I'm more than just an option

refuse to be forgotten

I'm more than just a number

I doubt you'll find another

I'll be the one that you remember

She woke with a start, disoriented from sleep and confused. It took Sophia a few moments to gather herself as she sat up, realising that the mattress beneath her didn't feel like her mattress because it was, in fact, Han's futon. A hiss escaped her lips as the sheet fell down to her waist, and the cold air made contact with her bare skin. As she felt around for her phone, in the dark, she pulled out from the beneath her pillow. She crossed her legs, facing away from Han, who hadn't even shuffled since she woke. It was just past five am, and Sophia sighed as she ran a hand over her face, she hadn't planned to stay over this long. Usually she'd leave after an hour or two, leaving the space beside Han empty.

But things had been different lately, she hated the word - but more intimate. Sophia wasn't an idiot, she knew exactly what was happening; they'd both caught feelings. Part of her wanted to admit it was inevitable; after she'd trusted him with helping her, he'd unintentionally asserted himself as dependable, and that wasn't something she came across often. As a result, she laughed more around him, got excited at the idea of spending time with him. He was surprisingly thoughtful, and easy to be around, so much so that at times she felt shy. The other part of her was scared shitless, apart from Kamata - who didn't really count - there was no other constant in her life. Asuma depended on her, but she'd kept him at just enough arms length that it wouldn't be completely hurtful when she eventually fired him, so he could start college.

Typically, Sophia would cut off a guy after she was bored with them. That being said, most didn't know about her life, or what she did for a living. She was obligated to eventually cut them off because she couldn't risk them finding out. It was probably the first red flag she should have noticed with Han, that he already knew one of the darkest parts of her.

Rubbing at her eyes, she pushed the thoughts away for now, she couldn't just hang around in his bed. As Sophia made to stand, and locate her clothes, she felt a large hand wrap softly around her wrist. Sophia turned back to look at Han's face, her eyes barely adjusting to the darkness, his thumb caressed her skin softly and it sent goosebumps up her back.

'Stop overthinking it. Just get back into bed.'

His tone was sleepy, but still held an air of finality to it, and both the casualness and laziness of his words masked that he was slightly nervous of her response. Han didn't pull on her wrist, though he still held onto it, indicating that though he wanted her there it was still ultimately her choice. She liked that about him, he pretty much never behaved as if he was entitled to her or her time. He always made his intentions clear, but never forced them on her.

Biting her lip Sophia hesitated for a moment, wondering how good of an idea it was, before she did as he said. She lay back down, her back to him, and felt as his hand pulled the sheet back up to her shoulders. His calloused hand then glided across her bare skin beneath the sheet, tracing down her back softly, before it settled on the curve of her waist. Eventually, she felt his breathing even out, and his fingers ceasing their caress on her skin. She was lulled back to sleep by the sound of his breaths.

When she woke again, later in the morning, Han wasn't there. It was a first for Sophia, since she was the one that usually left him to sleep alone. Since it was his place, though, she guessed he was probably just in the garage. She noticed a towel and folded hoody by the bed, and Sophia took that as indication that she was free to use the shower across his room.

Sophia emerged, forty minutes later, in Han's hoody and her pair of denim shorts. Face bare of make-up, but fresh from a full nights sleep - which was a rarity for her. He was located at the circular dining table on the second floor. It was Saturday morning, and though the garage was free of party guests, his usual crew was littered about on the ground floor. Twinkie was situated by the hood of his hideously green truck, with whom Sophia had come to learn was Reiko and Earl. It turned out Han had a habit of taking in stray teenagers.

She pretended to not notice their stares as she walked over to Han, her hair still wet, but drying quickly due to its texture. The garage had descended into silence, the teens idle chatter had now dwindled, and she was beyond uncomfortable. Sophia remembered that this was exactly why she didn't do sleep overs, it was awkward for everyone involved. Han, as always, was nonchalant to the atmosphere. He outstretched an arm up to her, and upon moving closer to him Sophia noticed he was handing her a mug of fresh coffee. Exactly the way she liked it. Milky and sweet.

