Shiba Taiju used to believe in only two things: God and the power of violence. But that man - he shakes Taiju's faith in violence, and strangely enough, deepens his faith in God. It makes Taiju believe Hanagaki Takemichi might just be the one exception in his life.

Once again, Taiju defeats Hanma. This time, he makes sure the bastard won't have enough strength left to cause any more trouble. Hanma slumps against the wall, panting heavily. He looks pathetic, but that's fine - so long as Kisaki gets away.

Taiju's phone rings.

Hanma stiffens instantly. Don't tell me... did they catch Kisaki?

Taiju glances at him before picking up the call.

"Kimura. What's the situation?"

Hanma struggles to his feet, barely managing it - but he catches the look on Taiju's face. That darkening expression. The slight crease between his brows. He's worried.

So it's not a call about Kisaki getting caught. Hanma exhales a quiet breath of relief. But right away, another thought flashes through his head - if it's not about Kisaki, then it can only be about Takemichi.

Damn it. He curses himself. What the hell is he even worrying for? After what that brat pulled today, after the pain he and Kisaki had to eat - he shouldn't care.

And yet...

Watching Taiju suddenly dash off without so much as a glance his way, like he's the last thing on his mind - it pisses Hanma off more than he expects.

"Don't you dare die, hero. If you're gonna act all cool, then follow through to the damn end!"

Shit. Now he's got no strength left to check whether Kisaki - or that other idiot - are still alive. Taiju arrives at the scene, and the moment he sees that small, blood-covered figure, something slams inside his head - a surge of emotions he barely recognizes rushes through his entire body. Panic. Fear.

He doesn't have the mind to make sense of what he's feeling. All he knows is that he needs to get to that person. Fast.

"What happened?" he demands.

"I - I don't know," Kimura stammers, clearly shaken. "Hanagaki - he saved Kisaki. Then he started having a really bad nosebleed. And then... he threw up blood. I..."

Kimura can't even finish his sentence. Whatever composure he usually carries is long gone, replaced by frantic worry.

Taiju glances over at Kisaki, who isn't far away. The man looks completely shattered, staring this way like he's barely hanging onto reality.

But Taiju doesn't care about the full story right now. He has no time for it. He steps in, gently takes Takemichi from Kimura's arms. The boy is barely conscious, writhing in pain.

Taiju lifts him up, holds him close, and flags down a taxi.

The driver takes one look at Takemichi's state and goes pale. Clearly doesn't want to get involved. Useless.

"Kimura, go back and report to Touman. Help them sort things out with Tenjiku, then disband the Black Dragons and wait for orders. I'm taking Takemichi to the hospital," Taiju instructs firmly before climbing into the car.

He doesn't spare a single glance at Kisaki - the man who hasn't taken his eyes off the one in Taiju's arms this entire time.

Taiju holds Takemichi close, settling him on his lap. The boy leans entirely into his chest, his whole body limp - fragile, like a porcelain doll that might shatter at the slightest touch. Taiju can feel it. Takemichi's once-bright eyes are now dull and glazed over, drained of light.

Only now does Takemichi seem to regain a sliver of awareness, just enough to realize where he is - curled up in Taiju's embrace. His voice barely scrapes out, weak and trembling.

"Taiju-kun... i-it hurts..."

Taiju forces himself to steady his breath, lowering his head just to catch it. The boy's voice is so faint, it barely leaves his throat. Then the tears come - heavy and unrelenting. Takemichi clutches at his chest, sobbing harder with each passing second.

Taiju freezes. He has no idea what to do. Comforting someone like this... it's never been his thing.

"We're almost at the hospital," he says, trying to sound composed. "What kind of Black Dragon leader breaks down like this, huh?"

But Takemichi can't hear any of it. Pain drowns everything else out. No teasing or scolding will reach him now, and nothing dulls the agony coursing through him. He just wants to be coddled. He just wants it to stop.

He's never hurt like this before. No matter how bad his injuries used to be, Takemichi always smiled through it - put on a brave face because he hated worrying anyone. He'd only collapse once it was too late, once the damage had already been done.

Taiju's known him long enough to see through that stubborn streak. And it terrifies him.

How much pain does it take to break Takemichi like this?

The boy trembles in his arms, still lost in the storm. He doesn't know how to make it stop. All he can do is cry. All he can do is beg.

