[ with how close they are, he feels the moment minato shudders against him, the hot rush of his orgasm spilling into his hand to mingle with his own. he sees the way his teeth dig into his lower lip, biting down hard enough the flesh turns redder, and if akira didn't already come, this would have done it. his cock makes an effort anyway, twitching against minato's as he works them through it, gentling his strokes until they're entirely spent.
his hand is a mess but he doesn't pay it any mind, careful not to brush it against minato's kimono while they catch their breath. once minato sits up, akira withdraws it completely, glancing down at his hand briefly before licking away a trail of cum dripping from his wrist. ]
I'd say you've gone above and beyond.
[ his tone is a little wry but there's an undercurrent of something fond, and he tells himself the warmth in his cheeks is from exertion and nothing else. there's a part of him that almost asks how minato is feeling, but he shoves the instinct down, squeezing his waist once and then pulling away.
he cleans up quickly, straightening his clothing and tugging his jacket back on, and besides the lingering flush on his face, he looks just like he did at the beginning of their meeting. minato looks just as perfect as earlier, his hair tucked back in its braid, and akira presses a kiss to his knuckles and then to the back of his wrist before leaving the room. ]
[ Minato's gaze lingers on Akira's lips a touch longer than he'd intended, watching the way his tongue flicks out to lap up the trail of cum from his wrist. He blinks when he realizes what he's doing, haze clearing from his irises as he combs his fingers through long hair to get it back into some form of order. By now, he's become an expert at straightening himself out after entertaining a patron, and Akira being considerate enough to catch most of their cum in his palm means he doesn't need to change. In truth it's quite appreciated.
His fingertips curl ever so slightly over Akira's as a kiss is pressed against the back of his hand, a shadow of reluctance towards letting it go. But he does, because Akira's yet another one of his patrons and nothing more; he'll disappear into the night until he feels restless, in search of something or someone to distract him from it all or a means of working out all of that energy.
The next customer that night is a lonely man, one who arrives to gently caress Minato's ruby red lips, pushing down his own trousers to press his cock in between them. He's too consumed with pleasure to notice Minato won't make eye contact with him, his own mind wandering as he imagines someone else's length down his throat.
Three days later, he sits in his room, plucking the strings of his koto and carefully tuning each one. There's a commotion down the hall; he pays it no mind -- until it grows louder and more excited as it reaches his door.
"Congrats, Makoto-Chan! I'm so happy for you!" chimes one of the girls as a group of them filter in through his door.
"I never expected that," another one adds, "not that I think you're unlikable, of course! I just assumed he was courting Hifumi."
Minato's hands withdraw from his instrument, blinking up at the crowd that's congregated. There's only person who spent enough time with Hifumi for that assumption to arise.
[ three days later, akira shows up to the pleasure house. instead of calling for hifumi or minato, he requests to speak with the madam of the house, something very uncommon amongst their regular patrons. he's in her office for some time, long enough for the other courtesans and clients to whisper behind their hands and closed doors; some of them linger just outside, hoping to at least hear a snippet of their conversation. eventually, the office door slides open and both the madam and akira emerge, his wallet now lighter than it was previously. she hands him the contract, still wet with the ink of her stamp, and shoos him off without another glance.
in hindsight, perhaps he should have told minato about this earlier, but the thought gripped him since their last encounter and wouldn't leave him. he has no right to choose what minato does with his life, but he knows that he was never meant to be confined to this pleasure house. not if he still wants to uncover the truth of what happened to his previous master. there might not be very much akira can do for him now, but at the very least, he can give him his freedom.
there's a crowd gathered outside of minato's room when akira approaches, and he slips an easy smile on as they part to let him through. minato's seated with his koto on his lap, just as he did the last time he saw him. but unlike last time, he isn't here for his services. ]
[ Minato can do nothing but blink up at Akira, eyes wide with disbelief at the three words that just left his lips. That phrase only holds one meaning, the sort that has equal parts relief and disdain curling within his chest: relief, that he has a path for freedom and the means of hunting down the truth behind his former house's downfall. Disdain, that said he'd never asked for freedom, that he's become indebted to another soul once again.
Perhaps it shows in the way he worries his lower lip with thought, all before gently lowering his instrument to the floor as his response. He sets to carefully packing it up before casting a glance around the room. Its furnishings were sparse, barely anything other than a set of drawers containing clothing supplied by the establishment, and an assortment of gifts from his old clients. None of them would be necessary at his new home. The only item of value is the koto he'd managed to salvage from the Akinari's estate.
Minato easily hefts the instrument into his arms. A couple of the girls peering in from the hall whisper amongst themselves, wondering whether their Makoto-chan was always that strong.
