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Barok returned the book to the shelf with a faint smile. It was an old, heavy thing, which Klint would often read to him before bed during his childhood. He had most fairy tales from that collection already memorized, but often felt that urge to revisit them, finding comfort in the familiarity of those stories, as well as the memories associated with them.
Among all those tales, however, there was one that had always been his favorite: the one where a beautiful young woman falls for a beast, seeing kindness where most would see nothing but a monster. It had stayed with him since the first time he heard it, his young mind fascinated by a love so strong that it could transcend things like prejudice and physical appearance.
“You are always reading that one.”
Kazuma’s voice made Barok look at him, sitting on the couch just a few steps away, an open book in his hands. Barok offered him a slight smile.
“Its familiar tales help me clear my mind.”
“I see.” Kazuma returned the smile. “If you like fairy tales that much, I’ll ask Ryuu to bring a book on Japanese folklore when he returns to London.”
“I can only hope that my Japanese is good enough to read it by then.”
“You still have time to practice.”
Barok almost responded, but instead, simply observed Kazuma silently for a while, until his apprentice furrowed his brow.
“What?”
Barok shook his head. “Forgive me, I was distracted by my thoughts.”
“Care to share them?”
It was slightly embarrassing, but Barok couldn’t bring himself to say no to Kazuma’s curious face.
“It simply crossed my mind that now I have even more reasons to enjoy my favorite fairy tale.” A small pause. “Since it reminds me of us.”
“Is that so?” Kazuma grinned, interested, closing his book. “And which one is it?”
“Beauty and the Beast.”
Part of Barok expected to be teased for that comment, but instead, it made Kazuma narrow his eyes at him.
“I don’t know if you’re calling me a beast or a damsel in distress, but either way, I can’t say I appreciate the comparison.”
That was far from what Barok had in mind when he said those words, but he shouldn’t be surprised that Kazuma would find a way to interpret things in the most absurd way possible—growing close to Sholmes had certainly fed both his creativity and mischievous behavior.
“That is a harsh way to interpret my words,” said Barok.
“What did you mean, then?” Kazuma failed to contain a half-grin. “That I’m the most gorgeous man you’ve ever seen, or have been a prince in disguise all along?”
That question brought a low chuckle out of Barok’s lips. “I only meant that the situation is familiar.”
“How so?”
“In how I’ve been found by someone during my darkest moment, when I thought myself undeserving of love.”
That was his honest answer, which made Kazuma’s expression soften into a fond smile—something he was always happy to see.
“In that case,” said Kazuma, “it would work if we reversed our roles as well.”
Barok shook his head. “Certainly not. Having someone as lovely as you falling for a disgrace of a man like myself is—”
He stopped talking, covering his mouth with a hand, but not quickly enough. Kazuma’s smile disappeared, giving place to a scowl of displeasure. Barok knew what was coming, having committed the worst mistake he could in front of Kazuma: speaking ill of himself.
“Lord van Zieks, did you just imply that I have bad taste in men?”
“No, I—”
“Yes, you did.” Kazuma cut him off. “Said that I have horrible taste in romantic partners, and the only reason why I’m with you is because you gave me a bedroom in your home. So, in your eyes, I’m not only a helpless damsel in distress, but also an opportunistic one. Is that really so, my lord? Is that your opinion of me?”
Barok blinked, at a loss for words. He knew, of course, that Kazuma was exaggerating on purpose to torment him; but he was also aware of how much Kazuma loathed his self-deprecating comments—and displeasing that man was the last thing he wanted.
“I never said any of that.”
“Then,” Kazuma continued in the same tone, “were you implying that the man I offered my entire life and soul to is a horrible monster?”
“That’s…”
“Were you?”
Aware that an honest response would only get him deeper into trouble, Barok averted his gaze. “No.”
“You’re lying to me again.”
“Forgive me…”
Kazuma let out a long, frustrated sigh. He stood up, then closed that distance, looking at him in a way that made Barok feel like the smaller of the two.
“When I think you can’t possibly find new ways to test my patience, you surprise me, my lord.”
“My apologies.”
“I don’t want an empty apology.” Kazuma poked him on the chest with his finger. “You have insulted the man I love, I can’t simply let it pass.”
