Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

To say that Dan felt a little intimidated standing at the front gate may as well be discrediting how he felt altogether.

His fluffy white tail swished behind him as he eyed the entrance to the Cherryton High School campus.

“This is where legends are made, or however that saying goes”

Cherryton was known for a few things. Diversity, acceptance towards many groups, oh – and also being the school that was responsible for fostering not one, but both fucking Beastars.

Yea, prestige was another thing it was known for.

.....

Each year, Cherryton holds an annual introductory speech for the new students. It wasn’t mandatory, per se, but it was recommended since it was a nice little morale boost for any of those who might be worried about the upcoming school year.

Dan didn’t exactly share that sentiment.

Sure he felt intimidated, but it was mostly directed towards the school’s reputation rather than the school year itself. He never really liked speeches, and he’d rather spend his time either being productive or sleeping in.

Sleep was something he was looking forward to. He didn’t get much before this point.

As the wolf set his belongings down next to his desk in his dorm room, he sighed to himself. It wasn’t exactly the most glamorous thing, the room being moderately sized, with 4 hole-in-the-wall beds scattered about.

“Not all that bad considering everything,” he thought to himself while scanning his surroundings.

Dan’s assigned roommates weren’t due to return until an hour later, since they decided that they’d attend the inaugural Cherryton speech. In the meantime, it gave him an opportunity to unpack his things.

From his bag, Dan pulled out a few things: A few textbooks, pens with half of their ink, a double sided pencil, and a framed picture.

The wolf’s eyes filled with melancholy looking at that old photo. He looked so happy when he was younger, a smile full of fang – save for one gap – plastered over the pup’s face. Next to him stood his father, a grin not dissimilar to his own.

He remembers that day 11 years ago. It was the first time Dan had lost a tooth, and the little wolf was bursting at the seams with excitement. The tooth fairy would surely visit him that night!

He remembers clamoring at his mom’s bedroom door, practically begging for her to take a picture of him with his missing tooth.

He remembers how his dad had accidentally photo-bombed him during the first photo, and how happy of an accident it turned out to be for the second shot.

Life was so good to him back then...

Where did it all go wrong.

Dan shook his head. As much as he would like to dwell on the past, it was all behind him now. With the new life that was generously provided to him, he was really hoping for some change.

As he got up from his chair, Dan left the dimly lit room, setting the picture down on his bed.

It was time to eat lunch.

.....

The cafeteria was a bit big.

Maybe it’s just because he didn’t have a good frame of reference, but Dan was certain that the Cherryton cafeteria is what the scientists call: Really fucking huge.

Dan eyed his surroundings, “Why are there trees in here.”

There were 2 lines being formed, one of herbivores, and one with carnivores, each to their designated food, since they got separate lunches.

Dan walked away from said line with a bean burger steak and some milk bread.

It was fairly crowded — the speech had just been finished — so many animals were clamoring to find seats. Some had already grouped up and found a table. Some just sat wherever, not being able to snag a spot in time. Some just sat next to strangers, not making any attempt at eye contact and awkwardly eating next to them.

It goes without saying that Dan didn’t exactly feel like eating on the floor or outside, so he went with option three.

It didn’t really take too long before the wolf was able to settle down. It was simple really: Just find a spot with other strangers who were looking for a table, and blend in. Easy, simple, efficient.

Dan did not account for the fact that the strangers were, in fact, a group.

And the fact that they were all herbivores.

Not wanting to make it more awkward than it already was, Dan just silently dug into his steak, doing his best to hide his fangs so as to not frighten the others.

“If I don’t make eye contact, they’ll just ignore me. That’s how social cues work right? Eye contact signifies the desire for communication, or communicating outright. So if I just keep my head down and keep eating then surely —“

“Soooooo, are you just admiring your claws, or do you think that the lunch trays are really that fascinating,” asked a very messy looking sheep.

“Fuck, I’m out of food!”

Slowly turning his head, Dan got a closer look at who exactly he had sat down next to.

First, there was the sheep. He was pretty short, probably no taller than 150 centimeters. The thing that definitely stood out to Dan was his ridiculously unkempt wool. It was splayed out sporadically, peeking out of every nook and cranny from his equally as unkempt uniform, giving the sheep the illusion of the world’s palest pin cushion. Or the messiest feather pillow, that’d work too.

Then there was the horse — a magnificent white stallion. He had a lusciously smooth and flowing mane, he sat upright in perfect posture, and his gaze was icy cold, on the verge of piercing through Dan’s very soul. The way the school uniform wrapped neatly around the horse’s figure made the wolf think that he came from some upscale family with an unnatural amount of money to their name. Dan really hoped that the horse was at the very least respectful. He’d seen a number of things about these kinds of animals in the media, and not much of it was positive.

Finally there was the chital. His antlers sat on his head like an emperor’s crown. White spots freckled his cheeks and on top of his snout. Out of the three, there wasn’t much to note about the deer. He just seemed like another student, trying to make it through the new year. Something about that made Dan feel just a little less alone, though.

The sheep piped up a second time, “Hello? Earth to the wolf? You got your eye on something?” Their voice turned sultry,

“Maybe you want this hot piece-a-horse over here? Ray has always had a stick up his ass, it’s great for his posture, but he really needs to get around more —“

A fist came down on the sheep, knocking his head towards the table with a loud thud. Dan was suddenly glad that he had finished his food, because he would definitely be choking at the display that he was just given.

Who was he kidding, he’d choked anyway.

It took a good few seconds for Dan to recompose himself — a good few seconds of a coughing fit — before he finally processed what the hell just happened.

“Did … did this sheep just flirt with me? Flirt with me FOR SOMEONE ELSE no less? The world has gone mad”

The stallion, seeing the wolf’s muzzle scrunch up in thought, decided to drag him back to reality.

“Sorry about Yako, he’s a bit of a nutcase. Also I’m straight, so you don’t need to worry about me coming on to you.”

Dan wasn’t sure how he was supposed to feel about that.

“Not much of a talker, huh? Well, I guess reintroductions are in order. I'm Ray the White Stallion. This messy looking Sheep here is Yako, and this shy guy right here is Jacklyn the Chital. Again, sorry about Yako’s antics, he just saw you looking down and he thought he’d try and grab your attention to make things less awkward.”

Yako tried to argue, “Uhm, no I wasn’t. I was just trying to hook you up!”

“No. No you weren’t,” Ray fired back.

Dan was a spectator to all of this, watching the dynamic between the two white-furred animals. At some level he was jealous, seeing two people bantering together like an old married couple, or just like a rowdy group of friends. The wolf looked over to the chital — Jacklyn, was it?

The deer’s gaze wasn’t there, he was staring off into space, not really roped into the conversation happening between the other two animals.

Upon further inspection, the deer had his eyes trained on Dan himself.

Suddenly, the wolf’s felt small. His ears wilted, and he looked back down, a rose color tinting his cheeks.

“Why is he staring at me like that? Was it my fangs? I could’ve sworn I hid them. Was it when I was coughing? Oh Rex, it probably was!”

Dan didn’t even notice the deer in question looking away as well, a rosy color accompanying his own cheeks.

“Hey.”

All three herbivores’ heads swiveled over in Dan’s direction. The wolf’s voice didn’t carry the same low growl like other carnivores did. It was deep and clear, like the clean slate of a chalkboard.

“You guys seem really ok with a carnivore like me sitting at your table. You don’t have to pretend to be ok with me, I’ll see myself out. I finished my lunch, anyways.”

The wolf stood up to leave, turning his back to the three at the table. A look of incredulity passed by the herbivores, as if the wolf had grown a pair of antlers. Then Jacklyn spoke.

“So what if you’re a carnivore?”

That got Dan’s ears to perk up.

Chapter Text

Being kept at an arms length wasn’t out of the ordinary.

Who could blame them? Dan was dangerous. He was a wolf. A carnivore.

He was The Ace.

It didn't matter who you were. If you saw him, you ran. You ran as fast as you could — as far as you could — if you even wanted a chance at survival.

Dan was almost ok with it.

In the Old Market, you did anything to live, lest you end up on someone's dinner plate.

Resentment. Avoidance.

Fear.

“Please! I’ll do anything, just stay away!”

“Freaks like you should’ve never been born.”

“What even are you …”

Dan has seen it all before. 

It made him tired.

So fucking tired …

.....

“So what if you’re a carnivore?”

Dan’s ears perked up to the smooth yet assertive voice of the deer. He turned around to see a chital with his arms crossed, looking at the wolf as if he had just grown a pair of antlers himself.

“Excuse me …?”

Jacklyn just kept staring, “Yeah, you making a carnivore doesn’t make a difference, at least to us. So don't be such a debbie downer, ok?”

Dan’s tail swished behind him.

“Besides, you never gave us your name,” the deer smirked.

The wolf grinned just a little bit, fangs tucked in.

“Oh, sorry. Name’s Dan.”

.....

“Drama club?”

It had been a week since Dan’s encounter with the lunch table herbivores. Since then, most lunch table groups had been established, with a few stragglers out and about, mostly choosing to eat by themselves outside of the cafeteria.

It was an odd combo of animals for any passerbys — a beyond messy sheep, a clean-as-a-whistle stallion, an ordinary looking chital, and a wolf.  

