Archive of Our Own ^beta

Kunikida knows the kind of person his prince is. Really, he does. He's known them since they were both teenagers, when Kunikida was a knight-in-training, yet to serve the kingdom. He knows them like he knows the hilt of a sword and the clanking of armour.

So this really shouldn't come as a surprise, but once again, Kunikida is riding his horse into town with an irritated huff, searching for one lost Prince Ranpo.

"I've told him a million times not to wander off on his own," he mutters to himself as he enters town, stopping right at the gates. He hops off his horse, tying it up and giving it an apple to eat before venturing further in.

Kunikida loves this kingdom dearly. He grew up in the village before it was burned down by an unfortunate fire. His parents died that night, but he was saved by the hands of the kingdom's knights, who held him tightly while he cried and brought him back to the castle.

The king, Fukuzawa, was kind enough to nurture him back to health, asking the kingdom's doctors to tend to the harsh, starburst burn on his chest. It is scarred, but Kunikida wears that like pride—proof of the king's generosity. 

From then on, he vowed to become the kingdom's best knight, wanting to protect citizens the way he was saved all those years ago. He had thought it would be a journey full of training and hard work, and it is, but what Kunikida did not expect was to run into the kingdom's spoiled and stubborn prince.

Well, that's all in the past. Now, Kunikida is glad to have grown up with Ranpo by his side, even if he's busy cursing them out right now.

Kunikida walks through the market, eyes searching through the different stalls. When he doesn't see Ranpo anywhere, Kunikida changes plans, heading towards the bakery. Ranpo frequents that place more often than their own throne, always running there to escape their duties and chat with the bakery's owner instead.

Before Kunikida even sees it, he smells the comforting scent of fresh pastries down the cobblestone road. He pushes open the door and the first thing he sees is shelves and shelves of treats, some decorated with icing or powdered sugar, others just simple plain bread.

Indeed, as he expected, his prince stands at the counter, laughing with the owner.

"Your Highness," Kunikida calls, trying to keep his voice level. "There you are."

Ranpo is dressed in casual attire, pants loose around his joints and held together with a belt. His crown isn't there, because of course it isn't, and if it wasn't for the high quality silk of his clothes that are obvious even from a distance, it would be impossible to tell that he was royalty. Exactly how he likes it.

Ranpo turns, their eyebrows flying up in surprise, though they also look like they were expecting this. "Oh! Kunikida, you've come to find me?"

The bakery owner, Yosano, greets him with a polite bow, though she is smiling in amusement. She is, in his opinion, half responsible for Ranpo's uncontrollable sweet tooth. Last Kunikida checked, she is also studying to be the town's doctor. With her hands full of Ranpo's presence every day, Kunikida wonders how she finds the time. 

"Good afternoon, Sir Kunikida," she laughs. "Can I get you anything?"

"Yeah," he says, nodding at her as he walks in. He places a gentle but firm hand on Ranpo's shoulder, who peers at him through their bangs. "I'll be taking this, please."

"Are you calling me a sweet treat?" Ranpo asks without missing a beat, grinning. Kunikida wants to wipe that smile off immediately.

"No," he replies. "Sweet treats do not walk away on their own without permission." He bows at Yosano once more, apologising for the intrusion even if he knows that she doesn't mind. Indeed, she waves him off with her well wishes, and Kunikida drags Ranpo out of the bakery.

"Aw," they say, glancing back. "I wanted to see if she'll give me a free slice of cake."

"You know you can just ask for one at the castle and ten people will be ready to give you one," Kunikida mutters, guiding Ranpo through the market. It's getting a bit crowded; it must be dinner time soon. "I don't know why you insist on coming all the way down here and causing a ruckus."

"I'm not causing any ruckus! Besides," Ranpo pauses for dramatic effect and Kunikida gives him an unimpressed look, "it means you'll come and find me!"

Kunikida bites his tongue, instead giving Ranpo a sharp glare. Now, if it was anyone else, Kunikida would not dare treat them with such familiarity. However, he's known Ranpo before they were even officially crowned as the kingdom's heir. To someone like him, who chooses who he respects selectively, Ranpo's current status does not mean much.

Once they reach the entrance again, Kunikida heads up to his horse, checking the saddle to make sure that everything is secure. Then, he turns back to where Ranpo is watching him. "Come on, Your Highness."

He kneels down, locking his hands together to form a makeshift step. Ranpo trots over, and with barely any hesitation, puts a foot on Kunikida's hold, letting him lift him up onto the horse. Kunikida grunts under the weight, but it's nothing he hasn't trained for. 

When Ranpo is settled, Kunikida grabs onto the horse's reins, tugging. He begins the arduous walk back to the castle, keeping an eye out for any attackers while making sure that Ranpo doesn't fall off, because they like to mess around when he's not looking and get themself hurt—

"Hey, Kunikida," Ranpo calls. Kunikida casts them a quick glance back, noticing that they've leaned forward, their arms wrapped around the horse's neck. "Do I have any lessons tomorrow?"

"How would I know? I'm not your advisor," Kunikida sighs. Although, that's a lie. He does have Ranpo's schedule mostly memorised, only because his advisor, Dazai, is about as reliable as a walnut. "Yes. You have dance lessons tomorrow."

"Eh?" Ranpo groans. "I hate dance lessons!"

"Believe me, you've mentioned." 

"It's not my fault. It's boring and I've done it a million times and it's a waste of time 'cause no one actually does these shitty dances—"

"They do," Kunikida interrupts. "You would know if you actually attended any balls instead of running away."

He doesn't even need to look—he knows Ranpo is grinning at him. "But you'll come and find me every time I do. You're so dedicated to me, Kunikida!"

Kunikida's eyebrow twitches. Despite that, he doesn't deny Ranpo's words, only because he cannot. 

Not everyone will see it at first glance, but Kunikida remains one of Ranpo's most loyal guards. Whether it's saving him from whatever trouble he got himself into, or the simple act of dragging him back to where he's supposed to be, Kunikida will always search for Ranpo.

Sure, it's a part of his duty, and his own responsibilities are something he holds to the highest importance, but it's more than that, too. Because Kunikida searches for Ranpo in every crowd, listens to his ramblings no matter how nonsensical and convoluted they get, and when they aren't looking, he admires their beauty from afar, fingers itching to reach out and touch.

Certainly, it's ridiculous for a knight to fall in love with his prince. But Kunikida has never managed to stick to the rules that he finds stupid, anyway.

Besides, if Ranpo didn't like it, he would have let him know by now. Ranpo is too clever for their own good, and Kunikida wouldn't be surprised if they figured out his feelings before he did himself. 

Yet, they keep up this game of cat-and-mouse, running off and waiting for Kunikida to find them. It's as if they enjoy watching Kunikida chase after them, ascertaining the safety net that Kunikida will always, without fail, succeed.

Eventually, they reach the castle's gates. Once they're in, Kunikida leads them to the horse's stables, ignoring the odd stares he gets from workers that are new and do not understand the dynamic between him and the prince yet. When they're in, Kunikida turns around, lifting his hands in an offering.

