Chapter 21. Affairs of The Hearts

Sorry, for the slow update. It's been a hectic few months and time just flies. _

I hope you are all doing ok!

As always, many many thank you for those taking the time to leave comments: finderlov, Elizabeth Melende, Minak0003, Capricorn989, Finder lover, Davien Rosa, FreelsHannelore.

I will share more at the end of this chapter, but in the meantime, hope you enjoy it!

Cheers.

Disclaimer: VF belongs to YA.

The sound of someone inputting security numbers to enter his penthouse didn't alarm Tao. He smiled instead, unconsciously. He had been expecting the guest after all.

But the person —or persons— who stumbled into his penthouse were not whom he had been waiting for.

"What the—" he started.

"I am—huff— sorry, Tao-niisan," Nao wheezed, breathless, as he dragged his slightly bulkier twin brother inside. "He got so—huff—wasted."

The boy gulped for more air.

"I just hope—huff—your neighbours aren't going to give you trouble—huff—tomorrow. He—huff—he'd been singing—huff—off-tune all the way here before finally decided that—huff—it'd be a good idea to pass out in—huff—your condo's lift. Oh, and he—huff—peed in there as well. God, he is heavy."

Fucking great.

It was more of an automatic response when Tao finally helped Nao to bring his unconscious brother to the living room. Tired, Nao rested his body on the floor, heaving.

Ugh. The smell coming off the oldest of the Asami brothers was unbearable. It was a mixture of alcohol, sweat, piss, and cum. Did that brat have sex in a bathtub full of liquor and urine or something?

But the question that came out of his mouth was, "Shouldn't you both be staying at your grandparent's house for the long weekend?"

"I—huff—told—" The younger Asami took a moment to steady his breathing, then restarted his attempt, "—I told Mizuki-chan that we suddenly have a club activity tonight."

Tao laid Rikiya on his leather couch —silently praying that the foul-smelling odour wouldn't seep into the expensive furniture— before turning around toward Nao who looked like he was playing snow angel on Tao's marble floor. Hands on his hips, he narrowed his eyes at Nao, silently demanding explanation.

From where he lay on the floor, Nao raised a finger, asking for a second to slow his racing heart, before answering, "I'd like to ask most respectfully, your Honor, for the record to reflect that he was already drunk when I arrived. Not guilty."

Tao rolled his eyes. "Quit your sass, boy, or I will paddle those ass along with your brother's. Now, why aren't you both at your grandparents'?"

The brat scrunched his nose, like he found the entire ordeal distasteful. "All I know is he had a dinner date with that bitch, Suzu-chan. I was planning to get him then Soga would drive us to our grandparents'. But as I said, when I arrived, he was already drunk. I couldn't exactly bring him like that! Grandma will have a heart attack and grandpa will get angry at father again! He will say things like how father is a bad influence to us and not a good role model blah blah blah."

He made a mocking gesture with his hand to indicate how little he shared the sentiment.

Then, he sighed and added, "And if dad knows about this…"

Nao shivered at the thought alone. Those hazel eyes that always reminded Tao of Akihito were genuinely worried when the boy muttered under his breath, "…you know he will be broken-hearted."

That, Tao was sure. Akihito would be very sad if he found out that Rikiya had behaved irresponsibly like this. But, there was something else that was even more concerning.

"You said he had a dinner date with Suzu-chan?" he asked Nao carefully.

The boy simply nodded. Bored of laying like a dead body, he now sat cross-legged on the floor. His gaze was already moving from one spot in the room to another. That was the thing about Nao. When he didn't have any goal —any prey— to keep his focus on, it was almost impossible to maintain his concentration.

Tao cleared his throat before continuing, "And he smell like…well, he smell of semen. Did he and Suzu-chan…"

He trailed of. Unsure whether he really wanted to know the answer. Akihito might be broken hearted if he knew that his underage son was probably a budding alcoholic. But the man would definitely do a mass murder if he found out that he'd be a grandfather anytime soon.

Nao started to giggle. "Oh, that one is super funny, Tao-niisan! You won't believe it!"

Okay. Now, Tao wasn't sure whether he needed to be frightened or relieved. He waited instead.

"We were on the way to the cab when he—" Nao needed to pause because he bursted laughing uncontrollably. "—h-he jerked off in a dark alley!"

He—

What—

Tao massaged his forehead to stop himself from shouting at the stupid, stupid boy. He slowly said, "Let me see whether I got this right."

