Chapter Text
Tem looked up in horror at Riz as the bear staggered back, clutching his arm where Tem had bitten it as Riz had leaned down to.. well he wouldn’t be doing it now Tem hoped. The mixture of pain and horror across the bears face was a welcome contrast to that glazed almost possessed look Riz had previously held when he had smashed a fist into Tem’s thigh.
Tem was pretty sure the leg was broken, maybe even shattered. he knew he wouldn’t be able to move. This was it. What had happened to Riz? Why had he pursued and chased him.
“Wha.. what is happening… what is going on on? What have I done? Nonono.” Riz muttered in anguish, shaking his head and backing away, stumbling backwards over the lecture hall stairs.
“Riz calm down it is going to be okay! Just stay calm okay? Nothing has happened that a doctor can fix okay?” Tem said as Riz curled up on himself.
Freezing, Riz looked at Tem with trembling wide fear filled eyes. “Y, you are still alive Tem? I don’t know what happened, I just wanted to be me, to be free of the damned pills. I’m sorry, so sorry please, please believe me this isn’t .. oh Rex please no please.” Riz begged, the anguish, terror and pain in his voice making Tem’s heart hurt as much as his leg.
“It’s going to be okay, just please Riz I’m going to need you to carry me to the nurse okay? Do you think you will be able to do that for me please?” Tem asked, but the bear’s only response was to curl up on himself, sobbing, claws tearing through the back of his shirt, drawing his own blood. He could only stare aghast at what was happening, this was a situation that even his worst nightmares could not have conjured.
“Riz please don’t hurt yourself please! Keep your hands in front of you so I can see them whilst I call for help okay?” Tem shouted desperately, relieved when his gamble at least stopped Riz from tearing his back open.
Taking a breath to steady himself, Tem pulled out his phone and called his closest friend other then Riz, hoping beyond hope the wolf was free and wouldn’t be subject to whatever it was that had happened to Riz.
____
“You are fucking joking Louis! I’m telling you Kai will be perfect for the role, hell he will do a better job then I could have, let alone Zoe!” Tem shouted, rarely had he felt so angry before but he wasn’t going to let Louis treat Kai like this, or give the part they had both worked on to that useless goat. Just what was the rich bastard’s problem?
Louis turned his head towards Tem, Kai and Legoshi. Tem and Kai had come to protest Zoe’s appointment to the water spirit role and Legoshi had brought Tem, the carnivores of the club taking turns to help him on days when even with his cane walking was too much. “That is actually a fair point, you have made just as many mistakes as Kai in the past though you have shown more competence in the last year. Sadly from what I gather your leg will never quite fully heal and we can’t have a cripple on the acting team, so this does make this easy. Kai, Tem you are both part of the stage crew now and can leave. Legoshi I will require you to be at the auditorium tonight to help make sure no one interrupts Zoe and I’s practice session, the things I do for this club.” Louis sneered at them, idly turning to open a filing cabinet.
He.. he couldn’t do that right? He couldn’t be part of the stage team surly? Louis couldn’t take that from him really, Sabu would-. Sabu would roll over and fawn over Louis as usual. The spineless coward was the reason the club had done the same play constantly year after year despite dwindling ticket sales. Who let Louis treat he club’s carnivores like shit, even when it scared off interested new students.
“WHAT THE HELL LOUIS! YOU ARE FUCKING KIDDING JUST BECAUSE YO-“ Kai’s explosion was cut off as Legoshi stepped from behind Tem, crouched down and wrapped his arms around the mongoose, one hand going over his muzzle.
“Kai he.. he is the lead actor. His decision is final. We are the stage team, we make sure everything is ready for the others. Pretty important wouldn’t you say? Besides it will be nice working with you both.” Legoshi said quietly but clearly, a tension clear in his friend’s shoulders.
Standing up still holding Kai, Legoshi bowed slightly to Louis. “I will be there. Now please excuse me so I can introduce Kai and Tem to the rest of the stage team.” Legoshi continued, shifting to hold Kai in one hand as he turned around, scooped Tem carefully up against Kai before opening the door as a mix of the club dived to the side as Legoshi stepped up. Tem wasn’t sure which was causing him to flush more. The humiliation Louis had just inflicted on him and Kai, being carried like a child by Legoshi or being pressed against Kai, the mongoose was like a hot water bottle.
