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Chapter 25: Home to Hong Kong part 1
Chapter by Sleepy_robin
Summary:
Asami and Akihito visit Feilong in Hong Kong...
Happy birthday Feilong...
Notes:
Happy Feilong's Birthday, everyone!
It's Lainie, Sleepy_Robin's beta and coconspirator. Sleepy and I were working on a chapter for Fei Day when she had a family emergency. She sent me her notes and ideas, and I pulled up my Big Girl pants, kicked off the training wheels, and started writing. So sorry if this isn't your regular cup of tea, but no refunds will be issued. Thanks for your understanding and support!
Chapter Text
Restart
Chapter:25 Hong Kong part1
Akihito headed into the front foyer of the mansion ahead of the group from Japan, just as Feilong stepped down from the grand staircase. The soft morning sunlight complimented his fine looks: dark lashes lined darker eyes, long loose blue-black hair flowed over his shoulders, framing a beguiling face.
At one time, if Asami wasn't his, Feilong would have been. But Akihito loved him as a brother, and Feilong returned those feelings with gratitude. For the young leader of the Baishe, without the blond bundle of energy to keep his focus away from his own family history, sometimes wishing it had been more like this when he was growing up could have been a bitter thing.
But Akihito always has the ability to make people see the world from a better perspective. He was tenacious, vibrant, and full of life. And when all else failed, he was downright scrappy.
Akihito grinned when he saw his big brother. "Feilong!" he burst out and stepped up to him quick to give him a huge hug, for he seemed to be in need of one, though he never really did smile unless he was off the clock and Tao, Yoh or himself was around. If Feilong smiled as he went about his "business", that was a whole different matter.
Neither of his older adopted brothers did smile, at least not very often, though between Yoh and Feilong he'd have to say Yoh was the least likely to show anything. He'd often teased Yoh that if he ever did laugh out loud, his face might crack. But as always, Akihito just wanted to see them all healthy and happy.
Gazing down at his little brother, Feilong arched a brow in amusement before wrapping his arms around the boy's shoulders. The embrace lasted a bit, until remembering who was with them made Feilong draw back, formally greeting his little brother. "Good morning, Akihito, welcome home.
Did you have a good flight? How was the drive from the airport?" That started a barrage of anecdotes, counterclaims and teasing between Akihito and Tao that ended with Yoh observing that Akihito would make an exceptional tour guide with how he pointed out locations of interest on their travel into the foothills overlooking Hong Kong while Tao, enjoying his freedom after a week in solitary confinement (a.k.a. being grounded in his room after classes without any books, visitors or electronic media) looked like a puppy dog sticking it's head out a window of the limo, tongue hanging, virtual tail wagging.
Finally turning his attention to his remaining guest and his entourage, Feilong made a graceful bow and spoke the words he'd never thought to be speaking out loud: "Asami Ryuichi-Sama, Suoh Kazumi-San, members of Sion, welcome to Hong Kong, and to my private home. As head of my family and leader of the Baishe I bid you welcome: relax and makes yourselves at home. If there is anything you need or desire, Yoh, Akihito or I will be honored to coordinate with you or provide it for you."
Wishing to respond in kind with equal formality and graciousness to the unprecedented trust shown, along with the attempt to smooth over the bad blood of their past, (not to mention he wasn't about to be outdone by Liu Feilong, ever), Asami was about to respond in kind when a certain mouthy blond piped up with "And if any of you need an errand run, I volunteer Tao to be your gopher: whatever you need, he'll go for this, or go for that." And with that, amid the eye rolls, mild groans, chuckles and one offended squawk, the ice was broken, and a bond between former enemies began to form.
A little while later, after Baishe personal liaisons had been introduced, suites in the same wing were assigned and the group separated to set up, settle in and relax before lunch. Aki and Asami were stretched out together on a lounge on their balcony, watching the early afternoon raindrops drip off the surrounding foliage. Asami assessed the hidden message behind their location, an outside balcony facing the hillside. Easy escape route for those within, or easy access for a raiding party of hostiles from without.
Not lightly provided for business partners, or acquaintances of family members. Maybe just for close personal friends, visiting. Or family.
Asami had removed his outer armor, taking off his jacket, vest and tie once their hallway door had closed, and rolling up his sleeves, and they had automatically migrated to the open French doors leading outside. Snuggling closer, the blond sighed and stirred, shifting his position slightly as he lay between his lover's legs.
"Mmm, this is nice. I'd sometimes daydream about this while I was staying here."
Running his fingers through blond hair, Asami smiled. "Even when we were separated, you'd dream about me?"
"Daydream, baka. I'd daydream about US."
Lightly scratching his boy's head, Asami mussed his hair up. "I'd dream about you too. I missed you a lot, those years apart. I missed us."
