Chapter 101 - It's Been A While

Legosi felt weird. His emotions were unreadable. He walked back to the condo from where Melon dropped him off, feeling like a walking contradiction. He was happy with his trip to the Shishigumi today, but he knew he shouldn't be. Ibuki told him he should try and help Melon find a way to a more stable and peaceful life, while Bill told him it wasn't his responsibility. In general, his life was still rife with danger as were the lives of the animals he loved. The past few weeks he tried to get himself to realize this, but like usual his emotions remained level.

This left him with a dilemma: should he attempt to solve this paradox or continue to feel the "wrong" feelings about his situation? Were his true feelings buried? Was he in denial? This train of thought was derailed when he spotted Louis a distance away, approaching him as their condo laid between them.

The deer was looking at the ground, his arms crossed, kicking a rock. His antlers that were still coming in were pointed toward the wolf as the herbivore shuffled along.

Legosi's tail wagged naturally as he transitioned into a jog. The wind was blowing toward him, bringing Louis' scent with it. His sweet scent he loved so much. But, there was sadness in it.

The deer didn't even lift his head, despite hearing someone jog toward him. But as the presence got closer, his chin raised and his eye fluttered to look forward.

Legosi's smile faltered slightly when he realized the emotional state of his husband. "Lou..." is all he managed as he slowed to a walk in front of him.

Louis looked up. "Oh, hey...Legosi."

Immediately, Legosi took Louis in his arms and squeezed him, not saying a word.

The deer wrapped his arms around him, squeezing, tightly. "Mmm..."

"Let's go inside," Legosi offered.

The buck stayed leaning against him as they made their way past Morgane, who waved at them. Only Legosi waved back. The two clambered up the stairs to room 504.

Legosi unlocked the door and brought the two inside as they took their shoes off.

"Something happened," the wolf stated.

"...Yes," Louis responded.

"How bad?" Legosi whispered.

"Nori's...gone." The deer looked to the side.

Legosi blinked and drew his head back a bit. "G-gone? Like...dead?"

"No...Well, hopefully not..." Louis swallowed. "I...don't know. I won't know."

"Oh," Legosi said quietly. "So...left?"

"Ichi found out he ate meat...There was an entire confrontation in the dining room and Ichi pointed a gun at him and I tried to defend him but...Nori decided to leave anyway."

"I don't blame him." Legosi embraced Louis again. "I hope he has a plan."

The deer sighed, heavily. "I thought I could help him...I didn't even get to try enough..."

"You weren't in the best position to, with Ichi there," Legosi reassured.

"...So what? It was all pointless?" Louis looked up, blinking. "I truly thought I could do it."

"It wasn't pointless. Why do anything if sometimes things turn out the way we don't want them?" Legosi queried.

"I never wanted him to leave, though."

"There's no way to keep in touch with him?"

"He threw away his phone..."

"And he didn't tell you where he was going?" Legosi bit at his lip.

"No...I think he intended for it to be the last time. Pina and I promised we would find him one day, but...I think it was just us being hopeful."

"You will see him again one day. We will," Legosi assured.

"We..." Louis smiled, gazing up at him. "Just the growl in your voice makes me feel better."

Legosi smiled, showing his fangs, clearly. "It's more dangerous for Nori to be there, so, this might be good."

The deer nodded his head. "He'll find his way...I guess some people just aren't meant to stay in your life...no matter who it's better for."

"Mmm." Legosi stroked Louis' silky fur. "How about everyone else? How's Pina?"

"Incredible. We finally did it..." Louis blushed and grabbed a chair from the dining table, sitting down. "My plan was a success."

"So I heard from that phone call." Legosi sat in the other chair and scooted toward him. "Was it different than with me? I mean, of course, it'd be. Stupid question."

"Absolutely. Less tight, that's for sure," Louis teased. He still felt the weight of Nori on his shoulders, but he knew that talking about something else would help.

"Bill says the same." Legosi crossed his arms and made a dramatic huff. "Guess I'm just...tight-assed!"

"Guess so," Louis chuckled, reaching his hands up. "Can I rub your cheeks? Your fur grounds me."

Legosi leaned forward and closed his eyes with a hum, allowing access to his fuzz.

Louis rubbed in small circles, sighing. "Thank you...Sorry I came home like this. I didn't see that coming at all today."

