Chapter Text
The week flies by uneventfully, and it is all too soon the day of the dreaded dinner party.
Kaoru paces about in his room while he waits for Sakuma to summon him. The maids have dressed him in a white shirt with a gray vest and pants. His shoes are shined to perfection, and the light blue ascot around his neck feels like it's choking him.
To make things short, he's extremely uncomfortable.
Not only will he be surrounded by vampires, but he'll have to interact with them? He'll have to play nice and pretend that he's enjoying himself around them?
What the hell did he get himself into? Being the fake human companion of a vampire nobleman? What a joke. He's had a hard enough time acting the part in front of the staff at the estate. He'll get found immediately, and not only will Kaoru himself be killed or worse, Sakuma will be publicly disgraced.
Sakuma who has been nothing but kind to Kaoru. The vampire could have completely ignored him, confined him to his room, told him to work alongside the rest of the mansion staff. But he has done none of that. He's regarded Kaoru almost like a special guest. Let him freely roam the estate and it's grounds. Attempted to engage with him about the books Kaoru's been reading.
All in all, it's been rather... nice.
And Kaoru is going to ruin everything by accidentally saying something he shouldn't or maybe doing something wrong. He doesn't know exactly, but he knows that he'll screw up in some sort of way. These past few weeks have been too good to him. Something's gotta give.
A knock on the door drags him from his thoughts, and he hears his name being called. The door opens to reveal one of the staff that regularly helps him, a boy in his late teens named Yuta.
"Good evening, Hakaze-san," he says cheerily. "Sakuma-san is calling for you in the parlor. The guests are going to be arriving soon."
"Right, thank you, Yuta-kun," Kaoru tells him, glancing in the mirror on the wall next to him to tug on the ascot again.
"Are you alright, Hakaze-san?" Yuta asks him. "You seem uncomfortable. Do the clothes not fit you?"
"No, no the clothes are fine," he says quickly.
"Are you sick?"
"No, it's not that," he mumbles.
Yuta tilts his head to the side regarding him with his wide green eyes. "Are you nervous?"
"No- well-" Kaoru awkwardly rubs at the back of his neck, fiddling with the longer hair that rests there. "Yeah," he admits.
Yuta gives him a reassuring smile. "With Sakuma-san with you, everything will be fine. He may seem a little absentminded at times, but you can trust that he's always thinking ahead."
"Even if I do something stupid?"
Yuta chuckles. "Yes, even if you do something stupid he always knows how to right the situation," he tells him. "I don't know how he does it, but I've seen it first hand many times."
Kaoru glances back at the mirror one last time and then the clock hanging by the door, letting out a slow breath. "Thanks," he murmurs.
"Anytime," Yuta nods. "Now let's get you downstairs."
Kaoru nods back and wordlessly follows the younger boy out the door. As they make their way out of the west wing, they start to see a few workers doing some last minute cleaning and setting up.
It's just a small dinner with a few people, but nobles always seem to make a big event out of everything. Making the staff always run around last minute. Kaoru remembers the time that was his job when he was owned by a different noble family. It was only a short time, but they were honestly the worst people he was ever owned by. All of the slaves were treated horribly. Disgusting living conditions, being forced to work until you collapsed.
That was another reason why Kaoru was so surprised when learning about life at the Sakuma estate. The Sakuma's didn't believe in owning slaves which was rare but not completely unheard of for nobles. Guess it doesn't matter whether you're paying your workers or not when you're that filthy rich. Every worker seemed to want to be there though and had a small stipend given to them every month even with the free room and board. From what Yuta and Adonis told him, they only worked five days a week, are fed three meals a day and sometimes even dine with Sakuma himself.
"He won't admit it himself, but he gets lonely," Yuta told him once with a giggle. "Whenever anyone decides to eat with him, he gets so happy like a little kid at Christmas."
Kaoru couldn't help but laugh along with him. Sakuma was always so mysterious and put together. It was nice to hear that he had a cute side to him as well.
