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Home… that was a concept Ibara never understood. For him, home was simply a place to sleep, nothing more. Why so many people make such a huge deal out of a simple room with objects made no sense for him. Objects could easily be replaced, as long as someone had money they could buy a million houses, so why make a fuss about it?
He shouldn't care about such things. Or at least that was how things were supposed to be.
Ibara grabbed a box that was on the bedside table, inside the box there was a ring. The ring was expensive, but simple, Ibara preferred a ring that wouldn't catch too much attention anyway.
One month ago Ibara and Hiyori went on a date, and it seemed both had the idea to propose to each other. Hiyori had said that proved just how much they understood the other and talked about many things Ibara didn't understand, compared to before he didn't have as much trouble saying how he felt, but there were still times he didn't know what to say or react. Despite that, the older idol promised he would never leave Ibara alone, but he broke that promise.
Ah, how foolish he was for thinking life was going to be easy for once.
Was this his punishment for all the poison he spread? If so, life was cruel. He was the one who crushed others dreams and hopes to get where he was, not Hiyori. Hiyori wanted to save people and see them happy, being described as the sun was the most fitting description for someone like the princess of Eden. Sun is something essential for everyone's survival, and of course that includes Ibara as well.
The star itself could never reach Ibara, he sank way too far in the Abyss. The rays of the sun do not exist in such a place, only darkness and coldness are served, but that is fitting for a place like that. The abyss was only filled with sinners who did not want the pity of the others.
That was how it should have been for Ibara as well, but instead he was given wings and eventually he managed to get out of that dark place. The wings were broken, but he did everything he could so he would not go back to live in the same miserable way he did before. This time he could finally feel the warmth of the sun, but it was only superficial, nothing could compare to the warmth of the person who was singing and dancing elegantly on stage.
Yes, that blessed day he found two people who were perfect for Eden. How could he forget that day? That had been the start of everything. Ibara had never felt true love until that point, he used to think only fools would be led by an emotion people made up. After all, how could someone know what they were feeling was love? If love was as magical as everyone said, why would people cheat or break up with their current lover just to be with another? Love was just an excuse for illogical actions.
He truly used to believe that.
But Ibara never expected one day he would also fall victim to that cursed emotion. The cursed emotion who ruined everything. Had he not fallen in love with Hiyori, the green haired idol would still be here, in their home, instead of being in a hospital fighting for his life.
That morning both of them went out to celebrate their 6th anniversary, it had already been six years since they started dating and none of them regretted a single moment of it. All the sad and happy moments made their bond stronger and it was almost impossible to separate the two, only one thing could separate them.
Death.
Hiyori was helping Ibara choose new clothes, or rather, Hiyori was making Ibara try a bunch of different clothes until he found something that would suit his dear boyfriend the most. 'You're an idol, so you have to own nice clothes and look perfect!' that was what Hiyori had said. It was tiring, but both of them were having fun and it was also a nice distraction from the amount of work Ibara had.
Everything was perfect until a drunk man with a gun had entered the store.
All the training in the military was forgotten the moment Ibara saw the gun. There was one thing he hated the most other than being powerless, and that was guns. Just seeing that damn thing made Ibara freeze and remember the days he spent in that hell, the days where everyone except for one person wanted him dead, the days he had to fight for his survival and gave him scars that would never disappear no matter how much make-up he putted on them or tried to hide them.
Hiyori was no fool and quickly noticed something was wrong, but unfortunately he hadn't been the only one. The man raised the gun and shot.
It happened too fast.
Suddenly there was a lot of screaming and Hiyori was laying on the ground with a pool of blood surrounding his frail body. That made Ibara wake up, but it was too late. Hiyori was still breathing, but if he wasn't treated immediately there was a chance he could die. Ibara had no idea what happened to the man who had the gun, he was more focused on Hiyori and making sure he didn't lose any more blood until an ambulance arrived.
Ibara could only stand there while he saw the love of his life being taken away from him. He knew Hiyori was stronger, but so were guns and he lost a lot of blood. The producer of the unit called the other two members and met them in the hospital.
It was the first time Nagisa and Jun had seen Ibara so down, but that was to be expected of course. The time passed and there was still no news from the doctor, eventually Nagisa convinced Ibara to go home and get some sleep, if they got any news they would call him immediately.
When the snake arrived home, he felt empty and like something was missing. The house was much darker and it was like he didn't belong there. Even Bloody Mary seemed sad, like she knew something had happened to her owner, and perhaps she knew, after all Hiyori was very close to his dog.
That was when Ibara saw the box with the ring, being in a relationship was taboo for them so they decided to keep the rings at home until the wedding day. Ibara put the box back where it was and went to take a shower, there was no way he could sleep, not when he knew his future husband was in the hospital.
The shower was quick, Ibara wanted to go back to Hiyori’s side and apologize for failing him. The red haired idol grabbed some clothes so when Hiyori wakes up he can change clothes, that is if he wakes up. Ibara saw many people die from a bullet wound back in the military, he hated how a small wound like that could easily end someone's life.
The ride to the hospital was quiet, which was a very strange thing for Ibara. He was used to how much Hiyori liked to talk and always had something to say, it was rare for them to have a quiet moment but Ibara found himself enjoying those times.
"...Ibara, you should be sleeping." As expected Nagisa and Jun were still there.
