A/N: I just wanted to take a second to thank all you wonderful people for your continuous support. YOU ARE ALL AMAZING AND I LOVE YOU ALL *HUGS* Also I headcannon Asami as a cuddly sleeper. I mean, we very rarely actually see him sleeping in the manga but often when we do, he's holding onto either a pillow or Aki.

Asami slowly came to. He felt groggy and far too tired. There was also a strange emptiness in his chest. A weird hollow feeling. He struggled to regain his bearings and was startled when he felt something shift against him. He opened his eyes and blinked at the blonde strands obscuring his view. Asami moved his head back a little and realised that he had been sleeping with his face buried in his soulmates neck. Akihito was lying with his back pressed against Asami's chest while playing some sort of game on his phone. Asami squeezed the arms wrapped around his soulmates waist and burrowed his face back into the crook of his neck. It was warm and comforting. He was just so tired. He had no idea just talking about something could be so damn draining. It felt like he had run a marathon. Like he had been the one chasing Akihito across rooftops and not just talking about his past. A gentle hand carded through his hair. On one hand it made Asami feel slightly irritated, he wasn't a child that needed comforting, but on the other hand it did feel nice. Soothing. He was too tired to comment on it though and decided he would leave it alone as long as Akihito didn't make it a habit to pet him in future.

"How are you feeling?" Asami just grunted in reply. "Tired still huh?" He didn't even bother replying to that and just snuggled closer. Akihito made quite a comfortable pillow. "It's kinda cute you know." There was a soft chuckle. "You're this big bad imposing figure normally but you get real cuddly when you're sleepy." Asami squeezed his arms tighter and his little lover made a very satisfying wheezing squeak sound. He loosened his grip after a few seconds and Akihito grumbled. "Okay, okay. You aren't cute at all." Akihito started playing with his hair again and Asami huffed. "So I was thinking that once you're feeling up to it we could go for a quick trip to the supermarket and then come back and watch a movie or something. I'll make hotpot for dinner and we can have some snacks and stuff. I called Kirishima-san," Akihito paused as though waiting for Asami to say something but continued on when he didn't. "I told him that we had talked and that I thought it would be a good idea for you to relax for a few days. He said you could take as much time off as you want. I figure your workaholic tendencies will kick in after a few days but you should take some time to recharge a little."

Asami finally moved back a little and Akihito wriggled around in his arms until they were facing each other. "A few days is fine. Kirishima is always getting on my case about taking weekends anyway." Akihito's face brightened. He must have been worried he would put up a fight about it but Asami was honestly far too tired to deal with anything right now.

"How about we go shopping soon and then you can nap while I make us a light lunch. Then we can hang out on the couch with snacks and a movie. And tonight you can help me make dinner!"

Asami blinked in surprise. "Help you make dinner?"

"Yeap!" Akihito was giving him that big goofy grin. "It'll be fun."

"I don't know about your definition of fun but I doubt I'm going to be able to help much."

"That's fine! I'll teach you. It's all part of the fun." Akihito laughed at Asami's dubious look. "I've been teaching Kamiya-san how to cook and he's been doing great so I'm sure I can teach you.

"You've been teaching the guards how to cook?" Asami couldn't quite keep the note of incredulity out of his voice.

Akihito nodded, looking pleased with himself. "Most of the guards can cook and Ueda even helps me with groceries but Kamiya didn't know how to cook anything that didn't involve a microwave."

Well. That would explain why Team Takaba was often jokingly referred to as Team Housewife by some of the other security personnel in Sion. Still, perhaps it was just that friendly mothering that had inspired such loyalty in his guards. Even Suoh had been impressed by the dogged loyalty all the members displayed. And although they all still a little wary of impromptu parkour marathons, they showed a remarkable amount of pride in his abilities all round. Any time someone made a snide remark about them 'babysitting' Akihito, one of his guards would jovially invite the commenter to put their money where their mouth was and join them in an half hour full speed dash across Tokyo's rooftops. Asami had even caught Kirishima chuckling at the immediate back peddling of the commenter. It was even more amusing when Akihito had spontaneously made his team do just that the day before. He had apparently needed to think. Asami wondered if that was the day he had spoken to Kirishima and if that was what he was thinking about.

