I forgot to upload a few chapters here. I'm sorry about that. I'll upload all of them in the next few days. I hope you'll kepe reading this story.

This is just a chapter about them waking up because I just love Ash and Eiji cuddling and sleeping on top of each other. Eiji uses his spiritual powers to wake his sleepy soulmate up It's a bit mean but he warned him several times...

Ash woke up when something shifted on top of him. He nearly jumped, then panic rushed through him when he didn't recognize the ceiling, the walls, the furniture, or the room. He looked around, and it didn't seem familiar, which made all alarm clocks in his mind shrill, signaling immediate danger. Where the hell was he? He wanted to leave, escape at once, trying to lift himself, only to realize that something heavy was lying on his chest, making his attempts futile. He couldn't move an inch.

Something fluffy was tickling his chin, and an arm pulled him closer. He looked down and saw Eiji's dark brown hair tickling him. His head was lying on his chest, and he had his arms closely around him as if protecting him.

When he tried to move, he heard a soft complaint, a mumbling sound, and a hand grabbed his wrist, not hard but firmly. The bond was still inactive since Eiji was sleeping, and his consciousness wasn't active yet. He still felt a humming sound since Eiji's bond was in what Eiji called power-saving mode.

"Ash, stay with me," Eiji mumbled while he pulled him closer again and shifted his head on his chest. A trace of fear mixed into the bond from Eiji's side. Even if Eiji's presence was still numb because he was still sleeping, Ash had noticed the faint sentiment.

Ash slowly learned to notice more details of their bond and listen to minor details. Eiji had taught him that listening to their song or the melody in the background taught him many little details about their bond and also about Eiji's personality and feelings.

So, of course, he had noticed that Eiji didn't want him to leave. It wasn't because he had mumbled it. He had felt it through the bond and how Eiji had pulled him closer. His hands had trembled slightly, and he clung to him like a lifeline.

"Eiji?" Ash asked in surprise, feeling stupid because Eiji was still asleep. Why was Eiji lying on his chest? Why had he even stayed the night? He shouldn't be here...

He still wanted to leave, but that wasn't so easy when Eiji embraced him. Their legs were entangled, too. So, he was entrapped. Cutely, he had to admit, by his adorable and clingy soulmate who was still sleeping soundly.

When seeing him like that, resting peacefully on his chest, he remembered with a start why he had spent the night. Eiji had suffered from nightmares which had been his fault. He had accidentally shared his darkest, most terrifying, and most traumatizing memories with him. So, the least he could do was help him sleep peacefully through this night. He owed him that much...

"Don't worry, Eiji. I won't leave. I'm here." He put an arm around his back, and Eiji relaxed instantly, a half-smile on his face.

When he watched Eiji, he was relieved to see that he had succeeded in his mission. Eiji was sleeping soundly and didn't suffer from nightmares. The bond hadn't woken up yet, but he felt his spiritual presence and that he was at peace and content. He didn't need the bond for that, though. Eiji's smile on his lips confirmed that as well.

Eiji looked utterly relaxed. Some of his dark brown strands had fallen into his face, and, lying on his side, he had one arm around his back, and the other one protectively draped over him. The first rays of sunlight danced around him, giving his hair and face golden brown highlights.

Ash was on his back and lay back down again. Sleeping on his chest didn't bother Eiji, and he didn't mind, either, since Eiji wasn't heavy and barely moved. If he shifted now, Eiji would be at risk of falling and waking up, which he wanted to avoid at all costs when remembering how pale Eiji had looked last night. He didn't have the heart to do that.

Eiji's warmth felt good, cozy, and safe. The thought surprised him. Eiji was the only one he felt comfortable with. He even touched him, yet instead of panicking, which was his usual reaction, it felt good. Eiji's touch was gentle and warm. Eiji's embrace healed him. It felt as if his warmth and kindness flowed into him. It was a sensation that was new to him. He wondered how Eiji could be so trusting and sleep on top of someone like him. He really wasn't afraid of him and had even snuggled as close as possible as if that felt natural to him.

