The entrance doors of the Metropolitan Police Department slid open. Bokuto stepped into the building, and he was immediately overwhelmed by the warmth – a far contrast to the dropping temperature outside.

He pulled off his scarf and unbuttoned his coat as he walked through the lobby, calling out a greeting to the receptionist and waving to a couple of people he recognised from the sixteenth floor as he made his way to the lift. He stepped inside it and smiled contentedly as he pressed the well-worn button for the eighteenth floor. It smelled like home. Kind of. Just home with a lot more coffee and perfume and office-smell.

On the third floor, however, the lift drew to a stop. The doors opened with a ding, and a woman in uniform stepped inside, pulling her hair into a ponytail. She nodded at him.

"Evenin', Detective."

Bokuto grinned at her. "Inspector Sakurada. How ya doin'?"

"Ah, not too badly." She smiled back at him, and her nose crinkled a little. "When did you get back?"

"Huh?"

"From Miyagi," Sakurada said, twisting the hairtie round a final time and tugging the base of her ponytail to tighten it. "Konoha-san was telling me about it the other day."

"Oh! Just half an hour ago. Walked here from the station. It's good being back, though! Miyagi's really, really cold – I mean, it's cold here too, but there it's like – gyah! And… ryeh!"

Sakurada rolled her eyes, still smiling. "Take it your use of conventional Japanese didn't improve much while you were there."

"Hey! Whatever bad stuff Konoha's telling you about me is lies and slander!"

"Sure, sure. Folks from the boonies treat you alright?"

"Yeah, it was good. I've missed the coffee, though. Never drink the Sendai Academy coffee," he said, giving Sakurada what he hoped was a meaningful and serious expression. "Ever."

She gave him a mock salute. "I'll take your word for it, Detective. Ugh, are we only on the seventh floor?" She rapped against the wall of the lift with the backs of her fingers and scowled. "Damn thing's been acting up all week. Least five of us have told maintenance about it, and what have they done? Nothin', that's what."

"Maintenance aren't that bad! Keeping the heating going strong, though, and that's what matters, right?"

Sakurada laughed. "In this weather, truer words have never been spoken. Ah, finally." The doors opened to the tenth floor, and Bokuto waved a hand at Sakurada as she made to leave.

But halfway through stepping out of the lift, she put a hand out to still the door and turned to face him.

"Bokuto-san?"

"Mm?"

"Could you tell Akinori that I'm running a bit late? I've got some bloody legal things I have to finish sorting out, and I won't be at the range until quarter to seven or so."

"Quarter to seven. Got it!" Bokuto shot her a grin and a thumbs up, but as soon as the doors closed behind her he narrowed his eyes.

Akinori, huh?

He stifled a yawn behind his hand as the lift continued upwards. Strange, that he was this exhausted after not even two hours sitting on a train when he could train at the gym for far longer than that and only feel more energised. And okay, he'd had another restless night's sleep, but surely a couple of hours sitting and half-dozing should have countered that?

The lift slowed and fell to a stop, and the doors dinged as they opened onto the familiar corridor of the eighteenth floor. Bokuto stepped out and headed off in the direction of First Unit's office, but stopped as a very familiar whine sounded through the corridor.

"But Yaku-saaan, why do I have to do it?"

"Because," Yaku's disembodied voice said (through gritted teeth, it sounded like), "I'm in charge today and I told you to. Plus you're being a bloody pain in the ass and it's annoying everyone."

"I'm not that annoying, am I?"

"You will be if you aren't out of my sight in ten seconds' time!" There was a pause, and then Yaku's voice raised suddenly in pitch and agitation. "And watch your –"

"Ooow!"

Yaku's sigh sounded even more despondent than usual. "Head."

Bokuto waited a moment, expecting to see Lev trotting down the corridor towards him, but when a few seconds had passed and there was no Lev to be seen, Bokuto presumed Yaku had sent him off in the other direction.

Well, at least he wouldn't have to deal with the ruckus that would surely follow once Lev discovered he was back.

