The grin is odd, different for the man, but Akito is glad to see it all the same. He's just glad it wasn't a scowl or a nervous laugh marking him as uncomfortable with what the soldier had just said. His fingers lace together as he stretches them out, his own eyes wandering as he tries to figure out what else to say. Hiro however takes over that task and his gaze snaps back up to meet that of the prince. 'There is not reason for you to apologize Highness. You have done nothing wrong. . .' His brows furrow at this, but he murmurs a soft, “It is my pleasure.” as Hiro pauses for an instant.

The furrowed brow does not last long, the look of confusion giving way to a full blown flush as the prince declares him “cute”. He stares a long moment, looking for the joke, waiting for the tease, but as the prince fixes his hair he shows no indication of taking it back and Akito wishes he could vanish from the spot. 'I-I'm not cute. I'm plain, simple compared to him. He is one of the most beautiful men I have ever met, how could he. . . .He must be making fun of me, he can't be serious, I mean. . .I'm. . . .' His eyes go to his hands as he tries to handle the hard beating of his heart, a pace far stronger than it's ever been even in the din of battle or right before executing a mark.

He almost doesn't catch that Hiro is talking again, but clearing his throat softly he manages to pull himself out of his thoughts and pay attention to the man in front of him. More compliments come and he has to fight to keep his eyes off his hands, trying desperately to deny the prince's words without having to say the protests aloud. When he at last falls silent Hiro nibbles his lip lightly, trying to find some words to say rather than bolting.

The entrance of Hoko is welcome and he pets the creature softly as it munches the frog it caught peacefully on his lap. To delay a little longer Akito pulls a couple cups out of the bag and pours them both some light fruit juice. The smell of it brings a faint smile to his lips, the queen's consideration making him feel quite happy. She'd noticed that during meals he would never really drink the wine and instead would go for either the water or juice. She'd asked about it once and he'd explained that, with his line of work, he didn't want to risk developing the addiction to alcohol that many men had over the years.

After a few sips, he finally finds his voice again. He can't quite bring himself to meet Hiro's eye however and instead stairs at the prince's hands. “I have never considered myself particularly cute, so I thank you for the compliment even if I can not see the truth in it.” He doesn't want to call the prince a liar, but he does want him to know that the prince doesn't have to be nice and say things like that if he doesn't really believe it. “What with all the scars and half the time I'm a mess. . . .” he adds in a murmur. Taking a breath, his voice comes back up.

“I had never really taken to an imagining of you before hearing of the betrothal, however you are more beautiful than I imagined in those weeks it took to travel to the palace.” He shakes his head, a deep red still spilling across his cheeks. “I mean, I knew you would be beautiful. I heard some of the soldiers who had seen you talking about you, some assuring me I had “made a great catch”, but I guess it just wasn't real enough for me then to even begin really imaging much.” Jumping slightly he looks up at Hiro, worried. “Not that I think of you like that! I mean, you are amazing, and I am lucky to have the opportunity to wed you, but I don't see you as a kind of prize, though you are lovely and someone I am sure many would give all they have just to have your favor, but I'm not, I-I'm not, you're, I. . .” With true visible mortification Akito stutters to a halt, covering his head with both arms so that his face his hidden by his sleeves. He can feel the ground giving way beneath him as he digs his own grave with his words, and all he can think is he hopes the earth swallows him quickly so he doesn't have to die from his heart bursting from the embarrassment.

He didn’t miss Akito’s growing blush, but decided to spare Akito even more embarrassment than what he already felt. The silence draws on a little longer as he scratches behind one of Hoko’s ears and sips the juice that was brought along. However, Hiro was patient. He understood Akito had a harder time expressing his thoughts and unlike his father who was much more expectant of quick results, he wouldn’t pester him into speaking.

His eyebrow raised when Akito did begin to speak. Hiro was ready to reassure him that he was definitely cute but didn’t interrupt, not wanting Akito to become closed off and not talk anymore. However the slow speech soon became a spill of rambling and uncertainty that even caught Hiro by surprise for a few moments. “I-” He couldn’t quite get a word in to calm his betrothed down, so he waited until Akito was buried deep into his own arms, obviously regretting ever last bit of it.

