Author's note; I changed the flight times to make this work better x

With an electronic sounding ping, the 'fasten seatbelt' sign lost its light and numerous clicks could be heard throughout the body of the plane. Zandre was amongst them, but unlike most of the passengers surrounding him, he was unable to relax. Stuck in the so-called premium economy class, while his legs weren't squeezed against his chest, there was a lack of privacy, which meant that several of his fellow countrymen kept glancing his way. They were either aware of who he was or were at least thinking they recognised him. Honestly, he thought to himself, it wasn't like he was all that famous.

"Tell me again why we are flying premium economy and not business class?" He muttered to his managing agent, though he already knew the reason. The little assistant helping his agent cope with the other minor celebrities on his books while the man was focused on Zandre as he swanned in and out of the country, had booked the tickets. Unfortunately there had been a mix up, so while he was flying east in premium economy, an pretty much unknown actress who caught the eye of a small foreign director, was currently flying business and probably dreamily wondering how fortune favoured her so greatly of late. Hopefully, the girl who had been favoured for her authentic accent more than her acting skills, didn't become too conceited by her run of luck. But then, who knew at this time, whether this was the beginning of her big break or not?

After the person in the front seat badgered him for a bit regarding his identity, his agent stepped in and after thanking the man for his support, mentioned that his client would appreciate it if the man could appreciate the fact that it was late and Zandre needed a little privacy. This was a long flight, only leaving the runway a little after eleven in the evening and though it was a direct flight, people were naturally tired. Many threw thankful looks at Zandre and his agent, while looks sent to his fan were either pleading (for him to quieten down) or disdain. He chose to settle down, but with an unhappy expression upon his face.

Zandre quickly placed earbuds in his ears, attached to his mobile phone that was in airplane mode. He didn't actually listen to any music, but others were not aware of this. Instead, he was looking at images he had taken on his phone. A sleeping Ichiro, Ichiro captured through the window of the Hall teaching his students, a joint photograph that Ichiro had taken of the pair of them when he was drunk... a warm smile curved his lips, even though he was thinking how he missed him already.

He flipped the screen to the text conversation between them; he'd had to go straight to the airport after being in the studio as per his endorsement. Zandre was not a model and it had taken a while for the photographer to get the feel she wanted for the pictures. That said, she was awfully patient and good at her job, making it seem as if the Zandre she'd captured with her lens, had been in that business for years. Unable to bid Ichiro goodbye or taste his tender lips in parting once more, he could only text him.

I'm flying out tonight, need to return to the team.

Okay.

Will you miss me?

How can I miss you? You are a large target, just need to roughly aim.

Ichiro, you know that's not what I mean.

Oh, so how did you mean it?

Never mind. He'd only been able to concede, knowing Ichiro wouldn't admit to it, even if he pressed on. He knew the Omega was softening towards him, accepting him physically at least and not just in a sexual manner. But he knew he had to work harder if he wanted the man's heart and soul. Then again, even if he captured those, would his Ichiro really allow him to voice sweet nothings with ease? Zandre couldn't actually imagine it.

Will you wish me good luck then?

Do you need it?

Yes. If it was from him.

Okay, good luck!

Zandre sighed, resting his arm on the arm of the uncomfortable seat, the phone still loosely in his grasp as his mind wandered.

Across the small aisle, a woman nudged the man sitting beside her and he stood up and let her pass. "Do you need any help?" He asked her and she shook her head.

"No, I've got it!" She replied, cheerfully as she stood in the aisle reaching for her hand luggage. The plane rippled with a little turbulence, nothing to be worried by, but unexpected nonetheless. The woman lost her balance as the hand luggage fell into her arms, falling back, she tumbled onto the large man behind her.

"I am so so sorry!" The woman gasped as she struggled to get off of him, embarrassed by the situation. Her partner took her bag off of her, chiding her gently as she'd been so insistent in grabbing the bag itself.

"It's fine," Zandre told her, no matter how distracted his was, he was aware that it wasn't on purpose. But he ignored her continuous apologies, his eyes desperately seeking the phone that had been knocked from his fingers just moments ago. Less than ten seconds later, he heard a sudden crunch.

The flight attendant paused. The darn trolley had been a nuisance all night as he pushed it while offering hot beverages and hot towels and obviously the turbulence hadn't helped. But as he wrestled with the thing, he hadn't expected to hear such a sound beneath its wheels. He tugged the trolley back to see the ruined mess of a phone beneath it and slowly glanced up to catch the horrified, brown eyes that he expected belonged to its owner.

*****

The cubes of black and white newspapers tied with string and wrapped in plastic were sent out in lorries to be delivered in a multitude of supermarkets, petrol stations, convenience stores and stands, ready to be sold.  In these daily additions of varying names, were printed a statement clarifying the state of two small celebrities relationship, being that it was null and void for a few months.  It vaguely mentioned that the ring upon Elani Van Zyl finger was not an engagement ring but something she purchased herself while abroad and that it happened to be captured upon her left ring finger by coincidence.  And as for the argument upon the street, nothing was mentioned as videos and photographs were too poor of quality to really be certain that it was an altercation between actress and sportsperson.

