Chapter 85 - My Eyes On You, Your Eyes On Us

Later that day...

Bill was sitting on the couch in Gosha's living room, fiddling with his big hands rather anxiously. He couldn't recall a time when he was more nervous to meet Pina. The lizard had left him a spare key under the mat so he could let himself in and wait.

He wondered if his boyfriend would be any different. It hadn't been that long, but it felt like forever. The biggest and dumbest thing he worried about was if their spark was still there.

Ever since Riz, the tiger had become less and less social with those at Cherryton, finding he preferred spending time alone. He had started reading more and researching things he was interested in. One of those things being relationships. He had read that when couples are separated for a good while, they tend to realize they are better off that way.

Another thing he looked up was why he didn't feel like socializing with other animals that weren't Pina, Louis, or Legosi and he found that because they had shared trauma, he was more attached to them than others because they have a stronger connection. Man, he missed those guys…

Suddenly, Bill's phone buzzed with a message.

Pina: im comin òwó

Bill: how close?

Pina: wait a bit

Bill: ok

It was another few long minutes before the doorbell rang twice, followed by a few knocks, making Bill jump. Nobody else but Pina would be that obnoxious, though.

The tiger rushed to the door and opened it quickly, seeing his sheep there.

Despite everything, Pina looked more or less the same, albeit tired and with his wool not brushed as well as it usually is. He looked at the tiger with his aqua-colored eyes and a smile spread across his face like a wildfire, and his tail flicked erratically. His arms were around his strong torso, then.

"Sorry," he whispered.

Bill hugged back tightly, clutching him. "It's okay..." He fumbled with his next words. "Can I, uh, kiss you? If that's okay?"

"Not if I kiss you first." And the sheep did, softly, on the lips, before opening his mouth and pushing in to reach his rough tongue.

Bill kissed back passionately. The spark wasn't gone. His fears melted away as they kissed on the porch and he knew that Pina was still his.

Pina pulled away and looked past the tiger. "Gosha's not here, right?"

"Not right now. He's at work," Bill said. "Just you and me."

"Good. We can talk then." Pina stepped in and closed the door behind him before crouching down to untie his boots. Here, Bill noticed the sheep looked a bit more fit.

He smiled at this. "Well look at you, Mr...uh...um...I lost it."

Pina looked up and smiled. "Beautiful?"

"That's one word." He had already had his shoes off before, so he just stood and watched. "It's so good to see you...god..."

Pina stood up and walked up to him, resting a hand on his strong chest while the other played with the fur on his cheek. "Forgot just how orange you are. Your fur is so pretty." He brought both hands up to his face and mushed his cheeks up. "Uuugh, I'm so sick of being around herbivores all the time. I needed you."

"I need you, too...but I haven't been around many animals lately..." he said, blushing. "Uh...yeah."

"No wonder you wanted Legosi and Louis to come. Of course, the rest of today is just us." Pina nuzzled their noses together.

Bill rubbed his shoulders. "Just us...But you really are okay with them coming tomorrow?"

"Of course! We haven't all been together since the hot springs. Plus a lot of stuff has happened with us since then..."

"For real," Bill sighed. "I love you so much."

"I love you so much, as well. Now, where should we go? Living room? Legosi's old room? Are we free to eat food?"

"We are. Are you hungry? We have so much we need to talk about, huh?" His tail swayed and he couldn't stop smiling.

"Yeah. Oh, we could take a shower later too. I could do for a proper shower, even if Gosha only has scale soap." Pina walked with Bill into the living room, where he plopped down on the couch and rested his fake leg up, rubbing at his knee. "Achy today."

"You wanna shower together?" Bill asked. "I wouldn't mind washing you..." He snorted. "Ugh, I've turned all sappy like Legosi and Louis."

Pina smiled. "Is that bad? You don't wanna be sappy with me?"

Bill couldn't help but sit down next to him and wrap him up in his strong arms. "You know I do..." he muttered.

"You'll get to wash my lovely wool." Pina nuzzled into his tiger, feeling tears in his eyes. He blinked them away. "So, what should we talk about first?"

"Maybe what the hell you've gotten yourself into."

Pina chuckled. "I think I said everything I could through text."

"But...anything new? You haven't talked much about it..."

"Well, that Nori guy I talked about seems to be a good starting point. Me and Louis figure if we can befriend the members we can sort of dismantle the operation non-violently, you know?"

"You really think so?" Bill blinked.

"Better than the alternative."

"Yeah...I don't know what I would do if anything happened to you guys..."

"Yeah, considering we're all roped into this..."

"All?" Bill blinked.

