Daybreak - A short story
Title: Daybreak
Artist: paranoia_woman
Character(s): Asami, Takaba, and one OC character
Rating: R, well almost. ^_^
Summary: Asami awakens to a day unlike any other. A one shot.
Disclaimer: Ownership of the Viewfinder series and all characters therein belongs to Yamane Ayano, In perpetuity.
Daybreak
Asami owned many places where he could lay his head at night, but he usually ended up sleeping at Club Sion of late. It was just more convenient for him. He woke the usual time, every morning, as he always did, five-forty five. He hadn't used an alarm clock since he was a child and that was a very long time ago. This morning was different than others though. When he reached for the light switch, nothing occurred. Click, click, he turned the switch a few more times out of frustration. He looked around and found he could see well enough from the rays of the rising sun that was just breaking out of the morning fog outside his window. He pushed the covers back and went to the bathroom to get ready for the new day.
When he reached for the light switch in the bathroom, he found it covered with a slick substance. He pulled his hand back expecting to find them coated with oil but found nothing unusual on his skin. He put his hand back to check and felt the slick, oily matter covering not only the switch but the whole wall as well. When he flicked the light switch nothing happened. No lights in that room as well. Asami went over to his bed and retrieved the gun he kept there in case of trouble and went out into his office area. He didn't hear anything, but that wasn't unusual since the walls were soundproof. He walked over to his desk and tried the light there. Nothing, there was no power there either. If there had been a power outage then his men would have informed him. He picked up his phone and found no dial tone. Trying his cell phone he found no reception there either. Now he was getting worried. He quickly got dressed and left his office to see what could be going on.
Opening his office door he was met by only quiet shadows made by the suns rays coming through the office windows. There was no sign that anyone had even been there in a while. He moved quietly through all the rooms, his weapon held at the ready. Not even the emergency power was working. He realized quickly that no electricity equaled no elevator, so he made his way to the stairwell and began his decent down through the utter darkness he found there.
Starting downward all he could hear was his own heartbeat. At first it threatened to overwhelm his senses so he stopped his descent. He breathed calmly, expanding his senses out and centered himself as he had learned to do long ago from one of his many teachers he'd had in his life. Finally his heartbeat became only a low drumming allowing him to hear normally again. Halfway down he noticed a sound far above him, a scraping, gravelly noise too distant to identify. He had to get out and find out what the Hell was going on. Taking only as much time as he needed to safely walk down he made it to the bottom and opened the door.
The door opened to the main lobby near the doorway of the building. The light streaming from outside through the large windows into the room was the only light he saw. There was no sound, no people, causing a sense of unease to come over him. Worried, unknowing what was happening, his first thought was of Takaba. He again heard the noise from above. It was now closer than it had been before. Asami tried to step out from the darkened stairwell but found he was unable to move forward. The darkness seemed to cling to him, not wanting to release its hold on him. He closed his eyes and growled his frustration at what was occurring; worriedly thinking that Takaba could be missing too, as he pushed himself forward with all he had. He burst out into the lobby and took off outside into the street.
The streets were devoid of any sign of life as he began to make his way toward Takaba's apartment. It was a bit strange, but he didn't have time to worry about it. He had other things on his mind. He thought of getting one of his cars from the garage, but to reenter the darkened basement didn't seem like a good idea right now. The first vehicle he came across was a car that looked familiar. He had owned one long ago, before he started on his current path in life. It was a 1970 silver Celica LT, the first car he ever owned. His brother jokingly had called it a Japanese Mustang due to it looking so much like the American car and also to irritate him since he himself didn't have a car of his own yet and Asami never let him drive his. He smiled as he tried the door and found it unlocked. He climbed in, quickly and efficiently hot wiring it. He gunned the engine as a sense of euphoria filled him. Taking off like a shot, he did a bootleg turn, heading towards Takaba's. As he looked around him, he saw not a living thing, no people, no birds, and suddenly realized that not even an insect noise was to be found. He pushed the accelerator to the floor as his agitation became greater. He'd lost Takaba once, he wouldn't lose him again.
Driving up to Takaba's building he drove up on the sidewalk and jumped out making for the stairwell and ran all the way up to his door. He burst through, not even pausing to knock. He had to know. He had to know if Takaba was there. He couldn't be gone. God, Please, No . . .
Takaba was sitting on his couch and when Asami broke the door down, he jumped up, and had begun to run to the back bedroom before realizing it who it was and turned back in anger yelling, "Asami, What the Hell are you doing! The landlord's going to kill me. You're going to pay for that, I hope you know."
Asami grabbed him in a bear hug that crushed Takaba into his chest, burying his face in his chestnut colored hair, and breathed deeply in the scent of shampoo and fixer.
"Asami," Takaba choked out, "You can let me go now." The smaller man tried pushing away from the larger, but couldn't even get his arm up between them. He was trapped in Asami's arms. "A-sa-mi, I - can't - breathe," he was barely able to get out as Asami felt him go limp.
Finally realizing Takaba's plight, Asami loosened his hold and carried him over to the couch and sat down, but didn't release him yet.
Takaba sat gasping on Asami's lap, his oxygen deprived body breathing deeply as his mind raced with questions. "Just what's going on here?" he whispered.
Asami finally spoke, "I'm sorry. I had to know. I had to know if you were still here."
A worried look came over the young photographers face, "What happened?" he asked.
Asami looked in his face, but wasn't sure of what to say. He looked around and noticed for the first time, the lights in the room, they were on. He looked down on the coffee table and found Takaba's laptop setting there. It seems that the boy had been working when he broke in. 'What the Hell,' he thought, finally letting Takaba slide off his lap as he stood and took a good look about the room.
"Asami?" Takaba said worriedly, receiving no response he stood and put his hand on the older man's shoulder and said softly, "Ryuichi?"