Hiro stared at him for a few moments before smiling softly. Quietly, he shifted the box in between them out of the way and scooted a little closer to Akito. He moved slow, not wanting to frighten the man more than he already had been. Hiro tried to think of what to say, while Akito began to close himself off. “I’m glad you don’t think of me as some prize to be won.” He crossed his legs and looked up at the sky for a few moments. He loved the days like this one where the sky was clear and the breeze was forgiving, but he couldn’t help but like stormy days a bit more. “When I was younger, a little after my father was remarried, we went to see the neighboring kingdom. It was the same time the princess of that kingdom was finding a suitor. I remember hearing the men all talking about the princess as if she was just a pretty face to be bossed around. And, well, the princess thought the same. Wasn’t very tasteful in my opinion, but that’s how traditions work I guess.” He shrugged to himself, unsure of why he was telling Akito this. He wasn’t sure that would help ease his blushing, but it was something to get his mind off of it at least.

Glancing down at him, Hiro gently tapped Akito’s shoulder and smiled. “So, yeah. Thank you.” He had the urge to kiss the other to express his thanks, but he refrained, not wanting to give him a heart attack or something of the sort.

There is silence for several beats and Akito is quite sure that he's about to get smacked or something. He'd spoken too much, said such embarrassing things, he's sure that somehow he's offended the other man. Then, there is a shift, and he freezes completely, not even daring to breath. His finely tuned senses tell him that the prince is moving closer and he braces for an angry swing. His breath leaves him in a rush however as when at last Hiro speaks up and he can feel himself shaking slightly. 'He's. . . . .Glad?'

His arms settle completely atop his head, his face still hidden, as he listens to Hironori recount his trip to another country. He's a little lost for a moment as to why the man is bringing it up, but it soon becomes clear as he talks about how the princess was viewed, and how she viewed herself. 'It's never seemed right to me either. . .' He swallows, listening, hoping that this all means that he's no reason to let the earth take him. He can feel a little proud that the prince has never seen himself the same way, given that he must have known from the moment the war started that he would be forced to wed the “champion” of it. He flushes again, shaking his head mentally at the title given him for his actions during the war.

The touch to his shoulder makes him flinch, but he does eventually begin lowering his arms slowly, his cheeks still bright red behind the slightly ashamed look on his face. “It's always been a mystery to me why anyone would think that way. I mean, I know my company doesn't see women as lesser, and that they didn't mean any harm in what they said about you, but it's always felt, just, off, to even talk like that when it's clearly not what you actually think, you know?” He coughs, tucking his hands in opposite sleeves.

“I mean, I know several of them who have partners they want to get back to, and others that met women and men they have every intention of seeking out after the war, but the way they talk about both has always dependent on how they see themselves standing in the relationship, and it's just been odd. I mean, most of the time they'd talk about how they “scored a good one” but other times they were more humble and said stuff like “I can't believe such a person would take me” and, it's just so strange, you know?” He catches that he's rambling and clear his throat again.

“I know how the tradition goes, and that this is entirely not how it is for most people, and that it must have been no fun for you thinking you'd get someone like one of those men you'd met. But, I'm glad that you don't have to put up with that, even if it mean you have to put up with someone as plain and pathetic as I am.” He flushes deeper. “I mean, I babble, I freak out just being in the palace, and I can barely even speak around your parents, and I ramble on about silly things, and my partner keeps crawling all over you without warning, and I am so pathetic my own words make me wish I could vanish down the nearest hole. . .” He stares at his hands, still overly embarrassed but at least now he seems willing to talk. “You deserve someone better. . .” he adds in a whisper, sighing and looking off over the pond.

Hiro was a little relieved that Akito came out of ‘hiding’. If he had stayed, Hiro wasn’t sure what he’d do for the remainder of the trip. He remained quiet as Akito spoke, not wanting to interrupt and dispel his train of thought, however he would nod every so often to let him know he was paying attention.

It was rather baffling to know that the kingdom’s soldiers didn’t always think the same way tradition let on and now even he wondered why they felt it was something to partake in. Hiro remembered the first time Akito decided to run away and he was sent to fetch him. The soldiers had all stared, as he expected, Most were more concerned with why Akito came running back, but Hiro didn’t miss the comments of Akito being ‘lucky’ and things of that nature. Tradition was tradition he supposed. Hiro mentally sighed. ’At least this kingdom’s soldiers are less likely to be like that.’