“I understand…”
“Besides,” Kazuma added, “your description of our relationship is absurdly wrong. A disgrace of a man? With all due respect, my dear mentor, are you completely out of your mind?”
Barok didn’t respond, feeling smaller by the second.
“And calling me lovely in comparison makes no sense,” he continued. “Following your logic, our roles are clearly reversed. I am the loud, difficult, and short-tempered one, and you’re the beautiful and kind one who still offered me love despite everything. Isn’t that right?”
That sudden reversal caught Barok off guard. “That is…”
“Don’t try to deny it,” said Kazuma. “Isn’t it clear that the only reason why I’m not a beast myself is because I have you here with me?”
For a moment, Barok didn’t know how to react to those words. But then he noticed Kazuma’s barely contained smile, a sign that, despite his sharp words, he wasn’t actually angry.
“Does that mean I am the one with bad taste in men?” asked Barok.
“Dreadful…” Kazuma grinned. “How fortunate for me.”
Despite the playful tone, his response brought a bitter taste to Barok’s mouth. “Now you are the one testing my patience.”
“Oh, so now you dislike self-deprecating comments, my darling mentor?”
Clearly amused, Kazuma moved closer, and in an automatic reaction, Barok held him against his chest, bringing a hand to his hair.
“Maybe I should start belittling myself every time you do it first,” said Kazuma. “Would this make you think twice before speaking nonsense again?”
“There is no need for this, I understand your point.”
“Good.” Kazuma closed his arms around Barok’s waist, burying his face in his chest. “Because I won’t forgive you if you say bad things about my dearest mentor again.”
Sometimes, Barok was still caught off guard by how much Kazuma cared about him. He was still getting used to the feeling, a little more each day, and yet often caught himself wondering if all of it was real or just a beautiful tale conjured by his lonely mind. Truth was, part of Barok still felt undeserving of his love and devotion, certain that Kazuma would be happier with someone better than him by his side. He would never voice those feelings, though, aware of how angry Kazuma would be to learn of them—if not heartbroken.
Instead, he made an effort to trust Kazuma’s judgment. There was a reason why he loved Barok that deeply, and Barok chose to believe he had found in him something worthy of love, even if Barok couldn’t see it himself.
No, that wasn’t the complete truth. Little by little, he was capable of catching glimpses of something bright and warm where he once thought there was nothing but darkness. Every time Kazuma’s unwavering love touched his heart, that feeling became stronger, allowing him to—even if for just a moment—see someone beautiful in his reflection, as if seeing himself through Kazuma’s eyes. Not a monster, but simply a flawed man. A man Kazuma accepted and cared for despite all of his shortcomings; a man Barok no longer despised.
Being loved by Kazuma had deeply changed him, and loving Kazuma made him want to become someone even better. All so that man could find the happiness he deserved by his side.
Before any of those thoughts escaped through his mouth, Barok finally responded to Kazuma’s complaints.
“Pray forgive my thoughtless words.”
“As long as you’re aware of how absurd they sound.”
“I am. You made it quite clear.”
As if to confirm Barok’s words, Kazuma tightened his embrace, and Barok responded in the same way. They stayed that way for a minute, until Kazuma moved slightly away, looking at Barok with the mischievous grin back on his lips.
“So,” he said, “if I ever left you, would you die from a broken heart?”
Barok sighed. “Kazuma…”
“Would you, my dearest mentor?”
As if Barok had a real choice on how to answer: if he said yes, Kazuma would tease him; if he said no, Kazuma would catch him on his lie and tease him even more. So, with a small sigh, he gave the answer that would cause him less trouble.
“I certainly would.”
Kazuma let out a small, pleased laugh. “Looks like I have no choice but to stay with you, then.”
“I appreciate your determination.”
“It’s worth the effort.”
In response, Barok kissed his head. Soon, the fairy tale that started that entire exchange returned to his mind, and he gave it some deeper thought. Perhaps there was truth in both of their interpretations of it: they had been beasts in the past, changed by years of pain, turned into something they despised. However, by choosing each other again and again, and allowing that love to flourish despite all adversity, that old curse had been broken for good.
When he saw it from that angle, that beloved story became even more precious to him.