The familiar sound of footsteps would never go unnoticed. Fox's ears perked up, his head lifting from where he had been nuzzled beneath Amos' arm in bed. He was about to shout his thought that Owen was home, but he managed to catch himself right before he accidentally woke him up, again. For the fifth time that week.

Oddly enough, the guy seemed to hear almost everything he was thinking if he didn't focus on keeping it to himself. When he was excited? He definitely didn't think about keeping it to himself.

Fox carefully squirmed his way out of Amos' hold and after one final wiggle, freed himself and silently hopped down from the bed. The bedroom door was always left cracked open if one or the other weren't home yet. In fact, he, himself, had come home a little later the previous day. Owen and Amos had both agreed that he should enroll in a GED program to at least catch up on things that he'd missed.

At first, he wanted nothing to do with it, but to be honest, he'd actually done very well on the couple tests he'd been given to see where he stood with each subject. He definitely wasn't ready to pass the actual GED exam, but he wasn't nearly as far behind as any of them thought. It actually felt pretty good to know that he understood a lot already. He was currently in the special needs classes, the ones with much fewer students, and he quite liked it. Sure, some of the people had outbursts or behaved differently than others, but he didn't mind at all. He felt like they were actually easier to get along with than most of the people he'd met previously in his life.

Hurrying to the front door, Fox sat to the side and waited as calmly as he could as his left ear twitched at the sound of a key being inserted into the door. When the handle turned, he let out a tiny yip and flicked the tip of his tail. When that door finally opened he was nearly shaking with excitement, but he didn't jump, or spin, or make anymore noise.

Owen's reaction was different every so often depending on how tired he was from his day's activities, so Fox waited anxiously to see how the man would react. When he hung up his coat and messenger bag, then headed for the kitchen, Fox quietly followed on his heels, but made sure not to get in his way or accidentally walk too close.

He stopped at the edge of the kitchen and sat down, watching as Owen washed his hands, then retrieved a can of beer from the fridge, along with an apple. When he finally dropped down into a seat at the dinner table, Fox sat on the floor at his side, leaning gently against the chair with his head bowed slightly, eyes closed. He was still tired after having his own busy day, but he would never miss Owen coming home.

He waited patiently for a long while as Owen sipped at his drink and nibbled at his apple. At some point he dozed off a bit, but awoke again soon after to the soft tempo of a hand brushing against the fur atop his head. The attention brought his tired eyes up to meet Owen's, yet the man wasn't looking at him, and was instead staring at the wall opposite him as he nursed his drink.

Fox?

That one simple communication had Fox perking up, his previous exhaustion pushed to the back of his mind.

Yes? he replied back eagerly.

Owen took his time putting together the words he wished to say, and when he finally did relay them, Fox had to pause to digest.

Do you like Amos?

That... hadn't been what he thought Owen might ask him. Not even close. He lowered his head as he thought over the question, knowing that Owen wouldn't just ask it out of nowhere. He also knew that the man wouldn't ask something nonchalantly. Everything he said had a reason. He didn't waste his breath on anything.

That meant that he must mean like in a serious way. Fox was going to deny it immediately, because, of course, Amos was not a fox. However, right as he was about to send his response, he paused, remembering the kiss he had shared with Amos a week prior. They had all been pretty busy since then, and rarely home at the same time together. There hadn't been much discussion on personal subjects, either.

I... don't know.

"I don't think I understand enough about liking someone to say that I absolutely do or do not," he said out loud after shifting, having trouble focusing on communicating through their bond while running on so little sleep.

"I don't need to ask my next question, then," Owen said, making Fox tilt his head as he looked back up at him.

To his surprise, hands were reaching down toward him, making him eagerly get up onto his hands and knees and reach upward, himself. The moment Owen grasped him beneath his arms he stood up, albeit a bit sloppily. He didn't hesitate to let the man guide him into his lap, then quickly wrapped his arms around his neck and nuzzled in against the warm skin there.

They remained that way for a while as Owen finished off what was left of his beer while holding Fox with his free hand. When he was finally done, he set the can on the table and leaned his head down to bump his nose gently against the side of Fox's head, drawing his attention so that he'd lean back a little to meet his eyes.

When the tense moment concluded with them simply watching each other in the darkness, Fox heard a faint noise from the hallway and turned to look over his shoulder at the same time Owen spoke.

"Hoping for a show?"

Amos was leaning against the side of the wall, his only item of clothing being his black boxers that were settled precariously low on his hips. "Rated R, please," he replied with a gravelly voice, sleep clearly still evident in his tone.

Fox returned his attention to Owen when the man tightened his arms around him, holding him close. He didn't mind, but he was also curious about Amos being up and looked back over his shoulder at him.

