We're Only Animals: Book 2 - Part 1: Building the Tower

Chapter 29 - Am I?

Bill looked up at the house before them. He gulped. He was going to be in a house full of herbivores. How could he handle it without fucking it up? He stood still while his boyfriend walked ahead of him.

Pina turned around, noticing that he was lagging behind. He crouched down and motioned with his hand. "C'mon, kitty. Pspspsps! The sooner we get this over with, the better."

"It's only two days..." Bill said. "I'm just going to stick out there, aren't I?"

"At first, but you might get used to it." The sheep stood back up and his smile disappeared. "We can spend as much time in my room as possible, don't worry. We haven't had much time to just chill and watch shit since segregation, so this will be nice."

"We haven't had much time together at all since segregation, besides when we sneak out to the fountain..."

The herbivore giggled. "God those nights are exciting." He turned to the door, feeling his heart rate increase immediately. "Alright, you ready?"

"Y-yeah, I guess..." Bill scratched behind his neck, stepping forward once more.

"And remember: I didn't tell them that I headed a murder investigation. All they know is I got kidnapped randomly. So, stick with that story." Pina pat his bicep.

"Uh...okay and what else?"

"They're kinda racist. Like the shit they listen to and watch is racist, but they, themselves, always try to seem civil. Maybe them inviting you here, despite being a carnivore, is going to be a way of them saying 'well, our son is friends with a carnivore so that gives us a free pass to say whatever we like!'." Pina sighed again and pulled Bill in for a side hug. "I'm just saying try not to take what they might say personally."

"Oh...okay..." He frowned. So it's wouldn't be a fun trip like he had hoped.

"So, ready now? I'm not gonna ring that doorbell until you're ready."

"I'm never going to be ready."

"You can go back if you're really uncomfortable." The proposal should have been a taunt from the usually cocky sheep, but from the look Pina was giving him, he could tell he was actually serious.

"No...I should really get over this. I'm a strong tiger, right? I can do this."

Pina pat him again. "You can do it. I'll leave the doorbell ringing to you."

Bill quickly reached forward and rung the bell twice.

Here we go.

Pina let his hand linger on Bill for a few seconds before dropping it off. The sound of footsteps thudded on the other side of the door. There was a beat before it opened, revealing an older looking dall sheep with large horns. His small eyes laid behind a pair of glasses, scrutinizing the pair for a moment.

He grinned. "Pina! Welcome home. We've been so excited to see you." He opened his arms for a hug, ignoring Bill for the time being.

Pina awkwardly moved forward, walking into the hug. "Hey, dad."

"Terzo? Who's at the door?" a woman's voice called out from inside.

"It's Pina! He's here a little earlier than you predicted, dear!"

Soon, the other sheep appeared, and it was clear whose features Pina inherited. "Welcome home, sweetie." She rested a hand on his shoulder before looking up at Bill. A flash of surprise showed on her face before the smile was back. "Oh, and this is the classmate you told us about?"

Bill raised a hand, smiling, but not showing his teeth. He wanted to make the best first impression he could. "U-uh, hello, ma'am. My name's Bill. It's nice to meet you!"