----
Tem stared at Legoshi, though he would admit it stung to see his old costume being altered to fit Zoe by the wolf. Something was off about his friend. He’d been even quieter then usual, spacing out even more which wasn’t something Tem had thought possible.
Yes something was troubling Legoshi, and Tem was determined to get to the bottom of it.
“So if you could go to the gardening club to get the roses that would be brilliant Legoshi! Actually if Kibi and Kai go with you that would be brilliant but I want you to do the majority of the talking Legoshi, you need the practice of talking to people.” Dom cheerfully said, a look of shock and discomfort flashing across the wolf’s features.
Whilst Tem agreed with Dom’s argument, he also knew just how much it would cause Legoshi’s anxiety to flare up on a good day, let alone one where he was clearly troubled by something. “I’ll go as well! If they see how careful Legoshi is with me I’m sure they will love him!” Dammit Legoshi had been there for him on that horrible night so he would be there for him.
“Ar, are you sure Tem, I mean with your leg…” Legoshi bashfully asked, worry thick in his quiet voice.
Standing up, Tem laughed, waving his free hand. “Is fine! Besides the exercise will do it good! Despite what certain bastards say I am not a complete invalid Legoshi.” Okay so it wasn’t healed fully yet but today was a good day, he’d be able to manage a trip to the gardening club wherever it was right?
___
“Okay seriously who the hell puts a gardening club on the roof? Like how do they get all the soil up here and where do the roots go?” Tem loudly complained from his seat on Legoshi’s left shoulder, Kibi cheerfully sat on the wolf’s right. Dammned anteater was loving it, Tem had noticed the slight blush on the omnivores face whilst Legoshi had carried them up the stairs.
“That’s a good point actually, think they will have enough roses for us?” Kai asked causing the three to look at him.
Putting a hand to his chin, Kibi murmured. “We may need to change Dom’s plans or call in a florist maybe..” Kai opened the door, revealing the rooftop garden and a barrage of scents that was almost overwhelming to Tem. He hated to think how bad it was for Legoshi, who had frozen up, accidentally Kibi and Tem both tumbling. Kai caught him, the mongoose’s arms wrapping around in a manner more gentle then even Tem would have thought.
“Hey careful Legoshi, you sent everyone flying!” Kai shouted up at Legoshi, though the wolf didn’t seem to even hear. Legoshi.. was panicked, his face reminding Tem of when he had arrived at that lecture hall with Jack and Durham and seen his and Riz’s injuries. Why? All there was in the garden was a white dwarf rabbit.. come to think of it there had been a rumour about a white rabbit but Tem couldn’t for his life remember it.
Wh, well what do you know? I, I, I have stuff that has to be done! Very important ummm assignments! I’m sure you guys will be able to sort this all out without me I’ll get you all antshakes for having to go.” Kibi stammered out, turning to leave making the other stage crew all turn to look at the flustered omnivore.
Okay just what the hell was going on? And Kibi was not flaking on them, not this time. Tem’s hand shot out, grabbing the back of Kibi’s shirt. “Kibi cut the bullshit, what’s the matter?” he snapped at his short friend.
Kibi panicked, turning to face them as Kai set Tem onto the ground, but Tem maintained his hold on the omnivores shirt, hand moving to the side of his neck. When had Kibi’s neck fur gotten so soft? “What? I just forgot an assignment that is due tomorrow Tem, you know how forgetful I am. I’ll get you two antshakes each!” The anteater said with false cheer, causing Tem and Kai to both snort.
“Kibi, you owe everyone in the club so many antshakes even Louis couldn’t afford to buy them all. What’s got you acting like a normie all of a sudden?” Kai asked derisively.
“It’s likely my reputation I’m afraid. Can I help you? And is your friend okay?” a soft female voice made Tem and Kai turn around.
