Faitsu found herself not going to the hospital the next few days. It wasn't quite avoiding, exactly.

"You look like a puppy that's been left out in the rain," Burakku had said, after sitting himself down at her table without invitation, "and honestly, he looks like that too. Seriously? Alder's team? Is this how you're going to escape your feelings?"

That definitely hit her hard, "And why do you always just assume that's how I'm thinking, Burrakku Kun?" The windows in the canteen were all fogged up from rain, and her bowl of hot miso soup was steaming up, untouched, "I'm seriously not in the mood to be doing this right now-"

"Ah, it's nice to meet you both again-"

"Alder San!" Faitsu let go of her chopsticks to stand up and greet him- Alder's aura was all encompassing, and in spite of his threatening features and broad muscular body he always sported a huge smile on his face.

"Would I be able to have a word with you?"

"Of course!" She said, bowing again, (and Burrakku shook his head out of the corner of her eye), "It'd be a pleasure to work with you."

"This is some serious business," Alder said, standing up from his office desk, "Maldives."

Faitsu only nodded, it was, of course the main target for sexual trafficking, and that's why she wanted to join the mission, no matter what Burrakku had deduced her reasons to be.

Alder bent closer to her, frowning a little, "Are you sure you'll be able to handle this? We could be in Maldives for months, maybe- a year, at most, since the IPO entrusted us."

Faitsu just nodded, "I- I'll do my best," she finished weakly.

Alder's eyes, generally warm and friendly, had a sudden amused glint, "You're exactly like what Rakutsu San said you would be!"

"Um- what?" Rakutsu had been talking about her? Wait, was this a part of his plan as well? What if he wanted to get rid of her because she was too incompetent and-

"I can hear your brain running miles from here," Alder laughed, leaning back. He walked in front of his ebony desk (complete with a beautiful Chinese tea set and pictures of his family), with his hands behind his back, then hummed, contemplating, "it's not like that. I was merely contemplating how good you'd have to be in your job to earn his respect."

Respect- had she misheard or something? "Respect?" She muttered, voice small.

He seemed to shake his head, as if getting rid of a thought, "Or why else would he defend you like that? When-" he turned towards her again, and this time his face was taut as he surveyed her, "your chief inspector decided multiple times that enough was enough, and that you had to be fired, but your team leader still saw something in you. He blackmailed the heck out of them all!" He roared uproariously, in laughter, as if Faitsu wasn't completely doused in confusion.

Rakutsu Kun? Blackmail the chief? That was so unlike him. He always played it safe- "I feel like you might have misheard- a little," Faitsu trailed off. Her heart was threatening to beat out of her chest, hands still clammy-

"Misheard?" Alder shouted, making her jump in her chair again, "Oh- oh no, I'm sure he threatened to resign if they fired you, and what would their position look like if he did? That's what he said! And he even went through all of this to leave you out from the mission so you wouldn't get blamed in the crossfire! And I can assure you- the board members are very angry, hm? And that's why we need the- IPO! They couldn't do anything about that- Nishigama San are you alright?" He suddenly stopped in his rambles to squint at her.

So- all this time, Rakutsu has been helping her. And all she did was look down on him, tell him he was cruel, and refuse to look at this from his perspective- and he put his own career at risk for hers-

"Alder San," she began softly, "do you think that - maybe, just maybe, I'm a huge idiot?"

"That you are for sure," he said, eyes glinting humorously.

"I think I'm- going to be an even bigger idiot from now." She was going to apologise- she /had/ to, before she left for good.

"I encourage you to do it!" Alder said, beaming, "How sad would the world be without us idiots roaming around in it, after all?"

-S-

Faitsu found herself heading out of the bureau early- she had no time to waste, and it wasn't fifteen minutes till she found herself outside Rakutsu's hospital room.

"You're only two weeks late," Rakutsu had said, sulkily when she had showed up, "I only felt neglected and ignored for two weeks."

In return, Faitsu only glared at him.

"What is it now-" He put his face in his hand as he surveyed her, contemplative, "did you find something else to complain about again-"

Faitsu sat down beside him on the hospital bed, eyes red rimmed.

He sighed, getting the gist, "Don't tell me, have you been crying again-"

"Why do you always do this?" She interrupted him, trembling, because she was tired of being played like a toy or something, "Do you enjoy this? Is this a chess game or something to you? Get to the end destination, doesn't matter how you move the chess piece or who gets hurt on the way?"

"That's a good analogy," he answered, "I've never really thought about it that way-" he trailed off as Faitsu seemed to retreat into herself again, "Nishigama San-"

"Don't say my name."

