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The aftermath of the organization‘s downfall has been a struggle. For Shuuichi it has been endless hours perched inside of grey conference rooms where one meeting turned into fifty more and his only salvation were the five minutes he was able to smoke on the roof. The silence is the thing he misses the most about his life as Okiya Subaru. That and the freedom his new identity has brought even if only for a little while. There hasn‘t been much silence after that.
Everyone had something to say about the whole operation, especially those who were never involved. There were many questions and opinions. Accusations, criticism, suggestions. Shuuichi listened to them with the same patience he gave to all aspects of his job until that one perfect, beautiful moment when Rei snapped and just walked out of there. Then and only then did Shuuichi leave his spot near the wall and followed him. They haven‘t looked back since.
But there were other moments in between that left an even more bitter taste.
The night he held a crying Jodie in the hospital while they waited for Camel‘s surgery. His wound was her final straw for a much needed break-down. One he was partly responsible for. He stayed with her until they were sure that their colleague, and friend, was awake and recovering. It was Rei who picked them up the next day with freshly brewed tea instead of coffee because “you really need to sleep once you get home” and self-made sandwiches. Jodie embraced them both when they said their goodbyes and Shuuichi kissed him breathless once they reached home, his love for him stronger than ever.
There was also the day of Masumi‘s tears when they finally met properly again, the admiration and hurt in her eyes a fuel to the guilt he has been burying for years. He will never regret his decision to investigate their father‘s disappearance but his siblings did not deserve to be abandoned with their mother. He can never make up for his absence and all the pain they went through because of him, but he can try to be better for them now.
Or that night Shinichi ended up in front of their door soaked to the bone from the heavy rain and seeking comfort for maybe the first time in his life because he and the girl he fancied were no soulmates after all and she might never forgive him for taking Edogawa Conan away from her as well. Shuuichi left that one to Rei mostly, opting to heat water for them and offer moral support when needed.
And that‘s not even counting all the other instances where someone they know had to deal with the terrifying reality that everything was indeed over. They have all been waiting for it, but now that it actually happened, more than one were unable to cope.
But all of that is unimportant now.
It‘s been almost a year since the end and it‘s time for the FBI to return to the United States. It could have been a quiet, professional affair, a plane ticket and a handshake with a colleague or two, but the Detective Boys got wind of it and insisted on a farewell party. Someone suggested barbecue, Shuuichi suspects Genta, and that is how they have all ended up in Professor Agasa‘s garden.
The atmosphere is festive enough. There are balloons hanging in the bushes and trees and the children are running around, their cheer a welcome distraction from the last busy days. He notices Shiho watching them with a fond smile from her seat next to Shinichi who is in deep discussion with Masumi and Hattori. Shuuichi suspects a case but he‘s too far to confirm his theory.
Talk of the party has also spread across town because there are regularly people hopping in to say their goodbyes, chat and help themselves to some foods. In the moment it‘s the inspectors Takagi, Satou and Chiba who wait in front of the grill while Rei and Camel prepare their meat. It surprised Shuuichi that his soulmate allowed the other man to aid him as particular as he is in the kitchen, but maybe that‘s something reserved for him again.
Rei is all but shining tonight. It‘s not his Amuro shine, his perfect act that fools most people and that he can throw over himself like a cloak whenever needed. No this is all Rei, content, safe and happy. And that smile. That beautiful smile. Shuuichi can barely look away from him.
“Shuu!”
Blinking, he turns to Jodie who is looking at him in apparent amusement. This is obviously not the first time she called him. “I apologize,” he says. “You were saying?”
“I only reminded you that you should come visit from time to time,” she says with a fondness he doesn‘t deserve. “I‘m sure Furuya can endure a holiday in the US for you.”
Shuuichi laughs. “I wouldn‘t count on it.”
Don‘t make me sound like a tyrant, he hears Rei‘s voice in his head. His words are colored with angry embarrassment and it makes Shuuichi smile happily. Of course we will visit your friends.
Will we? he decides to provoke him. You hate America.
Not all of America, he points out. And even the US is supposed to have some beautiful landscapes I heard.
Alright. “Rei wants you to know that we will of course visit you,” he tells Jodie who glances in Rei‘s direction.
“I keep forgetting that you can do this now,” she muses.
