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Chapter Text

"So what do they feel like?"

Ken stumbled from where he was jumping to and hit the ground.

"What?"

Momo was flinging one of the Serpoian's across the field as she spoke. "The neck frills! I've always wondered what they feel like."

Ken kicked the dog-like alien that was snapping at him like a rabid animal (a new type! He'd have to write down everything he's observed later!) and rolled over.

"Why are we discussing this now, babe?"

He lunged and scooped Momo up and out of the way of the Serpoian. Anger flared in his chest at the alien. How dare it try to harm Momo. He'd tear it to shreds and-

Ken didn't notice he was growling until Momo's warm hands pressed against his mask.

"I've been thinking 'bout it-" She used her ghost hands to launch the both of them into the air, "-and I want to know what its made of!"

Ken almost dropped her as he balanced on the telephone pole.

He shook her hands off of his face and held her tighter when the dog-alien below started barking and chewing on the telephone pole. (He decided to ignore the temptation in his chest to bark back.)

Momo scolwed at the dog-alien below and sent her ghost hand down to scruff it and throw it. Ken watched it scream as it went flying.

"This is so not the time to have this conversation-" He sprang over onto the telephone wires and shuddered at the buzzing feeling that spread through his body.

Momo shifted in his arms and glared at the Serpoian that was yelling at the dog-like alien.

"The creep is distracted." She muttered. Ken rushed along the telephone and jumped down. Gently, he set Momo down before he whirled around to the Serpoian.

Still yelling.

The thrum of power surged underneath his skin. An exhale.

The burst of power sent exhilaration through Ken. The Serpoian didn't get the chance to even scream before he was bursting through it and listening to the sound of it splitting apart.

The bad part about this: he hated the whiplash of pain after.

Heaving loudly, Ken slumped over as empty space disapatted.

The dog-alien was barking loudly and ran over to Ken. He hissed a little.

It cowered back away from him.

Easing back, he frowned (or whatever the equivlent was with the jaws) and held out a hand.

It slowly trotted forward and sniffed his hand. Pushing its large head into his hand, it let out excited yipping noises before just down right barreling into Ken. He shrieked and flailed.

Momo was dangling the dog-alien up in the air moments later. "Okarun!"

He let himself transform back and gave a thumbs up. "I'm alive- it just was happy I think." He heaved out a shaky breath.

Now that he got a closer look, he noticed it had two mouths.

He squinted. Three mouths. There was one on its chest too. (He definetly needed to study this thing later. Three mouths- how fascinating!)

Ayase looked at him with a sigh and lowered the dog-alien slowly. It looked like it was practically vibrating with excitment.

She waved a hand and the dog immediately bounded towards Ken again and let out excited barks. (Once again, he ignored the urge to bark back.)

It was slobbering all over him.

Ken let out a whine and looked at Ayase, who was barely stifling her laughter.

"Miss Ayase-"

Ayase burst into laughter, face brightened with a delightful smile.

He felt his heart thud loudly against his ribs. Bright as the sun and it made him feel like a cat who was sleeping underneath it.

The dog-alien suddenly shoved its ears against Ken's chest, then looked up at him with something that vaguely reminded him of Ayase's usual mischievous face. It yipped before clambering off of Ken and bounded over at Ayase.

She shrieked when it tackled her, and Ken couldn't help the laughter that bubbled up in his chest.

Seiko wasn't home.

Ken toed off his shoes in the entrance and settled them neatly next to Ayase's strewn about ones.

He tucked those away properly too.

Satisfied with his work, he found his way into the main room where Ayase and the dog-alien were messing about. It was sniffing around loudly while Ayase shooed it away from delicate items.

Ken let his hand come up and scratch his neck as he watched the little dance. Warmth settled in his chest at it.

Maybe someday they could be like this when older. Three more pets. Ayase laughing as they tried to get some food from her. He'd slip them the second best cut of meat, saving the best one for her. No kids, he didn't think they'd have any, but maybe a cat and dog that would wind between their legs when they shared soft kisses-

He cut that train of thought off quick, face flushing brightly. Why was he fantasizing about Ayase? That was wrong. He shouldn't be. She was his friend. Nothing more. Nothing less.

"Hey, do you think we should name this guy?" Ayase's voice pulled Ken from his spiral. He glanced up between her and the dog-alien.

He nodded slowly.

She rubbed her jaw in thought. Ken dug his nails into his neck to stop himself from calling her cute.

"Any ideas?" He asked, easing his hands away from his neck. He forced the claws that formed back into normal, human, blunt nails.

Ayase looked the dog-alien over intensely. "How about…Rat?"

"We are not calling it Rat."

"Why not!? It's a good name for how strange it is!"

"That's just cruel!" He barked back.

Ayase huffed loudly and crossed her arms. "I'd like to see you come up with something better then, Oka-ruuun."

Ignoring the way his heart stuttered at her drawling his name out like that, he focused his attention onto the dog-alien.

Fully focusing on it, he took note of the sparkling its dark pelt seemed to have. It panted loudly and spun around, tail wagging wildly. Its fur shimmered as the light shifted over it.

Space.

"Laika."

