Chapter Text
The pale wood to Kazuha’s hospital room was shut tightly, and the little window in it showed a perfect view of him sitting up in his hospital bed with a thick novel balanced in his lap, head bowed in concentration. Ayato could even see an untouched plate of food sitting on a table beside him.
He was propped up in the most luxurious room in the hospital, and he still looked like he wanted to bolt. His leg in a casting and the Anemo vision sitting beside him weren't helping.
“My lord?” Thoma’s gentle voice cut through the silence, making Ayato look over his shoulder. “Are you having second thoughts?” He asked, and Ayato shook his head.
He adjusted his grip on the bag in his hand, stuffed full of presents for Kazuha. Ayato sighed. “Oh, no, nothing like that at all. Just got caught up in my thoughts, is all. Let’s head inside.” He said, lifiting a hand up to knock delicately at the door.
Kazuha’s head snapped over so fast it looked like it hurt. Ayato offered him a smile, and the man visibly relaxed, lifting one of his own to wave them in.
Ayato grabbed the concave handle and slid the door open. “Please excuse me. Hello, Kazuha. So glad to see you’re feeling better.” Greeted the commissioner as he and Thoma stepped inside the room, which smelled like citrus.
Once Thoma stepped inside, he shut the door behind them. Ayato watched with slight anxiety as Kazuha pushed himself further against the plush pillows on his back, offering them both a soft smile.
“Good morning. What can I do for you?” He asked, and that voice. Oh, Kazuha had such a sweet voice.
Ayato walked up to his bed and lifted the gift bag into sight. He didn’t miss how Kazuha’s eyes lit up. He likes presents. He would definitely keep that in mind.
“I just wanted to come and see how you were doing.” Ayato said, handing the present over. Kazuha took it, and set his thick book aside and placed the gift in his lap. He peered up at Ayato and Thoma with a sideways smile.
He nodded at them, hands curling around the red bag. “That was very kind of you. Thank you.” Kazuha said to Ayato, then turned to Thoma. “Hello, Thoma. It’s been quite awhile.” He said, and Thoma nodded his head with a smile, taking a few steps forward.
“It has. Wish we were meeting again under better circumstances.” Said the housekeeper, and Kazuha nods again, humming in his throat. The sound was sweet and melodic. That joke seemed to amuse him. Okay, Kazuha had a bit of a crude sense of humor.
Kazuha shifted in his bed a little, and Ayato’s fingers itched from where he had his hands clasped together to help. And he definitely didn’t miss how Thoma looked more than ready to help. But he had it, and Kazuha moved himself into a better position, careful of his leg.
“Very nice to see you again. Sorry I can’t get up. I’m a little embarrassed.” He said sheepishly, and Thoma shook his head and waved his hands. “Oh, not at all! Like Ayato said, we just wanted to come by and make sure everything was alright.” He spoke, dragging a wooden stool over from nearby. He motioned for Ayato to take a seat, then grabbed a second one and sat down himself.
Kazuha leaned down to place the gift beside his bed, then straightened back up. “How has your stay been so far?” Ayato questioned, crossing one leg over the other absently. Kazuha made that sweet humming noise, reaching back for his book. He wrapped his fingers around the front cover, slipping them under.
“It’s been quite nice. They’re taking very good care of me. I can be discharged in a handful of days.” He answered after a moment, and Ayato nodded. He was inwardly relieved, but he didn’t think it’d do well if Kazuha found out how worried he’d been.
Thoma clapped his hands together. “Oh, that’s wonderful! So glad to hear. Will you be returning with the Crux Fleet?” He asked, and the air around Kazuha changed. His eyebrows knitted slightly, but he didn’t back down.
A shake of his head had Ayato’s heart racing. Kazuha shrugged and let out a breath. “I was actually just considering that. The recovery period of my leg will be quite long, and I am not sure that a constantly moving ship is the best idea. I was entertaining the thought of staying with a friend.” He said, and Ayato had to push his excitement down.
His fingers flexed a little, and he straightened up a little more. “Well, if you would like, you may stay at the Kamisato Estate during your recovery period.” Ayato spoke, which he was pretty sure shocked everyone in the room, including himself.
Kazuha’s jaw dropped a little, and he couldn’t see how Thoma was taking to this idea, but if another clap of his hands was any indication, it wasn’t bad. “Oh, that’s a wonderful idea! We have an on-sight doctor. You’d be all taken care of. And the gardens will be perfect for helping you along.”
Ayato nodded, trying not to come off as too eager. Having Kazuha in his home will hopefully help this… feeling go away.
Kazuha seemed a little shell-shocked at this. Then his face morphed into worry, anxiety, embarrassment, and a little fear before returning to his usually composed demeanor. Ayato had barely caught the look.
The man focused his gaze ahead, fingers clenching in an anxious motion. Then, he looked back to Ayato and Thoma. It was clear he was seriously considering this, which made Ayato more excited than he would admit. He could practically see the little gears turning in Kazuha’s mind.
The small, sweet, adorable smile Kazuha graced them with was enough to make Ayato’s teeth hurt.
“That’s a very generous offer, Ayato. I appreciate it. But I am not quite so sure that it would be very appropriate.” He said, and Ayato tried to keep the disappointment from his features. He feigned ignorance instead, knitting his eyebrows and allowing his mouth to quirk down a little.
“If it’s the media you’re worried about, I assure you ghag they’re not allowed anywhere near the estate. Nobody has to know if you don’t want them to.” He said, and Kazuha blew out a little breath and cleared his throat. He looked… nervous.
“I-it’s not quite that. That was a slip of the tongue. I’m sorry. Could you come back later? Or perhaps tomorrow? I’m feeling a little tired. Thank you so much for everything, though.” Kazuha said suddenly, turning his head towards the large window taking up the wall beside him.
Ayato’s hand clenched around his knee, but he stood. “Oh, of course. Please, consider my offer. We’ll see you again soon.” Said the commissioner, turning on his heel and setting his sights on the door. Thoma went ahead to open it for him.
He gave one last glance over his shoulder, and noticed Kazuha gripping the thin blanket over his lap, head still turned as far from them as he could.
Ayato left without a word.
Fuck .