DREAMING OF YOU

"Kaede, you came." Akira face brightened as soon as he saw Kaede.

"Yeah. I came." Kaede smiled, shifting to sit beside him against that tall beech tree.

Kaede didn't know why he came, though. He should have stayed home, but it was so bothersome. There was too much commotion, too many headaches to deal with. Right here, underneath this beech tree, was where he felt most at ease. And also being with his new little friend, Akira.

Kaede sometimes questioned why he preferred Akira company over other people. Akira just normal kid. But, Kaede found when he hung out with Akira, he could be himself.

"Licorice?" Akira asked, handing Kaede some black ones.

"Thanks." Kaede took it from Akira and started chewing. "Not bad."

"Coffee?" Akira asked again, handing Kaede a small foamy cup.

"What have you got for me?" Kaede shifted toward Akira, fingers peeling under the lid for a little sniff.

Akira slapped Kaede on the hand and scolded, "No peeking. It's a surprise."

Kaede laughed. "Come on. I don't like surprises. Tell me."

"Flat white." Akira grinned, handing Kaede the foamy beverage again.

"How do you know all these coffee names?" Kaede queried, stretching his legs.

"My mom owns a café," Akira answered enthusiastically. "She said I can't drink coffee just yet, but I can practice making them, since I'll own it when I grow older. Do you like it?"

Akira was a robust kid. He was also very considerate, always bringing Kaede gifts. Namely coffee. But Kaede sometimes thought he was just a test subject for Akira coffee making skills.

Kaede took a sip and nodded, giving his honest opinion. "Yeah. You're improving."

"You really think so?" Akira was literally beaming.

"Yeah."

"So...will you marry me, then?"

Kaede almost choke on his flat white. So, Akira was still at it. Here he'd almost forgotten about that weird comment from Akira. He'd thought it was just a childish thing.

"I'm a boy." How could he respond to that? Akira eyes were dark blue, begging for the answer. And to Kaede surprise, he did answer Akira. "How about I make you my lover instead...when you grow up, of course?"

Kaede face went bright red as soon as he spouted that sentence. Although, Akira didn't look the least fazed by that outburst. In fact, Akira was looking at him in awe, not thinking for one second Kaede might be some pedo out to seduce a little boy like Akira.

But that wasn't Kaede attention. Not one bit. In all time he'd come to know Akira. Akira was the most honest person he'd ever met. Yeah sure, they're kid. But they're wouldn't stay a kid forever. If Kaede were to have a lifelong partner, it would have to be Akira. Someone Kaede was comfortable with, someone who'd make him smile on countless occasions.

Kaede knew all along that a person like him would never succumb to the idea of marriage. His blood was too soiled, too black, like his hair. A curse for generations, a child of the mafia. Taking a lover would be ideal for him.

"Lover. Really?" Akira voice dragged him out of his thoughts.

"Dad say boys only married women. But I don't want. I want to married with you. You're so beautiful."

Kaede wanted to tell Akira there was a difference between a lover and marriage, but he didn't have the heart.

"I don't like women too." Kaede tell him.

"Then I'll be your lover. We'll marry and live happily ever after." Akira nodded, as if it were an easy decision.

Did Akira not understand the enormity of Kaede suggestion? Was Kaede really willing to wait for Akira? A boy like him. Kaede had a choice to make regarding his future. Kaede accepted his fate, with Akira and his family. But one thing his family didn't know was he'd come out on top. He'd change history and define his own rules. They wanted him to be the next heir. Then so be it. He'd accept it with both hands.

Kaede took another sip of the flat white and found himself smiling, anticipating his future with Akira. "So..." He turned to Akira. "For now, let's be friends. Then, when you turn nineteen, I'll make you my lover."

"Really?" Akira asked, eyes round as marbles.

"Yeah. But only if you agree when I ask you. You may change your mind when you grow older."

"No. No, I won't. I like you so much, Kaede. A lot." Akira sounded so sure of himself, as if he'd already had his future planned out, with Kaede in the picture. What would Akira do if he found out that Kaede was the son of a mafia boss?

Kaede didn't want to think about this notion. Not yet anyway. When the time came for Akira to understand they came from different worlds, Kaede enjoy Akira company until Akira decided he'd had enough.

