Shelter

Disclaimer: I do not own Haikyuu!.

Warnings: Abuse, Violence, Drama, Hurt/Comfort, Angst, Death

Pairings: ?

Plot: Hinata Shouyou is rehomed after the unexpected loss of his master.

Alpha/Beta/Omega Dynamics

Ch 01: Displaced

Bokuto frowned a little, his eyes shifting from Sawamura to the small yokai beside him. The kitsune was looking around with curiosity, ears perking this way and that while taking in all the new sights and scents surrounding him, his nose wrinkling and his eyes narrowing slightly as he fixated on the incense burner nearby.

"Are you certain?" Bokuto asked hesitantly, reaching up to rub his nape slowly, carding his fingers through his cropped hair before exhaling a heavy sigh. "I understand losing Sugawara has taken a hefty toll on your emotional and mental capacities, but to rehome his companion so suddenly-"

"I can't handle him." Sawamura murmured gruffly, unable to hide the pain in his words despite his gravelly tone. "I know that Akaashi hasn't readily sought out a replacement for Kuroo, but I couldn't bring myself to take him to a shelter. Koushi adored him. If you can take him instead, it would mean a great deal to me. To both of us."

At mention of his master, the kitsune perked his ears and looked up at Sawamura with wide, rounded eyes, a happy smile turning up his lips, revealing small pearly fangs. "Koushi?" He pressed a little closer to Sawamura's side, pawing at his arm tentatively, soft purring resonating beneath his melodic tone. "Koushi?"

Bokuto's chest twisted, watching the emotions that the kitsune's soft inquiries stirred within Sawamura, and after a few long, tense moments he sighed heavily once again, nodding his head succinctly. "Alright, Daichi. We can care for him in your stead. I will introduce him to Keiji when he returns home."

"Thank you." Sawamura murmured quietly, relief smoothing his features as he took a step forward and clasped Bokuto's arm, lingering for only a moment before turning away. The small yokai watching their exchange glanced between them briefly before turning to follow after Sawamura, Bokuto's brow arching slightly as he held out his hand, calling out to him quietly.

"Shouyou. Stay here."

Hinata perked up his ears at the sound of his name, blinking up at Bokuto quizzically before turning to watch Sawamura's departure, ducking back his ears briefly before starting forward again, intent on following after him.

Bokuto took a step forward, exhaling a short breath before deepening his tone.

"Shouyou. Come to me."

Hinata's footsteps slowed to a standstill, and he glanced back over his shoulder, watching Bokuto curiously, glancing between the foyer and the living room where Bokuto still stood, his ears pivoting towards the sounds of the front door opening, then closing quietly as Sawamura left. He stayed where he was, his ears quivering and a soft whine caught in his throat, his ears ducking back momentarily before perking again, his golden eyes wide and curious as he looked from the foyer to Bokuto, then back to the foyer again.

Bokuto watched him quietly, then knelt down against the carpet and held out his hand, beckoning the petite kitsune closer.

"It's alright, Shouyou. Come."

Hinata had met Bokuto before. He remembered the human's scent, his sunny aura, his burnished, tawny eyes. He'd visited the household previously with his master many times, though their last visit had admittedly been some time ago.

Time elapsed differently for Hinata as a yokai. He didn't truly understand how much time had passed, he couldn't fully comprehend that the last time he had been here in this place with Sugawara had been years prior, when he had still been very small.

He had done many things with his master then. He had always been by his master's side, ever since Sugawara had adopted him. Sugawara had gifted Hinata his entire world. There were shopping trips on the weekends, and picnics at the park on sunny days. Long car rides to the beach during the summer, filled with music and laughter. Together they'd climbed gnarled, ancient trees that touched the clouds. They'd trekked winding footpaths to reach crisp, forested mountaintops just to drink in the snowkissed air. They'd bathed in cascading waterfalls, and slept under the endless expanse of stars at night. When they'd returned afterwards to the heart of the city, Sawamura was always there to greet them, with hearty laughter and gentle headpats that made Hinata's heart soar.