He walked down the hallway, footsteps muffled by the worn-out carpet, until he was close enough to the office to see inside. Close to the door and talking with Yaku, Akaashi's back was to him, and Bokuto's eyes lit up as an idea struck him. Making violent shushing gestures to the rest of the unit, he tiptoed to behind Akaashi's chair, and brought his hands down over his eyes.

"Hey hey heeey!"

Akaashi pulled his hands down and half-spun his chair around, breaking into a surprised-looking but delighted smile.

"Bokuto-san?"

"The one and only!" Bokuto said, pulling Akaashi out of his chair and into a hug. "I've missed you!"

"I've missed you too, Bokuto-san," Akaashi said, his voice muffled a little where his face was buried into Bokuto's jacket. "What –" He pulled back a little, still smiling, but looking confused. "What are you doing here? I thought you –"

"Wanted to surprise you!" Bokuto said, beaming. "And make sure you didn't stay here too late, 'cause you do that."

"Says you," Akaashi said flatly. Bokuto shrugged, and leaned around to Akaashi to wave to the rest of First Unit, the members of whom were watching the exchange with expressions ranging from fondness to very knowing smirks. Scouring the room, his stomach sank and his face fell a little when he saw that neither Kuroo nor Kenma was in the office.

"They called in sick," Yaku said, catching his eye and nodding towards Kuroo and Kenma's empty seats. "Kuroo sounded very shady about it, but there wasn't anything I could do." He pursed his lips. "You been keeping alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," Bokuto said, waving off Yaku. "Just kinda bummed – I wanted to see how Kenma was doin' after yesterday!"

Yaku frowned. "How did you know about yester–"

"Ahh, Kuroo texted me about it!"

Yaku still looked sceptical, but he let it go with a nod, and Bokuto turned back to Akaashi, silently thankful that his deviation from the truth had gone unnoticed.

"I've left my stuff in the car, so we can head off as soon as you're ready!"

"Alright, then. Give me a minute to get my things together."

As Akaashi moved to start packing his bag, Bokuto's phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out and unlocked the screen.

20 Feb 17:56
From: Konoha
Oi look up

He looked up to the far end of the room, where Konoha was holding up a piece of paper with large characters written on it in blue marker pen.

Get a room already

Bokuto pouted at Konoha, but before he could say anything, he noticed that Washio's head was bent over the desk. A moment later, he held up his own piece of paper, blocky characters a stark contrast to Konoha's bubbly ones.

Ignore that doofus -

Konoha craned his head around to look at Washio's sign. His eyes narrowed, and he picked up his pen again.

- Rude

Bokuto chuckled, and Washio's face darkened. He pulled out his phone, and a moment later Konoha's phone buzzed on the table. Konoha swiped it up, made a face at the screen, and started tapping at the keys at lightning speed.

Fighting down his laughter, Bokuto turned back to Akaashi.

"Nearly done?" he asked brightly.

"Just about," Akaashi said, closing his bag and pulling his coat on.

Bokuto slung an arm around Akaashi's shoulders as they left the office, waving to the rest of the unit. Once they were in the hallway and out of sight of their colleagues, he pulled Akaashi in closer and kissed his temple.

"Mmmm! You smell so good!"

"I don't think I smell any different. You, on the other hand –" Akaashi cupped the side of Bokuto's face and pecked him on the nose – "smell like you're hungry."

"Huh? How could you tell? I don't smell any different – do I?"

"Your stomach's been growling ever since you got up here, Kou."

"Oh. Heh. Well, where d'you wanna go for dinner?"

"Hmmm… There's a new ramen place that's not too far from here. I've looked at their menu, and they've had good reviews from the critics."

"Hey hey, that sounds good!"

Akaashi pulled away from Bokuto a little and kept walking. Bokuto made to follow him – and then a thought struck him. He stopped, and patted his pockets, breathing a sigh of relief when he felt his phone.

"Hey, Akaashi!" Akaashi turned around, and Bokuto shifted his weight on his feet. "Ah – you go on and open up the car. I gotta pee really badly."

