FSE

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Ocean Depths

Chapter 24

By Roofles

Lucas hefted the last box out of the truck. He was borrowing the vehicle from a certain Doberman. When he had mentioned it to the dog that they were moving, he had insisted on him using it. Lucas of course refused saying that they would just rent a moving van but the dog could be very persuasively intimidating when he wanted to be. Lucas eventually gave in, scratching the back of his head as he examined the oversized truck afterwards. Driving downtown to where the apartment was at, Lucas was afraid he was going to kill someone. It felt like he was driving a tank over a truck. And of course the local elementary school had gotten out early filling the streets with kids.

The last few steps were trickier than he anticipated as he lifted the box with both hands resting it against his chest for support. Carlson must've lined this box with bricks and stuffed it with at least a half dozen books and the otter didn't even own either! Lucas grunted as he took another step. His foot caught the edge and he quickly turned around leaning back to make sure he didn't fall.

"Whoa, there little fell'a." A gruff voice said behind him. Ample paws caught him and the edge of the box. Each were swamp green scaled belonging to a rather large looking upside down alligator, that might have been the fact that Lucas was looking at him with his own head upside down but either way he was a very large reptile. "You goin' to get yourself killed."

"Well thankfully it's the last one." Lucas mumbled turning right side up. His grip loosened on the box as most of the weight was lifted off of him. He regained his footing on top of the stairs before gripping the edges of the box tightly again. "Thanks," he added taking the box back and reexamine his friendly scaled savior.

The alligator must've been six ten, six eleven at least. He had to stoop even in the hallway. That tail swished to the side thumping against the wall reminding Lucas of someone very familiar. The alligator had a tight black shirt on that formed around his large frame. A pair of slacks bagged around his hips, riding under his lower posterior under his tail. Something Lucas had seen all too often amongst the fur community. It was extremely common to see the base of the tail from behind any one of them. It was just easier not to snap the strap over it, it ruffles the fur Carlson had explained. Itchy, uncomfortable and "makes you feel constricted" the otter went on for another half hour explaining the evils of it all. And the lack of any footwear was as common as an otter crawling into bed after a long tiring day or as far as Lucas was aware of. Even so though Lucas didn't feel in the least bit frightened or even startled about seeing the gator. A few months ago and he sure he would've been sweating from head to toe.

"Nothin' to it." The large reptile growled moving past and down the steps. "Nice truck."

"It's a friend's and I'll make sure he knows. Have a good one." Lucas called back over his shoulder getting a wave from the 'gator.

At least there was one friendly soul here, Lucas thought as he headed down the hall passing an elderly woman who worked at the counter. She was busy watery the dyeing flowers around the desk and didn't even seem to notice him past by. There didn't seem to be anyone else out this afternoon; lunch had just passed by and it was still a Friday even if the two had taken a day off.

The door to apartment number thirty one was opened and Lucas could hear the bustling otter inside. There was only a box left and he had volunteered to get it after losing several matches of rock paper scissors. Which ended with a very pouting, very stubborn otter who wouldn't get off the couch. Carlson clung to the cushion like a cat in fright and in the end Lucas rather do the grunt work of getting the last box than having him claw up the new couch trying to pull him off. He had gotten into a few wrestling matches with the otter and each turned out worse than the next.

Lucas grunted as he set the box down on the ground, rubbing his lower back afterwards. He really needed to learn to start lifting with his knees and not his back. That also applied to other strenuous physical activities he went about. The thought alone made him smile, thinking about it as he looked over to the otter.

Carlson was bent over flipping through a photo album of the three still in the box it had been packed away in. He insisted on buying that old used camera at the garage sale and whined up a storm until Lucas bought him it. Lucas even ending up buying him Mcquakers on the way home afterwards. He spoiled the otter and the two both knew it. Lucas really needed to discipline him and walking quietly over to the unaware man he knew what the perfect thing to do was.

Pulling back his hand slowly he released the winding spring in his arm and slapped the otter's ass. Carlson jumped with a squeak. Rubbing his ass quickly with a paw he turned to confront the scoundrel only to lock up as Lucas kissed him innocently. The otter's shoulders slackened and the tension drained from his whole body. He rubbed his rear end a few more times before turning back to the album.

