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Suoh's Revenge, Part 2

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. . . . .

Looking at his schedule, Kirishima noted that Asami would be leaving early for the day. "Early" for Asami meant he wanted to be home by 10:00 pm, which until very recently would have been shockingly early for him. Lately, he had been making an effort to try to be home at a decent hour once a week. Kirishima had no doubt that this had everything to do with Takaba- not Kirishima minded. On the days Asami chose to leave early, he would be in a relatively good mood. Besides, it was also nice for Kirishima to be able to get off of work early once in a while.

Pulling up Suoh's schedule on the computer, Kirishima saw that Suoh had been assigned to the warehouse for the morning and afternoon, and then he would be working a short evening shift as Sion's security doorman beginning at 6:00 pm. That shift would be ending at 11:00 pm.

Kirishima realized he had been holding his breath. He let it out in a long sigh. Both he and Suoh would be getting off of work at a decent hour tonight. There was no reason they couldn't meet up for their long-overdue talk. Suoh had made a huge effort to try to help him, but for some reason Kirishima had been keeping him at a distance. At first, it had been fun for Kirishima to tease and embarrass Suoh, but now he had to question his own motives. Why was he doing such a thing to his colleague?

It's because of what happened on the island. Even though I was drunk and can't remember it, I'm bothered by the fact that I still didn't hesitate to do it.

Kirishima couldn't figure out what would have compelled him to do something so out of line. He simply was not attracted to other men, but the dream he had last night seemed to indicate otherwise.

Under that tough facade, there's a surprisingly warm and caring person. It's something he rarely shows to other people... but he has always shown it towards me, hasn't he?

Does that mean I'm... special to Suoh?

That thought made him feel uncomfortable. They were colleagues and nothing more. Well, perhaps something a little more. It did seem like they had become close friends over the years.

I am angry at myself for doing what I did to Suoh. I've been unfairly blaming him for bringing out this strange desire in me. That's why I've been humiliating him. I've been punishing him for it, and...

And for pressuring me to confront my fears about Julio.

To be open about his fears would be like stripping himself naked in front of someone. It wasn't something he wanted to do, but if there was anyone he could trust with his fears, it was Suoh. Time and time again they had stood by each others side as they dealt with the ugliness that came with being involved with the underworld.

I've wronged him when all he'd ever done was try to help. I owe him a huge apology. It's time for me to confront this problem head-on.

Tonight.

. . . . .

The reason for Suoh being at the warehouse was merely for a show of force. Since Asami began assigning a large group of men to be present at the warehouse, from the time the shipments came in to the time they left the warehouse, they hadn't had any trouble. The problem was that it had been stretching his workforce rather thin. Many of them, like Suoh, had been working double shifts. Fortunately, the goods sitting in the warehouse at the moment were being shipped out that afternoon, so they wouldn't need to have a full contingent of guards there again for a couple more weeks.

Suoh and Yamato were watching the cargo being loaded on what looked like a mid-sized commercial fishing trawler. This vessel would be meeting up with another boat which was waiting for it out at sea. After another transfer of goods, the waiting boat would then be heading to a port somewhere in Malaysia.

"I am SO glad this shipment is finally going out! I'm looking forward to having a break. I'm going to get drunk and hopefully hook up with a very horny guy! What about you?"

Suoh looked a bit pale. "I'm thinking about trying out that plan tonight..."

Yamato looked closely at Suoh. "Are you feeling all right? You don't look so good."

"I'm nervous as hell about this! I'm not sure if I can pull it off."

"Well, not if you're acting like that! Tell me about your plan."

"Asami sets aside one day a week that he goes home early. It's tonight, so that means Kirishima will be off as well. I've arranged for someone to cover the last hour of my shift at Sion tonight, so we'll be getting off work around the same time. I was thinking of inviting him over to my place for dinner, and then pretending to have too much to drink..." Suoh broke out in a light sweat. "This is never going to work! I don't even know if he'll accept the invitation. He's been steadily turning me down so far..."

"Yeah, coming over to your place might be just a little too obvious under the circumstances. You should find a quiet bar, or some out-of-the-way place like that."

"I can't do something like that with other people around! No... it's gotta be at my place, or else I'll never be able to do it."

. . . . .

Kirishima had been called into Asami's office. When he entered, Asami was talking on the phone. "... it won't be possible for me tonight. He'll be getting in late, and then he has to catch a connecting flight first thing in the morning... Of course this is for 'normal' business..."

