Chapter Text
For as long as the Tenmas could remember, their eldest son Tsukasa never showed any interest in courting the princesses they introduced him to.
With him soon coming of age, it's dire that he choose one soon. His father won't be around much longer and they need someone to take over— Tsukasa being that someone.
Sure, their youngest son Toya could always do it... but he already made up his mind in his early teens. He was quick to fall for the son of the newest sorcerer family, Kamishiro Rui, and they've been in a relationship for almost ten years now.
With him being the youngest son— and not biologically a family member, he was taken in at the age of three— who he chooses to court won't make much of an impact as it will with Tsukasa, so his family accepted his decision with ease.
However, no matter how many royal events they attend or meetings they arrange, Tsukasa cannot find a single woman he's willing to marry.
Recently, the trials have been put on hold following the loss of one of their knights. The entire royal family has set aside a few days for the citizens and his fellow knights to grieve as they attempt to fill the empty space.
One morning, the Tenma siblings are called out to the throne room by their parents. They were asked to arrive neatly dressed, though they were given no further explanation.
When the three of them arrive, their parents greet them with welcoming smiles.
"Good morning, you three." Their father begins. The siblings give him a small greeting bow and let him continue.
"As you all know, we have been looking for a knight to fill in the unfortunate space Sir Asahina has left us." The king solemnly reminds.
They all lower their heads in silence, giving their fallen knight their respects. Once their gazes lift, the man continues.
"It's been a hard decision, but we have finally found someone fitting. Now, the reason we have called you three down here is because this knight is around your age— he is just a few months younger than Saki and Toya, in fact. We would appreciative if you all, perhaps, tried to get along. It's not often you find a protector your age, is it?" The king chuckles. The siblings nod in agreement, their eyes lighting up.
They haven't had a knight or even staff member their age in years, and it was only one time. Of course they're excited to meet him!
"Now... stand tall, you three." They straighten up their postures as their father stands. He gestures to the head knight by the entrance. "Let him in," he orders. The knight nods and quickly opens the door.
The moment the new recruit steps in, Tsukasa felt his breath get caught in his lungs.
He was gorgeous.
He approached the group with a determined grace, confidence seeping through his body with every step until he kneels before the king, small ornaments on his uniform clinking against each other.
"Good morning, your majesty." He greets the king, head lowered into a bow.
Oh, his voice... Tsukasa shuddered once he heard it.
It was deep, and Tsukasa could tell he had come from a different village simply by his tone.
"Good morning, Sir Shinonome. You may stand."
The knight does as he's told, hands at attention by his sides.
Now standing, Tsukasa got a good look at his face. He was slightly more tan than Tsukasa and his cheeks were painted with small freckles. He had the sharpest downturned olive eyes that perfectly matched his short, fluffy, ginger hair.
Tsukasa also happened to notice that he had jewelry; more specifically, earrings. Those were typically not allowed with knights, making him wonder why it was this time.
Breaking up his train of thought was the realization that his father was speaking once more.
"This, my children, is Sir Shinonome Akito, the newest knight of this kingdom."
The knight in question turned to the siblings, deeply bowing to them. "I look forward to working with you all." He stands, giving them a faint smile before turning back to the king.
Tsukasa swore his heart stopped for a moment.
It was just a courteous smile, a sign of respect... why did it make him so... jittery?
For now, he bites his lip and clears his throat, attempting to focus on the task at hand— simply meet the new recruit.
They discuss typical things they've all heard before. The rules, his role as knight, so on and for forth.
As the conversation finally comes to an end, their father has one more thing to say.
"Lastly, Sir Shinonome... I would greatly appreciate it if you bonded with my children." He requests. "It's quite rare to find someone so skilled at your age, perhaps you would all benefit from a friendship, don't you think?"
Akito glances over at the three of them, the younger two giving him bright, excited smiles— Saki even including a small wave. He and Tsukasa quickly lock eyes, making the older look away and opt to give him a small head nod instead.
