At the dock
This is my submission to the VF Fanbook. Enjoy!
An evening at the dock
Savoring the gentle caress of the Ocean’s breeze upon his cheek, Akihito fixes his gaze on the waves that break against the hard cement again and again, in a never-ending dance of love and hate. He smiles at the clumsy cries of the seagulls and the distant quarrel of two cats. Bathed in the crimson rays of the sunset, even this dock, this shady heap of gray that reeks of dirt, sweat, and alcohol, looks beautiful. Akihito turns to his right and sighs. Two pigeons are flirting on the top of the tall tower. The blond can’t help the chuckle. First time trapped, first time saved-this tower holds Takaba’s memories of his virgin encounter with Asami’s unbending will like a scorching secret. It’s been three years since that night. Exactly three years. He is living with the man now; he wakes up deep in his warm embrace every morning, makes coffee the way he likes it, rides with him to work, looks forward to their chat at dinner, and welcomes him into his body every night. Yes, he is in love with Asami. And he dares to believe that the trusting morning smiles, the caring good-bye kisses, and the possessive thrusts at night are proof enough that he holds a special place in the yakuza’s heart.
Everything is so different now… But on days like this he can’t help feeling nervous and insecure. Am I doing the right thing? Will he be the beast he was back then again?
The steady steps of a passer-by bring Akihito back from his painful thoughts. The sun has already sunk and the dock is taken over by familiar shadows. The young man takes a deep breath and stares at the dark tower one last time. The steps suddenly stop close behind him. His heart races in panic, his mind screams ‘danger!’ and his body instinctively prepares for a run.
“You are late for our dinner, Akihito.” Exhaling in relief, the young man turns to face the source of the deep, smooth voice. “You should have called me.” The imposing figure takes a deep breath and with two easy strides stands right in front of the blond photographer. “Don’t make me worry like that.” The soft warmth of the man’s words make Akihito’s heart constrict and his eyes burn. “Sorry, Asami, I didn’t mean to…” he whispers, gaze fixed on the pool of dirty water right next to his left shoe.
The yakuza shoots a knowing glance at the tower, then turns back to his only passion. So much has changed since that day… Asami ruffles his lover’s hair soothingly and feels Akihito’s light shiver. “How about we head home?” The younger man meets his gaze for a second, then looks back at the tower. “Home, huh?” A finger under his chin guides his lips gently into a soft kiss. “Yes. Home, my love.”
The blond sighs deeply and pulls down his lover for another kiss. Let the ghosts of the past stay forever in the darkness of this dock. “Let’s go, Asami.” He smiles as he wraps one arm around the larger man's waist. “What’s for dinner?”
An evening at the dock
Savoring the gentle caress of the Ocean’s breeze upon his cheek, Akihito fixes his gaze on the waves that break against the hard cement again and again, in a never-ending dance of love and hate. He smiles at the clumsy cries of the seagulls and the distant quarrel of two cats. Bathed in the crimson rays of the sunset, even this dock, this shady heap of gray that reeks of dirt, sweat, and alcohol, looks beautiful. Akihito turns to his right and sighs. Two pigeons are flirting on the top of the tall tower. The blond can’t help the chuckle. First time trapped, first time saved-this tower holds Takaba’s memories of his virgin encounter with Asami’s unbending will like a scorching secret. It’s been three years since that night. Exactly three years. He is living with the man now; he wakes up deep in his warm embrace every morning, makes coffee the way he likes it, rides with him to work, looks forward to their chat at dinner, and welcomes him into his body every night. Yes, he is in love with Asami. And he dares to believe that the trusting morning smiles, the caring good-bye kisses, and the possessive thrusts at night are proof enough that he holds a special place in the yakuza’s heart.
Everything is so different now… But on days like this he can’t help feeling nervous and insecure. Am I doing the right thing? Will he be the beast he was back then again?
The steady steps of a passer-by bring Akihito back from his painful thoughts. The sun has already sunk and the dock is taken over by familiar shadows. The young man takes a deep breath and stares at the dark tower one last time. The steps suddenly stop close behind him. His heart races in panic, his mind screams ‘danger!’ and his body instinctively prepares for a run.
“You are late for our dinner, Akihito.” Exhaling in relief, the young man turns to face the source of the deep, smooth voice. “You should have called me.” The imposing figure takes a deep breath and with two easy strides stands right in front of the blond photographer. “Don’t make me worry like that.” The soft warmth of the man’s words make Akihito’s heart constrict and his eyes burn. “Sorry, Asami, I didn’t mean to…” he whispers, gaze fixed on the pool of dirty water right next to his left shoe.
The yakuza shoots a knowing glance at the tower, then turns back to his only passion. So much has changed since that day… Asami ruffles his lover’s hair soothingly and feels Akihito’s light shiver. “How about we head home?” The younger man meets his gaze for a second, then looks back at the tower. “Home, huh?” A finger under his chin guides his lips gently into a soft kiss. “Yes. Home, my love.”
The blond sighs deeply and pulls down his lover for another kiss. Let the ghosts of the past stay forever in the darkness of this dock. “Let’s go, Asami.” He smiles as he wraps one arm around the larger man's waist. “What’s for dinner?”