Hello all, welcome to something new I'm trying to write, but just want to throw out in the wild to see what will happen to it. So yes, it isn't finished, but I do have a general idea of where I'd like to go with this. So, I hope you'll like to join me on this new adventure.
That said, there are three things I'd like to point out:
1) The title may still change. I am not quite sure yet if I'm fond of this one, as it reminds me on an old fic I once tried to write (and which some of you will by no doubt remember) and this story is not going to be like it at all. There will be some recurring themes, yes, but in entirely different contexts.
2) I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh!. This story is made by a fan for fans and I hope they'll enjoy reading it.
3) You all know by now what kind of writer I am. So yes, this story will eventually contain a lot of Monarchshipping, mentions of abuse, a lime (or multiple ones) and perhaps a lemon (which depends on the way this story goes). If you are uncomfortable with any of the above mentioned warnings, please don't read this story.
Nothing else comes to mind currently, so thank you for reading this A/N and enjoy!
Chapter 1
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A bushy tail flicked from left to right in seeming annoyance, while fangs were bared in a hiss at the same time triangular ears flattened into thick tri-coloured hair, but if one would look closer they'd see the young teens fear instead of his apparent bravado. His blond bangs touched his cheeks while his rose-red eyes were dark with emotions and he hissed again when the adult escorting him tried to reach for his arm. "Don't touch me", he warned with a threatening baritone voice, which was only answered by a heavy sigh, but it did result in the hand being pulled back. Afterwards, the teen took his bag from the car he had just exited, before he shut the door and followed the older man towards the house and someone else waiting for them at the front.
"This will be your new home for a while, Atemu, that way you can rest up with kids your own age while there will be someone here to take care of you. You'll go back to High School and have a chance to get a hobby or after-school activity. It's all up to you, but these people will take good care of you", the man said, although that had Atemu growl with his fangs bared once more at the same time his tail continued to flick back and forth.
"If it was up to me, I wouldn't be here, so give your lousy pep talk to someone else. Someone who might actually believe you", the tanned teen hissed back angrily in return, before he snapped his teeth at the hand coming closer to reach out to him once more. "Don't touch me!", he spat with another snarl and if possible, his tail thickened while his cat-like ears nearly vanished in his odd, spiky hair.
"I'm not touching you, Atemu. Please, just calm down, nobody here is going to hurt you", the man said, before he stepped forward to the woman waiting for them at the front door in order to shake hands with her gently. "Hello Mary, it's good to see you again, although I wish it were under different circumstances. Thank you for offering young Atemu a room at the youth centre", he greeted gently and the middle-aged woman smiled gently, before she turned to the teen slowly following his charge towards her.
"It's my pleasure, Harry, you know that and I am happy in taking him in after everything that's happened to him. Hello Atemu, my name is Mary and welcome to Domino's Youth Centre", were her gentle words as she extended a hand towards the young Neko, but he merely growled softly in return while eyeing everything around him carefully. Still, her smile didn't leave her lips as she was met with his hostile reaction, before she turned towards the front door and let everyone inside. Black ceramic tiles spread out throughout the hallway into the entire house, while a wooden staircase led to the first floor, but rose-red eyes only looked at it briefly prior to them moving towards the white walls and its decorations. Two shoe racks were settled underneath a large coat rack, although he hissed in advance as he wasn't going to give up his current possessions without a fight.
Neither adult commented, however, as he was only beckoned to follow them into the living areas of the neat home where his eyes went across the many photos hanging on the identical white walls, while one of his ears flicked towards the sounds coming from within the living room. Yet, he was taken towards the kitchen instead; one which was attached to a large dining area. The table was big enough for the ten chairs surrounding it while a large dresser stood against the wall behind it with several blooming flowers in vases. "Come, sit down and tell me your story", Mary said gently, although the growl wouldn't leave Atemu's throat while he settled down as far away from the adult as possible. Because he did, Harry sighed softly again, prior to taking a file from his briefcase which he handed to Mary gently.
"This is his entire file as far as we've been able to tell, but Atemu isn't very talkative, even though it would help him in the long run", Harry answered with a firm glance towards the tanned teenager, but rose-red eyes merely gleamed threateningly before one of his ears turned into the direction of the livingroom where a few other boys were cheering loudly.