Kaede smiled, taking Akira hand within his. "Then, let's be friends, okay?"

"Okay, let's be friends, then." Akira nodded, and then beamed up at Kaede again, showing his small white teeth. "But I can't wait to grow up so I can married with you."

Kaede chuckled. Yeah, he couldn't wait until then either. Then he wouldn't have to bother with his family again.

"Your hair is weird." Kaede found himself asking.

"I like my hair up. I will keep my hair like this until I grow up. When you want to find me, just remember my hair, okay?" Akira laughed with his statement.

Poke.

Fuck! Someone was jabbing his forehead.

Kaede blinked, opening his eyes. Suddenly, right in front of him was the image of Akira, the grown-up version.

Kaede heart raced. Adrenaline fueled his actions. He swung his arm forward on autopilot and grasped Akira neck until he could see Akira clear dark blue pupils dilate, just like his little friend Akira.

"What's your name?" he growled into Akira ear.

When Akira didn't answer, he tugged Akira forward until his face was just a breath from Akira. He hissed, "I said, what's your name? Answer me."

Akira looked flustered and blinked in confusion. "My name...my name is Akira. Akira Sendoh."

"Where do you live?" he growled, frustration ripping his gut.

"Ryonan, before coming here to live with you."

"Have you ever been to Central Park?" Kaede fired.

"Yes, just a minute ago. I was cycling through there."

Kaede gritted his teeth. "No. When you were younger."

"Um. I don't remember. I'm bad at remembering. Hey, are you okay? You're scaring me. Bad dream? What's wrong? You're hurting my neck."

"Fuck!" Kaede let Akira go. This was Aki, his maid, not his little friend Akira. Yes, they have the same name. But this guy totally not his little friend named Akira. Not to mention his messy hair fell down like fringes. His little friend Akira has haired up, spikes. Yeah, they might resemble. His maid now like Akira grown-up version. But, no. No, it can't be. His maid even never feels anything when Kaede ask about Central Park. His maid answered like it's nothing. So, totally not him.

What was wrong with him? A mere memory from ages ago had made Kaede lose his mind.

"Boss, what is it? Want me to get you a cold towel?" Akira asked, face literally in his personal space, palm resting on Kaede forehead, gently checking his temperature.

Kaede shoved Akira hand away and tossed a deadly glare at his maid, backing up against his couch.

Bad dream, huh? He wouldn't say bad, more like a memory. The only bright memory in his dull and dark past.

Kaede shook his head to rid himself of his gloomy past, then flicked his eyes at the clock standing by the wall...and glowered at Akira.

"You're late, Aki." he immediately growled, venting his turmoil toward his maid. "Late. I can't forgive you for that."

"But..." Akira gasped suddenly, clasping at his chest as if he were about to die. Kaede knew he was playacting again. That guy was as sly. "I cycled here. I ran and cycled here. My knees. My legs. I'm still puffing as we speak. I'm about to die here. I swear. And I did arrive. But you were sleeping." Akira clung to his arm for support, acting as if he were about to lose his balance for real.

Kaede didn't like his touch at all. Not one bit. Kaede felt a shiver akin to lust spreading right through his groin. And my god, that pissed him off. Like hell.

Kaede lashed out at Akira, or more himself, since he couldn't control the lust coursing down to his manhood. "That's because I said arrive here as soon as possible. You took more than an hour. What were you using for transport? The snail rail?"

"I took my bike. And clearly, asking me to arrive as soon as possible a bit too much." Akira stood up, wriggling his nose in disapproval. "Now, if I puff out my lungs, you won't get your three milion, let alone my delicious, addictive coffee."

"Shut up, Aki," Kaede barked, rather annoyed with his chitchat. "You're lucky I let you attend school as part of our contract. Now get me my coffee!"

"Right away, boss. Right away." Akira pretended to puff one last time, then ran off to the kitchen to prepare Kaede drink.

Kaede trembled but somehow managed to settle in his chair. He ran his fingers through his hair in agitation and sighed, closing his eyes.

Fucking god! What got him frustratingly mad was Akira touch. Akira got under his skin. All the areas Akira touched were still sensitive, making him tingle with want.

Want? For fuck sake! Kaede shivered at the thought. He really needed to get laid, call up one his mistress. That should tame his body.

