Ocean Depths part 19
#19 of Ocean Depths
Ocean Depths part 19
By Roofles
Lucas was astounded by how fast things were going, and how well things have been since Carlson 'swam' his way into his life. Only a couple of weeks ago was he on the verge of a nervous breakdown. In the pits of utter despair, about to head back to his hometown and actually talk with his family again to try to mend fences he had long since burned. The thought alone made him shiver. He had been to the point of actually trying to go back to those people and he couldn't help but find it a bit morbidly funny as he sat here in his car in front of the high school waiting for that final bell.
Swarms of kids poured from the front doors as it finally rang; a stream of flesh, fur, feathers and scales spilling forth in all directions like a dam that finally broke down from the constant pressure building up behind. Lucas got out of the car, resting his arms on the hood as he looked out amongst the masses. He didn't even notice the otter in the horde until the kid waved over at him. Lucas smiled, waving back.
Justin bounded over in good spirits, tossing his bag into the back before taking the passenger seat. Lucas joined him in the vehicle, shutting and locking the doors as he started the vehicle up.
"How was your day?" Lucas asked like he did every other day.
"It wasn't so bad. Gym sucked, they wouldn't let me join the swim team." Justin yawned trying to rub the fatigue from his eyes. "It's species profiling if you ask me. Not my fault the rest of them aren't built as awesome as myself."
Lucas looked over at the otter as he stopped to let several students cross the street. The otter had a few bags under his eyes he could barely see under the fur. "Have you been getting any sleep?"
Justin yawned again. "Yeah, I'm fine."
Lucas sped past a van and took a sharp corner. "Don't drive the way I do." He mumbled getting ahead of another car.
"So you've mentioned." Justin propped himself up on his arm looking out the window drolly as the world sped by.
"You don't mind me doing this, do you?" Lucas asked after a couple of minutes of silence.
"At least we get there sooner." Justin's voice as jaded as ever.
Lucas slowed down for a light. "I mean me picking you up." Lucas mumbled a bit as he came to a full stop.
"It's no big deal." Justin yawned looking over at him.
"I don't want you getting in trouble, I can get you a bus pass or me and Carlson can arrange something so he can give you a lift. It might be thirty minutes to an hour after you're done with classes but we can work something out, if you want." Lucas pressed, his grip tightened a bit on the steering wheel.
Justin growled a bit, his shackles rising half an inch. "Carlson told you?" The air was beginning to get thick between the two, making Lucas even more uncomfortable. He only ever used his dad's name when he was really angry.
"Yeah." Lucas mumbled a bit trying not to look at him. "I don't want to be a cause of-,"
"Please, pick me up." Justin stated. It wasn't a question. "Tom had it coming anyways." The otter slumped back in the seat crossing his arms in his chest still growling softly.
"Justin. You shouldn't be fighting, I know I'm not..." Lucas trailed off.
"You make dad happy." Justin sighed the fur on his neck settling back down. "You're fun to play games with. And I like it when you pick me up," he looked out the window again. "We grab lunch or just talk, you always ask about my day and it's just...a lot of fun when you're around. It's boring when you're not..."
Lucas looked forward trying not to read more into it. It still made him smile. "I just don't want to see you getting in trouble."
"I kicked his ass though!" Justin said a bit too proudly, his ears falling back afterwards. "Besides he started it."
"I know. But sometimes you have to turn the other cheek. Be the bigger man."
"He was talking about dad...and you. The teachers didn't do anything about it and he wouldn't stop! Then he started harassing me about it." Justin laid his 'hand' on the table trying to get Lucas to fold and give up on the discussion.
"You get jackass- people," Lucas quickly corrected himself. "That are like that all the time. Sometimes you just got to be the stronger man and 'don't' beat the 'shitznits' out of them."
"I am the stronger man," Justin mumbled slumping on his arm again staring out the window.
"Justin," Lucas wasn't sure how to settle the matter. It wasn't his place but it was over him, he didn't want the otter getting hurt or rather in trouble because he was with his dad.
Justin looked down at his feet, shifting them uncomfortable. "I can handle anything some dumbasses at school can throw at me. I just don't want you to leave."
"What?"