Asami strode over and picked up the phone and found no dial tone. He turned toward the worried young man and holding the receiver out to him said "No Dial Tone!" like he had discovered a great thing.
"Yes, the phone's been out since last night. A big storm occurred, didn't you hear it last night. Powers off all over the city, my buildings just been lucky," Takaba said, looking at Asami as if he had finally lost it.
"Damn it, that's not it. They're gone. They're all gone. I think we're the only ones left here," he said walking over to the window and looking out.
"Ryuichi," Takaba said walking over to him, "I think someone's drugged you or something. You definitely aren't acting right. You're not making any sense. You burst in here in the wee hours of the morning and start saying the weirdest things. Where are your men? Didn't they drive you over here?"
"I know this doesn't make sense, but that doesn't make it not real. Believe me Takaba, we're in danger. I just don't know what type yet, but I'm sure I can protect you from whatever it is," he said in a tone that Takaba knew meant blood would soon be spilt.
"Where are your men?" he asked again.
"Gone. No one's left but us," Asami replied.
Takaba worriedly pulled Asami over to the couch where he made him sit as he checked his forehead with the back of his hand to see if he was fevered. "No, temp seems fine," he said as Asami grabbed Takaba's hand, pulling down the boy, kissing him with such intensity that Takaba felt his body begin tingling in response, but worried about the bigger man's state of mind he pushed him back saying, "Now's not the time," when suddenly the lights went off.
Asami released his hold on Takaba and stood, listening for any noise.
"Asami?" Takaba asked questioningly. Asami raised his hand for quiet as he closed his eyes and focused on something, something he was sure he heard.
A low gravely, scraping noise was coming from somewhere out in the hall.
"Asami, it was just another outage. The power will come back on real soon. What's wrong?" he asked as he watched him go over, pick up the broken door, put it back in place, and then begin piling furniture in front of it.
"Off," he stated in a flat tone, wanting Takaba off the couch. Standing up, he could only watch in wonder as Asami piled that in front of the door as well.
"Okay, that should slow it down," Asami said turning towards a very, very confused photographer.
"Slow what down?" was all he could ask.
"Something I ran into on the way over here. Don't worry about it. I'll take care of you," he said walking towards the kitchen. "I need a drink. What do you have here?"
"How about some juice, it's kinda early for alcohol," Takaba replied
"Let me be the judge of that," Asami said rummaging about in the refrigerator, "When you've seen what I've seen, you'll want something stronger than juice," pulling out a six pack and walked back to the window. "Damn, I forgot my cigarettes. Are there any here?" he asked.
Takaba went over to the door and pulled open the drawer of one of his side tables that Asami had piled up there, throwing the pack to him.
"Light?" he added.
Takaba scowled as he reached back in and pulled out a lighter, one that Asami recognized as one of his own, and tossed it towards him. As he made a grab for it something banged hard at the door. The lighter fell to the ground instead of landing in Asami's hand because Asami was already beside Takaba pulling him back from the entryway.
"What the Hell was that?" Takaba said in a scared low voice.
"That's the problem, I don't know."
Breaking away, Takaba ran over to the phone. "Damn, I forgot it wasn't working," he said, slamming the receiver back down. "Maybe we should get out of here."
Asami glanced over at the window, instead of the noonday sun the darkness made it appear to be near dusk. He knew it was way too early for it to be this dark, even with it being cloudy, which it hadn't been this morning. "I don't know if that's a good idea."
"How did you get here?" Takaba asked. "Maybe we could use that to get away."
Walking over to the window Asami looked down into the street. The car that should have been sitting there on the sidewalk where he had left it was no where in sight; the ground seemed to be covered in a hazy fog. "I think that way is blocked now."
"Asami, you're scaring me more than that thing outside. What's going on? Let me help you," he said him hugging around his waist.
"You are helping me. Your being here with me makes everything better. Remember, no matter what happens I'll be there for you. So don't leave my side, Okay?" he said turning and embracing him tightly as their lips met. Asami took his time kissing him. Takaba tasted slightly of chocolate and strawberry. 'He must have been indulging in some of that vile Pocky,' he thought, 'but it actually tastes good like this.'
His hands moved over the younger mans body, lifting his shirt as his fingers traced lightly down over the younger man's back, then further down where his hands grabbed and firmly squeezed his lovers buttocks as he pulled him in tightly against him, bringing a moan from Takaba's lips.
"A-sa-mi, wait. . . you- ah um," but that was as far as he got before Asami's kissing became even more intense and he could no longer think clearly anymore, his knees gave out on him. Asami touch seemed far more intense than normal. When his hold loosened Takaba slid to the floor where he sat kneeling, his mouth open and panting for air. Looking down on his lover with lust filled eyes Asami decided if the world was going to hell he would go there in his own style. He bent down and kissed red swollen lips again greedily before hastily removing the shirt that was in his way, tearing off a few buttons impatiently before moving his attention down his neck to his chest licking and nipping, leaving love bites as he went. Forgotten was their dire predicament until the ringing of the phone brought them both back to their senses.
*Ring-Ring-Ring-Ring-Ring*
They both stared at the phone like it was an alien thing. Neither moved to answer it, but whoever was on the other side of the receiver wasn't giving up. The phone continued to ring becoming louder even it seemed till Asami decided enough was enough and went over to answer it.
"Yes. Who is this and what do you want?"
"Ryuu, I'm here to get you. No, that sounds bad doesn't it. Ryuu, I'm here to bring you home. Please let me in."
"What the Hell do you mean?"
"It would be better if I spoke to you in person, so to speak. May I enter the apartment there?"
Realizing they needed his permission to come in and that he wasn't completely powerless anymore the anxiety that Asami had been feeling all day washed away, leaving him cool and calm.
"What assurance do I have that you won't cause what's been happening outside to occur in here if I do?"
