Rating: NC-17
Author's Note: Almost to the end! P.S. For those worried about fic deletions here on FFN, you can always find my full body of work on livejournal and archiveofourown. I'm eprime everywhere. My FFN profile also has the full link to those sites.
"There is always some madness in love. But there is also always some reason in madness." -Friedrich Nietzsche
The sound of the approaching sirens and the loud thrum of the idling bike were muted by the rising blood in Akihito's ears and the erratic thump thump thump of his heartbeat. He could feel it, batting like a crazed, caged bird against his ribcage. It wouldn't surprise him if it burst right through his chest cavity in a moment, just like out of a scene from some gory alien flick.
Damn, Asami looked good. He looked better than good. He looked like a modern God paying an impromptu visit to the insignificant mortal realm to grace the lesser beings with his presence. He looked like sex on wheels.
All Akihito could do was stare while his body began to heat with the fire Asami always kindled in him. Asami was watching him just as intently, those golden-brown eyes seeming to pierce right to his core. His smirk didn't waver, but it was the self-satisfied glint in Asami's eyes that broke him out of his shock, a pang of bitter emotion radiating with a sharp ache from the center of his chest.
He couldn't deny the longing just the glimpse of Asami had awakened, but he could deny himself the urge to act on it. Is this really what Asami thought of him? Did Asami really believe that all he had to do was show up and Akihito would fall at his feet? His stomach churned in acid disappointment, but he lifted his chin, struggling to make his eyes cool and fierce.
"Thanks, but I've got all my rides covered."
Asami's eyes narrowed a bit, but he lifted one perfectly-groomed brow, his smile not wavering. "Are you sure? There are witnesses to the crash and the...subsequent events. If they give your description to the police, you'll probably be taken in for questioning. Do you really want to deal with that inconvenience?"
"I didn't do anything wrong!" He spoke louder to be heard over what sounded like the entire combined forces of the Tokyo Police and Fire Departments converging one street over.
"Even if that's true, do you want to explain why you were in a car with a known mobster? Do you really want Yamazaki's name being brought into it?"
Akihito's eyes widened. "How did you know about that?"
An arrogant stare was his only answer, until Asami jerked his chin. "Get on. We can talk about this at a more appropriate location."
Torn, Akihito chewed his lip a moment longer before the increasing clamor behind him decided him. The last thing he wanted was to bring attention to Yama-san. He 'd made a mess of things already. With ill grace he swung a leg over the back of the bike, making a careful effort not to come in contact with any part of Asami. His hands stubbornly gripped the back of the seat, thumbs pressed up against the pockets of his jeans. He wasn't about to hold onto Asami for this ride.
"You can drop me off at the train station," he yelled over the sound of the revving bike.
Asami twisted around and grabbed a second helmet, pushing it into Akihito's hands. "Put this on."
He pulled his own helmet on, looked over his shoulder again, face hidden by the dark visor, until Akihito had secured his and was tightly clutching the seat again. With a sharp nod, Asami turned back and eased back onto the street. It wasn't until a few blocks later that Asami took a corner, then opened up the bike with an unexpected jolt that made Akihito yelp and jerk forward to cling to Asami as though his life depended upon it.
Of course, it really did. The bastard didn't relent, taking corners at crazy speeds, weaving in and out of traffic like he'd been born on a bike. Somehow, Akihito knew very well it wasn't some effort to make a clean getaway. Asami was just playing games again, manipulating Akihito into exactly the position he wanted him.
He was fuming so much, while at the same time, not able to help taking deep inhales of the scent of leather and the more familiar scent of expensive cigarettes and Asami's cologne, as his face tucked against the broad shoulders in front of him. It took several minutes before it hit him that Asami had long passed the train station.
He was an idiot. Had he really thought Asami would make this simple? Akihito scowled, unconsciously squeezing Asami's middle with crushing force.
He felt rather than heard Asami's rich laughter, imagined the amusement curving his mouth, as his head turned. "Scared?"
