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From what he could remember, this place was huge – way bigger than the house he lived in. Why was there such a big house in the first place? Do people even need a house this big to even live in? He had too many questions the moment he walked through the huge gate but didn’t dare ask. He was holding onto his father’s hand tightly, more concerned with how long they have been walking through this absurdly and unnecessary long hallways. But his eyes then met with two guards standing by two huge double doors at the end of the path.
“Ah! Kuroo-san!” One of the guards give Kuroo’s father a bow, “Are you here to see the King and Queen?”
“Yeah, I’m bringing my son to meet the Young Master.” He motioned to Kuroo standing beside him. They both nodded, opening the door and Kuroo immediately winced at the two figures in front of him. He immediately ran to hide behind his father’s legs the moment they entered the room, his tiny eyes scan how huge this room was.
Kuroo knew his father worked as one of the King’s closest advisors, working alongside General Nekomata who was in charge of the military. Kuroo knew he should be bowing down or greet the two rulers of the Kingdom but he was distracted. His father never did tell him of the pair of golden eyes staring back at him as he hid behind the Queen’s gown.
“Oi Tetsurou, go greet their majesties.” He felt a soft pat on his back but Kuroo couldn’t hear him. In front of him right there was two shaky eyes staring back at him.
“Kenma, you should greet Kuroo, too” The Queen chuckled, turning back to him but could see Kenma was also too busy staring at Kuroo.
“You got funny hair.” He murmured and Kuroo blinked.
“And you can talk.”
“Oi, that’s rude!” His father laughed, “Tetsurou, that’s his royal highness, Kozume Kenma. He’s the crowned prince.” He introduced, “he’s only a year younger than you.”
“That’s right! Tetsu-kun is quite close in age, isn’t he?” The King grinned, “Maybe you two can go play with each other for a while? Kenma does need some friends his age.”
“Just because we’re close in age, doesn’t mean-” Kuroo flinched, noticing Kenma was pushed up towards him. Kuroo froze, watching how Kenma was fidgeting with his shirt.
“Y-Your name?”
“Ha?” He grunted at the light smack to his head.
“Don’t speak so rudely to the prince!” He heard his father hissed.
“W-What’s your name?” Kenma repeated, not meeting his eyes. “Y-You know mine…”
‘And I should get to know yours too.’ Kuroo could hear the remaining of the sentence before nodding, gulping.
“Kuroo Tetsurou.”
Kuroo fidget nervously as the two stood in the middle of the playroom. Of course their parents left them so they could make friends. But really, what do they expect? Just because they’re close in age doesn’t mean they’ll be friends immediately. He’s even surprised that there’s not even a butler in here to tend to the prince.
“So um…” Kuroo broke the silence. “H-How should I address you? Kozume-sama? Kozume-san?”
Kenma scrunched up his nose in annoyance, shaking his head. “Just Kenma is fine.”
“So Kenma-sa-“
“Just. Kenma.” Kenma cut him off and Kuroo blinked, nodding. “And I’ll call you Techuro.”
Kuroo blinked. “H-Ha?”
“I said Techuro… That’s your name, isn’t it?”
“It’s Tetsurou. Tsu!”
Kenma furrowed his brows. “That’s what I said.”
“No, you said chu, not tsu.” Kuroo shook his head but then he couldn’t help the blush creeping up his face. Within their first hour of meeting, Kuroo concluded two things about the young prince: One, he’s very cute and second, he’s surprisingly very expressive and his annoyed face has to be Kuroo’s favorite. But now, he had one more thing to add the list; his butchering of his name.
“You’re annoying.” Kenma puffed up his cheeks but really, Kuroo really found it more adorable than intimidating. “I’ll just call you Kuro.”
Nope. That was the death blow. Kuroo wasn’t ever going to correct the young prince. Nope. Nuh uh. That was cute and Kuroo will keep it that way.
