Harvest Moon (WereWolf Dabi X Wolf Hunter Hawks AU)
Summary: When a wolf is spotted in Musutafu for the first time in seven years, famed Wolf Hunter Hawks is called in to take care of the beast.
Written for my lovely friend the_great_queen
This work is rated M for strong language and brief mentions of graphic violence (don't let it fool you it's more of a meet-cute)
Tags: swearing, meet-cute, Medieval Europe-style AU with some age changes, full-shift Werewolf Touya, Wolf Hunter Keigo, Touya and Shoto are the only Todosibs, light angst, some humor, soulmate themes (because I always write them as soulmates I can't help it)
Disclaimer: Traditional werewolves aren’t as much of a thing in Japanese folklore so this is based off of Medieval Europe
Word Count: 3,758 words
AO3 link
Touya Todoroki is a rare breed, in more ways than one.
Even children of werewolves normally must be bitten to transform. The powers aren’t passed down, spreading like a disease rather than a genetic mutation. Until Touya Todoroki.
He had his first transformation at thirteen years old, to his mother’s utter horror, knowing that, if anyone found out, her son’s fate would be sealed. However, he didn’t share the same bloodlust that his father harbored while transformed.
Rei’s village had sacrificed her to their local wolf: the beast known as Endeavor…better known as the famed Wolf Hunter: Enji Todoroki two villages over. He lived a double life, proclaiming to be a mighty hero in the day, only to slay innocent lives in the dead of the night.
When Touya was eighteen, shortly after his baby brother, Shoto, was born, he’d gotten into a vicious fight with his father. Touya mauled him to death, finally ending the reign of terror he had held over their mother. Amidst the blood and the chaos, Rei knew at once what had to be done.
At their mother’s request, Touya left with his baby brother, starting a new life in a new town miles away.
Their mother would take responsibility for the death, to Touya’s utter despair, and be sent to an asylum.
…
…
Keigo Takami sets his silver-tipped arrows on the table, examining them for any imperfections, fingertips grazing the crimson fletchings. Keigo doesn’t enjoy his job, especially since he started it at such a young age. When your father wolfs out and tries to kill your mother in the middle of the night, you learn to listen to your instincts. You learn to shoot first and ask questions later.
Werewolves have grown bolder lately, peeling out of the shadows, and leaving behind nothing but blood in their wake. Most werewolves are just as ferocious in the daylight. They’re criminals who managed to escape or kill their assailants after being bit. They’re the ones who survive the change. The cruel. The outcast. The fearless .
Keigo’s never met a wolf that didn’t remind him of his father.
Fangs and beady eyes and murderous intent.
Callous and cold and monstrous .
So, when a resident of Musutafu spotted a wolf howling amongst the trees, they knew who to call.
The Wolf Hunter: Hawks.
Known for his silence and ruthlessness…his speed and tenacity…with the same ferociousness as the bird of prey his moniker came from.
Now, he’s sitting across the table in the town’s inn lobby; his partner-in-crime, Shinji Nishiya, nervously wrings his hands beside him. Shinji’s been in the business longer, originally taking Keigo in as an apprentice. However, Keigo’s proved to be the better huntsman…more cunning…more successful.
“Where’d you see it?” Keigo hums, organizing the arrows back into the quiver.
“The hill over by the Todoroki property. We haven’t had a wolf sighting in seven years, sir. This is…truly disturbing,” The civilian stammers, drinking from his pint.
“What was it doing?” Shinji leans in.
“Howling.”
“Just howling?” Keigo raises an eyebrow, “No blood dripping from its jaws? No prey in sight? No victims?”
“Well…there were sheep nearby,” The man mutters.
“And they weren’t running?” Keigo finds that hard to believe.
“N-no. They seemed…calm.”
“Hm,” Keigo leans back in the chair, tapping the heels of his boots.
“Well, thank you for your time. We’ll take care of it,” Keigo pushes back his chair with a screeching noise before strutting out the door, “I’ll be back for the reward.”
Shinji scrambles to follow him.
“Takami. I’ve never heard of prey animals being calm around a wolf,” Shinji whispers heatedly, “Do you think it was just someone playing a trick?”
“Wouldn’t hurt to check out,” Keigo stretches, feeling for the silver dagger in his back pocket.