The shouted word barely reached his ears. Asshole. When he got off this bike, he was going to punch Asami right in the nose.
He didn't get his chance for a while. Asami maneuvered through the busy Tokyo streets, then took them onto a highway, until they passed out of the metro area proper, and into a more sedate outlying area. By the time Asami finally turned off onto neighborhood streets again, Akihito's heart had settled down into its regular rhythm. It perked right back up again, though, when Asami pulled into a long driveway, the gate smoothly opening, seemingly of its own accord.
Asami pulled to a stop and killed the engine, allowing the bike to tilt as he kicked down the stand. Akihito was off in a heartbeat, backing away a few steps for good measure as he pulled off the helmet to glare at Asami.
"Where are we?"
Asami took his time removing his own helmet, securing it to the bike before he stood and swung his long leg over the side, then turned to face Akihito.
"A safe house I own."
"Why?"
Asami cocked his head. "I did promise you two rides, Akihito." The teasing glint in Asami's eyes ignited the slow burn Akihito had been nursing the entire ride.
"Conceited prick!" He dropped the helmet and lunged forward, swinging at Asami with reckless but less than deadly accuracy.
Asami easily caught his arm, spinning Akihito around and pulling him flush against him. Akihito struggled against the unyielding force of the arm around his middle for a moment as Asami's warm breath washed over the back of his neck. It sent a shiver down his spine.
"Take it easy."
He struggled even more frantically as an uprush of emotions made his throat constrict, a huge lump lodging there while his eyes began to sting with the telltale sign of impending tears. The mortification of losing it in front of Asami was too much to be born. He swallowed past the lump and went still and rigid, managing to grit out a few words.
"Let go of me."
His voice was tight and strained to his ears, and he flushed, hating the evidence of his weakness. Surprisingly, though, Asami let him go, and Akihito spun away again, holding his eyes wide and unblinking to stave off even the smallest shedding of a tear. His glassy-eyed stare, unbeknownst to him, caused a sharp pang of recrimination in Asami as he took in the highly vulnerable and wary cast to Akihito's expression. The humor faded from Asami's expression; his eyes softened.
"Come inside with me and we'll talk." He held out a hand toward Akihito.
"No way." Akihito shook his head. "I'm going back. My friends-" he emphasized the word forcefully, "-are waiting for me."
Asami studied him for a moment, then took a measured step forward. Akihito wanted to bolt-knew he should-but pride kept him rooted to the spot.
"It's not safe for you yet." Asami continued to approach him slowly, slipping his hands into his pockets as if to lure Akihito into a false sense of complacency. "My men are tying up loose ends now, so it won't be long. Behave and stay put a while."
Akihito's eyes widened even more. "What do you mean? You mean Shiga is going to send someone after me?"
"You don't need to worry. No one will touch you again."
"How do you know?" Akihito swallowed. "Did-did you do something?"
"It's nothing you need to concern yourself with," Asami said coolly. "I took care of business, just like I'll always take care of you."
Akihito's eyes sparked with indignation. "I don't need you to take care of me! What the hell are you even talking about anyway? You dumped me, remember?" His fists clenched at his sides. "How did you put it? Oh yeah, I was a liability. My convenience had worn off. The pleasure had gone stale." Akihito laughed-a curt, harsh sound. "You already disposed of me, so you've got no right to bring me here and tell me what to do."
Asami's brows drew together. "Akihito-"
"No! Why are you even doing this? I want to know!"
Some tumultuous emotion darkened Asami's eyes, but he replied in the same cool voice, "I'm repaying my debt. You did tip me off about Shiga after all."
His stomach sunk. Of course, Asami had figured out it was him. He had been a fool to ever think he could handle this mess he'd landed in. He'd been a fool to even try to help that bastard in the first place. More upsetting-what really hurt-was the cold logic of that reply. Disappointment made his eyes well again, and he shook his head angrily, willing the moisture away.
"Fine. You paid me back by getting me away from that scene back there. We're even."
