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There's a new child in the castle.
Hayato has never seen him before, that small boy around his age. He would have remembered if he had. Not only because he knows everyone who has ever set foot in the place, but also because of the other's striking appearance.
He's got an unusual look, two-toned hair and two different eye colors ensuring he stands out in every room. Rumors say he's a new servant, some bastard sent here from another kingdom, but Hayato has never paid much heed to rumors, nor does he really care where the other boy hails from anyway. He's much more interested in figuring out his deal instead.
See, to put it mildly, the kid acts insolently above his rank. On a near daily basis, at least upon his initial arrival, the boy would get into endless trouble for not following any proper etiquette, picking fights with nobles and just overall acting like a rascal. He's loud and brash and outspoken, frequently getting into physical fights and winning them.
These are not traits fit for a proper castle servant, which is exactly why Hayato finds him so intriguing, even at twelve years old.
Life at the castle is boring most days, the routines predictable and the people even more so. Even at his young age, Hayato has figured out the inner workings of the court and what the different lords and ladies need him to say or do so that they'll speak well of him to one another. He's quite popular among them, both for his status and for the fact that they find him to be a well-behaved and adorable child. It makes Hayato laugh in the privacy of his chambers when he thinks about it at night.
So, Hayato enjoys any chance to learn something new and to break out of the dull monotony of his life, and this boy might just be interesting enough to provide him that.
It starts small, Hayato orchestrating for them to bump into each other in the hallways — as of course the other boy fails to use the servant corridors the majority of the time — and outside in the courtyard. Each time it happens, Hayato learns something new about him that he keeps track of in his mind, writing a mental list to keep himself occupied on rainy days.
-
His name is Sakura.
He finds this out easily enough. The first time they meet, Hayato turns a corner a little too sharply, side-stepping just so that it seems their collision is Sakura's fault. It's not, and the other boy knows that, immediately picking a fight with Hayato. Who, in turn, is delighted. Never has anyone spoken so rudely to him before!
"Watch where yer goin', bastard!", the gruff voice grumbles at him.
Giggling softly, Hayato bends down to assist him in picking up the linens he dropped, taking the opportunity to admire his unique appearance from up close before smiling gallantly.
"My apologies…", he tilts his head, "Who might you be?"
And Sakura, at this point, seems to have realized he should be a little more careful, and sadly doesn't blow up at him again. Though it's clearly a near thing. Instead, his beautiful eyes roam over Hayato's fancy attire and his eye patch, a frown pulling on his delicate features.
"'m Sakura", he mumbles, eyes avoiding Hayato's piercing gaze as he suddenly seems desperate to leave.
Ah, Hayato thinks, They have told him about me.
"Well", Hayato steps aside to allow the other boy to pass without further ado, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Sakura-kun."
-
He blushes easily.
Their "chance" encounters keep happening, the two boys crossing paths ever more frequently as time goes by.
"Sakura-kun!", Hayato smiles at him when he enters the armory one evening to find Sakura polishing a chest plate. They're alone, so Hayato feels no scruples about addressing a servant so readily. "How have you been?"
Sakura, to Hayato's utter delight, seems to be bothered by his presence. His eyebrows furrow and his mouth pinches as he studies him, his hands retaining their clumsy motions all the while.
"Suo…", Sakura mutters in greeting, the word sounding forced. Hayato raises an eyebrow at the informal address. He's not surprised Sakura knows his name, but for someone to speak it so freely is something Hayato has not experienced before. It's a lucky thing Sakura said this to him, and not anybody else. Hayato is much more benevolent.
It takes a few seconds for Sakura to register his blunder, and while it's obvious he cares little about hierarchies, he does seem to care about his own well being. His cheeks bloom a charming, deep red and he bows his head.
"…-sama", he tacks on, the distaste for the honorific heavy in the air.
Hayato chuckles.
"No need for all that", he shrugs and finally goes to grab the sword his master had asked him to retrieve, "Suo will do just fine."
-
He's a formidable fighter.
