20. Rose in the dark
The bedrooms in the organization's residential quarters were perfectly soundproof. No matter the chaos outside, inside remained quiet-as if it belonged to a different world.
Giginose lay on his side on his bed, phone in hand. The screen's glow reflected in his usual sharp red eyes.
Naturally, he wasn't browsing anything "normal."
He scrolled through underground assassin forums, checked updates on forbidden combat spells, and occasionally clicked on news reports about strange disappearances the organization hadn't yet intervened in.
Across the room, Barokuro was... rolling around on his own bed.
He had tried lying face-down, sideways, smushed into his pillow, and even stretched a leg across the space between their beds like there was no boundary. But Giginose paid him no mind, staying focused on his screen.
Eventually, Barokuro couldn't take it anymore. He popped up and rested his chin on the edge of Giginose's bed, blinking.
"What're you watching?"
"None of your business."
"You spying on someone?" Barokuro raised an eyebrow. "Or looking for a way to kill me without leaving a trace?"
Giginose didn't even respond.
Barokuro squinted, grinning. "Or maybe... you're researching catnip scents?"
WHUMP!
A pillow hit him straight in the face.
"You seriously have this much free time?" Giginose glared. "Aren't you going to rest while you can?"
"I am." Barokuro climbed right onto Giginose's bed like there were no rules. "Resting next to you is the most relaxing."
"Get off."
"No." He laid his head on Giginose's thigh, eyes closed, like he was soaking in the moment. "I've never had such a peaceful day off before. That rose scent of yours really helps me unwind."
Giginose almost kicked him off, but... didn't.
One hand stayed holding the phone, the other rested on Barokuro's forehead - not pushing, not caressing.
Just... resting there.
After a long while, Barokuro still hadn't fallen asleep. But he opened his eyes slightly and looked up at the figure above him.
"You probably haven't noticed... but your hands have gotten gentler."
---
That afternoon, after the two had eaten and returned to their room, a light, cooling rain began to fall.
Giginose sat on the bed, flipping through a book without reading. His mind wasn't at ease.
Barokuro stood by the window, back slightly curved, lazily watching the rain-but now and then, he sneaked a glance at the other boy.
No one said anything.
Silence.
So long that even Barokuro had to laugh. "Hey, Gigi..."
"..."
"Don't you think... we're acting a little weird?"
Giginose looked up.
"You like me. I know it." Barokuro said it plainly, his tone calm-but his gaze cut into Giginose like it wanted to peel away every layer of defense.
"I like you. You know that."
Giginose clenched his hands, trying to keep his face emotionless. "I don't-"
Barokuro stepped closer.
One hand gripped his shoulder, the other pushed him down onto the bed.
"I told you, don't lie to me."
Giginose reacted, trying to shove him away-but before he could, Barokuro's lips crashed down on his, fierce, certain, and burning with desire held back too long.
This wasn't a teasing kiss.
It was a kiss that claimed. A kiss like he'd go mad if he didn't do it now.
Giginose struggled.
Then froze.
His heart pounded so hard his chest trembled. His breath caught, his eyelids fluttered shut.
Barokuro gently bit his lip before pulling away, eyes narrowed in satisfaction.
His tongue traced Giginose's lower lip as he grinned.
"Your lips..."
"...sweeter than I imagined."
Giginose: "..."
Barokuro tilted his head, whispering into his ear:
"The kind of sweet that makes you not want to stop."
BAM!
A punch straight from hell.
Giginose's face flushed red as he shouted, "Get off!! Who gave you permission to kiss me?!"
Barokuro just laughed, flopping onto the bed beside him, rubbing his cheek.
"I'm sorry."
"..."
"...But I don't regret it."
---
After that punch from the surprise kiss, Giginose thought things would return to normal. He'd keep his distance, Barokuro would keep acting like an idiot, and he'd keep hitting him if he crossed the line.
But reality wasn't that simple.
Because ever since that day, Giginose realized-every time Barokuro winced from an old injury, his heart skipped a beat.
Every time he yawned, scratched his cheek, or leaned tiredly against the wall, Giginose found himself watching for a few seconds longer.
---
Late afternoon. In the spell formation practice room.
Barokuro had just completed a test on barrier magic. His carelessness made one of the spell rings misfire, creating a small burst that left his hand red and stinging.
"I'm fine." He raised his hand with a familiar grin. "It's just heat-didn't get hurt..."
"Give it here." Giginose cut in, already holding a bottle of ointment and a cold cloth.
Barokuro froze. Giginose frowned, impatient. "Now."
He held out his hand, letting Giginose pull it in, wipe off the soot gently, and apply the cream. Every movement was slow, deliberate.
"...Are you taking care of me right now?" Barokuro murmured.
"Stop saying dumb things." Giginose snapped without looking at him.
"Your hands... are really gentle," Barokuro smiled, eyes curling. "Not like the ones that punched me in the mouth a few days ago."
Giginose frowned deeper-but didn't pull away.
Barokuro lowered his head, eyes resting on the hand wrapped around his.
"You can hit me all you want," he whispered. "If your hands feel like this afterward... I'll still be happy."
---
The bedroom was dimly lit by a soft nightlight hanging above.
Giginose lay facing the wall, blanket pulled up to his chest. He wasn't asleep. But his breathing had slowed, as if forcing himself into a dream.
The bed across the room rustled. Then came the sound of bare feet on the wooden floor.
Click.
His mattress dipped slightly from another weight.
Giginose knew.
Barokuro had climbed into his bed again.
He clenched his teeth, about to turn and kick him off - but sighed instead. He was too used to this.
Barokuro pressed against his back, silent. He gently rested his head on Giginose's shoulder, burying his face into the vivid red hair, inhaling deeply as if letting it sink into his lungs.
"...You smell so good, Gigi," he whispered, voice sleepy yet sweet enough to deserve a slap.
"Like... you're trying to seduce me~"
"...Shut up." Giginose muttered, voice hoarse.
But he didn't push him away.
In fact... he let the arm around his waist stay there, holding him tight like it was afraid to let go.
Barokuro nuzzled in closer, then licked a strand of hair near the nape of Giginose's neck and chuckled darkly:
"Sweet. Still that red rose scent."
"Get lost before I stab your eyes out."
"Nope." Barokuro murmured, voice raspier. "I can sleep... because of your scent."
Giginose shut his eyes, heart beating soft but erratic. He knew he didn't hate this feeling.
And then, when Barokuro's arm tightened slightly around his waist, he whispered-very quietly:
"...If you lick my hair again, I'm pouring chili oil on your pillow."
Barokuro laughed, planting a light kiss on the back of his neck:
"Got it~ My Gigi is so fierce."
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