Just burn it.

Before coming to Cherryton, legoshi had only really seen one type of people. The Carnivores and Herbivores alike all had the same traits. All were big, loud, violent, if someone wasn't physically big, they had an aura more imposing than anyone else in the room.

Before coming to Cherryton, legoshi had barely any contact with Herbivores at all. But what was more interesting, were the canines around him. The ones who invited him to share their room.

The canines sitting all around him weren't by far as imposing as the ones he grew up with. No bared fangs, no tails standing upright, no bloodlust or fury in their eyes.

The pale yellow dog, who introduced himself as Jack (a lablador retriever), also introduced the rooms other residents. There's an English Sheepdog named Collot, a spotted hyena named Miguno, a Coyote called Durham and a fennec fox who goes by Voss.

Legoshi wasn't sure if he'd be able to remember all the names, but it was definitely interesting to meet such... Docile canines.

"legoshi? Are you even listening...?" The retriever– Jack asked hesitantly, ripping legoshi out of his thoughts.

"oh... No, I'm sorry. It's just..." The wolf stopped, unsure how his next words would be taken.

You see, the fighting ring didn't exactly have the greatest hygiene standards. That's to say, it didn't have any at all. Anytime legoshi got to touch the fur of another animal without having to be the one to tear it to shreds, it was a far cry from the social standard he had come to see at Cherryton. Or anywhere outside.

Legoshi never got to touch the guests, he barely looked at them really, but the workers always smelled of sweat and something the wolf could only describe as the scent of despair and surrender. Their fur was always matted, dirt and grime clumping it together once it mixed with the blood they had to clean up. It was always rough to the touch and left the young wolf wondering how clean, unsoiled fur would feel.

"You can say whatever's on your mind! We have to listen to every minor detail about Durham's lunch and its aftermath, I think we can handle whatever you're gonna say." Jack shot Durham a sharp, teasing look. The Coyote looked away as the others chuckled at Jack's jab towards him.

Legoshi stayed silent for another while.

"Can I touch your fur?"

Every head in the room turned to him, all with matching expressions of surprise. Jack was the first to recover and tentatively answer.

"uhm... I mean sure, but please be careful with those..." He glanced down at the wolfs hands, making him instinctively ball them up into fists, somewhat hiding his sharp, jagged claws.

Legoshi kept his hands in his lap at first, taking the hesitance in Jack's eyes and tone as a no despite his words. Only once Jack scooted closer, Legoshi finally raised his hand, gently laying it on Jacks head.

For a moment there was nothing, no movement, no noise. Legoshi just stared at his won hand in wonder, his palm covered the retrievers whole head. He rand his hand down Jack's head all the way to his neck and then back up, the fur felt thin to the touch but it made up for that in volume. It felt clean and well groomed, no chunks sticking together, it missed the metalic scent of fresh blood that was present on everyone in the ring.

He dared to run his claws along the dogs neck and behind his ear, jumping back when Jack leaned into the touch with a sigh.

"I– I'm sorry..! I didn't mean to." The wolf put his hands behind his back, looking down to the floor in shame, or maybe fear of Jack's reaction.

"What? No need to apologize! Actually, you didn't have to stop scratching at all. Most dogs enjoy some ear scratches, you know." Jack tilted his head, a warm smile now placed on his face.

It was Legoshis turn to look surprised. That may be true, but Legoshi would've never thought his touch would be welcomed or seen as anything besides destructive at all. If Jack said he enjoyed it though...

Blood dripped down from his maw, his paws, over his own heart racing in his chest and causing a ringing in his ears, the grey wolf could hear a painfully familiar voice.

"Legoshi..."

'he shouldn't have to see this' was the wolfs first thought, the scene too gory, too bloody, utterly unfitting for the eyes of an herbivore like Louis.

But legoshi knows all too well that Louis has seen and gone through much worse. That thought makes his clawed hands ball up into fists, if he were anyone else he'd have pierced his own skin by now.

Yet when he turns around, finally taking a proper look at his dear friend, legoshi relaxes again. Shoulders falling, finally releaved of their tension, jaw unclenching, and an invisible weight falling off of him. The weight of fear. Fear for Louis. Fear of something happening to him again. Fear of someone damaging what's his.

Slowly, almost hesitantly, legoshi steps out of the pool of blood slowly forming at his feet, the body completely lost from his mind once he set his sight on the herbivore.

Louis didn't move, he stood still like a statue until legoshi was close to him. So close, he had to look up to see his face.

The deer wouldn't strain his neck for long though. Once close enough, legoshi fell to his knees with a heavy thud, hands coming up to rest on Louis pant leg while his head stayed bowed, forehead pressed against the deers thigh. If you'd feel like interpreting it, it would look like a position for prayer.

"Louis... I'm so glad you're okay." His hands tightened their grip on the fabric, yet his expression was one of relief.

The deer just stared down at the carnivore, his face externally cold, seemingly uncaring at the act of affection from the wolf, some would say it was laced with disdain or disgust at the wolf smearing blood on his spotless clothing. Yet it was none of that. Under the hardened exterior, a warmth started to spread.

Louis lifted his hand, hesitating for merely a second before placing it between the wolfs ears, petting the soft, blood splattered fur.

Neither of them said anything. Neither had to. For that moment they weren't in the streets of the black market, surrounded by unmoving bodies and the smell of rott and blood.

For that moment it was just them, in a space nobody but they could enter.

For a moment, they basked in their relief.

But every moment has to end.

The blaring of sirens in the distance pulled them out of their personal heaven, getting louder and closer by the minute.

"We have to go." Said the deer, only now seizing his gentle strokes through legoshis fur.