#shapeshifterau

[sexyshakespeare]

Kurodai AU  Chapter 2: Lover Bear

The wolf didn’t wake till afternoon, the light looking much like he’d left it when he’d fallen asleep. Time seemed to be evading him. Maybe he was dead after all. Kuroo looked down at his legs- breathing seemed to be easier to manage today, but he could still barely move a muscle without wincing in pain. And his legs were heavier than stone. Before he could fully look around him, a shape loomed over him, giving him a start. Two fluffy round ears, and a curious snuffle from the snout over the man’s hair, which tickled him, making him laugh softly. “Hey little cub”, he crooned softly at the bear-cub who was clearly very curious about the stranger. He raised his arms up above his head to give him soft scratches behind the ears. And instantly, the little guy was won over. The cub was settling his head down in the crook of his neck, sniffing at his body and nuzzling close. Kuroo smiled at the welcome he was receiving, petting and caressing his new friend- when two more arrived, both just as curious as their brother- taking turns sniffing around his legs and coming closer for cuddles. He was more than happy to oblige, giving everyone pats and scratches, a big grin on his face. “O h man..”, came the familiar voice from behind him, causing Kuroo to look up- an adorable sight, surrounded by three bear cubs who had nestled into his various crevices and made home there. He grinned at his benefactor, “I made friends!” “Mhm- alright guys come on, it’s like a furnace in here, give him some room-“, the brown haired fellow sat down, shooing the cubs away with paternal patience. The cubs relented, standing a little ways away, but not fully leaving- choosing to butt their heads into him instead. Warm laughter filled the cave, his eyes crinkling with joy as he shoved at the cubs playfully, “I’m busy! Quit playing-“, he smiled and grabbed at the faces that shoved into his sides. His hand seemed to have healed well enough overnight. It was cleaned and stitched up, looking much better than it had yesterday. Kuroo watched him bring out that shell filled with the salve again- and still plagued by the cubs who sniffed at it curiously, he came closer, rubbing the stuff on both his hands and setting his palms down on his chest. “How are you feeling today”, he directed at the wolf, patient, doting eyes on him. “Good..” Kuroo seemed at a loss for words, having spent the last few minutes simply staring at the other, his smile, his eyes, his strong arms- his chest now uncovered by any furs in the warmth of the day. And it seemed he was mighty distracted. “Good? Like you can walk out of here good or ‘you can’t feel your legs at all so I might as well cut them off’- good” Look at that smirk on his handsome face. What a cheeky bear. “I’m better, thank you- the salve did help, don’t think I have a fever anymore..”, he said with some patience, a brow raised towards the man who was now busy rubbing down his torso. Oh, he’d reached his hips already. There it was again, that unbelievable surge of heat down to his- “Yeah your color seems to be returning- I think you should be able to sit up tomorrow, but we’ll take it easy anyway-“ His hands had come back up to get his back, fingers following his spine down to his tailbone again. Kuroo had to close his eyes for fear they might roll upwards- his chest expanding less painfully now as he took in deep breaths. But it was over within seconds. Far too short this time round. Gold eyes followed him as he reached for a sack and brought from inside a fist full of pretty purple rocks- a beautiful shine to them, unlike any gemstone he’d ever seen. He watched as the man carefully set them down on his body one by one, following a line down his sternum to his belly, and down his two legs using the sticky consistency of the salve to hold them in place. “They’re beautiful..”, he said, his eyes flicking up to his face as he finished up his work for the day. “Aren’t they..”, a smile on his face as he put them away. The cubs had been deterred for only a little as they watched their older brother do important work. But they were at it again, sniffing at Kuroo’s body curiously. One even managed to lick at the sticky goop when the bear man caught him- “H ey stop that- get out of here, all of you”, he used that stern papa bear voice, too familiar to them no doubt. It was enough to have them pitter pattering out of the cave- the last one stumbling with his tongue hanging open and grunting from the sting of the medicine. “Cute kids..”, the wolf said to him in the fondest tone he’d used thus far. “Are they yours?”, he asked him curiously. The other shook his head no, looking just a little perturbed at the question. Kuroo had to, had to probe more, he wanted to know. “That was your mate right? The one I was hunting-“ “No.. she’s not- they’re her cubs and I take care of them sometimes but, she’s not my mate-“, his voice was weighed down by something he couldn’t quite decipher. But it would sate his curiosity for now. And with that, he was standing up to go- “O i where you going-“, he protested, raising himself up on his elbows to crane his neck back towards him- and then instantly regretting it as the pain shot through his torso. “Hey hey relax- just going down fishing, I was gone all day for the crystals, I need to see my family and cool off with them for a bit-“, he came closer, putting a calming hand on his shoulder to lay him back down. Kuroo looked up at him, upside down now as he watched his face. A playful little pout on his lips when he asks, “Well what if I need you..” His brown eyes must’ve widened, just a little. They quickly darted away, an awkward smile on his face, he tried to brush it off. But Kuroo wasn’t letting up, “I mean, what if I’m in pain and I need that salve again..” “You’re good for at least half a day now..”, he said to him with more patience than he should’ve- a softened look on his face as he stood up again. But he didn’t leave, looking back out at the cave entrance towards the cubs who were hanging nearby. “Okay, it’s time I taught you some signs then huh-“, he kneeled down again and scooted closer to Kuroo- giving him a face full of his gleaming chest in the last faint rays of sundown. Heaven.. heaven on earth.. “You listening?” “Yeah yeah- let’s learn some bear then-“, his eyes snapped up from their guilty pleasure to his face, showing him he was paying attention. The man leaned lower, his face level with the wolf’s. 

