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Here is Chapter 3!
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Chapter 3: Morning Mischief
Dawn crept over the horizon, heralding another beautiful warm morning in the forest — warmer than usual, at least. Lupus stirred, nestled within the snug confines of one of Snackers’ enormous thigh-high socks. The fabric, while cosy, wouldn't have been enough on its own to guarantee a restful night, but a pad on the raccoon’s enormous pinky finger proved to be a more than comfy pillow. In spite of this, the wolf’s body still craved a coffee boost, urging him to slide out of the cloth before the others awoke.
Lupus’ fur ruffled as he carefully extricated himself from the fabric cocoon, careful not to disturb the towering, slumbering raccoon boy. As the wolf tip-toed in the general direction of the cabin, he paused as the masked creature shifted a massive arm across the dew-kissed undergrowth. Fluffy fingers flexed and curled while a soft chittering escaped Snackers’ lips along with his breath, a gentle noise that mingled with the silence of the breaking dawn.
Lupus’ eyes locked onto the raccoon as he crouched slightly, ready to dash if needed. But the only movement he spotted was the continued rise and fall of his chest, his grey-furred muzzle hanging open with his soft, rhythmic breathing.
“Good, he’s asleep,” he muttered in relief to himself. With newfound confidence in his stealth, he resumed a quiet trek to the cabin, oblivious that the raccoon was now watching him through half-lidded eyes, a mischievous glint hidden in their depths.
As Lupus trudged forward, he would trail through the enormous paw and shoe prints that remained imprinted across the grass. Even the smaller imprints formed by the raccoon’s individual toes were bigger than most potholes that ruined the British roads back home. Occasionally, the sound of Snackers snoring that one could easily mistake for distant, rumbling thunder filled the air as he walked away.
Then the snoring stopped.
He was skirting the first of the raccoon’s footprints when he felt something blunt poke his back. He froze, an icy shiver ran down his spine.
“GOOOOOD MOOORNING LUPY!” Snackers sang, breaking the morning stillness as his voice carried for miles around. The volume startled all the birds from their perches, causing them to bolt skyward. To his surprise, the raccoon’s morning call caused the local ecosystem to react, but Deko and Rayne somehow remained asleep.
Lupus’ heart lurched as he spun to see Snackers staring at him, head tilted in curious amusement. “So, where are you going, Lupy?”
“Morn- … Morning, mate,” Lupus answered, relaxing slightly. “I- I was just going back to the cabin to brew some coffee,” he said, pointing to the lake house across the field. “I didn’t want to wake anyone.”
Snackers chuckled, his laughter a deep rumbling sound. “Well, you did a good job of that, huh? But really, you should be careful, sweetie.” He curled his hands and screwed up his face, bearing his car-sized fangs. “There are BIG SCARY MONSTERS IN THE WOODS WHO WANNA EATCHA! HAHAA!!”
Seeing the gentle giant try to scare Lupus felt more endearing than terrifying. “You big goof,” he giggled, swatting at the air in front of him. “Nah, I just can’t function in the mornings without coffee. You know how it is, mate.”
Snackers dropped the mock-threatening pose and licked his chops. “Ah, it’s fine. I know it’s my job to keep things interesting for your trip, even if Deko doesn’t tell me to.”
“You know,” Lupus peered over to the folf, seeing that he was miraculously still asleep. “How on earth are they still sleeping?.”
The giant boomed with laughter again. “Oh lil’ folfy would sleep through a tornado if I let him, Rayne too.” He wrapped his fingers around his ankle-tall lover, who stirred in his slumber a little, and placed him on top of the sock that Lupus once occupied.
“Yeah, you’re telling me,” the wolf chuckled to himself, conceding it must be plausible for him to be so used to loud noises.
The raccoon rolled over, bulldozing the foliage beneath him to kneel in front of Lupus and casting a long shadow over him. “You know, I could do with a pick-me-up too,” Snackers grinned, displaying his four canine teeth again, amongst the others. “Let me give you a ride,” he insisted, until his maw opened wide and a yawn that rattled the wolf’s organs erupted.
Before Lupus could protest, Snackers batted the wolf gently with a finger, knocking the wolf off-balance to land in his palm. He scooped the smaller creature up and lifted him up past his belly, up to his fluffy chest and pressed him close to his heart. Being held so close to the deep, resonant pounding of the great organ struck Lupus with a newfound sense of awe. It was no wonder Deko fell for this enigmatic raccoon; even the smallest acts of affection seemed that much more magnified. The giant now rose to a stand, all his movements deliberate and calculated as he reached his full height. He arched his back and stretched his calves, the stiffness of the night’s heavy slumber surrendering to the raccoon’s characteristically youthful energy.
“Hold on tight,” Snackers chittered, and strode to the lake house. “Why walk when I can get us there fast without wasting energy?” At least he had a point. This journey that would have taken Lupus considerable time would be reduced to mere moments, much like the trip on the first day.
With steady steps, Snackers carried his little passenger across the field, inching his way to the Lake House, or — from the Petitran perspective — yarding his way to the Lake House. The wolf peered over the fingers serving as his platform, watching the raccoon's big feet slap onto the path and crater the ground beneath. His hips swayed indulgently with each step, making him bounce slightly in the soft, fur-lined pad. The rhythmic motion was almost hypnotic, and Lupus smiled at the playful elegance in Snackers’ gait.
The house drew nearer, and Snackers stopped just outside the front door. He cast curious emerald eyes downward and beamed at his passenger. “Enjoy the ride?”
Lupus flashed a smirk and nodded. “Aye. Thanks for the lift, mate.”
“Good, now don’t forget to tip your driver.” Snacks extended his paw outward towards the porch, his fingers creating a gentle slope. The wolf slid down to disembark from the raccoon’s hand to land onto the porch.
“Just… give me a heads up before you pluck up next time, okay?” he asked as he pushed the door open quietly and slipped inside.
“No promises,” Snackers replied while Lupus disappeared behind the wooden door. Curious, the raccoon would shift his head to peek inside the open kitchen window with one eye. Back hunched, tail swaying behind him, the raccoon focused on the snow-white canine.
In the kitchen, Lupus gathered everything he needed to prepare his brew. A low mechanical hum and the fragrant aroma of coffee quickly filled the room while he reached for a spare cup. Swiftly, the wolf glided across the wooden flooring to slip the mug beneath the coffee tap and watched the dark liquid fill the cup. Two spoonfuls of sugar and milk then perfected the beverage.
Just when he went to bring the brim to his lips for a sip, he glanced up to see a giant emerald eye filling the entire window frame. The inky black pupil dilated slightly from intense focus. Around the dilating pupil, intricate patterns of lighter and darker green radiated out, resembling the veins of a leaf.
“Snackers!” Lupus exclaimed, while he scooped up his coffee. If the coffee didn’t already stimulate his senses, the raccoon’s jumpscare did. “What the hell—"
The raccoon blinked, his eyelashes brushing against the glass. “Just checking in,” he said, his moist breath fogging up the glass. “Need any help with that coffee?”
Lupus giggled, the initial jolt to his heart dissipating. “I think I’ve got mine under control, mate. But, how am I going to make your coffee?”
Snackers withdrew his broad cheshire smile from the Lake House. “I’ll take care of that. I’ve got a cup, the sugar and coffee packets, and we’ve got a water tank.” He pulled his head away and unzipped his bag to retrieve his cup.
“Yeah, but isn’t that our water supply—"
“Yep!” Snackers barked back as he hovered a white cup with a golden trash can painted on its surface. “What do you think a water tank is, silly?”
“That’s not the point I’m making, mate,” Lupus fired back in concern, while the raccoon prepared to slip the cup beneath the tap. “Wouldn’t we lose the water for our showers?”
“Are you gonna take a shower now?”
“Umm, no—"
“Perfect!” Snackers replied with a sway of his tail. “Then I can have my latte,” he said with a growing grin. In a fluid motion, Snackers placed his cup under the large water tank situated outside the Lake House, designed specifically for Vastelerian visitors. He tore open one packet of coffee granules and two sugar packets to sprinkle into the cup. The tap released a stream of water, the enormous mug’s concoction filling the air, mingling with the scent of Lupus’ own brew.
The raccoon took a careful sip, his eyelids closing. He then peered at Lupus with curled lips. “Now, that’s what I call a latte,” he sighed in content. “A LOTTA LATTE!” After taking another satisfying sip. Snackers leaned back slightly. He shifted his weight, and with a soft thump that reverberated through the soil, settled himself down into a cross-legged position outside the kitchen window.
Once he settled, he rested his left elbow on his knees, and stared at Lupus with those ever-curious emerald eyes. “So, what’s the play today, little cutie?” he asked, taking another sip of his coffee.
“I was thinking of exploring the forest a bit,” Lupus replied, leaning a little out of the kitchen window. “I read there are some good hiking trails.”
Snackers’ eyes lit up with excitement. “That sounds fun. I'll take you on one Deko and I know. You guys can ride in my scarf again, and relax to my pulse.”
Lupus’ ears shot up. "That's not hiking, that's RIDING—"
“And then we can swim in the pool,” the raccoon continued, ignoring the wolf’s objection.
“The pool?” Lupus pondered until he turned to where the raccoon was facing. His face lit up as he connected the dots. “Oh! Do you mean Lake Glendale?” He figured out that by now Snackers and many other Vastelerians would often make comparative generalisations to places or objects based on how they appeared to them.
The raccoon nodded. “Yes! We’ll head in when we get back, kay?”
“We could, but I’d need to get my shorts on, and so would the others,” Lupus responded.
“Yeah, of course!” Snackers replied in a whisper. “I would just be waiting outside for you guys. But right now, do you want to take that coffee to go?”
Lupus' head tilted. “What do you mean, mate?”
“I mean, let’s enjoy our drinks somewhere else, and let the other two sleep.” Snackers soon shifted his legs to stand up, while holding his coffee cup steady. Once he stood tall, he lowered his massive paw gently to the porch, waiting for the tiny canine passenger. “What do you say? Just you and me sitting by the lakeside?”
Lupus tilted his head back and nodded enthusiastically. “Sure! That sounds lovely!” Lupus exclaimed, his voice filled with infectious enthusiasm and a bright smile lighting up his face. Carefully, the wolf slipped onto the raccoon’s soft, fur-lined palm, crossing his legs in its centre.
Enveloped by Snacker’s welcoming hand, Lupus couldn’t help but smirk, the tender giant’s comforting touch making his heart soar as he cradled his steaming cup of coffee. The raccoon cast his elegant emerald eyes downward, lifting his palm to cradle into his chest, sloshing some of the wolf’s caffeine onto the shrubbery below. With the wolf secured, Snackers smiled back at Rayne and Deko, still asleep at the campsite.
“Lil sweethearts,” Snackers muttered under his breath, while he looked back to his raised palm and flexed his calves to march off.
The lake house faded into the background as the raccoon walked. Snackers’ palm, warm and plush with fur, cradled Lupus as they strolled through the peaceful forest. Lupus wriggled closer to the raccoon’s fingers, his tail wagging with excitement as he slotted his legs between the two digits.
Perched once again on the edge of Snackers’ paw, Lupus continued to sip his morning brew and looked down to see Snackers walking barefoot across the soft earth, fallen branches, and leaves. With each step the raccoon took, Lupus watched those bulbous toes splay out to prepare for the next footfall. Even his amethyst toe ring got in on the action by marking a perfectly curved imprint in the soil. Amidst the rhythmic thooms of Snackers’ strides, a delighted giggle erupted from above as the raccoon savoured every drop of his refreshing brew.
As Snackers continued his stroll through the American wilderness, the terrain began to change. The trees grew denser, their trunks closer together, branches intertwining to form a natural barrier. Capitalising on his slim, flexible frame, the raccoon curled his fingers around his passenger and slid between the trees with grace. No signs of other cabins or homes dotted the landscape, ensuring their privacy wouldn’t be intruded upon.