The white rabbit had approached them, and was indicating to Legoshi who was frozen, in the middle of what looked to Tem like a panic attack. Something about this rabbit terrified Legoshi. Legoshi was anxious and reverential to herbivores to a frankly worrying degree, just what about this dwarf rabbit was scaring one of the largest wolves in the school?
“You okay wolf boy? The flowers are hitting my nose pretty badly, I dread to think how it’s hitting yours.” Kibi asked, guilt overcoming his previous fear and desire to leave as he stepped forward, gently touching the wolf’s leg to get his attention.
Legoshi almost jumped into the air, startled and letting out a small whine, causing the rabbit to step back and Kai to step protectively in front of Tem. Blinking and looking around, Legoshi flushed as his ear’s dropped, embarrassment clear. “S, sorry I think it was just overstimulation from the flowers, I should be okay now!” He said with painfully false cheer and a cheesy thumbs up to them.
Kibi raised an eyebrow at Tem, and he nodded back. Something was certainly up with Legoshi, and their friend was lying about what had caused his panic attack.
“Oh dear, I may have some handkerchiefs or old cleaning cloths in the shed you could cover your nose if that would help? I’m Haru by the way.” Haru introduced her self and stood aside so they could enter.
Walking into the garden, Legoshi looked like he was walking to his execution. “N,no that is fine, I will be okay, just had to get used to it sorry.” Legoshi said, seemingly desperately trying to make himself as small as possible, tail between his legs.
<p>“Sorry about our weirdo, he’s actually a nice guy once you get used to him trying to be a shadow all the time. What did you mean by reputation?” Kai said, slapping Legoshi on the middle of his back, as high as he could reach. </p>
Haru looked at Kai inquisitively at the before looking at Kibi with a slight smile. “Why don’t you say as you seem to know the latest version and I am dying to hear what Mizubitchi is saying about me now.” She said cheerfully as Kibi blushed scarlet.
The anteater fidgeted nervously from foot to foot, anxiously scratching his snout and the back of his head. “Well you see the thing is, well I am sure it’s just malicious gossip you know what the rumour mill is like. Not worth anything I really shouldn’t pay any attention to it at all.” Kibi anxiously said, making everyone stare at him in disbelief. Bill was never going to believe Tem when he told him about this, Kibi was normally so suave, especially when around larger carnivores.
Haru sighed before lightly laughing. “Let me guess, I’m a slut, a man stealer who deliberately ruins relationships and lures men to their doom? Guilt as charged except for the last two, I keep telling old two face it was her boyfriend who approached me but she can’t accept that.” She said giving Kibi an inquiring look.
Kibi sighed, shoulders falling. “Eh.. ye, yeah. It was him who talked about you, seemed head over heels for you until another friend mentioned how good you were and how everyone had err been with you.” Kibi admitted, blushing in embarrassment and finding the floor very interesting.
Haru let out a sharp laugh. “Ha, well nice to know he enjoyed it. I admit I’ve never been with so many at once, or any carnivores at all. Well I guess we better get to the shed and get started, I am not doing anything out side got it?” She said placing a hand on her hips as she confidently talked, a slight edge of resignation in her voice.
Tem felt his jaw drop, and out of the corner of his eye could see that Legoshi’s and Kai’s had as well. She.. she thought they were here for sex. Sex with her? As a group? Was that even possible? Not that it would be bad with Kai and Legoshi, hell even Kibi was cute when he wasn’t flaking. Where the hell had that thought come from? He loved Els goddamnit. He was straight. Even if Legoshi’s fur was so fluffy and being held against Kai had felt so good. And there was a thrill when ever Bill carried him or they did a prank together. And even after what happened Riz was beautiful. And Aoba’s beak and the sheer reliability and safety he exuded. And just how far did the different fur colours go down on them?
Okay, maybe he was Bi, no reason to panic. He had been able to survive his best friend having an instinct snap and mauling him, no need to panic about being Bi. Wait what was going on?
“No we are not here for that! Roses! We are here for your roses! Specifically your red ones! Oh god tat isn’t a euphemism is it? We are not here for sex, especially with you!” Kibi shouted out, causing Legoshi, Tem and Kai to turn and stare at him.