He turned and stalked away. The gate was sure to be locked, but he had no doubt he could scale it easily. For sure, he wasn't staying here one second longer than necessary.
He didn't get three steps before Asami's iron grip circled his upper arm.
"Wait."
Relentless hands pulled him around, and Akihito struggled to compose himself, treating Asami to the full force of his glare as he spit out, "What do you want?"
"You."
Asami's mouth claimed his with a searing pressure that parted Akihito's lips and sealed them together as their tongues met and danced, the first silky touch igniting both Akihito's memories and his body. Nothing mattered but this feeling even as he was crushed to Asami's chest, his blood crying for air while the kiss battered his lips and senses.
He didn't notice they were moving until his back hit the high garden wall, trailing ivy scratching at his ears. Asami's mouth never left his, never gave him a chance to protest, if any such desire existed. A warm hand slid up his shirt and another followed, baring Akihito's torso and making him writhe and gasp into Asami's devouring mouth.
His own hands came up to tangle in Asami's hair, pulling those lips closer while his body strained higher to meet him. When Asami's muscled thigh slipped between his legs and pressed, Akihito groaned helplessly, feeling Asami's fingers dig deeply into his flesh in response.
In a heartbeat, Asami was on his knees and Akihito's jeans were undone, his own mouth open to take in great gulping drinks of air, and Asami's hot, wicked mouth was sucking his cock with a focused intent certain to make him come with embarrassing speed. Oh God, but it was so good, and it had been so long. Akihito's head thudded against the wall, his eyes rolling back as Asami's fingers gripped his ass and shoved his hips forward, taking Akihito in to the hilt, his throat milking a body shaking orgasm from Akihito's feverish body.
Akihito cried out, his thighs trembling as the waves of pleasure rippled through him. His jeans and briefs were tugged down his legs, one sneaker pulled off and tossed away to free his right leg, and then wet, sticky fingers were testing his tight hole. He whimpered as the first one slid in, working him open slowly.
Asami's other hand gripped his hip, holding him in place against the wall. "Shh..." Asami soothed, lips against the hollow of Akihito's hip. "Let me in." His voice belied his calm, though; the rough, strained edge to it showing the fraying restraints on his control.
The ill concealed desire made Akihito shiver and his hands clutched at Asami's shoulders as he spread his legs wider. The pumping fingers coaxed him open, teased him until he almost couldn't take it.
"A-Asami..."
That was all he needed. Asami rose, turning Akihito toward the wall, his hands traveling down Akihito's back as he braced himself with spread palms. Akihito's cheeks were cupped and spread, and Asami pressed the blunt head of his cock past the resistant opening. They both groaned when he gave a sharp, shallow push and slid deeper.
Akihito's hips rocked with Asami's measured thrusts, his own cock wrapped in Asami's grip and brought back to life with achingly slow strokes that soon built to a furious tempo, as if Asami, rarely in anything but complete control, couldn't restrain his own need to spill inside of Akihito's tight ass.
Akihito reveled in that knowledge, responding to that loss of control with an even greater abandon of his own. He came again, moaning, his fingers twining in the hanging vines, and Asami succumbed to the sweet, rhythmic tightening around his cock as Akihito rode out his pleasure. They both collapsed; Akihito against the ivy-covered wall, and Asami against him.
Asami's arm circled his waist, supporting Akihito until the shakiness in his legs subsided. His face buried itself in Akihito's hair, lips pressing against the nape of his neck. Akihito closed his eyes and willed his breathing to stabilize.
When Asami finally stepped back, Akihito bent and slipped his briefs and jeans back on, pulling them up and fastening them without looking at Asami. He looked around for his shoe and spotted it in a low clump of shrubbery a few feet away.
"What are you doing?"
"Getting my shoe." He dared a quick look at Asami then, who was frowning at him, that line between his forehead again. Akihito pulled the shoe on without untying it, hopping on one foot to get it over his heel. "So...yeah. I'm just gonna..." He gestured toward the front gate.
