A/N Hey guys, here's another chapter so sit back and enjoy.
It would be a heavy understatement to say that my day started weird, more like startling to describe the circumstances better and I hadn't suspected anything as I slept peacefully that night a day or two after my crappy adventure in the city.
The first ray of sunshine, now beginning to rise as early as 6 am, tickled my nose and stirred me awake as I stretched and groaned while unwilling to leave the comfort of my bed, but something tickled my hand and I groggily opened my eyes and came face to face with eight unblinking eyeballs staring right back at me.
"Shit!" I yelped with a startled expression and threw myself out of the bed, catapulting the spider behind me as I fled to the other side of the room with the commotion waking Jack and Legoshi as they quickly opened the curtains and sat up with wide eyes to see me clutching my chest and gasping for breath as I leaned forward.
"Eric, what is it?!" Jack questioned frantically before I pointed at the spider.
"Fucking spider scared the crap out of me," I wheezed, and the arachnid stands calmly on my bed while staring at me with its black beady eyes as if I hadn't launched it through the air at record speed.
"Oh my god, Eric, are you shitting me?" Durham groaned as he, Voss, Collot, and Miguno slowly left their bunkbeds as well while the coyote glared at me irritably and I held up a hand to placate him.
"Sorry, it just startled me is all since I wasn't expecting it to be right near my face," I said sheepishly as I calmed down and Legoshi nodded in understanding.
"Well, I'll take care of it," Legoshi offered and I smiled at him thankfully.
"Thanks, I appreciate that," I replied before Legoshi went to the kitchen.
After that, the large wolf captured the spider with a small cup and magazine and took it outside the dorms for it to run free as Durham and the others, except for Jack, stared at me unamusingly while I felt so embarrassed and decided to get ready for today since I was now wide awake from the scare.
Classes came and went while I still didn't understand the point in learning sea-speak since I had absolutely had no use for it because I couldn't create vibrations or special frequencies to communicate underwater, so I was literally incapable of doing such a thing and truly didn't see the logic behind teaching it to those who live on land, all of which couldn't use or understand messages sent in goddamn vibrations or frequencies.
Although there was an incident a couple of days ago where a hen had fainted after sea-speak class had finished and that certainly scared the hell out of me and the others in the classroom while I hurried to get the nurse, now the hen was okay so I was relieved that it wasn't anything serious and that she was going to be fine from now on.
Eventually, my free period came and as I agreed with a certain red deer a short while prior, I would meet him in a free room on the higher levels of the school. According to the older student, it was once an art studio and had been used by a formerly existing art club so thanks to his money and popularity, Louis was able to rent it for me after he found out that I needed a place to get away from the stress and clear my head while also draw in my sketchbook.
After a month of tension between us, I had eventually warmed up to him and he lowered his guard slightly but I didn't forget what he did to me while I decided to let it go since holding a grudge wouldn't solve anything and he seemed to agree.
Now, I was thankful that he did this for me and now that I had a key to this quiet place, I was grateful enough that I'd call us friends instead of mere acquaintances with our interactions over the past month bringing us closer as I was heading down the hallway and came to a stop in front of the stag.
"Hey, good to see you," I greeted, and Louis simply nodded while he had his arms crossed before I went past him and unlocked the door until I opened it.
Immediately, the rustic and slightly dusty scent washes over me before it made me sneeze quietly as the dust particles tickle my nose, bright sunlight shining through the large glass windows and providing perfect lighting for painting or drawing.
The brown wooden floor matched with the old beige wallpaper that was still decorated with long-forgotten studies of former students, a bookshelf standing in the far-right corner of the room while holding thick books about color theory, anatomy, techniques, styles, and art history.
I mentally noted to fill the place with some flowers next time to bring some life into the mix of silence, dust, and rustic history while I set up a table and chair as a workstation with Louis admiring the room, most likely as awestruck as I was by its wise energy while I set down my sketchbook and pencils before opening my bag and taking out more casual clothes since I felt like working with them on.
"Hey, Louis-senpai, try not to turn around until I say so, okay? I need to change into something more comfortable," I said as I started taking my polo shirt off.
