Ocean Depths part 22
#22 of Ocean Depths
Ocean Depths 22
By Roofles
Lucas wasn't sure why he found Carlson with his tail in a knot. They were just going to go see his brother, its family...then again Lucas didn't really talk about his family. Ever. So he wasn't the best example for the subject.
But Carlson had always neatly dodged the question over the past several weeks. One time he found himself in bed with the otter rather than having him tell him anymore about them. Lucas understood family issues better than most, what with a druggy for a mom and an abusive alcoholic for a father it didn't need much more explaining than that. But he told him about it nonetheless, the subject had been dropped and hadn't come up again. But... the otter never kept anything from him and to keep this... Lucas felt a bit betrayed that Carlson never talked openly about the subject, for whatever reason. He wanted to be a pillar of strength for him as he had been for Lucas in his time of need.
Carlson always tried to convince him that it wasn't something he wanted him to deal with or think about, that all he wanted was for him to be happy. And "that my family won't ruin things for us," it was one of the only times the otter had lifted his jowls at him. It was more than enough for him to drop the issue. The pain looked that crossed his face afterwards was enough for him not to bring it up again.
Lucas had been homeless before he was even an adult. He slept at friend's houses or boyfriends, which most he only had to have a place to stay at. A bed to sleep in that night... He survived on his own even at such a young age. He never really told anyone about his home problems. He didn't feel the need to. The one thing he hated most was pity and didn't want his friends treating him any differently because of it. Lucas worked every day after and even before school to make ends meet. All because of his family.
He used to laugh quietly to himself as he watched his friends bitch and moan about their simplistic problems. A girl didn't like them, or they were having trouble in gym class. They had warm beds every night, a family that loved and accepted them. They had food three times a day and all they could do was bitch and bitch about the 'crummy' life they had. It pissed him off to no end. These people were so lucky, were given so much. And he had nothing. He didn't envy them or covet what they had. He simply wanted them to say for once "I have it rather good." And for them to get off their lazy asses and get a job or go to school, put behind their pride and become a part of society. Even in the recent years his 'friends' still lived with their parents. Not going to college or working, just playing videogames still bitching about the emptiness of life. He didn't need to wonder why he left them behind and didn't look back.
Looking at the mansion like house in front of him now he wasn't sure why this was coming to mind. He was sitting in Carlson car, in the passenger seat just looking at it all in front of him. The perfectly trimmed garden, the coble stone walk way up to the pristine doorway with stained glass windows and a silver frame work that must in itself cost a fortune.
"This is your dad's place?" Lucas asked whistling before turning to look at him. The otter wasn't looking at the place just staring down at the steering wheel in front of him. "Carl?" Lucas touched his shoulder feeling the tension in them. The otter blinked several times before looking at him with a soft smile.
"Sorry, was kind of lost in thought." Carlson mumbled. The otter bowed his head, resting his forehead against Lucas's shoulder. Lucas hugged him as the otter wrapped his arms around his waist giving him a powerful squeeze.
"Come on now." Lucas said trying to lighten the mood. "Things will be ok, hun."
The otter mumbled against him before pulling back enough to rest his chin on his shoulder. "I know, love." Carlson stared out the window with half closed eyes. "I love you, Luke. So very much."
Lucas rubbed his back, sliding his hands under his shirt and letting that thick fur slip between his fingers. Just feeling the warm flesh against his fingertips made him feel that fluttering feeling inside as those words swam around in his mind. The otter scooted closer, tightening his grip around him as he nuzzled against his face, the side of his muzzle rubbing his cheek. Carlson let out a long breath just holding him. "Love you," he mumbled again his fingers gripping his side.
"Carl," Lucas laughed wincing a bit. "Trying to crush me?"
The otter fingers loosened but he didn't let go.
"I love you too, Carl." Lucas closed his eyes losing himself in the feel of the warm body holding him.
"Even for a thousand dollars?"
Lucas laughed a bit before answering. "Even for a million."