"Oh, yeah. You see, Legosi and Louis kind of ran into the Shishigumi at one point, and they have a beef with the Branded, and they sort of forced them into a deal to give them information so they could get rid of the branded and free Louis. Legosi is kind of the in-between guy now, and he's chosen to go and train with them to get stronger. Don't really know what that's all about myself."

"Uh...?"

Pina scratched behind his boyfriend's ears. "Yeah, it's kinda bad, especially now since we don't really want any of the Branded to get killed. Louis told me the leader of the Shishigumi is willing to wait for us to resolve it ourselves, at least."

"Wow, that's...a mess," Bill swallowed. He purred at the scratches.

"Indeed it is. At least we can have moments like this still. And after all of this..." Pina sighed and drew his hand back. "I guess I really did drop out of school, huh."

"You really did," Bill said. "But you wanted to help Louis..."

"Yeah," the sheep sighed. "He's just...He's so helpless in a way. I don't mean that to insult him, but he tends to resign himself to suffering unless you slap him on the head and say 'no'! I'm sure Legosi would agree with me."

"It's kind of obvious he can't get out of it alone," Bill said. "He never has."

"Yeah..." Pina cleared his throat. "So, anyway, you mentioned not being around anyone lately? Were you just locking yourself in your room at Cherryton?"

"Basically. Taking a lot of time for myself...reading...researching stuff..." Bill rubbed his eyes. "Aoba and I hung out not too long ago. He and I are two very different animals now..."

The herbivore frowned. "I'm sorry, Billy..."

"I'm not. People change," Bill sighed. "I'm always thinking about you and Louis and Legosi."

"How about Kai and Dom?"

"Not so much. They're cool and all, but it's not the same."

"Is it Riz...?"

"I think so..."'

"We were all bonded that night, huh?" Pina chuckled. "You were scared that night. I lost too much blood at one point to remember how to be scared."

"And I was angry," Bill said. "And they were there. Fighting for you." He poked Pina's flat chest.

"I know," he whispered. "I'm so...I have no idea what I'd do with myself if one of you died that night."

"Go to the funeral," Bill joked.

"Oh my god Bill I'm trying to be sincere." Nevertheless, the pretty sheep laughed, then stood up. "Let's look for food."

"Mmm...food," Bill rubbed his stomach.

Unlike Louis or even Legosi, neither Bill or Pina had any finesse with cooking, so their search for food turned into a raid for snacks, picking out any quick consumable they could find. It turned out that Gosha seemed to like packaged cookies.

"We should pay Gosha," Pina said, between bites. "It's only fair. Ohh, we could get pizza or something tomorrow with the guys!"

"I would love to," Bill said. "I can't stop thinking about seeing them again. I've been talking with Louis about kissing Legosi in secret."

Pina nearly fell over. "W-what!?"

"Remember? I was gonna kiss Legosi?" Bill laughed.

"Yeah, but you talked to Louis about it? I didn't think you were, like, considering it! I thought you were, like, humoring me, or at least joking."

"What? No! I want to! It might be...nice," Bill rubbed the back of his neck. "You kiss Louis!"

"Yeah, I know! But wow...you've really grown from the womanizer you used to be, although, I guess you could say the same about me."

Bill smiled. "I like this better. But something is missing."

"Things being normal?" Pina guessed.

"Louis and Legosi," the tiger corrected. "The hot springs only made me realize it more."

"Wow, you really want them here. It's not just cuz you wanna see me and Louis kiss and you wanna mack on some handsome wolf lips?"

"I do want both of those things, but I just want to be together. Remember, I've been alone a lot."

"I know." Pina shoved some more cookies into his mouth. "I can be the big spoon tonight if you want."

"I would love that," Bill said. "We could lock the door..."

"You're thinking naked?" Pina smiled.

"If...if that's okay with you..." he looked away and shoved a cookie into his big mouth.

"Of course it is." Pina gazed lovingly at him. "I wonder when the next time we'll have sex is."

"Tonight? Before Gosha gets- Oh right. We can't..."

"Yeah, we shouldn't. It's gonna be really special, though." Pina placed a hand on Bill's shoulder. "I was thinking...I mean, I've been imagining...when we're together again...we could just...do it nice and slow."

"That's exactly what I've been thinking..." Bill whispered. "I was literally about to say that."

"Make love," Pina whispered, giggling afterward.

"Mhm..." Bill said. "We deserve it. How has Louis been handling the Branded stuff?"

"He's getting better, I suppose. We've been training together, like I said."

Bill's nose twitched. "Doing a lot of training, I bet."

