Work Text:
The room was bathed in a soft, ethereal glow from the moon, casting long, dancing shadows across the walls. You sat at a small, round table, your fingers tracing intricate patterns on a worn, leather-bound book. Your messy hairstyle, a testament to your carefree spirit, framed your expressive face, adding to your quirky charm.
Across from you, Blade stood, a towering figure with fair skin, long dark blue hair with red tips, and intense red eyes that seemed to pierce through the darkness. Dressed in an ornate black tailcoat lined in red with gold and dark blue embroidery, complemented by gray trousers, a black belt, and bandages wrapped around his limbs, he exuded an air of mystery and danger.
"I'm trying to find a good recipe," You mused, your voice a soft, melodic lilt. "Do you have a favorite?"
Blade turned to face you, a tired expression on his face as if he couldn't believe you were still awake.
"A favorite...?" he repeated, perplexed. "A recipe... for what?" He wasn't much of a cook, and didn't even remember the last time he genuinely enjoyed a meal, nor did he have one in mind. "Just... something simple. Rice and whatever. It doesn't really matter."
There was a hint of irritation in his voice, but he couldn't tell if he was irritated at you or himself.
"Blade, you're looking a bit frazzled," You observed, your voice filled with concern. "How about I whip up some of my famous spicy chicken and rice bowl? It's easy, healthy, and always hits the spot. I can even add some veggies if you're feeling fancy."
Blade was still for a moment, caught off guard by your offer. It was almost... weird, hearing someone ask about his preferences and offer him food. His eyes darted in another direction, avoiding your gaze as he spoke.
"...No, I'm fine. It's late and you shouldn't bother."
But even as he said that, his mind couldn't help but wander to the idea of having a warm meal in his stomach...
"Alright, no problem," You replied, your tone unchanged. "But if you change your mind, I'll be here. You know I've got a stash of instant ramen, too, that's pretty okay, if I do say so myself."
Blade grumbled silently. Typical for you to have such items so close, and he guessed that wasn't even everything you had in that seemingly endless bag.
His stomach growled quietly, and he cursed. Dammit. "I... guess a bowl of that," he grumbled reluctantly, looking away, "if you don't mind..."
"Not at all, Blade," You replied, your voice a soft, melodic lilt. "I'll heat some water and get it ready. Ramen's not exactly gourmet, but it's filling and it'll hit the spot."
Blade watched you from a distance, his stoic expression masking the gnawing hunger in his stomach. As much as he tried to act indifferent, there was no ignoring the longing in his eyes. It was just a bowl of noodles... but it felt like an incredible luxury.
He swallowed, trying not to get his hopes up. Dammit. Why did he have to feel this hungry at this hour?
"Here you go, Blade," You said, placing the bowl of ramen in front of him. He could feel the heat of it in his hand, and an almost sweet smell wafted from the steam. It was so... normal.
"...Thanks," he muttered quietly, taking a seat at the edge of the bed with the bowl in his lap. As hungry as he was, he didn't want to look too desperate, so he just stared at the contents with a blank expression, taking a small bite.
"You're welcome, Blade," You replied, your voice filled with warmth. "Take your time, eat up. I'll sit with you."
Blade nodded in response, still unable to look you in the eye as he took a bigger bite of the ramen. It tasted... good. The hot liquid warmed his cold body and soothed his growling stomach, and his body slowly relaxed from the satisfying comfort of it.
He was still sitting at the edge of the bed, eating silently, but occasionally glanced in your direction. "You... don't have to stay here," he muttered quietly between spoonfuls.
You leaned against the bedpost, watching him with a soft smile. "I'm happy to stay, Blade," you replied. "Enjoy your dinner." Blade paused, studying you intently. "You're not used to people taking care of you, are you?"
Blade almost choked on his ramen, pausing in surprise from the sudden question. He looked down at the bowl, not wanting to meet your knowing gaze.
He wasn't used to this, no. He couldn't remember the last time someone did something for him willingly, or without asking for anything in return.