He relaxed at once and was about to fall asleep again, one hand around Eiji's back and one stroking his brown hair, when he heard Eiji's soft voice again.

"You're safe, Ash..."

Ash lifted his head a bit and stared at him in pure disbelief, wondering for a second if he had imagined that.

"I'll always keep you safe..."

Ash couldn't help but smile. Even in his sleep, Eiji had noticed how he had tensed up and instinctively wanted to protect him. It was unbelievable how Eiji always had a sixth sense, constantly feeling when he was in trouble.

Even from Japan, he had always noticed when he had needed comfort, compassion, or just had to remember his presence as proof that he wasn't alone. His feelings had always reached him. Eiji's safety net always saved him from drowning in darkness and despair, always catching him before falling into the abyss of desperation at the last second.

He lay back down while a single tear ran down his face. No one had ever cared for him as much as Eiji had. He had always been the one saving him. Without him, he would have given up and died a long time ago. He gently removed some strands from his face and smiled.

"No matter what happens, I'll always protect you," he whispered.

He meant that. He'd give his life for his soulmate without a second thought. For him, Eiji was proof that compassion and kindness still existed in this cruel world. It slowly restored his faith in humanity and gave him the strength to move on. He wanted to leave his life as a gang leader behind him, just as his parents had asked him.

However, as long as Arthur was still plotting something, he couldn't hand over his gang to Alex. Arthur was way more intelligent than usual, which meant he was the puppet with a master pulling the strings from the shadows. If he solved his fight with Arthur, he could leave this life behind. Maybe. And then, he finally had time to find his brother...

He couldn't help but worry about putting Eiji in danger. He wanted to keep a safe distance from him to avoid that. Eiji, however, would never let that happen. He could be as stubborn as him, and if he had set his mind to something, no one could convince him otherwise.

Hopefully, Eiji was right, and everything would work out eventually...

He slowly relaxed and sank into a deep sleep again. He woke up when someone gently stroked his hair. He pulled on the corner of the blanket and tried to bury his face under it when he heard Eiji giggle.

"Just five more minutes," he mumbled in a daze.

"That was what you told me the last twenty minutes, sleepyhead," Eiji scolded him. Still, even if Ash didn't see it from under the covers, he heard the smile in his voice.

"Impossible. I wasn't awake twenty minutes ago."

"Yes, I've noticed that. You weren't sleeping. You were in a coma, dead to the world and incapable of human speech. Not even the smell of natto would have woken you up."

"Let's sleep in, ok?" he groaned, trying to pull the blanket over his head again. Eiji grabbed it at the last second and threw it to the end of the bed, where he couldn't reach it.

"Eiji, that's mean. It's so damn early! The middle of the night," Ash whined, shielding his eyes from the sun streaming through the window.

"This is your last chance, Ash." When he didn't stir or attempt to get up, Eiji looked down at him, a naughty expression on his face.

"If you don't get up, I'll have to take more drastic measures," he warned him, a hint of wickedness in his voice. Ash didn't move. It was so fucking early. And what could someone as kind as Eiji even do? Smile him awake?

A moment later, Ash smelled that disgusting smell that was natto, as if Eiji was holding a bowl directly under his nose. That smell was so gross that he jumped out of bed and backed to the other side of the room.

"Eiji, goddammit, I told you to put that crap away from me!"

When he looked at Eiji, however, he saw that he was sitting on the edge of the bed, empty-handed with no natto in sight.

How the hell was that possible? The smell was so intense he could have sworn he had held it right in front of his face...

"You should have seen your face! Priceless!" Eiji burst out laughing until tears streamed down his face. Ash crossed his arms and pouted, refusing to look at him.

Eiji switched over to telepathy and sent him a message.

'I bet you have no clue how I did that. The natto is still in the fridge, by the way.'