"I understand your reluctance. Okay, How about I swear on our Fathers name."
"No. Fathers, I've found, are useless."
Even Takaba had a surprised look at that statement.
"Whaattt?" the voice of the other side of the phone stammered, "Look, I promise no harm will come to you or to anyone in your apartment while I'm there. I can't think of anything else I can say to you to make you believe me. I really want to help you," the voice said kindly, "I miss you brother."
"What's going on? Who are you talking to Asami?" Takaba whispered, intertwining his fingers in Asami's.
He looked down into his worried lovers eyes, squeezed his fingers lightly, and said into the receiver. "Okay, but give me a few minutes …," but before he could finish his sentence he was interrupted by, "Great, I'll be there soon," and the phone went dead again.
He sighed heavily and looked down at the younger man who's eye's mirrored both love and worry towards him. He reached out and rumpled his hair and said, "We're going to have a visitor soon. Let's get a place to sit set up here. Come on; help me move these chairs back.
Takaba stared as Asami began pulling the barricade apart to get to the seats.
"What? Are you going to make me do this alone?"
"Wha? No!" the younger man stammered, moving over to help with the jumbled furniture.
"Asami," he said as they finished clearing a path to the door, moving the couch, a chair, and a small table over to the center of the room, "What is going on?"
"That's what I want to know," was the only cryptic answer he got.
Takaba sat looking at the floor thinking jumbled thoughts, when he felt eyes on him. He looked over to his right and saw a knowing smirk and lust filled eyes staring at him.
Maybe you should change your shirt. You’re a bit…distracting," he said, reaching over and rubbing his fingers over the hem where the buttons were torn off, lightly touching skin as he went.
Blushing at the thoughts he was having, Takaba quickly stood up and started to go get another shirt when a loud knock was heard. They both turned and looked towards the door, but realized the knock didn't come from that direction. It came more so from the kitchen. They cautiously went to the kitchen where they quickly found where the knocking was coming from, the refrigerator.
Both men stood looking at the fridge unmoving. This was totally unexpected and neither seemed sure what to do.
"Hel-lo in there. Aren't you going to answer your door?" they heard from within.
Takaba found himself behind Asami's larger back before he even knew he'd moved, his eyes wide in shock. 'What the Hell!!!!!' was all he could think.
Recognizing the voice from the phone Asami reached for the handle and looked back at Takaba saying, "Relax, I'll handle it," before pulling the door open.
From behind the fridge door a head emerged, followed by a body, a very recognizable body. It was Asami, but not Asami. Same face, same frame, but with much longer hair and the clothing was…strange to say the least. He was wearing a kimono that was white, no silver, no blue. It seemed to change by the second leaving the eyes watching in awe.
"Finally, brother it's been so long since I've seen you. Your hair's so short," he said reaching out to touch.
"Brother?" mumbled a very confused Takaba.
Asami moved back before the strangers hand could get nearer to him. "You said you had something to speak to me about. Let's move to the other room where we can sit," he said, thinking, 'I will be in control of this situation no matter how crazy it gets. I must protect…' he looked down at Takaba; taking him by the waist he led him into the other room leaving the stranger to follow them.
They were already seated before the stranger came into the room and sat across from them. "I come bearing a gift," he said setting a large bottle of liquor on the table between them. "I didn't want to seem rude, this being the first time I've visited." He looked over to the two faces in front of him; one looked in shock, the other one looked angry, and seemed to be getting angrier by the moment.
"Takaba, get some glasses," Asami said gruffly and then putting a hand on his shoulder he added, "Please."
Takaba slowly stood and left towards the kitchen.
Looking menacingly at the man across from him Asami growled, "Look, I don't know what's going on, but I'm sure your not here to make friends. Stop all this chitchat and tell me what you want."
Smiling the stranger leaned forward, oozing friendliness, "I'm not here to hurt you. I'm just here to bring you back home brother.
"Stop that. I only have one brother and it's not you. I don't even know you," Asami spat.
"I know and understand that and I'm here to clear all this up. I really am your brother. Actually I am your only brother Ryou," he said smiling innocently. "Now don't look so angry brother. You're going to get wrinkles on that gorgeous face of yours."
'I'm not falling into his pace,' Asami thought, but said aloud, "If you want anything out of me give me some proof."
"What? Would you say that what's happened today wasn't anything?"
"It's madness. Not proof," he said, turning his head to look as Takaba returned with three glasses.
"Let's get to it then," Ryou said, opening the bottle and pouring each glass full. He lifted his and said, "Here's to proof," and downed the contents of his glass. Finishing he sat his glass down and noticed the other two hadn't lifted theirs yet. "What? Don't trust me yet."
"No, don't trust you still," Asami said, crossing his arms and sitting back.
Sighing Ryou poured himself another glass and sat back sipping it. "Really… I come all this way and this is the greeting I get. I suppose I should have expected…"
"Who Are You?" Takaba screamed getting to his feet. "Just what do you want?" he yelled even as Asami grabbed him by the waist and pulled him back down beside him.
"Shhh, I really need you to calm down. I told you I'll handle this. Negotiations are my specialty."
Sitting back Takaba's mind was all a blur. Nothing today was making sense. The day started out normal enough, then with Asami's arrival it all went to hell; Day turning to night, men coming out of refrigerators. 'Yeah, that's right. It's all his fault. It's always his fault. Ever since that first time I saw him. Him and his eyes…and hair… and his lips…' He looked over to Asami and ashamed of his thoughts he reached for the glass and drank half of it before Asami tore it away from him.
"What are you doing?" he screamed, throwing the glass to shatter against the far wall. "You don't even know what was in that."
"Don't worry," Ryou said, looking worried. He hoped to calm the situation saying, "It won't harm him. The only thing this stuff could do to him is make him inebriated. Try some yourself."