He helps Ranpo down by the waist, setting him gently onto the ground. Ranpo doesn't say anything, but he keeps watchful eyes on Kunikida as he leads his horse back to its rightful place, giving it another treat and stroking its mane for a bit. 

"Alright," Kunikida says once he's done. "You need to get back to the castle. It's almost dinner time, anyway. His Majesty will be worried."

"Hm," Ranpo says, but they don't move. 

Kunikida sighs, turning around. "I am not escorting you there. Walk by yourself."

Ranpo pouts.

"...Only until your chambers," he grumbles, stalking out of the stables. Ranpo cheers, hurrying after him, and Kunikida holds back a curse at how weak-willed he is.

Ranpo hooks their arm around Kunikida's as they walk, humming to themself. Together, they make it through the castle's winding hallways, nodding at a few of the maids on the way, up the stairs, past the guards that let them in without hesitation, and all the way to the doors furthest on the right, where Ranpo's chambers are.

"Here you are, Your Highness," Kunikida says with a quick bow. "Please get ready for dinner before I tell Yosano to ban you from her bakery forever."

Ranpo gasps, their eyes filled with amusement. "You wouldn't, Sir Kunikida! That's too cruel, even for you."

"I would," Kunikida scoffs, knowing full well that he wouldn't. "I'll see you around."

Before he can turn on his heel and leave, Ranpo grabs him by the crook of his elbow, tugging him back. Kunikida stumbles, a curse on the tip of his tongue, but it fizzles out when he feels a pair of soft lips on his cheek, planting a warm kiss there.

It disappears as quickly as it came and Ranpo's smile is much too self-satisfied. "See you around!" they echo, disappearing into their chambers and shutting the door in Kunikida's face.

Kunikida, the kingdom's fiercest and most unwavering knight, stands in the middle of the hallway with a hand on his reddening cheek, mouth agape and heart thundering out of his chest.

"Who the heck is this?" the stranger asks, his hands placed on his hips, lips twisted into an obnoxious pout that Kunikida glares back at.

"Language, Ranpo," Fukuzawa sighs. "This is Kunikida. Starting from tomorrow, he will begin training to join our kingdom's knights. I trust you to show him around the castle."

"Me?" Ranpo laughs. Kunikida decides that it grates on his ears and he hates it. "I've lived here my whole life and I still don't know my way around! I refuse."

Fukuzawa sighs again. His hand, placed on Kunikida's shoulder, moves down to his back. Kunikida is still reeling at the fact that the king is personally escorting him around, plus the burn on his chest is irritating him under the lovely clothes he was given, so he doesn't pay much attention to Ranpo. 

Ranpo, according to what he's heard, is supposed to be crowned at age eighteen. However, this prince-to-be is nothing but a thorn in Kunikida's side right now as he works to repay the kindness of his real royalty.

Kunikida tunes out most of the conversation, staring at the ground while Ranpo argues with Fukuzawa about why he should bother about Kunikida's presence. They eventually reach a conclusion, although Kunikida isn't sure how, and Ranpo lets out an overdramatic groan.

Before he knows it, there's a hand grabbing his, tugging him forward. Kunikida stumbles, looking up in surprise. Vaguely, he registers Fukuzawa yelling after them, "Be careful with him!"

Kunikida allows himself to be dragged down one corridor and out of sight from the king before he wrenches his hand away, rubbing at his wrist. "Ow. Can you not pull me around like that? I don't like it."

"Hah?" Ranpo turns around with a deep frown. "And I don't like having to show you around, so I guess neither of us are getting what we want today!"

"I'm just asking you to be more gentle."

"Boo. You're gonna be a knight. You can't handle a little tussling around? You suck." 

Kunikida glares. Ranpo glares back.

There is no reason for Ranpo to be this hostile. Kunikida is here on Fukuzawa's courtesy, which he genuinely does appreciate—he might be dead without his intervention. Still, Kunikida didn't think that agreeing to work at the castle meant an additional duty of dealing with… whatever this is.

"I should just leave you in the dungeons," Ranpo mutters to himself. It's clear he doesn't care whether Kunikida can hear him or not. 

"Aren't you royalty-to-be?" Kunikida blurts out before he can stop himself. He isn't sure of the customs he's supposed to be following in the castle, but he decides that with Ranpo's attitude, he doesn't care. If Ranpo is going to be so moody, then Kunikida will match his energy. It's only fair. "I think you're supposed to be more courteous."

"Ooh, don't forget who you're talking to, now," Ranpo sneers. "I could send you to your deathbed in an instant."

"No, you can't. You're not a prince yet. You're just a boy like me."

"Only sometimes," he mutters, but then he shakes his head, jabbing an accusing finger into Kunikida's face. He grumbles, swatting it away. "Alright, then. So you're trying to say we're equals? That there is no difference between you and me?"

Kunikida thinks about it. Sure, Ranpo has lived his whole life here, probably spoiled to a tee, while Kunikida was a simple villager a mere few days ago. And sure, Ranpo can ask for anything he wants and will probably get it, whereas Kunikida is lucky to even be here.

He supposes that logically, based on status, wealth, and power, he and Ranpo are of completely different levels. However.

"Yes," he snaps. Ranpo's eyebrows fly up. "I see you like I see any other person our age. However you treat me, I'll treat you the same way. You don't get special treatment from me, Ranpo."

There's a long pause, where Kunikida stares resolutely into piercing green eyes, pretending his heart isn't pounding against his chest, and praying that he doesn't look as nervous as he feels. 

Just when he thinks he's crossed a line and has to apologise, Ranpo breaks out into a wide, toothy grin that takes his breath away. "Interesting," he muses, turning around and taking a step away. "Okay, Kunikida. If we're equal, then you better keep up!"

He doesn't explain what he means by that before he struts off. Kunikida stares in confusion before cursing, kicking into action and hurrying after Ranpo, wondering what the hell he just got himself into.

"You toy with him too much," Dazai says casually as Ranpo glares at documents they don't want to read. Their legs twitch from where they want to kick it up on the throne, but according to Dazai, that's way too much, so they try to hold back with a grit of their teeth.

"What do you mean?" Ranpo asks, even though they know exactly what she means. 

"Wasn't yesterday the third time this week that you ran off without warning?"

"Yeah?"

"It's Wednesday." 

Ranpo can't help it. He snickers, and Dazai follows soon after, giggling alongside him. "And he comes, every single time! I think I'm in love, Dazai."

"You've been saying that for years by now, Your Highness," Dazai answers primly. "Could your royal advisor give you a few words of advice?"

"No."

She ignores him. "As funny as I find this whole situation—"

"I said no!"

Dazai bursts out laughing, and if he wasn't so important to Ranpo's life, they would threaten to sack him. He clearly knows it too, by the glint in his eye and the way he always toes the line between professional and not. 

"Anyway," Dazai says once he sobers up, "you have to go for your dance lesson soon, Your Highness. Would you like me to escort you, or are you going to play cat-and-mouse with your favourite knight again?"

"You shouldn't talk so big. I see you making eyes at the court's jester all the time," Ranpo sniffles.