And it made his heart stop. The bear huffed through his nose at him, one, two, three times. Simple enough to replicate, though he wasn’t sure if his body language would be correct for bears, Kuroo mimicked him, tipping his nose up towards his and following along. “No-“, he put his fingers on his chin, directing it back down. It wasn’t easy to focus now, and he wasn’t quite sure why- Kuroo wasn’t one to shy away from physical touch, he quite enjoyed it, and a little touch to his face shouldn’t have had his adam’s apple bobbing nervously like it did. He tried again, three little huffs, keeping his nose level with his this time. This seemed to be more correct, granting him a smile and unfortunately, the leave of his fingers from his face. “You got it, just do that to any of the cubs, they’ll come get me-“, he said with some satisfaction as he got up one final time and turned to leave. “What does it mean-“ The bear man turned back, casually stating to him as he draped the furs over the wolf’s lower body, “Find my lover” Lover.

Lover? Lover..? The color rising in his cheeks was unmistakable as he tried to make sense of what he’d just said, blinking stupidly at him and completely speechless. He seemed to understand the confusion a little late, giving him an airy laugh, “It’s the same word for caregiver”, he said as he offered him a smile and what was a hint of playfulness in his eyes. He found him amusing at least, and not a pain, the thought left Kuroo smiling wider as he left the cave. His lover. A big sigh left his lips as he closed his eyes now, waiting for nightfall to come and for his lover to return. It was painfully boring in this cave, and the cubs weren’t around for him to entertain either. Not to mention the talk of lovers having ignited something in him that he found an absolute annoyance, given the state of his body at the moment. After what seemed like hours, he looked around the dark of the cave, and sensed nothing nearby. He cast his eyes down at the furs draped over his hips. Would his hips even work again.. The though of such a tragedy brought a small groan from his lips. It should’ve been the least of his worries, but he was after all, a mortal man, of the flesh and all that. It had been.. a painfully long time since he’d last- But then footsteps approached- familiar ones. 