Looking into the already unfocused eyes and slightly flushed cheeks of the smaller man he realized that Takaba was already two sheets to the wind, but seemed fine other than that. "Brat," he mumbled into his ear, rumpling his hair and leaned him against his shoulder, "just stay there and don't move or I'll sit on you." A slight smile came to his lips as Takaba snuggled against him, but looking across at the man proposing to be his brother his mouth hardened and with a menacing glare he growled, "Enough of this. Just tell me what you came here for."
"I have already. I came for you. Now why don't you have a drink and relax?"
"Enough of that," he said knocking over both glasses, spilling the contents over the table. "You've said that already, but with your power to deconstruct everything why haven't you..." he paused in thought. "You can't, can you. You can't just take me out of here. That's why you’re here.
"Correct, I knew you would figure it out easily enough. Your right, Father sent you here as punishment. You would never listen to him; reckless with your actions, always had to do things your own way. You were always too willful, but you’re also the Heir apparent. He opened this pocket universe and removing your memories he set you up in a poor family with an extremely strict upbringing. He wanted you to see what harsh environs some must endure to live. It was meant as a punishment and a lesson. Father's always kept an eye on you though and has been happy in what he's seen. You overcame everything to become a power in this world, controlling business and government alike with a stern hand. You've impressed him," he leaned forward and refilled the glasses that Asami spilled.
"Where is he, this Father of mine. Why didn't he come here?" Asami asked in a disbelieving tone.
Pausing to take a sip from his drink, his eyes looked sad as Ryou answered, "Father isn't well. He's been ill for a while now. He finally decided to let you return and take over for him. Won't you come back? I've missed you."
"Let's say I leave here, can Takaba come with me?"
"No, sadly his cellular structure would break down in our realm. This pocket universe was created too quickly by Father and has many chaotic issues as you've probably seen. This world here is simply a powder keg seemingly screaming for its own destruction. You, just by being here, have been one of the primary things preventing it," Ryou replied shaking his head.
"So, I don't have to leave if I don't want to is what your saying," Asami said decisively.
Looking panicked Ryou cried, "What! Wait a minute, why wouldn't you. You have a Realm of your own to rule out there. Mother and Father are waiting for you. They even have your brides picked out for you. You'll have power and wealth…"
"And chains not of my making," he sighed picking up his drink. "I prefer chains I've forged of my own," he paused moving the glass to his lips, "and untainted drinks too," he moved the glass away from him and poured the contents on the floor.
Ryou stood shaking in anger, "Tainted…I would never. That is one of the most expensive liquors…and you, you think I would need to…"
"Whatever your motives I'm not going back with you. As you've said before I already have power and wealth here. I have no interest in brides picked out by anyone. I'm not anybodies…" he stopped talking as Takaba suddenly stood up and jumped on the table between them, grabbing the other mans cheeks and pulling at them.
"Take it off. Take it off," he slurred, pulling as if he was trying to remove a mask. "There can only be one Bastard here and it's not you," he stopped and then pulled a surprised Ryou's face towards him, "even the eyes look the same except not as…intense," he mumbled, then suddenly pulled the head down and nuzzled his face in his hair. "Soft but not quite the same," and then just as suddenly he pulled his face up by the chin and kissed him intensely on the lips shocking both of the other men. Asami jumped up to pull him back as Ryou dropped backwards into his seat, speechless.
"Nope, definitely not him," he said drunkenly turning in Asami's arms and kissing him hard. Asami returned the kiss with the same intensity and when they parted he sighed, "That's my Bastard," before falling into a slumber and beginning to snore.
Sitting back in his chair Ryou still had a stunned look on his face, "That…That was."
"Not yours," Asami interrupted. "Never expect it again."
"I see," he said licking his lips, his eyes not leaving the man in his brothers' arms, "You're really not going to come are you."
"No," was his decisive answer.
"Well, I… I understand, I think, but I don't know what I'll tell Father and Mother."
Settling the younger man carefully in his lap he said, "Tell them I've grown up and I'm living my own life."
"I don't know how they'll accept that. Mom was looking forward to putting a flower garden here in this universe," the other man laughed, "and Father was looking forward to retirement. By the way, the drink is not what you think. For regular people here it acts the same as an alcoholic beverage, but for you it would only remove the block that was placed on your memories from when you were put here. Won't you try some? If your feelings stay true you won't change your mind and from what I've seen I really don't think they would change, but I'd like you to know me again as your brother."
Shaking his head Asami refused saying, "Why don't you just come and visit me instead. We can get to know each other and we'll see if trust can be built from there. I won't jeopardize what's important to me for anyone's sake."
"I'd say for just one's sake," Ryou whispered under his breath, but quickly noticed from Asami's glare that he was overheard. "Well then, I should be going," he said suddenly standing to his feet.
"What about the world?" Asami asked.
"This world, as you call it, will be the same as always. Just give me what you call a couple of hours and it should all be replaced." He stood and headed for the kitchen. "Give my goodbye to your little one there when he wakes up. I'll try to explain it to everyone, but you can probably expect a visit from them soon," he said, going around the corner and disappearing into the kitchen.
Sitting on the couch with Takaba still sleeping on his lap Asami listened as the refrigerator door opened and closed again. 'I should have told him which door we enter and exit with. Oh well, I've got a couple of hours to kill here and only an inebriated brat to share it with,' he smiled with a thought and loosening his tie he stood up and carried the unresisting photographer towards the bedroom.
~~FIN~~
I hope you all enjoyed this bit of almost smut I wrote. I started it last year but couldn't come up with an ending that satisfied me until now. Since the interlude was so far between my beginning and ending this story I hope the parts mesh together well. Thank you for reading.
As always please comment. Good, bad, or ugly, any comment will be appreciated and help me grow as a writer.
