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Dazai never asked for this.
He was content with lazing around the shrine all day and looking for a way to end his centuries-long life, occasionally drinking with other familiars living there. He wouldn’t abandon his duties too much, but he had a firm resolution not to interact with humans. They’re noisy, selfish and, putting it simply, annoying. He never cared about them, never trusted a single mortal and would continue to distance himself from humanity if it was purely up to him.
But apparently it wasn’t.
The shrine where he lived was a small one, deep in the mountains and rarely ever attended by anyone unless a disaster happened and people became desperate for the divine help. Typical. But one day a young girl started visiting – she would clean around and bring small offerings, praying only for the well-being of her family and nothing else.
Dazai would stay away and not bother with her, but the god he was serving took a liking to this pitiful human. She was from a poor family that barely had enough food to keep them from starving. For her earnest visits, two other familiars were sent to protect them from the bandits and other possible troubles.
It was peaceful for a few years, the girl (who never stopped visiting the shrine) grew up to be a beautiful woman and found a man who loved her unconditionally despite her poverty. They lived happily…
But the god’s protection wasn’t enough to keep all death away.
And so, a disease took her family away, one by one. Her parents, her sibling and finally her husband, until she was all alone.
Or so she thought.
A day came when the woman visited again, her skin sickly pale, with no offerings in weak hands, but she still cleaned as much as possible and prayed.
“I’m sorry I have nothing to offer you today, god of the shrine, but please listen to my last wish. I can feel my life slowly fading away just like I watched my family die. I won’t ask for anything for myself if that’s the fate the Heavens decided for me, but I beg you to at least spare my child. I will travel to the village where my husband’s relatives live to beg them to take care of it and I know this is selfish of me, but please watch over this life growing inside me until then.”
And the god listened to her pleas – he sent his most powerful familiar to protect the woman from harm and ordered him to look over the child until it was of adult age.
Reluctantly, but Dazai listened.
He followed the pregnant mortal through the woods, keeping his distance but still making sure she was safe. However, even he didn’t have the power to keep her life force from disappearing. She grew weaker with every day and ultimately never reached her destination.
But her child lived.
She died in the woods giving birth to a boy with sapphire eyes.
Dazai couldn’t save her even if he wanted to, however, he respected his god and this woman’s resolve, so he gave her a proper burial and took the child to where his relatives were supposed to live.
Still, he never asked for the smallest human he has ever seen to be stubbornly clinging to his tails, drooling all over one of them, but it was better than holding the boy in his hands, given how sharp his nails were.
He never wanted to be a guardian, didn’t even know how to be one.
Finding the village and the boy’s family was easy as long as he followed the scent of familiar blood. The relatives who lived there must have been distant ones, given the very faint smell, but they were the only family the boy had left and they didn’t seem poor. He wrapped the sleeping baby in a warm cloth and put it on their doorstep. He smelled humans having dinner inside, so he knocked and quickly hid behind the nearest trees.
Dazai never understood human nature, wasn’t familiar with their customs, so when the old woman came outside and took the baby inside, he assumed it would be safe.
His job was done.
Well, a part of it was.
He couldn’t go back yet, because his god ordered him to play the guardian until this child became an adult, which meant twenty human years. It wasn’t ideal, but for immortal beings like him, it was nothing he couldn’t just wait out in the nearby forest.
He turned into his fox form and settled outside the village, believing his only duty now was to protect it from conflicts. Fortunately for him, the area proved to be peaceful, and as years went by, he never had to interact with humans. He felt the boy still being alive, so he didn’t involve himself further.
Their reunion happened 5 years after Dazai left the child to its new family.
He was sleeping in the shadow of an old tree, hiding from the summer heat, when a silent cry reached his ears. He would choose to ignore it if it didn’t somehow sound familiar and indeed, it was the voice of the same child who he was to protect.
The boy was older now, could stand and walk on two legs, his hair grew the same bright orange colour as his mother once had, but his eyes never changed – still as deep as the sky far above them. He was crying and looking around clearly disoriented. He was lost. The place where Dazai found him wasn’t too deep into the forest, but for such a small child it was dangerous to stray this far from the village.
Annoying as it was, a guardian duty must be fulfilled.
Still in his white fox form, Dazai stepped closer – slowly, trying not to scare the boy away – and when blue eyes fell on him, there was no fear, only pure fascination. As if without any survival instinct, the boy tried to hug the fox, but the animal was faster and escaped him every time. It may have seemed like a game for the human, but it was Dazai’s plan to make them move in the village’s direction until they came out of the woods.