His face somewhat troubled, Akihito thought for a moment, then quietly asked "What about the first time I was in Hong Kong?"
Asami stilled, then resumed running his fingers through the unruly hair again. He pursed his lips, frowning slightly, then relaxed, knowing this was going to come up at some point. He'd actually been preparing for a more angsty conversation, possibly after a stress-induced session of acting-out. All things considered, he'd take what he could get.
"I didn't admit to myself that I loved you yet, but I thought of you, all the time. Worried about you, rode Yoh hard for information about how you were, ready to come over here and rain hellfire all over this island to get both of you out, if possible; just you, if not. I don't usually take a bullet or two for just anyone, Kitten, no matter how delicious they are."
"Really. So how does Kirishima taste, then? Or Suoh?"
"Kei's stringy. And Kazumi's tough, like an old boot."
Akihito grinned, and lazily swatted Asami's chest. "I'm telling. What about how you and Feilong… I mean, after everything, how are you, with him?"
"I'm whatever you need me to be, love. One of the benefits of having flexible morals."
"Flexible, maybe. Morals, uhhhh…"
Asami moved his hand down to poke a particularly ticklish patch of ribs. A flinch, a yell and flailing limbs later, things settled down again, and their talk resumed. "What are you worried about, Kitten."
A big sigh, then: "I'm worried about unresolved issues between you two, meaning especially me, causing everything you guys are trying to do to turn to dust, an underworld war between two or three fucking countries, Tao and Yoh being victims, Glasses and the Wall being collateral damage, whether they survived you or not… And I don't even want to think about that…., me; surviving you… Because Ryu, I wouldn't."
Strong hands reached down and pulled him up until his head was tucked up under Asami's chin, then roamed caressingly over the blond's body. Kissing the unruly head of hair, Asami murmured quietly, telling his boy not to worry, that he and Feilong had been talking for a while now, some of those talks had involved harsh words, yes, but still, they kept talking. He even told Akihito about Feilong's disclosure regarding what happened after the boy left one of his sessions where he had told the therapist what Feilong had done and said to him during his captivity. When a pair of blue eyes looked at him questioningly, he chuckled. "Apparently, you were avenged. Seemed like she must have played quite a bit of tennis, because she had a mean backhand."
Akihito stared, then snickered, thinking of petite little Dr. Robin standing on a chair, bitch slapping his deadly assassin. Deciding it was now or never to put his complete trust in his future husband, the blond took a breath and spoke about his recent anxiety attack. He talked about his excitement of coming back to what had become his second home, and showing his lover all the things he loved about Hong Kong, when on the drive to the airport, an image had flashed in his mind: the first time he went to Hong Kong, locked inside a shipping container: thirsty, scared, hungry, wondering if Asami was alive, the smell of his own piss in the confined space, being alone in the dark.
The idea left him just as quickly, but it had shook him. Later, as they had pulled up in the limo to where the plane was waiting, he started thinking about what exactly he wanted to show Asami, and it was as if a projectionist had flicked a switch and shone pictures against the insides of his eyes, showing him the Baishe warehouse from the viewpoint of inside the cage, then an image of his leg chain and the single cot in the tiny room where he was kept in during the day.
And the showers where Yoh helped him walk to and waited in, watching him while he washed away whatever Feilong had done to him during the night. And that's when everything had come crashing in on him. Even talking about it caused trembling, and Asami held him tighter with one arm (trapping his arms so he couldn't start scratching himself) while stroking his head and back with the other.
The older man waited until his younger lover had finished his story, calming him, being there if he needed him. When his boy had been still for a while, Asami quietly asked "Does Feilong also have those kinds of memories pop up when he's there? Or Yoh?"
Startled, Aki looked up at him and blinked. "I don't know, Ryuichi. I've never even thought to ask them. I'd assume that if they had any kind of triggers at either place, it would be about things they had seen or done to people there that needed to be dealt with…"
"Like you? To get to me?"
"…"
"Why don't you ask them sometime. It may help you, it might help them…"
They lay there quietly together a little while longer when the blond asked in a curious voice "Um, Asami, exactly WHEN did you and Fei start talking?"
That infuriating smirk crept up on the older man's face as he sweetly kissed his boy's head, and said "After the onsen…"
"Bastards."
Feilong didn't feel comfortable in his own home. It wasn't like he was on edge, feeling the twinge of an unknown threat, or even like he and Asami were two bulls in the same paddock, eyeing each other up before
a fight. Yes, some of it had to do with the baggage of Akihito, and Asami, and him, and the last time they were in Hong Kong together. And Tokyo. But if Aki could forgive him and love him, he knew the very least he could do was try to forgive himself, too. And he did, every time another piece of the old Feilong got buried.
