(Aikan's POV)
I've known him for a while now, but I worry about him. I just want to make him happy. I like it when he smiles, sleeps soundly, I want to be there for him.
No one knows about my thoughts on Stephan. But there was on person I could tell my personal thoughts, Merek.
Tonight, I went to Merek's cave alone.
"Hey, Merek," I said, "Are you still awake?"
'I am now, what is it?' Merek thought.
I sat down on ground in front of Merek.
"There's something I need to tell you," I said.
'Go on, you know me,' Merek thought.
"I have a crush on someone," I said.
'Who?' Merek thought.
"It might sound odd to you," I said.
'I'm your friend, I'd never judge,' Merek thought.
"Okay," I said, "It's... Stephan."
'Stephan?' Merek thought.
"I know, but I like him," I said.
'Do you plan on telling him?' Merek thought.
"Eventually, but I'm worried that he will only see me as a friend," I answered.
'Love is hard I hear,' Merek thought.
"I know, thanks Merek," I said.
'Anytime,' Merek thought.
I said goodbye to Merek and went back to my house. My dad and Stephan were both asleep. I decided to go to sleep as well. I went to my room, and hopped into bed.
The next morning, I woken up from my sleep and went to see if Stephan is still. He was walking out of his room.
"Oh hey, Aikan," Stephan said.
"Morning," I said.
"Anything, going on today?" Stephan asked.
"Not really," I answered.
"Okay, I was thinking on going to Emily's to see her animals," Stephan said.
"Okay, I think I'll join you," I said.
We then went over to Emily's. We saw Emily outside with two buckets, one with raw meat and the other.
"Hey, Emily," I said.
"Oh hi!" Emily said.
"Feeding the animals some breakfast?" Stephan asked.
"Why yes, I feed Chubby and Zabu," Emily answered, "My parents feed the others."
"Emily, come quick!" Emily's fox mom yelled.
"Mom, what's wrong?" Emily asked.
"Silver is about to have her pups!" Emily's mom answered.
"Oh my gosh!" Emily said.
"Who's Silver?" Stephan asked.
"She's the pregnant wolf I told you about," Emily answered.
I never knew Emily's wolf was pregnant, I'm surprising she told Stephan before me.
"Really!?" Stephan asked.
"I've always wanted to see regular wolf puppies," I said.
"I know, I have to hurry," Emily said.
It took a while for the pups to be delivered, but the six wolf puppies were finally born. Stephan and I told Blue, Clover, and Coal about the pups as they came to see them. We told Merek, but he didn't want scare them.
"They're so cute!" Clover said with joy.
"And soft to," Blue said.
Everyone was having fun with the pups until Emily to us let the pups go to their mother.
"Well, Emily, you got to see, animal birth," Stephan said, "How does it feel?"
"It feels great," Emily answered, "I love animals with all my heart, and I want to them safe."
"I see, you're almost like a mother," Stephan said.
After that, Stephan began to frown.
"Like a mother," he said.
He then looked down at the ground with a sad look on his face. I don't like seeing my friends sad, it just bothers me not knowing what's wrong.
"Are you okay, Stephan?" I asked.
"Oh, yes. I'm fine," he answered.
I knew he was lying, I could always tell a fake smile.
"Are you sure?" I asked.
"I'm sure," he answered, "I'm gonna head back to the house, I'm exhausted."
He then walked off with his head down. I don't know what's wrong, but I do hope he's okay.
(Stephan's POV)
Everyone in this island seems to have loving parents all their lives, while all of my life, I was locked in my house by my mother. While my mom was very protective of me, she treated me more like a doll rather than a person
I lay on my bed, looking at my father's ring. I've never seen my dad wear it, but mom said it was very important to him, so I wore it.
I then heard knocking on my door.
"Stephan, it's Aikan,"
"Not right now," I said.
"Are you really okay?" Aikan asked.
"Yes, I'm fine," I answered.
Aikan then opened the door without my permission.
"Leave me alone," I demanded.
"You're not fine," Aikan said, "Tell me what's wrong, and don't lie."
I then gave my honest answer.
"You all have real families," I said.
"Excuse me?" Aikan asked.
"You, Clover, Emily, all of you," I answered, "You all have parents that supported your choices, treated you like living beings, everything."
"Stephan, I..."
"Before my dad died, he was a real parent," I continued, "The rest of my life, I mom always made me be what I wasn't."
I then started something I haven't done in a few years, cry. I saw tear drops fall from my eyes. The last time I cried was after my mom yelled at me for trying to cut my hair.
"Stephan," Aikan said.
I then felt Aikan wrap his arms around me from behind. He was hugging me. My mom only hugged me once, but my dad would always me whenever.
"You have every right to hate your mother," Aikan said.
"I don't hate her, I'm just..." I didn't know what to say.
"You don't need a family to be happy," Aikan said, "You have us to make you happy."
He was right, I've made many friends all that made me feel respected. From Aikan to Merek, I see them as my family.
"Thank you, Aikan," I said as my tears dried up.
"Stephan," Aikan said.
"Yeah?" I asked.
"I love you," he answered.
"What?"
He then put his padded hands on my cheeks and pressed his lips against mine, he was kissing me. My eyes were wide in shock as Aikan's were closed in relaxation. He then pulled his lips away to breathe.
"You kissed me," I said.
"I did," Aikan said.
"Are you being serious?" I asked.
"I am," he answered, "I liked seeing you happy, then it turned to feelings for you."
"I can't believe it," I said.
"If you don't feel the same way, I understand," Aikan said.
"No," I said, "I honestly... liked you too."
"What?" Aikan asked.
"You always made feel calm when I'm nervous," I said, "I feel warm when I'm with you."
"Wow," Aikan sighed.
"Do you want to start a relationship?" I asked.
"Yeah, I'd love that," Aikan answered.
"Great. But first, I want to do something," I said.
"What's that?" Aikan asked.
"I want to cut my hair," I answered.