Justin kept looking down at his webbed paws. "I didn't like them. They weren't good enough for dad or they were sleazy, or they were more girly than my mum." Lucas understood he was talking about Carlson's ex's. Justin looked over at him, on the brink of tears. "I like you; I don't want you to go. I don't want to see Dad mopping around for months. I don't want to lose my gaming partner."
Lucas took a hand-off the wheel and placed it on his shoulder, giving him a reassuring squeeze. "Me and your dad are doing fine. Great even. I like him a lot. And I like you too." He added looking over at him with a smile before placing his hand on the wheel and focused on driving. "So could you do me a favor, and lay off with any more fights at school? And don't worry about me leaving anytime soon."
Justin looked back at his paws, a smile at the edge of his muzzle. "I can do that. Could we get McQuakers before we get back?"
Lucas laughed a bit rolling his eyes. "Fine, but I'm going to hold you to that. No more fighting."
"Thanks Luke," Justin looked out the window his tail thumping against the car's seat softly.
Lucas ordered for the two. McQuackers was a multi-million dollar restaurant chain that began with a family of ducks. They specialized in fish products and only recently did they add beef to the menu. "Yes, I'd like a Mc Quack double, a fish bob and," Lucas turned to look at the otter. His ears were up and he was already licking his muzzle as the smell wafted through the vehicle. "What kind of drink?"
"Dr. Pepper, duh!"
"And a medium,"
"Large!"
"-Large," Lucas corrected. "Dr. Pepper. And could I get the number three meal, as well."
"That'll be eleven fifty at the window. Have a quacky day." The voice from the speaker box said a duck sound following. Lucas always thought that was an over kill even for an originally started family restaurant.
Lucas paid smiling at the small brown bear. The bear took a few seconds as the otter waved over at him before accepting his money. Lucas took their meal, thanking him and drove off shaking his head. It wasn't that strange to have an otter with him, was it? He shook the thought off as he drove down the road. Justin was already munching down the fish fillet burger he had between his paws.
He swallowed the large bite before thanking him, going back to the fish burger. All Lucas said was to not forget about their deal.
It wasn't long before he was pulling into the apartment complex and taking Carlson's spot because someone had parked in his. Most people didn't really care about the designated spots laid out for them, especially when they had guests over. But the car in his spot was one he was acquainted with, making his heart thump in his throat.
Lucas followed the otter up the stairs hoping to slip into the apartment before being noticed. He stopped as he spotted a man in front of his apartment door. "Hey Justin, go ahead inside with the food. I'll be in in a second."
The man looked over, waving at him. Lucas clenched a fist as he pushed Justin towards the door.
"Luke! It's been too long." The man called over to him.
"Go ahead inside Justin," Lucas unlocked and opened the door for the otter who was looking between the two.
"Who's this?" Andrew asked. He bent his knees to get with even height with the slouching otter. "How you doin', little guy?"
Justin looked at him before looking at Lucas. "Who's the douche?" Lucas cracked a smile, unable to help but laugh.
"Well aren't you just a sweet kid," Andrew mumbled getting back up and turning towards Lucas. "We need to talk."
"There's nothing to talk about, Justin hun go on inside." Lucas nudged the otter but he stood his ground his feet planted firmly in the ground.
"Luke, I don't like him. Can we go inside?" Justin didn't take his eyes away from the stranger. Lucas couldn't help but think he had good instincts.
"That sounds like a good idea." He nodded about to head in.
Andrew took a step forward his voice getting a bit firmer, "Luke. We need to talk. It's important."
"There's nothing to talk about, now get lost." Lucas waited for Justin to go inside but the otter had been waiting for him to go in, not about to just leave him.
"Do you need me to call Dad?" Justin asked watching him closely. The second he took a step forward, Justin edged his way between the two. The otter flexed his shoulders standing up straight. Justin was almost as tall as Lucas when he stood straight like that, making him rather intimidating.
"No, it's fine." Lucas placed a hand on the otter's shoulder; he could feel the tension in them. "Come on Justin, let's go have our meal. Your dad'll be home soon."
"And you better be long gone by then," Justin growled, glaring at Andrew ears folded back.
Andrew tried to say something but the growl only deepened. "Luke, I'll talk with you another time then." He backed up a bit as Justin's lip lifted baring his teeth. "Didn't know you were babysitting these days."
