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Nasir watched as the trio of men moved through the trees together, carrying their hunting equipment. Rain was falling, albeit lightly, so the idiots in question most likely thought the sound was covering their movements. He followed behind them at a distance, stopping to check the dart gun was loaded.
"Do you think we'll be able to find something quickly?" One of them asked, fishing a map out of his bag. "I heard there are some pretty rare monsters here."
"I'm sure we can." The leader boasted. "This place has almost no staff, so we'll be out before they even suspect-"
"You passed the no tresspassing sign 3 miles back." Nasir cut in, stepping out of the tree cover. There was the usual split second of scrambling- the leader set his hand on the grip of his gun.
"Ah- we must have missed that. So sorry." The third said, his voice was sticky sweet.
"Interesting, considering you took the time to remove a warning sign on your way here." Nasir pointed out. "On top of trespassing, that's defacing property, and endangering other guests. But- you aren't really guests."
"We're just lost." The leader assured him. "We wanted to see the beautiful sanctuary, that's all." The police would be arriving at the visitors center soon. It was chilly out- one last cold snap before spring finally arrived. His fingers were cold. Time to end this little charade.
"Cut the shit." Nasir sneered. "You've got high powered hunting rifles for big game. I'm certain when the police search your bags they will find other poaching equipment. It's not looking good for you." The leader drew a handgun and pointed it at him. They were much dumber than they looked.
"We're leaving now. No need to involve the authorities." He said. The other two started to make their way in the opposite direction. Nasir whistled, a sharp sound that echoed through the trees. The retreating duo froze, and the leader's eyes widened.
"I'll show you your choices then." Nasir said. A rustling from the bushes drew his attention, and a beachball sized furry creature flew out. Three big eyes gazed at the intruders, and a pair of three fingered hands made grabby motions. "This is a sangan. A close relative to a kuriboh." The sangan snapped her razor sharp teeth. "The main difference, of course, is that the sangan are carnivores." Another bush rustled, this time closer to the trio.
"W-what do you mean?" One of them stammered.
"Well that warning sign you took down wasn't about some rare large creature." Nasir said, gently patting the sangan's damp head. "When it said 'Warning. Carnivore Habitat. Staff Only.' it was warning you about these little cuties. They hunt in packs- and have very healthy appetites."
"You wouldn't dare!" The leader snapped. "Besides, those things aren't bulletproof."
"How many bullets did you bring?" Nasir asked, regarding the trio carefully. "100? 200? There's no way you have enough. Your packs are too small." The sangan shrieked in complaint and he fished out a piece of dried meat for her. "Even if you somehow manage to hurt some of the sangan before they tear the flesh from your bones, the gunshots will draw the other monsters." As if on cue, a dragon roared out in the distance. Gandora, maybe?
"They aren't attacking you." The third pointed out, shuffling closer to the leader.
"I'm in charge of feeding them." Nasir replied, a wicked grin crossing his face. "They know where I am, it's dinnertime." More rustling- a crack of thunder. "You can either surrender to the police, or be another tragic headline. 'Bored Rich Boys Devoured by Beasts in Sanctuary After Trespassing.' It would cut down on incidents for the year."
"I'll go!" One of them shouted, stepping towards Nasir. The sangan bared her teeth and he froze. Another little beast emerged from the undergrowth, curious about the noise.
"That's fine. Just stay there." Nasir said. "Might as well drop your weapons. They won't do anything but add to your charges." As his companions complied, the leader still held his gun pointed at Nasir.
"And if we shoot you?" He asked, taking the safety off. "I'm sure they'll go for the easy meal."
"Would you eat me, habiti?" Nasir cooed, grin growing when the sangan blinked at him. Movement across the clearing- Nasir threw one arm out and raised the dart gun. BANG! Pain flared up his arm as the leader crumpled to the ground.
"Mother fu-" Nasir cut himself off, putting his dart gun back in its holster. He fumbled out a roll of bandages and wrapped his bleeding forearm tightly. Rain carried some of the blood down to drip into the grass. "You two idiots had better hope the police get here before something smells the blood." Rage curled his words, his accent bleeding through much stronger. The sangan licked his fingers, and he let some of the anger fade as he checked her for injuries. Luckily the man's aim was bad. He had clipped Nasir's arm, but was nowhere near hurting the sangan.
"Is he dead?" One of the others whimpered. Nasir walked over to turn the man onto his side. He was breathing, shallow and fast, as Serket's special venom worked its magic.
"No. Just feeling numb. Probably scared out of that tiny little mind of his." Nasir knelt next to him, watching his eyes dart around. "The dose you got is not enough to kill you. Try anything else, and we will see what a second shot does, hmm?" The sangan nudged at his elbow, and he tossed another piece of meat for her to catch. "Dinner will be soon, cutie." His radio crackled to life.
"Nasir, we are en route. Status." It was Isis.
"One incapacitated, the other two surrendered." He replied. "They've got high powered rifles, some other tools with them. And I would be surprised if they didn't bring a vehicle."
"Are you alright?" Isis was insisting. It was like she was psychic.