In that short amount of time, there had already been some scrutiny directed towards them. Some looks of concern, some of terror, some of outright disapproval.

Dan swore he’d felt some tofu patty juice on his neck on day four.

Not like he could really mind, though. That was just his life.

The wolf was currently looking at a note from a letter he’d received earlier. An invitation to the school’s drama club. 

He was beyond confused. He never really had a “knack” for anything artistic — he was never really afforded the chance.

“I’m doing this mission, Dan. No offense, but you have the same acting capacity as a soggy doorknob.”

Dan grimaced at the memory. Acting wasn’t in the question either.

The ever enthusiastic sheep leaned over to meet Dan’s eyes.

“Dude, you gotta join the drama club, it’ll be so fun working with you!”

“Yeah, I’m sure it’s an absolute treat having to work with you,” the horse commented, voice dripping with sarcasm. “Kuzai has told me some horror stories about you.”

Yako pouted, “That’s just because he’s such a stickler! He’s a real softie, but he needs to maintain that bullshit “I’m so noble and responsible” facade. You know, the other day, I caught him chasing his own tail and —“

Another bonk over the head.

“Alright, that’s enough out of you.”

Dan couldn’t help but giggle. He had known that Yako had a certain reputation when it came to him and the head honcho of the drama club. Butting heads constantly, creative differences, the works.

Though, that still didn’t clarify things for the wolf. Why was he given an invitation, and for the drama club no less?

Jacklyn seemed to notice Dan’s predicament, deciding to clarify some things.

“The drama club recruits people that have unique backgrounds, or at least that’s what I’ve heard. Like Yako, for example — he was adopted by a family of tigers, so the school decided to roll him and invite.”

Well that certainly clarifies the first day …

Dan just frowned. Not about the realization of Yako’s family situation — far from it, actually.

Dan wished he wasn’t unique.

The deer continued, “C’mon Dan, most of the time you’re so silent. Maybe you should join, it’ll help you meet more people!” 

He paused.

“Well, I guess Yako’s antics might be a downside, but you’ll come to love him, trust me.”

The pouting sheep just blew a raspberry at them, which earned him a hearty chuckle from Jacklyn.

His laugh …

Maybe the drama club could be good for him after all.

.....

As the day came to an end, Dan walked around the campus in the sunset, rubbing his back as he looked around between buildings.

Rex, maybe Mr. Bigshot was right. I need to fix my posture before I get scoliosis at 30.

I’m not telling him that though …

The canine was still looking left and right, trying to find the drama club building. He must’ve circled around to the same spot five times by now. If it was true, he’d say his legs were getting sore, but thankfully it was just impatience gnawing away at him for the time being.

I swear I was never this bad with directions. Where the hell is room … 204? Whatever font they used is not helping right now.

“Hey, you! The white dog guy!”

Dan turned around to see a hulking timber wolf in the distance waving in his direction. He had a white tee and red gym shorts, with a rag wrapped around the back of his neck.

His tail was wagging up a storm. 

Was it possible for a 210 centimeter muscular timber wolf to look cute?

Dan just pointed at himself, “Me?”

“Yeah! You must be Dan, right? You’re one of the new recruits we sent a letter out to. Are you lost by any chance? If so I can show you the way, it shouldn’t be too far from here. Don’t worry, we’ve got your drama club uniform ready in the back,” The timber wolf kept firing away, with Dan just staring at him dumbfounded, not able to get a single word in.

Well he seems enthusiastic.

Finally getting his grip, Dan looked at the other canine, “You must be Kuzai, right?”

Kuzai beamed, “Yep! Kuzai the Timber Wolf, and the Head of the Drama Club, it’s a pleasure to meet ya!”

Dan couldn’t help but smile at him. He radiated pure unadulterated positive energy, sort of like Yako, in a canine way.

I can see the banter between those two already, must be a real joy for the other members.

“Sure, big man. Show me the way.”

And with that, Kuzai practically dragged the smaller wolf across campus, wagging tail leaving a dust storm behind him.

.....

“I thought you said that it was only a short way here!” Dan groaned.

“Yeah? It was only a five minute walk, and we got here in 3. Besides, I carried you here,” Kuzai fired back.

“Yeah, “carried” is being generous. It was more like I was getting every ligament in my arm stretched.”

This only earned a laugh from Kuzai.

Finally in the drama club room, Dan got a better look at his surroundings. In front of him was a stage with a serval and a gecko standing upright, heads held up high. They seemed to be reciting a script for a play.

Over in the far right corner, a few animals were painting cardboard and papier mâché props. It looked like a column of some kind, along with a flimsy looking dagger and a few stones.

Overhead was the catwalk, with several lights hanging from the metal bar. It didn’t seem like anyone was there to man the rig at the moment.

“Hey, my man Dan!” Dan recognized that voice.

“Hello to you too, Yako. Please tell me that the costumes are still intact,” Kuzai mentioned dryly.

“Aw c’mon, it was one time! And besides, it was pretty funny!” the sheep fired back.

“You set fire to a robe while playing with a fire extinguisher .”

Y’know what, I’m just not gonna ask.

.....

Eventually the bickering between wolf and sheep settled down, and Kuzai was finally able to hand Dan his club uniform.

“You’ll find the changing rooms over there to your left, we’ll see you in a bit!” Kuzai directed.

And that’s how Dan found himself in the desolate locker room.

To some degree, he was glad that he was alone. It let him get on with his own thoughts. Ever since his roommates, he wasn’t afforded much privacy.

Ok, maybe he was glad to many degrees.

Dan wasn’t exactly the happiest with how his body was, but it was just him in the room, so he didn’t mind.

At least that was the case until his undershirt was halfway off.

“Dan?”

The wolf pulled his shirt down with frightening speed, and he whipped his head around, a deep shade of red painting his muzzle, trying to find the source of the voice.

Antlers.

“J - Jacklyn?” sputtered Dan.

The chital just stared, mouth agape. It took a few moments for him to recollect himself.

“Dan … what were those lines on your back?”

Chapter Text

Jacklyn the Chital was an average deer.

His grades weren’t anything to write home about. He looked like any other spotted deer – a dime a dozen. His clothes consisted of his uniform, T-shirts for the summer days, some jeans, and a few jackets for the colder months. His antlers were kept neat to a certain degree, polished and waxed with care.

Ordinary.

Commonplace.

Natural.

Maybe that was for the best. Society took one look at him and basically handed him privileges on a silver platter. It was hard not to be grateful. Even with his family’s mid-range income, he managed to become friends with one of the richest heirs in the world. Despite having nothing interesting about him, he managed to become friends with a batshit crazy wool fest.

Life was perfect for him.

It made him sick.

.....

Dan just stood there, refusing to turn and face his assailant. Color drained from his person as he clutched his undershirt, claws threatening to tear holes into the fabric.

Fuck .

“... Dan?”

Ever so slowly, the wolf turned to face Jacklyn. One hand on his face in mild embarrassment, and one still holding down his shirt, as if letting go meant it would blow away.

“Jacklyn ... I didn’t expect you in the drama club …”

The chital only looked more worried. He didn’t expect the wolf to be so body shy.

“Dan, what were those lines? It looked like -” Jacklyn started.

Dan quickly interjected, “They’re just some stretch marks, nothing important. I was a bit pudgy in middle school.”

Jacklyn wasn’t the least bit convinced, so he pressed.

“Those didn’t look like stretch marks to me, Dan. They went up your back all the way to your upper torso.”

Dan only groaned, “Why do you even care?”

“Well we're friends, aren’t we? Friends care about each other,” Jacklyn argued, sounding almost offended.

Dan really didn’t want to have his conversation right now. Grabbing his rehearsal uniform, the wolf slunk towards the exit.

“Look, I just don’t wanna talk about it, so don’t push your luck, ok? I’ll just change somewhere else and we can forget about it.”

With purpose in his steps, Dan shrugged past Jacklyn.

“Hey, wait –”

The deer reached for the wolf and grabbed his arm.

...

Dan whipped around, smacking the deer with his fist. With a thud, Jacklyn worriedly looked up to meet the wolf’s eyes.

Lips curled.

Fangs bared.

It was everything that the world told him was bad – told him to avoid. He was supposed to be scared, terrified even.

And yet, Jacklyn only felt guilt.

Because the wolf’s eyes?

They looked so afraid.

“Don’t FUCKING touch me!”

Dan was shivering, arms brought up to his chest, holding on for dear life. His tail curled in between his legs, knees knocked. The wolf’s breaths were heavy and labored, as if someone had carved a hole into his lungs.

“Dan …”

The deer’s voice seemed to have snapped Dan out of his stupor.

Looking down, Dan saw the deer on his tail up against the lockers, a welt forming on his cheek.

It disturbed Dan that the deer didn’t look afraid in the slightest.

“I - I ... Jacklyn …”

Dan wanted to vomit.

He had just committed one of the greatest sins of his society. A society that took everything from him.

He had just assaulted an herbivore.

Dan didn’t feel well.

The room was spinning.

The lights buzzed so loudly.

He felt as if his head would split in two.

Nabbing his clothes, Dan made a mad dash out the door, eyes nailed shut.

.....

Kuzai watched over the drama club’s activity with great care. One of the benefits of being a canine was his sociability. Despite being a large breed carnivore, his friendly demeanor and inherent charisma meant that he got along with his clubmates quite well.

