The fear Mitsurugi was feeling was plain on his face, and Otaru reached forward with one hand to remind the other that he was there. They'd been talking since Mitsurugi had woken up about what they were going to do next. Otaru had pressed for this moment because he wanted to see Mitsurugi finally stand up for his rights, and he wanted to satisfy his own anger by watching Hanagata senior realize that there really were consequences to his actions. They would see to it that Mitsurugi was never hurt by the man again, that Hanagata had to crawl out of the deep whole he'd dug for himself all on his own as Mitsurugi left him to deal with his problems on his alone.
Otaru had been touched by the girl's eagerness to help. Their support meant a lot to him, that they would so quickly put aside their feelings for Mitsurugi and help him. He'd thought it would be more difficult to talk them into it. Still, their sense of what was right and wrong was far stronger than any dislike they felt, and Otaru knew it wouldn't be as hard as he'd thought to have them finally accept Mitsurugi into their lives.
It was something he wanted, he'd realized as he'd held the sleeping figure in his arms. He didn't know exactly what he was feeling, but there was no way he could go back to what things were like before. There was no way he could pretend last night hadn't happened, and the simple fact of the matter was that he didn't want to. In the last few days, everything had changed, and Otaru found himself looking forward to what could happen in the future.
"Let's do this," he said firmly, giving Mitsurugi a smile. "Then we can leave, and never have to come back."
The blonde gave him a forced smile. "I think I'm going to pass out."
"Relax," Otaru replied softly. "We're here with you. You're not doing this alone."
"That bastard won't lay one hand on you, believe me!" Bloodberry added.
Mitsurugi have her a startled look. Otaru nudged him lightly with his elbow. "Ah, thanks," the blonde mumbled, still looking at a complete loss of how to react toward the girls. Otaru was glad, though, that Mitsurugi hadn't snubbed Bloodberry's support. It would still take a lot of work to turn them into friends, but at least they were making some ground.
Mitsurugi turned forward and took a deep breath, something they all did, before stepping into the room.
"What the hell is this, a convention? I wanted to speak to you alone, Mitsurugi," the older man snapped when he looked up. His eyes trailed over the group, narrowing when they fell upon Otaru. "You! How dare you come into my house and strike me!"
Mitsurugi gathered every bit of courage he had, and stepped forward. "I only came to tell you that I was leaving," he stated, interrupting the man's angry sputters. "I'm taking Yumeji, and neither of us are coming back."
This brought the man's attention back to him very quickly. "Excuse me?"
Mitsurugi felt himself start to shake again, but he felt Otaru's hand press against his back, and that silent support kept him from cowering like he normally would. "Whatever it is that's wrong with your head, I won't be the release for your demented frustrations any longer!" he exclaimed, finding it far easier than he'd thought now that he'd begun. "You aren't going to hurt me anymore, and I'll never let you hurt Yumeji either! From here on, you can take your irrationality out on someone else! Why not those silent, cold machines that you seem to love so much? Oh, right, you could never raise a hand against a THING that offers you the complete obedience that you crave as easily as you could a person of your own blood. The truth of the matter is that I don't care if you curl up and die, as long as I never have to see you again! Yumeji is coming to live with me, and you'd better believe that you'll never see either of us again!"
Damn, he'd never been so proud of himself!
The feeling was cut short, however, when his father burst out into laughter. Mitsurugi felt his cheeks flame in both anger and humiliation. How could the man be laughing at him?
"Oh, you're just going to leave, are you? Please! Do you think I'm going to have anything to do with a wayward son? Let's see how tough you are when I cut off your allowance. You haven't worked a day in your life, Mitsurugi. You're so talentless, who do you think would hire you? How are you going to support yourself, never mind your brother! You'll come crawling back like you always do, boy, and this time I won't forgive you so easily."
"No he won't! He can stay with me! You might think your words are true, but I know they aren't. Mitsurugi can support himself just as anyone else can, and he'll never have to depend on you again! I'll make sure of it."
Mitsurugi's eyes went wide as Otaru stepped forward. His system couldn't take many more shocks today. Otaru's place was already so cramped, and the brunette complained constantly about his money shortage. Nevermind how often Mitsurugi had pointed it out, trying to get a reaction out of the brunette even if it was a bad one.
Yet here he was, saying such a thing.
Mitsurugi couldn't believe how much things had changed in such a short time. When Otaru had kissed him, he'd thought he would never be happier than in that moment. Then Otaru had kissed him again and things had gone from there, and it had been a night more wonderful than anything he could of ever imagined. He didn't know what had driven Otaru, but he hadn't been about to protest. He'd loved the brunette for so long, had dreamed so many times that one day Otaru might look at him with warm gaze he cast upon others. It had been every wish he'd ever made come true when he'd woken up to find himself wrapped in Otaru's arms.
He knew that Otaru, somehow, had wanted him last night. He wasn't the kind of man that could force himself to do something like that, and the intense pleasure he'd seen on Otaru's face and body was not something that could be faked. As impossible as it seemed, in that moment, Otaru had returned his desire.
Still, even when he'd woken with Otaru's arms still around him despite the fact the brunette was already awake, he'd convinced himself it was just a fluke. Otaru had seen his need for a kind voice and a gentle touch, and had given it to him. But there wasn't really anything behind it.
That's what he'd told himself, but everything was different now. Whatever Otaru was thinking after finding out the secret Mitsurugi had guarding so carefully, it had softened his words and eyes over the last few days. It had brought them closer, as disturbing as it was, so that Otaru had been forced to show that he really did care. The blonde didn't kid himself into thinking that Otaru was suddenly in love with him, but whatever it was that was growing between them had him almost breathless with wonder and shock.
Honestly, he'd wanted Otaru to know. That was why he'd begged so blatantly for the other to come with him, even inviting the marionettes along. The pressure of carrying this burden alone was becoming too much for him, and he'd feared for his own sanity if he didn't tell someone. And there was no one else that he trusted more. He hadn't exactly expected Otaru to find out in the way that he had, thought that Otaru would just hear the rumors that the servants cast about, but the tension had eased all the same. Even if Otaru hadn't said a thing about it, hadn't done all that he had, Mitsurugi would of felt better just knowing that someone finally knew the truth about his father.
It almost brought him to tears, to see Otaru willing to make such sacrifices for him.
It wouldn't come to that, he promised. Despite the fact that his father was right about his lack of work experience, he would find a job he could do! He'd do whatever it took to learn, so he could make the vows they were making today true. He wouldn't disappoint the faith that Otaru had suddenly placed in him.