Feel My Heart Beat

Chapter 3: Confusion

Asami sighed as he ran a hand through his damp hair. He was sitting in his robe on his couch in the penthouse with a tumbler of whiskey in hand, trying to sort out his thoughts. Whatever he expected from today, finding his soulmate wasn't it. Asami had been genuinely shocked to feel that shortening of breath and see the soft pulsing of light emanating out from both their chests. He had always assumed that he would never find this person. Why would he, with a past stained with sin, find his destined person when people far more deserving never did? And of all people it was this little brat, bright blue eyes full of innocence and honesty. He lit up the room with his bubbling laughter and exuberance, full of life and passion. A shining angel compared to a dark demon. Yet supposedly this was his 'other half'. A person that was supposed to fill a missing void. Asami had watched him during lunch, fascinated with his wild gestures and expression which held his thoughts open like a book to be pursued. And this Takaba Akihito surprised him more than once during the brief few hours they spent together.

"What's with that look? Do people normally come and try and leech money off you?" Akihito snorted. "Man, you need better friends."

Seeing that passion and enthusiasm, particularly when the topic of photography came up, Asami had decided to buy him a camera to replace the broken one. Even getting the most expensive one in the store was pocket change to him. He didn't think twice about it until then.

"What part of 'I don't want your money' did you not understand?"

Who was this person who told him no? Once he had recovered from his surprise, anger had taken hold. He had wanted to help, clearly Akihito was in no position to get a new one himself. Yet he stood there, defiance blazing in his eyes, glaring back at him. Asami sent people scurrying with his glare and yet this brat was standing there ready to go toe to toe with him over a gift of all things.

"You aren't used to people telling you no, are you?"

Asami wasn't sure what to make of this person who didn't want anything from him. He honestly couldn't remember the last time he met someone that didn't want something from him, be it money, power or prestige. The way he lit up when they walked into that camera shop only confused him further. Why would you turn down gift when it clearly meant so much?

"I can look after myself. I know you're my soulmate and all but that doesn't mean you owe me anything."

He had clearly seen the panic flit across his face as he had called Akihito to the register at the store. Seen him open his mouth to protest only to be cut off by Asami's phone call. Who was this brat that got under his skin in a few scant hours so that already he wanted to possess all of him, give him the world just to see those blue eyes light up in pleasure or that fiery stubbornness?

Akihito had made it clear that he didn't want anything from him, as much as that confounded Asami. But what did he want from the little blonde? Soulmate. His nature to take and possess was kicking in but in what way? The term soulmate was vague and for once he was at a loss to make sense of his own emotions. He sighed. This was not an answer he was going to find at the bottom of his glass of whiskey in the dead of night. Not this time. No, he would need to spend more time with this intriguing person by the name of Takaba Akihito.

***

It had been a long day at the office. It had started annoyingly early due some trouble at one of the warehouses and had ended with an entire afternoon and early evening of paperwork. Kirishima had been watching him like a hawk too, as though worried that he would be distracted in light of recent events. Which was partially true but he could have done most of this tedious work with his eyes closed. Asami would have preferred something a bit more hands on to make the time move faster but his secretary was having none of it. Too many things needed his signature and all he had wanted was get to the time where he could go out for dinner with his little blue eyed brat.