Chapter Text
Getting dressed for formal events was an enormous hassle. It was a different process for each animal. Birds had to preen their wings. Mammals had to find clothes that wouldn’t cause their fur to be static, and reptiles had to wear clothes that would regulate their body temperature without difficulty.
Canines were another breed of difficulty when it came to getting ready for events like these. They had to groom their tails, polish their fangs, and worst of all: during the summer when the scorching heat was at its highest, canines were more prone to body odor. Naturally, getting dressed in constricting attire during this time of year would turn a canine into a hotbed for sweat. It wasn’t a pleasant feeling.
Combining these nuisances with a very irritable gray wolf spells a recipe for disaster.
The small, cozy apartment in the Hidden Condo was filled with the chorus of bickering and yapping from that very same wolf, seated at the edge of a newer, framed bed.
“Why can’t we just wear something simpler, hon? It’s Louis. It’s not like we’re going to some showy dance!”
Jack wasn’t going to hear another groan from the very infuriated wolf. “Come on, Legoshi! It’s not like we’re wearing full suits. Rex, you can be so dramatic!” The yellow lab whined, clearly fed up with the wolf’s incessant complaints.
Jack grasped a small, handheld comb laying on their nightstand, aiming it at Legoshi’s scruffy cheeks. Before the wolf could groan, the little canine cut him off.
“I don’t wanna hear it, mister!” he hissed. “You’re gonna look so handsome once this is all done! Give me a chance!” Reluctantly, Legoshi quieted down, making the apartment still once more. Seizing the opportunity, Jack positioned himself behind the staggering wolf that was before him. He cupped the snout of the wolf and gently brushed out the
The two already bickered like a married couple, even though they weren’t quite one yet.
If there was one thing Legoshi had a strong disdain for, it was spiffing up for parties and other formal events. The wolf was dressed in a white v-necked polo shirt tucked into tan dress pants. Additionally, he wore a brown belt that secured the dress pants, tight, but not too constricting.
Because of Legoshi’s disgust towards these particular types of clothes, he neglected his wardrobe. His fiance, Jack the labrador retriever wouldn’t stand for this. The yellow lab had to almost drag the crotchety wolf all the way to the mall to pick out some formalwear, growling and grumbling the entire ride there. The wolf’s uncooperative behavior got so bad that Jack had to threaten to withhold more… intimate activities between the two. It worked, and Legoshi reluctantly cooperated and a dapper looking outfit was selected for him.
Jack knew he always hated the maddening process of spicing up and clothes shopping in general ever since they were pups, but he had to get used to it if they were going to be married soon. Additionally, the labrador just gushes over the rare occasions that Legoshi actually gets dressed up so handsomely. Seeing his slender, muscular shape in clothes that are supposed to bring out the best in him fills the little canine with longing zeal.
Today was a special occasion. A few weeks ago, the couple was invited by their old friend, Louis the red deer to attend a “dinner party,” as he called it, in his very own high rise penthouse located in the city’s financial district. Initially, the two canines assumed that the dinner party would be just them, Louis, and his wife, Azuki, but to their surprise, the deer was additionally inviting all of the former members of the Cherryton Academy drama club, which Legoshi was a member of before leaving school.
According to Louis, the gathering is being held on the three year anniversary since they graduated, which confused the couple. It wasn’t like Louis to announce something like this so abruptly. Furthermore, when it came to his friends, Louis would be more informal, and some members of the Drama Club could be considered some of his closest friends. He wouldn’t throw an extravagant dinner party, he’d be more casual and laid back.
Legoshi got lost in his thoughts, ignoring Jack trying to straighten out the fluff on his cheeks.
The wolf didn’t want to pry, but he had the sneaking suspicion that Louis’ wife had a final say in the his initial plans. Azuki, the female red deer, didn't like having company over, and ever since she married Louis, Legoshi rarely had the chance to speak to his closest friend. The wolf just assumed he was busy adjusting to the new responsibility of running the Horns Conglomerate, but he felt like Azuki was the one pulling the strings.
Legoshi could distinctly remember the phone call he had with Louis two weeks ago when he initially invited him and Jack to the event.
