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Seishiro rolls over in his sheets in a feeble attempt to escape the assault of morning light seeping through his curtains. He groans, pulling the pillow over his head to cast out the light and hopefully return to sleep before –
[Good morning.]
He freezes as Choki’s voice rings inside his head, like a foreign thought has been pushed into his skull. During their short time together, he’s quickly realized (begrudgingly) that Choki is a much more effective alarm than the village roosters that scrounge outside the castle gates.
…Mornin’ Choki.
He lets out a sigh. If Choki knows he’s awake, there’s no point in attempting to sleep, but it won’t stop him from trying. He sets the pillow aside and rolls over to face the small cactus familiar stationed on his bedside table. It stares back at him, small eyes scanning his face.
[Are you going to get up now?]
Seishiro groans again, flopping back into his bed with a huff. Maybe, if he’s lucky, Choki will have mercy and let him sleep in for a few more hours. He doesn’t notice the way Choki’s eyes narrow.
[C’mon, get up. I’m bored. I wanna go outside. Take me outside.]
No response from his prince. Choki wishes he could send his spines out, riddling his young keeper with holes until he’s forced to move his lazy bum. However, being reborn again into this form has its disadvantages, and it’s impractical with Choki’s current state. Perhaps with experience and time, its dream can be accomplished, but to handle today’s predicament, Choki reluctantly accepts that a different tactic is needed.
[You look rough. You better get up before Reo comes to collect you. You know he’ll fuss.]
Seishiro is still for but a moment before flipping back over, once more staring at his homunculus. He blinks before giving the small cactus a sudden poke to its belly. It jumps in its pot at the sudden intrusion.
[Hey! Watch it!]
Choki, help me wake up…
Choki huffs in his thoughts.
[It takes me mentioning Reo to get you moving, huh?]
Seishiro’s brow furrows only slightly, as if the thought never occurred to him.
That’s not true… Choki’s just being noisy, I can’t sleep.
If Choki could smile, it thinks it would.
[Sure, sure.]
It watches as Seishiro sluggishly pulls himself to a stand and begins to dress. Choki knows Reo will fuss over him regardless, but still swells with pride at the sight of his young keeper taking care of himself, even if it’s in the most basic form.
Seishiro wears a cream cloak much too large for him, so large that it nearly swallows him whole. Were it not springtime, he might’ve been lost against the backdrop of winter snow in such garb. Underneath, the buttons of his shirt are stretched pitifully through holes that don’t align, and Choki watches in horror as Nagi fixes his hair only by shaking his head a few times, letting his curls fall where they may.
Poor Reo , Choki thinks. This thought Choki keeps to itself.
The sun hadn’t made it much farther into the sky before Reo arrived, bursting into Seishiro’s chambers with the light and force of a pyrotechnic.
“Na-gi~” He sounds chipper as he throws open the door to see Seishiro still laying on his bed, albeit dressed. “Good morning~”
“Mornin’ Reo.” Seishiro answers languidly, and Choki wishes again that he could punish his young keeper for such a sorry response to the energetic prince at his door.
“Good morning, Choki!” Reo gives the familiar a polite wave as he steps further into the chambers. Choki hops in his pot, eyes crinkling as if it were smiling.
[Good morning, Reo!]
Choki waits with more patience than it thinks it should. When the room echoes with silence, it hops in its pot to face its young keeper.
[Are you going to respond to Prince Reo for me?]
Ehh…?
Choki hops again, with enough force that its pot rattles against the nightstand.
[Do not make me appear rude in front of Prince Reo, you sloth.]
Reo watches the exchange inquisitively, eyes tracking between the heap of white laid out on the bed and the angry looking cactus at its bedside. Finally, Seishiro raises his head, eyes meeting Reo’s.
“Oh, Choki says hello.”
[Thank you.]
“Why thank you Choki,” Reo gives the cactus a sweeping bow, as expected of a polite young prince. “Now, you,” He addresses lightly, voice hinting at mischief. “You need to hurry and get dressed so we can leave!”
Nagi props himself on his elbows as the rest of his body hangs off the side of his bed.
“Ehh? But Reo, I am dressed.”
Reo slaps his face with his hand in exasperation, and Choki watches, amused, as Reo attacks its young keeper and forces him back to his closet.
