They say their farewells to one another in private. Whatever else they may be, they are both men of their respective countries’ custom, and a public excess of affection between them would be wildly inappropriate on either side of the globe.

“You’re coming back to England,” Barok says. It isn’t a question.

“I’d like to.” Ryuunosuke means it, but there is so much work to be done at home.

“You’re coming back to England,” he repeats. “Or you should expect me to invade.”

He doesn’t give Ryuu a chance to protest, kissing him with a tongue that tastes like wine.