"Yes, the others are having fun and I will make sure you meet them soon, Atemu. Domino's Youth Centre is an all boys home which I own together with Lisa, whom you'll meet later, as well as my husband Harold. Lisa, however, is currently with Emily and another teen your age showing him his bedroom and I hope you'll forgive me in asking if you don't mind sharing it with him. It's big enough for the two of you and there are two separate desks, although almost everyone does their homework at the kitchen table", Mary said kindly as she tried to introduce the house to Atemu, but the teen didn't reply while he merely stared at her and his surroundings.
"I promise I will do everything I can to make you feel welcome here, Atemu, as well as safe and wanted. You can always come to me if you want to talk about things, I won't judge you. I never have with the other boys in the past and I never will in the upcoming future. That I promise too", she continued gently, but the young Neko still didn't answer her, which was why she opened the file gently for a brief look, prior to glancing at Harry. "It's a shame he didn't come to us earlier. Now come, let me show you around", Mary said with a smile as she closed the file again, but kept it firmly in her hands to signal she would read it through later that evening.
"I'm sorry", Harry said, as if that would make everything all right, but the woman didn't answer him while she beckoned Atemu to follow her. His thick tail swished back and forth in warning continuously, however, and he hissed softly as his ears flicked towards the staircase when he could hear someone was about to step on it. His stance tensed even more as he noticed the woman coming down the stairs and although Harry shook hands with her, the young teen didn't let up on his hisses.
"Hi Emily, it's unfortunate to meet you here again, although I'm glad to see you", Harry said, considering that meeting up here meant she had just delivered an abused and broken teen herself. The woman smiled in return as she sympathised with his words, before she glanced at Atemu slightly whose tail only got thicker because she did.
"It is indeed unfortunate, Harry, but that's our job. Getting these teens away from the hurt, even though they shouldn't have experienced it in the first place. Thank you once more, Mary, for taking Yami into your home even though he was an emergency case and I hope the two boys will be able to get along. Although, to be fair, I think they will", Emily said and she smiled kindly, prior to shaking hands with the owner of the centre so she could leave. Harry couldn't help himself as he gave a small frown in curiosity, but he was then asked to follow Mary and Atemu upstairs, even though the tanned teenager only did so when he was allowed to go last.
"It's all right, Atemu, nobody will hurt you here", Harry said again as he glanced back to make sure the young Neko was following them, although he received a hiss in return while rose-red eyes were dark with threatening gleams of emotions.
"Which they told me time and time again at all the other houses I had to go to", Atemu growled back and he glanced around the hallway quickly, before following both adults up to the second floor.
"I promise you, Atemu, nobody in this house wishes to hurt you as they have all been hurt before themselves. They know what it feels like and that's why everybody treats each other with respect. All of you are survivors and there is no one who will say otherwise", Mary replied gently, before they arrived upon the attic which had two doors leading into separate rooms. Yet, rose-red eyes were drawn towards the pale man standing in one of the doorways and he couldn't help himself as he moved both his ears and tail with interest at the other teen as the latter was a Neko just like him. They were mismatched twins altogether, with their near identical tri-coloured hair and chiselled faces which were framed by equally blond bangs. Narrow crimson irises stared back at him while black ears were perched upwards in interest and Atemu noticed the damage done to one of them, whilst the pale man looked at Mary for answers as he caught himself staring.
"Yami, this is Atemu and I hope you two will accept each other as roommates for as long as you live here at the youth centre", Mary said while introducing the two teens to one another. Still, there was no handshake or recognition from either of the teens in regards to them meeting and especially not as another woman exited the bedroom as that caught Atemu's attention with another threatening hiss in warning. "And this would be Lisa, she doesn't live here at the youth centre, but will be here roughly every day to make sure you have everything you need", the first woman continued gently, but rose-red eyes continued to gleam in warning, although they didn't catch the roll of Harry's eyes as they were staring at Lisa instead.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Atemu, and I'm sure we'll get along just fine. Yami, I'm leaving you in Mary's care for the moment so I can watch the mayhem downstairs", Lisa then said gently to the pale Neko and the teen nodded, prior to smiling every so slightly.
"Yes, ma'am", he answered and she smiled in return, although Atemu couldn't help himself for a moment as he watched Yami's tail twitched involuntarily, before he turned towards Harry as the latter tried to reach out to him.