Dazai shrugs, pretending not to know what he's talking about when he definitely does. Ranpo sighs, pushing himself off the throne and walking down the few steps, ignoring the way his crown feels crooked on his head and the shuddering weight of responsibility falling onto his shoulders.

"Good luck!" Dazai calls as Ranpo leaves the throne room with a muffled sigh.

They don't get to sigh long before they're bumping into someone. Ranpo takes a step back, already expecting a flurry of apologies that they'll need to wave away, but instead, they're staring face-to-face with a pair of wide, green eyes, and a head of blond hair.

"Your Highness," Kunikida says, surprise evident in his voice. "I was just about to start looking on you."

The honest admission makes Ranpo grin, though their gaze is sweeping over Kunikida's frame, a bit distracted by how he looks. His hair isn't in its usual ponytail, long locks falling over his shoulders. He's not wearing his armour, but he's still holding on to his helmet, and there's a light sheen of sweat over his forehead. "Did you just finish training?"

"Yes, I did."

"And you immediately came looking for me? How sweet!"

Ranpo laughs at the immediate scowl overtaking Kunikida's face and the light edge to his voice when he replies. "Only because I know you and I needed to make sure you weren't skipping out on your lessons again."

Before Ranpo can reply, Kunikida reaches out with his free hand, holding onto his shoulder. He guides him around, nudging him along to the dance room with gentle but firm pushes. "And you should not be late! Not even for a few seconds. It is not ideal for royalty to be late to their duties."

This time, Ranpo sighs out loud, getting shoved along the long corridor. He wants to be stubborn about it, maybe put up a fight just to see if Kunikida will fight back, but he also feels a bit helpless right now, like he has no choice but to listen to what Kunikida says.

How unheard of, the prince listening to the knight. Even if neither Ranpo nor Kunikida is one to care much for authority, it is still an odd imbalance of the power they supposedly hold.

Although, it's not like it's Ranpo's fault. When Kunikida looks like that, Ranpo's mind seems to shut off. Post-training is a very good look on Kunikida, and it's one that Ranpo barely gets to see with how often their schedules clash.

Distantly, Ranpo thinks of a quick kiss to a cheek and a confession left unsaid for years. They know that Kunikida likes them too, and has all the evidence they've observed and plucked out to prove it, but they can't seem to take that final step. While Ranpo isn't afraid to ask for what he wants, there's this invisible barrier between them that prevents him from reaching out, prevents the feelings from spilling from his heart.

Because Ranpo is okay with throwing status to the wind and just telling Kunikida how they feel, but they know that Kunikida isn't okay with it. They've known Kunikida since he first joined the castle's staff. They know how much his position means to him.

If Ranpo were to ever confess, it would be like suggesting that Kunikida throw his life away just to be with them in secret. A royalty with a commoner is scandalous enough, but a prince with his knight? The kingdom might just go up in flames.

So Ranpo continues to keep this dance up around them, continues to step just out of Kunikida's reach, just so they can keep up the chase while leaving things unsaid. This is the most the world will allow them to have. Ranpo will not take that for granted.

"Here you are," Kunikida says as they come to a stop in front of the grand floor-to-ceiling ballroom doors. "Have a good lesson, Your Highness."

"Thank you," Ranpo mumbles, staring at the gold handles bitterly. He doesn't want to go.

He freezes when Kunikida's hair brushes against his shoulder—he's much closer than Ranpo thought he was. The knight leans down, turning his head and planting a hesitant, fleeting kiss on his cheek, straightening up just as fast.

Kunikida leaves without a word, rushing off before Ranpo can call after him, and the yearning in Ranpo's pounding heart only grows a hundred times more intense.

"What do you even do?" Kunikida asks one day.

They're both in the castle's gardens, but Kunikida is kneeling in front of a flower bed, fiddling with the soil or whatever it is that's captured his attention, while Ranpo is flopped completely on the bench, basking in the sun.

"What?" they ask, even though they kind of know what Kunikida means.

"Like, when you're not following me around. Do you have duties? I only ever see His Majesty do those."

They wrinkle their nose at the subtle call-out. Kunikida has a habit of doing that. Whether he's doing it on purpose or not is a mystery, but he's always blunt and straight to the point, even with someone like Ranpo, who is technically his authority. He has no qualms about asking Ranpo things like why do you skip your lessons all the time or are those fake glasses or do you do anything other than eat and sleep or Ranpo's personal favourite, what the hell is wrong with you?

"I can't sit in meetings and shit," Ranpo replies. He holds a hand up, forming a circle with his fist and squinting through it, trying to see the sun. "I'll have paperwork when I get crowned, but I'll just make an advisor do it. I don't want to."

Kunikida snorts. "Sounds like you, you're a lazy bum."

"Excuse you!" 

He sits up with a pout and finds Kunikida already looking back at him, the edges of his lips tilted up in an amused smile. "I'm not wrong."

"Whatever." Ranpo sighs, stretching with their arms towards the sun. "What are you even looking at?"

"Ah. I just thought this section here looked rather plain compared to the rest of the garden. I was thinking of asking Steinbeck to plant some flowers here."

"Who the hell is that?"

Kunikida gives them a disapproving look. "The royal gardener. Really, Ranpo, you ought to learn the castle staff's names."

"Eh, I can't be bothered. There's too many and I don't care for any of them unless I have to."

"Don't be ridiculous. You know my name."

At that, Ranpo frowns, tilting his head in confusion. "Duh. You said we're equal, remember?"

That conversation, their first meeting, still plays in Ranpo's head over and over like it's on loop even though it's been almost a year since they've met. Ranpo has never felt that shiver crawling up their spine like that, the shock at being talked to with no regard for their status. They felt both exposed and seen—who looked at them and saw not a prince, but a person? 

Kunikida, with his stubborn eyes and firm stance, treats them so regularly it's almost audacious. Ranpo has seen the terrified looks from those around them before whenever Kunikida speaks to them, as if everyone is walking on eggshells waiting for them to get sick of the disrespect and snap. They know that sometimes, even Kunikida seems to be watching for the day it happens, like he's never sure if he's crossing a line or not.

But Ranpo will never think such a thing. In fact, he would even try to goad Kunikida into more, provoking him until the lines between a prince and a commoner dissipate completely. Ranpo likes following him around and being at the expense of his sarcastic wit and draping himself all over him when he's tired.

The reason for that is simple—Ranpo likes having a friend.

Kunikida doesn't know how special he is. Ranpo doesn't just know his name, he knows his birthday and his favourite spot in the castle and the way his nose scrunches up whenever he spots tuna fish because he absolutely hates the smell. Ranpo doesn't care for most of the staff here—they're just working, and most of them cower at the sight of them anyway, so it's boring and pointless.

Kunikida has been the only one to really capture Ranpo's attention and keep it. They refuse to let that go just yet.

Besides! The spoiled prince has always gotten what he wants, or whatever it was that Kunikida said. No shame in proving a correct point.

"Oh. Um." Kunikida's hesitant voice snaps him out of his thoughts. Ranpo hums, raising an eyebrow when he sees how flushed Kunikida's cheeks are. "I didn't think you'd remember I said that."

