they were doing so as well. But something about doing so in front of this otter… It froze him solid. This could be a problem. Their lockers were right next to each other’s every class…
	Klaus nodded. “Absolutely! I won’t judge you! Hell, if it helps you, I’ll even take off my underwear too!”
	“You what!?” Lukan repeated himself, feeling his face grow redder and redder. Why… did he actually want to see that? His hands were shaking as he placed them at the base of his shirt, lifting it slightly. “O-okay…”
	“Yeah, keep going,” Klaus stated. 
	“Umm…” Lukan felt his heart starting to race as he began to lift his shirt up, exposing his chest and stomach to the otter. The shy part of him wanted to pull it back down and stay clothed. But not only was this counterintuitive if he wanted to get to his next class, which by now he’ll surely be late for, but there was also another part of him that wanted him to keep going. The same part of him that wanted Klaus to take his underwear off as well. So with those thoughts in mind, he successfully pulled the shirt over his head and off of his body.
	“That’s perfect, Lukan. Think you can do your shorts next? It’s fine if not! The shirt is just a start, right?” Klaus said brightly.
	Lukan gulped as he looked down. His waist was covered by just his gym shorts, and Klaus in his boxer briefs. The urges in his mind didn’t seem to care about how nervous Lukan actually was. There was something in there that made Lukan do it. His hands were on the hem of his shorts and he could feel himself pulling them down almost subconsciously. He could tell the otter was watching him with bated breath. He knew that, but he did it anyway. His normal mind was overruled by this new and esoteric presence that seemed to control his every move. But what was this new presence? And where did it come from!? Before Lukan knew it, his shorts were now a crumpled pile of polyester at his ankles and covering his paws. He stepped over them, leaving them on the floor, his arms and legs shaking.
	“See? There you go! You look great!” Klaus gave him a thumbs up. 
	“S-so now what?” Lukan pondered. “I do have to go to my next class. I am late to it already!” 
	Klaus thought for a moment. “Hmm… I don’t want to pressure you too much, but I am so happy that you’re already giving me so much trust. But I can’t help but be curious. How far can you go? Think you can do the underwear too?”
	At this point, Lukan was certain that he was going to wake up in the hospital because a huge bolt of lightning zapped every one of his nerves when Klaus said that. “You… whaaaaat?” he was only able to breathe out that phrase for the third time he got to say that.
	“Only if you think you can, or want to, Lukan. I just want to help you out. Here, I’ll show ya.” And before Lukan could even think, the preteen otter grabbed the elastic of his underwear and began pulling them down without any sort of hesitation. He did not even wait for Lukan to think as he slid them down to his legs. But Lukan’s eyes were locked right at what removing them revealed. He was eye to eye with the otter’s privates- his belly being a lighter shade of the peanut butter color was mimicked by his fuzzy sheath and orbs, both smaller in size due to their age. The otter’s thick tail stuck up slightly as Klaus pulled the underwear away from his legs and paws as he threw them aside. 
	“Oh my…” Lukan breathed as his eyes stayed stuck there. Why did he like this so much? Why was he happy to see Klaus do this for him? And more importantly… Why were his hands following suit!? This time, practically actually subconsciously, Lukan’s hands, as shaky as they were, followed Klaus’ lead, and pulled his underwear down as well. Not quite as quick as the otter, but quicker than he would if he was fully aware of what he was doing. But soon enough, he was fully nude, just like the otter sitting before him.
	“Oh Lukan… you really should be proud of the body you have… You’ll have all the girls running to you if you were more confident in yourself,” Klaus giggled.
	“Sh-shut up!” Lukan stammered. “C-can we go now? I feel like someone is going to come in at any moment and see us like this!”
	“Well they say the key to bettering yourself is to push yourself to the limit!”
	“Wh-what do you mean by that?” Lukan’s voice was very shaky.
	“Oh, I have definitely noticed how you’ve been watching me all gym period, you silly little ringbutt. I can tell you have a crush on me.”
