Where Foxes Hunt with Wolves (Folk Lore 2)

“What’s he making?” Radek glanced over his shoulder with a question in his eyes, and the fact that he considered Yev’s opinion, that he left the decision up to him, sent a rush of affection straight into Yev’s heart.

Emil shrugged and offered Yev his hand. “Four huge loaves of vanilla yeast cake. It’s madness. We should organize a charity sale.”

Yev might have squeezed his palm a little bit too hard, but Radek pulled away from Emil before it got weird. And then they sensed it. The scent of Grandmom’s kitchen on Saturday overwhelmed Yev’s senses, and he nodded absentmindedly. Emil stood aside, showing them the way into a tight little hallway with shoes on the floor and coats hung on the wall.

“I know someone who could utilize one loaf at least.” Radek said and left his shoes in the corridor. He got a pair with Velcro while in Cracow, so he didn’t need help with them anymore.

Emil shook his head. “Me too. Coal. He’s been very shy all weekend, but was sniffing around as soon as Adam started baking.”

The little black ball came out of nowhere and stood on his hind legs, placing the front ones on Radek’s thigh, as if he were a domestic dog greeting his master. The eye that had been so badly infected was now missing, as was half his tail, and his fur remained patchy, but there was no comparison between this happy animal and the terrified thing Yev had first seen in the cage.

“Do you have a sweet tooth? Yes?” Radek asked in a cutesy voice and got to his knees to pet Coal, who rolled to his side, whining as he tapped what was left of his tail against the floor.

Emil shook his head. “I don’t know how you do it. He’d barely let us touch him. You’re a fox whisperer.”

Radek wiggled his eyebrows. “Magic touch. Maybe he can sense I’m disabled like him.”

“Are they staying?” Adam yelled from the kitchen, and when Emil confirmed, Radek stood with the fox in his arms and chuckled when it licked his face.

Yev kicked off his shoes and placed his coat on the hanger, since the oven that emitted the sweet scent also produced way too much heat. He followed Radek and Emil into a bright interior made up of natural wood. Pine was his best guess, judging by the pale color of the simple furniture, which had been produced by local craftsmen.

Green potted plants and bunches of dried herbs and flowers hung from the beams dotted the interior, which was otherwise sparsely decorated. Yev spotted some photos, a watercolor of a mountainous landscape, a caroling mask, and a wooden sculpture showing the devil in a contemplative pose on the mantelpiece, but that was that.

Emil took their drink orders and walked off to the kitchen, leaving Radek and Yev to sit by the table and watch the crackling fire.

Yev cleared his throat.

“We don’t have to stay long,” Radek whispered, looking up at him. “But I really want that cake.”

Yev tried not to scowl, because he did realize his jealousy made no sense. “It’s just… weird, you know. You and him.”

Radek bit his lip, and his eyes spoke of amusement when Coal tucked his head under Radek’s hoodie. “Is it? Are you not still friends with any of the guys you used to fool around with?”

Yev shrugged. “They were never my friends. Didn’t want to get attached,” he said softly and followed the pattern of the wood on the table top with the tip of his finger.

Radek sat closer until their shoulders kissed. “Well, you have me now. And Emil has Adam. And even if he didn’t, I’d choose you.” The fire danced in Radek’s golden eyes, reflecting more warmth than the flames ever could.

Sparks flickered in Yev’s chest, and only sheer willpower kept him from asking, Really? You would?

He smiled and gently moved his hand under the table, about to touch Radek’s thigh when teeth closed around his fingers out of nowhere. It hurt a bit, so he leaned back, staring at the black muzzle closed on his digits. “Someone’s jealous.”

Radek laughed and petted Coal’s black head. “Hey… It’s Yev who carried you out of that terrible place, remember?”

One brown eye glanced up at Yev, but Coal took his time thinking things through before he let go of Yev’s finger. He made a little whine that had Radek’s face falling.

“I know, I’ll take care of it,” Radek said, still stroking the black fur.

“What did he say?” Yev asked as he placed his hand on Radek’s warm thigh at last.

“He’s asking about the other foxes. And he’s right. Even if I can’t end global fur trade, I need to do something about this farm. I owe it to them.”

Yet the way he slouched made Yev want to take over all the responsibilities pushing his shoulders down. But it was a good thing that Radek was starting to realize he could not hide his head in the sand forever.