Nerves assailed Akihito. His fingers dug into Ryuichi's arm as Ai opened the garden doors. Sunlight dreamed inside, blinding eyes far too long used to the darkness of the indoors. Akihito's heart danced erratically as Ryuichi lead him outside for the first time in his sixteen years of life. Hope, one of Akihito's sisters, followed close behind with a packed picnic lunch for the two of them.
Ryuichi stepped out onto the stone path, Akihito beside him. Akihito blinked silver purple eyes. He took in a deep breath, smelling the water from the fountains. The dirt and greenery. A soft breeze ruffled his pined up hair. Ryuichi took a few steps towards the garden. Akihito clung tightly to him, but never once did his steps faltered.
Akihito ran his fingers over everything. Enjoying the different textures and comparing them to one another. He rambled excitedly to Ryuichi. Describing everything to the Alpha. Ryuichi listened attentively to every word Akihito spoke. He had never enjoyed a garden tour before.
Reaching the center of the garden, Akihito and Ryuichi gazed up at the statue of the Goddess Omiya and her true mate, the God Dio. A gentle smile settled upon Akihito's lips. He reached up and placed a hand against Omiya's face. The stone was not cold like Akihito had thought it would be. Instead it was warm, as if alive. Suddenly,Omiya's face shifted in Akihito's hand. Startling the youngling.
Seeing the statue's reaction to Akihito, Ryuichi smiled. "She favors you. It is a rare gift to be favored by the Parental Race. Especially Our Goddess Omiya. It is even more rare now, after the war. She holds great anger inside her. The anger only a mother could feel."
Ryuichi touched Dio, and blue spark flared up from the statue. Ryuichi laughed. "Okay you old man."
Akihito raised a shocked brow at Ryuichi's casual tone and words with the statue of Dio. "He says that you are very lovely Akihito. Tod me that I should watch myself, or I could find myself losing you to him." Ryuichi laughed deeply again.
"My grandpoppy, thinks he is very funny."
"Grandpoppy?!"
"Yes. The Asami family our the direct descendants of Our God Dio's tears. Which did not stop him from sleeping with my great grandmother and fathering my grandfather. George Asami, former Duke of Dio."
"Oh wow!" Akihito was nothing short of amazed. "And to think you would take time to pay attention to someone as lowly as me."
"Akihito! Never speak of yourself in such a manner ever again. You are not a lowly person. You are a child of the Parental Race the same as I. You are as worthy of my time as any person with a title."
~ Dio & Omiya ~
Akihito paced by the front door of his home. He was racked by nerves as he awaited Ryuichi's arrival. For the past two weeks, Ryuichi had visited him nightly. Sometimes they enjoyed the evening meal together. They would spend the night simply talking. Ryuichi often told him tales of his childhood and his deeds of mischief. Akihito learned that Ryuichi's father had been killed when Ryuichi was not but a small boy. He had been sailing the seas, seeking adventure - what he told anyone who asked. In reality, he was seeking those who remained loyal to the Parental Race and fighting against those who sought to had turned traitor. He had been caught and murdered.
His mother still lived, but spent most of her time caring for Ryuichi's grandfather. She was fond of the old Alpha and they often amused themselves with little parties at the Asami estate. Ryuichi was an only child just like Akihito. When they were not talking, they made love. Twice a week, Ryuichi would take Akihito out for a stroll through the garden. Tonight, however, was to be different. Ryuichi wished to take him out on a date. Outside of Akihito's home as well as off of it.
Akihito did not know where they were to go. Ryuichi wished to keep it all a secret. The Duke sure did enjoy surprising Akihito with things. He continued to send the Roses of Dio to Akihito daily. While every new week that came, Ryuichi had a new piece of jewelry to give Akihito. All this attention and gifts made Akihito feel special and just a bit spoiled.