It‘s a common sentiment that always baffles him. Telepathic bonds are not uncommon with soulmates, especially romantic ones. The deeper the bond, the deeper the connection is the rule and Shuuichi always knew that theirs would be strong once they are able to commit to their bond. He has been very patient, as Rye, in their time apart and in all those months they finally started to get closer again. When Rei was still undercover as Bourbon they couldn‘t afford for him to get distracted and he even agreed to wait out the aftermath, but ever since they‘ve walked out of that conference room, Shuuichi was done waiting.
They wasted enough years. He never wants to be apart again. Fortunately, and unbelievably, Rei shares this sentiment. Shuuichi will never forget the moment they bond was finally realized and Rei was just there, their feelings, minds and souls forever connected like it was always supposed to be. Being able to communicate with their thoughts is only one of the many perks this new connection has brought them. It didn‘t end their misunderstandings, but it makes it easier to resolve them because Rei now knows what Shuuichi doesn‘t say and Shuuichi knows when his soulmate needs reassurance rather than advice.
You‘re impossible, Rei states, his fondness warming Shuuichi from the inside. Pay more attention to your friend. She‘ll be gone in a few hours.
Then stop smiling like that. It‘s distracting.
He watches as Rei raises his head from the meat to send a glare his way. Better?
“I haven‘t seen that one in a while,” Jodie comments with a laugh. “I‘m glad things are going well between the two of you. Have you already decided what you are going to do next?”
“Not yet, no. I‘ve found some affordable properties on the countryside, but Rei is reluctant to leave the city.” Which is understandable. They both lived most of their lives in cities. A life in the country would need some getting used to for both of them but Shuuichi imagines it to be quiet and peaceful. Just what they need after everything they‘ve been through. But Rei doesn‘t want to settle as long as he hasn‘t decided on his professional future. Secretly he also wants to keep them available for Shuuichi‘s family, Shinichi and even the children although he would never openly admit it.
Shuuichi can‘t argue with that, not when it means that Rei is opening up to other people and wants to support them. He won‘t mind some more years in Tokyo although it might be nice to get a property as long as the market is still stable. They can always move later. Or it can be a summer house to spend their vacations in until they settle there for good. He decides to add this to his list of arguments when they discuss this next time.
Jodie studies him in surprise. “You‘ve really changed.”
“Soulmates change everyone,” Yukiko chimes in, appearing right before him, covering his view on Rei. She flashes them her most charming smile and presses new drinks into their hands before she continues: “Look at me for example. Before Yuusaku I was a real heartbreaker, obviously, but ever since we have had our bond, I‘ve become the most doting wife.” Most doting wife was not a description Shuuichi would use for her, but he has long since learned not to question her too much. “Just like Shuu-chan will be the most perfect husband.” She sighs theatrically. “Rei-chan is so lucky.”
“I‘m sure you are also very lucky,” Jodie says before Shuuichi has the opportunity to stop her. “Your husband seems very charming.”
Does she know what she just did? Rei asks in his thoughts. Shuuichi is not surprised that he is still listening. His jealousy of Yukiko is endearing. As if he would ever fall for a married woman, or anyone, while Rei exists.
She will in a second. Shuuichi watches a sparkle appear in her eyes and takes a sip of his new drink. Lemonade. Delicious if only a little too sweet for his taste.
“You are absolutely right, of course,” Yukiko starts and pulls out her phone. “My Yuusaku is the most wonderful man in the whole world! Have you already heard the news? We‘ve got another contract for a TV show for his latest series that will…”
“Apologies,” Shuuichi interrupts her. “I‘ll be right back.”
“What? Shuu!” Jodie calls but is hindered by Yukiko who continues with her praise for her husband. Experience has taught him that this can last a while, especially once she opens her social media feed. On another day he would humor her for a little while, but this party has been long enough already. He avoids every other attempt to drag him into a conversation with a charming smile and a quick “toilet” as the universal accepted excuse for privacy and escapes inside the house. Only to cross it for another door.
He steps into a different part of the garden that is blessedly abandoned in the moment. There is a bench here, hidden between several bushes. The sun is shining on it at this time of day and he sits down with a satisfied sigh. He can still hear the voices and laughter of the other guests from here, but for now he has found blissful solitude.
