Chapter Text
With a relieved sigh, Barok finally puts his pen down after a full day of paperwork. Glancing out his window, he sees the radiant, crescent moon, whose bright white light had been his only company for those last two hours.
To think that only a year ago, he wouldn’t have paid any mind to late night work such as tonight’s. But today, he’s been itching to go home almost since he first set foot in his, nowadays, unusually empty office.
He rises from his desk and adjusts his documents into a neat pile, before putting on his winter coat and top hat, walking out from his office and gently closing his door. Striding down the corridor, he notices another lit room. As he passes by, he stops for a second to observe his fellow workaholic. Though this one seems to more or less be nodding off already.
Barok clears his throat and calls out: “Good evening, Inspector Beate.”
The recently promoted inspector startles awake and salutes. A habit, that he to this day, has yet to unlearn.
“Evenin’ sah!” Roly Beate exclaims, slightly muddled. “Oh, Prosecutor van Zieks! Is it time to call it a day?”
Barok nods. “Yes. There’s only so much I can do in one day and the same goes for you.”
“Of course! I’m almost finished, so no need to worry ‘bout me!”
“Ensure that those words won’t ring hollow, inspector. You have someone waiting for you at home, do you not?”
At that, Inspector Beate’s eyes soften and a fond smile manifests on his lips. “Thank you, sah! I promise I won’t stay much longer. Now, I won’t hold ya back any longer, safe travels home!”
Home…
An equally fond expression blossoms on Barok’s face. “Likewise. I wish you a pleasant evening”
A cold breeze tickles Barok’s cheeks as he steps outside and begins his journey to the mansion.
Yet, as pleasant as the nightly air is, he can’t help but feel a bit melancholic. It’s far too late to hail any carriages and so he must resort to returning on foot, which was something he tried his best to avoid for many years, until his dearest apprentice started living with him.
Kazuma kept nagging him about how a walk was the second most perfect way to clear one's head, only next to meditative sword practice. Once upon a time, he used to agree with that sentiment, but ever since the enormous target was painted on his back, moving about in public had been anything but relaxing. Even with Kazuma’s company, he could never let his mind rest.
…or so he would tell himself, but Barok knows how easily he gets dragged into whatever bizarre, or thought provoking, topic Kazuma would bring up.
A fond smile plays on his lips as he recalls the last time Kazuma went off on a tirade about English pronunciation for the hundredth time, walking the same path as he was now. How he had animatedly questioned why the ‘ea’ sound in the words ‘clear’ and ‘clean’ were different and they’d dove into yet another heated discussion about language and roots of words.
In the end, they had to add that to the list of things to ask Mr Naruhodou and Mr Natsume next they saw them.
Before he knows it, he is placing a hand on the frosty fence to the manor, just about to open the gate leading to his home. He hadn’t even noticed he had already arrived…
So much for being on his guard.
Well inside, Barok makes quick work of his winter garments and throws a quick glance at the clock nearby. He’d seen no lights from the windows from outside and it is late enough that Kazuma should be asleep.
Now, he knows Kazuma can be stubborn as a mule and had argued that he wanted to help Barok with his case today. But his darling apprentice had pulled two all-nighters already this week for another case, so Barok had to order him to take the day off.
It didn't sit well with Kazuma at first, but given how quiet the mansion currently is, surely he had taken care of his exhausted mind and body now?
…or, he isn’t at home at all!
With that worry now festering on his mind, Barok makes quick work of the stairs and approaches their now shared bedroom.
As silently as he can muster, Barok opens the door and approaches the bed. The lovely sight he’s greeted by melts his skittish heart. His beloved Kazuma lies curled up on his side under the satin sheets, snoring softly. The young man’s slightly parted lips illuminated by the moonlight.
He struggles to tear his gaze away from Kazuma, but finally succeeds by repeatedly telling himself he can join Kazuma after he’s changed into his night clothes.
Quietly slipping into his sleeping gown, he slides under the covers and shuffles closer to Kazuma. He takes a moment to bask in Kazuma’s expression before he gently brushes his beloved’s bangs from his face and plants a kiss on his forehead.
“Mmmm… Barok?” A drowsy voice mumbles.
“Pray forgive me for returning this late, darling,” Barok murmurs into the night and nuzzles his nose between Kazuma’s brows. “I never intended to wake you.”
Kazuma’s eyes scrunches together and shakes his head once, muttering something intelligible.
“Would you mind repeating that?”
“Hands… cold,” Kazuma grumbles tiredly, but clearly.
Barok chuckles fondly, “All the more reason for you to warm me up then.”
Kazuma doesn’t open his eyes, but Barok can both hear and feel the annoyed breath coming from his beloved. Then, to his surprise, Kazuma sloppily throws an arm around Barok’s waist and snuggles closer into his chest. “You’re home…”
The movement brings flutters in Barok’s chest. Overwhelmed by Kazuma’s affection, Barok wraps his arms around Kazuma in return and tucks his beloved’s head under his chin. A smile unfolds on his lips.
“I’m home.”
And there is no place he’d rather be.