'Thanks.' She muttered quietly, feeling his hand run down her back as she took a seat next to him, deliberately facing away from his band of children below.

'Don't worry,' Han said, flicking the page of the paper in his hand. 'They won't say anything.'

'Why didn't you wake me?'

'You looked like you needed the sleep.' Han shrugged at her question, his eyes moving back to the paper he had been previously reading. 'Did you know you drool?'

Sophia scowled, 'Fuck you.'

Taking a large gulp, she nudged her foot with his for good measure. He briefly smirked, and the two descended into a comfortable silence as Sophia quietly drank her coffee. Listening to the trio bicker about car parts below, not fully understanding the conversation.

The only people missing from his band of merry men were Alden and Jimmy, who seemed to be the only other adults Han frequently spent time with. None had particularly raised any waves in Sophia's previous investigations, which she'd had to do upon Kamata's request, after DK and Han had gone into business. It was a peculiar and unlikely group, one that had - though not obvious at first - been carefully selected by Han. Apart from their obvious skills with cars and racing, on a level of personality and temperament there was a kindness in all of them. They weren't - for example - the type to hang around Takeshi. She supposed that was why he built this type of circle outside of Takeshi's space.

'Wanna' get some breakfast?' Han's voice cut through her thoughts, his eyes only briefly flickering to hers. 'I don't have anything to eat here.'

'I can't. I have a meeting in a couple of hours, I need to get home.'

Han didn't react to her brushing him off, he sensed she would be a little weirded out by the fact she had stayed the night. Trying to get Fi to open up to him was like trying to coax a caged animal into trusting you; it would take some time. He didn't entirely know what was transpiring between them, but he found he didn't mind so much.

'I'll give you a ride.' She nodded at him, finishing her coffee and placing it back on the table before she stood. 'I'm just gonna use the bathroom quick, I'll meet you downstairs.'

Han stood after, watching her walk back in the direction of his bed room. He wasn't oblivious to the knowing look Twinkie and Earl had cast in his direction, Reiko rolling her eyes at the nosiness of both as she focused her attention back on the laptop resting on Twinkie's engine.

As Han descended the stairs, he walked towards the trio. 'Not a word about her to anyone, and make sure you do some actual work today. I'm not paying you to just make your cars pretty.'

'You got it bad, man. You know that, right?' Twinkie teased, resting his forearm on Earl's shoulder.

'I don't ever recall you making coffee for a chick the morning after a sleep over before.' Earl chimed in, his British accent causing the enunciation of every word.

'Mind your business.' Reiko remarked in Japanese, nudging him, and causing them to launch into a bilingual bicker.

'Just make sure you have those parts for Mona today.' Han said casually, digging into his pockets for his car keys.

'I see the way you be smilin' at your phone and shit.' Rolling his eyes, Han walked away from him. 'Got yourself a lil' Bonnie and Clyde situation going on.'

'Today, Twinkie.' Han called over his shoulder.

One of the positives about being partner's with DK was the lack of Kamata around their business. It made it significantly easier to funnel money from their deals into private accounts, but it didn't mean that Han was free of the occasional meeting where he would be subtly threatened. In some way, whether indirectly or directly, Kamata made it clear never to cross him. So he wasn't entirely surprised when DK had called to let him know that they were having lunch with him.

Kamata didn't do lunch in the same way other businessmen did, public and busy restaurants - regardless of private booths - was not his style. Instead, he'd close a restaurant for a day, providing he owned it, making him the only guest in the building. That's exactly what Han and DK had walked into from the back entrance, having to go through the kitchen and into the main dining floor. There were men posted by all the doors, and the empty tables tidied away, one remained directly across the bar.

'My boy! It's good to see you.' Kamata's voice was low and gruff, indicating the opposite of what he'd just said. However, his eyes creased in joy, something Takeshi did not miss.

Takeshi bowed, as did Han. 'It seems we're early Uncle, please let us wait outside.'

Kamata wasn't alone at his table, it was also occupied with two other men. Business partners, Han assumed, as they dressed just as formerly as he did. They wore navy and black suits, one wearing a variation of a gold ring, which was exclusively for Yakuza members. Indicating he was more important that the man in black beside him. The duo looked young, similar in age to Takeshi and Han. Dark hair combed back with a side parting, he constantly licked at his lips as if he were parched.

