Akari strode confidently into the therapy session, her petite frame adorned in a meticulously tailored pastel blue tweed suit that accentuated her slim figure. The fabric, with its delicate flecks of color, gave the ensemble a soft, almost ethereal quality that perfectly complemented Akari's youthful features.
Her dark braids, elegantly twisted and pinned up, framed her face in a stylish updo, drawing the eye to her flawlessly applied makeup. The subtle sheen of her foundation, the precise lines of her eyeliner, and the gentle sweep of blush across her cheekbones all worked in harmony to create a polished, put-together appearance.
As Akari posed before the attentive gaze of Dr. Nel, the therapist couldn't help but nod in approval, taking in the patient's impeccable presentation. Akari's self-assured stance and playful giggle suggested a sense of comfort and confidence, hinting at the deeper layers of her personality that were about to be explored during their session.
"Look who found some confidence" Dr Nel smiled at Akari as she sat down.
Akari exhaled as she fell into the chair. "it's just some makeup and clothes" she crossed her legs. "Not that I am complaining"
"Well" Dr Nel crossed her legs and became serious. "When was the last time you went out, not for an assignment or an errant? Whenever was the last time you enjoyed yourself, like Sunday's with your grandma" she asked, with a patient smile.
"I don't I have," Akari whispered, looking into the past.
….
Terry stood before Duri and Omani, his expression somber as he relayed the crucial details he had uncovered from the drug deal they had been investigating. Duri sat perched on the edge of his chair, his fingers tapping anxiously against the polished wooden desk in front of him. Across the room, Omani moved with a sense of practiced efficiency, carefully pouring steaming cups of rich, dark coffee for the three of them.
"So was Vinny there?" Duri asked, determined to find him.
"Yes, he was there, but there was something else," Terry said in a serious tone.
"What?" Omani sat next to Duri, sipping his coffee.
"I followed one of his guys to a bar. Apparently they are planning to take Rain back" Terry's jawline clutched at the thought of them taking Rain again.
Duri's eyes lit with rage and Omani saw it, so he stepped in. "Thank you, Terry. We will keep an eye on her and keep you posted," he nodded as Terry nodded, throwing back his drink.
Omani's heart raced with a turbulent mix of emotions as he turned to face his companion, Duri. The mere thought of Akari being taken away and subjected to further trauma had ignited a fiery rage within Duri's soul. Omani could see the intensity of this fury burning in his lover's eyes, a tempestuous blaze that threatened to consume them both.
Instinctively, Omani reached out, placing his arms around Duri's broad shoulders in a gesture of comfort and support. He could feel the tension coiled within Duri's body, the muscles taut and quivering with barely restrained anguish. Omani knew he had to shoot, to find a way to soothe Duri's anguished spirit before it erupted into an uncontrollable conflagration.
"If he…" Duri couldn't finish his sentence.
"He won't, if he even comes to her, we will kill him" Omani leaned forward, kissing Duri softly.
The kiss they shared was soft and enduring, like a sacred promise being made between their intertwined lips. Yet, as the moments ticked by, the kiss deepened, growing more hungry and passionate, a desperate expression of the longing that had built up between them.
It had been far too long since Duri and Omani had been truly intimate with one another, their nights lately consumed by worry over Akari's wellbeing. Most evenings, they simply lay entwined in each other's arms, their bodies close but their minds elsewhere, consumed by anxious thoughts about Akari's precarious situation. The familiar comfort of their embrace was a welcome reprieve, but it could not fully satisfy the deep, primal need that had been building within them.
Now, as they finally allowed themselves this moment of connection, that need burst forth, their kiss growing fierce and all-consuming, as if they could somehow make up for all the lost time through the sheer intensity of their passion.
Akari confidently strode into their office, greeted by the unexpected sight of Omani seated on Duri's lap. Their lips were locked in a passionate embrace, emitting deep, primal moans that reverberated through the room.
The sight mesmerized Akari until she realized she was invading their privacy. "Sorry," she covered her eyes.
Duri chuckled at Akari's reaction as Omani got off his lap. "You can look now," he shifted, adjusting his pants.
Omani saw the adjustment and cleared his throat. "What can we do for you, mama?" He flatted his kimono.
