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

Chapter 47 - Deer-Shaped Puppet

Legosi hummed anxiously as he stirred the noodles in the pot. He wasn't sure what time Louis would be back, so he kept the meal he had made hot for a few hours now. His tail flicked behind him nervously and he looked out the window. He wondered how many times Ichi's spy had seen them naked. Now was no exception, aside from his apron.
Before he could think any further, the sound of keys sliding in the door could be heard and then it opened, his beloved deer stepping in and shutting it behind him.
Legosi turned to him, his eyes wide and his lips twitching into a smile. His tail wagged so hard behind him it knocked a rag off of the minifridge. "Louis!"
Now, the buck didn't smile. "Hey." He walked forward and flopped on the couch, burying his muzzle into the cushion and groaning.
Legosi's tail stopped and he walked over. "What happened?"
Louis sighed and sat up, shaking his head. "A lot."
Legosi sat next to him and embraced him from the side, staying quiet to let Louis speak when he was ready.
The deer remembered he would have to stay quiet. "Well...first of all, I had to meet Kyuu and San at the entrance to the black market." Since he usually talked with his hands, his bandaged one came into view. "It was...weird seeing them again."
Legosi's eyes went straight to the hand, but he didn't bring it up. "Who are they?" he asked instead.
"A bunny and an alpaca that were being sold as livestock with me. We used to play sometimes when we were young." He sighed. "On our way to the tower, we were...obstructed."
Legosi's ear flicked. "What does that mean?"
"It was just some confused carnivores..." Louis mumbled.
The wolf looked back at his hand and grabbed it, tenderly. "Is that what happened here?"
"No...After we got to the tower, I met everyone and they kept talking about a commencement. I was so upset with Ichi for threatening you, I was constantly getting on his nerves. They were supposed to cut my hand to fill a vial of blood, but I didn't want to give that privilege to them. Ichi ended up using his chimera to do it forcefully and then he told me I need to go to some kind of...club."
Legosi's head cocked as he tried to keep up with all of the information, but the low whine from his throat showed he was clearly confused.
Louis continued anyway. "I shouldn't have acted so brash, because...I put your life more on the line than before." He looked down.
Legosi hugged him tighter. "Did something happen?"
"Two of the members, Ni and Go, came up to me and told me if I keep going against Ichi, they'll come here and kill you themselves." He covered his face. "I'm sorry..."
Legosi sighed and rubbed his back. "That sounds really awful. Do you think there's some way out of all this?"
"There are 9 highly skilled animals and then there's us. We don't have any combat training or anything. I think the only way out of this twisted chess game is to play it."
Legosi nodded, solemnly. "I just hate that all of the work is on you..."
"I just feel like this puts stress on our relationship. My actions are affecting you...I feel terrible about it."
"It's not your fault," Legosi assured. "What was this 'club' you mentioned?"
"It's this illegal party where animals wear masks to cover up their species..."
"Huh? Why is that illegal?"
"I don't know. He didn't give me any further details. I don't even know where to go."
"Is it like a test of some kind? Maybe you're supposed to find out yourself," Legosi guessed.
"He called it an initiation."
Legosi reached up and scratched behind one of the deer's ears. "So, all you have to do is attend?"
Louis moved and leaned against him and his touch. "And steal a mask."
"What, really? That's the initiation?"
"That's what he said," his husband shrugged.
"Well, at least you don't have to kill someone."
"...Yet." Louis groaned, still looking down. His hands were tied, no doubt about it.
"If this club is illegal, maybe it's dangerous. You'll have to bring your gun."
"Bring my gun to a place crowded with animals."
Legosi nodded. "If you're going alone, you should!"
"I'm not going alone!"
"Oh, so one of the others is going with you?"
"No. You're going with me," Louis said, grabbing his hand. "...If that's okay."
Legosi's ears perked up. "Wh-what? I mean, yeah I would love to go with you but is that allowed? I thought I wasn't supposed to know about any of this."
"You aren't, but Ichi said I can bring if you stay in the dark about it. Also, I think we should do regular searches of the apartment to make sure there are no microphones."
Legosi nodded. "That would be a good idea. Did you meet the animal that's been spying on us?"
"I did. Juu. She's a sparrow and she thinks we're boring," he chuckled.
"Maybe she'll stop watching us so much, then," Legosi laughed too in response to Louis. He stood up and walked back over to his pot. "If this mask party is in or near the black market maybe Gouhin-san knows about it?"
"You really think the panda knows about a party like that?"
Legosi shrugged. "Why didn't Ichi tell you where it was?"