"I'm fine." He replied. Her silence over the radio spoke volumes. He winced, preparing for the lecture he was due for. A faint rumble of tires over the gravel service road announced their approach. Wouldn't be long now. He wondered how Ryou was getting along.
~
Rain tapped on the windowsill as Ryou prepared his mug on the counter. A cold, rainy, winter day- perfect for snuggling up on the couch for a horror movie and some tea. As he picked his tea out of the cabinet, clicking on the floor alerted him to his guest.
“Serket, you need to stay under your lamp.” Ryou said, turning to smile at the scorpion as he rushed over. “Oh, what a poor neglected boy.” Serket clicked his pincers, shuffling his feet on the tile until Ryou scooped him up. “It’s too cold for you to be wandering around.” Serket closed his eyes, happy that Ryou had given in. “Nasir is right, I spoil you too much.” Ryou carried him back out to the living room and set him on his cushion under the heat lamp. “I will be right back with my tea, okay? Stay here.”
Returning to the kitchen, Ryou selected a tea bag and poured the water into his mug. As he watched the rain drops race down the glass, his mind wandered for a moment. How many little monsters were outside in this weather? Some of them would be fine, of course- but every day domesticated monsters were tossed carelessly into the streets by their so-called owners. Maybe it was time to go to the shelter and see who was waiting for him.
The door creaked open, and Ryou checked the clock. It was way too early for Nasir to be home. Had something happened? He didn’t even make it to the doorway when someone shouted in pain. Ryou ran for the living room, praying he had misheard the shout. Lying in a heap on his rug was a man he honestly never thought he would see again.
“Bakhure?!” Ryou gasped. “How- why-?” Serket was holding Bakhure's pant leg with his pincers, preparing another sting. "Serket, no!" The scorpion froze, then slowly released Bakhure. "Crate!" As Serket scuttled into his heated crate, Ryou ran for the antivenom in the kit on the coffee table.
Bakhure was breathing, shallowly, and Ryou opened the injector to administer the dose. He was getting pale, eyes struggling to stay open against the onslaught of venom. With trembling fingers, Ryou dialed 911. There was a half crushed bouquet of flowers on the floor. Morning glories, in a wide range of colors. His favorite. Tears welled up in his eyes.
"Hello- Someone has been stung by a scorpion!" He gasped, reaching out to feel Bakhure's weak pulse. "I administered one dose of antivenom- oh yes, my address-"
~~
It was a little cold in the emergency room. Ryou was sitting by Bakhure's bed, fingers plucking at a loose string on the hem of his shirt. It had been 10 months. Almost a full year with no word from Bakhure. Not that Ryou had expected to hear from him, after the breakup, but it was surreal to see him again. Letting himself into the apartment like nothing happened. As if he and Ryou hadn't broken up in the most volatile and horrible fight 10 months ago. The kind of fight that ended a 6 year relationship in tears and screaming.
"God, you can never be simple about things, can you?" Ryou asked softly, lifting his eyes to Bakhure's sleeping form. "Don't bother calling, just show up with my favorite flowers and-" A gentle tongue tickled his cheek. "Dia, what are you doing?" Bakhure never went anywhere without the little white serpent- now wrapped around Ryou's neck like he always used to do. He had poked his head out of Bakhure's shirt while they waited for the ambulance. Someone ran up to the door, opening it partway before knocking. "Nasir?"
"Ya Amiri!" Nasir rushed in to hug Ryou, so tight his bones ached. "Are you okay? What happened?" He cupped Ryou's face with one cold hand, searching for any injuries.
"I'm alright." Ryou replied, leaning into the chilly grasp. "Serket was just trying to protect me, I guess." Nasir tore his eyes away to look at Bakhure, still sleeping.
"He just showed up?" Nasir asked, tugging Ryou's chair a little closer. "No call?" Ryou snorted, shaking his head.
"Even when we were together he didn't call." He explained. "I never changed the locks after the breakup because… well I didn't think it mattered." Nasir jolted in surprise, letting go of Ryou's face as Diabound sniffed him.
"There you are, little troublemaker." Nasir laughed, holding out a hand for Diabound to wind around his wrist. "Can't give your tamer any spare brain cells, can you?" Diabound blinked his red eyes, then gently bit Nasir's thumb. "That's fair, I guess."
"I… I don't understand." Ryou said, wrapping his arms around himself. "Why now?" Nasir kissed his temple.
"You can ask him when he wakes up." Nasir said. "For now, why don't we take a walk to the vending machine? You're pale." He let Diabound slither into the small terrarium the hospital kept for small monsters- in case of a tamer having an emergency just like this.
"I'm always pale." Ryou said, but got up to follow Nasir out into the hall anyway.
"Of course, ya qamari." Nasir teased, taking his hand. "Something tells me you missed lunch." Ryou let himself be led to the vending machine, where Nasir ushered him into a small chair and gave him some green tea and a pack of crackers. Tumbling the events of the day in his mind, Ryou was barely aware of the flavor. Nasir let him think, content to sit with him in silence.
