Omiai Characters: Asami x Akihito Rating: Hmm, I guess it's briefly NC-17 Spoilers: Not really Warnings: None Note: A little sidestory-type fic for a couple of birthday girls. Happy Birthday Christine, and Happy Belated Birthday Jia! Date. Like they went on dates. That old man didn't even know how to have fun. His idea of an entertaining night was drinking heavily but not getting drunk, then practicing his knots on various parts of Akihito's anatomy. Asami might own nightclubs but he'd forgotten how to use them for anything but business. And now he wants to go on a date. And me in a suit. Right. Don't dates mean going someplace fun, like the movies or an amusement park? Akihito tried picturing Asami on a rollercoaster and could only imagine him sitting in the first car like stone, hair not moving as they swooped down the first hill, and then molesting him for the rest of the ride. 'Keep your hands inside the car at all times' would only be an invitation to the pervert. Keep your hands inside Akihito, more like. He shivered in the cold. It might be March, but Tokyo was uncommonly chill and he resented having to wait by the curb like some lackey. I should just leave. But he knows I'll be curious and stay. I wouldn't be surprised if he was watching to see how long I put up with it. Just as an experiment, he thought, and he turned and started stomping away. Like magic a black limo pulled around the corner. At the sight of it he growled a little, then spun around and started stomping in the other direction. The car pulled along side him, matching his speed. He didn't even look over as the window rolled down. "Get in the car Akihito." "Go to hell! You let me stand out here and freeze for your amusement. Now I'm blowing you off for mine." "Not the way I'd like you to, but we can remedy that later this evening. Aren't you curious about where I want to take you?" Akihito halted and stood stiffly on the pavement, further annoyed that Asami's driver had anticipated it and stopped almost simultaneously. "Yeah, I'm wondering what kind of torture you had in store for me. But I'm not stupid enough to volunteer for it." He could see the warm air rising through the car window and turning to mist, and shivered. Bastard. "No torture. I just require your presence." "So it's not even a date then. It's more like an assignment." He tried to ignore the wave of disappointment but it was too strong and he knew it showed on his face. "Did you want us to do something romantic? A candlelit dinner? Soft music? Dancing? Did you dream of swaying to the strains of violins while in my arms?" The sarcasm he was hearing cut more than any knife could. "No! But I thought maybe you'd pull the arrogant stick out of your ass and let us have some fun for once. I guess that's too much to hope." A wool-covered arm snaked out of the limo window and grabbed his jacket, dragging him close. "Oh we'll have fun. We'll have more fun than you can take." The door opened and he was pulled into the warmth of the car. Asami's eyes, however, made it feel ten degrees colder than it was on the outside. "Behave for the next hour or so and we'll have the date you want. But only if you behave." "Behave, behave. Like I'm a kid. Where are we going that I have to 'behave'?" "A miai." Akihito was stunned into silence. "Good. You're behaving already. Just keep that up." It wasn't until the car pulled to a stop in front of an exclusive traditional restaurant that Akihito found his voice, and then it came out in a squeak. "W-wait a minute. Whose omiai?" "Mine, of course." "And you're bringing your boyfriend?" His voice was cracking like a teenager's. Asami froze, then turned his head to stare him down. "Is that what you are, Akihito?" he asked in a soft, dangerous voice. "No-no. I mean?" "I didn't think so." Asami proceeded to climb from the back of the car. Akihito was left staring after him, wondering if he'd only imagined the disappointment he'd thought he'd heard in that reply. Then he shrugged and laughed it off. Only he wasn't feeling all that amused. -- They were led to one of the private rooms, a traditional table for four dominating it in the center. Two people were seated on the left side, an older man and a young woman, about college age from the looks of it. Run, Akihito screamed to her in his head. You don't want to do this! Akihito thought he was just being altruistic. However he was thinking the same thing towards Asami, and altruism had nothing to do with it. As if she heard, she looked up and noticed him, then frowned slightly. A movement behind him caught her attention though and her eyes glowed, her face smoothing into a welcoming smile. Her eyes dropped coyly, but not before Akihito had seen the greed and desire in them. Obsessed. The idiot. Seeing only what she wants. There's no way