I'm sorry this took so long, I hope you enjoy it!

Akihito paces furiously around Kau's apartment, would have scuffed a path in his floors if it hadn't been for his slippers. It is now around two am and his beloved, broken camera lies dead on the kitchen table.

"I guess I don't get it, Aki. He did give you fair warning. Like that Kirishima guy said, if he wanted you dead, you probably would be right now," Kau says finally.

"But he shot at me!"

Kau folds his arms across his chest and leans back on the sofa. "You know, Aki, I can't say I'd really blame him at this point. I love you, man, but you've been kind of a jerk to the guy, haven't you?"

"Wh-what?" Akihito stops dead in his tracks and turns on his friend, eyes the size of dinner plates.

"I mean, I know he's a dangerous criminal and I can't quite say I'd want you to be with someone like that, but I don't know. From what you've said it seems like he's done a lot for you and it seems like he really loves you. I don't know that I'd give up a casino worth billions of yen just to save your ass and you're my best friend!"

"Gee. Thanks, Kau."

"Just telling it like it is, Aki. I'm glad to see you didn't just give up on him and I'm really glad you aren't catatonic on my couch right now, but what did you honestly think he was going to do? See you taking pictures and messing with his business and then suddenly take you back into his arms? He doesn't really sound like that kind of guy."

Akihito flops down beside his friend on the couch and sighs heavily, as if decompressing. He supposes he'd never thought about it like that before. It hurts to think about it. How much money Asami has lost because of him... how he's been injured because of him. "The casino alone, Takaba. You cost me billions." It suddenly occurs to him that yes, Asami did pay for him, did own him, but would he have done all that if he didn't love Akihito? "Yeah, you're right. You're right about all of it, Kau," he says.

"Of course I am."

"So what do I do?"

Kau stares at him blankly for a moment before smacking him upside the head. "Aki. Damn it. You man up for God's sake. You go to his place and talk it out like a grown-up. He's always gonna see you like a kid, like you said, until you stop acting like one. Flowers might not hurt either."

"I'm not buying flowers for Asami."

"Okay, chocolate then."

"He hates sweets."

Kau slaps Akihito against the back of his head again.

In the days following the meeting Fujita, Asami is slightly on edge. The feeling that he might have missed, might have injured Akihito or worse plagues him. He tells himself that Kirishima would have told him if the boy had been killed, but he does not allow himself to ask for any details.

He scans the magazines and newspapers for bylines with Akihito's name, but it does not appear in any of them.

It's only one evening when he really begins to think that his boy might be dead that he hears rapid feet pounding against the hallway. He opens the door just in time to watch Akihito skid to a stop right in front of him, a bouquet of yellow roses clutched in his hand.

"Takaba, get back here!" Kirishima calls after him.

"No!" Akihito calls back before turning to face Asami. "Hey," he exclaims with his silly little grin and then looks down and away and holds out the flowers, "Th-these are for you, I guess." He holds out the roses for Asami to take.

Kirishima finally catches up and grabs Akihito by the back of his collar and hoists him up. "Sorry, Asami-sama. I won't let him get by me again."

"Hey! Put me down, will you? I want to talk to Asami! I just came to apologize"

Kirishima eyes his boss, futilely trying to read his expression, but Asami remains still. "Boss?"

Asami takes the flowers from Akihito, "Let him down, Kirishima. He can come in. You're dismissed."

Kirishima drops Akihito to his feet, ruffles the boy's hair and leaves.

Asami turns back into the penthouse, without beckoning for Akihito to follow, but also without closing the door on him. Relief floods through him now as the boy appears to be totally unharmed. He moves into the kitchen, placing the roses in the sink and hunting through the cabinets to find a vase. He hears the door click shut and Akihito follows him into the kitchen.

"Here," the boy whispers, opening a higher cabinet door and pulling out a vase.

Asami blinks at him in surprise and then remembers that the kitchen used to be Akihito's domain. He takes the vase and fills it with water. "So. You came here to apologize?" he asks, unwrapping the roses from the shop's paper and placing them in the vase.

"You shot my camera."

"That does not sound like an apology to me."

"You jerk, that's my livelihood!"

"As if you have not interfered with my business more times that I should care to count. You care for that camera more than anything else." More than me, which he leaves unspoken.

"Yeah, but you're a billionaire crime lord. I'm a freelance photographer. My cameras are it for me. And you shot at me! You say you love me and then you shoot at me!" Akihito glares at him.

Asami glares right back, though he wishes the boy would stop being so stubborn and just say what's more obviously on his mind. "This is still not sounding like an apology."

"That's because you freaking shot at me! Where's my apology for that?" It's true, Akihito had come to say sorry, but upon seeing Asami so smooth and unruffled, it set off his temper and now he just can't seem to stop.

"You were given fair warning. Besides, I knew I wouldn't hit you."

"Cocky! And that is still not sounding like an apology," he mimics.

