The Royal Badass

The red between us

"I was hiding, and walking home so you wouldn't find me and...they somehow knew and they-"

"Why didn't you call me? I've been trying to find you."

"I thought I was doing the right thing." I said while trying to smile.

"Don't do that. Don't force yourself to smile, not with me. Please..."

I stay silent.

"Protecting a man like me. (Chuckle)"

"Haru, why don't you wait outside? The girls and I will take care of her other wounds." Said his mom.

"Sure."

Haru left the room and they helped me bathe.

"I guess you'll want to be alone now." She said.

 I barely can stand them touching me, but I don't want to be alone.

"No. I don't." I responded calmly. 

The bodyguards waited outside while Haru's mom helped me wash my back. I couldn't reach and it hurt flexing my arms, I was still sore.

"I remember one time, when Haru's dad cried like that for me. I felt strong to think that, someone was so vulnerable for me...Silly huh?"

"I'm sure you miss him..."

"I do. Well! (Pats my back)"

"Ouch!"

"I never quite introduced myself didn't I? My name is Suzume Subara." She said as she poured some shampoo in her hands.

"I'm Hana, Hana Minagawa...
(She drops the bottle)
I guess this is ok for a first formal meeting..."
I laugh shyly as I gave my back to her.

"Minagawa......" She whispered.
"The ladies will finish you off Hana. I'll go get them and tell Haru you're almost done before he faints of worry." She shuts the door.

I entered the tub, stayed there a few minutes until the ladies arrived.

They use some creams on my purple wounds and marks. They even covered my black eye with some swabs. I walk to the bathroom mirror, I look awful.

"Hana-san this way please." Said one of the bodyguards.

"Haru will be here soon. You can rest if you want. He's just talking with the Mistress. Do you want something else?" Kaoru asked.

"No I'm fine. Kaoru?"

"Yes?"

"Thank you, say thank you to Haruhi (the other bodyguard) for me." I said.

She smiled "I was happy to help you Hana-san." She shut the door.

(I sighed)

"What am I doing?" I said.

I hear running footsteps, the sliding door is opened roughly.

"Sorry I made you wait!" Haru said.

I smile "Why are you apologizing? I'm the one that's staying in your house and doesn't have a way to pay all this kindness back."

He bends down on his knees to embrace me.

"I talked to mom. You should stay here."

I hug him back.

"I've caused so much trouble already...I can'-"

"You can. It's fine. You should, please let me take proper care of you allowing you to stay here for now. I have a debt to repay."

I hit his head.

"Ouch! What was that for?!"

"You sounded like you have to, you don't have to take care (I drift my gaze)
of me you know...Do you even know me? I'm a stranger to you."

"What?"

"Do you even...like...me?"

He took my arms firmly and tapped my chest with his head.

"You're really asking something like that?"

I place my hands on the back of his head.

"I, I don't know, I mean ...you haven't really-"

He firms his grasp but still not looking at me and says:
"I do. I treasure you."

I put my head in top of his.
(I smile a bit)

"I know I just wanted you to say it."

(He laughs)
"Oh, really? What gave it away?"

"Oh I don't know, I guess the almost dying for me part."

"You paid in red for me too."

We laughed nervously.

"I guess, we have something in common now." I said.

He placed his big warm hands on my cheeks.
(I blush instantly)

"You're so red. Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." I took his hands off my face.

"Is the room too hot? I can fix tha-"

I grab him by his shirt; he turned his back on me just enough to make him sit down again.

"I'm fine." I said softly.

He turns back to me and I see tears building up in his eyes and so they build up on mine.

"I'm fine." I say while I hear my tears drop.

"I'm .."

He embraces me tightly.

"Let it out." He whispered in my ear.

I cried beside him all night, he hugged me until I fell asleep. 

In the morning, as I opened my eyes I didn't feel him beside me. I panicked.

"I'm here." He slowly said to me.

I embrace him.

The door opens.

"Oh you love birds! This is not fair I want to join."

Suzume jumps on the bead and embraces us both. Haru looks at me and smiles so much his eyes patch up.

I notice then, that so was I.