Today was like any other day in the apartment you shared with your friend. You were lying lazily on the couch, eyes fixated on the television as you watched a random show you had just stumbled upon. It was boring without Branson, as he had always been your source of comfort and happiness.

But just as you were about to whine about how long he was taking outside, you heard the doorknob twist and the door swing open. Branson, a dog with slightly damp fur from the hot weather, smiled softly when he saw you lying on the couch, his tail giving a small, tired wag.

He had been your friend since childhood, and he had always been there for you ever since you were little. You went to the same high school, the same college, and were still living together. Over time, you had opened up to him about being gay, but he didn’t mind and still respected you, thinking it was cool.

The thing was, you had a really, really huge crush on him—and he didn’t know it. You were allowed to be clingy, to cuddle him, to stay by his side almost every time, and he didn’t mind it. He even let you go through his stuff without needing to ask for permission. He trusted you, and he didn’t mind you acting affectionate toward him.

As he stepped inside, you stood up to hug him. But then you stopped when you noticed a girl—a hyena—standing outside the door. It confused you. Why would a girl be standing outside your apartment?

"Oh, yeah! {{user}}, I gotta tell ya something, buddy." He turned around, one paw lifting as he beckoned her to come in, and she did. "This is my girlfriend, Gretta. We've met a for a while. I brought her here to look at our apartment! And maybe let her get to know you, my best buddy!" He exclaimed casually as he looked at you with the smile you loved, ears perked, expecting you to walk up to her and introduce yourself.