Disclaimer: Viewfinder belongs to Yamane Ayano
Note: Just as a tidbit, I wanted to share how I came across the idea of using Beauty and the Beast as a model for my fanfiction. I saw this movie at the library called Beastly. It was basically just a modern remake of the Disney's. I didn't watch it so I don't know if it's good or not, but the thought of casting Akihito and Asami in the roles kind of got me started on the idea because I think their characters really work with the plotline. And everything else just kind of went from there… so there you have it!
Their conversation last night had been the longest one that they had ever had before; heck, it was the longest time that they've been together in the same room, not counting sleep or when Asami fucked him into the mattress.
When he had sufficiently calmed down after crying against Asami's chest, he was ushered back into his room to sleep, even though dawn had already bloomed on the horizon. He didn't even complain when the older man slid in beside him, spooning him from behind. Asami's warm breath over the top of his head, and the weak rays that snaked their way in the room from the open curtained window lulled his puffy eyes to a close.
And afterwards, just like he had promised, Asami never tried to coerce him into doing anything. Akihito could tell that he had been trying to be considerate. He just didn't know what for, and why now. But whatever the reason, the man went so far as to establish dinners together.
So that's what they were doing right now, eating dinner.
Or more like Akihito nibbling on a croissant while sipping his hot chocolate, watching Asami eat his meal while Akihito tried to prolong his snack. What more could you expect when dinner started at midnight?
It had been a week since Asami suggested it, four days since it's been put into practice, so both of them were slightly cautious of every movement either one of them made, careful, and just downright awkward.
Today's dinner had been no different. The conversation was sparse, polite, such mundane passing topics. Although halfway through, Asami took out a small envelope from his suit jacket and slid it to the middle of the dining table.
Well, that was new.
Akihito wasn't sure whether or not to take it, sliding it in the middle was neutral territory after all. But the man indicated for him to, and so he crouched forward in his seat and grabbed it.
He opened it and dumped the contents of the envelope upside down in the palm of his hand. What fell out was a single key. Strange, Akihito thought. He was being cooped up in the house all day. Why on earth would Asami give him a key? Unless…
"You're not allowed to go outside without permission and there must be an assigned guard at all times," Asami said, taking a tepid sip of his tea. Akihito's eyes whipped up from staring at the shiny gold key in his hands to look at Asami's mirthful face, his eyes as big as saucers. "Only straight to and back from school – "
"School?" Akihito cut him off. "I get to go to school?! You'll really let me?!" The excitement and disbelief in his eyes could not be missed.
"Yes, school. Only school. No where else. Absolutely no straying off," Asami cautioned. This is a test of how much I can trust you. Will you obey me and follow my rules? Or will the outside world prove too much of a challenge? Will it lure you to defy me? And then I would really have to cage you up. Because the cage I'm talking about is much more literal than the cage you think you're living in now. And do not think for a second that I will not do it."
Akihito nodded furiously. The words were dancing faster and faster until they were racing around his head. He took it all in like a mad craze, piece by piece, one melodious sound right after the other. He swooned at all the words that came from Asami's mouth after he had been given the key because it could only mean one thing:
Freedom.
Even if it's just a little bit. Even if the restrictions sounded limitless. And even if the freedom was false. But just to breathe in the fresh air from outside and to be surrounded by people, Akihito could face all the rules in the world only to be able to feel as blessed as he did right at that moment.
"Before you run off, just remember, Akihito, that the key lets you have your independence, opens the door out of this apartment and into the outside world; but, it also binds you to me. Because whether you like it or not, back at my side is the only place you can return to."
Asami smiled. It looked positively evil.
"Now, let's talk about all the ways you can thank me…"
…..
For a second he wondered how he had been accepted into the prestigious university, but then considering that it was Asami who had gotten him in, the thought quickly dashed outside of his mind. Of course the man had paid it off, used his influence, threatened someone, or whatever.
Akihito recalled Asami's words after handing him the golden ticket: "You will have a guard with you at all times."
"What?! You can't expect a muscled big guy in a black suit to follow me everywhere at school! That's like painting a neon sign over my head! I thought I was supposed to keep it low? I would be singled out before the first day is even over like that," Akihito protested, the crumbs falling out from the side of his mouth.
"You're not listening to me, Akihito. Did I ever say that he was going to be a muscle man in a suit?"
