Chapter Text
Toge watched as the sun raised over the ocean, warming his flushed cheeks. He had always tried to make it a habit to come watch the sunrise, at least once a week. It gives him a sense of relief, to know that he woke up to another day. He scrunches his toes in the sand and rested his chin on his knees, letting himself - for just a moment - forget about everything else.
Toge had been living in this town a majority of his life; since he was a teenager. His mother had brought him here for no reason other than she was sick and tired of city life - and his father. His father was never really a good man, or alpha, but he was never terrible either. Toge doesn't recall ever doing much with him, just eating dinner in silence in their large, barren apartment. His mother had always tried to have happy family memories, but all Toge can remember is his fathers face - eyes sunken in and bored. Never full of love and laughter.
So his mother took him away to a small beach town. He enjoyed it, really, he did. He just always felt like something was missing. Like there could be something could be... more. He knows it's not the city he's yearning for, as he had visited his father a few times over the years. The city is boring, stinky, crowded, and full of pheromones he has no interest in smelling. He knows now that he much prefers the serenity of the ocean breeze.
He doesn't know if he wants a mate or not, simply because he doesn't want to end up like his parents. In a loveless bond, forcing themselves to smile around each other. His mother always encouraged him to go out and meet new people, hoping one day that he would bring home an alpha with him. But that never happened. He's learned he doesn't like alphas, after hanging out with some to try and appease his mother. They're dumb, and big, and only want to breed. They don't care how you feel, or your personality, they just want you to bare your neck and raise your ass. Toge never got the appeal, no matter how much his mom told him there is love inside alphas.
He misses his mom. She passed away a few years ago. Leaving Toge alone in the house, with just the cat - Tuna. Toge liked the cat, but she was old and frail and wanted to be left alone. Much like himself, he realizes. His mom always dragged him out of bed to watching the sunrises. Saying it's therapeutic, and important to appreciate everyday we live. She also told him that sunrises, and sunsets, are more special when you're with someone you love. He knows she meant a mate, but he enjoyed going with her, and he loved his mom, so he's never thought anything else of it.
Seagulls squawking bring him back to the present, and he starts to brush the sand off his body while standing. He goes to his bicycle, which is resting a few feet away, and heads off to the local grocery store. His town is very small, and all the shops are located on one continuous street right next to the beach. His trip is not far, and soon he hops off of his bike, leaving it right near the entrance for when he’s done.
"Morning, Toge!" Toge hears the familiar voice of his friend and owner of the store, Panda, greeting him.
He raises his hand and smiles slightly, but says nothing and keeps walking. This is not unusual for him, in fact everyone expects it from him. He is not a man of many words, and it has nothing to do with the fact that he's an omega, despite what some people say. Since he was small, he's actually had problems with his throat and vocal cords, and it ends up getting extremely sore if he says more than a few sentences. So he decides to just not say anything at all unless necessary. He can sign, but not many people know it so he doesn't really bother.
He thinks of what he wants for dinner, and snacks - dropping some things into his basket. There's no a lot of people in the store this early in the morning, thankfully. He doesn't like to be around too many people at once, it makes him fidgety. He's holding a plum in his hand, inspecting for impurities, when a scent hits his nose.
It's an alpha, an unmated alpha one at that, and not one that he's ever smelled before. He instantly becomes nervous, setting the plum down and grabbing his basket to make his way to checkout. Sometimes, on rare occasions, tourists come through their small town. They're always obnoxious, and have no respect for other's boundaries. So Toge does not want to see this alpha. He needs to get back home before this alpha sees him and pesters him.
He sets his basket down on the checkout counter and Panda can tell he's uneasy. He eyes him carefully, and looks - assumably - the direction the new alpha had went. He starts to grab the few things Toge has in his basket, and Toge begs him silently to hurry up. He doesn't like strangers and he does not want to be caught in a conversation with this alpha whatsoever.
"Um, excuse me," a deep, gentle voice behind him says.
Toge freezes, and looks at Panda for help.. Panda answers, thankfully, and the voice behind him says, "'m looking for cat food, do you have any here?"
