Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

Eijun finds his forever home on Christmas morning of his fifteenth year.

A nice blond-haired man had been visiting him over the past couple of months at the farm, talking to the caretakers and breeders there before settling on picking Eijun himself. They’ve talked on plenty of occasions, getting to know one another and making sure they would be a good match before making any permanent decisions. Naoyuki had come off as a bit scary at first, but it only took a few games of catch for him to see that that wasn’t the case at all. Besides, he’d even told the man himself he initially looked quite intimidating and had only gotten a bark of laughter and hand ruffling up his hair in response. His animal instincts also told him that this human was a good one, one that could be trusted and with his more rugged looks even protect him.

There was also the sweet way he talked about his husband that let him know what kind of family he was potentially joining. Honestly, listening to Naoyuki go on and on about his husband only made hearts form in Eijun’s eyes. They seemed like such a loving couple that any hybrid would be lucky to live with. With them, it’d be like watching a shoujo manga unfold right before his eyes— and with the addition of Eijun, they’d be living the perfect fairytale life.

Apparently, Naoyuki and his husband, Chris, had been discussing adopting a hybrid for a while. Ever since their first anniversary, they’d been excited to take another step and add a happy addition to their family. As a purebred Shiba Inu, Eijun knew he could readily fill that empty position in their lives— he was the perfect example of man’s best friend after all. It was a thrill to have met such a devoted man and he was excited to help Naoyuki surprise Chris on a set date, Christmas. Even more honorable was that Eijun would be the gift himself.

So on Christmas morning, Eijun stands outside the farm’s main house, bag in his hand carrying what little material possessions he owned, his old caretaker crying tears of joy at having Eijun get adopted while waiting for his new owner to come pick him up.

He’s still just a pup himself, not completely matured yet, but almost there, so he knows he has to be on his best behavior. He’s heard so much about Chris from Naoyuki, how kind and caring and responsible he is that he can’t do anything but vibrate in his seat on the drive home— his new home— tail wagging a mile a minute so that it thumps loudly against the leather of the seat and ears perked up in joy. He already loves Naoyuki, and how could he not? They play catch and go for walks, and he’s even brought him treats like ice cream and strawberry-flavored pocky. Not to mention the way Naoyuki can scratch that spot right behind his left ear for him that never feels as good when he does it himself.

It’s about a three-hour drive from the farm back to their apartment in the city, having left early in an attempt to surprise a still sleeping Chris when they get back. Naoyuki had left a note in case he wakes up early and Eijun giggles at the romanticism of it all. He can’t help but talk a mile a minute the whole ride back, gushing about how sweet this whole plan is and how he can’t wait to meet Chris for the first time.

Naoyuki also gives him the very important job of holding the file that contains all the official paperwork that finalized his adoption. He’s gone through it himself, seeing the information on his medical history, birth certificate, and microchip registration. Most notably and the paper he keeps going back to stare at with sparkling eyes is the adoption certificate that states his new name in big bold letters: 

Takigawa Eijun

Every time he sees it he lets out little happy yips, squirming against the seatbelt containing him until Naoyuki reaches across the center console to ruffle his hair with one hand. 

They’re outside of a sleek-looking complex in what seems like no time, Naoyuki pulling into a parking garage with a spot reserved just for them.

“The building doesn’t look that big but I promise the apartment is very spacious,” Naoyuki says, grabbing Eijun’s bag for him as they exit the car head towards the elevator. “You’ll have your own room and everything.”

“Whoa,” Eijun exclaims as he looks around taking everything in. It all looks so fancy, from the golden exterior of the elevator doors to its carpeted interior with metal walls so shiny he can see his reflection. It kind of makes him nervous as a young pup to see so much wealth. Are his new owners really rich or has his childhood among breeders and adoption farms skewed his perspective? “Oshi!” he yells, pumping a fist into the air with renewed determination. It doesn’t matter now, Eijun has a job to do after all. “I’m gonna be the best pet ever! Just you watch!”

The elevator dings and they step out onto a black and white marble floor so polished EIjun feels like he’ll slip on it. The hallway itself is huge, white walls spotless and illuminated with small crystal chandeliers that hang from the ceiling at even intervals.

Naoyuki rolls his eyes at his exuberance. “Kid,” he scoffs but the affectionate nickname he’s come to use for Eijun gives away his endearment, “it’s not a competition. We just want you to be yourself.” Naoyuki leads them down the hallway past big white doors trimmed in black with matching black numbers written in a cursive font on them. “Besides, it’s not like Chris has no clue you’re coming home, he just doesn’t know it's going to be today. We’ve been talking about this for a while now.”

“I appreciate the kind words but being myself means being the best!” Then he gives Naoyuki a cheeky smile. “It also means becoming Chris’s new favorite! Hehe!” 

Naoyuki stops to turn and looks at Eijun trailing behind him with a raised eyebrow and pursed lips. “You really are a punk, aren’t you?”

They come to a stop in front of door number 505 and Naoyuki puts a finger up to his lips, signaling for Eijun to be quiet as they enter the apartment. They’re toeing off their shoes when a noise from further inside alerts Eijun, ears swiveling to its source.

“Oh, you’re back already? I just saw your note,” a deep and calm voice calls from past the genkan, its owner stepping into view not shortly after.

By now Eijun’s been shown plenty of pictures of Chris from when Naoyuki would visit him at the farm, so he knows immediately who the man standing before him is. He also now knows that those pictures don’t do him any justice because in real life this man is so handsome, exactly like how Eijun would picture Prince Charming looking. 

He’s tall and built with gentle eyes and a kind smile that makes his otherwise imposing figure seem charismatic. His brown hair falls messily over his forehead most likely from having just woken up if his old t-shirt and sweatpants are anything to go by. There’s a split second where Eijun thinks that Naoyuki’s ability to give him the best scratches combined with Chris’s broad chest would make for the best cuddles and before he knows it he’s launched himself at the unsuspecting man. 

His fluffy curled tail aggressively wags from side to side as he wraps his legs around Chris, clinging to him, and takes in his scent. It’s soothing, like fresh linen and vanilla without any underlying harshness that would indicate it’s been manufactured in a lab like the perfumes that humans like to wear. He catalogs this smell in his mind right next to Naoyuki’s, which he knows as an ink and lemon mixture, and labels it owners.

A hand roughly grasping the back of his shirt pulls him off of Chris to stand on his own two feet again.

“Behave,” Naoyuki chastises, making Eijun pout.

“Oh, he’s fine,” Chris chuckles. “Let him be excited.” Then he looks at Eijun to address him directly. “I’m sure you know this already but I’m Chris. We’re happy to have you here with us.”

“It’s not fine,” Naoyuki mutters under his breath. “It’s cute now but you have to break the habit as soon as possible.”

Eijun’s too overcome with emotion, eyes sparkling with tears in his eyes as he looks at Chris. He’s so nice. “Thank you so much for welcoming me into your humble abode!” he yells, bending over into a too formal bow. “This lowly Eijun is now in your care!”

Chris lets out another laugh, albeit a little more awkward than the first one, and places a hand on Eijun’s shoulder, trying to get him to stand up straight again. “No need to be so formal.”

“He’s always like this,” Naoyuki cuts in, stepping around them to further enter the apartment, Eijun’s luggage still in his hands. “He reads a lot of old literature. He’s also always this energetic.”

Eijun follows after him, both comforted and moved by the fact that Naoyuki has already memorized some of his interests and quirks. “I’ll have you know Shiba’s are incredibly smart and loyal! We’re good hunters, too!”

“Hunters, huh?” Naoyuki muses. “Why don’t you start by hunting some breakfast for us.”

“C’mon, I can make us all something while you get settled in,” Chris says, ushering them out of the entryway.

It’s easy after that for Eijun to get acclimated to his new home and family. As promised, he gets his own spacious room already fully furnished. They then spend a relaxing day together, getting to know each other and telling stories. Eijun learns over a hearty dinner of fried chicken that even though Naoyuki had seemed to talk his ear off about Chris, he still has a lot to learn about the couple he’ll be living with. 

It starts with how they met in junior high, both baseball players on different teams but nonetheless still formed a friendship based on their love of the sport and competitive natures that made them rivals. Chris was a catcher and Naoyuki, as a pitcher, had wanted them to go to the same high school so they could form a battery but Chris had ended up going to a school farther away. Unfortunately, they had both sustained serious injuries but were able to meet again during their rehabilitation in the hospital.

