Chapter 96 - A Decision to Be Made

Earlier that day…

After Louis left, Legosi was able to get a few hours of sleep before work. He was happy that he was having less trouble sleeping alone now and attributed it to their progress.

For work that day he wore the outfit he had on his first day, with the black button-up shirt with the flower pattern on it, brown jeans which he rolled up for his own comfort, the tan rubber-toed shoes, and now a pair of glasses to complete the look. Mel even commented on his appearance and noted that he was very well known in that store now as the gentle wolf who knew a lot about bugs. The chameleon even surprised him by saying he wanted him to show off the new ant farm kits they had got in.

So Legosi spent most of the day doing that, which he naturally got into. The audience was generally engaged as well and asked many questions, all of which he was able to answer after a cursory look over the instructions that morning. Some regulars even complimented his glasses. By the time he had started his last presentation of the day, he couldn't stop his tail from waving behind him. Not as many animals as before filed in and took their seats, but amongst the wave was a very particular animal. The last animal Legosi would expect to come to a presentation.

Bill.

He locked eyes with him and his tail started wagging faster, but he managed to keep his composure as he started to overview all of the components to the kit.

Bill sat and watched him closely, smiling. Legosi looked damn good today.

The wolf finished going through everything before uncovering, as he had many times before that day, a put-together kit with an entire ant colony within. As usual, the children in the group gasped or went 'ooo'! Legosi loved the reactions, but his voice remained calm, friendly, and informative.

Bill even asked a couple of questions, genuinely seeming interested. It was rather weird with his jock body but if the tiger had to admit it...he was becoming a nerd.

After it was all said and done, a couple of animals went straight to the shelf to pick some kits up and brought them over to Mel to purchase while Legosi worked on cleaning everything up, his tail wagging even faster since he knew he could leave after this. With Bill.

The feline couldn't help but approach him. "Excuse me, sir. Mind helping a clueless tiger find something?"

Legosi looked up, unable to keep a smile from his face. "Sure, I might be able to help. What are you looking for?"

"Behind this shelf over here..." Bill gestured.

Legosi turned to look. "Hmm, what is it?"

Bill began walking in that direction, leading the wolf to follow him behind the tall shelf.

Legosi followed, the tiger's scent in his nostrils already bringing back memories of the weekend.

Once they were there, Bill quickly turned around and pulled him into a quick kiss.

Legosi kissed back and giggled, readjusting his glasses afterward. "You look so clear! I can see the individual furs on your face! And your whiskers!"

"What do you think?" Bill tilted his head left and right.

"I think...you brushed your fur more than usual today."

"Mhm! Good eyes," the cat purred. "Almost off?"

Legosi nodded. "Just have to ask Mel-san if he has anything else for me to do." He turned his head from side to side. "So, how do they look like in person?"

"Your glasses? Fucking hot, wolf. I have to admit," Bill laughed. "Almost makes me wonder how I'd look in real glasses."

"I think you'd look, uh, dashing!" Legosi rounded the corner of the shelf and approached his boss, who was still ringing out customers.

Bill walked to the entrance to wait, pulling out his phone and looking down at it to keep himself busy.

After a few minutes, Legosi approached Bill again. "Alright, I'm clear to go." His tail was still wagging as his eyes flicked around, not resting on the tiger for more than a few seconds.

Bill nodded as he put his phone back in his pocket and they turned and left. "So, how was your day?"

Legosi followed closely, brushing their arms together but not much else as he waited to see how open Bill wanted to be. "It was really great! I really feel like I'm part of the community here!"

The tiger grinned. "That's awesome, dude! Glad you feel that way! My day was really peaceful...Just got to rest and now that I'm not in school, I'm pretty much free to do whatever I want. It's nice."

"Oh yeah, how was leaving? Like, you had to talk to Gon and stuff, right?"

"I did. He said that it was only a matter of time. Like, damn, he must have known about our bond."

"I guess so. I wonder if he felt different about you because you're both tigers." Legosi's attention was briefly caught by a bright advertisement in a window.

Bill stopped. "What is it?"

Legosi turned back, ear flicking, as he smiled shyly. "Oh, just got distracted by something. Canines tend to get caught up by flashing lights and stuff."

"I guess I've never been with one, so I got a lot to learn."

Legosi laughed, softly. "I think canines and felines are supposed to hate each other. Like, it's a stereotype."

"I can't hate you. You're so fucking cute!"

Legosi pushed him away slightly and covered his face. "Stooooop, I can't handle this from you yet!"

"Yet? Should I give you ten minutes?"

"Not what I meant," Legosi grumbled and hooked their arms together. "Should we get something to eat? It's late enough to eat dinner, I think."

"Oooh, already taking me out for dinner? Sly dog knows what he's doing~"

Legosi squinted at him. "Does that mean I'm paying?"

"Sure! Thanks for offering!"

Legosi sighed. "Well, I suppose I do have more money than you. It's only fair. Where would you like to eat?"

"What's your favorite food? Let's have that!"

"Egg sandwiches." Legosi covered his face. "I know, it's really simple. There are a few places that serve it here."

