Chapter 24

A Day in the Life of Akihito Takaba.

July 7

Akihito's POV

7:45 AM

I feel….soft lips. A smiled crossed Akihito's waking face, his eyes opening to see Asami above him. "Really? This early in the morning you bastard?" He mumbled, looking up into the golden eyes of his lover.

"Are you really going to complain?" Asami smirked, pressing another kiss to the photographer's collar bone.

"Mmm…I guess not." He wrapped his arms loosely around Asami's neck, smiling when he felt those lips trailing down his torso. Little shudders ran down his spine with each gentle kiss, his fingers tangling into Asami's dark hair, pulling at the short, soft strands. About the time Asami reached his waist, thumbs hooked into his boxers to pull them down, a loud thump came from the baby monitor beside the bed.

In seconds they were both out of the bed, and swinging to door to their room open, scared for the worst. Every day there was no sign of that fuck-face Jun they were put more on edge…so even little things became big things in their imagination. At least in Akihito's case. But seeing their tiny toddler outside of his crib, staring up at them with the biggest "Uh Oh" face while still wearing his adorable dinosaur onesie made all of that fear melt away and a highly amused grin replaced it.

"Looks like our little birthday boy is becoming an escape artist." Akihito said with a giggle, walking over and lifting Masa up. Turning around, he could see the mixed emotions playing on the crimelord's face. Disapproval while also impressed, though after staring into their son's "innocent" golden puppy eyes for a few moments Asami just shook his head and chuckled.

"He's taking after his mother too much. Before I know it he'll be scaling down buildings and making reckless decisions." Masahiko giggled, reaching out with grabby hands towards his daddy, who took him into arms.

Akihito rolled his eyes. "Oh shush. Masa is a little angel!~" He grinned at their baby boy, who was currently playing with Asami's hand. Masahiko was always so fascinated with them, and it was really cute. "Speaking of our little angel….does he need a change?" Asami's hand moved down.

"Actually no, he's dry. That's…the fourth day this week, isn't it?" He asked, looking down at the baby in his arms. "Maybe we can start toilet training soon…."

Giggling, Aki shook his head. He would do anything if it meant not changing another diaper. "Nope, still a little early!~ Most babies don't start potty training 'til they're almost two." Not to mention Masa was still so tiny…he just wasn't ready.

"Yes, but he's an Asami. Asami's can do extraordinary things, even as babies. I'm sure he would catch on pretty quickly."

"Uh-huh. Well you have fun potty training him, but the moment you have to clean up a mess just know I'm not helping like last time. You'll be all on your own." A smirk rose to his face when his lover shuddered at the memory, looking as though he wanted to gag all over again.

"I'll just wait until he's ready."

"Heh, yeah. That's what I thought." Time to start the day….

8:34 AM

Akihito started every morning once his lover left for work with the same thing; yoga. Being a stay at home parent meant he didn't get the opportunity to do his usual parkour, but that didn't mean he couldn't still keep in shape…even if it meant doing so with a more calming regimen. Not to mention it was his favorite way to bond with his son. He at first had started doing baby yoga with Masa to help him with neck strength and such, and now it was just part of their daily regiment. Sometimes Ceska even got curious and tried to mimic them, but today she was just laying on her cushiony bed, watching them with a bored expression. Using one had to hold himself in a plank, he used his other hand to hold up Masahiko's stomach, helping him keep his posture without hurting himself. It wasn't like he was supposed to expect a one year old to hold himself up all on his own, especially not an underdeveloped one. "Come on Masa, say "Mama." Every morning he spent trying to coax his son to talk, but he never got anywhere with it. Their baby seemed content with just making noises, not really interested in communication skills. The doctors told him to be patient, but it was so hard! He just wanted to hear his baby boy speak!