Eventually, the forest began to thin out again, giving way to the spectacle of the shimmering lake water. The gentle giant emerged from the dense trees and walked to a secluded spot on the opposite side of the lake. He found a flat, grass area and lowered his enormous frame down with a soft thump.
“Ah, here we go, Lupy.” Snackers spoke with a contented sigh, while he dragged his foot-paws to the lake and slipped his exposed paws into the lake, causing tender ripples to spread across the surface.
The icy water caressed his fur, making its way up to the blue stripe around his ankle, creating a pleasant contrast to the sun’s warmth. As he set his coffee down beside him, he wiggled his toes, creating another round of ripples. Snackers then raised his knees, creating a small, makeshift lookout point over the water.
“Alrighty, your seat is ready for you, sweetie,” Snackers said softly. He delicately placed Lupus atop his kneecap and picked up his own cup of coffee. “There you go. I thought you might enjoy the view from up here.”
Lupus settled on Snackers’ firm kneecap. It was surprisingly comfortable, a steady perch above the water.
He sighed, taking in the expansive lake and the dense forest surrounding it. The lake stretched out before him like a vast, shimmering carpet of mirrors, the crystal-clear water scattering the first rays of morning sunlight into a dazzling display of sparkles. The water rippled toward the bank calmly with the morning breeze, the air crisp and refreshing as it kissed the canopy of the trees behind Snackers, rustling the leaves with a whisper.
“Wow, this… is amazing,” Lupus said, his tail wagging to brush across the raccoon’s knee fur. Snackers couldn’t contain his laughter as the wolf cosily perched on his kneecap, relishing the soothing aroma and taste of his coffee.
“I’m glad you like it, Lupus. I hope it makes up for missing out on stargazing last night,” he murmured down to the wolf.
Lupus, feeling the warmth of the coffee spreading inside him, looked up to Snackers with a reassuring smile. “It’s more than enough, Snackers. Really, I mean it,” he said, his voice soft yet sincere. “Besides, it’s not your fault the weather turned bad. We can’t control the clouds, right?”
Snackers nodded, though a hint of guilt lingered in his eyes. “Yeah, but I know how much you were looking forward to it. I was too. I wanted everything to be perfect,” he admitted, scanning the Lake Glendale stretching out around them. “This view was the least I could do.”
Instinctively, the wolf’s tail swished gently against Snackers’ knee. “You don’t have to worry so much. Whether it’s stargazing or just sitting here, enjoying coffee, it’s all enough for me.” His eyes were earnest, trying to reassure his Vastelerian friend.
“And you wonder why I call you sugar cube, huh?” he snickered, reaching out a finger to ruffle Lupus’ head fur affectionately. "You’re too kind, you know that?” he added, his mood visibly lifting. “But you’re right. Still, there’s always tonight, right?”
Lupus nodded. “That’s true! For now, let’s enjoy this wonderful view,” he proposed, already imagining the cosy setup under the stars and the possibility of ticking that off his ‘To-Do list’. But, was this the right moment? Lupus pondered on it, but when he glanced back up to see Snackers’ infectious smile, he silently agreed… another time.
“It does have a wonderful view. It’s one of my favourite spots to unwind.” He took a sip of his own coffee, chittering at the sensation of his fresh brew funnelling down his throat.
Lupus tilted his head. “You’ve been here before?”
Snackers finished his sip of his coffee, a wistful smile playing on his lips. “I came here with Deko the day we met. It was a lot like today — beautiful weather.”
“That sounds wonderful. What was it like? What did you do?”
The raccoon’s emerald eyes glowed with fond memories. “It was magical. We wandered the woods, talking and laughing. We went hiking with him inside my boot—"
“Wait, Deko was in your boot?” Lupus snickered, briefly cutting Snackers off. “Is that part of your Petritan support sessions?”
“Well, not exactly. We do it in our sessions sometimes, but we mostly do it at home,” Snackers’ rumbling voice responded from above.
“And was it your idea to do that with your hiking boots?”
“It was his idea, actually,” Snackers spoke with a growing grin. “Maybe I should try that on you sometime, Lupy.”
“Me? In your big… hiking boot?” the wolf stuttered, imagining himself in such a situation. “Um, I’ll pass, mate,” Lupus tried to dismiss, while Snackers’ stroked his body
“Offer stands, cutie,” Snackers said with a wink. “I’d love for you to be in my hiking boots, like Deko was.”
Lupus gulped.
Snackers addressed the wolf’s reaction as he muttered, “Adorable,” and turned up to the lake in front of them. “We spent the entire day here, talked about everything — our dreams, our pasts, our hopes for the future. It was the first time I felt truly connected to someone.”
“That sounds amazing, Snackers. You two seem wonderful together.”
“Thank you,” Snackers whispered warmly. “Deko made me realise that love is universal, even for a girly Vastelerian and his tiny, folf boyfriend.” As the raccoon’s tail happily swayed behind him, he nudged Lupus with a fingertip. “But, what about you, Lupy? Have you ever… been with someone like that?”
“... In their boot, you mean?” Lupus asked, sounding dumbstruck.
“Oh come oooooon!” the raccoon whined, almost sounding hurt at the wolf dodging the question. “I’m being serious!”
Realising he might have caused offence with his evasiveness, Lupus blinked, body swaying against the raccoon's finger. He hesitated, the sudden shift in the conversation towards him catching him off guard. “Uh…well…” he stammered, his left hand’s fingers idly tapping his kneecap.
Snackers leaned in just a bit closer, his expression still warm but now laced with curiosity. “Come on, can you tell me?” he coaxed, while he glided a finger up and down the wolf’s arm. “Better question, would you date a Vastelerian too?”
Lupus felt his heart race a little faster. “I… um, well maybe, but I haven’t really found someone like that yet,” he confessed in a quieter voice, almost shy. “Work always gets in the way.”
Snackers’ grin widened. “A sweet guy like you? I find that hard to believe. I’m sure a giant dude will be interested in you, sweetie.”
“Is he gonna have size two-hundred-and-eighteen shoes too?” Lupus inquired, sparking a snicker from Snackers. They both beamed with delight, their faces radiating happiness as they took in the breathtaking view of the shimmering lake before them. “Thank you for bringing me here, Snackers. It means a lot.”
Snackers’ hand paw playfully patted Lupus’ back, the thumb joyfully bouncing on the wolf’s shoulder, a warm smile spreading across his face. “I’m glad you’re here, Lupus. But don’t think I’ve forgotten the times you teased me in Discord. I’ll get you back for all those times you said you’d dangle a paw over me.”
Lupus’ back jolted up straight as he gulped. “Oh, right?”
“I am only kidding,” the raccoon insisted, while he rubbed a thumb across Lupus’ shoulder. “But, enough about me. What’s your life like in the UK?”
“Didn’t you ask me that earlier-?”
“Yeah, but that was about life in the UK in general, which you didn’t really answer. I’m asking about your life, Lupy.”
“Oh right, you asked me that before—"
“Before you tried to beat me in a race?” Snackers quickly shot back with a playful glint in his eyes. “It was cute of you to try.”
Lupus rolled his eyes, though a smile grew and tugged at his maw. “You’re never going to let me live that down, are you?”
“Nope, not a chance. But seriously, tell me more about Lupy in the UK. I’m curious.”
The wolf settled back in Snackers’ palm, feeling the comforting strokes of Snackers’ thumb still rubbing his shoulder. "Besides running, I also work and write. Nothing much else."
“Are you still working at that newspaper company?” Snackers spoke as his eyes focused down on the wolf.
Lupus slouched forward, nodding. “Yeah, I am. But it’s…a lot.” He shifted, while his shoulder fur ruffled as Snackers’ thumb traced slow circles on it. “It’s intense. Deadlines are so tight I never get time to breathe sometimes.”
Snackers frowned, his thumb pausing for a moment to settle on Lupus’ shoulder blade. “They got you writing day and night?”
“Pretty much,” Lupus muttered. “It bothers me they prioritise profit over publishing stories. It’s never about the story, it’s about the paycheck.”
The raccoon let out a low hum, resuming to rub Lupus’ shoulders. “Ever thought about leaving? Or finding something a little less…restrictive?”
“Every day,” Lupus chuckled, but his ears still drooped. “But…it pays the bills. I just want to give a voice to the voiceless.”
“Don’t forget to take care of yourself.”
Lupus’ maw opened to prepare to speak, but he waited to search for the right words. “Yeah…I’ll try. But, you know…writing my stuff helps me escape.”
The raccoon raised an eyebrow. “Oh yeah? What stories?”
“Mostly fantasy. Worlds I can lose myself in. No deadlines, no restrictions, and no limits,” he replied, readjusting his posture to sit up straight on the raccoons kneecap.
Snackers’ smile grew when he noticed the subtle shift in the Lupus’ body. “What are you writing now?”
Lupus hesitated. The wolf’s fuzzy finger returned to its anxious drumbeat, tapping on his thigh. “Uh, it’s nothing special,” he mumbled with a shrug of his shoulders. “Just something small. It’s work in progress.”
Snackers’ instincts kicked in. His ears twitched as they caught onto rhythmic finger tapping and the smallest shift in the wolf’s breathing. If that didn’t convince the raccoon, it was when he saw the wolf’s tail hanging limply on his knee. As he leaned in closer, his thumb halted in its stroke, and a chitter escaped his lips, causing a delightful tickle within the wolf’s body. “Lupus…” he started, probing the snow-white canine.
But Lupus didn’t meet his eyes, instead he was busying himself by adjusting his position on Snackers’ leg. The wolf guarded himself; the silence lingering a bit too long.
Snackers weren't about to push. Instead, he decided to let it slide—at least for now. With one last thumb stroke that brushed down the wolf’s shoulder to meet his bushy tail, he attempted to change the topic. “What about the UK itself? What’s it like on the island of tea and biscuits?”
Lupus sighed at the stereotypical remark. “There’s more to the UK than tea and biscuits, you know. I mean, for a start, there’s a huge history that extends all the way back to the bronze age. So like, there's loads of castles and old ruins that people still like to visit. There’s also a big culture around the seaside, or what you’d call the coast. The weather could be better, but we do occasionally get nice warm summers.” The wolf smiled as he remembered some of the better parts of his homeland.
Snackers’ eyes widened with interest. “Castles? Seasides? I’d love to see those someday. Maybe you can give me a tour?”
Lupus grinned. “I’d like that, but I don't think their entrances were designed for Vastelerians.”
“I’ll just step over the wall,” the raccoon replied and glided his thumb down from Lupus’ shoulder to meet his thigh.
“Goof,” Lupus chuckled, slurping the last sip of his coffee.
“As for the beach, I doubt it’s better than California’s beaches.” Snackers wistfully stared into space and wondered out loud to himself. “But visiting British beaches would be fun as well, as long as it doesn’t rain.”
An invasive vision plays in Lupus’ mind of the gender-bending giant prancing around the British shoreline, unaware of the dozens of beachgoers scattering to prevent getting trampled under a set of Vastelerian sized Converses. However, it shed light on a question. Supported by Snackers’ hand, he leaned back and turned to the grinning raccoon to ask yet another question. “Have you always been like this?”
“Like what, sweetie?” Snackers cooed in confusion until he soon clocked onto what the wolf was referring to. “A Vastelerian?” he guessed.
“Yeah, have you always been big?” Lupus clarified.
“Well, yeah. Most Vastelerians are born like this,” Snackers snickered, surprised to hear such a basic question from the likes of Lupus. “But not everyone. While most start out big, there are a few who start small. It’s rare, but it happens. We call them Ascendants.”
“Ascendants?” Lupus echoed back.
“Yeah,” Snackers affirmed. “They’re Vastelerians born Petritan sized. The genetic markers for growing that big can’t be identified around the rest of the population, so it’s impossible to predict who will become one. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, around their mid-twenties, they’d grow.”
As Lupus listened in, his mind drift conjured a strange, vivid image. He imagined walking down one of London’s high streets, maybe just heading to work or shopping, when suddenly, without warning, someone exploded in height to collide with the neighbouring structures. Their clothes tightening, their limbs expanding, until they were thrown off balance in the middle of the street…
Lupus gulped. “Is the growth…sudden?”
