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 - 16/?

Glowing gently, high above the crystalline lights of Eos, the pale golden orbs of Amoi’s twin moons seemed to be almost gazing down upon the people of Midas. Across the city, those that worked within the daylight hours had already wended their weary way home, making room in the streets and by-ways for those who preferred the brightness of neon to the light of the sun.

In the centre of the city, rising high above the noise and clamor of the night-time throng, stood Eos Tower; a graceful glass and silver beacon of luxury and design. At its very pinnacle, painted by the shadows of the night and wrapped in silence, was Iason Mink’s Penthouse, the ultimate residence of the wealthy Elite. Tonight, in deference to the mild night, the balcony door stood open allowing the soft breeze, cool but gentle, to whisper its way through the darkened main room, rustling the leaves of lush indoor plants and brushing softly over the fine fabrics of deep plush furniture.

In a small room to the extreme rear of the penthouse Dane sat, his legs curled underneath him, in the armchair by the window. Dressed for bed and wrapped warmly in a thick soft robe, he read quietly, avidly, gnawing gently at a thumbnail as he lost himself within the plot, and indeed the world, held between the pages of his book. As he turned to the next page, he glanced up briefly, toward the main area of the penthouse, making a mental note to ensure that he closed the balcony doors and turned off all the night lights before he went to sleep.

And in the master bedroom of the penthouse, in the centre of the vast satin covered bed, Riki lay on his back, his sleekly muscled legs twined tightly around Iason’s body, his arms clutching at broad shoulders as he sighed against the warmth of Iason’s neck and closed his eyes. With his body singing and his heart still feeling somehow bruised by the events of the day, he relaxed almost passively into Iason’s arms, letting the older man make love him to him. Normally, Riki would be the first to admit that he was usually a joyfully active participant in his and Iason’s intimacy, but for tonight… for tonight he needed this. To be gathered up, and held close, and taken care of.

“Yes…Yes...” His softly moaned words broke on a deep groan of pleasure as Iason moved inside him, taking and giving with equal intensity. He felt soft lips travel the length of one sweat dampened shoulder, glide up the side of his neck, before descending over his mouth to steal his breath with a searching needy kiss. As he sank his hands into the satin-soft mane of Iason’s hair, Riki lifted his knees up further, allowing Iason to increase the depth of his thrusts, to bring them both closer to the sweet edge of fulfillment.

He arched as the marvelous feeling of Iason’s firm stomach pressing and rubbing across the swollen length of his cock sent a sullen throb of pleasure bursting though his lower belly. He cried out, the sound muffled once more as Iason kissed him deeply, that hot wet tongue dipping into Riki’s mouth to stroke thrillingly along his own. He felt the pressure beginning to build in his loins, the heat and tension rising through his entire body as his flesh committed itself inexorably to orgasm. He felt Iason grip him hard, holding him tightly as he shuddered and came with an almost pained shout of mindless pleasure. As Riki’s body surged and pulsed, filling the space between their bellies with the wet slick heat of his release, Iason continued to move deep and hard inside him, straining towards his own peak.

He heard Iason’s breath hitch sharply, felt the deep tremors running through the powerful torso that pinned him down. He gripped the hair at the base of Iason’s head, tugging hard until Iason lifted his face, looking at Riki with rapturous pale eyes. Panting hard, keeping his eyes fixed on Iason, Riki watched as his Blondie began to come; his rich mouth falling helplessly open as a deep sigh escaped from his chest, the exquisite expressions of pleasure and completion that crossed his perfect face sending a slow wave of renewed desire rolling through Riki’s body.

As he finished, spending himself deep inside Riki’s flesh with the softest of moans, Iason lunged forward once more, claiming Riki’s lips with his own, kissing him with open-mouthed demanding passion. His warm hands roamed across every inch of Riki’s skin that they could reach, stroking and touching; possessive and giving, frantic and gentle all at once.

And then there was nothing but the warmth and close silence of the aftermath. Closing his eyes once more Riki breathed deeply, waiting as his heartbeat began to slow and Iason grew somehow heavier as he, too, relaxed into the moment.

Propping himself up on his forearms, Iason gently withdrew and rolled to one side, pulling Riki close to him, holding him against the warmth of his body as he looked down into Riki’s sated face. For a long moment, Iason said nothing, his expression deeply thoughtful and almost sad. Then, at length, he sighed; lifting one hand to gently push back a few strands of sweat soaked hair from Riki’s brow. “How do you feel,” he asked, moving his hand to press his palm to Riki’s chest, right over his heart, “in here?”

Wearily, Riki smiled at him. “Better,” he replied.

