Chapter Text
“Sir?”
It was three am.
Shindo Ainosuke sat in his opulent home office, smoking a cigarette with one hand while holding a glass of whiskey in the other. Clothes were strewn across the floor, his matador skating outfit discarded entirely in favour of a luxurious, red, silk robe, which he lounged in like a cat in his armchair by the fireplace. After a night out at S, Ainosuke’s upswept hair had finally wilted, messy and askew, yet he still looked as composed and picturesque as ever.
A fire raged in the hearth, too hot for a summer’s night. Ainosuke reveled in the heat, devil he was.
Without common courtesy or sense, or any regards to the late hour, Tadashi had been summoned by his Master.
Sometimes it felt like Ainosuke lived in a different world than everyone else, one where time moved differently and the earth rotated to whatever rhythm he desired. After many sleepless nights Tadashi was starting to feel like time and reality were bending as well. Organizing S was like stepping into an alternate reality, a whole other job and life with no time for sleep.
Cloudy smoke hung in the air, surrounding Ainosuke in an oppressive circle. Bare feet grazed an ornate carpet of roses as long legs stretched. Ainosuke was seemingly naked underneath his robe, which did little to cover his parted thighs or the hard muscle of his chest. His exposed skin shined with the lightest gloss of perspiration, radiant in the light of the fire.
It was nothing Tadashi hadn’t seen before. They would often go over their daily itinerary while Ainosuke finished his morning shower or bath, more calm and at ease in his nakedness than anytime he wore a suit or costume. Tadashi was nonchalant about nudity. Seeing Ainosuke like that felt similar to looking at a painting or a statue in an art gallery.
Every morning Tadashi assisted Ainosuke in getting dressed, fussing over him for as long as time or Ainosuke would allow. He’d hover close while fixing his hair, then his tie, his sole focus on making Ainosuke look as perfect as possible.
In the rush of their morning flurry Tadashi barely had time to pause and take a breath, but when he did, he wasn’t able to resist greedily inhaling Ainosuke’s clean scent, before it was befouled by cigarette smoke and air fresheners, guiltily enjoying it as he took a few seconds longer than necessary to adjust Ainosuke’s tie.
Sometimes in those quiet moments Tadashi remembered that he was an Omega and that Ainosuke was the most formidable Alpha he had ever known or seen or smelled-
But all those feelings and urges that came with being an Omega had vanished for Tadashi long ago with the aid of a variety of pills: One to prevent his heat, one for birth control, another to completely block his scent, and one more to subdue his desires and dull his senses. He could still smell, but not as vividly as most Omegas, so Alphas couldn’t intimidate or tempt him. Unlike Tadashi, his inner Omega always slept peacefully.
Ainosuke was the exception, still able to prod at his Omega senses, but only barely. Any interest piqued by an Alpha’s pheromones was about as strong as a wispy candle flame. In heat, or without medication, it could grow to an inferno.
The fire blazed, glorious in its role as the only source of light in the room. The window monitors that usually illuminated Ainosuke at night were black and empty, half-hidden and forgotten under dark, maroon curtains.
Tadashi closed the door behind him and stood in the shadows, carefully observing Ainosuke’s expression as the light flickered across his face. His Master looked more pensive than usual tonight.
It had been riotous at Crazy Rock, alive and buzzing with crowds of skaters. There were a few good races, but what really caught everyone’s attention was Langa, (or Snow, as he was mostly called), and his newly acquired claiming mark from the red-haired skate shop boy, Reki. It had been a whole spectacle, garnering praise, celebration, admiration and envy from many. Tadashi couldn’t remember Langa ever looking so overjoyed and Reki so proud. Many people were shocked at Langa’s choice of mate, since they’d been witness to most of Adam’s relentless pursuits, so over the top it was theatrical. Langa was also the most admired Omega at S, but it seemed he only had eyes for one person. In the end, the winner of Langa’s heart was not the King of S, but the lesser known Alpha, Kyan Reki.
Adam had surprisingly not made any jabs or remarks to either party about their bonding. In fact, he acted completely unbothered and uninterested, as if he suddenly found Langa boring. Tadashi wasn’t so certain. He had never seen Ainosuke fixate on an Omega for as long as he had with Langa. It was record-breaking for Ainosuke who was constantly possessed by mood swings and flights of fancy, acquiring romantic interests idly before losing his appetite and throwing people away as carelessly as a child collecting rocks.
