Chapter 43 - Dinner With Oguma

Saturday...

Louis finished tying the tie around Legosi's neck, smiling softly. Only one more thing to add...His golden beetle pin. "You look just as beautiful as you did that night." He was wearing the same tux he had during the night of the dance himself.

"Good thing you remembered we had these. We never wore them again so they left my mind, and there were a lot of other things that night that stick out in my memory." Legosi leaned down and kissed Louis' forehead. "Are you going to wear your star earring?"

"Of course." He grabbed Legosi's large hands. "Stop being so nervous."

"Y-you can tell?" Said hands were shaking slightly and his tail was stiff as a board.

"Yeah, I can." Their fingers were laced. "It's going to be fine. You look beautiful."

Legosi managed a smile, framed by washed and well-groomed fur, although nothing could hide his scars still. He leaned down and sniffed Louis. "You are stunning as always."

"Mmm...Last night was fun, huh? It just kind of happened out of nowhere after Dom and Kai left...Thank goodness we didn't get worked up while they were here."

Recalling the previous night of passion got Legosi's tail wagging again. "Yeah! And I didn't have any instinctual urges again! We're getting really good at it!"

"We are." He had a thought. "Haha, remember when we first did it and you wanted to do it every day when we lived alone?"

Legosi blushed. "I-it was in the heat of the moment."

"You couldn't handle me every day."

"You are pretty intense." Legosi performed his signature hip bump on the deer as he said that.

"I know. I just get lost in it..."

"Just in general, too. Seeing a herbivore so intense is attractive as hell to me." He licked Louis up his neck but then backed off, knowing they couldn't get distracted.

Louis must have been thinking the same thing, because he placed his hands on his chest to hold him back. "It is?"

"Of course! And you know I'm all into herbivores, too."

The deer chuckled, nuzzling him. "Having a canine mate has been a heavenly experience."

Legosi nuzzled back. "Likewise for having a deer mate. And we're going to show that to your father tonight."

"And he'll understand that it's okay...I mean, we may still have issues, but I think...we're okay."

"We'll ask him about the therapy and we'll be okay," Legosi assured. "And we'll...we'll get through this Ichi business and put it behind us and we'll be okay."

"And no matter what happens, I won't let us get to the breaking point again. We'll keep communicating and getting better. That's what a relationship is. Constant improvement for each other and ourselves."

Suddenly, the landline phone connected to the front desk in their room started to ring.

Louis raised a brow. They had never had to use it until now, due to having their own phones. He walked over and answered. "Hello?"

"Hi, is this Louis or Legosi?" The voice of one of the other receptionists came through and Louis wondered how Morgane and her boyfriend were doing with that crossword puzzle.

"This is Louis speaking."

"There is a goat from the Horns conglomerate here asking for your presence."

"Oh, okay. Put him on."

The voice changed into a deeper, bleatier one. "Louis-sama, this is the driver from the Horns Conglomerate. I have come to drive you and Legosi to dinner with Oguma-sama."

"Alright, we'll be right down in a few minutes. Thank you, sir."

As the deer hung up, Legosi looked at himself in the mirror and attempted some last minute touch ups.

The deer waved him along. "C'mon. They're waiting for us. Are you going to be okay?"

Legosi nodded. "Yeah, I think so. Just...hold onto my hand."

"Should I get some glue so we can't let go?"

Legosi laughed. "That'd get caught in our fur! I think we can hang onto each other well enough."

Once again, their fingers were interlocked. "At the least, you'll get good free food."

"Always good!" Legosi beamed.

They made it down the steps and met the awaiting driver. He bowed to them and motioned outside where a fancy black car was parked and waiting.

The door was opened for them and the duo didn't let go of each other as they slipped into the seats one after the other. Louis stayed close to his mate as the door shut, even leaning on him a bit to calm him down.

Legosi leaned back and kissed his cheek. "So, are you looking forward to tomorrow with Pina coming over?"

"I am. It will be nice. We haven't really actually hung out one on one before." The car pulled off the curve and began making its way down the road. "I'm just hoping I like the music..."

"Yeah. Um..." Legosi circled his claws together. "Do you think he might try to...y'know...again?"

"What?"

"Kiss you."

"...I'm not a wounded animal like that anymore. He only did it to show me he cared." But part of him wasn't sure...The way he was acting the day before was...interesting, to say the least.

"I can't tell if he was being flirty yesterday or just Pina flirty," Legosi said, squeezing Louis' hand tighter. "Bill didn't seem to notice or care, though, so maybe it was just my imagination."

