Chapter Text
Kiyoomi kept his hands neatly folded in his lap and stared out the tall window of the drawing room. The ticking of the grandfather clock in the corner synced with the quiet tapping of his mother’s foot on the ornate carpet. Her mouth was pulled into a tight line, an expression that wasn’t unfamiliar to Kiyoomi at this point. This was a scenario they had been through countless times, and he was glad that this may very well be the last time he’d have to sit in this oppressive silence, accompanied by his mother’s silent rage.
Finally, this exhausting ordeal of courting could be coming to an end. He had been subjected to these tedious meetings for three years now since presenting at the age of 18. Kiyoomi knew he was a bit of a late bloomer, but when it turned out that he was an Omega, he thanked God for it. If he had presented any earlier it would’ve meant having to start the annoying process of entertaining suitors even sooner.
At the time, his parents seemed overjoyed. Their first born had been a beautiful Alpha girl, and their second a handsome and mild mannered Beta boy – then came Kiyoomi, their last born; a darling and precious Omega. With a child of each subgender, the Sakusas were certain that they had fortune smiling upon them.
Kiyoomi’s sister made her debut into society not long after her own presentation, as was common practice. With the Sakusa family name behind her, her stunning looks and manners, as well as her status as a well poised Alpha, she had her pick of any high society Omega or Beta she wanted. Eventually, she had found an Omega woman that struck her fancy and, before Kiyoomi had even reached the age of 10, his older sister had married and produced a child with her wife.
His brother, being a Beta, had a little more wiggle room. Seeing as he never presented, he was allowed to go on a tour when he reached of age, traveling around the continents and sending letters back to their family every few months. He’d share tales of his travels and the people he’d met, lingering especially long in one particular letter on an Alpha woman he had been pursuing in Italy. After almost two years of periodic letters describing her beauty, confidence, and the playful back and forth with him and his advances, Kiyoomi’s brother showed up on the doorstep of their family estate with said woman in tow, begging for their family’s blessing. They were wed the very next month as Kiyoomi was just entering his teens.
Having both of his siblings out of the house by the time he was entering adolescence allowed Kiyoomi to do almost anything he pleased with few restrictions. He followed various pursuits, such as horseback riding, painting, piano, as well as scholarly activities. He had spent a copious amount of time in his family’s library, taking entire days to hole himself up with a book and freshly brewed tea. Besides the times when his cousin would pay him a visit between his own studies, Kiyoomi spent the good half of his growing up to himself, indulging in whatever struck his interest. His main socializing would be the balls and parties his parents would drag him out to against his will, and even then he’d keep to the wall, only dancing when absolutely necessary. He hadn’t made many friends, but that was fine. He could do without that.
However, his lack of socializing left him woefully unprepared when he was suddenly forced to do so almost constantly after his presentation. His announcement as an Omega in society caused a stir, and the day after his celebratory party, he hastily found himself suffocating in the drawing room, inundated with suitors vying for the hand of the beautiful and youngest Sakusa son.
Kiyoomi wasn’t necessarily turned off by the idea of marriage – it was something he knew to expect when he got older, and his parents and siblings seemed perfectly content with theirs. So he didn’t dismiss it, and while the formalities of the courting process were annoying, he earnestly tried to give the suitors he thought might be worth his time an honest chance. But that didn’t mean that he would just idly talk about the weather and their mutual hobbies with them. No, Kiyoomi wouldn't just marry someone because they carried pleasant conversation, so he would waste no time questioning his suitors whenever they called upon him to make sure they met his standards. Kiyoomi didn’t think it outlandish to ask things like the frequency of their bathing habits, or their plans for their mutual future, or their socioeconomic opinions. These were all important things that needed to be aired out up front. He couldn’t understand why so many wanted to beat around the bush when their main objective was to marry Kiyoomi in the first place.
Apparently that was “abrasive” and “lacking tact” and was “unbecoming of an Omega” – whatever that meant. He was an educated man of high society from a good family, so why would he let his second gender dictate how he acted? He wasn’t a different person now that he had presented, but suddenly he was being held to a new set of rules that Kiyoomi hadn’t been trained in, unlike table manners and etiquette. It was said that his personality was “off-putting” and not at all how an Omega of his standing should act – or at least that was what one particularly rude suitor had told him just before leaving and not ever calling again.