The tiger grabbed his hand. "What are you waiting for? Lead the way."

"O-okay!" Legosi brought him to the place he found himself getting lunch at more often than not, which served soup, sandwiches, pastries, and the like. Legosi let out a content breath when all the smells hit him as they walked in.

Bill made a noise as he stretched. "You know, I've never had an egg sandwich."

The wolf slowly turned toward him, eyes wide and confused. "Wh-what? How? That's. like, one of the staple carnivore foods!"

"Guess it just never happened. We can't ever have my favorite food."

Legosi cocked his head, but then he realized. "Oh, is it meat?"

"It's gazelle," Bill nodded.

"I see." Legosi thought about how Bill even drinking blood last year was enough to have him snap and attack him. How things change. "So, how's that been going? You've gone a long time without meat."

"I can't tell you how much meat withdrawal sucks," Bill groaned. "Even just thinking about it..."

"Do you still have to deal with it?"

"Yeah, sometimes. My mind will wander to it, and then I get really hungry."

The line moved forward and Legosi brought himself closer to Bill. "Is it a problem with Pina?"

"Oh, not really. It's not even usually around him. Just when I'm on my own. Like lately..."

"I hope I can help with that, then." Legosi patted his pockets, making sure he really did have his wallet, which he did. "So, you've gotten to the point where you don't see live herbivores as meat?"

"I have, for sure. And even back then, I would never kill someone and eat them."

"Of course not." Legosi brought his hand down to hold onto Bill's. "Even back when we were in club, deep down I knew you weren't that kind of guy. Although, that time you brought us back to the market and ate that guy's finger..." He shook his head. "I'm glad that didn't set you down a dark path."

"Oh, god, me too. Yeah, eating the old man's finger is one of my biggest regrets. I was such a dick back then."

Legosi nodded. "Yeah. I would have never dated you."

The cat snickered. "I didn't even think you'd date me now. Louis really broke you in."

"Yeah. He also told me not to overthink the love I feel for you, so I'm going to try to do that." Legosi squeezed his hand.

Bill nodded. "Alright, alright. Let's order so we can talk business."

"Talk business, eh?" Legosi walked up and ordered an egg sandwich and minestrone soup, his tried and true.

Bill came behind him and ordered the same thing, not being a very picky eater. "Yep. But I'll tell you at the table."

"Alright, well, let's go find it while we wait for our food." Legosi grabbed two cups and handed one to Bill so they could go fill it at the fountain.

The tiger looked at him. "Opinion on swoda?"

"Wh-why did you say it like that?"

Bill blinked. "Say it like what?"

"Are you just being silly by calling it 'swoda'?"

"I never said that."

Legosi shook his head, quickly, deciding to drop it. "Well, I like orange soda. The bubbles feel nice too. Swoda is good."

Bill chuckled. "Swoda, man. Do you ever drink it and just hold the soda on your tongue and feel the weird feeling?"

"Yeah." Legosi filled his cup up with the orange liquid. "Kissing you kind of has the same effect."

"Whaaat? No way!"

"It totally does!" Legosi insisted. "Anyway, what will you drink? We need to learn more about each other."

"Guess I'll have Dr. Spice," Bill shrugged.

"I have to be in a certain mood for that." Legosi turned around and scanned around for a table. "Any preference on where to sit?"

"How about in the corner so that way people can't hear us?"

"Oh, okay. We'll just have to keep an ear out for our names when they're called." They sauntered over to the table and Legosi slid onto one of the chairs, sipping at his soda.

Bill followed suit and he sighed as he looked out the window at the animals passing by in the mall. "So...the Shishigumi."

Legosi cleared his throat. "Yeah...What did you want to discuss about them?"

"I need to figure out how to get in and when. It should happen soon. The sooner, the better."

"Oh, I was going to call Melon-san later today to see if you could come in with me tomorrow. Not that I think it'd work, but..." Legosi sipped his drink again.

"He needs guys. It should work."

"Yeah, but I wasn't supposed to tell anyone that," Legosi muttered. "I just don't want to make Melon-san too mad."

"I'm sure you won't make him too mad."

"I hope so. So do you plan to live there? Or stay with grandpa? I don't want him involved in this..."

"I thought I would stay with gramps if that's okay. I know you don't want him involved, but I think it would be hell having to stay at that place alone surrounded by a bunch of lions."

Legosi leaned forward. "So, you'll just be going when I go? That's not really the same as 'joining' them."

"What do you mean?" Bill blinked. "I'm still a part of things!"

"Yeah, but you won't be a member just as much as I'm not a member." Legosi looked up at the ceiling and squinted. "Unless I am?"

"You do things for them, don't you?"

"I give them information that Louis and Pina gather, but that's it. And this week, I won't really have anything to share, so it'll just be my training. And you, I suppose."

"And what if they do ask you to do something because they're low on members?"

"I..." Legosi held his head in his hands. "I don't know. I didn't think about that."

"Well, you're already in too deep."

