It had been your idea.
Just a quick walk, you'd pleaded with your stone-faced bodyguard. The walls of the estate had closed in on you and claustrophobia had clawed at your gut. You need a sliver of nature, a space of oxygen. Please. We'll be back before you know it.
And your guard had agreed, weak when presented with your wide eyes and your pleading gaze. Safer for you anyway, to be under his watchful eye, where he could ensure that no harm would ever befall you.
Now, Kazuha pushes you protectively behind his back. He stands firm, planted in front of you like an oak tree. His hands are strong and so much larger than yours now. His skin feels thicker — tougher — than your own, and his touch warms your chilled skin. You hear them before you see them, footsteps growing louder, the sound heavy and synchronised. A shout turning to gibberish on the wind. The clatter of weapons being drawn. A dozen men approach from all sides, surrounding the two of you.
Treasure hoarders, you think. Your eyes widen, and you try to remember how to scream, but your voice is frozen, and for a moment, you think that you might have forgotten how to breathe as well.
"Kazuha."
"They won't hurt you." The words are just a sliver of sound, but they are filled with purpose. "I won't let them."
Choking back the fear, you manage to nod.
In front of you, Kazuha forces himself to seem casual as they approach. "Good evening. What brings you out here?"
"What brings you out here." The leader mocks. He tries to get a look at you, but Kazuha blocks him, hiding you from view. Goose bumps prickle up and down your arms, and you hold your breath, afraid that if you let it out, you'll be wrenched away from Kazuha. "Out for a walk, just like the both of you. And what an interesting find we have here."
Kazuha's grip on your hand tightens, but he keeps his voice easy, talking as though the treasure hoarders have never spoken. In response, your breath catches and your stomach knots. "Well then, we should be on our way. Goodbye."
"You aren't going anywhere." A treasure hunter says, growling the words out. His face is hideously masked with contempt. "Not when we'll be able to ransom both of you off for a pretty sum of money."
Raw with fear, you can't stop the whimper that is wrenched from your throat, and it is that one sound that has Kazuha tensing, right before he springs into action. He's eerily attuned to your emotions, and right now, the only thing on his mind is eliminating the source of your distress. You manage to catch a glimpse of his face before you squeeze your eyes tight shut.
Your normally kind guard is gone, and in his place is a man determined to protect you. His gaze is strong, unwavering, and his eyes are dark, like a black fire consuming the forest and pluming smoke.
You can hear the sounds of a fight: shouts of surprise, cries of pain, the thud of bodies landing heavily on the floor. You keep your eyes closed for what seems like an eternity. You don't open them until you hear Kazuha's voice in your ear, soft as a breeze.
"Your Grace?" Kazuha's eyes are heavy with worry as they take you in. You can see your own fear reflected on his face, but the cold, clammy terror stopping up your throat abates when you see that he's returned to you unharmed. Kazuha's eyes stay locked on yours as he reaches a hand up towards your cheek before hesitating and letting it fall away. His forehead is still creased. "I'm sorry, did I frighten you?"
"No." It's a statement, not a question, and your words are filled with relief. He catches you as you rush into him, needing him. Relief floods you as he pulls you close and holds you tight. You're sure that he can feel the rapid fluttering of your heart against his chest, your mind still filled with the lingering echoes of fear. "Thank you for saving me."
"Of course." Kazuha says. His hands rub soothing circles on the small of your back, hesitantly at first, but with more firmness when you melt into his arms. "I will always be here to protect you."
And with your face pressed into the crook of his neck, you can't see how his cheeks are dusted a delicate, lovely shade of pink.