The prince began to smile as Akito mentioned that he was glad that he ended up avoiding something like that, until of course Akito started rambling and putting himself down. Hiro couldn’t help but pout. “I don’t understand how you could think so low of yourself.” Hiro shifted to face Akito a bit more. He tapped Akito to get his attention, not wanting to spook him before he gently took his hands. Hiro offered a smile and waited for Akito to look at him. “You weren’t born to be royal. You weren’t built to be perfect. And that’s okay Akito. I don’t expect you to be perfect or get everything right on the first try. My first and only role was to learn how to be a prince. Outside those palace walls, I’d probably be more lost than I can imagine. You were trained as a soldier and you are good at what you do. You don’t have to be out in battle for me to see that. Just as I have to learn about new things, so do you.” Hiro paused and his gaze trailed to the side for a moment.

It wasn’t often he had to give pep talks, in fact it was rare, but with Akito it felt oddly necessary despite his little experience. “All of that stuff, it’s something you learn over time, you know? You’re being silly. Staying stuck in your own head won’t do you any good. You’re little mistakes are just that, little. Very minor. But you get worked up so fast and I never get the chance to say it’s okay.” Hiro chuckled and squeezed Akito’s hands. “It’s okay! I promise! You’re doing your best and that’s fine. You’ve been nothing but kind, understanding, and patient and that’s all I can ask of you. Honestly, well... that’s perfect for me.” He laughed again. “I will remind you of this until I run out of breath I promise you.”

After another brief pause, Hiro added. “If anything, just remember, there’s no need for you to be perfect in my parents’ eyes. I’m the one you’re marrying, not them.” Without much else to say, he decided to confirm it all with a quick kiss before pulling away and returning to his seat at Akito’s side to look at the pond. Hoko was much more entertaining to watch though as he began pouncing on bugs that the prince didn't see.

'Well, because, it's true?' He twitches slightly as Hiro taps him, turning his gaze on to the prince with his head tilted bashfully down. His eyes dart down however, his ears burning as he feels those soft hands slide into his own calloused ones. He swallows, his hands stiff and unsure of themselves. He slowly looks up at Hiro, obviously flustered. The prince tries to encourage him, assuring him that he was trained in his way, and Hiro his and there's nothing wrong with him not knowing how to be a royal. It's a comforting thought and he manages to relax a little, his fingers closing slightly. Not enough to be actually holding Hiro's hands in returns, but enough that he feels like an actual participant in the hand holding.

He feels pleased that Hiro doesn't seem disappointed by him and offers a bashful smile to the prince. It falls and he scrunches slightly as he's chided for his babbling, but he doesn't retreat completely. He doesn't mean to keep the other from talking, he's just used to being overridden when he's babbling if someone else wants to talk. He's unsure of how much more he can flush as Hiro tells him everything's alright, and feels his face must be bright as the sun as he says that he's “perfect for him”. His fingers twitch again and this time he's actually holding Hiro's hands properly, glad to have such a kind man trying so hard for him.

The progress is all lost however as moments later he feels soft lips on his own and his mind is completely wiped blank. He stares off at the blank space Hiro once occupied for a long minute, the back of his brain trying to process what just happened and give him some sense of reality once more. The conclusion it comes to is actually rather surprising and he lets out a slow breath, his blush becoming manageable. With everything Hiro said finally processed he looks to the man at his side – watching the playful Hoko on an “epic hunt” - and lets himself actually look at the man a bit and enjoy the sight.

He brings peace to his overstimulated body and lets himself move on impulse briefly. Turning to the side he wraps Hiro in a gentle hug, planting a feather light kiss on his cheek. He holds the other man for a beat before swiftly letting go and turning so that his back is pressed to Hiro's, his face once more flushed and his head trying to retreat into his neck. He knows it was something tiny, something children do with their parents, or sibling with one another, but for him, it is another step forward that he's never taken before, and his heart is now in his throat, wondering if he'll ever be able to breath again.

