Chapter Text
Chapter 1
A Crack in the Mask
Louis ran; one foot in front of the other.
Focus, He chastised himself.
Tap. Tap. Tap. The motions hit the concrete of the sidewalk. A cacophony of sounds lingering around him; the main street was busy. The neon lights of the Back-Alley Market slowly disappearing behind him.
I already lost one friend tonight; I will not lose another! Louis screamed silently, dread welling up inside. Thoughts of Ibuki, his one true friend appearing at the forefront. The car. A tunnel. Darkness. The sound of his voice. The feline’s gentle demeanor demanding him to pull that trigger as he lunged. The crack of Free’s gun and the sad silence that followed soon after. It was almost too much…
Stupid Wolf!
The slender animal could feel the tears threatening to show themselves, but he won’t let them. Louis the Red Deer did not cry. He did not show weakness. The mask, that dreadful mask, he donned to show strength, power, his resolve. It started to crack, little by little. Crumbling away because of a gentle beast. My whole life was a joke, a rigged game from the start. Bought from the market, the product number burned at the bottom of his foot. Four, an unbearable curse that consistently followed me. Now… Now feelings; feelings for a friend. A carnivore, the same animals that he was told his whole life to fear.
“How could anyone hate him?” Louis thought. He was in love with this particular carnivore. Starved for affection the most of his life, he tap-danced around what he called love. When he reached out to grasp at it, there was always fear they would bite so he secluded himself. This time he was sure, he knew what he felt.
Shops and street vendors passed by in blinks, navigating to the spot Legosi had told him when he visited the bar that night. Dressed in a ridiculous outfit. Louis smiled. He came to him to explain his plan to capture Tem’s killer. He thought nothing of it now. Risking his life, the Shishigumi were still after him after the last encounter, to let him know of his suicide mission.
Idiot Dog! He all but screamed. Other animals watched, some showing concern, but no one stopped him. Louis' lungs screaming at the stress, sharp intakes of air each time the bottom of his heel landed against the hard concrete. All he could do was keep going.
The memory is still stuck inside. Legosi had arrived at the bar, late at night, around eleven. The sounds of his heavy footfalls in the clack of heels drawing attention. When Louis turned to see the newcomer, he was met face to face with quite a sight. A hulking mass of gray wolf sat next to him on the barstool trying to imitate the grace of a lady. It was anything but. Makeup adorned his crème-colored muzzle, horribly Louis might add, and the dress did nothing to go with his gray fur. Bandages were wrapped around his head, and a small accentuated piece of jewelry sat there tucked neatly between the folds. Startled, he didn’t think he cared enough to remember anything. At the time he scoffed at the ridiculous plan but looking back now he realized he was drawn to Legosi. Gravitated towards him on a physical and emotional level. Perhaps staying with numerous male lions for six months shredded what little heterosexuality he had left but that was a problem for another night.
After the night at the bar, Louis had returned to the hideout. That was the night his mask had slowly started to come apart. Crumbling away to dust because of that idiot mutt. He HATED him, hated his demeanor. His dumb antics. His ridiculous notions. The way he hid, trying to disappear under the uncomfortable weight of everyone around him. Never utilizing that innate strength. He hated the way Legosi made him feel, how he uprooted his life without even noticing. His kind-gentle eyes and soft fur. The curls at his cheeks and the way that he wagged his tail when he was excited or happy. Louis was hopelessly in love, or at least that’s what I could make of all this. Growing up the way he did, it was hard to decipher some of his feelings.
That’s why he ran. Ran for a wolf that might not return the feelings but that damn it all it did not matter. All that mattered was that Legosi would survive this trial. He would make sure of it.
***
Legosi sat there at the base of the concrete pillar. Blood seeped from his wounds; his head pounded from the pain and the beating he was receiving. Darkness encroached his vision as he fought to stay conscious.
“You’re pretty tough.” The brown bear grumbled. “Six wall slams and you're still not even dead.” Riz laughed.
He barely even noticed, the clawed grip around his left leg tightening. The fur around his face was matted, caked in his blood. Hopefully, some of it was Riz’s but he couldn’t be sure. Slowly he brought his muzzle upwards.
“You are even still conscious? I haven’t given you nearly enough credit.” Riz nodded. Seconds passed. “Legosi?”
“What?” The wolf croaked out, blood spittle spraying.
“Oh, good you’re alive, just checking,” Riz said, lacking any emotion.
“Well, you are trying your damnedest to kill me,” Legosi responded, trying not to wince at the effort it took. My ribs are probably broken, breathing is becoming tough. Every breath hurts. The wheezing sounds he was making were starting to affirm his conclusions. This was not good.
Riz began to ramble, he went on and on about Tem. Was he confessing? Legosi guessed that made sense since it seemed like the wolf was not making it out of this one.
