Summary: It should have just been a regular morning for Chris Redfield. He should have been just heading out for his usual every day job. So why did he wake up to find a certain puppy eared male in his bed?

Pairing: Nivanfield

Author's note: I think it's gonna take me a bit to get into the swing of this story.

Edit: I could have sworn I posted this chapter here...did I forget it? Hmm...

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My Pet Peeve 02

What woke Chris up wasn't any kind of threat. He was jolted out of the fear of falling out of the chair. Grumbling, he rubbed at his sore neck trying to remember why he was in the guest room of his house. When he looked up at the bed, he remembered it instantly. Right, Piers the puppy boy. Granted the kid was still lying down, hazel eyes were intensely staring at him. It made Chris swallow slightly and glance away. Ok, so he wasn't going to lie and say Piers wasn't attractive. All Semi tended to be. It was why a lot of the Semi would get kidnapped and sold as slaves. That was the suspicion Chris had about Piers anyway.

He remembered the rough bruises around wrists and ankles that should not have existed. Someone had been keeping him in captivity. Whether they were kidnappers, slavers, or just some sadistic guys, Chris wasn't sure. But he'd find out soon one way or the other.

"Hungry?" He asked watching the Semi's ears twitch slightly at the watchful eyes stayed on him before he nodded slowly. "Alright…here." He slid the tray over watching the frown appear on Piers's face before the eyes flickered back over to him. "It's crackers and water," Chris said staring at him. "It'll settle your stomach."

"…No steak?"

"Steak?" Chris blinked expecting it to be a joke till he realized Piers wasn't laughing. What the hell? Did he think this was a five star restaurant where he could just order what he wanted? Then again, it was Chris's fault. He forgot that Semi were different from humans. They craved a lot more meat. And while they didn't eat them raw, the meat was cooked pretty rare. In a way it was kind of creepy seeing as there was a bloodlust to their cravings. And the sharp incisors in their mouths didn't make it that much more comfortable. But so far it seemed like the incisors would only get like that when it was time to eat or they were angry and wanting to attack something. But otherwise, it looked just like a regular human's mouth.

"No steak," Chris said grunting at the frustrated look on the kid's face. Here he was saving his life and the kid had to go and look ungrateful about it. "What about tuna?" Yeah he did have some cans of tuna left. His fridge didn't house any meats, or real food for that matter. He did a lot of ordering out and takeout.

Piers frowned like he was really debating saying no. Like he had a choice because Chris was not about to run out to the store and leave the guy alone in his house just because he wanted steak. "I guess that'll do," Piers said. If he really was a person kept in captivity, it was really getting hard to tell with his chiseled personality.

Chris nodded and left him there to venture back to the kitchen for tuna. When he came back Piers was sitting up in the bed lounge back against the head board. He had his shirt off and was surveying the bandages on his shoulder from Chris's little handiwork last night. At Chris's entry into the room the warm hazel eyes lifted up to stare at him making him freeze in place for a moment. So attentive and guarded. But he couldn't explain why that sent a shiver down his spine.

Chris gave a grimace continuing into the room and walked over sitting the tray down on Piers's lap after the young male put the shirt back on. "Here."

Again the little frown appeared on Piers's face before he stared up at Chris. "…No fork?"

Chris felt his eyebrow twitch slightly with annoyance. "The dishes are dirty. You'll have to make do with your hands for now."

"…You're not very good with keeping your house maintained, huh?" He had amusement in his eyes that made Chris glance away and rub at his head.

"I work a lot," Chris said as his excuse, his finger rubbing at his cheek in embarrassment. Piers just gave a nod to his explanation. Whether he believed it or not wasn't known as his appetite seemed to kick in, his fingers working on feeding him the two cans of tuna from the small saucer. While he ate, Chris found his eyes sliding up to look at the two puppy ears on his head. To think he had one of the rare Semi's in his house. He'd honestly never seen one of this breed that's fur seemed more golden than brown or with such expressive eyes.

Piers was licking his fingers clean when he frowned finally taking notice that Chris was staring at him. "What?"

"Nothing," Chris said moving to sit in the chair by the bed again. Piers frowned, his ears drooping slightly as he stared at Chris. You wouldn't think the guy was just there yesterday struggling to breathe while he bled all over Chris's bed. Not to mention the fact that he snuck into a person's house and was acting like he lived there now. "Are you feeling better?" Piers put the tray down on the nightstand before he looked at him.

"I'm sore, but I'll live." Piers pushed the blankets back and stood before his hand shot down to his shoulder and he winced easing himself back down to sit. Apparently he wasn't feeling as good as he boasted. The Semi looked at him again and actually looked a little shy as he ducked his head a little, his ears flickering with anxiety. "So uh…thanks. Thanks for taking care of my wounds and for the food and stuff." Well at least the little mutt had some manners to him.

"It's not a problem," Chris said sitting back in the chest relaxing. "Mind telling me how you got that stab wound?" Piers lifted a brow looking over at him again but Chris just gestured with his fingers towards the kid's side. "You said yesterday that you were being chased. That's why you ended up in my room. Why were you being chased?"

