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There’s a soft ping, and Tsukasa’s phone is lighting up, signifying a new notification. He’s quick to lean over and assess it, everso diligent when it comes to communication as Knights’ new King and current head of the Suou household. It’s a new message from his personal chat with Leo, and it’s nobody's business but Tsukasa’s if he finds himself opening it quicker than he would any other notification. There’s another ping, and then another, all from Leo as well, and while Tsukasa wouldn’t say this kind of spam from Leo is unusual, the content of the messages themselves certainly are.
su
o
i’mggjhjj gpn
ym w
…Yeah, Tsukasa isn’t really sure how he’s meant to decipher that.
Ping!
Ah, another message. Perhaps this will help to assist Tsukasa in whatever it is Leo’s trying to tell him?
jhg!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Alright. He supposes not.
Tsukasa is quick to respond back, asking Leo if he’s alright, and to possibly get an explanation for his previous gibberish. He sees the chat bubble come up, popping in and out as Leo types, before it eventually stops popping up completely. He continues to stare at his phone for a while, eyebrows furrowed, unsure if he should be more confused or concerned.
After only a few minutes, Tsukasa can feel himself growing more anxious. It’s probably nothing, he’s sure it must be nothing, this is not the first time Leo has been odd and cryptic and it most certainly will not be the last. His foot taps the area underneath his desk, his previous work abandoned for the time being in favor of worrying over one Leo Tsukinaga. This is frustrating. Leo is always frustrating. Why is it that even now his former King is such a distraction? Without even being in the same room as him, Leo halts all of Tsukasa’s progress, leaving him to fumble, consumed with thoughts of the other boy.
God, he needs something sweet.
At this rate Tsukasa knows nothing will get done, so he admits defeat in the form of a short snack break. He stretches as he stands, taking one last glance at his phone on the charger, still left open to his messages with Leo. Nothing. Though, he’s not sure what he was expecting. He takes a glance outside his bedroom window, rain pouring against the side of his family home in aggressive thuds. The storm from earlier has gotten worse since the last time he checked, and he’d read online that it’s meant to last even into tomorrow. Not that something like that affects Tsukasa, but he knows Leo is meant to leave for Italy in the morning, and at this rate his flight may be canceled.
…There is a small, selfish part of Tsukasa that hopes very much for that outcome. He does his best to ignore it.
Yes, sweets. Tsukasa is meant to be on a snack break. Just as he turns away from the window to begin the trek to the kitchen, there’s a polite but firm knocking on his bedroom door. Turning around, he calls for them to come in, and it’s one of his family servants standing at the entryway.
“There’s a young man here to see you.”
Tsukasa glances back out the window. The rain is only getting worse, and Tsukasa can’t think of anyone who’d be here to see him today, especially in this weather. A young man…
Tsukasa looks back at his phone, and it hits him. He wishes he could claim there’s no way, but he knows Leo a little too well at this point. Tsukasa excuses himself as he rushes past the servant, requesting that the young man be let in. By the time he reaches the entryway, low and behold, Leo Tsukinaga is standing amongst a small group of servants, fussing over him as he shivers from the cold. He’s grinning though, something completely typical of him, and Tsukasa feels about ready to burst.
“Leo-san.” Leo perks up at the sound of his name, smiling widely at the sight of Tsukasa.
“Suo~!” He calls, breaking away from the servants and launching himself at Tsukasa, wrapping himself around the other boy. Tsukasa jolts at the contact. While he’s a little more used to Leo’s preference for skinship than he used to be, it’s still something that catches him off guard. Not to mention, Leo is freezing. He’s soaked all the way through his clothes, and Tsukasa can feel him trembling. Tsukasa shakes Leo off of him, watching Leo’s face twist into a cute little pout as he continues to assess the state of the older boy.
“You… Did you walk here in this rain!?” Leo glances away from Tsukasa sheepishly, playing with his hands as he avoids eye contact.
“Well… It wasn’t raining when I left! And I was already too close when it started to head back! And, and, I even tried to let you know that I was coming by this time, didn’t ya see?”
Tsukasa blinks.
“Was that what your messages were meant to be? Leo-san, you sent me keysmashes, not comprehensible text!”
“It was hard to text in the rain, it was super wet and slippery, but I did my best!!!” Leo throws his hands in the air as though to surrender, and Tsukasa sighs. He can feel his anger dissipate into simple relief, that at the very least Leo made it here safely. And Leo is right, he did try his best, and Tsukasa can at least appreciate the attempt. He still isn’t sure why Leo is here in the first place, but his questions can wait until later. They need to dry Leo off and get him warm again before he can catch a cold.
“Alright, I understand. Thank you for the attempt, Leo-san.” He’s sincere in his gratitude, and Leo beams. In the meantime, Tsukasa calls out to one of the servants who’d previously been attending to Leo. He asks for Leo to be led to the bathroom and for a bath to be drawn for him, while Tsukasa goes to find him a new pair of clean clothes.
When it’s all said and done Tsukasa waits for Leo in his bedroom, unable to keep himself from pacing. He’s changed as well at this point, Leo having soaked his previous set of clothes, though Tsukasa figured it wouldn’t hurt to change into his nightwear. It’s still storming when he looks outside, and if anything it’s gotten worse. He winces at an especially bright flash of lightning, and jumps at the thunder that follows.