From then on their relationship grew much more stable so that by the time they graduated high school, they decided on going to the same college together. Chris, inspired by his experience in the hospital, entered the medical field once he got his degree while Naoyuki took a more artistic route. They’d gotten married two years ago and now, at the age of 26, both were comfortable and secure enough to bring along someone else to share in their peaceful happiness. 

Eijun cries after hearing the story, embarrassing Naoyuki to no end and only stopping when Chris mentions the chocolate cake he’d gotten for dessert.

Chris and Naoyuki had spent a romantic day together and exchanged gifts on Christmas Eve, reserving today just for Eijun’s arrival. To his utter surprise, he’s graced with a few beautifully wrapped gifts to open which all contain his favorite types of toys— a volleyball, baseball, tennis ball, soccer ball, and even a basketball. It takes one look from Naoyuki at Eijun’s overjoyed face to remind him not to play with them while inside the apartment.

The most important gift is wrapped delicately in a small white box and topped off with a red bow. He rips it open with none of the grace the packaging shows and marvels in delight at what he sees— a brand new collar. It was made of a thin velvet material, meant to be more elegant than some of the other bulkier collars out there, and was clasped together with a small silver chain in the back. The pale yellow of the collar matched the jewel that laid on the name tag hanging from its front, already engraved with his name.

Squealing, Eijun immediately puts it on, sighing at how breathable and soft it feels against his neck. With how high up it sits on his throat, it resembles an elegant piece of jewelry, like a choker, more than a boring accessory used for identification. 

He throws himself at both of his owners, wrapping an arm around each of their necks in a tight hug, expressing his thanks in the best way he knows how: physical affection. He struts around the living room for them, showing off his new gift like he’s a model on the runway. 

Later, when they stroll around the city to gaze at the Christmas lights illuminating the night, Eijun gets to proudly show it off, walking in between his two new favorite people. Right now, Eijun thinks nothing can possibly ever go wrong.

*****

Eijun’s first breakdown happens after New Year’s when he finds out that Chris has to leave for work. He has to leave them for eight whole hours, five days a week, forever. Or, at least until he retires. It’s the worst news Eijun has ever heard and he’ll do anything to stop it, including letting out pathetic whines as fat tears roll down his face while he watches Chris put his shoes on at the front door. His ears droop while his normally perky tail is tucked between his legs.

He’s known from the beginning that Chris would have to leave most days for his job as a physical therapist at Tokyo’s National Training Center while he would remain home with Naoyuki, whose work as a freelance artist gives him more freedom. It was one of the things he was most excited for, that he would rarely be left alone by himself and always be in the company of another. It seems so much grimmer now that they’ve spent the last few days together from sunrise to sunset.

“I’ll be back home before you know it.”  Fingers card through his hair and scratch at his scalp by the base of his ears. It’s meant to soothe the distressed hybrid but only ends up reminding Eijun of how he’ll miss this throughout the day.

“What? Am I not good enough for you, kid?” Naoyuki teases, coming to stand beside Eijun and placing a hand on his shoulder.

“T-That’s not it,” Eijun sniffles, trying to backtrack so as not to offend anyone.

“You know, you have a very important job yourself,” Chris says, bending down to be eye level with Eijun. He lowers his voice into a whisper like he’s telling a secret and Eijun, easily falling into the trap, quiets down and leans in closer to hear him more clearly.

“What?” he whispers back.

“Well, you have to stay here to not only protect the house but also Naoyuki, too.”

Eijun springs back up, almost knocking heads with Chris as his back turns ramrod straight. Of course, he has a job to do, he’s not just here to laze around all day living like royalty. He’s a hybrid, both needed and wanted for his companionship and while he might not be as intimidating as a German shepherd or pitbull, he can make an amazing guard dog. He’s been working on his growls and barks after all and they aren’t too bad if he does say so himself.

“Of course!” Eijun shouts, hand coming up to play with the tag on his collar that hangs right above his sternum. “I’ll protect him with my life! Like a knight in shining armor!”

“I don’t doubt it.”

Naoyuki flicks him between his shoulder blades, stepping around him to stand next to Chris. “That’s some high and mighty talk coming from the guy who was cowering behind the couch once I turned the vacuum on.”

Eijun bristles, hands balled into fists as his face starts turning red. “That’s cause I wasn’t ready for it to be so loud! I have better hearing than you, you know! It startled me!!”

“Whatever you say, kid.”

Eijun watches as his owners share a quick goodbye kiss, waiting patiently with his hands clasped behind his back and tail wagging once again. There’s an expectant smile on his face that brings a laugh out of Chris. He still leans down, brushing his lips against the top of Eijun’s head causing the pup to let out a happy chirp.

Once the door shuts behind Chris, Naoyuki shoots a suspicious glance at Eijun. “I know what you’re doing.”

Eijun turns on his heels to walk back into the living room. “I have no idea what you mean,” he sings with false innocence.

“You’re not replacing me as Chris’s favorite,” he says resolutely, following him. “I don’t even know why you’re competing with me. I met you first. You should both be fighting for me.”

Eijun places both hands underneath his chin to show off his angelic charm. “But I’m already your favorite.”

Naoyuki doesn’t answer him, just clicks his tongue. “I do have to get some work done before lunch but you can sit in my office with me if you want. Bring one of your sappy manga to read.”

“They are timeless!” Eijun huffs, crossing his arms and turning his nose up at Naoyuki. This isn’t the first time he’s given Eijun a slight jab at his taste in manga. Eijun firmly believes shoujo is the way to go while Naoyuki prefers shounen manga that centers around groups of rough and tumble delinquents. “How could you not like them? You’re practically living in one!”

Waving his hand flippantly at Eijun, Naoyuki turns to go back down the hall. “Yeah, yeah. Don’t break anything while I’m not watching.”

“That was one time!” Eijun calls after him, huffing and shaking a fist in the air.

Eijun intends to give his job the utmost attention and dedication, which is why he’ll stay in the living room for now. From here he can clearly see the front door, but because that’s the most oblivious place to enter the apartment, he’s made sure he can also see the balcony from his vantage point. They’re the two main points of entry to their home, and while they are five stories above ground, it wouldn’t be too hard for a more athletic person to scale up the balconies below to reach them.

So he waits and watches, taking note of anything that moves or seems dubious, ears swiveling for any unfamiliar sounds and nose twitching for different smells. He gives out a few test growls and barks, feeling his chest vibrate with each rumble and nodding to himself at his impressive voice.

It’s only after Eijun has successfully scared off two birds and one squirrel from their balcony that Naoyuki comes out of his office to look pointedly at Eijun with a raised eyebrow and arms crossed over his chest.

“What the hell are you doing out here?” He seems more amused than annoyed, so Eijun knows he isn’t in trouble. 

“Umm… I’m doing as Chris requested: protecting you.”

“From what?”

“The squirrels… and birds,” Eijun sheepishly says, ears flattening against his head as he realizes just how ridiculous he’s being.

Naoyuki huffs. “Kid, you don’t have to scare off every little thing. Just alert me if some stranger is trying to break in or something, okay?”

Eijun salutes him. “Yes sir!”

Nodding his head back down the hallway from where he came, Naoyuki asks, “Why don’t you come sit with me for a bit?” 

“Okay!” He hops up from his perch on the couch, running past Naoyuki and into his office.

“You sounded very vicious,” Naoyuki compliments, trailing after him.

“Hah! As you should expect from such a prestigious hybrid as myself!” Eijun boasts, sticking his chest out but accompanying it with a cute giggle.

Naoyuki shakes his head, a small smile on his face like he seems to have whenever Eijun pulls some of his antics.

They spend some quiet time together, Naoyuki working while Eijun reads. As the days pass by, they add a new chaise into the corner of the room just for Eijun to lounge on.

He's also told that on the back of his name tag is his license number, allowing him to be able to roam about without his owners chaperoning him. Because of this, Naoyuki lets him roam around the apartment complex, as long as he stays on the property, so he can get used to the building. It lets him move around, get some fresh air, and meet the other residents when he starts getting too fussy from staying inside for too long.