And while he couldn’t initially go more than a day without someone calling upon him, his callers started to dwindle, hardly anyone ever asking for a second meeting. Word had spread amongst the high society circles that the mighty Sakusas had a prickly, ill-mannered Omega – too sharp-tongued and stubborn to be married. It didn’t bother Kiyoomi personally having people think of him as such—after all, he knew he wasn’t in the wrong. There wasn’t any reason he should play into Omega stereotypes just so he could get married—but the whispers had done a number on his family reputation, reducing the powerful and respectable Sakusa family to a laughing stock. Such a well-bred family struggling to marry off their son? Who would have ever thought! So while Kiyoomi would have been at peace with the lack of callers, it didn’t bode well for his family and his future.
His mother, a proud Alpha woman, was absolutely mortified at the reputation Kiyoomi had garnered for himself. For him to stay home and unmarried for too long would only bring further shame upon his family. Thus, she had taken it upon herself to arrange meetings with the sons of several families over the course of the last year in a desperate attempt to get one to stick. Unfortunately, despite Kiyoomi’s best efforts to seem “approachable”, they all fell through. The last potential suitor had left without so much as a farewell, and when the door to the drawing room closed behind him, Kiyoomi’s mother gave him a stern look. “Perhaps it may be time to consider the monastery for you.” That was when Kiyoomi knew he really was in trouble.
With the threat of being sent away to pursue a life of piety, Kiyoomi knew he had to take this last meeting seriously. It had been an extremely difficult task for his mother to find a bachelor even willing to meet with Kiyoomi at that point, since his reputation had already preceded him. But she managed this one, and now the two of them waited for Kiyoomi’s caller and potential savior to arrive and decide his fate.
Atsumu Miya; an upstart from a family of traders that had only recently come into their fortune. The Miyas did not hold the same pedigree as the Sakusas nor any of their cohorts – they were New Money, complete strangers to the tight-knit circle that was the Old Money of high society. It was with gritted teeth that Kiyoomi’s mother announced their meeting arrangement. It must’ve been a blow to her pride to have to resort to a man not from a well-established family, having exhausted all other options. This was truly their last chance.
Despite trying to remain calm, Kiyoomi found the sound of his mother’s tapping foot to be increasingly deafening. She seemed even more anxious than he was, her dark eyes boring holes into the door, waiting for it to open. Kiyoomi instead tried to focus on the scenery outside the window, studying the lush greens of their estate gardens and grimley wondered if they’d have anything similar at the monastery.
Then, a soft rap at the mahogany door pulled him to attention. His mother stood up quickly, nudging Kiyoomi to do the same with the point of her shoe into his heel. While she wore perfumed oils to cover her natural scent like most in high society , her excitement allowed the smell of elderberry to slip though just a bit. “Come in,” she called, voice strong and commanding.
The door creaked open and their head butler bowed his head in respect. “Mister Atsumu Miya has arrived, my lady,” he said, voice slightly muffled by the handkerchief he held to his nose and mouth. Certainly peculiar, but neither Kiyoomi nor his mother mentioned it as she beckoned for Mister Miya to be sent in. The butler stepped to the side to allow their guest to enter the drawing room, and all at once Kiyoomi was nearly floored by the overwhelming scent of cinnamon throwing him off balance. It was smokey, heady, and way, way, way too much.
It made him dizzy, but even more-so it made his stomach swim and turn in a way Kiyoomi was unfamiliar with. His chest burned, tightened, and twisted, causing Kiyoomi to clench at his lapel. All of his senses seemed to be on high alert, overstimulated to a point where, for a moment, Kiyoomi felt he might faint. But he stayed steadfast, remaining on his feet no matter how lightheaded he was and how his knees wished to buckle. Then, the source of the assaulting scent strode into the room, grin tight and wide, brown eyes lidded and sultry. A tall man, all confidence and pride. His suit was well-fitted and his dark hair pushed back, allowing a view of his handsome face. He bowed his head and when he came back up, locked those eyes right onto Kiyoomi, freezing him in his spot, making the hairs on the back of his head stand on end. “Pleased to make yer’ acquaintance, Madam Sakusa,” he said to Kiyoomi’s mother without tearing his gaze away from the Omega. He shivered.
