Chapter Text
Hanabusa's eyes flickered around; first to Kaname, then to whatever else was nearby, and back to Kaname again. Kaname told him he could stare, but it always felt like he was intruding on…something.
The king wore a beautiful white dress made of the finest quality silk. His hair was down to his upper back, and his lips were plump and red. He wasn't growing as much as he ought to, so he was slightly shorter than he should've been and had a slender figure as well. His skin was pale and clear, but to the point of near fragility. It was a far cry from the growing young man he used to be, but Kaname never changed what he's done. Not since then.
He had a strict routine to maintain his beauty, and Hanabusa was there to guard him at all times…not that he thought the king really needed it. Kaname was more than strong enough to handle himself, but he'd always tell Hanabusa to watch over him, and Hanabusa wouldn't argue. He was there to watch over Kaname's every breath.
His king was always so solemn, even the simple task of doing his makeup seemed like a burden, yet he did it anyway. Hanabusa wasn't sure why the king kept his appearance so much if it made him so miserable, he was always lovely regardless. Or, actually, Hanabusa did know why, but… Well, he wouldn't think about it. At least, not so openly.
In this picture perfect castle with blooming roses as far as the eye can see, this was their everyday life.
“Big brother,” Yuki squealed with delight, “you're finally out to play!” Kaname smiled back half heartedly and held his arms out for his sister to hug him. “You always take so long!”
“Yes yes,” Kaname chuckled, “sorry for being such a slow big brother.”
Hanabusa followed out the door after Kaname, who picked his sister up and signed for his guard to follow him. It was time for breakfast now, and Hanabusa would guide them to the dining room as usual. Passing through the large portrait of what used to be a full family, the three were quiet and slightly distant, little Yuki being the only one starting up conversations.
Hanabusa would entertain her sometimes, but he didn't really know what to say to her. She was much younger than the two of them, and her frame of mind was difficult to follow (little girls were a bit of a silly chore). It was even worse whenever Kaname was nearby, he always looked like a silent time bomb. It really did look like he was going mad…
Not that Hanabusa could think of such a thing. He just got hired here… and to the prestigious Kuran family to boot. Who cared if the king was less than sound? He was still his idol and the whole reason he agreed to be a butler for this family despite his high status, he was prideful in that, but it was still odd. He was one of the new workers that got hired a year after the Kuran Tragedy, and there had long since been rumors about how the death of his parents made the new king slowly lose his mind.
Hanabusa stuck by him shortly after being hired, and despite what he wanted to believe, he could see it for himself. The wonderful prince he saw during those meetings his father had wasn't the same anymore. His eyes lost their shine and he constantly looked like he wasn't even existing with the world around him.
“Aido,” Kaname called out, “is something the matter?”
“Ah…no your Majesty! I was just lost in my own thoughts. You know me…”
“...I see,” Kaname quickly lost interest, “hurry up then, you'll feel better after something to eat.”
“And then we can play with Sir Zero!” Yuki chirped.
“Wouldn't that be swell?” Kaname replied.
Yuki nodded her head and started shuffling in Kaname's hold, signifying that she wanted him to let go. It took him a while, but eventually he loosened his grip and let her sprint over to the table of sweets. Once Yuki was gone, his listlessness came back in full as he signed for Hanabusa to walk him to the table. The blond did as he was told and took him by the hand, pulling him along to eat as well.
Kaname had to be fed, or else he wouldn't eat. It was times like that where he'd be surprisingly stubborn. He skipped his meals regularly to work on something else, so Hanabusa took on the role of feeding him everyday. It was awkward, unpleasant. The castle was so large and silent, without Yuki the two didn't say much of anything to each other. Hanabusa desperately wanted to say something–ever since his first day–but his words always fell short. Kaname had become untouchable, and little by little, Hanabusa rarely spoke unless spoken to, but he never gave up. Kaname would always talk to him eventually.
“I'm full,” Kaname pursed his lips, “don't feed me anymore.”
“Yes, your Majesty. Would you like me to get Yuki for you?”
