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“You see, I had thought these would pair well together, but now I'm not sure. How about a black tunic instead of maroon? Or would that be too dull for a party? It's the grandest celebration we’ve thrown in years, after all.”
“Indeed it is.”
“But then there's also the trousers. If I swapped tunics, I'd need to have the trousers compliment them, no?”
“Mhm.”
“So I'll look at it all as a whole, then maybe — no, I've forgotten about my shirt. Is the white too strong if I pair these? Are these the same shade, even?”
A fond smile spreads across Rui’s face as he watches his dear friend compare two identical looking shirts with an incredibly focused gaze. Rui reclines in the chair behind Tsukasa's writing desk, his feet resting against the dark wood crossed over one another. He'd long since stopped paying attention to the book in his lap, much more intrigued by the way Tsukasa had been pacing back and forth debating with himself over what formalwear best accented his 'princely stature'. Where the rest of his room is as it always was — immaculately positioned books on shelves and well dusted furnishings (“wouldn't want Saki to end up breathing all that in”, he'd once said) — his bed is now a host to a myriad of clothing items strewn out all across it to the point where the sheets are no longer visible.
“Rui, do you think the pearl or the cream suits me more?” Tsukasa asks suddenly, turning to Rui and holding up two white shirts to his chest. Rui struggles to even parse that there's supposed to be a difference.
“I think that you look ravishing in most anything.” he says sweetly, lilting his voice in the way that always draws a blush to the other's cheeks.
As expected, Tsukasa turns rosy, but he has enough wit about him to know when his friend is trying to dodge a question. “That's not an answer, Rui.” he grumbles. He turns to lay both shirts out on the bed once more, squinting at them both with his chin in one hand.
Rui sighs and closes his book, setting it on the desk. “I'm only jesting in part. Truly, I don't see much difference between the two.” He's honestly not entirely sure why Tsukasa had even asked him to his room in the first place. He knows about as much about fashion as an apothecary about greataxes, but he'd never turn down an offer to spend time with the man, so he's settled for offering his mediocre advice whenever asked. Although Tsukasa has seemed perfectly content in answering his own questions thus far.
To his surprise, Tsukasa sighs. “I just want this to be perfect.” He rubs at the base of his neck, as though stiff. “With the war over and the country returning to stability, we deserve a night of fun. We all do. Saki most of all.”
Rui feels his heart cinch at his words. The girl had suffered much, especially toward the end. She had nearly lost her closest friends for good. In fact, he was the one Tsukasa had come to about the idea of holding a ball once things had returned to some semblance of normalcy. He'd asked Rui to help him organise a grand gathering for all to enjoy, to bring smiles back to their friends and loved ones. Rui had agreed in a heartbeat, and they’d spent night after night brainstorming about the details, like which of Rui’s magics would be best suited as entertainment, and what foods they should prepare.
He stands from the desk and walks over to where Tsukasa stands, resting his hands on his shoulders gently. He smiles when Tsukasa leans into his touch and lets out a long, slow breath from between his lips.
“Tsukasa, relax a little, won't you please?” Rui says softly, rubbing his shoulders with gentle pressure. “You've put in so much work already. Don't forget that you deserve to enjoy yourself as well.”
Tsukasa hums, and Rui has the feeling that he's closed his eyes. “Thank you, Rui. You always seem to know what to say, somehow.”
A chuckle escapes him. “I wouldn't be a very good friend if I didn't.” He leans closer to his ear, and whispers. “But to be honest? I've always thought you looked very dashing in red.”
Tsukasa laughs, the intended effect, and he takes a deep breath. “Yes, I am rather suited to it, aren't I?”
“Perhaps the white ruffled shirt and the maroon tunic would look nice.”
“Mm. Indeed. And you can wear it in black.”
Rui startles, his hands falling from Tsukasa's shoulders. “Me?”
He laughs again, bright. “Did you forget you're also attending?”
“It... might have slipped my mind for a moment.” Rui admits. He’d been so wrapped up in the planning of it that he’d neglected to even consider it.
