"Make sure to get home safe." Kyoutani murmurs, squeezing your hand tightly as he still pointedly refuses to look at you, before he turns to Kindaichi, who seems even more uneasy as he notices the odd, uncomfortable atmosphere between the two of you.

"Let's go." Kyoutani says gruffly, nodding towards Kindaichi. After a moment of thought, he continues. "You need to get home before dark too."

You can see him just slightly puff out his chest.

"Y—Yes, Kyoutani-senpai!" Kindaichi replies, eyes lighting up. You watch them both leave, and you can't help but smile a little. Incredibly stubborn he may be, but you knew Kyoutani was a person who cared deeply about those close to him, even though he had trouble showing it.

Even his stern rejection was him just trying to protect you…although you'd told him time and time again that he was no danger to you (unless demanding ear scritches suddenly became hazardous to another's health), he refused to even risk having you around him during the full moon.

Shit, will you stop asking about this?! Do you know how much I'd hate myself if I hurt you?

But you won't hurt me.

…You don't know that.

Yes, I do. And I—I wish you did too!

You sigh, running a hand through your hair as you start to walk home. It's starting to cool down, and you know it's definitely time to head home. You've been thinking about tonight's full moon, and the life-changing events of last month's, so much it's starting to make your head swim.

You suddenly feel your phone buzz, and pull it out as you keep walking. It's a message from Kyoutani.

Sorry.

I just want you safe.

Even if it means staying away from me.

You frown as you read the messages, feeling your stomach twist unpleasantly.

"Kyoutani…why can't you have a little faith in yourself?" You whisper softly.

You know that he's torn. You could hear the hesitation in his response when you'd first asked to spend the full moon with him. He doesn't believe that he'd hurt you, not truly, but…but there was always that tiny chance, that small, small risk. And that's what Kyoutani couldn't abide by, the slightest hint that you could be put in danger. Even from him, someone who despised the very idea of hurting you.

But he didn't see himself as you did. Although he had eventually remembered most of what had happened that night, there were still some parts he couldn't be absolutely sure of. But you'd been there, and you remembered perfectly.

You had felt how careful he was with you, how gentle those deadly claws were on your skin when he was lifting you up. How even when he was taking food from you, he was so careful his teeth never touched your fingers. How he'd held you close and tenderly, making you feel so warm and safe in his embrace. You knew that he had taken great care to be as careful with you as possible.

In truth, you thought he treated you with greater care than he did during the days, and certainly more than the other nights of the month you spent together. For one, you'd woken up with none of the bruises or bite marks that he gave you with such relish.

There was no doubt in your mind that Kyoutani, even (or perhaps especially) as a werewolf, knew how vulnerable you were to him. And you could feel that in his every touch.

…And yet, even as you remember that, you can also vividly recall the fear in his eyes when he frantically woke you up that morning. When he had no idea what had happened to you…if you were hurt…even if you were still alive…

You couldn't even imagine the terror you'd be feeling if the situation was reversed.

You sigh again, kicking a lonely pebble across the sidewalk as you continue walking home. You knew Kyoutani very, very well, and you knew it was that fear, that terror, which was holding him back. That one memory.

There were not many things Kyoutani feared, but…the idea that he would transform, and wake up not knowing what he had done the night before…if he had accidently hurt you…or worse…

You couldn't blame him for it. You wondered, again, if you'd act much differently if your roles were reversed.

"Well, it's not like I hadn't realised this was going to complicate things." You murmur to yourself, as you type up a quick reply to your boyfriend. You make sure to use his first name, which always perks him up.

I know, Kentarou. You're always looking out for me 3

Just remember I'm here to look after you too! (ง'̀v'́)ง

I'm always here if you need me, any night of the month~

You flush slightly, knowing how that might sound if someone else were to read it, but you always make sure to keep your messages appropriately vague in case someone does. You knew how extremely important keeping Kyoutani's secret was.

Stay safe tonight!

I'll be cooking some ham if you're hungry ~(˘▾˘~)

Kiss kiss, ear scritch~

You finish sending the messages, and put your phone away. Kyoutani must be speaking with Oikawa by now, and at this rate you'd have to hurry to make it home before the dark really set in. You start to walk faster, a light, airy feeling rising in your chest.