“It’s going to be two weeks from now” he heard the deer grumble. “It would really mean a lot if you and Jack could make it”
The deer refused to elaborate further. Legoshi could sense it in Louis’ tone. Either he had to make an unfair compromise with his wife to see his high school friends or he just did this out of obligation to the club. Legoshi’s gut told him it was the latter. He knew Louis didn’t marry Azuki out of free will. It was an arranged marriage, so it was something the deer didn’t have a say in. And the very few times he saw Azuki with Louis, they would stare each other down, as if the slightest misstep would send one of them lunging at the other. The clear hatred was so strong, even the brawny wolf felt overwhelmed by it.
Sometimes Legoshi wondered if Louis was jealous of him and Jack. The deer was always the sort to compare himself to others, and he clearly wasn’t happy with Azuki. But he grew out of that, didn’t he?
It doesn’t matter. All he could really do now was attend the party so he could support his friend, and to very possibly keep a close eye on things to make sure they don’t spiral into violence. The last thing the city needs is the CEO of the Conglomerate getting arrested for disturbing the peace.
Jack took notice of his fiance’s silence. “I never thought you’d quiet down, babe” the lab said merrily. “See? I told you I can be gentle. You just have to listen to me!”
The wolf snapped back to reality, glancing behind him towards his other half.
“You’re gentle, hon. That’s one of the things I absolutely envy about you.”
Jack blushed, gently rubbing the wolf’s shoulder with his right hand, comb in the left. “Tell you what” he muttered suggestively. “After we get back home tonight, I can show you how ‘gentle’ I can really be.
Legoshi’s face turned as red as the quilt they sat comfortably on. “Oh… you know how much I’d love that” he grinned with desire.
Jack saw the aroused grin that spanned across Legoshi’s muzzle. Frankly, Jack was in the mood as well, but knew they didn’t have time for games, especially since they had to leave in ten minutes.
Before it could go any further, the lab teasingly booped his wolf’s dark, wet nose, stopping his advances.
“Do you really want to ruin those nice clothes now, silly? After I worked so hard getting you to wear them?” Legoshi backed away, still with the smug expression glued to his face.
“Are you holding out on me, pup?” he questioned.
Jack’s smile faded. “Alright, baby, please we have to finish tidying up or we’re gonna be late! And you for one know how Louis feels about animals who are late!” He grabbed a sleek black dress shirt draped over the iron at the corner of the apartment, and threw it over his long sleeved white undershirt, struggling to button it up.
Ever since Jack and him became an item, he never figured the canine would be this flirtatious. Jack was always so modest around others, even Legoshi. During the first few months of their relationship, Jack would only hold hands and plant the occasional kiss on the lips. It irritated Legoshi, but he never pressured Jack to do more than what he was comfortable with. It wasn’t until after the yellow canine moved in two years ago that he became more secure in the relationship.
Once Jack got out of high school and entered Dodme, he hated living in the dorms. His roommate was nothing like the guys back in 701. All Jack told his fiance was that he was a German Shepherd who would use their dorm as a party space, inviting females and his other friends every night. No matter how many times Jack would complain to the University’s faculty, his rowdy roommate refused to stop.
All hope seemed lost, but luckily enough for him, Legoshi’s promotion to manager of the Udon Bebebe Noodle Restaurant gave him enough money to get better furnishings for his apartment in the Hidden Condo so he could make it look nicer. And with the fall of the Back Alley Market, the building underwent a much needed renovation.
Strangely enough, the same day Legoshi asked Jack to marry him was the same day he asked him to move into the Hidden Condo. Jack never said “yes” so many times at once. Even though Dodome was an hour away from the Hidden Condo, the labrador could just commute to the University by train. No obnoxious roommates, no loud study spaces, just him and the love of his life all in one place.
Legoshi loved it. The intimate feeling of living in an apartment with Jack, and most importantly, he could tell Jack loved it too.
Legoshi stood up from the bed, approaching the back of his fiance, lovingly wrapping his long arms around his waist, blocking him from buttoning up the bottom of his dress shirt.
The little labrador couldn’t help but let out a chuckle. He loved it when Legoshi was so tender with him. It made him feel safe and secure wrapped in his arms. But, as much as Jack enjoyed the affection, he couldn’t let his attention be diverted from the task at hand.
“Legoshi-” Jack groaned, being smothered by the wolf’s lips making contact with his fuzzy, oval head.
