Jesters & Kings

Jesters & Kings Part 5
A Love Mode Fanfic

"I...my feeling is...'I want that man.' Right now I don't know if I can have him, but..."


Katsuki watched a series of emotions play across Noe's face. Surprise, jealousy, resentment, disgust, and finally fury. He exited, slamming the door behind him. Only then did his own shock wear off enough to hastily pull out of Akechi's embrace, becoming acutely aware of the fact that he hadn't fixed the state of his clothes from the assault. His shirt was half undone and untucked, his vest off one arm. He wasn't even certain where his jacket had ended up. Picking his tie up off the floor he shot Akechi a glare. "Thanks alot, Prince Charming." He snapped, referencing the other man's earlier mention of fairytales. With that he followed Noe.

Akechi sighed. "What rotten timing." He muttered. Spotting Katsuki's jacket, he picked it up - exiting as well.

"Noe, wait." Katsuki said, following his lover at a respectful distance as Noe continued up the hallway, using the wall for support. Noe only snorted and kept walking.

Given his current luck, finding a new prospect seemed unlikely at best. He needed Noe for awhile longer. But this turn of events put him on dangerous ground. If he couldn't appease Noe, he would be left without a benefactor. What would he do then? He had some money saved, but it wasn't enough. Nowhere near enough. And all his things were currently in a hotel room provided by the politician. If he cancelled the room...! "Noe, atleast hear me out."

"I will turn a blind eye to only so much." Noe replied. "Your actions earlier this evening made your intentions obvious. Do not make a scene, Katsuki. I should warn you, though. Akechi's companionship is not known to last past morning."

Somehow he didn't find the fact surprising. Akechi was a bit...too charming. Besides, he'd made no offers. He sighed and tried again. "I have no interest in-"

"Enough!" Noe snapped, turning back. "It is over, Katsuki."

Katsuki glowered. "It turned out well for you, didn't it, Noe-san? You aren't even to blame this way. It's all so...convenient."

"Just what do you mean by that?" Noe's eyes narrowed.

"When were you going to end it, Noe? Next week? Next month? Tomorrow morning after one last ride?" Katsuki's tone was icy. He watched Noe flush in embarrassment and his mouth twisted in anger when he realized he'd gotten it right. Reaching up he took ahold of the necklace he wore and yanked. The chain broke, and he felt the weight of the pendant in his hand. "Why don't you give this to your future wife?" He tossed it to the ground at Noe's feet.

For a moment Noe only gazed at it, then he slowly picked it up. "I think I'll keep it...in memory of you. I shall miss you, my dove." He told him. Katsuki snorted. "The room is payed until noon. I hope that will suffice."

"You needn't worry your head over me. I always survive. You're the one who should watch your back. Koga drugged your drink, after all. Not mine. That reminds me, I haven't finished properly thanking Akechi for his timely rescue yet." He slowly slid the vest off, holding it over his shoulder, and running his hand down the open edge of his shirt. He smirked as Noe made a slight choking sound, his eyes glued to the skin visible through the half unbuttoned shirt. "It's only fair that I do. Don't you think, Noe-san? Goodnight." He walked away, turning the nearest corner before letting the act drop. Collapsing back against the wall, he placed one hand over his face. 'Damn...what am I going to do?'

Tagawa glanced over at Jin as the limo pulled up to the curb of the back entrance to the hotel. "You look like a man who's uncertain if he's winning or losing, Jin-san." He commented.

"Hn." Jin didn't reply at first, pulling out a cigarette. "I'm a man who's thinking he must be going soft."

"The one is the same as the other." Tagawa smiled. "If anyone asks, say I've gone to freshen up. It'll give the illusion I've stayed longer then I have."

"You seem to have the impression I'll be hanging around the party."

"Won't you?" Tagawa sighed when there was no reply. "You thought you could be a host to the exclusion of all else, didn't you? Ah, Jin-san, you can't help but be a man too. And every man has his own desires...and his own weaknesses." Leaning up he brushed Jin's lips with his one last time. "I wish you the best." He turned away then to climb into the limo.

Jin stood on the curb for awhile, watching it drive away. Then he turned back to the hotel, lighting the cigarette he'd pulled out. After taking a casual drag from it, he snorted and dropped it to the ground. Grinding it under his foot before heading back into the hotel.

His jacket was missing from the bathroom, leaving him no choice but to go without it. He wasn't sure where Akechi had gone, but a couple of his admirers from earlier had made a reappearance. His mood was sour, though, and he found himself struggling to return their flirting. Excusing himself again he retreated out the nearest door, resting against the wall with a sigh.

"Some of them aren't even on Noe's level. Why are you encouraging them?"

Katsuki stiffened at the sound of Jin's voice, but made no move to turn and face him. "What business is it of yours?" He asked.

"I believe we already had this conversation." He felt the host step close behind him, but still resisted the urge to turn. He didn't trust himself, not after their confrontation earlier. And he could still see in his mind's eye Jin kissing the other man. Whether it made sense or not, the pain from that was still there. A wound he'd barely had time to acknowledge, let alone deal with. The more distance between them, the better.

Jin, however, didn't seem to have the same opinion. He reached out to place a finger on the nape of his neck, and began to draw it slowly down his spine. "Where's your jacket, Katsuki? And what about Noe's collar? It's not hidden under your vest or shirt."

It took him a moment to realize he meant Noe's necklace, and that the touch had been in search of it. Atleast at first, but not apparently anymore, as the finger was continuing down his spine - stirring up sensations he didn't want to be feeling right now. He turned to face the host, shaking off the intrusive hand. "Isn't there something you should be doing right now?" He asked him. "A client, perhaps?"