And while Minato's instinct is to depart on his own, to brush past Akira and their audience, any onlookers would find such an action uncouth. A courtesan should not be the one to lead her new master. ]
[ if minato feels any specific way about it, it doesn't show on his face aside from the brief worrying of his lower lip. akira is sure he'll likely say something later when they're out of earshot of the other courtesans, but for now, he waits for minato to gather his sparse belongings while dodging the myriad questions the girls throw at him. once minato is ready, akira settles one hand at minato's lower back and leads him out of the pleasure house.
it's raining when they step outside, but it seems akira is prepared for it: a carriage is already waiting for them at the bottom of the stairs, much to everyone else's surprise. it seems akira has no qualms about throwing his status around today, befitting of someone of his station. he takes off his jacket and holds it over minato and his instrument to shield him from the rain, ushering him into the carriage before following behind him. and with that concludes minato's stay at the pleasure house. ]
Here. [ he waits until they've pulled away from the house before reaching into the inner pocket of his jacket, handing minato his contract. ] The driver has instructions to take us to the Yoshida estate, but you're free to go wherever you like.
[ Unlike the onlookers, Minato observes the carriage with a more neutral gaze. There's no need for him to be surprised, not when he already had intimate familiarity with Akira's status. He steps into the carriage, head ducked demurely as he settles inside.
The koto is placed at his side, his sole company on his side of the carriage. Only after it's secure does Minato reach forward to accept his contract, unfolding it to skim over its contents. While he trusts Akira for now, he's nevertheless compelled to check it with his own eyes. And there it is: his signature, spelled out in dainty strokes, enough to the point that the Madam squinted at his handwriting and asked where he'd been educated. ]
...where would I go? To another pleasure house?
[ He sighs quietly before slipping the contract into his own kimono. ]
I don't think I'd get very far.
[ In hindsight, it was challenging to dig up information about the mystery surrounding his former master, even if he did have access to potential sources of knowledge once he'd plied certain clients with enough sake.
That aside, Minato supposes there's a more significant reason to follow Akira. ]
...I should say hello to Yoshida-san. It's what Kamiki would have wanted.
[ akira had initially assumed minato wouldn't want anything to do with him outside of uncovering the truth. of course, the ideal scenario would be for him to stay at the yoshida estate, but akira didn't want to get his hopes up. besides, he has no desire to keep minato there if he decides he doesn't want to be, but if he plays his hand right, perhaps they'll both get something more out of their arrangement.
akira's expression softens a little, glancing out the gap in the carriage's curtains to watch the rain soaked streets outside. ]
It's been a long time. He may not recognize you at first, but I know he'll be glad to see you.
[ their families had always been on good terms before tragedy struck. akira wasn't the only one who struggled with akinari's death.
the rain has kept most people indoors, and so they quickly arrive at the yoshida estate, the driver calling out their destination. akira steps out of the carriage first, meeting one of the staff that had been waiting to greet them with an umbrella and holds it open for minato as he steps out. the estate isn't very large given the family's current standing, but it's more than enough for yoshida and his handful of servants, all of whom are steadfastly loyal to him throughout the years. akira shows minato his room, tastefully furnished despite its modest size, but likely larger than what he had at the pleasure house. ]
Take your time getting settled, we'll meet Yoshida-san after. [ he points to his own room down the hall. ] Come get me when you're ready.
[ Minato steps out of the carriage; his foot sinking into a puddle is of no concern so long as his instrument remains safe. For that very reason, he shifts the koto below Akira's umbrella, shielding it from the rain even if it means getting soaked himself.
He trails after Akira through the estate. It's not his first time visiting, but it's been long enough that he's forgotten his way around. For instance, he hadn't realized there was a spare guest room down the hall from Akira's own chambers. ]
...this is unexpectedly close to you.
[ It's a casual statement delivered as Minato sets his instrument aside, back still turned towards Akira. Within that message lies a single implication: Akira is too quick to trust, offering him someplace to stay so close to a room where he might let his guard down. Even with security posted throughout the hall, there's nothing stopping him from slipping into Akira's room with a blade hidden beneath the folds of his clothing.
But for now, he busies himself with shaking excess droplets of water from his hair, fixing his braid before finding a change of clothing in one of the drawers. He's grateful for the more comfortable and functional clothing, eager to shed his courtesan's kimono. After all, such attire was primarily constructed for aesthetic over physical comfort.
On the other hand, being granted unconditional freedom makes something itch in the back of his head. It has Minato going straight to Akira's room, knocking on the door as he pushes a sigh from his lungs. If this was to be his new life, he'd prefer to start it on equal footing from his own perspective. ]
Is it? I felt you could be closer, but I thought you'd prefer more privacy.
[ there's another one that's right next to his, after all. he almost had the staff clean that room instead, but decided against it. maybe he should have just went with his initial choice instead. is he really that confident that minato wouldn't attempt to finish what he started, or that he'd be able to stop him in time? likely a little bit of both.
but really, if minato wanted to kill him, he should have done so that night. instead, he sat on akira's cock and rode him like the courtesan he was pretending to be, clenching hot and tight around him. the memory is enough to send heat down his spine whenever he recalls it, as it does now, while he changes out of his trademark red blazer and black trousers into something more comfortable.
the knock at his door brings him out of his thoughts, and he tells minato to let himself in as he finishes rolling up his sleeves in front of his wardrobe. ]
[ It's all Minato says once he's stepped into Akira's room, heading over to him by the wardrobe. ]
...before you do, there's something I need to do.