“Whew, that storm sure is something isn’t it? Guess I got out of it at just the right time, wahaha!”
From one jumpscare to another, Tsukasa jolts at the sound of Leo’s voice.
“Ah, Leo-san, you’re…”
Tsukasa trails off as he takes Leo in. It’s uncommon to see the other boy with his hair down, and Tsukasa has to resist the urge to reach out and touch it. It must’ve been blow dried, though he has to wonder how in the world anyone managed to keep Leo still for long enough to get his hair dried like that. The pajamas Tsukasa picked out for him are one of his personal favorite pairs, soft like no other and a pretty shade of red. And while he and Leo aren’t all that far off in terms of height and build, Tsukasa’s clothes still manage to hang off of Leo in a way that suggests they’re a little bit too large for him, and Tsukasa can’t help but find that oddly endearing.
“Suo~?” Leo calls out to Tsukasa, snapping him out of his thoughts. He feels himself flush, coughing into his hand as he tries to cover up his embarrassment.
“Leo-san. Are you feeling better?”
Leo grins, saluting Tsukasa playfully. “Aye aye, captain!”
Tsukasa stares for a moment before approaching Leo, wanting to see his condition for himself. He starts by taking Leo’s hand in his. It’s warm now, though Leo seems to stiffen in his hold.
“Are you sure? You–”
Leo is quick to cut him off, slipping his hand out of Tsukasa’s grasp and patting at his borrowed pajamas.
“Yeah, yep! I promise Suo, I’m super warm and super okay! Hey, these pjs are super soft and pretty, you sure you’re ok with me borrowing them?”
“Of course.” Tsukasa knows that the smile he wears is fond as he takes in Leo once more. “Leo-san wears this shade well.”
Tsukasa hadn’t necessarily meant to say that last part out loud, but he doesn’t regret it, not when he gets to see Leo turn such a pretty shade of pink, grinning as he rocks back and forth on his heels.
“Oh, Suo thinks so? I’m not really sure this kinda color suits me, but I like it! It’s like the red in Suo’s hair, and in his name, too! Hey, does Suo own lots of stuff that’s all red? Is it his favorite color?”
It’s easy for Leo to make Tsukasa feel dizzy, and he’s already beginning to feel the effects of Leo’s presence. It’s not something that’s unwelcome, though. Instead, he knows he’ll miss this.
“My favorite color? I…”
Inexplicably, Tsukasa thinks of a rather striking shade of green.
“Wait, no, please don’t distract me! Leo-san, did you need something? What on Earth did you walk all the way here for? Did something come up?”
Leo hums at Tsukasa’s question, his rocking eventually coming to a halt. He stretches his arms over his head and leans to the side, avoiding Tsukasa’s gaze.
“What’s wrong with just wanting to drop by!? What if I just wanted to say hi, huh?”
No, Tsukasa doesn’t feel like that’s the answer. While Leo had said earlier that it hadn’t been raining when he left, he knows Leo must’ve at least been aware of a potential storm.
“You can say hello over the phone, can you not? And it’s not as though I wouldn’t see you tomorrow before you left. Narukami-senpai, Ritsu-senpai and I would all be there to see you off.”
Leo whines as he drops his arms to his sides.
“Wahhh, Suo makes it sound like he didn’t wanna see me at all! What’s with that!? Suo’s surprisingly cruel! Ahhh, the betrayal… Man down, man down!” Leo hollars as he sinks dramatically to the floor, hand gripping at his chest as though he’d been mortally wounded.
Anyone else privy to Leo’s antics may have seen such a display and rolled their eyes, but Tsukasa knows that there’s more to it than what appears. Tsukasa crouches down beside Leo, placing a hand gently in his hair.
“I’m sorry, did I upset you, Leo-san? I did not mean to imply I was unhappy to see you. Rather, I was concerned for your well being.”
Leo stills, and doesn’t lift his head.
“I’m happy to see you, Leo-san.”
And it’s true, Tsukasa is happy to see him. He hadn’t been looking forward to tomorrow, seeing Leo off to Italy, being further from the other boy than he’s ever been. He knows he’ll be anxious when Leo is away, though in this instance Tsukasa can’t bring himself to be selfish. He knows how much this means to Leo, and Tsukasa couldn’t live with himself if he forced Leo to live in what was essentially a cage.
Because he knows Leo would, if Tsukasa asked him to. And the thought scares him sometimes.
There’s movement from Leo himself now, and in response to Tsukasa’s words he flips himself over, peering up at the younger boy. He stares, and Tsukasa stares back. Leo grins again.
“I’m happy to see Suo too!”
And Tsukasa feels himself melting, heart full of affection for the boy beneath him. He reaches out to tuck a stray hair away from Leo’s face, while Leo smiles pleasantly at his touch.
“I’m glad, then.”
Leo is practically glowing at Tsukasa’s words, flipping himself back onto his stomach and onto all fours, crawling beside Tsukasa. He sits down next to him, leaning against the bed behind them for support.
“Hey, Su–” Leo starts, but he’s cut off by a knock at the door. Tsukasa stands, answering it. It’s another servant, here to announce that there’s a room ready for Leo’s stay, and that they’d be happy to lead him to it once they’ve said their goodnights. Tsukasa can feel the disappointment taking shape within his chest, but before he can respond, Leo is already bouncing over, hanging himself off of Tsukasa like a cat.