However, one newspaper, aptly named the Daily News, seemed to have a different take upon the whole thing.  It suggested that for Elani Van Zyl and Zandre Kotze, perhaps the ring was not fake, although it did declare that no official announcement had been made on an engagement between the two nor could family members of either party be contacted for a statement about it.  It also went onto say that during the unmentioned argument Elani could clearly be heard accusing Zandre of an affair, which contradicted the entertainment agency's statement. 

Again, while no confirmation had been obtained regarding whether Zandre really had an affair or if he had moved on from the relationship as suggested in the official statement, proof had been obtained that there was a new beau in the picture.  Beau, not belle.  In addition to a slightly clearer image of the altercation, which made it more obvious that the arguing pair really were the minor celebrities, was a grainy image of two men making out.  One looked quite a lot like Zandre Kotze, though the other had not yet been identified.

That person was currently blurry eyed, with hair sticking out in all directions, sitting up in his bed after just waking.  He yawned wide, not bothering to hide the fact of it as there was no one else in his room to witness.  He tossed off the covers, escaping from the sheets in just a pair of boxers, before heading to the shower, seeking the spray to help clear his head.

Not long after the sound of running water emanated from the small room, off tune crooning could be heard which then became a rendition of some unidentifiable pop song; neither word nor melody was clear.

Finally refreshed, Ichiro stepped out of the bathroom and returned to his bedroom to dress.

Breakfast was bland; slices of buttered toast.  Saburo poured him a cup of coffee and after being stingy with the milk explained; "We are almost out."

"I'll grab some after work at the store," Ichiro replied, thinking the change in his wallet should about cover it.  Still he dared ask;  "Do we need anything else?"

Saburo shook his head.  He had enough ingredients to whip up something for dinner, though it would probably be just pasta and sauce that night. 

"Ah, I forgot to tell you," Jiro said suddenly as he came into the living space.  "The electric bill came."  He picked up from his computer desk to show it to his older brother.  "Final notice," he added when he saw that the man was considering ignoring it.

An expression of annoyance and resignation marred Ichiro's features before he let out a heavy sigh.  Well, there went tomorrow's pay check.  And what with the rent due this weekend, all he had left to rely on for food for the next week would be the fees he charged for lessons at the hall... oh but he was due to pay the rent for that place as well wasn't he? 

"Ichiro..." Jiro began as he noticed the worries ripple across Ichiro's face.

Ichiro cut in immediately, knowing what Jiro wanted to say, what he wanted to offer; "It'll be fine!"  He wasn't about to let his cute brothers be concerned about money matters, they just needed to focus on schoolwork!

Swallowing the last mouthful of toast, he went to grab a jacket and his phone, when the antique device decided to ring.  Ichiro glanced at the caller I.D and a bright smile appeared upon his face.  "Livvie!  Long time no hear!  How's my favourite news editor?"

"Ichiro, I'm calling to warn you," she said in a quiet tone down the phone.  "Someone captured a picture of you and Zandre.  It was printed in the Daily News."

The Omega paused, before scratching his head in thought.  While he'd been aware that Zandre was somewhat in the public eye thanks to being a professional rugby player, it had also not seemed such a big thing.  They'd been out together in public before and while it was not that Zee had not been approached, mostly he was left alone.  Well, Ichiro figured that there were a lot of rugby-clueless people out there, not everyone was a fan after all.  There were those who'd seen him in magazines, but there were also many who probably hadn't.  Plus, it's not like Zandre acted like some big time celebrity hot shot, so to Ichiro, he was just Zandre, that big, muscly not soft Alpha who kept chasing him!  And, his heart whispered to his stubborn brain, had pretty much captured him.

"Do I look good?" Ichiro blurted out in the end, still uncertain about how he felt over the matter of the photograph anyway.

"Ichiro, be serious!" Livvie hissed at him.  "Look, you got lucky this time!  The picture isn't brilliant, they don't mention you by name, so unless someone knows about the thing between you and Zandre, no one would figure it was you.  But I really recommend that you and he put together some sort of statement about your relationship, so the papers and gossip magazines don't turn it into something scandalous!"

"Pfft, I think your exaggerating," Ichiro laughed at her serious tone.  He and Zandre weren't even officially dating yet, just how 'scandalous' could they make things?!

"Ichiro..." her voice was filled with exasperation as she struggled to find the words that would get through to him.  Only, someone decided at that moment to knock on the door to interrupt.

"Oh, sorry," her assistant apologised as she entered the office room straight after knocking. 

"I'll call you back later," Livvie could only give up and try to talk sense into the man later.

A pity that she was thrown into a flurry of work and by the time she remembered, a certain paparazzi would have tracked Ichiro back to that Hall and taken a whole set of much clearer pictures as well as found out his name, his career and his secondary gender...

Ichiro glanced at his phone, before shrugging at putting it in his jacket pocket and heading to work at the store.