and the reason is you

—-

"Behind you, Saruhiko!" Reisi yelled as he sprinted as fast as he can behind his beloved. As a King, he has this natural ability to be protected from any weapon. Only a King can kill a King, that's how it works.

The bullets that were supposed to hit Saruhiko got ricocheted by the barrier that naturally made itself. Reisi was directly behind Saruhiko, so Saruhiko got defended by that barrier too.

"Are you hurt?" Reisi asked, holding Saruhiko close as if the latter was a mirror that can be broken anytime.

"I'm alright…" Saruhiko said as he got held by his lover. "H-How about you?"

"I am unharmed as well."

They heard a cackle behind them and they turned to face him, their enemy, a Strain that they have been looking for a while now. "How laughable! The Blue King's lover!? A former Red Clansman!? Absurd!"

Reisi hadn't originally planned to face that Strain at the moment, but hearing that he ambushed Saruhiko, Reisi had to have a change of plans. Not to mention that the Strain carried out his attack while Saruhiko was alone. Of course Reisi had to go to the rescue.

It wasn't because he thinks that Saruhiko is incapable of protecting himself. It was because he was worried and he cares for the younger boy's safety. He just wants to be there and at least do something for Saruhiko. After all, the Strain may be powerful. They don't know what that Strain's power is, and lack of knowledge is always dangerous.

Both the Blues did not reply to the Strain's taunt. They know better than that. They know better than to be carried away by a poorly-made insult. None of them really cares even if Saruhiko was a former Clansman of the Red Clan. That was just something from the past, and there is the present, the thing that people should actually care about.

Saruhiko has long stopped caring about his rather lonely past, and Reisi would be proud to say that he did something to help the younger boy do so. Maybe he saved the younger boy from his solitude. But what Reisi knows for sure is that Saruhiko helped him too.

Saruhiko helped him realize that even if the younger boy is not a king, he would be able to understand and comfort Reisi.

Reisi's train of thought was interrupted when Saruhiko pulled his hand and ran from the battlefield. Fushimi Saruhiko isn't the type to flee from a battle, but now that he did, it probably is the wise decision. Reisi trusts his judgment so he just let the younger man drag him easily. After all, there is a reason why Saruhiko is the third-in-command of Scepter 4 despite his young age and his past with HOMRA.

When Saruhiko stopped running, they were in an empty alleyway. Saruhiko panted, obviously exasperated. Who knows how long the distance they ran? Still not letting go of Reisi's hand, he sat on the floor, closing his eyes and chasing his breath. And despite looking so tired, Reisi still thought he was cute.

"Are you really fine?" Reisi asked, sitting down beside his lover. "We could get a bottle of water in a near store if you would like, Saruhiko."

"No." Saruhiko said, opening his eyes then looking at Reisi. "Just… Just give me a moment."

Reisi did not respond anymore, granting the other's request. That's right. Reisi is overreacting. Saruhiko is a tough person. That is one of the many things that caused Reisi to fall for him. Ah, when he thinks about it… He just loves Fushimi Saruhiko so much.

Saruhiko breathed out and grabbed Reisi's arm, standing up. "I just needed a time to breathe. Come on, let's take care of that pest."

Reisi smiled. This, too, is probably one of the many things that caused him to fall for Saruhiko. But no matter. After all, the biggest reason why he fell for Saruhiko is because…

Saruhiko is Saruhiko.