Rating: NC-17
Disclaimer: These characters belong to Yamane Ayano, not me.
Author's Note: Emotional crises and crimelords don't mix.
Kirishima entered the penthouse, fortifying himself with a spine-stiffening sigh before he made his way to the main room. His boss was seated on the leather sofa, a glass with a generous portion of amber-colored liquid held in his hand. His hair was tousled, falling across his eyes as he smirked at his assistant. He wore only slippers and a robe, though it was belted and covered him decently.
"Kirishima. Punctual, as usual."
He moved closer, his nostrils flaring almost imperceptibly. The air was redolent with the heavy scent of sex, and to a lesser degree, alcohol and...gunpowder?
"Asami-sama. Are you-"
A hand waved him off before he could finish.
"Spare me the mother hen routine right now." Asami gestured to the crystal decanter in front of him. "Join me in a drink."
It wasn't a request. Kirishima's sigh was barely audible as he turned to enter the kitchen to retrieve a glass for himself, but of course Asami heard it anyway.
"And don't be such an uptight prig. Back in the old days, you used to be more fun."
Oh, yes, Asami-sama had been drinking for a while.
Kirishima spared a moment's thought for the boy. Likely, he was passed out in the bedroom. He didn't even want to speculate as to his condition. His fingers closed around a tumbler, and he went with a feeling of resignation to join his boss.
Keeping his face carefully neutral, he poured himself a rather stingy amount of whiskey until Asami's lifted brow made him grudgingly add another inch to the glass. "Thank you, Asami-sama."
"Sit."
The modern chairs accenting the sofa were surprisingly comfortable when one leaned back and relaxed into them as their designer intended. However, Kirishima perched awkwardly, his back perfectly straight as he held his drink on his knees. It seemed to appease his boss, though, as he drank from his own tumbler and then picked up the cigarette that had been idling in the overflowing ashtray on the coffee table.
He blew smoke into the air before fixing Kirishima with an expectant look. "Well?"
"The arrangements have been made, Asami-sama. We were able to procure the services of an excellent free-lancer. The time table was acceptable. Of course, on such short notice the cost-"
Asami gave a dismissive flick of his wrist. "Make certain he understands neither Takaba nor any other parties are to notice his presence. I want daily reports." His hand froze in mid-motion as he was bringing the cigarette to his lips again. "They can go to you. Only notify me if you suspect unusual activity." He completed his motion, taking a deep drag and stubbing out the butt with more force than warranted.
"Of course, Sir. His credentials are the best. I'm sure there will no difficulties."
Asami grunted, not looking particularly pleased by the news. But then he rarely expressed his satisfaction overtly. Of course, in this situation he doubted their was much satisfaction to be had for anybody. He wasn't given to questioning his boss's decisions-it even made sense in the scheme of things-but he couldn't help feeling compassion for the boy he'd come to know.
"What's the matter with you?" Asami fixed him with a challenging stare. "Is that the patented Kirishima Kei disapproval I detect?"
An affronted expression took over Kirishima's features, and Asami laughed gruffly.
"Asami-sama, I have no idea what you're-"
"Bullshit." Asami tossed back the entire contents of his glass as Kirishima winced. "Oh, come now, Kei, speak freely." He shot a mocking look his direction. "Don't tell me you've gone soft over a punk kid like Takaba."
Kirishima resisted the urge to set down his glass and fold his arms across his chest in prim admonishment. He'd keep his true thoughts on exactly who had gone soft over Takaba Akihito locked up more tightly than his boss's Swiss bank accounts.
"I have carried out your orders regarding the boy exactly as you wished."
"But you think I'm being too harsh?"
This was a minefield. Where was a sudden territorial dispute or insurrection to ruthlessly put down when you needed one? Kirishima shifted uncomfortably.
"Asami-sama, I wouldn't-" Once again his boss overrode him.
"Weren't you the one muttering about what a cradle robber I was? Toying with the innocent and all that?"
Impossibly, Kirishima shot up even straighter. "Asami-sama! You know very well I never said such a thing! And," he added as an aside, "I don't mutter."
