Fate's Game ~HARULAS

The drive back to their home felt surreal. Harua sat in the passenger seat of Nico's sleek black car, his body still aching from the brutal attack. Every bump in the road sent waves of discomfort through him, but he tried his best to mask it. The sunlight that streamed through the car windows felt warm, but it couldn't quite touch the heavy thoughts swirling in his mind.

Nico, on the other hand, seemed completely consumed by a sense of urgency. His hands gripped the wheel a little too tightly, his knuckles pale from the pressure. His gaze was fixed forward, intense, focused. He hadn't said much on the ride home, but his silence spoke volumes. There was a storm brewing inside him—one Harua could sense but didn't quite understand.

When they finally pulled into the driveway of the house, Nico turned off the engine, but instead of getting out, he remained seated. His jaw was clenched, his breathing slightly uneven as though he were holding something back.

"Are you okay?" Harua asked quietly, his voice careful, aware of the tension radiating from the other man.

Nico's eyes flicked over to him, a flash of something sharp crossing his face before it quickly vanished. "I'm fine," he said shortly, but there was a hardness in his tone that made Harua uneasy.

Harua opened the car door slowly, wincing at the sharp pain in his side. He hadn't realized how bad his ribs had been bruised until he shifted too quickly. Nico's eyes immediately locked onto him, his expression hardening.

"Take it slow," Nico said, his voice laced with concern—but not the kind Harua was used to. There was something more—an edge of protectiveness that made Harua feel like a fragile object in Nico's eyes. Harua didn't like it. He didn't like the idea that Nico thought he was weak or incapable of taking care of himself. He was fine. He was.

"I'm fine," Harua insisted, pulling himself out of the car and standing on wobbly legs. Nico was out of the car in an instant, his hand on Harua's arm, steadying him.

"You're not fine," Nico replied sharply, his eyes scanning Harua's body like he was afraid it might break at any moment. "You've been through hell, Harua. You need rest."

Harua bristled, pulling away from Nico's touch. He knew Nico was only trying to help, but this overbearing side of him—it didn't sit well. He wasn't some fragile doll that needed constant protecting. He could take care of himself.

"I'm not some helpless thing you have to baby," Harua muttered, turning away as he started walking toward the front door. "I can handle it."

Nico's footsteps were close behind him. He didn't respond immediately, but Harua could feel the weight of his gaze on the back of his neck. There was an uncomfortable stillness between them, and Harua hated it. He hated how Nico's concern felt suffocating, even though he knew it came from a place of care.

Inside, the house was just as quiet as it always was, the air thick with the unspoken tension that had lingered ever since their unexpected marriage. But now, it felt heavier. Nico's presence loomed over Harua like a storm cloud, and every step he took seemed to follow with a watchful eye. Harua didn't know how to deal with it.

"You need to rest," Nico insisted again, this time more firmly. "I'm not letting you do anything until you're better."

Harua turned toward him, his frustration bubbling over. "I'm fine! I don't need a babysitter, Nico!"

Nico's expression hardened, his jaw clenched again. "This isn't about being a babysitter. This is about you being safe. I'm not letting you out of my sight after what happened. Not until I know you're okay."

Harua stared at him, the words stinging more than they should have. He wasn't used to being coddled. He wasn't used to someone looking at him like he was fragile. He didn't want to be the type of person who needed someone else to constantly check on him.

"Look, I get it, okay? You're worried," Harua said, his voice softer now, but still tinged with frustration. "But I'm not made of glass, Nico. I can take care of myself."

Nico's eyes flickered with something—guilt? Regret? "I know you can," he said quietly, his voice much gentler than before. He took a step closer, his gaze softening. "But I can't help it. I don't want to lose you."

Harua felt the wind knocked out of him at the raw vulnerability in Nico's voice. It was like a wave crashing over him, and for a moment, he couldn't move. Nico was scared—scared of losing him.

Harua swallowed hard, looking at Nico's face, really looking at him for the first time in days. The coldness was gone, replaced by something more real. Something more human.

"I'm not going anywhere," Harua said quietly, his voice steady despite the lump in his throat. "I'm here. I'm not going anywhere, Nico."

Nico exhaled, as if a weight had been lifted from his chest. He gave a short nod, but his eyes were still filled with concern. The silence between them felt heavier now, but it wasn't the same kind of tension. It was... understanding.

"You don't have to do this alone," Nico murmured, his voice soft but firm. "I'll always be here."

Harua wasn't sure what to say to that. The words didn't come easily, and he wasn't sure if he was ready to acknowledge the depth of what they meant yet. But one thing was for certain—things had changed. They were no longer just strangers, bound by circumstance. They were partners, a team. Whether they liked it or not, they were in this together.

As the evening wore on, Nico's protective tendencies didn't subside, but Harua found himself growing used to them. He still didn't like the idea of being treated like he was fragile, but he couldn't deny the comfort that came with knowing Nico was there, watching out for him.

"Are you hungry?" Nico asked, his voice almost shy as he hovered near the kitchen, clearly wanting to do something—anything—to make Harua more comfortable. "I can cook something if you're up for it."

Harua met his gaze, and for the first time, he saw a flicker of uncertainty in Nico's eyes. It was almost endearing. "I'm good," Harua said with a small smile. "But I'll take a bowl of that ridiculous soup you make."

Nico's eyes lit up with a genuine smile, his usual smirk returning. "You got it. Rest up while I make it, okay? No arguments."

Harua chuckled despite himself. "Fine, fine. Just don't burn it this time."

Nico laughed, a sound that eased the tension in the air, and Harua finally allowed himself to relax a little.