Episode 11

It had been a long few weeks, or a short few weeks; Depending on who you asked. For everyone else, it was a stretch of time that was spent going about their days, letting that very time slip by without so much as a second glance, but for Kōsuke Wakamatsu, it had been a long few weeks of taking care of Kazunari Takao.

It had been a few weeks of heavy care, constant administration of the antibiotics and constant blood taking, but it was all for a good reason. The infection was finally gone and on top of that, Takao was able to sleep on his back, or side, and had been for a week. The pain was gone and now that Wakamatsu had finished his check up, even the catheters were gone and the stitches were dissolving right on time.

"You're healing real nice, Takao. I think we can finally start letting you eat real food." Wakamatsu said, cleaning up his tools and throwing away trash from the check up.

"Oh, I can't wait. This broth diet sucks." Takao grinned wide as he settled his basketball shorts onto his hips.

Wakamatsu cracked a lopsided smile, "Don't go crazy. You're stomach won't be able to handle large amounts for a bit, so eat slowly and have small meals throughout the day." He said, tossing a wadded up bag of trash into the can on the other side of the tent and making it in.

"I'll take it easy. Plus, I don't think Shin-Chan will let me. He keeps just as close an eye on me as you do." Takao continued to grin, pulling up the bottom portion of the plain black t-shirt before bending over to slip the top of it over his head.

"Good! You need it. Just to warn you, it might take a couple of days for your system to get back on track, so don't panic if you don't go to the bathroom right away. If you still haven't gone in about four days, we'll take a look and make sure nothing's wrong." Wakamatsu said, glancing over as Takao adjusted his shirt, frowning at the visible ribs in his sides that rippled his skin.

"Sounds good," Takao sighed and returned his attention to his shorts that hung almost too loosely, "Anything else?"

"Yeah... Absolutely, under no circumstances, are you to exercise in any way; No flying. No training. No sex." Wakamatsu said bluntly, pointing his cleaned snake camera at the boy whom stood up straighter.

"Like you really have to tell me twice not to have sex. I've had my fill for a lifetime." Takao shuttered and ran a hand back over his hair to push it out of his face.

Wakamatsu scoffed, "That's bullshit and you know it."

"I promise I won't! I just wanna heal and recover for right now." Takao said with all seriousness, tightening the drawstring in his shorts to make sure they were snug and wouldn't fall off his hips.

"Good. Don't make me hunt you down. It would not take me long to convince Aomine to chase you down." Wakamatsu said, popping a brow as he glared.

Takao just grinned some more before pushing a headband up onto his head, trapping his hair back and keeping it out of his face. He felt better, lighter and had even gotten to bathe for the first time in weeks that morning. Of course, he had needed help, but that was easily found as Shintarō had helped him walk both to and from the lake, and had even helped to clean his wings. He felt like a he was new in some way, but without having to actually be a new person and as he sucked in a pain free breath, his smile grew.

"Am I good to go?" Takao asked, setting his hands on his hips as he turned to look at the Aurora-wing.

Wakamatsu sighed, but nodded, "I am officially discharging you, Kazunari Takao."

"Woohoo!" Takao cheered, his arms raising up over his head.

"Easy!"

Takao just beamed as he stepped out of the infirmary tent under his own power, but still taking nice and easy steps as he enjoyed the feeling of the warmed sand between his toes. It was a far cry from the metal of the facility that he had called home for so long, but each step he took that was followed by more soft sand, he could only smile as he took in the encampment.

It was shaping up to be another low key day, and he was perfectly content with that. He liked the quiet, and it helped to keep his mind from wandering back into a place he'd rather not be. People smiled at him as they walked by, waving and greeting him as a friend, but he was barely watching as the one whom was undoubtedly his closest friend walked towards him.

"How'd everything go?" Shintarō asked with a push up of his glasses.

"I am officially discharged, Shin-Chan." Takao beamed, having to look up a considerable distance to meet his emerald gaze.

