Rating: PG-13

Pairing: Asami/Akihito

Contains: mature language

Summary: Akihito wrestles with his demons, his conscience, and Asami.

Disclaimer: These characters belong to Yamane Ayano, not me.

Author's Note: This will be a multi-chaptered fic. I'm not sure how many chapters yet. This one is a lighter interlude.

"Scared?"

Even though Asami's lips were brushing the shell of Akihito's ear, he still had to practically yell to be heard. Akihito's only response was a loud laugh of delight. His toes peeked over the edge of the open doorway, and Akihito stared out into the open expanse as Asami voiced the short countdown.

The whoosh of cold air as they fell away from the plane was exhilarating, and Akihito whooped for the sheer joy of it. He could feel laughter rumbling in Asami's chest where it pressed tightly against his back. There was nothing like this: arms and legs spread wide, surrounded by the impossible bright blue sky, hurtling toward the Earth in free fall, only a relatively flimsy contraption standing between him and certain death. Well, Asami too, Akihito supposed, since he was the one pulling the strings, as usual. He'd actually forgotten him for a few mind blowing seconds, but now the presence of the man at his back made itself felt again.

Akihito almost rolled his eyes as he felt Asami's sizable erection pressed against his ass, even through the jumpsuits they'd been given. So predictable, but at least Asami couldn't do anything to him twelve thousand feet up in the air. His amusement lasted until a hand reached around to touch him, and Akihito realized that he was just as hard as Asami, adrenaline translating the intoxicating rush of falling into another primal reaction.

He groaned as Asami stroked him again, an unheard protest slipping from his lips when the hand finally pulled away. Before he knew it, their chute opened and the noisy rush of air faded to a peaceful, floating sensation. The view was incredible, a serene and gorgeous vista spread out beneath him in colors so vibrant they didn't seem real. God, he wished he had a camera with him just now.

They drifted in silence for almost a minute, Asami warm and solid at his back, and Akihito had to blink back the sting of tears at the wonder of being allowed such a privileged and breathtaking moment. Thank goodness that Asami couldn't possibly see his face. His amusement at Akihito's uncontrollable reaction would just piss him off, and he was flying too high both literally and figuratively to want to be brought down by anything so petty.

"Like it?"

The smooth voice pulled him out of his reverie. "It's amazing." Akihito couldn't hide the pure pleasure in his voice. He didn't want to even. His thrill came through loud and clear. "I can't even describe it."

"Good."

Asami sounded pleased; pleased but surprisingly not smug. It confused Akihito a little, and he craned his neck in a futile attempt to make eye contact. Asami had refused in the car to say where they were going and what they were doing. He'd ignored Akihito's questions when they arrived at the tiny airfield, and manhandled him into the jumpsuit, forcing him out of the nice clothes he'd insisted Akihito wear in the first place.

When he'd been sat in a chair and been given a lesson in the basics of tandem skydiving, his jaw had fallen open. Asami had answered nothing except to give his credentials and outline his experience for what they were about to do. Akihito hadn't even been surprised that this was something else at which Asami was expert.

Questions answered or not, Akihito couldn't have passed up an opportunity like that. It was something he'd always wanted to do, after all, even if he'd be strapped to Asami the whole time. Now, though, his curiosity was coming back full force.

"Why Asami?"

Another half minute passed as the green fields beneath them grew closer. Just when he thought it certain Asami was ignoring the question, his reply, of sorts, came.

"Do you know what day it is?"

"Um...Friday?"

Asami snorted.

"It's a year to the day I first made your acquaintance." The formal words were colored by the humor in Asami's voice.

It was Akihito's turn to snort. "Those are pretty words for what actually happened."

"Now now, Takaba," Asami purred close to his ear. "You're not still holding a grudge about that, are you?

Akihito's eyes narrowed into a glare that Asami couldn't see, but his snippy reply conveyed his opinion well enough. "Hell, yes, I do, bastard! Your goon kneed me in the stomach! And, anyway, what has that got to do with this?"

"Well, you seemed to enjoy jumping off of high places so much, I thought this seemed the perfect way to celebrate our anniversary."

"Anniversary?"

"You know, if you don't close your mouth, bugs might fly in."

Akihito's jaw closed with an audible click, then he glared down at the ground, not even processing the beautiful view as Asami chuckled, obviously highly amused that he'd correctly predicted Akihito's reaction.

"I-" Akihito's jaw worked soundlessly for a few seconds. "You are truly-only you would see that as something to celebrate."