"We've only kissed." Pina flicked his nose. "Guess we're gonna sort this all out tomorrow, huh."

"Yeah! Exciting!"

"Legosi wants to kiss me, too. Are you gonna kiss Louis?"

"Uh...but that's your thing," Bill said. "I don't think Louis and I are like that..."

"But you and Legosi are?"

"Guess so," Bill took another cookie and bit it.

"That's really funny to me. When this is all over we should definitely hang out with each other. Like, not as a group but pair off and get to know each other individually, you know?" Pina started putting away some of the food.

"You just want to get more alone time with Louis~" Bill teased, poking him again and again.

"Yeah, and? I make a good point, regardless."

"You're so into him," Bill teased more.

Pina brushed some of the wool from his face and looked away. "Yeah, I know..."

"Well, now you have to tell me all about it," Bill said. "...While sitting on my lap. It's the only way."

Pina groaned playfully and sat on the tiger's thighs. "So, what do you wanna know?'

"Everything," Bill smiled with his teeth.

"Well, he stayed over with me the other night, and we kissed and cuddled and it was...nice. It just feels nice to take care of him. I'm not trying to take that away from Legosi, of course, but obviously, he can't be there for him in that context..."

"Oh come on, there's more," Bill pressed. "We all know he's meant to be with Legosi, but don't think about him so much and talk to me about how you feel without thinking about that in the way."

"Well, he's just a nice change of pace, no offense. We've both been through some shit and we're both herbivores so it's just, I dunno. He's only recently let people get close to him so it's like, a privilege to be let in, you know?"

Bill snorted. "This is the least juicy gossip I've ever heard."

"What do you want from me, cat?" Pina pulled on his ears.

"Yooow!" He grabbed his wrist. "To talk about him like you actually, you know, dig him?"

"He's just such a dork! He's so pretty and distinguished-looking but he totally dropped all that and can just be so goofy sometimes. It's charming, even if he is awful at flirting."

"Awful? No way," the tiger was smiling more now. "How?"

"He, like, takes the smallest opportunities to do it and it never works, so paradoxically it does. Maybe he's just trying it out on someone who can actually pick up on it since that stuff can get lost with Legosi sometimes."

"Maybe he's just into you and doesn't know how to express it," Bill said. "Poor guy."

"Oh yeah, I know he's into me." Pina looked up at the ceiling. "Whatever happens after this...I want to stay in his life. In their lives. Wherever they may go. Would you come with me?"

"I will," Bill said. "Are you...in love with him? It's okay if you are. We need to talk about this."

Pina nodded. "That's really the only thing you could call it I guess."

"So we can finally talk about how cute his ass is?"

"Thought you weren't interested in him," Pina said, sticking his tongue out.

"I'm interested in you and him," Bill said.

"Pff, oh yeah. And yes, his ass is really nice and petite which just goes great with his little tuft tail..."

"Now you're talking," the tiger rubbed his stomach under his shirt. "Of course, you wouldn't tap that."

"Hmm, yeah, no fun in that. I like topping you better." Pina licked Bill's cheek. "Plus, a petite top is really hot."

Bill made a light growl. "So you want him to fuck you, then."

"That's how I imagine it going down, yeah," Pina's voice grew sultry to match Bill's.

"What I would pay to see that!" Bill groaned. "Plus, since you love him it just makes it even better! I hate how much of a tease you are."

"Oh? How am I a tease, mister kitty?"

"I mean...you know how I feel about watching..."

"Maybe one day, sugar. Like I said, tomorrow we'll see how Legosi feels about everything."

"Yeah...For all we know, he could be completely against kissing me," Bill said. "Which is totally fine."

"What have you been talking to Louis about, anyway? Like, just about kissing him?" Pina queried.

"Uh..." Bill blushed. "Maybe a bit more.."

"What else?"

"Okay, okay...Well, at first I just contacted him to ask if he was cool with me kissing his man, but then I wanted to get to know him more so I texted him again," Bill said. "I never realized he was so sexual. Some of the stuff he describes doing with Legosi is...I'm jealous! Or you know, it would be cool to see him do with you."

"Wow, you're so horny." Pina flicked his ear. "I'm not sure what's keeping you from ravishing me right here and now."

"You are," the tiger said, point-blank.

"Guess so. What do you wanna do now?"

"Did you know that he fucked Legosi on their dining table?" Bill continued. "Fuck, man."

"Oh wow. Did you know he fucked him in front of a bunch of people at an underground party?"

"Are you serious?!" Bill's mouth fell agape. "And I thought we were freaky..."

"Yeah, that buck is kinda nuts. Another reason to love him," Pina smiled. "Anyway, what's really with you and Legosi? You, like, actually went out of your way to text Louis about him."