It takes a few years of this until Hayato receives another interesting piece of information. Don't get him wrong, Sakura is fairly riveting, and Hayato's mental list has expanded to include many tidbits of knowledge about the other boy, such as his love for eating, his distaste for vegetables and the fact that he can't take a compliment.
Still, those are small discoveries in the grand scheme of things. They're facts that surely everyone who spends any amount of time around Sakura knows about him.
It's at fifteen that Hayato lies awake at night, limbs brimming with energy and his mind wide awake. Normally, he is good about sticking to the training regiment his master has created for him, diligent and hard-working, while mindful of rest periods and mental welfare. But tonight, Hayato's fingers itch for his sword and the relief of cool air against his face.
He shrugs on a thicker tunic to ward off the night's chill and pads down the halls, past the guards who will keep his secret, and out into the courtyard. It's blissfully silent, and dark enough that Hayato feels free. A rare occurrence.
The stars light the way, only just enough to see at all, so it takes him a moment to realize he's not alone.
A few meters from where Hayato stands, grass tickling his ankles, another figure dances across the training grounds. Their silhouette is dark against the light of the moon, effortlessly swift and constantly in motion. They're holding something meant to imitate a sword, though Hayato can tell it isn't that, and are fighting an invisible enemy.
From what Hayato can see, their posture is immaculate, their technique rough around the edges but strong and fluid, fast and flexible. It's impressive, albeit strange. Who would be out here so late when training will start in a few hours anyway?
Only when the clouds inch away from the moon, revealing more of her beauty to the world, does the light grow bright enough to reflect off of a distinct, familiar white. Oh, Hayato thinks, Of course.
It's Sakura. He can see him clearly now, hand gripping the roughhewn wooden sword, concentration tightening his features, shoulders held high. It makes so much sense, that someone as feisty and free and lovely as Sakura would be good with a sword. Hayato can't believe he missed it.
"Oh, what's this?" He almost hates himself for ruining the moment, would've preferred to stay still for longer and just watch, but he steps onto the training grounds anyway, the packed dirt damp beneath his feet. When did it rain? "Sakura-kun, I didn't know you were so talented!"
In a flash, Sakura freezes and whips around. His eyes are wide and so, so bright in the moonlight, his pink lips ajar in abject horror. Right, Hayato was so mesmerized by the other boy that the fact that he's doing something forbidden had almost slipped his mind. Servants are not supposed to use the training grounds for their own purposes, especially not in the dead of night with no one else around.
Though, Hayato doesn't see why it matters. He's certainly not going to snitch.
"Where did you learn?" He moves closer, the other boy now shaking himself out of his stupor and eyeing him suspiciously, the grip on his practice weapon tight. It's an amateur thing, an object clearly made by someone with no experience in the craft, but well-loved nonetheless. It's just so Sakura that something in Hayato warms at the sight.
"What're ya doin' here?", Sakura grumbles at him instead of answering his question. Hayato takes it in stride.
"Perhaps the same thing as you, or is that not allowed?"
He knows what Sakura must be thinking. If Hayato is correct, the other boy does this quite often, and he has obviously never encountered Hayato — or anyone, for that matter — as he's done it. Maybe he's worried this is a ploy to get him in trouble.
"Yer not gonna…" It seems as though Sakura doesn't even want to finish his own question, perhaps afraid to remind Hayato of his overstepping, just in case he actually hadn't noticed.
Hayato shrugs, turning towards the small, detached armory and unlocking it. He motions for Sakura to follow him. Inside, it's too dark to see anything, but Hayato knows the place of every object by heart.
"I won't tell if you don't", is all he says. Then, he grabs a proper practice sword and throws it at Sakura, making sure to get one for himself as well.
"I don't need this", Sakura mumbles. He looks a little funny, holding a wooden sword in each of his hands.
Hayato leads him back out into the open, the shadows omitting the details of Sakura's face as he stares at him. Hayato can picture his disgruntled look though, having seen it often enough.
"Try it anyway", he gets into a sparring position, bending his knees and lifting his weapon, "You might win that way."
