Chapter Text
The fresh air whirling through the cherry blossoms, that were in full bloom at this time of the year. The midday sun sending bright light onto the ground and shrouding the earth in comfortable warmth. The birds chirping their little songs to disrupt the silence. Everything just seemed so peaceful as if nothing could disturb the harmony currently having settled down over Seijoh.
That were the thoughts, that ran through Oikawa Tooru’s head as he sat under one of the cherry blossom trees in his family’s garden and enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere, while humming softly to himself as he ran his fingers through his long, chestnut coloured locks.
‘Arf. Arf.’
He was drawn out of his wandering thoughts when the small body of an overexcited dog jumped into his view together with quite a few chickens in advance, that were being chased by the orange furred animal. Tooru couldn’t suppress the soft laughter escaping his lips as he watched the little chase happening right in front of his eyes.
“Careful, Chibi-chan! We don’t want the situation from last time to repeat itself, right?”
This perked the dog’s interest and it looked up to stare at the Omega for a moment, before folding back its ears as the memories seemed to replay of its eye getting injured by one of the chicken’s peaks. But the moment one of the birds ran in front of its snout, it was right back to chasing with excited barks.
“Haha. Doesn’t seem like Hinata learned from last time.”
A giggle left Tooru’s lips as a new voice joined the ruckus and with a turn of his head he looked into the face of his brother, Akihiko, who settled down beside him.
“No. He really didn’t learn. Hopefully nothing happens.”
“Let’s just hope or he’ll get a scolding from Tobio again.”
“Don’t bring Tobio-chan into this, Nii-chan. You know he’s just very protective of him.”
“I know, I know.” His older brother laughed as he leaned back on his hands to enjoy the mid-spring sun. That was when the younger ones eyes fell on the Alpha’s clothes and he couldn’t help but notice, that it looked quite more elegant than his brother usually dressed.
“What’s with the fancy attire, Onii-chan? Did mom finally get you to dress as your status requires you to?” The Omega chuckled in mock amusement, because it was common knowledge, that Oikawa Akihiko was not really one to brag with his Alpha Status.
“Hm? Oh, this?” The brown haired male tugged on the collar of his Yukata, before he shrugged and returned into a more relaxed position. “No. I just already got dressed, while Yuna is getting Takeru ready and mother is getting afternoon brunch ready together with grandmother?”
The younger Oikawa brother was left to blink in utter confusion and looked rather lost as he tapped against his lips thoughtfully. “What for? It’s just us, right? So why the whole get up as if we wanted to impress someone?”
This time around it was Akihiko’s turn to look at the Omega in surprise. “You do remember, that it is today, that father is expecting a guest.” He stated matter of factly in a slow voice. “Right, Tooru?”
…
“What?!” Tooru was on his feet immediately as he looked at his older brother with widened eyes. “That was today? I thought that’s next week.”
“No. General Iwaizumi will be visiting us today.” Glancing upwards for a moment the Alpha hummed thoughtfully. “In fact, he should be here in about an hour. So you still have enough time to get…” But opening his eyes he noticed, that he already had been left alone. “...dressed.”
A sigh escaped his lips as he watched his little brother hurry into the house and he shook his head with a fond smile, when he felt a small pressure on his upper leg. It seemed like Hinata had finally given up on chasing the chickens and had decided to join Akihiko under the trees.
“Whatever am I going to do with him, Hinata?” The older of the Oikawa siblings asked the orange furred dog, who just tilted his head to the side with a clueless expression on his face. With a sigh Akihiko reached out to him and gently scratched Hinata behind his ear, which caused the animal’s tail to wag in delight. “You have no idea either, now, do you?”
‘Arf.’
Hopefully he could still make it.
Hurrying across his room Tooru tried to get ready as fast as possible, while still having to do his hair and sometimes this was not easy, when his long, chestnut haired locks decided not to cooperate with him. But at least he had bathed himself and put on one of his finest Yukatas already.
Finally settling down in front of the mirror in his room the Omega allowed himself a moment to take a few deep breaths, before he grabbed for a brush and began to untangle the mess, that were his waist length, soft locks. All the while he hummed to himself and tried to calm down his raising heart, because as his thoughts floated through his mind he realized the true meaning of his father’s guest’s visit.
