Chapter 67 - Gifts

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The class had gone by for Roger like everything else had in the week - it was short, quick, and he was soon to forget it. He met with the wolf after class, but this time he had his bag with him.

They were to walk back to the wolf's house, but before doing so they would stop at a store. It was the wolf's little brother's birthday this weekend, and Roger did not feel right attending it without getting him a gift, especially since his family had shown him such hospitality.

At the store, the fox asked Hunter, "What do you think he would like? Matt, I mean. That's his name, right?"

The wolf nodded in return, bringing his gaze back to the fox after having his eyes caught on a couple of toys. "He... usually likes games, I guess. I'm not really good at them, so we don't play them much, but he... he likes them."

"What kind of games could he be playing at his age?" the fox asked.

"Just whatever my mom can get him, really. Shooting games and sometimes driving ones, but with cartoons. Mom is pretty careful with what she gets him, doesn't want him turning out violent or something," the wolf explained.

Roger took note of it and looked around. Anything that seemed appropriate for kids seemed boring to him, but with the help of the wolf, he found something. It was not exactly cheap, but he purchased it anyway, and they bought a bit of paper, as well, to wrap it. A card accompanied it, and he signed it, writing, "To Matt".

They made their way to the wolf's house. As he found out, the specific day for the little wolf's birthday would be Saturday. As Roger found out, he would be turning nine. It was so far away from the sixteen that the two of them were, but it was not all that far, he figured. Perhaps it merely felt like it.

There they sat in the wolf's bedroom. He became familiar with it, almost like it was a second home, though it was, of course, trying not to become too comfortable with it. It was still a stranger's house, and he was still merely a guest.

He was able to sit close to the wolf again, and for that he was glad. He could feel those arms around him, and without trying to, he smiled. His tail betrayed him. His heartfelt warm.

The closer he was to the wolf the slower time seemed to move, but it was never slow enough. Every second and minute passing by felt like grains of sand slipping through his paws. He did not want it to end, but he could not stop time.

When it came time to sleep, the wolf made the fox a bed again but ended up sleeping on it and giving him his bed. Roger, however, encouraged him to sleep with him on the bed. It did not take much to convince him.

The birthday came. They headed out to a restaurant that also had games and things for the kids. The main food that was served there was pizza.

Roger was not really interested in the games, but he tried a few if only to win some tickets for Matt. Any of the electronic ones he seemed to do well at with a few tries for practice. It was cheap, and the prizes were cheap as well, but the item it seemed the little wolf had his eye on had quite a high cost. The fox was sure, though, that the same item could be bought elsewhere for much cheaper.

Hunter also helped bring in more tickets. He played the football game, of course, throwing the ball through the moving target, never missing a single one. The friends of Matt began to gather, cheering him on, but eventually, they lost interest and moved on.

Eventually, they had amassed enough tickets to exchange for ten of such a prize, the majority of the tickets have come from Roger. There was a game that required that he push a button at the right time, and he seemed to be getting it almost every time.

The little wolf was elated, but his friends were jealous. As they grumbled, he turned to them and gave them enough tickets for what they wanted, having a large surplus, after all.

Benevolent, like his brother, Roger thought. He looked at Hunter who just smiled back at him, his tail moving back and forth. It was an odd scene, he thought. The wolf felt a bit too large to be playing these games, and a bit too old to be enjoying them, but he seemed entertained well enough. Perhaps it was not really the games that entertained him, though. Roger felt just as happy helping out the kids.

When the food was ready, they all gathered around the long tables that were provided by the restaurant. There was a cake, homemade by the looks of it. Nine candles were lit, nine candles were blown out. Gifts were given, including Roger's gift.

When he handed it to the younger wolf, there was a surprise in the glance back at him, and excitement, as well. Matt gave the fox a hug and thanked him. Apparently, he had not expected anything from someone he did not really know, which was natural.

His mother was surprised as well, and give him a warm smile. He smiled back and blushed. It felt nice for his gesture to be appreciated, he supposed. When the young wolf opened his gift, he expressed his excitement via physical and vocal means. Apparently, it was something that he had wanted.

It was nice, the fox thought.

Everyone ate the food that was distributed. It was plentiful and everyone was full when they were finished, with the possible exception of Hunter. He had waited until everyone was done and then finished up whatever leftovers there were, which was sizeable, but not enough to really take home. Roger knew he had seen the wolf eat more in merely one sitting.

They returned home and Matt had begun to play with his new toys and games immediately. Roger and Hunter participated a little, but most of it was merely just to help the young wolf acclimate himself to all of the new items.

Jill, the wolf's mother, thanked him again for coming, but also inquired as to the price of the game. As she did so, she pulled out her wallet and began thumbing through papers, intending to pay him back. He shook his head, seeing this, and said that it was unnecessary and that it was a gift. There should not be repaid for a gift.

She smiled and insisted, but he insisted in return that it would only cheapen the value of the gift. She gave up eventually.

He returned to Hunter's room. The wolf was already in bed, under the covers, snoring softly. Roger turned off the light, removed his shirt, as he was now getting used to. He made sure the door was closed, and then removed his pants as well, keeping his boxers on.

He slid into bed next to the wolf. He was not comfortable enough, like the wolf was, to be completely nude, but it was always a step forward.

The wolf turned in his sleep and put his arms around him. Roger sighed and put his face against Hunter's chest. He let himself drift off to sleep without the usual distraction. He was not sure how much longer such a gift would last.

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