I wish you all good luck and health as well as other joys of life C:
This year, I will still continue to improve my art and maybe (finally) sign up for courses. I would like to do a comic this year … But considering how many times I was going and didn’t really start … Well … I will try again this year.
P.S.: New Year’s drawing will be but later. Unfortunately I did not have time because of … problems.

A Happy New Year from Germany

Here’s to gearing up for more change.

somethingwendythiswaycomes:

I posted 80 times in 2021

17 posts created (21%)

63 posts reblogged (79%)

For every post I created, I reblogged 3.7posts.

I added 140 tags in 2021

1. #art reblog- 29 posts
2. #kirby- 26 posts
3. #poops n giggles reblog- 20 posts
4. #video reblog- 19 posts
5. #metroid dread- 8 posts
6. #meta knight- 8 posts
7. #samus aran- 8 posts
8. #hoshi no kaabii- 8 posts
9. #suit speaks- 7 posts
10. #luigi- 7 posts

Longest Tag: 105 characters

#i just started playing star allies and this comic sucker punched me when i got marx from the dream palace

MyTop Posts in 2021

#5

♫ We’ve got too much crimeon our hands ♫

76 notes • Posted 2021-01-05 20:02:47 GMT

#4

*canned laughter*

92 notes • Posted 2021-06-24 17:01:07 GMT

#3

No catch ghost! Only groove!

100 notes • Posted 2021-02-02 20:01:41 GMT

#2

Tfw the EMMI gets so tired of your shit he warps through time and space to kill you

113 notes • Posted 2021-12-20 19:02:01 GMT

#1

See the full post

1129 notes • Posted 2021-04-09 18:30:38 GMT

Get your Tumblr 2021 Year in Review→

volition

part 1-part 2

previous chapters - IX (ao3)

a/n: the simple way of explaining the potential tw would be that the act is consensual, but it reaches a point that she is not able to stop something from happening. to skip, it starts at the section after “thrown stone, a fatal blow” (start), and ends the next section, search “the pad of his thumb” to jump to it.

“Hello, Shion-san!”

“Akane-chan! I’ve been waiting for your call! New number?”

Akane laughs, realizing she is still using Shizuka’s phone. He left already, waving at her while she was still speaking to Kogami. Their home screens look so alike; standard background, likely unchanged since purchase. She never had the time, and apart from a select few, her contacts reach her mostly through the holo device, currently sitting with her phone on the nightstand.

“No… this isn’t mine.”

Shion hums, picking up Akane’s slight hesitation. “Is this your lover’s, by any chance?”

“I was using his phone earlier and I just kept using it. He had your number, too.”

“I’d be flattered if only he wasn’t taken,” Shion teases. “Before I interrogate you, how are you feeling, my dear?”

“Much better! Thank you so much for patching me up,” she says, relaxing against soft pillows, where she is joined by Yuzu.

“No pain?”

“None. Will you tell me what happened? I don’t remember anything.”

“I’m not surprised. You were unconscious when you arrived and your man never gave you a chance to wake up in the infirmary.”

“Well,” she smiles, stroking Yuzu’s ears, “I can’t say I have any objections.”

“Oh, I’m sure. Poison gases are a tricky thing, but at least the composition of this one was something I was familiar with. You looked worse, but Kogami didn’t look any better.”

“I spoke to him earlier, he never told me that.”

“Let’s just say the difference between the two of you is not that much. He succumbed to the effects of the poison a few minutes from arriving; it was a good thing your car was intercepted by Division 2 and escorted safely.”

“He spared me the details.”

“To be fair, the details may be a little murky for him, too. That, or he probably feels responsible, which I’m sure is not news to you.”

“No, indeed.” Akane sighs, sinking deeper into the pillows. “But I’m glad you got us back, Shion-san. I don’t know how to thank you.”

“Oh, honey. I am so relieved that everything worked out. I couldn’t be happier hearing your voice again. You can just take it easy, I heard your man isn’t going to let you work for the rest of the day.”

“Yeah, he just left a few minutes ago.”

“Leaving his phone to you, wow. Either he has another phone or he just absolutely trusts you won’t snoop in his call logs or photo albums. Would you dare?”