An eyebrow raised. "You're leaving?" The faint note of disbelief in Asami's voice gave Akihito a great deal of pleasure.
Instead of letting it show, he squared his shoulders and met Asami's gaze coolly. "What? Did you think this meant something?" The smirk he sent Asami should have been immediately recognizable. Akihito would have been thrilled to know for certain Asami found it as irritating as he hoped. "You should learn to separate feelings from fucking."
That caused a reaction.
Asami's eyes narrowed. In fact, he looked positively, inelegantly, pissed off. "Stop throwing my words back at me. It's annoying."
"They're the truth aren't they?"
Instead of provoking Asami to anger, his last jibe smoothed Asami's features. "You seem to have dwelled on my words a great deal, Akihito. Did you miss me that much?"
Akihito's heart clenched. "You're crazy if you think I missed someone who told me how worthless I am."
Asami's expression flickered. "I never said that."
"That's exactly what you were saying." Akihito shook his head and began to walk away.
"Wait."
Akihito ignored him and kept walking.
"I lied." The sound of footsteps followed him. "I didn't mean any of what I told you. It wasn't true."
Akihito paused, but he didn't look around. "Then why did you say it? If you wanted to break up with me, then you could have just said so. You didn't have to be so..."
"Cruel?" Asami came up close behind him. Akihito could feel the heat of his body, but Asami didn't touch him. "I had to be. I had to be sure you stayed away."
"Why?" The question came out more plaintive than Akihito cared for. He clenched his fists, feeling the nails dig into his palm.
"Because it was safer for you. I didn't want you to be hurt again. What I said could happen to you was true." Asami sighed. "But what I said about you-that I was bored, that you were convenient-all those things were lies. It was the best way to protect you."
Akihito spun around, pinning Asami with a furious gaze. "That was my decision to make!"
"You didn't know what you were getting into." A small, rueful smile turned up Asami's mouth. "You still don't."
"Whatever! You still can't make decisions for me!"
"You're just a kid when it comes to my world."
"Oh, but I'm good enough to fuck? At least for a while," Akihito added bitterly.
"I probably am a cradle robber," Asami admitted with a self-deprecating smirk. "But it's your fault for seducing me with those eyes of yours."
A flush swept across Akihito's cheeks, and he hastily averted his gaze. "Idiot! I didn't do anything like that!"
"Oh, but you did. You do." Fingers grasped his chin and brought Akihito's face up to meet Asami's gently teasing expression.
"A-Asami. Stop playing games with me." Akihito appealed to him with words and an unknowingly vulnerable cast to his features. "It...it really hurt a lot...what you did." Asami's eyes softened again, his face shadowing with something that almost looked like guilt. "Just..." Akihito took a deep, trembling breath. "Just let me leave now. I've moved on, and-"
"No." The forceful word made Akihito's fly wide in surprise.
"You're not going anywhere, and I don't believe for a moment you've moved on. The way you gave yourself to me-came for me-not two minutes ago disputes that."
Going red again, Akihito jerked his chin out of Asami's grasp. "You said it before? Sex is just sex. No big deal."
"Is that so? Is that how it is between you and Wakai?"
Akihito sucked in a startled breath. "That's none of your business?"
Asami laughed darkly. "There's where you're wrong, Akihito. I've reclaimed you, and I won't share you with anyone."
"Fuck you! I told you already, you can't make decisions for me!"
"Then choose. Who do you want to be with? Him?" Asami bent over him, brushing a thumb along Akihito's full lower lip. "Or me?"
Akihito glared, ignoring the way Asami's touch made him shiver. "Hirosuke is a better boyfriend than you times about a million!"
"But can he kiss you like I do?" Asami murmured, his lips capturing Akihito's once again, slowly savoring this time the soft plushness of his mouth.
Akihito blinked as he pulled away. "You-" He opened his eyes wide and stared up at Asami. "You're jealous.
