Archive of Our Own

Kuroo remembers being a child, running up the steps of his castle's western tower, huffing and puffing as he leapt up each stair as fast as his tiny legs would carry him. Often, in these moments, Kuroo’s escape had been chased by the sounds of a tutor’s frustrated bellowing, or his governess’s worried calls; doing their best to suss out where their young charge had run off to this time. As much as Kuroo Tetsurou had been a shy, timid child, he also managed to be overly fond of trouble. That particular proclivity had earned him many a scolding throughout his childhood. However, when he reached the top of the tower, no matter what punishment awaited him afterwards, the small prince found it to be a worthwhile price to be able to look across the wide, wieldy river that carved itself through the mountains to see the neighboring castle standing across it, the one even more grand than his own, and he let the sight of it take his breath away.

Even now, on the precipice of becoming an adult, Prince Kuroo finds himself bewitched by the grandeur of Fukurodani’s castle, despite it being part of an adjacent kingdom. He stands and leans slightly out of the tower window, taking in the majesty of the sunset falling over the valley, over both Nekoma’s and Fukurodani’s castles. The beauty of it is breathtaking. The other castle stands taller and broader than Nekoma's own dark-stoned granite castle. In the late evening sunshine, Fukurodani’s white limestone seems to glow, the tall towers grasping toward the sky, taller than even Kuroo’s beloved west viewing tower.

Kuroo sighs and draws in a deep breath, understanding that this is likely the last moment he’ll have alone for weeks. He doesn't know how he escaped the hoard of servants trying hounding him, primping and readying Kuroo for the celebrations his mother has planned, all of them to be culminated by a ball and the announcement of who he will be engaged to at his eighteenth birthday celebration and then married to on his twentieth. 

Kuroo sighs as he hears the soft echoes of boots on stone, the signal someone is climbing the stairs, coming to retrieve him and drag him down to the festivities. He had hoped his solitude would last longer than it has, but after so many years, he is too predictable in his love for the western tower with its view of both Nekoma’s and Fukurodani’s capital cities sprawled across the peaceful prairie of the valley.

History lessons taught Kuroo how hundreds of years ago Nekoma and Fukurodani had been a single land, a unified capital, but there had also been discontent and discord amongst the people. This left their land on the precipice of civil war, until a powerful mage came and carved a river through the mountains, the valley, and the grand city itself. The Nekoma castle existed before the division, Fukurodani's castle was built in response to that division.

A city that was once one, but is now two , Kuroo considers as someone finally reaches the top of the stairs, stopping and waiting in the doorway for their prince to turn and dutifully follow them downstairs, back down to the bustle and flurry of preparations. Kuroo just wants five more minutes, five more minutes of freedom without the crippling weight of a prince’s responsibilities crushing him, even if most responsibility does suit him well. 

“Wow, you can see my castle perfectly from here!” a voice practically shouts, breaking Kuroo out of his thoughts, shifting the prince’s focus to the man standing at the top of the stairs, who is not a servant coming to retrieve Kuroo, but rather an old friend whomst Tetsurou is very glad to see.

“Bokuto!” he says, his face splitting into a mischievous grin. 

Prince Bokuto flings his arms wide and takes three long strides to Kuroo and hugs him tight. The embrace is something that might have been seen as untoward if they’d done it in front of the rest of the court, but here, alone in the castle tower, Kuroo returns it with no small amount of enthusiasm. 

Bokuto’s presence surprises Kuroo, because his mother had prepared a very short list of prospective suitors for him and Bokuto’s name hadn’t been on it. The lack of a Fukurodani representative is not much of a surprise. Kuroo’s betrothal is meant to create a new, binding alliance with one of the surrounding lands, and despite the forced magical divorce of sorts, which Nekoma and Fukurodani suffered several centuries ago, these days their alliance is one of the closest on the continent. Kuroo’s mother made it very clear that her son could marry the prince of his choice from one of four lands she had chosen to build better relations with. Kuroo understands his place. Kuroo’s older sister will be queen someday, and he will simply be some political bargaining chip to cement more power for their family.

“What are you doing here?” Kuroo asks, genuinely curious as to the answer, because even though he knows all the lands were invited to the ball two weeks from now, tonight’s ceremony is supposed to only be the representatives from the four lands that sent their sons from which Kuroo is to choose his future husband.

“Dad is here to be the introduction ceremony’s formal witness, and I talked him into bringing me along,” Bokuto says, puffing his chest out, clearly proud that he convinced his father to let him partake in these important matters of state.

“Ah,” Kuroo says, and there is a tiny pang of sadness that lingers, because he hoped that maybe his mother had changed her mind about Fukurodani participating.

Of all the princes Kuroo knows, Bokuto is by far the prince he is most comfortable with. The two of them have been friends for years, and if anything made formal functions better when he was ten, it was having a co-conspirator to share the blame with for whatever trouble the two of them inevitably got into. Their troublemaking had been legendary, and it cemented their friendship together in ways that made their parents bemoan their closeness. If Kuroo has to pick someone to spend the rest of his life with, Bokuto would have easily won had Bokuto been allowed to participate. Kuroo had tried very hard to argue that point to his mother.

“We don’t need to solidify alliances with Fukurodani, Tetsurou dear, we need to build alliances with Karasuno, Aoba Johsai, Inarizaki, and Shiratorizawa. Be satisfied that I’m letting you choose between the four, because though I want the best allies, I do care about your feelings to an extent. If it was up to me, you’d be marrying Prince Ushijima and that would be that, but your father insisted you have some choice.”

His mother’s lecture still rattles around in his head, and it wasn’t the only time she insisted that politically, choosing Ushijima would be the most advantageous for Nekoma. Well, until Kuroo’s father inevitably cleared his throat and she capitulated and added, “But of course, remember, it is completely your choice, Tetsurou dear.”

It is not his choice. None of this is his choice. Kuroo would never choose to get engaged at eighteen and be married by twenty. Kuroo wants to travel and study and take an active diplomatic role for Nekoma. He wants to find his own place in the world and his own voice, something that he is only now coming into as he shakes himself loose of the shyness which plagued him as a child. Kuroo supposes he should be grateful his mother at least allowed for his preference of men, instead of forcing him to marry a princess in order to sire backup heirs in case something happened to his sister or her children. 

“Geez, Tets, don’t look so glum. We get to party for the next two weeks. It’s supposed to be fun,” Bokuto says as he tips his head to the side, looking genuinely puzzled as to why Kuroo is saddened by this game of engagements. 

Of the princes who will be attending, all are mostly the same age as him, other than the twin princes from Inarizaki, who are both seventeen, and Kuroo feels slightly guilty to put anyone younger than himself in the position of possibly being saddled with a husband before hitting twenty. Maybe if he chooses one of them, he can convince his mother to postpone the marriage until his betrothed also reaches twenty. It seems like the kind of sound, logical argument she is weak to.

“Tets?” Bokuto asks again, breaking through Kuroo’s dire thoughts of princely matrimony and responsibilities. 

“Why is it that you aren’t engaged? You turned eighteen months ago,” Kuroo asks, slightly annoyed, but also strangely relieved that Bokuto has not made any kind of royal announcement of the sort. 

Bokuto snorts and rolls his eyes. “Because my parents and I both think that it is a ridiculously outdated custom and they want me to be able to marry for love like they did.”

Kuroo’s confusion is replaced by slight jealousy as he recalls the many romantic tales told about Fukurodani’s current rulers. Kuroo’s own parents did not marry for love, and honestly, it shows. Their marriage is one of duty. Thirty-one years ago his father, as a small northern country’s second prince, chose Kuroo’s mother, Nekoma’s crown princess, on his eighteenth birthday at his own choosing ceremony. They married on his father’s twentieth birthday and he came to Nekoma to rule by his new wife’s side.

That is the way of things. Princes and princesses who are second or lower in the line of inheritance are courted by all manner of royalty, dukes, and duchesses; but the most prized coupling for a prince or princess who is not to inherit the crown, is to be paired with a crown prince or princess of another nation. Choosing a partner on your eighteenth birthday also used to be the same in Fukurodani, but apparently the Bokutos simply discarded it for their youngest child, due to it being outdated and cruel. Seeing and finally understanding the contrast between the two royal couples made a lot of sense to Kuroo—the happiness of Fukurodani’s royal family vs the bitter and sour mood that always clung to Kuroo’s own parents. If divorce for unhappiness in a marriage had been allowed between royals, he is sure his parents would have procured a divorce many, many years ago. 

Kuroo manages a small, understanding, “Oh,” to respond to this revelation that one of his closest friends is allowed to find love and he is not. It stings more than Kuroo cares to admit. The relationships he has developed over the years have always been incredibly important, they are something Kuroo sees as paramount to forming a cohesive and unified court. Why is it that the most important relationship he has to create will blatantly ignore that philosophy? Perhaps he will be lucky and one of the princes will be someone who will provide him with the seeds of such a relationship. Maybe he will still find own love.

“You’re always in your head too much, Tets. Get out of there. I can’t help you if you just sulk in silence. ‘Kaashi is always going on and on about how sulking fixes nothing,” Bokuto tells him with a grin.

Akaashi Keiji, a young duke and Bokuto’s closest friend, who has been groomed to be Bokuto’s top advisor once the prince ascends to the throne, is someone whose judgment and advice is almost unparalleled, losing only to Kuroo’s own best friend and future advisor, Kozume Kenma. And, as Akaashi often is, he is spot on with such advice. Kuroo takes a deep breath and finally admits aloud to the thing causing him so much inner turmoil. 

“I don’t want to get engaged or married.”

Bokuto barks out a loud laugh and slaps Kuroo on the shoulder. “Then don’t.”

Kuroo narrows his eyes, scowling at the unhelpful advice. As if he hasn’t dreamed that refusing might be possible despite his mother's announcement. “Have you met my mother? The queen who lives for tradition? The queen whose decisions will not be questioned, especially by her own offspring?”

Bokuto slumps as he realizes the truth of the situation. “Oh. Yeah, now that you mention it, your mom is kind of a tyrant, isn’t she?”

Should it bother Kuroo that this defamation of his mother doesn’t actually bother him?

Kuroo walks to the window again and looks out over the last slivers of sunlight beyond the far mountain ridges at the end of the valley. Bokuto is left wondering if he said the wrong thing and Kuroo can practically smell burning thoughts running amok in Bokuto’s brain, the other prince panicking that he has said something of real offense.