"I told you to stop calling me that." Shintarō said as he turned and started to walk, but made sure to take slow steps so he didn't outpace Takao.

"And I keep telling you I'm never gonna stop. You saved my life, Shin-Chan, so just get used to it." Takao smiled with a low chuckle as he followed along side.

Shintarō sighed, "How about food? Did you get the all clear?" He glanced down at his friend.

"I did!... But Wakamatsu said to take it easy." Takao said, interlacing his hands behind his head as he walked.

"Then that's what I'll make sure you do." Shintarō said, turning left at a campfire to head for the dining tent.

"D'aw, Shin-Chan! You're worse than Wakamatsu is!" Takao whined with an over exaggerated frown.

"Do you want to end up back in the infirmary? I thought you actually wanted to sleep in your own bed." Shintarō said with a sidelong glance down at him as he froze in his tracks.

"B-Bed?" Takao's face dropped.

"Didn't I tell you?... I'm sure I told you." Shintarō said, looking up and tapping his chin.

"N-No, Shin-Chan... What bed?" Takao asked, taking the last step to stand next to his tall friend.

"I suppose the cat's out of the bag. Come on... I'll show you." Shintarō said as he detoured towards the right.

Takao watched him for a moment before starting to walk, only going as fast as he was comfortable with as he followed. They passed a couple of tents before arriving at one with a small handwritten plaque that was stuffed inside a slip of plastic next to the flaps that simply read 'Midorima/Takao'. He felt like holding his breath as Shintarō unzipped the flaps and opened them, but instead of going inside, he simply stepped aside and held them open for him.

"Go on." Shintarō said lowly.

Takao stood still for a moment, just breathing as his stomach rolled, but he couldn't be sure if it was because he was hungry for real food, or nervous. The gentle flutters were sweeping back and forth like they were caught in a crosswind, but it was a comfort having his friend near as he stepped inside.

He froze in the doorway, stuck staring at the twin beds that were on either side of the tent. Shintarō's was easily identified by the clothes around and under it, which meant that his was on the right. The one on the left was covered in white linens, with a warm comforter over it that looked plush and cozy. There was a fresh pillow and even a trunk for his things at its foot. He had a nightstand, a lamp to read if he wanted, but what made his eyes glassy and ache with pent up emotion, was that it was already made for him and he didn't have earn it.

"I-It's mine?" Takao choked out, finally starting to breath again as he stepped towards his bed.

"Yes... Kagami, Kise, Kuroko... We all had a hand in it while you were in the infirmary." Shintarō said, stepping inside the tent and letting the flaps fall closed.

Takao swallowed down his building emotion as he set his hand down on the comforter, smiling as it felt like he was touching a puff of cloud. It wasn't the softest thing in the world, but it was his and that's all that mattered.

"S-Shin-Chan-" He couldn't speak, but rather, he shut his mouth when Shintarō stepped towards him.

"Aomine... He even switched tents to move into Akashi's so you could stay here. I hear that the compatible pairs tend to stay together." Shintarō said, his voice low and vibrating.

Takao dried his eyes on his shirt, "Yeah... We tend to."

Shintarō's cheeks started to warm, "I uh... I'm having to learn all this on the fly, so um... if I mess up, let me know."

"As far as I'm concerned, you're doing just fine." Takao said, tearing his eyes away from Shintarō's as he started to feel a bit self-conscious.

Shintarō rubbed the back of his neck, "Alright... Is there anything else you want for it? I could go see if-"

"It's perfect." Takao interrupted him, not wanting him to stammer over himself and make the flush in his cheeks worse.

"R-Really?" Shintarō asked, his eyes opening a bit more with a mild reel.

Takao nodded and smiled, "Yeah... I couldn't asked for more-"

Suddenly, Takao's stomach growled with the loudest gurgle ever heard by useful ears, lasting several seconds in its chorus for food. The noise caused both their eyebrows to furrow the longer it went on, but eventually, as both started to laugh, his stomach shut up.

"Oh my god-" Shintarō laughed, covering his mouth to try and stifle it.