"Don't touch me", he snarled immediately and took a step back while baring his fangs at the same time the man rose his hands in surrender.
"I wasn't going to touch you, Atemu, I was just trying to get your attention as I'll be leaving you in Mary's care as well. She's a good woman and you can talk to her; which is something I advise you to do. Please behave and take care of yourself, all right?", Harry asked and black ears folded themselves into tri-coloured hair while the bushy tail Atemu carried swayed from left to right.
"I'll take care of myself all right. Thanks for dropping me off", the tanned teen replied with a huff and he watched the small exchange between Mary and Harry, prior to the latter walking down the stairs to see himself out. The woman's eyes fell upon them afterwards, as she led them back into the bedroom. It was a simple, but large one as it covered nearly the entire top floor.
"The both of you will be sharing this floor, which consists of your bedroom and a small bathroom on the opposite side of the staircase. The bathroom is shared between all of us, just like the one from the first floor and there is a small rest room on the ground floor as well. Both of you have a small double sized bed, each a closet, a night stand with two drawers and you will have to share the bookcase in the middle which we hope serves as a divider of sorts. Both of you have a desk, although as I said, most homework is done downstairs", Mary said as she gazed around the room where two large windows let in the last lights of this October day and where one bed was already made up. The other had fresh pillows and a duvet as well as proper sheets waiting for the other teen and Atemu felt a small amount of relief flood in him at the sight of it. A bed was more than welcome, he couldn't deny that, even though he wouldn't speak of it out loud.
"Once you get a little accustomed to living here, you will be put into the cleaning duty schedule which we all participate to. I know it's horrendous, but when we all work together, it will only take roughly an hour or two of your day and either Lisa, Harold or myself will be there to help you out as well. You will never be in it alone, but currently we live here with eight people and that means a lot of mess. It would also be appreciated to keep your own room tidy. Everyone washes their own laundry so nothing can get lost and you'll find a drying rack inside your closets", Mary continued to which both Neko's nodded in understanding and she smiled kindly while showing them the bathroom on their floor. It was simple with a toilet, shower and sink, but it would most definitely do.
"Lights go out at ten during the week and on Sundays, but it's at eleven on a Friday and Saturday night. If you want to go out with friends, you are expected to return before that time. We are strict, but that will only help you in the long run as we want for you all to be on time for your classes at School. As it is, Atemu, Harry has already signed you up and you start upcoming Monday together with Yami and everyone else. The school bus stops in front of the house to pick you up at a quarter past eight, because we're the last stop. If you miss it, you'll have to walk to school and go through detention for it too if you don't make it in time", were her next words and Atemu folded his ears back into his hair slightly as he felt like being imprisoned. Next to him, Yami seemed to be impassive to all the information given to him, except for his swaying tail and the tanned teen glanced around the house as they were given a more formal tour.
It was a big complex, although their bedroom was probably the largest room, even if the livingroom was a close call to it in size. The kitchen was fantastic as well, and Mary explained to them how the pantry worked. That they'd have their own section in it and with their pocket money they were allowed to fill it up with snacks of their choice. The main food and drinks were bought by the adults themselves and Atemu flattened his ears some more as they were expected to help cook their meals, whilst keeping his thoughts to himself about his inability to cook. If he'd try, they might as well take rat-poison instead.
As they entered the livingroom itself, rose-red and crimson eyes fell upon the other teens playing a racing game on the present console, but the screen was paused almost immediately as the four boys turned around to meet the two Neko's glancing at them. "Atemu, Yami, these are the other residents of our home: Luke, Kyle, Alexander and Cho. My husband is still at work, but you'll be able to meet him as he comes home in about an hour from now", Mary introduced them all, but nobody made real efforts to shake hands, although there were some nods shared between the four teens, prior to Lisa calling one of the boys to come and help her with dinner. Another got up as well at the same time to set up the table, which left Cho and Kyle to conclude their race.