The child ran to his home and the fox returned to the forest.
From that day, the little redhead would occasionally visit the woods and look for the one who helped him. Sometimes, when the kitsune felt like it, he would appear and listen to the child’s laughs as it tried to catch him.
He never noticed the truth behind the bright smiles.
Dazai never spent much time around humans, let alone human children, so he didn’t know they weren’t supposed to be this skinny.
Weren’t supposed to be left unsupervised for whole days.
Weren’t supposed to have this many scratches and scars around their small bodies.
To him, the child looked happy and full of life. The only time he showed any glimpse of sadness was when he had to return home for the night, but Dazai thought it was simply due to their play time being over.
Then, after two years of showing up in the forest every day, the redhead stopped coming.
A day passed, then a week and there was no sign of the bright hair, only his faint smell still lingering around the village. Maybe he grew tired of playing with the wild animal, maybe he found other children to spend his days with. It would be only natural and Dazai would never admit he felt a tiny bit left behind, he was too prideful to be attached to a simple mortal.
But he was a guardian, so just checking that the child was still alive was his duty.
An excuse, but a good one.
And if only he realised it sooner, he may have spared the boy the suffering.
His smell was still there, but he wasn’t. Not in the house Dazai left him seven years ago, not in the fields surrounding it, not running around the village… It didn’t make sense and it was wrong. That’s when he heard the old woman whose smell was familiar to the redhead’s:
“Finally that orphan was useful for something. I never expected his pretty face would sell for this much.”
Sold.
He was sold. By his family.
And Dazai let that happen.
His blood started boiling, rage overtaking his body as he focused all of his senses to find out where the child was. He didn’t have a reason to overlook the village anymore, didn’t feel anything when he set the old woman’s house on fire – the screams meant nothing, they deserved it.
He managed to find the people who bought the redhead right away and when he saw them… Every emotion left him, except for pure bloodlust. The two men were riding their horses, but the child was forced to walk behind them, barefoot and with heavy chains around his wrists and neck. He could see both dried and fresh blood around the metal.
In a matter of seconds he crossed the distance to them and turned the chains into ash, holding the redhead in his arms and covering him from the sight with his tails. The child was disoriented, trembling in his hold, but the warm, soft tails must have made it feel safe, because small arms quickly wrapped around Dazai’s neck tightly.
Young eyes never saw the two men burning alive, ears never heard their screams.
Dazai failed once, but he would never do it again. He protected the boy from the cruel view and took him away from that place. Humans once again proved they couldn’t be trusted.
He would never allow them near his redhead again.
They lived in a house Dazai built for them in the mountains, far from any harm that could befall them. The life they led was peaceful and filled with happiness and freedom, not disturbed by anyone. It only took days for the brunette to learn some important things about the child:
He never slept on a bed but on the floor or the ground.
He never knew warmth or what a proper meal tasted like.
He was never given a name, always called ‘an orphan’ or simply ‘a boy’.
But it all changed, and now, after years of staying together…
----
16 years later
“You know, I always wondered…” It was spoken as they strolled between the trees covered with snow shining in the afternoon light. “Why did you name me ‘Chuuya’?
“Do you not like it?” Dazai tilted his head to look at the other. Even as he grew older, the redhead always stayed much shorter than him.
“No, that’s not it! I like it a lot. I’m just curious.”
“Hmm.” He fell silent for a second, memories from decades ago flowing into his mind. “Your mother would sometimes think out loud what she’d name you after you’re born. It was one of her choices and I liked it best, so I chose it.”
“What was she like?”
“Kind, I think? She was my responsibility only for a short while, I didn’t know her that much.”
Chuuya fell silent after that answer.
A responsibility.
It wasn’t the first time they talked about his past – he knew about the god who helped his mother after she devotedly visited the shrine, knew that his family was taken away by a disease… He knew he was Dazai’s responsibility, not his choice. It was his duty to protect him, to play the guardian he was forced to be. He never complained about it, but Chuuya knew the kitsune despised humankind. That’s why they lived in such a secluded place, that’s why no matter how much the redhead loved this life with just the two of them – he always felt like a burden.
He was the reason the brunette couldn’t go back to his real home, but was stuck here, taking care of a pitiful mortal whose life was just an insignificant moment in the fox’s long existence. That thought always made Chuuya question himself.