"Most likely because he was pissed off at me."
The canine looked back at Louis, his bare backside now exposed. "That number on your foot must mean a lot to him if he still wants you."
"Not just that. He says he needs me."
Legosi groaned and stirred the contents of the pot. "I still think seeing Gouhin-san would be a good idea. We haven't seen him in a while anyway."
"I doubt Ichi would want to talk if I called him. He's probably still upset."
"When do you have to do this club thing?"
"He said it's on Wednesday at 8 PM, so then."
"So we could either go to Gouhin-san's tonight or tomorrow," Legosi concluded. He reached over to turn off the stove.
"Are you feeling up to it? I think I'm fine staying here tonight since I was just in the black market."
Legosi nodded. "That's true. I made some vegetable pho! Or at least, tried to." He sniffed the pot. "I went out and bought some stuff while you were gone."
"Aw...Look at you, becoming my little chef."
"I knew you'd need something when you got back." Legosi grabbed some bowls and scooped some into each. "Wanna eat on the couch or at the table?"
"Couch. I need something soft right now."
Legosi smiled. "Well, I can be that for you, too." He brought the bowls over.
Louis took his and sighed. "You're not even a little uncomfortable being in danger thanks to me?"
The wolf shook his head. "We got through the Riz situation, so we can get through this." He took a spoonful of the pho and slurped it up.
Louis poked around in the bowl. "...I guess."
Legosi leaned over to sniff his husband. "So many animals...and a strong canine smell. Is that the one that you had trouble with in the black market?"
"Yeah. It is."
Legosi scooched closer and rubbed his body on Louis. "Here, let me cover it up with my own scent. I hope he didn't hurt you."
"He wanted to...But they tied him up and left him out for Gouhin to find."
Legosi blinked. "Oh? They know about Gouhin-san? I guess that makes sense since he's the only animal in the black market doing work like that."
"Actually...they were taken in by him. Well, Ichi, San, and Kyuu were."
Legosi sputtered on his food and stared at Louis, wide-eyed. "What, really? Then he might be able to tell us about them! Maybe a way to get you out!"
"I don't know. That seems dangerous."
"Oh. Should I not go with you to see him tomorrow? If we're being watched, it might be suspicious."
"I...don't know how to go about any of this. It's ridiculous. I should go alone, just to be safe. At least you can go to the party with me."
Legosi nodded. "At least you got to come home sort of early. All that happened was drawing some blood." He looked down to the bandage. "I hope that's the only scar they give you...or else..."
"Or else?"
His husband shook his head. "Nothing. How do you like the pho?"
"Or else what?"
"Nothing. I was just thinking impulsively."
"And the thought was...?"
Legosi looked down and fiddled with his claws. "Hurting...them..."
Louis took a bite. "It's not like you to feel that way."
"Well, this is an unusual situation. It's only natural that I want to protect you from harm."
Louis smiled. "Tastes good. I just have a feeling we don't want to get on the group's bad side. I bet one member alone could dispose of both of us."
"Really? And they're all herbivores?" Legosi gawked at Louis in disbelief.
"They are."
"Do they all have that 'chimera' power?"
"Only the original 4."
"So they're gonna try and...awaken that in you, or something?" Legosi placed his already finished bowl down on the ground.
"I guess so." He continued eating. "It all feels very...strange to me."
"Yeah, like some weird anime plot. I bet if we told Bill or Kai about this that's what they'd say, too."
"I guess..."
Legosi watched Louis, patiently waiting for him to finish his food.
It wasn't long before he was done and he sat back, looking at his bandaged hand again. "I don't know...Maybe it wouldn't be so bad if I listened. It seems like all they do is tie animals up for Gouhin....so far."
"Yeah, it all sounds okay, except how they threatened me." Legosi stood up and undid his apron, letting it fall so he was now naked. He sat back down on the couch and crawled over to Louis.
The deer reached his left hand up, stroking his cheek. "...Yeah..."
Legosi looked behind him out the window. "I wonder if the spy bird is seeing my butt right now."
"Maybe we should cover the windows. They can't force us to have them open forever. If Ichi has something to say about it, he'll tell me."
"Yeah, you're right." Legosi got up and did just that. He looked back over at Louis curled up on the couch. He looked so small, especially since his antlers were still gone.
The deer was still dressed, watching. "You're showing your penis to everyone right now, you know."
"No! I shut the windows! I'm only showing my penis to you!"
"You were when you walked up to them open."
Legosi sat back down on the couch and smirked. "I see. You don't want anybody else to see it. Only for you."
