Chapter Text
CHAPTER 1.
“Are you sure the rumors are all true?” A man hissed, carefully directing a light kick at the other man walking in front of him. He nudged his head over his shoulder, his short ponytail swishing over his shoulder to fall against his back. “This kid looks as frail as they can get.”
His companion sneered derisively, the scar under his eye looking even more visible. “What, you’re starting to have doubts now? It’s too late for that, imbecile.”
“Wha-”
“-And I am sure of it,” he sighed. “How many fucking times do you want me to repeat myself?”
They started climbing the steep hill. “Don’t worry. No one’s going to find him after tonight.” Smirking as he ended with —
“He’ll make sure of it.”
I. Where it all started.
The unmistakable huffing of horses brought Akaashi back to the world of consciousness as he took in his surroundings with a slight sense of horror beginning in the pit of his stomach.
He had always been a nervous kid, the type to jump at anything with a shadow. It wasn’t surprising, to say the least, seeing as how people of his kind always got into these alarming situations relatively frequent. Especially kids born into royalty like him. But now…
It was as if the very situation he was in warranted it.
He gazed up at the white, silvery mane of a nearby horse and the young prince recalled a memory. He remembered he once rode one with his father last summer, and he couldn't forget how happy he was, carefree and just spending his days in a peaceful daze…
Safe in his father’s presence...
Yet now, Akaashi’s wrists were rubbed raw from the ropes restricting his movements and he winced in pain. After finding himself bound in what seemed to be a small stable, Akaashi tried to make out his surroundings but it was too dark. His usual comfortable sleeping garments were too thin, making him unable to withstand the cool breeze of the night and the rope tied around his wrists that restricted him made it even harder for him to shift his weight to a more comfortable position.
Befuddled, Akaashi could already feel the tears welling up. It almost felt like only a second had passed when he was tucked comfortably in his bed, blissfully drifting off into dreamland, his thick blanket shielding him from the cold of the night.
And now, he was tied up, gagged, with nowhere to go and not even moonlight to aid his vision. He curled up into a ball and held in the urge to cry. Princes don’t cry , he thought to himself scoldingly. You shouldn’t allow yourself to cry, Keiji!
But not one of his classes taught him what to do in this type of situation...As early as the age of seven, Princes like him were taught and bred to act like royalty. They were trained in diplomacy, how to avoid conflict with those nations they must retain good relationships with...a lot of etiquette and court classes...how to handle a sword and protect oneself from surrounding threats.
But what about when you’re taken in your sleep, with not one weapon on you?
If he’d at least had a knife on him...
Then, the sound of footsteps came. Akaashi sucked in a breath in fear as the steps gradually came closer.
Could it be the guy who took him? He clenched his fists and stayed still, frozen in place.
Sounds of rustling sounded and the stable doors steadily creaked open. "Hello?"
That... didn't sound like someone who would kidnap a kid like him. No. It sounded young . "Is anybody there?" It took Akaashi a minute to process what was happening. There was someone who could save him!
Akaashi thrashed around to make noise and the horses in the stable started kicking the walls with their hooves and the kid outside the stable hurriedly opened the stable doors.
"Whoa, what's wrong?" The horse huffed and stared at Akaashi.
The kid blinked and followed the direction of the horse's gaze and was startled to see him, sprawled on the ground, tied and gagged. The boy immediately hurried to him and untied his arms and legs. "Are you okay?!"
Akaashi removed the gag and blinked. He could barely see in the dark but for some reason, this kid's eyes... they were so... " Bright. "
The kid tilted his head in confusion. "Hm? What was that?"
Akaashi shook his head. "It's just, your eyes — they look so bright."
The boy laughed. "It looks like an owl's, right? I get that a lot! It must be weird, huh?"
It was Akaashi's turn to get confused. Weird?
"No. I think they're rather beautiful," he admitted.
The boy only blinked. "I, um. Thank you."
Akaashi gave him a soft smile. "No problem."
He stood up and dusted off his garments, frowning. He didn't even have any shoes on...
"So, what's a kid like you doing in here?"
Then just like that, the reality of the situation started trickling back into his mind, and their shared silence was making the young prince uncomfortable so he decided to change the subject. “You don’t look any older, you know,” he quipped under his breath.
He only puffed out his chest and grinned. "I bet I'm older!" Akaashi didn't get it. So what if he's older?
