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After a long day of studying the ruins, Shuichi Saihara made his way back to his small home in the Kingdom of Clow. He greeted the picture of his deceased uncle, waving at it fondly and talking about the progress of his studies, then started to unload his gear for the evening.
However, he was interrupted by his favorite person bounding through the door.
“Hiya Shumai! Did ya miss me~” Kokichi bounded in, latching his arms around Shuichi and hanging off of him like a koala.
As he’d gotten used to the other’s antics over the many years he’d been in this Kingdom, he merely chuckled, “Of course, your highness! I am always happy to see you.” His smile was tired, but genuine all the same. Having Kokichi around always took the stress away from the hard days.
However, there was still one part of their relationship they’d yet to get past. “Ko-ki-chi! Say it, Shuichi! Ko! Ki! Chi! Not ‘your highness’!” The little pout given might have been worth saying the wrong name every time.
“Ah! I’m sorry, your- Kokichi! I just don’t want to overstep-”
“Nonsense! You and your uncle have been excavating here for many years! We were practically raised together. Hmph!” He sat on Shuichi’s bed, huffing and crossing his arms playfully.
Still Shuichi just smiled at him and went back to putting everything away, happily enjoying the silence that lulled between them.
After a few minutes, Kokichi finally took a deep breath, causing the taller man to turn around confused. “Hey, Shuichi? I’m lonely!”
That absolutely took him by surprise, and was about to apologize before the smaller man continued. “Nishishi~ Juuuust kidding! Shumai is working so, so hard all on his own since his uncle died. I wouldn’t take him away from his studies!”
A moment passed where he tried to think of a response, but finally said, “I miss you, too. You’re right. It’s a little lonely.” Leaving a wonderful blank face upon the prince’s face where a playful grin previously was.
“Y’know, Shu?” He was quiet, a little tense, unlike his normal self. It caused Shuichi to come in close to listen. “There’s something I… really wanted to tell you…
“I… lo-”
Suddenly, two loud bells rang out. A knowing call from Kokichi’s older brother, the king, to return home at once and that he’d been out too late. When the prince let out an angry ‘UGH’, Shuichi couldn’t help but giggle - until he realized that piercing, violent eyes were trained on him.
He gulped and sat up straight watching intently as Kokichi got up and walked out the door saying, “We’ll talk again tomorrow, okay Shumai?” Then gave a sad wave before closing it behind him.
Shuichi blushed, getting up to start his dinner. All the while thinking, These emotions I’m feeling… can never be. Right, Uncle? We may have grown up together… but he’s still a prince.
-x-
As he returned back to the castle, Kokichi stomped right up to his older brother, King Rantaro, to give a piece of his mind. “Interesting timing with those bells, Ranran. Almost like you were watching me~?” There was still a lit of confusion at the end of his voice, like he wasn’t sure if Rantaro had done it on purpose or not.
But the green haired man just smirked and looked down at him, “Oh? Did I interrupt your time with the twerp?”
“He’s not a twerp! Don’t call him that!” Kokichi puffed out his chest, standing tall. “What would you know about him anyway!?”
“Enough.” The king smiled, petting his younger brother’s head. “Besides, I just found out today that they discovered something in the ruins! And they’re gonna need the whole team to dig it up. So your precious sand-boy is going to keep digging.” A piercing to Kokichi’s heart. “And digging.” Another. “And digging.” And another.
Angry, heated, knowing he was being messed with - Kokichi simply smirked, gritting through his teeth, “Why that’s toooootally fine with me! Shuichi loves studying those ruins so he’s going to be so, so happy to have more to explore,” before walking away with a demonic smirk, many evil schemes to pay back his brother up his sleeves.
Suddenly a tired sigh rang out from the royal advisor who just walked up. “Honestly, Rantaro. I wish you would stop picking on him so much. He’s gonna rebel against you one day.”
Rantaro looked to his side, eyeing Keebo playfully. “You and I both know I have nothing against Shuichi. But… I can’t stand him.”
“That’s a contradiction, Ran.” Keebo said affectionately, walking to his side. “We both know what’s really going on. You don’t want to let your little brother go.”
Clicking his tongue, the king walked to the balcony, overlooking the large, strange protrusions growing out of the vast sandy desert. Slowly, he relaxed, taking a few breaths. Keebo had followed him, of course, and stood by his side, patiently waiting. “Tell me, Kee. With your powers to see the future, are they still-”
“No matter how many times you ask, it won’t change. Yes, they are fated to be together. Destined for one another. However, the two of them have adversity waiting ahead - adversity like you’ve never seen. Your brother has powers even I don’t understand; ones that could change the world.”
At that, Rantaro lifted his head, somber, but not-pleased. “And that same power will bring on adversity.” He said, looking to Keebo; desperately hoping to hear something new today.
He didn’t.
Keebo instead shook his head, “Many hardships will come to pass, but I believe in them. And you should too.”
