A/N: I talked about this on discord a while ago and thought why not add this to Aki week. It was fun! I used the catch up day which was originally Sunday to slip this in.

Thanks for reading!

-Lucicelo


Anxious in his seat, Akihito tried keeping a cheery mood. Having arrived at the barbecue spot first, he managed to grab a section of a long table that fit six people. The long table could seat about twelve people, maybe more if more chairs were taken from other tables.

Soon after he arrived, the place got packed with groups of people. There were college students, families, businessmen, all sorts of people. For a Friday night, he was lucky to have timed the rush well. Otherwise, he would be standing outside in line, inhaling the sweet smell of charred meat.

Keeping his phone on the table, Akihito waited for his friends to call him. To let him know if they were close to the building. He couldn't just order multiple plates of meat and appetizers without knowing if his friends were going to come. Shaking his head, he pushed the idea of them canceling out of his head. They planned this hangout weeks ago.

Then again, it looked sad that he sat alone while every other table had multiple people chattering away about their week. He needed to eat something to appear less depressing.

When the waitress arrived, he ordered ice water and snacks to nibble on. She didn't take long to return with his water and a few plates of snacks.

As Akihito ate his snacks, he resumed his people watching.

Right beside him sat three men in suits, two with black hair, one with brown hair. All of them were whispering among one another as they sipped on the most expensive beer on the menu.

Akihito knew it was expensive. He peered at the beer menu and his mind boggled at the price. One bottle would screw up his budget for the month. No, thank you. His cheap beer was just as good.

Sipping on the complimentary water, Akihito inhaled the aromas of the other barbecue tables. Saliva formed in his mouth causing him to gulp. His stomach growled, yelling for fatty meaty goodness.

Right beside him, the men started adding meat to their grill. The sizzling meat sounded like music to Akihito's ears. His stomach growled, again.

Leg jumping, Akihito muttered. "Where are they?"

As soon as he said that the phone calls started. Akihito feigned understanding to keep himself from being upset about why his friends were late. He was growing restless with hunger and didn't need to take it out on his friends.

His mood descended as one by one his friends canceled on him. Every single phone call was a hit at his smile.

Only Ko and Takato were the ones with valid excuses.

Takato sounded winded when he said. "Sorry, Aki! Mei ended up feeling contractions and we rushed to the hospital. She's getting checked by the doctor to see if they're fake or not."

Akihito scrambled to reassure him. "I get it! Mei Mei and my godson come first!"

Relieved, Takato asked. "Are the rest of the gang there yet?"

Akihito responded. "No. Everyone else called off before you got to me."

Takato sucked in his breath. "Fuck, Aki. Even Ko?"

"Ko got roped into another shift at his job because someone else called off. He can't leave unless he's dismissed. You know how jobs are." Akihito grumbled.

Takato sighed. "Let me make it up to you after everything is settled with Mei and the baby."

"It's okay! You're going to be busy with the baby for the next few months. You and Mei don't need to worry about me."

"Aki…"

"Just until you and Mei are settled in." Akihito reassured Takato. "I can't expect you to put your family to the side. I hear the first few months will be challenging for the both of you."

"Alright, if you insist."

"I do." Akihito insisted. "Anyways, I gotta go. This meat is calling my name!"

Takato laughed on the other line. "Alright, alright, I'll leave you to your true love then. Bye, Aki."

Ending the call, Akihito shoved his phone into his pocket and groaned.

Calling over the waitress. Akihito explained. "Looks like I'll be here by myself. Can you get me these meats and this beer?" Akihito pointed to what he wanted and the waitress wrote down everything he asked for.

He ignored the sympathetic smile the waitress had on her face.

It was obvious his friends flaked on him.

Akihito wasn't going to let his friends' absence let him down. On the plus side, he wouldn't have to fight for the last bit of caramelized meat and drink to his heart's content.

Besides, the businessmen beside him could keep him good company.


So far, the establishment Suoh recommended wasn't bad, Asami mused.

When he first arrived, Asami was pleasantly surprised to see various spaced tables with tasteful decorations. The lights were dimmed slightly so as to not blind their guests. Beige walls gave the illusion of openness. There were some photos displayed on the walls, but they showed previous generations of owners of the establishment. A family-owned restaurant.

