Noah stepped inside the apartment, bracing himself for absolute chaos. Half of his heart expected the place to be wrecked, with overturned furniture and claw marks on the walls. Who knows what this man was actually capable of?

Instead, Noah found himself in complete silence.

For a moment, he glanced toward the couch to find Micah sprawled across it despite his earlier protest, still wearing the ripped shirt, waiting patiently.

He's... waiting?

The moment Noah set the groceries on the kitchen counter, Micah's ears perked up, and the werewolf leapt off the couch in one swift motion toward Noah.

"Human! You're here!" the boy exclaimed, his voice brighter than Noah had ever heard it.

Noah was seriously caught off guard.

Maybe he ate something poisonous?

In that same moment, Micah seemed to realize exactly how he sounded, and he cleared his throat before trying again.

"I mean... why did you take so long?"

By then, his voice sounded strained, as if he were forcing the strength and arrogance back into it.

Noah started laughing breathlessly. "You're failing at whatever you're trying to do. Now you just look cute."

Micah's ears burned bright red. "For the last time, I am not cute. I am fierce."

Noah nodded along. "Very fierce. As fierce as a corgi."

"Yes, that."

Oh my gosh, I just remembered he doesn't know what a corgi is!

He just agreed that he's adorable.

Noah was dying of laughter now. After a few seconds, he managed to catch his breath and turned toward the groceries.

"I got you some new clothes. I hope they fit. I also got the fish you asked for..." Noah said, digging into the bags and handing him a stack of shirts and pants.

Micah nodded, his tail twitching happily behind him.

"Just pick your favorite pair, and I'll save the rest for you."

"Okay."

He disappeared for a few minutes while Noah emptied the bags and put everything away in the pantry and cabinets.

After a few more minutes, Micah came out wearing a pair of jeans and a dark blue T-shirt.

They fit better than Noah anticipated. The jeans hugged his body nicely, and the shirt was slightly too big, but it did the job.

It was far better than the ripped shirt.

God... why does he have to look so good?

"Is this better?"

Noah nodded, tearing his gaze away from Micah. He was still glancing at him from the corner of his eye, and from what he could see, Micah was slowly walking toward him.

Micah stopped inches away from Noah, towering over the shorter boy.

"Uhm... do you need something?" Noah asked, heat crawling up his neck.

So close...

Micah looked away immediately after Noah asked the question, but Noah could see the faint blush creeping up his neck.

"Micah?"

Micah didn't answer the question. In fact, he just said, "I didn't destroy the house."

"Yes...?"

Noah was getting increasingly more confused.

Micah didn't look like he wanted to explain himself any longer. He just took hold of Noah's hand, bent his head down, and placed Noah's hand on top of his head.

Noah stilled for a hot second, his mind spiraling.

...What's happening?

What is this?!

Some kind of curse?

But then he remembered what he'd promised earlier that morning.

Oh wait...

Affection.

He didn't even know what it consisted of.

A hug?

Finally, he thought back to their conversation that morning.

He wants me to... pet him?

Tentatively, Noah's fingers combed softly through Micah's hair, feeling the silky strands beneath them. His hair was silky smooth, unlike Noah's, which always tangled at the ends no matter what he did.

Deliberately, Noah's fingers moved toward Micah's ears before tracing their curves. They were fluffy and softer than Noah ever imagined, and one twitched against his touch.

Noah tried to read Micah's expression.

He stayed rigid, his face flushed pink, and looked at anything but Noah. Unfortunately, his tail swayed back and forth, betraying how much he was actually enjoying this.

It was quiet for a long time, and the only sound that could be heard was Noah's heartbeat pounding loudly.

After a moment, Micah pulled away, biting his bottom lip nervously, and muttered a barely audible thanks.

Noah nodded and turned away from him, trying to distract his racing thoughts with cooking.

The moment he opened the fridge to start dinner, Micah spoke again, his voice somewhat shy.

"I can help with cooking."

Noah almost dropped the tomato he was holding. He turned toward Micah, eyes narrowed.

"Why? Are you planning to poison me?"

Usually, Micah would bark for food like a spoiled prince. And now he was offering.

Micah shrugged it off casually. "I want to cook the fish."

Noah raised an eyebrow. "You can cook?"

Micah looked offended as he scoffed. "Of course I can. Now where's the fire pit?"

Noah opened his mouth but closed it again. Because he knew this was going to be a long night.

"Follow me."

Micah walked toward Noah eagerly. 

"Micah, this is a stove. If you touch it, you will burn yourself... and you will cry."

Micah listened carefully to the instructions.

This is so weird.

Is... is Micah changing?

Why does it feel so... affectionate?