"Yeah...I don't want this becoming a big thing. That's the last thing we need."

"Do you think me and Bill would be able to hang out and get along? We both kind of like anime, I guess," Legosi pondered.

"You said you wanted to train with him, so maybe."

"Maybe..." Legosi looked out the window, quickly becoming distracted by the movement.

The drive wasn't a very long one and they were at the Horns building before they knew it. The door opened and the couple got out of the car, looking up at the tall building in the middle of the city.

Louis swallowed. "...Back here again."

"Yeah..." Legosi laughed softly. "I'll get to see what the first floor looks like this time!"

"I guess so..." The deer still didn't move, feeling a tightness in his chest.

Legosi kept a hold of his hand. "Are you okay? Should we cancel?"

"U-uh...Well...It's just...Last time I was here..."

"I know." The wolf let go of his hand in favor of cupping the sides of his face. "I'm here with you. I won't leave your side. You're safe."

Louis hugged him, tightly. "The only good memory of this place is when we were finally reunited..."

Legosi's tail wagged. "Our first time cuddling. We did pretty well without much experience."

"Well...Not really. That morning in my dorm was the first time we cuddled, wasn't it?"

"I mean the first time we chose to cuddle, and knew what we were doing."

Louis smiled. "I can't remember if I wanted to kiss you, then."

"I was just so happy to be with you again and be close to you, I didn't even think about it." Legosi leaned in and kissed his forehead. "Are you ready to go in?"

"I...really don't know. I can't believe my nerves are hitting me now."

Legosi wrapped his arms completely around him and placed his head atop his. "You'll be okay," he assured with a whisper, slowly swaying their bodies side to side.

"It was three months, Legosi...I almost killed myself..."

The wolf stiffened ever so slightly. "Yes, but it's all different now. Everything has changed."

"I don't understand...I should be fine right now. Nothing bad is going to happen!"

They stood there in silence for a moment, their driver standing by the door, confused.

Louis let out a breath. "But...you were there for me back then and you're here for me now."

"I am. I am here for you," his husband assured.

The deer closed his eye. "I think that's all I need to hear. Let's go in."

The wolf's stomach growled against him. "Yeah, let's."

The two turned and walked up to the door, Louis stopping just before they went in.

Legosi stopped as well, patiently waiting.

The buck looked at him, nervousness still swimming in his eye.

Legosi leaned down, taking Louis' lips with his own and kissing him tenderly.

The sweet touch and taste of his canine sent a wave of calm throughout his body. "Okay, okay...I'm really ready now."

The wolf smiled, and finally their driver opened the door for them.

They were led down the halls, which Louis was very familiar with. Nothing had changed. This time, instead of Legosi being an intruder, he was a guest. They would have never saw that coming back then.

Said guest's fur stood on end slightly as his nose was assaulted with the same smell from the night they stormed Oguma's office. He leaned in to sniff Louis, allowing himself to instead remember the night they spent cuddling. It helped.

They were finally brought into the kitchen, to reveal an, as always, well dressed Oguma sitting at the end of the table. Now, he stood up. "Welcome back, boys."

Legosi choked, trying to stop himself from laughing at what he assumed was the old buck's idea of a joke.

Louis stepped forward, his arm going back since he was clutching his husband's so tightly. "Father."

The stag observed the both of them. "Well, aren't you going to sit?"

Legosi regarded the table, which was absurdly long with the chairs spaced out similarly. "Uh..."

"Go on. Sit anywhere you'd like," Oguma spoke, his face remaining blank.

Louis looked at his mate. "Should we sit across from each other, or...?"

Legosi turned to the old stag. "Um, Oguma-san, may we move the chairs?"

"You may, wolf."

Legosi's ears folded at being referred to like that. He looked over to Louis, then to the chairs, silently asking where they should put them.

The deer shook his head, shrugging. "Do you want to sit across from me or next to me?"

"Next to you."

Oguma was watching them, already taking notes. He could tell that the canine was extremely nervous, fumbling with the chairs and almost tripping at one point.

Once seated, the husbands brought their hands together under the table. Legosi sniffed the air, trying to catch what might be for dinner, but the most overpowering smell in the room was whatever cologne Oguma was wearing.

The old deer looked at them. "So, my son, are you going to properly introduce me to your...friend here?"

Louis nodded. "Oh, right. Father, this is my husband, Legosi. I mean boyfriend! Boyfriend, Legosi..."

Legosi wanted to add 'fiancés' to that, but he figured it was best to follow Louis' lead, so he just nodded.