“It was just a one-sided murder…” Riz spoke. The brown bear began to approach. He stretched out reaching for Legosi’s neck.
“Wait!” He screamed. This was a gamble, but he was willing to try anything right now. The wolf shifted his weight. Laying down to his side and exposing his stomach to the approaching bear. This gave him pause, and a bonus, Legosi could now catch his breath.
“I want to hear more”. The wolf simply stated, hoping the rouse would work. Riz contemplated, usually, an exposed belly meant that the animal felt safe and was no longer on guard. Yet he continued. Confessing to this gray wolf the depravity of his sins. Deep down Legosi knew that he could have ended up just like Riz. Without the support of those around him, he would have fallen long ago into despair and darkness.
“Stand up, and I won’t be so violent when I eat you Legosi,” Riz bargained, his clawed paw gripping around the wolf's forearm hauling him upwards. “Your flavor will stick with more for the rest of my life.”
Legosi sobered up. That small amount of time giving him some remaining strength. He would not go back on his beliefs. Carnivores did not have claw and fangs to hunt herbivores. They had claws and fangs to protect what’s dear to them. The ones that were closest to their hearts. He smiled thinking of everyone, Jack, Collot, Durham, Mingo, Haru, and surprisingly, Louis. The one animal that got him to finally embrace what it is he wanted from being a carnivore.
Louis… A red deer, an herbivore with monstrous strength. Stronger than even his own, a crown of antlers that sat upon his head. His brown piercing eyes that commanded respect from those around him. His brown fur, shorter than Legosi’s own, how it was radiant underneath the sunlight. His sleek and slender figu… wait… Was that how he saw Louis? Before he could question further a new smell gave him pause. Riz seemed confused too and so he grasped his chance. In a swift motion, he clobbered Riz across the face. In the momentarily lapse he shifted, swiftly kicking him square on the snout. Riz released his arm. He ran towards that smell, a comfortable reassuring one. He knew who it was. Not uttering any words, he grabbed the animal around the waist and dashed off away from the danger.
A little way away, Legosi deposited his package on the ground and finally collapsed. The train had masked the sounds of his steps so he was sure Riz wouldn’t be able to follow. He was no canine so scenting wouldn’t help him and the broken nose he was sure to have probably didn’t help either. Collecting his thoughts, he finally looked across the way. A pair of brown eyes filled with concern met his own and slowly he relaxed.
Legosi smiled through the pain, “Hello, Louis-senpai.”
***
Louis had trouble getting his bearings. He just ran some ungodly amount of distance only for the moment he arrives to be hoisted bridal style by a wolf in another direction. He was panting, his lungs burned, and his legs ached, but he had made it.
“You…Dumb…Dog…” Louis groaned between breaths. Legosi’s ears laid back against his skull and he looked towards the ground. The display would have been cute and previously would have gotten an aggravating rise out of Louis, but things were different now. A no-good carnivore submitting to a weak herbivore. That line of thought didn’t work for Louis anymore. Legosi looked terrible.
There was no sugar-coating it. He had multiple gashes across his pelt, the blood matting the fur around them while the wound stills seeped. He was wheezing, struggling to take in a breath and wincing each time he respired.
“Probably broken a few ribs.” Louis thought.
There is also swelling around his left eye and the deep purple bruising everywhere else. The most pressing wound, a huge bite mark on the right side of his body. It hurt Louis, hurt more than it should have, more than any sane animal would allow. He sat in silence, mulling, looking for the right words to say. Legosi had beat him to the punch, he he.
“I’m so glad that you made it! I’ve told Riz my peace, with you here I can feel a little more strength. ” Legosi said with a bloody smile. Curse him he was adorable, even if a little dense. The wolf had begun to climb shakily to his feet.
“Now I just have to go back and finish the jo…”
A swift slap took the gray wolf in the face.
“Maybe actions do speak louder than words” The red deer pondered. Then he began in earnest…
“Are you insane! Are you dumb? Dense? Air-headed…” Louis ranted and screamed. “Just look at you! You can barely stand on your own two feet!”
Legosi shrunk at the outburst, surprised at the sudden emotion the once reclusive herbivore emanated.
“But I’ve gotta see this through, regardless of how it ends.” He wheezed, climbing to his feet. “I need to utilize my anger, my reason for being born a carnivore!”
That was it. The unceremonious straw that broke the proverbial camel’s back. In second Louis was transported through time. He was in the Drama Club President room, Legosi pressed against the wall. His hand firmly on his chest, and he yelled. He raved about how pitiful a carnivore this dull wolf was. It sickened him. Then he asked, “Why don’t you ever utilize your strength?” He never knew those words would haunt him, especially at such a pivotal moment. He never knew that Legosi’s drive, his whole reason that leads him to this mess.
