Hey guys, still alive.
Replies To Reviews:
Ax1kaiser: I feel the love, appreciate it. Sorry for the looong wait, and to think I had most of this chapter done… screw me lol. I know right! Aya has totally come a long way—I'm glad u noticed too. I'm slowly bringing their relationship to 'equals' status but I never get rid of the huge age gap. Hahaha that reaction. Yes, I know …it MAY be a little uncharacteristic of Aya to say that…but then again we don't truly know the extent to how endearing Aya can be (since he always so stern/reserved). I like the idea of foreign words, like something from the 7-ghost language. But sorry, I don't know their fancy words and in terms of any other worldly language—I know multiple so I find it very difficult to pick from one o.o Hopefully it doesn't sound totally off right? I figured since Aya has a royal background, it'd be okay… Btw, I was thinking "beloved" initially, I'm curious-how does that sound? Thanks as always for the review!
Disclaimer in first chap
Chapter 37:
The three finished their bath and left the pool, in robes, to the adjacent changing room. Kokuyou had his butler outfit neatly folded in one of the cubicles and without warning removed his robes. Shuri caught sight of this and instantly gazed away with a guilty blush.
"I'm going to leave first. I must get the dinner service started. See you two."
"See you!" Mikage cheered while Shuri remained silent. As soon as the elder left, MIkage shot the other a piercing gaze. "You like my brother, don't you?"
The other blond flinched. "W-what nonsense are you spouting?"
"But it's true right? It's so obvious you keep demanding his attention. Haha you totally have a crush on him!" Mikage grinned ear to ear.
Shuri's face steamed a bright red as he smacked a palm on the other's mouth. "Okay! Say it don't spray it man! Geez. And what're you gonna do—I swear if you tell him—"
"Relax I won't~ It's not my place, but...if you don't tell him, do you think he'll figure it out? I mean Kokuyou-nii is smart but sometimes his focus is one directional. He's never cared about things like that."
Shuri sulked. "Hmph, like I didn't figure that out already. I've been watching him for years now. He hasn't changed at all."
Mikage was surprised to hear that newfound knowledge. "Is that...how you were able to give me advice about my problems that time..." The other teen averted his eyes once again, feeling bashful. It looks like all this time this kid just wanted attention. It explained why he bullied Teito so much to get Mikage's attention. If not that, he'd nag and constantly command Kokuyou. "Your methods suck, you know that?"
"Shut up."
Day 2. Mikage groaned as he woke up to his alarm early in the morning. He intentionally woke up around the same time he imagined Ayanami getting out of bed for his morning routine. Before the teen's eyes were fully open, he hoisted his phone and dialed his lover.
On the other hand, Ayanami had slept on the sofa in Mikage's work room. He frowned as he sat up with a sore back. When was the last time he slept so uncomfortably on a sofa? It took the silverette a moment to realize his phone was buzzing on the coffee table. His expression loosened when he saw the caller ID: Mikage.
'Right, Mikage wasn't at home.' "Mikage-kun." Ayanami answered with a low tone.
"Ah, Ayanami-san—yawn—morning~" The blond forced himself up. "How are you?"
"As well as one could be after a night on the couch."
The blond automatically didn't like the sound of that and felt himself more awake. "Why did you sleep on the sofa? Uh…sorry, it's my fault isn't it..."
"No, it's alright." Ayanami stroked his hair back. "I just didn't feel comfortable on the bed without you—it's my problem. How did you sleep?"
"Uh, I slept okay, I'm in my room. Sure feels weird sleeping here after such a long time. It's cool."
"That's good to hear. When did you sleep last night?"
"Hm…I think it was around…midnight? I mean Kohaku and Rinka came over to my room, so we lost track of time."
"I see. How is your brother coming along?"
"I think he's willing to accept us. I'm confident."
"Well today is just the second day. Enjoy it while you can."
"Haha, you make it sound like I forced you to agree to this." The teen couldn't resist a chuckle. They chatted for a bit longer before Ayanami had to rise up, take a shower and start preparing for work. Mikage understood and threw his head back on the pillow. It was still too early to get out of bed.
Hyuuga had his arms wrapped around Konatsu, tightly. "Hyuuga-san, let go~, what if someone walks in—this is Ayanami-sama's office!"
"So? He's not here now, is he?"
The next thing they knew the door swung open and in walked Ayanami himself. The two separated in a split second in fear of their boss, before he could even look them in the eye. Ayanami presented them with some papers that required filing.
"That's all for this afternoon." Ayanami stated, sitting back in his chair and crossing his arms. "So quit flirting and get to work."