That incorrigible brat nodded enthusiastically with a grin on his face.

"So, being drunk, your brother decided it's a good idea to masturbate in a dark alley."

How that brat could even get hard after being wasted like that was a miracle on itself. That must be the wonder of youth.

Nao's laugh was near maniacal. "Yups! I even recorded it!"

Why did I ever agree to mentor these brats again?

"So, instead of stopping him from masturbating in a public place, you decided to make a porn movie instead?"

The question did stop Nao from laughing. The boy froze and slowly looked up at Tao. But, if Tao had expected Nao to understand his mistake, he was thoroughly disappointed. When Nao finally opened his mouth again, his voice had a hint of wonder, as if this was an eureka moment for him, "Why didn't I think about that? I just thought that it's a good way to piss him off, but I can actually sell this! This is awesome! He is quite popular in school, you know! Girls would be dying to watch this! Fuck, maybe some boys too!"

Tao closed his eyes and silently started to count down from ten to zero. The twins were generally good and smart kids. And in front of Akihito, they mostly behaved like the perfect sons. But deep down inside, they were really just boys. And, sometimes, they would do silly things his 32 years-old-self couldn't understand. Or maybe he was just getting old.

Well, at least that brat didn't sleep with Suzu-chan. That was one less problem Tao needed to be worried about.

Any other time, he would drag Nao by the hair and cane those ass for not protecting his twin brother. But tonight, he just didn't have the time. First, he needed to tell his guest to come a few hours later. That would give him enough time to dump these brats on someone else.

Haruka-san and Suoh were accompanying Asami-sama on a business trip this long weekend so they would be out of question.

Maybe Kirishima.

He paused. No, Kirishima would inform Asami-sama right away. And the reason the twins had come to Tao in the first place was to avoid their parents to find out about this.

Besides, Kirishima might faint from high blood pressure or nasty ulcer because the man wouldn't stop blaming himself that the Asami brothers had acted like…well, like teenagers, really. The secretary just didn't understand that kids —even those who were raised to be little crime lords— were just kids. They were still trying to find themselves, to figure out how the world works, and to do all that growing up bullshit. So, from time to time, they would make stupid mistakes like this. But, no. For Kirishima, perfection was everything.

So. Not Kirishima, then.

Who else—

"Are you about to go out, Tao-niisan?" Nao's inquisitive voice interrupted Tao's thought.

With his mind still somewhere else, Tao only asked, "What?"

"You dressed up and even styled your hair. Are you about to go out?" Nao asked again. Those hazel eyes were suddenly focusing on Tao with the sharp intensity that indicated the boy had just spotted a new prey to his curiosity: Tao.

"No," Tao answered shortly. When Nao was like this, it was best not to give him too much details. The less reaction the boy got, the less interested he would be.

Tao walked into the open kitchen. He was sure he had left his phone on the island table just before the twin came. He just needed to send one short message—

Without warning, Nao had moved to stand behind his back. The boy tugged Tao's arm, trying to make Tao to look at him, for whatever nonsense that brat had in mind. But, before Nao could start his whining, Tao had spun around. He caught the rebellious boy by the neck, before slamming his upper body hard against the top of the island table that separated the kitchen area and the living room.

Nao didn't even look chagrined. Instead, he grinned from ear to ear as he lay on top of the black marble table, hands idly above his head, looking like he was about to be sacrificed for some satanic ritual. Those hazel eyes were beaming with victory, happy that his silly action had forced Tao to give him attention.

To say that Tao was annoyed would be an understatement. He was furious. He had a plan tonight. A plan that he had been waiting for weeks, godamnit. And these kids—

Before he could finish his thought, Nao had grabbed him by the collar, forcefully pulled him in, and audaciously kissed him in the lips. Being caught off-guard, Tao almost lost his balance. His hands quickly held onto the edge of the table to steady himself. The movement unintentionally brought him closer than ever to Nao's slimmer frame, practically trapping the boy between the table and Tao's hard chest. Then, Tao could feel a tongue trying to invade his mouth, despite not receiving any invitation. It was warm and soft, but it also felt wrong.

Wrong lips. Wrong body. Wrong person.

For a few seconds, Tao was too surprised to react. When his brain began to work again, he silently cursed the insolent brat. How dare he provoke Tao like this? Who did he think he was? The boy might think that this was just a funny prank to get Tao's attention. Well, for Tao, nothing was funny about this.