Tsukasa gestures to his garment-covered bed. “Well, take a look! You can borrow anything you see for the night. Apart from the pearl shirt and maroon tunic, of course.” he adds.
“You're sure?” he asks tentatively. “These are all... much finer things than I'm used to.”
With a warmth to his gaze, Tsukasa turns to him. “I'm telling you it's okay. In fact, stay right there. I've got a few things in mind that I think would suit you very well.”
Sooner than he can blink, Tsukasa starts to pile clothes into Rui's arms, rambling about how he'd been thinking about it for a while now, and that they should definitely fit, you're taller, but we share waist sizes , and then he's being pushed behind the wooden partition at the foot of his bed to change. He does so somewhat stunned, his mind elsewhere as he unbuttons his vest and shirt. It feels strange, doing something so casually in Tsukasa's room, but he puts it out of mind as he pulls on a dark shirt with airy sleeves and a royal purple tunic lined with silver on top of it. He wonders if he's supposed to change into the crisp white trousers Tsukasa gave him to complete the look and decides that he might as well.
A good thing, too, as apparently Tsukasa had taken the opportunity to change into his own formalwear. As Rui steps out from behind the partition, Tsukasa finishes sliding the last gold button through the front of his tunic, smoothing it down the front. His hair, previously sitting in a loose ponytail, has been restyled to fall over his shoulder, soft and smooth. When he catches sight of Rui, he seems to light up, his smile growing wider and crinkling around his eyes.
“Well,” he says. “You look so handsome in those; I might have to let you keep them.”
Rui's the one to go red this time, almost embarrassed at how deeply the compliment reaches him. “That would be very kind of you.”
Tsukasa strides towards him, taking a long look at him from each side. “A better fit than I thought, as well. Although,” he pauses, stepping aside to rifle in his dresser. “Yes, here it is!” He returns with something in his hand: a silver ribbon. “This'll be the perfect touch.”
With careful hands, Tsukasa lifts the flaps of his collar and loops the ribbon around underneath, bringing both ends to the front and measuring their length. Rui looks down as he works, getting a great view of the top of his blonde head, but not much else. Not long after, he steps back to admire his handiwork. “There! Take a look in the mirror.”
Rui turns towards the floor-length mirror by the dresser, but he's stopped by Tsukasa's outstretched arm after taking just one step. “No! Wait. One more thing.” This time, he reaches for a comb and another item from atop his dresser, and then he's fussing with Rui's hair, what he now sees as a hair clip held between his teeth. He's never paid much attention to his hair, other than to keep it clean and out of his eyes. He feels the comb sweep his fringe to left of his face, then Tsukasa sets the comb aside, taking the clip and pinning the hair just above his ear. “There. Complete.”
When Rui sees his reflection, he sees so much of Tsukasa there that he chuckles almost involuntarily. But he has to agree that he seems to clean up well when he's not wearing his own clothes. The purple suits him, and the ribbon is tied in a neat bow. It's strange seeing such a different hairstyle on himself, but it doesn't look bad either.
“Well? How is it?” Tsukasa steps up beside him, admiring Rui's outfit through the mirror. But Rui's gaze is much more taken with the adorable and almost silly look of pride on Tsukasa's face, and his heart aches with fondness at even that simple little thing.
“Gorgeous,” he says, and he's not quite sure which of the two he's talking about anymore. Perhaps both.
Tsukasa's eye meets his through the mirror, and the warmth of his grin could melt glaciers. Rui can only return a tender smile.
“Let's make tomorrow night a marvellous one.”
“Well said!”
✰
The ball is going splendidly.
Most everyone invited has turned up, and Rui hasn't once seen the dance floor clear in the four hours since the party has commenced. It's well after midnight now, but the chatter is still loud and the skirts are swirling to a chorus of violins like it's only just begun. In all honesty, he'd like to join in himself, but he's a bit awkward when it comes to choosing dance partners — unlike Tsukasa, it seems. His friend flits about the ballroom with ease, taking people seemingly at random for a sweep around before moving on to someone else, always leaving them with smiles on their faces.
