Chapter Text
Ash knew that it was too good to be true. He knew that he didn't deserve the happiness that Eiji gifted him. It struck him especially hard after being stabbed by Lao on his way to the airport, it was the world telling him that he did not deserve Eiji's love. Or, so he thought.
A woman happened to see what happened and screamed, calling the police immediately, tears streaming down her face as she dashed toward Ash, hand covering his wound. He would never understand why this woman cared, he was nobody to her, and here she was, saving him. "Ive got you, kid, just hold on for a few minutes, the ambulance is on its way." Sweat trickled down her forehead, her hand shaking against his puncture wound, but the only thing he could focus on was Eiji.
He never got to say goodbye to Eiji and see him off at the airport.
Ash's eyes drifted closed, as the woman's yells began to drown and blur into a mess of sirens and yelling. He felt himself be lifted and only one word escaped.
"Eiji."
----
Two weeks had passed since Ash had been stabbed by Lao. Sing wouldn't stop apologizing and crying, being the emotional boy he is, but Ash had just told him off, saying that Lao was no longer a part of his gang, so he had no affiliation with what had happened. He had many visitors in the hospital, and one of them being Max, which pissed him off. "Old men shouldn't concern themselves with teenagers, people will think you're a pedophile" Ash joked as Max entered, a smirk on his face.
"I have a wife and a child, some brat wont budge me," Max folded his arms, displeased. "Didn't stop the others." An awkward silence filled the room, and Max coughed, "Well anyway, I'm here because I'm wondering what you're going to do about Eiji. He doesn't know about your accident, or if you are going to go to Japan."
"Im going to Japan, but don't tell Eiji. I want to surprise him. I had originally promised that I would never see him again, but after reading his letter, I couldn't help myself. Eiji means everything to me. He fills me with warmth and makes living in this fucked up world worth it. I would just go down the same road of being a murderer without him by my side. If I'm with him in Japan, I know that we will be safe, and thats all Ive ever wanted." Ash's voice became quieter the more he spoke, but his heart sang loud for the Japanese boy.
"Well, that makes my visit a whole lot easier, brat. I thought I was gonna have to fight a bedridden kid to go see his boyfriend," Max laughed. A small smirk appeared on Ash's face, "You should remember very well, Dad, that I could beat the shit out of you easily."
Max sneered, getting out of his chair and flopping a piece of paper onto his lap. "One ticket to Japan, I heard that your other one had expired already. Good luck, son." With that, Max left the hospital room, leaving Ash with a smile brighter than the galaxy.
----
Ash had finally arrived in Japan, his knuckles white from gripping his suitcase too long. He was nervous. Would Eiji forgive him for not coming sooner? Would he still feel the same way that he described in his letter? His thoughts were running wild, and he almost couldn't take it anymore. He continued on for Eiji. Ash took another look at the address he was given by Max about Eiji's whereabouts, and studied the street signs, wandering around the pedestrian crowded streets of Japan. In the week left he had in the hospital, Ash took it upon himself to study Japanese, with the help of Max getting him the books that he needed and as many bagels as he wanted.
Ash nervousness accelerated as he approached the destination. His heart was pounding faster than when he was fighting Arthur on the railroad tracks. Sweat glistened on his forehead as he approached the house of the Okumura's. Gathering up all the courage he had left, he rang the doorbell and waited patiently.
"One minute!" A familiar voice called from inside, causing excitement to burst through Ash. It was Eiji, he could tell from miles away just by the sound of his voice. He sucked in a breath and smiled as the door opened.
"Long time no see, big brother."
----
Eiji missed Ash more than he ever thought he would. After putting his feelings into the letter to Ash, he had become more aware of what Ash meant to him. He had always known that they were best friends, inseperable, but Eiji had started to think that maybe they were something more. Soulmates is what they really felt like. Even though they were both so different, from opposite sides of the world and opposite childhoods, they related and got along better than anyone else.
To say that he was disappointed that Ash didn't come on the flight would be an understatement. He knew that Ash had his problems with their relationship since he always felt he had to protect Eiji, but Eiji had hoped that he knew in Japan they would be safer. He didn't let that get him down though, maybe Ash would change his mind and come eventually, but as the weeks went by his hope started to fade, but his feelings for the blonde boy did not waver.
Eiji heard the doorbell of his families house ring, and a small spark of hope ignited inside of him. Every time the doorbell rang, he hoped that Ash would be on the other side, smirking like the little devil he is, but Ash had never come to the door and Eiji didn't want to get his hopes up.
Then his hopes came true. Standing in front of him was none other than Ash, the blonde lynx that could never be controlled. Eiji sucked in a breath, taking in the sight of his soulmate, and tears began to spill as he launched himself onto Ash, knocking him to the ground.
"I knew you would come! What took you so long!" Ash smiled sheepishly, apologizing, but Eiji just dragged him inside and sat Ash on the couch. "Gosh, Ash, I missed you so much, you don't even know. I was so scared that something may have happened to-" he was abruptly cut off with a chaste kiss on the lips. Ash smiled, "Sorry to make you wait, I'm here now and Im here to stay." Eiji's tears started flowing again and he wrapped his arms around the younger boy.
"Welcome home Ash, I love you so much."
"Good to be back."