Posted originally on the Archive_of_Our_Own at https://archiveofourown.org/
works/10780857.
  Rating:
      Explicit
  Archive Warning:
      Major_Character_Death, Underage
  Category:
      M/M, Multi
  Fandom:
      龍が如く_|_Ryuu_ga_Gotoku_|_Yakuza_(Video_Games)
  Relationship:
      Rikiya_Shimabukuro/Original_Male_Character(s), Kiryu_Kazuma/Rikiya
      Shimabukuro
  Character:
      Rikiya_Shimabukuro, Kiryu_Kazuma, Mikio_Aragaki
  Additional Tags:
      Canon_Compliant, Canon-Typical_Violence, Masturbation, Implied/Referenced
      Underage_Sex, Sexual_Tension, Self-Esteem_Issues, Bisexual_Male
      Character, tags_will_be_added_later_to_avoid_spoilingggggg, Fake
      Relationship, Age_Difference, Frottage, Trauma, Majima's_Incredible
      Gaydar_(Batteries_Included)
  Series:
      Part 3 of Yakuza_Rare-Pairs
  Stats:
      Published: 2017-05-01 Completed: 2017-07-13 Chapters: 4/4 Words: 7615
****** *snake emoji* (it's actually a viper) ******
by shalashaska
Summary
     Just a series of scenes from Rikiya's point-of-view that I need to
     GET. OFF. MY. CHEST.
     They all fit into canon so I guess they make up a side story or
     something.
     I have a lust for that goofy snake boy.
***** Well That Was Easy *****
Rikiya Shimabukuro was not one to be pushed around. He wore the image of a
viper, the soul of Okinawa. He was proud, and not to be under-estimated. Rikiya
Shimabukuro might have only been young but he knew what he was doing. He was a
leuitenant, for fuck’s sake! He answered to his Boss only, and wouldn’t take
shit from anyone. At least, he had always thought so.
 
He looked up at the man, towering over both him and Mikio. He had known that
the guy was tall. However on closer inspection, he was huge - and not just
physically. He commanded attention in his very presence. For a guy who said so
little he certainly stirred something inside of Rikiya. It wasn’t as if nobody
had ever defeated him, but he had defeated him spectacularly. He couldn’t put a
finger on a single emotion, but boiling in his skull was a combination of fear,
amazement and something else he couldn’t decipher. Was he impressed? Was it
just adrenaline? Was it some unintentional thrill?
“So?” The older man’s voice was deep and stern. “Not bad for an old man from
the mainland, eh?” He stepped closer, drawing out his words to add insult to
injury.
He wanted to see the Boss. Since Rikiya had promised to make it happen, he
begrudgingly agreed. There wasn’t any point in opposing this guy any further.
Who the hell was he?
“Go and tell the Boss we’re coming.”
Mikio broke out into the fastest waddle he could manage, huffing as he ran. It
was hard not to laugh.
When he spoke to him again he suddenly felt vulnerable. Not only had he seen
this man’s abilities, but he was alone with him now.
“You said the viper was the soul of Okinawa.”
He was thoroughly convinced that this man could kill him with his bare hands.
He’d never met a mainlander who could make such an impression.
“Yeah. What about it?”
“Well that tattoo is impressive, but why is the eye blank?”
“Oh, that…”
Talking about his tattoo was normally a personal matter, but whether it was out
of fear or respect he felt like he could trust Kazuma. It was a weird thing to
take interest in, and he wondered just how closely the guy had been staring,
but he chose not to question it.
 
===============================================================================
 
 
“I can’t have Yakuza running around calling me Boss.”
The words echoed around inside his skull and he couldn’t shake them out. He
poked at the last remaining morsels on his plate and glanced at Mikio, whose
bulky silhouette was draped over the balcony’s railing, blowing clouds into the
evening air.
He rubbed his eyes and leaned forward on his elbows, more embarrassed by the
fact it had felt so natural than anything else. He was acting like some kind of
nervous school kid, spewing all kinds of things he might regret later. He had
to watch himself.
Time passed a little faster than he expected and before he knew it Mikio was in
his pyjamas, busying himself locking the doors and windows. Rikiya took this as
his queue to retire to his room.
 