"Never hurts to experiment," Bill said. "And I just want to be close, I don't know. I mean...I was curious about how Louis felt about you so I asked him..."

Pina's ears wiggled. "How does Louis feel about me?"

"There's a lot I can say. Can you make it easier?" Bill nuzzled his cheek.

"Summarize?"

"Well, were you hoping the feelings were returned?"

"I mean, yeah." Pina ran his fingernails across the texture of his horn.

"They are," Bill said. "He says he used to feel super guilty about it, but now he feels like he has room to breathe now that he and Legosi have come to a real understanding." Bill sighed. "He actually is very self-conscious about how he acts toward you. He thinks he's pushing it too hard and that you might just be dealing with it."

"Well, I didn't want to add anything to complicate our situation right now. I even told him once this is all over we can sort this all out." Pina looked down at the floor and tugged at the wool on his elbows. "Good to hear that, though..."

"I told him there was no way you were just dealing with it! That's not like you!" Bill went on. "He says he hates that he feels like he needs you so much. I think it's fucking adorable."

"Needs me..." Pina brushed his arms some more, staring off into space.

"What is it?" The tiger nuzzled his cheek again.

Pina looked at him and smiled softly. "Just...feels good, I suppose. And odd. To be needed."

"You're just so loved," Bill said. "I wonder why I'm so okay with it. I think it's because I trust Louis and I trust you. I know that he makes you happy and that makes me happy. Plus, I still get you so I really don't see any problem with it. I've, haha, researched why I'm so okay with it and that's what I gathered, basically."

"Mister researcher. Were you in the library wearing your fake glasses?"

"I lost them, actually," Bill's eyes went down. "So no."

"A tragedy. You know, Legosi is getting glasses."

"For real?" Bill blinked. "Ugggh, I wanna see them! Oh, oh! Louis and I also bonded over some scenarios where you guys did it. I'm not supposed to tell you, though."

Pina covered his face. "Oh my goooood did you guys really bond over this?"

"It's fun!" Bill said. "He's actually pretty cool to talk to! I think we're friends!"

"I'd hope so. We're all friends. Guess you just have to bond with Legosi over something now."

"Yeah..." Bill nodded. "I should really stop talking to Louis about that kind of stuff with you, though. It gets me worked up. Of course, I've never...done anything from it..."

"Yeah, if you had you'd probably need a bucket for all the cum," Pina commented.

"Ugh...Herbivore on herbivore is just so good," Bill whined. "It's like being into lesbians as a straight dude."

"Herbivores are expected to be into each other, Bill," Pina groaned. "You've gotten so used to carniherbi stuff you've switched into thinking it's the norm."

"Oh...OH." Bill's eyes went wide. He burst out laughing.

"Did you forget!" Pina shouted, also laughing.

"Do I gotta remind you I mostly talk to herbivores who are dating carnivores!"

"And none of us are straight. Soon, you're gonna want to see boys and girls going at it like some weirdo."

"No, no, no. Stop right there. Anyway, Louis is quite the horn dog. Maybe I'll save up and pay him to recreate one of his ideas."

"Hah, start saving. Also, the fact he's getting Legosi to go along with these things means he's converting that wolf, too. An actual horn dog."

Bill gripped his hips. "I love you."

"I love you, too. Let's go lie on the couch and watch something."

The tiger wrapped up the remaining cookies and put them back in the cabinet, wiping the crumbs out of his fur and then going to the couch, laying down first so Pina could lay on him.

And Pina did, throwing his body on top of Bill and wrapping his arms around him. He mashed his cheek against him. "So comfy~"

"It is," Bill sighed, contently. "I needed this. You know...we should really talk about everything with the guys tomorrow. This whole gang situation."

"Oh yeah. After we sort out who's kissing who."

The tiger laughed from his chest, then he had a sad look in his eyes. "I'm worried about you."

Pina reached for the controller and turned on the TV. "What about?"

"You're young...You have a lot on your shoulders..."

"I have strong shoulders."

"Do you?" Bill asked, rubbing his head. "Even the strongest shoulders break."

"It won't be forever," Pina murmured. He nestled into Bill some more.

"But it could be just a little less than that," Bill mumbled.

"Well, me and Louis have a plan if shit hits the fan. We're all hauling tail to America with his dad's money. That's another thing I didn't tell you, I guess, but that's because it's a last resort."

"Of course you and him made a dramatic escape plan," Bill chuckled, tracing Pina's horn with his claw.