"Close enough." Asami poured more whiskey into his glass, sloshing it near to spilling as he pointed at Kirishima with the hand holding it. "You warned me of the risks of being involved with a civilian." His voice rose as he mimicked his subordinate. "'And one so young, who quite obviously doesn't understand the...scope of your lifestyle'." Asami smirked at Kirishima's consternation. "And then there was your reaction when you found out Takaba had friends on the police force."
Kirishima had the dubious pleasure of watching his boss be overtaken by what could only be called a fit of laughter. All humor had fled Asami's face, though, by the time he raised his head and met Kirishima's gaze again.
"You were right. He needs to be cut loose before he gets in too deep. I probably shouldn't have indulged myself at all, but we both know I'm a cold-hearted bastard." Asami smiled sharply and raised his glass. "Just ask Takaba, he'll definitely agree. Especially now."
Unwillingly, his eyes were drawn toward the hallway that led to Asami's bedroom. He hadn't seen the boy since their return from Hong Kong two days ago.
"How is he?"
Asami laughed darkly. "Don't ask questions you don't want to know the answers to."
Kirishima swallowed, an unpleasant sensation settling in the pit of stomach. Pity for the boy welled up once again, and more deeply repressed, for his boss. Still, this probably was for the best.
"Do you still wish me to retrieve him in the morning?"
Asami stared at his tumbler, swirling the liquid slowly. "Be here at ten."
Kirishima finally drank down his whiskey, the heat hitting his throat a welcome distraction. When he thought about what the morning would bring, for a moment, all his pity was for himself.
Asami Ryuichi was a god. It must be the literal truth-Asami Ryuichi was a god incarnate, sent down to Earth to fuck Akihito into the afterlife because he hadn't shown any signs of letting up and Akihito had shown no desire to stop him.
Akihito hadn't thought it possible that the man could prove to be even more amazing at sex than he'd already shown himself to be, but the last twenty-four hours since they'd returned to Japan had certainly shown him the naiveté of that way of thinking. He'd discovered new things about himself as well. He'd always been flexible, but the angles Asami had managed to get them both into...well, he'd wished he had a camera set up so that he could have captured the erotic composition of their sweating, tangled and thrusting bodies.
When he told Asami that, in rather less descriptive language, Asami's eyes had flared with an insatiable heat.
"You want to watch again?" His low voice had rumbled hotly in Akihito's ear, and he'd unwound their limbs until Akihito found himself riding Asami's rock-hard shaft, facing outwards toward the large mirrors that lined the inside panels of Asami's closet doors. Asami's broad hands stroked up his stomach and chest, pausing to toy with his nipples and making his back bow at the delicious torment. When his strained thighs could take it no longer, he had been tossed forward on all fours.
"See how I enter you," Asami murmured, lips at his ear again.
Turned, he could see a double image of himself in the open doors, the reflected images revealing that thick length that spread his pink pucker wide. He watched with a sense of amazement that he could take so much, and his stomach tightened with a deep, aching and sensual lust that made his eyes droop, his hips tilt to take Asami deeper. Again and again, Asami's slick cock slid into him and Akihito watched mesmerized until he looked up to see the carnal heat-the claim-in Asami's focused stare, and then he'd spilled all over the already dirty sheets with a shameless little moan once again.
And that was another thing he'd discovered. Nothing was too embarrassing or too dirty to do with Asami, or even if it was, Asami kept on until his hot flushes and protests became even more blush-worthy sounds of surprised, helpless pleasure. Like when Asami spread his cheeks apart and pressed his tongue against his furled entrance, teasing past the tight ring as Akihito tried to squirm away; Asami laughing, tugging him back and pinning him down, his round ass thrust up and his thighs spread as that tongue fucked him to a writhing mess on the bathmat this time.
Asami had hardly let him rest. He'd been flipped from back to stomach and back again to be explored at leisure, and with a slow patience that Akihito found so very hard to endure, Asami explored every bit of flesh that Akihito possessed. Fingers or lips or tongue left him wet, sticky, and tingling. Not even the skin between his toes, the back of his knees, the knobs of his spine were spared. He'd cleaned the residue of Akihito's come from his belly with own tongue, saving his cock for last, then finally licked him-never once taking him inside his mouth-to another vision-whitening climax.