Everything was clean and orderly. No tables were left dirty for long. A staff member arrived quickly to collect the plates and clean the area before another party took the table.

The service was phenomenal as well.

After Asami, Suoh, and Kirishima sat at their table, the waitress made her presence known. She wasted no time eyeing her guests like other waitresses Asami experienced. The young lady behaved professionally and listened to their order with a sharp ear. She wrote everything down on her notepad before she made her way to the kitchen.

After a few minutes, she returned with their drinks while letting them know an estimate for their meats.

Asami shared an impressed nod with Suoh.

Most hole in the wall barbecue places were jam packed, giving no room to breathe or relax. Asami disliked bumping into people in general and liked his space. Which was why he was satisfied with what he experienced so far.

As he sipped his beer, a decent enough label for his palate, he found himself relaxing in the ambiance. The anonymity of being labeled an office worker helped to keep anyone from badgering them much. In a higher end restaurant, the staff catered to him to an almost obnoxious extent due to his reputation. Despite growing accustomed to expensive service, he enjoyed the earnest and genuine treatment from less expensive establishments.

So far during their stay, Asami's body lost tension and he listened to Kirishima and Suoh's discussions of Club Sion's lack of training days. This was a fact. Asami's time was split around to where he wasn't present, but this would soon be rectified. He closed various deals that benefited him and gave him free time to do as he wished.

Might as well intimidate his employees behind a well meaning smirk.

The waitress returned with multiple plates of meat and extra appetizers. Then, she set down another set of beers. Kirishima ignored his share, but didn't voice it out loud. He kept on sipping his half drunk beer. Suoh, on the other hand, gave the extra beer to Asami. Suoh poured Asami another serving before Asami did it himself.

From his peripheral, Asami noticed a young blond sitting on his own at their extended table. There was an empty seat separating them, so Asami had not taken notice of him. What stood out to him was the lack of company on his area of the table.

Singles or doubles were usually sent to a two-seater table. The newly installed single seater tables were also available to those who wanted to eat by themselves. Asami saw himself returning to this place on his own time to decompress from his duties.

For this young man to sit by himself meant that whoever he invited ditched him. Asami somewhat felt bad for him. At least, Asami had his subordinates to occupy two of his seats and not leave him on his own.

Turning his face slightly, he noticed that the blond haired young man was eyeing their food.

Asami addressed him. "Hello."

The blond blushed at being found out, but played off his embarrassment with a grin. "Hello. Sorry for looking at your food. Mine hasn't been brought out yet." He motioned to his snacks. "The meat is making it impossible for me to fill up on these snacks."

"I see." Asami glanced at the empty seats around the stranger. "You're by yourself?"

"Friends canceled. So, I'm going to eat all of the meat I ordered and not feel bad about it." He grinned before introducing himself. "I'm Akihito."

Seeing nothing wrong with giving his first name, Asami said. "Ryuichi." He ignored the looks from his men overhearing him give out his name without a care.

His men followed suit and introduced themselves.

"Kirishima."

"Suoh."

If Akihito seemed upset at not being given a first name, he didn't show it on his face. "Nice to meet you all! Oh!" He grabbed one of the tongs and removed a piece of meat from the group's grill. Placing it on Asami's plate, he winked at Asami. "The crispy bits are the best."


Almost an hour passed, and Akihito assimilated to his new group of friends' table.

Asami, Kirishima, and Suoh didn't realize Akihito burrowed his way in. After all, Akihito chatted without a care, face flushed red from beer, while telling them about the perfect sauces for their cuts of meat. Suoh jumped in to give his own input on adding green onions in the sauces. This prompted a discussion on adding ginger or green onion to sauces.

Asami simply ate whatever perfect crispy piece of meat Akihito slipped to him. Kirishima and Suoh received their own pieces of meat from Akihito. Once they all had their piece, Akihito ate his own pieces after dipping them in his sauce creation.

In the first ten minutes of their acquaintance, Akihito figured out that Asami Ryuichi was the leader of this group. Asami commanded the table and the men addressed him as Asami-sama. Akihito knew better than to disrespect the head honcho.

Besides, Asami didn't act like an arrogant leader.

