Title: Under the Skin - Chapter 2Au

Title: Under the Skin - Chapter 2
Author: eprime
Rating: R
Pairing: Asami/Akihito
Spoilers: No spoilers.
Summary: AU. Akihito and Asami run into each other a few years earlier and things play out a bit differently.
Word count: 3462
Disclaimer: These characters belong to Yamane Ayano, not me.
Author's Note: I apologize for the delay between chapters. I'm going to blame this time of year. ;p

PREVIOUS CHAPTERS: Chapter 1 - Ain't N… | Chapter 2: Risk in the Kiss |
Chapter 3: Give it …





The ray of light that slanted through the gap in the bent blinds penetrated the thin membrane of Akihito's eyelids as he came awake with sluggish movements, making him roll over and curl up, not quite free of the vestiges of his dream. A warmth still spread with tingling pleasure from his groin to all his limbs, fading snatches of images flickering in the back of his mind: eyes and lips and--shit--it'd happened again. A tentative touch confirmed the sticky mess that plastered his boxers to his skin. He groaned and pulled the pillow over his head.

It was too embarrassing to be having wet dreams so often, like he was some kid who'd just hit puberty. Especially ones caused by him. He growled and tossed the pillow aside, an unconscious pout settling over his features. He'd had no right to do what he'd done, no right to touch Akihito at all, much less kiss him the way he did. Why should he be reacting this way, even after all these months?

It wasn't even like a kiss ought to be, at least not like any of the few Akihito had shared with blushing girls in the past. It was more like being totally devoured, and there certainly wasn't any blushing involved. Not on the part of him, anyway. Stupid bastard--just doing as he liked, playing around like he was some toy just there for Asami's amusement. He had no right to mess with him, keep him there against his will, or to push him up against that wall and touch him with such familiarity, to kiss him like it was his due.

Akihito's fingers drifted up to his lips as the scorching heat of that kiss played out in his mind again. Asami had been so strong, holding him to that wall by the press of his body as his tongue licked inside Akihito's mouth. A gasp escaped Akihito as his hips gave an involuntary lurch, another erection already tenting the front of his boxers.

Shit. This was so messed up. He liked girls, even if he'd never really had a serious relationship. First, he'd been focused on his friends and then University and photography. He hadn't really had the time or inclination for many dates, but that was just because he had other priorities right now. That was normal, right? Whatever was happening now was just a phase or something, a freak occurrence (that happened with disturbing regularity, Akihito's mind traitorously whispered) caused by that asshole in the three piece suit who didn't seem to have a grasp of personal boundaries.

An image of Asami standing in front of the backdrop of the bay in the fading evening light grew in his mind. He couldn't help but remember how piercing those eyes had been. They'd made him feel so strange, being looked at that way. No one had ever looked at him like that before, he was sure. And, Asami...well, he was good looking. Akihito had to admit that. Almost beautiful, only in a very masculine way; like a powerful jungle cat maybe, all sleek muscle and coiled power, and dangerously attractive.

Giving in to the silent battle with his mind and body, Akihito slipped a hand down inside his boxers and gave himself a nice, long stroke. Shame made him squeeze his eyes shut tight, but his hand didn't stop as he worked himself to another climax, memories of Asami's scent and touch and taste, and finally, that rich, deep voice in his ear sending him over the edge.

Afterward, he lay panting on top of his mattress, sheets kicked down to the foot of the bed, and stared up at the ceiling sated but troubled. He wondered if Asami even remembered him at this point. It had almost been four months since he'd last heard from him, not since he'd received the New Year's card with Asami's greetings and that short note he'd penned that managed to be teasing, suggestive, and infuriating all at once. Akihito had been shocked by the amount of money enclosed with the Otoshidama he'd sent along with the card, not to mention pissed off that Asami was flat out calling him a kid with the gesture.

He'd returned the money, of course. Though he'd sent a little New Year's greeting of his own along with it--a rather good picture of the man he'd managed to snap of him coming out of Club Sion in the wee hours of the morning, along with a message not to underestimate him. That memory made him smirk for a moment until he remembered the excitement the little exchange had caused in him. The thrill he couldn't quite suppress at the time came back to him in a rush. He had kept the New Year's card, but he hadn't heard another thing from Asami after that. It was shoved deep under the junk in his bed-side table, and he had to resist the urge to take it out and read it again.

