"It's been more than two months, Ash. Two fucking months! Don't tell me you didn't have the time for a damn phone call. To tell me you're alright, you ungrateful, inconsiderate, rude and self-centered brat! Aren't you a genius? And the idea has never occurred to your smart mind that I worry about you, you little selfish and insensitive punk?", Max scolded him. And he didn't stop there. It went on for several minutes.

Ash had finally called Max after Eiji had guilt-tripped him for some days, telling him his behavior was utterly rude. That Max didn't deserve a silent treatment after having saved his life. Ash knew Eiji was right and felt slightly guilty about not calling Max sooner. But the time flew by so quickly that he hadn't even realized that he had already been here for more than two months already. Until Eiji had asked him if he had contacted Max. His dad had done so much more than merely saving his life. He had faked his death and managed to get him new documents, giving him the chance to start a new life. Together with the only person that mattered to him. Ash was painfully aware of the fact that he was only sitting here next to Eiji because of Max. He had risked so much just for him to ensure Ash would be able to lead the normal life he had always dreamed of. And the only thing he expected from him was to get a call from him once in a while. That really wasn't too much to ask, was it?

Ash flinched and held the phone as far away from his ear as possible, a completely startled look on his face. Eiji burst out laughing when returning to the living room, seeing how Ash suddenly kept holding the phone at arm's length with pain and guilt overwhelming his face. Max's irritated voice roared through the phone, his furious tone echoing so deafeningly loud that even Eiji could still make out what he was saying. Despite still standing several meters away. Eiji sat down next to him, an evil smirk on his face, enjoying himself immensely while looking at Ash's paling face and widening green eyes. Ash gave him a dirty look, but Eiji could still see a tiny spark of amusement flashing in his eyes.

"Ok, I deserve that, old man.", Ash admitted when Max had finally finished with his lecture, the guilt-ridden expression returning to his face after stubbornly looking away from Eiji. "But if you have stopped screaming like a desperate housewife, I could put you on loudspeaker so that Eiji can say hallo, too.", Ash told him in an annoyed tone, placing the phone on loudspeaker and putting it on the table in front of them.

"I bet you've just called now because Eiji threatened you or something similar. Because he's actually a nice and caring person who actually thinks of others. I really hoped his kind character would rub off on you.", Max said, disappointment lingering in his voice.

"You'd win that bet.", Eiji said, grinning. "And I'm trying to teach him some social skills, but he's a stubborn idiot. He can't even admit that he misses you. So what can I do? He's hopeless in that regard.", Eiji told him, feigning resignation.

"Are you both finished bullying me?", Ash asked impatiently, crossing his arms, but Eiji could still make out a trace of a smile on his features, his bright green eyes were betraying him.

"No, we're just getting started, kid.", Max told him in a teasing tone. Eiji nodded, agreeing with him.

"Ok, I'm sorry that I haven't called you sooner, old man. Are you satisfied now?", Ash asked, rolling his eyes.

"Not entirely, but it's a start. Then he turned serious again, his voice softening. "So how are you doing, Ash?"

"I'm f – ", Ash began, but Max just interrupted him, turning to Eiji instead.

"Eiji, how is he really doing?"

"Hey, why are you asking him all of a sudden?", Ash complained, annoyed at being interrupted.

"Because I get an honest answer from him. Not a stubborn tough-guy-act that you're fine.",Max complained to him impatiently.

Ash hated to admit that to himself, but Max was right. That was the exact thing he had would have told him. That kind of response came automatically without him realizing it. But Max deserved more than his standard platitudes. Only Ash didn't know what to tell him exactly. Fortunately, Eiji did. He always knew how to save him from awkward situations like this one, he thought gratefully.

"He's better. I think he's slowly getting used to a peaceful life. He's more relaxed and he smiles more.", he said, meeting Ash's eyes. "But he still needs some time to recover.", Eiji answered honestly while ruffling Ash's hair. Ash frowned, but couldn't help but smile anyway after a moment.

