Predation. Chapter Eleven.
Predation
Chapter Eleven
By Roofles
It was a week later, and Shaun was downtown with a coyote following after him. Or more like stalking him.
The sheep was dressed up in one of his nicer outfits. His Sunday clothes. Shaun felt stuffy in it. The church clothes rode up against his wool and rubbed his fur the wrong way. It always did but his parents wouldn’t let him wear Friday casual at church, despite Marie being able to get away with it. She got away with a lot of things being the literal black sheep of the family.
These clothes felt especially constricting today. Like a snake wrapping around his body and squeezing the ever-loving life out of him. Shaun might’ve been exaggerating because of what he had to do today. He’d spent the past several hours trying to pick out outfits before heading into the city to get this over with.
Only to find a coyote at the city’s downtown bus stop, waiting for him.
Travis waved, acting like they had planned this out in advance. The coyote walking over with a fresh cup of coffee, greeting Shaun as the sheep facepalmed. This was difficult enough without the coyote making things needlessly complicated. Travis was wearing one of his nicer outfits as well. As if Shaun were here to meet Travis for this extremely uncomfortable date forced on the sheep.
The coyote shrugged when Shaun brought it up.
“I’m not going to let you meet him.” Shaun told Travis as the two walked down the street together. The sheep needing to take three steps for every one of the coyote’s. “This is bad enough without you sticking your nose into it. I told you I can handle it. If you show up? Well, that would just cause a whole other slew of problems! I’m going to meet up with Mitch and tell him this is all a giant mistake and that’s that.”
Shaun was rambling. Talking faster and faster as the coyote politely nodded along. The canine was far too calm for this situation, which was only making Shaun feel more anxious and worried. He always heard of boyfriends and girlfriends giving their partner the “polite treatment” when they were especially mad. Shaun wasn’t sure if that was what this was or not and it was stressing him out that a clump of wool fell off.
“I told you. I just wanted to let you know. That way you didn’t worry.” Shaun was hyperventilating and Travis nodded again.
“Right. I know that.” Travis nodded as he walked next to the sheep, slowing his pace down for the smaller male who was currently sipping some pumpkin spiced latte that bothered Travis’s nose. The coyote had bought Shaun the drink in advanced.
Even Travis admired how well he was taking this, after his initial breakdown. It took Alicia slapping him in the face and Liam dumping cold water over the coyote’s head to get Travis to calm down.
Shaun had told Travis everything. Down to the most minute detail. He cried and sniffled and the coyote rubbed his back, letting Shaun spill the beans. Shaun had thrown up most of the morning after drinking himself drunk on vodka-filled ice cream with Alicia, who wasn’t faring much better. The coyote had been by his side the entire time, rubbing the sheep’s back as Shaun’s face was half in the toilet bowl as he apologized to the coyote repeatedly.
Travis never got on him about it. He let Shaun tell him, let the sheep apologize and had already long-ago forgiven Shaun’s lack of a backbone. Travis knew he’d have to be the one handling such confrontations in their future.
It simply wasn’t in a sheep’s nature to handle that kind of stressful situation. Goats froze up on the spot, while sheep blindly followed along. It was who Shaun was whether he liked it or not. Travis understood that. He accepted Shaun’s faults and loved that about him still.
It also meant Travis had to be the one to handle these things from then on.
After Shaun was taken care of, resting on Travis’s bed, did the coyote finally let himself break down. He’d retreated to Liam’s room and was pacing back and forth so fast the lynx worried the coyote was about to leave a trail behind in the wood.
“I knew it! I just knew it. They’re abusing him.” Travis had to keep his voice lowered as Alicia shut the door. The two lynxes looking at the panicking canine with genuine enjoyment for his suffering.
“They aren’t abusing Shaun. At least not in the way you’re hoping.” Alicia tapped a finger on her fang, watching Travis finally have the meltdown she’d been waiting for. The lynx only wished she weren’t suffering from a hangover that rivaled Shaun’s in the other room.
“Why would I want them to be abusing him?” Travis stopped at that, gawking at the two felines.
“Because then you can save him.” Liam pointed out. Somehow the lynx was both bored and excited about this turn of events. Something only a feline could do. Finding something to be the most interesting thing in the world, while simultaneously finding it utterly infuriatingly boring.
“It’d give him a good excuse to ask Shaun to move in, also.” Alicia pointed out. Liam’s ears perked up.
“Oh, shit. You’re right, sis! He totally could use this as an opportunity to ask him.” Liam muttered, thinking it over far more than Travis seemingly was. “Is it too soon, though?”
