Christmas Portrait
by Amaniblue
AN: Got this idea way back and took me a while to find the right tone for it. Merry Xmas and have a bright-new-not-the-end-of-the-world New Year! Two part one-shot because I'm lazy that way. I'd figure if I didn't post it up now, I may very well post it way past New Years since it was meant for Xmas. So here goes.
Couple: AsamixAkihito
Rated: M spoilers post Pray in Abyss arc.
Summary: Asami acquiesces to Akihito's Christmas wish.

"IknowwhatIwant foraChristmaspresent!"

The photographer cringed at his own boldness. Subtlety was never one of Akihito's fortes. He was nervous as it is.

It was their first Christmas together and the photographer hasn't seen hide nor hair of what Asami has planned for them. They were living together after all and doing whatever it is they are doing: it wasn't quite lover-like nor were they just cohabiting. It was grey matter regarding their relationship. Yet, since they are living together and doing the nasty on a regular basis, Akihito felt a certain obligation to leave his schedule open to celebrate with his so-called-closest-thing-to-a-lover-yet-not.

There was only two days left and nothing was forthcoming to indicate otherwise. Not even generic decorations to indicate the holiday was even present. Akihito had thought nothing of it since he wasn't into much decorating either. However, celebrating the occasion was a different story. He had given noncommittal 'uh' and 'hm' to all friends and family invites thus far just in case the bastard did plan something. Well, he was tired of waiting. So he'd gone ahead and planned something for the both of them whether the man liked it or not. The only thing was trying to convince Asami to go along with it was not going to be easy.

So that afternoon over breakfast (since Asami's morning doesn't really begin until said time due to the man's nocturnal hours, almost all their meals were pushed back by a good three hours), Akihito took action.

The wall of newspaper was brought down and amused golden eyes took in his discomfort.

"Haven't your mother ever taught you not to mumble? Enunciate Akihito. Now, repeat yourself once more. Slowly."

A glare and a repressed retort later, Akihito decidedly strove for patience. He needed the condescending jerk before him to cooperate in order for his plan to come into fruition. An idea popped into his head and he returned a gleaming smile to Asami a moment later. Then he opened his mouth and spoke very, very slowly as if to a foreigner.

"I said I know what I want for a Christmas present."

It didn't have the desired effect, the Club Owner responded without pause, loosing none of his earlier amusement.

"I didn't know you were a Christian."

Surprised by that comment, Akihito was quick to negate his response. "I'm not, but it is the season of giving after all."

With a smirk, the paper wall went back up and Asami resumed his earlier perusal of the morning papers and simply replied with, "I see."

A few more minutes later, Akihito lost his patience and inquired through gritted teeth. "Well?"

"Well what? Whether I give you a present or not, is it up for discussion?"

If Akihito hadn't detected a feint tinge of amusement in those dismissive words, the photographer would have thrown a tantrum and walked out on the man. Surely he had to be a saint in his past life to put up with Asami? But then, on the flip side, perhaps he must have fallen from grace too to deserve such a fate. Thus, taking the chance the Club Owner was just humoring him, Akihito went for broke.

"I want a photo session with you."

There, he said it, though not as hurriedly as before.

The silence afterwards dropped like hot ashes from a spewing volcano. The analogy couldn't have been more fitting. The only sound he heard was the heavy drumming of his own blood in his ears. Somewhere in the distance, the rustling sounds of paper folding ended the silence.

He felt rather than met those cold golden eyes that bore down on him from across the dining table. Akihito knew he was in for a letdown. He knew for a fact Asami hated his pictures being taken and had enacted extra measures to prevent such occurrences from anyone. He should know from personal experience. So for him to even ask such a thing was preposterous. Still, he had to give the idea a try. He refuses to force Asami despite how the other had managed to manipulate him at every turn since they've met.

"You know what, forget I said anything."

He made a move to get up and clear the table only to be stopped by Asami's singular response.

"Why?"

Akihito's eyes flew up to meet Asami's then. Genuinely surprised by the question, the photographer plopped back down on his seat with his mouth gaping open. He couldn't believe it! Does that mean Asami was seriously considering his wishes?

It took him another moment to finally find his voice. Akihito gave it a clearing for good measure before he made his appeal.

"I— ah hm— I know I said in the past that I want to catch you through my viewfinder. I still do uh— but not like that! What I mean to say is— um ever since the stalker incident… I— I— I just want to shoot your portrait like a subject through my viewfinder…."

He ended that quite lamely. Akihito knew that for a fact. Asami's face has lost that curiosity factor altogether and now it is unreadable as ever.

The photographer had come to hate that expression. It was one of the main reasons he wanted to take the man's photo so badly. Akihito wanted to capture Asami in other ways. Beyond the passion, humor and anger they shared, Akihito had seen glimpses of kindness and affection from the man before. He wanted to see through his viewfinder the real Asami. It had been an itch that grew ever since he realized his loyalty lies with the man. Of course he couldn't tell the crime lord that. He didn't want the bastard gloating ear to ear. Akihito still has his pride after all; well whatever was left of it. Playing bottom to any man will never sit well with him, rhetorically and literally speaking.

Akihito hated meeting Asami's gaze most times. The intensity alone would have caused many people to cringe and even cry, but the photographer had to admit that the ability to strike a person down with just a look was pretty damn cool. For some reason though, those frosty glares had not the same affect on the photographer. Bravado or not, Akihito would glare right back. It was those other kind of looks that makes him avert his eyes. Looks filled with lust and laughter on his expense was never welcomed of course. It made him too self conscious of his own responses to Asami. However, this particular gaze the Club Owner was emitting now was neither of those. This particular gaze was probing; one of those cringe worthy looks that penetrates one's defenses and makes them voluntarily spill their guts full of secrets. Akihito truly wanted to limit the amount of spillage for this particular request. It was embarrassing enough just to ask without going into details his reasons behind them.

Anytime now, the pregnant pause was ready to go into labor. Akihito was ready to pop the baby out himself.

Finally Asami gave a curt nod of approval and revert back to his earlier involvement with his morning newspaper as if nothing was amiss. If Akihito weren't so focus on the older man's response, he may have had missed it entirely since Asami's movement was so fluid.

With shaky hands, Akihito cleared all the dishes methodically. Then stiff as a board he carried the items carefully towards the kitchen and deposited them into the sink. It was then he allowed his body to sag along the cabinets and suck in a much needed breath before he releases it with a sigh of relief. He hadn't realize how tense the moment was until Asami gave his consent. He hated to think how the actual photo session would pan out…

Wait! He was such an idiot!

Akihito banged his head back against the wall and bit out a curse. He'd totally forgotten to mention the where and when of said event. Akihito quickly pulled out his mobile from his back pocket and texted Asami the information instead, deciding to take the coward's way out. There. All done. He should be allowed a small reprieve since he's accomplished the hardest part without much scheming involved.