Work Text:
Devotion; love, loyalty, or enthusiasm for a person, activity, or cause.
Kazuma was sitting at his desk in his and Barok’s office, working alone on some paperwork. Barok was out, having gone for a walk with Ryunosuke. He had wanted to go too, but was swamped with work, and did not want them to have to cancel their plans because of him. He could always accompany them on a later date.
Before, he might have been jealous of them spending time together alone, but now, he was fine with it, maybe even a little bit happy they were getting along so well. Near the beginning of their relationship, he remembered feeling left out whenever they’d do things as just the two of them. Even when all three of them were spending time together, if Ryunosuke and Barok even just shared a look, a deep gnawing emptiness would settle in Kazuma’s stomach. He knew they loved him, but he could not stop himself from feeling this way when he believed they were trying to cut him out on purpose.
He knew they weren’t, of course. He had moments like those with both Barok and Ryunosuke, and just because he was with only one of them, it didn’t mean he loved the other any less. In fact, it was as if he liked them more, feeling their absence more strongly when with only one of his lovers.
Suddenly, a knock on the door pulled him from his work. Well, his musings.
“Enter,” he said.
A bobby came barreling into the room, face pale.
“Prosecutor Asogi!”
“What is it?” Kazuma jumped to his feet.
“Prosecutor van Zieks asked me to get you, sir, he was attacked.”
Kazuma’s eyes widened. “What? Where is he? Is he ok?”
“Prosecutor van Zieks is fine, but the man ‘e was with was stabbed.”
Kazuma’s breath caught in his throat, and . “Ry– Ryunosuke?”
“Yeah, I think that’s what ‘e said.”
“Where is he?”
“‘e was taken to St. Synners hospital.”
“Ok, thank you. You may leave.”
As soon as the bobby left, Kazuma grabbed his cloak and went running out of the office.
–
Barok sat in Ryunosuke’s hospital room, head buried in his hands. He was still unconscious. The doctors had done all they could, and it was just a matter of time, now.
The incident kept replaying over and over in his mind.
They were just going for a walk.
They should have been fine.
Still. Barok was a fool to let his guard down. He should have known better. Once he realized they were being followed, it was too late.
He tried to fight back the best he could. It wasn’t difficult, since there were only two assailants, but he was so used to Kazuma protecting his back. He had become complacent. He had lost track of the second assailant, but as he was fighting off the first one, a scream pierced the sound of blades clashing.
Ryunosuke.
He had never heard him sound so anguished. It caught him so off guard he almost dropped his blade. But he kept going, not allowing their attackers to gain an inch of leeway.
The man who was fighting him ended up running away, and he spun around to see the second assailant raising a blade aimed directly for Ryunosuke’s chest.
Heart in his throat, Barok swung his blade in such an aggressive arc that he was sure he would have become a murderer if the other man didn’t have such good reflexes.
The man looked absolutely petrified, and he ran away as soon as he could.
Barok fell to his knees next to Ryunosuke, who was still on the ground.
“Dearest Ryun-” Barok’s breath caught in his throat as he noticed a pool of blood growing beneath Ryunosuke.
The smaller man’s eyes were closed, but thankfully, thankfully, he was still breathing. Either the fear or the pain must have been too much for him.
Barok scooped him up into his arms, not caring about the blood getting on his suit, and ran to the main road to hail a carriage to get to the hospital.
Barok looked at the man in his hospital bed. He had never looked so weak. Helpless.
Barok knew what it felt like to have a blade cut through his flesh. He never wanted Ryunosuke to experience that pain. The doctors told him it hadn’t been a flesh wound, either. The blade had been stuck deep between his shoulder blades. That was why there had been so much blood. Blood, which was still covering Barok’s clothes. He couldn’t bring himself to care.
The doctors said he was incredibly lucky, considering where he was stabbed.
How could any of this be considered lucky? Barok had thought, scowling.
But when they said that if the blade was a few inches to the left, he may never have walked again, Barok felt bile rising in his throat.
Very lucky indeed.
He looked up at Ryunosuke. Still no change.
The door to the room burst open, and Kazuma ran in.