Sophia was sat at the bar, nursing a glass of wine. She briefly looked to Han, eyes connecting for mere seconds before she looked away. As if she barely knew him. That was normal for her, when it came to Kamata being around she treated him as if he wasn't even an acquaintance, too cautious about her surrogate father and boss finding out. She was dressed all in black, jeans tucked into her boots, and her curls had been slicked back to be tied in a bun. He guessed she was on a job tonight.

'Nonsense, you weren't intruding. We were just finishing up, take a seat.'

They were served tea as Kamata resumed his conversation, Takeshi and Han sat beside each other in silence as they listened in.

'How did the conversation with the Arabs go?'

'Not as uncomfortably as we anticipated,' the man in blue said, straightening his slim tie. 'Your instructions were clear, and the right decision, sir.'

'Hm.' Kamata's smile seemed forced, and he took a sip of his tea before placing the cup on the table. 'Then why did you feel it necessary to deliberately disobey my orders, and broker a deal with the sheik?'

The silence became so uncomfortably thick that Han was hesitant to even put his cup down. As the young man stammered, his company beside him visibly tensed, hand reaching for inside his jacket. There wasn't any way the kid was that stupid, Han thought, you didn't pull a gun on Kamata.

The Yakuza boss relaxed in his seat, unbuttoning his suit jacket and clearing his throat.

'I was fond of your father, Sai, which is why I have provided the opportunity for you to explain yourself.'

'Bullshit!' The silent partner had burst out. 'Denying their offer is in no way financially beneficial. You old men have not kept up with the times; everything goes through the arabs!'

'I suggest you muzzle your dog here, Sai.' Kamata's voice had become tight, and both Han and Takeshi made a show of not looking at either party as this continued. 'Otherwise he'll need putting down.'

Sai turned to his business partner, and despite his venomous demands to try and shut him up, he proved unsuccessful. He stood, throwing his napkin onto the table, face pinking slightly. His hair was tied back in a slick pony, fairly young but older than Takeshi. It appeared as if he had been waiting for this moment.

'This is why Sai would make a better leader, you have no idea of the changes we are due-'

As he had gone on his tirade, Kamata had raised one of his hands, his middle and forefinger and moving in the direction of Sophia. Her moves were fluid, barely detectable, she navigated a gun as if it were an extra limb, rather than a weapon. No one had suspected she had fired the gun until the bullet had lodged itself into the young man's forehead. The ringing of the bullet, and his sudden silence, cause a frozen moment of shock. It wasn't until his body dropped backwards, against his chair, and onto the floor did anyone react.

Takeshi and Han immediately turned their heads to zero in on Sophia, who placed the gun on the bar casually and took a sip of her drink. Realising she wasn't done, they watched as she stood, reaching into the inside of her leather jacket and producing a switchblade. Sai visibly tensed, and closed his mouth from any further protests. He watched, in fear, as she placed the switchblade on the table, right in front of him.

She stood behind him, her arms folded and expectant.

'You shamed us, boy. Grovelling to the arabs as if we are beneath them, you showed weakness. For that you must endure the consequences.'

Kamata descended back into silence, and relaxed into his chair. He didn't seem as if he was in any particular rush, but Han knew better than that. He watched as Sai's shaking hand reached for the blade, picking it up. It was custom within the Yakuza to cut off your own finger if you ever broke the rules, or ashamed the organisations. It seemed as if this was a first for Sai.

His screams echoed through the empty restaurant, blood staining the table cloth. Sophia flinch, barely even blinked as he did so. Han understood the message, if it hadn't been obvious before, and it was loud and clear. He idly wondered that if he ever did get caught, and Kamata ordered a hit, if Sophia would look as bored as she did now.

I actually had a good portion of this already written up, and then got distract by other projects! I'm very sorry for that. Anyway I really am trying to make this fic quiet short, but everytime I write another chapter I feel as if I need to develop characters/Sophia and Han's relationship a little more. Anyway, thanks for sticking with me. Hope you're all keeping safe!