“I’m glad to hear that,” Iason relaxed slightly. “It was a difficult day for you. Many memories were faced which I personally would have preferred you never had to think about again.”

Lifting one shoulder briefly, Riki ran his fingers over the back of the hand that was resting on his chest. “I guess a part of me kinda hoped I’d never have to think about it again, either. But, at the same time,” Riki bit his lower lip pensively, “What happened to me, to us… it’s all a part of what made us what we are now, y’know?”

“I believe you’re right.” Iason nodded slowly, his eyes filled with thought. “Perhaps it was something designed by destiny.”

“A test?”

Iason smiled gently. “Isn’t all of life a test, Riki? Really?”

“I suppose so,” Riki paused a moment, the inevitable questions rising up in him. They were questions that he had been content enough to put aside in the weeks gone past, but they had never really left his mind. And now, considering everything that had occurred over this day, he honestly could no longer think of a reason to hold them back. “We never really talk about it, do we?” he asked softly, his eyes growing slightly troubled. “I mean, not just about what happened at Dana Bahn, but before… between you and me.”

Iason grew very still, considering the question. “Are there really things that should be said about that, Riki?” he replied eventually, his voice soft and strangely filled with sorrow. “They were dark days. For both of us.”

Riki nodded. “I didn’t really understand just how much you were risking back then in continuing to keep me.” Riki’s heart constricted for a moment when he saw the whisper of ancient pain ghost across Iason’s face, “I mean, Katze tried to tell me,” he continued, “But I just figured... you were the Big Guy, y’know? Head of the Syndicate… who the hell could’ve touched you?”

“Who indeed...”

“Iason, what happened? Really?” Riki sat up slowly, turning to look levelly into Iason’s eyes. “In the months between your recovery and finding out that I was alive… what happened to change you so much? I mean, you’re still you, don’t get me wrong. You’re still so much the man that you were and yet you’re different on some kind of deeper level. It’s like,” Riki frowned, struggling with it, “You haven’t changed so much, but what you believe in has.”

Iason sighed. “That is probably the most accurate description.”

Leaning forward slightly Riki wet his lips, his dark eyes intent on Iason’s face. “That’s a pretty profound transition to make, Iason,” he murmured.

“I know.”

“So… How?” Riki shrugged, “How did it happen?”

“I suppose it was a combination of factors,” Iason answered in his deep velvet voice, “Weeks of reflection and self-assessment as Jupiter struggled to understand her own feelings by examining mine.”

Riki felt his eyes widen slightly.

Obviously seeing the look, Iason smiled slightly. “There was the fact that I truly believed I had lost you at Dana Bahn... and the pain, which I simply could not deny, it caused me.” Iason paused briefly, a strange expression crossing his face. “And then, of course, there was the fact that Jupiter finally decided to allow me to love you.”

Riki grew very still, his breath stopping in his chest and his heart jolting almost painfully. The words... If he was honest with himself, Riki could confess that he’d thought a lot about Iason’s real feelings towards him since returning to Eos this time. He’d felt that the Blondie Elite had come to love him. He’d hoped that was the case. There were some days, and indeed many nights, where he’d almost believed he was sure, but...

He’d never imagined just how good it would feel to hear the words.

“You love me?” Riki asked him, his voice soft and his eyes very wide.

“I find it so strange to think that, not so long ago, Riki, I would have told you that question held no meaning for me… But now?” Iason nodded slowly, deliberately, his eyes calm and sure and his beautiful face serene, “Yes. I love you very much.” One side of his rich mouth quirked wryly. “I think, in truth, a part of me always did… from the very first moment I saw you.”

Riki felt a great lump form up in his throat. “Really?”

“Yes.”

“Well,” Riki reached out to touch Iason’s face with gentle fingertips, “that’s a hell of a piece of luck for me, Iason, because I love you, too.”

Still smiling at him, Iason simply stroked his fingers down the soft skin of Riki’s neck, his pale eyes saying, in silence, everything that needed to be said.

Nodding once more, feeling exhilarated and yet somehow suddenly exhausted beyond words, Riki lay down once more, reaching up to pull Iason down beside him. “You know what I wish?” he asked, muffling a yawn as Iason reached across him to extinguish the bed-side lamp.

“What?” Iason murmured as he settled back down, almost absently arranging Riki so that he could spoon up against his smooth back.

“I wish we’d figured this shit out four years ago.”

The last thing Riki heard as he drifted towards repose was the deep soft sound of Iason’s gentle chuckle. “So do I, Riki,” Iason’s whisper faded gently away as sleep quickly claimed all of his attention, “So do I.”

TBC…