✧˖°⊹ ࣪ ˖✧˖°⊹ ࣪ ˖✧˖°⊹ ࣪ ˖
Seishiro emerges from his room in an entirely new (Reo approved) outfit. He’s learned it’s much easier when Reo does these things for him, and knowing this may or may not influence his choice of dress in the mornings.The buttons of his shirt are now even across his chest, and Reo selected an entirely new cloak from the back of Seishiro’s closet and clipped it to him with a small floral ringlet.
He lets himself be pulled through his own halls by a prince that doesn’t even live here, and before he can truly wrap his head around what is happening, he finds himself plopped beside Reo in a carriage. Choki peeks over the hem of the cloak pocket closest to Seishiro’s heart just as the carriage rocks into motion by the horses at its front.
“Are you excited?” Reo asks with more enthusiasm than Seishiro can afford this morning.
“...Excited for what, Reo?” He finally answers when he realizes Reo isn’t looking away until he answers. He feels Choki prickle in his pocket at his answer.
[Are you dense? Reo sent you a letter about this!] Choki scolds him in his thoughts as Reo wraps his knuckles against his skull. An assault to his head from all sides, Seishiro laments. [Plus, he’s also only mentioned it about fifty times!]
Ahh, noisy…
[Honestly. Reo is too nice. Were I him, I’d have thrown you out of this carriage. Maybe even run you over with it.]
Seishiro bites back a remark that he could, in fact, throw Choki out for berating him, but he knows that would not earn him any favors with Reo.
“Are you listening now?”
Still prickled from his internal fight with Choki, Seishiro doesn’t answer right away. Reo suddenly pulls him closer by wrapping his arm around Seishiro’s shoulder, and before he knows it, their foreheads are touching.
“How about now?” Reo grins, cheeky, and Seishiro can only manage a small nod, noticing the way his skin feels warm, alight with a kindled flame in all the places it touches Reo’s.
“We’re hosting some prominent families for some kind of diplomatic visit. My father is working to expand some trade routes, and -”
Ahh, this is why I don’t remember… Seishiro finds himself wanting to nod off. When Reo starts to prattle, it hits him like a lullaby, so soft and sweet that it nearly coaxes him to sleep even now. Reo’s voice paired with the gentle lull of the carriage, he’s so close to falling –
[PAY ATTENTION!]
Seishiro jumps, forehead pressing so hard into Reo’s that the other moves back in surprise.
“Ah, sorry, the carriage bumped…” Nagi fibs sheepishly, and Reo luckily accepts it with an easy laugh.
[Unbelievable…] Choki complains inside his thoughts. [Shameless.]
Reo moves a bit closer once more, legs touching Seishiro’s as he wraps his arm around his shoulder again. He begins gesturing with the other hand as he speaks, like he’s painting a picture of his words for Seishiro to see.
“Like I was saying, the Jewel of Matsukaze will be in attendance. My father gave me specific instructions to host him for dinner.”
The carriage bumps for real this time, and Seishiro feels a similar lurch in his stomach. Perhaps he should have eaten breakfast.
“And, what does that have to do with me? Why did I have to come? Surely Reo’s papa didn’t say that I had to attend.”
Choki sighs loudly in his thoughts, and he brushes it aside.
“Well, you’re a prince too!” Reo insists with a squeeze. Nagi blinks.
“Reo, I’m basically a nobody.”
Reo shakes his head.
“You’re also a genius,” he says, like it's a fact they could find in the history books and that confuses Seishiro. He sees that glint he’s come to recognize in Reo’s eyes as he continues. “A genius that I found. My prince, with you by my side, I know we can become the best alchemists this continent has ever seen.”
Ahh, there he goes again.
[Pay attention, Seishiro!]
Begrudgingly, Seishiro speaks. “You said this guy is the Jewel of Matsukaze, eh?” As the question leaves his lips, he feels his stomach turn like the spokes of the carriage wheels. Ah, he really should’ve eaten beforehand.
“Yes! He’s known for his alchemy and swordsmanship.” Reo squeezes him again as the fire lights in his eyes, violet flames burning hot. “I want us to challenge him.”
Nagi feels like a prisoner as the carriage takes him closer to the grand Mikage castle, and he thinks he would almost prefer being thrown in a jail cell over whatever Reo has planned.
“I don’t wanna Reo, that sounds like such a pain.”
“Nonsense!” Reo insists. He pulls Seishiro’s shoulders to face him as he shakes him excitedly, and Choki braces itself in its pot, familiar with this form of Reo’s enthusiasm. “We’ll face him and win! It’ll be good training, and get us one step closer to being the best!”
Seishiro bites his tongue; from Reo’s shaking and the rocking of the carriage, he worries he might actually be sick.