Sugawara had introduced him to everything; from his first taste of warm homemade bread drizzled with honey, to the sensation of cuddling up together beneath a heated blanket and listening to one another's heartbeats. They'd played together, explored together, shared meals together and rested together. Sugawara was Hinata's everything. Every moment of every day that they had spent together was captured perfectly within Hinata's mind. He remembered every smile, every hug, every peal of laughter. His warmth, his scent, his touch.

Hinata didn't know what had happened. He didn't understand that Sugawara was gone. Sawamura didn't have the words to tell him. Bokuto wasn't certain if he knew a way to make Hinata understand either. He wasn't sure if he should even try.

Things had changed since he'd last stepped foot inside the residence. The scent of his master still lingered here and there, mixed with that of his human companion Akaashi, and another kitsune he had met briefly before. Hinata didn't remember much about him, other than his dark, velvety aura and his rich hazel eyes. He recalled that Akaashi had beckoned him previously using the name Kuroo, and though Hinata could taste his scent in the thread of the carpet and the fine layers of upholstery in the living room furniture, from what he had observed thus far the other kitsune was no longer dwelling within the household.

He was gone too, just a few months before Sugawara. Losing them both had broken Akaashi's heart.

Bokuto took Hinata's hand, rubbing his thumb back and forth over the curve of the kitsune's small palm, meeting his golden eyes and arching his brow lightly, exhaling quietly through his nose as he thought of what he needed to do. He wasn't certain how Akaashi would react to Hinata's presence once he learned that the kitsune was now in their care, but with any luck after some time had passed he hoped Akaashi might warm up to him. Perhaps Hinata would be able to find a place in Akaashi's heart, soothing the terrible ache that Kuroo and Sugawara had left behind.

Bokuto couldn't have been more wrong.

As soon as Akaashi learned what Bokuto had agreed to, he was furious. Heartbroken and enraged, he refused to make contact with Hinata at all for the first several days, leaving Bokuto to care for the kitsune instead. Hinata didn't understand what was happening, why he was here instead of with his master in his own household, but he followed Bokuto's instructions dutifully whenever the human called to him, and he quickly learned to stay out of Akaashi's way. The human never wanted him to draw too close.

He had tried to at first. From what he remembered about Akaashi he was gentle and kind, sweet like his master. He liked to pet between Hinata's ears, and stroke along his back and shoulders while Hinata rested against Sugawara's lap, purring contentedly. Akaashi did not want to pet him now. He wanted nothing to do with him. He had simply ignored and moved away from Hinata at first, but when the kitsune had tried to follow after him Akaashi had raised his voice instead, scolding him and sending him away, Hinata flattening his ears and finding somewhere to hide safely away from Akaashi.

Hinata kept his distance after that, watching Akaashi quietly from beneath the edge of the table, or the foot of the couch, waiting for the human to call for him. Akaashi never did. If anything Hinata's attentiveness only made his fury worse, and whenever he would catch a glimpse of the small yokai watching him he would raise his hand as if poised to strike, and Hinata would quickly duck out of sight, hiding away again.

Bokuto tried to reason with him, but Akaashi was too heartbroken to comprehend the neglect and abuse he was causing Hinata to suffer through, and so after several months of the same Bokuto reached out to a close acquaintance, to see if he would agree to care for Hinata instead.

Atsumu agreed to care for Hinata once Bokuto explained the situation, and the following weekend he came to collect Hinata from Bokuto. Unlike when Sawamura had left him with Bokuto, Atsumu was a stranger, and Hinata did not want to go with him. He was frightened, and confused, and refused to listen to any of Atsumu's commands.

Bokuto watched their exchange with a worried frown, kneeling down and rubbing along the kitsune's back gently, Hinata whining softly and hiding his face against Bokuto's chest.