Ken nodded as he tested the name, "Laika. Thats what we should name it."

Ayase blinked at him and mouthed the name a couple times.

"Damn, you actually did come up with something better." She scratched the back of her neck with a sheepish smile.

Ken laughed loudly.

After getting Laika settled with a large slab of raw meat they found in the fridge, Ken and Ayase had set themselves up in front of the TV with blankets and pillows.

Ayase held up a DVD case triumphantly, waving it in front of Ken's face. "Look what I got!"

"If you'd get it out of my face I could actually see it." Ken deadpanned.

She scowled at him then yanked the DVD away. Moments later, she took his glasses too.

"HEY-"

"You lost sight privileges," She shot back.

He growled back at her and swiped blindly for his glasses. It was a miserable fail that ended up with him nearly toppling onto her.

Ayase shrieked and smacked him with the DVD, leaning back further.

"Ow!"

Her fingers grazed his neck, earning a full body shudder at the sensation.

Ayase stopped for a second. Ken could feel the stare on his neck. It made his hair stand on end, but he couldn't tell if it was a bad sensation either.

With her distracted, Ken didn't think about it, transforming and barreling into Momo. She landed flat on her back with a loud thud and glared up at him. She went to move away, but Ken's hands shot out and pinned her wrists down.

(He was careful his claws didn't dig in, instead keeping his fingers splayed out and just his palms pressing down on her wrists.)

He expected her to launch him off like usual. These "fights" always ended the same. The two bickering over who used their powers first, launching each other across the room and finally collapsing next to each other in a heap of giggles.

That was…not what happened. Momo just stared at him, eyes wide and face flushed. She still gripped his glasses in her hand.

Her wrists flexed underneath his hands.

The rational part of Ken was screaming at him to get off and apologize-

The selfish part was enjoying the view of Momo underneath him.

After a few moments of debating with himself, the selfish part won out.

Ken breathed out slowly and tilted his head.

"Can I have my glasses back, please?"

Momo just stared, her gaze flicking between his face and neck.

He could feel his neck frills flare up a little at the attention.

Wriggling her fingers, Momo fumbled as best she could with the glasses for a moment before huffing and just using her ghost hands to grab and shove the glasses onto his face.

Properly being able to see Momo underneath him almost gave Ken a heart attack.

"Your little neck frill things always react to whatever you're thinking." Momo muttered.

Ken blinked and tilted his head. He was in a weird half-state right now. Not quite fully transformed but not just himself either.

This always happened when he was relaxed and goofing off with Momo. How embarrassing.

"Momo-"

She managed to wiggle her hands free and shoved them against his neck, earning a loud yelp from him.

"AYASE-"

Momo's laugh rang right next to his ear as she wriggled her fingers through the frills. "They're soft!"

Ken groaned and just slumped over on top of her. "Is this what you were on about earlier?"

She just hummed noncommittally and continued running her fingers through the frills.

"Momoooo-" He dragged out her name, ignoring the rumbling in his chest at the feeling of her hands and tapped her head.

"I've been curious dude! We never have time to see what the hell is up with this form since you only ever use it in battle. Besides-" She brought her hands back down against his neck, "-I think they're cute!"

Ken just whined and let himself fully sink against Momo. He felt like he was going to explode.

Scratch that, he definitely was if this was going to continue.

Momo seemed rather oblivious to his crisis and just happily continued petting the frills.

Pushing himself up and swallowing, Ken mustered the best scowl he could. He was sure he looked like a mess right now.

His transformation wasn't ebbing back but wasn't taking over either.

Momo stared at him.

Ken stared back.

She suddenly jerked up and frowned, "I'm sorry I didn't- did I push it too far?"

Ken's heart clenched at the worried expression. "No! I mean-"

He sat back awkwardly, "No, you didn't I promise I'm just…"

He ducked his head and slowly pushed Momo back down, pressing his forehead into her shoulder. "Sorry- I'm an awkward guy."

Momo smacked him for that. He didn't mind.

The one thing he was thankful for in this state is it made it easier to express things. Awkward, but easier.

"I didn't- I didn't mind at all its just-"

He was fumbling with his words. Whatever the feeling was it was hard to express, but he wanted nothing more than for Momo to continue.

Momo's fingers grazed one of the frills again. They flared up wildly.

"Feels nice." Ken finally managed, pushing his face further against her collarbone.

She chuckled, "Thats- would you mind if I continue then?"

He just nodded. He didn't trust his mouth anymore.

Momo's fingers tangled back into the frills, earning a loud rumbling from Ken who practically melted into her grasp.

He could get used to this. He knew the mortification he'd deal with later when he left would suck, but with how happy he felt now he didn't mind.

Ken didn't know how long they stayed there. Momo's fingers combing through the frills and Ken half asleep against her.

He chose not to count either.

Chapter Text

Ayase's strange fascination with the neck frills Ken had whenever he transformed had worsened.

Every. Single. Time. He was transformed, no matter the situation, she began absently running her fingers through them. He's almost dropped her at least four times now during battle.

It started to frustrate Ken to the point that he kept getting stuck in weird in-between states.