“She is a tyrant,” Kuroo finally agrees, but still feels trapped without any solutions to his problem. 

The confirmation that Kuroo also finds his mother to be a tyrant seems to put Bokuto’s panic to bed and he joins Kuroo at the window, where the Nekoma prince has already returned to his worries. At least Kuroo would have two years following the engagement. Perhaps if he chose the prince who resided in the country furthest from his own, Kuroo could use it as an excuse to travel. He thinks that is likely also the twins, so the combination of pleading an extra year, as well as traveling, presents itself as the most advantageous of his choices. 

The two princes stand in silence for a few more moments until Bokuto excitedly jumps and grabs Kuroo by the shoulders. “I have an idea!” he says as he shakes his friend.

Kuroo can’t help but to laugh, because Bokuto’s antics have always caused as much joy as they have chaos. That, and Bokuto’s moods are infectious. The glee from whatever harebrained scheme popped into his head colors the room with hope, and Kuroo can’t believe he is even going to ask.

“Okay, what’s the idea?”

Bokuto bites his lip, trying to keep his broad, goofy grin in check, but it is a lost cause as he breaks out in what might be the most handsome smile Kuroo has ever seen.

“We announce our engagement.”

What?

Bokuto continues, ignoring the absolutely befuddled expression on his friend’s face, doing his best to explain how this crazy concept could work.

“Like, what is the one thing your mom doesn’t want?” and he waits a couple of beats before continuing. “She would never, ever allow relations to sour between Nekoma and Fukurodani. The last time that happened, a mage had to put our countries in timeout by carving a river between us. So, if I announce that you can’t participate in this stupid custom because we’re already engaged, then she’ll have to go along with it.”

“She’ll never go along with that,” Kuroo immediately rebukes.

“But I get to choose to marry out of love, and if I choose you, and have my parents stand behind my choice, your mother will have to agree. Otherwise, all her carefully crafted treaties and her alliance with Fukurodani will be moot.” Bokuto looks confused for a moment before absently adding, “Hope I used moot right, ‘Kaashi isn’t around to be my dictionary.”

Kuroo gave a weak laugh, but he confirmed that Bokuto had indeed used the word ‘moot’ correctly. Then, his brain conveniently provided several very large holes in Bokuto’s ridiculous plan. 

“But then you’d just be trapped in a marriage with me. How would you find your true love like that?”

“There’s worse places to be trapped, Tetsu, trust me. Besides, we can just have a nice, long engagement, because I can get my parents to insist on extending the engagement until they think I’m ready to rule, and then when we get close to the actual wedding date, I’ll just call it off.” Bokuto is practically bouncing as the plan takes shape, an actual, workable shape. Kuroo is slightly impressed by the other prince. “And think of all the cool stuff we can do in the meantime! Without you having the pressure of getting hitched to some random guy.”

“I can’t give you that kind of burden, Koutarou,” Kuroo says softly, despite how much he desperately wants to accept the offer Bokuto has presented. 

“Psssht, burden? Are you kidding? Being forced to spend time with one of my best friends who I normally don’t get to see enough of? Being engaged to you wouldn’t be a punishment, Kuroo.”

It surprises Kuroo to hear how absolutely earnest Bokuto is with his assertion that their engagement would be a pleasure, a delight.

“I have wanted to travel,” Kuroo says hopefully. 

Kuroo hadn’t known Bokuto’s smile could brighten even more, but at the mention of travel, Bokuto lets out a happy whoop and agrees, “We could definitely travel!” 

There are a few more moments of hugs and happy sounds before Bokuto, dressed in all his royal regalia, drops to one knee and takes Kuroo’s hand. The Fukurodani prince is unable to stay completely serious, but Kuroo finds Bokuto’s smirk and soft snicker before he finally manages words to be stupidly endearing. 

“Prince Kuroo Tetsurou, would you please do me the honor of agreeing to my hand in marriage, to keep the alliance of Fukurodani and Nekoma strong and united?”

Kuroo can’t help the giggles that manifest from hearing Bokuto be so formal with his fake proposal, but he sobers up, and manages a proper response. “I do accept your proposal, Prince Bokuto Koutarou, to be your betrothed in order to maintain the long-lived alliance of our nations.”

--------

The queen of Nekoma seethes as Kuroo tells her that he cannot participate in the choosing ceremony, because he is already properly engaged to the prince of Fukurodani. He stands in front of his mother in the parlor of her private quarters, hand in hand with Bokuto. His mother is dressed in an ornate and expensive silk gown, her hair is meticulously pulled back in the braided style she prefers, the one most noble women of Nekoma try to replicate. The ceremony is supposed to start within the hour, and this last minute announcement enrages her. Kuroo thanks the heavens that Bokuto is here standing next to him so she can’t start screaming and telling Kuroo what an ungrateful, disobedient child he is. 

“My son, the guests and dignitaries have already arrived. I cannot cancel such an important event at the last minute just because you have chosen differently than we agreed upon.”

She is diplomatic to a fault, making a show for Bokuto, acting as if this indiscretion doesn’t bother her, that Kuroo hasn’t failed by refusing to play her game by her rules. 

Bokuto clears his throat, releases Kuroo’s hand, and bows to the queen, but only the kind of bow dictated between royals, tipping his head downward, but his body stays straight and formal. This is the kind of bow that says, ‘I am showing respect, but you do not rule me, I maintain my own power.’

“Please forgive me, your queen. This isn’t Prince Kuroo’s fault. We have shared feelings for awhile, and he let me know of his duty of alliances. However, I guess I am just greedy, because I don’t want my true love to marry another. My parents have always taught me the importance of love.”

The queen gives Bokuto a grimace of a smile, something that looks almost ghoulish on her perfectly powdered face, as she says, “Oh, yes, I have heard much of how highly your parents speak of such things, but Tetsurou has a duty, young Bokuto—”

But Bokuto interrupts the queen, something that most nobles and other royalty could never get away with, but Bokuto’s confidence pushes him forward as he says, “Yes, a duty to alliances. I would think that you would consider the alliance with Fukurodani to be of the highest importance.”

“I do,” the queen grits out. Kuroo hears a cough coming from behind his mother and he sees his father trying to hide an amused smile behind his hand. “But the ceremony is important, and the arrangements for it are made. These things cannot be changed on the whims of children.”

“In fourteen days your son will be an adult, Queen Kuroo. I have already been an adult for two months. We are not children,” Bokuto interjects.

Bokuto’s brazen rebuke and unwillingness to bend despite the obvious incensed aura exuding from the queen makes Kuroo appreciate his friend even more. He reaches over and once again takes Bokuto’s hand in his own. Kuroo then catches the approving expression of his father, the one Kuroo’s mother cannot see thanks to his father positioning himself just out of her line of sight.

It is rare for his father to speak against the queen, so it is surprising when Kuroo’s father steps forward and puts a hand on his wife’s shoulder. “Perhaps there is a compromise to be had. It seems like the boys are set on this arrangement, but it could be easily legitimized if Prince Bokuto participated in the ceremony of choosing with the other five. Tetsurou could simply pick him in the end, as if the choice was natural and not preordained.”

“Keiichi, I will not allow it.”

But Kuroo’s father is a wise man, and simply says, “And catch the ire of our closest allies? I think you will allow it, for the betterment of our two countries. Having an ally with such a strong army of mages is advantageous, don’t you think?”

Kuroo sees where he inherited his cunning. His father simply places the true threat at the queen’s feet without actually wielding it against her. It silently says, if you do not bless this union, you jeopardize the relationship with a country that has more military power than we have. Why make enemies of powerful kings and queens if you don’t have to?

Kuroo’s mother, while temperamental and fickle, does not count stupidity among her faults. She lets out an angry breath and says, “I will only agree to his participation if Tetsurou agrees to keep an open mind about the other princes, and if Prince Bokuto will agree that if Tetsurou likes another suitor better, he’ll allow their engagement to be dissolved.” 

“Of course,” Bokuto answers, giving the queen a tight-lipped smile. Kuroo can practically see him thinking the word ‘tyrant’ at the queen.

Kuroo’s father nods and claps his hands together once. “Compromise is such a beautiful thing. Prince Bokuto, please go join the other candidates in the throne room. We should all hurry or the ceremony won’t begin on time.”

Bokuto looks over at Kuroo and squeezes his hand one last time before releasing it and exiting the queen’s parlor. Kuroo watches him go and can’t help his grateful grin, grateful for Bokuto and his harebrained scheme to save Kuroo from marriage. 

The queen releases a low hiss of air before she walks up and grabs her son’s arm, yanking him down and closer to her scowling face. Her fingers dig into his flesh so hard that Kuroo knows it will bruise later. Honestly, if it wouldn’t leave an obvious mark, he knows his mother would have slapped him instead. 

“Do not think your disobedience will go unpunished,” she warns before Kuroo’s father steps forward to take her arm and lead her out of the room.

Still, despite the promised threat, Kuroo grins stupidly to himself, knowing he is saved from making such a life-changing decision on his birthday. The freedom from that particular burden outweighs any punishment his mother can come up with. Perhaps it won't be so bad since he plans to spend as much time across the river at Bokuto's grand castle. He hopes Bokuto's parents don’t mind if he brings Kenma along, and Kenma’s chest of books and his favorite chess set, because Kuroo refuses to leave his advisor and best friend at home to endure the wrath of Nekoma’s queen.

“Oh little brother, what have you done?” Kuroo’s sister asks, voice curious as she saunters into the parlor, dressed in a lovely velvet gown with pretty gemstones pinned in her hair. “Mother is furious and Bokuto is now standing among your other suitors.”

As much as she acts like their mother when in front of the court, and often sounds like their mother too, Kuroo’s sister doesn’t share their mother’s cruelty. There is too much of their father in her to ever be that kind of queen, despite her ability to mimic the rigid regality that being a ruler requires. It means, Kuroo thinks, that his sister will be a good queen, and he is glad that she will someday sit atop the throne of Nekoma.

“I’ll explain later,” Kuroo tells his older sister, who is already married and has added three heirs to the Kuroo bloodline, the oldest being eight. Kuroo is glad that his sister is suited to the life of a royal, because he is starting to understand that he is truly not.