"Why shouldn't I?" There was less humor in Asami's voice now. Instead it was somehow more thoughtful, though it was laced with a self-deprecating bite that Akihito had never heard from him before.

"I like remembering the thrill you gave me as you faced me with those defiant eyes, and when you jumped off the roof like that-not a trace of fear-then stared up and taunted me with that impudent look of yours-it made my blood race. I knew then I would have you."

The words sent a half-unwelcome flush of pleasure through Akihito, even though he knew he should probably be angry at the arrogance and presumption. Irritated more at himself than at Asami, Akihito blustered.

"I suppose I should be glad you didn't bring your minions along to rough me up then, since you're so keen on reliving the past."

Asami laughed. "None of my men would dare lay a finger on you now."

That silenced Akihito, and they drifted down for the next few minutes lost in their own solitary thoughts. By the time they landed, Akihito safe and steadied by Asami's sure hands, he was all smiles. The thrill of the jaunt once again taking the forefront of his emotions.

"That was so cool!"

Asami smiled indulgently. "Would you like to go again?"

"Can we?"

"Of course, as long as there's light, we can go as many times as you like."

Akihito wasn't sure what something like this would cost, but he was sure he could never afford it on his own. Still, it was a present of sorts, one he hadn't asked for, but it was surprisingly thoughtful in a twisted sort of way, and certainly imminently suitable for someone of his tastes. He pushed aside the vague sense of disquiet he felt in accepting Asami's gift, and his face lit with a blinding smile.

"Let's do it."

For a moment, Asami only stared at him, his cool eyes seeming to drink him in, and then he pressed a hand to Akihito's lower back, herding him toward the small plane and the fresh parachute packs. "Now that you've fallen for me, I hope this means you'll be more cooperative in future."

A beat, and Akihito looked up at him in pained astonishment. "Did you really make such a bad pun?" He shook his head. "Who knew your sense of humor would a) exist in the first place, and b) be so cheesy. Your empire is probably crumbling on its foundations now."

"It's only you that inspires it in me, Akihito." The smirk was back in full force. "What do you think that means?"

Eyes narrowed, Akihito jabbed an elbow against Asami's ribs. "It means you better keep your hands to yourself this jump, otherwise you might find yourself getting much more intimately acquainted with the earth under your feet than you'd like."

"That's a risk I'm willing to take."

Akihito couldn't quite hide a grin at the sound of Asami's genuine laugh. For once, he allowed himself to be pulled closer without a struggle as Asami's arm snaked around his waist.

It was a beautiful day after all, and he resolved to make the most of it. Surely it wouldn't hurt to forget all his worries for a little while.

A week or so had passed and Akihito still hadn't brought himself to tell Asami he was intending to find a place of his own. If he was honest with himself, their excursion last week had made him even more reluctant to broach the topic.

Even if Asami was just exercising his perverse sense of humor and desire to get himself and Akihito off in unusual places, it was still a rather startling and thoughtful gesture, Akihito thought. The problem was, that now, not only did he feel trepidation about suggesting to Asami-no informing, he told himself sternly-that he move out, he felt guilt as well.

He didn't want to seem ungrateful after all. Asami had let him move in without a word of complaint. Yes, but-Akihito's eyes narrowed-that was what he wanted all along. He'd stolen all of his things and held them hostage without even a shred of apology or remorse. It wasn't as if Asami had been behaving altruistically in allowing him to live here. For free, in his really nice, luxury penthouse condo with an amazing bed and bathroom and entertainment system and a constant supply of really awesome sex...

There, it wasn't really for free. Asami assumed that it gave him full access rights to Akihito's body any time he pleased. Of course, he had always assumed those rights, hadn't he? And if Akihito was completely honest with himself, as painful as it was, he had to admit that he craved the things Asami did to him, despite the aches and pains and distinct lack of sleep that went along with all of it.

Akihito sighed. He was pathetic, allowing himself to be seduced by all the perks, but what vital parts of himself was he giving up in the process? What was he closing his eyes to?

He thought back to the day they'd spent together. It had been incredible Akihito had to admit; fun and exciting and even relaxing. Asami had taken him to some nameless ramen place afterward where the noodles were the best he ever had, Asami's bodyguards barely noticeable in the background. The limo had followed behind them as they'd walked down the sidewalk together a few blocks as Akihito ate the ice cream Asami had purchased for him with a smirk. A glare was all the thanks he gave him, but Akihito ate it all. It was delicious too.

