Louis lugged his suitcase up the flight of stairs, his full backpack and metal leg not helping matters. If he had been a bit patient he could have caught Legosi on his way home and get to him help, but he had no time to waste. He quite informally dropped all of his classes and withdrew from Galdona right after the dinner, a process which would ultimately reach his father.

He wondered what Oguma would do regarding Legosi. It was unfortunate that he found out about the two of them, but Louis couldn't keep it in any longer. Would he try to have him arrested for eating his leg? Legosi was already convicted of it, so thankfully Oguma would be powerless in that regard. He could definitely see him trying to arrest him for other reasons, though. Perhaps he'd spin it that Legosi had kidnapped him. Louis hoped he'd be able to find a place to stay on his own to avoid this.

But right now, he needed support. He needed love. He needed the touch of another animal. He needed Legosi. Such a wonderful, freeing feeling it was to allow himself to get help when he needed it. He would never be able to thank Legosi enough for unearthing that from him. For allowing him to build up the courage to properly stand up to Oguma. To finally be free.

Relatively speaking.

Louis made it to Legosi's room and set his things down outside the door. A jiggle of the handle confirmed that the wolf was still remembering to lock it. Good boy.

He sat down on his suitcase and checked his phone. Legosi worked late, and his mind flicked back to the day he had come over to confess his feelings. He never would have imagined back then just how much progress he would be able to make with this wolf.

And how much progress the wolf made with him.

Heavy footfalls caused Louis to turn to the stairwell, where Legosi emerged carrying takeout from Bebebe. The déjà vufrom before returned.

Legosi's fuzzy tail wagged behind him on his approach, even as he was clearly trying to keep composure. "Hi, Louis." His eyes glanced at the deer's backpack and suitcase before he reached over to unlock the door.

"Yo." Louis tried to sound casual, but the greeting came out as a sigh. Before he could reach down and grab his stuff Legosi had already popped inside to drop the food off so he could grab the suitcase. Louis and his aching arms thanked him.

The pair was quiet while all of Louis's things spread across the room. The buck could hear every question Legosi wanted to ask, but nonetheless he held back. Louis sat down at the table and opened his food, digging in quickly while his boyfriend followed his lead. Both weren't lost to the fact that this sudden meeting was far too casual.

They finished their respective meals silently, and it was when Louis placed his chopsticks atop the bowl that he spoke. "So, Oguma knows everything."

Legosi's knuckles tightened where he laid them on the edge of the table while his gaze on Louis was unwavering. Louis took the opening his continued silence gave.

"I decided to drop it all. If I'm not going to marry a partner he wants me to, why should I head his company? I don't want to. I don't want to study what I'm studying in school, so I dropped that. My private account has enough in it to live off of for a bit, but it's not a long-term plan. Neither is staying here, since I don't want to put you in danger." Louis reached out and took one of Legosi's large hands.

The wolf leaned forward with a curious look. "What danger is there?"

"If my father tries to pursue me you might get caught up in it. I won't risk that."

Legosi whined. "But where else could you go?"

"I'll figure it out. Plus I don't want to have to descend four flights of stairs if I need to piss at night."

Legosi wilted. "Are you sure this all was a good idea, Louis? I mean, dropping school, too?"

"He was going to send me to a psychiatrist, Legosi. Just for being in love with you. Thinking there's something wrong with me for dating the animal that ate my leg, and yeah, I'll admit, that sounds fucking crazy without context. But that's the thing! He only knows the bare minimum!"

"Then maybe you should explain it to him," Legosi suggested as he sat up straighter.

Louis let out an amused huff. "Hard to do that when he's yelling at me saying I'm 'sick'. Nobody will understand what happened on New Year's because they refuse to. They'll always see you as the attacker and me as the victim. I'm always the victim."

Legosi shifted uncomfortably. "Well, you know you can stay here as long as you need. I like being with you, of course."

"Of course." Louis stood up and moved around the table to wiggle into Legosi's lap. "I'll pay for all of my food and stuff, so don't worry."

"I wasn't worried about that."

"Of course not." Louis reached up and played with the stretchy skin that enveloped the wolf's mouth. "I'm so lucky to have you in my life. My life preserver. My very cute life preserver."

"Oh!" Legosi perked up. "That reminds me, actually. Zaguán-san was going to take a rental boat out with Sebun-san tomorrow. I don't have work, so would you want to go?"

"Hm?" Louis drew his head back. "Would you have told me about this if I didn't come crashing into your room suddenly?"

Legosi nodded. "Of course, since I told you we would that night on the beach."