“You might wanna take this, just in case,” He whips it out effortlessly and hands the hilt to Shinji. “We’ve still got the rest of the day before we go hunting. Stay alert.”
…
…
Touya wakes up in the barn, naked, surrounded by his flock of sheep.
Fuck.
He was supposed to be on the floor of his bedroom.
Shoto didn’t do his job.
Touya looks around, eyes lighting up when he sees his backup pile of clothes behind a bale of hay.
Frantically, he gets dressed as fast as he can while the sheep nuzzle him for attention.
Surprisingly, the flock adores Touya.
He’s protected them from wolves, coyotes, and bandits…both in and out of his werewolf form.
Becoming a shepherd seemed like the most logical line of work for a werewolf in disguise. So, Touya offered to care for the town folks' sheep, loving them as if they were his own.
The other guy apparently got spooked by a wolf…rather conveniently .
So, Touya took up the mantle the next day, occupying the abandoned farm and living in the small home on the property with his little brother.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
Touya waits outside, the breeze blowing through his white hair.
“Password,” His little brother’s voice seeps through the weathered wood.
“Shoto. You’ve gotta start locking me in my room again,” Touya scowls as his little brother lets him back into the house, bolting the door behind him.
“I don’t like it when you whine and scratch at the door,” Shoto replies flatly, “It’s annoying.”
“Y’know what’s also annoying? Waking up with sheep noses in my face,” Touya huffs, examining his arms for any mysterious bruises or scratches he might’ve gained in the night.
“Not my fault they like you,” Shoto simply shrugs.
“I’ll be back. I gotta turn them out,” Touya sighs, grabbing his crook by the door, “Stay here.”
“Not like I have anywhere else to go on my own,” Shoto mumbles, staring out the window at the town in the distance.
…
…
Touya yawns, a wolf-like whine peaking at the end as he runs his tongue over his teeth, careful not to cut it on his unusually sharp canines.
“C’mon,” He clicks his tongue, urging the sheep in a line out into the open, green field. The sun hangs high over the sky, and Touya can feel the heat on his back through the thin tunic.
Suddenly, the wind shifts.
Touya smells intruders; he hears unfamiliar footfalls on the property.
The hair on the back of his neck stands on end.
That’s never good.
He feels a growl in the back of his throat.
He looks over his shoulder, and his superhuman vision practically zooms in on the figure approaching.
Amber eyes that glitter in the sunlight…muscles hidden beneath leather armor…blonde hair that waves effortlessly in the breeze.
‘Oh, he’s pretty ,’ Touya thinks to himself, feeling his heart thud powerfully in his ribcage as the man approaches.
Touya’s never thought about having a mate.
He’s never found anyone he thought was remotely attractive…not that he’s ever tried to actually court anyone before.
He wasn’t exactly “courting” material.
Yet…something about this stranger…screams mate to him.
“Hey there!” The stranger waves, strutting toward him.
Touya simply nods, completely ignoring the fact that there are never strangers on the property, seemingly transfixed by the beauty before him.
His boldness seizes him by the throat.
Apparently, the wolf part of his brain doesn’t want to waste any time.
“You wanna grab a drink at the inn?” Touya blurts, his lips twisting into a goofy flirtatious smile. Keigo’s surprised by the forwardness.
He’s just met this man, hasn’t even introduced himself yet, and now he wants to grab drinks?
Keigo looks him up and down; he’s not bad looking. Not by a long shot. Is he trying to throw him off the trail?
“I’d love to, but I’ve gotta take care of the wolf first,” Keigo grins, puffing out his chest and tightening the straps in his armor.
Touya’s heart drops.
“Sorry?” He coughs, swallowing his nerves.
“The wolf. There was a sighting. To be honest, I’m surprised no one let you know. It was on your property. The hill closest to the village. You better keep your sheep in at night from now on,” Keigo replies, concerned.
Touya’s hands grip his wooden crook tightly.
“My sheep are just fine ,” He mutters, his sudden cold tone catching Keigo off guard.
Suspicious.
“You haven’t had any go missing? Seen any markings? Prints?” Keigo straightens his sling of arrows on his back.
“Nothing,” Touya grits his teeth.
Why did he have to be a damned hunter?
This guy who for whatever reason has some kind of magnetic pull to Touya…is a hunter .
Touya hadn’t encountered any since he’d moved.
He’d kept the monsters out himself since they moved here, so there was never any need for them.
