Chapter 63 - Crafting Night

After their therapy, Legosi and Louis went home. Later in the evening, they got to thinking about who they should hang out with the next day. The 701 canines would be busy with school, and Legosi wasn't really ready to talk with Melon yet. Kai? Maybe. Then, Louis suggested that Himiko and Kasumi had wanted to hang out for a while now.

The two boys decided that's what they would do, and the next day, Louis messaged the bear, asking if they were free to hang out that day. Luckily, they were and she gave them the address to their apartment so they could find their way there. The couple set off.

"I wonder what Kasumi's like," Legosi pondered on the train. "And I wonder what the new scarf she made me looks like..."

"It's kind of sad," Louis stated. "It's not even scarf weather anymore."

"It will be, later!" Legosi reminded him. "Did you ask for anything?"

"I did. Black fingerless gloves for Pina and a beanie for Bill. Nothing for myself. I told them a little after we talked about it last book."

"Hm? Book?" Legosi's ear twitched.

"I meant when we were still in the Riz part of our lives."

Legosi blinked. "You sure are interesting, Louis."

"I am? It was just a saying."

"There are the times you pretend to be a robot, too."

"Maybe that's because I am."

"You don't feel like one." Legosi placed a hand on his head.

"That's because I'm a very advanced robot. Why else wouldn't I be afraid of Riley and the Okamigumi?"

The wolf leaned down to his ear. "Because...I tamed you."

The buck blushed at that. "I-I was sure it was the other way around."

"We tamed each other." Legosi stood back up. The mixed species train was fairly empty, since it was after most animals got home from work.

"That's fair. Plus, Pina is more of a robot than me, anyway. With Kai and all..."

The canine pushed the deer, gently. "Hey, that's mean."

"Robots are cool."

"I suppose. But I like you the way you are." Legosi licked under his ear. "Do you know what kind of project you wanna do for therapy?"

"Project?"

"Rikona-san said we should come up with projects away from each other so we're not so dependent."

"Right. I'm really not sure," Louis shook his head. "It's so difficult to focus right now."

"Yeah...with the whole...y'know." Legosi sighed. "I'm not sure if it's a good thing or a bad thing that they haven't contacted you again, yet."

"Maybe I'm too weak for them and they won't call me back. I hope."

"Well...you're not weak, but I do hope they just leave you alone, now. I should still learn how to defend myself properly, though."

"My heart wants it, but my gut knows it's far from over..." He sank down.

The train stopped at their destination. "Well, we can forget about that, for now. We can just focus on hanging out with some new friends tonight." Legosi took a step and reached his hand back for Louis to take, smiling.

The deer did so, firing back a soft grin. "Of course. It's going to be fun. I can't wait to hear all about their progress."

They stepped out and walked to the address they were given, moving more to the outskirts of the city.

"This kind of looks like the neighborhood I grew up in," Legosi mused.

"Yeah, I guess it sort of does," Louis responded.

"I imagine the town I want to live in in the future as smaller, though, don't you?" the wolf asked.

"How small were you thinking?" Louis asked.

"Um, I dunno. How do you measure a town?"

"You're the one who brought up a smaller town."

"Well, I mean like a little stone-paved road that leads to a nice bakery and there's more foot traffic on the road than car traffic." Legosi imitated a walking motion with his one hand while his other hand was the ground. "And there are lots of trees and flowers and the whole community takes care of each other and the town."

"Sounds idyllic," Louis sighed.

"Yeah..."

They continued along, paying attention to the street names and the building numbers. The two got turned around a few times, but finally they came upon the complex that they were pretty sure their friends lived at.

"That took much longer than it needed to," Louis chuckled.

They approached the door, and Legosi felt nervous for some reason. He waited for Louis to ring the bell.

The buck did so, and stepped back. "And now, the wait."

Thumps and voices from behind the door reached their ears. Soon, a short fox opened the door. She looked up at them. "Oh, hey guys!"

Louis smiled. "Nice to finally meet you, Kasumi."

"Yeah!" She turned inside and shouted. "Aye, Iko! It's them!"

There was a noise from inside, and soon, a familiar bear was lumbering up behind the fox. "It's been so long!"

"Mm!" Legosi nodded, trying not to think about how he barely knew these two, yet they still acted so friendly.

"Come on in! Kasumi will close the door behind you."

"Yeah, cuz we can't trust them to close the door," Kasumi joked. The two boys stepped in, entering a small, yet decorated apartment. It was clear that Kasumi's crafts extended far beyond clothes.