Then Takemichi reaches up, wrapping his arms around Taiju's neck. He buries his face into the crook of his shoulder, completely unaware of how tense Taiju's body becomes - or how violently his heart races in his chest.

"Taiju... it... really hurts..."

His voice is small. Broken. Like he's hoping Taiju will soothe him.

Taiju's mind goes blank. He can't say no. No one could, not to this. Not even someone like him - violent, rough, and completely clueless when it comes to gentleness.

Taiju shifts Takemichi in his arms, adjusting his hold so the boy can cling to him more comfortably. One hand pats his back in awkward, uncertain taps. Taiju frowns, his lips parting as if to speak - but nothing comes out at first. The sound of Takemichi's sobs tightens something in his chest. He can't take it anymore. Never in his life does he imagine he'd speak in that tone.

"You won't hurt anymore, Takemichi. It's okay. Just hang on, alright? We're going to the hospital. The doctor'll take care of you. Don't be scared. You'll be okay. I promise."

Takemichi still sobs, and Taiju keeps trying to comfort him, patient despite the tight ache forming in his chest. He feels it - he really is a terrible big brother. Big brother to two kids, yet he has no idea how to calm a crying one.

"My head... it hurts... my chest too... am I dying?"

Takemichi clings tighter around Taiju's neck, his whole body trembling. Taiju panics and blurts out,

"Don't say stupid things. You're not dying. You'll be fine."

He gently pulls Takemichi back to see his face. The boy's eyes remain glazed, swollen from crying. His face is smeared with blood, tears, and snot. Taiju fishes a handkerchief from his pocket and starts wiping him clean - first the tears at the corners of his eyes, then the blood around his nose, his mouth, and both cheeks.

"Taiju..."

"I got it. Here, this part hurts?"

He finishes wiping Takemichi's face and presses his thumbs lightly against the boy's temples. He knows it probably won't help the headache, but with Takemichi like this, he can't just sit still.

"My chest too..."

Taiju draws a sharp breath. His hands begin to feel clumsy. Takemichi's face tightens in pain, and he sniffles again, small and pitiful. His eyes are tired but still glistening with unshed tears - too bright, too fragile. He stares at Taiju's face with such desperate trust that it makes him feel powerless. Why is this happening to him?

Reluctantly, Taiju shifts one hand from Takemichi's temple to his chest. He hesitates for a few seconds before rubbing as gently as he can.

"Is that better?"

His voice drops low, rough with worry. But it's not just concern for Takemichi. He's worried about himself too. If the boy asks for more - wants more comfort, more care - he doesn't know what else he can do. He's already stretched past his limits.

Takemichi closes his eyes and nods faintly. Like a kitten seeking warmth, he leans into Taiju's palm, nuzzling against it. His breaths come out long and light, like he's slowly letting the pain go. His body softens just a little, but the person in front of him doesn't feel any lighter. Taiju's pupils dilate. His jaw tightens. He inhales again, sharp and quiet, and something twitches in his fingers, almost like a spasm ripples through them.

Taiju moves as if compelled by instinct. His hand brushes gently over the boy's cheek, but it's not enough - he wants more. His index finger traces the bridge of Takemichi's nose. Then, slowly, he lifts the boy's chin and runs his thumb lightly over his lips, leaving behind a faint, damp warmth.

He memorizes every line of Takemichi's face. Taiju doesn't realize how intently he's been staring - how lost he looks. Something stirs inside him. A heat, a strange kind of restlessness - like something burns beneath his skin.

It's not just pity. It's something darker. Something twisted and terrible that tightens in his chest as he looks at Takemichi now.

Takemichi isn't as strong as he always seems. He wants to be cared for. He wants to be spoiled, to be cradled. And when he's vulnerable like this, he clings to comfort with both hands - greedy for every drop of affection.

Takemichi really has a way of making people yield to him. Even he can't escape it. And Taiju's certain that if that timid little brother of his or any of his friends were here, not one of them would stand a chance. He's convinced they'd panic even more than he does - and they'd follow Takemichi's every command without question... maybe even more than that.

It's dangerous. For them - and for Takemichi himself.

Taiju knows exactly how that strong, protective side of Takemichi draws people in, makes them adore him. But if they ever see this side of him - the vulnerable, needy version - he's not so sure their grip on sanity would hold the way his does. They'd fall for that fragility, hard. They'd pour all their affection into him, every last bit of it. And wanting someone to be weak just so you can protect them... it's not always a bad thing - if that desire comes from something pure. But when it turns into an obsession, when it warps into something unhinged... that's where it gets ugly.