Akaashi resisted the urge to roll his eyes. He was taught that as a prince, that was a very rude thing to do.
But, he did save Akaashi, so humoring him was the least he could do.
"Okay. Then, how old are you?"
Akaashi watched as the kid scratched the neck of the horse., "I'm ten!"
Ah. So he really was older.
Akaashi sighed and smiled wryly, "I'm only nine. I guess you really are older, um..?" He knew the age of this kid, but not his name. Akaashi now understood the importance of his social etiquette classes.
"Oh!" The kid extended a hand. "The name's Bokuto Koutarou! You are?"
Akaashi took his hand and shook it gratefully. "Prince Akaashi Keiji II. Thank you for helping me."
Then, the kid — no, Bokuto-san — dropped his hand as if he were burned and stuttered, "P-Prince?!"
Akaashi blinked and peered out of the stable doors. "Yes. I... was taken in my sleep," he turned back to Bokuto, his eyes worried, "And I don't know how I'm going to get back home."
Bokuto inhaled sharply. Akaashi looked... so pretty . His curly, ebony locks.. piercing, heavy-lidded gunmetal blue eyes. He didn't realize that the prince was this pretty. To be fair, their only source of light was the open stable doors, and Bokuto really shouldn't even be thinking of this in the first place!
Snapping out of his thoughts, Bokuto took the prince's hand. "I'll take you back!"
Akaashi furrowed his eyebrows. What could they do? They were both children! And what if his kidnapper suddenly came looking for him and hunted them both down?
"You cannot. It's far too dangerous," Akaashi went back to where he was tied up and curled up. "I'm sure Father's knights are already searching for me."
Bokuto's eyes twinkled at the mention of knights and jumped. "No! I'm definitely bringing you home, Prince!"
"Oh?" Akaashi decided to humor him. "Why is that, Bokuto-san?"
Bokuto grinned. "Because knights protect princes!"
Akaashi had to laugh. "Silly. Knights protect princesses . Didn't you read any fairy tales at all, Bokuto-san?"
"Besides," Akaashi leveled him with a stare. "You're not a knight, are you?."
"I could be, though."
"Hm?"
Bokuto strode up to him and extended a hand. "Let me be your knight, Prince Akaashi."
The young prince stared down at his outstretched hand with a keen, skeptical eye that a kid his age shouldn’t even possess, and immediately, Bokuto felt for him. Despite him being a stable hand and a commoner unbecoming of someone of this boy’s stature, he found himself thinking—
Maybe we aren’t so different after all.
And okay. So he might have developed a teeny, tiny bit of a crush on the Prince. Bokuto didn't really think it even mattered, not when Akaashi is this Empire’s actual prince and this was probably their last meeting.
The stables were empty. All of it. The color on the man’s face drained, and his body involuntarily started trembling. They were gone for a mere twenty minutes. How could a kid escape so soon?
His companion came strolling in nonchalantly, standing just two steps away from him. “Hey, what’s up with you? Let’s grab the kid and go.”
“He’s…” he gulped, “not here.”
The other man’s eyes widened in alarm. He barked, “What?” and balked at the empty stables, the dark eyes of the horses residing inside staring mockingly at them. “How?”
He entered the stall where they had kept him captive and kneeled on the ground, taking hold of the remnants of the rope holding his wrists bound and clenched his fist.
The man stood and threw it in frustration, his face marred with barely contained anger. “Fuck!”
His accomplice looked around nervously. “What do we do now? We can’t go to him-”
“This is all your fucking fault!” He roared, brandishing a knife and pointing it at the other man. “If you had stayed put like I told you to, this wouldn’t have happened!”
He cowered under the intensity of the scarred man. “But you also ordered me to secure our ride, didn’t you?”
The scarred man only pointed the knife closer to his neck, a strip of blood trickling down his neck. “Do you know how I got this fucking scar, huh?”
His furious eyes glowered down at him. “ He did this, and he’s going to do it to you, too. Maybe even worse.”
“We need to get that kid back.”
As Bokuto carried Akaashi on his back down the hill, his weight felt like a wistful reminder that this was certainly not an illusion nor was it a dream. Taking silent steps as they continued their journey into the night, a steady breath over his ear made him shiver. Not wanting to disturb the Prince’s sleep and to not alert unwanted company, Bokuto practiced perseverance and kept his movements light and steady.