"We should go back." Ryou murmured, getting up to dispose of his trash. "Maybe he's awake already." When they got back to the room, one of the technicians was cleaning up the empty bed. "What- where did he-"
"Your friend checked himself out, just a few minutes ago." The nurse said, having spotted them. "We advised him to wait, but he insisted he was fine." Ryou whirled towards the exit and ran out. It was still raining- but he didn't stop as the rain pelted his face. There was no sign of the other man in either direction.
"Bakhure!" Ryou called. The rain was his only response. "Bakhure!"
"Ryou." Nasir's soft voice cut through the rain. "He's gone." Frustration twisted inside of him. 10 months apart and nothing had changed. He was a fool to think anything had moved the mountain that was Bakhure's heart.
"Why does he do these things to me?!" Ryou burst out, covering his face with cold hands. "All I've ever done is care and care and care! He crashes into my life to give me a heart attack- and then what? Leave without explaining anything?" Warm hands caught Ryou's wrists, and he was pulled into Nasir's tight embrace. "Does he hate me? Is that why?"
"I wish I knew, ya Amiri." Nasir murmured, kissing his temple. "Let's go home. We can watch whatever movie you want." Ryou sniffled, still buried in Nasir's chest.
"Even So My Date Is A Zombie?" He asked. Nasir laughed, kissing him again.
"Even the trashy zombie romcom, yes."
"I love you." Ryou said, lifting his head to kiss Nasir's cheek. "Serket is probably waiting for us to come back."
"Best not to keep him waiting." Nasir agreed.
Later, while Ryou dozed against his chest on the couch, Nasir sent a long text to Malik. He received a single emoji in response and tucked his phone away. Serket perked up, stubbornly sitting in Ryou's lap.
"Good job today." Nasir whispered, rubbing one hand on Serket's back. "Keeping Ryou safe." Serket closed his eyes happily, settling down for some rest of his own. Ryou mumbled something under his breath, eyelids fluttering, and Nasir squeezed him tightly. It was all he could do for now. The rest was up to Malik.
~~~
The lights were low in the bar- a good thing since his head was still pounding. Bakhure nursed a beer as he replayed the day again in his head. The smooth taste of his drink didn't help settle his racing thoughts, but it would be a waste not to drink it. Soft jingling alerted him to the door opening, and someone plunked down on the stool next to him.
"On a scale of 1 to 10, how badly did you mess up?" Malik asked, leaning one elbow on the bartop to watch him wallow. "Nasir texted me saying Ryou's been crying all day- and that was after he raced off to the emergency room after someone got stung by Serket."
"12." Bakhure responded, still staring into his glass. Malik ordered a ginger ale, then turned to face him fully. Bakhure didn't need to see the pity on his handsome face, so he downed the rest of his beer instead.
"He wants to know you're okay." Malik said, accepting his drink. "Nearly a year of worrying, and this is how you chose to come back into his life?"
"I fucked up, okay?" Bakhure huffed, signaling for another drink. "If you came here to remind me of that, your services aren't required." Malik sighed, put upon and dramatic, before taking a sip of his beverage.
"I just want to know what you were thinking- honest." The blonde assured him. "Ryou said you brought flowers." The reminder of his stupidity made him groan, squeezing his eyes shut.
"I've made so many mistakes this last year." He admitted, taking the fresh beer with a nod. "I screwed everything up. I let my pride and my idiocy get in the way of my happiness, as usual. While I was traveling, all I could think about was Ryou." Diabound stuck his head out to look at Malik. "He was right. He always was. I wanted to live a life with no restrictions, and still have the privilege of coming home to him." Another gulp of beer, still failing to steady his hands. "While I was in Europe, I got into a pretty bad scuffle with some poachers. They were hunting out by a protected wildlife area and… I was in rough shape. Laying in bed to recover for weeks, all I thought about was everything I took for granted."
"You wanted to come apologize." Malik said, sliding a plate of chips toward him. He ignored them in favor of more beer.
"Yeah. I did. Came back to Domino, did a few jobs, saved up enough money to get my own place." Bakhure said. "Got him some flowers, wanted to stop by and talk. He… the locks were the same. Spare key in the same place. Last thing I expected was Serket in the living room. When I woke up, Nasir was with Ryou, waiting in the emergency room. I didn't know they were together- we did always say they would get along. I knew then I had made another mistake. Came back, got stung in Ryou's living room, all to realize I was as stupid as could be. Ryou- he looks so happy now. He's put on a little weight. If I opened my mouth, all I would do is ruin his life. No matter what I said."
"That isn't true." Malik countered, crunching a chip. "Like I said, he's been worried. Threw himself into work at the clinic, took on all kinds of volunteer jobs, really burning the candle at both ends."
"And being with your brother changed that." Bakhure cut in. "Not my reckless, arrogant- look, there was no way us talking in that damn emergency room would have made anything better. What was I supposed to say? 'You were everything I needed, and I was too stupid to realize?' While he's sitting there, with his partner who calls him 'my prince' and 'my moon'? While he's the healthiest I've seen in a long time? Take his new beautiful life and smash it to pieces?"