This was just another fixation for her. It didn't make her heart race or send her spiraling in the middle of the night, wondering if he felt the same way.

Groaning loudly, Ken threw himself onto his bed. He was running himself in circles.

A snuffle and the clack of claws on wood caught his attention.

Ken lifted himself to see Laika standing with a ball in one mouth and a treat bag in the other.

"Hey buddy," He mumbled, scratching behind her ear. Her tail wagged.

They had decided Laika would stay with Ken. Seiko had enough mouths to feed, and Ken's parents didn't live with him, so it was best she stay with him.

Laika tentatively set a paw on Ken's bed before she pushed herself up fully, dropping the ball and bag of treats by his head. She clambered up further and onto his back.

Ken shrieked and kicked, "Laika! You're crushing me get off!"

Laika crammed herself between the wall and Ken, wriggling to get comfortable.

Shaking his head, Ken set down the bag of treats and the ball beside the bed. "You're annoying, you know that?"

Laika just barked back.

He lifted an arm for her to snuggle under.

He wouldn't admit it (the dog was too damn smart to admit it; she'd beg for more treats, knowing he'd cave), but since she'd shown up, Ken didn't feel so bad going back to the empty apartment anymore.

The next time it happened, Ken did end up dropping Momo.

It had been a typical school day for the most part. Classes were a bore, as usual.

Since they'd gotten up to lunch, he hoped (prayed) that his shoes would be spared from attacks.

His prayers were ignored.

Ken watched as Ayase and Aira were bickering about something. He'd only tuned in a few seconds ago, having been absently doodling in his sketchbook. (A gracious gift from Ayase, who'd even gotten alien stickers to go with it.)

"Woah! Dude what this sick thing?!"

Jiji leaned over Ken's shoulder. Ken stiffened up and immediately drew his sketchbook closer.

It was out of instinct. Even if he knew Jiji was kind and wouldn't make fun of him, the loud noises still bothered him to a degree.

Jiji didn't react; he just leaned more into Ken and grabbed his sketchbook. "It looks like one messed-up dog!"

"It's not!" He barked back, then shrank at how angry he sounded.

The table fell silent.

"Oh- I'm- sorry." Jiji shuffled back and towards his seat next to Aira.

Ken wilted.

He pushed the sketchbook towards Jiji, "No, I'm sorry. I know you weren't trying to be mean."

Jiji looked a little reserved before taking the sketchbook and brightening up. He was cooing loudly, showing Aira the drawings with delight.

Ken smiled.

A tap on his thigh caught his attention. "Hey, are you okay?"

Ayase's brows were furrowed at him, and her voice hushed so Aira and Jiji wouldn't hear them.

Ken's heart stuttered. He nodded and whispered, "Yeah, it was just- doodles of Laika. I don't know why I reacted so strongly."

He did know. In the two days he's had Laika, he's seen far too much of his own behavior in the alien dog and hated it. Hearing Jiji call her messed up stung in a way he didn't expect.

She nodded and rubbed his arm. It was a feather-light touch, meant to bring comfort.

Nothing more. Ken scolded himself.

"How is she doing, anyway?" Ayase asked, grinning. We should really get phones soon. I want to take pictures of her."

Ken laughed, "She eats everything she can and sleeps in my bed to the point I'm wondering if it's her bed."

She snickered loudly and bumped her shoulder with Ken's. "Laika runs your house now. That's her place."

Ken's heart fluttered. How he'd love to lean closer and press a kiss to her lips, whisper jokes for the two of them, and-

"What are you two whispering about?"

Aira's voice broke them apart. Jerking back, Ken's face flushed.

Ayase looked away. "None of your damn business."

"It absolutely is! Especially if it includes my beloved Takakura!" She replied.

The two fell into their usual bickering while Jiji returned the sketchbook to Ken.

"The drawings were cool." He smiled. Ken smiled back.

A moment of peace.

Which was swiftly shattered by their table being broken in half.

Aira was already transforming and lashing her hair out at whatever had dared to attack them while Ken wrestled off his shoes and rolled up his pants. (Shoes were expensive!)

Momo darted over and easily found her slot against Ken's back. He made sure his palms supported most of her weight, the pads of his fingers digging in so his nails only lightly grazed skin.

He could not leave marks. No matter how much he wanted to.

The group turned to face what was attacking them.

Iredisecent scales reflected the shining sun before the empty space fully formed and blocked out most light. (Ken was still fascinated by that; it seemed to produce a low light for vision. He'd have to study it somehow someday.)

The creature was long, probably around [blank] feet. Large wings supported the front of the creature's body. It only had two legs, the wings seemingly acting like where the front two legs should've been.

A long, spiked tail swung wildly back and forth, jabbing at them.

A similarly long neck and reptilian head matched at the front, snapping jaws that let out horrible screeches.

The creature was familiar, but Ken could not quite place it.

"That thing looks like an overgrown reptile!" Momo barked.

Reptile- A wyvern! Ken wanted so badly to study this thing, but currently, it was trying to kill them.

It let out an ear-splitting shriek and flapped its wings, producing massive gusts of wind that kicked up dust in the area.