A rustle sounded from his left and Bokuto immediately held in his breath to look around his surroundings. Suddenly, it was silent. Too silent.
To avoid any potential onlookers, he continued the trek through the town slinking into shortcuts and alleyways he had been frequenting. That way, they may barely escape the remaining threats that would undeniably follow his sleeping companion.
Bokuto couldn’t believe his own words. A boy born with nothing to his name, only the clothes on his back and the distant dreams he had been replaying over and over in his head as he laid back on his makeshift bed every night, had the gall to act high and mighty in front of the prince of his empire, swearing to be his protector, if only for a night.
A wry smile made its way onto his lips. Even as he himself thought of it now, it was and sounded ridiculous.
So, the universe may have to forgive him for giving into his desires for but a moment. Standing inside the spacious and ornately-decorated room after their little excursion in town, Bokuto kneeled by the young royalty’s bedside after he tucked him into his bed and took a hold of his limp hand that laid silently on his stomach. With the moon outside of the silver-gilded windows his sole witness, he leaned in and brought the back of his hand to his lips before pressing a soft, clumsy kiss onto his skin.
“I can’t promise to protect you again, but…” he smiled sadly. “I promise to be your knight, always.”
Whenever you need it.
With the rest of his childish promise unspoken, Bokuto left him and jumped out the window.
The only trace of him was the searing kiss on the back of his hand, and the sole flower lying innocently by the foot of his bed.
II. Until we meet again.
The King was relieved to see his son tucked fast asleep in his bed the next morning.
Akaashi groaned at the touch on his forehead and blearily blinked open his eyes, "Mother?"
His mother the Empress pulled her son into her arms and sighed in relief, her eyes filled with emotion. "My star. Where were you last night?"
Akaashi appeared reluctant to answer. How could he even describe what happened last night? But nonetheless, he decided to answer with honesty.. "I was taken in my sleep," he confessed.
“Taken?” The Empress gasped and his father's expression hardened. "Who was it, Keiji?"
Akaashi only shook his head. "I do not know, Father..."
The Emperor looked troubled and alarmed, squeezing his son’s shoulder. A grim expression flickered across his face before it melted into one of silent relief. His mother looked equally disturbed, eyes welled up with tears.
"My poor child." his mother snuggled him closer, swathing him further under the blanket. "You must have been so scared. How did you get back?"
Akaashi found himself smiling as his mother continued rubbing the back of his hand in comfort. "I was saved by a knight."
Long after his parents had vacated his room, the young prince found himself smiling at the white iris in hand, the face of his savior flashing through his mind.
Until we meet again.
That dawn, two men were captured by the Palace guards and put into prison.
To no one’s surprise, they chose to keep their mouths shut, refusing to spill the grim details of their crime. As a result of their foolishness — for causing harm to the Crown Prince, the young light of the Empire — both were put to jail for the remainder of their days.
Until they were put to death in the town square for all of the people to see, beheaded on the grounds of harming the future Emperor.
It was a long time before anyone would attempt to kidnap the young royal again...but that was a story for another time.
On the outskirts of town, Bokuto happily went through his usual routine, cheerful and enthusiastic as ever. Like nothing significant had just happened. As if he hadn't just saved the crown prince from imminent danger last night and took him home to the royal palace where he belonged.
The horse he was looking after, Fuku, neighed and stomped his hooves indignantly.
Laughing, Bokuto gave him generous pats, "Yes, of course. Your food is ready."
"Koutarou?" Bokuto looked up at the sound of his name.
"Iwai-san?" The man smiled. "There's someone here to meet you."
The next thing he knew, Bokuto was sitting on a beautiful white horse, on the way to the palace. He didn't know why, but the Emperor wanted to meet him. Him , a lowly orphaned stable boy. But, why? He didn't know about... the stolen kiss , right?
Oh my god, he could have known about it. Poor Bokuto started trembling in nervousness. The Emperor always had eyes looking. It wasn't unlikely. But, he was only a ten-year old. Surely, His Majesty will spare him. He meant no harm with that kiss, after all! He just really liked his son.
Which meant he had to be careful during this important visit. Bokuto reminded himself to never look at Prince Akaashi.
Even though he had done nothing to warrant it, Bokuto had expected to be met with hostility and a few unfriendly gazes. How else should he be accepted after what he did to their crown prince without his permission ..?
