Off the High Horse (Coffee-Tastic and YellowPerch) [18+]

[Coffee-Tastic]

Deep red cheeks on that face of his suited him a little too well... Takuma felt his chest hurt seeing Hiro act like this, not in a painful way exactly, but the kind of pain you get from something that impacted you to a large extent. It made him speechless because he didn't know how to deal with this. Hiro was his competition and they were working against each other, he knew that, but having the beta stand before him, blushing, apologizing, looking away, looking at him and thanking him with an embarrassed stutter, enemy or not, deep inside, Takuma wished he could keep this thing standing before him. He liked him... That's what this feeling must be.

 

It better go away. Takuma bet this was just a long after effect of what happened... He hoped. If this continued to go on, he didn't know how he could possibly make it stop. At that point, he'd have to go to a doctor. Thats too expensive. I'll just wait it out... Thanks a lot, peasant. "You forced me into that. If I didn't do anything, it would have been worse for me. The last thing I need is a beta trying to tempt me into sex," he looked away too, but only because he was walking away to the back room where he left his clothes, looking back at Hiro to add, "I'm going to get changed out of this horrible uniform. As for you, don't walk around. I'll be right back."

 

He could just leave like he was could have after changing his clothes, but he can't leave Hiro behind. Not because he cared about him and his sprain, but if it got worse because he failed to stop using that foot, the brunet might not be able to come to work. If he does, that means he'll get more credit for the things he does. If he doesn't come at all, that meant that Takuma didn't have him around to be the one that looked like the better worker of the two. To resolve this problem, that meant he'd have to help take his enemy home.

[YellowPerch]

Hiro looked away from the other. Sure the medicine was helping him calm down faster. But somehow just the gaze of the other on him, made Hiro turn red. He really was sorry about the whole thing. He hated to cause Takuma such trouble, especially on his first day here. So far Hiro had been nothing but trouble. Spraining his ankle was one thing, he was able to handle that on his own. But when he went into his heat, Hiro was never able to fight the urges back alone. When ever it did happen he was normally with his mother or other beta friends. They were easily able to comfort him when he took his medicine. But Takuma being an alpha was different. He had to force himself to fight the urge. He knew he'd have to make it up to the other soon or he would never be able to forgive him.

 

When he managed a peek back at the other in front of him, Takuma's gaze clearly said he was royally pissed. Hiro flinched at the thought. But before he could say anything more to the man he claimed he was going to go grab his clothes from the back room and change. Hiro was going to leave, there was no point in staying any longer. But suddenly Takuma added for him to stay put. Hiro blinked his eyes in surprise and stayed where he stood. He didn't want to anger the other male any further then he already had so he stayed and waited. Hiro looked around the store then at the clock on the wall. It was way past closing time. He would have to apologize to his family on top of Takuma.

[Coffee-Tastic]

"Finally." He grumbled, taking off that dreaded shirt. It was bad enough that he didn't like light colors on him, but the color he was forced to wear for work was a light blue. Takuma wondered if he got a higher position of power in this business, he could wear whatever he wanted. Or at least a dark purple. Purple was the color of kings and Takuma was nothing short of royalty in his own world. Except for him, the world he was living in now, he was putting on a t shirt and put on a heavy black hoodie, no purple and all of the poverty. He couldn't wait to be making real cash figures as time went on. He can't work anywhere else, not when this place was so small and had so much room for improvement that could be easily accomplished when he was in power. Small businesses like this one were made to grow and he was going to make that happen for his own sake.

 

Coming out after a few short minutes, he had the blue shirt folded and hidden in the big pocket of his hoodie, coming out with the same expression he left in. One that wasn't happy, of course. "Good, you're still there," he uttered as he came towards him, "I'm taking you to wherever you live. You can't walk on your sprain of it'll get worse and I can't have that happening... Use my shoulder and lets just go." Before Hiro had a chance to say anything against that, he put his arm around his wait and kept at the beta's bad side, "I don't have anything else better to do, but I don't plan on staying around you more than I need to."

[YellowPerch]

Hiro jerked out of his thoughts when Takuma returned. Still upset as when he left, no, he was even more grumpier then before. His eye's widened when Takuma mentioned taking him home. Why was he so concerned about Hiro? Wasn't he just another problem in his world of being number one? Hiro internally sighed. He was very grateful for the help Takuma was offering him. But he wasn't pleased at all thinking he really didn't care for him. But then why would he help him? When Takuma commented on not letting his sprain worsen, Hiro wanted to comment. But before he even could Takuma was stepping beside him and holding his waist. "W-wai- I- It's-" He stammered at his words and by the time he found what he even wanted to say Takuma was there.

 

Hiro looked up at the other, blinked and looked away. "Thank y-you." He wasn't sure why he felt his cheeks heat up again. Embarrassed because he needed help? Because it was Takuma that was helping him? Those eyes, his eyes, they sent shivers down Hiro's back. But he needed to make it stop. Hiro didn't need to grab anything from his locker. He normally kept everything at the shop. However, this time he had his water bottle in one hand and medicine bottle in his pocket. His keys to lock up were also in his pocket. So they would be able to just leave, shutting everything off as the left the store. "Okay...We can leave now."