"So you did remember." Louis retreated back into his embrace. "So what time is this trip starting?"

"Around 10."

Louis glanced at the time. "Then let's get washed up and head to bed. I want to be well rested for a day full of relaxation."

"I guess that makes sense," Legosi chuckled. "It's a bit hotter here than your place was, so sleeping together might get uncomfortable."

"Oh, sleeping with you is never uncomfortable."

…

Louis peeled his sticky body away from his boyfriend the next morning, quickly hobbling over to the small refrigerator to earn some chilling respite. The mid-morning sun filtered into the room, and a quick look at Legosi's alarm clock showed that their ocean trip would soon be underway.

Louis found some cereal (plain dried oats, which wasn't surprising) and poured himself a bowl. He checked his phone, seeing that his dad had not contacted him. After that he checked news sites, but to his relief his name wasn't in any of the new articles. Perhaps Oguma was treating this like he did when he was leading the Shishigumi? He could only hope.

Louis sat in front of the wolf and ate his cereal, periodically poking him with his foot in an attempt to rouse him. On poke number seventeen his eyes slowly opened.

"Morning," Louis offered. Legosi offered a big, toothless yawn back. Louis didn't think he'd ever get used to that sight.

Although…

Louis put his bowl down and was upon the wolf, shoving his hands in his mouth.

"Mmph, L-Louis?"

He spread the wolf's jaw open with his thumb and ran his finger across his gums, feeling some hardness. Sure enough, there were tiny pricks of white poking out.

"Legosi...your teeth are growing back."

Legosi pulled away once Louis let go and reached for his dentures, which he quickly popped in. "Y-yeah. My mouth has been hurting for a few days now..."

"Yeah? I didn't know wolves grew another set of teeth if they lost their originals. It's been kind of long, yeah?"

"Well, we don't, but komodo dragons do. I noticed them a bit after the...Kopi Luwak night."

Louis's ear twitched as he bit the inside of his cheek. "Huh, maybe that coffee did more than awaken your meat hunger?"

Legosi shrugged. "I don't know, but soon I won't be able to use the removal of my dentures as a safeguard."

Louis moved closer to Legosi and rubbed his face. "Hey, getting your teeth back will be great! Don't worry about it. You won't have to deal with those pesky dentures anymore and I'll get to feel what real, genuine wolf teeth are like!"

"Really? That's something you want to feel?"

"Damn straight it is! Honestly it's a travesty that you've denied me this for so long! As soon as those are grown I'm running my tongue along them."

Legosi covered his face and looked away, which only made Louis move closer. "One day you'll finally realize all the parts of your body you're scared of are beautiful to me. You're beautiful." Louis kissed his nose.

Legosi rubbed his feet together and his tail attacked the futon. "You're beautiful too, Louis."

The two ate their simple breakfast and got dressed. Legosi donned a shirt Louis had not seen before: a light purple button up with a butterfly pattern on it. He pulled on some khaki shorts and a pair of flipflops as well. Louis covered up more with a simple white button up and gray pants, slipping into some simple laceless shoes to top it off. He handed Legosi a pair of sunglasses while hooking his own in his shirt pocket.

"It's a hot one out there today," Louis observed with a check of his phone. "Should be cooler out on the water, though."

"Have you ever been out on a boat, Louis?"

"Yes. Oguma had business meetings on yachts sometimes, and I'd never get to enjoy the view." Louis glanced over to Legosi. "Speaking of enjoying the view..."

He walked over and took the hems of Legosi's shorts and started to fold them up. The wolf watched with some confused amusement. "Uh, what are you doing?"

"You're going to boil out there with all that fur."

"Well, actually canines cut off our excess winter fur at the start of the summer."

"I know that! You showed me the ball of fur after you were done!" Louis teased. "Still doesn't mean you don't have thick fur! Much thicker than mine." He moved his hands back once he deemed the shorts rolled up enough, so much so that the cream color that ran from the wolf's face to his chest could be seen poking out on his inner thighs. Louis shuddered internally. How had he taken so long to realize he was gay.

"Won't I look weird wearing shorts this short?" Legosi asked, voice genuine.

"You look stunning. Here, lemme do something with your shirt..."

Louis undid a few of the bottom buttons and pulled the corners taut, tying the ends just a bit above the wolf's navel. He gave the knot a few pats to be sure it'd stay in place. "There, that should keep you a bit cooler..."

Legosi looked down at himself and then to Louis. "...is that really why you did that?"