Actors need some direction on the choreography and positioning of a scene? Kuzai on the case.

Costume department needed to ask for suggestions on the next batch of clothes? You know where to find him.

Prop guys wanted to recommend some scenery changes? The man is right here if you need them.

Maybe it was his inner control freak, or his reputation as the Ace Actor, but this kind of club work was soothing to him, in a way. 

Even with that damned sheep.

Sure, the way he acted was kinda cute, in an extremely deranged, psychotic way, but it wore him out like nothing else. Honestly, worrying about Yako’s whereabouts took up half of his brainspace during rehearsals.

The same could not be said about today though.

A white blur sped by the club room, kicking up dust along the way. Kuzai could’ve sworn he saw a ferret get spun like a top as it passed her.

“What in the name of Rex was that?”

.....

Don’t look back.

Just keep running.

Run.

Run far away.

Away from the danger.

Just keep running.

Run away from what causes you pain.

It isn’t worth the trouble.

It isn’t safe there.

Don’t turn around.

Don’t look back.

Dan ran fast as his legs could carry him, which was evidently very fast. He sprinted across the campus at a breakneck pace, the world blurring around him.

Animals left and right stared in awe of the arctic wolf, who held his drama club clothes close to his chest.

He didn’t have time to care.

Clock’s ticking.

You’re running out of time.

Dan wouldn’t make it.

Assessing his situation, Dan spotted an outdoors washroom in the distance.

Wasting no time, the wolf rushed over to the toilets, and leaned over.

Sounds of retching and splashes filled the stall.

.....

“Jacklyn, are you there?”  Kuzai called out.

The wolf had seen the deer enter the locker rooms to grab his water bottle. Though, it had been a considerable amount of time since he went in.

Well, considerable relative to the time it would take to find a water bottle, anyways.

Walking into the dimly lit space, Kuzai saw a few things worthy of notice.

A shaken looking chital sitting against a locker was not one of them.

Quickly, Kuzai knelt beside his underclassman, “What happened? Are you ok?”

Dazed, Jacklyn turned his head towards the large wolf. It took him a second to register the events that had just unfolded. Slowly, the deer managed a response.

“Hey, Kuzai …”

Kuzai looked worried.

“Jacklyn, what the hell happened here? Did Dan do something?”

At the mention, Jacklyn grimaced.

“Well, it was kinda my fault. I pushed him and got what was coming to me.”

Looking at the deer’s cheek, Kuzai’s eyes shot wide open, ears pinning to the back of his skull, “Jacklyn, you’re bruising! What do you mean ‘You got what was coming’ ? What did Dan do to you?”

Jacklyn only laughed.

“You wouldn’t happen to know why Dan was invited to the drama club, would you?”

.....

The dorm was dim.

I mean, it made sense. Carnivores fared better in poorly lit areas. Unlike herbivores, who had their dorms lit like the sun.

It was also dim – for the arctic wolf at least – because his pillow was held over his eyes.

Dan didn’t exactly want to get up. He had made a mess in the bathroom stall outside, and Rex forbid anyone walk in and find out. His heart beat slowly, the sounds of its thumping filling the empty void of the room. To some degree, he was glad that the rest of his roommates were part of a fraternity. He could use the peace and quiet.

I hit him …

I hit an herbivore …

I hit JACKLYN.

Dan groaned. He lost control again, and someone paid for it. The wolf seriously wished that the haunting was finally over.

No one told him it could get that bad.

Lifting the pillow off his face, Dan turned to face the pasty green wall. He sighed to himself, feeling the weight in his eyes.

I don’t wanna go outside today.

He knew he would have to for dinner eventually, but that’s a problem for another time.

Jacklyn ... I’m so sorry ...

... 

The next day could not come any slower.

Trudging his way out of the washroom, uniform haphazardly slapped on, Dan tiredly made his way out of the dorm with his roommates.

Breakfast was usually a time that the canine looked forward to, as it was the only time where he was guaranteed to see his new friends. Ray wouldn’t be getting pestered to shit by his grumpy dad over the phone, warranting his leave. Yako wouldn’t be getting called over to the drama club for a favor, or being called over to the teacher’s office for what was probably the nth time this week.

Seriously, it's only been a week. How do you even manage this Yako?

There was always one constant though.

One that I am NOT ready to see right now.

Today’s breakfast consisted of a fruit bowl for the herbivores, and a soy patty biscuit with yogurt for the carnivores.

Dan made his way towards the line, almost zombie like, his steps being weighed down by the severity of his actions.

Heh, maybe that’s why I got invited to the drama club. I can wax philosophical, too.

He couldn’t lie and say that didn’t bring him a small grin.

Just a small one.

Grabbing his breakfast, Dan made his way to the table. Memory aside, it was easy to spot amongst the crowd. If it wasn’t the horse’s towering stature or the chitals antlers, Yako would be bouncing high enough regardless.

“Hey Dan, good morning.” Ray greeted.

Dan only gave a small nod.

It was hard to look up, in all honesty. How was Dan meant to face not one, but two drama club members, after what happened yesterday.

Moreso one of them than the other.

Idle conversations ensued. Dan was content to just listen in. Ray’s dad’s new partnership that the horse wished would end because good Rex the partnership people were insufferable. Yako’s new escapade with a teacher and her rage at the sheep, reason unspecified. As an aside, his opinions on orange Fanta were iconic if nothing else.

Dan listened with intent, taking precision bites out of his patty, careful not to open too wide.

Looking up, his eyes met the deer’s.

His eyes were a deep emerald color, and it shone like the stone itself, glimmering in the natural light of the cafeteria.

“Dan?”

The wolf blinked. He’d been staring.

Ray and Yako had been looking between the other two animals, trading confused looks amongst themselves.

They’d been staring at each other.

It was the sheep who broke the silence, “Hey, if you two got something happening, me and Ray can just, y’know, head out? It looks like you two got some shit to sort out.”

Jacklyn coughed so hard that apple juice left his nose burning.

“W - wait, Yako, it’s fine, you don’t need to leave, it’s not like that …” the cervid protested.

“Yeah, and I never agreed to leave either,” Ray added.

Dan just put his head down.

This could not be more awkward.

Yako wasn’t finished though, “I dunno what you were thinking, but you’d better share with the class later, cus’ I'm interested. Either way, I just meant about yesterday. I heard about what happened, and I’m stupid, not an idiot. If you two need to talk, don’t let us get in the way.”

The horse tried to argue that he, again, did not in fact agree to being grouped in with Yako. Yako just held a finger up to his lips.

“Really Yako, it’s fine,” Dan finally managed, “If it makes you happy, we can talk about it after club hours, ok?. Breakfast is almost over and we have classes to attend.”

Yako faked a gag, “Eugh, school. Yucky blucky,” his expression shifted into a smile, “But as long as you two sort out your tension, I’m happy. It was weird just seeing you two stare at each other like you’re trying telepathy.”

Dan couldn’t help but just smile a little.

“Sure thing, Yako.”

.....

Soon, the day came to an end, and with it a royal assload of assignments to finish.

Drama club went off without a hitch, and Dan was somewhat grateful for that. It gave him an excuse to ignore the pain of doing homework. He could’ve sworn that Kuzai was staring at him a little more than usual, though.

Alright, so … this should be the place.

The meeting could’ve gone over through text, if Dan was being completely honest.

I suppose it would be more genuine in person.

It wasn’t like he had Jacklyn’s contact information, either.

As the minutes passed, Dan only got more anxious. What if he didn’t show? Did he turn his head at the idea of being close to him? Was he disgusted by the wolf?

Dan wouldn’t blame him. He deserved it.

Luckily, the canine’s nose picked up a scent among the shrubbery and flowers in his surroundings.

Oak and pine …

His tail swayed slowly, but then almost immediately drooped, as he realized what this meant.

It’s now or never.

As the pair of antlers rounded the corner, Dan saw Jacklyn walking towards him, one arm holding the other, eyes meeting his own.

Dan grimaced at the bruise on his cheek.

“Hey Dan,” the deer greeted.

Jacklyn’s voice carried no malice, which helped soothe Dan’s nerves. He was ready to be completely torn to shreds by this freckled deer, but instead he looked …

Nervous?

They stood at arms length of one another.

“Hey so about yesterday –”

“I’m so sorry Jacklyn –”

Both animals stopped as they interrupted each other, continuing to stare. The tension in the air was thick enough to cleave through.

Jacklyn sighed.

“Hey, look Dan. I’m sorry about yesterday. It was clear that you weren’t comfortable with how much I was pressing, and I went too far. I shouldn’t have done that. Please forgive me!”

The wolf looked in bewilderment as the deer bowed in apology.

“What?”

What?

WHAT THE FUCK?

“Wait - wait, why are you apologizing to me? I … I hit you, I punched you – in the FACE, and I’m a wolf. I should be saying sorry to you, not the other way around!” Dan sputtered.

Jacklyn looked back up, “Well, I put you in an uncomfortable situation, didn’t I? I shouldn’t have pushed you like that, and I got what was coming to me.”

Dan tried to retort, only to be interrupted by the deer.

“Wolf or not, I was in the wrong. So take my apology.”

Said wolf could only manage one more question, “Why are you so unconcerned with this …”

The chital tilted his head.

