Notice/Update: We apologize for the lack of chapters over the last several months, and we thank you all for being so patient with us and sticking with our story. Since the end of last year, we hit a major writing block brought on mostly from real world drama we've been dealing with, and only recently we've been really getting motivation back in our systems. We aren't exactly where we were though, and it could be a while before we're back there again. So, instead we've decided to shorten our chapters so you can get content sooner, rather than having to wait months at a time. We also hope that by doing this, it will keep the juices flowing and the wall at bay. Having said that, we are hoping that this comeback will be a fresh start, because we are just full of ideas! (Don't think we haven't been plotting furiously for weeks) Love Me Gently still has one major arc to go before we start bringing things to a close, and this next adventure will possibly be the most interesting yet...and will change everything.

DISCLAIMER: We do not own Finder Series or any of the cannon characters, this is purely a work of fiction. If you enjoy, please follow, favorite, and leave a review!

Chapter 31

Asami's POV

Driving home alone after such a…lively party left the crimelord lost in his thoughts. The event had lasted hours, and already it was into the early hours of the morning; the clock reading 2:52 AM. Akihito was likely sitting up at home worried, especially since he had promised his lover that he would be home before midnight. Sometimes plans don't go as planned, it seems, but Asami still hoped that his exhausted boy would be sleeping when he got home. Never had it occurred to him that this would take longer than a couple hours, but it turns out that Rin really knows how to put on a show, and keep company entertained for an extended period of time. Well, he supposed he couldn't give all the credit to Rin…Mayuri's turn in there had definitely captured all of their attentions. Though not in the same light.

With the Tokyo city lights far behind him, Asami found himself driving into almost pitch-black darkness. It was rare he actually drove this late at night, usually having Suoh chauffer him, so it was only now that he really noticed how difficult it was to see the road with only the headlights and the occasional street lamp illuminating the way. Not only was he eager to get home to take care of his traumatized Akihito, but he was also eager to get away from the smell of blood that had filled the car due to the suit jacket sitting in the passenger's seat that was soaked in it. I'll have Kirishima take the jacket and car tomorrow for cleaning.

Pulling up to the gate, Asami waited for the guard on duty to open it for him before driving through. Right now security was at the max, so there were guards posted all around the estate to ensure the protection of his family. Hopefully it made Akihito feel safe, because he knew that the blonde had a habit of not sleeping whenever he was too worried about the children's wellbeing. Considering everything that had happened the last few days…he could understand why there would be some paranoia…as much as he wished there wouldn't be. Hopefully with the rat out of the way, things are going to start looking up.

Leaving the jacket in the passenger's seat, Asami got out of the car and started heading for the front door, worn out and exhausted from the long night. Climbing the stairs, he fumbled to get his keys out of his pocket before unlocking and opening the door to darkness, well all except for the faint light coming from the family room…so that's where his feet took him. Inside he found Akihito holding Masahiko in his arms, the toddler looking as though he had just been sobbing with pink, tear stained cheeks and bloodshot eyes. Though those eyes looked as though they were slowly being lulled to sleep by the soft singing he could just barely make out coming from his lover. Well isn't this a déjà vu moment? A smile tugging at his lips, he leaned against the archway and closed his eyes, just listening quietly as he caught the ending of the familiar song Akihito was singing.

"Here comes the sun, do-do-do-do

Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

Little darling, I feel that ice is slowly melting

Little darling, it seems like years since it's been clear

Here comes the sun, here comes the sun, and I say it's all right

Here comes the sun, here comes the sun, and I say it's all right…It's all right"

At the point of the song ending, Asami could see that the toddler was out like a light, his pudgy little cheek resting on Akihito's chest and his thumb in his mouth. A nasty habit that Asami had wanted to break the second it started, but you can only listen to a stubborn one-year old scream at the top of their lungs for so long before you either give in or start screaming yourself. Unfortunately, he had a cold that day. (In other words: Mini Asami 1, Big Asami 0) Akihito slumped back into the couch, pulling the blanket up over the both of them, giving him the hint that they had both been there for a while. The other hint was the paused cartoon on the screen, featuring a…red panda…business woman…thing? Definitely something Akihito would be into.

Deciding to make his presence known to his exhausted lover, Asami cleared his throat and stepped into the room. "Have you even tried to sleep, or have you been up watching cartoons all night?" He asked in a hushed tone, not wanting to wake up the sleeping toddler.

