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Things had been heating up recently when it came to the lawsuits that Kevin and the firm had been filing against ACME. More and more toons were coming out of the woodworks ready to plead their cases and take the company to court over their defective products. Of course all this additional attention on the firm was a blessing, more cases meant more work. However this wasn’t always the case as while the press would claim all attention is good attention, Kevin was sure that with some many eyes on them they would be sure to draw the ire of any of the higher ups who remained at ACME. Just because Foghorn was in jail, didn’t mean that any of the other board members were just going to lie down and accept the change to their status quo. No matter how much they tried to distance themselves from their former CEO.
Sighing, Kevin glanced over at Paige as she sat next to him. She was engrossed in flicking through their most recent case, double checking everything was in order. He was certainly glad his niece had decided to stay on after her internship, she was certainly a force of nature when she got going. He wouldn’t be here without her. He couldn’t help the soft smile that slipped onto his lips as his chest swelled with pride for the young lawyer. Looking back to the road, he couldn’t help but notice the coyote sticking his head out of the back window when he checked his rear view mirror. Wile.E seemed to insist on visiting more and more recently ever since he took him on that trip to New York. Not that he was complaining, for the most part. It was nice to have the toon around, even if he still insisted on being a nuisance when he felt he wasn’t getting the attention he deserved.
The coyote seemed to sense the lawyer’s gaze on him as he slipped back inside the car, flashing a toothy grin to him. Kevin just rolled his eyes and snorted.
“Really Wile.E, you didn’t need to come. This is just some deposition for one of the board members, it’s not going to be at all interesting I assure you.” The coyote looked offended as he huffed.
Trying to get rid of me?
“You and I both know I never would, even if I tried. Knowing you, if I ever tried you’d handcuff us and eat the key. And no, that wasn’t an idea!” Kevin had noticed the spark in the toon’s eyes the moment he’d mentioned handcuffs and quickly had to drag him from such thoughts. Especially while Paige was in the car.
Paige thankfully hadn’t noticed as she just chuckled to herself.
“I’m surprised he hasn’t already done that. Claiming them as a pair of friendship bracelets.” Wile.E eagerly nodded, jestering at Paige.
See, she gets it. You don’t want matching “friendship bracelets”?
Wile.E just pouted as he shook the sign in the mirror, making Kevin scowl as he tried his hardest not to crack a smile at them both. It would only encourage them.
“Okay both of you stop giving each other ideas! I do not need this to be a new concern of mine. I’m already nervous enough about letting you two out of my sight. Scared what you’d get up to without me watching you. Like a bunch of kids in a china shop.”
Rude! We can be trusted…
Mostly.
While Kevin was happy that Paige and Wile.E had stuck up their own little friendship. Their happy-go-lucky attitude to dangerous or toon related antics always made Kevin a little nervous. Of course the coyote would be pretty much fine regardless of what happened to him, but humans were notoriously known for being quite fragile. So while Wile.E had done a pretty good job of looking after his niece, it didn’t mean he didn’t worry. That and he was scared of the bill that would come about from the two of them hanging out…
Kevin didn’t have long to dwell on the issue as he soon spotted the courtroom as and the crowd that had gathered around it. Of course crowds weren’t uncommon. The press were always clamoring to get as close as possible to the action as possible, along with the cartoons who had come out to show their support. This crowd however seemed a lot more… lively. The increased police presence was enough to tell him something was happening. Maybe it was because of the board member on trial? No that couldn’t be it. The lawyer couldn’t help but chew his lip, a sense of nervousness swelling up inside him. This wasn’t right. Something was wrong.
“What’s going on? There’s never this many people.” Paige was the first to pipe up, concern clear in her voice as even she’d picked up that something was off.
“I-I don’t know. Whatever it is, it looks like it is going to kick off soon. We should try to get inside as quickly as possible and try not to draw too much attention. You hear that Wile.E?” The coyote just met Kevin’s eyes briefly before returning his attention to the crowd, his brow furrowed.