Takao snickered, "Oooook then... I guess I'm hungry." He said through his laughter.

Shintarō nodded to buy him a few more seconds to curb his laughter, "Lets go get something to eat before your stomach decides to sing for us again." He turned and headed for the flaps.

"What? Don't like the song of its people?" Takao continued to laugh.

Shintarō barked another round of chuckles, but as he watched Takao, his laughter started to vanish as he placed a hand on the small of his back.

"Are you alright?" Shintarō asked, all laughter completely gone from his voice.

"I'm fine... Just an ache from laughing. I'll try to keep my sense of humor under control for a bit longer." Takao said, still finding it easy to smile as the ache eased up and thumped away steadily.

"I'm glad that you still have one." Shintarō said with a push up of his glasses.

"Me too." Takao smiled.

They regarded each other for just a second longer before they resumed their trek through the encampment towards the idea of food. They could already smell it through the aroma of the campfires, and it smelt like slow roasted vegetables that had simmered all day in beef bullion. It instantly made Takao's mouth water at the thought of stuffing dripping mouthfuls of carrots, celery, potatoes and whatever else into his mouth and just the smell made his stomach thunder once more.

As they stepped into the food tent, the smell intensified and Takao had to swipe his mouth dry before be made a fool of himself. He gulped with the idea of getting to eat real food and when the other side turned to see whom had arrived, he was met with nothing, but welcoming smiles.

"Takaocchi! You're out!" Ryōta squealed happily as he set down his knife and tore off his apron to bound up to him.

"Easy, Kise!" Shintarō boomed, but luckily, the bouncing blonde didn't plow into Takao, but instead, just smiled big and clapped his hands together.

"I'm so glad you're alright, Takaocchi! Are you completely better now?" Ryōta asked, setting his hands on his hips.

Takao shook his head, "Not yet, but well on my way. I'm under orders not to go too crazy with the eating." He lightly shied into his shoulders.

"Good thing it's an easy meal today. Up for some vegetable soup?" Taiga asked from in the makeshift kitchen and happily stirring a huge stock pot.

"Yes... A thousand times, yes." Takao said with a fast nod.

"What's with all the vegetable dishes? It seems like that's all you're making." Shintarō said with a crooked frown as he glared at Kagami.

"We're running low on meat, so we're rationing. Vegetable curry is tonight for dinner." Taiga said, replacing the lid on the stock pot before moving a step over to stir the next.

"Hmm... No hunting parties are being sent out?" Shintarō asked as he rested a hand on Takao's shoulder to coax him further into the tent.

"Commander Aida isn't comfortable sending one out yet. The Farm is still trying to search the area." Tetsuya said, never stopping his chopping of vegetables.

"Boy... They're butt hurt, aren't they." Takao said as both he and Ryōta started to giggle.

"Shut up, Takao." Shintarō rolled his eyes and groaned.

"Huh?... I don't get it." Daiki raised a brow.

Even Taiga and Tetsuya started to snicker.

"Considering the circumstances, that was a rather well placed joke." Seijūrō said, cracking a smile at the joke as he peeled potatoes.

Takao shrugged, "Eh... If I can't laugh about it, then they took who I am away and I won't let that happen." He smiled.

"That's a good way to look at it, Takaocchi." Ryōta nodded as he planted a hand on Takao's shoulder.

"Thanks." Takao's smile broadened.

With a final stir of the soup, Taiga picked up a bowl and put a single spoonful in, making sure that there was plenty of vegetable pieces and broth for Takao to enjoy.

"This too much?" Taiga asked, showing the bowl to Takao.

However, as Takao opened his mouth to say more, Shintarō beat him to the punch.

"That's about right." Shintarō said, pushing up his glasses and not looking at the glare he was receiving from the Hawk-wing.

"Shin-Chan! That's hardly enough for a baby!" Takao whined.

"If you finish that, maybe you can have more." Shintarō said flatly.

Takao pouted, "Fine." He huffed as he went to take the bowl.