The otter let go pulling back, flushing a bit. That reddish hew taking his ears. His muzzle bumped against him, letting out a warm breath, nosing him, licking his chin and kissing him. A kiss that led into Carlson climbing on top of him, kissing him over and over again as he slowly pressed him back against the seat. His rudder like tail hitting against the window as he pressed down on him. Lucas pushed against his shoulders laughing some more.
"Love, we're in front of your brother's house. I don't think this is a best time." He closed his eyes as the otter nipped at his neck. "Or place," he sighed as a warm wet tongue traced up his neck and across his cheek.
Carlson phone began to buzz from his coat pocket. A webbed paw slide into it, grabbed it, flipped it open and answered with a bit of a growl. A growl that made Lucas blush a bit, the sound of a lustful otter.
"Hello?"
Lucas could hear a distinct male voice of what he could only presume to be the host of this evening. "Should I give you guys some alone time, so you can fuck your boy toy or do you mind coming in? The foods getting cold." He could see the flush deepen in the otters ears as he crawled back and off of him though a firm paw kept him in the awkward position he found himself in.
"We'll be in in a sec," Carlson looked up scanning the windows for anyone watching them. "And stop spying on me, you cretin."
Lucas hid his smile at the whiney, childish voice that escaped the otter in the last few words he spoke. He rested his hand on the otter's paw that was holding him down. The paw let go, lacing his fingers with his. The webbing between was always a strange rubbery texture that Lucas found to be surprisingly comforting in the weeks they've been together. The soft pads were warm and his fingers tightened around his hand, the fur between each finger brushing his skin. Such a simple gesture held such warmth to it. Carlson's thumb rubbed the side of his hand slowly as he bickered away with his brother.
"No, you can't bring the camera out. Yes he drinks. No we don't want anything- no, I- he won't- TYE!" The otter whined his ears folding back as his other paw slapped over his eyes.
"Carlson, why don't we head inside?" Lucas offered taking his paw fully in hand and bringing it up enough to kiss the top of it. "This is a business meeting. We'll be in and out."
Lucas heard the male's voice on the other end say something along the lines of that's what she said.
The otters fingers loosened, all resistance he held in them drained away leaving a limp paw to be held in Lucas's hand. "Tye, we're coming in now."
"About damn ti-," Carlson flipped the phone shut silencing his brother's voice.
Lucas wasn't expecting a near clone of Carlson as the door opened. The fur was much darker than Carlson 'well done cookie color' fur as Lucas liked to put it. But the way his broad shoulders and lithe body were shaped, the way his tail crooked at the very end as he stood firm on his short legs and straightened his long body all pointed to him being Carlson's brother. If he dyed his fur Lucas would have troubles telling the two apart, except for those eyes. Those brown eyes held a sparkling fire behind them as the otter ignored his brother completely as he spread his arms wide and gave Lucas the warmest welcome any fur had given him before.
Half way picking him up as he gave him one of the biggest bear hugs he had ever gotten, and he had a met a bear before. The dark brown muzzle kissed both cheeks before letting his feet meet the ground. "You must be Lucas! Justin's told me all about you," a paw gripped his wrist as he was pulled inside.
"Tye," Carlson growled throwing the door back open that his brother had tried to shut in his face. "You said you'd be good!"
"I say a lot of things, Owen. I'm a lawyer though," He grinned from ear to ear a devilish smirk as his ears curled up like horns. "I lie. Now then," Tye turned back towards Lucas who was trying his best not to make a poor impression on him. It was harder than he imagined. The otter next to him may have looked like Carlson but other than that he was something else.
Carlson had a controlled energy that came off with the goofy, young hearted cub that he was perfectly making him far too adorable, at least in Lucas standards. Tye however had an arrogant swagger to him. That endless energy he and his brother seemed to share was used only to bring out the best and thus worst from him. Lucas was getting used to telling difference between a good looking furs and one that were, to society standards, ugly. This otter, much like his brother he figured out, were in the good looking category. And Tye new it. His ego didn't seem to have any limit as he looked at himself in every mirror they passed by chatting up a storm about himself and the family he boasted about.
