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Barok watched, speechless, as Sholmes was dragged outside by Susato and Ryunosuke—but not before throwing an amused glance in his direction.
He knew it… There was no way that self-entitled Great Detective wouldn’t have realized something so obvious, and his smug expression only confirmed those suspicions. That man… That ungodly scheming detective… He had done it all on purpose.
Barok couldn’t gather the courage to look at the man next to him… He didn’t know what kind of expression Kazuma had on his face, and was too afraid to see it for himself. Yet, that silence was nothing but anxiety-inducing; if he didn’t say something, he was sure his heart would give in soon enough.
“Kazuma, I…”
The problem was, he had no idea what to say. He risked a glance at Kazuma, who kept his gaze low, his face bright red behind his hand.
“I’m sorry,” Kazuma murmured. “I had no idea you… If I knew, I wouldn’t have played along.”
“No, you… You couldn’t have known.”
Kazuma hesitated briefly, then raised his eyes, looking at him. “Barok… Were you really about to…?”
“I…” Barok lowered his gaze. “I don’t know.”
The answer seemed to catch Kazuma off-guard. “You don’t know?”
“I wanted to,” Barok admitted. “That was my plan, at least. But… By the time Sholmes and his friends arrived, I was already losing my courage. Even if this small incident hadn’t occurred, I don’t think I would have continued to the end.”
“But… Why?” Kazuma paused, proceeding in a lower voice. “Did you change your mind?”
“No.” Barok struggled with the words for a moment. “Truthfully, I was afraid.”
“Of what?”
“I’m not sure. Of asking too much of you… Of making you feel like you had to agree to this.” He sighed. “Especially of failing to make you happy.”
Kazuma didn’t answer for a moment. He moved closer to Barok, lightly touching his chin, making him turn his head to face him.
“You know this is just you overthinking things again, right?” asked Kazuma. “You know me… If I didn’t want it, I’d just tell you.”
“I suppose so.”
“And I am happy with you,” he added. “Do you still doubt it?”
“No… No, I don’t.” Barok hesitated. “But, sometimes… These worries overcome me, and I cannot think properly.”
“As long as you know they’re just worries. Because I don’t want to be with anyone else in my entire life.”
Those sweet words seemed to melt Barok’s anxiety. “Hearing you say this makes me embarrassed of my fears.”
“I don’t want you to feel embarrassed. I want you to know that I love you.” Kazuma showed a slight grin. “But that embarrassed expression is quite endearing too.”
Barok sighed, unable to hold back a smile as he shook his head. “You’re incorrigible.”
Kazuma hummed to himself, then hugged Barok’s arm, resting his chin on his shoulder. “But I’m glad to know this is so important to you.”
“Of course it is.” Barok leaned his head against Kazuma’s. “Everything that involves you is important to me.”
He could hear Kazuma’s low, pleased laugh: years later that sound still made him feel warm inside.
“So…” said Kazuma after a while. “Should I give you my answer now, or…?”
The question made Barok’s heart jump. “No, wait! I haven’t even proposed properly yet.”
“Yet?”
Kazuma let go of Barok’s arm, allowing him to stand up, reaching for that small box. Suddenly, the anxiety started to grow in his chest again: he knew that gesture was nothing but symbolic, and that two men wouldn’t be able to properly get married… When he bought that pair of matching rings, it all just made sense in his mind. But now… He couldn’t help but wonder if it seemed foolish from another person’s perspective.
It was difficult to focus with his mind filled with worries and worst-case scenarios. If it wasn’t too late to turn back, he would have given up on the idea once again. Curse you, Sholmes…
“Just… give me a moment,” said Barok.
“Of course.” Kazuma laughed, amused. “Take your time.”
At least Kazuma didn’t seem bothered by it. Barok tried to find the right words; he had rehearsed it countless times before, and yet, his mind was completely blank. Kazuma was looking at him, patiently waiting… He would probably have to improvise.
Barok faced Kazuma, getting on his knee. “Kazuma, I…” A low giggle made Barok lose his focus. “Please, stop laughing.”
