AN: This is rated M purely for mentions/allusions to sex but no actual lemons ahead (sorry :P). This takes place after my fics Needy Kitten and I'm Glad its You but before Birthday Confession. Inspired by my own mothers rather short notice holiday from NZ to visit myself and my sister in Australia. Fortunately my mother did not have quite such an eye opening stay with me, although I did have to hide my 7 Finder manga novels, it wasn't worth the drama of her finding them!

Takaba Nariko had to admit that she was a little bit too excited than was appropriate. But dropping in to stay with her only son for a week with only a few hours' notice was not something she did. She had to suppress a giggle at the memory of her phone call this morning. Akihito's very sleepy voice quickly became very panicked once she had informed him that she would be dropping by the penthouse in a few hours and would be staying for a week. She had assured him that it did not matter if he was away for a lot of the time with work, she could take care of herself and see him when he is free. And, to say thank you for the hospitality, Nariko promised to help with the cooking and chores while she stayed.

Akihito had desperately tried to suggest that she could stay in a fancy hotel and visit after he finishes work but floundered when she countered that she would see him more if she was staying with them. Nariko hadn't admitted that part of the reason that she wanted to stay, other than to see her son of course, was to see a little more into his relationship with Asami. While she had met her sons lover on a few separate occasions now she was still unsure about him. Akihito was stubborn and wilful and surely if he was unhappy or being forced in any way he wouldn't stick around. But as a mother she couldn't help but worry. She had seen glimpses of the darkness in Asami and it was re-enforced with the interactions she had seen between him and his subordinates with the subtle difference they pay him and his icy glares and snapped commands. Her son seemed to be the only person willing to stand up and go toe to toe with Asami from what she had seen and she was unsure if it was love or foolishness. Perhaps both. Nariko wanted to make sure that her son was happy in this relationship and that it was a mutual thing and not Asami taking what he wants. She did not doubt the supposed business man was capable of doing just that but she desperately hoped that that wasn't the case.

Still, here she was in Tokyo, staying in a very nice penthouse, surprising her son and hopefully soothing her concerns while getting some relaxation and shopping done.

Upon entered the apartment building, Nariko was quickly ushered up the elevator by the concierge who had been anticipating her arrival. She had to admit, it was a very nice building. Clearly catering to the wealthy but still maintaining a tasteful elegance. She never would have imagined her son living in a place like this. But then she never expected Asami either.

A small chime indicated that she had reached the top floor. Stepping out into a small, sparsely decorated foyer, Nariko pulled her small suitcase behind herself and made her way to the only visible door and knocked. She didn't have to wait long before there was the sound of thumping footsteps and the door was flung open revealing a rather dishevelled Akihito.

"Okaasan!"

"Aki, darling!"

Letting go of her luggage, Nariko wrapped her son in a hug and squeezed. When she stepped back she held him by the shoulders and took in his messy blonde hair and rumpled clothes.

"Did I get you out of bed Aki?"

"Huh? Uh, no, I've been up for a while."

"Ah." She gave him a knowing look, "Asami-san must be home then. Sorry for interrupting."

"What?! No, no! It's not like that!" She might have believed Akihito if it wasn't for the blush quickly suffusing his cheeks even while he flailed his arms in denial. There was a deep chuckle from behind her son and Nariko looked up to meet intense golden eyes.

"Asami-san."

"Takaba-san."

She pulled the impeccably dressed man forward into a brief hug and kissed his cheek. While she still found him intimidating, she wasn't about to treat him any differently than she would have if her son was dating someone else.

"Thank you for letting me stay."

"Of course."

Akihito huffed, "Like you gave us a choice." Nariko could almost hear the pout in his voice.

"Why so sudden anyway? Don't you usually book these things in advance? And where's Otosan?"

"Ah, your father had to suddenly go away on a business trip. One of his colleagues, who was supposed to be going instead, was in an accident and is currently in hospital and unable to attend, so your father is having to go in his stead. I had some time off up my sleeve and thought that rather than being lonely at home I would come and spend some time visiting my son in Tokyo."

"Are they going to be okay?"

"Yes. Ito-san will be making a fully recovery thankfully but he will be spending some time in hospital apparently. He was in quite an awful traffic accident."

There was a small beeping sound and Asami gave an apologetic look.

"Unfortunately I have to go for a meeting but please make yourself at home Takaba-san." He stepped forward and pulled Akihito in for a short but rather intimate kiss.

"Behave kitten."

With a final nod to Nariko, Asami strode out the door leaving a flushed and stuttering Akihito in his wake. Nariko gave her son a rather amused look but he seemed rather determined to not meet her eyes.

"I'm not sure why you are so embarrassed Aki. He's your lover, of course you are going to have a goodbye kiss. You two are rather cute."

If anything, Akihito seemed to blush even more.

Looking pointedly at the floor, Akihito mumbled; "Yeah but you are my mother."

"And? It's just a kiss Akihito. I have seen far worse in my time. You did come from somewhere you know."

His eyes flew wide and he gaped at her in mortification.

"Yes. Well. Let's get out of the doorway." He jumped forward and took her suitcase and guided her into the penthouse, clearly looking to change the topic of conversation.

"So I've set up the bed in my workroom for you to use while you stay. I have a shoot in a few hours, I thought we could go out for lunch then I could either drop you home or you could stay out and shop. There's a nice little ramen shop walking distance from here."

Trailing after her over enthusiastic son, Nariko smiled, "That sounds excellent."

VFVFVFVFVFVFVF

Back at the penthouse after lovely lunch with her son, Nariko set about earning her stay. Akihito had told her a few times during lunch that she didn't have to help out with the chores and that she was more than welcome to stay regardless but she was insistent. She still had plenty of time to relax with her book before Akihito got home from his photoshoot and by her doing the chores it would give him more free time to spend with her when he finished work.

After a quick look in the kitchen and around the living room to assess what needed cleaning, Nariko headed into the master bedroom to grab the laundry basket Akihito had mentioned. She cast around and found a few rumbled pieces of clothing in the corner of the room as well as the on top of the dresser, both lots clearly her messy sons. She was in the process of scooping up the pile of the floor and dumping everything into the laundry basket when she came across something she didn't expect. Black lace? There was a fair amount of it was well. Nariko cautiously picked it up and held the lacy thing out in front of her. There was also some red bits on what seemed to be a lacy top and a small black and red lace thing fell onto the floor. That would presumably be the matching underwear.

Nariko felt her eyebrows rising. Clearly these wouldn't fit Asami and while they appeared to be women's lingerie, they had obviously had been worn. Glancing at the rest of the clothing that was in the same spot, Nariko very quickly came to the conclusion that these were in fact her sons, something that will probably cause a great deal of embarrassment once he realises that she has found them. She was surprised about her discovery to say the least. It was a very unusual choice of attire for a man.

Nariko gave a rueful chuckle. She often forgot that her son was all grown up and more than entitled to do what he pleased behind closed doors. Mentally scolding herself, she set to picking up the rest of the clothing. She was in their home, their bedroom. This was their private space and she shouldn't be judging. Nariko decided that next time she will get Akihito to leave the basket out for her and not go inadvertently snooping around. Perhaps this was the reason for his panicked tone when she said she was coming to visit on short notice.

As she grabbed the last piece of loose clothing, this time off the dresser, a small muted thud indicated something had been knocked off and onto the floor. She bent down and swiftly picked up what was upon closer inspection, a set of soft, padded leather handcuffs. She carefully placed them back on top of the dresser and exited the bedroom with the firm resolve that she did not want to know any more details about her son's love life. Nariko got the feeling however that she would probably know far too much about it by the time her stay was through.