“It’s far too soon for that kind of commitment. But we’re talking about Travis.” Alicia grimaced as if the canine wasn’t standing right in front of them. Liam matched his sister’s face.
“Right. Travis.” Liam nodded, seemingly understanding the unspoken implications that entitled.
“Remember Micheal?” Alicia sighed, folding her arms under her breasts and shook her head sadly side to side, tsking. “Poor guy never saw that ring coming.”
“Guys!” Travis growled. “Can we focus on the hungover sheep in the other room and, for once, not mention that extremely embarrassing situation. Or my ex. Ever again!”
“He did it in public, also.” Liam said as if Travis wasn’t directly in front of the two felines. “How embarrassing.” Travis’s ears folded back, his face flushing underneath his fur.
“I wouldn’t be able to handle it. I’d lock myself in a safe and throw it into the river.” Alicia continued to tsk noisily making Travis’s eye twitch each time she did.
“I will toss you both into the river if you don’t stop.” Travis snarled, his growl increasing in volume. Neither of the two felines reacted.
“How’d he ever get over such an embarrassing thing happening?” Liam gasped as if only hearing about this story for the first time.
“Fapping. A lot of porn, a lot of tissues and a lot of prey porn.” Alicia nodded several times, seemingly understanding how helpful that could be. “Yet, some say he never has. Standing on the rooftop howling at the moon for a loved lost…”
“I’m not a fucking sad sap emo wolf faggot…” Travis growled and grumbled at the same time. The sound fusing into a uniquely Travis noise.
“Aren’t you?” Alicia asked, bringing Travis into the conversation now. The two lynxes looked at the canine at the same time making Travis shudder at the eerily way they did that.
“I’m not.”
“You’re acting like it.”
“You’re practically marking your territory.” Liam pointed out. “I bet you thought of that!” The lynx’s eyes widen. Liam and his sister snickered at that.
“He totally has. The second he heard another male canine was sniffing around his sheep, he was already pulling his pants down.” Alicia might’ve been suffering from a migraine but the look on the coyote’s face was worth the throbbing pain in her skull.
“Dogs.” Liam shrugged, shaking his head.
“I’m not a dog!” Travis snapped his jaws, proving it with a flash of his fangs. “I’m not a sad emo wolf. And I’m not a fucking dog!” Travis shouted. He huffed and panted as the two feline’s looked at him, not even flinching from the noise. Despite the force Travis said it with.
Liam wiped spittle off his face, flicking it to the side in disgust.
“Good. You’re finally snapping out of your downward spiral.” Alicia winked at Travis who was still huffing. The coyote’s heavy chest rising and falling with his shoulders as he glared at the two felines.
“What?” Travis’s ear flicked.
“Please. We both saw you spiraling the second Shaun brought up that dog.” Liam wiped more spittle off his shoulder, disgusted by how much canines drooled. “We wanted to skip sad Travis phase and go to the next one.”
“Anger. I love angry Travis.” Alicia beamed and the coyote had half a mind to snap her neck from the look of pure joy Alicia got from Travis’s suffering.
“You never got over me dumping you.” Travis harshly said making Alicia joyful expression turn into a scowling glare. Liam laughed, glad to be here to see that.
“All we’re trying to say,” Liam placed a hand on Alicia’s shoulder to reign her in before the two started fighting. “Is that we don’t want you ruining things with Shaun because you’re such a diva.”
“I am NOT a diva!” Travis gasped, placing a hand on his chest and pulled away from the two, gawking at the horrifying idea of that.
The two felines exchanged a look.
“Right… anyways,” Liam rolled his eyes. “We don’t want to put up with crying coyote in the bathroom listening to sad anime music for a month.”
“Again.” Alicia shuddered, recalling how hard Travis took it after Micheal not only turned the coyote down but also broke up with him. On Travis’s birthday. “That was… no. Not having that. I’m not showering with you sulking in the same room.”
“That was a long month…” Liam sighed. “Our point is…”
“You have a point? I thought this was tear down Travis day. Pull him down, beat him up, pour salt into his wounds, and kick him while he’s down.” Travis gave the two a look.
“Nah. We reserve that for Fridays at the bar.” Alicia teased.
“Our point is!” Liam said a little louder, glaring at his sister before looking at his best friend. “Shaun is seeing that dog. Whatever. The real question is, what are you going to do about it?”
“Nothing.” Alicia offered but it was clear Travis was already concocting a ridiculous idea that would possibly be extremely charming or overwhelmingly overbearingly embarrassing.
