The days dragged on and seemed to merge into this kind of prolonged, meaningless ordeal. His life had transformed into a schedule that was used and manipulated to keep others happy. Why? Because he'd already lost so much, he didn't want to lose anyone else by upsetting them.
So he listened to Kirishima.
He did as told without question.
If the older man told him to be home at a certain time, then he'd be there before or at the exact time. Not a minute later. If he was told to stay home, then he'd do it without question.
He'd do anything if it meant he could earn his friends trust back. Even if he still couldn't fathom how he'd lost it in the first place. Sure he'd stayed out late and literally worried the other to death, but he apologized and owned up to it. Not to mention that was months ago, and he was somehow still grounded.
Then again, Kirishima had said he'd be grounded until he felt like he'd learned a lesson.
It was the elders game, he simply had to play by the rules.
Even if he felt like this was one of those trick games that was made for amusement instead of actually winning.
"Oi, Takafumi." Sakura called, walking into the living room with Ichigo tucked tightly underneath her arm. The small dog narrowed his eyes upon seeing the gray eyed teen laying on the couch lifelessly. He growled softly before barking. "Ichigo, calm down."
She sent him a disapproving glance before walking closer to the boy. "Takafumi what are you doing all locked up in this apartment? Go have fun, be a kid."
Yokozawa turned his head to look at her. "I'm still grounded. Kirishima said I can't leave the house until he decides I've learned a lesson-
"Zen is just being extra as always. If you want to go out, go. I'll tell him I let you."
The boy sat up and put his face in his hands, his body slumping slightly. "I appreciate what you're trying to do, but I would rather not risk it. He told me I had to stay home, and I don't want to upset him."
Sakura gave him a sympathetic look before looking at Ichigo. "I know! Why don't you take Ichigo on a walk for me? I want to get dinner started early, so can you be kind enough to walk him? Please. For me?" She grabbed the leash and hooked it onto the dogs leash and extended her arms, practically offering the teen the dog.
Yokozawa reached for the dog and suppressed a scared yelp when the dog began yapping loudly at him. "A-are you sure that's a good idea. I don't think your dog likes me."
"Nonsense." She replied before averting her attention towards the noisy dog. "Ichigo! Behave and stop being mean or no supper."
At that, the dog quieted down and went docile, allowing the boy to take hold of him. The gray eyed male set him on the floor with a apprehensive look on his face. "I-if he starts growling again, I'll bring him straight back."
"Ok, but I think he'll be fine now. He listens to me."
Yokozawa looked skeptical but relented nonetheless. He left the apartment with the small dog scampering quickly behind him and took him to a nearby park so he could walk and play with him.
What he thought would be an easy task was actually proving quite difficult though. The park wasn't even two blocks away from the apartments, but as soon as they reached the destination, Ichigo lied down and refused to get up.
He released frustrated whines and whimpers every time the teenager tugged at his leash. "Oi, come on boy. Get up." Yokozawa leaned down and hesitantly brought a hand to the dog, flinching slightly when the dog sat up quickly and stared at him. It's pitch black orbs scrutinizing him.
Despite being scared, Yokozawa still patted its head and scrunched his eyes closed, waiting in anticipation to get scratched or worse- bitten.
But the sharp burn of teeth penetrating his hand never happened, and neither did the inevitable sting of nails entering his flesh. Instead, he felt something warm lapping at his extended arm. He opened his eyes and smiled when he saw that the small dog was nuzzling into him and licking his hand.
"A-are you ready to walk now?"
The dog perked up instantly, wagging its tail as it waited for the boy to lead the walk. They walked around the track three times before Yokozawa figured he'd let the dog rest for a bit, he scooped him up and walked up to a person who was selling water bottles.
"Hot day today, isn't it?" The man asked, clearly stating the obvious. "And you even have your dog with you."
"It's a friends dog. They asked me to walk it."
The man handed him two water bottles. "Here, one for you and your dog. You look like a nice kid."
"T-thank you." Yokozawa set the dog on the ground, and poured some water on his hand and offered it to the dog who didn't bat an eye at the offer. He drank the water greedily before yawning and lying down on the grass, his tongue coming out as he began to pant due to the heat.
"Let's go home, Ichigo." The teen picked him up and tucked him under his arm as he began walking back to the apartment. He'd just made it inside the complex and was about to take the elevator up when an all too familiar voice called out to him.
"Takafumi what are you doing? Aren't you supposed to be at home?" Kirishima's asked, catching up to the boy and getting on the elevator with him.
"I was walking your dog." Yokozawa answered, holding the dog an arms lengths away to show the older man.
Hazel eyes narrowed. "Why? You're supposed to be grounded. Walking the dog isn't part of your punishment. Your punishment is to stay in the apartment and not do anything. Is it that hard to follow my instructions?"
The gray eyed boy looked down. "I'm sorry-
"Honestly, are you trying to piss me off? 'Cause that's what you're doing. How hard is it for you to listen to me?"
Yokozawa clutched the small dog to his chest. His eyes inevitably tearing up. They got off the elevator together and walked to the door. Kirishima sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Why do you do this, Takafumi? Does it amuse you seeing me like this? I can't even go to work and trust you to stay home and behave."
He pulled out his key and unlocked the door, holding it open for the younger male.
Sakura beamed happily when she saw both men. "Oh, you two arrived home together? That's great because I have some exciting news." She had yet to pick up on the tense atmosphere, so continued giving both of them a closed eyed smile. "I'm pregnant!"
"C-congratulations." Yokozawa smiled through the tears, walking up to her and depositing the dog into her arms. Once she'd grabbed onto the pet with a confused look, the teen walked off without a word and went to the back room.
The woman tilted her head before glaring accusingly at her husband. "What did you do to him?"
Kirishima pursed his lips. "I got after him for leaving the apartment. I told him he wasn't allowed to go out-
"I'm the one who told him to walk the dog!" Sakura exclaimed, wanting nothing more than to shake her husband roughly and hopefully knock some sense into him.
Instead of backing down, the hazel eyed man simply grew more offended. "Why would you tell him to do that when you knew he was in trouble?"
"Because you're not the one who was to supervise him like he's some type of criminal. I'm here when he gets home from school. You don't have to deal with that sad look that's always on his face each time he comes home. I told him to walk the dog cause I felt bad for keeping him here when I know he has a life and would rather be doing other things."
Kirishima took in everything his wife was saying. She had a point. He wasn't the one that had to deal with that pitiful look on the youngers face, she did. ".....why didn't you tell me that you'd told him to walk the dog."
"I honestly thought that you wouldn't get mad." She replied, a hurt look on her face. "He'd even told me that he didn't want to walk the dog because he knew it would upset you. I should've listened to him." Her voice had turned curt. "Go apologize to that boy now. We'll celebrate another day."
YOU ARE READING
Taming the bear
FanfictionKirishima gets offered the chance to babysit a young boy. The young teen figures that the job will be a breeze but he couldn't be anymore wrong. After several ups and downs the two become inseparable friends, what happens when they are both faced wi...
