Chapter Text
"Although it was never explicitly stated, many people believed the Knight and Sorcerer to be lovers despite being on opposite sides of the war. Whether they truly were or not was never confirmed, seeing as how same-sex relationships were often frowned upon and deemed 'unsightly'. This is what your assignment is for this week." The teacher shuts the book and turns to the whiteboard before grabbing a marker and writing some words down.
"I want you all to write your opinions on what you think the two men were to eachother. Along with that, why do you believe in what you claim? Give me examples of what you think they may have done to solidify said relationship status. Of course, there are no wrong or right answers. You're being graded solely on your creativity. Just keep in mind the time period in which they lived."
The bell rings.
"Class dismissed. I look forward to seeing what you all come up with."
Murmurs and guesses of the mens relationship spread throughout the room.
"Eeh... lovers? No way. They were enemies... how could they be lovers?"
"Right? Plus, like she said, gay relationships were basically banned back then. They couldn't be in a relationship even if they wanted to."
"I think they were! You saw the way the sorcerer tried to save the knight?! They were totally in love!"
"Friends would do that too, y'know. Plus, he didn't even do it! They ended up dyin' anyway."
"Yeah, together!"
"Whatever man, I think you're delusional."
"Fine, have it your way! They were totally lovers!"
"Hehe~ it seems our classmates are thoroughly enjoying this assignment." Rui giggles as he puts his things away into his bag.
"I agree." Tsukasa chuckles, leaning his arms on Ruis desk as he waits.
Once Rui was done, they head to his house to work on the project together, as always. They settled themselves on the floor against Ruis couch and begin work.
Halfway through, Tsukasa decides to ask a question.
"Hey, Rui, do you think that the knight and sorcerer were actually lovers?"
"Hm? Why do you ask?"
"Well... they had way too much tension to be 'just friends', and there were too many holes in their story!"
They both went silent for a brief moment as Tsukasa slid ever so slightly closer to Rui.
"Plus, i think I'd remember my own relationship status, Rui."
The words prompt a quiet laugh from the taller boy.
"Oh, my dear... I thought you'd forgotten."
"It's kinda hard to forget when you're learning about yourself in school, don't you think?"
"That's fair. I am quite glad they didn't use names in the book... that would have been very awkward."
"Oh definitely. Maybe they didn't know our names? I don't know if that information ever got out..."
"Hm... I'm unsure as well." Rui dramatically sighs and leans his face onto his hand. "I do miss my magic, though. It was fun..."
"Hey, your magic turned into... whatever it is you can do with robots. You still find ways to mess with me... even in this life..." Tsukasa sighs in defeat.
"Oh come on, you love it and you know it." Rui wraps his arms around the blondes neck, leaning his whole body weight onto him.
"Of course I do, I just cannot believe that you haven't changed at all since then."
"Eh? You haven't either, my dear. You're still the same stern man I fell in love with back then."
"Stern?!" Tsukasa pushes Rui back. "Hey, someone's gotta keep you in check, you know!" He crosses his arms with a huff. "You may not be able to do crazy spells anymore, but who knows what you can make those robots do?!"
"Hehe~ I'm joking, sweetheart." Tsukasa watches Ruis smile suddenly begin to falter slightly.
"Hey... what's wrong? Did I say something i shouldn't have?" Tsukasa grabs Ruis hand, holding it close.
"No no... I apologize... I'm just thinking of something one of our classmates said."
"What's that?"
"...I'm sorry I couldn't save you that day..." Rui looks up at Tsukasa, his eyes looked... different. Familiar.
Then it clicked. He looked exactly like the sorcerer, almost like he was switching between the two.
"My love..." Tsukasa cups his face. "I was never upset with you. And hey, i mean... we went out together, didn't we? I think..." His hand returns to Ruis. "It was better that way. We were able to find each other again because of that, weren't we?"
"I suppose so... yes." Rui weakly smiles. "I'm sorry, I think about that quite often... I still feel guilty."
"You don't need to. Think of the positive side of it! We're both here now, right? I like this outcome much more than one of us being left alone."
"You're right..." Rui returns the hold on Tsukasas hand. "I quite like this one as well."
"Perfect." Tsukasa flashes a wide smile, lifting Ruis spirits. "Now, let's do our work, okay?"
Rui nods. "Yes, sir." He chuckles.
