Flightless

Disclaimer: I do not own Haikyuu!.

Warnings: Hurt/Comfort, Drama

Pairings: Kageyama x OC, OC x OC

Plot: Kageyama auditions for a gig at a local bar in the city, and meets a stranger who will change his entire life.

Companion Series to Lupine.
(Flightless takes place approx. 6 yrs before the events in Lupine.)

Tiered Genetics: (from most common to endangered)

(upper class) (tier 1)
lupine (wolf) most common
vulpine (fox) common
feline (cat) common

(upper class) (tier 2)
equine (horse) uncommon
bovine (cow) uncommon

(mid-class) (tier 3)
cervine (deer) more uncommon
ovine (sheep) more uncommon

(mid-class) (tier 4)
ursine (bear) very uncommon
procyonine (raccoon) very uncommon
leporine (rabbit) very uncommon

(sub-class) (tier 5)
musteline (skunk) rare
sciurine (squirrel) rare

(sub-class) (tier 6)
cricetine (hamster) very rare
murine (mouse) very rare

(endangered) (tier 7)
oniscine (songbird) extremely rare
pteropine (bat) extremely rare

OCs: (name, genetics, presentation, age)

Mala'chai (Chai) - pteropine B 20
Tulousse - ovine O 17 (turning 18)

Kairoh - oniscine A 22
Diamond (Di'a) - musteline A 23
Zeryce - leporine O 21

Chloé - cricetine B 19

Apple - sciurine (older twin) O 21
Cherry - sciurine (younger twin) O 21

Anita - oniscine B 32 (bartender/owner of The Burrow)

Alpha/Beta/Omega Dynamics

Ch 01: Genus

Kageyama ducked under the thick ivy hanging over the entrance of the small bar, perking his ears up slightly as he took in the dimly-lit interior of the lounge, inhaling subtly against the air. He shifted his shoulder-strap a bit higher, feeling the familiar weight of his guitar resting against his spine, exhaling through his nose and padding closer to the bar on the far side of the lounge, glancing towards the stage as he did so. There were two girls standing on the raised platform, talking with one another while playing a few chords on a keyboard, discussing chord progression amongst themselves while a boy watched from just below at the front of the empty tables, a small smile teasing his lips.

Kageyama turned his attention to the sound of glasses tinking together minutely as he approached the bar, perking his ears towards the woman behind the curved countertop, the beta catching his eyes and tilting her head curiously before making her way over to him.

"Can I help you with something?"

"Hi." Kageyama greeted quietly, dipping back his ears a bit as he reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a folded flyer, opening it up before offering it to her gingerly. The beta reached out and accepted it from his fingers, Kageyama's gaze lingering on her claws and the dappled feathers adorning her wrists and forearms before glancing away, returning his eyes to hers. "I was wondering if you were still looking for a guitarist? I'm available to play weekends, and nights." He tilted one of his ears towards the stage, listening as the girls continued to chat back and forth and play on the keyboard together, adding quietly, "I know the flyer is quite dated, but I was in the neighborhood so I thought I would drop by."

The bartender was watching him curiously, tilting her head again slightly before lowering the flyer and asking, "You do realize this is a sub-class establishment, right?" She looked him up and down, fluffing her feathers a bit as she propped one of her arms on her hip, her remiges fanning out slightly behind her. "While I'm not against a lupine performing here, you should be aware before you offer your services that the typical patrons you will encounter here aren't exactly friendly to high-class." She sighed a little, turning as she reached for the glasses she had been organizing nearby, arranging them for the upcoming evening's expected arrivals. "It's a tough gig, not many upper-class can handle working in sub-class neighborhoods." She glanced back at him over her shoulder, asking curiously, "What are you even doing around this neighborhood anyway? You said you were in the area?"

Kageyama hummed quietly, shifting his shoulder-strap slightly and casting his eyes down the length of the bar, looking around the mostly empty lounge absently as he spoke. "My sister and I just moved here. We're just starting out, and housing in this neighborhood was affordable." He paused, thinking for a moment before replying, "If there isn't a problem with me working here, and you do still have the position available, could I at least play for you as a try-out?"

The oniscine took her time, considering as she grabbed a bottle and poured herself a drink, continuing with another question, "You're old enough to drink?"

Kageyama nodded, reaching into his jacket again and retrieving his ID, offering it to her while replying, "I'm eighteen." She stepped closer again, taking the ID from him and tilting it slightly to read his details under the bar lights, her blue eyes glinting in the dim lighting overhanging the bar. While she examined his ID, Kageyama's eyes drifted across her feathers once more, the burnt orange pendulum lights above the bar reflecting off of her brown plumage and casting a golden sheen across her remiges, Kageyama quietly admiring the way her white dappling reflected the neon tones of the fluorescent lights behind the bar.