“I wouldn't… and he’s shown it to me before, his albums, I mean.” Akane giggles, remembering blurred photos of Yuzu in various states of playfulness, or those candid, badly-taken photographs of her when she’s asleep or not looking. Come to think of it, they don’t have a photograph together…

“I don’t think there’s anything new there, he doesn’t take a lot of photos, anyway.”

“Really, now? Well, let’s see, maybe I can change that. Anyway, I’m glad he’s not there, you don’t have to hold back.”

Akane holds back a smile, guessing what she means. “What would you like to know?”

“Well, everything! Listen, I know you’ve been very busy but maybe next time it wouldn’t hurt to update me on your love life, you know I’ve been following it like a hawk all these years.”

Akane burst into laughter. “You mean the lack of it?”

“You silly girl! Precisely why this was such a momentous occasion! How else was I supposed to know you nabbed the most eligible bachelor in town?”

“It hasn’t been that long,” she reasons, acknowledging the irony of practically living with him despite that fact. “Sorry I haven’t had the time to tell you about it. I was caught off guard and… swept away. Cheesy as it may sound.”

“Well, you’ve been working alongside each other for a while now. Plus, he’s handsome, he’s rich, what more could you ask for?”

“I can’t deny, he is a sight,” she chuckles. “We’ve really gotten to know each other, and regardless of my feelings, I do admire him a lot. Plus, we understand each other quite well.”

“Isn’t there a quote about that? Love is looking in the same direction and shit?”

“I wish I knew!”

“You sound happy, my dear. That’s the most important thing. Also, it’s not like I’m totally surprised, just that I was sidetracked back then thinking you were actually dating Kogami.”

“Hey, I didn’t confirm that.”

“But he was definitely putting hickeys on you, huh?”

Akane buries her face in her hand, groaning. “It just happened! I couldn’t stop him immediately.”

“Oh dear, that sounds like trouble but that’s Kogami for you. So who’s the better lay?”

“Shion-san!”

Shion’s laughter rings through her ears, and despite the teasing, there is no one else she would rather speak to about things like this..

“Oh, I missed you!”

“Me too, honey. I’m going to pretend you’re not trying to deflect my question and be patient about it.”

“I’m not sleeping around.”

“I figured,” Shion says, smiling. “But in case you do, I’d like an update!”

“You know I can’t resist you, so of course, you will know. How are you doing? And how is Yayoi-san?”

“Yayoi’s fabulous, as usual. She’s out right now, working on some interviews for the special report for the Tokyo Pulse about the new jobs that were created since last year.”

“Interesting! Thanks for telling me, I’ll be sure to get a copy. Any date on your wedding, then?”

“Not yet, we’re on the fence about when, since she’s getting a whole lot of work at the moment while I’m just winding down and trying to set up my own practice. We’re both thinking maybe we should set a date so that we can block off any work that’s to come. Here I thought I was just going to have a stress-free life.”

“A friend of mine, Kaori, still had to deal with a lot of stuff despite hiring a wedding coordinator. It’s the furthest from being stress-free, I think!”

“Yeah, but I have no doubt that it will work itself out eventually. At least we’re on the same page.”

“Indeed. Do I have an invite?”

“Silly question! You even have a plus one, my dear.”

“Thank you. He seemed to like you, kept reminding me to give you a call.”

“Well I’m glad I made an impression. You know I never expected to be so blown away by… the intensity of his concern for you.”

“He is really sweet, sometimes only to me. I’m becoming a little spoiled, I think.”

“Don’t say that. I love seeing you loved and taken care of, my dear. It’s been long overdue.”

“Thank you, Shion-san. Listen, I’ll come over sometime next week when my schedule’s less full.”

“No pressure, my dear. I’m just a call away. Now go back to rest and maybe you’ll wake up to something nice.”

Akane raises her brow. “Hmm?”

“Just wait for it. I’ll speak to you again soon. Bye-bye!” Shion makes kissing noises on the other end, to which Akane imitates rather weakly before giggling and hanging up.

Chiyo peeks by the door, waiting for Akane to place the phone on the nightstand before speaking.

“Would you like to have your lunch in bed, Miss Akane?”

“Oh no!” Akane gets up, startling Yuzu. “Sorry, Yuzu! I’ll take a shower after, so I’d rather eat at the table.”

“I’ll set it up for you, then.”

