Chapter Text
Chapter 1
The fresh cupcakes dripped with melted icing as Sawamura Eijun, a member of the West Tokyo Police Department, ‘Sevens’, picked the soft cakes out of the Tupperware box he brought from home. He placed the cakes on a chipped white plate he found somewhere in the pantry and licked the remaining icing off his fingers. The younger of the Kominato brothers, Haruichi winced at his colleague’s gross antics.
“I baked them last night! They took so long to cool off, so I just went ahead and slapped the icing on. I thought the fridge would help. Who knew the icing would still melt?” Sawamura shrugged. He had used a boxed cupcake mix with a cupcake tin he got from Haruno to bake these lumps of cakes (now on the plate). He even had a genius idea of piping the icing on the cupcakes inside the refrigerator, hoping the cool air would chill the sweet treat as he gets the icing on, so he could save time. Who knew that the icing would still melt and the fridge to beep incessantly from the opened doors? He could still hear the shrill beeping of the fridge as it demanded to be closed.
“What’re these for?” Miyuki Kazuya entered the office. He placed a pile of paperwork at Coach Kataoka’s desk before heading over to his ex-partner to poke at the suspicious pile of dark matter that Sawamura calls food.
“Oi! Keep your dirty paws off the surprise cupcakes, Miyuki Kazuya!” Sawamura clicked his tongue at his brown-haired senior, using his body to shield the plate of cupcakes from Miyuki’s inquisitive fingers trying to give them a few more prods like they were a science experiment. Miyuki Kazuya was part of Sevens, a specially formed unit in Japan for the unity of were-beasts and humans. Miyuki is a were-beast (what the government calls them). Being God’s pets since ancient times, were-beasts are able to take on human form to mingle amongst humans.
With their discovery in the 20th century, humans were resistant, though, with the current were-beast welfare rights movements, resistance against them is few. The Sevens department is a good example of the union between the were-beasts and humans. Each human is paired up with a were-beast and they act as a unit. Miyuki was Sawamura’s partner till Miyuki transferred to another department a year ago. A tanuki– is what people would call him. A Japanese raccoon dog, way too sly for the likes of many. Sawamura has never seen one as large as Miyuki Kazuya though. Were-beasts tend to be larger than their animal counterparts, however, the were-tanuki he had seen was rather… vicious looking. He was glad he was nowhere near those fangs.
“Surprise cupcakes? Surprise for who? Me?” Miyuki grinned. His height towered over the human. Reaching over those hunched shoulders, he picked one up.
“Gah! Miyuki Kazuya! Get out! Go back to your own desk!” Sawamura shouted, earning a look from Kataoka Tesshin, the captain of the West Tokyo’s Sevens. Despite the shaded lens he has on, the glare in his eyes was received and understood well by Sawamura, the human officer. He cleared his throat and bit back another retort threatening to spill from his lips (and he knew himself it would not sit well with Captain Kataoka if he were to shout them out loud at 9 in the morning). Miyuki chuckled darkly as he swallowed the cupcake, his thumb swiping at the corner of his mouth to catch a speck of icing. “Yummy,” he muttered close to Sawamura’s ears, only to earn a shriek from the latter.
“Sawamura,” Kataoka rapped his desk with 2 knuckles, giving a silent warning. “Your new partner is coming in today. I’m hoping you have gotten the orientation documents ready?”
“Y-Yes, Boss!” Sawamura squeaked, his back straighter than a ruler. “Damn you, Miyuki Kazuya. You’ll pay for this. Shoo!” He mumbled under his breath.
“Miyuki, give my thanks to your captain.” Kataoka picked up the stack of papers from the corner of his overflowing desk, giving the were-beast a signal to leave. Miyuki saluted the older man, before giving a wink to Sawamura and leaving the Sevens’ office space. Sawamura clicked his tongue, going back to placing the cupcakes on the empty desk beside his.
