AN: ITS BAAAAAAAAAAAACK!

*grin*

In celebration of my last day of vacation from work and for completing 3 separate fics, I bring you the return of Heart Beat after nearly four months of hiatus!

It was really interesting re-reading this fic actually. I worked out that I started this nearly exactly a year ago and in that time have written over 300,000 words more. It really shows if you look at the first chapter and then look at this one. The original ideas are fine but man, that execution XD Run on sentences, too large paragraphs, awful grammar *dies* haha

But at the same time, it's kinda cool to see just how far I've come! Proves that practice really does make perfect ;P (Although I am still a long way from perfect haha)

(Psst, come hang out with me on tumblr or facebook under DelmireHart!)

Akihito hated being injured. With a passion. It was just so damn boring. With his left arm being in a cast and a brace around his left knee, he was completely unable to do much for himself. It was going to be weeks before he was allowed to put any weight at all on his leg but the cast on his arm prevented him from using crutches so he was still stuck with a wheelchair that he couldn't even wheel himself. The worst part of all was not being able to care for himself properly.

It was just little things, he couldn't get in or out of a bath by himself, couldn't stand to take a shower. Couldn't cook and couldn't cut anything up if it needed to be eaten in multiple bites. He had been immensely glad for Asami's vast fortune and forethought when he had discovered that the man had installed hand rails in the bathroom so that he could mostly use the bathroom by himself. If he had been by himself, he would have had to stay with his parents and they would have needed to do literally everything for him. Few could afford to temporarily remodel a section of their house on a whim.

Still, Asami had to practically bath him. The knee brace was removable thankfully so he could sit in the bath fine but he couldn't get in or out by himself. Not once had his soulmate ever mentioned it, he had just wordlessly taken over caring for him. The only time the man left Akihito's side was when he had other company over or was sleeping. This meant that Asami generally worked through the nights and would often nap on the couch next to Akihito during the day. The one thing he absolutely hated was not being able to get into the wheelchair well by himself and he would often have to shake his poor, tired soulmate awake just so he could pee. He had tried to manoeuvre himself into the chair in the dark from the bed just once and had toppled to the floor with a scream of pain that had set off a chain reaction from the guards. That had been the only time Asami had scolded him.

It was embarrassing as hell to have to call for help in the middle of the night if Asami was out working but he was immensely grateful for his guard's constant professionalism. They would respectfully help as he directed but would never try and do things for him unless he asked. He would get admonished if he tried to push himself however.

And if there were a few tears of pure frustration over his inability to function normally, no one made him feel any less for it. Asami or his mother would gently wipe away his tears and his friends and guards would softly squeeze his shoulder or pat his back in silent support.

His mother frequently travelled between Yokohama and Tokyo in one of Asami's cars to be able to help out around the penthouse but also to keep Akihito company so that he didn't go stir crazy. His friends also regularly dropped by or dragged him out to the mall or other events and pushed him around in his wheelchair. Asami had gotten him a lightweight travel wheelchair that could be packed down and carried so that he could still go out without too much hassle.

The thing that truly brightened his day and kept him sane ended up being his family of guards. It was honestly like having a large extended family of big brothers. Sometimes an extra guard would pop in and help cook for him, sometimes they would drag him out of the penthouse just to go for a drive or take him somewhere pretty and he could snap off some pictures using his tripod with his big camera. Nakahara had stopped by with some of his treasured box sets of his favourite anime to share with him and there was even a wheelchair race with Ueda through the botanical gardens. Turns out that Ueda was suffering just as much as he was with not being able to do things for himself as he was also confined to a wheelchair for the time being. He was being looked after by Anita and various family members but was also sometimes dragged out with the guards and Akihito for some sanity time.

Sion was more like a tight knit family than just a workplace and Akihito never appreciated it more.

It was highlighted again and again by his own guard's actions but also by those close to Asami. Kirishima stopped by with food and helped with chores on alternate days to Akihito's mother and Suoh had invited him to tour Sion's security section one day so he could see how it all worked. The behemoth even gave him a personal tour. He got to see where his own guards headquarters were, along with their crazy training area and most fun of all, he finally got to check out Nakahara's control center. It was the height of current technology with all the bells and whistles. Radio channels, secure channels, GPS tracking, crazy computers with too many monitors and even a few drones that were still in the testing phase.