He pushed the thought aside for now and found himself agreeing to help Akihito prepare dinner. It was almost worth it for the sunny smile he got in return alone. Unfortunately this meant that Akihito decided it was time to get up and go for a trip. Asami actually let out a small groan in protest before reluctantly removing himself from the warm comfort of his bed. He was beaten to his wardrobe by an overexcited Akihito and he stopped to admire the view before commenting dryly; "I can dress myself, I'm not an invalid."

"You would choose something way too formal. It's not like you need to wear a suit to get groceries and I know you have jeans in here!"

"Oh?"

There was a small embarrassed sounding cough before Akihito admitted; "I might have taken a peak in here while you were at work one time." Asami could see that even his ears were red. He let a small smile slip into place and continued to observe the rather delicious sight of Akihito's butt cheeks jiggling in his briefs as he fossicked around in his wardrobe. He was just contemplating moving forward to pinch them when Akihito turned around with a triumphant cheer and caught him staring. It was always an endearing sight to see his soulmate go a few deeper shades of red. "Hey, none of that! We are going out."

"I wasn't doing anything." Asami replied with an overly innocent tone. Akihito snorted and all but threw the pair of jeans at him. He slipped off the rather rumpled shirt and slacks that he had fallen asleep in and donned the jeans that he had been given. Akihito then handed over a polo before slipping himself into his own favourite pair of jeans. Asami wasn't entirely sure if they were fashionably ripped or too-much-parkour ripped.

Akihito fussed about making sure they both had their phones and wallets before grabbing his shopping list. Then they were out the door and heading down the elevator to the garage. Asami had grabbed the keys for his favourite red sports car after Akihito insisted that he drive and was surprised when he didn't make a comment about it. He couldn't think of a time where Akihito hadn't at least grumbled about whatever vehicle they went out in. He must have been staring a little as his soulmate turned to him in concern.

"What?"

"Hmm?"

"You're staring at me. You seem a little… Surprised?" He sounded unsure as though he couldn't quite be certain that he had read his expression correctly.

"You normally comment on my choice of car."

"Oh. But that one's your favourite right?" And that was the end of that.

The rest of the trip to the car was made in silence and they quickly settled themselves in the plush leather seat. Asami was vaguely aware of another car and motorcycle revving up and getting ready to escort them to their destination. He turned his own car on, taking a second to appreciate the quiet power that it hummed with, before turning to Akihito.

"So where to?"

"The supermarket."

They stared at each other expectantly until Asami finally broken the silence. "And where is that exactly?"

"You… You haven't been to the supermarket?!"

Asami raised his eyebrows at the shocked looking Akihito. "I have been to a supermarket before, just not whichever one you are referring to."

"How long have you lived here for?"

"A while."

"And you have never once been to the supermarket while you've lived here?"

"No." Akihito's jaw actually dropped and he started at Asami open mouthed. "I've told you this before but I usually have lunch or dinner with clients. Or you. On days where that's not the case, Kirishima will usually bring me something to eat."

"Would you even remember to eat if Kirishima-san didn't feed you?!" Asami shot his lover an unamused look and didn't dignify that a response. "I'm serious, I've seen your fridge. Actually, on second thought, I shouldn't be surprised considering the lack of things in your fridge. Alcohol doesn't count as food."

Asami huffed and handed Akihito the GPS. "I eat properly."

"Uh huh. Is Kirishima your mother or your secretary?" Asami scowled and Akihito giggled at his expression as he typed in the address of the supermarket. "I'm pretty sure if it wasn't for him you would be fat."

"I do work out."

"Yeah, but you are still supposed eat well balanced meals or working out doesn't do that much. Pretty sure alcohol is really bad for that too. Kirishima-san probably spends far more time than you realise making sure you eat right." Asami just shrugged and Akihito fixed the GPS on its little stand. Soon they were peeling out of the underground garage and onto the busy Tokyo streets followed closely by their entourage.

Asami would not go so far as to call their little supermarket trip fun, as Akihito put it, but it was surprisingly enjoyable. He watched as Akihito flittered excitedly about, exclaiming over this and that and regaling him with far too much information about various ingredients. Asami for the most part stood back with their shopping basket in hand and let Akihito chatter away uninterrupted. He still felt a little hollow as though something was missing but then his little soulmate would exclaim over something else and drag Asami along in his wake, making him forget all about the odd feeling. Perhaps that was his plan. It was strange standing here in the supermarket being all domestic with Akihito but it left a surprisingly warm feeling in its wake. Was that the feeling he missed out on all these years? He filed that feeling away for further inspection later and turned his full attention back to his soulmate who was currently ogling all the sweets.