"Luckily I love you, Luke." Carlson said bending over to pick up the binder he had dropped in freight.

"Do you want me to kiss your boo-boo?" Lucas teased looking over to see what the otter had been so fascinated with. A soft smile crossed his face as he put a hand on Carlson's arm as he admired the book. "Can't believe that camera actually worked, I could've sworn that cow - figuratively speaking," he made sure to note. "Was trying to rip us off."

"Well it did and now we have something to reminisce on." Carlson rubbed his rump a few more times. "And that really did hurt, kiss it and make it better." The otter laughed wiggling his fannie.

Lucas rolled his eyes kissing two finger and pressing it to the spot he slapped. "There. All better, no more big bad boo-boo for my strong man." Lucas laughed as Carlson's ears fell back as a burnt rusty brown reddish hew took them as Lucas pinched his cheek.

"I'm sure I could coax you into kissing-," the otter teased sliding a finger across his chin, cupping his chin and bumping his nose still blushing. "It."

"Depends on what 'it' is," Lucas replied wiggling his nose. The cold black damp nose sent a chill up his spine making him blush faintly. Lucas had always been a sucker for that otter nose bump. The cold chill of the nose was always washed away by the otter's warm breath afterwards; that fishy breath washing over his face.

"I shouldn't have gotten you that fish mouthwash," Lucas smiled nonetheless though. Closing his eyes and just hugging the otter. Carlson meekly returned the gesture, holding his beloved in his arms letting him rest against his shirtless chest.

"It was the thought that counts," Carlson murred lowly, nuzzling his muzzle against the side of his head. "The taste too."

"Only way I could get you to use the stuff," Lucas laughed softly against that chest he had fallen asleep against countless nights. He rested his cheek against it, listening to his otter's steady heartbeat. Feeling each breath he took and every sound he made. And smelling that tinged of musk that seeped from it.

"Love, the couch is beckoning." The otter hinted with a sly growl, lust dripping from his lips as that musk began thickening around him.

"Your right," Lucas muttered pulling back and looking at him with misty eyes. He snatched the album from the otter paws and strode over and took a seat, flipping aimlessly through the book as the otter was left to recollect his thoughts.

Carlson grumbled a bit, adjusting himself, and took a few steps over and plopped down next to him tossing an arm around him giving him a tight hug in the process. The otter leaned down; resting the curve of his back against the couch's back and nuzzled the side of Lucas's face looking down at the album in his hands.

Two otter's were in a waterpark, the smaller one on top of the larger ones shoulders wrestling with a pair of raccoons who had done the same. The next was of Lucas sunbathing on a beach towel unaware it seemed of the angle the photo was being taken in. The next was one of Lucas throwing the drink at the cameraman who was ducking out of the way.

"That was an expensive drink." Lucas mumbled flipping to the next page.

"It was a diet pepsi." Carlson laughed nudging him playfully.

"Yeah, but I bought it at the water park. You know how expensive that place is." Lucas retorted returning the nudge. The otter slipping his webbed blunt paw down his side, grabbing his thigh and pulling him onto his lap. Lucas scooted over until he was partially on his lap, his legs kicked off to the side.

"If I remember correctly," Carlson said letting out a soft playful growl. "I was the one who bought you that drink anyways." He held him as he laid to his side pulling Lucas with him. He pulled him close to his chest, draping his tail over him as he entangled their legs together. The otter nuzzled the back of his neck letting out a drawn out breath, the warm air giving Lucas goose bumps.

Lucas turned towards him looking away from the album. He closed his eyes as a warm tongue crossed his exposed neck, sliding across his throat and retreating into the muzzle it came from. Carlson kept his muzzle where it was kissing the neck. He let out another warm breath across it making Lucas shiver from the cooling saliva and warm breath. The otter swallowed loudly nosing his chin with the top of his muzzle and letting out a low chirp.

Lucas turned the rest of the way to face him the album slipping from his hands. The otter nuzzled his chest, kissing it and nipping at his nipples. Skillful paws dragged his shirt up his chest and over his head. Lucas moved just enough for the otter to strip him of it before shifting back. Carlson went back to nuzzling his chest; kissing and licking, letting steady breaths wash over it and inhaling his lovers scent. Lucas wrapped his arms around him, holding him close jumping slightly at the cold nose that pressed under his arm. Carlson nuzzled a bit getting his muzzle trapped under his arm and letting out a content sigh of relief as he laid growling softly as sleep began to take him.

