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Tyson stares at Will, his deep commanding gaze emphasizing his power over the room. The lion simply taps on his binder, his fingers running from pinky to thumb across the cover. Tyson doesn't really need to say anything, his expression declaring itself to the room, "Either sit down and partake or get out."

Will looks around at the others, as if they will back him up. His ears are still flat against his head, the fear radiating off him as he doesn't know what to do. Curling his tail under his legs, he moves towards the group, silently taking a seat. There is a slight glare as he looks back at me but it is short lived as Tyson starts off the session.

"Ok, as we have been discussing for the last few meetings, image is everything. Most people out there will take one look at you and have you sized up but you need to prove them wrong." Tyson glances around the group, his eyes connecting with every animal in their seats.

"The way you dress, the way you act; it all influences how people perceive who you are and what their immediate thoughts of you might be." A few of the animals grumble at that statement, the coyote shaking his head and the bunnies looking down shamefully.

Then Tyson does what I had not expected, he puts me on the spot. "For instance, since we have a guest, which MOST of you have not met," I do take humor in how he makes reference to Will's encounter with me, even though he doesn't know what all happened... "What all do you think of him? Is he some spoiled rich kid, trying to connect with the common people, a brat who has been put into community service by the police, or a fellow citizen, caring for the local community?"

All attention is now on me. Sitting up in my chair, I look back at all the eyes, as if they are suddenly going to attack me. My ears perk up, and then back, worried about what they might think of me; will they actually be able to sniff out that I am one of them, a former troublemaker and homeless youth?

The bunnies start in first, their tag team duo showing that they are related in every way. They are both really quiet, nervous about speaking to the group and to Tyson, probably in fear that they will get punished for something, "Is... is he rich?"

Tyson looks to them, smiling first at them, then over to me. The look in his eye shows he wants to play with me, though I don't know if it is to roast me or to know me. "I don't know. What is your perception of him?"

The bunnies look back, then each other, then at me again. "He... he doesn't look like a rich kid. He... he has money though... look at his stance..."

The Doberman starts in, cutting off the bunnies, which instantly shut up at the bark of his voice, "He's a fighter. He knows what he is doing and how to get what he wants." This dog is good but then he goes and ruins it, "He probably runs in some gang, 'cause he doesn't look like the leadership type." I actually headed up my own little posse back home, our group of misfit runts.

The coyote blurts out something that I didn't see coming, though in this group, anything should have been expected... But not this: "He's gay. Can't you all tell? Look at his hair, his clothes, and his style?" The coyote leans over to get a better look at me. I try to hide my shocked expression, which few managed to see, but this coyote, he saw. The grin starts to form on his muzzle but it is instantly shot off, put into the defensive mode as the others start to rag in on him.

"Really Quinton? You're joking right? Just because you and Tyson are doesn't mean that all are. Are you that desperate for your own kind?" The Doberman tears into Quinton, his laugh mocking Quinton. "It's hard enough to take Tyson serious at times but two of them? That would be great." The Doberman rolls his eyes at the thought.

A lump grows in my throat at the thought of having to out myself to the kids so early. Even though Tyson was just outted to me, I don't know if I could do it. While most of my pack back home knew I was gay, some still gave me shit from time to time, leading to a great majority of fights. Tyson roars, reining the group back into order. "Anthony! That is ENOUGH. Regardless of whether he is gay or not, he could still be an effective leader here."

Wilson, having not looked at me since he sat down, mutters out, "He's trouble." That small utter catches a few of the groups attention; ears perking up to hear what the problem child had to say.

Tyson looks over to Wilson, expecting him to say more. Wilson's arms are crossed across his chest, his paws scratching gently at his sides. "Care to say more Will?" Tyson asks, leaning in, hoping for more.

