Business as Usual, XIX
by Laura Bryannan

Mugen stared, transfixed, barely aware of the cock up his ass or the groan of the man attached, as Jin's head landed with a thunk between his shoulder blades. He couldn't understand what he was seeing. Jin drew him?!? Jin drew him looking so...fine? Did he really look like this? He didn't think so, but the images—all seven of them—were intoxicating to see.

“You drew me better than I am,” he said, not taking his eyes off the mesmerizing art.

“No, I didn't,” Jin protested, “although there's something wrong with most of them. This is the only one I'm happy with.” Jin leaned over his shoulder and pointed to the image Mugen liked best, a sketch of his face looking thoughtful and intelligent. He hadn't realized he owned such an expression and was fascinated by it. Strange things began to stir inside him, feelings new and bewildering, as certain conclusions were drawn.

“So...you like me, huh?”

Jin stopped his gentle thrusting, a smile in his voice. “Yes, Mugen, I like you.”

“I'm not just a booty call?”

“No. Although your booty is certainly worth calling.” Jin caressed his cheeks while Mugen purred, chin in hand, eyes still glued to the drawings.

“I don't look this good when I'm cumming.”

“You're not in a position to know that, are you?”

Sliding his arms around Mugen's waist, Jin began to move more intensely than before. Strong fingers clasped him, stroking expertly, while others attacked a nipple. He shuddered, having the distinct feeling of being fucked at both ends, considering how the images were impaling him and wrenching his heart. Jin was thinking about him enough to draw him...holy shit! It was almost too much to deal with. He felt flattered, fascinated and totally freaked out.

“Hey!” came a deep voice near his ear, startling him back to reality. “Stop staring at yourself and look at me.”

Jin wanted him to turn over, but Mugen resisted. “I am looking at you,” he argued. “I'm looking at you looking at me.” He could feel Jin chuckle and felt relieved, unsure he could face him in his current state. “Just fuck me like this, K?” he begged to seal the deal.

Jin remained silent but began to work him well, enough that he had to lay his head on the mattress and clutch the sheets to manage the sensations. He could still see the pictures behind his eyelids, though, and the wonder of them fueled the wildfire orgasm that ripped through him several minutes later. Flopped on their sides, spooned together as they came down to earth, Mugen could feel Jin's heart pounding against his back. His own was in turmoil, consumed with feelings unfamiliar and unidentifiable.

It was like when his boss complimented him on a deal that earned the firm a hunk of money, only a thousand times better. He felt acknowledged, Jin had seen him. And, even more amazing, he felt appraised and deemed valuable. It was too fucking amazing! Jin...cared. Could it be true? The evil voices whispered, Nah, he's just using you like everyone else. Once he gets what he wants he'll take off. Mugen decided to ignore them, for now, anyway.

The breathing behind him slowed and deepened, lulling him into unconsciousness. Mugen settled into the sheltering arms, feeling blissed out and cozy. Jin was drawing pictures of him when they weren't together. He didn't know what that meant, but it was too big to contemplate in his stupified state and could keep till tomorrow. Yearning to look at the sketches once more, but feeling too sweet to move, he fell asleep caressing them in his mind.

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Jin hid the sketchbook first. Even before he peed he ripped out the page Mugen saw and stuck the rest of the incriminating artwork somewhere it would never be discovered.

Thankfully, his position behind last night insured his mortified blushes went unnoticed. And what a relief Mugen had not thought to look beyond the first page! Thus the embarrassing last portrait, the one of Mugen looking at the viewer with a sweet expression of romantic yearning, remained undiscovered. Jin shuddered, imagining the humiliation.

He practiced his kata, showered, and entered the bedroom ready to perform alarm clock duties but Mugen's eyes were already open. “Where's the pictures?” he asked. “Can I buy 'em?”

“I was going to give them to you.”

“Really?”

“Yes, Mugen.”

“Wow, thanks! Lemmie take you somewhere swanky after work to pay you back.”

“I cannot,” Jin told him. “My company is hosting a reception for our friends and sponsors tonight. It's important and I must attend.”

“You never said a thing about it!”

“I dread affairs like this, so I prefer not to think about them until I must. You may come if you want, it will be at our headquarters from five to seven. I'll probably want to run home and hide afterwards, though.”

“Who's gonna be there?”

Jin shrugged. “We invite our local business neighbors and our current and potential sponsors. Sponsorships are essentially scholarships that pay a portion of an employee's salary. With them we can offer a living wage to more kids, so they're important and we like to thank our supporters for their generosity. Yuki says there's a few potentials who might show up tonight, so I'm hopeful we'll reel in little more money.”

“Fuck me.”

Jin blinked at the sudden request. “No, there isn't time.”

“Just a quickie.”

“No, Mugen. I'm completely preoccupied. I successfully put the reception out of my mind all week, but it's happening this evening and I can ignore it no longer. Besides, if you don't leave soon, you'll be late for work.”