But before he could do anything, he heard the familiar sound of a gun being cocked. And by then, it was already too late. Before he could even blink, he felt the barrel against his temple. The metal was cold on his skin. The voice that followed a second later was so emotionless that it actually felt more menacing than any threat he had received in the past.

"Get. The. Fuck. Away. From my son."

Nao was embarrassed to admit that he had literally squeaked like a little girl when he opened his eyes to find his dad pointing a gun at Tao-niisan.

When he'd heard the sound of a gun's safety being taken off, he had thought it was Tao-niisan who had wanted to teach him a lesson. He waited for the feel of the metal being pressed against his body, excitedly wondering where Tao-niisan would put it, only to realise that nothing was happening.

In fact, Tao-niisan had stilled. That hadn't been what Nao had expected. Then, Nao had heard his dad's voice.

"Get. The. Fuck. Away. From my son."

He quickly opened his eyes. His dad was standing next to the two of them, looking furious like the Angel of Vengeance who was about to give the last judgement to the wrongdoers. Those hazel eyes which were usually filled with warmth were suddenly full of fiery anger.

Slowly —very, very, slowly— Tao-niisan straightened his body and raised his hands, a universal gesture of surrender. Nao stared in horror as his older cousin moved a step away from him, so carefully, as if Tao-niisan was facing a poisonous snake that was about to bite him. Those black eyes were silently warning Nao to shut his trap before making this worse.

Fuckfuckfuckfuck.

"It's not what you think it is, Akihito," Tao-niisan's voice sounded so calm. But Nao knew his cousin was just trying to not aggravate his dad further.

"What I think—" his dad said in an equally even voice, which made it even more terrifying for Nao because he had never, ever, heard his dad talking like that. "—is exactly what I saw. My oldest kid laying on your couch, unconscious and smelling like sex and alcohol. And you, kissing and embracing the brother. They were fucking 15, you pervert! Do you think you are so above the law that you could fuck my underage sons?"

Trying to distract his dad, Tao-niisan asked instead. "How did you find my spare gun?"

His dad laughed. "Just because I pretend I didn't know doesn't mean I am really that clueless, you dumbass. I know all the secret compartments where you and my husband hide the firearms!"

"It doesn't mean you know how to use it. You can hurt yourself, Akihito," Tao-niisan tried to argue rationally. "Or worse, you may hurt the kids."

But his dad just gave Tao-niisan a challenging smirk, "Oh yeah? Let's see whether I know how to use this gun."

Then he fired the gun, purposely missing Tao-niisan's knee barely an inch to the left. Nao wasn't sure whether he was more impressed that his dad had such perfect control over his aim or that his niisan didn't even flinch.

"Hmm, seems like I can use it just fine," his dad commented with a smile that didn't reach his hazel eyes.

Nao could literally see Tao-niisan's adam's apple moved as his cousin swallowed silently. Those black eyes looked calculating, analysing all the possible scenarios to resolve this situation.

"Naoyuki, honey, come here. Did he drug you too?"

Nao just stared at his dad, too stunned to do anything else, moreover to admit what had actually happened barely five minutes ago. His face felt warm and he knew he was blushing. What could he even say? That he had been childish because he couldn't get the reaction he wanted from Tao-niisan? That he had forced himself onto the older man like he was an animal who couldn't control his own urge?

"It's okay, sweetheart," his dad told him. "He won't touch you anymore. I won't let him."

At that, Tao-niisan finally snapped, "I wasn't trying to molest them! Why will I even do that when I know you were coming?"

"Wow, I am not aware that kissing and embracing a 15 years old is not considered a molestation these days. The law must be different for people like you, is it? Well, then, I guess, I just need to deliver my own justice."

Frustrated, Tao-niisan began to take a step towards his dad. His dad quickly grabbed Nao's arms and half-dragged him to stand behind his dad's body. Despite the situation, the protective gesture was touching. Every person in this room was trained to kill, everyone except for his dad. And yet, his dad wouldn't even think twice to stand between him and any danger, no question asked, no explanation needed.

"Stand where you are, Liu Tao," his dad warned Tao-niisan, threats dripping from every syllable. But even Nao could see that the hand holding the gun was trembling slightly. Nao's heart bled at the sight.

Oh, dad.

Tao-niisan clearly had noticed it too, because he took another step forward and said carefully, "I know you. You won't hurt me, Akihito."