VFVFVFVFVFVFVFVF

Akihito smiled softly down at the man napping in his lap. Asami had his head resting on Akihito's thigh with his cheek resting against his stomach. His arms had looked a little awkward with the way they were angled so he had waited until the man had fallen asleep and then moved one of the pillows he had placed on the couch earlier onto his chest and Asami had automatically curled his arms around it. Seeing Asami sleeping so peacefully while cuddling the pillow had Akihito hard pressed to resist the urge to grab his phone and take a picture. If it had been any other time he probably would have snapped off a photo. But not today.

It had been an interesting challenge to try and look after a potentially fragile Asami without making it obvious that he was doing so. Or at least so obvious as to get a comment from the man about it. He didn't like being babied or seen as weak. The only thing he had protested was when Akihito began to card his fingers through his hair again when he had practically crawled into his lap, completely giving up on the movie. He had told Akihito to stop treating him like a child but he had quickly shut that down and continued to do as he pleased. He had been surprised when Asami didn't comment further and just closed his eyes. He fell asleep within minutes. That was the second time that day he had expected some kind of argument or protest that never came. Akihito had been very much expecting Asami to try and go to work, he had mentally prepared for the stubborn denial that he would have normally faced but the other man had agreed to time off immediately.

Asami had seemed so tired though. That kind of bone deep exhaustion that left you barely functioning. But he had talked. Akihito wasn't sure how long they lay there while Asami let his soul spill open but it had to have been measured in hours, surely. For all that he had been told what had happened from Kirishima, Akihito still didn't anticipate just how deep that pain ran. And now that he had let it all out, Asami didn't seem to know quite what to do. There was more than once that he caught the older man looking a little lost, as though he was confused about just what he was supposed to be doing or feeling. It was only the quickest flash of emotion across the man's face and he probably would have missed it if he hadn't been paying such close attention to his soulmate.

Akihito was just feeling so incredibly relieved that everything was out in the open now. Asami would be able to start the healing process and he felt so much closer to the man. They were soulmates, they were supposed to be close but he hadn't realised just how much he didn't know until today. It's not like they had had that long to get to know each other but he felt almost complete now. There was still things he didn't know, particularly concerning his current business but that could wait for now. It was almost funny looking back at their beginning. How Akihito protested any money being spent on him, even for food. His knee jerk reaction to try and deal with the sheer difference in their worlds. How Asami just sat and listened and watched him with that mask on before it quickly slipped off in his presence. Not that Akihito knew what it was at that point. Asami refusing to take no for an answer and purchasing the camera that was now his most treasured possession.

He remembered the date at Annisa and the sudden whirlwind of passionate kisses and wandering hands. The confusion and hesitation over the whole relationship. Too fast, too soon and he was so torn up over it. The silly trip down to his parents where Asami was so relaxed and himself and Akihito just didn't know him well enough at that point to realise. The trip back and the stupid drama he had over the wardrobe. Those clothes were now part in the penthouse and part at his own apartment, fully becoming part of his every day wear. He just hadn't realised at that point that that was the way Asami was used to showing affection. His relationships had been physical things, almost a trade of services after Haruki and until himself. He remembered running from his guards and the trouble he got into for that. It was probably around that time that Akihito had started to get a little more clued into Asami and how the man worked. Figuring out the mask and actually accepting the differences in their worlds. Realising the different meanings for different things.

From there he had started to embrace Asami's side more. He was still cautious with the man's money and tried to avoid using it but he did use the credit card to buy groceries for their joint meals more than once. Asami had also seemed to understand Akihito more. He didn't foist purchased gifts onto him anymore, except for food but that was one of the photographers biggest weaknesses, and in general spent more time just being with him. He had come home early every night for a week to spend time Akihito while he stayed at the penthouse.

It had only been a few months but it felt like they had come so far. Especially today. Akihito smiled down at Asami's peaceful sleeping face again. They still probably had a long way to go but he was very glad that Asami had let him in. Now he could finally heal and that thought alone made Akihito incredibly happy.