Chapter 4 : Returning
"Asami, we have a report on Takaba Akihito." Kirishima spoke as he pushed his glasses up. He smiled at Asami's look, and continued: "Takaba Akihito has returned to Japan. He has been working for about six months at Tokyo University. He is training to be a teacher of photography, and he has stopped chasing criminals due to a 'mental condition'."
Asami just looked at Kirishima. He was surprised, and wanted to know more. What had happened to Akihito over the past three years?
Asami stood up with a slight frown. "Why has it taken six months to find Akihito?" he asked, looking at Kirishima with something like disappointment. Kirishima coughed, pushing his glasses up again
"Well sir, Akihito has kept a very low profile since returning. As he came back by private plane, no passport was registered. [[[It was only by chance that one of his friends went to the University, and that his assigned security man followed him. Their orders were to sit and watch, not to follow."
Asami smiled. "Give that man a promotion." he said as he stood up, putting his coat on. "I think I'll go back to school this afternoon." Asami was still smiling as he grabbed his things and left Sion.
Kirishima nodded, and went back to work.
Akihito's OCD was much better controlled now. Feilong had looked after him for the last two and a half years. Akihito smiled. Feilong had taken him under his wing and made him the man Akihito was today. He had understood what he needed to become strong, and he had made Akihito feel that he wasn't alone.
He owed Feilong a debt that can't be repaid. Feilong had never asked for anything in return, he just gave. Akihito felt grateful. However, Akihito was fed up with hiding and wanted to take his life back to where he was, pre-Asami. It was Tao that suggested becoming a teacher. Akihito was patient, funny and just made everything more enjoyable. Akihito had been teaching Tao about photography, which was part of his therapy.
Asami had slipped into the back of the lecture hall. Akihito was discussing different styles of photography. He was displaying a few photos that he had taken in China. He was now doing research into past crimes and atrocities. The photographs were graphic, yet vivid. Asami could see just from these images that Akihito had grown into an extraordinary young man. He watched Akihito teach the class. He was beautiful, and Asami wanted to touch him. He observed how the room was reacting to the material. The class felt comfortable. Even though the subject matter itself was dark, Akihito brought light and beauty to the class.
Two young men were sitting in front of Asami, he could barely catch what they were saying. They were discussing just how sexy Sensei Takaba was, and wondering if he has gay; they would both love to fuck him. Asami's anger flashed, and a small growl left his lips. The students turned their heads, and with one look at the man behind them knew that he was as dangerous as he was hot, and they got the hint to stay away from Akihito.
Akihito dismissed the class with their assignment after he advised that he would out of the office next week, so if anyone needed help, they should use the next couple of days to drop by and discuss anything with him.
The class slowly emptied, and Asami just stayed sitting where he was, watching Akihito talking to students as he packed his stuff away. Asami smiled. He had missed him so much. He stood to leave when Akihito, who had his back to him, spoke up.
"And to what do I owe the pleasure of the great and powerful Asami Ryuichi's presence?" Akihito smiled as he knew he had caught him by surprise. "I thought photography wasn't your forte." Akihito turned slowly, and as always, his breath hitched as his eyes met Asami's. They were as mesmerising as he remembered.
Asami smiled as he walked slowly towards Akihito. "When it involves you, Akihito," his name was like smooth chocolate slipping off his tongue. "I have always been interested".
Asami stopped in front of Akihito, and Akihito gave him a coy smile. He loved the way his name sounded coming from Asami. He had missed him after being away for so long. They were standing at arm's length from each other, Asami studying Akihito very carefully, trying not to make a wrong move. Any closer, and he would rip the clothes off of Akihito and fuck his brains out. Akihito felt the electricity between them, he knew his desire still burned like a fire in his soul. He so wanted to be fucked by him, there and then. They stood, neither one speaking, just looking at each other, and feeling the emotion-filled pull crackle between them.
"So, what brings you here?" Akihito asked as he turned away, trying to finish putting papers away.
Asami smiled. "I thought I'd watch you while you work. I didn't think you'd notice me."