Luckily, the answer is yes and in a quite voice he murmurs, “Thank you H-Hiro. . .Your words are sweet. . .” Coughing, he shifts his shoulders comfortably against the taller man and reaches out to grab something to stuff in his mouth the pastry keeping him from rambling any more.

One moment he was watching Hoko and the next, even if only for a brief moment, he was in a gentle embrace. It didn’t take long for Akito to hide away, but nonetheless Hiro gave a content sigh. He would have happily laughed, but Hiro didn’t want him to think he was making fun of him. The soldier was finally relaxing and warming up to him. He was finally opening up- more or less. While Akito may have seen it as an embarrassment on his part, Hiro saw it as progress. It was slow progress, much different than what he was used to, considering he was used to getting things at the snap of his fingers. But it was an interesting change of pace and Hiro was willing to explore it.

The position they were in was comfortable so he decided not to move. Instead he followed Akito’s idea and explored the box to find what food was inside. He noticed a lot of the food in it wasn’t very suited for a proper picnic. In fact, it looked as if his mother picked sweets she was craving and told the chefs to put it in the box. It didn’t matter too much to Hiro because he spotted a few soft cookies and delightedly took two. While munching on them, he twirled his finger in the air and caused a small ball of flame to appear. The small flame gave him an idea.

While they were sitting back to back, Hiro began to create a few different things with his flame, all that could fit in the palm of his hand. The first one was a small butterfly that flew around their heads before disappearing. The next was a bird that did the same. He created a few more random creatures before turning his attention to Hoko who seemed to take interest as well.

“I don’t think Akito wants you playing with fire. It’s a dangerous you know.” He stopped the show to scratch behind Hoko’s ears and rest. As it fell quiet, and it did a few times, Hiro filled it with different stories of the neighboring kingdoms. He mentioned a four year old princess who was a delight to dance with, twin princes who weren’t the most friendly, and a few others he remembered from his childhood that they hadn’t gone to visit. He figured Akito would want to- or at least need to know some of the princesses and princes in the neighboring kingdom, though with his military training Akito probably knew where they were at least. Some of those royals would be coming to the ceremony and it was best to know how to act around them.

“Oh there’s also the- well,I doubt they’re showing up but the Cano Kingdom used to be close friends with my father if I recall correctly. My dad almost married me to the princess there when I was younger but then their king backstabbed my father...somehow. I don’t remember the full story, but the two went to war a long time ago and it wasn’t pretty. But, as I said, I highly doubt they would show up to our wedding ceremony.”

The now familiar crackle of Hiro's magic flame catches Akito's attention and he turns his head slightly to see it. He doesn't have to do this for long as within moment the fire is traveling past his face, making him smile softly. The small flame animals are quite beautiful to the ex soldier and he sighs contentedly as he watches them drift by. 'He is quite talented. Even if he was not a prince, he could very well take up a place in the court as a magician. Or an artist with magic. . . .' His head turns again as he hears Hiro addressing his little furry partner and he lets out a soft chuckle.

He turns back to face the grass and forest, listening to his betrothed talk about the people he's met and places he's been, recognizing things here and there from his own travels. He comments on this occasionally, but for the most part he just enjoys listening to the other man, a calm expression on his face. He really does love listening to people, but as Hiro especially seems to enjoy having somebody actually listening to him, he finds the act more. . .intimate, than when he was listening to the boisterous stories the other soldiers would tell about battles or “prowess”.

He grows stiff however at the mention of the ruler from the previous war, his father having fought in that one as well. He'd heard the stories, and while no war is pleasant, the one before this last one was particularly brutal. The idea of the man responsible being at the wedding sets him on edge and he begins plotting to map every inch of the palace the same way he used to when planning a hit. Despite Hiro's vote of confidence that he won't show up, it does nothing to quell Akito's natural protective instinct.