***

With two meetings done, Shizuka feels the weight of his feet drag him through the floors of the CID. After being gone for four hours, the amount of communication that went through since has been overwhelming, and he hasn’t even read half of it. He’s already chosen to keep tonight free, canceling meetings outside of his duties and wanting to spend more time with Akane while she’s still recovering. There’s work waiting tomorrow, for the two of them, but he’s here and she’s not; he knows exactly where he wants to be.

The CID’s fitness center is usually empty during mid-afternoon shifts. Teams are busy, dealing with paperwork or out on the field handling cases less critical, more nuisance. It’s a strategic place they used to meet up often to throw ideas at each other; Shizuka watching over her as she does rounds on the treadmill, Akane handing him a towel when he emerges from a few laps in the pool. He has the power to lock the place down when he feels necessary, but they’re mostly left alone if they happen to share the space with anyone. In hindsight, perhaps he really hasn’t been as discreet as he thought.

Shizuka follows the sound of punches, muffled grunts and shuffling on the sparring room floor. Kogami looks nothing like someone who had just got out of a hospital bed; hard lines drawn out with every stretch of pure muscle, glistening with sweat, the scars on his chest and torso littered like the least aesthetic of tattoos, impossible beauty landing hit after hit with each effortless blow. The sparring drone, recently upgraded thanks to Ignatov’s inputs, probably on the highest setting, is taking quite the beating, even as his presence in the room has Kogami pulling his punches.

“I take it you’re feeling a lot better?” Shizuka asks, standing on the edge of the floor and picking a place on the wall to lean on.

Kogami kicks the drone’s torso, sending it flying to the other end, buzzing with static as the hologram breaks down and turns off. The drone controller logs the results of his workout, confirming that it’s completely destroyed, judging by the dents on the metal and the amount of red stats on the screen.

“What are you doing here?” Kogami picks up the drone, dragging it across the floor so he can park it on the charging docks; a useless gesture considering the state of it.

“I was going to thank you.”

Kogami raises his brow, grabbing a towel on the counter to wipe himself. He never deluded himself into thinking this man considers him important enough to waste precious minutes of his day.

“Was.”

“Indeed. I’ve told you before, I expected you’d be an asset to the team.”

“I don’t have enough drugs left in me to exercise the kind of patience you think I have,” he says, hanging the towel over his shoulders. “Cut the bullshit, will you?”

“Or what? Gonna punch me like what you did with that drone?”

Kogami laughs, casting a glance at the drone before meeting his eyes. “The drone would have held out much better.”

“Not something I expected to hear from someone whose strength wasn’t able to prevent Akane from ending up in the state she was in, but I suppose you can’t take the brawl out of the man.”

In an instant, the smug is wiped from Kogami’s face, the pieces falling into place in his head.

“This what you came here for?”

“No. I don’t get to dance around protocols like you do. So whose idea was it to drink on the job?”

“Hers.”

“And you just let her.” Shizuka isn’t asking, nor is he hiding the menace in his voice. “Akane isn’t immaculate, but I was rather hoping you’d have a bit of sensitivity when her safety is concerned.”

“You think people die from one drink?”

“Are you sure you want to be asking that after what happened this morning?”

“Then why the fuck are you talking to me?” Kogami steps forward, relishing the satisfaction of looking down at someone whose posture more than makes up for his deficiency in height.

“Because I expected you would keep her safe!”

“Yeah, well sorry to disappoint. You and I both.”

Kogami turns away grabbing his things and heading towards the showers. “Leave her out of it, just say it’s all my fault.”

“You’re an idiot if you think she will allow that. I’m not reporting it.”

“Now that’s a perk. What’s it gonna cost me?”

“Nothing.”

Kogami smirks. “Don’t lie. What do you want?”

“Leave us alone.”

“No. Next request.”

“Why you think you’re in the position to demand is beyond me.”

“It’s not a demand. I don’t have to do anything now that you’ve revealed your hand. Weren’t you supposed to be good at games? Or am I making you reckless, too?”

Shizuka responds with a cold stare, leaning away from the wall and smoothing the creases on his suit.

“If you endanger her one more time, I will personally make sure you never work with her again.”

Kogami acknowledges the open threat, choosing to play with fire now that he’s found a chink in his armor.

“Do try. I urge you. Now if you’ll excuse me, my balls are sweaty and I’d like to shower.”

“I don’t need to remind you to stay in your car when you join Irie and Arata tonight.”