"How did Ichi find out?" Legosi asked slowly, enjoying the feeling of the fingers in his fur.

"Apparently Ni told him."

"And Ni found out somehow."

"I don't know how."

Legosi blinked and his tongue stuck out slightly from the rubbing. "He was one of the animals that were supposed to kill me, right?" he asked, way too nonchalantly.

"Yes."

Legosi sighed and leaned into his touch more. "What about Hachi? How do they feel about Nori leaving?"

"...They're gone, too," Louis said, clutching the fur on his cheeks.

"Huh?" Legosi moved his chair closer.

"They left with him."

"Oh! That's good, then! They'll keep each other safe, right?"

"Surely." Louis leaned forward and connected their lips.

Legosi placed his hands on his shoulders and deepened their kiss. He missed his husband, that was for sure.

The buck pulled back after a moment. "Can I ask a favor of you?"

Legosi stared back with a sincere gaze. "Of course."

"Can you make dinner tonight? I know I said I would when I texted you but I'm just not feeling it."

"Absolutely. Do you want anything in particular, dear?"

"Ramen?"

"Oh, sure. That'll be nice and quick." Legosi got up and started taking his clothes off, as was their ritual.

Louis watched closely, but he didn't move from his seat, just staring at the wolf.

Legosi's body always seemed to look naturally athletic whether he was active or not. Good genetics for sure. However, underneath his fur was slight discolorations not usually present. Legosi turned around as he slipped his pants off, and Louis could see a wrapping on the back of his neck, slightly blood-stained.

The deer blinked. "What...happened?"

"Hm?" Legosi looked behind him. "Oh, sparring with Melon-san."

"Does it hurt?" his husband asked.

Legosi shook his head. "Not really. I didn't even notice until someone pointed it out."

"That's good, at least. So...how did that go, anyway?" Louis tilted his head.

Legosi rolled his underwear and socks off and kicked them into the corner. "I was able to land a hit on him and make him bleed. He liked that." The now naked wolf went to grab his apron, even though he was only going to make ramen.

Louis leaned against his palm, elbow on the table. "In a...no...r...mal...way?"

"Well, he didn't like how I was holding back last time. This time he said I had to make him bleed or else I wasn't coming back. I was able to get into a really focused, uh, battle state? Kind of like when I fought Riz." Legosi gathered the ramen and started making the meal.

"You were shining that night..." Louis grinned. "You and Bill both really took charge. I guess it makes sense considering you're carnivores."

"Mm. As long as I only use it protecting others."

"That's a really good mindset to have. I love you so much," Louis sighed. "So much."

Legosi looked back and his tail wagged over his bare rear. "I love you, too! We'll be okay as long as we have each other." He turned back and faced his work, and to himself, he said, "We have to be..."

"How can we not be if you're protecting us?" Louis asked. "Getting stronger so you can be our knight."

Legosi chuckled as he rubbed his bicep. "You still haven't taught me how to play chess, my king."

"Chess? Do we even own Chess?"

"No, but it's not that hard to find. I'm sure my grandpa has a set."

"Or we could just buy one. Also, I swear if we get it and you beat me I'm going to be furious."

Legosi chuckled. "How could I best the sheer intellect of Louis the red deer?"

"You can't, hopefully. I mean, I beat you at that video game, didn't I?"

Legosi scowled, and then went back to preparing the ramen. His tail was still wagging, however.

Louis sighed, still dressed and staring at him. "...I can't stop thinking about Nori."

"Hachi's with him. I'm sure they'll be okay. Plus they know where we live. They'll come by sometime..." As he said the words, there was a knock on the door that caught them both by surprise, causing Legosi to scramble for his clothes.

The buck laughed. "Just one moment, please."

Legosi slipped his track pants back on with his t-shirt as Louis walked to the door.

Louis unlocked the bolt and pulled open the door, looking down at his visitors, blinking. "Oh, Sebun and Shogi-san. We weren't expecting you."

Sebun waved with a small smile. "Well, it's been a while, so we came to check-in! Is Legosi home?"

"He is. He was just making us dinner," Louis said, then looking at Shogi. "It's good to see you." His eyes flicked back to Sebun. "Not that it isn't good to see you!"

"Oh, yes, of course! I didn't take it badly!" Sebun laughed and rubbed the back of her neck. Louis noticed her other hand was clasped with Shogi's.

The butler bowed. "Not a worry, Louis. Can we come in?"

