
How I would handle it, is to have Alexis start a conversation about how rough it is being in the closet and ask Caleb (Odd name for a Vulpis, since it means Canine) for advice, -- this gives Caleb a chance to become uncomfortable, allowing Alexis to comfort him, and for Alexis to ask Caleb what's wrong, thus allowing Caleb to come out to him, allowing Alexis to come on to him -- in a way that only a best friend can do -- without triggering defensive moves. 


 Caleb crumpled onto his unkempt bed, too exhausted to even shed his clothes, as the stress and anxiety of his current workload for college was getting to him more and more.  His mind was a tangled mess of theory, reminders for new textbooks and other items – and he moaned and rubbed his aching head in his paws – just wanting the confusion in his mind to stop – just for a while...


 Despite his turmoil mind, Caleb twitched and rolled over onto his back, pulling a pillow over his head to block out the sunlight that shone through his bedroom window, casting odd patterns over the tormented young werefox's body.  Caleb soon fell into a haunted sleep, his mind twisting and turning on itself, mixing and matching both instinctual and real thoughts and images – making for a confusing and bewildering dream-scape, through which Caleb wandered – as lost and confused as he'd ever been.


*


 For over two hours, Caleb's mind led him through a fractured and confusing dream-scape – of conflicting images and thoughts – past, present and pure imaginative imagery blending together into a seemingly endless montage of almost indecipherable morass.  Just as he tried to force some coherent thought into his mind, he snapped awake, feeling a warm paw lightly touching his own – and he gasped, sitting bolt upright and blinking at the bright fluorescent lighting above his head.


 "Caleb...it...its alright – hey...easy my friend - " Alexis whispered, then gently pet Caleb's trembling shoulder.  "Sorry, didn't mean to scare you half to death - "


  Caleb's eyes flicked too and fro, his ears twitching wildly, before he come back to a semblance of self-control  - feeling his heart pounding in his chest, and breathing coming in short, sharp gasps.


 "Alexis..." Caleb murmured, then glanced about and shivered – realising where he was, he brought himself under control again – then realised how dangerous it had been, for his best friend to wake him from such a troubled sleep.


 "Its me – remember – we had a study night planned?" Alexis frowned, then took a careful backwards step, something in the young vulpine scent making him instinctively on-edge.


 "We...what - " Caleb blinked, as he rubbed his eyes and frowned, still more asleep than awake.


 "You wanted some private tutoring for some of your courses...remember Come on lazy bones – you want to pass, or fail? Get up, get showered and wake yourself up a bit  We got a lot to get through here - "  Alexis smiled, then playfully slapped Caleb's belly with a paw.


 Throwing a towel at Caleb, who weakly caught it and yawned again, Alexis shook his head and sat himself down on Caleb's chair, then draped his arms over the back of it.


 "I don't have all night - " Alexis playfully teased the still sleepy Caleb.


 "Alright – alright - " Caleb moaned, then pulled himself out of bed, and began gathering his clothes.


 *


 Caleb grunted, his paws twisted up behind his back, as he used his small claws to scrub his back as best he could – cursing himself for forgetting his scrubbing brush.  Alexis stood nearby, almost disappeared in a cloud of steam and soap, vigorously washing himself and Caleb glanced sideways at his friend – who seemed oblivious, just enjoying the sensation of throurougly rubbing the soap into his fur.  Alexis shook his head, then felt the familiar twinge in his groin, before quickly pushing the thoughts out of his head.


 "Here – let me help you - " Alexis chuckled, watching Caleb's growing distress at not being able to wash his back.


 Alexis twitched as Caleb took the soap, then lathered his already sopping paws with it, and gently turned his friend against the wall.  Alexis trembled, and Caleb frowned, before slapping his friends shoulder playfully.


 "My...since when did you become such a shy fox in the shower?" Caleb smirked, then retrieved the flexible shower head and washed down Caleb's back, before placing the rose back on the wall and scrubbing Caleb's back for him.


 "I'm...not shy - " Caleb replied, his head bowed and ears flattened defensively.  "It...its just – you know...I'm used to showering with other guys and - "


 Alexis raised an eyebrow, then noted Caleb's tensing body, before he gently scratched his own claws lightly up Caleb's spine, ruffling the fur and getting the soap in against the skin.


 "You're afraid – I can feel it, you're all tense.  Caleb, just...just relax – its nothing to be afraid of, we've all showered with our dorm mates before – you've never acted like this before and..."


 Caleb gasped, then giggled nervously as Alexis's fingers found a ticklish spot, and Alexis laughed as well, feeling the nervousness of the younger vulpine slowly easing.


