Just Dumb Enough to Try

Chateau Lobby #4 (in C for Two Virgins)

Louis looked out into the darkness. His curtains created a rectangular halo of blue light. He checked his phone.

    Still too early.

They had decided to stay the night at Louis' under the guise of being easier to pick up for the gala. But the truth was: Louis wasn't sure he wanted Oguma to see him at Legosi's. He needed to be on his father's good side for this to go well, and that meant distancing himself from the Hidden Condo.

    He rolled over. A dark lump rose and fell beside him. His herbivore eyes could barely make out it's wolfish features. Seeing Legosi usually calmed him down but now his stomach twisted in knots. He wished there was more he could teach Legosi. Something more to increase their chances. But he had already shown the wolf everything he knew. They were prepared as they could be and it didn't feel like enough.

"What did I get you into?" Louis whispered.

    "Aren't we going to the gala?" the mound asked.

    Panic pushed him off the bed.

    "Are you ok?" Legosi's voice called from above. Louis couldn't see but he assumed Legosi looked concerned.

    "What are you doing up?" Louis slowly got up.

    "You were having trouble sleeping so I stayed up with you," Legosi's body made room for Louis.

    "You could have warned me."

    "I figured you wanted to be alone."

    "Thanks."

    Louis pulled the covers back over himself. He needed to sleep. He needed to be at his best.

    "Is there something I can do to help?" Legosi asked.

    "Probably not."

    Legosi's arms unceremoniously pulled Louis ino a hug. The wolf's forehead touched between Louis' shoulder blades.

    "I'm nervous too." Legosi said.

Louis let out a sigh and interlaced his fingers with Legosi's. His big spoon's breathing began to slow. Louis knew it was only a matter of time before he started snoring. He had thought about getting something for the loud sleeping but now he found it hard to sleep without it.

    Legosi began to mumble. It was more incoherent than usual, so Louis knew he was asleep.

    Where'd the dessert spoon go?" The wolf asked Louis's back, "I need it."

Louis turned in Legosi's arms. The wolf's head was in his chest. He cradled it and ran his fingers through the coarse fur.

    "You're ok," Louis whispered.

    "I'm sorry."

    Louis put his nose into Legosi's forehead. The sleeping wolf pulled him in a little tighter. A quiet whine escaped through a sigh. At least they could be miserable together.

    When Louis awoke, his chest ws wet. The hair was turned upwards as if a wolf had been licking in his sleep. Louis gagged as the smell of morning breath clung to him. He rolled out of bed. The cause of the smell didn't stir.

    He turned on the shower, letting it warm up before stepping inside. He brushed water over his chest to get the saliva out. The day ahead loomed over him, making him feel feverish. He turned the shower handle. He took a sharp breath as icy water shocked his system. Once he couldn't stand it any longer, he shut the water off.

    He shivered as he reached for his towel. It did little to alleviate the cold but he felt a little better once he was dryer. He stepped out and looked over. Legosi looked back from on the toilet, underwear around his ankles.