Louis blinked at the sight of their hands. "What's going on there?"

Shogi blushed, lightly. "Ah, we just became close friends. Sebun has helped me with a lot lately."

The deer stepped to the side. "Come inside."

Shogi walked ahead, but Sebun detached her hand and hung outside. "Oh, before we do, can we talk in private, Louis?"

Louis furrowed his brow. "Outside?"

"Right here." Sebun shuffled uncomfortably as Legosi could be heard greeting Shogi inside. "I need to talk to you about something...about Legosi."

Louis tilted his head but obliged and closed the door, leaving it slightly cracked. "Is something the matter?"

"Your job has you work nights a lot, yeah? We never talked about it but I've noticed you've been out a lot."

"Yes, it does. Sometimes I even have to stay over there. Why?"

Sebun looked down and rubbed her hands together, nervously. "W-well, last night he, uh, had that tiger guy over that helped you move in, and...I think he's cheating on you, Louis."

Louis just blinked, staring at her for a moment.

"I-I'm sorry, it might not be my business, but after all you've been through, I felt you needed to know!" Were those tears in her eyes?

"Woah, woah," Louis brought his hands up. "What are you crying for?"

Sebun brought her arm up to wipe the tears. "I-I really thought you two could work out, you know? You tried so hard for each other and I was really rooting for you guys!"

"Sebun...we're still together," Louis explained, holding up his ring.

"Well, they were definitely having sex last night!" Sebun basically bawled. "Behind your back!"

"Because they're dating! We're in a polyamorous relationship with Bill and Pina! That's all. We're still going to get married and live together, but Bill is going to take care of him when I'm out."

Sebun's face looked like she was experiencing every emotion at once. Legosi opened the door slightly and peeked out. "Uh, everything okay out here? I heard crying..."

"Just a misunderstanding," Louis said with a hand on his own hip. "Sebun thought you were cheating on me with Bill." He moved forward and rubbed his nose against Legosi's cheek. "But you'd never do that to me, huh, Legosi?~"

Legosi's ears folded back. "Oh, I meant to mention something to you, Sebun-san! I totally forgot."

Sebun sniffed. "So..so your relationship is open?"

Legosi nodded. "It's a fairly new thing, but I think it's good for us."

"We both do. Of course...I still want all the time I can get with him. He's still my husband, after all." His skinny hand slipped down to grab Legosi's larger one.

"O-of course." Sebun wiped the rest of her tears away and scowled. "Well, now I feel silly for getting all worked up! But seriously, you guys need soundproofing or something!"

"Even before he was dating Bill, we did, huh?" Louis chuckled.

"Yes." Sebun shook her head. "Alright, well, let's go in. We wanted to say hi, anyway. I didn't tell Shogi about my suspicion."

Louis nodded and he walked past Legosi, pulling him inside. "So, how did you and Shogi meet?"

The male sheep perked up, but he looked at Sebun.

"Oh, well, we live in the same building so, y'know..." Sebun shrugged and smiled. "And us little sheep gotta stay together. We've already hung out here with Legosi while you were gone at work."

"I miss out on everything, I know," Louis huffed.

"Well, you're here now!" Sebun reasoned.

"Well, I was about to make ramen for us, but that's a sort of crummy thing to have for guests..." Legosi rubbed his arm as he glanced at the cups.

Sebun waved him off. "Oh, we already ate! Don't worry."

"Did you happen to bring any wine?" Louis asked.

"No! Absolutely no more wine for you two!" the sheep scolded in a mother-like tone.

"But it's fun..." Louis muttered.

Shogi sat down on the couch, hands on his lap. "What happened with the wine?"

"They got drunk and got all out of hand! I had to leave before they got busy." Sebun pressed her palm against her forehead.

Louis looked at his husband. "Do you recall if we got busy after that?"

Legosi blushed. "Uh, do I have to answer that with them here?"

"It's a yes or no question."

"It's clearly 'yes'." Sebun laughed as she joined Shogi on the couch. "I'm glad you two are doing well, though. How's therapy?"

"It's going well. I really think it's helping, too," Louis said. "What do you think, hon?"

Legosi nodded. "It's comforting to have guidance for this."

The buck nodded. "Exactly. Plus, Bill and Pina have been a huge help, too. I don't think we plan on marrying them, though," he snickered.