Mugen sighed and searched his face as if looking for something. Suddenly an awareness dawned in Jin's heart—he hadn't kissed his lover in over twenty-four hours! Deciding to remedy the situation, he leaned down to claim the pouting mouth. Mugen opened to him immediately and he moaned in surprise, allowing the same access. The kiss seemed more intoxicating than usual, sending bolts of electricity to places that woke up quickly, so Jin almost lost his resolve.

Reluctantly pushing the delicious man away, Jin stepped back from the bed. “It's fine if you come tonight, but I can't guarantee how much attention I can pay to you as I'll be stuck socializing with the guests. Oh, and...um...I'm not out at work and neither is Yuki, so your discretion....”

“'S OK,” Mugen interrupted. “I'm not out at work either.”

Jin relaxed. “Good...well, on your way, my man. I need to take off.”

“No.” The alluring creature stole the towel tied around his waist and pulled him onto the bed. “Not till you gimmie some.” Mugen captured him in his mouth, arms wrapped around his hips securely, and Jin wanted nothing more than to hide from his responsibilities and let the pleasure continue. But, he couldn't.

“Mugen!” he gasped. “This reception is for my company. I must go! Stop...please.”

The spiky-haired man raised his head, cocking an eyebrow. “I ain't asking you to blow off your big party, but you can show up late for work, right Mister President?”

“Oh!” The exquisite thing Mugen was doing with his left hand insured his response. “Ummm, well...yes...yes, I can.”

And so, late but much more mellow, Jin arrived at work ready to confront his anger at Yuki. He wasn't happy to be facing such a stressful day feeling pissed off at his VP. The not-quite-apology hit him the moment he walked in the office.

“Jin, I'm sorry about last night,” Yuki began, “but I was so freaked to hear you were screwing Fuu-chan, I....”

“I'm not screwing Fuu,” Jin argued. “We were together a few times last fall.”

“I still can't believe it. Why, for god's sake? She's such an obnoxious, vapid girl. You didn't leave me to be with her, did you?”

Jin bristled. “No I did not, and the circumstances of our coming together are none of your business. I've been happy to share Mugen with you, Yuki-kun, but spill any further confidences and I will change my mind. Do you understand?”

Yuki was contrite, eyes lowered. “Yes, Jin.”

Jin sighed and reached for his ex, who came to him eagerly. He hated feeling angry and Yuki's revelations had proved fortuitous after all, so he let go of his grievances and turned to the important day ahead. “Is everything all set for tonight?” he asked of the licorice-scented man in his arms.

“Of course.”

“You've over-organized as usual?”

“Of course.”

“Is there anything I must do?”

“The list is on your desk. Only a few things. Um...did you know Master Niwa is definitely coming?”

Jin cringed. “No, thanks for the advance notice. I've been lax about training lately.” He peered at Yuki who smiled back ruefully.

“He'll want to know why.”

“Yes, he will.” For the first time since their relationship began, Jin didn't look forward to seeing his mentor. Master of the dojo he trained at once he moved to Okinawa, Niwa Juunosuke soon became the most important person in Jin's world. The loving sensei was the father figure Jin had always wished of Uncle Mariya, and he never wanted to disappoint the man. He would rightfully question his recent absences from the dojo and the truth would be embarrassing to relate.

Not only had Sensei enhanced Jin's martial arts skills, offering styles and theories not seen in his uncle's traditional approach, but he had guided the motivated young man to the people who helped him set up his business—the business that was supposed to fund Jin's graduate schooling but became the reason he never applied to a program.

Like his uncle, Master Niwa tried to lure him away from his own undertakings to teach at his dojo, but Sensei never turned the screws the way Uncle did so their relationship remained companionable. Enough that, when Niwa-dono's wife passed away two years earlier, Jin had hoped the grieving man would turn to him for consolation. He'd subtly encouraged it, almost spoke of it, but the object of his attention never took the bait. Love, respect and admiration—Jin felt all these things toward his sensei, and would be happy, even now, to share his bed if so asked. Of course, the fact that his relationship with Niwa-dono irked his uncle to no end didn't hurt either.

How could he explain the strange path his life had recently taken to his beloved mentor? The question plagued him all day, and he meditated on his responses one by one, pondering and fondling them like the nenju beads on his wrist.

At five-thirty, the nervous president of Takeda Delivery stood in the center of his shop surveying his creation, and felt proud. Surrounded by good comrades, his fear of social interaction wasn't as overwhelming. His younger employees were being relatively quiet and not pirating the dessert table too badly. His officers and senior employees all looked stiff and strange dressed in suits or Friday casual rather than their typical street garb. He probably looked equally odd to them decked out in his best.

Scanning the assemblage for Master Niwa and wondering whether Mugen would show up, a man caught his attention—a man so strikingly handsome his breath hitched. Dressed in a classic gray suit but wearing a headband to contain his shoulder-length hair, his presence was commanding. Jin was trying to decide what aboriginal culture the headband was reminiscent of when he realized the man was walking toward him. Consciously shutting his gaping mouth, Jin held out his hand to shake the one presented to him.

“Okuru Masanori, Okinawa Development,” the man stated. “You must be Takeda Jin.”

