Ocean Depths part 26
#26 of Ocean Depths
Ocean Depths part 26 By Roofles
"I look ridiculous. I should've just come naked." The otter grumbled sitting on the bench. His paw was resting on Lucas's thigh the only sign that the two knew each other. Carlson had a bored expression on his face as he looked around the room, shoulders sagging with a poor posture even for him. "Yes, I'm sure the judge would've loved that." Lucas rolled his eyes and continued to reassure the otter as he had been doing the past several hours. "Tye's a proffessional, I think. He'll have this in the bag and we'll be out of here by noon, Justin in tow." The otter next to him didn't even seem to have heard a thing he said or even seem to notice he wasn't alone on the bench. In a faded light baby blue suit and a black laced tie with fishes on it, he looked somewhat off in the courthouse. Lucas had pulled an old suit out from storage, having forgotten about it over the past few months. The black suit was so faded that it appeared gray in the dull light. It had, at one time, belong to his grandfather or so his parents had told him. It was the only thing they left him before he left. It was the same suit he had worn to his highschool prom, which only dampened his spirits seeing as how it still fit like a charm. "We've made up the spare room and got all the stuff set up for when Justin moves in." Lucas said watching a kangaroo bounce by a joey in her pouch. He wasn't sure what exactly just happened ending up staring at the two as they stopped to check in with the desk clerk. The joey popped his head out looking over at him giving him a wave. He returned it still befuddled with what transpired before him. "And...it will all turn out ok," he finished mumbling a bit. "Can we get McQuakers on the way home?" Carlson muttered with his head bowed sheepishly. "Yes, Owen. We can get McQuakers on the way home." Lucas said patting the otter paw. He felt the mood ease between them and noticeable saw the otter cheer up. Carlson looked around the courthouse if just realizing they were in one. "I'm glad you came along." Carlson said looking around the hallway they were in. He stopped to give him a smile. "I don't think I could've come if you didn't tag along." He was trying to keep his voice upbeat and happy but fear was beginning to coat his words. "Me too." Lucas squeezed the paw on his leg making the otter's ears wiggle. "I'm glad I came too. Tye insisted that I did though, I wasn't going to in case it made things worst or something." He muttered looking around again. "But he wouldn't take no for an answer." There wasn't another human in sight. It wasn't exactly common to see one in the first place here in the downtown hall. The building was in the very heart of 'fur city.' As most people refered it to. A city within a city. Unlike the place they found themselves cosey up in, this place was almost isolated from the human populace. An invisible wall seperated them from the city itself and it wasn't every day you saw a human crossing that line willingly. Furs of all shapes and sizes walked around carefree on the streets just doing what it was they were doing. But as they saw him, even in a car, they seemed to shy away or get aggressive. If he wasn't with the otter or on federal property he was sure a few of them would have only loved to tear him to shreds. He wasn't surprised why so many humans in returned shyed away from them. It was one thing when a giant of a human, man or woman, was angry with you. But when you had a wolverine foaming at the mouth, hackles raised, bearing its teeth and snarling that was another story altogether. Fear always did lead to hate in the end of things... Lucas had half a mind to wait in the car but the idea of being alone in the place wasn't a welcoming thought. So he pushed it to the back of his mind, holding his head high and acting like everything was perfectly ok. That he wasn't afraid to leave the otter side for a second. Hell even when Carlson needed to use the restroom he made up a flismy excuse and followed along ending up washing his hands as the otter took a leak. Unable to avoid the knowledge of how the bathroom cleared out as they entered. Looking at himself in the mirror he could see the pain and anguish wash over it. Was he really a 'black sheep' here? Such an oddity that he was feared and despised. Looking over at the otter he could feel his heart beginning to relax. That man didn't see him that way, treat him as some biohazard waste. Carlson kicked one of his legs to the side, making sure his tail was lifted up off the floor as he zipped himself up. Turning around to see Lucas watching him. Giving him that warm smile, with such caring loving eyes. This man wasn't like them. Wasn't like anyone else. He saw him for what he was not who. And that's all Lucas ever really wanted. The otter only had one thing to reply to that, "why were you watching me take a piss?" Folding his hands in his lap he starred down at his feet. It was easier like this, looking down at his feet and just trying to shrink in on himself. Not to be noticed or be a nuisance to anyone. The otter next to him bump him and rocked back and forth looking around again. Lucas leaned against him without even really noticing it as a few nearby squirrels