She made a soft tone between a warble and chirp, offering the ID back to him before stepping back a bit, reclining against the edge of the counter behind her and sipping at her drink, satisfied enough with Kageyama's answers to finally introduce herself. "You can call me Anita. I own The Burrow. We do still have a position open, though if I'm perfectly honest it's not me you'll have to impress." She glanced towards the side of the stage, Kageyama following her eyes and noticing a group sitting to themselves a short distance away, two boys and a girl, the leporine's tall ears distinctive even in the dark lighting, her laughter echoing softly through the lounge, Anita returning her eyes to Kageyama's and nodding towards them pointedly. "The oniscine you'll want to speak with is the lead vocalist, Kairoh. He's looking for band members currently. He'll be the one to decide whether to take you on or not."

Kageyama nodded his understanding, offering her a little smile and starting to step away, Anita watching him quietly and sipping at her drink, her eyes trailing over the guitar case strapped to the lupine's back. She shook her head, shrugging a little and returning to her duties, leaving Kageyama to himself to work things out between his potential new bandmates.

The trio glanced up as he approached, one of two boys standing up and perking his rounded ears towards Kageyama curiously, his large fluffy tail twitching slightly with his movements, a distinctive white stripe streaked through his messy bangs to match the colorations of his tail.

"Ah jeeze, Auntie's letting in mutts now?" He clicked his tongue against his teeth, crossing his arms over his chest and flexing purposefully, a low growl starting in his chest, growing louder at Kageyama's steady approach. The boy beside him was smirking as well, quirking a brow curiously and fluffing his feathers, the bright orange highlights of his pinions nearly as vivid as the orange and yellow highlights in his dark hair.

"It would seem so." He mused, standing up as well, brushing his shoulder against his companion's and stepping closer to Kageyama, his eyes flitting to the guitar case peeking over Kageyama's shoulder, the oniscine making a small sound of understanding before looking past Kageyama towards the bar. "Auntie Anita, you tell this kid to come talk to me?"

"Hear him out!" The bartender called, the oniscine and musteline standing before Kageyama both letting out individual sounds of displeasure, exchanging a glance and holding one another's gaze for a few moments longer before the oniscine decided to speak.

"Well? You looking for a gig or what, kid?" He asked, his claws flexing against the air lightly, his vivid remiges fanning out beneath the dim lights. "Come down to the slums looking for some entertainment? Or do you seriously have any pertinent skills?"

Kageyama watched the Alpha carefully, sliding his guitar from his shoulder and setting it atop the closest table, unzipping the case and retrieving his instrument, taking a moment to tune a few strings before meeting the oniscine's eyes and starting to play.

He didn't look down as he struck his chords, watching the trio opposite of him while gauging their reactions. The first boy who had spoken didn't look impressed at first, snorting irritably and stepping slightly closer to his companion's side, watching Kageyama with a hostile glint in his emerald eyes. The oniscine at his side was quiet, tilting his head slightly, murmuring something under his breath to the musteline that had the other Alpha grinning and nodding, his shoulders relaxing a bit, the girl behind them still sitting at the table, resting her cheek against her palm and listening to Kageyama play with her ears perked towards him curiously.

Kageyama made his way through the entire song without being interrupted, not missing the way their expressions and body language started to change as he purposefully added flourish to several lingering chords before ending the song. Neither of the Alphas spoke up, considering quietly and exchanging looks back and forth, until finally the leporine who had been watching stood from her seat and stepped closer to Kageyama, offering her hand.

"I'm Zeryce." She said, giving him a little smile and drawing back her hand, gesturing to the two Alphas beside her. "This punk is Diamond, but he goes by Di'a-" The musteline grinned, revealing a hint of sharp fangs. "-and this is my boyfriend, Kairoh." The oniscine gave a little wave of his claws, his feathers fluffing as he did so, the leporine clasping her hands behind her back and turning towards the boys watching her, asking curiously after a moment, "Well? Are you two idiots going to say something or am I going to have to do all the work?"

Kairoh sighed while Diamond rolled his eyes and let out a soft huff, the musteline lifting his hands slightly in mock defense as he relented. "Yeah, yeah. I've got it." He crossed the remaining distance between them, offering his hand to Kageyama as well, Kairoh still standing back, evaluating the lupine that had approached them. "You play pretty good, for a mutt." He grinned cheekily, adding as he withdrew his hand. "From your sound, I honestly think you'd be a pretty good fit." He looked to Kairoh next, the oniscine's expression indiscernible as he watched their exchange, Zeryce cuddling up under her Alpha's arm and perking her ears up curiously, the oniscine crooning softly and sheltering her small frame under his dark feathers, his eyes never leaving Kageyama.

