Archive of Our Own

Gorou was a man who spoke directly and clearly, but that doesn't mean he said what he wanted all the time. When he did ask for something, he didn't imply or skirt his words to have a hidden meaning. He simply chose to ask. He held himself to a certain standard like this. He would not censor his words or thoughts simply because someone else was present. If he had ideas, he spoke out. If he had compliments or critiques to give, he'd shout them from the mountains peak. The problem was that he didn't always wish to speak. Sometimes when he had a more embarrasing desire, he just kept quiet. He wasn't censoring his speech, nor being indirect, he simply wasn't saying it to save face.

This especially became a problem while giving his monthly report to Her Excellency, Sangonomiya Kokomi.

He came to her drawing room and told her of any progress and dilemmas that they were having and worked them out together. And then, after he was finished, Kokomi always invited him to stay and listen in to everyone else's reports. Gorou's issue lied in lack of certain affirmation, unfortunately. Kokomi was always kind to him, but he couldn't help the biological doubt he felt when the lack of affirming was there. He hated to say it, yet he couldn't deny it.

He wanted to be pet.

Gorou wanted, almost needed, to be touched on the head. It really wasn't a weird sexual thing as many have thought of him in the past. But even after explaining it's something in his inhuman biology, he wasn't any less embarrased. While they knew he had canine ears and a tail, most people did forget he wasn't human and didn't operate like one all the time. They likened him to a human with odd features than thinking of him as something different all together. He definitely didn't want to be thought of as an animal compared to humans, he was of the same capabilities as most. In his mind, admitting he needed positive reinforcement was so hard to him. He worked so hard to be the great general that he was and feared it would diminish his efforts. To him, getting pet was like telling a friend you appreciate them with a hug.

That's why he currently had his neck bent all the way to the side, trying to lean towards Kokomi. He didn't rest his head on her shoulder, but his twitching ears brushed her shoulder every few seconds. Headbutting her would be too infantile, it wasn't something he'd done since he was a child. Now he had other ways to communicate his desire for attention. He only needed her to pick up on the hint. Besides his fear of admitting it, it'd be rude to interrupt her while she was talking.

"Gorou?"

He lifted his head to meet her eyes.

"Are you alright?" She asked, quite sympathetic. "Ah, you must be tired, why don't you go rest for the afternoon?"

That wasn't quite it, but at least she picked up that he was off. He wanted to deny being tired, but that'd arise the question of what was wrong. Instead, he thanked her excellency and took a nap like she suggested.

_____

The next incident occurred about a week later.

Gorou usually ate lunch with his troops and accepted invitations to do so quite often. He was a sociable person, not only to his troops, but to people in general. When he wasn't fulfilling his duties as a general, he was simply conversing with those near him. He bounced around from conversation to conversation and activity to activity almost as if it were a sport. Most described him as someone with a lot of energy, but those who kept him close knew him differently. Sporadic and restless were the words they chose to describe this state with. Other times, his close friends knew he tired easily. He'd spend all day training, running, and talking to his troops and it eventually weighed on him. His afternoon naps were no secret but he didn't mind the fact that they weren't so public.

When Kaedehara Kazuha asked to share a lunch with him, he couldn't say no. But it's not that he wanted to say no in the first place. He loved eating around other people and it helped that he was quite fond of Kazuha. Gorou had a lot of love to give to other people, so he dedicated himself to a close few endlessly and entirely. His love wasn't a limited source, so he didn't want to put a limit on it himself. Plus, having Kazuha with him encouraged him to eat. He often forgot to eat when he was by himself or even didn't feel hungry when he didn't have company. A meal was always better when it became a social event. After finishing a meal, Gorou still enjoyed company.

They sat together on a large, flat rock, simply taking in the scenery before them. The day wasn't particularly amazing, but it was nice nonetheless. It was hot out and most of everyone was affected by this conundrum. Gorou especially overheated easier than human tended to. All was silent except for his soft, open-mouth panting to try and cool himself down.

"Are you alright, friend?" Kazuha asked, clearly noticing the pants coming from his friends mouth.

"It's hot out and I don't sweat."

