Akira stepped into his apartment and placed his briefcase on the couch. He loosened his tie slightly and heard Takumi's frustrated voice.
"Yes, I have the revised schedule." Takumi appeared and beamed when he saw Akira.
"One moment." He muted his phone gave Akira a quick peck. "Something came up."
"Good luck."
Takumi gave him an exasperated smile before going back to his call.
"Sorry, am back. What do you mean…"
Akira took off his jacket and went to the kitchen to get a glass of water.
He was in a relaxed mood today. In contrast with the previous busy weeks in the office, with some days taken up by business travel.
It would be nice to spend some time with Takumi, who, by all accounts had returned to work with renewed enthusiasm and success.
Their busy schedules had translated into numerous phone calls and messages. To a point where his secretary giggled that the entire office was speculating if Akira had a new paramour because he was never that engrossed in the device. Akira neither confirmed nor denied, which apparently sent the rumor mill alight.
His boss obviously did not care since he was raking in business. She even commented that Akira was more charming and less austere these days, except at the negotiation tables.
He smiled to himself, aware of the changes within. It was just that Akira was simply…happy.
His musings were interrupted by Takumi storming into the kitchen and slamming his hands on the counter.
"I'm so pissed off!"
xxxxxxxxx
"What happened?" Akira asked calmly, setting down the glass.
"I have a photoshoot next week."
Takumi was so irritated.
Just when Akira had a lighter schedule at work. Just when he had carefully planned his own schedule to fit.
He had been looking forward to just pouncing on the man and letting him do whatever he wanted, marks and more notwithstanding.
Before Nishioka announced triumphantly that a company wanted to bring forward their new campaign and please could Takumi accommodate the very tight schedule? They even sweetened the terms of the contract.
He clarified. "I saw the mock-ups. Concept has an open shirt. Original."
Akira had the gall to chuckle. "I see. Restraint is in order."
"I don't want any restraint!" Takumi whined. "I've been looking forward to this for weeks!"
"It's just a week more," Akira reminded him.
"You don't sound very disappointed," Takumi accused.
Akira came around to his side and lowered his voice.
"I am. I'll just use the time to plot what I will do to you."
They weren't even touching but Takumi's breath hitched.
"You won't be disappointed," Akira promised.
Oh god, how was he going to survive.
No one would ever believe him that the collected, stoic Hasegawa Akira was such a..
"Dummy," Takumi whispered.
Akira gathered him into an embrace. Kissed his forehead. Stroked his back as if to make Takumi's pout go away.
"Does restraint preclude a shower?" he asked.
Together, went unsaid but understood.
Despite himself, Takumi grinned into Akira's shoulders. "As long as you don't bite, it's okay."
He couldn't resist adding, "Are you giving me a preview?"
Akira laughed quietly and lifted him off the floor.
xxxxxxxx
Much later, after exercising a fair modicum of self-control, they were both on the couch.
It occurred to Akira that they were spending more time in his apartment rather than Takumi's skyline mansion. For some reason, Takumi seemed to prefer it here. Consequently, outrageous fashionable clothes lined up beside his in the closet. Extra bottles of skincare and new cosmetics in the bathroom. Fashion magazines, scripts and industry publications piled up next to his legal tomes and business journals.
It was inexplicably satisfying to watch their personalities littered all over the space.
It was also gratifying to have Takumi being openly affectionate, sometimes childish and always warm.
This was a side to Takumi which he never showed anyone. From when they were in college, it was kept hidden and locked. Takumi guarded it fiercely.
Throughout the years, he showed them willingly and occasionally to Akira.
Now, the defenses were all gone at home.
If advertisers would pay millions for his professional smile, Akira wondered how much they would cede to capture a moment of this joyous expression when there were no cameras fixated on him.
"The photographer is infamous," Takumi announced, his head on Akira's lap as they were both reading their respective phone screens.
"For the new ad?" Akira asked.
Takumi nodded. "I've never worked with him but every model loves and hates him. If he puts a bad word out, everyone's gonna know."
"You'll be fine." Akira was confident.
Takumi sighed and then looked up at him with a grin. "Remember when you found me at the bench? That disastrous commercial shoot?"
How could Akira forget? It tested every fiber of his self-control.
"It went well in the end," he commented. "Too well."
Takumi blushed slightly but the grin morphed into a sultry smile. "This one's sexier."
In the past, Akira would have been skeptical since that campaign ruined his dreams and apparently set the country's media ablaze.
However, he now witnessed daily just how possible it was.
"Do your best," he merely said.
"Oh, I will."
"But save your best for me," Akira was compelled to note. He was possessive and he wasn't about to hide the fact.
Takumi blinked in surprise and laughed. He sat up and kissed Akira's cheek. "I love it when you're like this."
"Being unreasonably possessive?" Akira arched an eyebrow.
"Exactly," Takumi murmured and leaned forward for another kiss.
Akira acquiesced easily. They knew to keep their hands to themselves.
"Visit me on the last day," Takumi murmured.
A repeat of the previous session. But now without any reservations and restraints. Akira thought it was a dangerous and incredibly appealing invitation.
"Name the time and place."