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It's not every day that your omega best friend gets a new roommate. And it's definitely not every day that he gets a new alpha roommate who you've never met. Over the years, Nicholas knows to an extent that Kei was prone to doing crazy things, but seeing it in action this time is a whole different story.
Maybe Nicholas would've been more open to it if the alpha had been one of their friends; someone Kei had fostered a friendship with or someone Nicholas actually knew. But no. Kei put up the listing online and decided that he would interview anyone for the empty room at his apartment. And he had signed his new lease with a random alpha without anyone's input.
Nicholas supposes it is Taki's fault. The beta had decided that independence was his next step and moved into a new apartment closer to his university. He moved in with Harua and Maki which was overall a good choice. Kei had basically burst into tears when Taki first told him. Taki has been his adopted child for so long that it probably felt weird that Taki wouldn't be with him. Still, Kei is proud, and he was happy to help Taki look for a new apartment. So sure, Kei was down a roommate and needed help with rent.
But to think that Kei's new roommate would be some alpha they had never met before. It's bold. It's stupid. It's also undeniably Kei.
When Kei tells him and Euijoo about his choice— two weeks after their trial living period had ended, mind you— they exchange a glance.
Nicholas cocks an eyebrow in surprise over the rim of his glass, "Are you sure being roommates with a stranger alpha is a good idea?"
"No, you guys seriously don't understand," Kei complains. "Once you meet Fuma, you'll see. He's the epitome of a perfect alpha."
When neither of them talk, Kei huffs, "He's one of the most introverted people I know. He seriously rivals Jojo sometimes."
Right. Well. Nicholas isn't sure if that's supposed to be reassuring. He can't help being a little suspicious. No alpha was truly ever that perfect, after all.
Kei's words don't stop Nicholas from suggesting that Euijoo give this new alpha some shovel talk. Euijoo had immediately reddened, stuttering out that he couldn't. Nicholas rolls his eyes. Maybe it's for the best. It's not like Euijoo makes that intimidating of a figure. Imagining him puffing his chest out to some other alpha is...yeah, that is never going to work.
So what, according to Kei, was the perfect alpha?
From his stories it seems that Murata Fuma is always perfectly composed. He never gets ruffled by scents or other behaviors. By extension of that, he's also super courteous and polite. From the time Kei spent with him, he treats everyone basically the same regardless of their gender or sub-gender or otherwise. Kei had taken him to a gay bar to test his mettle and he hadn't even flinched.
Which....didn't seem like much, but there were still alphas out there who were entitled, clinging onto the outdated belief that they are above other sub-genders. And of course, homophobic people existed, even in this day and age. It seems that Fuma isn't like that. Kei did promise that he would immediately leave the lease if Fuma did anything weird. So far, Kei seems to be pretty happy with the arrangement.
Every time Nicholas asks for updates, the older would groan, "You're insufferable. Just come meet him already."
And Nicholas would if he didn't feel too awkward about it. What would he even say? 'Hey, I'm Kei's friend and I'm super suspicious of you, so that's why I'm here. I hope you're as good as Kei makes you out to be or else there's gonna be a problem.' That scenario sounds like a bad idea and a half.
When Nicholas does meet Murata Fuma, it's in a group setting. Kei had been planning to invite everyone to dinner and tonight was finally the night. When Nicholas arrives to the restaurant, he sees that Jo and Yuma are already there.
Yuma already has a smirk on his face, "You're here early."
Nicholas huffs, "I'm not always late."
"Yeah, but you're rarely early." Nicholas squints at Yuma before poking him in the side. The alpha laughs, trying to catch Nicholas' hands before he spins away. Nicholas sits next to his usual victim, Jo, as they wait for everyone to arrive.
"Euijoo-kun couldn't come today?" Jo asks and Nicholas shakes his head.
"He's working mandatory overtime," Nicholas takes a look at the menu. "I swear his company invents new torture methods everyday." Their conversation meanders to what food they should be getting and catching up with their respective lives.
From afar, they see Kei's figure approaching, someone following him from behind, "Hello everyone!" Kei starts patting everyone at the table and Nicholas shoots him a murderous look as his hand hovers over his hair. It had taken him a while to style it for this dinner. Kei surrenders, patting his shoulder instead.
"Right! I wanted to introduce you guys," Kei tugs at the man who was following him. "This is Murata Fuma, my new roommate. Fuma these are a few of my friends, Asakura Jo, Wang Nicholas, and Nakakita Yuma. There are a few more kids but it seems they're running late."
"Nice to meet you all," Fuma says, voice calm and steady.
The first thing that Nicholas notices is the way his broad shoulders fill out the sweater he's wearing. The sweater is dark grey and textured, simple but not tasteless. The sleeves are pulled up to reveal sizeable forearms that flex slightly as he drags out a chair for himself. His scent is strange because while it was practically blending in with the surroundings, once Nicholas focuses on it, he can't quite ignore it. There's a sharpness to it, the scent of...some sort of wood mixing with a familiar petrichor. It makes him think of rainy days in Taiwan. Something stable and weirdly cozy.