"I'm not even going to attempt to unpack that." Malik said. "Just- please call him at least. I can't believe you're up and about after a full sting. Serket's venom is pretty nasty. Even with the antidote, you must feel awful."
"Like a hangover without the fun part." Bakhure grumbled. "After being tossed in a dryer on tumble." When Malik stared at him insistently, he sighed. "Fine. I will call Ryou soon."
"You've got three days before I kidnap you and bring you back to his apartment." Malik proclaimed. "And you know Serket will sting you again." He handed the bartender some bills, finished his ginger ale and hopped up. "Three days!" And with that final curse, Malik swept out of the bar. Bakhure's phone pinged in his pocket, and he fished it out to read the message.
"Tomorrow night, huh?" He hummed, putting it back without replying. "Maybe I'll die before I have to call Ryou."
~~
The last car pulled out of the lot and headed down the road. Bakhure watched as the headlights faded from view. That left the facility standing in darkness and calm- only 4 security guards for the entire place. Typical of this sort of thing. As few workers as possible- easier to make sure there weren't whistleblowers.
"There they go." Amelda said, closing up his water. "Just about go-time." It had been a few months since they had seen each other last. Bakhure and Amelda had parted ways in the cramped alley in Germany around 4 months ago after releasing files to the press to shut down a major fur trader.
"How did you find this place?" Bakhure asked. A pair of guards moved across the empty courtyard, tiny flashlight beams sweeping the dark for movement.
"Last week I got a call from a rancher near here. Some wild dragon had attacked his livestock- but he said something was wrong with it." Amelda's face was grim. "It had no wings, the tail was a stump, and I could tell just by looking at it that the poor beast wouldn't survive for long. I gave it a big last meal, and helped it cross into the afterlife. Whoever had done this would want the proof back, so I implanted a tracker and moved the body out into the fields. They came and collected it, and here we are."
"Medical research?" Bakhure asked. Amelda shrugged, sharp eyes sweeping across the facility.
"No idea. Whatever the excuse is, they can take it up with the devil." He said. "Looks like a little longer before the rounds are done. How've you been? Last I heard, you were in a hospital in Lichtenstein after taking a few bullets."
"Been worse." Bakhure sighed. Amelda eyed him closely, lips twisting into a frown.
"Talk to Ryou yet?" He asked.
"It's complicated." Bakhure grumbled, going through his bag. Amelda refused to drop the issue.
"He's got a new guy, doesn't he?" The question made Bakhure groan. "Bingo. Told you, he was too pretty to stay single for long. Good cook, good looking, patience of a saint-"
"I know." Bakhure snapped. Amelda stared back with wide eyes.
"Damn. Sorry." He said, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Why don't you take it out on those guards, and not me?"
"Sounds great." Bakhure grumbled, pulling a baton from his bag. The duo moved down the hill in silence.
"System is down." Amelda's voice crackled over the radio. With that, Bakhure opened the window and slid into the dark lab. No security in the main holding cells overnight- the traumatized monsters were enough to scare anyone away. Anyone with sense, that was. One of the smaller dragons snarled as he crept past its cell, thrashing in a muzzle and wing wrap. Down at the end, past the cells, was the electrical room. Just where it was supposed to be. As much as he liked running into a field and corralling some goats in the dead of night, this kind of job scratched an itch he pretended he didn't have. There were two security guards out cold, locked in a shed on the outer edge of the property line. The headaches and bruises they woke up with were nothing compared to what these monsters had been through. Were he truly evil, he would have left them in the courtyard for the next part.
"Ready to let them out?" Bakhure asked, peering through the tiny window on the electrical room door. He could see Amelda moving down the line of cells, checking the inhabitants.
"Some of them are in really bad shape." Amelda replied. "It's a good thing there's a vet close by. Let me make sure the courtyard is sealed for them." Then he darted out of sight. "Good to go." Flipping as many switches as he could, the lights went out. Every single cell door opened as the breaker tripped, and there was a stampede as the able bodied monsters raced for the courtyard.
"These electrical rooms are such a fire hazard." Bakhure sighed into the radio, tossing a spare labcoat into the center. "Especially when people are so careless." In a matter of moments, flames were consuming the lab coat. Bakhure closed the electrical room door as the fire alarm started to blare.
"And they didn't even splurge on sprinklers." Amelda replied- voice hard to pick out of the monsters roaring. "We better get out of here. The fire department around here is fast." Bakhure started to run down the hall, stopping in his tracks as he spotted one cell that wasn't empty.
"Oh fuck…" He whispered, kneeling next to the poor creature. "Oh- what did they do to you?" Smoke was leaking under the door, so he carefully scooped up the little monster. "No time to wait, little one." Amelda met him outside, words failing as he took in the little bundle.
"We should have left those bastards in the courtyard." Bakhure growled, feeling the faint whimpers of the monster in his arms.
"Take her straight to the emergency care center." Amelda said, grabbing Bakhure's arm. "She'll make it, if you're quick. I don't even know if they can save her but- at least she won't be in pain."
