AN: Oh hey! Beastars is finally a category on here! I've been writing this fic for a couple months now and posting on Ao3, so I'm glad I can now bring it here.


Louis didn't like being this close to the back alley market. It was eerie how easily it blended into the rest of the city, but anyone who had spent a moderate amount of time there could pick out landmarks, and he saw quite a few from the roof of the old condo building he stood on. He took a drag of his cigarette.

"If I see you here again, I'll eat you alive."

Free's last words to him rose to the surface. It was possible that some of the animals on the roof might have seen him before, but he made sure to dress as casually as possible for this event to circumvent that. He just looked like an unassuming 19 year old deer, not a mob boss.

He snuffed out the cigarette and turned around, surveying. The sun was dipping lower into the sky now, turning the light's hue more orange. The light bathed the decades old structure in a way that made it seem slightly homely. Slightly.

Despite the surroundings, everyone up there seemed to be having a good time. A group of adults that lived in the building gathered around each other, eating and chatting. They were a colorful crowd, ranging from an albino crow to a hulking black bear to a tiny sheep. Off to the right were a group of canines he remembered from Cherryton. The big sheepdog, the coyote, the little labrador, the hyena, and the absolutely minuscule fennec fox. They all sat in a circle as they took turns flipping a water bottle, releasing a chorus of barks and howls whenever it would land upright. Along with them was the animal they were all here for: Legosi the gray wolf. His turn soon came to complete the bottle ritual. His large form and long, lanky limbs made the whole thing look even more ridiculous. When he couldn't manage to get the bottle to land upright, he chuckled softly, rubbing the back of his neck as he handed the bottle to the next participant. Louis couldn't help but smile.

Legosi had been many things to him. An underclassman, a useful pawn, a nuisance, a rival. But finally and most importantly: a friend.

His spacing out was interrupted by a poke to his right thigh. He looked down and saw a small white bunny.

"Hey you!"

"Hey, Haru." They had dated back in high school, but it was a short lived relationship. This was actually the first time he had seen her in a long while.

Haru cocked her head, smirking as one of her ears went lop-sided. "You're happy I invited you, right?"

Louis laughed, sounding more like a slight cough. "Yeah."

"Still can't believe I had to get your new number through Legosi." She leaned against the railing that he sat against as they both looked at the animal in question.

"Sorry." That was all Louis could manage without getting into his activities in the past months. He knew Haru respected his privacy, at least.

"Whatever. I'm just glad to see you're okay." Her gaze drifted downward, resting on the metal prosthetic of his right leg. "...relatively speaking, that is. So he really..."

"Ah, he told you." Louis swiveled his right leg on its artificial toe, watching the setting sun glint off the metal. He recalled the night he offered the leg to Legosi to give him the strength to overcome Riz. The tears he shed during the ordeal were nothing compared to the ones that flowed when he thought of Legosi dying.

"He told me everything. You're very brave, Louis." Haru placed her hand gently on his thigh. Flickers of their time together lit up in his mind, but the interest remained dormant. He looked at Legosi again, whose eyes were pointed toward them. He gave them both a warm smile before turning his attention back to the circle of canines.

"How're the two of you doing?"

Haru sighed, wearing a soft smile. "Well, Legosi's Legosi."

Louis snorted. "That he is."

"But things are getting better. He's becoming more sociable and understanding other animals better. I'm not sure what's in store for us, but I'm happy. I'm sure he is too."

"He'd better be. Someone who can plan a birthday party like this at such short notice is a keeper. Even if it is a bit belated." He smiled again, but he could feel a pit forming in his stomach. "Can't believe he lives in such a dump, though..."

"Oh, don't even get me started!" Haru laughed in exasperation.

"I'm gonna get something to eat." Louis pushed himself off the railing, making his way toward the makeshift snack table that was set up. All of Legosi's friends in the condo chipped in with their own dishes, their diverse backgrounds laid out clearly in culinary form.