Yoh and Tao deserved better than who he was, and the best way he could think of doing that was to not be anything like the man his so-called brother Yanzhui thought he had been. If he was honest, between what he himself had suspected, what Aki had told him about Asami's side of their story all those years ago and what Asami had told him himself, it would seem that Asami had acted more like an older family member to him than anyone else ever had. Even to keeping their lines of communication open when his Baishe and Asami's Sion were at odds with each other through Yoh, and then letting Yoh stay with him and leave Asami's employ after Akihito was retuned to him. It wasn't Asami, and it wasn't his little brother, separate or in any combination, so what was making him uneasy?
The day itself was fine, getting his people used to Asami's people, letting them have unprecedented access to his home and personnel, clearly demonstrating from the top down what their business and family was going to be like from now on. With this fast paced merger of business and family, Sion and Baishe, now would be the optimum time for an outright betrayal or even someone just making some money on the side by selling info, so both leaders slid right into an impromptu business meeting in the formal Baishe office down the hall from the dining room, Yoh taking Suoh with him to the centre of his web. Tao and Aki were either off plotting mayhem, or maybe playing some games and hanging out.
Taking a break from their machinations, Asami stood outside on the veranda, having a smoke as he talked to Kirishima about what was happening in Japan while Feilong sat inside, chin on his hand, staring at his cooling tea. He had a slight frown on his face, still feeling uneasy and still restless. Something was gnawing at the back of his mind, almost unnoticed, but persistent. Like the pressure build up before a migraine.
He knew he wasn't himself, he wasn't being a good host to his family and guests and soon-to-be partner. And he'd barely talked to Aki. Yoh knew something was wrong, but hadn't said anything yet. Tao was being smart and keeping a low profile after his newly gained freedom. In fact, Tao wasn't the only staying out of his way. The house staff and his own men had been avoiding him, too.
Abandoning his tea, he gracefully stood and moved over to the table to skim over the next documents they had to review before completing their intrigues and moving on to some relaxing drinks, which he felt like he needed. He found he was thinking about drinking again lately. He was trying to deny it, because he didn't desire or want it, really. Yoh had been there to help him through his own rehab program, and he wasn't going to put him through that again. He just needed to get past whatever this was, and he'd be himself again. For better or worse.
Standing bent over the table, he rubbed his eye with the heel of his palm, feeling vaguely frustrated and distracted. Enough so, in fact, that he didn't notice a section his hair sliding off his shoulder and pooling over the paperwork, nor the sound of someone approaching him from his off side. The first indication that another body was close to him was when a man's finger scooped up the tendrils of hair and tucked them back over his shoulder. Glancing up, it wasn't either pair of familiar brown eyes he was used to, or even laughing blue ones. These eyes were framed by elegant eyebrows quirked in amusement with a twinkle of mischief in their golden depths.
While the adults were off doing their adult business things, Aki and Tao took off after lunch to get some serious male bonding and gaming in before dinner. Florid discussions about classes, the second season of "Ajin: Demi-Human" and the finer points of using physics and slapstick to get through KTBG ensued. The talk later turned to other issues: the impending merger announcement, and more importantly, Feilong's upcoming birthday.
Between the two of them, they thrashed out plans for dinner en famile, making sure to include Feilong's favourite meal and how to have everyone enjoy dessert. Tao contacted one of the antique book dealers that the Liu family trusted, to ensure their gift would be ready for pickup tomorrow as they had planned. Seeing as how there were a few hours still before the welcome supper, both boys decided to head into town to pick up some items ahead of time for the party.
Tao went to round up a vehicle and a mixed escort (per Asami's and Feilong's standing orders) while Aki headed to the office to let Fei and Asami know they were heading out for awhile. Hopefully the two were playing nice with each other, he really wasn't in the mood to walk into the middle of another armed standoff.
As he rounded the corner to stop at the office door, he saw Feilong standing at the table, rubbing his eye, as Asami silently walked over to him and picked up his hair to tuck back over his shoulder. Did Ryuichi's finger just caress Fei's cheek? And why were they looking at each other like that…? Oh gods, did they still have feelings for each other… Fuck. No, not this again. He wasn't going there again.
'Ryuichi asked ME to marry him. He wants me. I'm the one that he's chased down, fought for, let go when I needed to get away… I'm the one he missed for three. god damned. wasted. years.' 'And for three years Feilong was the one he kept in contact with and depended on to protect you' a subconscious voice whispered back.
One that sounded suspiciously like that shit Shuu… Spinning around , he moved back down the hallway to the garage before he was noticed, texting Asami, Fei, Yoh and Suoh what Tao and he were doing, and getting the fuck outta Dodge before he had a violent altercation with a voice in his head.
After picking up the gift, the boys headed off looking for an antique shop for a carved wood box and a few metres of painted rice paper and silk to wrap the book in.