His office phone rang and Sawamura felt a jolt in his heart. He grinned as he answered the call. “Hello! Sawamura Eijun from the humble department of West Tokyo’s Sevens– here to serve you! What can I do for you today?” He rambled, leaning on his office desk. The stiff swivel office chair neglected–and too brand new from his constant out-of-office duties (as well as with his restless fluttering around the office, his ass rarely sat on it). “Ah… Ah yes, Sawamura san. We have your new hire at the ground floor reception. Please come pick him up.” A wary lady from the other side of the phone replied back.
“Yes, of course! I’ll be there right away!” He slammed the office phone down, practically jumping with joy as he grabbed the prepared lanyard for the new hire. “Boss! I’ll be fetching my new partner downstairs! Off I go!” He hollered. Before he could even complete his sentence, his body was halfway out the office door. He heard a sigh of exasperation from behind him as he bounded his way to the elevator.
He’d heard good things about the new hire– a were-beast that topped his counterparts and humans alike in the police academy. With scores so perfect it could put an army commander to shame, the were-beast was sought by many departments, but he decided on Sevens. Sawamura nodded and hummed in agreement. Of course, Sevens was the best!
“Sawamura Eijun, here to report in!” He laughed, “Where’s our precious new partner?” His eyes scanned the group of people at the ground floor reception. The West Tokyo police department is a huge office building housing over 500 employees. With clear floor-to-ceiling windows, sunlight streamed in, casting everyone in a golden hue. A specific blinding shade of blonde caught his eyes. “Yes, he’s the one. Mr Okumura Koushuu.” The receptionist waved her hand over to the direction Sawamura was staring at.
As if on cue, the blonde man turned. Cold blue eyes met with his heated golden orbs. Sawamura didn’t know whether it was the golden morning sun, but his breath was taken away by the sheer beauty of his new partner. He snapped his jaw shut before he looked any stupider. “T-Thank you.” He muttered a word of gratitude before making his way to the were-beast.
“I’m Sawamura Eijun, officer from the West Tokyo’s Sevens Department! Your official partner from now on! Here,” He tip-toed to loop the lanyard around the blonde’s neck, but the were-beast backed away, a little shocked a stranger he’d just met a few moments ago would close in on his personal space so quickly. He cleared his throat and took the lanyard from the brown-haired male, getting it over his head and letting his new work pass hang over his chest. “I’m Okumura Koushuu.” He blanched before taking another step back to regain his own personal bubble.
Sawamura nodded in approval. Clapping a hand against the taller male’s back, he led them to the gantry. “Come, come. Tap your card here, like this. When I first came here, I was surprised by the high-tech– Oops.” He tapped the card on the exit gantry. Laughing at himself, he walked over to the right one– all the while his new partner stared at him with those cold (seemingly) judgemental eyes. He followed suit, close behind Sawamura’s heels, but not close enough for their personal space to collide again.
“Our office is one the 18th, just below the Homicide Department. They’re a bunch of crazy men I tell ya’! But they’re a fun bunch! Oh, and here on the 7th floor, is our cafeteria. The food is amazing! Mondays are hamburg steak, Tuesdays are miso ramen, Wednesdays are tonkatsu– oh, you can have it with eggs and rice too– Thursdays are Neapolitan pasta, my absolute favourite–“
“Senpai. We’re here.” Okumura deadpanned, the earlier conversation had flown over his head. He stepped out into the hallway, waiting for the shorter human to follow. “Oh! You’re right. Let’s go! I bet everyone’s waiting! I’m so excited!” Sawamura slapped the were-beast’s back again, before walking up ahead. A growl rumbled at the back of the blonde’s chest, though the frequency was too low for humans to hear.
He burst through the glass doors opening them far too wide. “Everyone! Let’s welcome Okumura shounen! My new partner! Applaud!” He clapped his hands, forcing everyone to clap with enthusiasm that fades against his own. Captain Kataoka knocks on his desk again to settle Sawamura (and it did the trick).
