A small Valentine Day side story
One day before Asami left Akihito alone for a week to secure a five billion dollar deal…
February the fourteenth is a day where girls in Japan put their feelings into chocolates and gave them to their love interests, in hopes that the very same feelings are reciprocated on March the fourteenth. In other words, Valentines was something that didn't concern Akihito at all.
However, when the young freelance photojournalist became the unofficial lover of Japan's powerful crime lord, the wheels of fate spun and things begun to change for Akihito.
Akihito saw Valentines as a job opportunity. Careless, bumbling idiots belonging to Japan's group of elites would take this day to spoil their lovers, showering them with expensive gifts, taking them to dinner and finally spend the night in an elite hotel. Akihito absolutely loved Valentines because the celebration settled two months of rent each year.
Unfortunately for Akihito, this year was an exception.
"What the hell do you mean there are no jobs available?" Akihito's heart took a deep plunge.
"There are jobs available, Takaba. Why don't you take up this one? Photo shoot for a Valentine lingerie commercial? Or this one with the famous mode-"
His manager was cut off by Akihito's angry outburst. "Damn it! You know what I want! A high paying scoop! Love is already in the air, they'll definitely slip up on Valentines!"
Akihito was in a state of panic. Valentines was three days away and if he didn't get information now, he would lose the chance to stalk, shoot and pay the rent for the next two months. Shit, he didn't even prepare a contingency plan in the event Valentines didn't work out. He didn't even need to. His rent practically solved itself on Valentines.
The balding manager ignored his employee's apparent disrespect. Wiping his sweat off with a checkered handkerchief, he continued on, "There are no jobs of that sort. Either you take these model photo shoots scheduled for the next two days or you starve this week."
"B-but I have rent to pay…" Akihito gave his best puppy look, in hopes that his employer's heart would waver.
"Not up for negotiation or discussion Takaba. Take it or leave it."
Akihito flung his innocent mask out of the window. He gritted his teeth, snatched the contract off the table and stalked out of the office angrily.
Once Takaba left, the photographer's manager visibly relaxed. He gave himself a pat on the back for resisting the hurt puppy look. Picking up his phone, he dialed quickly and waited for the other person to pick up.
The phone line on the other side clicked.
"Asami-sama, it is done. Takaba Akihito will not have any assignments as requested. In return, you promised to cancel my deb-"
Without an answer, the phone line went dead.
The balding man sighed. Trust Akihito to pick one of the most dangerous lovers around.
Akihito moped. He moped so piteously that Takato decided to offer his best friend sympathy by inviting him to lunch on Valentines with his wife.
When Akihito arrived at Takato's humble dwelling, Hisana-san was still in the kitchen. Pattering to the door, she greeted her husband's best friend.
"Oh my, you're early. I just finished preparing lunch. Takato's out buying wine for tonight. Why don't you have a seat first?"
Akihito mumbled a small greeting of his own before entering the house.
In a matter of minutes, Akihito felt bored. There were curious tinkling sounds resounding from the kitchen and Akihito padded over inquisitively. He stuck his head in tentatively.
"Um… Sorry for intruding. I was wondering if you needed any help?"
Hisana was badly startled by Akihito's sudden appearance. Her hand jerked to the side, causing the white chocolate in a pastry bag to be 'piped' out away from the intended location.
"Oh! I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare… you…" Akihito's profuse apology slowed significantly when he noticed the chocolate cake on the kitchen counter. Hisana had decorated the cake with streams of melted white chocolate. The patterns were intricate and showed much of Hisana's love for Takato. Contrasting with the brown chocolate cake, white chocolate swirled elegantly across, forming a message that warmed Akihito's heart. I Love You.
It would have been perfect if not for the exceptionally long tail the letter 'u' was sporting, caused by Akihito's disturbance.
If Akihito had puppy ears, Hisana would have seen it droop sadly when he notice the slight blemish to the otherwise perfect Valentine cake.
Giggling, she assured Akihito she wasn't angry. However, she told Akihito in a firm voice, "Now, you keep this a secret from Takato, you hear me? It's a surprise for tonight. You mustn't spoil it."
"Yes ma'am!" Akihito responded, raising his hand to his head in a mock salute.
As Hisana went about fixing the letter 'u', Akihito let his eyes wander about the kitchen. His eyes settled on the bowl of leftover unmelted chocolate discs. Mmm.. Yummy… Akihito's stomach rumbled in agreement.
Hisana looked up, spotting Akihito scratching his head in embarrassment. Hisana let loose a small laugh, Takato sure made adorable friends.
"There's some biscuits at the corner over there to feed that impatient little monster of yours. You leave those alone. I need to give them to my friends."