Angry with himself for dwelling on it, he finally stumbled into the shower and tried to wash away his unwilling fascination along with the sticky residue of his morning activities. It was his birthday after all. Kou and Takato and the rest of the guys had an awesome day planned for him, and it would have nothing to do with Asami.

Asami had certainly been joking when he'd invited Akihito to Club Sion for a drink. And after the few rumors Akihito had been able to scrape up about him, he knew it would be the height of idiocy to show up there just to prove he wasn't intimidated. Asami would probably laugh at him if he showed up thinking that he had meant it seriously.

It was time to write off that whole incident--put it behind him. No more dreams, no more wasted time trying to find out more about the man or thinking about what happened. He was officially an adult now, so he would take charge of his life, live strongly, and not give Asami Ryuichi another thought.

He was able to keep mostly to his resolution until much much later that night, or more accurately, into the morning of the next day, when he finally dropped into bed exhausted, drunk, and happy. It was only then as he watched the play of light and shadow on his wall, drifting just on the edge of unconsciousness, did an unbidden sliver of disappointment begin to niggle at the back of his mind. Had a part of him secretly hoped that Asami would somehow show up today?

Akihito's head rolled on the pillow, and he stared up at the ceiling which spun faster and faster, making him dizzy even as he laid there. Crazy--that was crazy. His heavy-lidded eyes slowly closed. Asami Ryuichi wasn't someone he wanted to meet again. Asami was...

Akihito yawned deeply, then his breathing deepened and slowly evened out.

Asami...



Akihito was crouched down on one knee, intent on the shot he was framing and totally unaware of anything else as he focused on his goal. It made the moment even more entertaining when Asami spoke.

"Happy Birthday, Akihito."

The boy lost his balance as he swung around, his eyes going wide as they met Asami's amused gaze. Asami extended his hand, his lips curving up slightly when Akihito eyed it warily before letting him haul him back to his feet. He dropped it quickly enough and stepped back, brushing the seat of his pants and beginning to glower a little as he collected himself, pulling his camera closer to his body and cradling it protectively.

"My birthday was last week."

Asami could almost hear the unspoken, asshole, he was sure Akihito had tacked on to that sentence.

"My apologies. I had wanted to give you a proper greeting on the actual day, but business took me out of Tokyo. I hope you weren't too disappointed we couldn't have that drink."

The teasing made Akihito flare up delightfully. Asami made an effort to contain a grin.

"As if I cared! Don't think I actually showed up at your stodgy old club, Asami. I had much better things to do!"

"Oh? How much of a hangover did those things leave you with?"

Akihito grimaced, making Asami chuckle.

"That bad, eh? Well, you only turn twenty once." He stepped forward and ruffled the young man's hair, noting with satisfaction the way his eyes widened again and the swift blush that suffused Akihito's cheeks as he took a couple of hasty steps back and averted his face.

"Stop treating me like a kid," he snarled cutely. "What the hell was up with the Otoshidama anyway?" He was back to glowering again, challenging Asami as he built up steam.

"I merely wanted to give you the traditional gift, Akihito."

Asami's smooth reply earned him a snort.

"Who wants your money?"

"Well, if you won't accept that, will you allow me to take you out to dinner tonight as a belated birthday offering? You don't have plans, do you?"

That caught him off guard. Akihito looked uncertain for a moment. His eyes searched Asami's, looking for what Asami wasn't sure, but he could see Akihito's spine stiffen and he glared again.

"No way! Why should I go anywhere with you?"

Asami tilted his head slightly, his lips graced with a slight smirk. "Scared?"

"Hell, no! I'm not scared of you!"

"Well, then, come out with me. I'll take you someplace good."

"Where? So you and your friends can manhandle me again? You stole my film!"

"I gave it back, didn't I?" Asami smiled and took a step closer, then another. He could see the boy visibly steel himself not to back up, trying to put on a show of unconcern. It forced him to raise his chin to meet Asami's eyes, and they didn't disappoint with their fierce glow of bravado and challenge. "I won't do you any harm."

A play of emotions made a fascinating display over the boy's features, and Asami watched, intrigued and diverted by the unknowing openness Akihito offered up. It had been the same the first time they met. The boy had made him laugh with his uncowed belligerence and had dr