Chapter 59 - What the Fuck Just Happened?

Louis sniffled, eyes still leaking tears. "Th-they killed..."

Legosi moved around, trying to find a comfortable position for both of them. It was certainly odd considering Louis was clothed and Legosi only had his apron on. "It's okay, Louis. You're with me now. Just breathe and talk when you're ready."

The deer wiped his eye. "They killed defenseless carnivores like it was nothing..."

A chill ran down Legosi's spine. Did that mean he was next? "Wh-what did they do, exactly?"

"Do you...really want to know?"

"I need to if I'm going to help you."

"They shot a wolf in the head, they decapitated a bear, they slit a raccoon's throat, they broke a fox's neck and joked about it, they cut the arm off a dingo and stabbed him, and they gouged out the eyes of a Tasmanian devil...I tried to look away and it was hard to see through my tears, but I saw the damage...It's...It's horrible, Legosi..." Even as he explained it, he still couldn't comprehend it.

The canine swallowed, tightening his grip. "W-well, weren't these the same carnivores selling the children?"

"That doesn't mean anything! They were still defenseless. Ichi said us having weapons was equal to their claws and jaws..."

"It's awful that you had to see that." Legosi reached down and cupped his face, looking into his wet eye.

"It's too much...It's too much..." He swallowed, dryly.

His husband tried to steer the topic away. "What about the kids?"

"They're safe..." He made a small smile. "There's a little wolf pup."

Legosi cocked his head. "Really? They even sell carnivores?"

"Apparently..." He looked to the side. "Now I know they kill them in cold blood, too."

"Do you have to go back again soon?"

"I left before they could tell me."

"I guess Ichi will call you if you do. If not though...do you think you'll be okay here alone while I'm at work tomorrow? I don't want to leave you alone."

"Just...go to work. I'll be fine."

"Okay...but you should come see me if you need to. We have therapy on Monday, too, but it's going to be hard if we can't talk about this..." Legosi started to stroke his shoulders.

"Oh, yeah...With everything going on, I forgot."

The wolf moved his head down and started licking his face.

Louis took what he was given, sighing. "Now that Juu knows you know, we can basically say anything."

"So she does listen?" He paused his tongue motions just enough to ask.

"I mean, I don't know. I just know she knows you know."

Legosi sighed. "This is all so messed up."

"Very. It always has to be us, too."

"And there's no way you can convince them to tie up the carnivores like that coyote?"

"I tried!" Louis exclaimed. "But Ichi shot a carnivore who he disarmed and who was begging for his life. He didn't even help sell the kids, just the drugs, even though he helped the people who were helping sell the kids...Even so! It's horrible!"

Legosi whined. "I wish I could try to talk to them and try to help, but obviously that can't happen."

"No. I couldn't stand seeing you go in such a violent manner...or at all. I feel so...stressed and disturbed. Why can't I just stay at home forever?"

The dog nuzzled into him. "Maybe we should start putting information together to tell Melon-san?"

"...I don't know. I don't want to talk about it anymore."

"I made macaroni and cheese."

"...I love you so much."

"I love you, too! So much!" Legosi stood up and walked over to the pot of long-made food. "Are you going to take a shower?"

"I feel disgusting. Yes."

"Should I come with?"

"...Yes."

Legosi looked down at himself and chuckled. "I have to get dressed to take a shower. Isn't that funny?"

Louis nodded. "Unfortunately."

Both animals got their loungewear on and walked downstairs to the showers, Legosi holding Louis by the side the whole way.

"Sorry that I'm always a mess. I can't stop thinking about the decapitation...A life can end so easily..." the buck mumbled.

"Don't apologize, Lou! You're going through something no animal should ever have to. I still can't believe it when I think about it..."

"Seeing it a whole different story...The whole time, I kept thinking, 'I need Legosi'. You've made me soft."

"Couples support each other. It makes sense."

"I'm glad I'm more open...but I hate feeling weak. There are times to be weak, but I feel like I'm supposed to be strong right now to keep you alive."

They entered the showers, going to their normal stall and stripping. "What would you do with strength? Kill Ichi?"

"If I killed Ichi, we'd both be dead."

