Chapter 70 - Tunnels…
The door closed softly behind Atsushi before he quickly locked it. "Well, that was colorful."
Hachirou turned to him. "Pardon?"
"Like, lively. Friendly. I haven't felt that from this group in a while. Not since..." The buck shook his head when he didn't like his realization.
"Never?"
Atsushi shook his head. "No, never mind." He turned to his boyfriend (so strange to call him that...) and smiled softly. "How did you feel about it?"
"It was interesting. Good to see you happy," the serow answered, removing his shoes.
"A few close calls, but I think I answered the questions well." Atsushi moved to sit on the bed.
"I believe so. Though I suspect they suspect something."
Atsushi chuckled, light and carefree, which was becoming a new sound to Hachirou. He loved it. "Let them suspect."
"And once they know? I'll have failed you."
Atsu got up again to kiss his cheek. "You could never fail me."
"Never?"
"I don't think so, at least." The look the deer gave him was one a typical 21-year-old might give to someone, eyes wide and a bit aloof.
The 26-year old serow crossed his arms. "Well, I would like to make it that you know so."
Atsushi snaked his arms around his neck and brought their cheeks together. "Well, pick out a nice movie for tonight to prove it."
"I picked last time and you know I am not the best," Hachirou answered.
"Do you even like the movies, or just being with me?" Atsu challenged, hips in his hands swaying.
"The latter beats the former."
"Hmm." Atsushi walked over to the rack of movies he'd collected. "Can't believe it's only been a week."
"A week?"
"Yeah, seems longer than that, doesn't it?"
"We have been meeting for a while, I suppose that's why."
"But a week official. A week sober." Atsu sighed and looked back toward his alcohol cabinet. "Just a little bit tonight might be nice though..."
"Mm," the serow crossed his arms.
The buck shook his head. "Alright, I get it. Sorry. No alcohol." He thumbed through the DVDs.
"It is not my choice," he continued. "It's your body."
"A body you love to stick things into~"
"Yes."
"You're playful tonight."
"Do you like it?"
"Is it you?"
Atsushi shrugged. "It's coming from me. I have the compulsion to act this way. It's weird, but I'm rolling with it. So much has changed since I met you."
"For good?"
"...Yeah." The deer turned around holding a movie. "Here's one we haven't seen. Looks like a corny horror flick."
"Your favorite," Hachirou grinned.
Atsushi held the movie case to his chest. "Aww, you remember! Let's watch this garbage."
"How comfortable shall we get?" the goat asked.
"I don't think we need to wear all of this clothing. Underwear?"
"Mm. Okay." He was already removing his shirt.
Atsushi prepared the movie and got undressed with his boyfriend. They sat on the couch, his thin legs across the serow's lap.
The goat was quickly massaging him. "This week was intriguing, yes?"
"I'll say. The Okamigumi are annoying as ever with how off the radar they can get when they want to be. I wonder if Shi's wolf is like that too."
"What do you mean?" Hachirou asked.
"Like, they're so canine-like and in your face one second and then nowhere to be seen when they're in trouble. Cowards with their tails between their legs."
"I know nothing about Legosi," was all Hachirou responded with.
"I've seen him once. He's imposing, but nothing we couldn't handle. Even if he found out about us it'd be no problem." Atsu picked up the controller and navigated the menu. "Enough about that though, this is our time."
"Yes."
The movie started, and quite noisily, too. One of those movies that start right out the gate. Unbeknownst to those two, another pair was outside the room, hearing the noise from the speakers.
"What," was all Pina could offer.
Louis looked at him. "What?"
Pina's voice lowered to a whisper. "Is...Ichi watching old cheesy movies in there?"
"Have you seen that one?"
"No, but I can tell by how it sounds. It has B-movie written all over it."
"I guess that's what he does on Sundays. Is there an issue?"
"...No...but don't you think it's...weird? Like this is the dude that's blackmailing you and he's in there watching shit that's the equivalent of memes from the 70s."
"He's still an animal with interests," Louis said. "Even though I don't like that he's blackmailing me."
"Alright, fine, don't be interested, but do you think Ni is in there?"
"Let me listen." He pressed his ear to the door.
Faintly, voices could be heard.
"Oh my god, you could kill that monster in a second, Chirou."
"I agree it is taking way too long to dispose of the beast," the serow said. "Too bad I can't be in the movie for you."
Louis blinked. "Chirou...?"
"I think any movie you would be in would be over too quickly. Unless it were a porno."
"Is that an insult to my endurance?"
"I...no you didn't hear what I said. I said unless it were a porno."
"I'm lost."
"...Forget it." After that, audible conversation ceased.
"Got anything good?" Pina asked.
The deer frowned. "I'm unsure. Something about Ni being in a pornographic film."
Pina had to cover his mouth to avoid laughing. "What? Really? How do you go from the porno biz to cult?"
"You would."
The sheep scoffed. "Puh-leeze. I'd stay in the porno business."
"I have no comment," Louis said.
"Anyway, think we should hang out or go exploring?"
"Just a bit more," the buck responded. "I want to know."
Soon, Ichi's distinct laugh was heard from the other side of the door.
Louis' ears perked as he leaned in.
"I can't take it anymore, I need at least something to drink while watching this trainwreck!" There were footsteps, coming closer to the door but not quite next to it.
Hachriou shrugged. "It's your choice, Atsushi."
The clink of a bottle, and...Atsushi's (?)...voice. "You can tell me when and I'll stop filling up the glass."
"When," the serow joked, even though it wasn't very clear it was even a joke.
"You barely let me pour anything...but this is pretty strong shit so I guess that's fair." The sound of glass once again and the footsteps receding.
"Oh, it was..." The goat's ears perked. "Alright."