"It's 50/50. If you really don't want to go out like that it's fine. Just..." Louis moved back and got his phone out to take a picture. "Perfect. Okay, now do what you want."

Legosi walked forward, nestling his nose into Louis's forehead. "I'll see if it does as good a job as you say it does at keeping me cool. Plus, I like looking good for my boyfriend."

Louis let out a hum of approval as he kissed his cheek. "Alright, let's go."

The two went down to the lobby where the jolly, portly seal stood with the short, woolly merino sheep by his side. The sea animal waved as they approached. "Ah, Legosi! When did your boyfriend arrive?"

Both boys were taken aback by Zaguán's bluntness. "Oh, he came over last night. He'll be staying for some time."

"Well, we still don't know about that..." Louis added, but the other two animals couldn't hear him.

Sebun finished her triple-take of Legosi by that point. "Wow, did you do that, Louis?"

"Hm? Do what?"

The sheep gestured at all of the wolf. "Exposing all of that fur? That's not a Legosi decision."

The wolf looked down at himself. "Does it look bad?"

"No...and that's the weirdest part."

Zaguán stood there, staring with squinted eyes and slight smile. "What are you talking about?"

Sebun laughed. "Don't worry about it. Just some land-dweller clothing stuff. We ready to go, guys?"

Louis hooked an arm around Legosi's and smiled. "We sure are!"

"Okay!' The seal turned on his heel, almost falling over in the process but he didn't seem to dwell on it as he walked out the door with the party close behind.

As the forecast had said, it was a scorcher out. Louis slipped his sunglasses on, as did the other three animals. Zaguán seemed to have trouble with his, as they were not ones fit to the shape of his head, but they stayed on straight enough.

Louis hung onto Legosi's arm as they walked, his neighbors chatting with him while Louis took in the sights around them, his shades obscuring where he was looking. He caught the stares of passersby, as well as some dirty looks. They bothered him, but he wasn't paying attention to that. Instead he was on the lookout for black cars with antler-shaped hood ornaments, ready to book it with wolf in tow if his dad's men came to snatch him.

At this point the line between being a realist and paranoid began to blur.

Gradually, the smell in the air grew saltier, and eventually the buildings parted to reveal a horizon of endless blue. Zaguán excitedly hobbled down the incline that lead to the docks where several boats were kept. He was already through the gate and in the small office before the three could catch up.

"Have you ever been out on the ocean, Legosi?" Sebun asked, adjusting her glasses.

"I haven't. What about you?"

"I haven't either. It's a good thing Zaguán actually knows how to drive a boat. Is that the right word to use? 'Drive'?"

Louis shrugged. "Can't think of any other word." He looked out at all of the docked boats. They were many, many times smaller than any he had ever ridden on.

"Friends!" All heads turned toward the portly seal waving to them. "Come along now! The ocean awaits!"

The entourage climbed aboard the chosen boat, which sported a large sail and a sizable deck, complete with integrated seating along the sides. Louis raised his sunglasses to his forehead and looked up at the mast.

"Wow, what do you think, Legosi?"

The wolf followed his gaze upward. "Big."

"...that's your only observation?"

"Not the only one."

"Here, friends! Meet Takumi!" Zaguán had gone into the cabin returned with an older looking pelican. "This is his boat!"

The other three animals regarded the bird with some confusion.

"Oh, you told me you'd be the captain, Zaguán." Sebun didn't seem to mind either way, an attitude Louis wished he could share.

"He will be showing me!" Zaguán announced proudly. Takumi took over after that.

"That's right! I've started showing him the ropes, but there's no way I'd let him take the SV Manami on his own. Especially with a bunch of troublemakers like you!" Takumi threw his head back and laughed, the large pouch under his beak flapping back and forth.

Louis glanced over at Legosi, noticing he was still looking all over the boat like a curious puppy. He grumbled, looking over at the ship's captain. He had thought once they were out on the ocean he could completely relax with two other animals that were fine with him and Legosi, but this new third party threw that all out. Would he kick them off the boat once he found out? Maybe he recognized him. Maybe he recognized him and Oguma knew him and he was going to contact him and-

"Thinking?" Louis felt Legosi's large chest against his back and his breath on his ear.

Louis didn't turn, observing the seal and sheep chat with the pelican. "Aren't I always..."

Legosi's arms wrapped around his waist. "You should relax."

Louis chuckled and turned around, escaping the wolf's grasp in the process. "Funny for you to say. You're the one that I had to calm down these past few days."

