Archive of Our Own ^beta

Daisuke almost winced, but it was quickly replaced by a scoff as he pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling a slight throb in his head. His sharp blue eyes glinted when he opened them again, his gaze piercing the two figures—identical yet unmistakably different—staring at each other with confusion and a hint of suspicion.

"Ugh... I'm sorry, Daisuke-sama," Suzue whispered softly, noticing how rattled Daisuke’s expression had become.

It all started with Suzue's latest prototype time machine project, an experiment based on time technology intended for "Peeking into the past" for investigative purposes. However, a tiny miscalculation had caused the machine to explode, and now Daisuke had to face the consequences: Two Haru Katos from across time who absolutely shouldn't be there.

"So, we've messed up, huh?" His colleague from the Modern Crime Prevention Task Force—and his partner—crossed his arms. His golden eyes flickered slightly as he looked at his own reflection standing before him, then shifted to Daisuke with a smirk. "What are you going to do about it?"

Daisuke let out another sigh. He didn't answer the question, instead turning to Suzue with a demanding look. "How are you going to fix this?" he asked, his voice still carrying a trace of calm.

But just before Suzue could respond, another voice cut in, its tone far from friendly.

"What did you all do to me?" And there he was: Haru Kato, whose appearance starkly contrasted with the one Daisuke saw every day. Gone was the worn-out jacket, replaced by a sleek black suit identical to those worn by members of the 1st Division. His hair looked healthier, albeit messy, and the spark in his face seemed fresher than Daisuke could recall from the irritable, reckless detective he knew.

"I apologies, I'll fix this right away." Suzue knew her mistake wasn't one that could be easily overlooked, so the woman dashed to the control desk without waiting for a response. Her fingers began dancing across the panel, her eyes fixed on the screen filled with data and code.

"I told you it wasn't a good idea, Kambe." Haru raised an eyebrow, smirking crookedly at Daisuke to tease him, though Daisuke felt more annoyed with himself. And though he didn't want to admit it, Haru's words did hold some truth, just this once.

"Oh, great. You strangers better explain what's going on over here." The other Haru said, frowning. "Or I'll arrest you all on charges of kidnapping and impersonation." He reached for the gun at his waist and took a ready stance, though his last statement sounded uncertain.

"Impersonation, huh?" Haru grinned, unable to resist mocking his younger, more naive, and spirited self. "If this is impersonation, it'd be the worst disguise ever."

His hand tightened around his pistol at those words. For some reason, he felt insulted, but before he could fire back with the sarcastic retorts swirling in his head, the raven-haired man cut into the conversation.

"Suzue." Daisuke let out a long sigh, this time unable to hide his frustration. "How long will it take you to fix this?"

Suzue, still busy at the control panel, answered without taking her eyes off the screen. "Maybe... three hours, or longer, Daisuke-sama. Some components melted due to the energy surge earlier. I'll need to recalibrate the whole system."

"Lower your weapon, Kato." Daisuke said in a cold but firm tone, his eyes shifting to the younger Haru. "You'll wait here until this can be fixed."

"Now you're holding me captive?!" The Haru in the sleek black suit clenched his fists, his temper flaring. He had no intention of lowering his gun, but Daisuke remained completely unfazed by the reaction, as if he'd already anticipated it.

"There's no kidnapping or captivity here, Inspector. Both of you just need to cooperate with me. And to avoid confusion, I'll call you Haru," Daisuke said, pointing at the Haru who was ruffling his brown hair. "And you, Kato." His gaze shifted to the Haru in the neatly fitted black suit.

The man frowned deeper, clearly unhappy with the situation. He finally lowered his gun, but his hand stayed poised near the holster, as if ready to draw it again at any moment.

"Don't think I'll just sit quietly here while you mess around with... whatever is this," Kato snapped, his voice dripping with protest as his eyes narrowed at Daisuke and Haru in turn. "I have duties out there, you know? The 1st Division won't be happy if I just disappear!"

"Oh, I get it, Mr. Inspector. I—we all—are have important duties here, so don't pretend like you're so powerful around here," Haru shot back with a half-mocking tone, arms crossed over his chest, his eyes glinting cynically at his own reflection.

Kato scoffed. This time, he let go of his gun entirely, stepping forward to stand in front of Haru. With a fierce yank, he grabbed the collar of Haru's shirt, his grip fueled by anger and frustration. His knuckles even whitened from the force of his hold. "Someone like you would never understand what responsibility means or how important it is."

Haru didn't back down an inch, meeting Kato's glare with an equally steely expression. "Someone like me? You really don't get it, don't you? The person you're grabbing right now is you. Stop being so naive."

"And if you think I don't understand duty or responsibility, take a look at yourself right now, standing here, stuck in here, because you were too stubborn to listen to anyone else."

Kato shoved Haru roughly, releasing his collar with a frustrated jerk. "Don't act all wise with me! Lecture yourself instead, you look like you've lost the spirit a cop should have. Look at you, being so royal to this brat?" He pointed at Daisuke. "He seems obviously hiding something suspicious behind all this!"

Daisuke chose not to respond, merely massaging his temples with his slender fingers, trying to suppress the growing headache. Haru, on the other hand, couldn't hold back from retorting, "If you think your life right now is full of rules and justice, just wait until you experience being in my position—"

And then he stopped. His gaze suddenly faltered, and he quickly looked away. This caught Daisuke's attention immediately, his cold yet knowing expression locking onto Haru. Every movement was noted by Daisuke, though the man remained silent, his sharp gaze piercing as if it could see through anything.

Kato, however, didn't notice the change. He simply saw the scene before him as pathetic and turned his head with a sneer.

"What? Out of words?" Kato grinned cynically, stepping back and crossing his arms over his chest. "You're really disappointing. I'd never end up like you."

Haru turned back to face Kato, his eyes narrowing with a mix of irritation and nearly depleted patience. "You didn't know what you're talking about." His replied in a low tone, but there was a tremor in it that showed he was holding himself back. "You haven't seen what I've seen, haven't felt what I've felt. So don't you dare judge me from where you're standing now."

"Enough." Daisuke's said, still massaging his temples to ease the headache. His tone was sharp, cutting off Kato's retort before it could even begin.

His steel-blue eyes narrowed as he looked between Haru and Kato. "Both of you can yell at each other to your heart's content after this is over, but right now, I need you to be quiet."

But Haru, his face still brimming with frustration, shot back with equal intensity. "Oh, of course, Kambe. You always have a way of making everyone fall in line, don't you? But this time, I'm not staying silent. You know all of this could've been avoided if you'd listened to me from the start!"

"Well, I agree, this guy seems too arrogant to listen to anyone." Kato nodded reluctantly in agreement.

