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The worst part of all this wasn’t even the fact Crowley had forced them to be his little pawn against Azul, or how Grim, Ace And Deuce had cut deals.
Not even the fact they had to give up Ramshackle for a stupid deal that was rigged from the start.
No, the worst part was Leona
It wasn’t like they weren't grateful he was more help than Crowley who had waved them off to ‘figure things out’ They let Grim go with Ace and Deuce to stay in their dorm (and hopefully also get scolded by Riddle)
Then Jack was kind enough to stick his neck out to get them to stay in Savanaclaw. They were thankful to him, despite having played assistant for the three days they were allowed there.
But that wasn’t all bad it gave Ruggie a needed break especially while he was still recovering from Leona’s overblot cracked skin hidden behind shaky hands and bandages.
Besides they were used to cleaning up, after themselves, after Grim, after their family before they were taken..
No issue laid on their chest, Yuu barely had enough time to pack much less think of what the consequences of having to sleep in Leona's dorm was.
That man lived there.
Of course it was his dorm he had the right to stay in there as much as he liked but when Yuu had been wearing their binder for almost two days straight with only small breaks when they snuck off early in the morning to shower or when it was late enough to not be worried about being seen.
The terrible ache in their chest and sides only added to the awful predicament, even Jack had started to notice, worrying in his own way.
Leona didn’t seem to notice, not outright at least he knew something was up.
The way they choked in their breaths and winced at any movements.
The most he’d do is complain about the noise at night grumbling and growling about how they breathed too unevenly, too shaky, too loud for him to sleep.
He wasn’t wrong, wearing a binder too bed was awful for them as was all the swimming and running they had to do, swimming to get the picture the Leech twins were guarding, and running around for Leona, and for Grim, along with try to figure a way to fool Azul.
•——————–———•
Their excitement over making a plan to defeat Azul was heavily overshadowed by the ache in their back only seeming to flare with every movement, They took in a small shuddering breath squeezing their fork tighter.
Face tensing up for a moment too long no matter how many times they felt the familiar pain pricking their body they weren’t the best actor on a good day and the exhaustion was only adding to everything.
“Yuu are you ok?”
Jack looked down, his ears pinned back even with a stoic face. Whatever feelings he was trying to hide were shown through his ears and tail.
They had vaguely remembered Ruggie or maybe Leona mentioning it once while they helped clean, saying he let his emotions be read too easily.
“I’m alright!”
Yuu responded a bit too quickly which unfortunately gained a side eye from Leona, and Ruggie who were on the other side of the table.
“Er- Just tired from everything.”
Taking the last bite of their food they rolled their shoulders ignoring how their back prickled with pain.
Jack clearly didn’t believe them ears staying pinned; he opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted.
“I’m fine Jack.”
Reassuring him leaving no room for argument Yuu stood, gathering their plate and utensils.
“All I need is sleep, just nerves about tomorrow.”
They dropped the dirty dishes off in the kitchen and stalked back to Leona's room.
•——————–———•
Leona’s room while, big, felt claustrophobic. Yuu was hyper aware of their every move in it whether Leona was in it or not.
Ideally Yuu would lock the door and spend a few minutes relaxing their aching muscles but they didn’t have the right to lock the door and didn’t want to think of the consequences of locking Leona out of his own room.
But for now Leona was busy eating dinner so hopefully they’d have enough time to at least take their binder off for a couple of minutes.
Stalking over to their cot they pulled their shirt over
head they winced breath catching in their throat.The shirt fell on the bed then Yuu shimmied out of the binder, instantly pain bloomed as the binder joined the shirt.
Stretching and shifting until the aches subsided into a dull murmur they let out a breath relishing in the little pain it brought.
And while standing without anything weighing their chest down was the most relief they felt in what seemed like weeks, they knew better than to risk being caught shirtless by Leona.
Giving another roll of their shoulders they leaned down barely grabbing the corner of the shirt.
And speak of the devil.
Leona opened the door with little flair eyes already set on them, maybe because he was aware of his surroundings, or perhaps it was that this was the first time they had changed in his room, normally opting to walk all the way to the showers in private to change.
.. Or the fact Yuu immediately jumped pulling the shirt tightly over their chest trying to hide what Leona clearly already got a glimpse of.