"And you?" Bakhure asked, already climbing into his van.
"I brought the bike, it's pretty close. I can make it on foot." Amelda said, already moving back into the trees as sirens approached. "Go!"
~~
Ryou was knitting on the couch, watching a rerun of some old horror movie. Serket was next to him, watching him knit with fascination. He had already made the scorpion an ugly holiday sweater to match his- Nasir had never laughed so hard. Once in a while, Serket would carefully pinch the hanging fabric until Ryou tugged on it.
"This is for the kuribohs, silly boy." Ryou said, shaking out the fabric. "They're turning one in a couple of months, so I'm making them some hats!" Some poor victim screamed on T.V. and Serket turned to look, clicking his pincers curiously. The front door opened- and Serket whirled back around with his tail poised. In the few days since Bakhure had shown up, Serket had been extremely defensive of the apartment while Ryou was watching him.
"I come in peace." Nasir called, kicking off his shoes. Serket relaxed and scuttled down his ramp to meet Nasir at the entrance to the living room. "Hello little guardian." He scooped Serket up, letting the scorpion crawl onto his shoulders as he crossed the room to give Ryou a kiss.
"Welcome back." Ryou said, setting his knitting aside. "How was work?" Nasir sighed, leaning his head on Ryou's shoulder.
"Long." He said. Ryou carefully combed his fingers through Nasir's braids, trying not to snag any of them. "We had to go out and sedate one of the kuriboh from the farm so we could trim her claws. They were growing curled in and hurting her. But the rest of the herd was obviously not happy with that. I'm sure I have some bruises the size of basketballs from them bouncing off me."
"At least she's doing better now." Ryou soothed. "Hopefully the herd gets used to you soon. You've been out a few times, right?" Serket scuttled down into Ryou's lap, closing his eyes.
"Traitor." Nasir grumbled, nudging Serket. "This is the third time. I'm going to make some visits that aren't veterinary in nature- hopefully they won't be so jumpy." Another scream sounded from the T.V. and Serket clicked back.
"I'm sure they'll get used to you. You are all taking such good care of them." Ryou said, kissing his temple.
"What would I do without you, ya qamar?" Nasir mumbled, wrapping his arms around Ryou's waist. Just as Ryou was settling in, his phone rang. He freed an arm from Nasir's grasp to answer it.
"Hello?"
"Is this Ryou Bakura?" The voice on the other line was calm and professional.
"Speaking." Nasir peered at him curiously.
"I apologize for the sudden call, Mr. Bakura, but we have a bit of a strange situation. I am calling from the Lower Domino Veterinary Hospital on behalf of a patient." He sat up a little straighter, listening carefully.
"I'm sorry- I don't understand. You said you're calling for a patient?" Ryou repeated. "I don't have any monsters- this must be a mistake."
"We had a sudden emergency case brought in the night before last." The voice said. "The individual who brought the monster in left this name and number as contact for… For if she survived, and had a good prognosis."
"Survived?" Ryou asked, feeling numb as his heart began to pound. "Can I come and… See her?" Nasir squeezed his ribs, waiting for him to finish his call.
"Of course." The voice assured him. "She's been resting, and I'm sure there are a lot of questions you will have."
"I'll come right away." Ryou said, before hanging up with trembling hands.
"Are you alright? What happened?" Nasir asked, leaving one hand on Ryou's back.
"I-I'm not sure." Ryou admitted. "They said that there was a monster dropped off- and-" The world was getting fuzzy around the edges. Nasir grabbed his shaking hands.
"Ryou. Breathe baby." Nasir murmured. "Breathe for me."
"They said- they said she survived- Nasir-" Ryou gasped, trying to breathe- trying to think about anything other than whatever had befallen this mystery monster. He was suddenly surrounded in warmth, tight comforting pressure.
"Amiri, breathe for me. In and out- just like that." Nasir rubbed his back as he heaved in a deep breath, shaking as he focused on the pressure of the embrace. The world settled into place, and Ryou felt Serket climb up onto his shoulder. "There you go, good." After a few moments of quiet, Nasir spoke again. "If she survived, that means she is doing okay. Whoever she is- we should go see her. I'll go with you."
"What about-" Ryou looked at Serket, still perched on him.
"I'll drop him off with Rishid for now." Nasir said.
"Okay." Ryou agreed, taking another deep breath. "Okay. Let's go."
~~~
The Lower Domino Veterinary Hospital was big. They were the only certified large monster trauma center for almost 100 miles in any direction- Ryou remembered writing up referrals for work when dragons needed surgery or specialty care. Nasir held his hand tight, an anchor as they followed a technician through the surgery recovery ward. All kinds of monsters were here, healing up. Most of them had tamers with them- but not all of them. Outside of a recovery room at the end were both a veterinarian and a police officer. Ryou's blood ran cold.
"Ah, you must be Mr. Bakura." The veterinarian said. "I am Dr. Hawkins, I work in surgery and trauma."