"Mm, yeah." Pina stared ahead, listening to the calm voice of the poodle with a huge afro painting on the television. "All of that is so far away right now, though..."

"Well, no matter what happens, you're the inside man in the Branded. Take care of Louis."

"I will," Pina yawned. "And I'm sure he'll take care of me."

"He better or I'll kick his cute ass," Bill said. "The gay club at school is doing pretty good. Kai is actually a pretty good leader. He always has stuff planned."

"That little guy always goes above and beyond. It's admirable." Pina started to play with the long fur on the back of Bill's neck.

"It is! He told me he's making a website with Legosi. Pretty cool. He's lucky. I have work I need to finish but this is way way more important."

"I told you that too, silly." Pina dug his pinky into Bill's cheek.

"Oh, yeah. Sorry, I'm going down the list of things I wanted to talk about. Uh...Can you believe I was actually scared our spark would be gone before you got here?"

"Well, considering how I just up and left, I don't blame you. Just happy it's still here." Pina kissed his forehead. "Still feel like eating me?"

"Out," Bill huffed. "And maybe tying you up and going to town."

"Unf. Not fair. You're not allowed to say things like that here," the sheep scolded.

"I can't help it. I haven't gotten off properly in so long."

"...Wanna go someplace on Sunday?" Pina offered.

"We could go to one of those love hotels," Bill said. "I've still got our sex stuff in my room at Cherryton."

"You'd have to go and get it though. We could just go there and improvise," Pina suggested.

"Or buy some stuff from a sex shop nearby..." Bill suggested. "Oh, but we should do it intimately first."

"Yeah. I bet you're all pent up." Pina stroked up his back. "I am too," he added with a whisper.

"You didn't have to be!" Bill chided.

"Not gonna fuck Louis in the creepy cult tower. Which used to be a prison, I think."

"Then pretend you're somewhere else."

Pina rolled his eyes. "Just hush and enjoy this relaxing painting show. I haven't been able to sleep well the past few nights..."

"You will tonight, babe," Bill licked his forehead. "I will do everything I can to make good sleep happen. Starting with that relaxing shower..."

"Mmm, lookin' forward to it."

"You really don't think a bed is a bed?" Bill asked. "Would you fuck me in the creepy cult tower?"

"I meant more the fact that we'd get caught."

"Anywhere you wouldn't get caught?"

"The horrible spooky basement," Pina shuddered.

"Then go somewhere else for a day. You're spending the night with me away from the tower. It's no different," Bill said.

"Oh my god, I told you already you, horny cat! We're not gonna figure out something like that until this is all over!"

Bill groaned. "At least take him out on a date or something! You can have a little fun! And I already know he wants to get dinner with you without that Nori guy."

"Just calm down, Bill. What happens will happen."

"I will, I will. I just hate thinking about you being cooped up in that tower with a bunch of bloodthirsty gang members," Bill frowned. "You have a pretty smile and people should see it more. And you deserve to be happy. You're at least owed that for doing this willingly." He squeezed him.

"Well, I'm not sure about calling them 'bloodthirsty'. Like, they all have issues but we're learning more about them. We've made friends with the elk named Hachi."

"And Nori," Bill reminded. "I'm really glad. At least it's not all bad. I still think about you all the time. Part of me still wants you back at school but a more mature part of me knows you're doing a very good thing." He kissed his neck once, twice. "So America, huh?"

"America," Pina repeated.

"Why America, exactly?"

"It's the last place we know Louis' biological parents went," Pina said simply.

"His parents..." Bill blinked. "Well, that's stupid."

Pina went quiet. "He wants to meet them. I won't judge him for that."

"We've seen how horrible parents can be!" Bill argued. "Imagine if we go all that way and they...yeah."

"I don't think he expects to cultivate a meaningful relationship," Pina explained. "He just needs to know why they left him..."

"That's ridiculous," Bill said. "He doesn't have to deal with them anymore. They left. He's going to regret it." He almost seemed angry.

"Maybe, but that's Louis' choice to make." Pina pecked Bill's cheek. "I know animals like us can't really see the logic in it, considering our families. But he just patched things up with his adoptive dad. He must feel hope."

"But...it's not fair..." the cat mumbled. "And I don't want him to get an emotional scar like that. Or, what if the answer is really simple. They left him because they didn't have the money to take care of him."

"Then he'll know the answer. I think it eats him up inside..."

"You care so much..." Bill sighed. "I guess you would. After what your parents did to us..."

Pina let out a slow breath. "Yeah...my mom messaged me the other day, but I didn't open it. I might soon, I don't know."

"You should do it. I'm right here," Bill said with a small smile. "I'll be your Pina."

