#legoharu

She has just settled on the couch and opened to the first page of the manga when she hears it.

A thud against the front door.

She freezes, ears swiveling toward the sound.

Another thud. Louder this time. The doorframe shudders. Then the sound of the doorknob turning.

Her heart threatens to hammer out of her chest as she realizes with terrifying dread that she forgot to lock the door. She backs up a step. Then another. Her body is already preparing to bolt.

The knob visibly turns before the door bursts open, revealing the figure behind it. The carnivore figure. Tall, with shoulders wide enough to block the entire doorframe. His muzzle is pulled back to reveal dangerous teeth. The tail behind him thrashes.

Haru’s body goes cold. The carnivore steps into the apartment, and the door swings shut behind him with a thud that sounds like the closing of a trap.

“Hello, little bunny.”

The voice is wrong. Rougher than she’s used to. It’s Legoshi’s voice but stripped of all gentleness and edged with something that makes the fur on her neck stand on end.

Haru should say his name. She should tell him she’s changed her mind, that it’s gone too far. But her body won’t listen.

She runs.

Fast enough she almost loses her footing. Down the hallway toward the bedroom. Behind her, she hears the carnivore give a low, rumbling laugh. His footfalls are heavy thuds as he gives chase.

“Where do you think you’re going?” His voice follows her, echoing off the walls. “You can’t hide from me, little bunny.”

Haru darts into the bedroom and slams the door. Her chest heaves, and she presses her back against the wood, as if her tiny frame could possibly hold it shut.

She can hear his heavy footfalls, each one making her body shake. Then, the doorknob turns. Haru throws herself away from the door just as it swings open. The carnivore’s eyes gleam with the dull evening light from the window. There’s hunger there. Haru’s stomach drops.

She bolts for the closet.

It’s stupid. The closet is a dead end. But her prey brain is running a mile a minute in circles and loops. She yanks the closet door open and dives inside among the hanging clothes. Legoshi’s shirts are there, enormous things that bury her in the scent of him.

The footsteps slow, then stop. She hears his nose sniffing right against the wood of the door.

“You know,” he says, his voice conversational, as if they’re having tea, “the whole apartment smells like you. A lovely smell. But right now, you smell like fear. It’s... intoxicating.”

Haru squeezes her eyes shut. It’s Legoshi. It’s just Legoshi. He would never hurt you. But her body doesn’t believe it. Her body is trembling, her pulse racing so fast she can feel it pulsing in her wrists, and the deep, primitive part of her is screaming at her to run, run, run.

The closet door flies open.

Haru doesn’t even have time to scream. The carnivore’s hand shoots in, wraps around her arm, and yanks her out of the closet with a force that sends her stumbling into the bedroom. She catches herself against the dresser and looks up.

He’s standing by the bed, just watching her for now. His tail is swaying behind him, slow and rhythmic. He’s enjoying this. The realization should calm her, at least a little. It doesn’t.

“There. Now I can see how scrumptious you look,” he says, taking a step toward her.

Haru backs up. The dresser digs into the back of her head. “Legoshi—”

“Who?” He tilts his head, and the smile that spreads across his muzzle is all teeth. “I’m just a hungry wolf who broke into your apartment. Who found...” He takes another step. “...a very delicious-looking rabbit.”

Haru darts toward the door. He moves to cut her off, and she changes direction, slipping past him and into the hallway. She hears him give a delighted laugh, and then he’s after her again.

She makes it to the living room, but he’s quick behind her. Haru veers toward the front door.

A strong hand grabs the back of her shirt. She’s spun around, and the carnivore’s arms are around her waist, lifting her off the ground. Haru yelps, kicking, and he laughs again, the sound rumbling through his chest like a bulldozer.

“Got you,” he murmurs hotly against her ear. Normally, she would shiver (the sensation tingling down from her ear to her spine), but now she shudders, gooseflesh rising down her neck.

He walks them back against a wall. He sets her down but keeps one hand on her waist to hold her in place. His free hand reaches up and brushes along the curve of her face. The touch is gentle. Almost tender. It’s a sharp contrast to the glint in his eyes. A reminder that this is Legoshi. The wolf who vowed to never hurt her.