“Huh? No way, you don’t sleep in separate rooms for sleepovers! I’m not gonna go, I’m staying right here! I’m sleeping with Suo!”
Did someone turn up the thermostat? It’s suddenly very warm, and Tsukasa is hyper aware of Leo’s arms around him, of his words and oh god, he doesn’t even want to think about how this must look. Except he’s thinking about it, and he can’t stop, and why did Leo have to say it like that?
“Hey, Suo! Say somethin’!” Tsukasa is brought out of his thoughts by the very man currently occupying them, and he sputters.
“B-But where will… Leo-san sleep…?” His response is lame, and he cringes at his own stutter. The servant is still standing there. Tsukasa cannot meet their eyes.
“Didn’t ya hear me? With you! Here, I got it!” Leo brushes past Tsukasa to speak with his servant, but Tsukasa has totally checked out at this point.
Withyouwithyouwithyouwithyouwithyouwithyouwithyouwithyouwithyouwithy
Leo’s words play over and over again in his mind, and wow, it really is hot in here, isn’t it? Someone has absolutely been messing with the thermostat, and Tsukasa will need to find the culprit to fix this issue as soon as possible. He really can’t sleep in this heat, and he doubts Leo will be able to either, and–
Ohhh god he’s thinking about it again. Tsukasa wants to explode.
“--uo! Suo! Hey, Suo! You good?” Once again it’s Leo who snaps him out of his thoughts. He’s waving a hand in Tsukasa’s face, and Tsukasa blinks once before swatting it away.
“A-Ah. I apologize, it seems I was lost in thought. You were saying something?”
Leo stares suspiciously, obviously unconvinced, and presses his hand to Tsukasa’s forehead. It goes to his forehead and travels down to his cheek and wow Tsukasa feels like he’s in an oven. Despite that Leo’s hand is cool against his face and Tsukasa is starting to think that maybe the thermostat isn’t the issue here.
“Suo’s face is all red and warm! You sure you’re alright?” There’s an edge of seriousness to Leo’s voice, and he seems genuinely concerned for Tsukasa’s wellbeing. He can’t meet Leo’s eyes like this, shifting uncomfortably under his gaze. It’s odd to have Leo’s full attention on him like this, and while usually Tsukasa would be absolutely basking in it, he really needs Leo to find something else to worry about. Like, right now.
But Tsukasa wills himself to be calm, breathing in, breathing out. He grabs Leo’s wrist and gently moves his hand away from Tsukasa’s face.
“Yes, Leo-san. I’m fine. I apologize for worrying you.” Another apology, though this one is much smoother. Leo stares at him, expression unreadable, and Tsukasa can feel himself growing more anxious.
“Uhm, what was it that Leo-san was trying to tell me?” Leo stares for another few moments, as though double checking something, before his serious expression is gone and he’s back to all grins.
“We’re gonna build a castle together! So here, follow me!” He grabs Tsukasa by the wrist, pulling him over to the bed.
“Help me strip!”
…Uhm?
“Excuse me?” Tsukasa sputters as Leo stands there. He isn’t sure what stripping has to do with building a castle, or what Leo even means when he says they’re going to build a castle, but isn’t that a suggestion for his already frenzied brain? He’s already getting overwhelmed again, losing himself in his thoughts, stuck in place as he loses sights of his surroundings and falls into his own head–
“Suo!”
His name is called again, followed by something soft roughly smacking him in the face. Tsukasa yelps, and when he looks down he realizes it’s a pillow. Leo is on the bed now, clearly irritated, and oh, it was Leo who threw this at him.
“Leo-san! There is no need to throw my things!”
“Yeah there is, ‘cause Suo’s all zoning out again, and he isn’t paying attention at all! Hurry up, help me strip!”
“Your request is incredibly inappropriate, and I will not help you strip! Please keep your clothes on!”
There’s a pause. Tsukasa is gripping the pillow in his hands, flushed a bright red from their argument, and he watches as Leo’s irritated expression turns to that of… Is he laughing? Leo is laughing. He’s gripping his stomach in his arms, rolling around on Tsukasa’s bed, giggling obnoxiously. Tsukasa throws the pillow in his arms right back at Leo, hitting him square in the face.
“Leo-san!”
Leo lays still on his back, his giggles beginning to subside, the pillow still resting on his face. He sits up, the pillow falling into his lap, flushed from laughter, and it is most certainly not cute. Leo isn’t cute at all.
“Suo really thought I was asking him to strip me? Wahaha! That’s too funny! Suo’s surprisingly perverted, isn’t he?”
“Perverted?” Tsukasa repeats the phrase in English, trembling. “I am absolutely not! Please do not slander me! What else could Leo-san possibly mean with a request like that!?”
Leo is laughing at him again, and Tsukasa feels himself ready to burst. Leo pats the bed as though Tsukasa is missing something, throwing his pillows off and onto the floor.
“The bed! Help me strip the bed!” Leo says it as though it’s the most obvious thing in the world, and Tsukasa wants to rip his hair out. But Leo continues his work on the bed, completely oblivious to Tsukasa’s current frustrations. He still doesn’t know why Leo wants to strip his bed in the first place, but before he can ask there’s another knock on his door. More servants, at least three, with sheets and various other bedding piled high in their arms.