Just like every other day, he was met with a blank stare that told him today wasn't going to be the day. Unlike every other day, Asami was home to help set up for the birthday party and was here to witness his failure. Without a word to him, the crimelord scooped the baby up from the floor before going back to his seat. Intrigued, Akihito moved to sit on his knees and watch. Huh….is he actually going to try? If anyone can get that kid to talk...it'd be him. That fucking bastard always has a way to make people do what he wants…

Sitting the baby on his lap, he made Masa look at him. "Masa, say "Dada." A blank stare; a couple blinks. "Masa, say "Dada." He said again, only to get a whine in return as the baby started pushing at Asami's hands, wanting to get down. "No Masa, you're going to speak. I know you can do it."

"Come on Asami…let's just give it a rest for the day. He'll learn when he-"

"No, he will learn now. The only reason he's not already is because you baby him too much." Ouch. "Now Masa, speak. Say "Dada." Puffing out his cheeks in frustration, Masa smacked Asami's arm with his little hand, eyebrows furrowed together. It would have been funny if it didn't reeeaaaaalllly piss Asami off. "MASAHIKO!" His baritone voice boomed, jolting baby Masa as his eyes went big…and started filling with tears.

Oh no…now you've done it. Sniffling as tears fell down his cheeks, the wails were about to start…and with Masa you never knew when they would stop. Asami's angry face immediately turned into one of a common freaked out parent. "No no Masa, don't cry! It's okay, it's okay…calm down." He tried to shush the baby before the storm started, picking him up to lay him against his chest. Akihito bit back a grin when Masahiko reached out for him, being the little Mama's boy that he was. He eagerly scooped him back up

"What a mean Daddy, yelling at the birthday boy! Say "bad Daddy!" Akihito cooed down the toddler, bouncing him on his hip.

"Don't even start with that. He hit me out of frustration, which is unacceptable. If we don't punish him for these things he's going to grow up to be a spoiled little terror." The man muttered, narrowing his eyes at their son.

"He's just a baby, Ryuichi. Don't be so hard on him. Besides, like I said…he's the birthday boy today!~ If he smacks or bites you tomorrow then you can discipline him for it, but for today just let it go. He's only going to get one first birthday!~" Aki pointed out with a cheerful grin, just wanting everything today to go perfectly. Well, as perfect as it could go with a house full of the most dangerous men alive and tiny children.

Asami let out a long sigh, but slowly nodded. "Fine, but when he turns into a brat I'm going to blame you."

"Says the one who coddled him after yelling at him. If he turns into a brat, then it's both of our faults…but he'll be our little brat and that's all that matters!~"

Looking somewhat amused with his statement, Asami shook his head and stood up. He walked over and affectionately ruffled their son's raven curls. Despite his lover having little patience at times, Akihito saw how amazing he was at being a father in moments like this. Having Kiyomi and Masahiko had really helped them both grow as adults, even in the smallest and weirdest ways. Hell, Asami just let a conversation go without actually winning it. Who ever saw that happening? Akihito definitely didn't.

From behind him, he heard the familiar Beep from the backdoor passcode being entered correctly, and then the even more familiar sound of wheels against hardwood. Mayuri and Suoh were still staying with them, and they would be until Mayuri could walk again. In six months he had made some progress; he was gaining strength back in the leg that was less damaged and he was slowly regaining the feeling in his other leg. The doctors were saying that with each passing month the likely hood of him walking again was increasing, especially with all the physical therapy he was already going through. Akihito had zero doubts that the fashion designer would be up on his feet again…the only question was when.

"Good morning to my fellow homosexuals!~ I once again grace you with my presence!~" Mayuri chirped as he rolled himself into the living room, Sammy right beside him and Suoh not far behind. Akihito was still getting used to the designer's natural light brown hair since he had decided to let the blue wash out. His hair had grown out as well, no longer in the trendy short K-Pop style they were all used too. Now it was longer, one side of it pinned back with blue bobby pins (Think Syo from Uta No Prince Sama). With all the time he had since the incident, Mayuri had figured out how to do a lot of things by himself even with his limitations, such as dressing himself. But even so it was still difficult, which was where the idea blossomed for him to design clothing that would be easier for people with disabilities to dress themselves in, and still be fashionable. Right now he was wearing a lot of the prototypes, but he was already working on making it an actual thing. The process was just a little slow since he was stuck at home.