Haru scowled at him. “Look just because I enjoy sex and figure if people are going to make assumptions because I am a rabbit I might as well roll with it doesn’t mean you get to look down on okay?” She angrily snapped back. Heh, so she had teeth.
“Wh, nonono it’s just you are really, really not my type at all! Like not even close. It’s nothing personal against you I can promise you that!” Kibi continued to panic and fluster, tail planting to the ground behind him as he frantically waved his hands in front of him.
Haru did not look convinced. “Well if you guys are just here to mock me you can all beat it okay?” She said sternly, glaring at the group. Tem could already feel a headache coming on.
Kibi spluttered. “No! Look we are from the drama society and need roses for the performance please? Dom was so excited about his idea for them and I really don’t want to let him down.” Kibi hurriedly said, bowing deeply in apology to the irate rabbit.
“Really? And I’m just expected to give you my children after you’ve just insulted me? You have a lot of nerve for such a short guy.” Haru coolly replied, her foot tapping in irritation.
Kibi let out a squeak of panic, seeming to glance around them and the garden. “Look I am sorry I really, really didn’t mean to insult you. The reason I wouldn’t have sex with you is that you are a girl okay.” Kibi blurted out, seeming to shly shrink and fidget in shame.
Oh. That… actually made a lot of sense. Considering Kibi’s friendship with Tao, the way he looked at Legoshi and all the carnivores, was so touchy with all of them. Tem couldn’t say he was surprised. And considering what he had realised about himself not in a position to throw stones. Legoshi and Kai were both looking at the anteater in confusion, heads cocked to the side.
Haru looked stunned, then embarrassed and slightly ashamed. “Really? Oh my god I am so sorry, I didn’t mean to force you to out yourself. What do you guys need and do you have any more details on what this Dom guy is planning?”
----
It was a slow, horrible realisation that crept up on Tem and took all of his willpower to not shout when it solidified in his brain, even if to hear how ridiculous it sounded out loud. He suspected the same suspicion had been forming in Kibi’s mind from the worried glances and how the anteater grew increasingly out of it after Haru said how her arm was injured by a mysterious assailant the previous night.
By the fountain outside the auditorium. At the time when Legoshi would have been guarding the entrance for Louis.
Maybe the attack had happened whilst Legoshi had been inside on some whim of the arrogant deer, or maybe in the bathroom. Whilst still bad maybe it had been someone Legoshi knew and didn’t want to incriminate much like he didn’t want anyone to know about Riz’s episode.
It couldn’t have been Legoshi. The wolf was scared of his own shadow, half petrified of anyone else and had the worst social anxiety Tem had ever since. Was worryingly subservient to any herbivore near him. It couldn’t be sweet, adorable cute Legoshi surly?
But if anyone had suggested the possibility of that night with Riz to Tem two weeks before wouldn’t he have said the same thing? And why else was Legoshi so much more quiet and flustered then even what was normal for him? Why was he almost trance like and all his tells screaming shame and fear? Please Rex, please let it have been anyone else other then Legoshi.
“Well that’s everything. Thank you so much for the help I don’t think I’ve ever managed to get all of this done in even half the time. And if any of you would like to join the club please feel free, it was nice having other people up here not for sex.” Haru said as Legoshi put down the last of the compost bags that had needed to be moved.
“Must admit it was more relaxing than I was expecting, may take you up on that Haru.” Kai said as he took off the gloves Haru had leant him.
Haru smiled. “That would be lovely Kai. I’ll have the flowers ready for the opening night, just let me know if anything changes.” She said as the drama club members left the garden. Legoshi was even more out of it then earlier, confusion painfully clear. It certainly felt strange to be carried by someone when you suspected them of having attacked a stranger.
The awkward silence was painful, and they were about halfway down and passing a bathroom when Tem couldn’t take it any longer. “Legoshi I’m really sorry and I know it’s weird but would you mind taking me in and putting me down outside of the cubical please, my leg’s sore from all the gardening.” He said, trying his best to keep his voice calm. He’d insisted on being in rooms alone with Riz despite the bears fear of him since that night, he could hold his nerve and ask Legoshi for the truth of him and Haru.