[ No, that's not quite right, is it? ]
There's... something I want to do.
[ He reaches out with a hand, slender fingers curling loosely around Akira's wrist. Beneath his fingertips he feels Akira's pulse gently thrumming against his own skin. ]
If you won't take anything from me in return for all of this, let me give you something instead.
[ And before Akira can think to stop him, Minato's already sinking to his knees before him, his free hand resting against Akira's hip. This is the most efficient means of repaying Akira for buying out his contract. All he'll need to do is wipe his own mouth clean before greeting Yoshida. ]
[ minato reaches out towards him and akira tracks the movement, looking down at his wrist loosely held in minato's fingers. he looks back up at his face, sees an expression he hasn't seen before, and then minato is sinking to his knees before akira can even think of a response.
heat lances through him straight to his gut, and he takes a shaky breath, immediately shoving the image of his cock in minato's mouth away in favor of sliding his hands under minato's arms to coax him back to standing. ]
I don't need anything in return. Everything I've done, I did because I wanted to. Can you accept that?
[ minato can't, he knows, because he's just as stubborn as akira is, holding onto his ideals and his pride. akira can't begrudge him for it; if their roles were reversed, he would probably feel the same. but the idea of minato doing this as a means of repayment—of evening the field, so to speak—doesn't sit quite right with akira. is that not the same thing minato's done this whole time at the pleasure house? he's already been granted his freedom.
he cups minato's cheek, his thumb resting on his lower lip. he's standing close enough to minato that he can feel his breath on his face, catching the fading scent of the pleasure house still lingering on his skin. ]
... If you can't, there's something else I want. [ his hand slips from minato's cheek, sliding down his neck to curl over the back of it. akira leans in, kissing the corner of minato's lips, one arm wrapping around his waist to pull him close. ] May I?
[ He glances up: brow creased with a question lingering upon it, Minato's lips parted to begin speaking life into those words. No, of course he can't accept that. He's not naive enough to believe it's enough for Akira. Even if the world was initially set into motion through charity, it can only sustain itself through equivalent exchange.
Still, he permits Akira to coax him back into standing, eyes sliding shut as a gentle thumb rests upon his lower lip. It's not an unfamiliar gesture for him, but the tenderness behind it is novel, unknown territory, as is the arm wrapping around his waist to pull him in. He'd avoided such close contact just in case a client's hands wandered over his chest, raising suspicions about his true identity.
On the other hand, there's nothing to hide from Akira, his own hand finding the front of Akira's shirt to pull him in closer too. ]
[ as many times as you'd like. it's a dangerous offer, one that he's certain minato is unaware of, because akira is selfish. he sees what he wants and he takes it, sometimes with no regard to the consequences. buying minato's freedom was a gamble he was willing to risk, one that is already paying its due: akira sighs softly as they're pressed flush together, nuzzling the soft skin of minato's cheek as his hands roam down his back and over his sides, feeling the toned physique minato often keeps hidden beneath the silk layers of his kimonos.
he'd thought of that night more often than he should, even if he knew there was a chance he'd never get to touch him again. but here, minato offers himself to him, and akira thinks, perhaps, he wasn't the only one with lasting impressions of that night. ]
That's unexpectedly generous of you. [ warm amusement laces his tone as his hands settle on minato's hips. ] I'll take it.
[ kissing minato was easier than it should be then, and it's just as easy now. the softness of minato's lips have haunted most of akira's waking thoughts, and now he lets himself indulge in it, sucking lightly on his lower lip and then licking into his mouth to familiarize himself once more with his taste. ]
[ He'd already learned how to sigh and gasp while under another's touch, but there's nothing manufactured in the way he melts against Akira. Minato parts his lips, tongue gliding against Akira's as a heady heat creeps up from his neck and into his cheeks. There's an unexpected spice in the way Akira tastes, and it's one that Minato can't seem to get enough of. He pulls his companion in closer with one hand, the other reaching up to settle his palm against the back of Akira's neck. ]
I knew you'd taste good.
[ Minato nips at Akira's lower lip before running his tongue against the soft roof of Akira's mouth. ]
I knew, when you didn't shy away from my blade.
[ One foot shifts forward until his knee rests between Akira's legs, balancing the tip of his toe against the floor. Like this, he can gently brush his knee against Akira's groin, teasing and stroking at the underside of his clothed cock. If Akira refused to have him on his knees, he'd make Akira regret coaxing him into standing again. ]
[ minato's palm is a hot brand against his nape, and the moment minato pulls him closer, everything else turns into a rush—akira's pulse jumps, a shaky moan getting lost in the kiss as he feels minato's knee between his thighs. it takes effort not to grind against it, to chase his pleasure like instinct wants him to; like he's some teenaged boy fooling around for the first time. his fingers dig into minato's hips, carefully walking him back until they reach the futon and he can nudge minato onto it. ]
I didn't think you'd really hurt me. [ he follows minato down onto the futon, sucking briefly on his tongue as his hands find bare skin. ] Not after you let me go the first two nights.