Yes, you just knew it was going to be a beautiful night.

Kyoutani lets out a breath he didn't even realise he was holding in as he reads the messages on his phone. He reads them all at least three times before he closes his phone, knowing he's probably going to read them several more times before the moon hit its peak. Between you starting the messages using his first name and ending them with your new favourite phrase (which was made even cuter by how clever you thought it was and how proud you were that you'd thought of it), Kyoutani had to fight to keep himself from smiling like a love-struck idiot in front of Kindaichi, who's still watching him nervously.

Kindaichi wants to ask, to make sure that his upperclassman's sweet, cheerful girlfriend isn't upset with Kindaichi for interrupting her…er, alone time with Kyoutani, but he knows better. Kyoutani's moods are unpredictable and wild at the best of times, able to change in an instant, and he was currently in a good one (…more or less).

Kindaichi wasn't willing to risk that by reminding the temperamental wing spiker that Kindaichi had interrupted him with his mate—er, girlfriend.

That's also why he hadn't said anything when Kyoutani stopped suddenly just before the clubroom door to pull out his phone and send some messages, or when he saw that Kyoutani was planning to keep standing there, even after he'd closed his phone. Now though, Kindaichi was beginning to sweat, thinking of his captain and vice-captain waiting impatiently inside.

But finally, thankfully, Kyoutani turns to the door.

"You can go." Kyoutani mutters, as he pulls the door open.

"Ah, actually—" Kindaichi starts, only to snap his mouth shut as Kyoutani slams to a sudden halt the moment he looks inside the clubroom.

Kyoutani grinds his teeth, and the aura that seems to surround him sends a shiver down Kindaichi's spine. He suddenly wants to run, get as far away as possible, but he knows he can't. No, instead he swallows down his fear as he steps inside behind Kyoutani, making sure to close and lock the door behind him before he quickly runs to the side to stand beside Kunimi. Yet, even with his entire pack surrounding him, the room filled with its strong members, Kindaichi still can't bring himself to look straight at Kyoutani, and he can't shake the uncomfortable, nervous feeling he gets from the rage emanating off of Kyoutani.

"Hiii Mad Dog-chan~" Oikawa says affectionately, as he leans back on the clubroom couch. He gracefully crosses one leg over the other, watching Kyoutani with cool, calm eyes. The rest of the pack shifts uneasily as Kyoutani snarls in response, his eyes glowing dangerously.

It is no secret Kyoutani has the worst control in the pack while also being the most violent fighter, an incredibly dangerous combination. Especially when so many people were in this small, cramped room and Kyoutani was standing in front of the only exit. The tension in the room was only rising as all eyes focused on Kyoutani.

He snarls again, now baring his teeth. They're far sharper than normal; the bright lights of the clubroom making his long canines glint dangerously.

"Oi. Don't do anything stupid here." Iwaizumi warns Kyoutani, crossing his arms over his broad chest. Kyoutani's eyes dart towards the tall player, standing next to Oikawa. Iwaizumi stares down at him with the unquestioned authority of an alpha.

Kyoutani takes a deep breath, closing his eyes, and slowly exhales. He does it once more, and then opens his eyes. They've returned to normal, although they're still burning with fury.

"There's no reason to get so upset. We're all just here for a simple chat." Oikawa smiles, although his eyes glint darkly. Everyone in the room knows this 'chat' will be anything but simple, and Kyoutani is no exception.

"…This is important." Iwaizumi continues, staring hard at Kyoutani.

A brief pause, as they wait for Kyoutani to respond…he does not, however. He just glares at them.

"We just have one question for you, Mad Dog-chan." Oikawa breaks the silence, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"Yeah? So get on with it then. Put up or shut up." Kyoutani snarls through gritted teeth, which he bares at Oikawa again. There's a long silence, as the members of the team shift restlessly. Everyone can feel the heavy tension in the air intensifying even further between Oikawa and Kyoutani. Iwaizumi watches them both carefully; always there if things grow out of hand, but only if he's seriously needed.

Oikawa's smile disappears, and his eyes turn almost blank…like a flat lake turning to dull ice in the winter cold.

"How much does your girlfriend know about what you are?"