Work Text:
Being able to express your feelings is key to maintaining a compatible friendship for some. This very idea is what has gotten Jack and Legosi’s friendship so far, if either animal was feeling a shift in their mood, it was quickly brought up to the other.
From an outside source, this could be seen as pushy or borderline annoying, having someone constantly telling you their feelings isn’t for everyone. But for the labrador and wolf, it was their normal.
So when Jack came back from his special classes one day, going straight to his bunk, not even giving the wolf a second glance, the wolf’s mind already started to think that something was up.
The dog’s lips were in a thin line and his eyes downcast, clear indicators that Jack wasn’t in the best of moods.
Once Jack’s curtain was closed shut, shutting himself off from the outside world, Legosi was the first one to make his way over to his best friend’s bunk.
Collot stood up as well, forgetting about some beastamon game he was playing but Legosi only waved him off, knowing he himself could handle it.
So, with an open mind, Legosi poked his head into Jack’s personal space, effectively startling the golden lab.
It took a few moments for the smaller to settle down, even having a hand directly over where his heart was, “don’t do that again, Rex,” he huffed.
“Shoot, didn’t mean to scare ya.” The wolf apologized, knowing how frightening a random head popping into your space is, it happened to him all the time.
Jack only scooted away from his best friend’s head so they weren’t practically nose to nose, staring at him intently.
“It’s fine Legosi, you didn’t mean to. Uhm, what do you need anyways?” Jack pondered, the wolf jutting his head into his space not being a regular occurrence.
“Well, you didn’t say hi to me for starters.”
“You’re kidding…” Jack blushed, secretly loving that Legosi was upset by not getting a greeting of sorts.
“Nope, I’m being one hundred percent with ya,” the wolf playfully smiled, “and you looked down in the dumps. Is everything alright?”
Jack’s mind went rampant as the source of his change in mood asked him if he was alright. Because no, Jack has never felt so scared in his life and the only animal he couldn’t tell was the one he trusted most.
“Yea, everything is fine. Why wouldn’t it be?” Jack quickly came up with a satisfactory answer, although it’d be satisfactory to anyone but Legosi. You see, Jack has a knack for being able to hide his feelings and the only animal that can point out when Jack is doing just that is his best friend, Legosi.
With a cocked eyebrow, Legosi just figured Jack was having a bad day and didn’t want to burden the wolf with his problems which was uncommon but still possible.
“Well, something’s definitely wrong but I know you’ll tell me eventually.” Legosi spoke the truth, knowing Jack a little too well.
“In the meantime,” Legosi playfully giggled, “I’m gonna make you smile!” The wolf cheered, his tail at full speed as he made the goofiest face he could muster. Both his hands were making his eyes wider than they naturally could be and his tongue was curled up covering his nose. If the 701 canines could see what was happening in that tiny bunk, they’d be on the floor laughing. But for Jack, the opposite of a smile appeared on his face.
“Legosi, seriously everything is fine, I’m sorry I didn’t say hi to you, I wanted to start this essay as soon as possible.” Jack explained untruthfully.
“Oh…well, could you answer something for me first?” He tried, almost desperate.
“What?” Jack sighed.
“What do you get when you cross a chili pepper, a shovel, and a Labrador?” The wolf snickered.
“You can’t be serious.” The dog rolled his eyes, knowing what the answer was already.
“A hot diggity dog!” Legosi chuckled, the laughter coming to a halt as he noticed Jack only stared at him expressionless, “Oh come on, you love that one.”
“Legosi, please, let me get this essay done.”
With that, Legosi removed his head from Jack’s personal space, doing nothing to progress his goal of getting Jack to smile.
“No such luck?” Collot asked, looking up from his game.
Legosi only shook his head, him too going into his bunk to brainstorm ways he could get Jack to brighten up.
———
The next day, Legosi was painfully obvious on what he was trying to accomplish.
When the time came for everyone to wake up, the wolf let Jack sleep in a few more minutes than everyone else and when the dog did get up, he helped him pick out what to wear for the day.
The idea seemed better in the wolf’s head, Jack basically wore the same thing for school everyday but Legosi knew it was the thought that counted!
Also at the cafeteria, Legosi told Jack that he could get his food for him, knowing that the lab could cram in a few more minutes of studying which he did.
