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Everyone immediately knew something was wrong when Louis was several minutes late to the drama club. The deer was usually the first one to arrive, so him not already being here was a major red flag. It was also weird how nobody had seen Louis the whole day.
There wasn’t much the club could do without the star actor, he was in all of the scenes so practice would go nowhere.
Legoshi and all of the other members decided to go to Louis’ dorm to see if was there. If so, they’d question him for his absence. Some of them even made up reasons as to why the deer possibly didn’t show up.
According to Kai’s assumption, “I bet he overslept. He’s probably still sleeping!”
Els optimiscally guessed, “Maybe he’s busy helping someone.”
Tao momentarily pondered, “What if we just passed him and he’s at the drama club?”
Bill blindly reckoned, “That cocky deer probably just thinks he’s too good for us.”
Sanu was clearly worried for the star actor, he mumbled, “I hope he didn’t get into any trouble…”
Once they arrived at Louis’ dorm, Sheila waltzed up to his door and knocked gently. Everyone waited patiently, someone let out a cough, emphasizing the complete silence.
After the lack of response, much to everyones’ disappointment, Sanu announced, “Alright everyone, he doesn’t seem to be here. Let’s head back now.” The drama members began walking away.
Legoshi stared at the door for a while longer, his ears pinned back, he was the most worried about the deer’s disappearance. As he was about to leave, the door unexpectedly opened. In it, revealing Louis breathing heavily while tightly holding onto the door frame, seemingly barely capable of standing.
The deer and wolf locked eyes, that is until Louis was about to collapse. “Louis!” Legoshi quickly screamed before managing to catch him.
This caught the attention of the rest of the drama club as they turned back and saw the wolf clutching onto the star actor. Everyone swiftly ran back and surrounded them. Juno came closer and attempted to feel Louis’ forehead.
However, the deer saw this and immediately flinched back in Legoshi’s grasp. “Don’t touch me!” he hissed.
Juno, along with the rest of the drama club was shocked seeing his reaction. Their eyes averted to Legoshi. The wolf was startled with the spotlight randomly being put on him, but he assumed they wanted him to try checking Louis’ temperature considering he was the one holding onto the star actor who didn’t seem to mind their physical contact.
Legoshi gently placed a paw on Louis’ forehead. “He’s burning up alright…” the wolf muttered.
Although, everyone seemed more interested in the fact the deer didn’t complain this time about being touched. There was even a small, almost unnoticeable smile beginning to form on the star actor’s face.
Bill frowned and asked, “Well he can’t come to rehearsal like this. Do we take him to the nurse?”
Sheila quickly countered, “You saw how he reacted when Juno tried touching his forehead, he’ll just reject anyone trying to help him.” She had a point. Although nobody knew why Louis became so defensive with that.
“I bet he’s faking being sick so he doesn’t have to come to practice!” Kai quickly interjected. Everyone looked at him, dumbfounded by his useless statement added to the conversation. The mongoose looked back at them all and asked, “What? He’s the type to do that!”
Ignoring Kai, Sanu fortunately managed to come up with a great idea. “Why doesn’t Legoshi take care of Louis!” The drama club members looked at the pelican, then at each other, mutually coming to the agreement that’d be the right thing to do.
The wolf seemed to be the only one not onboard with the plan. “Why me?” he asked, not quite confident in his skills of taking care of another animal.
Els looked up at Legoshi and informed why it had to be him specifically, “Because you’re the only Louis will let touch! I mean, just look at you!” The wolf looked down at the panting deer. She was obviously in the right.
Legoshi sighed, knowing he was the only one who could look after Louis he agreed. “Fine. I promise to keep him safe.” A couple of the drama club members looked relieved hearing the wolf would take care of the star actor, Louis was the only thing keeping the club together.
Legoshi really didn’t know what he was getting himself into when he took on the task of looking after Louis. It showed as the poor deer was currently hunched over the toilet vomiting like there was no tomorrow. Blaaargh! The wolf cringed and had to avert his eyes from the toilet. All he could do was slowly pat and rub the star actor’s back.
Finally, Louis flushed the toilet, seemingly having nothing else to barf out, for now at least. The deer stared down at the toilet bowl, too embarrassed to look up at Legoshi after such a humiliating display.
The wolf could tell Louis was ashamed of himself for exposing such a vulnerable side he had. Legoshi patted his back once more before picking him up bridal style and carrying him back to his bed.
The deer hadn’t expected the sudden manhandling. A part of him wanted to retort and possibly even curse out the wolf, however he was too tired to do such things, it didn’t help it was Legoshi he’d be rude to. Truthfully, he was glad the wolf was his caretaker.
Out of nowhere Louis wrapped his arms around Legoshi’s neck and held onto the wolf tightly, not wanting to let go, he was enjoying the warm embrace. Legoshi thought nothing of this. Once brought to the bed, the wolf tried placing him down but Louis just wouldn’t let go.
Legoshi looked down at the deer, unsure of what he was doing. “Uh, Louis?” The star actor looked up at him, startled and realized how awkward he made things. Louis muttered a quick apology before letting go.
Legoshi gently placed him in bed then left the room. The deer shot out his arm in an attempt to grab the wolf, preventing him from leaving, but failed and could only watch him leave. Louis was disappointed that he was left alone, he hoped Legoshi would’ve stayed a bit longer.
It’s not that the star actor didn’t want to be alone, he just wanted the wolf to stick around so he could admire him up close. Louis’ busy schdule meant he never found the time to pursue a relationship with Legoshi. So now that he had an excuse to spend time with him, the deer would make sure they’d have plenty of time together.
The wolf shortly came back with a wet towel in his hand. Louis weakly smiled seeing his return, he was glad Legoshi came back. “Hold still,” the wolf told him, trying to place the towel on his forehead.