she could be fooling Asami. He glanced back and up, searching his lover's face. Asami's eyes flicked to his for a moment, amused, then away. He breathed slightly easier. Asami knew. What the hell was he doing here then? The old man had risen to his feet and was approaching. He had the air of someone used to command. Maybe he's someone important that Asami doesn't want to piss off. But then, why bring me? "Asami-san. On time as usual. Welcome." He turned toward Akihito. "And who is this? A young cousin perhaps? I wasn't aware that you had family." "Takaba Akihito. He isn't family, but he may be. I've been thinking of adopting him." Akihito choked on the greeting he'd been trying to force out. Asami slapped him hard on the back. "His health is a bit off, the poor boy, and he needs all the care I can provide. Come and sit down, Akihito, and we'll get you some nice warm milk." He glared up at Asami as a firm hand pushed him to his knees at the table. "Akihito, this is Hirabayashi Reijiro. Perhaps you've heard of the Hirabayashi Conglomerate." It wasn't a question. Anyone living in Japan knew the name, from their film and music production studios to their successful chains of hotels and restaurants. No wonder, he thought, his heart sinking when he hadn't even realized it had been afloat. Maybe all that makes marriage worth it to him. He tried reading his lover's face, but didn't understand what he was seeing. Asami didn't look at him, nor even at the young woman, though he waved a hand in her direction. "... and this is his granddaughter." No name. Akihito glanced over at her, and watched her perfectly made-up lips press together at the slight. He felt a little bad at taking pleasure from it, but not that bad. She deserved whatever she got for thinking she could land Asami. He turned his attention back to the two men, who were seating themselves. Asami dwarfed the other in stature. But then Asami dwarfed all men, even those who were taller. "Hirabayashi is an old and valued business associate. He's been quite persistent in pressing for this meeting. Even though I've expressed my disinterest in marriage, they just won't give up." Asami was polite but he was clearly annoyed. Akihito wondered just what was going to happen. The old man chuckled. "Asami-san, you make it sound like persistence is a bad thing. Where would you and I be if we gave up the first time someone said no?" "You're quite correct, Hirabayashi-san. But then, after the twentieth time I start to think that other options might be more cost effective." The girl across the table leaned forward eagerly and she finally spoke. "But Asami-sama, didn't someone famous once say that success always balances the cost of perseverance?" Asami's eyes barely flicked over her. "If you think of who said it, let me know. I'd never want to go into business with him, but I'd enjoy taking his business away when it failed for lack of funds." Her mask slipped for a second, letting her irritation through at being dismissed, then it was back in place. "But you, Asami-sama, are a very clever businessman who would never make such mistakes. I told Grandfather you would be the perfect person to take over all his holdings when he dies." Akihito stared at her, thanking all the gods of the world it wasn't his marriage meeting. Spoiled rotten and subtle as a dollar-store perfume. Akihito didn't know the old man, but he let some of his displeasure show as he spoke. "We're all hoping, of course, that doesn't happen any time soon." The girl kept a smile on her face but her eyes were sharp as daggers. "It's bound to happen though, and we should all be realistic. Isn't that right, Grandfather? And who better to carry on the family business than someone like Asami-sama?" "Oh?" Akihito felt his claws come out. "Is it business that you're wanting to carry on with Ryuichi?" He took some small pleasure in hearing a slight cough to his left. Both pairs of eyes across the table narrowed as they gazed at him speculatively. Akihito turned toward Asami. "Have some tea, dear. It will help with your cough." Asami's eyes danced as he took the proffered cup from Akihito's hands. "You'll make someone a good wife someday, Akihito." "How did you and Takaba-kun meet, Asami-sama?" Akihito wondered how she was able to enunciate with her teeth grinding together. "Akihito is a photographer who was taking pictures of one of my businesses. We met on a few occasions, one thing led to another, and we became quite close. There was a connection, you might say. When the photo shoot was done, there was a void in him where the film had been, and I filled it." Akihito's eyes closed, and he bit the inside of his cheek. He didn't know whether to laugh or yell. This was ridiculous. Why didn't anyone just come out and say what they were thi...
Mojaunicorn