Chapter Text
“...Would you like to take a break, Mafuyu-sama?”
Kanade stepped out into the pathway leading into the garden, speaking just loud enough for Mafuyu to hear. He appeared nervous just asking, but his attitude remained calm and polite around him.
Mafuyu looked up from his work, watering one of the hydrangea bushes. Although he appeared irritated at the suggestion of his work being interrupted, he had to appreciate Kanade’s effort to offer him a break. After a moment of consideration, he sighed, setting the pitcher of water where he left off. He couldn’t reject Kanade’s soft and caring attitude with him. “I suppose I will,” he replied, a very faint smile shown on his face just from looking at Kanade.
As the Dark prince brushed off his clothes, Kanade smiled and nodded, slowly walking back towards one of the garden’s unused picnic tables, where he had already prepared tea and a plate of soft biscuits. Kanade waited for Mafuyu to catch up to him, noticing his confusion in why they were going to one of the picnic tables rather than indoors or under the gazebo. He simply smiled before speaking up, “I thought it’d be nice to have a slight change of scenery...closer to the centre of the garden, where all the flowers are, than at the side.” He appeared nervous talking again, like he was afraid of Mafuyu being unimpressed with his reasoning. Mafuyu nodded, still smiling at the Light prince’s sweet attitude. It was an effective charm on him.
The two sat down at the table across from each other, Kanade pouring both their teacups full and handing one to Mafuyu. The plate of soft biscuits was placed between them atop a thin, floral-patterned tablecloth. The light blue hue reminded Mafuyu of Kanade’s soft hair. He seemed content now that they were both sitting, pleased to see Mafuyu have a chance to relax.
He worried for him since he seemed focused on nothing but fighting for the Dark kingdom and having work to do. It almost made Kanade feel guilty since he never had work to do around the property, and it seemed like Mafuyu took better care of the garden than he did sometimes. Of course, the Dark prince also had this unusual charm on him since the day he first saw him heading back from war, so he was always happy to have him around.
Mafuyu looked off to the side nervously, avoiding looking at Kanade with a blank expression, even as he took silent sips from his teacup. The Light prince looked up and smiled, almost letting out a gentle laugh. “You don’t have to be so tense with me, you know? It makes me worry about you more.” He felt selfish for asking this of him, even though it was to try and make both feel better. All he wanted was for Mafuyu to be happier and find an escape to relieve himself of stress.
He sighed again, a twinge of guilt in his still blank expression now. Mafuyu knew this was true and he was always focused on the serious things in life, while Kanade focused on the little happy things. Somehow, they were both each other’s light in the dark. He couldn’t help but smile through his guilt as Kanade looked up at him with worry.
“...I’ve been doing better today.” Mafuyu finally breathed out, a relieved expression on his face as he looked up at him. “I always enjoy my time here, with you, but today has been a little better.”
Kanade smiled a bit brighter while staying composed. This felt like just a little step forward towards making the Dark prince happier. He nodded contently, taking a short sip from his teacup. Mafuyu looked him in the eyes as he set the cup back down and folded his hands in his lap, speaking up softly, “I’m glad to hear that.”
It almost made Mafuyu laugh how Kanade seemed so nervous when he talked to him. He wasn’t a shy person, per se, Mafuyu knew, and he was always very comfortable around him, but it was charming in its own way. He also realized that he felt a little better telling Kanade how he was feeling, even though it was just a simple mention of his satisfaction. Still, he was feeling better today than usual.
After they both looked at each other contentedly for a moment, Mafuyu saw Kanade look away with a bit of fluster showing on his face. He tilted his head in confusion but then smiled again and laughed a bit. “Are you really shy?” His tone was almost a tease, which was unusual, but Kanade could tell he was being more kind.
Kanade looked back up at Mafuyu with the slight blush across his face prominent against his fair skin. “Huh? What do you mean?” he asked with confusion, trying to cover up his sudden realization and move on from the subject...Although, it was Mafuyu, after all, so he couldn’t feel bad about it.
“Suppose I’m imagining things, then.” Mafuyu sighed, still smiling in amusement. He looked away from Kanade to give him a breather, but he was still left confused as to why he seemed so flustered. His mind trailed off, such a charming prince of the Light kingdom, he thought, one of our kingdom’s many enemies, so innocent... Never fought in his lifetime.
