Akihito reached a hand out and gently ran his fingers through Asami's hair. He had been trying to get up to make breakfast for a good ten minutes so far but his soulmate had his arms wrapped around his waist in a death grip. He had managed to wiggle into a sitting position but Asami had just curled up around him even more and was sleepily refusing to let go. Akihito would have found it cute if it hadn't been for the fact that he wanted to actually eat something before he headed off for work. He opened his mouth to say something but his stomach bet him to it and emitted a loud rumble. A sleepy golden eye opened and cast a rather ineffectual glare at the photographer's stomach. Akihito couldn't hold back a giggle at the sight.

Over the last week Asami had pretty much gone back to his usual self except for a few extra touchy feely moments. Akihito had quickly worked out that he seemed to take a lot of reassurance from physical touch and made sure to reciprocate as often as he remembered. It was as though Asami was mentally reassuring himself that Akihito was, in fact, still there. They hadn't really done much during their time off together either. A little shopping, a movie marathon and a TV series marathon. Most mornings were spent lazing around in bed until their stomachs forced them up for food. More than once Akihito found himself playing games on his phone while Asami was plastered against his back and seemingly intent on trying to absorb him.

"Asaaaaamiiiiii, I need to go make breakfast."

The only reply he got was a small, displeased huff but the arms around his waist loosened their hold. It really was cute seeing this sleepy, defenceless side of the normally intimidating man. Asami would probably shoot him for calling him cute though. Akihito leaned down and pressed a quick kiss onto Asami's cheek. He was just moving away with the intent to finally get out of bed when he was suddenly pulled back down and he toppled onto his soulmate. Asami expertly manoeuvred him around so that he was fully on top of the older man and kissed him deep and hard. He didn't let go until he had ripped a small moan from the back of Akihito's throat. Akihito flopped back onto the bed, breathing hard.

"You don't play fair."

Asami flashed him his trademark smirk. "How about you join me in the shower and we take care of your little problem." He glanced down significantly.

Akihito groaned. "I didn't have a problem until you decided to be a jerk. I really need to go make breakfast."

"Later. Come for a shower."

He was about to protest but Asami cut him off with another searing kiss and his resolve crumbled.

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Akihito didn't end up having enough time to make breakfast and had to grab a quick bite to eat on the way to his editor's office. He had grumbled to Asami about it who had just smirked even more and offered to pay for whatever he picked up to eat but Akihito had shot the offer down. That had been completely beside the point. He actually enjoyed cooking and liked making sure that Asami was eating correctly. There was a certain satisfaction to be had when someone else enjoys what you've cooked for them as well. Unfortunately the damn man was insatiable. Although more and more Akihito was able to keep up with him, he really wasn't too sure what to make of that and wasn't too keen to put too much thought into it.

He finally arrived at the newspaper and quickly made his way inside to his editor. He was hoping the man might have received a tip off or two about Ichikawa Kinmochi. The photos he had taken previously had not gone to print in the end, no surprises there really, but he was still hoping to be able to get enough to give to the police to take the slime ball down permanently. Yamamoto, his editor, knew about his desire to actually permanently take criminals off the streets, rather than just cash in on their slip ups, and would often keep certain information aside about anyone he was actively targeting.

He knocked on the side of the partially open door before letting himself into the office.

"Ah, Takaba! Anything for me today?"

"Yamamoto-san. No photos today, I was actually hoping you might have received some information on Ichikawa for me?"

"Ahh, yes. Let me see here." The man rummaged around his desk before pulling out a sheet of paper. "I got some stuff from a few different sources; there's information on a few preferred haunts he's been seen frequenting and even two dates of possible meet ups. No confirmed locations as of yet though. I'll message you if those get confirmed."

Akihito scanned over the page. He recognised the names of most of the establishments, a number where similar to places he had cased out while investigating Kikkawa. It did suggest that he was trying to profit in Kikkawa's sudden absence.

"Thanks. I'll look into these and I'll let you know if I get any good pictures. Is there anything else going on that needs to be covered?"

"Nah, it's been a slow news week. May as well work on the big names, you're the best I've seen for some time when it comes to breaking open the massive scandals. Even if you're not currently pulling in daily pictures you're worth your weight in gold for exclusives on those big cases. You have no idea how much we have pulled in with all those exclusive details on the Kikkawa case. We got a good bribe over those Ichikawa photos as well."

Akihito sighed and rubbed a hand through his hair. "It's a shame they didn't make it to print though. Although that meeting was shoddy, I can't believe they thought they were being secretive." Yamamoto raised an eyebrow and Akihito grimaced. "It was so bad it was almost offensive."

His editor barked a laugh. "You're the only person who would complain over an easy, well-paying job. I suppose that's what gets you the big cases though. Although Mitarai was hoping to chase you down before, he said you were working on a big case that wasn't Ichikawa and he wanted in. If you have time you should talk to him."

"Eh? I'm not working on anything else though…"

Yamamoto shrugged. "He seems to think you are." He waved a hand at Akihito in a shooing motion. "Go chase him down, you'll sort it out."