It‘s the perfect opportunity to get some rest, so he closes his eyes and enjoys the warmth of the sun. Habit makes him long for a cigarette, but he promised Rei to quit smoking for his health since they‘ve formed their bond. “After everything we‘ve been through, I‘m not loosing you to lung cancer,” he argued when they discussed it. “Or don‘t you want to grow old with me?” And how could he deny him that? He still misses it though. Smoking is another universally accepted excuse for privacy. He‘ll have to come up with new ways to get away from people in the future.
The next few minutes he is left to his own devices. At least until he both feels and sees a shadow falling over him when someone comes to stand in front of him.
“So here‘s where you‘re hiding,” Rei says. Shuuichi smiles when he feels the back of his hand against his forehead. You‘re warm, Rei adds in their thoughts, his worry resonating between them.
Shuuichi opens his eyes to see his soft expression he only shows when they‘re on their own. These subtle reminders of Rei‘s love for him never fail to take his breath away.
“Sit with me?” he asks him.
Rei raises an eyebrow at him but climbs on his lap without complains. Shuuichi wraps his arms around him and enjoys the feeling of his body close to his. The only thing better than solitude is spending it with his soulmate.
“You‘re tired,” Rei whispers and starts to caress Shuuichi‘s neck in a soothing manner. “We can go home if you want. I don‘t think anyone will mind.”
“Have I told you how beautiful you are today?”
“Shuuichi.”
“Because you are. The most beautiful, caring, loving partner in the whole world.”
Rei sighs. “How can you just say these things?” You are the one who is the most beautiful, caring and loving partner in the world, he thinks. I‘m just me.
And I wouldn‘t have you any other way, Shuuichi reminds him. “We can stay,” he answers Rei‘s original question. “Let‘s just rest here for a minute. You have been at that grill for hours. Have you even eaten?”
“Have you?” Deflection of his question. Coming from Rei that‘s as good as a confession.
“Let‘s eat together then. We can find out what Shinichi and my sister are up to while we‘re at it.”
“You‘re too late. They left with the police right before I came to find you.”
“Oh? And you didn‘t join them?”
Rei gives him a look. “It‘s a textbook murder in Shinjuku and the place will be flooded with police. They‘ll call if they need a ride, but until that moment I‘d rather stay with you.”
Shuuichi feels into their bond for a moment and only finds sincerity, love and some embarrassment about this admittance. Rei still struggles with expressing his needs. Shuuichi usually gets to the bottom of them anyway thanks to their bond, but it‘s always far more precious if he outrightly tells him what he wants. It needs encouragement.
“Alright,” he says and makes sure that Rei can feel his devotion for him. “Then we stay together till the morning.”
He leans in to seal the promise with a kiss. Their breaths already mingle when a loud gasp interrupts them. Rei‘s body tenses at once, his Japanese upbringing kicking in whenever there are strangers around. Shuuichi looks up to glare at the intruder. It‘s that karate kid who is dating Mouri Ran‘s best friend. Sonoko‘s voice can be heard from the other side of the garden, but she obviously misplaced her quieter half.
The boy blushes under Shuuichi‘s gaze, but keeps his composure. “I apologize,” he says politely. “I‘m, uhm, looking for the toilet.”
Ah, another poor soul looking for some solitude. He would be more empathetic if he didn‘t interrupt them right before a kiss. “Inside, down the floor, the second door on the right,” Shuuichi gives him directions. “Now leave.”
“Of course. Thank you.” The boy bows and disappears back inside. Smart.
Satisfied that they‘re alone again, he turns back to Rei who is trying to suppress his laughter. “Now leave?” he repeats and starts laughing in honest. “You‘re so…”
Shuuichi doesn‘t wait to find out what he wants to say. Instead he pulls him closer and presses their lips together, loving the way Rei instantly relaxes against him. I‘ve wanted to kiss you for hours, he let‘s him know while his tongue glides into Rei‘s mouth.
I know, his soulmate replies and deepens their kiss.
They stay like that for seconds, minutes, hours. Time looses its meaning when they are lost like this in each other, their bodies and souls demanding what they need.
It‘s only when his own, traitorous stomach starts growling that Rei ends their kiss with another, beautiful laugh. “Okay, that‘s enough. It‘s enough for now!” he repeats and gently pushes him away as Shuuichi tries to lean in for one last kiss. “Let‘s take care of your other hunger first and then go home. We should continue this in bed.”
Shuuichi grins at him. “You‘ve read my mind.”
The aftermath of the organization‘s fall has been a struggle. But every day spend with his beloved soulmate makes it all worth it.