Chapter Text
CH 1: Hurt?
🧶🧶🧶
12 year old Chifuyu stared at his cat as he propped his elbow on the table, resting his chin on the palm of his hand as he tried to ‘telepathy’ with his cat.
A failure, really.
“Why is it that you always ignore me and not Baji-san?” Chifuyu pouted, giving up on telepathy and scooping Peke J into his arms, giggling when the black cat mewled.
“Listen!! I’m pretty sure you won’t so I’ll make sure you listen by hugging you to death!” Chifuyu grinned, laying down on his bed as he hugged Peke J to his chest, his grin turning wider when he could feel his cat purred.
The blonde let his fingers comb through his cat’s short black fur, smiling softly when the cat got comfortable easily.
“You’re ready to listen now?” Chifuyu chuckled, eyes turning softer when his cat mewled at his question.
Still with his fingers combing through the fur, Chifuyu went on and on about his day.
This had always been a routine for the two of them; Chifuyu re-capping how his day had gone to Peke J who unwillingly listened.
The only reason the cat stayed on Chifuyu’s chest was really only because he got extra pats and extra snacks.
“Baji-san’s as cool as ever today! He managed to beat everyone so easily! I really like and admire him!” Chifuyu concluded in the end, an admiring smile on his lips.
Peke J blinked at his owner, wondering if Chifuyu meant it platonically or romantically.
“Let’s go to bed now, Peke J!” Chifuyu had sighed happily after yawning, chuckling when the cat snuggled closer.
“Good night, Peke J.” Chifuyu murmured, drifting into a deep slumber as soon as he closed his eyes.
🧶🧶🧶
Usually, Chifuyu’s rant session with Peke J didn’t last long.
And when those sessions didn’t last long, Peke J would visit his other owner who lived on the fifth floor; easily slipping into Baji’s room as the ravenette always left his window open.
“You’re here?” Baji had asked, glancing at the clock that read 2 in the morning.
The ravenette, who had on headphones and was reading a manga a second prior, unconsciously smiled, Peke J staring as Baji mumbled something along the line ‘Chifuyu’s probably asleep already’.
“You really need to stop coming here just for extra snacks.” Baji scoffed, yet he went and poured some onto a cat bowl anyway.
Eagerly, Peke J wagged his tail, instantly digging into the food and not caring how Baji was laughing at him.
The captain of the first division chuckled at the cat’s enthusiasm, patting the cat and watching it eat.
“Chifuyu didn’t rant to you today, huh?” Baji mumbled, the black cat perked up at the mention of his other owner.
The cat stopped eating for a moment, turning to Baji and letting out a small meal when he noticed Baji was smiling softly to himself.
Baji seemed to understand Peke J’s question, immediately answering,
“It’s just cute how he’s embarrassed when I found out he talked to you before sleeping. I found out because his mother and I talked and all.”
Peke J blinked, not really understanding what the human was saying.
But he knew the ravenette was talking about his blonde owner, at least.
During the time Peke J had been going back and forth between Baji’s place and Chifuyu’s place, the black cat could easily pinpoint a few things about his owners.
One; the two of them had this ‘smile’ that they saved for each other.
Two; both of them had the habit of talking to animals.
Three; both of them spoil Peke J.
Not that the cat’s complaining or anything.
“So? Are you gonna go to Chifuyu’s place after this?” Baji questioned once he noticed the cat had stopped eating.
The black cat blinked at the ravenette, contemplating before he decided to sleep at Baji’s place, making himself comfortable beside the 14 year old boy who had reached for his phone.
“Lemme just messaged Fuy- Chifuyu that you’re staying here.” Baji stuttered, face heating up as the nickname slipped past his lips.
Peke J mewled at the ravenette.
Why don’t you call him that already? ‘Fuyu’s a nice name for Chifuyu.
“It’s just… unnatural since I had called him Chifuyu all this time… maybe I’ll call him Fuyu one day… who knows?” Baji mumbled, clearing his throat as he snuggled Peke J, the black cat finding the red tinting the ravenette’s cheeks amusing.
Huh.
Perhaps Baji and Chifuyu were meant to meet after all…
🧶🧶🧶
Peke J was sleeping peacefully on Chifuyu’s bed when the door slammed open all of a sudden, the black cat hissing at the intruder and grew more annoyed when he realised it was his owner.
