((Hey! So I finally got round to updating again, things have been pretty hectic for me these past couple of months but I'm getting through x
Also just wanted to say there's a few time jumps in this chapter so it may seem a little muddled but please bear with! Also it's pretty long ahh I got a bit carried away!))

(As Good As New~ ABBA)

(Sunday, 12.15pm~ Hiroto's house)

Midorikawa liked these moments. The quiet down time they had together, peaceful, no distractions, just him and his wonderful boyfriend. Hiroto reading a book quietly, gently patting Midorikawa's legs that were laid across his. A simple pleasure for Midorikawa.
He enjoyed it when they cuddled, like when Hiroto would sit on the edge of the bed to finish off some work late into the night but still allow the other to wrap his arms and legs around him. Or when Hiroto would hold him close in the mornings, determined not to let his green-haired angel go. As much as he did love cuddling, he liked these moments even more, something about it made Midorikawa feel like they had become an old married couple, just enjoying each other's warmth and touch in a quiet time.

"How's the pup doing?"
Midorikawa almost didn't register the question, too caught up in studying those wonderful teal eyes. "Huh?"
A small laugh escaped the other's lips. "I said, how's the puppy doing?" Another small pat on Midorikawa's thigh.
"Ah." He sat up on his elbows, swinging his legs off of the other. "He's good. He's been gaining weight quickly so he's now a healthy enough weight." As if answering Hiroto's question the small puppy let out a little whine from inside his make-shift pen.

Midorikawa got up, walking over to the other side of the room. "I'm sorry baby, did we wake you up?" He asked, scooping the little dog up and walking back over to Kiyama with him.
"There there, daddy's gonna make it all better..." his whispered, settling himself down by his boyfriend and resting his head on Hiroto's lap. "You can sit here okay?" He muttered to the dog, resting it on his chest. Hiroto smiled, the image was very reminiscent of Nagumo when he'd fall asleep with Tamal on his chest.

"You're really good with him." Hiroto murmured, putting his book down for a moment. He bent down and placed a kiss on his boyfriend's awaiting lips.
"To be fair I've had a lot of practice."
Midorikawa could never take the compliments Hiroto gave him, it had just become habit by now, but the red-haired man just chuckled lightly, giving him another kiss on the lips and patting the puppy's head ever so gently.

"You know, animals never cease to amaze me." Midorikawa muttered. "They can go through the toughest stuff, and yet they'll still show you affection, and I think they can sense that in other animals too. Potato and Delilah were all over him when I brought him home."
"They wouldn't stop licking him." Hiroto added, smiling as Delilah waltzed onto the room meowing for attention, to which Hiroto happily obliged.

Midorikawa placed the puppy on the floor next to him, watching as the black cat walked over, sniffing the pup before giving him a few quick licks on the head. The green-haired man smiled down at her and scratched her ear. "Delilah used to be terrified of people when I first found her." He explained, a sadness in his eyes "She was in such a terrible state, emaciated, so many wounds." He shook his head, not wanting to recollect. He never understood how people could be so cruel. "But anyway, as soon as we introduced her to Potato she became a completely different cat. They were inseparable, I knew I'd have to adopt them together." He chuckled a little, watching as Delilah jogged out of the room. "I know she still has her moments, and she can seem a little...demonic at times, but I know I would never give her up for anything."