It seems Sakura's a little dense, as he only now realizes Hayato's intentions. Though it's hard to see, Hayato can just about make out the signature blush making its way up Sakura's neck as the other boy gapes at him for a moment, lost for words. Still, Sakura is nothing if not adaptable, and quickly gets into position as well, carefully placing his old weapon onto the ground and familiarizing himself with the more balanced weight of the new one.
"Bring it on, then", Sakura grunts and advances on him with no hesitation. It's so refreshing, his attitude. Even in official training, Hayato often struggles to find people willing to fight him for real, most too afraid to hurt or displease him by accident. Sakura doesn't care, he never has, not about who Hayato is or how people expect him to act. It's a taste of a kind of freedom Hayato will never truly have, and so he lets the other boy get away with all of it.
Sakura is an offensive fighter, because of course he is, which pairs nicely with Hayato's more defensive, deceptive style. They duke it out for a long time, the sun beginning its ascent as they parry and stab, an almost synchronized dance.
Elated, Hayato can't help but grin as they spar. It's not often he finds an opponent worth the effort, and oh is Sakura worth it. The other boy fights in a way that makes it clear he's at least mostly self-taught, but not once does he pull any trickery, nor fight dirty. He remains as noble and earnest as Hayato knows him to be, fighting to win by his own merit. It's unlike Hayato's own philosophy, but it's one he greatly respects.
It seems he's allowed his thoughts to distract him too much — a realization that shakes Hayato to his core — as when Sakura advances on him next, he's not ready. The other boy is quick and unafraid of head-on confrontation, so Hayato is left with no time to step out of his way, taking the hit straight on.
The practice sword digs into his ribcage but it seems Sakura miscalculated, as in the next second, he fails to stop his own momentum, falling forward alongside his sword and knocking Hayato to the ground.
All air leaves Hayato's lungs when Sakura's body collides with his own, the other boy crashing into his torso with little finesse. It hurts, but Hayato finds his smile intact, wheezing little giggles spilling past his lips at Sakura's clear panic and mortification.
From up close, Hayato can finally get his fill of the boy's delicious blush, his face as red as the roses in the castle gardens. He notices also that Sakura has pretty long eyelashes and bite marks on his bottom lip. Unbidden, the thought enters Hayato's mind that he would like to add to them.
Huh. So is that how it is?
"So forward, Sakura-kun", he finally manages to speak. His voice is strained in a way he'd be embarrassed to let anyone else hear but with Sakura, he finds he doesn't mind so much.
"Oh, shut up", the other elbows him in the ribs — on purpose or by accident? — as he rolls off of Hayato, landing on the ground with a dull thud.
Once again, Hayato laughs. It's a brief thing, controlled, but when Sakura joins in with his own breathless chuckles, it begins to come easier to him, their two voices growing louder as they lie there.
"You're good, Sakura-kun", Hayato hums once they quiet down, "You should become a knight."
A dry chuckle is the response he gets, much different from Sakura's boisterous laughter before.
"Ya know damn well I ain't allowed."
Contemplative, Hayato turns his head to look at him. Sakura is studying the firmament above them, eyes fixed on the slowly vanishing constellations. He thinks, for just a moment, that if someone like Sakura, who is the epitome of honest and noble, is forbidden from doing what he wants by the system, then the system must burn.
It's an entertaining thought, and not the first time Hayato has had it.
"We'll find a way", he says instead. It's non-committal enough for Sakura to write it off as empty posturing, which is just what Hayato wants. He will do his own work in the shadows, and surprise Sakura when the time is ripe. He'll make sure of it.
"So -", Hayato begins to speak again, but is interrupted by a drop of rain falling into his uncovered eye. Ah. It seems the clouds were not just for show.
At the same time, Sakura's stomach growls loudly. The other boy's blush reignites as he quickly gets up. Hayato does the same, dusting himself off as the rain grows stronger.
"Gotta go", Sakura hands the practice sword back to him, "See ya."
Automatically, Hayato raises his hand to wave goodbye but an odd pain in his chest causes the motion to become half-hearted, aborted halfway through.
Don't go, he finds himself thinking, Not yet.
Feeling brave and selfish for maybe the first time in his life, Hayato clears his throat and calls after the other boy's retreating back.
"Wait!"