He kept the town safe, and this is how they repay him?
By turning their mysterious “luck” into a hunter’s game?
Touya’s gotten too lax with shifting in the moonlight recently; he should’ve been more careful.
“Do you set traps?” Keigo’s eyebrow raises, curious piqued about the shepherd’s fearlessness.
“No,” Touya says flatly, though part of him wishes he would’ve lied.
“And you haven’t had a wolf sighting in seven years?”
Touya shakes his head.
Keigo’s eyes narrow, trying to pick apart Touya’s body language.
The way his turquoise eyes seem to hold the ocean itself within them. The way his hair blows in the breeze. Before his words turned cold, his smile was rather…charming.
If he wasn’t so wary, Keigo would definitely take him up on that drink.
Still…the wolf was sighted on his land.
He’s definitely a suspect, but the sheep are unharmed.
That never happens.
Wolves always leave carnage in their wake…whether it be the mangled, half-devoured bodies of livestock or people.
Keigo lifts his chin, a small act of defiance and dominance that makes Touya bristle.
“Would you mind if I had a look around the property?” Keigo holds out his gloved hand for Touya to shake, “I’m Hawks. Wolf Hunter Hawks.”
‘Wolf Hunter.’
Touya’s eyes widen in terror at the specific title.
His father was a fabled wolf hunter .
There’s a beat of awkward silence; it lasts longer than it should.
Touya gruffly takes Keigo’s hand, shaking it. His gaze is dark.
“Todoroki. Touya Todoroki. Don’t disturb my flock.”
…
…
Touya’s numb to the change; it’s practically painless for him. Just reforming bones, reshaping skin, and growing fur that will be completely shed. It’s nothing too extravagant.
At least, in Touya’s mind, it isn’t a big deal. After all, he’s still himself after the change. He’s still sound of mind, whereas most werewolves blame their “instincts” as an excuse. Touya knows those “instincts” are real reflections of true nature; the wolf takes away inhibitions. He’s experienced some of that, sure, but it’s never involved ripping and tearing.
Night falls, and Touya’s restless.
He’s being actively hunted.
Keigo’s out there…somewhere in the night.
The full moonlight touches his skin, and Touya rolls his shoulders back as he feels the change taking over his body.
It only lasts a few minutes before he’s overwhelmingly cramped in his own bedroom, ears almost touching the ceiling and tail painfully curled in against his dresser.
He has to stay inside this room.
It’s too dangerous with the wolf hunter in town…plus…he’s probably already aroused suspicion.
Still…the outside…it’s calling him.
The cool night air…the wind in his fur…the open night sky…
Oh, shit.
He left the window open.
…
…
“The shepherd? That doesn’t make any sense,” Shinji mutters as he absentmindedly feeds his horse a carrot. Most of the town has turned in for the night, and Shinji’s tending to their horses at the inn stables.
“I’m telling you, man. I don’t get it either. I don’t know if it’s him , but sneaking back onto the property is my best bet at killing it,” Keigo huffs as he finishes counting his arrows and cleaning his bow.
“You sure you don’t want me to come?” Shinji asks, almost sounding a bit dejected.
“I need you here in case I’m wrong. The wolf could attack the village,” Keigo calmly orders, oblivious to Shinji’s thirst to finally be a part of the main mission.
“Yes sir,” Shinji sighs, scratching his horse’s neck as Keigo makes his way down the path toward the Todoroki farmland.
…
It doesn’t take long for Keigo to find the hill that borders the edge of the property. A patch of woods flanks it, making it the prime spot for a wolf to howl at the moon.
He can see the house on the property from here, too.
Is it stalking the shepherd?
His family?
Or is his sneaking suspicion correct?
Keigo tiptoes through the dip in the valley. The wind is blowing toward him. Perfect.
It won’t smell him.
“ Awoooooo! ”
There it is.
A breathtaking snow-white wolf appears at the crest, throwing its head back to howl at the moon. The sound is melancholy, as if it’s the last time. One last hurrah from the wolf.
‘Little does it know,’ Keigo thinks with a smirk.
He lines up the shot.
He has a clear view, as if the stars have aligned specifically for this moment.
The wolf looks down, making direct eye contact.
“NO!”
SHIIK!