Panda sighs, "No, unfortunately not. We weren't able to get any in shipment this week. We'll have some next week though!” The alpha, Toge knows because his scent has suffocated his nose, replies, "Oh, alright... well, I just moved into town, and my cat ran out of food last night, so I'm really desperate if I don't want her to claw my eyes out."
Toge keeps looking at Panda, silently asking him to hurry so he can just go home and not have to suffer being in public with an alpha stranger around for much longer. Panda makes eye contact and smirks, and Toge knows what he's about to do.
Being in a small town, everyone knows everyone's business. Including Toge's. So everyone knows Toge is unmated, and the old heads seem to think it's some sin, while the other people his age just try and set him up with every straggler tourist that occasionally comes through. Panda is taking that shot now.
"I'm sorry, there's nowhere else that sells any... but Toge here has a cat who may be willing to share some of her food!" Oh Toge is going to absolutely destroy Panda later. Before Toge or the alpha can reply, Panda adds, "New to town, huh? How long are you staying?"
Toge turns to look at the alpha at this moment, and his breath is practically taken straight from his lungs. The stranger is tall, and big - like most every alpha is - with dark hair that falls around his face. But he has this gentle look about him, which is odd in Toge's mind. Most alphas presence is demanding and loud, but this one is almost reserved, and... shy. He has his hands clasped in front of him and looks ready to dart away if need be. He glances over at Toge, and he swears for a second it looks like his eyes go big and the stores gets just a little hotter.
He looks back towards Panda and swallows, "Ah, I'm actually staying here permanently.
My grandmother just passed away and left me her estate." He smiles shyly.
Panda gasps, "Your grandmother was Ms.
Okkotsu?" At this point he's stopped scanning Toge's things, which makes him slightly annoyed, but Toge's now more intrigued with this alpha stranger as the conversation goes on. He eyes him up and down, and he can tell it's making the alpha nervous because he raises his hand to stratch at the back of his neck. "Yeah, that's her. I'm Yuuta."
Yuuta. Toge inhales his scent more, and tries to ignore his instincts screaming at him to submit, submit, submit.
Panda comes around the counter to pat Yuuta on the shoulder and give his condolences. Yuuta seems kind, and Toge is ever so curious of him now. He's never met an alpha like this.
"Seriously though, we don't want your eyes to be clawed out by your kitty - Toge, do you have any extra cat food to last our new neighbor till next week? I can give you a discount when I get the shipment in." Toge stares for a moment, and thinks about what this offer involves. He gets a future discount on cat food, which is always a good deal - but this new, strange alpha has to come home with him even if it's just for a moment. Toge looks Yuuta in the eyes for the first time, and notices how deep and dark they are.
For the first time in Toge's life, he's actually intrigued by an alpha. He actually doesn't know what to do with himself. So, he finds himself nodding his head quietly.
"Great!" Panda exclaims. "Welcome to town, Yuuta!”
Toge grabbed his bag of groceries, which wasn’t nearly enough as what he came in for, but the universe had other plans for him today it seems. He thanked Panda but gave him a glare just for good measure, so he knows Toge isn’t completely thrilled with this new task he’s been given.
Yuuta follows Toge outside to his bicycle and looks a little lost as Toge sets his grocery bag in the front hanging basket. Toge’s bike is big enough for two people, but he’s not sure that an alpha of Yuuta’s size would fit on the back seat bars. Great.
“Toge, right?” Yuuta stands closer to him now, giving him more access to his musky scent. Toge inhales a little deeper each breath he takes, but he’d never admit it.
Toge nods his head and then points to his throat, kind of shaking his head as to give signal that he can’t really speak.
Can you sign? He moves his hands, not really expecting Yuuta to know what he is doing.
To his surprise, Yuuta lights up a little bit, and smiles. “Yes! As my grandmother started to lose her hearing a few years ago we learned sign language together.” His face softened. “I remember her mentioning a boy in town who could sign as well. That must’ve been you.”