"Oh... you're fine with it. I see... yes... With your friends? Then don't stay out too late... Yes, I know you're an adult... but..." Asami pulled the phone away from his ear, frowned at it, and then replaced it in its base.

From the expression on his face, Kirishima guessed that Asami had just called off his rendezvous with Takaba, but Takaba clearly was not as disappointed as Asami was. Though he kept his own face expressionless, Kirishima felt a sadistic bit of amusement at watching the powerful man in front of him, who was accustomed to having things go his way, at a complete loss when it came to Takaba.

Asami closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose, obviously irritated. "I'm going to need you to accompany me tonight. It seems I have an impromptu meeting with one of our foreign investors around midnight."

"Yes, sir."

Kirishima felt a little bit irritated himself.

So much for tonight...

. . . . .

Once the paperwork had been completed for the outgoing shipment, Suoh, Yamato, and Mayeda headed downtown to Sion's offices to report to Asami and to turn in the manifest.

"No problems this time around?" Asami asked as he looked over the paperwork.

"Everything went smoothly," Suoh replied, "but that was expected since we had a lot of men present the entire time."

Asami laid the papers down and looked up at his men. "I can't keep stationing that many men around every time we have to deal with a new shipment without arousing suspicion from the authorities."

"We're taking care of that, sir," Suoh said. "We're working on setting up a trap for that gang. Once we know who they are, I guarantee they won't be troubling you again."

"I'll leave it to you, then. I have nothing else for you... your men can stand down for the day."

"Thank you, sir."

Suoh, Yamato, and Mayeda exited out to a waiting area where Kirishima's desk was located. They could hear the rapid tapping sounds of Kirishima typing on the computer. He appeared to be totally engrossed in his work.

Mayeda stretched his arms above his head and sighed. "Hot damn... time off! I'm definitely going out tonight!"

Yamato elbowed Suoh, who looked at him in surprise. "What?"

Yamato gave him a meaningful look and then cocked his head toward Kirishima. "Oh..." Suoh mumbled before taking a deep breath.

"Hey, Kirishima," Suoh said, surprising himself by how steady and casual his voice sounded. "I only have to work Sion's door for a few hours tonight. What do you say we go out afterwards for a drink..."

"Sorry, I can't tonight," Kirishima snapped irritably as he continued typing. "I'll be working late." Kirishima suddenly paused and looked up as he became aware of the tone of his voice. He realized Suoh might think he was annoyed by the offer, but in reality Kirishima was frustrated because he really HAD intended to meet up with Suoh after work until he had been tasked with accompanying Asami.

Kirishima looked up at Suoh apologetically, "Next time I have a clear spot in my schedule..." He stopped, realizing that had sounded even worse, which to his chagrin was exactly the way Suoh took it.

"Of course," Suoh said, his speech turning uncharacteristically polite. "Perhaps another time. I am sorry to have bothered you."

Yamato watched as Suoh turned to exit the office and knew he was pissed off. "Suoh! Let me treat you tonight. I know this really cool place..."

"Yeah, why not..." Suoh replied as he opened the door.

"I'll come by and pick you up after your shift ends..." Yamato called out as Suoh walked out the door.

Yamato turned back around and saw Kirishima giving him a rather sharp glance before looking back down. Kirishima picked up a pen and began writing on one of the papers that was in front of him.

Interesting... Yamato thought.

"Hey!" Mayeda called out. "I want to go too! What time should we meet...?"

"You can't!" Yamato blurted out. "Not tonight... okay?" After witnessing what had just passed between Suoh and Kirishima, Yamato was concerned and wanted a chance to calm Suoh down. He certainly couldn't do that with Mayeda around.

Mayeda pouted before slowly breaking out in a grin. "Ohh... sounds like you want to be alone with Suoh."

I do, but not in the way you're insinuating, Yamato thought as he rolled his eyes. He glanced back at Kirishima, wondering if he had overheard Mayeda's remark.

He watched as Kirishima's grip noticeably tightened on the pen.

Yamato smiled slyly. Very interesting.

. . . . .

Yamato came by Sion at 10:00 pm, but Suoh had stubbornly decided to work extra hours and didn't end up getting off until midnight. He listened to Suoh rant about Kirishima as he was changing into his street clothes in the back room. His rant went on as they walked out of the building, continued all the way on the ride to the bar, and was still going on even as Yamato ordered them a pitcher of beer.