"Ony for me..." Louis grinned, still holding his bowl and clinking his nails against it.
Legosi crept over and moved his head in between Louis' legs, moving up so his arms were wrapped around him and his head poked out from beneath the bowl as he lay on his stomach. "Hi."
"Hey..." A small grin. He set the bowl on his head, trying to balance it.
The dog went cross-eyed trying to look up at it. His tongue poked out slightly in concentration, as did his fangs.
Louis smiled and he rubbed his arms, not putting any pressure on them. "Try not to drop it..."
"Yeah. Don't want any noodles in my fur." Legosi concentrated as hard as he could on keeping still, willing even his tail to stop wagging.
"Maybe I'll just keep you there tonight, naked wolf."
Said naked wolf frowned. "You wouldn't! You love me too much."
"Maybe I would~"
"Noooooo," Legosi whined, kicking his feet slightly, but he stopped once the bowl wobbled.
"Ahaha."
Legosi moved forward slightly. "Here, eat it from my head."
"What? No, I'm finished with my food, Legosi."
"Oh? Must be a heavy bowl, then." Legosi took the object off of his head and set it down. He then inched up closer to Louis' face.
"Hey! That's cheating, Legosi..."
"But how can I kiss you with a bowl on my head?"
"You don't! That's the point of the torture."
"Is that the new roleplay we're doing? Sounds like more of a Bill and Pina thing." Legosi slowly crawled up Louis' chest, his large, clawed hands splayed out wide on it.
"R-roleplay?"
"It was a joke." Legosi was now nose to nose with him.
"I think you meant...uh...kink?"
"I dunno." His wolf kissed him, tenderly. "I just know I have a job to do. I need to help my deer feel better after he went to his weird cult meeting."
Louis chuckled. "Cult?"
"I dunno! They seem like scary herbivores." Legosi kissed Louis again. "Just like you were back in high school. Good thing I learned that you were actually a big softie."
"And a pushover..."
"For canines."
"For anyone. I'm always a puppet. My father for the first part of my life...Even when we got free, Riz came next...Then a puppet to my own mind and now...this group..."
"Oh..." Legosi pulled his legs up to straddle him, hugging him around the shoulders tightly as he put his head on his shoulders. "There's nothing else you can do right now, though."
"Just like a puppet. The strings are held by someone else." He looked physically upset.
His wolf husband kissed his forehead softly and caressed his cheeks. "Well no matter what happens, I'm here."
"And if something does happen? You won't be. I can't find you like I did in that shed again, Legosi. It's too much."
"I'll be okay. I'll train and get stronger and nobody will be able to hurt me!"
Louis still looked hurt. "Am I really that powerless?"
Legosi stroked him, gently. "Well...you're not being reckless, which is good. Maybe you'll form a plan as time goes on."
"Yeah...I just...I'm really upset even if I'm not showing it as much as I could be."
"We'll find a way out. We always do. We're a team." Legosi smiled at him.
"...They're a team, too."
"Yeah, but we love each other," Legosi pointed out.
Louis nodded. "Don't worry. I'll do everything I can so they don't hurt you." He sighed, looking at his naked lover's body.
Legosi nuzzled into Louis. "All those clothes must be making you hot, huh."
"...Maybe a little." He reddened, moving a thumb on Legosi's lips.
The wolf moved his thumb down Louis' neck where his claw hitched on the collar of his shirt.
"I'm not going to lie. I'm afraid..."
"I know. It's a scary situation. We just have to be careful."
"It is getting pretty hot in here..."
Legosi grinned, widely. "Then let's get you comfortable."
He worked slowly to take Louis' shirt off, breathing in his scent and his beautiful form. He was so glad he was back. His deer back at home again. Safe.
Louis breathed, softly. "Just remember...We can't let them find out you know..."
Legosi chuckled. "Find out about what?" He dipped his nose down, pressing his cold nose into Louis' stomach.
"About them...As far as they know, they think you think I have a job..."
"I know. I'm just acting the part." Legosi licked his stomach, now. "Usually I'm the one that doesn't get sarcasm."
Louis shuddered at the feeling of his tongue. "Mm...yeah..."
Legosi lifted Louis up with ease and slipped his pants off. "My beautiful Louis..."
"Legosi..." His legs came down and he sighed.
Next, the underwear came off and were promptly thrown across the room. Legosi loomed over Louis, slowly pressing their bodies together. "I want to help you forget about how bad today was."
"How do you plan on doing that?"
"Giving you love." That long canine snout went to the underside of Louis' chin, giving it a few licks.
