A/N: I wasn't planning on writing this chapter, or any updates at all, it just kinda happened. I had a tooth removed today so in an effort to distract myself from my miserableness, I wrote this XD But yay, updates?

"Welcome home!"

The words greeted Asami as he entered the penthouse and his lips curled up pleasure at his lover's enthusiastic greeting. It was a new thing to come home to, at least, new ever since he had moved Akihito in. It still felt like a new thing. A soft, warm, homely feeling having taken over the once sterile penthouse. It was actually disappointing when he came home when Akihito was out and he didn't get welcomed.

"I'm home," he replied as he made his way to the kitchen. He had made it home in time for a late dinner and was pleased that Akihito had chosen to wait to eat together instead of eating early by himself. The person in question was hovering over the rice cooker and peering sceptically through the small glass window. "What's wrong, Akihito?"

"Hmm?" Akihito turned around to look at him in question before seeming to figure out what he had asked. "Oh! I found a recipe to make meat buns in a rice cooker. I'm trying it out."

"Have you been binge watching cooking videos again?" Akihito made a noncommittal sound in response but the slight pink tinge to his cheeks gave him away. It seemed to be some sort of stress relief thing, anytime he was stressed or tired or feeling off, Akihito would binge watch cooking shows and how to videos. Not that Asami minded, he got to come home to an array of nicely cooked food. Or if any of the recipes didn't work out, there was always takeout. "No cup brownies today? And don't we have a proper steamer for meat buns?"

"Hey! They were good!" Asami wrinkled his nose in disgust. "We do have a steamer but I thought I'd pass the recipe onto my friends if it was good and most of them won't." Akihito replied defensively as he went back to watching the rice cooker dubiously.

"Do any of your friends actually know how to cook like you do?"

"Takato's wife does. We share recipes all the time. Most of them need to learn really, they've all been sending me sad emails saying they missed my cooking since I got injured. I forgot how often people would come around. Everyone would bring some ingredients then I'd cook it up and we'd all eat together." Akihito sounded wistful and Asami walked up behind him to wrap his arms around his waist.

"Now that you are better, you can start doing that again here if you want. Just let me know and I'll grab something to eat at work."

"Really?" Akihito craned his neck around to peer up at him in excitement.

"This is your home too, of course you can have people over."

"There's no reason you can't join in for dinner too if other people are around. You got on with Takato and Kou, didn't you?"

"They are fine," Asami confirmed before continuing on in a wry tone, "But for the others, I don't exactly have anything in common with young twenty-somethings who like partying and girls." Akihito snorted in laughter and relaxed back against his chest again. "I would rather get more work done so that I can spend more alone time with you later."

"I would call you a romantic but I'm pretty sure that wasn't what you had in mind when you said alone time."

Asami chuckled, low and deep, earning himself a little shiver from his soulmate. Ah, he was always so fun to tease. "I can woo you first if that's what you'd like."

"Don't say it like that!" Akihito hissed looking more and more flushed. Asami let his hands wander from their original place at his lover's waist and instead sought out the hem of his t-shirt. "That's so embarrassing. Anyway, you need to behave until later! I need to finish cooking."

"Oh? Are you giving me permission to not behave after dinner?"

"That wasn't what I meant!" Akihito wailed, face now fully red.

"I don't see why you get so embarrassed talking about these things when you have no embarrassment actually taking part." Asami said feeling very amused. Winding Akihito up might have to be one of his favourite pass-times.

"Ugh." In defeat, Akihito shooed him out of the kitchen. "Dinner won't be long, go have a shower or something. Oh!" he suddenly exclaimed before rushing over to the table to pull something out of a shopping bag. He held up some kind of dark blue sweatshirt and thrust it at him. "I want you to wear this."

"Oh?" It was a demand, not a request, which was unusual for Akihito. Asami took the soft piece of clothing in his hands before inspecting it. "Is this for me?"

"No, it's mine. I just want you to wear it for a few days before you go away." Was all he said in response.

It was several sizes too big even for Asami, Akihito would be virtually swimming in thing if he wore it. Glancing up at his lover, he was met with his favourite expression; stubborn, fiery eyes just daring him to agree. It was a rather odd request to be so adamant about, especially seeing as he was refusing to elaborate on why. He did notice that Akihito was still a bit pink in the cheeks. Perhaps he was embarrassed? Asami quite enjoyed seeing Akihito wearing his own clothing so maybe this was something similar to that? It was not like he could fit into any of Akihito's clothing and the item picked out would be large even on him. The same sort of size difference for Akihito wearing one of Asami's shirts. With a small shrug he agreed and noted with amusement the small flash of relief across the other man's faces. Akihito really wanted him to wear it but he also really did not want to explain himself.