Akihito had lost count as to how many there had been. He only knew that always there were soothing touches, soft kisses, fingers in his hair afterwards, low indistinct murmurs that weren't real words, but that brought Akihito even further into the sensual cocoon that Asami had spun around them.
Finally, he had fallen into an exhausted slumber on top of Asami, his cheek pressed against the strong beat of Asami's heart. He didn't stir when Asami settled him on a pillow and pulled the covers up to his chin, fingers ruffling through his hair before Asami moved off the bed and out into the main room to make a call.
Whatever dreams he had were untroubled, for Asami returned soon and pulled Akihito back into the warmth of his embrace, his larger form spooning around the worn out boy. Eventually, sleep came to Asami as well.
Asami stood at the window, watching the sun set. It threw a rosy-orange glow across the tall buildings that rose up to meet the sky. This must be how Akihito always saw the world. He gave a soft snort.
A soft patter of feet sounded behind him, but he didn't let on that he was aware of Akihito's presence until the boy had wrapped his arms around his waist and nuzzled his face against his back. From the feel of it, he'd only bothered to put on a pair of boxers.
"Ryuichi." Akihito's voice was still thick and sleepy. "What time is it?"
"Close to eight thirty."
Akihito yawned hugely, his hot breath heating Asami's skin through the fabric of his bathrobe.
"I'm starving."
Asami chuckled.
"There's food on the table."
He watched with amusement how quickly Akihito perked up, making a beeline for the dining room table. One last meal for the condemned man. His smile faded with the thought.
"Aren't you gonna eat?"
"I had something earlier."
"Ooh! This looks great!"
Akihito began piling food onto his plate, then grabbed a pair of chopsticks when he was satisfied, coming over to hover close by, taking pleasure in the view and Asami's nearness as he ate standing up.
Asami only listened with half an ear as Akihito chattered about his happiness to be back in Japan. His eyes were too occupied with watching the always evocative play of expression over Akihito's open face. Unable to fight the compulsion, he reached to run his fingers through the tousled hair that tumbled over Akihito's eyes.
A bright, warm smile was offered in return, and his thumb slid down the side of Akihito's face then brushed over that full, inviting bottom lip. The palest pink colored the boy's cheekbones as his mouth parted slightly in unconscious invitation. He still hadn't the faintest idea how tempting he was, nor how vulnerable.
Abruptly, Asami stepped away, reaching for a cigarette and lighting it for himself as Akihito continued to eat, those always inquisitive eyes watching him curiously. For once, Akihito stayed silent, making quick work of his dinner, then padding into the kitchen for a drink of water.
There was no sense in prolonging this any longer, but Asami took a seat on the sofa, reclining casually as he watched Akihito emerge from the kitchen and approach him with a shy determination. The boy climbed onto his lap, twining his hands behind his neck as he pressed their foreheads together.
"I haven't properly thanked you yet." Akihito's eyelashes swept down as a warm blush spread over his cheeks. "For coming to get me."
Every time Akihito showed such a face it made Asami want to hold the boy down and claim him all over again, while simultaneously evoking all of his most protective instincts.
However, "No thanks are necessary," was his cool, seemingly unaffected reply.
Akihito wouldn't have it, though. He leaned back, his hands slipping down to rest on Asami's shoulders as he met Asami's gaze with a raw sincerity of emotion that created a totally undesired quickening of his pulse. No outer sign betrayed his inner conflict. He regarded Akihito impassively, though his hands traveled of their own will to settle on Akihito's hips.
"Yes, they are." Akihito insisted with that same shy but determined persistence.
The expression in his eyes, when they flickered to meet Asami's, was earnest and warm and staggeringly open, the message in them perfectly clear. The rapid surge of thick blood in his own chest took Asami by surprise. His fingers clenched involuntarily around Akihito's hips, though he didn't seem to notice.
"I...I was so happy when I saw you. You have no idea. So...thank you." Akihito bit his lip, his gaze lowering for just a moment as he visibly gathered himself together.
That double-speed surge of blood made Asami's chest throb again. He knew what was coming before the boy's mouth parted, his hand already coming up to cradle the base of the boy's skull as he began to speak. This, he would not-could not-allow. For the boy's sake, he told himself.
