krystalkatzficz | The Tutor part 6 (Reply)

“My father was a wonderful man, kind, loving...But careless with money” Kazunari answered softly moving his fork around in what was left of his stew. He wasn’t completely sure why he was answering the question but after thinking about it he supposed it was an honest question. He didn’t appear to be the kind of person that would need to seek employment as a tutor. His year in Oxford had given him a gentleman’s way of speaking and he had always had a graceful bearing which had been encouraged by his father. “He wrought debts upon himself and when he passed a few months ago it was found that the family had no money left”

“I apologise, I shouldn’t pry”

“No, it is quite alright. Though I will not have you think ill of my father. He had more heart than sense I am afraid...” Kazunari sighed slowly his eyes closing as he leaned back in his seat. It wasn’t exactly comfortable but it did offer him some rest. The pain behind his eyes was returning and he long for the bath. “My brother Eddie...Edwin, is doing all he can to repair what he can but my sisters and I have to go out and seek employment...”

“I see, it sounds a painful situation for you all” Ryo said softly having finished his own stew and was nursing a large glass of brandy. Kazunari saw that a glass of the stuff had appeared by his hand too and he smiled gratefully at Ryo and sipped it slowly. He was expecting the bitter taste of a cheap drink but instead he was pleasantly surprised that it had the oaky smoky taste of a good vintage.

“It is, but I am fortunate, my brother managed to get me a placement and I will do my best and prove to Lord Ohno that I deserve to be taken on fully” Kazunari smiled running his tongue over his top lip for a moment. Ryo gave him a smile and lifted his glass in a toast to the words and Kazunari followed suit before letting out a sigh. “I wonder if the bath is ready, are you sure that you wouldn’t rather...”

“No, it is fine...Dash it all” Ryo hissed quickly draining the drink from his glass before getting to his feet as Kazunari did the same. The estate manager motioned to the stairs and Kazunari looked over and saw that Mrs Weatherby and her daughter slowly descending the stairs followed by Jun and the father. “...Mrs Weatherby is comin...Is it alright if I sit in the room as you bathe? I would rather not suffer her for the evening”

“I...I...” Kazunari stammered a little before collecting himself knowing that it would be strange if he refused. It wasn’t as if he was a blushing maiden, he was a man as was Ryo. Bathing houses had two men sharing all the time. It was normal, even if he was anything but, and Ryo wouldn’t understand his hesitation. “Of course...”

“Thank-you, I really don’t think that I could have suffered through an evening of her company. More so when we will be once again in the confines of the carriage with her” Ryo gave an elaborate shudder as they made their way to the stairs. Unfortunately their path lead them directly into Mrs Weatherby and her daughter and of course she couldn’t let them passed without saying something.

“Mr Naruse, Mr Ninomiya are you already retiring for the evening?” She asked in her high voice not so discreetly pushing her daughter forward and into Kazunari. It was annoying how manipulative she was being and it was a risk to her daughter’s reputation. If Mrs Weatherby wasn’t careful Miss Weatherby would be known as a flirt.

“Alas, yes, I had an early start and tomorrow looks to be another long day” Ryo said softly bowing his head in her direction his hand coming to rest on the small of his back. “And Kazunari here is still feeling pains from the travel”

“I see, of course, you are looking a touch peeky, Mr Ninomiya” Mrs Weatherby said with annoyed concern and Kazunari smiled at her slowly. He bobbed his head at her and then at her daughter before apologising softly;

“I am sorry, I have always had a difficult time traveling. I will see you all tomorrow”

“Indeed, I myself have always had an excellent constitution” Mrs Weatherby said proudly expanding her large chest before she moved away from them and ushered her daughter with her. Jun gave him a look before grinning as he and the father moved to walk with Mrs Weatherby to the table Ryo and Kazunari had left open.

“Insufferable woman” Kazunari huffed with more venom than he was intending and flushed as Ryo let out a chuckle continuing to guide Kazunari up the stairs. “Sorry, that was very unfair of me”

“Nonsense, she seems determined to have you as a son-in-law” Ryu whispered softly as they moved up to the next level of the inn and Kazunari gave a shudder saying;

“I feel for her daughter I truly do but I could not cope with that. Maybe she would stop if she learned that I was almost penniless”

“Maybe, but you are to be tutor to Lord Ohno. I assume she believes that you will have money after that” Ryo said as they reached the door of their shared room. It was soon pushed open and Kazunari saw that the bath had been indeed filled.

“She doesn’t know, but even if she did she would be sorely disappointed, as my room and board are taken care of I intend to send as much as I can” Kazunari announced pulling off his silk tie, which had once been his brothers, before slowly opening the two top buttons with one hand. He tried to control the trembling of his fingers though he was sure that Ryo would hear the beating of his heart. It was so loud within his ears and although he tried to tell him to calm down it was an impossibility. “So, even then I would be a bad catch for anyone...”

“...I doubt that” Ryo said so softly that Kazunari fancied that he might of imagined it. It didn’t do much good for his heart though and he shivered a little more before turning his attention to pulling the hem of his shirt out of his breeches. He didn’t have a masculine figure, his poor health had prevented him from ever being a sporty man and he felt nervous as he lifted his shirt up his body. Ryo moved to one of the beds and set about removing his boots and Kazunari tried his best not to be nervous as he tossed the shirt onto the bed. His nipples hardened as his skin met cold air and he would be glad of getting into the bath though to do that he would have to remove his breeches and he was aware of Ryo behind him and he could feel the man’s eyes moving over him.

TBC

A/N: I hope that this is okay ^_^