Lucas didn't even look at him as he headed inside, the otter following behind shutting the door and locking it. Lucas set the food on the counter holding against a wall for support. He was breathing heavily, his hands were shaking and his knees had gone weak. He hadn't been ready for that. He was hoping that things would just blow off and he wouldn't see him ever again but... to see him there in front of his door after these weeks had brought everything back. If Justin hadn't been with him he would have thrown him off the ledge after pummeling his face in a couple of times.
"Who the fuck was that guy?" Justin growled a bit rolling his shoulders. "I can kick his ass if you want."
"No," Lucas waved it off taking a few steady breaths. "I thought we agreed on no fighting."
"Only at school," Justin tried to reason his offer still standing. "You alright?"
"Yeah, just that guy rubs me the wrong way." He laughed a bit trying to ease the mood but the otter was still looking at him with those somber eyes.
"Do you need me to call Dad? I'm sure he can get off early."
"Nah, he'll be home soon no rush. No need to worry. Thanks for the help, I owe you one." Lucas got up and grabbed the bag of food. He changed his mind, he'd wait for Carlson before eating he decided.
"No worries," Justin slouched back down smiling.
"I'm going to wait for your dad before I eat," Lucas pulled out his phone sending him a text. "Bought u quakers, Just is fine, lv u." He shut the phone and looked over at the otter who was still watching him intently. "Want to play a game, until he gets home?"
The otters ears jumped up and he grinned. "And that's why I like ya." He grabbed Lucas's hand pulling him down the hall.
"I was hoping there was another reason or two," Lucas laughed trying to keep up with him.
"I borrowed a game from a friend today and I wanted to try it." Justin let go as they slipped into the den. He dropped down opening up the drawer and getting the game from his bag.
"Why didn't you play it with him?" Lucas kicked his shoes off taking a seat on the bed.
Justin looked up at him, confused by the question. "Then I couldn't play it with you."
Lucas smiled falling back on the bed.
Justin hadn't been clear on what kind of game it was and Lucas found himself propped up on a couple of pillows watching Justin playing the single player. It was some adventure game or other; he really didn't get it or see why it was so fun. They kept calling his character dovovin or Donavan or dukenukem or something, he wasn't really following along. During his college days he spent a lot of time playing games with his roomies, but they were all shooting games not these fantasy ones.
He was on his back, counting the ceiling tiles with Justin resting back on his stomach, nodding and agreeing as Justin asked him various questions. "Isn't the graphics awesome? Oh did you see how I shot that guy in the face? Oh, oh, oh did you see that! A dragon! I have to kill it."
The front door opened and closed giving Lucas a sense of relief from the boredom that was beginning to kill him. Carlson called down and Lucas replied.
"Polo," Lucas called still counting the ceiling tiles.
Carlson walked in a few seconds later. The otter kicked off his sandals and jumped into the bed next to them. He nuzzled Lucas's neck, giving him a quick kiss as he scratched his chest.
"Today was so rough," Carlson huffed lacing a paw around his waist and cuddling up. "I thought it would never end." He kissed his cheek again. "Missed you," he nosed closing his eyes. His fingers rubbed his side just thankful to have him in his paws again. His feet were killing him, it had been a long day of non-stop running around.
Lucas scratched his back making the otter growl in thanks. "Missed you too, love." Lucas said smelling that familiar sent of him as he scooted closer.
Carlson grumbled forcing himself to get up a few minutes later. Tugging on one of Lucas's legs he whined loudly, "Luke, come eat with me in living room."
Lucas looked at the otter who was motioning with his head at his son. It wasn't hard to figure out, Lucas nudged Justin a bit who moved without even paying attention in the middle of some 'epic quest' and got up following the otter down the hall. Carlson laced his fingers with his as they reached the hall, pulling him close into a deep affectionate kiss.
"Missed you," he murred again bumping their noses. He rubbed a webbed paw down his back and cupped his rump, giving it a good squeeze growling lustfully.
Lucas did the same making the otter jump. "I've missed you more." He cooed breathing against his neck making Carlson's tail go rigid before falling limp between his legs. Lucas kissed his neck fervently pushing him back against the wall, trailing a hand down his chest to his stomach, his fingers dipping into his shorts. His hand slipped easily into the loose shorts he wore, cupping the otter and feeling the thick warmth within those confined boxers he wore.
Carlson grinned stretching his back and grinding his hips against him. "Ok, you win. You missed me more. Now how about we get some protein?"
