As Nakajima instructed the crew to leave the room, the atmosphere shifted—an almost palpable tension settling thickly in the air. Ryu stood at the edge of the bed, his gaze fixed on Yuuki, who appeared flustered and vulnerable, confusion clouding his bright blue eyes. The sight stirred something deep within Ryu, memories of his own innocence flooding back—memories he had tried so hard to suppress.

Feeling a surge of responsibility surge through him, Ryu stepped closer, his heart pounding with mixed emotions. He reached out to release the wires binding Yuuki’s hands, but before he could make contact, Yuuki suddenly lunged forward, wrapping his arms around Ryu in a desperate embrace.

“Please don’t do this! I’m scared. I promise I will do whatever you want,” Yuuki pleaded, his voice trembling, weighted with fear. The fervor in his words struck Ryu like a lightning bolt, jolting him out of his conflicted thoughts. He had not expected such an impulsive reaction, especially from a boy who had shown so much defiance just moments earlier.

Without thinking, Ryu returned the embrace, wrapping his arms around Yuuki in a protective gesture. The warmth of the boy’s body against him was overwhelming, and he felt the tremors shaking Yuuki from head to toe, raw emotions bursting forth as Yuuki clung tightly to him, a lifeline in the storm of chaos. After a moment, Ryu gently pulled back, wanting to assess Yuuki’s well-being. It was then that he noticed the boy’s feet—swollen and bruised from his earlier from his escape attempt.

“Come on,” Ryu said softly, shifting into a more nurturing role as he carefully lifted Yuuki into his arms. He aimed to ensure that the boy felt secure while being mindful of his discomfort. Ryu felt a surge of protective instinct, a stark contrast to the dark motivations that had driven him thus far.

Yuuki hesitated, instinctively resisting for a moment, fear flashing across his features. The memories of their earlier confrontation replayed in his mind, leaving him anxious and unsure of Ryu's intentions. He felt the weight of unknown threats looming as he clung to the vestiges of his autonomy.

Noticing the tension radiating from Yuuki, Ryu’s voice shifted, taking on a sharper edge. “It’s okay,” he said, his tone cold but steady, trying to quell the boy’s fears. “I’m just going to guide you to the bath.”

“Come on,” Ryu said softly, shifting into a more nurturing role as he carefully lifted Yuuki into his arms. He aimed to ensure that the boy felt secure while being mindful of his discomfort. Together, they made their way to the bathroom, the transition from captivity to safety a juxtaposition of emotions within him.

The bathroom was an oasis of stark luxury, the marble surfaces gleaming under soft, warm lighting. Ryu set Yuuki down gently on the edge of the bathtub, his movements tender and purposeful. “I’m going to help you clean up,” he said, trying to instill a sense of calm despite his own racing heart.

As Ryu reached for the hem of Yuuki’s ripped shirt to help him out of it, he paused, acutely aware of the intimacy of the moment. With a steadying breath, he pulled the fabric over Yuuki's head, revealing the boy’s flushed and alluring skin underneath. The sight stirred an unexpected possessiveness within Ryu, a reminder of the chaotic events that had unfolded thus far. It should only be him to touch and embrace that body, he thought, feeling a fierce longing ignite just beneath the surface of his intentions.  Gently as his hand began to work on the underwear aware that boy’s feet still swollen and bruised from his earlier event, his eyes reflecting a fierce longing for the vulnerable skin now revealed.

 “Let’s get you cleaned up,” Ryu said softly as rolled up his sleeves, trying to convey reassurance even as a myriad of emotions churned inside him. He could feel the weight of the boy’s trust—and vulnerability—pressing against his conscience.

 He turned on the shower, adjusting the temperature to ensure it was warm and inviting. The gentle sound of water cascading down filled the room, providing a calm backdrop to the palpable tension that remained. Ryu stepped closer, maintaining a respectful distance but the urge to reach out and touch Yuuki surged within him like an uncontrollable tide. The raw vulnerability of the boy—still shaken from the events that had transpired—ignited something deep inside Ryu, pulling at him with an intensity he struggled to suppress.