"I know Owen hasn't told you a damn thing about me, or us." He gestured to the several portraits along the hallway wall. Carlson followed behind, his paws in his pocket as he stared at the floor below grumbling to himself. "The Carlson family has a long line of fortune. My great aunt ran several hospitals in her day. Owning each one, making a fortune off each at the expensive of several patients that is. Her fifth husband was an oil tycoon, rolled over several land marks and a national park in order to strike big. A good man." The otter beamed from each one as he headed down the hall stopping at one of the largest photos, an old graying otter that had the same brown eyes as him. He let go of his wrist as he gestured to the photo.
"Our dad started the law firm. It began representing nobodies, farmers and the like. But worked its way up to the CEO's going against those farmers, in the end they buckled and the land their families had grown up with for centuries we stole. It was a well running business with a lot of cut throats and back stabbing, the good old days." Tye turned down the next hallway, waiting for Lucas to follow, before continuing. "However our dad was a closed minded bigot that hated anyone that was part of the Musiladae family. Which is where Owen comes in," he nodded back to the dejected looking otter.
Carlson grumbled a bit at the mention of his name. "Tye, if Carl doesn't want to discuss the issue." Lucas said trying to be a median for the otter dragging his paws behind them.
"Why do you call him Carl?" Tye asked his ears perking up as he looked at him quizzically, an boundless curiosity for the issue.
Lucas stopped in his tracks as he thought about it. "I'm not sure; I guess I've only known him as Carlson."
"Heh, Mr. Carlson, kinky." The otter said looking back at his brother with a grin. "Do you play the secretary then?" He asked turning back to Lucas. "Or nurse for our lab rat back there?"
Lucas laughed a bit as he scratched the fuzz on his chin. "We haven't role played ever, though I was thinking about a fisherman and mermaid." He said remembering something he saw on Carlson computer once. The otter behind him flushed a dark reddish brown as he looked away.
Tye turned towards him with a massive grin on his face. "You're kidding me, the sailor and the bride?" At Lucas's puzzled face he explained. "It's an old otter story, go figure he would do something like that. I prefer bondage myself." Again at Lucas's face he clarified with a smirk at the edge of his muzzle as he turned back towards the pictures. "Vixens mostly. We all have our kinks, isn't that right Owen?"
"Ha ha, human fetish remark... Real original." Carlson piped up from behind them.
Lucas smiled at him making his ears wiggle a bit as he straightened up and joined the duo.
"Dad never liked what we did." He mused walking up next to them, wrapping an arm around Lucas's back.
"No he did not," Tye laughed recalling the look on their father's face as they told him. "He was a prick, an arrogant prick."
"Takes one to know one." Carlson laughed as he rubbed Lucas's back. He bent his muzzle down enough to give him a peck on the cheek.
Tye rolled his eyes, "Cute, glad you could join us. Now where was I...oh yes, our arrogant prick of a father. He was running the 'family' business real well. But it was real boring work. Lying on taxes, handling drugs under the table, cheating on forms and papers, and other wonderfully boring stuff." Tye clapped his paws together as they found themselves in a massive dining hall. "So I took over when the old man kicked the bucket, swam with the fishes for the last time, pushed up daisies..." He seemed happy with using one analogy after another. "I decided to change the business into handling kids and families. With a few extra side jobs to keep the house afloat," he added with a wink.
"So you're a saint amongst your family?" Lucas asked a bit amused by the way the otter was carrying himself. He was hopping from one paw to the next as he clattered plates and silverware onto the table his tail swinging behind him like a club knocking and bumping things over.
"He pretends to be." Carlson clarified standing behind Lucas. The otter wrapped his arms around him, giving him a hug. "Tye, the savior of our family's dark history. Wanting to change the world one sick homeless child at a time." His voice held a bit of animosity to it as he watched the otter set up the table.
"No applause, no autographs. Thank you, thank you." Tye spread his arms wide bowing and waving around him. He laughed a bit before straightening up... before slouching a bit, something Carlson always did when he was relaxing. "Think of me what you will, I don't give a salmon's ass. I'm glad you're here though, Owen. And your boy toy," he shrugged with a smirk.