“Ne, Reo,” Seishiro starts lightly, as if the words might make him sick if they venture out too quickly, “... If this guy is so strong, shouldn’t you just team up with him instead?”
Reo stops moving and tilts his head, small brows furrowing cutely.
Ah, it’s this Reo expression now. Cute.
[Do you ever focus?]
…Do you ever mind your own business?
Choki huffs, seemingly ready with another retort, but it falls silent as Reo responds.
“Of course not! We’re a team.”
“Mm, but I wouldn’t mind.” He responds, voice nearly covered up by the sound of clodding hooves suddenly hitting cobblestone. They must be close. “If Reo teamed up with someone else…” When did his head start hurting? Ah, the human body is such a pain… He attempts to close his eyes, only for Reo to pull him close again.
“Nonsense. It could only be you. We’re partners, Nagi.”
It’s not the first time he’s heard Reo use the term, and for some reason, it eases the ache in his stomach like sustenance.
✧˖°⊹ ࣪ ˖✧˖°⊹ ࣪ ˖✧˖°⊹ ࣪ ˖
The great hall of the Mikage’s is an immense feat of architecture, putting Seishiro’s own castle to shame, had he cared about things like that. Where the Mikage castle could be akin to a mountain of marble and granite, Nagi’s own was more of an anthill of wood and clay. Each clink of cutlery echoed throughout the great hall as servants ran around them with the place settings in preparation for their intimate banquet; the sounds of their busy work is muted only by crackling flames of the great hearth seated behind the head of the table. Chandeliers of expensive crystal hang overhead, dwarfed by the large banners of House Mikage hanging from the rafters. Despite the decorum, Seishiro still found the chandeliers eye-catchingly pretty, glinting with each flicker of candle flame.
It had been a grueling day by Reo’s side, only made tolerable by the young prince’s presence. How Reo managed to keep up with his daily life was beyond Seishiro, and he found himself grateful for his slow paced life at his own castle. Even Choki had laid off its chiding as they settled in for dinner. Now, Seishiro wants to lay by the hearth of the dining hall and waste away instead of sitting at the table. Even better, perhaps he could convince Reo to lay there with him while they waited.
The supposed Jewel had yet to make an appearance, but Reo’s father insisted that he should arrive in time for dinner. Thus, Reo was forced into helping manage all the proper accommodations required for a visit of this caliber. After (barely) keeping up with Reo, Seishiro was now using every ounce of strength remaining to keep his head off the table and giving into sleep. He looks up as door closest to them swings open. Ba-ya emerges dressed in a formal black suit rather than the usual cloth garb Seishiro is familiar with. Like a chameleon, she blends into her surroundings seamlessly in a way that Seishiro can’t quite understand. He watches her approach.
“He’s arriving now, Young Master,” Ba-ya whispers in Reo’s ear loud enough for them to both hear, and the young prince stiffens to attention. He’s seated at the head of the table with Nagi on his right hand side. At Reo’s opposite, across a long expanse of table was an empty place setting intended for Kira.
“Be on your best behavior, Nagi.” Reo reminds him, as if Seishiro has any other behavior than what he usually exhibits. But for Reo’s sake, he decides to try. He sits a little taller in his seat.
Shortly after, the large doors swing open again as Ba-ya sweeps into a bow. A young prince with flaxen hair enters the dining hall and Reo rises to his feet to meet him. Following suit, Seishiro stands as well, knowing a scolding would follow otherwise.
“Prince Reo, it’s an honor to meet you.” The young prince bows deeply, flourishing his cape. It’s an emerald green, reminding Seishiro of the depths of Hakuho forest where he and Reo spend most of their time. Gilded gold buttons catch Seishiro’s eye as Kira moves his cloak aside. Beneath is a military grade uniform, gold against green, like glittery treasures kept hidden and safe by the grips of nature. “I’m Prince Kira of Matsukaze.”
“Prince Kira, it is our honor and pleasure to host you and your father.”
Seishiro watches as Reo returns the bow, the crown of his head facing outward and bangs falling prettily to frame his face. It’s a perfect display of princely duties; something Seishiro himself had never come close to mastering. “Please, we hope that you find comfort here at the Mikage castle. Do let me know if anything is not to your liking.”
“I’m sure everything will be perfect. After all, the MIkage’s are known for their generous hospitality.” Kira responds with a wink, and Seishiro notices his stomach has started to hurt once more.
Ahh, eating is such a pain. Why do humans get hungry?