A few beats of silence pass as Kunikida's words sink in. Then, Ranpo bursts out laughing, slapping their knee, their body crouching over from the force of their giggles. 

"Haha! You didn't think I'd remember—do you know how damn ridiculous you were? Nobody pulls that kind of shit unless they're you. Of course I'd remember!"

"You don't have to laugh like that!"

Ranpo grins. "You're so silly, Kunikida." Their voice drips with fondness that they weren't aware they could muster up at all. 

Kunikida turns away, staring back at the empty soil, but he cannot hide the red tips of his ears and the flush of his cheeks. Ranpo still think it's cute that he tried, though. "Shut up."

Kunikida swears his heart is going to fly out of his chest at this rate.

Every fibre of his being is shaking. He feels like a livewire ready to explode—all his senses are too sensitive, too heightened. The polite clapping by the endless crowd, the harsh sunshine blazing upon his sweaty skin, the bits of hair sticking to the nape of his neck, his gloves rubbing against his fingers—it's all happening at once. 

As Kunikida climbs the stage, he finds his vision blurring. He keeps his eyes trained ahead and on the shining armour of Fukuchi Ouchi, the head knight, awaits. 

His ears are ringing. A deafening bang of a drum fills the air, silencing the crowd, and that should make things a little better, but even the silence is a noise in itself that Kunikida can't seem to pull his head out of.

He's not sure why he's feeling like this. This moment is everything he's ever wanted. It's years of hard work and labour, of relentless training, of falling and getting back up countless times. It's the curl of his palm around the hilt of a sword and a scar across his chest—everything was meant to lead him here.

Kunikida flinches when he hears his name being announced. But no, not just his name. Today is the day he goes from Kunikida Doppo, knight-in-training, to Sir Kunikida.

Fukuchi passes him a helmet that he takes with trembling hands. His body feels like it's going to give out on itself when Fukuchi clasps a hand over his shoulder, saying a few words he doesn't hear. He then takes Kunikida's hand, lifting it up into the air with a large cry, and Kunikida has no clue what's—

"KUNIKIDA!"

The voice slices through the haze like a blade against ice—sharp, sudden, and groundbreaking. Kunikida lets out a quiet gasp, his eyes snapping to the source. He looks up, away from the endless crowd and towards a balcony, where someone is leaning over the railings, waving wildly.

"Ranpo," he whispers, the name ghosting past his lips and leaving behind a sweet aftertaste.

Ranpo beams the moment they make eye contact. He's wearing his crown, as this is an official ceremony, and he has to be in proper attire if he wants to show up. He doesn't have to, for Fukuzawa is also there in his throne, tugging Ranpo back by his cape, but he's there anyway.

Ranpo never shows up for events that they don't want to see. Kunikida had assumed that his ceremony was part of such events, but he's proven completely wrong. Ranpo is there, their face a bit shadowed but still so unbelievably bright, and they're grinning like Kunikida's achievement is theirs as well.

Kunikida realises that he wouldn't mind sharing this moment with them at all.

His world feels like it's zeroing in on Ranpo. Everything else he was fixated on—the dying claps from a shocked crowd, the sun's heat giving way as clouds float by, his hair ruffling in a gentle breeze, his gloved hands gripping onto his new helmet—it fades into the background. There's only one thing Kunikida cares about right now.

So, with a grin of his own, he lifts his hands, raising his new helmet in Ranpo's direction. Ranpo's answering cheer makes his heart sing.

"Thank you for coming," Kunikida says, despite knowing that it's pointless. Ranpo cannot hear him from here.

Still, Ranpo seems to know what he's saying, for he tosses his head back with a laugh. He doesn't say anything else, but Kunikida hears the of course I would, idiot, anyway. 

"There you are." 

Ranpo flinches from where they've been caught. They're hiding in the castle's kitchen, specifically in the pantry, holding onto leftover bread from this morning's breakfast. They're still chewing when the door opens, revealing Kunikida with his hands on his hips, an exasperated frown on his face.

"Looks like you caught me," Ranpo says through his mouthful of food, plastering on a mischievous smile that doesn't quite reach his eyes. "You're getting so good at this game, Kunikida! Now, if you don't mind me, I'm going to grab some more bread and bring it back to my chamb—"

"You have a ceremony to attend," Kunikida interrupts. "In fact, it's your ceremony. They're going to send guards to look for you if you don't show up soon."

"Eh, let them. They can't find me if I really tried."

"And what? You're going to hide here forever? Don't be stupid. I know you're smarter than that."

Ranpo bristles. They toss the half-eaten bread on the counter, ignoring the fact that it'll probably attract mice and other pests in here. They readjust the too-tight collar around their neck and walk forward in stride, pretending that their stomach isn't twisting uncomfortably at the mere thought of entering that ballroom now. 

Kunikida stops him with a hand on his shoulder. He's younger than Ranpo, yet he's already beginning to tower over him, the castle's bountiful food and high-class training doing wonders for his development. If Ranpo didn't know better, he'd think that Kunikida was already a mighty knight, despite the way that armour still hangs loosely off his shoulders and his cheeks are still round with baby fat.

"You have to go, Ranpo," Kunikida mumbles. Pity drips from his voice, like he knows how much Ranpo doesn't want to, and Ranpo hates it. "The entire kingdom is waiting for you. You can't let them down."

"You're gonna say that it's my duty, aren't you?" Ranpo bites back. 

"Of course. You've known that all your life."

"Haven't you thought that I don't want this life?"

They freeze at the poisonous words spilling from their tongue—words they've never really voiced out loud, despite never hiding their distaste at the idea of one day being crowned. 

Ranpo is the kingdom's only heir to the throne. His destiny has been set from the very beginning, but somehow, when he was growing up, he still held onto hope that there would be a way out. That some magical being was going to appear and take his position, and Ranpo can continue running down to town to chat with the funny bakery owner or wave at the farmer boy's cows or poke fun at Kunikida all day. 

It's naive, he knows. It doesn't stop the wishful thinking, though. 

However, the moment the crown kisses the hairs on his head, the moment Ranpo walks up to the castle's highest balcony and looks out at the crowd gathered below, the moment he lifts his hand up and waves to the beat of the trumpet horns and swaying flags—he will officially be crowned. 

His title will be renewed as Prince Ranpo, and there will no longer be an escape from the weight of responsibility blanketing his shoulders.

"It's childish, isn't it?" Ranpo mutters. "I've gotten everything I wanted my whole life, yet I can't repay any of it because I don't want to. I'm not cut out for this life."

Kunikida takes a deep breath. His hold on Ranpo's shoulder loosens, but he doesn't let go yet. "Do you think that your life is going to change completely the moment you are crowned?"

"Hah?" Ranpo blinks. "Even you're not stupid enough for rhetorical questions, Kuni—"

"Because you're wrong. It won't." 

Kunikida nudges their body, forcing them to face him directly. His lips are set in a determined grimace and his eyes are blazing with a passion Ranpo only sees when he's training or tending to his sword, like it's the most important thing in the world. 

