Bokuto sighed as he placed his phone on the desk. He pulled out a packet of cigarettes from his pocket and slid one in his mouth smoothly. Akaashi studied him through half-lidded eyes from his seat across him before offering his lighter to the taller man. Bokuto held the cigarettes to Akaashi, but he shook his head.

"I don't smoke, Bokuto-san, the smell clings."

Bokuto's eyes widened in surprise.

"But you carry a lighter?"

Akaashi's eyes softened in amusement. 

"Lighters can be used for more than just starting fires for cigarettes."

Bokuto's lips curved into an 'O' as he remembered that Akaashi Keiji was a hitman. 

'Maybe he used it to get rid of any evidence or to heat up knives...'

"Sorry about that interruption just now," Bokuto opened a drawer, pulling out a thin briefcase and slid it across the desk. "Here's the rest of your payment."

Akaashi flicked it open, eyes flickering over the stacks of cold cash before clicking the case shut.

"If you don't mind, I would like to open another contract with Fukurodani - a long term one this time," Akaashi's eyes drifted from the bills to meet Bokuto's gleaming gold ones. He was grinning slightly, interest shining in his eyes.

"And why would you like that?"

Akaashi was silent for a moment, then, he answered, "...I like it here."

"The people are polite, and you pay me on time."

The curve of Bokuto's lips widened.

"Of course! You're one of the most efficient people we've ever hired. Why wouldn't we treat you with respect?"

If Akaashi had any less control over his poker face and emotions, he would have blushed. Bokuto Koutaro seemed so earnest - so unlike what it should've taken for someone to become the kumicho of such a well-known syndicate such as Fukurodani. But Akaashi supposed that it would be unfair to judge a man based on only one facet that he had seen on the man. It was oddly fitting that someone as wild and enthusiastic as Bokuto dealt in drugs. He couldn't see the man selling guns or stealing money from under people's noses or trafficking humans.

Akaashi let the corner of his lips slant upwards.

"We should start drafting a contract then."

Unlike most contractors, Akaashi didn't have his full of different terms and conditions and issues with the law. There wasn't even anything about him getting caught or his affiliation to Fukurodani. Akaashi didn't even take any offence when Bokuto asked about it.

"I don't mention it because I don't get caught," if he was any less composed, Akaashi would have grinned. "But, if it would ease your worries, I have a strict no-betrayal policy, and I don't take more than one contract at a time."

Bokuto was slightly stunned. He held it in - those eyelashes were going to be the death of him - because he wasn't supposed to be that naïve. The pair settled the rest of the paperwork easily, ignoring the guards that were obviously snickering and eavesdropping on their meeting. Any other kumicho might have been infuriated at the disrespect, but Bokuto found that he didn't really care.

They weren't just guards; they were his family.

And if he anything to say about it, so was the pretty boy in front of him.