Legosi's tail wouldn't stop wagging when it was all unveiled to him. Everyone was bearing gifts, mostly more food. Louis had given him a gift card to a decent clothing chain, offering a cheerful "happy birthday!" and a pat on the back. That was the only time he had interacted with him that afternoon before he was ambushed by his old school pals.

Louis took a plate and placed some curry onto it, as well as a slice of cake. A small juice box topped off the meal. He walked over to the canine circle, seeing that they had retired the water bottle and were now all idly chatting about their lives. Legosi caught his gaze, offering the same warm smile, which Louis returned this time. His school friends wouldn't surrender him that easily, and they both knew it. Louis returned to his previous spot by the railing to eat. He still felt hungry after he finished.

Before Louis knew it, the party seemed to evaporate. The inhabitants of the condo slowly leaked out and Legosi's school chums all left at once, needing to get back so they could get to sleep at a reasonable time for class. Haru was the last to leave, squeezing one of Legosi's big hands with both of her own as he knelt down next to her. His ear flicked and his tail wagged as he waved goodbye to her. Louis pretended he wasn't looking, instead watching the sun set as he worked on burning down another cigarette.

"You shouldn't smoke, Louis-senpai." Louis was surprised by the sudden, soft voice. Previously unfelt tension released from his shoulders as he turned to face Legosi. "It's bad for your health."

"Says the guy who ate my foot." He shoved the larger animal playfully as he put out his cigarette.

Legosi rubbed his neck. "Ah, can we stop bringing that up?" He leaned down onto the railing, his much larger frame having to bend more than Louis did to match his eye level.

There was silence as a cool wind blew through their fur, the myriad of scents from the city being carried with it. Louis wondered how many more smells Legosi's sensitive nose could pick up than his. Could he smell the meat from the back alley market?

"Thank you for coming today, Louis-senpai. Even though we couldn't really talk..." His ears and tail drooped as he mumbled the last part.

"We're talking now, aren't we?" Louis offered, reassuringly. "Don't worry about it. You haven't seen your school friends in a long time. It's nothing to feel guilty about you dummy."

Legosi nodded slightly. "Jack seemed sad. He tried to hide it but I could tell." He sighed deeply as his shoulders hunched. "It was still the best decision to drop out of school and come here, though."

Louis made a face. "No comment. I'm happy you're doing well enough for yourself though, all things considered."

"Thank you, Louis-senpai."

Louis shoved his friend again. "How long are you gonna keep calling me that, anyway?"

Legosi's response was a shrug and a goofy smile. The corners of his mouth pushed into his eyes, giving them a happy squint. Neither said anything. Another gust of wind blew through them, colder than the others, causing Louis to shiver.

"Should we go inside?" Legosi tilted his head slightly toward the door. Louis nodded. Legosi gathered up all the gifts he received from the guests, with some help from Louis. They pushed through the door and descended the concrete stairs. The space was sparsely lit, only slightly revealing the graffiti that adorned the walls. The musty soggy scent must drive Legosi crazy, Louis thought, but he didn't show it if it did.

The building looked worse on the inside than on the outside. Some of the doors didn't even look like they were on their hinges. Thankfully, the door to Legosi's room was. He unlocked the door and moved in, Louis and gifts in tow. He set them down on the floor as Louis looked around.

"Why does the front door open straight into your closet?" Louis looked around the small space. There were cardboard boxes sitting around acting as furniture, an old radio sitting on one of them. A folded up sleeping mat lay in the corner next to a small dresser. To his right was a small stove. Louis removed his shoes before stepping in.

"This is all there is, actually." The joke either flew over Legosi's head or he chose to ignore it. He set his gifts down on the floor as he sat. Louis put the gifts he was carrying with them, joining Legosi on the floor. Louis's prosthetic clanked against the hardwood floor.

"Not even a bathroom..."

"It's not too bad."

Louis cringed. "It is, Legosi. It really is."

"Well..." Legosi stretched his legs out, bumping Louis slightly with his right foot as he looked up at the ceiling. "I'm okay with it."

"Of course you are." Louis rested his head on his hands, becoming aware of the vast difference in their financial situations. He wished he could just get him a proper place to live, but his father would definitely not allow that.

