A Fine Pair of Eyes Akihito felt the eyes on him as soon as he walked into the lobby of the infamous Shinjuku skyscraper. It made him stop dead in his tracks. He'd been prepared for some danger, but not this one. His head swiveled as people impatiently brushed past him, knocking him to the side. He barely noticed them, so intent was he on finding the owner of that gaze. His eyes swept around the multi-story room, pausing briefly at the guards checking invitations, lingering occasionally when he spotted a head of dark hair towering over the crowd. His hair was standing on end. He knew the danger was growing with every second. Something was telling him to flee, some primal part of him. But another was urging him to stay. It was primal too, and it was stronger. He tried to slow his breathing, unsuccessfully. He felt alive, so very alive playing this game. Where was He? He kept scanning, not sure what he'd do when he finally saw Him, but knowing he had to find out which direction the attack would come from. But the room gradually cleared, leaving him standing alone in an empty lobby but for the guards. He stood there for a moment, puzzled, then disappointed. At himself, for letting paranoia creep into his work. And for other reasons, ones he wouldn't let himself admit. His heart slowed, his breathing eased. The strain on his pants lessened. Yet his hair still stood erect. Must be the air conditioning. He resigned himself to a merely adventurous evening, presented his invitation, then strode off after the crowd, after his story, pretending he was relieved. -- Above, two men, one dark, one light, quietly finished their drinks, the one-way mirror having shown them all that went on below. A brief phone call for the lighter of the two broke the silence. "I'll let you know," he said, and hung up. He continued speaking. "He's beautiful, your young man, a fine pair of eyes, so alert and full of fire. You always did have good taste." "He's mine. Don't even think of poaching. You wouldn't survive it." "Ryuichi, please. Since when did I have to steal anything? They come to me." "Then why did you arrange for him to receive an invitation? And me, for that matter?" "Because I wanted to see you like this?" A lighter flared, reflecting back against the glass of the window, its glow briefly revealing their faces. Different in coloring, but so very alike in other ways. "You've seen me like this before." "I think not. This time you're quite as trapped as your lover, and I'm enjoying watching you thrash in the net. I've wanted to place you there myself on occasion." "Have you? We're two of a kind. We wouldn't suit." "Of course not. And as I said, my lovers come to me." "And I don't pay for anyone." The darker of the two men turned to leave. He opened the door to the hallway, allowing light to flood the room. It reflected off the silvery-brown hair of the other man, a flicker at the top of a tall, elegant candle, as he turned his head to speak. "I never said you'd have to pay." Asami smirked. "Your lovers always pay, Kuniaki, one way or another." He stepped through the doorway. "Wait." He turned back, and caught a key card that was tossed at him. His eyes narrowed in displeasure. "Don't look like that. It's not what you think. What are old friends for, if not to remember your birthday? Pick up your present in about mmm, thirty minutes. Don?t wait too long though. He won't be happy in the state he's in." Golden eyes flashed. "What have you done?" The other man observed this with satisfaction. "I merely arranged to have someone offer him the pomegranate, and he ate of it. He now resides in the underworld. It's up to you, Hades, to free him, or join him there." "If he's come to harm, that'll be your ticket to Hell." "Is that an invitation?" "It's a promise." He waved off Asami. "Go enjoy your gift. You always did need to lighten up." The door slammed behind him. He allowed a grin to surface. He never thought to see this day, but oh it was satisfying. The first time in all the years he'd seen that look in his friend's eyes. And he didn't feel so bad about his own fall, now that the mightiest had fallen. -- Akihito slowly awakened, his head throbbing, his stomach aching. He was lying somewhere soft. When he moved his hand, his fingertips ran over cool cotton sheets. A bed then. A bed?? He shot straight up into sitting position, his heart pounding from the effort. He knew it. That bastard was here. Wherever here was. An apartment? No, more like a hotel room. A really nice hotel room. Where was he? He tried to remember what had happened. The party. There'd been a young guy who'd insisted upon him trying a drink, some chocolate liquor. Dammit. He'd heard rumors about this place and their chocolates. It must have been drugged. A setup. That had to be it. He'd