 "Ticklish are we?" Alexis grinned mischievously, then tickled Caleb again, listening to his friends squeals.


 "Arrgh – no...not that..." Alexis gasped, slapping his wet paws against the tiled wall before him.


 Alexis snickered and stopped his playful teasing, before resuming scrubbing Caleb's back for him, rapidly building up a healthy lather of soap.  Finally, satisfied he'd gotten his friends back clean, Alexis picked up the shower again and rinsed the soap off – using his claws to ruffle the fur again, ensuring he got it all out, before handing the shower back to the quivering Caleb.


 "There, much better – now – finish up, we got a lot of studying to do - " Alexis snorted, then returned to his own shower.


 Caleb shivered, watching his friends lithe, wet and soapy body as Alexis began rinsing himself off, his strong paws siding effortlessly up and down his vulpine body – and he felt urges – urges a part of him knew were wrong – yet another part of him – knew were so right.  Confused, and with soap beginning to sting his eyes, Caleb turned his head into the full force of the water, rinsing away the soap – his mind trying not to think about how pleasurable Alexis' touch had been....


*


  Hours later, Caleb pushed away the books and rubbed his aching eyes, as Alexis stretched and chuckled.


 "I read one more line – I'm going to just - " Caleb moaned and slammed the book shut with a snap.


 Alexis chuckled, and pushed aside his own books, then rose and quietly left the room.  When he returned a few minutes later, he saw Caleb sitting slumped on his bed, his eyes closed and ears flat, before he stirred and yawned.


 "Here - " Alexis smiled, passing the sleepy young were-fox a cold drink from a vending machine.


 "Oh...great – just what I need – sugar - "  Caleb muttered, but popped the top of the can and dropped a straw into it, taking a long slurp.


 Alexis watched, noting how Caleb's throat muscles rippled and contracted as he swallowed, before he sat himself down on the edge of Caleb's bed and opened his own drink.  They sat in companionable silence for several minutes, before Caleb sighed and glanced at Alexis, who blinked and felt his ears prick forwards – something in the posture of his friend making him concerned.


 "Alexis – we've been...friends - " Caleb began, then sipped his drink and dropped his gaze.


 Caleb rose from his chair, then carefully walked over to where Alexis sat, then sat beside him and placed a comforting arm around his friends shoulder.


 "For many years – you know me, my friend – you can tell me anything – its what friends are for, helping each other with their problems and - "


 "Alexis – this...I mean...gods – why does this have to be so hard..." Caleb sniffled, then glanced at his friend, who looked back with a look of absolute trust, and concern – wondering what had gotten his best friend into such an emotional state.


 "Alexis – please, tell me what’s wrong - " Caleb whispered, then shyly laid his paw on that of his friend, who twisted his own around and tightly squeezed Caleb's paw.


 "I...you know – how some students are...well – they get picked on a lot, because they're - " 


 Caleb frowned, his mind churning with possible answers to a vague question.


 "They...they're...you know - " Alexis whispered, glancing fearfully at Caleb, whose frown deepened.  "I know we...the students I mean – hell – even most of the faculty know and they...I've seen the looks and -"


 "They're...they're not different...or something to fear - " Alexis whispered, his paw involuntarily stroking Caleb's.


 Caleb gasped, then snatched his paw back, before he moaned in fear and confusion, then as his own tears began to squeeze from his eyes, he heard  slide closer, wrapping his smaller friend in a gentle cuddle, before rocking him tenderly, listening to Caleb's great choking sobs torn from his body.


 "I...I'm – I mean..." Caleb stammered.


 Something clicked in Alexis' mind, an he shyly nuzzled Alexis muzzle, before turning his friends head to look into his eyes.


 "You do not have to be afraid – any-more...." Alexis whispered, one paw lightly stroking the cheek of the crying were-fox.  "You have – well – almost – been screaming it with you shy looks and actions...oh I know my dear, sweet, innocent young friend...I know what you're going through. I know all too well – you're afraid – do not know who to trust, or who turn too...and you're fighting yourself, I can feel it.  Come on, please – do not cry my friend – you're not alone... I...I'm in the closet myself, I know what pain it causes, but you're not alone, I promise you."


  Caleb sniffled, lifting his gaze to look into Alexis' eyes, that sparkled with their own unshod tears.


 "You..."


 "I'm gay – yes." Alexis told him, with no hint of reluctance.


 "I...I'm so scared – I want..."  Caleb wailed, burying his muzzle against Alexis' chest and clutching him tight.  "I'm just so scared...."


 Cuddling Caleb tenderly, Alexis held him in a warm, comforting embrace, until the young were-fox cried himself out – then Alexis weakly and gently licked Caleb's salty cheeks.