“You ran well for a little thing,” he says. There’s an edge of mocking to his tone, but the rest sounds genuinely pleased.

Haru’s heart is still pounding so hard she can hear it in her ears. The wolf’s tail is going wild with excitement behind him. He’s having fun. That should make her happy. But she’s still too terrified. What if he’s serious? What if this game was the perfect excuse to stop fighting at last and give in once and for all?

“There’s no escape,” he says, voice dropped lower. “You’re mine now, little bunny.”

His hand slips just past the hem of her shirt, and her breath hitches. What if he really is about to consume her? Taking her body one way and then the other? The thought sends a cold spike of fear through her chest. But tangled with that fear is something that prickles across her skin and makes the pounding of her heart soften around the edges.

He pulls the shirt over her head slowly. Then pushes the fabric of her bra down just enough to expose her breasts. He stops, just looking at her. Haru can see the rise and fall of his chest and the way his nostrils flare with each breath. There’s also a slight tremor in his hands.

Her body is tight with tension, ready to bolt even though there’s nowhere to go. But it’s also burning traitorously under his gaze.

She forces her eyes to meet his without looking away from the fear coursing through her.

“Legoshi,” she says, her voice coming out soft and nearly pleading.

Immediately, his expression softens. The predator recedes, just enough for the wolf she knows and loves to peek through.

“Haru,” he says back. And the way he says it feels like fingers trailing down her back. Soft and intimate, the way he says it deep in the middle of the night.

The tension drains out of her all at once. She droops back against the wall. Shaky laughter bubbles out of her. A moment of confusion passes over his face—no doubt him trying to figure out if he should continue or not—but then he’s laughing too, and the sound is warm and genuine and everything she loves. He lifts her into a hug, and she wraps her arms around his neck, holding tight.

“You scared the shit out of me,” Haru mumbles into his shoulder.

“That was the idea.” His voice is back to normal now. He sets her down but crouches and keeps his arms around her. “You okay?”

His face is inches from hers. Jaw relaxed and eyes soft.

“I’m fine,” she says. “But you still need to steal your prize, right?”

He grins before pushing his mouth into her neck. His teeth graze the sensitive skin there, but instead of fear, desire floods her system, and she arches into him.

“Please don’t eat me, mister scary wolf”

His fingers tighten minutely, a silent promise.

His tongue pauses its drag along her collarbone. “I’ll devour every inch of you.”

Haru finds the waistband of his pants, making him growl.

He lifts her again, pressing her flush between the heat of his body and the wall. His hands are everywhere, equally fervent and careful.

“I chased you,” he murmurs against her mouth. “All through the house. And I caught you.” His teeth nip at her lip. “Now you're my little bunny.”

Haru wraps her legs around his waist and pulls him closer. “Your little bunny,” she agrees, and the words send a shiver through him that she can feel against her skin.

He kisses her like he’s been starving for it. His tongue is rough against hers, and Haru melts into it. His hips roll against hers, and she moans, gripping at his back.

“Take me now,” she demands, all but forgetting the game now.

Legoshi strips his pants with clumsy, eager movements that make her smile. His tail is still going, and now the sight of it makes Haru’s chest ache with fondness.

His expression is naked want. The way he says her name makes her chest tight and full all at once.

She bucks her hips against him in silent permission. He takes it—takes all of her, piece by piece—exactly as he was meant to. His mouth finds her ears, her collarbone, her breasts, her stomach, her lower lips. His claws trace gentle patterns across her skin, the pads of his fingertips pressing with lustful passion but ever-so careful in their work.

Haru writhes, responding to every touch with a fervor so strong it could only be due to excess adrenaline.

“You ran so fast,” he murmurs against her thigh. “So quick. So small.” His teeth graze the sensitive skin, making Haru gasp. “I love watching you run. I love catching you even more.”

Haru laughs, breathless. “You love catching things, don’t you?”

“You most of all.” His eyes are dark with desire, smile unbearably fond. Then, his tongue flicks over her folds, and Haru’s laugh turns into a moan.

