Hunted, Held, and Healed

It had been a long day for Claude. As he stepped out of his office, his secretary handed him a bouquet of red roses.

"Jasper again?" he asked, taking the bouquet without much thought.

The secretary nodded.

Claude glanced at the attached card. "Attention: Jasper," he read aloud. A faint sigh escaped him as he walked down the hallway toward his locker. It was only when he was changing out of his scrubs that he turned the card over—and froze.

Under the dim light, strange symbols shimmered across the paper, appearing and disappearing as if they were alive.

"A riddle?" he murmured, intrigued. Slipping the card into his shirt pocket, he stored the bouquet in his locker, got dressed, and left the hospital.

He had just driven past the hospital gates when something—or rather, someone—landed on the hood of his moving car.

Claude applied the brakes forcefully.

The impact sent a jolt through the vehicle, but the figure clinging to the hood raised both hands in surrender.

"I'm fine," said Ru, grinning as he straightened up.

"Lirui?! What the—how did you—" Claude rushed out of the car and pulled Ru down from the hood, checking him over.

"Relax, I'm okay," Ru said, adjusting the straps of his backpack as if nothing had happened.

"Why would you do something so reckless?" Claude demanded. "We need to get you checked out."

"No!" Ru stepped back, shaking his head. "I'm fine. No needles, please."

Claude exhaled slowly, then turned to wave off the concerned onlookers and the approaching security guards.

Ru gave him an expectant look. "I just want to get in your car and leave with you."

Claude hesitated for only a second. "Alright. Get in."

Ru wasted no time sliding into the passenger seat and buckling up. "Let's go."

Claude got behind the wheel, still trying to process what had just happened. "Where exactly are we going?"

"I want to move in with Vaelan. Permanently," Ru said.

Claude glanced at him. "You're hurt."

"Forget the injury," Ru muttered. "Just drive."

Shaking his head, Claude started the car. "At least let me take a look later."

Ru rolled down the window. "Turn on some music."

"Let's talk first," Claude countered, deliberately driving at a slower pace.

Ru frowned. "Fine, but stop crawling like a turtle."

"I'm just making sure you don't have a concussion," Claude said, ignoring the complaint.

"I'm perfectly fine. I just don't want to live with my aunt anymore."

"Why?"

Ru hesitated. "If I tell you, you'll admit me to the hospital."

"Maybe I won't," Claude said, keeping his voice calm.

"Maybe?" Ru eyed him suspiciously.

"But," Claude added, smirking at him in the rearview mirror, "I could treat you at my private clinic."

"Wow, so you're rich now," Ru scoffed, flipping through radio stations. "If I can afford a private doctor—"

His words cut off as his eyes darted to the side mirror. His expression darkened.

"Oh no. They're coming."

"Who?" Claude asked, glancing at the mirror.

A motorcycle was weaving aggressively through traffic, moving straight toward them.

"Damn it, speed up!" Ru urged.

Claude frowned. The rider's movements were erratic, almost unnatural. His instincts told him to be cautious, but Ru's urgency pushed him to press the gas.

Heise, perched somewhere unseen, let out a disappointed sigh as he pulled the strings of his motorcycle puppet.

"Ah, my eternal one," he murmured, watching Claude through the puppet's eyes. "So you'll abandon your precious principles and risk a traffic ticket for him, huh? Fine. Let's play."

"Traffic cops," Claude muttered, noticing flashing lights ahead.

Ru didn't seem fazed. "You're rich. You can pay the fine."

"Lirui, this is not about money," Claude said through gritted teeth. "It's about principle."

"If that motorcycle catches up, you'll see what principles are worth," Ru shot back, turning the music to full volume.

Claude's grip tightened on the wheel.

Heise smirked. "Let's see how much you're willing to risk for him, Claude."

Claude maneuvered the car expertly, weaving through traffic just enough to keep the motorcycle at a distance without outright breaking the law. But the rider was relentless, drawing closer with each turn.

Ru clenched his fists. "They're still following us."

"I see them," Claude muttered. He took a deep breath, calculating his next move—when suddenly, the motorcycle wobbled violently.

Ru's eyes widened as the rider's hands jerked unnaturally, as if yanked by an unseen force. The motorcycle swerved, barely avoiding an oncoming truck, before abruptly skidding to a stop on the side of the road. The engine died.

Claude seized the opportunity and made a smooth turn down a quieter street. The danger was gone.

Ru let out a breath. "What just happened?"

Claude kept his hands steady on the wheel. "I don't know, but I'm not complaining."