Carlson ears fell back, looking down at him with loving eyes. He cupped the side of his face kissing him again. His fingers traced his sides, slipping under his shirt to rub against his flesh with those dull blunt claws. "I love you Luke," he nosed breathing a long drained breath of a hard day's work.
"You too my big loveable water-dog," Lucas teased. "I got you a fishbasket," he pulled back, changing his mind giving him another kiss before going to the kitchen where the food awaited them.
It took a second for Carlson's brain to catch up still in a drunken haze over the kiss. He jumped kicking his heels together before catching up, nearly tackling him from behind, wrapping his arms around his chest and picking him up spinning him around. Lucas held onto the bag of food for dear life as Carlson spun into the living room with him, falling onto his back on the couch.
His paws began picking at the bag until they got it open pulling the box and wrapped fish sandwich and holding it up. Lucas held his head trying to figure up from down as the otter inched up the couch until he was in a reclined position, Lucas in his lap, as he opened the box of the fish basket.
"Want a piece?" The otter offered taking a few fries and shoveling them into his muzzle.
"I don't think I could keep anything down at the moment." Lucas rested his head back against his chest, his legs kicked up over the side of the couch with Carlson's. The otter tail dip to the side, brushing the floor.
"We have any ranch?" Carlson asked sniffing one of the fried fish junks.
"In the fridge." Lucas said pointing. The box of fish and fries were placed into his hands as he was hoisted up before dropped back on the couch as the otter skipped off to get his ranch. Lucas rolled his eyes, taking a fry and biting the head of it off.
The otter was always in such a good mood. He envied that quality about him, loved him for it. It was nice to have a bundle of sunshine all to himself. Lucas took a bite of another fry as the otter came back in.
"Thought you said you couldn't keep anything down," Carlson said a bowl of ranch in paw. He set it down and examined the couch trying to think of some way to get back into it without disturbing him as he chewed on the fry.
Carlson cracked his knuckles, wiggling his fingers, before tickling Lucas's socked foot. Lucas immediately jumped up scooting back and making room. "Could've just asked you know," Lucas grumbled tucking his feet in as the otter sat next to him.
"Now where would the fun be in that?" Carlson chuckled taking the box from him. He dipped a piece of fish and bit the end, offering him the other side the piece only held with his muzzle. Lucas laughed before biting it, the two met in the middle for a quick kiss before sharing their meal.
Carlson turned enough to toss his paws up in Lucas's lap. He rolled his eyes as he finished one of the fish strips. He wiped his hands on a napkin before taking a paw in hand and beginning to massage it, rubbing his feet. Carlson nudged his paw forward with a thankful smile as he leaned back enjoying his meal with a massage.
"The land lady came by the other day." Carlson said licking his fingers and rubbing his belly as he finished the box. Having had dug around at the bottom of it with his muzzle.
"What for? Is everything alright?" Lucas looked over at him, switching to his other paw. The toes stretched and curled as he rubbed them.
"I think I should be asking you that." Carlson looked over at him, resting his head against the couch, his eyes soft and caring. "Is there anything I need to know about, Luke?"
Lucas thought about it leaning back against the couch letting go of his paws. A paw rubbed his shoulder before going down his chest and rubbing his belly. "Luke." Carlson whined softly watching him with those big blue sapphire eyes.
"I need to go check something," Lucas mumbled getting up. He headed for the door the otter following behind.
"Move in with me."
Lucas stopped looking back over his shoulder. "Carl, that's not-,"
"You don't stay there anyways." Carlson took a few steps closer. "You practically live here already! There hasn't been a single night you hadn't spent the night."
"It's not that simple."
"Isn't it?" Carlson smiled his tail thumping the floor. "I can help you pack and me and Justin can help carry your stuff over. I would love it if you moved in."
Lucas looked at the otter. "If something happens..."
"Then I'll pay for the first and last month rent for your new place." The otter wrapped his paws around him, bumping noses.
"Carl," Lucas said before the otter silenced him with a kiss. Lucas blushed a bit as the kiss ended Carlson just giving him a big hug. Lucas mumbled a bit, "How long have you known about..."
"Not too long," the otter nuzzled the top of his head. "I wanted to ask you a long time ago though, heh."
"I'm being evicted," Lucas pulled back rolling his eyes. "And you let me keep it to myself even though you knew?"