"Seems like we're sharing now," Amos said as he walked over and nonchalantly sat on Owen's lap, too, scooting himself forward against Fox's backside to get enough space so that he wouldn't fall off.

Owen definitely didn't seem that pleased with the added weight and was already growling out a warning. Instead of heeding it, Amos just grinned and leaned forward, pressing against Fox's back as he wrapped his arms lazily around Owen's shoulders and pressed their foreheads together.

"A little sharing never hurt, hmm?"

Fox peaked between the two a few times before Owen responded.

"Not in the mood."

Amos tilted his head slowly to one side, as if contemplating something, but after a moment he carefully stood up, then turned around and sat down on the floor, right between Owen's legs. When he got no reprimand for the action, he leaned his head back against Fox's lower back.

"Is everything okay?" he asked quietly.

Owen remained quiet for a few moments before shrugging one shoulder and sighing.

"Just didn't get the score I wanted on an exam."

Amos seemed to process his words for a bit before reaching over and gently grasping his leg, then giving it a squeeze as he leaned his head against his thigh.

"You'll do better on your next one. You're amazing at that stuff and I know you're going to work your butt off for that next one-hundred percent."

Owen grumbled something, but Fox could only catch the number ninety-seven.

He had gotten a ninety-seven but wanted a one-hundred?

Yes, Amos replied in his mind, making Fox glance down at him over his shoulder once more.

Is it such a bad thing to be off three points? Is it not still a great score?

Amos tilted his head back and grinned.

It's a phenomenal score, but Owen wants the score he wants, and he deserves to get what he wants with how much effort he puts into everything he does. Most people would be happy with the ninety-seven, or even look down on him for being upset about it, but he takes his studies very seriously.

Fox nodded slowly, taking in the words he was hearing. Everyone was different.

Looking back up, he noticed Owen's face was turned to the side, his hair covering most of his eyes. His lips were pursed tightly and he seemed awfully tense.

Licking his own lips nervously, Fox slowly lifted his left hand until his fingertips gently brushed against the side of Owen's jaw. It took a while, but when Owen finally turned his attention to him, Fox smiled slightly. He wanted to say that he would help him study for the next exam, if he wanted, but they both knew that he'd be useless in the advanced subjects Owen was taking. He then considered offering to cook him something, but his culinary skills only went as far as grilled cheese and kind-of cooked chicken.

Maybe there's some way I can make him relax?

He thought for a few moments longer before his smile grew wider.

"I can clean up more around the house so you can focus on your studies," he finally said, happy with his deduction. Sure, he already did vacuum, do the dishes, some laundry, and was even taking the trash out when he remembered, but he was sure that there was more he could help with.

A small smile found its way onto Owen's face, making Fox's heart warm in his chest. When the man reached up to place a hand against his cheek, Fox gladly nuzzled into it and closed his eyes. After having lived on his own for so long, he never thought he'd get used to another person's attention, let alone crave it, but with Owen, and even Amos, he actually enjoyed it when they wanted to touch him.

"You already do more than enough of those things, Fox."

Owen's words had Fox's eyes blinking open as he straightened slightly, confused. Hadn't Owen just smiled because he was happy about his offer to take on more tasks? He didn't have a job yet, so he had the time and energy to do them and they would save Owen and Amos, who both had jobs and went to school, time.

"We have plenty of time now, thanks to you... I just need to make myself relax a bit more."

There was a chuckle from behind him and Fox tried to glance over his shoulder, but the hand settled against his cheek refused to move.

"May I borrow your mouth for just a few moments, Fox? That would probably help me relax..." Owen said quietly, his words barely audible as he gently guided Fox's face closer to his own.

Fox was more than willing and nodded before he leaned forward faster, closing the distance to Owen's own lips. He'd dreamed of being able to kiss the man, but asking him had been on the backburner for a while. Owen had always been so busy with everything that he didn't want to bother him with such things.

"I'm more than willing to step in when needed," Amos said jokingly after hearing his thought right before Owen gave off a warning growl and pressed Fox's mouth tighter against his own with the hand he'd brought to the back of his head.

This kiss was calm, at first. He didn't mind the added pressure, and when Owen whispered against his mouth to open, he did so immediately. The feeling of having someone else's tongue in his mouth wasn't exactly pleasant, though. Amos had just-barely slipped his own along his lips a few times during their kiss, but he hadn't really tried to intrude.

Tell me what you are thinking.

Fox jerked his head back unintentionally at the sound of Owen's abrupt voice in his mind. He immediately regretted it, having broken the kiss before it had even really gotten started.

Oh no. I didn't mean to do that.

Owen had removed his hand from the back of his head and gave him a calm smile.