The boys also noticed a couple of non-Asian non-tourists that were keeping tabs of the group. The guards kept an eye on them as reports were made to both security team leaders. As they had a definite Russian look to them, it was expected that Arbatov would send a recon team in advance of his showing up "unexpectedly" to the upcoming soirée, so that part of the scheme seemed to be going ahead as planned. And all that time Aki was trying to fight a holding action in his head, and all that time he was losing ground. Several other familiar voices had joined the first one, whispering about how Fei was a better match for Ryuichi, how the two were formidable rivals and would make an unbeatable power couple.
And how they just looked so right together. He was giving himself a splitting headache while his guts were roiling and he felt cold inside and out. Tao kept an eye on him, knowing that a quiet Akihito meant potential trouble as he tried to work things out for himself instead of "bothering" (as he saw it) others with his problems. All he could do is let the others know what was happening, and wait for his big bro to talk to them and let them know what he was going through. And pray the gods he didn't do something dumb before then.
Supper that night was, um, awkward? Both Feilong and Akihito were subdued as Asami, Yoh and Tao tried to carry on a conversation while casting glances between themselves and their quiet dinner companions. Feilong seemed distracted as he picked away at the food on his plate, occasionally frowning, and he absentmindedly rubbed the pressure point below his thumb like he was trying to relieve a headache. The blond was just as quiet, not talking to or looking at anyone and barely touching his food; definitely unAkihito behaviour.
When Fei left the table without finishing his wine or making sure everyone was satisfied and well taken care of, his little brother mumbled something about being tired and retired to go to bed, the remaining men became more concerned. Asami left Yoh and Tao soon afterwards and headed up to their suite, intent on talking to his kitten.
When he got to their bedroom, the light was on, and the bed looked like his boy had tried laying down, but it was now empty. A quick search showed that Akihito wasn't in the ensuite, out on balcony or sitting area, and a quick IM to Suoh verified that he hadn't left the house itself. Another IM to Tao and Yoh soon lead to directions to his boy's room in the family wing, where Yoh was waiting outside Aki's door while Tao was checking on Feilong. He was holding a tray with a decanter of Asami's whiskey and tumbler, a crystal ash tray and lighter.
Asami nodded as he knocked on the door and waited. When there wasn't any noise from inside the room, he tried the door handle. It opened easily, and Asami stepped into the dark room. Yoh turned on a table light after putting the tray down as Asami looked around the room. It was a warm and casual place, just like his kitten. Yoh wished him a good night as he left, and Asami made himself comfortable removing his outer clothes, then slipped into his boy's bedroom.
He stopped, frowning unhappily when he saw his kitten curled up in a tight ball of misery, arms gripping himself, shoulders shaking as he sobbed silently. The crime lord's first instinct was to get on that bed, cuddle his boy to his chest and rock him gently, kissing his hair, until he calmed down. But, since his Akihito came here to be alone, he respected the boy's wish and went to sit down on a chair by the table, and poured himself a drink. After he finished it, he went to the balcony door and opened it before lighting up a Dunhill. He stood in the doorframe, leaning against it with his head hanging, aching because his little love was in pain.
When Akihito woke up next morning, he had slumped into full blown depression. He sat up in bed feeling melancholy, like he was caught in the middle of a war between his head and his heart. He loved both Asami and Feilong. He had given his heart to the yakuza overlord, and he knew deep down Asami had given him his, and that Asami was a faithful lover. He also knew Feilong would never do anything to hurt him. But did he have the right to keep them apart if they really wanted to be together?
He felt numb and nauseous, his head all confused. He had seen Asami and Feilong together, and he thought they just looked so good together. He was, what, a failed criminal photographer turned teacher trainee; who would want that. Maybe Asami marrying him was some sort of expected reaction, not that it was insincere, but something more like atonement. Really, he should be with someone who can stand beside him as an equal, able to give him an heir, both of which Feilong had. These thoughts had been swirling around, growing in depth. It also hadn't helped when every time he came into a room, Asami and Feilong and the others had stopped talking and watched him.
That was when Akihito had his reality check. Maybe he shouldn't have gone back to Tokyo. He could have stayed with Feilong, but maybe he should have moved to Europe or the Americas to do his teaching internship.
He could transfer his studies, go back with one of his intern friends to Finland or Canada, or even Hawai'i for a while maybe, give Asami a chance to breath and realise his mistake, and then maybe try to stay close to him and Feilong later.
Akihito had cried himself empty last night.
He loved Asami, and knew they loved each other deeply. But maybe that near death experience when he had been shot on the ship had made them both project tangled emotions onto each other when they weren't really there to begin with. Now, no matter what he felt for his Ryuichi, marriage seemed like a bad idea, somehow more like he would be entrapping his beloved. And he would never, ever want to do that.
Izaya shenanigans
Akihito: What do you call sabotage and vandalisom?
Izaya: A hobby
Akihito: ...
Izaya: That I do not engage in.