The cat was about to start brooding when he noticed how happy his 14 year old blonde owner looked, eyes forming crescents as his face flamed, hands going to cover it as he slid against the door, mumbling incoherent noises.
Peke J’s brooding session could start later.
The black cat was more curious about what got Chifuyu so flustered.
Though the cat was pretty sure he got an inkling of what had happened.
“He called me ‘Fuyu’, Peke!” Chifuyu had squealed, revealing his flushed yet delighted face to scoop the reluctant cat into his arms, hugging it so tight, Peke J thought he’ll suffocate.
“Maybe I do have a small crush on Baji-san after all…” Chifuyu mumbled into Peke J’s fur, sounding flustered even though he only admitted it to Peke J.
“ God- I have a crush on someone as amazing as Baji?! I don’t really have a chance after all…” Chifuyu groaned into Peke J’s stomach, the cat mewling in disapproval and disagreement.
Peke J bet his one week worth tuna-cans that Baji was definitely panicking in his own bedroom right at this moment.
“What? I’m not supposed to fall for him, is it? Because he’s yours?” Chifuyu pouted, chuckling when it looked like Peke J had given up in life.
“Kidding- we’re always yours to bother~” Chifuyu sing-song, nudging his nose with the black cat’s cute small nose.
Peke J mewled a little at the gesture.
Once Chifuyu had calmed down from his high, the blonde wished the cat a ‘goodnight’, going to sleep with a content smile on his lips.
Peke J took that time to visit his other owner, obviously.
As expected, Baji was, indeed, having his own panicked attack.
“Hugs?”
So Peke J went and climbed onto Baji’s laps, yet again being hugged to death by his owner.
“You’re right. I should’ve called him ‘Fuyu’ sooner… you should’ve seen the flustered look on his face!” Baji cackled, seeming like he enjoyed watching Chifuyu suffer in embarrassment.
Don’t bully him too much!
“Depends on his reactions!” Baji grinned, chuckling when Peke J had given him a look of disapproval.
“I’m really not sure if I understand you, but hey. They say I can ‘communicate’ with animals so…” Baji grinned wider, chuckling in endearment when Peke J snuggled closer.
“Fuyu probably has slept since you’re here.” Baji mumbled, carrying Peke J before laying down with the cat on his chest, making himself comfortable by laying sideways, smiling softly when Peke J curled into his chest.
“I wonder what he looked like… what’s his reaction and all and what did he tell you…” Baji mumbled, chuckling to himself as he mumbled a ‘maybe he’s red from head to toe?’ and things along the lines.
He was, red from head to toe. Ecstatic would be the right word, maybe?
Too bad Baji couldn’t understand the black cat.
He could get a gist of what Peke J meant, but not really the whole context since, well, he couldn’t speak ‘cat’ language.
“I’m just gonna assume it was a good reaction.” Baji grinned, patting Peke J’s head before rubbing its stomach, the cat purring at the gesture.
He likes you, was what Peke J wanted to say.
But he couldn’t, sadly.
“Good night, Peke.” Baji wished, placing a small and short kiss on Peke J’s nose before he went to sleep.
Huh.
Peke J hoped he knew what Baji felt for his other blonde owner…
🧶🧶🧶
Usually, after either one of his owners went out in Toman’s uniform, they would be back covered with bruises and small injuries.
Peke J didn’t like seeing them in such bad shape.
But he’s merely a cat to give them his opinion.
The black cat tried his best to show his disapproval when his owners came barging into Chifuyu’s room, the cat’s eyebrows furrowed and a frown on his lips.
Not that it was obvious.
“Is it just me or does Peke J look mad?” Baji was the first to ‘greet’ Peke J, crouching down in front of the black cat and scratching its chin, causing the cat to momentarily forget what he’s mad about.
“He’s been moody ever since we’ve been out a lot; around the time when we found out about Moebius.” Chifuyu had said, carrying a box of first aid kit and placing it on his bed before patting Peke J’s head.
Oh.
Right.
Peke J was supposed to show its disapproval!
Thus, Peke J avoided Chifuyu’s hand, blinking at his owners who looked surprised and a little confused.