He looked up at Hiroto, a contented look on his face "So I can't take all the credit. They're the ones who do the work behind the scenes when I have fosters, Pebbles is no different."
Hiroto raised his eyebrows in surprise "Oh? Pebbles is it? That's very sweet."
"Thank you!" The other beamed. He picked up the tiny puppy, giving him some light scratches on the ear "His coat colour reminded me of that rock I found on Mount Yoshino. Though I thought 'Pebbles' would sound cuter."
"Ah, I see it too." Hiroto smiled, that was a nice memory, one he had almost forgotten about. "You thought it was a lucky rock remember?"
Midorikawa laughed sweetly "Oh yes! Well it was just so smooth and pretty it just had to be!" He twirled a strand of hair around with his fingers "I wanted to give it to you, on your birthday. But I thought that would seem pretty dumb..."
Hiroto smiled at him, taking a hand and running it through his boyfriend's soft hair before settling it on the side of his face.
"But then I went and lost it! And I had such a meltdown over it too!" Midorikawa exclaimed "Looking back on it it was kinda silly, but it seemed like such a big deal back then."
Hiroto picked up his coffee mug, stroking his boyfriend's soft skin with his other hand "That's understandable. I'm pretty sure Netsuha was behind that you know?"
"Hah! That wouldn't surprise me!"

Midorikawa looked at his watch and sighed.
"When do you have to go in?" His boyfriend asked between sips of coffee.
"1pm. And I promised Saginuma I wouldn't be late." The other replied, getting up slowly and disappearing out of the room.
"I can drive you if you want." Hiroto called "It's not as though I'm doing anything."
Midorikawa waved the thought off as he returned to the room, Pebbles' carrier tucked under his arm. "No no, it's your day off. You should just relax."
Midorikawa knew better than anyone that even on his day off Kiyama was still going to try and get as much work done as possible.
Kiyama always worked too hard.

Midorikawa placed the carrier on the floor before taking a seat next to his boyfriend. "I need to make a decision about this magazine soon." He lamented.
"Haven't decided yet?" Hiroto asked, sifting through the stacks of papers, articles and magazines on the kotatsu. His boyfriend sighed, shifting so he was leaning up against the other. "I'm still deciding. I kinda want to write something on feudal Japan, but I think a Western piece will go down better. On the other hand I really, really wanted to do a piece on renaissance architecture, but I don't think that'll interest people."
Hiroto nodded, putting the mug of coffee he had been drinking back down on the table. Midorikawa had noticed that his boyfriend seemed to be drinking a lot more coffee than usual lately. Probably because he was so busy with projects at work.

"They want a response by Friday." The green haired man mumbled, but Hiroto just sent him a warm smile. "I'm sure you'll figure something out. You always do." Midorikawa smiled, encouraged by his boyfriend's words. "I suppose you're right. I'm sure the inspiration will come from somewhere soon enough."

He clapped his hands together "Now that Pebbles' all fixed up I can take him back to the shelter." Midorikawa explained, laying a polka-dot blanket in the carrier. His smile faded "Where he'll probably stay, because people don't want pit bulls."
Hiroto frowned, scratching the dog behind the ears "But he's still a puppy, doesn't that mean he's got a better chance?"
"Maybe. Some people can look past the breed if all they want is a cute puppy to play with. But people always seem to forget that dogs grow up. It's like they always say; 'a dog is for life, not just for Christmas.'" He sighed deeply "People just can't seem to understand that though."

He sighed again, petting Pebbles on the top of the head "People don't understand. They aren't aggressive dogs it's just bad owners; they've got this unfair rep and all it does is cause them more pain and stigma." He pulled the little dog onto his lap, bending down and kissing its forehead. He looked up at his boyfriend "Pit bull breeds are intelligent, protective, loyal and loving, they used to be nanny dogs after all."
"Nanny dogs?"
"As in, they used to be used to protect and look after little children. They were beloved breeds! But then bad people started using them for dogfighting and as attack dogs, starving them and beating them until they developed 'aggressive traits'. They're taught to be aggressive, to kill, and ever since then that's all people think of." The puppy whined in his lap and Midorikawa hushed it "It's okay, it's okay baby."

"You think he'll be okay without you?" Hiroto asked, his boyfriend gave him a sad smile "Yeah, he'll be a little lonely the first couple of nights but we usually put the anxious ones in with a more confident dog- helps them come out of their shell a bit." He answered, standing up and putting the dog into the carrier, noticing the time. "Our time together was short little one, but I promise to come and visit."