"When did two get married? Or even back together?"

Legosi, seeing how nervous Louis still was, opted to do the talking. "W-well, we've been back together for almost two weeks now, and w-we decided that since legal marriage for us isn't possible right now, we could just say we are, since-since we love each other enough..."

"Oh, really? What even happened? Louis, last time I saw you, you two were broken up," Oguma said, looking at his son.

The deer swallowed. "I was just acting ridiculous the whole time. My emotions were all over the place. I didn't know what I wanted."

The well-dressed stag continued. "And a carnivore...That's what you want?"

"Yes," Louis answered quickly.

"Well...Alright. Then I will try my best to acclimate."

"And therapy will help us," Legosi reminded. "Make sure nothing like that ever happens again."

"Ah, yes, therapy. What would you say you two are looking for?"

"Um..." Legosi looked over at Louis.

"Versatile, I guess," his partner explained. "Something where we can go together but also alone if we have to."

"And is friendly to relationships like ours, of course," Legosi added.

"Oh, yes, absolutely," Louis nodded.

"We've done well for ourselves, I think, but that...that was a really scary situation." Legosi looked down at the expensive tablecloth.

"What was, exactly? Louis in the hospital?"

"Um." Those large hands fumbled with themselves again. "Yes, and being apart from him. Him saying he didn't want to...have the relationship anymore. Having everything we hoped and dreamed for crash down so suddenly..."

"Well, have you ever considered how dangerous it is?"

Legosi nodded immediately. "Yes! We always knew. We were always aware. And...and we're getting better. Our instincts are barely a problem anymore, Oguma-san!"

Oguma stroked his chin. "Tell me about that."

"W-w-w-well..." the wolf once again turned to his deer for help.

"You're an herbivore, father, and you've never had a partner, so I understand your confusion," Louis said.

"Wrong, my son. I've had a partner. Before I adopted you," Oguma stated, his face never changing.

Louis' eye widened. "Excuse me?"

"Mm. Best not get into it. I don't talk about it much."

"No, no. I want to hear this."

Legosi cocked his head at the older deer, now feeling more comfortable since Louis was asking the questions now.

"Hm. Well. Her name was Tanabe. I don't even know how she came to be so important in my life. I was never one for showing my feelings. But if you asked me if I loved her...then I guess we can say yes, I did."

Legosi leaned forward, listening intently. The man in front of him now was so different than the one they had encountered all those months back.

"She wanted a family, kids. I was too wrapped up into my business to pay mind to it. Plus...I had only had sex one time in my life, when I was a teen and I wasn't too keen on losing my britches."

"Now, you may think I was shooting blanks and that's why I couldn't have kids, but it's not the case. On and on, she pressed me for a family. A son, even. Just a son. Then, my father passed—you remember me telling you about my father, Louis—and I became the leader of the Horns Conglomerate and we started seeing each other less and less."

Louis blinked, listening to every word.

"Finally, she came to me one night and told me that I wasn't giving her time and that I needed to change or it was over. So, I started seeing her more and...yes, we even had sex a few times. Then came the news. She was pregnant with our child. That's when I started showing emotion more, smiling, even laughing. We were going to have a family and it was going to be great…"

"Finally, the time came to have our son and..." He took a moment, but his eyes didn't leave the boys. "I'm not sure how to put this lightly, but, Tanabe passed away from bleeding during birth...And the child...It was a still birth. Preeclampsia." He sighed.

"After the ordeal and the funeral, I stopped showing emotion once more and I ordered all my butlers to not bring up Tanabe or the still birth. Of course, I never forgot. Then came an opportunity to get back what I lost. A son, purchased from the black market to be my predecessor. You, Louis, who carries the same name as my first son."

Louis felt his throat go completely dry, and he took a sip of water that was set out for then.

Just then, the chefs came out to serve their meal.

All three animals were silent, Oguma looking between them and Louis and Legosi looking down at nothing in particular.

Legosi didn't even look to see what it was. He looked up at the stoic herbivore. "Oguma-san...that's awful to hear. I'm so sorry..."

"Don't be." He trained his eyes on Louis. "I think...I think I was extremely selfish when it came to you. I tried to make you into something great that I could be proud of, but like I said before, I don't think I ever considered how you felt."

"When I first spoke to my therapist about this situation, I tried to figure out why I kept you here for those three months...I think, in a way, I was trying to keep you close to me. I knew that you weren't the biggest fan of me and I think I was subconsciously afraid that if I gave you total freedom, I'd never see you again. It was my own very twisted way of showing you I care. I also did treat you like my property, which I apologize for. I think all this time I was just a paranoid man and frustrated with myself, but I took it out on you, my son."