“The Bureau Chief just saved my ass from suspension, so I’ll be a good boy,” Kogami says, using his water bottle to wave back. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you just didn’t want us to be suspended together.”

“You’re fucking low, you know that?”

He pauses in his tracks, staring at Homura’s reflection on the glass door. “Someone has to be, Sir. You’re too high above ground.”

***

Akane opens her eyes for the second time, to amber skies bathing the room in a fiery glow. Unlike earlier, she is more refreshed, ready to jump out of the bed and move around. Outside the door, she can hear Yuzu softly whining at Shizuka’s reprimand, only half-serious, judging by his tone.

“You’ve really gotten used to being disobedient when I’m not looking, huh?”

Shizuka enters the room, surprised. “Did we wake you?”

She shakes her head. “Welcome back.”

“Thank you.” He crosses the space, sitting beside her on the bed to give her a kiss. “Are you hungry? We can order food, go out or have Chiyo make us something.”

Akane sighs against his lips, smiling. “I’m not hungry, but I’ll join you if you want to eat.”

“Same here. I brought home some cake yesterday, maybe we can have that later. How are you feeling?” He strokes his thumb above her cheek, gaze filled with concern.

“I’m all good,” she says, holding his hand. “You’ll age really quickly with all that worrying.”

He chuckles; jokes about aging don’t quite sit well with him just yet. It’s her face that reassures him; bright smile, glowing skin, she breathes anew, giggling against the crook of his neck when he picks her up to take her out of the bedroom.

“I have a few things to do, just need to approve some stuff and then I’m all yours. Where would you like me to deposit you?“

"Big couch in the living room. I’ll read a book or something.”

“Sure you don’t want anything to eat?”

“Yes. I’ll holler if I’m hungry.”

“Alright.” He lays her down on the couch, Yuzu right on his heels, wagging his tail. “Our noble steed will keep you company, I’ll be in the office.”

Akane smiles, her gaze lingering as he shrugs off his suit jacket on the way to his office. Grabbing the tablet reader from the coffee table, she pats the couch for Yuzu to join her and scrolls through the digital library to find a book to read.

***

After a couple of hours, she’s back in the bedroom, unfurling the ribbon of a large white box. On top of the crisp paper is a card, a message from its sender, undeniable now that she’s seen the distinctive shade of the lipstick-marked signature.

You’re lucky I know how to hack my way to find out your address. Enjoy your evening, honey!

P.S.

Yayoi also shares the gift but just to be clear, this is my idea.

Akane smiles, excitedly unwrapping the paper only to freeze at the contents inside. With a gasp, she lifts the soft material from the box: a bright red lace chemise, intricate embroidery that barely covers what it’s supposed to cover, flimsier and shorter than all her nightgowns. Blushing, she purses her lips, the light fabric sliding like liquid between her fingers. The matching bottom is just as short on lace, especially on the ass, though she’s not so prude as to know that’s practically the point. Unsurprisingly, it seems that once again, Shion has sized her up perfectly.

It’s a nice sentiment, definitely something she might wear…

Shizuka startles her, knocking three times before poking his head through the door. Akane scrambles to put the lingerie back in the box, caught in the act with her hands digging inside the box, and trying to fold the paper over her gift.

He raises his brow, curious. “Ordered something?”

“Ah, no.” Akane looks down, tucking her hair behind her ear. “It’s a gift. From Shion-san.”

Closing the door behind him, he leans on it, crossing his arms as he studies her bashfulness from across the room. “What kind of gift? If you don’t mind me asking, of course.”

“Oh it’s nothing, just,” she shrugs, averting his gaze as if the state of his rolled up sleeves and waistcoat is not compounding her current predicament. Voice soft, she pokes at the hem of her shirt. “She thought it was nice to send me lingerie.”

“Really?”

Akane nods, blushing.

“Would you like to show me?”

Her hesitation is puzzling, and yet she understands the uncharted territory; the lack of impulse in the moment, unlike times before when her confidence and instincts, reckless as they may often be, usually take hold. She slips her fingers in the straps and slowly lifts the chemise out of the box. As always, he is better at schooling his expression.

“No, I meant,” he pauses, making sure her eyes are on his as he gazes at the door of the dressing room.

”Show me.”