“If I told you that someone named Jacklyn harassed another guy named Dan in the drama club locker rooms, you would feel bad for the Dan guy too, wouldn’t you?”

Dan forced out a laugh, exasperated.

“I guess if you put it that way … still, let me apologize, ok? I hit you and it must’ve hurt. So … sorry for that, Jacklyn.”

Jacklyn smiled at Dan, “Apology accepted! We cool?”

The deer’s smile was infectious. Dan couldn’t help the grin that came to his muzzle.

His smile shines so brightly.

“You’re not an ordinary deer, are you Jacklyn?”

Jacklyn’s smile widened, blunt teeth peeking through his lips.

“I try my hardest.”

Chapter Text

Streams of sunlight barely bled through the closed curtains of the office, catching the glittering dust in the air along the way.

At the desk sat a timber wolf, tapping away at the laptop set in front of him, a dim white glow illuminating his face as he worked.

Kuzai heaved out a sigh.

Between managing the club, rehearsing for the upcoming performance, and having to organize events and finances, he really had his work cut out for him.

Frankly, it was a massive headache.

The wolf pinched the space in between his eyes as he felt a pressure building behind them.

This wasn’t his first rodeo, nothing a few painkillers won’t fix.

Leaning back into his swivel chair and stretching his legs, Kuzai let out a large yawn, fangs and tongue hanging out for the world to see.

“Kuzai? Are you here? I’ve been meaning to ask about one of the scenes in the play.”

On reflex, Kuzai’s tail shot straight up behind his chair as snapped his snout shut, the sounds of his teeth clacking together reverberated throughout the poorly lit room.

At the door was a small merino sheep with an appearance similar to a dust bunny with how his wool splayed out from his sides. His small and stubby hands firmly at his hips as he awaited Kuzai’s response.

“So …? I’ve been meaning to talk about one of the scenes in our play, chop chop, bro.”

Kuzai exhaled, “Yako, I know damn well you know your lines and stage directions. No one’s here, anyway. Just tell me what you want.”

The sheep seemed taken aback at the response, half expecting the larger animal to just disregard him and keep working, or to just walk past him.

This was new.

“Okay, okay, ya caught me!” Yako giggled, making his way towards the desk, “I just wanted to pick at ya since the day is ending. I dunno, I find it strange that you stay this late here. I mean, don’t you have a dorm?”

Kuzai just snorted, “Well, it’s convenient to stay here after rehearsals, it's nice and private. Besides, all the paperwork is here.”

The smaller animal crossed his arms, tapping his foot at the base of the wolf’s table. “Yeah? And it’s hella dusty here, too. I’m surprised you haven’t caught an allergy yet,” he chastised.

Like clockwork, the wolf let out a sneeze, snot and all spraying at Yako. Luckily for the sheep, he managed to block the worst of it with his arms up covering his face.

“See? What’d I tell ya.”

Kuzai gave out a weak chuckle. As much as the sheep bothered him, Kuzai appreciated these moments he had with him. Being a timber wolf, he wasn’t exactly the most eye-catching around – well, at least in general. Being a larger breed carnivore, herbivores tended to stray further from him.

It was a real shame, honestly. Kuzai didn’t really like some of the personalities of the more brazen carnivores. They really got on his nerves, grated him the wrong way, grinded his gears, all of that fun stuff.

Can’t a guy catch a break? Just have an honest conversation with another animal?

.....

Kuzai had just received word of a new transfer to the drama club. Being voted as the new head of the Drama Club, the wolf was set to greet any new members at the pre-year inauguration. To say the wolf was excited to meet whoever would be soon to join them would be an understatement, his bushy tail wagging up a storm behind him.

In the distance, he could make out the outline of two animals making their way towards him, seeming to be chatting away like there was no tomorrow – the smaller of the two occasionally jumping up and down like a spring.

As they got closer, though, Kuzai didn’t expect to see a tiny firecracker of a sheep, with an elder tiger with a pair of shades trailing behind him.

“Thanks for showin’ me the place, pops! I swear, this place can be a maze without a map of the place.” the little sheep exclaimed, seeming just a little too excited to be there.

“Well son, this was my old stomping grounds, it’d only be natural that I could show you to the place!” the tiger exclaimed, grinning wide to show off his impressively shining fangs.

Kuzai’s ear flicked in contempt at the careless gesture from the older carnivore, but he wasn’t in a position to judge. After all, the past six years have been spent kicking in the teeth of old polite society.

Then Kuzai paused.

Wait … did he say POPS?

The wolf could feel his world start to spin.

This guy has a tiger as his DAD??

Caught in his thoughts, the wolf failed to realize the sheep waving his arms in his face.

“Helloooo, earth to the doggy. Aren’t you, like, the introductions guy for this club? Where are the ‘Hi, my name is: ’ stickers I’m s’posed to wear?”

The sheep’s voice seemed to have shaken Kuzai out of his stupor, as he stared forward.

Or rather, down.

His golden irises met with the sheep’s crimson red for just a moment, and it felt as if the world sucked in a breath to hold, too nervous to exhale as if it would break the moment between the two animals.

The sheep sighed, “I guess I’ll go first: My name’s Yako the Merino Sheep! Alrighty then, your turn!”

The wolf shook his head “O - Oh, my bad, hehe. The name’s Kuzai the Timber Wolf, nice to meet you!” he answered, one hand reaching out to shake the hand of the sheep, while the other went behind his head to scratch himself in embarrassment.

Looking up again, the wolf caught the larger figure behind Yako – a frighteningly large bengal tiger, muscles rippling in the sunlight.

A look of recognition crossed the wolf’s features.

“So, are you looking to join the drama club?” Kuzai asked.

Yako beamed, “Yeah, dude! My old man was raving about the club, and considering him, I just had to check it out, y’know?”

The tiger’s tail wiggled bashfully behind them.

Deciding not to press further, Kuzai only grinned at the two animals, fangs carefully tucked in. “Well, your old man might be onto something, because the Drama Club is pretty awesome! We’ll be glad to have you on board!”

The wolf never noticed the way the sheep and tiger’s expression soured when Kuzai gave them his half hearted, fangless grin.

.....

After introductions day, Kuzai quickly learned about the sheep’s … temperament, for lack of a better term.

The little guy was fiery with passion, some of it more directed and focused than the other. Loud and proud, Yako chatted away and made small talk with many in the club.

He quickly built himself a reputation of outgoing, but brash. Someone you’d keep close, but not exactly by your side.

At least that was the case for most animals.

Kuzai tried to be more than most animals, though.

“Okay, okay, geez. I’ll take the work back to my dorm, ‘kay mom?” the wolf added at the end in jest.

The sheep only took it in stride though, grinning in response, “Sure thing, hun’, someone’s gotta take care of ya while you’re wasting away here~”

Kuzai’s face burned as he choked on his saliva, not prepared for the blatant pet name that the sheep had just referred to him as.

“Ha! You’re so fun to mess with sometimes, dude.” Yako bellowed, a deep belly laugh emerging from the wooly mess of an animal.

Kuzai could only grin back. Despite everything, it was moments like these where he appreciated the sheep’s company – not that he would outright admit it, though. If it weren’t for Yako’s frequent check-ups (read: intrusions), Kuzai was sure that he would be worse for wear, physically and mentally.

Being the head of the Drama Club can wear you down something fierce.

As his laughter boiled down to a simmer, Yako’s usual bright smile fell from his visage, his deep crimson eyes locking onto Kuzai’s figure.

“Seriously, though …”

Noticing the change in demeanor, the larger animal’s tail drooped under the scrutinizing gaze of the sheep.

“Shouldn’t you be taking a break? I’ve heard about the things the body will do to people under stress – hell, I’ve seen my pops go through it as well, and it ain’t pretty.”

Kuzai shifted uncomfortably in his chair.

Yako heaved out a sigh of his own.

“Look dude, we noticed how much shit you’ve been piling onto yourself lately. And let’s be real for a sec here, you’re about as subtle at hiding it as a sawed-off shotty in a shopping mall. We’ve seen the way you slouch and lean against the walls when you don’t think we’re looking. We’re worried about you, man.”

The sheep took a deep breath, and exhaled.

“ I’m worried about you, Kuzai …”

The aforementioned wolf’s ears pinned to the back of his head, his tail tucking further behind his seat.

“Just … take care of yourself, will ya? I don’t wanna have to drag your ass off the stage because you collapsed under the heat of the lights. Shit would suuuck.”

A small smile couldn’t help itself but to creeped up at the end of the canine’s lips. Despite the minor scolding and concern, it felt nice to have someone to care about him – enough so to worry about his well being.

Not as Kuzai, head of the Drama Club.

Not as Kuzai the Ace.

Not as Kuzai the Timber Wolf.

Just Kuzai.

“Sure thing, Yako. Pinky promise?”

The sheep snorted at the childish gesture the wolf had given him, but held his hand up to meet the larger mitt regardless.

“Damn right it’s a pinky promise!”

.....

A couple of days came and went as the herbivores (plus Dan) found themselves at their usual cafeteria seats once again. It was a nice routine for the lot of them – a constant throughout their stay at the academy.

Not much for the food, more for the company.

Dan always thought the food tasted exceptionally bland, anyways.