It's walking around that he learns that the first floor of the building houses a lobby with couches, tables, and TVs that loop local news stations. It was something he wasn't able to see the first time he showed up, as they came in through the parking garage. He doesn't know what he was expecting, but it certainly wasn't a room full of other hybrids.

He assumed their building was hybrid friendly but he hadn't realized that almost every occupant owned at least one. So being the social creature that he is, Eijun proceeds to make friends with everyone that he meets. Like the two bunny hybrids, Ryousuke and Haruichi, that live on the second floor, even if he frightens the younger, Haruichi, with his overenthusiasm.

There's also a super nice fawn named Toujo and a squirrel named Nori that both live on floor four. He's never met so many different types of hybrids, so he's a little biased, but he's most excited when he meets Koushuu, a fellow dog-type hybrid. They cautiously greet each other at first, approaching with their heads down and letting each other get used to their scents. As soon as Eijun feels Koushuu relax, although still keeping a stern face, he pounces on the other, heavily scenting him.

A lot of them are around his age, all hanging out together to pass the time while their owners are at work. They use the TV to watch movies or play video games and with so many people it makes it fun to start single-game elimination tournaments. Haruichi slaughters everyone to Eijun's shock, making him reconsider his initial impression that his older brother was the more menacing one.

By the time he gets back to his apartment, he has a whole slew of new friends to talk about with his owners. He hadn't realized how long he'd been gone because Chris is already home and they're preparing to make dinner. He washes up quickly and then chats a mile a minute about his day, happy to have something of his own to report.

He can tell they're excited for him, pleased that he's making friends that'll keep him busy, especially when it's still winter and it's difficult for them to go outside. Eijun's thought about it a few times, how he misses the wide-open fields of the farm, running free with the other dog hybrids he was housed with. He loves where he's at now too, sees the appeal of the hustle and bustle of a big city, and likes all the diversity he wasn't exposed to before.

From then on he spends his days between keeping Naoyuki company or playing with his friends. He relaxes with his owners at night, eating meals together and getting his daily snuggles. A few times, Naoyuki and Eijun go to visit Chris at work when Naoyuki's old knee injury starts acting up. They teach Eijun how to use the weights and run on one of the treadmills.

During the weekends, they all go out together, whether to take care of some errands, try out a new restaurant or go shopping for Eijun. He'd originally only brought a few outfits from the farm, all hand-me-downs that weren't exactly fit for Eijun's built or personal tastes. As a result, he's spoiled with a few shopping sprees to build up a wardrobe fit for any season or type of weather.

They're at a boutique one Saturday, racks of clothing filled with clothes made specifically for hybrids— to accommodate for things like their tails and ears. Eijun had head straight for the omega's section, where the clothes are more fitted, feminine, and match Eijun's style much better than the boxy clothes he used to wear.

By the time he comes out of the dressing room holding a few articles of clothing in colors he doesn't already own, Chris is waiting for him instead of looking for things he thinks Eijun would like as he normally does.

"Where's Naoyuki?" Eijun asks, looking around the store and nose subtly trying to sniff out his citrusy scent.

"His knee started aching," Chris explains and motions towards the front of the store with his chin, "so he went to sit on one of the benches outside."

"Oh! Then we should head home at once so he can rest," Eijun declares, nodding to himself, and starts stomping off towards the front door. They've been out for a while now, hitting a few stores before this one to pick up some cleaning supplies and things that they needed around the apartment.

Chris grabs him by the arm before he can get too far. "Hold on," he says and holds a hand out, signaling for the clothes Eijun's still carrying in his arms. "Are you done? Did you like all of these?"

"Yes! These were all the ones I liked!" He hands over the clothes to Chris, flushing red at how he almost just ran out of the store while holding them.

Chris laughs with twinkling eyes and shaking shoulders. "I'll go pay for these so why don't you go find Naoyuki outside and then we can head home."

"Roger!" Eijun gives him a wave and then darts outside. It's nearing the end of February, so the cold is still biting but there's no windchill today so Eijun's fine with wrapping himself up in just a puffy coat and scarf hanging from his neck.

He searches for Naoyuki, looking for any sign of blond hair or his navy coat on a bench somewhere. It's still early in the afternoon and quite a few people are out and about, filling up the streets with chatter while there's still daylight to be seen.

Even with all the people out, he still isn't prepared for the piercing whistle that cuts through the air, making him jump and turn towards the source in reflex. His ears swivel away from the noise, however, it being too loud for his sensitive hearing.

Across the street, there are two people, two hybrids, looking right at him. One of them is tall, casually leaning against a lamp post with his hands stuffed into his jeans. He's got black hair with matching triangular black ears and tail, which is swishing lazily behind him. The other, a shorter guy with green hair, has rounded tan ears with black spots and a feral grin on his face that lets Eijun see how sharp his teeth are, even from almost ten meters away.

There's something distinctly feline and both of them and while Eijun would like to think he is the type of dog that doesn't fall into the stereotype that says all dogs hate cats, something is telling him that these two big cats are not to be messed with. They both have similar hairstyles too, spiked up so their hair isn't on their forehead and only adding to the delinquent vibes that radiate off them.

When the green-haired one sees that they have Eijun's undivided attention, he lifts a hand and crooks one finger at Eijun, beckoning him with a come here motion.

Despite his initial observations, Eijun doesn't like to judge a book by its cover. He also loves meeting new people, especially hybrids that have the potential to be friends.

Without thinking about it too much more, Eijun looks both ways, ready to jaywalk across the street and go greet them. He takes one step and then another, getting ready to step onto the road when a hand around his upper arm tugs him back.

He yelps at the sudden shift in momentum, heart rate picking up as he falls into a solid chest behind him. He panics for only a second when he picks up the scent of lemon, relaxing into Naoyuki's hold and offering no resistance.

Quickly spinning him around, Naoyuki grips both of Eijun's shoulders in his hands and looks him in the eye with genuine concern.

"Eijun," he says sternly, causing his tail to stick straight up attentively. "Don’t just go wandering off like that."

"But...," Eijun trails off, looking back across the street where the two hybrids have hastily turned to saunter off. He watches them for a second curiously before looking back at Naoyuki.

"It doesn't matter if they're hybrids just like you. I know you're very sociable and like to make friends with everyone but strangers are still strangers, okay?"

Eijun obediently nods, not sure what to say.

"What's wrong?"

They both look over to see Chris approaching them, eyebrows furrowed and a white shopping bag in hand.

"Two strays were trying to call for him," Naoyuki explains.

Strays? Eijun's never heard that word before, doesn't know what it means. Is that a bad thing? Is that what those two hybrids were?

Chris obviously understands what Eijun doesn’t, head whipping around to look for the two hybrids as his face closes off, all of his usual warmth locked behind a severe expression.

"They wandered off as soon as I approached Eijun," Naoyuki continues, placing a comforting hand on his husband's arm.

"What's going on?" Eijun asks, voice a little uncertain and shaky. He doesn't like being left out or feeling like he doesn't know what's happening. Did he do something wrong? He didn’t mean to.

"Nothing's wrong per se," Chris says, still surveying the streets around them before turning his full attention back to Eijun. "We'll talk when we get home."

"You're not in trouble," Naoyuki says soothingly, wrapping an arm around Eijun's shoulders when Eijun starts to fiddle with his fingers, a telltale sign that he's anxious. Naoyuki gives him a small squeeze and starts guiding him to walk back down the street towards their apartment building. "If anything this is our fault, we should have talked to you sooner. It's clear you have no idea what's going on."

"I don't." It's said as a whisper and more to himself than anyone else.

They walk back home a bit quieter than usual and Naoyuki keeps his arm around Eijun the entire time. He can feel them silently communicating with each other over his head but Eijun knows they'll tell him eventually so he lets it go, tries not to let it bother him.

Once back at the apartment, Eijun takes his new clothes to put away in his room then returns to the living room where his owners are sitting and waiting for him. They leave a noticeable space between them on the couch and Eijun promptly plops between them, ready for their explanation.

"Let me just say again that this isn't your fault," Naoyuki says, taking the lead. He cards a hand through his hair, pushing the strands back only for them to fall back into place once removes it. "We should have talked to you about this sooner and explained things to you."

Eijun nods, still unsure of what he's talking about but understanding of their reassurance that he didn't do anything wrong.