His lover was home. Kuroo looked up to see him, his gold eyed glinting in the dark and seeing him clear as day. He had a.. giant fish in his mouth. And he looked happy, his hair dripping wet, as was the rest of his body. Oh no. “You need to eat! Come on! We got a great haul today, oh boy oh boy-“ he said, plopping the fish down in his lap as he crossed his legs and took a seat on the ground. He ripped out some of the flesh and offered it to him with his hand- Kuroo stared back and shook his head, “I’m not.. a fish person..”, he said weakly, feeling his stomach turn at the sight. “Eh? What do you eat then? Berries? We have some but you need meat in you if you want your legs back-“, he looked at him, the most adorably perplexed expression on his face as he tilted his head at him. “No I- I don’t eat them raw..”, he said with a sheepish look on his face. Cue a much more surprised, even scandalised look on the bear man’s face. “You don’t.. eat.. your meat.. r a w??” Kuroo can’t help but laugh at him then, clutching at his ribs for the ache it caused. He shook his head at him softly, “I cook it before I eat.. it’s just better for my body, I lived more around humankind than wolfkind.. just used to it like that” “Oh..”, he said now, and Kuroo could’ve sworn he saw his phantom bear ears droop a little. The very idea of.. cooking.. his fish.. seemed to depress the poor fellow. But he perked up soon after, swiveling around to find something. He rustled around back there and brought forth a few twigs, and smooth looking stones. And then he set about, doing something like clicking the stones together. Minutes passed as he concentrated on his task, while the wolf watched, a big, indulgent smile on his face as he looked up at him from time to time. “..with all due respect.. lover bear, what are you doing” The man looked at his face, eyes wide, his jaw tense. He didn’t seem to want to comment on the nickname just yet, though he’d heard it alright. “I’m making a fire.. this is.. how the humans.. do it..”, his voice trailed off when Kuroo seemed to not be impressed. “No..?” Shaking his head at him, “No”, he answered and took one stone from him- wincing as he raised himself up on one elbow. “Hold that in place-“, he reached for the fur at his hips with his other hand, gathering some of the loose furs on it and brought it back around to use as kindling- then struck hard at the rock in his hand. It took him a few tries but the warmth in that cave was kind enough to let the spark catch the fur- which Kuroo diligently blew at and fed little twigs. He settled back down when it seemed to grow, feeding more twigs to it till it was blazing as big as his fist at the centre of the cave. The other man seemed to be mesmerized by it, watching the flames dance in place, feeding it dry leaves from time to time. The gold and orange light flickered over their faces as they exchanged happy glances with each other. He held a stick of fish meat over the flame, turning it after a few minutes, while Kuroo watched him, happy enough to do just that. And then he came to him, stick in hand. He blew on each piece, pulled it off its skewer and held it to his mouth for the wolf to eat. And he did, chewing hungrily. He hadn’t eaten in more than a day now, he just realized. When he’d had his fill for the time being, he looked up at him with interest. “Do bears feed each other..” The question got him raising a brow at him, “Yeah we feed our cubs.. what, you want me to chew up your meat and feed it to you like you’re a 1 month old?” Kuroo sours a little, turning his nose up at him and looking up at the tall ceiling, illuminated by the light of the fire. “..wolves feed each other all the time.. don’t have to be a pup to get it” The bear man could sense something in his voice, something wistful, longing. It wasn’t a happy look on his face. So he tried to change the subject, huffing slightly, then in an amused tone, “That’s another thing- don’t even try to change here- I’m warning you, you do so much as yip like a wolf and I won’t be able to protect you-“ He crossed his arms across his chest as he continued on firmly, “The only reason they’re letting you stay here is cause of me- but if you seem like a threat to the cubs, I won’t be able to stop them from ripping you apart.” “Mm mm.. got it”, Kuroo answered with a small smile his way. But he didn’t stop there, smiling at the floor as his brown orbs twinkled. “Not sure how they’re overlooking that stench though”. When he looked up, he saw a disgruntled looking wolf man, an unamused look on his face. He looked like he wanted to bark at him right then and there. He laughed again, chortling at his reaction, “You have the pride of a wolf.. that’s for sure, but not much else I gotta say-“, he groans as he shakes his head, “They’re so noisy when they play, just loud and obnoxious- o h and the howling at the moon, hell on earth, what a racket” Yet again, this was cause for Kuroo to raise his nose at him, taking a deep breath to pace himself, till a smile grew on his lips. A dreamy look on his face as his eyes seemed to get lost in his memories. “Ahh.. but the moon’s so pretty, you can’t help but sing to it..” The other man looked at him, scooting a tad bit closer, and raising a single brow at his words, “You.. sing to pretty things?” The wolf man’s eyes darted back to his face, lolling his head towards him now with infallible confidence, “Why, you interested?” This confused him, though there was a little gnawing sensation at the back of his head. The bear ventured further, against his instinct, “In.. singing?” “In me singing to you- I can’t see the moon from here- you’re a pretty bear, might just howl at you one of these days..”, words spoken without hesitation as he looked into his eyes, an annoyingly charming smirk on his lips that was begging to be wiped off. He couldn’t help but blush when he said it all, and that’s what had him scoffing- laughing, disbelievingly, or perhaps just to distract himself from the near-hungry look in this man’s eyes. “Tell me this- is talking like a jerk just YOUR thing or is it just a wolf dialect-“, he shoots back at him now, thin lipped smile in place to control his face from erupting in color again. That definitely knocked him down a peg, stopping him in his tracks. Kuroo’s mouth was opened now, in a little scoff of his own, before he resumed that disgustingly smooth smile of his, “Tell me this! Is fondling your patient just YOUR thing or it just the magic of bear fingers-“ “FONDLING! H AH-“ he shook his head with some outrage at him, “You need to learn to keep your mouth shut, I’m not f o ndling you, I’m healing you, you ungrateful little-” But before he could finish his sentence, the wolf man was transformed in his affect- stretching his sinewy, muscular arms above him, his smile flashing as he presents his neck to him like a dog in heat, “Mmm healing me alright.. in more ways than one” Those eyes bore into him, watching him for a reaction, crafty and ready to pounce at any opening. 