They spend a bit more time working together but separately. It was an individual assignment, after all.
"You know," Rui starts. "In a way, this feels like writing an autobiography. I'm just writing what I remember."
"I was thinking the same thing! I remember more than i thought... I'm worried I might make it too long."
"She said we needed to explain why we think what we do... what are we supposed to put? Obviously nobody will believe us if we say it's because we were them..."
"Hmm... just make something up, I guess." Tsukasa shrugs. "I mean, she did say we were being graded on creativity."
"Very true... I'm sure I'll think of something."
"What did you write about?" Tsukasa puts his head on Ruis shoulder, peeking at his paper.
"Well, she said we needed to write about things that 'solidified' our— their relationship... so I wrote the truth." He lifts the paper slightly so Tsukasa can read it.
The blonde takes a few seconds to scan the paper. "Ah! My birthday?! Oh my god I completely forgot about that!"
"Hehe~ It was a truly magnificent experience, do you agree?"
"Other than you almost lighting my room on fire... yes." Tsukasa laughs. "Geez... I can't believe i forgot about that. Even after you went through so much trouble to make it happen."
"Yes, it was... very difficult to sneak into your room without your fellow knights finding me... but I made it work."
They share giggles as they remember that day as if it was yesterday.
"Sir Tenma~!"
"What the—?! Kamishiro?! How did you— mmph?!"
With a quiet chuckle, the sorcerer cuts the knight off with a kiss. When they pull back, they keep their eyes focused on nothing but each other. "Hello, my dearest knight."
"How did you get in here? My door and window were both locked."
"Oh, it was very difficult indeed. Your friends are quite good at their job."
"I would hope so... we are literally knights for the king. We need to be good at it."
"I suppose that is true, yes. Did you hire more security? I feel as if there were more of you than usual."
"We had to. With the threats from your kingdom, we can't be careless. Any help we can get, we'll take." The knight sits himself on the edge of his bed.
The sorcerer joins him, making himself comfortable on the knights lap, steadying himself with his arms around the blondes neck. "I'm sorry, darling. I have tried to convince my people to back down... but you know they've never listened to me. I'm just the scary sorcerer everyone ignores..."
"I'm not afraid of you. Well... most of the time." The knight rubs his lovers head, easing his worries. "Now... can you explain to me why you were waiting for me in my room without notifying me beforehand?"
"Ah, yes. I nearly forgot. One moment, please." The sorcerer stands up and turns away from the knight. He remains still for a moment before snapping his fingers with a few quiet words mumbled under his breath.
When he was finished, he turns back with a smile. "Happy birthday, my love." He was now holding a small birthday cake with a single candle, decorated in yellow and purple frosting.
The knights eyes widen and shoot over to his calendar. It really was his birthday... how could he forget?!
"Oh! I didn't even realize that was today..! We've been so busy that I've lost track of the days..." He stands and looks down at the treat in his lovers hands.
"Thank you, darling. Now... it isn't poisoned, right?"
The sorcerer gasps. "Poisoned?! I cannot believe you would think so lowly of me!"
"You've done it before!"
"That was not poison! It was simply... something to enhance our relationship."
"It was an aphrodisiac, Rui. An aphrodisiac! In my tea!"
"You enjoyed yourself, did you not?!"
The knight pauses, his face turning a bright red.
The sorcerer smirks, leaning closer to the knights face. "You even asked me to do it again."
"Okay, okay! You win!" The knight pushes the other away before hiding his face in his hands as he recalls that night. "Just— tell me if the cake is poisoned or not."
The sorcerer calmly moves his lovers hands away from his face. "Of course it's not. There's no drug of any kind inside of it, I promise it's safe." With a small tap on the candle, it was lit.
He hands it out in front of the knight. "Go on, make a wish."
"Since when can you do fire spells?"
"Recently. I'm still figuring them out... but i learned them specifically for today."
"Oh? You must love me so much, hm?"
"You have no idea, Sir Tenma." The sorcerer chuckles. "Go on then, blow it out." He nudges the plate once again.
The knight folds his hands and closes his eyes to say a short prayer and wish. Once he's satisfied, he opens them and blows out the candle.
"What did you wish for?"
"I can't tell you, or else it won't come true. I thought you knew magic." Tsukasa teases.
"I do. I could prove it if you don't believe me..." The sorcerer holds up his hand. A small flicker of red smoke arises from the tips of his fingers.