“I’m taking that as a yes, so please don’t let me down…”
As they parked up, Kevin finally got a good look at the crowds. It seemed there were protesters, toons and humans, both at each other's neck from the shouting he could hear as they crowded around the entrance as the police tried their best to keep them apart from one another.
“It seems ACME has called on some of their yesmen to come out and protest. Or they’re just doing it because they think we’re going to ruin their favourite company. Losers.” Paige sounded annoyed as she scowled out at the crowd.
“Wait, people still support ACME? Even after all they’ve done?”
“You’d be surprised what people will do for a company that couldn’t care less about them.” Kevin just scoffed. People were mad if they would still support ACME, even with the evidence presented right in front of them. Stepping out, he noticed that Wile.E was sneering at the crowd, his ears laying down flat.
“Yeah, I know bud. But don’t worry about them, we’ll make sure ACME pays even if they’re too stupid to see it.” Patting the coyote’s shoulder, that seemed to get his attention as he looked up at the lawyer before huffing again as he pulled out a sign.
They aren’t just here for ACME.
Kevin was about to question the coyote until he pointed towards one of the banners some of the protests were carrying. “Let toon testing continue. They can take it!”
“Oh you can’t be serious…”
Anti-toon protesters, damn it, as if Kevin wasn’t having a stressful enough day as it was. Tutting he began to usher Paige and Wile.E towards the entrance, making sure to keep himself between them and the crowds. Better he take their abuse then let either of them be forced to endure it. Thankfully as they approached the barriers, a police escort helped lead them through. Luckily they’d come through on the toon activist side so they didn’t have any issues making their way through but when they essentially reached the no man's land separating the two warring factions it was a different story. Pulling Paige closer, he kept a tight grip on her arm as he felt the young woman cower slightly as the crowd finally spotted them.
“Keep your head down, don’t look at anyone and keep moving. Don’t listen to them or try to start anything. The sooner we get inside the better.” She nodded and pushed ahead, keeping close to their escort. Kevin began to follow her until he heard shouts from the crowd.
“Look, it's Avery!”
“And that damn fucking coyote!”
“Fuck off you damn toon lover!”
Clicking his tongue, the lawyer just tried his best to ignore the crowds until he heard a growl from behind him. Wile.E was baring his teeth, his fur on end as he growled softly glaring down the anti-toon protesters.
Doubling back, Kevin began trying to usher Wile.E towards the court, trying his best to keep his attention diverted away from the heckling crowds.
“Wile.E, ignore them. They’re morons, remember.” The coyote glowered at the crowd one last time before he reluctantly let the lawyer begin to lead him away. As they began to near the stairs into the court, the coyote began to scribble something down on a sign, angling it to the lawyer.
Don’t listen to them.
Now that caught Kevin off guard. Shouldn’t he be the one saying that.
“Wait, are you more worried about me? Wile.E, I’m pretty sure I’m not exactly their main target right now.” No sooner had the words left his mouth did a bottle come flying out of the crowd, narrowly missing the lawyer as it shattered at his feet. Okay so maybe he was wrong about not being a main target. Kevin could only stare dumbfounded at the remains of the bottle until he felt a hand snatch at his own as he was sharply yanked towards the court. Wile.E was trembling with anger now as he dragged Kevin behind him, desperate to get him to safety. Even given the situation they were in, Kevin couldn’t help the small twinge of colour that dusted his cheeks His own knight in fur.
“That’s right, get your fucking toon to protect you you damn toon fucker!”
That was the final straw for the coyote as he rounded on the crowd, claws coming out. While some toons were against hurting a human, he certainly had no problem with it, especially if they insulted Kevin of all people. He scanned the crowd searching for whichever hot shot had decided to run their mouth but he didn’t get a chance to teach them a lesson as suddenly he was yanked into the air.
“Wile.E don’t! Just ignore them, they aren’t worth it.”