Still, Eiji was a bit too honest as far as Ash was concerned. But he realized that Eiji was so open to Max because the old man cared about him. And if he was honest with himself he loved it that Max treated him like his own son. He could even hear a hint of worry resonating in his voice. Eiji had told Ash once that Max was the father he really deserved. Maybe he was right…?

"I really like it here. But it's just so quiet here... so different from the hectic life in New York.", he admitted honestly. Then his eyes brightened again. "But we have a really nice apartment. You should see it one day.", Ash said while sharing a glance with Eiji who smiled happily. "I've started going to a language school here. And Eiji's started attending college again."

"It looks as if both of you have settled down in Japan and enjoy it.", Max said, a hint of relief in his voice. "You sound happier, Ash. Your voice sounds different. More cheerful. I'm glad that you enjoy your new life."

"Yeah, I guess… I am … happy.", Ash admitted reluctantly while casting a quick glance at Eiji. "Thanks, Max. For everything."

For a moment, no one said anything and the silence hang heavily in the air. Small talk wasn't exactly his strong suit. Luckily Eiji always knew how to save him, breaking the uncomfortable silence.

"So, how are you, Max? And Jessica? Michael?", Eiji asked curiously.

"We're fine. Jessica and I will marry. Again. Guess we're both crazy.", Max told them, his voice bursting with pure happiness.

"That's great!", exclaimed Eiji, overjoyed. "Congratulations!"

"Congrats, dad. You are indeed both crazy.", Ash agreed, smirking. "But Michael's probably happy.", Ash said in a softer tone, smiling when remembering Max's little son.

"Yeah, Michael loves that we all live together again. We sold the house in California and bought an apartment in New York. Got it pretty cheap from a ruthless blond gang leader." Ash grinned mischievously. He could practically see Max's smirk through the phone.

"Eiji looked at Ash in surprise, his brown eyes widening. "You gave him your 8 million condo?"

"It was his to begin with. Officially, he bought it. "Right, Mr. Winston?", Ash said, an evil grin on his face. Too bad Max couldn't see it.

"It was still a nice farewell gift. Thank you, Ash."

Ash just shrugged. "My gang didn't like it anyway. They always complained the doorman would look down upon them with a condescending look. To me it always felt more like a museum, not a home. Our new apartment here is much nicer.", he told him while looking around their living room. "Much warmer and more comfortable.", Ash explained cheerfully while casting a glance at Eiji. "And I could never repay you for saving my life.", Ash admitted honestly.

Ash wondered if he should ask something else. Something he was dying to know. Finally, his curiosity won out.

"By the way, dad, didn't you tell me at the airport you'll come visit us here?", Ash asked, trying to hide the uncertainty in his voice.

"Oh, right. The project I've been working on with Ibe took longer than expected. But I'm coming in 4 weeks. Together with Ibe."

"Really?", Ash asked in surprise, his eyes brightening instantly while meeting Eiji's.

"You should have seen Ash's sparkling eyes when you've said that.", Eiji burst out laughing. "Like a comic character."

"Eiji!", Ash complained, glaring at him. But Eiji just kept smiling anyway, completely unimpressed.

"It'll be great to see you again, Max.", Eiji said happily, elbowing Ash, so he'd say something, too.

"Yeah, it's great that you'll come visit us.", Ash admitted after a moment. "Call me when you'll arrive."

"I really wished Max and you weren't both so stubborn", Eiji complained while rolling his eyes after they had ended the call. "Sometimes I think I'm the only adult here. But it's really great we get to see him again, right?"

"Yes, it is.", Ash agreed honestly. "But he didn't have to get that mad.", Ash added, pouting a little.

"He got so mad because he loves you, Ash. He was worried about you. People who don't care about you would never get so mad. It's a good thing. You have found an amazing dad.", Eiji replied smiling while leaning on his shoulder.

"I guess…", Ash finally admitted, leaning on him as well.

Ash was happy that they'd see Max and Ibe again. They were the only people who knew the whole truth about what had gone down in New York. And they were the only adults he trusted. Who had always done their best to help him. He would never forget that.