Kiyoomi’s mother frowned and brought a gloved hand to her face. “My word, reel in that scent of yours, will you? I know you are not of an…honored upbringing, but surely you must realize you are being very rude. Do you not know of perfume?”
His laugh sounded good-humored but had a certain twinge of insincerity. “My apologies, Madam. But as an Alpha yourself, you must understand how hard it can be to control yourself sometimes, especially when faced with something so…” his eyes raked over Kiyoomi. First down and then slowly back up. “Enticing.”
While Kiyoomi’s own throat had gone dry, his mother simply scoffed and rolled her eyes. “Do not compare yourself and I. Our subgender is all we share.” She motioned with the flick of her hand to send the butler out, probably to fetch some tea and hopefully some perfume.
Atsumu hummed, unbothered by Madam Sakusa’s pointed comments. “Oh, but I think we share something else too. We’re both interested in the well-being and future of yer son, aren’t we? Is that not why we’re here?” The smug tone in his voice was unmistakable, and having realized that she was on the verge of ruining her own desperate attempt at getting Kiyoomi matched, the female Alpha frowned one last time and refocused on the task at hand.
“Of course…” She laid her hand gently on Kiyoomi’s upper arm, motioning him forward. “This is my youngest son, Kiyoomi.” Her grip on his arm tightened. “Kiyoomi, say hello.”
Again, those piercing eyes were on him, sending all of Kiyoomi’s body and brain into high alert. Was it just the intensity of his scent throwing his hormones into a frenzy? This wasn’t the first time Kiyoomi had been confronted with an Alpha, but the Alpha suitors he had met up to this point were much more mild and polite with their scent, careful not to offend any of the Sakusas' sensibilities. Atsumu, on the other hand, seemed to revel in the fact that he was dousing the room in his scent. The proud look on his face seemed to say as much. Inconsiderate – just the kind of thing Kiyoomi hated.
Were this to have occurred early on in his courting life, he would’ve turned the merchant away right then and there, but the nails digging into his bicep reminded him that he could no longer afford that luxury. With how dizzy he was and wobbly his legs still were, it wasn’t as if he could manage more than a few shaky words, anyway. Careful not to breathe too deeply, Kiyoomi opened his mouth. “It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mister Miya.” The words came out quiet, nowhere near as confident or pointed as Kiyoomi would have liked. How embarrassing, but it was all he could manage. At the very least, Kiyoomi never broke eye contact with him. He needed to maintain some semblance of dignity.
“A pleasure indeed…” Atsumu drawled, giving the black haired man another once-over, smiling wide. “The tales of your loveliness were not exaggerated.”
It was something he heard from most of his suitors. Kiyoomi knew that he was blessed with good genes, as the Sakusa family was renowned for producing beauties. It was what brought him so many callers in the first place. They would shower him in compliments about his fair skin, his silky hair, and doe-like eyes. Yet their praises would only extend to his exterior qualities. Atsumu’s words weren’t anything he had not heard before, so Kiyoomi couldn't believe it when his heartbeat sped up at the flattery. Something in him preened, and he bit the inside of his mouth to quell the sensation. Feeling heat creep up his neck to his face, Kiyoomi finally yielded and turned his gaze away. So much for his dignity.
Satisfied with Kiyoomi’s reaction, Atsumu chuckled and finally turned his attention back to Madam Sakusa. “Thank you again for arranging this meeting, Madam Sakusa. He truly is stunning. You must be proud.”