General Iwaizumi was known all over the country for being the one to lead Seijoh’s troops to victory against many enemies in all those recent years. Always by his side was Tooru’s father, Oikawa Keisuke, which is how the Oikawa family became known to the population as well. Both Alphas became good friends over the time they joined forces on the battlefields, but never had Tooru until now met the general in person, which made him all the more nervous.
He needed to make a good impression.
He looked into the mirror while placing the hair accessory in his hand carefully into a few locks he had collected at the back of his head. It was a beautifully decorated comb, that his father had brought back as a present for his youngest son, when he had returned from his latest journey. Taking a last deep breath Tooru let his eyes glide over his appearance and nodded in approval.
He was ready!
When he neared the living room Tooru could already hear the boisterous laughter of his father and soon a second voice joined him, so he assumed that their guest had already arrived. Standing in front of the wooden door he didn’t really know, if he could turn up just like that, so he fidgeted on the spot playing with his fingers.
An embarrassingly high shriek escaped the Omega’s lips, when the door in front of him was suddenly slid open and he was met with the surprised gaze of his mother, who had probably just gotten up to get the tea as he concluded by the fact, that she was holding one of her finest tea pots in her hands.
“Tooru darling, there you are.” His mother pulled him out of his stunned state. “Your father and I were already wondering where you went. Just go inside, while I get the tea. Our guests surely would love to meet you.”
After those words the Omega was left alone in the entrance of the room completely unmoving, but not for long as his father’s gaze soon met his and he lifted his hand to wave the younger over. With careful steps Tooru followed his silent order and it relieved him to see, that his brother was also seated at the table together with his wife and son, Takeru.
“Ah, is that him?” The sudden ring of an unknown voice caused Tooru to flinch slightly, but he stood brave in front of the Alpha, that had now turned to him and couldn’t be anybody else than General Iwaizumi. “Your youngest, you’ve been telling me so much about, Keisuke?”
His father nodded with pride, while the Omega had lowered himself onto his knees in a comfortable position at Akihiko’s right side. “Yes, Ryuutarou. This is my youngest son, Tooru.”
“It is a pleasure to finally meet you, Iwaizumi-Taishou. I have heard many great tales about you from my father.” He bowed his head in respect and pushed a loose strand of hair behind his ear.
“Haha. I hope only good things.” The general laughed loud and heartfelt, so one could hear that it was honest and free willed.
“Yes, of course.” Tooru answered in a soft voice and didn’t dare to raise his head much more than needed, because as much as he didn’t like to behave like it was usually expected from an Omega, he couldn’t bring his father shame in front of one of the most respected army commanders in the whole country of Seijoh.
“You do really have remarkable kids, Keisuke, I have to say.” Iwaizumi Ryuutarou’s voice filled the room again, after a few moments of silence. “I’ve seen only a glimpse of what Akihiko can do, but I am pretty sure, that he has a long and successful career in the army in store, if he decides to follow your footsteps. He will be well respected by all the other soldiers.”
“Thank you, Sir. It is an honour to hear this from one of Seijoh’s greatest heroes.”
“Keep working, kid. And one day you will be up there too.” The General acknowledged Akihiko’s words with a slight bow of his head and an encouraging smile, before he continued. “And your youngest, Tooru, he really possesses a remarkable beauty. I am sure, that whoever may be chosen as his Alpha will be blessed to have him by his side. Don’t you think so, ....?”
The named Omega didn’t follow the rest of the conversation as he heard the slide of the door and discarded his gaze to see his mother coming in with a fresh pot of tea. Out of pure habit he already reached out for the ceramic object, because it was well known in society, that always the youngest Omega in the house would be the one to pour the tea.
While his mother returned to her seat beside his father, Tooru reached for his father’s cup to pour him the first droplets of the beverage, before turning to their guest since he was the next important person in the room. “Would you like some tea as well, Iwaizumi-san?”
“How could I say ‘No’ to a good cup of tea?” The Alpha laughed as he passed his cup to the youngest Omega. “Would you like some as well, Hajime?”