“Did he just dodge my hand?” Chifuyu deadpanned, looking offended and betrayed.
Peke J was tempted to stick out his tongue, but nah it wouldn’t look mean since he’s, well, a cat.
So Peke J just chose to sit a few steps away from them, tail swishing from right to left as he narrowed his eyes.
Baji was about to approach Peke J when Chifuyu tugged on the older’s sleeve, the ravenette turning his head around only to turn away when their faces were too close, oblivious how flustered both of them were.
Peke J wished he could sighed like humans.
If he could, he could finally sighed and showed just how much he’s done with these guys who kept on pushing their feelings away.
Cowards.
“I- let me treat your injuries…” Chifuyu stammered out after a moment of awkward silence, the blonde standing up and patting on his bed for Baji to sit on.
“Yeah yeah. Sure.” Baji cleared his throat, raising an eyebrow at Peke J who actually looked kinda pleased at their flustered reactions.
After a staring contest, Baji gave up, going to sit cross-legged in front of Chifuyu who was already sitting cross-legged and waiting.
“What’s wrong with Peke?” Chifuyu asked when he noticed the older was staring at Peke J.
“Don’t know. I got a feeling he’s laughing at us.” Baji accused, yet his accusation wasn’t really far off.
Peke J watched as Chifuyu treated Baji’s knuckles in silence, his hands tenderly and gently dabbing the wounds with cotton and applying ointments on the wounds.
Perhaps it was because Chifuyu’s too focus on treating Baji that the blonde didn’t notice the intense stare Baji had directed at the younger.
Just to get a closer look, Peke J moved closer, sitting on the floor and looking up at his owners in wonder.
Would they end up together though?
That would be nice.
“Your face.” Chifuyu murmured, letting go of Baji’s hands only for him to flush when he raised his face, flustered sea-green eyes meeting unwavering brown ones.
Chifuyu cleared his throat as they broke their eye contact, hands fidgeting a little as his brain short-circuited for a moment.
Eventually, the need to clean Baji’s injuries overcame his embarrassment of being so close to Baji.
Their black cat stared as Chifuyu got to work, focusing on treating the ravenette’s wounds and not letting his mind stray elsewhere.
The black cat nearly let out an amused chuckle -he wished he could- when the ravenette’s eyes widened, Chifuyu wordlessly treated a cut on the corner of Baji’s lips.
Leaning back a little, Chifuyu inspected Baji for more injuries; eyes squinting and lips pouting a little.
Peke J wouldn’t say he’s a mind reader, but after spending a lot of his time during midnight listening to Baji ranting, he’s pretty sure he knew what was going on inside Baji’s head at the time.
‘ Damnnn I wanna kiss him.’ Was probably what Baji’s thinking, really.
Ya know what?
Scratch that ‘probably’.
Replace it with ‘definitely’.
“I think I’ve treated everything.” Chifuyu finally said after a few moments, grinning brightly as to comfort Baji who was slightly taken aback by the sudden brightness.
Peke J rolled his eyes when Baji mumbled a thank you, avoiding his vice captain’s eyes.
Panicking? Really?
“Well, I’ll help you with your injuries then.” Baji insisted, taking the first aid kit box to his side and moving closer to the younger, amused when Chifuyu’s cheeks turned slightly red as expected.
“Uhh no need! I can treat them myself, really.” Chifuyu stammered, was about to move away when Baji was already tilting his chin, started treating a cut the blonde had on his cheekbone.
Thus, Chifuyu was forced to stay pliant, could only blushed and closed his eyes and focus on calming his heartbeat.
Chifuyu, you dumbass.
Closing your eyes is only adding fuel to Baji’s fire.
Peke J internally sighed as Baji treated Chifuyu’s injuries carefully -though a little bit too slowly- and grinned to himself, finding flustered Chifuyu amusing.
Well, flustered Chifuyu is definitely cute.
Peke J’s just worried his blonde owner would combust.
After a heart-thrumming moment, Baji finally moved to Chifuyu’s knuckles, the blonde finally letting out a breath he didn’t realise he’s holding, blinking before he stared at the older who’s treating the injuries on his knuckles.
“You’re staring.” Baji mentioned, pleased at Chifuyu’s response that consisted of embarrassed incomprehensible noises.
“I- I am?” Chifuyu asked dumbly.