He's watching him take the hand of Lady Honami for a dance when someone suddenly occupies the spot beside him. To his surprise, it's Saki. She beams up at him, her pretty hair braided in an updo spotted with daisies, and he returns it in kind.
“Good evening, Lady Saki.” he greets her. “You’ve been enjoying yourself tonight, I hope?”
“Oh, absolutely!” she gushes. “The fireworks you set off earlier were really something! I've never seen anything prettier!"
Rui chuckles. "Oh, that? Just a bit of alchemy, really. I’ve been working on it specifically for today. Did you enjoy the bursts of pegasi I added?” he asks. “Those were for you and your brother."
Saki clasps her hands in delight. "I thought that's why you did that! I loved them!"
“That’s music to my ears.” he replies. Quietly, he’s more than glad to see her smile. Saki Tenma is a lot of things; a bundle of energy with endless determination and a kind heart that comes with being of the Tenma family. After all she’s been through, she deserves nothing less than a fine evening spent with her loved ones. With how fondly Tsukasa talks about her, he’s come to see her as something of a sister of his own, her happiness becoming one of his top priorities.
At a sudden whooping cheer, their attention drifts to the laughing, dancing couples twirling before them. Rui’s eye catches a flash of blonde, and of course, Tsukasa is whirling Honami around extravagantly, his ponytail flying behind him. The girl seems to be holding on for dear life, but her laughter reassures him that she’s fine.
“You're not going to join in?” Saki asks him. “You and my brother were so excited earlier on; I thought you'd be dancing the night away by now.”
He hums. “Dancing is fun, but I've always had a bit of a thing for watching delights unfold from afar rather than being a direct participant. I promise you'll get a dance out of me tonight.” He holds a hand out to her. “Did you want to...?”
She blinks, then shakes her head, laughing. “Oh, no, I'm all danced out for now. Need to manage my stamina, y'know. Plus, I promised Icchan I’d save the last dance for her.”
“I see. I'm happy for you both.” he adds softly. Her light flush is all the response he needs, and he takes a sip from his glass with a smile.
“I still think you should dance at some point. I mean, it’s the highlight of the evening, isn’t it? Moving to the music.”
A shrug. “If it makes you happy, I have considered it. I’m just a tad people-shy. I’m not a very social man.”
She flashes a teasing smile of her own. “Is that code for ‘My brother has been busy all night and I’m too awkward to ask him’, perhaps?”
“Lady Saki!” he starts, wholly caught off guard. He prays it doesn’t show too much.
But the girl laughs, nudging his side lightly. “I’m only teasing you. And please, just Saki is fine. How long have we known each other now?”
“It’ll be coming up five years.”
“Wow…” she gasps. “That’s such a long time! I didn’t think it had been that long.”
“Indeed.” And sometimes, it really feels like it was only yesterday that he had stood on the opposite side of the battlefield to her. He remembers, vividly, a flash of white feathers and a booming voice, as bright and as powerful as the sun calling to him from the skies. Often, in times of introspection, he wonders where he would be if Tsukasa hadn’t convinced him to join them that day. Perhaps he’d have abandoned his crumbling nation eventually and never have met him. That thought scares him more than anything.
They lapse into a brief silence, their eyes wandering to the dancers once again. A new dance is starting, and Rui sees Tsukasa has relinquished Honami instead to take the hand of Shizuku of the Clover Knights, who seems to accept happily. She towers over him in her heels, nearly by a full head with the added height. Their shared laughter rings sweetly as the dance begins in earnest, and Rui finds himself clapping along to the beat of the tune.
After a while, Saki speaks. “...I'm really grateful to you both for organising this. I think we all really needed it.” she says, her voice having taken on a much gentler tone. “And... I'm grateful to you, too. Because I think my brother really needed you.”
Rui turns to her, unable to fully mask his surprise. His clapping slows to a stop. “...You think so?”
“You’ve been so much of his life for the past few years. You’re always there for him, happy to be there and smile with him. I don’t think you know how much that means to him.”