 

Hiro started hobbling as Takuma followed him, still attached at his hip. Hiro shut off the lights after turning the security system on. Then locked up the door after they left. "Ah, I'm that way?" He pointed right, a lighted street that connected to the main road where they would travel down until they reached the hilly street that turned off the main road. That might be where they would find trouble. The hills could get fairly steep, and although they weren't big hills. They were still tiring to get up. Hiro figured he'd let it go until they got there, for now he had to make sure he was walking well enough with Takuma's help.

[Coffee-Tastic]

Takuma didn't feel like talking to Hiro at all, he didn't have anything he wanted to say in particular either. Talking to the younger man was useless, there was no point to waste his breath. Takuma was already getting what he wanted by this, Hiro to not be walking and worsening his sprain, which he hoped would get better by tomorrow... Hiro had to be one evil, determined business man to have been doing all of these things to screw him over. That was intense determination. To not take that medicine and try to ruin Takuma's life with a child? That wasn't actually determination, that was insanity super well hidden under a smile and a deep blush. How that was possible, he didn't know. Takuma wasn't evil like Hiro was.

 

The fresh air out here did help the alpha to feel better. Having Hiro this close to him, he'd think that the pain would get worse, but he was glad that wasn't the case... Touching the other like this, he was reminded about how much more smaller Hiro was built compared to himself. It wasn't uncommon for male betas to end up like this, thinner and slightly more curvy, unlike himself. He wasn't ripped with giant monster abs and guns, but he was proud of his form and the world liked it too. He'd be a model or an actor, but he wouldn't like having managers to boss him around. In the business world, he could be in complete control and be his own boss once he was at the top.

 

It was out of place, but just imagining himself running a company he grew from the ground, far away from living in a crappy hotel room, he sighed contently to himself with his amber eyes having shinies in them all of a sudden. That determination in himself wouldn't be matched by any evil deeds his competition could give to him. Not even the hilly pavement of the street they came to next. He wasn't phased by it, but looking at Hiro, the beta might have a harder time. Takuma let go of his waist and shook his head, "No, you can't walk this," he stated simply and bent his knees down, "Go on my back now, I'll just carry you the rest of he way." He still had a frown on his face, but he still pushed to do these things that appeared out of a kind heart. His crazy mindset of this nonexistent battle between himself and Hiro would never be guessed by anyone with a right mind.

[YellowPerch]

The walk was incredible silent. It wasn't like it would have taken them hours to get Hiro home. But a normal fifteen minute walk quickly became twenty five due to the slower walking. Hiro couldn't let go of his guilt. He had no idea where Takuma lived either. What if he lived thirty minutes away in the opposite direction? He would never get home before the sun set. What if he had to take a train before walking home? Hiro internally groaned. Why did he have to be born as some clumsy child. He always Mae

De trouble for others. He remembered plenty of times when his mother would have to clean up his accidental messes at the same time of cooking dinner. Hiro just couldn't help with the cooking though, and his mother always let him. But wig a smile on her face she would always tell Hiro "it's okay" and pick it up.

 

Hiro wanted to talk, to strike up a conversation. But There was no way Takuma would even continue with it. Hiro risked peeking at the other male beside him. The light dim of the sun and the pass of a street light made his features even more striking to him. The shine of his blonde hair, the broadness of his shoulders and back, the look on his Amber eyes. Hiro twitched as he realized what he was doing. He internally slapped himself for it. 'What are you doing, Hiro. Stop looking at him that way!' his mind was starting to spin at all the thoughts in his head.

 

Before he knew it, they were at the bottom of the hill. He was trying to figure out how he would manage to get up it when Takuma released him. 'Your not going to leave me here, are you!?' He wanted to voice it out. But Takuma was already talking before he could. He shook his head when he finally realized he would never make it up the hill as Takuma had suggested. But what Te older did next surprised Hiro once again. "Ah, but, I-" he couldn't get the words to come out. He didn't think Takuma would be one to let him rest against his back as he carried him up the hill. Hiro looked at the drown still placed on Takuma's face. He didn't think the guy knew any other expressions at this point.

 

Hiro nodded,pmand whispered out an "okay" before gently resting against Takuma. He kept his hands on the other's shoulders as he stood up, lifting Hiro up with him. Hiro suddenly wrapped his arms around Takuma's neck so that he wouldn't fall off. His cheeks bursting with color once more. He kept quiet as he took in the scent of the other and couldn't help when he forgot who he was sniffing. But he continued anyway. He rested his face in the small of Takuma's upper back and stayed like that until they managed to get to the top of the hills.