When Nicholas looks up, Yuma is already talking animatedly to the other alpha, and...well, it was unfair to have that handsome and kind face paired with that body. Kei seems thrilled to see them getting along, his scent brightening into something pleased.
"So," Kei nudges him from where he's sitting on Nicholas' other side. "What do you think?" He tilts his head not-so-subtly towards Fuma.
Nicholas swats him in the arm, "You didn't tell me he was built like Captain fucking America."
Kei makes a wounded noise, "You never asked!"
Thankfully, a distraction comes up in the form of Taki's arrival and Kei doesn't question him any longer. The younger members of their groups are instantly invested in the newest addition to the table. Nicholas almost feels bad for the barrage of questions that follows. He's only half listening to the answers— catching that the alpha was a fan of Pokémon and worked in the gaming industry— too busy actually staring at Murata Fuma. His tone stays polite and friendly as he answers all the questions as if truly unruffled by all the attention. Not quite the introvert Nicholas was expecting.
"Nico," Kei's whispering to him before long and Nicholas snaps out of it. "At least soften your eyes when you're looking at him." Nicholas settles for staring at the burger that's in front of him. The food isn't a good of a deterrent to talking to someone new as the kids continue chatting, and Nicholas heaves a sigh. Beside him, Jo eats quietly, already tucking into his white rice even at this western-style restaurant.
Nicholas bumps his knee, "What do you think? Of Kei's roommate?"
Jo blinks, gaze drifting to where Murata Fuma is sitting, "He seems nice so far."
Nicholas hums, eyes drifting back to Fuma and noticing the difference in his posture. He ducks his head and for one second, Nicholas sees a change. A certain tiredness, something that everyone probably wasn't supposed to see. Nicholas just happens to be looking.
Nicholas' lips quirk upwards at that. Right. Total introverts can't continue interacting with new people for so long undamaged. Jo usually ran out of steam quick after meeting someone new. So he's hiding it.
Murata Fuma's posture straightens once again and he's smiling at something Yuma's saying. There it was again. A flawless, uncrackable mask. The perfect and always-kind alpha in front of all these new people. Nicholas feels just a little bit bad and decides to do something about it.
"Taki," Nicholas dips one of his fries in some sauce. "If you're not gonna eat your fries then I'm gonna take them. They're growing cold."
"I haven't even taken a bite yet," Taki says, immediately stuffing a few in his mouth. Maki, very predictably, starts trying to steal his fries. Taki squawks, starting to push the younger away.
"Harua, try this," Nicholas says, passing over the onion petals. "You ate too many snacks earlier right?"
Harua sheepishly smiled at him, "How'd you know?"
Yuma grins wolfishly, "Your whole diet is made up of snacks." And now all things are right in the world as the kids squabble amongst themselves.
"Wow," Kei does a slow clap. "That might be the quickest I've seen them get distracted." Nicholas grins at him, before his eyes are taken by Murata Fuma. The alpha's posture slackens a fraction as he takes a deep breath— probably his first without having to speak since the kids first arrived.
Then, surprisingly, Murata Fuma turns towards Nicholas as he's biting into another fry, "You're..."
"Nicholas. Wang Nicholas, but...Nicholas is fine."
"Right," The alpha seems a bit serious, trying to commit his name to memory. "Thank you for..." He glances to his left and right where the kids are still chattering amongst themselves.
"Otherwise they'll never start eating," Kei quips, bumping his elbow against Nicholas' own. "Nicholas is pretty good at getting them in line. Right, Jojo?"
Jo startles at the sudden call, "Huh? Uhm. Yes." Kei laughs, but it isn't mean and he leans back to poke at Jo behind Nicholas' back. As Kei and Jo start playfighting, Nicholas turns his attention back to Murata Fuma, who he finds is still looking at him.
Nicholas blinks, before pressing his lips into a smile, "So how is it, being Kei's roommate so far?"
"It's good," Murata Fuma says almost automatically before he rubs a hand over the back of his neck. "That sounds a bit fake, but Kei has been the best roommate I've had so far."
"Even with the way he sings obnoxiously loud in the shower?" The comment earns him a pinch on his side and he swats Kei's hands away in defense.
Fuma seems to find it amusing, his lips lifting into a smile that looked leagues better than the polite one he kept pulling, "Kei has a good voice. I've had roommates who don't ever clean or do laundry before, so rooming with Kei has been wonderful."
"You're missing out," Kei singsongs before draping an arm around Nicholas. "I offered the spot to Nico before I went looking for potential roommates."
"Yeah, only because you were drunk," Nicholas bumps his head lightly against Kei's chin. "Take care of Kei-kun when he needs it, okay?" Murata Fuma nods, almost comically serious if he isn't actually being sincere about Nicholas' words. Kei coos at him but it doesn't go far because Maki starts a debate over whether pineapple on pizza makes it sweet or if it stays savory.
It's not a bad first impression, and Nicholas can see that Murata Fuma is genuine about what he's doing. He's also very determined to keep up the perfect alpha act. Maybe Nicholas should've known that from the first dinner they had, but it continues to be a trend in their consequent meetings too.
