Chapter Text
“Tooru, I’m sure you know why I’ve called you in.” The king’s voice sounded tired, bringing the smallest twist of guilt to the prince’s stomach. Tooru knew this would be the same lecture he’s gotten almost monthly since he turned twenty.
“Yes, father. I think by now I could recite this talk by memory.” Tooru teased gently. He knew his father was getting older, and with getting older came getting more impatient with his heir. His beard was more gray than brown these days, and he certainly blamed those gray hairs on his child.
The king sighed, rubbing his forehead with exasperation. “What will it take for you to marry? You’re twenty-four now, and the time for you has long passed. I keep sending women to you, but you turn them all away.” For different reasons than his father’s, Tooru was also tired of having the same conversation over and over.
Only, the prince couldn’t tell his father that he can’t choose a woman because he’s in love, madly, deeply, in love, with his servant. A loveless marriage wasn’t unheard of for royalty, but Tooru couldn’t even stomach the idea of pretending to enjoy having a woman by his side. She would be in the way of his relationship with Hajime. And the worst horror of them all, Tooru would be expected to have at least two children. Just the idea of having to mate with a woman made him gag.
Tooru’s list of excuses were running thin, but being truthful would never be an option. Maybe in a hundred years or so they’d be more lucky. “You know, I don’t think all of this is suited to me. Marriage, children… The throne.” Tooru bit his lip, mentally preparing for his father’s reaction.
As expected, the king’s expression turned sour, eyebrows pulling together to wrinkle his forehead, and his voice terse. “You can’t simply decline to become king.”
Tooru squirmed in his chair; the last thing he wanted was for his father to force the issue. “What about Takeru? He’s plenty old enough to be an heir, now. I know he is my sister’s child, but there’s no throne waiting for him. He could have mine.” Tooru’s hands clenched into fists in his lap. “I… Have many shortcomings and insecurities that would not befit a king. Our country deserves better than what I could provide. You know I never cared to learn everything that I should have.” The king couldn’t dispute that part, at least. Tooru was a stubborn, disinterested, and distracted child, and loathed anything regarding preparing to be king.
There was a long silence, and the king sighed before speaking once more. “It seems this conversation isn’t going to go in my favor no matter how many times we have it. I will consider the options before we speak on this matter once more.” His sharp eyes let Tooru know that he’s not free, not yet. Tooru is excused, and he leaves his father’s quarters, shutting the door behind him with his own sigh.
Tooru took a deep breath, shaking his hands and arms as if to physically shake the anxiety out of himself. Despite having the marriage talk many times, it always left him feeling a bit rattled. Tooru took his time going to his own bed room, politely nodding to subjects as he does. Some servants were preparing for night time, cleaning and such. Tooru knew that Hajime had already finished his duties for the day, and would be waiting for Tooru, hopefully in his bed. With a smile, Tooru headed up the stairs to his chambers, a smile growing on his lips as the sour mood from his prior meeting melted away.
The prince flung open the door, hoping to leap into his lover’s arms, but the room appeared to be empty. With a frown, Tooru closed the door behind him. “Hajime?” He called, being answered with some splashing sounds from the bathing room. Tooru bounded over to that side room, eyes finally finding the object of his affection. Hajime was pouring water into the tub.
“Ah, perfect timing.” Hajime smiled at his prince. He’d gotten quite good at predicting how long the king would keep Tooru, and so he decided to prepare a bath for when Tooru returned. He added some flowers and fragrance to the bathwater, per Tooru’s preference. Hajime set down the water bucket, smoothly stepping over to Tooru in the middle of the room.
Hajime kissed Tooru without hesitation, feeling the prince’s lips curl into a smile. Tooru’s tongue dared to turn the kiss deeper, but Hajime pulled away before he could. Tooru pouted, but Hajime ignored it as he started to undress him. “How was it this time? Did he give up on you, yet?” Hajime asked, feeling a little nervous himself. He never knew if the king would give up on Tooru choosing a woman and choose one himself, and that uncertainty came with worry.
Tooru sighed as Hajime pulled his tunic up and off of him. “Not yet. But it seems like he’s finally going to consider a future where I am not the heir. He said he would, at least.” That made Hajime feel a bit more at ease.