“We will wait for you guys, don’t be too long okay Tem, don’t want to give people the wrong idea.” Kai said, an unusual tension in his voice, like he was desperately holding back something as Legoshi wordlessly nodded and turned into the bathroom.
“Okay Legoshi could you put me down on the sink please, we need to talk.” Tem asked after the door had closed and he could see they were alone and the cubicles unoccupied, causing the wolf to freeze.
“T, talk? About what? Are you okay buddy?” Legoshi quietly replied, a tremor of something in his voice as he put Tem gently down and started examining his shoes. Fuck this was beyond messed up. The idea of Legoshi so much as growling, let alone attacking anyone seemed preposterous.
Tem sighed. “Yeah, I think I am Legoshi. But I need the truth. I promise I won’t tell anyone, hell you know I’ve done the same for Riz. It was you who attacked Haru last night wasn’t it?” He asked calmly.
He could feel his heart tear the moment he said the words. Legoshi looked up at him in horror, mouth agape, eyes wide, body trembling and a quiet pained whine escaping his mouth. It.. It was true. Legoshi had attacked Haru last night. Least unlike Riz he had been able to snap himself out of it. Riz however hadn’t scorned him for it, made pointed remarks and glared at him for it. Called him a monster and been willing to report him to the school. It had taken everything of Tem to convince Legoshi to not call the police, that all it would do would condemn and ruin Riz’s life.
“Legoshi, did you attack Haru?” Tem asked colder then he meant, but for all Legoshi was his best friend outside of Riz he had been rude, suspicious and hard on the bear ever since that night. Tem had always hated hypocrites, and if he had to drag Legoshi kicking and screaming to apologise to Riz then he would. Shaking, Legoshi took a step back from Tem, staring at him in horror, eyes watery and whining mournfully as he shook his head to confirm it.
“Then tell me why I shouldn’t report you like you wanted me to do to Riz? Or avoid you like you keep suggesting I should avoid him? You are bo-“ Tem was interrupted by Kai and Kibi bursting through the door, the mongoose running to stand protectively in front of Legoshi arms outstretched and fangs bared as the canine fell to the floor sobbing, breaking Tem’s heart. He hadn’t wanted to make him cry but he didn’t want Legoshi treating Riz like he was some unstable explosive waiting to go off.
“LEAVE LEGOSHI ALONE TEM! Look if you can forgive Riz you can forgive Legoshi can’t you? Can’t you see it’s obviously been tearing him apart all day? I get it’s close to home for you but please, please you know what will happen to him if it gets out. He needs help not his life being ruined.” Kai passionately argued, and despite the situation Tem couldn’t but think the mongoose and his voice was beautiful in that moment, defending Legoshi.
Fuck. He’d said about Riz. Kai knew about Riz. Kai knew Riz was the one who had attacked him.
“Look if you take down Legoshi I’ll take Riz down. I don’t want to tattle on another carnivore but if it’s what I need to do to protect Legoshi from a herbi normi like you I fucking will got it?” Kai said quietly, his voice full of determination.
“So let me get this straight. Wolf boy attacked Haru last night, I am guessing you didn’t want to but something made you lose control Legoshi? And it was Riz who attacked you last week Tem? And despite Legoshi’s urging didn’t report him so it was also out of his control?” Kibi quietly asked, prompting another pained whine and increased sobbing from Legoshi curled up on the bathroom floor as Tem and Kai both turned to look at the anteater.
Shit. Shit. Oh fuck he’d betrayed Riz in the worst possible way, both Kai and Kibi now knew and whilst Kai’s carnivore honour made him unlikely to report Riz Kibi was an anteater. A herbivore. And if it came to once herbivore’s word there would be an investigation, one that would almost certainly result in both of Tem’s best friends being expelled or worse.
“Kibi please, I’m begging you don’t tell anyone. Please I’ll do whatever you want just don’t report Riz or Legoshi. I.. look your into dudes right? Well if you keep quite I’ll suck your cock whenever you want okay? Even fuck my ass or any kinky shit you want if that is what it takes to protect them okay?” Kai pleaded.