Yamato poured the beer for Suoh. Suoh paused in his rant long enough to down the glass, and then carried on with the rant in his next breath.

Yamato refilled Suoh's glass.

What a dreadful mess, Yamato thought as he shook his head.

. . . . .

Kirishima felt his cell phone buzzing in his pocket. Pulling it out, he saw the caller was "Suoh Kazumi". Suoh rarely called Kirishima's cell.

I wonder if there's been trouble?

He stepped quietly out of the hotel room where Asami was meeting with his client, and answered it.

"Ah! Kirishima? It's Yamato. Umm... are you still at work?"

"I'm with Asami right now. What's the problem?"

"Oh. You really DID have to work late... I mean... Sorry to bother you! I'll let you get back to it..."

"What is it, Yamato? Why are you calling me on Suoh's phone?"

"That... well, I'm out with Suoh right now and... he's had a lot to drink. I mean, he's REALLLY had A LOT! And the problem is... I don't know how I'm going to get him home... but I'll figure out something. Sorry again for bothering you..."

"The meeting should be wrapping up soon. Where are you right now?"

"It's a bar called Rumors, in Shinjuku..."

Kirishima's eyes narrowed as Yamato told him the address.

. . . . .

Kirishima parked his car directly alongside the front entrance. Yamato was outside the bar smoking a cigarette, waiting for him. Seeing Kirishima, he sighed and threw down his cigarette, grinding the butt out with his heel. They both entered the bar.

Suoh was sitting at the bar with the bartender standing nearby, as well as two other men who were sitting on either side of him. They appeared to be listening intently to Suoh as he spoke loudly. "...and then this drunken idiot comes BACK! Except now he has a bullwhip with him. So he's cracking it and laughing maniacally at us... 'COME ON YOU BASTARDS! BRING IT ON...' "

"A bullwhip?!" The bartender said incredulously. "That guy really WAS nuts!"

"I know, right?! It took four of us to take the whip away from him AND pin him down. FOUR of us! And I'm thinking, it can't be JUST alcohol he's on..." Suoh stopped, looking wide-eyed as Yamato and Kirishima approached him. "Kirishima?! What are you doing here?"

Kirishima put his hand on Suoh's shoulder. "We had a date, remember?"

"Hey!" said one of the guys sitting next to Suoh. "You said you were straight!"

"Oh, it's not a DATE-date... in fact, it's not anything." Suoh brushed Kirishima's hand off his shoulder. "I don't know this guy. I'm going to leave now..." Suoh tried to stand up but stumbled and fell back onto the bar stool. Both Yamato and Kirishima helped him to stand up.

"That would probably be for the best," Kirishima said quietly. "We'll give you a ride home."

Suoh grinned at Kirishima, "That's nice of you." His grin turned into a scowl. "Don't be nice. I want to stay mad at you."

"I'm not the good guy here. Yamato's the one who arranged for your ride. I'm just the driver."

Suoh grinned at Yamato. "You're good kid... you know that?"

Yamato rolled his eyes. "I'm not a kid, but thanks for the... compliment."

They helped Suoh out of the bar and put him in the passenger seat of Kirishima's car. Yamato's phone rang as they were doing this, so he pulled it out and cradled it between the side of his head and his shoulder as he and Kirishima struggled to fasten Suoh's seat belt.

"Yes... what is it? Oh, hey Tamaki! Look... I'm a little busy right now. I'll call you back in a bit..." The belt clicked as it was fastened, and Yamato stood back up. "She left you again? I'm not surprised... what did you say to her this time? Yes, I know you had to have said SOMETHING stupid to cause it. What? NO... I am not coming over to comfort you!" Yamato growled into the phone before pushing the button to end the call. He slammed the passenger door shut and leaned back against the car, exasperated.

Kirishima was sweating slightly after the effort to get Suoh into the car. He removed his suit jacket and tie and tossed them both into the back seat. He turned back to Yamato and crossed his arms, giving him a stern look. "You took Suoh to a gay bar?"

Yamato looked at Kirishima, offended. "It's a nice place! It's not like a pick-up bar, or anything like that." He shrugged, "It seemed like a good idea at the time..." He looked off into the distance frowning.

"You need to be somewhere else right now, don't you?"

Yamato sighed heavily. "You're going to need my help getting Suoh back out of the car."

"I can handle Suoh on my own."

