Disclaimer: everything belongs to their rightful owners.

might move this to ao3 sooner or later bc its a pain to use a proxy everytime i want to open this site

The melody of Vitali's Chaconne drifted across the garden from the open window as experienced hands gently played on the aged violin they held. The owner's mind was distracted, his eyes seemed focused particularly nowhere, but the hands continued playing the piece with perfection, as if they have been programmed to do so. Delicately, his fingers on one hand pressed the appropriate notes on the strings at the neck while his other hand guided the bow across the strings at the bridge. His body moved along with the music by habit and not even the cough that threatened to force itself out his mouth could disrupt the smooth flow of his violin.

Calming it was, playing the violin. Although learning it was never his choice, he made sure the ability to play the instrument remained even throughout the years he was with Tsujirou. The man had approved his violin playing during free times – saying that it would be a nice entertainment for him as well – and he was thankful for that. It was one of the few things that was still kept with him from his earlier life. One of the few things that helped him keep his sanity.

However, on this day, he wasn't playing to cope with the insanity that came from being in the mansion. Rather, he hoped that by playing the violin, it would help him solve the small question mark in his brain that kept on bugging him from time to time ever since his little chat with Tetsuna in the garden.

It felt odd. He felt odd. However, what exactly felt odd, he wasn't sure.

He was never comfortable with touch. Rather, it was ever since Tsujirou took him away that the touch of others on him made him uneasy. He had no problems with contact should it be from his side, but if the contact were from another person, a negative reaction would be triggered. It made him feel like throwing up, like running, like cutting off the touched layer of skin. He had expected the same reaction from himself when Tetsuna reached out and brushed her fingers against the skin of his neck. He had expected himself to slap away her hand the instant it touched him. But he didn't.

It was different with her. It was not disgust that he had felt under her touch, but ease, comfort. He wondered why was it that he longed for her. Why he wanted her to stay by his side. It was foolish for him to wish that, as this wasn't her place. This wasn't her world. She should be with the male that they took her away from. Not here living the same life he and the others are forced to live.

"Ah."

Seijuro blinked in mild surprise when he caught himself missing a note and he immediately stopped his hands. It was then that the cough that he desperately suppressed managed to escape and he was forced to take a short break to sooth his throat with water. He kept still once he felt the stabbing pain in his chest and waited a while for it to subside before he picked his violin up once again to continue playing. However, he didn't. He tucked the violin under his chin and the bow was held in its playing position, however he didn't play. His preoccupied mind didn't allow him too.

He sighed and returned his violin to its case. He hated the confusion that he was facing and decided to take a nap to rest his mind. He could also feel his fever rising again so the nap was definitely a necessity. As he climbed into bed, the questions in his head surfaced once again and he could only frown to himself.

He closed his eyes and allowed himself to drift to sleep. His decision, however, prevented him from noticing the busy footsteps of a certain pinkette.

It was after she taught Tetsuna the necessary procedure for the performance.

Satsuki flipped through the pages of a book on her desk, scrutinizing every detail printed on the white pages. She had a thousand things running through her mind as she took note of the details in the paragraph, the main question being whether or not she should continue with her plan. There was of course a risk, and there was no guarantee that it would succeed. If she failed, she was sure that her punishment would be death.

She wondered if she should involve the other first-string members but decided against it a second later. She wouldn't want them to suffer any sort of punishment should her plan fail. She should be the only one who took the blame.

Satsuki leaned back on her chair and sighed. Although she knew it was the only option she had, a voice at the back of her head constantly reminded her of how wrong an act it would be. She desperately rationalised her choice – telling herself that only by executing her plan would they ever have a truly happy ending – but she knew no matter what, it wouldn't change the fact that it was wrong.

The pinkette glanced at the calendar on her wall, her eyes fixed on the red circle on tomorrow's date that indicated their performance day. She wasn't sure of tomorrow, and she wished it wouldn't come. She felt as if something bad would happen. Whether or not her premonition was correct, she didn't know. But the feeling was strong enough to cause worry in her. So, she decided that if she were to execute her plan, it would be before the members left for the circus.

That would be her one chance.

She swallowed, got up from her seat and proceeded outside where she would begin her work. She squinted her eyes at the bright, afternoon sunlight as she walked through the garden before arriving at a small area in the backyard where she and Riko grew various herbs. Usually, the herbs were used for medicinal purposes like for treating wounds or flus. However, some of the herbs had toxic properties in their original, untouched state. Properties Satsuki wanted to exploit for her own purpose.

After uprooting a few of a beautifully grown purple herb – taking extra caution by wearing gloves as she did – Satsuki brought the herb to the shed at the backyard and, with careful and precise handwork, grinded the roots until it became a fine powder. Although she only needed a small amount, she decided that the more she made the better the chance for her plan to work. She really hoped it would.

"Satsuki? What are you doing?"

