Archive of Our Own ^beta

....::::**•°✾°•**::::....

Kazuma lets out a breath he had no idea he was holding once the boat is finally completely out of sight. That sinking feeling inside his heart still weighs heavily on him as he watched his friends disappear into the horizon. He knows he’s made the right decision, to stay in London, to improve himself, fulfil his new purpose of reigning that monster inside him, and although it is the right decision, the longer he thinks about it, the less content he is with it.

He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath, inhaling the salty scent of the sea. Unto a new chapter, it is. But as he tries to turn around and leave, he stumbles on something moving in front of him and almost falls, that is if it wasn’t for Sholmes swooping in and catching him before his face could shamefully meet the ground.

“Careful there, my dear fellow,” the detective quips, clearly amused.

“Thank you,” he mumbles, before straightening up, trying to ignore the embarrassment he feels growing inside.

“Waggy, that was mean!” Iris exclaims and as Kazuma swats Sholmes’ arms away, he sees the little girl scoop up a cat who looks reluctant to stay put. So that was who made him stumble.

“Well, I have to return to the Prosecutor’s Office before dark, I promised to help Lord van Zieks with the last arrangements for Lord Stronghart’s and Jigoku’s trials,” he says after clearing his throat, “I bid you two a good evening.” He bows before turning away from the father-daughter duo.

However, before he can take more than a few steps, Sholmes speaks up again. “And do you have somewhere to stay, Mr Asogi?”

The question surprises him enough to make him stop and turn around in confusion.

“Oh oh, we would be glad to welcome you, Zuzu, now that Runo and Susie won’t be here!” Iris chimes in, looking rather excited at the prospect. The cat in her arms meows as well as if to agree.

“They’ve been gone five minutes and you’re already trying to replace them?” Kazuma half-jokes. “I appreciate the offer but I…” he cuts himself off. Does he have somewhere to stay? While suffering from amnesia and under van Zieks’ apprenticeship, he stayed in the van Zieks manor with the man and when he regained his memory, he didn’t have time to settle down anywhere as he found himself wrapped up in such a complicated assassination plot again, moving places.

And although van Zieks agreed to continue teaching him the ways of a proper British prosecutor, he doubts the arrangement they had before would still stand now, with their fragile link.

“You don’t have to give an answer right away,” Sholmes reassures. “But know that the offer is there.”

Kazuma nods. “Of course, thank you.”

And that is that for now.

....::::**•°✾°•**::::....

To his utter surprise, Lord van Zieks offers him his chambers back in his manor, and Kazuma uncomfortably stares at him a long time instead of answering.

“You do not need to appear so baffled,” van Zieks groans, shaking his head as he hides half of his face behind his gloved hand. “It is the least I could do, for thanking you for unearthing the truth behind the Professor case.”

“I tried to send you to the gallows for most of the trial,” Kazuma reminds him because it does feel it needs to be brought up again. He cannot be forgiven this easily, can he? “You would willingly bring someone who wanted your death to your home?”

“Wanted,” van Zieks repeats pointedly, keeping a neutral face Kazuma cannot read. “It has been your home as well for these past few months, and in light of your friends leaving for Japan, I figured somewhere somewhat familiar could… help.”

It is an attentive thought but…

“Lift your head up, prosecutor,” van Zieks interrupts his thoughts and Kazuma flinches just a little at being caught. “I cannot fault you for a desire and attitude I was once guilty of, too. And unlike you, I went through with it.”

“My Lord,” Kazuma starts slowly, carefully, eyes meeting the older man’s cold gaze. A fire inside him lights up, conflicting thoughts battling to the death. The man before him… he believed him to be the bane of his existence for so long, even when he had no face or no name. “What is it, that you seek?”

The Crown Prosecutor sighs although he doesn’t break eye contact. “I am not foolish enough to hope for forgiveness. But perhaps, an understanding can be made.”

“An understanding,” Kazuma repeats thoughtfully.

Van Zieks nods. “I do think… that with everything that has been revealed, very few people could understand what we feel.” Betrayed, lonely and fooled, by people they once idolised and held close. “The last ten years of my life have been miserable, that much I can now admit to you because you’ve seen worse of me. Your words after my trial truly inspired me, Mr Asogi, and I cannot allow myself to walk the path of loneliness and push everyone else again, nor can I allow you to make the same mistakes.”

And is that not the worst, Kazuma thinks dryly. How kind the man who once gladly bore the name of Reaper actually is. Kazuma had witnessed it first-hand before, with that poor overworked bobby who got to keep his job despite tempering with a crime scene, with Professor Harebrayne as he made sure his dear university friend was away from the Reaper’s grip, with Maria Gorey as he made sure the young girl would still be able to see her mother.

And now… with him.

But it isn’t exactly the truth, is it? It isn’t about now. Barok had welcomed him while he was amnesiac, and the man wasn’t dense, he must have known he was of Eastern descent from the first look, if only hinted by the colour of his skin behind the mask. Although Stronghart had appointed him to him, Barok had no obligation to house him — and dress him, too — outside of the apprenticeship.

And why is he referring to him by his given name now?

“Thank you,” he says as he bows and if his voice shakes a little, he hopes it isn’t audible. “I would like to take on your offer for now, but I do not want to impose nor burden so I must only stay until I get my bearings and find a place to call home.”

Barok doesn’t reply, simply grabs his cape from the coat rail and wraps it around his shoulders. “Then let us head home, Prosecutor Asogi.”

“Kazuma will do outside of work,” Kazuma says. It is his own way of offering peace.

The older man seems momentarily stunned but he recovers quickly. “Alright, Kazuma.”

Kazuma finds himself smiling ever so slightly, even if he turns his head so Barok cannot catch a glimpse of it.

“By the way, is it yours?” Barok suddenly asks as they exit the office. Kazuma frowns at him as he detects a small hint of amusement in the nobleman’s otherwise neutral voice.

“Whatever do you mean?”

“The cat, following you.”

“What?”

And so he looks down behind him to see a peculiar calico cat diligently following him, a bounce to its steps. The cat lifts its head, sensing Kazuma’s eyes on it, meowing at him.

“That is Iris’ cat, I believe,” Kazuma says, intrigued.

“Young Iris…” Barok repeats thoughtfully and that is when Kazuma is reminded of the revelation about the girl’s parentage that happened now a couple of days ago. “I have to say, when you came back, I expected you to tell me you would now be residing with her and the… great detective.”

The sarcasm is quite obvious in the Lord’s voice and Kazuma bites his cheek to avoid smiling again.

“They did offer… but I did not wish to burden them when Ryunosuke and Susato just left,” he replies just as the cat suddenly jumps and digs its claws in Barok’s cape in order to climb him. Barok yelps, trying to get the animal away from him by frantically shaking his garment. Kazuma allows himself to enjoy the spectacle for a minute before he decides to help his poor mentor and grabs the cat. The pet immediately goes lax in his grip, purring loudly in the darkness of the night when Kazuma brings it closer to his chest.

“It has taken a liking to you,” Barok comments.

Kazuma hums. “It is getting too late, a visit to Baker Street might not be the best idea, I suppose you have some food suitable for cats in your manor?”

“If we could feed a hound—” Barok stops himself and Kazuma’s eyes sharpen when his hand instinctively twitches towards his sword. The wound is still fresh for both of them, it seems. “I mean, I am sure we can find something in the kitchen.”

They spend the rest of the walk back in silence.

....::::**•°✾°•**::::....

Stronghart’s and Jigoku’s trials pass with relative ease, both trials a mere formality considering the fact they already had Her Majesty’s opinion on the whole matter clear from the start. Both got the death sentence and Kazuma barely flinched when Jigoku broke the bench again and sent him a death glare. The storm that metaphorically sweeps through London when the revelations about the Reaper and the Professor’s real identities are released, however, is much harsher to handle.

The Asogi name has been cleared and is now regarded highly for ending the reign of the Professor— but the van Zieks have fallen deeper than when the British thought Barok was the Reaper. Kazuma is aware Barok is used to the stares, to the attacks, but everyone is bound to have a tipping point.

If Klint van Zieks, as revered and talented as he was, succumbed to his own darkness, what is to say his younger brother who admired him so wouldn’t meet the same fate?

And much to his shame, Kazuma lets himself entertain the thought too when he looks at the other prosecutor. He once thought the man the Reaper, after all, so the conjecture in his mind is only but natural, however unfair it is when the man has accorded him his trust and hospitality. He fears that history might repeat itself.

And Gina seems to think the same thing.

She was there during both trials, testifying. And then… she just stuck to them, now the messenger between Scotland Yard and the Prosecutor’s Office. With Gregson dead and Ryunosuke and Susato in Japan, Kazuma supposes she is searching for someone to cling to, and for some reason, she has latched onto him despite his confession that he once thought of killing Gregson. Or perhaps it is simply because he is Japanese and he must remind her of Ryunosuke in one way or another.

He expected more animosity from her, and perhaps that will come later when she fully processes everything that has happened in the week since Barok’s trial. He knows more than anyone what it feels to unfairly lose a man you viewed in high esteem seemingly out of nowhere.

“Boss nevah believed ‘e was the Professor,” she says now while she and Kazuma are alone in the office, both of them staring at the empty wall where Klint van Zieks’ portrait once hung. Barok just had it removed and is now supervising its safe return back to the manor. “But, lookin’ back, it was obvious, ain’t it? Not loads of people ‘ere owned big hounds. Yer dad surely didn't, couldn’t.”

