C/W: Brief mention of vomit.
Thanks you all for your patience! As always I don't own Beastars or any of the characters.
She definitely over did it this time. She couldn't remember how, but the group arrived at a 7/24 convenience store for dirt cheap ramen. Hanna came too when the chill of Jack opening a refrigerator door ran through her fur. When the door shut Jack caught her eye contact. He instinctively gave a sweet smile and placed a cold pouch of water in her hands. "You should stay hydrated." Hanna felt lost in his eyes. He was so nice, she was shocked at her own sense of safety around this stranger. "It-s c-cold." She managed to get out. Jack allowed a more genuine grin to take place and nodded. "Oh my gosh, they sell deviled eggs now?" She heard the familiar feminine canine call. The warm feeling rushed to her cheeks again. Darkness swirled around the fluorescent lit room, causing all its patriots to become shadows.
Hanna found herself falling back to reality in an uglier fashion the next time round. She was alone at the edge of a crosswalk, lying on her side, catching her breath. "Hanna!" she heard Haru yelp. Before she could realize what was happening large furry arms locked around her shoulders. She felt the familiar desperation to flee. She didn't know why, but danger was vastly approaching. "Get the fuck off of me!" Hanna yelled in English. She squirmed in the larger figure's hold until they lost grip and finally let her free. Hanna scuffled on her knees to a nearby grass patch. She could hear the group she went out with catch up to her position, but couldn't focus on them. All she could feel was all the hot contents of her stomach escaping her mouth.
"Oh no! Party foul!" Haru laughed out.
Juno scoffed. "That's what you think, she totally freaked when I tried to help her up."
A long blonde arm appeared from over Hanna's shoulder, holding out a paper napkin. Hanna took the offering and wiped her mouth quietly. "I'm really glad I found you girls tonight, you better hope Legoshi doesn't find out how hard you guys partied without him." Hanna could hear Haru and Juno's quips back but they're voices morphed into one. Hanna felt her head become light and large hands encapsulating her. The blackness washed over again.
The last thing Hanna remembered from that night was waking in the train. She found herself wearing Jack's oversized jacket. He was cradling her, and holding her close. Hanna found herself staring up at Jack's jowls as he talked expressly to someone across from him. He must've felt her shift because he looked down at her. "Are you still doing okay?" He asked her in English warmly. Hanna nodded and she could feel Jack's tail wag rapidly upon her confirmation. Jack went to look back up, making Hanna feel alone. She grabbed a fist full of his shirt, causing him to look back down with an eyebrow raised. "I think I'm in love with you." She admitted in her native tongue. She nuzzled into his chest and felt him stiffen. After a brief pause Jack held her tighter. This was the safest Hanna had felt in a long time.
Legoshi was already awaiting their arrival when the posse made their way to the complex. He was sitting on the front steps taking in the cool breeze of the changing season. The wind had always made Legoshi feel alive. His ear twitched when he heard the oncoming footsteps. When the familiar drug that was Haru's scent reached his nostrils, he allowed his body to relax. Haru was the end goal, everything is fine. Legoshi chanted to himself internally.
Haru was the first to come hopping around the corner, chanting a bunny scouts song she had learned in her youth. When she saw the silhouette of her husband she made one last dramatic hop and gasped. "Baby!" she yelled and charged in his direction. She allowed her full body weight to collide into his waist, knowing her small stature wouldn't cause him to lose balance. She wrapped her arms around her legs causing Legoshi to break his somber attitude and let a small smile peek through. He placed a loving hand on the top of Haru's head. Next, Juno and Jack, carrying Hanna, rounded the corner at the same time. Legoshi's tail began to wag faster than it already was.
Legoshi missed Jack. Every couple of months they would see each other, but obviously their connection wasn't as close as it was in school. Jack was the closest thing to a brother in Legoshi's eyes.
"Jack!?" He exclaimed, excited by the unexpected visit.
Jack adjusted to hold Hanna in one arm to come in for a hug. Haru backed away as they embraced. "You would be more excited to see your boyfriend than me." She playfully scoffed. "Don't be silly!" Juno interrupted. "If anyone is Legoshi's boyfriend it's definitely Louis!" The two women giggled and Haru led them up to her and Legoshi's shared apartment.