He takes his time. His tongue is relentless, driving into her again and again as his snout noses at her sensitive nub. Haru grips his shoulders as she gasps through the pleasure. Legoshi’s tail thumps against the wall in time with her breaths.

When she comes, it’s with his name on her lips. Legoshi doesn’t let up, doesn’t even give her a moment before his erection is pressing hot and hard against her thigh.

“Take me,” she says. “Take all of me.”

His hips jerk forward, and he’s inside her, filling her up so completely she can feel him in her chest. The sounds he makes are raw and guttural, something akin to the beast he pretended to be. Her legs wrap around his waist, pulling him deeper, holding the wolf she loves in place.

“Haru,” he breathes.

“Move,” she says. “Take what you want.”

He moves. Slow at first, then faster, his rhythm building, his thrusts driving her hard against the wall. His weight is substantial and perfect, his body heat enveloping her, and Haru clings to him, her face pressed against his chest, breathing in the thick scent of him.

Haru can feel the tension building in him with each thrust. Can feel the way his arms tremble with the effort of continuously holding her steady.

She cups his face, kissing the corner of his lips. “Come for me,” she whispers. “Give me all of you.”

She smashes their mouths together, giving him all of her in turn. Then he’s groaning as his body shudders through his own release. She can feel the liquid heat filling her to the brim. Haru holds him as their mingling breaths ease together.

Finally, he collapses, cradling her safely against him as he does. They land with him seated and her nestled in his lap. His mouth presses kisses against her forehead.

For a long moment, neither of them speaks.

Then Legoshi laughs.

“What?” Haru asks.

“I really was convincing, wasn’t I?”

“Award-worthy,” she confirms.

“Sorry.”

She shakes her head. “You didn’t do anything wrong.”

His hand finds her, lacing their fingers together. “I will continue working hard every day so you can keep trusting me.”

She squeezes his hand. “I should have trusted you more.”

He doesn’t say it, but she can tell from his expression that he understands. Somehow, this carnivorous wolf who should want to eat her—does want to eat her somewhere deep down—could somehow fully empathize with the ordeals of small herbivores. His voice was hesitant when he asked, “Did you... like it, though?”

She brushes over his ears. “I was terrified, but…it was also fun.”

Relief washes over his features. His tail gives a weak thump against the floor, and he holds her closer, as if shielding her from the fear he had created. “Good. Because I’d love to chase you again…Maybe without the entire scenario.”

Haru nestles closer, tucking her head under his chin. She can hear the soft ticking of the clock. The refrigerator hums. Normal sounds. Safe sounds.

“How about next time, you just tone down the acting,” she murmurs.

Legoshi’s chest rumbles with laughter. His arm tightens around her. “Deal.”

Haru closes her eyes, letting herself drown in the love instead of the fear. She can feel herself start to drift off, feeling safer than ever in the strength of his arms.

“My little rabbit,” he whispers.

Haru took a shaky breath. She could see the conflict in Legoshi’s gaze, the way his ears twitched as if he were holding himself back. She wanted to reach for him and pull him closer, but she hesitated. What if she was wrong? What if it had been too long and he no longer wanted her in that way?

Legoshi’s voice was low when he spoke. "Haru... Are you wanting to have sex?"

Haru wondered what she had done to make it obvious. Her mouth opened, ready to say yes, but the word stuck to her tongue. She wanted to. But she didn’t want to pressure him. She had spent so long without sex at this point that the thought of forcing the issue made her feel selfish. She didn’t need sex. She just needed him to need her. She swallowed. "I want you to want me."

Legoshi’s breath hitched. For a moment, he didn’t move. Then, slowly, he exhaled, his shoulders relaxing as if he’d been holding something in for years. "I always want you," he admitted, his voice thick with the honesty of it.

Haru’s eyes burned. She reached for his hand. Her fingers trembled as she entwined them with his. She still wanted it. Some day, but not today. The warmth of his palm against hers was enough. Right now, it was everything. She squeezed his hand, her voice steady despite the emotions swirling inside her. "Then... I’m happy."

He grabbed his laptop and opened the Predation Positive Forum. Louis started with the most active threads. Two hours in, he finally found a post which appeared to be linked to the cult. It was a thread titled “The Art of Giving,” which had been posted three weeks ago.

