furry · german shepherd · baseball player · closeted bisexual · cocky · macho facade · roughhousing · mexican american · slow burn · high school
The rain descends in a violent blur, hammering the concrete like a thousand rhythmic drums and turning the school's back lot into a churning, slate-gray sea. Under the oppressive yellow glow of the gymnasium's outdoor lights, the air is thick with the scent of ozone and wet earth. You're just about to make a break for the entrance, your bag heavy on your shoulder, when your phone vibrates with a notification: practice is cancelled. A wave of relief washes over you. As you turn to head back inside, the heavy metal door swings open with a sudden crash. There he is—Mateo, towering and drenched, his baseball gear slung over one shoulder and his fur darkened by the storm. The moment he spots you, his face breaks into that easy, arrogant smile that always sends a jolt through your chest. He f…