Tem stared at the mongoose as did Kibi, Legoshi’s head uncurling to look up in confusion and horror at him with tearful eyes. Just.. what.. was he really offering himself like that? To be used like, well a whore to protect Legoshi and Riz? He couldn’t be serious? Could he?
Kibi spluttered, turning crimson, eyes going wide. “WHAT? N, no. What the hell Kai? No, just no. I don’t want sex if the other person is pressured or forced okay for heaven’s sake. I couldn’t do that to you or anyone. Fucking hell that is just wrong on so many levels.” The anteater said, before freezing as footsteps could be heard coming down the stairs.
Whoever it was passed, everyone releasing the breath they had held. Carefully walking over and then around Kai whilst holding his hands up, Kibi then crouched to be eye level with Legoshi’s distraught face. “I.. I am not going to tell but I need to know what happened. Both with you and Riz. Is there anywhere we could talk without being overheard?” The anteater asked, hugging Legoshi’s head as guilt consumed Tem for the state he had reduced his friend to.
____
“WHAT THE HELL BILL? ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR FREAKING MIND? JUST WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO THAT FOR? AND ON STAGE IN FRONT OF EVERYONE, ARE YOU TRYING TO PROOVE ALL THE SHIT THEY SAY ABOUT CARNVIORES RIGHT?” Tem roared at Bill, angrily stamping up as best he could with his cane, neck fully extended. Legoshi was in the nurses office and would hopefully be okay. That didn’t change the fact Bill had attacked him on stage. He knew Bill liked to roughhouse, suspected the cause for the tiger’s apparently conflicting feelings for the wolf, but this was just too far. Here in one of the side rooms Tem was keeping Bill here whilst Legoshi was being seen to and the other stage crew were trying to clean the blood off the stage.
Bill scowled at Tem. “Look mister holier then thou started it okay? He attacked me first, you saw how he sent me flying in front of everyone, I had to get him back otherwise what kind of man would I be?” the Bengal snapped back, causing Tem to roll his eyes.
“I don’t know a sane one? An adult and not some little kid having a tantrum? You fucking opened up his back!” Tem argues back, his frustration roiling inside him. He knew Bill had his problems, hell the tiger had admitted to the pressure he felt as a male tiger from society and his cousin and aunt a few times, Knew that for all his bluntness and bombastic nature he cared deeply for those around him. Knew he had been trying to encourage and include Riz and Legoshi albeit in possibly the wrong way for them.
But seriously, all that creepy crap about predators and stripes was out of line, even for Bill. The tiger angrily shrugged his shoulders, huffing as he began to pace. “Look I’m sick of his ego and he acting as if I was scum just for taking a li, eh a little pick me up before the show. My nerves were going to hell, I’ve never had such a big role before.” Bill bit back, deflating when he mentioned his nerves.
A little pick me up? What kind of, oh. Oh no, of course he would.
Leaning against the wall, free hand palming his face as his neck retracted, Tem found himself once again asking a friend an unpleasant question. “Bill, what did you take before the show?”
Bill froze, nervously chuckling, ears and tail flicking in anxiety. “Heheh, nothing much you know, everyone takes it, just an old traditional remedy Tem nothing that warranted priestgoshi’s judgement.” The tger said, eyes focussed on the old poster of a production of the Merry wives of Windsor on the wall opposite him.
Sighing, Tem looked at his large friend. “Bill, Legoshi isn’t that bad and there is only one thing I can think that would make him act like he did. Please just tell me the truth.”
Bill sat down on a large storage box, mumbling to himself, tail wrapping around his body. “Blood okay? Rabbit’s blood. The old tiger who sold it to me assured it was willingly donated okay? All the guys in the years above us do it and I felt… so good Tem. Like I wasn’t having to pretend to be confident, I was confident. I felt strong, masculine, I could do anything. I could be a reaper as good as Louis. It’s a fucking carnivore role yet year after year he hogs it to himself! How the hell are we supposed to actually get good or shine if we are fucking stuck in minor roles all bloody time?” Bill said quietly, avoiding Tem’s eyes.