The woman’s brow furrowed, clearly unsure how to interpret the comment. She had no doubt picked up on Atsumu’s somewhat dubious character, so she nodded carefully. “Well then, please take a seat.” She watched him with the eyes of a hawk, her hand still sitting protectively on Kiyoomi’s arm as the three of them sat down in their seats, Atsumu across the low table from them. A servant wheeled in the tea cart. She poured the three of them their drinks in silence, gently placing the cups and a bottle of perfume on the table before excusing herself. “Do you care for Earl Gray?” The Alpha matriarch asked, clearly unwilling to trust Kiyoomi with opening up the small talk. That was what scared most callers off, anyway.
Completely ignoring the bottle of perfume, Atsumu picked up the cup and saucer, eyeing the delicate porcelain with feigned interest. “It’s not especially to my tastes, but does Young Master Kiyoomi here favor it?”
“He does, yes,” she answered for her son.
The merchant gave a wry smile. “I’d like to hear that from his lips, if I may?” Again, Kiyoomi found himself being pinned as the center of attention. “Do you enjoy Earl Gray, Young Master Kiyoomi? Or do you prefer a different tea?”
It was a simple question, unassuming, so why did Kiyoomi feel like he was being preyed upon? He hesitated to answer, on the account of both being uncomfortable and disliking such idle small-talk, but his mother nudged him, demanding. “I do. I enjoy Darjeeling as well. Green is favorable too,” he answered bluntly.
This seemed to make Atsumu perk up. “Is that so? It so happens that we just started importin’ teas from India. There’s been a big demand, you see. It’s ta’ be expected since it’s favored by high class palates such as yours. Perhaps I could bring you some?” Kiyoomi resisted the urge to roll his eyes. If he felt like he could get into his good graces by discussing teas, then this was definitely not going to work out. Kiyoomi would much rather discuss Atsumu’s upbringing and what kind of household would yield an heir so lacking in decorum. Everyone had to be out of their minds to think Kiyoomi was in any way rude when Atsumu Miya existed.
“No thank you, I would rather you not.” The look his mother shot him with was nothing short of a glare, but she had to understand Kiyoomi wasn’t going to be won over with gifts. He was already doing his absolute best not to run out of the room.
The young Alpha didn’t seem offended, however. Atsumu simply kept his smile and clicked his tongue. “My apologies, I didn’t mean for that ta’ come off as a bribe. You don’t seem the type to want to be showered in favors – I like that.” He took a sip of his tea, despite not caring for it. The scrunch of his nose afterwards indicated that he wasn’t lying about that at least. “Tell me Young Master, what exactly DO you like? From what I see, I think our conversation may be a little more fruitful if we were to pick a topic that actually interests you. Tell me about yer’self.”
Kiyoomi took pause and glanced at his mother from the corner of his eye. She looked apprehensive to let Kiyoomi pick the conversation topic like Atsumu had asked in fear of repeating his past mistakes, but nonetheless she nodded, trusting her son would behave this time. Kiyoomi began slowly, “I enjoy my solitude. I like to spend my time reading. Lately I’ve been interested in science, specifically biology.” It was an honest answer, but much more reserved than he’d usually be.
“Oh, is that so?” For some reason there was a hint of a laugh in the man’s voice and Kiyoomi’s eyes narrowed.
“What’s so funny?”
Atsumu shook his head. “Nothing, Young Master. I was just just tickled by the coincidence. I myself am VERY interested in biology as well.”
The omega’s brows rose, incredulous. Was he mocking him? There was no way someone like him was the academic sort. It may very well be he was saying that to try and get into Kiyoomi’s favor. Or even worse, he was completely turned off and he was saying it to be polite. Either way, it was infuriating. Kiyoomi bristled, both glad that his scented perfume was covering the souring of his scent, and angry that Atsumu wouldn’t be able to feel the full extent of his ire.
Never before had someone riled him up so badly in such a short time. There was something about the Alpha that threw Kiyoomi off-kilter from the moment he stepped into the room. The overwhelming cinnamon scent was one thing, but combined with his smarmy personality, it was too much.
Before Kiyoomi could lash out and ruin his last chance completely, there was a knock on the door. He swallowed the insult that was on the tip of his tongue and clumped back against the back of the couch. Madam Sakusa let out a sigh—somehow one of both annoyance and relief—and called to the door. “You may enter.”