"Those two hybrids you saw earlier were strays," Chris says, his smooth voice settling Eijun's nerves. "Strays are hybrids that don't have owners or permanent homes."

Kind of like Eijun before he got adopted, except he still had the farm to live on and caretakers to provide for him. So then strays were completely homeless, left to fend for themselves kind of like their ancestors. "But why does that make them bad?" Eijun asks, nose scrunching up and scratching at his cheek.

"Well, see… most strays are mature unmated alphas." The blood drains from Eijun's face, he can already guess where this is going. "Because they don't have owners, they usually aren't neutered or taking any kind of scent blockers or pills to manage their ruts."

The corners of Naoyuki's lip lift into a wry smile. "So Eijun, the reason why I yanked you back, is because while you're still technically a pup, and I can't smell pheromones like you can, those two probably could. You're not far off from your first heat and as an unmated omega, you're, for lack of a better term, prime mating material."

Eijun lets out a little squeak at the thought. He doesn't have a ton of experience being around alphas. Back on the farm, the other hybrids around him were too young to have presented yet and if they had, it didn't have much of an effect on him as they were his littermates. Most of his friends here are omegas too, but the alphas he does know are either immature, like Koushuu, or are sterilized, either with surgery or medication.

An unmated mature alpha in their pure state is an intimidating thought. He can just recall the feral energy radiating from the two he'd seen across the street. He'd heard stories of omegas taken against their will by alphas, but it always seemed like folklore or a worst-case scenario about omegas in abusive households. These things just didn't happen normally when humans were around to watch over things.

"This is why strays are illegal," Chris says, taking Eijun's silent pondering as a cue to keep going. "Without a license proving that they have an owner, strays are usually caught by city workers and put into a shelter, and depending on how aggressive they are, are put down. They don't want any strays running around potentially hurting omegas or fathering kits that they can't or won't be able to care for."

At that terrifying thought, Eijun lets out a whimper, pulling his knees up to his chest and hugging them for comfort. Chris and Naoyuki both scoot closer to him, cuddling Eijun between them as Chris rubs circles on his back to help him keep calm.

"T-That's so scary," Eijun says, brows tensing at the thought of his own being... being killed for something that's always seemed so natural to Eijun. He would never wish harm on another omega, but at the same time, he's heard about alpha's and their instincts like finding a mate and trying to provide and care for them. It must be hard to do something like that in a world where humans do everything for them. Even in Eijun’s case, he’s completely cared for and most of his base needs are met, rendering his primal instincts naught.

"Do you see why we were so concerned for you earlier, Eijun?" Naoyuki asks, clutching one of Eijun's hands in his own. At Eijun's nod, he smiles. "Good, it's not that we think all strays are uncontrollable terrible alphas, but it's just a precaution to make sure you stay safe. So now, if there's one rule of ours that we need you to follow, it's that you stay clear of strays as best you can, okay?"

Eijun resolutely nods his head, blowing a hot puff of air out of his nose like a bull. Straightening up out of his hunched form, Eijun hits a fist against his chest and proudly states, "I promise!" It's not like he would ever disobey them anyway. They could tell him he couldn't read shoujo manga anymore, and while he would definitely pout about it, he would still comply.

They both smile at EIjun's typical energetic response. "Good boy." Naoyuki scratches behind his fluffy ears, Eijun's tail instantly whipping back and forth while he closes his eyes to savor the touch and praise that settles nicely underneath his skin. "We still have one more thing to discuss with you."

Eijun’s eyes pop open at the ominous way he says it. Naoyuki isn’t looking at him, eyes wandering off towards the ceiling as he rubs at the back of his neck. There’s the smallest hint of a blush on his face,

"Your sixteenth birthday is coming up,” his eyes trail around the room before landing back on Eijun. “meaning your first heat is almost here. Despite what you may want in the future regarding… uh, breeding, you have to go through with your first heat as taking suppressants isn't safe."

Eijun flushes too, understanding the embarrassment of having to talk about this but happy that his owners are invested in his future and are well informed about his biology. Admittedly, Eijun has put some thought into his breeding. He'd always thought he’d like to have some pups of his own when he was older, the thought of it making his insides fill with warmth and melt.

It isn't necessary for him to find a permanent mate, someone to claim him with a mating bite but if the right person came along he wouldn't exactly say no. Decisions like these are usually left to human breeders, like on the farm where Eijun was born and raised— the breeders there choose who would partner with who and helped determine where each pup would be placed once old enough.

"Eijun," Chris says, drawing Eijun's attention back to them, "so because of that we'll need to find you a suitable heat partner."

Ah. Eijun hasn't put any thought into that. The first person that pops into his head is Koushuu, but he'd be too young to be a proper partner as he hasn't gone through his first rut. Other than that he doesn't really know. His experiences up until now with mature alphas have been, well… almost nonexistent. Instinctual behaviors like courting aren’t commonplace when hybrids have owners they have to stick by and end up participating in extensive breeding networks. Realistically, Chris and Naoyuki will have to pick an acceptable partner for him.

Eijun shakes his head, a blush crawling up his neck so he hunches his shoulders to try and hide it. "I don't have anyone in mind."

"Then we have to start looking around for you."

Nervous excitement pools in his gut until he can no longer sit still. He jumps up from the couch, knee knocking into the coffee table but ignores the twinge of pain to twirl around and face them. “I trust your judgment in choosing a partner for me!” he declares with his hands resting on his waist. “Good luck on your endeavors!” 

“Geez, kid,” Naoyuki moans, falling back against the couch in a huff. “Could you be any more embarrassing?”

*****

The topic of Eijun's impending heat isn't brought up again but he can hear Chris and Naoyuki talking about it every once in a while. Knowing that they haven't forgotten about it keeps his mind at ease. They'll take care of everything for him.

He really does try to not worry about it, believing there's no use in overthinking something that hasn't happened yet and instead focuses on other things, like the warming weather that lets him spend more time outside.

He can feel how his body starts changing, the way his sense of smell gets more sensitive, the spring air sweeter than it's ever been. He's running at a higher temperature, sleeping with the blankets pooled at the bottom of the nest on his bed more often than not, and wearing clothes fit for the height of summer. There's also this itch that snakes its way underneath his skin sometimes, lingering in the background just enough to be noticeable but not prominent enough to cause concern.

It makes him antsy though so he starts going on morning runs with Chris before he has to get ready for work. It helps him burn off enough energy so that he doesn't start getting rammy until lunchtime when he can go for walks with Naoyuki. His appetite has also gotten worse, being pickier about what he wants to eat and then eating twice as much as he normally would when he does find something appetizing.

They spend more time at the park playing catch and two retired baseball players teach Eijun how to pitch properly. It helps when, at the start of April, he joins the community hybrid baseball league along with most of his friends. His team consists of Koushuu, Haruichi, and Ryousuke, and some other hybrids he's never met before. 

Chris and Naoyuki go to all his games, Chris offering gentle encouragement and strategic advice for his pitching while Naoyuki screams his head off to the point where the umpire has to tell him to relax.

Naoyuki grumbles about it the whole way home.

"I wasn't saying anything mean," he mutters under his breath. "I should be allowed to cheer for my own damn hybrid!"

"You were scaring some of the players," Chris chuckles.

Eijun nods in agreement. "You can be scary sometimes."

"Good, then nobody will mess with me." He cracks his knuckles in his best imitation of those characters he loves to read about in his manga. Eijun cackles at his antics, happy at the support as the two men walking on either side of him.

When they arrive home in the late afternoon, Eijun runs straight to the bath, impatient to wash away the sweat and dirt he's accumulated from the field they play on at the community park.

Once he's done, he lays on the living room floor reading one of his many books, an icepack on his shoulder per Chris's instructions after having pitched most of the game. Naoyuki sits on the couch behind him, half paying attention to the TV playing old reruns of a crime show on a low volume.

"What do you want for dinner, Eijun?" Chris asks from the kitchen. Because his appetite has been so irregular, more often than not he gets to pick what they eat. He feels a bit guilty about it but it keeps his stomach settled and he makes up for it by trying to help cook or always being the one to do the dishes after.

Eijun hums, tapping his chin and swinging his legs in the air behind him. "Chicken curry!" he decides.

