On one hand it seems so obvious that all they need to do is to grow a pair and say it out loud, life is too short to be shy and indecisive. On the other, I know well that it's hard to be brave and rejection is a though pill to swallow.

Very well written!

Thank you for the kind words

Thank you for the nice story!

Outstandingly written and masterfully structured, as usually. Part of the community's best writing, in my opinion.

I do like the change in perspective at the end and it's well done in its own right, but I wonder if it was absolutely necessary or if the unanswered question of whether the protagonist is projecting or not would've been more intriguing. I don't mean it wasn't a good decision to include the other character's view, but I just wonder how the alternative effect would've been.

It really means a lot to me that you'd say those things and feel that way.

I think you're right that the story could work without the ending scene, I did think about leaving it out. I ultimately think it adds to the structure and themes enough, and provides a 'cyclical' sort of conclusion, so is worth including. As I said though, it would absolutely work without it and it would have a different effect on the reader as you outlined, depending on the reader's taste it may even be better that way :)

I think it was a cute ending scene, because it showed how timid and emotional the jaguar actually is in contrast to his seemingly unimpressed previous behavior. It's interesting that his questions are clearly probing but can easily be misinterpreted as attempts to get the situation over with. It's some well-done ambiguity.

Also, I noticed that you might have a preference for the color lilac.

So many compliments, you certainly know how to get on the right side of a fox.

Did I make it so obvious? I like both the color and the word itself. Lilac. Lilac. Lilac. Such a wonderful sound.

But which side is the right side and does a fox land on the floor with its right side down or up?

I also found the fanstory by Xenosmilus. A really cute interpretation.

I thought that was all common knowledge

Yes, I thought so too! It was really heartwarming to see something inspired by my work like that.

I'll link it here too in case anybody reads the comments and is curious: https://www.sofurry.com/view/1370739