Atsushi knocked back the small glass with an 'ah' and rejoined his boyfriend. "Seriously, though, it'd be nice if I knew you enjoyed the actual activity and not just because I'm here."
"Does it really matter if we're together?" Hachirou asked.
"Of course it matters, it makes it better. But I don't want to just drag this stuff on you. You never talk about your interests or anything."
"I just take life one day at a time, I suppose."
"You like to play billiards with Go. You like doing impressions. Give me more."
"More?"
"What would you do before this? And not the horrible shit. You had hobbies or something, right?"
"Not really. I was focused on trying to survive."
Silence.
"Anything else as juicy as porno Ni?" Pina whispered.
"I think Ichi's real name is Atsushi..." Louis responded. "He's trying to get Ni, Chirou, to confess to liking things other than just being with him."
The other herbivore's eyes went wide and he held his chest. "I...wow..."
"What?"
"That's...kinda sweet," Pina whispered back. "This kinda feels wrong now..."
"Legosi always says all animals need love."
"Of course...y'know I had a similar conversation with Billy. Only it was more like, is there more to us than just fucking. So maybe not the same but it reminded me..."
"I understand," Louis nodded. "I guess we should go exploring, then."
"Ya. It's gotten dark, huh? I think there's some flashlights in the supply cell." Pina walked off, turning around to wait for Louis to follow.
The buck did so, sighing. "I'm glad I get to be here for you."
Pina cocked an eyebrow. "Weh? Wasn't it the other way around? I upheaved my life for you, right?"
"That's why I'm glad. I didn't just leave you in that cell."
"Well, we had to map out the tower anyway, right? For 'super-secret Louis no tell' reasons," the sheep made a silly voice as he did the air quotes. "So should we get paper too? To like, make notes."
"When we're in a more secluded area I promise I'll tell you," Louis said. "And yes."
The two made it over to the supply cell, where Hachi seemed to be hunkered down in a box of materials.
Louis smiled. "Oh, Hachi. Hello!"
The elk's ears perked and they turned around, smiling genuinely, waving.
"Hard at work on my outfit, I presume?" Pina crooned.
The animal wiped their forehead dramatically.
"Hey, Hachi. Me and Shi are going to look around the tower and get more acquainted with it. Are there any flashlights in here?"
They thought for a moment and then held up their index finger, nodding. The elk tall herbivore moved to one of the boxes in the corner and began digging around.
Pina and Louis walked behind them and peered over.
They pulled out two moderately powerful flashlights and handed them to them, the grin never leaving their face.
"Thanks!" Pina gave a peace sign and tested the light and whistled.
Louis blinked. "At least we'll be able to see everything. Thank you, Hachi."
They just gave a little nod.
Back out into the main halls, Pina regarded Louis once more. "Alrighty, then, where do we start?"
"Should we go top to bottom?"
"I guess so. There'll be more room at the base, after all." Pina set off toward the stairs, and Louis followed.
Starting way at the top was, of course, the room that Louis had found himself in when his induction ceremony was performed. The moonlight streamed in, bathing the space in a beautiful blue.
The deer looked around. "It's rather...pretty at night."
"It is. I wonder if Ichi is religious, considering this place kind of looks like the inside of a chapel." Pina walked forward, noting the small flecks of dark brown on the floor.
"I wouldn't be surprised. Then this might really be a cult."
"Can't say I blame him, what with the chimera shit. My brain is still trying to recover from that. Looking on the internet gave me no answers, aside from basic illusionary magic tricks."
"You looked it up?" Louis asked.
Pina blinked and turned to him. "You didn't?"
"No..."
"I guess you were too busy with all the other shit you're going through. I understand." They made a circuit around the room and were back by the door. "Okay, I don't think this room has anything else going on. Agree?"
Louis nodded and they descended to the next floor.
This floor was mostly empty rooms, it turned out. The old, rusted cages of the elevators were the only thing that stood out. Pina shone his like on them. "Hm, reckon these are deathtraps now."
"Did you just say reckon?" Louis snorted.
"I reckon I did."
"I reckon that's weird."
"Fine, I'll stop talking like an old man. Onto the next floor."
The next floor happened to be where Ichi's room was, the movie still playing behind the door.
"Should we listen more?" Louis asked.
They waited outside a bit, but they didn't hear any voices.
"Maybe they're asleep?" Pina whispered.
Louis leaned in more.
Still no talking, but he thought he could hear the sound of cloth rubbing against itself, maybe.
"Hm...what's that noise..."
Pina, hearing Louis say this, leans in as well.
The soft noises continued, as well as soft murmuring.
"What do you think?"
Pina screwed his mouth up in thought. "I think...this is boring."
"Wait I think I hear something." He pressed his ear against the door even more.
"Ugh, I have to piss." Footsteps came toward the boys, who retreated as fast as they could before Ichi left the room.
Louis sighed. "It's not our business."
"Yeah...but now we have to wait for him to come back because there's only one way to the bathroom...unless you really wanna try the elevator."
"That seems risky."
"I know. So let's wait for him to get back, close the door, and then we go by..."
The two waited for a moment and then the door opened, the serow coming out, in his underwear. The boys retreated a bit but then noticed Ni wasn't moving. Simply standing there.
Soon, Ichi came down the hall, and when he saw Ni he let out a short laugh. "What? Didn't think I was coming back?"
"Of course I did," the goat replied.
"Thought I would trip and fall then?" Ichi stopped in front of him, and the two noticed he was in lounge clothes, not just underwear like Ni.
"I just wanted to make sure you were alright, yes."
"Is this about the cut I got last week again?"
"Maybe."
Ichi slid an arm around Ni's shoulder and guided him back inside. "C'mon you big softie."
They went back inside and shut the door, the sound of it locking heard after.
A moment of silence, before Pina spoke. "Yeah, they're definitely an item. That might be useful blackmail."