"Very well," Louis replied, his better-than-thou tone still prominent and I wasn't worried about him peeking since he didn't swing that way and it was obvious that he was in control of his sexual urges.
One thing I was 100% convinced about is that he was either taken or he's seeing somebody on the side since the stench of sweat and sex still lingers around him quite a lot so even though it made me uncomfortable to know that he probably had sex with someone right before talking to me, the thought of speaking to him about it caused even more discomfort so I chose to ignore it altogether since his private life wasn't any of my business and I honestly could care less what he does with someone in his spare time.
"Okay, I'm done," I said, turning around to face the deer while I was now wearing a simple white t-shirt and a pair of blue jeans since they were more comfortable as I asked, "So, how do you want me to draw you?"
This was the reason why I was meeting him in this new haven of mine because the stag had approached me after catching me sketching during drama club and asked if I could draw him, then I agreed to it and now here we are as the deer scratched his chin thoughtfully before he proceeded to take off his polo shirt and I did a double-take at that.
"If it's not too much to ask, I'd like to be shirtless in it since it makes me feel powerful," Louis told me nonchalantly as he neatly folds his shirt and places it on another table that was nearby, then he sits down in a chair across from me with his legs crossed and his hands folded as he stared at me intently.
His serious expression falters when I snap a reference picture with my phone that I had bought a month ago, my cheeks slightly red since I was nervous that I'll have to explain to someone why I had a photo of Louis without a shirt on in my gallery.
"Done, you can go now if you want because I have everything I need here and wouldn't want to waste your time," I told him as I set up my phone to begin drawing the deer's appearance.
"No, it's fine, I'll spend my free period here with you since it's peaceful here and I don't have anything else to do right now," Louis replied, then I shrugged.
"Okay," I said and began sketching the face and body, a strange silence reigning over the room after that while it wasn't entirely uncomfortable but it wasn't exactly nice either as my breathing and the sounds of my pencil scratching the paper filling the room until the deer spoke up.
"The weather's very nice today, isn't it?" Louis asked, only I let out a quiet distant hum in acknowledgment as I was completely focused on my work and almost didn't register what he said until the deer seemed to figure out that I wasn't fully paying attention to him and he cleared his throat.
"Eric, are you there?" Louis inquired, and if I didn't know any better, I'd say his tone was almost shy as I smirked at him.
"That's debatable, Bambi," I joked with a grin, then Louis sent me a puzzled look.
"Who's Bambi?" Louis asked, having no idea that the name belonged to an old American movie I've heard about recently and my face flushed in embarrassment.
"Nevermind...so, I woke up with a spider on my arm today," I said to change the subject, hoping that he wouldn't ask any further questions since I was sure he wouldn't be pleased to be compared to a fawn whose mother was killed by a carnivore hunter.
Thankfully, he seemed to drop it and we spent the hour with me drawing him and the two of us chatting about how our day went, though I mostly talked about myself from what I've experienced lately except for the black market so, in a way, I could just tell Louis really wants someone to talk to who isn't after his popularity, his attention, his love, or his...other tools.
Miraculously, that person was me since I had my eye on a certain canine, and even though I admit that the deer is attractive when you look past his attitude, he doesn't entice me the way Legoshi does.
I've noticed that Louis is uneasy with sharing much about himself, his past more specifically so I compensate by telling him stories of my time on the shipping boat and he listens attentively, sometimes offering a comment or even a laugh.
Unfortunately, everything good must come to an end and near the end of my free period, I began to pack my belongings and Louis looked lighter than before so it suits him way better than the usual loneliness that he hides in those honey-colored eyes of his.
Making my way into a corner, I begin to undress once more while Louis leaves, only for another embarrassing moment to occur today as Louis opens the door and he comes face to face with Legoshi who looked stunned and had his hand in the air ready to knock.
"Oh, uh, Louis-senpai?" Legoshi asked in confusion, then I recognized that deep voice of his instantly and a flaring heat rises to my cheeks since I was half-naked.
'Oh shit! Dammit, why the hell is he here now of all times?!' I thought in alarm while I was frantically trying to put on my summer uniform.