"This is our office where I keep track of everything and it would be appreciated if you don't enter it unless you need me or Lisa with something. We are always here for you and you can wake me up in the middle of the night if there are troubles you want to talk about", Mary continued as she showed them the office, where she laid Atemu's file upon one of the desks, prior to leading them back into the hallway to have this conversation a little bit more privately. "There is nothing to be ashamed about and nobody will judge you here. Harold and I will be taking you both out shopping tomorrow for some more clothes and necessities, but everything we could think of has been laid down on your bed to be used. There are fresh toothbrushes, hairbrushes, shampoo and a couple of towels, but if you need something else, just ask and we'll write them down", the woman continued and the tanned Neko gave a faint nod he understood, before his ears turned towards Yami's gentle voice.
"Yes ma'am and thank you", the pale Neko said which Mary nodded to, before she gave them her consent to go back upstairs and finish unpacking. Not that there was a whole lot to unpack, considering it was just him and his bag with the few clothes Harry had already bought for him and Atemu sighed as he glanced around the bedroom some more, before gazing at everything on top of his bed.
"Can we make a deal?", he asked as he turned around to see Yami organising everything through the open bookcase and crimson eyes gazed at him in curiosity while the black tail swayed back and forth.
"That depends on the deal truly", Yami replied as he walked around the bookcase to gaze at Atemu fully and black ears were focused upon him completely which Atemu didn't return as he flattened his own into his hair. Still, he was impressed by the sharp come-back and it almost made him smile if he didn't feel like this was just the next prison he had to get through at the same time the look of Yami's damaged ear made him uncomfortable. He had never been hurt that way before, luckily, but that didn't mean he couldn't feel for the other Neko; if only for a moment.
"We may be sharing a bedroom and bathroom, but I am going to ask you not to pry in my past. I won't tell you anything, but if you don't ask, we won't have any awkward situations and I won't pry into yours. Can we have a deal on that?", Atemu asked while flicking his bushy tail and he tensed as Yami continued to stare at him, before a small smile curled pale lips gently.
"Deal. Not that I'll tell you anything if you'd ask, but you have yourself a deal", the pale Neko answered and Atemu sighed in relief with a nod, before he turned to his bed and decided that making it would be the best course of action for now. The only other problem he currently faced was having to trust Yami on not stealing any of his things, but as he opened the closet again, he told himself it didn't matter if the other Neko wanted his stuff simply because they weren't his to begin with. He had no personal belongings other than what Harry had already bought for him and with that, Atemu hung his jacket away prior to emptying his bag from the little contents it had. A second pair of jeans, his new boxers, a turtle-neck like the one he was currently wearing, a hoodie and a comfortable vest as well as his pair of pyjamas.
It was awkward, that's what it was and Atemu sighed as it irked him. He shouldn't be bothered with the silence in the bedroom and he shouldn't be bothered by having to live in yet another house. He had shared bedrooms before and he had kicked others out of their bunks for being bothersome bastards and he'd do it again if Yami decided to be one of those on his black list. Nosy, annoying and whiny were simply not tolerated and the tanned teen grumbled softly under his breath as he stuffed his pillow into the cover with a little bit more force than was necessary.
Behind him, Yami was still tidying up his side of the room and as they were called down for dinner, Atemu could see the other did have some personal things. A brief glance gave him the sight of a photo where the Neko posed with a younger and human version of himself while a toy laid beside it. Another few had been positioned besides Yami's pillow and there was an extra fluffy blanket covering the end of his roommate's bed as well.
"Your books and homework will be delivered here tomorrow by Emily, she's had word with the school as well as your grandfather and will be able to pick them up for you", Mary said softly as she had come up to collect her new residents and was now leading both teens down the staircase where the smell of food was becoming stronger with each step. "Also, we'd like to know if you two are allergic to something or if there are things you absolutely don't like to eat. Even though there are eight people in this house, which excludes Lisa, we do try to honour preferences whenever we can", the woman continued while she looked at them expectantly and Atemu glanced at Yami briefly while the slender tail had begun to sway from left to right again.
"There is little I don't like, although like all Neko's I don't do well with milk. I need to restrain myself with cheese, but other than that, there are no known allergies", the pale Neko answered and rose-red eyes flashed at the almost... 'pleasing' behaviour, before he sighed as Mary's glance turned to him.
"You eat what's on the table or starve", he commented harshly, although he could still feel the woman's eyes on him to which he crossed his arms in front of his chest defiantly. "What?", he hissed and she gently let Yami out of the hallway and into the kitchen, before addressing him again.