Carlson shrugged. "If you wanted to tell me you could have any time. Like last night. Or the night before that. Or for the past three weeks. Any of those days would've worked perfectly. But," Carlson smiled nosing him. "You didn't want to 'ruin' the moment, did you?"
"You know me too well," Lucas laughed as a whisker brushed his cheek, the otter nosing him a bit more.
"Besides it's my fault." Carlson pulled back scratching his chest.
"How so?"
"You pick up Justin every school day for me, taking time away from work. You buy dinner once a week, and treat me too often." Carlson rubbed his pudgy belly. "Let alone for all the time I take up with my neediness. You didn't stand a chance keeping an apartment being with me," Carlson laughed a bit guiltily.
"So it is your fault then," Lucas teased.
"Plus now you can help me pay my rent." Carlson offered with a big smile. Lucas pushed him playfully as he opened the door.
"Are you going to help me pack or not?" The otter nodded following him out.
"Lucas," a voice said from behind him making him grit his teeth. "What's going on?"
Lucas turned around looking down to the parking lot to the guy who got out of the vehicle that had taken his spot. Carlson's vehicle was next to his. Lucas looked over the side rail down at him. Andrew was already heading up the steps in a quick pace. He got closer as if to open his arms for him as Carlson stepped out eyeing him suspiciously.
"Who's this?" Carlson looked him up and down.
"This is Andrew, an ex." Lucas said with as little energy as he could afford for him.
"I'm his fiancée; it's a pleasure to meet you." Andrew offered a hand. Carlson raised an eyebrow.
"Fiancée?
"Before I met you I was engaged." Lucas said rather flatly. "I found him cheating on me with a friend." He clenched his hand again trying to keep his cool.
"Lovely," Carlson took a step forward placing a paw on Lucas's shoulder. "I'm Carlson," the otter said taking his paw and giving it a rough shake before letting go. "I'm Lucas's boyfriend, and we would both be very appreciated if you fuck off." His voice was as friendly as ever but the subtle cues Lucas had picked over the past few weeks told him enough. The normally slouching otter had a straight back, flexing his chest and arms, his ears back and the end of his muzzle quivering as he kept back the growl. His shoulders were raised ever so slightly, his neck fur standing up.
"Look this is between me and Luke," Andrew said.
"His names Lucas." Carlson cut in vehemently dropping the façade of any friendliness he had.
"And what do you mean by boyfriend?" Andrew asked turning to Lucas. "You dumped me for this?"
"Don't poke the bear...otter," Lucas said having to think about it there for a second.
"What do you mean by 'this'?" Carlson growled.
Andrew had short brown hair and eyes, standing a rough six foot, one eighty. The otter was six, eight from the tip of his muzzle down to his tail. A rough two, thirty most of which was muscle. Lucas didn't even need to think it through to see who would win in a fight.
"You're cheating on me with a fur?" Andrew turned back to Lucas accusingly.
"Didn't you cheat on him?" Carlson snarled taking a step forward. "And what do you mean by cheating when he dumped you!" He elongated the word as a growl. "You have no place to critique him."
Lucas wanted to step in but decided against it as the paw on his shoulder tightened a bit more.
Carlson continued, letting go of his shoulder and taking another step forward. He stopped his shackles lowering and he laughed a bit. "Though I should be thanking you, if you weren't such a piece of shit Luke and I wouldn't have gotten together. So thanks for bringing him into my life. He's mine now, so fuck off." He lowered his ears looking back at Lucas. "Unless he says otherwise," he added with an apologetic grin.
"Luke, babe. I'm sorry. How many times do I need to apologize?" Andrew said trying to look past the brick wall in front of him, Carlson still in the way. "Life's been hell sense you've been gone. He didn't mean anything to me. It was a stupid mistake."
"Andrew, you were never worth it. Carl, I'll be getting my stuff together." Lucas turned his back pulling out his keys to unlock his door. Andrew took a step forward before jumping back. Carlson deep growl could be heard all the way inside his apartment as Lucas's disappeared within.
Lucas didn't even shut his door waiting for the otter to follow. He could hear the two outside arguing a bit more before there was large bang against the wall. Though he hated him for what he had done, he hoped Carlson hadn't done anything too stupid.