“Everyone, we have a new were-beast in Sevens. Okumura Koushuu. He’ll be partnering up with Sawamura. Please give him your guidance as this is his first department.” Kataoka waved for Okumura to stand in front of the cluster of desks. “Nice to meet everyone.” Koushuu gave a nod to the Sevens officers.
“He’s shy! Don’t worry! I’ll introduce everyone here!” Sawamura slinked an arm around Okumura’s, which earned another hard stare. He was pulled to his desk.
“We have Kominato Haruichi– a human officer that joined us last year! He’s from the police academy too!” The pink-haired male shy out of his teenage years gave a small wave from behind his desk. “Next, his were-beast partner, Kanemaru Shinji– our very own lion!” Beside Haruichi’s desk, a stern-faced ash blonde male gave his new colleague a nod.
“Next up, the older of the Kominato brothers! Kominato Ryousuke! He’s a tough one I must say! Never trust someone with eyes like his. Ack!” He cried as a pen shot out at him, hitting him on the forehead. Ryousuke gave a polite smile to Okumura, acknowledging the cool-headed partner to the boisterous mess that is called Sawamura Eijun.
“His partner is Kuramochi Yoichi, the fastest in our team, a cheetah were-beast.”
“Hope you can work well with that mess, Okumura.” Kuramochi chuckled darkly. Only to earn a jab in the ribs from his partner.
“We have another pair, but they’re out on a mission. You’ll get to see them next week.” Sawamura leaned in again, closing in on their distance. Okumura noted to himself how the small human in front of him seemed not to know what personal space was. “And, so you have it. Welcome to the team, Okumura shounen.” Sawamura grinned, his golden eyes sparkling with excitement.
“OH! Before I forget! SURPRISE!” He whipped around to grab the cupcakes, accidentally shoving them way too forcefully onto Okumura’s chest. Before he could stop himself, a cupcake tumbled down from the stack, falling onto Okumura’s pristine white shirt. The sad lump of icing and cake fell to the floor with a splat.
“Uh oh…” Kuramochi, watching from the sidelines, added in the commentary.
“I-I’M SO SORRY, OKUMURA!” Sawamura placed the plate down carelessly, the china knocking against the desk loudly. Okumura stared down at the stain on his pressed dress shirt, and the fingers pawing at it as if it’d solve anything. His last sense of reasoning broke.
Long slender fingers grabbed the messy cream-covered hands from making any further mess. A growl erupted from the back of his throat, silencing the whole office. Golden eyes met his, thick eyelashes fluttering nervously as the human officer blinked against the cold stare he was getting from his new partner.
“This is pointless. Please do not bother me with such things in the future. I hate it.” The words cut like broken glass. The silence was deafening in the office, even Kataoka had stopped flipping through his papers. The hand wrapped around Sawamura’s wrist felt ice cold. He wrung his wrists out of the grasp, speechless at his new partner’s behaviour.
He… He had to work with him?
The metal bat made contact with the ball, the ‘ping’ ringing loudly in West Tokyo’s indoor baseball practice hall. “OH! Nice batting!” Sawamura jumped in excitement behind the older batter. He was a coach for a local school, Seidou High. The handsome man in his 30s, watched as the ball flew and hit the metal cage of the pen. “And the crowd cheers at the homerun, huh?” Sawamura poked his head over the elder gentleman. Chris chuckled softly as he tucked the bat under his arm.
“I’m no longer the player I once was.”
“Tell me more about Seidou! They seem like an interesting bunch!” Sawamura slung his arm over the taller male’s shoulder, feeling the muscles shift under his touch. “Hmm… Sometime over beer. Today, we have a new member coming.” Chris patted Sawamura’s hand hanging above his chest for the younger male to let go, which he did.
“OH! Did I tell you? I had a new partner come in yesterday.”