Legosi crawled over to his gift pile, rummaging through the paper bags and plastic. He grabbed a candle, opening it and giving it a sniff. He set it on the cardboard box next to the radio and lit it with a match, letting its cinnamon aroma chase the staleness from the air. He went back to the pile then, Louis watching. Legosi pulled out a bottle of whiskey and two glasses, a gift from one of his neighbors. "How about a toast?" A goofy grin was plastered on his face, causing Louis to chuckle.

"A toast to what?" Louis adjusted his weight a bit, failing to find a comfortable way to sit on the hard surface.

"Uhh, growing up?" He cocked his head.

"Sure thing." Louis took a glass as Legosi opened the bottle. He poured the liquid gently. Legosi's gentleness used to infuriate Louis, but now he found it endearing. It was an important part of him.

They picked up the glasses, scooching closer to one another until their knees touched. Legosi's nose wrinkled slightly as he caught a whiff of the alcohol. His eyes went wide. "Wait, can I change the toast?"

"You don't need my permission, you know. Do what you want." Louis smiled again as he swirled the liquid in his glass.

"Okay!" He raised his glass up, waiting for Louis. He raised his as well, waiting for Legosi's toast.

"To our friendship!" Legosi was beaming.

Louis's chest swelled. "Our friendship."

Clink

Louis took a small swig, while Legosi took a sip and immediately began coughing.

"Shit, Legosi! I don't like the stuff either but I could at least drink some without dying."

"It just went down the wrong pipe is all!" Legosi managed between coughs.

"The drinks we shared in that back alley market bar were much better, huh?" Louis grimaced a bit as he recalled the memory. It felt like a whole other lifetime.

"You're right about that." Legosi slid his drink to the side, still slightly full. Louis did the same.

"Maybe we should go out to a proper bar sometime. Get some stuff we both like." That feeling in his chest returned as he offered the invitation.

Legosi's ear flicked. "Could we go tonight?" The feeling grew stronger. Louis remembered that he'd be behind in his university work by even coming to the party today, let alone spending the night at some bar.

"Sure, but we'll have to find a place." Louis started to get up, still unused to doing so with his prosthetic. Legosi stood up before him and offered a hand, which he took. He remembered a time when he would have seen such a gesture as insulting. The two of them put their shoes back on and were out the door.

"What about there?" Legosi pointed to a bright sign with a beer bottle emblazoned on it. Louis squinted at it.

"Hmm. Looks cheap. We'll pass." This had been going on for over half an hour now. The last remnants of sunlight scattered in the atmosphere, the light of the stars beginning to shine through.

"You're so picky, Louis-senpai." Legosi stifled a laugh as he bumped his waist into his companion. Louis counterattacked with a butt from his antler. They continued on, walking farther and farther away from the slums around the hidden condo to more developed areas. He sure hoped Legosi could find the way back.

It only took another five minutes to find a place that Louis deemed suitable. It was a small but welcoming bar located on a street corner, the neon sign above the door reading "Dandy's". Louis entered first, Legosi ducking in behind him. They were both met with the warm bustle of the other patrons. They squeezed through the small crowd, herbivores and carnivores alike forming it. By some miracle they found two empty stools by the bar, which they took before they could disappear.

Legosi sniffed the air. "This place seems nice!" He had to raise his voice a bit to be heard. "And I'm glad I don't have to wear a dress this time!"

"Awh, but that was so funny! Honestly I have no idea what was going through your head."

"Well, the Shishigumi already knew what I looked like, so I had to come up with a disguise, obviously." That trademark awkward smile was back, and Louis's ears flicked back.

"Hey, maybe we should stop this conversation. Too many people around." He tried to keep his voice as low as possible. Thankfully, Legosi's sharp ears caught it.

The crocodile bartender approached the two. "Good evening gentlemen. ID?"

Louis produced his, which the bartender looked over. He handed it back, waiting for Legosi, who was still fumbling with his wallet. He eventually got a hold of it, handing it over, ears slightly drooping. The bartender looked at his longer than he had Louis's, eyes darting from the card to Legosi, to Louis, and back to the card, as if trying to solve a puzzle. Louis knocked his knuckles against the bar, scowling and clearing his throat.