[Seishiro, Reo fed you some bread just an hour ago.]
Seishiro ignores the cactus. Choki still resides in his pocket, though it no longer sticks its eyes above the hem of his pocket, choosing instead to rest inside all snug and warm.
“And, I apologize, but I do not recognize you.”
Seishiro blinks before realizing he’s the one being addressed.
Ahh, this is new.
“This is Seishiro Nagi.” Reo covers for him. He feels Reo hovering a polite hand by his back, charging the air with something electric. When Seishiro doesn’t move, he feels a connection, a light rap on his spine, like Reo fired a warning shot.
[Bow!]
Seishiro’s torso falls forward clumsily. He feels his ears burn as two sets of eyes watch his sorry display; how deep should he go? Was this enough? Was it too much?
“Ah, Nagi is the prince of one of the minor houses, not far from here.” Seishiro pulls himself up as Reo continues to talk for him, and his stomach aches from the movement.
“Well, it’s nice to meet you, Prince Seishiro.” Prince Kira responds with a bow, notably not as deep as the one offered to Reo, and he feels his brows furrow beneath his bangs. Reo offers them both a smile before clapping his hands together.
“Well! Now that introductions are out of the way, shall we dine?”
✧˖°⊹ ࣪ ˖✧˖°⊹ ࣪ ˖✧˖°⊹ ࣪ ˖
The dinner moved forward with little hassle. Seishiro noticed the ache in his stomach wasn’t quelled by the weight of food, and he thinks about asking Reo if he can return home. They were being served dessert, a lemon tart that Reo knows is his favorite, and he struggles to ask Reo to be excused when he’s so busy keeping up conversation with Kira. Seishiro feels as good as a piece of furniture, watching Reo as a flurry of emotions churn with the food in his stomach. The most recognizable one is awe; Reo is amazing at entertaining, and it’s Seishiro’s first time witnessing the full display. Seishiro can tell by the way Kira looks at Reo, with his eyes sparkling, mouth upturned, like he’s proud to be noticed by someone as special as the Prince of the Mikage castle. It’s that realization that feels like a weight in his stomach, something unidentified and heavy, and it pulls Seishiro further into his chair.
“Ah, Prince Kira, by the way,” Reo segways, placing his fork politely aside as he speaks. “I’ve been meaning to inquire. I’ve heard tell of your skills in both alchemy and swordsmanship. I must ask, are the stories as they say?” Seishiro is drawn back into the conversation by the devilish smile that appears on Reo’s lips as he speaks. The candles on the table reflect that familiar fire in his eyes, shining as he waits for Kira’s answer.
“Oh, well I’m not aware of what has been said,” Kira answers quite humbly as he wipes at his face with a linen cloth. “Though I do dabble.”
Reo sits forward, interest obviously piqued. He places his elbows on the table (something he would absolutely scold Seishiro for) and interlaces his fingers, forming a cradle for his chin.
“Interesting. I do as well.”
Nagi wants to excuse himself from the table and take the first carriage back home. He’s a bystander in this conversation, has been a bystander all day, a ghostly specter sitting in Reo's life, and he’s nearly at his limit until he hears Reo continue.
“Nagi and I intend to be the best that there is, actually. Perhaps we already are.”
“Oh?” Kira responds, and Seishiro feels a similar fire emanating from across the table. “Why, this is interesting.”
“Mm, what would you say to a friendly duel?” Reo presses on. “I think we could all gain something from it.”
Kira smiles genuinely from across the table, shining too bright for Seishiro’s tastes, as he says the words Seishiro prayed he wouldn’t.
“I would love to.”
✧˖°⊹ ࣪ ˖✧˖°⊹ ࣪ ˖✧˖°⊹ ࣪ ˖
Seishiro sits, sidelined, as Reo spars first. They had moved to a courtyard in the back of the Mikage estate, far from the prying eyes of the princes’ fathers as they knew their actions could get them scolded. Their heels clack against the cobblestone, grey stones illuminated under the moonlight. Clouds pass overhead intermittently casting shadows across the court like ghostly spectators. At its center, a concrete fountain trickles a steady flow of water.
Reo had insisted that Nagi should go first to showcase his skills, and it took every ounce of Nagi resisting to finally persuade Reo to begin instead. He sits on the ground, propping a leg up so his head can rest as he watches Reo prepare for the duel. Reo steps away from Kira, gathering his hair and tying it back with a small black ribbon.
Ahh, I hope Reo beats this guy, so I can go home.
[You don’t want a chance to fight him?] Choki asks.