She shrugs and offers her arm. She is obviously here to escort him out to the throne room, to where the suitors and the start of this ridiculous ceremony awaits. He hopes the five other princes aren’t too disappointed when none of them are picked, because there is no way Kuroo will choose anyone other than Bokuto.

-------

Kuroo stands at the entrance to the grand throne room, both doors held open by two of his mother’s guards. Six young men are lined up in a perfectly straight row, and somehow Bokuto found the gall to take the position closest to the throne. Kuroo sees how much his mother is annoyed by this, probably wishing her precious Ushijima had the coveted spot. Bokuto is nothing if not bold. Though he might have pushed his way to the front of the line thoughtlessly, something tells Kuroo that Bokuto did so strategically. It amazes Kuroo how many people think Bokuto is just a loveable buffoon of a prince, when in reality he can be as calculating and strong-willed as any prince Kuroo has ever met. 

“Presenting Prince Kuroo Tetsurou, first son and second heir to the Nekoma throne, accompanied by Princess Kuroo Setsuko, first daughter, first heir, and crown princess to the Nekoma throne,” the herald announces as the two siblings enter. 

The queen sits in a chair on the highest position among the Kuroo royal family. Kuroo’s father sits on the next highest platform, about six inches shorter than the queen’s. A man seated at the foot of the throne’s dais—in a plush, but much less ornate chair than the king’s or queen’s chairs—holds back a toddler who tries her best to break free and run to Tetsurou’s sister. Setsuko smiles at her husband and youngest child and motions for her daughter to sit. Surprisingly, the tiny girl does, crawling back up into her father’s lap and happily waving at the crown princess. 

Kuroo’s sister is similar to him in personality, strong and often scheming, and able to throw up a mask to fool almost anyone, but she never acts that way toward her husband and children. Despite her marriage being political in nature, just as Kuroo’s is supposed to be, she ended up loving the man she chose, who tends to be kind and patient just like their own father. Her children are quiet and good-natured, and Tetsurou is quite fond of his nieces and nephew, knowing that they too have already shown to hold the kind of temperament good for ruling a kingdom, even as children. 

Tetsurou and Setsuko take their places next to Setsuko’s husband and the queen knocks her staff against the floor in order to get everyone’s attention. She stands and holds out a hand to her children. “I welcome my son on the first day of his celebration of choosing. We are gathered here to find which of these fine countries will provide a prince to unite our two nations.”

And with that, the herald steps forward and introduces the princes one by one, each prince expected to step forward and give the bow appropriate for between royalty. 

“Presenting the crown prince of Inarizaki, Miya Atsumu.”

The handsome blond twin steps forward and inclines his head toward Tetsurou.

“Presenting the second prince and second heir of Inarizaki, Miya Osamu.”

The second twin, just as good looking as his brother, but his hair gray instead of blond, steps forward and inclines his head.

“Presenting the crown prince of Karasuno, Sawamura Daichi.”

The shortest of the six princes steps forward, but Kuroo notes that he is not the least handsome. Kuroo watches as the prince inclines his head in a typical royal bow.

“Presenting the crown prince of Aoba Johsai, Oikawa Tooru.”

A pretty and somewhat haughty looking prince steps forward and barely inclines his head, his expression daring Kuroo to call him on what could almost be deemed disrespectful as bowing is concerned.

“Presenting the crown prince of Shiratorizawa, Ushijima Wakatoshi.”

A broad-chested young man steps forward, and inclines his head the way princes are taught to bow as decorum dictates. Kuroo swears the Aoba Johsai prince huffs at the perfection of his rival suitor’s bow, but it is so well hidden that Kuroo isn’t sure he actually did.

“And finally, presenting the crown prince of Fukurodani, Bokuto Koutarou.”

The court waits for Bokuto to step forward, but for a few heartbeats Bokuto just stands there with a goofy grin on his face as he beams at Kuroo, then he seems to remember what he should do and mumbles an apology, and steps forward, inclining his head toward the Nekoma prince. 

“I welcome these princes as candidates for my son’s hand in marriage. I wish all of you luck in this endeavor.” And Kuroo knows his mother well enough to hear the slight sneer when she says ‘all’ because wishing Bokuto luck obviously annoys her. “Please feel free to mingle and personally introduce yourself to Tetsurou.”

It seems like a stupidly simple beginning to a ceremony slated to last two full weeks, but to Kuroo, its brevity is a blessing. The faster this thing finishes, the faster he can head to bed tonight, the faster the entirety of the ceremony will be finished, and the faster he and Bokuto can begin their fake engagement and get their first taste of true freedom.

“Hello, Prince Kuroo,” Inarizaki’s elder prince says as his brother hangs behind a few paces, not seeming to be as bold as his twin.

What does it feel like having your right to rule be determined by whether your mother bore you first or a few moments later? Years between siblings is understandable where the crowned sibling and the second sibling is concerned, but mere minutes? That would be difficult to grapple with. How does someone who is a second son deal with the knowledge that he is so close to power, yet so far away? Bokuto is actually the only prince Kuroo knows who is set to rule despite being the third child of his respective royal family. His older sisters both passed on the throne and gave it to their baby brother who loved the idea of leading his country and people. The more Kuroo considers the country of Fukurodani, the more it reveals itself to be a complete oddity.

Kuroo smiles at the blond twin. “I hope that you don’t mind the familiarity of me calling you Prince Atsumu. I feel with your brother also vying for my attention, calling you both Prince Miya might be confusing.”

A slow, lopsided smile crawls onto Miya Atsumu’s lips. “Of course I don’t mind, you can even drop the title. I feel Atsumu is more than adequate, don’t you?”

Prince Osamu, obviously annoyed by his brother’s obvious attempt at flirtation, steps forward and says, “Please ignore my idiot brother, Prince Kuroo. I’m very happy to be considered as a candidate in this ceremony.”

“Idiot brother?” Atsumu growls. “Really ‘Samu, you gotta do this kinda thing here? No wonder we’re seen as hicks where the rest of the countries are concerned.”

Someone pulls Kuroo away from the bickering brothers and over to a quieter corner of the throne room, and when he looks to see who it is, he is so glad to see Bokuto beaming back at him.

“Hey,” Bokuto says, expression melting into something more sheepish, voice a mix of embarrassment and curiosity, “Is there any kind of, like, written etiquette guide for this ceremony? I have no idea what I’m doing and I’m guessing that tonight’s little introduction thing is the simplest of its various activities. I felt really stupid when I didn’t step forward during my introduction.”

Kuroo’s heart thuds in his chest, should he really find Bokuto’s incompetence as endearing as he does? Sure, Bokuto doesn’t know the required etiquette of the ceremony and no one helped him prepare for said requirements, but he also should have been able to figure out that if every other prince stepped forward during their introduction, he really should have stepped forward as well.

“I’ll see if Kenma can find something down in the library archives. I’ve never taken part in a choosing ceremony other than the opening ceremony and the choosing when my sister went through hers, so I don’t really know,” Kuroo admits. 

“Thanks, Tets, I appreciate it,” Bokuto says as he slaps Kuroo on the back as he so often does.

“'Tets’ you say,” Prince Oikawa practically purrs as he saunters up to Bokuto and Kuroo. “The two of you must be quite close to be so informal with each other.” 

The way the other prince pokes at Kuroo and Bokuto, as if trying to test for weaknesses, is something Kuroo is rather familiar with. It is something he does whenever he feels like he has inadequate information to size another person up. So, he supposes, do as others do.

Tetsurou feels his cocky, scheming mask slip into place as he saunters over to the representative from Aoba Johsai and says, “I don’t believe jealousy suits you, Prince Oikawa. You’re too pretty to let such an ugly thing mar you.”

To Oikawa’s credit, he stays quiet, eyes widening slightly and nostrils flaring. These are the only signs that the barb actually annoys him. If Kuroo wasn’t so attuned to similar reactions from his unflappable sister, he might have missed them altogether.

The tall, broad prince from Shiratorizawa joins them, standing close to Oikawa as he turns to his supposed rival and says. “Perhaps if you would have joined me at the Royal Etiquette Academy, you would know how saying such a thing is considered rude, Prince Oikawa.”

“Oh for fucks sake,” Oikawa mumbles under his breath, causing the Shiratorizawa prince to be further baffled by the Aoba Johsai prince’s continued rudeness.  

“They’re always like this,” the short, handsome prince from Karasuno says with an easy grin. “Pardon my interruption, I’m Prince Sawamura Daichi of Karasuno. You’re lucky you share a border with Prince Bokuto here and not these two. I, however, am not so fortunate. I grew up with these two practically on my doorstep and they’ve fought like that since they were little.”

“My sympathies,” Kuroo says as he tries very hard not to be charmed by the Karasuno prince’s candor. He feels his lip trying to curl into an amused smirk. 

“Truly, I need that,” Sawamura says before also turning to Bokuto. “It’s nice to meet you as well, Prince Bokuto,” and Kuroo watches the slight interest in Bokuto’s eyes as Daichi gives him a inclination of his head, bowing to the other prince, despite it not being necessary since Fukurodani isn’t hosting this celebration.

Two conflicting feelings tear at Kuroo as he watches Bokuto talking—and yes, flirting —with Prince Daichi. First, Kuroo can’t deny that he is a tad jealous of how Sawamura Daichi has obviously caught Bokuto’s eye, despite also catching Kuroo’s own eye only moments before. Second, if Kuroo and Bokuto are formally engaged, Bokuto won’t be free to seek the one thing he truly wants—true love. Bokuto will need to have the propriety of a promised royal, because even subtle flirtation would be considered scandalous depending on which court gossip spreads the news. 

Can Kuroo really burden his friend like that? 

If the two of them have a prolonged engagement, it could mean years of Bokuto being unable to court anyone else publicly, never flirting, always being tied to Tetsurou’s side, pretending that the two of them are in love in order to keep up their ruse. At the very least, it would be terribly, horribly unfair to do to one of his closest friends, one who is only trying his best to save Kuroo from the duty required by an overbearing mother.

One of the servants brings by a tray of wine glasses filled with the finest of wines and Kuroo grabs one and downs half of it before anyone else can even take their own glass. Bokuto raises a worried eyebrow at him and Kuroo just shrugs and says, “It’s my favorite wine and I’m only allowed to enjoy it at royal functions, at least until my birthday.” 

