That evening, Evan found himself in the welcoming embrace of Faye's apartment. The walls were lined with photos and knickknacks that spoke to a life filled with joy and indulgence. The scent of something rich and savory wafted from the kitchen, making his stomach growl with anticipation. As he waited for dinner to be ready, his eyes wandered to a framed photo on the wall. It was of a much younger Faye, skinnier but still very plump. She looked stunning in her wedding dress, which was a stark contrast to the leopard standing beside her. The fit leopard standing next to her had to be her husband, he reasoned.
Then Evan's gaze fell upon another photo, and he couldn't help but feel a twinge of shock. The same leopard from the wedding photo held a newborn Dylan in his arms. But instead of a few extra pounds of marital bliss, the fur looked as though he had gained several hundred pounds. The leopard's face was nearly unrecognizable beneath the folds of fat that engulfed his features. His gut took up most of his lap. Evan swallowed hard, trying to reconcile the image before him with the man he assumed was Faye's husband.
Evan spotted a third photo. It was of Faye, Dylan (who looked quite fit and trim), and the other leopard. He judged that this must have been taken a couple of years ago. The male leopard in the photograph looked more like a mountain of flesh than a person, his fur stretched to the brink of tearing with the sheer weight it bore. He sat on a couch that looked like it was on the verge of collapse, taking up nearly two thirds of its surface area. The couch looked like it was groaning in protest under the weight. It was clear that the husband had not just let himself go, but had embraced the local culture of excessive eating with a fervor that had transformed him into a thousand pound behemoth.
"Is that your dad, Dylan?" Evan asked, pointing to the frame with his paw. The cub looked over and nodded solemnly. "Yeah. That's him. But he doesn't live with us anymore."
"What happened?" Evan ventured cautiously, not wanting to pry but unable to resist his curiosity.
Dylan's eyes dropped to the floor, his voice barely a whisper. "They had a big fight. Dad said something about getting too big...a couple of my uncles came by the next week to help him move out an-"
"Boys! Dinner!"
The call from the kitchen brought Evan and Dylan to the large, round table that could easily seat a dozen furs. Faye emerged from the kitchen, her cheeks red from the heat and effort, carrying a massive platter of food that could have fed a small army. The centerpiece was a bacon-wrapped meatloaf that was so large, it looked like it could have been a prop in a Thanksgiving Day parade. The scent of the meal was heavenly, making Evan's stomach rumble even louder.
They dug in, the three of them sharing stories of their lives in between bites. Evan talked about his dreams of living by the ocean and Faye spoke of her childhood in Port Zaftig. Dylan listened intently, his eyes lighting up at the mention of the adventures Evan had planned. The meatloaf was rich and savory, the crispy bacon a delightful contrast to the tender, juicy beef beneath it. It was more food than Evan had ever eaten in one sitting, but he couldn't help going back for seconds, and then thirds.
As the platter grew empty, Faye rose with a satisfied sigh. "You know, I've got something special for dessert," she announced, disappearing into the kitchen again.
Evan leaned back in his chair, his stomach stretched to the point of discomfort. He had never eaten so much in his life. The meatloaf had been delicious, but the sheer quantity was more than he had bargained for. The lion felt like he could burst at the seams. He swiped a paw over his mouth, hoping that was the end of the feast.
But Faye wasn't finished yet. With a flourish, she emerged from the kitchen with a cake stand that could have doubled as a small table. Atop it was a monstrosity of chocolate, layers upon layers of velvety sweetness, smothered in thick, gooey frosting. The cake looked like it was pulsating with the promise of a sugar coma.
"This was Daddy's favorite," Dylan spoke up, his voice a mix of pride and sadness. "Mom makes it for me every week now."
Faye's smile grew a tad sadder. "Yeah, your dad had a real sweet tooth. He couldn't get enough of it."
With a sudden burst of energy, she stood up and instructed Dylan, "Why don't you go grab yourself a slice of cake and take it to your room, honey? I want to talk to Evan here for a bit." Dylan looked up at his mother with a hint of disappointment, eyeing the cake with longing, but he nodded and took his plate to the kitchen. A moment later, he returned with a slice that was so thick, it was a struggle to hold it. The young leopard's eyes never left the cake as he walked to his room, the floorboards creaking under the weight of his steps. The door closed with a gentle thud, leaving Evan and Faye in the dining room filled with the lingering aroma of the feast.
Faye slid her chair closer to Evan, her eyes gleaming with an unspoken intent. "You know, Evan," she began, leaning in conspiratorially, "it's obvious that Dylan took a liking to you. He hasn't talked to anyone outside of school like that in ages. Not since...well, not since a while. And I guess I've taken a liking to you too..."
Her words trailed off as she took a forkful of the colossal chocolate cake, the frosting wobbling precariously on the tines. Before Evan could react, she brought the cake to his mouth, the sweet, rich scent overpowering. "Open up," she urged with a playful smile, her voice thick with a hint of something else.
Evan felt a blush creep up his cheeks as he obediently parted his lips. The cake was heavenly, the flavors of chocolate and sugar melding together in a symphony of indulgence. His teeth sank into the spongy layers, and the cake practically melted in his mouth. He couldn't help but let out a small moan of pleasure as he chewed. Faye's eyes lit up at the sound, and she took it as a sign of approval.
"I'm so glad you like it," she said, her voice low and seductive. "Dylan's dad always said it was the best cake he ever had. He used to eat the whole thing in one sitting." Evan took a moment to process her words. The thought of someone eating that much cake was both impressive and terrifying. He took the fork from her paw, his heart racing. "I can see why," he said, trying to keep his voice steady.
Faye's smile grew, and she leaned closer, her ample chest pressing against the edge of the table. "Evan," she said, her voice softer now. "You're not just handsome, but you're also kind and polite. You're definitely my type, even if you are a bit on the thinner side." She took a deep breath, her chest rising and falling with the effort. "Would you be interested in dating me?"
Evan's eyes widened, and he took a moment to consider her proposal. Despite the surprise, he felt a strange comfort in her presence, and the warmth of the food and the conversation had made him feel more at ease than he had in weeks. He took a deep breath and reached out, placing a paw on her thick, fur-covered thigh. She squirmed, her chair creaking under her weight. "Yes," he said firmly, "but I have to ask, Faye..."