A/N: Just a note - I'm not specifically ignoring my other fics, it's just that these chapters are short and easy to write so it makes it easier for me right now with my lack of writing time ^^

The first few days had flown by. Everything had been so new and overwhelming that Akihito couldn't keep track of the time at all. He got a crash course on riding the trains, both above and below ground, as they toured through the vast city each day. Akihito had picked up some comfortable clothing and shoes and new electronics. Each day the three of them would take public transport to their intended destination before being chauffeured home. It was a nice compromise. The omega got to take the scenic route and learn more about the city and how to be independent. Now they wouldn't have to deal with the rush hour on the way home when they were tired.

It definitely spoke in Asami's favour that he wasn't trying to force Akihito to be driven everywhere, even though that had been the original plan. The alpha had offered but hadn't pressed the issue after Akihito declined. To be fair, the omega had wanted to get himself to and from everywhere but after an entire day out; he had been dead on his feet. So when one of Asami's men politely offered a ride home, he gladly took it. The same thing happened each day and so they came to an unspoken compromise. He supposed that technically meant the alpha was still doing what he wanted, but he was polite enough about it that Akihito wasn't about to push it.

Living with the alpha was interesting. The businessman had been home at night during the first few days and it had been a little awkward. Akihito wasn't exactly the most graceful of omegas and the alpha's gaze was a little too intense. Asami seemed to spend a lot of time watching him and as such, the omega frequently stumbled over his words and own feet. Thankfully, the alpha soon went back to his usual routine of night-time work. This left the omega by himself during the evenings. Initially it was nice, he was used to being by himself and it gave him time to de-stress after big days.

But after a week Takato and Kou had to go back to work. He had been silly to forget that they had lives outside of him and their easy friendship. They messaged him regularly and Asami encouraged him to take a short course that interested him but he couldn't settle on anything. He tried to go out through the city by himself but he found that without someone there to distract him, the number of people pressed in on him. It was so vast and daunting, masses of people and a confusing warren of streets. Not even being with his provided chaperon stopped the tendrils of depression from grasping him.

It was early morning a week and a half after he had first arrived. Most of the food he had been eating was purchased from takeout stalls or at restaurants but he decided to do something a little different today. Asami's kitchen was like something out of a show room, pretty, functional, but oddly barren. He had the most amazing set of pots and pans yet lacked any condiments at all. Akihito went to make breakfast one morning and discovered that the only thing in the alpha's fridge was alcohol and an amusingly large selection of different sized ice cubes. There was nothing at all in the cupboards.

A few days ago, he went out with his new friends to raid the supermarket for everything he would need to start cooking again. For all that he only knew how to make traditional Japanese food, he enjoyed cooking. It was something distracting but also rewarding, a combination few other activities could boast. So he was going to make a nice nutritious breakfast for himself and Asami to enjoy. It was also partly in thanks to the alpha for looking after him; he allowed him to buy new clothes, a phone, laptop, and even load up the apartment after a very expensive supermarket shopping spree.

His only problem was that his dragon side thought that cooking for the alpha was an excellent idea. For all the wrong reasons. Yes, we must cook for him, show the alpha that we can look after him in turn. He has provided for us, we must provide for him in return to make sure that he stays healthy and strong. She bounced around his skull in her enthusiasm. We will show off our excellent skills and impress the alpha. He will never wish to let us go if we always feed him a good breakfast.

Akihito sighed as he dressed slowly. As long as the alpha liked the meal, he supposed that was fine. His dragon huffed at him in disappointment. We can't just jump into being mates with a stranger, he admonished her. It'll take more than throwing some money at us to make him a worthy alpha. Still, he couldn't help being a little nervous. It was the first time he was wearing some of the clothing that he had brought here. He purchased it with his head held high and not caring what anyone thought, Asami seemed more than rich enough to spring for some decent clothes. But now that he was wearing them, he was acutely aware how different these clothes were to what he had previously been allowed to wear. Akihito rebelled against most of the clothing his father tried to force him into. But even his rebelliousness had not extended so far as ripped jeans and layered jewellery.

Glancing into the mirror, Akihito glanced over himself. He looked good if he did say so himself but that didn't lessen his nerves. His dragon crooned gently at him and mentally pushed herself up against him. We will bite him if he tries to make us change. She bared her teeth in a predatory smile and Akihito couldn't help the little giggle that bubbled from his lips. That's right. We'll kick his ass if he's a dick.

Both agreed, the omega made his way into the kitchen. The master bedroom was far down the other end of the apartment so he shouldn't hear anything. The rooms seemed pretty soundproof anyway; he had yet to hear the alpha come home late at night. He put some music on his phone, set to a low volume just in case, and set about whipping up a mouth-watering feast. Akihito hadn't been exposed to much music until he discovered how to listen to it through the internet recently but was continually stumbling across a new favourite song. Especially now that he had unfettered access to a music streaming service. It also gave him something to do the past few days once he realised that he didn't really want to explore on his own just yet. If he could fly, he would have been out there every day until night but the crush of people on the ground made him too anxious.

The omega quickly lost himself in the familiar rhythm of cooking a full Japanese breakfast and was soon gleefully dancing around the flashy kitchen. It was probably the most relaxed he had been while awake since he had arrived. Unfortunately, it all came crashing down when he turned to find an amused looking Asami leaning against the door frame, observing him.

