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If Ren was being entirely honest, his life was far from perfect, but it appeared to be.
His late father had ruled over the Kingdom of the Lotus before his passing, and from there the crown was passed down to his eldest brother. Ren had everything he could ask for: Little to no responsibilities, butlers and maids at his beck and call. All he had to do was stay out of trouble and be a pretty face for the Jingujis. Simple enough.
That’s why when Ren was younger he’d sneak out of parties with the heir to the Kingdom of the River, where they’d play with the former heir to the Kingdom of the Orchid, before King Kurosaki passed and his family fell into poverty.
Now that Ren is older, he pulls less stunts. His brother is far less strict than his father was, he loses the motivation to make trouble when there was no repercussion.
After all, most troublemakers are born from lack of attention.
Even so, Ren does like to cause some trouble. Like sneaking out into the town. He’s smart about it: He never goes out at night, he’s always back before he knows he’s needed, and he does his best to not let people see his face.
But, Ren always thought there were exceptions to everything. His exception for his last two self-set rules was the cute boy he’d met on the path he took towards the town. He’d startled the boy-- Tokiya Ichinose, he’d called himself, but Ren just called him Icchi-- but when he learned Ren was indeed human, his shoulders slacked and he let out a breath he probably didn’t know he was holding. Ren wouldn’t say he was relaxed, but it was close enough.
“Sorry for scaring you. Truly, that wasn’t my intention.”
“It’s alright. I’m just.. Not used to seeing people in this part of the forest. I had assumed you were some type of animal.”
His clothing wasn't very well made and was definitely tearing apart in multiple places. His hair was messy and matted, but what really caught Ren's attention were his eyes. The boy had beautiful, stormy blue eyes. They were glassy when Ren first looked into them, but he thought that the tears had come along with the scare. His eyes weren’t puffy or red, so he wasn’t crying previously, maybe he was just easily brought to tears.
Now, Ren always tried to leave the palace around noon. That’s when he’d met Tokiya the first time, and that’s when he met him time and time again. Tokiya would take Ren back to the town and he’d accompany Tokiya on small jobs he picked up or grocery trips he’d go on.
But no matter what, he never entered Tokiya’s house. He never asked and Tokiya never invited him in.
Tokiya took the bags of fruits Ren had insisted he let him carry, muttering a small “I’ll return quickly” before retreating into his house and shutting the door behind him. Ren would stand patiently at the end of the front steps for a few minutes before Tokiya would emerge from his
house, pushing Ren-- albeit lightly-- in a different direction.
If Tokiya, or maybe Tokiya’s parents, didn’t want people in their house, Ren would respect whoever’s wishes they were.
He doubted the reasoning was because the interior was messy or unpresentable. Sure, Tokiya looked a bit.. worse for wear, but Ren has watched Tokiya work. Tokiya gives everything he does his all and then some. He was a perfectionist through and through, clearly it was the same for his house. The outside had flower beds filled with lilacs, tulips, all types of flowers that rivalled the beauty of the ones at the palace.
Perhaps what added to their beauty was the fact that Tokiya was the one who tended to them, helping them bloom into the beauties they are today.
Ren had always been called a romantic, but he was sure he’d fallen for Tokiya. he was in love, every sign pointed him towards that answer. Especially the way he’d look at Tokiya’s rare smiles just a tad more fondly than he had before, though luckily Tokiya hadn’t noticed.
Or, perhaps, unluckily. As a prince, Ren was expected to court a woman, even if he was never to become king. Tokiya was not a woman, and, to nobles, Tokiya was just a random townsperson.
But to Ren, Tokiya was his friend. Ranmaru had stopped speaking to Ren after he found out that his family had fallen from the throne because of debt his father had, and Masato had soon followed after him. Masato was to become king, what was he doing playing kids games with the third Jinguji son?
Tokiya didn’t know of Ren’s title as the third son. He knew he was a Jinguji, he could tell by his sunset orange hair and the clothing he hid under his cloak. Though, he admitted that although he lived within the borders of the Kingdom of the Lotus, he wasn’t very knowledgeable on topics of the royals. Ren had just smiled and placed his arm around Tokiya’s shoulders, changing the topic as they walked around the town. What he didn’t know didn’t hurt him.