[Coffee-Tastic]

The look of Hiro's eyes showed how he really thought he'd just leave him there at the end of a steep hill with a strained ankle. Sure, he would have done that, Takuma was just as fond of walking up hills as a horse liked to walk on hot concrete. But he was, again, doing it because he was the good employee. He was going to be the one getting the best credit of either of them. Carrying Hiro up wouldn't be any sort of problem if it meant being better than him, and with the beta climbing on his back, it really wouldn't be that bad. He wasn't that heavy anyways. Takuma picked him up, feeling Hiro slip his arms around his neck, making the older male take a short, deep breath to adjust to the added weight.

 

Proceeding up the hill, the alpha couldn't help but keep on smelling the other either, it's not like he had a choice against it, Hiro was right there on his back. The smell in his nose was not as strong as it was when the brunet was in heat, but it still knocked a good deal out of him. Such a sweet, gentle smell that it was... It had the same effect on him as a kid does when coming home to smell a cherry pie. If that wasn't enough, the warmth leaking into his back was also so very satisfying that his frown lightened up slightly, calming down the stubborn expression he always worse, but succeeding as well, to give a faint redness to his cheeks. In the combination of the smell and the warmth, he knew it wasn't best for this to go on any longer. Damn beta.

 

When they reached the top, he didn't stop walking for Hiro to get down. Before Hiro got a chance to ask him what he was doing, he answered on ahead, "We'll walk faster like this... Are we still going straight down? And also, how close are we." On the more leveled pavement, he noticeably was walking a bit faster. He didn't want to be in this kind of air anymore. It was too good of a smell and being this close, there was no denying that he liked it a lot. A lot a lot. He needed to be away from Hiro, it was that plain and simple.

[YellowPerch]

Hiro kept his body close to the others back. The night was a little colder then the day and Hiro had forgotten his sweatshirt, thinking he would be fine. Before Hiro had noticed they were already up the hill. He didn't look up however until Takuma had spoke up, asking about how far they were still going. "Oh, um, just...head down that road there. It won't be that far down from there." Hiro had pointed out his arm in the direction of his house. Wait...he looked back at the hill behind them. "T-Takuma...I can walk! You can put me down!" Hiro gripped Takuma's shoulder, trying to get him to stop. But the other merely told him they would walk faster this way.

 

Hiro stayed stiff straight for a couple of seconds before he realized Takuma wasn't stopping. He leaned back against the other once more, keeping his hands on his shoulders. Hiro hid his face in the back of one of his shoulders. A tint of pink crossing his features. Takuma had been so rude the first moment they met. So why was it now he was being so nice? Even after witnessing Hiro's pain, he forced himself to deal with it and helped him. The Takuma from just this morning would have given him a look at just walked away.

 

How was he going to deal with the other now? Granted he didn't work every day, but the days that he did work would only make Hiro nervous. Or scared. Was he scared of Takuma? Or of what he would think of the other now? Hiro let out a slight whimper from his thoughts. Hiro was going crazy inside. He just wanted to get home and sleep off the events of the day. He would feel better tomorrow after his body rested from the heat.

[Coffee-Tastic]

He knew that Hiro would mistake these actions as kindness. They were in fact "kind" actions, expect his motives weren't for the good of anyone else but himself, that's where the line was between being sincerely nice and being a human piece of trash. Oh, wait, not trash. Successful. That was the right word. Carrying Hiro was not a problem and he did want to do this, but the longer the omega stayed clutched to his back, the more he felt like he would regret this. He was really liking this contact too much... Also, hearing that whimper, he frowned and bit on his lip. Okay. Hiro might be his enemy, but... His whimper was really cute.

 

Going the direction he was given, soon the two were in front of where Hiro lived. "There's no need to thank me," he said before he got the chance to hear a thank you, bending down so the omega could get off his back, "It wasn't like you'd even be able to heal your sprain by tomorrow if you walked by yourself... I can't work alone." He was stern with his voice, but his words could easily be, yet again, taken for kindness. Takuma only meant that as "if you can't come tomorrow, I'll have more work and nobody to compare against" but he didn't say it that way exactly.

 

"You better not walk on that foot. Put ice on if and all that," he ordered, "You'll be better by tomorrow if you do that all strictly..." He would love to dictate Hiro's faithfulness to that, but it's not like there was any need to do that.

 

Oh wait.

 

"Do you have someone to take care of you? Or do you live alone?"

[YellowPerch]

Hiro fell into silence. Not awkward silence. Not comfortable silence either. But it rested somewhere in between. He couldn't quite explain it at all though. Somehow, someway, Hiro felt he could try relying on Takuma a little bit more. Wait no, he was a new employee, they just met hours ago. Takuma wouldn't want him to rely on him any more then he did today. Soon enough the two were reaching Hiro's house. Slowly Takuma lowered himself, allowing Hiro to slide off of his back and stand on his own. Hiro had opened his mouth to say thanks to Takuma, but the other quickly stopped him from saying anything. Hiro looked away from the other and stared at his house.