Peke J wanted to gag-
“Yeah. Is there something on my face?” Baji had the audacity to ask, raising his face just to see Chifuyu sputtering nonsense and losing his cool.
“No- no! Nothing’s wrong with your face! I just…” Chifuyu trailed off in the end, face burning in embarrassment due to getting caught staring.
The black cat that had been sitting on the floor pitied his blonde owner’s suffering, deciding he’ll show them his disapproval later.
Jumping onto the bed, Peke J climbed onto Chifuyu’s lap and made himself comfortable, grinning in victory at Baji who scowled as the cat disturbed their moment.
“Ah… Peke J’s so weird today…” the black cat heard his blonde owner giggled; could already guess Baji’s being a little flustered without needing to see the ravenette’s reaction.
“Would you like to stay, Baji-san? I have a spare futon I can sleep on. You could sleep on my bed like usual.” Chifuyu offered, too engrossed in scratching the back of Peke J’s ears to notice Baji’s staring.
“Sure. But I’m gonna be the one to sleep on the futon.” Baji said, standing up and walking towards the living room only to be stopped by Chifuyu grabbing the back of his Toman’s uniform, the blonde almost falling off the bed as Peke J was still on his lap and he had to stretch a little so he could reach Baji.
“But you can only stay if you sleep on my bed, Baji-san!” Chifuyu insisted, eyes furrowed in determination.
Baji only raised an eyebrow.
“Let’s make this fair then.” Baji suddenly said, a mischievous grin on his lips.
Chifuyu tilted his head at that, curious and looking like a cat.
Even the cat in his lap wondered if he’s owner’s actually a cat.
“Who gets to the futon first, they’re sleeping on it first.” Baji grinned wider before leaving the room, Chifuyu shouting a ‘that’s not fair!’ as he carefully placed Peke J on the bed, running after his captain.
Seeing that everything was going on just like usual, Peke J sighed.
Guess the two of them would end up sleeping in the same bed again, huh?
The futon was not needed, really.
Knowing how, in the end, neither of them would give up and would either sleep together on the bed or on the futon, Peke J went and laid down on the corner of Chifuyu’s bed.
Welp. I need my beauty sleep now.
The black cat has to admit though.
Waking up between his two favourite people who were literally cuddling and crushing him on the bed was one of the best ways to wake up.
🧶🧶🧶
“He’s bad news, Peke J.” Baji mumbled, laying on his bed with his arms crossed behind his head, eyebrows furrowed as said cat snuggled to his side, round eyes staring at the ravenette.
Lately, Baji had been distancing himself from Chifuyu.
To be precise; ever since the Toman-Moebius fight.
These past days, Chifuyu had come home with a not-so-bright grin, saying Baji’s acting odd but didn’t want to tell him anything.
“Something definitely happened.” was what Chifuyu had said, a frown on his lips as he hugged Peke J to his chest around an hour ago.
Once the blonde had hugged the cat to his heart content and fell asleep, Peke J slipped out of his hold and went to visit his other owner.
Who looked like he’s actually thinking.
Which was funny.
Because despite being a cat, Peke J knew he’s not the brightest bulb in a box.
“You just thought of something mean, didn’t ya?” Baji had accused when he noticed Peke J looked amused in a way.
The cat purred when Baji scratched the back of his ear, listening as the ravenette poured his heart out;
“Kisaki’s bad news, Peke. I don’t know what he’s trying to achieve, but I’m not letting him achieve anything.” Baji murmured, an unusual frown on his lips.
Peke J found himself irked at his black-haired owner’s expression.
Don’t do anything stupid!
“I don’t wanna involve anyone else in this one. Not even Fuyu.” Baji added, kept on scratching the back of Peke J’s ear.
The black cat perked up at the mention of his blonde owner.
The cat mewled at the ravenette’s statement, wondering why Baji sounded sad and maybe a little lost.
It was weird.
The guy’s always radiating confidence.
Truth to be told, it kinda scared Peke J a little.
“Take care of Fuyu for me, yeah?” Baji whispered, placing a short kiss on Peke J’s forehead before pulling said cat closer, falling asleep easily yet looking so tired all the same.
What got you thinking so hard?
Peke J, not really making sense of everything, only fell asleep with the warmth surrounding him.
