Chapter 4 - Lewie and Legosi Go Out

Legosi took a deep breath, exhaling with a smile. The air was so crisp and clear. "So, which way should we go?"

"Right," Louis said, already turning that way. His eyes wandered to all the buildings that surrounded them, seeing if the area around the hidden condo looked poor as well. He had only ever lived in wealth, so this was almost angering seeing how less fortunate animals had it.

The two sidestepped a koala on a bicycle riding on the sidewalk. "Maybe we could ask some locals about the area," the wolf suggested.

The buck watched him go by, being reminded of his own bike. "You know, even though I had one, I never learned to ride a bike. I'm guessing you're going to want to get one for work?"

"Oh! I hadn't thought of that!" Legosi chewed the inside of his cheek as he mulled it over. "I guess I would have to lock it up outside. Did the condo have a spot for that? We'll have to check."

"I'm sure it does. We could always lug it up four flights of stairs and put it in the apartment," he laughed.

Legosi shuddered at the thought. A few blocks later and a small cafe appeared on the corner, which Legosi pointed out. "Oh, breakfast spot! For when we have money and don't want to make it ourselves, that is."

Louis walked closer and inspected it. "Maybe I'll get a coffee. It seems pretty cheap."

"If you want." The dog slowed down to give him the option.

The deer nodded. "I'll be right out." He opened the door, a little jingling sound filling his ears and got in line.

Legosi, naturally, followed him.

Louis turned to him. "Oh, you wanted something?"

His partner's ear twitched as he looked around. He leaned down and whispered; "You."

"Easy..." Louis blushed, stepping up in line. "We just did it last night."

"C'mon, Louis." Legosi let out a snort. "Didn't mean it like that."

"I like twisting your words."

"Evil deer," the canine cooed. "How could you do something like that to such an innocent wolf?"

He put his hands in his pockets and made a face. "Can't stay innocent in this world, young wolf."

"Because men like you are on the prowl." Those large hands found their way to Louis' shoulders, rubbing them slightly. The patrons ahead of them paid them a glance before quickly looking anywhere else.

Louis purred. "We're the true predators."

The queue shortened and soon it was the deer's turn to order. He took a moment to order, but finally he did, paying the barista in cash and then standing off to the side. "It smells so good in here..."

The badger behind the counter blinked, staring at Legosi. "Sir? What do you want to order?"

"Hm?" The wolf jumped, a bit. "O-oh, no, I'm with him. I don't want anything."

"...Then please move aside."

Legosi did so, leaning into Louis in embarrassment.

The deer looked up and smiled. "You know, I bet the pastries here taste good."

"Oh, they smell so good. Let's go here for my birthday!" The wolf bounced on his heels.

"Oh...well...Uh...For breakfast, sure!"

Suddenly, his name was called and he went over, smiling and taking the cup, then coming back to Legosi, looking at it. He frowned. "They spelled my name wrong." He held it up to reveal "Lewie" written on the cup.

"Well, hopefully it tastes good, still," Legosi suggested.

Louis nodded and took a small sip and his eyes lit up. "Ooh, wow. That's...really good."

"How would you rate it if you were that strict ram food critic we were watching the other day?"

"Delicious. Finally a good fucking cup of coffee."

Legosi laughed. "Maybe you could become a critic!"

"I might be more critical than he is." He reached up and squeezed his cheek. "Imagine if you were a food critic."

His fiance leaned into his touch. "It'd get me a lot of meals, that's for sure."

"Meals from other animals?" An otter walked by and made a hissing noise as he went out the door.

"Sure! You know how much I love eating." Both of them continued as if nothing incredibly rude just occurred.

"That's the issue! You'll like everything!"

"Hmm..." In a sudden 'aha!' moment, Legosi held up a clawed finger. "I don't like cream of wheat!"

"What's that? Sounds grainy."

"Yeah, it's really bland. Gosha made it for me once and it was bad." Legosi, finally tearing his eyes off his deer, allowed himself to look around the space they were now in. The cafe was small, yet cozy. The counter, chairs, and tables were all made from wood, giving it an older feel.

Louis grinned as he watched Legosi's ear twitched. "I can tell this will be one of our favorite places to go."

"It's really nice! I can't wait to try all the cakes." After saying this, the wolf was unable to contain himself. He walked around the store, tail wagging wildly and arms flapping. The tail smacked some napkins off of a nearby table but he didn't seem to notice.

Louis was quickly there, gathering them. "Careful!" The barista just squinted at him. "...Maybe we should get going."

The excited wolf nodded, unable to form words due to the happiness he was feeling.

The two left, Louis sipping at his coffee. Legosi reached out for his free arms and hooked his own around it.

They continued on their journey of the area around their home. "Keep an eye out for a place to do laundry." They walked around the immediate block, noting all of the stores and restaurants. They eventually found a general store.

"They probably have paper in here." Legosi turned, pulling Louis gently where they still locked arms.

The deer took another drink. "This is so good. So, will you take notes about the bugs one by one?"

"Yep!" A bell above the door rang as they entered, the building a bit colder than it should have been at that time of year.

The two walked around the store, still hooked by the arm. Legosi found a pack of blank paper and some pens, taking them in his free hand. "This is kind of like homework, huh? Haven't done that in a while..."

"It's homework you like and homework that makes you money," Louis said. "Speaking of, I wonder if that cafe is hiring..."

"Oooh that would be good for you! That would be great!" The tail started going haywire again. Legosi had no idea being an adult would be this exciting.

"But does it really scream 'Lewie'?"

"You can teach them how to spell."

"I guess it makes sense, since my name doesn't sound how it looks. I don't like when people pronounce it wrong, though. My father told me the name is French. Did you know that?"

"Oh? Huh. I did not know that." Legosi quickly made his purchase, which was put into a bag which he held in his unoccupied hand. If the clerk at the store reacted to the two of them being so close, he didn't notice. He had fought a giant, unstable bear. He didn't care anymore who saw their love. Not that he had in recent times, anyway.

Louis stumbled slightly on their way out, and he pulled him up. "Hey, are you okay?"

The deer turned red. "I'm just wonderful, why do you ask?"

Legosi turned red back. "B-be honest! How are you feeling...down there?"

"I'm...It's great! It's the best feeling!" He looked away. "Shut up!"

The wolf just stared at him in concern. He had hurt him. He was trying to ignore it all morning but it was the truth. With a heavy sigh, he continued their tour.

Louis now let the limp show a bit more, considering hiding it just made it worse. "Anything you're really hoping to live close to?" he asked.

"Um...a big park..." Legosi scratched his nose, shyly.

"It's just like a dog to want to go to the park," Louis chuckled. "Hm...In my room back at Horns, I could see a park down below. I've known about it almost all of my life."

"That's a bit far," Legosi lamented. "...Another birthday idea, I guess."

"Yeah. Oguma would never let me go, so I've never really been to a park," Louis sighed.

A worried noise emerged from the canine's throat. "Oh, it might be dangerous for us to be so close, actually..."

Louis gulped. "I knew I shouldn't have brought it up."

"Do you really think he gave up?"

"I...Don't spend any time thinking about him." The deer sighed. "It just...makes me really upset. I know he's coming back. I just don't know when, so I choose to ignore it and I am choosing to ignore it."

"R-right! Sorry, Louis! Let's go looking for that laundromat..."

His partner nodded and they continued onward, keeping their eyes peeled for the building. Louis pushes all thoughts of the Horns building away.

Legosi's ears perked up when they turned a corner and spotted a line of trees. "Park?"