Hiroto grabbed his hand just as he was about to leave. "You know, I think you should do a piece on pit bulls instead."

(Monday, 2.30pm~ Max's place)

"Hey, Handa. Have you ever considered getting a dog?" Fudou asked as he pulled a comb through the other's hair, snipping the ends. Handa had finally agreed to let his friend give him a haircut. After all, they both had a day off.
"No. But Max loves dogs." He hummed, hearing another satisfying snip near his ear. After his talk with Fubuki he felt it was time, he needed a change. He was already feeling a little better. Afuro was right after all.

Fudou parted some of the hair with a clip, combing the underside "I think it would be a good shout. A dog could be a good support animal for you."
"Hm, I suppose..." the other replied, Fudou walked around to his front, pointing at Handa with the comb "I'm serious." Then he sighed "I've always wanted a dog, but Kidou said I wasn't responsible enough, which is a bunch of bullshit."

'Well...you've certainly given him plenty of reasons. Remember Takahiro?' Fudou cringed internally. Takahiro, Kidou's prize-winning Australian shepherd that he begged and begged his friend to let him walk. He almost got her run over. Suffice to say Kidou was fuming after the event, declaring on the spot how he should never have trusted him with the responsibility of something so important to him.
Fudou breaking the bust immediately after that speech had been the last straw...
"What's wrong? Handa asked, noticing the strange look on the other brunette's face. It looked as though he'd just remembered a horrible memory.
"Ah...it's nothing." Fudou lied, walking round to his friend's left. "I'll just do this side and then we'll be done."

'He always acts like he's right, even though he's done bad things too. At least I take responsibility for my actions...'

(Some years ago, Sakuma, Genda and Kazemaru's ridiculously expensive student house- Bunkyō, Tokyo.)

It was an uncomfortably hot night when Kidou came knocking on his friends' door -a surprise visit before the term ended.
He waited patiently, looking down at the omiyages he'd brought- they would surely make up for his lack of visits he thought proudly. Engraved fountain pens and an extra penguin key chain for Sakuma (he was sure Genda wouldn't mind). However, it was not Sakuma who answered the door.
"Yuuto!" Fudou exclaimed, mouth full of rice.
Kidou immediately hid the gifts behind his back, it would be awkward if the other found out- not that it was Kidou's fault of course. He waited until Fudou turned around before discreetly placing the gifts back in his bag. 

"Uh, are Sakuma and Genda here?" He asked once Fudou turned back around. The brunette shook his head "Nah. They're visiting Koujirou's family. They should be back tomorrow evening." He explained. Kidou's face fell.
"Oh. I see." Was all he said, about to leave when his friend stopped him.
"That doesn't mean you have to leave." His friend stated, opening the door wider. Kidou hesitated for a moment "Isn't it a little rude to invite yourself into someone's house when they aren't there?"
Fudou just smirked "They won't care, I do it all the time."

"We haven't spoken in aaages." Fudou's voice came from the kitchen, Kidou followed, grimacing at the state of the room. "I've been busy." He muttered, not that the brunette, who had fixed a fresh bowl of grilled eel and rice, seemed to hear.
"Don't shovel your food like that." Kidou warned but the other just rolled his eyes before offering a piece of eel to the other. "Want some?" Kidou shook his head.

"At least have something to drink." Fudou shrugged, throwing a can of beer to his friend. Kidou placed the can on the counter "You shouldn't offer food and drink that's not your own."
"Suit yourself." Fudou replied, opening his own can.
"So, how come you're here?" Kidou asked, eyeing the food hungrily. Fudou placed his chopsticks over the bowl and took a sip of his beer. "I have a key."