“Oh?” Chris raised an inquisitive eyebrow. He had known the young officer way before he’d joined the force through the casual baseball team their district formed. West Tokyo was known for its casual baseball players. Most retired professionals or college players spend their time in West Tokyo’s community centre team– all due to the unique pitcher in front of him. Sawamura Eijun had joined the community centre team when he was in the police academy as an outlet for stress, and he’d become an irreplaceable pitcher of the team over the years. Chris, the coach for Seidou High, took it on him to coach the youth into an accomplished pitcher.
“Yeah! And he’s so… so… infuriating! Did you know what he said to my cupcakes?! He says he hates them! WHO HATES CUPCAKES?!” Sawamura seethed in anger, his teeth grinding in frustration. Chris gave him a small smile, patting the shorter male’s shoulders. He knows that the ball of energy named Sawamura Eijun could not be calmed down whenever he goes into his rants. “He glared at me! And even grabbed my arm– like this! LIKE THIS CHRIS!” He shrieked, using his right hand to grab his left and bringing it up to Chris’s face, waving it around like a madman.
“Alright, alright. The others are coming soon. Let’s wait at the benches. I’ll help you stretch.” Chris rubbed Sawamura’s back, guiding him to the bleachers where their gears are. “N-No, you don’t get it, Chris! He’s so cheeky! He’s younger than me but he still dares to be so rude! I’m his senpai! Senpai, you know?!”
“Mmhmm, Sawamura. Get your gear on. I’ll help you stretch and warm up.” Chris pushed Sawamura to his sports bag. Perhaps, doing something else would get his mind off his new partner. Chris slightly regrets the curiosity he showed the younger pitcher. He put down his own bat, taking out his safety gear and gloves.
“I’m still so angry!”
“Then I’m hoping to see the power behind your pitches today.”
Sawamura huffed. “ALRIGHT! YOSH! LET’S GET GOING!” Grabbing his glove and ball, he adjusted the baseball cap to fit snug on his head.
“Excuse me.” Someone called out from behind them. A voice that irked him and was a little too familiar. Sawamura turned to see the blonde. He shouted gibberish and stretched out a hand in front of him, warning Okumura to not get close. “Why is it you?!” Sawamura wailed as if it was the worst thing in life he’d encountered.
“Senpai.” Okumura sneered, his canines glinting under the morning sun. Sarcasm filled his words as his azure blue eyes stared into golden ones. “I’m Okumura Koushuu, the catcher that applied into West Tokyo’s community centre baseball team. Nice to meet you.”
“Gah– Chris! He’s my new catcher?” Sawamura frowned, disdain clear on his face. Chris was originally his battery partner. However, with his old injury acting up, he could no longer coach and play in games. Therefore, as the coach, he had reached out and found a new were-beast catcher for Sawamura– who knew it would be the Okumura Koushuu?
“Oh, so you’ve met.”
“CHRIS! HE’S THE ONE WHO HATES CUPCAKES!”
“Sawamura, you’re way too loud.” Chris patted Sawamura’s shoulders again, though it seemed like it worked a little. Sawamura’s glare turned into a pout, his arms crossed over his chest like an adamant brat (even though he’s already 25). “It’s good you’ve come early. You two can get to know each other better. He’ll be the one you’re catching for in the future.” Chris reached out to shake Okumura’s hand, though he was only met with a cold nod. Chris chuckled, an inkling of realisation as to why Sawamura had such a hard time getting along with the young were-beast.
“C’mon, get to stretching. You too, Okumura. Help each other out.” Chris sat down, kicking back his feet to watch the human and were-beast eye each other. Sawamura gave in first, scoffing and dropping down to the floor.