"…I don't really remember why," Piers said frowning slightly, his tail flicking a bit behind him. "All I remember was that these two guys chased me and one of them stabbed me. I think…I think I did something to one of them," Piers said, his frown deepening. Did something to one of them? What exactly did that mean? "Then I found your window cracked and slipped inside and…and I don't remember much more after that." Probably because he'd decided to pass out in Chris's bed.

"You look like you've been kept in captivity for a while," Chris said watching him carefully as the hazel eyes looked down to the two small wrists where the imprints of the cuffs were easily visible. "Can you remember who held you captive or where you came from?"

"…I'm sorry. I can't." Piers shook his head as he spoke, his eyes looking troubled. He really couldn't remember a thing. "I really don't remember anything more than what I told you." When he looked at Chris again, the older man could see the truth in his eyes. Probably aside from his name, he couldn't remember anything else. Or was it more to it than that.

Piers pushed again to stand being more careful this time of not agitating his wounds. Aside from a wince, he did pretty well, holding his side against what pain he did feel.

"Where are you going?" Chris said frowning watching the Semi get up.

"I'm leaving," Piers said staring down at him like it was the obvious answer. "Thanks for the help. Sorry for intruding on you." He started to walk, moving past Chris for the door. Chris didn't know what made him reach out but he did, his hand grasping the small, thin wrist stopping him from walking away. When the younger male looked back at him in surprise, Chris swallowed and glanced to the side like he was lost before he looked back up at him.

"Stay," Chris said letting the wrist go. "At least…until you're fully healed anyway."

"…I won't be intruding on you?" He asked it like he really wasn't sure if he believed it. Honestly, Chris wasn't sure himself. Aside from the times Jill made herself comfortable in his home or when Claire would visit him, he'd never had anyone stay with him. Though this was his first time letting a male stay with him. Guess he'd have to do some shopping so they'd have some food. "Even though I'm a complete stranger?"

"Not at all," Chris said. "You can come out with me later to shop for some food." Cause he still wasn't up to leaving the guy alone in his house. Piers was staring at him like he really wasn't buying what Chris was suggesting. "…We'll get steak."

"Ok." Well he sure was easy to please, his head giving a quick rough nod in response. Steak must have really been his highlight. Was it because it was something delicious he didn't get to eat often? Or maybe it was because he was accustomed to it. Considering the indentions of captivity on his wrists, ankles, and neck, Chris really doubted that was the case. That or maybe it was something he was served but only received very little of.

No there was no reason to keep speculating over this. He wasn't going to know the truth unless Piers started to remember what happened. And seeing as Chris was a defender of the weak, he just couldn't see not protecting Piers while the Semi was still weak and vulnerable.

"Let's head out now," Chris said standing up as well. "Just be sure to hide your tail. I'll find a hat to hide your ears." At the questioning look, Chris explained it to him. "In case those guys are still looking for you, you'll at least be disguised enough to not draw attention to yourself." Granted he needed to do something about those eyes too. They were too unique and would draw too much attention. Shades? At least for the ride there anyway. Good thing it was supposed to be sunny out today. Besides, considering how many Semi Chris had ever seen before, which were far and few between, he was pretty sure they'd draw attention if Piers just went out as he was.

"Come on," Chris said. "Let's go buy some food before the traffic builds up." During this time of the day, the most he had to deal with was people going out for lunch. But any later and he'd have to deal with the rush hour traffic of heading home. He hated rush hour.

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If there's one thing he did learn about Piers, he got agitated a lot easier than normal Semi. He didn't seem to be the soft, cuddly type like the others though he did stay pretty close to Chris no matter what aisle they went on. He kept his guard up and glared directly into people's faces before Chris found himself grabbing the back of his shirt and dragging him away. Piers didn't like public places, that part was becoming noticeable. He stayed tense and if it weren't for the fact that Chris had strapped the tail down, he was sure it'd be moving stiffly behind him.

So they made the little shopping spree quick before heading back to the house. He'd bought steak…lots and lots of steak. And it wasn't cheap either. This was not going to turn into an every night thing that was for sure. So he'd bought other kinds of meats too like hamburgers and chicken, pork and tuna not even paying attention to the amused look in Piers eye at the loads of meat loaded into the buggie.

He'd taken to making some dinner leaving Piers with free reign of the house. And just like a curious puppy, he was everywhere going from room to room, door to door until boredom returned him to the kitchen.

"…Your house is pretty filthy."

"Says the semi staying here for free," Chris grumbled out swatting him down when he thought he was free to just sit his butt up on the counter.

"I'm just stating a fact," Piers said, his ears flickering around slightly and…was he eating an apple? He must have taken notice of Chris's eyes looking at him because he swallowed looking at the apple before he frowned at Chris. "What?"

"You're eating an apple."

"…Yeah and?"

"That's not made of meat."

