A Relaxing Walk

Breakfast at the Mukami's is business as usual. It's not unlike any other meal you've ever had at that house. Kou and Yuma are filled with energy as always, loudly arguing and grabbing at any and all food that they can get their hands on before Ruki arrives at the table. Kou cheerfully swipes several pieces of bacon and eats them all before Yuma has the chance to stop him. 

"Hey, you bastard! How about some for the rest of us?! Geez, it's always like this with you," Yuma growls. He salvages what he can of the fruit, toast, and remaining pieces of bacon on the table. He evenly divides up the food between himself, you, and Azusa. He's always looking after you like that. You really appreciate it, although you can never find quite the right words to express it to him. All you can ever manage is the most basic phrases of gratitude. To you, that never seems to be enough.

"Thanks, Yuma," you murmer as you sip at your orange juice. Cautiously, as if someone is about to swipe the food right from in front of you- which they might, you never know- you start eating your breakfast.

"Don't worry about it," he grumbles. "Someone has to maintain justice around here. Kou sure as hell isn't doing it." He glares pointedly at Kou, who merely winks and eats another slab of bacon. Yuma has told you before that he knows that Kou enjoys provoking him, but that he still can't help but buy into it. That was something in particular that you thought was almost cute about Yuma. Amazing that someone so huge and gruff could also be seen as cute. Yuma really did remind you of a bear.

Ruki enters the room with a somewhat tired expression on his face. You really don't blame him. His brothers are a handful, after all. He sighs and casts a glance at each of the people sitting at the table. You can see the shift in his eyes as he marks Kou and Yuma as the problem and decides that he wants to get them away from each other for a while so that he can be a little more productive. "Yuma, why don't you take Livestock for a walk after breakfast? It's a pleasant day outside and she really looks like she could use some sun. She's looking a little weaker than normal."

You wonder if that thing about you needing sun was just an excuse or if it was true. It is true that you don't get much sunlight. Sometimes you help Yuma in his garden, but other than that... You feel perfectly fine! You think. Maybe it would be best to go for that walk, after all. Not that you really ever had a choice in the first place.

"Yeah, yeah. You want us outta the house, right? You coulda just said so. We'll go when she's done." He jerks his head in your direction. You glance at his plate. He's already finished? But how did he eat so quickly...? Honestly, you aren't sure what else you expected. You hurridly attempt to finish your own food, not wanting to make him wait.

"Don't rush," he growls. "You're gonna choke. Nobody has time for that shit. Eat at the pace you're used to." You blink, confused by his contradiction. Nobody has time for you to choke, but they have time to wait for you to eat? You wonder if Yuma meant to say something so confusing or if it was an accident. You slow down a little.

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Yuma takes you to a park in order to fulfill Ruki's order (that he worded as a suggestion). It really is a lovely day outside. The breeze blows gently through the trimmed grass as well as your hair. White puffy clouds drift lazily through the sky above you. You see some birds flitting about from tree to tree. It makes you smile. You look up at Yuma, who towers over you, wondering if he's enjoying this as much as you are. It doesn't seem as if he is. He looks grumpy and on guard, as if he was dragged here and was in danger as a result. Something about that doesn't sit quite right with you. You were the one who was dragged, after all... You gingerly take his hand, fully expecting him to bite you. "Yuma... Let's just enjoy the walk, okay?"

He tenses up a little bit, startled by your sudden movement. "Fine. C'mon..." He starts walking briskly forward, nearly yanking your arm out of its socket.

"Hey, wait! Slow down, you're hurting me!" He stops and looks at you with a bored expression.

"What? You can't keep up?"

You frown at him. "Yuma, this is a walk in the park. We're supposed to take it slow and enjoy it."

He frowns and glares at you for a few moments. Oh, you're sure he's going to bite you this time. "... If you know so much about it, then you lead."

You stare blankly. He... he wants you to lead the way? "O-oh... Alright, I can do that." You continue to hold onto Yuma's hand and start walking forward at a pace you feel suits a walk in the park. You feel sort of funny, leading such a huge and gruff man down a park trail. As the two of you stroll casually along, you point out all of the different animals and plants to him. Occasionally he'll comment on some of the plants that he says are edible, telling some story about how he once tried to grow the plant in question in his garden. You enjoyed listening to him talk, and it really made him feel like he was enjoying this time with you as much as you were enjoying your time with him. Finally, you reached the end of the trail.

"Did you enjoy your nice and relaxing walk?" Yuma questions.

You nod happily and smile brightly. "Yeah... I really did, Yuma."

He grunts in acknowledgement and glances off to the side. "This should satisfy Ruki, anyways... Hey, you."

You look him in his brown eyes. "Yes, Yuma?"

"Since we enjoyed the walk like you wanted, I'm going to enjoy you now." He grabs your arm and pulls you close, hovering his face by your neck. You prepare to feel his fangs sink into you, but they never come. Instead, you get a kiss, one as aggressive and passionate as Yuma himself. Your face flushes bright red. When he finally lets go, you're left standing there in shock. Yuma... Was he really enjoying your company as much as you were enjoying his, after all?

"Yuma..."

"...Let's go home, my tomatoes need some attention." 

Ha... You take his hand again and smile. "Okay, Yuma. Let's go home!"