“DAMNIT!” Keigo swears as he’s tackled to the ground, the arrow missing the wolf by a few hairs and landing in a tree. He struggles to push himself up, only to come face-to-face with Shoto Todoroki.
“You can’t!” Shoto sobs, “You can’t just come here and do that!”
Keigo’s jaw drops.
What the hell is wrong with this kid? Doesn’t he understand that Keigo’s trying to protect him?
“You need to get inside! You’re the perfect size for it to snatch up!” Keigo hisses, grabbing Shoto by the collar as he turns to look back at the hill.
The wolf is gone.
Keigo scrambles to grab his bow and slings his pack of arrows back over his shoulder.
“He’s just singing. He likes to do that sometimes,” Shoto whines.
Keigo blinks at Shoto like he has three heads.
“ He ? Does he do that often ?” Keigo scoffs, walking toward the Todoroki house, dragging Shoto with him. “You should be inside !”
“Please! Don’t hurt him! Lemme go !” Shoto cries out.
A deafening snarl rips through the night air, directly behind Keigo.
Keigo freezes, daring a look behind him.
The wolf’s ears are forward, fangs dripping, head held high, and he’s staring deliberately into Keigo’s soul with two brilliant turquoise eyes.
Keigo releases his grip on Shoto, holding his hands up.
That’s why he got violent.
Shoto scrambles to stand in front of the wolf, holding his hands out as if to protect him from Keigo. It’s adorable considering the wolf is twice Shoto’s size.
“He was just trying to protect me! Please!” Shoto sobs.
“Kid. Don’t. Move,” Keigo whispers, face nearly as white as the fur of the wolf in front of him.
“He won’t hurt me,” Shoto insists, though Keigo isn’t sure if he’s talking to him or to the wolf.
“Baaaaaa!”
Keigo’s eyes flit toward the sound as he sees the flock of sheep nearing the commotion. Adrenaline surges through him.
Now’s his chance while the wolf is distracted by a buffet.
But, when he turns back, there isn’t hunger in his eyes. Only the familiar desire to protect what is important to him.
Shoto backs up, grabbing onto the wolf’s front leg and latching on like a leech.
“It’s okay, Touya,” Shoto whispers, and the wolf slowly relaxes, sitting down with a resounding THUMP!
“Touya?” Keigo echoes as the confirmation cuts through his heart like a knife.
“Please don’t hurt my brother! He only hurts people who are trying to hurt people! Promise!” Shoto insists.
Touya looks from Shoto to Keigo, apprehension in his body language.
Keigo stares into the wolf’s eyes…and he can’t help but feel drawn to him.
Is it some kind of power?
Some kind of hypnotism?
The way the starlight reflects in the cerulean is absolutely beautiful.
The wolf snorts, affirmative and authoritative.
“He wants you to put your stuff away,” Shoto relays, and the blood drains from Keigo’s face.
Of course the beast wants him completely defenseless.
If the kid isn’t afraid, it should be okay, right?
With shaking hands, Keigo carefully sets his bow down, dipping his head to slip off his quiver.
WHAM!
In one full sweep of his paw, the wolf sends his weapons flying.
Shit.
This was a mistake.
He should’ve called Shinji for backup.
He-
Suddenly, all of Keigo’s worries vanish into thin air when he feels a giant tongue obnoxiously licking up the side of his face, lifting him a few inches off the ground.
Keigo recoils, cringing and hastily trying to wipe the drool off of his face as Shoto begins laughing at him.
“That must mean he likes you!” Shoto giggles, and, suddenly, the wolf’s ears are pinned to his head, staring down his nose at Shoto as if he’s revealed some dark secret.
The wolf whines ; Touya wishes he could speak in a language that Shoto and Keigo could understand.
“I’ve promised one of the townsfolk already that I’d get rid of you. They’re gonna want proof. They always do,” Keigo mutters, running a hand through his hair. “Christ… I’ve never met a… nice wolf? Is that what I would call you? A nice werewolf? That sounds so stupid. That sounds insane !” Keigo begins pacing.
“ Wawar ,” Touya makes a sound like he’s agreeing with Keigo in some sort of garbled bark.
“I can’t believe I’m talking to a werewolf,” Keigo groans, “I’m making conversation with a werewolf. I’ve dedicated my whole life to killing your kind.”
A solemn growl rumbles in Touya’s throat.
“Baaaa!”