Piers rolled his eyes. "I'd hope not. That'd just be plain weird." Well he'd heard that semi only really liked eating meat, at least the canine and feline types. He'd heard there was a bird type too, but he hadn't seen one yet himself. Yet here Piers was tearing into that apple like it was the best thing in the world. And Chris wouldn't deny that watching the wetness gloss over Piers's lips didn't at least turn him on a little bit. He returned his eyes to the steaks not sure if he should season Piers's or not.

"How do you like your steak?"

"Medium well. I only want it a little pink so it's still tender."

"…Are you really a Semi?" Most Semi would have wanted it redder than that to at least taste the hint of blood.

Piers blinked at him before he smiled apologetically finally picking up on why Chris was looking at him so weird. "Sorry, I guess I'm just a…unique one. I really don't follow all of that bull crap the others do." Chris lifted a brow at that. Well at least Piers seemed to remember some of the less crucial things. Still it seemed…strange to him. Was it because he was trained that way for convenience sake or was it an actual choice on his part?

"It's fine," Chris said reassuring him as he went back to cooking starting to season them both since it was obvious he was dealing with a different type of Semi. They didn't get sick from all these seasonings, right? It wasn't like they were that different from regular humans. "Anyway, I have to work tomorrow." Chris slid the steaks on two plates and set them at the table before looking over at Piers again. "So try not to destroy anything, ok?"

"Sure, I can handle that," the Semi said walking over to the table and sitting cross-legged in the chair, his ears flickering. "Smells pretty good. Seems like you know what you're doing."

"I used to cook for my sister Claire all the time. I think I'm doing pretty well for a guy with a filthy, unmaintained house."

"It's decent," Piers said as he started to cut into the steak. He sure didn't hold back when voicing his opinion. Grunting, Chris started cutting into his own steak taking a bite of it as he stared across at the Semi who'd given up on using the knife and fork and was using his hands to pick up the steak and tear into it. The sharp, canine teeth were out now making little work of the steak as the kid seemed completely oblivious to the fact that he was being watched. What was all the complaint about wanting a knife and fork earlier?

He seemed pretty content tearing the meat apart and chomping down piece by piece, juices coating his lips before he used a tongue to lick it clean. Despite what he said, he was obviously one of the Semi races and someone Chris would need to be careful around as he remembered just how dangerous they could be. But as the hazel eyes turned to look up at him with the steak half hanging out his mouth, Chris found himself smiling. He had an urge to reach out and pet Piers's head but restrained himself from the action as he continued eating his steak.

He tried not to watch Piers licking the grease from his fingers or to listen to how he seemed to hum with satisfaction as he leaned back in the chair. With his tummy full, he looked like he was ready to pass out for the night, his head lulling forward slightly before he jerked back only to start lulling forward again. By the time Chris finished his steak, Piers was dead to the world, his ears flickering every now and then as he shifted in the chair to try and get comfortable. Smiling, Chris put the dishes away before he walked over to the young Semi. He was cautious, not wanting to startle the boy but when a poke against his ears didn't arouse him, he picked him up bridal carrying him towards the stairs.

He tried to ignore how Piers's head rolled up against his chest, lips pressing against his shirt as he snuggled himself closer. And he made sure to be careful of his tail as he laid the boy down on the bed in the guest room and covered him with the blankets, staring at the slightly parted lips as he sighed out shifting a bit on his back.

He was probably still healing up from the injury earlier. The warm meal in his belly was probably just too much for him. Then again with how skinny he was, when was the last time he'd had a decent meal? And the tuna from earlier didn't count.

Chris turned to leave the room before he was stopped by the pull on his shirt. He looked down seeing the hazel eyes staring up at him through partly slit lids tiredly. The thing that stopped him was the hand that had slipped out from under the blanket and was holding onto his shirt.

"Chris…?"

That sound was a mixture of fear and worry coming from that single word and eating at Chris's heart. It wasn't something Chris was used to hearing and it seemed more like it was something subconscious coming from the Semi. Turning around, Chris rested his hand on his head unable to help himself as he lightly rubbed behind his ears to calm him down.

"You're safe here," Chris said softly watching the eyes closing again as Piers fell asleep once more. "Just relax." The hand loosened on his shirt freeing him though Chris didn't make to walk away just yet. "I'm right down the hall if you need me." He felt protective of the boy, wasn't even sure what made such a powerful creature have such a moment of insecurity. He needed to find out more about Piers, about who had been keeping him captive. It was possible that person had more of the Semi being held against their will. Whoever it was, they needed to be found and put behind bars as soon as possible.

But it wasn't something the BSAA handled. This was more something for the regular police. So for now all he could do was support Piers until he could handle himself on his own two feet. He could easily have sent him to one of the Semi aid centers. But he had a feeling the kid wouldn't agree to go there. Bad enough he couldn't handle being in a grocery store without glaring at everyone there.

Rubbing at the back of his head, Chris headed off to his room to rest. He took a quick shower to wash himself of the day's adventure before slipping into a pair of boxers and diving under the covers of his warm bed. He was sure Leon would have a million and one questions for him tomorrow. Might as well prepare his mind for it. Maybe he knew more about the Semi.

TBC…

And that's it for that chapter. I'd say more but I don't know what to say?