There was a far greater list of things he would do to make his soulmate happy than wearing one oversized sweatshirt.

VFVFVFVFVFVF

"Any news?" Asami said as he walked into the penthouse living room with his laptop under one arm. It was early, too early really, but he was working from home for the next few days before heading away on his business trip and this was the only time he was able to organise with Kirishima. His secretary was taking the next few days off to spend with his adopted daughter, it was the least Asami could do considering all the extra work the man did for him while Akihito was injured. Kirishima's eyebrows rose as he looked up from his place pouring over his laptop, presumably at his attire, but he didn't make a comment.

"None yet. The cars chasing Takaba were unmarked and their number plates falsified. With the amount of man power employed, the type of car, and the lengths taken to hide their identity, this suggests an organised group. There are a number of factions that could want Takaba as leverage against you that have these resources but we must also remember he could be a target due to his involvement in the human traffic circuit. From what reports we have from our informants, he has caused quite an upset after taking out first Kikkawa Naoki then blocking the attempted take-over by Ichikawa Kinmochi. He is currently quite the target."

Asami sighed as he sat down in the other arm chair. He had hoped for more news overnight but unfortunately it seems like it was going to be a rather long affair. "Finding the motive will help narrow it down but somehow I doubt we will find the motive before we find the perpetrator."

"Agreed."

"Immediately approve any of Team Takaba's request for more resources and get Suoh to assign them more men to help as required. Keep all our informant's priorities on information regarding Akihito's attempted capture. I want to find out who and why as soon as possible."

Kirishima nodded his affirmative before biting back a laugh as Asami had to roll up the sleaves of Akihito's hoodie to keep his hands free for use. It was very comfortable, if rather warm, but the sleaves kept getting in the way. As did the strings dangling from the hood.

"Forgive me sir, but it looks almost as though you are wearing Takaba's clothing."

Asami huffed a laugh in response. "That's because it is his. He was very adamant that while he wants me to wear it, it is his and not mine. He wouldn't explain why either."

"Ah," Kirishima replied knowingly, "Back when I was still dating Miyuki's mother, anytime I was going away for business, she would keep back whatever pyjamas that I had been wearing the nights just before I left. If she was ever sad or lonely or missed me, then she would wear the pyjamas herself in comfort because she said they still smelt like me. Going off the fact that Takaba is making you wear it just before leaving for business, perhaps it's for that same reason."

Asami pictured Akihito curled up on the couch in the large sweatshirt that smelt like him while eating large amounts of pocky. It was a cute image and definitely seemed like something he would do if he missed him. Perhaps he should take something of Akihito's with him as a memento. Some of his underwear perhaps? That would be sure to get him an interesting reaction from his lover when he found out. He filed away the thought for later inspection, it didn't sound like a bad idea. Kirishima clearing his throat brought him back to the present.

"Do I need to organise any other arrangements for Takaba before we leave?"

"No," Asami replied wondering if 7am wasn't too early for a hard drink. Just the thought of leaving his little lover alone for two weeks while this was going on made him tense.

"I'm surprised," Kirishima said softly after a moment, "I thought you would be demanding to bring him along. I even had a speech prepared to try and convince you otherwise."

Asami grunted. "While our stopover in Hong Kong is brief, I do not want him anywhere near the Baishe triad leader. Nor that insufferable Russian who will most likely pop up and ruin my plans for his own amusement while we stay there. Fei Long goes to great lengths to show that he hates him and yet he tells him a great deal of information. Our itinerary doesn't leave anytime for sightseeing either and a bored Akihito is just asking for trouble." He took a dep breathe and let it out slowly. It was hard, every instinct in his body was screaming for him to take Akihito with them but logically he knew that wasn't a good idea. Close to Asami doesn't always mean safe. In fact, for those two weeks, it means the opposite while he meets with numerous trade partners to assure them that his empire was fine and he was as strong as ever. The Sudou event was still causing an annoying amount of clean up even now, months later. "Between his security team and the additional resources from Sion, the issue will most likely be resolved in a few days. I only hire the best, after all."

Kirishima smiled softly but there was a glimmer of pride in that look. "Of course. Team Takaba are very aware just how precious their charge is and I'm sure they will rise to the occasion as they always do. Your trust in them is very well placed. Truthfully, I doubt anyone else in the country is as well protected as Takaba."