"Is Pina that pretty sheep boy that was helping you move?" Sebun asked.

"He is," Louis answered. "Legosi's not dating him, though. He got Bill and I got Pina. I don't think I could ever really see myself with another herbivore, though. We all know how I feel about canines. Pina's just special."

Shogi blinked. "I know how you feel about Legosi, but there are other canines?"

"I meant canines in general."

"Yeah, he's a big fan," Legosi grinned wide.

"You two are a very peculiar duo," Shogi responded. "I knew that from what Louis told me at the Horns building."

The buck reddened. "I just realized I was in love, remember? I might have got lost in my passion..."

Legosi turned back to finish making the ramen and asked, "Are you doing well, Sebun-san? Shogi-san?"

The sheep's face screwed up as she leaned back into the cushion. "Well, work is work, but I've been keeping in touch with the neighbors I met at the rooftop party."

"How are all of them?" Louis asked. "We haven't got to see then since we both began working..."

"Everyone's fine! We mostly stay in touch with Zaguan, since he doesn't seem to have a job. He's pretty peculiar, isn't he Shog?"

Shogi reddened, nodding. "He asked us to remove our clothes, but I just couldn't do it."

"It was quite easy for us, right, Lou?" Legosi called back.

"That's because we do it all the time." Louis looked at the small sheep pair. "He wasn't wearing clothes when you knocked, by the way."

"Yup. Just the apron."

Sebun shook her head. "You two. To be young again..."

"Well, you live alone! You could do it, as well," Louis said. "Just make sure you don't have any visitors coming or windows open."

Sebun looked over at Shogi and pushed the wool on her neck into her face. "Mmm, I don't know if I'd even enjoy it."

"I was only saying," Louis said.

"It's especially nice now in the summer," Legosi added as he put the ramen in the microwave. "All that wool must be hot."

Shogi smiled back at Sebun. "I am guilty of being nude at home, sometimes. Especially when I was feeling down and unmotivated."

Sebun smiled at him, but there was concern in her eyes. "That reminds me, did you remember your meds today?"

Louis blinked. "You take medicine?"

"Yes, I do. Antidepressants." He looked down at his stomach. "Have you noticed?"

"Only that you seem happier," Legosi commented, still by the microwave.

"Well, I am!" the sheep sat up a little. "...But not because of the medicine. Still, I'm glad you've noticed a change. I'm glad I didn't weigh you two down with my problems."

"Of course you didn't," Sebun said as she rubbed his shoulders.

"By the way, is the money from my father still finding you well?" Louis asked. "Oh, speaking of that, we need to get with him soon so he can help us get married."

Shogi nodded, eagerly. "Very well! You two should see how nice my apartment is now! Sebun helped me move everything and even got me a new bed!"

"It actually looks like someone lives there now!" Sebun teased.

"It looked like someone lived there before! I had a mat and a dead plant!"

"Okay, now it looks like a happy and handsome sheep lives there!" Sebun pulled at the wool of his face, gently.

Shogi sunk back. "Bun..."

At that moment, the microwave timer went off and Legosi stood next to Louis and handed him his cup as they observed the two sheep fuss over each other. The wolf nudged him with his hip.

Louis turned his head. "What?"

"I'm happy for them," he stated, simply, opening his ramen and splitting his chopsticks as he sat down.

"Because they're friends?"

Legosi nodded and slurped up some noodles.

Louis tapped his chin. "It is nice. Shogi needed it...We can't really help everyone. I'm learning that quickly."

Legosi looked down at his cup, quietly. "I hope you can get that message through to Pina, too."

"I think he's learning just the same. I can't imagine he's taking the Nori thing well."

Shogi looked up. "Nori?"

"Oh, he's a friend..."

"What happened?"

Legosi glanced at Louis before slurping up some noodles. He hoped Louis had a cover story.

Some of the broth splashed against Louis' face. "Blegh!"

Legosi blinked and then snorted as he reached for a napkin to clean up his husband.

Louis continued. "He's a...friend."

"Social butterflies, these two," Sebun said, affectionately. "Always seeing all sorts of animals visit."

Shogi nodded. "But did something happen?"

"One of our friends moved away...He and Pina were really good friends, that's all," Louis said.

"Ahhh...I see. I'm sorry," Shogi frowned.

"It's alright..."

Legosi nodded. "It will be alright, though. He has someone with him."

"Another friend?" Shogi asked, raising a brow.