But upon arriving at the palace, young Bokuto was met with the loud blaring of trumpets and a line of men covered in silver armor. The Knights!
Bokuto looked around in amazement. Despite the earlier uneasiness, he started feeling at ease. He was welcomed...The kids his age that were among the crowds peered up at him in awe, eyes screaming envy.
Bokuto puffed out his little chest in pride. Ignoring his earlier surprise, he chose to savor the moment instead. Yeah, he was feeling pretty amazing.
But, that feeling only lasted until they got to the throne room's door. Bokuto inhaled deeply. This was it. He chants in his head, ‘No looking at the prince..’
The most important thing was to act with respect.
The guards opened the door and led Bokuto to the middle of the room and in front of the royal family, the Empire’s most powerful couple sitting side-by-side on their thrones, looking down at him with keen eyes.
And the prince...He shifted his gaze to the boy standing next to his father, his smile almost blindingly bright. As if he hadn’t seen it, Bokuto averted his eyes from him, and biting his lip, he kept his head down.
Bokuto fiddled with the hem of his ragged clothes, feeling insecure in the old rags he called clothing. He could feel a familiar piercing gaze on his face, but Bokuto resisted the urge to look back. Not in front of the royal family.
Akaashi frowned in disappointment to himself. He didn't want to be friends with me after all?
The Emperor stood from his throne and opened his arms, beckoning him forward, "Raise your head, child.We welcome you to the Rodanian Palace."
The guards flocking him had all gone on their knees, head bowed.
Bokuto immediately followed their cue, not wanting to appear even more clueless than he already appeared to be. “Your Majesties…”
"Be at ease," The Emperor said, a gentle smile on his face. "Stand tall! You have done us a great deed!"
The Empress stood from her throne and walked down the steps to reach Bokuto, gently lifting his chin, "Thank you, dear. Without you, our prince would've been in tremendous danger. We are eternally grateful for your bravery." Bokuto felt his cheeks redden.
Shaking his head, Bokuto muttered, "I only did what was right, Your Majesties."
The Empress giggled. "My, what great manners you have." She turned to her husband, eyes imploring. "Can't I keep him?"
Bokuto flinched. Me? Live in this palace?
The Emperor guffawed, noticing his confusion. "My Empress, you are starting to scare the boy!"
The Empress looked back at Bokuto, smiling. "So, what is our little hero's name?"
Bokuto shyly looked down and peered up at her under his lashes. "It's Bokuto Koutarou, Your Majesty."
She nodded in acknowledgement, taking his tiny hands in her own. "And what does our little hero want in return?" Bokuto blinked. In return? For what? The Imperial couple patiently waited for him to answer, but Bokuto just didn't understand. What did they mean?
"I don't want anything," Bokuto murmured.
The Empress blinked. "Surely you must want something! You’ve done us a great deed, after all!"
The Emperor sensed the hesitance in the boy and added, “Gold? Honor? Anything you want, the sovereign is willing to provide you.”
The Empress pursed her lips thoughtfully. “Then, shall we start with something simple for now?” She hummed. “What about toys? Surely you are fond of playing, are you not?”
Toys, huh? Bokuto loved playing as much as the next kid, but... He shook his head, "I can't afford to play, Your Majesty. I'm sorry."
Akaashi was confused. He was so sure that Bokuto was the type who loved playing. He was such a cheerful, eager boy... he was definitely the type to have many friends to play with. So unlike him, he thought wryly. So, why?
The Empress voiced her concern, "What do you mean, little one?"
Bokuto replied in a tiny voice, "Because I have to help the other kids."
She inhaled sharply. "Kids?"
Bokuto bit his lip. "I help take care of horses in a small stable so we can have enough to eat in the orphanage, Your Majesty," he explained. "It was where I found the Prince tied up."
She gasped and turned to the Emperor, "My Emperor!"
The Imperial lord cleared his throat. "Then, what about this, boy?"
Bokuto looked up at his Emperor and was greeted with a warm smile, "What if I promise to help your family and all other orphanages, to make sure they are living okay?"
Bokuto's eyes widened in happiness and he nodded enthusiastically. "I would really like that, Your Majesty!"
The Empress smiled happily, bringing a hand up to cup her cheek. "It's the least we can do for you. And for the other kids. We're very sorry, little one. I didn’t know..."