"Uh-huh. Well when you're done feeding your own ego, there's breakfast waiting on both of you in the kitchen. It's in the fridge, just heat it up, okay? And Kazumi, when you're done you and Asami are going to pick up things for the party while Mayuri and I take care of the rest." With those two living in, he had taken to calling the behemoth by his first name.

"You just decided that yourself, didn't you? What are you wanting us to pick up?" Asami asked, getting the blonde's attention directed back over.

"The cake from the bakery, it's under your name by the way. And his gifts are still waiting at the stores we ordered them from. I paid extra to already have them wrapped for us. Oh, and I need milk...we're completely out and since we invited the families of all the guards we are going to need lots of milk." Children + Cake = Milk. Simple math.

"Soy or cow milk?"

"Um…does it actually matter?"

"Of course it does, I don't want to hear you nagging when I get the wrong kind."

Akihito rolled his eyes. I don't nag. "Fine, then soy. It's healthier." Dammit, when did I start caring about shit like that?

"And what brand do you want?" Asami looked amused at the growing exasperation on the photographer's face.

Letting out an annoyed groan, he pointed to the kitchen where the other two had disappeared into. "Kazumi knows! Just go!" He snapped, irritated.

"Bossy, aren't we?" Keep pushing and you'll really see bossy.

11:50 AM

"…Okay this is taking the kitten thing too far, and that's coming from me, Kitten." Asami said as he stared in almost horror at the state of their living room. Akihito thought it was adorable. All around them were balloons and decorations from their son's favorite cartoon: Chi's Sweet Home. Masa was in love with that little cat, and it was too cute for it not to be his first birthday's theme! The television even had episodes of it playing at the moment, and their little toddler was entranced by it.

"Haha, very funny Asami. Here, I'll take the cake if you put the presents over in the corner." Akihito instructed, holding his hands out for the cake box. A few of their guests had already arrived, those being his grandparents, Fei, and Kirishima. They hadn't seen Fei in a few months since he was busy with his own things back in Hong Kong, so he was actually kind of happy to see him back. Lord knows Kiyomi had missed him.

Once the box was in his hand, he carried it into the kitchen where his grandmother, Haruka, and Kiyomi were gathered at, making cute little snacks for the party. It was absolutely adorable to see the three of them together, both doting grandmothers teaching the eight year old how to properly hold an icing bag so she could decorate the cookies. "How are my favorite ladies doing?~" Aki asked, setting the cake on the counter with the other snacks. The kitchen smelled delicious with their dinner cooking in the oven.

"Mommy! Mommy look! I made everyone a cookie!~" Kiyomi squealed as she pushed the plate covered in cutely decorated cookies across the table. Being the doting mother he was, Akihito thought they looked absolutely perfect…but in reality they were cookies decorated by an eight year old. You can't expect perfection. Even so, Akihito wasn't sure how he felt about his daughter decorating a cookie to have a gun on it…and his grandmother looked equally unsure about her feelings on it. Oh well, as long as she isn't playing with one…

"They look great sweetie! You're being such a big help." He praised her, leaning down to kiss the top of her head.

"Grandmother showed me how to make pretty flowers with the icing Mommy! I made this one for Uncle Fei because it's really prettyful like he is!~" Akihito grinned, looking at the red and white flower she had made.

"He's going to love it, Princess." He turned to the two older ladies once Kiyomi had turned her attention back to the cookies. "You both have been a big help. I really don't know what I would have done without you two helping me with the cooking."

Sanae tsked and shook her head, reaching over to smack the side of his head playfully. "I'm your grandmother, you don't need to thank me for doing my job." The blonde beamed at that. "Besides, I think a little girl time was exactly what the little doll needed."

