Even when choosing somewhat fitting clothes, Haruki caught himself questioning the situation.
There was an Omega in his apartment. A young Omega he didn't know. And he had simply taken him home, even though that went against all reason! That he felt so incredibly drawn to him, however, he did not question. In fact, he enjoyed it! Especially since Sota also seemed to feel comfortable. That the Omega should have come from the past, Haruki did not find believable. He simply assumed that Sota was not yet ready to speak about his true past. That made sense to him, after all, since they barely knew each other.
With a hoodie and a pair of sweatpants, he went back to Sota, who was sitting patiently on the sofa. That in itself delighted him, since most things here were new to the boy anyway.
"Um, well, you can change in the bathroom if you like, or here and I'll turn around." Haruki could hardly wait to see Sota in his clothes, and yet he didn't want to seem even more like some crazy creep who kidnapped helpless Omegas.
Sota nodded and examined the clothes first. "I've never seen something like this…" He lifted the hoodie by its sleeve and let it hang down again. "I'll change here, if that's all right with you." Haruki nodded and took a few steps backwards before turning around.
"If you need help—" he began, but Sota cut him off immediately. "Could you help me with the obi?" Haruki's heartbeat accelerated like a supersonic jet at those words.
"Mhm!" he replied, clearly flustered, as he turned back toward Sota, torn between looking and looking away. Why did it have to be so damn hard?! The obi, and the rest of the kimono fabric, slowly slipped away, making the scene look like a sin as Sota's pale skin was revealed. Haruki swallowed hard again and again as a new lump formed in his throat.
"You can turn away again if you want." Sota giggled. It was the first time in his life that an Alpha had looked at him that way. And he liked it! Unlike Haruki, Sota didn't care much about the fact that they barely knew each other. He was an Omega, and his counterpart a free Alpha. There was nothing wrong with them liking each other, was there? Besides, Haruki was so incredibly kind to him.
"You can look again now!" Haruki hesitated for a moment when he heard those words, then turned—and was immediately taken aback by the sight before him. He looked even sweeter than Haruki had imagined, and the Alpha couldn't take his eyes off him.
"It looks good on you…! I mean, uh… not that the kimono didn't suit you…" he muttered, glancing to the side before sitting down beside Sota on the sofa. Sota smiled at him, pulling his legs close and wrapping his arms around them. Resting his head on his knees, he looked at his host.
"You're so kind… are you really free?" Sota finally asked, though he still sounded no less naïve and innocent. Haruki tilted his head, not understanding at first, so he asked directly.
"What do you mean, am I really free?" But the moment Sota explained, the Alpha flushed.
"Well, whether you're not already bound to an Omega. After all, you are interested in me, aren't you?"
Haruki stared at him, utterly overwhelmed. How could someone as beautiful, as cute, as sweet as Sota speak so directly!? Okay Haruki, time to act like an Alpha. Be cool! At least that was what he told himself. But he failed miserably as he just kept staring at Sota for minutes on end.
"Oh, did I misunderstand? I'm sorry, I didn't mean to intrude…!" Sota stood up at once and reached for his kimono—of course he didn't want to stay in the home of an Alpha who was already taken. But Haruki caught his hand.
"Wait." His voice was low as he swallowed another lump. "I am free… It's really strange, isn't it? I mean… you're so…"
Sota beamed with delight and made himself comfortable on Haruki's lap. "Then I'll claim you!" Haruki pressed back against the sofa, hesitating before he wrapped his arms around him.
"Claim me?" Sota nodded and nestled close. "I was unsure at first, but you kept looking at me as if I were something special! But I'm…" His gaze dropped as old wounds resurfaced. "I'm not that special…" he murmured softly. He didn't want to belittle himself too much—after all, he had just found a potential partner.
"Hey… look, I'm really confused… I mean, yes, I think you're cute, and I have no idea why I'm reacting to you this way, but don't you think we should get to know each other first? I'm not exactly the ideal Alpha. Alphas are usually successful, ambitious, and talented—often in many things! And I'm none of that. Not that it bothers me, but… I just don't want you to be disappointed. And besides, I'd like to know more about who you are first. I mean, you believe you were sacrificed and all…"
Sota shook his head quickly but smiled. "It seems everything became more complicated with time. Didn't your parents look for an Omega for you? Mine didn't. She just wanted me to be given to…" Sota blinked, confused, as the name of the god to whom he had been promised slipped his memory.
"Ebisu," Haruki said, and Sota looked at him in surprise. "Yes, I was promised to him," he added almost casually.
"Huh? So that's not your name?" Sota shook his head, sighing at how strange it must have sounded. "I think it is kind of my name now, but it wasn't always. I just can't remember my real name anymore."
Haruki exhaled in frustration. This was turning out to be far more complicated than he had thought. But he would be lying if he said he didn't like having Sota sitting on his lap, leaning against him.
"So?" Sota asked.
"Hm?" Haruki replied briefly.
"May I be your Omega?" Haruki fell silent, then slowly leaned toward the smaller boy as well.
"Okay…" he whispered, barely audible—but enough for Sota to light up with joy.
"That's wonderful! Thank you! I promise I'll do everything to keep you satisfied and make you happy!"
The next morning, the two were still lying in bed, though the sun had been shining in for quite some time. Sota clung to Haruki like a vine, not letting go of the Alpha for even a moment. Haruki had already tried several times to slip away and get breakfast, but there was no chance.
"Ebisu…?" he whispered softly, brushing his hand gently over the Omega's cheek. "It's getting late, we should get up…" he added, but Sota only stretched, yawned contentedly, and wrapped himself even tighter around Haruki.
"Just a few more minutes… I feel way too comfortable right now… and you smell so good…"