"Wow...I've never seen a home like this," Louis gawked.

All around were colorful knitted charms, blankets, you name it. The entire space emitted a warm, orange feeling, and most of the living space was taken up by large furniture, most likely for Himiko.

The bear rocked back and forth on her heels. "Isn't she amazing?"

"I was just bored constantly and it got out of control. I'm like a spider with a web." The fox smiled up at her girlfriend.

"Ah, well, spiders build webs to catch prey, generally, not out of boredom," Legosi pointed out.

"They knew that," Louis said. "You knew that, right?"

"Uh, yeah. It was just a weird metaphor that probably made no sense, haha! Uuuugh!" Kasumi's face went straight into her hand.

Legosi quickly tried to perform damage control. "O-oh! I didn't mean it like that! I just get like that with bugs, right, Lou?"

"Bugs are his favorite," the deer laughed. "He works at a bug shop."

"Oh, that's cute! Here, let me go get the stuff I made you and your friends." The vixen took off.

The buck looked at Himiko. "She's so small."

Himiko snorted and laughed. "I know right! Smaller than other foxes I've seen. So cute!"

"Must be scary though, right?" Legosi walked around, keeping his hand wrapped around Louis'.

"Scary? Why?" Himiko asked.

"Well, aren't you afraid you might...you know..."

"I don't really think about it," the female shrugged.

"I guess..." Legosi glanced at Louis. "I know I can control my strength with Louis, but he's not that much smaller than me."

"I just try to be as gentle as I can...I do get worried about that, but I take my pills every day, at least."

"Hm? Pills?"

"You didn't know? Bears have to take pills prescribed to oppress their strength so we don't hurt those around us," she explained.

Louis blinked. "Didn't I tell you that already?"

Legosi made a face of realization. "Oh, yeah. I...forgot about that. Does it feel bad?"

"Feel bad?" Himiko tilted her head.

"Like, for your body? Does it hurt?"

"It gives me headaches, sometimes, but pure honey helps."

Kasumi entered the room once more with some cloth folded up in her arms. "Oh, talking about the pills? I think they're totally unfair."

"Why is that?" Louis asked.

"Well, correct me if I'm wrong here, but deer don't have any parts of their body mandated by the law, right?" Kasumi set the clothes she was carrying on the table.

"No, we don't. The only thing that's required is antler removal in the mental hospital."

"So you get what I'm getting at, right?" The fox looked over to her embarrassed girlfriend as she asked.

Himiko sighed. "It's just part of being a bear, I guess. I accepted it a long time ago, Sumi."

"Doesn't mean I have to," the vixen huffed. "Anyway," She slid the scarf out from under the pile and slid it over to Legosi. "There's a scarf for you! Blue striped just like the old one, like Louis said."

Legosi picked it up, his eyes almost sparkling. "Ohh, it's just like my old one!" He quickly put it around his neck and rubbed his fur on it.

Louis blinked. "Wow. You really wanted a new scarf."

"I was sad about losing the last one..."

"I didn't realize you missed it that much."

"Well that's why I told you to tell Kasumi to make me a replacement." The wolf looked over to the other canine. "Th-thank you so much!"

"Oh, not a problem at all!" She slid the other articles over as well. "Here's the other stuff for your friends. I also tried my hand at making an eyepatch, even though you told me you didn't want anything." She pulled out a dark purple, silky eyepatch and added it to the pile. "Might be a little odd looking, but I guess it might be comfortable for wearing at home."

"A new eyepatch?" Louis blinked. "You shouldn't have."

"Hey, it was a good challenge for me! If you don't want it, we can keep it for our pirate roleplays, right Hims?"

The buck blinked. "Pi...rate...role...plays?"

Kasumi knocked her fists against the table, lightly. "Jooooke! Joking! But could you imagine, Himiko? 'Yaaaargh, thar she blows!'" The fox surrendered herself to the torrent of laughter.

Himiko just stared at her. "I'm so bad at acting." She looked at the boys. "Kasumi is better than me at everything. Even with the pills, I still break stuff."

Kasumi clutched her big bicep. "You're good at being my girlfriend! You're good at running the shop! And you're really good at making stockings since I showed you!"

"Really? Oh, speaking of, didn't you want to craft with Louis and Legosi?"

The fox clapped her hands together and yipped. "Oh! Yeah! I can show you how to make some potholders! Easy peasy!"