Either way, Liam and Alicia had to be there for it.
“I did have an idea…” Travis said as he began to work things out with Liam and Alicia.
Arriving at the bus stop was only the first step in Travis’s master plan. Buying Shaun coffee, being there for him for emotional support was all part of the plan. Travis practically wearing a safety vest that read “emotional support coyote” as he let Shaun vent his frustrations and concerns to him openly.
“You don’t need to be here for this. It’s going to be so uncomfortable!” Shaun groaned, covering his face. Travis chose to ignore him.
Hell could freeze over and the coyote still wouldn’t let Shaun show up for this date without some interference. Being there both for moral support and for the coyote’s own gleeful enjoyment seeing the sheep get even more flustered than he normal was.
Travis had to resist the bodily urge to rub against Shaun the entire walk to the agreed upon date location. A place Travis had looked up in advanced after getting the details directly from the sheep’s mouth.
That was just another step in the overly elaborate plan Travis had in mind.
“So, please Travis, do not directly get involved.” Shaun asked him and the coyote agreed to that extremely reasonable request. It wouldn’t interrupt his plans anyways. “I’ll text you afterwards, alright? Tell you all about it” Shaun told Travis, again. The coyote nodded. The sheep stopped, waiting for the coyote to answer. “Travis! Say something,” Shaun groaned, covering his face. “This is already difficult enough without you being like the most perfect boyfriend!”
Travis had brought him coffee, gotten him one of his favorite poppyseed scones on the way, subtly ruining the sheep’s appetite for this date. He also made sure to take Shaun the long way, past the flower shop so the sheep could smell the different flowers. Nearly ending up late for the date.
“I don’t want to wear a flower,” Shaun complained after the coyote bought him one. He put it in the sheep’s wool hair and patted the springing wool for with a hand after. “Travis.”
“Say it again.” Travis said and Shaun blushed.
“You’re the most perfect boyfriend.” Shaun admitted, grumbling as they continued down the street.
Travis had finally twisted Shaun’s arm, getting the sheep to call him that after what had happened. It was a good step in the right direction. From Travis’s experience, only during the hard and uncomfortable times could a relationship grow. For people to grow. It was how Travis coped with all the shit life threw his way. Trying to believe it made him a stronger person after overcoming one hardship, after another.
Like this. Another bump in their road of life that would, hopefully, bring them closer. After all, before this happened. Shaun hadn’t openly called him a boyfriend, yet.
They were officially boyfriends and a drunk Alicia had cheered for them, her head in the bathtub directly next to where Shaun had been throwing up at after his confession. Travis taking care of both of them that entire morning.
“Ah, I could hear you call me that all morning.” Travis shivered with delight. From the tip of his ears all the way down to his tail, the shudder ran through him. “Call me your boyfriend again.” Travis wagged.
“Travis!” Shaun laughed despite how uncomfortable he’d been feeling all morning. Shaun hadn’t dare to eat anything, worried his nerves were going to make him throw up. Only for Travis to provide him with coffee and a scone. He really was too good to be true. “You big goof,” he pushed the coyote who wagged his tail in return. “I’ll text you after. Alright? I promise.”
“Yup. You sure will.” Travis agreed lightly, nodding once.
“Good.” Shaun began walking and Travis continued to follow him. “You aren’t coming into the building with me!” The sheep angrily baa’d, trying to head butt the coyote. Travis saw that coming a mile away and easily dodged. He had to grab the back of Shaun’s sweater to prevent the sheep from accidentally running into the road.
“Easy does it, Shaun. Save that for your date…” Travis teased, knowing it would make Shaun even more uncomfortable.
“Travis,” Shaun groaned again. The coyote practically picking him up by the scruff of the sheep’s neck to nose at him. “You’re doing this on purpose!”
“I am.” Travis agreed.
“And you’re enjoying it, too!” Shaun glared and the coyote grinned.
“Yup. Getting off on it and everything.” Travis chuckled, letting Shaun go. Despite wanting to do so, Travis resisted the urge to rub himself on Shaun. Knowing another canine would pick up his scent, despite showering that morning.
It was one of the hardest thing Travis ever had to put up with. The urge was overwhelming and the coyote had to painfully hold his arm to stop himself from tossing it around the sheep and shoving Shaun’s face against his body.
“Travis… Got to ease up a bit or he’ll pick up your smell…” Shaun trailed off, unsure what to say about it. “Things are complicated enough back home without them knowing I’m… dating a predator.” The sheep brought up and Travis took a slight step back.