Like when Fuma very courteously picked up a drunken Kei from Nicholas' flat, and Kei tries to scent him. Fuma simply dodged his approaches before saying a quiet 'goodnight' to Nicholas. He somehow handled Kei with the expertise of someone who has known him for years. Or the time when Kei had suddenly pulled Fuma to join their uno game after he got home from work. Not one expression was out of place as Fuma played with them, despite still being in his work suit.
The fourth time he meets Murata Fuma is once again at their shared flat. Nicholas visits Kei often, and he's almost too used to dropping by unannounced. Which is fine until he's met with a surprised looking Murata Fuma, his eyes rounded as Nicholas unlocks the front door.
Murata Fuma looks different caught off guard in the confines of his own space. His shoulders aren't squared away for one and the loungewear he wears is loose around his figure. There's a pair of dark rimmed glasses perched on his nose and he has a plate in his hands like he's heading to the kitchen.
"Oh," Nicholas says eloquently. "Sorry for...breaking in?" In real time, Nicholas sees him put the mask back on. The easy smile slipping onto his face like a second home as he even stands straighter.
"It's alright," Murata Fuma nods. "Kei did tell me that you were coming over."
"I'll make sure to knock next time," Nicholas says, because he does feel bad. He's just too used to entering the code in, knowing that Taki and Kei would've missed his messages.
"It's alright," Murata Fuma says from the kitchen, a glass clinking like he's making a drink.
Nicholas shakes his head, leaning against the doorway of the kitchen, "No, you should have privacy in your own apartment. Even if you're saying it's alright, we aren't super close friends just yet. Right, Murata-san?" Nicholas realizes that this is their first proper conversation alone, with no Kei to act as a cushion.
The alpha's brow twitches and if Nicholas isn't watching him then he could have missed the passing expression, "You can just call me Fuma. Murata-san feels too formal." He pulls out another mug, pouring hot water into that one too. Was that one for him?
"Then, Fuma-san." Another twitch. Another smile replaces it. "You're kinda funny." That manages to catch him off-guard, his spoon clattering loudly against the mug.
Nicholas grins at that, "Careful, Fuma-san, the water's hot." His scent shifts to confused or wary, subtle but Nicholas can sense it. There's a strange elation in Nicholas' chest at the change.
"What do you mean by–"
The door slams open before Murata Fuma can finish his question, "Nichol! You're here! Why didn't you text?"
Nicholas rolls his eyes, "You never would've seen my text."
But Kei seems to sense something, eyes going from Fuma to Nicholas then back to Fuma, "What's this? Did you manage to piss Fuma off or something?"
Murata Fuma opens his mouth, but Nicholas' laugh slips out before he can stop it, "I called him funny. I'm being perfectly cordial, right, Fuma-san?"
Fuma looks at him and then the smile is back, "Yeah."
"Nico," Kei says in a warning tone and he raises his hands in mock surrender.
"He is being serious," Fuma swoops in on his behalf. The perfect alpha shield. "All he did was call me funny."
Nicholas nods sagely, because he knows it would annoy Kei, even as the omega huffs, "I swear if I find out you gave Fuma shovel talk, or something..."
"God, I just called him funny because," Nicholas gestures at the front door. "I practically broke into this apartment and Fuma-san was more concerned with being polite and making me tea than being uncomfortable with what happened. It's kinda funny, okay!"
Kei glances at Fuma, "You didn't let him in?" Fuma shakes his head and from his face, it looks like he would rather be anywhere else but this kitchen.
That is, until Kei bursts out laughing, "Are you kidding me? Nico, I told you to ring the doorbell or something from now on—"
"—which I clearly forgot!"
"—and Fuma. It's fine to be weirded out by Nico. Nico is weird. Strange, even." Nicholas would take more offense to it if Kei wasn't making even weirder gestures as he lists out their other friends too.
"Seriously," Kei finishes off. "That unconditional kindness of yours will get taken advantage of. And Nico knows how to make his own tea, don't baby him."
"Well, he is our guest," Fuma says, almost automatic, but Nicholas can see his posture ease at the words.
"A guest who broke in using our front door," Kei emphasizes on the breaking in part.
"Wow. I came all the way over here for you and now I'm a criminal," Nicholas says, though he doesn't miss the way Murata Fuma is right back on track again. It's amusing. Scent calm and mask perfect as Kei argues with him again.
Nicholas feels something defiant in him shift. He wonders how much he could get away with under Fuma's gaze. What would make him fluster? What would make him drop the mask?
Besides, Nicholas can't really only blame curiosity for this. He's curious, sure, but Fuma would be Kei's roommate for at least a year or two, or until they decide to end their lease. That means Nicholas should befriend Fuma.
And Nicholas is, at least, a man who believes that people are more fun with their masks off. So what better way to befriend Murata Fuma if not by prodding and poking him a little? Nicholas glances at Fuma as he continues to make a third cup of tea, unruffled by Kei's talking. This could be fun. He can make it a small, harmless thing. Yeah. This could be really fun.