He can tell by Bokuto’s expression that he doesn’t really believe Kuroo, but Bokuto lets it slide, probably assuming that it is the stress of the ceremony, and not a moral crisis about tying a close friend down and keeping him from finding happiness. Kuroo knows he may have to end their pretend engagement much sooner than he wants, if only to give Bokuto the freedom that he deserves.

-------

The next morning Kuroo sits in his parlor and waits for the other princes to finish dressing and eating their morning meal. His mother has a long day of events planned, nearly all of them are part of the tradition of the choosing celebration. Bokuto almost panicked about it the previous night when his attendant gave the prince a schedule just as he was leaving for bed, so Kuroo is glad Kenma managed to find a small, handwritten diary of a former princess down in the archives. She was Kuroo’s great, great aunt, and she left a particularly detailed account and description of the celebration’s activities. Not exactly a guide persay, but hopefully good enough for Bokuto to use and manage his way through.

“It’s the only one I could find. I’m positive the queen has a book in her personal library detailing the customs in their entirety, but we both know I won’t be able to get my hands on that,” Kenma says from his seat by the window. 

Bokuto’s friend, Duke Akaashi, sits across the small table from Kenma, carefully considering a series of maneuvers he hopes to make before picking up his knight and moving it. It makes Kenma scowl, and Kenma actually has to spend a full thirty seconds rethinking his strategy before taking Akaashi’s other knight with his queen.

Akaashi tsks under his breath and just stares at Kenma disapprovingly for almost the entirety of his time until he picks up and places his rook deep into enemy territory.

“I hate playing with you,” Kenma says as he glares at Akaashi.

“I only play this chaotically with you, Sir Kenma. This seems to be the only kind of strategy you can’t predict,” Akaashi says as a smile dances in his eyes, but the line of his mouth remains unmoved. 

“Thanks for the book, Kenma. I’m sure Bokuto will appreciate any help,” Kuroo says as he motions to the book in his hand.

Akaashi nods and adds, “I know Prince Bokuto will be grateful for your assistance, Sir Kenma. I also appreciate your effort. By the way, your timer is almost up.” Akaashi says as Kenma makes an annoyed sound and grits his teeth.

Bokuto walks into Kuroo’s parlor, dressed in riding apparel rather than his formal uniform, but still looking very dapper. The princes are all scheduled to go on a group ride in less than an hour. Bokuto seems to vibrate with energy. He loves riding. He loves horses. He somehow got into a thirty minute conversation about horses with Prince Ushijima the previous night, something they both seemed to greatly enjoy, much to the ire of Prince Oikawa who had quickly tired of all the talk of horse breeds and saddles and horseshoes and bridles. 

But overall, the evening had gone quite well. After a couple hours of talking, and having consumed a few glasses of wine each, all the Princes seemed to find themselves enjoying each others’ company, even Oikawa. Prince Daichi had indeed been quite familiar with both Oikawa and Ushijima, and helped keep them in line. The twins, though prone to small outbursts of arguing with each other, had been knowledgeable about everything from statescraft to farming (one of their country’s main industries), despite the two of them only recently turning seventeen. And then, there was Bokuto.

Bokuto has always been a tactile kind of person with little concept of what boundaries are, or how to respect others’ personal space, and he is rarely embarrassed by physical affection. So honestly, it had been no surprise when Bokuto spent most of the previous night with an arm hoisted over Kuroo’s shoulder, making jokes and laughing in that booming way of his that draws everyone to him. And by the end of the evening, Kuroo had come to understand that perhaps he wouldn’t mind being forced into something more than friendship with the other prince. Thoughts of it had pervaded his brain throughout the evening.

Honestly, Kuroo still isn’t eager to get married, despite his realization, but maybe if the two of them truly had a long engagement—a very, very long engagement—Kuroo might seriously consider Bokuto as a partner. But would Prince Bokuto feel the same, or would he always see their engagement as merely a favor for a good friend? It is times like these Kuroo wishes he was a peasant who could just pull his friend into the back room of a pub for a bit of uncomplicated fun, without the threat of betrothal hanging over their heads.

Kuroo stops reminiscing about the previous night and takes his riding gloves out of the middle drawer of his vanity and shoos away his thoughts and worries about Bokuto. Those are problems to solve if Kuroo survives the next two weeks, because if all the days end up being as cram-packed with activities as today, Kuroo thinks he might just fling himself out of a tower in rebellion. Bokuto lets out a low whistle and the sound pulls Kuroo out of his thoughts. 

“Dang, Tetsu, that new riding getup is nice. I don’t think I’ve seen breeches tailored to be quite that tight before.” 

Kuroo almost laughs at that, because really, has Bokuto not looked in a mirror this morning? Has he seen the taupe colored breeches that he himself is wearing? They bring new meaning to the word skintight. 

“Prince Bokuto, please remember that you shouldn’t be inside Prince Kuroo’s rooms,” Akaashi admonishes from his seat, having finally lost to Kenma, a master tactician, and though Kenma won, it took him much longer than with most opponents. It’s probably why Kenma often tracks down the duke whenever he visits. 

“But ‘Kaashi, you’re here and Sir Kenma is here. And I always come and hang out in Kuroo’s rooms when I visit,” Bokuto says, deflating, shoulders slumping as his expression changes from jovial to sad confusion in a heartbeat.

Akaashi stands up, posture perfect, and despite being slightly shorter than his prince, Akaashi manages to be an imposing figure. “I understand that, Prince Bokuto, but you are taking part in the choosing ceremony and being here could be seen as unfair or untoward. The other princes might lodge a complaint with the queen, and while I don’t see that truly affecting the scheme you are trying to get away with regarding Prince Kuroo, I feel that drawing the queen’s ire might negatively impact him.”

Still seated at the window, Kenma glares at Kuroo and hisses a quiet, “What scheme?”

Kuroo lets out a nervous chuckle, just now remembering that perhaps he should have explained exactly what happened yesterday in the west tower and the plan he and Bokuto concocted to Kenma. Whoops.

“Aw, ‘Kaashi, if I can’t hang out with Kuroo, then you shouldn’t hang out with Kenma in private either,” Bokuto whines, pointing at the chessboard and the younger man lounging next to it.

“Hmm, you may have a point, Prince Bokuto.” 

Akaashi turns and bows to Prince Kuroo and gives a little nod to Kenma. “I apologize for my impropriety. We will have to continue our chess matches in the gardens or the public lounge, Sir Kenma. I do very much enjoy our games together, so I hope you find time in your schedule to join me for one. Perhaps this afternoon?”

Kenma sighs and says quietly. “Since Kuro was scheduled to leave on his ride this morning, I was hoping we could continue our games here. I hate playing in public areas. People tend to congregate to watch.”

Prince Bokuto, after listening to the two young advisors, realizes that he is the cause of Kenma’s melancholy. He slaps his forehead and looks like he regrets absolutely everything he has ever done in his life. 

“‘Kaaaaashi, I’m sorry. You should keep playing your game with Kenma here.”

Akaashi sighs and puts a hand on his prince’s shoulder. “Don’t despair, Prince Bokuto. You were correct to remind me that my own actions affect appearances for you as well.” He pats the taller man’s shoulder in that nearly emotionless, clinical way of his, but it seems to cheer Bokuto up, no matter how strange it may look to Kuroo. “But,” Akaashi continues, “I don’t think anyone saw me enter Prince Kuroo’s rooms and perhaps Sir Kenma and I can continue our games this morning and we’ll be more careful after the lunch hour. You and Prince Kuroo should go though, you’ll be late for your scheduled ride.”

It makes Kuroo smile to see the relief on both Bokuto’s and Kenma’s faces. Akaashi retakes his seat by the window and starts replacing the chess pieces onto the board. Bokuto leaves the rooms first, after Kuroo checks to make sure that no one is in the hall outside his rooms, then decides to wait another minute or so.

“So, are you going to tell me what idiot thing the two of you have planned?” Kenma asks, causing Tetsurou to jump and nervously chuckle. 

“It’s fine, Sir Kenma. I’ll fill you in on the details while we play. Together we can make sure that they manage to be successful in their problematic endeavors,” the duke says as he makes the first move of their next game.

Kenma gives Akaashi a sour look and then simply replies, “Oh great.”

--------

The morning is warm for November, so even though there is a slight chill in the air, the sunshine keeps the ride pleasant. Of course, about halfway through the ride, a queensman greets the group with a task for the princes to compete in. It is a ridiculous endeavor, and the only thing that is a relief is how Kuroo doesn’t have to participate, he only has to wait with the queensman while the suitors galavant off to complete the task. One by one the princes return and each give an item to the queensman, who places them in a small chest he brought along. Kuroo catches a glimpse of the feather that Bokuto places inside before the chest is closed and the queensman returns to the palace with the princes’ offerings while the princes are allowed to continue their ride. 

After the task, the princes’ horses are worn out, and Kuroo wonders how far and hard they had to ride to find the things the queen asked of them. Kuroo isn’t supposed to know the purpose of this task, as the judgment is to be made by the queen, much to his exasperation. If he was actually planning on picking a husband from this group, how is giving the queen leverage on any judgment supposed to help Kuroo decide on which prince he should choose. It is a frustration that he thankfully doesn’t have to worry about. He will pick Bokuto at the end, and that is that. 

The princes all take a moment to lead their horses to a nearby stream, one of the many that branch off from the river that separates Nekoma and Fukurodani, and they all let their horses drink. Everyone seems to be an accomplished rider, and these horses are the princes’ personal steeds, so it isn’t surprising to observe the fondness between each horse and its prince. Prince Atsumu’s horse is a spirited stallion, but despite this, the stallion just butts his head against Atsumu’s shoulder and nips at his owner’s ornate riding jacket.

“Stop it, you nuisance,” Atsumu says fondly as he reaches over and slips his fingers under the bridle to scratch a spot on his horse’s forehead. 

“Which one of ya is the nuisance?” Osamu asks his brother as he pats his own horse’s neck. 

Before this can start yet another argument between the Miya twins, Kuroo steps to them and says, “You are both very skilled with riding. You must do it quite a bit to be so good.”

Atsumu seems to puff up at the compliment, beaming since he caught Prince Kuroo’s eye. Prince Osamu, though more muted in his reaction, also seems pleased.

“Well we don’t usually do it in all this fancy getup, but yeah, ‘Samu and I ride all the time.”