It wasn’t often that he would lie awake like this. He thrashed a little under
the covers, searching for a comfortable position but quickly finding that it
made no difference and he was left staring at his ceiling, lit only by the
slivers of streetlight that managed to break through the curtain. Then his mind
began to wander again.
He tried to think about anything but his embarrassing behaviour or how quickly
he had found himself warming to Kazuma. Thinking about that made him want to
bury himself alive.
He dug through his memories for something pleasant, skimming through thoughts
of childhood games and teenage antics. Eventually he found himself thinking
about sex. Whatever. He was young and there was no shortage of fond
recollection to choose from.
At first it was just the usual array of feminine bodies, pretty smiling faces
and the smell of perfume. He might not have been some kind of playboy but he
had seen his fair share. There had been a few lovers of recent memory – a
charming girl he had sparked up a conversation with in a shop, a waitress he
had chatted up while his men watched and learned, and even an older woman he
had bumped into at the market. He found himself lost in thoughts of skin on
skin but something didn’t feel right, and before he knew it he was searching
further.
Eventually he found himself thinking of highschool, and his first time with a
girl in his class he had been dating for maybe a month. There was something
charming about the awkwardness and clumsiness of it all. He was almost there,
wondering why he was even bothering to try and get there at all.
He paused for a moment, opening his eyes and fixing on a point on the ceiling.
Wrestling with himself for a moment he finally decided that he might as well do
anything he could to unwind. It was only natural.
He was back in those memories of her – but it wasn’t quite hitting him yet. For
some reason it wasn’t enough. It seemed like there wasn’t anything that would
do it for him now, until he found himself flooded with something he had almost
forgotten completely.
 
He hadn’t been the most well behaved kid – the fact he had grown up to become a
Yakuza certainly demonstrated that. He had been no stranger to house parties.
These normally took part in some small apartment – some of his friends lived
with older siblings, and he knew older kids from outside of school. Apartments
packed with young, intoxicated bodies were his natural habitat. He could sit
bunched in between the shoulders of others and drink until his vision slurred.
He could find himself falling into a friend’s arms a little more affectionately
than he had meant to – well that was his excuse. Excuses didn’t really hold
water anymore when lips touched, though.
Fuck. It has been several months since he had even recalled this. He had been a
student in the year below, visibly younger but blending in somehow. He had
long, scruffy hair to wrap your fingers into and he kissed like a lunatic.
Maybe it was the alcohol.
He was already half hard now. This was new. Normally the regular old vanilla
stuff was enough to get him going but for some reason this particular instance
was coming back to him in full force.
He remembered rushing upstairs and stuffing themselves into a bedroom without
even asking, clinging to each other with the lingering scent of liquid libido.
He could almost feel clumsy hands thrusting under his clothing and feeling as
much as they could manage, gripping at his wrists to playfully restrain him
and-
Suddenly he was excruciatingly aware of the tent in his baggy pants, and
hurried to push the covers part of the way back, tugging at the plush material
and freeing himself, hissing at the cool air on his abdomen and his demanding
erection. Maybe he hadn’t been paying enough attention to himself – he felt
like it had been a while. Hell, now that he thought about it, it could have
been almost a week since he’d found the time to get off.
Wrapping his fingers around himself he quickly got to work, stroking the
entirety of his length and rubbing his thumb against the head while letting
himself drift back into that distant memory of drunken heat. He had never
touched another man back then and to this day he hadn’t done it again, but for
some reason he craved it now. He wanted another man’s hands on him, wanted that
strange combination of uncertainty and familiarity. A moan almost escaped him.
That kid had moved away after graduation. He had left the country to study
abroad.
He was gone now, and Rikiya couldn’t seem to force him back into his mind. He
had lost his grip on the memory far too soon and found himself groaning in
frustration until a whole different thought began to flood his mind – Kazuma
Kiryu.
He tried to shake it off at first but it was sticking to him with tenacity. The
thought of seeing Kazuma in such a situation sent signals straight between his
legs that he wished he could just dispel. It had been a long time since he had
fantasised about someone he hadn’t slept with. It was like the older man was
bringing out a side to him he had forgotten.
The thought of Kazuma’s mouth on his made him squirm, and the idea of his hands
on his body prickled at his skin. He wondered if he would be a gentle lover, or
if he’d be as aggressive as he was when they had fought. He wondered if that
strange thrill would be there again, as it had when they first met. Tightening
his grip he bit down on his palm to muffle the noise as he became erratic and
lost his rhythm.
“B-Boss…”
It was thoroughly humiliating how quickly he came.
***** So Happy I Could Die *****
Chapter Summary
     uuuhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
     hands down my favourite cutscene in anything ever??? YEh
As he stepped out of the airport, his heart was thudding in his chest cavity
like a hammer. He managed to flag down a taxi, suddenly very aware of what he
was doing – he knew nothing about Tokyo, and he had basically flown here
without thinking just to be at Kazuma’s side and get what he wanted. He felt a
little pathetic for that, but it was too late to second guess this.
He knew the sudden phone call would be an annoyance, but he had found himself
completely lost. Standing in a convenience store like a puppy waiting for its
owner was not something he was used to, but the awkwardness of it all was
overpowered by his need to see his Bo- Kazuma again.
Saving some girl hadn’t exactly been the ideal circumstances to meet under, but
it would have to do. She seemed grateful – confused, but grateful. Before they
knew it, they were on their way to some hotel that had been named under shaking
breaths by some battered thugs.
 