[ but the knowledge that minato has fantasized about him is devastating, and his cock throbs at the thought of it, and again at the sweet pressure of being pressed so close to him. they haven't even removed their clothing yet, but akira feels primed for something, wound up with desire made worse from their time apart. ]
[ Akira's moan is a reward to Minato, a surefire sign that he's pinpointed one of Akira's weaknesses. The fingers digging into his hips are proof too, though his brow lifts when Akira carefully guides him backwards. There, he feels those very same fingers push lightly downwards, and it's then that Minato recognizes precisely what's on Akira's mind.
He's compliant as he lowers himself onto the futon, one hand's fingers still grasping at the front of Akira's shirt. Minato never lets go even as his back lies flat against the futon, the palm against Akira's skin sliding up to thread his fingers through dark hair.
Heat flashes through Minato's body, demanding that he offer his own reward to Akira. Beneath Akira's lips, Minato sighs with satisfaction interlaced with a breathy moan of his own. His own cock throbs underneath the layers of cloth, desire simmering within his veins. ]
My mistake.
[ Minato sinks his teeth lightly into Akira's lower lip, searching for Akira's tongue again with his own. ]
This is better though.
[ This is far better than any satisfaction he could attain through dipping his hands in the still-warm blood of Kamiki's killer. ]
[ it feels a little surreal to have minato beneath him like this, warm and pliant despite the fist still curled tightly in the front of his shirt. slender and calloused fingers slip into his hair and rub along his scalp, and akira sighs into his mouth, lashes fluttering briefly. he's never thought about this before at length until recently, but his imagination doesn't come close to the real thing—he'd never would have known what minato tastes like before, or how warm and soft he feels beneath the layers of his kimono; how it feels to run his palms over every patch of skin he can find until they're both bare with their clothes in a pile on the floor.
the first unobstructed press of their bodies together pulls a low moan out of him, the friction so sweet it makes him shiver. they're short on time, which means he can't indulge in minato the way they both want to, but he makes do with what he can, gently coaxing minato to lie on his stomach. reaching over the side of the futon, he retrieves a vial of oil and pours some over his fingers, rubbing them together to warm it up before slipping slick fingers between minato's legs, smoothing the oil along his inner thighs. ]
[ A heated shudder passes through Minato's bare body when he feels Akira's warm skin against his own. The desire flaring within him craves even more, to have Akira even closer. But he ultimately complies with Akira's hands that carefully turn him, coaxing him onto his stomach. And at the first sensation of warmed oil along his inner thighs, he recognizes Akira's intent, propping himself up on his knees a bit. ]
We don't have much time.
[ Minato postures it as a reasonable justification to spur Akira on quicker as opposed to his own impatience. Another shiver rolls down his spine at the impending promise once Akira's finished slicking his thighs, a memory surfacing from the night they'd spent rubbing their throbbing cocks against one another. It makes his own half-hard cock twitch in anticipation. ]
[ minato props himself up on his knees and akira slots right behind him, warm skin sliding against warmer skin as his cock nudges against the firm swell of minato's backside. the urge to get closer sears itself into his brain, fingers squeezing against minato's hip while he rocks against him, once, twice, before his cock slips between the soft plush of his inner thighs. akira breathes a shaky sound into minato's ear, something caught between a dry chuckle and a moan, momentarily distracted by how it feels—his cock settles along his perineum, cock head brushing against the underside of minato's cock as he pushes forward until his groin is flush against him. ]
... It won't take very long.
[ akira shudders with it, dangerously close and dripping precum down minato's cock and inner thighs just like he did that previous night. he'd have more feelings about it if he wasn't using most of his focus on holding back with each rock of his hips, moaning low at the exquisite drag of his cock along soft, slick skin. distantly, he wonders briefly how he'll handle being inside minato again if he's already this wrecked just from fucking his thighs.
akira shifts on his knees, propping his legs under the back of minato's to support him as he continues thrusting between his thighs, relentless. he leans against minato's back until they're pressed skin to skin, one long line of heat down his front connected from throat to knee. the intimacy of it ruins him, and he muffles a moan against minato's shoulder, biting down on the meat of it as he grinds up against the soft skin beneath his cock. ]
[ A thick bead of precum gathers at Minato's own tip, dripping down his length and the underside of his cock. There, it catches between his skin and Akira's arousal, adding to the generous lubrication offered by the oil. The slick glide of Akira's cock against the underside of his own makes him throb with heady desire, his own hips canting backwards to meet Akira's groin.
Every drag of heated skin draws a higher moan from Minato, his arms buckling as he leans on his elbows. Here, he has a better angle to rock his hips, thighs squeezing tighter around Akira's cock. He doesn't need to look down to know that his inner thighs are soaked, not when he can feel their combined precum dripping down his skin in rivulets. ]
That good?