“Oi! Come help your senpai stretch.” He parted his legs, leaning forward. Okumura stared down at the slender male with his legs stretched out in front of him. He clicked his tongue and strode over. Bending down, he leaned his body weight onto the brown-haired male’s back, pressing him into a tight stretch. “AHH! HE’S TRYING TO KILL ME CHRIS!” The shorter male writhed under the weight, his hips hurting from the sudden stretch. “Senpai, there’s still 30 seconds more.” A cool voice entered Sawamura’s ears, causing red to bloom at the tips. Sawamura felt his face heat– whether, from anger or bashfulness, he did not know.
30 seconds ended soon enough. The southpaw groaned as he stood up, hands to his hips. “Your turn!” He growled, eyes narrowing onto the were-beast’s lean body. Okumura scoffed silently, sitting down, back to the pitcher. “I’m going to get my revenge!” Sawamura grabbed Okumura’s shoulders and pushed down. He didn’t know if he was too weak or light, however, he didn’t get a sound of complaint from the were-beast under him. Chest pressed against the hard back, he could even feel the taller male’s calm heartbeat against his. He breathed out loudly beside Okumura’s cheek– only to get the blonde’s head to whip around to face him, a glare marring his handsome features.
“Okay, break it up. I don’t want my pitcher or new catcher to have a broken back today.” Chris hastily got up, pulling the smaller male of the blonde by the back of his collar. A growl slipped out from Okumura’s lips. “Okumura. Calm yourself down. Do not shift in the middle of the practice grounds. We’ll be having a game today, and I’m looking forward to seeing how you fare against our star pitcher. I hope you don’t disappoint.”
Okumura’s hand still remembered the way Sawamura’s pitches landed in his glove. Fingers trembling, he brought them to his lips as he stared at the ceiling. The house he just moved into was bare of any furniture except for his bed. His baseball equipment was thrown on the floor haphazardly, the dirty jersey still in his bag.
He’d come back from the afternoon game, adrenaline still pumping in his veins. The way those golden orbs stared at him with conviction and trust brought chills down his spine. Either Sawamura was a fool, or he really trusted a new catcher he’d just met. The calls he made were definitely on the aggressive side today. He had to admit he wanted to push the southpaw– to see where’s his limit. He had hoped to see the flushed face of his partner. The ruddy red contrasted with Sawamura’s caramel-coloured skin edging him on to taunt the pitcher further.
“You’re actually half decent,” Sawamura said in passing when the game ended. “And you throw way too many messy balls.” Okumura realised the lie had escaped him before he could hold it in.
“GAH! I don’t know why I try! HMPH!” Sawamura turned away before begrudgingly making his way to his own car. He watched as the brown-haired male toss his baseball gear to the back of his seat before speeding out of the parking lot. All the while knowing he’d regretted saying those words.
“Sawamura’s a little loud, but he means well.” Haruichi gave a small smile to Okumura, who had entered the office early on a Monday morning. The pink-haired male set a cup of coffee down at the new recruit’s table. “Here, the coffee from the back meeting room. It’s much better than the one in the pantry. Though, don’t let the other departments catch you.” He winked and went back to his desk.
Okumura eyed the thick black caffeine-filled sustenance humans live off. The acrid burnt smell too much for his heightened senses. He picked the mug up, bringing it to his lips. The hot liquid scalded his sensitive tongue– a trait that carried over from his animal form– a wolf. The bitter liquid travelled down his throat. He had to fight an urge not to make a face. He didn’t want any of his colleagues to think he still had a childish palette.
“You don’t seem to be enjoying it that much.” Sawamura placed his bag onto the desk, plopping down beside his partner. The blonde ignored him, now adamant to finish the cup. “Tch. Fine, ignore me then.” The southpaw turned on his computer, ready to submit the mountain of overdue reports he owed Kataoka. It wasn’t his fault he was sent on so many out-of-office missions– and each mission just had to have its own report.
“Sawamura, Okumura. Come here.” The captain placed down a file he was reading.
The two officers stood in front of their commanding captain, backs straight. From the tone of their boss, they could tell he meant business (though Sawamura would argue Captain Kataoka always sounds serious).