Tsukasa has no idea what this is for.
“Ooooh! You guys grabbed a bunch, huh? Thanks a lot, you’re the best! I really love you!”
It’s Leo, skittering off of the bed and to the door, giving various directions on where to put things.
“Uhm… Excuse me, but what is all this?” Tsukasa stops a servant to try and ask, but it’s Leo who answers in their stead.
“While Suo was zoning out earlier, I asked for a bunch of sheets and stuff! You know, for our castle!”
Tsukasa doesn’t know, actually. He doesn’t understand what Leo means at all, watching them all work to place various things in various different piles. Pillows in one place, sheets in another, etc. etc.
He feels a headache beginning to form. He’d meant to ask earlier what all of this was for, but sometimes Leo just moves too fast for Tsukasa to get a proper word in. Not that he always minds this, of course. There is the occasion where Tsukasa enjoys the spontaneity. It’s refreshing, and despite his protests or however they may argue, Tsukasa can admit that being with Leo is fun in a way he hasn’t experienced before.
Still, as Tsukasa hasn’t the slightest idea as to what’s meant to be happening, he can only stand back awkwardly and watch until the servants are gone, and it’s just him and Leo again. The bed has been stripped, and there are various piles sitting in front of them. For the time being, Tsukasa takes to observing Leo, who seems to be analyzing the rest of Tsukasa’s bedroom.
“That chair!” Leo points to the chair at Tsukasa’s desk, and Tsukasa follows his gaze. “Suo’ll grab that one, and I’ll grab the one over there!” Another chair, near the corner of the room. Leo is once again in motion, though he stops when he realizes Tsukasa has once again failed to follow his instructions.
“C’mon Suo, what’re you waiting for?” Tsukasa shifts, chewing on the inside of his cheek.
“Uhm, Leo-san, I still don’t understand what you mean when you say we are going to build a castle. What is all this?” Leo bounces on his heels, as though looking for the right words to make Tsukasa understand, which is something Tsukasa appreciates. He knows Leo often struggles with words, so he’s often thankful for the extra mile Leo will try to go for him.
“Like– Like a castle! A castle made out of sheets and pillows, and Suo’s chairs, too!”
Tsukasa… Still doesn’t quite follow.
“I’m… Sorry? How are we meant to build a castle with sheets?”
Leo huffs, shaking his hands as he tries to think.
“Well, Suo is just gonna have to trust me! I’ll show you, ‘cause that’s just way easier than explaining it!”
And, ah, well, if it’s simply a matter of trust, Tsukasa is fine with that.
“Alright, then. I trust Leo-san. It was this chair you wanted, correct?” Tsukasa concedes, taking the chair Leo had previously pointed to and dragging it to the center of the room. Leo stares, as though he hadn’t expected Tsukasa’s response, a dusty pink spread across his cheeks. He’s quick to recover however, offering his usual laughter as he brings over his own chair.
The next 30 minutes are spent with Leo giving Tsukasa various directions, lining bedding together and balancing it between different furniture in order to make their so-called castle. It’s fun, if a bit frustrating at times, as Tsukasa realizes that physics are most certainly not on his side when it comes to his struggle in balancing blankets together. But Leo seems to know what he’s doing, and it’s easy to fall into a rhythm with one another. And while Tsukasa is a bit exhausted by the time they finish, he can’t help but feel proud of himself. Leo spreads his arms, presenting their castle to him.
“Ta-da! Well, whatcha think?”
While Tsukasa is proud of himself, yes, he still doesn’t quite understand what he’s looking at. Their “castle” is not very tall, various sheets and blankets fitting together to make up what Tsukasa supposes is meant to be their walls and their roof.
For a castle, it is severely lacking in defense. He says as much to Leo, who only laughs.
“Well, yeah! This kinda castle is crafted for comfort, not war!” Tsukasa hums, continuing to take in their shabby creation, while Leo drops to all fours and slithers himself in between the blankets that make up their entrance.
“C’mon Suo, the real magic is on the inside!” It feels childish, but Tsukasa gives in, mimicking Leo as he also drops to his knees, wiggling inside through their blanket entrance. His movements are awkward and apprehensive, but when he takes a look inside and feels the blankets under his palms he… Still doesn’t get it.
The blankets underneath him are soft, carefully lined for optimal comfort, but the space is still incredibly small, and as Tsukasa sits up, he’s still at a loss as to how they’re meant to sleep in here.
“This is… A castle?” Leo nods excitedly.
“Yup! This is Suo’s castle, and I’m his trusty Knight! It’s tiny, but one day, I’ll make Suo something waaaaaay bigger! I’ll make the whole world into your domain!”
Leo spreads his arms wide as though depicting the entire Earth, hitting Tsukasa in the face with the back of his palm in the process. Leo seems completely unbothered by this though, continuing.
“In the meantime though, it’s important to start out small!”
Tsukasa hums. “I see.” It’s easier to appreciate their little domain now, even if it’s still completely nonsensical to Tsukasa.
“Though I am not someone who likes small. My next castle will be much bigger than this.”
“Hm? Suo doesn’t like it?” Tsukasa pauses.
“No, that’s not it.” It’s cramped in here, a tinier space than what Tsukasa is used to, with only sheets and blankets separating them from the outside world. He shouldn’t like it, he should insist that they take it apart and sleep somewhere proper, but Tsukasa finds that he doesn’t really want to.