The younger deer sighed. "I'm sorry for shooting your ear. I mean, the way you went about everything was...beyond wrong, but...I didn't know you went through all that."

Legosi drooped his head down, feeling like he shouldn't be there for this close talk between father and son.

"Where did you get that gun, anyway?"

"Uh, Louis had me get it from a lion on the Black Market," Legosi explained.

"Oh? A lion?"

Legosi nodded, then looked over to Louis. "I never did ask how you knew him..."

Louis sighed. "Do you remember getting my gun for me when I was younger, father?"

"I do," Oguma nodded.

"Well, I used to rifle around in your files when I was younger. I knew you kept dirty secrets of other powerful animals for insurance, so I felt I should do the same with you. One thing you taught me, I guess. One day I found your notes on the gun purchase. An illegal firearm bought from the Black Market seemed like a good catch, so I took a picture of it with my phone and committed all of it to memory. A lion from the Shishigumi named Ibuki. Simple enough."

The old stag nodded. "Clever boy. You really are my son."

Louis shook his head. "I'm not like that anymore...I just want to live my life with Legosi."

Legosi nodded in agreement, his stomach no longer allowing him to ignore the food.

Oguma took a small bite, finishing it and taking a sip of his wine before he spoke again. "Speaking of, tell me about yourself, Legosi."

Legosi's mouth was full, and he took a long while to chew before swallowing and managing to say, "Wh-what about?"

"Well, I know nothing about you, so just general information."

"Well...I'm Legosi...a gray wolf and...I'm in love with your son. I work at a bug shop at the mall which I'm about to get more hours at." Legosi brought a finger up to his chin, trying to think of any pertinent information for his new father-in-law that would also not be too personal or inappropriate.

Louis smiled while he listened, squeezing his hand tighter.

Oguma nodded. "Go on."

"Um...my favorite food are egg sandwiches...and I love you Louis' cooking!"

"Hm?"

Legosi's ears perked up. "Oh, do you not know Louis cooks?"

"I didn't. Louis and I...don't speak much, as you know. There's a lot I don't know about my son."

"Like...how he likes wolf men..." Legosi said before putting some asparagus in his mouth.

"Specifically wolf men?"

Legosi shrugged and looked at his husband.

The deer took two bites, reddening. "I may have a...slight interest in canines."

"But why?" Oguma asked.

"I don't know. Their fluffy ears, their bushy tails, their fangs..."

At hearing this praise, Legosi's long tail wagged behind him and slapped both of their chairs.

Oguma blinked, head rearing back. "Fangs? You would be attracted to something so...dangerous?"

"Father, you don't understand. Anyone can be dangerous, if they choose to be. Take your ear, for example. It wasn't bitten off by a carnivore, but shot off by me, an herbivore. Now Legosi's ear, that was torn up by a carnivore. Both parties can be guilty, it just depends on the person."

"But Louis—and no offense to Legosi—aren't you afraid that something could happen with his instincts?"

Louis chuckled. "I'm more afraid of my instincts."

Oguma tilted his head, just slightly, taking another bite. "Your instincts? What do you mean?"

"Can everyone really be so blind? How don't more people understand that it's a two-sided thing? Why don't they teach us that we want to be eaten?

The old deer shook his head. "Louis...You were raised as livestock to be eaten. It was probably just...how you were raised before I adopted you."

Legosi turned to Oguma once again. "Well, regardless of that...it's still a reality for some herbivores. But both of our instincts are something we're working on."

"And how is that coming?"

Legosi ate a few more of the veggies on his plate, looking thoughtful. "I haven't had a single urge for a few weeks now, and before that I didn't have many either. Forming such a deep and meaningful connection with a herbivore and not getting lost in the fantasy of being able to eat them...I think that's the key."

Louis sighed, nodding. "I've never been happier, dad. Never. I feel like this was meant to be. No, I know it is and I will do anything to fight for it."

Legosi balled his fist up on the table and looked at Oguma with determination. "We have made love many times and we're still here! I will never eat your son!" he declared.

Oguma swallowed at this. "I...see. Do you have to hide it?"

"We did at first, but then...We decided that we don't fucking care what people think."

"Language, my son," Oguma frowned.

"I was trying to get across my point," the deer responded. "Herbivores are the only ones that have judged our relationship."

"That's another reason we got married," Legosi continued. "We want to be open with our relationship and for others to take it seriously."

