Shadow Fangs

Chapter 48 Ren route pt.2

Zorakuba felt like it took hours to reach the dining area when in actuality it was only a few seconds. He could hear Aoba and Tai talking about something as he entered. Zorakuba...hesitated to say something however because he was still afraid of what he might hear or see. However, Tai noticed him in the doorway.

"I see you're finally up. Come and eat." Tai spoke with her usual gruff tone but she was actually quite relieved to see that Zorakuba was up. Aoba was the same way.

Zorakuba walked over quietly and sat down at an open spot but stared down at the table. He didn't even notice when Tai set a plate of food down in front of him.

"Zorakuba..?" Aoba asked, snapping him out of his daze. "O-oh sorry..." he mumbled before quietly starting to eat. He seemed more quiet than usual...and considering the circumstances it was normal.

Zorakuba felt like the whole room would close in on him with how heavy the silence was but he couldn't think of anything to say. He felt Ren paw at his leg.

"Zorakuba, your heart rate is very fast. Perhaps you should rest more after you're done eating."

Zorakuba perked up a little bit and smiled though there was no joy behind it...but rather sadness. "A...alright....thank you Ren." He said quietly before continuing to eat his food. It was very delicious but Zorakuba barely noticed, the weight of the situation still embedded in his mind. Ren was right...he really needed to relax.

After a few moments of the heavy silence, Aoba glanced at Zorakuba. Thankfully he broke the silence. "So....um...would you like to go out to lunch tommarow with Ren and I? I don't have work tommarow and it could he fun to get out and relax"

Zorakuba hesitated for a brief moment, remembering what had happened before when he lost control. "Er....are you sure you want to? I mean...." he struggled to find words but Aoba seemed to get what he was trying to say.

"What happened was an accident...you had no control over it....but yeah I'm sure. After all you're still my friend." He said with a small smile, causing Zorakuba to relax a little.  He felt relief so strong he almost teared up.

"A...alright then. I'd like to then. It'll be my treat"

After that Zorakuba was able to eat and make small talk with Tai, Aoba, and Ren. While the events of what had happened were in the back of his mind, he trusted Aoba's judgment.

Zorakuba yawned quietly as he sat in Aoba's room on a futon he'd set up earlier, relaxing as he stared up at the ceiling. It was dark out now (roughly 8 or so), and the two were getting ready to go to sleep.

Chef was sitting besides him, curled up close. "Hey Zorakuba?" He heard a deep voice ask from besides the bed. He glanced over and down to find Ren looking up at him.

"Yes Ren?" He asked and smiled slightly. He propped himself up on his elbows to get more comfortable. Aoba was relaxing in bed reading a magazine on Allmate parts.

"May I lay up here with you?" The question surprised Zorakuba, his eyebrows raising a little. However, he shrugged and smiled. "Sure if you want to." He figured he wanted to be by Chef so he didn't really think much of it as Ren hopped up besides him, curling up against his side in a little puff ball of fur.

With the added companion, Zorakuba felt his eye lids grow heavy as he laid back down. Even though he'd only been up for a few hours, he felt exhausted. Before he could think much on it he fell into a deep sleep.

(And done! Sorry for the late and short chapter but I've been really busy with a new job and finishing up the last few weeks of the school year. Anyways let me know what you think because I always love hearing from you guys!)