The answer to that statement was a bullet that intentionally grazed Tao-niisan's right cheek before shattering the glass cabinet behind Tao-niisan, breaking a whole row of Tao-niisan's personal collection of whiskey stored inside. It was pandemonium. Nao was amazed that Riki-nii didn't even wake up with all that noise. Thousands of glass fragments fell onto the kitchen counter, sharp enough to cut on contact. Expensive liquor was dripping onto the floor like rain. A line of blood was drawn below Tao-niisan's eyes, nothing serious that would cause concern but enough to make a point.

Then, his dad pointed the gun at Tao-niisan's groin and said coldly, "Take another step and Feilong can say goodbye to the idea of having a grandchild."

Even for Nao, that particular threat sent a shiver down his spine. Tao-niisan was clearly uncertain of what to do as well. Those black eyes darted briefly to the kitchen drawer beside him but then Tao-niisan glanced away, dismissing the idea.

Having been inside this penthouse for so many times, Nao knew there were knifes inside that drawer. If Tao-niisan wanted, he could use it to stop Nao's dad. But his dad might get hurt in the process and there would be no way Tao-niisan —or Nao— could ever hurt the man. Apparently, Tao-niisan had come to the same conclusion because the man just stared calmly at his dad, looking at peace with whatever was going to happen, even if it meant being shot in the groin and bleeding to dead.

Damnit, this was all Nao's fault.

Nao rarely felt any emotion when he did anything that others often felt bad about. He hadn't even lost any sleep after his first killing. He didn't care for his victims after all. They were strangers to him, not any different from any other animals he saw by the road or the meat he ate for dinner. Not exactly human. Just, well, preys. Or things. Nothing worth any thought beyond fulfilling his goal.

But now, watching how the two most important people in his life were staring at each other, ready to kill and to be killed, for the first time in a long time, he was utterly ashamed. His dad wouldn't even hurt the cat who had clawed his hand and now the man was ready to end someone's life for Nao. His cousin had never lost a fight and now Tao-niisan was about to let himself be mutilated. Nao was the one who couldn't take no as an answer and it'd be his dad and niisan who would pay the price.

Tears rolling down his cheek when he finally broke down. He had never cried since he stopped wetting the bed. Not because of pride. He just found it exhausting and pointless. Crying didn't solve anything. Killing, on the other hand, always solved something. At the very least, it'd make him feel better. But now, with no one else to blame but himself, Nao howled like a baby as he blurted out the secret he had hidden from his dad for so long.

"It's not Tao-niisan's fault, Dad! P-please don't shoot h-him. I was the one who forcefully kissed him! I-I have a crush on h-him fo-for y-years! But he only l-likes y-you! So I pu-pulled h-him in and ki-kissed him! He-he didn't even k-kised me back!"

That confession stopped his dad more effectively than any weapon. His dad lowered the gun slowly then turned towards him. Those hazel eyes looked so lost and confused.

His dad asked bewilderedly, "You…what?"

Now that it was out, he couldn't stop himself.

"And R-riki-nii…well, h-he was drunk. So-so I b-brought him here. T-tao-niisan didn't drug him. I s-swear to…well, to any-t-thing."

His dad looked more and more lost with every word. "Drunk? But, he is underage. How can he even buy alcohol?"

Nao looked up at Tao-niisan, hoping for some instructions, guidance, anything. But, his niisan was face-palming, like the scene in front of him was too painful to watch.

Not knowing what else to do to make things better, Nao finally decided to give his dad a little honesty, "Th-the Haven."

His father's club would always allow the two of them to come and go as they pleased. And they knew where all the alcohols were kept.

"They serve you both liquor?"

He shook his head. "We k-know the code to th-the storage room. But, I n-never took it. It's bi-bitter."

Like a suddenly deflated balloon, his dad leaned his weight on the island table, looking like he was about to collapse. Tao-niisan quickly stepped forward, offering his arm for support, but his dad put one hand out at Tao-niisan's direction, stopping him immediately.

"Don't touch me. You are not out of the woods yet, Liu Tao!"

Once again, Tao-niisan raised his hands. "Just trying to help, Akihito," he said as gently as he could.

His dad's face was now as white as Tao-niisan's wall. As if he was trying stop himself from vomiting —or perhaps he did feel nauseous— , he covered his mouth with one hand. The one that didn't hold a gun.

"And the smell of…sex?" his dad finally asked.