The knights eyes widen as his face becomes the same color as the magic. He knows that spell, alright.
"N-no! No, I don't need you to do that!" He pushes the tallers hand away.
"Awe..." Rui pouts. "How come? It's your birthday."
"Yes... but i can't spend time on things like that right now. If your kingdom decides to make a move while we're doing that... I won't be much help, now would i?"
The taller sighs. "That is true." He walks over to the desk and puts the cake down before returning to the knight. "Well... is there anything you would like to do instead?"
"Just because we can't do that... doesn't mean we can't do something similar."
"Oh? And what would that be?"
"I think you know, sorcerer." The knight traces his finger up the others side, landing on his shoulder.
"Hehe~ Why of course, my knight." The taller swiftly grabs the knights head, pulling him into a second, more tender kiss.
A few seconds go by, the only thing that could be heard was their heavy breaths as they pull away. "Thank you, really. We've been so busy lately that I haven't had much time to myself..."
"I figured as much... that's why I wanted to do this for you. I know my kingdom has been keeping everyone here on edge, and I sincerely apologize." He wraps the knight in a warm hug. "When the day comes that we must fight... I swear to protect you the best that i can."
When the knight returns the hug, he sees edges of the sorcerers cloak glow for just a moment. It was something that happened when the man was truly determined to keep a promise, something that if he goes back on will only bring him down.
It only told Tsukasa that he meant his words in their entirety. He smiles and rests his head on his lovers shoulder. "I believe you. I will do my best to protect you as well. Unfortunately... my men may go after you before anyone else." He gently pushes the man back and looks into his eyes.
"That just means I need to get to you before they do."
The sorcerer smiles at the promise. "I know you will. Until that day, however, I shall keep you safe. I will make sure that you are in peak condition at all times."
"Why thank you, dear." The knight chuckles. "Now, why don't we—" He pauses as something... starts to feel wrong.
He takes small sniffs. "Do you... smell smoke?"
"Hm? Smoke?" The taller looks around for a moment. "I don't think I— oh dear."
"Oh dear? What oh dear?!" The blonde grips onto the sorcerers arm as he stares at a certain corner of the room.
"My apologies..."
"For what?! What did you—" Then, he sees it.
"MY CURTAINS?!" The knight panics as he watches fire spreads across his precious curtains. "W-what happened?! Do something!"
"S-something?! Like what?!"
"I don't know— Don't you know any water spells or something?!"
"I mean, yes, but—"
"Then do them!"
"But they aren't—"
"Rui, my room is about to be engulfed in flames. Do the damn spell!"
"O-okay, okay... but don't say I didn't warn you."
The sorcerer closes his eyes, takes a deep breath, and focuses hard to do the spell he needs. He faces his palms towards the fire, and spirals of water shoot out, extinguishing the flames.
...And ruining that entire corner of the knights bedroom.
"What. The. Hell. Was that?!" Tsukasa stands by the desk, his uniform now soaking wet, looking like a wet dog.
"I was trying to tell you that water spells are extremely different to control... but you didn't listen. So... that is not my fault."
"Ugh... great. Just lovely." The knight sighs and rings out his clothes onto the floor.
"Here, let me—"
"Tenma?!" A desperate bang on the door makes them both jolt up, the sorcerer turns himself invisible within seconds before the door is swung open.
It was one of the other knights that lived in that building, one with very bright orange hair. He stared at the mess in utter shock. "What the hell happened in here?!"
"U-uh... well..." The blonde looks at the mess and back at the ginger a few times, struggling to come up with an excuse.
"The rain." A whisper sent shivers down his spine. He looked out his window at the pouring rain, and was quick to go along with it.
"I... left my window open by mistake! Rain got... everywhere." He lies with an awkward chuckle.
Needing to get back to his own duties, the fellow knight simply sighs and nods. "Okay... would you like me to get a maid? There's water everywhere."
"No, no... thank you, Shinonome. I can deal with it on my own..."
"Alright... just... let me know if you need help."
"Will do! Heh..."
The ginger nods and shuts the door.
"Rui." The knight says with a harsh voice, making the other return to his visible state, guilt overcoming his entire body.
"I'm sorry, Tsukasa... I didn't think this would happen..."
Tsukasa takes a deep, calming breath. "How did it happen?"
