Work Text:
Friday night’s one of the most celebrated times for most people. After a week long of doing lots of work, it is a custom for humans to unwind once in a while. Who wouldn’t like to go eat out or play after a long shift with your friends, right? To do silly things on your free time is a privilege these days, and everyone would love to use them to their heart’s content. However, a certain redhead’s definition of “fun” might be a little bit different from others.
While most people of his age are out eating a heartful serving of freshly prepared bowl of ramen together, Tsukasa was too occupied on his work desk inside New Dimension’s office. Instead of chopsticks, he’s actually holding a page of document he’s reviewing on his left hand while typing an email on his laptop using his right hand for Knights’ upcoming live to further boost their range and popularity. He prepared a cup of instant noodles, which is sitting on top of his desk away from his documents for five whole minutes. This kind of food isn’t something he’d usually think of eating mainly because the servants in his house do cook decent dishes for him, but he has no choice but to be independent ever since he started living in Seisoukan. Besides, he wanted to taste it himself since eating such “unhealthy junk” is prohibited in his household, and he keeps on fantasizing how good they were according to his colleagues.
“And… done!”
A sigh of relief escaped the redhead’s lips upon pressing the send button. He then placed down the document, now turning his attention to his now cold noodle cup. Tsukasa expected a slight burning sensation upon touching the cup, but he didn’t feel anything to his surprise. “I guess I left it out for too long again. Oh well.”. He took his chopsticks and slurped the broth and noodles. As he expected, the noodles are way too soggy now and the broth itself is already bland. He still thinks that wasting food is not good, so he forced himself to finish everything up.
Five minutes have passed, Tsukasa finally ate the entire serving, making him feel quite full. He may think that taking a break this long is a complete waste of time, but passing out in the middle of his work due to hunger is something he don’t want either. He gently placed the empty cup to his table when he noticed the time on the corner of his laptop.
“It’s already 9 in the evening, huh? Everyone went out early tonight to go somewhere. “. He scouted the entire floor, but there was no one beside himself are to be seen. “I wonder what my seniors are doing at this hour.” He grabbed his phone to check on his seniors’ whereabouts through their group chat, and he can’t help but giggle while reading the past messages. Everything about that group chat were as chaotic as always. Sena sending a city night view in Florence, Arashi posting pics of her, Ritsu, and Mika having their Friday night sleepover while wearing face masks and cucumber slices. Sena would retaliate as usual, and the three will start their usual arguments, though nothing too serious. Tsukasa would usually reply and join in, but he decided not to do it this time for he wanted to focus on his work.
“I’m glad they’re having fun tonight. “. A smile formed on the redhead’s lips, only for it to quickly disappear. “After that unforeseeable defeat from Crazy:B during sudden death, I can’t help but feel like I failed everyone in Knights. Not just my esteemed seniors, but also all our juniors who fought hard on our stead when I fell down.”.
He took a deep breath, hoping it will help to calm himself down even just for a bit. He’s quite glad that no one was around to see him this low again, but he can’t help but think that the atmosphere inside the office is adding fuel to his inner turmoil. “They won’t admit it or they probably want to protect my feelings, but this unsettling feeling’s been lingering inside me after everything. I took the crown from Narukami-senpai back then, thinking that I could handle the responsibility so well. Ritsu-senpai and Sena-senpai gave their support towards me that day. And Leo-san… he entrusted Knights to me right from the beginning. Everyone of them adored me… they believed in me… And yet… “
His strong façade slowly wears off much to his chagrin. For quite a long time, Tsukasa tried to make it look like he’s not affected by their recent loss. Weakness isn’t something that someone like Tsukasa Suou would want to be associated with. He always believed that he should not show any signs of it ever since he was a little kid.
“There you are, Suo~! Uchuu!”
And with that, the redhead was forcefully dragged back from the abyss to reality. He swiftly wiped the tears building up on the corners of his eyes as he frantically scanned the entire room for the source of the voice. He knew the person himself, considering that there’s only one person he knows that calls him like that and says that signature catchphrase. But what’s confusing him is that why is he hearing his voice out of nowhere when he’s not even here? His search ended when a pair of hands suddenly touched his shoulders, making him shout in fear with his whole body frozen on the spot. “I’m here, y’know?”
“EEK! LEO-SAN?! What are you doing here?”
The younger quickly recovered from his shock earlier, although he can still feel his heart beating a bit faster than usual. The older let out a loud laugh from the younger’s reaction a while ago. “Whahaha! Sou’s really easy to scare! Be careful though, your heart might burst one of these days!”
“And whose fault was that, exactly?!” The redhead retaliated. Leo let out another laugh, but it was mixed with an apologetic tone this time. “Alright I’m sorry, okay?”. The orange head then sat beside the redhead, dropping a plastic bag from a convenience store containing various kinds of sweets, all of them are coincidentally Tsukasa’s favorite brands. “Have these by the way. Suo loves sweets, right? It will help that beautiful brain of yours function! Wahaha!”
It didn’t take minutes before Tsukasa’s face brighten up by the sight of the tasty treats Leo just brought. “These are for me? Thank you very much, Leo-san!”. Good, now he can forget the horrible taste of the instant ramen he just ate a while ago. “Yeah! Just don’t tell Sena though, okay? Our tiny secret!”