"Uh…" the blond inevitably blushed. How was he going to show himself in front of Ayanami-sama now? He thought as he walked towards the door.
"Aw, Aya-tan is just sour that he can't hold his blond like this." The brunette teased and earned a murderous glare from the chief almost instantly. "What paperwork were we talking about again? Better get to it!" He put up a front and dashed out the room with his begleiter.
"How revolting." Especially the fact that it was the truth. That he indeed couldn't hold his lover right this moment. The silverette exuded a heavy sigh and glanced at the closest clock on the wall. 'How much longer before Mikage called him?'
When he realized it had only been fifteen minutes since his last call with Mikage ended… he pinched the bridge of his nose. 'This was driving him into new limits of his patience.'
"Kokuyou over here," Shuri summoned. "Which one do you think would make a better sword? This or—"
"Shuri-sama, whichever you yield will be the better one." The head butler responded without sparing a glance towards the swords Shuri was holding up. As soon as he answered, he passed Shuri a gentle smile and set the entrees on the table.
"But—"
"Uh hey, Shuri can you come with me for a sec?" Mikage happened to be watching from afar and decided to pull Shuri out of the dining room where the maids were busy.
"What? Of course, I can't—can't you see I'm busy?"
"Right, yeah." The teen still gripped him by the elbow and dragged him away.
"Stop interfering!" Shuri yanked himself away as they stood in the living room.
"You're just getting in his way."
"No, I wasn't. He's been busy all morning preparing for another meeting. I was just getting his mind off for a bit."
"Wow you really are terrible at this." Mikage huffed. "Instead of getting in his way and making his job even harder why don't you try this…" The blond motioned for the other's ear.
Kokuyou surveyed the trays of food. 'Perfect, all the dishes were set. This was an important meeting after all.'
Shuri peeked his head in the kitchen once everything was all set in the dining room. Mikage's brother finally noticed his blond head pop in and immediately expected another distraction. However, the elder was speechless when instead, the teen silently walked in with a glass of juice. "…For you. Um, you should take a break once in a while…"
Kokuyou was at a loss of words at the gesture as he slowly took the glass off the silver tray. Eventually, he did what he did best, and smiled. That was his asset as a butler, after all. Albeit, this one was much more sincere and gratifying and Shuri saw that—setting his heart off its rhythm. "Thank you Shuri-sama, I appreciate it."
This time, Shuri was the one whose system was in shock as he awkwardly nodded and retreated. 'Hah…That smile...it was so worth it...' He walked away on autopilot.
Mikage was right outside the kitchen and caught hold of his sleeve. "Well? How was it?"
Shuri stared at him for a good minute before confessing. "...teach me, sensei."
The other blond laughed without holding back. "Hahaha you're not bad when you're honest."
"Shut up."
"Mika-nii!" The two heard a younger voice called out and found Kohaku waving at them.
Day 3. Much to Ayanami's demise, he finished his work earlier than anticipated. He was hoping he could stay in the office until midnight at least, and then he could go straight to Mikage. Today had marked the third day, and today he was personally going to fetch his blond. Ayanami arrived at his manor early enough to eat as well as get dressed into a simple buttoned up shirt. He read the time to be 11 PM. He had yet one full hour before the hand struck twelve.
Therefore, he decided to make a trip to the bakery instead and welcome the teen back with a box of his favorite luxurious desserts. The younger always adored the rich sweets. Placing them in the passenger seat, he drove towards the Oak Mansion.
Mikage was chilling on the bed in Shuri's room with a comic book until he noticed a text on his phone.
Ayanami-san: I'm on my way to pick you up. Get your stuff ready.
"Eh?! What?" He startled Shuri with his shocked cry. The teen frantically began typing back, mind not processing the text. However, his hands froze when he heard a familiar honk outside.
"No way..." Mikage ushered. 'It couldn't be…was Ayanami seriously outside?'
"Who could it be at this time?" Shuri wondered out loud while the other blond hoped off the bed, wore his slippers and walked out the gates in a single T-shirt. He immediately noticed his lover standing outside the car, with a beige coat topped over his thin shirt.
"There he is." Ayanami smiled right at him, like he hadn't seen his favorite person for ages.
"Ayanami-san...what are you doing here?" Mikage approached the elder with a face of bewilderment. The silverette whipped off his blazer and swung it around, stealing a quick kiss from the other's lips as it landed on the teen's shoulders.
"The weather's getting colder, dress properly Mikage."
"Hn." Mikage shyly nodded, averting his eyes.