Ruis eyes shift down at the destroyed cake on the ground, the flames on the candle flickering like a broken light. He carefully picks it up to show the blonde. "I suppose... my fire spells are far from perfect..."
Tsukasa could see how bad Rui felt about the entire thing, and couldn't help but forgive him.
"It's alright. I understand that you had good intentions. Let's just... get this cleaned up, okay?"
"Yes, sir..." The sorcerer frowned and used a few basic spells to discard of the cake and dry the knights clothes. Tsukasa took the job of fixing up his desk and curtains the best he could, not without the sorcerer apologizing every five seconds for the rest of the night.
"That was definitely one of the strangest birthdays I've ever had..." Tsukasa chuckles and grabs his own paper. "I went the completely opposite route... mine's about the day we fought..."
"Eh? Really? Why?" Rui tilts his head and looks at the blondes paper.
"Well... 'cause it was a big day. Yeah, it's sad, but... it meant a lot to me."
"Me too... it was definitely a day that I don't think I'll ever be able to forget."
Flames and the sound of metal on metal filled the open field. It was truly a war of sheer power. Neither kingdoms felt they could back down, one of them needed to win.
Tsukasa searched everywhere for his sorcerer, but he was nowhere to be seen. Not until he was hit was a stray piece of one of his men's broken sword.
The knight noticed the metal bounce off of something that could not be seen, and he immediately knew.
"Ru— Kamishiro?!" He runs up to the invisible figure in a hurry.
"Ah... my knight." Soon, he could be seen. He was in such a horrible condition already.
With a gasp, Tsukasa gripped his arms. "What happened to you?! Who did this?!"
"My magic seems to have been tampered with. But it is not a big deal... I will live."
"Not a big deal?! You—"
"There he is!" The white knights own men have spotted the sorcerer and were quickly approaching them with fire in their eyes.
"Sir Tenma, back away from the monster! Let us deal with it."
"...Monster?" Tsukasa scoffs. "He is not a monster!"
"Sir, are you... defending this traitor? After everything he's done to this kingdom?!"
"N-no! I am not! He just—" Tsukasa glances over at Rui whos soul had shattered from the untrue words being thrown at him. "He... he's not..."
Why is he freezing? He's supposed to protect Rui. He swore he would! So... why isn't he?
"Back away, Tenma. We shall take him down."
"No. I will dispose of him myself. Focus on the others."
"But, sir—"
"Are you ignoring my orders?" Tsukasa stands tall, reminding them who is in charge.
"No, sir... I apologize." The soldiers give apologetic nods and return to the main battle just yards away.
"You faltered." Rui gets his attention.
"I know... I'm sorry, Kamishiro. I don't know what happened..."
"I forgive you, you have a reputation to uphold after all." A sudden shiver spreads through the sorcerers body. He was being watched.
He leans over to the blondes ear. "Forgive me as well." He whispers before grabbing the knight by the arm, pinning it in place as he stands behind him. He holds the other tightly before raising a dagger up to his throat.
"What are you—"
"Play along. Someone doesn't seem to appreciate our chatting."
"What..?"
"Somebody is watching me, but I cannot tell from where."
"Watching you?! My men or yours?"
"I am unsure." The sorcerer scans the area, but is unable to find anyone looking in their direction.
"His." A quiet, deep voice could be heard from behind them. It was one of Ruis men after all. Before Rui could do anything, the knight was ripped from his hands and a sword was forced through his body, exiting on the other side.
Rui stares wide-eyed in shock as the sword was ripped out of his lovers body, letting him fall the ground. With a cough, blood pours from Tsukasas mouth while he holds his stomach over the exit wound.
"Hah! I have killed the armys leader!" The killer laughs victoriously, getting the attention of the rest of the white knights men.
"Sir Tenma!" They run towards him in an attempt to save him as others restrain the man who did it.
"...Kasa?" Rui mutters quietly, unsure of what else to say.
Tsukasa looks up at Rui with whatever vision he had left. All he could see was the fear on his lovers face.
"You planned this, didn't you?! You damned sorcerer!" Shinonome grabs the man by his collar.
"No! I would never! I... I did not want to kill him!"
"Likely story. How dare you betray us like this?"
"I have never betrayed you! You are the ones who threw me out! You were just too blinded by your false pride to see my true intentions!" Rui shoves the younger off of him. "I would never wish to harm Sir Tenma!"