He knows he’ll never be able to publicly love Tokiya, and he doesn’t even know if Tokiya would like him back, but he can dream. Sweet dreams of waking up to Tokiya, holding his hand, tending to the gardens together, doing things together as more than just friends.
Instead of the Princess to the Kingdom of the Star. Hoshikage was nice, he supposed, but she wasn’t Tokiya. He hated that he was meant to court her so that she could take him to her kingdom and make him king there. He’d expected this, sure, but he didn’t want it to come true. He wanted to stay in his kingdom. He wanted to stay with Tokiya, stay by his side and court him, with feelings that he could genuinely call love.
He was in love with Tokiya. He was simply friendly with Hoshikage out of necessity.
He talked to Tokiya about her. How he’d most likely be leaving with her, and how he wouldn’t be able to return.
Tokiya held a watering can in both hands as he watered the plants of those around his house. They were usually elderly women who favoured Tokiya, and thanked him kindly for helping with their gardening. Tokiya only smiled brightly around them or Ren.
“It almost sounds like the stories I’d read to the children with a friend of mine, becoming the ruler of a kingdom,” Tokiya let out a laugh, “I suppose it isn’t a fairytale to you, is it? This is what you’ve been trained for your whole life.”
Tokiya spoke a lot more now than he had when they’d first met. Tokiya may not have known that Ren was a third son, but he could speak for hours about things he was familiar with. It amazed Ren.
“I can’t say I wasn’t prepared, but I also can’t say I’m happy about it. You should know by now that I don’t like being forced to do things.”
Tokiya hums, getting up from watering the smaller plants. Ren takes the-- half empty, Tokiya notes-- watering can and continues down the path of houses. Ren had made it a habit of carrying Tokiya’s things because he knew he was stronger than Tokiya and wanted to show off. At least, that’s what Tokiya thought he was doing. Ren did truly just want to help. “Yes, but sometimes we have to do things we don’t like, right?”
His pace slowed, taking in what Tokiya said as Tokiya kept walking, making his way to the next house. “Well? You asked to carry my things. Was this a ploy to steal from me, Ren?” Ren would snap out of his daze and quickly make his way over to Tokiya, handing him the watering can, watching as Tokiya began to water the plants once again.
Sometimes you have to do things you don’t like, hm? Ren couldn’t help but wonder what Tokiya had to do that he didn’t like. Tokiya seemed to enjoy the work he did, maybe he wished he could have a bit more in terms of home, clothing, but he was never greedy. He did work and got paid for it, then he did what he could with the money he got, which was usually buy food for him and Ren assumes his parents, though in all the time he’s known Tokiya he’s never seen them before.
Tokiya was a generous person. He gave what he could to anyone he could. He’s talked about how he helps his friend, Otoya, watch kids sometimes, and Ren walks around with him to water plants for his neighbours.
It’s because of Tokiya’s generosity that Ren gets the idea to go see Tokiya that night with a bag full of things he thinks he may want. Various toiletries, a hair brush, new clothing. He’d thought about giving these things to Tokiya before, when they first met, but he really didn’t want Tokiya to turn into someone who would just use him for his money. But Tokiya hadn’t asked Ren for anything and they’d known each other for the better part of a year. He didn’t even ask for the help Ren offered when Tokiya worked.
Ren never left the palace at night. When he was younger he’d go out to the gardens, but back then he always had Masato or George with him. Now, he was alone and no one knew where he was. He took the risk either way. He loved Tokiya, and love made you do stupid things.
He never feared the forest, but the silence that was only broken by the sound of his footsteps was nerve racking. Ren considered himself quite brave, but even he couldn’t shake off his nerves.
He thanked every god that he was alright throughout the entire walk through the forest, but then he got to Tokiya’s house and knocked, there was no answer. He knocked again and assumed he was just asleep, but he knew Tokiya was a light sleeper.