Sakura turns around, confusion plain on his face. The rain is beating down on them now, Hayato's clothing beginning to grow heavy on his frame. He holds up a finger, asking Sakura to wait while he disposes of the weapons, and walks quickly to join him again.
"Let's find you some food first", is all he says before boldly grabbing hold of the other boy's hand and dragging him along.
"Huh? Hey, wait -", Sakura attempts to wrangle free from his hold, but Hayato's grip is tight and his steps too fast for Sakura to be able to focus his strength on escaping while simultaneously trying not to fall. Lucky for Hayato that he grew up taller than Sakura, his longer strides giving him the advantage.
"Don't worry, Sakura-kun", he sing-songs, "Just follow me."
The few guards they encounter say nothing, though Hayato is sure they think their parts, as the two boys tumble through the halls. After three years, Sakura knows the ins and outs of the castle well, but Hayato's lived here all his life, and he knows them better.
In no time, they arrive in the kitchens by way of least resistance, Hayato ushering the other down winding corridors and rickety staircases. At this time of day, the kitchens are still empty, though they won't be for long. It's almost dawn, and Hayato knows the first cooks and maids will soon begin their shifts.
Still, half an hour should do.
"W-what are ya doin'?", Sakura pants as they finally come to a standstill. The kitchens are warm and cozy around them, lit by a few torches the maids keep on all throughout the night.
Hayato, against his better judgment, does not yet let go of Sakura's hand. Instead, he pulls the boy over to a few chairs by the wall, setting him down in one before he begins to rummage through the cupboards.
"You're hungry", he says and pulls out a few apples and a loaf of bread. Now, where do they keep the butter? Hayato can admit he's not familiar with the kitchens. He doesn't eat much himself and his parents would find it unbecoming were he to spend too much time down here with the "common folk". Hayato rolls his eyes at the thought. Maybe he should spend more time here, it's got a nice atmosphere.
Hayato's got his back turned to Sakura as he attempts to locate the butter, but he can sense the other's wide-eyed stare on the back of his head.
"We shouldn't…", he mumbles.
Aha! In a cupboard near the chimney, Hayato finally spots the butter. Victorious, he grabs hold of it as he smiles.
"Oh well", he returns to Sakura's side, depositing his spoils on the table, "Who will tell me no?"
To emphasize his point, Hayato grins brightly, making sure the expression is as innocent and sweet as possible. Sakura rolls his eyes, but makes to grab for the bread and the knife Hayato has provided.
"Stupid", he mutters, "Yer smile doesn't reach yer eye."
Huh.
Blinking, Hayato scuttles off to find some tea leaves and boil some water over a fire. It doesn't take long, the amount small, but it leaves him with some time to think.
It appears that Sakura is more observant than Hayato originally gave him credit for. A good quality in the long run, but one that leaves Hayato feeling a little unmoored. Is he so easy to see through after all? Or is it only Sakura that seems to possess this skill?
Sighing, he holds onto his cup with both hands, the hot tea warming his skin and filling the air around them with its lovely aroma. Hayato breathes in deeply, settling down at the table next to his…friend? He would like to think so.
By now, Sakura has lost all inhibitions, scarfing down slices of buttered bread and apple like there's no tomorrow. Hayato sips his tea and enjoys the sight, gaze embarrassingly fond. He's glad Sakura is preoccupied.
"So", Hayato picks up his earlier line of inquiry once he feels enough time has passed, "Where did you learn to fight?"
Sakura stops chewing for a moment before swallowing all the food in one go.
"Nowhere", he shrugs, "Kinda taught myself."
Impressive. He must have a natural knack for it, some sort of battlefield instincts. It's exactly the kind of guy the kingdom is always looking for, it's a shame they're unwilling to look among the peasantry. After all, Hayato has noticed often that the young lords and dukes, while well-trained, are often useless in a proper fight. They know the techniques and they're physically strong, but their hearts and minds are weak. It's easy — too easy — to manipulate them, to goad them right into a trap.
Sakura isn't like that.