Bokuto bowed his head and kneeled on one knee. "We are really grateful, Your Majesties. Thank you."
The Emperor ordered him to stand and Bokuto clambered onto his own two feet, momentarily catching Akaaashi's gaze before turning away in a hurry.
Akaashi looked down, ashamed. He really doesn't want to be friends with me anymore.
His father cleared his throat before calling out, “Kentaro?”
A man in a crisp suit stepped up and went down on one knee, “Your Majesty.”
“Call for a meeting with the Treasury,” he ordered, his voice dark. “I must get to the bottom of this before it gets out of hand.”
His servant bowed. “As you wish.” He scurried off to carry out the royal’s order and left the room as fast as he had appeared. Bokuto was immediately intimidated. These people were scary...
Then, the Emperor looked thoughtfully at him and said, "I have another offer to make to you, boy."
Bokuto snapped out of his thoughts at that.
"How would you like to be trained in knighthood?"
Him? A knight?
Bokuto blinked and breathed in deeply. "Me?"
The Emperor nodded. "You certainly have the courage and aptitude for it.” He reached for his son’s shoulder and gave him a pat. “I’ve heard from the Prince you carried him back here, safe and sound, and you’ve proven your capabilities to that extent, but are you up for the challenge, my boy?"
Bokuto has always dreamed of becoming a knight. Someone people looked up to. Someone who could protect the ones he loved. It was no question that Bokuto wanted it, but could he do it? He’s just a stable boy...Is it really okay for someone like him, who didn't know the first thing about being a knight?
"You would have to undergo rigorous training, but don't worry," the Emperor added, "I assure you that you will be trained by the best of the best."
"Why me, Your Majesty?" Bokuto blurted out. Why a no-name, scrawny commoner boy like him? What did he have to offer to the empire? His cheeks burned with embarrassment at the thought.
He was practically a nobody…
The Emperor looked at him and hummed, "Because someday, I want someone who can protect the future of the empire with his life. Someone worthy to stand by him, who I can trust." The Emperor leveled him with a familiar piercing stare.
He knew then. Akaashi must have gotten it from his father.
"Bokuto Koutarou, would you devote yourself to the Crown Prince of Rodinia?"
Before he knew it, he was down on one knee, a closed first over his chest, uttering the word “Yes”.
There was no going back now. He was going to be a knight.
After stepping out of the Throne Room, Bokuto released the breath he was holding in and sighed deeply. Did that just really happen?
The guards kindly started leading him away, only to stop in their tracks.
"Bokuto-san!"
The boy turned back in surprise to see the crown prince doubled over on his knees, panting harshly.
The guards hurriedly straightened up, bowing their heads low. "Your Highness."
Akaashi only waved them off. "I need a private audience with the Emperor’s guest, if I may."
The guards looked amongst themselves, gauging the situation, before every one of them hesitantly nodded. But instead of leaving, they decided to keep their distance and stand guard.
Bokuto bowed his head, a hand over his chest. "Your Highness."
Akaashi did not hesitate to tell him off. "Please, spare me the honorifics. You don’t have to bow either."
What? That can’t be okay… He blinked. "Then, how should I address you..?"
The prince smiled, "Just don't call me with my title. Please. That is a little..."
Then, he peered at him through his lashes. "If you still want to be friends, that is?"
Bokuto felt the beat of his heart quicken and his cheeks turned red. "O-Of course! Then, uh, Akaashi?" The knights in their vicinity looked startled, but Akaashi only nodded, satisfied.
"Yes?"
"Will you be my friend?" Bokuto grinned, extending a hand. He waited patiently as the Prince stared down at his hand.
Akaashi smiled and took his hand. "It would be my pleasure, Bokuto-san."
III. My regrets.
There was a loud bang. Hurried, shuffling footsteps. A familiar voice in distress. Then came a faint touch on his cheek, the palm smooth, warm and soothing…
"Bokuto-san! Why? Why did you do that?" He was crying. Why was he crying?
He heard himself say "I'm okay..."
"No, you're not!" The prince cried. "You're bleeding!"
Akaashi... Akaashi... don't worry about me.
He felt himself smile. "But I've trained for this for years, Prince Akaashi..."
"It’s Akaashi for you."
"Your Highness-"
"Shush," Akaashi held his hand, eyes worrying, "Please save your breath. I promise you'll be okay."