"Blackmail?"
Pina blinked. "Yes, blackmail."
"Is that really effective blackmail?" Louis questioned, leaning against the wall. "Won't he just own up to it?"
"Maybe, but it's something. Even if the only thing that would happen is he gets bullied by Go."
The deer chuckled at that. "At least he isn't a total monster, forcing me into missions like the first. He's willing to let me work behind the scenes with San."
They started walking once more. "True, but he'll probably wean you off of that in the future. This chimera thing doesn't seem like something to be used 'behind the scenes'."
"Oh, you're right." Louis deflated, visibly.
Pina waggled his finger. "Ah ah, I caught you trying to become complacent! These folk might not seem bad all the time but there's still a reason we're trying to get you out of this."
"Compla- No, but I don't want to be miserable here the entire time."
"That's what you have me fooooor," the sheep teased, gliding one of his fingers across an antler.
Louis smiled, gently. "Is it really worth being apart from Bill? I can't stop thinking about it."
"You want my honest answer?" Pina asked, face suddenly serious.
"Yes."
"Depends on how much of a time sink this is. If this takes three months? Fantastic and worth it. An entire year? I dunno..."
"But in the end...We'll get used to this life until it's over," Louis said, eyes landing on him.
"I suppose, but if this goes nowhere we might have to do something drastic. We'll play by their rules for now, though..."
The deer nodded. "And that's what you have me for. If this takes a long time..."
They descended the stairs to the next level, where there were some spaces that appeared to be waiting rooms. Pina paid it no mind, but Louis instantly recognized what they were for. "Hopefully I can break away a few times to see him. Or maybe text him. He hasn't messaged me yet, though..."
The deer's mind flashed back to the day Oguma had adopted him, pushing him into one of these rooms, armed with only enough. The world must really be small, after all.
"I'm sure you'll be able to. I mean, I still text Legosi," he explained.
"You also still live with him," Pina pointed out, biting his lip. He shone the flashlight around the dimly lit area, which seemed to have little use currently, as there were only chairs.
"And I'm spending the night with you," he added.
"That you are." Louis couldn't see his mouth, as Pina had his back to him, but he could hear the smile on his voice.
This made his lips curl himself. "We could text Bill from my phone if you'd like."
"It's fine. I'll do it," Pina concluded. They went down to the next floor, which contained the recreational room. Go and Roku were seated on the couch, watching TV. The two didn't seem to notice their presence.
Pina leaned over to Louis and whispered, "Alright, guess we can just pass these guys by. I think the kitchen was on this floor too? Below this, the cells start. I don't think we'll find anything until ground level, do you?"
"You never know," Louis responded with. "This place is quite large..."
"Hope we find something soon." Pina put his arms behind his head. "This is getting boring."
"You want me to do a little dance?" Louis joked.
"Yeah," came Pina's deadpan response. They were away from the other two by this point.
The other herbivore blinked. "...Well, I never said I wanted to..."
"Then why'd you offer?"
"Joke..."
The next few floors were, as Pina said, the cells. Any cell that wasn't claimed was empty. "So...I know this might sound obvious...but I think this was a prison at first," Pina concluded.
"You think?" Louis snickered. "There are a lot more cells than needed."
"I just think it's weird that this prison got abandoned and then got used for illegal livestock raising."
"But it's the perfect place for it."
"Yeah but it's very convenient."
Louis nodded. "That must be why they did it."
They passed by a certain cell and Pina walked inside. "This is the one they gave me. Gotta make it homey still..."
At the moment, all that was in it was a bag of Pina's stuff and a mattress.
"And you plan on staying here every night?" Louis asked.
"Have been. It's not as bad as it looks."
"It seems incredibly boring."
"Yeah, which is why I don't spend any time here." Pina sat down on the mattress and began to rub his prosthesis.
"Are you in pain?" Louis asked. "We can take a break."
"Yeah, that's what I'm doing." Pina pulled out a notebook and a pen from his bag and tapped the pen on his chin. "So, there really wasn't anything worth noting up there, aside from Ichi maybe being a bit insane and also has a thing with Ni."
"Insane?"
"Can't think of a sane animal putting together a makeshift chapel where he performs a blood-letting ritual, can you?"
"Do you think he did that deliberately?" Louis sat next to him.
"Probably. It's gotta tie into the chimera thing, too." Pina wrote 'CHIMERA!' on the page and circled it. "This circus trick is the key to all of this."
"Circus trick? You don't think Chimeras are real?" Louis blinked, in awe.
"I don't know what to think yet. I mostly just said that as a joke, though." The sheep scribbled on the paper quickly before nudging Louis with his leg. "Look." Louis' eyes followed his pen to a small scribble of a sheep and a deer with flashlights. "It's us."
The deer looked between the two. "I didn't know you did art. I've never even heard you talk about drawing."
Louis looked at the drawing, snorting. "Is that your interpretation of me?"
"Uh, yeah? Can't you tell by the eyepatch and the stubby lil' antlers?"
"It doesn't really look like a deer..." Louis mumbled.
"Well, I guess when they turn our story into a manga we'll get Legosi to do the art," Pina concluded as he shut the notebook. "I'm ready to go when you are."
The deer looked around, then nodded. "Let's continue."
The boys went off again, eventually making it down to the ground floor where the lobby and bathrooms were. Here it was dark aside from their flashlights, since it seemed nobody was around, and since everyone was inside there was nobody posted at the door, and a large metal bar blocked it.
"Wow, that's very old fashioned," Pina commented.
"It's an old building," Louis said. "I can't help but think they put a lot of trust in their members, though. Anyone could leave if they wanted to."
"There's an unspoken trust, that's for sure. I think Ichi didn't count on you being so ornery, to be honest." Pina shone his flashlight around the large space, the beam almost getting lost in the stray dustmotes.