"Would you…", Hayato hums, unsure if he should truly offer. Would Sakura find it insulting? Too dangerous? He supposes he won't find out if he doesn't speak. "Would you want to train with me more often? I have a student, you might have heard of him. His name is Nirei, he's the librarian's son, and I'm sure he'd like to get to know you."
He's not lying. Nirei, a charming and eager boy, clumsy but smart, would adore Sakura.
The question, funnily enough, catches Sakura off guard. It's interesting, Hayato thinks he could've seen this coming quite easily but as usual, Sakura seems unable to accept good things or kind words, bristling at even the smallest offer of kinship or affection. Not for the first time, Hayato wonders what happened to make him like this and fantasizes about paying a nighttime visit to whoever it was that caused this wonderful boy feel as though he is no one worth looking at.
"Please, Sakura-kun?", Hayato smiles at him. This time, he ensures it's sincere. "For me?"
As anticipated, this makes Sakura roll his eyes, his shoulders loosening. He thinks Hayato is annoying but useful and if Hayato manages to sell this as though it's a favor to himself, perhaps it'll be easier for Sakura to accept.
In a way, he thinks, it is a favor to himself. After all, Hayato very much would like to fight Sakura again. He thinks he could learn a lot from the other boy.
"F-fine", Sakura hisses as he stuffs the last of the apple slices into his cheeks, chewing in a way that almost seems aggressive.
Cute, Hayato's brain unhelpfully supplies.
It's in this moment that Hayato's ears pick up on footfalls above them. They're dampened and can only belong to three people at most, but despite the bravado he had shown, Suo would much rather not answer for this rule-breaking.
"It's time to go, Sakura-kun."
They work together to hide the evidence of their trespassing and quickly escape through the back door mere seconds before the staff enters the kitchens. In the dark servant corridor they've found themselves in, they take a moment to look at each other, grinning and chuckling under their breaths as they usher each other along.
It's fun, Hayato realizes. He's never really had someone he could consider a friend before, not like this. He finds he wants to be silly and unruly with Sakura all the time.
Alas, all good things must come to an end.
Reality meets them at the top of the stairs, the door opening into a quiet hallway where they must part to go back to their respective lives, at least for now.
Still, they hesitate. In the shadows of early morning, Hayato dares to take a step closer than he usually would, the air around Sakura warm and sweet. His presence is an odd comfort. Sharp and rough as the other boy is, there's something grounding about him. Something that makes Hayato feel as though he doesn't need to be anyone but himself, though he hardly knows who that is.
"Th-thanks, I guess", Sakura bites his lip. His hands are stuffed deep into the pockets of his breeches.
Grinning at his own idea, Hayato reaches for him. He makes sure Sakura can see what he's doing, moving slowly enough that the other could run or yell if he truly wanted, and grabs hold of one of his forearms.
Slowly, he pulls Sakura's hand out of his pocket and trails his fingers down his arm to encircle his wrist before finally clasping his hand, all the while delighting in the goosebumps his actions leave behind.
Sakura's hand is marginally smaller than his own, fingers a bit thicker and callouses rough against Hayato's smooth palm. The contrast is welcome, exhilarating in a way that makes Hayato's heart stop and his breath hitch ever so slightly.
Across from him, Sakura has gone uncharacteristically silent. His breaths come out faster than before, hand trembling faintly in Hayato's hold.
"It was my pleasure."
Hayato smiles and it's a small, frail thing. His lips wobble with the confidence it requires to do this, but he dips his head and places a feather light kiss onto the coldness of Sakura's knuckles, the skin split and bumpy against his mouth.
They both shudder and break apart, the spell broken by a sudden, all-encompassing somberness. Clearing his throat, Hayato looks away for a second. The walls are damp with moisture, he notices, the day will be humid. Hardly a surprise, considering the downpour outside. When he concentrates, Hayato can hear the pitter-patter on the windows farther down the hall.
"I -", Sakura begins to speak but he seems unsure, as though he doesn't know if Hayato can hear him. "I'll be back on the training grounds in two days, if ya, like -"
Hayato nods, returning his gaze to the other boy's face. It's a lovely shade of pink, not even the tips of his ears spared from the color change.
"I'll be there."
It comes out sounding like a promise.