“You don’t know?” The raccoon’s ears flickered at the question. Snackers found it confusing that Lupus was suddenly so curious about something so basic. “I thought ascendants exist in the UK, too.”
Lupus did not say a word.
Resting a thumb on Lupus’ back, the raccoon continued. “For those that accept it, it’s quick. Like, really fast.”
“What if you don’t accept it?"
At that, Snackers’ expression shifted, this time his eyes withdrew from the wolf and towards Lake Glendale. “That’s different. The growth happens in random bursts. One minute, nothing. Then suddenly, you’re anything from a few inches to a few feet bigger.”
“It’s really that…unpredictable,” he murmured.
“Yeah, but you should know that. There are size transition programmes in place to support ascendants.”
“Right, yeah, of course—” Lupus stopped when the raccoon placed a finger on his thigh.
“Lupy, you’re okay, I promise,” he whispered before inquiring, “What do they teach you about Vastelerians, or even Ascendants, back on the island, exactly?”
“Nothing,” he admitted, glancing away. “People in Britain are kind of ignorant of Vastelerian society and history, thanks to the VISPA laws and enlargement tax. They don’t want people to know too much, so we’re kept in the dark. Most folks don’t even realise how different it is for you guys until they see it firsthand.”
“Wait, wait, wait... they don’t teach you anything? So, how’re people supposed to know what’s really going on then?” Snackers frowned, curious. “And what is this about an enlargement tax?”
Lupus sighed, gathering his thoughts for a moment. “It’s a special levy imposed on Vastelarians who want to live and work in the UK. The government claims its to cover the economic impact of giants like the need for reinforced buildings and a larger food supply. Combined with the Vastelarian Interaction Public Safety Act, it just creates a huge divide.”
“That sounds awful,” Snackers pouted. “No wonder there’s so little knowledge about Vastelerians over there.”
“Yeah. The media doesn’t help either. Most Vastelerians are compared to Godzilla, destroying everything around them by just existing. It all feeds into their fear and misunderstanding, and they grow up thinking all giants are destruction-crazed maniacs. It’s one of the reasons I wanted to come here, to see and understand what it’s really like to live alongside bigger folk."
This compelled Snackers to push him deeper into his embrace. Extending just shy of his kneecap, the raccoons tail curled around the wolf. “Don’t worry, eventually they’ll come around, one step at a time.”
Lupus couldn’t help but be momentarily distracted by the raccoon’s tail. It licked gently against his side, the soft fur brushing his knee. “Without finding themselves under your paws, I hope.” Lupus chuckled to himself.
“Hey, if they steppy on me, I’ll steppy em back. And I’d throw more than their tea in the Boston harbour while at it, just watch!” Snackers flashed a quick, mischievous grin before looking back up at the lake. “Well, ready to go back to the lake house?”
Lupus pondered for a moment, then his face lit up with excitement. “Let’s explore the hiking trail you took Deko on and then come back for that swim.”
The raccoon eagerly nodded. “Hiking sounds fun, Lupy,” Snackers insisted, while he stared down to meet the wolf. “Question is, would you want to ride in my hiking boots like Deko did?”
Lupus’ ears shot up, his tail tucked between his legs, frozen. “Ummm, no it’s alright. I am sure Deko would love it instead. But, hiking still sounds fun?”
“Daw, are you sure, Lupy?” Snackers addressed Lupus, who froze on his kneecap. “That’s fine, but if you change your mind, let me know. But I do have an idea. We slip Deko into your Converse and have him wake up inside.”
“Uh, mate, is that a good idea with the whole Vastelerian Compliance Act?” he asked the raccoon. “I mean, what if something happens? You could lose your rights to even be around him, mate.”
Snackers chuckled, waving off the arctic wolf’s concern. “Relax, Lupy. We’ve done that kinda thing before. I would do nothing to endanger my blueberry, okay?”
Lupus still looked uncertain, his tail drooping across the raccoon’s kneecap. “I don’t know, it just feels… risky,” he protested, while his finger returned to tapping his thigh.
The raccoon’s masked eyes lowered, his whiskers twitching at Lupus’ anxiety. “I get it, sweetie. But Deko and I, we’ve learned to be extra cautious. Besides, I wouldn’t put him in any situation where I couldn’t guarantee his safety.”
Lupus let out a breath, his posture easing slightly, though his tail still hung limp. “Alright, if you say so. I guess you would know best with your job and all.” He then chuckled. “I’m just not used to all this Vastelerian-Petritan interaction stuff.”
Snackers nudged the wolf’s arm with a pinky. “You’ll get there, Lupy. It’s all about trust. And hey, if you’re ever curious about trying anything, ask me.” He winked.
Lupus smiled faintly, but his mind was already racing. This is your chance, a small voice whispered inside him. Tell him. Tell him about the journal. He’s your friend—he’ll understand.
“Thank you, Snaccy,” he whispered under a breath.
The raccoon chittering became audible, vibrating the wolf’s that occupied his kneecap. “So, do you trust me to do that prank on Deko?”
“Yeah.”
Snackers’ eyes lit up with amusement. “Epic! Let me finish my latte, and we’ll go do that.”
They sat quietly for a while longer, enjoying the last sips of their coffee and the serene beauty of Lake Glendale. The morning sun climbed higher in the sky, casting a warm glow over the water and the surrounding forest. The chirping birds and rustling of leaves drowned out Snackers' slurps, providing a soothing backdrop. He soon finished the last few gallons of coffee and lifted Lupus from his kneecap, cradling him in his other palm.
The raccoon swiftly rose to his full height, stepping out of the lake, the water dripping from his bare paws. He gave each foot a playful shake, sending droplets flying down. With an energetic spring to his gait, Snackers strolled toward the lake house, careful to keep Lupus and his coffee mug secure in his hands. As they approached the lake house, the familiar, cosy structure came into view.
Upon reaching the lake house, Snackers gently placed Lupus and his cup down on the porch, giving the wolf a moment to stretch and adjust. Snackers then reached for one of his giant shoes beside the house. “Ready for a little fun?” Snackers asked, dangling his well-worn Converse sneakers in front of the wolf.
The arctic wolf froze. He struggled between the implication of the Vastelerian Compliance Act and his trust of Snackers. Lupus bit his lip, torn between his caution and the trust he felt growing for the Vastelerian femboy.
Finally, with a slow exhale, he folded. “Alright, Snaccy, let’s do it.”
Snackers soon carefully strolled to the campsite. Carefully, he picked up his small lover, who was still sound asleep, and slipped him into the shoe. The blue-furred folf stirred, but remained blissfully unaware of his new humid surroundings.
The wolf tried to withhold a laugh as he watched Deko disappear into the femboy’s Converse. “He’s going to be so confused when he wakes up.”
Snackers grinned, setting the sneaker with Deko inside down beside the porch. “That’s the plan. He’ll get a good laugh out of it too, eventually.”
With their prank set in motion, Snackers turned his attention back to Lupus. “And now, we wait.” He mumbled and leaned down to sit against the tiny lake house, his massive, wiry frame settling against the structure without inflicting any damage. With Lupus beside him, using his clothed thigh for a pillow, he stretched his legs out.
The raccoon’s emerald eyes keenly focused on the sneaker containing the still-sleeping folf. Snackers’ struggled to contain his amusement. His lips stretched into a playful smile, and his striped tail twitched slightly to flop beside Lupus. He draped an arm lazily near the wolf, ensuring that Lupus was safely concealed beside him.
Lupus, sensing Snackers’ overexcitement, couldn’t resist grinning too. “I really hope he wakes up soon. Are you sure he’ll laugh it off though, Snaccy?”
Snackers nodded, his head turning down to meet Lupus. “It’s all good, I’ve done this before, remember? Deko has a great sense of humour anyways.”
Minutes passed sluggishly, the tender lapping of the lake water and the rustling of leaves in the breeze the only sounds. Snackers’ ears twitched upright at the faintest sound coming from within the Converse.
He tilted forward slightly, his eyelids narrowing to focus.
A small groan emanated from the shoe as Deko began to stir. Slowly, the folf opened his eyes as he awoke inside the humid confines of Snackers’ giant Converse shoe. The first thing he noticed was the unmistakable scent of well-worn canvas and rubber, mingled with the faint fragrance of his boyfriend’s paws.
“Wha-?” Deko mumbled, his voice muffled by a wall of cotton and rubber. No sooner after he stirred awake and shifted slightly, did he feel the firm yet yielding insole compress beneath his fingers, and realise where he was. The slight curve of the shoe’s instep cradled his back, and the rounded toe box offered a snug, sheltered space. He could hear the distant sounds of Snackers’ laughter from afar, prompting him to shout out, “Really, Snackers?!” as he prepared to crawl to the entrance.
The raccoon’s eyes lit up with glee, and he burst into laughter, nudging Lupus with a finger to share the moment. “Having fun in there, babe?” Snackers called out, a mischievous smile enlarging across his muzzle as he leaned towards the Converse. Snackers couldn’t resist any further, and started to slide across the grass to meet the folf-stuffed footwear.
Lupus stayed behind against the lake house, while he watched eagerly Snackers moved away on his hands and knees. He stared up to see the raccoon's striped tail flop onto the ground and drag across from behind.
Once Snackers had positioned himself beside the shoe, he crouched down, and positioned a single peering eye over top. The raccoon scanned the interior to spot his ankle-height lover inside, before catching that flicker of blue. And there his boyfriend was, crawling across the warm insole fabric to meet him.
With a teasing grin spreading across his face, Snackers decided to take his playful teasing up a notch. Deko watched Snackers’ eye divorce from the shoe’s opening, but only to be replaced by his lover's large, furry paw filling the view. Inside the shoe was plunged into darkness, causing Deko to pause and stare.
His eyes widened as he witnessed Snackers’ gigantic foot fill the entrance. “S-Snaccy, you wouldn’t?!” he exclaimed in alarm. The sheer absurdity of the situation had left the folf speechless.
Before Deko could plead his case to Snackers, a shadow soon eclipsed what little light shone inside — an object, or rather, a set of objects blocked the Converse’s rim. Four bulbous toes, connected to a street-wide paw, gently slipped inside. It took the folf a moment to realise the raccoon’s paw wasn’t keen on stopping. He shouted, crawling away and nearly falling on his back in the process.
Deko’s back pressed into the shoe’s toe cap, watching his lover’s foot start to fill the insole as it wiggled its way inside. The shoe was now pitch-black. He could barely make out the outlines of Snackers’ toes sliding forward until a single toe pushed him against the wall of cyan fabric.
Immobilised. Held hostage by the raccoon’s toe, next to the amethyst toe ring he bought Snackers for Christmas, Deko tried to push himself free.
No one could see the folf’s look of concern, nor hear his pleas. Even his squirms and wiggles barely registered as a tickle to Snackers, who raised his heel, using that added elevation to shift the weight of his sole onto Deko. When he adjusted his weight, it squished Deko deeper into the furry crevice between his boyfriend’s toes.
Now that the raccoon’s clenched toes pinned him down, it wasn’t so bad. The flex of Snackers’ toes clamped him against the insole and buckled him in for a rollercoaster ride of a lifetime. It was only natural for him to squeeze into the soft fur and take a deep breath to inhale the familiar scent of his lover’s exquisite paws.
And then Snackers took his first step.
Like he experienced many times before during their sessions in front of clients, the oppressive weight of Snackers’ size two-hundred and eighteen predatory soles made Deko wheeze. The raccoon’s paw was squishy, providing him with the squishiest surface to cushion against Snackers’ immense mass.
And that was only step one.
Every step was the same as the one before. Slow, cautious, and powerful. Each footfall ended with a thump of a Converse tread striking the dirt.
Despite the humid air, Deko had already learned to breathe in tandem with his lover’s footfalls. Up, he inhaled. Down, he did not need to exhale; the weight of Snackers’ toes slapping upon his chest squeezed the air from his lungs altogether.
Deko had no way of knowing where Snackers was taking him. The raccoon didn’t narrate his whereabouts aside from a contented, muffled hum and whistle.