"I guess. I just thought they wouldn't want some outsider wolf helping with their jobs." Legosi's ears perked up as his name was called. "Oh, want me to get yours, too?"

The cat smiled. "Yeah, please."

Legosi smiled back and walked over to the counter to retrieve the two trays of food, balancing them carefully as he walked back.

Bill just stared at him the whole time, moving his claw around the rim of his cup.

"What are you thinking about?" Legosi asked as he set their food down.

"Just...if this is actually an idea that will work or if it will just fuck me over."

"You don't have to do it. You could just live with grandpa and get a job and save up money." Legosi sat down and picked up his sandwich, hungrily.

"But what about helping?" Bill's ear twitched. "I don't want to sit idly."

"I know, but if it just ends up hurting you, or worse..."

"Killing me? Yeah."

Legosi shook his head. "That can't happen, though. I won't let it. None of us will die." He stared down at his sandwich and sighed, putting it down. "It's the Riz thing all over again..."

"Is that something you think about a lot?"

"I have been now that we're all going to be involved." The wolf picked the sandwich up again and dipped it in his soup. "But now we're all even more attached to each other so...it's scarier. Plus it's not just one animal we're against..."

"It's multiple gangs, yeah...Maybe even each other if the two gangs get in a battle. Of course, I would never."

Legosi nodded and bit into his food. "At least Melon-san agreed to hang back and wait for Louis and Pina to find their own solution."

"But how long did he say he'd wait?" Bill began devouring his food.

"He didn't give me an answer on that." Legosi watched, somewhat in awe. "H-hey! That's the first time you're eating an egg sandwich! Tell me how you like it."

"What? You want validation or something, mutt?"

"I want you to tell me if you like it," Legosi responded, calmly.

"Well, yeah! I see why it's a staple."

A smile spread on the wolf's face instantly and his tail wagged. "Good! You can try the ones I make some time, then!"

"You make them?"

"Yeah. It's what I have back at the apartment when Louis is away." Legosi started picking up the pace to match Bill's eating.

"Every time?" The tiger blinked.

"No. Sometimes I make rice or something else. But, usually, it's an egg sandwich with cheese in it." Legosi popped the last bite into his mouth and swallowed. "I didn't expect you to come to my work. Were you planning on doing that the whole time?"

"Remember when I asked you where you worked?"

"Yeah. I suppose you're not interested in keeping ants now, are you?"

"Maybe I am~"

Legosi perked up. "Was I really that good at presenting them?" His tail wagged even faster.

"You were! Really!"

Legosi beamed as he hummed in delight. "Thank youuu! I'm so happy with where I am right now! I've gotten really good at speaking in front of others!"

"You have, for sure, dude. What else have you improved on?"

The wolf shrugged. "A lot of things, I feel. I feel a lot more independent now."

"Independent, huh? Like you can take care of yourself if you had to be alone?"

"Yeah, I have been too, I feel. And now you're here to ruin all of that," Legosi teased.

"Oh, for sure," Bill purred. "And probably that ass tonight."

Legosi blushed and covered his face. "You always find a way for it to come back to that."

"I know! It's, like, a talent or something!"

"Yeah, I guess you could call it that." Legosi picked up his spoon and began working on his soup. "So, how's it been with grandpa so far?"

"It's been really good! He's super nice and caring, which is what I need right now."

"I'm glad. He really is a wonderful guy." Legosi gulped back some more soup. "It's kind of funny, sharing my grandfather with three other animals."

"He's our grandpa too, now," Bill said. "Plus, we see him more than you do."

"Mmmm." Legosi scratched the back of his neck. "I feel bad about that...I really should make an effort to visit him more."

"It's okay. You and Louis are both busy. He understands."

"You're right." Legosi finished up his food and moved back to his drink. "You haven't been to our apartment since you helped us move in, have you?"

"Wow, no, I haven't! That's where we're going today, yeah?"

The wolf chuckled. "Yeah! Unless you had another idea!" His chest felt fluttery, knowing what they'd be doing later.

"Nope! I think that would be cool!" Bill smiled, his tail swaying. "So...I went back to school."

"Oh yeah, tell me more about that." Legosi leaned forward and rested his chin on his hands.

"They were pretty sad to see me go, ya know. I didn't see that coming. I mean, it's not like I was really hanging out with anybody..."

"People didn't forget suddenly, though." Legosi reached out and traced a claw over the stripes on Bill's hand. "They were still all your friends. You'll see them at the festival, at least."

"Yeah...Leaving my dorm behind was hard, too," the tiger explained. "I was so used to it."

"It must be since you've been there for so many years. Aside from that time you spent at me and Louis'" Now Legosi finished up his drink and put all his trash aside on the tray.

"Yeah...That was nice but cramped."

"A preview at what America might be like," Legosi chuckled. "Except, we'd have our own rooms hopefully. If Oguma-san is okay with the plan and lets Louis take some money out, although I know Louis hates borrowing too much."

"He might have to," Bill said. "I can't think of any other way. Sure, job, but we need to get there first."