Leo adjusts, and Tsukasa feels their hands brush. They aren’t close enough for their thighs to touch, but the way Leo spreads his legs has their feet brushing against each other, too. And he’s not uncomfortable despite their proximity to the ground, Leo having insisted on a careful placement of the blankets underneath, and Tsukasa thinks that this shabby little space is theirs and theirs alone, something only the two of them could have put together.
His response comes out in a whisper. “I like it.”
This time Leo smiles at him. He doesn’t grin, but he smiles, and Tsukasa feels faint.
Outside, the storm rages on. Tsukasa can still hear the rain as it hits his window.
“...Leo-san?”
Leo hums.
“You never answered my question earlier. Why did you come here, through all this rain, when we’d see each other tomorrow? Surely, if all you wanted to do was say hello, it could’ve waited until tomorrow, or until the storm had passed?”
Leo moves, he presses his knees together and to his chest, wrapping his arms around them and resting his head there. He peers up at Tsukasa, still smiling.
“Nope!”
Tsukasa frowns. “‘Nope’...?”
“Nope!” Leo repeats himself without missing a beat. “It couldn’t wait at all, I wanted to see Suo as soon as possible, and that meant right now! What’s so hard to understand about that?”
“I..” It’s warm all over again, and Tsukasa knows he must be blushing. How many times now, just in this one night, has Leo managed to do this to him? He’s not sure he wants to think about it.
“It’s… Yes, but, why in the world go to such lengths…? What if you’d been hurt, or worse?” Tsukasa does his best not to think too deeply about it, because the thought of Leo having gotten into something horrible, especially because of Tsukasa, is a bit too much for him to bear. He doesn’t think he’d ever be able to get rid of that kind of guilt. Leo seems unphased by his line of questioning though, he’s still smiling right up at Tsukasa without a care in the world.
“Hmm, well, because it’s Suo? And I love Suo, just like Suo loves me! I used to have doubts about that sort of thing, but I’m a lot more sure of it now, and I always do my best to remember! So, I know that no matter what, Suo will come after me! He took care of me and gave me a warm bath and new clothes all so I wouldn’t get sick, and so I know that no matter what, if it’s Suo, I don’t have to worry about a single thing, wahaha!”
Truly, Leo Tsukinaga is bad for his heart. Tsukasa doesn’t respond immediately, rotating Leo’s words in his mind for a little while. He thinks about love, and Leo’s own usage of the word, and Leo is right, Tsukasa does love him, he’s just not sure if Leo truly understands the extent of it, or in the way he loves Leo. Tsukasa bites his lip, fiddling with the blankets beneath them.
“Leo-san… When you say love, what kind of love are you referring to?”
Cocking his head to the side, Leo looks as though he doesn’t understand Tsukasa’s question.
“When you say you love me, or that you love other people… Are you referring to a type of love that is familial, or platonic? Or are you referring to something more… along the lines of romantic?”
Leo doesn’t say anything, and Tsukasa is left to brew in his own anxieties. Was his question too strange? Perhaps he shouldn’t have asked, and been left content with Leo’s claims of love, even if he didn’t fully understand them.
He’s brought out of his thoughts but a gentle bump to the shoulder. It’s Leo, he’s scooted closer to Tsukasa, and now their sides are touching and Leo’s head is resting on his shoulder.
“...I dunno.”
“You… don’t know?”
Leo growls. “Yeah, that’s what I said! I dunno! I can’t tell apart different kinds of love like that, it’s all too simple and clear cut! I can’t express it in words or sentences, not at all! All I know is music! I can write a symphony of love for everyone I meet, and each piece would come out totally different! But it’s not something I can put in a box at all, you know?”
“I see.” Tsukasa’s response is simple. It’s quiet now, but only for a moment, broken by the sound of Tsukasa giggling. It’s not his fault at all, that he’s completely endeared by Leo’s response! Really, what was he expecting? It really does feel like a silly question now, looking back on it.
“Hey! What’s so funny?” Leo sounds offended, puffing his cheeks in protest. Tsukasa struggles to tone down his giggles in order to properly respond. But this sort of thing serves Leo right, doesn’t it? Always laughing along at things Tsukasa doesn’t understand.
“I apologize, I’m only realizing now how redundant my question was. Leo-san gave me an answer that was just like him, and I couldn’t contain my own amusement.”
Leo huffs, mumbling something about Tsukasa being a bully, before the giggling eventually subsides.
“...Well, what about Suo?”
“Hmm?”
“What about Suo! When Suo says he loves, what’s he mean by that? When he–” Leo cuts himself off, kicking his legs back out and picking at the fabric of his pants. His eyebrows furrow, as though deep in thought.
“So when Suo loves somebody, he can put them in different boxes, right?”
Tsukasa nods, he understands generally what Leo is asking. “Something like that, yes.”
“So… What kinda box would Suo put me in?”
It’s a simple question, when you really get down to it. A simple question, though Tsukasa thinks the answer is significantly less simple.
“I don’t think Leo-san can so easily be placed into a box.”
Tsukasa has Leo’s full attention now.
“No? Well, I think it would suck to be trapped in a box, so I don’t mind at all! Whether it’s your hatred or your love, I’ll happily accept, because it’s Suo, and I love you!”