"Well, if... you'd like me to do that," Akito nods. "Then, I will, your majesty. It would certainly be nice to have someone my age to chat with every now and then."
"I'm glad you agree." The king smiles. "Now, I say this meeting is officially over." He turns to Tsukasa. "Tsukasa, would you mind showing him around? I know how much you enjoy discussing the architecture of the buildings."
Tsukasa completely froze.
Him? And this handsome knight? Alone?!
They technically haven't even met yet and all he can think about how absolutely stunning that man is, and his father wants him to show him around!? He might melt before they leave the room!
"Tsukasa?"
The blond in question jolts back to reality. "O-oh! Uh... of— of course I can..!" He shakes himself into his typical persona the best he could, feigning confidence.
"Wonderful, thank you. Now, if you don't mind... Toya, we have a meeting with the Kamishiros, correct?"
"Oh, yes." Toya lights up at his lovers name. "I believe he wanted your opinion on a new potion he created."
"Alright, well, we don't want to be late." The man stands. "Saki, would you like to join us?"
"Oh, sorry!" She bows. "I need to meet with Emu to discuss flower arrangements for the next royal ball!"
"Oh, that's quite alright. Say hello to the Otoris for me."
The girl beams as she nods, giving Akito one final greeting before rushing out the door.
And then they were left alone. Tsukasa hasn't moved a muscle since he agreed to show the knight around, as if one wrong move would wash away his false calmness.
A silence filled the room, one Tsukasa wasn't sure how to break.
Luckily for him, Akito did.
"Your highness..?"
Tsukasas head shot up, meeting Akitos eyes for a second time. "Y-yes?"
"Are you feeling alright..? You seem a bit... anxious." Akito cautiously walks closer.
"I'm— I'm great!" Tsukasa laughs, swallowing harshly. "Wh-why don't we start the tour, yes?" He turns and starts heading to the door.
Hesitantly, Akito nods and follows his lead.
It was awkward, to say the least. The first five minutes consisted of Tsukasa simply trying to calm himself down.
The worst part was that he didn't even know why he was feeling this way! Yes, Akito was an extremely good looking man, but he's seen plenty of those! He even considered Rui fairly attractive after they grew closer! Well, when he's not causing trouble in the square.
But he's never felt like this.
He's never felt hot, nervous, and overall just bashful around another man before!
Maybe he should ask Toya later...
"Your highness, look out!"
Before he could react, he was being pulled to the side by Akito, the knights hand wrapped securely around his arm. Seconds later, a stray carriage comes tumbling by them right where Tsukasa had just been waking.
Tsukasa stares completely wide-eyed as he slowly processes what was happening, the sound of screaming from citizens flooding his ears along with wooden crashes.
"Are you alright, your highness?" Akito questions, examining the princes body for any injuries.
"I..." Tsukasa blinks. "I'm... I'm okay..." he exhales. "Y-you?" He locks eyes with the knight once more.
"I—" Akitos breath hitches before he glances away, clearing his throat. "I'm alright, yes."
Suddenly, Tsukasa realizes the gravity of what just happened. Like a switch flipped, all of his awkwardness disappears as he looks around in a panic and frees himself from Akitos grip.
"I-is anyone injured?!" He calls out. Whatever he was feeling was completely tossed to the side, his role as prince and the citizens protector fronting instantly.
"Y-yes, over here!" One concerned mother yells, waving the two over.
They follow quickly behind.
Now, yes, Tsukasa is a prince. But that doesn't mean he sits around and does nothing! As a matter of fact, due his sister being sickly as a child, he learned basic medical training in case anything ever happened to her. From then, he learned to patch up wounds, tie a tourniquet, and even how to readjust a dislocated shoulder.
Each Tenma child has their own special skill. Tsukasa is well educated in first-aid and performing, Toya is a master when it comes to music, and Saki has a very sharp eye with floral arrangements and decorations.
