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The rain had started to fall gently outside the training facility, tapping rhythmically against the windows. Barou sat on the bench, towel slung over his shoulders, when Chigiri dropped beside him, hair damp and cheeks flushed from the workout.
“ You always push too hard..“
Chigiri said, nudging him lightly. Barou scoffed, but the corner of his mouth twitched.
“ You worry too much. ”
Chigiri smiled, leaning in just enough for their shoulders to touch.
“ Only about you. ”
Barou didn't respond right away. He stared ahead, at nothing in particular, his jaw slightly tensing up.
Chigiri waited, patiently. He knew Barou—quiet as a mouse when his thoughts got loud.
Finally, Barou exhaled, low and rough.
“ You shouldn't waste your energy worrying about me. “
He muttered, but his shoulder pressed a little harder into Chigiri’.
Chigiri turned his head, watching him carefully.
“ It's not a waste. “
Barou glanced at him, eyes sharp but not unkind.
“ You act like I’m gonna fall apart. “
“ I don’t— “
Chigiri said, voice softer now.
“ I just know how hard you are on yourself. And someone has to look out for you if you won’t. ”
That earned a quiet, short laugh from Barou—surprised. He shook his head, sweat flicking from the ends of his loose, straight hair.
“ You’re such a damn idiot… “
He said, his voice low but the way he said it was different… warmer. Like the words meant something else entirely.
Chigiri just smiled again, unfazed.
“ Takes one to love one. ”
Barou froze.
Chigiri blinked, then paled a little.
“ I mean.. like. Care. I meant care. Obviously. ”
Barou stared at him for a bit too long.
Then he stood abruptly, towel slipping from his shoulders.
“ Tch. You’re unbelievable. “
Chigiri’s stomach dropped, but then Barou paused a few steps away, not turning around.
“ Come on, let’s go walk to your room. I’ll leave you there. “
Chigiri looked up, he stood up slowly his heart beating gently a smile tugged at the corner of his lips, his eyes lighting up like a star.
“ Okay. “
Chigiri walked a half-step behind Barou, the quiet rhythm of their footsteps blending with the distant hush of rain. The night air was cool, it was surprising that you could even feel the cold breeze inside Blue Lock.
Every so often, Chigiri’s gaze drifted to Barou, drawn by the way the lights of the building softened the hard lines of Barou’s face, casting him in a glow that made something in Chigiri’s chest ache. He looked away quickly each time.. not wanting to get caught by him.
It wasn’t just admiration. It was something more.. quieter, deeper.
He watched the way Barou’s hand brushed his side when they turned a corner, how his shoulders shifted as he walked; strong, certain, always just within reach. And Chigiri wondered, not for the first time, if Barou could feel how much Chigiri wanted to close that space between them.
Chigiri came to a sudden stop, letting the space between stretch slightly before calling out:
“ Barou! “
Barou turned, a flicker of surprise crossing his brain and face as he looked back at him.. his brows slightly raised, clearly confused by the sudden outburst from the pretty redhead behind him.
Chigiri took a shaky breath, eyes locked on Barou before looking at the floor, his hands clenched as a fist.
“ I… I like you, I wanted to keep this inside my chest but I physically nor mentally can’t anymore.. I like you, no.. I love you, Barou. “
He said, voice quiet but trembling with honesty—like the words had been waiting too long to be set free.
“ . . . “
Barou stood still for a heartbeat longer, then closed the space between them with slow, quiet steps. His hand came up gently to Chigiri’s chin, his fingers curling beneath it to tilt his face upward.
He didn’t say anything, he slowly leaned in and pressed a tender kiss to Chigiri’s forehead, letting it linger for a breath.
It was quiet, but the touch? It was a touch that spoke louder than any words.
When he pulled away from the peck, his eyes met Chigiri’s ruby-colored eyes with a rare gentleness.
“ You matter to me. “
Barou murmured quietly.
“ More than I know how to explain. “
Chigiri’s eyes welled up slightly before smiling at his response. He embraced him, tenderly kissing him passionately yet with a softness that showed their soft affection.
“ I care only about you, my king. “
“ I also care only about you, princess. “