No one had ever stayed as long or as close to Ainosuke as Tadashi, and with how inconsiderate he behaved, possibly no one ever would.
The atmosphere in the room felt eerily peaceful, misty and dreamlike with something dark brewing underneath the surface. Orange firelight glimmered softly in the blood red of Ainosuke’s irises and the dark depths of his pupils. Tadashi imagined fireflies dancing there in his hazy, exhausted mind.
“Come sit with me, Tadashi.”
Ainosuke’s voice was calm and steady. His eyes stayed fixed on the fire even as Tadashi came slinking into the light; cheap, grey pyjamas on full display.
He sat in the empty love-seat across from Ainosuke. Tadashi said nothing, placid but still disgruntled to be deprived of his precious few hours of sleep. The crackling fire filled the silence as he braced for a poetic monologue, a sermon, or a diatribe all about Langa.
Adam’s passion was so intense that it burned everything in its path. He’d flirted so aggressively with Langa that it felt as if his aim was to hunt the Omega rather than court him. Every single shot he took had comically bounced off his intended target, but Adam was still never dismayed or discouraged. Ainosuke was not serious enough, did not put forth any of his true self in those courting attempts. It was more like a game of pretend, the way children play at being adults.
Tadashi had hated every second of it.
Other than being far too young for him, Langa was also so far beneath Ainosuke in terms of social status and hierarchy that it made Tadashi ill.
However, it wasn’t his place to judge. He was only a dog to his Master, and one who had already foolishly tried to deprive him of something he loved. He dared not breathe a word of his dislike for Ainosuke’s obsessive infatuation, and he would probably continue to stay silent as Ainosuke relayed feelings to him that would instinctively make him want to curl up and die.
So it was a complete surprise to Tadashi when Ainosuke finally spoke and it had nothing to do with Langa.
“Do you miss him?” Ainosuke sucked on his cigarette. The tip glowed bright orange before turning to ash. He blew smoke everywhere, obscuring himself.
“.. Who?” Tadashi asked dully, confused. He wasn’t eager to play games or solve riddles at this hour.
“… Your Alpha.” Ainosuke took a swig of his whiskey, gulping it down harshly. “My father.”
Tadashi’s eyes opened wide in disbelief.
It took him a moment to register what he’d just been asked and he still didn’t quite understand. “Ainosuke-sama,” he let out a tired sigh. “Are you on drugs?”
Ainosuke laughed. Had that question been a joke? Not only had Tadashi never had any sexual or romantic interest in Shindo Aiichiro, but he was also just a lowly Omega servant while the Shindo family was practically royalty. There was no possible reality in which that union would be viewed as acceptable.
Tadashi held his breath, exhausted and incredulous that Ainosuke would choose to make such insinuations at three in the morning.
“No.” Ainosuke butted out his cigarette. “Just a little tipsy.” He emphasized his statement by drinking the rest of his whiskey in one gulp and set the empty glass down with a hard thud.
Ainosuke turned his head to look at Tadashi and smiled. An expression Tadashi would have been glad to see if it weren’t for the ridiculous accusation still digging at him that the late Shindo Aiichiro had been his Alpha, or rather, that he had been Aiichiro’s Omega harlot.
“Clearly, you’ve had too much to drink,” Tadashi quipped. He stood up and marched over to the clothes that were scattered on the ground, more awake now in his anger. He directed his annoyance at how careless Ainosuke was with everything he owned, folding up the costume in agitation while Ainosuke stared him down.
“Did I touch a sore spot, puppy?”
Ainosuke’s teasing wasn’t fun or friendly. He made an effort to sound extra snide and resentful.
Tadashi took a long breath and placed the folded outfit on Ainosuke’s office desk, smoothing out the creases before turning around to face him. He leaned back against the desk and crossed his arms as he held Ainosuke’s accusatory gaze with his own.
“It wasn’t like that between me and your father.”
It was rare that Tadashi ever showed strong emotions. To most people he would probably sound tired, but to Ainosuke who knew him well, he probably sounded hysterical.
