A/N: Thank you all for your patience. VoodooClown17... this is for you. You have truly been a light. This is the conclusion of Presenting.
Chapter 9
They had entered the home more than fifteen minutes ago. They stood in the doorway watching Tokoyami recklessly build a new structure. He had somehow obtained tools, and was hammering parts of the couch to the wall. He had, on more than one occasion, smacked his hand with the hammer. Tsu took a step forward, but Shoji's arm blocked her. "Wait," Shoji said.
"He's going to seriously hurt himself," Tsu said.
"Not until the nest is finished… and then it will only be out of disappointment from any dissatisfaction from you"
"Ribbit. No pressure."
Tsu crouched down to all four as she watched her alpha tear apart the couch while constructing a new nest. There was a lot of swearing. Tsu had never seen Tokoyami so angry. He was violent in every motion. He huffed and even growled at Dark Shadow. Both spirit and master were fuming.
She sniffed the air and made a sour face. She looked up at Shoji to see if he could smell it. The mask his all of Shoji's emotions. He did glance down at her. A tentacle mouth moved next to her face. "That's Tokoyami's distress. He isn't well. He is literally reeking of desperation."
An hour and a half later, Tokoyami let out a low growl. The "nest" was completed. In all honesty it was more like an incredibly well crafted pillow fort. Tokoyami took a step backwards, popping his knuckles as he squeezed his fists together.
Shoji gently nudged Tsu with a tentacle mouth. "Your move."
"Ribbit." Tsu stood up and walked towards the structure. What was she even supposed to do? She glanced at Tokoyami. His fists were clenched and his body was shaking. He was hunched over slightly even as his breathing quickened. She looked into his red eyes, and saw… a glint of nervousness.
Tsu looked back at the structure. She had to approve of this. She now understood her role. Tokoyami was a wound up ball of tension looking for approval. Finally it dawned upon her what was going to happen this entire week. She would have to let him know he was doing the right thing.
They didn't cover what happened to abandoned Alphas and Omegas in health class, but it was understood that it was psychologically damaging. Tokoyami didn't know that Tsu had gone to see his mother. Seeing his anger… seeing how she left him half way through his first rut… he must be extremely insecure.
Carefully, she sat down. Her eyes spread wide. It was surprisingly comfortable. She hummed, layed down and smiled. "I like it here. It's good."
A long exhale escaped Tokoyami's beak. He stood up straight, and relaxed his fists. Tsu smiled, then put her hand to her throat. There was a long, uncontrollable vibration coming from it. Her hum had activated. It was working as well. Her distressed alpha slowly walked over to the nest. He sat down beside Tsu, and hesitantly placed his head on her shoulder and closed his eyes.
Tsu glanced over to Shoji. He gave a thumbs up before sneaking into the kitchen with all the groceries. Tsu's chest continued to rumble as her alpha fully sank into her. Tsu stroked the top of his head. He was so tense, it was nice to see him unwind.
Shoji came back, dragging the flood light over to peer into the nest. Tokoyami growled. He glared at Shoji and tightened his grip around Tsu.
"I know you hate this, Tokoyami," Shoji said, "but I know too much. I want you to be safe."
Tokoyami sat up and growled again.
Shoji raised his hands and moved away. "I'm leaving. Tsu, if you need anything, call." Shoji left.
Tokoyami's growl didn't stop when the Beta left. He continued to glare at the light. Tsu felt Tokoyami's hands move to his side. She propped herself up ready to see him use his hand to lunge at the lamp, but instead he was gripping at the bottom of the nest, trying to sink himself deeper.
"He's trying to prevent himself from attacking the light," Tsu thought. Suddenly, her throat began to vibrate. It was a deep chested hum. It was loud and caught the attention of Tokoyam. His ear sinking straight against her chest. He closed his eyes, body almost instantly relaxing. It took only mere moments for him to fall asleep.
"The omega hum," Tsu whispered. She had only read about it, and didn't even realize how instinctual it was. When an Omega had found their soulmate, there was a deep instinctual humm that was able to keep the Alpha calm and at peace. It allowed for a less stressful environment during gestation. "I thought that only came out if an Omega was pregnant," Tsu whispered.
"Or if an Alpha is in great distress," The small voice of Dark Shadow whispered into Tsu's ear. The quirk was tiny, hiding in the shadows of Tsu's darkened hair.
"Dark Shadow? How are you out when Fumikage is not awake?" Tsu asked.
"That's how stressed Fumikage is. I can't be settled. It's like I'm being forced out."
Tsu reached out to pet the Shadows head. "I'm sorry."
"This is honestly way better than before. He would have destroyed half the house by now."
"Is he that afraid of being abandoned again?"
Dark Shadow nodded it's head. "When he gets upset I get upset. I'm sorry I'm not in more control either. He's not fully aware. It's like everything he sees is just fear. He is lost in a clouded state. Every time he pops in or our he's just afraid. I'm trying to guide."
I wonder if it's like how I was in my heat. Tsu thought. She curled closer to Tokoyami. "I'm here now, and I won't leave."