Louis shone his light around as well, letting out a sound that was akin to a laugh. "He just expected me to be fine with him ripping me out of my daily life? He's delusional."
"That's what happens when a man is convinced he's right," Pina sighed. "Just look at my dad."
"...And mine."
"Yours is coming around, at least." Pina wandered aimlessly around the open space. "Let's try to find lower levels."
"Do you think your parents ever will?" Louis asked.
His companion shrugged. "I dunno, maybe. I'm fine either way."
"Are you sure about that?"
Pina looked at him, face blank. Louis shone the light toward him to see him better, and his expression saddened a bit. "...No...no I'm not."
The deer stepped closer. "You can be honest with me."
"I know," he said quietly. "Maybe something to talk about later, though."
"We're alone, though."
"Someone could be listening."
This caused Louis to look around, instinctively, wondering if one of the members was listening to their words and watching their every move.
"If you really wanna talk about it...maybe when we're going to sleep," Pina offered, walking off.
"That implies we're sharing the cell, then?"
Pina tilted his head back. "Why, don't want to?"
"I wasn't sure what the arrangements were. Are there even two beds there?"
"No. Why?"
"Well—Argh, I'm just not sure what you were thinking is all!" Louis reddened.
"If Legosi's okay with it, then we can sleep on the same mattress. It's not very comfortable," Pina warned, a smile creeping back into his voice.
"I'll make sure I ask. Plus, sheep wool should work for comfort."
Pina hummed. "Yes, plus my new muscles."
"Eugh. Nevermind."
After passing the bathrooms, storage rooms, and other seemingly empty rooms, they came upon some old steps going down. Even the flashlights seemed to do little to pierce the oppressive shadow below.
"Fuuuuck, dude," Pina said with a whistle. He reached out and grabbed Louis by the hand. "You ready?"
The deer blinked. "No, but let's move ahead anyway."
Slowly, they descended, each step echoing further into the chasm below.
Louis felt Pina's horn brush against his ear. "You afraid of the dark?"
"No. I'm afraid of what could be lurking within it," Louis whispered.
"In this case?" They arrived at the bottom, and Pina swung his flashlight to take in the cold, damp basement. "Probably lots of bugs. Maybe black mold."
Louis looked around, feeling a sense of tightness in his chest. "We shouldn't split up so don't let go of my hand please." He continued moving his light around, half-expecting something to jump out at any moment.
"Hah, don't worry! I'm not a stupid horror movie protagonist."
"Well, hopefully, this isn't a stupid horror movie basement. Let's just scan the area and leave."
The basement was a bit barren, aside from many objects hidden under heavy sheets, which the boys both agreed not to uncover unless they really had to.
"Man, where's a light switch around here?" Pina asked, tugging Louis along.
"Oh, that might be a good idea. And the others probably won't care considering they know we're exploring," Louis said. His light moved to the walls.
"Yeah, and if there was something worth hiding down here Ichi would have probably said something. Like..."
What followed was Pina's best impression of the aforementioned buck. "Don't go down there that's where I keep the bones of all the previous cult members! I mean, 'Branded' members."
"You think there have been members who have died?" Louis blinked, not even having considered this an option.
"Uh, I was joking, but we shouldn't discount the possibility."
Louis frowned. "Now I'm going to have that on my mind all night."
"I highly doubt he has. And if so, we could probably get it out of San somehow," Pina concluded.
"True. Find the light switch, yet?"
"Nope. What a weird building plan. Like, you'd have the light switch at the top of the steps, right? These animals were high when building this place."
"I wonder what this room would have even be used for if your prison theory is correct." Louis squeezed his hand more. "There doesn't seem to be anything of note here."
"Maybe it was something else before the prison..." Pina's light shone past a large group of strange, covered objects, which revealed a corridor. "Ah, there's a way to go over there."
"Good thing we have flashlights then. C'mon. Or do you wanna go and get your weapon?"
"Please. There's not going to be anything dangerous down here. What are the odds of Ichi not knowing about something creeping around down here? Seems unlikely," Louis explained. "Unless he's higher up in the tower for a reason but that's likely not the case."
"Yeah, it's just cuz he wants to feel important."
The two sidled past the mysterious objects and entered the hallway. Pina soon spied a light switch and let out a sound of excitement as he flipped it.
A lone lightbulb sprung to life for a brief second before blowing out with a loud 'POP' that made both boys yell out.
Louis was against the wall now, having let go of the sheep's slender hand. "God!"
Pina, on the other hand, started laughing hysterically, doubling over as the fits consumed him.
The deer had a hand over his chest, feeling his heart pound. "What's so funny?!"
Pina shook his head, vigorously. "Woo! Just! The blood is pumping! Wow! Woo!"
Louis seemed to be still recovering. "I wish Legosi had his arms around me right now." At this, he hugged himself.
Pina seemed to calm himself down. "Do you want me to hug you?"
"It's not the same as a big soft wolf..." He said. "I guess I just miss him. I usually sleep in bed with him every night, you know."
"Well yeah. I'd do the same with Billy if I could." Pina crouched down and placed a hand on his shoulder.
Louis sighed. "Yeah. I'll get used to it, don't worry. Let's see what's down this hall."
The hallway opened up into several smaller rooms. One appeared to be an old generator room which also had the breaker. Pina wrote this detail down. The other rooms had junk piled up, such as old chairs and bedframes and busted electronics. They weren't sure if it was due to the darkness, but the hallway seemed to snake and stretch on forever.
"It's going to take us ages to explore this," Louis groaned. "It's not like the rest of the tower above."
"Yeah, it has even more garbage in it." Pina trudged off. "I guess when we get back to that main room we can see what's under those tarps."
"Furniture? Old equipment?" They were on the move down the hall once more. "At least this isn't an old hospital."