Akihito stuffed two sugar biscuits into his mouth and stared curiously at the chocolate discs. Friends? Isn't Valentine a day for love?
When Akihito pointed out that obvious fact, the gentle housewife gave him an incredulous look. Akihito's blank face prompted Hisana to patiently explain to him. "There are different types of love, Akihito. Camaraderie is just a form of love with a different name."
Curiosity apparently sated, Akihito wordlessly nodded and spent the next thirty minutes watching Takato's wife melt the chocolate discs (Akihito wasn't very sure but was Hisano sprinkling something into the melted chocolate?) before pouring them into a mold.
Different types of love huh. He wondered what his feelings for Asami were. It was like a mixture of everything. Hate, like, lust, denial, acceptance… The list could go on forever. His meetings with Asami always evoked such conflicting feelings within him.
Akihito stared wistfully at the chocolate tokens hardening slowly in the mold. Maybe he should give chocolate to Asami, to convey to the cruel, emotionless man the twisted love he had for him. In the next instant, Akihito hastily shoved the thought aside. He wasn't going to damage his male pride anymore than it already was by celebrating a day only females partake. Males were supposed to be on the receiving end today. B-but it wouldn't hurt right? To give Asami chocolate... He needed to show his appreciation after the Hong Kong incident anyway…
Hisana didn't miss the conflicting emotions Akihito displayed so openly in his honey-brown eyes. However, before she could comment, Takato's voice resounded from the doorway. "I'm back honey!"
Distracted from her intentions to inquire Akihito, she frantically pleaded to the young man. "My cake! I need to hide it. Akihito, go be a dear and distract him won't you? Remember, don't mention anything about it alright? It's our little secret. Now off with you!"
Akihito gave one last forlorn gaze at the chocolate discs before being shooed out of the kitchen.
"Akihito! Great to see you made it! Kou's coming soon. His girlfriend just dumped him earlier in the morning."
"Uh… Hey Takato. Oh wait, don't go to the kitchen! Um… I mean, did you just say Kou got dumped? On Valentines? Umm… why don't we discuss how to cheer him up later? In the l-living room!"
Takato stared at Akihito. It wasn't normal for his friend to be that frantic over Kou's post-relationship well-being. Kou's love adventures never once ended well. Akihito shifted nervously, twiddling his thumbs as his eyes flitted occasionally to the kitchen.
The black haired man blinked went he heard the refrigerator slam shut. Hisana poked her head out of the kitchen, joyfully announcing that lunch was ready to be served.
Akihito breathed a sigh of relief when Takato moved to help his wife set the table.
Akihito spent the rest of the afternoon enjoying a wonderful lunch and comforting Kou.
As the sun started to set, Akihito stood at the doorstep saying his thanks and farewell. Takato smiled and ruffled his hair, reassuring him that if he had problems with his rent, he could always give him a call. Kou, sprawled on the sofa drunk, raised his hand and gave a feeble wave of goodbye. As Akihito made to leave, Hisana's call for him to wait echoed from the kitchen.
Wooden flooring creaked as Hisana rushed from the kitchen to Akihito.
"Here." Hisana shoved a neatly decorated box into Akihito's palm. "You looked like you wanted to give this to somebody."
Akihito blushed furiously. "W-hat! A-absolutely impossible. I don-"
He was cut short when a small hand clamped over his mouth.
"Don't argue with me, Akihito. My woman instincts are never wrong."
He looked pleadingly at his best friend who merely watched on, amusement evident on his face.
Akihito hung his head in defeat. " Um… Thanks, I guess. Um… Then, I'll, you know…" He jerked his thumb towards the door. "I'll take my leave…"
As Akihito shuffled out of view, Takato questioned his beloved. "How did you know he had a lover? I didn't tell you anything."
Hisana merely laughed and buried her head into Takato warm chest. As her husband wrapped his arms around her, bringing her closer into an embrace, her muffled reply came. "Woman's intuition, darling. You should know by now not to question its credibility."
Takato could only nod his head in agreement. Silence enveloped the two as they savored each other's warmth. Hisana's voice chimed gently as she offered an extended explanation.
"He looked like a love sick puppy back in the kitchen. I bet you didn't know his lover was a man too."
Takato choked.
"W-what? H-how-?"
Hisana pulled away from Takato. When her husband looked down, she raised an eyebrow. Takato needed no further explanation.
Right. Woman's intuition.
Akihito was not to spend the night alone, as was the norm every year since he moved out from his family. Akihito should've known better that Asami would not allow it.
As he stood still, staring at his unlocked front door, he fingered the blue box in his hands. He was torn between two choices. One, go to Club Sion, give Asami the chocolate, look like an idiot and then be fucked into the desk all night. Two, stay at home, eat the chocolate and avoid all misfortunes stated in Choice Number One. Akihito sighed. Choice Number Two seemed really appealing to him.