"Yes, Kiyomi seems to be having a lot of fun. And I've enjoyed learning some of your Grandmother's recipes." Haruka softly said, a kind smile on her face.

The blonde could only imagine what kind of delicious foods they were going to have for dinner with those two cooking, because they were both amazing cooks. "Well I'm just really happy you are getting along, and that Kiyomi is getting to spend some quality time with her grandmothers. I'll leave you guys too it." With one last glance to his focused and smiling daughter, Akihito headed back into the living room. His eyes immediately went to the spot on the couch he had left Masahiko in, only to see him not there.

Before his panic could set in, Feilong gestured to the cracked study door. "Your grandad and Asami have him in there with them." Aki let out the long breath he hadn't realized he was holding in, before curiosity struck him and he went over to the door. He could hear their hushed tones as he peeked inside.

"Takaba-San, I'm not sure what you're getting at…" Akihito could tell from his lover's look that he knew exactly what the man was saying, but didn't want to admit it.

"Sanae and I aren't stupid. There is something else going on here, you aren't just a business man. You make too much money for that and no businessman I know needs an entire staff of guards just at their home." The serious tone his grandad held shocked the photographer, having never heard his grandfather be anything but silly. Even when he had to pick him up from jail when he was a teenager, he was still just silly grandad with his funny quips.

Asami met his eyes through the crack in the door, and the look in his eyes made it clear he was holding back irritation. I might have to save him soon…. "What is your point in bringing this up?"

"Don't give me that look, I'll smack it right off." The taken back look on Asami's face was priceless, though he would have to remember to have a serious talk with his grandad about threatening the father of his children. "All I'm here to tell you is that your dirty business had better not put my family in danger. Akihito or those kids, do you understand?"

"With all due respect, all of the guards and security measures put into place here are for them. I would never do anything to purposefully put any of them in danger."

Tadanari was about to say something, but Akihito took this as his moment to jump in and keep the conversation from getting more uncomfortable. Asami, you can never say I have done nothing for you. "Hey Grandpa!~ Have you seen Masahi- Oh there he is!~" Masa was chewing on the collar of his grandpa's shirt, just listening to what was going on around him. If there was anything he learned from raising their little baby boy, it was that babies loved to put everything in their mouth. Inanimate objects, things they found on the ground, even bugs. He would never forget the time he had to wrestle a beetle from his toddler's hands so he wouldn't eat it.

"Woops, I forgot I even picked him up! Old age and all." His grandfather said with a sheepish grin, getting the fabric of his shirt out of Masa's mouth and passing the baby over. Looks like we're all just going to play dumb here. Fine, whatever.

"I know, you're becoming senile old man. But never too senile to party in a pool, right?~" Akihito knew bringing up the pool would lighten the mood at least a bit, considering how much his grandad liked to be a kid. Growing up he didn't have the grandfather everyone else had, the ones who were only concerned about appearances and minding your manors. No, his grandad was the one who rode rollercoasters and bought him ice cream every time he got in trouble with his grandmother. It wasn't til now that he realized his grandfather had a serious side that he wondered why Tadanari had always been so easy on him. A question he was oddly afraid to ask.

"The day I refuse a pool party is the day I die. Now, I'm a little hungry. I'm going to see what the ladies are making and sneak a bite." Tadanari winked at them both, slipping out of the study.

"…Your grandfather has no fear."

Positioning his son on his hip a little better, Akihito snickered in the crimelord's direction. "Guess that's where I get it from."