Once the moment of silence between them passed and Kanade regained his composure, he reached for one of the soft biscuits on the plate between them and took a bite. Now Mafuyu wasn’t sure if he was imagining things or not, but Kanade seemed a bit happier after that, even with the blush gone from his face. It made him wonder.
“Kanade, what was that sudden change for?” he spoke up as Kanade took a bite from the biscuit, “You seemed flustered. It was cute.” The words left Mafuyu’s mouth without quite thinking, even using his first name rather than last, watching as the prince across from him set down the biscuit on his plate and looked away again, covering up his embarrassed smile with one hand.
He picked up a napkin from next to his plate and carefully dabbed his face clean of biscuit crumbs, trying to cover up his smile with it, too. “It’s nothing,” he stuttered, not helping his case. In all honesty, he couldn’t be upset at Mafuyu, but had to control his reaction to the small praise – no, this was a personal compliment coming from Mafuyu, it had to have meant more than that, had it?
Mafuyu grinned, a rare sight to see as genuine as it was, feeling a little embarrassed himself by watching Kanade’s reaction to his words. It was adorable, he had to admit, but he’d never seen him like this or felt like acting this way so suddenly. Although Kanade seemed to be enjoying it, he held himself back, deciding not to push this any further than necessary.
“My apologies, Mafuyu-sama,” Kanade said quietly, seeming to have recomposed himself once more. Mafuyu didn’t think he looked tense before, since he was the one telling him not to be, but now Kanade seemed more relaxed somehow. Kanade continued, “that was unusual behaviour from me.”
Mafuyu shook his head, “No, there’s nothing wrong with that.” He seemed to drop the topic after Kanade apologized, hoping not to stress him in any way he could.
Yet, they seemed more comfortable with each other now.
︵‿୨♡୧‿︵
Before long, it was already getting dark; both lost track of how long they’d been in each other's company.
Kanade took a glance towards the darkening evening sky over the garden, the breeze growing chilly as he looked down at their empty teacups. He slowly began to stand up from the picnic bench, brushing off his pale-coloured clothes with his hands. “Well, suppose we should go, now...” he spoke in a hushed tone. As always, he didn’t want Mafuyu to leave, but he knew he couldn’t stay, either.
“Is it that late already?” Mafuyu asked, turning to look at the setting evening sun. He’s never minded the cool breeze at this time of day – the temperature never affected Mafuyu – it made him wish they could stay outside and watch the sun set together, but he pushed those thoughts away in a hurry. He stood up from the bench and picked up his used dishes, then Kanade’s before he could react.
“Ah, there’s no need to...” Kanade stuttered out softly as he watched Mafuyu take the dishes into his hands. Seeing that he was only going to insist he offer him help, however, Kanade smiled back at him gratefully and walked around to Mafuyu’s side. “In that case, we’ll head inside first.”
Mafuyu nodded, carefully carrying the dishes piled in his hand, Kanade at his side as they walked down the garden pathway to the Light prince’s small cottage. They stayed silent most of the way, Mafuyu looking around at the flora surrounding them and Kanade staring at the beautifully fading sky. Once they reached the garden door leading inside, Kanade thoughtfully opened the door for Mafuyu.
As Kanade followed Mafuyu into his cozy, quiet home, he stayed by his side even as he set away the used dishes for him. His expression kept his smile just looking at the Dark prince before him. Lost in thought for a moment, while he finished up in silence, he began to worry again. Mafuyu soon turned around, noticing his hesitance.
“Is something the matter, Yoisaki?” he asked, a bit of warmth in his tone as he looked down at him.
Something about seeing the faint sunset light streaming through the kitchen window curtains, the evening breeze around them from the open windows, distracted them both from their trains of thought. Mafuyu couldn’t help but at least appreciate Kanade’s gentle beauty.
Kanade made a small noise of surprise looking up at him and meeting his eyes. His expression softened once more, speaking up in a hushed tone, “Nothing. Just a few worries, that’s all.”
His answer didn’t seem to satisfy Mafuyu. It wasn’t like Kanade to express his concerns, even though he always had some protective worry over Mafuyu. He sighed, leaning back against the kitchen counter, keeping eye contact with him even as he looked away, “I want you to tell me.”