She was transferring the powder from the mortar to a small plastic packet when she heard the creak of the shed's door accompanied by Riko's voice. Satsuki felt her body freeze and when she looked up, the older female was standing by the entrance with puzzlement across her features. There was a stern look that came after her puzzlement when Riko noticed the herb Satsuki had on the table she grinded the powder.

"Is that aconite?"

The pinkette felt her heart beat fast in her chest as her brain hurriedly thought of an excuse.

"...No, it's lavender." She smiled, the rapid beating of her heart non-stopping. "I thought of extracting the oils to make a chest rub for Sei-kun."

"What's that powder then?"

"This is a different herb." Satsuki chuckled. "None of us have any sort of joint pains, Riko-san. Why would I be using aconite?"

Riko silently kept her eyes on Satsuki as she was deep in thought. Satsuki knew that her lie was farfetched; Riko could definitely tell what herb was on the table. However, she hoped Riko would overlook the details and leave her in alone in the shed to proceed with her work.

"…I see."

Satsuki felt her body relax from the tension that built up in the few seconds of Riko's arrival.

"When you're done, make sure to bring it up to Seijuro-kun."

"Of course."

Satsuki watched as Riko closed the door behind her when she left and released a relieved sigh. Her gaze trailed from the entrance to the packet she held in her hand. She swallowed, running the simulation of her plan in her head once again before she left the shed with the powder in her dress' pocket.

"Riko-san!"

She called out to the brunette who was still within her sight when she left the shed. Riko raised an eyebrow in question and waited for the other to catch up to her.

"What?"

"I'm going to the store for a while. We're out of salt, aren't we?"

Riko could only nod as Satsuki rushed off without allowing her a chance to reply. Satsuki's heart raced in her chest once again, however for a different reason. This time, it was caused by anticipation for the outcome of tomorrow.

"You dare try to betray me!?"

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"

"'I'm sorry'? 'Sorry' isn't good enough, boy!"

The grip on his arm was ridiculously strong that he felt like the blood circulation was being cut off. He didn't try to wriggle free, choosing to display compliance in order to show his guilt and regret. However, the man didn't care. He roughly dragged the boy down the hallway and up the staircase into his extravagant room, tossing the small boy onto the floor before locking the door behind him.

The boy could feel his heart pounding in his chest as warning bells screeched in his head, screaming at him to run immediately. However, his body was overcome with fear and wouldn't move from the spot he was flung at.

"You need to learn your lesson."

"I'm sorry!" He cried. "It will never happen again. Please forgive me!"

"Oh, I will forgive you." The man sneered, his hands unbuckling his belt as he stepped closer. "After I teach you what will happen if you ever think of running away again…"

Seijuro desperately gasped for air when he jerked awake from his nap, his right hand digging into his chest as he sat up from his bed. He found it harder and harder to breathe, managing only short intakes of breath while the ice pack he had set on his chest before dozing off fell onto the floor from the sudden movement. Panic was setting in as the nightmare he experienced flashed repeatedly in his head. He could feel his heart beat rapidly inside the confinements of his chest and the pain caused by his ribcage returned from the hasty inhales and exhales.

It felt like he was going to die.

Voices from the nightmare wouldn't leave his head and the louder they became, the more he felt like he was drowning. It was as if there was no air around him and his lungs were being crushed by the lack of oxygen. It was excruciating, and frightening. Fortunately, however, his body gradually calmed down on its own and his breathing became steadier along with it. The pain in his chest subsided but the voices from the nightmare still echoed clearly in his head.

His fingers dug deeper into his chest. He wished they would go away. He wished they would leave him alone. Oh, how he wished that would happen. But he supposed they would haunt him until the day he died. He supposed there was never going to be peace for him.

There was a knock on his door that snapped him out of his thoughts. He waited for someone to walk in, but no one did. Cautiously, Seijuro slid off his bed and walked towards the door, taking a moment to glance at his window and noting that it was still early in the evening. He wondered who it could be. He ruled out Riko and Satsuki as they would come in the room immediately after the knock. The other members of the first-string was possible, however he couldn't think of who it could be. Perhaps his fever was still lingering and prevented his brain from thinking.

There was a brief look of bewilderment on Seijuro's face when he opened his door and set his eyes on her. It was expected she supposed. He would never have thought that she would come to his room voluntarily (although she had already done it once). He looked exhausted, even more than before. He should have been resting in his room. Why did he look like he got anything but rest?

"Is there something you need, Tetsuna-san?"

He allowed her in and she could feel his eyes on him as she walked in. His voice sounded shaky, forced to sound steady. When she returned her gaze upon him, she noticed the emotion in his eyes; a hint of fear and exhaustion hidden behind the dulled colour of ruby. She wondered what was going on through his mind.

"I wanted to see how you were doing," she smiled gently. "If you feel better."

"I apologise if I have caused you some concern."