No, Reo can handle this. I won’t have to do anything.
Choki shifts in his coat pocket, and Seishiro prays he doesn’t decide to prick him over his response.
[Don’t you want to show Reo what you’re capable of?]
Ehh, I don’t really care.
[Are you sure?]
Mm, if Reo wants to team up with someone else to be the best, then…ah.
He stops as a pain in his stomach sets in again, as if an assailant had managed to imbed a knife in his belly. Perhaps he’s getting sick. How troublesome…
[Look, Reo is down!]
Seishiro snaps out of it at Choki’s words. Realizing he had missed Reo’s duel sends guilt crawling all over his skin and unease settles in his veins. He sits up a little straighter as his eyes scan the courtyard frantically for Reo, needing confirmation that he’s okay. He swallows the lump in his throat when he sees that Reo has been knocked prone, chest heaving as he stares up at his attacker in defiance. Kira stands above him, holding a crafted stone blade at Reo’s neck. A cool breeze whips through the courtyard and Nagi comes to a stand just as quickly, feeling a dangerous thrum of energy flood the palm of his hands.
[Wait.] Choki commands as Nagi takes an urgent step forward. He pauses, stunned, when he hears the sudden sound of Reo laughing. Kira begins to chuckle as well. He tosses the blade aside, and it shatters into gravel as though it were never a blade at all. Kira offers Reo the hand that could’ve just as easily taken his life.
“You are quite gifted, Prince MIkage.” Kira compliments as he pulls Reo to a stand. “With more training, I think you and I could stand on equal ground in no time.”
“Please, call me Reo.” He corrects as he wipes the sweat from his brow. HIs eyes shimmer with interest, and Seishiro doesn’t realize he’s been biting the inside of his cheek until it starts to sting. “You’re quite impressive yourself. Though, I think Nagi and I together could easily best you.” He shifts his body weight to one side, placing a hand on his hip.
[Hmm, Reo lost.]
He was probably taking it easy. This guy is a guest, after all.
[Hmm, maybe. So, is it your turn to show off now?]
Choki asks the question just as Reo turns his eyes to Seishiro, as if they were on the same wavelength. He feels hotter beneath his cloak despite the coolness of night, and wonders what he could say to get out of this.
“In fact, you may find yourself overwhelmed by Nagi’s talent.” Reo beckons him forward. “Nagi, are you ready? I hope you were paying attention!”
[Are you going to take it easy on him?]
Seishiro scratches at his neck absently as he takes a few steps toward the other. Reo is smiling at him, beaming so bright, and he feels another unfamiliar feeling tug at his chest.
“Ne, Reo, my stomach-”
“Nagi,” Reo closes the distance between them, and Seishiro feels the familiar weight of Reo’s arm wrap around him. “Show us what you can do, you genius.”
Seishiro sighs with the breeze as his body relaxes under the warmth of Reo’s touch. He feels at war with himself and he’s losing the battle.
“Okay, Reo.”
Reo grins wider than before and squeezes Seishiro closer before retreating. “I’ll be watching!” He takes a few steps back, standing near the fountain with crossed arms, looking onward with excitement.
“Well, Nagi, shall we?” Kira asks from across the courtyard. He bows slightly, and Seishiro gets the feeling it was meant to be a bit condescending. Kira doesn’t seem to be treating him with the same respect and reverence as Reo. To be expected, he thinks.
“Same ruleset as before, yes? Only use the things within this courtyard. First to yield, loses.”
Nagi does not return the bow, settling on just a nod to confirm he heard. Kira’s smirk is visible under the dimness of night, even as the clouds overhead cast murky shadows across his features.
[Get ready, Seishiro.] Choki whispers from his pocket, as if he needs a reminder.
“Start!” Reo calls out from the side, and Kira is on him in an instant. Kira’s right palm lights up green as his fingers trace runes with expert precision, and Seishiro recognizes it as the ward of a sword. He curses, feeling the ground rumble beneath his feet and pelt of rocks feel like sleet against his skin as they gravitate to Kira. He materializes a rod two meters in size in mere seconds, swinging it behind his back before bringing it down overhead. Seishiro steps aside in time, body reacting to the movements his eyes are tracking and it shatters against the cobblestone below. Kira smiles, looking even more invigorated as he calls the pebbles to him once more.
Seishiro scans the yard for anything he can transmogrify to deal with the onslaught as Kira continues to fight him with rock. He steps backwards, always just outside of Kira’s reach and he’s thankful for his height.