"Do you think Justin will like this place?" Lucas voiced allowed looking over his shoulder and around the apartment. The otter hadn't even unpacked a single box yet. A dozen boxes were crudely stacked and placed in random location around the room. The two had somehow managed to bring most of the 'den' with them stacking it in the new one down the hall. The entertainment center was in the corner having proven too much work in moving it inside to advance it any further this day.

The wooden floor wasn't the ideal choice for the otter. Even with blunt claws the floor was uncomfortable for him and he made sure that Lucas knew all about it. The otter planned on getting a lot of paw rubs with their stay here. He enjoyed the bedroom much more. The carpeting in there always did feel good between the toes and was a lot softer on the feet he found. A good place for a den. Good place to set his roots. And a place to raise a family...

"Justin will love it," Carlson mumbled against him nosing his chest trying his best to scoot closer as if he was trying to occupy the same space Lucas was in. Lucas smiled as the otter nosed his chest some more. When it was the two of them like this Carlson always did act like this. A submissive, meek otter that was head over tail, drunkenly in love with him that wanted nothing more than to snuggle up to the man of his dreams. Truly a man that could make Lucas feel like the only one in the world he couldn't help but think.

Lucas brushed a hand across his face, guiding a length of hair away from his face and behind his ear. The surface of his palm lightly touching his cheek as he brushed his muzzle down to his chin, rubbing a thumb over his cheek and placing a kiss on top of his head between those beady round ears that poked up at his touch. The only sign that Carlson was even aware of the gesture.

"He really does love you, you know." Carlson said pulling back a few seconds later, just enough to see him eye to eye. His muzzle was still facing down pointing at his chest as he looked at him with those endless blues. A tongue poked out of his muzzle, brushing across Lucas's chest. "He's not the only one either."

"I figured," Lucas laughed kissing the top of his otter's muzzle. "I'm a very loveable guy."

A firm paw was placed on his shoulder turning him onto his back as the otter towered above him looking down at him with those brilliant blues and a smile on his face. He let out an exaggerated sigh, shrugging his large shoulders. He took a large breath that filled his chest making him looking even more imposing than he already was before letting it out slowly shaking his head back and forth.

"You got some ego on you," Carlson growled with a laugh. He nosed down against his neck letting out the rest of his breath against it.

Lucas scratched the back of his neck as the otter slowly leaned against him. "Well if you didn't stroke it so much it wouldn't be so big."

The only reply he got was a warm tongue licking across his neck. Lucas tensed before relaxing back. He scratched the otter's neck idle as he looked up to the ceiling.

"I can't help but stroke my mate's ego," Carlson chuckled pulling back and looking down at him again. His ears fell back and his whiskers straightened as his shoulders went back subconsciously as he looked down at his love. Trying to be the 'big man,' Carlson couldn't help but want to show off for him. It was all too apparent to Lucas though he always did love the effort he put into it. If the otter was just a meek chubby small guy Lucas would still love and covet him. He didn't need to try so hard but Lucas was touched by the fact that he did. After all these months of being together he still was trying to 'win him over.'

They had moved past the part of 'dating' and were in a committed, monogamous relationship as roommates. And still Carlson did the silly sweet gestures he had done ever sense they began dating. Opening the door for him or pulling back his chair, spontaneously buying flower or chocolates at the spur of the moment and bringing them to him at lunch. Which they always met up for each and every day, as long as something didn't come up. Lucas found small gifts and presents left for him when he got home from a homemade dinner that Carlson could never properly cook though he had a talent for baking; to just another seashell fresh from the ocean's shore. The beach was a good forty-five minutes away and the otter had gotten him one. It was almost too much for Lucas at times but the otter always restrained himself so that it wasn't an overburden. Just simple small acts that showed that he was thinking of him and that he cared. And in the end that's all Lucas could ever hope or ask for.