"Very well." The bartender slid the ID face down toward Legosi. "What will you be having?"

Legosi stammered a bit while Louis spoke first. "I'll have some brandy with some fruit juice." He wasn't the best with alcohol, and only Legosi and his late friend Ibuki knew that. He inhaled deeply as thoughts of the lion flowed through his mind suddenly.

Legosi chewed on his lip as he stared down the large wall of bottles. "What would you recommend for someone who's sensitive to the taste and smell of alcohol?"

The bartender's face went deadpan. "Well, I'd suggest for them to not visit a bar, but I'll whip somethin up for ya." The large animal turned his back to them, getting to work mixing the drinks.

Legosi peeled his ID from the wooden surface of the bar with his claw, returning it to his wallet with a sigh. Louis placed a hand gently on his bicep. "Guess that's something I'll have to get used to as a predatorial offender." Legosi traced the circles in the wood idly with his claw as he spoke. Once again Louis felt guilty about practically forcing Legosi to eat his leg, but just like all the other times he thought about it, he remembered that it had saved his life.

They sat quietly while their drinks were prepared, soaking in the atmosphere as well as each others' company. Louis joined Legosi in his nail tracing, making circles with his finger faster than Legosi was. He noticed this, and began to trace even faster. The two found more amusement from it than they should have.

Legosi stopped, laying his hand flat and wiping the surface with it, pushing Louis's hand out of the way slightly. He put his claw down once again, and this time traced it in a more erratic motion. It didn't take long for Louis to see he was writing out invisible words.

Hi Louis

Louis snorted, shooing Legosi's hand away so he could write a message too.

What's up

Nothing much

Nice weather out

They continued to make small talk with their fingers when the drinks were placed suddenly in front of them. The bartender looked down at their hands, squinting at the counter to make sure there were no marks being left. He glared at the two of them before uttering a small "Enjoy" before turning around and walking away. "Fuckin kids." It wasn't loud, but it was loud enough.

The two slowly turned to each other, eyes wide. Slowly but surely, the corners of their mouths curled up in unison, before they both let loose fits of laughter, Legosi's tail thumping against the stools next to him. The patrons next to them glanced over in annoyance before returning to their business.

Louis took hold of his drink, tipping its contents into his mouth. The taste was sweet, but left his throat feeling warm. He let out a breath as he placed the glass back down, looking over at Legosi who was sniffing his drink curiously. He stuck his tongue into it, only to retract it and show his sharp teeth.

"Woah, this is really good!" He upgraded from simply licking it to almost downright chugging it. Louis placed his hand on Legosi's shoulder.

"Careful now! That's the kind of drink that's most dangerous. You don't realize just how much you're drinking."

Legosi smiled sheepishly. "Ah, thank you for the concern, Louis-senpai. You wouldn't mind if I had another though, right?"

Louis raised his own glass to his mouth. "I suppose not." His voice was muffled as he spoke into it, taking another sip.

Louis capped Legosi at four drinks, while he only had his one. Its warm influence tugged his small body, but Legosi was definitely more far gone. His large body was no match for the drinks he had consumed, and he was loudly telling Louis about all his neighbors and the dates he went on with Haru. His tail wagged with reckless abandon and his large hands clapped against the counter enthusiastically as he spoke. Louis couldn't help but get wrapped up in it all.

"And Sebun-san is soooo cute! But she's like, 30 or something! It's weird how herbivores can just do that, y'know! But I guess you would know!"

"I can't say I really notice it, actually." Louis took a sideways glance in front of him, the mirror behind the bar reflecting the image of a deer and a wolf having a good time together. It was almost picturesque, burning itself into Louis's mind.

"...because when I'm like, 40 or something I'll look like some mangy mutt, probably!" He was still going on about that?

"Aw, Legosi, I'm sure you'll age like a fine wine." He looked back at his friend, whose eyes were now closed as he swayed his head back and forth, grinning.