***

The material feels smooth on her skin, hugging her where it should, light and breezy around her middle, snug over her ass. Lingerie has always been Shion’s gift of choice; Akane has a few pairs at home, practical ones she can wear daily. One can say this is an exception and the first time she’s wearing one to show.

She comes back to the bedroom, lingering by the door, one arm crossed over her front as Shizuka stares intently, like a curious observer.

“You don’t like it?”

“I do.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.” She reaches for him, crossing the space to meet him in the middle.

Shizuka catches her hand, but doesn’t take a step forward, reading what she’s trying to do. Raising his arm, he twirls her slowly, circling around her with a heated gaze. Akane responds, tentative, keeping his pace, a smile tugging at the edge of her lips.

He keeps his distance when he faces her again, hypnotizing her with the movement of his eyes over her body, stoking her desire as he brings the tip of his finger to the edge of her jaw, sliding down to cup her chin.

“You seem to be paying far too much attention to what you want to do next.”

Biting her lip, Akane is kept at bay with his hold. “Isn’t that the point?”

“You don’t know, do you?” He pauses, lighting up as an idea occurs to him. “Give me a moment.”

Shizuka returns, wheeling the full-length mirror from the dressing room near the bed. Puzzled, Akane takes his hand when he offers it, standing in front of the mirror to gaze at her reflection. He stays behind, leaning over her shoulder with the same hungry gaze.

“Look at you,” he whispers, smiling. “I can’t believe I get to see you in various states of dress.”

A laugh bubbles out of her as she turns her head. “Or undress.”

He tuts, gesturing at her to face the mirror. “Come on. Show me how beautiful you are.”

Akane softly gazes back at his reflection, warmth blooming in her chest. Being scantily clad has never made her feel more vulnerable, even to someone who’s seen her naked so many times before. It’s always easy to feel beautiful wearing a nice dress, dolled up and bejeweled.

And yet he looks at her like she really is.

Putting on a brave face, she lets her gaze roam over a body she barely pays attention to. It functions well, is never sick, fits most clothes off the rack. Strong for a small frame, she can stand tall and walk with confidence, command attention when she needs to. Her thoughts pull a soft laugh out of her; when it comes to Shizuka, she doesn’t need to command anything.

She likes her eyes, loves her hair, plucking at the short strands to tuck them behind her ear. Her hand drops to the middle of her chest, remembering something missing there, lets her fingers trace the embroidered lace over her breasts. The back of her hands slide, following the dip of her waist and over at her hips as she observes, curiously, slowly turning, staring down at her shape. Planting her hands on his chest, she looks back at the frilly lace snuggling over the curves of her ass, shifting her weight on either foot, pointing her toes before pivoting to face the mirror, and all the while, Shizuka watches mesmerized in her peripheral vision, hands clasped behind him. She leans back, resting her head over his shoulder and sighs, satisfied.

“Penny for your thoughts?” His voice drops to a whisper, making her tilt her head to follow the sound.

Smiling, she strokes a finger down the line of his jaw, mimicking him earlier. Their gazes meet in the mirror, simmering with desire, feeding off on each other’s allure.

“Won’t you touch me, Shizuka?”

He releases his grip, opens his palms to his sides so she can see.

“I want to touch you how youwant.”

His words are undemanding, yet playful, an invitation. She takes his hands, guiding them as she bends down and he follows, taking them on a trail from the top of her foot and ankles, slowly sweeping up the inside of her legs; a homage to his gentle caresses that she’s taken to heart. They stand, Akane wrapping his arms around her and drawing her bottom flush against his hardness.

“Ah, you caught me.”

Giggling, she darts her tongue to lick over his lips, drawing a line with their hands to slide between her legs while she places the other over her chest. Drunk with lust, she watches him swallow when their fingers meet slick above soft material and lace, exhaling against his open mouth.

“And now, you’ve caught me.”

Akane kisses him, moaning when he starts moving on his own accord. He sits them down the bed, splaying her legs on either side, thumbing her nipples while the other hand unbuckles his trousers and pulls himself free. Shizuka catches her hand again, dipping their fingers, pushing, testing the fabric, making Akane gasp as the heat rises intensely between them. He coaxes her to look at their reflection, planting kisses over her shoulder as he plays her like a string, messing her slip, making her delirious.

“What do you want?” He murmurs, hot in her ears, barely restraining with the sight in front of him, and the silk of her heat between their digits.