The two walked in a growing uncomfortable silence that felt suffocating the longer it lasted. Neither of the two were prepared to deal with that issue. Once Shaun told his parents, his entire community would find out and then he’d be kicked out of his home.
That was an issue for another day as Travis’s tail began to wag, again, slower this time.
Travis smirked. “Say it. Say it again.”
“Travis.” Shaun rolled his eyes. “Again, seriously?”
“Shaun.” Travis quirked an eyebrow, looking at the sheep who was a flustered mess as he was put on the spot. “Say it again…”
“…You’re my boyfriend.” Shaun admitted and the coyote’s tail didn’t stop wagging.
Travis stopped Shaun, motioning at a nearby bookstore. “We can check out some things here for you. You said your class book is out of date? I heard they can order the updated versions for you, and we can swing by the pick them up. If you aren’t able to, I can come by and pick it up. Then give it to you…”
It was stupid. It was a random comment to make. Travis did it and watched Shaun forget about his other worries, thanking the coyote instead. Focusing on Travis’s kindness. The act of sacrificing Travis’s free time to support and help Shaun like this. The coyote managing to turn this entire uncomfortable day into an outing for the two to enjoy together.
Like a stroll downtown, instead of what they were actually here for. Travis’s plan was working perfectly. Ever since Travis calmed down, he’d been plotting things out. Mapping out this route to take from the bus station to the underground café Shaun was meeting Mitch at.
Travis wasn’t threatened by some dog. He laughed at the idea. He was angry, though. Violently angry. It took great self-control to stop the predator from ripping out the opposing males throat for such an arrogant act.
Shaun, however, wasn’t another predator. The sheep would’ve been appalled by the violence, not appealed by it. If Shaun was another coyote? It would’ve been an entire different story. Shaun was Shaun and as his boyfriend, Travis had to understand that. Accept that. And work with that.
Buying him flowers, spoiling his appetite with treats, and showering him with compliments the entire morning. It was working perfectly as Travis buttered Shaun up. The sheep would be aching for this kind of attention after they parted.
While the two enjoyed the pleasant stroll, they had a pair of shadows trailing after them. Two familiar figures that were doing a terrible job at not looking suspicious as they stalked them. The two feline’s wearing comically large trench coats as they tried to remain covertly unrecognizable.
“You think he’s going to rent a car and drive it through the restaurant?” Liam asked his sister as they peeked around a corner as the sheep and coyote argued in front of the restaurant. Shaun making sure Travis wasn’t about to come in and sit at a nearby table to watch over him.
“Nah, I taught him better than that.” Alicia said watching as the smaller sheep angrily told the larger coyote off. “No paper trails.” She nodded as Liam looked at her with a weary expression.
“You worry me… but next time I need to commit a crime, I’ll call you first.” Liam told her.
“I’d be more worried about him going in there and taking a piss all over Shaun, yelling that the sheep belonged to him. Shouting Valhalla or something as he pounced on this other canine.” Alicia frowned, sighing as she prayed to the Norse gods she didn’t believe in for that to actually happen. “I would record the fuck out of that good shit and upload it to go viral and get out of this shithole.”
“With us, right? Alicia… with us, right?” Liam asked his sister who pulled out her phone, just in case something happened.
After what felt like an eternity, the two parted. Travis waving Shaun off as the sheep headed inside to find a seat for this break up date. It took far longer than Shaun had thought, what with Travis trying to give the sheep money for the meal.
“I am not letting you pay for my meal with another man.” Shaun couldn’t believe he was having this conversation in the open. How his life had changed in only over a month.
“It’s not for him. It’s for you. I want you to at least get something nice,” Travis forced several colorful bills into the sheep’s hand. Each of the bills had a different historical figure on it from varying species.
“Travis!” Shaun complain as the coyote stuff the money into his shirt and pants after the sheep refused to grab hold of it.
“You act like I’ve never been in your pants before!” Travis said loudly, getting several looks at the coyote tried to open up Shaun’s zipper.
In the end, Shaun took the money just to get Travis to stop making a fool of them both. He regretted it instantly, seeing the smug satisfaction on the coyote’s muzzle afterward.
Shaun had half a mind to simply eat the money as he walked into the place.
The place was far more indie than he expected it to be. It was an underground café, of sorts. There was a stage with a band getting ready to play in front of several small two-to three-person tables, if you didn’t mind bumping into other people’s legs. It was tight knit. That was how the sheep saw it. Each table had a dark cloth over it. The lights were low, other than on stage, and there was a smell in the air.