Ainosuke tilted his head curiously while staring at him with harsh, clever eyes. Tadashi thought of birds. Or mad Roman emperors who’d had too much power over life and death.
“..But there was something?” Ainosuke seemed convinced. Tadashi shook his head no.
“Your father..” Tadashi started slowly as he searched his memories. Ainosuke leaned forward. “-Pulled me aside as soon as I presented to tell me that I would never amount to anything as an Omega.. However..”
Ainosuke’s eyes turned darker as they bore into him. Tadashi squirmed imperceptibly under his gaze, feeling something undefinable scratch at him.
“I could prove to be useful one day if I worked hard and took pills that would make my disruptive Omegan urges almost nonexistent,” Tadashi repeated the words Aiichiro once told him. He withheld an aggravated sigh. “Your father gave me a job. He never used his position to coerce me into sex, and even though I’m still an Omega, he didn’t act like I was incompetent at my job. I’ll always feel grateful for that.”
It was the truth. He would always harbour feelings of gratitude for Aiichiro. Aiichiro had prepared him well for a difficult life, and he was the reason Tadashi was still able to care for Ainosuke now.
“I see.” Ainosuke nodded seriously. “So my father pushed you into taking all those pills when you were only sixteen, before your Omega had barely awakened.”
Tadashi turned away from Ainosuke’s inquisitive stare to face the fire, holding himself tighter.
“I wanted to work. I wanted to have a respectable job. I had ambitions beyond being some.. Useless sex toy to some common Alpha.”
Another phrase of Aiichiro’s that had imprinted on his mind. Perhaps Aiichiro’s Alpha had held a stronger grip on him than he’d realized.
Ainosuke raised an eyebrow. “You think every Omega that mates with an Alpha is a useless sex toy?” Ainosuke challenged, never failing to play devil’s advocate.
“No.” Tadashi was quick to amend.
“So, you think you’re better than an Omega whose job is to actually be a sex toy?” The grin was back on Ainosuke’s face, rakish and stupid.
Tadashi huffed. That was not at all what he had been trying to communicate, but he was not in the mood to argue or explain how Omegas were put at a disadvantage when it came to what careers they had access to. Omegas were obviously discriminated against in society, and especially in the workforce. It should have been more than apparent in how Ainosuke worked him to death.
“How about this: fire me and hire an Omega prostitute instead, then you can tell me who is more useful to you.” Tadashi was tired enough that quitting seemed like the only sane idea at this point.
Ainosuke laughed again. Tadashi frowned. He picked up the matador costume and made to leave.
“I’ll wash this tomorrow. Is there anything else you need, Ainosuke-sama?” He asked coolly.
“Stay,” Ainosuke ordered. “Sit.” He motioned to the floor in front of him.
Tadashi halted and weighed his options. He decided there weren’t any so he obeyed the command, kneeling in front of Ainosuke with the folded matador costume still in hand. Despite all the progress they’d made in their relationship, sometimes it still felt like Ainosuke really only thought of him as a dog that required a strong hand.
Tadashi stayed silent, lips firmly shut. He noticed he was eye level with Ainosuke’s crotch now and could see the sex between his legs. He was mostly unaffected, given his medications, but his skin still flushed at the sight of Ainosuke’s half-hard member pointing at him, far more crass than anything he’d seen in the bathtub.
“Give me your hand,” Ainosuke said gently.
Tadashi wasn’t very good at interpreting smells, but he could vaguely sense Ainosuke’s Alpha pheromones reaching out to coax him. His smell was faintly earthy and musky, pairing nicely with the smells of woodsmoke and the tinge of whiskey. Tadashi could have done without the cloying stink of tobacco, however.
The heat of the fire pressed closer, annoyingly hot. Sweat dripped down Tadashi’s spine. He offered his hand and Ainosuke held it in his, turning it around and holding it to his face to smell the scent glands of his wrist.
The softness of the touch made Tadashi’s chest ache.
After a moment Ainosuke sat back up, looking unimpressed with what he’d found.
“Tch. Nothing. No scent. What a useless Omega. You can’t even emit a scent to comfort an Alpha.” Ainosuke dropped his hand as if it were scalding.
Ainosuke’s words stung at first, but they also sparked a new thought.