Above, Snackers remained nonchalant, swinging both arms and hips with an elegant flamboyance. A stark contrast to the unfolding onslaught inside his cyan Converse. Soon the raccoon’s curious eyes returned back to Lupus on the porch who sat in introspective silence, and decided to inject some fun into the wolf’s morning.
There was a pause. As Deko attempted to free his legs, things became more burdensome. Above, Snackers had raised his heel in front of the porch, and more importantly, in front of Lupus.
“S-Snackers!” Deko shouted between bulbous toes. “Snackers, what are you doing?!”
Snackers silenced the folf’s voice when he swung his heel to the side and ground his converse toe cap into the ground. Side to side; faster and faster, the raccoon worked his little boyfriend into the squishy folds of his toe flesh.
“Let’s go for another stroll, Lupy,” Snackers announced joyfully, bending down to scoop Lupus up in one large hand, his fingers encasing the wolf tightly into his squishy palm. “You too, babe,” the raccoon said, dragging his paw side to side into the folf pinned against his toe box. “Now, where should I put the little sugar cube-?”
“Come on mate, why do you still keep calling me-?!”
“Ah, yes, under my laces!”
“Wait what-!” Before Lupus could react, Snackers shifted the arctic wolf down to slip beneath the snow-white laces, comfortably secured near the shoe’s tongue.
Four criss-crossed laces greeted him when the raccoon’s fingers released him, securing him in place. The pressure from the laces wasn’t uncomfortable, but it was snug, holding him in place as the raccoon’s enormous foot shifted below him. Lupus craned his neck, trying to get a better view of the world beyond the confines of Snackers’ laces. The vast expanse of Snackers’ body loomed above him. He knew Snackers was tall, but from this angle, it was like staring up at a breathing building.
“Enjoy the ride,” Snackers chuckled, carefully lacing up the shoe just enough to to secure Lupus not to create discomfort. As he swung a shoe forward, the momentum pushed the wolf deep against the bridge of the raccoon’s foot, cushioned by the shoe fabric.
In mid-air, Lupus felt weightless as the foot soared. The arctic wolf would have fallen off if the raccoon’s laces hadn’t held him in place. Instead, he let out a light sigh, and enjoyed what was the closest to experiencing a rollercoaster ride. Just when his body adapted to being propelled at such an incredible speed, the ground rushed to meet the as the raccoon’s foot descended.
He braced for the impact.
But instead of a harsh landing, there was a polite thud as the giant footwear contacted the ground. Although the vibrations ricocheted up to meet him, the laces held onto him. He exhaled a breath he hadn’t realised he was holding, and muttered, “Okay, maybe this isn’t so bad,” gripping the laces a little tighter as he prepared for the raccoon’s next step.
Snackers strode with a confident, relaxed gait, swinging his arms and hips with finesse. He hummed a tune. The raccoon's strides were carefully measured, ensuring his little boyfriend was safe inside the shoe, and Lupus was secured when he swung a foot forward.
It only took Snackers a few strides to complete a lap around the lake house. And while he did, he kept an eye out for any sign of discomfort from Lupus. As they circled back towards the porch, the raccoon couldn’t resist a little tease along the way.
The raccoon continued his leisurely morning walk, the gentle rhythm of his steps creating a soothing sway for Lupus behind his laces. As Snackers completed the fourth lap, he glanced down at the ground with a cheek tugging smile, feeling the subtle shifts of the folf between his toes.
“How’s the ride down there, Lupy?” Snackers called out with a chuckle.
“A-AMAZIN-!” Lupus shouted back between the ground-rumbling thumps of Snackers’ footsteps, until felt a subtle shift in the pressure around his abdomen as the laces pushed him into the raccoon’s footwear.
From his position, Lupus could hear the folf’s muffled shouting inside the shoe. “S-SNACKERS-!” Deko shouted, but his voice struggled to penetrate the mass of the femboy’s converse, leaving the arctic wolf as his only hope.
The folf’s desperation was clear, but what struck the arctic wolf was how Snackers managed his footfalls. Every movement was measured, careful not to apply too much pressure on Deko. It dawned on Lupus how easy Snackers could strike a balance between mischief and responsibility. After accepting the raccoon restrained himself to conform to the Compliance Act, he resigned himself to rest behind the laces.
After sensing Deko’s playful frustration, patted the mouth of the shoe, and whispered down “—hope you’re not getting too squished under your lover's two…one…eight sized paws, Deko!” The teasing tone was evident, and Lupus could almost imagine Deko’s exaggerated reaction beneath the raccoon’s foot.
The folf flares his nostrils at the arctic wolf's betrayal. “Not at all!” he called back beneath the raccoon’s squishy pad. “It’s actually fun being Snaccy’s insole. I feel like I’m protecting his feet from the ground.”
“Glad to hear you’re enjoying your new role as an insole, Deko,” Lupus smiled to himself, while he let the snow-white laces tighten around his abdomen with each flex of the raccoon’s foot.
Minutes passed, and he was close to developing motion sickness. He could feel the intense swinging of Snackers’ shoes. At this rate, one more round of footsteps and he would -
“Do you want to do one more lap?” Snackers asked gleefully.
“YESSS!”
“NOO!”
“Deko said yes too, big guy,” the wolf spoke with a faux innocent smile.
“NOOOOO-!” Deko blurted out, until he was cut off when the raccoon swung his foot forward again.
And then they decided, one more lap.
After he neared the end of the fifth, and final lap, Snackers came to a slow stop. He squatted down to one knee, and untied the laces with deft, careful fingers. “Alright, Lupy, time to come out,” he said warmingly, fishing Lupus from his Converse.
Snackers smiled down at him, his emerald irises full of love and a hint of mischief. “Did you enjoy your ride?” he asked, holding Lupus safely in his palm, his tone teasing yet tender. The masked giant brought Lupus closer, giving him an affectionate nuzzle with his whiskered nose. A wave of the raccoon’s warm breath washed over him, blowing away any nerves in the moment.
Once he lowered Lupus away from his snout, he placed him down by the rim of his Converse treads, and turned his attention to the folf between his toes, raising them up.
The pressure vanished and Snackers addressed Deko.
“Morning, honey!” Snackers exclaimed. “Just thought I’d give you a lil’ wake-up call,” he teased and slipped his foot out. The crisp, oxygen-rich air flooded in to fill the gap.
Before Deko could flop back onto the warm insole, the Converse started to tilt toward the side. He didn’t move this time, instead he was sliding down Snackers’ footwear and onto an open palm.
“Enjoy the ride, babe?” Snackers whispered.
Delicately, Snackers plucked Deko off his insole, his digits mindful not to disturb the still-groggy figure. He sat his boyfriend on the porch next to Lupus, who greeted Deko with a warm smile.
The folf rocketed both arms in a stretch, adjusting to the fresh morning air and the feel of the wooden porch beneath his paws as opposed to the tropical environment inside Snackers shoe. “Oh gosh, Snaccy!
Y-Yeah I did,” Deko shyly replied.
Snackers grinned back, his eyes twinkling. “Anytime, babe. My size two-hundred-and-eight teeeeeeen shoes always have space for you.” He snickered, watching as Deko stretched and acclimated to the sudden change from the humid, confined space of his converse to the open, fresh morning air. The raccoon remained in his playful state, evident in the way he delicately nudged Deko’s back with the tip of his finger.
Deko, still a bit flustered from the unconventional wake-up call, glanced at the towering raccoon with his cheeks tinged pink . He scratched the back of his head, a shy smile spreading across his face. “But um, babe, maybe next time, give me a little warning.”
“Hmmm, I’ll think about it,” he teased, flashing a wink down to his flustering lover. “But, be grateful I remembered you were in there this time.”
“Um, yeah, but could you at least let me ride in the shoe laces next time?” Deko responded with a plea, causing a larger grin to expand across Lupus’ and Snackers’ maws. Deko tilted his head and said, “Huh? What’s so funny?”
“You wanted to ride in his laces like last time, huh?” Lupus commented with an amused smirk.
The folf’s eyes widened. “Snaccy, you told him,” he huffed.
“Oh, you’re so cute when you pout, babe.”
“And your insole—I mean you, you are cute too, hun,” Deko stammered and reached out a hand, ruffling the raccoon’s finger fur. “But you are forgetting about one person here,” he suggested, raising a hand to point to the snoring wolf-shepherd in Snackers’ thigh-high sleeping bag.
With Lupus and Deko settled, Snackers soon turned his attention to the final slumbering creature, Rayne. Moving with a sneaky predatory fashion, he crawled across the field to where Rayne was still fast asleep in his thigh-high. He puckered his lips to blow a gust of warm, raccoon breath that ruffled the wolf-shepherd's fur. But, it worked to no effect.
Snackers decided to lean down, his whiskered nose almost touching the tiny canine. He took a moment to watch his peaceful slumber with a fond smile. Then, the raccoon extended his long, pink tongue and gave Rayne a prolonged, affectionate lick across his cheek.
The wolf-shepherd jolted away. Pulled from his dreams by the unexpected tongue bath, he shot upright to meet Snackers’ puppy-like visage looming over. Rayne let out a groggy groan, while he wiped the raccoon drool from his cheek. “H-Hey! What gives?!”
Snackers chuckled, tilting back to sit down in front of him. “Good morning, Rayne. We were going to go hiking. Are you up for it?”
Just like Deko, Rayne stretched, yawned, and rubbed his crown. “Hiking? Yeah, sure! Just give me a minute to get ready—"
“Rayne’s getting ready!” Snackers announced joyfully. “You two go get ready too. Once you're all ready, we’ll head out!”
The raccoon watched Rayne slip out of his sock and stood up. His emerald eyes fixated on Rayne, who sluggishly made pace along the grass and towards the lake house, while Lupus and Deko snickered at the drool-smothered wolf-shepherd.
Once Rayne disappeared into the lake house, Deko glimpsed over at Rayne before turning his attention back to the raccoon. Snackers seemed content, that brilliant green gaze following Rayne’s sluggish retreat. The folf could tell that his boyfriend was enjoying the lighthearted atmosphere, but he also knew how quickly things could change if everyone went inside except Snackers.
“Hey, Snaccy,” Deko started, summoning the raccoon’s attention. “Do you want someone to keep you company while everyone’s getting dressed? Is it alright for you to be by yourself for a bit?”
Lupus, who was trying to swallow that naughty grin of his, joined in. “Yeah, one of us can hang out with you while the other gets changed.”
“You guys are so precious,” Snackers replied, swaying that long, striped tail of his. “But don’t worry about me. I’ll be alright on my own for a few minutes.”
“Alright, Snaccy,” Deko said, giving the raccoon’s leg a friendly pat. “We’ll be quick, I promise.”
“Yeah, it’ll just be a spell,” Lupus added, already stepping toward the lake house. He peered over his shoulder, his grin returning. “Don’t peek through my window again though, alright? Please?”
“No promises,” Snackers chuckled, waving them off with a flick of his massive wrist. “I’ll be right here.”
With that, Lupus and Deko hurried off to get changed, leaving Snackers sitting by the garage. The raccoon breathed deeply, savouring the momentary solitude. He looked over the rooftop, meeting the lake, then settled back, making himself comfortable as he waited for his friends to return, a contented smile lingering on his face.
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Chapter 3: Morning Mischief
Dawn crept over the horizon, heralding another beautiful warm morning in the forest — warmer than usual, at least. Lupus stirred, nestled within the snug confines of one of Snackers’ enormous thigh-high socks. The fabric, while cosy, wouldn't have been enough on its own to guarantee a restful night, but a pad on the raccoon’s enormous pinky finger proved to be a more than comfy pillow. In spite of this, the wolf’s body still craved a coffee boost, urging him to slide out of the cloth before the others awoke.
Lupus’ fur ruffled as he carefully extricated himself from the fabric cocoon, careful not to disturb the towering, slumbering raccoon boy. As the wolf tip-toed in the general direction of the cabin, he paused as the masked creature shifted a massive arm across the dew-kissed undergrowth. Fluffy fingers flexed and curled while a soft chittering escaped Snackers’ lips along with his breath, a gentle noise that mingled with the silence of the breaking dawn.