"What is that thing!?" Jiji yelled and hopped back a few steps. He glanced around and grabbed one of the legs from the broken table, swinging it in front of him like a baton.

Ken dashed over to Jiji's side. "A wyvern, yo, they're mythic creatures from Europe, but, a lot of online forums and magazines suggest they're cryptids. They're similar to dragons, but the wings and the front legs are fused so they only have back legs!" He explained. Despite the usual bland tone of his voice from being transformed, excitement managed to seep through.

"Really?" Jiji flung the table leg as hard as he could at the wyvern.

The wyvern screeched again and turned its gaze onto Jiji. Its wings flapped like those of an angry chicken.

The wyvern flung itself into the air, body swaying back and forth as it screamed. Ken wondered if it could breathe fire.

It did not use it if it could; instead, it chose to dive straight at Jiji, Momo, and Ken.

Momo's ghost hands shot out from behind him and blocked the three of them.

The wyvern slammed into the hands and wailed. The noise was like nails on a chalkboard, making Ken's head rattle and his body break out into goosebumps.

Aira's hair shot out and tangled around the wyvern. "Do not harm my dear friends, foul beast!" She bellowed. She swung the wyvern around and around, then flung it across the yard and into a tree. The tree creaked under the weight and force with which the wyvern was thrown at.

It turned and scrambled up the tree. When it reached the top, it let out a loud roar, and then it was in the air again, wings beating wildly. It circled them and snapped its jaws threateningly.

"Okarun," Momo leaned forward, breath brushing against Ken's ear, "Get me as close as you can to that thing and then launch me. I can use my powers to drag it down."

Ken nodded and dashed forward. Once he got a good start, he leapt up and launched Momo. Her ghost hands shot out and caught the wyvern by its throat, sending it and Momo hurtling headfirst to the ground.

Ken felt power surge under his skin as he shot out to catch Momo. He tucked her against his chest and turned so he took the brunt of the fall.

Momo shifted in his arms and got off him quickly. (He ignored the panging feeling of sadness at this in his chest. No time to untangle that feeling.)

"Thanks."

Ken just nodded before he crouched and let her back onto his back.

The wyvern was tangled back up in Aira's hair, who was dancing elegantly around it while Jiji used a branch that had broken off the tree to hit the wyvern. It was a mildly amusing sight, if Ken was honest.

The wyvern managed to catch the branch in its fangs, smacking Jiji into Aira and sending them flying moments later. Aira started yelling profanities at the wyvern, then at Jiji for being stupid.

Ken ran towards the wyvern, determined to end this quickly with Momo. "We should aim for the eyes, babe—" He earned a smack for the nickname, but it barely phased him. " Wyverns' scales are said to be incredibly hard."

"I can blind it, then you can go for an all out and send that thing into next week!" Momo cheered.

Ken exhaled loudly and leaned forward, surging forward to try and catch the distracted wyvern off guard.

Momo's hands slid through his frills, gripping tightly.

He didn't expect his body to give at the touch completely. It sent them both tumbling face-first to the ground and right next to the wyvern.

Shit.

Momo shrieked and sat up. The wyvern whirled around and let out another roar. Ken scrambled to his feet.

Move.

It opened its jaws and lunged towards Momo.

MOVE-

He threw himself on top of Momo and turned so he was blocking her.

Ken waited for the feeling of teeth sinking into his back and ripping into him, but it never came.

A loud howl split the air.

Turning, Ken searched for the source and found Laika barreling into the wyvern and attacking it.

Her fangs were in the wyvern's neck, claws scraping at scales that went flying in shimmering colors.

The wyvern screamed and bucked around until it threw itself on its back and crushed Laika. It started rolling, still letting out shrieks and roars.

"Yo-!"

Ken flung himself into the fray without a second thought, large maw creaking open and sinking into the wyvern's wing.

A disgusting taste. Nothing like the warmth his body craves.

Laika barked and scratched at the wyvern's face. It responded by snapping its jaws around one of her legs and flinging her.

Ken snarled and bit down harder. Freak. A wild animal with no sense of humanity left.

He buried that thought and focused on the crunching of scales and bones.

The wyvern shrieked again and bucked around like a wild bull.

Aira's hair tangled around its neck and mouth, dragging it down.

Ken's heart pounded. Anger surged in him. He didn't know where the anger originated, but it wasn't directed at the wyvern, but at Aira. He felt sick. Aira was his friend, not some thief.

Momo's ghost hands yanked up Ken. He fell limp, legs dangling uselessly as he watched Aira tangle the wyvern up more in her hair.

"What the hell was that Okarun?!" Momo snapped, hovering him away from the wyvern and towards her.

Ken slumped.

"I should just die, yo."

Momo scowled and pressed her finger into his ribs, "Stop it. I hate when you talk like that."

Laika's whining broke through Ken's depressed thoughts.

He scooped up Momo (he could not say why. He just needed her as close as possible right now) and bolted over to the whining alien dog.

Setting Momo down, who looked bewildered, Ken hunched over Laika and looked at her leg.

Nothing serious, but she was bleeding.

His maw creaked open and shut again. First, the wyvern targeted Momo, then it hurt Laika.