Legosi cocked his head at Louis. "Uh, yeah? I only spoke with them once, though." Of course the same was true for Nori, too. Legosi hoped he could see both of them at least once more.

Louis nodded. "They are very handy, though. They'll be fine."

"Maybe we should have another roof get together with your friends, when possible," Sebun suggested.

"Maybe," Legosi mumbled into his noodles, but then his ears perked up. "We will be seeing them at the Meteor Festival, though. Well, not Nori and Hachi, but our other friends. You could go there!"

Sebun let out a surprised, yet curt, laugh. "Oh, I haven't been to one of those since high school!"

Shogi blinked. "Meteor Festival?"

"Oh, you've never been to one?" Sebun turned to him. "They have big paper-mache decorations of meteors and dinosaurs and performances and a ceremony where couples light a candle underneath one of those meteors. Most cities in Japan have them as far as I know."

The male sheep nodded along as she spoke. "Are there games to play?"

"Usually. Normal festival stuff."

Legosi nodded. "The Cherryton drama club usually puts it together, but this year that might not be possible..."

"And why is that?"

"Well, me, Louis, Bill, and Pina were all members and we all just...left. Plus the school is segregated now. I don't think the drama club would have survived that, or if it did it will probably be all herbivores," Legosi explained.

Louis laughed. "That really says something about us, huh?"

"It's that segregation that caused you to leave, right?" Sebun asked.

"Well, I was already not a student anymore, but it is what caused Legosi to drop out. We didn't want to be separated again."

"Good!" Sebun said with considerable force that made her companion jump. "Animals are only genuine with each other when they are forced to be around each other. I got along best with my carnivore peers when we were in school. After school, society separates you and you forget everyone is just an animal like you are!" She placed her chin on her palms and sulked after the tirade.

Louis sighed. "And in school, they don't teach about herbivore instincts so it's a double-edged sword."

"Oh yes. You should let Louis enlighten you with that one, Shog. If he hasn't already."

"Enlighten?"

Sebun looked pointedly at Louis, inviting him to do so.

Louis sat back. "Well...herbivores have instincts to be eaten. It's simple really."

The butler blinked. "Are you serious?"

"Yes. It's happened to Legosi and I multiple times. Right, hon?"

Legosi cleared his throat and looked away. "He's wanted to be eaten by me more than I've wanted to eat him..."

That caused Sebun to laugh. "But they worked past it! Plus, those instincts only arise when you're very close to a carnivore, which society in general likes to shy away from."

"They shouldn't," Louis frowned. "They're just alienating us from ourselves."

"Well, it's the youth that is the future, after all," Sebun sighed. "You all are showing the stuck up old people what's important."

"You say that like you're old, Sebun-san," Legosi chided.

"Compared to you guys."

"Not even 10 years," Legosi hummed as he slurped up some more noodles.

Shogi sighed. "A lot can happen in ten years, though."

"Yes, like a promising job turning out to be soul-crushing," Sebun said, matter-of-factly.

"Yes..." Louis nodded. "Or meeting the love of your life."

"Mm." Sebun looked down at her knees while Legosi nudged into Louis.

The deer looked at him again, inquisitively.

Legosi simply smiled before placing his ramen on the table and enveloping him in his arms.

The buck leaned back into him, sighing. "What else have you two been up to?"

"I've been trying to get Shogi to unwind and go to a bar with me but he hasn't budged." Sebun shook her head and jostled his shoulder.

Shogi fiddled with his hands. "W-well...I don't really drink..."

"We could still just go! It's about the atmosphere."

"Well, I never have drank..."

"Oh," Sebun said, quietly. "You never said that. I never wanted to embarrass you..."

"No! You wouldn't! I would embarrass myself, Bun!"

Sebun hid her smile with her hand. "That's part of the joy of drinking. Letting down your walls with the ones you care for."

"But what if I hurt you somehow?"

Sebun stifled a laugh. "What could you do? Honestly."'

"I don't know! That's why I'm hesitant!"

It's okay," Seben reassured. "I won't make you do anything you're uncomfortable with. But just so you know, I was in the same room as a drunk Legosi and he was completely harmless. Well, except to himself."

"What about me?" Louis inserted.

"What, you want to be dangerous?" Sebun laughed. "Your antlers, maybe."

"I think I called you pregnant multiple times and it upset you."