“It is easy to get blindsided by your close friends I suppose. Their light is too bright and you fail to notice the cracks,” Kazuma replies. Gregson was an impressive detective but the two real culprits behind it all were people he held close to his heart and in high esteem. If Kazuma never suspected Jigoku to be his father’s real murderer, he cannot blame the late detective for being fooled. He can however, after experiencing it himself, suspect that the inspector had bias against foreigners and once a seed of doubt was planted against Asogi Genshin, the inspector clung to it.

Gina regards him with a small pout. “‘E was good at ‘iding it. What if…” she trails off, unable to continue the thought, but her eyes flicker to Barok’s desk. “Would you…?”

Quite frankly, Kazuma doesn’t even need her to elaborate further on her thought. Although he cannot help but feel like she is looking at the situation backwards through her own bias. Between him and Barok, the most likely candidate to lose his temper and resolve… is him, not the older man.

“Probably,” he admits, a hand on the hilt of his sword. “But I do not want things to come to that. I think… we both have let the shadows of our family hang over us for too long, literally,” he deadpans, gesturing to the bare wall and earning a muffled snicker from the young girl. “Klint van Zieks had Stronghart watching his every move… Barok has…”

He doesn’t finish his sentence, not sure if he can commit to it, truly. Because if only the older van Zieks had confided in Kazuma’s father or Inspector Gregson, perhaps none of this would have happened.

Gina nods though as if she understands. “We will keep ‘im in check, won’t we, ‘Sogi?”

“Sounds like you’re calling me soggy,” Kazuma says with a wrinkled nose. “Don’t.”

“I’ll keep callin’ ya that, then!” Gina cheerfully exclaims and Kazuma rolls his eyes.

“Inspector Lestrade, Prosecutor Asogi, your animals are fighting in the corridor,” a new voice interrupts them and they both turn around to see a bobby timidly standing at the door.

“Animals? I don’t have an animal,” Kazuma says, confused but promptly walking ahead to see what this is about.

“An’ my Toby’s an angel! He’d neve’ attack!” Gina protests as she follows him.

“Didn’t he knock Ryunosuke out?”

“That’s ‘cause ‘Oddo is weak though.”

Well, Kazuma can’t exactly refute that, frankly. His friend has a lot of wonderful qualities, but physical strength and endurance are not any of them.

As they push the doors open to get a better view of the corridor, they indeed come face to face with Toby chasing around a calico cat, yapping happily while the cat looks annoyed and ready to get its claws out.

“They look like they’re playin’, not fightin’,” Gina comments. “Isn’t that Iris’ cat?”

“It is, it’s been following me these past few days,” Kazuma confirms just as the cat sees him and promptly runs up to him. Kazuma instinctively opens his arms when the feline jumps, landing in his arms gracefully before making its way to his shoulder, peering down at Toby who continues yapping.

“She. She’s a girl,” Gina supplies as she picks up Toby who licks her cheek twice before settling down, tail happily swinging rapidly as he looks at Kazuma.

“Ah.” Kazuma absent-mindedly starts scratching the cat’s chin who purrs loudly against his ear. Without him realising, he starts smiling.

“‘Ey, ‘Sogi?” Gina asks slowly, almost shyly.

“Yes?”

“Can we… can we go get fish ’n chips? ‘M kinda ‘ungry.” She gets her pocket watch out and Kazuma goes rigid for a few seconds because that is definitely Gregson’s watch, only completely fixed. “’s lunchtime. And they ‘aven't paid me yet.”

Kazuma takes a deep breath. A part of him wants to refuse, he’s got a bit more work to do and then he has to finish his letters to Ryunosuke and Susato, to tell them about the outcome of the trials and what he has been up to so they can know as soon as they reach Japan’s shores, yet words fail to come to him whenever he grabs his quill.

And yet, when the cat meows and nudges his face, it feels like a reproach and encouragement all at once.

“Of course, let’s go,” he answers.

He then offers his arm to the young girl who nods and grabs it after putting Toby back down.

....::::**•°✾°•**::::....

They get attacked on their way back — in broad daylight — and Kazuma realises, it is part of his life now as a prosecutor, whether he is by Barok’s side or not. It shouldn’t be Gina’s, however, since she isn’t even a certified inspector yet, therefore she has no firearm on her.

Kazuma’s rests where Karuma used to weigh against his hip but his hand never reaches for it.

“When I tell you, you run,” he whispers to Gina. The cat on his shoulder jumps down to hide behind his legs instead the way Toby is as well.

“But—”

“No buts, you run straight to Scotland Yard or to find any officer around,” he insists as three assailants make their way towards them, two of them with swords of their own and the third one loosely holding a gun. He did not seem very confident with it, truly.

So that is who Kazuma targets first, his blade striking the man’s hand and forcing him to let go of the gun at the impact. However, he still manages to pull the trigger just before letting go, the bullet ricocheting against a street lamp before grazing Kazuma’s side who hisses as he feels the fabric of his uniform tear from the heat, a hint of blood smearing it. Kazuma ignores the pain for now however as he grabs the gun before any of the men could do it then points it at the now defenceless assailant.

“Gina, now!”

Gina immediately takes off, Toby hot on her heels. One of the swordsmen tries to go after her and Kazuma throws the gun over the Thames — he has no use for it anyway and it is better off with no owner — and grabs the assailant’s cape and brings him down with force. The man’s head meets the pavement with a thud, knocking him unconscious — not dead, Kazuma observes sharply as the man continues to breathe, and no blood smears on the pavement — but quickly enough, the guy who once held the gun is on his feet and grabs the sword, managing to cut through Kazuma’s glove, a few drops of blood now staining the previously immaculate garment.

Meaning Kazuma is still one against two. A growl threatens to rip from his throat at the frustration, shaking his injured hand. This all could be over so quickly if he just grabbed his gun and fired precisely between the eyes of these scoundrels. It would be a legitimate defence in court, although he would still need to serve time in prison. But he promised Ryunosuke. He promised himself, that as long as he lived he would never take another person’s life with his own hands. He is but a lawyer. He helps bring justice but he does not get to decide life or death and that is a truth he was led astray from when his desire for revenge burned brighter than Lady Justice’s light.

Never again.

He clicks his tongue. “Alright then,” he whispers to himself, blocking and dodging every attack that comes to him.

He observes his opponents — this is not a fair fight, so he will not play fair either. The two men don’t appear to be experts on the blade the way Kazuma has learned, posture loose, and using force and surprise to try to destabilise him. They do not seem familiar with fighting techniques either as they keep their distance or back down whenever Kazuma initiates an attack. They still manage a few strikes to hit because Kazuma can feel fresh wounds on his face and arms sting against the cold London air.

“Alright, stalling won’t work,” he thinks to himself.

Kazuma ducks by spinning once and slides his foot in an arc as he does so to trip one of the men, grabbing his arm holding the sword before he could fall and disarming him.

With a sword in each hand, Kazuma feels quite comfortable, now.

“Ah ah, sit down,” Kazuma warns, lifting a sword to the now disarmed assailant’s chin, drawing a drop of blood, when the latter tries to approach again.

And, brilliantly enough, the threat is apparently enough to make the man pass out on the spot. Kazuma watches him go down with a huff before focusing back his attention on the last man standing.

The man in question eyes him for a few seconds before clicking his tongue as he lets go of his sword. “I want a fair fight. One-on-one, close combat.”

“You talk about fairness now?” Kazuma points out with a raised eyebrow even as he lets go of his swords. If his suspicions are correct and these men were part of the Reaper Organisation and seek to avenge their leader, they truly are incompetent without the brains - Stronghart and Gregson - giving them instructions.

And, of course, he does not get an answer as the man tries to take him by surprise and throws the first punch. Kazuma intercepts it easily, catching his fist in his palm before it can collide with his cheek. His attacker isn’t much smaller than him, but he is definitely not as used to combat as Kazuma is, all muscles but no fighting experience. In one quick movement, Kazuma throws him over his shoulder.

Weariness catches him however as he ends up falling on his behind as well, having grandly underestimated how much this fight has drained him. He huffs, grabbing a sword to cut through the cloak of his aggressor so he has something to tie his hands and feet with, even if he seems unconscious.

Looking over at the two other men, Kazuma groans. He drags himself to their unconscious bodies to do the same thing, lest they wake up and bother him again before he sits up against a street lamp to finally take a breath and try to assess his own injuries.

And then a meow makes him look up again and there the cat is, looking all pristine and concerned, somehow.

“Hey,” Kazuma greets her as she makes her way to him with her tail swinging lazily in the air. “Sorry I can’t pet you, don’t want to get you all dirty,” he continues, looking at his cut hand. His other one isn’t injured but he accumulated some dirt on it.

The cat simply purrs louder as she rubs herself against his leg.

“Huh, doing it yourself. Clever girl,” he praises while he finally removes his ruined glove and wraps it around his wound as best as he could to stop the bleeding. In all honesty, his whole body feels numb at the moment.

“Kazuma!” Two voices yell at once and Kazuma startles a little when he suddenly finds himself engulfed in a hug from Gina, of all people, who squeezes him like her life depended on it.

Against his will, a whimper escapes his lips when she inadvertently presses on a fresh wound. She immediately lets him go with a guilty look.

“Oh sorry,” she mumbles, cheeks growing slightly red as she tries to hide behind her hat again.

“It’s alright,” Kazuma breathes out. But he tenses when a tall figure appears before him, hiding the sun from him. “Barok,” he sighs, sensing the man’s eyes glaring daggers into him.

“What were you thinking taking on three criminals?!”

