Chapter Text
There were times that Momo has gotten the occasional comment and grumble that Okarun was like her guard dog: overly devoted, overly viscous when she’s in danger, and just downright intimidating for her; there’s even times of him dropping to all fours to bow down in front of her protectively.
Normally, Okarun as a “guard dog” didn’t really always cross her mind. It's just what Okarun does. It’s what he always does. By himself unprompted. To be her “guard dog”, she expected to have full command over him, and while she did direct him at times (maybe it was more than she realized?), Okarun largely did his own thing.
But there are also times she can see the “dog” impression that Okarun inspires.
Especially right now.
The full moon was drawing near and her yokai friends could feel it.
Aira was mostly herself, a little blunt and short tempered, but that was it. Barely a difference.
Jiji was taking care to be more careful around cool liquids, and she saw him wince occasionally in class, making her suspect he was speaking with the Evil Eye and that the literal inner child was getting antsy.
And her Okarun was restless.
Rin mentioned to Momo that he was struggling to sit still and focus in class, looking ready to just book it out in a moment’s notice.
And once school ended, Okarun immediately went to the open track field and just started to run .
Momo thinks he was on his eighth lap when she sat herself down on the bleachers to watch and wait for him. He didn’t even notice her arrival, too caught up in getting his zoomies out.
And it was here that Momo saw the “dog” in Okarun.
But she didn’t see some big, fearsome bully breed that most seemed to think of.
Here she saw some doe eyed greyhound; or maybe a borzoi to play off his curly hair; getting pent up energy out and just having the time of his life. And chances were good that, immediately after, he was going to want nothing more than to lounge and cuddle up with her. And by the rate he was going, Momo had a feeling he was going to crash hard.
As she predicted, he was nearlying his eleventh lap when he finally started to slow down, and then just collapsed on the track, turning just in time to drop onto his back, protecting his glasses from the ground. She gave him some time to just lay there, panting away from his one man race, before she came to join him.
Her shadow fell over him and Okarun opened up his eyes, seeing Momo loom over him. Something of a silly smile spread over his lips, a little high from the rush of running.
“Momo,” he greeted, a tad breathless, but the affection in his voice was clear.
“Hey, Okarun,” she returned, smiling at the rare sound of her name. “Did you have a good run?”
“Haaah,” he breathed out, relaxing on the ground, closing his eyes. “I feel better.”
She crouched down to sit with him, offering him a drink. “Rin mentioned you were twitchy today.”
Okarun didn’t accept the drink right away, though by how he glanced at it, she could see he wanted it. He confirmed, “Yeah, it was hard being in school today.”
“You could’ve left early,” she rolled out.
Okarun made a face, making it clear that he wasn’t able to do so. Which, how could he? He felt obligated to be there as it was expected. And he didn’t want to just up and leave her either. He did finally shuffle up, accepting the offered drink, sighing in relief as the cool liquid swept down his throat.
“Better?” Momo asked.
Okarun nodded, shuffling closer to lean on her. Momo leaned back, not minding the dirt of the track, the soil felt familiar, reminding her of the dirt road to home. With a knowing glance, she saw Okarun had his eyes closed, taking a moment to rest and relax.
With a small smile, she asked, “So, think you’re up to go again? Maybe see how quickly you can get me to work?”
His eyes snapped open, showing a crimson hue as he glanced her way.
“I’ll time ya,” Momo offered.
In a rare, playful edge, Okarun said, “We could make a bet of it.”
That competitive spark flared to life. “Oooh, someone’s feeling confident. Alright, Okarun, what do you want to bet?”
“If I can get you to work in three minutes or less…” Okarun trailed off, trying to think of what he would want that Momo wouldn’t. Within reason, of course. And then the idea clicked into place, and a rare, wicked smile full of mischief slid over his lips. “You dress up in that classic green alien costume.”
Momo gasped in terror. “Nooooo! I would look terrible in that!”
Okarun meanwhile just envisioned how cute she would look.
“Ok, ok,” Momo voiced, giving him a serious look. “If you’re longer than three minutes, you dress up as Ken Takakura.”
“...Technically, I already do.”
“Shush!” She gave his cheek a hard poke. “I get to pick the outfit!”
“Alright, alright,” he eased which a chuckle.
“Aaaand!” she added with a flourish, “No all out!”
“I wasn’t going to use it,” Okarun insisted.
Momo said, “I just want it to be made an official rule.”
Okarun lightly rolled his eyes. “Yes, Ma’am.” He settled back on Momo, sighing contently as his head rested in the crook of her shoulder.
When it was time for Momo to head to work and Okarun was recharged and restless, Momo settled onto his back, had his shoes and socks in hand, and noted the time before announcing Okarun to start.
She barely got the word out when Okarun took off, Momo only staying on out of habit of holding him tightly. She crouched low, feeling the air whip around her as Okarun pushed himself to run as fast as he could. His black maw gritting its teeth in the effort, Okarun started to growl as he pushed his limit. He barely noticed Momo gripping him harder as he went, her squeals of delight muffled by the gale.
Seeing it in sight, Okarun skidded to a stop, sliding all the way to a stop right beside it, stumbling a little when they finally came to a stop. Momo quickly hopped off, bringing out her phone as Okarun glanced her way.
She gasped, jumping up and down. “Two minutes!”
“Nice,” he said, and then collapsed.
“Okarun?!” Momo cried out in alarm.
“Momo-chan, carry me inside. I went too far.”
“Ok,” she complied, using her power to make it look like she was giving him a piggyback ride inside.
Grinning under his maw, Okarun stated, “And after you’re off, let’s go find your alien costume.”
Momo groaned. “Let’s keep it private at least, ok?”
He beamed at the thought of having cute, alien Momo all to himself. “Works for me.”