4:36 AM

With food, presents, and cake over and done with, everyone had moved outside for the party. There were about ten kids in all at the party, seven of them the guard's kids and three of them Kiyomi's from school, and all of them were bouncing away in the giant castle bounce house. With all the time the guards spent at the house, Akihito felt it would have been rude not to invite them and their families over. The more the merrier, right? All the adults were over at the pool, enjoying the late afternoon air. Fei and Mayuri were stretched out on the lounge chairs, relaxing and reading magazines. Suoh had joined them in the pool once he was certain Mayuri was in a comfortable position to be stuck in. Beside them in another chair was Ceska, who after being kicked out of the pool because she tried to drown herself, had jumped onto a chair and was sleeping. At some point Kiyomi with her two little friends had come over and put a pair of hot pink sunglasses on her with a sunhat…and like always their pooch just put up with it. What a trooper.

Akihito was in the shallow end of the pool with Masa, letting him kick his feet in his panda floaty. It wasn't too long ago they had to wash him off in the sink because of how messy he got eating his cake. He hated getting the bath, yet somehow swimming in a pool was fine. He would never understand baby logic.

"Hey Mommy! Mommy can we get in the pool too?~" Kiyomi asked, already bouncing on her heels as her two friends stood behind her.

"Yeah can we?~ I wanna show all these losers my awesome diving moves! I'm gunna try and do a backflip in the air!" Izumi declared with a grin, throwing her fist in the air. "And then I'm gunna fight them! Even the really big guy!" Akihito giggled a bit, shaking his head. Izumi was a very…outgoing little girl. Tomboyish by nature, and very competitive.

"Actually I just want to read by the pool…but they can swim." Akise mumbled, pushing her glasses up. She was shy and quiet, and no matter how much time her two friends spent over she never seemed to get comfortable around them.

Smiling fondly at the three girls, he nodded. "You know you can. And Akise, if you want you can sit on one of the lounge chairs. I'm sure it's going to be more comfortable." With two of the girls squealing and running towards the diving board, the other walked to the deeper end of the pool and sat down at the edge, pulling her manga out to read. It didn't surprise him that she didn't take his offer; Akise preferred to be as close to the other two girls as possible. Out of curiosity he squinted his eyes to see the title of the manga…and then realized it was a boy love manga. What are these yakuza parents letting their kids read?!

"Hey Aki! Watch me!" Izumi yelled from the top of the diving board, grinning confidently down at him. Hands still holding onto the baby's float, he turned and watched the seven year old as she accomplished her goal of a backflip before turning into a perfect dive. It was actually quite impressive. He saw her fist come out the water before her head as she yelled out a glorified "Yes!" before swimming over to him. "Did you see that?! Did you see it?~"

Chuckling, the photographer nodded. "I did, it was awesome!" Akihito held up a hand for a high-five, one she happily gave him. Wow, she actually packs a bit of a punch…Asami would be impressed.

"Well good! I did it to impress my future my husband after all! Now that you've seen what I can do, you're definitely going to marry me when I'm big like you!" There was no question in her sentence, it was a statement.

"Oh yeah? We're getting married one day?" Aki mused with a little giggle. Kids are so silly.

"Of course we are! I've had my eyes on you since I first met you! I know you're all lovey with that old guy, and I'll allow that until we get married. But after that you're all mine! Okay?"

Too humored to tell her no, Akihito just nodded. "Right, right. But for now you should go play with Kiyomi. I'm sure she wants your attention right now." He said with a wink.

"Oh right! Well I'll talk to you later, future husband!~" Izumi waved to him before swimming off towards Kiyomi, who was squealing over the page Akise was showing her. Oh god…my daughter is a fujoshi…and so are her friends. Can this get any worse?

"Congratulation, you finally had a girl hit on you." Akihito whipped his head around to see his smirking lover, kneeled down on the edge of the pool. Asami was wearing a pair of black swim trunks and tight fitting dark red polo, one he had picked out for him. In the entire summer they had the pool open, Asami had never gotten in with them…that was until right now. Rather than retaliate with words, Aki decided the snarky bastard needed a dip in the pool to simmer him down. Grabbing the collar of his shirt, he pulled the bigger man down into the pool, grinning wide at the splash he made even in the shallow end. Masa was squealing as well.