“Alright, enough!” he bursted out laughing. “How many times do I have to keep reminding you? We’re going to make Louis irritated if we keep waiting any longer!”
At last, Legoshi backed off, giving Jack some much needed breathing room. A mere “Sorry…” was all he could muster as he grinned.
In the back of his mind, Legoshi knew why he was being so affectionate. It’s been ages since he saw his friends in the drama club. He kept in touch with a handful of members, Louis, Juno, and Pina come to mind, and those the wolf did stay in contact with know about his relationship with Jack. Others only heard rumors that the two canines were a thing. Heck, even some believed Legoshi was still with Haru.
Legoshi could remember the chat he had with Bill and Aoba last year about their relationships in High School. Bill mentioning Els, and Aoba talking about his girlfriend. When Bill brought up Haru, all Legoshi could say was that he “broke things off” with her because of some mutual understanding they had with one another.
Of course, Bill being Bill, the tiger downplayed this jokingly, not even giving Legoshi the chance to mention that he was currently with a male Labrador, and not a female at all.
Legoshi just brushed it off. He knew Bill didn’t have problems with relationships between the same sex, he was just the type of animal to jump to conclusions. He couldn’t wait to see the jarring look on his face when he sees Jack accompanying him tonight.
Louis was the first to know about Jack after Legoshi told him during the Back Alley Turf War. It wasn’t long afterwards that Juno the gray wolf also discovered their relationship.
After the Back Alley was demolished, Juno craved for some time away from the city, so she took some time to do some “soul searching” as she called it. When she came back two months later, she told Legoshi that she found out about him and Jack through Louis, who she mentioned visiting with prior.
That puzzled Legoshi, because on the next day, the deer declared that he had never seen Juno at all. That he was at home with his wife.
Could Louis have lied? If he did so, then why would he? Why would he have to hide the fact that he’s been seeing Juno? It was all too vague to Legoshi, but he had the speculation that the male red deer and the female gray wolf were… “closer” than what they let on.
Juno was going to be at the party too. If what the wolf was thinking about was true, then he needed to be there. As much as he wanted to enjoy the party and brag about Jack being his new fiance, it was probably not going to happen all because of his selfless nature.
The wolf was probably going to have to play keep away with a deer and two very angry women tonight. He was already mentally preparing himself before even stepping outside of his door.
Noticing Jack was brushing out his own fur on his ear, Legoshi grabbed a smaller overcoat from the dresser mounted adjacent to their bed. The apartment was so cramped that the living room also functioned as their bedroom, with the couch and small TV in the center. It wasn’t exactly Legoshi’s ideal vision for an ideal home, but Jack seemed content, therefore he was. The only material things Jack really cared for were the seemingly dozens of portraits of him and Legoshi adorned the walls.
Legoshi didn’t want Jack to worry about tonight. He was already anxious enough about having to tell everyone there about their engagement. He knew Jack was always afraid of rejection. He was this way even before they started dating. It was a serious insecurity, but he’s gotten better about it over the last two years. Legoshi assumes it’s probably because there’s so many people in one place that doesn’t know. So many avenues for rejection, he most likely believed.
The poor Labrador had enough on his plate for tonight, but he hid his anxiety with ease. He grinned so much, you couldn’t even tell he just lost his wallet. He should enjoy the party. Legoshi could de-escalate things between Azuki and Louis if he must, although he hopes it won’t be necessary.
Once Jack was dressed, he found Legoshi standing next to the door, looking as handsome as ever. The smaller canine was starstruck.
“Well? What did I tell you?” Jack said in a singsong voice.
Legoshi rolled his eyes “Oh come oh, pup. I don’t look ‘that’ good.”
Jack closed in on the dapper looking wolf, placing his paws on his powerful shoulders. “It’s not everyday you get to look this nice” Jack stood on his toes, planting a kiss on Legoshi’s lips. “Let me enjoy it…” The couple exchanged smiles before breaking off their embrace.
buzz buzz
Legoshi pulled out his phone, finding a message from the cab driver he arranged to pick up him and Jack. After seeing the message, Legoshi’s eyes darted towards the clock on the screen.