"Ryuichi, I...I l-"
Their mouths crushed together as Asami forced them into a close embrace, Akihito's surprised cry muffled by the inescapable violence of the kiss. It took only a moment for him to melt into it, surrendering to the brutal domination with an willingness that was seductively erotic. At that moment, Asami almost hated how Akihito answered to his every taste and desire. Why was it this boy who seemed so perfectly made for him?
It was only due to his years of practicing ruthless control that he was able to shut down the insidious and dangerous thoughts that would interfere with what he needed to do. Instead, he embraced that within him which always allowed him to overcome whatever opposition stood in his way.
"If you want to thank you me, I'll take it out of your body."
His fingers slipped under the edge of Akihito's tight boxers, meeting in the middle and ripping though the fabric with swift ferocity. Akihito's shocked gasp hit his ears like a shockwave, flooding his body with adrenaline and loosing that side of him he'd kept carefully separated, for the most part, from his innocent young lover. Since this had to be done, he would do it right, but only enough that the message would sink in. He had no desire to permanently traumatize Akihito. It would defeat the whole purpose of his efforts.
He balled the fabric in his hands and pushed it past Akihito's parted lips until all of it was stuffed inside, ignoring the widened eyes, and grabbing his wrists before Akihito could reach up to remove the offending article. Easily, he flipped Akihito onto his stomach and bound his wrists behind his back, using his own robe's tie.
For a moment, the boys hands twisted frantically above his rounded ass, his whole body writhing enticingly beneath Asami's gaze. Seeing Akihito so helpless, so vulnerable, laid the match to the fuse. Arousal sparked and grew within him, and he fanned the flames himself by tugging Akihito's hips up so that his face was pressed against the leather of the couch.
"What a view," he said of the lewd display. His finger trailed down the crack of Akihito's ass, probing the tender, raised flesh between those perfectly-shaped cheeks. "You're very swollen here. Burning." The finger pushed inside. "Even though I opened you up so well, and so many times, your flesh still clings to me, sucks me deeper. Your greedy body always wants more, doesn't it Akihito?" He chuckled darkly. "Oh, the things I could do to such an eager little thing like you."
The muffled noises Akihito made trying to speak past the makeshift gag lit his eyes with dark amusement, until Akihito managed to turn his face and work the wadded up material out of his mouth with his tongue.
"If it's you, then..." Akihito began hoarsely, then audibly swallowed, licking his dry lips. "Then it's all right."
This sudden test to his self-control was almost more than Asami could withstand. As it was, he reached for Akihito, the grasp cruelly tight on his arms as he lifted him and flipped him over. He wanted to leave marks-finger-shaped bruises-that would be a lesson to Akihito-And, a deeper, more honest voice within him spoke, to mark him so thoroughly Akihito would never forget his touch.
The boy's bound hands at his lower back made his hips rise up in a wanton display. His cock, fully erect, jutted up, arcing toward Asami as the cushion dipped from his weight. A manicured fingernail grazed down the length of it, and Akihito shuddered.
"I lost a bet with Kirishima over you."
"Wh-what?" Akihito's glazed eyes tried to focus on him.
"Hn. Yes, I told him that you were harmless, but he assured me you would eventually cause trouble one way or another."
A frown drew Akihito's eyebrows down. "Trouble? Do you mean what happened with..?" He sucked in a breath as Asami's trailed down to cup his balls, massaging and rolling them between his fingers. "...ahh...with Feilong?"
"Yes. Feilong." Asami smiled contemplatively. "Perhaps he had the right idea. A cage would keep you out of trouble."
"What?" Akihito's eyes went round.
"You don't like the idea?" Asami's other hand went up to circle Akihito's throat. "I could get you a pretty little collar and a leash to match. Wouldn't you like that? You're my pet, after all."
Outrage sparked in Akihito's eyes. "I'm not your pet!"
"Aren't you?"
A flicker of uncertainty made Akihito's expression waver.
"Now that you've gotten a real glimpse of my world, there's really no need to keep it hidden any longer. You wanted to know all about me, right?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, it was fun letting you have your way. You amused me. But now it's time for you to learn your place."
To emphasize his point, he took Akihito's erection in hand and gave it a lazy stroke.
"W-wait." Akihito gasped. "I-I don't understand. Stop it, Ryuichi."