“You. In me,” she chants softly, eyes closed, like a prayer. “Please, love… please.”

***

Akane doesn’t know.

His heart is choking from affection. He can’t bear it; reduced to nothing but this all-consuming love, his lifeline, his light.

She can have anything, everything she wants.

Closing his lips over her mouth, he swallows her plea, collecting her mewls when they finally meld together; a treasure he won’t sell, a secret he won’t share.

***

They move, tangled, synched, her heart swelling, warm inside, hot all over. When she thinks she’s used to him, he pulls the rug beneath her, dousing her in excitement, igniting her with ecstasy, reeling her in with tenderness.

She breathes him, his name, his touch, in the same vein as pleasure boasts, aching to be heard from the depths of her throat, the sounds of passionate and unbridled, unstoppable force. They are one.

She loves…

***

“You’re beautiful,” he whispers, kissing her neck, trailing his fingers down her belly button, “and sexy.”

Akane giggles, finding his lips, trying to speak between kisses. “You are… more.”

“Shhh. I’m not, my love. I’m only yours.”

They kiss, and kiss, moaning in each other’s mouths, stealing each other’s breaths. He cages her in his arms, small frame, fiery heart. His hands are everywhere, electric current, a thread tying them both. She’s greedy now, over her reservations, bowing to her needs; plunged herself into the sensations, ensnared, caught up, eyes closed. In this dance, she is at her most graceful; he will not deny the privilege to witness, casting his gaze at their reflection, aroused with their motions, in love with their form.

She’s close.

Enchanted, she clings to every part of him her hands can touch, chasing. He sends his fingers down, circling her bud as he plants kisses to the side of her neck, when something catches his eye.

Something so strange, Shizuka shakes his head; it’s his mind, playing tricks on him. It can’t be real. He didn’t do it.

He doesn’t.Never there.

His movements slow as she whines against his cheek, deafening; something’s ringing in his ears. Akanes surrenders, leaning against him, exposing her neck.

And there it is, in full view. Thrown stone, a fatal blow.

Hurt, like he’s never felt before.

***

Something heavy sinks inside him as he wrestles her off and sits her to face him. His fingers, deft, trained, find their way, replacing what was there; the pain spreads, his mind protecting him, his body protecting her, as he compensates with a fierce and passionate, most devastating kiss.

Her thighs begin to quake, misled as she reciprocates with touch and tongue; he breaks away, pressing against her cheek, eyes hot, voice broken as he speaks.

“Why… how could you do this to me?”

He presses on, breaking, bringing his mouth to the bruise, breathing over something he did not create while his hands make work, her body responding faster than her mind ever could.

“Wait.”

Her walls close in; rapture, pressure, coming.

“How could you?”

“Shizuka, wait!”

He can’t.

And she can’t stop him.

Hot.

Wet.

In pleasure, spilling, over his wrists as she writhes over him, and in pain, over the bruise where in tears, he bites, her belated cry matching his not a moment later.

***

The pad of his thumb smoothes over the dents on her skin, to no avail. Numb has traveled and spread, cold cast over his eyes, ice over his heart. A hollow nothingness, only the next, and the next step, like chains linking in his mind. He calls for Chiyo, the drone responding to his voice, dismantled into codes and numbers; no scale to measure the aftermath.

“Change the covers, clean this up. Put the mirror back where it belongs.”

Akane clutches the lapels of his waistcoat, shaking, tears falling down her face.

“Where is this linked?”

She doesn’t answer, so he lifts her chin with his fingers, still wet with her spend.

“Where?”

“M-my phone.”

“Chiyo, charge her phone,” he says, standing up and laying her down on the bed.

“Yes, Master.”

He doesn’t look back, doesn’t bother concealing his state, still exposed, still hard. Soles cold on the bathroom floor, he strips, mindless, swiping the control panel to the coldest setting, the highest pressure, punching the wall as the spray hits hard on his shoulders.

***

Shizuka returns to the bedroom, dripping wet. He picks her up, sets her down, strips her in the quiet, tempers the water and cleans her; thorough, gentle, mechanical. He dries them both, combs her hair, puts ointment over the bite mark before carrying her back inside. His own wounds, he ignores; this pain is incomparable.

The room, good as new, feels nothing but. Yuzu is sleeping by the window, not a clue in the world.

