Lion's claw strikes swift

Owl forgets the sky's embrace

Flight's memory fades 

Ogiwara, for once, has agreed with him. Now, he has returned to his chamber, most likely still deep in prayer.

Tetsuya shakes his head, the wind tousling his long hair. It's not as if he doesn't believe in a higher power. He is not a heathen like Akashi. That's a secret only he and the Crown Prince share. He simply wants to see solid attestation, and by then, he might fall to his knees and say his prayers like Ogiwara does every morning and every night.

Ignoring the chilling wind, Tetsuya unfolds the paper the Crown Prince has left. He did it so subtly that it is no wonder Ogiwara did not notice the simple exchange that occurred before him.

The words, 'The Mouth of the Lion', are scrawled across a page of neatly folded, red paper.

To keep his blood flowing, Tetsuya shifts his weight from his left foot to his right. One benefit of living in the North is growing accustomed to the cold. Yet, they are still humans and have to remain mobile to stave off the chill.

If he weren't born and raised in the north, he might have found it strange that it is already spring, and yet the winter seems to be still lingering. But this is Fushogane. Even the summer season has a tinge of unforgiving coldness.

The air around him is crisp. He shudders as the wind knifes through his clothes. Despite its bite, his breath puffs out into nothingness, leaving small clouds in front of his face.

His body thanks him as he starts walking, hair whipping wildly until he deftly ties it. As a Dancer, multitasking is second nature to him. 

When he reaches the Royal Garden's iron door, he disappears into the shadows cast by the enormous tree on the left and climbs silently. He has no desire to speak with the guards or prove that he has been summoned. After all, what would they think if he was expected to meet the Crown Prince at this hour?

He climbs higher till he can see over the stone wall that surrounds the garden. As he makes it to the top of the tree trunk, his fingers find a big hole where a loose branch has fallen and now allows him to squeeze through.

Carefully, his eyes scan for any movement. Aside from the usual night sounds, the garden is quiet and still.

The faint glow of the lanterns allows him to make out the tall pillars and the main door's scarlet arches through the shadows.

Tetsuya balances on the thick branch and then scales down its trunk. Grateful for the lush grass that carpets the ground in every direction, he silently praises its ability to muffle his footsteps. He grimaces. Sometimes the Royals do not think thoroughly. No one should question why they die one by one when they are too stupid to care. Certainly not Akashi, though. He has chosen their rendezvous for this specific reason.

The grass is still wet from the rain that fell last night, but it does help to dampen his steps.

The birds have gone silent. It's almost eerie.

Avoiding the stone bridge to evade detection, Tetsuya swiftly leaps between patches of verdant foliage and rocky terrain. The last thing he needs is a guard to hear him coming.

There, on the pavilion, is their kingdom's Crown Prince. He's wearing a burgundy robe with the traditional six claws circling his back, symbolising the six deities. Atop his head, a little golden lion crown shines, its ruby eyes gleaming even from a distance. His crimson hair is bound in a low ponytail befitting his noble status. He stands alone; no one else is within sight.

Tetsuya leaps with the grace of a true dancer. The tips of his toes barely kiss the ground. When Akashi first saw him, his eyes bore down to Tetsuya's feet, as if they were more interesting than his hair or eyes.

His hands are small and delicate; like a bird's talons. Tetsuya's feet move as if guided by some unseen force that glides him where others may falter. One day, the Crown Prince told him, "It's like watching someone fly."

"A good evening to you once again, Your Highness," he says once he is at the top of the pavilion's stairs.

Akashi turns, his face visibly relaxing when their eyes meet. "Ah, Tetsuya. I feared the night's mist had claimed you."

"I apologise. I had to ensure my brother returned to his chamber safely. I guarantee that this will not happen again." He bows, and as he does, he notices mud stains on Akashi's shoes, particularly on the side of the leather sole. He keeps his face neutral as he stands up straight. Akashi must have stepped on the edge of the lake.

"I was afraid you had forgotten about me," Akashi says, giving a tired smile. Truthfully, Tetsuya does not understand why the Crown Prince even tries. It is not as though he is required to do that.

Tetsuya gives a light shake of his head. "That will never be true, Your Highness. I am your Eye, and Eyes are always attached to their Face."

"Enough with formalities. It is just the two of us. Why, you could impale me right here, right now, and no one would notice. And who would blame a meek Dancer such as you are?"