"You think?" Pina asked, genuinely.

"I do," Bill said, sitting up and wrapping his arms and legs around him.

Pina reached into his pocket and produced his phone, simply staring at it for a second before opening the messaging app.

Bill waited in anticipation, his heartbeat growing a bit faster for how his boyfriend would react to what he would be seeing.

Pina took a deep breath again and opened the message. He held it out of Bill's view as he read.

The tiger continued to watch, intently.

After a minute or so, Pina put the phone back in his pocket with a huff.

"So...?" Bill put a hand on his leg.

"It was one of your standard We don't like what you're doing but we don't want to lose our only son so please give us the time of day' sort of things." Pina stared ahead at the TV.

Bill pulled him closer. "They lost you when they kicked you out. They gave you to us."

"I know...I know, Billy." He hugged him back. "But...I do think they still love me...even if it's in a shitty way."

"So what the fuck do they want from you, then?"

"To be in their lives, still. But it's no deal if you can't be there too," Pina sighed and rubbed his temples.

"I will be there," Bill said. "It's worth swallowing the anger for you."

It was quiet again, before Pina started snorting. "Y-you'll be swallowing a lot more than that on Sunday."

"We could pull the legendary Sex All-Nighter. You make sure you can't see any clocks all night and then go at it again and again. Eventually, you lose track of time and it feels like forever..."

Pina let out a long, raspberry sound. "Where'd you learn that one?"

"Are you surprised?" the tiger barked out a laugh. "I may have changed, but I'm still me!"

"God, our ballsacks are gonna look like raisins after that!" Pina howled.

"So you want to!"

"As long as we fit some of that nice, slow, passionate stuff in there, yeah."

"We will." He smirked. "Want to save some of your 'juice' for Louis?"

"Holy shit, if it ever happens you will literally collapse into a supernova."

Bill laughed again. "I just think it's cute! It's like a little high school romance with you crushing on each other! Really I just like teasing, though. I always teased Aoba on the girls he liked..."

"You weren't banging him, though," Pina's cute pink tongue stuck out again.

"This just makes it better!"

Eventually, as was fated, Pina was lulled to sleep by the soft voice from the TV and the gentle up and down of Bill's breathing. The tiger stayed awake, enjoying the fact that they were together again. Finally. He stroked his wool in a slow rhythm, knowing he could stay in this moment forever

It was later in the evening when Bill heard the jingling of keys outside the door, and the sound of it unlocking. Heavy boot steps followed, and some more sounds of fabric moving over fabric.

The tiger looked up as the lizard walked into the living room. "Grandpa Gosha!"

"Hiya, boys! Looks like Pina's had enough of today, huh?"

The slumbering sheep stirred, slightly, but not much else. He had been out like a light for hours now.

"Enough of today, yesterday, the day before..." Bill whispered. "But he looks so beautiful, huh?"

"He is a very pretty animal. I think his modeling career could really go places, if he pursues it." Gosha walked into the kitchen area.

"I agree," Bill said. "Uh, I'd get up to join you but I'm a little weighed down! How was work?"

"Hard! But that's how I like it! Keeps the body strong!" Gosha flexed an impressive bicep. "Legosi messaged me too, saying he and Louis are coming over tomorrow. Seems like it'll be a full house! I'll be at the daycare most of the day but I'll come around at night unless you all want me to go elsewhere for the day."

"We'll let you know," Bill said. "I'm so thankful you let us do this."

"It's no problem! I love the company!" The old lizard opened some cabinets and got out some pans, the noises stirring Pina from sleep.

"Mmm..." His eyes peeled open and he met Bill's gaze. He blinked and then smiled. "Hi," he whispered.

"Hey," Bill kissed his nose. "Grandpa's home."

Pina turned and spotted the komodo. "Heyyyy, gramps."

Gosha waved. "Hello!"

"Sorryyyy, we ate your cookiessss."

"Oh, that's fine!"

"We'll pay you baaack."

"No, don't worry about it!"

"We could all have dinner tomorrow," Bill suggested. "Family meal."

"Mmm yeah the pizza! We'll pay for it!"

Gosha chuckled. "Whatever you want to do, boys! That couch pulls out if Legosi and Louis decide to stay the night, too."

"I hope so!" Bill said. "Breakfast together, too! Maybe Louis will cook again!"

"You miss his cooking?" Pina asked.

"I do," Bill sighed. "And their voices."

"Yeah, I miss them too." Pina sat up and stretched, cracking his back. "I think I'm ready for that shower now."

"Oh, yes~" Bill purred. "Get ready for the shower of a life time."