"I'm feeling better! Being with you makes me feel better. And I want you to feel better too. You just went through a lot and I want you to relax today." Legosi was upon him again, embracing him gently while Louis thought he caught the captain looking away from them quickly, causing his chest to leap.

"You two ready?" Sebun asked, somewhat surprising both of them as she was out of their line of sight.

Legosi looked at Louis with slight concern. "We are," the buck answered. He walked over to one of the seats and sat down, sinking into the material as it let out air like a slow sigh. Legosi joined next to him, the cushion protesting further.

"Alright then, off we go," Takumi announced, freeing the boat from the dock and maneuvering it out. Louis felt the summer breeze hit his face and he closed his eyes. He heard Legosi moving beside him and felt the seat depress as more bodies most joined them. He felt inertia and when he opened his eyes again he was met with the view of the city rapidly moving away from them, out into the infinite expanse of water and salt.

The group spent a while simply basking in the view, no words needing to be spoken between them. Louis's eyes scanned above at the sparse, wispy clouds that stained the blue sky, feeling tense despite all of the stimuli urging him to relax.

Sebun asked Zaguán about his boating lessons and they started to talk about that. Louis caught a few words here and there but mostly tuned them out, his attention now turning to how the wind caught the long fur on his boyfriend's cheeks. Legosi looked back at him, nose lowered as he gave him a bashful smile. Louis smiled back and rubbed his muzzle, catching the stare of their captain in the process. Louis decided to stare back, tilting his head forward instinctively as to show off his antlers, causing the pelican to focus back on his task. Or at least Louis preferred to imagine it was due to his impressive antlers and not just from social discomfort.

The boat approached a buoy which brandished a sign depicting a simple silhouette of a boat engine crossed out with a red circle and line. This caught Legosi's attention as he watched it pass by. "Oh, we're crossing into more heavily populated water now! I remember that from class."

Louis smiled and scratched his chin. "It's good to hear that dropping out early didn't get rid of all your knowledge."

"That's correct, Legosi my friend!" Zaguán chimed in from his seat. "We are in waters where we may see some sea animals! If we do, I can introduce us all!"

"That's kind of you, Zaguán. But..." Louis donned a mischievous smile before continuing. "Ponobu dobru bebobe bebe deb-bobo benebreb."

The seal gasped with an almost childlike glee before responding. "Borbobe pan-pen pabo, Louis paboo doop panoo!"

Louis laughed at Zaguán's genuine surprise and responded in turn. While the Seaspeak exchange was happening, Legosi and Sebun stared at each other in bewilderment.

"Do you know what they're saying?" the sheep whispered to the wolf.

"No, not at all. Zaguán's lessons haven't gotten this advanced yet..."

A few moments later, Takumi walked over to them and joined the Seaspeak conversation, which Louis was so engaged in that he forgot that he was supposed to be wary around the stranger. They talked about simple things such as the weather, the area of the ocean they were in, and the boat itself. However, to the outside observers it appeared to be a highly advanced and confusing discussion. Legosi stared in awe while Sebun sat with her back against the seat, eyes bugged out.

The discussion wound down and Takumi reached under one of the seats and slid out a small cooler containing some juice boxes and wine coolers. Louis watched warily as Legosi eyed the drinks, sighing in relief when he grabbed a box of apple juice. Louis fetched one for himself while the other three opted for alcohol.

They all took their first sips before Zaguán turned to the ship's captain. "So, Takumi, these are my lovely neighbors, Sebun and Legosi!" His squinted eyes fell on Louis. "And that is Legosi's boyfriend, Louis!"

Everyone except the seal became visibly uncomfortable. "I...see." Takumi looked out onto the water, bathing the deck in silence. Thankfully Zaguán started talking again, this time pointing out areas of the ocean he recognized.

"There is a coral reef nearby with many friendly animals! I would spend much time there!"

Everyone nodded along, whether they were interested in the anecdotes or not was a complete mystery. Louis, however, was stuck replaying the awkward situation from a few minutes ago. Takumi's reaction and now what seemed to be his general avoidance of looking in his and Legosi's direction. It bothered Louis, and it was infuriating.

On one hand, why should the opinion of a complete stranger affect him? Of course, the opinions of strangers were the only thing he cultivated back at Cherryton, and to an extent, with Oguma. One slip up and it was over. He believed he had shed that responsibility months ago but the phantom pain still persisted.

