Chapter 9 - In An Alternate Universe

"Wait...you really told Lee that there used to be giant, prehistoric bugs?" Legosi and Louis were sitting in the food court, very closely next to each other at a table with the remains of their dinner and a shared ice cream cone, held by Louis.

Louis took a lick, smacking his lips. "Weren't there?"

Legosi took a lick as well before holding his finger up, a common sign that he was about to infodump. "Well, it depends on how you define 'giant'. The biggest insects known to exist belonged to the order Meganisoptera, which consisted of many large dragonflies with wingspans up to 70 centimeters. Pretty big, but not the sizes which you were talking about. In fact, due two the way insects take in oxygen, their size is limited due to the amount of oxygen in the atmosphere. It's hypothesized that since oxygen levels of early Earth were higher than they are now, insects grew to larger sizes than we see today! But still within somewhat reasonable sizes."

Louis stared at him, smiling goofily. "Weh?"

The wolf looked up from where he was sipping his ginger ale, removing his mouth from it and licking his nose. "Oh, should I explain again? Sorry, I might have spoken too fast..."

"No, you're fine. That shirt looks really good on you," the deer sighed. He tilted the cone forward.

Legosi took another lick. He loved strawberry. "Thanks! I'd love to get more like it when we get some more money. Maybe some with beetles on it! Oh, I'd love that!" His tail wagged, hitting Louis' behind as well as the leg of a passerby, who glanced over but paid them no further mind.

"You want ice cream with beetles on it?" The buck furrowed his brows.

The wolf's eyes went wide. "Nuh...no! A shirt! Silly!"

"Oh! Oh, right! Sorry I'm distracted by...how delicious this ice cream cone is." He took another lick.

Legosi stared, before leaning in and licking Louis' nose.

"You missed the ice cream..."

"You had some on your nose, love."

The deer blushed, taking a chunk of the scoop off with his lips. "Nothing strange about a carnivore and a herbivore sharing one ice cream cone."

Legosi smirked. "Nothing at all. Anyway, I'm glad to hear you survived the milk spill. I was really worried about you."

"You're lucky I did. Getting messy like that could have killed me," the cervid joked, exasperated. "Oh woe is me, lost to the creamy white liquid that we call..." he raised his fist and clenched it. "Milk."

"Curse you, milk!" Legosi copied the pose his fiance took, drawing looks from those gettin dinner at the food court.

The deer snorted and then laughed. "Looks like I've developed quite a sense of humor. Louis being funny. It's so...different."

"I thought you were always funny." Legosi took a bite out of his soft pretzel. "At least, after that day we texted each other all afternoon."

"Oh, please...that was shoddy grasps in the dark at trying to impress this mysterious wolf I somehow befriended."

Now Legosi snorted. "You were trying to impress me?"

Louis shrugged. "I'd never had a real friend before that point. Is it sad that my only friend became my only lover?"

"What about..." The dog now counted on his fingers. "...Pina, Bill, Kai, Dom, Haru, Shogi..."

"I meant at the time..."

Legosi stopped with his list, lowering his large hands back to the table. "Ah..."

"I'm so grateful for all of them, though."

The wolf put a large arm casually around his shoulders, holding his smaller frame close. "I'm so glad we were able to help you."

Louis ate some more ice cream. "Now life is too beautiful to slow down."

"Yeah..." The wolf's tone was spacy. He shook his head and focused back on his food. "Anyway...do you wanna hear about my day?"

"I do."

Legosi recounted the presentations he did that day, noting how most of the animals didn't participate even when he invited them too and others questioned his scars and seemed to be afraid of him. He brought Louis closer to him as he remembered all of it. He couldn't believe how lucky he was to have met a male herbivore who didn't care about how threatening he may look.

Louis' fists curled up. "Are you serious?!"

"Yeah. Mel-san was pretty surprised. I think he thought the presentations would have gone better. But, we did get some interested animals, so going forward it should be easier." Legosi smiled as he ate his fries, but his eyes were downcast.

Louis huffed, audibly. "That's such bullshit! Are you fucking kidding me? You went through something traumatic and yet they have the nerve to fucking treat you like that?"

Legosi's ears wiggled, ducking down and leaning into him more, saying nothing as he continued to eat.

