Joker

36. Joker meets Ayu and accidentally makes an impression

"AKABANE INARI!" Nakul flung the door open triumphantly.

Aki jumped and spilled his tea "KUMAR STOP DOING THAT!"

"Sorry not sorry angel!" He hurriedly ditched his jacket and yanked at his tie, loosening it.

"Nakul calm down!" Aki chided. He had gotten used to Nakul's enthusiastic returns from work but they still shocked him every time.

Nakul's hair was all messy and his brown eyes shone brightly. He looked like a very happy golden retriever. He chucked off his shoes like a hyperactive child and darted towards Aki and kissed him hard. Aki whimpered at the force and kissed back. He's VERY happy today I wonder what happened. Nakul pulled away with a huge grin, dimples flashed "Akabane Inari you are going to love this."

"Love what?" Aki asked and rubbed his nose. He'd gotten better since the weekend but he still felt the slightest twitch in his nose.

"So. Today is Thursday right?" Nakul started.

"Is that what I'm supposed to love?" Aki raised an eyebrow, putting his tea down.

"Lemme finish!" Nakul whined and went on "So on Thursdays as you are well aware, Yuri and I go to meet Hope for lunch. Today she took us to this place in the south side and guess who we met?!"

"Who?" Aki wondered. He looks so happy, he must have met someone awesome.

"YOUR DAD!" He grinned.

Aki's face fell "I-Is t-that a good thing?"

"Yes it is because we found him trying to hit someone!" Nakul beamed "Hope recognized him and he's actually wanted for battery and assault! He's going to jail!"

"Jail?" Aki asked, unable to process it.

"Aki he will never find you now. He's in prison he's gone. You're safe." Nakul held his arms and laughed "I also got to drag him off with Hope and he was all 'Who the hell are you' and I spoke all cool and said I was your boyfriend and I slammed his ass into holding!"

"He- he won't find me?" Aki asked incredulously. Something in his ribs felt like it cracked out of an eggshell.

"Never." Nakul hugged Aki "You're safe my angel. You're safe now."

Aki tightly wrapped his arms around Nakul "I- I can't believe it."

"Well believe it!" Nakul laughed "You're safe!"

"Safe..." Aki knew as long as he held the Joker name he wouldn't be fully safe but that moment in Nakul's arms and the news of his father's arrest, Aki couldn't help but feel safe.

He sniffled in relief. He's gone. He's finally gone! Aki sobbed into Nakul's chest "Th-thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you."

"Don't thank me angel." Nakul wiped his tears "I love you."

"I love you too." Aki whispered and kissed Nakul, trying his best to express everything he couldn't say into it. Nakul's gentle response showed him that he understood.

"Now... what's for dinner? Where's Ayu?" Nakul pulled away.

"Chicken and rice." Aki rubbed his eyes "Ayu's gone to play. He should be back soon."

"He better come back soon." Nakul frowned "He's starting school again next week he needs to get back to sleeping and waking up on time."

"Hm." Aki held onto Nakul's waist "Then a while later it's your birthday old man. Thirty years. Three decades. One and a half score. 10950 days."