"Potholders?" Louis asked, grabbing his new eyepatch and switching it out with his old one, putting it in his pocket.

"Yeah, y'know! Those things you put on the table so the hot pot doesn't damage it."

"Grandpa has some," Legosi pointed out to Louis.

"Oh, right. That's not really made of fabric, though, is it? I figured we would make clothing or something."

"Well, what would you want to make? It's kinda late so we're kinda limited."

Himiko nodded. "Yeah...Maybe you should teach them the first thing you taught me!"

"Oh, yeah...I don't think they want to make shorts."

"I don't really want to make shorts," Louis said.

Legosi shrugged. "I'm fine with anything."

"Uh, socks or something, then?"

"Socks could work."

Legosi agreed. "Yeah, socks could work."

"I've got some good tear-resistant fabric for that! What with the toe claws and whatnot. You don't need to worry about that though, Louis."

"Lucky me. Where should we sit?"

Kasumi cocked her head. "Uh, don't you guys wanna eat first?"

The deer turned his head to his husband. "Are you hungry?"

"I am. What are you guys having?"

"Potato stew!" Himiko all but shouted. "Sorry, I just get really excited about food."

Legosi chuckled. "I do too."

"Oh, really? What's your favorite thing to eat?"

"Egg sandwiches!" Legosi said, with no hesitation.

"Really? Wow. I don't think I've had those before. Is it just eggs between bread?"

"Yeah, that's pretty much it. Cheese is good in it, too."

Louis pursed his lips. "I haven't made it with cheese yet..."

"I haven't made any in our new place," Legosi pointed out. "I just like the simpleness of an egg sandwich, though."

"I would have to say my favorite food is anything with celery in it," Louis spoke. "I know how to make this cream of celery soup that's amazing..."

Kasumi turned her nose up a bit. "Oh, I dunno if I'd like that. Would you like that, Himi?"

"You never know if you don't try it!" the bear responded.

"Guess so. I'll put it on the back burner. Hah!"

Louis looked at Kasumi. "So, do you thoroughly enjoy cooking or is it just a side thing?"

"Well, we gotta eat, right? My gigantic girlfriend has to eat! So we take turns."

"That's how we are, only Louis is better at it and does it more," Legosi explained.

"Cooking is like art you can eat," Louis said.

"I guess, but I don't have time for it." Kasumi looked into the kitchen area. "Guess I should bring the stew out. I actually made it earlier and put it away."

"Would you say it's good food?"

"Sure?" Kasumi looked at the bear for a second opinion.

Himiko nodded, ecstatically. "Yes!"

"You're just a foodie." Kasumi stood up and walked to the fridge to retrieve the leftovers. "Hope you guys don't mind that it's reheated."

Louis waved his hand. "Not too long ago, I made a large amount of curry that we were eating for a few days."

"It was really really good," Legosi chimed in. "All our neighbors agreed."

"Is that your second favorite food?" Himiko asked.

"Now it is!"

Behind her, Kasumi lugged out the big pot of stew. "Oof, Himi I need your big muscles!"

The bear quickly got up and took over the job of carrying the pot. "It's not that heavy, Sumi."

"Hm, hmm~" The vixen walked back over to her seat as she watched her girlfriend.

The bear set it down. "I'll get bowls for everyone!"

"And heat them up one by one, I guess." Kasumi looked over to the guests. "So, who's hungrier?"

Louis and Legosi both pointed toward the grey wolf.

"Alright, get a big bowl out for him! How about you, Louis? What size bowl?"

"A medium one, for me. I think I can handle it," Louis grinned.

Legosi smiled at him, thinking about how far he had come.

Himiko got all of their bowls poured and heated, none of them wanting to start until everyone had something before them.

Louis looked at the fox. "So...I hope this doesn't offend you, but we haven't really known a lesbian couple before. What's that like?"

Kasumi snorted. "What do you mean?" She looked over at Himiko to see if she had any ideas.

The bear scratched her cheek with her claws, gently. "I think he's asking if it's hard for us. Like...what society thinks?"

The smaller carnivore threw her hands up. "It sucks!" Those same hands then landed on Himiko's large shoulder. "But it's worth it!"

"But what's it like? Legosi and I are a carnivore and a herbivore, so just imagine how that is on top of being same-sex."

Kasumi cocked her head. "Oh, are you asking if we're more accepted since we're both carnivores?"