"Atemu, it's all right to be defensive and to protect yourself. It's very common behaviour for boys who have gone through what you have, but please give us a chance? I am only asking these questions for your own health, because I don't want you to fall sick or be hurt otherwise. Really", Mary tried to reason, but the bushy tail had followed up on Yami's swaying while Atemu's ears flattened themselves into his hair threateningly. He was not going to be lured into a submissive position just because of her sweet talk. He'd heard it all before and no one was going to help him but himself. Keeping others at more than just arms-length was going to help with that and he didn't care he hurt her feelings in the process.
"Sure you do, but I said the truth: either you eat or starve", he answered with a final tone upon his voice as he wasn't going to explain it to her in detail. That's what Harry's little report was for so she'd better read that than expect answers from him. Her glance at him was almost enough to say she probably already had and he flattened his ears against his head some more, before watching her nod slowly.
"All right, but please, we are only here to help and there is no reason to bite our heads off yet. We're here to heal, all of us", she said and although Atemu refrained from snorting, he continued to glance at her warily while letting her enter the kitchen and dining room first. Dinner took his mind elsewhere momentarily as it smelled good and he was introduced to a tall man with brown hair and eyes, prior to taking his seat next to Yami's. None other were free and he didn't feel like sitting himself between the other residents either, which was why this chair was perfect the way it currently was. He was even able to curl his tail upon his lap while Mary thanked Alexander for the meal he had prepared with Lisa. The latter had already left the facilities apparently, but the tanned teen didn't care as that gave him one person less to study for their danger-levels.
Dinner was shepherd's pie and Atemu thanked Mary as she handed him his plate; even though he loathed the knowing smile he received from her in return. He didn't need for her to go all therapeutic on him and it was why he actually dreaded tomorrow. At least with Yami around, perhaps she wouldn't ask that many question and he glanced at the Neko slightly, before watching the other teens seated at the table. He bared his fangs at Luke when the latter looked at him in a way he didn't like, before Cho moved forward slightly and with a curious expression on his face.
"So, Atemu, are you from Domino or some place else less boring?", he asked, although he lessened on enthusiasm slightly as Atemu hissed at him with his tail poised upwards.
"Mind your own business", the tanned Neko growled, because he didn't need this. He didn't need them and he most certainly didn't want to answer their stupid questions. He was fine on his own and getting attached to other people was a waste of his time. It was why he focused on his dinner mostly, while grumbling with his thick tail swaying from left to right in both annoyance as well as warning.
"Atemu, truly, it was just a question of interest. Cho didn't mean any harm with it", Harold intervened gently and black ears flicked towards the adult, before the tanned Neko gave another hiss. Still, he didn't reply to the statement, because that too was a waste of his time and Atemu therefore shoved another spoonful of food into his mouth. It had been a while since he had eaten this well and eating something now he still could was his top-priority. "How about you, Yami? Would you like to share where you're from?", Mary's husband asked with a curious glance towards the pale Neko, who stopped eating half-way with a small swish of his tail.
"I'd rather not, thank you", Yami replied with a gentle firmness to his voice and it was received by a small nod, before Harold questioned the other teens about their day at school. The conversation appeared to be a pleasant one, but Atemu didn't participate as he kept his attention on both his food as well as everyone seated at the table. He'd get to study Yami a little more later to indicate if he was a threat or not, but these people had to be seen to right now. He tried to remember the way they moved, so he'd know who'd come up the stairs if he'd had to protect himself and Atemu continued to watch even while the others emptied their plates with Luke asking for seconds.
Desert was delicious too, with different cakes they could choose from as well as toppings, but he wouldn't be swayed that easily. All homes hid something from the world, may it be abuse or not... He'd find out what mattered in this house soon enough and after he had put his plate away inside the dishwasher, he made his way back upstairs for a shower. The lights wouldn't go out until eleven tonight, but that didn't mean he was going to sit in the livingroom with everyone else like a good little pet. Besides, he could definitely use a shower and after locking the door behind himself, Atemu sighed as he enjoyed the sudden peace and quiet inside the small bathroom.
