Just Pretending - A Thomato Modern AU Genshin Fanfic

Chapter 1 - Damn phone ring go brrr

Thoma POV

I'm so happy that Ayato agreed to come home and hang out with me. It's not really anything special, but my basketball team won the regional games and is heading on to nationals soon, and Ayato felt bad that he wasn't able to make it to any of my games. 

So he told me he will come home tonight and take me out for dinner and also that he has a surprise for me. You see, when I was young my father left my mom and she couldn't afford to care for me anymore. She sent me off to live with my dad, but he had a new wife and a kid on the way. He didn't want me, so he turned me away. It still hurts to think about it, but like two angels, young Ayato and Ayaka found me cold, hungry, and broken on the street near their estate. They brought me home, and their parents couldn't deny me hospitality.

That is the gist of how I ended up living with the prestigious Kamisato's, a family with a long line of politics, show business, and economics. Many dare go so far as to say that not a single Kamisato that didn't do great feats ever was born.

And... that brings me to the current predicament... I think maybe, just maybe... I might have developed a crush on Ayato.

Nothing could ever come of it though, as he is expected to marry someone who is talented, rich, and intelligent...

Three things that I can't say I compare too in the world of the upper class.

Aside from that I need to get ready. Since my school implemented a dorm system, I now have to stay in a dorm. It's not too bad though, since I bunk with one of my best friends, Childe.

I also get to spend more time with my friends, aside from Ayaka, because I actually spent more time with her before, considering we lived together and our rooms used to be only a few meters apart. 

Now Ayaka stays on the level for 2nd years while I stay on the 3rd year one.  Thankfully my first class of the day is still with her, and we hang out when we both are able to. 
  

Unfortunately, I rarely get to see Ayato anymore, because he takes high standard classes abroad where the school year runs differently. He comes home on holidays, but it's been 9 months since he last was home for more than a week.

I look around my dorm room at all the different outfits I can choose from, I am overwhelmed and can't decide. It's going to be a fancy restaurant and I can't decide what is considered proper attire, but I also want to look nice for Ayato. 

At least Kaeya gave me some tips for how to act, so I'll be myself (if you read my Kaebedo fanfic, this is included)

Childe who has been watching my little worry wort party, points to a single outfit and tells me to wear it.
 
It's comprised of dusty-grey colored slacks, a tight black sleeveless turtle neck, and a white coat, covered in red embroidered embellishments. I have to admit, It's a good option.

I go to the bathroom and change, I stare in the mirror and note that the shirts fit perfectly highlight's my pecs and abs... not that I care or anything.. b-baka (this is a joke don't come at me lmao)

***Time Skip 

I'm standing outside my school grounds, waiting on Ayato to arrive. I see a limousine pull up and I know it's him. The chauffer gets out and opens the back door for me.

I walk over to climb in, but Ayato gets out sooner. He runs at me. Wrapping me in a warm, solid embrace.

I blush slightly, but shake my thoughts. As he releases the hug, he tells me how much he missed me. We get into our seats next to each other in the back, and the chauffer closes the door and starts driving us to our location.

He tells me all about the things he has seen, heard, and done since we last met. He has already told me all of these stories at least twice over the phone, as we talk for sometimes hours on end at night.

I sort of drone out, listening to his voice in person makes me feel so calm and at home.

I don't snap out of my thoughts until we arrive.

The restaurant is fancy, with expensive western styles. Gold embellishments on napkins, real silverware, and diamond encrusted chandeliers. 

We order our food and the prices shock me, but then again this is a normal fee for a Kamisato outing. 

We chat, eat the delectable food, and in general the night is going smoothly.

Out of nowhere Ayato's phone rings, he checks it and says, "It's mother calling, excuse me for a moment".  Ayato then walks out onto the balcony and talks on the phone.

About fifteen minutes later, he comes back in with a forlorn face. 

"What's wrong?" I ask, genuinely concerned. 

"...My mom wants me to get into a relationship soon, she says I should be married before my twentieth birthday, which is in less than a year and a half..."

"Oh..." I sight, trying to hide my disappointment.

"The problem is I haven't met the right person yet, so please, just to get her off my back for now, pretend to be my boyfriend."

Holy shit...

What did he say?!?!

Did I hear him right?

 "Um... sure" I say nervously, but strangely exited. 

"Oh yeah by the way, the surprise is that I'm going to be home for the next few months, and I got a word in with the headmaster of your school, and you and Ayaka can be at home while I'm here."

So... basically I will have to constantly pretend to be intimate with Ayato... I'm already regretting giving an agreement to the request.