Eijun can hear the crinkling of bags and opening of drawers as Chris pads around the kitchen. "I'll need to get more onions and carrots then," Chris concludes, walking out from behind the counter.

"I can run out and get them," Naoyuki offers, reaching for the remote to turn the TV off.

"Actually," Chris starts, tapping his fingers on his thigh as he thinks. "I was thinking Eijun could go."

Hearing his name, Eijun drops his book, eyes widening at being picked by Chris to complete such an important task needed for their dinner. "Wahaha! Of course you would want me to go!" He jumps up and tosses the pillow he'd been leaning on back on the couch. "What an excellent choice of errand runner, shishou!"

Chris winces at the name, having given up on getting Eijun to stop calling him that after the first few times. It's kind of archaic for hybrids to refer to their owners in that way, reserved nowadays for when human-hybrid pairs participate in conformation and breed shows or agility competitions. To Eijun, it's a sign of respect for the man he looks up to, who teaches him more than just baseball, and who he kind of, just a little bit, has come to see as the alpha of their home.

"Hold it!" Naoyuki grabs Eijun's arm before he can run off. "Are you sure?" he asks Chris.

"Yeah, why not?" Chris says with a shrug. "He's only got two things he needs to pick up and he can walk to the store from here. He'll be gone thirty minutes max."

"Worry not! You can safely leave this task to me!" Eijun promises.

Naoyuki doesn't look very convinced but relents. "Fine."

Eijun pumps his fist in the air. "Oshi! Wait, I have the perfect outfit to wear too!"

"Outfit?" Naoyuki scoffs. "What's wrong with what you're wearing right now?"

Eijun looks down at his t-shirt and running shorts. "This is my reading outfit or what I'd wear to go running! I couldn't possibly go to the store like this." He tugs at the stretched-out collar of the shirt and notes the design peeling off the front.

"Duh," Chris adds, smirking at Naoyuki who just glares back at him.

Eijun pads down the hallway in sock-clad feet to his bedroom, hearing a faint "He's spoiled because of you" muttered behind him.

Stripping off his current outfit, he quickly riffles through his closet for the articles of clothing he had in mind. He throws on a casual jean skirt that he liked to wear often, its hem ending mid-thigh and showing off the toned legs he'd been training on his runs with Chris. Then he grabs the newest top they'd bought, a thin sweater in a deep green that he can easily tuck into the skirt without it looking bulky. He'd specifically wanted this sweater for its wide neck that shows off his collarbones, accentuating the presence of his beloved collar and the gold of his eyes.

He gives himself one last look over in the mirror and then runs back down the hall to the front door. Naoyuki is already waiting for him, arms crossed over his chest and foot tapping impatiently.

"You better go straight there and then come straight back," he lectures as Eijun slips on a pair of white sneakers. "Pay attention to your surroundings and don't wander off."

"I'm not a little kid!" Eijun huffs, tail fizzing out. Honestly, Naoyuki worries too much. While he appreciates the concern, he doesn't need to be babysat every second of every day. He's practically fully grown at this point, if he were in the wild he'd be on his own by now.

Chris followed them to the front door, lips pressed in a tight line to try and hide his amusement at his husband's overprotectiveness. "Eijun, take this," he hands EIjun a stack of bills, " and don't forget, we need onions and carrots."

"Yes, sir!" Eijun takes the money and slips it into one of the pockets of his skirt. He takes a deep breath and looks Chris in the eyes, standing to attention. "I'll be sure to pick the freshest and tastiest veggies!"

"I'm sure you will."

"Take this too," Naoyuki says, pushing his cell phone into Eijun's hands. "I want an update every five minutes, got it?"

"T-That's too much," Eijun stutters, back stiffening and pupils slitting into thin ovals. He shuffles from foot to foot and peers pleading eyes over to Chris, asking for some help.

"He'll be fine," Chris reassures, turning to face Eijun so he can exaggeratedly roll his eyes where Naoyuki can't see. Eijun giggles, as Chris pushes him out the door, hands waving to shoo him away.

Eijun heads outside, phone clutched against his chest in one hand while the other touches the tag that hangs from his collar, double-checking that the ID that lets him walk around by himself is still securely attached to it. He didn't need to bring a jacket, the cool air like a soothing balm on his skin that sometimes feels too hot to touch nowadays.

There's a family mart within walking distance from their apartment. It's most likely the reason why they let him go out by himself at all because he wouldn't need to use public transportation that he could potentially get lost on and have it carry him far away from where he wants to be. Admittedly, he still hasn't gotten the hang of reading the train schedules and figuring out which lines to take. They mostly walk where they want to go or take Naoyuki’s car if it’s farther away.

At this point, he's done enough grocery shopping with his owners to know where the store is, what aisles he needs to go down, and even how to tell if the vegetables he picks out are good or not. He's in and out in roughly ten minutes, could have been less if he hadn't chatted with the nice lady out the check, never one to say no to ear scratches. He walks out with a bag in one hand and a glowing smile on his face at having been called a good boy for helping out his family by doing some shopping.

He switches out the phone in his pocket for the cash he didn't use and any loose change. It'd be best for him to send a text to Chris saying that he's on his way back home to keep Naoyuki from panicking any more than already is.

It's because he's busy tapping away on the cell phone that he doesn't notice the divot in the pavement that everyone else around him has. He steps right in it, scruff of his sneaker catching and making him trip. Off-balance, he starts tumbling down to the ground and tries to keep the phone in his hand so it doesn't break in the fall. Meanwhile, the grocery bag is a lost cause, he can imagine the food rolling out onto the dirty street once he lands.

His heart skips a beat and he lets out a shriek, the pavement coming awfully close to his face when he's being grabbed, yanked backwards until the world is no longer tilting on its axis. 

"Woah there," an amused voice from behind him says as he is brought back to stand firmly on both feet.

The sudden jolting motion has him gasping, taking in a huge gulp of air and his mind immediately goes fuzzy. The scent that coats his mouth is so painstakingly delicious that he quickly starts panting, gulping down as much of the leather and deep earthy fragrance as he can.

Eijun has never experienced this before, a scent so undeniably, irrevocably, and unapologetically alpha that his head spins as it tries to figure out what to do. The omega in him forces up a soft rumble in his chest, something akin to a purr, until it threatens to spill from his throat.

"Be careful," the voice adds on, and Eijun turns to face his rescuer, wrist still in their grasp. "You wouldn't want to scuff up that pretty little outfit now, would ya?"

It's kind of pathetic how Eijun just stands there slacked-jawed, staring up at the alpha who seems to tower over him, broad-shouldered and confident in a way that only made him more alluring. Quite frankly, the alpha was gorgeous, fully grown with a strong jaw and thick shapely eyebrows. His chestnut brown hair was pushed off to the side like he'd been running a hand through it all day and Eijun has to push down the urge to touch it himself, to see if it and the round ears perched atop his head are as soft as they look.

Tha alpha tilts his head, studying Eijun and oh he wants to bask under the attention of those caramel eyes forever. The heat that's been making his skin itchy the past few weeks dulls until it's just a thick syrup swirling steadily in his gut.

He's not sure how long they stare at each other and Eijun's not sure if he can speak, if he should speak and interrupt the hybrid before he’s done looking over him but he can't help letting out a soft whine to reel the alpha's attention back to his face.

The hybrid instantly shifts, eyes darting back to Eijun's hazy ones and a devious smirk curls the corners of his mouth up. "How cute," he purrs, taking another few seconds to appraise Eijun. He seems to find what he's looking for, eyes flashing with something like recognition or attainment. "Would you look at that, Mochi was right."

It was said more to himself, but Eijun still blinks up at him in confusion. "What?"

The guy chuckles, a sound deep and rich like honey that Eijun wants to bathe in. "Don't worry about it, princess."

Nevermind. Eijun bristles at the unwanted nickname. "P-Princess?" he screeches and rips his arm away from where it was still in the other's grasp, fur standing on edge.

"You gonna tell me I'm wrong, little miss pedigree?" He raises one perfectly arched eyebrow and the knuckles of his hand brush one of Eijun's thighs as he gives the hem of Eijun's skirt a slight tug. He leans down to invade Eijun's space and woah... too close. His head spins and he has to beat back his omega with a stick that had practically begun salivating at the thought of the alpha recognizing his pure bloodline.