Once they reach the parlor, Yuta opens the door for him and ushers him inside. Sakuma is seated on one of the lavish loveseats that is circled around a long coffee table. As usual, he's dressed in dark colors, black with accents of a deep purple with his tie and handkerchief tucked into the pocket of his jacket.
He regards the two of them with a smile. "Thank you, Yuta-kun."
"Have a good time, Sakuma-san," Yuta tells him. "And don't drink too much with Shu-san tonight. I don't feel like having to half carry you to your room again."
Sakuma laughs lightheartedly. "I will try not to this time, but I make no promises."
Yuta pouts. "Then try a little harder this time Sakuma-san, or I'll put you in the garden for the night instead of your bed."
"Oh you wound me, my dear child." The playful grin stays on the vampire's face as Yuta sees himself out. He then looks to Kaoru. "You look very nice in that," he comments.
Kaoru gives him a lopsided smile. "Well I would hope so. You were the one who got these clothes for me."
"Indeed I was, and might I say I have impeccable taste." His chin tilts up in mock pride and Kaoru lets out a laugh.
This easy back and forth they've started to do has been fun. Lightly teasing and joking with each other a bit. It's easygoing and lighthearted, and something he's been using to get more comfortable around Sakuma but still keep a comfortable distance.
"Come sit, Kaoru-kun," Sakuma gestures, implying for him to sit next to the vampire.
Unlike when he first started living at the Sakuma estate, Kaoru doesn't hesitate when he sits next to him.
"Are you feeling alright?" Sakuma asks quietly. "Nervous at all?"
Kaoru hums a bit. "A little, to be honest," he admits.
"Just smile politely and answer their questions," Sakuma tells him. "I can assure you that they are kind people. I've been close with the son, Shu, since I was young. He has a companion that is a very friendly boy. Once introductions are done, you might be more comfortable talking with him instead to pass the time. I'll make sure that he's seated near you."
Kaoru just nods.
"Good," Sakuma affirms. "And don't mind Shu when you first meet him. He's a bit fussy and standoffish, but he is kind once you get to know him more."
"Okay."
"And be nice to his Mademoiselle."
"His what?"
"H-"
There's a knock on the door interrupting them.
"Sakuma-san, the Itsuki's have arrived," Chiyo's voice sounds from behind the door.
Sakuma stands up, buttoning the bottom button on his jacket. "Just be nice to her," he says before looking back to the door. "Let them in."
The door opens and Chiyo holds it for the middle aged couple behind her. They are both dressed in exquisite clothes, the man in a full tailored suit in a deep navy and his wife in a long gown and lavish fur coat, pink hair pulled up in an intricate updo.
They both smile warmly as they greet Sakuma. He shakes hands with the husband and is pulled into a hug from the wife.
"I'm so glad we bumped into you the other day," the wife says. "You've been the talk of the town since word got out that you've finally found yourself a companion.
"Hanako-san, you embarrass me," Sakuma jokes.
"Oh, don't worry. We're all just a bit curious." She then looks past Sakuma and her gaze falls on Kaoru. He tenses. "Is this him?"
"Ah yes." Sakuma steps back a few paces to where Kaoru is standing and puts a hand on his lower back. Kaoru wills himself not to shy away and forces what he hopes comes across as a breezy smile. "This is Hakaze Kaoru."
"My goodness just look at him," Hanako croons. She steps forward and stares up at Kaoru in a way that's almost resonant with the stare potential buyers used to give him. Analytical, almost as if they were looking at a painting to decide if they felt like placing a bid on it. It made him feel inhuman then and it makes forcing his smile even more difficult now.
"If these are your standards, Rei, I understand why it took you so long to get one," she adds, reaching up towards Kaoru's face. Her fangs flash in the lamplight as she smiles. A hand brushes through his hair lightly, and he feels his muscles tensing. "Your hair is such an exquisite shade of blonde. Where are you from, Kaoru-kun?"