Kidou raised an eyebrow "Why?"
"Why? Because they gave me one." Fudou answered.
"He practically lives here." Kazemaru replied, entering the kitchen, looking as though he'd just come back from a run. He opened the fridge and peered inside. "Is that the last of the beer?"
"There's more in the cupboard." The brunette replied.
"Great. Because that's what I want tonight- warm beer." Kazemaru grumbled and shut the fridge door rather forcefully, storming out of the kitchen without even acknowledging Kidou. "He seems rather agitated." Kidou remarked. Fudou supped his beer with a knowing look "Yep. And it ain't because of exams..."
"What do you mean?"
Fudou just chuckled "Don't worry about it."

Thirty minutes after refusing to eat or drink anything, Kidou was slouched on the sofa, a warm beer grasped loosely in his hand as two more cans lay crumpled on the floor. He was already drunk. Kidou yelled about many things that night.
Apparently he was lonely. Very, very lonely.
'Well it's your fault for isolating yourself from them.' The voice in his head kept repeating.
"You know, they did offer you a place here. It's kind of your own fault you're lonely." It may have been the truth, but Kidou did not want to hear it from the other.
'They gave him a key, why didn't I get a key?'
'He's always around here, they're always hanging out, without me- why am I the one getting left out?'
"They only gave you that...stupid key coz they feel fucking sorry for you." He spat.

Fudou smirked. It had been a long time since he'd heard the other swear, he forgot how much he enjoyed it.
"Ouch." He said with a chuckle. 'He's jealous? That's pretty pathetic.'
Fudou took off the jacket he was wearing since he was getting warm. "Well, the offer's still on the table, you could always room with me if it's making you that depressed." He said but his friend did not reply, he was too busy staring at the brunette's biceps that were quite a bit more muscular than he remembered. 'He must be going to the gym.' He thought before feeling a little flushed. He really shouldn't be staring.
His eyes instead focused on the tiger tattoo.

That stupid tattoo.
'He didn't even bother to ask you if you wanted to go with them.'
Kidou huffed and slouched back on the sofa "Didn't even think to ask me..." he mumbled and the other gave him a confused look. He huffed again, trying to make a point of it "I could if I wanted to."
"What are you talking about?" Fudou replied with a slight laugh, only frustrating his friend more.

"The tattoo Fudou, the tattoo." He grumbled, pointing at his friend's arm. Fudou sighed, remembering the fight they'd had over it just a few months ago. "You're still angry about that? Let it go already."
"I could totally...rock a tattoo...if I wanted." The other replied and Fudou couldn't help but laugh at the idea and the strange way he'd said it "I highly doubt that Yuuto. It's not really you."

Kidou leaned forwards "You don't know anything about me." He muttered.
"Huh?"
"I said." His voice became louder. "You guys don't know anything about me." He sat up quickly, staring at the other "You all think I'm a stuck up, spoilt kid that doesn't know how to have fun! You didn't even ask me if I wanted to get a tattoo!"
Fudou sighed heavily "Can we not do this again? No one thinks that." He took another swig from his bottle. Kidou scoffed "You're such a fucking liar."
Kidou edged closer to him, close enough that Fudou could smell the alcohol on his breath. "You're a liar." He mumbled before suddenly pressing the can to his forehead "It's really...fucking hot." He breathed and his friend raised an eyebrow, he stared at the other who had since closed his eyes before realising what he meant. He chuckled a little to himself before removing the can and placing his slighter cooler bottle against the other's skin. Kidou exhaled in delight.

"You should really work on your phrasing. People might get the wrong idea otherwise." He said with a laugh. Kidou suddenly leaned forwards, catching the other off guard "Nn...aren't you hot too?" He mumbled, face far too close for the other. Fudou gently pushed him away, attempting to get the man to sit up "I mean I am, but not how you mean."
Kidou mumbled something inaudible before grabbing his drink from the other.
"You make me so mad you know?" He said, tipping his head back to get the last few drops. He placed the can on the floor before getting (unsteadily) to his feet.