Akaashi raised an eyebrow, but he shrugged and turned back towards the lift. "Don't take too long."

Once Akaashi had stepped into the lift, Bokuto pulled out his phone and tapped out a message. He walked back down the hall and turned into the corridor where First Unit's office was. Leaning against the wall, he spun his phone around in his hands while he waited.

And a minute later, Konoha stepped out into the corridor.

"Captain-san," he said, lounging against the wall next Bokuto. He stuck his hands in his pockets. "Thought you couldn't get away fast enough. What's up?"

"I, uh… I just wanted to say… Thanks for looking out for Akaashi this week," Bokuto said quietly, eyes fixed on Konoha. "I really appreciate it."

Konoha nodded, his typical grin muted but still there. "Any time, captain-san. Look, I – I hope whatever it is gets… better, I guess. He's – he's good to work with. I can see why you like him so much."

Bokuto nodded, and squeezed Konoha on the shoulder. "Same here. Seriously, man, I owe you one."

"Ah, no sweat," Konoha said, flapping his hand dismissively. "You go home and do whatever young lovers do."

"Ooh, speaking of – you gonna make it official with Sakurada-san anytime soon?"

Konoha cocked his head sideways, looking bemused. "Whaddya mean –"

"This is gonna be your eighty-seventh date with her."

Konha froze, mouth hanging open. He didn't blink for several seconds, and Bokuto could swear that he'd stopped breathing.

"What," he choked out after half a minute.

Bokuto clapped him on the back and Konoha stumbled forwards a little, mouth still agape. "The worst she can do is say no, and if she's stuck with you for eighty-six dates so far and you're on first-name basis I'm pretty sure she'll be good to do more. Just saying."

"Whe – wha –" Konoha looked panicked. "What did Kumiko say to you?"

"That she's running late and gonna meet you at quarter to seven instead. I gotta go, otherwise Akaashi's gonna get suspicious. Don't hyperventilate, 'kay?"

And with another pat on the back and a grin, Bokuto left Konoha in the hallway. He glanced back before turning the corner to the lifts, and saw him slumped on the ground, head in his hands and looking like his birthday had been cancelled.

The apartment was cold when they got in late that evening, and after toeing his shoes off Bokuto abandoned his bag in the entranceway in favour of hurrying to turn the heating on. When he got back, Akaashi had put both of their bags in the bedroom and was curled up on the sofa, still in his coat and with his sleeves pulled down over his hands. Bokuto bounded over to Akaashi and bounced down to sit beside him, wrapping his arms around Akaashi's middle and snuggling in close.

"The heating's gonna take a while to get going, but we can cuddle together to keep warm! Like owls!"

"Koutarou –" Akaashi's words were cut off as Bokuto leaned in and kissed him full on the mouth, smiling as he let that beautiful sound wash through him. His name – his name! – said by the most lovely voice on Earth.

"Koutarou," Akaashi said again, gently prying himself away a little from Bokuto, "I think you're thinking of penguins."

"But owls are cooler!"

"Yes, but they don't huddle together for warmth. They don't need to."

"Come on, Keiji, they totally –" But Bokuto's argument was cut short as he yawned.

"Tired?" Akaashi said with a smile.

"It's –" Bokuto broke into another yawn. "It's a long train ride from Miyagi!"

"Come on," Akaashi said, holding out a hand towards Bokuto. "Bed."

Bokuto whined and huddled into Akaashi again. "Can't I just sleep here on the couch?"

"No, Koutarou." Akaashi raised an eyebrow at him and linked their hands together. He tugged, and Bokuto let himself be pulled upright – but Akaashi had only taken a couple of steps forward when Bokuto draped himself over him.

"No, no, no, Koutarou! I am not dragging you to the bedroom."

Bokuto leaned a little more heavily on Akaashi, and made his best puppy-dog eyes. "Carry me?"