"Oh? What exactly does that mean?"

"You sweat to cool your body down." He said. "While I do have sweat glands, I have far less than you do, so it does little to help me with heat. It's easier to dehydrate myself, so I pant to relieve any overheating. It's also easier to breathe this way when it's hot out."

"Hm, to the point as always." Kazuha mused. "I've got water if that would help?"

Gorou nodded enthusiastically, watching Kazuha reach into his bag. He pulled out a quite worn canteen and bowl, then filled it up for his friend.

Normally, Gorou would find it taunting that someone would ever pour his water into a water dish like an animal, but Kazuha was aware of the predicament. His cheeks were incomplete. It gave him the appearance of a having a down turned mouth, but it served a certain purpose for him. He could unhinge his jaw much wider than the average person. The disadvantage was that he can't drink out of any small opening or cup without pouring it directly into his mouth. The corners of his mouth being pointed down meant he can't bring them together to make the 'o' shape needed for creating suction. Popsicles and things like that were hard for him to enjoy.

Gorou thanked him and handed the dish back to Kazuha, then proceeded to lie down. Kazuha laughed a moment at his friends pose, which was reminiscent of a star fish.

Gorou found himself adjusting closer and closer to Kazuha. He really couldn't help it this time. After lunch, he always got a little tired and craved a comforting touch to put him to sleep. Perhaps it was biological or perhaps it reminded him of how his four brothers and him would sleep in a pile. He really wanted Kazuha to pet his stomach.

Of course, asking him to do so would be obscene and embarrasing. The next best thing would be to hint at it. He put his ears back into a submissive pose and swayed his tail between his legs as much as he could. His back arched slightly towards Kazuha, leaving him splayed out and open.

"Are you uncomfortable?" Kazuha asked, breaking the silence.

"No."

"You keep fidgeting." He said. "And your ears are down like you're upset"

"Oh, well, this rock here is a bit too hard on my back." He said, flushing red and pinning his ears down even further.

Kazuha found them a new place to lounge around after that.

Gorou made note to remember that people didn't submit to eachother to show friendship and respect. Or maybe they just didn't give out belly rubs when you showed you were their trusted friend.

_____

The Komore Teahouse was reserved for those who had approval from the Kamisato Clan. This meant only a certain type of people ever entered the building.

Recieving this approval was quite easy for General Gorou.

Not only was a certain young lady in favor of Gorou's work in the Sangonomiya Resistance, but he knew the owner as well. Taroumaru was an old friend of his. The two had met on a rainy night, when one needed shelter and the other could open a door. Ever since, they'd been close with one another. Thinking of all the fights they've won together brought a smile to his face.

On the third day of every month, Gorou made a point to visit his friend.

Today started no different than it had before. He got up early to tend to the resistance camps and finished anything asked of him. He then stealthily made his way down to the Komore Teahouse as per usual. He'd often sit at the front counter, sipping whatever tea was recommended to him, and chat the afternoon away.

But when Gorou arrived, he saw the rare occurrence of another customer at the front. Most people in and out of the teahouse preferred a private room. This place was both a getaway and meeting place for those approved by the Kamisato Clan. Privacy was a key value. Though, it'd stand to reason that someone else would be in favor of Taroumaru's company.

"Woof!" Taroumaru said, making Thoma turn his head.

"General Gorou!" He greeted. "It's been quite a while since the last time I had the pleasure of seeing you."

"Indeed it has, friend."

Gorou wasn't upset to see Thoma, not at all. He was only taken aback slightly, especially when he was only expecting to see Taroumaru.

"What brings you to the teahouse?"

"I always visit Taroumaru this time of the month." Gorou said. "We're quite close."

"Woof!" He attested for their friendship, even if Thoma couldn't understand it.

Gorou sat down as Taroumaru prepared a drink for him.

Thoma was a reliable, trustworthy person, making him someone Gorou got along with quite well. Even if their interactions had been quite limited, they never had a beat of hesitance in warming up to eachother. Gorou was often hit or miss with how he felt about new people. He could make a friend or enemy in the first five seconds of knowing them. Thoma was one of the people he had to practically be dragged away from because he'd been talking so much. Even now, they had struck up a conversation about whatever thought came to mind in less than 10 seconds.