began talking about him not even trying to conceal the fact that they were. "What's a hume doing here? Trouble with the law?" The female chittered covering her muzzle a bit with a paw as if she could smell him. "I want to know what's up with the otter. Did he do something to him?" The gray male replied looking directly at him. "Maybe a hit and run?" "Then why would he be here?" "I don't know maybe there was-," The female jumped as a loud thump sounded from the bench. The sound echoing along the quiet hallway. Another loud thump. Followed by another. Carlson was looking down the hall where the front doors were with raised hackles. The tail was tossed over the side, slapping against the side of the bench. Lucas could've sworn he was flexing at the same time not even seemingly paying attention to it all. "Tye should be here soon." He said trying to remain calm though an unsettled anger lingered. "It's fine." Lucas said looking down the hall with him. "It's nothing. Tye will be here soon." "Are you sure? I'm not sure if he'll be here soon." Carlson growled glaring down the hall now. "If its a problem I might just have to wring his neck." "For me, personally." Lucas continued. "It's not a bother at all. It's a bit uneasy but there's no need to get violent over someone being tardey." "It's rude to be late. Very much so. And I'm not one that's about to let it just go by." He continued beating around the bush. "We're on federal property, it wouldn't be wise to make a fuss over it." "He won't always be on the property." Carlson reasoned with a cruel chuckle. "Do you want me to take back my deal on McQuakers?" Lucas threatened. Carlson ears fell back and whiskers drooped as he whined. "You promised though!" "I'm adding 'no maiming' or 'killing' of anyone for the rest of the day. If you can manage that, then I'll even buy you a Happy Quaker." The otter perked up. "A full one?" "The whole thing, if you can promise me that." The otter thought it over scratching the patch of fur on his chin. "I promise but if it doesn't stop," he said rather loudly. "I'm going to have myself a new fur pelt for our floor." Lucas groaned covering his face as the two squirrels quickly dismissed themselves. "As subtle as ever I see." "Sorry next time I'll pull down my pants and piss all around you. Then people won't be confused what's going on." Carlson shrugged thinking the idea would be a lot easier than most of the stuff they had to go through on an everyday occurance, even if this was one of the worser of situations. "That or you can listen to me for once and start wearing my old cloths. Gets the message across nice and clear." "Yes, 'cause its not like your cloths are too big for me or anything. Let alone everything else that's wrong with that..." Lucas rolled his eyes. "I told you I was going to cut back on the sweets!" Carlson whined rubbing his gut. Lucas had heard of couples gaining weight when things were going very 'swimmingly' between them but he never heard of it all going into the belly before. "Well maybe if you cut back on the beer." Lucas offered innocently. "I only have one or two a day. AND I'm starting to clean up after myself as well," the otter nodded pleased with himself. "And yet I still find empty cans all over the place." "I said I was starting to clean up, not that I was a god at it." "Carlson." "I'm not going to win this arguement am I?" "Nope." "Am I ever going to win one?" "Probly not. Is that a problem?" "Nope. Just good to know for the future." "So you see a future with us, huh? Where 'is' this relationship going." Lucas teased trying to lighten the mood as well as make the otter blush. Talking about the relationship was always a way to get under the otters fur. Carlson fur began to poof out as he scratched his chest unable to look at him. "Why are you bringing this up now?" "Where else but in a courthouse, heh? I mean will we be coming here again?" Lucas pressed with a devilishly smirk. "You want me to propose here and now?" Carlson coughed uncomfortable shying away from him while keeping a paw on his thigh. "So you were going to propose." Lucas replied with a laugh. "No. I mean yes. I mean maybe. I mean," Carlson pulled down his ears whining. "This isn't the place to be talking about this!" "Talking about what?" Tye asked joining the two. The otter was dressed in a finely pressed black suit with a crimson red tie. The otter seemed to be in his prime strutting down the hall towards them with a casual wave. The air coming from him was almost sickening and Lucas remembered why it was he hated lawers so. He was loving this, with that arrogant swagger, puffed out chest and shoulders tossed back. "Your late." Carlson grumbled looking at him. The otter seemed to see him in the same light. "I am a Lawyer. A Lawyer is never late. Nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to." Tye replied with a smug grin. He tossed his tail up taking a seat next to Lucas, wrapping an arm around him and giving him a painfully tight hug. "I'm just sooo glad you could make it! Was worried that you wouldn't." "It's good to see you too, Tye." Lucas smiled meekly trying to pry himself out of the otter's vicelike grip. "I didn't realize you-," he grunted. "Cared so much." There was a deep rumbling to his other side, and what