"You make me...so mad that I could just..." he paused, staring down at the other.
"You could just what?" Fudou said with a deep sigh, standing up. He thought Kidou would be funny drunk, and sure he had to admit he enjoyed this look on his friend; flushed, limitless, passionate- but asides from that, he was just kind of depressing to be honest.

"I could just-" Kidou suddenly jerked forwards without warning, the other catching him in his arms. "Woah, dude maybe you should lie down?" Fudou urged as his friend looked up at him, red-faced and eyes half-lidded.
"L-lie down? Not yet." He whispered before wrapping his arms around Fudou's neck and smashing their lips together.

It took Fudou a moment to realise what was happening. The kiss was so passionate, unlike anything he would've expected from the other, Kidou's hands moved upwards from his neck, frantically trying to feel as much of that soft brown hair as possible. It was only when Kidou momentarily paused for breath that Fudou's brain finally snapped back into place. He pushed the other away. "What the fuck was that for?" He growled but Kidou only pressed up closer to him. "Kiss me again Akio." he asked huskily, making the other swallow thickly. It was becoming harder and harder to resist, but Fudou knew it wasn't the right thing to do. He shook his head, prying the other's hands off of him "You're drunk. I'm not like that."
"I'm not drunk." Kidou whined "You're always saying I need to loosen up and have some fun. Well you've got your wish! Let's have some fun Fudou!" He exclaimed, leaning against the other again "I'm all yours."

He tried to press himself up against Fudou again but was held back. Kidou pouted "I thought you said you were pansexual, what am I not good enough for you?" He asked, an offended look on his face. Fudou rolled his eyes  "Wow, okay. That really has nothing to do with it."
"You're always making those s-stupid jokes about me, saying I never wanna get some, saying I'm a prude. And now, when I actually want some from you you're saying no?" He placed a hand on his hip in a annoyance. "Come onnn." He moaned "Father's already pissed at me for changing my major, might as well add dating you to that ever growing list of disappointments!" He exclaimed, swinging his arms around the other's neck.

Fudou frowned "Okay first off- you switched majors? And second- I am not a disappointment." His voice showed how clearly upset he was at that comment, not that his friend seemed to notice.
Kidou waved his hand at him lazily "Pshh I don't wanna fucking talk about it. I just hated it, haaaated it."
It seemed he hadn't registered the second comment.
Fudou would give anything to have been able to go to university like his friends. It was no lie that Fudou was smart, even if he didn't show it, he was just as smart as Kidou. It was that intellect and quick wit that got him into the prestigious Teikoku Academy after all, despite his social standing. So there was really no reason why he couldn't have gone into higher education. But money. Money had always been the issue.

Rent, books, food, a laptop to work on, that all cost money he sure as hell did not have. And yes he considered working to put himself through uni but there was no way he'd be able to balance all that, surely his grades would suffer and then what would even be the point?
No, better to work hard and earn the money now and go back to school later.
That was the plan at least.
"Such a waste of tiiime." Kidou slurred "I couldn't care less about anything like that at the moment." He leaned onto the other, whispering in his ear "I don't care about what happens anymore, maybe I just want to have some fun with you instead." He pulled back, enjoying the red look on his friend's face. "I guess dating you wouldn't be allll that bad.
Wouldn't mind it." He said matter-of-factly despite the slurring in his voice.

Kidou took his glasses off, placing them on the sofa. "What do you say Akio?" he asked, crimson eyes staring deeply into the other's own.
"No."
Kidou blinked at him, Fudou pushed him away, face still red but this time that red was not just embarrassment, but anger too.
"You don't get to call me a disappointment then say you wouldn't mind going out with me." He shook his head in disbelief. "You don't just get to use me as a way to piss off your dad or as a distraction. If you actually like me that's completely different."