Daisuke let out a long sigh, feeling the throbbing in his head intensify. He stood from his chair, intending to leave the room to calm himself, or at least find some fresh air outside this tension-filled laboratory.

But as he rose, his body suddenly felt light, his vision blurred, his legs wobbled, and he nearly collapsed to the floor, only saved by Haru's quick reflexes, catching him with both hands before Daisuke could fully crumple.

"Hey, what's wrong, Kambe?!" Haru's voice grew louder, his tone of protest instantly shifting to concern. He pulled Daisuke into his arms and felt the heat radiating from the man in his grasp. And in that moment, Haru suddenly remembered why he'd come here. "You're overworking yourself again, you idiot! I told you that you need a rest, but you insisted on coming here anyway!"

Daisuke tried to brush Haru's hands away, but he lacked the strength, managing only a weak scoff.

"I'm fine." He muttered, though his voice sounded fragile, far from the confident tone he usually projected.

"Did you?!" Haru nearly shouted, his eyes widening in disbelief.

"You're nowhere close to that! If I weren't here, you'd have collapsed and made everything worse!" Haru shot a quick glance at Kato, who now stood with a confused expression, before refocusing on Daisuke.

Kato raised his hands as if surrendering to the increasingly chaotic situation. "Oh wow, I don't know what's going on between you two, but this is starting to look like personal business. And I don't care about whatever drama you're stirring up here."

"This isn't drama!" Haru snapped, still holding Daisuke, who now leaned against him reluctantly.

"Enough, Haru." Daisuke sighed softly. There was a faint tremor in his voice, but now he tried to muster the strength to stand upright again.

"I'll head to my room. Suzue, keep working. And you two—" His eyes shifted to Haru and Kato, "—Try not to kill each other until this is resolved."

Haru snorted, but he didn't let go of Daisuke, instead supporting him as they walked carefully toward the door. "You're not going anywhere alone on your condition," he muttered, his tone full of protest but laced with a gentle concern he couldn't quite hide.

Kato just watched them leave with a raised eyebrow before finally turning his attention to Suzue. "So... this is a regular thing around here?"

Suzue gave a small smile, her fingers still busy at the panel. "You'll get used to it." She replied briefly before refocusing on the screen.

•••

In the quiet corridor, Daisuke and Haru's footsteps echoed softly, interrupted only by Daisuke's still-labored breathing. Haru stayed close by his side, supporting him firmly, one hand on his waist, the other gripping his arm, despite Daisuke's visible efforts to maintain his balance on his own.

Then, suddenly, Daisuke stopped walking and with a weak motion, tried to push Haru's hand off his arm. The gesture was slow but deliberate enough to make Haru frown.

"I can manage on my own." Daisuke muttered, his voice low and heavy with exhaustion, his eyes cast downward to avoid Haru's gaze.

Haru immediately misunderstood. His eyes widened for a moment before narrowing, his expression a mix of annoyance and worry. "What? Are you mad at me because I nagged you back before? Fine, sorry if I went too far, but you know I was just—" Haru cut himself off, realizing his voice was starting to rise again. He took a deep breath, trying to calm down. "I'm worried, Kambe."

Daisuke didn't respond right away. He turned his face to the side, his hand clutching his own arm as if seeking the strength to stand tall. It wasn't anger, but guilt gnawing at his mind. All this chaos had happened because of his stubbornness.

He was the one who'd insisted on trusting Suzue's project despite Haru's warnings. And now, seeing Haru steadfastly by his side even in this state, it only made him sink deeper into regret.

Haru observed Daisuke's gloomy faced, his usually firm brows now slightly furrowed, his typically sharp eyes dulled. There was something about the sight that made Haru's chest tighten. He couldn't stand seeing Daisuke like this, even though the man always tried to hide it.

Without much thought, Haru stepped closer, his hand gently touching Daisuke's chin, forcing him to meet his gaze.

"Daisuke," Haru called softly, his voice far gentler than the protesting tone he'd used earlier. Before Daisuke could react, Haru leaned down slightly and kissed his lips tenderly, with careful restraint. It wasn't a passionate kiss at first, more like a gesture, a way to tell Daisuke he wasn't alone, that Haru was here with him, even amidst this chaos.

Daisuke's eyes widened briefly, startled by the sudden action. But he didn't push Haru away. There was something in that touch: Warmth, sincerity, that made his defenses crumble. His eyes slowly closed, and unconsciously, his hands moved on their own, wrapping around Haru's neck, pulling him closer. Haru responded by sliding his hand to Daisuke's waist, drawing their bodies together until no space remained between them.

And just as their kiss deepened into something wilder, Haru pulled back slightly, noticing something from the corner of his eye—and sure enough, there it was.

A few steps away stood a frozen Kato Haru, his face flushed red up to his ears. His black suit fluttered as he stumbled back, his mouth agape as if he wanted to say something.

"I–I didn't see anything!" He exclaimed, his voice squeaking in panic, hands flying up as if to cover his face.

Haru glared, his own face turning red from a mix of embarrassment and irritation. "Why the hell did you follow us?!" His voice heightened, his feet stomping toward Kato with frustration dripping from his tone.

Kato shot back quickly, stammering despite his heated face. "Oh God, I'm sorry, okay?! I was just... a little worried. He looked like he was dying earlier! It's not my fault if you two–you two—" He stopped, unable to finish his sentence.

"Shut up! Stop talking!" Haru snapped, utterly mortified by his own actions.

Kato, who had initially intended to flee the situation, suddenly felt a surge of determination not to be outdone by his older self. His still-flushed face now bore a mix of irritation and resolve. He pointed at Haru with his index finger, though his hand trembled slightly. "You think I'll just stay quiet?! If you can act so recklessly like that, then me too!"

Daisuke massaged his temples with his fingers, trying to ease the headache creeping back in. His already sour mood was reaching a boiling point. He glanced at Kato with a weary look, but before he could say anything to stop the young officer's rant, he decided to act.

With controlled steps, Daisuke approached Kato. Then, without warning, his hand yanked Kato's black tie in a swift motion, and before Kato could react, Daisuke kissed him hard on the lips. The kiss wasn't gentle or tender like the one Haru had given earlier: It was a bold, dominating statement, though not demanding.

Kato froze, his eyes widening in shock, while Haru behind Daisuke also fell silent, his own eyes bulging in disbelief. Daisuke broke the kiss after a few seconds, stepping back with a faint, crooked smile that carried an air of authority. "Can you be quiet now?" he asked in a cold tone, though a subtle hint of playfulness lingered beneath it.

Kato couldn't respond. His mouth opened and closed several times, but no words came out. His face, already flushed, now looked like it was on fire, and he could only stare at Daisuke with a blank expression, his brain seemingly shutting down.

