Work Text:
Tsukasa dropped the papers he was holding back onto his desk and leaned down to hold his head in his hands. He knew this level of work shouldn’t be too much for a future king. Hell, he had just gotten started on it. Though he already felt like his head was going to burst. How in the world did his father do this on his own? This was only a fraction of the work too.
Tsukasa was so caught up in his thoughts that he didn’t hear the door to his room softly close, nor the shoes traveling across the floor. A soft thunk as a case hit the floor. Finally, Tsukasa’s attention was grabbed by a pair of arms wrapping around his shoulders and a chin softly resting on his head.
“Having some trouble?” An all too familiar voice chimed in with a small chuckle.
“I guess you could say that.” Tsukasa sighed. “Why’re you here? I thought you weren’t supposed to be back for another few days.”
“It almost sounds like you aren’t even excited to see me! Here I thought what we had was special!” Rui exclaimed dramatically.
“Oh hush!” Tsukasa found himself smiling at the others' antics. “I’m thrilled to see you, you know that.”
“Must be some stressful work, usually you’re way louder than this.” Tsukasa felt Rui’s head tilt as he spoke.
“You could say that again.”
“Need a break? I’ve many tales from my venture.”
“As much as I would love to hear about everything. I should finish this first.”
“Ah! Tsukasa is so neglectful!”
“It’s important!”
“Doesn’t make it any less mean!” Rui laughed again and leaned down to kiss Tsukasa’s cheek gently, before picking up his case and retreating to a chair next to a table.
Tsukasa rolled his eyes and returned to his work. Rui cracked his case open. Little glass bottles of various liquids and herbs were stored in the tattered brown case. Tsukasa had offered to replace it multiple times but Rui insisted he keep the case, saying it was a gift from an old friend.
Tsukasa found himself listening to the small clinks of the glass and small mutterings of a thinking potion maker. He smiled thinking about how much time had passed since Rui had come into his life. They had met one fateful day when Tsukasa went on an adventure for a certain flower that no one would join him for. He had eventually overheard rumors of a man who lived on the edge of town, making potions and inventions. Naturally, he went to find this strange individual. Unknowing of how much this Rui would invade his life in the best way possible.
Tsukasa smiled at the memories suddenly flooding his mind. He couldn’t imagine what his life would be like had he never invited his ‘temporary’ adventure partner to the castle. The two had been inseparable since that day. Even sharing feelings for each other after a while. Tsukasa was pulled from his thoughts when he remembered that he had work to do. He looked down at the sheets of paper before him and let out a sigh.
Rui glanced up from the bottles on the table upon hearing Tsukasa. He then stood up and dragged a stool over to join Tsukasa at the desk.
“If not a break.” Rui started, placing a hand over Tsukasa’s. “How about I help you? I’m sure I can do some of this stuff.”
“Ah, I can’t ask you to do that. A future king should be able to do this work ten times on his own!” Tsukasa exclaimed, a sudden grin on his face.
Rui shook his head. “A future king should also be able to accept help. Afterall, what is a queen there for?”
Tsukasa felt his face heat up. “Are you implying that you’re planning to wed me?” He asked the other.
“Was that not the plan?” Rui giggled a little at the others' flushed face.
“In a perfect world. One I’ll create when I’m king!” Tsukasa proclaimed. He then toned it down a little. “You have a point. What kind of king am I if I can't accept help from my beloved inventor?” Tsukasa shifted his hand to hold Rui’s, lifting his gloved hand to place a kiss to his knuckle gently.
It was Rui’s turn to blush, though he quickly regained his confidence. “That’s it Tsukasa! Now hand me some papers so we can get married already! I’ve got ideas!”
“You’re already planning it!?”