And he felt the heat climbing down his body, flickering like the light in the cave, threatening to reach its destination. That was his cue to leave. The bear man stood up, grateful for the heavy fur he had draped around his middle, “Alright wise-ass, get some sleep”, he said with obvious bitterness lacing his words as his face steeled itself against any more unruly attacks from this jackass. “H ahhh don’t leave now, come on, I was teasing..” It was almost laughable how needy he sounded, but the fact that it was working like tendrils tying his feet to the ground- that wasn’t very funny at all, he thought. The bear swallowed slowly, determined not to give him another word- not another word for him to twist around and use against him. “Won’t you spend the night with me..?” Silence. Deep breaths to calm himself, and to fix a testy gaze on the man at his feet, who still seemed to be holding back a laugh. “Hey it’s been a while since you put that stuff on me, I might hurt at night..” Was there anything this guy wouldn’t do to get him to stay. And what if he knew that he’d won before he’d even tried. What then. The man sat back down heavily, reaching for some furs and laid them down- f ar from his side, the sign of a clear boundary. Which again got Kuroo chuckling to himself quietly as he watched him. He put out the fire with impatience covering it with hide, and in the darkness lay down on his fur. Deadly silence. “Hey uh.. what’s your name.. I forgot to ask..” Nothing. He was going to give him absolutely nothing. “..do I just call you my lover then?”   “Daichi- my name’s Daichi..” Kuroo turned his head towards him in the dark, the smile on his face gleaming bright at the neat trick he’d just pulled.

“What’s yours..” 

“Tetsurou”, he answered with a softer smile his way.  

#kurodaiweek #kurodai #kurodaiweek2021 #daichi #sawamura daichi #Kuroo #kuroo tetsuro #shapeshifterau #supernatural #suggestive #fanfiction #haikyuu!! #haikyuufanfic

[dyeingdoll]

A bunch of things from the stream.

#shapeshifterau #yurionice #victuri #yuriplisetsky #dididoesdoodles #yurikatsuki #victornikiforov

[generalzargon]

Plot Bunny: Free to a Good Home

My brain is a weird place. I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again.

Avengers Shapeshifter AU: In a world where humans can transform into an animal that reflects their personality, Darcy refuses to answer when asked what her animal shape is. She leaves that space blank on job applications, and just generally keeps her mouth shut. The only one who knows is Jane, who just shrugged and said that species got a bum rap, and for that Darcy will love her forever. After all, there’s not a lot of people who would be that cool about finding out their intern turns into a jackal.