"You'll have additional duties. You'll need to attend meetings and balls and talk with those of other kingdoms. But." He exhales. "You'll still have me. I'm not going to treat you differently just 'cause you're officially a prince now. You're still going to bother me all day, and I'm still going to let you because I actually like and respect you as a person."

"...You respect me?" Ranpo chokes out. It's the only thing they can point out without feeling like they're going to explode.

Kunikida clicks his tongue. "Is that so surprising? If I didn't, you'd know."

"But you don't bow to me or call me by my title or anything."

"Do you want me to?" he challenges with a raise of an eyebrow. 

Ranpo huffs, looking away. "I guess not." He sounds embarrassingly petulant, but it simply makes Kunikida smile. 

"Exactly. So stop moping around. Not everything has to change overnight. You'll be okay."

For someone who has only joined their castle a year or so ago, Kunikida is surprisingly in-tune with the inner workings of royalty. He understands Ranpo's position better than they do themself, sometimes, and it's times like this where Ranpo is truly reminded of it.

"Okay," Ranpo concedes, letting out a soft sigh. "I'll go."

Kunikida's answering nod of approval shouldn't mean anything, but it does. "You got this, Ranpo."

Oh, how the times have changed.

When Kunikida realises that he's fallen in love, it's already too late.

He knows it's naive, but a stupid part of him has always thought that there was a slim chance that he and Ranpo could be together. Despite their statuses, despite their responsibilities, they could cut through that and still be together with the power of determination or something.

After all, both of them are nothing if not stubborn. It would not come as a surprise if one day, they threw everything to the wind and ran off together, hands held tight and hearts filled with joy.

At least, that's what wishful thinking leads him to believe.

Kunikida is dedicated to his position. Everything he's ever done was to bring him here. He is the kingdom's best knight, he leads a large battalion, he is a role model to many, and is one of the kingdom's most trusted defenders.

He is also a man hopelessly in love and afraid to let that go. 

Perhaps, if that distant conversation up on the castle's tallest tower didn't happen a year ago, Kunikida would not have fallen completely into the role he is meant to play and would still be able to be persuaded out of his current life. Perhaps, if he never called Ranpo Your Highness, it wouldn't have solidified the fact that they've irreversibly changed.

It doesn't look that way to most outsiders, of course. Ranpo still runs off and Kunikida still hunts them down and they still talk like they're old friends (because they are), but there is a newly-built wall between them that no one can spot, let alone try to break down. 

It is mostly Kunikida's fault. If he had recognised his feelings earlier, then he could've done something before Ranpo became the one that got away. 

He thinks back to all the time they've spent together and tries to pinpoint when this started—when Kunikida fell down the endless rabbit hole of love, and how long he spent trying to climb out of it before realising that it was no use. Was it when they first met? When Kunikida was receiving his title and spotted Ranpo at his ceremony despite being sure that they wouldn't show up?

Was it when Ranpo brought up the potential of an arranged marriage, and Kunikida's stomach turned itself inside and out with what he now realises was jealousy and a refusal to let him go?

Maybe that moment was Ranpo's hint, an attempt at a confession without actually saying it out loud. If Kunikida had shown any sign of resistance, if he had just mustered up a simple no, then maybe Ranpo wouldn't have given up.

Instead, Kunikida had to go and pretend to be supportive despite how sick it made him feel. To Ranpo, it must have sounded like Kunikida was willing to let him go, or that he prioritised their duties more than what they've built up between them.

Of course, that is the furthest thing from the truth, but it is far too late to take it back now.

So Kunikida also regresses into his position. He is nothing more than the kingdom's best knight. Ranpo is nothing more than the kingdom's beloved, clever prince. That's how all things should be, right?

Ranpo doesn't know when Ranpo turned into Your Highness, but they decide that they hate it. 

It's not often that they're caught up like this, reminiscing about a time when things were a little simpler, but here they are, laying on their bed after a boring dance lesson and wishing that Kunikida would just show up at their door.

They could just ask, but Kunikida is always busy, and Ranpo can't just follow him around like they used to anymore. Contrary to what Dazai believes, Ranpo does know how to exercise self-control, even if it's around the person they've known and been a little bit obsessed with for almost a decade by now.

Still, Ranpo is going to mope. Because it feels like Kunikida has finally acknowledged the boundary between them when he's never bothered to before, placing a wall between them.

Perhaps it's a sign that Ranpo should learn to back off. Despite the certainty that their feelings are returned, if Kunikida doesn't want to do anything about it, then Ranpo cannot either. They don't want to drag Kunikida into a mess he doesn't want—it makes the whole thing feel ingenuine, anyway. 

However, the least Ranpo wants is for Kunikida to stop bowing to him or calling him Your Highness. He misses being treated like they're on the same ground. He misses being equals.

Ranpo chews on his bottom lip ceaselessly. How can he bridge this newfound distance between them without scaring Kunikida away for good?

A sudden, stupid idea forms in his head. Surely it will not work. Ranpo is clever—he's been told a million times that he wastes his bright and young mind, one that many would dream of as their heir, on lazing around and being ridiculous. So even though Ranpo gets the occasional silly idea, he won't actually carry it out if it brings no benefit.

…Unless.

Ranpo pushes themself off the bed, peering around like someone is going to catch them just entertaining the possibilities. After a few more seconds of debate, they decide that they have nothing to lose. 

With a small smile, Ranpo pushes open the doors of their chambers, finally becoming the cat in their little game as they search for one strong-willed knight.

It happens on a simple, ordinary night.

Kunikida is twenty one-years-old, his muscles aching from training the new knights earlier, but he isn't able to retire for the night yet. He is making the painstaking journey up the castle's endless flights of stairs, unsure of whether he is heading the right way considering how much Ranpo doesn't like to climb these, but there is a feeling in his gut that he can't shake.

He reaches the top, where a singular, wooden door waits. As if there was some magnetic force dragging him forward, Kunikida grips onto the black handles and pushes. 

The first thing he's greeted with is the shocking, biting cold. It makes sense, after all, he is at the tallest tower their castle has to offer, overseeing the gardens, the town, and even further than that—endless stretches of trees from the dense forest and a horizon that seems to last forever. 

The moon hangs high in the air, bathing the person he's searching for in sweet moonlight. Ranpo doesn't turn at the sound of the door creaking open, but Kunikida is certain they already knew he was coming simply from the pace and strength of his footsteps.

"Hi," he greets, and the prince hums in reply. "What are you doing up here? It's cold."

"It is," Ranpo admits. 

Kunikida sighs. He shrugs off the coat he's wearing—he had thought of precautions, but somehow, the kingdom's smartest hadn't—and walks over to drape it around Ranpo's shoulders. It's much too big for him, hanging loosely off his frame, but Ranpo doesn't complain, so Kunikida doesn't point it out.

Ranpo is leaning over the edge of the tower, their arms propped up against the stone railings. Their eyes are closed, giving the faux impression that they're at peace, but Kunikida knows better. There is no reason for Ranpo to go through the arduous journey all the way up here and stand outside in the frigid air. Normally, they'd whine to hell and back about it. If they're here, then they need to get away.