Come on! Just one bite!
“Absoltutely not! Not with all the cameras around…” The coyote could only huff but let himself be carried away. If only he didn’t want to stay in Kevin’s good books. On any other day he would have shown those loud mouth idiots a thing or two. Maybe take a few teeth as souvenirs to give them a painful reminder but he’d promised to behave. For the most part. So it didn’t stop him from flipping off the protesters as he passed them behind the lawyer’s back.
They were just about to reach the police barricade, Paige already safely behind it watching them nervously. That was when the first explosion went off. The crowds began to scream, humans and toon began to scatter as another explosion went off, sending people flying as the police began to swarm the crowds. Wile.E scrambled free from Kevin as the lawyer yelped in panic, dropping to his knees at the explosion. While dynamite being thrown about would have sent any human scattering, he was practically an expert on using the stuff so while everyone else was running around like headless chickens, Wile.E was planning his next move. First things first, he needed to get Kevin inside, away from all this before he got caught in the crossfire. The coyote could take a few pounds of dynamite without flinching, but a squishy human? Maybe a small one at best. Helping Kevin to his feet, the coyote began to pull him forward. He still seemed stunned as he stumbled alongside the coyote, snatching at him as he clung to him for dear life.
“Wile.E, what’s happening?! Is Paige okay?!” Wile.E didn’t have time to worry about signs right now as he yanked Kevin behind him, trying his best to urge him to hurry up. He was trying his best to ignore all the commotion behind him until he heard an officer yell out, pointing behind him.
“Get down!”
Wile.E didn’t have time to react as he heard the familiar hiss of a lit fuse as the stick of dynamite landed at his and Kevin’s feet. The explosion was enough to send them both flying, Wile.E crashing into a pile as he was knocked back into a bunch of toons. Dazed and slightly smoldering, the coyote slowly groaned as he picked himself up, the other toons helping him to his feet as they dusted him off. However that wasn’t his main concern right now, panic swelling in his chest he frantically shoved them aside, trying to spot the lawyer. Had he been caught in the blast? Had it just knocked him back like the coyote? Paige’s scream was what made his heart drop. His head whipped around as he heard the young woman scream, spotting her as she tried to force her way past an officer who was trying her best to hold her back. Following her gaze, the coyote felt his heart stop. The world seemed to move in slow motion, the crowd being drowned out by his own blood pumping in his ears. Kevin lay at the foot of the steps. He wasn’t moving and there was a steady stream of blood dripping down from his head. No, no, no, no… Scrambling through the crowd, Wile.E watched as a number of officers began to crowd around the man, obstructing him from the coyote’s view. No! No, get away from him! Crashing his way through them he finally reached Kevin. He still wasn’t moving, his breath shallow. Falling to his knees, Wile.E let out a whine as he gently cupped the man’s face, brushing the blood and dust from it. Come on, wake up please! Please, please wake up!
He could feel the tears beginning to sting his eyes as he choked back a sob. Why did this have to happen? Was it because he’d egged on the protesters? Who the hell had even brought explosions to a court hearing of all things?! Fighting back tears, Wile.E leant down, nuzzling against Kevin, willing him to wake up. Anything at all. Just something to tell him he was okay… That’s when he felt Kevin stir slightly, a low groan escaping him. Relief washed over the coyote like a tidal wave as he clung to the lawyer as he heard that. Oh thank goodness he wasn’t dead. As he continued to try to stir the man, Wile.E suddenly felt a hand on his shoulder.
“Step away dog, we need to get him medical.” It was an officer, one of the ones who was supposed to be protecting this whole area, stopping something like this from happening. And yet here Kevin was. Wile.E felt his blood begin to boil, a low growl escaping him that made the officers nervously step back.
“Don’t you dare touch him.”