Kazuma huffs. “I wasn’t about to let them attack Gina. If I had run too they would have chased us. Or shot at us.”

“And the police would have spotted you and intervened.”

He snorts. “Perhaps, but I did not want to risk it. Look, I took them down because you lot were late to the party and I am still alive.” He vaguely gestures to Scotland Yard apprehending the three unconscious men.

“Yer ‘urt…” Gina points out. The cat meows, making its presence known as she rubs herself against his injured hand.

“Kitty no, you’re going to be covered in blood,” Kazuma admonishes as he pulls his hand back, only earning a hiss in response.

“I believe she is scolding you,” Barok comments.

“I already have you for that.”

The older prosecutor sighs, but if Kazuma is not mistaken, the sound is more fond than exasperated, although he refuses to look into that. He barely holds back a yelp, however, when Barok bends down and promptly gets one of Kazuma’s arms around his shoulders, carrying half of his weight.

“To the hospital you go,” the nobleman orders promptly.

“It’s only a few scratches!”

“You almost got shot! Boss said to the ‘spital ya go!” Gina agrees and scolds him, throwing his other arm around her shoulders although she isn’t doing much since she is much smaller and Kazuma can actually stand on his two feet despite the tiredness.

“I only need a few bandages and perhaps stitches, it does not warrant bothering a hospital. They have more dire cases to tend to.”

Gina and Barok both ignore him so he simply gives up and follows their lead, sparing a look behind to make sure Toby and the cat — whose name he really needs to learn — are following.

....::::**•°✾°•**::::....

Kazuma ends up in St. Bartholomew Hospital, again, which makes him wonder if that is the only hospital welcoming people. Gina promptly leaves, presumably to make her report to Scotland Yard about the attacks but Barok stays behind and, to Kazuma’s surprise, dismisses any doctor coming in, insisting he will take care of his apprentice himself.

“We could have done this at the office if you were going to patch me up anyway,” Kazuma grumbles, reluctantly letting Barok bandage his hand properly.

“The hospital was nearer,” the older man replies simply. “It is safer here as well.”

Kazuma catches from the corner of his eyes a rodent making its way into a hole in the wall, nearly escaping the cat chasing after it and now pawing at the wall— so he greatly questions the safety of the place.

His breath hitches when a warm hand reaches for his chin, tilting it up and bringing his face closer to the other man’s. He keeps his eyes stubbornly fixed on the opposite wall, above the nobleman’s shoulder.

“You were careless,” Barok states, applying alcohol to the cuts on Kazuma’s cheek.

He hisses but manages to stay still. “I was against three.”

Barok raises an eyebrow, his unsettling blue eyes piercing through his soul, it feels like. “So now you admit it was a bad decision?”

“I never said such a thing,” Kazuma grumbles.

“Mm.”

“Stop that.”

“Stop what?”

“Looking so smug without even a twitch of your lips.”

“The cuts are not too deep, they should heal easily,” Barok changes the subject instead.

Kazuma glares a little because he sounded perhaps too satisfied.

“So can you let go of my chin?”

Despite the request, Barok’s touch lingers for a few instants before he pulls back completely and looks him up and down. Kazuma instinctively brings a hand to his chin, as if to wipe the touch away.

“Not hiding any other injury?”

“… No.”

Barok sighs. “Do not make me undress you myself.”

You would like that, probably, Kazuma almost finds himself responding before biting on his tongue. They may be on first names basis, but they clearly are not to the point where he can let his every thought be said out loud.

He carefully removes the top of his uniform, pushing down the embarrassment he can feel creeping on his face, revealing a few bruises over his chest. “Like I said, just bruises and cuts. They were really bad assailants.”

And a cut where the bullet grazed him that he kind of forgot about.

“Do not tempt fate, Kazuma,” Barok admonishes, immediately grabbing the alcohol and more bandages again as he kneels down in front of him to assess the wound.

Ah. His name almost sounded like a curse there.

“For the millionth time, I am fine.”

“… Are you ready, for that to be a part of your life?” Barok asks suddenly as he makes sure the wound is sanitised and properly bandaged, before getting up again. He seems to love having the higher ground and Kazuma literally look up to him. “Because ultimately, that is the choice you made by staying in Great Britain — to constantly be exposed to the impromptu danger of the sort.”

Their eyes meet and Kazuma sees genuine concern behind those icy blue eyes. It is a rare enough sight that it takes Kazuma by surprise, truly.

“You act as if Japan is devoid of its danger,” Kazuma starts, huffing a breath.

“It does not have the same reputation as London.”

That is true, however. “I came here as a defence lawyer. I do not believe my life would be in any less danger if I had continued that path. What if I had defended someone people still saw as guilty after a non-guilty verdict was announced? I can imagine petty folks trying to take revenge on me for daring to defend a criminal. In fact, I believe you once harboured these thoughts about Ryunosuke after McGilded’s trial.”

“Not enough to wish him death or pain,” Barok defends himself although the slight frown on his brow is hint enough that he is partially guilty of these thoughts. After all, Kazuma was a witness to the way he talked and treated his best friend. “It is different, however. If a real criminal were wrongfully proven non-guilty, their minions would be grateful to the attorney. A defence lawyer is an ally to them. A prosecutor, however? A prosecutor is a threat. And…” The nobleman takes a deep breath. “It is not just because of that.”

Kazuma frowns. “Whatever do you mean?”

“For as long as I can remember, I’ve had to learn how to defend myself because these attacks were merely routine for my kind. Your father had to defend me, only to indirectly die by my hands later. The van Zieks name brings misery, it seems, and you and your clan are now intricately associated with me through this apprenticeship and the truth about the Professor case. If they get you…”

“Then they get you too,” Kazuma finishes for him.

Barok nods. “You must return to Japan promptly.”

Wait, what?

“No, not this again,” Kazuma refuses immediately, standing up and facing Barok head-on. The other man doesn’t startle but takes a physical step back, almost bumping into the cupboards behind him. “You are not sending me to another country the way you did with your professor friend.” Albert Harebrayne sure was a character Kazuma sort of regrets not talking to after he regained his memory but he does remember how Barok had arranged for a boat to Germany for his friend as soon as Ryunosuke was confirmed to the defence of the trial, surely not doubting he would be absolved of any fault. Harebrayne had gone along happily, the threat of the Reaper too big to risk it at the time even if he was fully innocent, but Kazuma isn’t Harebrayne.

“It would be for your safety,” Barok argues, frowning openly now as he crosses his arms. His fingers grip the cloth of his sleeves, clearly ticked by Kazuma’s defiance.

“Shall I refresh your memory?” Kazuma says, raising an eyebrow. “I cannot allow myself to walk the path of loneliness and pushing everyone else again, nor can I allow you to make the same mistakes.” Barok visibly swallows. “Then, allow me to return the favour. I can handle it, I can handle the attacks, I’ve had, and I did even when my memories were non-existent. I am sorry, but you are as stuck with me just as I am with you, now, and as we’ve established, I am not so easy to kill.”

He has no idea when they got so close, he realises belatedly when he feels the taller man’s breath against his face again. However, he can’t find it himself to step back, it would admit defeat of some sort. Even so, Barok does not seem inclined to move either, as he lifts his chin up so he can look down on Kazuma with intent.

“I do not understand you,” Barok settles for saying as the tension in his shoulders disappears. He brings a hand forward to grab Kazuma’s wrist, turning his arm over to peer at a small bruise near his inner elbow. Kazuma lets him, for some unknown reason. “You insist on making yourself suffer. You could have gone home after successfully proving your father’s innocence, and yet you insisted on staying, on continuing to work beside me. But I can see it in your eyes, you still despise me.”

“I could say the same about you,” Kazuma retorts. “My father might be absolved of the Professor's crimes but he still took your brother away from you, however noble and consensual the duel was. When you look at me, I see your breath falters as if you’ve seen a ghost. So I return the question: why did you accept when I asked to still work under your teachings and why invite me to your home? And I want the real answer this time.”

The grip around his wrist tightens ever so slightly. Barok takes a deep breath. “You’ve avoided my question.”

Kazuma almost smiles. “And here I thought I managed to successfully divert this conversation.”

“I cannot be so easily fooled. However, I still demand an answer.”

Kazuma sighs. “I suppose, I want to prove myself. I want to be worthy, of returning home, if I ever do. Professor Mikotoba and Susato have welcomed me into their family yet I always kept them at arm's length. Ryunosuke was the first person I truly felt compelled to hold close and never let go, he was… he was too bright, I was but a moth entranced by a flame, and yet I still lost him because I lost sight of what was important. That is my new resolve, reigning the monster inside of me, so that I can call myself worthy of my partner’s trust and love again. But for myself, as well, I did not like the side of me I was showing that day, and I want to improve so I do not hurt people I hold dear again.”

Something in his eyes must have ticked off Barok because he suddenly lets go of his wrist and puts a safe distance between them. Kazuma’s hand twitches, missing the touch and almost reaching out to bring him closer again.

“Similarly,” Barok starts, now looking away, “you were the first person I ever let get close to since my brother’s death.” Death instead of murder, Kazuma notes to himself. “I had my hand forced by Stronghart but ultimately, it was my choice to welcome you. My suspicion about your real identity grew each day and yet I purposely looked away because I had never had someone so capable and efficient by my side.” Praises? From the nobleman? Kazuma wonders if he’s imagining things now. “Then you regained your memory, and the office never felt as empty as it did when you disappeared. I suppose a part of me involuntarily grew… attached and when you came back to me and asked to still work with me, I acted before I thought about what it would imply, to have you next to me. Do not look into that.”