He was quiet for a long while, before finally he sighed again and nodded. "Alright, we'll give him a trial run." He looked down to Zeryce and tilted up her face with his other hand, petting over her small nose and cheeks before saying quietly, "You just love inviting trouble, don't you?"

A door slammed at the back of the bar, Kageyama perking his ears towards the disturbance, a petite girl arguing with someone loudly for a few seconds before appearing around the corner, her face red and her eyes full of tears.

"Oh boy." Diamond sighed, backing away a step and gesturing for Kageyama to follow him, the lupine perking his ears up and following after the Alpha as he made his way towards the bar. Anita was watching as well, frowning as the girl started to argue with Kairoh and Zeryce, Diamond taking a seat and pointedly ignoring the argument, gesturing to a bottle in the back and asking for a drink quietly, Anita turning away from the fight to accommodate his request.

Kageyama was trying his best to mind his business as well despite their voices carrying loudly through the lounge, Anita sliding a drink onto the counter beside Diamond before meeting Kageyama's eyes. "Well? It sounded good." She looked to Diamond next, asking curiously, "I'm assuming he's sticking around because Kairoh agreed to it?"

"Trial run." Diamond clarified, his tail twitching lightly as he tilted one of his ears towards the stage, watching the girls at the keyboard for a few moments before noticing the boy nearby watching them. "Oh, Tulousse is here already. Should have known he'd be watching the twins rehearse."

Kageyama followed Diamond's gaze, watching the small ovine as he smiled up at the girls talking to him, his cheeks slightly flushed and his laughter soft and light, a stark contrast to the screaming match currently happening at the opposite side of the lounge. Diamond continued to ignore the fight, leaving his bandmates to figure out things for themselves, Anita watching the altercation with a light frown, her arms crossed over her chest. After several intense minutes of arguing a sharp slap echoed through the lounge, and the crying girl that had suddenly appeared stormed off, disappearing back through the rear exit where she'd entered before.

Anita sighed and shook her head, turning around to continue her duties, saying under her breath so only Diamond and Kageyama could hear, "Those two are serious troublemakers. One of these days they're going to break the wrong heart."

Diamond hummed his agreement, Kageyama remaining quiet and watching the girls on the stage. They did have similar characteristics, both pretty and lithe, each of their tails curling up behind them in a fluffy swirl, one of the sciurine a vibrant russet red while the other was a beautiful snowy white. They lingered for just a little while longer before saying goodbye to the boy who had been watching them, then once they exited the lounge the ovine made his way over to the bar, taking a seat beside Kageyama and giving Diamond and Anita friendly smiles.

"Hey Auntie," He greeted the oniscine watching him, "Can I have a soda please?"

"Sure, chickadee. What flavor?"

The ovine thought to himself for a moment before asking, "Do you have orange? Oh, and Chai will want a strawberry." He glanced over at the lupine beside him, perking his ears slightly when he noticed Kageyama didn't have a drink. "Oh! Are you not old enough to drink either? You can ask Auntie for a sodapop you know, she has lots of different flavors!"

Kageyama paused, glancing towards the bartender before shaking his head lightly, "No I'm alright, thank you." He looked to the boy beside him again, explaining quietly, "I didn't bring any money with me."

The ovine blinked and let out a soft peal of laughter, offering, "Umm, well I mean, I could get you one? If you'd like?"

Diamond and Anita exchanged a glance, the musteline nodding and offering, "Yeah, get the kid a soda. We'll cover him."

Kageyama looked to Diamond, the Alpha grinning and nodding, the ovine at his other side giggling softly and leaning forward across the counter, checking the small fridge tucked away just out of sight. "Let's see, right now she's got orange, lemon-lime, cherry, grape, strawberry, blueberry, melon, and original cream soda!" He glanced up at Kageyama, asking cheerily, "Which flavor would you like?"

"I'm not sure." Kageyama said quietly, shifting slightly uneasily beneath their gaze. "Whichever one you recommend, I guess?"

Diamond and Anita exchanged another glance, the musteline asking curiously, "What, you've never had a flavored sodapop before?"

Kageyama looked between the three pairs of eyes watching him, ducking his ears back a bit and shaking his head while adding hesitantly, "No, sorry. I guess they didn't have them where I grew up."

"High-class." Diamond snorted, rolling his eyes while smirking with amusement, taking another sip of his drink.

