Bad Fox! | atsuhina

02 : a house of soft-hearted predators

chapter 2 of 5!

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Atsumu Miya | March 22, 11:49 a.m

"Make yourself comfortable, Atsumu-San! Oh, but take your shoes off!"

Shouyou, as I've been introduced, bumbled into this small cottage with his close-to-empty basket in hand and placed it on the counter.

"Here's the kitchen- close that door, please- over here's the living room, and the bathroom and guest room are upstairs. It's a little... small, but please make yourself at home!"

"I don't think I can... live here, Shouyou..."

The shock and disappointment that appeared on his face told me my guess was right. He does want me to live here.

"But why not? If I'm gonna keep you full, you need to be close by!"

Small paws hitting the stairs echoed in my sensitive ears. I glanced that way and spotted two cats. A black one and a calico. Shifters, though they haven't shifted from their animal forms yet, it's fairly easy to tell.

"I'll take care of you, promise! Is there someone you need to go home to?"

Those cats... They didn't seem happy. I don't know for sure whether it was from what Shouyou was saying or just my presence.

"I mean... I'd have to go home to  let my brother know, but he'd be cool with it as long as I can... visit, I s'pose."

Finally, one of them shifted into their human form, and the other one followed suit, resting his weight on the wall beside him.

"Shou, we talked about just inviting people over like this," the short guy spoke. I already knew what was coming after that.

The black-haired male spoke up, obviously annoyed as well.

"Let alone a fox! You said you wouldn't do this anymore!"

So... he does this with everyone? Seriously, what's up with this crow? Is he a people-hoarder or something?

"Oh, come on! The last two were injured animals! We couldn't just let them die! Besides, Atsumu's different!"

"You have a bite mark on your arm!"

Shouyou jolted at that. I felt like a sore thumb, just standing here wanting to go... somewhere else.

"No, you don't understand! Atsumu's trying to live on his own, but he's having trouble, so I thought we could help him out until he gets on his feet?"

The tall guy pinched his nose and turned to me with his sharp glare, not any less sharp than the claws on his fingers.

"He's named you, or do you already have a name?"

"Already got a name. Atsumu Miya. The fox."

It didn't seem like we were going to get along. He definitely doesn't seem fond of my presence. The short one hiding behind him fidgeted.

"Since we live with Shouyou, we can't really tell him what to do, so if he wants to take a rotten fox like you in, then the only thing I can do is keep you two at a distance. Just remember, these claws, these teeth, they aren't just for looks."

I felt my eye twitch. Shouyou reprimanded him as one would do to a pet and instructed the big bad cat to shake hands with me.

"Kuroo Tetsurou. Pleasure."

"Pleasure's mine, cat."

I saw his nose twitch and his teeth bare, but when Shouyou came over all smiley like before, his features quickly softened.

Someone's got a soft spot.

This situation was funny, in a way. Shouyou's got three big predators in his house, two of which protect him, and me, the newcomer. I can't say much, but aren't cats supposed to eat birds like him?

Shouyou gently urged the smaller guy to come toward me and introduce himself. I was softer with him since he posed no threatening aura... on the surface.

"This is Kenma! He's more active at night, so I think you two will get along pretty well!"

His eyes were somehow worse than Kuroo's. These cats sure are serious about someone they're born to eat.

"Nice to meetcha..."

"Good! Great! Now, Atsumu, how about I show you to the extra room?"

There are only two bedrooms, right? So... where's Kuroo and Kenma sleep?

"Sure thin'..."

We traveled up the stairs, and there was a room we passed on the way to the back of the hallway that seemed like the master room. The window was huge, much like the bed. It was messy with crafting materials, but through the mess, I could see a hefty amount of blankets and pillows lying around.

There's no doubt they sleep with him. What do I care where those good-for-nothin' cats sleep, anyway?

"You can bring stuff from your house to make it homier! The view's really nice, too, and the window leads out to the backfield. There's a lot of mice out there, so if you ever feel like sharpening your hunting skills or burning some energy, it's perfect for that!"

He opened up the curtains as I glanced around. On the floor was an opened first aid kit and some bloody bandages. I assumed it was from the animals Shouyou had previously helped.

"Oh, shit, sorry! I thought I had cleaned that up already..."

Shouyou bent down to clean things up, and I decided to take the time to ask him what had been on my mind.

"Why is it ya take all these animals and shifters in, anyway?"

"'Cause he's a weirdo, obviously," Butted Kuroo from the doorway he was leaning against. "But me and Kenma are different, aren't we? You love us the most~"

Shouyou stood and laughed with the first aid kit now closed against his chest.

"I do love you. I love you very much! We're a family, after all, and, now, with Atsumu, it'll be even more livelier around here! Maybe you and Kenma won't be so lonely when I'm not home!"

He placed a hand on my back and stared up at me with those doe-like eyes of his and that sugar-sweet smile. My heart jumped, just a little.

Seriously, something I'm supposed to eat shouldn't be so cute.

"I'll be in the kitchen, Atsumu. Make yourself at home, and come down whenever you're ready!"

Kuroo spared one last glance- glare- my way before following Shouyou out of the room. I could hear their steps heading down the stairs.

Great... Just what the hell did I get myself into..? Why did I agree to this?

I suppose tonight I could travel back home and let 'Samu know I found a place to stay and gather all my shit. I'm sure him and his boyfriend will be happy about that.

Eventually, I made my way out of the room, half because I wanted to stay close to Shouyou and half because I didn't want Kuroo and Kenma to think I was scared of them or anything.

In the kitchen, the rain pounded on the window as Kuroo and Shouyou read a recipe from a book plucked off the spice shelf. Kuroo seemed particularly excited about a certain one when Shouyou flipped the page, but that excitement disappeared when he spotted me.

Can I really make this place home? I know for sure if I leave, I'll starve, though, so I have no choice.

At least Shouyou's welcoming. The others I can't say the same about.

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