 

However, when Takuma had told Hiro that he couldn't work alone, he had taken it in a different meaning. To Hiro the quiet of Takuma's voice meant he was just feeling slightly awkward. The younger male's eyes widened briefly before softening again. "I-I'll make sure to take care of it. So don't you worry." By the time Hiro had finished his speech, he had pumped his fist happily in the air. A sign that stated he was going to make sure he was up and walking before work tomorrow.

 

Hiro nodded when Takuma demanded him to rest his foot and ice it. Hiro let a small smile graze his lips. "I'll make sure to ice it. Really, I'll be walking on my foot in no time." Hiro blinked at Takuma's question. Hiro shook his head. "No, I live with my family." He fell silent again and scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "Oh and, sorry for all the trouble I caused. Really, thanks for the help today." Hiro glanced sideways at Takuma as he thanked the other.

[Coffee-Tastic]

"Don't worry"? Worry! No, he was not worried for Hiro. He had better get better, he expected that order to be followed... But then again, can he really trust his competition to do as he says? The only way to find out was waiting to see about tomorrow. Hiro's enthusiasm did more than reassure him slightly though, it was a little too enthusiastic. Over healing from a strain... That cheery look from his eyes... Come on, it wasn't recovering from a broken leg... Takuma's sharp gaze shifted slightly, crossing his arms.

 

Hiro still lived with his family at his age? Takuma wasn't exactly sure how old the omega was, but he was younger than himself, he was sure about it. The alpha would be the one to talk, living with his parents just up until this year when he was kicked out, but he just thought that adults in the pleb world left home early. Well, it was whatever. Congrats Hiro for having a family that let him stay with them instead of being complete, greedy monsters.

 

With Hiro's apology and his thanks, he looked at him again, sighing, "My only other request of you is that you take your medicine next time. I am serious about not helping you the next time... But if you sprain yourself, then maybe. Only because I refuse to work alone." He turned his head and the rest of his body, starting to walk off now, "See you tomorrow, my fellow employee." Yes. It was time to get out of here finally...

[YellowPerch]

Hiro remained quiet for a moment, moving around awkwardly. He couldn't do much in shifting his legs or feet, seeing as he could only lay his weight on one foot at the moment. But when Takuma let out a sigh and spoke up, requesting something once more from Hiro, the other watched him, perfectly still. He did feel awful about making the other help him. It could had led to a disaster had he not. Hiro nodded, his eyes flashing with slight guilt and seriousness. "I'll take it. I'll have it on me at all times."

 

He reached into his pocket to pull it out. He noticed how light it felt. "I'll refill it again too, before it's too late." Suddenly before he could say anymore, Takuma was turning away and walking back from where they had come from. "U-h, um.." But Takuma was already well away from the house. Leaving Hiro alone outside by the doorstep. Hiro watched him walk away until he could no longer see the retreating back of the older male. As soon as he couldn't see him anymore, Hiro let out a sigh and turned toward the house.

 

He went up the path way, wobbling to keep off his sprained ankle. He unlocked the door and walked in. "I'm home~" He cried out. His grandfather and mother both called out to him unison. Hiro wobbled over to the kitchen in where they were eating dinner without him. "Ah! I'm so sorry! I should have called from the store or something." His mother stood up with worry in her voice. "Hiro, did something happen?" Hiro sighed and smiled at his mother. "I sprained my ankle at work. A new employee helped get me home just now." He came in to the kitchen and towards the fridge. Opening the freezer, he looked through it for an ice pack.

 

He then turned away and started leaving for his room. "Hiro, aren't you hungry?" He shook his head at his mother. "No, I'm going to go rest my foot and ice it." He left the room just before poking back in. "Ah! I'll make breakfast tomorrow, I promise!" Then he left the room and went for his room. Luckily he didn't have to climb up any stairs. When he reached his room he fell instantly on his bed and sighed. This was one heck of a day.

[Coffee-Tastic]

Walking alone now, he felt a lot better... As in he was wishing he felt the warmth on his back again from the other male, but that's as good because he'd get over it soon, then be normal again by the time he got home. The alpha rubbed his nose, trying to get the remanence of Hiro's scent out his nose. Thankfully, he was distracted again by something more annoying than any scent. The growling of his stomach. The only thing he's eaten today was a sugary cereal in the morning. He rejected Hiro's onigiri and he didn't regret it. Accepting that would mean he was feeding in to that man's pity over him, which he refused to do.

 

He restricted himself from wasting money on lunch, so he felt like he could allow himself to eat at someplace right about now. There was nothin in his place yet that would be suitable for a proper dinner, not like he knew how to cook anyways, and he didn't feel like having another microwave meal again. He'd treat himself a little today, he guessed, he worked hard today and he was introduced to the beginning of a rising empire that he planned to raise himself. He walked around, being too picky into going into each passing establishment until he smelled something that seemed really good. It was pizza.

 

He only got himself two slices, but he changed it to a whole pie, carrying the box with him back home. He'd regret it later, he bet, but it was really good and he needed a treat. Who knew pled food could taste so good? He's had pizza before, but it was nothing like this. It felt good to be able to eat as much as he wanted again, laying in bed after putting away the half finished box in the fridge for another time. It had been one, long day for sure. Finding out his parents lied about what happened to their son, gaining an enemy, helping said enemy with their heat, helping that enemy walk home and then going back home with his new favorite food. Hell, he was exhausted.