She wanted to dispute his statement. She wanted to object to any indications of care he suggested she had towards. But she couldn't. She did feel concerned for him. Concerned for his physical health, for his state of mind. He didn't even bother to ask why there wasn't a first-string member watching over her, unlike before. She could tell he wasn't in a good place, and she was concerned for him.

Hesitantly, she took a step towards him.

"Are you okay, Seijuro-san?" She queried. "You seem… off lately."

"I am fine." He assured quietly. "There's nothing for you to worry about."

"Are you sure?"

He went silent, tired eyes resting on her features. Although dulled from fatigue, there was still a glimmer in his ruby eyes as the lighting from the sun gently shone through from the uncovered window. She remembered how stunning she had found his eyes the first time she saw them. There was a tug in her chest, a strong tug she wasn't sure what to make of.

She waited for a response, but he only narrowed his eyes and stepped closer towards her. There was something unreadable about him at the moment and it unnerved Tetsuna. However, she stood her ground. She didn't step away. The eye contact they shared didn't waver and Tetsuna wondered again about the thoughts in his mind.

She opened her mouth to speak – to ask once again if he was okay – but her attempt was diminished when his arms suddenly wrapped themselves around her smaller body, his face buried into her shoulder as he held her tightly.

She felt her body freeze at the sudden gesture and no words could describe the puzzlement that ran through her mind. She was beyond shocked. The man who was one of those who kidnapped her, who insisted to remain a certain distance with her who was his prisoner, was holding on to her desperately, his body trembling as he did.

"Seijuro-san…?"

She tried to elicit a verbal response, but he only tightened his embrace. His hold remained careful however. As if he was afraid she might break if he held on to her a little more tighter. She was almost on her toes now, due to the difference in height, but he held her so steadily that it didn't matter. She tried to sneak a glance, to see what kind of expression he had on his face, but it remained hidden in her shoulder.

His hair tickled, and his skin felt warm against hers. She noted it felt cooler than she remembered, however, perhaps because his fever had gone down. She wondered if he could hear her heart that beat rapidly in her chest. She hoped he couldn't.

Tetsuna sighed in the privacy of her mind as she remained unsure of what to do. She was reminded of her similar predicament previously when she went to check on Seijuro the first day he was sick. She wondered if this was to be a reoccurring incident.

She decided to return the gesture, rubbing a hand on the male's back while the other held onto the fabric of his shirt. She thought of coaxing an explanation from him. She wanted to know what had driven him to the point that he was displaying such behaviour to her at the moment. She wanted to know what was it that had caused him to become so vulnerable in front a stranger like her. It was a far-fetched attempt – considering the person he was – but she guessed it wouldn't hurt to try.

Although, for now, she thought to let him hold her without any questions.

It wasn't long until Seijuro abruptly loosened his hold on her. She heard a mild intake of breath from him before he hastily took a step away from her and she could feel her feet fully lowered onto the ground. His eyes were widened momentarily as he stepped back before he adverted his gaze. She gave him a moment. Then, she called out his name, prompting him to look her way. The eyes that looked at her seemed a little timider than she remembered. He reminded her of a child who was afraid of punishment.

"I'm sorry," he uttered. "I'm not sure what came over me."

Tetsuna shook her head.

"It's okay."

"I'm sorry."

"Seijuro-san—"

He disappeared into the washroom before she could say anything. She thought of waiting for him to come out, hoping to speak to him again. However, she soon realised he wasn't going to come out after a few minutes had passed. She sighed, then announced to particularly no one that she was leaving. As she closed the door behind her, she found herself thinking about the embrace she had found herself in.

She hadn't wanted it to end, she had to admit. Although it was shocking – him hugging her – she didn't dislike it. It had felt nice. Comfortable even, albeit strange. She thought it was a shame he let go. She immediately shook off the thought, afraid of the implications. She reminded herself of their current position and turned on her heel towards the stairs. Perhaps she should clear her head in the garden, rid herself of her thoughts of him.

Tetsuna was stopped, however, by Shintarou that scolded her for disappearing on him. She caught the look he gave her when he realised they were standing near Seijuro's door. The questioning look on his features turned into a more puzzled stare after a few seconds. Did her face seem strange? He didn't say anything, however. He merely sniffed and told her to follow him down to her room. She followed, not in the mood for resisting.

Shintarou was silent the whole time until the moment he was about to lock the door to her room. She raised an eyebrow when he paused at the door, wondering why. He turned to face her, lips pursed into a straight line and eyebrows furrowed. He didn't speak for a while. He merely stared. It seemed like he was going to scold her again. So, she was surprised when a scolding wasn't what escaped his lips.

"Please, don't mess up tomorrow."

He left soon after. His words weren't a threat, rather a plea, she guessed. She knew why. She definitely had to ensure she perfectly fulfilled her role. For all of their sakes. With that in mind, she decided push aside her thoughts about Seijuro and lock them in a tiny compartment at the back of her mind. There was no need for distractions if she wanted to stay alive.

The little swirling whirlpool of emotions just had to wait.

Thanks for reading!