“Yes, father.” The sudden ring of a new voice startled the chestnut haired boy, but he didn’t let it show and he hoped to also not reek of embarrassment of having not noticed, that they had more than just one guest.
Peeking up through his long lashes Tooru’s heart startled in his chest, when his chocolate brown irises collided with two pools of emerald green. Those deep eyes were looking at him with such intensity, that his instincts immediately tried to act up and it did nothing for him, when a polite smile was thrown his way. He could feel his cheeks burning from the heat, that had wandered into them as he continued to stare and drank in the sheer handsomeness, that was presented to him.
This Alpha was more than he could have ever dreamed of.
The spell between the two of them was broken, when emerald eyes shot down to where the table was located and his mother’s voice managed to reach his ears. “Tooru! Dear! The tea!”
“Huh?” Blinking rapidly the addressed male looked down and squeaked in surprise, when he saw that the liquid was already pouring over the edges of the cup, so he quickly set the teapot down and grabbed for the cloth his sister-in-law was extending to him. “I-I’m so s-sorry!”
His father waved it off with a soft smile as he placed his other hand on top of the Omega’s head, a gesture that had always calmed his sons down. “There is no harm done here, Tooru. No need for an apology.”
“B-But I...I did a-and...The t-tea…” Tooru tried to explain himself, but when his eyes collided with the pair of, who he presumed was Hajime, he began to stutter incoherent words, until he just shut himself up and dropped his gaze into his lap to not make it any worse.
“Really now. No need to apologize, kid.” General Iwaizumi spoke up as he took the newly filled cup of tea from Oikawa’s mother, who had quickly cleaned up the rest, and took a sip of it, while looking between Tooru and the handsome stranger. “But this reminds me of something. From the looks it seemed you two haven’t been introduced yet.”
All Tooru did was slightly shake his head as he held the general’s gaze, but it soon wandered to the Alpha beside him, when the attention of the room turned to the newly introduced soul.
“My son, Hajime. He’s quite skilled I have to say so myself. An excellent student and promising soldier for Seijoh’s army in the future. All he needs now is a mate to return home to.”
“Father!”
“Alright, alright. I’m done.” Hajime’s father chuckled in amusement, because his son didn’t miss the obvious hint in a certain Omega’s direction, who was still trying to not meet any of the eyes of the other people in the room, but rather found his fingers very interesting to observe.
As the newly introduced humbly greeted each other they didn’t notice the watchful irises of Tooru’s grandmother on them, who had been rather silent during the whole scenario. But she didn’t miss the secret glances her younger grandson threw at the general's son nor how the youngest Alpha in the room couldn’t quite keep up with the conversation in the room, when his gaze sometimes drifted off to a certain Omega.
It had already turned dark when Tooru finally excused himself from the lively round and made his way out into the garden, where his feet automatically carried him to his favourite place under the cherry blossom trees. He let his body sink onto the bench and allowed himself to breath in the fresh air and all his worries out. A smile graced his lips, when Hinata was quick to run up to him and snuggle up against his legs.
“You can be glad you weren’t in their Chibi-chan.” The dog tilted its head to the side in confusion, which lead the Omega to giggle, before he sighed and let his fingers travel through orange coloured fur. “I completely embarrassed not only myself, but also my father in front of his close friend and son. Like usual.”
“I wouldn’t say it like that.”
The unexpected addition of a second voice left Tooru to let out a startled noise and he whirled around to be met with the figure of none other than Iwaizumi’s son only standing mere metres away from him. Swallowing harshly he had a hard time to suppress the blush wanting to conquer his cheeks, because in a standing position he could see even more how built and structured like an Alpha Hajime’s body was.
Curse his heart for wanting to jump out of his chest!
He couldn’t even bring his mouth to open properly as the general’s son walked up to him, just followed every movement with his deep brown eyes and nodded faintly when the Alpha motioned to the spot beside him in silent question, if he could take a seat. Hinata seemed to immediately trust the new person as he jumped over and happily greeted his new human friend.
There were a few moments of silence between them and only the dog’s happy noises could be heard as Hajime scratched through the soft fur. Meanwhile Tooru tried to find his voice again, but deeply failed so he avoided his eyes to the little lake nearby.