Bokuto found himself sitting up despite his bleeding shoulder. Akaashi immediately protested, but Bokuto remained stubborn. "I am fine, Akaashi."
"You are not!"
"We should hurry," he interjected, determined. "Your safety is the priority right now."
"What about yours?"
"I would lay down my life for you if I have to, my Prince," Bokuto answered earnestly.
Akaashi looked back at him, his expression painted with anger and frustration.
"Are you so excited to die that you would willingly surrender your chance at life?" Akaashi glowered at him, his eyes an unusual gold. "What about your ward? The people you will leave? They will be absolutely devastated!”
Bokuto can’t find a response.. He hasn't really thought of it that way…
Knighthood really didn't leave them any room to think of things in a different light. All he was taught was to protect the Prince's life at all cost. To die for him was an immeasurable honor.
But Bokuto seemed to have forgotten one tiny detail.
Akaashi grabbed a hold of his hands and declared, "You are my one and only friend, Bokuto-san. I don't want to think about you possibly dying in the future because of me. You promised to protect me, yes," the Prince sighed. "But, please. Think of yourself too."
It was that the Prince would never let him do that.
Bokuto gasped, sitting up in his bed, sweating. He looked out the window of his modestly decorated bedroom, the sun light leaking through the curtains.
Rubbing his eyes, Bokuto groaned aloud. "That dream again, huh?"
Why did he keep seeing that memory?
That was already years ago. Prince Akaashi was once again kidnapped in the middle of the night — during his fourteenth birthday ball, no less! — and was brought to a desolated farmhouse in the outskirts of the Empire.
Thankfully, Bokuto was on his way back to the palace from his weekly visit to the orphanage and saw them. Of course that didn't guarantee the Prince's safety just yet. Back then, Bokuto was still a squire, with only five years of training under his belt, lacking in experience and training.
A squire spent most of its days attending to his master knight, after all. He barely got any experience in battle as it is.
As much as he hated to admit it, he was inadequate. He was not enough to shield his master from harm.
But, they were too far from the Palace. As far as he knew, there weren’t any knights nearby that could help. If he had chosen to send for someone to help, he may be too late.
So, he had to believe.
His Prince's life and his pride as an aspiring knight to one of the most important people in the Empire was on the line. If he failed, there would be no second chances. There was no room for errors.
Thankfully, Bokuto swiftly managed to sneak into the farmhouse undetected, immediately moving to free the Prince from his bonds.
Akaashi was relieved to see him, yet he could also see a glint of worry in his eyes.
Bokuto immediately felt the need to rise to the challenge. He successfully disarmed four out of the five men on guard. The last of the men remained unseen.
It was his fault. He was too complacent and he let his guard down.
Bokuto turned back to see a man behind Akaashi, creeping up behind the prince as he raised his sword, about to swing down and slash through his skin and bone. He rushed to push the Prince away from harm and took the blow.
By Rodania's grace, Bokuto was not heavily injured, but he was losing a lot of blood and fast. Akaashi... that was the first time Bokuto has seen Akaashi look so angry.
The Crown Prince was known for his poker face. He has never, ever let his guard down. Never let himself be vulnerable in other’s presence.
He was taught to, of course. People like him won't get anywhere if they didn't act the way they needed to. It was dangerous, and Bokuto himself knew just how nasty it was in the Royal Courts. Aristocrats seek one another for greed. Careless about the lives of others.
It was the job of the Imperial Prince, along with the Emperor and Empress, to keep their greed bound. It was wise for people like him to put on a facade — a mask to protect himself from harm.
That time, Akaashi chose not to. Not when they’re under such a dire situation. He was too worked up to keep up a false pretense.
Without hesitation, Akaashi rushed up to him with a horrified yell. “Bokuto-san!”
And that was when Bokuto realized. Ah, I mean something to him.
The injury ended up being just a deep wound, and as soon as they were found by the palace knights, the relief in Bokuto's bones weighed him down and he passed out. The last thing he remembered was the prince calling out to him desperately and a sudden, blinding white light.
The next time he opened his eyes, Akaashi was by his bed. He had looked so relieved.
Bokuto had placed a hand on his scar and lightly grazed it with his fingertips. He sighed.
He was ready to meet his creator that night, and yet...
That incident was the last time Akaashi had gotten to see what it was like outside the palace walls.