"Is that what you said to Feilong?" The fingers around Akihito's throat flexed, and his Adam's apple bobbed under Asami's firm grip. "Is that how you convinced him not to rape you? Did you beg him? Give him pretty tears?"
"How-how did you know he..."
Asami laughed shortly. "What do you expect happens to tempting little treats like you when they fall into the wrong hands? You were lucky with Feilong. He was soft on you." He bent to Akihito's ear, licking inside before murmuring, "Others won't be so soft, I can promise you. I wouldn't have been."
"Why are you saying these things? I don't believe you!" That defiant little chin came up. "You wouldn't have! You wouldn't do something like that."
Asami's voice was cold. "You have no idea what I'm capable of." He pumped Akihito's shaft roughly, and Akihito hissed a breath, hips arcing up in response. "You really don't understand, do you? Feilong raping you would have been the least of your worries. How would you like to be sold off to the highest bidder? You could have disappeared forever, become the toy of someone who sees you as only a piece of meat to be used hard until you were broken or they were bored. If you survived that, you'd be passed on again and again, or, if you were very lucky, put down."
It gave him no sense of pleasure to watch Akihito's face pale, to see a sick sort of realization and fear shadow the boy's eyes, but he didn't let that stop his smile of grim satisfaction. "So you do begin to understand."
"Is...is that why you're acting like this. You're...worried for me?" Akihito's eyes softened, and Asami cursed to himself. This was not how it was supposed to go. "Don't, Ryuichi. You don't have to worry. I can look out for myself, and I'm sorry that-"
If he had to listen to Akihito apologize for something that wasn't his fault on top of everything else...
His fingers closed around Akihito's throat, making him cough helplessly, his slender body writhing until he released the pressure. Akihito stared at him, shocked, eyes huge and watery with unshed tears.
"It seems you need a better lesson."
Asami stood abruptly, leaving Akihito sprawled across the sofa, gasping for air. He moved to the end table where earlier he'd left his gun. Akihito's eyes widened as he saw it.
"R-Ryuichi..."
"You researched me, didn't you? Are you really so surprised by this?"
His knees dipped down on either side of Akihito and the gun barrel slowly traced down the planes of Akihito's face.
"D-don't." Akihito was absolutely white now, his eyes so enormous, Asami could see nothing but the hurt and fright and the welling tears that began to seep out and trickle down his cheeks.
Cold metal pressed against trembling lips.
"Open up, Akihito," Asami said cajolingly.
Lips pressed together and Akihito slowly shook his head from side to side.
"No?" A slow smirk spread over Asami's face. He lifted the gun, pointed it at the far wall and pulled the trigger. A cry wrenched from Akihito as his body jerked in shock. More tears fell and he stared up at Asami in silent entreaty, his chest rising up and down in rapid heaves.
He had to force himself not to look away from that pleading gaze. Steeling himself, he lowered the gun again to Akihito's lips. "Get it wet."
A shudder wracked Akihito's body, but he parted his lips, letting Asami push the gun inside. Tentatively, his tongue licked at the metal, his breath hitching as he did as he was told.
Asami ignored the burning sensation in his chest as he watched Akihito's cheeks hollow around the barrel. When the boy began to sob in earnest, he removed the gun, and stared down at him, his own features locked into an icy impassivity.
"Are...are you mad? Is...is that why?" Akihito asked through his tears, desperately reaching for any solace. "Because I really am sorry that you had to go to all that trouble for me. I...I-"
"Shh...I'm not angry. It's true, I did expend a lot of time and effort to retrieve you." He cupped Akihito's cheek, his insides twisting at the involuntary flinch his touch caused. "But this...it's simply because I can."
The gun landed gently on Akihito's sternum, and Asami drew it down, dipping into his navel before going even lower, past his now softened cock.
"You can make it all up to me now."
He spread Akihito's thighs, a knee raising the right leg and his free hand pushing the left leg up to expose Akihito fully. The barrel, shiny with Akihito's saliva, pressed against the swollen ring of muscle.
"Please, Ryuichi...don't do this." The vulnerability in Akihito's broken voice made him falter, though he didn't let it show.
"What would you have me do, then?"
"You...please, Ryuichi, I want you. Not...not the gun...please..."
