--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]

You'd think, but most people don't have a kitsune for a stepmother.

[book2thehead]

[He just chuckles a little, and now that he's got an oversized t-shirt on Heizou goes back to sitting on the bed.]

...Thank you, by the way.

[threebetrayals]

For?

[book2thehead]

[Heizou shrugs, just before letting himself flop back onto the bed.]

For being okay with this. For not being afraid of me. It's... It's nice.

[threebetrayals]

[Kuni just scoffs.]

The worst you did to me yesterday was get blood on my clothes and growl at me. You're not scary.

[book2thehead]

... I didn't try to hurt you? At all?

[threebetrayals]

Not at all. Just got pissy until you recognized my scent.

[book2thehead]

....Oh.

[Well. He did put two and two together to equal "Kuni's scent seems to have a calming effect on wolf!me." Maybe he shouldn't be surprised.]

...I'll have to talk to the landlord and see what we can do about a bigger place.

[threebetrayals]

[A month later, Kuni and Heizou are moving into a house closer to the edge of the city. It was cheap and has a yard, and Kuni was insistent on getting a yard for Heizou. It's small and kind of dinky, but it's a house.

And Kuni is currently in the kitchen, organizing it within an inch of its life.]

[book2thehead]

[It's probably a good thing that Heizou turned last night and got to give the yard a proper test run, so to speak. Apparently he'd run around out there in circles for a long time before he got tuckered out and sought Kuni out to flop on him and sleep. And since the place is still only barely set up, there was nothing out that he could knock over or wreck while he was turned.

It's also the first time in a long time that Heizou feels good upon waking up. No rough shackle marks or new scratches on any part of him. Or any rude awakening to a pillow whacking down upon his head.

So he's able to spend the day helping with putting the house in order. Though he does keep looking over at Kuni and smirking, amused at how focused he is on the kitchen.]

What's wrong with it this time~?

[threebetrayals]

Everything. We need a plumber out here, and someone to repair the cabinets. And shelves.

[book2thehead]

You knew it was gonna need a lot of fixing when we got the place. This is the best we could afford, you know!

[threebetrayals]

Yeah, I know. But you asked.

[So there!]

We also need to go shopping.

[book2thehead]

[The amused look on his face remains.]

Groceries, huh? Are you sure the fridge is up to your standards~?

[threebetrayals]

Seeing how I made the landlord replace it before we signed the lease? Yeah.

[book2thehead]

But Kuni.... What if~?

[threebetrayals]

I can and will lock you in the yard next month.

[He sticks his tongue out at Heizou.]

[book2thehead]

No you wouldn't! There are cats in this neighborhood~

[And he sticks his tongue out too.]

[threebetrayals]

Yes, I would.

[He tugs his eyelid down.]

So. Groceries.

[book2thehead]

[Heizou just laughs. He likes this. He really does feel weirdly relaxed around Kuni.]

Fine, fine. Are you done in here already, or is there something else that needs to get moved into a different spot before you're satisfied~?

[threebetrayals]

We're good for now. The air fryer doesn't get here for a couple of days~

[book2thehead]

You and your air fryer. I'm surprised you don't just force me to eat fewer fried things!

[threebetrayals]

That's a losing battle and I know it. So, air fried food it is~

[book2thehead]

[He gasps in mock surprise.]

You, acknowledging defeat?? I'm shocked!

[threebetrayals]

Uh-huh. Get your shoes, we need food.