Stepping inside Rikiya couldn’t help but shrink as the old woman at the desk
chimed after them, “This isn’t a business hotel. We only allow couples.”
Shit. He looked at Kazuma, searching him for ideas.
“You two look shady from here. I don’t want any crime in my hotel.” Her fingers
rapped against the desk and Rikiya’s mind was racing at several thousand miles
per hour.
“I guess people only come here for one thing…” His words were met with stone
cold eye contact that he endured only to quickly look away. He could only
handle it for so long without feeling drenched in shame at the feelings that
emerged from the dark corners of his brain.
But at least it was giving him an idea.
He lit up and Kazuma gave him an inquisitive look, interested in whatever he
had planned. He knew that the older man would probably not like this, but it
would have to do – and it was a good enough excuse. He dropped closer to the
desk, bowing his head in order to be better heard through the small window.
“Excuse me. You only allow couples?”
Aged knuckles tapped impatiently against the desk’s surface. “That’s right.”
He rushed back to Kazuma’s side, throwing his arms around him and gripping onto
his bicep tightly. The muscle underneath his clothing flexed in his grip and he
did his best to ignore it and stick to the task at hand.
“Well, that’s not a problem. You won’t find a cuter couple than the Boss and
me!” He put on his most affectionate tone, making the most of this opportunity
to really play this part – for the mission at hand and for himself. He even
threw in a wink for good measure. Why not?
His reaction was a little more extreme than Rikiya had expected – he almost
seemed a little flustered by the sudden physical contact. “Hey!”
He pushed it even further, reaching forward to rub his fingers vaguely against
the jacket of his Boss’ suit.
“We usually keep it a secret, but sometimes me and my babyneed time alone.”
Hearing his particular words, Kazuma actually clenched his eyes shut and froze.
He was certainly doing a good job playing a shy lover. It was almost a shame it
had to be an act. Hell, it definitely was.
“Oh! Yes, I see!” She peeked through the window, nodding almost too
enthusiastically. Did she really think they looked good together? Rikiya didn’t
even let himself get hung up on that idea… But that didn’t stop it from
shooting straight to his core. “Of course. That’s all right!”
Kazuma opened his eyes again and almost immediately looked back away. The
moment he saw Rikiya’s face buried in his shoulder he was immediately frozen
again. He was amazing at this.
“We only have room 401 open at the moment. It’s small but cheap!” She
practically shoved the key into his hand, exchanging a knowing look with him
that made him shudder. He immediately tugged Kazuma by the arm, almost too
fast. This woman was dangerous. It was like she could sense it.
“The elevator is right there!” Her voice chased them down the hall in a sing-
song tone. “Make yourself at home!”
 
Inside on the elevator, he found his face pressed against Kazuma’s shoulder yet
again, almost scared to let go of his arm.
“Uh… how long are you going to keep that up?” He sounded a little more agitated
than he needed to be, practically shaking Rikiya off of him. What was that all
about?
“Oh- well, sorry… I got, uh, carried away.” He spat his words out and found his
voice trailing off. Feeling like he’d pissed off Kazuma was a real blow to his
mood. He just had to go and take it too far. He had to compose himself, and
remember why they were really here. This wasn’t the time to be thinking that
way.
The elevator ride was almost too quiet, and Rikiya had to fight the urge to
grab hold of him again. He technically still had an excuse but he didn’t want
to risk pushing the other’s patience any further. He silently cursed his stupid
little emotions for making him act like this.
 
===============================================================================
                                        
                                        
“Tokyo is a pretty scary place.”
This was starting to overwhelm him already and it had only been a day. There
were only two of them and a whole murder plot at their feet. It didn’t help
that he was still trying to decipher all sorts of complicated feelings that he
had done his best to push down.
“Rikiya…” Eye contact lingered for longer than he would have liked. “I promise
I’ll find out who shot Nakahara.”
He watched his face change, quickly shifting to a level of concern he had never
seen in the man.
“So do me a favour and go back to Okinawa.”
“No!” What, was he trying to dispose of him? Was one little mission all he was
good for? He hadn’t intended to raise his voice, but he didn’t need to be
protected.
“Rikiya.” He said his name again. He was saying it with the strangest tone that
felt like it wrapped around his whole body and squeezed him.
“I have to find out who shot Nakahara… and avenge him myself!” He was not going
to go home and miss out on this. He had to be there at Kazuma’s side. They had
to do this together. He wouldn’t have it any other way. They both had a reason
to be here. They both had something to prove. Kazuma’s face remained still,
impossible to read, so Rikiya resulted to begging.
Bowing as low as he could manage he exclaimed, “Please, Boss!” His hands
gripped shakingly at his sides. “Let me stay in Tokyo!” He looked up to scan
his face, finding nothing. “Please!”
He breathed pure desperation at this rate but he had given up on caring. If he
couldn’t stop himself from acting this way he might as well just accept that he
wanted to work alongside him. Hell, he just wanted to be with him.
“Fine. But under one condition.”
Rikiya reluctantly straightened up, meeting cold eyes again.
“I don’t want you to try and go alone. Can you promise me you won’t?”
“Yes.”
In the silence, Rikiya’s mind only rattled with questions. Why was Kazuma so
keen on protecting him? Was this all out of pity or did he just care that much?
Why did he care?
“Okay. I think I could use a drink. Maybe I’ll take you out around town.”
Really? He wanted to spend time together? Just them? Rikiya was certain it
would metaphorically kill him. “Tokyo won’t be so scary anymore.”
A heavy hand on his shoulder sent a warmth through him that he wished he could
shake off.
 