“Cinnamon? No… It’s something similar.” Shaun closed his eyes, trying to figure it out as he sat at an empty table the waiter let him take. He was sniffing the air, enjoying the atmosphere of the place before shuddering as a voice corrected him.
“Cardamom.” Mitch spoke up and Shaun opened his eyes to see the sheep dog there. The collie had a flannel jacket of a plain shirt with tight jeans that made Shaun’s thoughts sink into the gutter. “Here, let’s switch tables. This one has poor lighting and doesn’t face the band. It also is a little away from the door to the kitchen, less risk being bumped into.”
Shaun could barely focus on the collie’s words as he stood up and walked to another table that the collie stood at. Mitch pulled the chair out, pushing it in after for Shaun without touching him. Shaun was too focused on the bulge he’d been thinking about ever since Mitch showed up.
No man as hung as Mitch should wear pants that tight. It looked like the collie was wearing a cup when they both knew he wasn’t.
The sheep tried not to get aroused by Mitch as the collie spoke to the waitress, taking an agonizingly long time to take a seat in the chair across from Shaun. The sheep averted his eyes, ears folded back as he blushed from secondhand embarrassment and envy.
The canine was handsome. It was hard not to be turned on by him. Mitch was what every parent hoped you’d bring home. Smart, cute, funny, and charming for starts. He also was the perfect breed despite how that sounded. Mitch was a thorough bred and older generations were convinced that meant he could do no wrong as if he were just born perfect.
Shaun was sure that if he brought Mitch home and came out to his parents, they would be okay with it. While if he brought Travis home, without even coming out, Shaun’s father would get the rifle from over the fireplace and hunt the coyote to the ends of the earth.
“Stupid handsome son of a witch, sheep dogs.” Shaun grumbled, wanting to hate Mitch. He really wanted to hate them.
Then he smiled and Shaun wondered if those old wives tales weren’t actually accurate.
Mitch smiled at Shaun and the sheep dog looked as if he’d turned a lighthouse on, focusing that blinding smile directly on him. Shaun squinted, wanting to cover his eyes as the entire room brightened up.
“Damn you, you handsome son of a witch.” Shaun cursed. Handsome people really could get away with murder.
“I hope you like the place.” Mitch said as he took a seat. He motioned towards a waitress for a pair of menus. He took them from her and handed one to Shaun. There was something off about it, but Shaun couldn’t figure out what it was at first. “I thought it’d be nice to come to a place that’s… different. Not something the Harvest Church would normally approve of. I looked into it in advanced, to make sure it was prey friendly, of course.”
Mitch glanced up from the menu, already seemingly knowing exactly what it was he wanted on it. Mitch held it to be polite, being the perfect date and Shaun hated how that made him feel. Anyone else would’ve felt lucky to score a date with this dog and here Shaun was wanting to head butt him into the next building.
Mitch set his hand down on the table. Shaun ignored that.
“It’s prey friendly and offer several vegetarian options with fish on the side, for those who want protein. No meats.” Mitch said. It was funny how so many people didn’t see fish as meat. One of the few species in the world that were labeled as mindless animals, safe for consumption. “It had high ratings,” Mitch continued to talk. “Four and a half stars. I never trust places with five stars. It feels… fake. Bought,” he laughed and the sound was pleasant to the ears.
“Where did you find this place?” Shaun asked to be polite. He really did like the vibe the place had going. It was calm, relaxed with a good share of diversity.
“Online. Well, a friend recommended it and then I look it up.” Mitch laughed again, a soft sound that only showed a hint of teeth. A very polite laugh you would see at a fancy party. Not too much teeth, with just enough volume to it. “I saw they did live performances. I do like to support local.”
That didn’t surprise Shaun. Mitch screamed indie. With his outfit, his hair cut, the way he acted and looked. He was a total twunk and even Shaun wanted to jump his bones before he began dating the coyote.
“It’s really nice.” Shaun did admit watching a raccoon set up a pair of drums on stage. It looked like the drums were made from trashcans and the sheep chuckled at that, finding it delightfully quirky. It was a little on the nose, but the raccoon carried the instruments with such reverence that it was hard not to admire the spirit behind the act.
There was something to that Shaun enjoyed. Seeing someone care for their art so much. To focus so much time and work into learning it, practicing it, and eventually performing.
“I’m glad,” Mitch smiled, tail wagging and he got a couple of looks from other people sitting nearby. He gave them friendly nods and a polite wave before turning back to Shaun. It was a good act, even the sheep had to admit. No wonder why everyone loved the sheep dog. “I know how you are.”