Tulousse was watching Kageyama curiously as well, gesturing to one of the sodas and waiting for Anita to retrieve it for him, smiling his thanks and taking the bottles as she opened them, setting them side-by-side atop the counter and gesturing to each of them in kind. "Here! Try a taste of each of them, that way you know which one you like best from now on!" He smiled and pointed to the orange bottle first, "This one is my favorite, though Chai really likes the strawberry ones." He gestured to the pink bottle beside it, then the white bottle at the end. "This is the original cream soda, it's still pretty popular with the older crowd, but the fruity flavors are way better in my opinion!" He glanced to Diamond briefly before returning his gaze to Kageyama, adding, "I'm Tulousse by the way! You're our new guitarist, right?" He offered the lupine a smile, his freckled cheeks dusted with a hint of pink. "So that means you can try out different flavors the next time you come to practice with us!"

"Right. That reminds me." Diamond turned his attention to the Alpha standing nearby, whistling through his teeth to catch Kairoh's attention, the oniscine turning towards him and gesturing to wait while resuming his conversation with Zeryce. The leporine was frowning and tapping her foot angrily as she spoke, her ears perked fully and her nose wrinkling as she spoke under her breath, Kairoh watching her with a similarly displeased frown.

Kageyama watched them for a moment curiously before the boy at his side caught his attention once more, the beta turning to look down at the three shot glasses before him, each filled with a different flavor of soda, Tulousse picking up the orange bottle and taking a sip while waiting for Kageyama to try them for himself.

Anita was shining glasses while watching their exchange, smiling to herself fondly while Tulousse encouraged Kageyama to sip at each of the sodas, the lupine making a face at the unexpectedly sweet flavors, the ovine laughing merrily at his reactions.

"Yeah, I get that. The orange is kinda tangy, and the strawberry is definitely way stronger than you'd expect it to be." He grinned and glanced towards the entrance to the lounge, sighing softly. "Chai really likes sweet things, so he's typically the only one who requests it. Auntie keeps it in stock just for him."

Diamond finished his drink, setting the empty glass aside and standing up to stretch, flexing as he arched his back and yawned, nodding towards the stage and starting towards it lazily, his hands shoved in his back pockets. "C'mon, kid. Let's get things started."

Tulousse stood from the bar to follow after him, calling back to Kageyama as he went, "We're going to get the stage ready for practice! We'll find you an amp so you can play with us too!"

Kageyama tilted one of his ears to the side slightly, glancing towards Kairoh and Zeryce once more before turning his attention to the last shot, sipping at the cream soda gingerly and perking his ears up in surprise. He finished the small glass before reaching for the bottle, offering his thanks to Anita and taking a larger sip, marveling at the creamy texture of the slightly sweet soda as it fizzled against his tongue. While Diamond readied a drum set and Tulousse adjusted a few settings on the keyboard, Kairoh and Zeryce finally finished their conversation, the leporine padding closer to the bar and requesting a drink, the Alpha trailing after her, sighing softly and meeting Kageyama's eyes.

"Alright then, kid. Give me your number, and I'll text you our schedule." He handed Kageyama his phone, the lupine taking it from him and entering in his contact information before offering it back, the oniscine examining the details before chuckling to himself softly, "Oh yeah, you fancy upper-class kids go by your last name first, right? So...we don't call you Tobio, we call you Kageyama?"

The lupine glanced between the oniscine and leporine before replying hesitantly, "You all go by your first names so...it's alright if you want to call me Tobio."

"Alright. Tobio it is." The Alpha shoved his phone back in his pocket before leaning down and kissing his girlfriend's crown, nuzzling between her ears and walking off towards the stage, calling, "Grab your guitar and I'll show you our setup. Looks like everyone's here 'cept Mala'chai. We'll warm up a bit and give him time to show up."

"He should be on his way." Tulousse said to the Alpha approaching the stage, Kairoh making a soft sound of dismissal and turning his attention to Diamond instead, the ovine frowning a little and tucking back his ears, glancing away from the Alphas.

Kageyama took another sip of his soda before setting it aside and going to retrieve his guitar, perking his ears towards the rear exit, noticing for the first time it was propped open slightly, a hint of fading daylight casting a glow around the edges of the doorframe. He could hear voices outside, a soft voice whispering soothingly to someone who sounded like they were crying, Kageyama tilting his ears to the side slightly before stepping closer to the back door, picking up on bits of their conversation from just beyond the door.

"I told you it wouldn't do any good, Chloé." The voice took a deep breath, then exhaled slowly before adding, "I'm sorry you're going through this. I know I don't have the words to comfort you, but I wish there was something more I could do. You didn't deserve this."