"Yeah. We know two couples that are carniherbi, so this is a bit different. I'm curious as to how that works."

"Well, dudes are fucking gross and invasive, but that's mostly misogyny." Kasumi took a bite of her stew and thought some more.

"How do you mean?"

"You know how many guys ask if they can join in or watch us have sex? I swear..."

"What? Are you serious?"

"That's horrible!" Legosi made a disgusted face, which battled with his pleased face as he ate the delicious meal.

Louis took a bite. "Wow...Do they ever offer money?"

Himiko frowned and nodded. "It disgusts us every time."

"Yeah! And like...look at us! Everyone knows just by looking at us that we're dating," Kasumi added.

"Remind us to never introduce you to our friend Bill," the buck joked.

Legosi raised a hand up. "He's not a bad guy, though! We wouldn't be friends with any really bad people like that!"

"Joking, joking!" Louis chuckled.

Himiko looked confused.

"Anyway, how is the store coming?" Louis pulled at his collar.

"Pretty sweet! I branched out like you suggested and it turns out people were interested in other things besides scarves! Who woulda thought, huh?" Kasumi leaned her face on one of her hands.

"Well, it was all you for learning," Louis said.

"My online store picked up, too! Poor Himiko's tired from stuffing stuff into boxes to mail, I bet."

"No! I'm good!" the ursid smiled.

Kasumi pointed a thumb to her partner. "Ya know, she met me through my online store! Was looking for a scarf for her brother."

Himiko blushed. "Oh...not this story..."

"She commissioned me to make a custom scarf for him and in one of the progress pictures I sent I was visible in the mirror!" Kasumi beamed.

"No, no, Sumi, hushhh!" Himiko covered her face.

The fox didn't stop. "This big gay bear saw my cute lil' body and suddenly I was getting messages about how my day was and what my favorite movies were!"

"Ugh! Stop it! You're embarrassing me!"

Kasumi covered her mouth and giggled. "Fine, fine! How about you two? What's your story?"

The two boys looked slowly over to one another and grimaced.

"Very long story short, Legosi fell in love with me, saved my life twice, then I fell in love with him."

Legosi nodded. "Yeah, that's the best way to put it."

Kasumi blinked. "Woah, that sounds kind of intense."

Himiko nodded. "Yep, yep! And way more interesting than my dumb thing!"

Kasumi slurped up the last of her meal before hopping off her chair to slink into the bear's lap, pecking her on the bottom of her chin. "Your dumb thing was very, very, cute, though."

"Customers aren't even supposed to flirt with their clients...Wh-which you did first!" Himiko explained.

"The internet is a lawless land." The fox rubbed her head and big ears on her girlfriend's neck.

Louis took another bite. "How did you flirt with her first?"

"Sorry, Louis! I'm forbidden to talk about it further."

"Ugh...you can tell him..." the bear mumbled, grabbing her hands.

"I told her she was cute! Pretty simple," the vixen shrugged. "That was before I had even seen her, of course, but I could tell through text she was cute."

"People are different when they text!" Himiko exclaimed.

"Well, you're still cute. I wasn't wrong."

"Have either of you ever been into your own species?" Louis asked.

"I had a fox boyfriend in high school. Not a bad relationship," Kasumi answered, honestly.

Himiko sighed. "This is my first relationship..."

"And you're doing great, sweetie!"

"This is my first relationship, too!" Legosi said, having finished his bowl of stew.

"Really? No way!"

"Hmm, I could tell." Kasumi had a mischievous grin. "How about you, Louis?"

The deer nodded. "It's my first relationship, too. And my last, hopefully."

Legosi was about to remind Louis of his other relationships, but quickly decided not to. The buck probably didn't even count them.

"It's hard for animals like you to find a match, so it's not too surprising." Kasumi wiggled her way out of the bear's lap.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, I remember you mentioning both being gay and attracted to different species. That lowers the dating pool quite a bit."

Legosi shrugged. "I never thought about it until Louis."

"And Legosi is the only one I need in a dating pool," the deer sighed, looking at his husband. Out of nowhere, he got the idea that Legosi would look incredible in summer clothes.

"Well, that's good!"

Himiko and Louis worked on eating their own food while they all made small talk. They all agreed that the stew was delicious.

After they were finished (Himiko first, Louis last), Kasumi's girlfriend looked at her. "Should we start crafting?"

"Yep! Follow me, boys! We're going where the magic happens."