Osamu glares at his twin, “You still ain’t helping our cause here, Tsumu. We’re supposed to be making a good impression so maybe Prince Kuroo here will pick one of us.”

Oikawa, seemingly always ready with some stinging quip, looks at his nails as if he is bored, holding his horse’s lead as the horse drinks from the stream. Oikawa sighs and says, “Ah, because your good grammar is definitely making an impeccable impression, Prince Osamu.”

Daichi, who took his horse’s bridle completely off to sneak his mare pieces of carrot and apple, looks over at Oikawa and says, “Stop being an ass, Oikawa. Having a stick up your ass doesn’t make you more regal than the twins here.” 

All the princes laugh at that, because teasing Oikawa seems to be something they can all get behind, and then the conversation continues. Kuroo finds himself enjoying each of the princes’ company a lot, and honestly, he can see himself maintaining a friendship with any or all of them; but as Bokuto finds a place at Kuroo’s side, making jokes and being ridiculous as he often is, Kuroo thinks that this feels more and more right. 

Kuroo likes having Bokuto next to him, the other prince’s presence a comfort, and he feels guilty for it. Even if Kuroo doesn’t want to get married, the more he thinks about it, he’s not sure if that applies to Bokuto. Somehow a little worm of an idea crawled into his head since their agreement in the tower, and now it won’t leave, one that says a marriage to Bokuto would make Kuroo happy. Is Kuroo's true happiness his friend from across the river, the one he has known since birth, the one who can make Kuroo laugh? Hell, Bokuto can make Kenma laugh, and that is a feat very few can do. Kuroo has to remind himself that their relationship is comfortable and comfort doesn't necessarily equate to love. Bokuto wants to fall in love, which is the crux of the problem.

-------

After the ride, and after they all change out of their riding gear, the group comes back and the queen is waiting for them at the bottom of the steps of the imperial staircase, a footman beside her holding the small chest. 

“I have to say, some of you were quite creative in the objects you found. But based on what you brought back, I’m going to give Prince Ushijima the honor of dining alone with Prince Kuroo tonight. The rest of you can eat in the hall with myself and my daughter and try harder next time,” she says with a dismissive wave of her hand before she walks away toward the dining hall.

Kuroo groans. He doesn’t mind spending time with Prince Ushijima, but he knows how proud Bokuto had looked placing his feather into the chest, and Kuroo sees how dejected Bokuto looks right now. He pouts as Ushijima walks up to Kuroo and offers his arm, which Kuroo needs to take for tradition’s sake, though he truly wishes it was Bokuto’s arm instead. 

Kuroo tilts his head in a slight nod to the rest of the princes. “I will see you all after the meal,” he says, looking right at Bokuto as he speaks. 

To Bokuto’s credit, he gives Kuroo a sad smile and waves a small goodbye before Prince Atsumu comes over and slings an arm over Bokuto’s shoulders and begins talking his ear off, probably because the crown prince of Inarizaki likes to be the center of attention almost as much as Bokuto does. They make a stunningly gregarious pair, and Kuroo does his best to swallow down the bitter taste of jealousy as Prince Ushijima leads him away.

The private room where Kuroo and Ushijima sup is very small and intimate, but is adorned with only the finest of the palace’s furnishings. It is the room his mother often hosts dignitaries in when they visit. It shows off Nekoma’s wealth and influence, and yet, Ushijima looks neither impressed nor unimpressed. 

“Something tells me that you wish another Prince had won this honor,” Ushijima says as the two of them wait for the servants to place the plates of food in front of them.

Kuroo, ever the diplomat, cocks his head to the side and asks, “Why would you think that?” Careful to not to deny the other prince’s worry, but not to affirm it either. Even if it is true, Kuroo doesn’t want to make Ushijima feel unappreciated. Besides, he thinks Prince Ushijima is a fine person, but not one he wants as a husband.

“I just…” and Ushijima pauses to think for a moment, because he is the kind of person to be very deliberate with what he says, “I wonder if there is a reason that Prince Bokuto joined us so belatedly.”

Huh, prudent, blunt, but also oddly perceptive, what an oddity this prince is. Perhaps if Kuroo had been even slightly interested in this outdated tradition, or marriage, he might have seriously considered Ushijima, despite him being his mother’s favored prince. Not only that, but the other prince is definitely easy on the eyes. Tall, handsome, wide shoulders—definitely Kuroo’s type. Kuroo tries to ignore the little voice in his head, the one that keeps getting louder and louder ever since he agreed to Bokuto’s scheme, as it says, ‘Well, Bokuto is tall and handsome too.’

What a traitorous little voice it is. Kuroo knows that his soon-to-be engagement to Bokuto is only a ruse, so why is it that ever since he agreed to it, his brain has been trying to make the whole stupid thing a reality, not some ploy to trick his mother into thinking he has agreed to be engaged and married. He knows he isn’t marrying Bokuto. Bokuto is going to end their engagement in a few years and will start his quest to find his true love. 

“Is something wrong, Prince Kuroo?” Ushijima asks, voice softer and kinder than it ought to be, especially since Kuroo is daydreaming about a friend and their chaotic, and perhaps idiotic, scheming.

“No, I apologize. I think the ride wore me out,” Kuroo says, before picking up his salad fork from the impressive number of forks set out before him, and begins to eat the delicate greens. 

“Hmm,” Ushijima says, voice not disbelieving, but more confused. “I did not think an accomplished rider like yourself would tire from such a simple ride. You seemed at ease on your horse.”

“As did you,” Kuroo complimented with a polite smile. “So perhaps it is this ceremony that tires me more than the ride itself.”

At that, Ushijima gives him a true and understanding smile. “Ah, yes. These ceremonies can be taxing. I have taken part in several others, including Prince Oikawa’s this summer.”

Wait...what? Oikawa had a choosing ceremony? If he did, why in the world is he here taking part in Kuroo’s own choosing ceremony? Even though it is rare for a crowned prince to host a choosing ceremony of their own, it is not unheard of. However, crowned princes like Ushijima participating in a choosing ceremony for another crowned prince who is set to inherit a throne is.

“So why is Oikawa here if he had a choosing ceremony?”

The strangeness of this curiosity has Kuroo intrigued, because honestly, he has always been one to seek out court gossip. His own power, as a second heir, comes from scheming and planning, and that means knowing all there is to know.

“Ah, you didn’t hear?” 

Of course Kuroo hadn’t heard. Unfortunately, not much gossip from Shiratorizawa or Aoba Johsai makes its way to Nekoma, but a prince having a choosing ceremony and not choosing, well, that is the kind of gossip that is usually whispered about at all the courts.

“I did not hear, perhaps you can elucidate me on the situation,” Kuroo says before taking another bite of his salad. 

For a moment Ushijma seems to look uncomfortable in his seat, shifting in a way that someone with manners as impeccable as Ushijima would never do, but then he looks up at Kuroo and says, “I was chosen, but he called off our engagement in October.”

Juicy gossip . This is entirely far too good for not a single murmur of it to make its way to the Nekoma court. Maybe this explains the tension and bickering between the two princes.

“And yet, Prince Ushijima, this is the first time I’ve heard of any of this. Not to be rude, but news like that rarely stays secret in our courts.”

Ushijima nods, then gives a tiny shrug, something that seems so strangely casual for the other prince. “He is in love with his knight, Iwaizumi Haijime. I couldn’t come between that kind of thing.”

Oh. Oh. Kuroo smirks, because he realizes with some glee that he is not the only person here going through this ceremony for show. Oikawa, a crown prince, is expected to get engaged, probably more so than a second heir like Kuroo, so the scandal that this knowledge could cause…

Ushijima clears his throat before adding, “I relieved him of his obligation. I think love should be honored. And though I want to give Prince Oikawa privacy, I also wanted to warn you that perhaps you should choose someone other than him.”

Perhaps this is why Oikawa has been so haughty and prickly throughout the ceremony thus far. He is probably actively trying to avoid being selected. Food for thought, Kuroo thinks, and speaking of food, Kuroo motions to a servant who comes and clears their salad plates and puts down the next course of food. 

“So why is it that his half-sister isn’t set to inherit the crown? I know her father died early in the current Aoba Johsai’s Queen’s rule. I guess I’m not really informed on the dynamics of their court.”

Ushijima’s eyebrows scrunch together, leaving his face contorted in something akin to consternation. Ushijima doesn’t seem like the kind of person who likes spreading gossip, and he has already shared quite a few juicy tidbits with Kuroo. Kuroo knows he will have to switch conversation topics after this. 

“She was, but was removed from the inheritance right after Oikawa’s choosing ceremony when the court discovered she has a bastard son. It seems that princes and kings can have as many bastard children as they wish, but princesses cannot.”

Ah, the old double standard of the sexes. Kuroo should have guessed. Nothing like a bastard child scandal to muck up a line of inheritance. “I see. Thank you for sharing this information, Prince Ushijima. It’s sad that Oikawa isn’t able to pursue his knight thanks to outdated, misogynistic opinions. I’m sure he’d much rather allow his sister her rule?”

“I believe he would,” Ushijima says, expression sad. “Although he and I have our differences, I do consider him a friend. I hope that he can delay the ascension to rule until they can change their mother’s mind.”

Kuroo considers his own mother before sighing and saying, “If my mother is anything to go by, a queen’s stubbornness isn’t to be underestimated.”

That draws a quiet huff of a laugh from Ushijima as he agrees, “My mother is of that creed as well.” 

-----

After the rest of the night’s festivities, Kuroo is finally allowed to return to his rooms. His parlor is dark other than a few candles that are kept lit for his convenience. He will have to call a servant to start a fire for him. He would do it himself, but his mother abhors her children doing common work, which honestly drives Kuroo insane. He isn’t helpless. He is fully capable of setting fire to logs without incident or issue. He sighs and pulls on a taut wire that runs along the wall until it reaches a small carveout that follows along the servant’s hallway which runs along the back of the royal family’s rooms and connects to the servants’ quarters. This is where the pull of the wire will ring a bell. It will likely take several minutes this time of night for one of the servants to come, especially since there are so many members of royalty visiting and needing to be tended. Actually, it is rare for a fire to not be waiting for him in November, but things get overlooked during the bustle of ceremonies.

Kuroo flops down in his favorite chair and lets out a long breath. How many more days of this hell does he have to endure before he is allowed to choose Bokuto and be done with it? Too many, the answer is far too many. 