They can't just be spoiled royalty, can they?
After a few moments of running, they arrive at the patient, the carriage driver. He was absolutely frantic— apologizing to everyone and everything.
"Y-your highness— I-I'm— I'm deeply s-sorry— I didn't mean f-for this to happen—! Pl-please don't lock me up—!" He grabs Tsukasas hand, begging for forgiveness.
"Sir, please relax." Tsukasa kneels in front of him. "I am not upset. You may have nearly hit me and my knight, but this was clearly an accident, no?"
"I-it was, yes! M-my horse came loose an-and I fell from the mountain path, I—"
"Sir," Tsukasa calmly interrupts. "It's alright. I need you to tell me where you're injured."
The man swallows harshly and takes a few deep breaths. "M-my leg, your highness..."
"Mind if I take a look?"
The man nods and Tsukasa gently moves some broken wooden boards from the mans leg, revealing the injury.
While other citizens gasp and cover their children's eyes, Tsukasa decides to give Akito his first order.
"Sir Shinonome," he calls out, getting Akitos attention immediately. "Please clear the area. Children should go home until this is dealt with."
As expected, Akito complies. He replies with his required line and quickly ushers the remaining families and children home until just a few unphased citizens remain to clean the destroyed carriage. Once those around make it clear that the injury doesn't shock them, Akito returns to the princes side, watching him with a close eye.
Tsukasa was calmly yet efficiently cleaning out the wound with his personal medical kit he carries around, wrapping the wound with the limited supplies he has.
"Unfortunately this as all I can do with what I have." He completes his work and helps the man stand. "You need to get a doctor to finish it up from here." He hands the patient off to a nearby friend of the man, letting him be the one to bring him there.
"Th-thank you your highness..!" The man bows deeply. "I promise to pay off any damages I caused!"
"Don't worry about that," Tsukasa denies with a small smile. "Go on and get that checked, okay? The sooner the better."
"Y-yes, your highness..!" The rest of the onlookers follow along with the duo to make sure they find the doctor safely.
Once they were alone once more, Tsukasa lets out a heavy sigh as he wipes off his hands.
"That... was quite impressive, your highness." Akito comments. "I had no idea you knew how to do such a thing."
Now that Tsukasa had calmed, the awkwardness came shooting back. "Ah... yes." He chuckles. "My sister was a sickly child, so I learned those skills if I were to ever need them for her." They slowly continue walking towards the knights chambers.
"Well... I think it's very respectable." Akito compliments.
Tsukasa swore his heart was doing backflips at the knights words.
Yeah, he definitely needs to ask Toya about this. Hell, maybe even Rui.
"Th-thank you, Sir Shinonome."
Akito hums and nods in agreement and slowly, very slowly, Tsukasa got more comfortable around him. He would occasionally point out random landmarks to help him remember where he is, and even went on a small rant on how they were originally going to build the local school out of one material but scrapped it just weeks before building!
Did Akito care?
No, probably not. He was likely only 'interested' because it was his job.
But... Tsukasa could accept that.
He thinks.
"And, finally, this is where you and the other knights live!" He beams, gesturing his arm to a fairly large building. "Your room should already be made up, if I'm correct."
"Right, Lady Akiyama mentioned that to me this morning as I arrived." Akito confirms.
"Oh, perfect!" Tsukasa beams. "Well... I guess... is there anything you need before you head to settle in?"
"Hm..." Akito hums in thought. "I mean... you're allowed to call me my first name, if you'd like."
Tsukasas eyes widen. "Are you sure? But, you're a royal knight. That'd be highly disrespectful."
"I'm sure." The knight nods. "I'm not exactly... one for formalities. Plus, his majesty asked that we bond, I think first names is a good way to start, don't you, your highness?"
Tsukasa chuckles. "Then, you're free to call me Tsukasa as well."
Akito stands straight. "But— you're the crowned prince."
"What happened to first name bonding, hm?" The prince teases with a laugh. "I'll call you Akito if you call me Tsukasa."