His neck flared wildly with anger as he turned.

Aira was still trying to rangle the wyvern when it burst free and shot towards the wall of empty space, which swiftly opened for it. He heard the wail of it in the distance before the empty space vanished.

Light flooded Ken's senses.

Blinking rapidly, he waited for his eyes to adjust once more.

Letting himself sink down, he destransformed and sheepishly smiled. "Thank you, Miss Ayase."

"Don't thank me, thank Laika." She spat.

Ah. She was upset.

Bummer.

Laika flopped at Ken's feet with a loud bark. He bent down and petted her. "Good girl." Her tail wagged excitedly.

"Who is this CUTIE!?"

Jiji bounded over with the eagerness of a dog (ironic, considering) and began cooing at Laika. Laika side-eyed him.

Aira rubbed her temples as she spoke, "So. That just happened. Anyone want to explain the alien dog?"

"Yeah." He replied absently.

Ayase turned on her heel and began stomping off towards the school building.

Panic seized Ken. He could not let her go off upset like this. He wanted to call out and beg Ayase to listen, but his words caught in his throat. Useless.

A blur of black and stars shot past him and stood in front of Ayase, who startled back.

Laika barked at Ayase loudly.

"Laika!" Ken scolded. He scurried over and gently tugged on the alien dog's fur to herd her away from Ayase. She just barked back and turned back to Ayase.

Ayase scowled. "Laika."

The two stared at each other with an intensity that made Ken nervous.

Laika barked again and bumped her head into Ayase's legs. Ayase groaned and tried to shoo the alien dog away.

"Laika." Ken pulled her away with a small apology to Ayase, who just rolled her eyes and headed inside.

Ken couldn't help the whine that he produced.

Today was shaping up to suck.

"Youwch, talk about a cold shoulder." Jiji whistled.

"Be quiet."

Ken's crisis came later. A poorly timed thought occurred during class after getting scolded by his teachers for being late.

He had given a half-hearted apology, mind elsewhere currently.

He had dropped Miss Ayase. Put her in danger because he couldn't handle her just touching him?

Pathetic.

Ken glanced down at his notebook. He had not realized his claws tore through the page.

Swallowing down the bile in his throat, Ken slowly untangled the paper from his claws and placed his hands in his lap. Breath. In. Out.

One. Two. Three. Four-

"Mr. Takakura!"

Ken yelped and glanced up. The teacher was scowling at him, waving a piece of chalk—an old lady who was constantly hunched over and barking at every student who didn't pay attention.

(Ayase had once compared her to Turbo Granny, and Ken hadn't been able to unsee it since.)

"Y-yes?"

"Pay attention, sir."

Ken nodded, then sank even deeper into his chair to avoid the stares his classmates gave him. It was uncomfortable and made him burn with shame.

He dug his claws into his pant leg. The pain was a nice distraction.

He swallowed and let his head drop to his desk.

Ken ran to Ayase's classroom the moment the bell rang for the end of the day.

He stumbled into the room, panting as he desperately searched for her.

"Oh, otaku, you just missed Momo."

Ken's face fell as he turned his attention to Miko and Muko. The two girls hadn't spared him a glance.

He shuffled forward, "Do you know if she's still at school or where she might be heading?" His stomach twisted into knots.

Muko shrugged and shut her mirror as she spoke. "Probably heading out, she's got work so you-"

Ken was already out of the room before she could finish her sentence.

He couldn't let her leave.

Not now.

Please not now, not when he's felt the touch of her warm hands and seen her smile so softly at something that did not deserve that smile.

Ken pushed his way through the swarms of students, muttering quick apologies to whoever got pushed too hard, possibly. When he was finally freed of the crowd and got to the lockers, he searched wildly for her.

Nowhere.

Ken swallowed down the urge to cry. It was pathetic, really.

Finally, he caved and just decided to head home. He sometimes wished he had a phone for situations like this.

He slowed his run to walking as he got further and further from school.

Something nudged his hand, sending him leaping like a cat across the sidewalk.

Laika let out a bark, carrying a treat bag in her mouth on her chest and a ball in one of her normal mouths.

Ken blinked rapidly.

"Laika- you scared me-" He chuckled and pet her.

Then he registered that they were, in fact, in the middle of a sidewalk. Laika's strange appearance and three mouths were not easily explainable either.

Ken quickly ushered the alien dog towards an alleyway.

"What are you doing!?" He whispered.

Laika just barked back and grinned. She dropped the treat bag at Ken's feet and pawed it.

"You did not seriously come all the way back from home for a second time just because you needed me to open the bag."

She barked again.

Rubbing his temples, Ken grabbed the bag and yanked it open with an unnecessary amount of strength. It was a good stress reliever, at least.

Laika immediately started jumping on him and licking his face.

Ken felt laughter bubble up in his chest. "Down girl! Down!" He pushed her off and crouched beside her, watching her affectionately shove her snout into the treat bag.

He felt better, at least.

He sighed and slumped over, burying his face into Laika's side.

"What am I gonna do, Laika?" Ken whined.

