--Lone Wolf and Cub--

[threebetrayals]

[Maybe it was stupid to go "fuck it" and run away from his mother's house last month, but frankly Kunikaki cannot be bothered to think it was stupid. He is seventeen and absolutely fucking tired of his mother's bullshit and his sister's somehow worse bullshit. (He gets it, he understands that his mother never recovered from her sister's death, but he doesn't have to deal with it anymore.) So yeah, he ran away.

And now he's pretty sure some freak is following him as he winds his way through the city, trying to escape the fucker, but whatever. He'll make do.]

Comments

[threebetrayals]

I like cats more, but dogs are fine. They tend to like me for some reason.

[book2thehead]

[Heizou chuckles again as he pushes the door open, flicking on the lights and making room for Wanderer to come in after him.]

Oh, is that right? How interesting...

[Idly he wonders if it's the scent. It's a nice scent, somehow both familiar and not. Both of the city and alien to it all at once.]

[threebetrayals]

I'm not an asshole to them. That's all I can think of.

[In he steps, sliding his shoes off and looking around. It is cluttered as hell, with so many books, but...oddly cozy. Messy, but cozy.]

You read, I take it.

[book2thehead]

[So many books. And probably many more tucked into places that can't immediately be seen.

That comment makes Heizou turn to Wanderer with a blink, eyes widening slightly.]

...Are you threatening to take one of my books?

[threebetrayals]

...I wasn't. But I might now.

[And we're back to the sass. He isn't serious, just being a shit.]

[book2thehead]

[Heizou takes a second to read him, then wrinkles his nose playfully as he moves to put all the food down on the table.]

I'm nothing but nice to him, and he threatens my beloved books! Serves me right, I suppose~

[threebetrayals]

You have enough to fill a library, you'll live.

[He follows to the table.]

[book2thehead]

[He just smiles as he starts spreading everything out on the table. Wanderer's ridiculously abundant order, and then Heizou's smaller selection of delicious deep-fried monstrosities.]

They're mostly gifts or bought secondhand. I can't afford to replace everything you take from me~

[threebetrayals]

You have two copies of that new mystery series.

[book2thehead]

Well, I like that one!

[threebetrayals]

And if I took it, you wouldn't miss the second copy~

[book2thehead]

[Heizou lets out a dramatic, long-suffering sigh as he digs into his meal.]

You're quite the menace, aren't you~

[threebetrayals]

I try.

[He doesn't, he's just like this, and it's why people don't actually like him all that much. This guy will probably kick him out in a day or two, so might as well take advantage of the food, shower, and laundry.]

[book2thehead]

[He smirks a little, amused.]

I get the feeling you don't, actually.

[But honestly... Heizou doesn't really mind. The conversation is more fun this way.]

[threebetrayals]

If that helps you sleep at night.

[Now excuse Kuni as he proceeds demolish his meal. He is, frankly, starving, and this is good food he didn't have to steal or bargain for.]

[book2thehead]

[He just chuckles, resting his chin in one hand while he observes for a moment.]

Don't eat too fast. You'll make yourself puke.

[threebetrayals]

[Kuni just flips Heizou off. He knows what he's doing, thanks.]

[book2thehead]

[He smirks.]

Well, make yourself comfortable, I guess.

[threebetrayals]

[Kuni eats, though there's still plenty of leftovers for later, and then goes about doing his laundry and getting a shower. It takes about an hour or so, but soon he is clean and in clean clothes and looking around Heizou's apartment to find where he can sleep for the night.]

[book2thehead]

[Heizou lets him eat his fill in relative peace, though he does chat idly about some other aspects of the building. What to mind, what to ignore, what he would appreciate Wanderer keeping an eye on, so on and so forth. It's nothing crazy, at least.

He's done before Wanderer is, of course, and he fills the time with preparing himself a little bag of clothes. By the time he emerged from his shower, Heizou is sitting at the little window near his bed, staring up at the moon in the sky. Without turning, he says--]

The couch is comfortable enough for tonight. I put sheets out. You can use the bed while I'm gone.

[threebetrayals]

[Kuni glances out the window. The moon is nearly full, and it's quite pretty, but why is Heizou staring at it so intently?]

We'll see about that. I may just stick to the sofa.

[A yawn.]

I should probably sleep.

[book2thehead]

Hmm. Whatever's comfortable for you, then.

[And Heizou nods absently. If Wanderer pays any attention, he may notice the way Heizou's fingers twitch almost anxiously on the windowsill.]

Do you need the lights off?

[threebetrayals]

[He does notice. Odd. Is Heizou a junkie of some sort?]

I prefer it, yeah, but I don't need them off.

[book2thehead]

[He nods again, and this time he unfolds himself from his spot and gives himself a quick shake as he moves to turn off all the lights.

He does pause as he gets closer to Wanderer, sniffing once and eyes locking onto him. For a second there, Heizou's eyes look darker.]

...You cleaned up nicely.

[threebetrayals]

[...Kuni scoots away from Heizou just a little, pressing more into the sofa.]

Thanks...?