She’s hugging a pillow between them, sniffling against it as he lies down on his side of the bed. They stare at each other for a long time, counting the seconds between each breath, waiting for the moment the rise and fall of their bodies will sync.

“What happened?”

Truth is, he doesn’t want to know. Self-preservation and disassociation; strengths ingrained even before they met, seizes him at his weakest, most brittle state. He can’t answer to the sorrow in her eyes, has no solution, no salve; just empty hands, broken heart.

“He kissed me. When we…” Akane sighs out, exhausted, pained. “When I was over at his mother’s last weekend.”

His mind supplies the moments; her slight panic when he kissed her there when he woke her that morning, and since then, concealed, right under his nose. He shuts off, not interested in the details, save for one. The knife to twist, stabbed deep.

“And did you kiss him back?”

“No. I asked him to stop, and he did. It never happened again.”

Truth speaks in her steady gaze, her iron-clad conviction. The tears have stopped falling, and the only one crying inside has descended somewhere unreachable, lost and betrayed. If it were easy and simple, if only it didn’t hurt…

“I’m s—”

“You should have kissed him back.”

Akane’s face falls in disbelief. “What did you say?”

He’s taken the knife out, and now he’s bleeding. It’s time to face the facts, to stop the dance while the music is still playing.

***

“If you did,” he says, at his most cowardly, all for the ease of pushing her away. Maybe this is his punishment for thinking he’s the newest hero in her story, the one to make all her pasts irrelevant, re-writing her future. Truths must be told, even in bitterness. “You would have known.”

“Known what?”

“You’d have known why you needed to hide this from me.”

For the first time, he casts his gaze on her neck, knowing now where to look. So cold, it makes her shiver; his warm light, snuffed out, nowhere to be found. Tears drip over the bridge of her nose, on wet eyelashes, a damp patch on the pillowcase. Why is he still holding her after dropping her from so high?

This isn’t how she wanted things to go, but the sour taste of his insult rises like bile at the back of her throat, and the touch of his hand, resting above hers like an afterthought, a robotic gesture, belongs to that of a stranger.

“I was faithful,” she says, a tone his stoic nature would be proud of. Setting her jaw, she slides her hand, turning away. “To onlyyou.”

Suffocating, rending, a crushing finality, only silence remains as the lights dim, casting darkness over the room, and shadows over her heart. The mattress dips, he mirrors her gesture; back to back.

No longer like lovers.

***

Half past one, moon high, starless night. She dresses quietly, takes her things from the nightstand, doesn’t look back.

“Miss Akane.”

If she wasn’t so emotionally drained, she’d have the energy to be startled as the drone approaches, handing her a small bottle.

“It’s for your eyes. Two to three drops each will instantly depuff and relax your muscles.”

“Oh. Thank you, Chiyo. I appreciate it.”

She holds the bottle over her eyes, blinking in the cool liquid. Along with her phone, she tosses everything in her handbag and heads to the foyer, slipping in her shoes.

“Should I tell the Master where you are going when he wakes up?”

The drone, capable of assessing physiological data and drawing conclusions from a set of predetermined algorithms, has likely chosen the most logical of questions to ask.

“That won’t be necessary.”

“Please take care, Miss Tsunemori.”

She opens the door, stepping out. “Thank you, Chiyo.”

“Come home safe!”

Akane looks down the hallway, walking towards the elevator. Logical steps. Calculated moves. Maybe that’s what it all comes down to.

***

“There he is. As scheduled.”

Arata yawns over the line, making Kogami laugh. “I have instructions to stay in the car. You can handle this, right?”

“Yeah, no worries. I got Irie with me. I expect to take him quietly, so it’s likely we can separate after and meet again tomorrow morning as usual. Maybe keep it low until after we leave.”

“Roger.”

Dropping the call, the passenger door opens, and a plastic bag is tossed on his lap; questionable contents at this time of night, treacherous clinking of glass, last night’s poison, and last night’s poisoned, flops down into the passenger’s seat.

“What the fuck?”

“Hi! Thought I’d drop by for a bit.”

Outside, he is momentarily distracted by Arata and Irie, playfully elbowing each other as they head to the warehouse. The trespasser, however, doesn’t seem to notice.

“This your kind of music?”

Kogami is snapped back to more pressing matters. “Ah, it’s just radio.”