Kuroo Tetsurou ran down the giantic hallway of the Nekoma castle, a huge grin on his face. He had waited patiently for a whole week for Friday afternoon to come. From now till Sunday night, he would get to stay in the Nekoma Royal castle to be with his favorite person in the world. He ran down hallway and immediately spotted a guard standing outside his destination. Upon hearing his rapid footsteps, the guard turned to the side with a smile.
“The Young Master is inside, Tetsurou-kun.” He informed, opening the door and Kurooo beamed, nodding excitingly. He walked inside, glancing around the library before booking his way towards the most hidden part of the room.
He poked his head out and there in the corner, snuggled up comfortably in the small pillow fort was the current crowned prince of Nekoma. Of course he had his nose stuck in a book. Kuroo couldn’t remember the day where he wasn’t reading.
“Oi Kenma!” He shouted, running over and ignoring how the young boy jumped up in surprise. He whipped his head up, his eyes widen in panic.
“K-Kuro…”
“Come on! I came to play!” He grabbed onto Kenma’s hand, yanking him up. “Let’s go outside!”
“Dun wanna,” Kenma struggled to fight back, “I was reading.”
“Was!” Kuroo smirked, “And now you are not. You’re going to play swords with me!”
“This is a kidnapping. I’m calling Haruka.” Kenma threatened.
“Such threats don’t work on me, Kenma-kun.” Kuroo hummed, managing to pull him out of the fort. “I had to suffer through a whole week of school waiting just for today. And this is how you treat your best friend?”
“Not my fault…” Kenma looked away. He yanked his hand back from Kuroo and crawled back into his fort. He knew Kuroo would just give up and join him anyway.
He was right and the advisor’s son crawled into the fort, snuggling up besides the young prince. Kuroo let out a small yawn, deciding to ask what Kenma was reading and listened to him. He would ask occasional questions but for the majority of their time together, they would spend it in silent. Before he knew it, he had fallen asleep with his head rested against Kenma’s shoulder, breathing soundly while the prince read through his book in silent.
After their first meeting, it took them a few more meetings for the two to get comfortable with each other. For a while, Kuroo would either watch Kenma read a book or listen to him suggesting a book for Kuroo to read and borrow. But Kenma then gave in, asking if Kuroo wanted to do something else and regret all of his life’s decisions instantly when Kuroo dragged him outside to play swords.
“I don’t need to know how to use a sword when I have guards with me, Kuro!” Kuroo remembered how the young prince was obviously annoyed. But he ignored him and taught Kenma anyway.
“You two sure don’t ever separate…” The King smiled as he encountered the two young boys walking down the hallway. “Tetsu-kun, you’re like Kenma’s own bodyguard.” He commented.
Kuroo beamed, putting his hands on his hips and grinned widely. “I am, your highness! My life belongs to Kenma, after all!”
“Oi!” Kenma hissed, smacking his chest and Kuroo winced, turning to him.
“W-What? It’s true!” Kuroo rubbed the sting away, oblivious to the shock expression on the King and his father’s faces. “My goal is to become the Royal Guard and then get assigned to become your personal guard!” He openly declared.
“Don’t be stupid.” Kenma quickly stomped away and Kuroo immediately followed. They ran past their fathers, completing missing the fond smiles on their faces as they watched their sons run off.
“Guess I don’t need to worry much now.” The King chuckled, walking away.
“Here… For you…” Kenma chose to stare at anywhere but at his target beside him.
“H-Ha? Why? It’s not my birthday, yet…”
“Cause you’re going to do an exchange in Fukurodani for a week on your birthday… Might as well give this to you now.” Kenma murmured, daring a glance at his friend. “Besides… Turning 15 is… Big…”
“I don’t see how me turning 15 is any different…” Kuroo accepted the present and pulled the ribbon. He could see Kenma was nervous, fidgeting and playing with the hem of his shirt. Kuroo smiled, reaching for his hand and hold onto it tightly. “Oi, don’t be so nervous. I could never hate getting anything from you.”