 

Takuma fell asleep sooner than he normally had, possibly because this day could have been a lot worse, but it wasn't. It still was something, but not horrible like a day at his last job... Falling asleep, he ended up grabbing a pillow in the middle of the night because of a certain dream, his large self trying to spoon the small pillow throughout the night. Well, what dream was he having, huh?

[YellowPerch]

Hiro had decided after a minute of staring at his ceiling that he should probably take care of his foot now. He fixed himself on his bed and grabbed one of the extra pillows he had on his bed. If it wasn't obvious to someone as they first walked into the room, then there was something wrong. Hiro had a craze for pillows. His entire bed was filled with several different kinds of pillows, all ranging from firm to soft. His closet had several other pillows in it as well. Many pillows were old, having been passed to him by his grandmother. But some were brand new, where he had bought them himself. Hiro laid one of the more softer pillow on his bed under his ankle, then rested the ice pack under his ankle as well.

 

He sighed as the cold hit his skin and instantly started to numb his muscles. The cold felt good as his ankle raged in the heat of the sprain. He could hear his mother moving around in the kitchen. Putting away the food and dishes they had used for dinner tonight. Hiro felt horrible for not coming home sooner. He had promised he'd be the one to make dinner and breakfast. After his tumble and his sudden heat, Hiro certainly wasn't going to be making it home for dinner, and yet he still felt guilty.

 

After ten minutes Hiro had to pull the ice pack away. Not only had his ankle gone completely numb with cold. But the ice pack had now started to melt. He probably should have thrown something under the ice pack, because now his pillow was wet from water. Hiro sighed as he put the pack on the the floor. He'd have to remember that it was there, so that he didn't step on it and hurt himself again. Hiro kept the wet pillow where it was under his ankle, keeping his foot elevated. It wasn't too long before Hiro had fallen asleep, still completely clothed. Hiro had just been too tired to change at all. Somewhere in the night Hiro had managed to bury himself underneath all of his pillows. Only his foot and nose managing to stick out from the mass of pillows around him.

[Coffee-Tastic]

Falling asleep after eating the best pizza he's ever had, which he had to willingly admit because if he does like something, it has to be amazing, Takuma resented the whole world when he had to wake up. His phone more than other things, the device buzzing and ringing loudly at his bedside. He'd be one of those people who turn off the alarm and just go back to sleep, but he couldn't. He was actually one of those people who couldn't go back to sleep after waking up. The charm of luck he had with that ability was good for having to strictly get up and get ready for something, work in this case, and that same good quality could be a horrible thing when he had nothing to do. He couldn't count the number of times that he's waken up before the sun just because of annoying dogs barking in the neighborhood or a car alarm randomly went off, Takuma would wake up and then be cursed with trying to find something to do. That usually ended up being watching television or being on his phone.

 

Takuma rubbed his eyes and reached out to quiet his phone, still holding the plump pillow in his arms, which he had yet to even notice. Normally when he woke up, the only thing he thought about was possibly opening his eyes up to be in his normal bed in the estate back home and after stretching his legs and hugging the pillow in his arms tighter, he didn't see that. It was some brunet smiling at him graciously with pink cheeks. In his sleepy state, it took him a minute to grasp onto the fact that it was Hiro he was imagining and that Hiro was the first thing he thought of when he woke up. HUH? The alpha shook his head and shoved the pillow out of his arms, getting out of bed quickly and going to the small bathroom to assault his face with cold water. Cancerous Hiro.

 

This was what he wanted wasn't it? For him to feel a certain way about him after nearly triggering off an alpha's counterpart instincts to a heat? Takuma didn't think this would continue on, but even when the omega wasn't even here, the blond was plagued with him regardless. Evil. Hiro is pure. Evil. He growled and ended up grumbling complaints the entire time he was getting ready for his second day of work. He was in a sour mood leaving the hotel, sour getting his shitty cup of coffee and sour when he was walking up to the store in that tacky blue shirt and sweater. He had to confront Hiro about this. He had to know that he wasn't playing this game with someone who was blind to the things he was doing. Entering the market, he held an amazingly bad aura, drinking his coffee with his expression as tough as a brick.

[YellowPerch]

Hiro woke up that morning gratefully rested. He had never thought he'd get such a good sleep. Perhaps it was because of the exhaustion of the day. Or perhaps it was because of his sudden heat. Or it was because of the comfort of his massive pile of pillows strewn across his bed. Whatever it was he was thankful for it. He slowly sat up in bed, a small strand of drool running down his chin. He quickly wiped it away and looked around his room. The light of day had yet to shine through his room, the sun just barely waking above the horizon. Hiro carefully stood out of bed, baring his weight on his good ankle before stepping on his other ankle. The pain was gone luckily, put it still left him weak to walk. After dressing into his work attire and readying himself before heading to the kitchen, Hiro noticed that today he would be walking with a slight limp in his gait.