"I do things for the good of the people I care about," he answered, eyes softening, "and listen. I've never done them any wrong."

"But that's still a cruel way to go about it-" she was stopped by a choked sob, and honestly, she wasn't even sure if she had the courage to apologise or something, "-you should've told me- why you did what you did. So that I wouldn't have treated you that way."

Rakutsu took a small breath-

"Don't start-"

"I'm used to being treated cruelly by you," he said, smile slipping off, "so trust me, this wasn't much different."

True, Faitsu was always used to doing everything her way. And it used to not matter what Rakutsu thought of her, but now- now it did. A lot.

"But I missed you," Faitsu said, struggling to keep everything/ in, in, in/ "and treated you so badly, it was so hard for me too, not being with you-" and she shook, shook so hard that Rakutsu had to hold her just to make her stop, and it felt so good, felt so good to let out the fear and sadness, and her body wanted to cry out loud but she didn't let it- choosing to rest her head against Rakutsu's shoulder instead, as he held her tighter- he surrounded her, warmth emanating from every breath of his body, scent so good she wanted to stay there forever, comforted, ironically enough, by the very person who had made her cry before.

Rakutsu was the only person who could have such a strong hold on her. A few short tears dropped, but combined with Rakutsu's comforting touch, it didn't go very far. His hands around her waist the only thing that kept her rooted to the ground.

"Please forgive me-" Faitsu said, but her voice was too full to add anything else.

"I never was mad at you in the first place," Rakutsu said, leaning away and smiling at her, "and besides, I don't understand other people that well either-"

"Superintendent always knows what I'm thinking-" Faitsu started.

"What you're /thinking/. But I have trouble knowing how people feel. Especially you, for example-" he suddenly pulled her closer to him, and she froze, as he looked at her through his lashes, "-does this make you uncomfortable. Or-" he leaned in just enough for their breaths to fan over each other, "do you like this?"

"I like being with you," Faitsu started, unsure- and was stopped by Rakutsu teasing open her lips with his-

Faitsu pulled away, shocked as she covered her mouth, (and what if someone just happened to come in), but her eyes were still filled with unshed tears, "Superintendent-"

What will we do if we get found out?

"I'll take care of it," he replied, as if understanding her unasked question, and Faitsu slowly, timidly removed her hand, only to go still as he leaned forwards to press against her lips and, gathering the few thoughts she had left, Faitsu began teasing his mouth in return- chocolate and tangerine.

After all, mouths and kisses were a contradiction- now hot, now sweet, their breaths against each other, bodies going still and vibrating, like the surface of water on a rainy day. The inside of her mouth was still sweet and unexplored, and he liked exploring, liked how she grew pliant and alert in equal intervals-

And yet, in all of this, one constant remained. She did want more of this with him. She wanted forever.

Faitsu had left, a bit reluctantly, when Rakutsu said he'd have to meet with a few people from work- but not before scolding her appropriately for leaving work early and telling her to call him later-

And Faitsu still wasn't sure- what she wanted actually. She hasn't told him she'll be leaving soon, but knowing Rakutsu he'd probably gotten the info from someone earlier- but curiously enough, he didnt mention it either-

Faitsu wanted to bang her head against the wall from sheer confusion.

-M-

"This is it," Rakutsu said that day, flipping over the page of one of their police reports, which the entire team had gone over together, "you both will go to Maldives together. The good thing is that the board can't interfere with the IPO," Faitsu avoided his gaze when he looked at her, only for him to turn away, "and anyway- we're going to have to do our best at cooperating with the IPO-" he was interrupted by the slow, soft tune of a sultry Christmas single, his eyes narrowing.

Faitsu stiffened. To think that Leo San- sitting right beside her, would have to anger her superior today-

"I-it's a call!" Leo said quickly, getting up to take his phone, "Five minu-"

In the beat of a second the phone was thrown across the table- Leo gawked at the remaining carcass of his broken phone as Rakutsu turned, blankly, back to the table after what he had done, "So to continue the meeting-"

-S-

Rakutsu had seemed angrier today. Well he was usually frustrated with their incompetence- but Faitsu was reminded again today that the man she was dating after all- was her superior.

And so when Rakutsu called for her she thought she'd get a right scolding for sure, for coming in late and those silly mistakes she made when she'd patrolled the city last night- she did not expect for him to wrap his around her, nuzzling against her shoulder as he hugged her.

And they were still in the break room! "Ra- Rakutsu Kun!"

"Let's just stay like this for a while," he whispered, and Faitsu calmed down, heaving a shuddering breath as they embraced, it did feel good.

