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When a prince becomes the target of constant assassination attempts, standing at the center of political warfare that he can't even fight back in since he has not yet taken the throne, his knight must stay vigilant and protect him at all costs. Prince Tsukasa, and his knight, Akito, are caught in an unending dance of thrown weapons and bloodshed, all in an attempt to get rid of the prince and destroy his kingdom. Akito will do anything to protect his prince, and Tsukasa wishes he could protect his knight in return.
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Tsukasa had been attacked again. A man from another kingdom managed to catch Tsukasa and Akito off guard as they took a stroll in the palace garden, lunging to attack Tsukasa with a dagger. Not the smartest idea, since he did it in broad daylight, but he certainly still got too close for comfort. How had no one seen him sneak into the palace? Akito got his sword out before Tsukasa could even tell what was happening. The attacker's dagger still sliced Akito's arm, but did not come close enough to hurt the prince. Akito didn't even bat an eye at his new wound, just focused on getting this man away from Tsukasa and into the dungeon.
The next chunk of time was a blur to Tsukasa, and now he sits in his room, still shaken up. No matter how much he tries to act like these attacks don't bother him, they certainly do. It's less about his own preservation, and more about the fact that his death would shake the kingdom to its core, his sister would be forced to be heir to the throne, and would become the primary target for attacks just like him, and-
Perhaps Tsukasa is thinking too hard.
Akito is sitting nearby, looking at the bandages wrapped tightly around his new wound. Tsukasa feels that familiar crushing guilt he always feels when Akito gets hurt. He can tell Akito is deep in thought, too, by the way he doesn't move, simply staring at his arm. Finally, though, he lifts his head and meets Tsukasa's gaze. Tsukasa hates what he sees.
In Akito's beautiful eyes lies an undeniable look of fear. Of course he's afraid too! Tsukasa shouldn't be surprised. With the increasing frequency of assassination attempts, it's only natural they'd both be feeling afraid. Both of them think the other is only thinking about themself.
In reality, they're thinking of each other.
Neither of them want to lose the other. Yes, it is Akito's job to protect the prince, but it is so much more than that. Neither of them could handle losing each other. It goes unspoken, though, only communicated in caring glances.
Akito had been staring at his new wound because it could've been Tsukasa's wound, had he not been fast enough. He let that attacker get far too close. He is far from just a knight-in-training at this point, he should've been paying more attention. But he had been selfish, focusing only on Tsukasa's smile as they walked through the garden. Now Akito won't be able to return to the garden without checking every single spot to make sure no one is hiding there. He can't keep letting himself be distracted. his feelings for the prince are ridiculous, anyway.
Tsukasa is thinking of how he'd vowed to himself to learn fighting techniques, to protect himself and take some of the burden off of Akito. But clearly, he hadn't been training enough, or learning quickly enough. He needs to do more. At this point, if only his parents would allow it, he'd dismiss Akito as his personal knight and put him in a safer position. He'd still be part of the guard, though, so he'd still be in danger, just away from Tsukasa. There's no good solution. He's so frustrated and scared. He just wants to keep the man he loves safe, along with every other person he cares about.
The two of them look into each other's eyes, so many unspoken thoughts reflected in their gazes. Tsukasa eventually gestures for Akito to come closer, and Akito obeys. Much to Akito's surprise, Tsukasa brings the bandaged part of Akito's arms to his lips, gently kissing the covered wound. it immediately sends a shiver down Akito's spine, and his cheeks flush red. Tsukasa has kissed his hand once or twice before, but this is different, far more intimate, and Tsukasa's uncharacteristic silence is only adding to Akito's confusion. He waits for an explanation, but it doesn't come. Tsukasa only stares at him, his eyes carrying a level of concern that makes Akito feel as though he's being treated like a prized, fragile treasure. He should hate being seen as fragile, because he is not at all fragile, but he cannot deny the way Tsukasa's gaze makes his stomach feel like it's been turned upside down.
Despite how reckless and informal it is, Akito lets his instincts lead him, leaning down and resting his forehead against Tsukasa's. he closes his eyes, and the prince does too. They stay there, like that, for a while. It's calm, silent other than the sounds of their breathing mixing together, and it's what they both need. There's an unspoken desire for more contact, to move closer, but this is enough for now.
Eventually, Tsukasa wordlessly pulls Akito down onto the bed, wrapping his arms around him. This is new, unfamiliar, yet feels natural. They've shared the bed before, on nights when Akito is too injured and exhausted to move himself to his own bed, or to protest Tsukasa's insistence on taking care of him, but they've never really "cuddled" or gotten close like this, for fear of going beyond a point of no return. So as Tsukasa holds Akito in his arms, Akito reciprocates, despite his mind screaming that he should move away and stop himself from falling into self-indulgence. But he can't deny his prince.
So, that night, they fall asleep in each other's arms, dreaming of what could be if fate was just a tad bit kinder.