"Yes- I'm afraid I don't know why I was called." Ryou admitted, stepping a little closer to Nasir.
"This is a strange case indeed." Dr. Hawkins agreed. "Let's step into this room and talk, shall we?" The police officer stayed by the door into the recovery room. "Now, I understand this poor little one isn't your monster." Ryou shook his head, unable to find words under his hammering heartbeat. "She was dropped off the night before last, by a man who is currently being investigated for attempted arson at a medical lab near here. He left her in our care- in a very bad state."
"Arson?" Ryou asked weakly. Any doubt in his mind was gone. Bakhure was definitely involved in this mess.
"Rest assured, Mr. Bakura, we know you have nothing to do with this- beyond being the point of contact for the monster." Dr. Hawkins said. "The arson revealed quite a mess at the lab- and we are certain the man who left her wanted her to have the best chance of survival. I just wanted you to understand the situation she came from."
"Of course." Ryou said. "So- she has no owner?" Dr. Hawkins shook his head, opening a file and lying it on the table between them.
"None to be seen." He said. "And her physical condition upon arrival was- horrific to say the least. It took several surgeries to correct what was done to her at the lab, and even now she will have long lasting effects."
"I'll take her." Ryou said, throwing his nerves to the wind. Nasir squeezed his hand. "I will do whatever I have to."
"We have a lot to cover, before you can take her home." Dr. Hawkins said, opening another file.
Ryou opened a can of wet food, carefully pouring it into a small bowl. Carrying it to the door of the second bedroom- previously used to store his infinite crafting materials- and knocked three times before he slowly opened the door. A tiny shape shuffled quickly across the floor, vanishing into the warm fabric cave he had set up in the corner.
"Here you go, sweetie." Ryou said, setting the wet food down next to her water fountain. There was a little movement from the bed, but she didn't appear. Retreating back out to the hallway, Ryou closed the door and sighed. It had been almost a week now- every day the same. He would bring food in, she would scramble to hide in her cave. The most he had seen of her was when she came home from the vet.
A tiny canine monster, with scraggly thin green fur. There were patches where her fur wasn't growing in at all, revealing scarred and bruised skin. Two long incisions ran along her head- one above her eyes and the other down between them, narrowly missing her nose. The tops of both ears had faded scars. One of her front legs was longer than the other, so she shuffled a little bit when she moved. On top of that, she was missing lots of teeth so she had to eat wet food. But beyond all the scars and pain, the hardest part was how scared she was. The little monster rushed to hide every time he came in, and wouldn't make a peep between check ins.
He sat down on the couch with another sigh, flopping back to stare at the ceiling. She was such a tiny thing. Humans had hurt her so badly. It was no wonder she was scared. What was he supposed to do to help her? Suddenly- inspiration struck and he bolted up off the couch. He knew an expert in such things- Katsuya was only one call away after all.
"That's how things have been the last 4 days." Ryou explained, pacing his living room in circles as Katsuya hummed thoughtfully.
"It's definitely a touchy situation." Katsuya said. "To start, I would leave her door open during the day. She needs to get used to the sounds of you moving around. Close it at night, so she doesn't get into anything dangerous. After a day or two of that, start feeding her when you're in the room. You can sit across the room- I would even bring something to read, or your knitting." Ryou nodded, jotting the notes down.
"What if she doesn't eat?" Ryou asked.
"After a little while, you can leave- but only for the first few days. She'll get used to you faster once she realizes you aren't going to hurt her. Food will be a good motivator. Most of the time in labs they aren't fed very well. I'm sure the good stuff you're feeding her is worlds better." Katsuya replied. "After that-" Ryou listened carefully, still taking notes as Nasir let himself in. He continued to pace around the living room, stopping occasionally to furiously scribble in his notebook.
"Of course. Thank you so much, Katsuya. I owe you breakfast!" Ryou said, ending the call to give Nasir a kiss on the cheek. The taller man pulled him in for a tight hug, rocking him back and forth for a moment.
"How is she?" Nasir asked, glancing towards the door. Ryou held up his notes with one hand.
"She's the same, but hopefully not for long!" He said, smiling widely. The path ahead was clearer now. Patience and steadiness would be key in the coming days.
"Here you go, sweet girl." Ryou set her food down and sat on the floor with his back against the wall. He tried to keep his eyes on his knitting, breathing slowly and evenly. After a few rows, he heard the slow shuffle of paws on the floor. Unable to help himself, he carefully peeked over the top of the knitting. There she was, staring right back. One eye was a little bigger than the other- and a different color too. Ryou held his breath, not wanting to scare her. After a moment, she slowly started to eat- still locking eyes with Ryou. When the bowl was clean, she shuffled back to the cozy bed and climbed in.
"Good girl." Ryou said softly. Her ears perked up, and she tilted her head slightly. "Such a good girl, Shelley." She yawned, settling down to rest. Ryou got up and left the room, silently cheering as he danced into the living room. This was surely the start of something beautiful- he could feel it.