He chewed slowly, keeping quiet for a while and just eating. Is it that obvious? Dammit...
"It's not that hard to figure out, Blade," You replied, your voice a soft, melodic lilt. "You've been independent for a long time, haven't you? That kind of self-reliance leaves its mark."
Blade nodded slowly, swallowing a mouthful of noodles. He'd been alone for so long, relying on his own strength because there was no one else there to help him.
"...Yeah... a long time," he muttered quietly, looking down at the bowl of ramen, almost contemplating.
He knew he shouldn't rely on anyone. But the loneliness that ate away at his soul and the weariness that clung to his body just... it was a little hard not to. Dammit.
"That sounds heavy, Blade," You observed, your voice filled with concern. "Carrying the weight of everything on your shoulders isn't easy. But you don't have to do it alone anymore, if you don't want to."
Blade's body jolted at your words, a pang of surprise running through his tired body. You sounded... sincere. Genuine. As if the mere thought of him having someone to share his burden was something he shouldn't question.
He swallowed, trying to hold back a lump in his throat from forming. It was... ridiculous. He was an independent man. He'd been on his own for so long... he'd be fine on his own.
But before he could finish those thoughts, he muttered, "I... don't want to be alone."
"Then don't be, Blade," You replied, your tone filled with warmth. "You don't have to be alone anymore. I'm here, and I'm not going anywhere."
Blade almost choked on his ramen, pausing in surprise from the sudden question. He looked down at the bowl, not wanting to meet your knowing gaze.
He wasn't used to this, no. He couldn't remember the last time someone did something for him willingly, or without asking for anything in return.
He chewed slowly, keeping quiet for a while and just eating. Is it that obvious? Dammit...
"It's not that hard to figure out, Blade," You replied, your voice a soft, melodic lilt. "You've been independent for a long time, haven't you? That kind of self-reliance leaves its mark."
Blade nodded slowly, swallowing a mouthful of noodles. He'd been alone for so long, relying on his own strength because there was no one else there to help him.
"...Yeah... a long time," he muttered quietly, looking down at the bowl of ramen, almost contemplating.
He knew he shouldn't rely on anyone. But the loneliness that ate away at his soul and the weariness that clung to his body just... it was a little hard not to. Dammit.
"That sounds heavy, Blade," You observed, your voice filled with concern. "Carrying the weight of everything on your shoulders isn't easy. But you don't have to do it alone anymore, if you don't want to."
Blade's body jolted at your words, a pang of surprise running through his tired body. You sounded... sincere. Genuine. As if the mere thought of him having someone to share his burden was something he shouldn't question.
He swallowed, trying to hold back a lump in his throat from forming. It was... ridiculous. He was an independent man. He'd been on his own for so long... he'd be fine on his own.
But before he could finish those thoughts, he muttered, "I... don't want to be alone."
"Then don't be, Blade," You replied, your tone filled with warmth. "You don't have to be alone anymore. I'm here, and I'm not going anywhere."
Blade's fingers tightened around the bowl, staring at the last few noodles as if they held the answers to the universe. You didn't get it, did you?
He wasn't used to the caring, compassionate look on your face. The way you spoke as if you genuinely cared for him and his well-being. You said you weren’t going anywhere, but it didn't make sense.
Why?
Why were you so willing to stay and help him, when there was nothing he could offer?
"Someone needs to be here, Blade," You replied, your voice firm but gentle. "And right now, that someone is you."
He remained silent yet again, processing your words slowly. He finally looked up from the empty bowl of ramen in his lap, meeting your eyes.
Your expression was so sincere, your eyes so kind. He couldn't understand it. Why would you offer to be there for him, when there were so many people in need?
His heart thumps in his chest, an unfamiliar feeling welling up in him. He didn't want to admit it, but he craved the comfort you offered him.
"Blade," You continued, your voice filled with conviction. "I see you. I see the pain and the struggle, but I also see the beauty and the strength. And I want to be here for it, for you."