“I know…” Kenma relaxed his shoulders a bit and watched Kuroo resuming on opening the small box. He lifted the lid and stared at the shiny pendant staring back at him. Kuroo recognized the pattern. It could be seen on the clothes Kenma would wear all the time – the Royal Family crest that was sown proudly on his right chest. It could also be seen on any other Royal servants, guards or even advisors, on their left, right over their heart to show their loyalty to the family.
But this was completely different. It was an actual pendant. Kuroo doubted he had ever seen anyone with it before. He picked the metal chain up carefully, watching the pendant dangled as he lifted it up.
“K-Kenma…” Kuroo blinked, turning to him. “I can’t possibly take this! T-This is… I’m not even a royal nor am I a knight. This is too much!”
“But I want to give it to you.” He frowned, “You’re my closest friend, Kuro. And I want to give you something that represents that.” He turned to his hands, playing with the hem of his shirt. “So I want to give you something special… For being by my side for so long and for treating me like an equal, not a royal…”
Kuroo stared at Kenma in silence, listening to the low whispers from the prince. He glanced back at the pendant and back to the prince before a huge grin was plastered on his face.
“You know you don’t need to give me something just so I would stay by your side. I already told you, my life belongs to you!” He declared, “you know I’ll never leave you. You’re my most precious person!”
“Sap. You sound like you’re confessing your love to me.” Kenma murmured, using his long hair to shield his face, completely missing the way the blush grew on Kuroo’s face. Kuroo choked on a breath, covering his mouth.
“S-Sorry… But what I said is true though…”
Kenma murmured something under his breath, turning away to hide the growing heat on his cheeks as well.
Kuroo glanced at Kenma before turning back to the pendant. The pendant was truly beautiful and Kuroo could tell, Kenma poured a lot of thoughts into it. This was custom-made for Kuroo only and he could see the personal touches from the small sword engraving along with his name. He turned the pendant around, looking at the smooth silver with a date on the back. But why does the date look so familiar?
“Kenma…” He missed the way Kenma jumped slightly, turning to him. “T-The dates on here… Was it when we first met?”
“Yeah…”
“B-But how do you even remember… You were barely 4-” Kuroo blinked.
“I have to ask my parents, of course.” He murmured, “Obviously, I was too young to even remember the date… But I still remember that day very well. The day where I met a boy with really strange hair.” He smiled slightly at the offensive gasp from his friend.
“My hair is my pride and joy!” Kuroo gawked.
Kenma turned to him, pointing at the messy hair. “It’s a bird nest.”
“It is not!”
“Is too.”
“Is not!”
Kuroo couldn’t help but to stare at the pendant again for the 2nd night now. He had just left for Fukurodani but he cannot stop thinking about that day. He had accidentally confessed his love for the prince and Kenma called him out on it. But how could he help it? He was truly madly in love with the future King and he hated himself for it. Kuroo groaned, putting the pendant back under his shirt as he buried his face onto his palms, muffling his scream.
“Tsk. Kuroo is having his ‘I-miss-the-young-lord’ phase again…” A voice groaned in annoyance, eyeing and watching how Kuroo was breaking down in front of him.
Kuroo huffed, looking up, “What? Is watching me suffering something you enjoy so much, Yakkun?”
“Yes, very much. It brings me so much joy.” Yaku nodded and Kuroo growled. “But what annoys me is how much you keep staring at that pendant he gave you.”
“What? It’s sentimental! Kenma never gave me a gift with so much value…”
“And you miss him already.” Yaku added, seeing how Kuroo wasn’t denying that. “Oi you big wuss, why not just confess?”
“Ha? Are you nuts? I can’t possibly just go up to the future King and ask him to be my lover!” Kuroo growled.
“Kuroo, I love you and all but for the past 5 years of knowing you in the academy, I’m getting really sick of listening to you talk about the Young Master.” Yaku rubbed his temples, “You just sound like a hopeless idiot in love.”
“Now, Yaku. Just let him figure his feelings out. I’m sure he’ll be fine in the long run.” Kai smiled from the sideline. Very much enjoying this.