Nao carefully moved closer to his dad, hoping for a sign of forgiveness and affection, but afraid of getting a rejection instead.

He answered softly, "He m-masturb-bated in an a-alley."

Apparently, his dad's face could turn even paler. "He what?!"

"Well, h-he was drunk, dad," Nao tried to reason.

It seemed like his dad was really about to vomit. "And you were there but you didn't stop him? Why?"

His voice was barely a whisper when he offered weakly, "B-because I thought it's f-funny?"

His dad stilled for a few second before closing his eyes. Then, he gestured toward Tao-niisan, "I need a drink. Give me your strongest whiskey. Whichever you still have left."

When Tao passed a glass filled with a finger of the amber liquid, I took it without hesitation dan drank it all in one big gulp. It was one of his best Yamazaki whiskey, so smooth it went down my throat easily. I closed my eyes as I felt the warmth spread inside me.

"Um," Tao murmured softly, like he was afraid anything louder could have rouse the insatiable homicidal urge within me. He was probably right too. "That's not water, Akihito."

I slammed the now empty glass on the kitchen island and ordered him, "Another."

"Are you sure—" he started, probably worried his penthouse would start becoming a rehabilitation center for Asami Alcoholic Anonymous. But, catching my ominous glower, he instantly shut his mouth and obediently refilled my glass. Again, I immediately downed it.

"Dad?" Nao looked at me as if he was worried I had gone mad. The kid looked so anxious and I knew then that I couldn't give in to my anger.

Feeling a little numb, thanks to the courage liquid, I reached out to my son and pulled him into my embrace. His body instantly melted into mine as he hugged me back. So tightly, it felt like he nearly broke my bones.

He whispered softly, "I-I am sorry, Dad."

Resting my chin on top of his head, I told him, "Honestly, I am just glad that you are okay."

I could feel him exhaling in relief against my body.

I added, "But, you both are still grounded."

He nodded, then peeked at me and asked tentatively, "…until?"

I gave him my most sinister smile. Drawling, I answered, "Oh, I don't know. I need to talk to your father first. But, I think, it will be until you both are about to get married. Don't worry, we will let you out right before your wedding day."

He let out a half-laugh, half-relief snort. I messed with his raven hair fondly, kissed his forehead, before telling him, "Now, help me bring your brother home."

I walked towards Rikiya. That brat was still blissfully sleeping throughout the ruckus. Ugh, the smell was indescribable. The kid really, really needed a shower.

"Akihito—" Tao started.

"Nope," I told him. "I am still not talking to you. I can do this myself."

Tao protested, "Oh, come on. What did I even do wrong?"

Well, if I was being honest to myself, I was the one who did him wrong. I had shot him, accused him of crimes he —allegedly— didn't do, and ruined his kitchen and his whiskey collection in the process. And the man was still trying to be patient with me. If I dared to shoot Asami, he might have hung me upside down before I could even take my next breath. Although, I shouldn't be surprised. Tao had survived Asami's dictatorship for more than a decade, after all. Being shot like that might have been just a daily routine for him.

To tell the truth, I was just still feeling out of sort. So, instead of replying to a question that I didn't want to answer, I focused my attention on lifting Rikiya's body from Tao's used-to-be-pristine leather couch. The expensive furniture could be disposed now that it had stains from Rikiya's drool and whatever filth covering his clothes.

I pulled his hands. Fuck, what did I feed my kid with? How could he be this heavy?!

"Akihito, be reasonable. He is a dead weight. Nao only needed to drag him from the lift to my door and he was already struggling. You will need to bring him all the way to the carpark. Not to mention you drunk quite a bit. Who is going to drive you guys home?"

Nao bravely helped lifting Rikiya's legs as I hooked my arms under Rikiya's armpits. Seriously, I had thought that I was in a quite good shape until I needed to haul my passed out son. Now, I started to reconsider my plan. This felt like I was trying to move a giant. There was no way we could do this all the way to the car.

Tao knew it, too. The man was watching me calmly, his arms crossed across his broad chest, hips leaning against his damn kitchen island, while Nao and I were huffing and puffing to walk merely a few steps.

After five minutes and not much progress, I gestured for Nao to put his brother down.

"So?" Tao asked annoyingly.

I rolled my eyes. "Fine. But keep your hands where I can see them."

He sighed even as he moved to lift my son as if the teen weighted nothing. "Seriously? Do you still think I am going to molest them under your nose? Even if I was that brave —which I am not, by the way, because I still like having my cock where it is now— there's no way I could get hard with the way he smells. It'll be like fucking a rotting corpse."