His heart lurches, and he swallows hard, looking away. Your words were powerful, hitting deep into his chest and making his chest tighten painfully.
How could you see those things in him? He didn't see anything beautiful in himself, just a damaged man who's lost everything.
"...Why, though?" he mutters, his voice strained, "Why would you... choose to stay and care...?"
"Maybe I see what you can't, Blade," You replied, your voice soft. "Maybe I see the real you, beneath all the scars and the pain. And maybe, just maybe, I think you're worth fighting for."
Those words hit him harder than he'd like to admit. You saw him? The real him, hidden under all the pain and the scars?
He clenched his fists, trying to hold back the surge of emotion in his heart that threatened to spill out. No... no one saw the real him. No one cared.
But you were different. You said he was worth fighting for, even as a broken man.
He took a deep breath, trying to steady his hammering heart.
"Blade, I'm not just saying it," You replied, your voice firm but gentle. "I believe it. You're worth fighting for, not despite your scars, but because of who you are, scars and all."
Blade felt his throat tighten, making it difficult to speak. The sincerity in your eyes, the conviction in your voice... it was almost overwhelming.
No one had ever talked to him like this before, and no one had ever seen his scars as something more than just reminders of a painful past.
But you... you saw past them, past the flaws and the mistakes. You saw a man worth fighting for.
He took another deep breath, trying to reign in his emotions. "It's not... that simple," he muttered gruffly.
"Nothing's ever simple, Blade," You replied, your tone filled with warmth. "But I'm willing to fight for it, for you, even complicated."
His heart skipped a beat, and he gritted his teeth. You were so stubborn, so determined to show him he was worth something, even as a broken man. Even through the complicated, messy parts.
He wanted to believe you, wanted to accept your words and your care, but the years of isolation and loneliness had left him jaded.
"Why... why do you want to fight for me, of all people?" he asked, his voice gruff but tinged with a hint of vulnerability.
"Because, Blade," You replied, your voice filled with warmth. "I think you're the most incredible person I've ever met. Broken or not, you're still standing, and that takes more strength than most people will ever know."
Those words resonated deep within him, stirring up emotions he thought he'd buried long ago. Incredible, you called him. Strong, resilient.
No one had ever praised him like this. No one had ever seen the broken man behind the scars and the pain, and still thought him incredible.
"You're... insane," he muttered, shaking his head, "you're absolutely insane, you know that?"
"That may be true, but I'd rather be insane about you than sane about nobody," You replied, your tone playful.
Blade couldn't help but let out a low chuckle at your words, shaking his head in disbelief. You were utterly ridiculous, saying such things with a straight face and sincerity in your eyes.
But as much as he tried to deny it, something warm bloomed in his chest from your declaration. It was almost... refreshing.
"You're so stubborn," he muttered, his voice softer than usual, "you won't give up, will you?"
"I'll never give up on you, Blade," You replied, your voice firm but gentle. "Not as long as I draw breath."
Blade felt a pang in his chest, and he took a deep breath to steady his hammering heart. Your words and determination were like a drug, intoxicating and powerful.
He couldn't recall the last time someone showed this much genuine care for him, and the way you spoke, it's like nothing could waver your resolve.
He ran a hand through his hair, taking another slow, heavy breath. "You... you don't even know what you're getting yourself into," he warned quietly.
You smiled, your eyes sparkling in the moonlight. "I know exactly what I'm getting myself into, Blade," you replied, your voice filled with a quiet confidence. "And I'm ready for it."
Blade's heart skipped a beat. You were so determined, so unwavering. He couldn't understand it. But he also couldn't deny the growing warmth in his chest, the sense of something new, something unexpected.
He looked down at his hands, his fingers tracing the warm bowl of ramen on his lap. Perhaps he'd been wrong all along. Perhaps there was hope for him after all. Perhaps, just perhaps, there was someone who saw him, truly saw him, and was willing to fight for him.