Toge remembers Ms. Okkotsu all too well. They would have coffee together at the local cafe occasionally, gossiping and eating pastries till noon. He was saddened by her passing, but it was expected soon as her health rapidly declined. She was one of the first people to welcome Toge and his mother to town whenever they first moved here. Now that he looks at Yuuta closer, he resembles her in small ways. Kind eyes, and a soft demeanor.
Yes, we spoke on occasion. I’m sorry for your loss. She was very sweet. Toge watched Yuuta focus intently to what he was saying. It was nice for someone to understand him without straining his voice.
“Thank you,” Yuuta gives a solemn look but regains himself rather quickly and is back to looking at Toge with that soft smile. “Thank you for helping me out by the way, I’ve only been here a few days and didn’t realize how small the town was going to be, I figured there would be more stores…” He shuffles around to look down main street, where the local shops are just starting to open up for the day.
Main street had about twenty local shops, of various kinds, with the courthouse down the middle. The buildings were all pastel or neutral colors, with bright colorful doors leading to the inside. A staple of their town. Dozens of flowers and plants line the windows and sidewalk, and flags of different kinds blow in the wind. The grocery store is at the end of the street, with the surf shop right across the rode, leading to the beach.
Have you never been here before moving? Toge asks, although it’s probably none of his business. Normally he wouldn’t care, he never cares about the alphas his friends try and set him up with him. For some reason Yuuta is different. Maybe it’s because he knew his grandmother. He tries to convince himself that he’s just being friendly.
Yuuta shakes his head, “My grandmother had a tough relationship with my mom, so I never got to be around her until these past few years.” He sighs, and Toge feels bad for bringing up bad memories. “She always came to visit me in the city. I was actually supposed to come up here to visit her for once, but then she passed away a week before my visit.”
Toge definitely feels bad now, he looks down for a moment and decides how to respond.
I’m sorry you couldn’t spend your time here with her. But I don’t mind to show you around. I know a few of her favorite places. Toges hands and fingers move slowly, timid of what Yuuta will think.
Yuuta smiles with his full face this time, teeth showing for a moment and Toge can’t help but notice his pronounced canines - his heart almost throbs. “I think I’d like that very much.” Yuuta says.
Toge’s the one to smile shyly now, and moves to get on the backseat of his bicycle - because there’s no way Yuuta could fit on the back, he would definitely flip it backwards. He gestures for Yuuta to get on the front, saying that he’ll point to which direction to go. Yuuta goes back to that nervous behavior, and his scent reflects it.
Toge smiles to make him feel a little more at ease, but he can understand why he feels the way he does. Hell, what he’s doing is honestly stupid. Letting an alpha that he’s just met ride his bike and take him to his house - he’s gone crazy! Yuuta couldn’t be that terrible though, not with Ms. Okkutsu as his grandmother. She was the kindest person Toge had ever met. Surely her grandson would be the same.
Yuuta gets in the main seat and grips the handle bars like his life, or Toge’s, depends on it. “I’m a little nervous,” He says with a slight shake to his voice. Toge pats his back and once he smells Yuuta’s scent lighten up slightly he reaches down to his sides and grabs the seat beneath him.
“Which way?” Yuuta asks. Toge points straight in front of them, and Yuuta pushes them off in that direction.
The salty breeze blows through Toge’s hair as Yuuta takes them down main street. He sees familiar faces in shop windows, and knows that he will be the talk of the town for awhile. Toge, on the back seat of his own bike, with the new alpha in town peddling them to his house. It should be considered a scandal.
Once they reach the end of the street, Toge points for him to keep following the sidewalk forward. His house isn’t far from town, as nobody’s really is, but Toge is fortunate enough to live right on the beach. Eventually they reach a few row of small houses nestled nicely on the shore. Toge points to the light blue house; with a bright, pastel yellow front door. Yellow and white colored porch chairs frame the windows, and his moms plants hang from the beams.
Yuuta pulls into the lawn and slowly reaches a stop. He puts his foot down to balance, glances back, and holds his hand out - expecting. Toge eyes him but grabs the offer anyways, using Yuuta’s hand to help himself off the back of the bike. Yuuta gently kicks the stand and the bike leans to rest. “Thank you,” Yuuta says, “I appreciate this. And so does Rika.” He exhales a slight laugh.