"Thaaaanks Louis-senpaiiiii." He burped. "You'll still be just as cute when you're like 60, I bet."

Louis pulled at his collar as his heart rate sped up slightly. He couldn't think of a response to that one. He knew of Legosi's affinity for herbivores, but he never thought to include himself under that umbrella.

Of course, Legosi was also drunk, voiding any strange comment he might make.

A sudden pressure made itself apparent on Louis's right antler. Legosi had placed one of his large hands on it. "Hey, I bet a mouse could climb these like a tree!"

"I'd suppose you're right, Legosi." He couldn't keep up with the punches his friend was giving him.

The sensation on his antler changed, and he saw the bartender begin to gape at them. Louis looked in the mirror and saw Legosi absent-mindedly gnawing on the antler. He pushed Legosi away softly and got up. "Alright, I think it's time to get you home."

"Okaay." Legosi got up with Louis's help. Louis paid the bill with his credit card and carted the large inebriated carnivore out of the establishment.

He kept an arm on Legosi as they walked, but after a few minutes Legosi proved that he could be trusted to move forward by himself. It was oddly quiet, contrasting heavily from the cheerful atmosphere of the bar. Louis stopped suddenly, sighing.

"Legosi, do you know how to get back?"

He nodded, swaying a bit as he looked around. He sniffed the air before pointing to their right. They set off in that direction.

More silence. Just their footsteps and the sound of the traffic. Louis could feel his head clearing as he stopped at a crosswalk. Legosi walked past him, forcing Louis to reach out and grab him by the back of his shirt, pulling him back onto the sidewalk.

"Pay attention, Legosi!" He could feel the blood pumping in his ears, not daring to imagine how that could have ended.

Legosi mumbled into his shoulder. "Sorry."

They stood there, waiting for the image of the nondescript walking animal to light up.

"Are you mad at me, Louis-senpai?" Legosi gave Louis the saddest looking eyes he had ever seen.

Louis couldn't help but smile. "I'm not, don't worry. I just know what kind of drunk you are now, and that I need to do a better job controlling your intake."

Legosi didn't say anything, but his tail wagged lazily behind him.

By some miracle, Legosi's sense of direction really wasn't impaired by the intoxication, as the two found themselves back at the hidden condo. Louis glanced at his phone. It was almost 11 PM. By the time he caught the bus back to his dorm it'd be even later. No way he'd be getting any of his schoolwork done.

He decided to walk Legosi to his room to ensure he'd get in okay, despite the fact that he had sobered up a bit on the way. Legosi stopped before unlocking his door, turning to Louis.

"Thanks for taking me out, Louis-senpai. You made this a birthday I'll never forget!"

"Well I'm glad I was able to make your 18th one to remember! I'll just have to find a way to make next year's even better now." They both laughed softly, not wanting to disturb the other residents on the floor. Louis shifted his weight off his prosthetic, giving a small wave. "Well, see you around." He turned to leave.

"Wait."

He turned back, only to see Legosi's chest, the rest of him wrapping around him in a tight embrace. He dipped his head down, nestling his snout in the space between Louis's ear and jawbone.

"I'm glad to have you as my friend, Louis-senpai" He whispered, his breath tickling Louis's fur and sending tingles down his spine.

Louis returned the hug, trying to match the intensity in which Legosi was squeezing. "I'm glad to have you too, Legosi."

Legosi kept talking. "I care about you a lot, and I hope we can be friends for a long time."

Legosi's warmth totally enveloped Louis. "Me too."

They stayed like that for a while, neither one making a move to break the hug. Only when Louis felt Legosi start to apply more of his weight onto him did he pull away.

"Hey, are you falling asleep Legosi?"

A yawn was his answer, and he pushed Legosi toward his door and told him to get a good night's rest and to drink plenty of water. Legosi had simply nodded before shutting his door.

Legosi's warmth stayed with Louis as he left the condo. It stayed with him on the bus ride back, and stayed with him when he returned to his dorm and changed into his pajamas and slipped into bed. He tried to be worried about all the work he had failed to do that night, but the only thoughts he could form were about Legosi as he drifted to sleep.