[ He manages to get the words out in between his own shallow breaths, the grin on his face hidden from view as he feels Akira muffling a moan against his shoulder. The expression is quickly wiped from his face as teeth unexpectedly dig into his skin, replaced with a pitched moan that even takes Minato by surprise. Pain blends seamlessly with pleasure in a carnal cocktail, and Akira's cock grinding up against the underside of his sensitive cock is the true nail in his coffin. His cock throbs as he cums on the futon beneath them, legs trembling as he spills hot desire between his knees, the excess rolling down his length to smear along Akira's arousal fucking against his soft thighs. ]
[ it's dangerously easy to imagine his cock pressing into minato instead of between his thighs, helped along in no small amount by the memory of that night—akira doesn't think he'd ever forget how tight minato was or how good he felt around him, impossibly hot and slick. just like he is now, his thighs wet with precum and oil, each slide of his cock made smoother and better, the grip of his thighs making akira's head spin. he can't stop shuddering, heat spiraling through him as he ruts harder against minato's thighs, hips slapping against his backside.
but minato's orgasm catches him off guard, feeling the hot rush of cum along his cock and dripping between their thighs. akira mutters a breathy curse, fingers digging harder into minato's hips as he loses his rhythm, hanging on for a few breathless moments before he shakes into his own orgasm with a desperate gasp. it feels even better than when he'd taken both of their cocks in his hands and rubbed them to completion, the closeness of them now affecting him more than he ever expected it to. he feels the rapid rise and fall of minato's chest beneath him, feels the wet mess between their thighs knowing that he was the cause of it, and despite being spent, his cock throbs against minato's with another smaller spill of cum. ]
... Yeah, [ he says after a moment, pressing a soft line of kisses along minato's shoulder to the curve of his neck. ] That good.
[ The droplets of cum trickle from Akira's tip down to Minato's thigh. Beneath Akira, he sighs with satisfaction accompanying each of Akira's kisses. His heart swells within his chest despite their initially hostile encounter a few days ago. He has to smother that feeling, reminding himself to keep his expectations tempered. Undeniable chemistry or not, he's here because Akira gifted him his freedom, and he intends on using it to hunt down the true culprit behind the fall of his former house. ]
We've already kept Yoshida-san waiting.
[ There's an implied follow-up to his statement: he can't be introduced as he is now, soaked in sweat and sticky cum coating his inner thighs. Nor can Akira appear before the head of the house, his skin flushed and his groin stained with their cum as well. ]
...you're heavy.
[ Yet he makes no efforts to move, to slide out from beneath Akira. Instead, he cranes his neck a bit to the side, exposing more of the column of his pale neck for Akira to lavish with kisses. ]
[ minato says he's heavy, yet he remains where he is, tipping his head to the side to give akira further access to his neck and his throat. which he does, leaving gentle nips and bites along his pale skin as he savors the lingering warmth; still comfortable for a moment or two before it inevitably becomes the opposite. he's gone soft now, his cock slipping from between minato's thighs and trailing oil and cum over his skin, and he immediately finds himself missing it. even though he really shouldn't, not right now, at least.
but minato's right, yoshida has been waiting. faced with all this new expanse of smooth skin makes it difficult to pull away entirely, as he shifts to sit on his knees to avoid crushing minato. they're in no state to see yoshida as they are right now, however, and so he helps minato up from the futon and directs him to the adjoined bathroom. ]
He can wait a little longer.
[ he's certain minato expects him to follow. which he does, but akira's intentions are chaste this time, cleaning him up with careful hands once it's clear minato welcomes more of his touch. ]
[ How convenient, Minato thinks, as he heads for the adjoined bathroom. It's good that they won't need to slip out of Akira's room to get clean. Even if it's not especially lavish, there's a modern-looking sink with a large mirror affixed upon the wall. Across from it is an elegant bath tub where they can rinse themselves off. ]
I always had to make sure I bathed at odd hours.
[ He sits on the edge of the tub, fingers curled over its side as he glances over at the tap. He leaves his knees slightly apart to avoid the discomfort of pressing his soaked thighs together, not in the least shy about sitting bare before Akira. ]
...there were a handful of girls who knew my secret, but... for some reason, it felt like they were looking out for me.
[ The reasons for that were still lost on him. After all, they could have easily had him thrown out onto the streets, or publicly shamed him before the rest of the establishment's courtesans. ]
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his hand is a mess but he doesn't pay it any mind, careful not to brush it against minato's kimono while they catch their breath. once minato sits up, akira withdraws it completely, glancing down at his hand briefly before licking away a trail of cum dripping from his wrist. ]
I'd say you've gone above and beyond.
[ his tone is a little wry but there's an undercurrent of something fond, and he tells himself the warmth in his cheeks is from exertion and nothing else. there's a part of him that almost asks how minato is feeling, but he shoves the instinct down, squeezing his waist once and then pulling away.
he cleans up quickly, straightening his clothing and tugging his jacket back on, and besides the lingering flush on his face, he looks just like he did at the beginning of their meeting. minato looks just as perfect as earlier, his hair tucked back in its braid, and akira presses a kiss to his knuckles and then to the back of his wrist before leaving the room. ]
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His fingertips curl ever so slightly over Akira's as a kiss is pressed against the back of his hand, a shadow of reluctance towards letting it go. But he does, because Akira's yet another one of his patrons and nothing more; he'll disappear into the night until he feels restless, in search of something or someone to distract him from it all or a means of working out all of that energy.