It always struck him as kind of disappointing. To Dan, food was an arbiter of positivity, meant to bring others together and spread joy across anyone involved. Not just chemically, but socially as well.

A reminder that we are alive.

Dan was somewhat jealous of the servings handed out to herbivores – the food often being met with high praise and smiling faces. The same couldn’t be said about the carnivore students, however. The carnivore meals were described as alright at best, and outright revolting at worst.

The wolf snickered at the thought of the latter. The food wasn’t that bad, surely. It was probably just an overreaction to people who’ve had seafood or real meat.

It was just a little bland is all, nothing more, nothing less.

Regardless, it was nice being able to sit with people he could call his friends. While he wasn’t exactly a social butterfly, Dan enjoyed listening to whatever stories were brought to the table by the other three, and especially seeing them bubble with laughter.

Currently, though, a looming figure hung over the table.

And it was also awkwardly trying to squeeze in next to a certain sheep.

Dan’s ears swiveled towards the sound of a barely contained snort – one coming from the deer sitting next to him. He let out a soft breath through his nose as he smiled to himself.

Hehe, he’s always so cute when he does that.

Jacklyns cheeks bulged as he held back a laugh. Really, no one could blame him. Watching a hulking wolf squirming and trying to fit into an obviously-not-enough-space-for-him spot at the table was definitely a sight to behold.

Kuzai took notice of the expression worn by the chital, and he turned his muzzle away, ears glowing a soft pink as he pouted.

Yako couldn’t help but giggle, breaking the dam for Jacklyn as the two laughed at the larger wolf’s plight.

Amusedly, Ray rested his chin on his knuckles, elbows propping his head up on the table. “Okay, I’ll bite. What’s he here for?”

Yako turned to look at the stallion, “Well, this big goof wanted to take a bit of a break to help with his headaches, and you can imagine being hounded by she-wolves at his table doesn’t really help with that. So, I have offered temporary refuge for our resident good boy over here.”

Kuzai couldn’t help but blush at the mention of him being a good boy , his tail wagging behind him.

“A - Anyways, how are things going between you two?” Kuzai asked, pointing at the pair of animals across the table, trying to take some of the heat off himself. “Last time I saw you guys you had some stuff going on. How’s that been treating you?”

Dan looked down at his feet, slight embarrassment splaying across his features. A few days ago, it had been quite awkward for the smaller canine to look at Jacklyn, considering what transpired.

That entire saga lasted for barely 24 hours, though …

“Oh don’t worry, Kuzai,” responded the chital, seeming to notice the way Dan shuffled in his chair. “We talked after the whole shebang happened, then kissed and made up, right Dan?”

Just about everyone gave pause to the statement as Jacklyn just smiled.

Almost comically, a half eaten slice of carrot tumbled out of Ray, being left completely agape as his fork stopped halfway to his mouth.

Dan looked wanted to sink into his chair and disappear from the immediate vicinity.

Kuzai simply smiled at the two, “Well, that’s good to hear!”

Lunch continued as usual, with whatever banter Yako and Ray partook in, now supplemented by the eye rolling of a certain timber wolf.

The table got a few more stares than usual – having the hulking beast that was Kuzai would have that effect. It wasn’t exactly anything new, though. The group was already judged by their herbivore and carnivore peers alike.

Herbivores still held onto their fears that they would be eaten without a second thought by savage beasts who are nothing more than slaves to their carnal desire to devour flesh.

Carnivores saw the association with herbivores as an act of submission – an absolute embarrassment for a fellow carnivore to fall below their weaker peers.

That could’ve bothered Dan less if he was being completely honest.

I’ve seen the horrible things our kind have done …

It's better that we all stay safe, right?

Better to be friends with the enemy, or so the books say.

Dan hated still hated all of the staring, though.

.....

“I can as well be hanged as tell the manner of it: it was mere foolery –”

Dan found himself sitting on one of the benches of the Drama Club room, watching the actor’s pool rehearse one of the early scenes of this year’s production.

The white furred wolf found himself not exactly cut out to be an actor, confirming an earlier suspicion for himself. Instead, he had joined the tech crew, discovering an interest in the costumes.

He had thoughts about joining the lights crew, but Yako kind of had that covered on all bases. Being an unpredictable force of nature be damned – that sheep could work a spotlight.

After last week’s fiasco – and a lot of advocating from Jacklyn, Dan was given permission to wear a hoodie with track pants during rehearsals. It wasn’t like he was gonna be on stage.

The wolf’s ears flicked idly.

I should really thank Jacklyn for advocating for me like he did …

“Hey, do you mind if I take a seat here?”

Dan looked to his side to find Jacklyn with a rag around his neck and a water bottle in his hand. The deer’s sweat glistened off of him in the bright lights of the club room.

“I don’t mind, take a seat.” Dan responded

Sighing in relief, Jacklyn plopped himself onto the spot next to Dan with an audible thud . He let his hand rest on the bench, leaning back as he took large swigs from his bottle, Adam's apple bobbing up and down with each gulp.

The two animals sat in comfortable silence together for a moment, the occasional chuckle at the actors when they would make an exaggerated gesture – a stark contrast to the overly formal language they used for the play.

“Hey, Jacklyn?”

The chital was in the middle of another sip of water when he turned to look at Dan. “Yeah? What’s up?”

Dan didn’t look up, instead staring down at his hands as they came together. “I wanted to thank you – about the outfit situation …”

Jacklyn gave a soft smile to the canine, “No problem, Dan. I could tell that you aren’t exactly the most comfortable with showing off your body – you’ve made that much apparent.”

Dan grimaced at the memory, “Yeah … I guess I did, sorry.”

“Heh, none taken, man. Besides, it’s not exactly my place to ask you about what you’ve got going on, nor is it my place to judge,” Jacklyn shrugged, “I just hope you’re enjoying your spot on the costumes team. I didn’t take you for someone who liked sewing, I thought canines hated needles?”

Said canine chuckled at the silly misconception, “That’s more of a thing with medical needles like syringes. Besides, I’ve had worse.”

The deer tilted his head in confusion, “Worse?”

“Ah – ahm … it’s a long story …”

The deer sighed, “Well then, keep your secrets. You the boss man, after all.”

Dan snickered, “Nah, that’d be Kuzai. I don’t have the fur patterns or the acting chops for that kind of responsibility.”

Jacklyn’s cheeks puffed up once again at the stupid joke, giving out a hearty laugh alongside Dan, with the canine’s tail picking up speed as they both shared the moment together.

As quickly as the moment started, it ended when an ear-piercing screech rang throughout the room.

Chapter Text

An ear piercing screech rang throughout the rehearsal room of the drama club. A high pitched, pain-filled cry for help.

Dan’s eyes snapped over to the stage as Jacklyn doubled back, hacking up whatever sip of water he was taking.

Red. Lots of it, all over the stage.

Lots of blood.

Dan’s heart quickened.

Jacklyn looked over to the stage, a grimace taking over his facial features. Looking back to Dan, the deer saw his expression.

Uncomfortable.

It was a grim reminder for the both of them.

Nice or not, carnivores are born to kill. Born to devour.

Currently, a snow leopard stood on the stage, eyes wide and claws out. He’s not sure how or when it happened, but all he knew was that he had tripped.

Now? A poor zebra girl had paid for his careless mistake, arms torn wide open – surely some arteries had been severed.

The leopard looked like he wanted to disappear. His knees knocked as he held his crimson painted paws in front of him, only able to stare.

He possessed those tools on his person. Weapons that he was born with.

An unimaginable weight one would have to carry, knowing that from the moment you’re born, you were created with murder in mind.

He started to sob.

“I - I didn’t … I didn’t mean to! It was just an accident, I didn’t mean to hurt her, I didn’t –”

He lost it, running over to Jacklyn, grabbing his shoulders.

“I DIDN’T MEAN TO DO IT MAN, YOU GOTTA BELIEVE ME!”

In an instant, Dan shoved the leopard over, growling with his lips curled back.

The leopard shrunk under his glare.

Jacklyn could barely process what had happened, hands reaching to rub his shoulders.

His white tee had been soaked by zebra’s blood.

“HEY HEY HEY BREAK IT UP YOU GUYS,” Kuzai yelled as he and Yako ran to grab the leopard. “Jeremy, stop! You’re scaring the herbivores!”

As Jacklyn looked around, he could see the herbivores backing away, looks of disdain splayed across their features. The smaller ones seemed to be trying to hide behind their larger counterparts.

Currently, Jeremy sat on the floor, tail curled between his legs, rocking back and forth as he hugged himself for dear life. Kuzai stood beside him desperately trying to comfort the inconsolable leopard as Yako went to care for the fallen zebra on the stage.

“Well, don’t just stare, someone help me get her to the infirmary!” the sheep called out to the club members.

Many just stood still, unable to move as they witnessed the spectacle occurring in front of them. They may be part of the drama club, but this seemed like the plot of a bad play …

“I’ll help. We need someone strong enough to carry her,” Jacklyn responded, standing up from where he sat. He looked over to Dan. “You coming with? We could use the extra muscle.”

The wolf looked like he wanted to say no. However, looking at the situation, it didn’t seem like Kuzai was in a position to carry the zebra, as he was still trying to console the mess of a leopard on the floor.

“Fine, I’ll go.”

.....