Lucas always waited for the 'schedule' times to get him something. An anniversary or birthday. Or when they both had spare time he'd take him out to a park or movie, setting things up in advance so that everything was planned out and perfect. He tried to be spontaneous like the otter but it never worked out as he thought or hoped even if the otter loved it. Lucas was just programmed to have a schedule, to think things out in advance and make sure everything was in order. Carlson was more of a free spirit. He'd do things when he felt like it while Lucas would plan everything out. In the end the two worked well for each other being the missing pieces the other required forming the perfect picture couple they were to all their friends. Neither one cared what others saw of them all they wanted was to make the other happy.

Maybe that was one reason why Lucas was so happy with him. They weren't the same. They were two totally different people who had their own thoughts and feelings who worked perfectly together because of it. Carlson made sure that Lucas tried the things he'd never have done on his own while he kept his otter in line and made sure he was an adult when he needed to be and was there to be the voice of reason when Carlson wanted to, for example, buy a five thousand dollar tv because it would "look great" in the den.

"Mate? As in ahoy matey, we're coming ashore!" Lucas mulled the word over joking about it with a laugh. "I didn't realize you were a pirate."

Carlson's ears folded back as that reddish rusty brown blush took his ears. "Mate is in...mate mate." He tried to clarify but Lucas wasn't getting what he was trying to say. The otter pulled back a bit sitting a bit awkwardly against the couch as he looked at him trying to find the words to describe what he meant. "Like we slept together and we're together...so it's like just in that way that kind of sort of is like that thing!" Carlson face palmed shaking his head as he realized what he had just said made absolutely no sense.

"....what?" Lucas smiled trying to hold back a laugh as he watched the otter with great amusement. Carlson wiped his paw across his face trying to think of how to reword what he had said again. His left ear twitched as he wrinkled his nose, staring off truly pondering over how to describe it to him. The effort he was putting into it only scrunched up his eyebrows and made his whiskers stiffen as if he had just sucked on a lemon.

The otter sat back a bit more, curving his back against the couch and doing his best to sit up while clearly wanting to stay laying next to him. "Like mated. With someone. In a relationship with that's...you know physical and emotional and stuff.... Your still not getting it are you?"

Lucas shook his head and Carlson groaned letting out a whine. "How do you describe it?" The otter mumbled thinking it over again scratching his chest. "You just feel it I guess, I'm not sure. I've never had to think over it before. It's a feeling not a thought or action. It just there once you're with that someone."

"Like marriage?" Lucas laughed still baffled by the otter's explanation.

"No, I'd never!" Carlson quickly said regretting the words as Lucas was taken aback by the comment. "I mean I would but it's not like that but kind of is it's like a sort of-," he whined loudly grabbing both his ears and pulling them down in frustration. "I would so marry you."

Lucas cocked an eyebrow looking at him with a confused but amused expression. "Are you proposing?" He laughed a bit uncertain of how to take it.

"No." Carlson shook his head covering his eyes with his palms as he held his head shaking it back and forth. "No I'm not proposing."

"Should I be glad or take offense to that?" Lucas teased the already frustrated, miserable otter who grumbled.

"I love you," the otter just said pulling his paws away from his face slowly and looking at him with a scrunched up brow. "You can be such a pain but I love you and that's the only way I can explain it."

Lucas propped himself on his elbow looking at the otter. "Well I love you too. So you're not proposing?" He joked make the otter roll his eyes. "I don't know how the folks would take it. 'Hey mum, I know we haven't spoken in years but guess what? I'm engaged to a man! And an otter no less!'" Lucas laid back on his back laughing at the imagine that came to mind. "It'd probly kill her, ah I would love to see that."

Carlson smiled softly. He bent his nose down pushing it against his chest again, licking tenderly at it, exhaling against it and grinning from ear to ear. He kept his muzzle shut as he pulled back and kissed his chin as Lucas went on.

"I'd introduce you to my siblings as well. The whole side of my dad's family and the cousins." He laughed at the idea and at the whiskers that brushed his cheek as the otter nuzzled against it. "When they invite me to the next family reunion I'll make sure to bring you along," Lucas joked kissing the side of the muzzle that was busy brushing his cheek. The otter's snout pressed against his ear breathing hotly against it and licking it making Lucas squirm.