His brows furrowed as he looked down at the polished wood of the deck while everyone else looked out to the ocean. He could only imagine what this pelican was thinking. He reminded him of Sanou. What would Sanou think of his and Legosi's relationship? He always placed higher expectations on Louis when he was in Drama Club, as he should have. What if he had found out they were dating while he was still a member of the club? Would he be kicked out? Scrutinized? Did Takumi want them off his boat, but refrained from saying anything due to Zaguán and Sebun's presence? Did-

Louis jumped slightly when Legosi placed his large hands on his shoulders, claws catching slightly on the material of his shirt. His low timbre sounded in his ear. "Relax, Louis. We're here to relax." After saying this, Legosi started to rub his shoulders, and Louis did indeed relax.

He sighed weakly. "When did you start to read minds?"

"I've always been perceptive of your feelings," Legosi stated plainly.

"Of course," Louis grumbled. He looked his boyfriend over, noting the serious demeanor he held despite what Louis had done to his clothes earlier. He chuckled and leaned his face into the soft fur poking out beneath the wolf's collar. Legosi's hands slipped around Louis and supported his back, pulling him closer. Legosi didn't care, so why should he.

"Ah! Pokra pokra!"

The reemergence of Seaspeak caught the boys' attention. Zaguán was waving to a couple of dolphins who had surfaced to get a view of the boat. They seemed very enthused to see that the vessel contained a seal, as they giggled and chattered back to him.

The expression on Legosi's face was one of pure astonishment and wonder, and Louis knew for a fact that this was the first time he had seen a dolphin in the flesh. So different from the familiar two arms and legs of a land animal.

Legosi leaned out from the boat a bit. "P-pokra pokra! Daba-babi Legosi ponpo-robú!"

The dolphins turned to him, and they laughed as they do. "Dobi bo! Pokra pokra!"

Legosi's ears flicked as he turned to Louis. "What'd they say?"

The buck smiled. "They said you did a good job introducing yourself, and then hello back."

"Well, I knew the hello part..."

Zaguán and Takumi talked with the natives a bit longer before they left, and their captain decided to fill the sails again and travel further out. Meanwhile, Sebun moved closer to them.

"So, how are you doing, Louis?" The sheep placed her small hand on the space next to him in a small yet caring gesture.

Louis stared out at the expanse and smiled. "I'm okay. Glad to be out here with you guys." He reached up and scratched his boyfriend under the chin. "And Legosi, of course."

"Glad to hear it," Sebun smiled back. "You keep him out of trouble."

Louis tried his best not to think about the Melon situation. "Of course! I've been doing it since school, after all."

"Really? Sounds like a story."

Louis laughed. "Yeah? Like the time he picked a fight with an actor on stage during a live performance?"

Legosi's ears flicked back, but he didn't say anything to dissuade Louis.

Sebun looked in disbelief at Legosi. "What? Really?"

"Oh, yeah! He was playing a small role, but he learned that the lead actor had doped up on rabbit blood before the play and, well, you do not want to get on his bad side!"

Legosi covered his face. "L-Louis, please! I don't want you to scare Sebun-san!"

"Pffsh! As if!" Sebun waved her hand in the air. "So noble of you, though."

"Mm." Legosi hid his face in Louis's shoulder while the deer finished his drink. The idle chat continued within the group, which further relaxed the buck. Sure, there were animals that might not approve of his relationship, or even himself as an animal due to who he found attractive. He dropped everything and ran away from his father for the second time in his life, and he wasn't sure if he would allow it to happen like last time. There was a murderous hybrid that wanted his boyfriend dead on top of terrorizing his dear friends in the Shishigumi. For the first time in his life, his future was not clear. He was running off script. And yet…

Louis nudged Legosi, who cocked his head at him and blinked slowly. Louis smiled warmly and patted his lap, inviting Legosi into the space. The wolf happily obliged, scooting closer to move onto it. He was careful with how he sat as to not overwhelm the smaller animal with his weight, and once he was in a comfortable position for both of them Louis wrapped him up in his arms while Legosi dipped his head down to rest on his chest. Louis reached up and rubbed the inside of one of his ears and nestled his nose in the fur of his cheek. It was times like this when he became viscerally aware of just how large Legosi was compared to him, but that's what made their dynamic so alluring. He loved taking the lead with such a large animal, especially when said large animal had clearly been craving that kind of attention for years now.

Louis looked back over to Takumi as they cuddled, noticing he was still very clearly avoiding eye contact. Louis smirked. That's right, he won. He and Legosi were on his boat and there was nothing he could do about it. Legosi would not be hurt while Louis was there. Nothing could stop them.

Louis's future was without a plan? Maybe, but there was one constant that he knew would guide him through these uncertain times, and it had very soft fur and a big, huggable body.