The other voice laughed wetly, sniffing and coughing before sniffing again, a tremor in her voice as she replied, "No, I was stupid thinking either of them would listen to me. I just, I can't believe they posted that video online. That was private, between the three of us! I trusted them and they just-" She inhaled sharply, her tone growing angry once more. "They decide everything without me! It's like my feelings don't matter to them at all!" She coughed wetly and her voice wavered, a soft laugh of disbelief escaping her before she mumbled, "I can't deal with this anymore, any of it! This shithole, this neighborhood, them! I'm done with it. I'm moving out of the city and I'm never coming back to this place." Her voice was quiet and filled with regret, her tone hinting on the edge of tears as she whispered. "I never want to see them again."

The first voice was silent for a moment, and he sighed softly, Kageyama watching the shadows of their movements beyond the door as they exchanged an embrace. "I understand. You have an opportunity to get out of here, an opportunity many of us will never get. Just...take your ticket out of sub-class and make a name for yourself in upper society. We'll be rooting for you, you know that right? Tulousse and I will always be cheering for you, even if we never get to see you again."

The girl sniffed and let out a soft series of laughter, her voice affectionate as she spoke. "Yeah, I know that Chai. Thank you, for being my friend. You and Tulousse were always good to me. At least out of everything that happened since joining the band, I can say that I made two really good friends."

Kageyama backed away from the door, listening to their voices as they exchanged goodbyes, making his way to the edge of the stage and busying himself with tuning his guitar, listening to the sound of the back door opening and closing shut, footsteps approaching and passing by him as a boy walked past his shoulder, Kageyama tilting his ears towards the other beta and glancing up to catch his grey-blue eyes.

"Lupine?" The boy asked curiously, tilting his large ears towards the stage then twisting them towards the bar. He watched Zeryce and Anita chatting back and forth before frowning a little and walking closer, ignoring Kageyama and retrieving his strawberry soda, taking a few sips and leaning closer to speak with the girls. He asked a few questions while glancing back at Kageyama, taking another sip of his drink, his large ears pivoting to and fro as he tried to process what had happened in his absence, finishing half of his soda before setting it aside and walking towards the stage, ignoring Kageyama once more.

He couldn't quite place it, what genus the other beta was from. His ears were massive in comparison to every other genus he had encountered or heard of before, going over the tiered genetics tree mentally and trying to fit him into one of the various tiers, frowning a little as he puzzled it over in his mind. The other beta grabbed a guitar, finding a spot beside Tulousse and talking to the ovine quietly, Tulousse perking his ears up and glancing towards Kageyama while nodding and replying to something that had been said. Kageyama glanced away, tucking his ears back lightly, strumming a few chords and thinking. He glanced up at Diamond's voice as the Alpha called him onto the stage, Kageyama ascending the small set of stairs leading up to the stage and padding quietly across the platform, the drummer gesturing to a spot before him on the opposite side of the stage as the other guitarist.

Tulousse stepped over, directing Kageyama to a nearby amp before glancing back over his shoulder at the other guitarist, saying quietly, "Sorry about Chai. He's not very friendly with upper-class." He smiled apologetically, adding softly, "He's a really great guy, once you get to know him, but for now I would probably say your safest bet is to give him some space. He'll gradually warm up to you, I'm sure. Especially if you're planning on staying with us for a while." He returned to his keyboard, calling back over his shoulder, "I'm excited for him to hear you play!"

The beta frowned lightly at his friend as Tulousse returned to his place at his side, Mala'chai glancing towards Kageyama before looking away again, strumming at his guitar and waiting for Kairoh and Zeryce to join them. The oniscine appeared from backstage a moment later with a few notes in hand, walking over to Kageyama and handing him the sheet music.

"Here's the songs we've been playing most recently. Can you sight-read music?"

"Yeah." Kageyama nodded, glancing through the music that Kairoh had given him. "Which one are we practicing first?"

Zeryce finally stood from the bar, clapping rhythmically as she stepped closer to the stage, calling out with an impish grin,

"Tonight we are victorious
Champagne pouring over us
All my friends, we're glorious~"

Diamond grinned and started the beat, Mala'chai and Tulousse started playing as well, and Kairoh grabbed the microphone, instantly falling into rhythm and starting to sing,

"Tonight we are victorious!
Oh oh oh oh!
Victorious~
Oh oh oh oh!"

Kageyama was already finding the right sheet music to accompany them, listening to Mala'chai to determine what chords he was playing and synchronizing to the beat, Diamond and Kairoh exchanging a glance and smiling as Kageyama matched their pace, rising to meet their unspoken challenge.