Artist: paranoia_woman
Character(s): Asami, Takaba, and one OC character
Rating: R, well almost. ^_^
Summary: Asami awakens to a day unlike any other. A one shot.
Disclaimer: Ownership of the Viewfinder series and all characters therein belongs to Yamane Ayano, In perpetuity.
Daybreak
Asami owned many places where he could lay his head at night, but he usually ended up sleeping at Club Sion of late. It was just more convenient for him. He woke the usual time, every morning, as he always did, five-forty five. He hadn't used an alarm clock since he was a child and that was a very long time ago. This morning was different than others though. When he reached for the light switch, nothing occurred. Click, click, he turned the switch a few more times out of frustration. He looked around and found he could see well enough from the rays of the rising sun that was just breaking out of the morning fog outside his window. He pushed the covers back and went to the bathroom to get ready for the new day.
When he reached for the light switch in the bathroom, he found it covered with a slick substance. He pulled his hand back expecting to find them coated with oil but found nothing unusual on his skin. He put his hand back to check and felt the slick, oily matter covering not only the switch but the whole wall as well. When he flicked the light switch nothing happened. No lights in that room as well. Asami went over to his bed and retrieved the gun he kept there in case of trouble and went out into his office area. He didn't hear anything, but that wasn't unusual since the walls were soundproof. He walked over to his desk and tried the light there. Nothing, there was no power there either. If there had been a power outage then his men would have informed him. He picked up his phone and found no dial tone. Trying his cell phone he found no reception there either. Now he was getting worried. He quickly got dressed and left his office to see what could be going on.
Opening his office door he was met by only quiet shadows made by the suns rays coming through the office windows. There was no sign that anyone had even been there in a while. He moved quietly through all the rooms, his weapon held at the ready. Not even the emergency power was working. He realized quickly that no electricity equaled no elevator, so he made his way to the stairwell and began his decent down through the utter darkness he found there.
Starting downward all he could hear was his own heartbeat. At first it threatened to overwhelm his senses so he stopped his descent. He breathed calmly, expanding his senses out and centered himself as he had learned to do long ago from one of his many teachers he'd had in his life. Finally his heartbeat became only a low drumming allowing him to hear normally again. Halfway down he noticed a sound far above him, a scraping, gravelly noise too distant to identify. He had to get out and find out what the Hell was going on. Taking only as much time as he needed to safely walk down he made it to the bottom and opened the door.
The door opened to the main lobby near the doorway of the building. The light streaming from outside through the large windows into the room was the only light he saw. There was no sound, no people, causing a sense of unease to come over him. Worried, unknowing what was happening, his first thought was of Takaba. He again heard the noise from above. It was now closer than it had been before. Asami tried to step out from the darkened stairwell but found he was unable to move forward. The darkness seemed to cling to him, not wanting to release its hold on him. He closed his eyes and growled his frustration at what was occurring; worriedly thinking that Takaba could be missing too, as he pushed himself forward with all he had. He burst out into the lobby and took off outside into the street.
The streets were devoid of any sign of life as he began to make his way toward Takaba's apartment. It was a bit strange, but he didn't have time to worry about it. He had other things on his mind. He thought of getting one of his cars from the garage, but to reenter the darkened basement didn't seem like a good idea right now. The first vehicle he came across was a car that looked familiar. He had owned one long ago, before he started on his current path in life. It was a 1970 silver Celica LT, the first car he ever owned. His brother jokingly had called it a Japanese Mustang due to it looking so much like the American car and also to irritate him since he himself didn't have a car of his own yet and Asami never let him drive his. He smiled as he tried the door and found it unlocked. He climbed in, quickly and efficiently hot wiring it. He gunned the engine as a sense of euphoria filled him. Taking off like a shot, he did a bootleg turn, heading towards Takaba's. As he looked around him, he saw not a living thing, no people, no birds, and suddenly realized that not even an insect noise was to be found. He pushed the accelerator to the floor as his agitation became greater. He'd lost Takaba once, he wouldn't lose him again.
Driving up to Takaba's building he drove up on the sidewalk and jumped out making for the stairwell and ran all the way up to his door. He burst through, not even pausing to knock. He had to know. He had to know if Takaba was there. He couldn't be gone. God, Please, No . . .
Takaba was sitting on his couch and when Asami broke the door down, he jumped up, and had begun to run to the back bedroom before realizing it who it was and turned back in anger yelling, "Asami, What the Hell are you doing! The landlord's going to kill me. You're going to pay for that, I hope you know."
Asami grabbed him in a bear hug that crushed Takaba into his chest, burying his face in his chestnut colored hair, and breathed deeply in the scent of shampoo and fixer.
"Asami," Takaba choked out, "You can let me go now." The smaller man tried pushing away from the larger, but couldn't even get his arm up between them. He was trapped in Asami's arms. "A-sa-mi, I - can't - breathe," he was barely able to get out as Asami felt him go limp.
Finally realizing Takaba's plight, Asami loosened his hold and carried him over to the couch and sat down, but didn't release him yet.
Takaba sat gasping on Asami's lap, his oxygen deprived body breathing deeply as his mind raced with questions. "Just what's going on here?" he whispered.
Asami finally spoke, "I'm sorry. I had to know. I had to know if you were still here."
A worried look came over the young photographers face, "What happened?" he asked.
Asami looked in his face, but wasn't sure of what to say. He looked around and noticed for the first time, the lights in the room, they were on. He looked down on the coffee table and found Takaba's laptop setting there. It seems that the boy had been working when he broke in. 'What the Hell,' he thought, finally letting Takaba slide off his lap as he stood and took a good look about the room.
"Asami?" Takaba said worriedly, receiving no response he stood and put his hand on the older man's shoulder and said softly, "Ryuichi?"
Asami strode over and picked up the phone and found no dial tone. He turned toward the worried young man and holding the receiver out to him said "No Dial Tone!" like he had discovered a great thing.