"Ah..." Akito quietly growls in his throat. He hates when his own words are used against him and actually make sense. Calling a prince— or any royalty for that matter— by their first name is typically extremely disrespectful.
But... Tsukasa is asking him to. It... isn't rude if it was requested, right?
"Alright... but— allow me to at least call you Sir or something... just your name at the moment seems a bit..." he trails off, but Tsukasa understands.
Chuckling, Tsukasa nods. "Sure, I'll allow that. I... look forward to getting to know you, Akito." The prince smiles.
"You as well, Ts-Tsukasa... Sir." Akito shakes his head in embarrassment.
With that, they separate for the day. Judging by the slow darkening of the sky, Tsukasa guessed they had to have been out nearly all day.
Toya should be home... right?
He rushes back to find out.
He needs to talk to someone about this— someone who would understand.
As he arrives, he immediately makes a beeline for Toyas room. As he lifts his arm to knock, however... he pauses. From the other side of the door, a conversation was heard.
"My dearest, while I know how much you adore indulging in your books before bed, they won't make your nightly headaches nor your insomnia go away." It was Ruis voice first. It was much more flowy and smooth than it usually is, a type of speech he uses strictly with Toya.
"I know, but—"
"Ah ah ah, darling," Rui cuts the prince off. "Drink this first, yes? We can't have the youngest prince being sick, now can we?"
Tsukasa heard Toya sigh before what he assumes to be a glass being placed on a wooden surface.
"Wonderful~! Now, why don't we head to sleep?"
"Could I at least finish this chapter first? Please, love?" Toya quietly asks, voice bordering on begging.
"I suppose..." Rui lets out his typical dramatic sigh. "After that, you get some proper rest. Okay, my dear?"
"Yes, sir~" Toya chuckles, then a page turning ended the conversation.
With a sigh of his own, Tsukasa lowers his arm. He can't disrupt them when they're spending such precious time together... that'd be rude.
He decides he'll just ask them tomorrow and heads to his own room for the night.
'Tomorrow' soon turned into nearly three months.
Akito and Toya clicked with each other almost instantly in the following days, often discussing music and other hobbies during Akitos time off.
While Tsukasa?
He felt like he was dying.
After a month, he finally figured out what the hell was wrong with him after yet another royal ball where he just couldn't keep his eyes off Akito no matter how hard he tried.
He's in love with him.
There was no doubt about it anymore.
He just doesn't know what to do from here. The expectation is that he marries a woman and continues the family line... how was he supposed to do that if he likes men?!
Well... he could always just... lie. He could just pick some princess at random and pretend he loves her.
But... that wouldn't be fair to her, would it?
"Your hi— Tsukasa..?"
Tsukasa nearly jumps from his seat at the dining table. Only one person talks like that. Even after three months, Akito still slips up when speaking to Tsukasa. Saying his name just seemed so inappropriate, but he's trying.
His eyes slowly drift over to the voices owner. "Y-yes, Akito?" He didn't even know Akito was in the dining hall! When did he get there?!
"Is everything alright?" The knight questions. "You've seemed a little sad lately."
"Ah..." Tsukasas eyes fall back to his untouched plate of eggs. "I'm alright. I've just... had a lot to think about, that's all."
"Is it about the princess meetings?"
When Tsukasas grip on his fork tightened, Akito knew he was right. He noticed Tsukasa grow increasingly uncomfortable with every meeting, and could tell it was stressful for him.
"Well..." he continues. "I'm sorry it's causing you such distress. I'm sure you'll find the right one soon enough." He gives the prince a respectful smile from his spot.
Tsukasa sighs, pushing his plate to the side, the item immediately being taken by the maid and sent to be cleaned. "I suppose so..." his head hits the back of the chair, his arms crossed. "What if I can't, though?"
"Why wouldn't you be able to?"
Tsukasa bites his lip. He can't just tell Akito he's in love with him! That's even more inappropriate than using his first name!