"The bedroom?" Louis joked.

Kasumi scowled. "Don't be a straight dude."

"No, I was just...joking..."

She stuck her tongue out. "I know. You're technically right, anyway, since this is a two bedroom apartment. I just converted the other into my base of operations."

"Wow. Your bed must be quite large, then."

Himiko nodded. "Yep! But it's super comfy!"

The four entered the room, revealing the vast amount of crafts and clothes the two had made, as well as all of the raw materials to make them, which were all neatly placed in drawers and shelves set up around the room. Kasumi walked to the center of it and put her hands on her hips.

"Now, this room doesn't always look this clean. Himi can attest to that."

"Oh, it's a nightmare cleaning this place up," the bear said. "It feels really constricting, sometimes."

"Yeah, like walls of fabric threatening to engulf you. You boys are lucky."

Legosi said nothing, instead marveling at the sight around him. He walked around, looking at his surroundings. His tail was wagging while his arms flapped, slightly.

Kasumi let out a chuckle. "Uh, havin' some fun?"

Louis blinked. "Legosi? You okay?"

The wolf turned to him. "Huh? Yeah! Why?"

"No reason. It's pretty interesting, huh?"

"Yeah! All these patterns are so pretty! And the smell is so nostalgic!" The wolf hummed and stuck his nose in everything.

Himiko tilted her head as everyone found a place to sit. "Nostalgic?"

Legosi turned to her. "Yeah, back when I was on the stage crew in the drama club. We'd have to make our own costumes and everything."

Kasumi perked up. "Oh? So you have experience?"

He shook his head. "I only worked on the set and lighting."

The fox clapped and rubbed her hands together. "Alright! This should be fun, then! So a pair of socks would be pretty easy, or maybe underwear? We'll have to take measurements."

Legosi blushed. "Ah...underwear?"

His deer husband furrowed a brow. "Why would we make underwear?"

"It's easy! Also, I got some good lace material."

"Lace?" Louis blinked.

Kasumi hopped over to a shelf and pulled the said material out. "Ta-daaa! Also got some nice silky materials for comfort! Or are you two actually concerned about your masculinity?"

Louis swallowed. "I-I don't know if I—"

Legosi placed a hand on his shoulder. "What's wrong?"

An image of Legosi posing in lingerie entered his mind. He cleared his throat. "Nothing! I think only one of us should make the underwear, though. To maintain some diversity."

A mischievous smile spread across Kasumi's face. "So, who should get what, then, Louis?"

"You're making me choose? Legosi's the one who actually wants to choose! R-right, hun?"

"Um, I dunno." The wolf blushed, thinking similar thoughts as Louis.

Kasumi covered her face and chuckled. "Oh my god, you two are so gay and shy." She looked over to her girlfriend. "Hims, what do you think?"

The bear laughed. "What? Sorry, I wasn't really paying attention to the words. They're so cute!"

Louis blushed. "Ugh...Legosi just make the underwear and I'll make the socks. Sheesh!"

"Knew it," the vixen whispered to the bear. "Alright then, let's get to work!"

Kasumi took measurements and got all the materials out and walked the both of them through their projects. Both boys picked it up rather quickly, albeit with some mistakes.

Himiko watched it all, clearly entertained throughout as they all made small talk. By the time both of their projects were finished, it was a bit past midnight.

Everyone looked down at Louis in his new socks. "Well, those seem to fit! Too bad we can't see how Legosi's fits. You'll have to tell us later, Louis," Kasumi winked.

The deer covered his face. "I...yeah..."

Legosi held the article he made in front of him, blushing. It was a purple, silky material that Kasumi had taken the reigns of by the end to sew lace around the hems. He cleared his throat and looked at everyone. "W-well, that was easier than I thought it'd be...We should introduce you to our friends Dom and Kai, sometime! They like to make clothes, too."

Himiko looked at her girlfriend. "No way! That would be so fun to see what they know!"

"Dom said he wanted to make dresses for us." Legosi curled his legs up in his sitting position, ears flicking. "Louis would look cute in one..."

His husband pushed against him, blushing. "Sh-shut it, Legosi!"

Himiko snorted and laughed. "You're so tiny, Louis."

Legosi moved to wrap him up in his big arms while Kasumi laughed. "Did ya just notice now?" she asked.

"What do you think of my socks, Legosi?" Louis asked, showing his legs.

Legosi observed the deep blue, star pattern socks that came up to just below the deer's knees. "They look really pretty and comfortable!" He reached down to rub them.