"When were you going to tell me?" He whispered against her nape.

"Huh, tell you what?"

"That you were going." Oh. He'd wanted her to tell him, instead of finding out by himself.

But Faitsu couldn't say anything before she was let go of- and she couldn't help but cover a small yawn, eyes widening as she realised she'd done it before Rakutsu shit shit shit-

"You slept late again yesterday, didn't you?" Rakutsu said accusingly, it wasn't a question, "Then you came in late, again, which affected your work-"

Faitsu nodded, sheepishly- and expected to fully get the kind of insult Leo San would've gotten in her stead, something about her being lazy and worthless, only for him to head to the coffee machine and start it up, "Black with two sugars, right?" He asked, "You'll need three because you slept in late."

She felt warm all of a sudden.

"By the way," she said, just to steer away her own thoughts in a conversation, "your father sent you wagashi sweets for coming back, right? Where does he buy them, aren't they expensive?"

"He is expensive," Rakutsu answered, smiling, "sounds a bit conceited, right?"

"N-no not at all."

"I don't like to use his money," he said, starting the coffee machine, "I suppose he feels the need to compensate in a way."

"Why?"

"Why?" He repeated, then leaned against the coffee table, and was quiet for so long that Faitsu was quite sure he wouldn't tell her. Until- "As you've said before, he's friends with people like the finance minister."

Oh. Faitsu was surprised that he'd decided to trust her with a personal detail after a long time. But also relieved. "But you're your own person," she said quickly, "and if it came between you and your father you'd choose what's right, right? That's what matters."

Rakutsu was silent for a few more painful seconds. "It's not that easy," he said, which was so hard to hear, because everything was supposed to be easy for him, so this must be especially hard- "your coffee is coming soon," he said, walking towards her-

"I don't like this," she said, looking out of the office window, and already, many government cars were parked outside the street, "and anyway, your father should listen to-" she turned back to directly meet his eyes, as he caged her against the wall, "-we should probably l-leave-"

"Why?" He said, amused.

"I don't-" her voice trailed off, as she lowered her gaze, "-have a particular reason, really-"

"No reason?" Before she could reply, she met his lips against hers, sighing contentedly against his mouth.

Soft sounds of their mouths intercepted the silence of the room-

This was what being young must have felt like- her toes curling in pleasure as she leant back against the wall, giving him full access to her mouth. It was nice to feel his fingers brush against her cheek- and then back to her waist- and tracing her hip-

"I want green tea," a voice looped them back to their present states and oh shit oh shit-

"Stay here," Rakutsu said, but the voices of the perpetrators had already diminished. Rakutsu's voice came, sweet and clear from the other side of the wall as he greeted them, "Did you guys want coffee? The machine is broken."

A few infatuated giggles followed, one of the women saying it was their break, and that she was so happy that he asked (and some minor details no one wanted to know)-

"I'll get your coffee, then," Rakutsu said, voice crooning low and sweet, "just tell me your orders. Don't waste your time on that. I'm sure you've got places to be."

A chorus of 'thank you, inspector', followed by more giggles. Faitsu almost felt sad. He really was popular with so many people, and, being a social person, didn't mind spending time with them.

And then she remembered that they were dating- oh right. Her heart did a little victory leap as she smiled- right, they couldn't have him anymore.

"Did they leave?" She whispered quietly when he came back- and judging by the absence of voices apparently they had, "Great, I'll leave then-"

He had a vice grip on her as he pulled her back against the wall, "We aren't done here."

"Wow, scary."

"... Did you just make fun of me?"

"Did I?" She pressed, "Rak kun?"

If this went on he might just have an early onset heart attack. And Rakutsu had been through plenty of heart attack worthy situations on the past- but Faitsu was just so cute, innocent-

He found himself kissing the back of her neck, and teething the skin playfully as she whined, "Say that again-"

She didn't respond at first.

"I said again," he teased, slightly lapping that bruised bit of skin, kissing it until she nearly gave in, and with a shuddering sigh-

Faitsu leaned to his ear, much to his surprise, and smiled as she touched his cheek, lips very close-

"No." She said, after a soft pause, "I won't. And that's punishment for flirting with those women today. I'll get back to my work then- Superintendent."

And then she walked past him to leave the coffee room- leaving Rakutsu slightly confused and very very turned on.

-M-

The day before her flight, Rakutsu called her when she was still in the department store.

"Did you get home safely?"

"I'm still outside," she said, bending over to take a cup of yoghurt from a shelf, "why?"

His tone immediately changed. "Get home quickly. It's too late to be out right now-" His voice sounded hoarse and scratchy.