"Hehehe….sucker."

Soaked to the bone, Asami slowly turned to him, eyebrow arched as he pulled his cellphone from his pocket. "Seriously? This is the second phone you've destroyed like this, Akihito." The crimelord scolded, scowling.

"Come on, it's not like you can't afford another. Besides, you totally deserved that!"

"Oh it's not the money or phone I'm worried about…it's that every time it breaks I lose dirty Akihito pictures." When his face turned bright red, the Asami's scowl turned into a dark and amused smirk.

Akihito smacked his shoulder, glaring at the dirty yakuza bastard. "You're suck a pervert!"

"Perbert?" The entire pool fell silent at the sudden tiny, adorable voice that came from the floaty. With his eyes the size of saucers, he looked down at their son who was pointing to Asami in question. Everyone burst into laughter, all except for Aki who was horrified at this.

"No Masa, we don't say that word!"

"Perbert! Perbert perbert perbert!" Masa said through shrill giggles, pointing at his father the entire time. It was too late, now it was funny. There was no getting a toddler to stop saying something once everyone was laughing at it. But really?! His first word?!

"Haha, that's my boy!" Asami said proudly, musing through their son's hair, the baby practically beaming. And now he was singing it. If there is some higher power out there, please give me the strength to not smack everyone in the immediate area!

Pinching the bridge of his nose, he gestured to the singing toddler. "Asami, you do realize he thinks that's your name now, right?" Realization quickly washed over the crimelord and his face paled a bit, then he looked over accusingly.

"This is your fault! You're the one who keeps calling me that in front of him!"

"You're the one who does perverted things in front of him to make me call you that! I wouldn't just call you that out of the blue!"

"So now this is my fault?!"

"Of course it's your fault! You don't know how to control yourse-"

"PERBERT!"

The both whipped their heads over to the squealing toddler who just kept getting louder and louder. "Masa! Don't say that!" They snapped in unison, and like a light switch that giggling face fell and the punim came out. His bottom lip quivering as tears filled his eyes, the starting of another crying fit coming on. Before he could react and calm him down, big sister Kiyomi was there in an instant, glaring at both of them as she kissed her brother's forehead. Somehow just her presence was enough to calm him down.

"Don't yell at baby Masa! He's just bein silly! Don't be a bad mommy and daddy!" She scolded them, and Akihito could hear all the adults snickering from behind. Mayuri was even peeping up over his Vogue magazine, a tiny grin on his face.

And now we're being scolded by an eight year old….just an average day in my life.

10:58 PM

"Mmm….someone is eager tonight." Asami murmured against his lips, arms wrapped around the neck of the photographer atop him. After such a long and stressful day of being hosts, Aki wanted nothing more than to have Asami fuck him hard into the mattress.

"Shut up and kiss me you bastard." Aki had long since stripped down to his boxers, and currently had his hands up the front of his lover's shirt, feeling his hard muscles. So fucking hot. With one smooth motion, Asami flipped them so he was over the blonde, smirking devilishly down at him. His hair was still wet and messy from the shower, and Aki could feel little droplets of cool water dripping onto his face. He didn't even care.

"Patience now, my horny little Kitten. What are you in the mood for?" His lips brushed against Akihito's neck, making the breath catch in his throat. "We can continue here as we are…or we can make things a bit more fun." Asami's teeth sank into the delicate and tender skin, making a groan of pleasure leave him.

"Fuck…I don't care. It's up to you, just do it!" He growled, pushing his arousal up to let Asami know he was ready now. With a satisfied look, Asami wrapped his arms under the smaller man to pick him up….that was until there was a small knock at the door.

"Mommy? I want some water…" Fuck! Fucking Fuck! Asami let out an exasperated sigh, and Akihito wanted to slam his head into the head board.

"Alright Sweetie, I'll be right there." Yep….just an average fucking day. But I'd never trade it for anything…not on my life.