The sterile smell of cleaning products and medical equipment penetrated Dan’s sinuses.

The nurses had said that it wasn’t exactly the worst they had seen, but the wounds went deep enough where time was needed to operate before the zebra could be let go.

The three who went to the infirmary were notified that Kuzai had ended the club early. No one was particularly enthused to practice after witnessing what transpired – not to mention the stage was thoroughly and properly soaked in blood.

It looked like the scene of a murder, as Kuzai so graciously put it.

An awkward silence took over. None of the animals currently sitting in the waiting rooms were in the mood to make much conversation, instead choosing to take the time to process the situation.

Eventually, though, Jacklyn spoke, “Yako?”

The sheep in question blinked as his head straightened from its slouch, “Yeah, what’s up?”

The deer chose his next few words carefully, “You stayed surprisingly calm back there, you know?”

Yako scoffed and rolled his eyes, “Well, standing around and doing nothing, or Rex forbid panicking, wouldn’t have helped the situation. I was just doing what I could to help.”

Dan’s ears twitched at that sentiment.

I don’t want to be a spectator …

I remember someone telling me that once.

Yako sighed as he brought his hands from holding the sides of the chair together, sighing, “Besides, from what my old man’s told me, something like this happened before with,” the sheep paused, “a less fortunate outcome.”

Jacklyn turned his head away in shame. During the entire event, he had to admit to himself, he – pardoning the pun – froze like a deer in the headlights.

He was no better than the other animals in the room with him.

“Sorry, I guess I was just curious,” the deer apologized.

Yako actually chuckled, legs swinging lazily under the chair, “Don’t apologize to me, or anyone for that matter. It’s not like your fault we ended up here.”

Jacklyn turned to him, “Well, it’s kinda my fault Dan ended up here. I kinda dragged him here.” He looked at the wolf, “Sorry about that, by the way.”

Dan looked over at the deer, “Don’t worry about it. Like Yako said, it wouldn’t have helped if I just sat around like a bystander. Think of it like me repaying my thanks for advocating my case for my drama club uniform privileges.”

The wolf looked down at his now blood-stained hoodie.

“Though I guess I’d better run this by the laundry soon, or it won’t matter if I have those privileges,” he chuckled grimly.

It felt weird. Here were three animals in the infirmary having a laugh, covered in crimson after delivering a dying girl to be cared for by the nurses.

It was like a bad joke that could only get worse.

Dan’s ears twitched again as he looked down, tail curling down behind the chair, “If anything, I should say sorry about how I acted. I shouldn’t have growled in front of you like that. I just – I panicked a bit when Jeremy grabbed you like that.”

Jacklyn tilted his head and waved his hands, “From an outsider's perspective, it must’ve looked pretty grisly, so I totally get it, no worries.”

The sheep beside them smirked and leaned over, “I bet you felt some fun stuff watching such a stud get protective over you, huh Jacky~”

Dan’s back straightened as his ears shot up, burning as bright red as his stained hoodie.

Jacklyn rolled his eyes at Yako, but still held a smile on his face, “Har har, so maybe it felt a little good knowing I was safe sitting next to Dan, sue me.”

Dan sputtered as his tail wagged behind him. His face lit like a Rexmas light from embarrassment.

How did I end up with these people, geez …

The wolf’s embarrassment could only be enjoyed by the other two in the room until the door to the infirmary flew open.

There stood a white stallion out of breath, seemingly running across the entire campus to be there.

Ray leaned his arm on the doorframe to steady himself as he caught his breath, “Is Kinmo here? I heard that she was hurt!”

Dan sat up straighter as Yako and Jacklyn looked at the wolf, then at each other.

He was still wearing a bloody hoodie.

The two shared a look.

Oh, this does not look good from the outside.

The horse glared at Dan, looking at him up and down.

“What the FUCK did you do, Dan? I swear if you even laid a single molecule of your being on her I’ll –”

Yako jumped up from his seat in between Dan and Ray, hands waving sporadically, “Hey, hey! Dan didn’t do anything to her! He was just helping to carry her here with Jacklyn.”

Dan wilted in his chair, rubbing his arm as Jacklyn rubbed his back for comfort.

The still panting horse looked on the verge of collapse as he let out a massive sigh, one hand being brought to his hips as the other ran its fingers through his mane.

“Sorry, I got carried away … you didn’t deserve that from me, Dan.”

Yako squinted at the horse, “Yeah, he didn’t,” the sheep chastised, one foot tapping on the white tiled floor.

Ray redirected his glare at Yako, “Oh, lay off it. Just …” the horse’s expression shifted to one of worry. “How bad is it?”

“The nurses said that she’d recover just fine, but some of her arteries were severed, so she needs some time to rest.” Jacklyn supplied.

With the answer, Ray’s knees finally gave as he collapsed into the chair beside Dan.

“Fucking hell …” the stallion exhaled.

.....

Eventually, the four were shooed out of the infirmary, long overstaying their welcome.

Ray needed a little more convincing than the rest, but he gave eventually.

The group found themselves back in the cafeteria, dim lights illuminating the space. It was considerably emptier than earlier in the day, as many students were back at their dorms or elsewhere.

Dan’s hands clasped together as he looked down at the table.

How do we always find ourselves back here …

He couldn’t imagine how crummy Ray felt. I mean, imagine hearing offhand from some passersby that your crush was, in essence, hospitalized.

(Maybe that’s a bit of a stretch, but hey, Ray was justifiably emotional.)

To some degree, Dan understood how Ray felt, and subsequently his outburst.

If the same happened to Jacklyn, I’d be pretty fuckin’ upset too …

Dan’s ears twitched at the implications of his own psyche. He shook his head.

It’s reasonable. He obviously cares for me – I mean hell, he basically single-handedly got me permission to wear long sleeves during rehearsals. I’d be an ass to NOT care for him.

“Hey Dan, you ok? You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” Jacklyn asked.

Dan almost shot up and out of his chair at the suddenness of the question.

“Well, we all would’ve if we hadn’t gotten Kinmo over to the infirmary in time,” Yako commented dryly.

Ray looked over to the sheep, “Hey, Yako?”

“Yeh?”

“Don’t.”

“Too soon, gotcha.” 

Yako shut up for the time being. That horse’s glares could kill a man if he really tried.

Minutes passed as the four animals sat in silence. None were particularly in the mood to eat anything, least of all Dan.

Thankfully, the unmistakable steps of a large carnivore broke the monotonous awkwardness.

“Hey, can I sit down for a sec?” Kuzai asked.

A small nod from Yako was the only answer he needed.

As he got settled into his seat, the larger canine began, “Sorry to you guys about earlier. That … whole thing could’ve gone a lot better.”

Yako shook his head, “It could’ve gone a lot worse, too. All things considered, you handled it a lot better than most of us would’ve.”

The praise got to Kuzai just a smidge, tail slowly waving.

“How’s Jeremy doing by the way. He … didn’t look like he was having the best time either.”

It was Kuzai’s turn to sigh, “Well, he’s doing about as well as how I assume Kinmo is doing – mentally at least. He ran over to the toilet to vomit after you guys left.”

Dan grimaced at the imagery, bad memories resurfacing.

To think that was me a week ago … damn.

His thoughts were cut short by the larger wolf, “In any case, since Kinmo is injured and Jeremy isn’t exactly mentally ready to return to the stage …”

There was a pause as the tension in the air became palpable.

“We’ll need to borrow Jacklyn to sub in for Kinmo, you ok with that?”

Jacklyn shrugged, “I mean, that’s fine, but we’d have to delay the day of the performance so I could brush up on the lines.”

“Don’t worry, we already pushed show day back a week because of the injury, but that’s the most I can do, sorry,” Kuzai apologized. “Regardless, that puts me in a difficult position trying to find a sub for Jeremy, since I wasn’t planning on needing two subs.”

It was weird that he was planning on needing a sub in the first place, but Dan digressed.

The smaller canine was shaken from his thoughts when Kuzai directed his attention towards him.

“So, I came to a decision, I just need to know if you’re ok with it, Dan.”

Everyone at the table turned to look at the animal in question. Said animal looked like he wanted to shrink into a singularity.

“Y - Yeah?” he managed.

“Dan, I need you to sub in for Jeremy.”

Dan could hear glass shattering somewhere in the world.

Chapter Text

The crunching of soft gravel echoed through the dim orange skies.

Dan’s throat felt dry.

Why did I agree …

He wasn’t sure what possessed him to comply with the larger wolf’s request. Maybe it was his own canine instinct to obey.

Regardless, he agreed, and now Dan found himself in his own head.

I can’t act to save my life – hell I even have firsthand experience that I can’t!

This can only go poorly …

Dan gripped his highlighted script, paper wrinkling under the contours of his hands.

“Dan, you doing ok?”

Jacklyn’s voice beside him pulled Dan out of his thoughts. The chital’s face held an expression filled with concern.

Shit, he must’ve seen me wrinkle the script.

Dan looked over to Jacklyn straining a smile.

“Yeah, I just have a bit on my mind is all,” he reassured.

Jacklyn did not look the least bit reassured. He sighed.

“It’s the play, isn’t it.”

Dan’s ears pinned to the back of his head, “Ah, that obvious, huh?”

The deer returned his own reassuring smile – a little more convincing than the wolf’s own – softly huffing something reminiscent of a chuckle.