“I keep telling you to say that no woman on earth deserves to be subjected to your abysmal personality.” Hajime taunted, and Tooru jabbed him in the chest in response. Tooru pulled off his own trousers and undergarments, stepping into the tub. The warm water enveloped him as he sank down, relishing in the comfort after a long day.
Tooru reached a wet hand out to tug on Hajime’s top. “Hajime, even though your words wound me more than any sword could, would you join me in this bath?” He had a soft smile on his lips, one he knows that Hajime can’t resist. With a roll of his eyes, Hajime stripped down and stepped into the bath as well. The bathtub was large, but since the two of them were tall, it was still a bit cramped. Even so, they had done this hundreds of times and never once cared if their knees bumped.
Hajime didn’t mind that his spine was pressed up against the wall of the tub. All he could do is stare at his prince, taking in his handsome features, both strong and soft at the same time. He wondered if Tooru could ever have any idea of how much he loved him. His love felt impossibly vast, and sometimes he worried his heart would give out before it could keep up.
“Hajimeee.” Tooru cooed, pulling Hajime from his love-struck thoughts. Hajime also loved the way Tooru called him, his name feeling perfect in that soft mouth. Tooru leaned forward, kissing him with that mouth that drove him wild. “You were looking at me like that again.” Tooru teased, enjoying the handsome blush that creeped up Hajime’s neck.
“Shut it.” Hajime frowned, splashing a little bit of water in the prince’s direction. Tooru giggled, another thing that Hajime loved. It was a small, joyful sound that only he was blessed enough to hear. Deep down, they both had the lingering hope in their back of their minds that they would get to have moments like that for years to come.
After their bath, they dried off and before Hajime could slip into bed, Tooru was kissing him again, lips carrying a hint of urgency and anxiety. They parted, and Hajime brought a calloused hand up to Tooru’s cheek. “Are you all right?” He asked gently. Tooru was always amazed by Hajime’s incredible ability to know his heart.
“I’m well. I just don’t want to ever lose this.” Tooru answered as he brought his arms around Hajime’s strong shoulders. “I want to be with you like this for as long as I live. I want to wake up with you every morning.” Tooru squeezed as he felt Hajime’s arms hold his waist. “I want to chaff with you every day. I want to kiss you every time you frown. I want to be just like this until the day I die.” Tooru’s heart swelled in his chest as he said the things he knew Hajime knew, but things he had never said out loud.
Hajime’s heart was in his throat as he nodded. “I wish for the same, even your taunts.”
Tooru laughed at that, lips finding Hajime’s once more. “I love you so dearly.” Tooru whispered as they laid down together, still clinging to one another.
“You are my greatest treasure.” Hajime replied softly. “And even if your father decides against your wishes, I will never leave your side.” Tooru wondered if this great amount of love would ever stop growing, and he hoped it wouldn’t. Tooru wouldn’t even care if his father banished him from the kingdom if it meant he still had Hajime.
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The next day, Tooru was called to his father’s quarters once more. When Tooru entered, the king was turned, gazing out of the window.
“Hello, father.” Tooru greeted, dipping his head in a slight bow.
His father turned to him, “I will be brief.” He started, pausing to clear his throat. “I will be pursuing Takeru as the next heir to the throne. However,” he added, before Tooru could get too elated. “Should he perish, you will be expected to be the successor.”
Tooru’s knees felt weak, and he felt like he could finally breathe. “Father- I- Thank you.” He bowed, attempting to hide his pleased face.
His father sighed and made a small chuckle. “In the end, I never could hold my ground with you. I don’t think your wild heart would be suited for the throne.”
Tooru laughed as well. “I’m glad you see it too.” His father wanted to keep chatting, but Tooru was too antsy. He excused himself, trying to contain his excitement as he rushed out to the stables where he knew Hajime would be, where this love started in the first place.
Tooru found him in a small fenced area, brushing a young foal. Hajime greeted him respectfully, eyeing the prince curiously.
Nearly breathless, Tooru knelt in front of Hajime, his dear, beloved Hajime. “I’m free.” He whispered, watching Hajime’s expression melt into joy. Tooru cursed the face that they were outside where people could see them; all he wanted to do was embrace Hajime as tightly as he could and kiss him until he couldn’t hold his breath any longer.
Hajime’s heart pounded in his chest. Tooru would be his forever, and his heart would belong to Tooru as long as it still beat, and possibly even longer.