Chapter Text
Two rulers ruled over the land of Iskaryn. A vast region of snow and ice, slowing melting by the love of its rulers. Though it was very unheard of to have two kings, King Toru and King Hajime were a match made in the stars. King Toru, a tall, charismatic fellow. His accessories always matched his clothes, hair always tamed, and perfectly poised. As for King Hajime, he was very strong, firm, yet had a soft spot for his partner. Fighting was his passion, you will always spot him in the front lines in battle. Commoners often wonder how these two found each other, but nobody is complaining. They were inseparable, until that day.
•
Horseshoe pounding on the soiled ground, rain falling down on the cold region, and the sound of heavy breathing coming from the horse rider, King Hajime. War has begun. He left for trade about a week ago, unaware of the events to come. In the distance, smoke and fire engulfs the castle, bombs causing massive explosions and creating nothing but destruction.
"I'm coming, doe. Please.. God. Let him be okay." Silent prayers to any god that would listen, praying that they wouldn't take his doe away from him. The screams of the townspeople echo across the acres of land as he approaches the gates. Utter chaos is what meets the eye. Soldiers from the land beyond attacking his people. In order to save his kin, he charges towards the enemy, piercing their bodies with his blade.
The woman screams yells his name, in gratitude and horror, she speaks of Toru fighting in the castle. Heart pouding, he runs. He runs as fast as his legs will take him towards the castles doors. He swings them open, blade at the ready.
*Clank.. Hajime drops his sword*
"No.." His partner, the love of his life, lay on the marble ground, blood pooling his chest. Running towards him and immediately falling to his knees.
"My dearest, wake up. YOU HAVE TO WAKE UP!" Hajime cries, shaking him violently. Those autumn brown eyes stare back at me. "Haj...ime.." He rasps. "God, please. No. Don't you dare close your eyes again, Toru. Please. GOD!" Those eyes that were once so full of love and life, now looked empty with a hint of hope. Toru chuckles. "You know... life was amazing." Drops of blood roll down his nose and lips, creating a small puddle of blood near his limp head. "I love you, Hajime. I.. I al-" He jerks and coughs, blooding gushing out of his lips. All he could do was stare. Why? He couldn't tell you. Here, the love of his life, slowly dying in his arms. There was nothing he could do. His wounds were too deep, too fatal. "Toru.. I couldn't save you.."
Caressing his now cold cheek, signs of death were approaching. "Ha.. so sentimental, Iwa. Before I.. *COUGH COUGH* die, can you p-promise me something..?" His voice begins to crack, tears strolling down his face. "Anything. Anything for you. What is it?" Holding his hand, he lightly squeezes it. "Tell me you'll find m-me in the next life. Promise.. that you'll search the heaven and earth to find me again.. Please, Iwa. Never.. forget how much I love you.."
His last words trailed off. He was dead. His corpse pale, cold, and... at peace. Pressing forehead to forehead, Hajime declares , "I promise. I'm never losing you again. Those stars above will forever be aligned in your name, your honor. They shine as bright as the sparkle in your eyes, the light in your laugh, and the softness of your smile. I cry out to any gods above, we shall meet again. Whether it be as strangers or enemies, we will live together once again, love each other once again. This night, I am sure to join you in your endless slumber, but this is what I have to do, and that is what you did as well. This isn't goodbye, it is a see you later. I love you, my doe." Hajime presses a kiss to his ring finger, finalizing his promise. Picking up his blade, tears running down his face, the blood of his one and only stains his once pure hands.
Tonight is all about vengeance, though he was never one for revenge, justice for his partner must be served.
•
Hajime ended the war with scars, but escaped with his life. Rebuilding of his civilization was underway and townspeople brought gifts and offerings to the king and his fallen husband. Every year on his memorial, they light candles and send doves into the sky, hoping they lead his soul back to Hajime.
The lone king never remarried, never set himself on another date, never ever thought of being with someone else. Late at night, he takes looks at Toru's grave outside the castle and in his garden. Visions of his love, gardening against the maids will and laughing when he launches dirt at his back. His childish laughter began to haunt his dreams.
Not that he was complaining. Dreams of nights under the sheets, days of laziness, and evenings of gossip, Hajime greedily takes in all these dreams as they soon ate him alive. He died of old age, beside him lay the ring of his marriage and his beloved's ring. He died right where he wanted to, next to the one he loved.