Kazuma started walking, and Rikiya hurried behind him. The hallway was as empty
as ever, extinguishing the worry in both of them that someone had heard all the
commotion. These rooms were more soundproof than they had any right to be.
Suddenly Rikiya was extremely aware of the key in his pocket. It seemed Kazuma
was, as well. As they piled back into the elevator he spoke up.
“What’s our room number again?”
Oh, God. Why would he ask that? What was he trying to do? Rikiya squeezed his
lips together tightly and forced himself to think that it couldn’t be anything
like that. He couldn’t be thinking of these kinds of things right now.
“401… why?”
Watching Kazuma punch in the number for the fourth floor he jolted to
attention.
“Uh… Boss?”
“After a fight like that it wouldn’t hurt to relax, don’t you think?”
“In a place like this?”
He said nothing in response, and Rikiya’s head was starting to hurt.
 
===============================================================================
 
 
“Boss… Ah, Boss…”
Was any of this real? Was anything real at all? He wanted to believe he was
dreaming, but if he was he wouldn’t have had the presence of mind to question
it. This was really happening, wasn’t it?
He really was pressed against the wall of this dimly lit room by the weight of
Kazuma Kiryu himself. He had pulled away from the kiss again, leaving Rikiya
panting for the third time.
“Breathe through your nose.” He spoke with striking composure, just as you
would expect of him. It only made this more embarrassing.
“I’m, uh, sorry.”
“Don’t be. I think the nervousness is cute.”
Heat populated his face at record speed. He thought he was cute?
"You know, I've never been a good actor."
Rikiya's brow flickered. “You were… certainly goog at acting shy earlier,
Boss.”
“Well, forgive me if I get a little flustered when you put on that voice and
say things… like that.”
It hit him that his actions had been more sincere than he had thought.
Realisation shot straight to his crotch and he was about to speak again when
teeth came down hard upon his exposed collarbone.
“I- fuck….” It all came out as a feeble whisper and he angled his hips so that
their bodies were even closer.
As he wrapped his arms against the small of the other’s back, Kazuma continued
to kiss at any skin he could reach.
“Sir… how could you know I felt like, uh, this?”
“Do I look naïve to you?”
“Actually… yes.”
Kazuma would have punched him hard in the cheek if he didn’t know he was right.
He always came across that way, and in some respects he really was. He decided
against addressing it, laying the young man down onto the bedding and working
open the buttons of his gaudy orange shirt.
 
It was ridiculous for a lieutenant to be reduced to such a breathless mess, but
Rikiya couldn’t care less. Besides, this was a man worth giving it up for. He
threw his head back and whined as teeth sank into his flesh again and again.
Kazuma watched him react to every touch and adjusted his strategy accordingly.
Throwing his clothes aside as he wriggled his way out of them, Rikiya watched
the older man undress silently. He folded all his clothes and placed them in a
modest pile. It almost made the younger man feel bad for not being so polite,
but he was more fixated on how adorable it was.
Observing the tent in his Boss’ underwear he was thoroughly impressed, although
he hadn’t expected any less. Before he knew it he was enveloped in another
hungry and overpowering kiss, moaning far too much into Kazuma’s mouth. In that
moment he was convinced that he would give this man anything he wanted. He
wondered if the other knew that. It would be a stupid thing to tell him right
now, though.
For now he would just make the most of the situation, which was something he
found himself doing a lot with this man. He wasn’t gonna complain, though. Not
with such a beautiful dick pressed so wantonly against his own. Not with such a
beautiful mouth buried into his neck.
***** Let's Make Love And Listen To Death From Above *****
Chapter Summary
     I finally updated this? Yes, that's right. I did. Woo, look at me.
He couldn’t think of a time he had ever been more pampered – if this was what a
vacation could be like perhaps he should start taking more of them. The first
stop had been a bar - or perhaps “pub” was the word - inspired by Ireland. A
lot of the alcohol served was European and unfamiliar, so choosing had been a
bit overwhelming. In the end, Kiryu had leaned over and explained the
differences to him. Being close to him drowned out any embarrassment he might
have felt otherwise.
They visited the store, “Don Quijote” which Rikiya had been particularly
excited about. He hadn’t rushed necessarily, but he certainly didn’t take his
time. He didn’t want to keep Kiryu waiting. On the way out though, the older
man didn’t seem to mind. Even when he emerged with two bags filled with
souvenirs for the children back at home, Kiryu simply nodded and helped him
stuff them into a locker to be picked up later. After closing the locker,
Rikiya became aware than he was carrying several locker keys. He tried not to
overthink it.
The restaurant they visited was more fanciful and more expensive than anywhere
he had ever been in Okinawa. He squinted at the menu, shifted in his seat and
looked up at Kiryu with uncertainty.
“This meal is my treat. Order whatever you want.”
“Oh.” His face twitched to life. “Well, in that case…”
After realising the list of dishes he had ordered was a little long, he became
very aware of the waitress’ raised eyebrows, and his Boss’ twitching lips. He
didn’t want to seem greedy, but he had never seen such an intriguing array of
food. Kiryu understood this, though. Maybe he was a little too lenient.
Karaoke had been a little more familiar to him, but the size and quality of the
bar was a little overwhelming. The booth they had booked was incredibly
comfortable and he had no idea how to use the machine here.
Singing in front of someone like Kiryu was a little nerve-wracking but he
seemed very happy to clap in time, interjecting with enthusiasm. Rikiya felt
like his heart might start beating out of his chest. Spending time alone with
this man was enough for him, even in a scary town like this where buildings
reached into the sky like arms and people clustered on the streets like
congregations.
===============================================================================
 