Kazuma gives him an unimpressed stare. “I was not going to until you said that.”

“Still do not.”

He rolls his eyes, happy to leave it at that, but then he feels the cat rub against his legs again, before head-butting his calves, as if to encourage him forward. Kazuma huffs, grabs the cat who protests with a short chirp before settling down again and then takes a step forward to catch Barok’s eyes again.

“When I mentioned people I hold dear, perhaps it has not crossed your mind that I was including you as well.” And that seems to really take the other man back, surprise overtaking his gaze. The cat purrs loudly against him, prompting him to continue, “It is still confusing, conflicting. But over the months by your side, I grew to care for that lonely man I had naturally decided to defend with my life. I despise you still because I have spent the better part of my life cursing your existence when I did not even know your face or name. And in the aftermath of everything, we were both victims, so I want to be there for you, to make up for my behaviour, if I can.”

Barok eyes him critically. “I do not think you understand, how deep my desires go.”

“Whatever do you mean?” Kazuma asks, for the third time already. The cat lifts her head as well, her curious tail swinging back and forth against Kazuma’s chest and tickling him a little.

However, before he can get an answer, the door opens suddenly, a young female voice ringing out, “Zuzu! Gina told us you’re— oh my!”

Iris and Sholmes appear then at the door and the little girl covers her eyes… only to peer at them through her fingers right after.

“Are we interrupting?” Sholmes asks with an amused smile at the same time Iris says, “Zuzu, aren’t you cold?”

Kazuma looks down then, indeed remembering he is still shirtless.

“Ah. I apologise, Lord van Zieks was helping me with my bandages.” Barok coughs at that and if Kazuma isn’t mistaken, the tips of his ears are red. Sholmes looks in between them and Kazuma sees the exact moment the desire for a dance of deduction sparks in his eyes. Surprisingly, though, the detective keeps his mouth shut.

“That tight uniform must be uncomfortable with your injuries so I took the liberty of bringing looser and more comfortable clothes for you to wear!” Iris exclaims, promptly taking said clothes from her bag. “I hope you like them!”

“Oh, that is most kind, Iris, thank you, you really did not have to,” Kazuma says, absolutely blown away. He hasn’t even talked to either Iris or Sholmes since the day they saw Ryunosuke and Susato off. He makes to grab the clothes, only for the cat in his arms to meow pitifully and cling to his arms. Fortunately, she doesn’t get her claws out. “Um.”

“Wagahai seems to have found a new favourite person, my dear Iris,” Sholmes comments.

“Wagahai?” Kazuma repeats.

“Ah. So she was that very suspicious-looking Japanese man’s cat,” Barok says and once again, Kazuma notes the use of Japanese instead of Nipponese. Well, the man is making an effort.

“He was innocent though, nothing suspicious about him,” Kazuma huffs.

“Mr Natsume yes,” Sholmes confirms. Kazuma has read the reports on both trials involving the man. “I hear she had kittens and he managed to smuggle them to Japan. It’s to believe no one really respects ship rules, don’t you think, Mr Asogi?” the detective teases and Kazuma just glares at him.

If it wasn’t for this man, he wouldn’t have spent months with no memories in a foreign land, so excuse him if he does not particularly hold him dear to his heart despite being one of the main reasons the truth came out about the Professor and Reaper.

Seriously, what had stopped everyone on that boat to give him proper medical attention instead of leaving him alone in a cabin? Couldn’t they have someone there to explain to him what happened? What was he supposed to do? Wait? That wasn’t his thing.

“It’s okay Waggy, Zuzu won’t disappear, come here,” Iris prompts, tapping her knees after putting the clothes on the bed. Wagahai looks between her and Kazuma for a moment, before she jumps from his arms to make her way to the young girl, allowing Kazuma to quickly slide on the loose-fitting blouse Iris brought him.

He feels a little out of place in it, to be honest.

“Anyhow, as we were discussing, you will be off work for the next week,” Barok says suddenly.

“What? We never discussed that!”

“I will take no objection. You need rest.”

“Is this your way of still trying to protect me when you can’t just send me off on a boat?” Kazuma points out with an accusatory finger.

Barok raises an eyebrow. “Absolutely not, where is your evidence for such an accusation?”

“Oh, let’s not play that game,” Kazuma warns.

“You two have a funny relationship!” Iris comments. She giggles when the two men just stare at her with wide eyes. “Zuzu, since you will be off work, you should come to visit us at Baker Street for some tea!”

“And so should you, Lord van Zieks,” Sholmes adds on.

“Oh, no, I will be too busy—”

“I will force you to take a break too,” Kazuma interrupts, tone giving no way for argument.

“True, you both need a break!” Iris encourages before Barok could protest. She makes her way to him, bouncing on her feet and Wagahai following closely behind. “Mr Barry, we would be glad to welcome you! In fact, I wanted to know-”

And as it turns out, even the man once known as the Reaper of the Bailey isn’t immune to the sunshine smile of Iris because Kazuma swears he sees a smile forming on his lips when he bends down to the girl’s height to give her his full attention.

“Mr Asogi, would you need someone to confide in about what Lord van Zieks and yourself were talking about?” Sholmes suddenly appears by his side, asking the question in a low enough voice for the two other people in the room to not hear.

Kazuma raises an eyebrow. “Certainly not to you,” he replies.

“Ah, you wound me, my dear boy.” The detective fakes being shot in the heart in his usual dramatic flare. “I only seek to help!”

“I’m afraid you are months late for that. Ryunosuke and Susato have forgiven you for your deceit but I’m the one who suffered at the hands of it.” He is aware he has his own deceit to answer for, but it does not negate his feelings.

“I see that is why you have not accepted my offer and went to Barok instead, isn’t it? You were even ready to sleep on the streets if that option was not available.”

“I—” he should not be surprised Sholmes managed to deduce his train of thought so easily, and yet. “What do you want?”

“Make amends and fulfil a promise.” Kazuma frowns as Sholmes smiles at him, all traces of playfulness gone now. “My own dear partner asked me to make sure you’re safe, alone here in London. A certain little spy helped.”

Realisation dawns on him then. “You trained that cat?!”

“Perhaps,” Sholmes answers cryptically. “The van Zieks manor must be quite lonely, please do consider our invite. If not to stay, at least to visit.”

Kazuma catches Barok’s eyes then as the latter squints at the detective in a clear show of distrust.

What an odd predicament he found himself in.

....::::**•°✾°•**::::....

To his dismay, he has to admit Sholmes is right— the van Zieks manor feels quite cold and lonely, especially at night. There is nothing welcoming about it because everything looks so proper and expensive, Kazuma is afraid to disrupt the smallest trinket on a shelf. It is lively, he can always spot maids running around but ultimately, it simply does not feel… like a home of sorts.

The Mikotoba household was usually quiet, but he could always see life through the portraits on the walls, the lovely trinkets Susato would leave everywhere, or the papers scattered all around the house due to Professor Mikotoba running around the house while noting down new discoveries and theories in his rush. From what he is told, the lady of the house in London usually is the one who decorates the household and makes sure to organise gatherings in order to keep a high place in society and from what he understands, Barok has never shown any interest in courting any woman and the staff has pretty much given up on the idea of a lady of the house ever existing.

They seem content with the idea of the van Zieks name ending with Barok, especially after the reveal of the Professor’s true identity.

A part of him does feel like he would probably feel more comfortable at Baker Street — it would never be boring in between the eccentric detective and his bubbly daughter. But he is not the only lonely soul in here and although he appreciates the offer, he feels like someone else is in dire need of company as well. Which is the someone he is looking for at the moment, but this place is huge.

He ends up caving and asking a maid carrying a basket full of clothes where the Lord of the house might be and she points him towards the garden. The one place he hadn’t thought of checking, of course. He makes a quick detour to grab the red jacket Iris gifted him earlier and slips it on before heading for the garden. London’s chilly air makes him shiver but he quickly spots the man he’s been searching for near the rose bushes.

It is a lovely sight, almost romantic if one is into such muses. Illuminated under the moonlight, there Barok stands with one single red rose in his hand. Melancholy paints the lines of his face as he twirls the flower between his gloved fingers.

“You should be resting,” Barok says all of a sudden, startling Kazuma, although he would never admit to it.

“I could not sleep. What are you doing here?”

“Why were you looking for me?”

“We have to stop deflecting each other’s questions.”

There is a pause as Barok turns around to face him. “I was thinking of gardening again, instead of letting the maids do it. Perhaps add a few irises here and there.”

Kazuma bites his lips to stop himself from smiling. It is a bit on the nose but adorable nonetheless.

“A pavilion in the middle of the garden would be lovely to have some tea outside when the weather allows it,” he offers. “Iris would love it.”

Barok hums then hands him the rose. Kazuma stares at it for a few seconds before taking it, careful of the thorns on its stem.

“I believe, she must know the truth about her parentage now.”

“Ah. That is why you have been so lost in your thoughts ever since we left the hospital.” Barok does not reply but he closes his eyes. That may as well count as a ‘yes’. “What makes you think that?”

“I have no evidence, but it is just in the way she looked at me today. She has quite the bright mind, she must have deduced everything.”

Kazuma nods. “And what do you plan to do?”

“The truth about the Professor only recently came out and the whole country is in a state of disarray. You just got attacked, most certainly because of it. It would be too dangerous if it gets out that Iris is my niece.”

“It doesn’t have to be known by the public.”

“It remains dangerous to be seen near me.”