"Oh man, you're so right. That'd be creepy as fuck," Pina agreed.
"I have to say. Prison isn't much better."
Pina chortled. "I can tell Billy I went to prison when I see him next."
"That would freak him out," Louis responded. "Let's turn right here."
"Yeah, but it'd be funny." They turned and were faced with another hallway.
"You just love torturing that tiger, don't you?"
"That's what he has me fooor!" the sheep whined loudly.
"I guarantee you he doesn't like the torture he's going through right now. Honestly, one of my biggest fears is getting stuck here somehow or being separated from Legosi."
"You mean down here in the basement? I don't think it's that old that it'd cave in."
"I meant in this tower, obviously."
"Can't imagine how Legosi feels about it, too. I mean, he can't even do anything," Pina mused as they walked along the nondescript corridor.
"He is doing something about it," Louis responded.
"Oh yeah? What's that?"
"I honestly don't think anyone is listening to us down here. The real reason we are doing this map is that...well, there's another gang."
"Another gang? Huh?"
"They're called the Shishigumi. They're a gang of lions. Their leader is this hybrid named Melon and Legosi and I basically have to gather info on the Branded for him..."
Pina stopped walking and shook his head. "Wait, you have to? Are they threatening you too?"
"I'm unsure. I don't want to know what would happen if we don't do what he says, though. Especially since Legosi is their main tool against the Branded right now."
"Ah, so you get this fun group, and Legosi gets the lions and their hybrid boss? How's he feel about it?"
"He's eager to be helping them because he thinks they can help me get out of this."
Pina sighed. "Yep, that's Legosi. I hope he realizes there's still danger, though."
"I don't think he could ever forget. How long before one of the gangs has enough of Ichi and invades this place?"
"Well, if what Ichi says is to be believed, this place is impossible to penetrate. I guess that's why your Shisigumi pals want a map of the place." They turned another corner as Pina cleared his throat. "People will die."
"People will die..."
"Like, I know this situation is awful, and these guys are a bit nutty and extreme, but they're not..." Pina swallowed before continuing. "Like, imagine San getting killed by some yakuza goons. That makes me feel shitty. Like, really shitty."
"Whether we like it or not...We have to be prepared for one nightmarish day where this all comes crashing down," Louis sighed.
"And your...our freedom is the ultimate goal." The sheep shook his head. "I still hope we'll be able to get some of them on our side before any of this happens. It'd make it easier, anyway."
"I'm not sure I can take the loss of more friends. It's just...hard. How do we even go about this or plan this? We can't just tell them. They're loyal to Ichi and we don't want to give away these plans."
"I know Ichi grew up with Kyuu and San, but they don't exactly seem that close? I mean Ichi's usually not around or with Ni. Maybe we can become better friends with Kyuu and San and go from there? I dunno." Pina squeezed Louis' hand. "It'd be easier if all of these guys were complete scumbags."
"Your moral compass is going crazy too, huh?"
"Whatever's left of it," Pina joked. His flashlight crossed a brick wall, passing it and landing back on familiar concrete before he did a double-take. "Oh, hello~" He walked forward, bringing Louis with him.
The deer looked forward. "What is it?"
Pina stopped in front of the brick wall and gave it a kick. "See this? We haven't seen any bricks down here."
"You're right." He stepped forward and shined his light on the wall.
The sheep gave it a few more swift kicks with his prosthetic. "It feels weird too. Here, hold my flashlight."
The deer took it and kept both lights up so Pina could see. "Be careful."
The ram ushered him back as he backed away himself. He started to roll his neck and stretch out his legs.
Louis tilted his head.
Pina laced his fingers and stretched his arms above his head, his spine cracking. "Time for you to see why they call us 'rams'."
"Are you about to use your horns?"
The taller animal nodded and smiled wide, showing his teeth. "Uh huh! You excited?"
"They won't break?"
"Nope. It's what they're made for! Observe."
Pina backed up and did a few more stretched before sprinting toward the wall, head brought forward.
CRACK!
The sheep's body recoiled back and he fell on his rear, laughing.
Louis was by his side. "Are you okay?!"
Pina grabbed onto him for support as he stood. "Yeah, yeah. Check the wall! I think I felt it break away!"
Louis shone the light on it, and sure enough, there was a small hole where bricks were knocked to the other side just at Pina's head level.
The deer blinked, reaching out his hand to feel the new open space. "How did you know to do that?"
"The bricks felt loose and not as solid as they should be. Step back, I think it needs one more. Then we can move the rest with our hands."
The buck moved back once more, watching with an intrigued eye.
Like a windup toy, Pina drew back once again and shot forward, dislodging even more of the bricks. Beyond them was even more darkness, unsurprisingly.
Louis shone his light inside, seeing if he could see anything. "Now it really is like a horror film."
Pina recovered once again and laughed. "Hey, maybe there'll be some wine behind here! That'd make this whole thing worth it."
The deer just laughed at that. "You never struck me as a wine type of guy."
"Nope, just a joke. I've never actually drunk anything, believe it or not."
"I've been drunk a few times," Louis said. "Not too long ago."
"I guess we'll never know if alcoholism runs in your family, unfortunately." Pina walked toward the newly made hole and started to pull at the bricks. "Unless you do go to America and meet your parents."
"I plan to," the other herbivore sighed. "Like I said." He began helping with the bricks himself, finding it easy to get a purchase on them.
"I guess having a rich dad helps. Maybe he even has offices there? I dunno how big his company is."
"Offices in America? I didn't think about that. I'd have to ask next time Legosi and I have dinner with him."
"You've got a lot on your plate, that's for sure."
They managed to clear out enough bricks to show a space inside. Pina illuminated it some more. "Wow, this looks...dug?"
"Dug? You mean like a prisoner could have dug it?"