Lupus’ eyes locked onto the raccoon as he crouched slightly, ready to dash if needed. But the only movement he spotted was the continued rise and fall of his chest, his grey-furred muzzle hanging open with his soft, rhythmic breathing.
“Good, he’s asleep,” he muttered in relief to himself. With newfound confidence in his stealth, he resumed a quiet trek to the cabin, oblivious that the raccoon was now watching him through half-lidded eyes, a mischievous glint hidden in their depths.
As Lupus trudged forward, he would trail through the enormous paw and shoe prints that remained imprinted across the grass. Even the smaller imprints formed by the raccoon’s individual toes were bigger than most potholes that ruined the British roads back home. Occasionally, the sound of Snackers snoring that one could easily mistake for distant, rumbling thunder filled the air as he walked away.
Then the snoring stopped.
He was skirting the first of the raccoon’s footprints when he felt something blunt poke his back. He froze, an icy shiver ran down his spine.
“GOOOOOD MOOORNING LUPY!” Snackers sang, breaking the morning stillness as his voice carried for miles around. The volume startled all the birds from their perches, causing them to bolt skyward. To his surprise, the raccoon’s morning call caused the local ecosystem to react, but Deko and Rayne somehow remained asleep.
Lupus’ heart lurched as he spun to see Snackers staring at him, head tilted in curious amusement. “So, where are you going, Lupy?”
“Morn- … Morning, mate,” Lupus answered, relaxing slightly. “I- I was just going back to the cabin to brew some coffee,” he said, pointing to the lake house across the field. “I didn’t want to wake anyone.”
Snackers chuckled, his laughter a deep rumbling sound. “Well, you did a good job of that, huh? But really, you should be careful, sweetie.” He curled his hands and screwed up his face, bearing his car-sized fangs. “There are BIG SCARY MONSTERS IN THE WOODS WHO WANNA EATCHA! HAHAA!!”
Seeing the gentle giant try to scare Lupus felt more endearing than terrifying. “You big goof,” he giggled, swatting at the air in front of him. “Nah, I just can’t function in the mornings without coffee. You know how it is, mate.”
Snackers dropped the mock-threatening pose and licked his chops. “Ah, it’s fine. I know it’s my job to keep things interesting for your trip, even if Deko doesn’t tell me to.”
“You know,” Lupus peered over to the folf, seeing that he was miraculously still asleep. “How on earth are they still sleeping?.”
The giant boomed with laughter again. “Oh lil’ folfy would sleep through a tornado if I let him, Rayne too.” He wrapped his fingers around his ankle-tall lover, who stirred in his slumber a little, and placed him on top of the sock that Lupus once occupied.
“Yeah, you’re telling me,” the wolf chuckled to himself, conceding it must be plausible for him to be so used to loud noises.
The raccoon rolled over, bulldozing the foliage beneath him to kneel in front of Lupus and casting a long shadow over him. “You know, I could do with a pick-me-up too,” Snackers grinned, displaying his four canine teeth again, amongst the others. “Let me give you a ride,” he insisted, until his maw opened wide and a yawn that rattled the wolf’s organs erupted.
Before Lupus could protest, Snackers batted the wolf gently with a finger, knocking the wolf off-balance to land in his palm. He scooped the smaller creature up and lifted him up past his belly, up to his fluffy chest and pressed him close to his heart. Being held so close to the deep, resonant pounding of the great organ struck Lupus with a newfound sense of awe. It was no wonder Deko fell for this enigmatic raccoon; even the smallest acts of affection seemed that much more magnified. The giant now rose to a stand, all his movements deliberate and calculated as he reached his full height. He arched his back and stretched his calves, the stiffness of the night’s heavy slumber surrendering to the raccoon’s characteristically youthful energy.
“Hold on tight,” Snackers chittered, and strode to the lake house. “Why walk when I can get us there fast without wasting energy?” At least he had a point. This journey that would have taken Lupus considerable time would be reduced to mere moments, much like the trip on the first day.
With steady steps, Snackers carried his little passenger across the field, inching his way to the Lake House, or — from the Petitran perspective — yarding his way to the Lake House. The wolf peered over the fingers serving as his platform, watching the raccoon's big feet slap onto the path and crater the ground beneath. His hips swayed indulgently with each step, making him bounce slightly in the soft, fur-lined pad. The rhythmic motion was almost hypnotic, and Lupus smiled at the playful elegance in Snackers’ gait.
The house drew nearer, and Snackers stopped just outside the front door. He cast curious emerald eyes downward and beamed at his passenger. “Enjoy the ride?”
Lupus flashed a smirk and nodded. “Aye. Thanks for the lift, mate.”
“Good, now don’t forget to tip your driver.” Snacks extended his paw outward towards the porch, his fingers creating a gentle slope. The wolf slid down to disembark from the raccoon’s hand to land onto the porch.
“Just… give me a heads up before you pluck up next time, okay?” he asked as he pushed the door open quietly and slipped inside.
“No promises,” Snackers replied while Lupus disappeared behind the wooden door. Curious, the raccoon would shift his head to peek inside the open kitchen window with one eye. Back hunched, tail swaying behind him, the raccoon focused on the snow-white canine.
In the kitchen, Lupus gathered everything he needed to prepare his brew. A low mechanical hum and the fragrant aroma of coffee quickly filled the room while he reached for a spare cup. Swiftly, the wolf glided across the wooden flooring to slip the mug beneath the coffee tap and watched the dark liquid fill the cup. Two spoonfuls of sugar and milk then perfected the beverage.
Just when he went to bring the brim to his lips for a sip, he glanced up to see a giant emerald eye filling the entire window frame. The inky black pupil dilated slightly from intense focus. Around the dilating pupil, intricate patterns of lighter and darker green radiated out, resembling the veins of a leaf.
“Snackers!” Lupus exclaimed, while he scooped up his coffee. If the coffee didn’t already stimulate his senses, the raccoon’s jumpscare did. “What the hell—"
The raccoon blinked, his eyelashes brushing against the glass. “Just checking in,” he said, his moist breath fogging up the glass. “Need any help with that coffee?”
Lupus giggled, the initial jolt to his heart dissipating. “I think I’ve got mine under control, mate. But, how am I going to make your coffee?”
Snackers withdrew his broad cheshire smile from the Lake House. “I’ll take care of that. I’ve got a cup, the sugar and coffee packets, and we’ve got a water tank.” He pulled his head away and unzipped his bag to retrieve his cup.
“Yeah, but isn’t that our water supply—"
“Yep!” Snackers barked back as he hovered a white cup with a golden trash can painted on its surface. “What do you think a water tank is, silly?”
“That’s not the point I’m making, mate,” Lupus fired back in concern, while the raccoon prepared to slip the cup beneath the tap. “Wouldn’t we lose the water for our showers?”
“Are you gonna take a shower now?”
“Umm, no—"
“Perfect!” Snackers replied with a sway of his tail. “Then I can have my latte,” he said with a growing grin. In a fluid motion, Snackers placed his cup under the large water tank situated outside the Lake House, designed specifically for Vastelerian visitors. He tore open one packet of coffee granules and two sugar packets to sprinkle into the cup. The tap released a stream of water, the enormous mug’s concoction filling the air, mingling with the scent of Lupus’ own brew.
The raccoon took a careful sip, his eyelids closing. He then peered at Lupus with curled lips. “Now, that’s what I call a latte,” he sighed in content. “A LOTTA LATTE!” After taking another satisfying sip. Snackers leaned back slightly. He shifted his weight, and with a soft thump that reverberated through the soil, settled himself down into a cross-legged position outside the kitchen window.
Once he settled, he rested his left elbow on his knees, and stared at Lupus with those ever-curious emerald eyes. “So, what’s the play today, little cutie?” he asked, taking another sip of his coffee.
“I was thinking of exploring the forest a bit,” Lupus replied, leaning a little out of the kitchen window. “I read there are some good hiking trails.”
Snackers’ eyes lit up with excitement. “That sounds fun. I'll take you on one Deko and I know. You guys can ride in my scarf again, and relax to my pulse.”
Lupus’ ears shot up. "That's not hiking, that's RIDING—"
“And then we can swim in the pool,” the raccoon continued, ignoring the wolf’s objection.
“The pool?” Lupus pondered until he turned to where the raccoon was facing. His face lit up as he connected the dots. “Oh! Do you mean Lake Glendale?” He figured out that by now Snackers and many other Vastelerians would often make comparative generalisations to places or objects based on how they appeared to them.
The raccoon nodded. “Yes! We’ll head in when we get back, kay?”
“We could, but I’d need to get my shorts on, and so would the others,” Lupus responded.
“Yeah, of course!” Snackers replied in a whisper. “I would just be waiting outside for you guys. But right now, do you want to take that coffee to go?”
Lupus' head tilted. “What do you mean, mate?”
“I mean, let’s enjoy our drinks somewhere else, and let the other two sleep.” Snackers soon shifted his legs to stand up, while holding his coffee cup steady. Once he stood tall, he lowered his massive paw gently to the porch, waiting for the tiny canine passenger. “What do you say? Just you and me sitting by the lakeside?”
Lupus tilted his head back and nodded enthusiastically. “Sure! That sounds lovely!” Lupus exclaimed, his voice filled with infectious enthusiasm and a bright smile lighting up his face. Carefully, the wolf slipped onto the raccoon’s soft, fur-lined palm, crossing his legs in its centre.
Enveloped by Snacker’s welcoming hand, Lupus couldn’t help but smirk, the tender giant’s comforting touch making his heart soar as he cradled his steaming cup of coffee. The raccoon cast his elegant emerald eyes downward, lifting his palm to cradle into his chest, sloshing some of the wolf’s caffeine onto the shrubbery below. With the wolf secured, Snackers smiled back at Rayne and Deko, still asleep at the campsite.
“Lil sweethearts,” Snackers muttered under his breath, while he looked back to his raised palm and flexed his calves to march off.
The lake house faded into the background as the raccoon walked. Snackers’ palm, warm and plush with fur, cradled Lupus as they strolled through the peaceful forest. Lupus wriggled closer to the raccoon’s fingers, his tail wagging with excitement as he slotted his legs between the two digits.
Perched once again on the edge of Snackers’ paw, Lupus continued to sip his morning brew and looked down to see Snackers walking barefoot across the soft earth, fallen branches, and leaves. With each step the raccoon took, Lupus watched those bulbous toes splay out to prepare for the next footfall. Even his amethyst toe ring got in on the action by marking a perfectly curved imprint in the soil. Amidst the rhythmic thooms of Snackers’ strides, a delighted giggle erupted from above as the raccoon savoured every drop of his refreshing brew.
As Snackers continued his stroll through the American wilderness, the terrain began to change. The trees grew denser, their trunks closer together, branches intertwining to form a natural barrier. Capitalising on his slim, flexible frame, the raccoon curled his fingers around his passenger and slid between the trees with grace. No signs of other cabins or homes dotted the landscape, ensuring their privacy wouldn’t be intruded upon.
Eventually, the forest began to thin out again, giving way to the spectacle of the shimmering lake water. The gentle giant emerged from the dense trees and walked to a secluded spot on the opposite side of the lake. He found a flat, grass area and lowered his enormous frame down with a soft thump.
“Ah, here we go, Lupy.” Snackers spoke with a contented sigh, while he dragged his foot-paws to the lake and slipped his exposed paws into the lake, causing tender ripples to spread across the surface.
The icy water caressed his fur, making its way up to the blue stripe around his ankle, creating a pleasant contrast to the sun’s warmth. As he set his coffee down beside him, he wiggled his toes, creating another round of ripples. Snackers then raised his knees, creating a small, makeshift lookout point over the water.
“Alrighty, your seat is ready for you, sweetie,” Snackers said softly. He delicately placed Lupus atop his kneecap and picked up his own cup of coffee. “There you go. I thought you might enjoy the view from up here.”