Asami's expression closed over and Akihito laughed. "You're actually jealous." He had to resist the urge to do a dance of exultation around the man whose aura was rapidly growing darker.
"Don't be juvenile." A cigarette appeared while a large grin spread over Akihito's face.
"You are" A stream of smoke blew toward him in reply. Gleefully, Akihito added. "That's why you showed up on a bike, isn't it?" He laughed again. Wow, his plan to fuck with Asami by throwing off the men tailing him at Wakai's place had really worked. "You were trying to show him up, or-"
"I have no need to try to do anything of the sort."
Akihito just laughed again at the arrogant assertion. "You were jealous. Admit it."
Impassively, Asami took another drag, then flicked his cigarette away before tugging Akihito forward by the front of his shirt. "Do I have a reason to be, brat?"
"Well, I did spend the night with him," Akihito taunted. "But you already know that, don't you?"
"Ah, so you did notice my men."
"You think I'm blind or something?"
"Or something," Asami agreed, a hint of amusement beginning to flicker in his eyes. "He hasn't touched you, has he?" A snort showed his opinion of the man. "If I were in his position, I would have taken you while I had the chance and never let you go."
"Yeah, well, Hirosuke isn't an asshole," Akihito growled. "Don't you dare talk about him."
"Then answer the question. What is he to you?"
It was tempting to keep teasing Asami, but Akihito had some things of his own he wanted Asami to admit.
"He's been a really good friend to me the past few months," Akihito said evenly, trying not to let it show in his face just how much he'd needed to feel like he mattered to someone.
Even so, he must not have a done a good job because Asami's hand came up and cupped his cheek. His thumb tenderly traced the line of Akihito's cheekbone, and Akihito couldn't help but lean into it a litte. But then the asshole smirked.
"I knew all along you weren't with him."
Akihito bristled again. "Liar! You so thought I was."
The amusement faded out of Asami face. "I'm grateful to him."
"Wh-what?"
"I'm sorry." Akihito's heart skipped a beat. "I thought I was doing what was best for you at the time, but...I was wrong." Asami actually was apologizing? The already crumbling remains of the hastily thrown up defenses he'd tried to muster against Asami dissolved even further. Then the bastard had to go and ruin it again. "I see now that you'll get yourself into trouble no matter what. You definitely need someone to look after you if you intend to reach your next birthday in one piece."
He batted Asami's hand away and turned to hide the fresh wave of hurt the flippant words caused him. "I can take care of myself, so don't trouble yourself."
"Akihito-" Akihito's sneakers began crunching over the gravel. Asami's voice had definitely lost its cool. "I've told you I won't let you leave. I apologized for how I handled things before. I can assure you such a thing doesn't happen often."
Akihito spun around and threw his hands up in the air. "Oooh, big fucking deal. The high and mighty Asami Ryuichi apologized to a nobody like me!"
Asami glowered. "I didn't say-"
"So, what? I'm supposed to fall at your feet now and be grateful that you're having a slow month and need a convenient fuck again?"
A muscle in Asami's jaw jumped. "That's not-"
"Well, you've had your fuck, so you can go back to forgetting I exist. That's what I intend to do with you!"
"Be honest, Akihito," Asami snapped. "You can't forget me, and I never forgot you. And you know that you're not just a fuck." Asami strode forward angrily and jerked Akihito toward him again. "What else do you want me to say?"
"Why don't you be honest, Ryuichi? Why are you really here?" Asami opened his mouth, but Akihito interrupted. "And don't give me that bullshit about paying back a debt or keeping me out of trouble."
"That wasn't bullshit. Your loyalty deserved repayment, and you did need saving."
Stubborn son of a-Akihito narrowed his eyes. "It wasn't loyalty! I just didn't want you to get hurt, and I didn't do it to be repaid."
"It doesn't matter what you expected. It was necessary."
"Fine," Akihito said through clenched teeth. "You've paid your debt. If that's the only reason you're here, why are we still talking?"