“Kazuma,” Barok said, jumping up to pull the other man into his arms. Kazuma returned the embrace, just as tight.
“Barok… What happened to our Ryunosuke?”
“I… I am not sure. I can only assume he took a knife for me.”
Barok felt Kazuma’s grip on his coat tightening. “Of course he’d do something like that…”
Kazuma took a shaky breath, stepping away from Barok to look at Ryunosuke.
–
Oh, Ryunosuke…
Kazuma walked over to kneel by his bed, taking his hand in his. He hated how cold it felt. He hated how Ryunosuke looked. He had never seen him this pale. He knew he had lost a lot of blood, and it would take time to recover, but Kazuma couldn’t push the thought that he looked like he was dying from his mind.
He watched the slow rise and fall of his chest, the knowledge that Ryunosuke was still alive being the only thing keeping Kazuma from breaking down.
Kazuma couldn’t stop guilt from gnawing at his insides. He should have been there with them. Then he could have helped Barok fight off the assailants. Hell, he could have taken the knife for Barok. Anything to keep his Ryunosuke safe.
“Kazuma, I can tell what you’re thinking.” Barok knelt down next to him. “This was not your fault. You couldn’t have known this would happen.”
“I… I should have been there.”
“It is alright, my dear Kazuma. I’m sure he will bear you no ill will for this. I’m sure he will be more upset with me.”
“Why?”
“I should have protected him.” Barok frowned, looking away.
“Barok, you did everything you could. And… he’s going to be ok, right?”
“The doctors said a full recovery is very likely.”
“See? It’s all going to be ok.” Kazuma whispered, almost like a prayer.
“But… what if he doesn't wake up?” Barok said, voice shaky as he reached up to pet Ryunosuke’s hair.
“He will. He can’t leave us.”
“If he’s going to wake up… it will be soon.”
“Then I’m not leaving his side until he does.”
“Neither am I.”
Kazuma leaned against Barok, who wrapped his arms around him.
Ryunosuke would be ok. He had to be ok. Kazuma would never forgive him if he never woke up.
–
Ryunosuke’s eyes blinked open and he winced. He was in quite a lot of pain. The last thing he remembered was… He was walking with Barok when they were ambushed. Barok had pushed him off to the side to protect him. But busy fighting off one assailant, Barok left his back unguarded. Ryunosuke saw the second assailant raise his knife, and he moved without thinking. He tried to push the man, to distract him, but he tripped. He fell to his knees, and the next thing he knew, there was a burning pain in his back. He thought he tried to fight back… but it was mostly fuzzy after that point.
His eyes widened. Was Barok ok? He tried to sit up, but his back immediately protested the action, and he whimpered quietly. He laid back down and looked around, taking in his surroundings.
The gentle moonlight from outside illuminated the room enough for Ryunosuke to tell he was in a hospital bed. He looked next to him, and saw… Barok and Kazuma. They both looked so uncomfortable, asleep in the hospital’s chairs. And since Barok was here, and not in a room of his own, Ryunosuke assumed he hadn’t sustained many injuries, if any.
It warmed Ryunosuke’s heart so much to see them there, waiting for him to wake up. He truly had the best boyfriends ever.
“Kazuma? Barok?” he called out.
He didn’t want to wake them up, really, but they were probably very worried about him. He wanted to ease their worries as soon as possible.
Barok’s eyes opened first. “Ryunosuke,” he gasped quietly, at his side in an instant.
Kazuma woke up next, all but jumping to sit next to Barok on the floor by his bed. “Ryunosuke, you’re awake.” He smiled.
“You didn’t have to stay with me all night… Those chairs look really uncomfortable.” Ryunosuke frowned.
“Of course we had to stay with you!” Kazuma huffed.
“We were not about to leave you alone, dear one.” Barok took his hand, running his thumb over his knuckles.
Ryunosuke smiled softly. “I love you both. So much.”
“I love you too, Ryunosuke.” Barok kissed his hand.
“I love you too.” Kazuma reached up to cup his cheek. “You look much better now. I’m glad.”
“What happened?” Ryunosuke asked.
“You don’t remember?” Barok frowned.
Ryunosuke shook his head.