The rest of the week passed in the same fashion. Shelley would watch him closely as she ate, and occasionally peer out of her room as Ryou went about his day. Just this morning, she had sniffed him, the closest she had ever gotten. She wandered out of her room, a few hesitant steps to watch him fold laundry. As dinner was wrapping up, it started. Rain began to hit the window. In an instant, Shelley raced back to her bed, whining and shaking just as thunder boomed outside. The lights flickered. Her whining grew louder.
"Oh- Shelley…" Ryou murmured, heart breaking as she whimpered. He went out to the living room, digging the speaker he used for game nights out and bringing it back to her room. After a few taps, soft music began to play. It wasn't loud enough to completely drown out the rain- he did have neighbors after all- but it was enough to muffle the sound. By the time it was late, Ryou had dragged his blankets and a futon into the room to sit where Shelley could see him. The lights went out just as he settled down.
"It's alright, Shelley." Ryou said, turning on his electric candles to give the room a little light. "I'm here." He read for a while, then turned to his knitting. Shelley was still hiding, a lump under the blankets in her bed. As it grew later with the rain raging outside, Ryou settled down to try and sleep. For a while, he dozed to the pitter patter of droplets on the window. Then he felt something. A gentle pressure on the futon followed by warmth pressed against his ribs. A sigh in the dark.
He slowly opened one eye, peering down to spy Shelley curled up against him. She had managed to get under the blanket, leaving just one paw sticking out. It took every last ounce of control he had not to cheer out loud. Her tiny body was shivering slightly, and he gently tucked the blanket in a little closer. In her sleep, her paws began to twitch. Lightning illuminated the room for a moment, and Ryou closed his eyes to succumb to sleep as well.
In the morning, Shelley was back in her bed. Ryou saw her look up when he got up to clean up the futon. He carried it back to his room across the hall, resolving to put it away after a shower and some breakfast. Shelley got her wet food first, and then he went to shower. As the hot water poured over him, he heard a muffled thump. But the sound didn't repeat, so he finished washing in peace. The bathroom door swung open to reveal Shelley sitting outside. Ryou froze, staring down at her. She stared back, her tongue sticking out, and her little tail thumped on the ground once.
"Good morning Shelley." Ryou said softly. Thump. "Do you want to sit on the couch?" As he walked towards the living room, she followed behind. He set up the ramp he used when Serket and Nasir were over, but she didn't get close enough for him to touch. As he went about his day she followed behind, always just out of reach. By the time he was sitting down for lunch, she sat on the floor and stared at him again.
"What's wrong, sweetie?" Ryou asked, turning to face her. She huffed, blinking at him. "I wish I spoke monster." She huffed again, this time shuffling away to get some water judging by the loud slurping from the other room. When Shelley shuffled back in, she was dripping water on the floor. Ryou smiled and leaned down to slowly wipe some of the water from her mouth. Her tail wagged three times.
The only time Shelley left his shadow was when Nasir came over to check in. As the door opened, she ran as fast as she could back to her room.
"Oh- did I scare her?" Nasir asked, freezing in the doorway.
"It's alright! We've had a very productive day, she and I." Ryou assured him. Nasir joined him on the couch so he could regale the taller man with their day.
"That's amazing, ya amiri." Nasir said, kissing his cheek. "You've had a big break through." Shelley appeared in the doorway of her room, tilting her head in confusion. One ear was perked up to listen carefully. Ryou frowned.
"Shelley, what's wrong?" He asked.
"Habiti?" Nasir asked, slowly turning to face the doorway. Shelley perked up and huffed, hopping in place a little. She recognized Arabic, it seemed.
"Where would she have heard…?" Ryou started, thinking for a moment. "Ah! Bakhure!" Nasir carefully sat on the floor, legs crossed, and began to speak to her in Arabic. She shuffled closer, tail wagging, and eventually sat in front of Nasir on the rug. Once in a while, she would huff again as he spoke. Ryou joined them on the floor in awe. Shelley scooted closer, and hesitantly climbed into Ryou's lap to listen to Nasir coo sweetly at her. Ryou lifted the hand closest to her, deliberately keeping it where she could see it as he gently stroked her head. After a few passes, she relaxed enough for him to scratch under her chin.
"What a sweet girl." Nasir murmured.
"She's never-" Ryou sniffled. "I'm so proud of you, Shelley." She turned to look at him, tongue sticking out, and gave him a tiny lick. They sat together on the floor until Shelley fell asleep in Ryou's lap.
"I'm trapped here." Ryou said, leaning his head on Nasir's shoulder. "I may perish yet."
"Serket will be as heartbroken as me." Nasir said. The mention of Serket made Ryou hum.
"He won't enjoy having a sister." He noted, gently stroking Shelley's head.
"He will have to learn to share." Nasir agreed, squeezing Ryou. "We'll be careful about introductions." Shelley's feet twitched in her sleep, and Ryou smiled. She was finally resting peacefully. Every day from here would get better, if they were lucky.
A week passed, and now Ryou had a little shadow. Shelley came to work with him- resting with the receptionist and getting spoiled rotten between her medications- and spent all of her time on his heels at home. She hadn't quite figured out the ramp, so Ryou still had to pick her up to put her on the couch. At night she had begun to follow him into his room and cry to be picked up for snuggles. His heart was full to bursting.