"Well, clearly you've been holding hands under the table the entire dinner, hm? Is that because you're trying to hide from me?" Oguma asked.

"No...it's just more comfortable that way." To prove his point, Legosi brought their hands up to the table.

Oguma...smiled a bit. "You two are quite the team. I mean, you got together and escaped, huh?"

The wolf nodded. "And we stopped a killer."

Louis perked up. "Speaking of escaping...I know he betrayed you and all, but would you ever consider rehiring Shogi-san? He's been struggling to find work."

"Yes, I would. I was completely in the wrong when I kept you here and I think it was good that he disobeyed my orders to help you. I mean, that shot to the ear was a wake up call."

His son smiled, continuing to eat with his left hand while holding Legosi's with his right. "I'll let him know so he can get rehired as soon as possible. Thank you, father."

"It's really no trouble at all, Louis. Think nothing of it."

The deer sighed, observing his adoptive patriarch, who was sitting up straight, still no sign of emotion on his face. At least he knew why. "...Father...?"

"Yes, my son?"

"...Can I count on you?"

"For what?"

"...Just answer, please."

"Of course you can, Louis. But what are you talking about?"

"You'll see."

Legosi squeezed his hand tighter.

"...Well, alright. Will you be coming back to see me more often?"

"I believe so."

"Good! Bring your wolf along so I can get to know him better."

Legosi dipped his head down. "I'm sorry for not being able to tell you much else. I'm not really that interesting. If you have any questions I can answer them, though."

The antlerless deer chuckled. "Only I get to see how interesting he is~"

Oguma sighed. "Looks like you've made my son quite the promiscuous one, huh, wolf?"

Louis shook his head. "I'm just like that, father. With canines, especially."

"I can see that. Hm...I'm going to try and pull some strings..."

"For what?"

"Perhaps I can get you two married, legally."

The deer stood up in his chair, quickly. "Really?!"

Legosi followed after. "What!"

"Calm down, my son. I don't know, yet."

Louis smiled. "Well that would mean everything to us! It's all we want! You'd really do that for a wolf you just met?"

"He may be a wolf I just met, but he is attached to my son whom I...love. It's still so strange saying it or...feeling it. I make time for therapy once a week so I can discuss it."

"It's okay, father. I'm really glad that you've made such a large effort to change." He sat down. "That's more than I could ask for."

"I know you said you'll never forgive me, Louis, but I'll make it right. There is no good excuse for how I treated you, even with my past." He gestured to a cow butler, who came over. "Get me the contact information for the therapist, please."

Louis watched the servant disappear and he looked around after. "It's so strange being back here..."

Oguma looked around as well. "I understand. How has the money been treating you?"

"We're very appreciative. More than anything, I'm glad you sent some to Shogi-san. His life is already getting much better thanks to you. There's just one thing...I can't help but feel like I'm taking advantage of you, somehow."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, you'll do anything to make things right. I just want you to know that I'm not just doing this to keep your money. You can stop sending it, for all I care. I just...I want to know you, father. I want to have a good relationship. I want to be able to...love you, too."

Oguma smiled the most they had ever seen him. "I, as well. Thanks for even giving me this opportunity."

"Mhm..." He took another sip of water.

"I only wish Tanabe could have seen you. She would have loved you."

At this, Louis just looked down, thinking about his real mother. It still made him incredibly sad.

Legosi used this pause in the conversation to talk again. "Oguma-san...it might be too early to say this...and it might be silly...but I never knew my father. When me and Louis get married...I would like to be able to call you my father."

The half-eared deer nodded. "I'll put aside everything I know to try and get to understand you and your relationship. I still don't quite get it, if I'm being honest..."

"Well...you'll just have to spend more time with us and see," Legosi concluded.

Louis looked at him, leaning against him and then looking at his father. "The food is very delicious. When you get Shogi rehired, could we maybe have the cream of celery soup together?"

Oguma nodded, once again. "I was thinking perhaps you could cook for us sometime, as well."

The cow returned, handing Oguma some papers, which he, in turn, handed to Louis. "This is the contact and information to the therapist. Just set up a first meeting and then let them know that I'll be paying for it."

The deer nodded. "Alright, we will. Thank you."

Oguma leaned forward a bit. "And just know, you two, that you aren't taking advantage of me or my money. I'm happy to help. Therapy is expensive."

His son laughed. "Okay."

"And, Louis...You don't have to be my predecessor. I'll find someone else. Just live your life and enjoy the time you have with your wolf."

Louis nodded, looking down at his ring. "Forever and always."