We are all connected by the sacred circle of life and death. The mind forgets, but the flesh remembers. To truly give yourself is to transcend. Connecting through the act of consumption, breaking down the barriers of life itself, brings the highest form of enlightenment. To consume is to honor the sanctity of this connection. Through this union, we may all flourish in that which lies beyond.

Louis hated how this flowery, dangerous bullshit twisted his own opinion against him. Consumption could bring transcendence. Through life! Through becoming closer in the rest of your life together! Not whatever this suicidal drivel was spouting.

He scrolled through the replies, finding more of the same poetic language, more talk of transcendence and enlightenment. And at the center of it all, a user named SacrimentalClover.

He clicked on the username. The account was three months old. She had posted hundreds of times, always with the same cryptic, spiritual tone. She referred to herself as “special” in seventeen different posts. As “chosen” in nine. As “the voice of the sacred cycle” in four.

More disturbing were the comments in response to the news of the ‘Final Feast’. While most users expressed shock and horror, Clover had written: The first petal has fallen. The cycle continues.

Louis’ stomach turned as he read. This wasn’t just some edgy troll looking for attention. This had to be the user behind the cult.

He scrolled further, looking for any personal information. There was nothing obvious, not even any hint in her profile picture (which was an unhelpful image of a trampled clover field). However, there was a pattern to her posting times: between 11 PM and 2 AM, and between 1 PM and 3 PM.

That was something, at least. A window when she might be active.

Louis sat back, rubbing his eyes.

“You’re not going to get away with this,” he muttered.

Louis scrolled through his contacts until he found the entry he was looking for.

The line rang three times before a voice answered, high and cautious. “Yeah?”

“It’s Louis.”

A pause. Then, “Holy shit. I thought you—“

“Reformed,” Louis cut in. “Or trying to be.” He leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling. “I need your help.”

Another pause, longer this time. Louis could practically hear the way the otter considered the pros and cons.

“I’m out of that life,” Chrone finally said. “I’ve got a legitimate tech job now. Benefits and everything.”

“I’m not asking you to hack a bank,” Louis replied. “Just one user on a forum. IP address, location, whatever you can find.”

“That’s still—“

“I’ll pay you triple your old rate,” Louis interrupted. “Half now, half when you deliver.”

“Which forum?”

“Predation Positive.”

Chrone hissed through his teeth. “That’s a hornet’s nest. Officials must be surveying everything as we speak.”

“That’s why I’m calling you and not some amateur. I need this done now.”

“What’s the username?”

“SacrimentalClover.”

A keyboard clacked on the other end of the line. “Give me a minute.”

Louis waited, listening to the rapid-fire typing and the occasional muttered curse.

“It took effort, but I’m in,” Chrome finally said. “She’s using a rotating proxy and VPN, but her email was leaked in a data breach last year."

“Which means?”

“Which means I could backtrace her IP using her email provider.” Typing. “Got it. IP address traces back to... huh. That’s weird. It’s coming from an abandoned textile factory about twenty miles outside the city. About a mile of empty fields in every direction.”

Louis felt a chill run down his spine. An abandoned factory. It was the perfect place to operate an illegal cult unnoticed. The news had said the ‘Final Feast’ had happened in a remote location as well. What if they had buildings all around the outskirts of the city?

“Can you get me an exact address?”

“Yeah, hang on.” More typing. “Sending it to your phone now. Along with a map of the area and the best route to get there.”

“Thanks,” Louis said, already mentally formulating an attack plan. “The money’s in your account.”

“Wait!” Chrone’s voice sharpened. “Whatever you’re planning to do with this info... be careful, okay? The animals on that forum, they’re not playing games. They’re the real deal.”

“I know. That’s why I called you.”

Louis hung up before Chrone could caution him further. Dropping the phone onto the table, he turned back to his laptop.

He couldn’t risk going alone. Confronting a group of fanatics who had already killed dozens of animals by himself would be suicide. He needed backup who could handle themself in a fight and wouldn’t hesitate if things got messy.