He awoke to rope burn. There was the sensation of hands gripping his shoulders
and holding him down so that his knees dug into the roofing. Roofing? Yes, he
was on a rooftop. Why was he on a rooftop? If the sound of muttering in Chinese
was any indication it was the Triad who had brought him here. What were they
called again? “Snake Flower”, right? As his eyes adjusted to being open, he was
able to take in the details of their clothing. It was them, alright.
“Your Boss will be here soon, boy. If he is reliable you have nothing to fear.”
His diction was almost perfect, but his accent was also clear as day.
“You’re, uh…”
“Lau Ka Long, Snake Flower.”
“Yes, that’s you…”
“There shouldn’t be any need to hurt you, so just stay put.”
He felt like some kind of typical damsel in distress from some generic
Hollywood movie. This city was quickly becoming far too much for him, and if
shit kept going this way he’d feel terrible for relying on others so
frequently.
“Rikiya!” A familiar voice ringing out in combined relief and shock cut off his
line of thought and he looked up in the direction it had come from to see a
face he had been missing.
“B-Boss!” He hadn’t meant to sound hoarse but his body was sore, and the hands
gripping his shoulders were starting to become almost as uncomfortable as the
rope weaved around his wrists.
Long chimed in. “It’s been quite a long time, Kazuma Kiryu.”
“Lau!”
“I knew you would save your… friend. That’s why I took him.”
“I know what you want. He has nothing to do with this! Let him go!”
Rikiya had never heard so much emotion in the man’s voice before. His stone-
cold veil was starting to peel at the edges and that only increased the young
man’s fear.
With an overly flashy and unnecessary leap, Lau had dropped from the higher
platform onto Kiryu’s level. With a nod to the right person, he almost
immediately found a bladed staff in his hands, and flaired the weapon in a show
of defiance, decorated with acrobatic movements and twirls of steel.
Their fight made his blood freeze in his veins. Watching the Boss dodge the
broad swings of Lau’s blade with narrow precision kept his eyes fixed on the
action. This man was not only a warrior to be reckoned with, but also a goddamn
weapon fuelled by energy drinks and expensive booze. Once he had disarmed Lau
of his blade, the man was at his mercy, unable to block the force of his
punches or his kicks that continued to hit him with the force of a truck.
Kiryu clearly had some kind of old business with this guy, but right now he was
coursing with renewed fury. Rikiya was almost grateful to be able to see such a
display. When Long produced a pair of clawed weapons in a last desperate
attempt to tilt the odds in his favour, this turned out to be in vain. Kiryu
wasn’t going to let this slide, charging at him with steeled fists and blood-
smeared sleeves. It was hard to tell when Lau had started bleeding, but it
didn’t matter.
Eventually the Chinese man lay on his front, lacking the strength to eve lift
his head. Kiryu turned his attention back to Rikiya, who remained kneeling and
flushed with relief. Before he could clamber onto the ledge, however, Lau had
gripped his ankle in a desperate, trembling grip.
“It’s not over yet!” He chuckled, but weakly.
On his command, a hand loosened from Rikiya’s shoulder, only to be replaced by
the prickle of cold steel close to the back of his neck. Shit.
“Rikiya!”
There was no hiding the unadulterated fear in Kiryu’s eyes. This couldn’t
happen. He could never let this happen.
“B-Boss!”
Lau smirked, despite barely being able to lift his shoulders from the flooring
beneath him.
“Now watch your little friend lose his head!”
But two gunshots rang out then, and Rikiya remained still for a moment,
sweating and trembling with his eyes clenched firmly shut. He heard a scream as
someone fell from the roof to his right, and the wordless fall of the man to
his left. He was still afraid to open his eyes.
“But how?” Lau spoke again. “He’s supposed to be dead!”
Then there was another gunshot and Rikiya forced his eyes open to watch Lau
fall, eyes shooting around in panic to see him – it wasn’t really him, right?
Before either of them could process any of this the man had turned to leave.
“Wait! Pop? Are you Fuma? Why did you shoot Daigo and Nakahara?”
“So you’re Kazuma Kiryu…”
He said something in English before turning his back on them again.
“Beautiful eyes, just like my brother told me.”
===============================================================================
                                        