“What do you mean?” Shaun asked, feeling defensive.
“Well,” Mitch lowered his voice, leaning forward. “I know how your parents can be.” He nodded, seemingly understanding Shaun’s major issue in his life. “The community is great! I love them all. It’s just difficult for guys like us,” the sheep dog pointed out, and Shaun reluctantly nodded at that.
It was something Shaun didn’t like to say out loud, despite opening acknowledging it otherwise. A gay sheep wasn’t unheard of. It just wasn’t welcome in such a tight religious community.
Mitch validated his concerns, talked about it with Shaun and even offered help or aide if he needed it in the future.
“There is a lot of good with the church. There are still a lot of things they’re… working on, let’s say. If you ever need help or an ear to listen to you. I got your back,” he placed a hand on Shaun’s, and the sheep didn’t pull it away as the dog buttered him up with sweet words and handsome smiles.
And it wasn’t just that. Mitch, since he’d shown up, had been nothing but been kind to Shaun. To everyone there.
Shaun might have been trying to find things to complain about, however, as Mitch was nothing if not a gentleman the entire afternoon. He made sure Shaun had room. That the sheep wasn’t cold, even offering a jacket. Mitch poured his drink when the server set the glasses down with the water vase. He buttered Shaun’s bread and it wasn’t until the waitress came back did Shaun finally realize what the problem was.
It dawned on him an hour into their date. Shaun feeling flattered, despite his best efforts. Trying to be polite and finding the entire thing enjoyable. Mitch really made for the best company.
Until it clicked and Shaun couldn’t not see what the major issue was.
“Sorry for the delay, it’s really busy! The band is about to start.” The waitress apologized and Mitch was all smiles and wags.
“No worries,” he touched her arm in just a way that wasn’t creepy. If Shaun tried that, he’d get slapped in the face. Good looking people really did have immunity to these kind of allegations. “I understand. It’s really packed in here! If you need me to round them up for you, let me know.” Mitch winked. “I’ll even help you out. Make sure to tell you what tables to go to first and who to watch out for. You don’t need to overwork yourself. First day right? I can tell. You’re doing your best and we’re happy to have you here.”
“Thanks,” she blushed. She looked ready to give Mitch her number until he saw the dog’s hand over the sheep’s hand. She shot Shaun a glare before the ferret cleared her throat, turning to face Shaun with a fake smile. “What will you have little guy?”
Shaun opened his mouth, about to tell her what he wanted when he was interrupted.
“My date will have the Greek salad with chickpeas and blue cheese crumble, with several lemon slices. Thanks.” Mitch winked at Shaun before taking his menu and handing it back to her. “One of those special lemonade tea twists. We’ll split a vase,” Mitch laughed. He smiled as he picked up the water vase. “Why a vase? I mean we’re not going to put flowers in it.” He said, directing the conversation.
As he had directed her.
As Mitch had directed Shaun the entire date.
“Oh,” Shaun said, realizing what it was. This entire time. From picking the restaurant to pulling Shaun’s chair out. To guiding the flow of the conversation and steering Shaun away from any subjects that might’ve been hard to talk about…
Shaun realized what his issue was with Mitch.
From an outsiders view, it would’ve been hard to tell but growing up in a gated community being led by his nose, Shaun realized what it was.
“She was sweet. I’ll leave a big tip for her. Help her out. It’s really busy in here!” Mitch laughed effortlessly as Shaun looked at him. The sheep blinked once, then twice.
“You have control issues.” Shaun stated, looking at the sheep dog. Mitch’s face fell, slightly. Not expecting that at all.
“Wha-,” Mitch blinked several times, his tail drooping with his ears. “What do you mean?” He tried to recover. To smile and laugh it off. Shaun wasn’t about to drop it, however.
“I don’t really mean it in a bad way. But ever since we got here you’ve guided, led, and controlled… everything.” Shaun blinked, looking at the table he was sitting at. He didn’t want to sit here. Shaun wanted to sit at the imperfect table he had picked out. “What table we sat at. The people around us. You even ordered for me!”
“Shaun, I was just being polite.” Mitch tried to smile, to perk back up. He reached for Shaun’s hand as if expecting his touch to remedy all the problems. Shaun wasn’t falling for his charms as the illusion was shattered.
“And the conversation! The way you talked to her. You sounded like a therapist, rather than a customer. You have major control issues. But, like, you mean well by it…?” Shaun said, thinking it over as he looked around the room. “You ever kept other predators from sitting nearby…”
Shaun had noticed the canine flicking his tail or glancing over at other customers. He hadn’t realized why until he looked around. Shaun was surrounded by other herbivores. Everyone else had been driven off.