Akihito and Nakahara might have hijacked Sion's main feeds when Suoh left them alone briefly. It put a smile of a few people's faces to hear the cheeky taunts sounding out over the channel, especially when he squeaked and apologised when he accidentally interrupted a guard reporting in. Even Suoh was chuckling over their antics.

They all made his recovery time that much better and Akihito could never thank them enough.

VFVFVFVFVFVFVFVFVF

Akihito imperiously directed Asami towards a bright little flower shop on the outskirts of the city. All he had told his soulmate was that they were going on a trip and plugged the address into the GPS. Bemused, Asami had followed his instructions and driven him out to the outskirts of Tokyo, then helped him into the wheelchair once he had demanded that he get out too. If the man was confused as to why they were stopping at a quaint florist, he didn't say anything.

He tried to keep his attitude demanding and confident but he was sure Asami could detect the nervousness underneath. He hadn't told his soulmate exactly where they were going and why and he wasn't sure how he would react once he found out. Akihito had considered telling him outright but ended up dismissing that idea.

Today was the tenth anniversary of Kirishima Haruki's death.

Asami had never once been to visit her grave and judging by the lack of reaction so far, he didn't think the man actually knew where it was. It was risky, not telling him. But it had been ten years. He needed to finally get some closure. It had seemed like Asami had finally talked out all the pain those weeks ago but Akihito suspected that this would be required to actually help the man fully heal. He needed to acknowledge her and her death and what she had meant to him.

The best time to start was now, with Akihito there to support him.

Kirishima had warned him that his parents might also be there if they went in the morning, they often went together to visit her on anniversary dates. The secretary had taken the day off as well, as he did every year, but had mentioned that if he did get Asami to go, his parents would actually like to see that he is doing well. They had never blamed him for her death and always asked after him, still seeing him as something of a second son.

They entered the little flower shop and a quiet tinkle signified their arrival. Suoh quietly shadowed them as they walked past beautiful arrangements. He had specifically requested that he be the guard accompanying them today, although there was still two others hovering outside. If Asami could be said to have friends, Suoh would be up there was one of them and today was going to be very personal.

"Hi," Akihito returned the shop keepers greeting. "I called ahead about getting a bouquet of pink roses?"

The elderly gentleman showed him the ones that he had selected out and they went through the different wrapping options before he set about carefully wrapping the beautiful flowers up. Akihito could almost feel Asami's frown from behind him. Ah, he was beginning to suspect something was up.

"Why pink roses?"

"I did some research, they mean love, grace, elegance and admiration. I thought it was fitting."

The creases between Asami's brows deepened as he frowned more and Akihito reached out to squeeze his hand reassuringly.

"I'll explain soon."

Any further questions were interrupted by the shop keeper announcing that he had finished and holding up the bouquet for inspection. Asami automatically stepped forward to pay, completely ignoring Akihito's insistence that this one was on him. He huffed at Asami but smiled as he accepted the pretty roses.

"If that was all you wanted, why didn't you tell me and them you could have stayed in the car, without all this hassle?" Asami said as he carefully helped Akihito back into his favourite red sports car.

"Like I can trust the person who had never been to a supermarket with picking out flowers."

"I have been to a supermarket, I wasn't born with a silver spoon in my mouth."

"Uh huh." Akihito giggled as Asami shot him a flat look. He carefully typed the next address into the GPS, it was only a few blocks from here. "Alright!" He said as the voice gave the first set of instructions. "Let's go." He shot Asami a sunny smile but the frown was still in place.

"Akihito…" Asami said warningly when they pulled into a cemetery five minutes later. He killed the engine and turned to look at Akihito. He seemed to be having some sort of internal war, emotions flitted across his face too fast for Akihito to recognise but it was put to a stop when that awful business mask slipped into place.

The blonde felt a pang of pain at seeing the expressionless mask in place again after so long but he had thought that might happen. He reached out to gently wrap his fingers around Asami's white knuckled grip on the steering wheel.

"It's the ten year anniversary today." He spoke quietly, gently but still firmly. "You need to see her at least once to get that closure. It's been ten years Asami. It's time." Asami just stared at him, the only proof of his internal war was his lack of response and the death drip on the steering wheel. "If you really don't want to, then you can stay here. I can't force you to come but I am going to meet her. I would prefer it if you would be the once to introduce us though." Silence met his words once again and he squeezed the hand. "Ryuichi…"

That seemed to finally get through to the man and he took a deep breath, forcibly relaxing his body. His entire stance screamed reluctance but it was pain that shone in his eyes. Akihito's heart broke a little at the look.