Ah, this again. Kazuma twirls the rose between his fingers with a sigh. Would the scum of London really lower to hurt a ten-year-old girl? Unfortunately, he thinks yes.

But even so, should the threat of danger stop him from allowing him to reconnect with his only family left? Kazuma knows if he ever found out he had a long lost family member still alive he would go to the ends of the Earth to find them and not miss out on the chance of knowing them, the way he lost a childhood growing up with his father.

“Once again, I did not take you as someone who would live in fear,” he says.

Barok glares at him. “This is not about fear.”

“Your concern is honourable but ultimately, I think Iris and Sholmes get a say in this as well.” Barok clicks his tongue and looks away, half of his face now drenched in shadows. “After all these years, you are allowed to be selfish as well, Barok. You clearly want to get to know her, don’t let the world convince you you can’t.”

“Kazuma…” Barok sighs but Kazuma can see his resolve slowly break.

A sudden meow draws both of their attention, only to see Wagahai jump out of a bush nearby before making her way toward them. She walks circles around them, rubbing their legs with her scent. Kazuma is not even surprised to see her anymore.

“See, her cat agrees,” Kazuma says, barely able to repress the laughter in his voice.

Barok seems ready to protest but then Wagahai hisses at him before he could, which promptly stuns him into silence. Feisty that one.

Kazuma chuckles and picks her up with one hand before she actually attacks the older man. “Come on, we are both taking the day off tomorrow. I will help you remake this garden and then perhaps we will both go to Baker Street for tea so you can talk to Sholmes and Iris.”

Barok inhales and takes the rose back from him. Then he breaks the stem. “Are you familiar with gardening?” he asks then.

“Yes, although Japanese gardens are very different.”

“I do not doubt that.” Barok then slides the rose into Kazuma’s hair without any explanation whatsoever. “Well then, you need rest and tomorrow sounds like a busy day, let us head back inside.”

“Alright,” is all he can manage to answer.

Kazuma gently scratches behind Wagahai’s ears as he follows Barok back inside and suddenly, the path leading to his future seems clearer.

Even if in the back of his mind, he still cannot help but imagine the way Ryunosuke and Susato would marvel at the garden he currently stands in.

He is, however, thankful that this time his deflection was successful and Barok forgot he asked why he was searching for him… because a part of him is not quite sure of the answer he would have given.

Against all odds, I care about you.

Somehow, that thought still feels like a betrayal. He is not sure to who, however.

....::::**•°✾°•**::::....

Days pass while his injuries heal, and Kazuma spends his days in the garden of the van Zieks estate, helping Barok plant new flowers and moving some patches of flowers to another side of the garden to make some space for benches, statues or other means of decoration. They end up perhaps a bit too focused on this new task at hand, neither of them leaving the manor for much long. Well, Barok still has to go to Scotland Yard or the Prosecutor's Office as the Head Prosecutor to make sure everything is still flowing properly, but he doesn’t take on any new trial, surprisingly listening to Kazuma and taking a break as well — although Kazuma suspects that with Ryunosuke away, Barok has little interest in returning to court anytime soon and honestly, Kazuma feels the same.

Thus, it is a whole week after that they get a letter summoning Barok to go see Her Majesty The Queen, which makes the both of them stare at the piece of paper in disbelief.

“Um… you should probably hurry,” Kazuma says.

“That is most unusual,” Barok says as he folds the paper to slide it inside the pocket of his vest. “And why now, as well.”

“I could take a guess…” Kazuma muses in a whisper to himself. The British justice system is still in shamble, after all, and a new Lord Chief Justice still has to be appointed and frankly, after all the months passed on this foreign soil, Kazuma cannot see anyone else other than the man standing next to him in such a position. That is if he accepts it, which is another issue altogether. “Go. I can finish trimming the bushes myself.”

The other man still looks hesitant. “Or you could come with me.”

Kazuma blinks. “Are you nervous My Lord?”

“Don’t ‘My Lord’ me now,” Barok groans. So that is a yes.

“Do you need me to hold your hand?” Kazuma teases, unable to repress the wide grin on his lips.

“Never mind, you brat.”

When Barok turns around to leave, Kazuma laughs, following him promptly. “I was just jesting! Of course, I will come with you. I doubt I can accompany you inside the palace, however.”

“I could simply ask them to let you in as my judicial assistant.”

“Ah, I think I would rather not,” Kazuma confesses. “Considering what she has seen of me, that day.”

“Kazuma. You helped bring the truth to the light, Her Majesty is grateful for that,” Barok reminds him as he dons his usual cloak and his top hat.

“Perhaps,” Kazuma concedes as he readjusts the hat on his head and straightens his suspenders. “She hasn’t asked for me though, I wouldn’t want to steal your thunder.”

The older man rolls his eyes.

“Also I am not dressed appropriately to see the Queen and I am much too lazy to go change,” he adds. Unlike Barok, who constantly insists on wearing fancy garments even at home where no one apart from the house staff can see him, Kazuma only ever dresses up when he has to appear in court. The skin-tight uniform is a delight to look at but he is happier to get out of it than not.

“You should not sound so proud of such a fact.”

“I apologise for being so used to clothes that actually let me breathe.”

“Fair enough.”

“Oi!” a familiar voice greets them once they exit the front doors of the manor. “Took ya long enuf!”

“Ah, Gina,” they both say at the same time when they see the young girl standing by a carriage, visibly waiting for them.

“Ya could sound a lil ‘appier,” Gina pouts. “Queen asked you to be escorted by Scotland Yard. So ‘ere we are.”

“How’s your training been, then?” Kazuma asks as he helps her get into the carriage. “Proper inspector yet?”

“Nah,” Gina sighs, forcing him to sit beside her while Barok takes place in front of them silently. Kazuma can sense nervousness in the way he starts drumming his fingers on his knee.

“Who is mentoring you right now, if I may ask?” Barok inquires, surely needing a distraction.

“Ah! There’s this new inspector at the Yard! A woman!”

“Oh?” That piques Kazuma’s interest, and Barok even stops fidgeting.

“Madam Adler, ’tis her name!” Gina sounds starstruck, her eyes shining. “She was in Paris before, I think she was s’pposed to replace boss when ‘e was to be transferred in Paris… Bu’ anyway. She solved five cases this week alone!”

“Madam Adler… the name does sound familiar,” Barok muses before the memory seems to come back to him and amusement taints his blue eyes. “Well, things ought to become interesting again.”

Kazuma and Gina share a look, and the confusion in Gina’s eyes reassures him that he’s not alone, not understanding what the nobleman means.

“She used to be an actress and opera singer. More than a decade ago now she was involved in some case Sholmes was investigating and she ended up outsmarting him. He still has not recovered. I am surprised she pursued a career as a detective.”

“I do not recall reading about her in the stories… or from Professor Mikotoba…” Kazuma ponders.

“Sholmes must have hidden it from him and Iris, somehow.”

“Huh, I love ‘er even mo’ now!” Gina laughs.

“Speaking of Sholmes,” Kazuma prompts, “I’d like to go to Baker Street while I wait for this meeting with the Queen to be over. So Gina—”

“We will take ya there, absolutely ‘Sogi,” the blonde girl enthusiastically says. “I hafta go back to the Yard an’ help Madam Adler with a case but tell Iris I’m gonna join!”

“Well, I suppose I will be there as well once I know what Her Majesty wants with me,” Barok supplies.

“And with great news, hopefully.”

Nervousness slips into the lines of the man’s face again and this time Kazuma doesn’t get to second-guess as he grabs Barok’s hand before his fingers could start drumming anxiously against his leg.

“It’ll be alright,” he reassures, as simple as that, and Barok visibly relaxes, his lips twitching and his fingers grasping Kazuma's hand more firmly.

Kazuma himself represses a smile when he feels Gina lean her head against his shoulder and let out a pleased sigh as if things are finally looking up for them all.

And perhaps it really is, he concedes, as he sits in this small carriage.

....::::**•°✾°•**::::....

Despite his logical mindset, bitterness fills his heart as he looks up at 221B Baker Street, the feeling of alienation refusing to part with him now that he stands alone with no one by his side.

In some other life where he never opened that door, perhaps he would have been the one who lived there in the first place, with both Ryunosuke and Susato by his side. Perhaps in another life, he would have been able to enjoy London the first time around and connect with people, get to appreciate the eccentric detective’s demeanour and his daughter’s adorable quips, instead of months of solitude, unrest and painful headaches as he lost everything, even himself, except his will to reach Great Britain for a purpose he could feel deep inside his soul yet could not name until all memories came painfully flooding back to him, sending him into a whirlwind of anguish and despair, because in a matter of second, he had found everything again— and promptly lost it as he now tries to rebuild a shadow of his past self. Perhaps… or perhaps not.

His intentions coming here were far from noble, although he never intended to take one’s life by his own hands, he had still wished death upon a man he believed guilty of condemning his father, and on a man who forcefully planted false evidence to convict his father he believed guilty, his desire to learn and discover had always been overshadowed by the desire for revenge.

Ryunosuke, on the other hand? He up and changed the course of his life for him, agreeing to be a stowaway with almost no qualms. And upon Kazuma’s apparent death, he picked up Karuma and decided that if his best friend could not fulfil his lifelong dream, then he would do it. For his honour, in his memory, because he believed it to be the right thing to do.

And he is a far better man than Kazuma can ever hope to be, someday. A part of him wants to resent him for leaving so quickly, leaving him behind, but he knows far deep inside that it was the right choice. Although he still misses his partner and little sister dearly, it was the right step for both of them to stop basing their decisions on him and follow him so blindly, and he has no doubt that when they cross paths again, they each would have bloomed into the best version of themselves they could be. Even if, here, under the grey sky of London and standing alone, Kazuma has trouble imagining becoming better anytime soon without them.

