AN: Thank you for all the encouragement. You readers are great! And as much as I like the "Pray in the Abyss" events, I hope my divergence will shoot some light in another aspect of the AsamixAkihito relationship dynamic. Here goes my attempt.

03: Color Me Curious

The pervert on top of him must be an octopus or a cousin of it; his hands were everywhere. Whilst Akihito had successfully block one hand slipping into his jeans, another was popping his buttons open on his shirt before he felt another hand cupping his left buttocks, and then another tweaking his right nipple. Not only were there too many hands, the scratchy kisses the other was slobbering all over his neck and chest was making his skin crawl. Try as he might though, the photographer couldn't detach the human octopus from his prone form. It was all he could do was block the man from kissing his mouth and reaching his groin and ass, the important bits.

How the hell did he end up like this again?

"What do you want, kid?"

The wary look the perverted Club owner shot him was familiar. It was the same kind of look most people make when they know not to mess with you because you got connections. Akihito knew just what kind of connections this guy think he has, not that he would claim any of it to be true. Despite this though, Akihito would still find those in just invoking Asami Ryuichi's name alone would give him a certain amount of deference that he knew none of them would otherwise.

Judging by that one time he'd used the crime lord's business card alone to gain access to a private ryokan was plain enough to see. Not that he'd made a habit of invoking Asami's name. The photographer liked to think that last and only time was for charity considering how desperate those high school students were to find their parents. Once was enough, it was a matter of pride not to do so any further. He didn't remain with Asami because of the man's connections or for any special privileges. However, regardless of his own reluctance to do so, people who knew of his connections to Asami, like the man before him apparently still gives him the same kind of deferential treatment.

Like the last time Sakazaki had received him in the same VIP room, even though his reception was lukewarm at best. The man didn't bother to give him his undivided attention. Dressed in a grey pinstripe suit with a mustard yellow kerchief in his breast pocket, the Club owner was lounging with his long legs stretched out on the couch lengthwise and fiddling with his PDA. It was weird seeing the Club owner not putting up airs around him. What happened to the pouncing tiger act? Not that Akihito wanted the man's advances mind you.

Disconcerted by the reception, Akihito remained equally as wary of the other. He hadn't forgotten what happened the last time. The pervert had forcefully jerked him off, making him invoke his lov… Asami's name before the man stopped. He hoped that would be enough to prevent the other from a repeat performance.

In theory it all sounded pretty good in his head. He thought he worked out the kinks on the way here. Present situation though, proves to be somewhat of a hardship. He couldn't get the words out. He felt stupid. The whole situation felt stupid. What was he to do though? Give up and go back to Asami's penthouse and pack up?

Annoyed with his teetering resolve once more, Akihito got sucked into another internal struggle. In doing so, he left himself wide open.

It was with little wonder, the photographer found himself being cornered up against a wall once again. It was like a badly written script of his life, dooming him to such situations like so much fan service for someone's amusement. Only problem is, he didn't sign up for the role. Was it his lot in life to be molested on a regular basis by perverted criminals or those affiliated with them?

Akihito pushed back. The pervert didn't budge.

Trapping him with both arms braced against the wall, Sakazaki loom over his much smaller frame. He tensed from the action; this scene felt awfully familiar. He absolutely didn't want history to repeat itself. It was stupid of him to think he could predict such occurrences. If only he had a thousand yen for each time he got molested.

Bracing himself for a fight, Akihito curled his hands into fists and glared at the Club owner. Then follow by a low growl emitted from the back of his throat, a clear warning to back off.

It didn't have the desired effect Akihito thought it would. Instead of being intimidated, that damn Sakazaki had the audacity to laugh at him.

Akihito bit out in annoyance, "What the hell is your problem?"

Not deterred by the photographer's bluster, Sakazaki leaned forward easily despite the twin fists denying him some chest to chest action. The man countered back by pressing his nose against the kid's neck and began his true assault.

Akihito stiffened immediately upon feeling a stinging bite on his neck.

That does it. Strengthening his resolve, the photographer gathered all his strength and pushed the man away, trying to dislodge the human octopus' slimy suction. A surprise shiver trickled down his spine when the other's goatee brushed against his skin. Regardless how the other chuckled at his reaction, he was not turned on.

That's right. They had struggled and somehow ended up on the couch with him at the bottom again.

With a definite groan of annoyance and certainly not an 'I want more' moan, Akihito cursed his own idiotic stubbornness that led him to this current predicament.

Sakazaki knew the tempting pet kitty lying beneath him should be off limits. It may have been all rumors, but the fact that there was even a name associated with Asami Ryuichi was what caused his interest to pique. Takaba Akihito being so cute and all was an added bonus. Although, anything pertaining to Asami regardless whether it was a rumor or not, it was better to err on the side of caution. Sakazaki knew the infamous entrepreneur was the resident kingpin not to cross with and anyone who did ended up missing or floating down river; case in point, like that stalker who got entangled with Takaba somehow.

Was that the reason why the kid was back to see him?