“I know it has only been a few days since you’ve met, but please try to get along. I do not want any internal fighting. Okumura, as a were-beast officer and partner, it’s your responsibility to protect your human. If you act like this, if you’re both on a mission, your actions going to impact your partner, and subsequently the team. And Sawamura, make an effort in this partnership. I did not say you have to be best friends, but he is your partner and you need to place your trust in him. He’s in charge of your life as much as you’re in charge of his. Understood?”
“Yes, Sir.” Both of them saluted, hands raised straight like how the police academy taught them. A sigh escaped Kataoka’s lips as he let them rest at ease. “I’ll be having you two recon District 10. I’ll send the information over to your tablets. Work together and write up a report. I hope to see it by the end of this week.”
“Yes, Sir!” Sawamura shouted, a little too loud, though everyone was used to it. Okumura nodded and bowed, before turning back to his desk.
Kataoka could only hope this mission would ease Sawamura’s grudge against the young were-beast officer.
District 10 was known to be the White Dragon gang’s turf. Though, no real evidence could ever be found. Captain Kataoka suspects bribery, though Okumura knew White Dragon was just too good at not getting caught. The gang was infamous for their mistreatment of were-beasts. Were-beasts in debt were often coerced to work under them.
Sawamura had changed out of his uniform to civilian wear, a hoodie with ripped jeans that somehow fit his image. Okumura wore a simple t-shirt and jeans since had to shift anyway. They were going to stake out in the abandoned factory opposite White Dragon’s hideout. Being in his wolf form would be much easier to fight any sudden enemies– and he could use his senses to their full potential.
Sawamura exited the car, a special tracking device already wired into his shirt for safety. Okumura took off his shirt exposing the muscular structure he had underneath his clothes. From the ‘stretching’ incident over the weekend, Sawamura could tell the were-beast was lean and muscled but seeing it in front of his eyes was a different thing. Eyebrows raised, he watched as the slender fingers worked the belt buckle. “Are you going to keep staring, senpai?” A bemused question came from the blonde. He stepped out of his jeans, toned legs on full display.
“Uh– N-NO!” Sawamura almost couldn’t catch the question over the blinding sight of the bulge in between Okumura’s legs. It was shocking to see such a size on a man– well, were-beast. If he were a horse, Sawamura wouldn’t be too surprised… But isn’t Okumura a wolf? He peeked to see Okumura stepping out of his underwear, though a cloth covered his privates.
The next moment, he felt a groan behind him, before a sharp yelp. He turned to see a humongous wolf standing beside the car. The white wolf was almost as tall and long as the car. He had seen werewolves before, but he had never seen one so huge. He gulped taking a step forward. He wasn’t afraid, as much as his trembling hands were signalling– he swallowed, his throat dry.
Reaching out, his fingers brushed past the pristine white fur, so soft under his touch. He gasped as raised his hand to touch the pointed ears of the wolf. Okumura yipped, his fangs coming down lightly on the side of Sawamura’s hand.
“Ah!” Sawamura blinked out of his trance, bringing his hand close to his chest. What had he done? Anyone with knowledge of were-beasts, or any animal, knew to let them get used to you first. He had just gone up to his partner and tried touching his ears! Embarrassment heated up his face as he stared down at the small nick on the side of his pinkie from Okumura’s sharp canine.
A whine sounded from the back of Okumura’s throat. The huge wolf padded forward, his wet nose nudging the arm cradled against his chest. Another whine escaped, and a big pink tongue lapped at his hand with the broken skin. Light laughter burst out from the back of Sawamura, “It’s okay. It’s just a small cut. I’m fine, Okumura.” His other hand reached out to pat the big fluffy head. A guttural whine mixed with a bark rumbled out of the wolf. A sign of peace-seeking.
“I think I’m quite happy to have you as a partner.” Sawamura grinned staring into those icy blue orbs, excitement coursing through his body. He can’t wait to see what the future holds for both of them.