Barok and Gina help but Kazuma’s treacherous mind cannot help but compare them to Ryunosuke and Susato despite their vastly different personalities.

A meow startles him out of his dark thoughts and he promptly looks down to see the same, now familiar, calico cat rubbing herself against his leg.

“Oh, you again, Wagahai,” he states dully as the cat meows louder, pawing at his trousers. He chuckles. “You really don’t need to spy on me anymore, you know.”

Kazuma bends down to pick Wagahai up just as the door of the building opens on Iris, prompting the cat to quickly latch unto his arm and then climb up to his shoulder effortlessly. It seems to be her favourite place next to his arms.

“Oh, Zuzu! You’re here with Waggy! I was gonna run after her!” she exclaims, prompting grabbing his left arm and pulling him inside. “What a nice surprise, you will be the first to taste my new blend of calming tea!”

“Sorry, I did not think of warning you beforehand,” Kazuma starts his apology. “I hope I’m not intruding.”

“No worries! Like Daddy and I said, our doors will always be open to you, although we have been waiting,” she reassures as they reach the quite messy living room. Kazuma’s eyes are immediately drawn to the papers hung against the wall… thanks to a knife.

“Um, Barok and Gina should arrive soon as well,” he tentatively says as he sits down on the couch.

“Oh, you convinced Mr Barry and Ginny to come too?” Iris exclaims brightly. “The house will feel so lively again, I cannot wait!”

A pang of guilt takes his heart. In his own inner angst, he had not considered how his friends’ departure must have greatly affected this young girl in front of him as well.

“Yes, Gina just has some work to finish with her new mentor and Barok was summoned to a meeting with the Queen. I figured I might as well finally visit and they expressed they’d love to join.”

“And you have no work, Zuzu?”

“Ah, no, Barok and I had been taking the week off. We’ve been reworking the van Zieks garden, and keeping Wagahai away from the poisonous flowers for cats,” Kazuma says with a small laugh as he looks at the cat who almost seems to smile at him. “When we are done, please do visit us as well. We would love to know what you think of it.”

“Oh, absolutely!” Iris responds in kind, as she hands him a cup of tea. “I’ve always wanted a big garden but I feel like Hurley would accidentally eat something he shouldn’t if I don’t put the herbs in sealed jars…”

Kazuma doesn’t comment on that and simply takes a sip of the tea, humming as the surprisingly sweet taste hits his tongue, when he expected bitterness. Mm, impressive.

“Speaking of, where is he?” Kazuma asks.

“Uh…” Iris pouts, putting her finger to her chin as she looks up to think. It reminds him of Susato for a quick second. “Something about needing to uphold his title of Great Detective? He left in a hurry this morning after receiving a letter.”

“By any chance, is it the letter stuck to the wall? I am sure the landlady is pleased whenever she visits.”

Iris giggles. “She is used to it. But yes. He did mention he’s been lacking since professor Mikey, Runo and Susie left, I think he misses having someone to do deductions with…” as she says so she eyes him not so subtly and Kazuma stops himself from replying with a harsh refusal by taking another sip of the tea.

It is not that he loathes the idea itself, but his feelings towards the detective are still… mixed at best.

He wonders if it is also because he has spent so much time with Barok who doesn’t try to hide his distaste for Sholmes.

“Don’t you accompany him usually?” he asks instead.

“Sometimes but I have deadlines to meet…” she replies, motioning towards the typewriter. “He won’t admit it, but I think he’s a little lonely, too. Greggsy is gone… Professor Mikey left again, Runo and Susie too… I try to help but, um…”

What if I’m not enough? The question hangs in the air between them. It is a feeling Kazuma can more than sympathise with.

“Iris?” he calls as he sets his already empty cup on the table— wait no it’s a… chest? Anyhow, he beckons the younger girl closer, to which she responds by hopping on his lap happily. Alright.

“You’re comfortable, no wonder Waggy took a liking to you,” Iris marvels, prompting Wagahai to meow and make her way to them as well, curling up in Iris’ arms. It is an endearing sight, Kazuma concedes.

“Um, thank you?” he says because he is not sure what else he is supposed to say to that. Then he takes a small breath. “I may not know you and Sholmes very much, but I like to think of myself as a great observer as well and I am sure of one thing, young Iris.”

She makes a questioning noise as she tilts her head to look at him. “What is it?”

“That you are the great detective’s pride and joy,” he replies, poking her on the nose and earning a laugh. “I just know he thinks your mere existence makes his life better and he may miss the friends who had to leave, he would never take you for granted. You are doing your best so do not be so hard on yourself, alright?”

Iris’ eyes seem to shine as she gapes at him before throwing her arms around his shoulders and hugging him, forcing Wagahai to jump off before getting squished. A bit thrown off by the affection, it takes a few seconds before Kazuma embraces her back.

“Thank you Zuzu,” she whispers.

Something warm lights up in Kazuma’s heart and he allows himself a smile.

Oh, what he would have done to have this light with him when he first touched down one grimly British soil. Perhaps the monster within him would have never manifested. Perhaps he would have seen the positive light of this Empire before the ugliness of its dirty streets.

Perhaps, perhaps. He cannot keep living on “perhaps”. If he chastises Barok for living in fear, he shouldn’t be a hypocrite and do the same, should he?

“Alright,” Iris says, voice a little wobbly as she pulls back and jumps to her feet. “I should start on dinner, so many guests tonight! Do you happen to know what Uncle Barry likes?”

Ah, so she does know the truth about her heritage and must have forgotten to pretend to be clueless in front of him.

“I do, in fact,” Kazuma confirms. “And I will help you make it.”

“Oh no, Zuzu, you are a guest!”

“I insist.”

“But Runo never cooked, Susie or I always did for him…”

Kazuma chuckles at that. “Ryunosuke is terrible in the kitchen for someone who is like a walking stomach, I, however, liked to learn alongside Susato how to make my favourite meals. Of course, my culinary talents do not equal my sister’s, but I try my best.”

Iris blinks up at him before smiling widely as she takes his hand and guides him toward the kitchen. It seems she has approved him.

....::::**•°✾°•**::::....

Sholmes pops up seemingly out of nowhere when Kazuma is finishing seasoning the fries the way Gina likes them. He doesn’t even notice him at first, too focused on making sure nothing is burning on the stove while Iris is busy baking the desserts. Then a hand suddenly appears in his vision and steals a fry.

By pure instinct, Kazuma reaches for his sword… only to realise he had left it by the front door, for safety reasons. He has been extremely jumpy since the attacks.

“No stealing Daddy, you have to wait for our guests!” Iris chides as she playfully slaps Sholmes’ hands away who only laughs in response.

“Sorry, my darling, it just looked too appetising! You two make quite the team!”

“When did you even get here?” Kazuma asks.

“Only a moment ago, do not worry.”

“Where were you all day?” Iris inquires next.

“Annoyin’ me, that’s what ‘e did!” Gina says as she barges into the kitchen as well. “Startin’ to understan’ what boss meant when ‘e said ya couldn’t leave ‘im well enuf alone.”

“But dear Gina, you have to learn the way of a true great detective! And who better than the very man before your eyes?” Sholmes boasts, smiling proudly.

“I already ‘ave a new mentor, I don’t need ya meddlin’!”

“Alright enough!” Iris breaks the argument. “We’re not finished here so out of the kitchen you go! And Hurley, brew some tea for Ginny and Uncle Barry who shouldn’t be too long since you two are here now. Come on, chop chop, off you go!” she hurries, managing to push both Sholmes and Gina out of the door.

As the door firmly closes behind them, Kazuma whistles. “Impressive.” If he already didn’t know who runs the house, now he sure does.

Iris preens under his compliment. “Thank you!”

When they finish cooking everything and had properly waited for it to cool down so they could bring it to the living room, Kazuma hears knocks on the door and suddenly, Iris is gone from his side to go greet their new guest. He huffs out a smile as he ends up carrying everything by himself. Or he would have, if Sholmes hadn’t suddenly appeared by his side, taking half of the plates he was carrying from him and aiding him.

Except Kazuma suspects there is an ulterior motive— and he is proven right when they finish transferring all the dishes only for the detective to push him into the kitchen and close the door behind him.

Kazuma sighs and crosses his arms. “What are you trying to do, now?”

“See there is this case I’ve been trying to crack and only you can help me, Mr Asogi,” Sholmes reveals promptly.

Kazuma pinches his nose. He might as well play along. “Fine, let us hurry.”

“Why? You already guessed what Lord van Zieks got offered this afternoon, don’t you? And I predict he won’t say anything tonight until he can speak to you alone so you can discuss it together.”

“Why would he do that? I have no objection to him becoming the new Lord Chief Justice.” And even so, he doubts he would refuse the opportunity because of him, there would be other options… self-doubt for one, or the fear of history repeating itself since Stronghart once was the Head Prosecutor as well…

“Is it so hard to believe he might hold your opinion in high regard and you are the reason he has not resigned as a prosecutor and did not leave London?”

“You give me too much credit, detective,” Kazuma says.

“Quite on the contrary! My dear boy, weren’t you the reason Mr Naruhodo became a lawyer and Miss Mikotoba a judicial assistant?”

Ah. So he knows. Of course, he does.

“And I failed and deceived them, there is no need to remind me,” Kazuma scowls. “Do not worry, I doubt I can do the same with Barok.” Barok would see right through him after one look.