Meanwhile, Haru, standing behind Daisuke, felt an odd tickle in his chest: Jealousy. And even more absurdly, he was jealous of himself! Unable to hold back, Haru stepped forward, his arm wrapping possessively around Daisuke's waist. He pulled Daisuke's body until the man's back pressed tightly against his chest, causing Daisuke's head to tilt sideways from the sudden tug. Daisuke opened his mouth to question it, but before he could speak, Haru leaned down and kissed him again with far wilder intensity, brimming with passion and a hint of frustration, as if trying to prove something.

Daisuke was startled but didn't resist, surrendering to the kiss. His hands reflexively gripped Haru's arm to steady himself. Yet, before he could fully adjust, Kato—unwilling to be outdone—moved forward with quick steps. He grabbed Daisuke's wrist, which had been resting near his own jaw, then seized Daisuke's chin with his other hand.

With a rough motion, Kato yanked Daisuke's face away from Haru, breaking their kiss and leaving a thin thread of saliva hanging between Daisuke and Haru's lips. But Kato didn't care, he immediately ducked down and kissed Daisuke just as fiercely, mirroring Haru's actions but with the awkward aggression of a beginner, making it feel even more forceful. Their saliva dripped down Daisuke's chin, and Daisuke instinctively clutched Haru's arm behind him as if seeking an anchor.

A low growl rumbled from the chest of the man behind Daisuke. A cynical scoff followed, and then Daisuke felt the grip on his waist tighten. Yet, his kiss with Kato didn't break, as if the younger man had no intention of letting go, literally didn't when his golden eyes flicked toward Haru with a triumphant glare.

"Oh, is that how it is?" Haru smirked cynically, his eyebrow arching high as he stared at Kato. His face carried an impressed yet challenging expression, and his free hand moved on its own, gently but firmly grasping Daisuke's chin, turning his head back toward him.

"You should do it like this," he continued, and without warning, he planted another kiss: Deeper, more controlled, and brimming with intensity that finally drew a soft moan from Daisuke. The sound slipped out unintentionally, and Daisuke's grip tightened on the jacket over Haru's arm, seeking support as tears began pooling at the corners of his eyes, blurring his vision.

Kato, standing in front, scoffed. Suddenly, he slipped his arms around Daisuke from the other side, wrapping around his back. The move was enough to make Daisuke stumble, forcing Haru to break their kiss but Haru's sharp gaze never left Kato, who now smirked challengingly at him.

"I'm impressed, old man," Kato shot back, his eyes locking onto Haru's with a fiery mix of envy, anger, and something deeper he didn’t fully understand. That feeling had driven him to this point, pulling Daisuke toward him with equal possessiveness. His fingers crept along Daisuke's back, sliding down to his hips with a sensual, deliberate motion, as if countering Haru's dominance in his own way.

Haru snorted. "Really? I'm flattered, then." He showed no sign of backing down, his hand still firmly on Daisuke's waist, pulling him closer to his side as if staking his claim. His eyes narrowed, meeting Kato's gaze with an expression that clearly said, 'I know how to do this better.'

"Enough, both of you," Daisuke tried to push Haru away with his elbow and distance himself from Kato, but his efforts only turned into a choked whimper as Kato pulled him again. Kato's leg slipped between Daisuke's thighs while Haru, still unwilling to yield, leaned down to kiss the shell of Daisuke's ear, leaving him gasping, eyes fluttering shut in a desperate attempt to maintain his composure.

"He doesn't like it," Kato hissed, though despite his words, he gripped Daisuke's hips even tighter, pulling him until their chests pressed together. His golden eyes blazed with fire, directed at Haru, who now returned a crooked smirk.

"Really? Then let him go," Haru retorted, squeezing Daisuke's waist but showing no intention of releasing him, instead meeting the hostile glare of his own reflection with equal intensity. Their eyes locked, sparks flying between them, as Kato shot back even sharper,

"Oh, make me."

•••

Daisuke glared sharply at Haru Kato—literally both of them—who now pinned his body between their respective stances. He couldn't recall how he'd ended up trapped like this, in his own room no less, while these two strangers continued to shoot hostile glares at each other. Daisuke couldn't help but grimace. "Can you both stop?"

But neither of them listened. Haru, gripping his waist from behind, pulled him closer until Daisuke could feel the broad expanse of his chest pressing against his shoulders. The detective's warm breath grazed the skin of his neck as a low growl vibrated through his chest.

Meanwhile, Kato wasn't about to back down either. One hand clamped around Daisuke's wrist while the other slid over the warm skin beneath his slightly unbuttoned shirt. Daisuke couldn't remember when his blazer had come undone, his jacket now slipping down his arms, giving Kato greedy access to paw at his body.

Daisuke clicked his tongue. His eyes narrowed with anger as he hissed, "I'll kill you both if you don't get out of my sight right now." The threat was sharp, but neither Haru nor Kato paid it any mind because once again, Daisuke jolted when he felt Haru's erection press against his ass as the man ground his hips forward.

He turned his head, about to reprimand the action, but then Kato's hand slipped up to his chest. The rough fingers brushed over his skin, deliberately rubbing his nipple until Daisuke bit his lower lip to stifle a moan.

"You—" Daisuke gasped as Haru leaned down, his tongue darting out to lick the shell of Daisuke's ear before nibbling it lightly, making him squirm unconsciously.

On the other side, Kato let out a low growl and yanked Daisuke's shirt harder, fully exposing his chest. His eyes widened briefly, savoring the sight, before he leaned in and kissed the skin above Daisuke's collarbone, leaving red marks with small bites.

Daisuke tried to protest, "Stop! If you keep treating me like this, I swear I will—" But his words cut off again as Haru deliberately rocked his hips, his hard erection rubbing against Daisuke's ass through the fabric of his pants. At the same time, Kato's hand squeezed his chest more aggressively, fingers twisting his nipple until Daisuke couldn't hold back the small moan that escaped his lips. His head fell back, resting on Haru's shoulder, eyes half-lidded from the flood of sensations overwhelming him.

Haru smirked smugly at the reaction. His other hand rose to grip Daisuke's jaw, turning his face sideways so he could kiss him roughly. His tongue plunged in immediately, exploring Daisuke's mouth with full dominance. As the hand that had been pulling Daisuke's waist slid downward, slipping beneath his pants to feel the leaking cock inside, Haru grinned reflexively before breaking the kiss.

"We're going to teach this kid a new lesson, Kambe," Haru said with a mischievous smile. His fingers on Daisuke's face crept up to pinch his tongue, forcing it to stick out, while his golden eyes locked onto Kato's with a challenging glint as the younger man frowned back at him.

"A new lesson, you say?" Kato snorted, his eyebrow arching with a mix of annoyance and curiosity. The hand that had been kneading Daisuke's chest now slid lower, dipping to the waistband of Daisuke's pants, his fingers brushing provocatively over the warm skin above his hipbone. "If anyone needs a lesson, it's you—looking far too smug for your own good."