Meanwhile—

Heise felt the strings in his hands snap. His connection to the puppet vanished in an instant. His head jerked up, panic flashing in his eyes.

No.

His fingers twitched as he tried to reestablish control, but it was already too late. His puppet—his beautifully crafted motorcycle rider—was gone.

And he knew exactly why.

A slow, mocking clap echoed through the dimly lit room.

"Oops," Jasper's voice drawled from the doorway. He twirled a small, intricate marionette between his fingers, a smirk playing on his lips. "Looks like I stole your toy."

Heise turned sharply, his usual confidence momentarily cracking. "Jasper."

Jasper tilted his head, his wine-red eyes gleaming with mischief. "Honestly, love, you've been so distracted lately. I figured I'd remind you how easy it is for me to take things from you."

Heise narrowed his eyes. "Give it back."

Jasper laughed. "Now, now. Didn't anyone teach you to ask nicely?"

Heise took a slow step forward, but Jasper twirled the puppet again, and with a flick of his wrist, the strings connecting him to his creation vanished.

Heise clenched his jaw. "You're playing a dangerous game."

Jasper's eyes glowed red. He stepped closer, pressing a gloved hand to Heise's chest. "Oh, love, I don't play games. I win them."

With that, he leaned in, brushed his lips lightly against Heise's cheek under the beak of the mask, and vanished into the shadows—taking the puppet with him.

Heise exhaled sharply, his heart pounding in a mix of anger and something else entirely.

"Damn, Jasper!"

Damn how much he still wanted him.

Meanwhile—

Under the neon city lights, the ride is over. Back in the quiet hum of the underground parking lot, Claude pulled into his usual spot and turned off the engine.

Ru blinked, looking around. "A parking lot full of the latest model vehicles? Wow!"

"There are people who are financially better off than me," Claude said simply.

Ru frowned. "You live here? I thought doctors were overworked and underpaid."

Claude smirked. "Not this doctor." He got out of the car and walked around to open Ru's door, but Ru had already stepped out. The moment he put weight on his leg, however, he winced.

Claude caught him before he could stumble. "See? You're hurt."

Ru groaned. "I told you, it's nothing."

Claude ignored him and looped an arm around Ru's waist. "Come on."

Ru let out a dramatic sigh but didn't resist as Claude helped him toward the elevator.

The ride up was smooth and silent. The doors slid open to reveal an apartment that looked straight out of a magazine. The floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the glittering city skyline. The living room was sleek and modern, all dark marble and soft lighting, with furniture that looked both expensive and untouched.

Ru let out a low whistle. "Damn. This place is insane."

Claude guided him to the couch. "Sit."

Ru raised an eyebrow. "Yes, doctor."

Claude sighed, shaking his head. "Stay here. I'll get the first-aid kit."

Ru leaned back, crossing one leg over the other. "This is really unnecessary, you know."

Claude returned with a sleek black first-aid kit, setting it on the coffee table. "Humor me."

Ru rolled his eyes but extended his arm when Claude reached for him. The doctor was methodical as he rolled up Ru's sleeve, revealing a deep scrape along his elbow.

Claude's fingers were warm, his touch careful as he cleaned the wound. He remained silent, yet Ru sensed the intensity of his gaze, the deliberate furrowing of his brow, and the tightness of his lips as he focused.

Ru watched him. He didn't think Claude would be this gentle.

"There," Claude murmured, carefully wrapping Ru's elbow. His voice had softened, as if speaking too loudly would hurt Ru.

Ru smirked. "You're so serious."

Claude met his eyes, and for a moment, there was something unspoken between them. Something warm.

Then Claude reached for Ru's leg.

Ru flinched. "Hey, hey, no need to go that far."

Claude ignored him. "Lift your pant leg."

Ru hesitated before sighing and rolling up the fabric. His knee was swollen and bruised.

Claude's jaw tightened. "You call this 'nothing'?"

Ru shrugged. "I've had worse."

Claude exhaled through his nose. "You should ice it."

Ru leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand. "Or... you could kiss it better?"

Claude looked up at him, his expression unreadable. Then, to Ru's surprise, he leaned in.

Ru's breath hitched.

But Claude only kissed his forehead.

Ru blinked.

Claude pulled back, a small smile playing at his lips. "There. Better?"

Ru's face burned. "That's not what I meant."

Claude chuckled, standing up. "I'll get the ice pack."

Ru huffed, but his heart was pounding.

He watched Claude walk away, and for the first time in a while, he felt something settle inside him. Something safe. Something warm.