Rabbit’s blood.. fucking hell no wonder Legoshi had reacted the way he had, the wolf was tearing himself up over Haru pretty badly, and his attempts to befriend her and claims to have fallen in love with Haru had everyone who knew, even Jack worried. Whilst Tem was fairly confident Legoshi wouldn’t have another issue with instincts, his crush on her wasn’t healthy in any way.
And now Bill had drunken rabbits blood on school grounds, in the drama club rooms. And attacked Legoshi on stage. Even if the audience thought it was part of the act to say the situation was just as fucked up as those involving Riz and Legoshi was an understatement.
“Look you can’t tell anyone please Tem, it was a just a bit of harmless doping, practically justified you know?” Bill said, a desperate, weak smile on his face but his tail betrayed Bill’s nerves.
“Harmless, really Bill? If this came out do you know what it would do to the drama club? There would almost certainly be an investigation, all of you guys would be under suspicion. Is that what you wanted? Tao and Aoba under suspicion? Hell it would be the perfect ammunition for Ellen to get all of you kicked out.” Tem replied incredulously, guilt and horror washing over Bill clearly.
“But I won’t tell Bill, you have my word. Fuck I hate all these secrets I’m getting lumbered with.” Tem said quietly, causing Bill to look at him, eyes narrowing in thought.
“It was Riz wasn’t it? That attacked you. Bloody hell no wonder the guy’s been looking like he got his balls dipped in chilli sauce the last few weeks.” Bill said quietly, but thankfully calmly.
God he really was a shit friend wasn’t he? Riz deserved fucking better.
“He was out of it, he went off his pills and had a bad reaction. Two of Legoshi’s dormmates and one of Riz’s are trying to look into alternatives, the side effects are shit and his mental health is in the gutter. Please Bill you can’t mention it, not even if you think you are being subtle please. I.. I can’t lose Riz or Legoshi, or any of you guys. You are my friends and by god I’m helping you guys, even if I have to drag you all to therapists myself.” Tem defended. Fuck maybe he should look into becoming one, the number of mental health services available to carnivores was terrifyingly small compared to what was provided to herbivores.
“I won’t, we carnivores look out for each other. But… I’m going to guess Legoshi had a similar thing with a rabbit from how he reacted?” Bill quietly said, conflict and disbelief in his voice.
How.. Fuck, fuck he was a shitty friend, how was he supposed to keep all these secrets if he kept letting them slip like this.
Bill quietly chuckled. “You know for an actor you are fucking easy as hell to read Tem. But yeah I won’t say. I.. I need to go apologise to that shitty wolf, hopefully I’ll get one from him as well but I made a shitty situation for him shittier so it’s the least I can do.”
_____
Two weeks later.
“So I was thinking of taking philosophy next year but I’m also thinking Geography could be a good idea, what do you guy think?” Aoba asked as Mokichi poured him a cup of tea. Tem was sat with them, Riz, and Kibi at a small table to the side of the practice room. Aoba it turned out frequently joined the stage crew for discussions and tea to escape the madness of the rest of the club as the eagle put it. Legoshi hadn’t arrived yet. Legoshi was never late, had never missed a session. Tem hope he was okay, hoped something hadn’t happened involving the wolf’s crush or obsession with Haru. If Tem had thought convincing Riz to start seeing help had been hard, Legoshi was taking it to a whole new almost unbelievable level of insisting his mental health was fine. Which now Tem actually thought about it was painfully obviously not the case, and hadn’t for a while. He really had been a crap friend hadn’t he?
Tem looked up from his own mug, blinking. “Err guess whichever you think you will enjoy more? And has anyone seen Legoshi, he isn’t this late normally?” He asked, prompting looks of concern from Riz and Kibi. After Legoshi had apologised to Riz for his earlier treatment of him, the two had actually started socialising more, and appeared to be slowly becoming friends. Kibi meanwhile had been researching instincts and carnivore psychology in the library, his status as a herbivore meaning him researching them didn’t draw the suspicion a carnivore doing so would. Kai had thrown himself into helping the two larger carnivores anyway he could. Tem had to admit he had been impressed when Kai had hacked into the school’s security system and wiped everything for the last month. It was worrying how despite various cameras having caught aspects of those nights the school security hadn’t actually investigate or reacted. Either way, Kai had erased that footage which could have doomed either of the large carnivores and Tem couldn’t help but admire him for it. That and the mongoose had blushed adorably when Tem had thanked him. He still fancied Els, still wanted to give her the letter and confess his feelings to her, but Tem couldn’t deny he was bi and hoped she would be okay with that.