Kairoh watched Zeryce as she grabbed her bass and took her place at his side, perking her ears towards him and giving him an impish smile, the oniscine dipping down to give her a quick kiss before grabbing the microphone, belting out across the empty lounge as the song truly began.

"Double Bubble Disco Queen
Headed to the guillotine,
Skin as cool as Serpentine*
Let me be your Killer King!

It hurts until it stops,
We will love until it's not~
I'm a killing spree in white!
Eyes like broken neon lights*

My touch is black and poisonous
And nothing like my punch-drunk kiss
I know you need it~
Do you feel it?
Drink the water, drink the wine!"

Kageyama was blown away by their sound, by the intensity of Kairoh's voice, the oniscine grinning and giving Diamond a little wink while the musteline did a kickroll. Kageyama changed keys, matching up with Mala'chai's rhythm once more, glancing across the stage to watch the other beta standing beside the keyboardist, surprised to see that Mala'chai was watching him as well. Kageyama wasn't sure what exactly his expression meant, but the hint of curiosity in his storm-grey eyes had a soft smile teasing at the corners of his lips.

"Oh we gotta turn up the crazy
Livin' like a washed-up celebrity
Shooting fireworks into the starless, black night*
Until we feel alright~
Until we feel alright!"

Kairoh seemed interested as well, grabbing his mic from the stand and stepping closer to Kageyama as he started into the next verse, giving the lupine a little grin before gesturing out across the empty lounge to a crowd that wasn't there.

"I'm like a scarf trick,
It's all up the sleeve~
I taste like magic
Waves that swallow quick and deep~

Throw the bait,
Catch the shark,
Bleed the water red!
Fifty words for murder~
And I'm every one of them!

My touch is black and poisonous
And nothing like my punch-drunk kiss
I know you need it~
Do you feel it?
Drink the water, drink the wine!"

Kageyama was completely in sync, repeating the chords back that they had played the first verse, Kairoh nodding along with the beat and flashing a look of approval Kageyama's way, the beta grinning back and nodding as well, letting the music wash over him. It was powerful, it was gritty, and he absolutely loved it already, and this was only the first song. He'd never even heard of their band before. He wondered if they already had a name.

"Oh we gotta turn up the crazy
Livin' like a washed-up celebrity
Shooting fireworks into the starless, black night*

Tonight we are victorious
Champagne pouring over us
All my friends, we're glorious~
Tonight we are victorious!"

Zeryce and Tulousse chimed up after Kairoh, echoing his words, the bassist and keyboardist exchanging a glance and smiling at one another before continuing to sing, allowing the music to swell between them.

"Tonight we are victorious
Champagne pouring over us
All my friends, we're glorious~
Tonight we are victorious!"

Kairoh walked slowly around the stage, singing and catching each of his bandmate's eyes, Kageyama watching their interactions and taking each into account, the differences in their dynamics, their connections. He could already tell that the companionship Kairoh shared with Diamond and Zeryce was much stronger than whatever friendship he held with Tulousse and Mala'chai.

By the time the oniscine had returned to his mic stand and replaced his microphone, he was starting into the chorus again, Kageyama glancing down to the sheet music briefly and realizing they were coming to the close of the song.

"Oh we gotta turn up the crazy
Livin' like a washed-up celebrity
Shooting fireworks into the starless, black night*
Until we feel alright~
Until we feel alright!

Tonight we are victorious
Champagne pouring over us
All my friends, we're glorious~
Tonight we are victorious!"

They ended the song together, complete in sync, Kageyama holding out his chords for a few lingering moments before sliding his fingers over the frets and looking around at the eyes watching him, Diamond grinning and tapping his drumsticks together lightly against the brim of his snare, whistling excitedly through his teeth.

Anita clapped from her place behind the bar, stepping around the countertop and making her way towards the stage, looking up at all of them and shaking her head slowly while smiling brightly, directing her words to Kairoh.

"I don't know about you, but I think that's the best sound you've had since you first started putting this band together." She nodded towards the guitarist and keyboardist standing together, continuing with, "I know Tulousse and Chai have only been with us for a few weeks now, and Tobio is brand new as of today, but I can tell you this right now beyond any shadow of doubt - if the six of you work together, you can achieve greatness. I'm talking record-label greatness."

The Alpha chuckled and shrugged, stepping closer to Kageyama and clapping him on the back a few times, nodding his head. "Yeah, kid. You kept up with us no problem, and here I thought we were gonna throw you for you loop!"