Haru chuckled lowly, the sound rumbling against Daisuke's back, still pressed tightly to his chest. "Smug? You're just jealous because I know what he likes," he shot back. The hand gripping Daisuke's jaw slid down, trailing to his neck and pressing lightly, not to hurt, but enough to make Daisuke hold his breath. His other fingers, still wet from touching Daisuke's cock, rose again, deliberately brushing over Daisuke's lower lip, leaving a sticky trail that made Daisuke bite his own lip to suppress his embarrassment.

Daisuke felt like a trapped animal, his body pinned between two equally stubborn and lust-driven Harus. He wanted to push them away, to yell at both of them, but everything he tried quickly melted under the touch of Haru and Kato on his body, which was literally betraying him.

The raven-haired man unconsciously held his breath as he felt Haru's hand from behind move to unzip his pants. The fabric encasing his legs fell to his shoes, allowing Haru to freely knead his ass, now only covered by thin underwear.

"Hah... damn it!" Daisuke ducked his head, trying to regain control, but Kato yanked his chin up, forcing him to lift his gaze. He met the eyes of the man in the neat black suit, staring at him with raw passion, before Kato kissed him roughly, his tongue plunging in and exploring Daisuke's mouth without mercy.

A moan was swallowed into Kato's mouth just as Haru, without warning, pushed a finger into his hole with startling precision. Daisuke reflexively gripped Kato's arm, his hips moving instinctively to seek more friction from Haru's fingers stretching him open.

Kato finally broke the kiss. He pulled Daisuke's hand off his arm, forcing it onto his shoulder for balance, then leaned down again, this time kissing Daisuke's chest harshly. His tongue swept over a nipple before biting it lightly. Daisuke let out a small yelp, his body trembling violently between them, his legs starting to wobble as he grew unsure how much longer he could stand like this.

Haru noticed first. He withdrew his hand, scoffing before gripping Daisuke's hips tightly and speaking in a half-annoyed tone. "Class has begun, Kambe." Without waiting for a response, he bent slightly, his strong arms hooking under Daisuke's thighs and lifting him off the floor with ease. Daisuke jolted, reflexively clutching Haru's shoulders.

"Wha—" Daisuke tried to protest, his face flushing with embarrassment and anger, but Haru gave him no chance to continue. With swift steps, he carried Daisuke to the large bed in the center of the room. Kato followed behind, his eyebrow raised in a mix of irritation and excitement as he watched Haru toss Daisuke onto the mattress with less-than-gentle force.

Daisuke landed with a soft 'thud', his body bouncing slightly on the plush bed before he tried to sit up, hands pressing into the sheets for support. "I'm serious... if you two still didn't getting out, I swear you’ll—" But his words cut off again as Haru climbed onto the bed with quick movements, his knees pinning Daisuke's hips to keep him from escaping while his hands grabbed Daisuke's wrists and held them above his head.

"Stop threatening us, Daisuke," Haru said with a crooked smile, his eyes glinting with lust as he gazed at Daisuke's flushed face and ragged breathing. "You know you don't really want us to stop." He leaned down, his lips landing on Daisuke's neck with a hard kiss, leaving a fresh red mark, while his other hand began tugging Daisuke's pants further down, fully removing them until only gartered socks and soaked underwear remained.

Kato didn't stay idle. He climbed onto the bed from the other side, his movements clumsier than Haru's but brimming with determination. "You think you can just take over?" He pulled Daisuke's thigh toward him, slightly disrupting Haru's position, but the older man wasn't fazed and shoved Kato back with a firm push.

"Don't touch him!" Haru hissed, his gaze dripping with hostility toward Kato, though the smirk on his lips said otherwise. With one rough tug, he ripped off Daisuke's soaked underwear, leaving him completely bare except for the gartered socks clinging to his calves—a small detail that somehow made him look even more vulnerable. Daisuke's cock was hard and leaking, its tip glistening with precum, and Haru couldn't suppress a smug grin at the sight.

"Look at this," he said triumphantly, his finger deliberately brushing the tip of Daisuke's cock, making the man buck his hips unconsciously.

"Wait! You can't do this to—Ahh!" Daisuke's voice morphed into a choked moan as warmth grazed the tip of his cock, soon turning into a searing heat enveloping his sensitive area. His body shuddered, and he dropped his head back onto the bed, hands clutching the sheets from the intoxicating sensation. As if that weren't enough, he felt Haru slip a finger into his own mouth while still sucking his twitching, aching cock, before bringing that wet finger to circle the rim of Daisuke's hole.

"A—Ha—Haru!" Daisuke couldn't control his voice. His toes dug deep into the mattress as Haru, without warning, slid two long fingers inside him at once, moving slowly and nearly driving him insane.

His legs instinctively tried to pull away from the pressure hitting his prostate, but his efforts were futile. He soon slipped, surrendering to Haru's slow strokes against his sensitive spot and the tongue lapping at his throbbing shaft.

Kato, watching from the side, frowned. He leaned in, yanking Daisuke's face toward him and kissing him hard, wild and full of lust, their tongues tangling to muffle every moan threatening to escape Daisuke's mouth.

Haru deliberately swallowed Daisuke's cock down to his throat until Daisuke gasped, and without realizing it, Haru scissored his fingers to stretch him further. Then he pulled back, narrowing his eyes at Kato before shifting to Daisuke, whose saliva now dripped from his lips as Kato drew away.

"Can you not interfere?" Haru hissed at Kato, then unzipped his own pants and freed his hard erection.

"Why? Afraid of competition?" Kato taunted, his infuriating smirk practically daring Haru, who coldly spat into his own hand. He stroked his cock with the saliva while his other hand spread Daisuke's thighs wider, guiding the tip of his erection to Daisuke's open hole. Gripping the man's hips tightly, he began pushing in deeper.

Despite Daisuke's attempts to muffle himself by biting his lip, a loud moan echoed through the room as Haru buried himself fully inside.

"Ah—Haru... Haru..." The raven-haired man whimpered his name unconsciously, tears pooling in his eyes.

Yet Haru, still showing some mercy, waited for Daisuke to adjust. But his hands couldn't stay still, he lifted one of Daisuke's legs onto his shoulder before pulling out and thrusting back in, rocking Daisuke's body on the bed. Daisuke's mouth couldn't stop crying out his partner's name.

Kato scoffed beside them. He stood briefly to unbuckle his pants and shed them, freeing his erection before sitting back down next to Daisuke. "Open your mouth, rich boy."

Daisuke stared at him with wet eyes, then felt a hand roughly grip his hair, yanking his head forward without preamble. Reflexively, he opened his mouth, but before he could adjust, Kato thrust in with full force, his cock hitting the back of Daisuke's throat and making him gag. The fullness in his mouth added to the chaos already overwhelming his body, and his hands instinctively clutched the sheets, seeking an anchor amidst the storm of sensations.