Ash looked around the room but couldn't find that disgusting dish anywhere. How in the world had Eiji pulled that off? He hated it if he didn't know the answer to something. It drove him crazy because he wasn't used to being clueless. He usually knew all the answers, and if he didn't, he knew where to look for them.

He was a complete newbie when it came to soul-bonding, even if he hated to admit that. Eiji was the one with advanced knowledge in that field. So, he finally looked at Eiji again, his curiosity eventually winning out.

That's impossible. Then, how - '

'You know you can talk to me using words via telepathy. But that's not the only way. Besides words, pictures, and memories, you can also send sounds and smells via our bond. We can use all of our senses.

You could also send me the melody or lyrics of your favorite song or a video via telepathy. Or, if you trust me, you can allow me to read your thoughts by opening up your mind to me.'

Ash stared at him, speechless for a moment. So, all their senses worked with the bond. That sounded incredible... if you didn't use it in such a mischievous way as Eiji had just done.

'So, you just imagined the smell and sent it to me? I think I have already been a bad influence on you. When did you turn over to the dark side? That is just evil.'

'Yes, a bit, and I admit that I feel a tiny bit guilty about it. But it worked. You're awake AND got out of bed. Victory is mine! How do you Americans say? Drastic times call for drastic measures?

As much as I like cuddling and sleeping on your chest under a warm blanket, I have to go to college today, Ash. It's my first day. And I already let you sleep for another 20 minutes. You're impossible to wake up—a real sleepyhead. So, I had to get creative. You've left me no choice.'

Ash heard the amusement that his voice resonated and knew he wasn't annoyed, just laughing at his expense. Happiness radiated through the bond.

"How are you even alive?" he asked him, smirking. "All your opponents have to do is attack you at 8 a.m., and you'd be completely defenseless. Even I could beat you." Eiji added, giving him a smug look before heading for the kitchen.

"I like to get up early. But not in the mornings. Criminals don't work in broad daylight. We move in the shadows of the night so nobody notices us."

"That may be right in your world. However, I'm a normal college student, not a way too smart and handsome bad boy. And college courses are held during the day and not at night. I don't attend a nocturnal academy, you know? So, at least I have to get up now. You can climb back into bed, but you'd miss my delicious breakfast."

"There's nothing to miss if breakfast involves natto," Ash complained in a sour mood, still mad about Eiji's rude wake-up call.

"I can still smell that hellish food from here. The bond is still dripping with natto," he added darkly, still pouting. He wrinkled his nose to prove his point. Eiji giggled.

"You're exaggerating, Ash. I only sent the smell to you for 10 seconds. But fine, no natto for breakfast. I promise."

He gave him the most angelic smile he could muster. If that wasn't suspicious...

"I don't trust Japanese people's taste in food after having dinner with you. Natto is pure evil. And you only eat food that smells bad. I think it's safer for both of us if I make breakfast," he insisted, glaring at him.

"Damn Americans. You have no good taste for food," Eiji complained, casting him a dirty look.

"No wonder when you kill all your taste buds with fast food. It's a miracle you can still taste anything with all the preservatives and artificial flavors in your food..."

"Shut up. As long as there's natto in this world, Japanese people have no right to say jack about food. So, just to be safe, I'll make breakfast!" Ash stubbornly insisted, crossing his arms.

He yawned, then put an arm around Eiji's shoulder. "So, where's your kitchen, Eiji?"

"You can really cook?" Pure surprise radiated through the bond, and Eiji's voice sounded doubtful.

"That was rude, and you didn't have to be that astonished, you know?"

Ash pretended to be insulted for a moment longer, then accompanied him to the kitchen and opened the fridge to get a quick overview of its contents.

"Go shower while I make breakfast. I'll shower afterwards."

Eiji beamed at him, grabbed his clothes and a towel, and was about to disappear into another room when Ash grabbed his shoulders.

'Let me try that, too, and send you a smell that is obligatory if you want to have breakfast with me.'