“Come now, do you even know alchemy?” Kira chides, morphing the rod into a blade of chipped stone as he speaks. “And here Prince Reo was speaking so highly of you,”
Seishiro feels something snap inside of him. He steps toward the fountain, ducking another one of Kira’s attacks as he extends a hand into the water. He begins sketching with the other hand just as he feels a coolness touch the pad of his fingers. He flinches. Kira eyes him curiously before sending another strike from overhead, the blade pointed with dangerous intent. The realization that Kira was taking it easy on Reo crashes into him like a cold bath; his veins ice over. Kira isn’t thinking twice about spilling his blood.
Seishiro rips his hand out of the water as Kira strikes down; he thinks he hears Reo yell from somewhere far away, but it’s overshadowed by crumbling rock and the metallic echo of struck metal. Seishiro feels his breath quicken as he scans the small shield in his left hand, transmogrified from the fountain grate. It’s crude in shape, metal veins running down his wrist as if Seishiro stuck his hand into lava and pulled out a fistful to harden around his fingers. Kira clicks his tongue and takes a step back as Seishiro starts his counter attack, swinging his iron clad fist toward him.
“Impressive,” Kira remarks between steps, “To be able to wield something as heavy as iron in that short time,” He laughs, ducking as Seishiro presses on. “Maybe Prince Reo is right to see something in you.” Seishiro nearly knocks him off balance with his bare fist, and Kira catches himself with his hands. Before Seishiro can inflict another blow, Kira rises up, pulling cobblestone pillars with him. Seishiro’s fist clashes with the rock, sending it crumbling just as Kira breaks through with another crafted blade pulled from the ground itself. “Or, perhaps not!”
Seishiro recoils as Kira careens forward, slicing upwards just as Seishiro transforms the shield into the shape of a mallet. He sends it ahead just as his cheek begins to sting, and he feels a weight contact his fist.
[Seishiro! Look ou-]
“Stop! Stop! Draw!”
Seishiro blinks, not realizing how heavy his breath was stuttering until Reo’s voice causes him to pause. He stares at the scene in front of him, brain catching up with his eyes: Kira’s shoulder is covered in sooty carbon from Seishiro’s impact, and the mallet is posed close to his neck. Similarly, he notices the sting against his cheek hasn’t gone away. There’s a slight tickle as something moves across his cheek, close to where Kira’s arm extends past him.
Eh? What’s this?
Seishiro brings his free hand to his cheek, and it becomes stained in crimson. In an instant, Reo is by his side as Kira backs down, pulling his hand away. The sword shatters into gravel once more as he favors the shoulder Seishiro impacted.
“Impressive,” Kira says through ragged breaths. “I thought I had you.”
Reo steps between them, worried eyes scanning Seishiro from top to bottom.
Why does Reo look like that?
[Probably because you’re bleeding. Are you alright?]
“Nagi, are you alright?” Reo demands at the same time. His hands hover over Seishiro’s shoulders like he’s too delicate to touch, and his small brows are furrowed in a look of concern that’s foreign to Seishiro. A weight feels shrugged away, just as he relinquishes the hold he has on the iron. It falls with a clatter to the stone, returning once more to a circular grate.
“Um, Reo, I’m okay.”
“You’re bleeding .” Reo stresses. “You could’ve gotten hurt. You did get hurt.”
Seishiro tilts his head, eyes meeting Reo’s. “It’s a duel Reo, that’s what happens.”
Reo shakes his head.
“C’mon, let’s head back. We need to patch you up.” His arms fall to his sides as he turns to face Kira. “And you. Are you alright?”
Kira nods politely. “I’ve been dealt worse.”
Reo breathes a sigh of relief. Reo’s papa wouldn’t be happy if he knew a guest had been injured. Reo turns on his heels and points toward the courtyard entry.
“My attendant Ba-ya is waiting there. She can tend to you should you need anything.” Reo folds into a deep bow. “And I thank you for this opportunity to duel. Perhaps we’ll meet again in the future.”
Kira smiles, returning the bow himself. “It’s my pleasure. I would be happy to duel your highness anytime.”
Seishiro catches the way Kira’s eyes flicker to him as he speaks, and suddenly his stomach hurts far worse than his cheek.
“Then, I bid you goodnight. I shall see you in the morning.” He stands from his bow as Kira does the same. “Let’s go, Nagi.”
Nagi feels a tug on his cloak sleeve as Reo guides them in the opposite direction from the castle and deeper into the courtyard.
“Reo, where-?”