And if they're here, then that means they allowed Kunikida to find them. 

"I had a new rookie today," Kunikida says, copying Ranpo's pose to look out and over the railings. He keeps his voice soft, letting it fly away into the wind, such that it's only between them and the night. "Atsushi. They’re clumsy. And really nervous. But they’re passionate, and they do everything I say to the fullest of their capabilities. I think they’d make a great knight one day."

Ranpo doesn't say anything. Still, Kunikida speaks, if only to fill in the silence and replace the irritating buzz in their mind that led them here. "It was pretty fun. I also taught my unit the basics of jousting. One of them suggested a tournament to Sir Fukuchi, and you know how much of a jousting fanatic he is, so of course he immediately agreed. It'll be next Friday, actually. You could come if you'd like."

Ranpo glances at him when he says that. The invitation hangs in the air, awkward, imposing, and yet it's not enough to defeat the elephant in the room. Beyond that, Kunikida came here with one purpose—find Ranpo and figure out what's wrong. Ranpo knows it too, yet they're both dancing around it.

But it's no big deal. Ranpo will share when he wants to. Kunikida just needs to play his role and distract him until the prince is relaxed and ready. 

He continues talking about his day, mentioning insignificant details like how sour the apples he had today were or how his horse neighed a little louder than usual. 

None of it matters. None of it is of any substance. But Kunikida talks, and as Ranpo's shoulders untense, as their eyebrows unfurrow and their eyes fill with something alive again, Kunikida knows it isn't all for naught. 

There's just one more final push needed, then. "—so that's what we did. Um… how was your day?"

Ranpo huffs out a laugh. "I knew you'd lead to that eventually."

"Well, don't leave me hanging, then." 

"Eh… It's nothing important. I looked through some scrolls. Dazai let me know about another meeting tomorrow. And… and she brought up an arranged marriage."

Kunikida feels his heart come to a stop. 

"Nothing's confirmed, obviously. It was just an idea placed on the table. Something in the distant future rather than now. She brought up some suitors too. None I know of."

"I see," Kunikida replies, struggling to keep his voice steady. He doesn't want to sound nervous or shocked, lest it send Ranpo into another moping session. "I assume this is one of those princely things that you deeply hate."

"Not really." The admission makes Kunikida's eyebrows raise in shock. "I think a part of me has accepted it a long time ago. Isn't that surprising? I thought I'd be more put-off by it, but instead, all I feel is resigned. Haha, maybe I'm finally maturing like how everyone wants me to!"

Kunikida swallows down the lump in his throat. There is something ugly and bitter rising out of his stomach. He doesn't know where it's coming from, but he's struggling to stomp it down. "Then, how do you feel about it right now?"

"I don't know," Ranpo replies simply. 

Indeed, it is an odd answer. Ranpo never not knows. He always has some sort of answer to every question, no matter how outrageous or impossible. Even if it doesn't make sense, Ranpo always has something to say, words spilling from his lips as quick and clean as a waterfall. 

Yet, Kunikida cannot fault him, because what else can you say at this point? Resignation is a feeling of helplessness. Of bittersweet acceptance. Asking if Ranpo feels anything else at this moment is like asking a fish to climb a tree. 

As Kunikida stares at Ranpo's wistful, saddened expression, the twisting in his gut only grows more intense. He tries to picture it—Ranpo with a pretty princess from another powerful kingdom, their arms linked together as they make their grand entrance into a large ball, dozens of people watching as they announce their marriage, even if it's more of a transaction than an act of love. He tries to imagine Ranpo smiling at the crowd, genuinely at peace with the situation, but their expression comes up painfully blank instead. 

Come to think of it, Ranpo has never mentioned anything about love before. It's a conversation that has never come up between them, but now that it's in Kunikida's head, he can't seem to get it out. 

The idea that Ranpo is going to give their life away to someone they don't truly love doesn't sit right with Kunikida. It doesn't make sense—he is familiar with royal customs, and he knows that if Ranpo has accepted something, then almost nothing is going to change their mind.

But there is some irritating, nagging voice in the back of his head telling him that this is wrong. That Kunikida needs to step in somehow and drag Ranpo away until they figure out what they want for themself. They deserve that bit of freedom, in Kunikida's opinion. It's odd that they're not granting it for themself in the first place.

"I think," Ranpo begins, snapping Kunikida out of his thoughts, "that it's about time I start thinking of the throne. Of the kingdom."

Wrong, wrong, wrong. Alarm bells are blaring in Kunikida's head, like the clock tower's bell that echoes throughout the kingdom, bouncing off the inner walls of his mind for hours even after he falls asleep. Ranpo is behaving completely out of character. 

"What's wrong with you?" he blurts out. "You're never this serious. You've never considered your position as a genuine responsibility. What is happening?"

At that, Ranpo clicks his tongue, glancing at him. Something defensive flashes across his dull eyes. "Weren't you the one who said that this was my duty? You should be celebrating the fact that I'm trying to care."

"Weren't you the one who said that you don't want this life?" Kunikida shoots back. He clamps his mouth shut immediately after, regretting what just flew out. 

For a long time, Ranpo doesn't say anything. He chews on his bottom lip, glaring in the distance, and Kunikida knows he's thinking of something he'll never share. 

"...Whatever," Kunikida finds himself saying. He feels like there are chains crawling around his neck, tightening and preventing him from saying anything else. From saying the truth. "If that's what you want, then I support you."

He tries to picture it again—Ranpo dressed in clothes befitting a king, a shiny crown on his head, a wife to brag about and power to hold in his arms. He tries to imagine standing by his side, loyal to the end. 

But it's not the same as standing with Ranpo. If Ranpo chooses to fall into the position set out for them, then that forces Kunikida into his own as well, reducing them to just a prince and a knight. It elevates Ranpo's status and suppresses Kunikida. An imbalance. 

"If that's what you want," he repeats, and it sounds bitter and meek and it gets lost in the wind, but not lost on Ranpo's ears, never. 

Ranpo nods stiffly. "Of course. Everyone's counting on me. I can't let them down."

They stand up, shoulder brushing against Kunikida's as they leave, but Kunikida remains rooted to the spot. What Ranpo is saying doesn't sound like a sudden inclination for responsibility, it sounds like an impending fear of disappointing others.

(And this conversation feels like Kunikida is about to lose his best friend, everything he's ever known slipping through his fingers.)

Just before Ranpo disappears completely out of sight, something foreign and unknown slides off Kunikida's tongue. It tastes like unfamiliarity. Like poison.

"Your Highness," he calls. Ranpo freezes. "...I'll stop by tomorrow morning to take back my coat, if that's okay with you."

(Indeed, Kunikida lets go. He is not the only one capable of change, even if it feels like he's smashing glass—years and years of history lost in the blink of an eye.)

"Okay," Ranpo replies. 

Their voice wavers. Kunikida pretends not to hear it. 

Ranpo drags their feet down to the dining hall where an entire buffet table waits. They eat their share, wrinkling their nose at what they don't like and beaming at what they do, noticing the way some of the staff are watching them, cataloguing their every expression for improvement. Normally, this would irritate them, and they'd whine about wanting to eat in peace and chase everyone annoying out of the hall, but tonight, they only have one goal in mind.