Legosi nodded. "It just depends on just how much. Maybe Oguma-san is rich enough to have a place he stays at over there? But if we'll be traveling, too." His ears flicked as his mind wandered. "I always told Louis...when we finally find the place we want to live, I'd want it to be a comfortable house in a small town where everybody knew who we were and accepted us. I didn't know you and Pina were part of that picture at the time...but I hope you agree with me."

"What exactly do you mean?"

The wolf bashfully looked down at the floor. "Well, I hope you both would want to live somewhere like that. With us. Either in the same house or next door."

Bill scratched his chin. "What happens in a small town?"

"Nice views, less noise, it's relaxing. There'd still be things to do if you travel. I like traveling."

"I haven't traveled much, honestly."

Legosi's tail was wagging again. "Well, it looks like we will in the future! All of us! You and Pina...me and you..."

"Why do you say it like that?" Bill sipped his Dr. Spice.

"Say it like what?" Legosi's finger still traced at Bill's claws, his eyes focused down there.

"You know...you said 'me and you' in a specific way..."

"Yeah, um." Legosi brought his hand back and began scratching it on the surface. "It'd be nice. This relationship with you so suddenly is a bit overwhelming but it's also exciting."

"It's just...funny how you didn't say anything about Louis. But I guess he's included in 'all of us'," Bill laughed.

"Oh, of course!" Legosi blushed. "And I want to travel with just him, too! But right now it's just us together so I didn't bring it up."

"Oh, I get it. Alright. Should I stop talking about Pina, then?"

Legosi shook his head and brought his hands up. "Oh, no no! We can talk about whatever we want! Talking about them with each other is good! It's just at the moment I thought it'd be nice to focus on us." He looked away again. It was like he was at square one again and he had reverted to his overly shy self.

Bill tapped his fingers on the table. "Okay, now I get it. Haha, sorry. I don't know if Pina wants to be a big city boy, or what."

"We'll figure it out. Are you done with your food?"

"I'm still hungry."

"Me too, kinda. Wanna get a dessert?" Legosi suggested.

"Like, split one? I'm definitely interested to see what dessert you like."

"I was thinking...wait, do you want it to be a surprise?" Legosi asked, already standing up.

"Surprise me, baby!"

Legosi took in a sharp intake of breath and his tail wagged faster. "Ah, okay! Be right back!"

The counter was slightly out of sight, only giving the tiger the briefest glimpses of the wolf, who was waiting patiently. It was clear he would stay there until whatever he was ordering was finished.

Bill leaned on his palm, sighing. It was really different than dating Pina, but it was also natural. His mind then wandered to the Shishigumi. Was it really the right choice?

A few minutes later, Legosi came over with a plate, and sitting on top of it was a fairly large strawberry shortcake.

"That's so gay of you," Bill looked at him, blankly.

"I knew you'd love it," Legosi countered as he sat down and placed it between them, and grabbed a fork. "So, did you want to go anywhere else after this or straight to my place?"

"Come on. You don't have any ideas, dog?"

Legosi clicked his claws against the utensil. "Well, I just wanted to know, because I'd like to just go straight to the apartment..."

"Oh ho ho~" The cat grinned at him, playfully.

Legosi couldn't help but look away again before taking a slice of the cake. "Unless you want to do something before we go like I said..."

"Nah, nah. We can do what the puppy wants!"

The wolf smiled and pushed the cake towards Bill. "Here have some."

The feline took his fork and dug it in the cake, spooning some into his maw. "Hm~"

"I love fruit," Legosi said, offhandedly. "What's your favorite kind of sweet?"

"Definitely chocolate. I like to poison myself and then die, like, every Tuesday. I'm actually a ghost right now."

"You'd be paler if you were a ghost," Legosi stated, matter-of-factly. "Canines get really sick if we have too much chocolate, but I love it too."

"Wait, wait, you actually have had chocolate?"

"Yeah. We can have some." Legosi scooped some cake into his mouth, getting icing on his nose.

Bill blinked. "What was it like, man?"

"It's a rich flavor. Me and my old roommates would have some, sometimes. They have those individual candies for animals that can't have too much chocolate but you can really only get them online. It tells you how many you can have based on your body weight and still be fine. It's a lot better than those chocolate substitutions they make, and as long as you don't have too much it's safe." Legosi took another bite, licking up the icing on his nose in the process.

Bill's nose wiggled. "I like Not-Chocolate. It's a nice drink."

"Could have had a more creative name, though. Like, maybe..." The wolf's ear twitched as he thought. "Hmm..."

"What! That is creative. Normally, it's hot chocolate, but now that it's a substitute, it's not chocolate."

Legosi's ears pulled back, and his eyes went wide. "I...I never..." His head hit the table as he covered it with his hands. "How did I not realize that until now?"

"Are you serious?" Bill snorted.

"Yeah..." Legosi's muffled voice carried his shame. "I guess it is a pretty good name. This whole time I thought it was just lazy."

"What did you think it was?"

"I just thought it was named that because it was not chocolate!" Legosi whined.

The cat snickered. "I can't say my joke about you not being very bright after the presentations I saw today."