"You did mean to do that, and that's okay. If you aren't comfortable with something, don't do it. It shouldn't matter who is asking you to."

Fox frowned and hunched his shoulders, looking down at Owen's lap for a moment before returning his eyes to his.

"But I don't mind it... it's just, really weird, since I've never done it before."

Owen raised an eyebrow and glanced over Fox's shoulder to look down at Amos.

"Hey, I would have totally gone to town on his mouth if the kiss hadn't ended so quickly. I was trying really hard to be a good boy."

Sighing, Owen leaned back and stared at Fox.

"I could have sworn that you two had been quite busy while I've been gone. Turns out you aren't as charming as you think you are, Amo," he joked with a chuckle as he leaned in again and gently pressed his lips against Fox's, then leaned away with a half-smile.

Owen jumped slightly and seemed to glare past Fox to Amos, making Fox look behind himself again. Amos was just removing his mouth and tongue from Owen's pant leg.

"I'll say it again, hmm. I was being a good boy. If he wants me, I'm right here, and I'll gladly take care of anything he wants, but to be honest, we've all been busy as hell, so as far as physical stuff, I've barely stolen a few hugs and maybe a kiss on the cheek this whole week."

He sounds so sad about it.

"He's a master actor. Don't fall for it, Fox," Owen warned with an eye roll before nudging Amos with his foot enough times to make the man finally give up his position on the floor and stand.

He then let Amos help Fox off his lap, then nudge him toward the bedroom.

"Go on to bed. We'll be there in a minute," Amos said as he mussed up Fox's hair, earning a grumble before he hurried toward the door.

He was just opening it a bit farther to step inside when a loud thudding sound behind him made him quickly look over his shoulder.

Owen was on the carpeted floor on his back, the chair tipped over next to him. The sight made Fox start heading back toward them, but he paused immediately when he realized that Amos wasn't attacking him as he straddled Owen and leaned down. Well, he was, but Owen clearly wasn't minding the fingers tangling tightly in his hair or the hand that had already slipped beneath the waistband of his pants.

Fox felt his heart speed up to a nearly-uncomfortable beat as he watched the two with his mouth open, panting quietly.

When their mouths finally separated in order to allow them both a gasp of fresh air, Owen growled and clearly attempted to flip Amos, but the other man barely budged from where his body was easily pressing Owen's down into the carpet, having clearly gotten comfortable.

Fox swallowed, his eyes taking in the scene. At first, he thought that Owen would tell Amos to back off at that point, but when the man just leaned his head back and continued panting, seemingly unfocused, Fox's eyes glanced over the two again.

His hand. Amos still has his hand in...

The second a gasped moan came from Owen's mouth Fox bolted inside the bedroom and quickly shut the door, then leaned back against it with a hand over his mouth and his eyes wide.

I thought that Owen didn't like being controlled.

There was a quiet chuckle in the back of his mind before Amos responded.

He hates being controlled, but I'm not controlling him, beyond not allowing him to flip us. If he says stop, I will instantly. If he wants me to remove one, or both, of my hands, I will without a word.

He came home stressed and exhausted, and wanting a release. Shit's been stressful for me this week, too, and there's no way I would hesitate with this opportunity. He knew exactly what he wanted but sometimes doing it yourself just doesn't feel as good.

Fox felt his eyes go even wider, but Amos quickly cut off his new train of thought.

That's not going to happen. He'd have to spell out every single word for me to even consider doing that to him. Not that I wouldn't be ecstatic, and I have more than enough condoms for however many rounds he might want... but no.

A louder, drawn-out moan met Fox's ears before it died down and the quiet sound of panting from both men took over. Another minute later and he heard one person stand up, then walk into the bathroom and shut the door. A moment later, the shower turned on.

It was a few moments later when Amos nudged the door open just enough to glance inside. It was very dark in the room, the only dull light coming from behind Amos. When the man smirked and looked down along Fox's body, Fox followed his gaze.

Oh crap!

He quickly turned around, expecting a laugh from the man behind him, but when he was pulled backward against his firm chest and hugged tightly, he awkwardly looked up, hoping that the limited light would hide his blush.

"Don't worry, my furry friend. It's completely natural to get a bit hard after seeing me in action."

Fox felt his face deadpan, earning a relaxed laugh from Amos as he leaned away and took a step back out into the hall.

"That face looked a bit too much like the scowl Owen always gives me. And speaking of which, he's hogging the shower and I need another one now," he said with a wink that Fox stuck his tongue out to before turning and climbing back into bed. He didn't feel the need to relieve himself since he hadn't quite fully reacted, but as he yanked the blankets over his head and heard the door shut, then the bathroom door open and shut, he did need to do one thing... Calm his darn heart down!