The next customer that night is a lonely man, one who arrives to gently caress Minato's ruby red lips, pushing down his own trousers to press his cock in between them. He's too consumed with pleasure to notice Minato won't make eye contact with him, his own mind wandering as he imagines someone else's length down his throat.
Three days later, he sits in his room, plucking the strings of his koto and carefully tuning each one. There's a commotion down the hall; he pays it no mind -- until it grows louder and more excited as it reaches his door.
"Congrats, Makoto-Chan! I'm so happy for you!" chimes one of the girls as a group of them filter in through his door.
"I never expected that," another one adds, "not that I think you're unlikable, of course! I just assumed he was courting Hifumi."
Minato's hands withdraw from his instrument, blinking up at the crowd that's congregated. There's only person who spent enough time with Hifumi for that assumption to arise.
More excited voices buzz from outside his door.
"Is that him? I think he's coming this way!" ]
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in hindsight, perhaps he should have told minato about this earlier, but the thought gripped him since their last encounter and wouldn't leave him. he has no right to choose what minato does with his life, but he knows that he was never meant to be confined to this pleasure house. not if he still wants to uncover the truth of what happened to his previous master. there might not be very much akira can do for him now, but at the very least, he can give him his freedom.
there's a crowd gathered outside of minato's room when akira approaches, and he slips an easy smile on as they part to let him through. minato's seated with his koto on his lap, just as he did the last time he saw him. but unlike last time, he isn't here for his services. ]
Ready to go?
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Perhaps it shows in the way he worries his lower lip with thought, all before gently lowering his instrument to the floor as his response. He sets to carefully packing it up before casting a glance around the room. Its furnishings were sparse, barely anything other than a set of drawers containing clothing supplied by the establishment, and an assortment of gifts from his old clients. None of them would be necessary at his new home. The only item of value is the koto he'd managed to salvage from the Akinari's estate.
Minato easily hefts the instrument into his arms. A couple of the girls peering in from the hall whisper amongst themselves, wondering whether their Makoto-chan was always that strong.
And while Minato's instinct is to depart on his own, to brush past Akira and their audience, any onlookers would find such an action uncouth. A courtesan should not be the one to lead her new master. ]
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it's raining when they step outside, but it seems akira is prepared for it: a carriage is already waiting for them at the bottom of the stairs, much to everyone else's surprise. it seems akira has no qualms about throwing his status around today, befitting of someone of his station. he takes off his jacket and holds it over minato and his instrument to shield him from the rain, ushering him into the carriage before following behind him. and with that concludes minato's stay at the pleasure house. ]
Here. [ he waits until they've pulled away from the house before reaching into the inner pocket of his jacket, handing minato his contract. ] The driver has instructions to take us to the Yoshida estate, but you're free to go wherever you like.
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The koto is placed at his side, his sole company on his side of the carriage. Only after it's secure does Minato reach forward to accept his contract, unfolding it to skim over its contents. While he trusts Akira for now, he's nevertheless compelled to check it with his own eyes. And there it is: his signature, spelled out in dainty strokes, enough to the point that the Madam squinted at his handwriting and asked where he'd been educated. ]
...where would I go? To another pleasure house?
[ He sighs quietly before slipping the contract into his own kimono. ]
I don't think I'd get very far.
[ In hindsight, it was challenging to dig up information about the mystery surrounding his former master, even if he did have access to potential sources of knowledge once he'd plied certain clients with enough sake.
That aside, Minato supposes there's a more significant reason to follow Akira. ]
...I should say hello to Yoshida-san. It's what Kamiki would have wanted.
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akira's expression softens a little, glancing out the gap in the carriage's curtains to watch the rain soaked streets outside. ]
It's been a long time. He may not recognize you at first, but I know he'll be glad to see you.
[ their families had always been on good terms before tragedy struck. akira wasn't the only one who struggled with akinari's death.
the rain has kept most people indoors, and so they quickly arrive at the yoshida estate, the driver calling out their destination. akira steps out of the carriage first, meeting one of the staff that had been waiting to greet them with an umbrella and holds it open for minato as he steps out. the estate isn't very large given the family's current standing, but it's more than enough for yoshida and his handful of servants, all of whom are steadfastly loyal to him throughout the years. akira shows minato his room, tastefully furnished despite its modest size, but likely larger than what he had at the pleasure house. ]
Take your time getting settled, we'll meet Yoshida-san after. [ he points to his own room down the hall. ] Come get me when you're ready.
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He trails after Akira through the estate. It's not his first time visiting, but it's been long enough that he's forgotten his way around. For instance, he hadn't realized there was a spare guest room down the hall from Akira's own chambers. ]
...this is unexpectedly close to you.
[ It's a casual statement delivered as Minato sets his instrument aside, back still turned towards Akira. Within that message lies a single implication: Akira is too quick to trust, offering him someplace to stay so close to a room where he might let his guard down. Even with security posted throughout the hall, there's nothing stopping him from slipping into Akira's room with a blade hidden beneath the folds of his clothing.