"You sure about that?" Yamato smirked. "This rift that's developed between you two..."

"Has he talked to you about that? Yes, that was my own doing," Kirishima nodded. "I'm going to fix it."

"Good." Yamato tried to look stern back at Kirishima but he couldn't hold back a smile. He turned and looked affectionately at Suoh, who had apparently passed out in the car. "He doesn't look like the type, does he? But he really has a big heart."

Kirishima also glanced at Suoh.

"I know."

. . . . .

"Keys..." Kirishima patiently prompted Suoh.

"Keys... let's see..." Suoh slowly pulled a key out of his pocket and tried to put it in the lock. After a few attempts in which the key came nowhere near the keyhole, Kirishima took the key from him.

"Oh forget it... I'll just sleep here," Suoh said, leaning up against the wall and closing his eyes as Kirishima opened the door.

"No, you can't sleep in the hallway." Kirishima helped him inside. "Can you get your shoes off, or do you need help with that?"

Suoh tried to bend down to take his shoes off but began to lose his balance. Kirishima steadied him before he could fall.

"Maybe I should sit down to take my shoes off, eh?" Suoh grinned.

"No, I'd never be able to get you back up again."

"It's fine..." Suoh slurred slowly. "You can just leave me here. Thank you for all your hard work..."

"Leave you to pass out on the floor next to the door? You'd catch a cold and then I'd be forced to cover both your job and mine. Just kick them off."

Kirishima managed to hold Suoh upright as he kicked his shoes off. Suoh swayed as Kirishima struggled to hold him up. "Heh... we dance well together, huh?"

"Except you're stepping on my toes, sweetheart. Where's your bedroom?"

"Ohh... my bedroom! This way, I'll show you..." Suoh started for the hallway, mashing on a light panel to light up the dark hallway as Kirishima held onto his arm to steady him. His bedroom was just on the right. Kirishima helped him toward the bed and felt Suoh sway once more, but this time he fell against Kirishima with his full weight, making it nearly impossible for Kirishima to hold him up.

Kirishima tried to plant his feet firmly to keep them both from falling down, when he felt Suoh grab a hold of him with a strong grip and then quickly swing him around. Kirishima suddenly found himself flat on his back on the bed with Suoh straddling him. Suoh had a tight grip on his wrists, effectively pinning him down on the bed.

What the...?!

The bedroom was only illuminated by the hallway light, but it was enough light for him to make out Suoh's face looking down at him with a smirk.

"Suoh... let me up," Kirishima said in a calm, yet very firm voice.

"Oh, what do we have here? The devious Kirishima Kei has managed to slip into my bed! Okay... I finally get it. I owe you for... for that thing you did to me, isn't that right? So I'm going to take responsibility now and repay that debt.

Kirishima frowned, "I think you're misunderstanding..."

"No, I understand perfectly. I'm sorry... I'm such an IDIOT for not realizing it sooner. That's really why you've been coming onto me so strongly, isn't it? More than necessary just to tease and embarrass me."

"I WAS only trying to embarrass you. I was having fun making you blush. It was wrong..."

"Yes it was... but do you really want to know the truth? You've been lying to yourself, Kirishima. Why else would you suddenly act so unprofessional on the job? It's not like you. I think deep down inside you want this. That's what's been driving you to do all those crazy things."

"You totally have the wrong idea, Suoh..." Kirishima tried reasoning with him. "It's not that..."

"You're not the only one. I've been denying it too... but I've reached my limit. I can't hold back anymore." Suoh leaned down closer to Kirishima. "Do you know in all the time I've known you, I've never seen you blush?"

"That's because I don't blush, you idiot!" Kirishima growled.

"I want to make you blush, Kirishima... I want to get you SO hot that you..."

"FINE! Just do it then!"

Suoh looked at him, surprised. "Huh? Really?"

Kirishima angrily wrestled his hands away from Suoh. Reaching down, he undid his belt, then unbuttoned and unzipped his trousers. He put his hands up next to his head as if surrendering, and looked away from Suoh.

"Go on... get it over with," Kirishima sighed in resignation. "Then we can call it even, and put an end to this damned thing!"

. . . . .

Suoh, who was indeed somewhat drunk but still perfectly aware and in control of what he was doing, looked down at Kirishima in utter shock.

Well Yamato, I called his bluff all right... but I never thought that he might call MINE...!

. . . . .

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Next: Suoh's Revenge, Part 3