The deer continued to fume, angry at the patrons of the store. He didn't even know them, but he wanted to yell at them and tell them that they have no idea what he went through.

The wolf finished up his food, feeling warm and fuzzy to have his fiance defend him, even if it was after the fact. "Next week will be better," he assured.

"And eventually I'll have a job as well."

"Remember to look into that cafe!" Legosi reminded.

"Oh, of course I will. And then they'll get my name right." He poked him. "That's really the only reason I want to work there."

"And it's close!" Legosi pointed out. "And maybe they'll let you bring food home!"

"Mmm, food~" the deer nodded.

Speaking of, Legosi looked happily down to Louis' tray, which had been all eaten up. He leaned in to lick the ice cream again.

The deer kept holding it up as some started dripping down the cone.

"Looks like you're going to get dairy all over you again," Legosi observed.

"Ah! You take it!" He thrust the cone forth.

Panicking, Legosi leaned down and opened his mouth, causing Louis to deposit the whole scoop in there. He ate it frantically, making sure none fell out while trying not to choke. Of course, both of them knew what was about to strike. Sure enough, Legosi held the side of his head, eyes screwed shut as his teeth ached.

Louis gasped and grabbed his shoulders. "Idiot! What'd you do that for!"

"Mmmmn vvvmmnn!" Legosi tapped his toes on the floor rapidly, retreating his aching head into the safety of the deer's chest.

Louis wrapped his arms around him. "You dumb dog..."

Eventually, the dog gained the ability to speak again. "It came at me so fast, I panicked."

"I didn't mean deepthroat the cone!"

Legosi grumbled, moving back from him. "Well, I'm tired. Let's go back home."

They threw away their trash and made their way from their mall back to their new home, Louis taking in the cold air when he walked in.

The wolf did too, shivering. "Is there a thermostat in here?"

"Perhaps. I'll look around." He began glancing about, trying to find the little machine.

They eventually found the dial on the wall by the entrance, and the old radiator grumbled to life as they adjusted the heat to their liking. Legosi quickly undressed and put on some loose pajamas before collapsing onto the couch with a sigh.

Louis came and sat by him. "This whole day has made me realize that I probably couldn't handle kids."

Legosi was silent for a moment. "I see."

The deer sighed. "I'm sorry..."

"Thanks for telling me. It's good to talk about these things openly." Legosi brought his legs up to the side, resting his thighs on Louis' before hugging him. "I don't know why I feel like I want to raise a family so badly...I'm not even sure if it'd be a good thing or not."

"I kept thinking about what you would have done...I feel like you'd give our daughter too many privileges and yes, it would be a female."

"What kind of animal would she be?"

"Another wolf, like you so she can relate to one of us. Unless you wanted to go for a hybrid..."

Legosi smiled, slightly. "Maybe." He laughed. "We could name her Juno! I wonder what she would feel about that."

"You...want to name her Juno?"

The carnivore laughed again. "Just joking!" He nuzzled his nose into the crook of Louis' neck. "...Or Leano..."

"Oh...that might be nice..." Louis mumbled. "It wouldn't hurt?"

"Yeah, it'd be a nice thought." Legosi sighed, pushing himself and Louis down on the couch with him on top. He brought both of his large hands to caress his cheeks.

The deer looked up at him. "Today was...hard. Being separated is...hard."

Legosi nodded. "Yeah. I kept thinking about you and how you accept every part of me. You refuse to be afraid of my carnivorous traits, and I got so used to that that it was...shocking when the herbivores refused to get near me..."

"I guess it was too much of a good thing..."

Louis was soon assaulted with a cold canine nose, his fur tickling as Legosi spoke as he nuzzled. "What if that's how we met? I am but a humble bug store employee giving a presentation when I see the cutest, most handsome red deer in the world in the crowd..."

"Oh...? You have my attention..." Louis blushed.

The wolf continued with the hypothetical. "I wouldn't be able to keep my eyes off you...I'd be getting distracted and fumbling with my words. I would hold one of the bugs out for the audience to touch, hoping that you would come closer but also terrified that you would."

"Knowing me, I most likely wouldn't be in a bug store for no reason, so I must be there to get a bug. I think I would come closer, then."