“Listen we need to-”
“I SAID DON’T TOUCH HIM!” The coyote rounded on them, teeth showing sharp as he shielded Kevin. He wasn’t going to let anyone near Kevin again. All of them were to blame for him getting hurt! Seeing red, Wile.E reached into his pocket, yanking out a giant cartoon mallet as he swung at the officers, sending them flying back. No one was going to get near Kevin while he was here. No one! Fur bristling on end he fished out a few sticks of his own dynamite, taking aim as he whalloped them into the crowd of anti-toon protesters. They’d started this with their stupid nonsense so they could have a taste of their own medicine and see how they liked it. He couldn’t help but smirk as a number of them were sent flying, yelping in pain. They deserved it after all, and worse. He was just rummaging around to find the grenades he had stashed when he heard running footsteps behind him. On instinct he spun around, mallet at the ready to send whoever was approaching them to kingdom come. Instead he came face to face with the tear stained face of Paige who knelt over Kevin, shielding the unconscious man as she looked up at the coyote.
“Wile.E please, we need to get him help. We have to let the polic-”
“No!” Paige flinched, her eyes going wide as she realised Wile.E spoke. His voice cut through the chaos of the crowd as he towered over her, his eyes glaring at her. He watched as she swallowed nervously, but her face turned fierce as she doubled down.
“Wile.E he needs help! He needs an ambulance so please let the police help him. I know you’re trying to protect him but he needs medical help, please let them help him.” His breathing was harsh as the coyote finally broke eye contact with the woman as he looked down at the man at his feet. The blood was pooling around his head now, staining the white bricks surrounding him. It was too much. The sight of seeing Kevin like that, it was just too much. Letting out a sob, Wile.E let the mallet slip from his grasp as he collapsed, cradling Kevin to his chest.
“Get them, just please look after him. Please…” Paige didn’t need to be told twice as she scampered to her feet quickly signalling to the approaching ambulances.
“I’m sorry, Kevin. I’m so sorry…”
When Kevin opened his eyes he was met with the bright, artificial light of a hospital room. It was blinding and made him wince as he tried to shield his eyes. Where was he? The last thing he remembered was the protests and then there was a bright light and sound…? Groaning he clutched at his head, his vision swimming as he felt a wave of nausea rush over him. Damn it, what happened?
“Kevin? Kevin, easy there.” Hearing a voice he quickly looked up as Paige hurried her way over, a look of relief on her face as she saw her uncle awake.
“Paige? Paige, where am I? What happened…?” He groaned as he clutched at his head. His brain felt like it was trying to rip itself out of his skull, not to mention the side of his head was killing him. Sitting beside him, the young woman took his hand, taking care to not touch the cannula in his arm.
“You got caught in an explosion. The doctor says you whacked your head pretty badly and got a nasty cut and concussion but they’ve checked you over and said you’ll be okay to leave tomorrow.”
“An explosion? Right, right the explosions… Wait, where’s Wile.E? Is he okay, he was also there?!” The swell of panic was enough to have Kevin shoot up in bed, something he immediately regretted as his stomach complained. Ushering him back down, Paige flashed him a reassuring smile.
“He’s fine. He’d be here but he kinda got arrested…” Kevin could only shoot his niece a look of exasperation as she looked apologetic.
“Oh for love of… Do I dare ask why?”
“He attacked a couple of officers when they tried to get near you. And then blew up a few protesters, don’t worry they’re fine. Mostly… Oh he also bit a paramedic when they wouldn’t let him ride in the ambulance with you.”
“Wait? Why would he do that? I mean I get the protesters thing, but why the others? Weren’t they helping me?”
“Yeah but it seemed after you got hurt, he got a little protective of you. Nearly clobbered me if he hadn’t realised who I was in time. He really didn’t want anyone hurting you again.”
Kevin fell quiet as he fiddled with the sheets. Wile.E had done all that because he’d gotten hurt? Risked everything just to try and keep him safe after he got injured. Guilt began to rise in his stomach, which certainly wasn’t helping his ability to keep his breakfast down, as he realised the trouble Wile.E had gotten himself into over him.