During classes, Legosi tried his best to help Jack with any difficulties he faced during any problems. Of course, he only made a fool of himself when he did try to help, but the wolf’s dignity could take the hit for the day.
After classes, when Jack came back from his special courses, Legosi already had a movie from their childhood on and ready to play.
You could say Legosi did a lot for the lovable canine throughout the day. Thing is, that wasn’t even the half of it. Whenever Jack seemed hungry or his stomach growled, Legosi would be quick to give him his favorite snacks or candy.
When Jack seemed to be bored from an easy to learn topic in class, the wolf would play footsies with him under the table.
If it seemed like Jack was having a tough time carrying his books, you could guess who’d ask if he needed help.
The only thing that bothered the wolf was that every time he did an act of kindness targeted towards his best friend, the dog distanced himself. Especially when the wolf complimented the dog’s appearance or his work ethic. So, by the end of the day, the lab was practically avoiding the very animal treating him like some king.
So, when the two canines were finally settled into the movie, the lab not having the option to avoid the wolf anymore, things got a little hairy.
Every time the pair made eye contact, Jack would be the one to break it, focusing on the TV like it contained the secret to life.
Every time Legosi even made the slightest amount of physical contact, Jack would scoot himself further away from the wolf.
Every time Legosi would show any expression because of the movie playing in front of them, Jack’s face would remain stoic.
Legosi could only take so much, so he decided to be blunt when Jack ignored his favorite scene from the movie.
“Jack, what’s wrong?” He slightly winced at how forced the question sounded, but at least he got it out.
“Nothing.” Jack blandly responded, his head resting on his knee as his eyes stayed glued to the TV.
“Jack I want to believe you, I do. But you seem so sad, distant. Why?” The taller spoke his confusion, opting to scoot just a tad closer to the lab.
His movements were met with Jack’s own scooting…in the opposite direction.
“Legosi please. I don’t want to talk about it.” He pleaded.
“So there is something,” Legosi hummed, “you know you can tell me right?”
“Please. Drop it.” Jack glared.
“I can’t. We always help each other out, that’s what friends do.”
Jack scoffed, clearly annoyed, standing up abruptly to get out of this interrogation as he saw it.
“If you bother me while I’m in my bunk,” Jack started, clearly having trouble coming up with a threat, “then I wouldn’t call us friends.”
Legosi only stared, mouth agape. He truly couldn’t believe his best friend just said what he did, watching as he climbed the ladder to his bunk and disappearing behind the curtain.
Their final interaction would be stuck on repeat in Legosi’s head for a good hour or two, the wolf reminiscing the event over and over in his mind as he laid in his own bunk.
‘…then I wouldn’t call us friends…’
The way he said was so harsh, cold, it made Legosi’s hairs stand on end and Jack has never gave him such a feeling before.
His only goal was to make the shorter smile and he did the exact opposite, almost losing their friendship.
What did he do wrong?
That question would be answered as he heard shuffling above him, then hearing the voice of his best friend asking him if he wanted to talk.
Of course, wanting to get more answers on what was going on with the dog, he said yes, climbing the ladder to Jack’s bunk moments later.
The first thing Legosi noticed when he got himself situated was the obvious tear stains under Jack’s eyes…he’s been crying.
The lab wasn’t looking too hot as Legosi continued to examine him, the pain of knowing that he couldn’t do anything to help his best friend prevalent in his heart.
“I bet you’re confused.” Jack started, being the one to initiate eye contact for once.
“Yea, a little, I just want to understand what’s bothering you Jack.”
Jack knew the wolf would be quick to try to fix things, even after what he told him hours prior.
“Legosi, I’ve been so confused on how I truly feel about you.” Jack tested the waters, giving Legosi a chance to speak.
“We are best friends? Are we not?”
Jack was growing to hate that word…friend.
“Well yea we are, but I bet that’ll change when I tell you what’s been bothering me.” Jack sighed, playing with the hem of his long sleeve shirt.
“How could anything change what we have?” The wolf tried to piece together the puzzle that was laid out in front of him, trying desperately to figure out what was going on.