“We’ll head to my room in a bit, but let me patch you up first.”
Under the guidance of the moon, Reo leads Seishiro through a wooden gate that looks worn away from age. For something so dilapidated to exist on the Mikage property comes as a shock to Seishiro, but Reo forges on.
He leads Seishiro to a small bench surrounded by an abundance of overgrown foliage. In the surrounding flowerbeds are many flowering herbs and medicinal plants that he recognizes begrudgingly from his studies with Reo. Reo gestures for him to sit before he makes haste collecting ingredients from across the garden. Seishiro watches, curious, as Reo tends to him, and is surprised to find the ache in his stomach gone once more. Perhaps fresh air was the remedy he needed.
He furrows his brow, tired of all the strange feelings and thoughts that accost him. It’s only the sound of ripping fabric that brings Seishiro back to his senses.
“Reo…?”
The prince had ripped a portion of his cloak into a thin strip. He piled fresh herbs into the mauve fabric before wrapping it into a makeshift satchel. He holds the top of the bag with one hand, waving beneath it with his other hand. It illuminates a faint purple from the runes Reo draws below before he smiles, seemingly satisfied. He kneels before Seishiro, tucking himself between his legs and holding the fabric open. Inside is a thick salve, much different from the fresh herbs that it held moments ago. Seishiro chest flutters like the flower petals in a nighttime breeze, delicate and dark.
“Hold still, this might sting.” Reo assures as he dabs at Seishiro’s cheek with the cloth. He hisses in a sharp intake of breath as Reo presses the salve into his skin, and it the pain quickly blooms with tingling warmth. He closes his eyes, not sure where to look when Reo is this close to him; even under the moon, he feels blinding.
“And…there! That should do it.” Reo crumples the remaining fabric into his cloak pocket as he comes to a stand. He wipes his hands before holding them out for Seishiro to take; the warmth from his cheeks have spread to his ears at the tenderness of Reo’s touch, and he reaches forward, allowing Reo to tug him to his feet.
[Are you going to thank him, or just stand there stunned?]
“Um, thanks, Reo.” He manages to say as he stares at the cobblestone.
“Of course!” Reo grins, slapping a hand against Nagi’s shoulder and pulling him close. “I can’t have my treasure getting injured.”
Nagi’s ears burn and his heart lurches with something unfamiliar, but at least his stomach doesn’t hurt anymore.
“Come on, it’s getting late. Let’s head inside.” Reo tugs him forward once more for the day, and Seishiro enters the castle with Reo’s arm wrapped around his shoulder.
Once inside, Reo leads them to his room. It’s Seishiro’s first time seeing Reo’s space, and it’s as extravagant as Reo himself, decorated with all manner of art and finery. Garish patterns line the walls of his room, adorned further with all manner of… abstract paintings, distinctly different from the usual royal portraits that Seishiro would have expected. While Seishiro thinks his tastes are a bit odd for a prince of his stature, he keeps those thoughts between himself and Choki. His bed is piled high with quilts, furs, and silk pillows, making Seishiro’s eyes feel heavier at the sight.
So comfy looking…
Reo stretches as they enter his room and Seishiro stands awkwardly inside the threshold, unsure of how to proceed. Reo drops his cloak to the floor, glancing at Seishiro from over his shoulder.
“It’s late. Do you want to stay the night, or shall I call a carriage for you?”
Seishiro’s eyes feel even heavier at the mention of night, and he struggles to form a response. Reo laughs like he can tell the answer and takes Seishiro by the wrist to usher him inside.
“You worked hard today. You can leave in the morning, okay?”
“Mmm, okay Reo.”
“Have a seat, let me get someone to set you up with a room.” Reo gestures to the footstool at the edge of his bed before disappearing into the hall.
[So… you want to stay the night at Reo’s?]
I’m just tired, that’s all.
[Hey, does your stomach still hurt?]
Uh… no, why?
[No reason.]
Seishiro feels his lips tighten into a firm line over his familiar’s attitude but shakes it off as easily as brushing away crumbs from linen. He leans back into Reo’s bed, his cheek brushing against an expensive fur blanket, and feels himself start to doze.
He’s allowed a moment’s reprieve before Reo returns, looking sheepish for the first time since Seishiro has known him.
“Ah, so Nagi,” he begins to explain. “Looks like I’ll have to call you a carriage after all, my prince. I’m sorry. It seems all of our attendant’s are busy tending to the diplomats here, and no other rooms are ready to receive you at this time…”
Seishiro feels like he’s sinking - maybe he’s just morphing into the foot of Reo’s bed and becoming one with it - when Choki’s voice rings out.