Asami allowed himself a small, half smile in return before his face turned serious. "I would give everything I have to make sure he's safe. There is no cost too great."

"I understand," Kirishima replied softly. "And let me assure you that there are a surprising number of people in Sion who would give their lives to see him safe, myself included. I can say without any hesitation that that also includes every single member of Team Takaba. They are quite attached to him in fact. It seems as though they're one big adopted family and he's very much the trouble making little brother. It's certainly something I never expected but it makes them that much more loyal and determined to keep him safe. When we first found out that Takaba was your soulmate, I was pleased and relieved but I didn't understand what on earth could be so special about him. He's all spontaneous and carefree and stubborn with an attitude to boot. I truly thought he was a little bit mad, jumping off buildings and tearing around Tokyo like that. The little hellion was constantly making things difficult for everyone. And yet… And yet you watch him with other people. He's cheeky and stubborn but caring and optimistic. He utterly charms everyone, worms his way under their skin and genuinely cares for all those around him. People just naturally open up to him. It's so obvious with the Sion staff and his security team but it's the most obvious in you, Ryuichi. I am truly glad that you have found your happiness at last, old friend."

Asami gave his old friend a small, genuine smile. "You seem to have gotten very introspective in your old age, Kei." He teased before continuing on in a softer, more serious tone, "But thank you. Now we just need to get you settled with someone."

Kirishima snorted derisively at that. "Between Miyuki, which I had no idea sixteen year old girls could such a handful, yourself, Takaba, and the rest of Sion, I have my hands full enough already. I do not need anyone else to complicate my life further. It might be a little bit of an unconventional family but it's a family all the same."

They shared a chuckle before Asami sighed and stretched. "I think I need a drink after that." He moved to the small home bar and offered his friend one but Kirishima shook his head in response.

"That was a rather deep conversation for this time of the morning." He acknowledged, pushing up his glasses. "But it needed to be said. However this paperwork still needs to be done before I have to pick up my daughter from her modelling shoot."

"I'm surprised you're letting Miyuki continue her modelling. I thought you didn't approve when she's so young?"

"I don't. But she is doing well at school and keeping her grades up so I have no leg to stand on for that. It's not every weekend and never cuts into her school so unless her grades start dropping then it's her choice. I'm more worried about the culture around modelling and the possibility of an eating disorder." Kirishima sounded resigned. "But that's part of my job as her father now, isn't it? Supporting her through her own life choices."

Asami sat back down with a tumbler of whiskey in hand. He raised it to his old friend, "Good luck." was all he said before he took a drink.

Kirishima huffed a laugh at the teasing before muttering; "I'll need it. Now, let's get to work, shall we?"

VFVFVFVFVFVF

Asami was sitting reading through some reports when an urgent call from Suoh came through on his phone. Akihito had left to go to another modelling photoshoot less than an hour before. Immediately concerned, he picked up.

"Report." He said without presumable.

"Team Takaba have reported that they are being followed again. Takaba himself is currently inside the building to complete his job but the guards stationed outside have noticed suspicious activity. They have called in back up from their other members and are planning alternative routes to leave. No one suspicious has made any move to enter the building but two guards will be inside with Takaba once the back-up arrives. There was no tail on the way from the penthouse this morning that was spotted so most likely whoever is following them only has the locations of the modelling agencies he frequently gets work through. I thought you would like know straight away."

"Yes, keep me informed as everything happens. Is the team on their normal channel?"

"Yes."

Asami dismissed Suoh and opened up his monitoring program on his computer before joining the channel that Team Takaba had made their own. It was an excellent piece of fairly sophisticated technology that he had invested in a few years back. It had only just recently been officially released but already it was proving invaluable to numerous parts of his company. Voices rang out from his laptop speakers and he kept one ear on the conversation while he continued his work. He was pleased with the conciseness of the reports and the way everyone was working so efficiently yet calmly. Most of all, he was pleased by the undertone of quiet determination that was in each voice that spoke.

Suoh had done an excellent job picking out the best and Ueda had taken them to even greater heights with his leadership. They truly must be one of the best security teams out there now. He felt slightly better about leaving Akihito in their capable hands while he was away from the country. Nothing would ever fully ease his discomfort on leaving his soulmate, but Akihito was safer here, for all the current events, than travelling to some of the seedier places in Asia with Asami.

Asami got up for another stiff drink and wondered just how many bottles he would get through while he was away.