Not wanting to ruin the mood however he keeps his thoughts to himself and relaxes a little, letting out a long breath. “I have been trying to put the idea of a bunch of powerful people I don't know being around to see me make a fool of myself out of my mind.” he admits, ducking his head. “I mean, I know how to walk ceremony in the streets, but. . .I mean, we have practiced a bit, but, it has always been, when not working, that I am a bit of a nervous wreak around people. . .” He glances over his shoulder. “As you may have noticed.” Laughing softly at himself he coughs, ducking his head down again. 'Well, I'm going to keep being that way if I don't at least try. . .' Slowly, he reaches back with one hand and, ever so carefully, he locates his betrothed's hand and ever so gently laces their fingers together, sliding their hands out to the sides so they can keep sitting comfortably against one another's back. He is blushing furiously at this action, but he doesn't pull back or move away, trying to prove to himself that this will be a reality and he needs to accept it.

Akito’s revelation of things made the prince pause and thought for a few moments. Unfortunately there was no way he could save Akito. He couldn’t even save himself from the ceremony. They’d have no choice but to talk to the royal families, even if it was just a hello. Hiro echoes the laugh and turns his head slightly to the side. “We could always fake being sick. Although that would only postpone the wedding.” The fingers intertwining around his made him smile and he continued to hold Akito’s hand. “I don’t know how reassuring I can be when even I don’t want to be surrounded by them but,” He gave Akito’s hand a gentle squeeze. “Just stick close to me alright? I mean, two of us taking on the ‘royal court’ has got to be better than being alone, yeah?”

His gaze went towards the sky. It was getting a lot cloudier than before. “We can make sure neither of us run off to hide from the party. And, well, at least the food will be nice. And the music! Special occasions allways have the nicest musicians. I suppose that means there’d be dancing…” His voice trailed off before Hiro chuckled a little. “You wouldn’t happen to enjoy dancing would you?” He could only imagine Akito’s horror of not only being stared at on a dancefloor but also a fear of messing anything up in front of them. Hiro learned how to dance from his stepmother. It was something he enjoyed doing, unlike his father who had two left feet. “It’s okay if you don’t want to or know how. The trick to escaping that is sitting with my father. He’ll empathize with you and happily allow you to sit and watch others dance with him.”

A scheming smile formed on the prince’s face before he whistled a low note. “Or~ I could teach you if you want. I don’t mind. I think four days is enough time to learn basic dance steps. Well, three days and a half maybe. ” Hiro then shrugged and scratched his cheek and shrugged. “That is of course, on the assumption that you can’t. You could be a fine dancer for all I know.”

He was sure the next few days would have the two busy going over the ceremony, making sure they knew where to go and what to do. Hiro had to remind himself that he had to play along and not be so stubborn. Ceremonies like this were important and he wanted to stray away from stressing out his parents on the occasion.

'That's right. . . . .Neither of us really asked for all of this, and. . . .And he is willing to stand with me. He doesn't laugh at me, and, he keeps trying to support me, to help me become someone whom he will be proud to stand with before the masses. . .He is kind, and, he and I will. . . .We ill face this together' Taking a slow breath he looks sideways at their intertwined hands and his flush settles into a gentler feeling in his chest. He returns the squeeze, turning his eyes to the grass past his toes, just listening to the other man speak.

When the subject of dance comes up he does feel a bit awkward, but oddly enough, he's not worried about the dancing part. One of the skills he'd trained in to blend in when out on assignment was dance. While he's quite sure that it will be very different having so many people actively watching him dance rather than being a random person in a large crowd, he is sure he'll be able to psyche himself up for the act.

The offer to teach him makes him smile and he takes a steadying breath before responding. Just the thought of being the prince's partner has him in a tizzy. “I am actually rather acceptable a dancer. It helped with my job. . . .However, I. . .I would not mind some practice, so I can become familiar with what dances will be most common.” 'And get used to the idea of moving about the dance floor with you' Smiling over his shoulder he tries to appear confident, the expression ruined by a large rain drop falling on his cheek. Sneezing, he pulls his hand loose from Hiro's and wipes his cheek. “Looks like we should find some shelter.” he murmurs, looking up as the sound of rain falling into the pond grows louder and louder.

Looking towards the dark forest, he knows Hiro most likely doesn't want to head back right away so he motions towards the dry ground beneath the trees. “The canopy is thick enough, we could probably turn this picnic into a walk, if you don't want to go back to the palace right away.” Helping to pack away the food he holds the bag so Hiro can slip the strap easily over his head before taking the prince's hand and leading his towards the horse. His blush is slight, his determination to keep them out of the oncoming downpour giving him something to distract himself with and fight off the worst of the flush.