His eyes narrowed, Akihito's beseeching gaze affecting him more than he could allow himself to admit. Still, he tossed the gun on the table and yanked Akihito up by the arms.
"Then let's see if you can give me my money's worth."
His beltless robe fell open as he tossed Akihito over the arm of the couch. He shrugged it off and spread Akihito's cheeks wide, plunging inside without preparation. Akihito didn't complain, though a series of low, muffled cries escaped him as Asami took him with brutal speed.
Every sound tore through Asami, flaying away the pretense of his own indifference. Feverishly, his hands moved over the fine, flushed skin displayed before him. He bent forward, determined to feel and to taste and to breathe in all of Akihito.
Akihito's scent rose up to fill his nostrils: sweat and fear and desire. His fingers slid over hardened nubs, pinching the tender flesh for the pleasure of Akihito's erotic moans and the jerk of his tightly-wound body. Down the flat belly, his palm slid, finding Akihito hard and hot for him, sending a fierce wave of possessive satisfaction that even in such conditions, his Akihito could not but want him.
"Ryuichi..." the sweet voice moaned as he worked Akihito to fever pitch of pleasure. He let the boy come, watching his shuddering form go limp over the arm of the sofa, while ruthlessly holding back his own climax.
He pulled free, eliciting another moan from Akihito, and picked him up. Dazed eyes stared up at him, uncomprehending, as Akihito licked his dry lips, his eyelids fluttering.
"You didn't think we were done, did you? I'll make full use of you all night."
Those eyes opened wide then, but instead of the recrimination Asami expected, they held only acceptance.
"If it's you..."
Those words again, spoken in Akihito's hoarse, whispered voice.
Very well, they would see how long those words would survive.
Akihito woke up disoriented and very sore. Something niggled at the back of his mind, but he couldn't think past the thick fog in his mind. He was in Asami's bed.
They had done it so many times, and then...things had gone strange. Asami had been angry. No...he said he wasn't angry, but Akihito hadn't believed him. He was obviously upset, and it had to be because of what had happened with Feilong. He had caused him so much trouble and...
Akihito winced as he pushed up to a sitting position, all the aches and pains in his body screaming for attention. Everything came back to him in a rush; the cruel words, the gun, the almost-stranger Asami had become, who had used him so coldly. But...Asami had given pleasure too, his body belying his cold words. Akihito didn't know what to believe.
"Kirishima will be here soon to take you home." Akihito startled at Asami's unexpected appearance in the doorway. "You should shower now if you plan on having one."
"What?" Akihito stared up at Asami, who was already dressed and immaculate in one of his expensive suits. "Kirishima?""
A smirk lifted one corner of Asami's mouth. "Yes, Kirishima. I know I put you through your paces last night, but your ears should still be in good working order."
Akihito stammered. "I-I don't understand. Wh-"
"Are we going through this again? I thought I made myself clear last night, but it seems you need things spelled out for you." Asami sighed, coming forward to sit on the edge of the bed next to Akihito. "Very well, we had fun, didn't we? I'll admit that, but it's over now."
"Over?" Akihito's lips shaped the word, but his mind could barely grasp it. He stared. "But..."
"But?" Asami waited, and when no response was forthcoming, he smiled. "What? Did you think it was something more?"
The look of amusement on Asami's face, faintly mocking, was too much to bear. An agonizing stab of pain ripped through Akihito's chest.
"This...this doesn't make sense. You don't mean it!"
Now Asami looked bored. "I assure you that I do."
"Why? Why did you come for me then?" Akihito cried.
"Because I don't let anyone take what belongs to me. Feilong needed to be taught that."
"But this...you...you've got to be lying."
Asami coolly regarded Akihito's devastated gaze.
"What were you expecting? Something more than a casual thing? Did I ever promise you more?"
"N-no...but..." Akihito struggled to speak, his pained expression seeming to make Asami even more impatient.
"You've become a liability. It's time to cut you loose. I will miss you, no doubt. You were very convenient." Another thin smirk appeared. "Are you going to cry?"
"B-bastard." Akihito averted his eyes, blinking back the sting of tears that had indeed welled up uncontrollably.
Asami laughed. "You are cute. If you're ever in need of cash, I can get you a job hosting at one my clubs. I'm sure you'd bring in a lot. But you'd better learn to separate feelings from fucking before then."