"You always were nosy," he laughed wrapping an arm around him and hugging him. "God, I love you Owen." He whispered scooting closer and resting against his chest with his forehead. The otter chirped softly at the comment his ears folding back as another blush invaded his ears. He bent down nosing him a bit more with half closed eyes.

A bell rang above making the otter jump up. "My cookies!" He nearly shouted going head over tail over the back of the couch landing on his chin. His legs and tail still drooped over the couch on Lucas as his chin rested on the wooden floor. Lucas shook his head not really sure what to say to the clumsy otter.

Lucas rolled his eyes slapping that ass again.

The otter pulled himself forward with his paws dragging his lithe body along the floor and slowly peeling himself off the couch, his tail thumping against the floor as he cleared the back of it. He jumped up on all fours his back arched as he bounced into the kitchen. Tossing on the pink oven mitts and sliding his favorite apron on, the front of it reading 'feesh the chef' with small fishes in the corners.

His tail swayed behind him as he turned the oven off, popping the door over and bending down to grab his home made gingerbread, macaroon soon to be honey frosted pants cookies. He took a large whiff of them his muzzle breaking into a massive grin. "Perfect! I am a genius!" He shouted after daintily placing the cookies on the stove top. He tossed his paws in the air laughing madly. "I have created life itself, ha ha ha!"

Lucas rested against the back of the couch watching him with a bored expression. "Yet you can somehow manage to burn easy-mac in the microwave." He said cutting through the otter like ice. Carlson slumped over holding onto the fridge for support still with the oven mitts on. Small kittens hung from strings off each oven mitt making it something only Carlson would like or buy.

"I already apologized." Carlson sobbed against the fridge. "How was I supposed to know!"

Lucas laid back against the couch laughing. The last meal Carlson had been so gracious to make him ending up setting off their fire alarm, nearly burning down the kitchen and ruining two of their good pots. In the end they had a nice bowl of ramen, shrimp flavored, to share. Lucas rolled off the couch getting up and heading over to join the otter who was busily and happily placing each cookie with the utmost love and care onto the cooling rack.

"Who are they for anyways?" Lucas asked sticking a hand down Carlson's pants getting a good handful of otter rump. The otter smiled but kept placing the cookies on the sheet.

"I was thinking of giving them to some of the neighbors, try and make a good first impression."

Lucas let go and took his hand back. He leaned against the counter looking up at the ceiling. "Maybe we should just get a rainbow flag and run down the hall together, I think it'd be a lot clearer than delivering cookies to our neighbors. Though it maybe better then thinking we're two single bachelors. One with a kid no less."

"Oh hush you," Carlson swatted his straying hand away from the nearest cookie. "It's the thought that counts! Besides I don't think a couple of bachelors are as friendly, handsy touching, loving, grabbing, groping, raping each other as we are." He took off his mitts and laid them on the counter before giving him a rather large bear hug. "Besides I want to show off my man."

"Your man, huh?" Lucas smiled sticking his tongue out at the otter who nosed him.

"Yes. I was thinking of getting a tattoo on your foot of my name. Or maybe just a good old 'property of Owen Otter' along your ass. Or maybe a good otter brony." He teased nosing his cheek, giving his ass a tight squeezes.

"If I get a tattoo they won't let me into church," Lucas laughed.

"You're not getting out of church service that easily." Carlson warned nosing his ear again.

Lucas leaned against him moving his head to the side so his neck was easier for the otter to get at. He could feel the otter paw move towards the front unbuttoning him. Lucas had already undone the otter's shorts and Carlson was more than happy to let them slide off.

"Keep the apron on," Lucas said making the otter's ears perk up.

"Well if that's the case then," Carlson dipped a finger in the frosting and dolloped his nose with it.

Lucas licked trying to get the frosting off to no avail. Carlson smiled slowly licking the frosting off his nose. "Thanks," Lucas said having to go on his tip toes to kiss the otter who shared the frosting still on his tongue with him.

Carlson licked his lips afterwards murring deeply. Taking a paw full of frosting he wiped it across his chest.

"Hey, do you mind." Lucas started before resting back on his heel. "Oh," he said softly as the otters ears fell back and a lustful growl escaped him as he 'glomped' him. The bowl of frosting falling down with them onto the new kitchen floor they were about to break in.