 

In the kitchen he hummed to his own tune as he cooked breakfast. The other two household members had yet to wake up yet. And they wouldn't for a few more hours. Breakfast was out of the way and as he ate his, he packed the rest into the fridge. The fridge was frighteningly scarce of food. A plate of vegetables he had cut up for dinner the night before. And now the plates of food for breakfast. He would have to pick up some more food today before heading home. He closed the fridge with a sigh and finished his breakfast before leaving the house for work.

 

By the time he had gotten to the store, the sun was now just peering over the trees and houses. He had unlocked the door and put out the sign right at the door. When he walked in he switched on the lights and headed for the register. Behind the counter was a small safe where they kept the money. He opened it and set up the drawer and logged the register in. By the time he had finished actually opening the store, the doors chimed with the bell announcing someone walking in. Hiro suddenly looked up from the register and greeted the person with a cheery "Good morning" before realizing it was actually Takuma walking through the the doors.

[Coffee-Tastic]

The cheery good morning had the power to make anyone magically have a good morning, Takuma was certain of that, which was exactly why the frown on his face got stronger, it didn't help that hearing it also made his heart beat faster. The blond went straight to him, staring at him as he put his coffee cup to sit on the register counter and, after, took off his sweater. He wondered if he did as he instructed and rested his foot, he also needed to have taken his medicine. He was not getting screwed over today. Not again. Once he had his sweater off and over his shoulder, where he'd take to he back after their little talk, Takuma grabbed the coffee, "Before anyone starts coming in... I'd like to have a talk with you. Its about yesterday... and today. And the next day and so on... I hate to break it to you, Hiro, but I know what you're up to," his eyes narrowed, "You will not succeed, not when it's me you chose to do this with."

 

He was so confident in the ideas his mind produced that he would never consider how he might look if he was wrong. Thats the thing, he didn't think he was anywhere close to being wrong. It was a shame that he was, because he might just seem crazy now. He helped out Hiro a lot yesterday, going as far as to take him back home, carrying him half the way there. Takuma would continue to do nice things too, but that didn't make it any better to see his danger defense levels were up so high for no reason whatsoever. You can call him delusional, but growing up and learning only the cruel competition side of the world, it did things to him. Nothing kind can be done without a reason behind it.

[YellowPerch]

Hiro watched as Takuma made his way over to the register, rested his coffee on the counter and slipped out of his sweatshirt. Hiro didn't want to admit it, but somehow, he found himself unable to move his gaze away from the other. The long stride as he crossed the store to him, the flexing of his muscles as he removed his sweatshirt. All of it made Hiro want to see more. He mentally slapped himself twice as hard as he would have physically dome so. Inside his mind spun with ideas floating around and his heart beat so hard he couldn't control it. He tried as hard as he could to fight the heat that rose to his cheeks. Luckily he didn't have to fight long, for Takuma was declaring something he couldn't understand.

 

What was he talking about? He knew Hiro was doing what? Hiro had so many questions in his head now then images, that the beating of his heart and heat of his cheeks were gone. But his sweaty palms remained. After receiving help from Takuma yesterday, he had thought they were on fair ground, if not just a little. However, it seemed clear that the other male wasn't giving in to his delusion that Hiro was doing something to jeopordize him. "Wai- Takuma I do- I'm sorry but I don't understand. What's bothering you so much." He hurriedly added, "I know I caused a lot of trouble for you yesterday. And I promise I'll make it up to you."

 

Hiro was clearly unable to comprehend exactly what Takuma was so upset about. He figured it was about yesterday and his complete and utter fiasco, but somewhere deep inside, he realized that wasn't it. But then what was it? He couldn't figure out at all what the other was trying to accuse him of. Hiro tried to shift uncomfortably, but the weight on his injured ankle still made it hurt, so he could only stand on his strong ankle and fiddle his thumbs together instead.

[Coffee-Tastic]

"Oh..." He sighed heavily out of frustration. Anyone found playing dumb to be annoying and he was even prepared to come across the possibility that Hiro would try and do the same to him after approaching him about the subject... But wow. Hiro played this game too well, didn't he? To the look in his eyes to trying to advert away from the real truth by making something out of what happened yesterday. His levels of trust were never high with anyone before in his life, so he never would stop and think he was overreacting, or being too paranoid when it came to having suspicions of other people. Not even Hiro's apologetic, innocent face breached past his cold, hard wall of distrust. "I see how you'e going to play this..." he mumbled.

 

Takuma shook his head, coming closer to the counter, leaning his elbow on it before pointing right at his face, "You're good... I know that. But so am I, Hiro. You're going down the wrong path. You can't play dumb with me. Give me that face all you want, tell me you don't know what I mean as much as you'd like, but you cannot fool me. I know what you are doing." If his tone wasn't oddly threatening enough, nothing would ever be able to threaten Hiro... Though the sudden hostility just might come off as strange. Or straight up delusional. Both would be valid...