And maybe they even had some news from New York. From his gang, maybe. Or Sing. He had to admit he missed those idiots that belonged to his gang. Even if they had sometimes messed up his life big time with their chaotic behavior. Sometimes it had felt more like a kindergarten. An armed kindergarten. But they had still been like family to him. Annoying family, but still family he would have protected with his life. Although it felt as if that had been a lifetime ago…

It was harder for Eiji than for him to constantly tell a kind of half-truth to other people. Or leave out many things they had gone through. Especially in front of his family or his friends. For Eiji honesty was important. But no one would believe the truth. Even Eiji wasn't that naive. But it was still hard for both of them to always watch what they were saying when talking about New York, afraid they'd slip up. For Ash it was easier because no one knew him here. But Eiji still had friends, old class mates and team members from pole vaulting. People that were curious about his stay in New York.

With Max and Ibe they could talk freely about everything. They had no one else to talk about what had really happened in New York. Ash knew that talking with Max and Ibe about New York helped both of them coping with all the things that had happened there.

The next weeks passed by really quickly. Ash normally went to language school and enjoyed it immensely because he was finally beginning to understand the language spoken around him and could read more and more signs of shops, streets or at college. He normally waited for Eiji at a café close by that Eiji had shown him. According to Eiji it had the best coffee in town. Ash couldn't disagree, the coffee was great. Since the café was close both to college and to the language school it had international newspapers and some International books you could borrow while being there. That was probably the real reason why Eiji had shown the place to him. English books weren't that easy to find around here. Ash normally went there to kill time, drink coffee and read books since Eiji's courses normally took longer than his language class. After that Ash and Eiji normally had lunch at the college cafeteria close by.

At lunch Eiji normally looked through some photos that he needed for his projects. Ash slowly realized while looking through the photos with him that photos weren't always twisted, disgusting and evil like those his abusers took of him. They could also portray beautiful things, pure emotions and precious memories. In New York he had never had time to take a closer look at Eiji's photos. Now that he did, he noticed that Eiji's photos were always full of life, bursting with happiness and lively colors. They reflected the pure and innocent way he saw the world. Ash loved how Eiji paid attention to minor details most people would overlook and moved them into the center of his photos, highlighting them. It made his photos special and beautiful. He had also learned just from watching him, that photos depended strongly on the one looking through the camera. When the photographer had a pure heart, it was reflected in his photos. Eiji had also taught him that photos could freeze and revive perfect moments in time that had been over in a heartbeat. That a photo made you relive that perfect moment of happiness again by refreshing your memory of that very moment. That precious moments captured in a photo stayed with you forever, even if they were already fading from your memory.

"Why did you choose so many photos of New York for your project?", Ash asked curiously when looking through the stack of photos.

"The topic this time is "Memories", so I thought pictures from New York would fit perfectly.", Eiji explained his reasoning. Help me choose some, ok? I can't decide."

"Wow, this one's really incredible. And this one with Ibe and Max looks pretty funny.", Ash said, grinning.

"Oh, that reminds me. Ibe called me yesterday and offered me a part-time job in the afternoon when he's back from the States. I wanted to accept his offer. Do you mind?", Eiji asked him, looking at him intently.

"No, of course not.", Ash said, looking back at him. "You obviously look forward to it. I can see it in your too honest face. Your eyes are practically sparkling." Ash added, grinning at him. Eiji glared at him, but then his gaze softened. "You're right. I can learn a lot from working with him.", Eiji agreed, obviously relieved.

Now that Eiji went to college, Ash could see how tired he was when coming home. He was happy and content, Ash could see it displayed openly on his face, but he would often continue working on his assignments for hours. Eiji was a perfectionist when it came to those assignments and sometimes he just forgot the time.

In the evenings they were often watching a movie or a series together, mostly on Eiji's bed. Lying next to each other, they normally watched on his laptop. From time to time Eiji just fell asleep next to him, leaning on his shoulder, but most times he was draped over him, his head resting on his chest like now. While Ash was gently removing some brown strands out of his face, he was watching his expression carefully, wondering if he would look so content with himself one day. If he could just enjoy being so happy and at peace with the world. He could spend hours just watching Eiji sleep like that, his dark brown strands falling into his face, covering his eyes and a small smile dancing on his lips. Eiji was sleeping soundly, but sometimes he mumbled some things in English or in Japanese. Ash couldn't understand it most of the time.