"My apologies, your Excellency, but I cannot sleep...not when…"
"...I see, I'm sorry for making you leave earlier."
"There's no need to apologize, your Excellency, I don't deserve such kindness."
"Oi, Ibara." Jun called, he had been extremely quiet until then. "Don't blame yourself. Ohii-san will be mad at you if you continue talking like that, you don't want to make Ohii-san mad when he wakes up right?"
"... You're right."
Hours passed and they finally saw the doctor who was in charge of Hiyori's surgery.
"Are you here for Hiyori Tomoe?" The three idols nodded. "Fortunately Hiyori survived, he's awake now and you can see him, but there's a chance he won't be able to use his right arm anymore. Everything will depend on how well his recovery goes."
"...Thank you." The doctor nodded and left. "Ibara, you go first. I'm sure Hiyori-kun wants to see you first."
"Thank you, your Excellency, Jun."
Ibara headed to the room Hiyori was staying in. The entire time he blamed himself for what was happening, had he not been weak Hiyori wouldn't be suffering. Now because of that, the idol might lose the ability to move his arm. How would this affect their unit? More importantly, how was Hiyori dealing with this? Ibara was aware of how much the princess enjoyed being an idol, but that was cruelly taken away from him.
Unfortunately the walk to the room was short and Ibara had now to face what his weaknesses caused. Ibara knocked and opened the door.
There was Hiyori sitting on the hospital bed.
"Ibara…"
"Your Highness! I'm glad the surgery went well."
"Don't just stand there." Hiyori patted the bed. "Sit next to me."
Ibara did as told and sat on the bed, waiting for Hiyori to tell him he was done with the snake. He failed his lover when he needed to protect him the most, Ibara didn't deserve the love of a pure angel like Hiyori.
"Stop thinking! I can literally tell what you are thinking, and that's bad weather!" That caught the snake by surprise, why didn't Hiyori hate him? "I chose to stand in front of the bullet, it's not your fault! The perfect Hiyori is the Hiyori who protects his family!"
"Your Highness…"
Hiyori placed a hand on top of Ibara's head and approached him, their faces were now very close to each other.
"It's not your fault, you can't control every single person on this planet." Hiyori returned to his original position and smiled. "Now go grab me some food. I'm starving!"
"Your Highness, are you sure- "
"Yes, yes. Now go. Oh, and also tell Nagisa-kun and Jun-kun to enter."
The green haired idol saw his boyfriend leave and waited for Nagisa and Jun to enter. Like he was reading the other's mind, Nagisa hugged Hiyori and let him cry on his chest.
"Nagisa-kun… w-won't I be able to stand on a stage with all of you again?"
Both Nagisa and Jun didn't say anything. They were no expert in the medical field and both knew how dangerous it could be giving someone else false hopes, they didn't want their precious friend to fall in despair in case it turned out he couldn't move his arm anymore.
What they didn't notice was Ibara who was outside the room listening to his boyfriend crying, he knew something was wrong. Hiyori was being too pushy and it was clear he was on the verge of tears. Ibara felt his heart stop and he made a promise to himself, if Hiyori still wanted to stay together after all of this, he would do anything to protect that smile and if anyone dared to make him cry, Ibara would show them what it was like being poisoned.
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"Ibara! I was getting worried, you took so long!"
"My apologies, your Highness." Ibara placed the tray with food on the bedside table. "Your Excellency and Jun already left?"
"Yes, they looked tired and I told them to go home and sleep."
"I see. Your Highness, I'm truly sorry for not being able to protect you. I failed you, and now because of that you're injured. If you want to break up I completely- "
"Stop stop stop! Did you listen to what I said earlier?" Hiyori sighed and made eye contact with Ibara to show he was not lying. "I don't regret what I did, I want to protect my family, and if taking a bullet is what I need to do to protect them, then that's what I will do. It's true I'm afraid of not being able to move my arm again, but you're safe and that's more important to me."
"Your Highness, may I ask why are you so forgiving? You could have died."
"Because I love you."
Love. Once again that cursed emotion showed up.
"And you've been protecting me all this time, now it was my turn to protect you. Adam and Eve are one and only, they stayed together even when they sinned, not even death could truly separate them. I think that fits us perfectly, don't you agree?"
"...I really have a lot to learn with his Highness."
"Hm hm, I'm happy you admit that. Now come here, I want to shower my viper with love!"
This was one of the times Hiyori seemed to know exactly what Ibara was thinking. All the snake wanted right now was to have his boyfriend in his arms.
"Thank you, your Highness."
Hiyori smiled and wrapped his left arm around Ibara.
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Weeks passed and fortunately Hiyori's recovery went smoothly. He could finally move his arm, it was painful but he was getting better.
When the doctor told the couple the older idol could finally go home, both of them were happy. They could be together again and Hiyori could return to his normal life, the green idol couldn't wait to see his Bloody Mary, he missed her a lot.
On their way home, Hiyori talked about all the things he wanted to do now that he was out of the hospital. Ibara missed this. He couldn't always visit his boyfriend due to work, and sometimes the visit had to be cut short, because of that they didn't have the chance to talk a lot. They did call each other most of the time, but nothing could compare to being next to the other.
"Your Highness, we arrived."
"Hm. I'm finally home."
He understood now. Home was a place you could always return, a place you shared with your loved ones and felt safe there.
"Welcome home… Hiyori."