He was already an adult, could hunt and take care of himself when needed. He was taught how to write and read by his guardian, could count, his cooking was far better than Dazai’s. Truth be told, he didn’t actually need to be looked after anymore. He could free the other from his duty, tell him to go home to his friends and his god—
But a part of Chuuya was desperate to hold onto this happiness, even if it was one-sided. Sleeping enveloped in the fluffy tails was better than any futon he could ever get, eating meals together was more fun and he never felt alone here – they could talk or sit in absolute silence, but it always felt right.
And selfish.
Chuuya was selfish and it was eating him from the inside. Every day he told himself it would be the last one and after the sunset he would tell Dazai he could be free again.
But he never did.
“Chuuya!” A hand grabbed him by the shoulder, stopping him in his tracks. His eyes focused again and he realised he almost walked into a tree while lost in the thoughts. “Are you okay?”
“Y-yes. Sorry, I spaced out.” The burning stare of the brown eyes filled with concern and confusion made him bury his head in the red scarf and look to the side. “I’m sorry.”
“You don’t need to apologise. Do you want to go back?”
Honestly, he didn’t, but the sun was already going down and evenings here were too cold for him to stay outside for long, and his feet were already freezing from the snow underneath.
“Yeah. Let’s g—what are you doing?!” The ground under him disappeared as long arms carried him bridal style. “I can walk by myself!”
“I know, but I don’t want you walking into a tree again.”
Chuuya’s face heated up despite the cold wind. “I’ll be fine, really, just put me down.”
“Relax, my little human, I can see you’re shivering.” Long tails wrapped around his legs and body, soft fur soothing and warming. “Just let me, this is nothing.”
Nothing.
Maybe for Dazai, not for Chuuya. For the redhead, it only made things worse – he didn’t mind being carried, he enjoyed it and that was the problem. It made him want to hold onto these fleeting moments forever, never letting go of the gentle brunette. But it was wrong, he could never actually have it. He would always be just another ‘human’.
He buried his face into Dazai’s chest and let his eyes close, he wanted to stay there forever—
But it was already enough.
--
“You should go home.”
Chuuya was sitting by the window, his eye set on the darkness outside and not looking at the kitsune laying their futon out for the night.
“What do you mean? I am home.” It was even more painful to hear how truly not understanding Dazai’s voice sounded, as if Chuuya said something illogical.
“No, I mean y—“ A deep sigh to calm his breath and keep the tears from falling down. “Your real home. The shrine and its god and other familiars. You’ve done enough.”
It was physically painful to say these words. His chest hurt, eyes burnt as he tried to hide his trembling hands. But it needed to be said and he couldn’t hesitate. Just one look at the brunette would make Chuuya’s resolve crumble, just like his heart was slowly breaking.
“Chuuy—“
“I’ll be fine now, I’m not a child anymore.”
“Chuuya, look at me—”
“I won’t be a bother any—“
“Chuuya!” Warm palms held his face as he was moved to look directly at Dazai. But his vision was blurry from the tears he couldn’t hold back. He wasn’t able to do even that much. “What happened? What are you talking about? You’re not a bother to me.”
“B-but” It was hard to speak with how erratic his breathing was becoming, sobs escaping his chest with every exhale. “I’m h-human and just a r-responsibility and you deserve to b-be free.”
That one word made Dazai’s eyes widen with realisation. He has never been good with humans, but he liked to think he at least understood Chuuya after all these years spent together. And yet, his own words made the beautiful redhead cry, even if it was just a misunderstanding – he failed again. After he promised himself it wouldn’t happen a second time.
“Oh little human…” The brunette tried to wipe the tears away with his thumbs as he brought their foreheads together. “I am free and I chose to stay here. I want to be here, with you. Not because of duty.”
“But y-you hate humans…”
“I could never hate you, Chuuya, you’re my human.”
Trembling hands clutched at the brunette’s kimono. “Because your g-god asked you t—“
“That obligation was fulfilled years ago. I’m not bound by anything now, I stayed because I didn’t want us to be apart.”
It felt genuine, Chuuya wished for it to be true, but the sobs wouldn’t stop. He felt the warmth surrounding him and it was so gentle, so reassuring, but his body wouldn’t listen. His heart wouldn’t believe it. Not so suddenly. And Dazai was conflicted, because what he said was true and he wanted to show the redhead just how honest he was, but he feared it would scare him.
What if it would be another mistake?
What if Chuuya would hate him for it?
But it was the only way he could think of to stop the tears from burning these soft cheeks he so adored. So he leaned down and kissed Chuuya’s lips, as gently as possible, until the trembling stopped almost completely. When he moved back to look at the other, the blue eyes were shining with remaining tears and wide open, staring at him with so many emotions hidden behind them.