Ash switched off the TV and picked up a book he'd read the day before, careful not to wake Eiji.

Eiji still shifted slightly at his movement, but didn't wake up. Ash sighed in relief.

He only watched movies together with Eiji. Eiji usually showed him some of his favorite movies and series and told Ash it was a great way of learning Japanese. Ash had to agree and noticed that he understood more and more each time which was great. But at the end of the day he was still a bookworm at heart and preferred diving into the fictional worlds of his books and letting his imagination run wild.

Only reading wasn't so easy with only one free hand. Because Eiji had the habit of holding his hand or intertwining their fingers when he was sleeping next to him, as if making sure that Ash was still there. Or that he wouldn't leave. He had noticed after a while that Eiji was still scared that he would leave him. Probably because in New York he had often hidden many things from him, trying to protect him from his cruel worlds and suffering all alone.

One time Ash wanted to get up and tried to loosen the grip on his hand. But Eiji had only tightened the grip on his hand, getting restless and murmuring something that sounded like Don't leave. Ash had just stared at him in disbelief. But he had never tried to do that again. The last thing he wanted to do was to scare Eiji.

"Idiot. What the hell would I do without you?"

Ash enjoyed reading much more since coming to Japan because he had more time to read here and he didn't have to leave his apartment to do so. He didn't need a sanctuary or a safe haven like the public library anymore. He now had a real home for the first time, so he could just enjoy reading here. But to be honest, the apartment didn't really matter. Since Eiji's presence alone made him feel relaxed and at home here. Eiji just radiated happiness and comfort. Ash could practically feel the room getting warmer when he entered. Maybe home wasn't always a place, but a person. Could it really be that the old man had said something wise to him for once?

Eiji had a way of knowing when he wanted some time for himself and just worked on something for college, looked through his photos or watched a movie on his tablet. He even used headphones to watch movies because he just knew that Ash loved peace and quiet when reading and hated getting interrupted.

Ash had never explained that to him, Eiji had just always known. He loved those moments when they were enjoying an evening together, but were each in their own world. Enjoying some alone time together. Sometimes they'd share a look or a smile once in a while. Many times they just ended up falling asleep next to each other.

Ash had realized long ago that what they had was more than mere friendship. He had already known that in New York. But at the time he was just busy surviving and protecting Eiji and his gang. He didn't have time to figure out his feelings for Eiji then. And if he was admitting the truth, he was terrified, especially to feel more than friendship. Friendship was easy. In friendship clean boundaries existed. About what you could and couldn't do. There were concrete rules you could follow. Friendship was safe and comfortable. He knew how to deal with that.

But what Eiji and he had was way beyond that. It was in their gestures, in the looks they gave each other, the ones lasting a moment too long. The ones where they shared a knowing look. It was in the way they could read each other's minds at times. How they didn't notice anyone else in a crowded room. And in the smiles they gave each other. He practically lived for Eiji's genuine smiles, radiating pure happiness that made his whole face light up. It made him feel special because he had noticed that Eiji only looked like that with him and no one else.

So he had known that for a long time, but had completely ignored it. On purpose. Because if he felt more, if he maybe even loved him, he wouldn't know what to do anymore. Love was a mystery to him, it didn't follow rational rules he could cling to. That was completely new territory for him. He would cross a line, take their bond a step further that he couldn't undo. If he made a mistake, he could destroy everything they had. What if he did everything wrong? He was completely clueless and a newbie when it came to showing emotions. He just couldn't risk losing Eiji. He wasn't ready to admit that to Eiji yet, but he was the center of his world. His reason to get up every day and fight the urge to give up. He was the reason he was beginning to think about the future. What would he do without him? He couldn't even imagine that. He'd rather accept to stay friends forever than to lose everything…