They finish their food as fast as they can, waving off a timid suggestion that they slow down lest they choke. Ranpo is a busy, busy prince! He's got so many places to be! None of which he is going to be attending after this, but that's nobody's business except maybe Dazai's. So, like, whatever.

Ranpo pushes himself off the chair and practically skips out of the room in search of his favourite bespectacled knight. 

Right now, he is so fucking glad that Kunikida is a weirdo with the strictest schedule known to man. Ranpo doesn't have his schedule memorised or any of that cheesy stuff, he just knows from the force of habit. Back when they were still attached to the hip, Kunikida's behaviour and timings were practically drilled into Ranpo's head against his will. Plus, he memorises things pretty fast.

It's totally not because he wanted to.

But right now, it's his biggest tool of convenience, so Ranpo isn't going to complain. They trot down the long hallway, the one with a broken grand clock that was never replaced—this is the one and only path Ranpo bothered to remember, even though there are shorter routes—through a grand set of doors, up the stairs, and towards the place he almost never visits in this castle. 

The library. 

More specifically, Kunikida will be on the second floor of the library, probably on one of the ladders, sorting through the shelves.

He doesn't even need to do this. That's the librarian's job. But Kunikida finds peace in this, kind of like a wind-down activity for him, and the librarian welcomes his presence with open arms. Ranpo doesn't recall her name, but she has wide circular glasses that make her hard to miss despite her meek presence. 

Indeed, when Ranpo walks into the library and climbs up to the second floor, he sees Kunikida with his back facing him, laser focused on the stack of books that he's being surrounded by.

Steeling himself, Ranpo straightens his back and takes his crown off, holding it by his waist as he calls, "Looks like I found you, Sir Kunikida!"

He sees the way that Kunikida's arm twitches, bumping into one of the books. It barely shakes the heavy stack at all, but it's still enough of an indication to let Ranpo know that his presence has been acknowledged. "...Your Highness?"

He slowly turns around, as if afraid to see the truth. Honestly, Kunikida is so dramatic. It's not that rare for Ranpo to come find him, even if it hasn't happened much in the recent months due to increased duties on both ends. 

No one else is in the library at this hour, save for the mysterious man with long bangs and a raccoon who always hides out in the same corner, frantically writing. Ranpo doesn't know who or what he's doing here, but he decides that it's none of his damn business. 

So anyway, it's just Ranpo and Kunikida here, being towered over by massive bookshelves and shrouded in the dim, warm light of the candlesticks against the walls. A private, cosy place. 

"You look busy," Ranpo says, mostly just for the sake of saying something.

Kunikida sighs, looking back down at the books. "It's not really my duty, but yes, I am busy. Is there something you need?"

Right, here's their chance. Ranpo just needs to calm the odd buzz in their veins, as if the prospect of asking for something is finally scaring them. What an ironic twist.

"Yep," Ranpo replies, popping the 'p'. They point a sharp finger straight at Kunikida's nose, whose eyes grow a little cross-eyed at how close the distance between them is, and looks up with a confused frown. "I need you to be my dance partner!"

A beat of silence passes. 

"S-sorry?" Kunikida asks, his frown growing deeper. Ranpo wants to press a kiss against those wrinkles right between his eyebrows, just below his forehead. 

"My dance partner," Ranpo repeats, slowing the syllables so it's like they're talking to a child. An ultimate tactic. They know it works when Kunikida's frown disappears, replaced by an irritated click of his tongue and a determined fire filling his gaze.

It's nice to know that after all these years, Ranpo still has the ability to make Kunikida lose control.

There's no way for them to have any music, not unless Ranpo decides to summon an orchestra over right now, but they decide that they don't need it. They don't want to scare Kunikida off, anyway, and besides, this is supposed to be something special. Something for just the two of them.

"Was your dance lesson today not enough to wear you out?" he huffs, pushing himself up. Kunikida stalks over, hands crossing tightly across his chest once he stops in front of Ranpo. "You don't even like to dance."

"I do," Ranpo lies, holding their hand out. "In fact, I learned a new dance move today that I want to practise, but I can't do so without a partner."

"Right…" Kunikida's eyes are still narrowed in suspicion, but he takes Ranpo's offered hand, sliding their gloved palms together. "You'll have to lead me, though. I'm not very good at dancing."

"Believe me, I know," Ranpo laughs. Kunikida clicks his tongue again, his other hand resting on Ranpo's shoulder, who shudders at the heavy weight. 

"Are you ready?" Ranpo asks with twinkling eyes.

"No."

"Awesome. Come on!"

Ranpo takes a small step back, trying to remember what he's learned so that they can actually have some semblance of a dance. It proves tough, however, because he's never truly listened in those classes anyway, and all he's got going for him are the basics he remembers from when he was five and sheer willpower.

Luckily for him, Kunikida knows even less about dancing than he does, so it's not like he'll be able to spot it if Ranpo messes up. His eyes are trained downwards, his movements just a beat too late because of how focused he is on not stepping on Ranpo's toes. His hand begins tightening unconsciously, gripping onto Ranpo's like a lifeline.

"You're terrible at this," Ranpo chides.

Kunikida's head snaps up. "That's what I told you! When have I ever needed to dance?"

Ranpo snorts, dragging Kunikida around in a lame attempt at a spin. Kunikida all but stumbles after, gritting his teeth. "For someone always yelling at me to go to my lessons, you should probably start joining me."

"And why would I need to do that?"

"What if you're at a ball and some lady asks you to dance? You can't embarrass yourself!"

"If I were ever… propositioned like that," Kunikida begins, his lips curling downwards at his own vocabulary, "then I would refuse, for I need to remain in position and guard the castle. Dumbass."

Ranpo's heart pounds at the inklings of a stupid banter upcoming. "Really? What if she was really pretty? Completely your type? Don't you want to find love, Sir Kunikida?"

They mean it to tease, but Kunikida's eyes narrow. Ranpo gasps as the hand on their shoulder drops, sliding down to their waist. Without further warning, Kunikida is coming closer, pushing Ranpo over until their back bends in a light arch.

They freeze in their steps, their next breath coming out shaky as Kunikida's hair falls over his shoulder, brushing against Ranpo's cheeks. For just a moment, a hint of something strong and alive flashes across Kunikida's eyes. It disappears as soon as it comes, replaced by that regular, steely mask.

"Perhaps I'm not interested in love if it means sacrificing my duty," Kunikida mumbles.

Ranpo's chest rises with his next breath, struggling to maintain his composure. There is something so weak about Kunikida's admission, like it physically pains him to say aloud. Like he doesn't truly believe it himself—the mind and heart are two separate entities, and what one wants, the other rejects.

Love. Duty. Want. Aren't those all synonymous for someone like him?

"You don't have to," Ranpo replies softly. "You can always have both."

"Maybe if I wasn't a knight." Kunikida shrugs, pulling them back upright. 

"That's not true. Loads of our kingdom's knights fall in love. Didn't someone get engaged just last week?"