The head butler from earlier entered and bowed once more. He was noticeably sporting a face mask upon his return. “Pardon the intrusion, Madam. The Master is requesting your presence urgently.”
The Alpha woman scoffed. “Tell my husband that I am busy. He should know Kiyoomi has a caller.” Kiyoomi let out a puff of air from his nose. His father had no doubt already given up on Kiyoomi ever finding a husband. It was highly likely he just didn’t care that Atsumu was here and thought he’d end up leaving like all the others. Kiyoomi really couldn’t blame him.
The butler eyed Atsumu, who was quietly busying himself with the bottle of perfume, but making no effort to open or apply it. With a sigh he continued, “The Master is well aware Young Master Kiyoomi has a caller, but he said—and I quote— ‘This is of the utmost importance, perhaps life or death. Please send my wife here by any means necessary.’ ”
Kiyoomi’s mother raised her hackles at the request, clenching her fists into tight balls on the lap of her dress. “That man, I swear–! If this is one of his silly little requests again I am going to–!” She cut her own sentence off with a low growl. Suddenly, she whipped her head around to face Atsumu. “My apologies Mister Miya, we may have to cut this meeting short. Or if you like we can arrange a tour of the estate while I am occupied.”
There was a beat of silence, Atsumu setting the unopened bottle back on the table. He hummed, long and low while leaning back casually into his seat, clasping his hands over his crossed knees. “I’d much prefer to stay and keep speaking with the Young Master if you’ll allow it.”
All the eyes in the room widened and focused on him. Was he suggesting he and Kiyoomi be left ALONE on the first meeting? Besides being wildly inappropriate, the statement set alarms off in Kiyoomi’s head. Something in his gut told him he could not, should not, be left alone with Atsumu Miya. Again he became acutely aware of the strong Alpha scent wafting off of his caller and he gave his mother a wide-eyed look. She took stock of her son and looked back at Atsumu with narrow eyes. “Perhaps that may not be wise, Mister Miya. My son is quite shy, you see. Besides, I do not think it appropriate to leave him in the presence of an Alpha on the first meeting.” She held back from being too clipping, clearly stuck between scolding him and trying to make this meeting work somehow.
“Shy? Maybe in your presence. Something tells me the Young Master may blossom while not under the scrutiny of his mother.” His head tilted to the side, almost innocently and he grinned wide and fox-like at Kiyoomi. “Maybe that’s why all your other suitors never truly got to know you, hm?”
Once again Kiyoomi found himself pinned by that honey-colored gaze. His breath felt short and labored. Words would not come to him, not even a retort to the accusation. Perhaps it was because deep down he knew it to hold a semblance of truth. Kiyoomi felt that his suitors were much too impatient and never took the time to get to know or understand him. And his ever domineering mother certainly didn't make for a comforting presence. Between Kiyoomi’s own pointed questioning of them and her Alpha posturing, perhaps Kiyoomi’s failure to be wed has been a joint effort…
Stuck by the backhanded statement, Madam Sakusa gritted her teeth and turned to her son for a response. “Is this true? What say you, Kiyoomi? Do you think it would be beneficial if you were alone with Mister Miya?” She asked almost rhetorically, certain her son’s response would agree with her own thoughts on the matter.
Kiyoomi still found himself fighting to pull words from his throat, despite everything telling him to grab her arm and keep her there at all costs, his needy father be damned. But he knew he was stuck, and images of monk robes flashed by in his mind. No, he couldn't mess this up yet. So slowly, shakily, Kiyoomi nodded, his mother’s lips drawing downwards at the same time Atsumu’s own pulled even higher.
“Well then.” Her voice barely contained her displeasure and she stood up from her seat. “I will not be long. 5 minutes at the most.”
“That’s all the time we need, Madam.” Atsumu said, proud.
Her back was straight as she made her way to the door. Before exiting, she stopped beside the butler and glanced over her shoulder at Kiyoomi, her mouth in a tight line. “Wait outside this door until I return.”
“Yes, Madam,” The butler replied, and he followed her out the door, closing it with a loud and final boom.