"Yes, the phone's been out since last night. A big storm occurred, didn't you hear it last night. Powers off all over the city, my buildings just been lucky," Takaba said, looking at Asami as if he had finally lost it.
"Damn it, that's not it. They're gone. They're all gone. I think we're the only ones left here," he said walking over to the window and looking out.
"Ryuichi," Takaba said walking over to him, "I think someone's drugged you or something. You definitely aren't acting right. You're not making any sense. You burst in here in the wee hours of the morning and start saying the weirdest things. Where are your men? Didn't they drive you over here?"
"I know this doesn't make sense, but that doesn't make it not real. Believe me Takaba, we're in danger. I just don't know what type yet, but I'm sure I can protect you from whatever it is," he said in a tone that Takaba knew meant blood would soon be spilt.
"Where are your men?" he asked again.
"Gone. No one's left but us," Asami replied.
Takaba worriedly pulled Asami over to the couch where he made him sit as he checked his forehead with the back of his hand to see if he was fevered. "No, temp seems fine," he said as Asami grabbed Takaba's hand, pulling down the boy, kissing him with such intensity that Takaba felt his body begin tingling in response, but worried about the bigger man's state of mind he pushed him back saying, "Now's not the time," when suddenly the lights went off.
Asami released his hold on Takaba and stood, listening for any noise.
"Asami?" Takaba asked questioningly. Asami raised his hand for quiet as he closed his eyes and focused on something, something he was sure he heard.
A low gravely, scraping noise was coming from somewhere out in the hall.
"Asami, it was just another outage. The power will come back on real soon. What's wrong?" he asked as he watched him go over, pick up the broken door, put it back in place, and then begin piling furniture in front of it.
"Off," he stated in a flat tone, wanting Takaba off the couch. Standing up, he could only watch in wonder as Asami piled that in front of the door as well.
"Okay, that should slow it down," Asami said turning towards a very, very confused photographer.
"Slow what down?" was all he could ask.
"Something I ran into on the way over here. Don't worry about it. I'll take care of you," he said walking towards the kitchen. "I need a drink. What do you have here?"
"How about some juice, it's kinda early for alcohol," Takaba replied
"Let me be the judge of that," Asami said rummaging about in the refrigerator, "When you've seen what I've seen, you'll want something stronger than juice," pulling out a six pack and walked back to the window. "Damn, I forgot my cigarettes. Are there any here?" he asked.
Takaba went over to the door and pulled open the drawer of one of his side tables that Asami had piled up there, throwing the pack to him.
"Light?" he added.
Takaba scowled as he reached back in and pulled out a lighter, one that Asami recognized as one of his own, and tossed it towards him. As he made a grab for it something banged hard at the door. The lighter fell to the ground instead of landing in Asami's hand because Asami was already beside Takaba pulling him back from the entryway.
"What the Hell was that?" Takaba said in a scared low voice.
"That's the problem, I don't know."
Breaking away, Takaba ran over to the phone. "Damn, I forgot it wasn't working," he said, slamming the receiver back down. "Maybe we should get out of here."
Asami glanced over at the window, instead of the noonday sun the darkness made it appear to be near dusk. He knew it was way too early for it to be this dark, even with it being cloudy, which it hadn't been this morning. "I don't know if that's a good idea."
"How did you get here?" Takaba asked. "Maybe we could use that to get away."
Walking over to the window Asami looked down into the street. The car that should have been sitting there on the sidewalk where he had left it was no where in sight; the ground seemed to be covered in a hazy fog. "I think that way is blocked now."
"Asami, you're scaring me more than that thing outside. What's going on? Let me help you," he said him hugging around his waist.
"You are helping me. Your being here with me makes everything better. Remember, no matter what happens I'll be there for you. So don't leave my side, Okay?" he said turning and embracing him tightly as their lips met. Asami took his time kissing him. Takaba tasted slightly of chocolate and strawberry. 'He must have been indulging in some of that vile Pocky,' he thought, 'but it actually tastes good like this.'
His hands moved over the younger mans body, lifting his shirt as his fingers traced lightly down over the younger man's back, then further down where his hands grabbed and firmly squeezed his lovers buttocks as he pulled him in tightly against him, bringing a moan from Takaba's lips.
"A-sa-mi, wait. . . you- ah um," but that was as far as he got before Asami's kissing became even more intense and he could no longer think clearly anymore, his knees gave out on him. Asami touch seemed far more intense than normal. When his hold loosened Takaba slid to the floor where he sat kneeling, his mouth open and panting for air. Looking down on his lover with lust filled eyes Asami decided if the world was going to hell he would go there in his own style. He bent down and kissed red swollen lips again greedily before hastily removing the shirt that was in his way, tearing off a few buttons impatiently before moving his attention down his neck to his chest licking and nipping, leaving love bites as he went. Forgotten was their dire predicament until the ringing of the phone brought them both back to their senses.
*Ring-Ring-Ring-Ring-Ring*
They both stared at the phone like it was an alien thing. Neither moved to answer it, but whoever was on the other side of the receiver wasn't giving up. The phone continued to ring becoming louder even it seemed till Asami decided enough was enough and went over to answer it.
"Yes. Who is this and what do you want?"
"Ryuu, I'm here to get you. No, that sounds bad doesn't it. Ryuu, I'm here to bring you home. Please let me in."
"What the Hell do you mean?"
"It would be better if I spoke to you in person, so to speak. May I enter the apartment there?"
Realizing they needed his permission to come in and that he wasn't completely powerless anymore the anxiety that Asami had been feeling all day washed away, leaving him cool and calm.
"What assurance do I have that you won't cause what's been happening outside to occur in here if I do?"
"I understand your reluctance. Okay, How about I swear on our Fathers name."
"No. Fathers, I've found, are useless."
