"Hey! Wake up, dummy!"
Golden eyes slowly opened, sunlight shocking them back closed for a brief moment.
"Just because I call you Kittie, doesn't mean you should act like one!"
Altair reached out, his eyes still slightly shut, towards the weight on his lap. He heard a small giggle, then a shocked gasp. His eyes flew open, immediately locking on his hand. A meaty chunk of flesh was sitting firmly in his grasp.
"Katie..."
"Oh, Altair! You're so bold!"
He released Katie, instead using his hands to push himself up. He was faxe to face with the mischievous beauty now.
"Katie."
"Altair."
She was hiding her blushing face, poorly, within a baggy and zipped up hoodie.
"Will you stop climbing on me? Especially when you, yourself, can't handle this."
Altair pulled the hood back with a simple flick of his wrist. Katie's face appeared, nearly matching her favorite fruit. In her flustered confusion, Katie leaned back, pressing her weight down.
"K-Katie! Stop!"
She froze solid, then wiggled softly. Stifling a moan, she cupped her mouth and slid off of Altair.
"Y-you need to get ready."
She was meek, red and definitely quick on her feet.
'Don't do that if you can't handle me getting aroused. Dummy.'
Altair rolled his eyes, flinching when he heard a soft noise from the room next door. He turned a little red, then laid a quick smack on the wall.
"Ahn-eep!"
Even though he was blushing, he snickered to himself before getting to his feet and dressing in his casual clothes. His clothes weren't tight, but definitely not loose.
"Katie! Did you wake up that idiot!"
Altair's lips turned to a small frown as he went to the door. Cracking it open, he was greeted by the smell of food and Kim in an apron.
"There you are. You know the drill."
Altair bowed to her slightly.
"Yes ma'am. I'll do my best."
Rolling her eyes, Kim turned away.
"Doesn't matter how hard you try today. Just don't disappoint Her."
Altair looked down, but followed Kim down the stairs. He could hear the sound of Katie escaping her own room, so he looked over his shoulder. She was brought red, but looked calmer. Her skirt was barely visible under her hoodie, while her ponytail was draped over her shoulder. Their eyes met, so she smiled softly, though her face reddened further.
"Eat quickly."
Kim directed her voice at Altair, so he was quick to sit and start chewing on the bacon and eggs before him.
"Katie, honey, is that what you want to wear? We picked out so many cute outfits for you!"
Katie unzipped her hoodie, revealing a tight fit top that didn't quite cover her shoulders. Her eyes were immediately glued to Altair, her every movement drawing his attention from the food.
"Mom, I want to wear the hoodie for a reason."
Kim nodded slowly, a small sigh escaping her lips.
"Who would have thought, my genes, they were so weak! My little girl..."
Kim pouted for moment, her eyes lofting onto Altair.
"If you're done, leave."
Taking her words as a queue, Altair got to his feet and headed towards the front door. Once far enough away, or so she believed, Kim spoke again.
"Keep an eye on him, sweetheart. Heavens know how this world sees him."
"Mom, it's been fifteen years. He isn't that small seven year old anymore. Altair has grown... a lot."
Katie bit her lip slightly, though she released it before Kim could see.
"I know, I know. It's habit now. I can't just shift back and treat him like normal anymore. I just... don't know what to say to him."
Katie rubbed her mom's shoulder.
"It's okay. I'll keep looking after him after the Ceremony."
Kim smiled softly.
"Fight for your man, Katie."
Altair smiled up at the Sun, closing the door softly behind himself.
'You've always treated me like a burden, Mrs. Kim, but your true feelings spill out like a worried mother the moment I'm out of earshot.'
His grin spread as he stepped forward and headed towards a nearby sidewalk.
'After today, maybe I can make a name for myself.'
He looked over his shoulder, seeing Katie step outside. Her hoodie may have hidden her ample chest, but her thighs were much harder to cover with the thin fabric of stockings.
'Stop looking, stop looking. I get it, she got really hot.'
Rolling his eyes, he picked up speed.
___
Altair could hear the commotion before he even got close to the arena where the Awakening Ceremony would take place. He could see several groups from differing news stations, as well as top of the line recruiters scanning the area as he approached.
'Just ignore it all, same as usual.'
Keeping his head down, Altair broke into a sprint, dashing passed the nearby groups.
"Who was that?"
"Was he that nervous?"
"Hold on! That was him!"
"LAW's son!"
'Shit. Run, run, run!'
He began to laugh as he fled through the crowd. A mixture of disgust and admiration came from both sides as he continued to dash.
"Already making a wave?"
Altair had finally stopped, his eyes locking on his favorite teacher.
"Miss Yara!"
"Altair, it's Numira when we are in public."
She smiled as she scolded him, pulling her hair from her face. Yara was dressed professionally, though she couldn't fully hide her body beneath a simple dress suit.
"Alright, Miss Numira, how long until we start?"
She looked back at him, soft grey eyes falling on him.
"Not long. You're lucky you slipped between the crowd the way you did, otherwise..."
Altair looked back out into the crowd, his eyes scanning for Katie.
'Oops. Maybe I should have pulled her through.'
Altair stood with Yara, attracting a large number of views, waiting for Katie. When her blond hair began to weave between the crowd, Altair gave a small smile and wave to Yara and dipped back into the crowd.
"Sorry, sorry."
"You better be."
Katie was smiling softly within her hood as Altair held her hand and gently tugged her through the crowd.
"We need to head this way. New Awakeners should be here."
"Got it. But don't be too heartbroken when my power kicks your ass."
Altair stifled his laughter as he turned and quickly whispered in Katie's ear.
"I'll just be glad if it can keep you quiet when you're in your room."
Her face was scarlet in an instant. Her mouth opening and closing like a confused fish.
"F-forget that! Or don't... not like I care."
Altair laughed out this time, attracting some stares.
"Hey it's Altair!"
"He's so hot!"
"I'd take him on."
"In a fight, right?"
Altair winked at Katie before pulling her further into the arena. When they finally took their spaces, a booming voice echoed across the area.
"Just in time."
"Damn right."
"Hello and welcome, everybody, to the ninety-eighth Awakening Ceremony!"
The announcer stood atop a suspended block of raw metal collapsed in on itself.
"I hope everyone is ready for this! Several schools are in attendance, all thanks to Lady LAW, may she rest peacefully."
Altair looked down slightly, easily noticed by Katie.
"Did she visit?"
He smiled slightly.
"When doesn't she? Even after she died, she dotes on me from my dreams. Pretty crazy."
"Sounds like Miss Lilja."
Altair smiled slightly, relistening in to the announcer.
"Everyone get ready! We will be starting with Gilbert's School for Advancing Awakened!"