Legosi smiled. "I'd be so nervous. I'd be shaking. I never knew a male herbivore could be so attractive." He sniffed him deeply, reminding himself that Louis was his.

"I don't think anything of it at first. I reach out to touch the bug because you say it's safe, while also being concerned that you were having a mental breakdown in that head of yours."

"What bug do you want it to be?" the larger animal asked.

"A jewel beetle."

The wolf smiled wide at that. "I gather up the courage to ask you if you want to see the terrarium where they're all kept after the presentation is over."

"I tell you that would be nice, giving you a light smile."

Legosi nuzzled further into the soft deer. "I can't believe you said yes. Your scent is making me dizzy. Once the presentation ends I can't stop my tail from wagging."

"I stay behind and find you with a light grin, seeing your tail and wondering what you're so happy about."

The canine giggled, continuing this strange game they just invented. "I tell you even more about them than I did in the presentation, risking getting closer to you to smell you. You smell so good..."

"I listen to the best of my abilities and even ask questions, though my eyes keep wandering back to you, the ever-excited employee."

"Of course, I think you're the most stunning animal I've ever seen. What do you think of me?" Legosi poked him, playfully.

"I think I'm wondering why you're acting so strange, I automatically don't think anything of you since at this point I don't have my carnivore lover development."

"Hmm." His mate pondered how he could get his fiance to fall in love with him all over again. "I drop my pen and I lean down to get it, but our noses bump."

Louis chuckled. "I would definitely blink and apologize."

"I'd apologize, too." Legosi stared at Louis, half-lidded. "...I wonder where we'd meet again. Maybe at the food court. Or at the park!"

"I'm curious as to why you're talking about meeting again so soon."

The wolf shrugged. "I say that I simply want to see you again..."

"I blink, scratching my cheek. I decide to be brave and ask you what you've been so excited about this whole time."

"And I let it slip...that I think you're the most stunning animal I've ever seen. I probably run away after that."

Louis chuckled, reaching his hand up to stroke his ears. "I would definitely stand there for a while, very confused."

"Guess it would take a lot of time for that scenario to work out." Legosi leaned in for a kiss. "Good thing we have this in real life."

His buck leaned up and kissed him back, then smiled. "Our scenario may have resulted in the loss of my eye, but we gained a life together, so I'd say it was pretty worth it, contrary to what any old deer says."

The deer continued to play with his ears, rubbing them with his thumbs. "So...do we end up kissing?"

Legosi held a thoughtful expression. "It might take a while. We'd have a few meetups, learn more about each other. Maybe...one of the days I go to drop you off at your place, and without thinking I kiss you on the cheek."

"I guess I would have had burgeoning feelings by that point, so I bet I'd kiss you back."

"You know, Jack said that there's infinite universes out there. I bet in all of them, we find each other. Wouldn't that be romantic?"

"Very," Louis nodded.

Legosi's expression changed to a serious one. "No matter where you go, I'll follow."

"And there's no way that I'll be far behind you," the buck purred. "Getting married will be the happiest day of my life."

"And the guest list keeps growing." The carnivore rubbed their noses.

"You're so affectionate tonight..." Louis rubbed a thumb on his lips. Just like I want...

"We haven't been apart that long in a while." The wolf brought their bodies even closer, somehow, wrapping his arms around the small of Louis' back. "And it's a canine thing."

"Oh it is?" his fiance asked. "Because it must be a deer thing, too."

"Well, what we're doing isn't exactly something they teach about in regards to instinct. I guess it's just...an us thing."

"We have so many us things..."

"Scientists could study us and discover totally new animal behaviors." Legosi laughed grimly at the thought. "But they'd probably sooner dissect us..."

"No! I like being whole!" The deer sighed. "Imagine getting to call me your husband."

"I can hardly wait. Whenever we meet new animals, we can introduce ourselves as 'husband'. I'm excited." Legosi licked Louis on the cheek. And scared, of course, but we both are...

"Me, too. I'm going to flaunt it around like it's a new earring."

Legosi reached out and tapped the metal on Louis' ear. "...I should buy you an earring when I get enough money saved."