Asami gave him a rough shake. "Stop being so difficult. I know that's like asking you not to breathe, but you know full well that's not the only reason I'm here. I've already stated that I want you back at my side."
"Oh? You've stated?" With a sudden rush of frustration and fury, Akihito broke free and swung at Asami before he even realized what he was doing. No one was more surprised than he was when his fist actually connected. For a moment, Asami looked almost comically surprised until his eyes narrowed dangerously. Akihito began to backpedal, Asami slowly stalking him until he fetched up against the driveway gate. Akihito watched him warily, but again, a fierce anger and underlying hurt welled up. "Why, Ryuichi? Why do you want me back?"
Asami's face contorted, irritation and anger and something elusive Akihito couldn't quite decipher, transforming his usually composed features into something rather lost. "Because..."
The inelegant response made Akihito's mouth fall open. Asami's dark glower deepened.
"Because?" Akihito repeated with faint wonder. The ridiculousness of the response, of the entire situation, became too much. Akihito began to giggle. "Because?"
"Akihito," Asami growled, a warning implicit in his voice.
But Akihito just laughed harder, his mood suddenly lifting as his shoulders shook with the force of his mirth. "You can't even say it, can you?" He straightened up and stepped right up to Asami, his index finger poking into the center of his chest. "So big and tough and scary, but you can't say something so simple."
Those golden eyes spoke bloody murder now, but Akihito smiled sunnily right into the black storm cloud that faced him. "I'll say it for you, then, okay? I'll say just why you came to get me in Hong Kong, and why you pushed me away, even though that was completely stupid, and why you've been having people tailing me, and why you came for me in this leather jacket..." Akihito flicked his fingers against the thick material to hear the sharp snap. "...On that big bike. Swooping in like-" Akihito broke off and blushed. No way was he comparing Asami to a God out loud. He'd never hear the end of it. "Well, like you did."
Asami opened his mouth again, his eyebrow raising as fingertips pressed against his lips.
"Shh..." Akihito rose on his tiptoes to whisper against his ear. "You. Love. Me." He dropped back to his heels and smiled up into the now blank face, watching expectantly. Asami did nothing, said nothing, so Akihito grinned and sing-songed, "You love me. You love me." He threw back his head and shouted. "Asami Ryuichi loves me!"
A split second later, he found himself tossed over Asami's shoulder, enjoying the view of the driveway from a new perspective. The foyer floor was equally interesting from this angle and they progressed rapidly through the house into the bedroom where Akihito was flung on the bed and immediately covered by Asami's solid weight.
"I haven't said I'd take you back, you know?"
The cheeky words only provoked a look that made Akihito's stomach do a slow roll.
"Then allow me to convince you."
Akihito's skin pebbled as Asami's tongue and teeth became reacquainted with the sensitive spot at the base of his throat. He fought back a moan and struggled a bit just for show as Asami began to efficiently strip the clothes from his body. Shit, he really was way too easy, Akihito berated himself, his thighs spreading willingly when Asami moved between them, his fucking fantastic body revealed in all its glory.
"I think you should do a lot more begging." The small pout made Asami smile wickedly.
"Oh, there will definitely be a lot of begging going on very soon."
Akihito gasped, Asami's fingers doing things to him that he'd almost forgotten. At least, he'd tried to forget. Several laundry baskets full of sticky boxers said otherwise.
He really didn't care if this was the right thing or not. It felt right. Nothing felt as good as being with Asami. Sure, he ran a crime syndicate, was generally an arrogant, domineering ass with severe control issues, and probably in dire need of therapy if his inability to verbalize basic emotions was any indication. It was probably crazy to be so into the jerk...but he was. He loved him. Even if he had been a major dick, treating him the way he had.
"You don't deserve me, you know," Akihito pointed out breathlessly, even as his body writhed to Asami's touch.
Asami rose up, fingertips skimming Akihito's jaw as he bent to brush a kiss over those pouting lips. "I know." His eyes acknowledged even more, meeting Akihito's with an openness he'd never seen before. The sudden constriction of his chest took away Akihito's breath entirely, and his own eyes filled up with tears.