Akihito jumped for a moment, before shooting him an irritated look. "You said you were going to be home before midnight."

"The dinner 'party' went on longer than expected. I would have called, but I thought you would be sleeping."

"Yeah, well you thought wrong. I couldn't sleep even if I wanted to."

Asami frowned but didn't comment. It didn't take a genius to know that he was on edge, and rightfully so considering everything that had occurred. "Then we'll stay awake. Just let me take the little monster up to his crib and take a shower, and I'll be down here with you to watch…whatever it is you're watching now." The things I'd do for this brat. Even suffer through whatever ridiculous, kiddie cartoon he has gotten into. Finally, for the first time since Akihito came home, a real little smile tugged at his bruised, swollen lips.

"Okay, but you're not allowed to complain. I don't want to hear a single negative comment…I actually really love this show."

"Complain? When have I ever complained about something you watch?"

"Um, every time."

"I resent that, Akihito. I give constructive criticism, not complaints. Complaints are for bratty children."

"Fine, no 'constructive criticism.' You sit quietly, laugh when you hear something funny, and cuddle. Anything negative and you're going to the bedroom alone, and I'll watch by myself."

"Someone is quite demanding tonight, but I'll agree to those terms. Only for tonight though, and only to make up for the fact I came home late." And because he didn't have it in him to not spoil Akihito right now, but he wasn't going to admit that out loud. Both because he knew the boy would use it to his advantage…and because it would likely make him feel worse. Normalcy was better, even if most of it was feigned.

Asami arched an eyebrow as he watched those blue eyes roll, Akihito lifting Masahiko carefully from his chest and passed him over. "Whatever, bastard. Just don't wake the baby up putting him to bed. Otherwise you're going to be the one getting him back to sleep."

With his son curled up against his chest, Asami didn't dare risk saying anything, and instead just gave his significant other a vexatious look before heading for the stairs. That boy knew how to try his patience. If only he knew how difficult it already was for Asami to hold back his own desires and possessive urges at the moment. Every part of him wanted to drag that boy into his lap and retake claim to every part of his body that had been violated and defiled by that disgusting rat…every single nook and cranny. But he was refraining to do so because he knew that was the last thing Akihito needed. In fact, it was likely the worst thing he could at the moment. Still, he couldn't help that every time Aki acted like a little brat it just fueled the lustful, possessive beast inside of him.

It doesn't help that he's a brat. Asami mused with a smirk, shaking his head as he stepped into the elevator. Frankly, seeing that Akihito was feeling enough of himself that his feisty spirit came out eased some of the worry he had festering. Perhaps things aren't going to be as bad as I imagined them to be.

Seven episodes into the cute, surprisingly entertaining cartoon and Asami was almost embarrassed that he was getting kind of invested. He had always deemed put such mediocre, childish humor below him, yet here he was getting more than a few chuckles from the show. Right now he was placing blame off on his deep-set physical and mental exhaustion. He would have to rewatch the show in a few days to confirm this theory.

By this time, the sun was starting to peek in through the blinds and Asami could feel the burn in his eyes from the insufficient amount of sleep he'd gotten over the past several, several days now. Even with his lover rescued and back home safe now for going on day two, he couldn't keep his eyes closed for longer than a couple hours before waking up in an almost panic. Terrified he would wake up and Aki wouldn't be beside him, and that they would be going through that nightmare of finding him again…and having no idea what was happening to him. Even now, Asami didn't know everything that had happened. In fact, all he knew was what the doctor's report stated, and the very minimum he could get out of Mayuri. He hated not knowing, but taking just one look at the traumatized blonde told him that he wasn't ready to confront this. Time was needed.

Asami jumped at the sudden sharp elbow to the side, his head whipping to the side only to see his lover, who had previously been nestled into his side fast asleep, but was now squirming and mumbling under his breath in distress.

"Akihito? Love, wake up." Asami murmured, reaching out and gently shaking the boy's shoulder. That was a mistake.

"NO!" Aki suddenly screeched, his eyes shooting wide open as his fists went to swinging blindly. He caught one successfully, but wasn't so lucky with the second fist as it collided against the underside of his right eye. On the third swing though, he was able to catch it, successfully restraining the frantic blonde before he ended up hurting himself.