He was far more relaxed than the assumption of a CEO that Akihito imagined in his head. The man's underlings showed him genuine respect through the way they spoke and the manner they addressed him by.

Akihito's new contract boss, the head of the newspaper, held his power over everyone under his control. Akihito got away with a lot due to the contract his temporary boss signed. He couldn't fire him unless there was an actual fireable offense. His coworkers didn't have such a luxury.

Akihito knew they felt envious at his sliver of power. Although Akihito knew better than to dangle this in front of his boss' face. If he wanted to rise up the ranks, he needed to bring in scoops for them to publish. Without his photos, they relied on their writers to capture the attention of their clientele. Akihito knew a photo brought in attention while the story kept them in.

He was important.

At some point in their hang out, Akihito offered his own plates of meat to this group. Some of these meat platters were not ordered due to the lack of knowledge in how to order them. Akihito spent more than enough time in this spot for him to know what to order. Also, an old friend of his used to work there and gave him all the inside information.

Of course, he didn't share this information to just anyone.

Suoh listened with an attentive ear, keeping note on what to order the next time he brought friends along with him.

Akihito scooted onto the unoccupied seat and served Kirishima another serving of beer. He ignored Kirishima's denials of not wanting another beer. "C'mon, Glasses, you can handle another one."

Suoh, already four beers in, agreed. "Not like we're doing any more work tonight,"

Indignant over the nickname, Kirishima huffed. "No need."

He pinched Suoh's side, warning him silently not to disclose their Boss' activities. Suoh swiped Kirishima's hand away with laughter.

Akihito pouted. "Why not?"

Kirishima answered. "I'm driving."

"Oh."

Kirishima was relieved when Akihito dropped his pursuit in refilling his drink.

Instead, Akihito tapped off Suoh's drink. "Then, you can drink for him, Suoh-san."

Suoh said. "Kazumi."

"Kazumi, then!"

"Thank you, Akihito." Suoh cheered as he clinked their glasses together. Beer spilled onto the grill, but the pair ignored the sudden influx of flames.

Asami and Kirishima helped keep the drunken pair from burning themselves. Their hands almost brushed against the hot grill or their sleeves. Kirishima was rough in yanking Suoh back into his seat while Asami rolled back Akihito's sleeves. Akihito giggled as he thanked Asami for saving his shirt.

Asami could have reprimanded Suoh for being careless, but his attention was more focused on Akihito.

Their newest little friend was eye catching and fun. He didn't simper over Asami but found himself growing comfortable in his presence. Akihito teased Asami without a care. Whether this reaction was because the young man was drunk or not was irrelevant. Asami liked Akihito's refreshing behavior.

When Asami emptied the rest of his beer, Akihito jumped to refill it. "You're too kind."

After he finished pouring the beer, Akihito nudged Asami's side. The last remnant of beer landed on the table, almost dropping onto Asami's slacks. "Can't be disrespectful to my elders."

Asami chuckled. "I'm not that old, you brat."

Akihito gulped down more of his own beer. "Could have fooled me."

Kirishima was taken aback by the laughter coming out of Asami's mouth. He expected the man to tear down Akihito through callous words and shoo him away. Yet, the pair were pouring each other beer and grilling pieces of meat for one another.

He put it aside as the beer loosening Asami enough to not feel offense. So far, Asami drank five beers, but diluted the effects through water and eating food.

Kirishima chose to the ignore the closeness of his boss and this strange boy.

Not like they were going to see him again after this night.


Finishing his last beer, Akihito chose to not order another one. His mind was swirling, and his body felt groggy. He somewhat knew his limit, so he wanted to prevent a blackout. Waking up to buy hangover cures was not what Akihito wanted to do for a Sunday morning. Although, the local food stand near his apartment was extra delicious after a night out.

Decisions, decisions.

Akihito chose to not wake up with a headache.

Grabbing his cup of water, he swallowed a whole cup of water before he set it back down onto the table. He wanted to believe the water would dilute more of his drunken haze. At least, his bladder wasn't uncomfortably full. He tagged along with Kirishima when he excused himself for the restroom. Once they finished, Akihito gripped onto the back of his blazer when they left the restroom.

Kirishima didn't remove Akihito's hand off of him. He seemed resigned in Akihito holding onto him since Akihito claimed he forgot where they were sitting. Akihito was glad not to pay attention to their surroundings.