Nao laughed at the crude joke. I smacked the back of his head and scowled at him. He pouted, "But, he did smell very bad, Dad. I almost vomited when I had to drag him here."

Well, I almost did too, honestly. Thankfully, Tao seemed to have an iron stomach.

I helped Tao to lock his front door. When the lift arrived at his floor, it was a different one from the one I used on my way up. We walked inside and I noticed that the floor was slippery. Someone must have spilled their drinks. But, when the door closed, the unpleasant aroma became more unbearable. Rikiya didn't seem to smell this bad before. Was it because we were in an enclosed space?

"Is it just me or the urine smell gets stronger?" I asked Tao and my youngest son, wondering whether it was my nose that had a problem after inhaling the air that had been contaminated by Rikiya's terrible body odour all the way here.

Tao and Nao both seemed determined to stay as far away from me, sticking into one corner of the lift. Were they still scared I would go homicidal? But upon hearing my question, the two of them looked at each other as if they were sharing a secret. Then, they bursted laughing like maniacs.

"Come over here, Dad," Nao said with a chuckle. "That corner is indeed a little smelly."

"Since when?" his dad asked softly as the man sat on his desk chair so they could see each other at eye level.

From where he sat against the headboard, Nao tilted his head, uncertain. There were many ways to interpret that loaded question. Since when did Riki-nii start to drink alcohol? Since when did he know about it? Since wh—

Recognising the uncertainty in the air, his dad repeated gently, "Since when did you have a crush on him, Nao?"

Oh, that.

Feeling unsure of how his dad might respond, Nao hugged his knees closer to his chest. "I don't know," he said. "A few years after I know I like boys, maybe?"

His dad swallowed quietly. The older man was trying to hide the sign of his own nerve, but Nao was trained to observe the tiniest detail on his prey. Not that his dad was a prey. But still, habits die hard.

When his dad finally broke the silence, his voice suddenly sounded very sad and Nao couldn't understand why. "I see. That must not be easy for you, having your feeling for so many years."

He gave the statement a thought, trying to get why his dad felt sad and, as always, failed to do so. It wasn't until he had begun school when he'd started to notice that feelings didn't work with him the way it did with everyone else. When people around him experienced negative emotions, they seemed to be burdened by it, like it caused them suffering and misery.

Well, it was always a little different with him. Yes, he sometimes felt anger and sadness and frustration, but it was as if there was a distance between him and those feelings. Things happened and either he would hit back or he would move on. It didn't clouded his decision or overtake his mind. Most of the time, it barely even bother him.

His feeling for Tao-niisan was a good example. Was it love? Maybe. He wasn't even sure what love was. For him, it was more like…an obsession. Like a predator who had spotted its victim and couldn't switch focus to the other preys running around him. He didn't know when or how it had started. For him, it was simple: he wanted Tao-niisan. Why? He had no idea and he couldn't even care.

Was it hard? Occasionally, yes. When he imagined Tao-niisan belonging to someone else —like Alex— it bothered him. Alex, ugh. He had wanted to punch that guy. Still did. Or better, he wanted to slit his throat and make him choke with his own blood.

But other than those times when he felt someone might take his prey away from him? Nah, he was fine. He liked to provoke Tao-niisan. Trying to get a reaction from his niisan was fun because he enjoyed any attention his niisan gave him, good or bad. The approving glance or pat on the back excited him. But the occasional physical punishment when his niisan was annoyed with him was just as addictive.

When he'd shared with Riki-nii of his obsession over Tao-niisan, his twin brother had looked at him in the eyes and told him that he was a psychopath. But Riki-nii had also added that it was okay because Riki-nii still loved him, no matter what he was.

Nao had laughed then. He didn't even care whether he was really a psychopath or not, but his brother could be so sentimental at times.

"Nao?" his dad's voice brought him back to the present moment. "Are you okay?"

He blinked, "Yeah, I am okay."

"I—," his dad continued, clearly lost for words.

He waited, not wanting to rush his dad after literally turning the man's world upside down in a single night.

His dad tried again, "I—well, I don't want to hide anything from you…"

Ugh, this didn't seem good. Whenever his dad became awkward like this, there usually an embarrassing conversation to follow.

After a few coughs and a lot of fidgeting, his dad continued, "So, I want you to know that—umm, your niisan and I—well—"

Oh.