 "I don't know what to do - " Alexis sniffled, his ears flat and eyes shimmering.


 "Knowing what to do, isn't as important as knowing who to do it with - " Alexis spoke gently, squeezing his friends trembling paws with a comforting grasp.  "You're afraid, I know all too well, how hard coming out is, trust me – I know....  There's nothing to be afraid of Caleb – you're a kind, gentle and loving person – and you're gay – or at least – bi-curious, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that!"


 Caleb sniffled, trembling helplessly, as Alexis sighed then rose and began pacing the room, wringing his paws together, then turning to kneel before Caleb and take his paws in his own, gazing into the crying young werefox's eyes.


 "There is a lot of misinformation, and stereotyping about we gay people.  We're no 'different' from any normal heterosexual people!  Just because our sexual preferences do not lie with the opposite sex, doesn't make us any less the person were always were!  I've been gay for all my life, I'm open about it – accepting of those who may disagree with my personal choices – but those choices – are my own to make.  Why should I be forced to conform to what others expect of me? I don't force my beliefs on anyone – and I only ask, they return the same to me.  So I'm gay – does that make any difference? No. I'm still the same person you've known for years...it doesn't change anything – or anyone.  You're afraid, I understand that – but first – we need to help you understand what you're feeling, hold nothing back my friend – for I can help you...as others helped me – when I first came out...."


 Caleb sniffled, then cringed back onto his bed, his back pressed against the wall and his knees pulled to his chest, as he defensively wrapped his arms around his knees and whimpered piteously.  Alexis sighed, then sat next to Caleb and remained silent, letting the frightened young fox ask the questions he knew would be in his mind...he'd wait all night, if that’s what it took...


*


 Hours upon hours slid past, and slowly, ever so slowly, Caleb began to come out of his self-imposed shell – as Alexis gently petted and comforted him, answering the frightened young werefox's questions with brutal and frank honesty – knowing the truth was better than any lie. He explained how his own 'coming out' had been a frightening time for him, but how others he had known – accepted it, and a few themselves – had comforted and assisted Alexis, when he himself come out.  Now, he returned the favour, knowing it was best coming from a friend, rather than from a stranger.


 “I'm still...so very afraid - “ Caleb sniffled, glancing shyly at Alexis.


 “I know you are my sweet - “ Alexis smiled and stroked Caleb's furred cheeks again.  “It won't make any difference – really. If you're not comfortable, admitting what you are to others, then don't tell them. When you are happy with your sexuality, and yourself – don't be afraid to say so. It took me years, to break the self-imposed boundaries I'd placed on myself, for I was afraid, just like you – afraid of being victimised, being ridiculed, all of it – but really? It was me punishing myself, with all these false beliefs and such I'd imagined – when the truth of it was, honestly, most just didn't care one way or the other.  Now, the question needs to be asked, have you...any experience? Or are you a complete virgin in this regard? I ask only – because judging from your actions and your fear – you've dabbled – which is natural – but never experienced...true affection and trust....”


 “I...” Caleb gulped, then his ears flattened, as he leaned his head close and whispered into Alexis' ears.


 Nodding, Alexis smiled and gently stroked Caleb's ears in a comforting gesture.


 “You're submissive – there's nothing wrong with that – nothing at all – now, have you – I mean, is there anyone...”


 “No...well...yes...” Caleb sniffled, then glanced up into the eyes of Alexis.  “I...I'm scared Alexis, never been so afraid in all my life...I want...I want to learn...but I'm just so...”


 Alexis smiled, then slid one paw behind the startled werefox's head, before Alexis gently tilted his head, pressing his furred lips against those of Alexis – and giving him a gentle, loving kiss, quickly breaking the kiss and gazing into Caleb's frightened, startled eyes.


 “Would it matter - “ Alexis whispered, his ears pricking forwards.  “If I were the one to show you – how beautiful, gentle and compassionate – another male really can be? I trust you Caleb – I always have...I want to make you happy – so you would have complete control...if you did not want to do something, then I'd stop – if you're curious...then...then let me show you....”


 Caleb blinked, never having been kissed by another male before, and he felt the tightening of his boxers, which began tenting quickly, much to his embarrassment.  Alexis glanced down, then cradled a paw under Caleb's chin – and kissed him again, before breathing against his younger friends ears.


 “Remember – this is about you – now...show me....”


 Caleb's paws slid hesitantly down his waist, then his fingers eased in under the boxers waistline – and he swallowed nervously, before pushing them down his thighs – releasing his aching sheath,which began swelling even more....


To Be Continued...