Gorou sipped his drink.

"Ah, Taroumaru," he said. "What's in this?"

"Woof!"

"Oh, I've not had ginger in tea before."

"Woof, Woof!"

"It definitely adds to the brew, but I don't know about-"

Gorou stopped himself as he heard the light chuckle coming from his right.

"I'm sorry!" Thoma said through his laughing fit. "I just never made the connection you could really talk to dogs."

Gorou thought it was strange, especially considering that was the first thing people asked him when they met. Talking to other canines was no odd ability of his, it was simply something he did. If anything, talking to humans should be the weird part since he's biologically canine. Gorou could understand their barks and typically opted to bark back instead of speaking. Sometimes, though, it drew less attention to speak without barking. His canine friends could still understand him when he did, even if they were unable to understand Inazuman language. Taroumaru was one of the ones who didn't fully understand human speech. He was smart and understood what humans wanted to convey, but he couldn't listen to every word and know it's meaning. He was a dog afterall.

Taroumaru lifted his head to Thoma, curious over his laughter. Thoma placed a gentle hand over his head and pet his fur where the dogs clothes didn't cover. Gorou took note of this behaviour and how Thoma easily understood what Taroumaru wanted.

Gorou lifted his chin up slightly, mimicking the dogs behaviour. He watched Thoma pet the dog, patiently waiting to see if he'd notice him. Taroumaru was the only one who saw, though, and curiously cocked his head to the side. He could easily read Gorou and knew exactly what he wanted.

"Woof!" Taroumaru said, telling Thoma that Gorou needed pet too.

Thoma smiled, but Gorou flushed a deep red and shrunk back down. Even if Thoma couldn't understand the dogs barking, it wasn't any less embarrasing.

He'd have to look back at the situation and try a different approach.

____

Gorou was thankful that Watatsumi Island was warm most the time.

Kokomi spent most of her time on the island, tending to its business and matienence. This caused Gorou to see her less often than he'd like. While he held her to high respects, he also held her as a friend. When he received invitation for afternoon tea, he accepted as fast as he could.

Gorou took the initiative he learned he needed from his outing with Thoma. He noticed how the man pet Taroumaru where his fur was exposed. The uniforms issued by Kokomi covered him fully and didn't leave that sort of invitation. Gorou hoped that being the highest ranked general would grant some creative liberties with what he wore. In order to draw attention to the areas he'd like pet, he simply removed the clothes that were there. It took him most of the night, but he was able to crop a shirt to make it both fashionable and functional for war.

He moved quickly and confidentially despite prying eyes of Kokomi's personal attendants. He'd never been the type to be shy over his body and was amazed that shame over one's body was even a thing. Perhaps it was because Gorou was a creature of nature, but his body was simply there. Not an object of shame nor praise, it just was.

He let himself into Her Excellency's drawing room as normal and was greeted by a pleasantly domestic scene. Kokomi always went above and beyond when entertaining guests, no matter who they were. Even after knowing her for so long, it always impressed Gorou. As the Divine Priestess, Kokomi always had the nicest Inazuman tea sets that Gorou had ever seen. She also went the extra step to prepare tea cakes herself and he always found that he could almost taste the love and dedication that went into such things. He couldn't help his tail wagging at top speed when he saw her.

"Ah, so you've arrived-" She said.

Gorou could tell that her greeting was perhaps cut short.

Her eyes drifted slowly over him, before snapping back to his eyes. The last thing she'd want to do is make him uncomfortable or appear presumptuous. She'd privately scold herself over it later. She definitely did not mind his new look, it only came as a shock. Gorou was the last person she'd ever expect to want a change of outfit, but she was aware that he overheated quite easy. Perhaps it provided a bit more function for him.

"Your Excellency," he greeted, his mouth forming a wide grin.

"Please, come sit down, Gorou." She gestured to the seat beside her. "How has everything been?"

"Exceptional!" Gorou said, practically yelling with excitement. "How is everything at Watatsumi Island?"