They stare at each other for a long moment before Asami runs his hand back through his hair and sighs. "Alright. I'm sorry. I'm sorry I shot at you." His eyes turn expectantly on Akihito.

Akihito shifts from one foot to the other and rubs the back of his neck, careful to avoid eye contact with Asami. "Yeah... I guess, I mean, I was talking about it with Kau and he said some stuff and you were right. I'm spoiled."

"I was right, hmm? I never thought I'd hear you say that."

"Don't push your luck," Akihito says, trying to keep his quick temper at bay again. "Look. Yeah, I was wrong, Asami, but you were wrong too. I know I owe you a lot, but that doesn't mean you can change who I am or what I do. God knows you'd never stop your business for me... and I guess I can't really expect you too, but you can't expect me to stop doing my job either."

"You're right," Asami nods, moving almost imperceptibly closer to Akihito. He feels the closeness of his boy and thinks now it was foolish to ever let him go.

"And furthermore- wait. I'm right?" Akihito now makes eye contact with Asami, who only nods.

"Yes, you're right," Asami closes the distance between them in one swift step and wraps one arm around Akihito while the other hand brushes over the boy's cheek and back through his hair. "I suppose I am spoiled myself," he admits. "I am used to having my way."

Akihito subconsciously, reflexively leans into Asami's touch, having missed it as if it were air. "A-and things are gonna change if..."

"If what?" Asami slips his hand on Akihito's back down to cup his buttocks.

The boy gasps. "I don't know."

"If you're going to come back?" Asami's heart leaps though he is careful to school his expression.

"If you'll let me, I guess. I can't stay on Kau's couch forever..."

"Things will have to change, as you said." He trails the tip of his finger against Akihito's jawline and down his neck.

"Yeah, like no more trying to stop me from doing my job, but-"

"But what? I would appreciate complete sentences, Akihito."

"Well it's really tough when you're doing shit like that!" Akihito protests, pointing to where Asami's hand is now playing between his thighs. "But... that magazine I work for a lot... they want me to do this year-long project on the culture of Tokyo. It's kind of a big deal."

"So no crime photography?"

"Yeah."

"No scurrying about warehouses and filthy alleyways?" It's almost too good to be true. Asami moves his hand to coax Akihito's cock to hardness.

"Yeah."

"Name the magazine, they will be receiving a large grant of money from an anonymous donor very soon."

Akihito laughs and then chokes because he's getting harder and it feels so good and this long without Asami's touches has been excruciating.

"And if I'm not to interfere with your work, I suppose you'll be making some changes as well?" Asami asks, holding Akihito up as the boy's knees have buckled. He leans forward to kiss his neck, licking and nipping as he goes.

"Y-yes."

"Such as?" Asami prompts.

Akihito blushes and looks away again. "Like not being so ungrateful..."

"And?"

Akihito realizes he can finally say the words he knows Asami wants to hear and mean them... because he loves Asami. "And admitting that I'm yours." He doesn't miss the way Asami's breath catches against his throat, but it's less than a second before he resumes the kisses. "A-and also..." it's just getting so hard to think.

"Complete sentences, Aki."

"I love you too, okay? Bastard."

A spark sets off in Asami's eyes and a growl escapes his throat, indicating the time for talking is over. He sweeps Akihito off his feet and carries him into the bedroom, demonstrating a good deal more patience than he feels. He tosses his boy on the bed and removes his tie. He kisses him thoroughly, all the while threading the silken fabric around Akihito's wrists and securing him tightly to the bed frame.

"Aw come on, Asami!" he whines, struggling against his bonds. "This isn't fair."

"I'm afraid you've lost the right to complain about what is fair and what is not fair, my sweet Akihito," he pushes the boy's tank top off, sliding it up to his wrists, further trapping him. "And that's another thing that's going to change," Asami says, pressing his forehead to Akihito's and smirking at him. "You're going to stop pretending you don't want me," his eyes dart down to where Akihito's erection is straining against his jeans, "when the opposite is so painfully obvious."

Akihito opens his mouth to protest, but then shivers as Asami runs his hands over his bare skin and it feels like forever since Asami touched him and really, it has been. "A-asami," he moans as the man tweaks his nipples.

"Yes?" Asami hums, leaning down to lathe his tongue over Akihito's skin and it tastes so good, better than he remembers.

Akihito blushes and looks away, "Just... take it easy on me, okay? It's been awhile."

Asami's laugh rumbles deep in his chest. He runs his hand down to stroke Akihito's cock, tugging lightly and running his thumb over the head. "Of course, my Akihito, I'll be as gentle as I always am." He moves down the boy's body and takes him into his mouth, savoring the feel of soft, warm flesh against his tongue.

Akihito raises his head to look at Asami, "I mean it, Asami, be-" all coherent thought flies from his head as Asami slips a finger inside of him "-gentle," he groans as his head falls back against the pillows.