“Well, barring the obvious context clues of a few minutes ago in the cafeteria, you tend to wear your emotions on your sleeves.”

He paused.

“It's one of my favorite things about you, if I’m being honest.”

Dan’s ears perked in as he swung his head in Jacklyn’s direction. The deer was still smiling at him, a boyish smile spreading across his snout.

The wolf’s fur fluffed up and his cheeks flushed as he let his tail wag behind him, “Ahm – thanks, I guess …”

The deer pat him on the back, giggling at the canine's antics, “Hehe, don’t mention it! If this is anything to go off of, I’m sure you’ll do great!”

Dan let himself enjoy the physicality of the chital as he grinned.

“Yeah … maybe this won’t be so bad …”

.....

Oh fuck this is so bad.

Dan found himself on the rehearsal stage the following day, stumbling and fumbling his lines.

Like an absolute idiot …

Luckily his fur wasn’t exactly the thickest since it wasn’t winter yet, but standing under the bright spotlight in a hoodie wasn’t doing him any favors, either, since he wasn’t exactly enthused about wearing a toga. That, combined with the wolf’s inherent nervousness made for enough sweat to baptize a small child.

“I - I can be hanged as tell the manner of it: it was just tomfoolery –”

No no no, shit, those aren’t the lines!

“Ah – I mean, uh, I can be as hanged to tell you – fuck!”

The animals offstage and behind the curtains looked at the wolf in mild pity. Some empathized with the canine, remembering their first time performing. Others simply didn’t care.

Kuzai frowned, “Okay, that’s enough. Let’s take five and relax for a bit, then we come back with cleared minds, ok?”

All of the actors called out in agreement, making their way offstage and to their respective stations.

Dan ambled off of the stage, heaving out a sigh as he dropped his weight on the ground near the wall. Grabbing his bottle, the wolf sprayed water all over his face, opening his muzzle slightly to catch whatever he could.

Looking down at the ground in shame, Dan let his tail and legs curl closer to himself, contemplating his predicament.

Lost in his own head, he didn’t hear the two animals walking up to him.

“Dan, you doin’ alright?” Kuzai asked sheepishly.

Dan looked up to meet the larger canine’s gaze, but only found him looking aside, hands rubbing the back of his head – a nervous tick of his that Dan had picked up.

Kuzai felt bad. Very bad, in fact, for putting Dan in this position. He knew that Dan chose to be part of the costume crew because of his, quite frankly, disastrous stage fright.

It was his responsibility to make sure he would be ok.

Dan looked up to Kuzai with a pained expression.

“… I could be better …”

Kuzai grimaced.

Beside him, Jacklyn walked over to Dan and crouched, placing a hand on Dan’s shoulder

“You don’t have to do this, we can just find another sub …” he pleaded.

Dan’s expression soured. He scoffed, “Finding another sub would only delay the show further. It doesn’t matter how much I hate the spotlight, I have to do this. I owe you guys that much.”

Jacklyn lifted himself off of the floor, gesturing wildly in exasperation, “Dan, you don’t owe us anything! We just wanna make sure you’re ok, and you clearly aren’t feeling too good about this!”

Dan wilted under the deer’s scolding, tail curling in even further. Noticing, Jacklyn sighed as his expression softened.

“There’s no convincing you otherwise, is there …”

“Sorry,” Dan apologized, “but even if I don’t owe you anything, there’s still not enough time to find a new sub.”

“Guess not, everyone is already busy enough as it is and we don’t have any extra members …” Kuzai conceded.

Jacklyn clasped his hands around one of Dan’s, mindful of the wolf’s claws, and lifted it to face level, eliciting a small gasp from Dan.

“Then can I at least help in some way?” the deer pleaded, “I hate having to watch you crumble on stage.”

Dan looked off to the side and mumbled as he used his free hand to scratch his cheeks, “… Sure, Jacklyn.”

.....

“He fell down in the market-place, and foamed at mouth, and was speechless.”

It seemed like it wouldn't be so bad after all.

A week had gone since Dan had gotten Jeremy’s role in the play. He felt somewhat bad for the twitchy snow leopard. He really wanted to make his dad proud with his performance, the wolf had overheard, and now that chance fled from him because he wasn’t careful.

Dan could definitely sympathize with that.

“Nay, an I tell you that, I'll ne'er look you i' the face again.”

The canine had to resist his tails urge to wag, happy that he wasn’t messing up his lines. In the week’s time, Jacklyn managed to do a stellar job at coaching Dan’s nerves. A little positive reinforcement could go a long way, it turns out.

Dan felt like he could take on the world!

Well … the play at least.

At the foot of the stage, Jacklyn sat on a foldable chair, giving the wolf on stage an encouraging smile. The deer had been able to coax Dan into letting himself mess up occasionally – it came with the territory of being new to acting – as well as allowing himself to take Dan’s script. With his script, Jacklyn was able to correct Dan with any lines he would trip up on.

.....

“Why do you get to coach Dan on his lines, shouldn’t someone else do it?”

“I think I’m the only one he’s comfortable with letting me do this, Yako. Besides, you have to work the lights anyways.”

“Hey, I didn’t even say anything about that!”

“Heh, sure~”

.....

Jacklyn snorted quietly as he remembered the brief exchange with the sheep in the rafters. Although he wasn’t exactly one-hundred percent sure if what he said was necessarily true,

seeing Dan’s canid features light up at his encouragement whenever he would mess up a line was something too good for Jacklyn to pass up.

Rex, Yako must never know, or he’ll tease me until the end of time …

As the scene came to a close, a thunderous clap rang throughout the club room as Kuzai made himself present.

“Alrighty everybody, good job on today’s rehearsals! That should be it for today, so make sure to not forget your things. Rest easy tonight, and make sure to come back tomorrow refreshed and revitalized, ‘cause we’re gonna need it!”

Chants of agreement echoed across every animal as they scrambled to the locker rooms to grab their things.

Dan made his way off the stage where he was greeted by a pat on the head by Jacklyn, a gesture that he leaned into, tail waving behind him slowly as he did.

“You did great today, Dan! I barely had to correct you for anything.” Jacklyn praised.

Dan’s lips curled up into a smile as his tail picked up speed, “Hehe, thanks Jacklyn. It helps to have you here to calm my nerves, I really appreciate it.”

Jacklyn chuckled, “Hey now, don’t sweat it. I offered to help in the first place. I did say I was sure you’d do great, didn’t I?”

The wolf snorted, “Yeah, and I ended up stumbling over basically every single line.”

Jacklyn smiled back at Dan and noogied him, eliciting a yelp from him, “Well, that was then, this is now, and now you’re doing great!”

Dan laughed sheepishly, “I guess so, heh …”

“Hey, you two lovebirds done yet? Hate to ruin the moment but we gotta lock the club room in a bit, so ya’ll gotta get going” Yako’s voice cut through the chatter and clatter of the rest of the animals as he climbed his way down from the lights.

Dan’s fur puffed up an egregious amount in embarrassment as his tail froze, with a deep crimson blush covering his muzzle. Jacklyn looked a little less affected, though still a little pink.

“Damn, who killed Kuzai and made you the new head?” Jacklyn sassed.

Yako chuckled as he crossed his arms, grinning at the deer, “Well, as his loyal second in demand I have been tasked to enforce the rules of the club whether you like it or not~” he answered, placing his hands on his hips as he flips his hand back as if he was wearing a robe.

Jacklyn cackled and Dan couldn’t help but giggle at the sheep’s antics.

Dan was the first to respond, “I don’t really like being around other people while changing, but I can help you guys clean up while I wait.”

Yako paused, then realization struck, “Oh, right, my bad, I forgot about it. Yeah sure you can help, me and Kuzai could use the extra hands.”

Dan gave the sheep a soft smile as he made his way backstage. Jacklyn’s eyes followed the wolf’s movements until he disappeared behind the curtains. Yako gave the deer a little nudge.

“So, what was that all about earlier?” he teased.

Jacklyn blushed as he pushed the sheep’s face, hands sinking into his messy wool, “Oh, lay off it, dude …”

The sheep chuckled as he found his footing, “C’mooon, Jacklyn, you can’t tell me there’s nothing happening between you two! I mean, you’re basically flirting with him out in the open!”

The deer in question rolled his eyes, but still kept his smile, “Not sure how helping Dan with his stage fright counts as flirting, but go on, mister ‘second in command’”

Yako stuck his wooly neck out at Jacklyn, “Sure thing, mister ‘Dan is only comfortable with me’, just admit it, you’re doing this so you can hog him all to yourself!”

Almost instantly, the chital’s face lit up like a Rexmas light, “S - Shut up! Don’t lecture me on that when you meet with Kuzai in his office after every practice!”

Unfazed, Yako tightened his cheekbones in an attempt to do an over masculine face, “Oh, but I’m just making sure our club head is doing okay. A little bit of positive reinforcement goes a long way~”

“Ugh, you’re impossible sometimes …” Jacklyn groaned into his hands.

The sheep laughed, sticking his tongue out playfully, “Naw, I just know things, hehe.”

In another corner of the drama club room, Kuzai looked over at the commotion and sighed fondly, smiling.

“Glad to know those two haven’t lost their spark.”

.....