When he does not answer, Akashi dismissively waves his hand. "Ignore my jest, then. Perchance I will never be as waggish as my cousin, Hayama."

"You were testing me, my Crown Prince. You wanted to see my reaction. Alas, I'm afraid I have no intention of ever betraying you."

"Such loyalty."

"The reason why I have been summoned, Your Highness."

"Ah, always direct as ever. Come near me, will you? Why are you always so far from me?" Akashi gestures to him with a flick of his wrist.

 He dips his head and approaches Akashi, eyes cast down.

"This is not the time for formality," the Crown Prince says, clicking his tongue. He lifts Tetsuya's chin and their gazes meet once more. Though Akashi lacks the towering stature of his cousins, anyone would seem taller next to Tetsuya's small frame. He can see that in the coming years, Akashi will grow taller. He will keep looking down on Tetsuya.

"It is so fine to see you well. I wonder what the Kingdom of Azure Dragon will do with you. Will you be treated as a pariah just like you have been here?" Thankfully, Akashi withdraws. He turns his back, clamps his hand on the post support as he exhales. "I have been thinking about that cupbearer's wish. It is not an impossible request. I can surely persuade my father. Yet I sense your reluctance. So whose wish shall I grant?"

"Forgive my boldness, but please...grant mine. It would be unwise to indulge my brother's desire, for his heart remains untainted. I shall not allow anything to corrupt its purity."

"Now, is that how you talk about your sworn brother? You are Tetsuya, though, so I trust your judgement is sound. Tell me again why you love him so dearly. "

Again. Why does His Highness want to hear the same story he has told many times? Tetsuya is too drained to recount it from the beginning.

"I saved him from drowning. He saved me from burning." That is the shortest version of the story. Even if the Crown Prince insists on him elaborating, he will do anything to resist.

"Ah, you do not feel telling me the story. I am sorry, Tetsuya. I simply need to comprehend the situation before I make my decision. I hope you understand." An odd case of a royal apologising to a servant. As far as Tetsuya knows, Akashi, again, only does it to him.

"My apologies, once again, my Crown Prince. I—"

"Yes, I am your Crown Prince. And you are my...Tetsuya." Akashi advances towards him. Unlike Tetsuya, his shoes create a loud tapping sound against the floor.

Akashi keeps going until Tetsuya has no choice but to press his back against the handrail. Until there is no space left between them.

Tetsuya clutches the railing as he fights to catch his breath.

The Crown Prince is so close, that he can count his eyelashes, feel his breath against his nose, and feel the irregular heartbeat against his chest.

I can fall. I can make it look like I have lost my footing, and then I will— his thoughts get cut off when Akashi encircles his arm around his waist.

For a split second, he wonders if he is dreaming, but his heart stutters in response to the sudden rush of blood flooding his ears. This is no dream.  

 "Now, do not ever think of slipping away from me." Has His Highness read his mind? No, that cannot be. He does not show his emotions outwardly. It's just too risky, particularly in front of the Crown Prince. He must not let him know what stirs his heart. "Even if you are in another kingdom, I will never leave you. So never worry, my Tetsuya. Nothing can ever go wrong."

They stay pressed close together, watching each other, waiting for anything to happen. Akashi's breath touches his neck. Tetsuya tries not to shudder. He fails. It must have been the cold wind of the north.

"No, not yet," Akashi says, shaking his head. Finally, he lets go of him. "I shall think this over. Return to your chamber at once. Do not accompany me. I can find my way."

Tetsuya bows. "As you wish, Your Highness. I shall depart and leave you in peace."

His heart is still palpitating when he returns to the Dancers' building. He slams his hand against his chest, begging his heart to slow down. If that was one of Akashi's tricks, he reluctantly concedes that it was successful. Anxiety thrums through him, but there is also a strange sensation that tingles his skin. He buries it, forcing himself to forget about it, reminding himself that this is for his safety.

He must never allow himself to feel that again.

From the corner of his eye, he sees Haizaki coming towards him. "A good evening to you, Haizaki."

The charcoal-haired boy scoffs. "Where have you been? Do you have any idea what's been the talk around here?"

When he frowns to indicate that he does not understand, Haizaki snorts so loudly that he might have as well chortled. "You call yourself his brother, and yet you are clueless."

His heart hammers hard again, and this time, it does not feel good. "What do you mean?"

"Ogiwara is to be publicly scourged in the morning."