 

Paranoia of others like this and not being able to trust people always came from something, Takuma falling right in that category. On top of having a great guy like his dad being his father, his favorite nanny was the one to ruin the young Takuma's views on the kindness people held. She was seemingly so pure of heart and Takuma thought she was an angel until one day she was caught stealing valuable jewelry from his mom. He was hiding behind the next corner, but after being caught, the woman spewed out loud words in rage, calling the blond a brat that would grow up to be a petty man just like his father, she hated them all and so on before she was kicked out of the house. She was the first person he ever trusted and loved more than his own mother. It hurt him until he realized he was the foolish one for thinking someone can be so nice for no good reason. He pushed any bad things out of his mind and only got worse from then on out.

[YellowPerch]

Hiro watched Takuma in complete confusion. What was he talking about? Why was he do angry? He had absently lost to the thoughts of his mind, but it was when Takuma had found his way closer to the counter, and jammed a finger at Hiro, did he completely flinch from the anger running off of Takuma. The threatening and hostile voice, the raging eyes, and his demeanor of it all. Hiro wasnt sure how to react to any of this. He opened his mouth to say something, but only a choked out sound came from his throat. Hiro narrowed his eyes at not being able to speak out. He needed to tell Takuma he had it all wrong.

 

Hiro had no idea of what he was foing to make Takuma feel like this. He thought it was because of yesterday, but he started to think that wasnt the case. Although he still held the thought deep down inside. Hiro looked back at Takuma, his expression holding that of wanting some sort of answer. He shook his head slowly from side to side and tried to speak again. "I-i still dont know..." that was all he was able to get out after realizing Takuma was not going to listen to any excuses. Well, not that these were excuses.

 

He didnt know how long they stayed in their spots for, but it was soon disrupted by the first customer of the day. A regular who always came in first thing in the morning for a cup of coffee. Hiro watched Takuma a little while more before addressing to the customer. "W-welcome-" His voice cracked a little bit from the pressure he just left under. But either no one noticed, or the two just ignored it. Hiro glanced back at Takuma one last moment before the customer came up to pay for his coffee.

 

 

Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk

[Coffee-Tastic]

( I'm sorry, I just realized I had replied in a while... I have a lot of roleplays so its easy to lose track, so please, If I take a long time to reply, don't be afraid to message me

 

 

Takuma knew that cracked voice. It was called acting. He was doing very well. The blond bet that he fooled a lot of people with that kind of acting. He stared at Hiro up until the customer came up to the front, "Pretend all you want. I know," stepping back and glaring at him as he walked away to the back room so he could put his sweater away. He would ask Hiro what thing he should do, but he wasn't going to now, not after that person still decided to act innocent and try to continue his game. Why couldn't he just admit that Takuma was right all along? How much pride could one man hold?! Surely he had no idea someone was as tough as himself. Impressive but not appreciated. Hiro had no idea how to manage. He didn't have a filthy rich family with millions of dollars on the family name... though now the price of his name alone wasn't as much anymore.

 

He stuffed his hoodie in the locker and gave himself look, frowning at blue color once again. Had to work his way up fast because this color was sure as hell going to change as soon as that happened. Takuma returned out of the back, seeing that the customer had left. Putting his hands in the pockets of his pants with his shoulders leaned back slightly more, which made the definition of his chest more prominent, the alpha came stood by Hiro again, but was several feet away. He could fight him all he'd like, but they had to be on even ground again. "Come over here," he told him with no other context or reason behind that. He simply wanted to see if the other male could walk and had listened to his order of resting yesterday.

[YellowPerch]

Hiro stood confused as Takuma walked away. He watched the other's back until he entered the back room. The customer had even done the same, wondering why Hiro was staring at him so intently. He cleared his throat. "Uh, hello." Hiro instantly turned back to the customer, his cheeks flushing in embarrassment. "I'm sorry. Thank you for shopping with us again today!" The customer laughed at Hiro's small panic. "Hiro please, you say that every time I come in." Hiro rubbed the back of his head with one hand as he punched in the items the customer was buying. "S-sorry, its...its habit now. I suppose." They exchanged a few more words, a light conversation before the man paid for his things and left. As soon as he left, Takuma had came back out of the back room.

 

Hiro watched, concern evident on his features. Takuma headed his way but stopped several feet away from the counter he stood behind. "Come over here." The words he heard the other speak weren't...how did Hiro want to put them? Violent? This time his words were more gentle. Although not entirely as gentle as Hiro would want them to be. But he listened to the other and walked over, he had no reason to stay behind the counter anyway. He stepped form behind the counter and walked his way towards Takuma. A slight limp in his gate, but nothing like he had been doing yesterday. He had made sure to wrap it tight, so any pressure on it wouldn't affect the injury any further. "What is it? Did something happen out back?" He had to admit, he was a little concerned as to why Takuma had called him over so suddenly after just leaving the back room.