They were talking about the things that this man had said – the one that was
meant to be Fuma. He listened, but said nothing for now. Instead, he kept
mostly to himself, seated in silence as he processed everything one step at a
time. He felt Kiryu’s gaze heavy on him, looking up to meet it through tear-
dried eyes.
“What’s wrong? Does it still hurt?”
He blinked hard, almost feeling guilty for making it seem that way. He was
quite sure that the sensation in his wrists had returned, and the imprints were
fading already.
“No…”
He had come from a town that could barely contain him to a city that engulfed
him like a deadly smoke.
“I just don’t know what to think, Boss.”
Kiryu stared at him, his brow tightly knitted with concern.
“Why did that man save my life?”
He hadn’t managed to save Rikiya himself – he could never make this mistake
again, no matter what.
“Why would the man who shot Nakahara help me?”
The anxious twitches still coursing through Rikiya’s body made him want to
reach out and hold him as closely as earthly bodies could manage. He didn’t.
Instead he just lowered himself to his knees and addressed him.
“Rikiya. I need you to go back to Okinawa.”
His hand on his shoulder was incredibly warm.
“What?”
“I still have things to take care of here, but there’s no reason for you to
stay.”
There was no way that he could run back home with his tail between his legs,
and wait for Kiryu to come back to him. They had to do this together.
“But-”
“Just listen to me, okay? Right now we don’t know if this man is a friend or
foe.”
Rikiya frowned.
“I need you to go back and look after the kids.”
If Kiryu needed him to do that, then perhaps he could. He had a point about
this might-be-but-might-not-be-Fuma and the children needed someone there for
them. Besides, hearing Kiryu say that he needed him was already getting his
gears turning, and his mind was flooded with dumb little thoughts about raising
these children together. God, he was predictable. He wanted to slap himself.
“Yes.”
The phone rang, and Rikiya hadn’t realised that everyone had been staring at
them until he looked up to see their eyes shoot towards the source of the
sound. There was something in the eye of that… Majima guy that felt like it was
piercing right into him and reading him from the inside out.
===============================================================================
                                        
“The first flight should be taking off soon. I’ll take you to the taxi stand.”
Rikiya fixed his eyes on the elaborate floor, certain that if he looked at the
older man for too long he might start missing him already. He wanted to be in
his arms again, and to kiss him again.
“I’m fine. I’ll go by myself.”
“Not after that shit with the Snake Flower Triad. I can’t leave you alone.
Let’s go.”
He couldn’t argue with that. Kiryu was shaking a little – it was subtle, and in
the tips of his fingers. If it helped him worry less then he’d happily walk
together.
“Okay, Boss.”
The walk was silent, punctuated only by inner-city ambience. Rikiya needed to
say something, needed to express everything he was feeling instead of being a
coward.
“Take this taxi to the airport, Rikiya.”
“Boss, I…”
He cut him off with his own lips, stroking the crook of his neck with one hand
and clinging to his waist with the other. Rikiya leaned into it, every touch
taking over his body completely with its sensations. He concentrated on Kiryu’s
mouth, and his own – only for a moment before they broke contact again. He
tried not to seem like that had fully winded him.
“Don’t worry about me. Take care of Nakahara and the kids.”
He felt like they were some kind of married couple. Kiryu was already the kind
of man that he would do anything for, but these tiny details were enough to
drive him crazy. He didn’t want to let go, but knew he had no choice. They
would see each other again, probably quite soon.
“We don’t know who our enemy is yet. This looks like more than just Tojo.
Nakahara needs you. Both he and the Ryudo family are relying on you.”
He was right. Rikiya had almost forgotten about the situation at home – he was
the lieutenant, after all. He was needed.
“I understand, Boss! Leave it to me!” They untangled from each other’s arms.
“I’ll see you later. Be careful.”
“I will. I’ll be home soon.”
Rikiya wondered if he should make dinner for him when he returned, and greet
him wearing an apron and little else. He internally cursed himself.
***** Off The Hook *****
Chapter Summary
     this sucks and I can't be bothered to format it lmao whatever man
     I got it off my chest and in words so like yeh
     final chapter woot
Rikiya never thought he could dwell on the sound of a man’s footsteps so much,
but hearing Kiryu slowly pace the ground at the entrance brought a shred of
optimism to an otherwise cataclysmic night. Knowing that Kiryu was here might
not save Mikio, or close the wound in his leg, but it was something. It seemed
to somewhat light up the faces of the orphans too.
He watched as his Boss surveyed the damage, tortured by the slight twitches of
panic in his otherwise stone cold face. It wasn’t fair. Kiryu Kazuma did not
deserve this. No man deserved to see his home upturned, and the children he
loved as his own endangered, but especially not a man like him.
Haruka was the first to rise towards him, solemnly addressing him.
“Uncle Kaz.”
As the others fully processed the situation they lifted themselves from the
tarpaulin and threw themselves forward to express their relief. Rikiya had
never been so powerless before. He couldn’t stand it.
Kiryu comforted the children for a moment, before finally approaching Rikiya
himself.
“Boss…”
Knowing that he was here and that he was safe was enough to calm his nerves at
least a bit and his fingers twitched with the need to curl into his lapels.
Kiryu looked down at Mikio’s unconscious form.
“Mikio. Mikio!”
As Mikio dragged his eyes open Rikiya leaned forward to get a good look at his
face and hear his feeble words.
“Boss. I’m sorry. I couldn’t stop them.”
Rikiya bit back his tears, and Kiryu did his best to soothe the injured man.
“It’s okay. Don’t worry about that now.”
He knew that these words were meaningless, but seeing him in such a state
wasn’t right. He had to do what he could.
“Boss.”
“Yes?”
“Take care of Nakahara.”
Forcing the words out of his mouth, he could barely speak audibly anymore. This
couldn’t be happening. Rikiya wasn’t ready to see Mikio like this. He wasn’t
ready to lose such a dedicated friend. He wasn’t ready for any of this.
“I will.”
It was amazing how Kiryu was able to keep his cool, as if this was just a fact
of life for him. How many times had he been forced to watch someone wither like
this?
“I promise I will bring him back!”
“Good.”
He spat out a heavy breath and Rikiya anxiously waited for the next one. It
never came. Grabbing at him with shaking hands, he was determined to just push
it out of him somehow. He couldn’t let it happen.
In the end, he didn’t have a choice.
“Shit…!” Kiryu cursed under his breath, tearing his eyes away from the two
young men.
“It can’t be! Uncle Mikio!”
There was no sight more destroying than that of a child screaming with such
desperation.
 