Lupus settled on Snackers’ firm kneecap. It was surprisingly comfortable, a steady perch above the water.
He sighed, taking in the expansive lake and the dense forest surrounding it. The lake stretched out before him like a vast, shimmering carpet of mirrors, the crystal-clear water scattering the first rays of morning sunlight into a dazzling display of sparkles. The water rippled toward the bank calmly with the morning breeze, the air crisp and refreshing as it kissed the canopy of the trees behind Snackers, rustling the leaves with a whisper.
“Wow, this… is amazing,” Lupus said, his tail wagging to brush across the raccoon’s knee fur. Snackers couldn’t contain his laughter as the wolf cosily perched on his kneecap, relishing the soothing aroma and taste of his coffee.
“I’m glad you like it, Lupus. I hope it makes up for missing out on stargazing last night,” he murmured down to the wolf.
Lupus, feeling the warmth of the coffee spreading inside him, looked up to Snackers with a reassuring smile. “It’s more than enough, Snackers. Really, I mean it,” he said, his voice soft yet sincere. “Besides, it’s not your fault the weather turned bad. We can’t control the clouds, right?”
Snackers nodded, though a hint of guilt lingered in his eyes. “Yeah, but I know how much you were looking forward to it. I was too. I wanted everything to be perfect,” he admitted, scanning the Lake Glendale stretching out around them. “This view was the least I could do.”
Instinctively, the wolf’s tail swished gently against Snackers’ knee. “You don’t have to worry so much. Whether it’s stargazing or just sitting here, enjoying coffee, it’s all enough for me.” His eyes were earnest, trying to reassure his Vastelerian friend.
“And you wonder why I call you sugar cube, huh?” he snickered, reaching out a finger to ruffle Lupus’ head fur affectionately. "You’re too kind, you know that?” he added, his mood visibly lifting. “But you’re right. Still, there’s always tonight, right?”
Lupus nodded. “That’s true! For now, let’s enjoy this wonderful view,” he proposed, already imagining the cosy setup under the stars and the possibility of ticking that off his ‘To-Do list’. But, was this the right moment? Lupus pondered on it, but when he glanced back up to see Snackers’ infectious smile, he silently agreed… another time.
“It does have a wonderful view. It’s one of my favourite spots to unwind.” He took a sip of his own coffee, chittering at the sensation of his fresh brew funnelling down his throat.
Lupus tilted his head. “You’ve been here before?”
Snackers finished his sip of his coffee, a wistful smile playing on his lips. “I came here with Deko the day we met. It was a lot like today — beautiful weather.”
“That sounds wonderful. What was it like? What did you do?”
The raccoon’s emerald eyes glowed with fond memories. “It was magical. We wandered the woods, talking and laughing. We went hiking with him inside my boot—"
“Wait, Deko was in your boot?” Lupus snickered, briefly cutting Snackers off. “Is that part of your Petritan support sessions?”
“Well, not exactly. We do it in our sessions sometimes, but we mostly do it at home,” Snackers’ rumbling voice responded from above.
“And was it your idea to do that with your hiking boots?”
“It was his idea, actually,” Snackers spoke with a growing grin. “Maybe I should try that on you sometime, Lupy.”
“Me? In your big… hiking boot?” the wolf stuttered, imagining himself in such a situation. “Um, I’ll pass, mate,” Lupus tried to dismiss, while Snackers’ stroked his body
“Offer stands, cutie,” Snackers said with a wink. “I’d love for you to be in my hiking boots, like Deko was.”
Lupus gulped.
Snackers addressed the wolf’s reaction as he muttered, “Adorable,” and turned up to the lake in front of them. “We spent the entire day here, talked about everything — our dreams, our pasts, our hopes for the future. It was the first time I felt truly connected to someone.”
“That sounds amazing, Snackers. You two seem wonderful together.”
“Thank you,” Snackers whispered warmly. “Deko made me realise that love is universal, even for a girly Vastelerian and his tiny, folf boyfriend.” As the raccoon’s tail happily swayed behind him, he nudged Lupus with a fingertip. “But, what about you, Lupy? Have you ever… been with someone like that?”
“... In their boot, you mean?” Lupus asked, sounding dumbstruck.
“Oh come oooooon!” the raccoon whined, almost sounding hurt at the wolf dodging the question. “I’m being serious!”
Realising he might have caused offence with his evasiveness, Lupus blinked, body swaying against the raccoon's finger. He hesitated, the sudden shift in the conversation towards him catching him off guard. “Uh…well…” he stammered, his left hand’s fingers idly tapping his kneecap.
Snackers leaned in just a bit closer, his expression still warm but now laced with curiosity. “Come on, can you tell me?” he coaxed, while he glided a finger up and down the wolf’s arm. “Better question, would you date a Vastelerian too?”
Lupus felt his heart race a little faster. “I… um, well maybe, but I haven’t really found someone like that yet,” he confessed in a quieter voice, almost shy. “Work always gets in the way.”
Snackers’ grin widened. “A sweet guy like you? I find that hard to believe. I’m sure a giant dude will be interested in you, sweetie.”
“Is he gonna have size two-hundred-and-eighteen shoes too?” Lupus inquired, sparking a snicker from Snackers. They both beamed with delight, their faces radiating happiness as they took in the breathtaking view of the shimmering lake before them. “Thank you for bringing me here, Snackers. It means a lot.”
Snackers’ hand paw playfully patted Lupus’ back, the thumb joyfully bouncing on the wolf’s shoulder, a warm smile spreading across his face. “I’m glad you’re here, Lupus. But don’t think I’ve forgotten the times you teased me in Discord. I’ll get you back for all those times you said you’d dangle a paw over me.”
Lupus’ back jolted up straight as he gulped. “Oh, right?”
“I am only kidding,” the raccoon insisted, while he rubbed a thumb across Lupus’ shoulder. “But, enough about me. What’s your life like in the UK?”
“Didn’t you ask me that earlier-?”
“Yeah, but that was about life in the UK in general, which you didn’t really answer. I’m asking about your life, Lupy.”
“Oh right, you asked me that before—"
“Before you tried to beat me in a race?” Snackers quickly shot back with a playful glint in his eyes. “It was cute of you to try.”
Lupus rolled his eyes, though a smile grew and tugged at his maw. “You’re never going to let me live that down, are you?”
“Nope, not a chance. But seriously, tell me more about Lupy in the UK. I’m curious.”
The wolf settled back in Snackers’ palm, feeling the comforting strokes of Snackers’ thumb still rubbing his shoulder. "Besides running, I also work and write. Nothing much else."
“Are you still working at that newspaper company?” Snackers spoke as his eyes focused down on the wolf.
Lupus slouched forward, nodding. “Yeah, I am. But it’s…a lot.” He shifted, while his shoulder fur ruffled as Snackers’ thumb traced slow circles on it. “It’s intense. Deadlines are so tight I never get time to breathe sometimes.”
Snackers frowned, his thumb pausing for a moment to settle on Lupus’ shoulder blade. “They got you writing day and night?”
“Pretty much,” Lupus muttered. “It bothers me they prioritise profit over publishing stories. It’s never about the story, it’s about the paycheck.”
The raccoon let out a low hum, resuming to rub Lupus’ shoulders. “Ever thought about leaving? Or finding something a little less…restrictive?”
“Every day,” Lupus chuckled, but his ears still drooped. “But…it pays the bills. I just want to give a voice to the voiceless.”
“Don’t forget to take care of yourself.”
Lupus’ maw opened to prepare to speak, but he waited to search for the right words. “Yeah…I’ll try. But, you know…writing my stuff helps me escape.”
The raccoon raised an eyebrow. “Oh yeah? What stories?”
“Mostly fantasy. Worlds I can lose myself in. No deadlines, no restrictions, and no limits,” he replied, readjusting his posture to sit up straight on the raccoons kneecap.
Snackers’ smile grew when he noticed the subtle shift in the Lupus’ body. “What are you writing now?”
Lupus hesitated. The wolf’s fuzzy finger returned to its anxious drumbeat, tapping on his thigh. “Uh, it’s nothing special,” he mumbled with a shrug of his shoulders. “Just something small. It’s work in progress.”
Snackers’ instincts kicked in. His ears twitched as they caught onto rhythmic finger tapping and the smallest shift in the wolf’s breathing. If that didn’t convince the raccoon, it was when he saw the wolf’s tail hanging limply on his knee. As he leaned in closer, his thumb halted in its stroke, and a chitter escaped his lips, causing a delightful tickle within the wolf’s body. “Lupus…” he started, probing the snow-white canine.
But Lupus didn’t meet his eyes, instead he was busying himself by adjusting his position on Snackers’ leg. The wolf guarded himself; the silence lingering a bit too long.
Snackers weren't about to push. Instead, he decided to let it slide—at least for now. With one last thumb stroke that brushed down the wolf’s shoulder to meet his bushy tail, he attempted to change the topic. “What about the UK itself? What’s it like on the island of tea and biscuits?”
Lupus sighed at the stereotypical remark. “There’s more to the UK than tea and biscuits, you know. I mean, for a start, there’s a huge history that extends all the way back to the bronze age. So like, there's loads of castles and old ruins that people still like to visit. There’s also a big culture around the seaside, or what you’d call the coast. The weather could be better, but we do occasionally get nice warm summers.” The wolf smiled as he remembered some of the better parts of his homeland.
Snackers’ eyes widened with interest. “Castles? Seasides? I’d love to see those someday. Maybe you can give me a tour?”
Lupus grinned. “I’d like that, but I don't think their entrances were designed for Vastelerians.”
“I’ll just step over the wall,” the raccoon replied and glided his thumb down from Lupus’ shoulder to meet his thigh.
“Goof,” Lupus chuckled, slurping the last sip of his coffee.
“As for the beach, I doubt it’s better than California’s beaches.” Snackers wistfully stared into space and wondered out loud to himself. “But visiting British beaches would be fun as well, as long as it doesn’t rain.”
An invasive vision plays in Lupus’ mind of the gender-bending giant prancing around the British shoreline, unaware of the dozens of beachgoers scattering to prevent getting trampled under a set of Vastelerian sized Converses. However, it shed light on a question. Supported by Snackers’ hand, he leaned back and turned to the grinning raccoon to ask yet another question. “Have you always been like this?”
“Like what, sweetie?” Snackers cooed in confusion until he soon clocked onto what the wolf was referring to. “A Vastelerian?” he guessed.
“Yeah, have you always been big?” Lupus clarified.
“Well, yeah. Most Vastelerians are born like this,” Snackers snickered, surprised to hear such a basic question from the likes of Lupus. “But not everyone. While most start out big, there are a few who start small. It’s rare, but it happens. We call them Ascendants.”
“Ascendants?” Lupus echoed back.
“Yeah,” Snackers affirmed. “They’re Vastelerians born Petritan sized. The genetic markers for growing that big can’t be identified around the rest of the population, so it’s impossible to predict who will become one. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, around their mid-twenties, they’d grow.”
As Lupus listened in, his mind drift conjured a strange, vivid image. He imagined walking down one of London’s high streets, maybe just heading to work or shopping, when suddenly, without warning, someone exploded in height to collide with the neighbouring structures. Their clothes tightening, their limbs expanding, until they were thrown off balance in the middle of the street…
Lupus gulped. “Is the growth…sudden?”
“You don’t know?” The raccoon’s ears flickered at the question. Snackers found it confusing that Lupus was suddenly so curious about something so basic. “I thought ascendants exist in the UK, too.”
Lupus did not say a word.
Resting a thumb on Lupus’ back, the raccoon continued. “For those that accept it, it’s quick. Like, really fast.”
“What if you don’t accept it?"
At that, Snackers’ expression shifted, this time his eyes withdrew from the wolf and towards Lake Glendale. “That’s different. The growth happens in random bursts. One minute, nothing. Then suddenly, you’re anything from a few inches to a few feet bigger.”
“It’s really that…unpredictable,” he murmured.
“Yeah, but you should know that. There are size transition programmes in place to support ascendants.”