"I can't, you know that." Akaashi grabbed a hold of Bokuto's arms and forcibly extracted himself from their hold. Bokuto slumped forwards onto him again, and Akaashi stumbled under his weight.

"But I'm tiiiired!"

"Your bedroom isn't that far away. Urgh, you're heavy!"

Once again, Akaashi ducked out from under Bokuto, but before Bokuto could so much as start to whine, Akaashi turned and pulled him upright, kissing him solidly on the lips.

Bokuto let out a squawk of surprise, but Akaashi kept kissing him, snaking his arms over Bokuto's shoulders and wrapping them loosely behind his neck. He started moving forwards, and Bokuto let himself be pushed along, sucking and pulling at Akaashi's lips with his own. He slipped his tongue into Akaashi's mouth, and both of them moaned at the sensation.

Bokuto closed his eyes, and was barely aware of his feet shuffling backwards as he kissed Akaashi, burying one hand in his hair and sliding the other under Akaashi's shirt and up his back –

And then the backs of his knees hit something, and he collapsed backwards onto his bed.

"Huh? Keiji!"

Akaashi gave him a quick kiss on the forehead, then went over to the wardrobe.

"I'll use the bathroom first," he said, pulling out a pair of his pyjamas. "I won't be long."

Bokuto gaped at him as he left the room. "You – you tricked me!"

"How else was I supposed to get you to the bedroom?" Akaashi called.

"Meanie!"

"Oh, just get ready for bed, Koutarou! Unless you didn't like it, of course…"

"No!" Bokuto yelped, springing up from the bed. Akaashi's laughter floated into the bedroom.

"I didn't think you'd mind that."

Ten minutes later, Bokuto had finished in the bathroom and turned out the lights in the apartment, and made his way back to the bedroom. Akaashi was sitting on the bed, scrolling through something on his phone, but he looked up as Bokuto came into the bedroom and closed the door. He put his phone on the bedside table and flicked on the lamp, and Bokuto turned the main light off.

Akaashi watched Bokuto as he made his way to the bed. There was a strange expression on Akaashi's face. Sort of serious. Like there was something he had to say but didn't want to at all.

"I am glad you're back," he said quietly.

"Aw, missed me that much?" Bokuto teased, climbing into bed and bouncing a little on the mattress.

"I…" Akaashi looked down, clutching at the owl-print sheets.

Bokuto's smile faded. "Keiji?"

Akaashi looked back up at him after a moment and smiled – a small smile. Almost sad. But still there. "I've missed seeing you every day. It's too quiet at work without you there."

Bokuto leaned forwards and kissed him very gently on the mouth. When he drew away, he looked Akaashi right in the eyes and smiled again.

"I'm back now, aren't I?"

Akaashi nodded, and leaned his forehead forwards to touch it against Bokuto's.

"You are."

He turned off the lamp and they lay down, pulling and shifting the sheets and blankets. Bokuto wrapped his arms around Akaashi, Akaashi snuggled in close, and felt like only minutes after Bokuto had closed his eyes that he drifted off to sleep.

Bokuto jolted awake. He blinked his eyes open to a dark room, tense with fear, gut twisting in terror. He was being shaken, something was writhing and pushing and shaking him, and there was a scream, someone was screaming –

It was Akaashi. Akaashi was struggling in his arms, screams and pleas tearing from his throat, muffled by the bedclothes.

And he was still asleep.

Author's note

Sorry this is a bit late. I have been exhausted beyond measure this week, and this chapter was a nightmare to write.

Konoha and Washio squabble via text.

I've called the "pretty Inspector" (aka the blonde Fukurodani manager who Konoha talks to at one point and who likes stag beetles) Sakurada Kumiko, 桜田 久美子 - Kumiko here translates as "long time", "beauty", "child", and I thought the "long time" was appropriate given how long she and Konoha have taken to get their act together and make things official between them.

Fun fact: I typed in - and - for the arrows in MS Word. AO3 automatically changed them to à and ß. I did not know that could happen. Fun times for editing.

Last chapter will be up in a week or thereabouts - and this time it really will be the last chapter!