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Shouto is barely a foot out of the door, still trying to be as quiet as possible, when someone calls from behind him, "I'm afraid I cannot allow you to do that, Your Highness."
His joints stiffen, but they quickly relax when he recognises the voice.
Still, he didn't mean to be caught, so he's rather miffed about the whole situation when he turns on his heel and finds Iida standing before him with his hands on his hips.
"I was just trying to get some fresh air," he says, hoping his neutral expression is convincing enough. Judging by the skeptical frown on Iida's face, he is not so successful. "...And I couldn't sleep. Sorry."
Iida's eyes soften. "Still," he reprimands, walking towards Shouto. He's not in his usual armour, and Shouto is pretty sure he's not currently on duty either. Leave it to him to remain alert despite that, though. "I cannot let you leave the chambers and walk around in the middle of the night. It is dangerous."
"Why's it dangerous? The castle is guarded."
"Your Highness, your hobby is disappearing into the forest unprompted for a 'quick walk' and sending the kingdom into hysterics when we cannot locate you the next day."
Shouto cracks a smile. "Fine. Would you join me, then?"
It's a fair compromise, he thinks. Iida is a well-trained knight, after all, and Shouto trusts him the most out of his entourage. If he was by Shouto's side the whole time, then surely, a nighttime stroll through the castle's gardens can't be too unreasonable.
"...I suppose I could do that," Iida says when Shouto gives him a pleading look. "If only to ensure your safety, Your Highness. Lead the way."
Pleased, Shouto resumes his venture. They make their way through the hallways, and this isn't Shouto's first rodeo, so he knows how to avoid the rest of the guards that are patrolling the castle at this time. Iida doesn't say anything about that, but Shouto can sense the suspicious squints he's shooting at his back, and it almost makes him laugh.
Ever since Shouto was a child, he's liked finding little pockets of time to slip away from prying eyes and simply wander around. The castle is huge, and outside, it's even more vast. As long as he can find a spot to sit and be alone for a while, Shouto feels like he can forget all about the pressures of his family, even if it's only a temporary relief.
He's found many 'secret' passages over the years, but his favourite spot that he has yet to tell anyone about—not even his siblings—is a clearing deep in the forest, with a large oak tree to lean on and funky mushrooms growing by its roots.
Shouto glances back at Iida. Maybe one day, he'll show that place to him.
But for now, they'll just explore the garden.
Prepared as always, Iida has a lamp with him, providing them with an ample light source as they walk. The flowerbeds are tended to all year round, and there's a large fountain in the centre of the garden with a majestic swan statue, carved and gifted by one of the townsfolk. Shouto sits down on the edge of the fountain's basin, feeling the cool marble against his skin, and pats the space next to him.
"I haven't been to the garden in a while," Iida says, lifting the lamp higher and glancing around. "Even after the recent passing storms, it's looking healthy and fresh! As expected from our kingdom's gardener."
Shouto nods in agreement. Iida always finds something to compliment about the castle staff—even though he's only a knight, and his responsibilities shouldn't extend further than that, Shouto knows he spends a lot of time looking out for the other members of the castle. He's just that type.
Shouto has spent a lot of his years admiring Iida from afar, even if he's never voiced it out. He met Iida at fifteen, when Iida first arrived at the castle as a knight-in-training. They ran into each other when Shouto was practicing in the courtyard, and Iida, with surprising nerves of steel, asked if he wanted to spar.
Looking back at it, Shouto is pretty sure Iida simply didn't know he was the prince. It was Iida's first week, plus Shouto hasn't been fully introduced to the kingdom yet, nor has he had his official crowning ceremony at that time. Despite that, he enjoyed being treated as an equal by Iida, and he liked sparring together.
They never really brought that up, though. Instead, they formed a quiet friendship, and when Iida was assigned as part of Shouto's order, he was overjoyed.
"Oh, sometimes I see wild critters here," Shouto says, looking at the ground. He can't quite make out anything more than a few feet away, though. "Usually mice."
Iida grimaces. "There's mice in the gardens? We have pests?"
"They're not pests." Shouto squints. Maybe he's just imagining it, but the grass is rustling. "They're very nice mice."
"Somehow, I doubt— ah!"
As if on cue, a blurry figure about half the size of Shouto's shoe scurries by, darting in between their ankles with its squeaks piercing through the silence. Iida yelps, his feet jerking upwards in an effort to avoid the rodent, and in doing so, loses his balance.
Shouto moves faster than he can think. His arm shoots out, catching Iida before he can fall backwards into the fountain.
"Are you okay?"
Oh.
They're so close.
Shouto doesn't bother pulling away, instead taking the moment to stare at Iida, entranced. The lamp is still held in Iida's hands, enclosed between their chests and casting a soft, golden glow over Iida's skin. Shouto can see it reflected in the lenses of his glasses and his widened, red eyes.
"I'm fine," Iida manages after a moment, his voice hoarse like his throat is hollow. His cheeks are darkening, and Shouto can't help but find it rather cute. "...Thank you for saving me."
Shouto huffs out a laugh. "Considering how you're always the one protecting the kingdom, catching you is nothing."
"Don't flatter me so much, Your Highness." Iida slips from his hold, standing up, and Shouto can't help but miss the weight of him in his arms.
Luckily, he doesn't have to yearn for too long, because Iida kneels down, holding his hand out. When Shouto slips his hand into his, Iida rests his forehead over his fingers, and his heart stutters.
"May I walk you back to your chambers, Your Highness?"
Shouto smiles. Iida and his formalities. But he certainly won't complain in the face of such chivalry. "Of course."
He allows himself to be tugged up by Iida's hold. When Iida tries to let go, this time, Shouto doesn't let him. He tightens his fingers around Iida's hand and pretends not to hear the stunned noise that Iida lets out in return.
"Let's go," Shouto calls, glancing back at Iida's dumbstruck expression. "Before the mice come back to scare you again."
"A-Ah! Yes, we best be going!"
Shouto smiles all the way back to his chambers.