Then the Avengers find out when she transforms to tear the rat-faced (literally, he turned into a rat) traitor who let HYDRA into the Tower to get at Jane’s research to pieces. They turn out to be cool with it. They are promptly added to her list of favorite people and cookies are had by all.

Kind of a short idea, but meh, they can’t all be epics. As always, if you want to write this idea please let me know!

#Fuckyeahdarcylewis #Shapeshifterau #Jane is awesome #Jackals have a bad rap #Don't mess with Darcy's people

[sexyshakespeare]

Kurodai AU Chapter 1: The Wolf and The Bear

He waited in the dark for an opportunity to strike. She looked like she was alone. Not a very big bear, he could definitely take her if he aims for her throat. One big bite, even if she throws him off, he could try to land on his feet. He might break a few toes, but that was a very small price to pay if he could get food and shelter for the month. Kuroo stepped out into the clearing by the water’s edge, stalking closer behind the bear who seemed unaware of his footsteps. And just as he was about to lunge, he hears massive footsteps running towards him, causing him to turn wildly around- a giant bear, much bigger than the other was charging at him. Where had he come from, this wasn’t going according to plan at all. He ran back into the woods behind them, running for his life, his heart beating against his chest to carry him further. This was it, he was dying today, and for what- for a life of a petty vendor running errands between tribes for scraps. He could see his life flashing before his eyes as he scrambled into the woods- the grizzly was fast as he was big, even the trees weren’t deterring him like they normally should any bear. He managed to climb a leaf strewn slope up to a jutting rock- hiding behind it to try and catch his breath. He debated running further, calling for help from the neighboring packs- maybe someone would come after all, even if he wasn’t welcome there anymore, maybe they’d mistake his call for someone else. But then he knew, nobody would come. He was alone, and he would die alone, under the jaw of this grizzly. He’d have to put up a fight, and this was his one chance. He takes a deep breath, steels himself, and prepares to die. He aimed for the inside of the bear’s paw- a soft spot, easy to sink his teeth into and try to tear a chunk out of. As he connected with the beast, a terrifying, thunderous roar filled the forest, enough to shake new life into his body- he wasn’t all that small compared to him, his jaw clamping down on his entire paw, sharp fangs digging in deep. But the bear was bigger still, stronger, taller when he stood on his hind legs, and he was being thrashed around in the air like a ragdoll. Then finally, with one last shake, he was tossed into the side of that very same rock. His fate was cruel, but that wasn’t the thought running through his mind when the wind was knocked out of him- the only thought he had, as he whimpered loudly, tears stinging at his eyes- was the excruciating pain shooting through his entire body. His legs, his torso, his head. His head was spinning, the world was spinning- everything seemed to be going dark. This was it. This was the end. He was dying. Like the dog he is, bleeding against a rock in the middle of nowhere. He couldn’t breathe, his ribs surely broken and its contents jostled around. Only his heart seemed to beating still stronger, aching as it pumped life into his body that begged it to stop. Meanwhile, the bear seemed to be in immense pain, stumbling through the woods higher up the slope, leaving a trail of blood behind from its paw. Kuroo closed his eyes then, satisfied with at least that much. That he’d died a fighting dog. If.. if his parents knew, then maybe they’d be proud. And with that, he let the blackness take him. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  Kuroo opened his eyes. How much time had passed, he didn’t know. It seemed dark still, had it been a day already? No, he didn’t think so- it was his instincts driving him now, he needed a safe place to crawl into. Somewhere he could pass out in peace, not here where some animal or other would find him.

But could he move? He looked down to his legs, they looked bad- bruised dark, he could see it better now on his human skin. He was so sure he looked like a sad sack of meat as a man, but he knew he was too weak to change back, for a while at least. So not only was he on the verge of death, he was in his defenseless form- no sharp teeth or claws, or fur.

He reached down to the little bundle of rags he had tied to his thigh, and suddenly felt pain, bolts of pain running jagged through his torso. He gasped for air, struggling as he undid his clothes and managed to pull his hide-skin on. The bottoms were far worse to get into, his pelvis must be shattered he thought as he willed himself not to cry out loud. Panting, sweating, and delirious from the pain, he looked up the slope- all he needed to do was find a cave to lie down in. He wouldn’t move again for at least a week, but right now, he didn’t want to die of shock when something attacked him for meat as the night went by.