Once at the horse he unties the beast and leads the way off under the trees. The nature of them leaves the ground mostly free of debris and obstacles aside from the occasional fallen tree or small bush. He turns them so they are walking parallel to the palace some distance off, walking them towards the road that leads through the trees. It will take some time on foot to reach it and Akito sees it as a test of his willpower as he holds the reins on one hand, and his betrothed's hand in the other. The sound of the falling rain is soothing and with the downpour so nearby it almost feels a little strange to be walking across dry earth and leaf litter.

Hearing that Akito could actually dance was a bit of a surprise. “What? Why have I never heard of this? I am offended!” Kuro laughed as he spoke, obviously joking. “But, now I’d love to dance with you.” Before Hiro could get a response, he noticed rain falling on his leg. It wasn’t long before the rain began to pour heavier and heavier. “Hm. I think we should wait out the storm. At least until it lets up a little.” As the two, now three including the horse, were hurrying towards shelter, the rain only poured harder. “I don’t actually think we have much choice.”

The smooth path became dirt and leaves, making Hiro a little more attentive to wear he stepped. One hand held onto Akito’s while the other lifted his yukata a bit so it wasn’t hindering his step. He didn’t mind the rain whatsoever, but being stuck in the middle of a storm didn’t sound too good for his nor Akito’s health. Sure enough, the trees did provide a fine shelter for the three of them. “Would have never known. I’d end up getting lost or something.” He wasn’t speaking to anyone in particular, moreso just talking to talk. “Oh wait, where’d Hoko run off to?” The prince hadn’t seen the audrat as they hurried to shelter. At the sound of his name, Hoko peeked his head from Akito’s clothing, causing him to laugh. “Oh, good we got everything.”

Akito led them until he found a spot he believed was suitable to rest at. All the while, Hiro made sure he didn’t fall. When they stopped, he glanced around at the relatively small clearing and then looked above to see the trees creating a large umbrella to shield them. The covering was consistent throughout, but here it was easier to see without branches shielding the way. Hiro offered to tie the horse down. He knew how and Akito did it the first time. It wasn’t hard, especially considering the horse seemed to be grateful about waiting out the storm as well.

“So.” Hiro plopped into a sitting position, getting comfortable considering he wasn’t sure how long the storm would last. “Rain is nice.” He leaned back against a tree before correcting himself. “Well, listening to it is. I don’t usually go out in the rain.” He was almost sure his parents would be worried about the both of them and just hoped they wouldn’t be too frantic. Akito was perfectly capable and they weren’t too far, if he remembered the route correctly.

At the first few drops, Hoko had come to hide in his kimono and Akito gives a smile as he feels the critter poke his head out at hearing his name. Normally, rain would keep him in there and only work could get him to come out, but it warms the former soldier's heart to see him having enough affection for his betrothed to risk getting his whiskers wet.

Akito keeps them moving until they come across a rather sturdy looking log and clear area that would be nice to take a break and maybe just watch the rain for a bit. With a little cough he lets go of Hiro's hand and holds out the reins to him, his head retreating a little into his collar as he tries to get control over his flustered flush. Humming to himself he moves close to the log and tucks his hands in his sleeves, looking out at the rain.

When Hiro starts talking he turns just enough to see the man, listening to his words. With a faint smile to himself, he turns back to the downpour. “I actually feel a little strange being out of the rain. . .” he lets out a soft sigh. “Traveling alone to a target, I normally didn't have time to find shelter or rest, so, other than trying to keep Hoko dry, I would be riding wet on a wet horse.”

He lets out another sigh, still smiling. “And in camp? My father would get everyone out during storms, rousing them if it was at night, and just have us all strip to our fundoshi and line us up in rows to practice out swings.” He looks to the sky, chuckling slightly. “He would always say that we never knew what the battle conditions would be, so when nature gave us the chance to practice in a new one, or a rare one, we'd best not pass it up.” His gaze goes back to the wall of rain. “I still remember all of us, there, moving together, like one being breathing and moving as one. We would work so hard the rain would turn to steam and drift off our bodies making a faint mist over the practicing soldiers. . .”

