Lukas puts down the dumbbell and lets out a sigh. He looks over at Brandon and folds his arms. “What kind of trainer are you?” He asked while smirking a little.
“Tch, I was just enjoying the view.” Brandon said, laughing as if he was proud of what he said.
Lukas got secondhand embarrassment. He’s so cringe. “You’re unbelievable.” Lukas muttered.
“Unbelievably obsessed with you, baby boy~” Brandon said, smiling even harder.
Lukas decided to be straight up and told him, “Eugh. You’re s-so cringe.”
“You know you love it~ eheheh~”
Lukas looked around. The gym was buzzing with the clinking of weights and the upbeat music. Some people glanced in their direction. He immediately got embarrassed when he noticed people looking.
“Can we leave this OUTSIDE of the gym?”
“Hah! So you do like it. You’re just embarrassed for everyone to know you’re mine. Don’t worry~ they’re all a bunch of bakas who are jealous.”
Lukas blushed and pushed Brandon with one hand.
“Sh-shut up! You are so haughty!” Lukas grumbled, trying to hide his smile.
Brandon laughed. “What was that? I’m a hottie? Oh I know~”
“I- I will throw a dumbbell at your foot if you don’t control yourself… ugh.” Lukas threatened, very obviously still blushing.
“Ooh… feisty are we? It’s okay, I’ll invite you to my pack later and you can show me more of that side of you. It’s kinda… kinda cute~”
Lukas widened his eyes. “Your pack?”
“Yeah, we’re meeting up tonight. You should come.”
Lukas completely flipped out.
“What!? Are you crazy!? I’m a scrawny, bony, loser!! Was that why you wanted me to train at the gym?”
“Hey, hey, listen, you’ll be fin-“
“I haven’t even joined the quadrobics club!” Lukas cut him off, looking panicked.
“Hey you’re gonna be fine Lukas. You’re overthinking things.” Brandon laughed.
A guy nearby on a treadmill peered over at them and took his airpawds out.
Brandon looked around and leaned in closer to Lukas.
“It’s not fine! I’m not even a wolf boy!” Lukas whined, “I mean- just- w-why do you want me to join!?”
Brandon put a finger up to his lip to hush Lukas. “Easy. You’re cute and ‘cause I said so.”
Lukas stomps his foot. “That’s not- how does that- that’s not how it works!”
“Yes it does. Who says?” Brandon shrugged.
Lukas was fed up. People’s glances, the smell of sweat, rubber mats, and the noise was not making him feel any better.
Lukas sighed, “Ugh. I don’t know.” He was too exhausted to continue fighting with Brandon’s nonsense and too physically exhausted to lift another dumbbell.
“Are we done here?” He groaned.
Brandon offered him his water bottle. “We can be. You did so good here~ I’m so proud.”
They made their way to the exit. Lucky waved them goodbye. The music muffled and the smell faded as they walked outside.
The parking lot was mostly empty. It was quiet outside except the rustling of the trees.
“You better not be thinking of doing anything crazy to me out here!”
“Not unless you ask, which you practically are. I mean why bring it up? You’re getting me excited~”
“Brandon!”
“Ugh! You’re acting like I said something crazy.” He said with innocence. “Ahem- but anyways, seriously. The pack is getting together tonight. Snacks, campfire, a lil running under the moonlight, it’ll be fun. I want you to have fun.”
Lukas listened.
“I’m not going to let you get hurt. I’m the alpha after all,” Brandon smiled. “I’m your alpha.”
Lukas huffed through his nose. “I’m not like you guys. I’m so skinny too…”
“You’re with me, just like the rest of them. You’ll be safe.”
“You sure?”
“I can just tell them you’re my boyfriend.”
Lukas paused mid-step. “We’re not even boyfriend- wait, we’re BOYFRIENDS!?”
Brandon stopped and turned to face him fully. “Well in my eyes, yeah, heh… You didn’t realize?”
“Realize what?”
“That… you’re mine. We literally made out in a haunted house, in your room, in the back of a library?? What do you think this was, a hobby?”
Lukas was at a loss for words. “I- I mean-“
Brandon smiled and continued to walk to his car. Lukas followed, looking at the floor.
When they got to his car, Lukas spoke again. “So I guess we are, aren’t we?”
“You’re the one saying it now.” Brandon teased.
“Well let’s- let’s go out with each other!” Lukas shouted, averting his eyes immediately after.
Brandon didn’t respond right away. Instead, he walked closer to him, pretty much pinning him to the side of his car. “Yeah,” he whispered. “I think you’re a little too late.”
He leaned in, kissing Lukas forehead.
Lukas heart fluttered. He gave Brandon a hug.
Brandon’s heart was beating fast. “Ugh- he’s so cute, I can’t take it.” He thought to himself.
Lukas held on longer than normal trying not to think about how good the cologne smelled on him, or how warm this hug felt, or how his arms fit perfectly around him. He didn’t want to make himself seem more nervous.
“Mmn~ Lukas.. you’ve been waiting for this it seems.”
Lukas scurried off of him. “Ugh I’m- just- just whatever!”
Brandon chuckled. “Drive safe, okay?”
“Y-you too.” Lukas stuttered. He turned over his shoulder, waving as he walked back to his car.
Brandon watched him the whole time, biting his lip. Once he got inside the car, he exhaled like he’d been holding his breath forever.
“God, I’m so in love with him. Mngh~ I should’ve made out with him right there.”
He started the engine.
“This is gonna be a problem. It’s getting harder to hold back…”
It was almost time to introduce his boyfriend to a bunch of his wolf boys under a full moon.
No biggie.

***
Only halfway home did it hit him that he made a mistake.
“Wait.. did I even tell him I turn into a werewolf?”
There was a long silence.
“Crap.”
Lukas stared at his closet.
“Running with a wolf pack” was not something he had ever dressed for. What even was the dress code for something like that? A hoodie? Some armor?
He ended up throwing on a leather jacket and jeans. It was safe, kinda cool, something he wouldn’t cry about if it got torn up.
His phone buzzed.
Brandon:
I’ll pick you up.