Legosi sighed and went back to his cake. "Be nice...I have trouble with this sort of thing."

"You do?"

"Yeah, but I'm getting better. How do you like the cake?"

"I really like it. Wonder if Louis could make it better..."

"He could," Legosi said, immediately. "These ones are premade so they can be delivered faster and have more artificial preservatives and stuff. It's good but could be made much better at home. I'll have to bring the idea up to him." He took another big bite, and then another. Cheap food wasn't going to stop him, of course.

"And then invite me over, huh?~"

"Of course. Speaking of, I guess we have to find out where they copy keys around here." Legosi finished up his slice with a small burp.

"Oh! Yeah! We should definitely do that before we go to your place!" Bill beamed.

"Oh, sure! Let me Zoozle it real quick..." Legosi brought his phone out and began typing away.

The cat just waited, devouring the rest of his cake.

Legosi hummed softly and took another slice. "Looks like there's a place a bit away from here. We'd have to grab the train or something."

"What if I just...started macking down on you on the train?"

Legosi cleared his throat and blushed. "I-I guess nobody could really do anything..."

"We could get arrested, maybe."

"Are there laws against it?" Legosi asked, looking up.

"We're gay."

"Yeah, but it's not something you can get arrested over."

"I don't actually know about the gay rulebook."

"Well, do what you feel you want to do with me, I guess." Legosi hid his face behind his phone after saying that.

"Oh, don't worry. I'm not gonna fuck you on a train."

"Oh. I thought you just meant kiss. I'm not sure what 'mack' meant..." Legosi stayed behind his phone.

Bill rolled his eyes. "Better not get me thinking about it too much. Where's this key place?"

"It's east, so away from the mall and away from the Hidden Condo. Like a half an hour train trip, but copying a key itself won't take too long. Should we make another one for Pina?"

"We should do something else while we're over there and yeah."

"Alright, well let's get going." Legosi stood up and took their garbage. "We can get a bag for the leftovers."

"Sounds good." He held his hands out. "Let me get rid of the trash."

Legosi handed him the trays. "How chivalrous of you."

"Pfft. I don't know the meaning of the word." He turned around and went to dispose of the garbage.

Legosi picked up a bag for the rest of the cake and they made their way out, headed towards the train station.

Bill looked down as he walked, the gears clearly turning in his head.

Legosi walked along, arm hooked with Bill's to guide him. At one point he had to pull him out of the way of a small pothole in the sidewalk. "Watch out!" he chided.

Legosi pointed down. "You almost tripped. You seem spacey."

"Ah, sorry...I'm just thinkin'."

"About the Shishigumi?"

"Yeah. Now I really don't know, man."

"You don't have to do it. Really. I'll be fine," Legosi assured.

"It's not just you. Pina wouldn't just sit on his pretty ass and let this happen. He didn't and now he's helping Louis."

"Yeah, but there's no guarantee that joining the Shishigumi will do anything," Legosi added.

"But there is a guarantee that sitting on my ass does nothing."

They started off again. "That's a good point." Legosi brought his claw up to his chin. "I just hope they don't do anything bad with you if they don't want you to be there."

"Aw, come on! I'll live!" Bill grinned. "But I really should decide if I want to...It's a big decision."

"Well, you don't have to come with me tomorrow if you don't want to. Don't stress about it." Legosi leaned into him as they walked. "Let's just have fun for the rest of the day."

"Oh, we'll have a lot of fun~"

The train station appeared and they entered, descending the steps and making their way to the train. Legosi stared at the cars in thought. "I guess we could just get on one of the general carnivore cars, couldn't we?"

"Yeah, we can. Or whatever," Bill shrugged. "I don't care."

"I've never been in one," Legosi realized aloud. "Maybe I wouldn't like it. I think we should just try and find the most empty one."

"Let's do it! Try something new!"

Legosi giggled. "Fine, let's go!"

As it turned out, nothing much was different about the carnivore car itself. However, the crowd that filed in was much rowdier than any Legosi had experienced. It was later in the day, so these animals were likely getting off of work, and the tension they carried wasn't even hidden. Legosi stuck by Bill as they entered, trying to find a place to sit or stand.

"Ugh, you can just smell the annoyance in this car," Bill wrinkled his nose. "Better not piss anyone off."

"Me and Louis pissed off enough animals in train cars," Legosi laughed, but then raised his voice so Bill could even hear him. "Well, that was really just one time! I think we'll be okay!"

"What kind of animals!"

"Some old buck. Actually, Louis has pointed out a lot that only herbivores have really gotten mad at us being together." At that point, the doors shut and the train started to move, the two of them left standing.

"Riz," Legosi joked.

"I knew you were gonna say that. Other than him."

"You? Although, I did that myself..." Legosi laughed, softly.

"I meant animals like these, baby," Bill moved his head this way and that.

"Well, I can't think of any. I think a lot of carnivores are hesitant to approach an herbivore in such a way publicly. Maybe." The wolf wiped his nose and followed Bill's gaze, noting just how packed in they were.

"Well we aren't herbivores and these animals won't take shit from anyone."