Ren felt a slight thump on his shoulder and turned quickly to see Tokiya who’d dozed off while they sat down for a break. They’d been walking around the neighbourhood again, watering plants and helping with yard work. Ren didn’t really know what he was doing when it came to yardwork, but he had the strength to do whatever Tokiya told him. While Tokiya had the knowledge, he lacked the body strength to work in such large moderations. His head hit Ren’s shoulder shortly after he lost consciousness. Ren barely moved when he felt it, but he made the mistake of raising his hand to pet through Tokiya’s hair. The second his fingers grazed his hair he shot up, wide-eyed and startled. He looked the same as he had when he’d first met Tokiya. Ren apologized and Tokiya shook his head, “No, no it’s alright. I really shouldn’t be sleeping at a time like this.”
If Ren’s knocking didn’t wake up Tokiya he either wasn’t home or there was a cause for concern. At first, he doubted the former. Tokiya didn’t seem like the kind of person to be out around this time, but he really didn’t want to barge into his house just for him to not be there.
So he began to walk around the town. House lights were still on, which didn’t surprise him all that much-- it was late but not incredibly so. He saw some people walking together towards.. something, and so Ren pulled his hood a little farther back on his head and followed. Not enough that they’d see his hair, even though it was pulled back in a ponytail, but enough that his face showed faintly. He didn’t want to come off as creepy, but he was curious.
The small group of people led him to a larger group of people sitting in a semicircle, waiting for something Ren didn’t know. He stood near the back and waited with the crowd, listening as they chatted among themselves before a complete silence fell over them all.
Soon enough, a man stood in front of the crowd and began to sing. He was in awe as this man’s voice could make an entire village fall silent. Even his brother couldn’t do that.
Ren looked up and saw a familiar man sitting in the chair before the crowd. His midnight blue shining against the summer’s setting sun would be hard to miss alone, but Ren had been acquainted with those stormy blue eyes for almost a year now. He’d think himself pathetic if he didn’t recognize him immediately.
When the man finished his fifth song, some people began to leave, and by his seventh the place was empty aside from Ren and Tokiya. Ren made his way towards him and pulled his hood down when he stood before him. Tokiya’s eyes widened and he stood up and bowed. Ren’s eyebrows furrowed. Tokiya had never bowed for Ren and Ren never asked him to, even from the first day they met. In the town, Ren was Tokiya’s equal.
“Icchi- There’s no need to bow..” Ren waved his hand not holding the bag of things he wanted to give Tokiya, “Uhm.. Raise, please.”
Tokiya raised and shook his head. “My apologies, Prince Jinguji, but it’s only polite that I bow in your presence.” The boy’s face looked exactly like Tokiya’s, but his expression looked strained. The boy scratched his cheek lightly before his expression, while still a bit strained, turned sheepish. “Uhm.. I pardon my rudeness, but may I ask where “Icchi” came from?”
Ren tilted his head and raised an eyebrow. “Are you not.. Tokiya Ichinose?”
“While it’s true I’m an Ichinose, I’m not Tokiya. My name is Hayato Ichinose, I’m Tokiya’s twin.”
An identical twin. Tokiya never spoke to Ren about a twin. Then again, Tokiya never really talked about his homelife-- or his home in general.
Ren was a bit sceptical. He didn’t want to think Tokiya was lying, but identical twins or not, they looked too alike. Even on twins there was always a defining feature that made it easy to tell the two apart, but Hayato looked like Tokiya to a T. Of course, the difference was that Hayato’s hair was clean, not matted, and styled. His clothing was made of finer materials and had no tears or dirt. He looked like a cleaner version of Tokiya.
Ren hummed and looked Hayato up and down one more time before returning to his face. He was positive that they were Tokiya’s eyes. Not only by colour, but the way he looked at Ren was so very Tokiya.
Ren would know, he’s teased Tokiya on multiple occasions, asking if staring at Ren was another hobby of his. Tokiya would blush and look away before returning to whatever task he’d been distracted from.