“What did you mean?”
“Hm?”
“What did you mean, when you said you embarrassed your father like usual?”
“Oh.” The Omega fidgeted for a few moments, not knowing how to begin, while Hajime waited patiently for the other to speak. “I...I’m not really the typical Omega. Well...I don’t want to be. I also want to voice out my opinion and be a regular part of society.
“All..All my life I’ve been practically living here in this house. Protected and shielded from the ‘outside world’ as my mother calls it. But…” Tooru let his eyes wander up to look into the night sky, that was covered in stars. “I want to see so much more. Like the stars. They get to see so many beautiful places, while wandering through the sky.” He lowered his gaze again to look down onto his folded hands. “And here I am. Waiting for the day I will be matched with a random Alpha, who most likely won’t even treat me as his equal.” He perked up, when he noticed, that he was actually sharing more than necessary, which lead him to grab one strand of his long locks and play with it nervously between his fingers. “B-But forget I said anything. I-It’s really not that important.”
…
“It is important, if it is to you.”
Those words caused the Omega to slowly look up and meet Hajime’s eyes, who was staring at him with a gentle expression in his irises as he slowly reached out and took the lock of hair from between Tooru’s fingers curling it around his own. “If you want to see the world, then I will show it to you.”
“I-Iwaizumi…-san…w-wha-”
“Please, no formalities. I’m not my father. Call me, Hajime.”
Tooru could feel his whole face heating up, when he stared into the Alpha’s honest eyes, while he pressed a curled up hand against his rapidly beating heart. “W-What do you m-mean with what you s-said, H-Hajime?”
“I meant it as I said it, Tooru.” Hearing his name being spoken in such a smooth, deep voice sent shivers down the Omega’s spine. “If you let me, then I will show you the world.”
“B-But, why?”
“Because you are not like any Omega I have met before. You are beautiful, stunning and a little bit clumsy…” Hajime didn’t suppress the low laugh escaping his lips, when he earned himself a pout from Tooru for this statement, but soon continued. “But you also have your own thoughts and mentality. You don’t want to follow rules, that have been set up centuries ago. You’re different.”
“A-And that is not bad?”
“No.” The Alpha immediately shook his head and slowly released the lock of hair from his fingers to reach for one of Tooru’s hands, which he only took in his when the other didn’t flinch away. “That is exactly the reason why I want to get to know you.”
The Omega looked down at their joined hands and noticed immediately how pale and fragile his own looked compared to Hajime’s tanned and strong one. Never before had anyone said such words to him. Everyone had always sad how bad it was, that he thought differently of their society, but not this time.
This time he was actually accepted the way he was.
Slowly lifting his eye lids chocolate brown once again collided with emerald green and he tried to search for any source of dishonesty, but couldn’t find one. He took a deep, quivering breath, before he deemed his voice ready to function again.
“If you’ll have me, I would really like to get to know you better as well.
Hajime.” He added with a smile starting to grow on his features and couldn’t help the heat entering his cheeks, when the Alpha smiled at him and lowered his lips to the back of Tooru’s hand to gently place a kiss on it.
It was the angry neighing of someone nearby, that broke their little moment and both of them looked in the directions of the stables, where a Friesian Horse was practically glaring at them or well one of them.
Raising a hand to his mouth to stifle his laughter, Tooru shook his head a few times. “Oh, Tobio-chan.”
“Tobio-chan?”
“My horse. He’s very...protective of me.”
“Hm. I see.” Hajime mused as he reached up and pushed some misplaced locks of hair behind the Omega’s ear. “Seems like I have to gain his trust then.”
“Mhm~, but I am sure you will win it in no time.” Tooru hummed as he dared to let his head sink on the Alpha’s shoulder with a little doubt inside his heart, but the moment an arm securely wrapped around his waist it was quickly destroyed.
Both of them sat their in comfortable silence and enjoyed each other’s presence, all while not noticing Tooru’s grandmother watching from a distance as she had a knowing smile taking over her old features.
The seed of something deeper than adoration had been planted at this very moment.
Now it waited to grow and bloom in the near future.