Diamond chuckled as well, tapping at his snare and nodding towards Kairoh and Zeryce. "C'mon guys, let's play another. We gonna stand around chatting or are we actually gonna practice tonight?"

"Yeah, let's do it!" Kairoh grinned, his tawny eyes falling on Kageyama as he asked curiously, "Unless you have somewhere else you'd rather be?"

Kageyama shook his head, perking his ears towards the Alpha, "Nowhere to be, except for right here."

"Right on." Kairoh crooned, patting Kageyama's shoulder once more before withdrawing, returning to the mic stand and speaking to his bandmates for a moment before Tulousse and Zeryce started to play. Mala'chai took a few beats to ready himself before joining in with them, his grey-blue eyes glancing across the stage to meet Kageyama's once more.

Kageyama realized then, in that moment, what he had failed to recognize before.

Mala'chai was a pteropine, his clawed pinkies barely hinting at the webbing tucked away behind his snuggly tied sleeves, the oversized, billowing fabric confining his wings from view, his large ears and upturned nose the only outward hints of his genetics. Kageyama was breathless with the realization of it. He had thought it amazing already that he had met two oniscine tonight unexpectedly, as rarely as they appeared in society. He never could have imagined when he'd ventured into the bar that night that he would encounter an elusive, endangered pteropine. Kageyama was hit with the sudden reality that there must only be a tiny percentage of pteropine left in the entire world, and there was currently one standing across the stage from him, watching him curiously.

Kageyama was lupine, the most common of all the genetics in the tiered tree. Mala'chai was the lowest, a dying species. Within a few more generations, it was likely that pteropine would be completely extinct, with oniscine's inevitable extinction expected not too many generations behind.

Oniscine and pteropine. The two lowest sub-classes in existence. Tier Seven on the tree. Endangered, and declining.

He glanced down at the music before him, finding his place and joining in with the next song, Kairoh's voice echoing through the lounge and ringing in his ears, his heart fluttering in his chest.

No wonder Mala'chai had acted so standoffish towards him, no wonder he had a hard time opening up to people. Kageyama couldn't even begin to imagine what that must be like, to be hyper-aware of your mortality at all times. Not only your own, but that of your entire species. The knowledge that your life would be one of the very last lives ever lived of your kind, the pressure that something like that must weigh upon the mind and heart had to be phenomenal.

There would be a day, one day soon, where the last pteropine would walk the planet's surface for the last time, and when they took their final breath their genus would become another on a long list of extinct species. It was something Kageyama had been sheltered from his entire life, growing up in upper society. Being here, among the species of the lower sub-classes, it felt like a completely different world.

Kageyama wasn't certain what had brought him here, how he had managed to wind up in such a strange circumstance, but he couldn't imagine finding another place that made him feel so strangely at home. Here, among the sub-classes he'd only met the hour before, he felt as though he could finally let his walls down and truly be himself.

They practiced for hours, long after the sun had set, and when they finally said goodnight and put their instruments away Kageyama stepped out into the darkness alone. He kept to himself, walking past strangers clustered here and there, lingering in alleyways and sitting to themselves on the edges of sidewalks, the lupine quietly making his way through the neighborhood and pausing at the end of the street. He took a moment to verify his location, checking his phone before glancing across the road towards the traffic lights blinking in the distance, making his way steadily towards the train.

It was late, and he'd never been out in this neighborhood after dark. It sent a shudder through him, knowing he was being watched, knowing he was far away from the types of neighborhoods where lupines should be walking alone on the streets in the dead of night. He pointedly checked over his shoulder several times as he made his way to the train, trying to walk under street lights whenever he could, his hands in his pockets, his senses on high alert.

This was his new normal, this was something he would have to grow accustomed to now. He would be traveling these streets from now on, back and forth from his gig at the bar. They had practice tomorrow night as well.

Kageyama perked his ears towards the tracks as he stepped closer to the crossing, glancing around until he spotted a small waiting area nearby, heading towards it silently. He could sense someone was there, but he couldn't make out who it was in the darkness, his eyes narrowing a bit to try to focus past the glaring light shining down on the concrete overpass next to the train station.

He heard footsteps behind him, and a hand reached out and grabbed his wrist, Kageyama throwing his arm up defensively only to have it caught securely in hand, the lupine letting out a soft breath as he recognized the beta behind him. Mala'chai watched him carefully, searching his eyes and backing away a step, Tulousse calling out while panting unevenly as he ran over to their sides, still trying to catch his breath.

"Thank goodness we found you!" The ovine finally sighed, taking another step closer and smiling up at his companion before turning his attention to Kageyama, dipping his ears back a bit as he eyed the shadowed waiting station nearby. "You don't want to wait there. That's a good way to get mugged." He turned and gestured along the length of tracks. "Come with us, there's another station nearby that has better lighting. We're waiting for the next train, too."