“Damn it Wile.E…”
“Don’t worry, they’ll probably let him out soon. I said he was just in a heightened emotional state after seeing a close friend get injured. That or I’ll just claim animal instincts or something. Don’t worry I’ll deal with it. Now you rest. You’ve been through a lot.” Flashing her a grateful smile, Kevin gently patted his niece’s hand.
“Well at least I know he’ll be in good hands. Let me know if you need any help.”
“I won’t as you need your rest, but I appreciate the thought. Now, sleep.” Kevin scoffed as he settled back down in bed. When had she gotten so bossy? He watched as Paige disappeared out of his room, before he saw he suddenly backtrack and pop her head back in.
“Hey did you know Wile.E can speak?”
“... HE CAN SPEAK?!”
It must have been a few hours until Kevin next opened his eyes, the room was dark except for the sliver of light escaping from the corridor into his room. Groggily he let his eyes adjust to the dark as he surveyed his room. It still seemed just as he’d left it, until he was met with a pair of bright yellow eyes staring at him from his bedside. Of course he went to scream, but a furry hand was quickly slapped over his mouth. He could only blink as the light by his bedside was flipped on, illuminating his late night intruder.
“Wile.E!” The coyote beamed at him as he launched himself at the lawyer, smothering him with kisses as he dragged him into a tight hug. Kevin couldn’t describe the feeling of relief as he held the coyote in his arms, the toon obviously none the worse after their little ordeal from today. That was at least one blessing from today. Hushing the toon as he tried his best to cover every inch of the lawyer’s face with kisses, he eventually managed to settle the coyote down. Of course that just meant he was now practically curled up on his chest, nuzzling him every chance he got, but at least Kevin could breath now.
“Are you okay? Did Paige manage to deal with the police?” Wile.E made a face as he realised Paige had already tattled on him before nodding.
All dealt with. Just a little emotional toon stress is all.
“That’s good to hear, trust you to get into a fight with the cops the moment I’m out of commission.” It was supposed to be a joke but Wile.E’s expression darkened, his grip tightening on the lawyer. Seems he’d really gone through it.
“Hey, Wile.E, I’m okay. Just a little bruised and battered but nothing like you’ve had to face. I’m going to be okay. Nothing to sweat about.” Leaning down he placed a soft kiss on the coyote’s head, giving his fur a little ruffle for good measure. Letting out a long sign, Wile.E just glanced up at Kevin before he reached out, his fingers gently tracing the set of stitches he’d gotten. Of course it hurt but Kevin ignored it, wanting to reassure the coyote.
“See, just a few stitches and a cool story to tell. Imagine the headlines after this.” That earned him a smirk. Pulling Wile.E in closer, Kevin settled down, cradling the toon in his arms. Pulling out a sign, the toon held it up, a pained look in his eyes.
I’m glad you’re okay. I was so scared.
“I know. I heard how you got into a fight with the police to try and protect me. My own personal knight, with a lot of explosives I hear.” Wile.E just smiled smugly at that, a coy look on his face.
Swords aren’t my thing. Explosives work just as well.
Kevin really shouldn’t laugh, it would only encourage the psychopathic toon but it was really, really hard to stop the snort that escaped him.
“Don’t look so proud of yourself! But regardless… Thank you for protecting me.” Even in the low light, Kevin was sure he saw the coyote blush, his tail thumping against the bed as he leant up to capture the lawyer's lips in a deep kiss. Honestly if Kevin hadn’t been in so much pain and hooked up to a heart monitor, he would have loved to thank the coyote properly. But with the risk of Wile.E getting banned from the hospital it would be best to not let the toon get too excited. Pulling away as he felt Wile.E’s hands beginning to explore he gave the coyote a little flick on the nose as he just pouted, trying to chase the man’s lips again.
“Ah ah ah, not here. You can save that for when I can thank you properly when my head doesn’t feel like it’s going to explode.”
Tease.