 “Can you stand?” Ryu asked, cautiously reaching out to assist. Yuuki nodded, albeit hesitantly, and with Ryu's support, he carefully positioned himself beneath the warm spray.

 As the water poured over Yuuki, Ryu couldn’t help but notice how the boy’s features softened under the warmth, the remnants of fear beginning to wash away with each droplet. Ryu grabbed a cloth and lathered it with gentle soap, feeling the weight of the moment as he prepared to assist Yuuki.

 “Just relax,” Ryu murmured, his voice low and soothing. He began to gently wash the boy's arms, moving carefully to avoid causing any discomfort. The mundane act of bathing took on a deeper significance; it was an intimate yet cautious gesture of care in the wake of what had occurred. In that moment, Ryu felt both drawn to and tortured by the sight. He could feel his heart racing as the primal urge to step forward and press himself against boy fighting against the knowledge of the chaos surrounding them. He couldn't forget what had brought them here; he couldn't allow that desire to cloud his judgment.

Swallowing hard, Ryu tried to focus on the task at hand. “Let me know if you need anything,” he said, his voice steady but filled with underlying tension. He resolved to keep his distance, knowing that losing control would only lead to further complications—complications he was not ready to confront.

Yuuki, still beneath the warm cascade of water, seemed to gain a bit of his confidence back. “Why are you doing this?” he asked, his voice slightly muffled by the sound of water. The question hung in the air; a challenge wrapped in vulnerability.

Ryu hesitated, he weight of Yuuki’s inquiry bearing down on him. “Because it’s necessary,” he replied, keeping his tone neutral. Yet internally, he grappled with the truth of the matter—was it necessary?

Yuuki looked at him, water streaming down his face, the mixture of defiance and fear still evident in his gaze. The boy's spirit was undeniable, and rather than intimidating Ryu, it stirred a protective instinct within him. As the tension thickened in the air, Ryu was struck by a powerful realization: he was simultaneously the captor and the protector, part of an unjust play that neither of them had chosen.

As Yuuki finished rinsing off, he stepped back from the warm cascade of water, the droplets still clinging to his skin, glistening as they caught the light. For a brief moment, their eyes met, and Ryu could see the flicker of shyness wash over the boy's face as he realized just how exposed he was.

Yuuki instinctively grabbed the towel, wrapping it around his body in a hurried motion, the fabric clinging to him in a protective embrace. He could feel the heat rising in his cheeks, an overwhelming vulnerability flooding his senses as he tried to shield himself from Ryu’s gaze. Ryu stood by the door frame, arms crossed, observing him with an intensity that made Yuuki’s heart race.

For a moment, he felt exposed, but he pushed the feeling aside and mustered the courage to speak. “What should I wear?” he asked slowly, his voice timid under the weight of the situation.

Ryu’s mind raced as he took in the boy's predicament. He quickly realized that Yuuki's clothes had been torn during their earlier confrontation, leaving him without proper attire. “This will do for now,” Ryu said, lifting his coat from a nearby hook that he placed earlier on and offering it to Yuuki. The coat was warm and enveloping, a stark contrast to the chill of the lavish surroundings. Yuuki accepted it, grateful yet still apprehensive. Under the towel, he felt the fabric against his skin—soft yet weighty. “You can wear the same pants you had on before,” Ryu added.

As they moved out from the bathroom, Ryu instinctively lifted Yuuki into his arms, wanting to ensure the boy felt secure. But as he offered the pants for Yuuki to put on, he was met with resistance.

“I can do it myself,” Yuuki insisted, a flicker of determination sparking in his blue eyes. Ryu felt a mix of pride and frustration at the boy’s insistence, but he respected Yuuki’s desire for independence.

“Alright, just... be careful,” Ryu replied, setting Yuuki down gently on the bed, giving him space to put on his clothes. Yuuki's fight against the situation reminded Ryu of the fierceness hidden beneath his vulnerability—a determination that made him both admirable and heartbreakingly fragile.