To hear it from her, it carries a certain weight. He highly doubts that his impact on Tsukasa’s life is anywhere near the lord’s on his own, but he doubts even more that she would lie about her brother’s feelings. Unsure how to articulate a response, he hums.
“No need to mention it, Saki…I'm the one who needed him after all.”
She smiles at both his words and at the use of her name. He feels a surge of affection for her, and he’s almost about to ask if she’d like to see some more of his alchemical parlour tricks when a familiar voice calls to him, made louder by the absence of music fading with the end of the dance.
His eyes are drawn back to the crowd of people, bustling as some rush to find new partners and others leave to find a new drink, and it’s not even a surprise when his eyes meet amber ones through the throng. Tsukasa pushes himself through them, tossing slightly too loud excuse me’ s to his left and right as he makes his way towards Rui. Even at a distance he can see his flushed cheeks, though whether it’s with mirth, exertion, or spirits, he cannot say for sure.
When he manages to finally burst forth from the crowd, he stumbles to a stop in front of him. “Rui!” he says again, a brilliant smile on his face. “I’ve been looking for you! All night!”
Rui chuckles, feeling a certain gentle exasperation. “You were with me just an hour ago, Tsukasa.”
He frowns, his brow creasing as he struggles to recall. “Really? Well, nevermind that now. A little bird told me you haven't danced yet!" he declares, his eyes bright with determination.
“Oh? And who might that have been?” Rui asks, throwing a glance to Saki at his side, who shrugs as if to plead innocent.
“Nevermind that now!” he says, for a second time. He throws out a hand towards him, still breathing heavily. "Dance with me!"
Rui tenses. "T-Tsukasa!?" he chokes. He supposes he should’ve expected this from him, yet he finds himself caught off guard anyway. Tsukasa had seemed to be having so much fun with his other friends; Rui hadn’t thought to offer himself as well. Rather, the fact that Tsukasa had come to seek him out in particular is…
He wills away a flush, or at least hopes it’s plausible to blame on the warmth of the ballroom. “Are you sure you wouldn’t want to rest a moment? You’re out of breath.”
Tsukasa’s determination spreads to his smile, which turns to a boastful smirk. “And who do you presume me to be, Rui Kamishiro? I can handle a whirl or three more! So dance with me!"
Under the chandelier’s glittering lights he’s so impossibly bright it’s difficult to look at, yet he cannot take his eyes off him all the same. Cracking a smile, he sets down his glass on the table behind him and makes a show of rolling his eyes and sighing, though there’s no real protest to it.
"...Well, you asked for it."
He bypasses the outstretched hand and instead seizes him by the waist, whirling him into a dance as fast as his heartbeat as the music starts up once more.
Almost immediately, he loses himself in the movement, the crowd a blur around them as the world shrinks down to encompass just the two of them, the eye of their own storm. Tsukasa takes Rui’s hand and squeezes it tight, and they follow each other along in steps so numerous that he’s not sure which of them is leading anymore. Tsukasa's ponytail flies behind him like gold as he twirls under Rui's arm, and though he cries out when he stumbles, it's never without a laugh and a smile. It makes Rui hold him just a little closer each time he pulls him back in, the space between them so minimal that he can feel the heat of Tsukasa’s cheeks on his own, millimetres apart. His heart pounds as they blow through the dance, reacting not perfectly but enthusiastically to each other’s moves, and Rui forgets about everything.
It all comes rushing back when the hand on his back (when had that gotten there?) holds him tightly as Tsukasa twirls him into a dip so low that he feels like he’ll topple over, pulling Tsukasa down with him. Rui’s hand is on his chest, and their eyes meet with gazes full of wild joy, as though they were young boys who had just ridden their first gallop. Tsukasa’s heart, too, is galloping in his breast, something Rui can feel against the palm of his hand. He imagines his is much the same, if he could feel it at all; right now, the only things he does feel are the hand on his back and the overwhelming urge to kiss him.