The wolf looked down. "Just have to watch our feet and not step on anyone. Plus as the ride goes on we'll hopefully have more people depart." He stepped closer to Bill, shrinking their bubble, only to have the space he had just filled become occupied.

Bill smiled at their closeness. "At least I get to look at you. I wonder how the boys' day will go."

"I'm worried about them being in the market watching Nori eat meat," Legosi admitted. "But I know they'll be fine. And then Louis is going to enact that plan he showed both of us on Saturday with Pina."

"Oooh, yeah. Sexy, sexy."

"You're really obsessed with them, aren't you?" Legosi asked.

"Not obsessed, just very interested."

"Maybe they'll let you watch one day," his boyfriend teased.

Bill blushed. "Not on the train, Legosi! These animals have good hearing!"

"Hehe, sorry." Legosi smiled and dipped his snout downward so he could get closer. "Grandpa's shampoo smells good on you."

"You think so? He picked it out. I mean, it's for felines, so..."

"It's nice." He stuck his wolf nose near Bill's neck and sniffed. "Better than the stuff at school."

Bill smiled. "Yeah. His place is nice. It already feels like home cuz we stayed there after all that shit with Riz."

Legosi's head drooped down more. "If we all leave for America...he'll be lonely."

"But he'll be happy, I think. That we're off on a new adventure. Right? Yeah, seems like something a grandpa would feel."

"Oh, you're right. But deep down, he'll be lonely." Legosi drew back and hummed. "We should introduce him to Dom and Kai..."

"You still haven't?" Bill blinked.

"It hasn't come up."

"Did you and Kai ever finish that website?"

Legosi shook his head. "We're still getting a few things hammered out remotely. He's busy, as you know. Oh! But when we get back I can show you what we've done! It's almost finished!"

Bill beamed. "Sounds cool to me! Anything else you really wanna do tonight? I'm all yours."

"Well, we could watch something. If we get hungry again I can make you food. And, well..." Legosi fiddled with his fingers and moved closer so Bill could hear him. "I bought stuff yesterday to make cleaning easier. Because the showers are all on the first floor. Like I said."

"Horny wolf," Bill smirked.

"Stop." Legosi got even closer, practically hugging him. "You're even worse."

"You're being turned~" the cat purred. "I'm almost proud."

"Why only 'almost'?" Legosi asked, resting his head on Bill's shoulder.

"You don't think it's kinda weird to be proud of something like that?"

"Well, knowing you, I thought you wouldn't hold back." Legosi rubbed his face on the material of Bill's shirt. "That's an admirable thing about you. I used to think it was just carnivore arrogance but it's a good trait."

The feline snickered. "You're a funny animal, Legosi."

"Hm, you think?"

"I very much do. I mean, you used to be so quiet and shit but then I doped up on a little deer blood and you went ballistic."

"Oh, you're talking about that..." Once again Legosi's mind went back to that night. "Honestly thinking back to it feels like a dream. Like it didn't even happen. Of course, everything you told me that night was true. I was just trying to feel better about myself. Trying to feel better than you. Feel better about what I did to Louis."

"So it was a selfish act, huh?" Bill blinked. "Huh. That doesn't sound very like you."

Legosi sighed and pushed into him more. "And now we're here."

Bill pulled him closer. "Careful. Don't think you can press any further. Mmm..." He licked his cheek.

Legosi looked around without moving his head, but nobody was even paying them any mind, too caught up in themselves. "Probably not. You're so big and comfy, though..."

Bill moved his hand to grab Legosi's chin. "I guess we should hurry up with those keys, huh?"

"Tell that to the train," Legosi giggled.

"Once we're off, we can make a break for it," Bill teased.

"And then we can find something to do while they're copying the key," Legosi confirmed.

"How long does that usually take anyway?"

Legosi brought his phone out and checked the site again. "They say to give at least 10 minutes, so that'd be 20 with two. We could just walk around or something."

"Wow. So fun. Walking arooound."

"It is fun!" Legosi chided. "Especially if you're with someone. There might be a park nearby, too."

"Park? What are you gonna do? Run around?"

"That could be fun! You wouldn't want to?"

"Me? Run around? I'll get enough exercise tonight."

"Just a little bit wouldn't hurt," Legosi pointed out.

"You're just being a dog."

"Is that bad?"

"You always ask that!"

"Well, you keep saying it!"

"Saying what!" Bill's head reared back a bit.

"That I'm being a dog!"

"You are!"

Now people were looking at them, although they seemed to regard the conversation with amusement. "Oh, our stop is coming up!" Legosi signaled.

"Finally! It's really hot in here," Bill said.

At last, the doors slid open and the two carnivores nearly burst out of it, panting.

"I hope it's not that crowded when we go back!" Legosi exclaimed, smoothing out his shirt and adjusting his new glasses.

"Damn, I forgot we'll have to go back. Let's go in a different car, yeah?" Bill suggested.

"Yeah. Or hire a cab. It can't be too expensive, right?"

"Eh, it's not like I'm doing that much with the money I have. Are we saving up for America now?"