Kidou just stood there, unable to say anything. Fudou stuffed his hands in his pockets "I actually...really like you Kidou." He admitted, voice going quiet. "I know I joke about it to piss you off but I really do. You're smart and everyone thinks you're cool, and yeah we fight but that's just because of how similar we are." Fudou looked at the floor, becoming embarrassed "I wanted to ask you, if you wanted to go out. But I didn't because I knew you would refuse, after all you've always made it clear that I'm not good enough for someone like you." He suddenly looked up, his face souring. "But you know what? I'm glad I didn't ask you, because you've become such a dick lately. I don't like you like this, this side of you is mean and cold; it's the kind of you which tells me to my face that I'm a terrible person who's not going anywhere good- do you remember that Kidou? The Yuuto I know would've never said that."

"Akio..."
Usually when the other called him that it would send shivers down the brunette's spine. But now he felt nothing. There was nothing more to say. He walked away.

After that the rest was just a blur. Kidou was faintly aware of the front door opening and someone running down the stairs, or maybe it was up? He remembered eating at some point, and puking straight after. There were lots of loud voices. And the next thing he knew he woke up in bed. Sitting up he soon realised he must be in Genda's room- the large lion poster and book of 'Japan's rare butterflies' on the nightstand gave it away. He was in the same clothes from the night before, and he didn't feel strange (well except from a bad headache and slight nausea); he looked around- Fudou was nowhere to be seen.

He got out of bed groggily, taking a moment to straighten up the sheets before leaving the room. He rubbed his eyes before realising his glasses were missing. "Fudou." He grumbled out loud, making his way downstairs.

Endou yawned as he walked down the stairs, despite his sleepiness he beamed at the other when he saw him "Kidou, long time no see! How you been!" He said with that signature grin of his, but Kidou was not in the mood to talk. "Yeah hey." He muttered before noticing the brunette was wearing the same shirt he'd seen Kazemaru in the night before. Endou just smiled at the other as he ran past into the kitchen where Kazemaru was making breakfast.
It wasn't long before Kidou was able to put two and two together- well it helped that before he turned the corner to the living room he saw the two of them lock lips.

He stood in the doorway of the living room, watching as Fudou folded up a blanket- he'd slept on the sofa last night. The other wanted to say something but Fudou beat him to it.
"You sleep well? Genda's bed is pretty comfy. They let me sleep there when I stay over since he and Sakuma share anyway." He nonchalantly stated, his back to Kidou.
"Where are my glasses?"
That wasn't what he'd meant to ask at all, but Fudou was just acting so strange, like he didn't care what happened last night.
"Here." The other replied, handing the glasses over. "You threw them at me last night, remember?
Kidou most certainly did not remember that part.

"Well." He began before letting out and angry huff "If you hadn't have gotten me drunk then I wouldn't have."
Fudou sighed "It's not my fault you got drunk so quickly. I didn't realise you're that much of a lightweight." He explained, Kidou went momentarily red before crossing his arms.
"Well I can assure you that whatever I said last night was just the drink talking."
Fudou turned to plump up his pillow "You know, just because someone is drunk it doesn't make them lie." He looked back at Kidou "You lose that filter, and you say what's really on your mind, what you really think. Everything you said and did last night was the truth."

The scissors snipped another piece of hair.

(Sunday, 3.45pm~Happy Paws Animal Rescue)

"Yo Fudou! Come to say hi to the dogs again?" The woman asked, spotting the man instantly as he walked in. Fudou had a cocky smile on his face, sleeves rolled up to show off his tattoos, knowing the other was a fan of them. "Haha you know it. Gotta give my babies some lovin'."
Fudou often came to his local animal shelter; some might call him a volunteer, though the brunette always said he was just 'browsing'.
He would come in every few weeks or so, say hello, pet their little heads, take them out for walks, play with them. It was the least he could do if he wasn't allowed to have a dog or cat himself.