"Yeah, well...," Eijun glances at the guy's fluffy brown and gray tail swinging leisurely behind him, "what the heck are you supposed to be? A damn raccoon?"

"Oi, watch yourself there, pup. I'm a canine just like you, a tanuki—"

"How fitting," Eijun mutters under his breath.

"—and I don't think you have any room to talk with your cat eyes."

Eijun seethes at the insinuation and takes advantage of their close proximity to grab the bastard tanuki by the collar of his shirt and shake him. "Excuse you! I'm a purebred, I'll have you know."

The alpha gives him a lecherous smile as he slowly trails his eyes down and back up Eijun's body. "Sure you are, princess.~"

"Stop calling me that!" He lets go of him and with the same hand, pushes him away, pointedly not thinking about how hard the muscles of his chest felt underneath his palm.

He only laughs, rocking back on his heels and using the momentum to shift forward again and take another step closer to Eijun. His smirk widens, showing off sharp fangs that hold the promise of being able to sink into the skin on the back of his neck as smooth as butter. "Then why don't you tell me your name?"

The tanuki’s voice is silky smooth in his ear and Eijun can feel its vibrations sink into his skin and take hold of him at the root. His ears flatten demurely against his head and his tail lower in submission. The other slips a finger under Eijun’s velvet collar, using the accessory to pull him closer until they’re chest to chest. Eijun lets out a quick breath, not used to being pushed around by someone else.

The air around them is drenched in pheromones, the signal they're trying to give off as clear as day. Standing before him is a fully grown unmated alpha, unlike anyone he's ever met before. Being this close means that every intake of air has him gulping down copious amounts of the courting pheromones he’s giving off. He smells mouthwatering, now able to determine the earthy tones to be musky like cedarwood and leather that reminds him of running around under the sun during one of his baseball games. It strikes a chord with the more primal side of him, making his omega submit in delight. He smelled like a long-forgotten home and freedom.

Eijun has to keep his head tilted back in order to maintain eye contact with the alpha looming over him but he can feel his warm hand slip across his neck like a gentle caress until he takes hold of the metal tag that hangs off the front of his collar.

“Eijun,” he reads off the tag, the corner of his mouth quirking up and Eijun can’t suppress the shiver that overcomes him at the sweet way that husky voice says his name. “What a pretty name for a pretty pet.”

Eijun doesn’t move, barely even lets his lungs contract and relax, not when there’s an alpha so meticulously inspecting him. He’s never been a show dog but he feels put on display like he needs to start preening himself to show off how desirable an omega he is.

Letting go of his tag, the guy moves his hand back around Eijun's neck, letting the inside of his wrist brush across the scent gland that rests at the nape of his neck. It sends a shiver down his spine, body thrumming happily at the mixing of their scents.

The vibration of a phone wakes him up from his trance-like state and he shakes his head, remembering the cell phone he's been holding. The cell phone. Naoyuki's cell phone, who's probably wondering where he is right now.

Crap.

Fully conscious again, Eijun looks around, notices the people walking around them, some giving them odd stares while others are too busy focusing on where they want to go.

"What's your name then?" Eijun asks, determined to see the alpha again sometime but for now, he really has to get going. There's no telling what Chris and Naoyuki will do if they think something has happened to him.

Eijun looks over the alpha, searching for his form of identification, usually in the form of an easily visible collar or bracelet. He doesn't see one. His blood runs cold.

"You're a stray!" Eijun shouts, jumping back and pointing an accusing finger at the other.

"Shhh," the tanuki hisses out, jumping forward to cover Eijun's mouth with his hand. His head swivels around, ears twitching to see how much attention they've garnered. "Could you have said that any louder?"

He tries to pry the hand off his face, but when it doesn't budge he resorts to the next best tactic: licking the alpha's hand.

"Gross." He pulls his hand back like it's been burned and Eijun hoots in victory. "What are you? A newborn pup?" he asks, wiping his hand on his pants.

"Serves you right! Don't go putting your hand in places it doesn't belong," Eijun sneers haughtily, crossing his arms over his chest and cocking his hip out.

"How about I put you in your place then?" he growls in a low tone. His eyes darken and Eijun freezes in shock, mouth parting and shaky little breaths escaping from his lips.

There's something so delicious about it, being threatened by an alpha should have him cowering in fear, but all he feels now is arousal and adrenaline flooding his veins. He wonders if he turned and ran right now if the alpha would chase after him. If he would track him down and pin to ground, brawny body covering his lithe figure and mount him like he was made to be.

Eijun, red as a cherry and biting his bottom lip, feels the itch from before come back, burning his insides with untamed want. He opens his mouth to speak— to say something else that will piss off the alpha, maybe even get him to act on his threats.

"HEY, YOU TWO!"

Their staring match breaks with a flinch and they look over to see two uniformed officers bustling their way over to them.

"Shit," the alpha curses under his breath, ears twitching and eyes swiveling around, taking in the people walking by and the busy shops around them. When his gaze returns to Eijun, that same jeer falls over his face that Eijun is quickly finding to be the most irritating thing he's ever seen.

"W-What?" he asks, taking a step back with tense muscles.

"Nothing, just that we'll have to cut this short." He gives the approaching officers one last look, seemingly unbothered by the fact that for all intents and purposes, without some form of identification it's illegal for him to be out on the streets like this. "See ya later, princess."

He gives Eijun a sly wink that most definitely does not make him flush even more and then takes off, sprinting in the opposite direction. One of the officers lets out a curse and chases after him while the other keeps a watchful eye on Eijun.

"Identification?" the officer asks sternly.

Eijun absentmindedly flips over his tag to show off his license number, watching as the other officer chases down the alpha until they disappear from his sight.

The officer looks up his information on a handheld device, quickly sending him on his way once everything checks out with strict orders to go straight home. He finally sends off a text to Chris explaining that he'd got caught up talking to the cashier, which, of course, is only a half-truth. Guilt does tingle in the back of his mind but for some reason, he doesn't want to admit he'd been talking to a stray alpha.

It might not matter much anyhow, considering how he might be handcuffed on his way to some shelter right now. The alpha's fate is out of his hands at this point, not that he could do much in the first place. They're strangers and will never meet again. It doesn't mean anything if the thought has a whine building up and trying to escape from the back of his throat.

He makes it back to his building without any more run-ins, thankfully, and only has to worry about saying hello to Haruichi and Koushuu who greet him in the lobby.

"Eijun-kun!" Haruichi hollers cheerily, two pink ears perking up at the sight of his friend. He bounds over to Eijun, Koushuu on his heels and Eijun waves excitedly back at them. "Were you out by yourself?"

"Yeah! Chris had me go out and get a few things for dinner. Aren't I just the bes—"

He cuts himself off at the sound of a low growl, startled by the aggressive display and looking over at Koushuu. He's stopped a few paces away, head hanging low so that his blonde hair hides his eyes. His ears hold erect and his tail stiffly moves from side to side behind him.

"What's wrong?" Koushuu may pale in comparison to the alpha Eijun had just encountered, with pheromones that don't have the same drastic effects on others, but he's still an alpha. There's still a certain commanding aura they hold and right now, Koushuu is emitting one that clearly says he's not pleased.

"You reek," Koushuu grimaces through his teeth. His hands clench and unclench by his sides as he tries to calm himself down, ears pinning back.

What the heck? He just took a shower there's no way he smells bad, even if he had played in a game earlier. He turns to Haruichi for his opinion, the bunny's nose already twitching quickly as he surveys the air around Eijun.

"Well, you do smell different,” Haruichi says, face scrunching up.

A recent memory flashes through Eijun's mind. Dark eyes watching him intently. The smell of well-loved leather. A wrist brushing inconspicuously along the back of his neck.

Eijun flushes hot, temper flaring as he bares his teeth in a snarl.

"That mongrel scent marked me!" That's not right, not proper. He didn't even get the alpha's name and yet he's branding Eijun like they're a pair!

"What are you talking about?" Concern floods Haruichi's voice and he takes a step closer, getting past the initial shock of Eijun's changed scent. He pats the huffing and puffing omega on the back, trying to calm him.

"Mumumu! Haruichi I have to go," he snaps, stomping away.