After a few seconds, the sound of her heels faded down the hallway and the two men were left alone in their own piercing silence. Or what Kiyoomi assumed was silence, since the only thing he could hear was the beating of his heart in his chest and the rush of blood in his ears. Atsumu didn’t say a word, only leaning forward in his seat and folding his hands to rest his chin upon them. Kiyoomi avoided his stare, trying to steel his nerves to no avail. He could feel those eyes studying him, racking over his frame slowly, intently. Horrifyingly, it seemed like the Alpha’s scent managed to intensify, setting the entirety of Kiyoomi’s body on fire. Before he could quell it a soft whine bubbled up to his throat, earning a laugh from the man across from him.
“I was wondering when you’d crack. People were right, you are a prickly one.”
Mortified by his own pathetic sound, Kiyoomi covered his mouth, still refusing to look at Atsumu. “Did you wish to get me alone to insult me freely, or did you actually wish to attempt pleasant conversation?”
“Oh, trust me, I intend to have a real pleasant conversation with ya, don't you worry yer’ pretty little head.” Kiyoomi could hear him shifting back into his seat, arms slinging over the back. “Dont’cha want to hear what people on the street are sayin’ about ya’? I think you’d find it really interesting.”
Kiyoomi scoffed. “I’d rather not.”
Completely ignoring his answer, Atsumu carried on. “Well you’re the talk of the town, I’ll tell you that. The gorgeous Sakusa son who can’t bag a mate because he never learned how to bow his neck and bite his tongue. A blunt and callous Omega who’s too far up his own ass to learn when to stamp down his pride.”
The crass words finally caused Kiyoomi to whip his head towards the offender. “Wha-!”
Atsumu took another long sip out of his cup, bringing it down to the saucer with a loud clunk. “Ah, yeah this tea is real shit. Maybe this is what scared all those suitors off,” he said, nonchalant. “But nah, your personality is just as bad. No hoity-toity Alpha or beta would waste their time marrying a shut-in bookworm Omega with a nasty tongue like yer’s. Lucky for you I like challenges.”
Kiyoomi couldn’t believe his ears. The nerve of this man! He clenched his teeth. “So you only see me as a challenge to be conquered?”
“Well yes! But I don’t take on challenges without good reward, and let me tell ya darlin’, I’m a bit surprised you managed to fumble so many men with a handsome dowry like yours, hoo-wee!”
And a gold digger to boot. Had his mother done no vetting before arranging this meeting? She really must have been desperate, because surely someone as awful as this shouldn’t make the cut. But if what Atsumu said was true, then maybe he really was the only man that would step forward to try and court Kiyoomi. His cheeks turned red in humiliation at the thought of his reputation being even worse off than he had thought.
Then, without warning, Atsumu rose from his seat. Kiyoomi startled and watched as Atsumu slowly strode around the table separating them and sat himself down beside the young aristocrat, much too close for comfort or any sort of propriety. All of Kiyoomi’s hairs were standing on end. With the man this close, his scent was as strong as ever, and Kiyoomi’s vision went blurry for a second, forcing him to back up and steady himself against the armrest. As he inched away, Atsumu followed with the tilt of his torso, leaning in.
Kiyoomi closed his eyes, shaking with the overstimulation of it all. “I should have you thrown out. I could scream.” The threat was weak, and Atsumu knew it, judging from the way he chuckled.
“Okay sure, as long as you have another guy willing to marry you lined up. Oh wait, you don’t. Ah, though I hear the 80-year-old widower down the way does favor pretty young Omegas such as yourself, you could try him!” Kiyoomi cracked his eyes open and raised his hand in an attempt to slap him, but the strike was easily avoided and his wrist was caught. Though his hand was gloved, Kiyoomi could still feel the digits burning against his skin like a brand. He wanted to struggle and break free- after all, he wasn’t frail. But it was as if the strength had left his body and he closed his eyes again, shivering at the feeling of warm breath on his cheek.
“But man, those rumors were right, you are a vision. I’m glad you messed up so badly, otherwise I would’ve never had my chance with a beauty like ya’.” His voice lowered, turning into a sultry tenor. “I’m gonna have fun training ya.”
“Training…?” Kiyoomi repeated, a full sentence impossible for him.