Immensely worried and protective of their son, the Imperial couple banned him from ever going out to town again. Bokuto understood, of course. For a kid like Akaashi, to get kidnapped so many times. It must have been terrible.
Now, every time he went outside of the walls, Bokuto found himself feeling guilty. He could freely go out and enjoy the town, no care in the world. He knew it wasn't his fault, but if he just had been there with himIf he had been stronger. Maybe Akaashi wouldn't have to suffer the consequences of the incident.
Maybe the empire would have gotten a chance to see its Prince once more.
Bokuto yawned and stretched out his arms.
It’s been five years since, and time has been kind to Bokuto. He had graduated from being a squire into knighthood. He is now twenty years old, and has gotten better at sword fighting. Bokuto had never let himself lose to anyone since he’d turned seventeen.
All of the Empire knew his name, and he was better than ever.
Grinning to himself, Bokuto got off his bed and rushed to make preparations. It wasn't long before he heard a knock on his door. "Who is it?"
"Bokuto?" Oh. It was the Prince’s personal attendant and aide, Konoha. He hurriedly threw open the door and grinned wide. "Yo, Konoha!"
The attendant looked around before grinning. "Hey."
"What's up? You normally don't come here."
"His Highness called for you."
"Oh, really?" Bokuto picked up his uniform, "I'll be over in a bit then."
Looking in the mirror one last time, Bokuto fixed up his hair. Gotta look perfect for the Prince. Wait. Bokuto stopped in place, biting his lip, "Stupid Koutarou. What the hell are you even thinking?"
Like the Prince would even care how you look. You see him everyday.
IV. Hidden desires.
Akaashi stood in front of the wall-length mirror and reached over to card his fingers through his messy, dark locks, sighing. It was no use worrying over something unfixable. For some reason, his bed head just never went away, no matter how many times he brushed it down.
Before he could grab his book of choice for the day, a knock sounded from the door. “Your Highness?”
He resisted the urge to roll his eyes and called out, “I told you to call me ‘Akaashi’ when we’re alone, Bokuto-san.”
Bokuto opened the door and grinned sheepishly. “Sorry, Akaashi.”
Akaashi shook his head and picked up his book. “Care to join me in the garden?”
“Eh? Don’t you have classes today, Your- I mean, Akaashi?” Bokuto trailed off at Akaashi’s stern stare.
The Prince nodded, satisfied. “I don’t have classes today. Ittetsu-san had important things to get to. Let’s have morning tea at the garden today.”
Bokuto couldn’t say no. Not when Akaashi gave him such a look. “Okay.”
They sat in silence. Everyone who knew him knew that Bokuto wasn’t one who thrived in silence. In fact, he hated it. As a child, he would always find ways to fill in the silence. It was easy in the orphanage. There would always be kids running around, their loud voices carrying through the walls. It was comforting, and it always made him feel like he was home.
Outside, he would hum under his breath as he worked or would look for sounds in his surroundings and zoned in on it — like the rushing of water in the nearby river or the huffing of horses in the stable he used to work in as a child.
He shifted his eyes in the direction of the Prince, staring at him silently. Strangely enough, sitting with Akaashi under the shade of the dome-shaped gazebo in the royal garden in silence filled him with ease and warmth. He liked it.
Akaashi sat in front of him, a hand curled around a book, his other hand coming to turn its pages. His brilliant gunmetal blue eyes flitted through the leaves of pages, looking even more beautiful under the early morning sunlight.
“Bokuto-san?”
Bokuto snapped out of his reverie and cleared his throat. “Yes?”
Not noticing anything wrong with his behavior, the young royal asked, “Do you have training with the others today?”
Blinking, the knight nodded. “Yes. In the afternoon.”
“Would you reckon the Royal Guards would mind if I trained with you all?” He calmly asked.
Bokuto hummed thoughtfully. “I don’t think the Commander would refuse. He really likes you.”
Akaashi smiled wryly. “He’s obligated to.”
“Hey!” Bokuto frowned and folded his arms in front of his chest, pouting. “Everybody in the Palace loves you! What are you saying? Don’t you know how the grannies in the kitchen dote on you? They always make sure your tea and dessert for the day are healthy and tasty!”
Akaashi chuckled. “That’s their job, Bokuto-san.”
“Well, I like you and I’m not obligated to!”
Akaashi sighed resignedly, a smile on his lips and muttered, “I hope not…”
Bokuto blinked. “Hm? Did you say something, Akaashi?”
