--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]

[Fucking weirdo.

But Kuni crashes pretty quickly once the lights are out and he'll sleep through the night. He's exhausted.]

[book2thehead]

[Heizou stays up a little bit longer than Wanderer... and will also be gone before Wanderer wakes up. He leaves some cash with a post-it that says "For Food/Groceries" in the kitchen, but other than that the place is empty. The bed is even made and looks like no one has been in it.

As promised, he will be gone for several days. During which time Wanderer can do whatever he likes in the apartment. And Heizou's colleagues take to Wanderer about as well as can be expected: Sango's still prickly and direct, but Ryuuji is much kinder with the patience of a saint. He also answers any of Wanderer's questions honestly.]

[threebetrayals]

[Kunikaki mostly just stays inside, enjoying the AC and the books and the hot water. He goes to help Heizou's colleagues, as requested, but he honestly mostly keeps to himself.

He does, of course, ask about Heizou's quirks and if he should be worried about his behavior the other night. He's told not to worry about it, but he worries about it.

Most of the dogs in the area start to take to Kuni as well. He's outside one night and he just has two dogs sharing his lap as he reads on his phone.]

[book2thehead]

[As it happens, that's the night Heizou ends up coming back. He seems in a bit of a hurry, distractedly fumbling for his keys as he steps off the sidewalk, only to stop short when he sees Wanderer sitting outside with the dogs.

On a normal day, they'd probably still be perfectly docile and friendly. But right now, the dogs all raise their heads to look at him. One even seems to growl very softly. And Heizou just looks back calmly from the end of the walkway.]

Ah... So you are still here.

[threebetrayals]

[Kuni gently bonks the growling dog. Hush, you.]

Yeah? What the hell happened to you?

[book2thehead]

[He smiles and tries to wave it off, taking careful steps forward so the dogs can remember his scent. This happens often enough that the older dogs should recognize him eventually.

Wanderer, on the other hand, might notice some angry red marks peeking put from under his sleeves at the wrists. And a choker in place where he hadn't been wearing one before. His hair tie is missing as well.]

It's nothing, just hazards of the job! Looks like the locals have taken to you in my absence~

[threebetrayals]

[Yeah, no. Kuni is giving him a Look.]

I can see those bruises, you know, and you look like shit. Try again.

[book2thehead]

[Heizou actually laughs a little.]

Man alive, has the agency rubbed off on you? Maybe you'd be a good fit as a detective there.

[threebetrayals]

Hell no. I'm just observant. Try again.

[book2thehead]

That's a good quality to have~

[Clearly still not answering as he gets up to the door.]

[threebetrayals]

Heizou. Tell me what happened, or I'll start causing problems.

[book2thehead]

[He looks momentarily surprised, blinking at Wanderer almost owlishly.]

...I didn't realize you'd be the sort to care about someone you've really only just met.

[threebetrayals]

I'm not, but you let me live in your apartment for a few days and I owe you for that. So. What happened?

[book2thehead]

[Heizou gets the door open with a little sigh and heads inside, adjusting the bag on his shoulder.]

It's really nothing. It's just part of something I have to take care of every few weeks.

[threebetrayals]

And it leaves you looking like that? What the hell.

[Time to get up and follow Heizou in yep.]

Have you treated the bruises yet?

[book2thehead]

[He just shrugs and smiles a bit.]

It's been worse before. Though I suppose I didn't bring enough bandages this time.

[threebetrayals]

Get in the bathroom and get your clothes off. Fucking hell, why didn't you go to the ER?

[He knows you have a first aid kit here, so he is going to go get that.]

[book2thehead]

[He barks out a laugh.]

Do you have any idea how much that would cost? I do all right, but I can't afford that.

[Plus he'd have to give an explanation... and that just won't work. ]

[threebetrayals]

Sliding scales. First thing I learned about when I left was sliding scale medical care. Bathroom. Now.

[book2thehead]

Are you always this pushy with someone that's injured?

[threebetrayals]

Yeah, actually, I am.

[book2thehead]

You need to work on your bedside manner~

[Teasing. But he does at least finally duck into the bathroom to change his clothes.]

[threebetrayals]

Nope.

[He gets the kit and follows after Heizou to make sure he gets a chance to treat those wounds.

And then he just sort of stops to stare at Heizou's back, horrified by all the scars, fresh and old.]

What the fuck?

[book2thehead]

[He still hasn't removed his choker so at least the marks on his neck are still partially hidden. But when Wanderer comes in after him, Heizou just turns with a shrug. Very casually moving to take the first aid kit from him.]

I told you. It's really not a big deal.

[threebetrayals]

[Kuni smacks Heizou's hand away and starts to get the kit open so he can start treating the wounds.]

Like hell it's not! It looks like you were chained up.