Akihito laughed. "I can always feel you, when you watch me." He half turned and smiled at Asami.
Asami's own smile widened. "Asami, how can I help you today?" while Akihito was being polite, his voice seemed unsteady, like he was trying to keep it together.
"I'm not sure, Akihito." Asami mused, noticing the tone in Akihito voice.
Akihito looked right at Asami, and he could see the hurt in his eyes.
"The powerful overlord is not sure why he came here today, away from his busy schedule of taking over the world?"
Asami laughed, the deep rumble filled the room. Akihito saw in his eyes flash with desire. Akihito shivered slightly, knowing his control was slowly crumbling.
Asami slowly and softly spoke. "You. I've missed you. I want to talk with you, to listen to you, to understand you." Asami explained, trying not to sound needy.
Akihito took a step towards him, but Asami stepped back. He felt something from Akihito, a sense of strength, like his anger was leashed, under a controlled, powerful grip. Akihito took another step forward, and Asami stepped back again, but now Asami's back was against a wall. Akihito was right there, inches away from his face, their breaths mingling.
Akihito whispered in Asami ear, in a slow, sensual voice: "Ryuichi, I have missed you too. I want you, I have always wanted you. These past three years I've thought of nothing but you." Akihito slowly pushed his knee between Asami thighs, and Asami let them part. Akihito slowly moved his groin against Asami's hip, while breathing out a very low moan. Akihito was hard, and Asami was reacting to him, getting aroused in turn. Akihito slowly moved away from Asami's ear, and ghosted a kiss across Asami's lips. "I belong only to you; I want you right now." As he rolled his groin harder against Asami's hip, Akihito could feel Asami getting hard.
Akihito then pulled his face slightly back and looked deeply into Asami's eyes, each lusting after the other. Akihito eyes darkened, but his voice turned cold as he spoke. "However, when I close my eyes, all I see is you in that hotel room, and the look on your face as you fucked that young man. I remember that event so clearly, even now my heart wants to break apart knowing that I was not enough for you." Akihito pulled away from Asami, still staring at him.
"Betrayal is the worst emotion to feel. I am sorry I wasn't enough for you. That was my fault, I understand better now that you were never really mine. We weren't in a relationship to begin with, and I had unconsciously pushed my desires onto you, sorry. However, now I see clearly and understand myself better, and I will say this, Ryuichi: you were my first, and my last, love." Then, he kissed Asami on the lips like it was a final goodbye, and Akihito turned around, grabbed his stuff, and walked away from Asami.
Asami was left standing there. He was both shocked and amazed at Akihito. He was even more delicious than he remembered. He gently rubbed his lip with his tongue, tasting a tear that had fallen there. Replaying the words Akihito had spoken, he stood quietly, trying to understand what Akihito was saying. Asami stood there, dazed, until a bang from someone entering the room woke Asami up. As he turned on his heals to leave the building, his thoughts were racing about how to get Akihito back for good.
Akihito had not chosen to let the tear to run down his face. As he left Asami, he was rubbing his arms as he thought of what he had said. He felt proud about how in control he was. His hard on was uncomfortable, but Asami always had that effect on him. He was like drug, his own intoxicating brand of heroin. Fuck. He took his phone out and texted Kou to see if he wanted to go drinking to let off some steam.
Akihito was sitting in his new home. It was one of the small houses given to teachers who were studying at the university, about a ten minute walk away. Akihito felt better since he came back to Japan. He was sitting eating his breakfast, and thought about how he was happy to be home near his childhood friends and family. He missed Feilong and Tao, he made sure he phoned everyday to let them know how he was doing. It was good to be back to himself again.
Akihito paused as he thought about Asami yesterday. He felt there was a change in Asami, but that night was burned into his memory. Does he want to literally and figuratively jump back into bed with Asami? That thought had kept running through his mind all last night. Akihito paused and shook his head. No, there is nothing Asami can say to make the image from that night go away. Fuck. 'Asami, you still can make me confused, but I am not that naive boy anymore. I am a lot stronger now.' He got distracted when he heard something come through his letter box.