“Which is based on your current listening. Don’t worry, I’m not judging! Alternative rock is nice, sometimes I just need a mood to listen to, though.”

Confused, he wonders if his age is impacting his deduction skills, or maybe he’s just not fully recovered, still trying to put two and two together as he stares at her from across the seat.

“No I mean, this really is radio,” he says, settling for the unsettled as he breaks into a smile. “They have a DJ, and yeah it is my kind of music, a lot of older stuff made when I wasn’t even alive. What the hell are you doing here?”

She shrugs. “Fear of missing out? I didn’t do anything the whole day.”

This tone, too light, overly cheerful. At two in the morning, two bottles of one cup sake and some custard pudding, sitting inside a plastic bag on his lap.

“How did you know we were here?”

“Stupid question.”

“Ah, yes. Hinakawa.”

“Bingo,” she reaches for the plastic bag, handing him the sake and taking hers.

Kogami feels like a punching bag, assaulted without defense, swinging from where it’s hung. “What are you doing?”

“Celebratory drink, for surviving!”

“You mean on duty, against the rules?”

“Whoa, good sir. Didn’t hear that from you last night.”

“And the good sir has learned his lesson.” He puts the sake back in the plastic bag, holding it open so she can put hers back in. “What the heck has gotten into you?”

She bursts into laughter before relenting, exchanging the sake for a custard pudding, fishing the bottom of the bag for the small spoons. “Fine. Here, my treat.”

“Jesus, Tsunemori. Is this what one day of no work does to you?” Kogami shakes his head, placing the bag between them.

“Yeah, kinda. Felt restless. Needed some air.”

“Don’t you have plenty on your apartment balcony?”

Akane pauses, sucking on the spoon. “Hm-mm.”

Soft custard, sweet caramel, a treat even for kings. She looks healthy; healed, something that just her voice wasn’t enough to completely reassure him. He would rather she have a full night’s sleep than stay up this late, but she’s the one sitting next to him right now, so that obviously wasn’t his call to make.

“Oh, so that’s him.”

Walking between Arata and Irie, the man is not cuffed, nor does he look insecure being escorted out of the warehouse by two CID officers. Kogami smirks, genuinely impressed.

“They just went in right when you came.”

“He’s very efficient, Arata. Helps he’s got someone as big as Irie there, too. They’re the good cop, ghetto cop duo, sometimes interchangeably,” she says, giggling. “Are they going to question him tonight?”

“Nope. Work starts tomorrow.”

Arata’s car drives away, and he silently finishes his pudding as one of his favorite songs plays on the radio. Her cup is discarded quickly; her speed at devouring sweets is definitely faster.

“Anticlimactic,” she sighs. “I thought we were gonna have a bit more action.”

“Careful what you wish for. There’s water in the glove box.”

“Thanks.”

Akane proceeds to down the whole bottle, making him laugh. He probably should have said that it’s the only bottle in the car.

“What’s so funny?”

“Nothing.” He starts the engine, holding the steering wheel and tapping to the beat. The streets, quiet and almost empty, are a distant scene from his delirious drive not twenty four hours ago. Feels like a lifetime, and now; Akane stares out the window, at the cars, and the buildings passing by.

Quiet.

Beautiful.

Alive.

He takes a longer route back to her apartment, humming along with his elbow resting on the car door, windows half down. The song ends and the next one plays, another favorite, as if the DJ knows he is listening..

Akane tilts her head to his direction, hearing his faint hum, his lips mouthing the lyrics.

“You can sing.”

He laughs, shrugging. “Not so sure about that.”

“That’s something I would say.”

As if she had not been looking out the window, it dawns upon her that they’re driving down her street. In a panic, she clutches his arm, startling him as the song sweeps to a chorus.

“I—” Akane pauses, heart caught in her throat as the sound blares in her ears, cathartic, waking her up.

“What is it?” Kogami slows, searching her gaze. “Something wrong?”

“Nothing,” she whispers, releasing her grip with a shaky laugh. “I don’t want to go—”

“My place, then.” Kogami looks at the road, where his gaze is supposed to be. She doesn’t answer, nor objects, and that thought swims in his head as he accelerates, forgetting the sound, and the song, fading into the background.

***

New year New skin.

May last year’s garbage fires keep us warm and light the way.

Happy New Year 2007