After a small time of meditation, Kaede slammed his fist on the desk with a big bang.

What the fuck is taking that guy so long? He must have been waiting for a million and one years, but still Kaede hadn't seen Akira head through his doorway yet.

Kaede began to wonder what the hell Akira was up to. Getting up without even realizing what he was planning to do, Kaede stormed to the vicinity of the kitchen, determined to find out.

What the hell was that?

My heart hadn't stopped its pounding yet. Kaede was so hot I almost collapsed in front of him. If not for his strong body as my support, I knew I would have toppled over already.

Who knew Kaede looked so captivating after waking from an afternoon nap? Dad always had his tongue rolled out and mucus stuck in his eyes, but Kaede looked like a male supermodel posing for a pillow commercial.

I breathed out and sighed one more time, then when about my task, when there was a guttural sound from behind.

"Aki!"

"What? Who? How? Where?" I turned around and saw Kaede charging at me like a bull after a red flag. And I was the red flag.

"Aki! Where the fuck is my coffee?" Kaede hissed, his face twisted and contorted in an angry expression, but somehow Kaede still managed to look hot.

"Boss!" I jumped back as Kaede briskly charged into my personal space. And so began the disastrous event.

When I jumped, the portafilter flew out of my hand, making the ground coffee fly into the air, spreading its brown particles into the space. And landing only on...

Damn!

Kaede was covered in coffee, from his dark head all the way to the crisp white polo shirt he wore.

I'm in deep shit now.

"I'm sorry." That was my favorite phrase of late. "I'm so sorry."

I started dusting Kaede off, thumbs and fingers flicking and swiping and smearing the dust more into his hair and shirt.

I sniggered, a thought suddenly swarming in my head. This could be my revenge since he'd cursed me as his coffee machine. I should just play it cool and pretend to help him.

"Get off me. For fuck sake, Aki, get away from me." Kaede fought me like I was a contagious bug, putting me at arms length.

"No, boss, I have to help you. It's all my fault." I ignored Kaede command and kept on flicking at his hair, rubbing in the coffee, adding in a good slap or two on his head.

Kaede, who was once famous for having midnight-black hair, was now covered in brown particles. I wanted to laugh. The situation was too funny. But his death glare stopped me.

"I said get away from me." Kaede pushed me off finally. "Look what you've done."

"I know what I've done. I'm truly sorry, boss." I batted my eyelashes, playing it cool and totally ignoring his command. My, my, I was having so much fun taunting him; I didn't want to stop just yet. He just too much cute. "I mean, look at you. You're no better than a dirty kid. Here, let me help you wipe it off." Again, one more blow to Kaede head.

"For fuck sake, that's enough!" Kaede barked, backing until he crashed onto the couch, lying awkwardly.

That still didn't stop me. I climbed onto Kaede and dusted the powder off for him.

Suddenly, all was silent. Kaede didn't breathe. In fact, he didn't move. He stayed like a mannequin. I took this opportunity to finish off my task.

"Almost there, boss," I said, unware I was literally straddling him.

And then I smiled, only to realize Kaede was looking at me intently. And I mean really looking at me. Eye to eye. Nose to nose. And dare I say my lips hovering above his?

I blinked. Kaede blinked. And then...

"The fuck, Aki? Get off me."

It was like Kaede suddenly woke from his stupor. He barked, then shoved me off. I crashed, landing with a big thud on the floor.

"Ow!" I whined, rubbing my sore bottom.

"It's your own fault." Kaede became flustered and looked away. "Who told you to climb me like a tree? Fuck!" Kaede looked down at himself and made a disgusted face. "I have to get out of these shitty clothes. Gotta have a bath. Don't follow me."

With that, Kaede disappeared out the door.

Damn, that Kitsune. Wait until I saw him again, saying not to follow him. Oh yes, give me three million, and I still wouldn't follow him into that bathroom. Seriously, nothing would change my mind. Absolutely nothing.

Oh, who was I kidding? Maybe if I spied on him and surprised him like he did to me before, then I'd call it even.

And when I heard Kaede growl again, barking for Sakuragi or Fukuda to come to him, I took it as my cue, bouncing happily at this god given opportunity, not knowing I'd gotten more than I bargained for with my teasing.