"It isn't far." Mala'chai said softly, turning and starting to walk along the tracks, Kageyama perking his ears up and watching the other beta go, surprised at how soft and deep his voice had been. Tulousse started after his friend quickly, beckoning for Kageyama to join them, the lupine hesitating only for a moment before starting to walk after them.

"We were looking for you at the bar, but you left so quickly we weren't certain which direction you had gone!" Tulousse smiled up at Kageyama, adding eagerly, "Lucky for you, Auntie remembered your address from your ID, so she pointed us in the right direction." The ovine shivered lightly, glancing back over their shoulders towards the waiting area again. "If you want to walk to the station together from now on, we could watch out for one another! Even when Chai's with me, I get kind of scared waiting in the dark alone. It's better for us, traveling in bigger numbers."

Kageyama hummed softly, his eyes drifting over the ovine's spiraling horns, taking in his messy, cream-colored curls and his hazel eyes, the smaller boy blinking up at him curiously and giving Kageyama a little smile before nodding.

"Yeah, I'm an omega! So, for me I guess it's something instinctual. I definitely don't like being out after dark."

"Neither do I." Kageyama admitted quietly, perking his ears towards the pteropine ahead of them. Mala'chai's large ears were twisted to the side as he listened to their conversation, the beta glancing back over his shoulder and meeting Kageyama's eyes.

"The darkness isn't scary." He said quietly, turning his ears ahead slowly and continuing down the tracks. "It's what's lurking in the dark that people truly fear. The darkness brings out monsters in all of us, shows sides of ourselves we never knew existed outside the light of day."

Kageyama tilted his ears back a bit, looking to Tulousse, the ovine crossing his arms behind his back and walking between the two betas while humming softly, Kageyama recognizing the tune as one of the songs they had practiced before. He paused, thinking for a moment before asking, "Anita mentioned you two had only been with the band for a few weeks now?"

"That's right." Mala'chai said, glancing back to Kageyama again.

"We were surprised to see you there!" Tulousse grinned, smiling up at Kageyama. "We never imagined a lupine would find one of our flyers, and make their way all the way down to the slums just to play with us!"

"I live near here, actually." Kageyama said, both Tulousse and Mala'chai making soft sounds of surprise and exchanging a glance, the lupine watching them both with a little smile. "It's strange, I guess? Hearing about a lupine living in this neighborhood?"

Tulousse nodded slowly, blinking up at Kageyama while replying, "Auntie said you'd likely take this train to your stop, but she didn't tell us where you live exactly."

"How close are you?" Mala'chai asked, Kageyama shifting his shoulder-strap slightly before retrieving his phone again, checking the address before offering his phone to Tulousse.

The ovine took the device and peered down at the address before exclaiming in surprise, "Oh wow that's really close to us, actually! Just a few blocks!" He ran ahead a few steps and offered the display to Mala'chai, the pteropine perking his ears towards the bright light and lifting the phone to type something. Kageyama watched quietly as both the beta and omega took turns entering in their contact information, Tulousse returning the phone to Kageyama with a bright smile. "Reach out to us before practice, and we can take the train to the bar together too!"

Kageyama offered him a friendly smile, nodding and tilting his ears towards Mala'chai, the other beta not watching them, simply continuing along the tracks in silence. The next waiting station appeared just over the hill, the bright lights illuminating the stop clearly visible in the darkness.

"It's nice to meet both of you." Kageyama said after a few long moments of silence, one of the pteropine's ears twisting towards his voice briefly before pivoting back again, Tulousse giggling and nodding while making a sound of affirmation.

"It's nice to meet you too, Tobio! I hope we can all be friends!"

Kageyama nodded slowly, watching the ovine for a moment longer before looking ahead, following the curve of the tracks, gazing out towards the dark horizon and the bright city lights. He inhaled deeply, casting his eyes towards the sky, thinking about his new beginning.

He wanted to be friends with Tulousse and Mala'chai, and the rest of his new bandmates too.

He had no idea then, walking the train tracks with them in the dark, just how much his new acquaintances would come to mean to him over the course of the next eight months.

Eight short, fleeting, amazing months.

He never imagined how quickly he would fall in love, and how much it would hurt to lose everything in an instant. He could not possibly fathom the extent of the impact Mala'chai would leave behind on the rest of his life once he was gone.

Lyrics: Victorious by Panic! at the Disco
*Lyrics were slightly altered to match AU content.

Thanks for reading! More to come!