Even Takaba had a surprised look at that statement.
"Whaattt?" the voice of the other side of the phone stammered, "Look, I promise no harm will come to you or to anyone in your apartment while I'm there. I can't think of anything else I can say to you to make you believe me. I really want to help you," the voice said kindly, "I miss you brother."
"What's going on? Who are you talking to Asami?" Takaba whispered, intertwining his fingers in Asami's.
He looked down into his worried lovers eyes, squeezed his fingers lightly, and said into the receiver. "Okay, but give me a few minutes …," but before he could finish his sentence he was interrupted by, "Great, I'll be there soon," and the phone went dead again.
He sighed heavily and looked down at the younger man who's eye's mirrored both love and worry towards him. He reached out and rumpled his hair and said, "We're going to have a visitor soon. Let's get a place to sit set up here. Come on; help me move these chairs back.
Takaba stared as Asami began pulling the barricade apart to get to the seats.
"What? Are you going to make me do this alone?"
"Wha? No!" the younger man stammered, moving over to help with the jumbled furniture.
"Asami," he said as they finished clearing a path to the door, moving the couch, a chair, and a small table over to the center of the room, "What is going on?"
"That's what I want to know," was the only cryptic answer he got.
Takaba sat looking at the floor thinking jumbled thoughts, when he felt eyes on him. He looked over to his right and saw a knowing smirk and lust filled eyes staring at him.
Maybe you should change your shirt. You’re a bit…distracting," he said, reaching over and rubbing his fingers over the hem where the buttons were torn off, lightly touching skin as he went.
Blushing at the thoughts he was having, Takaba quickly stood up and started to go get another shirt when a loud knock was heard. They both turned and looked towards the door, but realized the knock didn't come from that direction. It came more so from the kitchen. They cautiously went to the kitchen where they quickly found where the knocking was coming from, the refrigerator.
Both men stood looking at the fridge unmoving. This was totally unexpected and neither seemed sure what to do.
"Hel-lo in there. Aren't you going to answer your door?" they heard from within.
Takaba found himself behind Asami's larger back before he even knew he'd moved, his eyes wide in shock. 'What the Hell!!!!!' was all he could think.
Recognizing the voice from the phone Asami reached for the handle and looked back at Takaba saying, "Relax, I'll handle it," before pulling the door open.
From behind the fridge door a head emerged, followed by a body, a very recognizable body. It was Asami, but not Asami. Same face, same frame, but with much longer hair and the clothing was…strange to say the least. He was wearing a kimono that was white, no silver, no blue. It seemed to change by the second leaving the eyes watching in awe.
"Finally, brother it's been so long since I've seen you. Your hair's so short," he said reaching out to touch.
"Brother?" mumbled a very confused Takaba.
Asami moved back before the strangers hand could get nearer to him. "You said you had something to speak to me about. Let's move to the other room where we can sit," he said, thinking, 'I will be in control of this situation no matter how crazy it gets. I must protect…' he looked down at Takaba; taking him by the waist he led him into the other room leaving the stranger to follow them.
They were already seated before the stranger came into the room and sat across from them. "I come bearing a gift," he said setting a large bottle of liquor on the table between them. "I didn't want to seem rude, this being the first time I've visited." He looked over to the two faces in front of him; one looked in shock, the other one looked angry, and seemed to be getting angrier by the moment.
"Takaba, get some glasses," Asami said gruffly and then putting a hand on his shoulder he added, "Please."
Takaba slowly stood and left towards the kitchen.
Looking menacingly at the man across from him Asami growled, "Look, I don't know what's going on, but I'm sure your not here to make friends. Stop all this chitchat and tell me what you want."
Smiling the stranger leaned forward, oozing friendliness, "I'm not here to hurt you. I'm just here to bring you back home brother.
"Stop that. I only have one brother and it's not you. I don't even know you," Asami spat.
"I know and understand that and I'm here to clear all this up. I really am your brother. Actually I am your only brother Ryou," he said smiling innocently. "Now don't look so angry brother. You're going to get wrinkles on that gorgeous face of yours."
'I'm not falling into his pace,' Asami thought, but said aloud, "If you want anything out of me give me some proof."
"What? Would you say that what's happened today wasn't anything?"
"It's madness. Not proof," he said, turning his head to look as Takaba returned with three glasses.
"Let's get to it then," Ryou said, opening the bottle and pouring each glass full. He lifted his and said, "Here's to proof," and downed the contents of his glass. Finishing he sat his glass down and noticed the other two hadn't lifted theirs yet. "What? Don't trust me yet."
"No, don't trust you still," Asami said, crossing his arms and sitting back.
Sighing Ryou poured himself another glass and sat back sipping it. "Really… I come all this way and this is the greeting I get. I suppose I should have expected…"
"Who Are You?" Takaba screamed getting to his feet. "Just what do you want?" he yelled even as Asami grabbed him by the waist and pulled him back down beside him.
"Shhh, I really need you to calm down. I told you I'll handle this. Negotiations are my specialty."
Sitting back Takaba's mind was all a blur. Nothing today was making sense. The day started out normal enough, then with Asami's arrival it all went to hell; Day turning to night, men coming out of refrigerators. 'Yeah, that's right. It's all his fault. It's always his fault. Ever since that first time I saw him. Him and his eyes…and hair… and his lips…' He looked over to Asami and ashamed of his thoughts he reached for the glass and drank half of it before Asami tore it away from him.
"What are you doing?" he screamed, throwing the glass to shatter against the far wall. "You don't even know what was in that."
"Don't worry," Ryou said, looking worried. He hoped to calm the situation saying, "It won't harm him. The only thing this stuff could do to him is make him inebriated. Try some yourself."