The door clicked shut, the sound almost deafening them everything seemed to slow, heat creeping down their cheeks to their neck.
With swiftness they turned pulling the shirt back on they didn’t have the time nor the energy to try and grapple with the binder.
They almost wanted Leona to say something; it was better than the awkward silence that was etching its way into their brain, digging the memory into the deepest depths of their mind.
“Are ya decent herbivore?”
Blinking they turned to face Leona’s back, his tail swishing.
“Yeah- Yeah I’m decent.”
Stumbling through their words they crossed their arms over their chest trying to cover up whatever of their dignity was left.
Leona didn’t turn to face as they had expected, instead they watched jaw clenched as he settled into his bed, they wouldn’t lie that only made them more anxious. Why wasn't he saying anything? He got an embarrassingly clear view of their chest that wasn't up for debate.
Even with Leona's usually uncaring attitude about most everything, surely he’d have at least something to say about finding out such sensitive information.
“Are you gonna stare or speak?” His voice carried its usual gruffness but maybe had just a hint of softness, unless they were just listening too close for what's not there.
“I’m not a girl!”
The words tumbled out before they could think anxiety clawing its way up through their lungs into their throat prickling with each word.
Then a sigh, he sat up bored eyes looking over at them.
“I didn’t say you were.”
Their arms tensed, pulling tighter against their chest, his unyielding gaze was enough to make anyone crumble in on themselves, including Yuu.
And not to mention his argument was air tight, he hadn't said a word about what he saw outside of making sure they were decent, maybe it was his lack of reaction that was causing their overreaction. Leona had an opinion on everything so this matter should be no different.
Whatever the reason was for his silence Yuu needed to know, the spiraling of thoughts that swirled their mind was definitely delving into the most unpleasant reasons.
“Are you going to say anything?”
The words came out with a little more bite than intended, already preparing to defend themselves as they had to in the past.
“Tch.. Why would I have anything to say Herbivore?”
His deflection only fueled their spiral standing defenseless and exposed, Yuu could only attempt to deduce through his stone face and cold words what he was actually feeling.
“I- You… You walked in on me changing and I’m clearly not a man like I’ve been saying I dunno I would have questions or at least something to say!”
Rambling on they were no longer looking at Leona staring embarrassed at the floor. Leona shifted on the bed, a hand running through his hair, the heavy sigh that followed an audible thump of his tail.
“Quit your yappin’.”
His tone was sharp but not harsh well at least not as harsh as he normally was, his hand moving from his hair to run down his face.
“Such a headache.. I don't care about whatever you've got goin’ on.”
There was no room for questioning in his words or expression clearly he didn’t want to be having this conversation, he probably had fully intended on sleeping the minute he got back to his room.
“.. You’re not weirded out or anything?”
“Eh- What is there to be weirded out by?”
Yuu blinked then again silent shock and confusion writing over their features, sure they hadn’t encountered any other Trans people (that they know of) in their time there.
Nor had anyone even mentioned transgender people, they had assumed it had been just like back at home (a smaller part worried trans people didn’t exist at all here) and had been too afraid to ask, much less come out.
“Oh.. I guess I assumed..”
They trailed off now even more embarrassed than before, eyes flashing up to meet his.
“Assumed?”
“Well Uh- Back home it's not really something that's talked about openly or.. in a good way sometimes.”
“Did ya think I’d have somethin’ against you because of that?”
As blunt as usual his question caused them to flounder about for words before eventually nodding sheepishly.
With annoyance Leona’s hand returned to pinch the bridge of his nose clearly exasperated by the conversation.
“Well I don't care Herbivore, it’s not something that you would hold against a person.”
Nodding Yuu grimaced, “Sorry, I’m just used to having to defend myself.”
It was weird opening up to Leona, mainly because he clearly had no current interest in what they were saying laying back down the minute the apology came out.
But they couldn't lie. It was nice not having to do a whole song and dance to explain themselves and who they were just a silent mutual understanding.
“Don’t apologize.” His words were firm, lacking any kindness as per usual. “Just go to bed.”
Letting out a breath they gave a small nod moving back over to the cot picking up their binder, Yuu folded it slipping it into their bag.
“Night Leona.”
Laying down on the cot they only got a huff as a reply which wasnt so bad.