“Right, yeah, of course—” Lupus stopped when the raccoon placed a finger on his thigh.
“Lupy, you’re okay, I promise,” he whispered before inquiring, “What do they teach you about Vastelerians, or even Ascendants, back on the island, exactly?”
“Nothing,” he admitted, glancing away. “People in Britain are kind of ignorant of Vastelerian society and history, thanks to the VISPA laws and enlargement tax. They don’t want people to know too much, so we’re kept in the dark. Most folks don’t even realise how different it is for you guys until they see it firsthand.”
“Wait, wait, wait... they don’t teach you anything? So, how’re people supposed to know what’s really going on then?” Snackers frowned, curious. “And what is this about an enlargement tax?”
Lupus sighed, gathering his thoughts for a moment. “It’s a special levy imposed on Vastelarians who want to live and work in the UK. The government claims its to cover the economic impact of giants like the need for reinforced buildings and a larger food supply. Combined with the Vastelarian Interaction Public Safety Act, it just creates a huge divide.”
“That sounds awful,” Snackers pouted. “No wonder there’s so little knowledge about Vastelerians over there.”
“Yeah. The media doesn’t help either. Most Vastelerians are compared to Godzilla, destroying everything around them by just existing. It all feeds into their fear and misunderstanding, and they grow up thinking all giants are destruction-crazed maniacs. It’s one of the reasons I wanted to come here, to see and understand what it’s really like to live alongside bigger folk."
This compelled Snackers to push him deeper into his embrace. Extending just shy of his kneecap, the raccoons tail curled around the wolf. “Don’t worry, eventually they’ll come around, one step at a time.”
Lupus couldn’t help but be momentarily distracted by the raccoon’s tail. It licked gently against his side, the soft fur brushing his knee. “Without finding themselves under your paws, I hope.” Lupus chuckled to himself.
“Hey, if they steppy on me, I’ll steppy em back. And I’d throw more than their tea in the Boston harbour while at it, just watch!” Snackers flashed a quick, mischievous grin before looking back up at the lake. “Well, ready to go back to the lake house?”
Lupus pondered for a moment, then his face lit up with excitement. “Let’s explore the hiking trail you took Deko on and then come back for that swim.”
The raccoon eagerly nodded. “Hiking sounds fun, Lupy,” Snackers insisted, while he stared down to meet the wolf. “Question is, would you want to ride in my hiking boots like Deko did?”
Lupus’ ears shot up, his tail tucked between his legs, frozen. “Ummm, no it’s alright. I am sure Deko would love it instead. But, hiking still sounds fun?”
“Daw, are you sure, Lupy?” Snackers addressed Lupus, who froze on his kneecap. “That’s fine, but if you change your mind, let me know. But I do have an idea. We slip Deko into your Converse and have him wake up inside.”
“Uh, mate, is that a good idea with the whole Vastelerian Compliance Act?” he asked the raccoon. “I mean, what if something happens? You could lose your rights to even be around him, mate.”
Snackers chuckled, waving off the arctic wolf’s concern. “Relax, Lupy. We’ve done that kinda thing before. I would do nothing to endanger my blueberry, okay?”
Lupus still looked uncertain, his tail drooping across the raccoon’s kneecap. “I don’t know, it just feels… risky,” he protested, while his finger returned to tapping his thigh.
The raccoon’s masked eyes lowered, his whiskers twitching at Lupus’ anxiety. “I get it, sweetie. But Deko and I, we’ve learned to be extra cautious. Besides, I wouldn’t put him in any situation where I couldn’t guarantee his safety.”
Lupus let out a breath, his posture easing slightly, though his tail still hung limp. “Alright, if you say so. I guess you would know best with your job and all.” He then chuckled. “I’m just not used to all this Vastelerian-Petritan interaction stuff.”
Snackers nudged the wolf’s arm with a pinky. “You’ll get there, Lupy. It’s all about trust. And hey, if you’re ever curious about trying anything, ask me.” He winked.
Lupus smiled faintly, but his mind was already racing. This is your chance, a small voice whispered inside him. Tell him. Tell him about the journal. He’s your friend—he’ll understand.
“Thank you, Snaccy,” he whispered under a breath.
The raccoon chittering became audible, vibrating the wolf’s that occupied his kneecap. “So, do you trust me to do that prank on Deko?”
“Yeah.”
Snackers’ eyes lit up with amusement. “Epic! Let me finish my latte, and we’ll go do that.”
They sat quietly for a while longer, enjoying the last sips of their coffee and the serene beauty of Lake Glendale. The morning sun climbed higher in the sky, casting a warm glow over the water and the surrounding forest. The chirping birds and rustling of leaves drowned out Snackers' slurps, providing a soothing backdrop. He soon finished the last few gallons of coffee and lifted Lupus from his kneecap, cradling him in his other palm.
The raccoon swiftly rose to his full height, stepping out of the lake, the water dripping from his bare paws. He gave each foot a playful shake, sending droplets flying down. With an energetic spring to his gait, Snackers strolled toward the lake house, careful to keep Lupus and his coffee mug secure in his hands. As they approached the lake house, the familiar, cosy structure came into view.
Upon reaching the lake house, Snackers gently placed Lupus and his cup down on the porch, giving the wolf a moment to stretch and adjust. Snackers then reached for one of his giant shoes beside the house. “Ready for a little fun?” Snackers asked, dangling his well-worn Converse sneakers in front of the wolf.
The arctic wolf froze. He struggled between the implication of the Vastelerian Compliance Act and his trust of Snackers. Lupus bit his lip, torn between his caution and the trust he felt growing for the Vastelerian femboy.
Finally, with a slow exhale, he folded. “Alright, Snaccy, let’s do it.”
Snackers soon carefully strolled to the campsite. Carefully, he picked up his small lover, who was still sound asleep, and slipped him into the shoe. The blue-furred folf stirred, but remained blissfully unaware of his new humid surroundings.
The wolf tried to withhold a laugh as he watched Deko disappear into the femboy’s Converse. “He’s going to be so confused when he wakes up.”
Snackers grinned, setting the sneaker with Deko inside down beside the porch. “That’s the plan. He’ll get a good laugh out of it too, eventually.”
With their prank set in motion, Snackers turned his attention back to Lupus. “And now, we wait.” He mumbled and leaned down to sit against the tiny lake house, his massive, wiry frame settling against the structure without inflicting any damage. With Lupus beside him, using his clothed thigh for a pillow, he stretched his legs out.
The raccoon’s emerald eyes keenly focused on the sneaker containing the still-sleeping folf. Snackers’ struggled to contain his amusement. His lips stretched into a playful smile, and his striped tail twitched slightly to flop beside Lupus. He draped an arm lazily near the wolf, ensuring that Lupus was safely concealed beside him.
Lupus, sensing Snackers’ overexcitement, couldn’t resist grinning too. “I really hope he wakes up soon. Are you sure he’ll laugh it off though, Snaccy?”
Snackers nodded, his head turning down to meet Lupus. “It’s all good, I’ve done this before, remember? Deko has a great sense of humour anyways.”
Minutes passed sluggishly, the tender lapping of the lake water and the rustling of leaves in the breeze the only sounds. Snackers’ ears twitched upright at the faintest sound coming from within the Converse.
He tilted forward slightly, his eyelids narrowing to focus.
A small groan emanated from the shoe as Deko began to stir. Slowly, the folf opened his eyes as he awoke inside the humid confines of Snackers’ giant Converse shoe. The first thing he noticed was the unmistakable scent of well-worn canvas and rubber, mingled with the faint fragrance of his boyfriend’s paws.
“Wha-?” Deko mumbled, his voice muffled by a wall of cotton and rubber. No sooner after he stirred awake and shifted slightly, did he feel the firm yet yielding insole compress beneath his fingers, and realise where he was. The slight curve of the shoe’s instep cradled his back, and the rounded toe box offered a snug, sheltered space. He could hear the distant sounds of Snackers’ laughter from afar, prompting him to shout out, “Really, Snackers?!” as he prepared to crawl to the entrance.
The raccoon’s eyes lit up with glee, and he burst into laughter, nudging Lupus with a finger to share the moment. “Having fun in there, babe?” Snackers called out, a mischievous smile enlarging across his muzzle as he leaned towards the Converse. Snackers couldn’t resist any further, and started to slide across the grass to meet the folf-stuffed footwear.
Lupus stayed behind against the lake house, while he watched eagerly Snackers moved away on his hands and knees. He stared up to see the raccoon's striped tail flop onto the ground and drag across from behind.
Once Snackers had positioned himself beside the shoe, he crouched down, and positioned a single peering eye over top. The raccoon scanned the interior to spot his ankle-height lover inside, before catching that flicker of blue. And there his boyfriend was, crawling across the warm insole fabric to meet him.
With a teasing grin spreading across his face, Snackers decided to take his playful teasing up a notch. Deko watched Snackers’ eye divorce from the shoe’s opening, but only to be replaced by his lover's large, furry paw filling the view. Inside the shoe was plunged into darkness, causing Deko to pause and stare.
His eyes widened as he witnessed Snackers’ gigantic foot fill the entrance. “S-Snaccy, you wouldn’t?!” he exclaimed in alarm. The sheer absurdity of the situation had left the folf speechless.
Before Deko could plead his case to Snackers, a shadow soon eclipsed what little light shone inside — an object, or rather, a set of objects blocked the Converse’s rim. Four bulbous toes, connected to a street-wide paw, gently slipped inside. It took the folf a moment to realise the raccoon’s paw wasn’t keen on stopping. He shouted, crawling away and nearly falling on his back in the process.
Deko’s back pressed into the shoe’s toe cap, watching his lover’s foot start to fill the insole as it wiggled its way inside. The shoe was now pitch-black. He could barely make out the outlines of Snackers’ toes sliding forward until a single toe pushed him against the wall of cyan fabric.
Immobilised. Held hostage by the raccoon’s toe, next to the amethyst toe ring he bought Snackers for Christmas, Deko tried to push himself free.
No one could see the folf’s look of concern, nor hear his pleas. Even his squirms and wiggles barely registered as a tickle to Snackers, who raised his heel, using that added elevation to shift the weight of his sole onto Deko. When he adjusted his weight, it squished Deko deeper into the furry crevice between his boyfriend’s toes.
Now that the raccoon’s clenched toes pinned him down, it wasn’t so bad. The flex of Snackers’ toes clamped him against the insole and buckled him in for a rollercoaster ride of a lifetime. It was only natural for him to squeeze into the soft fur and take a deep breath to inhale the familiar scent of his lover’s exquisite paws.
And then Snackers took his first step.
Like he experienced many times before during their sessions in front of clients, the oppressive weight of Snackers’ size two-hundred and eighteen predatory soles made Deko wheeze. The raccoon’s paw was squishy, providing him with the squishiest surface to cushion against Snackers’ immense mass.
And that was only step one.
Every step was the same as the one before. Slow, cautious, and powerful. Each footfall ended with a thump of a Converse tread striking the dirt.
Despite the humid air, Deko had already learned to breathe in tandem with his lover’s footfalls. Up, he inhaled. Down, he did not need to exhale; the weight of Snackers’ toes slapping upon his chest squeezed the air from his lungs altogether.
Deko had no way of knowing where Snackers was taking him. The raccoon didn’t narrate his whereabouts aside from a contented, muffled hum and whistle.
Above, Snackers remained nonchalant, swinging both arms and hips with an elegant flamboyance. A stark contrast to the unfolding onslaught inside his cyan Converse. Soon the raccoon’s curious eyes returned back to Lupus on the porch who sat in introspective silence, and decided to inject some fun into the wolf’s morning.
There was a pause. As Deko attempted to free his legs, things became more burdensome. Above, Snackers had raised his heel in front of the porch, and more importantly, in front of Lupus.
“S-Snackers!” Deko shouted between bulbous toes. “Snackers, what are you doing?!”
Snackers silenced the folf’s voice when he swung his heel to the side and ground his converse toe cap into the ground. Side to side; faster and faster, the raccoon worked his little boyfriend into the squishy folds of his toe flesh.