"You think? I've always enjoyed the gold ring look of it. It says 'Hi world, I'm gay' without having to say any words. If only I could tell everyone I'm dating a wolf without having to state it, minus all the fur all over my clothes."

Legosi winked at him. "Maybe there's earrings that look like claws or fangs."

"Oh? You think?"

"Could be." He brought his long canine tongue to lick up the deer's thin neck. "And for me...I could get something with antlers on it. Maybe a bracelet or necklace."

"Both of us, adorned in jewelry of the other..."

"Yeah." The dog gave him another lick. "I don't think I'd want any piercings. They scare me."

"Not for my wolf," he squeezed his cheek. "It was more a statement on my end."

"So..." Legosi reached up and rubbed one of Louis' ears. "What should we do this week?"

"I wonder what Haru's up to," Louis pondered. "You did say you wanted to get plants."

"Mhm, I do. Maybe get to know our neighbors. Exciting stuff."

"We could invite Sebun...

Legosi's ears flicked. "Maybe Sebun-san could introduce us. She seemed nice."

"She does! I bet she knows all kinds of animals that live here. Perhaps a couple like us?"

"Sounds like a food plan for the week, then." The canine sighed, happily, allowing more of his weight to press against Louis.

The deer kept rubbing his ears. "It will be so nice to hear each animal's story..."

"As long as they don't think we're being too nosy." Legosi laughed, but his expression soon faded. "I really hope they all like us. I just want animals to like us..."

"I can tell..." Louis whispered. "You...really care what they think?"

He nodded. "It's strange. I used to not care what animals thought of me, just living day by day in the shadows. But...I really did care, all this time. It took you to help me realize that."

"And...I always cared what everyone thought of me and now I don't at all."

Legosi grunted quietly. "I think what upsets me the most is animals thinking poorly of you because of me. You don't deserve it."

"And you know how I feel about how people look at you because of me." His face scrunched up, angrily "'Oh, is that scarred up wolf going to eat that deer? Oh, they're getting really close. We should all pull our fucking phones out so we can stick our noses in this couple's fucking life! I'm such a good fucking animal to society because I'm so expectant that he'll devour this deer on the spot! Go me!"

Legosi nuzzled his partner even more, conflicted because he hated to see Louis upset but loved when he got angry for him.

Louis sighed. "Yeah, I've noticed all the attention."

"I guess everyone will just have to get used to it," the wolf concluded. "I mean, you have a gun and I fought a bear."

"Well, I can't just threaten them with a gun," the deer explained. "I just wish they'd leave us alone."

"I guess all we can do now is appreciate the animals in our life that accept us."

Louis blinked. "Huh. That's rather profound of you, Legosi. And you're right. If our friends accept who we are, then that's all that matters. I mean, it's not like anyone is trying to separate us."

Legosi beamed proudly at the praise. "Yup! So let's just keep doing what we're doing!"

The buck looked inspired. "Yeah...Yeah, you're right. I need to start changing my outlook. As long as no one comes between us, we're fine. Better than fine!"

"Unstoppable!"

"Yes. We can do anything. So, when should we try and hang out with Sebun?"

"Hmm. She's older than she looks, right? She probably works a lot."

"Yeah...She is older than she looks. Hm, it might be hard to catch her."

"So what do we do? Knock on everyones' door?"

The deer snorted. "Wait. You think we should just...knock on everyone's door? Just like that?"

"How else do we do it?"

"Well, it couldn't hurt to try. You don't think it's too eager?"

"I'm a canine! Of course it's eager!" Legosi smiled, goofily.

Louis pulled him down onto his chest. "Then I guess we're doing it doggy style!"

A blush quickly formed on the wolf's face. "I, uh, yeah..."

"What?"

"Well, that's sort of a thing that animals call, uh, a sex position. All canines know about it and it's kind of embarrassing."

"Oh..." The deer blinked. "Have we done it yet?"

"No. The animal on the bottom goes on their hands and knees and...yeah."

"Ooh...Putting that on the idea list. Anyway, I'll put on our show and give you some tummy rubs and licks and then we can shower and get some rest. Tomorrow, we'll begin our adventure in discovering our neighbors!"

Predictably, Legosi's tail wagged like crazy after hearing that.