It would’ve been sweet if Shaun didn’t know several good predators in his life.
“Shaun, let me explain.” Mitch started up with. Trying to take control again. Grab the reigns, hold the leash, guiding the blind. However, the canine saw it.
Just then, the band started up. Drumsticks hit trash can lids and the singer stepped on stage.
“Welcome to the Midnight Lounge, this is your entertainment for the evening. Trash!” He cheered, the opossum lifting up the microphone to no cheers before he nodded at the others. The hyena began tapping his foot to a beat only he seemed to hear before starting up on the bass. The drummer matched his tempo and the singer started up.
“Shaun, it’s not like that.” Mitch said, trying to regain Shaun’s attention. The sheep was watching the band play. Tapping his foot along with it as the music played. It sounded like a mix of grunge and metal, and Shaun was okay with that. “Shaun,” Mitch snapped his fingers and the sheep looked back at him. “Focus, please.” The canine gave a nervous chuckle, clearly out of his element. “Focus on me. We can talk about this. Ignore the band.”
“See. There you go again. You brought me to an underground café with a live band and then expect me not to listen to them.” Shaun said and Mitch winced.
“I didn’t mean that. They sound fine.” Mitch politely said as he glanced at the band. “What I wanted to talk about…” But the sheep dog looked back at the band. “Really? A raccoon playing with trash cans? How trashy.” He laughed, finding it insultingly amusing.
If Travis had said that Shaun would’ve laughed with him. The two seeming to be under the understanding about such things. How some species did things because of who and what they were.
With Mitch? It felt… condescending. That laugh. Looking down his snout at the raccoon who poured his heart and soul into the music. Even if it weren’t Mitch’s genre of music, he could at least admire the effort the people put into this.
And as Shaun watched the sheep dog, he could see that was what Mitch was doing. This entire time. The sheep dog was watching everyone in the room. Judging them. Putting them into spots in his mind. How to handle them, how to treat them. How to corral them properly. Placing every single person their into the correct pen. How to sort and deal with each.
Shaun really didn’t think Mitch meant it in a negative way. The sheep dog was trained to do just that. He had sat them down in a safe spot. Between omnivores and other herbivores. Mitch had taken the spot at the table that was closest to the nearest carnivore in the room. The sheep dog was watching over him, protecting him… it was just the way Mitch did it that bothered Shaun so much.
Anyone else would’ve felt protected and flattering, giving Mitch that kind of power as they relinquished it. A trained seeing eye dog leading the willingly blind.
“I like them.” Shaun said, pouring his own glass of the lemon tea twist drink. He even added lemon slices from the salad that showed up the next second.
Mitch winced each time Shaun did something he was clearly trying to reach out to help with. Like a helicopter mother, taking care of their children. Wanting to wipe the small spot on Shaun’s face after he took a bite of something, to put a napkin on his lap... Shaun was purposefully doing it by the end. Adding far too many lemons to the drink, far too little to his salad and dumped the entire dressing into the middle instead of spreading it out evenly.
The collie looked ready to explode watching the mess Shaun made with his fork. The sheep was taking far too much delight in what he was doing as he caught onto what Mitch had been trying to do since they met.
“Yeah, the band is great. Shaun. Let me help!” Mitch whined as the sheep began crushing the blue cheese crumble into the salad as well.
“Got to mix it up. Real good.” Shaun said, acting like a child playing with their mash potatoes. Mitch’s ears folded back as he watched the sheep the utter horror, jaw dropping open.
“Shaun. I think it’s already dead,” Mitch tried to joke. To play it off. To regroup and reapproach the issue. Like some kind of caretaker forced to work with disobedient children.
“Maybe I should order some fish.” Shaun said, thinking about it. The table next to them shifted uncomfortable at that, one of the people spitting out their water.
“Shaun! Don’t even joke about that,” Mitch whined louder, looking over at the other table and apologized for “making a scene.”
“What? It’s not, technically, illegal.” Shaun shrugged, sitting back in the chair without eating now. The collie’s eyes kept going down to Shaun’s plate like a mother wanting to scold their child for not eating the food she made for him.
“Yeah, but you can’t eat it either.” Mitch took a breath, trying to explain. To be the calm rational adult. The person in charge.
“True…” Shaun tapped his chin, as if thinking it over. “I can at least smell it.” The sheep nodded and was getting a couple looks now. Shaun smiled innocently, knowing exactly what he was doing.