He was so hungry that he stuffed a massive spoonful into his mouth without a care that it was still piping hot. He had to make a conscious effort to chew the food well before swallowing, but the moment he gulped it down, another spoonful was in his mouth. It felt so good to eat like a real person, that he just wanted to cry, but spoonful after spoonful, he ate until his stomach was so full, he felt like he was going to explode.

"Oh man! That was so good! I'm stuffed!" Takao said, beaming as he rested a hand on his stomach.

"Uh... Takao? Look at your bowl." Taiga said, pointing at the bowl in his hand with the stirring spoon.

Still with his beaming smile on his face, Takao looked down at the bowl in his hand, expecting to see nothing there at all, but there was about an eighth of his serving left that wiped his smile from his face.

"Oh-" He breathed out as his eyes turned down towards the rug covered floor of the tent.

"It's fine, Takao. It's your first real meal in three weeks. There's no shame in this... There's only shame if you don't keep going." Shintarō said, stepping up to him and gently taking the bowl from his hands.

Takao looked up at his hands as Shintarō's fingers grazed over them as they took the bowl, setting it down on the metal table that was pulling double duty as a preparation counter, as well as the serving table. Seeing that he hadn't finished the serving only served as a reminder that he was still healing, still recovering from being active Stock and it only served to remind him that he was climbing up.

With a soft sigh, Takao lifted his head and started to smile, seeing that none of the others were frowning, or sad as they looked at him. It was a comfort seeing that they didn't judge him, or blame him, as all they wanted as well was for him to heal and this was just one more step in a line of many.

"You're right, Shin-Chan. I'm sorry." Takao said as Ryōta's hand came down on his shoulder, drawing his attention.

"You don't have to apologize for healing, Takaocchi. We're all here for you." Ryōta said, his smile broadening as he took his hand back.

Takao couldn't stop the smile from spreading across his face, "I know."


Despite the aroma of lunch wafting through the encampment, smelling of warmth, Riko and Teppei simply didn't have the energy to move.

Their breath still panted from their lungs as they lay in his bed, naked and barely covered by the sheet. Their skin glistened with sweat in the low light of Teppei's tent and his long fingers gently played with a sweat dampened lock of Riko's hair as she laid her head down on his shoulder and stroked his chest. Both had gentle smiles on their faces and Teppei just couldn't stop himself from admiring the satisfied expression that graced Riko's face.

"You're so cute." Teppei lowly laughed, pressing his red and swollen lips to her forehead for a still heated kiss.

"Cute isn't exactly the word I would use for my current state of dress." Riko said lowly, softly humming at the feel of his lips against her skin.

Teppei's lips lingered for another moment before lifting from her skin, "I'm not much better." He said, running his tongue over his lips to taste her.

Riko lifted her head and placed a kiss to his pectoral, and just the silken feel of it made his skin ripple with gooseflesh. His breath caught in his throat as he bit his bottom lip, trying to stifle a low moan as he started to squirm. Her tongue had started to drift over his skin, fluttering over his nipple before running a hot course to the hollow of his neck. His whole body flushed with an instant cold heat and low in his abdomen began to smolder.

"Careful, Riko... You keep doing that and we're liable for round three." Teppei growled, his hand that was playing with her hair lacing into it to grip the nape of her neck.

Riko hummed at his words as her bare leg drifted up his large body, bringing her inner thigh to brush against his groin where she smiled and hummed some more. The vibrations sent another chilled wave of heat over his body and Teppei couldn't stop the shiver as his hands started to roam over her skin.

"Nah... I mean it, Riko. If you don't stop-" Teppei's voice trailed off when she started to lick and nip at his neck.

"What if I want round three?" She cooed into his ear, nipping his earlobe to coax him to loll his head over for her.

Teppei gulped as she rolled to straddle him, and just feeling her atop him again made him hiss as his fingers gripped her naked hips. His body wasn't even cooled off yet from their lovemaking and if she didn't stop her ministrations to his neck, he swore he was going to overheat.