Gosha glanced over as they made their way to the bathroom, but said nothing.

They squeezed into the bathroom and Pina soon began to strip. "Remember when you pulled me into the bathroom back at Louis and Legosi's place at Cherryton?" he asked.

"Boy, do I," Bill said, pulling his shirt off.

"Can't believe we've come this far." Pina was already naked, looking in the shower. "Oh...my god."

"What? What?" Bill said, in the middle of pulling his pants down.

"That's so cute! Oh my god, Gosha!" Pina turned around and held out some bottles of shampoo. "He got stuff for wool! And for felines!"

The tiger smiled, widely. "I love our grandpa. He lets his gay grandkids do whatever they want."

"Like bathe." Pina reached in and turned on the water before turning back to Bill. "Wow...forgot how big your body is."

The cat pulled off his underwear. "The more there is for you to love."

"Mmm, come here." Pina stepped into the shower and held his arms out.

Bill went in and immediately wrapped his arms around him again as they stood and let the water hit them "Fuck...this is so good..."

"Yeahhhh," Pina looked at Bill, only having to lean slightly to match his gaze. The water was quickly making his long head wool wet, causing it to drop into his eyes.

"Can we do this every day in America?"

Pina wrapped his arms around him. "If we go, sure."

"Well, what else would happen after this?" Bill rubbed his claws up and down Pina's skinny back, lightly.

"Hmm, I guess Louis would wanna go there eventually to look for his folks. Legosi would go along...and...yeah, you're right. The only factor here is how soon." Pina shuddered at the sharp touch.

The tiger reached and grabbed the wool shampoo, flipping open the cap with a click. "I'm kind of excited..."

Pina backed up a bit and turned around for him. "What do you wanna wash first?"

"Your back might be nice," Bill said, already lathering the soap on his hands and rubbing his shoulders. "I meant excited to go to America, though."

"Oh, now I'm insulted." The sheep's tone showed he wasn't serious, of course. "We'll have to ask Louis tomorrow if he does plan on going there regardless."

The tiger began rubbing his right hand in circles on it, purring lightly. "We will...So...kicked any ass yet in that gang?"

"Yeah, Louis'," Pina smiled.

"Of course," Bill said. "Like, you were sparring?"

"Yeah. He's getting better, but I spend more time there so I have the advantage. Plus I took classes when I was a kid."

"Classes?"

"Yeah, some Aikido. My parents had me take classes when I was younger to protect myself. Can't say I got super good at it but I'm sure it helped."

"That would have been useful during the fight with Riz..."

"Hmm, maybe. He's huge, though, and Aikido prioritizes protection rather than hurting the attacker."

Bill continued lathering his back. "I hope whatever you learn in this gang won't have to be used."

"Yeah, but it'll be cool still," Pina reasoned.

"Would it?"

"I mean, yeah? Isn't it kickass to have a boyfriend that can fight? Not to mention sexy." Pina melted into the tiger's touch.

"I can do both of those things for you," Bill said, tracing his back muscles. "But...I'm just hoping that once we leave Japan, our troubles, at least the violent kind, will be over."

"After this, they'd better be," Pina pouted.

Bill moved down to rub his butt and kiss the back of his neck. "We'll all be together, so we'll take anything the world throws at us..."

"Four boyfriends against the world!" the sheep announced dramatically with a flourish. "You know, gays can marry there. Maybe that's another reason Louis wants to go."

The tiger squeezed his butt. "Back with the Louis talk."

"What can I say? He's the conductor of this crazy train." Pina pushed his body up against the tiger.

Bill moved to rub his thigh all over. "But he's also sad, I think...I want to help him with that, too."

"He needs all of us. We'll be there for him, and each other." Pina moaned, softly. "Babe, you're good at this..."

"You already know my big hands compliment your skinny body. And you practically got no meat on these thighs," Bill said, patting the body part.

"Cuz it's all in my ass."

Bill began rubbing against him. "Come on, baby, you know you don't want to get me worked up at our poor grandfather's house." He put more soap on his hands as he said this.

"Fiiine. Let's finish up then before we lose ourselves..."

The cat began rubbing up and down Pina's left leg, getting it all soapy. His eye moved to Kai and he stopped. "Wait, why are you wearing your prosthetic in the shower?"

Pina blinked, genuinely dumbfounded. He looked down, then up to Bill, then back to Bill. "God...DAMMIT!"

Pina grumbled, taking Kai out from its towel wrapping and shaking it. "I think it's a little dryer..." he mumbled. The pair were in Legosi's room now, in their underwear, and ready for bed.

"I still can't believe you brought it in there!" Bill laughed. "I guess you have too many things on your mind."

