Walk forward, into the world

Title: Walk forward, into the world
Author: Ainzfern
Genre: Ai no Kusabi – Post OVA
Code: Iason/Riki
Rating: NC-17
Parts: WIP - 12/?

Chey Neeson frowned in slight confusion as he followed Iason Mink’s young Furniture in the main room of the Penthouse. He was also a little abashed, thinking that perhaps he might have misheard Iason’s invitation. Carrying his project dossier in one hand, he had arrived at the Penthouse of Eos Tower moment earlier only to be advised that his host was not currently in attendance.

“Please make yourself comfortable, Mr. Neeson,” Dane waved one hand towards the plush seating set around a low table in the middle of the room. “I’m certain that Master Iason is not far away. I will arrange some refreshments for you while you wait.”

He nodded, sitting down in one of the arm chairs that faced the rear of the Penthouse and laying the dossier down on the low table in front of him. He watched as Dane swiftly crossed the room and stepped out onto the balcony. He frowned then, suddenly noticing that there obviously was another resident here.

Out on the balcony, Dane was leaning in close and speaking to another youngster, this one dark-haired and smoking a cigarette as he perched almost casually up on the balcony wall.

Chey actually felt a genuine stab of disappointment run through him.

So, Iason Mink had a Pet, after all…

Shame. Chey sighed and clucked his tongue. He couldn’t deny that he felt somewhat let down by the fact. He’d actually thought that Iason had been a better cut of man than that. Someone who had seen that the idea of keeping another human being for mere amusement wasn’t actually necessary. Of course, naturally, he would not allow this discovery to affect his working relationship. It was just that…

Ah well. Chey sighed quietly, giving a kind of mental shrug. Perhaps he was just too provincial after all.

Through slightly narrowed eyes, he saw the dark boy shoot a look in his direction, before stubbing out his cigarette and nodding at Dane. He slipped off the wall and followed the young Furniture back into the house. As Dane headed into the kitchen, the dark haired boy approached him directly, standing a few feet away and looking interestedly at him.

“Hi,” his unknown host said in a quiet, pleasant voice. “Chey Neeson, right?”

Chey suddenly took another look at him, feeling the beginnings of honest confusion rising in him. In one swift instant, his sharp eyes picked out all manner of things that just didn’t seem to fit correctly with his understanding of a Pet’s demeanor.

For a start, the boy was not a boy. He had to be at least twenty. And although he was attractive, remarkably so if Chey was to give an honest appraisal, he lacked the utter and mildly synthetic physical perfection of the Pets he had seen in Partia. And then there was his clothing, faded denim jeans and a rather well worn and shapeless black sweat shirt. Certainly not the usual standard revealing outfit of leather straps and Lycra handkerchiefs that seemed to be the primary dress for Pets.

Last, but by no means the least, Chey noted, was the attitude. This young man was standing straight and proud, his gaze direct and his smile, while friendly, was just guarded enough to indicate that an equally sharp assessment was probably being done from the opposite direction. There was no sign of the characteristic simpering or fawning that the Partia Pets displayed around their owners and other Elites.

Making a decision, Chey rose to his feet and extended one hand. “I am indeed Chey Neeson,” he confirmed, nodding in approval at the firm grip the young man used to shake his hand. “And I believe that you, young man, are no Pet.”

The young man grinned at him, his eyes lighting with amusement. “Iason was right about you,” he said, chuckling. “You are smart. Most people would take a hell of a lot longer than you just did to figure that out. I’m Riki. It’s nice to meet you.”

“Well, it’s nice to meet you too, Riki.” Chey sat down as Riki motioned him back to his chair and took a seat on the sofa opposite. “And what is it that you do, if I may be so bold as to ask?”

“What, you mean what do I do for work, or what do I do here?” He glanced up as Dane brought sold drinks over for them, murmuring his thanks to the Furniture and once more impressing Chey with his notable uniqueness.

“Both, perhaps,” Chey picked up his drink and sipped it slowly.

“Well, I work for an associate of Iason’s,” Riki smiled at him. “And I live here.”

“You live here?”

Riki appeared to be vastly amused by Chey’s confusion. “Yes. I live here. With Iason. Read into that what you will.”

Chuckling suddenly, Chey saluted him with his drink. “I don’t actually think I’m the only smart fellow in this room, Riki,” he declared firmly. “In fact, I have the feeling you’d be as much a match for me as your Iason has proven to be.”