Ash concentrated and sent him a smell he associated with breakfast.

Eiji grinned. 'Well done! You're a quick learner. I guess I'd better prepare the coffee, then, before I go shower.'

Ash stood behind him while he prepared the coffee machine and switched it on. He put his head on his shoulder, happy that he had successfully sent his favorite smell to Eiji.

'Make it strong.'

While Eiji showered, Ash looked for ingredients in the cupboards and shelves. Typical. Healthy ingredients everywhere but not one ingredient for an American breakfast. The fridge lacked all the ingredients for a perfect breakfast: no bacon, no cheese or ham, no orange juice.

So, pancakes were out of the question because some ingredients weren't available. It was a miracle that he even found enough ingredients to create at least a simple American breakfast.

In the end, he opted for eggs with toast instead. He put the bread in a toaster he found and, for Eiji's sake, created a fruit salad with some fruits and berries from the fridge. Or Eiji would complain about the unhealthy lifestyle of Americans again... What was wrong with some crusty bacon for breakfast?

'Please don't burn the kitchen to the ground, Ash,' Eiji pleaded while showering.

'Have some faith in me, oniichan. How do you want your eggs? Sunny-side up?' he asked.

'Sunny what?' he asked telepathically. Ash couldn't hide his grin. It was too bad he couldn't see Eiji's face right now, but he felt his confusion rushing through the bond.

A moment later, Eiji came into the kitchen dressed in jeans and a t-shirt with still-damp hair.

'I'll show you.'

He took a pan, added some butter, and fried two eggs with some spices. After a few minutes, he put them on a plate and put them on a table in front of him with a piece of toast and the fruit salad.

"Sunny-side up is a fried egg, but it's only fried from one side. I thought the term suits you perfectly because your sunny and cheerful side is always up and visible for everyone to see."

"I've never heard the term before. Sunny-side up. I like it!" Eiji exclaimed happily, giving him one of his radiant smiles.

Ash made two for him as well, grabbed another piece of toast, and sat down next to him. "I wanted to make pancakes, but you didn't have all the ingredients. If I ever have breakfast with you again, I'll make them for you."

"I"m looking forward to that. But your eggs are great, too. Thanks. I made some coffee before showering." He grabbed a cup and poured him some.

'Do you drink it black?' Ash nodded, which was stupid because Eiji's back was to him. So, he switched to telepathy, too.

'Yes. Thank you.'

"One other thing we have in common," Eiji grinned, returning with two cups of bittersweet darkness. Ash took one cup and sipped at it.

Then, he put the cup down and scrutinized Eiji's face while trying to read the bond. Yet, he couldn't detect a trace of exhaustion. On the contrary, he only noticed excited anticipation, probably because college started today.

"Eiji, are you fine? You look better now, but you were so pale last night. Did you sleep well?"

"Yes, I slept perfectly, thanks to you. Sorry I slept on top of you." A faint blush painted Eiji's cheeks in a pale rose color. It was cute and made him look even younger.

"It was fine. I slept soundly as well. That was the first time I slept through most of the night. I was just scared when I didn't recognize the room after waking up. But then you pulled me closer and asked me to stay, so I relaxed again. Even if you're asleep, you always notice my emotions. That's amazing."

Eiji smiled. "It's called empathy. I easily pick up on the feelings of others around me but especially yours, since you're my soulmate. We both have some special soulmate skills, but we haven't discovered all of them yet. As we grow up, the bond grows with us, and our powers increase, too."

Then, Eiji looked at him with an intensity that took him aback, suddenly serious again. "I know you probably won't do it, Ash, but if you ever have nightmares, can't sleep, aren't feeling well, or even panic, call me or send me a telepathic message. Even if it's in the middle of the night, ok?" Ash stared at him, speechless for a moment, then nodded.

"I'll try. I promise," Ash replied honestly, then changed the subject because the thought made him uncomfortable. It was hard for him to rely on someone else, to admit weakness. Still, he slowly learned to open up more, thanks to Eiji...