Something that he wished he had treasured properly in the near future later.
🧶🧶🧶
Peke J mewled in worry when Baji had entered Chifuyu’s room, the blonde unconscious in the ravenette’s arms as the older laid him down on the bed.
Bruises were littered all over the blonde’s face.
Peke J watched as Baji wordlessly treated Chifuyu’s wounds, an unreadable look on his face.
Baji had been putting on the facade for a while now.
Despite the unbothered look, Peke J could easily see-through his acting; hands trembling as he tried to properly treat Chifuyu’s injuries, eyes teary yet determined.
It didn’t sit well with Peke J.
How the ravenette was acting.
It was strange.
After a few minutes of uncomfortable silence, Peke J watched as his black-haired owner stared at Chifuyu, hands forming fists beside the blonde’s limped hands.
…
“Fuc-”
Peke J has never heard Baji sound so frustrated.
The ex-captain inhaled sharply as he held back his tears, closing his eyes as he gingerly took one of Chifuyu’s hands and held it, bringing it to its lips and placing a light kiss on the blonde’s knuckles.
“God… I’m… so stupid…” Baji silently sobbed, tears streaming down his cheeks as he held the hand in his tighter.
Peke J was even more confused at the gesture.
You’re not stupid.
You’re my less-wiser owner.
Baji seemed like he was about to turn to Peke J when the hand in his suddenly moved, catching the ravenette off-guard and making Peke J jumped in delight, meowing loudly as he went and making himself comfortable beside the blonde’s head.
The ravenette was about to leave when the hand he was holding grabbed his, yet weaker than usual.
Watching his smaller fist struggling to hold onto the older in place broke himself a little.
“Baji-san…” Chifuyu murmured, eyes droopy as a lop-sided yet warm smile surfaced on his lips.
The older stayed quiet, afraid if this was all a dream and if he spoke, this illusion would shatter.
Peke J hated that hopeless expression in Baji’s eyes.
“…no…Baji-san had already abandoned Toman… you… must be my imagination… or something…” the blonde mumbled, his broken smile tearing Baji from the inside little by little.
Peke J watched as the two stared into each other’s eyes, having a conversation just through their gaze alone.
“If… you want… to come back…
I’m always here for you…” Chifuyu whispered, easily pulling Baji’s fist closer to his and pleading a light kiss on the older’s knuckles before losing consciousness again.
…
For a second there, Peke J wondered if his owner would…
Adjusting himself, Peke J went and sat closer to Chifuyu’s chest, finding the rhythm of his owner’s heartbeat comforting and nice.
For a few more minutes, the three of them stayed silent.
Peke J watched as Baji’s hold on Chifuyu’s hand was as tight as ever, eyes deep in thought as if he was thinking and planning.
Sadly, Baji left once it was midnight, placing a short kiss on Peke J’s forehead before he turned to Chifuyu, unsure.
Just do it, coward.
Peke J internally cheered in satisfaction when Baji mumbled a ‘fuck it’ and placed a short kiss on Chifuyu’ forehead, face flushing before he bolted out af the room, mumbling a ‘get well soon’ and leaving in a rush.
The black cat stared at his sleeping owner before turning to the door where his other owner had disappeared into, having a feeling of dread.
Hopefully nothing bad will happen…
🧶🧶🧶
31st October.
When Peke J had woken up, he was surprised to find his owner already in Toman’s uniform, looking anxious and nervous as he struggled to even button his uniform.
Eventually, when the buttons wouldn’t cooperate, Chifuyu groaned, turning to Peke J before his eyes widened comically, surprised his cat had already woken up.
The blonde was immediately by Peke J’s side, scooping the still-sleepy cat into his arms and placing kisses all over the cat’s face.
“Good morning, Peke J!” Chifuyu wished the cat, smiling softly when the cat purred.
Why are you so anxious?
“Today, Toman will finally face off with Valhalla…” Chifuyu said, looking torn and lost as his arms shook a little.
Peke J licked Chifuyu’s cheek as to comfort the guy a little, feeling better when he saw the familiar genuine smile of his blonde owner.
“We’ll definitely get Baji-san back from Valhalla, Peke J!” Chifuyu said, voice laced with determination as he nodded to himself.
Valhalla?