Now every wound he witnessed on this wolf’s pelt felt like he had deliberately made. Every bruise is one he caused and each broken bone one he had snapped, mercilessly, by his hand. It felt like he was back in Shishigumi. He was going to be sick.
“Louis-senpai…” Legosi continued, “You were always there you know. In the back of my mind, reminding me of who I was and who I wanted to become, but most importantly…”
“You kept me from becoming the monster I feared I was born to be for so long,” he whispered gently.
Louis wavered. A hurricane of emotions clouded his head. “Calm down! Calm down!” Louis mewled inside, “Just remember the mask, hide those feelings inside.”
“Getting yourself killed is going to prove that?” Louis’ voice quivered, he cursed himself for letting the sadness slip through. “If you… If you…,” it was getting harder to get the words out. “WANT TO DIE SO BADLY THEN…” Louis’ ears dipped, and tears were freely flowing from his eyes.
“…just go.” Louis choked. He reached up trying to wipe away the tears, but they just kept flowing out. Wetting his face and giving him a sickening warm feeling in the pit of his stomach. Legosi sat down, that stupid look still on his face shocked at what he was seeing. Louis the Red Deer was crying in front of him. Louis simply just didn’t cry, he never showed anything but calm and calculated control. So, he waited.
“I’m sorry, Louis-senpai,” Legosi whispered.
“It’s not your fault,” Louis mumbled. “A weak deer like me can’t keep his one and only friend from killing himself.” That was when he decided he would break through this cage; he could be strong for this wolf. The little back alley deer would finally be free, and he might just save his friend tonight. Quickly, without dwelling, he shucked off his shoe and tossed it to the side. Removing the sock and placing it down, he looked Legosi dead in the eyes.
“Eat me, Legosi.” Louis pleaded. “I’ll give you the strength to fight Riz, and you can break this curse put on me!”
The wolf sat there, he’s eyes trained over Louis’ leg. “The number on your foot, that’s your curse?” He asked, the low growl in the back of his throat. Louis was pulling his pant leg up to his knee, when he placed a clawed hand, stopping him in his tracks. His own pulse quickened, the dull thrum of his hear transformed into a rapidly building ensemble. His pain washed away, and his head cleared. He could no longer quell the voice in his heart. The only other time he felt this way was when he risked his life to save Haru from the clutches of the Shishigumi. He was sure now.
Louis adversely felt his own heartbeat quicken. Beating against his ribs, screaming, hollering. Run! Get Out! You’ll Die! The back of his mind screamed! He mentally checked himself, his prey instincts receding. Legosi would never kill him, he was one of the good ones. It pained him to force himself upon the wolf in such a state. He was practically goading the hungry carnivore on without thinking of the consequences.
“Please, free me…” Louis begged again, trying to worm his hand out from underneath his large paws. Suddenly Legosi’s claws looked far more dangerous than they had previously. The wolf held firm. Legosi slowly leaned forward and Louis closed his eyes, bracing for the oncoming pain. The wolf’s paw was gone and suddenly under his chin.
“Legosi…” Before he could say more, Legosi pressed his lips to his own. Louis froze. Confusion rippling through his mind. He brought his other hand to the wolf's cheek and buried it in the soft curls there. He leaned into the messy kiss; it was clearly unpracticed but welcome none the less. Legosi’s all too honest tail swishing vigilantly in the background as their lips parted.
“There’s more than one way to break a curse if you’ll let me.” Legosi said in what was almost a seductive tone. Louis was dumbfounded. After all this time, could Legosi feel the same way about him? How long? Even after every horrible thing he had done to him. Wait! What about Haru? His brain struggled to process the onslaught. Stuck between bliss and confusion, the silent night air blew gently against his short fur. His bare leg felt it and he shivered as he opened his eyes to get some answers.
He was gone…
***
For the second time in a day, Louis ran. His curse slapped against the cold concrete floor, the shoe and sock long since abandoned. How could he have been so stupid? He knew how hard Legosi was working to actively avoid eating meat, avoid hurting his friends. That’s what made him so loveable. That caring and gentle nature. The way he looked out for everyone other than himself. For the second time that night, Louis began to shed tears. So, he ran, back the way Legosi had carried him, at least the best he could recall. He didn’t have a dog’s nose; he almost had gotten turned around a few times. Then he spotted a familiar fence, a hole ripped wide open in the links. He dreaded what lay on the other side of it…
He stood in the opening, on the ground was two carnivores. A rather large brown bear by the name of Riz, his body bruised and beaten. He seemed to be unconscious. The other dark outline was Legosi. He wasn’t moving. Louis couldn’t see breath being drawn.
“LEGOSI!!!” The deer screamed.
