Chapter Text
Seijuurou had been very quiet throughout their drive to the airport. Akashi and Furihata had exchanged little words, mostly Akashi checking on Furihata. Ensuring that the other was comfortable, checking with their quest if the air conditioner was too cold, or if the music was alright, such and such, it mostly made Seijuurou roll his eyes.
To Akashi’s knowledge, Furihata had been to quite a few places in Japan. Mostly via trains and the boy also has a fascination with locomotives. Seijuurou’s facial response was disdainful, but Akashi thought it was intriguing.
When they got to the airport, Furihata was given his flight ticket. He was to sit with the twins in business class, since it is only a short trip, the usual first class was unnecessary. Seijuurou requested that Furihata and Akashi exchange seats, so he could discuss the matter of his ‘charade’ with Furihata through their short flight home.
Akashi could hear Furihata and Seijuurou’s little squabbles of disagreements through the one hour flight to Kyoto. He had his earphones stuffed in his ears and his head towards the window. He would like to listen to them intently but Akashi rather enjoyed the ride home instead.
When they touched down, Akashi assisted Furihata with their luggage while Seijuurou was on a call with their butler to coordinate their pick up. Seijuurou rolled his eyes (he seemed to be doing that a lot for just three hours) whenever he caught Akashi and Furihata being very friendly towards each other. The two would laugh softly like little school children, it was annoying and unsightly.
“My plan commences the moment we get out through that door.” Seijuurou said to Furihata beside him, while Akashi was in front of them, pushing the single baggage cart.
Furihata sucked in a breath. He has had a few clients but they were usually a one-day affair and with no specific ‘front’ he needed to mask. He could be romantic, he could be friendly. He could hold hands, just a peck on the lips is fine too. Sometimes he was only for company and needed to be himself, the worst case he had ever gotten was to pretend as a plus one on weddings, which usually ended up with him feeling nausea most of the time.
This, however, was an opportunity he wasn’t able to pass. The money offered was huge! And he needn't do this anymore after this long affair. Which was ridiculous and too much for his heart to bear. But Akashi had promised him an easier journey, for three to four weeks through Christmas. ‘Oh God. ’
“You are to call me Sei, and I to call you Kouki. Remember everything I have said and what we have rehearsed. Do not slip this up. ” Seijuurou’s last words came out as a threat, which made Furihata swallow thickly.
“Relax.” Said Akashi without looking back. Furihata was hoping for Akashi to follow up with something that could aid his nerves, something nice to say. But nothing came after that and Furihata really felt some vomit coming up to his chest.
Furihata squeaked when Seijuurou pulled him by the waist rather aggressively.
Akashi greeted their butler and allowed him to take over the baggage cart. Their butler, Benjiro, had his eyes landed behind Akashi. Akashi turned back and was very amused with how his brother was executing this first hand: he had Furihata by the waist, his fingers were not shy at all as he had him wrapped firmly, their hips were touching. Seijuurou had a flirtatious look to him, in a heavy contrast to Furihata who looked like a stressed-out sheep, his face was flushed red. Seijuurou’s smooth smile was different from Furihata’s stiffened, forced one.
“Hello, Benjiro-san. This is Furihata Kouki,” Seijuurou turned his head, as did Furihata (also, very stiffly) and smacked their mouths into an open kiss. Which Akashi thought looked sloppy and…. Well, it wasn’t pleasant to the eyes, to say the least.
They pulled away and Seijuurouand visibly wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “He is my boyfriend. And he will be staying with us until we are to set back to Tokyo.” Seijuurou said to Benjiro who didn’t look so surprised. However, to Akashi and Seijuurou who had grown up with Benjiro, he was obviously shocked out of his mind, and his heart probably missed a few beats from that.
With only a clear of his throat, he smiled at Furihata and bowed his head. “Pleased to serve you, Furihata-san.”
“Uh-puh-puh-pleasant.” Furihata bowed his head back. Seijuurou laughed and squeezed Furihata’s waist and looked at him admirably. “You’re so adorable, always. Don't be shy.” Seijuurou was a great actor, Akashi would give him that.
Akashi chuckled. ‘Adorable’ was probably the only right word so far Seijuurou had said, sincere or not. With Benjiro’s back now facing them, Furihata caught Akashi’s wink before ruby eyes were covered by tinted glasses. His ears went pink, and it wasn’t because Seijuurou still had his hand around him.