So, he shrugs. "I don't know... perhaps I'm just... incapable of loving someone."
"Hm," Akito hums, walking up to him and placing a strong hand on his shoulder. "Well, I hope someone will come around and prove that wrong."
Tsukasa glances over at him, their eyes locking. He felt the hand on his shoulder flinch slightly at the sudden eye contact, but remained in its place.
They weren't sure how long the silent shared gazes lasted, but Akito sucks in a harsh breath and turns away first, retracting his hand. "W-well—" he clears his throat, "I... I have training soon, so— I'm... I'm gon— going to get going..." For a moment, his natural accent and vocabulary slips out, something Tsukasa secretly adored.
"Oh... right." The prince gives a small wave. "Don't let me keep you. G-good luck with training, Akito."
"Right... thank you, y— Tsukasa..."
Just like that, Akito rushed out and headed to the knights training area.
Immediately, Tsukasas face falls into his palms.
He's absolutely hopeless, isn't he?
"My, that's a look unfitting for the crowned prince, isn't it?"
Tsukasa looks up with another sigh, glaring at the source of such words.
"Rui, I'm having a crisis here." He whines, letting his head fall to the table. "I'm telling Toya you're being mean to me."
"Ah— please don't." Rui awkwardly chuckles. "He won't kiss me for a week if you do that."
"Good," the prince groans. "I don't know what to do, Rui..."
The sorcerer pulls up a chair and places himself beside Tsukasa. "Care to share your troubles? Perhaps I could help."
Tsukasa shrinks in his seat. He wanted to ask about this months ago! Would Rui even understand? Surely he had to, right? He's in a relationship with a man— another prince, even!
What's the worst that could happen, right?
So with a bothered sigh, he admits something he never thought he would.
"I think... I think I'm in love with the new knight..."
"Oh," Rui sits straight. "That... is certainly not what I was expecting..."
"I don't know what I'm supposed to do." Tsukasa brings his arms up, using them at a pillow under his head. "I— I can't fulfill my duty as at the eldest son if I don't even like women. Not to mention he's a knight! It's highly unprofessional to be romantically involved with your employees!" He exhales. "I'm just so... stuck right now."
Ruis hand soon lands on the princes back, rubbing comforting circles between his shoulder blades. "I'm sorry..."
The duo sits in silence for a few moments, letting Tsukasa simply try and think.
"Kami— oh, here you are... hm?"
Glancing over, Rui saw the youngest prince enter the room. "Hello, love."
"Hello..? Is everything alright in here?" Toya quickly joins his brother side as well.
"Tsukasa seems to be... having a romantic problem."
"Oh?" Toya tilts his head. "What do you mean?"
"May I tell him?" Rui leans to Tsukasa on the table, getting a small nod in response. Sitting back up, Rui confesses what Tsukasa told him just minutes prior.
Toya quietly gasps as the words leave his lovers mouth. "Oh... that's less than ideal..."
"What should I do?" Tsukasa mumbles into his arms.
"I'm... not entirely sure, to be honest." The younger sighs. "With Kamishiro and I, things were a bit different..."
Finally, Tsukasa sits up, his distress showing clearly through his face. "I can't tell him... can I?" Tsukasa looks at Toya, his eyes glassy with threatening tears.
Toya glances at the sorcerer for a moment before returning his gaze to his brother. "I... don't know."
With that, the olders head fell into Toyas chest, tears winning the battle as they pour from his eyes.
He's never felt so utterly lost before.
He didn't know what he was feeling, what he was supposed to do, or even what he wants anymore.
All he knew was that it absolutely sucked.
The couple comforted him they best they could before Tsukasa nearly passed out from sheer exhaustion as they helped him back to his bedroom.
Once they made sure he was comfortable in bed, they left him alone to get some rest.
As he lies curled up under his covers, he had only one thought in his mind: he cannot let this feeling show.
Nobody can know about it.