Toge shrugs, because really it isn’t that big of a deal to him. He doesn’t mind. Is Rika your cat? He asks, making his way to the front door.
“Yes,” Yuuta responds, following Toge’s footsteps up the porch. “I’ve had her for a few years. She doesn’t really like anyone else but me. She’s like a soul cat.”
Toge opens his yellow door and takes his shoes off in the entryway. That’s how my moms cat was with her. Tuna has been around me since I was 7, and I still don’t think she likes me. Yuuta laughs at that, also taking off his shoes.
Toge figures he should be a good host, even to this no-so-stranger, so he asks if Yuuta wants some tea. “Tea sounds great, but I don’t want to keep you too long. I don’t want to mess with your day.” Yuuta fuses.
It’s fine, I didn’t really have my day planned out anyways. Plus I miss having tea with Ms. Okkutsu, so you’ll have to do. He tries to be lighthearted, hoping Yuuta doesn’t take it the wrong way.
Instead, Yuuta smiles, nodding his head and following Toge to his small, open space kitchen. They make tea and have quiet conversation about their favorite flavor, if they like milk or sugar, or both.
They sit together at Toge’s kitchen table, which is in front of a large window looking out to the ocean. They watch the familiar waves roll in, and Toge catches himself smiling. The morning sun dances on their faces and reflects off their teacups. He hasn’t had a quiet moment like this in awhile, or met someone he’s actually interested in to share it with. Conversation eventually dies down, and Tuna ends up coming out from Toge’s moms room. He taps Yuuta’s shoulder and points to the grey cat, signing her name - Tuna.
“Oh, well, there’s the lady herself,” Yuuta carefully stands and meets Tuna halfway, gently raising his hand for her to sniff. She sits in front of him, considers his offered hand, and gets up to walk to her food bowl. Yuuta seems just a little taken aback, making Toge amused. He looks back at him, and Toge just shakes his head. I told you, she doesn’t like anyone but my mom.
“I’ve never had a cat not let me pet them,” Yuuta sighs. “I’ll earn her trust one day.” Toge almost blushes at the thought of Yuuta coming over again, that this isn’t just a one time thing. That this isn’t just Toge being a nice neighbor.
Yuuta looks good, standing in his home, surrounding the room with his presence and scent. It’s been a long time since Toge has found someone as intriguing as Yuuta, maybe the first time ever. He may be an alpha but he certainly doesn’t act like one; he seems gentle. Every alpha he’s ever encountered in the past has just wanted to knot and breed Toge. They never seen him as a person; never cared to make conversation or be kind. And that’s all Yuuta has shown him so far, in their tender morning they’ve shared together. It scares him.
This moment, however, cannot last forever - as much as he wants it to - and Toge knows that Yuuta probably has stuff to do today, besides bumming around his tiny house watching the ocean. He stands and makes his way to the pantry, grabbing a small bag of dry food and a small box of canned wet food. This should last you till next week. He says.
“Thank you so much,” Yuuta says while grabbing the cat food. “And for the tea as well. It means a lot.” He murmurs. Toge nods his head and begins to walk Yuuta out.
Do you want a ride back home? Toge asks. Yuuta shakes his head, “No, I’m alright. Town isnt far and I parked my car near the grocery store. Thank you though.” Toge gives him a smile, If you ever need a beach day or more tea just come around whenever. Yuuta tells him that he most certainly will, thanks him once again, and begins to walk down the street.
Toge watches him for a few moments, not being able to look away. Nobody has ever made Toge feel this way before. It’s enthralling, but scary. If Toge runs into him in town again, which is almost a guarantee given how small it is, what if he doesn’t acknowledge him? What if he throws a complete one eighty and turns into every other alpha - harsh and demanding. He can’t imagine that he would, he’s so soft spoken and timid, but the chance is always there. Toge might not ever leave the house again if that happens.
He chooses to just enjoy the morning they had together instead, hoping that Yuuta’s path runs across his again - and maybe, next time, he’ll be brave enough to ask him to stay a little longer.