A twisted mind would want to break him. Would want him dependent. Would give him everything he asks for just to keep him like that.

To Taiju, Takemichi is still the same stubborn brat - headstrong and impossible to pin down. Making him weak, making him cling to someone else? It would take more than pain. It would take something far worse than the agony that's currently clouding his mind and making him lose grip on himself.

So why is Taiju even thinking about this? Because - for one fleeting moment - he wanted no one else to see Takemichi like this. He actually wondered: What if Takemichi's mind really broke, and he stayed like this? What would he ask for? Taiju knows he wouldn't be able to refuse. He'd do whatever Takemichi wanted - as long as the boy came to him, needed him, looked at him that way. That thought alone... shakes him.

Takemichi's pain seems to ease a little. And that only makes him lean closer, as if he wants Taiju to keep touching him. It's not just the pain his body is struggling with - it's everything inside his head. Memories crash over him like waves. Voices - others' and his own - blur together into chaos. Takemichi can't push them away. He can't empty his mind. He needs something - anything - warm and solid enough to anchor him.

And there it is: Taiju's hand, warm and rough, stroking his cheek. Fingers brushing across his face. Takemichi shivers. That voice - low and rasped - trying to comfort him. It pulls him back to the present. And it's not enough. He wants more.

Takemichi's eyes slowly flutter open, and for a second, Taiju forgets how to breathe. Those round, glimmering eyes - like today's sky - look so different now. There's longing in them. Something pure. And Taiju just knows - he's about to ask for more.

"Taiju-kun... keep going... like this, okay? Until... we get to the hospital."

Takemichi's voice trembles. His hands clutch at the collar of Taiju's shirt. He's begging. And even though Taiju saw this coming - he's not ready. His arms tighten around Takemichi's small frame, holding him closer. He stares, swallows hard, chest heaving. He didn't want to think about any of this. But now... Their bodies are pressed together. He can feel every soft curve, every trace of warmth from Takemichi's body. That breath - light and warm - tickling his skin. The stench of the car can't drown out the sweet, clean scent clinging to the boy. It's intoxicating. And Taiju realizes... he's not just comforting him. He's caressing him. Tracing his features with far too much tenderness.

This is desire. Raw and subconscious. And Takemichi - he's not pushing him away. He's wanting it. Craving it. Every shift of his body, every restless hand pressing against Taiju's chest - those sleepy blue eyes, brimming with desperate affection - they're all setting Taiju on fire. His heart pounds. Heat coils in his stomach, burning deep. Every nerve in his body screams with temptation. It's almost like torture.

If Takemichi knew what Taiju's thinking right now, he wouldn't dare ask him to keep going. He has no idea what he's awakening inside him.

The car suddenly slams on the brakes, jerking Taiju forward before he even realizes what's happening. He's too focused on Takemichi to react in time. His heart nearly leaps out of his chest. One hand shoots out to brace against the front seat, the other wraps tightly around Takemichi's body to keep him from lurching forward.

Instantly, the fury rises. His usual terrifying aura returns without warning, dark and dangerous. The taxi driver catches his glare through the rearview mirror and breaks into a nervous sweat.

"Please drive more carefully," Taiju says - polite, measured. But his tone drops the temperature in the car like a gust of midwinter air.

He isn't angry for himself. He's scared Takemichi might get hurt again. He's tried so hard - so damn hard - just to make him feel even a little better. Then Takemichi stirs slightly in his arms.

"Don't," Taiju murmurs. "Just stay like this, okay? Hang in there a little longer. We'll get to the hospital soon... just hold on."

He clears his throat and tightens his hold, keeping one hand on Takemichi and the other gently rubbing his temple. He lets Takemichi stay pressed against his chest like this. It's safer. If he looks into Takemichi's face again, sees those eyes this close... he's not sure he can promise he'll stay calm - certainly not better than the others swarming around Takemichi all the time.

He's lucky, really. Lucky that Takemichi is being so quiet, so obedient in his arms.

Taiju can only pray they reach the hospital fast.

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I have something to say:

A bonus chapter to celebrate Aguadecocou <3

And a heartfelt thank-you gift for all my lovely readers—thank you for always being there for me.

I love you all so much <3 Wishing you nothing but the best! <3