"Hi," Akihito said, a little too high pitched. The omega groaned internally and his dragon snickered before raking their eyes over the alpha's robed form. The robe was parted enough to show off his neck and collarbone and his dragon started to salivate. Mortified at being caught dancing and now ogling the alpha, Akihito spun around to try to continue cooking. He flailed as he tried to salvage the food that had just started to burn because he was too distracted by a little skin.

We want to look at the alpha some more, she whined in his head. We must finish quickly before he can dress. Perhaps we can see more if we please him with our delicious food?

Oh my god, Akihito cringed, no more. This is ridiculous. He's not going to strip for us just because we fed him. He nearly groaned out loud when his inner beast perked up at the idea. No. Just no. We do not even want him to do such a thing.

Yes we do. She pouted as she tried to take control enough to take another peek at the alpha. Akihito was mentally unbalanced enough that she easily took over and he discovered the alpha still watching him in amusement. He must be red down to his toes at this point, he was that embarrassed.

"Good morning," Asami said huskily, and it sent small shivers down the omega's spine. "You seemed to be enjoying yourself, please don't stop on my account." He chuckled at Akihito's mumbled reply but made no move to leave him alone to finish cooking. If anything, the alpha seemed to be watching Akihito a little too intently. "Are those the clothes that you brought the other day?" The omega froze before nodding, not taking his eyes off the stovetop. Asami hummed, a low rumble in the back of his throat that sounded more beast than human. "You look good." He raised an eyebrow at Akihito's surprised expression as he swung around to face the alpha. "Did you expect me to say something else?"

Akihito fumbled for something to say but truthfully, he had been waiting for some kind of alpha possessiveness to come out and admonish him about showing too much skin. He avoided the question by plating up all the food and was surprised when Asami stepped forward to help him. It was just the simple task of helping to set the table but the omega was still taken aback. He was used to alpha's lording their status over him and making him do all the 'housewife' chores by himself. They always treated such things as being below them. As if.

"Just because I'm an omega and I cooked you breakfast doesn't mean that I'll play housewife for you, got it?" He snarled at the alpha, his inner beast surfacing as she mirrored his snarl. Asami looked surprised and made no move to pick up his chopsticks as Akihito set about eating his fill.

"There's nothing wrong with an omega being independent and doing things for themselves any more than there is being omega who wants to be a housewife." Akihito looked at the alpha in surprise. "Is this something to do with the clothes as well? You didn't bring many with you and those that you did are almost all formal. You actually seem relaxed today for the first time since arriving. The only other things you appeared comfortable in were those old jeans and t-shirt you wore on the first day." He paused while he searched Akihito's face. "Just because you're old clan thought one way doesn't mean everyone does. You are free to be whoever you choose here, I will not force you into anything."

Akihito continued to eat to buy himself some time to answer. "Does this mean that I can get a job?" He spoke quietly, suddenly afraid that Asami was just saying that. He wanted to be his own person, he wanted to earn his own keep and not be some pretty, pampered omegan housewife popping out babies like his father wanted.

"There are certain considerations to take into account but otherwise you are welcome to do as you wish. That includes getting a job."

"What kind of considerations?" Akihito held his breath, surely it's too good to be true. The alpha was no doubt going to list a bunch of unrealistic criteria. Just listen, his dragon admonished, we trust him. The alpha is ours, he will not hold us back. He will give us the room to show our strength, the space to chase us down and claim us.

"I understand you did a lot of your education through correspondence but you haven't officially completed high school nor completed a degree so that locks a lot of doors. It must also be somewhere safe, no dangerous jobs, and one that will take your heats into consideration. There are equal opportunity laws in place to help omegas with employment but many places still dislike losing an employee for two days every three months."

"Oh, that's not the same for me," Akihito said absently as he tried to curb his mounting excitement. "I'm only once every sixth months. Although it's for a week, so maybe that will be a problem." He hummed to himself in thought, ignoring the alpha who had gone very still. Truthfully, he would be happy working in a convenience store as long as it pays him. All he wants to do is be able to buy clothing or food without being worried about if it's okay because it's someone else's money. Perhaps he should check with some of the local stores today and see if they needed anyone.

"Akihito." Something in the alpha's tone of voice dragged his head around to peer at him curiously. "How did you handle your heats in the past?"

That was a very personal question. The omega flushed and looked away, chewing on his lip. Asami seemed almost angry, his eyes flashing and his jaw clenched. He is angry, but it doesn't seem to be with us. His dragon stated, her head titled to the side in thought. We must answer him, soothe him. There is much that we don't know yet, perhaps we have done something wrong accidentally.

"I stayed in my room until it passed. I had a lock on my door so I could keep everyone out just in case." The silence stretched out uncomfortably.

"What about food and water?"

"Well, my room had a bathroom attached so I could refill my water bottle but otherwise I was never hungry. Even afterwards, its days before I get my appetite back." Asami's gaze shuttered and Akihito squirmed uncomfortably in his seat. Somehow his words made the alpha even more upset, but he didn't understand why. "So…" He trailed off awkwardly before continuing. "I can still get a job, right?"

The alpha's face softened slightly. "Of course. Just make sure it's something safe. I'll get a bank account set up for your use, one separate to anything of mine or your families." He paused before adding, "Thank you for breakfast, Akihito."

Akihito grinned, relieved that Asami was still treating him normally even though he was still clearly upset.

"You're welcome." His inner beast puffed up in pride at the sincerity of the thanks.

Now, it was time to go job hunting.