 

((Haha, sorry, I actually meant to message you sooner, but I completely forgot. But don't worry too much about it. You can expect the same from me most likely. xD ))

[Coffee-Tastic]

While Hiro walked toward him, he only meant to see how he walked to make sure he had healed nice and properly. But how was it that his eyes had went from watching his slight limp to studying up to his hips and then up his body to his face? His own actions seemed to put him in a worse mood on top of what he felt from assuming Hiro didn't listen to his words yesterday about keeping off his foot. It wasn't anyone's fault besides his own to be acting so off with imagining the omega in his arms and accidentally checking him out when he walked over, especially not Hiro's, and of course to Takuma, it was all his fault. It was his fault for not taking his medicine yesterday and it was his fault for him lusting over a peasant that was also his rival in the supermarket industry.

 

Shaking his head out of it, he also shook his head in disappointment to Hiro. "Why are you limping? Wasn't helping you home and carrying you half of the way not enough for you? Or is it actually because you chose to stay on your feet so you can still get away with having a limp in your step, huh?" Great. At any rate, he'd actually have to carry him back home again if his ankle wasn't better by the end of the day... And you bet he was going to make sure Hiro stayed at the register. With a chair. He bet he wouldn't like that because it would flaw this attempt... Good. He already let this person know he wasn't playing any games here. "I can't believe you would go as far as to remain injured for the sake of being better than me..." He huffed and sneered off to the side.

 

(Sorry I didn't get back at this when I said I would >^

[YellowPerch]

Hiro made his way over to Takuma. Though his limping was uncomfortable, it didn't hurt all that much. He tried to keep his eyes looking at anything but Takuma. For the look in his eyes made him all the more uncomfortable. Plus, he happened to catch the other looking up his body instead of at his feet like Hiro had figured out he was trying to do. By the time he reached the other, just feet away, his face had been red from the intense staring. Hiro wasn't sure what to think of it, after the events that happened yesterday. He had already apologized, and he made sure to let the other know that Hiro was going to make it up to him. But he still couldn't help but feel the way he did under the eyes of his co-worker. Hiro stood awkwardly in front of Takuma holding his arms against his chest and tensing his shoulders against his neck.

 

Hiro's heart skipped faster once the other shook his head. Disappointment, that's what it was. Takuma was disappointed in him. For what he wasn't entirely sure, but when the other spoke up, he answered Hiro's own silent question. Hiro shook his head quickly. "I-I stayed off my feet. Just like you said! I um...I'm not a fast healer, so its only natural for me to still limp, right?" He looked away from Takuma. "I mean, sure I stood on it a little bit more then I usually would this morning, but I was feeling better. And I'll make sure to keep my foot up when I get home tonight too!" However, at Takuma's last huff f words, Hiro stood confused. "Better then you? I don't...What do you mean? I'm not trying...Takuma really, I don't get what your talking about." His brows raised for a moment. "Is that what you meant this morning when you first walked in?" He shook his head to try to say other wise. "I'm not trying to be better then you at anything. I mean, we already know who can lift with ease over the other." He laughed at himself. Hiro thought he was on the right track in Takuma's thinking.

[Coffee-Tastic]

I don't get what you're talking about. That's the biggest red flag for lying in the big book of corporate business, that he knew, so he wasn't at all amused by Hiro admitting he couldn't lift for the sake of his life. His face didn't change at all and nothing but maybe a slight eye twitch changed in him, "I'm not talking about that sense. If it was, I wouldn't be worried about being weaker than an omega..." Stepping closer, he really did just have enough of this attempt of a game Hiro was playing with him. The blond was done with being treated like an idiot who was blind to what was happening in the world around him. Takuma grabbed the other's collar and pulled Hiro closer to him until their faces were just a breath apart, muttering with a sharp spike of coldness in his tone, "I'd applaud your determination at trying to make it seem you're innocent, but I'm tired of it. Admit it. You want to take over this store. You want to move up in power until you're on top before I do and you're making yourself look like the best employee here so you can reach step one first, Hiro," he grinned, the smile being a mix of anger and a pinch of paranoia. It wouldn't be exactly false if you were to say he looked a little bit crazy.

 

Staring at him with his fiery amber eyes attacking Hiro, Takuma made a big mistake on his own part. He breathed in. Just one single smell was all it took, apparently, to burn up the alpha's circuits and senses. The sweet, delicious smell that came off of the omega was outlandishly troubling to him. His grin sunk in and the take on his eyes was a lot different now, the need displayed there to hear Hiro changed into actual want, not of a confession, but of Hiro himself. It made him want to do multiple things at once; hold him, kiss him, mark him and, god, so many things. The biggest one though, was to make the omega know he was belonged to someone. Where this was coming from... Takuma didn't know. It reminded him of the thoughts he got from being around Hiro when he was going through his heat just yesterday, but there was less roughness and more just having the desire to do something. And well, he wanted to. His body and heart did, oddly enough. That strong want was slowly moving the blond closer and closer to Hiro's soft lips and it strictly tuned out everything around him, even Hiro himself.