In the darkness of the backstage area, Dan hummed as he moved boxes of props and costumes here and there, tail waving idly.

Grabbing his phone, he scrolled through his contacts before landing on one and dialing.

…

…

…

“Hello? Who is this?”

“It’s me, Dan,” the wolf answered.

“Ah, Dan, it’s good to hear from you again! I was afraid you’d never call back, it’s been months!”

Dan rolled his eyes, though alone in the dark there would be no one to see it, “You mean a month. Also, do you always have to sound like a corporate entity with a stick up his ass?”

The voice on the other end paused before responding, “Sorry, it’s an old habit. I’ve been trying to break it but the businessman in me doesn’t like being silenced it seems.”

“Hey, don’t sweat it. At least you’re trying,” Dan reassured. “We all are.”

The voice chuckled, “How philosophical of you. Well, how are things going as of late? I haven’t been updated as of late.”

Dan scratched the back of his head, “There’s been a lot going on, so maybe another time. But I do want to thank you for recommending me here. It’s been nice to socialize for once and I’m actually not doing as badly as I thought I was in the drama club!” his tail wagged as he recalled the good memories.

“It’s good to hear you’re enjoying yourself! I had a feeling you would have a good time at Cherryton.”

Dan smiled to himself, “Of course, thanks for the help, sir.”

That got a chuckle out of the voice.

“Oh please, you tell me to be casual and you address me as sir?”

The wolf’s muzzle hung open for a second before snapping shut, “Ah, sorry. Thanks for the help, Louis.”

He could almost hear the grin on the other side.

“There you go. I’m looking forward to performance day, Dan!”

Chapter Text

“How are you feeling, Kinmo?”

Ray sat next to a bed of flowers, a can of coffee draping from his lithe fingers. Across from him sat another equine — one with stripes.

Her arm was slung in a brace, too weak to be able to move. She gave him a pained smile.

“It still aches, but I’m feeling a lot better than I was when I first got this. The nurses did a really good job,” she reassured, more to herself if anyone.

Ray paused, “That’s good, I guess …”

Their eyes met, and it seemed they had the same thought.

“I’m sorry about your role in the play, I know you said it was something you were really looking forward to. What happened was an accident, but it’s still shitty.” Ray began.

The zebra cut him off, “Don’t remind me. It already happened, and strangely I feel relieved. Not so much about losing the role, but I know Jacklyn is doing Rex’s work right now to fill in for me! He’s a good friend of yours, right? We should support him.”

Ray sighed, “I suppose …”

“… Still.”

The white horse turned to look at Kinmo. Her eyes seemed to be void of their color.

“I know it was an accident. My rational mind knows Jeremy didn’t mean to do it. He looked so scared …”

Ray’s eyes widened. Kinmo hiccuped as tears welled in her eyes.

“But I’m scared too! I wish I wasn’t, I wish I didn't feel like this because it feels like I’m betraying my own morals, but I feel scared!”

As Kinmo brought her hands up to her eyes as she sobbed. Ray’s protective instincts took over as he hurled his entire person onto her, wrapping his arms around her back in a tight hug.

There sat two equines, one crying their heart out onto the other’s shoulder, trying to find comfort.

Ray bit his lip. He wished he could whisper sweet nothings into her ear until her troubles went away — he wished he could shoulder her pain for her. But that wasn’t a possibility.

“… I’m sorry, Kinmo.”

.....

“So he got suspended?”

It was empty in the changing rooms once again. Everyone had already been filed out and started doing their stretches.

Show day was fast approaching, and no one wanted to be caught with their pants down.

Dan, as always, managed to find a way to stay behind the rest of the club members without them noticing his lack of nudeness and abundance of school uniform. 

It was impressive, really.

Jacklyn came in late on account of losing track of time and getting held up by a teacher in the hallway, so now he was left in the lockers, too.

Dan didn’t mind it though. Even if he was body shy, it wasn’t anything that Jacklyn hadn’t seen already.

Besides, it helps that he doesn’t ask questions.

“Yeah, dismembering a clubmate will do that to you,” Jacklyn responded grimly. Dan winced at the tone of his voice.

The deer noticed his change and expression and pivoted. “Not that I think you’re dangerous or anything! It’s just shitty how accidents like that happen …”

The wolf’s tail continued to be pinned, though. “I know, I know, but it sucks to think that if we even slip up once, we could be as much of goners as herbivores …”

Jacklyn’s eyebrows furrowed. “Is this about the time you sent me on my ass the last time I caught you with your shirt off?”

Dan whipped his head around in embarrassment. “Well when you put it like that it really sounds like I’m the villain …” he pouted.

Jacklyn could feel the beads of sweat forming on his forehead. “Dammit, it should be illegal for him to be this cute!”

Clearing his throat with about as much subtlety as he could, Jacklyn tried to reassure the downtrodden canine. “Look, that is far behind and beneath us, alright? I’ve already forgiven you, and look! We’ve been together practicing your lines for quite a bit now, so we’ve gotten to know eachother better than ever!”

“I guess …” Dan mumbled.

The deer chuckled and grabbed his own shoulder, raising a bicep. “Hey now, chin up! I may be twink in every sense of the word, but I’m a tough deer! I can handle some punishment!”

That got Dan to light up laughing. Jacklyn absolutely beamed at the reaction.

With a slight tint of red adorning the canines cheeks, he turned to the deer and smiled. “Oh Jacklyn, you’re too precious, you know that?”

That got Jacklyn sputtering.

It only made Dan smile even wider.

I guess I’m feeling a lot more confident, aren’t I?

.....

Walking out of the club room, Dan checked the time on his phone. 

19:15.

He sighed. Life had only gotten more and more hectic ever since his surprise induction into the actors pool. Dan only really wanted to mess with some costumes or splash around some paint, but instead he’s reading out lines and practicing his timings for when and where he should be on-stage.

He knew actors didn’t have it easy, despite the admittedly nominal “fame”, but all of the rehearsing and memorizations were taking the life out of him.

I can feel a headache coming …

One positive is that he got to be around Jacklyn a lot more, he supposed. It genuinely felt like the canine did not deserve the deer sometimes, for his patience and whatever else. It made Dan feel so much less stressed about the entire performance.

Nevertheless, tomorrow was a weekend, meaning he could probably rest up and focus on doing his other classes.

Actually, maybe I should ask if Jacklyn is free tomorrow. I haven’t been able to see the more urban parts of the city.

Truth be told, Dan absolutely hated crowds. He found them claustrophobic and it made his blood pressure go up tenfold. But as Louis always said:

Hold onto new experiences for dear life, you’ll appreciate them more when you realize what good they’ve done for you.

He snorted at the shitty impression he did in his own head.

Yeah, that’s definitely way too dramatic for just going out to the city.

Reaching for the phone in his pocket, he sent a text to the chital.

—

Dan: Hey, since tomorrow is the weekend, do you think you could come with me to the city? I’m not the best with crowds so it would be nice to have you by my side.

Jacklyn: o

Jacklyn: does the knight need his prince in shining armor to accompany him on his trip into the outside world :3c

—

Dan could feel something sprain while his eyes were rolling.

—

Dan: If that’s what it takes for you to come with me, then we shall explore the wondrous lands of ramen chains and arcades, prince charming.

Jacklyn: pfft

Jacklyn: alr ill come with u u dork c:

Jacklyn: 9:00 sound good? we could get breakfast together before we go do stuff

Dan: Sure thing! Can’t wait.

Jacklyn: its a date then :D

—

The wolf couldn’t help the red forming around his cheeks as his fur fluffed up. Texting the deer made him giddier than he would ever care to admit.

I’ve got it bad, don’t I …

Rex, Yako must never know .

Placing his phone snuggly back into his pocket, the wolf continued forward. Imminent city visit or not, it was getting close to curfew and rehearsals, as aforementioned, took the life out of him.

Dan really missed his bed.

In the distance, Dan could hear some mutterings. It wasn’t uncommon for students to hang out around the dorms right before sunset. It was a good atmosphere and there wasn’t any fear of being late to curfew because the dorms were quite literally a walk’s distance away.

Something about …  carnivores. Ach, well, some things never change, I suppose.

It wasn’t anything major, but that kind of conversation wore down on Dan sometimes. It was like an invisible weight on his back, not enough to be crushing, but it would drag him down nonetheless.

No blame, either. The thought of being prey at the back of your mind would be a weight of its own, maybe even heavier than the one he carried.

If only life were simpler and we could all just live normally.

Hunger is so annoying sometimes.

Turning the corner, the wolf got a clearer look at the conversers in question. His ears perked up, but questions quickly flooded his mind.

Ray … and Jacklyn? Why are they here? And so close to the carnivore dorm as well …

Opening the door, Dan entered the elevator and pressed the button to his floor, while his eyes bore into the wall searching for anything to distract him from his own monsoon of thoughts.

.....

That night, Dan lay in bed with his eyes staring at his bed’s ceiling. The questions never stopped and it’d been eating away at him slowly ever since he entered his room.

What were they talking about …

Was it about what happened with Jeremy?

Was it about me ?

Why was he talking with Jacklyn …

Dan turned to his side, his blanket wrapping and stretching along with him. Yet it never failed to feel slightly off each time he did, leaving him perpetually uncomfortable.

I can feel my headache worsening …