Seijuurou and Furihata were the first to get into the car, and as probably planned, Seijuurou went straight to ravish Furihata on the back seat (If Akashi wasn’t wrong, they were probably hissing at each other in-between). Akashi took the seat in front. He took a glimpse of their butler and it was evident that the ploy was taken as planned.
“Now, now, boys. We have plenty of rooms at home.” Akashi said teasingly. Furihata squeaked and Seijuurou chuckled, appreciating his brother’s coaction. “Of course.”
Akashi snuck glances at Furihata and Seijuurou, the two were quiet but they were pressed quite closely together. Furihata had his eyes out to the window while Seijuurou was on his phone. There was something serene about the way Furihata was looking out, the way the winter ray highlighted his brown hair, it baffles him how Seijuurou found this handsome lad boring. But, he knew of Seijuurou’s taste as well. It was a good thing too.
Furihata was awed the moment they drove into the estate. The vast looking fields were all covered in snow that had yet to melt, the variety of shrubs was covered in white and he could see the string of fairy lights around them. ‘It’s much more beautiful in spring’ Was what Akashi wanted to say to him, but he refrained.
Seijuurou looked bored as ever. Akashi internally laughs at this. He knew his brother was brewing maniacally inside. His little soul was stirring the pot of disgusting concoction just for their father. Speaking of father, he was standing right at the bottom of the steps, waiting for their arrival, ready to greet his twins. Akashi soured at the thought of what Seijuurou was to greet their father with.
Akashi was the first to step out of the vehicle. He walked to his father who had his one arm stretched open, it was an invitation. It was quite rare but for the past two years, his father had been more affectionate. Akashi smiled at this and stepped into his father’s side and let his father encircle his arm around him, the corner of his father’s eyes creased from his broadening smile. “Have you eaten well?” Akashi nodded. “Yes.”
Next, it was Seijuurou’s turn to make his ‘entrance’. Masaomi looked surprised at the sight of Furihata, which began to concern Akashi as the boy looked pale. Nevertheless, Masaomi smiled at the new guest.
Before the old man could utter a single word, Seijuurou and once again pulled Furihata close to him by the waist as they stood in front of their father. Akashi swallowed and dared not look up, but he could feel the tensed fingers on his arms. “Hello, father. May I introduce you?” Seijuurou began, his smile was almost wicked.
“This is Furihata Kouki, he is not only a guest.” Akashi knew Seijuurou was just ticking the time bomb, savouring every moment he could of their father’s expression. “He is my boyfriend. ” Seijuurou’s eyes ate it all in.
Akashi felt the hand loosen and slip away from him. Furihata looked like he could shrink any moment now. Masaomi was medium built and fit for his age. Compared to even Seijuurou, Masaomi was both imposing and intimidating.
Then a hand reached out to Furihata’s right shoulder, squeezing. “Are you alright? Was the travel hard on you?”
Seijuurou’s jaw dropped.
Akashi’s eyes could pop right out from its sockets.
Furihata looked like his soul had just left his body.
Akashi could hear their butler chuckle in his hand after he had handed the last baggage to one of the servants. Furihata swallowed and nodded meekly and then shook his head quickly after.
“My boy -friend, is pretty sore. Am I right? Sweetheart? ” Seijuurou emphasized his words. Although Akashi doubted Masaomi could understand the innuendo Seijuurou was inserting.
Akashi couldn’t see his father’s face, but he could hear his voice. It was rounded and kind. “Have you not gotten into the business class?”
What the actual fuckery? ‘Aren’t you mad? What’s the meaning of this?!’ Seijuurou’s mind was boggled. Seijuurou’s jaw dropped again. His mouth opened and closed as though it was hanging loose. “Of course he has! Nothing but the best for my boyfriend. Yes?”
“Yeh-yes” Furihata’s voice was as small as a mouse. Seijuurou smiled and pressed his lips firmly against Furihata’s cheek while keeping his eyes on his father. His chromatic eyes only hooded in disappointment when he did not get a reaction he expected.
“You look awfully pale.” said Masaomi again. Akashi agreed as well and glared at Seijuurou who completely ignored Furihata's well-being like that. At least their cold-blooded father had a heart.
“Maybe it’s the cold.” Akashi stepped in. “We should get inside.”
Masaomi agreed and went ahead first, Akashi and Seijuurou shared looks, silently speaking to one another. Seijuurou pulled Furihata along, truly, he was only dragging Furihata by his side as Furihata was as limp as an uprooted weed.