The audacity of some people. Alphas shouldn't just go around scenting people, no matter how intoxicating the current scent clinging to him is. It's about respect! One can tell just by looking at how Koushuu reacted, a good friend of his upset at the sudden unfamiliar scent on what may as well be a pack member. Eijun wouldn't like it if the reverse happened, especially if Koushuu wasn't aware of it like Eijun wasn't.

He's thankful that Naoyuki and Chris don't have the same sense of smell. Coming back home with the mark of some stranger's scent is nothing short of a disgrace. Even more so when it's by a stray that he was specifically told to stay away from.

Eijun throws the front door open in a tizzy. "I'm home!" he calls out, toeing off his shoes and making a beeline towards the kitchen to dispose of the grocery bag and cell phone on the counter.

"Welcome back."

"See," Chris says, nudging Naoyuki with his elbow. "Told you he was fine."

"Yup," Eijun assures. "I had no problems. Was perfectly fine. Didn't have one misstep or encounter any weirdos. Nuh-uh!" Lying to them does make his palms sweat and heart race with guilt but it was only a short encounter, nothing that’ll ever happen again. And what are the chances that even if he does run into some strays again, he’ll be all alone and it’ll be with the same one?

"Where are you going now?" Naoyuki asks, taking the food out of the grocery bag and passing them over to Chris.

Eijun slows his tip-toeing towards his bedroom. "Uh… I need another shower," he fumbles. He really just needs a moment alone to compose himself and what better way to do that than wash away all traces of his misdemeanor.

A part of him wants to whimper at losing the only thing claiming him to the impressive alpha he'd met but that's all the more reason to wash it completely away. He can't be letting himself get attached to something that's not attainable and that he knows in his right mind isn't something he should want. It's just his impending heat talking, the smell of any other mature alpha would probably give him the same low burning satisfaction. He just needs to wait until his owners pick a nice alpha for him.

"Wait." Eijun halts and turns to Naoyuki's outstretched hand. "Change?"

He shoves his hand into his pocket, looking for the cash he hadn't needed. He comes up empty. He checks the other pocket. Also empty.

Eijun howls. "That jerkface pickpocketed me!"

*****

The event with the stray alpha moves back to the recesses of his mind in a similar way the scent on him fades away as the days pass. It’s also easy to forget about everything else when the worst thing that could ever happen to Eijun happens.

Chris and Naoyuki decide to go on vacation.

Without him.

It's really more like they’re taking a long weekend off and Eijun has known about their trip for a while now. He helped them plan it so he knows why he can’t go as it’s more of a couples-only thing. 

Their wedding anniversary is at the beginning of May so they decided to take a few days to themselves and relax at a lodge outside of the city. It was something that had to be done now before Eijun’s heat hit him. They both deserve a well-earned break with how perfect they are as hybrid owners. Eijun can survive without them. Probably.

Chris has an old friend from high school that Eijun will be staying with while they are away. Harada has two hybrids of his own, an alpha dog and an omega cat. While they don’t outright say it, Eijun gets their hint that the alpha is the one they’ve picked for Eijun, and by staying with them for a few days they’re letting Eijun assess him so that he can have the final say.

He’s never met Harada before but if Eijun thought Naoyuki was intimidating when they first met, it’s nothing compared to how he feels being faced with the sheer height and width of the man, not to mention his scarily stoic face. The only reason he doesn’t cower behind Chris from where they stand in Harada’s living room is that he instantly recognizes the two hybrids staring at him from behind their owner.

He’s played against Itsuki and Mei’s team in their community baseball league. It’s hard not to know who they are, with how they bicker on the mound in the middle of games, much to the amusement of the people watching. But Eijun knows how good they are and how Mei is a pitcher he can look up to— a southpaw just like him.

The prospect of staying with them doesn’t seem so bad anymore. They can talk about baseball together, maybe Itsuki will catch for him, and it’ll be like the sleepovers he has with Haruichi and Toujo sometimes.

He greets Itsuki like most other dog hybrids he meets, cautiously at first with his eyes down until he notices that Itsuki’s body is still in a relaxed position, his tail swaying gently and without concern.

Once he’s close enough he playfully pounces on Itsuki in something like a hug. The other’s scent is pleasant, not earthy enough to tempt him but he notices that there’s something muted about it. He must be using some kind of scent blocker or some sort of suppressant. It makes Eijun’s nose tickle so that he shakes his head, face rubbing on Itsuki’s shoulder to make the sensation go away.

“Okay, that’s enough,” a tight voice interjects along with a hand grabbing the back of Eijun's shirt to rip him off of Itsuki.

A smile stretches across Eijun's face as he turns to face Mei. The pristine white fur of the other's tail is groomed and fluffed out, swinging rapidly; he has the prettiest blue eyes Eijun has ever seen.

"Mei!" Eijun squeals and dives in for a hug. He's stopped by a finger pressing into his forehead and pushing him back.

"No touching," Mei grimaces.

Eijun frowns, pursing his lips. 

They don't have a lot of time to chat with each other, it's a Thursday night so Chris and Naoyuki are in a rush to get on their way before it gets too late so they say their goodbyes at the door. Eijun settles into a guest bedroom and he's out for the night, too exhausted from the change in environment to fuss over sleeping in a place that isn't his nest filled with the relaxing scents of his owners and home.

His hopes of scenting a fellow omega were shattered within the first five minutes. It's not that Mei doesn't seem to like Eijun but he also doesn’t like him either. During their time together, he always manages to be in the same room as Eijun but never really engages with him, as if he’s content to just watch him. Turning his nose up at Eijun and drawing Itsuki away from whatever conversation they're trying to have.

It's surprising to him that Mei and Itsuki aren't just mated to each other. Mei's older than both of them, meaning he's already started his cycle so he would have had to go without Itsuki for a few heats but they have this weird relationship. Every other interaction between them is Mei doing something he shouldn't be doing and Itsuki trying to get him to stop but going along with his antics anyway.

Eijun doesn't think his owners have had to scold him even once yet but by Saturday afternoon they've both Mei and Itsuki been yelled at a dozen times by Harada.

“Itsuki! Itsuki!” Eijun chirps happily once he's had enough of being stuck inside all day. “Will you catch for me?” He's already wearing a t-shirt and pair of shorts fit for playing in the hopes that they can go outside.

"Sure." Itsuki shrugs.

The air around them turns acidic in a flash, Eijun recoiling at the smell, and Mei comes to stand by Itsuki's side.

"Don't catch for him," Mei commands, pulling at Itsuki's shirt sleeve and not bothering to even look at Eijun.

Eijun frowns. "Why not? I'm bored. You should come with us!"

"If you're bored, go chase your tail or something." Mei crosses his arms and turns his back to Eijun.

Eijun's a little ticked off now. He hasn't done anything to Mei to warrant this kind of attitude towards him, all he wants to do is play. If he wasn't sure before, he certainly is now. Mei doesn't like him.

"Mei, that's not nice," Itsuki chastises lightly.

"No need to be rude!" Eijun yells over him. "It's not like you own Itsuki. If he wants to catch for me he can!"

Mei whirls around to face Eijun petulantly. He all but stomps up in Eijun's face, fists tightening from where they hang by his sides. Eijun really can't figure out what his problem is. Sure batteries are like the most sacred bonds in baseball but every team has multiple pitchers to work with. It's not like Itsuki hasn't worked with other people before. And they aren't playing seriously enough that Eijun would be spying on their team, if anything Eijun's giving them data by pitching to an opposing catcher!

"No, he can't," Mei huffs, making sure to stand in front of Itsuki and blocks Eijun's view of him.

"Yes, he can!"

Mei's face turns an angry red and Eijun can see his jaw clench before he seems to lose it. "Itsuki's my catcher! Not yours!" 

Mei swipes at him before he can react, sharps nails digging into his forearm and scratching his skin open. Eijun yowls at how it stings and so he can't get a second strike in, Eijun tackles him to the ground.

They tumble around on the floor, insults being thrown, elbows and knees flying dangerously close to sensitive areas. Itsuki's shouting, trying to pull Mei away and getting hissed and clawed at himself.

By the time Harada comes into the room to see what all the commotion is about, Eijun's got his teeth sunk around one of Mei's ears and Mei's fingers are jabbing at Eijun's ribs and pulling his hair. Mei instantly relaxes underneath of where Eijun has him pinned when he sees Harada's disapproving look. The foot digging into Eijun's back drops to the floor and he lets his claws retract.