Akihito made his farewells and tucked the paper with the information in his pocket. He had just stepped out the door when Mitarai came barrelling up to him at full tilt. He grabbed Akihito's wrist and yanked him back inside the editor's office before slamming the door shut behind them.

"I want in."

Akihito gaped at the out of breath man. "In on what?"

Mitarai stepped forward and slapped a folder that Akihito hadn't noticed down on the editor's desk. The editor leaned forward in interest and Mitarai pulled out a number of photos.

"Asami Ryuichi."

Akihito blanched. He stepped forward and immediately recognised the photos from when they went out to lunch the day before. It was their last day off work together and had taken a short walk from where they had ducked into the shops for a few things that Akihito needed, to a small but well rated restaurant. There were standing close together in each of the photos, Akihito laughing at something and even a slight smile on Asami's face.

"I was trying to get a shot of some creepy old politician that been rumoured to be picking up high school girls and spotted you. I recognised Asami from some photos from Officer Mino, he's been trying to bring him down for ages. He's been getting on my case about doing some stake out work for him." Mitarai snorted. "There's big money to be had in that scoop but nothing if you can't get a damn picture."

The editor spoke up when Akihito didn't reply. He was still just staring blankly at the photos, mind racing. "I thought you said you weren't investigating him when you turned down that tip off."

"I'm not and I did."

Yamamoto picked out a photo where Asami clearly had an arm around his waist and gave a low whistle, eyebrows shooting up. "I never took you to be one to seduce his targets. Messy business that. Effective though."

"I'm not!" He flushed in angry embarrassment at the insinuation.

"I want in." Mitarai repeated.

"I'm not investigating him!" Akihito denied hotly. Both of the other men raised their eyebrows at him in disbelief.

"I didn't take you for a gold digger either."

"I'M NOT!" Akihito took a deep breath and tried to calm down. He had to take several before his heart didn't feel like it was going to jump out of his throat. He looked over to the filing cabinet on the other side of the room, avoiding their eyes, and mumbled out; "He's my soulmate."

There was complete silence and Akihito looked back to see both the men staring at him, uncomprehending.

"He's my soulmate." He said, louder this time.

"Well, I'll be." Yamamoto sat back in his chair and fished out a cigarette from his pocket, quickly lighting it up. "Is that why you turned down the tip offs?"

Akihito frowned. "Partially. Mainly because I wasn't kidding when I said I had spent weeks of my time trying to chase him down and came back with nothing. They were all fake. I asked Asami about those latest ones actually, those were fake too."

Mitarai spluttered. "You asked him?! You mean you told him the information? Of course they would be fake then! He's got time to move!"

"I didn't get the info to be able to give it away! I just said I had heard about some info going around and said I thought it was fake. He said that it was." Akihito crossed his arms and huffed. "You know, I've spent a lot of time with him and he trusts me, yet I still haven't caught a single whiff of any illegal activities. I mean, I've been to his apartment. You'd think that I, of all people, would be able to dig up some dirt on him but even after months I have nothing." Akihito shrugged. "I don't know if anyone's going to be able to bring him down."

"Romantic soulmate right?" Yamamoto held up the photo he had pulled out before with Asami's arm wrapped around Akihito's waist. Akihito's blush answered for him. "I'm surprised you're still working. If it were me, I'd never work another day in my life." Yamamoto chuckled. "Fuck this joint when you have that much money at your disposal."

"It's not my money, it's his money. I'm not some housewife, I work for my own money." Akihito pointed a finger at his editor. "And you better not even try and short change me on my scoops. I pay for my own rent, thank you very much and if you short change me, I'll take my photos elsewhere."

Yamamoto threw his hands up in defeat. "Wouldn't dream of it." Both Akihito and Mitarai snorted in derision and the editor didn't even try to look offended.

Mitarai sighed. "Damn, that would have been some big money if you busted him, too."

"Even these photos would make some money, the gossip section loves seeing who the big names are screwing." Yamamoto gestured down at the photos on his desk. Akihito's eyes widened and he opened his mouth to protest but was cut off when Yamamoto raised his hand. "Considering the amount of money you've brought in for us recently, I'll let you off the hook this time, kid. But just this once. Anyone else brings me a picture of you together and I think we could make some money off it, I'll run it, end of story. And a word of advice, Takaba. Watch out for Officer Mino. I know you've worked with him in the past but he's out for Asami's blood. You'll be in deep shit if he catches wind of this. I don't give a fuck what you do outside of this building. You get me a story that'll sell, I'll run it. I don't discriminate. If anything, I'm thankful that my star photographer," Mitarai gave an indignant protest. "Isn't just quitting and living in the lap of luxury for the rest of his life. Just watch out for those police dogs. Especially the organised crime unit."

Akihito nodded. "I will. Thanks for not running those photos."

Yamamoto waved him off and turned back to his paperwork. "You're just lucky that you've made me enough money to grant you a favour. You won't be so lucky next time, I don't do favours twice. Now get out of my office, I'm busy."