"You see, we—"

That.

"—uhmm, I mean—"

Truthfully? He had guessed it the moment he'd seen his dad at Tao-niisan's penthouse. His niisan had dressed up as if he wanted to impress someone. And not just a random someone like his niisan's usual bed partner, but an actual lover. So, when his dad had appeared, Nao had easily connected the dots.

"—gods, this is hard—"

Unlike when he'd seen his niisan with Alex, Nao actually didn't feel upset about this. To him, this seemed like a good solution to his problem. His niisan had pined over his dad for, well, forever. It was literally a vicious cycle that fed on itself. The more Tao-niisan knew that he couldn't touch the love of his life, the more the man craved for it. The 'what-if' only fuelled Tao-niisan's desire for the man he could never have. It was insanity.

And Nao'd been resigned that there was no way to end this evil cycle.

That was up until now.

"—I don't know how to say this better—"

"You guys are together," Nao cut him off as if he was simply talking about the weather. "Does father know about this?"

His matter-of-fact statement caught his dad off guard. The man blushed a little more before nodding uncertainly. "Of course your father knows. In fact, it was his ide—well, it doesn't matter now. I am so, so sorry, Nao. I didn't know about your feelings towards him at all. If this makes you uncomfor—"

"No!" he replied quickly.

His dad's hazel eyes widened at his fierce response.

He took a deep breath and started again, calmer this time, "No, I am totally fine with it. Really, Dad."

It didn't seem to convince his dad, though. The man bit his bottom lip, as if considering to cancel whatever arrangement he had with Tao-niisan and Nao's father.

The last thing Nao wanted was for his dad to change his mind. This is the perfect opportunity to finally get Tao-niisan out of his crazy addiction, once and for all. Let him keep eating his favourite food until he got sick of it. Get it out of his system, people often said.

Nao unconsciously smiled at the thought.

Wanting to reassured his dad, he reached out to the man and said, "I am actually happy for him. He loves you since as long as I can remember. So, I do think that this is really what he needs. It's like a win-win for everyone. Wow, I can't believe that father is finally okay with this, but I'm glad that he is!"

"Really?" his father's voice sounded more like a squeak, as if the older man couldn't believe what was happening in front of him.

Nao laughed, genuinely astonished that the universe had suddenly given him this chance to get his niisan to see the truth. The truth that his niisan had refused to see for the longest time.

"Yes, of course!" his voice was full of pure excitement and wonder. "This is really awesome!"

Frowning in confusion, his dad continued carefully, "Uhh, okay. So, you may see him around a little more than before, I guess. At least, temporarily, until we figure things out. Will that be ok?"

He chuckled. Oh, it couldn't get any better than this. If he wasn't worried that it might spoil his own plan, he would have thanked his father for making this happen.

"Fine with me," he replied easily.

"Oh," his dad sounded like he still couldn't believe this outcome at all. "Okay then."

He gave his dad the warmest grin and the tightest hug.

Soon enough, Tao-niisan would realise that he already lost the battle. That he could never own the heart of the man of his dream. Not for as long as Nao's father was still alive. And perhaps, not even after that. Takaba Akihito's heart had fallen for Asami Ryuichi a long time ago. Everyone could see that. Tao-niisan was the only one who kept denying it.

Nao looked forward for the day his niisan finally accepted this cruel truth. He felt giddy just thinking about it. Even the idea alone was enough to send a happy shiver down his spine.

That would be the day Tao-niisan's heart broke so utterly and completely, until no trace of his dad could remain inside his niisan's heart.

And when that happened, Nao would be there. Oh, yes. For God's sake, he would be there.

He would rebuild Tao-niisan's heart, piece by fucking piece, until it became whole again.

Whole and fully his.

Only his.

I always thought that with Emi being their mother and Asami Ryuichi being their father, one of the Asamis brother will turn out a little psycho. So, if my hints weren't clear in the previous chapters, this one should give you the idea which one is the little psycho.

Many people asked how Nao took the news. Hopefully, this answered the question.

For those hoping for Nao x Tao pairing, my apologies, I just can't bear to do that. Yet. Not since Nao still has a little more growing up to do (As Akihito said, he is underage! Tao, you should know better. Tsk tsk.) and Tao needs to settle his own messy heart affairs. But I do hope their time will come one day.

Anyway, let me know what you think. I will really appreciate it. :)

See you next time! Take care.