“But knowing I’ll be working in the same place as him just makes me want to claw my eyes out…”
“Don’t worry, he has 5 days left to figure out his feelings.” Kai grinned and Kuroo groaned in annoyance. This will definitely be a long week.
Kuroo was already suffering through the camp, confused on his feelings for the prince. What he definitely wasn’t expecting was to see an entourage visiting the Fukurodani academy while he was in the middle of sparring.
“Kuroo!” He vividly remembered hearing Yaku and Kai shouting his name as he felt a hard blow on his torso. He hissed at the pain, collapsing on his knees, his sword dropped in front of him.
“O-Oi, are you alright? You should be lucky we’re using wooden swords…” His sparring partner walked over to check on him.
“Doesn’t mean it lessen how much damage you just did to my guts, Bokuto.” Kuroo groaned, thinking he might have damaged an organ or two. He will definitely feel it tonight.
“That was careless of you…” Kuroo whipped his head up, he froze as he made eye contact with Kenma.
“Why are you here?”
“Hm… I wonder.” Kenma pondered for a moment, “Definitely not here to see my so-called self-proclaimed personal guard to get a fatal blow to his torso.”
“He self-proclaimed the most important role for a Knight?” Kuroo recognized the messy-haired person walking up next to Kenma – the crowned prince of Fukurodani, Akaashi Keiji. And Kuroo could tell he definitely just ruined his first impression on the prince.
“Right? He has such a big ego.”
“Oi! That was uncalled for!” Kuroo stood up before wincing, hissing at the sting on his waist. “Sheesh Bokuto, you’re a hard hitter.”
“Well… I knew you’d block my attack… Who would have thought you’d get distracted…” Bokuto defended, earning a groan from Kuroo. In the corner of his eyes, Kuroo could definitely see Yaku had a huge smug grin on his face.
Kuroo then felt a soft pat on his back and he looked up at Kenma, “go get some rest and maybe get it checked out.”
“Are you worried for me?” Kuroo raised an arm over his chest, pretending to feel touched but quickly yelped when Kenma jabbed his other torso. “Oi!”
“I’m just evening the pain.” Kenma hummed, walking back to Akaashi. “Besides, I’m sure you already have a bruised ego right now.” Kuroo could see a slight grin on Kenma’s face before his bangs hid them away.
“You know what. I’ll very much enjoy the rest of my life when he becomes our new king. It’s fun seeing you getting bullied.” Yaku walked over, offering his hand to pull Kuroo up. “You got quite a feisty lover.”
“He is not my lover!”
Kuroo slumped onto his bed, muffling his scream onto his pillow. He had just escorted Kenma back from his coming-of-age ceremony with a newly learnt fact about the prince: He looked really, really good in his ceremonial haori and Kuroo was impressed with how well he hid his blush when he first saw Kenma being fitted into one. Ok, he did release quite an audible and embarrassing gasp and yes, he did freeze on the spot while admiring how attractive the prince looked.
“Ugh… I totally made it obvious.” Kuroo groaned, shifting to his back with his face buried under his hands. Kuroo realized his feelings for the prince a long time ago. But his love for the prince has to be kept hidden. He can’t ask the prince to be his lover. He can’t. He just can’t. He’s sure Kenma only saw him as a childhood best friend and possibly his advisor and guard. Nothing more, nothing less. Besides, Kenma needed to find a bride so he could continue the royal lineage. Loving the prince is a huge taboo. Or so Kuroo had convinced himself.
“Please remember you have roommates.” Kuroo squawked, sitting up abruptly on his bed and turned to the two unimpressive looking knights.
“W-Why are you two even here?” Yes, Kuroo definitely forgot he had roommates and he definitely just had a gay panic in front of them. Who knew how long they have been there?
“The party finished?” Yaku crossed his arms. “You do know we literally have the same shift…”
“So, how did the Young Master look in his haori?” Kai looked pleased and Kuroo wished he could find a way to wipe that smug off his face. “You definitely were staring at him throughout the whole ceremony.”