"You promise?"
"I promise." Tsu closed her eyes, and listening to the rhythm of her own humming, fell asleep.
There was nothing worse, than not being in control of his own instincts. Correct that, Tokoyami knew of one thing worse than not being in control; driving someone he loved away. He already did that with his mother. His behavior as an Alpha chased her away. So when he awoke to find the nest he had made empty, he more or less panicked.
Dark Shadow attacked the light before he could stop. Tokoyami was gripping the next he made and silently crying. Tsu was gone. He had scared off his own soul mate because he had no control over any of his emotions.
He was yelling now. He was pulling at things and throwing them this way and that. He couldn't hear if anything made it to the ground. Not that he could hear himself, but Tokoyami could hear Dark Shadow yelling in tandem. Suddenly a pair of arms were wrapped around his neck and a soft humm filled his ears. There was a sweet, calming smell. His omega pressed her glands against his neck.
"Omega!" Tokoyami cried. He wrapped his arms around Tsu so tight. He was weeping heavily. Such a strange sigh of relief.
"I'm sorry, Alpha. I went to the bathroom. I'm here still. I didn't leave you." Tsu pressed her glass against Alpha on his glands and continued to hum. She hummeed until Dark Shadow shrank and was pulled back inside of Tokoyami's chest. It took a few hours of just humming, but Tokoyami eventually fell asleep. Tsu then relaxed and closed her eyes as well.
"Damn it!" Bang!
Tsu's eyes snapped wide open. The room was bright and the son was out. Tokoyami was nowhere to be seen. However, the cursing from the kitchen seemed to match up.
"Fumikage?" Tsu called out. "Alpha?"
"Shit!" Tokoyami ran out of the kitchen. His clothes were covered in flour and egg. "Omega! I'm sorry!"
"You don't need to be sorry. I was just wondering where you were, ribbit."
"I was in the kitchen. I'm sorry I left you alone."
Tsu's heart sank. The panic that came from Tokoyami's voice was extremely out of character. He was no longer just anxious she would leave. He was down right terrified. "I am not going to leave you," She said.
Though it was hard to tell, there was a slight change in Tokoyami's posture. "May I continue cooking?"
Tsu was taken aback by the question. What a strange scenario? "Yes," she managed to stammer out.
Tokoyami nodded and raced back into the kitchen. More swearing came about. There was a light tinge of smoke filling the home.
"The smoke alarm will go off. I better open a window." Tsu saw the large window in the fron of the house. She walked over to it to unlatch and open it up.
click , click. Swoosh.
Suddenly, Tokoyami was standing in the hall. "Please don't leave."
"I'm not leaving. I'm opening the window. The food is burning. Take it off the stove."
It was as though a switch went on In Tokoyami's mind. He went and did exactly what Tsu said. Tsu had never seen an Alpha listen like that. Though, she was his soul mate. She pulled out her phone to text Shoji.
Tsu: Why is my Alpha so desperate for commands?
Shoji:Because he has been traumatized.
Tsu finched. She didn't expect such immediate response.
Tsu: But he is the Alpha
Shoji: Yes, but he is an Alpha who feels he has failed. He can be strong and commanding any other time. His rut… he isn't there yet.
Tsu: So I need to be an alpha for him?
Shoji: that's one way of describing it.
Tsu was truly starting to understand. He didn't just need his Omega to stay. He needed to hear from her the praise and reassurance he never got. His rut mind was so shattered he could not be the dominant one if he tried.
"I will have to do for him, as he did for me," she told herself.
She walked over to the kitchen and peered inside. It was a mess. It was clear that Tokoyami had tried to make several things at once. She watched as he and Dark Shadow moved about mixing together some multi-step breakfast. Tsu took a seat at the table and watched. \
When it was done Tokoymai had produced a traditional breakfast, It was steamed rice, miso soup, natto, yakizakana, tsukemono, nori, and kobachi. He spread the meal across the table. Definitely way more than what was needed for just here. He stood by the table awkwardly.
"Sit," Tsu instructed.
He did. He sat right next to her. Dark Shadow looked at Tsu before pulling back in.
Tsu was taken by surprise. He listened almost like she had. Was he that concerned? "This looks great, Fumikage."
"I hope it will suffice for you," Tokoyami said.
"This is more than enough for just me. You are eating too, right?"
Tokoyami's eyes went wide. "I- I- It wasn't…"
Tsu realized she had just started a panic for him. She needed to end his panic. "Go get two plates and utensils for both of us."
Tokoyami stood up. He gathered plates and utensils and brought them to the table. Tsu divided the food among the two plates. She knew what Tokoyami was waiting for. She needed to reassure him that what he made was fine. Tsu took the soup in her spoon, and some rice and fish on her chopsticks. She placed both in her mouth.
"It's really good, Alpha," Tsu said.
Tokoyami's entire demeanor changed and he adjusted himself in his seat to be more comfortable. He too began eating. The pair sat and ate. Tsu praised Tokoyami between almost every bite.