Asami smiled tenderly, indulgently, lips finding Akihito's throat again. "Don't worry, my cute little stray, Now that I've got you back, I'll be sure to take good care of you."
Akihito stopped thinking for a long time as Asami made good on that promise.
Asami woke to the smell of his cigarettes, his eyes opening lazily to the sight of Akihito curled up against the headboard, the sheet pooled around his hips, holding the cigarette with a beginner's affectation and watching the smoke curl in the shaft of morning light that streamed through the gap in the curtains.
The light cut across Akihito's body, illuminating a section of his face and torso with a golden glow, and his lips pursed as he lifted the cigarette again and inhaled, his cheeks hollowing slightly as he breathed in the smoke.
"Those are for grownups."
Akihito turned toward the sound of his hoarse, sleepy voice and proffered a smile of aching sweetness. His heart twinged in response, making him snort derisively at himself for the sentiment, while simultaneously wondering how he had managed to go without his bright little lover for so long. He truly had been a fool.
He reached up and plucked the cigarette from Akihito's fingers, bringing it to his own lips, an indirect kiss that made Akihito blush. He was so charmingly adorable.
"Did I wake you up?"
Asami made a noise of negation and twisted to put the cigarette out in the ashtray on his bedside table. He felt Akihito's eyes on him, getting in a good stretch to allow for a nice long look before settling on his back and patting the sheet beside him invitingly.
Akihito blushed again, but he crawled down next to him and settled his head in the crook of his shoulder. Asami tucked him close, smiling secretly to feel Akihito's heart beat with flattering rapidity against his side.
"You're up early."
"I couldn't sleep."
He carded his fingers through Akihito's hair soothingly.
"Are you still worried about Shiga? That situation has been taken care of."
Akihito hesitated, then shook his head. "Not exactly, no. I just..."
"If it's Yamazaki you're thinking of, he came out of this clean."
Worried hazel eyes raised to his. "How do you know?"
"I've had my men on Yamazaki as soon as I figured out you were tailing him. I wanted to know why."
"Really?" Akihito's face flickered with emotion. He looked torn between relief and disappointment.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing...I'm really glad about Yama-san. He's a good man. Really, Ryuichi. He helped me out a lot when I was getting into trouble. He still does."
Akihito's earnest face drew Asami with irresistible force. He leaned up, brushing wayward hair back from his temple and pressing a kiss there. "He means a lot to you."
"Yeah." Akihito smiled and Asami's heart twinged again. Christ, he needed help himself. Perhaps there was a junior high school girl nearby who might have some advice for him. He shrugged mentally, and allowed himself to enjoy the sight of Akihito's happiness.
Akihito would never learn from him how close Yama-san had been to agreeing to Shiga's terms. Nor would he ever learn that Asami had taken care of the man's outstanding hospital bills and arranged for the future care of his daughter simply because he knew Akihito would never rest easy while his mentor was in straightened circumstances. Yamazaki would never tell him either. He knew what was good for him, despite his displeasure in Akihito's involvement with the likes of Asami Ryuichi.
"So why that face, then?"
"It's just that I tried to plan everything so carefully. I thought I did a really good job, but in the end, you figured everything out. Shiga came after me. I messed it all up."
"You were very clever." Akihito looked at him suspiciously, as if he expected to be mocked any moment. "I mean it. It was dangerous and insane and completely foolish of you to try and take on Shiga on your own." Akihito was scowling now. "But you were very brave. Your loyalty is admirable. And you did manage to lose the men I had watching you, only you were a little too late on that, so I was able to find you again through other means-fortunately for you, I might add."
That cute pout suffused his features briefly, but then Akihito sat up, propping up on one hand to stare down at Asami. A shy smile bloomed on his face. "Thank you for coming for me. When you called and I heard that ringtone, my heart almost stopped. But I had a feeling even before...after I saw those men. I'd hoped..."