"I thought I would cook for you" Akari raised the bags of groceries which Omani quickly took from her. "Just wanted to say thank you for everything" She smiled weakly at them.
….
"You really don't have to repay us" Duri sipped on his dark and stormy.
Akari shook the shaker, pouring Omani a gin fizz. "Think of it as me cooking for you two, after freeloading all this time" she slid the cocktail towards him.
"Neither of us, see it that way" Omani looked a bit taken by the comment.
Akari noticed it. "Just enjoy it," she smiled at him.
Duri and Omani exchanged a knowing glance, sensing that something was off about Akari's behavior. There was a certain detachment and dissociation in the way she was going about preparing their impromptu breakfast-for-dinner feast. Yet, neither of them felt compelled to comment on it directly. Instead, they silently observed as Akari methodically mixed up a batch of chocolate chip flapjack batter, her movements almost mechanical in their precision. As she laid out the other components of the meal - strips of bacon, sharp cheddar cheese, and a carton of fresh eggs - an air of melancholy seemed to hang over here.
With a resigned sigh, the trio set to work, Duri deftly flipping the bacon with a pair of chopsticks while Omani struggled to evenly turn the flapjacks sizzling in the pan. The familiar sounds and smells of the shared cooking process seemed to have a grounding effect on Akari, her earlier distance gradually giving way to a more engaged, focused demeanor as she lost herself in the task at hand.
Omani got anxious, which was quite a surprise for Akari. But he flipped it and broke the flapjack apart. "oh fuck" he chuckled.
Akari placed her hands on either side of him and grabbed his arms "you gotta slide it in'' Omani gasped at the sudden closeness, Akari touched his forearm to move it forward "gosh, you are tall" she giggled, placing her head on Omani's back and he froze, shocked at the sudden contact, blushed filtered through his face.
Akari sensed it and thought he had tensed up, so stepped away from him. "Try it now," she gestured to the pan, scratching her head.
Omani carefully flipped the flapjack, his tongue ducked in and out of his mouth in concentration and he flipped it without it breaking. "Yes" Omani raised his hands, making Duri and Akari clap their hands.
The trio gathered around the cozy kitchen counter, settling in to enjoy their meal together. Duri, with a gentle touch, lifted the Akari up and placed her carefully atop the smooth countertop, ensuring she was comfortable while Omani nestled himself onto Duri's lap. As they began to eat, an air of companionship and warmth filled the space.
Duri and Omani watched with amused expressions as Akari enthusiastically poured a generous amount of sweet syrup over her plate, drenching her bacon, eggs, cheese, and fluffy flapjacks. The sticky amber liquid glistened as it coated her food, causing Duri and Omani to cringe slightly at the indulgent display. However, Akari's infectious giggle quickly dispelled any hint of disapproval.
Akari made up the perfect bite of bacon, cheese, and eggs smothered in syrup. "Just try it" she handed it over to them.
The moment they both sank their teeth into the delectable morsel, an involuntary moan of pure bliss escaped their lips. The flavors danced on their tongues, a symphony of savory and sweet that melted away into pure ecstasy. Seeing their playful, uninhibited reactions sent a shiver of excitement up her spine. But the deep, guttural moans they let out twisted something deep within her, igniting a fire that burned with a desperate need. She couldn't tear her gaze away, mesmerized by the way their expressions shifted from surprise to pure, unadulterated joy.
Duri and Omani placed down their forks, looking at Akari. "We need to talk about Vinny," Duri said, placing his hand on Akari.
Omani saw the trauma drift through her eyes as her face fell. "Is he looking for me?" Akari asked, looking between the two men.
"Yes," Omani nodded, getting straight to the point. "More like he knows where you are but waiting for an opportunity," he said softly, trying to be straightforward but also gentle.
"What do you want to know about him?"What do you want to know about him?" Akari looked between the two, causing them to be taken aback by her hardened expression.
"Nothing" Duri grabbed Akari's face. "We need to be safer," he nodded.
"We will escort you to therapy and you will have to always be in our sights, that's all," Omani explained while Akari's face began to soften again.
"Okay" Akari nodded.
"Just until we catch him," Duri said, looking at Akari.
Akari nodded, which took the two men by surprise. "We expected pushback," Omani commented.
"I have been through…" Akari shook her head at the memories. "It is safer and better if I stay safe."