“Alright,” Ren started, still sounding sceptical, “Then, may you please give this bag to him when you see him? I had come to deliver it to him but he wasn’t home.”
Hayato took the bag and smiled, nodding and bowing quickly. “Of course, I’ll get it to him in the morning.”
Ren nodded before returning to the palace.
Ren returned to the town once again and found Tokiya outside his house, watering his plants while humming the same tune Hayato had sung last night. He’d thought the tune was familiar at the time, and now even more so.
Tokiya’s hair was noticeably cleaner-- not necessarily styled, but washed-- and he was wearing one of the button ups Ren had put in the bag. He seemed to forgo new pants, but he was gardening. He probably didn’t want to dirty all of his new clothing.
Ren came up behind him and placed his hands over Tokiya’s eyes. He immediately jumped to his full height and tried to turn around, but Ren’s hands stopped him from doing so. “I-”
“Guess who?” Ren cut him off and Tokiya relaxed in his hold.
“Ren- Please don’t do that again. You nearly gave me a heart attack.” Tokiya placed his hands over Ren’s, pulling them down rather than away. Ren awkwardly hung his arms around Tokiya in a makeshift hug.
“Sorry, sorry,” he laughed lightly, squeezing a bit before pulling back to turn Tokiya and give him a proper hug. “I hadn’t meant to scare you- Just wanted to surprise you, seeing as I couldn’t last night.” He pulled back to look at Tokiya in the flowy white button up and grinned. “I see you got my present.”
Tokiya’s eyes widened when he noticed his shirt and pulled Ren closer to bring him back into a hug. “I- My brother had mentioned they were from you, but I hadn’t believed him- You never come here at night. I apologize that I wasn’t here to greet you properly.”
Ren chose to ignore Tokiya’s slip up-- for now, Ren files it in the back of his mind to deal with later-- and hugs him back, saving Tokiya the embarrassment and teasing he was sure he would receive. “It’s alright, truly. Though I do have a few questions,” Ren placed his hand on Tokiya’s head and patted his hair lightly, “Like where you were. As well as why I’ve never heard about this brother of yours.”
Tokiya stayed still for a few moments, head buried in Ren’s shoulder before he pulled back, sighing. “Here, let’s go sit out back. I presume it’d be better to have a conversation like this sitting down- and you just walked here all the way from the palace.” Tokiya turned and waved his hand for Ren to follow. “Here, I have a table with chairs out back we can use. I’ll make us some tea.”
While Tokiya prepared tea, Ren found himself in his backyard. He took off his cloak and placed it on the back of his chair before taking a seat himself. He looked around and saw even more plants than there were out front. He thinks it’s amazing how Tokiya could take care of all these as well as the flowers of his neighbours. Generous, he thinks, is a perfect word to describe Tokiya.
Tokiya returned with two cups of tea along with his teapot and a small jar of honey on a tray. Ren notes that he also took the time to change his pants to a pair Ren had placed in the bag, as well as the purple waistcoat he’d put in there as a treat. He’d gotten it specially made for Tokiya the last time the seamstress had come to visit, and it arrived a few days before he planned to give Tokiya his present.
He placed the tray on the table and poured the two of them tea before taking his seat across from Ren. “Now, questions.” Tokiya placed a generous amount of honey into his tea as he spoke, stirring it in. He blew at his cup before taking a sip. “Remember when I said occasionally I’d help a friend watch over children?” Ren nodded, taking a sip of his own, “Tonight was a night Otoya had asked for help. The children were being troublesome all day, and while he had his brother there to help him, he asked me to come down to help put the children to sleep.”
“And for your brother?”
“Ah..” Tokiya placed his cup down and folded his fingers together. “Hayato is a singer. He travels from kingdom to kingdom to sing for the people. Last night he happened to be performing here. He was staying here for the night, that’s how he got.. your present to me.” Tokiya’s blush had returned when he mentioned Ren’s gift. “Which I’ve yet to properly thank you for-”
“There’s no need.”
