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As Barok stood outside the investigation site with his apprentice, the last thing he could think about was the case they were investigating. Asogi was rambling at length about something, but Barok had stopped listening several minutes ago, and didn’t even know what he was talking about anymore.
Instead, the only thing Barok could focus on was Asogi’s hair. One lock of his hair in particular stuck out over his left ear in the most distracting manner. It was all Barok could stare at as Asogi rambled on.
It was not the first time he’d noticed it, either. He’d noticed it nearly every day for the past few months, since Asogi had resumed his apprenticeship. But today, as they stood outside in the street, the wind blew just enough for the offending lock of hair to flitter about, as if taunting Barok.
He couldn’t take it anymore. He had to do something about it. He had to stop this from interrupting his work. He had to be able to think about something other than Asogi’s hair.
Without even thinking, he reached out toward Asogi’s face, then gently tucked the lock of hair behind his ear. As he did, Asogi abruptly stopped talking and his eyes went wide.
Barok froze as the realization of what he’d just done sunk in. He had just… touched Asogi. Without even asking. Without even saying anything. Without even thinking!
Asogi looked up at him with a frown, his cheeks going pink. He didn’t say anything, but he also didn’t need to say anything. It was written all on his face. He was confused and offended by the looks of it, and perhaps even ready to punch Barok in the face.
Barok felt a wave of embarrassment wash over him. He pulled his hand back in horror, then spun around and ran off in the opposite direction, feeling his entire face burn.
“L-Lord van Zieks!” Asogi called. “Wait!”
Barok kept running until he was a few buildings down the street. When he finally stopped, he turned around, only to find that Asogi had followed him.
“Lord van Zieks!” Asogi said, panting as he caught up to Barok.
Barok spun around to run even further, but Asogi grabbed his wrist.
“Wait,” Asogi urged.
Barok turned back around to face Asogi, his face still burning. The lock of hair was still tucked behind his ear, which only made Barok feel a new wave of embarrassment. Once Asogi released his wrist, he covered his face with his hands.
“I-I would like to apologise,” Barok began, “for my inappropriate behavior.”
“It’s fine!” Asogi said. “I was just surprised. It’s… not like you to do something like that.”
“I—I shouldn’t have touched you,” Barok continued. “I just—it was—I couldn’t focus on anything else, and—“
“I said it’s fine! ” Asogi repeated. “Let’s go back and continue our discussion.”
Barok slowly removed his hands from his face and looked at Asogi, who smiled back at him. “I would appreciate it if you started from the beginning. I… was having a difficult time listening.”
Asogi let out a short laugh. “Because of my hair?”
“It was sticking out in one spot and—“ Barok sighed. “Never mind. Please forget any of this ever happened.”
Asogi laughed heartily. “I’ve never seen you get flustered before. It’s quite funny.”
Barok’s face still burned. “I am glad you find it so amusing.” He would take it over him being offended, at least.
He smiled. “Come on. Let’s go back.”
He followed Asogi back to the investigation site, and they continued their discussion as though nothing had happened, much to Barok’s great relief.
As the following days passed, Barok dared not ever bring up the incident again, and he was relieved that Asogi hadn’t either. After about a week, it had even stopped keeping him up at night. And after two whole weeks, he was finally able to not think about it every time he saw Asogi.
A few days after the second week had passed, Barok was sitting at his desk while Asogi stood over his shoulder, looking over some reports.
“More evidence will be critical,” Barok continued as they went over the case. “Especially when—“
“Wait,” Asogi interrupted.
Barok turned his head to look up at him, only to find Asogi staring intently at him in return.
“Hold still,” Asogi said, frowning.
Before Barok could even ask why, Asogi reached out and ran his fingers slowly through Barok’s hair. All Barok could do was stare at him in shock.
Asogi removed his hand with a smile. “There.”
Barok blinked at him. “W-what are you—“
“Your hair was sticking up. It was bothering me, so I fixed it.”
Barok continued to stare at him.
“What, you can do it to me, but I can’t do it to you? That doesn’t seem fair.”
