Pep Talk
Short story written for me by a friend.
Kairos leaned back lazily on the park bench, staring up at the near-cloudless blue sky in thought. The arctic fox visited this spot practically every weekend in an attempt to simply stop thinking for a while and release the stress of work and life in general. Lately, however, he'd been struggling with a spate of depressing thoughts that he couldn't quite shake no matter what he did. The pleasant nature of the park and "his" bench gave him some small amount of peace, but it all seemed fleeting--as if it would disappear the moment he stood up.
"You know, the city might start putting your name on this bench soon. I don't think I've ever seen anyone else sitting there."
Kairos looked up to see a familiar blue-furred male cat approaching with a playful smirk on his face. Wall had been friends with him for quite some time, and invited Kairos out for drinks when Wall wasn't playing a concert at some local dive.
"So," Wall said, "What's on the agenda for this week's episode of Kai's Park Bench Extravaganza?"
Kairos sighed. "Just thinking, is all."
A frown came over Wall's face. "Must be some heavy thoughts if you didn't even chuckle at that..."
"Maybe you should tell better jokes."
"Wow," Wall said, sitting down next to the arctic fox, "What a lowblow. You must be in a funk."
"Sorry..."
The blue cat held up a paw with a smile. "Hey, it's fine. So what's got you down, huh?"
Kairos sucked in air through his teeth for a bit, looking up at the sky before leaning forward and letting out another sigh. "Loneliness. Saw several couples today coming into the bakery to order wedding cakes. I mean, don't get me wrong, I love baking, and it's always nice to see happy people. But that many couples in one day just reminded me... that I'm alone."
"Says the fox with his friend sitting next to him, ready with some emotional support."
"You know what I mean, Wall," Kairos said with a groan. "I mean romantically. Ever since I came out as pan, it feels like the world's keeping its distance outside of you and my other friends. And I just don't have the confidence to walk up to anyone and... you know, talk with them."
"Maybe you haven't been going to the right bars," Wall said. "Plenty of lonely people there, and nothing gives you confidence like a little liquid courage."
"Tried that. Doesn't help. One drink and I'm flying. Or babbling... look, Wall, I appreciate the help, but this just isn't something a pep talk can fix."
Wall gave a warm smile. "Mind if I try anyway?"
"Go ahead, knock yourself out," Kairos said, leaning back a bit.
A pause came briefly before Wall began to talk. "Kai, hearing you talk about a lack of confidence feel really weird to me. You're one of the bravest guys I know! It took guts to gather all your friends around and just come out like you did, even if we all accepted you. And you're a vet, too. Joining the army? That takes a billion times more courage than I've ever had."
"I never actually ended up seeing any combat."
"Doesn't matter," Wall said, shaking his head. "You joined all the same. Like I said, you've got guts, Kai. You just need to remember it. And even before all that, you're a hell of a catch. You're smart, you're funny, you're a talented baker, and you're attractive! If I weren't straight, I'd ask you out in a heartbeat!"
That got a chuckle out of Kairos. "You're just saying that to cheer me up."
"No, seriously, man. You..." Wall suddenly trailed off, looking out in a different direction. "Dude, you want proof? Look over there."
Kairos followed his friend's gaze to another park bench down the way where a male red fox sat alone. As soon as Kairos looked in his direction, the fox whipped his head forward.
"That guy has been looking at you off and on ever since he sat down. If I didn't know any better, I'd say you've got yourself a bit of an admirer."
"No way. He's probably looking at you."
Wall rolled his eyes. "Do I have to repeat my speech about how hot you are?"
"Wall," Kairos replied, "I just got finished telling you that I don't have the confidence to just go up and talk to new people. Besides, what would I even say?"
"Ask if he wants to go see the best rock band in town play at The Root Cellar tonight."
A laugh escaped Kairos. "So where are you playing, then?" As Wall feigned offense, Kairos looked back over toward the fox.
Gotta admit, he isn't bad looking...
"Go on, buddy," Wall said. "You can do it."
"What if he says no? What if he turns me down flat?"
"Then he's got no taste, man. Now are you gonna go talk to him, or am I gonna have to drag you over there myself?"
A few more seconds passed; mustering every ounce of courage in him, Kairos stood up and began walking forward, hope stirring in his breast as he prepared to speak...