Taking in sharp hissing breaths through his mouth, he gripped at the rock beside him, and discovered that he couldn’t stand. He closed his eyes as the tears came, pain like he’d never felt before- and gritted his teeth, crawling up the slope as best as he could. Thankfully, it wasn’t too steep, and there were roots he could use to hoist himself up- his arms though bruised and hurting, could still carry him.

He managed to crawl on his knees some of the way- though it took the life out of him, which made him wonder if he might just survive this. Funny what 5 seconds of being upright can do to a man. Kuroo looked ahead of him just as the slope began to ease up, and saw the entrance of a tunnel that led into the mountain. It wasn’t used by any humans, that much was certain by the large bones strewn outside of it.

It wasn’t his best choice, but it had to do. The man managed somehow to stand then- his muscles aching, tears streaming down his face- he managed to hobble the rest of the way to the little doorway of the cave and collapse right in the middle of it, elbows hitting the hard granite.

This time he did whimper- and suck in a breath, eyes tired from staying open for so long. Crawling to the wall, he tried to sit up, but it hurt to put weight on his tailbone- so he slumped up against it instead. His peculiar gold eyes glinted towards the dark tunnel, praying that nothing came out of there while he was awake. Or that if it did, it would snap his neck first, do him a kindness.

What he didn’t expect, was a pair of eyes watching him from just inside the doorway- 

human eyes.

Kuroo sucked in a breath, his adrenaline kicking in for a few seconds while he tried to sniff them out. He smelled dangerous, it made him want to roll right out of the cave he’d so painstakingly brought himself crawling into.

What was that smell.. strange, human but, unlike any human he’s ever smelled.

The stranger came forward then, his face illuminated slightly by the moonlight outside- dark hair, dark eyes, his body covered in dark furs, and a rugged face that spoke of immense strength. He didn’t seem hostile.

The two men stared at each other for a while longer- till Kuroo finally becomes aware of the smell of blood on him. Injured, like him, taking refuge in this cave then. But, a quick glance over his body revealed to him that he was nursing his hand behind him, the blood draining from there no doubt.

His gold eyes flicked up to his face just as he’d connected the dots, and so had the other man apparently,

“You should’ve run when you had the chance- I didn’t want to make a body bag out of you-“, the young man said plainly, bringing his bleeding hand out into the light, bandaged roughly with some leaves.

“I didn’t think you’d let me go with my life, after I almost attacked your mate”, Kuroo answered, his eyes studying the man’s affect, his body language was calm, composed. It wasn’t like he was a threat to anyone in the state he was in of course, and clearly he was more in danger than this bear man was.

The stranger didn’t say anything, only looking down at Kuroo’s legs, then at his torso. “Why were you hunting her- didn’t expect a wolf to hunt a grizzly on his own, the stupidest thing you dogs have ever done”

That comment got his hackles rising- a low rumble in his throat, which died as fast as it had come. He was far too much in pain to care about his pride.

“I was hunting for my tribe in the village nearby.. fish was drying up over the fall, deer running far from here- bear would’ve given them fur and meat for weeks-“, his voice was weak, his mind focusing on breathing more than his story.

“You were hunting for humans? You live with them?”, bear man asked, scooting forward to hear him better. He had a curious look on his face, clearly out to get as many answers as he could from the man he’d just maimed beyond repair.

“I.. I travel, and sell my wares..”

“What do you sell..”

“Meat.. clothes, I’ve carried messages and found wives for tribes-leaders”

The man squints at him, not fully understanding, “You’re a matchmaker?”

A little laugh sounded from the injured other as he cranes his neck backwards, reminiscing almost, “Ah h.. I’m a salesman.. I make deals in return for some food, shelter from other tribes”

“So you’re a conman-“, the brown-eyed fellow shot back at him, quick as ever to pass judgement, much to the chagrin of the wolf. However, he wants to continue this conversation, he wants to humor him, play him with his words if he can. “It’s only a con if they’re not happy.. and besides”, this he says with a little more pride, “I sell medicine too, not stolen, crafted by me”

“You don’t run with a pack..?”