But for now, he busies himself with shaking excess droplets of water from his hair, fixing his braid before finding a change of clothing in one of the drawers. He's grateful for the more comfortable and functional clothing, eager to shed his courtesan's kimono. After all, such attire was primarily constructed for aesthetic over physical comfort.
On the other hand, being granted unconditional freedom makes something itch in the back of his head. It has Minato going straight to Akira's room, knocking on the door as he pushes a sigh from his lungs. If this was to be his new life, he'd prefer to start it on equal footing from his own perspective. ]
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[ there's another one that's right next to his, after all. he almost had the staff clean that room instead, but decided against it. maybe he should have just went with his initial choice instead. is he really that confident that minato wouldn't attempt to finish what he started, or that he'd be able to stop him in time? likely a little bit of both.
but really, if minato wanted to kill him, he should have done so that night. instead, he sat on akira's cock and rode him like the courtesan he was pretending to be, clenching hot and tight around him. the memory is enough to send heat down his spine whenever he recalls it, as it does now, while he changes out of his trademark red blazer and black trousers into something more comfortable.
the knock at his door brings him out of his thoughts, and he tells minato to let himself in as he finishes rolling up his sleeves in front of his wardrobe. ]
Have a seat, I'll be done in a second.
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[ It's all Minato says once he's stepped into Akira's room, heading over to him by the wardrobe. ]
...before you do, there's something I need to do.
[ No, that's not quite right, is it? ]
There's... something I want to do.
[ He reaches out with a hand, slender fingers curling loosely around Akira's wrist. Beneath his fingertips he feels Akira's pulse gently thrumming against his own skin. ]
If you won't take anything from me in return for all of this, let me give you something instead.
[ And before Akira can think to stop him, Minato's already sinking to his knees before him, his free hand resting against Akira's hip. This is the most efficient means of repaying Akira for buying out his contract. All he'll need to do is wipe his own mouth clean before greeting Yoshida. ]
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heat lances through him straight to his gut, and he takes a shaky breath, immediately shoving the image of his cock in minato's mouth away in favor of sliding his hands under minato's arms to coax him back to standing. ]
I don't need anything in return. Everything I've done, I did because I wanted to. Can you accept that?
[ minato can't, he knows, because he's just as stubborn as akira is, holding onto his ideals and his pride. akira can't begrudge him for it; if their roles were reversed, he would probably feel the same. but the idea of minato doing this as a means of repayment—of evening the field, so to speak—doesn't sit quite right with akira. is that not the same thing minato's done this whole time at the pleasure house? he's already been granted his freedom.
he cups minato's cheek, his thumb resting on his lower lip. he's standing close enough to minato that he can feel his breath on his face, catching the fading scent of the pleasure house still lingering on his skin. ]
... If you can't, there's something else I want. [ his hand slips from minato's cheek, sliding down his neck to curl over the back of it. akira leans in, kissing the corner of minato's lips, one arm wrapping around his waist to pull him close. ] May I?
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Still, he permits Akira to coax him back into standing, eyes sliding shut as a gentle thumb rests upon his lower lip. It's not an unfamiliar gesture for him, but the tenderness behind it is novel, unknown territory, as is the arm wrapping around his waist to pull him in. He'd avoided such close contact just in case a client's hands wandered over his chest, raising suspicions about his true identity.
On the other hand, there's nothing to hide from Akira, his own hand finding the front of Akira's shirt to pull him in closer too. ]
Yes. As many times as you'd like.
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he'd thought of that night more often than he should, even if he knew there was a chance he'd never get to touch him again. but here, minato offers himself to him, and akira thinks, perhaps, he wasn't the only one with lasting impressions of that night. ]
That's unexpectedly generous of you. [ warm amusement laces his tone as his hands settle on minato's hips. ] I'll take it.
[ kissing minato was easier than it should be then, and it's just as easy now. the softness of minato's lips have haunted most of akira's waking thoughts, and now he lets himself indulge in it, sucking lightly on his lower lip and then licking into his mouth to familiarize himself once more with his taste. ]
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I knew you'd taste good.
[ Minato nips at Akira's lower lip before running his tongue against the soft roof of Akira's mouth. ]
I knew, when you didn't shy away from my blade.
[ One foot shifts forward until his knee rests between Akira's legs, balancing the tip of his toe against the floor. Like this, he can gently brush his knee against Akira's groin, teasing and stroking at the underside of his clothed cock. If Akira refused to have him on his knees, he'd make Akira regret coaxing him into standing again. ]
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I didn't think you'd really hurt me. [ he follows minato down onto the futon, sucking briefly on his tongue as his hands find bare skin. ] Not after you let me go the first two nights.
[ but the knowledge that minato has fantasized about him is devastating, and his cock throbs at the thought of it, and again at the sweet pressure of being pressed so close to him. they haven't even removed their clothing yet, but akira feels primed for something, wound up with desire made worse from their time apart. ]
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He's compliant as he lowers himself onto the futon, one hand's fingers still grasping at the front of Akira's shirt. Minato never lets go even as his back lies flat against the futon, the palm against Akira's skin sliding up to thread his fingers through dark hair.