Louis wrapped his arms around him. "Every time I look at you, I keep thinking about how much danger you're in."
"Oh..."
"I'm so scared of losing you..."
Legosi leaned up and whispered into his ear. "You won't. I promise."
"How do I know?"
"Because! I promise."
Louis felt his hot breath on his ear. "Mmm..."
Legosi's large hands and claws now ran up and down Louis' thin body. It was strange how normal it felt now. How unafraid he was of this sensation.
"Your claws always make my skin tingle, hon..." Louis muttered.
Legosi dragged them lightly across his chest. "You like it, right?"
"It's...one of my favorite feelings," the nude deer blushed.
The claws on his right hand touched the middle of his chest. A full show of his strength could tear his ribcage right open. The fingers spread out and then contract in a mesmerizing way, naturally calming the deer with the tickly feeling.
Louis huffed, softly.
"Love you so much," Legosi whispered. "The only animal for me..."
The buck closed his eyes, thinking, then opened them. "We're married, aren't we?"
Legosi pulled back and nodded. "Of course!"
"I just wish we got a fucking break! A break so I can feel those perfect claws all over without having some stress in my chest."
"Hey." Legosi brought his other hand up to stroke his cheek. "Calm down..."
Louis sighed. "Are you going to keep my eyepatch on...?"
Legosi leaned in and hooked his tongue underneath the string. He held it gingerly with his teeth and pulled it gently off with his mouth.
"Careful..." Louis mumbled.
The eyepatch was promptly dropped to the ground, and those big hands were on the deer's chest again, rubbing the short fur.
"Your hands...One of my favorite things about you."
Legosi laughed softly and held them up in front of Louis' face. "Well, here they are."
The deer laughed, grinning and kissing all over his palm and fingers. "Mwah. Mwah. Mwah."
"Hehe!" Legosi's tail assaulted the side of the couch.
Louis began licking his hand softly, slowly. "...My wolf. Licked like a dog."
"With deer tongue," Legosi added.
"How is it?"
"Dry. At least compared to a canine."
"I know it's not as good..."
"I love it, because it's you." Legosi leaned up and licked his nose. "You're the canine lover and I'm the herbivore lover, so it makes sense."
"Can I try something?"
With no hesitation, Legosi says, "Okay."
Louis moved his hand against his lips, kissing it softly and moving up his finger slowly.
Legosi cocked his head as he watched with curiosity.
The cervid huffed, taking his claw in his mouth and sucking gently. He wasn't sure why he had gotten the urge to do this, but he had always loved Legosi's claws. It was one of his favorite properties of his husband.
Legosi looked on in awe. He wanted to ask what he was doing, but seeing an herbivore, even one so comfortable with his presence as Louis was, handle a dangerous part of his anatomy like that...it was sexy.
Louis closed his eye, using his tongue very gently.
"Louis..." Legosi shifted and laid his head on the deer's shoulder, leaving one leg wrapped around him.
"Mm?"
Legosi smiled. "You're the oddest herbivore I've ever met, and that's why I love you."
"Odd?" He moved to another finger and began sucking on that claw.
"What other herbivore would do this?"
"Pina...?"
"...Okay, fair."
"Not as special as you thought..."
"Nuh-uh." Legosi kissed his cheek. "Super special."
Louis began sucking another claw, sighing. "Mm..."
Legosi reached down with his free hand and stroked Louis' thighs.
The deer felt the claws down there and huffed. "Mmm...Legoshi...."
The hand then brought their two hardening lengths together.
"Nghhh...L-Legoshi...where are you going with thith...?"
Legosi pulled his hand away. "O-oh, sorry. Getting a bit carried away..."
"Did you want to have sex?"
"It...it'd be nice." The wolf's voice was oddly shy considering how often they were intimate.
Louis took his mouth off his claw and looked to the side, the day flashing in his head, hearing the threats from Go and Ni in his mind. "Legosi...I'm...I'm...just not feeling it today. Sorry."
Legosi nuzzled into Louis further. "That's okay. Just being with you like this is nice."
His mate looked back at him. "You're fine with it?"
Legosi nodded. "Of course! Why wouldn't I be?"
"I've never denied you before..."
"Well, that doesn't mean that I would force myself on you. Of course I respect your wishes."
Louis leaned back against the arm. "Well...you could have tried to convince me."
Legosi shook his head. "If you don't want to, then I don't want to."
The deer wrapped his arms around him. "I love you so much."
Legosi hugged back with the same energy. "I love you so much too, Lou."