Oh, the real questions were starting now. The ones that were difficult to answer.

Kuroo shook his head at him, keeping his eyes cast at the fur that hung over the man’s chest. Grizzly fur.

“Your home..? Home pack?”, he prodded some more, unknowing of the look he would see on the man’s face at the mention of it. Kuroo turned, the dark black hair that hung over half his face was facing him now, eyes cast away from his prying brown orbs. 

Kuroo saw flashes of the faces again, he could smell the fire, the blood. He’d tried to make sense of it, not fully remembering any details only just piecing together what might’ve happened to his home, to his parents and his pack. His siblings, a sharp memory of a chasing game, and his mother.

It took him a few seconds, but with a slow blink of his eyes, he turned back to him, “You..? Your home pack?”

This topic seems to lift up bear’s spirits entirely- causing a wide smile to spread on his lips. Pride in his voice when he says, “Yep- lived here all my life, parents raised me here past the under-fall river, cliffs over there”

Kuroo watched him, nodding at the words, exhaustion climbing over his body slowly but surely. And it seemed that the other man noticed, his dark brown eyes showing some concern, maybe even warmth if he wasn’t imagining it.

Another minute passed before he said, “I can take you to my pack.. heal you there-“

The injured man looked at him, tired eyes, shaking his head, “What, let you take me to a forest full of bears? I don’t think so-“, he started off- but could not shake the look in his eyes as they bore into him, his wounds.

“I’m not going to survive another two days-“, Kuroo said to deter him further.

That’s when he came forward, this stranger who owed him nothing, and locked his eyes into his gold, his voice betraying no hesitation as he spoke the words. “I’m not going to let you die”

Kuroo’s head lolled a little now, which caused him to come closer, holding at his neck with his good hand, supporting his heavy, weary form with his strong arms. His strength was leaving him, so he whispered, brows knitting together as he shook his head at him again, “It’s not your place to save my life.. I tried to attack your family today- you can leave me here and go on with a clean conscience knowing they’re safe-“

“I’m not going to let you die”

His words were spoken even firmer, an air of finality about them, the stubbornness of a bear perhaps. The wolf could only watch those eyes, full of conviction, like they defied death itself to take him from him. And though he didn’t want to be moved, though he didn’t want to fight this awful, heaviness that was setting in his bones, he just knew he couldn’t say no to him.

Or maybe he was too tired to try.

The bear understood that this defeat meant a silent agreement to being in his care, which brought an impossibly warm smile to his face- the man who could have killed him, who came very close to doing just that barely a few hours ago. “Want me to carry you?”, he asked with clinical concern, but the response Kuroo gave was one of misplaced pride, “N o ..?”

Of course, that earned him an amused look.

A heavy sigh before Kuroo nodded, feeling his pride wilt, his tail between his legs at the thought of being carried like a cub to his cave- but the pull at his neck that he somehow expected instinctually, did not come. Instead, strong, capable arms despite his own injuries scooped underneath Kuroo’s torso and his legs carefully. Before he could protest, he was lifted in the air, and held close to his chest.

Swaddled then, like a baby. His mind seemed to snap when he saw the ground below them, a good way away, and he scrambled just a little to wrap his own arms around the man’s neck, wincing in pain from the movement.

And the gall he had to laugh at him. “Just like you dogs~ always the same, put you on a little shelf and all that pomp dies in seconds-“

Kuroo fumed at him, not appreciating the commentary as he was carried out of the cave-

“Alright alright, I’ll stop cause you’re injured”

“Dying-“

“Injured”

Stubborn. Big. Stinky. Bears. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

He was carried the rest of the way, past the river, and to the forest beyond the shallow fishing pool. The climb in the forest was gentle, the terrain naturally flowing back towards the riverside till it tapered to the side of a mountain. The rocky ledge he walked on was the worst hurdle- Kuroo didn’t dare look down to the depths below, burying his face into his shoulder, and closing his eyes shut.