 
 
He did his best not to sound like he could barely breathe while on the phone,
but wasn’t particularly successful. Limping his way back towards Kiryu, who
looked up at him with some Frankenstein emotion that he couldn’t really
identify, he delivered the news.
“It’s Mikio… It looks like he’s going to pull through.”
There was a collective sigh of relief. At least that particular slice of this
nightmare was all over. Seeing a smile creep its way onto Kiryu’s face made
Rikiya want to fall into his arms like nobody was around. They were okay. They
would all be okay. Maybe.
Kiryu got to his feet and faced him. He could breathe again. Kiryu was here and
it was safe to breathe. He never wanted to leave his side.
“You have to go now, huh?”
“Yes. They’ll be at the bullring on the outskirts of Ryukyu, right?”
“Yeah. The Tamashiro Family’s used it for a year.”
“Got it.”
He turned to walk away, but Rikiya couldn’t keep his mouth shut no matter how
hard he tried.
“I’m going with you, boss.”
He felt like a broken record at this rate, offering to follow Kiryu to the ends
of the earth every single time he had the opportunity. The older man stopped
walking.
“No.”
“What…”
He knew what he was going to say already.
“You’ve been shot. Go to a hospital.”
His words were as blunt as ever, but the concern was genuine. Rikiya knew this,
of course, but he needed to be by his side. He had been without him for longer
than he could manage.
“But Boss!”
“I said no!”
Flinching a little at the sudden gravel tone of his Boss’ voice, he fell
silent.
“If you come with me now, you’ll get yourself killed.”
He turned to look him in the eyes again, and Rikiya felt as if his heart had
been torn from his body. Everything was hurting, but he felt numb at the same
time. He couldn’t help it – he audibly choked.
“Boss.”
“This isn’t the same as when you followed me to Kamurocho. I can’t take you
with me.”
“But I’m the lieutenant of the Ryudo Family. You can’t just expect me to sit by
when the chairman’s been kidnapped!”
There was no way he could just sit back now. He had waited for this for far too
long. He had to fulfil his duty. He was a goddamn lieutenant and he had to act
like one. He had to help Kiryu in any way he could, or he could never live with
himself. His chairman was his livelihood, and Kiryu was his life energy. He
couldn’t let both of these just walk away from him without seeing things
through to the end.
“I just…” His voice cracked but he didn’t care. “I just want to be a real man!”
He meant it. He meant it more than anything he had ever said in his life. Being
there at Kiryu’s side, fighting for what really mattered was the only way he
could feel alive anymore. He was a yakuza, and Kiryu was a walking legend to
him. He would follow him no matter what path he led him on, because he knew
that it would fulfil him.
“I know how you feel, but this isn’t the time.”
“What?”
“Throwing your life away for nothing doesn’t make you a man.”
Kiryu Kazuma was not “nothing”. He was a LOT. He was more than any man he’d
ever met before could hope to be, and yet he valued Rikiya’s life more than he
had any need to. Being able to mean that much to a man like him made the young
man’s blood rush. One night at some love hotel would never be enough.
“Your time will come. Just wait. And when it does, you can go out guns
blazing.”
He wanted to say it. He wanted to say that his time was for Kiryu and that he
would fear nothing and do anything for him but he didn’t want to sound like an
idiot. God, he was being ridiculous. Why couldn’t he just do what Kiryu needed
him to do? Why couldn’t he just listen and not make a fool of himself?
He nodded and swallowed a sob that threatened to escape his throat. He wanted
his lips against his and his arms around him, in case they never saw each other
again.
“You have to trust me now.”
Of course he could trust him. He would trust Kiryu Kazuma with anything. He
watched him walk away and didn’t bother moving from his spot until he was
completely out of sight.
Of course, he couldn’t rely on that one kid to be so patient. Reuniting father
and daughter was a noble move.
 