A new hour struck and Akihito jumped. Having been lost in thought, he was startled by the grandfather clock striking the hour. A knock came and Hope rushed to answer the door. Ryuichi greeted the woman with warm words. When he spotted Akihito however, he lost sight of all else. Akihito was dressed in a black silk evening gown. The pearl necklace Ryuichi had given him at his neck. A matching bracelet upon his wrist. Akihito's hair was sectioned into two braids that were settled over one shoulder and nearly reached the floor. Black powder was smudged around his eyes, making his silver purple eyes pop with even more color. His cheeks were dusted with pink glitter and his lips were painted a bright red. Roses of Dio were threaded through his braids. He was absolutely stunning. Ryuichi was sure his heart skipped a few beats.
He approached Akihito and pulled him into a tight hug. Pressing his lips carefully to Akihito's so as not to disturb the lip coloring. "I am going to be the envy of everyone tonight once they lay eyes upon you my sweet boy."
Ryuichi settled Akihito's cloak about his shoulders. Hope opened the door and Ryuichi was escorting Akihito fro the house. Akihito drew up short at the sight of the huge black horses that led the carriage. Akihito had never seen horses before. Let alone beings so huge! Ryuichi wrapped his arm around Akihito's waist and led him to the horses. He placed one hand upon a horse and began to pet it. Akihito watched him for a moment before following Ryuichi's lead. Akihito was surprised by how soft the great beasts were. The horse he petted turned his head and nuzzled Akihito's face with his own. Akihito was in love.
~ Horses ~
Ryuichi stepped free of the carriage, turning to help Akihito out as well. The young, magicless Beta's eyes were huge as they gazed at the brightly lit building before them. "Akihito, welcome to Mushu Theater. Pangea's greatest performances are held here. This theater has stood for over three thousand years. It has withstood both wars and has housed many who lost their own homes."
Mushu Theater stood six stories high. Made from a red brick found only in the Chinese provinces of Pangea. Beautiful, hand carved dragons guarded the building in varying shades of colors and hues. Inside, beautiful tapestries hung. Depicting more dragons, the Parental race and even the wars. Tall golden arches separated each room. Matching pillars stood in designated places, keeping the theater standing tall and strong. Many people milled about. Talking to one another. Drinking or simply taking in the tapestries.
People began to gather and head into the area where that evening's performance was to be held. Ryuichi led Akihito away from the mass of people. Escorting him up a flight of private stairs instead. The stairs emptied out onto a private balcony owned by the Asami family. Akihito helped Akihito into a seat before claiming his own.
Tonight's performance was a ballet depicting the origins of all life on the planet they called home. It was lovely and brought tears to Akihito's eyes. He enjoyed every millisecond of it. As for Ryuichi, he could not keep his eyes away from his companion. He had seen this particular ballet before and knew Akihito would enjoy it. Seeing Akihito react to the ballet was like watching it for the first time himself.
After the ballet came to an end, Ryuichi escorted Akihito to the small restaurant located inside the theater. They ate tiny sandwiches and sipped spiced rum. Akihito was delighted by the mound of chocolate cake with chocolate ice cream on top, he was served for a dessert. Ryuichi took the bite Akihito offered, but cringed at its taste. He was not one for sweets. His reaction had Akihito in hysterics and set the boy to teasing Ryuichi for the rest of their evening.
~ Love ~
Ryuichi contained to take Akihito out on these dates. Each one was lovely and fun. Akihito experiencing these mundane things for the first time, made everything more interesting and new to Ryuichi. As time passed, it became apparent that Ryuichi was in love with his little Akihito. Ai and Akihito's sisters were happy for Akihito, though the boy insisted that the Duke was not in love with him.
As Akihito stepped down out of the carriage, he was surprised to see a lovely little cottage standing before him. He looked up at Ryuichi in question. The Duke smiled.
"Akihito, I would like to welcome you home. If you will have it."
Ryuichi scooped Akihito up into his arms and carried him over the cottage's threshold. He set him down once inside. Akihito took in the space before him. It was a lovely cottage. Obviously built with love and master craftsmanship. Akihito turned to Ryuichi.
"You bought me a house?"
"Yes Akihito. If you will have it, I would like for you and I to live here together."
