Ignite*

The bedroom door slammed shut behind us, the sound echoing in the sudden silence. Ai's hands were everywhere, tugging at my clothes, skimming over my skin, leaving trails of fire in their wake.

I grabbed her hips, pulling her flush against me. A gasp escaped her lips, the sound swallowed by my mouth as I claimed her in a searing kiss.

We stumbled towards the bed, a tangle of limbs and labored breaths. Ai fell back against the mattress, her hair fanning out like a halo, her eyes dark with want.

"Akira," she panted, my name a plea and a prayer on her tongue. "I need you."

Those words, the raw desperation in her voice, unleashed something primal in me. I surged forward, covering her body with mine, pinning her hands above her head.

"You have me," I growled, nipping at her earlobe, my hips grinding against hers. 

She arched into me, a whimper escaping her throat. Her legs wrapped around my waist, urging me closer, deeper.

I trailed hot, open-mouthed kisses down her neck, my teeth grazing her pulse point. She shuddered beneath me, her nails digging into my shoulders.

"Too many clothes," she complained, her fingers scrabbling at the hem of my shirt. I obliged, breaking our embrace just long enough to whip it over my head, tossing it carelessly aside.

Ai's hands immediately went to my chest, her palms skimming over the planes of my muscles. Her touch was electric, igniting sparks under my skin.

I made quick work of her blouse, the buttons giving way easily. She shimmied out of her skirt, kicking it off the end of the bed. And then she was bare before me, a vision in creamy skin and black lace.

"Gorgeous," I murmured, my hands skimming up her sides, cupping her breasts. She moaned, arching into my touch, her nipples hardening against my palms.

The rest of our clothes disappeared in a flurry of movement, our need too great for finesse. And then it was just skin on skin, the heat of her body searing me to the bone.

I kissed my way down her sternum, my tongue swirling around her navel. She writhed beneath me, her hands fisting in the sheets.

When I reached the apex of her thighs, I paused, looking up at her through my lashes. Her chest was heaving, her bottom lip caught between her teeth, her eyes pleading.

Slowly, I lowered my mouth to her center. At the first swipe of my tongue, she cried out, her hips bucking off the bed. I gripped her thighs, holding her steady as I worshipped her with my lips and teeth and tongue.

"Akira, please," she whimpered, her hands tangling in my hair, pressing me closer. "I'm so close..."

I doubled my efforts, licking and sucking and nibbling until she was a quivering mess. And when I slipped two fingers inside her, curling them just so, she shattered, my name a hoarse scream on her lips.

I worked her through it, drawing out her pleasure until she was boneless and sated. Only then did I kiss my way back up her body, capturing her lips in a deep, languid kiss.

Ai tasted herself on my tongue, the flavor intoxicating. She reached between us, her hand wrapping around my aching length, making me groan into her mouth.

"Need you," she whispered, guiding me to her entrance. "Now, Akira."

I sank into her, a low moan rumbling in my chest at the feel of her, hot and wet and perfect around me. I started to move, long, slow strokes that made her gasp and clutch at my biceps.

We found our rhythm, our bodies moving in perfect sync. Sweat beaded on my spine, the air heavy with the scent of sex and the sounds of our passion.

"Harder," Ai demanded, her nails scoring down my back. "Faster, Akira. I won't break."

I was only too happy to oblige. My hips snapped forward, driving into her with a force that made the headboard rattle. She met me thrust for thrust, her heels digging into my backside.

The pleasure built, coiling tighter and tighter in my groin. I could feel my release barreling towards me, but I held back, determined to bring Ai with me.

I slipped a hand between our bodies, my fingers finding her swollen nub. I rubbed in tight circles, the way I knew she liked, and was rewarded with a keening cry.

"That's it, baby," I coaxed, my breath hot against her ear. "Let go for me. Come for me, Ai."

My words were her undoing. She clenched around me, her body going rigid as her orgasm crashed over her. The feel of her pulsing and fluttering was too much, and with a hoarse shout, I followed her over the edge, spilling myself inside her.

We rode out the aftershocks together, our bodies intertwined, our hearts pounding in unison. I peppered her face with soft, reverent kisses, marveling at the beauty of her, the miracle of this moment.

As our breathing slowed and our sweat cooled, Ai snuggled into my side, her head pillowed on my chest. I wrapped my arms around her, holding her close, savoring the warmth and softness of her.

"I love you," she murmured, her voice heavy with satisfaction and impending sleep. "So much, Akira."

I pressed a kiss to her hair, my heart so full it felt fit to burst. "I love you too, Ai. More than words can say."