	Lukan suddenly was hit by the epiphany. That feeling in his head. The feeling that was egging him on and overruling his shyness. It was infatuation! He was attracted to the otter sitting before him! “But wait! That… that makes it gay… doesn’t it? I-I can’t be g-gay… can I?”
	Klaus shrugged. “I mean… I was the same way as you a couple years ago. But I’ve learned to just embrace it. I can tell, Lukan. Because I was you at one point.”
	“K-Klaus?”
	“Yeah, what you’re thinking is right. I’m gay,” he shrugged. “I’ve always liked other boys, even when I was like 6 or something. Heh. I can remember how a friend of mine and I in the first grade used to flash each other when the teacher wasn’t looking. Good times. Man… I do wonder how Tony is doing now.”
	“So that means…” 
	“Uh-huh Lukan. I can’t decide for ya if you’re gay or not, but looking at ya, it looks like it! Hehe, that's so great!”
	“Wow…” was all Lukan could say. He was in shock. He could hardly believe it and yet it explained so much.
	“You know Lukan…” Klaus’ voice changed. His voice became familiar. “When I see you, and how shy you are, I-I can't help but think that it makes you… really- cute, you know?” And it hit Lukan. He was sounding nervous and shy like he always did. It was such a stark contrast to how Klaus was this whole time that Lukan didn’t even notice the specific words that he said with that voice.
	“Klaus, are you okay?” Lukan asked.
	“Huh? I’m fine,” Klaus replied. “Why?”
	“Well, it’s because you’ve gone… I dunno how to put it. Just like me, I guess?”
	Klaus’ face went red. This was the first time Lukan saw the otter look embarrassed himself. It was almost a surreal feeling. How did this happen? Klaus was making Lukan more bold, bit by bit, but now Klaus was reverting back to a shy state at the same time? “Caught me red-pawed, didn’t you? Well like I said. I like you, Lukan. A lot! I know it sounds stupid since we just met, but… I dunno; I can’t explain it!”
	“So that means… you are still a lot like me then in some ways?”
	“I guess! Haha I mean… the same can be said about you! I noticed how shy you were, and yet! You are standing here, butt naked, with me despite that!” 
	Lukan chuckled sheepishly. “Y-yeah… I guess so.”
	Klaus suddenly exclaimed loudly. “Oh crap! I forgot about what I was saying earlier! About… pushing yourself to the limits? Ohhh… but I am afraid of keeping you here any longer. We’re soooooo late for our next class, heh.”
	Lukan glanced over at the clock. They were indeed 20 minutes late. “Oh big time. Mr. Dolmes is going to be so mad when he sees me…” 
	“S-sorry. I just really wanted to hang out with my new friend! I dunno what your schedule is like, so I had to, just in case!” Klaus apologized as he began to redress with his normal school clothes, much to Lukan’s surprising dismay.
	“We can see each other at lunch then!” Lukan said, grabbing and pulling his own clothes back on rapidly. He didn’t want to be any later than he already was.
	Klaus gasped. “I’m so stupid! How did I not think of that!?”
	Lukan chuckled as he guessed, based on what the otter had been telling him. “Maybe that’s just how strong a crush you have on me or something.” And with that, Klaus went redder than ever.
	“Shut up, Lukan,” he muttered.
	“See you at lunch, Klaus,” Lukan said as he half jogged to the locker room door. Klaus was only just at that point pulling on his shirt.
	“See ya, Lukan,” the otter responded.
	As Lukan closed the door behind him, he breathed in the significantly cooler air deeply. He thought he was still asleep in class and was just dreaming the whole thing. What just happened? Did that actually just happen? But even when he pinched himself to try and wake himself up, the evidence became clear. No. That was real alright. He felt his heart flutter as he walked the hallways towards his next class, already unable to wait until he got to see Klaus again. He also wondered what the otter meant by pushing limits even further. Just thinking of what it could be sent pleasant shivers into his spine. He realized that this was going to be the beginning of a new friendship. He never thought he would see the day. But now he was looking forward to even more days in the future.