"It's alright, Shouyou. Atsumu is a friend. It's alright to go with him, I promise. He's not going to hurt you."

"Koushi?" Hinata squeaked out softly, tightening his hold on Bokuto's shirt. "Koushi? Koushi?"

Bokuto arched his brow, petting between Hinata's ears before rubbing at the curve of one gently. "No, sweetheart. I'm so sorry. He's not coming back, Shouyou. Koushi's gone. You're going to live with Atsumu now, okay?" Bokuto glanced up slightly, meeting Atsumu's eyes. "He's going to take care of you. Everything's going to be alright."

"Sorry." Hinata whispered softly, ducking his ears back and hiding his face. "Sorry, sorry…"

"You didn't do anything wrong." Bokuto murmured gently, hugging the little kitsune close, looking up and meeting Atsumu's eyes again, his chest twisting with guilt. "I'm so sorry you can't stay, Shouyou. I wish Keiji would open up to you, but he isn't ready for another companion yet. He's...he's sick. His heart is sick. Do you understand?" He pulled back a little, trying to coax Hinata to meet his eyes. "This isn't your fault."

Hinata watched Bokuto quietly, trembling and pawing at his chest hesitantly, his ears still flattened as he peeked up at Atsumu, who was watching from a few steps away. "Chi?" He asked worriedly, meeting Bokuto's eyes once more, and Bokuto wasn't certain if he'd ever heard Hinata ask for Sawamura before. "Chi?"

"No, Shouyou. Daichi isn't coming either." He said gently, gesturing towards the human standing quietly nearby. "This is Atsumu. Atsumu, okay? He's nice. He'll take care of you."

Hinata tilted his head slightly, glancing away, his ears flicking lightly before flattening again. "Sorry…" He tightened his hold on Bokuto's shirt, and Bokuto realized he was looking past his shoulder towards the entryway of the kitchen, where Akaashi had come to stand and watch their exchange. "Sorry, Kaashi. Sorry…"

"Can you finish this quickly please?" Akaashi asked curtly, turning away and walking off towards the bedroom once more, his voice muffled as he continued down the hall. "I can't stand hearing him ask for Koushi."

Atsumu stepped forward at that, offering his hand, and Bokuto took Hinata's arms gently and pushed him away, the kitsune whining high in the back of his throat. "It's alright, Shouyou. It's alright. You don't have to be scared."

"Come, Shouyou." Atsumu commanded, his tone stern but also calm and even. He took Hinata's wrist in his hand, tugging him gently along, Bokuto coaxing Hinata to walk with Atsumu towards the front door, standing back slightly once they reached the foyer, the yokai looking back at him with wide eyes.

Atsumu paused for a moment to shrug into his jacket, and Hinata slipped from his grasp the moment he could, running the short distance to Bokuto. He pressed close against his chest, keening and grasping at his shirt, letting out a series of high-pitched whines as he curled in on himself, trying to make himself as small as he possibly could. "Stay?" He asked softly, his voice trembling as his breath hitched. "Stay?"

Atsumu arched his brow with worry, watching Hinata for a long moment before meeting Bokuto's eyes. Bokuto was fighting not to show his emotions, rubbing along Hinata's back and shoulders while coaxing him back towards Atsumu slowly, taking a few steps to reach his side and gently guiding Hinata's hand back to his.

"It's better this way." Bokuto said gently, petting between Hinata's ears before cupping his face, rubbing over the high rise of his cheekbone with his thumbpad, slowly searching his glassy eyes. "You'll see. You'll be happier there. Atsumu has other yokai for you to play with. He has acres of mountainside for you to run wild and free. You won't have to live in the city anymore. You can explore with Atsumu just like you used to with Koushi."

Hinata perked up his ears, searching Bokuto's eyes, whispering breathlessly, "Koushi?"

"That's right, Shou." Bokuto murmured, and it took everything inside of him to give Hinata a bright, carefree smile. "Just like with Koushi."