“But-”
“I just didn’t want to continue seeing you so unsanitary. I’d put it off for so long because I was afraid you’d try to use me for my money, but I know better now that you aren’t that type of person.” Ren smiled, placing his tea cup down beside Tokiya’s, “Just being with you here is enough of a thanks for me.” Tokiya smiles softly in return, placing his hands on his lap. “Now please, continue your story.”
“Ah, right-” Tokiya cleared his throat into his fist, “Hayato and I rarely see each other anymore, unfortunately. It’s a shame I wasn’t able to hear him sing, but duty calls.” Tokiya sighed, his shoulders slacking when he finished.
“I see. That is a shame, but he seemed popular. I’m sure you’re proud of him, yes?”
“I am. I’ve supported Hayato through his dream as much as I could since the beginning.”
“And your parents?”
Tokiya fell silent.
Ren didn’t know if his parents were a sore spot for Tokiya, and if they were he wasn’t sure why. He assumed this entire time that they were inside that house and were just extremely introverted, but was he wrong?
“Our parents weren’t, uhm.. very supportive, no.”
“Ah.” Ren looked up towards the shadows on the house, his eyes widening. “Icchi, I’m very sorry but I must cut this visit short..” Ren stood up and cleared his throat, his gaze souring slightly. “I must meet with Princess Hoshikage, as well as King Hijirikawa.”
Tokiya nodded and stood up after him. “I see, no worries. I wish you and them the best. Have a good day, Ren.” Tokiya picked up the tray and retreated into his house as Ren picked up his cloak and bolted his way back to the palace.
Masato didn’t visit much anymore unless it was for matters with Ren’s brother, but for a change he’s here for Ren. Seiiichiro had requested for Masato to visit at the same time as Hoshikage so they could all get to know each other. Perhaps he’d assumed he and Masato had stayed friends over the years.
He’d brought up Hayato to the two, asking if they’d hear of him. Masato’s eyebrows had furrowed in thought before he shook his head, no. Hoshikage had explained that she didn’t pay attention to the commoners, Ren wanted to speak up but thought against it when George entered the room with their food.
The next time he visits Tokiya, he finds him again humming Hayato’s tune.
“Icchi, do you sing as well?”
“Hm?” He turns towards Ren before turning away once again, shaking his head, no. “Ah, no. Hayato was always the one with vocal talents. I.. I can’t properly hold a note.”
Ren hums and takes the watering can from Tokiya as they continue down to his next neighbours house.
Ren never really liked to pull the royal card, but there were always exceptions to be made. It just happened that Tokiya was almost always his exception for everything.
He’d asked his brother if they knew of everyone that lived within the village and his brother told him of someone in the castle who did. He’d made his way to them quickly and asked for any information they had on the Ichinoses.
Apparently, Tokiya’s parents had raised him within the village until he was a teen, but then his mother and father had left, separating to different cities and leaving Tokiya behind.
There was no mention of Hayato. Or a brother at all. Tokiya was and always had been an only child.
So Tokiya had lied. There was no twin. Tokiya hadn’t left that night to go help his friend. He was standing before Ren and a crowd of people singing his heart out.
The next time he hears Tokiya humming that song, he doesn’t interrupt him. He listens, carefully. Even when humming, Tokiya sounds beautiful. That lie about not being able to hold a note was so see through Ren’s a bit upset he didn’t catch it the second he said it.
When Tokiya inhales after the song was to finish, Ren clears his throat. Tokiya almost jumps out of his skin, turning around clutching his chest. “Ren, I-”
“Your voice is beautiful, Tokiya. I don’t see why you don’t sing more often.”
Tokiya giggled sheepishly as Ren started to move closer. “Well.. That was always Hayato’s thing.. and it really isn’t pretty when it’s aloud.”
“Is it really Hayato’s thing?” As Ren stocked closer Tokiya began to move backwards, “I had asked King Hijirikawa and he said he’s never heard of the man. He’s always been quite close with his people, if he was there Hijirikawa would know, don’t you think?” When Tokiya’s back hit the side of his house he started moving sideways, towards his backyard.