Lucas thought was a lawnmower at first turned out to be Carlson growling. "What are Brother's for?" Tye said sweetly giving him a playful peck on the cheek. He jumped the next second letting Lucas go as his arm was sharply pinched by a rather jealous otter. Carlson quickly pulled Lucas back, holding him as tight if not tighter than Tye had. "Do NOT touch my things." Carlson said very child like. "Your thing is about to snap." Tye replied with a shrug. Carlson quickly let go, a string of apologies following. He kissed his other cheek as Lucas rubbed his sides. "Flipping otters." Lucas grumbled not looking at either of the two. "What is HE doing here?" A shrill voice said. Lucas didn't even recognize her as she walked up. Jessica was dressed in a lavender purple suit with a short skirt. It clung to her frail boney frame. Her fur that had once been such a thick vibrant sandy brown was now faded, graying at the ends, white streaks amongst them. It was dull and lifeless, sagging from her face. Her cheeks and eyes were sunken in and if Lucas didn't know better he would've assumed a junky had walked into the courthouse by mistake. "Lucas!" Justin waved from behind her. He seemed thinner, almost malnourished but appeared unharmed otherwise. He was still in good spirits and before his mother could stop him was already giving him a big hug. "It's good to see you too. Owen hasn't stopped talking about you." Lucas said bringing the otter into the conversation. He felt like he needed a lifejacket at this point. Carlson had gotten up with Tye. Carlson was busy staring Jessica down while Tye, in top spirits, was greeting her own personal lackey of a lawyer. The lion was larger and older than the two otters and sent chills down Lucas's spine but the otter didnt even seem to notice the fact that one of his several inch long fangs was sticking out of his muzzle. Justin took a seat next to him and was busy chatting Lucas up although the hume, amongst a throng of otter's it seemed, was busy trying not to be seen by Jessica who hadn't taken her eyes off him. "And then there was this other dragon that came out from nowhere!" Justin said eargerly too him having brought up his favorite game agian. Lucas wasn't sure how he managed to play the same game for so long. "What's your boy toy doing here?" Jessica hissed still glaring vehemently at him. "You should've left him in the garbage where you foud him." Lucas winced at the comment, there went any self esteem he had in himself. "Lucas is here because we're together." Carlson said boldly, puffing out his chest a bit. "Mates." He forced the words from his lips, swallowing loudly afterwards as if he just spat in a police officers face. Jessica fur stood a bit on end as she tore her eyes away from Lucas and looked at Carlson. "Mates? With this - thing!" Her lip quivered as her knuckles whitened as she clenched her fists. "First there was that other one and now this!" "Ms. Cooper," The lion spoke heavily age beginning to wear on him. "This isn't the-," but her shrill voice rose and quited him out. The lion just groaned shaking his head, he wasn't getting paid enough for this. "We had a child and you ran off with a poolboy! Leaving me alone with a pup." Her eyes bulged from their sunken sockets as she went on. "You leave me for that- that thing! And now your 'mated' with another one? Can't you control yourself? Your sick! You need help." She jabbed a finger agaisnt his chest. "Justin is mine. And I'm not going to let s-some hume loving faggot take him away from me!" Her voice cracked at the end as she pushed past him and went into the double doors next to the bench. The lion followed shaking his head from side to side. Lucas wasn't sure if he was feeling sorry for her or regretting coming along. The scene had drawn every eye onto them though the three otter's didn't even flinch while Lucas wanted nothing more than to hide under the bench. It must have been an average routine for her as Tye spoke with a big smile, "That went better than I could have ever hoped. Alrighty then." He clapped his paws together. "Luke, stay here. I won't be needing your services again." It took a few seconds before it clicked in Lucas's head. Only after he got a kiss from Carlson, another hug from Justin and the three otters disappearing into the room that it hit him. The whole scene was something his own mother would've done when he brought a 'negative stimuli' into their perfect god fearing world. Tye had set this whole thing up. His presence was all that was needed for her to lose her marbles. And hearing her voice even from the sealed twin doors only support the idea. Carlson leaving her for a human was the start of it all. To see him here now with another one, as a mate no less, must have been too far for her. Lucas had inquired about her previously and Carlson had been on her side through the whole thing. The otter felt bad for what happened, guilty for it but he had his wants and needs and couldn't lie to himself anymore. Jessica didn't take it so well and had been using Justin ever since to get at him. And now Lucas was the reason for that old wound to start seeping again. Not a pretty picture and she wasn't one either. He hung his head feeling like shit for the whole thing. Lucas wasn't one to get on