Looking over his shoulder he flushes again, tucking his head into his kimono collar. “Sorry, I got nostalgic there. . .” He's come to understand rather quickly that Hiro doesn't really like the profession he used to have, and the image of a bunch of men training to kill people in the rain must be less than interesting to his young betrothed. Coughing again he looks back at the rain, opting for silence over babbling more apologies.

Akito began to speak about his experience in the rain and while he couldn’t sympathize with him, Hiro could imagine that riding around in the rain couldn’t have been fun. Maybe a light misty rain would have been nice and refreshing, but a downpour such as the one around them may have been a bit overwhelming. Hiro wouldn’t have known considering he was always whisked inside to stay dry because heavens forbid he got sick.

He shifted the topic about his days as a soldier but Hiro continued to listen. Though as Akito continued, the prince couldn’t help the bewildered expression plastered on his face. “Nostal-? Wait, wait, wait.” Hiro shook his hands as if to stop Akito, although he had already done so. The idea of soldiers standing out in the rain training or even fighting was one thing, but, “You guys trained, naked in the rain?!” Hiro’s hand went up to his forehead, unsure if he should laugh or continue being incredibly confused. “Don’t people get… you know sick from that? Isn’t that bad for your health? Soldiers must have some insane immunity.” He looked off into the distance for a moment. “I swear my parents constantly complain about me getting sick as if I’ll die the moment I get a head cold. I’ve gotten sick like...three times that I can remember- at least sick enough to be bed ridden. All hell broke loose I tell you, it was-” He paused for a moment and sighed. “Well, okay that I guess is something to be concerned about.” He remembered the story of his mother being sickly before she died, so he could see that being a fear.

He brushed the thought away before looking at Akito again. “Nonetheless, that sort of resolve training, or strength training, or whatever training sounds-! You know, I can’t actually think of a proper word for it besides crazy. Innnn neither a good or bad way. Just haven’t heard of anyone doing that. Then again, I’ve never talked about soldiers training either. So I don’t know what they do outside of the basic things father boasts about.” He hummed in thought, ceasing his own rambling and took a breath. “Well, yeah that would definitely be a reason not to be comfortable in the rain. But at least we’re dry and warm- more or less So is the horse, she’s probably happy about that too. And we still have some food, which are mostly desserts, leftover. I think we’re good to go.” Looking up at the protective canopy, Hiro tapped his cheek. “I’d say let’s hope this doesn’t last all day, but honestly a day outside of the palace is nice. Quieter and less hectic to be exact.”

The prince's immediate reaction is surprising to Akito and at first he thinks that he indeed spoke too much about his soldiering activities. His insides knot up as he looks at Hiro, waiting for the sword to fall. But instead of being upset, he expresses great confusion and shock, the line about them being naked making him flustered. He stays silent however, letting the prince say his bit about rain and how normally people get sick from being out in it. The sudden falter in his story drives the former soldier to move closer to his betrothed, slightly worried. He's not heard the details of Hiro's birth mother, though he knows she was killed by natural causes. These thoughts don't cross his mind however and he just shuffles awkwardly a step away from the seated man, unsure of what to do.

Hiro rambles on, eventually falling silent having passed through many subjects and leaving poor Akito at a bit of a loss. The line about him being uncomfortable in the rain however brings a small smile back to his face and he drops into a comfortable seated position in front of the royal to be more comfortable as he talks. Hoko slips out, sensing that they will be still for a while, and crawls over to Hiro, trying to crawl into his Kimono with his soft little paws digging at the edge of his kimono. The sight makes Akito both amused and nervous, but he keeps silent about it rather than pulling Hoko back, knowing that his intended will need to get used to the little critter in all aspects if they are to live peacefully together.

“Training in the rain wasn't nearly as bad as riding in the rain, and that was only at first. Now. . .” He looks into the rain with a distant gleam behind his eyes. “Now, I feel strange not being out there, training. It was one of the most bonding experiences, all of us out, together, moving as one, the mist making us all look almost other worldly. . .I mean, we would train together when it was not raining, but in the rain, to avoid killing one another, we all followed the same motions, so no one was stepping wrong and hitting another soldier in the low visibility. We were like one body, one mind, all moving and thinking as one, the rain barely a consideration. . .”