As far as the Club owner was concerned, that case was closed. Good riddance to bad rubbish even in their trade. He had no information to give. The kid was better off asking the person he sleeps with if he's investigating the stalker's death.

He gave the firm nipple another pinch through the boy's shirt and was rewarded by a gasp followed by a cute little growl. He threw another glance up at the photographer's blushing face and couldn't help himself venturing lower. His interest was piqued alright. That don't 'fuck with me' look combined with the boy's unintentional writhing shouldn't be allowed. Not that he was complaining.

Ah hell, one had to think what Asami Ryuichi sees in the boy and it made this particular Club owner most anxious to find out. After that first sample of Takaba's charms, he was literally hard put not to pounce earlier. The boy was just asking to be molested and who was he to say no? One would think Takaba would have learned his lesson the first time they crossed paths.

Oh well, who was he to argue if the boy needs more lessons from him. He'll teach the photographer real good and perhaps the boy will return for more. In the back of his mind, the thrill of usurping Asami's lover added fuel to his efforts.

"Get off of me, damn it!"

Akihito had had enough after another button from his favorite shirt popped off and flew past his head. At this rate, it was a matter of endurance to see whose attack and defense was stronger. Luckily the man was dead set in using seduction verses violence to get his way. However, the photographer wasn't betting on his luck. It was only a matter of time when things could escalate to that.

A lick to his abused nipple made Akihito stiffen up with disgust. Obviously the guy hadn't listened.

Are all perverts this persistent?

Normally he wouldn't have done such a thing to another man, considering he has certain man-parts too and knew the consequences of such actions, but Akihito was desperate.

Through one last ditch in warning, "Let go, you perv!"

And was subsequently ignored, Akihito strategically maneuvered his leg between the other and kicked upwards.

With a high pitch whimper, the human octopus froze up and Akihito was able to shove Sakazaki off of him.

The sleaze ball dropped to the floor with a thump and groan. Wasting no time, the photographer rose from his prone position. While kneeling upright and trying to fix himself, Akihito searched quickly for something to arm himself with. The nearest object he found was Sakazaki's PDA.

"Hey! No need to get hostile here!" squeaked the goateed pervert upon seeing the threat. Although judging by the way the Club owner was peaking warily from the floor at him, it seem to Akihito the man was more worried of his phone being abused rather than he using it as a weapon. Trying not to roll his eyes, Akihito gave a verbal retort instead.

"Back off then, I didn't come here to be molested you got that?"

"Okay, okay. Retract your claws. Ugh." With much effort the Club owner managed to sit up and began taking deep breaths while unabashedly rubbing his aching crotch.

Akihito grimaced upon seeing the result of his work. Maybe he was a little remorseful but the damn pervert deserved it. He wasn't a toy to be passed around from pervert to pervert to sample. There was only one pervert he was willing to admit that he allowed such privileges. And right now, Akihito is reconsidering that as well. Perhaps he should take Asami to task in the same manner? Come to think of it, he should have done that to the bastard a long time ago.

"You know, you're beginning to scare me with that maniacal look on your face. Why don't you put my phone down and we call it even 'kay?"

Oh, Akihito has already forgotten about the current pervert he's just maimed. So Sakazaki wasn't going to kill him for that little maneuver huh? Well that was nice of him.

Now why was he here again?

That's right, his question about the attraction between men. Hm. Perhaps he could use the current situation to his advantage?

It didn't take much acting on Akihito's part for he was genuinely feeling embarrassed about what the topic he was about to bring up. So he ducked his head and blushed as he offered up an apology. Not that the pervert deserved it. However, some buttering up wouldn't hurt if the man would cooperate better for it.

"I'm sorry alright? It's just that…."

He waited as he cast the bait.

"It's just that, what?"

Sucker.

What he said next wasn't so farfetched. Akihito genuinely felt exasperated by his lot in life.

"It's just that… I'm tired of being molested alright!"

Akihito took a moment to pause appropriately then chance an askance look at the other to see his reaction.

Surprise was clear on the other's face.

Anger surged to the forefront. Honestly, this guy doesn't really think the photographer likes being touched intimately by just anybody does he?

Sakazaki must have interpreted the look on his face correctly. At least he had the good grace to appear chagrin. The Club owner actually flashed him a lopsided grin and scratched the back of his head in emphasis. That school boy gesture gave Akihito the creeps since it didn't sit well with the other's persona. He shook off the disturbing sight and pressed onwards.

"Oh come on, who in their right mind actually wants to be molested huh?"

A moment's pause and the Sakazaki he knew from the beginning returned with a knowing smirk and a leer.

"You'll be surprised."

Even though it was the opening Akihito was looking for, he was still shocked by the implication of those words.

"Now, now Takaba-kun, you of all people should know what I'm talking about, ne?"

Clearly this was not the direction Akihito wanted their conversation to lead, unfortunately once he veered from the path there was no going back. His curiosity was piqued.

"Wh— what do you mean?"

As soon as those words left his mouth, oddly Sakazaki no longer resembled a human octopus but a wolf in disguise.