The otter came in a few seconds later after Lucas heard a car speed off. The otter was smiling and slouching again, there wasn't any sign of distress or anger in his face as he joined Lucas in the back room.
"We'll bring some of the smaller stuff over first, before we get Justin for some of the tv and other larger stuff." Carlson said stretching and rocking back on his tail looking around the room not sure what to take first.
A few moments past before Lucas had the nerve to speak. "Sorry about that."
"About what?"
"You know what. Carl, I didn't mean for you to get involved." Lucas looked at him but the otter cupped the side of his face bumping his nose.
"I'm going to be involved in your life. I want to be able to help if I can." Carlson kissed his nose before pulling back. "You can tell me anything, Luke. I'm here for you."
"I know, it's because you're here that I didn't tell you." Lucas took a seat on his bed. Carlson sat next to him placing a paw on his thigh. "I didn't want it to effect us.
"I love you Lucas, you can tell me anything. I'm going to figure out eventually anyways." Carlson nudged him playfully.
Lucas nudged him back smiling. He placed a hand on the paw on his thigh. "Thanks Carlson, for everything."
The otter nosed him with a frisky growl. "It's what I do."
Lucas nudged him again before turning and tracing his muzzle with a hand. He kissed him before he got up pushing the otter back. Carlson growled as he crawled back a bit. Lucas kissed his chest, rubbing his hands up his side through that thick fur.
Lucas kissed down to his belly. He rubbed his hands down his chest to his thighs before working on his shorts. The otter lifted his hips as Lucas pulled them down and off with his boxers. Carlson rubbing the back of his head.
"Luke, you're not obligated to this." Carlson murmured down at him with half closed eyes.
Lucas looked up, getting up enough to kiss him again, using a hand to begin coaxing the otter out of his sheath rubbing along the filling base and sides. "Love, I want to do it though. I love you, and I love doing it for you." The otter nuzzled his face. "Besides I owe you," Lucas whispered against his ear. "And I love oweing you. I love you, my sweet water-weasel."
He rubbed a bit rougher making the otter growl softly. "I love you Carl, you're the best thing that's ever happened to me." He stroked a finger up to the opening and dipping a finger inside, making the otter shift from side to side letting out a very low groan. "This is the least I can do for the man I love," Lucas bit the tip of his ear softly before letting go.
His fingers were tracing the tip of the otter's length as it poked its head out of the opening. He stroked along the exposed length several times, feeling the defining outlines of the otter. Carlson shivered against the cold air as more of him slid out. Lucas kissed his cheek before moving back down.
Lucas licked the tip of it and along the head. Carlson shifted his weight, rubbing the back of his head a bit more. Lucas teased his tip several times before dipping down over it. The rough muscle was humanoid in shape and had an almost exotic taste to it as it began dribbling pre from the end. The otter rolled his hips upwards slowly as Lucas suckled on it.
He rolled the otter sack around with a hand, teasing the base of the otter sheath with his other hand. Stroking several times, enticing more of that bitter salty pre from the tip. Lucas bobbed his head over it a few times as Carlson rolled his hips upwards again, the tip brushing the back of Lucas's throat.
Lucas teased his tip again as he pulled back. He held the base of him with a hand, stroking up and down quickly as he bobbed his head over as much of him he could take without gagging. He continued, quickening his pace.
Carlson groaned and chirped making a noise every couple of seconds as more pre rolled out of his length. He bucked his hips, rolling his legs and twisting his paws as his breath quickened. He continued rubbing the back of Lucas's head pushing him down as he grinded his hips up.
The two quickened their pace and it wasn't long before Carlson was grinding his teeth before gasping as a hot sticky jet shot into the back of Lucas's throat. He greedily swallowed as another jet shot forth and another. Carlson spilling into him over and over. Lucas pulled back to the tip sucking before the flood diminished, slowly down to only a trickle.
Otter spooge rolled down Lucas's chin as he pulled back licking his lips and swallowing again. He wiped his chin before smiling up at the otter who cooed down to him, cupping the side of his face and bending down to kiss him. Kissing him again and tackling him to the floor assaulting him with kisses over his neck, chest and cheeks.
"Love you Lucas," he growled rubbing his chest and bumping noses with him.
"We really should get packing," Lucas laughed as the whiskers tickling his cheeks again.
"Luke, babe, love. Don't ruin the moment," he snickered nosing him a bit more.