“Let’s go for another stroll, Lupy,” Snackers announced joyfully, bending down to scoop Lupus up in one large hand, his fingers encasing the wolf tightly into his squishy palm. “You too, babe,” the raccoon said, dragging his paw side to side into the folf pinned against his toe box. “Now, where should I put the little sugar cube-?”
“Come on mate, why do you still keep calling me-?!”
“Ah, yes, under my laces!”
“Wait what-!” Before Lupus could react, Snackers shifted the arctic wolf down to slip beneath the snow-white laces, comfortably secured near the shoe’s tongue.
Four criss-crossed laces greeted him when the raccoon’s fingers released him, securing him in place. The pressure from the laces wasn’t uncomfortable, but it was snug, holding him in place as the raccoon’s enormous foot shifted below him. Lupus craned his neck, trying to get a better view of the world beyond the confines of Snackers’ laces. The vast expanse of Snackers’ body loomed above him. He knew Snackers was tall, but from this angle, it was like staring up at a breathing building.
“Enjoy the ride,” Snackers chuckled, carefully lacing up the shoe just enough to to secure Lupus not to create discomfort. As he swung a shoe forward, the momentum pushed the wolf deep against the bridge of the raccoon’s foot, cushioned by the shoe fabric.
In mid-air, Lupus felt weightless as the foot soared. The arctic wolf would have fallen off if the raccoon’s laces hadn’t held him in place. Instead, he let out a light sigh, and enjoyed what was the closest to experiencing a rollercoaster ride. Just when his body adapted to being propelled at such an incredible speed, the ground rushed to meet the as the raccoon’s foot descended.
He braced for the impact.
But instead of a harsh landing, there was a polite thud as the giant footwear contacted the ground. Although the vibrations ricocheted up to meet him, the laces held onto him. He exhaled a breath he hadn’t realised he was holding, and muttered, “Okay, maybe this isn’t so bad,” gripping the laces a little tighter as he prepared for the raccoon’s next step.
Snackers strode with a confident, relaxed gait, swinging his arms and hips with finesse. He hummed a tune. The raccoon's strides were carefully measured, ensuring his little boyfriend was safe inside the shoe, and Lupus was secured when he swung a foot forward.
It only took Snackers a few strides to complete a lap around the lake house. And while he did, he kept an eye out for any sign of discomfort from Lupus. As they circled back towards the porch, the raccoon couldn’t resist a little tease along the way.
The raccoon continued his leisurely morning walk, the gentle rhythm of his steps creating a soothing sway for Lupus behind his laces. As Snackers completed the fourth lap, he glanced down at the ground with a cheek tugging smile, feeling the subtle shifts of the folf between his toes.
“How’s the ride down there, Lupy?” Snackers called out with a chuckle.
“A-AMAZIN-!” Lupus shouted back between the ground-rumbling thumps of Snackers’ footsteps, until felt a subtle shift in the pressure around his abdomen as the laces pushed him into the raccoon’s footwear.
From his position, Lupus could hear the folf’s muffled shouting inside the shoe. “S-SNACKERS-!” Deko shouted, but his voice struggled to penetrate the mass of the femboy’s converse, leaving the arctic wolf as his only hope.
The folf’s desperation was clear, but what struck the arctic wolf was how Snackers managed his footfalls. Every movement was measured, careful not to apply too much pressure on Deko. It dawned on Lupus how easy Snackers could strike a balance between mischief and responsibility. After accepting the raccoon restrained himself to conform to the Compliance Act, he resigned himself to rest behind the laces.
After sensing Deko’s playful frustration, patted the mouth of the shoe, and whispered down “—hope you’re not getting too squished under your lover's two…one…eight sized paws, Deko!” The teasing tone was evident, and Lupus could almost imagine Deko’s exaggerated reaction beneath the raccoon’s foot.
The folf flares his nostrils at the arctic wolf's betrayal. “Not at all!” he called back beneath the raccoon’s squishy pad. “It’s actually fun being Snaccy’s insole. I feel like I’m protecting his feet from the ground.”
“Glad to hear you’re enjoying your new role as an insole, Deko,” Lupus smiled to himself, while he let the snow-white laces tighten around his abdomen with each flex of the raccoon’s foot.
Minutes passed, and he was close to developing motion sickness. He could feel the intense swinging of Snackers’ shoes. At this rate, one more round of footsteps and he would -
“Do you want to do one more lap?” Snackers asked gleefully.
“YESSS!”
“NOO!”
“Deko said yes too, big guy,” the wolf spoke with a faux innocent smile.
“NOOOOO-!” Deko blurted out, until he was cut off when the raccoon swung his foot forward again.
And then they decided, one more lap.
After he neared the end of the fifth, and final lap, Snackers came to a slow stop. He squatted down to one knee, and untied the laces with deft, careful fingers. “Alright, Lupy, time to come out,” he said warmingly, fishing Lupus from his Converse.
Snackers smiled down at him, his emerald irises full of love and a hint of mischief. “Did you enjoy your ride?” he asked, holding Lupus safely in his palm, his tone teasing yet tender. The masked giant brought Lupus closer, giving him an affectionate nuzzle with his whiskered nose. A wave of the raccoon’s warm breath washed over him, blowing away any nerves in the moment.
Once he lowered Lupus away from his snout, he placed him down by the rim of his Converse treads, and turned his attention to the folf between his toes, raising them up.
The pressure vanished and Snackers addressed Deko.
“Morning, honey!” Snackers exclaimed. “Just thought I’d give you a lil’ wake-up call,” he teased and slipped his foot out. The crisp, oxygen-rich air flooded in to fill the gap.
Before Deko could flop back onto the warm insole, the Converse started to tilt toward the side. He didn’t move this time, instead he was sliding down Snackers’ footwear and onto an open palm.
“Enjoy the ride, babe?” Snackers whispered.
Delicately, Snackers plucked Deko off his insole, his digits mindful not to disturb the still-groggy figure. He sat his boyfriend on the porch next to Lupus, who greeted Deko with a warm smile.
The folf rocketed both arms in a stretch, adjusting to the fresh morning air and the feel of the wooden porch beneath his paws as opposed to the tropical environment inside Snackers shoe. “Oh gosh, Snaccy!
Y-Yeah I did,” Deko shyly replied.
Snackers grinned back, his eyes twinkling. “Anytime, babe. My size two-hundred-and-eight teeeeeeen shoes always have space for you.” He snickered, watching as Deko stretched and acclimated to the sudden change from the humid, confined space of his converse to the open, fresh morning air. The raccoon remained in his playful state, evident in the way he delicately nudged Deko’s back with the tip of his finger.
Deko, still a bit flustered from the unconventional wake-up call, glanced at the towering raccoon with his cheeks tinged pink . He scratched the back of his head, a shy smile spreading across his face. “But um, babe, maybe next time, give me a little warning.”
“Hmmm, I’ll think about it,” he teased, flashing a wink down to his flustering lover. “But, be grateful I remembered you were in there this time.”
“Um, yeah, but could you at least let me ride in the shoe laces next time?” Deko responded with a plea, causing a larger grin to expand across Lupus’ and Snackers’ maws. Deko tilted his head and said, “Huh? What’s so funny?”
“You wanted to ride in his laces like last time, huh?” Lupus commented with an amused smirk.
The folf’s eyes widened. “Snaccy, you told him,” he huffed.
“Oh, you’re so cute when you pout, babe.”
“And your insole—I mean you, you are cute too, hun,” Deko stammered and reached out a hand, ruffling the raccoon’s finger fur. “But you are forgetting about one person here,” he suggested, raising a hand to point to the snoring wolf-shepherd in Snackers’ thigh-high sleeping bag.
With Lupus and Deko settled, Snackers soon turned his attention to the final slumbering creature, Rayne. Moving with a sneaky predatory fashion, he crawled across the field to where Rayne was still fast asleep in his thigh-high. He puckered his lips to blow a gust of warm, raccoon breath that ruffled the wolf-shepherd's fur. But, it worked to no effect.
Snackers decided to lean down, his whiskered nose almost touching the tiny canine. He took a moment to watch his peaceful slumber with a fond smile. Then, the raccoon extended his long, pink tongue and gave Rayne a prolonged, affectionate lick across his cheek.
The wolf-shepherd jolted away. Pulled from his dreams by the unexpected tongue bath, he shot upright to meet Snackers’ puppy-like visage looming over. Rayne let out a groggy groan, while he wiped the raccoon drool from his cheek. “H-Hey! What gives?!”
Snackers chuckled, tilting back to sit down in front of him. “Good morning, Rayne. We were going to go hiking. Are you up for it?”
Just like Deko, Rayne stretched, yawned, and rubbed his crown. “Hiking? Yeah, sure! Just give me a minute to get ready—"
“Rayne’s getting ready!” Snackers announced joyfully. “You two go get ready too. Once you're all ready, we’ll head out!”
The raccoon watched Rayne slip out of his sock and stood up. His emerald eyes fixated on Rayne, who sluggishly made pace along the grass and towards the lake house, while Lupus and Deko snickered at the drool-smothered wolf-shepherd.
Once Rayne disappeared into the lake house, Deko glimpsed over at Rayne before turning his attention back to the raccoon. Snackers seemed content, that brilliant green gaze following Rayne’s sluggish retreat. The folf could tell that his boyfriend was enjoying the lighthearted atmosphere, but he also knew how quickly things could change if everyone went inside except Snackers.
“Hey, Snaccy,” Deko started, summoning the raccoon’s attention. “Do you want someone to keep you company while everyone’s getting dressed? Is it alright for you to be by yourself for a bit?”
Lupus, who was trying to swallow that naughty grin of his, joined in. “Yeah, one of us can hang out with you while the other gets changed.”
“You guys are so precious,” Snackers replied, swaying that long, striped tail of his. “But don’t worry about me. I’ll be alright on my own for a few minutes.”
“Alright, Snaccy,” Deko said, giving the raccoon’s leg a friendly pat. “We’ll be quick, I promise.”
“Yeah, it’ll just be a spell,” Lupus added, already stepping toward the lake house. He peered over his shoulder, his grin returning. “Don’t peek through my window again though, alright? Please?”
“No promises,” Snackers chuckled, waving them off with a flick of his massive wrist. “I’ll be right here.”
With that, Lupus and Deko hurried off to get changed, leaving Snackers sitting by the garage. The raccoon breathed deeply, savouring the momentary solitude. He looked over the rooftop, meeting the lake, then settled back, making himself comfortable as he waited for his friends to return, a contented smile lingering on his face.
Category Story / Macro / Micro
Species Raccoon
Size 120 x 120px
File Size 217.7 kB
Listed in Folders
More like Chapter 3: Coffee To Go (sips tiny cup of tea smugly)
Seems like Lupus is almost acclimated to the BIG American lifestyle.
Damn, Snackers taking pranks to the next level. Note to self, never get on the bad side of larger folk.
I guess Rayne got off easy this time, though I doubt he'll be able to get the smell of drool off him when all the water has been used up on XXX Grande coffee XD
Seems like Lupus is almost acclimated to the BIG American lifestyle.
Damn, Snackers taking pranks to the next level. Note to self, never get on the bad side of larger folk.
I guess Rayne got off easy this time, though I doubt he'll be able to get the smell of drool off him when all the water has been used up on XXX Grande coffee XD
This is a very nice and heartwarming story so far. I am glad I stumbled upon it!
I think it has been said before, but the concept of long distance friends meeting one another and such is a nice story plot and to see what happens on their (Big) adventures.
Really makes me smile reading the story so far. Keep up the good work!
I think it has been said before, but the concept of long distance friends meeting one another and such is a nice story plot and to see what happens on their (Big) adventures.
Really makes me smile reading the story so far. Keep up the good work!
Awww dude you are super super sweet, I'm really hoping you love the next few chaptrrs and the setting overall! I wanted to focus on creating a plot that connects with us because, especially in this fandom, we have a lot of friendships with those across ocean's. It was a personal story for me, and I'm so glad people like it.
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