When he sat back down on his seat, Akihito noticed there was a plate of crispy meat bites.

Asami saved him a plate.

Akihito could have fallen for him if he wasn't busy savoring his food.

"Thirsty?" Asami quipped out loud.

Akihito harrumphed. "I don't want to trip on my own feet when I leave!" Like magic, the waitress appeared, refilling his water. "Thank you!" She bowed before she left to tend to another table. "She's awesome!"

Kirishima nodded in agreement as he ate his food.

Suoh drank more beer.

Akihito swayed in his seat enough for Asami to lay an arm around his waist. "Thank you, Ryuichi!"

Asami chuckled. "You're welcome."

Akihito reached for the tongs, but Asami removed them from his hands. "Hey!"

"Your hands are trembling too much to handle the grill." Asami tutted. He removed more meat from the grill and set it on Akihito's plate and then gave some to his subordinates.

"Not true!"

"You almost burned your hand, Akihito."

"W-Well, the tongs were heavy!"

"Sure."

Across from Asami, Suoh was slumped onto Kirishima's side, grinning from ear to ear. Kirishima stopped eating in order to keep Suoh from falling from his chair. Asami couldn't pick up Suoh's mutterings, but from Kirishima's exasperated sigh Suoh was saying nonsense.

Asami ate more food while keeping a hand on Akihito's back.


Standing outside in the chilly cold, Akihito swayed alongside Asami with a foolish grin on his face. Wrapped in Asami's blazer, a soft and comfy blazer, Akihito was warm and toasty. He waited without complaint of the night chill. Whenever he went out with his friends, no one offered him their jacket to keep him from shivering outside.

Beside him, Asami appeared unaffected by the sudden influx of cold. In fact, his body seemed to exude warmth, keeping Akihito from wanting to get away from his side. Asami kept an arm around Akihito's shoulders while he observed their surroundings.

Akihito didn't remember how Asami convinced him to agree to the car ride. Usually, Akihito would call for a taxi after a night out. He didn't mind paying for someone to take him home. Then again, Akihito was pliable due to being drunk and tired from an incoming food coma. Asami's gentle push to take him back home was met with an immediate agreement.

The same happened when the check arrived.

Asami paid for everything before Akihito tried shoving money in his hands. When Akihito asked why he did it, Asami responded in liking his company. Also, his willingness to pay for his own food was a nice change from those who expected him to pay.

Soon enough, Kirishima stopped in front of them with an obviously expensive foreign sports car. There was no dirt or dust clinging onto the black paint. Under the lights of the street, the car seemed to stand out despite the black color. The rims of the wheels were almost brand new without scuffles.

Akihito gawked at the car.

Before he could check out the car, Asami guided him to the open car door. Kirishima had gotten out of the car to open the car for the pair to get into. Akihito shuffled his way inside, almost flopping in due to getting his foot tangled by one of the seat buckles. After he settled down, Akihito observed the interior of the car. The interior looked just as impeccable as the outside.

Checking the front, he noticed that Suoh was dead asleep in the passenger seat. Snoring softly while his neck was bent in an uncomfortable position. Akihito wanted to reach out to help Suoh not sleep wrong, but Kirishima opened the front driver's door.

Kirishima resumed his seat back into the driver's seat. Almost as if he read Akihito's mind, he shuffled Suoh in a better position before he turned on the car.

Asami slipped in after Akihito and closed the door. Before he buckled in, he helped Akihito buckle himself in his seat.

Asami asked. "Where do you live?"

"Hmm?"

"Where do you live?" Asami adjusted the seatbelt for Akihito not to mess with. "We can't drop you off without your address."

"Oh!" Akihito relayed the address and Kirishima knew which area to drive to.

Kirishima began driving down the street without another word.

Akihito kept dozing off throughout that car ride. He snuggled against Asami's jacket, growing comfortable inhaling the obvious expensive cologne. Akihito hoped some of the cologne rubbed off on him. He loved the smell.

Akihito was soon woken up by Asami's shaking his shoulder.

"We're here." Asami informed Akihito.