anyones bad side even if he hated and despised them he didn't ever want conflict. He had enough of that in his past. Clenching his fist he recalled all the fights he used to get in. He hadn't lost one and wasn't proud of it. Lucas was always better with his fist than with words and that only seemed to get under people skins. He wished he was more charismatic, more eloquent. That he could handle a situation like this better but take him even five years ago... Lucas shook his head letting out a long sigh. Wiping his hair out of his face his thoughts drifted uneasily. He really needed to get a hair cut... It took him a second to realize his hand was wet and that it was from a tear that had snuck out. How pathetic was he here now afraid to be in a place like this, only just some 'tool' to be used to get under someone elses skin. Having half a mind to get up and leave right now...if it weren't for the fact that if he did he would most likely be reduced to tears and end up getting mugged on the way to the car. Or did he have such little faith these days. Even with all the friends he had made knowing the otter he still was a nervous mess when he was alone like this. Without even a single friendly paw to lend him a hand... A small paw touched his side sending a jolt up him. He looked at the person responsible almost glaring before relaxing as he realized it was the small joey from before. He had a ball in his paws and was offering it to him. Lucas wasn't sure what to do, the joey couldn't have been anymore than seven. He wasn't good with small kids. Not that he didn't like the idea of having kids of his own it just didn't come natural to him. Disgruntledly he took the ball holding it with a hand as the joey hopped up onto the seat next to him. "Mom says you shouldn't be worried." The joey spoke with a soft accent. "She said that, huh?" Lucas spoke softly unsure of what to even say as he weighed the ball in his hand. "She said." The joey put a finger to his chin thinking about it intensely. "That she was a mean old water skipper. Whats a water skipper?" Lucas recognized the slang and winced as the young child said it twice. A racial slur. Very common amongst the fur community. Each species had there own slurs and mannerism and with it racial slang. Some good, most bad. And Lucas wasn't about to start teaching a young innocent kid about it. "It's just something you shouldn't say is all." He offered the ball back to the joey who took it with both paws. "I don't mind hume's." The joey said after a minute of silence between them. "Well thanks. I don't mind anthro's," Lucas used the 'politically correct' name. "Either. I happen to like them." "Me too." The kid said swinging his legs back and forth looking at his mother who was busy talking with the clerk still. The two seemed to be argueing about something, looked like a ticket but Lucas couldn't be sure. "I like hume's, they're funny." Lucas laughed a bit at that. "Thanks, I think." "You're funny too." The joey said looking at him. "Thanks?" Lucas laughed a bit leaning back against the wall. He winced at the shrill voice coming through the door again. Sounded like Jessica was trying to tell the judge where he could shove that mallet of his. "The way your around the young otter and the way you looked when that water skipper was around was funny." The joey said looking down at the ground. "Mother's can be a pain." He said continue to swing his legs. "They're not all so bad." Lucas muttered looking at the female kangaroo. She looked tired, strained from all the effort of it all as if she was going several days without sleep. "You just got to give 'em a chance." The joey just looked back at his mother without saying a word. "Thanks," Lucas said after another minute of silence. "For keeping me company," he finished fishing for words. "You looked lonely." The joey said looking back at him, stretching his long legs. Lucas figured his legs were nearly as long as his own, and he was still a kid. "Besides it was getting cramped in the pouch." "Do all joey's use a pouch?" Lucas inquired getting a bit curious about some of the other species. "Most don't but mom can be a bit attatched. Like you and that otter." "Owen? Y-yeah we're close." Lucas mumbled blushing. Even a kid could notice such a thing. "Close? You guys were nearly on each other." The gray male squirrel said having seemingly finished with what he was doing. The female was in tow. "We heard about it. All the way down the hall. In our room." The female said. It was evident englihs wasn't her first language but no matter what language it was in the end it sounded more like an apology. "I thought you smelt like it." The joey said taking a few sniffs at his arm making Lucas blush. The female hesitated a few seconds, the brown ground squirrel looking at her companion for some kind of varification before sitting next to him on the bench. The gray squirrel headed down to wait behind the kangaroo. "It's apparent how much he likes you, you know." The female spoke with a slight hispanic accent. "I didn't realize it was that obvious." Lucas mentally kicked himself for it. To not cause a scene was the only thing he wanted to do this day. And here he was now. "Well you are kind of reeking like him." The joey laughed looking back at