I could see Louis subtly looking tense for a moment before he steps outside and closes to door right behind him, just in time to silence my startled gasp as I tripped and fell to the ground after hastily putting on my loafers until I hiss in pain while rubbing my rear.
"Hey," Louis greeted while I could hear it with his tone slightly stressed and annoyed.
"What are you doing here?" Legoshi questioned.
"I should be asking you that," Louis countered cooly.
"Yeah, well, uh...I need to talk to Eric," Legoshi said nervously.
"Eric's busy right now, so you shouldn't disturb him," Louis stated sternly.
"Busy?" Legoshi asked in confusion.
"He's doing a private project for me, and because of the preparations for the meteor festival and exams, he's on a tight schedule while he and I are friends," Louis lied.
"Oh, I didn't know that...well, I could've asked him for you if you wanted," Legoshi replied.
"Really? So then, are you friends with him, too?" Louis asked, sounding slightly suspicious.
"Yeah, we are and we're roommates, actually," Legoshi answered, sounding more introverted and quiet.
As for me, I was quietly pacing while feeling too embarrassed to leave the room now that Louis lied for me and told the wolf that I was busy, my anxiety flaring up and not letting me leave the room until they were both gone so I was forced to wait.
'Legoshi, what the hell are you doing here? On any other occasion, I'd be happy to see you but this is so fucking embarrassing and awkward!' I thought while feeling mortified from what was happening.
"You're incredible, you know? You keep hanging around herbivores and omnivores like Eric, so was it something club-related? I can let him know for you," Louis offered stoically.
"No, that's okay since I just wanted to say hi. I came here because...I guess I really wanted to see him," Legoshi admitted while sounding disappointed and slightly dejected, then there was a short silence so I assumed that Louis was taken completely by surprise from that.
"Are you going back now too, senpai?" Legoshi asked.
"Uh...yeah," Louis answers firmly, and I could almost feel the tension coming off him but he and Legoshi thankfully left with their footsteps growing more and more faded until they were gone and I let out a sigh of relief.
'Thank god, I can't imagine how awkward it would've been if Legoshi caught me and Louis in here while the deer didn't have his shirt on,' I thought as I slung my bag over my shoulders, quietly leaving and looking around to make sure I was alone until I quickly went in the opposite direction of where Louis and Legoshi went.
A short time later, I was with Jack as we were heading to our next class while chatting about how our day was going so far until I suddenly sneezed, causing Jack to stare at me in confusion while I narrowed my eyes.
"What is it, Eric?" Jack inquired.
"I don't know how, but I just know someone's talking shit about me right now," I said suspiciously as I glared at nothing in particular until Jack chuckled.
"That's just a myth, Eric, so I wouldn't think too much about it," Jack assured me nonchalantly before I sighed.
"I guess...let's get to class," I suggested before we continued down the hall.
Later on, classes had ended and now I was heading to the drama club early so that I could get started on the lights with Legoshi, then I soon made it to the drama club and quietly entered just in time to see Legoshi removing his red jacket in a way that makes him seem far more attractive, leaving him in his white shirt and red sweatpants while I noticed Juno in the room with him.
'Holy shit, why does this wolf have to be so damn handsome?' I thought as I eyeballed at Legoshi, though I apparently wasn't the only one who saw him attractive right now as Juno blushed and looked at him in wonder.
"Try pulling your wrist in more and raise your elbow," Legoshi instructed with a calm smile.
Suppressing a chuckle and my ever-growing jealousy, I stood on the sidelines and watched the bizarre spectacle so even though it was kind of awkward to see the wolf dancing with a girl, I could tell that he's just giving her advice since he would be a stammering mess and tripping over his own feet if he was flirting.
One thing I know about him is that he was most definitely not the smooth type at all, at least not when he's trying to flirt so it was admirable how good of a teacher he was as he gives Juno advice, then I really had to struggle not to snicker out loud when Juno grabs Legoshi's hand while her eyes were twinkling with childish fantasies.
"Legoshi, what is this strange feeling? My heart's beating fast but I feel perfectly normal being here with you like this...this is such a new experience so is it just me, or is...is there any chance you feel the same way?" Juno questioned softly.