It took him a moment to realize that her question was directed at him. His mouth feels dry, but he forces himself to open it.
"I-" His voice involuntarily cracks and he quickly clears his throat. "I'm from a small village on the east coast ma'am."
"How lovely," she says happily, turning back to Sakuma. "My husband and I visited out there once. Such a beautiful area, and it seems the humans there are the same. I remember-"
"Mother please don't bore Rei with your tales from long ago," a haughty voice says. The man who just spoke, Kaoru notices for the first time in the doorway. He's young. Younger than Hanako and her husband. About his age, but you never can tell with vampires. He has the same pink hair as Hanako but the tall thin stature of her husband. He's dressed in the same expensive fabrics as the couple, but the thing that attracts Kaoru's attention the most is the small doll he holds in his arms with an outfit similar to his as if he wanted them to match.
This must be the son, Shu.
"What do you mean 'long ago?'" Hanako complains in the same haughty tone as her son. "It was only fifty years ago. I'm still young!"
Kaoru holds himself back from balking. He thought she was in her 40's at most with the way she looked. Then again, she is a noble vampire and most definitely drinks blood often.
"The difference in time doesn't change just how outright boring they are to hear," Shu tells her with a roll of his eyes. He then focuses on Sakuma and his sour expression lessens the slightest amount. "Rei, how are you, my friend?"
"I've been well," Rei replies with an easy smile. "And you? How's business?"
Shu makes a pointed look at his mother and replies with a smug tone. "Business is good. Many of my clients have told me I have quite the talent as a designer and tailor."
Kaoru notices Hanako huff in annoyance out of the corner of his eye which Shu seems to pointedly ignore as he continues.
"It's a lot of work, but Kagehira has been helping me with some more simple designs. He is slow and seems to always mess up twice before he gets it right and uses three times the amount of fabric he should, but..." Shu pauses and glances at the door with an awkward cough before mumbling. "But he's improving steadily everyday."
Sakuma just continues to wear his steady smile. "I am glad to hear it. Speaking of Kagehira-kun, did he stay home tonight? You two are usually inseparable."
At that Shu releases a loud sigh. "No, he should have followed me in here, but that foolish social butterfly always wants to chat with those twins of yours."
"It's your fault he doesn't listen," Hanako states, inserting herself into the conversation again with a pompous pout. "He's your companion. You should discipline him properly if he acts against-"
"That's enough from you, mother!"
Shu's outburst makes Kaoru want to curl in on himself, and he finds himself slowly moving behind Sakuma as the silence in the room weighs down on everyone. He peeks over the vampire's shoulder to see Shu's eyes ablaze with anger. His mother looks just as furious. She looks like she's about to retort when Sakuma steps forward.
"I'm sorry to intrude, but it seems dinner will be ready soon," he states calmly with his most charming smile. "Mrs. Itsuki, why don't you and your husband find your way to the dining room. Shu and I will follow suit."
Mr. Itsuki takes that moment to swoop in and place his hand on his wife's back. "Let's go, my dear. I'm sure the boys want to talk about things they can't discuss in front of the adults."
"Of course," Rei agrees with a chuckle. "You know... boy stuff."
Boy stuff? You've got to be kidding me.
Kaoru doesn't think that Hanako will buy that poor excuse, but she just heaves a sigh and lets her husband lead her out of the parlor. The door swings shut with a bump and Kaoru can feel the tension immediately subside. At that, he can't help but let out a soft laugh.
Sakuma turns to him with a confused look. "Everything alright, Kaoru-kun?"
"Boy stuff..." He murmurs covering his mouth with a hand to stifle his giggles. "Sakuma-san, you are the last person people would expect to talk about boy stuff."
A sheepish smile grows across Sakuma's face. "You never know, Kaoru-kun. I was once a boy just like any other man."