As fate would have it, Akihito choices were cut down to one. Choice Number One was all that was left for him when Asami showed up, dressed smartly in his branded three piece Italian suit, exuding an aura that screamed danger and sensuality.
Shocked by the man's presence, he quickly and clumsily shoved the box into his coat pocket. Throwing on a mask of nervous innocence, he hesitantly offered a small smile to Asami as his right hand inched slowly towards the door knob behind his back.
The yakuza stalked forward confidently, eyes trailing down the photographer's entire body. The moment the smaller man grasped the door knob, golden eyes darken as his strides became larger.
Akihito judged the distance between him and the rapidly approaching older man for a moment before twisting the door knob harshly. He swung the door open with speed enhanced by adrenaline and rushed in. Without wasting any time, Akihito turned around and pushed the door shut with all his weight.
When he locked his door securely with a resounding click, Akihito released his breath. He couldn't believe his luck. For once, he managed to outmaneuver the arrogant man. He gave a snigger of triumph and pressed his ears against the wooden board, listening for any indication that it was his victory.
When silence met him, Akihito frowned. It wasn't like Asami to give in without a fight.
"Maybe he …left?" Akihito whispered to himself.
"Who left, Akihito?" The rich, low voice rumbled chillingly into his ear, down his spine.
Akihito froze. When his body caught up with his mind, it was too late. Asami pinned his arms to the door, with one hand, above his head. He felt hot lips crushing his own, tongue forcing its way into the hot cavern, pulling him into a heavy, passionate kiss that left him breathless.
Snapping his head to the side to tear away from the kiss, Akihito gasped for air. Asami allowed Akihito to regain his breath before latching onto the slender neck, naively exposed before him.
A cry tore from the younger man as he sucked viciously, intent on placing his mark on his lover.
Akihito struggled mindlessly, pushing futilely at Asami's head.
"A-aah. A-asa-… Asami! W-ait! S-sto-p! H-how-… Ah!"
Asami gave one last harsh suck, before pulling away. He lifted his head slightly to nibble at Akihito's earlobe as he answered the unfinished question.
"You're too slow Akihito. Anyone could have slipped in before you closed the door. You need to be faster. Let's focus on training your speed tonight, shall we?"
Akihito wailed loudly in distress when he was carried firmly to his bedroom.
Three long hours of hot, passionate sex.
Akihito could only bonelessly sink back into the comfort of his bed when Asami finally relented. He sighed softly when he felt the yakuza pull out of him. Every part of him was sore, but he ached pleasantly, hunger sated.
Rolling over to his side, he sleepily observed the man pull his tie back into a perfect knot. How was it that every damn time they had sex in his house, he was the only one stripped down to nothing?
Asami turned to him, smirk back in its rightful place. Akihito gave him a tired scowl.
"Don't worry Akihito. You'll have time to recover over the next week. I'll be out of the country securing a five billion dollar deal for your pension in the future. Until then, rest well."
Akihito's snort was smothered when Asami bent down to give him a quick gentle kiss. When Asami made to pull away, Akihito's small hand weakly clasped onto his sleeve.
"Mmm… Coat…. Pocket…. Box…. For…. *yawn* …you….." Akihito relaxed his grip, falling into a dreamless slumber.
Asami raised an eyebrow. He tucked his lover properly into bed and made his way to the living room where Akihito's coat was carelessly discarded.
From the crumpled black heap, he retrieved the blue box, wrapped neatly in a pink ribbon.
Bringing the box to his lips, Asami whispered tenderly, "I receive and accept your feelings, Akihito."
Takaba Akihito was such a romantic at heart.
Back at Takato's house, the newly married couple sat together at the table. Hisano looked on expectantly while Takato gulped. The chocolate cake sat silently in front of him.
Shit. He would have stopped Akihito if he knew chocolate was inside that box.
Hisano's chocolate were deadly. Her friends knew not to consume it but Akihito didn't know better.
He prayed to any listening deity that Akihito didn't give his Valentine the chocolate. The poor guy would be bedridden for days.
Takato gave his wife a nervous smile and took in three deep breaths to prepare himself for the ordeal.
He shrugged his shoulders.
Here goes nothing.
Takato dug in.
Oh god. He should have confiscated Hisano's secret chocolate ingredient when he had the chance.
Unbeknownst to Akihito, Asami was admitted into the hospital the next day for food poisoning.
It was fortunate that Asami started the game a week later or he would have lost the first point to the unknowing wildcat of his.
Asami 0 Akihito 1 (unofficial)
Written in spirit of Valentine's Day.
Hoped you had fun reading!
God speed.
p.s: Happy Valentine's Day!