"I'll always come for you."
A delightful, pink blush swept across Akihito's face, traveling down his neck and chest as he averted his gaze. Asami's hand came up to rest on Akihito's hip. The boy looked completely edible, and Asami knew for a fact he was. When Akihito finally met his eyes again, he immediately blushed a brighter shade of red, recognizing the lazy, morning desire he read there.
Asami amused himself by comparing this shy, blushing boy with the hot, little kitten he knew he would become in less than five minutes time. Akihito's contrasts were a huge part of his charm. Then again, everything about the boy was charming, even when he was at his most frustrating, possibly even more so then.
There was no turning back now, though the boy was right. He really didn't deserve him, not that it had ever stopped him before, nor would it now. The cheeky brat dared to tease and taunt him like no other had. He smirked remembering Akihito's audacious words on the driveway, causing Akihito to look at him questioningly. "What?"
Asami thought that even his wicked soul had turned at least six shades less black when Akihito had collapsed on top of him last night, exhausted and spent, his face tucked into Asami's neck as he offered up his own feelings in barely a whisper. "Ryuichi...I love you."
He never got tired of his name coming from that sweet-impudent little mouth. And the words he had rewarded with proof that Akihito wasn't too tired for another prolonged tussle between the sheets.
"Asami?"
Had he really been daydreaming? Him? His smirk widening, Asami brought his focus back to the real, live thing at his fingertips.
"Your plan might have worked if you hadn't brought my name into it, though I'm touched you were trying to protect me." A laugh rumbled in his chest. "And thank you for defending my manhood. Did you really compare Shiga's unfavorably to a little girl's?"
Akihito's mouth gaped. "How did you-" He shook his head and laughed sheepishly. "He really pissed me off."
"Yet you refrained from unleashing your mean right hook on him?"
Guilt crumpled Akihito's face, and he reached tentatively to ghost over the light bruise on Asami's cheekbone. "I'm sorry. You just..."
"Really pissed you off. I know." Asami's eyes were laughing, and Akihito's narrowed as he curled his fingers into a fist and shook it in front of Asami's nose.
"There's more where that came from!"
"Hn." With a quick move, Asami tumbled Akihito back onto the pillows and loomed over him. "There are other things I'd rather have more of."
Akihito didn't struggle like he half-expected. Instead, he stared up, worry drawing a crease between his eyes. "Are you really okay? I mean with those guys coming after you..."
"I'm fine, Akihito." His expression softened, and he began to place soft, distracting kisses down Akihito's bare torso. "You don't need to worry."
Akihito squirmed, but persisted in his line of questioning. "Are you gonna be in trouble with the police?"
Asami chuckled, noting how the flesh raised where his breath blew across the wet trails he'd left on Akihito's skin. "No."
"But you're not going to do anything really bad, right?"
He looked up to see Akihito's raised head, anxious eyes staring down at him. Deliberately, his tongue flicked out and teased a nipple, licking it to attention. Akihito moaned and dropped back to the pillow. Asami grinned.
"Exceptional people should follow their own inner law."
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Akihito asked a bit breathlessly.
"It's something Nietzsche said."
"Nietzsche? You would have him as a role model." Akihito looked up again, obviously taking offense at Asami's interested gaze. "What? I took philosophy last semester. You think I'm an idiot or something?"
He really was too cute. Asami bit back a chuckle.
"Far from it." Mollified, Akihito relaxed again. "You're stubborn, reckless, hot-headed, naive, and an unabashed adrenaline junkie, but you're not an idiot."
He cut off Akihito's indignant protests by biting the other nipple this time. Soon, the only sounds coming out of Akihito's mouth were pained gasps and cries of pleasure. Asami saw to it that there were plenty of both.
This one would always be a handful, he had no doubt, as Kirishima had pointed out pointedly and at length when they'd been discussing the new security protocols involving Akihito. At least, he'd finally learned his lesson. He'd never mistake Takaba Akihito as anything remotely considered harmless again.