"He started it!" Mei lies, scrambling to get out from underneath Eijun. Eijun half moves off him and is half pushed away, freeing Mei so that he can run and hide behind Harada.

What a brat! He was the one who attacked Eijun first! There's no way Eijun was going to take shots from a prissy little furball lying down!

"You liar! You swiped at me first!" Eijun turns to show off the scratches along his arms, streams of bright red blood dripping down his elbow to his wrist. He hisses at the sting that moving his arm causes.

"The both of you stop," Harada booms. It's enough to make Eijun's heart freeze, his blood running cold. He used to people yelling at him or having to handle someone much bigger than him being angry. Harada gives Mei a hard look causing him to slink back. "Mei, we talked about this beforehand. Stop causing trouble."

"But Masa—"

"Enough," Harada yells sternly and Mei stops, pouting. He turns to Eijun and gives him the same hard look. "You both should know better than to fight."

The whine in Eijun's throat gets stuck. He doesn't know what to do. Itsuki stands off to the side looking like a deer in headlights, mouth open in an 'o' like he wants to say something but isn't sure if he should.

There's a flurry of movements in the next moments and then Eijun's getting dragged out of the house by Harada. He doesn't know where he's being taken or why and it makes his anxiety start to rise. Is he being taken to a shelter? Like Harada can't stand to look at him anymore so he'll pass him off to someone else until his owners get back? He doesn't want that. But he also doesn't want to stay with Harada anymore.

He knew this was a terrible idea and he's never letting Chris and Naoyuki leave him ever again after this. He misses them so much. It's not fair.

"I didn't do anything!" Eijun pleads, voice cracking as tears start to stream down flushed red cheeks. "I promise! I don't know why Mei hates me but— but please!! Don't hurt me!" He tries to pull himself out of Harada's grasp, pushing at his wrist to no avail.

"I'm doing this so that no one does get hurt," he says gruffly, eyeing up Eijun's blood-stained arm. "Although, it seems a little late for that."

Harada keeps pushing him down the sidewalk until they get to a storefront Eijun doesn't recognize. Inside there are aisles of goods that he can't be bothered to focus on and some man is standing behind a counter where the cash registers are, off to the side.

He tries to dig his sneakers into the linoleum floor to slow them down but they only slide and make a grating squeaking noise in his ears.

His head spins as Harada starts talking to the guy working here, hearing the words 'restrain' and 'bite' through his distraught and racing mind. His eyes catch onto a display of toys and it hits him that they're in a hybrid shop. What the hell?

He keeps trying to break free, digging his own nails in Harada's wrist, only to get swatted at. Another shaky breath escapes his lips and his stomach twists, tears gushing from his eyes.

The guy walks around the counter holding something in his hand and approaches Eijun, reaching towards his face. 

Startled, Eijun bares his teeth and snarls, "Don't touch me!"

"Hold him tight," he tells Harada, his grip hardening in response, and the guy reaches for Eijun again. No, no, no!

He gets one of his arms free and pushes at the guy's chest, growling at him to stay away. He seems unperturbed, gripping Eijun's arm that's trying to shove him away, to hold him down, his palm laying right over Eijun's fresh wound and Eijun screams, pain shooting up his arm like fire. While he's still, trembling and now dripping with a fresh wave of red, there's something being placed over his head. It covers his mouth and wraps around his head tightly.

It's a muzzle. 

Thrashing at the realization, Eijun throws his elbow back, hitting the guy behind him. "Let go! I wanna talk to Chris!" Eijun weeps, struggling against their grasp, trying to paw at that thing on his  face. "Let me go!" His breath is frantic as he kicks his legs out, hoping to hit one of them again.

"Once we get back. Hold still for now!'

"No!" Eijun tugs and pulls and squirms and as soon as their hold loosens the tiniest amount he slithers out of their hands and sprints towards the door, knocking down stands and brushing stuff he can't give a shit about off shelves in his haste to get out of there.

He's out and down the street, sprinting away from those jerks who won't even listen to him. Not even caring for where he's going, he heads in whatever direction seems best, just knowing that he needs to get away.

It doesn't make sense why this is happening to him. He didn't do anything and now there's a cage on his face, his blood running with embarrassment and hot tears spilling down his face. His arms still hurts making him nauseous but he doesn't feel safe enough to stop.

By the time he does stop running to catch his breath, his tears have made it too hard to see properly and he's in an unfamiliar neighborhood. He spins around a few times, heart thumping in his chest and mind racing so fast he isn't really taking in any of his surroundings. His hands tremble as he brings them up to wipe at his eyes.

He doesn't know what to do, just that he can't go back to Harada's. He's never once been a bad pup in his life. He didn't want this— any of it! He was just trying to defend himself so why was he dragged around and restrained like some feral animal.

He doesn't want to disappoint Chris or Naoyuki. Even if he had a way to contact them he's unsure if he should. They have some time off so the last thing Eijun wants to do is worry them or cut their vacation time short.

Eijun bends over, hands on his knees as he heaves out a few more breaths. His best bet is just going back to his own home and waiting for his owners to come back. Haruichi or one of his other friends would be kind enough to let him stay until Chris and Naoyuki are back on Sunday.

"Hey, kid, are you alright?"

Eijun jumps at the voice, already visibly shaking. There are two hybrids in front of him, their heady and pungent scents wafting around him in an uncontrolled manner. Alphas. He feels suffocated and cornered, ready to bolt again at a moment's notice.

The one who asked the question takes another step towards Eijun, head tilting as he studies the omega. "Wait, you're that pup from before, aren't you?"

Eijun finally takes a good look at the guy, having to blink a few times so that dizzy head stops spinning. Green hair. Spotted cheetah ears. He's the stray that was beckoning him from before.

“What’s wrong, dollface?” he asks, taking another step forward. His friend follows him, this guy much taller with a close shaved head and thick, dark eyebrows.

Eijun takes a step back. His eyes widen, his stomach churning as his omega whines timidly in the back of his mind. He doesn't know what to say or if he's expected to say something. The last thing he wants to do is start a conversation or give these guys any information about himself. He needs to get out of here.

“See, I told ya he was a pretty little thing,” the cheetah says to his friend, elbowing his side. "Too bad that thing on his face is coverin' it up."

“He is," the taller one says. His eyes roam over Eijun's face and body and it makes Eijun's skin crawl. "Exactly like that one anime they used to play all the time, the one with the weird outfits that got pulled.”

Both Eijun and the cheetah hybrid give him a weird look. His panic momentarily turns into confusion.

“What are you talking about?” the cheetah asks in a grimace.

“Yeah, what the hell is that supposed to mean!?” Eijun shouts, indignant. Should he be offended at that? It was the wrong thing to say though, as it draws their attention back to Eijun when he should have just made a run for it.

And run for it he's going to have to if he wants to escape, but with the green-haired one being a cheetah hybrid and there’s no way Eijun’s going to be able to outrun him. At least not without a head start. Cheetahs are fast sprinters, but they don’t have the stamina that Eijun’s built up from his morning runs with Chris. All he needs is another distraction.

With adrenaline still coursing through his veins and a fresh sheen of sweat coating his face, Eijun does his best to cause one.

“Holy shit, look at that?!” Eijun shouts dramatically, pointing off to the side.

Naturally, they both look at where he’s pointing and while their attention is diverted, in a stroke of pure genius, Eijun slips off one of his sneakers and then pitches it right into the cheetah’s stomach.

“Hey, what the hell ar— oof!”

Eijun doesn’t wait any longer, taking off in the opposite direction and turning around the nearest corner to try and shake them. He can hear both laughter and an angry yell of “You little shit!” behind him but Eijun doesn’t slow down. He takes one quick glance, just enough to see that he is indeed being chased by the green-haired guy.

He has a considerable lead and focuses on changing his direction, pushing past people walking around, and trying not to keep looking back, no matter how tempting it is. He can't be that important to the alphas chasing him, he just needs to outlast them. Eijun's a lot of things but a quitter isn't one of them. He’ll make sure he gets back to Chris and Naoyuki somehow.

He keeps his breathing as steady as he can, breathing in through his nose and out his mouth, the stupid muzzle irritatingly rubbing against his face. He pushes forward and keeps running.