It was a big day, making Ryou's nerves a little frazzled as he bustled around the apartment with Shelley following closely behind. Last night, Bakhure had reached out. He wanted to come and talk before he left town again. It was the most notice Ryou had ever received from Bakhure for anything- including when they signed the lease for the apartment he was standing in. All the feelings he had been avoiding over the last few weeks had come bubbling to the surface.
A soft huff from his feet drew his attention. Kneeling down to scoop Shelley into his arms, he laughed as she licked his face. Her ears and her paws were cold, so he tucked her into his cardigan. Her sweater should arrive tomorrow and buy him time to finish his knitting so he could make her some more. She was always a little chilly, thanks to her short and patchy fur. There was a knock at the front door, and his heart climbed into his throat.
When the light from the door poured over the front steps, Bakhure was at the bottom. His trusty van was idling by the curb. Not a long talk, then. His stormy eyes gazed up at Ryou, the smile on his face not quite reaching them.
"Hey." Bakhure greeted. Shelley perked up with her head sticking out of Ryou's cardigan, tail wagging furiously. "There you are, habiti."
"I knew it was you." Ryou said, heading down the steps to his side. "When they told me she was dropped off after a fire…" Bakhure smiled, shrugging a little.
"I can't confirm or deny that I was there when that torture chamber burned down." He said, reaching out to pat Shelley's head. "But, when I saw her you were the first person I thought of." Shelley licked his hand, wriggling in Ryou's arms.
"Bakhure…" Ryou said, unable to unearth the right words.
"I'm sorry for everything, Ry." Bakhure said, pulling his hand back. "Well- not everything but… For showing up with no warning, and for scaring you, and for…" He took a deep breath, stormy eyes locked on the ground. "I didn't think anything through, like always, and I caused you so much trouble. When I woke up in the hospital I was embarrassed at how stupid I'd been so I… I ran away. Like I always do." A faint breeze moved between them.
"I was scared." Ryou admitted, adjusting his cardigan around Shelley. "Serket has a fairly powerful venom and… You've lost weight. And then you left the hospital far too soon and I knew you wouldn't answer if I called. Malik told me you were alright, but you looked horrid." The wind picked up, tousling Ryou's hair.
"It wasn't pretty but I've had worse." Bakhure said. He reached out, hesitating for a moment, before tucking Ryou's hair behind his ear. "I thought I was ready to talk to you about all of it, but I'm not yet. But I wanted to tell you… that you were right, Ry." Tears welled up in Ryou's eyes, and Bakhure's smile fell for a second as his cold fingers brushed them away. "Don't cry, please. I'm sorry I never listened to you, and I'm sorry I never put us first. I… I think I'll regret it as long as I live."
"Bakhure…" Ryou stepped a little closer, searching the other man's face. "It doesn't have to… We can talk about it, can't we?" The cold fingers withdrew, and Bakhure smiled sadly again.
"Not right now." He murmured. "Not when you've got so much good in your life. A partner who puts you first, a protective scorpion, and this little cutie." Shelley huffed again, turning to lick Ryou's cheek.
"You're good too!" Ryou protested. "Sure we had our arguments but- I don't want to lose you. Not forever."
"6 months." Bakhure said. "I will be back in 6 months, after my work in Europe is done. I swear on Diabound."
"Do you really have to leave?" Ryou asked. Bakhure nodded, glancing over his shoulder at the van.
"I've got this warrant out." Bahkure sighed, "No idea where it came from."
"Promise to call?" Ryou asked, smiling gently. Bakhure nodded.
"When I've got signal, I will." Bakhure said. "I should go- it's quite a long drive to the ferry from here."
"Be safe." Ryou said, reaching out to squeeze his hand. "No more supposed crimes, please."
"I can't promise that." Bakhure laughed. "After all, this little cutie mysteriously disappeared from a lab." Shelley wriggled more, managing to free a paw. Bakhure leaned down to give her a kiss on the head. When he stood back up, his smile was genuine.
"I'll see you around, Ry." He murmured.
"I'll see you in 6 months." Ryou replied. They held each other's gaze for a few moments, before Bakhure stepped back. The spell was broken, and Ryou turned to go back inside. Just like before- if he didn't watch Bakhure leave, it meant he had to come back. A secret spell for the future.
When the door closed behind him, Ryou sniffled. He made it to the living room, let Shelley down and collapsed into the couch to cry. As the weeks of tension seeped out of him, he felt Shelley snuggle into his side. Another goodbye in a long line of goodbyes. Hopefully not the last.
He was cuddled on the couch with Shelley, watching Vampire Professor- Blood Finals, when his phone pinged. An email. First Birthday Bash! The Muto-Sennen family had finally picked a date. Shelley licked his chin, and he gave her a big kiss.
"What do you think of your first party, Shelley?" Ryou asked. She barked for the first time, tail wagging against his ribs. "I had better finish my knitting."