His chest ached painfully. What he had done wasn't easily explainable. Oh yeah, I dropped you, put you in serious danger, and freaked out on everyone because I've been losing my mind over you constantly touching me in such a gentle way to the point I'm getting worried. Totally normal, Ken!

Laika didn't respond, obviously. Just continued eating.

Annoying dog.

He grumbled and tapped her, "That's enough, you shouldn't even be out anyways. C'mon."

Laika barked and circled him, scooping up her items and heading deeper into the alleyways. Ken followed without protest.

As they wandered, Ken spiraled.

Miss Ayase probably hated him. He'd screwed up before, but it didn't put her in danger like that before.

He should have never pursued this friendship. Should have made her go home the night he got cursed and tried to deal with it himself. Maybe it would have even-

Laika kicked him.

"Ow! What the hell was that…for…?" Ken trailed off when he saw where they were.

Moe Moe Kikoho.

What?

Ken whirled to question the alien dog why she led him here, but…she was nowhere to be found.

Annoying damn dog.

Once he registered his actions, he found himself walking towards the cafe, much to his dismay, but it was too late. He was already inside.

Rubbing his temples, Ken looked around.

Thankfully, it wasn't busy. There are a few groups here and there, and one guy is sitting in the corner. Quiet.

If it weren't Ayase's place of work, he'd happily work here. (Nothing against maids, but Ken would explode if he continually saw Ayase in a maid outfit.)

"Hello dear! You're Momo's boy, aren't you?"

Ken yelped loudly, which earned him a few odd looks from other patrons. He covered his mouth.

"Uhm- I- I think?"

"Momo's boy."

Ken decided to ignore the way his heart raced at those words.

"Why don't we get you a seat, sir?" The maid in front of him was pretty—from an objective standpoint—with long hair pulled up into a braid. Blue streaks ran through it.

Ken slid into the seat offered to him. A small table by the window. Sweet.

He scratched his leg as the maid spoke. "We'll be just one moment, thank you for your patience!~"

Ken mumbled a "no problems" before he turned his attention to his hands—claws—again.

He groaned and focused them back into regular nails. What should be his default.

Guess he should get homework done while he's here.

Ken stared at the math homework before him. The image of the old teacher flashed through his mind and made him chuckle.

He chewed on his pen, then scowled when the chewing yielded no results in finishing the math problem.

A cup being slammed down jolted Ken from his intense thinking.

Ayase stood above him, arms crossed.

He was in trouble.

Surprisingly, that thought didn't bother him. Instead, whatever ache had been gnawing a gaping hole into his chest ebbed, soothed at the sight of Ayase near him, even if she was rather cross with him currently.

"Why are you here?" She sneered.

Ken squirmed underneath her gaze.

Turning his attention to the coffee she'd set down, he grabbed it and sipped. It was sweet, just the way he usually liked it. It warmed his throat and stomach. (And his heart, but if he remotely implied that to Miss Ayase, she might genuinely kill him.)

Ayase looked around momentarily, then jabbed her finger into his side, "Don't ignore me. What are you doing here?"

Ken winced at the harsh action and set down his coffee.

He twisted his sleeve in his fingers and swallowed. Be honest.

"Laika brought me here. I don't know why." He mumbled, looking out to the street to avoid Ayase's gaze.

Ken was not a bad communicator—not by any means. He was actually rather proud of how honest he could be despite the lonely circumstances he grew up in. Ayase made him feel loved, and he would clear up any and all misunderstandings with her if it meant staying by her.

Confronting his own feelings was another story.

Ken could not look at the gaping void of loneliness that resided in his chest. Could not admit that, despite the friends he had now, that void wanted more. It wanted to consume more, so it would never be lonely again.

Ayase just happened to be the perfect thing. Warm and loving and everything Ken had ever craved.

It made him sick. When he transformed, the part of him, the void, as he liked to call it, came to the surface.

He liked to think it a foreign entity that he just had a leash on, like it originally was when Turbo Granny first cursed him.

That was no longer the case, and that fact terrified him.

But he would not confront that now, maybe not ever if he could help it.

Ken turned to Ayase and chewed his lip. "Could I- Could I walk you home after, please?"

Ayase's face twisted a little.

He lurched forward, "I won't even say anything, I just-"

"Fine." Ayase waved a hand, then paused and gently set her hand on Ken's shoulder. His face flushed. "Let me know if you want any food, since we didn't get to finish lunch today."

Ken nodded and smiled.

Ayase waved and walked away to handle other customers.

Ken's coffee tasted sweeter after that.

Chapter Text

The walk back was quiet. Deathly so.

Ken wished he could crawl into a hole and sleep for years.

"So."

He jumped, feeling his heart pound as he turned to Ayase. "Y-yes?"

She twisted her hands in her sweatshirt. "What the hell was that today?"

"What was what?"

She scowled. Way to go, Ken. "You! You- dropping me! You've never done that before, but lately you seem so distracted and-" She yelled and stomped forward. "Whatever! I don't care! It's stupid anyways!"

Ken's heart seized. No, no, he could not let this-

Before he thought about it, his hand had reached out and grabbed her wrist. "Miss Ayase." He murmured.