Haru shot Kato a half-annoyed glance but began to move. His thrusts were fast and grew stronger with each snap, grinding inside Daisuke and hitting his sensitive spot with precision that made the man's body tremble violently, teetering between pleasure and an almost painful fullness. Tears welled up in the corners of his eyes, slowly trickling down his cheeks, but he couldn't stop, his hips moved on their own, meeting Haru's every motion despite his mind's attempts to resist.

Muffled moans escaped Daisuke's mouth, stuffed full with Kato's cock. His stomach twitched with heat, and Haru noticed how every inch of his body tensed, his hole clenching around him in pure pleasure. Haru grinned, reveling in the sight of Daisuke breaking beneath him.

And just moments later, Daisuke let out a loud moan, his muscles contracting fiercely as the wave of climax approached, but something felt off. There was no release, only an empty pressure that left him trembling and whimpering. Then he realized Haru's hand was gripping his cock, clamping down hard at the base, making his body scream from the agonizing sensation.

"Feeling empty, baby?" Haru used his hand to brush the hair falling over Daisuke's eyes as he leaned toward him. He wiped away his tears gently, though the tenderness starkly contrasted with the rough thrusts targeting Daisuke's prostate. His forehead glistened with sweat as he whispered, "Hang in there, sweetheart, it's not over yet."

Kato glanced at Haru. He thrust his hips with a ferocious rhythm, his hand in Daisuke's hair pulling harder each time the man gagged or tried to catch his breath. Saliva dripped from the corners of Daisuke's lips, soaking his chin, but Kato didn't care, he only quickened his pace, growling low as the sensation of Daisuke's mouth pushed him closer to the edge.

Kato groaned, pressing Daisuke's head down until his lips met the base of his cock as he shoved himself deeper into his throat, releasing his load directly into the man's mouth. Daisuke coughed violently as Kato finally let go, the thick fluid spilling down his chin in excess.

A hot scoff escaped Kato's mouth. "Wouldn't want to waste this, right?" He grabbed Daisuke's chin, lifting it and pushing the dripping cum back into his lips with his fingers, forcing him to swallow it all. Daisuke whimpered, his half-lidded eyes fixed on Kato, his hair a disheveled mess.

Haru, witnessing the scene, couldn't deny the heat surging in his stomach. His thrusts grew erratic as he neared his limit.

With one brutal, deep thrust, he climaxed inside Daisuke, hot fluid flooding his hole until it felt full and sticky. His breath came in ragged gasps as he groaned Daisuke's name, hips stuttering to chase the last waves of pleasure before he slowly pulled out, leaving a trail of cum dripping down the man's thighs.

Daisuke lay on the bed, his body trembling violently, his breathing ragged, his face wet with tears, sweat, and semen. But even in that state, one thing still burned in his mind: He hadn't reaching his climax. His body remained taut, his cock still hard and aching, and the frustration finally forced words out of his mouth, abandoning all pride.

"Please...." He whimpered, his voice weak and broken, his trembling hand reaching out toward one of them—he didn't even care who anymore. "Please, let me cum... I beg you... Please...." Tears streamed harder, his flushed face a mix of shame and unbearable desire, his body quaking in near-pitiful desperation.

Haru and Kato exchanged a glance, their breaths still unsteady, but small, satisfied smiles crept onto their faces, tinged with a wicked intent.

Haru leaned down, his fingers brushing Daisuke' s wet cheek in an almost tender gesture, though his eyes glinted with teasing mischief. "Poor baby," he whispered, his voice hoarse.

Haru bent closer, his rough yet warm fingers gently caressing Daisuke's cheek, wiping the tears still flowing down his flushed face. Daisuke, utterly wrecked, instinctively leaned into Haru's palm, seeking that warmth with desperate need. His eyes fluttered half-shut, his breath hitching, his body still shuddering from the frustration scorching every inch of him.

Haru smiled faintly, a flicker of softness in his eyes contrasting with the hoarse, teasing edge in his voice. "You want a cum, Daisuke?" he asked, his thumb brushing gently beneath the man's eye.

Daisuke nodded quickly, almost frantically, his head swaying weakly but with desperate fervor. He didn't even realize his whimpers were growing louder, his voice cracking with raw need. "Please... Haru... please, I beg you...." The words spilled out unfiltered, his pride long buried beneath an overwhelming wave of desire.

Haru and Kato exchanged another look, their smiles laden with meaning, satisfaction mixed with a dark plan clearly not yet complete.

"As your wish, sweetheart," Haru said, his voice low and laced with promise, but a sly undertone lingered within.

Without further ado, he swiftly repositioned Daisuke, flipping him onto his stomach and hoisting his hips high, forcing his knees to bend into a prone, exposed stance. Daisuke had no time to react, his hands gripping the sheets tightly as Haru positioned himself behind him again, his still-hard cock plunging back in with one deep, forceful thrust. The overwhelming fullness made Daisuke's body quake, his head dropping to the mattress, but before he could catch his breath, Kato moved.

The younger man crawled forward, his hand seizing Daisuke's hair and yanking his head up, forcing his mouth open once more. With the same brutal force, he shoved his cock inside, hitting Daisuke's throat until he gagged. Neither of them showed any mercy.

Haru fucked Daisuke from behind with a savage rhythm, each thrust slamming into his prostate with a force that blanked Daisuke's mind, while Kato drove his hips aggressively, filling his mouth until Daisuke could only moan and tremble between them.

Daisuke's body couldn't hold out any longer. The sensations from both Harus were overwhelming: The pressure inside him, the friction against his prostate, and the fullness in his mouth pushed him to the edge in an instant.

With a few more harsh thrusts from Haru, his body tensed violently, muscles contracting as his eyes rolled back, and he finally found release. His moan filled the room, loud and broken, muffled only by Kato's cock still in his mouth. His cum shot out with intense force, soaking the sheets beneath him and even splattering onto his own chest, leaving sticky trails on his already sweat-drenched skin.

Haru grinned, feeling Daisuke's body clamp down on him during the climax. "Oh, you came already?" he said, his hoarse voice dripping with mockery, though his thrusts without slowdown. "What a shame, we're not stopping until we're done."

They kept fucking him relentlessly, even after Daisuke had reached his peak. His oversensitive body made every thrust feel more intense, more torturous, yet also more pleasurable.

A low growl rumbled from Kato's chest, his hand yanking Daisuke's hair harder, speeding up his movements in the man's mouth as the heat in his gut burned hotter, his climax nearing.

With ragged breaths, he gripped Daisuke's hair tightly, pulling out of his mouth and leaving a trail of saliva dripping from Daisuke's lips to his chin.