“I’m sorry if I scared yo—“
“Do it again.” The redhead tugged at his clothes weakly. “Kiss me again, please.” His voice cracked at the last word, but Dazai listened and closed the space between them again.
It was longer this time, deeper, as Chuuya parted his lips to let himself be devoured. His grip on the other’s kimono loosened and his hands moved to wrap around the wide torso. He needed to feel it more, to have this familiar heat all round him and not letting go. His heart started pounding in his chest again, not from the pain but from want.
When they parted, breaths erratic, the insecurities started flooding him again—
“Don’t stop—“
“I’m not.” Dazai quickly answered as he picked Chuuya up and moved them to the futon, until the redhead was lying down on his back. “I won’t.”
Their clothes were discarded fast but carefully until there was nothing separating them. The brunette’s mouth wondering around Chuuya’s body, leaving countless red marks everywhere while the redhead’s hands were tangled in his brown hair, right next to his pointy fox ears.
Dazai’s tongue was playing with one of Chuuya’s nipples, sweet moans filled the inside of their small house as pleasure overtook the human. He arched at the feeling of slender finders wrapping around his cock, stroking him slowly and skilfully until he was leaking pre cum over his stomach.
Soon, his mouth was caught in another hungry kiss and the palm on his erection moved to grab his ass, squeezing it and playing at the rim.
“I need you to tell me if you don’t want this.”
It was absurd – there was no way Chuuya didn’t want this. He craved the touch of Dazai’s hands on him, inside him. Everywhere.
“I want you.” was the only coherent sentence he could think of at that time.
And everything else was like a blur, thoughts escaping his mind as pleasure and greed took over again. He felt a wet finger pressing inside him, dragging against his inner walls with every move. He didn’t know if the wetness was from his own pre cum or some kind of kitsune trick, but he didn’t care. All that mattered was to have more of it.
And maybe Dazai did use some of his powers to make it a bit easier, but he didn’t want his human to feel any pain tonight, not when he knew it was his first time and not when Dazai was the one taking him apart. He worked slowly and earnestly, adding another finger only when he felt the redhead relaxing enough, until there were three fingers thrusting in and out with every twist of his wrist.
Dazai heard the redhead moaning and panting, felt his hot breath on his ears as he was marking the other’s neck with love bites and when his fingers hit that one spot, nails dug into his back, sending pleasurable pain down his spine. He pulled himself up on his elbow, spreading Chuuya’s legs wide with his tails, and looked into the blue eyes clouded with all the sensations.
There wasn’t even a hint of discomfort in them – only desire.
He spread his fingers one last time before pulling out, which earned him a choked cry from the redhead, followed by a whine at the feeling of emptiness.
“I love you, Chuuya. With everything I have.”
Teary eyes went wide again before trembling arms wrapper around his neck, pulling their faces closer.
“I-I love you, too.”
And their lips sealed these words, seconds before Dazai’s hard cock started pushing inside Chuuya. It was wet, and hot, and tight, and it felt like heaven, but he went slowly, letting the redhead adjust to the filling when his insides twitched, until his hips met the other’s ass.
Meanwhile Chuuya was slowly going crazy with how full he felt, how hot Dazai was inside him. His mouth was still occupied, making it a bit difficult to breathe properly, but he wouldn’t want to let go for anything.
And when Dazai started moving, Chuuya saw stars dancing before his eyes. He screamed into the kiss when his prostate was hit directly and that’s when the brunette let go of his lips, going down his jaw and neck. He wasn’t as loud as Chuuya, but his panting was just as erratic. The pace was slowly building up, each thrust harder and deeper.
It was so good.
So right.
To be claimed, marked, loved.
His cocks was painfully hard, twitching and leaking against his stomach, and Chuuya felt his orgasm creeping closer and closer until he tipped over the edge and his vision went white, hot cum spilling over his skin and overstimulation taking over his body as Dazai continued to thrust into him without slowing down.
Then, there were teeth on his shoulder, sharp nails digging into his hip and the brunette coming inside him. It was enough to make him cry from pleasure while Dazai rode out his orgasm before stilling and resting his head next to the redhead’s ear. Chuuya never felt as content in his life as in that moment, he wished it would never end—
He just wanted to stay there.
Forever.
--
“You were wrong, you know?”
Dazai’s words rang from above Chuuya’s head, where the brunette rested his chin. They were sitting in front of the window, the redhead in the other’s lap, all nine tails covering him from the cold air as they watched the stars shining in the night sky.
“About what?”
Long arms squeezed him just a bit tighter and a kiss was planted on his hair.
“You are my real home.”