There, lying at the front door, was a black envelope with a silver embossed edge. Akihito knew it was from Asami. He stood, chewing his lip, deciding whether he should read it or bin it.
"Fuck!" he swore as he stamped his foot like a child. He picked it up, unconsciously stroking the envelope. It was addressed to Sensei Takaba Akihito. He carefully opened it; it was a note, personally written by Asami. Akihito always loved how elegantly Asami wrote. It was a simple message asking if he was free to go to dinner tonight at 8pm, requesting a RSPV, and including Asami's private number. Akihito snorted, because he had never forgotten his number. He had heard that the restaurant was new and quite popular. Akihito also heard that the sushi was to die for, and the deserts were out of this world.
The second note just said ' I will wait for you. Yours, Asami'. "Hah!" Akihito laughed out loud at the word 'yours'. Akihito put the envelope on the dining table as he got ready for class; he'd decide later. Just as he was leaving, he had looked at the letter again. Then he left for the day.
For the next eight hours he was utterly distracted, and decided to phone Feilong to ask what he should do. Feilong answered, his voice smooth and caring. "Aki, it's up to you. There's no harm in listening to what he has to say. There could be a reasonable explanation for everything. You can tell he's not angry about the photos. At the least, go eat on his tab." he laughed.
Akihito unconsciously started to scratch his arm again. "Akihito, stop scratching." Feilong said in a firm voice. Akihito immediately stopped, and mumbled "Sorry."
There was a pause. "Akihito, use your training tonight to assess what he wants. I will come to Japan in a few days and I'll bring Tao with me, and If you want him back, I wont judge. But I want to speak to him first. Would that help you?" Akihito sighed with relief.
Akihito was happy they were coming to Japan. "Have you got business here?" Akihito whispered into the phone. "Actually, I need to speak to Asami about some annoying upstart, trying to move stuff without my knowledge." Feilong laughed.
Akihito just smiled. "Keep safe."
"Always, Akihito." then the called ended. Akihito text Asami his reply: "yes". Within seconds his phoned buzzed with the message "Thank you".
Akihito looked through his wardrobe. If he was going to eat with Asami, he would look just as sexy as he could. He found his pants that showed off his ass, the lines continuing neatly down to accentuate his legs. Because he'd been scratching, he had to bandage his arms, as he had opened some wounds. He could only wear the softest cloth due to the OCD. While his condition had gotten better, whenever he was nervous he would start scratching and rubbing his arms, chest and legs. His therapist had said it was a habit, and habits can be broken. He sighed at the thought of how weak he still was, but even that was not gonna control him. He decided to wear a deep red silk shirt, as Asami loved that colour on him. The shirt was a snug fit, it clung to his body, making him look long and lean. His goal tonight was to make Asami drool over him.
Akihito looked at his neck and decided he would put a plaster over his tattoo. His hair covered it, and the university allowed it as he explained how it had come about. He had left a few things out of the explanation, but as long as it was kept covered during lessons, it had not been a problem.
Arriving at the restaurant an hour late, he decided that he would make Asami work for it, whatever this was. As he walked in the door, people noticed and checked him out; even a waiter stopped to look him up and down. He knew that he looked good, and he would use that to his advantage. When he arrived at the table, Asami had a smug look on his face, like he knew what Akihito was planning. His eyes were dancing as Akihito apologized for being late.
Asami assured him that it was alright, and that he would have waited much longer. Akihito slid his jacket off gracefully, and hung it on the back of his chair. When he sat down and looked at Asami, he could see Asami liked what he saw, and he wanted him.
Asami spoke softly: "You look very handsome tonight, Akihito." Akihito smiled magnanimously.
Asami thought Akihito looked hot; the shirt was perfect, and the colour looked sexy next to his soft, creamy skin. Asami's mind had just started thinking about Akihito's body, when he felt his cock twitching. 'Breathe, dammit, we aren't here for that.' He knew Akihito would just run again if he felt cornered. Akihito could see lust in Asami eyes, and he was pleased with himself and his choice of apparel.