Daisuke coughed weakly, his breath hitching in momentary relief, but before he could process what was happening, Kato moved to Haru's side. Haru shot him a sharp glance, his eyebrow raised in confusion and slight annoyance, but he didn't push him away.

Without warning, Kato touched Daisuke's hips with his trembling gand, lust-driven hands. The gesture seemed to register with Daisuke, who immediately arched his back to look at Kato. "Wait! Don't tell me you're—AH!" His voice cut off as if the air had been sucked from his lungs.

Kato aligned his cock with Daisuke's already-filled hole and thrust in with full force alongside Haru. Haru let out a loud growl, feeling the new pressure sliding in beside him, sweat flooding his forehead.

"Oh God—Get it out! Ah—Hah... wait! It won't—Aah!" Daisuke screamed, his nails digging perfectly into the sheets as his mouth babbled incoherently against the mattress.

His scream soon turned into a piercing wail that echoed through the room as the unbearable fullness rocked his body, his hole stretched to a near-painful limit by the two cocks now buried inside him. Tears streamed down his cheeks, his hands clawed at the sheets, and his body shook violently from the overwhelming sensation.

Kato finally slid in fully, his cock pressed tight alongside Haru's in the cramped space, the double pressure hitting Daisuke mercilessly.

Daisuke's body tensed violently, his muscles contracting uncontrollably, and he couldn't hold back. His second climax hit fast and hard, his cum spurting out again, weaker than before, soaking the sheets beneath him and leaving small streaks on his already sticky stomach. His scream broke, raw and desperate, before fading into weak whimpers as his body tried to adjust.

Haru and Kato moved then. Though Daisuke had reached his second peak, they didn't stop. Their thrusts were uncoordinated at first, but that only added to the brutal friction inside him.

Haru growled, sweat dripping from his forehead as he felt Daisuke's body clench around them both, while Kato thrust with equal ferocity, his hands gripping Daisuke's hips to hold him in place. The tight, overstuffed sensation drove them both to the edge quickly.

Daisuke's head spun. He buried his face in the sheets, trying to muffle his moans as the increasingly aggressive thrusts slammed into his prostate.

Yet he failed to hide his voice when, with one deep, forceful thrust, Haru released his climax, muttering Daisuke's name under his breath.

Hot fluid flooded into Daisuke, filling his already-packed hole until it felt like it was overflowing. Kato followed almost simultaneously, with a low growl, shoving his cock deeper and reaching his peak, unloading his cum into the same space. Their fluids mixed inside Daisuke, overwhelming his hole until his stomach felt bloated, the pressure too much to contain. It began leaking out, dripping down his thighs and onto the bed, leaving a messy, sticky trail.

Daisuke couldn't hold on anymore.
His eyes squeezed shut, his breath halted for a moment, and then he passed out completely. His head fell onto the bed, his hands released the sheets, and his body collapsed in a utterly wrecked state: His face wet with tears and sweat, red marks and fluids coating his pale skin.

Haru and Kato pulled out slowly, their breaths ragged, sweat soaking their bodies as they stared in awe at Daisuke's form, still twitching faintly from the aftershocks of his climaxes.

Haru glanced at Kato with a mocking smirk. "You're insane," he muttered, his voice hoarse but tinged with satisfaction.

Kato just snorted, wiping sweat from his brow. "You didn't stop me," he retorted.

They then stood to clean Daisuke with surprising gentleness and care, mindful not to wake him.

"He's going to be pissed later," Kato said eventually, half-joking but half-serious.

Haru chuckled beside him. "We'll deal with that when it comes." Then he moved to replace the blanket and sheets with careful motions, avoiding any unnecessary noise.

•••

An hour had passed since the chaos of that night, and the dim light from the bedside lamp slowly seeped into Daisuke's closed eyelids. His consciousness returned bit by bit, greeted by a sharp, stabbing pain coursing through his entire body.

He awoke with slow movements, his eyelids trembling before finally opening fully, only to wince as his muscles screamed in protest. Every inch of his body felt stiff and throbbing, his back ached, his hips burned, and his inner thighs felt as though they'd been stretched to their limit. Even his breathing was heavy, his chest tight with lingering exhaustion.

With great effort, he pushed himself to sit up, his hands gripping the edge of the bed to keep from collapsing back down.

"Damn it..." he muttered, his voice hoarse and faint, barely audible. He glanced down, noticing he was dressed in clean pajamas. His skin was no longer sticky with sweat, fluids, or the faint traces of the previous night that were starting to flicker through his mind. A subtle scent of soap and warm water still clung to his body.

But that didn't make him feel any better. Instead, the pain now assaulted him mercilessly, and blurry memories of what had happened the night before began to surface like fragments of a broken film, flushing his face with a mix of shame and anger.

Daisuke squeezed his eyes shut, his hand rising to massage his throbbing temples, trying to banish the images from his mind. "You two... I'll kill you..." he hissed softly, but there was no strength in his voice, just exhaustion and resignation.

He glanced around the room, noting that Haru and Kato were nowhere to be seen. The space felt quiet, filled only with the sound of his own breathing and the faint creak of the bed as he shifted.

Daisuke took a deep breath, attempting to ignore the pain spreading through his lower back, then carefully swung his legs over the side of the bed. Every small movement made him wince, and when his feet finally touched the floor, he had to hold his breath to brace against the sharp sting shooting from his hips to his tailbone. "I won't forgive this." he muttered again, though a trace of uncertainty lingered in his tone. Deep down, he knew he'd allowed the situation to unfold, if only because of his weakness that night.

Suddenly, the door creaked open softly, and Haru appeared in the doorway, holding a steaming cup of tea. His eyes met Daisuke's, and a small smile tugged at his lips. "You're awake," he said casually, stepping inside without hesitation despite the sharp glare Daisuke immediately shot his way.

But that glare faltered as Daisuke realized something. Unconsciously, he peered past Haru, scanning the room for the other figure who should've been there: The other Haru Kato.

Yet the room remained silent and empty, with only Haru standing at the threshold, teacup in hand, watching him with that infuriating little smile. Kato was gone. And Daisuke felt an odd tickle in his chest, a restlessness he couldn't explain. He didn't like this feeling, as if a part of him was missing, and it only fueled his growing irritation.

He shifted his gaze back to Haru, his eyes narrowing with a questioning look, though he didn't speak right away. His lips pressed into a tight line, trying to suppress the sudden unease gnawing at him. Meanwhile, Haru just stood there, watching him calmly, and the inspector's relaxed demeanor only made Daisuke feel more unsettled.

Finally, after a few seconds of silence that stretched too long, he couldn't hold back any longer. "Where is he?" he asked, his voice low and hoarse, almost a mutter, but laced with a trace of impatience.