Ayase whirled around, staring at Ken with wide eyes and flushed cheeks.

He ripped his hand away with a squeak. "Sorry! Sorry I just-" He pushed his glasses up. He could feel the void roaring, clawing its way up to get closer to the one person who made it feel small.

He shoved it down again and sighed. "It's just…awkward to explain, and I'm an awkward guy, y'know?"

Ayase screeched and shook Ken frantically. "Don't say that! I've told you not to say that!"

"Sorry! I just get super flustered whenever you touch my neck frills-!" It slipped out of his mouth without his permission.

Ayase dropped him, staring blankly.

Desperately, Ken wished to jump into oncoming traffic.

She turned on her heel and started down the road again.

"Miss Ayase!" Ken stumbled and caught up to her. "I'm sorry I just- I didn't mean to drop you!"

Ayase waved a hand, turning away so Ken couldn't see her face. His heart dropped.

"It's okay- I promise. I- uhm, get it." She kept her head turned.

Oh.

Oh.

Ken pressed his hands to his face with a shaky breath. His heart pounded against his ribs like a rabid animal. God, he wanted nothing more than to hold her face and kiss her senseless-

He slapped his cheeks. Getting carried away there, Ken!

"Thank you for understanding," He whispered.

Ayase bumped her shoulder against his. "Yeah, whatever."

Ken needed to lighten the mood before he combusted, "So in my magazine I read-"

A loud bark interrupted him.

Laika stood on the path, fur puffed up as she barked a greeting.

Ken huffed and crossed his arms, "Look who decided to show up?"

She barked and circled them both, bumping her head against their legs. Her tail wagged wildly.

A smile made its way to the corner of Ken’s lips.

Ayase cooed at Laika and bent down to pet her. Her fingers glided smoothly through her fur, the spots rippling like stars in the sky.

Ken wished that were him.

"Are Miss Seiko and Turbo Granny still out?"

"Yeeeup."

Ken toed off his shoes. He waited for Ayase to throw her’s off before rearranging them neatly and following Ayase further into the house.

Laika barked and ran into the kitchen, Ayase following soon after. Ken watched her run in circles while Ayase gathered some meat for her to eat.

Once Laika was situated, Ken fully stepped into the kitchen. "Is it okay that I stay for tonight?" His voice trembled, much to his dismay. "If not that's okay of course I was just-"

Ayase's laugh cut him off. "Of course you can! Man, you're acting so timid. Relax will ya? Making me nervous." She smacked his shoulder.

The warmth against his shoulder seared through his body. That void roared at the touch, reaching for more, more of that achingly sweet warmth against him.

Ken rubbed the back of his neck. "Sorry. I'm an awkward guy, y'know-"

Ayase shook him aggressively, screaming at him. Ken began to yell back; he wasn't sure what, but settling into normalcy calmed him.

The void in his chest settled for a moment.

They decided to watch movies in Ayase's room. Seiko had apparently felt graceful for once because she had gotten a new TV for Ayase and a bean bag for Ken.

"You finally got the TV set up." He remarked between bites of curry rice.

Ayase was curled up on her bed, plate in lap as she ate. "Yeah- thought I should. It'd make watching stuff way easier. I pay for like, one streaming service so we have access to a ton." She shoveled more food into her mouth.

Ken curled more into the bean bag. "Do you even know why she got it for you?" He asked.

"No idea. She just said 'here ya go' and that was it." Ayase shrugged. "At least we can watch stuff without the grannies flirting now." She pretended to gag, then grinned at him. Ken grinned back.

He set down his empty plate on the floor and stretched out. "Thank you for the meal."

Ayase just grunted and continued to eat. Comfortable silence settled for a few moments, Ken focusing on the movie they'd picked (a terrible romcom) as Ayase devoured the rest of her plate.

"Miko and Muko were asking about you today." Ayase set the plate on her nightstand. "They knew I was upset."

Ken felt himself flare up a little. "Sorry about that again-"

"You're fine, but I was saying that because they wanted me to make up with you." Ayase cut him off. "They said I need to 'get my nerdy Otaku back'. I thought it was funny."

Ken blinked.

My.

It echoed around in his head. Mine. He pressed his face into his knees with a whine. "Why are they calling me that?" He muttered.

Ayase barked a laugh, "You're asking me like I know."

She patted the bed beside her. "C'mere."

Ken obeyed without a second thought.

He sat on the edge of the bed, careful not to get too close to Ayase. He wanted nothing more than to crawl close, but he'd already upset her enough today.

Ayase just flopped down beside him. She pressed a finger into his side. "Can I touch 'em again? We aren't in any situation where you can drop me again, so."

Ken shrieked, "What?!"

He pressed his fingers into his neck, face flushing brightly. He could feel the frills flare up again, emotion forcefully pushing its way to the surface.

Momo's fingers grazed the frills once more.

Ken shuddered and glanced over. "You're cruel, Momo."

She pulled away. "My bad."

Ken shoved his neck into her hands. "I don't mind." He mumbled, grinning at her.

He knew he'd come to regret this later, just like last time, but at the moment, he just wanted Momo's hands on him.