"R-Riko... P-Please-... Fuck me, Riko, if you don't stop it's gonna be my turn on top." Teppei growled, his voice dangerously low as she continued to playfully bite down on the tendon in his neck, feeling his heart pound hard beneath her palms.

Teppei was losing his mind as her hands drifted down his stomach, her fingers drifting over his rippling abs on their slow course down, and just when he was about to take over, a familiar voice startled them and Teppei cupped his hand over Riko's mouth to stifle her squeak just in time.

"Kiyoshi? You in there?" Came Himuro's voice from just outside the zipped flaps of his tent.

"Yeah! What is it?" Teppei asked, gulping down his lust that Riko was at fault for.

"Lunch is ready." Himuro's voice said.

"Yup... I'll be out in a minute." Teppei said, barely managing to bite back a squeal as Riko began sucking on his finger.

"What're you doing in there?" Himuro asked.

"Preening! What do you want?" Teppei snapped a bit harsher than he meant to, but with Riko taking his whole pointer finger into her mouth, he was more than a bit distracted to control it.

"Since when do you do that alone and in your tent?" Himuro asked.

"I'm naked! Jesus Christ, Himuro... Sometimes I wanna preen my wings naked. Is that a crime?" Teppei growled, gasping for breath as his head lolled back into his pillow with Riko turning her attention to nipping at his pelvis.

"Alright... Alright. Remember we've got training afterwards though, so don't get too wrapped up in... preening." Himuro said with a dropped tone in his voice.

Teppei's eyes snapped open wide, "Got it! Yup!... Thanks for the reminder!" His voice squeaked when Riko's tongue grazed over the head of his quickly growing erection.

Himuro just laughed as he crossed his arms and stepped away from the tent, slowly shaking his head as he made his way to the food tent. He was no fool and had listened to Teppei talk enough to know that his mind was most certainly somewhere else and she was most likely doing something so utterly delightful that his brain was left bereft of oxygenated blood.

He rolled his eyes at the thought and shook it from his head as he stepped inside the tent, where others were getting their helpings of the delicious smelling soup from Taiga and Tetsuya, whom had taken it upon themselves to cook for the encampment if at all to let them look forward to their meals. It had raised morale within the camp and every meal time was filled with nothing, but smiles.

"Good afternoon, Himuro-kun." Tetsuya said with a shallow bow, much like he always did as he handed him a bowl.

"And to you. Make sure to set aside some soup for Kiyoshi and Aida. They're gonna be a bit." Himuro said, taking his first bite.

"Why? They planning an op?" Taiga asked, pouring another bowl and giving it to Tetsuya to hand out.

"Wrong Aida." Himuro said simply and with a hop of his only visible eyebrow.

Both Taiga and Tetsuya froze.

"Oh dear." Tetsuya said with a soft blush in his cheeks.

"What?... I'm lost." Taiga said, popped a confused brow.

"Nevermind, Kagami-kun." Tetsuya chuckled as he handed out more bowls.

"Oh come on! Fill me in!" Taiga growled, pouring another bowl.

Tetsuya chuckled while Himuro nearly choked on his mouthful.

"I'll tell you what... Look at Kiyoshi's neck next time you see him. If you still don't get it, then I'll tell you." Himuro said, only just managing to swallow down his mouthful before he sprayed it out.

Taiga just grumbled to himself as he continued to serve lunch with Tetsuya's help, and all Himuro could manage was some soft laughter as he stepped out of the tent to let the pair work. When they had decided to take over preparing food, it was a genuine joy and as he ate and walked, he smiled as he set his course for the large communal fire in the center of camp.

He sat down on the large long log a few seats away from where Shintarō sat, with Takao sitting on the sands in front of him while he ran deft fingers over the Hawk-wing's feathers. Each pass straightened the thread thin fibers, interlocking them together to prepare the feathers for flight, but he knew very well that Takao was a ways away from flying. He also knew, that the feathers hadn't been preened in three weeks and were in desperate need of it.