Hanging the towels upon the available hook, he twitch his nose at the different smells of cleaning detergent mixing with shampoo and bleach, which made him swish his tail in slight annoyance as they gave him a headache. Getting undressed, he glanced in the mirror for a small moment after weighing himself and he sighed as he hoped to add some to it soon. Yesterday he'd been in another home of sorts, one that hadn't asked as many questions, because he'd move rather quickly again and Atemu sighed as he was glad they had at least fed him properly. Neko's needed food, even though some continued to call them gluttons, and he sincerely hoped this house knew what they were doing. After all, he hadn't seen any kind of Neko among the photos in the hallway and the tanned teen grumbled once more while ignoring his reflection.
There were only a few scars upon his body, as bruises faded without leaving evidence, but there was one scar circling his neck while another ran across his lower back near the base of his tail. Someone had been just in time before he'd been mutilated and Atemu glared at his reflection, before he stepped into the shower to get it warmed up. Being hit by the warm spray, no matter how welcome, made him flatten his ears to prevent water from getting into them while he tucked his tail between his legs as well. He wasn't exactly a fan, even though he appreciated the clean feeling afterwards, no matter the fact he kept shaking his head to protect his ears.
Dressing himself back up in his turtleneck, together with the bottoms of his pyjamas after towelling himself dry, he was very glad autumn and winter were about to arrive soon as the outfit would have been too warm otherwise. This day, no matter the fact it was the middle of September, had been exceptionally well and tomorrow would be too, prior to everything crashing down again with more rain than he'd like to stand in. Although that was a worry for later, as he watched Yami carefully when entering their shared bedroom, but the latter had merely laid down upon his bed with a toy upon his chest at the same time he held a phone up to his face. As soon as he entered, however, crimson eyes flicked towards him and Atemu couldn't help himself as he tensed with his tail curling tightly behind him.
"Would it be all right if I use the shower?", Yami asked while sitting up slowly and the tanned teen had to fight against raising his eyebrows, before he stepped away from the door.
"Sure, it's not exactly mine", he answered with his tail still tightly curled behind him while he pulled the drying rack from his closet so he could hang his towels away. Yami, however, merely smiled at him while he turned his phone off and got off the bed.
"I know that, mr. Obvious, but I was just asking in case you weren't finished yet. I could wait a moment longer if that's necessary", the pale Neko replied and he didn't shy away when rose-red eyes glared at him. It only made him tilt his head while he still smiled and Atemu sighed as he couldn't deny that was a fair thought.
"No, I'm done, mr. Comeback. Are we supposed to be downstairs though or can we lounge up here?", the teen asked while he prayed he could do the latter, considering he was tired and he wouldn't mind getting an early shut-eye. It was why his lips twitch up in a very small smile as Yami's own brightened for no apparent reason.
"No, we can stay here and do whatever we want. Some of the other guys have also gone up to their room, with Alexander saying he had to study for his upcoming math test this Monday. After I've showered, I'd like to just lie down for a bit and see if sleep will come early, but you can have the lights on and do whatever you want. I don't mind", was the gentle answer and Atemu frowned this time as he wasn't sure what to think of those words, but he gave a small shrug afterwards. Obviously he'd do as he pleased, although sleep sounded good and he watched Yami for a moment as the latter gathered his things, prior to him leaving for the bathroom.
Lying down on his own bed, Atemu glanced at the white ceiling with a small frown, before he sat up and glanced at Yami's side of the room through the open bookcase that would probably be filled up with their books for school after either tomorrow or Monday. Yet, rose-red eyes couldn't help themselves as they glanced at the toys upon Yami's bed as well as the phone upon his nights stand. Did the other Neko already trust him? Or was he just careless?
Or, Atemu's mind offered as he laid down again to stare at the ceiling, perhaps he's a decoy to make me feel comfortable... To make me open up, were his continued thoughts and he snorted as he'd not let that happen. He didn't have time for friendly things and he didn't want to be attached to someone who would ultimately leave him alone or hurt him when he'd be vulnerable. He wouldn't let that happen again, not like the first time he thought he'd find a home and Atemu sighed as he tried to steer his mind away from those moments. Especially as they turned his mood even more sour than it already was, until he sat up with a hiss and surprised gasp when Yami entered the room again.
"Sorry", the pale Neko immediately offered while he held his wet towel into his hands and Atemu took another deep breath, before shaking his head slightly.