Wilson leans his head back, his snout pointed directly towards the ceiling. Taking a huge breath in through his nose, as if he could smell my past, he laughs manically. "Can't you see?" Wilson looks back at Tyson; he then turns his chair around, starting his bout with me. Being in a controlled room, Wilson hopes to have the upper hand on his attacks, especially since I haven't said anything to fight what they had said.

"He knows all of us, maybe not personally but he has seen our types before. Wanna know why? Because he was one of us. No, he still IS one of us." Out of all the true things said earlier; the fighter part, the gay part, this rang the truest. "He has no money. He has no friends; at least not down here. He is just as lost as we are, fuck; he is worse off than we are. He doesn't even know the town yet. I give him..." Wilson pauses slightly as he attempts to size me up, "a week before he gets into trouble. No, I'll cut him some slack. Two weeks." There is a slight snarl in that cut, almost challenging me to a fight.

I was shocked, this kid was good. I mean it was all things that I knew before but the fact that he could see through me that well; it made me wonder how he knew. Twitching my eye, I did my best to restrain my anger. I couldn't fall down this early. I couldn't be blown yet. With my eyes slit back, I challenge him to a stare off, neither of us wanting to back down from each other.

Wilson, not being done yet, continues his tear at me. The others are all shocked that Wilson is saying these things, especially Tyson, who is trying to figure out if what Wilson is saying is all true. "He thinks he's the poster child for reformed kids. He came down here to "help" us." Wilson raises his hands, quoting the word. "Tell me; no tell us, what was it? Drugs? No," Wilson averts his eyes from me, not loosing but sizing me up more, "you don't have the holes on you."

The bunnies off to the corner start rubbing their arms, their futile attempts to cover their scars. "The Doberman was right. You were a fighter. And I am sure that with the right push, you can still snap." His teeth grind together, he is asking for the fight.

I want to tear into the little runt, his cub face asking for a beat down. Gripping my chair, I look over to Tyson, demanding this to stop. Tyson moves out of his chair to stand right behind Wilson. Right when he places his firm grip on Wilson's shoulders, the fox jumps, startled by the pressure being exerted on him.

While Tyson is attempting to keep things under control, Wilson's outburst almost put it over the edge. Thinking back to everything that Mrs. Recknis taught me, I start to breathe slowly, first through my nose then next through my muzzle. My normally white face has a red tint to it, the anger seething out. I should be able to control my anger better but this fox managed to get under my skin.

Tyson looks out at me, the wide gap in the room separating the collection of misfits from me, a good thing at this point. "So how close were they? How much of their guesses were true?" It is almost as if he is calling me out on it as well, though he is pleading for me to calm down, his eyes sad and downcast. His grip is still on Wilson, the nails extending out a little every time Wilson squirms.

Taking a deep breath, I open up, starting off with the easiest to deal with. Looking over to Quinton, I confirm his suspicions, "Yes, I am gay, but I don't let it define me." Having learned that Tyson is gay as well, I felt a little more at ease, especially after watching him almost tear off the dog's head with his statements. "I learned very quickly that there are multiple sides to a person and even though I am gay, I have other qualities which are just as important."

Turning my gaze to Wilson, I begin my counterattack; "Such as college. That is the main reason I am here. Will was right that I am new to the area but I am a quick learner. I am definitely NOT the poster child for saved youth but I am happy with my life. I had to work hard to prove myself to people, and I am here to help you with that. I know you all won't accept me straight off," A deep hard stare at Wilson, "but I hope that if I were to stay here a while, I could help out."

"We all have our own demons that we face, and while mine is not drugs, I have dealt with it enough to learn how to help overcome it." Looking out to the bunnies in the corner, I show that I do care for their wellbeing, their eyes growing wide at my proposal.

Turning to the Doberman, who was a bit agitated at what all was going on, I challenge him on his ability to calm down. Breathing slowly, I, without saying anything, motion him to slow his breathing. "I, like all of you, still do fight with my issues. It is how we control them that define who we are.