He shook his head, smiling softly. “It was nothing, Bokuto-san.”
He didn’t know it would be this hard to focus with Akaashi around.
The Prince was dressed in his training clothes, the white top loosely covering his chest and his brown britches clinging tightly to his shapely legs. Having such dangerous, unfriendly thoughts about him wasn’t right.
But his eyes veered toward the Prince once more, and he gulped. Why did it feel so...
He watched as Akaashi put down his sword and wiped the sweat on his brow. Even sweaty, the Prince managed to look good.
He really needed to get over this century-long crush. What started as innocent puppy-love was turning into an attraction that was getting way out of hand. Not only was it a breach of his oath, but a knight crushing on his Prince? That spelled trouble in so many ways.
“Bokuto-san.”
Bokuto whipped his head around in a hurry and almost got whiplash.
Akaashi stared at him in surprise. “Are you okay? I’m sorry if I surprised you.”
“Oh,” Bokuto laughed, waving off his Prince’s concerns. “No, no! I’m okay! What was it that you wanted, Your Highness?”
Akaashi stared him down, looking skeptical and concerned. “Are you sure?” It went without saying, but the prince stared at him meaningfully. You can tell me anything.
Bokuto nodded, composing himself as he pulled on a boyish grin. “I’m okay. Please do not worry yourself, Your Highness.”
The Prince’s cheeks filled with color, and he averted his eyes, clearing his throat. “Okay, if you say so, Bokuto-san. I just wanted to ask whether you’d like to spar with me?” He peered up at him under his eyelashes almost coyly and Bokuto knew there was nothing in the world that could make him say no.
It was unfair how gorgeous he was.
“So, when are you going to tell him?”
Akaashi looks up from his book and feigns innocence. “Tell who what?”
“You know what I am talking about.”
“I certainly do not.” Konoha shoots him an incredulous look. “Then, please enlighten me.”
He clarified, “Tell Bokuto you love him.”
Akaashi sighed. “I will tell him no such thing.”
Konoha rolled his eyes, pouring him a cup of tea. “But you’ve been in love with him for years now! You already liked him before I came along to serve you!”
With a practiced grace that only royalty liked him could maintain, Akaashi decided to deflect and avoided the subject. “Bokuto-san and I are fine. And it will remain that way.”
“But, why?” Konoha asked, exasperated. “Don’t you want to at least let him know how you feel?”
“My feelings are...my own. It does not have anything to do with Bokuto-san. Bothering him is the last thing I want to do,” Akaashi answered calmly, putting the cup against his lips and sipping an acceptable amount. “I deeply value our friendship.”
Bothering him? He thought unbelievingly. Konoha had the sudden urge to slam his own head against the wall. “Uh-huh. Okay.”
He sighed. “Why do you even care, Konoha-san?” For all the years Akaashi’s known him, Konoha has never been this vocal about this subject before. Normally, he would just tease and move on.
The first time Akaashi met his nineteen-year old attendant, he was only ten. Konoha Akinori, an eleven year old boy tasked to attend to his needs, took one look at him after Bokuto left the room and said, “Do you like him?”
Akaashi remembered his heart beating rapidly, his schooled expression and the words he said that day...words that spoke of feelings that he couldn’t deny any longer. “Yes.”
Konoha only nodded and said nothing more. It was the first time he had ever confirmed the feelings he had been forcibly burying hidden in the depths of his mind, so for someone who he just met, realizing his feelings and accepting them without second thought was something that Akaashi greatly appreciated and valued.
Konoha shrugged. “I just want you two to be happy.”
“And we are.”
“Look me in the eye right now and tell me that you don’t want anything more with him.” Akaashi chose to not give him a response.
Konoha sighed. “Your Highness, I didn’t want to meddle, but I know how you feel and how he makes you happy. As if being stuck in this place isn’t enough to make you all miserable-”
He interrupted, “Pardon me but I am quite alright, Konoha-san.”
“You say that now…” the servant trailed off.
“Everything is fine,” Akaashi muttered under his breath. “I have to be.”
Konoha sighed. That’s the thing — he didn’t have to be! “Your Highness…”
“You can leave now,” he said dismissively.
As Konoha stood by the doorframe looking at his charge’s sullen-looking posture seated on his plush chair, he thought to himself, something has to change. If he’s not going to do anything, then I will.