“What has you acting so dramatically?” a voice says.

Kuroo startles, but then relaxes as Kenma uncurls himself from the window seat, a book in hand. 

“Why in the hell are you here in the dark?” 

Kenma rolls his eyes and comes over to slump into another chair next to Kuroo. “I wanted to make sure things are going alright. Akaashi said that Prince Bokuto was devastated that his item didn’t win.” 

Kuroo snorts, the laugh torn from him before he can stop the undignified sound from escaping. “I could tell. He does know that this isn’t an actual competition. My mother is trying to rig it, but I’ve already made my choice, and it’s Bokuto.”

“He’s competitive, you know that,” Kenma says as he cracks the book open to the page where a small bookmark is placed, unable to resist the call of a good book, even when talking to his prince. 

“But he understands that I’m going to pick him, right?” Kuroo asks, quirking an eyebrow, because it is a ridiculous question, but one that bears asking since it is Bokuto afterall.

“He understands,” Kenma says, beginning to get lost in his book. It isn’t chess, which Kenma enjoys even more than reading, but reading is one of Kenma’s favorite activities. “The thing is, do you understand what you’re doing by picking him?”

Oh no, Kuroo knows this has been coming, but he had hoped to avoid it as long as possible. “Is this where I get a lecture?”

“It is where I should lecture you? Yes. But I’m not going to.”

Kuroo kicks a foot out and bumps Kenma’s foot. “Why not?”

Kenma shrugs and turns a page. “Because I think you’ve probably been fretting enough about it on your own. And if you haven’t been, start. You should make sure you are doing the right thing for both of you.”

“It was his idea,” Kuroo says defensively.

Kenma only hums in reply, the sound an annoyingly knowing sound which Kuroo hates. The question is, what exactly does Kenma know?

------

The next day's activities fly by in a blur. There are more contests from his mother, more prizes awarded to the princes who Kuroo will not be choosing. Prince Osamu is chosen to take a private walk along the palace gardens with Kuroo. Prince Daichi wins the honor of dining with Kuroo in the evening. Bokuto seems more and more dejected by each loss. Kuroo hasn’t found the time to pull the other prince aside and remind him that he has this whole choosing competition in the bag, as is their plan, so Bokuto pouts whenever another prince walks off with Kuroo on his arm. It is strangely endearing, if unnecessary. 

When Kuroo collapses into his bed that night, he falls asleep minutes after his head hits his pillow. Usually, he has to mute out the many nighttime sounds of the castle by burying his head beneath pillows, but not tonight. So really, he almost screams when someone whispers his name. Kuroo is certain it is the ghost of that one duke who died at his mother’s coronation ceremony, and is about to attempt to yell it away before a solid hand covers Kuroo’s mouth and a voice does it’s best to shush him.

“Shhhh! I don’t want ‘Kaashi to get mad at me for sneaking in,” Bokuto says in a very loud whisper.

Kuroo reaches up and plucks the hand away from his mouth. “You’re lucky I like you. You scared the crap out of me. I thought you were dead Duke Shindo’s ghost.”

“Yeah, you shoulda seen your eyes, I swore they were gonna bug right out of your head,” Bokuto says as he flops next to Kuroo in the bed, giggling as he reenacts Kuroo’s wide-eyed horror for Kuroo.

“Shithead,” Kuroo mutters, before turning on his side and facing his friend. “But seriously, you shouldn’t be in here. Sometimes the servants come and tend the fire.” 

Bokuto shakes his head and gives a yawn as he curls closer to Kuroo. “Nope, they’re all busy helping set up whatever ridiculous thing your mom has planned for tomorrow. She let us know tonight at supper that it’s for a new challenge in the ceremony, and honestly, Tets, I’m not looking forward to it.”

“Why’s that?” Kuroo asks before echoing Bokuto’s yawn back to him. It is far, far too late for conversations about the stupid things his mother is planning for Kuroo’s poor suitors.

“I don’t know. I just keep thinking I’m doing good, and yet, I don’t get to be alone with you like everyone else.”

Kuroo snorts and says, “You know, that might have something to do with the fact that you ruined all of the queen’s carefully laid plans for my choosing ceremony. You can’t cross my mother and think you’ll get off without some kind of retribution.” 

“But Tets! I even came up with this really cool reason why I chose that feather I found.” 

Kuroo smirks at Bokuto, before saying, “Yeah, what was up with that first challenge? I wasn’t even told what it was, or why everyone ran off to find random things in the woods.”

Bokuto flops onto his back and grins up at the ceiling, raising one of his arms as if he is trying to touch something far, far away, like the moon or a star. 

“We were supposed to find something that represents what a marriage to us would look like. I chose a feather because I like the idea of you being able to fly away. To be free. Because I know that’s what you want, Tets. To be free of your princely obligations. I want to give that to you.”

Kuroo’s heart clenches at that. Bokuto wants him to be free? Yeah, that is what he wants—to be free, to find joy and passion in his life. Kuroo wants to explore and travel and learn. He doesn’t want to be tied down to a prince in another country, merely being a dutiful husband, never straying and only allowed to assist his husband in his rule. That is the job of a second heir, afterall, especially since his sister birthed three heirs that now rank above him in the Kuroo royal family hierarchy of inheritance. Kuroo’s duty is to serve, and yet, Bokuto wants him to be free.

Kuroo doesn’t plan to do anything, he is content to enjoy the warmth that Bokuto’s thoughtfulness brings to his heart, but then Bokuto rolls back onto his side and looks at Kuroo with an expression Kuroo can’t quite describe. It might be...longing? Kuroo wonders if he is mirroring the same expression back at Bokuto, but he doesn’t have a chance to think about it for long, because Bokuto lifts a hand to Kuroo’s cheek and then deftly moves through the small space between them, pulling Kuroo into a kiss. It is sweet and chaste, and it is the kind of first kiss that is romantic yet respectful, something that seems out of sorts when two people are lying side by side in a bed. 

Bokuto pulls away and says oh-so quietly, “I-I’ve wanted to do that for a while now.”

Oh.

Kuroo realizes, stupidly, that maybe he has wanted Bokuto to do that for awhile now, too.

Kuroo gives Bokuto a stupid grin before he leans in to initiate their second kiss. This kiss lingers and their mouths work slowly against one another until Kuroo lets a little moan escape. Kuroo feels as Bokuto smiles into the kiss and pulls himself closer, his eagerness growing as he sucks Kuroo’s lower lip between his own before he opens his mouth sweetly to let Kuroo’s tongue slip in and tease and wetly slide against Bokuto’s own tongue. It isn’t an understatement to say that things might be getting a bit too heated before Kuroo hears someone clear their throat, and he knows he should pull away, to apologize for this indecency, but Bokuto’s hand is on his waist, doing its best to tug Kuroo closer to him. 

A second person clears his throat, and Kuroo recognizes it immediately. 

“Kenma,” Kuroo says as he breaks the kiss and sits up in his bed, only to be met by not only Kenma's disapproving look, but also Akaashi’s, “I can explain.”

“Uh-oh,” Bokuto says as he tries to put a little space between himself and Kuroo, because space between them is greatly lacking.

“Did I not impress upon you the importance of maintaining your distance and keeping out of Prince Kuroo’s private rooms throughout the duration of the ceremony, Prince Bokuto?” Akaashi asks, lifting one accusing eyebrow at his liege.

Bokuto, sometimes stupidly stubborn to a fault, just points right at Kenma and says, “And what about you and Kenma?” 

“Thank you for the false equivalence, my prince, but I woke Kenma after I found you missing from your room. He suggested we try Prince Kuroo’s rooms.”

Kenma looks right at Kuroo and gives a little shrug, as if Bokuto being here had been the most obvious place to look and he is not ashamed he thought so.

“‘Kaaashi!” Bokuto whines at his advisor, hopping out of the bed before turning to look at Kuroo with a disappointed pout. 

“Let’s return to your room, my prince. I wouldn’t want any untoward rumors to start about how you are taking advantage of Prince Kuroo,” Akaashi says as he walks with Bokuto over to the entrance to the hidden servant’s corridor along the wall. “I didn’t think you’d be foolish enough to use this, but I suppose it is the quickest way back to your room.”

Kenma sighs and adds, “And no more of this. If the two of you are caught, it will be a scandal, and the Queen may not honor Kuroo’s choice. You two can do… this, ugh, again once the choosing ceremony is over.” He gives Kuroo a rebuking glare before turning to the duke to say, “I’ll go first and make sure it’s clear. I’ll cough if I run into any servants.” 

Akaashi nods to Kenma and simply says, “Thank you,” before grabbing his Prince’s arm and dragging him through the door. Bokuto watches Kuroo with a pitiful look until the door clicks shut and slides neatly back into the wall, hidden from anyone who doesn’t know what to look for.

Kuroo sighs and flops back down on his bed. He can still taste Bokuto on his lips and he sinks into the memory of their shared kisses until sleep reclaims him.

------

Honestly, part of Kuroo finds this little tournament his mother designed to be absolutely stupid. In this day and age, particularly when mages can do more damage in battle than sword fighters ever could, why would anyone truly care about a prince’s mastery of a sword. It is more important for a prince to know how to tactically lead an army, or be adept at the art of statecraft, or be a talented diplomat or peacemaker. Still, as Kuroo watches the princes parade out in their armor with their dulled tournament swords, something in him is stupidly interested in this test of the princes’ brawn and fighting skill. Yes, Kuroo Tetsurou is not immune to a handsome man swinging a sword, thank you very much.

Most of the princes have someone assisting them, someone to adjust armor or replace damaged sections between fights. It is sweet when Kuroo realizes the knight helping Prince Oikawa must be the knight Ushijima told Kuroo about. Though Oikawa and his knight bicker a little—Kuroo is finding out that bickering might be one of Oikawa’s love languages—there is obvious fondness between them. Kuroo also notes the knight is extremely handsome, despite his shorter stature. First Prince Daichi, then Knight Iwaizumi. Okay, maybe Kuroo has a thing for short men, who knows.