Tyson takes that cue to end the meeting, moving over towards me. Standing to my right, he opens the door, and speaks, a slight rumble flowing out. "Well, I think that is a great way to end the meeting. I know you all have trouble that you want to get into but play it safe ok? Next meeting is on Thursday?"

All of them eager to leave, they rush out of their seats. The bunnies look at me, shivering as they pass. Their gaze is warming, the want for help. The Doberman passes with his snout in the air, before looking at me, looking me dead in the eyes. The fire is there but he also sees me as an alpha, the realization that I am better than him flowing through the pea sized brain of his.

Quinton passes as well, sizing me up for a different reason, as if more for a mate than a challenge. A slight smirk shows on his muzzle, the image of him having sex with me probably passing through his thoughts. I don't go for the younger guys though, preferring a bit more maturity.

Wilson passes last, the hard glare of his eyes burning into me. His paws are clenched, his strut stiff with anger. He mutters something to me but I am unable to hear it. Watching them pass down the hallway, I am reminded of back home when we had similar meetings. I hated them just as much but they were helpful in the long term.

Turning to face Tyson, I am surprised to see the happy lion smile on his face. "It could have gone smoother but I am happy with it. I'm sorry for putting you on the spot but it worked out way better than expected." Extending his hand out to me, he leaves it handing there.

Completely taken back at it, I shake his hand, the firm grip squeezing hard. I fight back, him letting loose first but my hand is still sore from the pressure that had been placed on it. "Sorry, I didn't mean to crush you. I tend to misjudge handshakes from time to time." Tyson apologizes to me as he moves back to sorting out the chairs. There are not that many to fix, just organizing them back into a proper circle.

"It's ok. I should have seen it coming." I laugh as I rub my hand. His hand was just as soft as I had thought it would be. The pressure though, that was a bit much for me.

Tyson laughs at my comment, and then looks over to me, "I do like you though. I think the kids connected with you a little, or at least a few did. I saw the way the twins looked at you; Anthony as well."

"Yea, I wish I had done a little better with Quinton and Wilson." I converse with Tyson as we move out of the room.

Tyson turns off the lights then walks with me down the hall. "Well I think Quinton has his eyes on you already, though probably for reasons you are not wanting."

Laughing, I rub into Tyson, "Yea, I have a feeling he has a crush on me, or at least thinks he can get into my pants. Pity for him though, 'cause I don't go for minors. Had a few run ins with that and it can get ugly." Our hides connect, a slight vibration of hair sending a current though our bodies.

Moving to the side a little, I stop talking, walking in silent. Tyson looks over to me, asking at the corner, "I don't know what you had planned for dinner but do you wanna grab a sandwich at a deli down the street?"

Stammering, I look at Tyson, eyes wide. "Umm... Yea, that would be nice." I shove my hands in my pockets, my only way of stopping myself from grabbing his hand. I don't know if he is asking me out on a date or just as a friend, but my heart does beat a little faster as we work our way toward the restaurant.

Before we had left, Tyson had told Leslie that she was in charge, and then he took me to the diner. It was a nice walk over, the sun having dropped a lot in the sky. It was only 5ish but it felt a whole lot later, the time having passed through the day.

The diner, while small, looked really big on the inside. The waiter was really nice when he served us, taking long looks at Tyson's mane, either that or at Tyson himself. Having him know the diner so well, I was intrigued at how often he came here. "So, being so close to the center; is this your favorite place to eat or are there other places as well?" I ask him, looking over the menu laid out on the table.

Tyson roared with laughter, his mane bouncing back and forth with every chuckle, "Nah, while this is the closest, there are others as well. I just haven't been out here lately and it felt like a good place to eat. Plus, if you are going to be working for the center, you need to know where the closest eatery is."

Raising my eyebrow, I look over confused. "So does this mean that I am working with you? Er I mean, there?" I catch myself real fast, hoping that the mistake wasn't shown.