Louis' face reddened more and he leaned into him further. "I did a good job?"

"You did!" Legosi's tail started to wag as he licked the deer's head.

The buck laughed. This day had made him forget about the terror of recent events. "Hmm~"

Kasumi sighed, looking at the small mess they all made. "Well, I guess you guys better be going, soon, considering we usually go to bed around now and we have to open the shop tomorrow."

"So, everything really is going well?" Louis asked. "Himiko, you're not as bored as you used to be?"

"Not at all! We have a lot of business now!" the ursid giggled.

"Yeah, and she definitely likes the fact that I'm with her in the shop most days, too." Kasumi grabbed one of Himiko's big paws and nuzzled it.

The bear giggled like a child again. "It's true! She's so amazing, you guys! I'm so in love!"

The deer chuckled. "I felt the same. I guess that's why Legosi and I got unofficially married."

Kasumi laughed. "What? Isn't that just like dating?"

Legosi sniffed under Louis' ear and licked it. "I guess, but we get to call each other 'husband'. It feels really nice."

The fox hummed. "Well, I do call you my wife a lot, Himi. Guess we're married, too."

Himiko wrapped her arms around and squealed. "Oooh! Maaaaried!"

"Mmm, my beautiful wife!" the vixen cooed.

Louis was grinning from ear to ear. "Wow. You two are lovely." Much better company than what he had been dealing with, lately.

"So are you two!" Kasumi fired back. "Now, help us clean this up so we can go to bed."

After squaring all the materials away, hugs, and goodbyes, Legosi and Louis headed back home, having to call a taxi since it was so late at night.

Once they arrived, Louis took off his shoes and looked at his socks again. "You were right about them being comfortable."

"I want some socks next time," Legosi said in a slightly whiny tone. He stepped out of his own shoes and stretched his arms over his head, back cracking.

"I guess I shouldn't have chosen the underwear for you."

The wolf looked back. "Well, I still have to try them on..." He took them out of his back pocket and unfolded them.

"Later, right?"

"Hm? I was going to try them on now."

"N-now?" Louis was already blushing again.

"I want to see how it feels. Maybe I'll wear them to bed, even though we're usually naked." Legosi looked up. "You should turn around so it's a surprise!"

"Alright, alright. You're just going to change right here?"

"There's nowhere else to change...it's just one room."

"Okay, fine. Turning around." He did so, waiting.

Legosi went to work stripping off his clothes and underwear, setting it all into the dirty clothes hamper. He then took the silky underwear and slipped it on, noting that it was a bit tight, but not uncomfortable. He looked down and saw it didn't leave much to the imagination, either. He cleared his throat. "Okay, you can look."

The deer turned around, taking in the sight before him, completely frozen as if Legosi was shining a light in his face.

"O-oh! I guess I should turn around, too." Legosi did so, showing how the material hugged the curve of his rear as well. "They're a little tight, but pretty comfortable! Kind of feels like wearing nothing..."

"U-u-um I-I..." In that moment, the buck was thanking whatever force was out there that anime nosebleeds didn't exist, because he would be losing so much blood right now.

Once the wolf had turned completely around, he walked forward. "You okay?"

Louis continued to babble and stutter, ending with an exasperated "Wow".

"Does it look good?"

"Words...failing me..."

A smirk appeared on Legosi's face as he realized what was happening. He turned around and bent over, sticking his butt out a bit. "The material's really nice...you should feel it~"

"F-feel it...?"

Legosi's tail shot up, giving him a better view. The material was thin enough that the cream fur color between his cheeks could be seen.

Louis stepped forward and slowly lifted his hands to feel the material. "This is making me weak in the knees."

Legosi giggled. "Sorry, but I couldn't help it."

"You're gorgeous..." Louis smiled. "This was a good choice, after all."

"We should sleep in our new clothes, hm?" Legosi's tail wagged in Louis' face.

"Absolutely," the deer laughed.

After getting ready for bed they both slipped into the futon wearing only their new clothing articles. They laid there, relaxing into each other in silence.

Louis wrapped his arms around him and curled up. "I love you, Legosi. I'm really glad we're going to get better for one another."

"I love you, too, Louis! We can do it! I know we can! Because our love is too strong to be stopped!"

"You're such a sappy dog." Louis rolled his eyes.

"But you love it," Legosi licked his cheek.

"I adore it. I adore you."