Haru didn't answer immediately. Instead, he smiled wider, a secretive, slightly teasing smile, before stepping further into the room, raising the teacup as if it were his sole reason for being there.

"Drink this first," he said casually, placing the cup on the bedside table without acknowledging Daisuke's question. The dismissal made Daisuke frown, the restlessness in his chest intensifying. He hated this feeling, this sense that he’d lost something he wasn't even sure he wanted, and Haru clearly had no intention of giving him answers.

Daisuke opened his mouth to ask again, but before the words could escape, the door creaked open once more. Kato stepped inside, carrying a small tray with a bowl of steaming soup and a piece of bread on top. His eyes met Daisuke's, and he gave a slight nod in greeting, his expression neutral as if nothing about this situation was out of the ordinary.

"You look like a walking corpse," Kato remarked flatly, though a hint of concern lingered beneath his words as he set the tray next to Haru's teacup.

Daisuke didn't respond, but something strange stirred within him. The unease that had been eating at his chest moments ago suddenly eased, replaced by a warmth he couldn't quite comprehend.

He stared at Kato longer than he intended, noting how the man moved with casual ease, and for some reason, Kato's presence made him feel whole again. He frowned at himself, confused by the thought. Had he really grown comfortable with Kato? With both of them? The idea felt absurd, yet he couldn't deny that a part of him didn't want to lose either one.

Before he could process the feeling further, HEUSC's familiar mechanical voice chimed in his ear, breaking the silence. "Sir, Suzue was contacting you."

"Connect," Daisuke replied in his usual flat tone, and the AI butler promptly confirmed his request without delay.

"Daisuke-sama, apologies for interrupting your rest. I just wanted to inform you that the machine has been fully repaired and is ready for use whenever you command." Suzue's voice was calm and professional as always, but to Daisuke, her words hit like a punch to the gut. He froze, his eyes widening slightly, a flicker of displeasure surging in his chest.

It wasn't the fact that the machine was fixed—it was what that meant: Kato would leave.

If the time machine was ready, it meant this version of Haru Kato from the past would return to his own timeline. Not that he disliked the Haru who was here with him now, but he'd grown accustomed to Kato too, the way he moved, the cynical edge in his voice, even the challenging glares that annoyed him yet somehow amused him. Daisuke lowered his head, his hands gripping the sheets tighter, trying to hide the sudden inner conflict swirling within him. He said nothing, but his mind raced.

Yet Daisuke couldn't be selfish. He knew Kato had his own life on his own world, and Daisuke had no right to keep him here.

With a great effort, Daisuke pushed himself to stand, ignoring the sharp pain that stabbed through his hips and back once more. His hands braced against the edge of the bed, struggling to support himself.

Haru, noticing that, immediately stepped forward to block him, raising a firm hand. "Where do you think you're going?"

Daisuke grimaced, and though he was irritated by Haru's attitude, a faint warmth still flickered in his chest at the man's concern. "Suzue said the machine’s fixed. I’m going there," he replied coldly, though not sharply enough to deter Haru.

"No," Haru shot back firmly, his hand poised as if to push Daisuke back onto the bed. "You're in no condition to go anywhere. Get back in bed, now."

Daisuke froze in place, his body trembling from a mix of pain and rising anger. He fixed Haru with a piercing glare: Cold, sharp, and brimming with the authority that usually made people back off. His dark eyes glinted with suppressed fury, and though his body was weak, the aura he exuded was enough to make Haru pause. The old man opened his mouth to speak again, but Daisuke's stare silenced him, a rare flicker of uncertainty flashing in Haru's eyes.

Kato, still standing off to the side, let out a soft chuckle. "He's stubborn, you know that," he said casually, though he didn't intervene, simply watching with his hands tucked into his pockets.

Haru let out a long sigh, rubbing the back of his neck with an expression caught between annoyance and resignation. "Fine," he muttered eventually, stepping aside to clear the way. "But let me help you."

Daisuke didn't respond to Haru's offer. He just moved forward with halting, unsteady steps, ignoring the stabbing pain in his hips with every footfall. Haru sighed again but didn't press further—he knew Daisuke's limits, or rather, knew the man was too stubborn to be persuaded. Meanwhile, Kato trailed behind, hands at his sides, his steps relaxed but his eyes never straying from Daisuke.

The journey to the laboratory felt like a nightmare for Daisuke. Each step made his body scream, but he clenched his teeth and pressed on, flanked by Haru, who occasionally glanced at him with worry masked behind a neutral expression.

Kato, on the other hand, said nothing, walking behind them with an uncharacteristic silence. Daisuke was too focused on enduring the pain to notice, but a part of him found their presence faintly comforting, though he'd never admit it.

When they reached the laboratory, Suzue was already waiting near the time machine, now standing imposingly in the center of the room, its small panel lights blinking in a steady rhythm.

"Daisuke-sama," Suzue greeted with a small smile. "Everything's ready. You only need to give the order."

Daisuke nodded slowly, his eyes fixed on the machine, but his face was grim, a dark shadow in his gaze that he couldn't hide.

Haru, standing beside him, noticed the expression. He saw the tense line of Daisuke's jaw, the way he bowed his head a little longer than usual, and something tugged at his chest, a feeling that Daisuke wasn't truly pleased with this news. But Haru didn't comment. He just crossed his arms over his chest, staring at the time machine with a neutral look, choosing to let Daisuke wrestle with whatever was on his mind.

Kato positioned behind them, didn't take his eyes off Daisuke and Haru. Normally, he'd toss out a sarcastic remark or a light jab to break the silence, but this time he stayed quiet, his gaze filled with something unreadable.

Daisuke finally felt those stares and turned with irritation. "Is something wrong with your head?" he snapped, his voice hoarse but brimming with authority. "Stop looking at me like that."

Kato didn't respond right away. He tilted his head slightly, eyes narrowing as if weighing something. "Did I really find my reason to life in the future?" he said at last, his voice low and more to himself than anyone else in the room. But Haru heard it, and a small, knowing smile crept onto his face, as if he understood where the question was leading.

Before Daisuke could reply, Kato suddenly stepped closer, stopping right in front of him.

"Can I hug you?" he asked, his voice soft yet firm, leaving no room for refusal. Daisuke froze, his eyes widening in shock, but before he could answer, Kato had already pulled him into a tight embrace. Kato's arms wrapped around his shoulders with a warm strength, drawing him into a hug filled with emotion.

Daisuke stood rigid for a moment, stunned, but then something inside him broke. His hands rose slowly, gripping the jacket on Kato’s back tightly, returning the embrace unconsciously. For some reason, a sudden wave of sadness hit him, a loss he couldn't explain. His chest tightened, and his eyes burned, though he fought hard to hold back tears that shouldn't have been there.