There he goes again, shouting his love as though it’s a catch phrase.
“...Is that so? Aren’t you just saying that? While I fully believe Leo-san’s claims of love, would you truly be happy with my hatred?”
“Mm, well, it’s not like I want Suo to hate me.” He leans his weight against Tsukasa. “But hatred is better than indifference, isn’t it?”
Tsukasa leans against Leo in turn. “I suppose. However, I never said anything about hatred in the first place. I don’t hate Leo-san. At least, ‘hatred’ is not the only thing I feel for you.”
Leo jolts. “Huh!? So Suo does hate me!? Wahhh, what a cruel twist of fate! Hated by the very King I swore loyalty too!”
“I didn’t say that.” Tsukasa sighs, exasperated. “How many times do I have to say it? Please listen when others speak to you.” Leo looks at Tsukasa seriously, closing his mouth and pretending to zip it shut. Tsukasa thinks he is ridiculous.
“I think Leo-san is an irritating person. He runs off on his own frequently, and one of his most favorite hobbies seems to be bothering me, stressing me out and making it impossible to get any work done. Even when Leo-san is not here physically, he is occupying my thoughts. But when Leo-san isn’t around… Naturally, I should be relieved when such a person isn’t around. But I’m not. Leo-san is a warm person, one of the warmest people I’ve ever met. So whenever he’s away…”
Tsukasa thinks back to Italy. About how Leo will be leaving soon, and how despite the fact that they’ll be in contact, he won’t often get the chance to hear Leo’s laughter beyond the phone speaker, to walk into the archery club area and see him lying on his stomach, playing with Little John. To have moments like this, where they sit pressed up against each other in a castle of their own creation.
“...It’s cold.”
It’s silent again, and Tsukasa won’t meet Leo’s eyes. He hears shuffling, and before he knows it Leo is on his lap with his arms wrapped around him, pressing Tsukasa’s head into his shoulder.
“Uhm, Leo-san…?”
Leo huffs. “I don’t really get it, Suo’s talking in all these weird metaphors, and he didn’t answer my question at all! But… If it’s cold, I’ll help keep you warm, yeah? Because I’m your Knight, and I’m your Knight ‘cause I love you!”
At first, Tsukasa doesn’t move. But gradually he adjusts, wrapping his arms around Leo in turn, burying his head in his Knight’s shoulder. Leo is warm, just as he said, and while it may be childish, Tsukasa finds comfort in his embrace.
“...Leo-san is still claiming his love, even without being able to fully explain it.”
Shaking his head, Leo protests. “No way, I can explain it! It’s just through music, I can explain anything through music! Music speaks every language, and can contain every thought, even the ones you can’t put into words! It’s Suo who can’t explain his love properly at all!”
Grumbling, Tsukasa knows Leo is right. He lifts his head, shuffling out of Leo’s arms. Leo’s hands sit in his lap now, playing with the hem of Tsukasa’s shirt. Leo’s beautiful, even in this dim lighting, or maybe especially in the dim lighting, and Tsukasa can’t help but reach out and touch him. As his hand cups Leo’s cheek and as Leo leans into him, Tsukasa is reminded that Leo is not some ethereal being. He is a boy, just as Tsukasa is, and he isn’t so fragile as to disappear at the slightest brush of hand to cheek. He won’t fade away, as much as Tsukasa’s fears in the past have told him otherwise.
“Leo-san.”
Leo looks up at him, eyes glowing. It’s nice, Tsukasa thinks, to have Leo’s undivided attention like this. It sets his blood ablaze, heart fluttering against his chest. He feels the urge to prove himself, to prove that he’s worthy of the attention, to command it and to keep it entirely his for as long as possible. Being with Leo always sets off a flurry of emotions within Tsukasa. There are times where he’s felt so small by Leo’s side, an incompetent squire in the presence of a true King. But it’s not like that anymore, is it? They’re equals now, aren’t they? Tsukasa has finally reached Leo, closing this metaphorical distance he’s worked so hard to be rid of, so now all that’s left to do is close this physical distance, right?
Tsukasa makes up his mind.
“Perhaps you’d be right. Maybe, if I understood music like Leo-san does, I could properly explain it through that. But I can’t, so may I have permission to show you, instead?”
Tsukasa leans forward and their foreheads bump gently together. Leo’s eyes are blown wide and Tsukasa can feel Leo’s breath on his lips, feel the heat that comes off of his face, and it’s all so real in a way that Tsukasa has never experienced. He’s experiencing Leo in a way he never has.
Leo’s lips curve into a dreamy smile, Tsukasa’s name falling from his lips in that specific intonation Leo always uses, voice dripping with adoration.
“Suo.”
Tsukasa doesn’t hesitate now, leaning in and closing the distance, capturing Leo’s lips with his own. Leo’s lips are warm and soft, if not a bit chapped, and Tsukasa presses against them eagerly. He feels a fire coursing through his veins, heart thumping violently in his chest. Leo’s kiss is gentle in a way Tsukasa hadn’t been expecting, and despite his own inexperience he finds it’s easy to fall into the older boy’s rhythm like this.