"I was avoiding bringing it up again," Sebun mumbled through pursed lips, her eyebrow twitching.

Shogi waved his hands. "Well, I would never do that to a woman! Even if I was inebriated!"

"So chivalrous," Sebun swooned before turning to the two boys. "Well, I believe we've imposed long enough. We'll be out of your fur now."

Louis held up a hand. "Oh, you don't have to go just yet. Who knows how long it will be before we see each other again?"

"We're neighbors," Sebun giggled as she stood up. "And we'll see you at the Meteor Festival. Right, Shogi?"

Shogi stood as well. "I suppose we will. You said couples light a candle, so...will you be doing that, Legosi and Louis?"

Legosi nodded and embraced Louis tighter. "Absolutely."

Louis blinked. "I thought you didn't believe in that superstition?"

"No, but I like tradition. Well...some traditions." Legosi looked down and his ear twitched.

"Such as?"

"Traditions that show our love to the world."

Shogi sighed. "Wouldn't that be nice?"

"Anyone in mind, Shogi-san?" Legosi asked.

"Not really, no," the sheep shook his head.

Sebun's shoulders slumped as she made her way to the door. "You know, I have work tomorrow, so I really should be going."

"Alright, alright, I'm coming," Shogi chuckled, bowing to the deer and wolf. "I'll be seeing you soon." They both waved, offering their goodbyes. On their way out and as Sebun shut the door, the male couple could hear Shogi ask something about sounding like she wanted to leave.

Legosi reached over for his ramen again. "I'm glad they're doing okay."

Louis nodded, stretching. "I just realized that I haven't been eating the meal you cooked for me."

"Not after you choked on it. It's not that bad, is it?"

"No! Of course, it's not!" He grabbed his cup once more and began scarfing it down. "Mmm!"

"It's okay, Lou. It's just instant ramen. It's not like I actually made it."

Louis looked up. "Well, still. I just want to show you that I appreciated it."

"I appreciate that you appreciate it, and I appreciate you!" Legosi brought their noses together and sighed in merriment. "It feels like forever since we've been alone."

"It's only been two days..."

"A lot has happened," Legosi pointed out before drawing back. He worried at his lip with a tooth while looking up. "I do hope Pina is okay at that tower. He truly has it the worst out of us, since Bill gets to stay with grandpa."

"But it was his choice, at least..."

"One day, he shouldn't have to make those choices," Legosi murmured. Then, the corners of his mouth twitched as he huffed. "Actually, he and Bill are probably talking now, considering Bill hasn't contacted me in over an hour."

"Really?" Louis blinked. "Should we be worried?" This was clearly a joke.

"We'll give it another hour," Legosi joked. "If Bill wants me to send him a picture of my butt, will you help me take the picture?"

Louis snorted. "Wait, wait...Wasn't I supposed to do something for Bill with you...What was it..."

Legosi cocked his head. "Eh? What are you talking about?"

"Remember? He was going to pay me?"

Legosi searched his mind before his eyes widened. "Oh, yeah. The video with you and the toy. Heh." The canine blushed as he looked down.

"Of course," Legosi laughed. He finished up his cup and threw it in the trash before taking a bottle of water from the mini-fridge. "Well, now we have the rest of the day to relax."

"Alone. Together." Louis exhaled, pulling off his eyepatch.

"What would you like to do?"

"Well, contrary to popular belief, I'm not really in the mood for anything sexual, to be honest."

Legosi let out a deep breath. "Me either. Bill wiped me out, to say the least." The wolf drooped a bit after saying this. "And, of course, all of that training with Melon-san."

"Not an issue. If we're both not feeling it, there's no need to force it."

"Exactly." Legosi walked over to the door and locked it before taking off his clothes again.

Louis smiled. "Of course, being naked isn't only sexual, hm?"

"Nope! It's us." Legosi threw the clothes aside and rejoined his deer. "Now, I believe there's an anime we need to continue."

Louis removed his own garments and curled up into his lover. "I believe you're right."

The sun had gone down and the two were tangled up, naked, on the couch watching their beloved cat samurai anime. They were thankful for how long it ran, as regardless of quality it became a sort of constant in their bumpy life.

Louis was stroking Legosi's head softly and living in this single moment, thinking about the fur that was touching him and the animal beside him. Unfortunately, the moment shattered like glass when Legosi's phone began ringing.