The morning sun was just starting to peek through the curtains when I stirred awake, my body deliciously heavy and sated. Ai was still curled into my side, her soft breaths tickling my chest, her hair a tousled halo around her head.

I lay there for a long moment, just drinking in the sight of her, the feel of her in my arms. It was a simple thing, waking up together, but it never failed to fill me with a sense of wonder, of gratitude.

This was my life now. This woman, this family... they were my world.

As if sensing my thoughts, Ai stirred, her eyelids fluttering open. She blinked up at me, a slow, sleepy smile spreading across her face.

"Morning, handsome," she murmured, her voice husky with sleep.

I grinned, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "Morning, gorgeous. Ready for your big day on set?"

At the mention of the movie, Ai's eyes lit up, the last vestiges of sleep falling away. She sat up, stretching her arms above her head, the sheet pooling around her waist.

"I'm so excited for you to see it, Akira," she gushed, her words tumbling out in an eager rush. "The set, the costumes, the cast... it's all so surreal and amazing."

I sat up too, catching her hand and bringing it to my lips. "I can't wait. Seeing you in your element, watching you bring a character to life... it's going to be incredible."

"They're awake!" Ruby's voice rang out, high and bright with glee. "Aqua, they're awake!"

I chuckled, shaking my head fondly. "No rest for the wicked, huh?"

Ai laughed, throwing back the covers and reaching for her robe. "Welcome to parenthood, superstar. Quiet mornings are a thing of the past."

I followed suit, tugging on my sweatpants and padding after Ai into the living room. We were immediately attacked by a blur of blonde hair and Paw Patrol pajamas.

"Akira! Mama!" Ruby launched herself at me, trusting implicitly that I would catch her. I did, swinging her up into my arms and blowing a raspberry on her cheek, making her giggle madly.

"There's my favorite girl!" I exclaimed. "Are you excited for today?"

"Yes!" She bounced in my arms. "We get to see Mama and Aqua be superstars! And you get to come too!"

I grinned, tickling Ruby's sides. "Oh, you knew I was coming, did you? How did you find out about that, little miss?"

Ruby's eyes widened, a flush creeping up her cheeks. She squirmed in my arms, suddenly fascinated by the collar of my shirt.

"Um..." she mumbled, her voice small and sheepish. "Aqua... Aqua told me. This morning."

I raised an eyebrow, glancing over at Aqua who was studiously avoiding my gaze, his face a mask of innocence.

"Oh, he did, did he?" I said, my tone teasing. "And how did Aqua know about it?"

Ruby buried her face in my shoulder, her words muffled. "He heard Mama last night. Asking you to come."

I bit back a chuckle, shifting Ruby in my arms so I could see her face. Her cheeks were pink, her bottom lip caught between her teeth.

"Hey," I said softly, tapping her nose. "It's okay, Ruby. I'm not mad. I'm happy you're excited."

She peeked up at me, her red eyes wide and hopeful. "You are? You're not upset we knew?"

I shook my head, smiling reassuringly. "Of course not, sweetheart. I love that you want me there."

Aqua cleared his throat, shuffling his feet. "I didn't mean to eavesdrop," he said, his voice low and contrite. "I just... I heard Ai on the phone, and I got excited."

Ai ruffled his hair, drawing him into a one-armed hug. "It's okay, baby," she soothed. "No harm done. We were going to tell you both anyway."

Aqua leaned into her touch, a rare show of unguarded affection. "I'm glad Akira's coming," he said quietly. "It... it means a lot."

I reached out, squeezing his shoulder. "There's nowhere else I'd rather be, Aqua. Being a part of your lives, supporting you and your mom... it's important to me."

Aqua met my gaze, his blue eyes so like his sister's, so like his mother's. In their depths, I saw a flicker of something - vulnerability, maybe even a tentative hope.

"It's important to us, too," he said softly. "Having you here. Being... being a family."

The word hung in the air between us, weighty and precious. Family. It was a concept I'd longed for, dreamed of, for as long as I could remember.

Ai's hand found mine, her fingers lacing with my own. She leaned into my side, Ruby still nestled in my arms, Aqua pressed close on her other side.

We stood there, a unit, a team. Bound not by blood, but by something deeper, something unbreakable.

Love. Acceptance. Belonging.

Family.

The moment was broken by the rumble of my stomach, loud in the quiet of the room. Ruby giggled, the sound bright and joyful, dispelling the heaviness in the air.

"Sounds like Akira is hungry!" she sing-songed, patting my cheek.