His hair brushes against Tsukasa’s face, and it’s soft and his usual scent mixes in with Tsukasa’s own usual soaps from Leo’s earlier bath and Tsukasa’s heart is beating so quickly and it’s more overwhelming than anything he’s ever experienced, but it’s a good kind of overwhelming. Tsukasa has never kissed anyone in his life, and he has no idea what he’s doing, but his thoughts and senses are all too consumed by Leo to even consider anxiety.
Leo’s face is flushed when they come apart, panting as he tries to catch his breath, and Tsukasa can’t help but think that he did that. He wants to do it again and again, to completely undo Leo with his own hands, to know every sound and feel every breath he might take, and to know that it’s a sight reserved for Tsukasa and for Tsukasa only.
“I–”
Leo cuts him off, and while it’s not the first time he’s ever done so, Tsukasa finds that he minds much less this time around than he usually does. Leo’s lips are on his again, and Tsukasa is tugging him closer, one hand on Leo’s waist and the other finding purchase in Leo’s hair. He feels like he can’t get close enough to Leo, even with Leo’s hands in his hair and with their chests pressed together, Tsukasa feels like it isn’t enough at all. Months of built up longing have made it a struggle for Tsukasa to think rationally, and even though this is far from what he initially pictured his first kiss to be like, he is most certainly not complaining.
He wants more, and he can tell Leo does too, it’s in the way that he tugs at Tsukasa’s hair and presses closer, closer, almost as though he feels like it isn’t enough, either. And Tsukasa wonders how long Leo’s wanted this for. Has he been dreaming about this for as long as Tsukasa has? Longer? Or maybe this is all one of Leo’s whims, and he hadn’t thought about it at all prior to this very moment. His thoughts are beginning to catch up to him, and he can no longer focus purely on Leo’s touch. He tries to pull away, he needs to ask, he–
A flash fills the room, accompanied by an earth shattering crack of thunder, startling the pair. They both jolt, bumping foreheads in the process, and Tsukasa barely registers Leo’s short whimper of pain before the lights go out. They’re quick to come back on, but by that time the moment is already over, and Leo is rubbing at the spot where their foreheads collided, laughing.
“Uhm, Leo-san, are you… Alright?”
“Mhm, yeah!” He’s still laughing, and Tsukasa has to resist the urge to stare at his lips. “Yep! I’m a boy, after all, so I can handle this much! It doesn’t hurt at all! Wahaha!”
The red mark on his forehead says otherwise, but Tsukasa doesn’t push it. He’s sure he has a matching mark of his own.
“So when Suo says he loves me, he means like that? Alright, I think I get the gist of it! ‘Cause I love Suo like that, too!”
And just like that, Tsukasa feels all of his previous anxieties beginning to slowly melt away.
“...Do you?”
“Yeah, I do!” Leo’s smile is so sincere, so gentle as he holds Tsukasa’s face in his hands. He looks at Tsukasa like he’s the world, and Tsukasa swallows hard. “I mean, how could I not? You’re so funny and precious, I just can’t keep my eyes off of you! And despite everything I’ve done, and despite everything you’ve seen, you’ve always stuck to me, just like glue! You’re stubborn and you’re beautiful and you’re greedy and you’re nothing like I ever could’ve imagined, but that just makes me love you more!”
These aren’t like Leo’s words in the past, this isn’t like a love confession, this is a love confession. Or maybe he’s wrong, and they’re exactly like the words Leo has said to him in the past, and Tsukasa is the one in the wrong for ever having thought that Leo’s words could be anything but a love confession? He releases a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding, and he knows he’s smiling. It’s exasperated, but still fond.
“...You know, most boys don’t like to be called beautiful. I’d much prefer something like handsome.”
Leo only laughs, but it’s quieter than his usual kind of laugh, and it makes Tsukasa feel warm all over again. “Hmm, can’t argue with that! But what if Suo’s both? Can’t he be both at the same time?”
Humming, Tsukasa leans into his touch. “I suppose that’s acceptable.”
“Good, good!” Leo leans in, gently resting his forehead against Tsukasa’s, so as to not aggravate their matching bruises. “Because Suo’s one of the prettiest–”
“--I don’t recall pretty being a part of the bargain.”
“But it’s true!” Leo huffs at Tsukasa’s interruption, but all Tsukasa can focus on is his breath against his lips. “Suo’s one of the prettiest people I’ve ever met, you really give Sena and Naru a run for their money, you know?”
“Is that so?”
It’s a lukewarm response, he knows, but Tsukasa’s tone is dripping with affection. He’s simply exhausted, being with Leo can be exhausting, but not in a bad way. He feels like he’s felt every possible emotion within the past few hours, and it’s completely tired him out. While he doesn’t think he could properly pass out sitting up like this, he still thinks it would be nice to fall asleep in Leo’s arms as he is now.
He shuts his eyes.
“Suo? Hey, Suo! You know, for as much as you yell at me for not listening when people talk, you’re pretty bad at it yourself!”
Tsukasa can’t get a single word in before Leo is leaning closer. He gets closer, and closer, until–
He bites Tsukasa’s nose.
Tsukasa yelps, eyes jerking open as he pushes himself back and out of Leo’s arms. His hands come up to cover his nose, an attempt at protecting himself from a potential second assault. Leo is laughing at him, because of course he is, and Tsukasa glares.
“Leo-san! Was that really necessary!? Please do not bite my nose!”