Looking into the already unfocused eyes and slightly flushed cheeks of the smaller man he realized that Takaba was already two sheets to the wind, but seemed fine other than that. "Brat," he mumbled into his ear, rumpling his hair and leaned him against his shoulder, "just stay there and don't move or I'll sit on you." A slight smile came to his lips as Takaba snuggled against him, but looking across at the man proposing to be his brother his mouth hardened and with a menacing glare he growled, "Enough of this. Just tell me what you came here for."
"I have already. I came for you. Now why don't you have a drink and relax?"
"Enough of that," he said knocking over both glasses, spilling the contents over the table. "You've said that already, but with your power to deconstruct everything why haven't you..." he paused in thought. "You can't, can you. You can't just take me out of here. That's why you’re here.
"Correct, I knew you would figure it out easily enough. Your right, Father sent you here as punishment. You would never listen to him; reckless with your actions, always had to do things your own way. You were always too willful, but you’re also the Heir apparent. He opened this pocket universe and removing your memories he set you up in a poor family with an extremely strict upbringing. He wanted you to see what harsh environs some must endure to live. It was meant as a punishment and a lesson. Father's always kept an eye on you though and has been happy in what he's seen. You overcame everything to become a power in this world, controlling business and government alike with a stern hand. You've impressed him," he leaned forward and refilled the glasses that Asami spilled.
"Where is he, this Father of mine. Why didn't he come here?" Asami asked in a disbelieving tone.
Pausing to take a sip from his drink, his eyes looked sad as Ryou answered, "Father isn't well. He's been ill for a while now. He finally decided to let you return and take over for him. Won't you come back? I've missed you."
"Let's say I leave here, can Takaba come with me?"
"No, sadly his cellular structure would break down in our realm. This pocket universe was created too quickly by Father and has many chaotic issues as you've probably seen. This world here is simply a powder keg seemingly screaming for its own destruction. You, just by being here, have been one of the primary things preventing it," Ryou replied shaking his head.
"So, I don't have to leave if I don't want to is what your saying," Asami said decisively.
Looking panicked Ryou cried, "What! Wait a minute, why wouldn't you. You have a Realm of your own to rule out there. Mother and Father are waiting for you. They even have your brides picked out for you. You'll have power and wealth…"
"And chains not of my making," he sighed picking up his drink. "I prefer chains I've forged of my own," he paused moving the glass to his lips, "and untainted drinks too," he moved the glass away from him and poured the contents on the floor.
Ryou stood shaking in anger, "Tainted…I would never. That is one of the most expensive liquors…and you, you think I would need to…"
"Whatever your motives I'm not going back with you. As you've said before I already have power and wealth here. I have no interest in brides picked out by anyone. I'm not anybodies…" he stopped talking as Takaba suddenly stood up and jumped on the table between them, grabbing the other mans cheeks and pulling at them.
"Take it off. Take it off," he slurred, pulling as if he was trying to remove a mask. "There can only be one Bastard here and it's not you," he stopped and then pulled a surprised Ryou's face towards him, "even the eyes look the same except not as…intense," he mumbled, then suddenly pulled the head down and nuzzled his face in his hair. "Soft but not quite the same," and then just as suddenly he pulled his face up by the chin and kissed him intensely on the lips shocking both of the other men. Asami jumped up to pull him back as Ryou dropped backwards into his seat, speechless.
"Nope, definitely not him," he said drunkenly turning in Asami's arms and kissing him hard. Asami returned the kiss with the same intensity and when they parted he sighed, "That's my Bastard," before falling into a slumber and beginning to snore.
Sitting back in his chair Ryou still had a stunned look on his face, "That…That was."
"Not yours," Asami interrupted. "Never expect it again."
"I see," he said licking his lips, his eyes not leaving the man in his brothers' arms, "You're really not going to come are you."
"No," was his decisive answer.
"Well, I… I understand, I think, but I don't know what I'll tell Father and Mother."
Settling the younger man carefully in his lap he said, "Tell them I've grown up and I'm living my own life."
"I don't know how they'll accept that. Mom was looking forward to putting a flower garden here in this universe," the other man laughed, "and Father was looking forward to retirement. By the way, the drink is not what you think. For regular people here it acts the same as an alcoholic beverage, but for you it would only remove the block that was placed on your memories from when you were put here. Won't you try some? If your feelings stay true you won't change your mind and from what I've seen I really don't think they would change, but I'd like you to know me again as your brother."
Shaking his head Asami refused saying, "Why don't you just come and visit me instead. We can get to know each other and we'll see if trust can be built from there. I won't jeopardize what's important to me for anyone's sake."
"I'd say for just one's sake," Ryou whispered under his breath, but quickly noticed from Asami's glare that he was overheard. "Well then, I should be going," he said suddenly standing to his feet.
"What about the world?" Asami asked.
"This world, as you call it, will be the same as always. Just give me what you call a couple of hours and it should all be replaced." He stood and headed for the kitchen. "Give my goodbye to your little one there when he wakes up. I'll try to explain it to everyone, but you can probably expect a visit from them soon," he said, going around the corner and disappearing into the kitchen.
Sitting on the couch with Takaba still sleeping on his lap Asami listened as the refrigerator door opened and closed again. 'I should have told him which door we enter and exit with. Oh well, I've got a couple of hours to kill here and only an inebriated brat to share it with,' he smiled with a thought and loosening his tie he stood up and carried the unresisting photographer towards the bedroom.
~~FIN~~
- Bootleg turn is a radical type of maneuver intended to reverse the direction of travel of a forward-moving Automobile by 180 degrees in a minimum amount of time while staying within the width of a two-lane road.
I hope you all enjoyed this bit of almost smut I wrote. I started it last year but couldn't come up with an ending that satisfied me until now. Since the interlude was so far between my beginning and ending this story I hope the parts mesh together well. Thank you for reading.
As always please comment. Good, bad, or ugly, any comment will be appreciated and help me grow as a writer.