Barok felt his face begin to burn. “I—I didn’t say—“
Asogi laughed. “I’m just teasing you. Come on, back to the reports.”
There was absolutely no way Barok could focus on reports now. “You—you promised to forget that incident!”
He shrugged. “It’s not exactly easy to forget. Besides, it’s one of my fondest memories.”
Barok looked at him with renewed shock. “W-what?!”
Asogi smiled. “It was the first time I’ve seen you get that embarrassed.” He nodded. “And the first time I’ve ever seen you show any kind of physical affection.” His grin widened. “It’s only been three months, too. I’ve started keeping a tally.”
“You are counting the number of times I get embarrassed?!”
“Of course. How else will I be able to recall it accurately to Ryunosuke?”
Barok placed his hands over his face.
“I think with today’s incident we’re up to three for embarrassment. Still only one for affection, but I anticipate it will go up again soon.”
Barok couldn’t believe what he was hearing.
“Although given how embarrassed you are right now, maybe I should count it as two separate incidents.”
“Asogi,” Barok said calmly.
“Yes?”
“To be clear, you plan to write to Mr Naruhodo about these incidents?”
He smirked. “Of course.”
“And what if I were to do something so uncharacteristic and unbelievable that not even Mr Naruhodo would believe that I had done it?”
Asogi shrugged. “I can’t really see that happening. You got embarrassed by just barely touching me. It’s not like you’re going to hug me or something.”
Barok wasn’t sure what had gotten into him at that moment. Perhaps it was the temptation of outdoing Asogi. Perhaps he’d finally lost his mind. Perhaps he saw Asogi’s statement as a challenge. Regardless, he was now determined to see through what he would do next.
He stood from his chair, then faced Asogi, who looked at him with confusion. Barok nodded at him. “Pray forgive the discourtesy for what I am about to do.”
Asogi narrowed his eyes. “What are you—“
Barok stepped forward and pulled him into an embrace. Asogi went completely stiff, likely in shock about what was happening. After squeezing him tightly, Barok let go of him, but he wasn’t done yet. He grasped Asogi’s shoulder with one hand, and then with his other pushed Asogi’s hair away from his forehead. Then he leaned in and kissed his forehead.
Only then did Barok finally release him and take a step back, observing the result of his spontaneous and uncharacteristic actions.
Asogi’s face was as red as his cravat. He stared blankly at Barok, eyes wide.
“Please let me know how Mr Naruhodo replies when you write to him about this particular incident,” Barok said, then took a seat back at his desk.
“L-Lord v-van Zieks,” Asogi said. “W-what was that ?!”
Barok waved a hand dismissively. “More incidents to add to your tally.”
“You—you actually—“ He paused. “I—I—“
“If you are quite done being humiliated, then please come here so we can finish going over the reports.”
Asogi hesitated for a long moment, then appeared beside Barok with a mischievous grin. “Well played, Lord van Zieks.”
Barok narrowed his eyes. He’d recovered from the embarrassment far too quickly. “Are you ready to continue our work?”
Asogi leaned down until his face was directly next to Barok’s ear. “This is only the beginning, my lord. And I anticipate my apprenticeship will go on for quite some time.”
“Are you threatening me?”
He stood up straight, grinning. “A hug is hardly a threat. All I’m saying is you should watch your back. My affection could be shown at any time, after all.”
Barok placed a hand over his face. Perhaps he just created a monster.
He had to admit to himself that it was a bit comical. The man who’d threatened his life only three months ago was now threatening to show him affection. Even if it was a bit embarrassing, Barok decided he could live with that.
“Very well,” Barok said. “We wouldn’t want to disappoint Mr Naruhodo, after all.”
Asogi laughed. “If he even believes me.”
Barok found himself smiling. “Thank you, Asogi.”
“What for?”
“For choosing to stay in London with me.”
Asogi nodded. “I should be thanking you instead, for allowing me to stay.”
“It was the best decision I’ve ever made.”
Asogi smiled, and this time it lacked any mischief—in fact it was the most relaxed smile Barok had ever seen on him. “I agree.”