Gods, he wants to kiss him. Right here, in this crowded ballroom, status and social etiquette be damned. Tsukasa is so beautiful, smiling as though dazed in a daydream, holding him with strength enough to keep a man near a head taller than himself off the floor. He smells faintly of lilies, and strongly of himself, a scent Rui’s grown accustomed to after long days and nights spent together in his chambers. He wants to brush aside the hair that’s currently falling into his eyes, to lean in and press his lips to his forehead, his cheeks, all of him. He wants to let his feelings flow out and crash like waves against a shore, free to love Tsukasa just as he’s always dreamed of.
He hardly notices that the dance is over. When exactly they had moved from the ballroom to one of the balconies, he has no idea, apart from vague recollections of Tsukasa leading him by the hand through a throng of guests. Everything but that simple touch was a blur, even as the cool night air brings some sense of awareness back to him.
Tsukasa’s grin is wide, leaning against the balcony’s railing with wild hair as though thoroughly windswept. The warm light from the ballroom fades into the night, but Tsukasa is as bright as ever. He gestures for Rui to step up beside him, which he does, absently leaning an arm across the stone. His friend laughs, turning to him with a teasing air about him. “You know, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you dance quite so enthusiastically before.”
Despite himself, he feels his cheeks warm. He can only hope it’s not too visible. “Is it so wrong to celebrate with zest?”
“Oh, not at all. I just thought you’d have preferred something more magical and less physical, but you’ve proven me wrong.”
“I’d hardly call it physical .”
Tsukasa huffs a laugh. “Mm. Well, even so. You always find a way to surprise me when I least expect it.”
“Is that a problem?” Rui asks cheekily.
“Have I abandoned you yet?” The response is light like the rest of their banter, but Rui understands the sincerity behind it.
“Not at all.”
The relative quiet of the balcony in contrast to the bustling ballroom is welcome at this time of night. Tsukasa may thrive in social situations, as demonstrated throughout the entire party, but Rui can see the way his shoulders lose some of their tension when the breeze tickles his fringe. When he speaks again, he is softer, relaxed. “It’s a shame the cloud is so thick tonight. What I wouldn’t give for a moonlit sky right now.”
Indeed, the weather had taken a turn for the grey during the evening, and now the only moonlight to escape the cloud cover comes in thin slivers across the mountains. Rui hums in agreement. “It’s supposed to be a full one, too.”
“Would that we could see it.” his friend replies, disappointment colouring his words. Rui finds himself frowning; he couldn’t have that. Not when he was smiling so brilliantly just minutes ago. Then the idea strikes him.
“...Perhaps we can.” he mumbles, a grin slowly forming.
Tsukasa glances at him curiously. “Oh?”
That curiosity turns to surprise, as Rui takes two fingers to his mouth and whistles, loud and clear across the palace gardens. In the distance, a reciprocative roar can be heard.
“I’m sure you’re familiar with the workings of pegasi, being a rider yourself. Including their limitations. Limitations which thick-scaled wyverns do not share.”
Tsukasa gapes at him, considering what Rui is implying with an aura of growing excitement. It’s endearing. He loves it.
“I hope you won’t be too cold.” he says, just as beating wings descend swiftly and two clawed feet clutch at the balcony’s rail.
Tsukasa, for all his strength, has to catch himself from the blast of air threatening to knock him sideways, but he laughs as he sees the wyvern, reaching out a hand as though it were simply a large dog. Rui’s companion puts her snout into his palm, warming his heart. It makes him glad to know she’s grown to trust him as much as he has himself.
It’s not long before he’s mounted himself upon her, taking her reins loosely and extending his other hand down to Tsukasa. “Care for some stargazing, milord?”
Another loud laugh, his eyes shining. Years ago, he would’ve staunchly refused, suspecting some manner of prank or trick lies in wait for him. But now he slips his hand into Rui’s easily, and allows himself to be pulled up and onto the wyvern’s back.
“Take it away, Captain!” he shouts.
Rui smiles, tightening his grip. “Hold on tight, darling.”