Once inside, Furihata felt his head spinning, the marbled floor had its designs and the spotless shine was making him woozier. Everything was so big. “Whe-where’s the bathroom?” Furihata asked weakly, trying not to let his stomach give into the floor. One of the housemaids offered to guide him, Furihata unclasped Seijuurou’s hands off of him and hurried after with Akashi and Seijuurou tailing behind.
The housemaid was taken by surprise when the Masaomi twins slipped in after Furihata. Furihata threw himself onto the spotless white floor and began to throw up into the toilet bowl. Seijuurou cringed, Akashi began to search the cabinets.
“What are you doing?” Seijuurou promptly sealed his lips when Akashi hushed him with a lift of his finger.
“Yuki-san, could you please boil some ginger and sugarcane tea for our new guest right away?” Akashi shouted over. The said servant answered at once and the twins could hear her feet patting away. Now that they were alone without anyone eavesdropping by the door, it was safe for them to talk.
Akashi knelt down beside Furihata and stroked his back. Seijuurou had his back against the wall, his hands in his pocket while he watched the two hovering over the toilet bowl. “This is not how he should buy it.” Seijuurou seethed in frustration. Akashi could only glare without turning away from Furihata, who was still retching his guts out. “Either that, or he is toying along.”
Furihata coughed and Akashi patted his back some more. “I think…. That is an overstatement.” Akashi’s attention shifted to Furihata again when the other gasped heavily. Akashi could tell that the other was having difficulty breathing. Even as he sat, he was panting erratically. “Furihata-kun, breathe.” Akashi tried to calm the other down and rested both of his hands on Furihata’s shoulder.
“Furihata-kun, look at me.” Furihata did but his eyes were hazy and his ears were clogged, his head was throbbing. “It’s alright, just breathe.”
‘Well, I’m fucking trying to!’ Furihata’s head screamed.
Akashi cupped his face, forcing Furihata to focus on him. “Breathe it all in —don’t let out.” He instructed gently. Furihata breathed in deeply as he was told to.
“Just feel it, okay? Now let it out, slowly.” Akashi nodded as shaky breaths left Furihata’s parted mouth. “One more time, feel your breathing. Feel your lungs.” Akashi said more gently now. Furihata was already on his third inhalation, a little steadier than the previous. Furihata inhaled and felt his lungs expanding and deflated as he slowly let it out as instructed. “There’s nothing else, alright? Just take it in….That’s good.”
Akashi kept ushering him softly to breathe until slowly, Furihata felt his head got lighter, his sight wasn’t so cloudy anymore and his ears cleared up. Akashi smiled at him. “Good.”
Furihata felt his prickly face lifting a little to return the dashing smile—until chromatic eyes greeted his sight and his face dropped immediately. “You’re a sight for sore eyes.” Furihata’s voice was hoarse, but it was not meant to be a compliment anyway.
“You weren’t even a sight,” Seijuurou said back and handed Furihata a glass of water which he had filled from the sink. With shaky hands, Furihata accepted it and mumbled a little thanks.
“As I was saying,” Akashi observed Furihata drinking from the glass briefly, ensuring that the boy wasn’t going to pass out, and then continued. “I don’t think father was playing along. I think he actually bought it.”
“Impossible.”
“Absolutely.” Akashi chuckled when Seijuurou snarled at the tease.
“Look, father has…. Seemed to come around.”
“That’s a little too late for that.”
“Well, obviously you are not getting what you want out of this.”
“No. I will.”
“Seijuurou, this isn’t fair to Furihata-kun.”
“This is not over yet. I will be his demise! Furihata was paid for this and we have a deal. The matter of fairness is within my payment: I pay, he is to be of service.”
Akashi opened his mouth to speak when Furihata began laughing hoarsely. The twins looked at him as he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “He’s right.”
Akashi stared stupidly at him. Seijuurou crossed his arms and smiled triumphantly. “I was paid a lot . And you convinced me over.” Akashi blinked again. ‘How is this on me?’
“Furihata-kun, you don’t have to do this —”
Seijuurou and Furihata answered in unison.
“Yes, he does.”
“Yes, I do.”
Seijuurou and Furihata looked at one another.
“Are you feeling better now?” Seijuurou asked Furihata who rolled his eyes. “Yea.”
“Good.” Seijuurou pulled Akashi away from Furihata by the shoulder. “Now, if you don’t mind. I need to speak with my boyfriend. Alone. Go make yourself useful. ”
Akashi took one last look at Furihata, who smiled back at him: he looked much better, his eyes looked heavy but with life. With a defeated sigh, he stood up and glared at his brother as he passed. He left the bathroom and he heard the water flush from there.