"No, he's right," Shu interjects with a half-hearted grin. "You were never a boy even when you were a boy."
Sakuma's smile turns more melancholy as he looks to Shu. "Ah well, the curse of the first born I suppose." Sakuma and Shu lock eyes for a moment as if having a silent conversation before Sakuma looks towards the parlor door. "I see your mother still disapproves of your business."
"She disapproves of anything that doesn't make her the most money with the least effort," Shu sniffs, busying himself with fixing the stray hairs on his doll. "She may wear all the new trends and styles, but she does not understand art and fashion at all."
"I'm glad you have Kagehira-kun to support you in your endeavors then," Sakuma comments.
Shu then does the most peculiar thing, and Kaoru has seen many strange things over the years. He lifts his doll a bit and raises the pitch of his voice as if giving the doll a voice as he speaks, "Mika-chan has been supporting Master Shu for a long time."
"That he has, Mademoiselle," Sakuma agrees as if it's the most normal thing.
Shu then looks over at Kaoru's gaping face with a raised eyebrow. "And I see you've found yourself the perfect disguise, Rei."
Kaoru unintentionally tenses and shoots a look at Sakuma who's standing perfectly still, his pleasant smile still on his face. "I don't quite know what you mean."
"Oh don't give me that," Shu says with a roll of his eyes. "I've known for years that you don't ever drink blood. Why would you get yourself a companion unless you're using him to save face."
Sakuma sighs with a defeated smile. "You know me too well, Shu."
Shu scoffs. "I'm your only friend. Of course I know you well."
"And I can trust that you'll keep this a secret."
"Does it look like I care what people choose to do in their spare time? I'm much too busy for that, and this hobby of yours is not harming you," Shu replies in his signature haughty tone. "Now if you told me you decided to take up sunbathing then I might find myself writing a concerned letter to your parents."
Sakuma chuckles. "I might write my own letter if I started doing something as absurd as that."
"You'd better. I'm far too busy these days to worry about you as well."
Kaoru then hears the door swing open again and looks over to see another young man standing in the entrance.
"Finally Kagehira," Shu huffs walking over to the newcomer. "I was beginning to think those twins kidnapped you as another one of their silly little pranks.
"Sorry, Oshii-san," the young man mumbles. "'S just been a long time since I seen 'em."
Shu just sighs again. "Your tie is crooked and your collar is all rumpled." He reaches up fixing Mika's shirt and dark tie. "Goodness, Kagehira. What in the world were you doing?"
"I was just talking!"
"Just talking doesn't leave you a disaster! If I see those twins tonight-"
"I'll give my children a thorough talking to, don't you worry," Sakuma interjects smoothly.
Shu barks out a laugh. "And what good will that do? You let those kids walk all over you!"
Sakuma pouts. "My children are good boys," he whines. "They'll listen to me."
Shu looks unconvinced, but doesn't refute, instead he continues fixing Mika's disheveled hair that Kaoru could only assume got tousled with the twin's friendly roughhousing.
Kaoru watches their exchange. Shu's words may have been harsh, but his touches are delicate and even Kaoru can see the fond expression he wears as he looks at his companion. Anyone, even a stranger could see that they're close. That they're comfortable with each other.
A light touch at his back startles him and he looks to the side to see Sakuma there. "Kagehira-kun, I'd like you to meet my own companion Hakaze Kaoru. My hope is that you two may get along."
"Uwa! Oh right! 'M sorry, I forgot we were meetin' your new companion Sakuma-san. I wouldn'ta stopped to talk if I remembered." He steps away from Shu and bows slightly.
Sakuma waves his hand. "It's quite alright. I'm very thankful you get along with my staff as well. In addition, you did not miss much before you arrived."
"It's better you weren't here for that disaster, Kagehira," Shu adds. "You know how my mother is."
"Ngh, if you say so," Mika mumbles. Then looking to Kaoru, he adds, "it's nice to meet you Hakaze-san."