Most of the people eavesdropping on them had been checking Mitch out. It was understandable. Something Shaun even wished Mitch would openly abuse. The canine had been relatively friendly, if obsessively controlling.
It was becoming… frustrating. How perfect Mitch was, outside his need to control every situation. His looks, his smile, the sound of his voice. Mitch was perfect. That was why he tried to help everyone else, to lift them up to his angelic level of perfection.
Shaun hated it.
He looked over at the band. His ear twitched hearing the drummer accidentally hit the wrong edge of the trash can drum. He noticed how it affected the singer who in turn through off the bass player… but they still did it.
Their imperfections made their music what it was. It wasn’t perfect. They weren’t machines. They made mistakes and overcame them. Like how Travis did. How Shaun tried to do. Even Liam and Alicia were doing their best in this world that was out to get them.
“I want to trip.” Shaun said suddenly, throwing Mitch off track, again, that afternoon.
“What?” Mitch let out bemused laugh, unsure how to handle this situation.
“I want to make mistakes.” Shaun looked at him, then smiled softly. He pushed his plate to the side. “I want to accidentally add too much ranch or blue cheese and then grumble about it…”
“Yeah, but then you couldn’t enjoy it.” Mitch tried to explain, trying to understand… or rather, trying to convince Shaun that his way was right.
“How can I learn to be better if you just do everything for me. I mean, fudge bombs, Mitch!” Shaun said louder than he meant. “I don’t need you trying to wipe my ass because I didn’t do it the way you specifically want.”
Mitch noticeably winced at that, glancing around.
“I want to make a scene sometimes!” Shaun went on. “I want to say or do something stupid and then feel bad about it. These weird perfect date you’re trying to create make it feel, I don’t know… fake. Heartless, even. Like you’re just checking the boxes you need to instead of caring about what I do.”
“I do care! That’s why I’m here. To help you.” Mitch blurted out, ears perking up as his eyes widen. He reached out for Shaun. “Your parents are so concerned about you-,”
“What does my parents have to do with this?” Shaun recoiled at Mitch’s touch, gawking at the dog with startled disgust. “Did you talk to them about me?”
“What? No! Never. They talked to me.” Mitch said as if that was somehow better. That it was okay to talk behind Shaun’s back if it was parents who started the conversation.
“You talked to my parents…” Shaun said, mouth hanging open slightly. “You didn’t tell them, did you?”
“Shaun. Calm down. We can discuss this…” Mitch whined, glancing around. Even the band had stopped playing.
“Did you tell them?” Shaun asked again, harsher this time. Mitch whined louder. “Mitch! Did you tell them I’m gay?”
“No…?” Mitch dragged the word out, unable to meet Shaun’s eyes. “They might’ve asked and I didn’t exactly say… no.”
“Mitch.” Shaun slammed his hoofed hands on the table, wanting to head butt the dog into the ground. “The ONE time you should’ve been manipulating controlling and you forcibly out me to my parents!” The sheep was almost shaking with anger.
“Maybe we should go.” Mitch motioned towards the door, already placing money down on the table. Exact change. He had known the exact change for their meal in advanced and even added an appropriate tip.
Shaun took a breath, let it out. “Mitch. You should go.”
“Shaun-,” Mitch tried to say.
“Mitch. Please, go.” Shaun placed his fingers together politely.
“I told your parents I’d take care of you…” Mitch stumbled to his feet, nearly tripping over his own tail as the sheep stomped his foot against the ground. Shaun scratched it over the floor, snorting from his nostrils.
“I’ll give you the count of three. Before I begin ramming.” Shaun stomped again, snorting like a bull.
“Shaun, we can talk about this. In private.” Mitch glanced around.
“One.” Shaun warned.
“Be reasonable!”
“Two.”
“You can’t do this to me,” Mitch’s tail curled between his legs, noticeably shaking as sheep lowered his head, showing off his dinky horns. “I’m the h-herder,” he started up with.
That was about the time Shaun flipped the table.
“Herd this, you son of a bitch!” Shaun chased the canine around the room and out through the stairs. Huffing and panting as he glared after him. “And don’t come back you coward!” The tiny sheep shook his fists at his side, letting out an angry sound that ruined his angry display. “Baaaa.”
“Yeah! You tell him!” The opossum singer form the band shouted and cheered. Shaun blushed, realizing the scene he had made.
“Fudge bombs,” Shaun cursed, covering his face. Unsure what to do now… “They’re going to kick me out, I know it.”