"Ranpo," Kunikida admonishes, and it slips out so naturally, so perfectly, that Ranpo doesn't register it at first. It's the voice they hear in their dreams, anyway, and the one they've gotten used to while growing up. 

But then a few beats of silence pass and the force of that word hits them at full speed. It's like getting lost in the clouds for years before finally returning home. Like the smell of an old bedroom, the same chipped wall you always brush your hand against when you walk past, a tattered photo framed and hung—familiarity bites at his heart and tugs.

Ranpo feels his entire being light up. He blinks, staring up at Kunikida with a smile he can't hide. Kunikida pauses in his steps, as if just registering his own words, and the blush that rises to his cheeks is so pretty Ranpo almost feels ill just looking at him.

"Say that again," Ranpo demands.

"Say what?" Kunikida scoffs, trying and failing to pretend he didn't just—

"Call me by my name. It's been almost a year. You think I didn't notice? Come on!"

"Ranpo," Kunikida scolds weakly, and it's like fireworks are exploding in his gut. 

Ranpo cannot help but buzz with excitement and relief. They didn't think something as simple as this could send their heart singing, but they'll gather up an entire choir right now if it means Kunikida keeps this up, this reminder that they are equals and most importantly, friends.

"Again," Ranpo demands, stepping closer. Kunikida steps back on instinct, but Ranpo keeps his hold firm so he stays.

"I-I don't know why we're even doing this—"

"Kunikida," Rampo interrupts. Their noses are just a few inches apart. "I like you."

The knight, predictably, splutters. "You can't just say that!"

"And you like me," Ranpo continues, ignoring his noises of protest. "Right?"

As if all the fight was stolen from his body, Kunikida lets go. His shoulders drop and his entire body deflates, like he is waving a white flag. "...So what?"

"So why are you still pretending?" Ranpo asks, desperation seeping into his voice.

He's always gotten everything he's wanted. A snap of his fingers and his request is presented in front of him for him to have.

Except Kunikida. Kunikida stands just ahead of him, but Ranpo will never, ever be allowed to have him.

"We can't be together," Kunikida whispers, eyes darting around the library. "You know this. Y-you'll take over the throne, marry some other princess, become the greatest king in the world, and I'll fight for the kingdom you rule. I will stand by your side—that is certain. But I will never be with you. I can't."

It's nothing Ranpo hasn't thought of before.

It stings anyway.

"I don't care," Ranpo bursts out. "I don't care if that's what my future entails. I want you. For as long as I can have you, I want it."

It's awfully selfish. Kunikida scoffs and Ranpo feels their heart sink, but then suddenly, there's hands cupping their cheeks and dragging them forward into a hot kiss.

The moment their lips connect, Ranpo feels like they're drowning.

Kunikida's passion, desperation, want, it pours out of his lips like a great waterfall. It spills into Ranpo's throat until they feel choked up, gasping for air. Their hands circle around Kunikida's neck, trying to drag him even closer.

They didn't think that this would be their first kiss.

They don't want it to be the last.

Kunikida pulls back much too soon, a bright flush on his cheeks and his hair a little more dishevelled than it was before. He runs a hand through it before stepping back, bowing his head. "I'm sorry."

He begins to step around Ranpo, whose lips are still tingling. They're swinging wildly between delight and devastation, unsure of what to feel at the moment. But Kunikida is leaving, and if Ranpo doesn't stop him now, they may never get another taste.

"Don't go yet, idiot!" they snap. "You can't just leave!"

They circle their fingers around Kunikida's wrist, tugging him back.

Ranpo squeezes his eyes shut, afraid to look at Kunikida. He doesn't want to see what he's thinking lest they end up inevitably disappointed. They pull at Kunikida's shoulders until their lips connect again, and his entire world tilts off axis.

It's heaven and hell. It's salvation and damnation. It's a flower blooming and wilting, of revival and sacrifice. 

His thoughts are running wild, clashing over and over in his head. The only thing Ranpo can focus on is treasuring this moment, to make it last as long as possible before Kunikida slinks away from his grasp.

Their bodies shift until Ranpo's back hits one of the shelves. A loose book falls off and thumps onto the floor. Kunikida ignores it, his hand snaking around Ranpo's waist and holding him there, like he cannot physically let him go. 

"We can't," Kunikida hisses against his lips, and it tastes like poison but Ranpo drinks it up anyway.

"I know," he mumbles back, parting his mouth to let Kunikida in, and their words are lost in the heated dance of their lips.

Ranpo loses track of how much time has passed. They sink to the floor at one point, Kunikida following after them, kneeling between their legs, as if he was locked in worship. When they part, Ranpo can still feel Kunikida's breaths fanning over his face, panting quietly.

His forehead drops onto Ranpo's shoulder. Ranpo reaches up, wrapping his arms around Kunikida's body and holding him as he shakes.

"I want what's best for you," Kunikida confesses, words sinking into Ranpo's shoulder. "And that's not going to be me."

"I don't care," Ranpo repeats, their head thunking against the shelf. "I just want you."

It's something Kunikida won't be able to accept for a long, long time. He thinks he's doing Ranpo a favour by staying away. In fact, he probably is. The less they give in to this selfish desire, the easier it will be to move on from each other.

But as long as they're in the same orbit, as long as they're both standing together on this Earth, Ranpo doesn't think he'll ever be able to let go.

And that's fine. He'll just keep fighting for Kunikida to stay. Even if it means always having to watch their surroundings, avoiding wandering eyes and rumours, Ranpo will take it all in stride. 

Kunikida looks up just enough to press a soft, mournful kiss to Ranpo's forehead. Ranpo closes their eyes, taking a deep breath, and internally assures themself that this won't be the last time. 

"We'll be fine," they say, reaching out to intertwine their fingers together. "Okay?"

Kunikida visibly hesitates. But under Ranpo's confident, desperate stare, he nods back, bringing their interlocked hands up to brush his lips against the back of Ranpo's palm. "Okay."

Kunikida finds Ranpo up in a tree, legs swinging from the branch they've perched themself on. He comes to a stop, tugging at his horse's reins and getting off before looking up at the tree with his hands on his hips.

Ranpo's laugh is melodic as they hop down, miraculously not hurting themself. They straighten up, dusting off the bits of dirt on their clothes and grinning. 

Kunikida rolls his eyes, but he lowers himself onto one knee, taking Ranpo's offered hand and pressing a kiss to their fingers. "Your Highness."

Unlike how it usually is, Kunikida doesn't say it as a formal greeting. He says it sarcastically, and Ranpo's laugh only grows louder when they realise it too.

"Looks like you found me," they say before cupping Kunikida's cheeks and kissing him sweetly.

It's been almost a year since Kunikida first kissed Ranpo in the library, expecting it to be the last. Instead, it was the first of many, and no matter how much worry plagues his heart when they meet up in secret like this, Kunikida wouldn't trade it for the world.

They still keep up their game of cat-and-mouse, except now, when Ranpo disappears, he's silently asking if Kunikida still wants this—if he is willing to find Ranpo no matter what it takes and keep what's his.

And Kunikida always, always, answers yes.