"They already look better." Himuro said, covering his mouth with his hand while he spoke through his food.

"It's taking awhile. Each feather takes multiple swipes to realign the fibers." Shintarō said, never looking up from the long primary at the end of Takao's wing.

"Naturally. He's been laying on them for three weeks." Himuro said simply.

"It's been wonderful." Takao grinned wide, drawing with his finger in the sands between his legs while Shintarō worked.

"Think he'll lose any?" Himuro asked, scraping the last bite from the sides of his bowl.

"It's possible. Who knows how long its been since he's properly preened them." Shintarō said with a frown, making another pass along the large feather to finally finish with it before moving on to the next.

"Honestly?... This is the first time." Takao said, his beaming smile fading down into a soft one as he continued to draw.

"Really? You never preened them when you were Stock?" Himuro asked, setting his bowl down next to him and picking at his teeth with his tongue.

Takao shrugged, "Didn't see a need to." He said, glancing up at the raven haired Raven-wing.

Himuro shook his head, "I'm surprised the Humans just didn't clip you."

"We weren't allowed outside unless were were tethered, so it never mattered." Takao said, giving up on drawing to just lean back and enjoy the feeling of fingers along his feathers.

"How come?" Shintarō asked, doing quick, repeated swipes away from the stem to straighten the curl in the fibers.

"Other than the courtyard, there wasn't a need to. There's an underground passageway that leads between the Stock house and the first level of harvest blocks. The Farm didn't want us outside in the main part of the base to be gawked at by possible Studs." Takao said, drawing in a long breath that was at ease and calm to Shintarō's ears.

"I suppose that makes sense. It would most likely set the more seasoned Studs off." Himuro said, kicking his legs out in front of him to cross his ankles.

"It does. When Stock is around, the Studs that are just shy of being retired tend to get... violent." Takao said, tucking his knees into his chest and wrapping his arms around them to rest his chin.

Shintarō shuttered, "I don't really wanna hear about this." He said, gently lifting an overlapping secondary feather to gain access to the base of the primary.

"Sorry, Shin-Chan." Takao smiled as he glanced back at him.

"I suppose it'll all come out sooner, or later once the Commander wants information." Himuro said, threading his hands between his thighs for warmth.

"I suppose, but can't it wait?" Shintarō asked with a brief glance, but never stopping his work.

Takao just smiled crookedly as he glanced back at Shintarō with a popped brow.

"Sure." Was all Himuro said before more decided to join them.

Ryōta, Atsushi, Daiki and Seijūrō all found spots either on the sand, or on the log, where their partners soon joined them. Kasamatsu dropped down on the log behind Ryōta where he snatched a wing and began to preen, while Wakamatsu literally shoved Daiki to sit down so he would have an easier time checking the muscle along his wings to make sure they were in good health. A young Eagle-wing girl had quite happily begun to smooth the small down feathers along Seijūrō's red wings, but when it came to Atsushi, Himuro found himself being poked repeatedly in the shoulder with a long finger.

"Lets spar." The massive Titan said dully, continuing to jab his finger into Himuro's shoulder hard enough to push him over.

"In a bit. It's lunch time." Himuro said, planting a hand down on the log to keep him from falling.

"No... Now." Atsushi said with more poking.

"Must you, Atsushi?" Himuro said with a sidelong glare upwards.

"Spar." Atsushi said.

"No."

"Spar!"

"I said no, Atsushi, now go sit and relax. I'll preen your wings if it'll help." Himuro said with a gentle smile on his face.

Somehow, the poking stopped as Atsushi thought it over, his wide shoulders slumped forward and his mouth tilted to one side. His nose wiggled as he glanced at a wing, unfurling it a bit to examine the state of his feathers and even he could see that there were more than a few fibers that were curled, or split. That's when he remembered that he hadn't done it himself since his bath that morning.

"Ok... But spar afterwards." Atsushi said lazily as he plopped down on the sand in front of Himuro.

