Man, I kind of feel like a little kid again, to be honest. Writing these scenarios that brought me so much joy and now I remember why they did, it's a nice feeling. Haru/Rei, with Fuzen causing trouble, it's great. I want to give a shout-out to the Monthly Challenges 4 All (MC4A) for inspiring me to get back into this. Thank you so much, guys!
"Are you sure, Rei-kun?" Haru's voice was soft as if it got any louder, it would alert someone they did not want to their location. His boyfriend did not even need to speak – the light tremors that went through his body were enough to tell him everything. Rei did not openly show fear – even around him except when it came to one person. Fuzen Katsura. The man who was – the thought made Haru's stomach churn – Rei and Hajime's biological uncle had placed such horrors upon Rei when he had just been a child.
"I'd recognise his face anywhere," Rei managed to say. "It's haunted me for so long, it's not a face I could ever forget."
"Did he…did he see you?" Haru asked him gently, gripping his Applidrive to him tightly. If that man ever harmed a hair on Rei's head ever again, he was sure both Gatchmon and Hackmon could at least give him a scare, even if they couldn't physically attack a human. His eyes locked with the CHIP form of his best friend, and he nodded in agreement.
"I don't think so," Rei admitted, biting his lower lip. "There was no way he would have stayed away if he had. He never could." The words were casual and almost resigned, something which made Haru's heart sink slightly. Rei sounded so accepting of the predatory actions of his uncle and the fact that he had taken advantage of him as a small child because he had no other choice. It was horrible – how could someone be like that?
"I won't let him," Haru said firmly, reaching out to take Rei's hands in his own and squeezing them. "If he wants to come close to you or Hajime-kun, he has to get past me. And Gatchmon too."
"Don't leave me out of it," Hackmon added coldly. "I'm not letting any monster lay even a finger on either of you."
Rei was quiet for a moment, not acknowledging either of their responses and Haru could understand. When you had been exploited by someone for so long and no one had been there to protect you then, it was hard to believe that anyone would be there now. He would need time to process that – especially when it came to his childhood fears. However, while he did not speak, he slowly returned the pressure and managed a nod. A small smile appeared on Haru's face.
"I'm here, Rei-kun," Haru promised softly. "Always."