"Oh...thanks." Akihito yawned while stretching out his limbs. Well, as much as he could stretch inside of a car. Unbuckling his seatbelt, Akihito opened his own door and got out. He removed the blazer and handed it to Asami.

"Thanks for dropping me off!" Akihito waved an arm up, his lips stretched into a cheeky smile. "Good luck on your work thingy! Kick ass!"

Asami waved at Akihito before the back window was rolled up. Asami's expensive black sports car sped through the street, leaving Akihito to turn to his apartment complex.

"Ryuichi must be a CEO or something. No regular worker would have such an expensive sports car." Akihito mused as he dragged himself up the stairs. "Didn't act like an ass…. good for him…"

He stumbled on forward and made it to his apartment door. Fishing out his keys, he managed to unlock his door, after multiple failed attempts at shoving his key inside. Opening the door, he went inside and kicked off his shoes toward the show rack. He closed the door behind him before he managed to enter his bedroom and flopping onto his bed.


The next time they saw each other, Akihito removed the memory from his camera and tossed it at Asami.

Catching it with one hand, Asami was stunned that Akihito took it upon himself to give up his photos. Asami didn't have to chase Akihito through the streets in order to capture him for this information. Damning information that would ruin Asami's business deals. Ruin a lot of powerful people's business and Asami's reputation.

Asami felt a bit of dread in having to rough up someone he connected with. When he realized the one behind the viewfinder was Akihito, Asami hesitated in ordering Suoh to catch him. He waited, wanting to see what Akihito would do. After all, it was hard for Asami to talk his way out of this situation.

Akihito surprised him.

Instead of running away, he took it upon himself to give him the evidence he collected.

"Aw, darn it. Tonight, was a bust." Akihito stomped his foot onto the ground to add effect to his supposed disappointment. "I caught nothing of value." He ignored Asami and his men as he played up his annoyance at missing a show for nothing.

Suoh bit the inside of his cheek to hide his amusement.

Kirishima remained frozen as a statue, confused on what to do next.

Keeping his attention on Akihito, Asami pocketed the memory. He walked on forward, saying nothing as Akihito turned to look at him. Sharing eye contact, Akihito gave him a sheepish smile.

"Hi."

"Hello."

Akihito averted his eyes. "Uh...I saw nothing?"

Asami grabbed onto Akihito's hand and tugged him along. "We are leaving."

"O-Oh...okay?" Akihito struggled in keeping up with Asami's long strides. He looked behind and saw the confused looks on Suoh and Kirishima's faces. They were just as confused as him.

Making it to the hidden car, Asami opened the back door and ushered Akihito inside. Akihito didn't fight back. But he kept a good grip on his camera, instinctively protecting it from Asami's hands. Almost cradling it against his chest as Asami sat down and closed the car door. Akihito settled down on the same seat that he was on when Kirishima drove him home.

The pair was silent.

They said nothing as they averted looking at one another.

It didn't take long for Suoh and Kirishima to get inside of the car. Sounds of buckling seatbelts and rubbing materials broke the silence of the car. Kirishima turned on the car, making the engine roar out. Kirishima wasted no time in driving away from the scene of the business deal.

They passed multiple lights before Asami coughed.

Akihito turned to look at Asami.

Asami asked. "Why did you give me the photos?"

"You can't be too bad." Akihito leaned against the window of Asami's car. "You tolerated the presence of a ditched loser who got your best guard drunk." He grinned. "Besides, no one would call me out on my lie. I sometimes don't catch anything with this old camera of mine."

"And if I pay you to... ignore whenever I am present through your viewfinder. Money is no issue for me. Name your price." Asami proposed. "I do not want to have to scare you off, Akihito. You are... interesting."

Akihito peered at Asami from the corner of his eyes. Money sounded good, he always needed money. From what he knew of Asami, the man could pay him enough to live in comfort for the rest of his life. But, to hear that he caught the eye of Asami Ryuichi was something no one else could claim.

"How interesting?"

"Interesting enough for me not to kidnap you or...make you disappear."

"Oh wow... how lovely." Akihito drawled with an eye roll. "You're giving me a chance not to fuck up and get kidnapped. How valiant of you, Ryuichi. Let's hope I never bore you."

Reaching out his hand, Asami ruffled Akihito's hair. "You would never bore me."

"So, you claim."

The End.