“Yes, training, Kiyoomi. I figured since yer problem is that you don’t know how to act like a proper Omega, I could take it upon myself to teach ya’. Show you how yer’ supposed to act around yer’ Alpha…”
His view still dark, Kiyoomi could only gasp when he felt gloved fingers gently brush from the underside of his ear, across his jaw, and then to his chin, grasping it between a thumb and forefinger. “Look at me.”
The way the words were spoken triggered something within the black haired man, and he felt compelled to comply no matter what. He needed to look at Atsumu. Finally, he opened his eyes and was met with those golden orbs only inches away now. The look on Atsumu’s face was nothing short of jubilant. “Now THAT’S a good Omega.”
Kiyoomi should be mortified. He was being mocked, made a fool of, manhandled and humiliated. This man who was but a stranger mere minutes ago had him panting and nearly spread out on the settee. But the more primal and base part of him practically buzzed at the praise. Another pathetic whine left his throat.
And then, as suddenly as he was upon him, Atsumu removed himself and leaned back, peering down at Kiyoomi who was almost completely horizontal on the upholstery. Confused and dazed, Kiyoomi could only watch as Atsumu silently brought himself back to the other side of the table and sat back down with crossed legs, just as he had been before they had been left alone. He raised a thick brow. “Oh, don’t look so disappointed. I know I’m not the most upstanding guy, but even I know not to touch too much on the first date.”
Kiyoomi blinked at him, shocked to speechlessness. How crude, how crass, how-! “Young Master, you may want to sit up and make yourself proper. I think someone’s comin’ back.” Like a splash of cold water, the statement brough Kiyoomi back to attention. In the distance he could hear a familiar sound of footsteps rapidly approaching in the hall. He shot up immediately, frantically patting at himself in a desperate attempt to look presentable. He only hoped to god that the flush on his face wasn’t nearly as bad as it felt.
The door flew open and Madam Sakusa reentered the room shaking her head. “I apologize for the delay, it was indeed an urgent matter.” She stopped next to the table, sharp eyes flashing between the two men, scrutinizing them with well-contained worry. “I take it you two got along?”
Kiyoomi opened his mouth to speak but Atsumu beat him to it. With a dazzling smile he replied, “Splendidly, Madam Sakusa. Words cannot begin to describe just how taken I am with your son.”
Clearly skeptical, the woman glazed at her son to gauge his reaction, but Kiyoomi was still in a state of disbelief, unsure of what to even say. “Is that so?” She had heard such words from many suitors, every time insincere.
“Very, VERY much so.” He smirked at Kiyoomi and shiver shot up his spine. “Well then, I think it would be best if I took my leave now. Young Master Kiyoomi looks positively faint. Delicate constitution of the Omegas and all that, yes?”
Having thought they had blown their last chance at keeping her son from the monastic life, Kiyoomi’s mother stepped towards Atsumu in panic as he made his way towards the door. “Leaving so soon, Mister Miya? I apologize for whatever my son may have said to you while I was away, but I assure you, he is a very well-mannered boy once you spend more time with him.”
Atsumu paused with his hand on the doorknob and watched the woman wring her hands. “And I intend to do so. I was hoping to call on him again, If i may. Perhaps next week?”
Her eyes went wide, eyebrows shooting towards her hairline. “You wish to meet with him again? Truly?”
“Truly, truly!”
Her skirt twirled around her at the speed in which she turned to face her son. “Isn’t that wonderful, Kiyoomi? Mister Miya here wishes to call upon you once more!”
Even with his vision still a bit blurry, Kiyoomi could make out the grins on his mother’s and Atsumu’s faces. One of pure joy and the other much more dubious. He had to speak, tell his mother that he was ready to give his all to serving god and that no force in heaven or hell could make him spend another second with that man. However, Atsumu Miya was a force of nature it seemed, neither of heaven nor hell, and thus Kiyoomi bit the inside of his cheek. “I look forward to seeing you again, Mister Miya.”
Black eyes met gold more last time before Atsumu opened the door. “As do I, Young Master. Afterall, we have a lot to learn.”