“M, m,m,maybe h,he got i,in tr,tr,trouble wi,w,wi—th, a teach,er?” Mokichi stammered out, the badger sound designer stirring sugar into his own tea whilst Aoba grew thoughtful.
“That wou-“ Aoba’s musing was cut short when the room’s doors were smashed open, flying off their hinges with a thundering crack.
“BILL YOU FUCKER!” Collot roared as he stormed in, fringe fur blown back from the speed of his movement to reveal furious scarlet eyes that made Tem tremble.
He was accompanied by the rest of Legoshi’s roommates bat Jack, and each of them looked furious.
Bill turned from where he had been joking around with Tao and Kai, his smile turning to an annoyed snarl. “Look Legoshi accepted my ap-“ His irritated drawl was interrupted by Collot punching him. Bill flew across the room, crashing into the wall before landing in a stunned heap. A slightly bloody fang landed in Tem’s tea.
For a second, everyone stared at the enraged dogs. Then they advanced towards Bill. With a growl, Tao tried to intercept only for Miguno to pounce on him, the two felines falling to the floor and rolling across it, though neither seemed to be effectively fighting, more softly pawing, grappling and grabbing at each other. Kibi was staring at the wrestling felines, a slight nosebleed from the sight. Tem wasn't sure the anteater could make his feline fetish anymore obvious.
Kai went to punch Collot only for Voss top leap from the sheepdogs head, landing on Kai’s and biting down into his right ear. “Gahh get him off get him off!” Kai shouted as he started running around, trying to shake off or reach the berserk fox.
Aoba and Kibi both dashed from their seats, Kibi shaking himself from his stupor. Collot jumped over the anteater whilst Durham tackled Aoba, a weird mix of rugby and sumo erupting between the two. Collot was nearly on Bill, shaking with rage only for Riz to block his path.
“What is going on mutt boy? What the hell do you want with Bill?” Riz asked as he caught a punch from Collot with his own fist and then another with his other hand. The two were grappled, Collot growling low as he and Riz tried to subdue the other.
“THE FILTHY CAT POISONED LEOGSHI” Collot shouted, causing everyone to stare, the 701 dogs using the chance to slip from their engagements and move towards Bill as a pack, the Bengal standing up, clearly dizzy.
“You have no proof.” Riz replied cool, maintaining his hold on the furious dog.
“Legoshi’s grown scales where the fucker sliced his back up, he must have poisoned his claws or something!” Collot growled, out, causing Riz to pause in confusion for a second. A second was all Collot needed. Mokichi and Tem had to both dive to the side as Riz was thrown clean through the air towards them. Thankfully Tem managed to land on his good side as he processed the site of Riz crashing into the table and chairs and those words.
Legoshi’s injuries had healed as scales? But how would poison cause that? That was impossible unless…
“STOP PLEASE! IT’S NOT HIS FAULT!” Legoshi shouted distraughtly from the broken doors, a horrified Jack beside him. The wolf wasn’t wearing a shirt, the school jacket Tem had never seen him wear before the only clothing on his upper body. Covering his back.
As one the furious pack looked at him from where they were holding a bloody and beaten Bill against the wall, confusion and righteous anger in their gazes. “What do you mean Goshi? It was his claws that did that to your back, he must have coated them in something.” Durham spoke, Welsh accent bordering on unintelligible.
Quicker then Tem had ever seen him move, Legoshi crossed the floor and pulled Collot off Bill, standing protectively in front of the tiger. Tem felt like weeping, the sheer anguish and shame in Legoshi’s face and body language was horrifying.
Trembling, Legoshi looked to the floor, his words choked out. “Please.. Please it’s not Bill’s fault, it’s mine.. I’m the monster… This.. this happened to my mother. I’m a hybrid. My grandfather is a Komodo dragon.”