Knowing that would be impossible for the overprotective brother, Keebo merely took his hand, and led him away.
-x-
Sitting in his room, lying on his bed, Kokichi kicked his feet irritated, stringing a list of curses about his brother. Once he was tuckered out, he relaxed, happy to have the vent out of his system, and made his way to his own balcony. He looked out at the city, specifically at Shuichi’s shack where he lived alone ever since his uncle passed.
After finally working up the courage to do so, he was finally going to confess his feelings today. Curse his brother for his near-omnipotent magical abilities sometimes. However, Kokichi didn’t want to get angry again, so he let out a deep breath and instead focused on the lovely idea of sneaking out - provided Rantaro or Keebo didn’t catch him.
He could go over to Shuichi’s and confess and then snuggle and maybe even kis-
A clear tone started to ring out, catching Kokichi’s attention. In a flash, he felt himself being called to it - noticing it was over by the ruins. The sound overtook him, and without realizing it he started to float in the air. Visions started to flash in his mind: Multiple cities of differing architectures, a large glass cylinder, an emblem of an unknown wing-like design, and an emblem on a man’s chest. The last thing was an image of Shuichi looking at him with desperate eyes, trying to save him - but absolutely unable to.
When he came to, he was back on the ground - like it had never happened at all, and looked out towards the ruins one last time cautiously before going to bed. .
-x-
The next morning, Shuichi got the news that they were clear to dig deeper in the ruins, and he did so, inspecting and looking around at the large inside temple with unknown markings. On the centerpiece of the floor sat a large, pressed in circle, with two large wings that fanned up and out in both directions.
Truthfully, he knew they weren’t from this kingdom, but he had no idea where they originated from, and wanted to spend the day researching them.
Suddenly, he was taken out of his thoughts by Kokichi leaping onto him once again, shouting his name happily and grabbing him in a hug.
“Your highness!? What are you doing down here? It’s dangerous you shouldn’t-”
“Kokichi!” Said namesake put two hands on his hips and looked at Shuichi angrily, seeming to wait for the other to apologize before immediately changing to a smile. “Rantaro is here on inspection! To make sure everything is safe as we keep going, and I tacked on myself~” The way Kokichi was looking at him happily made him blush, having the selfish thought that maybe the prince had joined in just to see him.
To cool himself down, Shuichi immediately began returning to work, telling Kokichi (he made sure to say) a little about his job in the process.
Though, when the smaller man looked at the wings etched into the ground, he started moving forward. Shuichi hadn’t noticed - too into his speech - but heard the other’s soft voice say, “This here… I saw it last night.” Which caused him to panic.
The prince was on the ground in the circle, on his hands and knees as he touched the markings. A bright white light started glowing through all of them, and Kokichi’s pupils disappeared - leaving what looked like an empty husk of a human behind.
Before Shuichi could speak, or move, or help, the husk stood up, looking directly at him, before floating up in the air - going higher and higher. Its eyes turned the same color white, and two wings matching the emblem sprouted from its back. What looked to be hundreds of feathers spanned open wide, taking up the entire space and blinding the taller man, before each individual one flew off and away in a multitude of different directions.
Now devoid of flight, Kokichi started falling back to the floor. Shuichi lept to catch him safely and held him tight, lingering just a moment before turning and running. He found the king fairly quickly and explained the entire situation as fast as he could, knowing full well what Rantaro’s reaction was going to be.
Though he could see fire in those green eyes, Keebo interrupted them both, walking over to the frightened peasant and touching his head. “I have read your memories and need you to trust me on this, Shuichi. The prince’s wings have taken flight and you’re the only one that can help.” At first, the king looked like he was going to fight, but backed down surprisingly quickly and obediently, much to Shuichi’s shock.
His new look said, ‘Fix this - Twerp.’ Which sent a determined, albeit terrified, shiver down his back, and he nodded quickly.
“The wings and the prince’s heart are one. All of his memories, from the moment he was born until now, have vanished. They are no longer on this world.” Shuichi couldn’t believe what he was hearing - but anything, anything to save Kokichi was worth the risk. He nodded along, listening intently. Understanding, Keebo continued, “I am sending you to the one they call the Space-Time Witch. Tell her everything. Beg her to help the prince.” Magic surrounded them, and Keebo gave one last smile and wave before they vanished completely.
With the prince cradled in his arms, Shuichi took on the magic, making sure to keep a straight face, making sure only to think of saving his beloved. His fingers tightened around the husk, a silent promise that he wouldn’t leave without their heart.
A tall woman with long blue hair awaited them, and she looked at them with a neutral, maybe even plain expression.
“Are you - the Space-Time Witch!?” Shuichi screamed, to which she gave a nod and a slight vocal affirmation.
That was all he needed.
“Please!” He screamed, gripping onto the cold skin of the man he loved. “I need you to save Kokichi!”