When Tsu finished her meal, Tokoyami immediately took her plate. He moved to the sink and began cleaning up. Tsu sat and watched for a little bit. There was a lot to clean. It made herself realize how sweaty she was.
"Fumikage, I'm going to take a shower."
"You're leaving me."
Tsu's heart sank. Fear emitted from Tokoyami's body. He dropped the dish he was cleaning on the floor, and his body began to shake. This was certainly not how any Alpha would normally behave. She would have to think. She would have to negotiate.
Fumikage's head was swimming. He remembered being in a nest, and then destroying it. He remembered cooking. He remembered Tsu being happy with his meal. But there were clouds of anxiety and lack of memory. That was what was most terrifying. When his memory and vision were gone, that usually meant he had messed up.
So Tokoyami was very surprised when he found himself sitting in a steaming bathroom facing away. He looked to the ground beside him and saw a pile of female clothes. Tsu's clothes. His face flushed. He was in the bathroom while Tsu was showering.
Dark Shadow snickered. "You get very clingy when you have your rut."
"What have I done," Tokoyami muttered.
"Are you alright, Fumikage? Ribbit." Tsu's voice from the shower came. She stuck her wet head out from the curtain, using the plastic cloth to shield her.
Tokoyami's beak turned bright red. "Tsu… I-"
"Oh good, you're more aware." She sighed a bit of relief. "I'm almost done. I realized that you didn't have any towels in here. Would you get me one?"
Tokoyami nodded. He stood up and walked out of the bathroom towards the linen closet. He pulled out an extra towel and walked back to the bathroom. Tsu had cut off the water. She stuck her hand back through the curtain. Tokoyami pressed the towel against her hand and she took it rapidly.
"Thank you."
"Should I wait outside you to change?" Tokoyami asked.
"If you are comfortable with that," Tsu said. "Otherwise we can just do what we did when I got in the shower."
Tokoyami rubbed the back of his neck. "I don't remember that."
"I knew you were out of it, ribbit," Tsu croaked.
"I'm going to step outside." Tokoyami gestured towards the door before opening it and closing it immediately.
Dark Shadow came out of Tokoyami's chest. "I think your rut is going down."
"It doesn't feel like it's been a long rut. How long has it been?" Tokoyami asked. "It doesn't make sense."
"Sure it does. You stay as protective as you can until you know that your omega is safe. Sure it is only day two. That's what the rut was for, protection."
"I still don't feel like I am myself," Tokoyami said with a sigh.
"Well, that's probably because you don't really have a normal, protective rut usually. You normally just brood and have freak outs for about a week about how useless we are."
"Are my fears really controlling my rut?"
Dark Shadow pulled out Tokoyami's phone. "Why don't you ask Shoji?" Tokoyami nodded and grabbed the phone.
Tokoyami: Do you think fears control my ruts?
Shoji: Tokoyami! Are you actually typing?
Tokoyami: Yes. I feel weird
Before Tokoyami could finish his text his phone was buzzing. It was Shoji. Tokoyami answered and placed the phone by his ear. "Hey."
"I'm shocked," Shoji said.
"I am as well."
"Is your rut over?"
"I'm not sure," Tokoyami admitted. "I still feel anxious. I'm not as mad though."
"Soulmates are something special," Shoji said. "I think you should give yourself a day or two to know for sure. I will start delivering you and Tsu your homework. That's something you can do besides practicing keeping your hands to yourself."
Tokoymai smirked. "You think you are funny?"
"I really do." Shoji sighed. "You sound good. You also sound happy."
"I am happy," Tokoyami said with a smile. He hung up the phone and walked towards the living room. Little did he know that Tsu had been listening to the entire conversation. She smiled. "I'm glad I made you happy."
A day passed. Shoji came by to bring missed work. Tokoyami and Tsu sat in the nest, snuggled together as they worked on their English assignment. Tsu took a deep breath through her nose. It smelled nice. Even Shoji commented on how the aroma of the house had changed to a much more flowery note. She felt her glands release, and thought popped into her head.
"You never asked to see it?"
"See what?" Tokoyami asked while looking at the papers.
"My marks. From where you claimed me."
A pencil fell to the floor. Tokoyami looked up to see Tsu staring at him. "I… ummm I never did."
Tsu giggled. "Why not? Ribbit."
"I guess nerves," Tokoyami admitted.
Dark Shadow emerged from his chest. "He thought you would leave so he wanted to think he wasn't as attached."
"Technically you left," Tsu pointed out.
"I was anxious."
"Are you anxious now?"
Tokotami smiled. "No."
Tsu pulled her hair to the side to show Tokoyami the mark he had made. Though he hesitated at first, Tokoyami looked down and gasped at the deep flesh wounds he had produced. He gently placed his fingers on the mark. "This will scar up nicely."
"It's impressive right?" Tsu asked.
Tokoyami nodded his head. He unwrapped his neck to reveal his glands. He placed his glands against the open wound.
Tsu smiled. It was such a wonderful feeling. Being marked was always going to be wonderful.
"Tsu," Tokoyami whispered. "I love you."
"I love you too, Fumikage."