The mere mention of his senior’s name already made Tsukasa shiver in fear. If Sena-senpai found out that he’s ignoring his diet, he would totally be furious. He then hesitated to take a bite from the chocolate bar he just opened, which Leo noticed in an instant. Leo then smiled softly, reassuring Tsukasa. “Don’t worry too much, Suo. Sweets help you think things faster so it’s fine!” The redhead wasn’t too sure if he will indulge, but he doesn’t want to waste Leo’s efforts as well. “I…if you say so then.” With just one bite, the younger already felt slightly better which is pretty evident in his face right now, much to the older one’s relief.
Tsukasa was so preoccupied with his sweets that he almost forgot to ask something he wanted to a while ago. “Oh right, you didn’t answer my question a while ago! I thought you’re in Florence right now for your work? What brings you here?”
Leo went silent for a second, a hint of shock evident in his face from the younger’s sudden question. “Oh that? I just arrived this afternoon. I miss Ruka-tan that’s why I went back home! I was already here so I thought of visiting you guys at the apartment, but turns out you’re not home yet! I guessed you’re still at the office since you’re not replying in the group chat. Not that I’m active there myself though. Wahahah!”
“I…is that so?” Tsukasa can’t comprehend his senior’s reasons, but if there’s something that he learned from his 2 years of experience talking to Leo, it is that he’s one of the most unpredictable human being out there. “I don’t understand though. Why did you want to see me? Shouldn’t you be enjoying your night like the rest?”
The orange head quickly pouted his cheeks. “Well, I was worried about our little Suo, y’know? Look at you, spending your precious free time working your butt off inside this gloomy office!”. Tsukasa tried to reply back with what Leo just said, but he couldn’t think of a comeback. His senior has a point, as much as he doesn’t want to admit it.
“I’m doing some paperwork for our next live. It’s still a few weeks later, but I just thought it’s better to finish this as early as possible.” Tsukasa stared at the documents that he picked up from his desk. His grip then slightly tightened, which is not left unnoticed by Leo. “After what happened recently, I must do my job as the King better. I cannot let any similar scenario happen in the future.”
“I’m not fit to be the king”
“I failed my Knights… every single one of them…”
“I…”
“Suo!”
Once again, Tsukasa was pulled out of his misery by that same voice. Before he knew it, Leo was already having a serious yet worried look on his face. “You spaced out for a bit. Are you really okay? Don’t let the aliens kidnap you, hear me?!”
“Geez, Leo-san. I won’t! And sorry I just spaced out for a moment. I was thinking of something.” Tsukasa quickly said. Leo eased up a little, his worried face a while ago now turned into a soft smile. “You should really try and relax once in a while, Suo! Try to rely on us a little more, especially if everything’s too heavy for you.”
Stunned, the younger’s purple orbs locked into Leo’s jade ones. He can finally feel the turbulent storm inside him slowly fading. “I know. Thank you, Leo-san.” Their eyes now lost its connection, with Tsukasa now focused on his laptop once more. “I still need to finish another paper work before I go back to the dorms though. Thanks to the chocolates you brough, I had some extra energy.”
“Geez, I really can’t stop you, huh?” Leo scratched his head when all of a sudden, he brought out a sketch pad, one that Tsukasa himself gave him to prevent him from composing elsewhere whenever inspiration strikes. “I’ll compose here until you’re done, then!”
“Wha- are you serious, Leo-san?” Tsukasa took a quick glance at Leo who’s already in his own world. He swears he can hear the composer mumble some words like “I should call this one ‘Suo’s such a hard-worker!’”, which makes him blush in embarrassment. He didn’t even bother stopping the older. Out of everyone, he’s the one who knows best that there’s nothing that can stop Leo Tsukinaga when he’s on his composing mode. He then decided to go back to his work. After all, the earlier he finishes, the earlier he can rest as well.
Five minutes have passed, and for some reason, Tsukasa suddenly felt his eyelids trying to shut themselves. While Leo was doing his compositions, the redhead can’t help but listen to the older one’s humming. It felt so familiar to him, the sensation, the melody, his calm heartbeat. It was the same feeling he always have whenever he’s listening to the music from the cd that he got way back then every single night. The music that always save him from his inner demons every single time. The only difference is that he’s now having a live experience coming from the composer himself. Before he knew it, Tsukasa was already sleeping on his desk with a smile on his face.
Upon hearing a thud from his side, Leo took a glance on his right, only to see the redhead’s magnificent sleeping face. The composer dropped his pen and sketchbook as he gets closer to the young king, giggling.
“You’re really something, Tsukasa.”. Leo moved the redhead’s bangs away from his eyes, revealing the younger’s facial features better. “So unfair. How can you still have such pretty face even when you’re asleep?”. Leo’s hand slowly traced Tsukasa’s cheeks, admiring each and every corner of it. “I wasn’t lying when I said I miss Ruka-tan a while ago, but the main reason why I came back is you. I’m so worried you’ll take all the blame on what happened last time, and it turns out I’m right. I’m so sorry, Tsukasa. I wasn’t entirely there when you needed me the most. I swore my eternal allegiance to you, my King, but I failed as your knight. You were hurt and I almost didn’t make it on time. But don’t worry… “
Leo quickly scanned the room for possible bystanders. Fortunately for him, he didn’t see anyone. With his cheeks flushing, almost as red as Tsukasa’s hair itself, he planted a quick kiss on the younger’s forehead. “I won’t let anyone hurt you ever again. Oh, my King, the one whom I swore my entire life with. I love you with all my heart. “
The orange head then took off his jacket and placed it on top of the redhead who’s still in his slumber. Leo then decided to compose another song, but this time, the words “Scarlet Lullaby” can be read on top of the paper.
“Sleep well, Tsukasa.”