Sholmes hums, plastering himself against the door. Kazuma can hear the distant chatter on the other side, picking up Gina saying something in a petulant tone, no doubt to Barok because she would never dare to speak in such a way to Iris.

“You know, Mr Naruhodo told us about that first trial you went through,” Sholmes says oh so casually. Kazuma freezes. This is heading towards a territory he is not sure he is willing to revisit. “You trouble yourself thinking you only ever wanted revenge and get to Great Britain, no matter the cost and yet when push came to shove, you were ready to risk the opportunity to come here for your friend. The odds were against you, Ms Shin would have never been condemned anyway.”

“Well that’s… that’s because it was for Ryuu,” Kazuma whispers, ignoring the way the detective’s eyes soften at his words. He looks away. “They were using him as a scapegoat, I knew it was part of the assassination exchange but I couldn’t let my best friend die. It would not have been worth it… if he wasn’t by my side.” A part of him does wonder if he would have jumped on the opportunity of defending the person if it hadn’t been Ryunosuke and perhaps that makes him a horrible person.

“But he is not now, and you kept your distance once you finally recovered your memories,” Sholmes points out calmly, unknowingly — or knowingly, actually — voicing out loud Kazuma’s thoughts. “That is the curious case I’ve been trying to solve.”

Kazuma sighs. “Why I’ve decided to stay here? Listen, I already had that discussion before and I am not explaining myself to you just because you are curious.”

“But they asked you to come—”

“They did not, actually,” Kazuma cuts him off, unable to completely control the bitterness that suddenly taints his tongue. “So if you could stop acting as if you know everything, you would do me a favour.”

Sholmes looks genuinely at a loss for words and Kazuma would feel satisfied with it if he wasn’t so frustrated.

“They didn’t ask me to leave with them, they don’t need me anymore. And that is a good thing. They thrived the most the year I was gone.”

“Ah! Let me stop you right there, my dear boy.”

“If you call me that one more time…” Kazuma mutters.

“You made quite a logical fallacy there! It seems you think your friends thrived because you were gone. Quite the contrary, they were fuelled by the thought of you.” Suddenly, Sholmes appears more serious as he approaches Kazuma and rests his hands on his shoulders. Kazuma stiffens at the touch against his will. “Do you know how many times I caught Mr Naruhodo looking at the katana by his hips with a thoughtful expression whenever he was stuck? The number of times Miss Mikotoba would mention she got her love of reading and studying from her dearly departed brother? How they both stood at the defence bench, with no prior real experience, because you stood by Mr Naruhodo’s side and the thought of you helped Miss Mikotoba be motivated to defend her dear friend the way you had done a year earlier?”

Kazuma opens his mouth to respond but no words come out, the words getting stuck in his throat. Sholmes smiles gently at him.

“The case I’ve been trying to crack— it is why you seem to think so lowly of yourself when everyone around you sees you in such high regard and thus despite seeing your flaws. I have known Barok for most of my life, and yet you have been the one who managed to break his walls down.”

“Again, I feel like you should attribute some of the credits to Ryunosuke, though,” Kazuma finally finds his voice again.

“Deflecting again, I see.”

“Hey!”

“When I promised Yujin to look after you, I know he meant to keep you safe from harm the way I had done with Mr Naruhodo, but I figured a moral boost was needed as well,” Sholmes offers. “You are loved, even by those who are now oceans away, always keep the thought in your mind, will you?”

Kazuma looks down, feeling his resolve and pretence fall apart.

“I honestly do not know if it would ever be enough to fend off those thoughts.”

“A hug might help, from my medical experience,” a small voice suddenly bursts in and he and Sholmes startle, turning around to see Iris now standing by the closed door, Wagahai in her arms. “You were taking so long, sorry for eavesdropping but Waggy started scratching the door… Didn’t put a cat flap here so she doesn’t steal food, heh.”

As if to confirm, Wagahai starts wiggling in her arms before she is let go and promptly makes her way to Kazuma who instinctively catches her when she jumps. Almost immediately, the calico cat starts purring against his chest and Kazuma feels like a thousand pounds lift off his shoulders.

And he also feels the need to cry, which is quite embarrassing.

“Let it be known, she really likes you, I did not train her to jump in people’s arms,” Sholmes says.

Kazuma cannot suppress his smile upon hearing that.

“Please consider living here with us again, I insist,” Sholmes adds, now aided by Iris who vigorously nods with a warm smile on her lips.

“A strong and close support system can always be beneficial,” the young girl chimes in.

The yes almost falls from his lips but then he hears Barok’s voice on the other side of the door and he bites his tongue to keep the word in. He cannot fail another person. He just cannot.

Sholmes seems to catch his thought because he sighs, although with a smile on his lips.

“The offer will always be there. Bear in mind that prioritising yourself, especially after everything you have been through, is not selfish.”

“I am doing this for myself, as well,” Kazuma reassures. He is surprised himself, actually, that he has been enjoying spending time by Barok’s side and livening up the manor as well. “This was Ryunosuke and Susato’s home for a year but mine was— is at the van Zieks manor, at least for now. Besides, my friends may come back one day, after all, it would be rude to take their lodging, don’t you think?”

Iris still looks a little disappointed. “If you say so. But promise to visit more often then! I am not against using Waggy to keep you coming here!”

Kazuma laughs good-heartedly while Wagahai meows empathetically. “I promise. And a samurai always keeps his promises.”

….::::**•°✾°•**::::....

“So,” Gina approaches Kazuma once they have all finished eating. They are near the window, right next to Iris’ desk and her trusty typewriter. “Boss is Iris’ uncle, ain’t he?”

“Did you deduce it or eavesdrop?” Kazuma inquires.

Gina pouts and weakly punches him on the arm. “… Eavesdrop,” she admits anyway. “Didn’t mean to, Sholmes’ voice is loud.” She has a point, Kazuma concedes. “‘eard Iris cryin’ too, thought ‘e said somethin’ mean to her.”

“No one can be mean to Iris, it’s just impossible.”

“Damn right, or they’ll ‘ear from me!” Gina agrees, her hand naturally finding its way to the smoke gun at her hip. “Bu’ it means… they’re family, aren’t they?”

Barok and Iris are by the fireplace, the young girl sat on the man’s lap as she shows him all the many stories she has written while Sholmes is standing by his own desk, seemingly keeping an eye on them while reviewing some papers, most likely for a case.

“You’re part of the family too, Gina,” he says, answering the real question behind the girl’s words. “Iris views you like an older sister.”

As expected, Gina starts hiding her face behind her hat but Kazuma catches the hint of a smile on her lips before it disappears from view. She just wanted some reassurance, and it brings Kazuma’s mind back to when Susato used to seek him out not long after he had met Ryunosuke, asking if he still needed her. As if he would ever not need his little sister.

Ah, here he is again. Longing.

Gina sniffs and Kazuma finds himself at a loss, suddenly. What… what is he supposed to do here?

“What ‘bout ya?” she asks, wiping away at the corner of her left eye before looking at him.

“What about me?” he repeats, this time not sure to understand what she means.

“Your family. Why aren’t ya with them?”

Kazuma is getting just a little tired of answering that question. Yet, every single time he has a different answer, it seems. He thinks back to Sholmes’ words and huffs.

By now, Ryunosuke, Susato and Professor Mikotoba should be more than halfway through their journey back to Japan.

“If we talk strictly from blood, I don’t have a family to return to,” he starts, looking out the window towards where he knows Madam Tusspell’s museum to be. He is surprised she did not ask him to repay her for destroying the wax figure of his father now that he thinks about it. Perhaps she is reworking the exhibit altogether, at least he hopes she is. “But I will see my friends again, someday. I was too focused on the desire for revenge. This time, I want to look forward.” Against his will, his eyes fall on Barok. “Find my place, where I belong. And it isn’t in Japan, not anymore at the very least.”

Gina tilts her head, then pokes his arm. “I think ya fit right in, ‘ere.”

“I am surprised you think so,” Kazuma admits despite the feeling of warmth her words bring to him. “I admitted to wanting to kill your former mentor,” he says bluntly.

The blonde girl stiffens ever so slightly at the reminder but then she shakes her head. “‘e’s the reason ya never got to say goodbye to yer dad, ain’t ‘e? If ‘e ‘adn’t stolen that ring… if I ever found who took my ma an’ pa from me, I dunno what I’d do…”

“My father was still guilty, in the end, and because of it, Iris never got to meet her parents,” he muses more to himself than anything else. “And yet, I feel like out of all of us, she came out the best.”

“She ‘as Sholmes,” Gina points out. “Guy’s nuts but ‘e clearly is carin’.”

Kazuma agrees. Although on his part he had the Mikotobas, he was just too blinded by his ambitions to truly appreciate it. Professor Mikotoba took him in and raised him like his own son and yet he had kept a safe distance, Karuma by his side and the soul of the Asogi clan at the forefront of his mind, always.

“‘ey, ‘Sogi?” Gina asks.

“Yes?”

“Ya returnin’ to work soon?”

“Most likely, yes.”

“Wanna work on a case together?” Despite himself, Kazuma straightens his back, clearly interested. Gina catches it with no issue as she smiles. “Each inspector gotta have their own prosecutor, so I’m claimin’ ya,” she declares.

“Well,” he says as he squishes her head, messing her hat and hair. “Guess it cannot be helped.”

“Stop that!” Gina gesticulates widely to get Kazuma away. “‘ow would ya feel if someone messed with yer perfect hair huh?!”