"There's been a lot on my mind, but I've been keeping up with everything just fine."

Kokomi's nature was to be kind and subtle. She never confronted anything directly until it absolutely needed to be or if she was sure of the outcome. Nothing about Gorou's new appearance was mentioned besides her initial shock.

Maybe he'd have to be more direct.

_____

Gorou's day started off not great. It wasn't the worst thing ever, nor was it exceptionally bad. It just wasn't great and in a way, that was the worse than bad.

He woke up late, way past the time of trainings start. He wasn't required to train alongside the other soldiers, but he was their highest ranking general. He was supposed to instruct and oversee and even sharpen his own skills. After showing up late, he snapped the string of his bow. It had happened on multiple occasion and wasn't too much of a surprise. His current bow was old and worn, making it easier to maneuver incorrectly and have it break. He could re-string it easy enough, but it still embarrased him even further than he already was.

By afternoon, around lunch, he found himself alone on a walk. Kokomi had suggested he take walks to calm himself and they definitely helped. When he was too overwhelmed, too restless, or too anything, he would take a walk and realign himself. He needed a moment on his own.

Until someone called after him.

"General Gorou!"

Behind him, Teppei was trying to catch up to him, a scroll tucked beneath his arm. Gorou smiled. He was quite fond of the man and had worked closely with him several times. They'd constructed battle plans that made former war generals look like children. And once Teppei moved form logistics, him and Gorou had fought side by side in battle. He was not the most skilled fighter, nor the most strong, but he had spirit. Enthusiasm tended to overcome Gorou on the battlefield, the thrill of a chase and fight going to his head. Teppei was just about the only one who could almost match that energy. Gorou couldn't blame him, of course, seeing as he had landed himself in trouble in the past due to overambition. Teppei was a good man and if anyone survived this war, Gorou hoped it would be him.

"General Gorou," Teppei said, handing him the scroll. "I've been told that these were urgent for you to receive. New battle formations that might need training."

"I see," Gorou said, distracted. "Thank you."

Teppei gave him a half-smile, one that didn't convey joy, but concern.

"I don't wish to overstep a boundary, General, but are you alright?"

Gorou looked at him, shocked, then cast his gaze back downwards. His emotions had ways been worn on his cheek, or more accurately his ears. It wasn't hard to read into his body language and tell what he was feeling. Though, it wasn't like Gorou tried to hide his emotions ever. He was honest with them and preferred to love and cry genuinely and out in the open.

"I've had a less than amazing day, I must admit."

"I understand that," he said. "Is there anything I can do for you, General?"

Gorou's ears perked up, and it clicked into his head. He was a smart man, but there's a reason he's the brawn and Kokomi is the brain of their operations. Why didn't he just ask?

"There is something, if you're not busy?"

"Not at all."

Gorou sat down, back resting against a wide tree. He gestured for Teppei to sit next to him. Wordlessly, he titled his head to the side and flattened his ears like he had done to others. This time however, he grabbed Teppei's hand and placed it right between his ears.

Teppei was surprised at first. He'd never seen his General display such vulnerability, especially before his soldiers. He didn't want this opportunity to leave him, so he wasted no time running his hands back and forth. Gorou leaned into it, giving a contented whine that sounded more dog than human.

"Ah, your hair's quite soft, isn't it?"

"It's fur."

"There's a difference?"

"Not really." Gorou said. "I have a double coat, though. The top is for repelling dirt and water, the underneath keeps me warm."

"I see." Teppei said. "Do you... do you like being pet?"

Gorou closed his eyes, relaxing his body like he turned to liquid.

"It reminds me of home." Gorou whispered. "I'm the youngest of five, so I'm used to the constant attention from my older littermates."

"Ah, I definitely understand. I'm an older brother to two."

Gorou snapped his eyes open like he realized he might have gotten too comfortable. He cleared his throat and stood all too quickly. Embarrased, he gave a nod to Teppei.

"Thank you, Teppei, for your time." He said. "If you could, this stays between us, Soldier."

"Of course, General Gorou!"

Gorou saluted, dismissing his soldier. He really couldn't help his smile, or the way his tail wagged, as he walked away.