his mom. He jumped off the bench looking over his shoulder at him. "Bye mister, my mom's calling." He waved hopping back down to his mom. Lucas met her eyes for a split second and felt a pain at his heart as a smile crossed her face as she took her joey's paw and helped him into the pouch. "Joseph and I don't even do that," the female squirrel said with a bit of amusement in her voice, possible jealousy. "Do what?" Lucas asked scooting a little further away from her. She seemed friendly enough now but before she might as well have been trying to pry his heat out of his chest. She tapped her nose. "My wardrobe and his are seperated and we don't do much touching in the morning." Lucas had to think about it to even realize what she was talking about. Carlson had insisted that they use the same wardrobe and closet for their clothes. Everything they owned was mixed together and even after a long refreshing shower in the morning he ended up having that otter musk clinging to him before he left for the day. He figured Carlson was just overly affectionate in the morning. That was the last time he was going to share his towel with him. "Sneaking bastard," he muttered to himself. "So who's the kid?" The squirrel asked leaning against the wall. "The joey?" "No!" She laughed a bit, her poofy long tail swing back and forth. "The otter, sheesh." "You mean Justin? He's Owen's." "Makes sense. He seemed happier to see you though." "What? No, no I'm sure it was just because he saw me first is all." Lucas tried to explain. How long had she been watching them? "Justin's a great kid but he likes his father more than me. I'm just the 'fun' one is all." She cocked an eyebrow with a smug look. "I mean his father's the one that discipline's him. I'm just the one that rents movies and games and get's take out and stuff. I used to pick him up at school and I took him to McQuakers one too many times I think, if he wasn't doing a sport I'd be worried." "So you pick him up and are worried about his health? Sounds like a father to me." She shrugged getting up and heading down the hall. "Try to take it easy on the otter," she tapped her nose and he got the message a bit disgruntled. Carlson didn't smell that bad he didn't think. He kind of like the smell even... The twin doors next to him burst open and the screaching sound of a chalk board came out making Lucas jump. "You can't take him away from me! He needs me. You can't send him back to that hume loving faggot and his faggot hume." Her lawyer walked past him, looking at him from the corner of his eye before shaking his head and heading down the hall. Lucas was sure he muttered that he needed a strong drink. "Order in my court," the judge banged his gavel as the otter only kept up the wailing. Lucas dared to take a peek in but seeing him only seemed to send her off again to the point where the court guard had to get involved. The three otters came out a few seconds later, Tye making sure to shut the doors behind them. "What did I tell you, pefect score. I've never lost a trail yet." He said with a smug grin. "That's only because you like to stick your finger in old wound and twist and pry them open again." Lucas said getting up and hugging Carlson. He was looking for a quick hug of congradulations but found himself trapped again in the otter's grip. "I want McQuakers," Carlson said letting go. Lucas rubbed his side, rolling his eyes. "It's on me don't worry." He said to Justin. "Well if your offering," Tye said with a shrug. "Fuck off." Carlson wrapped an arm around his kid and his love and headed for the exit. "Some thanks." Tye grumbled slouching. "I'll see you at your birthday then!" He called down. "No in this lifetime." Carlson replied loudly getting a shush from clerk. Lucas looked over his shoulder, being forced forward by the otter. He motioned to Tye that he'd call later and the otter nodded, brightening a bit. Pulling out his cellphone he was already enwrapped in something else as they disappeared back out into the world again. The two otter's sat in the back talking amongst themselves like a couple of old friends finally reacquainting themselves. It started off simple enough. Easy, light hearted and fun. But over the drive back the two began nit picking at each other over the smallest of things. "You didn't call." "You didn't answer!" "You didn't call!" Justin said. "How am I suppose to answer if you didn't call." "By calling me!" Carlson said obviously. Lucas stopped as the light turned red looking back at the two. "If you both don't start behaving I'm turning this car around and we're not going to McQuakers." Both otters zipped their lips as the light turned green and Lucas crawled forward muttering to himself. "I just had to fall for an otter-," There was a loud honking and before they knew it the car was on the side, the left side caved in, glass spraying everywhere with a loud ringing sound everywhere... Carlson held his side making sure that Justin was alright. There was a sharp pain as he moved and he stopped, still strapped to the seat. "You ok Justin?" "I-i'm fine." The otter said holding his head. "Just stunned." "That's good to hear. Lucas, you alright?" The otter said touching his shoulder. "Lucas? Lucas!" His cry renting the air as the car was swarmed by bodies.