He'd asked Asami why he'd made him dress up for something like skydiving and ramen, and Asami had given him a half-smile, standing there impeccable in his expensive suit under the flickering orange glow of a street lamp, before inhaling deeply on his cigarette then flicking it away. "Because," he'd finally said in a tone reserved for imparting wisdom to little children, "one dresses up on special days."

He had reached out, his fingers slipping up the length of Akihito's tie, nimbly straightening and tightening the knot. His eyes had been intent and mesmerizing, even more golden than usual, reflecting the lamp's glow, and Akihito hadn't been able to breathe well all of a sudden. His retort had died on his lips, and he'd let Asami lead him back to the car where the man had taken his breath away in more ways than one.

Just remembering made Akihito's face go hot, and he jumped up from Asami's leather couch and paced around the room, trying to calm himself down. He glanced toward the front door where his gaze had been locked for the past half hour. Asami had called to let him know he would be there soon, and Akihito's plans would go into effect at any moment now.

I really must be crazy, he thought wildly as he stared at the door. There was still time to call this off. He had no idea really how Asami would react. It might be a moot point how Asami would take him wanting to move out because Asami could very well kill him for this. Surely he wouldn't shoot Akihito right in his own living room, though. That would be awfully messy and inconvenient, and Asami hated to be inconvenienced.

Akihito shoved trembling hands into the back pocket of his jeans. He really hoped Asami's newly exhibited bizarre sense of humor wasn't a one time phenomena. But he had thought about it a lot; what Asami had done, what that day had meant, or at least what Akihito thought it might have meant. He had tried to sort through his mixed emotions and figure out how it really made him feel.

It had been almost impossible. Everything was a tangled mess, a veritable Gordian knot that Akihito was incapable of untangling on his own. It made him angry that Asami was like his own personal Alexander the Great, cutting through it all with an abruptness and brutalness that swept away, at least temporarily, any protests and misgivings. Right to rule by conquest. Fuck. All Akihito knew was that he needed this: what he was about to do. If Asami didn't like it, he could just fuck right off.

Right. Shit. Akihito's stomach roiled uneasily. I am so dead.

Not five minutes later, the key rattled in the lock. His eyes shot wide and Akihito lurched around to face the door, unconsciously biting his lip in frightened anticipation. His right hand held a camera, his left was hidden behind his back.

Asami stepped in and the pulley contraption worked like a charm. A pail of ice cold water rained down on Asami, startling an actual yelp out of the shocked and now soaking man. He was already reaching for his gun until the click of camera caused him to toss his dripping hair out of his face with a sharp jerk of his head and he met Akihito's eyes. His own were furious, blazing a thousand unspeakable deaths as he narrowed them and took one step forward.

"W-wait," Akihito stuttered, backing up a few steps as helpless, yet terrified laughter spilled out of his lips. "H-happy anniversary!"

Asami paused, looking even more deadly than before. "Akihito," he hissed, demanding an immediate explanation with that one venom-laced word.

"W-well, you seemed so into the idea of celebrating anniversaries. I thought-" Akihito took another involuntary step backward as Asami's jaw tightened. "I thought we could celebrate the second time we met. It's been a year to the day," he added in as cheeky a manner as he dared.

God, but he hoped Asami remembered too. Surely he did, how could the bastard forget any of what he'd put him through that time?

Asami's eyes widened, and he went utterly still for a moment. Akihito debated on whether he should make a run for the still open door behind him. He really should have thought about a contingency plan.

Then Asami laughed. He brought his hand up to brush through his hair, spraying droplets all over the floor. He was still shooting Akihito a look that would terrify most men, but he had really laughed.

"I only used a small glass, Akihito."

"Yeah, but don't act like you don't deserve more."

Asami's lips quirked up as he turned to examine the apparatus above the door sill. "I can't believe you managed to get that to work."

"There was a website that had a diagram and a video tutorial." Akihito couldn't contain his self-satisfied grin.

"Ah, I suddenly understand why parents want to control their children's internet time."

Akihito shot him a dirty look. "You're not my father."

"No." Asami returned his full focus to Akihito as he kicked the door closed and began deliberately unbuttoning his shirt. "I'm not. And now that you've had your fun, how about I have some now?"

Akihito swallowed, tossing the camera over to land on the sofa. "Wait," he said again, his voice trembling a little as he held his hand up to ward him off. Firming his words, he stared Asami down. "I'm not done."

Eyes narrowed again at that statement. "What do you mean?" The wet shirt hit the floor as Asami stalked closer. He was brought up short when Akihito brought his hidden left hand in front of him.

Long, leather restraints dangled almost to the floor. Akihito smiled, a challenging lift to his eyebrow.

"Do you trust me?"