Despite the direction of where the conversation's heading, I notice that good old Lego-head hasn't changed his uninterested expression one bit, and to be perfectly honest, his neutral oblivious self is the only thing that's keeping me from acting like an asshole and interrupting the "dance practice" with some form of rude action like clearing my throat loudly and unexpectedly so does it make me a bad person to enjoy seeing Juno's hopes about to get crushed by Legoshi's oblivious demeanor?
"Yeah, I feel it...when you're a second-year, you're going to learn about it in class! If the same species come into contact with each other, it's proven to be very relaxing so when you get anxious, feel free to grab my tail," Legoshi explained, acting completely dense and misunderstanding what Juno said while I tried not to laugh.
'Oh my god, can this man get any cuter?' I thought with an amused smirk as Sheila entered the practice room and noticed the three of us.
"Morning!" Sheila greeted loudly and we looked at her.
"Morning!" I respond, shadowed by Legoshi's own reply as the male wolf finally noticed my presence, though I wouldn't be surprised that he already knew I was here thanks to catching my scent as his eyes linger on me while I smile and wave at him and Juno with the female wolf looking incredibly stunned and disappointed.
"Wow, you're here early," Sheila commented and I stepped further into the room, free to get as close to Legoshi as I want to while I nodded at the cheetah.
"Yeah, I wanted to get an early start today since the meteor festival is coming soon and it's all hands on deck because of that," I explained as I walked up to Legoshi and stood next to him.
"Good to hear, now let's wait until the others show up," Sheila said before Legoshi and I chatted while waiting for the other members of the drama club to arrive.
After that, a couple of hours had gone by with Legoshi heading back to our dorm and I did some last-minute work before I also started heading back now that club activities were over for now so that everyone can take a break when I arrived at room 701, entering the room just in time to see Jack frantically hiding something behind his back while Legoshi flinched when he saw me.
"Um...is everything okay, guys?" I asked dubiously and Jack quickly shook his head.
"Nope, nothing wrong here!" Jack exclaimed with a nervous laugh, making me sweatdrop as I stared at him in complete confusion.
"Okay?" I said in uncertainty before heading to my bed and laying down so that I could take a quick nap.
Later on, break time was over with Legoshi and I heading back to the drama club before I found out Haru had set up a flower booth and went to see how she was while I was working, the two of us greeting each other as I waited for her to be finished with refilling her watering can.
"You know, out of all the countries I could've gone to, I had the luck of choosing this one and meeting you so what are the chances of us becoming good friends?" I pointed out as Haru was finished and looked up at me with a smirk.
"I'd say your chances were pretty good if I had to be honest," Haru remarked wryly before I chuckled.
"Fair enough, so I'll see you later once I'm done," I said until Haru went back to her booth and I started filling up my bucket under the water dispenser.
Hearing the soft sound of the water filling up the bucket relaxed me and I glance over at the giant sculpture of the t-rex, my gaze settling on the quiet male wolf while he had been given the task to paint the dinosaurs as the other club members have but unfortunately for me, I was assigned to work on a different sculpture.
Naturally, I couldn't make out many details of his face or anything like that but from what I could see despite the difference, is his peaceful body language while he sits and paints as he most likely gets little drops of burnt sienna all over his gray fur as a smile weaves its way onto my face.
When I glanced back at the bucket, I could see that it was already full and went to shut off the tap before standing up from my crouched position on the ground, letting out a sigh and I was about to get the bucket when a loud clank behind me causes me to jump slightly.
I quickly peered over my shoulder to see Legoshi, his expression practically dead and a metal bucket like mine by his feet with his tail gently wagging before I made eye contact with him and moved my bucket out of the way.
Just like I had done moments ago, he crouches down and watches the water fill the metal container while I stare at the back of his head in silence, unsure of what to say and if I should start a conversation at all.
'He looks so...dead inside as if he's really uninterested in everything if I'm being honest. Should I say something? What if it bothers him? Oh god, what if he hates me and doesn't want to talk anymore?!