"Nice to meet you as well," Kaoru replies with a smile.
Dinner was... awkward to say the least. Shu and his mother refused to look at each other, but Sakuma informed him that they're usually like that. Kaoru didn't have to talk much too, which he was thankful for. Sakuma kept the conversation going with Shu's parents while also talking with Shu.
Mika sat next to him and chatted with him a little bit, not as bothered with the atmosphere. It seems that his mother was a maid at the Itsuki household while he was growing up, and that's how he and Shu met. They've been companions since they were teens, and Mika was proud of that fact.
Kaoru could tell by the way he spoke that Mika almost idolizes Shu. But the way Shu looks at Mika sometimes makes it known that he cares for his human companion just as much.
Kaoru wonders absentmindedly as he pushes the peas around on his plate that one day he might be that close with Sakuma. He then quickly banishes that thought remembering that Shu and Mika are actual companions while him and Sakuma are, well... fake. They act like they're close, but that's it. An act.
Not that Kaoru would actually want to be a real human companion. The thought of being bitten again makes a cold shiver run up his spine. He immediately clears his mind and focuses back on the conversation between Sakuma and Shu's father about business. It's boring and completely goes over Kaoru's head, but it's better than his own thoughts right now.
The night luckily comes to a close and Sakuma and Kaoru are stood in the foyer to exchange their farewells with the guests of the night.
Hanako pulls Sakuma into another hug before bustling out the door to the carriage, clearly still mad at her son. Her husband just gives Sakuma a handshake and an apologetic smile before following his wife out.
Shu takes his time. He fixes Mika's scarf around his neck before straightening his own, obviously killing time while his parents head to the carriage.
"I hope to see you soon, my friend," Sakuma tells Shu, holding out his hand.
"You as well, Rei." Shu clasps Sakuma's hand in his own. He then glances at the door briefly before looking between his friend and Kaoru. "I would like to give you a word of advice before I leave."
Sakuma's head tilts slightly. "And what may that be?"
"Tenshouin's annual party is coming up." Both men's faces immediately sour. "If you're planning on bringing Hakaze to it, I suggest you work on your intimacy."
"Our what?" Kaoru unintentionally squeaks out.
Shu looks at him before continuing. "Me being able to figure out your secret is one thing due to my prior knowledge of Rei's situation. But seeing your interactions throughout the night have made it clear that one does not need that prior knowledge to know that you are fakes."
"I had a feeling about that," Sakuma murmurs.
"What did we do?" Kaoru asks him.
"From the calculated distance that Rei puts between you and your consistent flinching everytime he does touch you, it's not that hard to tell."
Kaoru's shoulders hunch. He thought he'd done an okay job at being more comfortable with Sakuma's occasional touches to his shoulder or back. Apparently it wasn't good enough.
"Rei you know more than anyone how annoyingly sharp Tenshouin can be. If you don't get better, your entire façade will be torn apart. You're lucky he didn't figure out your problem with blood. That party a few years ago could have been much worse."
Sakuma's face suddenly darkens. "I know, Shu. You don't have to tell me that."
"Then I suggest your work on your relationship."
"But-" Kaoru starts, but Shu holds up a hand.
"I'm not saying to actually become his companion. I'm merely referring to the distance between you both. Close that gap, and you'll seem like the rest of us."
"Thank you for your suggestion, Shu," Sakuma tells him. "I'll keep it in mind."
"The party is less than a month away, Rei."
"And I will figure something out in the time being."
Shu looks like he has something else to say, but instead he looks over to Mika who's been standing by the door. "Let's go then, Kagehira."
And with a flourish of his long coat, Shu marches out the door, Mika close behind him.
As the two companions enter their carriage in front of the house, Kaoru looks to Sakuma to find him staring back, a tired look in his eyes.
"What's the matter, Sakuma-san?"
"I'm afraid it seems we have some work to do in the coming few weeks."