Legoshi would be the obvious choice. But involving him meant putting him in danger. His actions had caused enough harm already. He wasn’t about to add Legoshi to the list of casualties. Besides, Legoshi would be too soft. Too merciful. Too...Legoshi.

Louis sighed, running a hand through the fur between his antlers. If only he could use the Shishigumi. They’d be enough carnivore power to storm the building and leave enough fear in their wake to ensure no one ever tried this shit again. But the Shishigumi were still in jail, serving life sentences for their various crimes. If he put enough arm grease into it, he might be able to get them out, but that would take time, something he did not have at the moment.

Which left him with exactly one option: hiring outside help. Someone who knew how to handle themself, wouldn’t ask questions, and wouldn’t hold back if things went south.

Louis started searching, scanning shady job listings. Legitimate services would pose too many questions and would muddle the affair with a moral code. Finally, a listing caught his eye. “Strength for Hire. Discretion Guaranteed. Available ASAP.”

The only contact information was an email address. Louis composed a brief message: “Need immediate protection for a dangerous meeting. Cash payment. Today.” He included his phone number and sent it off, then sat back to wait.

Three minutes later, his phone buzzed with a response: “Name the time and place. Half payment upfront. Hyena. Experienced.”

Louis smiled grimly. A hyena. Perfect. Strong, vicious when necessary, and known for their loyalty to whoever was paying them. He replied with the meeting address, a location a mile away from the factory.

The reply came almost instantly. “See you there.”

Louis closed his laptop and stood, stretching his back. It wasn’t a perfect plan, but it would have to do. SacrimentalClover had killed too many animals already. Louis wasn’t about to give her the chance to kill any more.

He changed into a solid black outfit that would blend in with the darkness. The hoodie was Legoshi’s, so the hood was large enough to cover Louis’ antlers. He grabbed the gun he kept beneath a loose floorboard in the laundry room. Haru had given him an earful when she found its original hiding place at the back of the closet. He checked the chamber before tucking it into the oversized hoodie’s single front pocket.

Next, he penned a note explaining that he had to attend an all-night event for the Horns Conglomerate.

His phone buzzed with a text. “Money received. On my way. ETA 30 minutes.”

Louis checked the time. Legoshi would be home any minute. He needed to go now if he wanted to avoid explanations.

Legoshi stepped out of the elevator, relieved to finally be home after his double shift. He had wanted to keep an eye on Louis, but his boss had roped him into covering for someone with the promise of a hefty bonus. It had been too good to turn down. He was looking forward to collapsing on the couch with Louis and Haru, maybe ordering takeout.

However, as soon as he spotted Louis in the hallway, dressed in Legoshi’s hoodie—oversized on the deer—he knew something was wrong.

Louis froze when he saw him.

"Going somewhere?" Legosi asked in a forced casual tone.

Louis didn’t miss a beat. "An all-night event. The board’s been on my ass about the new SynthMeat rollout."

Legoshi frowned. This had to be an excuse. Louis would have mentioned this meeting earlier if it were real. Besides, he would never be going to work in that hoodie. "I thought you called in sick.”

Louis’ face didn’t waver. "Event’s too important to miss."

Legoshi’s gaze lingered on the way his fingers drummed against his thigh.

“You sure you’re okay?”

Louis moved past him, pressing the elevator call button. "Never better." The elevator doors opened, and Louis stepped in, turning to face Legoshi. "Don’t wait up."

Legoshi entered the elevator. "I’ll walk you down."

Louis’ tail flicked in irritation, but he didn’t argue.

They rode the elevator in silence. When they stepped out, Legoshi didn’t follow him toward the exit. Instead, he leaned against the wall, watching as Louis strode toward the waiting car.

"Don’t you usually walk?" Legoshi called after him.

Louis paused, glancing back. "It’s safer at night. Besides, company’s paying. Might as well."

He just slid into the backseat and shut the door. The car pulled away from the curb.

Legoshi waited until it was out of sight, then flagged down a taxi. "Follow that black sedan," he told the driver. "And keep your distance."

The taxi lurched forward.

It was wrong to follow him like this. Louis would be furious if he found out Legoshi was tracking him, believing he couldn’t take care of himself.