What’s that?
Why are teen’s life so complicated these days?
“Gotta get ready to meet with Takemitchy! He’s surely lost and all since he’s kinda new in the gang.” Chifuyu chuckled, Peke J perking up at the mention of ‘Takemichi’.
Lately, Chifuyu has been hanging out with another blonde called Takemichi.
Peke J hoped the guy wouldn’t get in between his owners.
“He’s not a threat, really.” Chifuyu had laughed when Peke J made a disgruntled noise at the mention of the blonde’s newest friend.
Once ready, Chifuyu placed one last kiss on Peke J’s forehead, was about to leave the room before he rushed back inside, scribbling something on a small piece of paper and giving it to Peke J.
“If he’s… still… in his room… pass this to him for me, yeah?” Chifuyu stammered, cheeks flushing a little before he rubbed his cat’s head one last time and rushed out, saying a ‘goodbye, Peke J!’ on his way out.
…
Huh.
Guess Peke J’s gonna be ‘cupid’ now.
Acting quick, the cat’s nimble paws jumped and climbed, reaching Baji’s apartment with ease, grinning victoriously when he realised that was the shortest time he has ever taken to reach Baji.
Luckily, Baji hadn’t moved yet.
Once the black cat entered, he eyed the jacket Baji wore in disgust, letting out a disapproving noise from the back of his throat.
Which, of course, instantly caught Baji’s attention.
That uniform doesn’t suit you.
You don’t belong there.
“I know, I know… this is just temporary…” Baji chuckled, sounding a little hollow, but at least he got the spirit.
Peke J approached Baji who was sitting on his bed, the cat jumping onto the bed and rubbing its head on the ravenette’s hand and purring in delight when he felt fingers rubbed his fur.
“What do you have here?” Baji murmured when he noticed the paper that was tied to the black cat’s neck, easily untying the knot and immediately knew it was from his ex-vice captain.
The black cat stared when Baji’s lips quirked a little upward as he opened the rolled up small note.
“Always so random…” Baji chuckled, unrolling it as his eyes softened even more, eyes reading through the tiny and short scribbles.
Curious, Peke J tried peering only for him to fall when he tried to stand on its paws, once again grabbing Baji’s attention.
Putting the note aside, Baji then gave all of his attention to the insistent black cat in his lap, holding the cat by its arms before booping their noses together.
It was something Chifuyu would always do.
“Tell your other owner that I’m not on his side for the day. And stop wishing me luck and being so endearing.” Baji murmured, scratching the back of his cat’s ear as the cat purred.
Tell him that yourself, less-wiser owner!
“Wish I could tell him that myself, but I have to keep acting just for today.” Baji said, as if answering Peke J’s thoughts.
Putting Peke J down, the ravenette jotted down something on the very same paper before he rolled said paper and tied it back to Peke J’s neck, chuckling when the cat made an annoyed noise.
“Just give this to him later when he’s back, yeah? I… have a longer letter written in my drawer but… let’s give that to him if I don't make it, okay?”
Peke J scowled at the ravenette’s unsure tone.
What do you mean by that?
It’s not like you’ll fight to death or anything!
You guys are literally ‘children’!
…
Huh.
Suddenly Peke J didn’t want Baji to leave.
“Why are you so clingy all of a sudden?” Baji laughed when Peke J insisted on pawing at the ravenette’s jacket, making disapproving noises.
“I’ll be back, really.
…
Probably.”
There went Peke J’s hope.
He’s dead set on not letting Baji go.
“I’m already late, Peke. I’m gonna make a big entrance by knocking that stubborn guy off his feet! You can’t stop me!” Baji chuckled.
Despite how Peke J struggled to hang on to Baji, the ravenette had easily carried the cat and placed it back on the bed, making it impossible for the cat to reach out.
For some reason, Peke J dreaded whatever that’s about to happen.
“Oh, and Peke?”
What?
“Tell that vice captain of mine that I’m gonna miss him.”
…
Try telling that to him yourself. After this stupid act of yours is dropped.
Seeing the happy and sincere grin on Baji’s lips left a sad and scared feeling in Peke J’s stomach.
Please be okay.
Both of you.
🧶🧶🧶
Huh.
Both of his owners didn’t come home that day.
🧶TBC🧶