'If only Kidou could see this, then I'm sure he'd change his tune.' He thought whistfully. Something about that thought bothered him though, this was his thing, his little secret. It's not as though he was ashamed or anything, he just always liked to keep this side separate from his partner.
"Oh, we got a new arrival today. His name's Pebbles." The shelter worker said, brushing her pink hair out of her face with long, black fingernails. She led Fudou past some of the pens. The brunette waved at a few of his favourite dogs. "That's the fucking cutest thing I've ever heard Shinobu."

As cheesy as it sounded, it was love at first sight for the brunette; he was such a small little thing, the most beautiful blue-grey coat and the cutest little yap the other had ever heard.
"Yeah, he had a pretty rough start, but he's been such a fighter. Matcha's been looking after him- brought him down a couple hours ago actually. They really bonded so I'm sure he'll be sad to see the little one go, but glad that someone will want him." She explained but Fudou wasn't listening. His eyes were glued to that little dog, the dog who had already gone through so much whilst only a puppy but had not let life defeat him. This little dog, it was just like him. "You're a strong one huh little guy?" He mused, petting him on the head through the bars as Pebbles wagged his stubby tail excitedly.

"Done. What do you think?" Fudou asked, handing a mirror to the other brunette. Handa stared back at the image, not quite believing it was himself "Wow..." he whispered. He did look a lot better; now if only the deep bags under his eyes weren't so noticeable.

"I said you could trust me didn't I?" Fudou mused, packing the tools away in a small leather bag. "I know what I'm doing."
Handa smiled shyly at the other "Okay, you were right." He turned back to his reflection in the mirror, he looked like a completely different person. Like a healthier person. 
Fudou walked behind the other, undoing the towel he'd rudimentarily fastened with one of Max's big hair grips. "Say Handa?" He asked.
"Hm?" The other replied, lost in his appearance.
"What would you say to getting a dog?"
Handa put the mirror down "A dog?"
"Well, a puppy." Fudou continued, removing the towel from around the other's neck and shaking the hair off of it.

Handa looked over his shoulder at him "You already asked me this."
The other shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly "Yeah, but I just wanted to gauge your reaction. Because I might already have one in mind." He said casually, helping the other to his feet.
"That was fast."
Fudou folded up the towel before throwing it loosely over the chair, somewhat defeating the purpose "There's this dog, a little puppy. The cutest fucking thing you've ever seen, and I don't throw that word around lightly."

"I used to do a little fostering when I lived alone- just having a little animal to come home to after a long day at work, having to be responsible for it and look after it- that was my thing." He continued, voice going serious for the first time. Handa pulled a hand through his hair, enjoying the new texture. "I...had no idea..." he said softly, he would have never imagined that Fudou would be the type to foster animals, even less so call them 'cute'.
"Doesn't seem to fit huh?" Fudou smirked seeing his friend's reaction.

He gave the other one of his signature grins "I'm sure the shelter won't have an issue with me-us- fostering the little guy; Shinobu will pull some strings- she owes me anyway."
"Why do I get the feeling a lot of people owe you things?"
The other just smirked "Because it's true."
Handa frowned, pulling on the hem of his jumper a little "But I mean a puppy, that's a lot of responsibility and besides-"
The other brunette patted his back heartily.     "-Hey, I'll be here too! It'll be fun, it'd be good for you. And when Max recovers I'm sure he'll love the dog too!" The thought of Max's smiling face, him playing fetch or giving cuddles, of dressing it up for Halloween like he'd always joked about. It made Handa smile despite the pain he felt towards his boyfriend.

He looked up at Fudou, at his friend. He took a deep breath, letting a proper smile break onto his features for what seemed like the first time in a long time. "Alright, let's do it."

((Ah Sorry this was so long, but I hope you still enjoyed. I thought it would be fun to theme this chapter around dogs!
Side note: the name of Kidou's dog Takahiro means 'of great value, nobility' which I think suits him well.
Side side note: Shinobu definitely knows what Midorikawa's name is, she calls him Matcha to piss him off))