AN: Hello! This is just a short one to get into the swing of things again. Video-calls is going rather slow because I keep getting interrupted by the little one and she takes up most of m time, also there is life which takes some time as well. I am thinking but am not married to de idea of making a part 2 for this oneshot from Aki's POV but I am not sure if I want to just yet. Let me know your opinion on that.

Betaed by the great fifteenfeb

I own nothing.

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Akihito relaxed with his friends as he took a swig of his beer and let out a content sigh. He was so glad to be here. It has been a long time since he had the time to hang out with Kou and Takato. Between his job and Asami, his plate was just too full and he had been feeling pretty guilty about not being able to see his friends for over two months.

As if attuned to his innermost thoughts, Kou felt the need to express his feelings on the matter.

"You know Aki, I'm really happy you were able to come tonight. I really missed you." Akihito, being somehow oblivious to any other meanings behind those words, just smiled at him and answered, "I missed you guys too!" Then proceeded to throw his arms around both Kou and Takato in a friendly hug.

Kou smiled at him and let out a quiet sigh when he was sure Akihito was not watching. From the other side of the happy photographer, Takato watched his dark-haired friend with sad concern that was quickly hidden behind a smile.

"What do you guys say to a game of Beyond War? I've been wanting to play this video game since it came out and I was so excited to find out Kou had bought it! I want to lead the battalion though cause you guys suck at strategy."

"Look who's talking. You suck almost as much as we do." Said Takato with false indignation while Kou was just content to smile and say "Sure thing, Aki."

Two hours later, the small living room was filled with shouts of commands, laughs, 'take that's, and a large amount of empty bags of chips, cans of cheap beer and pocky boxes. Even to the neighbours, it sounded like a really good time. They ended up losing the game but it had been fun so the three were perfectly content to just have played together. Hopefully they could meet again some time soon and develop a better strategy for winning.

The pizza Takato had ordered some time during their game had just arrived and with fresh beers, they sat on the floor before a low table and ate while talking about the new events in their lives. Akihito smiled and laughed as he recounted his latest escapades and Kou watched him with concealed suspicion.

He leaned his dark head against Akihito's shoulder and patted him on the back when he made a particularly funny comment. Akihito in turn seemed unaware of the constant physical contact from his friend. He was too used to such things from Kou to think more about it. There was something wrong with Akihito today, despite how much he tried to hide it behind jokes and smiles. All Kou could do for his friend was to offer him comfort the same way he had done for years, with small touches and subtle caresses that would never be mistaken as anything but friendly.

It was two hours later when their animated conversation was interrupted by a knock on the door. Akihito was much too drunk to get up from his position on the couch and open the door so Takato made the move to answer the door and left his two friends to continue their discussion.

From his position at the door, Takato gazed between his friends and the bespectacled man standing at the other side of the wooden frame.

Silently, he walked out of the apartment and closed the door behind him. Kirishima watched him in curiosity and lifted an eyebrow in inquiry.

"He seems to be upset about something. Akihito is trying too hard to appear happy and that nothing weighs on him. Did something happen between them?"

'Between them' those words made Kirishima curious. Why not say 'her'? It made him wonder if Akihito's friends were already aware about the boy's relationship with Asami. Maybe Takaba's friends were not as oblivious as he thought.

"Nothing of much importance, it should be resolved soon." Kirishima answered.

With a nod, Takato turned to open the door and walked to the living room calling out to his friend.

"Aki, the glasses guy that works for your girlfriend is here to collect you."

"Oh, come on! Can't I have a freaking night with my friends without being fetched like a little kid?" He stomped to the door and glared daggers at the secretary. "What do you want Kirishima? I'm busy."

"Your presence is required."

"No."

"You have no choice. Either you come willingly or I will throw you over my shoulder and take you forcefully, kicking and screaming like the child you swear you're not."

"That fucking bastard! He told you to do that, didn't he?" Kirishima remained quiet, a statement of agreement in itself. "Guys, I'm sorry to do this to you but I'm going to have to leave. I promise I'll stay over some other time."

"It's okay Aki, we understand." Said Takato as he accompanied his blond friend to the door.

The wooden door closed behind Akihito and Takato turned to walk into the living room once more. Kou sat on the couch, his knees pressed to his chest, his arms around his legs and his face lowered as his forehead presses to his knees, hidden from view.

At the sound of a sob, Takato hastened his steps and kneeled on the floor beside his friend. Slowly and tenderly, he removed Kou's arms from around his legs and lifted his face to see it tear-stained and broken in sorrow.

He pulled Kou to himself and sat him on his lap. Kou circled Takato's neck with his arms and hid his face in the crook of his friend's neck. He sobbed and let his sorrow flow from his heart and soul.

"Kou, it's okay. I'm here for you. Please don't cry anymore." Takato lifted Kou's chin to make his friend look him in the eye and leaned forward to kiss his lips tenderly. Between each kiss he repeated the words "It's okay, I'm here for you." and slowly the sobs began to lessen.

They sat in silence holding each other, Kou on Takato's lap with his ear to his friend's larger chest listening to his heartbeat. Takato's voice broke the silence with a softly spoken question.

"Kou, are you ever going to tell him? If it hurts you so much every time he goes back to that man, at least tell him of your feelings. Wounds of the heart can't heal if they are not addressed."

"I can't tell him, you know that. If I could, I would have done so years ago when I still had a chance. Now, he is with that dangerous man and there is nothing I can do about it. Nothing but give him my affection and support whenever he needs it. Nothing but being his friend and always supporting him, always to be there when his lover makes him cry or angry. I'm destined to pick up the pieces forever."

"Don't say such things Kou, you'll only make yourself miserable. First and foremost, remember that we are his friends and as such it is what we should do. Don't think about it as if you have been condemned to it, it is our duty as his closest friends. I do understand how you feel but you have to move past it. I know it is hard to fall out of love but he is happy and you will never be happy unless you choose to move on."

"I am trying, I swear I'm trying Takato. But it is so hard to not love him."

"I know."

"Please, even if for one night, help me forget this pain."

"Of course, I will always be here for you." Takato laid more kisses on Kou's lips and leaned forward to lay him on the floor before him. Gently, he took Kou's clothes off as he kissed him and prepared him with care before taking him on the cold surface.

Sweaty and exhausted, they laid in each other's arms. Kou's head rested on Takato's chest and once again listened to his heartbeat, using it to drown his sorrow. The silence between them was broken this time by Kou's question.

"Takato, what do you think your wife would say if she found out about this?"

"She knows."

Kou shot up from his position on Takato's arms in a panic to look into his friend's eyes.

"Since when?!"

"She knew even before she married me. She has always known, has known for years. I don't know how she figured it out while we were still dating but she told me to be there for you. To be whatever you needed, I am your friend Kou, know that I will always be here for you. To be what you need when you need it."

Silent tears fell from Kou's eyes as he looked into Takato's and leaned to capture his lips in a kiss of pure gratitude.

"Thank you." He said and rested his head on Takato's chest once more.

"You have nothing to thank me for, this is what friends are for."