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Mugen walked into Takeda Delivery, surprised at the size of the gathering. Although many were probably Jin's employees, he hadn't expected the event to be so well-attended. Jin's height made him easy to spot, so Mugen leaned against the wall near the door and watched his lover visit with his guests. He hadn't seen Jin in a suit since their dinner at Helios and the sight was mighty delicious.

Takeda Delivery's setup was impressive. The loft was large, with humongous south-facing windows letting in lots of light even this late in the day. A corral of bikes and skateboards took up the corner by the door. The back wall had partitions along it creating four offices, and a larger one on the right with walls too high to see over. There was a lounge area with an entertainment system and a pool table, a study area and lots of unused open space. Jin had a good thing going here and Mugen felt proud and a little jealous of him for creating it. The air of camaraderie about the shop was tangible, in sharp contrast to the tense, hyper-competitive atmosphere of his own workplace.

Jin's employees were giving a command performance, looking uncomfortable all dressed up trying to be good in front of the important grownups. The exception were two dudes decked out in suits so flamboyant, one canary yellow and the other lavender, Mugen grinned every time he looked at them. Their piercings and crazy sideburns only added to the amazing effect. They kept butting heads, getting in each other's face, making enough of a scene that Mugen almost left his post to make them chill, but Yuki beat him to it. Bonking them both on top of the head and sharing a few words, they backed down, smiling sheepishly.

“'Scuse me, mister.” The little voice startled him. He looked down to see a boy of about ten, holding out a cup of green tea. “My boss tol' me to give this to you.” Smiling, Mugen took it. Jin knew him well, and was obviously aware he had arrived. “I saw Jin-sama beat you up a few weeks ago,” the brat continued innocently. “Are you a bad guy?”

“Nah,” he laughed. “My ass just needed kicking.”

“Uhhh, OK.” The kid eyed him strangely and took off, evoking a chuckle. When Mugen looked up again he almost dropped his cup. There was Jin talking to...Okuru-san?!? What the fuck! His entire body responded, heart pounding, guts clenching, skin flashing heat. He stood paralyzed, breathing deeply,trying to calm himself. The two men on the planet he lusted after most were standing next to each other, talking. The sight was so unbelievable, he wanted to pinch himself to make sure he wasn't dreaming.

Jin and Okuru-san were amiably discussing something when suddenly Jin bowed, looking contrite. Mugen could have killed to know what they were saying, but there was no way to get closer without attracting attention. The two were still talking when they were joined by a handsome, traditionally-dressed man, five to ten years older than his boss. They made their greetings and Mugen was graced with his second jaw-dropper of the evening: the man smiled something and both Jin and Okuru-san blushed! Blushed like naughty schoolboys. It was un-fucking-believable! What the hell was going on?

“Hey,” came Yuki's familiar voice at his side. “I haven't seen you in a suit since that day in your office. It brings back good memories.”

Mugen gave him a lustful glance. “I've never seen you in a suit. Lookin' fine, kiddo.” Yuki did look fine in his charcoal pinstripe and he beamed at the compliment, but Mugen couldn't contain his curiousity. “Who's that older guy talking to Jin and Okuru-san?”

“That's Master Niwa, sensei of the dojo we train at,” Yuki told him. “You know the other guy?”

“Yeah, he's my boss.”

“Really?” Yuki enthused. “Okinawa Development showed. Great! I've spoken to Okuru-san on the phone a few times, but I never imagined him so good-looking. Holy moly! Is he....”

“Married,” Mugen informed him.

“Oh,” Yuki sighed, sounding deflated. “Oh well.” Then he giggled. “Jin's probably in the doghouse with Sensei. It looks like Okuru-san knows him too. Small world, eh?”

“Why is Jin in trouble?”

“Jin is Master Niwa's top student, and his social life—if you can call it that—was centered around the dojo. At least...up until recently.” He gave Mugen a meaningful glance and Mugen understood, but then Yuki's expression darkened. “Damn! Here I go telling you Jin's secrets again. Stop asking me about him behind his back, Mugen, I'll get in trouble.”

“Is he still pissed at you?”

“No,” Yuki told him. “Things are alright now, thank god. Um...what are you doing later? Jin's useless after an event like this. He'll want to go home and not speak to another human for the rest of the night. Can we get together?”

“I don't know, Yuki.” Mugen didn't want to make any plans until he talked to Jin. They'd gotten it on that morning, but his need for a Jinfix was coming more and more often these days. Yuki had screwed himself out of a screwing last night, though, and Mugen felt bad considering it was kind of his fault. Giving his second favorite lover a unobtrusive ass grope, he asked, “Is there anywhere around here we can go hide for a while?”
Yuki thought for a moment, then smiled. “If you head past the big office toward the back, there's a supply closet off to the right I can lock from the inside. Meet me there in a few minutes, okay?”

Mugen nodded conspiratorially and made good on his promise. Thus it was that the two lovers were occupied, Mugen on his knees, Yuki balancing on a pile of boxes, when the burning projectile crashed through a window of Takeda Delivery.

to be continued