Chapter Text
“What’s a pretty thing like you doing alone out here?”
The question made you freeze. That voice didn't belong to your boyfriend, and no one else came out this far in the woods unless-
“Hey, I asked you a question.”
You turned around slowly and studied the man standing a few feet away from you. He was old, flashing a crooked yellow grin at you that made your skin crawl.
“I’m not alone. I live with my boyfriend and his five brothers.” You were grateful you didn't have to lie, considering how bad you were at it.
“Oh, really? I haven't seen anyone else hanging around, and I’ve been out here for a while now.” He took a step towards you. “Been looking for dragons. You ain't seen any hanging around by chance?”
Shit.
“Ah, nope! Sorry. If uh, if there are actually some out here though I guess I’d better head home, haha.” That laugh was so fake. You were so bad at this. Just run already he looks too old to keep up anyways.
You turned around so you could get away from him, but a hand grabbed your arm and yanked you back, throwing you to the ground.
“I don't like liars. Make me real mad, y’know? Bet you're out here looking for one yourself, right?” His smile made you sick. “What’re you using for bait? I heard something real interesting. People say they come running when they smell blood.” A heavy boot hits your face and you cry out. “Even if it ain’t true I bet your screaming brings them all here!”
You brace yourself as he raises his foot again, and mentally beg for someone to save you.
---
The situation was really out of hand.
You grit your teeth as he tightens a thick rope around your body, forcing the bark of the tree you’re being tied to to dig into your back. You're bleeding from your nose and mouth, and your entire face is warm and throbbing.
“That oughta do it. Make sure to make a lot of noise, alright?” You grimace as he pats your head and resist the urge to spit at him. He draws a knife from his belt and points it at your throat. “Any funny business and you're dead.”
With that he's gone, but only from view. You hear him shuffling around in the trees and try not to cry at feeling so helpless. As much as you want Osomatsu to come to your rescue, if something happened to him you'd never forgive yourself.
“(Y/N)!”
Son of a bitch.
You see a flash of red burst through the trees, both relief and panic surging through you at once.
“Osomatsu!” His eyes meet yours and light up for less than a second before scanning over your body. “You have to go, it's a trap! He's hunting dragons!” You're yelling desperately hoping just this once he’ll listen to you.
Of course he doesn't, he's over at your side in an instant, clawed hands reaching for the rope. You jerk your head to the side and cry out as the old man comes charging loudly out of the trees with-
Is that the dagger.
This moron seriously brought only that shitty little blade to hunt dragons?
As you stare at him in shock Osomatsu only glances behind himself briefly before his thick tail whips to the side without any effort and slams the guy into the tree you're bound to. There's a loud cracking noise and you flinch, your boyfriend still focused on the rope. He's slicing it carefully so he doesn’t hurt you, and once it finally falls away you stumble forward. He gently grips your shoulders to keep you upright.
“Did he do this to you?” He speaks quietly.
“Osomatsu-”
“Answer the question, (Y/N).”
You stare at each other for a few seconds before you look away and nod. He gently kisses your forehead and then carefully lifts you, letting you hold onto his neck and balancing you with one arm. Once you're settled he carelessly grabs the barely conscious man by the leg and flaps his wings once before taking off. You hear screaming almost immediately and bury your face into Osomatsu’s neck. Flying always makes you nervous and the panicked screeches of your attacker do nothing to calm your nerves.
It doesn't take long to get to the cave and there's a thump as you land. You squeeze Osomatsu harder and look over his shoulder. He's dropped the man onto the ground and his expression almost makes you pity him, but your face throbs and that crushes the minuscule amount of sympathy you’d felt.
“Take them inside.” You turn around and realize Ichimatsu had been outside playing with his cats. He glances up at his older brother, then to you and the old man before dropping a feathered toy and standing up. You're passed carefully into Ichimatsu’s arms and shushed when you try to protest. “I'll be in to help you clean up soon.”
With that, you’re turned around and being carried towards the caves not-so-hidden opening. Ichimatsu brings you to the moderate pile of gold that belongs to Osomatsu and sets you down. You glance back longingly towards the divot in the middle filled with pillows and blankets and everything soft that your boyfriend could get his greedy claws on. While you're contemplating if getting the bedding dirty would really be the worst thing in the world, there's a scream from outside and then silence.
“Ichimatsu what’s he-”
“Don't worry about it.” He cuts you off and refuses to meet your eyes.
You stare nervously at the entrance and wait. Osomatsu wasn't wrong when he said he’d be quick. He parts the stringy plants that make up the improvised doorway and makes his way over to you. Ichimatsu moves to his own hoard quietly, digging into it and burying himself in cat toys. You eye the noisy, bulging gut you know your boyfriend didn't have five minutes ago. The mans pained thrashing and screaming is somewhat quieted by the thick layer of fat wrapped around him.
“Osomatsu are you- Why does he sound like that?” You ask, slightly panicked. It never hurt when he swallowed you.
“He hit you.”
That's the only answer you get from him as he picks you up and places you gently into the fluffy nest, crawling in afterwards. Cool scaly arms wrap around you and trap you against him and you don't fight it. So much for keeping the bed clean. His stomach has settled for the most part. You only feel one or two more kicks before it goes completely still. Osomatsu presses his face into your hair and breathes in deeply.
“He’s gone. Won't hurt you again.” His breath is warm and smells faintly like blood. You pry yourself hurriedly away and turn around to face him.
“What do you mean gone? Why won't he come back? I always come back.” You ask nervously. His stomach chooses that moment to groan loudly and you shiver.
“We’ll talk later.” He says, reaching for you tiredly. “Just come nap with me for now. Please (Y/N)?”
He pulls you to him again and you let him. Neither of you sleep well.