But then, it cleared out onto a wide shelf overlooking the water- the bear cliffs were beautiful, something he’d only seen in the distance. The side of the mountain had several hollows inside of it- each one, full of sleeping bears.

His mouth hung open when he saw them, hardly believing his eyes.

“This is my home.. and you’re welcome here till you’re healed and ready to leave-“, he spoke finally, carrying him in the dark past several occupied caves and into a smaller, empty one.

He set him down on furs that lined the stone, gentle as a feather, showing exceptional control despite his severely injured hand- which the wolf suddenly felt so much guilt for giving him. Gold eyes heavy with sleep followed him as he walked about the surprisingly warm cave for where it was situated- then watched him as he kneeled by his side, a hollow shell in his hand.

“It’s a salve, should take away the fever and the pain for a little- help you sleep tonight..”, he said softly to the man in his care, trying to ease his worries. Looking down at his body now, the next words spoken were, “Strip your clothes off-“

Kuroo shouldn’t have- he shouldn’t have been able to ignore the exhaustion taking over his body, and look up at the man, a little smile building on his lips. But he did just that, eyes heavy lidded with sleep, but also something else-

The bear nearly huffed at him, raising his brow sternly, disbelievingly.  Was he being, suggestive? Of what? “Or I’ll just cut it off of you, you’re not going to be needing them anyway-“

“Alright alright, I’m doing it-“, he said with what bear could’ve sworn was a giggle. After all that he’d been through, the man was giggling and chortling like a pup as he winced and sat up to pull his hide-skin rags off of his torso. He even had the gall to reach for his skirt, which gave good enough access as it is, “This too..?”

A firm little slap on his ribs seemed to do the trick. The man reeled, and gasped for air as he lay down instantly, to the delight of the brown eyed other,  “Blood seems to be leaving your head, do better to lie down-” 

The sun seemed to be filtering through the air, it was morning after already. Orange rays of light fell on the bear man’s face as he leaned over him and applied the salve to his body.

Kuroo watched him as he did it, carefully, taking all the time he needed- first over his chest and under his ribs, then down to his abdomen. As that hand pressed soft circles into his skin, he watched its fingers travel lower, to his hips, and then to his thighs underneath the rags of his skirt. He went still lower to his knees, his shins, his feet and his toes- leaving a trail of burning-cooling tingles in his wake.

When he was done, Kuroo found himself wishing he wasn’t, waiting for another round of this, whatever it was that he was doing to his body. He’d used salves before on himself, but none hadf felt quite like this.

Oh but he wasn’t done, his warm fingers found their way underneath him, rubbing soft lines down his spine to the small of his back. His face was so close to his body while he touched him, his palm cupping over firm buttocks, and travelling.. between them.

Kuroo’s eyes nearly bugged out of their sockets when the firm fingers rubbed at his pelvic bone. There was not a moment of hesitation or awkward reluctance in the man’s eyes, only concentration on his task. A true healer at work, and a man of his word. He wasn’t going to let him die.

The wolf’s eyes poured into his, the words catching in his throat as he watched the bear put the shell down and wipe his one hand on the wall behind him, the other still covered in a bloody bandage and clotted, dirty. He came back to his patient’s side, smoothing over his forehead with the salved hand, a cool sheen of the stuff masking his skin and instantly giving him relief from the throbbing in his head.

“I’ll go find some crystals for you, they’re in a cave not far from here-“, he said to him, eyes full of not sympathy or even empathy really. They were full of care and quiet devotion. “They’re magic, they’ve healed the worst injuries we’ve had- broken bones, bleeding wounds, cured bad appetites and ailing hearts too”

Kuroo smiled faintly up at him then, “Thank you..”, he whispered, the events from the day fully settling on him as his eyes searched his brown. There was nothing there to read, only, inexplicable warmth. The bear’s thumb rubbed a small circle into his forehead, returning Kuroo’s smile with his own.

“Get some sleep..”

He didn’t have to be told twice, going out like a light as soon as the man had left the cave- sinking into dreamless slumber, and a deep one.

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