"Thanks," Lucas wasn't sure what else to say.
"And we both know you wouldn't part with a salmon's ass, thats your favorite part." Carlson coyly said with his own smile.
"I figured you were more of the ass man of the family." Tye replied simply as he took his seat, patting the one next to him he added, "Lucas sit here. We'll continue our lovely chat."
"Must I?" Lucas mumbled up to the otter holding him.
"He won't leave you be until you do," Carlson nuzzled his head taking a deep breath before letting him go. "But it's always up to you. We can find someone else to help get Justin back."
Lucas was glad the otter was thinking of his son again.
"I was going to talk about Justin." Tye said offering a paw as he kicked the seat back.
"As long as it's business." Lucas took his seat, a little uncomfortable about how close the otter was sitting to him, or the paw he placed on his leg.
"Justin and me are pen pals, we face book all the time twitting back and forth." Lucas didn't even bother trying to explain to him how wrong that all was. "He's told me a great deal about you. And from what I gather, you make Owen squeal like a little girl." Lucas and the otter shared a blush. "The bedroom reeks of the two of you. Wash your sheets sometime Owen," the otter chided Carlson who was hiding his face in his paws.
Lucas had to clear his throat before speaking. "I thought this was going to be about, I don't know, law stuff. Getting, you know, Justin back."
"He also mentioned," Tye continued. "That you're 'a lot of fun,' 'have great taste in games,' and 'make Dad really happy.'" He ticked each one off on his paw. "You're ok in my book, in Justin's book, and apparently in bed with Owen."
"Must you keep bringing that up!" Carlson whined pulling his ears down.
"And," he continued again. "I've been looking over the case and it really shouldn't be so hard getting him back. Though I would recommend getting another place, a one room 'loft' doesn't exactly go over well with a judge in a custody case. One with two rooms...and a fair distance apart from each other or soundproof the two of them." He smiled as he tapped the table with a claw. "I already have a private investigator tailing them as we speak. Several others pulling up her past and other recent events.
"But that stuff is boring. I rather talk about your exploits and toe curling, tail thumping, otter squealing good times."
"We don't do anything when Justin's there." Carlson said defensively. "We make sure he's at friends or during school or...in the park." He trailed off.
"Glad to see you're getting some fresh air between your escapades." Tye said, each word heavily overtone. Though Lucas found it amusing it was clear it was killing Carlson. It was rather clear Tye said what he did just to get on his brothers nerves. "Rumpity hump hump hump," the otter laughed giving a hip thrust with each word.
"So about Justin..." Lucas tried to get the subject back on track.
"He'll be back in Owen's paws before you can say Salmon Run." Tye clapped his paws together as he got up. "Lucas mind helping me with the food? Owen, be a bro, and stay put."
The day went on as the three found themselves making the rest of the meal. An Italian pasta with an assortment of different fish, scallops and lobster diced and chopped up into it. Lucas didn't mind Tye's continuous jibes about their life but Carlson kept letting it get under his fur. The two bickered like children amongst each other as they finished the dish in relative peace though Lucas found the pasta throwing to be a bit much.
Carlson had always been childish but he was surprised by how Tye could get to him and eventually he just had to ask, "What's the deal with the two of you?"
"Long story short?" Tye asked peeling a ribbon noodle off his face. "Our dad."
"And other than being an arrogant son of a bitch?" Lucas laughed as he helped Carlson get the pasta off, Tye had dumped half the strained pasta on the poor otter. He looked pathetic as he slumped against the counter trying to clean himself off, Lucas didn't have the heart not to help him after having a good laugh.
"He set Carlson up with Jess for one thing."
"Ouch, I can see why you don't like him." He joked as he nosed the otter he was helping.
"He also spent every free time he had to ruin our lives." Tye said as he tossed a pasta into his muzzle. "I could handle it just fine but it wasn't so easy for Owen."
"Oh yeah, you handle it oh so well. Didn't dad disown you like fifteen times?" Carlson stated with a amused expression. "If I recall you snuck back in through my window every night and slept on the floor."