 
 
He had been shot before, and he could swear on anything of value that he could
handle it. It was true - at least, until he was shot directly in the chest.
That was new.
For a good few seconds he didn’t even feel anything. He was just heavy –
extremely heavy. He was in Kiryu’s arms before he could fall to the ground and
there was nothing for a while. There was no sound to be heard, and he could
barely see – Kiryu’s face blurred in and out of focus and he couldn’t muster
the strength to even reach out and touch him.
He was fine though, as long as Kiryu was here.
“Rikiya!”
His voice echoed into the young man’s ears and he heard another gunshot
somewhere but it didn’t matter. He spluttered and coughed until he could at
least see straight, looking up at the most magnificent human being he had ever
met.
“I think I’ve been shot.”
Great. He sure was a poet.
Kiryu’s hands were over his chest, trembling. He didn’t want him to be afraid.
“Where did… he g-get me?” It was hard to say anything at all and he cursed his
wheezing tone. Everyone’s eyes were fixed on the two of them. It didn’t matter
if they knew now.
Kiryu spoke again, starting in a whisper this time before erupting into
exclamation.
“You’ll be fine. You’ll be just fine! It’s just a scratch!”
No, don’t talk like that. You’re talking like you’re scared. Don’t be scared. I
saved you. You’re okay. I’m okay.
“Stay with us, Rikiya!” You’re shouting.
I’ll always stay with you. There won’t be a moment I spend away from you ever
again. I’ll be here whenever you need me. I’ll be yours. Where is your hand?
Here it is. Your hand is cold. I’ll hold it for you. I’m right here. I’ll
always be here.
“Boss…”
I can’t speak very loudly, but I want you to know. I need you to know how much
you mean to me. I never told you that. I need to tell you before it’s too late.
“Does this count as throwing my life away for nothing?”
Of course it doesn’t. It’s a trick question, you know. You are the opposite of
nothing. Don’t look at me like that.
“I saved you… right? I don’t mind dying.”
It doesn’t matter. Don’t look at me like it does. I gave you everything because
I wanted to. I’m happier than I’ve ever been. I’m right here, with your hand in
mine. You’re here. I’m so happy.
“Rikiya…”
I love it when you say my name in that voice, you know? I love everything you
do.
“Boss…”
I adore you. I’m glad I met you.
“I’m glad I met you.”
We made love. I had a blast.
“I had a blast.”
“Hey, Rikiya! Don’t talk like that!”
I’m sorry. I’ll say something less negative.
“I guess I’m…” It’s hard to speak, but I need you to hear me. “…a real man now,
huh?”
That’s true. I feel real. You make me feel real. You made me feel like a man.
For once I felt like I could be something to someone, with no strings attached.
You have done so much for me.
“Rikiya!”
I’m sorry about the blood. It’s all over you. I can’t help it. Don’t cry.
You’re not crying over me, are you? I didn’t even think you could cry like
this.
You’re amazing. You’re the best. You can do anything. You are perfect.
“Boss. You’re a… great man.”
Stop him. Do it. Do what I couldn’t do.
“Mine. You have to… promise me you’ll…”
“Mine? What about Mine?”
“Stop him…”
You can stop him. You can stop anyone. There’s no need to cry so much. I didn’t
mean to make you cry. I’m sorry.
“I’m sorry…”
Boss.
“Boss.”
 
 
You shook him with all the strength you had left in your body, which really
wasn’t much anymore.
“Rikiya! Say something!”
You held his face in your hand. You lifted him into your lap. You held him. You
needed to feel like he was here, and safe with you.
“Don’t die on me!”
You were screaming now.
“You can’t…! Hey! Rikiya!”
Your body trembled.
“Answer me, Rikiya!”
A hand on your shoulder did it’s best to reassure you but you just kept going.
You screamed until your throat was hoarse from it and you kept screaming.
Of course, he couldn’t hear you. You hugged him close to you, just like you did
before – just like you should have done more than just once, but this time he
was gone. His warmth was gone. You couldn’t work out which embrace meant more
to you. They could barely pry your hands from him.
Please drop_by_the_archive_and_comment to let the author know if you enjoyed
their work!