[Why not just sleep here?]
Eh?
[I mean, do you see Reo’s bed? It could fit four of you. It’s massive.]
Reo continues to babble, but Seishiro can’t hear the words over the sound of his own beating heart. The exhaustion from the day plagues his body, raising his heart rate and he sinks further.
“Ne, Reo, I’m tired…can I just sleep here?”
Reo stops speaking, seemingly a bit startled by the request.
“Um, what do you mean, Nagi?”
“Can I just, sleep here, with you? It’s okay, right?” He tilts his head, vision slightly obscured by the fur blankets coating Reo’s bedspread. His eyes feel heavier by the second, and through the haze he sees a small smile crest across Reo’s features.
Cute…
“Sure, my prince. You earned it.” He walks forward, ruffling his hair with tender affection. Seishiro can’t help but sigh into the touch. “Let’s get ready for bed, then. I’ll call you a carriage in the morning.”
Reo helps him get ready for the night as if he were Seishiro’s attendant, and Choki reprimands his keeper for his shamelessness. Reo prepares him a fresh set of clothes after his bath, dries his hair with a cotton towel, and dotes on his scratched cheek once more before bed. Reo’s clothes don’t quite fit him, the buttons of the shirt stretching a bit across his broad chest, but for one night, Seishiro can make do. He wonders idly what Reo might look like in his clothes before Choki guffaws in his mind.
And as Nagi tucks into Reo’s bedspread, he feels lighter than the feathers stuffed inside the mattress even as his muscles ache from the day. Reo slips in beside him after blowing out his bedside candle and plunging them into peaceful darkness. Choki sits on a dresser near the window, bathed in moonlight and Seishiro is thankful for the reprieve as his eyes grow heavier. He hears Reo shuffle beside him, and it’s… different. Seishiro isn’t used to the sounds of sharing a space with another, but it’s not unpleasant. Drifting closer to sleep, he jumps when warm fingers suddenly brush against his cheek.
“Does it still hurt?” Reo asks softly, loud enough for only Seishiro to hear. His cheek burns from where Reo touches it, but it’s a pleasant heat.
“No, Reo did an amazing job.” He replies honestly, and Reo rewards him by brushing a few of his curls behind his ear and letting his nails massage his scalp.
“Mm, I could’ve done better.” He whispers, sounding far off. “You did fantastic. You managed a draw.”
Nagi hums in response as the praise swirls in his guts. His stomach feels lighter than it had all day.
“Thank you for today. I had a lot of fun.” Reo pauses stroking Nagi’s hair to speak. He slowly withdraws his hand just as Nagi’s eyes widen with his words. “It’s fun. Being with you.”
Seishiro has to remind himself to breathe as Reo stares at him expectantly. His eyes have only started to adjust, but he can see those round eyes looking at him like he’s worth something. Like he’s treasured.
“Well? Are you having fun?” Reo probes, rapping his knuckles a little more aggressively into Nagi’s skull. Nagi cringes, but the pain is enough of a spark to get his brain working again.
“Ahh, well…” He stumbles around the words, kicking at them like their pebbles on the street. “Most things are a pain but, being with you isn’t so…” He retreats a little more into the blankets, masked in their warmth as Reo laughs, airy and soft like the tinkling of crystalline bells.
“The least you could say is that you’re having fun, you know.”
“Mm…” He hums, eyes closing once more. Reo resumes stroking his hair, gently now.
“Thanks for today, Nagi…”
Nagi hums again as he drifts to sleep. Sometime in the night, unconscious with outstretched hands, he reaches for Reo. Fingers loop loosely together, intertwined with Reo’s radiance, and even in sleep it comforts him. Choki watches the myriad of dreams flit across Seishiro’s periphery, dashed in purple and gold, tinged in something warmer than the sun as his young prince settles in for the night.
[Sweet dreams, Seishiro.]
By morning, Seishiro’s hand will have relinquished Reo’s. Unbeknownst to them both, they feel the effects when they wake as unspoken sensations, tingly and sweet, settle on their skin like cinnamon candy. And Seishiro awakens not from Choki, or the village roosters, but from the sun that is beside him.
“Good morning, my prince.” Reo smiles at him as he rouses from the best sleep he’s had in his life, and Seishiro’s thoughts, unbidden, greedily wonder if they could just stay like this.
“Good morning, Reo.”
And he means it.