"So, now that college starts, you'll be busy, huh?"

"Yes, a bit, but I'll always have time for you. Do you know when you have free time, Ash? I wanted to show you some soulmate skills. We could practice together. And you could show me around New York if you'd like. I already have my college schedule, so I know when my classes occur."

"What about next weekend? Saturday? We could spend the whole day together," Ash suggested.

He loved to show Eiji around New York, but at the same time, he also hoped he'd get the hang of that soulmate stuff. He wasn't used to being clueless about something, which irritated him. Eiji's knowledge about soulmates and the powers related to their bond was much more advanced.

"I'd love to see more of New York and spend more time with you."

"Great. And I'd love to learn more about you and our bond. I feel so stupid all the time."

"You're a quick learner. You'll get it down in no time with your superior intellect," Eiji assured him.

When Ash was going to the bathroom to shower, he saw himself in the mirror and stared at his reflection in shock. He hadn't noticed until now that he still wore one of Eiji's pajamas. They were too short and looked ridiculous on him. The shirt looked like a crop top and revealed his stomach. To top it off, there were imprints of motives he had last worn when he was a kid. So embarrassing!

"What the fuck am I wearing, and why are there little cupcakes on my pajamas? And why are they pink? How old are you, five?"

Even though he heard Ash losing all impulse control and temper, Eiji's amusement radiated through the bond before he reached Ash.

'They're cute. And you looked adorable in them. Maybe I should take a photo and send it to Shorter.'

'Don't you dare! I'd never hear the end of it. He'd tease me with it until the day I die!'

Ash shot him a death glare, but Eiji only giggled wholeheartedly.

'You might be right about that. Don't worry. Your secret is safe with me.'

Eiji put his hands around his neck, standing on his tiptoes, and looked over his shoulder at his reflection in the mirror.

'You're so cute if your cheeks flush bright red with embarrassment. You finally look like a teenager. I love that side of you!'

Ash stubbornly wanted to shrug him off, but Eiji didn't let go of him. Sometimes, he forgot that he had been an athlete and was pretty strong even if he didn't look like it.

"But honestly, Ash, I love that look on you. You look so cozy in my pajamas. Like you're finally home."

Eiji always stopped telepathy when he wanted to get the point across, or he wanted to talk about something important. Or he wanted him to realize something. Like right now.

"Home, huh? That sounds nice. I've never really had a place that felt like home since coming to New York. Except for the apartment of Max and Jessica, maybe."

"Home isn't necessarily where you come from or grew up. It's where you belong."

"And sometimes home has a heartbeat and not four walls and a ceiling?"

Eiji nodded and pulled him closer. "Yes, exactly. Like your brother was home to you when you were small. And I hope I can be home for you, too. One day."

Ash turned around and hugged him. "You already are, Eiji. You've been the only ray of hope. No matter what happened to me, I knew, in the end, I could always return to you." Tears ran down his face while he held him close.

After a moment, Eiji pulled out of the hug and wiped his tears away.

"We've come a long way, walked on rocky paths, and gone through difficult times together, but our souls have always been connected.

ただいま、Ash。 (Tadaima, Ash)

"What does that mean? That's Japanese, right?"

"Yes. It means I'm back home."

"What do you reply to that? Is there a phrase like Welcome home in Japanese?"

"There is," Eiji replied happily.

"おかえり。" (Okaeri)

"おかえり、えいじ。" (Okaeri, Eiji)

I've already written the next chapter. It will be about Ash showing Eiji some sights along Fifth Avenue and Central Park and Eiji teaching Ash some soul bond features that would help him.

Ash, however, hides his pain from Eiji. Ash tries to find out why he reacts that way but Ash stubbornly runs away.

Can Eiji help him when he panics? And what happens if Eiji loses Ash in the crowd? Can he find him with his soul mate skills and help him?