felt ill soon after drinking it. He still felt feverish and jittery and incredibly thirsty. A sound came from the bathroom, running water. He froze for an instant, then sprang for the door only to fall on his face when caught from behind. What the hell? He looked back, shocked to see a padded metal cuff on his ankle, with a chain leading back to the bedpost. His heart was beating like a cornered rabbit's. It had to be Him. No one else would have the nerve. The bathroom door open and he turned on all fours, crouching low as if to spring. The young man from earlier came out, carrying his shirt, wet, and a glass of water. Akihito realized that his upper body was bare. He hadn't noticed, he was so hot. The man stopped, surprised. Akihito looked him over, trying to remember what he'd learned earlier. Medium height, nice suit, attractive. Red head, probably fake. And not a day over 20. The guy had host written all over him. The friendly smile on his face didn't fool Akihito for a minute. "You're awake. I got it all out of the shirt. Sorry about that. I guess I used a little too much." He set the shirt aside and crouching, offered the water to Akihito. Akihito snatched the glass and drank it quickly, desperate to ease his thirst, not caring if anything else was in it. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "You look like a nice guy. Let me out of here. Please. How much is he paying you? I'll get money for you. Just let me call some friends." "Hmm? No one is paying me. Relax. No one's going to hurt you. It's a surprise for your boyfriend's birthday. I just gave you something to make you easier to handle." "An aphrodisiac? Gee thanks. Wait a minute. To surprise Asami? He doesn't know about this? Who are you anyway, and why do you have a death wish?" The young man tilted his head, amused. "Full of questions huh? I guess I would be too. Let's see if I remember them all. An aphrodisiac? Hmm, figured that out on your own, did you? Two, yes, it's a surprise for him. So three, no, he doesn't know, or he didn't, but he probably does by now. Four, I'm someone whose boyfriend wanted to do this for yours. And five, I don't have a death wish so maybe I need to leave." "I don't want to be here either." "Of course you do. You're just feeling the after effects of the drug I gave you. It can make you panic a bit. You'll start to enjoy yourself." The young man, stronger than he looked, helped Akihito to his feet and back to the bed. "Just relax here, and think of what's to come, and the panic will turn into desire. Believe me. I've done it lots of times." "But..." "Sshhh. Calm down. Think of what you like to do with him. He'll be here in no time, and give you what you need." His cell phone rang. "And now I need to scram." And he was gone, the door quietly clicking shut after him. Akihito grasped the chain, trying to jerk it free, but it wouldn't come loose. What I need? What I need is a key. He flopped back onto the bed, his mind racing. Asami would be here in minutes. He had to get free, before he saw him like this. His hands stroked down his arms as he hugged his body. He wanted comfort, but the sensation was anything but soothing. His senses seemed to be magnified, and the more he thought about it, the worse it got. He curled onto his side, trying to concentrate on breathing, but all his thoughts were centered between his legs. The urge to act grew stronger. He couldn't take it any more. It was unbearable. He jerked the zipper down on his pants, then plunged his hand inside. He groaned as he pulled his cock free. It was hot and slick with sweat and precum, and swollen with need. It only took a few strokes to take him over the edge. But the hunger was only appeased for a few seconds. He was hard again. His whimpering filled the room. How long would the drug last? This wasn't good. He knew what he needed. Who he needed. Asami. From the minute he'd stepped into the place he couldn't stop thinking about him. Asami would take care of this. He was a bastard, but Asami could always satisfy him. "Asami." He rolled onto his stomach, imagining the man kneeling behind him. Pretending the hand around his cock was a larger, stronger one. He thrust his hips forward, biting his lip against at the pleasure he got from calling the name. But he couldn't stop himself. "Asami..." "Akihito. That looks inviting." He spun, his pants twisting on his legs, leaving him sprawled across the bed on his back, legs askew, his hand still on his cock. He tried to raise himself up on an elbow but the effort was too much. He spit out his words. "Bastard. This is your fault. Get this chain off me." Asami's eyes ran down his leg to the chain at his ankle. He reached down and turned the cuff a little, looking at the lock. "I don't think I will." He cut off Akihi...
Mojaunicorn