Legoshi ignored the women and embraced Jack for a few quiet moments. Legoshi missed that warm 'pack bond' feeling in his chest. Jack always managed to zen him out, no matter the occasion. It didn't take any effort to maintain this friendship, Legoshi and Jack could always be themselves around one another
"I missed you buddy!" The Labrador said and patted him on the back. The two men broke contact and Jack readjusted Hanna in his hold. "Can you help me get her in?" Jack asked. Legoshi nodded and led him up the path.
Haru fell asleep the moment her head hit the pillow, leaving Legoshi without even a goodnight kiss. Jack took Hanna's heels and his jacket off her for sleep, Juno stepped in by setting up the bed that was leaned up against the floor in the spare room. Legoshi offered the other wolf the couch if she needed, but Juno insisted on calling a cab saying "The rates are lower from residential areas". She was gone in no time, leaving the old friends sitting in the living room alone.
"Thank you for getting them home safe Jack, I am truly grateful. Who knows what would've happened if you weren't there."
"Pfft." Jack playfully scoffed. Legoshi gave him a serious look knowing full well what cruel things beasts were capable of. "Check on her," Jack said, changing the topic. He pointed to the guest room, implying Hanna. "Before you go to bed. She had way too much to drink tonight. I tried keeping her hydrated but she can't keep anything down." Legoshi nodded but allowed a smile to creep in. Jack furrowed his brows asking the silent question for clarification.
"You like her." Legoshi said in a comedic tone.
Jack rolled his eyes. "That's a tomorrow conversation." They both allowed a chuckle to rumble out of their chests. It felt weird to be an adult. Legoshi 'the lone wolf' was married, and Jack, who received a master's in Aerospace Engineering, opted to become a personal trainer to help animals 'heal naturally'. He craved Jack's optimism to shine its light in his life more often.
Jack was tired of they're surface level conversation. Even with spending so much time away from each other, he could still read his best friend like a book. "What's got you stressed, Lego?"
"Hmm?" Legoshi asked, not sure where the retriever's question was coming from.
"The awkward silence and mundane topics. You act as if something's on your mind." Jack added. Legoshi let out a long sigh out his nose. "I guess you could say that." He said while staring at nothing, aimlessly scratching his scalp. He felt Jack's hand pat him on the shoulder. "You know I'm here for you man." Legoshi blinked the strain in his eyes away and allowed his arm to fall. He didn't feel he deserved to cry, but Jack knew him better than anyone. Maybe he could find some guiding words.
Without looking up, Legoshi begins to talk about his night. "I, um, am starting to feel… overwhelmed." He hesitantly said, stomach dropping with anxiety. Jack stayed quiet, waiting for him to finish his thought. Legoshi was never one to openly share what was on his mind freely. Jack was patient, taking in the moment. "I just don't feel in touch… with who I am anymore." Jack couldn't help but allow the corners of his mouth to twitch up for a second. After all this time, he still was the same wolf from their youths. "Hey, let's go outside. The moon is supposed to be pretty tonight."
The two canines managed to reach the top of the apartment complex with ease. They sat on top of the entryway, allowing their feet to dangle. After a moment of taking in the moon's majesty, Jack broke the silence. "You remember when Collot and Mingo wrapped plastic around the toilet before Durham woke up?" Legoshi snorted and chuckled. "And somehow Durham was the one reprimanded." Jack laughed hardily. "He pissed everywhere, what do you expect?" When the laughter settled Legoshi looked back at the moon and began to open up again.
"I miss all the guys in 701." He murmured.
"Especially Voss." Jack added. Legoshi nodded in agreement.
"Back then I felt like I had a purpose. Protect everyone around me from danger. Now, well, I don't know.
"Legoshi," Jack groaned. "That still is your job, Haru needs you. "
"I know, I know." He gripped. "But somehow, without the Black Market, and Melon… my life feels boring."
Jack shook his head. "No man, don't think like that! It was super brave what you did, but you don't need chaos to survive!" Legoshi huffed. "It still doesn't feel real. Somehow, all of that, it just feels like a dream." Jack was quiet for a beat. He was used to the normal Legoshi depression. He'd never encountered his friend so detached from the truth, even in the great chase for Haru. Jack draped his arm around Legoshi's shoulders. "You're a good animal Legoshi. You'll see that one day." Legoshi's ears twitched, not wanting to accept Jack's compliment. Maybe he was right though, maybe one day Legoshi would believe it.