Hello, dearest readers. Please forgive me for not updating. Gosh, I'm so ashamed of myself.

Soon after their lunch, the foursome gathered in the living room. Tetsuya was restless, impatient to take the smartphone in Asami's hands. The yakuza was busy tapping and typing on it; trying to get a secured connection to his children beloved Uncle Fei's number.

Earlier, their lunch was unsurprisingly less tense and quite animated than all the meal times they had before due to Tetsuya's wide grin that kept appearing throughout the period. Even Akihito was visibly full with anticipation and did not glare at him as much as before. Ryu, on the other hand, remained calm with his careful blank expression. His oldest son resembled him very much and it made his chest full with pride although sometimes he felt twinges of uneasiness. He could tell that the child knew too much of the world for a twelve-year old and he would have to look into that matter later.

But that did not mean that he favoured Ryu more than Tetsuya, though. He loved them equally and from what he had felt from the past few days he had spent with them—although, not all the time—he would really going to spoil Tetsuya if the kid knew how to play his cards right. Just like how he had asked to call Feilong. Well, what possibly he could have done against the hopeful eyes with said eyes was exactly the copy of Akihito's.

His enemies would die rolling in laughter if they knew how he, Asami Ryuuichi, could not fend off against a twelve-year old.

"Alright, here, " Asami said as he handed the phone to Tetsuya who eagerly reached out for it. Without wasting another second, the child plastered the phone to his ear, nearly bouncing in anticipation at the beeping sound of dialling.

"Thank you, Asami-san!"

There it was again, that particular feeling that was so foreign yet so welcomed in his chest.

Both Tetsuya and Asami did not realize the other two occupants in the living room had turned awkwardly silent with a single thought in their mind; Was Asami not aware that he was smiling, as in genuinely smiling?

Akihito struggled hard to not gape like a fish as his brain processed the serene and happy expression on Asami's face. He had never thought that the man was capable of showing—or even feeling—such emotions and for some reasons it irked him to no end. It irked him because it contradicted the image of Asami that he had built in his head for so long. Asami Ryuuichi was supposed to be a criminal, a rapist, and a cold man, not a father that would choose his children's happiness over his own interest. The yakuza had looked at the twins as if they were treasures and had never raised his voice or hands at them even once.

Was it all an act to deceive them?

"Uncle Fei!"Tetsuya exclaimed suddenly and sat straighter in his seat, dragging Akihito out of his monologue.

"Uncle! I miss you, I miss you—" Then, without any warning, big, fat tears rolled down the child's cheeks.

Tetsuya's trembled heavily and could not utter anything to the phone but sobs. More minutes passed by and Tetsuya was still crying but no one tried to pry the phone away from him. Akihito felt like he wanted to cry too but he bit his lower lip and ignored the way his chest felt. He went to sit next to his youngest son and pulled the boy onto his lap before hugging him.

"Uncle—hic—I want to go home."

The child sounded so desperate that Akihito had to bury his face in Tetsuya's hair while Asami silently left the living room with his fists clenched tight.

His heart felt like it was about to break into million pieces. The child was crying like there was no tomorrow while saying that he missed him and wanted to go home. He could vividly picture how Tetsuya's small frame shaking from the tremor in the boy's voice.

"Tet-chan," Feilong paused when he heard how his voice broke "I miss you too."

It took all his strength to not push the end button on the phone screen and smash the inanimate object altogether on the floor.

"Uncle—"

"Tet-chan, how are you?" He interrupted, unwilling to hear another round of cries and the word 'home'.

"I'm alright. Papa and Ryu-chan is—hic—alright too."

"That is good. Did you all eat properly?"

"Yes. We did, Uncle Fei."

"What did you have for lunch?"

"Uh. Su—Tsukiyaki?" The twelve-year old answered in a puzzled tone. Feilong smiled as he recalled that the twins were not that acquainted with Japanese food. Sushi was the only one that they know.

"Sukiyaki? It must have been very nice, then."

"Yes…it was. But, you were not there eating with us."

"Tet-chan," He tightened his hold over the phone, threatening to break it into pieces. "I need you to listen to me, alright?"

"Yes, Uncle Fei."

"I won't…be around for a while. I have businesses in overseas that require my immediate attention. That's why…I need you to be a good boy and take care of your Papa and Ryu-chan for me, okay?"

Tetsuya was obviously downtrodden, his vice turning low a notch. "When are you going to take us home, then?"

"I'm not sure, Tet-chan. I'm sorry."

"I'll be good so you have to come get us as fast as you can, alright? We'll wait for you."

"Yes, Tet-chan. By the way, how is Asami? Did he take a good care of you?" His voice might be the epitome of calmness but inside, he was all but calm. He did not want to even imagine Asami hurting them. If the man really was hurting them, Baishe be damned; He'll storm back to Japan and kill Asami.

Suddenly, enthusiasm took over the sadness in Tetsuya's voice. "Asami-san treats us okay. This is a secret so you can't tell it to Papa, okay? Asami-san bought me burger with lots of cheese."

Only then, Feilong could breathe. He did not realize that he had been holding his breath.

"That was generous of him. Did you say thank you?"

The line went silent for a few seconds before the boy replied in a slightly embarrassed tone.