He stumbled over to his side. Turning him flat against the ground, his eyes were closed, and his lips were in a smile. Louis pressed his head against the larger animal’s chest. He listened, intently, searching for any sign of life. There he found it, the slow drawl of Legosi’s beating heart. It felt weak like it was on the verge of collapsing. He acted quickly, starting to tear some of his shirt. Unsure how much it would do; he began wrapping the segments of cloth around some of the wounds. He pressed both his hands to the bit wound on Legosi’s shoulder attempting to staunch the flow from there. Tears dropped from Louis’ face, hitting the gray wolf’s body. His chest rose and fell almost unnoticed, he was still going to lose a friend tonight.
“You can’t die you dumb mutt. There’s so much left to answer for, so much left to live. I need you to live for me…” Louis wailed and he almost missed the sound of slow shuffling directly to his right. Riz was standing up.
“Damn, he really did a number on me. He almost got me too, was knocked for a good time.” The brown bear chided. Then he looked towards Louis and began to slowly make his way over.
“STAY AWAY!” Louis yelled. His ears falling downwards, his two hands pressed firmly into Legosi’s bite wound in his shoulder. He trembled, what lies in front of him was truly a monster. One who murdered a drama club member, captured another, and almost killed the one he loves. What could this powerless dear do, his brain scrambled for an answer. He almost missed the sirens in the background.
Screaming around the corner cam several police cruisers. Three maybe four, Louis was unsure. He just focused on the Legosi’s wounds, holding pressure to staunch the blood flow. He could feel his breathing shorten and he grew paler.
“FREEZE” yelled one of the police offers. Two large rhinos had moved to the opposite side of Riz while a German Shepherd approached Louis, his gun aimed at the brown bear the whole time.
“HE NEEDS AN AMBULANCE,” Louis told the approaching dog. The cop did a once over, assessing the situation as the bear surrendered. He surely noticed the severity of Legosi’s wounds. Stowing his weapon after the Riz was cuffed, he waved for paramedics. Apparently, they had been waiting to make sure it was safe to approach, Louis just hadn’t noticed.
“It’s ok-hon, we’ll take it from here,” a female wolf had said. She reminded him of Juno a little. “We’ll have our other medics check you out, they are carnivores if that’s alright with you.” Louis cringed at the comment, were people this prejudiced against even carnivores in a life-saving field? He made a mental note at something he would have to change. They treated Legosi and moved him onto a stretcher, transporting him to an ambulance. The doors slammed shut and the wailing sound sped off into the distance.
The other group of paramedics approached Louis, badgering him with questions as he watched the other ambulance depart. It quickly escaped his poor night vision. “I’m fine, most of the blood isn’t mine.” He stated. After some quick checkups from the staff, they were satisfied he was unharmed. Before they turned to go Louis asked,
“Where are they taking Legosi, uhhhhh…, the grey wolf that was in the other ambulance?” One of the paramedics turned to answer.
“If I had to guess, most likely the large breed carnivore hospital on 49th. It’s right around the corner from here.” They had stated. “If you don’t mind my asking, how does a deer like yourself get sucked into all of this?”
It was a good question; one Louis had asked himself several times on occasion. He hadn’t ever found his answer before. Now this time; however, it came easier.
"Love", he thought in his mind, "It's complicated." He grasped his arm blushing a little bit. He REALLY needed to get these emotions back under his thumb.
The paramedic nodded understandingly as they turned to leave. “Hold onto him, it’ll get tough, but I can tell he is important to you.”
“Wait.” Louis reached, “Can you take me to the hospital with him?”
The paramedic turned back towards him a solemn look on his face. His father would want to have words with him if he heard about this and he couldn’t bring himself to go back to that accursed building. His second prison. The medic held his finger up in a “one moment” gesture as he turned back to one of the others whispering a few words.
“Usually we can’t allow anyone who doesn’t have a relationship with the patient; however, I think we can make something work.” They smiled. The next thing he knew, Louis was packed up into the second ambulance. The drive over felt like an eternity, the same animal that helped him speaking softly into the radio.
“yea… yea… I have his…,” he turned to look at Louis pausing a moment, “SO in the back on our way.” He placed the radio down; the rest of the ride was silent.
This is it then, back was the future candidate for Beastar. Back was Louis the Red Deer. Stepping into his usual life would be a challenge, but he was up to tackle it now that hopefully, he would have some help. Those answers would come following long weeks of recovery he presumed. He had a lot of patchworks to do and most of it was with his father. He loathed to think of that right now, he just had too much on his plate. This was going to be a long night for the already tired deer. He assumed the police would have questions for him, and he had presumedly heard that Riz had captured another herbivore who was wounded so their concurring statements would be needed. The gentle embrace of sleep tugged at his consciousness and he drifted off into uncomfortable slumber.