“Perhaps he missed him? I- I don’t really know Hayato’s schedules-” Ren followed him step for step, though still at a distance.
Tokiya had been set on edge when Ren called him by his first name instead of his nickname, and when he reached the table behind his house and Ren ordered him to sit, he didn’t feel any better. Ren leaned down on the armrests until he was eye level with Tokiya, almost leaning his forehead against the other’s. “I’m being led to believe that you’re lying to me, Tokiya.” Tokiya flinched at his name, as well as the accusation, “So, to prove to me you aren’t, I’d like to make an offer. For my wedding with Princess Hoshikage, I wish to invite both you and your brother. I’d like him to sing for the ceremony. Unless you’d like to help, the people at the palace will do whatever is needed to find him and get him the offer. Do I make myself clear?”
Tokiya nodded, eyes hesitant. “Yes.. I’ll.. I’ll contact Hayato for you. I’ll get you an answer within the next few days.”
Ren nodded, pulling back and turning around. He walked back to the palace in silence.
Ren had been dreading the wedding. He didn’t.. hate Hoshikage, but he knew where his heart lied. He loved Tokiya more than anything, and even if he was sure Tokiya had been lying to him for the past few weeks, that didn’t stop his heart from beating with more life at just the thought of him.
When Tokiya had told him he’d get him an answer in the next few days, he genuinely hadn’t expected him to show up at the palace, bowing before the throne telling his brother that he wished to see Ren, only for Ren to never hear that he was there until hours after he’d left. George was told that Hayato would be attending his wedding, and would be more than happy to sing for them. He was never told whether or not Tokiya would be there as well.
And now, as he stands in the shadows looking over the guests, he gets his answer. He sees Masato conversing with Hayato near the piano, and he can only imagine Hayato expressing his thanks for allowing him to sing as Masato played the piano-- another of Ren’s requests.
Hoshikage- no, Siera was.. somewhere within the large church. He wasn’t sure where, nor did he truly care.
His plan would go through either way, whether she stood him up or appeared. It seems like it’d be easy, seeing as Tokiya was not in the crowd of people.
The ceremony had gone by perfectly, with Masato at the piano. Hayato’s voice was beautiful, though Ren already knew that. It was nice seeing Hayato sing for him, instead of a crowd where he didn’t even know Ren was there. The crowd stood and clapped when the two finished and Hayato bowed deeply. Even Masato stood from his stool and clapped for him, though it was clear that no one besides people who lived within the Lotus Kingdom’s walls knew who he was.
At last, the moment Ren had been dreading had arrived. Hoshikage began to walk down the aisle in a dress Ren thought was way too expensive, but she’d told him off saying that this was her wedding as much as his own-- Of course she’d gone all out, the Jingujis were paying. When she reached Ren, she didn’t smile. Ren offered her one, trying to encourage her to do the same but she didn’t take the bait.
The minister said his words-- which Ren admittedly spaced out for-- until it got to the most important question of the night.
“Are there any objections? If so, speak now or forever hold your peace.”
No one in the crowd moved, and Ren waited for dramatic effect. When the minister was about to officiate the two, Ren spoke.
“I object.”
Immediately the people broke into gasps and chatter while Siera’s family seethed from their special seats near the back. Seiichiro and Siera’s father stood and Ren continued. “As you all may know. I, Ren Jinguji, have always been a messenger of love. My birthday falls on the day where you are to celebrate your beloved, to care and spoil them. My favourite flower, the red rose, its petals symbolizing the love a pair feels for each other.” He points to Siera, “This woman is not the one I love. The messages of love do not point to her when it comes to my heart. My heart lies with the one who sings melodies through the night, that are then relied through the morning birds,” Ren begins to walk towards the piano and Tokiya’s eyes widen. “I invited him here today to show off the talent this morning bird keeps hidden within. To show off the one who holds my adoration- my heart.”