Another snort of laughter. Until a thought finally crossed the lawyer’s mind, a comment Paige had made before.
“Hey, Wile.E. I know you always used the signs and all and you said you didn’t talk but Paige said you did when you were protecting me. So can you talk? Is it like a selective mute thing?”
Wile.E eyes went wide as he shot up like he’d just been given an electric shot. He was tight lipped as he tried to avoid the lawyer’s eyes.
“Wile.E? Hey, it’s okay if you don’t wanna talk. I just wanted to know is all. I’m not going to make you talk if you don’t want to. Plus I’ve gotten pretty good at reading you so don’t worry about it.” His voice was soft and steady as Kevin took Wile.E hands in, running his thumbs over the back of them as he gave him a reassuring smile. The coyote was quiet for a moment before sighing and giving a curt nod.
I can. I’m just not allowed to. Long story.
“And not enough signs, yeah I know the deal. Huh, I did always just assume you couldn’t talk… What do you sound like?” Wile.E just cocked an eyebrow, giving Kevin a look as the lawyer just pouted in turn.
“I’m not going to make you talk. I was just curious is all. Can’t a man be curious what his cartoon coyote boyfriend sounds like?” That seemed to amuse the toon as he settled back against Kevin’s chest, grinning up at him as he held up another sign.
So what do you think I sound like?
Kevin hadn’t thought about it until now. Why would he have? But now that he was put on the spot and now knew the coyote could speak, what voice did he think suited him.
“... Mmm maybe something like a biker?”
A biker?
“Yeah you know like all hard and tough, 50 cigarettes a day or something-okay stop laughing. I’ll take that as a no.” The coyote wasn’t trying very hard to hide the smirk which just made Kevin blush.
“Look, I'm just guessing, okay! For all I know you could sound like Daffy or something.” That made the coyote pull a face, sticking his tongue out. Obviously he didn’t like that answer. So he didn’t sound like that, which frankly, was a relief.
Wile.E fell still for a moment, his eyes focused on nothing before his attention snapped back to the lawyer. He had a serious look in his eyes as he quickly scribbled something down.
I was saving it for an important occasion.
But I guess this is as good as anytime.
I did think I’d lost you.
“Wile.E…” Said coyote hushed him softly, bringing a finger up to his lips before he leant in, his breath hot against the lawyer’s ear.
“Kevin, I adore you so much. Please always remember that.” With that, he pulled back as Kevin felt his face erupt. What do you mean that was how he sounded?! All smooth and sultry?! Good lord that voice was doing things to him, fuck imaging it in bed… Wile.E had been watching his face it seemed as he heard his tail wagging again as he flashed Kevin a smirk. It seemed he didn’t realise the effect his voice would have on his little lawyer and was very pleased with the reaction it garnered. That just made Kevin’s face burn even more as he tried to bury himself under the covers.
“Okay, so that wasn’t what I expected.”
You like it?
“You already know the answer, stop fishing for compliments. But yes… it was certainly something else.” Wile.E beamed, flashing a tooth grin and his chest swelled with pride. Great now he was just feeding into his ego. Kevin was about to ask if he could talk again but Wile.E beat him to the punch with a sign.
Now you’ll have to wait. I’ve already planned when to talk next.
Gotta leave you wanting more, after all.
“And you call me the tease. Fine, guess I can be patient. Care to give me a hint when you’re next going to bless us?”
That would ruin the surprise.
Letting out a huff, Kevin just pouted as Wile.E sniggered to himself as he settled down into the man’s arms as he turned the light off. It wouldn’t be worth asking the coyote about it anymore. He was very good at being secretive when he wanted to be, so best to not pry. Kevin could only hope it wouldn’t be too long until Wile.E spoke again. He wondered what he’d say next time, hopefully something just as sweet as this, maybe even sweeter, Shrugging he cradled the toon in his arms as he began to drift off.
“Night, Wile.E.”
“Night, Kevin.”