"And how are we supposed to believe you?"
"Let me heal him. My magic was messed with... but I can still try. If you would let me. Please, Shinonome." He grips the youngers arms. "I beg of you. At least let me try."
The ginger groans. "Fine. But if you cannot do it, I will kill you myself."
"Thank you." He rushes over to the blonde.
"Just stay still, Tenma... I... I can try to fix this, okay?"
"Rui..." The knight mumbles as tears fill his eyes.
"Don't speak, you'll be okay..." Rui lays the blonde down and hovers his hands over the wound.
"Please work... please." He closes his eyes, and with a quick prayer, tries his best to focus on his abilities.
Unfortunately, his actions were in vain. Only a flicker would come out. It wasn't working.
"No... no no no. Please!" He tries again and again, but whoever tampered with his magic did a very thorough job.
"Damn it!" He yells, his own tears falling onto the knight.
"I'm so sorry... I can't do it, Tsukasa... I cannot keep my promise..." He leans down and wraps his arms around the knight, sobbing into his tattered armor.
"It's not—" He coughs. "Not your fault... I love you, Rui..." He whispers, not wanting his men to hear.
"I love you too, Kasa..."
Rui sits up, and with one final attempt to see his lover again, puts one hand over Tsukasas heart, and one over his own. Yellow and purple smoke covers his hands before fading away.
Soon after, the knight closes his eyes with a smile. He knew that spell, he's seen Rui practicing it for years. He too, prays that it works.
"We will find each other in the next life. I promise."
"Kamishiro, what did you just do?!"
"I did not kill him. I attempted to give him some of my life... but I see it did not work." He lies about the true nature of the spell. They would not react kindly if they knew it was a spell to connect souls in every life.
"He's lost his pulse." One of the knights announce with a defeated tone.
The younger grabs Rui and yanks him up. "You know what happens now, don't you?"
"Of course." All of the playfulness everyone knew him to have had faded. He was empty. Truly, utterly... empty.
"Go ahead. I have not much to live for anymore..." He frees himself from the boys grip and stands in front of him with his arms spread, waiting.
In one fell swoop, he meets the same fate as his companion. Their bodies laying together even in their final moments as the war comes to an end. With their leader dead, the white knights have lost.
"I'm glad it worked... if I'm being honest, it was nowhere near perfect yet." Rui sighs in relief.
"Maybe it was because of the situation we were in?"
"Hm, possibly... I wonder if that man exists in this life as well..."
"Who? Akito? Of course he does, he's our friend."
"No, the one that killed you. I wonder what sort of person he turned out to be."
"I hope a good one." Tsukasa stretches and leans his body onto Ruis. "We cannot hold grudges that are over a hundred years old, my love."
"I know, I know. I just... really regret letting myself get into that position. I mean, I still have no idea who messed with my magic! And how?!"
"Hey, it's over now. Your last spell worked and that's all that matters, no?"
Rui rests his body with a quick exhale. "Yes, yes it is."
"Exactly!" Tsukasa sits up and grabs Ruis neck, pulling him close.
"Because now... we can love each other freely. No kingdoms at war or being forced into a marriage we don't want..." He smiles. "We can be ourselves. Finally."
Rui lets out a quiet chuckle and rests his hands on the blondes waist. "Indeed we can, my dear."
With a small smile, Tsukasa brings Rui into a kiss. His hands gently play with the hair of the boys nape while Ruis keeps him in place.
When they pull back, they rest forheads together. "We can do that now, too." Rui teases, receiving a slap on the chest as a response.
Tsukasa rolls his eyes and returns to his original seat. "Hey... I have an idea!"
"Hm? What's that?"
"Why don't we write a second story? Separately this time."
Rui tilts his head. "Separately?"
"Yeah! We don't tell each other what we're writing and see if we end up doing the same thing!"
"But... won't the teacher think we're cheating?"
"We can just come up with an excuse." Tsukasa shrugs.
Rui was a bit nervous about being getting scolded for cheating... but he was also just as curious as Tsukasa. So, he agreed.
"Alright. Let's do it."
"Hahah!" Tsukasa beams. "Perfect! I'll move over here so you can't see~!" He gets up and sits up on the couch so they can no longer see the others paper.
"I can't wait to see what we do~!" Rui sings as he already begins writing.