Riki’s eyes widened slightly, obviously catching the reference to ‘his’ Iason.

“And speaking of our erstwhile Syndicate leader,” Chey ignored the look, “Would you happen know where he is?”

“At this time of day? Heading back from Jupiter Tower, I imagine.” Riki settled a little more comfortably into the chair. “Did he know you were coming?”

“Yes,” Chey frowned slightly. “In fact he told me what time to arrive. Of course, I could have misheard him. I have to assume that I’m just a bit earlier than I should have been.”

“No.” Riki shook his head.

“I’m sorry?”

“No,” Riki leaned forward slightly. “Don’t ever assume anything when it comes to Iason. He doesn’t make mistakes like this. If he told you to be here while he wasn’t, then there’s a reason.”

Chey blinked, startled, yet seeing the truth of Riki’s comment quite clearly. “I wonder why?”

“Because,” Iason’s deep silken voice came from the doorway behind Chey, “He wanted you two to meet and draw your own conclusions about each other without him being here.”

Looking at Riki’s eyes brighten as Iason walked towards him and set down close to his side, Chey carefully hid a knowing grin.

So… the cold and aloof Iason Mink was not so cold after all. Continuing to observe them as Dane brought his master a cool drink of his own, Chey could clearly see that the relationship between these two disparate men was an affectionate one.

There was nothing overt in their behavior as such. But the look that they shared between them, just for moment, confirmed his suspicions.

There was love there.

He wondered absently if they knew that…

How it possibly came to be, Chey could not even begin to guess. He hoped that one day he might be allowed to know the story, although that was highly unlikely, he supposed.

For now however, there were other questions to answer. “Iason,” he said once the greetings and pleasantries were over. “What in the world is all this about? Why was it so vital that we met, and what does this have to do with the nature of my colonization project?”

Peripherally, he saw Riki’s head turn sharply to look at him.

Iason sat back, steepling his long and elegant fingers thoughtfully. “Chey, a short time ago Riki brought a particular problem, facing some specific residents in Midas and Ceres, to my attention.”

Riki gasped softly, staring hard at the Elite beside him.

“When you mentioned your colonization project to me at the trade ratification yesterday, it occurred to me that you both might just have the solution to each other’s problem.” Iason held out one hand, indicating the dossier on the table. “It that your outline?”

Nodding, still slightly mystified, Chey picked it up. “Yes, it’s all here. Projections, logistics, detailed plans of residences and services, even the initial wage levels.”

Iason smiled approvingly. “Would you be so good as to hand it to Riki, please?”

“Of course,” Chey leaned forward and passed the document to Riki, noticing the sudden intensity on that dark-eyed face.

“Iason?” Riki asked softly, peering up at the Elite’s inscrutable face.

“Just read it, Riki,” Iason urged him quietly. “Whatever you decide to do about it will be entirely up to you.”

Nodding, Riki took a deep breath and open the dossier.

Watching the scene unfold before him, Chey Neeson settled back and prepared to observe closely until everything made complete sense. He had no doubt that, whatever the outcome, there was definitely something profound happening right here in this Penthouse in Eos Tower.

And, of course, if it led to an agreeable solution, then that was even more pleasing.

The things one learned, Chey mused to himself, amused and entranced by the revelations of the day.

The things one learned…


******

Reclining back on his vast satin covered bed, his upper body propped up against a mound of luxuriously soft pillows, Iason smiled tenderly as he looked the down the length of his naked body, to be treated with the delectably wicked sight of Riki; nestled quite happily between his long legs and gently bringing him inexorably closer climax with gentle touches of hands and mouth.

Although they had already made love this evening, it was not an uncommon occurrence for Iason, with his genetically enhanced physical resilience, to remain hungry beyond his first peak. Thus Riki, with characteristic adaptability, was happy to provide an encore – so to speak.

He closed his eyes, letting his head drop back as the sweet heat of his imminent orgasm began to build in his groin, the flesh of his thighs and lower belly beginning to tingle and tighten as the physical process of coming commenced in earnest. He felt Riki shifting a little, getting into a better position, that hot wet mouth increasing the suction slightly, and one hand beginning to stroke his solid shaft in a delightful counter rhythm. He reached down with one languid hand, threading his fingers through Riki’s silky hair, not pulling or pushing at him at all, just stroking through the tousled strands carefully, touching, as he was touched.