As he urges his mount to take to the skies, he can feel Tsukasa lean into his back for security, his hands on Rui’s hips as they soar up and across the gardens. Their speed is not so much that they’d be shaken off without the proper gear, but it’s fast enough to have Rui’s hair blown from its careful styling, flying wildly about his face. He hears Tsukasa laughing behind him, as bright as ever. He can only imagine the state of his own hair.
As they approach breaking the cloud cover, Rui glances over his shoulder, trusting his wyvern to keep them straight and steady. “On my count, hold your breath.”
“Hold my…?”
“Three, two…!”
He hears Tsukasa take a sharp, if panicked, inhale, and then the grey is upon them. For the few seconds the wyvern takes them through the clouds, they’re engulfed in cold and damp, and he feels Tsukasa’s hold on him tighten the longer they work to keep the air in their lungs.
When they break through the surface, it’s like waking up on a cool summer night, as thoughts of the chill are quickly lost at the view that awaits them.
It certainly is a full moon tonight.
Above the clouds, there’s nothing to obstruct from the multitude of glittering stars dashed across the inky night, twinkling in a silent chorus. The moonlight washes everything in stunning white, the cloud tops turning to snow under its brilliance.
Behind him, Tsukasa gasps. It’s not often that he could be said to fall speechless, but it seems as though this has done the trick, Rui realises somewhat smugly. His wyvern beats her wings softly, soaring delicately across the sea of white, slow and steady.
Warmth presses against him, and with it, a pair of arms circles his waist, and Rui’s breath stops for a moment that feels so much longer than the seconds it took for them to break through the clouds. Tsukasa pulls himself closer, and Rui feels him resting his head on his back, his hair tickling his neck. His heart is ablaze, pounding impossibly fast with every shift or movement. They may have been this close during their dance, but that was there, and this is here. The moment is private, painfully intimate. Rui takes great care to carve it into his memory, so as to never forget even after they return to the surface. He doesn’t even dare to risk a glance back to look at him; he keeps his eyes ahead, all too aware of every breath exhaled against the nape of his neck.
“Truly incredible.” Tsukasa mumbles, coming clearer than Rui would’ve thought at such a height.
“Indeed. A view like this is unparalleled.” Rui agrees softly, admiring a twinkling constellation hanging above the moon.
Tsukasa shifts slightly. “My compliment wasn’t solely aimed at the scenery.”
As the sentiment registers, Rui stirs, unsure how to respond. With all the flushing he’s been doing, he hardly needs any layers to keep him warm tonight.
“...Should you ever want to do this again, just say the word.”
“Mm.” he says. “That would be nice.”
✰
As much as he’d like to spend eternity above the clouds with Tsukasa pressed close to him, the chill starts to prick at his fingers, and so he decides to bring their flight to an end. At this point, the moon has half dipped below the cloud line, and the sun’s rays are just beginning to colour the sky a gradual purple. He takes them down through the clouds, and the castle’s lights become visible once more, twinkling far below them as if mirroring the stars above.
Wordlessly, he flies them not to the balcony whence they came, but to a higher tower of the castle’s many offshoots, sporting its own dozen balconies. It doesn’t take him too long to locate the balcony of the room Tsukasa had been guesting in for the week. Ichika had made sure that Rui’s room was just across the hall from his, as well. He’s more than glad for it now. Now taken away from the action of the party, his limbs grow heavy, as do his eyelids, and he’d caught a muffled yawn from Tsukasa behind him on the way down. Perhaps they were in need of a good long rest, not to wake ‘til after noon.
His faithful wyvern perches as gently as possible on the balcony of Tsukasa’s room, so as to not disturb any other guests, and carefully slips from her back to the floor. He holds out a hand for Tsukasa to take, helping him down, catching him when he lands less than perfectly. The lord no longer pretends to be entirely energetic now, nor entirely sober. The slight heel of his boots likely isn’t helping either.
By the time they have undone themselves from their formal getup, the sun is starting to break through the clouds, leaking pale gold dawn across the horizon. Rui watches it from the balcony, now free of his waistcoat and belt, letting the fresh air soothe him.