There was a moment of silence as Kanade hesitated, but it was true he wanted to make his concerns known. There was a question that’s been lingering on his mind since...since the war that Mafuyu was coming back from and needed Kanade’s aid.
“Mafuyu-sama,” he spoke up softly, like a small child admitting their fault, “when the war ends, how will you excuse yourself to leave home this long? You’ll be caught sooner or later.”
The question seemed to puzzle Mafuyu for a moment, watching his worried expression looking up at him. He thought of what to say for a moment, smiling as he did. “We’ll cross that bridge when we get there.” he replied to Kanade with a soft and caring tone, like a parent comforting a child.
“What’s that mean? You know it must happen soon.” Kanade tilted his head in confusion by his wording. His defenseless, innocent mind never thought about the other outcomes of war. It worried him to think about.
“...If the war ends.” Mafuyu said in a hushed tone, looking down at the ground, “If our kingdom prevails, then I’ll find a new excuse to leave the kingdom to see you.”
Kanade sighed in disbelief. He knew Mafuyu was right, there was always the possibility of the Dark kingdom losing and losing more people, and Mafuyu was one of the only surviving soldiers. He was the prince born into the royal family and their kingdom’s strongest fighter. After all, it was Kanade who had given him medical aid for some of the injuries he received one day. He was always aware of the negative outcomes, but he didn’t want to face them. He wanted Mafuyu to stay safe – to stay with him.
After meeting Mafuyu, Kanade didn’t know how much longer he could stand being lonely without him.
Each other’s light in the dark.
︵‿୨♡୧‿︵
After he and Kanade had parted, Mafuyu made his way home in silence, nothing but the gentle breeze rushing by. “Home,” he thought, what do people define as “home?” A place you feel safe and welcomed? He decided to stop thinking about it after that, the thoughts quickly replaced with what he said to Kanade.
And you still have a lot more to tell him.
He stopped in his tracks when the words flooded into his mind again. He could never forget the things he had left to tell Kanade. Not only did he feel held back by his family and responsibilities, and the consequences and change that comes with it, but he didn’t know when the right time would be to say anything. Anything about it at all.
Even so, he wanted to – needed to tell him.
As he continued walking forth on the path, Mafuyu blocked the words out of his mind once more. He walked slowly, not stopping, to look at the evening sunset sky again. The soft pinkish-orange clouds; the vibrant, flaming sun; soothing colours shining across the sky; the scene mixed with vibrant and pale shades. Despite trying to clear his mind of the thoughts he had before, he still thought about seeing the beautiful sunset. And he wanted to see it, again and again, with Kanade at his side.
One day, he thought as he moved along, one day I’ll tell him with no repercussions.
︵‿୨♡୧‿︵
Kanade grabbed the smaller water pitcher from the kitchen counter and made his way back to the dining table for four. In the middle sat a vase with an assortment of flowers, which he had kept in great health ever since his parents’ passing many years ago.
Recently, he added some new flowers from the garden. They had royal purple petals with a bit of red around the edges. They stood out from the rest of the flowers, which were pale in colouration. Looking at them always made him smile at the reminders they gave.
With great care, he watered the soil at the edges of the vase. My only important responsibility, he thought, one with greatest purpose. He paused for a moment after watering the vase, slowly taking a seat at the table, looking at the other three empty seats.
Years, he whispered out the word under his slow breaths, years those chairs have been unused, unmoved for. He was twenty-one years old now and didn’t think much about how old he was when his parents passed. It was amazing enough to him that he could still remember his date of birth. If only they were still around. If he could find his escape from the overwhelming life that he lives now...
If those things he thought were true, things would be different for everyone. But would it be any happier? he wondered. There’d still be war, there’d still be eventual loss. If he escaped his life that he has now, then there would be nobody to fight for his kingdom...How would that end for us?
“Us,” he questioned his own choice of words. He found himself staring down at the empty space on the table before him, his expression blank. The "us” that I imagine... Mafuyu-sama and I, together. That’s what I truly want, isn’t it?
Kanade cautiously got up from his chair, returning the small water pitcher to the kitchen, but the thoughts wouldn’t leave his mind, I wonder if he’s ever thought the same.