“I think when I tell you, you’re simply going to hate me. Probably cast me out of your life, maybe even request to switch dorms. Heh, I wouldn’t be surprised if you started beating on me as soon as I get it out.” Jack couldn’t help the ‘what if’ scenarios that his mind has been creating for the past week to leak out slowly into the confined space, Legosi getting more and more frustrated as he listened.
“We both know I’d never lay a finger on you, so don’t say stuff like that. But I don’t know what’s got you thinking I’ll leave or kick you out of my life because that’ll never happen. Ever.” He said firmly, getting irritated as Jack slowly shook his head.
“You know how much I love saying, ‘I told you so,’” Jack hiccuped, “but I hope this time I don’t get the chance.”
The scene that played out next made Legosi ache. In front of him, Jack was now openly crying, grabbing a tissue from his left to dab at his eyes.
“Jack, just tell me. I know my opinion of you won’t change no matter what, so just say it.” He desperately pleaded, crawling towards the dog.
“How can you be so sure!” Jack voice cracked, the wolf cringing at the sadness lacing his tone.
“Because I love you! Nothing you can say will change who you are in my life!”
Jack’s crying stopped for a second before he realized that Legosi probably only said it platonically.
“Please, tell me.” The wolf begged, being close enough to wrap his arms around the smaller’s frame.
“Fine, just give me one more second.” Jack sniffled, blowing out his nose, careful not to get any on the taller’s clothing.
Jack hesitated before seeing Legosi’s soft kind eyes, egging him to confess, “the reason why I’ve been so distant lately is because I’ve realized something about myself, about our relationship. I didn’t want you to figure out about it because I thought you wouldn’t want to talk to me anymore which I still believe in. But, keeping it to myself isn’t fair to you, so I’m just going to pull the bandage right off and say it. Legosi…I’m in love with you. I love you way more than a friend should…”
Jack waited for any kind of blow but none came. All the dog received was a gentle smile.
“Jack, are you serious?”
“W-What?”
“That’s what makes you think I’ll kick you out of my life?”
The dog only nodded, scared of where this could possibly go.
“Because it did the exact opposite.”
Jack’s ears shot up as he gained a sliver of hope, a slight chance that the wolf of his dreams could reciprocate his feelings.
“Jack, I love you too. I mean, look what I went through just to make you smile. I hate when you’re sad.” Legosi chuckled, reaching down so that the wolf could hold the smaller’s hand. This time, Jack didn’t scoot away like before, he did the exact opposite, leaning his head on the potential love interest in front of him.
“Legosi, I don’t know what to say. I didn’t expect this response.”
“Then don’t say anything.” Legosi comforted, his mouth parting slightly as he stared at Jack’s lips.
In time, the lab knew what the taller wanted, his own mouth parting and the two animals began to lean closer to one another until they both connected in an intimate way.
It was short but sweet. Perfect for a first kiss. And as Jack pulled away to see no discomfort or regret across Legosi’s face, he knew the wolf wasn’t lying. He really did love him, Jack feeling genuine happiness.
Legosi was contempt as well, seeing Jack’s lips etch into a smile, finally getting what he’s been wanting.
———
Snickering and an overwhelming amount of sunshine is what woke Jack up the following morning.
His head lifting from the soft but hard surface as his eyes tried to adjust to see what was in front of him.
As the outlines of four animals became apparent, he knew exactly what he was woken up to, the shenanigans of his roommates.
“So Jack, you and Legosi finally together I assume?” Teased Collot, going as far as taking a picture of the scene in front of him.
“We’re happy for you Jack!” Miguno congratulated, dressed up and ready to go to class.
“Jack’s getting that wolf dic- Ow!” Durham was interrupted, Miguno giving him a harsh glare.
“Well I got what I wanted, you guys are going to be late if you sleep in any longer.” Collot snickered, leading the boys out of the room to get to class.
Jack sighed as his embarrassment slowly settled down. Of course they’d get caught the first night they slept together. Just their luck.
“Hun, wake up.” Jack whispered, trying to ease the wolf awake.
“Mmm.”
“Legosi, we have to get ready for class.”
“Mmm.”
“Legosi, come on.”
“Mmm.”
“Mmm.”
“Mmm.”
“You’re hopeless.” Jack settled on saying, high on the fact that his best friend was now his boyfriend.
Guess confessing wasn’t such a bad idea.