"This is why you asked for Suoh today, isn't it?" Asami's voice was hoarse and Akihito nodded.

"I only told him it was something personal but I thought he would be the best person to come."

Asami gave the barest nod but otherwise didn't move. It took another five minutes of coaxing for him to get Asami out of the car and helping Akihito into the wheelchair. When they set off, following the instructions that Kirishima had emailed him, it was slow, hesitant. Two guards stayed at the entrance and Suoh followed behind at a respectful distance. The wheelchair bumped and jolted over the uneven ground and Akihito clutched the flowers as pain occasionally lanced through him. It was a testament as to just how effected Asami was by all this that he didn't actually notice.

Finally they pulled to a stop beside a well maintained grave.

Kirishima Haruki.

Beloved daughter, sister and friend.

Akihito turned and wordlessly handed Asami the flowers. He stared blankly for a moment before woodenly accepting then placing the flowers gently, almost reverently, on the cold granite.

"Are you going to introduce us?"

Asami nodded at his quiet words but couldn't seem to speak himself. He was staring wide-eyed at the grave and Akihito reached out with his good hand to twine their fingers together. Squeezing gently in support, he pulled Asami closer and directed him so that he was standing behind the wheelchair again. He leaned back, his head resting against Asami's stomach and fingers still entwined, hoping that the closeness would provide his soulmate with the needed support.

"Akihito, this is Kirishima Haruki. Haruki, this is Takaba Akihito." Asami hoarse voice wavered ever so slightly but he said it and that was all that mattered.

Taking the opportunity now that he had been officially introduced, Akihito just started talking quietly about anything and everything. He talked a little about himself but mainly kept his words focused on Asami and how he was doing as well as their relationship. How they met, what they were doing now. Thoughts, feelings and little snippets of their life together. Slowly as he talked, Asami relaxed behind him and even chuckled at few of his stories.

"She would have approved of you, I think."

It was the first time Asami had spoken since the introduction and his voice was stronger, holding more of his usual confidence.

"That's because you need a slap over the head every now and then and I'm not afraid to play with fire." Asami actually laughed aloud at that. Akihito grinned, it wasn't often he got rewarded with a genuine laugh. He wiggled around in his seat to smile up at his soulmate and movement caught his eye.

"Ah, looks like we have company."

Three figures were walking sedately through the quiet cemetery and Akihito recognised the stiff form of Asami's secretary immediately. They stopped to speak with Suoh briefly and Akihito used the chance to look up at Asami in concern. He had stiffened up again but didn't show any signs of wanting to leave immediately.

"We don't have to stay but Kirishima-san said they still ask after you, you know. You should at least say hi."

Asami took a deep breath, letting it out slowly before he nodded. Akihito gave him a bright smile and that seemed to help him relax a little more.

The Kirishima's finally approached, Kei and Asami nodding slightly to each other before Asami bowed to his parents. The elderly couple looked sweet, the woman with a nice warm smile and the man with a soft, dignified air. Kei walked up to the grave with a small bouquet of white roses and Akihito didn't miss the soft shoulder squeeze he gave Asami as he moved past. He was reminded that these two had been friends for far longer than they had been work associates. If Asami had a best friend, it would be Kei.

"It's nice to see that you are doing well with my own eyes, Ryuichi."

"Likewise."

"And you must be the trouble making little soulmate." The woman turned her kind smile on Akihito and he squawked in indignation.

"What have you been saying about me, glasses?!"

Kei actually laughed as he stood from placing the roses on the grave side. "You are quite the mischief maker." He raised his eyebrows at Akihito's hot denial. "Oh, and that wasn't your influence with Nakahara hijacking Sion's security channels just the other day?"

He flushed and grumbled that it had been the other man's idea but an amused knowing look silenced him.

They talked quietly for a few minutes before they said their goodbyes. Asami had said little but Akihito made up for his silence with his enthusiastic exuberance. Just coming here was stressful enough, he didn't want to push the other man.

"Thank you."

It was said softly and quickly snatched away by the wind as they carefully made their way back to the car but Akihito heard it all the same. It didn't matter that couldn't see Asami's face right at that time, he knew the man meant it and what's more, he knew that as surely as Asami was helping him heal, he was doing the same for the other man.

Their injuries might be different but they needed each other's support just the same.