"Your voice sounds odd-"

Rakutsu laughed. "It's probably just a cold or something."

"Rakutsu Kun-"

"Alright," he said, "I didn't expect it, that's true. But I don't have the pain tolerance to buy medicine now, especially with my wounds."

And Faitsu immediately saw the street lamp outside the store being turned on, "Wait, I could-"

"No," his voice got even hoarse, "I know what you're thinking, but no. You're going to home. Early. And if you don't I might actually kill you."

"But-"

"No words." He said, and Faitsu could tell he was serious, "And you better not be late for your flight tomorrow. I'll- miss you."

The last part, for someone as defensive and safeguarded as Rakutsu, was unexpected. He cut the call off like he didn't actually say anything big, but Faitsu's fingers were already trembling.

-S-

It was a little weird coming alone at first. Faitsu had expected him to live in a penthouse suit or something with high security (which she was dreading because, what would she even introduce herself as?), considering he earned more than enough and also his whole "rich-heir legacy", but the address in question was a very comfortable and classical Japanese house, a bit far from the city, complete with tatami mats and a koi pond. Rakutsu also seemed to be a bit of a plant nerd, corners in the house and garden filled with all sorts of botanical plants, even trees bearing fruits, and books with pictures of insects and topographical elements on them.

And Faitsu was completely endeared, slipping off her shoes respectfully as she stepped in, followed by Rakutsu (whose expression still gave away nothing), "Sorry I came in after the warning. Just brought some medicine for your cold- and ginger honey tea, you could warm it up for a few seconds before you-" she was cut off by Rakutsu suddenly pulling her towards him-

"What are you doing here?" He said, voice tense, and for a moment- Faitsu feared that she'd done something terribly, terribly wrong, because Rakutsu actually could follow up on his threat.

"Before you kill me," she said, meeting his gaze on, "I um- it's nothing. I know it's dangerous. At night. But- taking a risk for you is nothing, especially when you're in pain. Just as you did for me because- because, to tell you the truth," her voice trailed away, but her eyes felt a bit bleary, probably the lights or something, "to tell you the truth I'll- I missed you too. And I needed the excuse to see you."

"Are you an idiot?" He said, after a small pause, hands roaming above her shoulders, unsure where to put them, if she was even real, "Did you seriously come in here even when I told you not to?"

"Um- yeah?"

His hands settled on her shoulders, in a vice-like grip, and Faitsu wasn't even sure what was happening before she suddenly got pulled towards him, their lips close to each other, testing with their warm breaths fanning over each other, before he leaned in.

"Why do you test me like this?" He said, almost teasingly, before he tentatively opened her mouth with his.

Unsurprisingly, the kiss projected a thousand feelings of longing on his side as well, but some part of her brain was still capable of thought, and worried about the things she'd brought- "wait, let me just keep- hm, ah-"

(Rakutsu didn't listen.)

They walked back through the corridor. Distantly she registered Rakutsu kicking off his slippers (which was kind of funny, and exciting), because who does that, as they treaded up the wooden staircase on socks, shoes off making it easier, Faitsu trying to grab his shirt to have some semblance of balance (because they had none, and Rakutsu seemingly couldn't care less) up, up the stairs- stopping a low keen from her lips as he slightly bit them, teasing at the skin- until she reached another step and gets her mind back, and kissed back- Rakutsu's mouth was sweet, too sweet, and so, so good, chocolate and tangerine- and the inside was even sweeter, soft, welcoming, a deep valley of sugar, specially made for her.

A soft, shuddering moan escaped Rakutsu and was lost in her lips as she slipped her hand under his shirt, tracing the valleys and ridges of his abs, the muscles taut under her touch, which served to make Rakutsu even more insane as he pulled her closer, hands around her waist so that no more balancing was needed as they climbed up the stairs.

Rakutsu was gripping her waist like she belonged to him.

Faitsu put a hand around his neck to keep from collapsing, and they reached the top stair, lips locked.

And Rakutsu had stopped, even as he took off his shirt- looking at Faitsu like she was some ethereal being- "You're sure you want this, right?"

"I do," she had said, taking her clothes off with him, this feeling that was love- "more than anything."

FIN

Author's note: A few quick google searches tell me that kissing someone with a small cold isn't actually that harmful, so hopefully no one scolds me about that- that said, please don't follow this example because our universe has corona and theirs doesn't. T-T

And if you're wondering why the chapter is so short, the action actually continues, down the line- but since ff net is against it- I'd recommend (anyone of appropriate age, only) to follow this link to the same story on AO3/ /users/Leafpuff/works/It All Comes Back