Gradually Akihito calmed down, his spastic moving eyes finally settling on Asami's face and recognition clicked in his frazzled mind. Asami released his thin wrists once he was sure Aki had relaxed and wasn't in danger of hurting himself. "A-Asami..." His voice cracked, his eyes filling with hot tears. Unable to bear watching Akihito suffer, he reached out to gather the boy into his arms, but was halted when he saw the boy flinch. "Don't…Don't touch me."

Frowning, Asami's arms retreated slowly. "Akihito…I'm not going to hurt you. You know that. I would never hurt you."

"I-I know that...I-I know you would never hurt me." Akihito whispered, before he slowly pointed towards his eye, "But…I hurt you."

"That was an accident, it's fine. It isn't the least bit painful."

"Asami, it's already swelling! You can't tell me it doesn't hurt!"

"Akihito, I've been shot, stabbed, hell I've taken a punch from Suoh in the gut before. This." He gestured to his face. "Is nothing."

"That's not the point! Asami, I-I hit you! You're going to have a fucking black eye and its from ME!" Aki buried his face into his hands, and from the way his shoulders shook Asami knew he was crying, "Just…please go. I want to be alone."

He couldn't believe was he was hearing. Akihito had never tried to push him away like this, not even after all the traumatizing events that had taken place since they were apart of each other's lives. "I'm not going to leave you alone right after a nightmare. It's out of the question." Asami stated firmly.

"For once, please don't fucking fight me! I said I need to be alone!" Aki snapped, his voice laced with exhaustion and venom. It shocked Asami into silence for a moment, and it actually…hurt him. His heart stung.

"Don't push me away, Akihito. Please." Asami pleaded, feeling extremely vulnerable. I just got you back.

"I'm not pushing you away, I just…need some space, okay? To think…and just…figure things out. Give me that, okay?"

Space. He needed space. Sure, Asami could understand that, but space from him?! Every part of him wanted to refuse and drag that boy into his arms whether it be willingly or kicking and screaming. Yet…he couldn't. If he truly needed space, then he needed to let him have it. Even if it he hated it, this wasn't about him and his feelings. This was about Akihito's, and giving him everything he required to heal from whatever horrible things he went through. Plus, telling him no would be extremely hypocritical. A lot of the time when he was feeling stressed over something, he would spend time alone in his office and just lock the door to be alone with his thoughts.

Sighing through his nose, Asami nodded. "Okay, I'm heading to my study then. But if you need me, please come get me or call for me. Don't force yourself to deal with this alone if it's not what you need."

After receiving a nod, he took this as his cue to leave. He spared one last glance back before heading out of the room to his office, shutting and locking it behind him. I need a drink. Asami's feet carried him across the room to his liquor cabinet, where he poured himself a glass of luxury bourbon. Lifting it to his lips, he took a long sip as he took a seat in his desk chair, his free hand moving into his pocket. The small rectangular object he pulled out and played with idly between his fingers had him perplexed. When he had been given the flash drive earlier in the night, he had told himself he wouldn't look at it's contents unless it was necessary. But now he was rethinking his decision.

In one instance, he wanted to give Akihito his privacy, and allow him the freedom to tell Asami what happened in his own time. Or if he ever decided to tell him. But in another, he wanted to know. He wanted to know what horrendous endeavors fell upon his lover so he could make it better…and all of that information was literally in the palm of his hand. Everything that happened was right there…all of it inside one little flash drive.

He stared at it for a long time, pondering his thoughts before finally he pulled open his desk drawer and lifted the hidden panel at the bottom. Carefully placing it at the bottom, he closed the panel, followed by the drawer. Not now. He would give Akihito some time to come to him first, or even to just heal on his own. But if it came to it, he wouldn't hesitate. A couple years ago he probably wouldn't have given this so much thought, because he would never have even considered Akihito's feelings on the matter. So much had changed.

Leaning back in his chair, Asami closed his eyes and let out a long sigh. And whether he meant it to or not, his mind began to wander…in so many different directions. It began with his worries over his family; the obvious worries with Akihito, the fact his daughter had also been haunted from seeing her mother get kidnapped, and the physical pain and damage Mayuri was having to endure. Was it all actually going to be okay? This question plagued him for quite some time.

Somehow that turned into him thinking about the events prior to him coming home…the dinner party and all that occurred. The delicious food and entertaining "show" Rin put on, the ear-piercing screams blood that splattered onto the warehouse floors and eventually their clothes, and then of course the satisfying end to the biggest piece of shit to ever live on this earth. Just remembering that had Asami's lips curling into a cruel smirk.