“You…” Barok looked to the side, clearly struggling to get the words out. “You were stabbed.”
Ryunosuke’s eyes widened, filling with tears. Well, that explained the pain. “I was only trying to push him out of the way…”
Barok sighed. “I know, but… please, Ryunosuke, I do not want you getting hurt on my sake.”
“I don’t want you getting hurt either! If it wasn’t me, then it would have been you in this bed!”
Barok lowered his head. “I am aware. But it would be better than having you hurt.”
“Barok, my well-being is not more important than yours.”
Barok looked up, a look of confusion on his face.
“You… don’t think my life is more important than yours, do you?”
Barok frowned. His silence was enough of an answer for Ryunosuke. “Barok…”
“Promise me you won’t put yourself in danger for my sake again, I can’t bear it.” Barok held Ryunosuke’s hand a bit tighter.
“Barok,” Kazuma cut in, “you can’t expect him to agree to that. I wouldn’t. You’re incredibly important to us. We don’t want you to get hurt.”
“I do not want either of you to get hurt, either!” Barok huffed, sounding a bit petulant.
“Barok… it’s late. I’m sure you’re both tired. Why don’t we talk about this tomorrow?”
Barok frowned. “I guess… I guess that would be ok.”
Barok stood up and settled back into his chair, followed by Kazuma.
“I’m glad to see you awake, Ryunosuke. I’m very happy,” said Kazuma.
“Thank you, Kazuma. Me too.”
Kazuma gave him a smile before leaning back in his chair.
Ryunosuke closed his eyes, but sleep would not come to him.
–
Kazuma had an idea. It was something he’d wanted to bring up for a while, and now felt like the perfect time.
Ryunosuke had been discharged from the hospital, and he was resting in their room in Barok’s manor. Barok and Kazuma were sitting next to the bed in much, much more comfortable chairs. As much as he needed to be near Ryunosuke that night, every single one of his muscles were sore now. He wanted to avoid a repeat experience, if not for Ryunosuke’s sake, but his own.
“There’s something I want to suggest,” he began
“What is it, Kazuma?”
Barok nodded. “Yes, what is it?”
“What if Barok and I were to teach you how to use a sword, Ryunosuke?”
Ryunosuke frowned, shaking his head almost immediately. “Kazuma, you know how I get around blades; I don’t like them.”
“I know that Ryunosuke, but I’m sure you’ll like learning how to use a blade to defend yourself much more than having one in you.”
Barok made a choked noise and Ryunosuke looked absolutely horrified.
“I wish Kazuma had put that more tactfully, but he’s not incorrect. You’d never have to use the blade to attack anyone, just to defend yourself until either Kazuma or myself can assist you.”
Ryunosuke sighed. “Maybe that would be for the best… I don’t want this to happen again, but I want to be able to help you. Maybe I should learn how to defend myself.”
“We don’t have to start right away, and we can start simple.” Kazum assured him.
“Alright. That sounds ok.” Ryunosuke smiled.
“Thank you, Ryunosuke. I… I never want to see you like this again.”
“Neither do I,” added Barok.
“I’d rather not get stabbed again, either…” Ryunosuke nodded miserably.
“We will never let this happen again. This I promise you.” Barok vowed.
“Never,” Kazuma echoed.
“Um…” Ryunosuke trailed off.
“What is it, Partner?”
“What you need, dear one?”
“Could… could you cuddle me, please?” Ryunosuke said, cheeks red.
Kazuma smiled softly. “Of course, Ryuu.”
“I could never refuse you that,” Barok chuckled.
Both men climbed into the bed on either side of Ryunosuke. Ryunosuke couldn’t stop himself from smiling. He always felt so safe in their embrace. So warm, so protected, so happy… If he could, he’d stay in their arms forever. It was completely unrealistic, but he knew they'd allow it if he asked. The thought made him giggle quietly.
They'd really do anything for him, wouldn’t they?
And he knew he’d do anything for them.
He settled into their embrace, closing his eyes as a wave of tiredness from his sleepless night washed over him.
He felt a gentle kiss on his forehead, then another on the other side, and he smiled even more.
He loved his boyfriends so much.