“I don't want to see her now, I want to see my mother.”
“The grave, or the portrait?”
“...the portrait, please. I'd like to see my progress.”
Hanabusa nodded and went to grab Kaname's hand again, leading him to the portrait they previously passed. It was a beautiful picture, the whole family looked wonderful here. Haruka, Juri and the siblings all together in a wholesome setting of roses. There was another person there, but the face was painted over.
Kaname analyzed the picture and felt up his own body as he did, turning to Hanabusa after careful speculation, “do I look like her?”
The usual question popped up again and Hanabusa answered it quickly, “well…of course you do. You are her son after all!”
“I suppose I have been making progress, but my hair should be longer, right?”
“You'd match her and Yuki, yes.” Not that you need to change...
“...and I don't have my father's eyes, correct?”
Hanabusa looked back up to the portrait, “no, your eyes are much more red. That's something only Yuki inherited.”
Kaname looked back up at the portrait, more pleased than before, “thank you for your input.”
“Yes, of course,” Hanabusa blushed at the sight of his king happier, “but if I may ask, must you do this everyday?”
Kaname only nodded and stared back at the portrait for a few more seconds before wandering off to the main entrance, leaving Hanabusa scrambling a little to grab his hand again. The knocking was loud, aggressive, and exactly like a certain someone.
Kaname opened the door and clasped his hands together, “welcome back, Kiryuu.”
Zero didn't know why he was here at all. As a mix of hunter and vampire, he didn't really have anything going for him. No side would accept him, and he found society increasingly more cruel and difficult to navigate. Not that he was a quitter. He spat in the face of every man and woman that'd look at him funny, and did as he pleased regardless.
Then, he finally found a stable job, to work as a butler for the Kuran household. He didn't want to go crawling to a filthy pureblood, but if it gave him secure housing and pay, he could swallow his pride and deal with it. Plus, it would help with his vampiric issues and need for blood. So, he did it. He got the job and promptly moved in, ready to hate every second of it.
That's why he was here, holding a delivery for the king of vampires, who looked ever so delighted he was here. “It came back sooner than expected, thank you.” Kaname quickly opened the package to check for its contents, “it's even in good quality.”
Zero didn't respond, he couldn't really stand to see the king like this. Not because he hated him–that was rather hard these days–but because it was rather depressing. Zero looked into the box full of pretty dresses and clothes, tailored specifically for Kaname and his needs, and sighed to himself silently. Zero never understood why the pureblood was so particular about himself, it bothered him deeply. If an immortal man cared so much, what about the rest of them? What did it say about the man?
Everything about this job bothered him. His view of vampires kept switching and swinging over and over again, his view of this pureblood was betraying him. He went in ready to hate something, someone, and yet he found himself secretly fretting over his man more and more. “Yeah yeah, I did my job just like you asked. It's not anything new.”
“And you always do it well,” Kaname said. “I'll be in my room for the remainder of the morning. Please keep Yuki company, I'll play with her in the afternoon. I'd like you to do the same, Aido, I need no further assistance.”
“Yes, your Majesty,” Zero gave a curt nod and entered the castle, waiting for Hanabusa to do the same until Kaname left for his room. He stumbled slightly without Hanabusa's hand, but gracefully played it off. The two watched until he was far from earshot, and Zero spoke again, “he's getting worse…”
Hanabusa bit his lips nervously, “he'll get better, I'm sure he will… he's just in mourning. Anyone would be a bit razzled after such an incident.”
Zero thought back to himself and his own experience with losing his family. It was during his early childhood, so he had more time to deal with it than Kaname's more recent loss, but it was obvious this wasn’t healthy. It felt dangerous, paralyzing. But to be ensnared in this grief, was that really all it was? It wasn't impossible, but…
“Well, Yuki is waiting for us! I'm sure she'll be excited to see you,” Hanabusa brightened falsely. “Let's get moving.” He hurried off towards the dining room and left Zero to follow him, and Zero couldn't help but wonder what he signed up for back then.