host/heiress au
"host"!madara and heiress!hashi

idea from a friend, who also dreamed it and gave me permission to use her dream for this ficlet. thanks to that i finally paused karaokeing soyeon's k/da parts to finish this HAHA


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"what now?" hashirama lifted her lace veil to gaze at the glittering lamp above their heads, spelling paradise fall in silver. "do we just get in?"

her secretary led her to a dimly lit entrance. on its maroon walls were pictures of well dressed, handsome men. hashirama vaguely heard she handled their booking at the reception table as she observed the pictures. she gasped, faintly. behind the lace veil, her eyes widened in surprise.

on the picture labeled as 'adam' was a peculiar man. other pictures had their occupants smiling to the camera with inviting gestures. this man looked away, clearly bored, yet bore a dangerous aura. his picture was positioned closest to the inner entrance, with a golden number one embossed on its frame.

this club was still in the same town with her office and residence...

"hashirama-san, have you picked your host? i've picked mine."

"i want him." hashirama jabbed her finger on the frame.

her secretary approached, lowering her voice. "but he's... he's the most popular..."

"is he occupied at the moment?" she asked without turning around, loud enough for the welcoming staff to hear.

"no, ma'am, adam is free tonight." the staff smiled. "he's a man of mysterious past, dangerous, if i must say. our patrons love his wild aura."

"it is settled." she beamed at her secretary, who went paler as if they went to a casino instead of a club. "why? this is your idea, isn't it?" she chuckled at her.


.

honestly, hashirama wondered why even after twenty seven time failed omiai her secretary still slid her invitations to such gatherings. many men there were either lacking social skills or looking for younger bride for their third marriages. the fact that hashirama was the vp of senju zaibatsu didn't help; it attracted moochers instead. she had long surrendered the prospect of finding love, not when so many were after her money, but her being here perhaps could replace its experience momentarily.

most importantly, without strings attached. or, at least that's what hashirama believed until she entered the establishment.

the booth they booked were enough to seat eight people, but there were only three of them; hashirama, her secretary, and her chosen host. he's a cheerful, sweet type, and from their conversation it's clear he considered her a regular. hashirama sipped her champagne while waiting for her company.

"my, uh, friend here... it's her first visit."

"ohh," the host's eyes went round. "i heard you picked adam. interesting choice!"

"not as interesting as you!"

"i'll just say he has a different kind of charm..."

a hand descended from behind her, taking her champagne flute. a warm presence stood behind hashirama, and she could hear a gulp and two. the hand returned an empty glass.

"a veiled guest?" a low, half growling voice asked, "how nice. exactly the kind i like."

hashirama glanced upwards, this time holding her veil so it'd stay in place.

she froze. years might had passed but his wasn't the face she easily forget. she recognized him despite his hair hiding half of his face.

it's him. it's someone she thought had disappeared off the earth, yet here he was, in a club within a short taxi ride from her office! his name, the one she knew and held oh so dearly that she whispered to no one but various private detectives she sent to hunt his whereabouts, nearly tumbled down her lips, and thankfully it manifested into no more than a gasp.

it's madara.

adam-madara threw a black jacket on the booth nonchalantly before sitting beside her, staring straight to hashirama's hidden eyes. "don't be afraid, you're safe in my hands."

hashirama's laughter exploded. she nearly doubled over from the laugh, and her eyes were wet with tears. "i'm sorry, really really sorry, i just..." she giggled. "i met so many men who promised me safety, and yet... they ended up running from me." of course they ran because clearly hashirama wasn't their ideal wife material, but she wouldn't reveal it for now.

"i-it's not because she's mean to them, it's the other way!" her secretary piped in, again trying to save the situation.

"i see." madara poured drink to the glass he took earlier from her. "i take it you've seen your fair share of the worst of men."

"exactly." hashirama took the drink, finishing it in a gulp. "don't waste your sweet words on me."

"oh, sage," the secretary whimpered.

"pardon me, i'm used to deal with younger guests looking for the thrill of brushing with danger." madara smirked. "what should i call you?"

hashirama smiled back. "i think you'll make do without having to say my name tonight."

"bold of you to assume i'd stay here the whole night." he raised his chin. "i'm highly wanted."

"of course. i forgot." she clapped once. "i have to purchase something first, right?" hashirama pulled the menu tab, showing glittering bottles sorted according to their tier level. gold tier seemed to be the most expensive.

"i can stay longer for a bottle of gold," madara said, his body was warmer closer.

she glanced at him. his red shirt was partially unbuttoned, showing his muscular chest and a dark necklace; its pendant hidden behind the buttons. "with the way you dress yourself? you sure know how to make luxury shirt looked cheap."

"if you have eyes for refined things, then why do you keep looking at my chest?"

"i can recognize a gem despite being caked with dirt."

"so you're interested to unearth this gem."

hashirama's reply slid down her throat as she realized how close her face was to his smirking one. madara's eyebrows slowly raised, his eyes widening...

was he... no way...

before he could voice his thoughts, she scrolled the menu tab further, hitting the most expensive bottle without even glancing. a loud chime rang across the entire club.

the other host screamed, "ahh! you bought the elixir!"

"she what-?"

"elixir...?" hashirama read its description. whoever bought it earned the right to spend three nights with their chosen host alone, and discounted access to various games in the club.

"h-how much...?" her secretary snatched the tab from her to read the menu. she started hiccuping right away.

"i was mistaken to underestimate you," madara said, turning towards hashirama, "shall we start?"