When the waiter came they could see he was Chinese. Akihito just started speaking Mandarin to the waiter. He asked some questions, and they talked if they knew each other. Akihito ordered sushi, and a wine that complimented it perfectly. Akihito watched as Asami's eyebrow lifted. He could see that Asami was impressed, and flashed him a smile. Asami nodded to the waiter that he would have what Akihito was having. "You speak Mandarin." Asami smiled, surprised.
Akihito smiled back. "I had some time. I'm actually fluent in Mandarin, Cantonese, English and German. I was going to study abroad, but I just wanted to come home first. I'm learning Persian as there's a chance to go to Iran for my photography. Fei taught me." Akihito realised, he spoke too much, and had given up too much information. He blushed and looked down at the table.
Asami was conflicted. He stiffened a little at the causal term of Feilong's first name. It let him know how close they were. He took a breath, and made himself relax. When he had found out Feilong was looking after Akihito years ago, Asami wanted to go fetch him and bring him home immediately. But he felt Akihito would come home on his own, and then Asami could fix their relationship, make it stronger than before.
Asami, taking in the man seated across from him, couldn't believe that as much as Akihito had grown and changed, he was still very much the same person at his core. As intoxicating as the blush on his cheeks was, he was also stronger, and more controlled. A sad look crossed Asami's face. What all had he missed, how had they lost so much time together, why hadn't he been able to be there for all of the changes?
Akihito notice the look on Asami's face.
"Travel is good for the soul." Asami spoke, smiling, but the smile didn't reach his eyes. Akihito nodded as the wine arrived. Akihito reminded himself that he could drink two and a half glasses before he'd get drunk. Feilong had taught him that when drinking with the enemy, he could pretend to let his guard down, but needed to be in control. And Asami always knew when Akihito was drunk.
As Akihito reached for his glass, his shirt rode up, and the bandage on his arm showed. Akihito saw Asami eyes widen. Akihito blushed again, and pulled the shirt sleeve down. Akihito excused himself, and left the table. He did it so Asami could have a good look at his ass, his pants were tailored to gently cling to his hips. He walked away, letting his hips sway slightly, which drew the eyes to the curve of his ass. Stopping to ask the waiter where the restroom was, he could feel the heat of Asami's gaze on his back. When he smiled at the waiter and walked off, Asami's cock was wanting to stand up and pay attention, too. Akihito was so fucking sexy. He noted that the waiter also watched Akahito move away. Asami growled to himself as it royally pissed him off.
Akihito looked at himself in the mirror, his hard on was twitching uncomfortably, because even if he just glanced at Asami, he got turned on. He checked his dressings; they were okay, some blood but not a lot. He fixed himself, swallowed hard, and looked his reflection in the eye as he whispered: "I can do this."
When he returned, the food was waiting. Akihito's eyes shone at the sight. He loved food. Asami noticed something else different about Akihito. Asami had always enjoyed watching Akihito eating. But tonight, Akihito would sometimes let a slight moan escape while he was enjoying the food. Asami's cock was harder than before; Akihito was going to be the death of him.
They chatted about nothing in particular; it was a relaxing evening and very enjoyable. As he watched Akihito, how his lips were moist as he was devouring the food, Asami's mind went back to thinking about a blow job Akihito gave him the morning he left. It had been so damn amazing. Asami's cock was rock hard. He wasn't here to have sex, but Akihito was just so fuckable. Asami vowed that he would make everything right, and make Akihito his again.
Dessert arrived. Akihito didn't notice Asami moving closer with his coffee, he was too involved with his very sweet desert. Asami just watched him devour his "death by chocolate". Asami was amused at the name. He reached out and grabbed Akihito's free hand, and held it firmly. He could feel Akihito's pulse start to pick up a little faster. Asami used his thumb to start rubbing small circles on his wrist, trying to calm Akihito dow, while Akihito just looked at Asami with suspicion.
"Akihito". When Asami purred his name, Akihito shivered with delight. Why did his body always betray him like this?
Asami smiled. "I have really enjoyed this evening, but may I ask something of you? You can of course decline, if you like." Akihito just nodded. "Please come to my office on Monday. I need to show you something important about the night you left."
