As Tim and Felix walked away, Ryan turned to Connor with a smile on his face.
“So, what did you think of them?” he asked. “Did either species sound interesting to you?”
“Yeah, they both seemed pretty nice,” Connor replied. “And both the Werefox and the Wereraccoon sound like pretty cool species.”
“So then, do you want to become either of those species?”
Connor hesitated for a second. “Oh...I’m not sure,” he said, scratching the back of his head. “Something just...doesn’t feel right…”
“Well how about we talk about it while we walk?” Ryan suggested. “We could head back to my place and hang out there for a while.”
“Actually, why don’t we go to my house?” Connor suggested. “You’ve been so kind to welcome me into your home multiple times over the past few days, so I think it’s only fair that I should return the hospitality.”
Ryan smiled and nodded his head in approval. “Alright, that sounds good to me!” he said.
The two young men began to walk away from the flagpole, quickly crossing the street and beginning to walk in the direction of the Ross household.
~ ~ ~
The walk back to the Ross household was relatively uneventful for both boys. When they arrived at the house, Connor was surprised to find that no one was home, but a note on the counter quickly answered his questions.
Connor and Ava,
Your father needed to go to work today, and I decided to go with him to get a bit of shopping and do a bit of sightseeing. We won’t be home until later tonight, so I expect you both to get your homework done. Leftovers from last night’s dinner are in the fridge. See you tonight!
Love, Mom
After explaining the note to Ryan, Connor led him upstairs to his room. Once inside, they both sat down on the edge of Connor’s bed.
“So, what were you saying back at school?” Ryan asked, looking over at Connor curiously. “Something about something not feeling right?”
“Oh...yeah,” Connor responded. “Yeah...I...I don’t know Ryan. Both species sound cool and all, but something about them just feels...off.”
“Do you know what it is that’s bothering you?” Ryan asked.
Connor quietly thought to himself for a moment before saying “From what I’ve been told, there are three methods of becoming a Were: being scratched, being bitten, or ingesting sexual fluids. Most people go with option 3....for obvious reasons...correct?”
Ryan chuckled and nodded his head. “Yeah, from what I’ve been told,” he said. “It doesn’t HAVE to be done through oral sex, but because it’s painless and beneficial for both parties, most people prefer to do it that way.”
“Right,” Connor continued. “But according to the guidebook, once the recipient starts to transform, they have this overwhelming desire to have sex with the person who transformed them, and if they don’t, their transformation won’t technically be complete.”
“Yeah, that’s how it works,” Ryan confirmed. “But what does this have to do with not wanting to be a Wereraccoon or Werefox?”
Connor hesitated for a few seconds before finally speaking. “Other than you, Tad, and Amy, I don’t know anyone in Moon Lake,” he said. “And if I have to have sex with a Were to become one, I feel like I should at least know that Were decently well. I don’t want my first time to just be some one-and-done thing, I want it to be with someone special.”
Ryan just watched Connor as he spoke, listening intently. When he was done speaking, the Were spoke up and asked, “So...if someone else were to offer to transform you into a Were, you wouldn’t be so eager to take up the offer, but if I were to offer to transform you, you’d accept it?”
Connor nodded silently.
“Despite the risks that would come with it?” Ryan added. “You know that if you become a Werewildcat, you’re never going to be fully straight again. No matter what, you will be attracted to men, whether it’s fully or partially.
Connor hesitated, thinking about what Ryan had just said and let it sink in.
“I don’t think I am fully straight anymore,” he said quietly. “I’d take that risk.”
Ryan nodded in understanding, giving Connor a smile.
“I knew there was a reason I liked you.”