"Where's your stuff?"
"Huh? Ah, I didn't pack yet…are you really here to pick me up?" Ayanami crossed his arms in response to that and the blond was beginning to fear a sarcastic response that would soon leave his lips. "I mean—it's so late, I didn't know you were picking me up today. It'll take a while for me to pack…"
"I'm waiting."
'Urk.' Not the answer the teen was hoping for. 'Was it too much to leave in the morning?'
"Ayanami-sama? It's a pleasure to have you again. What brings you here this late in the night?" A familiar voice from behind saved him.
"Hn? Mikage's brother. Don't mind me, I'm here to pick him up." The silverette flatly stated.
"I see…but don't you agree it's quite late, I'm sure you've inconvenienced yourself plenty already. And Mikage also has yet pack his things. Why don't you stay the night and depart in the morning?"
'Thanks bro!' The blond teen internally cheered.
The chief frowned. "I'm amazed to hear this coming from you."
Kokuyou cleared his throat. "I apologize for my prior behavior, but I think you will agree that I was concerned for Mikage's well-being. As I know Ayanami-sama feels the same, so we have a common ambition—in which case we have no reason to argue with each other. I do hope you will continue to look after Mikage whole heartedly."
To Mikage's surprise, Ayanami was compliant and hadn't added a single word of interruption. 'Wow, his bro was amazing. Kokuyou was actually getting to him.'
"I'm glad you finally understand. However, I still see no reason to stay over." The silverette let out at last. The younger blond's shoulders dropped.
'Once his mind is made up…' The blond had to think fast if he wanted the elder to stay. The teen shuddered at the cue of a cold night breeze and that's when an idea struck him. "A-choo!" Both elders glanced at Mikage. "Sorry…I guess it's kinda cold out here…can we go inside for a bit?"
"Of course." Kokuyou urgently replied. The younger blond glanced at Ayanami for confirmation, who also nodded his head.
"Let's go inside." The elder concurred as he gripped the other's shoulders and pulled him closer.
"Shall I make some hot chocolate?" His elder brother offered as they entered the mansion. Mikage gave a swift nod. 'Anything to buy time.' "And for you, Ayanami-sama?"
"Sure…" The silverette had no idea why he agreed. They sat in the living room space and Mikage began to pull off his lover's blazer. "Keep it on."
"Are you sure? Okay…" the two sat in silence, not sure of what to say or what to bring up. Talking on the phone every hour didn't leave much room for anything else to say, so it seemed. But Ayanami didn't need words. He gently placed his large hand over the blond's. Mikage's stomach curled in on itself at that gesture. Aside from that, he loved the other's hands. They were so large, rigid and so securing. The teen shifted slightly closer to his lover as Ayanami locked his fingers in between the spaces of his knuckles. Everything seemed to move in slow motion, as time also dragged on.
"Hot chocolates." Kokuyou entered the area much like a waiter bringing their meal. He set the mugs on the table and Mikage attempted to pull his hand out on reflex. Except, Ayanami didn't budge, causing the teen to look at him. "It's alright Mikage." Kokuyou saw his dilemma. "I suppose this is Ayanami-sama's way of saying that I have to get used to this whether I like it or not. And I'm fine with that. As long as Ayanami-sama can assure me that you will protect and cherish Mikage, no matter what the circumstances." He now turned his speech towards the sileverette.
"It's already done. There's no need for you to tell me." Ayanami's gaze pierced directly into the brother's eyes. Kokuyou stared back and believed him, for now.
"He's under your care then, I hope you continue to look after him. And, allow him to come home every now and then." Ayanami inevitably made a sour face to that last part.
"Thanks Kokuyou-nii." Mikage smiled. "Hn, by the way, why are there three mugs here? Are you drinking as well?"
"No, this one is for Shuri-sama. I'm about to take this to his room." With that the elder blond half bowed and exited the room.
"Should we take this to my room too?" The teen held his cup eagerly.
"Who said we're staying?"
"Ayanami-san…" The blond pouted. "We can't…?"
"No."
"Please…" Mikage begged. "Please…?"
"I would appreciate a restful sleep for a change, Mikage-kun." He could notice Mikage's features surrendering. "Unless you plan to provide extra service here, that I should consider otherwise."
The younger lit up again. "Okay! I'll do anything! Does that mean you're staying?" He gripped his cup tightly.
"We're staying." The elder corrected. "Finish this first and head up?" The blonded nodded in response and began sipping away happily.
The endeavors Ayanami had to go through for his beloved…
To Be Continued…