Out of politeness, Masato backs away when Ren kneels before Tokiya. His eyes are glassy, just as they were when they’d first met. Stormy blue eyes holding back tears as Ren takes Tokiya’s hand in his. “Tokiya Ichinose, since the first day I met you in that forest, you’ve plagued my mind and I would never give that up for the world. You are a far more beautiful tune than any song any orchestra could play, I would listen to your song for eternity.. If you’d let me.”
The people around them are silent. Tokiya is hyper aware that they are all staring, but Ren pretends they aren’t there. He pretends the world doesn’t exist as he places a kiss on Tokiya's hand, awaiting his answer.
The tears have fallen from Tokiya’s eyes-- he was naive to believe he could ever actually hold them back-- but they fall from Ren’s eyes as well when Tokiya nodded his head, yes, and the audience claps. Ren rises to his feet and pulls Tokiya into a hug before pulling back and kissing him with all the passion the two had held inside.
When the two pull back, Ren can hear Siera huffing as his brother makes his way over to the two. Seiichiro stands before them and Ren can see the fear radiating off Tokiya. He can feel his trembling from the arm still wrapped around his waist. Seiichiro and Ren make eye contact, staring at each other as Ren awaits his berating. But it never comes.
Seiichiro’s expression softens and he turns to Tokiya, bowing lightly and taking Tokiya’s hand within his own, shaking it. Tokiya tries his best to introduce himself, but his teeth click together from his shaking and the brothers laugh.
The Hoshikages are escorted out and the wedding is postponed, for Ren and Tokiya this time.
Ren pulls Tokiya into another hug, kissing the top of his head as Tokiya clings to Ren’s suit jacket. “I’m still a bit angry you lied to me, you know.”
Tokiya’s fingers clench harder in the fabric and Ren laughs. “It’s alright, I.. don’t entirely get why, but it’s something I can forgive and forget about.”
“It.. It was because of my parents. They never wanted me to sing, they wanted me to get a respectable job and earn the family money but.. when I explained that I wished to follow my dream they left-” Tokiya sniffles and Ren believes he began crying again. Ren rubs his back as Tokiya’s hands wrap tighter around him. “So I sang as Hayato. I haven’t done it in months- I had.. injured myself a few months before we met and from there I had just yet to pick it up again but.. It was a local thing. King Hijirikawa had never heard of me because I had never left the village. This.. This is actually my first time leaving.” Suddenly what Tokiya had said all those months back made sense. Sometimes you did have to do things you didn’t like; Ren didn’t want to marry Siera and Tokiya didn’t want to pretend to be someone else and lie to the people he loved.
Ren smiles once Tokiya finishes. Although it took a lot of prying and a marriage proposal, he was thankful for Tokiya’s honesty.
Everything had been smooth sailing from there. Ren and Tokiya along with George and a few more people returned to the village to get Tokiya’s things from his house. Ren will never forget the red flush that filled Tokiya from the tips of his ears to the bottom of his neck when he opened the front door. Ren walked into the living room and was greeted by a wall completely taken over by a bookshelf. Ren laughed, pulling Tokiya into a side hug. He promised Tokiya they’d find safe places for all his books inside the palace library. To tease, he asked if this was the reason Tokiya didn’t want Ren in his house, to which he nodded, burying his face in Ren’s shoulder once more.
Ren was as happy as he could ever ask to be, with Tokiya at his side. Tokiya’s smiles were brighter, and more frequent. It was all Ren could ever ask for.
“Thank you.” Ren whispered, standing in the garden with Tokiya. The first place Ren had taken Tokiya when they first got there was the garden, which was immediately followed by the library.
Tokiya took Ren’s hands and covered them with his own, leaning in to let his forehead rest against his. “I should be the one saying that.”
Ren shook his head, took his hands back and wrapped his arms around Tokiya, placing a kiss to his forehead. “I didn’t want to marry Hoshikage. She wanted the power she’d get when she became a queen and I didn’t want any part of that. I wanted you. From the day we met until now, I still only want you.”
“Even though I’m barely a star shining in the sky? I could hardly be the moon to your sun, Ren.”
“You don’t need to be the moon, I’m perfectly fine with my morning bird.”