Asami felt his pulse race. He held onto Akihito's hand, knowing his impulse would be to bolt. He continued to rub slowly, trying to keep him calm. Akihito just looked at him. He felt he wasn't prepared for this, tonight was a just test to see if he could live without Asami; if he could move on completely. "It is really important, Akihito..."
Akihito bit his lip, thinking. He rubbed his thigh, then his arm; he was getting nervous..
"Asami, why did you want to have a meal with me; I hope you don't expect anything." Asami chuckled.
"No, I wanted to spend some time with you, like I said. I've really missed your company." Asami had watched Akihito all evening, like a hawk.
Akihito just sighed and softly said "Oh" as he finished his desert. "I will think about it, and text you."
Asami squeezed his hand in appreciation. "Can I ask about your bandages, Akihito?" Asami's tone was concerned.
"It's nothing, really." Akihito shrugged. "I have OCD, and when I am nervous or anxious, I tend to start scratching. It's mostly under control now." Akihito knew Asami wanted to ask more questions. He pulled his hand away, and started to leave. Asami apologized, mentally kicking himself for asking such a personal question. He wanted Akihito to stay longer.
Akihito stood, and gracefully put his jacket on. Asami snagged Akihito's hand, and whispered "Stay", with a bit more desperation in his tone than he would have liked.
Akihito smiled. " I think it's best if I leave now. Tonight was pleasant. I enjoyed the food and the company, but I do have a class tomorrow." All the while, he felt smug.
"Please come to Sion Monday. It's important for us." Akihito stared at Asami. He could hear emotion in his voice. Asami was different, not the cold bastard he remembered. He had said 'please', and had apologized. Akihito stood back, and considered if this was all an act to lower his guard, and once Asami got what he wanted, he'd turn back into that cold, controlling man again. Asami watched the emotions run across Akihito's face.
"Akihito, please come. We need to talk properly." Asami asked again, once more holding Akihito's hand.
Akihito kissed Asami, slowly and intimately. It felt as if the world had stopped. Asami heard a very low moan as the kissed ended, and Akihito pulled his hand away. "I will text you." he promised, then turned and left Asami sitting there, just staring at Akihito's back as he left the restaurant.
Akihito had changed. He had used his sexiness as a distraction, and was more in control, which Asami found quite alluring. Asami wanted Akihito back, more than anything.
His phone beeped, bringing Asami back to reality. When he answered, Kirishima spoke with a sense of urgency. "Your presence is required immediately. A situation…" Asami cut him off.
"Fine, I'll be out front in five minutes. Look up information on a condition known as OCD." There was a slight pause, then a crisp " Yes, sir." Asami paid the bill, and left the restaurant.
Akihito was nearly home, still thinking about the kiss. He knew there wasn't anything wrong with their sex life, it was Asami's controlling nature and his fidelity that were at issue. Akihito wondered why Asami acted like he was almost desperate this evening, especially with how open Asami's behaviour was. He had let him see behind his mask, and Akihito could read his emotions. Also, the smirk that so infuriated him hadn't made an appearance all night.
Akihito was confused, his urge to shower was strong. He wanted to wash, but he decided to get a grip. If he scrubbed himself raw now, he would be letting himself down. Akihito was pleased that Asami still wanted him, but did he still want him too? Shit, yeah. But not like he was before, things would need to change. "Argh!" Akihito shouted as he changed into his silk pyjamas.
Akihito's phoned buzzed. Asami had texted "Thank you for tonight, I loved being with you again. Goodnight Akihito". Akihito bit his lip, he felt butterflies rise up in his stomach. Should he reply or just leave it? He stared at that message, then muttered "fuck it" as he pressed the buttons and replied "Goodnight".Akihito smiled and went to bed.
Asami was briefed as he slid into his SUV. "Sir, Koichi is causing trouble." Asami nodded while he texted. He slipped his phone back into the pocket once he got a reply, and smiled.
"Kirishima, Akihito will be coming in on Monday. Clear my schedule, and bring those two little geniuses to my office as well. Akihito needs to know everything." Kirishima nodded, and drove on to their destination.