The star actor made sure to be as still as possible. Maybe Legoshi would be impressed and compliment him for his holding still capabilities. Louis blushed at the thought of receiving a compliment from him. It’d mean the world to him if so.
The wolf placed the wet towel on his forehead, looked back at the deer, then frowned. “Your face looks red now… Are you alright?” he asked, concerned he did something wrong.
Louis’ eyes widened, surprised he noticed. The star actor quickly spewed out an excuse. “Yes! The room’s just hot.” He looked away to the side, trying to hide his blush.
This unfortunately caused the towel to fall off his forehead. Legoshi sighed. Hearing this caused Louis to turn his head back, he cursed himself mentally for doing that. The wolf had no problem placing it back on his forehead which the deer was grateful for. The last thing he’d want was to be a burden.
Afterwards, Legoshi brought over the little bench the star actor had to closely monitor him. The wolf softly asked, “Do you need anything?” Hoping to be of more assistance.
It took everything in the deer to not respond with you. “No. I feel better now,” he informed. Although he felt slightly woozy.
Legoshi nodded his head understandingly. He absentmindedly took out his phone and scrolled online for tips to take care of a sick deer. Louis stared at the wolf for a while, admiring everything about him.
How softly and innocent he looked at things. His hunch in an attempt to avoid intimidating his herbivore peers, although he didn’t need to do it for Louis, he wasn’t scared of him. His fluffy fur and its two different colors, he especially wanted to know how far down that cream color went, but that’d have to wait for now.
The more time the star actor spent observing every part of his caretaker, the wolf, the more realized how the world seemed to be spinning. In his peripheral vision there seemed to be two, maybe even three Legoshis sitting beside him.
Louis suddenly felt a whirling in his stomach. The wolf glanced up from his phone to check on the deer, he noticed his uneasy look and told him so, “You don’t look so good. Are you sure you’re alright, Louis?” The star actor tried reassuring him with a smile and nodding of his head.
Although, that proved to have worsened his condition. Louis immediately looked off to the side of the bed and vomited again. Legoshi could only watch in horror as everything unfolded.
Although Louis felt better, he was still upset at his body for that horrible timing. Legoshi had already finished cleaning the floor. This time, the wolf found and brought a bucket which was placed beside the bed for the deer to puke into if necessary.
Louis grabbed his phone from the nightstand and quickly glanced at the time, its screen only working to make him more dizzy. The star actor groaned internally. Normally, this was time he’d be doing homework. More importantly he’d also be rehearsing his lines by now.
Legoshi was in the next room. What he was doing the star actor wasn’t sure. Louis closed his eyes for a bit so the wolf must’ve mistaken that for him being asleep and left the room to let him rest.
The deer tossed his towel aside on his nightstand, it hit something but he didn’t care. He slowly got up and lifted himself out of bed. Despite feeling off balance and as if he could trip at any moment, he poked his head out through the door frame. Legoshi was on the couch with his back facing him, presumably asleep.
Louis tried tiptoeing past him, however he didn’t get far at all and he lost balance, slamming his foot pretty hard on the floor.
The wolf’s ear flicked and he turned over on the couch, their eyes locking. “What’re you doing out of bed?” Legoshi immediately questioned in a serious tone, clearly not happy seeing the star actor wandering around.
Answering with wanting to memorize the script obviously wouldn’t help his situation. “I wanted a glass of water,” Louis lied.
The wolf raised an eyebrow. They both knew that was a lie and the deer wondered how he saw through his bluff. “Then you could’ve called for me. Did you already finish the cup I left behind on your nightstand?” Louis didn’t know there was already water waiting for him to drink.
Walking back to check, Legoshi really did leave some water for him. “No...” Was all the star actor could mutter.
The wolf let Louis hold onto his arm as he guided him back to bed and asked, “What were you actually planning on doing?”
The deer frowned and admitted, “I wanted to practice the script.” He laid back down on bed and looked up at Legoshi, trying to gauge his reaction. Louis hoped he wasn’t disappointed in him.
The wolf sat beside the star actor on the bed, although he was partially disappointed, he was mostly worried for him and it showed as he told him, “Don’t push yourself beyond your body’s limits. You're sick and need all the rest you can get. That way, you’ll be stronger tomorrow to actually practice. Everyones’ worried for you. Especially me.” He cupped his cheek with one paw, only momentarily before drawing away.
His words and the feeling of his gentle paw on him, for however long struck a chord in Louis’ heart and he felt himself blushing once more. Although he pouted when Legoshi placed the wet towel on his forehead again. The wolf then left his room, warning him once more, “Actually get some rest this time.”
Later that night, no matter how much Louis tried, he just couldn’t fall asleep. There was only one thing he could think of to get a better night’s sleep. Abandoning the towel and his bed, the star actor crept over to the couch, on it resided a peaceful Legoshi, definitely asleep this time.
Louis slowly laid down beside and held onto him, the wolf already comforting the deer much better than his own bed. And in no time he was finally able to fall asleep.
Louis yawned as he woke up. He was relieved he didn’t feel dizzy or nauseous anymore. The deer eagerly shook the wolf beside him awake. Legoshi groaned as his eyes opened, averting them to look at Louis.
The star actor looked back at him slyly, ecstatic at what he pulled off last night. However, Louis soon knew something was up, Legoshi didn’t look so good. Putting a hand on his forehead only confirmed the star actor’s suspicions.
Maybe it was a mistake sleeping with the wolf while sick, but now that Legoshi needed a caretaker, he at least had another excuse to spend time with him. Louis would do the best he could to take care of the wolf, just like Legoshi did with him.