Heat flashes through Minato's body, demanding that he offer his own reward to Akira. Beneath Akira's lips, Minato sighs with satisfaction interlaced with a breathy moan of his own. His own cock throbs underneath the layers of cloth, desire simmering within his veins. ]
My mistake.
[ Minato sinks his teeth lightly into Akira's lower lip, searching for Akira's tongue again with his own. ]
This is better though.
[ This is far better than any satisfaction he could attain through dipping his hands in the still-warm blood of Kamiki's killer. ]
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the first unobstructed press of their bodies together pulls a low moan out of him, the friction so sweet it makes him shiver. they're short on time, which means he can't indulge in minato the way they both want to, but he makes do with what he can, gently coaxing minato to lie on his stomach. reaching over the side of the futon, he retrieves a vial of oil and pours some over his fingers, rubbing them together to warm it up before slipping slick fingers between minato's legs, smoothing the oil along his inner thighs. ]
I think so, too.
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We don't have much time.
[ Minato postures it as a reasonable justification to spur Akira on quicker as opposed to his own impatience. Another shiver rolls down his spine at the impending promise once Akira's finished slicking his thighs, a memory surfacing from the night they'd spent rubbing their throbbing cocks against one another. It makes his own half-hard cock twitch in anticipation. ]
Hurry up.
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... It won't take very long.
[ akira shudders with it, dangerously close and dripping precum down minato's cock and inner thighs just like he did that previous night. he'd have more feelings about it if he wasn't using most of his focus on holding back with each rock of his hips, moaning low at the exquisite drag of his cock along soft, slick skin. distantly, he wonders briefly how he'll handle being inside minato again if he's already this wrecked just from fucking his thighs.
akira shifts on his knees, propping his legs under the back of minato's to support him as he continues thrusting between his thighs, relentless. he leans against minato's back until they're pressed skin to skin, one long line of heat down his front connected from throat to knee. the intimacy of it ruins him, and he muffles a moan against minato's shoulder, biting down on the meat of it as he grinds up against the soft skin beneath his cock. ]
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Every drag of heated skin draws a higher moan from Minato, his arms buckling as he leans on his elbows. Here, he has a better angle to rock his hips, thighs squeezing tighter around Akira's cock. He doesn't need to look down to know that his inner thighs are soaked, not when he can feel their combined precum dripping down his skin in rivulets. ]
That good?
[ He manages to get the words out in between his own shallow breaths, the grin on his face hidden from view as he feels Akira muffling a moan against his shoulder. The expression is quickly wiped from his face as teeth unexpectedly dig into his skin, replaced with a pitched moan that even takes Minato by surprise. Pain blends seamlessly with pleasure in a carnal cocktail, and Akira's cock grinding up against the underside of his sensitive cock is the true nail in his coffin. His cock throbs as he cums on the futon beneath them, legs trembling as he spills hot desire between his knees, the excess rolling down his length to smear along Akira's arousal fucking against his soft thighs. ]
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but minato's orgasm catches him off guard, feeling the hot rush of cum along his cock and dripping between their thighs. akira mutters a breathy curse, fingers digging harder into minato's hips as he loses his rhythm, hanging on for a few breathless moments before he shakes into his own orgasm with a desperate gasp. it feels even better than when he'd taken both of their cocks in his hands and rubbed them to completion, the closeness of them now affecting him more than he ever expected it to. he feels the rapid rise and fall of minato's chest beneath him, feels the wet mess between their thighs knowing that he was the cause of it, and despite being spent, his cock throbs against minato's with another smaller spill of cum. ]
... Yeah, [ he says after a moment, pressing a soft line of kisses along minato's shoulder to the curve of his neck. ] That good.
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We've already kept Yoshida-san waiting.
[ There's an implied follow-up to his statement: he can't be introduced as he is now, soaked in sweat and sticky cum coating his inner thighs. Nor can Akira appear before the head of the house, his skin flushed and his groin stained with their cum as well. ]
...you're heavy.
[ Yet he makes no efforts to move, to slide out from beneath Akira. Instead, he cranes his neck a bit to the side, exposing more of the column of his pale neck for Akira to lavish with kisses. ]
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but minato's right, yoshida has been waiting. faced with all this new expanse of smooth skin makes it difficult to pull away entirely, as he shifts to sit on his knees to avoid crushing minato. they're in no state to see yoshida as they are right now, however, and so he helps minato up from the futon and directs him to the adjoined bathroom. ]
He can wait a little longer.
[ he's certain minato expects him to follow. which he does, but akira's intentions are chaste this time, cleaning him up with careful hands once it's clear minato welcomes more of his touch. ]
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I always had to make sure I bathed at odd hours.
[ He sits on the edge of the tub, fingers curled over its side as he glances over at the tap. He leaves his knees slightly apart to avoid the discomfort of pressing his soaked thighs together, not in the least shy about sitting bare before Akira. ]
...there were a handful of girls who knew my secret, but... for some reason, it felt like they were looking out for me.
[ The reasons for that were still lost on him. After all, they could have easily had him thrown out onto the streets, or publicly shamed him before the rest of the establishment's courtesans. ]