Atsumu was quiet for a moment longer before squeezing Hinata's hand, the kitsune looking up at him hesitantly. "I promise I'll do everything I can to help you adjust to your new life, Shouyou." Atsumu offered gently, Hinata gingerly perking his ears towards his voice. "You like swimming right? There's a river cutting through the west side of our property. We can go swimming there together whenever you'd like!" He grinned a little, glancing up and catching Bokuto's eyes. "It's one of Osamu's favorite things to do during the summer. There's an old tire-swing and everything!"

"Swimming sounds nice, doesn't it Shouyou?" Bokuto asked gently, Hinata glancing between the humans curiously, his ears twitching lightly and perking towards their voices as they continued back and forth.

"There's also a flower field just past the main cabin, with wildflowers stretching on as far as the eye can see." Atsumu opened the front door, stepping out onto the wooden patio, Bokuto waiting patiently for Hinata to step outside as well before following closely after. He quietly closed the door behind them while listening to Atsumu's words, walking with them towards the car parked at the end of the driveway. "There's always lots of butterflies and honeybees out collecting pollen during the daytime, and sometimes hummingbirds will make an appearance in the early mornings!"

"Have you ever seen hummingbirds before, Shouyou?" Bokuto asked, rubbing Hinata's back gently while walking beside him towards the car, the kitsune looking between them with wide eyes, his ears perked as he focused on everything they said. "They're these tiny little things, probably the smallest birds you'll ever see. Their wings beat so fast, it's really hard to see when they're hovering! It looks like their feathers are all blurring together! They're amazing little things."

Atsumu opened the car door, and Hinata hesitated only a moment before stepping forward and crawling inside, Atsumu stepping back as Bokuto drew closer and knelt down beside Hinata, helping the small kitsune fasten his seatbelt.

"I'll come visit you sometime, okay? To see how you're doing." He pulled back slightly once he was finished with fastening the belt, reaching up and cupping Hinata's cheek while offering him a warm, gentle smile. "You're a good boy, Shouyou. Be a good boy for Atsumu, okay?"

Hinata blinked slowly, nodding solemnly while repeating back Bokuto's words. "Good boy."

Bokuto chuckled softly, standing up and turning away, glancing back down once he realized Hinata had caught his hand, tugging him closer once more.

He looked up into Bokuto's eyes, holding his gaze for a long moment, then he murmured hesitantly as clearly as he could, "Love you?"

Bokuto's chest twisted, and he nodded and patted Hinata's head gently. "That's right, Shou. You're a good boy. Koushi loved you, and I love you too." He rubbed at the curve of Hinata' ear, adding in a hitch of breath, "Bye bye, Shouyou."

"Bye bye." Hinata repeated back, and this time when Bokuto pulled away he didn't reach out to stop him. Bokuto closed the door carefully, waving as Atsumu started the engine and backed out of the drive, waiting until the headlights had faded around the bend before he turned back to face the house he shared with Akaashi, reaching up and covering his mouth with his palm, letting out a choked sob.

Atsumu would take care of Hinata. Bokuto knew that. Atsumu and Osamu had space for him, and the emotional and mental capacities required to give him sufficient care. The land they owned in the mountains was a sanctuary of sorts, and they had taken in many different yokai over the years. Those that had been abandoned, abused, or were simply lost. The Miya twins were eccentric at times, as wild as the yokai they cared for, but they were also kind and gentle. Hinata deserved that. He deserved to find happiness in the wake of Sugawara's untimely death.

He took a few moments to collect himself, then focused his attention ahead, walking the short distance from the driveway to the patio, pausing just before reaching for the front door. He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath to center himself, then exhaled a slow breath and let himself back inside.

Akaashi may have rejected Hinata, but Bokuto was confident that things would be different this time, with Atsumu.

This time, thankfully, Bokuto was right.

Thanks for reading! More to come!