“.. I’d never really thought of it like that..” Tadashi murmured, touching his wrist. “Your father always said an Omega’s smell was a hindrance and a distraction.”
If he could soothe Ainosuke with his pheromones that could be a great asset for both of them in their daily lives. Then maybe he would be able to get a full night’s rest now and then.
“Who cares what my father said,” Ainosuke spat. “He’s dead now and you belong to me.”
Tadashi should have felt upset by the surly childishness and greed in Ainosuke’s words, but he didn’t. Instead, he was preening at the thought of belonging to Ainosuke, just like when Ainosuke had told him he was his dog for the rest of their lives.
Ainosuke’s finger tipped his head up to look at him. Tadashi melted at the fondness in his Master’s eyes.
“Such a pretty Omega,” Ainosuke purred. A thumb grazed over the mole on Tadashi’s cheek and he shuddered. “Why would I need an Omega whore when I already own such a lovely pet?”
Ainosuke’s cock was fully hard now.
Tadashi gulped, unprepared for what might happen next. The pulsating feeling in his chest quickened. It felt like something was clawing at him from the inside and trying to rip its way out.
Making Ainosuke come would also work to pacify him, he thought. He would also probably be able to get back to sleep faster if he made that happen.
Tadashi looked at Ainosuke’s erection and felt utterly lost. This wasn’t right. Other than the fact that his low-class social standing made this whole situation preposterous, Ainosuke was almost certainly heartbroken over Langa, the Omega he’d constantly watched and pined after now officially belonged to another Alpha.
Ainosuke was lovelorn, vulnerable, a little bit drunk, and looking for comfort. Tadashi would never take advantage of his Master in such a state.
He picked up the folded matador costume by his knees and carefully placed it on Ainosuke’s lap, politely covering his penis.
Tadashi stood up, unsure if he felt disappointment or relief as he tore himself out of the forbidden dream he had wandered into.
“It’s too hot in here. I’m going to put out the fire,” he stated simply, face blank.
Ainosuke pouted. Tadashi had seen that same look on his face before, when he was a child being denied sweets.
He ignored him and set about his task.
Ainosuke sighed very long and dramatic as his limbs sprawled over his chair. “Putting out the flames. How very like you, Tadashi,” he groused.
Tadashi frowned at the fire as he went to work. He said nothing, not because he wanted to, but because he was too tired to know how to respond.
“.. So you’re just going to leave me in the dark.. Just like you always do.”
The pain and malice in Ainosuke’s words stabbed at Tadashi’s heart.
The light in the room petered out with the flame, but he kept his eyes focused on his task, spreading ash to dull the embers.
Ainosuke got up to leave. He stopped at the light switch by the door and turned the chandelier light on to its dimmest setting so they wouldn’t be left in complete darkness.
“Ainosuke.” Tadashi suddenly knew what to say.
“..Yes?”
Ainosuke’s voice almost sounded hopeful, but he had to snuff that out too.
“It’s time for you to end your dalliances and court an Omega of proper social standing.”
This time Tadashi’s words weren’t those of Aiichiro’s, but Ainosuke's aunties.
Ainosuke slammed the door behind him without bidding goodnight.
Tadashi finished putting the fire out. He turned around and found Ainosuke’s matador outfit lying in a heap on the floor, again.
He picked up the outfit, folded it again, and left the office to trail his way through the dark hallways back to his tiny room.
When he finally lied back down on his futon he found he was too agitated to sleep. A cruel joke.
His heart was pounding, nervous, excited. He looked at the matador outfit sitting innocently on his chair.
Giving into primal urges, he got up and grabbed the outfit and went back to his bed to cuddle it into a mess, burying his face in the costume and inhaling as much of Ainosuke’s Alpha scent as he possibly could.
He still couldn’t sleep.
He had no coherent thoughts, only his mind barking angrily at him.
There was no logical explanation for what Tadashi did next other than his horrific, repressed Omega instincts.
He got up, went to the bathroom and took out all of his prescriptions from the cabinet. Then he emptied all of them into the toilet and flushed them, watching them swirl away without a thought or care.
He dragged himself back to his futon, back to the empty matador costume waiting for him tangled up in his blankets.
Tadashi nuzzled his face into Ainosuke’s clothes with a happy sigh and fell asleep in one breath.