Legosi jumped slightly but relaxed as he went to pick it up. "One guess at who that is."

"Principal Gon?"

"Wouldn't that be something," Legosi mused before showing Louis the screen with Bill's name on it.

The deer shook his head and sat back. "Go on."

Legosi put the phone on speaker. "Hey, Bill!"

"Hey, Legosi! Sorry, I didn't get to you sooner, I got distracted sexting Pina."

Legosi chuckled. "That's fine. Louis is back home. How's it at grandpa's?"

"He's as great as always. How has your night been?"

"Relaxing." Legosi nuzzled into Louis as he said this. "Did he like the pancakes?"

"Oh, he loved them. Louis might have some competition!"

Louis scoffed. "Please."

"That reminds me. I forgot to tell Sebun about us, Bill, and she thought I was cheating on him with you."

Bill made a small gasp. "Oof, buddy. How'd that go?"

"It got cleared up quite quickly! She said we should soundproof our apartment, though."

There was silence for a moment, and then the tiger was bursting with laughter.

Louis shook his head. "We have been pretty disrespectful to our neighbors, if I'm being honest."

"Well, what are we supposed to do? Rent out a room if we want to have sex?" Legosi scowled.

"We might have to oblige Sebun's request," Louis offered. "It can't be that hard, right?"

"I suppose not...just have to, uh, put some stuff on the walls." Legosi looked around, trying to guess at the feasibility of such a project.

Bill scoffed. "People are so lame. It's just sex. Wild, passionate, lovemaking."

"Yeah, Bill...I don't think your two cents is adding anything to the jar."

Legosi pushed Louis playfully in response to his quip. "It'd be nice to have a house where we don't have to worry about it."

Bill purred on the other side. "We will. With the thinnest walls imaginable so we can all hear each other." Another joke.

Louis cleared his throat. "Actually, Bill. I want to be completely alone with Legosi, sometimes, too. He is my husband, after all."

The tiger made an audible groan. "I know that, man! Damn! But he's my fresh prey right now, which is why I've been all over him. You understand, right?"

"I was talking about the future. Not right now. Though, right now would be nice, too."

Legosi furrowed his brows. "Prey? Are you really gonna talk about me that way?"

"Oh, come on. I already know Louis does it!"

The buck crossed his arms. "I'm a herbivore! It's different."

"Yeah, it's hotter with him," Legosi laughed.

Bill grunted. "Fine...But I'll figure out something, pup!"

Louis blinked and looked at his mate. "Is that something he calls you?"

"He calls me 'baby'," Legosi said quietly with a blush.

"Baby? But why?"

"Cuz' it's hot, bonehead!" Bill responded.

Legosi covered his face. "Mmm."

"But baby and puppy are things you call children!"

"It's different!" Bill argued. "Everyone does it!"

"Y-yeah. I mean, when do you ever hear someone call a baby, 'baby'?" Legosi asked from behind his hand.

"Let's end this conversation," the feline commented.

"Are you going to look into working at Big Bundle of Bugs, Bill?" Legosi asked, managing to avoid stumbling over the alliteration.

"Why wouldn't we work together?" Bill asked, throwing some alliteration in of his own.

"Uh, I dunno! Just wondering when you're gonna look into it. I guess I should bring it up to Mel-san first, of course."

"Yeah, you probably should. I mean, it hasn't been that long since I suggested it...I will soon, though. Looking forward to getting out there."

"Well in the meantime you can take care of grandpa. You could even help him when he goes to the daycare!"

"I do like kids so it could be fun!"

Louis rubbed his eye. "If you see Lee, will you tell him I said hello?"

"Me, too!" Legosi called out.

Bill laughed. "I will, I will! I guess I should let you get back to boinking."

"There's more to relationships than that, Bill," Legosi chastised.

"I was joooooking! Yeesh! You guys are—" And then he went silent.

Louis moved forward. "Must have accidentally hung up."

Legosi looked at the screen, showing that the tiger indeed hung up. "Huh, must have really got to him. I was just teasing back. Maybe my voice sounds too serious..."

"That's not what happened," Louis said, stroking his leg. "He hung up mid-sentence. It was clearly an accident."

"Cuz he's a dork," Legosi laughed. "Oh well, where were we?"

"I believe we were having a lovely evening, just the two of us."

Legosi sighed and sunk back into the deer. "Mm, yeah."