With a wild cry, Akihito swung at him, though Asami caught his fist easily and jerked the boy forward until he was held in a deceptively intimate embrace.
"You said I was yours," Akihito said defiantly. "You said that."
Asami gave a regal nod of acknowledgement. "So I did. And what is mine I can dispose of when and as I wish." He reached up and brushed a wayward lock of hair from Akihito's eyes. "Don't think I didn't enjoy you. It was a pleasure for both of us, wasn't it? But pleasures go stale. You were amusing for a time, but now..." Asami shrugged. "It's time to move on. I hope you won't be tiresome about it. That's always such a bore."
Akihito wrenched away from Asami's hold, turning his back on the man as he shut his eyes tightly, trying to hold onto his last shred of control as the tears spilled down his cheeks.
"Get out. Get out, then, and let me get dressed and then you won't ever have to see me again."
"That's a good boy." Asami's patronizing reply was punctuated by a ruffle of fingers through Akihito's hair. "One final word of advice, though." Unyielding fingers gripped his chin and tilted it to meet Asami's hard eyes. "Stay away from me and from anything to do with my world. Others won't be so kind to nosy stray cats if they wander too close. You might find yourself falling down a hole you can't escape from."
Akihito ground the heels of his hands into his eyes as Asami walked away. He felt as if a giant fist had reached inside his chest and squeezed, but he waited for the door to shut before he collapsed, curling into a tight ball and sobbing into his knees.
Kirishima almost cringed when Akihito came into the main room not long after he arrived. His eyes were red and puffy, though they were dry, his cheeks were pale, and he was walking stiffly, obviously in significant discomfort. But he held his head high and met Kirishima's gaze steadily.
"I don't need a ride."
He kept walking toward the door, but Asami's voice halted him.
"You will take the ride."
Akihito stopped, though he didn't look at Asami. "I'll do as I please."
Kirishima winced.
Asami laughed. "You're a slow learner. If you need another lesson before I let you go..."
Akihito spun around, fixing Asami with a fierce glare. "Don't you touch me."
"What? Not even a goodbye kiss?"
For a moment, Kirishima thought the boy would explode, into tears, into curses, into violence, but then he did something even more shocking. He stalked toward Asami, who watched him come, one eyebrow lifted in curious amusement, jerked him down by the lapels of his jacket, and pulled him into a startlingly aggressive kiss.
Neither one of them closed their eyes or backed down as their mouths worked together, his boss allowing, even encouraging, the unexpected behavior. He averted his eyes, uncomfortable witnessing such a moment, but a moment later, a hiss brought his eyes back, and Kirishima saw blood welling up from Asami's bottom lip.
Akihito stood his ground. "It's your loss, Asami Ryuichi. Fuck you if you think I'm going to cry over you ever again."
He stalked to the door again, not looking back, so it was only Kirishima who saw the look of pride that flared in his boss's eyes. A flick of those eyes sent Kirishima hurrying after Akihito.
"Takaba-kun. Please wait."
Akihito ignored him, punching the elevator button and staring straight ahead.
"Akihito..."
"Go away. I'm not letting you drive me home."
"Suoh is downstairs. If you don't go along, he'll simply make you."
"Shit!" Akihito's fist slammed against the side of the elevator. "Why can't you assholes just leave me alone already? What difference does it make now?"
"Asami-sama wants-"
"I don't give a fuck what Asami-sama wants." Akihito's voice wavered, and he took a deep shuddering breath before shaking his head. "You know what? Fine. Let's just get this over with."
He allowed himself to be led to the limo, though Kirishima saw at once that the sight of it hit the boy hard. It was no wonder considering half of what had gone on within it. He should have had the foresight to have chosen a different vehicle, but it was too late now for a reversal.
Akihito climbed in without further protest, Kirishima following, and Suoh pulled out into the morning Tokyo streets. The boy's bravado lasted all of two blocks before his angry face crumpled and a flood of silent tears wracked his trembling body.
It didn't stop him from hissing at Kirishima, "Don't you dare...don't you dare tell him about this."
Looking into those hurt, betrayed eyes, Kirishima couldn't do anything but promise.