After a few more minutes, Tsukasa joins him, resting his forearms on the balcony rail and taking several deep breaths, letting the air clear his mind. He has discarded his cravat, his collar now free to flutter like grass in the gentle summer breeze. His hair has come loose from its ribbon, too, falling freely down his back and shoulders in silky waves. Rui finds himself entranced by his profile, gold lighting his silhouette, the spitting image of a fairytale prince. He was beautiful in the moonlight, and he’s beautiful in the sunrise, too. He's always beautiful in his eyes.
“That was the most enjoyable night I’ve had in a long, long time.” he begins. “I’d say our hard work paid off, wouldn’t you?”
Rui smiles. “I’d have to agree. Everything went just as planned… I’m impressed.”
“You played no small part yourself, Rui. You should take pride in it.”
“Oh, I do. I’m proud of both of us. Did you see the look on Saki’s face when the fireworks began?”
“Haha! You know she was the first person I looked for.”
A chuckle. “Not even Shiho could hide her smile.”
“Indeed! I think we ought to do this again sometime.”
“The party, or escaping on a wyvern?”
The joke earns him a laugh, tamer with the breaking dawn, but every bit as bright as it always is. Tsukasa hums, as though to agree with both statements, and they lapse into a comfortable silence. Despite the pleasant atmosphere they’ve created under the rising sun, Rui’s body is beginning to punish him for going without sleep for too long. Even now, he struggles to stay awake, but he doesn’t want to be the first to leave.
"I want us to always be able to have times like this, Rui.” Tsukasa says after a while. “Not just us two, but everyone. Even if things are bound to come to war in the end, times of peace should be made with intent to last. Kindness should be our rule, not the exception."
Tsukasa gazes out to the world below as he speaks, but Rui’s eyes have yet to roam anywhere but him. The firmness with which he speaks would have come as a surprise if he wasn’t Rui’s closest friend; being who he is, Rui knows Tsukasa to speak true from his very heart. Every word, no matter how extravagant, is said in earnest. It’s one of the things he so loves about him.
"You would make an excellent king, Tsukasa." he says, and he means it. He can picture it so clearly; a crown atop his head, leading the world into a better and brighter age.
But Tsukasa simply chuckles, shaking his head. "Oh, you know I could never be a true king. Perhaps five years ago I’d have told you differently, but I know now I would hate to be cooped up in a castle for all my days without seeing what more the world has to offer me.”
That’s just like you. “You make a fine point. You needn’t worry, though. If you ever grow bored, I’d whip something up to keep you entertained.” He draws out his words to a suspicious degree, on the cusp of mischief.
“I don’t quite like the way you said that, Rui.” he says, his tone one of playful disdain. “But sincerely, there’s nothing more I could want right now than to explore the world with you. And when I eventually do take over my parents' title, I want you to be there for that too."
“...You know I will be.” Rui promises. “I would fly to the edges of the world with you. ‘Til the day I die, I'll be by your side.”
The words almost tumble from his lips, a much profounder sentiment than he’d planned on giving, but even within its poeticism, there is not one hint of hyperbole to be found. Even Tsukasa seems taken aback, finally breaking his gaze and meeting Rui’s eye for a moment of unguarded surprise. He opens his mouth to speak but, lost for words, he fails to make a sound louder than a brief exhale.
He’s not sure what overcomes him in the moment, but he finds himself reaching for one of Tsukasa’s hands on the stone bannister, bringing it up to his lips and pressing them delicately to it. A simple gesture of devotion were he kneeling, but instead, he opens his eyes to Tsukasa looking up at him, his cheeks flushing bright.
“I'll ever be the sword at your side, if you'd have me.” he whispers.
For a few beats Tsukasa is silent, staring openly. Then the hand that he once held moves, for Tsukasa to press their palms to each other and twine their fingers together.
“Likewise,” he swears. “I promise to be your stout shield, to protect you from harm evermore.”
A matching sentiment to complete the whole. He would expect nothing less of his lord.
“What epic oaths we’ve sworn.” Rui laughs lightly, in a joking manner. “Almost fit for a wedding vow.”
“...Shall we seal them, then? Our vows.”