The grin spread across Leo’s face can’t be described as anything short of mischievous as he pries Tsukasa’s hands away from his face.
“Just your nose? So Suo’s saying it’s okay for me to bite other places?”
Tsukasa can feel himself turning red hot as he takes a breath. He doesn’t respond to Leo’s taunts, at least not verbally. From behind him he feels a pillow, one of the numerous Leo had requested, and Tsukasa takes it, aiming directly for Leo’s face. Leo lets it hit him, falling back with it and out of Tsukasa’s lap into a fit of giggles.
They’re interrupted by a soft ping, something Tsukasa doesn’t quite register at first. Leo perks up at it though, and by the second ping Tsukasa is made aware of it. It’s his phone, still left on the desk from earlier. He hasn’t touched it at all since Leo’s arrival. He excuses himself, awkwardly shuffling out of their castle and to the desk. When he looks outside it’s still storming, and when he checks his notifications he finds two new messages from Izumi.
“So? What’s up?” It’s Leo, poking his head out of the castle entrance, watching Tsukasa curiously.
“It’s Sena-senpai. It’s…” He quickly skims Izumi’s words. “Your flight was canceled. Leo-san, where did your phone go?” It’s not unusual for Izumi to message Tsukasa things to pass on to Leo, and vice versa, but Tsukasa knows Leo had his phone on him at some point earlier today, so he has to wonder where it’s gone between then and now.
“Dunno!” It’s a simple answer, one Tsukasa should’ve expected.
“You should really take better care of your things, Leo-san.”
Leo just shrugs at him. “Hey, I didn’t really lose it this time, I swear! One of those guys from earlier has it, and the rest of my stuff, I think.”
Well, that is relieving. In that case, it’s likely Leo’s phone is stashed away in a bag of rice somewhere. Tsukasa taps away in his messages, he knows better at this point than to leave Izumi on read, even if it’s by accident.
“Suoooooo~”
“I’m coming, Leo-san.” He finishes his response to Izumi, placing his phone down for the night. He makes sure to turn off the lamp as well, squinting in the dark as he makes his way back to their castle, doing his very best not to trip or run into anything. He succeeds, though not without some struggle, and by the time he’s back Leo is already laying with his head against the pillows.
“...I still don’t understand how we’re meant to sleep like this.”
“Boo, Suo’s got no imagination!” He thinks he sees Leo spread his arms out, similar to what one might do when expecting a hug, and it takes a moment, but eventually Tsukasa realizes what Leo wants to do.
“Like this! C’mere, c’mere!” He’s reaching for Tsukasa, and who is Tsukasa to deny him? He allows Leo to take him into his arms, burying his head into Leo’s shoulder as they lay side by side. It’s embarrassing, but he finds himself clinging to Leo, arms wrapped around the other boy almost possessively, and he finds cuddling the real Leo to be much better than anything he’d imagined previously.
“Wahaha, Suo’s pretty cute, isn’t he?” Leo wraps himself around Tsukasa in turn, their legs falling together in a mess of limbs and Leo’s arms wrapped around Tsukasa’s back.
“I don’t believe cute was a part of our prior agreement, either.”
“Jeez, Suo’s such a brat, isn’t he? Listen, I know what I’m talking about, so when I say Suo’s cute, he’s definitely cute!”
It’s not as though Tsukasa is unhappy with being regarded as cute. Far from it, actually. At this point he’s simply teasing Leo, a well deserved pay back.
“I don’t believe I can argue with that. Leo-san himself is rather cute, isn’t he? I’m sure he knows all about what he’s talking about.” Tsukasa feels Leo stiffen in his hold, and he’s certain the older boy is blushing.
“Hey–! Grr, really! Suo’s such a brat, he’s really the worst! Who said you could call me cute, huh? When’d Suo get all smooth like that?” Despite Leo’s protests and claims against Tsukasa, he’s still pulling the younger boy further into his arms, and Tsukasa knows his words mean nothing.
“Have I not always been like this? ‘Smooth’, as Leo-san says?” He doesn’t get a proper response aside from Leo’s grumbling, and he takes this as his win.
It’s quiet now, and Tsukasa can still hear the rain thumping against his window, mixed in with the sound of Leo’s heartbeat. The thunder isn’t as loud anymore, reduced to the occasional low rumbling, and Tsukasa finds it all just relaxing enough to feel himself begin to doze off again. By now he assumes Leo’s asleep too, as it’s rare for the composer to go for so long without a word, but he’s proven wrong when he feels a hand playing loosely with the strands of his hair. Tsukasa isn’t used to being touched like this, to have his hair played with so nicely, and it doesn’t take a genius to find that he enjoys it. Like this, it would be easy for anyone to drift off.
“Leo-san?”
Leo hums in response. “Hmm?” Tsukasa doesn’t think he’s ever heard Leo sound so quiet, clearly on the brink of falling asleep. Tsukasa himself is in a similar position, however, even in his own half asleep stupor, Tsukasa thinks that he wants to treasure the way Leo’s voice sounds right now.
“I love you.” While Tsukasa can’t see Leo, he’s certain of the smile that stretches across his face and of the pink that dusts his cheeks. He feels Leo’s grip on the back of his shirt tighten as he’s pulled further into the older boy’s chest. Leo doesn’t miss a beat with his response.
“I love Suo too!”