Oh hell, what do I do and why am I sweating so damn much?' I thought nervously as I tried to figure out what to say.
Only when Legoshi stands up that I notice he's already finished and that I'm just standing here like an idiot with a full bucket in my hand, then an idea came to me and I started smiling mischievously before I quietly put my bucket down and started to sneak up on Legoshi from behind as he started to head back to the t-rex sculpture.
I reach out and did a soft tug on his tail playfully, causing the wolf to gasp in surprise as he went to glance behind him and I moved out of the way so he wouldn't see me, then I softly tug his tail again and he looks back again to see me this time while I grinned.
"H-Hey, Eric," Legoshi greeted, looking at me from under his arm and I raised a hand.
"Hi," I replied as I studied his features, mentally noting that he doesn't seem bothered by my presence as the wolf stares down at me with wide eyes and offers a nervous smile.
"It's nice to finally be able to talk to someone," I added, still a little miffed over the fact that I am the only one working on one of the smaller but still massive sculptures.
"Oh yeah, you've got to paint a whole dinosaur all by yourself, right?" Legoshi asked while turning to face me fully and place his bucket down before I nodded.
"Yeah, no idea who thought it would be a good idea to put me and a wobbly very high scaffold together in one spot without anyone supervising me since that's just the perfect recipe for a disaster, so if you're free later or something, I could really use a hand," I stated as I stared at him with a pleading look.
"Oh, uh, I don't know...we're pretty busy already since we got our hands full with our dinosaur, so I'm not sure if I can," Legoshi told me hesitantly, and I tried not to let my disappointment show while it wasn't necessarily about doing anything myself, but more because I had been excited to spend some time alone with Legoshi.
"It's alright, I get it so no pressure, okay man? You did get one of the biggest projects and who knows, maybe I'll be done before you guys are and then I'll help out so wish me luck since I'll try and not break every bone in my body during my work," I said as I went to get my bucket and started walking back as I waved at the wolf with a single hand.
Pretty soon, I went back to working on my sculpture and continued to paint it as a few minutes went by before I suddenly slipped and panicked as I started to fall.
"Shit!" I yelped as I nearly fell off the ladder, barely managing to save myself from being badly hurt as I gasped out, "That was way too fucking close!"
"Are you all right there, Eric?" a smooth voice asked from behind me, and when I turned my head and lowered my gaze, I came face to face with Louis.
"Hey senpai, how's it going?" I inquired as I went to climb down.
"Nothing much, what about you?" Louis questioned as I made it to the ground and sighed in relief.
"Nothing much, just enjoying the view and trying not to break my neck," I remarked wryly, causing the deer to groan in annoyance.
"Eric...there is no view, just dirt and sweaty people," Louis grumbled irritably before I sent him an unamused look.
"Hey, there happens to be a great view of the city up there and I don't see you painting an entire fucking dinosaur by yourself," I retorted as I gestured at the almost fully painted sculpture to emphasize the amount of hard work I've been doing.
Surprisingly, Louis chuckled and smiled at me with amused kind eyes before it made me chuckle as well as Louis went to flick me on the head good-naturedly and I was taken off guard by that before I smirked and gently hit him on the shoulder to get back at him while we enjoyed each other's company.
Suddenly, I felt danger but not aimed at me this time as I looked at where it was coming from and saw Legoshi on top of the scaffolding next to his sculpture, only something was wrong as I could see a dark look on his face while he was rubbing paint on his right cheek and I was a little concerned by what was bothering him, but what had me uneasy was that he was glaring intently at Louis like he wanted to rip his head off.
Hopefully, I was just imagining things as I had Louis leave so that I could focus on my work, but I couldn't deny that I was really unsettled by Legoshi's expression since he rarely got angry and it was scary enough that I saw him lose his temper the first time back on-stage a month ago, which is why I didn't want to experience it a third time since twice was enough as I kept working.
A/N Hey guys, looks like Legoshi is jealous of Louis while Eric is jealous of Juno so plenty of tension there and get ready for the next chapter since a version of the embassy escape scene in Bourne Identity will be shown so let me know what you think of this chapter and stay tuned.