Mitarai gathered the photos and dumped them in the bin before following Akihito out. He was slightly surprised he just dumped them but then, he was only after the money. Now that he knew they weren't going to get him anything, they obviously weren't worth hanging on to. Akihito could understand that but at the same time, he always kept a copy of everything. Just in case.

"So does this mean it's always your shout?"

Akihito glared back at the awfully eager looking Mitarai. "Like hell. I told you, it's his money. Not mine."

"Whatever man. I can't believe you've still working at this dump though. Surely he could pull you some strings at get you a job at one of the big name papers."

"What?!" Akihito yelped. "I don't take handouts." He hissed; "I work for everything I get."

"You're seriously weird Takaba. If you ever decide to bring him down though, let me know. I want in."

Akihito huffed and stomped out the building. He wants the money more like. As if. If anyone was going to bring Asami down it would be him and him alone. But that would be his decision once the time came. If it ever did. He hadn't been lying when he told them that he had seen absolutely no evidence so far.

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Akihito had finally gotten Asami's approval to have their story run in the soulmate magazine he took photos for, provided that Asami's name was kept anonymous. So he ran through the basic details with the editor and owner of the magazine, Mae, just he had promised a few weeks ago. She was so excited and happy for him that it made him a little embarrassed at times. It was nice to have a reminder over just how special their relationship is and how lucky they were to have found each other. Mae was relieved to be able to publish their happy story in this month's edition, all the other major stories they had were on the tearful, depressing side. They didn't want to discourage anyone in their search for their own soulmate after all.

Details written down on the small notebook that Mae carries around and coffee all finished, they made to leave the small coffee shop where they had been holed up. Akihito caught Suoh's attention and the blonde giant made his way over. The photographer's own security team were having a full team equipment check and training day. They had been utilizing the time that he and Asami had been spending together to get some extra full team training together and this was the final day. Suoh had taken over Akihito's security in the meantime and Akihito had been forced with very persuasive methods not to do any running today. Which was the entire reason their shower had taken long enough to force them to miss a homemade breakfast that morning.

Akihito found that he missed his usual guards already. They were a little more lively and talkative than Asami's lot. He had tossed up the idea of dragging Suoh along to help him cook just for giggles but one look at the impassive 'don't even try me' face had him quickly abandoning that idea. It's a shame, he would love to snap off a photo of the giant in a little pink apron. He was pretty sure both Asami and Kirishima would get a kick out of that. He had learnt from Asami that his secretary had a surprisingly sadistic sense of humour and he was interested to see it.

He stepped out from the small booth they had been sitting in and turned to laugh at something Mae had said as she also stepped out. The next events seemed to unfold almost in slow motion. Mae tripped on the leg of the table and lost her balance, stumbling forward. Suoh, who had been approaching to shadow Akihito on his way out, had leapt forward and caught her before she hit the ground. She had caught his hand as she fell, steading herself, and looked up to presumably thank him. Nothing came out of her mouth. They both stood, frozen as they stared at each other. Akihito only had time to blink in confusion before he noticed the pulsing light emanating out from both their chests.

It was interesting seeing it happen from this perspective now that he had experienced it himself. He noticed that the soft glowing light actually pulsed in time, as though they shared a heartbeat. He could also understand the expressions of pure shock and the inability to talk. It felt like you couldn't breathe when that light pulsed. It was as though what was happening was so important that your body temporarily stopped functioning while it synced up with your new found soulmate.

Akihito suddenly noticed the murmurs and glanced around to see a few smiles as well as the odd envious stare. He looked back at the two who were still standing frozen in shock. They seemed like an odd match, not that he could talk really. Suoh was head and shoulders above her and was as stoic as she was expressive. He had always considered her to be much older but now that he thought about it, they must be around the same age. To be fair, he generally thought Asami was old if he actually thought about his age. Not that he would say it to the man's face, he doubted he would be able to walk away from the consequence of that statement.

Akihito cleared his throat and seemed to pull the two out of their daze.

"Mae-san, meet Suoh Kazumi. Suoh-san, this is Mae Natsuko. Congratulations."

They both turned back to each other and Mae took a shuddering breath. A look of alarm flashed across Suoh's normally impassive face and then Mae was suddenly launching herself into Suoh's arms. She buried her face into his broad chest and began to sob loudly. Akihito had to fight down a smile at the look of utter bewilderment tinged with panic on the bodyguards face.

"It's okay, she's not upset." Suoh actually gaped at him. "Well, more like happy? She's just been looking for you for a long time is all. She is the owner and editor of a soulmate magazine called Soul. I freelance for a lot of their photos."

Understanding flashed across Suoh's face and he carefully gathered her up in his arms and held her tightly. "I've been waiting for you too." Mae just sobbed more at that and Akihito gave them both an understanding smile. He pulled out his phone and quickly snapped off a photo. He would make sure to send it to both of them later, they might like a small memento of their meeting. After all, it was a once in a life time occurrence.