"I...didn't." Then, the embarrassment turned into indignation. "I—I mean, I don't want to! Even if he gave me burger, he still made Papa cry. I won't say thank you until he apologises to Papa."

"Papa cried?"

"Uh-huh and he didn't say sorry. He's a bully."

Feilong chuckled bitterly.

"Well, don't overdo it. If you eat too much of burger you will hurt your tummy. Make sure you eat vegetable and fruits."

"But I don't like veggie and fruits. Especially carrot and tomato."

"Tet-chan, I told you that carrot is good for our eyes right? I will be sad if your pretty eyes don't shine."

"Really? My eyes are pretty?" Tetsuya nearly squealed.

"Yes, Tet-chan. They are very pretty." Like Akihito's.

"Then, I guess I'll eat the carrot. Only the carrot, though!"

"Carrot only?" Feilong let out a genuine chuckle this time. "Promise me that you will finish the carrot in your plate every time you eat."

"I promise. Then, Uncle Fei, promise me that you will come for us soon."

He bit his lower lip hard until he could taste his own blood. There was no way he could promise the child that.

"Tet-chan, I love you. Remember that. I will always love you, Ryu-chan, and Papa. Ah, I have to go. Take care, Tet-chan."

Abruptly, Feilong ended the phone call.

Asami crushed the packet of Dunhill in his hand and shoved them back into his trouser pocket as he looked over the city from the balcony. His body longed for the nicotine in the cancer sticks but he ignored the urge. He would not smoke anywhere near his children. Going cold turkey sounded easy, though, compared to the situation in his house.

Hah, his house.

That was the first time he sense the meaning of that word.

"I thought you were going to deny Tetsuya."

Although Asami did not jump in surprise, he was really startled by Akihito's sudden appearance. Not to mention that Akihito just talked to him. The blonde went to stand next to him—a few feet apart, though—and threw his glance on the brightly-lit skyscrapers all over the still busy city.

"I saw no reason to."

"You dislike, no, loathe Feilong."

"I won't let that affect my relationship with my children."

Akihito turned and met Asami's eyes. They stayed like that for several heartbeats, neither willing to back down. Until finally, the blonde's hazel eyes shifted away and returned to the city.

"You're really not going to let us go, do you?"

"I've been telling you that since the first day."

"You son of a b*tch." Akihito cursed weakly against the breeze that was caressing his face.

"I'm a father too, Akihito. Like any other fathers out there." Asami said softly yet it was like a punch to the gut for Akihito.

He felt trapped and he knew it was true. He could never leave the yakuza unless Asami grew tired of him and the children although he could tell that it probably would not be happening in the nearest future. Even Feilong who was powerful enough to rein one of the biggest countries in the world would not be able to help him.

"You'd better let the kids go back to school as soon as possible."

"I was telling the truth when I said I wouldn't stop them from going to school."

"Good. Because I will kill you myself if you lied."

Rather than seeing it, Akihito sensed Asami walking towards him and stood at his side. There was barely any space left between them. He could feel the heat from Asami's sturdy body and smell his musky scent. He would have flinched if he had any energy to do so. He just felt so drained and he wanted nothing than to let everything go.

Asami draped his arm around Akihito's waist and brought the smaller frame closer to him. It was very odd and rejuvenating to have the blond so docile. But it was not mere obedience that his Akihito was displaying there. His boy was neither a scaredy-cat nor a weakling. His boy had finally exhausted himself down.

But he would not mistake it for victory.

It was just the beginning for them.

Asami carefully turned Akihito around to face him and used his other hand to tilt the blonde's chin upward. Akihito's eyes were lifeless, temporarily void of the fire that always lit them. Still holding the blonde's chin, he bent down and kissed him on the lips. He would never be able to forget the feeling of Akihito's soft lips against his own. Even if they were not responding to him, even if Akihito was not actually consenting this to him, he would still relish in the bliss of it.

Someday, those lips would be the ones that capture his.

Gradually, his control wavered against the hunger for Akihito. His kiss turned more demanding and his hands were now pulling Akihito even tighter to him. He bit the boy's lower lip, asking for entrance so he could taste him. However, Akihito tightened his lips into a line and begun to let out sounds of discomfort and started to push Asami away.

Asami could not fight the bone-deep ache that was begging to be relieved. It had been so long.

He cupped Akihito's bottom and squeezed the fleshy mounds possessively, earning himself a shocked gasp from the blonde—which he took advantage of. He pushed his tongue into the boy's mouth, greedily licking and flicking everything he could. It made his head dizzy with lust as he savoured the boy's taste. He wanted him right there. He knew that the twins were already in their room an hour ago and were now fast asleep. Perfect. He needed to assure himself that Akihito was finally in his arms albeit not willingly. But soon, he promised himself, the precious blond would be truly his in all senses soon enough. For now he could live with this.

"Asami, stop!" Akihito pushed the broad chest with all his might but it was futile. Asami was too strong for him.

"No, Akihito. This is what should happen."

"I don't want this!"

"You will soon. Can't you see that resisting me is useless?"

The blond froze as unwanted possibilities of whatever Asami was planning flooded his mind. "You…don't you dare, Asami. I would never forgive you if you do that to me again."

That managed to stun the yakuza. The hurt and panic glint in the blonde's hazel orbs was like a slap on his , slowly, he released Akihito before walking away.