“Good luck reaching me,” Kazuma snorts.

She gasps and promptly tries to reach for his head but he dodges and then runs away. Gina quickly follows him across the living room, Sholmes joining in almost immediately, out of boredom, surely, while Iris and Barok look on with equal expressions of confusion. For the first time since his friends departed, Kazuma laughs openly. It is only amplified when Wagahai suddenly appears by his side as well, happily running with him and trying to trip Gina and Sholmes behind him.

A true ally, that cat.

And to think it all started with another mischievious cat aboard a steam ship.

….::::**•°✾°•**::::....

Upon returning to the manor, Kazuma follows Barok back to his chambers without the latter needing to ask him to do so. As lovely as the day has been, Kazuma has not forgotten about that meeting with the Queen and he’s been curious to see if Sholmes’ deductions were right after all since Barok indeed didn’t mention it at all at the Sholmes’ place.

Kazuma had been in Barok’s bedroom before, every time following an attack that resulted only in minor injuries. He supposes even as an amnesiac he felt compelled to make sure the other man would properly look after his injuries. Barok never threw him out.

Once inside the room, Barok immediately pours himself a glass of wine and Kazuma represses a sigh. They had no wine at Baker Street, after all, since Iris admitted seeing Sholmes drunk scared her and Sholmes promptly decided to throw out any alcoholic drink in the process. However, Kazuma remains impressed that Barok can simply sit on his bed with silky white sheets with a glass full of red wine in his hand and no fear of it ever spilling and staining the expensive fabric.

Kazuma, on his part, leans against one of the corner posts of the bed.

“Her Majesty offered I take the role of Lord Chief Justice,” Barok finally announces.

Kazuma hums and curses in his head. Sholmes was right once again, the other man waited to talk to him.

“It does not sound like you accepted,” Kazuma offers as a response.

Barok takes a sip. “I just never considered the position before and quite frankly, it appears like a dreadful one.”

“Well, Stronghart was constantly late to everything so he couldn't have been that busy… outside of organising assassinations, that is.”

Barok grimaces. It really isn’t a great reminder. “It is just not what I want to do. Being the Head Prosecutor is enough for me as I may choose the cases I want to be involved in. I do not trust myself enough to be head of the judiciary as well. At the same time…”

“There really isn’t anyone else qualified who could take that role,” Kazuma completes for him. Barok grunts but nods. “That’s quite the dilemma.”

“I’ll say.”

Kazuma tilts his head. “Do you have to make a decision quickly?”

“Considering the state of the Empire right now following all the revelations, yes.”

Well, that makes sense. It is the same reason Ryunosuke had accepted to return to Japan, isn’t it? With Jigoku on death row now, Japan’s judicial system must be in shambles as the Emperor must have been informed of what transpired here in Great Britain.

“… It would be the opportunity to clear the van Zieks name, make the system better and fairer from up there.”

Sharp blue eyes bore into his side. “Or to further suspicions that I may become an actual Reaper.”

“And that would depend on how and who you present yourself with.”

“It wouldn’t be easy.”

“If it was, these past ten years never would have happened,” Kazuma agrees.

Barok sighs, taking yet another sip while their eyes never break contact.

“I’d need someone by my side, to not let power get into my head the way Stronghart has. If I do this, I need you by my side, Kazuma.”

Kazuma blinks slowly, processing the words. There is a fire inside his heart, a fire he had not felt ever since that speech contest way back when, now, and he is much too tired to try to ignore or extinguish it now. That faith. The intensity in those eyes. The confidence in his words.

The path to his future has never been brighter.

“Could I try something?” Kazuma asks. Barok only hums as a response so he leans forward, a hand framing the side of the Lord’s face before he brings their lips together. It remains chaste and simple, neither of them having the courage to initiate more, it seems, before Kazuma pulls away. He blinks his eyes open to see Barok staring at him already.

“Are you sure of what you are doing?” the other prosecutor asks, only now lowering the chalice he had been holding on his bedside table.

“No,” Kazuma admits. “I wanted to do it, though.”

Barok eyes him, before grabbing him by the chin and initiating another kiss, this time with more intent, with more hunger behind it. Kazuma can taste the wine on the man’s lips, electrifying and intriguing. He quickly finds himself on Barok’s lap, drinking him in.

When they pull away, Barok inquires, “What about your dear partner?”

“Would you think lesser of me, if I said I still love him despite it all?” He almost wants to cry because oh, does it feel nice to be held, to feel cherished again and this time with no secrets surrounding him.

“I would simply hope I am not here to fill the void he left behind,” Barok answers, hands never leaving Kazuma’s face. “Because I am not Naruhodo.”

“No, no you’re not,” Kazuma agrees. “I am tired of longing, of wondering about what I could have done better with him when I was too focused on revenge. Wondering if he even returns my affection after he’s seen the worst of me.” Barok seems to want to interject here but Kazuma promptly continues, “I do not want to make the same mistakes. I got told I was allowed to be selfish, this is me being selfish.”

“I feel like the selfish one here,” Barok counters. “Asking you… to give me your time, your wisdom and your affection all at once, after everything and still so much to discuss between us. It feels… wrong.”

“Does it?” Kazuma questions. “This may be the first time I’ve felt genuinely happy since Ryuu and Susato left.”

Barok huffs, but it most definitely sounds more like a grunt and Kazuma holds back a laugh. It kind of felt like a purr as well, from where he sits on the man’s lap.

“You can be Lord Chief Justice and you can have me. That is, if you want,” Kazuma sums up.

Barok wraps his arms around him, lifting an eyebrow. “Right now?” he asks, intentions quite clear in his tone.

“No, I’m tired,” Kazuma replies honestly, patting the other man’s cheek, perhaps a little mockingly. “I did not realise what I was implying while sitting on your lap.”

“What a shame.”

Kazuma rolls his eyes. “So?”

“I think I need to think a bit more about this promotion…” Barok answers, suddenly dropping his head on Kazuma’s shoulder. He huffs out what sounds almost like a chuckle. “I just had an odd thought.”

“Care to share?”

“For all the grief Stronghart has caused me, he remains the reason I found you.”

Kazuma breathes out. “Yes… I suppose he was. I really don’t like that thought though.”

“Me neither,” is mumbled against his shoulder. “It is getting late, I suppose you will want to go back to work tomorrow?”

Kazuma nods. “Yes. Well, I bid you good night then.”

Except when he makes to stand up in order to make his exit, the hold around his waist tightens for a second before letting loose again as Barok looks up at him with a hint of fluster and guilt in his eyes.

Kazuma realises he quite enjoys being the one looking down for once, too.

“Actually, would you mind, staying for the night? This whole day has felt like a dream and I— I need to hold you, for a bit longer.”

“My night clothes are in my room though…”

“We can ask a maid to bring them here. In a minute.”

“Wouldn’t that mean they’d…”

“They have known of my preferences for a while, they will not care,” Barok says and Kazuma frowns because, again, he has never heard of the man ever getting close to anyone except for…

Oh. Harebrayne.

“Alright. Alright then, I will stay.”

Barok’s only response is to tighten the embrace while breathing in deep. Kazuma brings a hand to Barok’s chest, feeling his heart beat furiously under his palm and he smiles.

New beginnings, here he comes.

….::::**•°✾°•**::::....

They are to reach Japan’s shores in a day and Ryunosuke spends that last night with Karuma unsheathed on his lap as he sharpens the blade with careful hands. The tip is still broken, he is no blacksmith, after all, but it looks almost as good as new, to the naked eye that is. Repairing the Asogi Clan’s soul to a semblance of its former glory.

Over the past few weeks, he has kept wondering if he has made the right choice, if leaving his best friend behind was sound, although he supposes Kazuma is still with him, isn’t he? Through this blade, he had entrusted him with, for real this time. Kazuma’s hachimaki is still wrapped around the handle and his name is still on his armband as well — and Ryunosuke may never ask for an armband of his own, really. He likes knowing he has his partner’s name and soul with him, at all times. But ultimately, Susato reminded him that Kazuma would not be alone and the fact he could reach Great Britain with his memory gone proves that he is more resourceful than any other person Ryunosuke knows. Kazuma will be fine. He has to be if he wants to fulfil his promise of one day facing each other in court again.

There is still so much unsaid, but the future waits for no one and London was starting to feel suffocating, despite Mr Sholmes’ and Iris’ warm presence. But much like Karuma, Japan needs repairing as well. Susato has expressed a desire to become a lawyer herself, and Ryunosuke is determined to do everything in his power along with Professor Mikotoba so she would be allowed to pursue this new dream. After all, wasn’t it unfair how he was able to become one with no qualification in under a month meanwhile she spent her entire life studying law and could not practice it herself because of the law itself?

And he has faith that Kazuma will do what he can in return in Great Britain, to eliminate these demons, within himself and the English judiciary system as a whole. It has always been his dream, despite it all, merely tweaked a bit now. Ryunosuke knows revenge was never the only reason for his desire to reach Great Britain.

Yes. Ryunosuke trusts him. And hopefully one day, he will be able to tell him once they see each other again. He will be able to say those words of affection without any walls built of lies and insecurity around them.

“So long, partner,” he whispers to himself as he gently puts Karuma back into its sheath and secures it by his waist. “Until we meet again.”

Life goes on. And Ryunosuke is ready to embrace it with open arms, sure about the path he has chosen for himself more than he ever has before. He will miss his partner, but if things are meant to be, they will make it work.

And in any case, they will always be a part of each other’s life.

….::::**•°✾°•**::::....