Asami slides his finger in and out of Akihito, brushing his lips against the boy's cock. It's so good to have his boy falling apart beneath him again, his body taut with pleasure and shimmering with a fine sheen of sweat, face flushed. "God, you're tight," Asami purrs as he pushes two more fingers inside Akihito, leaning up to watch his face twist in pained ecstasy.

"Hah- hah- A-Asami..."

Determined to at least try to be merciful, Asami leans up, over his boy, pitching Akihito's legs over his shoulders and thrusting into him, slowly and barely able to keep himself from pounding into him. He savors Akihito's cry and the way he pushes back against Asami's hips like he doesn't even know that he's doing it. It's all those subtle ways Akihito betrays himself that spark Asami's attraction over and over.

Akihito tosses his head from side to side and struggles against the tie binding him and thinks he's never felt so full in his entire life. So full it hurts and yet feels better than anything he can remember feeling. "Asami! God, fuck me. Please!"

Asami smirks down at him, "What happened to gentle?" He gives a light thrust and Akihito is so tight, it has to be painful for him, but then it's obvious that no one has touched Akihito since they were last together and satisfaction floods through Asami. No one else will ever touch Akihito again.

Almost purposefully ignoring him, Akihito tries to reach out for Asami, though he's stopped by his makeshift handcuffs. "More!" he cries desperately, "More, more, Asami, please!"

"If you like." Asami clasps his hands over Akihito's hip bones and rocks against him, pushing in and out at his own leisure, luxuriating in the feel of Akihito's heat surrounding him. He watches as his precious boy's inhibitions fade from his eyes, replaced with a cloud of lust.

Through that cloud, Akihito finally glares up at him with that same defiant stare Asami has come to know so well. "Fuck me or die, bastard," he growls.

Asami laughs and slams against him, fingers bruising Akihito's hips, pounds into him over and over again, harder and faster, pressing that spot inside Akihito until the boy's pleasured cries and moans threaten Asami's firmly-held control and he slows down to take Akihito's cock in his hand again, pumping the boy to climax.

"AH! Asami!" Akihito comes hard until it almost hurts, but the journey back down is blissful, taken with soft sighs and taut spasms.

The sight of Akihito coming undone beneath him thrills Asami and he slows down just enough to watch as Akihito spills all over himself, eyes fluttering open and close, fingers curling and uncurling around the silk fabric binding his hands, muscles tight and flexing. Akihito could not possibly be ever more beautiful than this, Asami thinks. He continues to stroke his boy and leans down to whisper in his hear, "Mine."

Akihito gives a somewhat defiant grunt, "Yeah, okay, whatever," he grumbles, looking away, but leaning up into Asami's touch and growing hard again. "And who said you could stop?"

"Issuing orders now, are we, my sweet Aki?" Asami laughs, beginning to thrust in again harder and faster.

"You. Said. Things. Have. To. Change," Akihito pants, each word punctuated by a push back against Asami.

"So it seems they will. I'm glad to see you're finally learning to enjoy this," he remarks with a smirk. He stills Akihito's hips to pound against him once more. There are already bruises forming where his fingers have been and he admires them for a moment, but it's long enough that Akihito catches him and looks down to see what has captured Asami's attention.

"What are you looking- oh," Akihito says when he sees. "Well isn't that just great. Why don't you just tattoo me like Fei Long and get it over with?"

Asami smiles, resuming his pounding of Akihito's ass. "Don't tempt me, I just might." He traces the lines of Akihito's neck and collar bone, "But then how could I mar such skin?"

By now, words have escaped Akihito as Asami is hitting that spot again and again and again until Akihito is all but thrashing beneath him, coming even harder than the first time, not noticing how badly his arms are aching from being bound.

Asami buries his face in Akihito's neck and releases into his boy, possibly would have preferred another round, but it has been a long time and his well-practiced control has slipped slightly. But it does feel so good, Akihito is so hot and tight around him, still quivering from his orgasm.

They stay still like that for just a moment, each focusing on the other, until Akihito begins to wriggle. "Um. Can you untie me now?"

Asami laughs and moves off of his boy, lying next to him propped up on his elbow. "No."

Akihito glares over at him. "What? Why not?"

"You're too cute like this."

The boy kicks his legs and wiggles, attempting once more to free himself, but the harder he struggles the tighter his bonds become.

Asami regards him for a moment, smirking all the while before finally reaching up and deftly untying the knot. "There."

Akihito winces as he draws his arms down to his sides. "Are you satisfied now?"

"Yes," Asami responds. "For now. Give me a minute or two." He laughs when his boy groans.

Asami wakes up first, running his fingers through Akihito's blond hair. He smiles, really smiles and kisses his boy forehead. "Mine," he whispers.

"Dream on, bastard," Akihito mumbles, attempting to roll over before he's pulled back into a crushing kiss.

"Mine," Asami repeats.

"Yeah, yeah. Okay," but where Asami can't see, Akihito smiles too.

So there it is I know it's shmoopy, but I hope you all liked it. Onto bigger projects for me! :D

-El