Himuro breathed a sigh of relief as he sat up straight and grasped Atsushi's left wing, and even he had to admit that it weighed a ton. There was so much wing that the task of preening the feathers seemed monumental, but the more Himuro looked around the group, the calmer he seemed to feel about it.

The Seven Sons of the Seven Kings had all found partners, him included in the form of Atsushi Murasakibara; The purple Titan that was even larger than Teppei Kiyoshi. He had partnered with that one for so long, that it was natural, but at night, he always wondered if he was destined for more. Before the Sevens Sons arrived, he thought he would never know, but now, sitting around the large fire, preening the feathers of the giant in front of him, he felt like he had found his calling.

With a soft exhale, Tatsuya Himuro grasped a lavender feather and began to enjoy the conversation around the fire.


The whole of the camp was asleep, with the only sound being that of the fires outside. They were calm and provided just enough noise to rid his ears of silence and every night he was always quick to find slumber; Except for this night where the fire was not what he was listening to.

It was the first night where Kazunari Takao wasn't in the infirmary, and it was the first night he was hearing the soft moans coming from the bed on the other side of their shared tent. They weren't soft moans of pleasure, or simple moans from each exhale, they were scared moans, whimpers that told Shintarō that Takao was having a nightmare.

Shintarō laid awake in his bed while he listened, how Takao tossed and turned, whimpered, only to toss and turn some more. In the low light, he could see the pained grimace across his face and the sweat building over his brow, but he didn't know what to do. Takao's hands gripped the blankets as if he was trying to find something real, something solid to hold onto, but the whimpers continued as his breathing quickened to make those very whimpers sound as if he was crying.

Seeing the barely visible glint of a tear crawl from the corner of Takao's eye, Shintarō sat up, but continued to watch as he racked his brain on what to do. Hearing those soft sounds made his heart ache and he didn't know why, but every time Takao whimpered he couldn't stop from clutching at his heart. It caused him just as much pain and all he wanted, was for it to stop; For Takao to rest and stop.

Tossing aside his blankets, Shintarō planted his feet on the rug and stood, padding over to the other bed where Takao's head was whipping from side to side with more whimpers and quickened breaths. Being closer, he could see that he was crying and as the tears began to stain his pillow, Shintarō couldn't take it anymore. He couldn't ignore the pull.

He held his breath as his shaky hand reached out and grabbed the blankets, pulling them aside before slipping into the bed beside him. He never awoke as Shintarō covered them both and as his arm threaded beneath Takao's writhing form, he pulled him in close and held him in a warm embrace.

"Ssh-... It's ok. You're safe." Shintarō whispered so lowly, that he wasn't sure the words came out at all as he brushed his hand down Takao's hair over and over.

Takao's whimpers slowed and he unconsciously curled into Shintarō's chest, burying his face as he continued to lightly shake. He seemed to be calming down the closer he held him, and as his lips came down on top of Takao's head, pressing a soft kiss to his hair, the whimpers stopped.

"It's ok... You're safe here." Shintarō whispered again, interlacing his fingers into Takao's hair on the back of his head.

"I know." Came Takao's muffled voice, his hot breath drifting over the skin of his chest.

"Then why are you having a nightmare?" Shintarō asked, pulling away just enough to look into Takao's still half lidded eyes.

"I always have this nightmare." Takao said, curling his arms into his own chest to bite his fingernail.

"Of what?" Shintarō asked, brushing his hand down Takao's hair some more.

Takao's sad eyes shifted up to meet his as another tear crawled free, "I-It's of my first time when I was brought to a Stud. It haunts me every night." His voice shook as he lolled his head down against Shintarō's arm.

"Tell me... Please." Shintarō said softly.

Another tear, "T-There was a Stud who was about to retire, but he was loyal and worked hard. It was supposed to be his last time being milked, so Hanamiya wanted to reward his good behavior by letting him choose his Stock. He had us all readied and prepped before he paraded us in front of him. We were naked and chained together in a line so he could see us and after a short minute... He picked me." Takao explained, starting to shaking again as a whimper left his throat.