Momo laughed loudly, digging her fingers in a little more into the frills. "You're like a needy dog." She teased. Despite the teasing, her face was flushed brightly.

Ken let himself sink into her, draped comfortably. His glasses were askew, but he didn't care. All he could focus on was the gentle warmth.

"This is so embarrassing, yo."

Momo squawked, "When did you fully transform?"

He shrugged back, snuggling closer. "Dunno. Don't care."

Momo wiggled a little as he fully pushed her onto the bed, stretching himself out over her. Her fingers pushed further into the frills, earning a loud purr from him. Ken was in heaven.

"I love ya, Momo." He mumbled, burying his face into her neck.

It had been as natural as breathing, like it was another fact he was spitting out about a cryptid.

Momo stopped her petting.

Ken opened an eye.

She ripped her hands from his frills and shoved him off. Then he yelped, blinking up at her. The transformation ebbed away as he registered what he said.

Ken launched himself off the bed, screaming apologies as he stumbled away.

"Were you joking?"

He stopped halfway to the door.

Swallowing his pride, Ken knew he had to face the music. The void screamed. Screamed for her, lived for her.

It had always existed. A small thing, at first. Quietly sitting in the corner of Ken's heart. Then, she came into his life. He got cursed.

It roared to life.

As new friends came into their lives, it was soothed by not having constant attention from Momo. But then he realized he was in love with her, and it came alive again.

Even as he basked in affection through gentle touches, hugs, and late nights, it demanded more.

He demanded more.

Naturally, he'd kept it to himself until today, until he'd finally received those warm touches. But now it was going to be ripped away because he couldn't hold it together.

"No. I was telling the truth."

Ken kept his gaze trained on his socks. "I'm sorry it just slipped out and I'd be happy to stay friends but if you never want to talk again we don't have to-"

Feet thudded against the floor. Hands pressed against his neck, earning a screech from him.

"Shut up." She muttered.

Ken looked up.

Momo's face was flushed, bright as his own. Her eyes were trained on where her hands were on his neck, avoiding his gaze.

His breath caught in his throat.

Momo tugged him down with her, and he followed without a word. They fell onto the bed, legs tangled and facing each other. She kept her grip on his shirt, seemingly afraid he'd run away.

Ken couldn't help but stare at her. She was beautiful, the TV light haloing her face. He wanted to kiss her.

Momo raised her hands to his face, running her thumb along his cheek. "You better not be lying."

"I'm not."

Ken was surprised by how steady his voice was.

Momo pressed her thumb against his lip. "Can I kiss you?"

He squeaked, but nodded.

Momo shifted closer. Her lips grazed his.

If he had a tail, it'd be wagging.

She pressed a little closer.

Ken raised a hand and slid his fingers over her wrist. Her pulse thumped wildly beneath his fingers.

He fumbled a little, trying to figure out how to kiss back.

"Relax, you dork." Momo murmured against his lips. Ken just nodded weakly.

He hadn't realized how much his frills had flared up until Momo stopped trying to kiss him and shoved her fingers back into them.

"Momooooo," He whined, dragging out her name. Kissing her was addictive.

Momo giggled, "Hold on, please, I wanna pet you."

Ken scowled and squeezed her wrist lightly.

That thing inside him was delightfully purring, coiling excitedly and snapping for more. It was soothed. He was soothed. The roaring had finally settled.

Ken decided to listen to it, for once. Not with the force he usually did during battle, but with softness that he so badly craved.

He did his best to kiss her. It was his first time, after all.

Momo kissed back, running her hands through his frills as she did so.

He pulled away for air. It was all so soft, yet he felt like the wind had been knocked out of him.

"You're a good kisser," He blurted, then flushed. How embarrassing…

"That's all you have to say?" Momo laughed, pushing him and rolling away. He yelped and sat up.

"Does this mean we're…?" Ken gestured vaguely. The neck frills flared up again at his embarrassment.

Momo sat up beside him, "Obviously, dummy." She bumped his shoulder, "I wouldn't be kissing you otherwise."

"I wanna make sure since you didn't say it back!" Ken snapped, jabbing her. He looked away.

Momo slid her fingers along his neck, "Okaruuun."

Don't cave, don't cave, don't cave-

She scratched lightly underneath his chin. Ken melted into her touch and purred quietly. So much for resisting.

"I love you too, Ken."

His eyes snapped open at his name.

Momo drew her hand away, cheeks flushed. A smile tugged at the corner of her lips as she looked away.

Ken wasn't thinking when he tackled her. Hadn't even noticed he'd fully transformed from the surge of emotions when he cuddled her close.

"Okarun!" Momo screamed. She wiggled in his grasp while he nuzzled at her.

"You're so cute, Momo." He murmured.

Ken could do this forever. He could kiss Momo, hold her, let her pet him- he’d do anything she ever wanted if it meant getting to do this more. He'd blast through every yokai and alien to protect her, to protect this small moment of love with just the two of them.

Momo resigned herself to her fate, focusing her attention on running her fingers through his frills.

"You're lucky you're adorable, otherwise I'd throw you off me." Momo murmured.

Ken just hummed, and shifted closer.