This chapter... should have probably been stuck onto the previous one OTL I just thought it was a good place to stick the cut because we're now in Tezuka's POV for a chapter!

Tezuka felt bad for lying to Echizen. It hadn't been much of a lie to be fair, he did have to phone Atobe and tell him what had happened. But phoning Atobe at this time of night would only lead to getting his ear chewed off for waking him at some ungodly hour and disturbing his beauty sleep. Vampires didn't necessarily need to sleep, but many of them had odd quirks. He did like Atobe, but sometimes he wondered just why he'd helped him become King.

He did have someone else to see right now though, especially since he was currently full of protective anger. He walked down the corridor to Fuji's room and knocked smartly on the door.

"Come in," Fuji said. He was sat on the bed, sketching his cacti.

"Did you get Echizen a job specifically to lure out assassins?" Tezuka growled. He was losing a grip on himself, the beast deep inside him was clawing its way to the surface, desperate to protect his mate.

"What are you talking about?" Fuji looked genuinely confused.

"Sanada just tried to kill Echizen."

"I got Echizen a job because he wants to improve himself," Fuji replied, "he dyed his hair to try and hide his identity."

"It didn't work," Tezuka stated the obvious.

"He's okay, right?"

"He's fine, he's sleeping in my room tonight."

Fuji grinned, "Don't let your guard down, he's very pretty when he's asleep."

"Now is not the time nor place for that, Fuji," Tezuka snarled. He paused and took a deep breath, pushing the inner beast down. When he continued, he was completely calm again. "Could you let Kawamura know that Echizen won't be at work for a few days? I want to make sure no one else comes after him."

"Of course," Fuji said, clearly taken aback by Tezuka's previous outburst. "I'll fill in for him."

"Thank you," Tezuka said and turned to leave, "good night."

"Look after Echizen," Fuji called after him.

He was half expecting to come back to find Echizen being attacked by another assassin, but instead, he was lying in bed, sunk into the large pillows, his blond hair a mess and his large, gold eyes fixed on Tezuka. He looked very attractive.

"How was your phone call?" He asked.

"I couldn't get through," Tezuka lied, "I'll try again in the morning. You should get some sleep."

"I should," Echizen agreed, yawning. "Who was that assassin?" he asked, his eyes suddenly sharp and alert.

"There's an order of vampire assassins that live near the Rokkaku Region," Tezuka explained, "technically they're in the Empire, but they also don't acknowledge that they are."

"And they're useful?"

Tezuka nodded, wondering how Echizen had managed to hit on the exact reason why Atobe hadn't sent an army to wipe them out. "Sometimes there are problems only they can fix."

"Why did he give up so easily? It can't be good for their reputation."

"Killing you would be worse," Tezuka replied. "For their relationship with Atobe more than their reputation," he clarified. "We're lucky it was Sanada though, he has integrity. Yukimura wouldn't have stopped. I suspect the only reason Sanada attacked in the first place is because Yukimura didn't tell him you were under Atobe's protection."

"What will Atobe do?"

"Yukimura will have an excuse. He always does, especially when large sums of money are involved."

"Right," Echizen sighed. "Are you going to sleep?"

"No, I'll stay awake," Tezuka said, "I have to write my diary."

Echizen snorted and buried his face in the pillow, "of course you keep a diary."

"I do," Tezuka said, unsure of what Echizen had meant by that. "I've told Fuji to tell Kawamura that you won't be at work for a while."

"Okay," Echizen said grumpily.

"We were lucky you were attacked here, if someone attacked you at work I doubt you'd still be alive now."

Echizen sighed, "that makes sense. I'm sorry for causing you so much trouble," he said, his voice quiet and muffled by the pillow.

"It's no trouble," Tezuka said, "we all want you to be safe. Now, go to sleep."

"Yes sir," Echizen said, laughter in his voice.

As Echizen settled down to sleep, Tezuka set about writing down the events of the night in his diary. He liked to record everything that had happened to him. When you'd lived as long as he had, it was nice to have something to help him remember specific details of events. He'd read through them occasionally, each time remembering something he'd forgotten. He doubted he'd ever forget the night when Echizen had stumbled into his life. Nor the shame he felt at what he'd done to him.

He heard Echizen's breathing even out as sleep took him and then turn into light snore. He was glad Echizen was in here with him, his nerves would be on edge if Echizen had returned to his own room. He felt very protective of him. Of course, he felt protective of everyone who lived in the castle, but when it came to Echizen… just the thought of him being in danger was enough to wake the beast he tried so hard to keep suppressed.

It was either the mating bond or he was actually falling for the young prince. Possibly both. He didn't even know Echizen well, but there was just something about him that drew Tezuka to him. That's why Tezuka had been going out of his way to avoid him. Perhaps it was time to change that approach. If he was falling for Echizen now, without knowing him, then maybe he should make an effort to get to know him, even if it meant falling in love with someone who didn't necessarily love him back.

He didn't even deserve Echizen's love. He'd bound them together without asking Echizen's permission, bound them in the deepest, most intimate and most permanent way imaginable. Echizen may have forgiven him, but he doubted he could ever forgive himself.

He put his pen down and buried his face in his hands. He didn't know what he was doing. He wanted to be with Echizen, to know him, but at the same time he wanted to lock himself away from him and keep him safe from a distance. The latter was what he knew he should be doing, but he couldn't help himself getting near to Echizen.

As if to prove this, he felt himself getting to his feet and walking over to Echizen. Fuji was right, he was very endearing when he was asleep. Long, dark eyelashes resting on his pale cheeks and his soft, thin lips parted slightly. Tezuka found himself thinking he'd look much cuter with his natural dark hair, but he couldn't deny that he looked good blond as well.

Karupin looked up at him accusingly with his big blue eyes from where he lay, curled up next to his owner.

"I'm not going to do anything," he promised the cat, "not unless he wants me to."

Karupin flicked his ears and settled back to sleep, apparently satisfied by Tezuka's answer.

He had one last look at the scene in front of him of Echizen fast asleep with his cat, then went back to his diary.

Reviews are appreciated~