“And were throwing daggers at whoever came close to him. Especially those princesses that were invited over specially for him to pick a bride.” Yaku added, “we even talked to Bokuto and even he could tell you were very much distracted.”
“No need to point out my internal turmoil.” Kuroo groaned “So what if he looked good?”
“You were malfunctioning when he walked over and leaned onto your arms because he was tired.” Kai remembered.
“Stop!” Kuroo hissed, throwing a pillow weakly. “Let me suffer in peace.”
“No. I enjoy watching you suffer.” Yaku shook his head before grabbing Kuroo’s arms, yanking him harshly off of bed with a loud thud. “Go to him and confess already, you big baby!”
“I am not going to confess to Kenma!” Kuroo froze, hearing a knock on the door. He turned to the door, his eyes widen in panic while Kai went to open it. What Kuroo definitely didn’t expect was the long-haired prince standing on the other side, his hair now in a low and lazy bun and he had changed from his haori to his casual red kimono with a black sash around his waist.
“Kenma…” Kuroo blinked, ‘Did you hear what just happened? The rooms are soundproof, right? RIGHT?!?!’
“Kuro… Can you take me to the garden?”
“H-Ha?”
“I can’t really sleep…” He murmured lowly, scanning the situation Kuroo was in. “Also, why are you on the ground?”
“He was just being stupid, Young Lord.” Yaku gave Kuroo a light kick, “he has a lot on his head so you came at a good time. He definitely needs some fresh air.”
“And new roommates…” Kuroo growled, standing up to fix his uniform before walking towards Kenma. “Are you sure you’ll be ok like that? It gets pretty cold at night.”
“I’m fine.” Kenma walked off, making Kuroo follow him. Though not before Kuroo had grabbed his own jacket to make sure to give it to the prince later.
They walk to the royal garden in silence and Kuroo followed Kenma to their usual spot, under a huge oak tree with a nice grass clearing. Luckily it doesn’t usually snow in October but he knew it would get cold at night. Winter had come.
He watched Kenma pull out a blanket to lay it down on the grass before sitting down. Usually, their silence was comfortable. But Kuroo could feel some tension and he was unsure why. Just minutes ago, he was having his gay panic for the prince and was screaming how he would never dare to confess to him. Ugh, he still wished Kenma didn’t hear that.
“You think too loud. It’s annoying.” Kuroo jumped at the sudden voice, glancing down.
“Sorry…”
Kenma sighed, pulling his knees up to hug onto them, resting his chin against his kneecaps as he hummed.
“Did you really like seeing me in that ceremonial kimono and haori?” Kuroo unintentionally squeaked a bit too loud at the question. Kenma smiled slightly, quite pleased with his reaction. “I see…”
“I didn’t say anything!”
“But your blush is quite obvious. It’s cute.” Kenma admitted.
Cute?
Kuroo ignored that, shaking his head from the hidden meaning. He then noticed a slight shiver from the prince and immediately drape his jacket over the prince. Kenma smiled, using his hand to wrap the huge jacket over him.
“You know… Seeing you react like that today, I’m glad to know it wasn’t one-sided.”
“S-Sorry?” Kuroo blinked again, “W-What are you talking about?”
“Kuro, don’t act dumb. I know you like me.” Kenma turned to him, an unimpressed look on his face. “I was just waiting to see if you would make the first move or do something to confirm my suspicion. But I guess I didn’t have to when you saw me being fitted with the outfit earlier today.”
“Y-You knew?” Kuroo blinked, “wait… So before when you told me you were tired… Was that on purpose?”
“Not really… You know social interactions and people in general drains me. But the leaning was on purpose to gauge your reaction.” Kenma confirmed.
“Hold on. Wait a minute!” Kuroo’s brain finally caught up to him and he stared at the prince. “Y-You like me?”
“Yes…” Kenma narrowed his eyes.
“Like for real? In a romantic way? Not platonic?”
“… Yes?”
“Hold up.” Kuroo’s brain was all over the place at the realization. He was still trying to process all the hints Kenma has been giving him. And oh, was he a dumb and oblivious idiot.