"You really shouldn't spy on a guy. Never know what you might see. Or what you're not seeing." Jin replied, watching his face carefully. "Tell me, are you angry that I kissed Tagawa? Or are you angry that it bothers you?"

"It doesn't bother me." Katsuki was surprised to find that he didn't even trip over the lie. "It's your job, right? It has nothing to do with me."

"No, it doesn't."

The simple answer only irritated him more. He was his business, he shouldn't spy on people, should be with someone Jin approved of - but Jin's work as a host had nothing to do with him? "Then maybe you should attend to your business, and let me get back to mine."

Jin stood still for a long moment, then gave the door he'd exited from a scathing glance. "And that rabble is where you're looking?"

"They're hardly rabble."

Jin snorted. "That's a matter of opinion. I refined you myself, and I won't stand by and watch you settle for less than I know you can get. I meant what I said, Katsuki. You're not leaving with someone I don't approve of."

"Refined me? Is that what you call it?" Katsuki demanded. "What was I then? A pet project? Is that what I was to you? What was that night then?? A pop quiz?! Tell me, did I get a passing grade!" He didn't realize when he'd stepped forward, or that he was shouting until Jin's lips crashed down on his, ending his hysterics.

In some part of his mind, he knew he should have fought against the kiss silencing his angry words. That he should have struggled against the arm that pulled him closer, the hand that weaved through his hair. But, as always, he found his protests and anger swept aside by the strength of Jin's kiss. What was around him always ceased to exist the moment his lips met his. Jin's tongue forced past his lips, pushing deep into his mouth. He shivered as it rubbed against his own tongue, and proceeded to explore the rest of his mouth with long strokes. When he finally pulled away, Katsuki was left breathless. He raised a hand to cover his swollen lips, his face flushing in embarrassment as he realized he'd caught him off-guard.

"You still calm with a kiss." Jin's words were low, and Katsuki realized how close he was. One of his hands was still resting low on the small of his back. Very low.

Katsuki's thoughts were in a jumble, and he tried to put them back in order. He knew he'd made a mistake in getting hysterical. He'd given away that his feelings remained unchanged. And he still was no closer to understanding Jin's feelings then he had been when he'd been 'training' under him. Still, his feelings had still been as strong as ever when he'd walked out last time. 'And they'll still be just as strong when I walk out tonight...'

He opened his mouth to say something, and froze. Jin's hand was no longer idle on his lower back, but was slowly caressing it, his long fingers wandering lower to brush the top of his butt. The sensation was tantalizing, if not downright arousing, and he felt his face heat in another blush.

"Nothing to say?" Jin whispered in his ear. "Or is this your answer?"

"I don't recall a question."

"You weren't paying close enough attention then."

"Didn't you tell me once that this sort of thing is something you do with clients? Why does it seem that only ever applied from me to you, and not vice versa?" Katsuki asked pointedly. He was surprised when Jin's hand slowly stopped it's caress, coming to rest on his waist. He glanced up at him, but couldn't decipher the look in the older man's eyes.

"You've grown up a little, boy. I'm not sure if I'm pleased, or disappointed." Jin said quietly, and released him - stepping back.

'...Jin?' Katsuki could only look at him, more confused then ever.

"If you understand enough to ask that, then you can figure out the rest." Jin reached out to brush his thumb over Katsuki's swollen lips. He felt him shiver from his touch before he let him go completely, leaning back against the wall. "Go on then, mix with your rabble. But they aren't up to your level. If this was really where you wanted to be, you'd have captured someone far more worthy than Noe. So it makes me wonder where you do want to be."

Katsuki stared at him, and for a moment it seemed like he might answer. But finally he turned on his heel and walked back into the room. Jin sighed, half in frustration, half in resignation.

"I'd never thought I'd see the day..." A voice commented from behind him.

Jin turned, and froze for a moment before regaining his composure. "Akechi. I'm a bit surprised to see you here."

"Well, good luck - like bad - comes when you least expect it." Akechi replied. "The years have treated you well, Jin-san."

"They don't seem to have affected you at all." Jin retorted wryly.

Akechi only smiled, stepping forward so he was at an angle to see into the room where the party was taking place. "He yours?"

Jin frowned, pushing away from the wall and straightening to his full height. "You here on business?" He pointedly ignored the question.

Akechi only looked amused. "I was. But I thought I'd found something better." His eyes slid back to door. Across the room Katsuki had rejoined his group of admirers. When Jin did not reply, he turned back to him. "You really going to let him go?"

Jin arched an eyebrow. "What should I do? Drag him away by force and lock him up somewhere?" He challenged.

Akechi laughed. "You're no Shouga. And I don't think his methods would work in this case. They didn't much seem to work in his own case. Still, I never would have expected you to let something you want go so easily."

"Don't be so quick to count me out yet." Jin crossed his arms.

"I won't, but I'll give you fair warning." He suddenly adjusted the coat over his arm, drawing Jin's attention to it. He froze when he saw it was the jacket to the suit he'd given Katsuki. "I don't know much about him. Not half as much as you do, I'm sure. Still, I know enough to be certain of one thing...I want him." Jin raised his eyes to meet Akechi's. The other man met his frown with a smile, though his eyes glittered with a challenge. "Tell me, Jin-san, am I someone you'd approve of?" With that he slipped into the room, heading off in Katsuki's direction, leaving Jin to scowl after him.

To Be Continued...


That's right - Akechi and Jin know eachother. Anyone see that twist coming?

Salmon