"Milo! Milo!" The boar blinked and looked over his shoulder, scrunching his brows as Sam came running up. He didn't think he had ever seen the tiger without Todd in tow.
"Sam?" He asked as he slowed his pace but didn't stop, still looking around for the wolfish Todd, perhaps expecting him to be hiding in a nearby shrubbery. It seemed oddly in character.
"Where you headed, man?" Sam fell into pace next to him, looking his usual exuberant self.
"Gonna crash a few nights in my brother's dorm room. I just need a bit of time away from Dare, he can be, a bit much." Milo said, trying to at least sound diplomatic about the situation. Sam might be becoming a friend and Milo would be happy for that, but they hadn't really talked one on one before, so he didn't know how much he could share with the tiger.
"I noticed." Was all Sam could say, no doubt the tiger having been at the receiving end of one of the skunk's sour comments. Everyone had been by now. "Brother though? That a new thing?"
"Yeah." Milo said with a nod, unable to keep a smile from his face. "The whole family thing is new and finding I have an older brother here with me. It's a lot but I think it's somehow keeping me sane through all this."
"Older brothers are the best." Sam declared, practically bouncing a bit. "I'm glad you get to have one, I've missed mine." Same flashed Milo a brilliant grin. "He's back now, so." Sam shrugged. Milo had to admit the tiger's perpetually good mood was a little infectious. "Anyway, I've seen the way that skunk looks at you. He's smitten, bro. Everyone can see it. Well, except him, I guess."
"Well, maybe this will help him figure it out." Milo grunted a bit sourly, still focused on his destination.
"You know what always helps me when I'm in a bad mood? Working out. And I mean, dude, look at you, you need to start working those muscles or you're gonna lose them." Milo stared at Sam, wondering what he was on about until he actually pad attention to the two of them side by side. With all the other changes, it was easy to overlook, but where Milo had been rather unimpressive he was looking Sam right in the eyes, and almost had the muscle to match, almost. "Helps to have a gym buddy, anyway. Why don't you meet me there, tomorrow, seven sharp? We'll blow off some steam."
Milo wanted to refuse, he had never had interest in weights or sports at all, but he rubbed his chest as he thought about it then nodded. This was all about a new life, right? Maybe he would enjoy it, this bulk didn't come from nowhere, even if it did. "Sure, I'll see you there."
"Awesome!" Sam gave Milo a quick bro hug then bounded off. As Milo turned back to heading to the sophomore dorms he really did feel better. Sam's weird version of a pep talk seeming to work, or maybe he was just such a nice guy it was hard to stay angry around him. He could see how he was able to pull even Todd out of his shell.
"Maybe I should sic Sam on Dare." And he didn't know if he'd feel more sorry for the tiger or the skunk.