“Yes, you were very much an idiot.” Kenma confirmed what he was thinking, “why didn’t you try to make a move?”
“Why? Obviously, I can’t, Kenma! You’re the prince! The future King! I’m just your advisor, your personal guard!”
Kenma frowned visibly. “Do you only see our relationship as a professional one?”
“N-No. Of course not! You’re my best friend! I just thought… You only see me as a childhood friend…” Kuroo sighed, slumping down on the grass beside him. “Besides… You’re a royal who needs to secure the lineage… I can’t possibly just-“
“You know I hate traditions though…” Kenma cut him off, “I hate being treated like I’m a god just because I was born into the royal family and am the prince. I hate people faking their friendships, trying to be nice just so they could gain my favor…” He murmured, “and I especially hate it when people address me with such annoying formality just because I’m a royal. You were the only exception.” Kuroo stayed silent, definitely wasn’t expecting Kenma to say so much. “You were the only person who saw me as an equal.”
“But… Since when did you-“
“Why did you think I gave you that pendant?” Kenma turned to him, “I want you to stay by my side. Besides, you have been unintentionally confessing that your love to me for years!”
“I just thought you won’t read too much into it…” Kuroo groaned, “but yes, I want to be by your side forever ever since we first met. I’ve fallen for you without realizing for years now!” He confessed, “Kozume Kenma, I’ve always wanted to be by your si-“ He tried to continue but Kenma had grabbed onto his collar, yanking him in for a kiss and oh did it felt way better than Kuroo had envisioned. He tried to enjoy the kiss longer but Kenma separated, looking a bit too flushed and his breathing a bit too quick.
“I know, sap.” He murmured against his lips. “And now, you better fulfill your promise even more.”
Kuroo grinned widely, raising his hands to cup Kenma’s face. “Of course.”
“Wait, wait. Kenma, wait.” Kuroo was visibly nervous, looking at how unimpressed Kenma looked from his desk. “You plan to introduce me to your parents? Already?” He whispered.
Kenma raised his eyebrow, “what’s so strange about it? If I don’t want to hear about arranged marriage, I should introduce you as my lover as soon as possible…” He pointed out before turning back to the papers in front of him.
“It’s just too soon! Besides, Will they except me? I’m a man.” Kuroo continued to ramble on and the prince groaned in annoyance. He will definitely be unable to finish work at this rate.
“Kuro. Who cares if you’re a man or my personal guard or whatever other reason you’re worried about? Why are you even so scared? They’ve known you for 15 years already.”
“I don’t know! It’s just…”
“You know, for someone so huge, you have a lot of insecurities.”
“No need to attack me like that!” Kuroo hissed, mad that Kenma was smiling. “Kenma, you wound me.”
“I have to so I could keep your ego in check.” He shrugged, “But don’t worry about my parents not accepting you, I’m sure they approve of you. They know I hate following traditions to begin with.”
“That makes me feel somewhat better…” He grumbled.
Kenma tried to calm Kuroo’s nerve while they walk towards the tea room they know the King and Queen were currently at. No matter what Kenma said, Kuroo was still nervous about facing the two rulers. But he then felt Kenma’s small hand gripping onto his and it instantly calmed him down.
The message ‘We’ll be ok’ was loud and clear in his head and from how tight Kenma’s grip on his hand was. When they reached the room, ignoring the looks from the guards standing outside, Kenma gave a small knock before walking in.
Seeing the King and Queen immediately looking up and their gaze shifted down to their intertwined hands, Kuroo gulped audibly, lowering his head a bit but could see an amusing grin grow on his father’s face.
“Took you two long enough, yeah?” The Queen didn’t waste any moment to call out on their relationship and Kenma furrowed his brows.
“Why can’t you at least wait for me to say something first?”
“We don’t follow any traditions when you’re involved, don’t we, Kenma-chan?” The Queen hummed, making Kenma clicked his teeth.
“Touché…” The prince clicked his tongue, “but at least let me formally introduce my lover.” He stood up a bit straighter.