"That only happened once." Tye flushed that familiar red tint filling his ears as he scratched his chest. "It was better than what he did to you though." He turned towards Lucas as he leaned back against the counter. "Dad hated the fact that Owen was gay and had a thing for hume."
"I've dated like three at most!" Carlson reasoned.
"Yeah but he still found your stash. I mean hiding them under the bed, really?"
Carlson whined.
"So he sent Owen to a few camps trying to 'cure' him. When that didn't work he went after his boyfriends," he explained to Lucas. "One after another. Scared 'em or paid 'em off. From what I recall he paid some kid a grand to never talk to him again. Rather rough stuff for Owen."
"And if I recall you didn't do a damn thing to help." Owen growled.
"I was a kid what was I supposed to do?" Tye ears drooped back as he bowed his head. "A stupid teen."
"That abandoned his brother when he needed him most. I helped you whenever Dad got on your back but every time I just needed anything you were never around. You just stood by and watched!" He snarled.
Lucas had a nagging suspicion that this was a sign to leave the two alone. He was about to excuse himself when his name was dragged into the mess.
"And you think it was easy with you dragging every boy home on the first date? Lucas was more than likely the same. First date you end up in bed with him then confess the next morning, you guys engaged or what?" Tye growled back his shackles rising.
"Leave Lucas out of this. And for your information I did not confess anything! For a while..." he mumbled a bit. "So what? I'm passionate unlike you! Jumping from one slut to the next. Some life." Carlson laughed coldly.
"What I do with my life is none of your business."
"When it involves me and my own, it does." Carlson retorted snidely with an equal growl.
Lucas rolled his eyes as he excused himself again letting the two rip each other's throats out. It wasn't his place to step in with family squabbles, so he resigned himself to the dining room. He fiddled with the silverware as the two continued arguing. Carlson did have a mean streak and Lucas could hear the otter from the dining room. Things had been going so well too but bad blood runs deep he supposed.
He expected the yelling, even dishes crashing from the kitchen but to see the two spiral head over tails as they broke out into a fight into the dining room wasn't what he had in mind. The otter rolled over one another as they continued to fight. Biting, punching, kicking and cursing the whole time as they flipped over one another. The two had indulged themselves with the rest of the meal covering each other in pasta.
Lucas had siblings but this was ridiculous. "Enough!" He slammed his hands onto the table as he got up walking over to the two. "For fuck sake," he grumbled watching as he watched Carlson gnaw on his brothers paw as Tye gnawed on his tail. He picked up Tye's bulky tail and lifted it up as much as he could make him jump.
His fur stood on in as he pulled back and away. Trying to smooth down his fur he growled at him, "D-don't do that!"
"Figured it'd work," Lucas rolled his eyes. "You guys are acting like fucking children! Grow the fuck up already, and Owen." He did his best to growl at the now very meek looking otter on the ground still. "You are in SO much trouble." He hated acting like an adult and disciplining him like a child was sad in itself but if he was going to act like a kid...
Carlson's ears fell back as he shied away from him. Lucas turned his attention back to his brother. The larger male had likewise shied away, scratching his chest and found the floor to be much more fascinating than him. "You're going to help us or not?"
Tye nodded still not looking at him. "Yeah, it'll be as easy as pie." He grumbled a bit before looking at him, his ears down mimicking Carlson's. "I see you're the one who wears the pants in the relationship."
"Owen," he teased with a smile. "Is a big softy, though from the looks of it you're going to need to put ice on that." He said pointing at his swelling cheek. "Thanks for the meal," he finished offering a hand to Carlson who sheepishly took it. "We'll see you in court or whatever needs to be done..."
"Right." Tye nodded wanting to say something else but nothing came to mind.
"Justin's birthdays coming here in a few weeks or so... I'm sure he'd really like it if you came." Lucas smiled softly as he pulled Carlson up. The otter was still meek and abashed from his actions his shoulders sagging and his head bent down. "A-and I'm sure we can work something out and get a new place...sense Justin's going to be staying with us for a long long time."