Shintarō just stayed quiet as he continued to caress Takao's hair, pulling him in close to hold him and reassure him that he was safe as he continued.

"He was a Titan and at first, he was really nice. I was terrified about what was gonna happen, but he told me to relax and promised me he'd be gentle. I believed him, but when he started... T-That's when it happened." Takao started to cry against Shintarō's chest.

Shintarō closed his eyes as he pressed his lips to Takao's hair again, stroking down the raven locks and tightening his hold.

"He was so rough... He grabbed my wings to use them as leverage and he pulled so hard that he dislocated them... I screamed for help, but no one came. He gripped me so hard that his hands broke four ribs, fractured my pelvis and he tore me open with how hard he was going. When he came, it was so much that even though the bag closed it spilled out anyways. I was bleeding so bad and then he dropped me on the floor as if I was garbage and just said thanks. I spent a month in the medical bays recovering and I found out later that he'd been killed afterwards because Hanamiya was angry that he hurt one of his Stock." He continued to cry, covering his face with his hands to hide it from Shintarō's eyes.

Shintarō was suddenly raging with anger, but he had to swallow it, had to keep it it down as he comforted Takao, holding him as close as he wanted and not even daring to resist when Takao's leg threaded between his just to get closer. He just held him as he cried, his lips still pressed to his hair, but he couldn't deny that his own eyes stung. He wanted to take away this pain, this torment of constant reminding and he was quickly becoming aware that he'd do anything to make it happen.

"What do you want me to do?" Shintarō asked, gently pushing Takao's head up so he could see his face.

There were so many tears that his face was soaked, but with a soft sniffle, his sobs began to slow.

"Stay with me... Please?" He asked with a few hopping breaths before licking the tears from his lips.

Somehow, Takao's words lifted his heart and before he knew what he was doing, he had bowed his head, bringing his lips to Takao's cheekbone where he kissed away a tear. He felt him nuzzle against the touch, brushing his face against his own and the softest of whimpers left his slightly parted lips.

"I don't understand what's going on, but I can't say no. This... Being this close should repulse me, but... I can't bring myself to step away." Shintarō said, his breath drifting over the spot he just kissed as Takao's arm reached around his side to hold him in return.

"You and me are in the same boat. It's not like there's anyone we can ask." Takao said, his sobs stopped and his breathing evened.

"Then we'll figure it out together, but I won't leave you tonight. You rest and have no more nightmares." Shintarō said as he brought Takao's head back to his chest and got comfortable.

"I think that maybe tonight, I really won't." Takao whispered before settling in.

The warmth of having Shintarō laying with him, holding him and with his soft exhales drifting over his hair, he had never felt so safe before. He was awash with feelings he didn't understand, but when the obnoxiously tall, green-haired boy was with him, he felt like he didn't need answers. It was so settling, so calming, that for the first time in what was now seven months, he drifted off into a blissfully, dreamless sleep.


Teppei: (Clears throat) So um... Riko... I hope we aren't awkward now.

Riko: Naw. We're good, Teppei... Not like we haven't done that before.

Teppei: (Blushes hard) Um... Yeah, I know, but-

Riko: I promise, we're fine.

Kagetora: Kiyoshi!

Teppei: Gotta go! (Runs)

Riko: Don't hurt him, Dad! (Chases)

Lycanwolff: (Chuckles) And I thought Kagetora agreed to this beforehand.

Shintarō: He agreed to that?

Lycanwolff: (Nods) Yeah.

Shintarō: Do I even want to know how you managed to convince him?

Lycanwolff: Promised I wouldn't show Teppei sliding into home? (Grins)

Shintarō: And that worked?

Lycanwolff: (Nods) Hey, I changed your script didn't I? (Backhands chest)

Shintarō: (Pushes up glasses) Which I appreciate.

Lycanwolff: Good. (Smiles and heads off)

Pretty much everyone on set: We are all so shipping this.

Shintarō: Shut up! All of you!