The sheep brought a finger to his chin in thought. "Now there's an idea...let's see how far they got."
"Okay..."
They squeezed through the gap into the even smaller corridor, too small to stand next to each other so Louis hung behind, still holding hands. The walls grew tighter around them the farther they went.
"Huh, maybe we will get trapped down here physically," Pina felt the dirt walls around them. "Seems sturdy enough I guess."
"No sudden movements," Louis reminded.
"For sure." They walked further in, and the walls and ceiling narrowed. "You're not claustrophobic, are you, 'Shi'?"
"No, of course not," Louis shook his head.
"I am, kinda," Pina admitted. "I wonder if this even leads out."
"Out of the tower?"
"Just outside in general. The air seems stagnant, so unless there's something covering the exit, I think we might be heading for a dead end."
"Unless this was an escape."
"Yeah, but it could be a failed escape," Pina countered.
"I guess you're right. Imagine what would happen if we did get caught back there."
"Guess we'd suffocate," Pina stated gravely, his attempt at dark humor failing.
"I wouldn't even be able to call him in my last moments."
Pina stopped in his tracks. "Hey, let's call it for tonight."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah, sure." Pina was talking faster now and backing up. His breathing was becoming labored.
Louis blinked. "What's wrong?"
"Got a bit too much. The tight space." The sheep turned all the way around and started to push against Louis. "I need to get out."
"Okay, okay." Louis grabbed his hand and he pulled him along.
Once they got our Pina doubled over, his flashlight clattering to the ground as he hyperventilated.
The buck rubbed his back gently. "Deep breaths, deep breaths."
"I-I we need to get out of here," the sheep managed between breaths.
"Back to the cell?"
"Yeah. Out of the basement. Too dark."
Pina's eyes were wide and empty, and his lithe limbs were trembling. Louis had not seen him like this since the night with Riz.
The deer pulled him along and they ascended, albeit slowly, to his cell.
Pina started to calm down once they were in the lobby. He continued to remain quiet, however.
Louis took him to the cell. "Do you need anything?"
Pina sat down and took his leg off. "I wanted to ask Hachi if they had any blankets," came a timid voice.
"They're probably back at their cell by now. Let check." He turned and went off.
The deer came back a few minutes later with a few blankets in hand. "I got a bunch. They're always so kind."
Pina simply nodded, his left knee brought to his chest while what was left of his right leg was tucked below. He was now wearing his underwear and a simple t-shirt.
Louis was still wearing his casual clothes, just standing there with his arms crossed, looking at him.
Pina looked up at him, and then at the blankets. "Well...don't just stand there."
"I'm worried about you," the cervid retorted.
The sheep eyebrows furrowed slightly. "I-it was just a mild panic attack. I told you I'm claustrophobic."
"But you said you were 'kind of' claustrophobic. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy to be out of there. But..."
Pina sighed and moved to lay on his back. "It just became too much, okay? I used the compass on my phone to determine which way the tunnel was headed. Maybe we can try to find a possible exit from the outside some other time."
The deer nodded, sitting in the edge of the bed. "I could explore it alone as well. If it would help Melon..."
Pina chuckled. "Oh yeah, the hybrid guy, right? Why's he named after a fruit?"
"I haven't spoken to him very much. I assume that's not his real name," Louis said. "Maybe I'll find out in time."
"I've never met a hybrid before," Pina talked as if he were thinking out loud. "Well, aside from Legosi, but you know."
"We've met a few. Most notably a wolf/tiger named Lee whom I babysit at times. Well, not lately..."
"Wait, really?" Pina's voice was slowly going back to normal. "That's cute."
"He's a lovely kid, but I still can't see myself having one of my own," Louis sighed, looking down at the floor. He still felt bad depriving Legosi of that kind of future.
"How'd you meet?" The sheep moved over slightly, waiting for Louis to lay down.
The deer still didn't move yet. "We went to Gosha's so I could meet him and he took us to the daycare he works at. Lee was attached to me almost the whole time."
Pina said nothing, instead offering a warm smile.
"His mother seemed stressed, so I didn't mind taking care of him. Actually, the first day Legosi had at his job was my first babysitting day."
"That's nice of you." Pina's smile faded. "Are you gonna lie down?"
The buck turned his head. "Oh, right." Not wanting to push any boundaries, he kept all pieces of his clothing on as he laid next to him under the blanket.
Pina side-eyed him. "Are you really comfortable like that?"
"What? Yes." He had his arms lying on the bed with the blanket up to his chest, tucked under his arms.
Pina turned to his side, the thick, fluffy pillow beneath him supporting his horns. "How do you feel being back here? This is the first time you've slept here since you were a kid, right?"
"It is. But back then feels like a dream...Like it never happened. Things are so different now. It's still hard to imagine that everything has brought me back here." He stretched his arms. Pina was able to see his right eye move as the other herbivore was in his thoughts beside him.
"If you need to hold onto me or something, that's fine."
"Are you sure it's not the other way around? I seem to recall a certain sheep looking like he was about to fall over earlier." This was accompanied by a playful smile.
"I got over it," came the curt reply.
Louis knew by the tone not to joke further. "Right. Are you comfortable? Can you be comfortable here?"
Pina laughed. "You're laying on the same mattress I am. What do you think."
"It's a bit hard."
"Mhmm." Pina brushed his hand across Louis' arm.
The deer sighed. "I'm guessing you haven't been sleeping well, then?"
"I've slept better."
"Carnivores help."
"God, they really do. I constantly feel like shouting at these clowns that they've got it all wrong. Carnivores are some of the softest, wonderful, and loving animals on this Earth but all these guys can focus on is how they were hurt by the small few," Pina huffed after his mini tirade.