"I suppose we should, but a cab won't be too bad. Plus, we'll be able to sit." Legosi led them out of the station and back on the street, heading to their destination.

Bill followed very close behind. "Yeah, you're right. Well, at least there wasn't any trouble in that car."

"Just a bunch of carnivores wanting to get home." Legosi looked up into the evening sky, supposing they had a couple of hours of sunlight left. "So, having this key means you want to be at our apartment when we're not around?"

"What? Why would I do that?" Bill blinked.

"Well, if you'd just want to come around when one of us was home we could just open the door for you..."

"Yeah, but where's the romance in that? Plus, what if I wanna surprise you with a candlelight dinner?"

"Would you really?" Legosi laughed.

"Isn't that for you to find out? How about you coming home to a naked tiger? Ever think of that?"

"I've only had since Saturday to think these things, Bill!"

"You think too slow!"

Legosi's tail was already wagging. "Oh yeah?" And then he took off running down the sidewalk.

Bill blinked then ran after him. "Hey! I said 'think', dumbass!"

"Too bad! I'm gonna beat you there!" Legosi turned back around and ran, feeling light as a feather, although he did have to reach up to hold his glasses at points.

Bill ran faster after him. "No way! I may not run that much but I can still kick your ass!"

Animals cleared the way for them, but from the way Legosi was laughing they all figured nothing bad was happening. "Don't kick my ass!" he yelled back.

"I will! I will kick your ass!" Bill laughed, speeding up even faster. He was catching up.

This, in turn, caused Legosi to try to sprint faster, only for his feet to catch on one another, sending him toppling to the ground, thankfully catching himself with his hands and rolling.

Bill stopped. "Legosi!"

The wolf was on the ground, laughing. "Hahahaha! Owwww! My hands!"

The tiger came over. "The heck, man! Be careful!"

Legosi sat up and wiped a tear from his eye. "How could I? You were gonna kick my ass!"

Bill did just that. "Yeah! But I didn't want you to fucking kill yourself! We were just playing around!"

"Ow! I didn't trip on purpose!"Legosi stood up and brushed the dirt from his pants. "I'm fine! Really."

Bill huffed.

"Are you actually upset?" the wolf asked.

"Ah, well, you see..." Bill rubbed his neck. "I have some protective issues when it comes to my mates being hurt."

"You'd call me a mate?" Legosi asked with an ear twitch.

"Aren't we dating?"

"Yeah, but I thought 'mate' is kind of a more serious term than 'boyfriend'. Unless I'm looking into it too far. Which I've been doing a lot since this whole thing started." Legosi picked some gravel out of his palm.

"I'll just shut up about it if you want," Bill smiled.

"Oh, no you don't have to do that! Just let me get used to everything I guess." Legosi went in for a quick hug before walking off again. "Okay, let's get there for real this time."

Bill sighed. "Sorry, sorry. This is way different than me and Pina. Gotta remember that."

"Yeah. It's exciting, though. Oh, we take this left coming up..."

"Well, I'll hold back. Promise."

Legosi looked back at him. "You don't have to, really. Here." He reached out and grasped his hand. "Now let's get those keys made so we can get back."

"I will! I don't want to push anything on you. Even though you were pressed against me earlier."

Legosi blushed. "It feels good. Oh, there's the place!"

It was a fairly simple task. The animal inside asked for proof that this was indeed a key to where Legosi lived, but luckily he kept his papers in his wallet. After instructing them to create two copies, Legosi and Bill walked outside to wait.

The tiger turned to him. "So what's the plan, man? We just...walk around aimlessly?"

"Find someplace to sit, maybe. We've been standing for so long." Legosi looked around and quickly spotted a bench.

Bill blinked as he looked at Legosi's hands. "Wait a second...I think you forgot something."

"Hm? Forgot what?" Legosi had already turned around and sat on the bench, sighing as he was finally off his feet.

"Ah, shit! The cake, dude!"

Legosi's eyes went wide. "The cake!"

"You forgot it on the train!"

"When did I put it down? It would have been on the floor! You distracted me with your warm body!"

"What! How is this my fault you gay ass bitch?"

Legosi sighed and sat back. "It's not...c'mon, sit down. Now we really need to get Louis to make it sometime."

The cat sat down next to him. "Yeah, we do. Sucks, though. I mean, you paid money for that."

"I hope whoever found it enjoys it." Legosi leaned against him and grumbled.

"D'aww," Bill clicked his teeth. "Poor puppy. It was fake as hell anyway."

Legosi grunted, bumping his nose into Bill's cheek. "Still...I feel silly for not even being able to hang onto a bag."

"Accidents happen. At least it wasn't your cute glasses."

"Yeah. Running like that was stupid. They could have fallen off. That's the bad influence you have on me." Legosi drew back and poked the tiger's cheek with his claw.

"Mmm, I love it, though," Bill purred. "And yeah, it was actually pretty fun."

"It was! We should do more stuff like that. If you'd want to." Legosi gave him a quick kiss on the lips as his tail started wagging. "And I'm definitely getting used to this."