“I’m sorry!” Kazuma brought his hands to his mouth, trying to contain his laughter. “Please, go on.”
Barok took a deep breath, trying to clear his mind. “I know this is just a symbolic gesture… But I wanted you to know that, from the moment I fell in love with you, I couldn’t imagine anyone else by my side.” He made a brief pause to find his next words. “You saw me at my worst moments, and still chose to stay with me. You offered me the love and support I needed to leave that dark place I was, and find joy in my life once again. It’s thanks to you that I look forward to every morning. You gave me a new life, so…” He opened that small box, revealing the matching pair of rings inside of it. “Would you be willing to share yours with me?”
Kazuma didn’t answer for a while, simply looking at Barok with his hands still covering his mouth. Then, he briefly closed his eyes, the sound of a low giggle escaping through his fingers.
“Why are you laughing in a moment like this?” asked Barok.
“I’m sorry, I just…” Kazuma shook his head. “I don’t even know how to react…”
“Was it that bad?”
“No!” He briefly waved his hand in front of his face. “Come on… Just let me be happy in peace.”
Barok sighed, slightly embarrassed. “Don’t lie… This is disastrous.”
“It isn’t! I just wasn’t expecting…” Another small laugh. “It’s hard to believe this is happening.”
“I wish I could have done this right…”
“Stop saying that.” Kazuma stood up from the table, then crouched beside Barok, hugging his neck and kissing his face, whispering close to his ear. “I love you so much…”
That reaction was enough to calm Barok a little. He embraced Kazuma tightly, and, as his anxiety left him, he was taken by the relief of finally saying those words.
“You still owe me an answer,” he murmured after a while.
Kazuma moved slightly away, placing a light kiss on Barok’s lips before answering. “Of course.”
Barok let out his breath. “Thank God…”
His reaction made Kazuma furrow his brow. “Did you really think I’d say no?”
“You have no idea how anxious I was…”
“Fair enough…” In a second, the grin was back on Kazuma’s face. He offered Barok his hand. “Would you do the honors?”
Barok smiled. “With pleasure.”
He took the smaller ring from that box, sliding it into Kazuma’s finger, admiring it for a moment.
“I’m glad it fits,” said Barok.
“Were you worried about that too?”
“I was worried about everything.”
“You think too much, you know?”
Barok simply smiled in response: how many times had he heard those same words before? He looked at Kazuma’s hand for a while longer. “It looks good on you.”
“Yes.” Kazuma turned his gaze from the ring to Barok. “My turn. Give me your hand.”
Barok did as he said. Kazuma slid the second ring on Barok’s finger, then brought his hand to his lips, kissing it.
“I’m not good with words,” said Kazuma, “but… You gave me a new life too. Thanks to you, I found my way again, and now I’m happier than I ever was before. So… I want to stay with you, for as long as you want me by your side.”
“I hope you’re prepared for an entire lifetime together, then.”
“Sounds good to me.” Kazuma glanced at their rings, opening an amused grin. “Husband.”
That single word was enough to make Barok’s entire mind go still for a moment. A strong warmth covered his face and neck, making him look away, but not before noticing that Kazuma himself wasn’t in a much better state.
“I… wasn’t prepared for that,” said Barok.
“Me neither…” Kazuma grunted. “I was supposed to make you embarrassed, not myself.”
“You know your mischief always turns against you.”
“What can I do? I never learn…”
His words made Barok laugh. He looked at Kazuma, who faced him as well.
“We’re a duo of fools…” said Barok.
“But it isn’t that bad, is it?”
“No.” Barok leaned forward, gently moving Kazuma’s hair back, placing a kiss on his forehead. “It’s perfect.”
Kazuma’s expression softened. He moved closer to Barok, hugging him, pressing small kisses against his face and neck.
It was strange… Things weren’t any different, and yet, it was like everything had changed. Maybe things felt more official now that he had proposed properly—or maybe it was just the confirmation that both of them wanted their days together to continue for the rest of their lives.
Either way, Barok hated to admit it, but he would have to thank Sholmes later for his meddling.