"4:41"
Legoshi paced himself to the door, grabbing the keys on the mount adjacent to it. “The cab’s here!” Legoshi exclaimed. “We were supposed to be out the door six minutes ago, we need to-”
“Legoshi!” Jack cut off the frantic wolf. “Aren’t you forgetting something?”
Jack waved a bottle of Chardonnay Wine at the wolf, now holding the door open. Legoshi paused. “Oh…” he said. Feeling flustered, his cheeks turned a light shade of red.
Legoshi was supposed to get the wine yesterday to bring to the dinner party while he was running some errands. The poor wolf forgot all about it after he stopped by Udon Bebebe’s to get their new Egg Soba recipe he wanted to impress Jack with. He felt so excited, that getting the wine completely slipped his mind.
Jack giggled. “What would you do without me, hon?”
“Um… same old same old?”
Jack planted the wine in a brown carry bag and made way to the door, stopping to kiss Legoshi on the way out. He leans in enough to reach his ear. “You really need to work on your comebacks… ‘pup’”
Legoshi was in awe. “Did you just seriously use my nickname for you?” he retorted, locking the door to their apartment.
“Heh, it was either that or your ‘naughty name’” Jack teased. “And I’m sure the neighbors don’t wanna hear me call you ‘Puppy Trainer’”
The big wolf blushed, “Alright, babe you don’t need to-”
“Or what about the other word?” Jack snickered, tail wagging.
“Please…” Legoshi pleaded.
“Is it Jackuss-”
“Look at the time, we gotta get going!” Legoshi interrupted, saving himself from the embarrassment.
Jack laughed. He loved playing these kinds of games with Legoshi. He got so flustered so easily, and he’d always find the right thing to say that set him off. It was fun, but at the same time, he respected his wolf’s boundaries.
Now outside the apartment door, the two canines, now hand in hand, paced themselves down the stairs to meet the cab. The once dead streets were now bustling with life. A different variety of street vendors sold food, newspapers, and other different wares. Across the street, new stores began to open up as animals purchased and renovated them.
It truly was a miracle how much could change in just two years.
Legoshi clutched the cab door, opening it for Jack, letting him slide into the cab first. He followed him shortly after he got comfortable.
The cab’s driver was a goat, about in his mid forties. He wore a dark green polo and a newsboy cap small enough to fit around his horns. He felt extremely annoyed that the couple had kept him waiting and didn’t hesitate to express his frustration.
“Are you trying to make me late, kid!” the goat exclaimed. “I have a tight schedule tonight!”
“Sorry, sir,” Legoshi replied. “Here. For your trouble” he handed the driver 1000 yen to make up for their tardiness on top of their current fare. The sight of the money seemed to quiet the fuming goat down enough.
“Um… well alright, then” the driver stuttered. “Let’s, uh… get you boys to where you need to be!”
Jack gasped. “Legoshi” he said in a hush-toned voice. “You didn’t seriously give him some of the gift money we were gonna give to Louis, right?”
“We’re gonna be fine, Jack,” Legoshi replied. “After all, Chardonnay is enough, isn’t it?”
Jack couldn’t believe it. What’s gotten into him? Moments ago he was complaining that he had to get spiffed up, now he’s acting like a complete gentleman. Opening the door for him, being charismatic.
In all honesty, the labrador figured he was doing this because he thought he was going to get something in return after tonight. To be frank, he wasn’t wrong, after all…
Jack grabbed the wolf’s leg. “You can drop the act, you know. You’re not fooling anyone with the whole ‘Nice Guy’ act.
“What act?” Legoshi whispered, before planting a deep kiss on the labrador’s snout. Taken aback by this, Jack’s face turns a bright shade of red. Brighter than Legoshi’s was earlier. Together, their tails began to wag in perfect unison.
Before he pulled out of the parking space, the cab driver grumbled loudly, clearly not appreciating the public display of affection between the two canines.
After hearing the goat’s disapproving bleating, the couple breaks off their kiss, still keeping their smiles as wide as ever.
The cab pulled down the road, preparing to enter the overpass leading to the Financial District. Never once did the two canine’s paws break away from the other.
Legoshi was concerned about tonight, but truthfully, he didn’t care. Whatever happened, he was with his best friend, the love of his life, and nothing would ever change that.
After all, this was a simple dinner party between friends. How bad could it get?