Either he brushed it off, or didn't hear it because he talked about the procedural part of it. "Well there are papers that you would need to fill out, but for the most part yea, I don't see any problem hiring you. It would be nice to hear more about your background though."

Barking out a laugh, I look over to the waiter approaching us, "You mean whatever the kids weren't able to extract earlier? What all are you wanting to know?"

The waiter places the food out before us, me a simple burger, Tyson a meaty club sandwich. Taking a fry from the plate he chews it over, thinking real quick over his first question. While he contemplates, I start in on my burger, the meat tasting real good at the moment. "What brings you here? I mean not here for college but here in this neighborhood? Cause you really could have chosen better areas."

While I finish up chewing, Tyson starts in on his own meal, the lettuce falling down to the plate every so often. He makes sure to add the missing pieces back, not allowing a single bite to be wasted. Finishing up and swallowing, I explain my reason for being in such a bad area, "This is where I grew up. I mean not here exactly but I grew up in the slums. I know how to survive here better than I can in a wealthier neighborhood. I figured this would be the best place to learn about the culture and find work, or at least work when it comes to youth and family crisis."

Tyson takes another bite, digesting my words as he digests his own food. "Interesting. I mean not that you grew up in the slums because while that is still interesting, I think it's more interesting that you came back. Most of the kids that I know want to leave for a better life."

Shrugging my shoulders, I chew over my burger. After living off of home cooked food, this burger tasted great, a nice change from the norm. I just had to watch how much I did it as I didn't have the money to keep spending like this. "Like I had said, this is my zone. My learning area if you will." I set down my burger to take a drink of water.

Tyson drops his sandwich and grabs my hands after I place down the water. Looking me deep in my eyes, his care for me suddenly became clear. He has a crush on me. "I don't want you to get hurt here. Even if you know how to fight, you don't know the area and that could be bad." Unlike earlier when he accidentally crushed my hand, his paw cradling mine gave me sanctum in his heart. I had a deep crush on him as well, and with the fur of his paw connecting to mine, I wanted it to last.

He moves his hand back first, realizing that it was left there for a little too long. I had wide eyes at that moment, this hot lion sitting right in front of me. Turning the tables on him, I start asking him the questions, "So what about you? What brings you here?" I wanted to know more about this beast sitting before me, his mane making him look super sexy at the moment.

"Well I'm an orphan so I can relate a little to the kids I help. During college, I helped out at the local clinic, administering medicine to the locals. I feel in love with the work, seeing how I might be able to make a change in the community. In the end, the clinic turned into the center that you see today, the owner's still donating money to help out with the costs." Tyson looks down at his food, avoiding my line of sight.

The rest of the dinner was small talk, me learning a little more about him working there, how the clinic has evolved into the youth center, and how he has seen numerous youths come in and out, some returning time and time again.

The walk back to my door was sweet, Tyson "wanting to make sure that I got there safely." I more think it was him escorting me, wanting to see where all I lived and to give me company. We had brushed our furs together a few times, mostly through some of the laughs we got out of each other. I was falling for him and if I had to guess, I could swear he was falling for me as well. We had great personalities that seemed to click, but given that we had just met, was it too early?

Reaching my door, I turned around after unlocking it. "Thank you."

Tyson looks kind of surprised that I was thanking him, his body less than two feet away from me. "Thank you for what? What did I do?"

"Thank you for the dinner, thank you for today at the center. It was nice seeing the kids. Just overall thank you." I looked deep into his eyes, my coral blue iris's blurring with his deep dark gaze. Moving in, I press my hand against his chest, and then kiss him on the muzzle softly. No tongue was needed to be shared, no erotic sensuality to it, just a very romantic kiss.

Propping the door open behind me, I start to move backwards, not wanting to break the look. Tyson stands there slightly stunned, then reaches his arm out, grabbing me, pulling me up to him, landing our muzzles together, our mouths connecting like two perfect parts. Grabbing my back, he starts to slowly work his way back into my apartment, the kissing continuing all the way through.