"No, it's all right. I was just lost in thoughts and I hadn't heard you coming back", he answered while feeling stupid, because it wasn't Yami's fault that they, as Neko's, were more silent than the normal human beings walking the earth. It had just been irresponsible of himself to get sidetracked with his memories. Still, crimson eyes were gleaming with guilt and they glanced away slightly at the same time their owner made his way towards the closet.
"Well, I could have made a noise to alert you instead of nearly giving you a heart-attack. I also went downstairs to say we'd stay up and try to go to bed early, just so Mary or anyone else wouldn't disturb us, although she said our bathroom might be used by someone else. It depends on who goes to bed and at what time", Yami clarified, but Atemu shrugged again as he was quite possibly tired enough to sleep through any kind of commotion like a rock. At least, that's what he told himself, because he knew he'd wake up at even the smallest of sounds in order to protect himself if he had to.
"Still, you're a Neko and that means you make as less noise as possible simply because we can. It's fine, you don't need to apologise", Atemu repeated, because he couldn't expect someone else to treat him like glass and to be fair: he didn't want for people to look at him that way either. He was a person, who was currently stuck in a house with a therapeutic mum, her husband and her other four semi-adopted kids. Although yes, technically she had five other kids, but the tanned Neko left his look-a-like out of the equation for a moment as Yami had only arrived today as well. He was no more a part of this 'family' than Atemu was and even though he wouldn't admit it out loud, that kind of put the other teen in the same boat as him.
"Mh, I do try not to make a noise... instincts, I guess", Yami replied with a small smile as he hung his own towel to dry, before he made his way back towards his bed.
"Survival ones", Atemu whispered in return as he understood the hint and crimson eyes watched him through the open bookcase while black ears were turned towards him in interest. It made the tear in one of Yami's ears all the more visible and the tanned Neko revoked his thoughts about his roommate being a decoy to gain his cooperation about him having to talk of his past. Or of other personal things and it made him smile slightly as that was actually a relief to his suspicious mind.
"Probably", Yami whispered just as softly, prior to nibbling his lip. "Do you want to sleep with the door open or closed and do you want for me to turn the lights off or shall I leave them on?", was his next question and Atemu returned the nibble, before he turned the light on his night stand on gently.
"If you don't mind, I'd like to sleep with the door closed so I'll wake up when someone opens it and I'd prefer to go to sleep in a bit. If you don't mind turning the lights off, then yes please", the tanned Neko replied as he made up his mind, especially as he had nothing else to do because he had no possessions like a phone or gaming console. Not that he needed one, for as the lights went out with only the small ones burning, he could feel how tired he really was and it was why he turned his own light off as well while curling up underneath the covers of his bed.
Warmth, he hadn't known that for a while aside from the night he had spend at the other place prior to arriving at this house and Atemu took a deep breath as he enjoyed it surrounding him comfortably. Until his nose twitch slightly when a new smell entered it and the tanned Neko sat up slightly to see Yami spraying something on top of his sheets gently. Both the Neko's eyes gleamed in the single light offered to them from Yami's night stand and Atemu tilted his head as he tried to make out what currently filled the room.
"What are you doing?", he eventually asked as he gave up, because he was too tired to actually care and Yami glanced at him with another apologetic smile, before showing him the bottle slightly.
"I'm spraying my sheets with a dilution of several herbs that help me calm down so I can sleep easier. Does it bother you?", the pale Neko asked, but Atemu shook his head as he laid down again with the pleasant scent in his nose.
"No, actually, not at all. If it helps you sleep, spray away", he replied gently, because everyone deserved a peaceful kind of sleep. Even if it was with the aid of herbs or several toys and a thick blanket and Atemu glanced at his roommate slightly as the latter tried to hide himself in his self-created nest; which he suddenly realised as being Yami's habit. Hiding, not wanting to be a bother, shielding himself, being silent... All of them were survival instincts at work and the tanned teen felt a little bad about thinking the pale Neko could have been a decoy. It almost made him apologise, but Atemu decided against it when the last light was turned off as well and because he was sure his mind was just filled with calming herbs. They worked wonderfully, however, and rose-red eyes closed of their own accord with their owner's breath evening out slowly as sleep claimed him.
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Thank you all for reading this first chapter and I hope you enjoyed it. If you have the time, please leave a review, as it will be most appreciated while I'll go back to my research ;) See you all again, byebye!