Some of the housemaids greeted him as he walked by and was taken by surprise when he saw his father, with a small tray in hand with a clear mug of brown tea, it smelt of strong ginger and sugarcane. Masaomi and Akashi stared at one another for a short while. “Is everything alright? Yuki told me that this was for Furihata. I thought I should check in.”
Akashi was speechless for a moment. “Uhm, he’s uh…….. With Seijuurou…. In there. ” he pointed to the way where he came from, forgetting the word ‘bathroom’ too.
Masaomi smiled and thanked him. After he walked past, Akashi slapped his own forehead and quickly backtracked. “Actually,” Akashi managed to stop his father and took the small tray from him. “Why don't I? send this to them? I mean….” Akashi’s thumb traced the wooden tray, eyes staring at the steam smoking out from the hot tea. “It is the first time that…. You know….”
Masaomi was puzzled at first but then came to realise what Akashi meant. Seijuurou came out like that all of a sudden, without proper announcement as well. It must have been for Furihata Kouki as well, he looked ordinary, didn’t seem to be of the same class as them. Akashi heard Masaomi exhale through his nose, his heart thumped. “I did not expect that.” His voice was stern and had an edge to it, normally when Akashi or Seijuurou (usually Akashi) came back with a fallen grade or did something he wasn’t supposed to.
“He should have at least informed me earlier!”
Akashi was dumbfounded. He wasn’t sure if his father actually understood what he actually meant. “Father,” Akashi gathered up more courage and looked up to his father’s eyes. “Are you alright with them? With Seijuurou? ”
Masaomi stared back at him for a moment. His mildly surprised eyes turned soft. He placed a hand on Akashi’s shoulder and gave it a squeeze. “I don’t want to push him away too.” He said softly. “You and I have never been steady terms…. I know he has been distant. I have lost a wife and I wish to not lose both of my sons.” With that, Masaomi smiled and patted his shoulder before taking his leave.
“Father,”
“Yes?” the answer came very quickly. It made Akashi want to laugh, the only time he had heard his father answer so quickly and expectantly like that was with their mother. “I’m happy to be home.”
“It’s not going to work.” Akashi said the moment Seijuurou opened the door. Chromatic eyes glared needles at him. “I’m absolute. Move aside.” Seijuurou walked out. Akashi rolled his eyes and smiled when he saw Furihata. “Your drink.”
“Tha-thanks.” Furihata barely kept eye contact with him and shyly took the drink.
“What was that about?” Akashi asked.
Furihata swallowed the big gulp he took. “In case you haven’t noticed…. I’m not an actor.”
Akashi laughed. “Well, it was quite a show, I must say.” Furihata scoffed, rolling his eyes. “Oh, there will be more.” and Akashi wasn’t quite sure what to feel about that.
Settling into their rooms; Furihata had taken the guest room just beside Seijuurou’s room and across from Akashi’s room.
The guest room was huge, it was nothing compared to the entirety of his living room and kitchen. The bed was big, probably King sized. With plush pillows and a very fluffy looking duvet. There were two doors at each opposite of the walls, one was the bathroom (which was probably the size of his kitchen) and one was the walk-in closet with a full-sized mirror, which could make the size of his own bedroom. Three seater sofa at one corner. One desk with a chair, and right across the bed was a T.V set.
The windows were closed by the thick black-out curtains. Furihata drew one curtain aside and marvelled at the sight outside. The property was even bigger than Furihata had assumed, he could see a farm-like structure not too far from the mansion. He doubted there were rearing cows and sheeps, but that was plausible too.
The scenery was wonderful, the room was a bit too much. But he wasn’t here for that. He was here as a hired boyfriend, to a lunatic that is. He had clients who hired him for their company, to flutter their hearts, to listen to them talk, sometimes as a plus one just to avoid weird questions from relatives at weddings. But none —not even one that had hired him for one’s malice. Until Seijuurou that is.
The moment he saw Masaomi, he felt his hair all over his body standing up. He was no powerful man in Japan for no reason. As Akashi had said, he could just drop this charade and take a cheap flight back home, but he didn’t because….. Furihata felt himself at ease. Akashi had promised him that he would assist in making it easier, and honestly. He kinda liked the pampering the other was giving him. His hands came up to touch his cheeks where Akashi had held him, so firm yet so gentle, he could still feel the after-warmness of it.
“Who am I kidding?” Furihata huffed and knocked his head against the window. “ Ow. ”