Kuroo is still lost in thought when Bokuto finally makes it to the tournament area. The gold and silver detailing of his armor gleams brightly in the sunlight, but unlike the more impractical, decorative armor worn by the twins or Oikawa, Bokuto’s armor is detailed beautifully but made for functionality. Duke Akaashi trails behind Bokuto as calm as Bokuto is excited. Bokuto begins truly showboating as he raises his dull sword with a whoop, whipping the gathered crowd into a frenzy of cheers. And as much as Kuroo finds himself appreciating Prince Daichi and Knight Iwaizumi, he cannot take his eyes off of Prince Bokuto. He wonders why through all of the years he has known the prince, Kuroo has never realized how strikingly handsome his friend is.

A booming voice breaks through the din of cheers. “I welcome everyone to the Tournament of Princes. Welcome to our princes, welcome to our great audience, and welcome to my son, who will make Nekoma proud by choosing a strong and courageous partner from these talented young men,” Kuroo’s mother calls out. A mage stands next to her and works magic to amplify her voice. She is the picture of strength and regality, a ruler who demands respect, and she thrives on the attention the crowd gives her as they cheer in whoops and hollers. 

Kuroo doesn’t hate his mother, not at all. Despite her many flaws, and the growing tension between them, she is still his mother, and he loves her. It is often difficult to love her, but he does. And as Prince Ushijima steps up into the ring to fight Prince Atsumu, Kuroo understands why she chose these particular princes to vie for his attention and companionship. She wants the best for Nekoma, of course, but these are also incredibly talented young men, worthy of being selected. Kuroo feels a slight pang of guilt at how he has tried his best to subvert his mother’s wishes. He looks over at Bokuto, who is watching the fight from the sidelines with the other princes, cheering on both Atsumu and Ushijima. Is it wrong to want freedom? Is it wrong to want him?

And if last night’s kiss was anything to judge by, it seems that perhaps Prince Bokuto might want him too. Is this ruse of theirs truly a ruse? The kiss revealed so much, but it also created a hundred other questions Kuroo desperately wants answered, preferably before beginning a so-called ‘fake’ engagement to Bokuto. He wants to talk with his friend and figure things out, because Kuroo feels so confused about everything now—the kiss, the engagement, his freedom, their feelings. And he knows it will likely be an awkward and unwieldy conversation, but it is one he and Bokuto need to have.

There is a loud crash of metal on metal, and Kuroo’s attention is drawn back into the fight between Ushijima and Atsumu, and the winner is obvious. Atsumu is sprawled on the ground, the tip of Ushijima’s sword at his throat. Kuroo’s mother looks devilishly pleased by this outcome. 

The next fight is between Daichi and Oikawa, and Daichi is definitely more than adequate with a sword. Unlike Oikawa’s focus on offensive attacks, Daichi’s defensive parries and ability to dodge the other prince’s sword are impressive. In the end, it is Dachi who lands the required three high damage blows and knocks Oikawa out of the tournament. That leaves Bokuto and Osamu for the final fight of the first round. 

Atsumu, wanting revenge for his loss, shouts encouragement to his brother, but Bokuto’s offensive strikes are brutal. Bokuto and Ushijima have a similar style, based more on power and cunning than Daichi’s defensive style. Even with his helmet, Kuroo is positive Bokuto is grinning like an idiot as he makes sure each blow lands and inflicts as much damage to Osamu as possible. Like his brother, Osamu is forced to yield with a swordpoint nearly pressed to his throat. The crowd is rabid after Bokuto’s win, and while the organizers prepare for the second round, Bokuto bounds over to Kuroo, Akaashi following not far behind, chiding him for not staying with the other princes.

“Did you see, Tets? I totally crushed Osamu!” He says as he flips the visor of his helmet up, a pleased grin spread across his lips just as Kuroo had imagined it would be. 

“I saw,” Kuroo confirms, but doesn’t have a chance to say more before Akaashi steps between them.

“Prince Bokuto, may I remind you that Prince Kuroo must appear neutral in his support for the tournament participants.

“Awww, ‘Kaaaashi! I just wanted to talk with Tetsu!”

Kuroo has to stifle a laugh behind his hand as Bokuto gets admonished by Akaashi. Well, at least someone can keep Bokuto in line. That’s probably good for the future of Fukurodani.

“I apologize, Prince Kuroo. I hope you enjoy the rest of the tournament,” Akaashi says to Kuroo with a polite bow, then he herds Bokuto back to the holding area for the remaining three princes.

However, Bokuto manages to grin madly as he walks away, waving at Kuroo as he shouts, “Cheer for me, my prince!”

The crowd seems to like that little sentiment a lot as claps and hoots erupt as Bokuto asks for Kuroo’s favor. Little do they know, Bokuto absolutely has it.

The second round of the tournament consists of two parts—a skills demonstration, and then each prince battles the other two. The skills demonstration has a panel of judges who are to grade the solo performance. The battles also have a complex point system. Kuroo has no doubt that this is all subterfuge to allow his mother to knock Bokuto out of the round. Points are subjective, and so far, all of her tests have had that aspect and have denied Bokuto any kind of win. The skill demonstrations are all very good, but Kuroo is sure that Bokuto actually has the best performance. Kuroo is, despite his disdain for the emphasis on sword fighting, one of the best swordsmen in the land, despite his feelings on the usefulness of swordsmen. Kuroo uses a mix of defensive and offensive styles, and he is positive that if he entered his own tournament, he would likely end up the winner. 

During the battling portion, a clear winner between the three becomes obvious. Daichi falls to both Ushijima and Bokuto in their individual battles, because though his defense is impressive, both Bokuto and Ushijima are offensive powerhouses and wear him down. Then, Bokuto’s and Ushijima’s match is very close, but Bokuto pulls a quick fake and Ushijima stumbles and drops to one knee, and when he recovers, Bokuto’s blade hovers dangerously close to his neck.

“I yield,” Ushijima says and stands and gives Bokuto a polite nod. The crowd goes insane as Bokuto lifts his sword into the air and struts around the fighting circle. 

If the battles had been closer, a third round might have been warranted, but with Daichi’s two losses he is knocked out of contention. Kuroo wonders if his mother will usurp an obvious win by Bokuto and give Ushijima the winner’s title anyway, attributing it to the skills demonstration, but when she steps forward, it is obvious by her thinly veiled anger who she will name as champion.

“Thank you to all our brave princes. They have given us a wonderful tournament. However, there can only be a single winner, and tonight that winner is Prince Bokuto Koutarou of Fukurodani. He has won the right to escort my son on a private carriage ride and candlelit dinner along the banks of the great mage river that separates our two lands. 

Oh-ho-ho. A ride and dinner alone with Bokuto? This is exactly what Kuroo needs. They can finally discuss everything that is going on between them and neither Akaashi nor Kenma will be able to stop them. Kuroo turns to look at his champion and he is struck silent as Bokuto smiles at him with an undeniable fondness.

--------

“I have no doubt that this whole thing was a set-up to stick me alone with Ushijima for an entire evening, but you foiled my mother’s plans,” Kuroo says as he climbs into the enclosed carriage and sits right next to Bokuto. The steward who helps them in gives Kuroo a questioning look, but doesn’t say anything. Kuroo is sure he is supposed to sit opposite of Bokuto, on the other bench for propriety’s sake, but he doesn’t care. This is his private outing with Bokuto, everyone else can piss off.

“I saw the look she gave me when Ushijima yielded,” and Bokuto gives an exaggerated shudder. “I think she might be out for my blood.”

“Watch your back,” Kuroo tells Bokuto with a laugh as the driver gives a shout and cracks a whip and the carriage begins to move.

Bokuto reaches over and slips his hand into Kuroo’s hand, and even though it is an innocent enough gesture, it makes Kuroo’s face burn with embarrassment, because this thing between them is supposed to be fake, and it’s beginning to feel anything but. At least, part of him hopes it isn’t as fake as they planned.

“So,” Kuroo starts, voice hesitant, not sure how to broach the topic, “Our little plan for a fake engagement...it’s feeling less and less fake.”

The expression Bokuto gives is a mix of worry and perhaps a little bit of fear. It’s like the earth is shifting beneath him and he isn’t sure where to stand. Kuroo knows, because that is exactly how he feels as well.

“I’m…” Bokuto begins and then looks down at their joined hands, still holding onto each other, and he squeezes Kuroo’s fingers gently as he continues, “I wasn’t lying back in the tower. I thought it was a good idea to help you. I just didn’t account for something.” 

Kuroo swallows, his throat is dry as he manages to croak out, “What didn’t you account for?”

Bokuto looks up again, and the two of them lock gazes, Bokuto’s fingers give another reassuring squeeze as he softly admits, “My feelings for you.”

Kuroo’s head swims and he’s not sure what to say about that. This is what he wants, right? As much as marriage and duty feel burdensome and perhaps even oppressive, the thought that Bokuto has feelings for him makes Kuroo’s heart feel light and giddy.

“You actually have feelings for me?” Kuroo finally asks when he can manage words.

Bokuto scoffs at that, but then smiles as he teases Kuroo by saying, “And you say I’m the dense one.”

Well, Bokuto has never been dense about emotions or feelings. He has always had far more emotional intelligence than Kuroo, who often feels absolutely stunted by his confusing mess of emotions. It is why Bokuto will be a great king someday. Bokuto’s empathy and understanding for the people around him will aid in good governance for his kingdom. 

“Seriously, Koutarou, I’m asking,” Kuroo says, face heating as he struggles his way through a conversation he never imagined having.

Bokuto leans in and lays his head on Kuroo’s shoulder. Between that and the hand-holding, this carriage ride is probably far more intimate than Kuroo’s mother intended. Not that Kuroo minds.

Bokuto finally draws in a deep breath and says, “Yeah, Tets. I guess I’ve liked you for awhile, and when I heard your mom was making you go through the choosing ceremony, I hated the thought of losing you to someone else. I mean, more than anything, I want you to be happy, even if this ruse of ours is just to give you an avenue to freedom, but maybe…” and his voice trails off for a moment before Bokuto finishes, “maybe part of me hopes our engagement can be real.”

The thought of being married at twenty, even to Bokuto, or hell, even if they don’t marry until twenty-five, still feels terrifying. But also, the warmth of Bokuto’s hand clutching his, and the desperate desire to kiss Bokuto again...maybe marriage and engagements are terrifying, but Kuroo is pretty sure that falling in love with Bokuto is anything but. 

“I’d like to try being with you,” Kuroo admits, “As a partner, not as a fiance or husband. I want to know my partner before those things. I want…” 

And part of Kuroo is so absolutely jealous that Bokuto’s parents encourage the one thing Kuroo desperately wishes his mother would allow him.

