Forbidden ( a BxB Furry Romance )

Chapter 17 - Update included

The hum of the car engine filled the air, punctuated by the occasional playful banter from the backseat. Silas kept one hand on the steering wheel, his other arm resting lazily on the open window. The crisp autumn air rushed in, carrying the faint scent of pine and damp earth.

"I'm just saying," Ghost piped up, their bright blue fur practically glowing under the late afternoon sun, "if we get there and there's no Wi-Fi, I might actually perish. You'd all better write me a heartfelt eulogy."

Kael, sitting in the passenger seat, smirked as he flipped through the map they'd printed earlier. "Pretty sure the whole point of this trip is to disconnect, Ghost."

"Sure," Ghost shot back, leaning forward between the seats, "but disconnection doesn't include me missing the finale of Tales of The Underrealm. I have priorities, Kael."

Daniel, sprawled out in the backseat with his headphones half on, gave Ghost a playful shove. "You'll survive, drama queen. Besides, you'll be too busy trying to keep warm to even think about TV."

Ghost gasped, clutching their chest as if mortally wounded. "How dare you? My fur is my armor! I'm built for resilience."

Silas chuckled, his tail flicking behind him as he glanced at Kael. "Think we should warn them about how cold it gets at night, or just let them suffer?"

Kael leaned back in his seat, his white fur catching the golden glow of the setting sun. "Let them suffer. Builds character."

The group erupted into laughter as the car crested a hill, revealing the sparkling expanse of a secluded lake below. The water shimmered under the orange and pink hues of the sunset, and nestled near the shoreline was the cabin—small, cozy, and surrounded by towering evergreens.

"Whoa," Ghost breathed, their earlier theatrics forgotten. "Okay, I take it back. I'll survive. This is gorgeous."

Silas parked the car near the cabin, cutting the engine. "Told you it'd be worth the drive."

As the group unloaded their bags, Kael lingered by the car for a moment, taking in the view. The lake was perfectly still, a mirror reflecting the vibrant sky. It felt... peaceful. He didn't say it out loud, but he was glad Silas had suggested the trip. It had been a rough few weeks, and the idea of some time away with friends—away from campus, away from everything—felt like exactly what he needed.

"Hey," Silas said softly, nudging Kael's shoulder. "You good?"

Kael nodded, offering a small smile. "Yeah. Just... taking it all in."

The warmth of the late autumn sun had given way to a cooler twilight, casting the lakeside cabin in hues of gold and soft purple. Kael stood at the edge of the dock, his white fur nearly glowing in the dim light. His hands were stuffed into his jacket pockets, but his tail swayed lazily behind him as he looked out over the water. The lake was calm now, reflecting the first stars of the evening sky.

"You okay over there, philosopher?" Silas teased as he walked up, holding two mugs of steaming hot cocoa. His grey-and-white fur was fluffed up slightly against the evening chill, and his easy grin made Kael's chest tighten.

Kael smirked but didn't look away from the horizon. "Just thinking."

"Dangerous," Silas quipped, offering one of the mugs. When Kael took it, their fingers brushed for a fleeting moment. Silas noticed how Kael's ears flicked just slightly at the touch but said nothing. He took a seat on the edge of the dock, his legs dangling over the side.

Kael followed after a beat, sitting close enough that their shoulders brushed. The warmth of Silas's fur seeped through Kael's jacket, a quiet reminder of his presence.

"Do you think Ghost and Daniel are still arguing over the board game?" Kael asked after a sip of cocoa. He glanced back toward the cabin, where faint bursts of laughter echoed through the crisp air.

"Definitely," Silas chuckled. "Daniel's a stickler for the rules, and Ghost—well, Ghost makes their own rules. It's a miracle they even agreed to play in the first place."

Kael smiled, his breath curling in soft clouds. "It's kind of nice, though. All of us being here."

Silas tilted his head, his amber eyes catching Kael's profile in the fading light. "Yeah, it is. You don't seem like the cabin-in-the-woods type, though."

Kael's gaze dropped to his mug, his fingers curling around it tightly. "I didn't think I would be. But... I needed this. The quiet, I mean. It's been hard to breathe lately."

Silas stayed quiet, letting the words settle. He knew Kael had been through more than he let on, and while Silas wanted to fix everything, he also knew better than to push.

"You deserve this, you know," Silas said softly. "The quiet, the peace. A chance to just... be."

Kael glanced at him, his blue eyes meeting Silas's amber ones. There was something raw in Kael's expression, something vulnerable that he rarely let show. "Thanks," he murmured.

For a while, they just sat there, watching as the stars multiplied in the sky. The sound of the water lapping against the dock was soothing, almost hypnotic.

The cabin door creaked open behind them, and Ghost's bright voice cut through the stillness. "Hey, lovebirds! Dinner's ready! You can make out after we eat!"

Kael nearly choked on his cocoa, and Silas burst into laughter. "You wish, Ghost!" he called back, his tail swishing as he helped Kael to his feet.

Ghost stood in the doorway, their bright blue fur and dark swirls catching the cabin's light. "Just don't let it get cold, or Daniel will blame me."

Inside, the warm glow of the cabin felt like a safe haven. The table was set with steaming bowls of soup and freshly baked bread, the smell filling the cozy space. Daniel, ever the perfectionist, was adjusting the napkins, his expression serious despite Ghost's teasing commentary.

"Finally," Daniel said as Silas and Kael entered. "Thought we'd have to drag you two in."

Kael rolled his eyes but smiled faintly as he took a seat. Silas plopped down beside him, his knee brushing Kael's under the table. The small touch sent a ripple of warmth through Kael that had nothing to do with the soup in front of him.

As they ate, the conversation flowed easily, punctuated by laughter and Ghost's dramatic storytelling. For the first time in a long time, Kael felt like he was part of something real, something good.

And as the night wore on and the fire crackled in the hearth, Kael realized he didn't want this feeling to end.

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So hey y'all I know this chapters pretty short but I will say I'm actively got a few rough drafts typed up for the oncoming chapters and will more than likely post this chapter and chapter 18 together as a sorry for taking so long... so sorry I know how many of you actually enjoy reading forbidden so I hope you enjoy this splash of kaels and Silas life!