Tsukasa’s smile fades, replaced with something more sincere, but what graveness might’ve been expected of that has been traded for contemplation, an unspoken question. A question that Rui can scarcely believe is being asked of him.
“How so…?” he mumbles.
His answer comes in the form of a gentle squeeze of his hand, and the sound of Tsukasa’s heel clacking as he takes a step closer. His gaze is patient as he studies Rui’s face, perhaps for a reaction. Rui can’t help the way his breath catches when he takes another step, with Tsukasa now fully within his space. There’s a flame, a deep passion in his eyes that Rui hadn’t noticed before, stirring up a cataclysm of emotions in his chest. So close are they now that he can see every golden eyelash, every ink splatter freckle on his cheeks. His hand trembles slightly, but perhaps Tsukasa’s is, too.
At this distance, Rui would be a fool not to understand his intent. He parts his lips, leaning in slowly, as though moving too swiftly would scatter the dream to the winds. His gaze flits from Tsukasa’s honey eyes to his lips, until he is but inches from him, asking silently for permission a final time. And Tsukasa grants it, his eyes falling closed and letting Rui be the one to close in and seal their vow with a kiss.
And it feels like just that; an oath to be by each other, emphasised with every breath and heartbeat they share in their embrace. Tsukasa is so warm despite the breeze, pulling him closer by the waist until the tips of their boots touch. Rui weaves his fingers through Tsukasa’s hair, unwilling to let there be more distance between them than need be. Until he remembers to breathe, something he decides might be more important in the moment, and they part for air.
And Tsukasa looks at him in a way that feels all at once familiar and new. Rui knows it, a look brimming with affection and content, enough to make him forget he was ever alone. It’s not the first time Tsukasa has gazed at him like this, but it’s the first time that Rui has recognised it for what it is, and the first time he’s been able to reciprocate, kissing his forehead delicately.
They remain like that for a while, under witness of the sunrise. He plays with Tsukasa’s hair absently, and it’s just as smooth as it looks. Tsukasa’s head rests on his shoulder, curled up into him, and he gets the distinct feeling that he’s falling asleep there, standing upright.
“Tsukasa?” he whispers.
“Mm.” comes the mumbled reply. “I’m awake, don’t worry. Just… you’re relaxing to be near.”
The compliment brings red to his cheeks. “Then you may continue to use me as your pillow, I suppose.”
“Haha… we should go to bed.”
“We should.”
The arms around him tighten. “I don’t want you to leave.”
“...Nor do I.”
“Well… a good thing this guest bed is a king size, then.”
Rui smiles, nuzzling the top of his head affectionately. “I hope your sister was lying when she told me that you snore.”
“H-Hey!” he protests, giving Rui a light smack on the shoulder.
He doesn’t protest when Rui leads him back into the room, and helps him slip off his boots. He crawls into the bed, whilst Rui closes the balcony’s doors and draws the heavy curtains against the sun before joining him. It’s more than a little strange, to pull back and lay under the covers beside him and allow himself to be used as something to cling to. Tsukasa is warm, tucked into the crook of Rui’s neck as he wraps his arms around him, feeling sleep dragging him into its depths. A senseless part of him fears waking up back in his own bed, all of this nothing more than a fantasy. But even if it is, he thinks that he’d like to stay ignorant just for now.
Just as he feels his eyes start to close for good, Tsukasa shifts. “Rui?”
Rui hums in acknowledgement, unable to form words.
“Would you like to share some real vows, someday?”
He cracks an eye open to peer down at Tsukasa, who looks up at him somewhat bashfully. With a smile, Rui pulls him close, and gives him the most chaste kiss, nothing more than a gentle affirmation. “Of course, my love.”
“...I see. Excellent.” Satisfied, his eyes fall closed, exhaling from his nose as he lets his body rest at last. Rui follows suit, ready to fall into a deep slumber.
“...Although…”
“Although…?”
“Perhaps we should at least wait until the castle-wide hangover subsides to announce the wedding.”
“Hah. Sounds like a fine plan to me.”