“I want to fall in love,” Kuroo says, voice surprisingly laced with anger as he admits to it.

Bokuto lifts his head and presses his lips to Kuroo’s cheek, the soft kiss a calming reminder that Kuroo has no reason to be angry, Bokuto isn’t who he is angry at.

“You absolutely deserve the chance to fall in love, Tetsu. Even as a prince,” Bokuto says.

Kuroo wants to kiss Bokuto so badly, but honestly, it all just hurts so much. He hasn’t even had a chance to live his life, how in the world is he supposed to fall in love? Does he love Bokuto? No, Kuroo realizes, but the potential is definitely there, and these feelings could grow into it. The desire to find that kind of connection with someone burns in Kuroo, and he knows the ember that lit this fire within him came from Bokuto. Kuroo is certain he can fall in love if given a chance, if they aren’t forced, if this thing is allowed to grow between them naturally.

Kuroo sniffs, trying his best to keep his emotions in check, but he feels several tears track down his cheeks. “I don’t know how to explain what I want,” he mumbles, and he hates that there are so many things roiling around inside of him, mixing his feelings into a dense, muddy mess.

“I think you want the freedom of choice and the freedom of time. Love takes time, Tets.”

Bokuto can be such an idiot at times, but then there are moments, like this one, where his brilliance shines. Maybe it’s because Bokuto has seen and understands true love. Bokuto’s parents have taught him that love is important, but also how to love by the example they set for their son. Kuroo has never had that pleasure.

“So um,” Bokuto starts, but he hesitates when Kuroo’s gaze falls downward, attempting to hide the tears he is trying desperately not to shed. “Tetsu, don’t…” and Bokuto’s thumb wipes a gentle line under one of Kuroo’s eyes, drawing the tears out, only encouraging more to fall. “I want to give you that time. Even if you don’t pick me. Even if it is just some pretend engagement and you fall in love with some other guy. What I want is to give you that chance.”

Kuroo swallows, and he knows that there is no way he is going to be able to force a single word out right now. Bokuto wipes tears from his other cheek. Kuroo bites down on the tip of his tongue to distract himself from the pain welling up inside of himself.

“I’d be lying if I said that I didn’t want you to use that time to fall in love with me, because,” and Bokuto lets out a sad little chuckle, “I’ve kind of been in love with you forever.” 

Bokuto’s admission makes Kuroo’s heart squeeze. It is a terrible mix of happiness and anxiety, because the expectation of love honestly terrifies him, but the feeling settles, the anxiety ebbing, the happiness remaining. The possibility of loving Bokuto, of being loved by Bokuto—the hope of it hurts in a way that Kuroo has always craved. And then, Kuroo finally finds words, and he prays they are the right words, the ones that will explain this mess of emotions inside of himself. 

“I want the chance to fall in love,” Kuroo says and then lets out a breath as he finishes this sentiment that has settled into him. “I want the chance to fall in love with you.”

Bokuto lets out a sharp bark of a laugh, but then he sniffs loudly and Kuroo looks over and realizes that he’s not the only one crying, Bokuto is too. 

“I’ll happily give that to you, Tetsu.”

-------

(almost two years later)

There is nothing like stepping out of a carriage into the warm afternoon sunlight after days of travel. The castle that stands before Kuroo is not as impressive as Fukurodani’s castle, the one he loves from afar from his beloved west tower, but castles rarely are. Then again, this castle even pales against the beauty of Nekoma’s castle, but it is cozy and bustling with people. Kuroo walks through the castle entrance and is immediately introduced by a stressed looking herald. Prince Osamu and Prince Atsumu stride up to greet Kuroo, both of them wearing their finest regalia. Kuroo tries his very best not to make some snide remark about the ridiculous matching capelets the twins are wearing. It is a difficult thing.

Atsumu, the more affable of the two, greets Kuroo with a grin as he says, “Funny meeting you here, Prince Kuroo Tetsurou, at a wedding of all places,” and though it’s an obvious joke, it doesn’t quite hit right, like most of Atsumu’s attempts at humor. Atsumu has always had a penchant for putting his foot right into his mouth.

“Ignore this idiot,” Osamu says as he clasps Kuroo’s arm in greeting. “It’s good to see ya again. It’s been awhile.”

“Ah yes, well, I’ve been traveling,” Kuroo says as they are joined by yet another of the princes who participated in Kuroo’s choosing ceremony.

Nearly two years older, a few inches taller, and definitely broader; Prince Ushijima Wakatoshi is a devastatingly handsome man. Perhaps Kuroo’s mother had been onto something during his choosing ceremony. Kuroo and Ushijima managed to stay in touch and now find themselves in an oddly close friendship, mostly maintained by written correspondence, of which Ushijima is rather skilled with. 

“Prince Kuroo,” Ushijima says as they greet each other, even going as far as to give Kuroo a small smile. Kuroo knows the kind of smile Ushijima gives when he is forced, and honestly, calling that kind of thing a grimace doesn’t do it justice, so it comforts Kuroo to see a subtle, true smile from Ushijima.

“I hope you’ve been well, Prince Ushijima,” Kuroo says, to which Ushijima just replies with a small nod. 

The four Princes stand around and chat until Oikawa strides down his imperial staircase, looking dapper in his finery. 

“Don’t you have a wedding to get ready for?” Atsumu asks as he lifts an eyebrow at the other prince.

“Isn’t it bad luck to see your husband-to-be before the ceremony?” Osamu asks as he gives Oikawa a disapproving look.

“You would know what is expected of a royal wedding if you’d joined me at-—” Ushijima begins, but is promptly interrupted by Oikawa’s undignified screech.

“I swear, if you finish that sentence, Ushiwaka, I will murder you,” Oikawa threatens as he glares at Ushijima, who is properly confused by Oikawa’s reactions as always. “Speaking of my husband-to-be, has anyone seen him?”

The four princes shake their heads and Oikawa stalks off without another word, a man obviously on a mission.

The four princes are so distracted by Oikawa’s strangeness, that they don’t see Prince Daichi slip into their group. “Who wants to bet that if he finds Iwaizumi before the ceremony that Iwaizumi will end him?” Daichi asks.

“That’s a fool's bet,” Atsumu says, “because of course Iwaizumi will.” 

“Maybe not ‘end’ end him, per say,” Kuroo says with a chuckle, “Iwaizumi does actually love Prince Oikawa for some unseen reason. I try not to judge people for their bad taste.”

Somewhere across the room the group of them hear, “Rude!” coming from Oikawa’s mouth, and all of them know it is directed at their conversation.

The group of princes break out in laughter until the herald’s trumpet rings and he begins to announce the most recent arrival. “Introducing crown Prince Bokuto Koutarou of Fukurodani,” the herald says in a booming voice.

The herald’s voice is no comparison for the loud voice of Fukurodani’s prince as he rushes over to their group shouting, “Hey, hey, hey!” as he sidles up next to Kuroo.

Bokuto leans over and kisses Kuroo on the cheek, and despite their closeness, Kuroo flushes red before saying, “Took you long enough to get here. You left half a day before I did,” as Bokuto exchanges greetings with the other princes.

“Yeah, we broke a wheel this morning and I had to ride the rest of the way on horseback. Be glad that I made good time and was able to bathe at an inn, or I’d smell like a sweaty horse,” Bokuto says while motioning to his clothing.

“Isn’t that the way you always smell?” Osamu jokes, which everyone laughs at.

Atsumu, always jealous that his twin seems to be better liked than himself, glares at Osamu and grumbles, “Ah sure, laugh at his horsie joke. Ha. Ha. So funny.” 

Bokuto shrugs and slaps one of his meaty hands onto Atsumu’s shoulder. “Sorry TsumTsum, it was kind of funny,” and Atsumu’s pouting only serves as more reason for the group to laugh.

When their teasing of Atsumu finally subsides, Daichi turns to Bokuto and Kuroo and says, “I’m surprised the two of you didn’t arrive together. I’ve heard rumors that the two of you actually got engaged.” 

Kuroo turns red, because he has heard the rumors too. They fly around Nekoma and Fukurodani’s courts, and honestly are the biggest reason why he decided to travel for the summer rather than stay in the castle. He hates having to field questions about the status of his and Bokuto’s relationship, and yes, it is a relationship. The two of them have been together since Kuroo’s choosing ceremony, despite the celebration ending without Kuroo technically choosing anyone to be engaged to, much to his mother’s ire. That had been a huge scandal, but it set off a reaction of sorts. Today’s wedding is likely a direct result of Kuroo’s bucking of tradition. Oikawa insisted his sister and his nephew take precedence in the Aoba Johsai line of succession, and he decided to marry a certain knight whom he’d been in love with since the two were children. It is a sweet love story that Kuroo feels good about having a hand in encouraging. 

And when Kuroo still can’t seem to explain what he and Bokuto are to each other, Bokuto takes the lead, as he often does when discussing their relationship. He reaches over and slips Kuroo’s hand into his own and smiles fondly at Kuroo as he says, “We’re not engaged yet. We may never be. But! I do love him, and I think he loves me?”

“Stop fishing for proclamations of love,” Kuroo says, face burning. And yes, he has long since fallen in love with the handsome prince from across the river, the one who helped Kuroo realize that his duty is to his kingdom, but that can be accomplished without sacrificing his heart. Still, he knows Bokuto likes to hear it, so he swallows the incredible embarrassment that public displays of affection often cause him, and quietly says, “Yes, I love him.”

The entire group of princes whoop and holler, even Ushijima, who claps for the pair. It is a rather unseemly thing for princes to do, but then again, some tradition is meant to be flaunted and forgotten. And for one, Kuroo is grateful this is something he has embraced, because if he hadn’t found the courage to follow his heart instead of following tradition, he might not have a loving, kind partner, who maybe, possibly, in the very far future, Kuroo might be willing to lay down roots with. Until then, Kuroo is sure he and Bokuto will have many wonderful adventures and continue to share a great love with each other.

As the herald’s trumpet rings out to indicate it is time for guests to move into the main ballroom so the wedding ceremony can begin, Bokuto leans in close to Kuroo’s ear and whispers, “Hey Tets, thanks for letting me love you,” and then he kisses Kuroo’s cheek again and sets off another round of princely whooping.

The End