"I might miss you," Kato said, his voice quiet but honest, almost fragile in Daisuke's ears. The raven-haired man took a deep breath, trying to mask his emotions with his usual cold tone. "You'd better," he replied curtly, though a faint tremor in his voice betrayed him.

Haru, watching from the side, gave a faint smile. "You'll see him again later," he chimed in casually, stepping closer as he looked at Kato. "I know that because no matter where I am, I always end up meeting him." There was a certainty in his tone, born from past experiences that proved their bond could never truly break.

Kato released the hug slowly, stepping back while eyeing Haru with a half-annoyed expression. "So I'll never be able to escape him, huh? What a shame," he said, his cynical edge returning, though a hint of jest softened it.

Haru's brow furrowed instantly, but it didn't last long. He stepped forward, standing in front of Kato, and landed a light punch on his shoulder. "Oi, listen up, you idiot version of me," he grumbled, his voice lowering.

"Don't let yourself get too bogged down by what's coming. You'll fall, and it'll hurt, but don't let the pain destroy you completely. You're stronger than you think."

Kato stared at Haru with a flat look, then smirked cynically. "Wow, future me loves preaching, huh?" he teased, though a flicker of gratitude flashed in his eyes, quickly hidden.

Haru snorted, firing back with a short retort, "You're just as stubborn as ever."

Suzue, who had been silent until now, cleared her throat softly to draw their attention. "The machine is ready, Daisuke-sama," she said gently, gesturing toward the now fully illuminated capsule. "When would you like to begin?"

Daisuke turned to the machine, then to Kato. He didn't say anything, just gave a small nod as a signal. Kato stepped toward the time machine but paused before entering, glancing back one last time. His eyes met Daisuke's, and a small smile crossed his face: A meaningful's smile, yet tinged with sadness.

"Take care of yourself, rich boy," he said softly, then stepped into the capsule.

Haru stood beside Daisuke, his hand resting lightly on the man’s shoulder. "He'll be fine," he said, his voice low but confident. Daisuke didn't reply, only staring at the capsule as it began to hum and the door slid shut. A bright light flared from the machine, and in an instant, Kato vanished, returning to the world where he belonged, leaving Daisuke and Haru in the quiet of the laboratory.

Suzue, with her characteristic sensitivity, gave Daisuke a small nod before walking away, leaving the two of them in a room that now felt too vast. Daisuke still stared at the now-silent machine, his eyes empty yet filled with something unspoken. His hands clung tightly to his coat, fingers trembling slightly despite his efforts to hide it.

Haru stood beside him, his hand, which had rested on Daisuke's shoulder, now dropping to his side. He glanced at the man from the corner of his eye, noting the tense lines on his face, the way he bowed his head to conceal whatever he was feeling. Haru knew Daisuke wouldn't say anything—he was too proud, too guarded for that—but he also knew Kato's departure had left a void in the young man's heart.

Haru let out a soft, almost inaudible sigh, slipping his hands into his pockets as he searched for the right words. "You okay?" he asked finally, his voice low and cautious, careful not to sound too pushy. He knew the question might be met with a jab or silence, but he asked anyway.

Daisuke didn't answer immediately. He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself, then glanced at Haru with a cold, weary look. "Don't ask stupid things," he snapped, his voice hoarse and defensive, though a faint tremor betrayed his facade.

He turned, intending to head for the door, but his foot faltered slightly as the pain flared in his hips again. He grimaced, his hand instinctively reaching for the nearest table for support, and Haru stepped forward reflexively to help.

"Oi, careful," Haru grumbled, gripping Daisuke's arm firmly but not roughly, steadying him to keep him from falling. "You can't push yourself like this. Sit down first."

Daisuke stared at Haru's hand on his arm, then yanked it away with a swift motion that made him wince again.

"I don't need your help," he hissed, though he couldn’t hide the sweat beading on his forehead or the slight hitch in his breath. He remained standing, though his body clearly wasn't fully cooperating, and Haru just snorted, crossing his arms with a half-annoyed expression.

"You're so damn stubborn, aren't you?" Haru said, his tone a mix of reprimand and an unusual softness. "I know you hate this, but you don't have to pretend to be strong all the time. At least let me help you just a little."

Those words made Daisuke pause. He looked at Haru, eyes narrowing as if trying to decipher the intent behind them, but there was something in Haru's tone, a simple honesty that shook his defenses.

He looked away, staring at the floor, and for the first time that night, he didn't argue. "You're annoying," he muttered softly, his voice lacking strength, tinged with exhaustion and a hint of surrender.

Haru gave a small, warm smile, one that wasn't too overt. "I know," he replied casually, then stepped closer again, this time more carefully. He placed a hand on Daisuke's waist, not forcing, just offering support. "Come on, sit down. You look like you’re about to pass out again, and I’m not carrying you back."

Daisuke huffed, but he didn't resist as Haru guided him to the nearest chair. He sat down slowly, wincing as his body met the hard surface, though a wave of relief soon followed as the weight lifted from his legs. Haru pulled up another chair and sat across from him. Not too close, but near enough to show he wasn't leaving. They sat in silence for a few moments, the sound of their breathing the only thing breaking the quiet. It wasn't an awkward silence, though, more like a necessary pause.

Finally, Daisuke spoke, his voice low and almost a whisper. "Why are you still here?" His steel-blue eyes remained fixed on the floor, not daring to meet Haru's gaze.

The question sounded simple, but it carried layers: Why Haru hadn't chosen to leave, or perhaps why he chose to stay with him.

Haru looked at him, his brow lifting slightly before he smiled again, this time more genuinely. "Because you can't get rid of me, Daisuke," he answered, his tone light but firm with conviction. "Besides, someone's got to make sure you don't die from your own stubbornness. And I don't like leaving you alone."

Daisuke finally met his gaze, his eyes widening slightly in surprise, though he quickly masked it with a soft huff. He leaned back in the chair, letting his body relax for the first time that night.

"You're such an idiot," he muttered, but there was a faint softness in his voice that wasn't usually there.

Haru flinched slightly, then let out a small laugh, the sound filling the room with a warmth that contrasted with the laboratory's coldness. "I know," he replied, standing and offering his hand. "Come on, let's head back. You need some rest, and I'm not listening to your complaints tomorrow if you get worse."

Daisuke stared at the outstretched hand for a moment, then sighed. "This was your fault too, you know." But he still took Haru's hand reluctantly, letting the man help him stand.

Haru grimaced uncertainly. "Ugh, yeah, okay, I'm sorry. I'll make it up to you."

Daisuke smirked automatically. Using his other hand, he pinched Haru's ear, making the older man wince and groan in pain, though it didn't make him let go of Daisuke. If anything, he tightened his grip, ensuring the man hobbling beside him stayed steady.

For some reason, that fact made him smile inwardly. Well, he'd probably miss them later.