"Then what do you mean?"
Asami dialed a number on his cell phone. "Come in," he instructed. The guy on the other end replied, and then the door opened.
A boy about Akihito's age, probably older by no more than five years at the maximum, came in. He was tall, dressed in casual street clothes, worn out jeans, a solid maroon form fitting t-shirt, and sneakers. He was rather attractive in that bad-boy sort of way. The dangerous streak was probably upped a notch since he appeared to be under Asami's employment. His hair was wild and brown, with streaks of auburn and red in them. He smiled, a dimple slightly forming on the left cheek, and then bowed low to Asami, awaiting orders.
"You can call him whatever you want," Asami stated, swirling the glass of brandy he had perched in his hand. Sometimes the man liked to have a drink after a meal.
"Wait, who is he?" Akihito asked, more perplexed now, almost rising from his seat at the dinner table.
"He'll be your bodyguard," Asami replied, then smirked. "I take it he's not what you pictured?"
"Well, yeah. I've only seen those stuffy goons of yours. Didn't know you had normal people under your thumb, too."
Asami ignored that last comment. The brat was getting the nerve to talk back he amused. Good. He's not broken.
"He's enrolled in the same classes as you are to keep an eye out on you, see if you're behaving."
Akihito hated that word.
"And one more thing – don't try to escape him. Because he will find you. And if he doesn't, I'll find you."
Those last words fled his ears as he got up on the morning of his first day of school. Akihito was as giddy as a girl. That was, until he walked out the door to be greeted by the sight of the personal bodyguard standing there, bag slung carelessly over his shoulder. It had placed a slight damper on his mood, but the boy was determined to not feel deterred.
"What do I call you?" Akihito had asked in the car ride on the way there. Apparently he was to be chauffeured to and from school. He didn't mind being driven there, since Akihito had never been a morning person, and the sluggish feeling from sleep had not yet left his limbs. Nevertheless, by the time he stepped out of the building, Akihito could not help but stare in fascination at all the ordinary things around him. Even though he was talking to the guy, his gaze was directed outside of the window, intent on absorbing everything in.
"You may call me whatever you want," he said, echoing Asami's words from earlier.
"Don't you have a name?" Akihito called back.
"My name changes on every occasion."
Akihito stared at him. He wasn't sure what to make of that information. Apparently the guy wasn't as normal as he looked. "Then, what does Asami call you?"
The guy stared at him. After a pause, as if surprised at the question but not showing it, his lips unsealed themselves. "He calls me Akira."
"Okay then, Akira-san."
"Just Akira," he laughed. "We're the same age Akihito."
Akihito's eyes widen. "Really?"
"You're nineteen, right?"
A hesitant nod.
"Then yes. Except, I'm three months younger. And please try to not act so stiff towards me. I don't bite," he smiled, showing a set of pearly whites.
…..
"So how was your first day of school?" Asami inquired, not feeling any bit like a parent asking their ten year old child.
"It was great," Akihito replied between mouthfuls. "I've already made friends with two guys from my chemistry class." Nor did Akihito feel like the ten year old. He had just taken a bath and was about to go to bed, but then Asami came home. So they continued with the little ritual that Asami had set up.
"But..." Akihito began hesitantly. "I didn't see Akira in any of my classes. And he didn't come with me on the way back. He left right after I got out of the car. I swear I didn't try to run or anything, "he frantically assured.
"That's fine," Asami said nonchalantly. "I ordered him to stay on the sidelines. And Akira?" An eyebrow lifted in question.
"Yeah, that what you call him, right? I asked and he told me." Akihito said, relieved that he wasn't in any sort of trouble.
It was the freest conversation both of them had ever had together. They were getting better at dealing with each other, but a relationship was hardly what Akihito would call it. Akihito was still cautious of him.
Despite the fact that the man said he would never hurt him again, Akihito just couldn't chalk it up to trust him like that, especially when he didn't see anything that would reassure Asami's words. Asami had hurt him, and although a few words had established a somewhat shaky understanding between them, it did not and could not erase the pain that he had caused. Plus, Akihito thought it was going to take much more than simply words and empty promises to earn his trust. He had pride, and it wouldn't allow him to discard the past…at least, not yet. Not now.
And as they say, only time will tell.