"Yeah, you," Pina sighed. He crawled over to the bed and climbed in.

"And—" He stopped to decide if he really wanted to tease his boyfriend again.

"You," Pina poked the tiger's wide nose, "Are going to explode tomorrow when we're all in the same room?"

"I cooould..." Bill said, tapping his finger on Pina's cute nose. Well, cute to him.

"So what's the plan with you and Legosi, then?"

"Only if he's okay with it," Bill reminded. "I don't wanna ruin the surprise, though. I just wanna have a little fun. Take off your underwear and get comfy. The door's locked."

Pina slipped them off, looking oddly fragile. He laid on his side, his legs sliding against each other.

Bill followed, pulling him close. "I'm just so fucking glad you still love me, too."

"Of course I do." There was a hint of sadness in Pina's voice. He put his hands on Bill's cheeks and looked him closely in the eyes. "You and me, baby. We're gonna stay together."

"Just know I'm not jealous or even worried, Pina. I've never been that kind of guy, even with girls." He kept their eyes locked.

"I know, but I'm letting you know that us being together ain't gonna change."

"What if I fuck up really bad somehow?" Bill asked.

Pina kissed the bridge of his nose. "I'll understand that you're only an animal and we all make mistakes."

"Mmm...but...I still don't think I'm comfortable with you falling in love with any strangers..."

"What, do you think I'm gonna fall for Nori or something?"

"I'm just saying...maybe keep it limited..." He sighed. "No, that's holding you back. Do whatever."

"I don't plan on expanding the polycule, boo," the sheep assured. "Not even for Kai or Dom. God, could you imagine that, though?"

"Having sex with a bird? No thanks. And dealing with Kai? Mmmm, I love the guy, but pass." Bill purred after that. "No one but us four went through that."

"Bound by fate, huh?" Pina pulled himself closer.

"It's funny. I used to recall you having a crush on Legosi."

"I mean, he's cute. Can you blame me?"

"But I'm pretty sure nobody ever expected you to fall for Louis. Didn't he make a horrible joke to you when you met?"

"I don't know...all I remember is I said something pretty shitty to him. I saw him as a rival at the time. Weird how shit changes, huh?"

"I love it!" Bill squeezed his hands into righteous fists. "You're so different than everybody else!"

"Is that why you like me?" Pina said into Bill's chest.

"One of the many reasons."

"Mmm." Pina nestled in more. "Have we ever just snuggled like this without fucking?"

"I think so..." Bill kissed his lips. "Funny how good things come from bad things."

"Yeah...well, let's rest up for tomorrow."

"I'm just so excited."

"I know, I can feel you almost shaking." Pina petted his head.

"Shaking for the future, I guess," Bill whispered, pulling him close, their lips brushing together.

"That could be your campaign slogan if you were running for mayor or something..." their lips brushed again.

"Mmm..." Bill said. "Mayor Bill, making gay carniherbi relationships legal..."

"And maybe actually take care of the market and clear out scary cults and mob groups."

Bill snorted. "I'd be a terrible mayor..."

"Not if I was pulling the strings from the shadows," Pina giggled, reaching up and tugging at his round ears.

"You'd be an amazing ghost mayor...But Louis would also be a good mayor, right? An actual mayor."

"Yeah, but that'd be too close to Beastar and it'd upset him. I think he really just wants to live someplace quiet."

"Well, he wanted to take you with him. You were part of his escape plan."

Pina gave Bill a death glare. "You saying I can't be quiet?"

"Sunday will prove it."

"So excited!" Pina reached around and grabbed the base of Bill's tail, running his hand over it.

"Should I get the gag and the blindfold? Of course, we'll need the bondage kit...Oh wait, wait...Not returning to school. Right."

"Mmm, you're not gonna go back?"

"I meant to get the sex stuff..."

"Yeah, but it does seem like you're dropping out too, right? You didn't tell me but I kinda figured..."

"...What's the point at this rate?"

"Yeah, I know." Pina started stroking his tail more. "Where would you stay, though? Can't stay with me. Legosi and Louis' place is tiny as fuck."

"Here?"

"Oh, I suppose you could. Poor Gosha if your family finds out, though..."

"Let me handle that," Bill said. "But..." He smiled. "You could come visit me any time you wanted..."

"Yeah, as long as Ichi stays lenient."

"Yeah..." Bill sighed. "You really plan on staying with me until you're sick of me?"

"I do, because I'll never be sick of you."

"Then I guess that means I'll propose to you some day..."

Pina felt his chest lead and he stared deep into Bill's eye. "...I'll be waiting."