When he felt the flat of Riki’s tongue beginning to rub in firm motions just under his sensitized glans, Iason knew he was lost. He gave up any semblance of control at that point, pulling in a deep breath as the first wave hit, then releasing it with a slow satisfied sigh as his cock began to pulse in exquisite beats, spilling the essence of his release into the talented haven of Riki’s warm mouth.

He lay still for a moment after, leveling his breathing and listening to the soft sounds of Riki’s somewhat smug little chuckle. Opening his eyes once more, he smiled down at his self-satisfied little mongrel before smoothly lunging forward to grab him around the waist, hauling him up, laughing, to lie sprawled across his chest.

Lifting his head, his kissed Riki soundly for a moment, absently amazed, as he always was, to find that the taste of himself on Riki’s soft lips was not at all disturbing. Quite the contrary, in fact.

“So,” Riki panted at him after Iason finally released him for air. “I take it that was to your satisfaction?”

“Very much so.” Iason smiled fondly at him. “You’ve become rather good at that, I must confess.”

“High praise,” Riki snorted with good humor, drawing gentle patterns on the skin of Iason’s shoulder with the tip of a finger. “Do you think you’ll be able to sleep now?”

“Hmm.” Iason smoothed his hands down the sleek warmth of Riki’s back, cupping his firm little rump with gentle hands. “I believe so.”

Riki rested his head on Iason’s chest for a moment, before sighing softly. “I didn’t say thank you,” he murmured.

Frowning a little, Iason peered down slightly. “For what?”

“For setting up that whole business with Chey Neeson, today.”

“Ah.”

“Yeah.” Riki’s arms slipped around his body, squeezing gently. “You don’t miss much, do you?”

“In regards to you?” Iason turned on his side, settling Riki comfortably in the crook of his arm. “I’d like to think never.”

“Well, thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” Iason rubbed Riki’s flat stomach gently, smiling as the younger man muffled a yawn directly into the side of his chest. “Have you given any thought to how you might go about finding that number of people for him?”

“Yeah,” Riki replied, rousing slightly so that he could prop himself up on one elbow, gazing down into Iason’s sated face. “I ran a couple of ideas past Katze after dinner.”

“So that’s what you were doing.”

“It was. I thought the best option was to hack in and look at the tax records compared to the employee numbers listed for all the businesses in the Lower Midas areas.”

Iason frowned slightly. “You’ve hacked into the Syndicate revenue office?”

Riki grinned delightedly. “Yeah.”

“I might just pretend I never heard that.”

Chuckling, Riki continued, completely shameless to the end, Iason noticed. “We’ve got an encrypted program running already, so we should be able to have full lists down by early tomorrow morning. Then, it’ll just be a matter of auditing the data. Wherever we find a disparity between the number of listed employees and the number of taxable incomes for a business, be it bar or whore-pit, or even factory, we can be pretty sure that we’ll have found an ex-Pet.”

Iason nodded, impressed by the simplicity of it. “I see. The ex-Pet’s don’t get paid, therefore...”

“Right,” Riki winked at him, “Their ‘employers’ don’t pay taxes for them. So if you’ve got eight people listed on the employee register, for say – a gaming house in Lower Midas, and only six numbers listed on the taxation records, then two of your employees are bound to be ex-Pets.”

“Clever.”

“I thought so.”

Iason paused then, gazing at Riki with a deeply thoughtful expression on his face.

Noticing, Riki stilled and stared back. “What?” he asked, smiling bemusedly at him.

“Maturity suits you, Riki,” Iason murmured knowing, even as he spoke the words, just how true they were. “You wear it well.”

“Well a lot’s happened over the last four years, Iason.”

“Indeed it has.”

“God, remember what I was like back then?” Riki stifled another yawn and settled back down against Iason’s side.

“Young,” Iason answered, reaching out to flick of the light by the bed.

“Oh yeah. Seems like a whole lifetime ago, now.” He sighed again, his body growing slightly heavier as he relaxed.

“It was a lifetime ago, Riki,” Iason murmured, cradling Riki’s warm body close to him. “A different lifetime ago.”

He felt Riki press a final soft kiss to his shoulder as his closed his eyes and allowed sleep to claim him at last.


TBC…