Coming Out To A Cuddle Buddy
#5 of Short Stories
The nervous fox stood on the porch of his best friend, John's house. He had no idea how his friend would react to a big secret that he's been holding for a long time. The fox knocked on the door and stepped back a bit. In a minute, his friend opened the door.
"Hey, Toby. What're you doing here?" Oh, in case you didn't know, John was a bear.
"Um.... can I come in for a second? I wanted to talk to you."
"Sure. Come on in." John motioned for his friend to come in. Toby was still scared, but he still went in. John sat down on his recliner and his friend sat on the couch. "So, what's on your mind?"
"Well, you know how we've been friends for almost 10 years?" Toby asked.
"Yes."
"And you know how you ask me about a girlfriend every once in a while?"
"Yeah. How come you say 'no' every time I ask?" John asked.
"Well... That's because... I'm... not looking for a girlfriend." Toby was getting more nervous over what he's about to say.
"Oh, so you're just not looking for love right now?"
"But, I am."
"Then, I don't understand, how can-?" the bear paused mid-sentence as he put the pieces of the puzzle together. "Wait a minute. Are you-?"
"Yes. I'm gay, John." the fox could hardly look at his friend in the eye, he just stared at the floor not knowing what to say next. John didn't know what to say either. He never had a problem with gay furs. The bear got up and sat next to his buddy, who was only on the verge of tears.
"Well, I'm... glad you told me, Toby." John said.
"Really?" the fox looked at his friend in the eye, trying to hold back his urge to cry.
"Yes."
"But, I thought that you might not want to... you know... be friends if I told you."
"Why would you think that?"
"I don't know. I just thought that..." Toby couldn't continue as he still kept thinking about what might've happened. John wrapped his arm around Toby and pulled him in for a hug.
"I'm not mad at you." he said.
"You're not?" Toby hugged back.
"No. Why would I be? We've been friends for years. Nothing's gonna change that."
"Thanks." the fox smiled and hugged tighter, eventually laying down and resting his head on the bear's large belly. Toby felt a bit tired, and even though he knew John was straight, he couldn't help but slip into a nap on his lap.
John just rolled his eyes and smiled. It didn't bother him that Toby was cuddling with him. He was a cuddly guy, that's just how he was. After a while, John gently shook his friend awake. "Hey, wake up sleepyhead." When he said that, Toby slowly opened his eyes and sat up on the couch.
"How long was I out?" Toby asked.
"About an hour."
"Oh. Sorry if I kept you long, I just..."
"It's fine. There's nothing wrong with two men cuddling."
"Ok. Well, I better go. But, I'll see you later, John." Toby got off the couch and walked to John's front door.
"Wait." John said and Toby turned around. The bear pulled the fox in for another hug. "You shouldn't be afraid of who you are."
"Thanks." the fox just smiled and hugged his friend back.
"And if you ever need a cuddle buddy, I'm here."
"I might just have to take you up on that." John let go of Toby and the fox walked out the door. As he walked down the street, Toby couldn't help but think about how great it felt to finally to get his secret off his chest. When he turned a corner, he saw two male foxes holding paws and couldn't help but think: I hope I can find love too one day.