Title: to reflect the man
Rating: G
Fandom: Great Ace Attorney
Relationship: Asougi Kazuma/Barok van Zieks
Wordcount: 915
Short summary: Kazuma finishes redecorating Barok’s manor, yet to Barok it doesn’t look that much different than before…
“It’s finished, my Lord.”
“What is?”
“The redecoration.”
“…I see.”
Actually, Barok has little clue to what Kazuma means. As far as he can tell, not much has changed. Curtains were replaced with ones of a lighter shade, a few more pillows were added to the couch in the sitting room, and a few more flower vases were added on top of various tables and shelves. Honestly, Barok had assumed that there would be a much more dramatic change. After all, Kazuma looked so eager to redecorate the manor. Barok had expected Kazuma to perhaps add some items from his homeland, like a scroll in the Japanese script, one of those paintings or woodblocks, or maybe even one of those bonsai trees. To make this place more like a home for a man so far from his homeland.
“Is there something wrong, my Lord?”
It is only when Kazuma speaks again that Barok has realized that Kazuma is addressing him formally. Barok immediately shakes his head.
“We are at home. You can call me Barok.”
Kazuma sighs. “You didn’t answer my question.”
What is there for Barok to say? Kazuma had looked so pleased with the job he had done, and Barok is certainly not upset about the results. Just… confused.
He decides to be honest. “Nothing is wrong. It is just surprising.”
Kazuma frowns. “And what surprises you?”
“That there is nothing from your homeland on display.” Barok purses his lips. “I just question if this is what you want.”
Barok wonders if Kazuma can feel at home in this manor when the only thing from his homeland is the man himself. Even if Kazuma has slipped into Barok’s life and spends it with him daily, wearing English clothes, consuming English meals, speaking and writing and reading and viewing everything English… His Nipponese friends had never shed their clothes from their homeland, and Sholmes had kept some of their Nipponese trinkets after they had left.
Sholmes doesn’t currently have a Nipponese person living with him, yet he has more items from Nippon than…
“I want to make you happy.” The statement from Kazuma’s lips startles Barok. Barok finds himself inadvertently shivering. Meanwhile Kazuma’s lips curl into a smile. “I want this place to reflect the man I know.”
“And who is he?” Barok feels his heartbeat quicken.
“A man who holds himself to a high standard of propriety but secretly has a warm and gentle heart. A man who wishes for simplicity in his private life to balance the complexity of his public life.” Kazuma’s smile widens. “A man who is beautiful even at his age. Age has only made him more refined.”
Barok scoffs. “Not more bitter?”
His first instinct is to deny what Kazuma says, because it makes him feel unbalanced. There’s something implied, something that Barok fears to read into in case he is mistaken.
“You have let go of much of that bitterness, Barok.” Kazuma takes a step closer to Barok. “That is the only way you could have accepted me, right?”
Kazuma holds out his hands towards Barok. Barok does not even need a second to take them in his.
“I would say the same of you, Kazuma.” Barok feels his face flush from the warm happiness of holding Kazuma’s hands, as well as some embarrassment at this exchange of tender sentiments. “Although I do think you overstate my qualities as…”
“If I am wrong,” Kazuma interrupts, “it is only because this is the truth in my heart.” Kazuma takes another step closer. His gaze is focused entirely on Barok’s face. “I am very much fond of you, Barok. Which is why I wanted to redecorate this place.”
“To… show your fondness?” Barok admits he does not see the logic.
“Of course. I cherish this place because of its owner. Thus I want to take care of this place just like I want to take care of its owner.”
Barok bites his bottom lip. “Kazuma…”
This surely means more than just a feeling an apprentice would have towards his mentor, right? Or a grateful lodger towards his lodging master? Or a man towards his benefactor?
“Do you, perhaps…”
Barok finds himself looking away. Kazuma is eagerly awaiting his every word and Barok’s instinct is to freeze, to pause and think very carefully about his next words. For they could destroy just as much as they could create…
“Do you… wish for me to feel the same?”
It is a coward’s way of phrasing, but Barok is sure Kazuma understands the intent. He is asking Kazuma to demonstrate more clearly what his words mean.
Which Kazuma does with great vigor. He tugs on their joined hands to force Barok forward and catches Barok’s mouth with his own. It is a direct action with little room for misinterpretation. Especially with how firmly it is done.
When Barok is allowed a moment to breathe again, he finds that he can’t help but smile. He sees one mirrored on Kazuma’s face.
“Well then, Kazuma. You have done a fine job with the redecoration of our manor. I expect you to continue its upkeep.” He grins. “Is that satisfactory?”
Kazuma laughs. “Indeed.” He leans in for a quick kiss. “I will do so for the rest of my life, God willing.”
Barok demonstrates just how pleased he is by Kazuma’s words with a kiss that sends them tumbling onto the couch. Well, at least it has more cushions on it to buffer their fall…