Forbidden ( a BxB Furry Romance )

Chapter 15

Two days had passed since that night, but the feeling of warmth lingered in Kael's chest like a quiet ember. He hadn't been able to forget the way Silas had held him, the way their connection had deepened. It was strange, almost surreal, but comforting in a way Kael hadn't allowed himself to feel in years.

Life had settled into a tentative rhythm. Silas and Kael still spent most of their time together—walking to classes, grabbing meals, or just hanging out in their dorm. The air between them felt lighter now, a quiet understanding binding them in ways neither of them had put into words yet.

It was late afternoon when Kael sat cross-legged on the couch in their dorm, a book in his lap. His snow-white fur seemed to catch the golden light streaming through the window, the black tips of his ears twitching as he read. Silas, stretched out across the other end of the couch, was flipping through his phone absentmindedly. His grey-and-white fur looked soft and slightly ruffled, as if he'd just woken up from a nap.

Silas glanced up from his screen and smirked. "You've been on the same page for ten minutes. That good, huh?"

Kael's ears twitched, and his blue eyes flicked up from the book. "I'm reading," he replied, a little too defensively, before quickly glancing back down.

"Sure you are." Silas shifted, sitting up and leaning closer to peek at the book. "What is it? Something about calculus? Or wait, let me guess—molecular biology?"

Kael rolled his eyes but couldn't quite suppress a small smile. "It's philosophy, actually. Trying to understand why you're so irritating."

"Ouch." Silas clutched his chest dramatically, as though the words had physically wounded him. "I thought we were past the mean comments."

Kael huffed, but his smile widened slightly. "You're insufferable."

Silas laughed, a warm, easy sound that made Kael's chest tighten in the best way. He set his phone aside and leaned back against the couch. "Seriously, though. You've seemed... lighter these past couple of days."

Kael's ears twitched again, this time in surprise. He closed the book slowly, his expression turning thoughtful. "I guess... I feel a little less weighed down," he admitted, his voice soft.

Silas watched him for a moment, his amber eyes steady and full of quiet understanding. "That's good," he said, his voice low. "You deserve that."

Kael's gaze met Silas's, and for a moment, the air between them grew heavy with unspoken words. But then the sound of Kael's stomach growling broke the moment, and he flushed, his ears pinning back in embarrassment.

Silas grinned, standing up and stretching. "Well, that's my cue. Let's grab dinner before you starve to death."

Kael hesitated for a second before nodding and setting his book aside. "Fine. But if you make me go to that café again and order something ridiculous, I'm not sharing."

Silas chuckled, his tail wagging slightly as he held the door open. "No promises."

As they stepped out into the cool evening air, Kael found himself walking a little closer to Silas than he usually did. And when Silas's arm brushed his, he didn't pull away. It felt like the beginning of something he didn't quite have the words for yet, but for once, he didn't feel the need to rush.

For now, it was enough.

The walk to the dining hall was quiet, but not uncomfortably so. The gentle rhythm of their footsteps and the occasional rustle of leaves filled the air. The campus was beginning to quiet down as the golden hues of sunset melted into the cool blues of evening.