"Already? We just had a convo about how you weren't."

"I mean, it's still a process, but I'm feeling affectionate."

"Oh, I'm going to give you so much fucking affection tonight, wolf."

"Please." Legosi looked into his eyes, tail wagging more. "You're really good at it..."

Bill put an arm around here. "I feel like a king every time you compliment me like that."

"It's not just lions that are the king of beasts," Legosi teased, tucking his head under his chin and leaning into him. "Any other plans for tonight?"

"Mm, a few. But you'll have to be a very good boy."

"I always try to be." Legosi's tail was going faster now. "Our walls in the apartment are kind of thin, by the way," he whispered.

"Tell me about that."

"Well, the first night we moved in I actually topped Louis for the first and only time. Sebun-san, our neighbor, supposedly heard it. I think she's heard us other times too, but she doesn't say anything."

"I bet Louis is into that," Bill snorted.

"I wouldn't be surprised,' Legosi snorted. "Dirty deer..."

"Weird since she's a female..."

"Well, it's not like she's actually involved...Besides, at that mask party there were women watching us too."

"Wow, damn, you're right. I didn't even think about that. Guess I'd be super into it if I was in your position. Course, I'm barely a bottom."

"Yeah, and never with me. At least that's what you said." Legosi turned his head and mumbled, "Not that I'd want to with you..."

"Oh, please! I could totally take it! If we were closer."

"Mm." They sat on the bench, embracing each other and waiting. Legosi had told them to text him when the keys were ready, so they were just waiting for that.

Legosi reached up and tickled under Bill's chin slightly and grinned. "This has been a fun date."

"Yeah?" Bill's ear twitched. "I just can't wait until we're home and it really begins."

"Me too." At that moment, Legosi's phone buzzed. "Ah, off we go again."

As soon as they got the keys, Legosi handed one to Bill and they hailed a cab down. The fare wasn't too expensive, but also not super cheap due to the distance needed to drive and the traffic. They both slid into the back seat, enjoying the comfort of the soft padding. The driver, a middle-aged capybara, gave them a simple greeting but then remained quiet, turning on the radio to a talk show.

Bill looked at the city go by as he continued to think about the whole Shishigumi business. Just what would he do?

"Hey." Legosi put a hand on his shoulder. "It'll be okay. Whatever you choose to do..."

The cat sighed. "How did you know I was thinking about that?"

"Because you got all quiet and sad looking." The wolf nuzzled his face. "You still have tonight to look forward to, too. Try and relax."

"It's just hard. I'm really having a boxing match in my head with myself."

"Mm." The wolf pulled the tiger onto him, rubbing him some more. "I don't want that to ruin the night, though."

Bill rested his head on Legosi's chest for once. "Mmm...it won't ruin it..."

"It's just us tonight," Legosi whispered, trying to sound romantic.

"Just us," Bill nodded. He moved his finger in circles on Legosi's cheek fur. "I'm trying not to let it distract me but it's tough."

"I'll try and help." Legosi leaned down and kissed Bill on the lips, licking across his teeth and trying to push through.

The tiger exhaled out of his nose and played with his wolf boyfriend's tongue. "Mm..."

"I know I've said this," Legosi breathed as he drew back. "But I love the feeling of your tongue."

The feline responded by licking across his mouth. "You and Pina both. Also, um, did you forget where you are...?"

"Hm?" Legosi looked around, noting the cab driver who was obviously avoiding looking back at them. "Oh, sorry. We can stop..."

"I mean, Pina and I don't care but you're a different animal. You don't have to adapt to me, baby."

Legosi whined softly at the name again, tail whapping against the seats. "I'm the one who initiated it, so I'm okay with it. It's pretty intimate back here."

"Backseats are pretty intimate, huh?"

"I guess so. And the city passing by..." Legosi smiled as he glanced outside. "I'm glad I can share a moment like this with you."

"You can share a ton of moments like this with me," Bill said. "...You know..." His eyes flitted to the window again. "I wanna be different. I mean, I've been thinking about a lot of things today and...I've always been moving so fast, ya know? But you know, when I was alone with my dorm, the sun would come through the window and catch my bed just right while I was reading and...It's just that feeling of warmth that's so good but so rare. I wanna enjoy all the little moments like that."

"Like this, right now." Legosi kissed his cheek. "I know what you mean. Leaving school definitely let me appreciate those moments more."

"We need more of those moments. It makes me think about how long life really is..."

"Yes," Legosi agreed. "We're still young." He brought his arms up around Bill's shoulders and held him closer. "The future of all our relationships is ahead of us, too. I wonder how they'll all evolve as time goes on."

"Mm, me, too." Bill wiggled his nose. "Okay. I've decided."

"Yeah? What is it?"

"I'm not gonna be joining the Shishigumi after all. It just...It's not very smart, ya know. And I want to take some time and enjoy life. Now that I don't have school, it will just be me at Gosha's—er—my home."

Legosi nuzzled his face. "I'm glad you were able to get that off your mind, then! And you'll be helping all of us by keeping grandpa company."

"Exactly!"