"Then what would you do?"

"Be dead."

Legosi's ears flicked down. "Lou!"

"What?! It's true!"

The wolf pinched his brow. "I mean, what would you do if you had all the strength you wanted?"

"Try and be free, I guess?"

"But how would you get away from this...cult?"

"I have no idea. Also...cult?"

Legosi turned the water on. "I don't know what else to call them."

"A group. Can we talk about something else?"

"Yeah." Legosi guided his deer under the hot water, rubbing up and down his body.

"..."

The wolf continued to rub all over his body, soon grabbing their fur and body wash and lathering him up.

Louis' ears stayed flicked back as his husband took care of him.

The dog bent down and planted soft kisses over his shoulders and back and chest as he started to wash himself.

"...How was your day?"

"Well, after you left I was talking to the 701 guys in our group chat. That's basically all I did, since Mel-san gave me the day off."

"...ALL DAY?"

"It was only six hours or so."

"The worst six hours of my life." Louis shut his eye as the water hit him. He was in turmoil.

"They want to visit soon. The guys." Legosi ran his hands down Louis' back.

The deer shuddered. "Ah...R-really?"

"Yeah. Jack was talking about his special class he has to take being one of the smartest animals in the grade and he seemed stressed out. It'd be good for him."

"That reminds me, Himiko called the other day...but I told her we were too busy at the moment."

"I hope we can meet with them soon. It's been so long!"

"We did say we'd see them in a year. It hasn't been that long."

They finished washing, but Legosi continued to hold Louis there, swaying back and forth.

"The water feels nice..." Louis mumbled. "How was Shogi and Sebun? I never asked."

"Hm? What do you mean? They're nice. Although, I didn't know they knew each other. Apparently, they met in the hall one day."

"They knew each other before then?"

"Yeah, that's why he came over. He said Oguma's been a lot nicer lately too."

"Oh? He got rehired?"

"Yeah, remember?"

"I didn't remember it would be so soon."

Legosi dipped his nose into Louis' neck. "It was easy since he already worked there before, or at least that's what he said."

"Mmm..." Louis liked his muzzle there. "That makes sense. Have he and Sebun hung out before?"

"No, that was the first time." The wolf's voice rumbled in his ear.

"Did they seem to get along? They are both sheep."

"Yeah! They were joking around a lot with the movie."

"That's good. I'm glad he's getting better..."

"Yeah." Legosi turned the water off. "Let's go eat dinner and watch anime."

"Mmm...Thank you." Louis wrapped his arms around him and squeezed. "I needed this."

"I know, and I'll keep taking care of you. Forever."

The deer rubbed his cheek against his chest.

They dried off, got dressed, and returned to the safety of their home, where a meal made with love awaited the buck.

After reheating it, they sat down. "It smells delicious, hon." Louis said, though he still looked sad.

"I hope you like it when you taste it, too!" Legosi smiled.

The cervid took a bite. "Mmm..."

The wolf's tail wagged behind them. "Pretty tasty for an easy recipe."

"Yes. Thank you."

After the wolf was asleep, Louis took out his phone, dialing a certain Dall sheep. He wasn't sure he'd even be awake at this hour.

It was answered on the second ring. "Hey, Louis? What's up?"

"When are you free?"

"Fuck, when am I ever free? Tomorrow works, though."

"That's perfect. Thank goodness..." He swallowed, still sounding shaken. "Thank goodness."

"Is it about that thing we talked about last time? With that group of herbivores?"

"Y-yes..."

"I'll come around as soon as I can tomorrow."

"Please." He rubbed his face. "I can't ponder what the fuck just happened, still."

Pina's voice suddenly shifted, urgently. "Is Legosi okay?"

"Yes. He's right here with me. But...I'm not okay."

"You've told Legosi how you're feeling, right?"

"Of course I have," Louis said.

The sheep sighed. "Just making sure. I guess you want to talk about it tomorrow instead of now."

"I'm done talking about it for today. I'm so tired."

"Alright, well get some sleep, buddy. I'll be there tomorrow."

"Goodnight, Pina," Louis said, softly.

"Night," came the other herbivore's equally quiet reply.