Their heads turn as one of the sheep from the flock saunters out of the group. Touya had to shave the mats out of its wool earlier this month, so it looks a little patchy.
Shoto’s eyes suddenly light up.
“You need proof? I have an idea!”
…
…
WHOMP!
“That look familiar to you?” Keigo grins as he slams the white pelt onto the table of the inn’s lobby.
“Wow…you actually did it!” The man guffaws, pulling out a small sack of coins and sliding them over the table to Keigo. “You slayed the beast!”
“All in a day’s work. Now, if you’ll excuse me,” Keigo nods before turning on his heel and sauntering over to the bar.
Touya’s already sitting there, an empty seat with a drink beside him.
“You’re lucky Shinji knows how to sew fur into a pelt,” Keigo whispers as he sits on the stool, picking up his cup.
“You sure they won’t figure it out?” Touya says just loud enough for Keigo to hear.
“Nah. So long as they don’t spot you again,” Keigo reassures him.
Touya takes a long drink from his glass, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.
“Good thing there’s no other wolves around here. That bald spot is gonna be embarrassing until it grows out again,” Touya laughs under his breath, and Keigo grins as he sips from his own drink.
“So…you gonna move on to the next town?” Touya asks candidly, turning to face Keigo in the dim light of the inn’s bar.
Keigo sighs. “Maybe…I dunno. Might stick around for a bit. Try to be more of a monster researcher than a monster hunter. I feel like there aren’t enough books about what we’re really up against. I feel like I shouldn't be hunting something I don’t understand,” Keigo replies as he sips from his drink, and his words make something flutter in Touya’s gut.
“Researcher, huh?” Touya clicks his tongue, “And what exactly are you gonna be researching?”
“Werewolf behavior seems like a good start,” Keigo teases, and Touya raises an eyebrow.
“And how does your… accomplice feel about this?” Touya looks over his shoulder to see Shinji staring at him with wide eyes through the window. As soon as he makes eye contact with Touya, he gasps and disappears from sight.
“He’ll get over it,” Keigo shrugs, downing the rest of his drink before slamming it down onto the counter. “So what made you decide shepherd ?”
“Perfect cover…plus, my little brother likes to talk to the animals. He reads to them n’ shit,” Touya yawns, “Can’t exactly afford to send him to the private tutor, so reading to the sheep helps.”
“Are they yours?”
“Nah, but they might as well be. Owners never come check on ‘em. Just come to harvest the wool. I get a cut from the sales,” Touya explains, “Think they like me though. The white fur makes me look more like one a’ them.”
“Does it hurt?” Keigo asks, curious.
“The first time did. Not since then.”
“Do you-”
“Do you wanna head back to my place if you’re gonna continue your research ?” Touya says bluntly, his eyes shimmering in the sunrise.
Keigo blushes.
“Can I go get my journal?”
…
…
Touya sighs as he swings a leg over the fence, stumbling into the pen with his sheep as the sun crests over the horizon.
“Watch the splinters,” He calls over his shoulder as Keigo attempts to follow his lead, almost falling face-first into the pile of mud as he staggers after Touya.
“So. Day in the life of a werewolf?” Keigo licks the tip of his feather pen, ready to begin writing.
“I feed the sheep.”
“Huh?”
Keigo looks up, realizing they’re at a weathered barn. Touya hefts up an oversized bale in one hand with inhuman strength, hoisting it high above his head.
“I feed the sheep,” He repeats.
Touya leads him to a separate pasture, unlocking the gate with his other hand before launching the hay bale into the middle of the pasture.
The sheep slowly file in on both sides of him with some stragglers standing around, staring at Touya.
“Okay? Feed the sheep. And?” Keigo gestures with his hands as if prompting Touya to continue.
“Baaa!” One of the sheep bleats impatiently, nearly bowling Touya over as it headbutts him in the leg.
“ Clearly , they don’t like it when someone else has your attention,” Keigo chuckles as Touya attempts to shoo the sheep away.
“Yeah,” Touya hums, seemingly oblivious to the blatant flirting as he closes the gate.
“So, lemme get to the real questions…why’d you lick my face?” Keigo asks point-blank.
“Wolf instincts,” Touya lies, cheeks cherry red, “Wolf-thing-I-dunno.”
Keigo’s eyes narrow in amusement as he scribbles:
New mission: Seduce the WereWolf
