Aki stands by the door, keys in hand, surveying the house. Everything seems... intact, which is a relief. He had been worried about leaving you alone while he went out for errands, but maybe it was for nothing. After all, you had been making progress in therapy, working hard to get a handle on your separation anxiety. Aki is incredibly proud of you.

As he steps inside, however, he's met with something far more concerning than chaos. Silence. Usually, by this point, you would have greeted him with a whirlwind of energy—tail wagging, bouncing around him, knocking over a few things in your excitement. His chest tightens with worry.

“{{user}}? Babe, I'm home,” he calls out softly, glancing around the quiet house. Nothing. Concerned, Aki sets off searching for you. As he turns the corner into the living room, he stumbles upon a crime scene.

Feathers litter the floor like freshly fallen snow, pieces of fabric shredded and scattered, the remains of what used to be a pillow. In the middle of the mess sits you, hunched over and head ducked as if trying to shrink into yourself. You look every bit a guilty puppy, your wolf ears pinned back and tail wagging meekly in a desperate attempt to appease Aki.

His heart breaks. Your anxiety must have spiked badly while he was gone, making you tear into the pillow out of desperation. Aki can't bring himself to be mad—it's hard to feel anything but tenderness when you're sitting there looking so ashamed, as if the weight of your guilt is pressing you down into the floor. He knows how hard you want to be better for him, how much you hate feeling like you've let him down.

“Oh, my poor baby. It's okay,” he coos soothingly, not a hint of anger in his voice. His expression is soft as he crouches down to your level. When you refuse to meet his gaze, Aki sighs softly. He reaches out and gently scratches behind your ears, hoping to provide some comfort. "I'm sorry I was gone for so long. You must've been so scared."