"You already know how I feel about that," Louis laughed. "It's the same thing with Riz. It's the animals themselves, not the fact that they're carnivores. Ours are a good example. Hell, yours stopped eating meat altogether."
Pina's laugh matched Louis'. "You're talking about them like they're property!"
"They're our mates! You know what I mean!"
"Yeah, I get you." Pina moved closer. "You know, maybe you think I'm crazy, but I feel bad for Riz. I try not to, but..."
"I don't think you're crazy."
"At least not for that reason," Pina joked. "Maybe we should text them...our boys that is."
"It's late right now. Do you think they'll be up?"
"It's only like, 10 PM. We could try."
Louis sent out a quick text to his beloved, staring at their messages waiting for a response, as was custom of him.
Legosi responded quite quickly.
Legosi: hi! how is everything?
Louis: It's okay. We started on the map for you.
Legosi: that's good! how's pina
Louis: He's good. Lonely.
Legosi: that makes two of us. remember we have therapy tomorrow too
Louis: I haven't forgotten. I'll be there tomorrow morning.
Legosi: okay! remember to tell me if anything happens with pina
Louis: Don't worry. Nothing has happened so far. I think he's pretty tired anyway.
Legosi: not worried, just going over what we talked about earlier. maybe we could even bring it up tomorrow in therapy
Louis: Maybe. That sounds like a good idea. I promise I'll let you know.
Legosi: okay! going to bed now. love you.
Louis: I love you, too. Have a kiss waiting for me.
Legosi: of course
Meanwhile, Pina had sent out a simple 'hey' to Bill.
The animal beside him turned his head. "Anything?"
"Nothing yet. Maybe he's being a good kitty and getting to sleep early for class."
"Well, get ready for his spam when you wake up," Louis chuckled.
"I can't wait." Pina set his phone aside and tried to get comfortable. "These blankets are nice."
"They are," Louis nodded.
"How's Legosi?"
"He's doing good! As cute as always. We have therapy tomorrow."
"Oh yeah. Don't wanna be late for that." There was a beat of silence before he continued. "I wonder how things would have played out if Legosi actually went for me and we became a thing. Not to say that I regret how things are now, of course. I wouldn't trade Bill for anyone."
"And who do I get in this scenario?"
"Pff, I dunno, Kai?"
"Kai would have Dom."
"Maybe not in this universe. Maybe Bill then. Very romantic, especially after you held him at gunpoint."
"Legosi did almost eat me..."
"Huh, yeah, I guess it wouldn't be too bad. You'd never go for Billy, though. He's not your type."
"He's a good and dedicated friend but a real turn-off for me."
"Yeah. If me and Legosi dated I don't see it lasting, either. He's such a sweetheart, but he never took any of my jabs well. He's such a bottom too."
"Personality-wise..." Louis mumbled, recalling the one time he took the wolf. "I was limping for a while."
"Oh? Well I guess it makes sense for you to try it. I mean, I topped Billy a couple of times already and he took to it better than I expected."
"Yeah," Louis blushed. "Maybe I'll try again soon. It felt amazing."
"Yeah, tell me about it. I was a changed man the moment I had some nice dick," Pina hummed.
Louis just burst out laughing.
"Hey! It's true!" Pina couldn't help but laugh also. He hugged Louis and buried his face into his shoulder.
Louis wrapped his arms around him and squeezed.
Pina's tail whapped lazily against the mattress and blanket as he sighed, sinking into the buck some more. Louis could feel the muscles in the ram's body becoming less tense.
The deer rubbed his back. "It's okay."
"Mmm, you're warm," was all Pina could offer.
"It's the blankets, fur, and clothes."
"Wow, so clinical. Just let me compliment you," Pina teased. His soft wool brushed against the buck even more.
"Fine..."
Pina continued to relax. "Wow, I'm really feeling all of that training in my muscles now..."
"Right? It always really hits when you stop moving."
"Yeah...now I'm not worried about...not being able to sleep."
"You're comfier than I am at least," Louis answered.
"Hmm, wanna switch positions then? I could be the pillow."
"Oh yeah, adding weight will make you feel better." He stroked the wool on his head with his skinny digits.
"Hm, can't believe you're the same buck that everyone in the drama club was terrified of. Guess it makes sense, considering everything you went through." Pina moved even closer, his breath grazing Louis' face.
"Nothing to fear from this deer any longer."
"Yeah, especially now with your antlers as soft, velvet stubs."
"Oh yeah. I almost forgot." Louis felt said velvet stubs.
"They're coming in nicely, though. They'll always outshine Ichi's."
Louis blushed a bit at that. "I'm glad I am who I am now. That future Beastar Louis feels like a completely different animal. Hard to believe I was him."
"Oh, what would you be doing now if you were Beastar, I wonder~"
"Hating my life and my responsibilities." He sighed. "I don't think this is much better."
"What would you be doing if this mess never started? Just living your life in the condo with Legosi?"
"Yeah. Setting goals for ourselves. Remodeling the place."
"And if you told Ichi that's what you wanted to do, and you left, he'd..." Pina swallowed, regretting going down that conversation path.
Louis turned his head. "Yeah."
"He's planning something with the Chimeras. I know it." Pina threw his arm across Louis' chest and settled in more.
The deer sighed. "But what?"
"Something he thinks will give him an edge over the market, I guess. But for now he's focusing just on the Okamigumi. That's gotta be tough for you."
"I'm lucky I don't know any of those wolves personally."
"Yeah...like that coyote you told me about..."
"I haven't spoken to him in a while. I hate how cluttered my life is. I'm lucky I even still get time with Legosi."
"Yeah..." Pina kissed Louis' cheek. "This will pass. One day it will be just a bad memory."
"I just have a bad feeling I can't put aside."
"And that makes sense," Pina yawned. "Mmm, I'm gettin' sleepy, dude. If I stop talking assume...I sleep..."
