Chapter Text
Ryunosuke sat in the garden, watching his boyfriends spar with a smile on his face. They both looked so majestic, so graceful. They were skilled enough that it looked more like a dance than a true fight. Ryunosuke had collected some flowers from the garden, and was secretly weaving a crown for the winner. Well. He had already weaved one. He was making another because he would feel bad giving something to only one of them.
It had been a few months since they saved Barok, and he was readjusting to human life quite well. He was still a little nervous around people, though, which is why they decided to move to a small cabin a short walk away from the village.
At first, Ryunosuke was hesitant of having Barok join his and Kazuma’s relationship. After all, it wasn’t ever something he had considered. True love was something between two people, or at least, that was what he had always been taught. And yet, only once both he and Kazuma kissed Barok did they break his curse. How could he turn him away in the face of that irrefutable evidence?
The first few weeks were rough. Barok probably felt a bit like an outsider, as Ryunosuke and Kazuma had been together for a year and a half, but Ryunosuke often felt that way too. Barok and Kazuma were together first. They had history together. Ryunosuke considered leaving them many times in those days, and yet, he could never bring himself to.
Now, Ryunosuke was so glad he hadn’t. Kazuma encouraged Ryunosuke and Barok to spend time together on their own, and while he was a bit intimidated at first, he realized that Barok was actually a caring and sweet man. He had a gentle heart that Ryunosuke was struck with an inexplicable urge to protect. They found a shared love of magic and literature that they could talk about for hours.
Barok was his true love just as much as Kazuma was, he knew it.
Now that he loved Barok as well, he could truly see how happy he and Kazuma made each other. It made him happy just seeing how happy they were together.
The crown in his hands finally finished, he looked back up at his boyfriends. Kazuma had taken the upper hand, going on a strong offensive. Barok had no other choice but to defend against Kazuma’s relentless flurry of strikes. With a smirk on his face, Kazuma struck Barok’s sword from his hand, bringing the point of his own sword to Barok’s chest.
They both turned to look at Ryunosuke, who was applauding Kazuma’s victory.
“Well done!” Ryunosuke grinned. “That was a close one!”
Kazuma chuckled. “Not really. I was in complete control the whole time.”
“Even when you stumbled?” Barok said with a raised eyebrow.
“Yeah, yeah, I did that on purpose.”
“Sure you did, my love.”
Kazuma crossed his arms with a huff, but he could not hide his smile.
Barok kissed him on the cheek. “You fought well regardless.”
“You too, I guess.”
“I, um,” Ryunosuke took a step closer. “I made you these!”
Ryunosuke held out two flower crowns. One made of red calla lilies for Kazuma, and one made of blue bellflowers for Barok.
Ryunosuke handed Barok’s to him, and he placed it on his head with a soft smile. It fit perfectly, just settling right above his ears. “Thank you, my dear.”
Ryunosuke’s cheeks flushed pink, and he offered the other crown to Kazuma.
But Kazuma was not content to be handed the crown. He lowered his head towards Ryunosuke, and the implication was obvious.
Ryunosuke sighed, but still placed the crown on Kazuma’s head. Kazuma straightened back up and smiled. The crown was a little big on him, falling a bit lopsided, but he didn’t seem to mind.
“Thank you, Ryunosuke.”
“You’re both welcome. Think of it as a reward for your sparring!”
“Then why did Barok get one too?” Kazuma complained.
“Because he did well too!”
“Our Ryuu went through all this effort to make this crown–” Barok pointed to the crown on his head– “and you don’t want me to wear it?”
Ryunosuke’s blush got even darker, something that happened every time Barok called him ‘their Ryuu’. He looked up at Kazuma with big, hopeful eyes.
“Ugh, fine. I guess you can wear it.” Kazuma crossed his arms, then sighed, letting his arms fall. “I missed you two so much.”
“We missed you too, Kazuma.” Ryunosuke threw his arms around Kazuma. A moment later, Barok joined their embrace.
Ryunosuke and Barok had spent the previous week travelling. They had only returned a day ago. It was their idea, but Kazuma had encouraged it, saying it would do them some good to have some time together, just the two of them. Ryunosuke could tell that Kazuma had been lonely when they returned, but their trip was for a good reason. They had a surprise for Kazuma.
“Shall we head back inside?” Kazuma asked.
“Sounds good, Partner.” Ryunosuke smiled. “You go ahead, there’s something I need to ask Barok.”
Kazuma looked hesitant, but then nodded, walking towards their cottage.
“What is it, dear one?” Barok turned to Ryunosuke.
“I think now is a perfect time to give him the present, don’t you?”
Barok smiled. “I was thinking the same thing.”
–
Kazuma was putting his sword away when he felt a pair of arms wrap around him from behind.
“Hey, Partner,” he said.
“Hey, Kazuma. Are you busy right now?”
“No, why?”
“Barok and I have something we want to give you.”
“Mmm? What is it?” Kazuma turned around, and Ryunosuke moved his hands to Kazuma’s waist.
“It’s a surprise. Can you come sit down on the couch for us, please?” Ryunosuke smiled sweetly.
Kazuma felt his knees go weak. Even after almost 2 years of partnership with the man, his soft smiles still caught him off guard. He would do anything for his Ryuu.
“Yeah, of course…”
When the two of them walked out into the living room, Barok was already sitting on the couch. Ryunosuke gestured to the spot next to him, and Kazuma sat down.
Ryunosuke then ran into their bedroom.
Barok took Kazuma’s hand in his and gave it a squeeze.
“What is it?” Kazuma asked.
“It’s a surprise, Kazuma.”
“Ryunosuke said that too,” Kazuma asked.
“And you still tried to ask me.”
Kazuma shrugged.
“Patience, Kazuma.” Barok squeezed his hand again.
Ryunosuke came back into the room holding something long and thin, covered with cloth.
Kazuma sat up straighter. If he was trying to guess, and he was, it looked like a sword. Had they gotten him a new sword? That was very thoughtful of them…
Ryunosuke handed the object to Kazuma, then sat down on Kazuma’s other side.
“May I?” Kazuma asked.
“Of course!” Ryunosuke smiled, fidgeting with excitement at the same time Barok nodded.
Kazuma took a deep breath, and pulled the cloth away. His eyes widened. It was something he hadn’t seen in a long time. He felt a lump form in his throat as he looked down at it. The mighty sword, Karuma.
“This… is my father’s sword.” Kazuma turned the sword over in his hands, running his fingers over the crest on the sheath. “The great sword of the Asogi clan…”
“I found it a few years ago…” Barok put his hand on Kazuma’s shoulder. “I hid it where no human could ever find it. I’m glad our Ryuu is such a skilled archer, or else I don’t think we could have gotten it down.”
“So… That’s where you two went last week…”
Ryunosuke nodded.
“Thank you.” Kazuma closed his eyes, tears falling down his cheeks.
“It warms my heart to see the sword with its rightful owner again,” Barok said.
Kazuma covered his eyes with his hand, trying to stop himself from crying.
“Kazuma?” Ryunosuke said, placing his hand on his back.
“Thank you so much… I love you both…”
“I love you too, Partner.” Ryunosuke pressed a kiss to his cheek.
“I love you too, my dear.” Barok said, kissing his other cheek.