I laughed, tickling her ribs and making her squeal. "Hungry for… the tickle monster!"

I chased a shrieking, laughing Ruby into the kitchen, Ai and Aqua following behind at a more sedate pace. As the scent of coffee and the sound of sizzling bacon filled the air, I felt a warmth bloom in my chest that had nothing to do with the stove.

This was happiness. This was love. This was home.

And I knew, with a certainty that settled deep in my bones, that I would do anything, be anything, to protect it.

The breakfast dishes were just being cleared away when a knock sounded at the door. Ai glanced at the clock, her eyes widening.

"That must be Miyako," she said, wiping her hands on a dishtowel. "She's here to take us to the set."

I stood up, my heart giving a little flutter of anticipation. This was it. My first real glimpse into Ai's world, into the magic of moviemaking.

Ai opened the door, revealing a smiling Miyako. She was dressed casually, her hair pulled back in a ponytail, but she still managed to look put-together and professional.

"Good morning, everyone," she greeted, stepping into the apartment. Her gaze landed on me, a flicker of surprise crossing her features. "Akira! I didn't expect to see you here."

I smiled, offering a little wave. "Morning, Miyako. I hope it's okay that I'm tagging along today. Ai invited me to come see the set, to watch her and Aqua work."

Miyako's eyebrows shot up, her eyes darting to Ai. I could see the wheels turning in her head, the calculations being made.

Ai stepped forward, her hand finding mine. "I wanted Akira to be a part of this," she said, her voice calm but firm.

For a moment, Miyako looked like she might argue. Her lips parted, a frown creasing her brow. But then she paused, her expression softening as she took in our linked hands, the determined set of Ai's shoulders.

"Alright," she said finally, a note of resignation in her voice. "But Akira, you'll need to wear a disguise. A hat, sunglasses, something to keep a low profile."

She fixed me with a pointed look, her tone serious. "You're both public figures now. Ai is an idol and actress, and you're the hottest idol out right now..."

She trailed off, but the implication was clear. A disguise. A way to hide, to keep our relationship under wraps.

I felt a flicker of frustration, of defiance. Hadn't I declared my intention to be honest about Ai and the kids? Hadn't I stood in front of my teammates, my manager, and pledged not to hide this part of my life?

But the more I think about it, I felt a twinge of guilt. I realized that my initial reaction had been selfish. I had been so focused on my own desire to be open, to not hide my relationship, that I hadn't fully considered the consequences for Ai.

I glanced at her, saw the understanding in her eyes, the gentle encouragement in her smile. She knew the stakes, perhaps even better than I did.

I took a deep breath, squeezing her hand. "You're right, Miyako," I said, my voice steady. "A disguise is a smart precaution. I don't want to do anything that could potentially harm Ai's career."

Miyako's shoulders relaxed, a flicker of relief crossing her face. "I'm glad you understand, Akira. It's not ideal, I know. But it's necessary, at least for now."

Ai leaned into me, her head resting on my shoulder. "We'll figure it out," she murmured, low enough for only me to hear. "We always do."

"Let me just grab a hat and some shades," I said, giving Ai a final squeeze before heading to the bedroom.

As I rummaged through my overnight bag, I couldn't help but marvel at the journey we were on. The balancing act of our public and private lives, the constant navigation of expectations and desires.

It wasn't easy, but it was worth it. Ai was worth it. The kids were worth it.

I slipped on the baseball cap and aviators, checking my reflection in the mirror. The disguise was simple but effective, allowing me to blend in, to be just another face in the crowd.

A small price to pay, I thought, for the chance to support her and the kids on this special day.

I returned to the living room, spreading my arms. "How's this? Do I pass inspection?"

Ruby giggled, clapping her hands. "You look like a spy, Akira!"

Aqua tilted his head, a small smile on his mouth. "It works. No one will recognize you."

Ai stepped closer, reaching up to adjust the angle of my hat. Her fingers lingered on my cheek, her eyes soft and warm.

"Thank you," she whispered.

I turned my head, pressing a kiss to her palm. "Always," I murmured. "We're in this together, Ai. Your dreams, your career... they're just as important as mine."

Miyako cleared her throat, the sound a gentle reminder of her presence. "We should get going," she said, glancing at her watch. "The director is expecting us."

We gathered our things, Ruby chattering excitedly about the day ahead, Aqua shouldering his backpack with a solemn nod.

This was the reality of our lives, the delicate dance of love and duty, of private joy and public facade.

It wasn't always easy, but it was ours. Our path to walk, our story to write.