"Right. Anything you want to discuss before then?"
"Mmm, you think we got enough stuff for this Melon guy?"
"I think one more go-around is important. As well as those tunnels...Do you think Ichi knows?"
"Hmm, unless he laid those bricks, I don't think so."
"Wow. He might notice..."
"Mm, depends on how often he goes down there. Guess we shouldn't mention it though."
"Not at all." He rubbed down his back. "We've done good so far. Mostly we have to hope no one finds us like this."
"Eh, it's not so far fetched. We really hit it off and Ichi wants me to get you comfortable here anyway..."
The deer nodded. "I guess you're right. He'd probably be overjoyed."
"He would so love it if you fell for me and dumped Legosi and spend all of your time here...don't give him that satisfaction."
"I love you, but not enough to leave Legosi," the deer admitted. "I promised him I'd tell him if we do anything."
"Oh...well, I'm not planning anything," Pina admitted. "How's he feel about everything?"
"About everything with us?"
"Yeah. He had to have thought something when you said you were going to spend the night here with me."
"He was understandably concerned. But I told him how I really feel about you. I told him I wouldn't date you or anything, that I just wanted to hold you and protect you and be there for you. I mean, I would sleep with you, but we knew that already."
"Mm." Pina adjusted a bit. "Technically you're sleeping with me right now."
"But that's literally." He rubbed his lower back, looking at the ceiling as he spoke. It's what he did when he was in thought.
"Hehe, I know."
"But I mean it. I don't think I could ever see us together as like...mates, I guess."
"Mm, you like that word a lot. Very old fashioned of you."
"It's a nice word. And it makes sense," Louis shrugged.
"Really close friends who can be intimate, I guess. What we are, that is. Not hard to understand."
"Exactly. I just feel this weird strong bond with you I don't feel with anyone else. I don't understand why it's so hard to pinpoint," Louis groaned
Pina shrugged, which was quite hard due to him lying down. "It just is what it is. Nothing to think too hard about."
The deer covered his face. "It just bothers me is all."
"It's nothing to be bothered about. You told this all to Legosi, right?"
"I did. It felt more clearer then."
"What did he say?"
"He said he felt similar to Kai. It's different than a carniherbi relationship."
"I guess to weirdos like us these are weird relationships, but bonding with other herbivores is normal," Pina supported. "And really? Kai? I didn't know they were such close friends."
"I didn't either. Maybe they text more than I figured. It's fine. You and I text quite a bit."
"Yeah, but he and Kai don't want to 'sleep together', right?"
"Kai is asexual."
"Exactly, and Legosi probably doesn't feel that way, so...a bit different. That's cute, though. Kai needs someone while Dom is in college."
"And you need someone while you're in here," Louis uncovered his face at this.
"Sure, but don't spend every night here. I might be able to get San down for some cuddles too."
"I didn't plan to. Really. I mean, this far beyond how I'm used to sleeping."
"You can sleep in your underwear, y'know," Pina pointed out. "It won't mean anything."
"Are you sure?"
"Of course! Like, what will happen."
"I never know!"
"I promise you nothing will happen. I respect you and Legosi's boundaries. If you're uncomfortable, feel free to sleep in your underwear."
The deer quickly got comfortable and laid back down, clearly relieved.
"Better?"
He removed his eyepatch and set it on the floor with his garments. "Much."
Pina's gaze stuck to the scar. He had seen it at the hot springs, but now it was much closer. Without thinking, he reached out and ran the back of his knuckle next to it.
"W-what?" Louis blinked with his good eye.
"You didn't deserve that..."
"No one does." He grabbed his wrist, gently. "You didn't deserve what happened to your leg. But fate chose us to bear these scars."
"And maybe one day we can stop getting them."
"..." He had a sad look in his eye. "This is making me think about what Legosi did to himself. That was because of my idiotic choices."
Pina stayed quiet, still stroking his face.
"I just...It hurts knowing those scars weren't from some outside force. I'm his husband. The bloodstain on our futon is because of me. And now his life is in my hands. It's stressful."
"I bet. Therapy can hopefully help with part of it, but not this. I guess that's where I come in. I'm helping you carry this burden."
"It's just fucking ridiculous. None of us should have to do any of this."
"True, but there's no use in getting mad over the circumstances."
"But I am mad!"
Pina reached up and rubbed one of Louis' ears. "I know, I know. But stewing in it achieves nothing."
Louis closed his eye for a few moments and then opened it, meeting the ram's. "But it helps."
"Hm, but not when you're trying to sleep."
"It's going to be hard to..." Louis rubbed his eye. "Sorry. There's just so much, my brain is about to explode."
"Yeah. It's too much for a 19-year-old to have to go through." Pina paused as a thought came to mind. "Y'know, I'm supposed to be 20. Like, Shichi is."
"You're tall. That helps. And mature."
"Mmm...mature, huh?"
"Mmhmmm..." It was clear now that both herbivores were succumbing to their exhaustion.
They stopped talking, their bodies sinking further and further into each other and into the hard mattress.
Louis kept his arms around him, his eye slowly closing. "I'll be right here for you whenever you need anything. Okay?"
The sheep stirred. "Mmmkay..."
And maybe it was the comfort, the bond they shared, or the understanding they now had of their relationship, or just the tired struggle of two herbivores, but the deer lifted Pina's head and brought their lips together, gently. It was the same kind of kiss Pina had given him at the hospital. The one that told the other everything would be okay in the end.
Pina sighed out his nose, kissing back. He rubbed the back of Louis' head before pulling back and hugging him again. "Goodnight..."
"Goodnight." Right after he said this, Louis grabbed his phone and messaged Legosi about what he had done. Thankfully, he didn't feel nervous this time. Everyone finally understood.
Finally.