Reaching over he absentmindedly pulls a finger food from the bag and eats it slowly. “I am not sure if I would call it crazy as it did what was intended, and saved many lives on the more inhospitable days on the battlefield. . .” Licking his fingers he murmurs, “And I did get sick the first few times, but after a while my body grew stronger and I no longer got sick in rain or cold. I'm not sure if what my father had us do was standard, so I am not sure your father would even know about it. That may explain why you have never heard of it.” Looking over at Hiro he smiles faintly. “I am glad to hear you have been well. Sickness is no fun, and can be very dangerous.” With only a faint shake in his head he reaches out and covers Hiro's hand with his own, giving it a little squeeze.

Hiro returned the smile as Akito sat in front of him. He figured he had talked his ear off enough and decided to stay silent long enough for Akito to at least process half of what he said. His attention shifted to the little audrat sneaking out of Akito’s clothes but he didn’t think much of it until tiny paws were in his lap. Absentmindedly, he scratched behind one ear only to raise an eyebrow when he felt him climbing upward. The kimono wasn’t loose enough to slip through and Hiro watched as the small animal tugged it open just enough for him to wiggle his way inside. The prince couldn’t help the short laugh as Hoko got comfortable. It was an odd feeling at first, but he found it was something he could easily get used to after a bit of shifting.

“Hah, Hoko’s mine now.” He chuckled and continued leaning back against the tree.

He continued listening to Akito, watching as he seemed so entranced by the memory. The way he described training and battle was much different than that of his father. Both had passion in their eyes, however the latter enjoyed expressing the deaths of the enemy, the triumphant victories, the drunken parties, and whatever else Hiro didn’t listen to. Aoba’s talk of it all sounded much more familial and something like a dream even.” He listened in slight intrigue up until he finished.

“Perhaps.” Was his response at first. “He’s from an older generation. Things change. I would guess that would also be in regards to strategy and battle all the same.” The last comment made the prince smile and unexpectedly the timid male reached out to him. It was more of a surprise that he even attempted to, but Hiro didn’t make it a big deal not wanting to scare him off. “Yes, of course. And same to you.”

It grew silent for a few beats with Hiro fiddling with Hoko. The little creature would occasionally nibble his fingers or bat them away. For the most part, Hiro was a lot more relaxed with him compared to when he first met Hoko. He could only chuckle at the memory of the first time Hoko decided to crawl into his lap and scare him. “How long have you had Hoko? He is a very well-trained and loyal friend of yours.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Pulling his hand back Akito nods at the returned sentiment and slides his hands into his sleeves. He smiles at the occasional sight of Hoko's paws as Hiro plays with his partner quietly. At the question his mind flashes back to the day he found the beast. “It was after a messy battle in the woods.” he murmurs. “Five years ago. The enemy had been pushed back and I was taking some time to breath. I heard some small sounds nearby and got curious. I found a lob that had been crushed during the battle by a foot or body or something.” He looks at Hoko's little batting paws with a faintly sad expression. “I saw his siblings and mother, and I felt a little sick, but there was one little squirming body in with the bloody mess of the others, and pulled it out, and it was Hoko!”

He tries to smile, not sure if he succeeds. “I brought him back with me, and the other and father put up with him for a while, helping me keep him alive and fed. However, after a while, we had to march, and my father said that we really didn't have room for pets.” He manages a real smile this time. “He wasn't trying to be mean, he even said we could drop him off in the next village we passed. His exact words however were 'We can't bring something with us that isn't useful.'. I actually agreed, but instead of steeling myself to get rid of my new little friend, I decided to make him useful!” He chuckles, his eyes twinkling a little as he looks up at Hiro.

“I began training him. He was stubborn at first, or just absentminded as he was a baby after all, but by the time we reached the next village, he'd learned some useful tricks. Father came to me to tell me it was time to say goodbye, but then I showed him how I'd taught him to make noise on command, how to go to certain items, and to even follow and track like a dog. He wasn't really impressed until I told him to hold Hoko for ten minutes and then I went off with a grub on a string and trailed it all through the camp, all the way to the other side. With other soldiers as witnesses, after the ten minutes, Hoko followed that trail all the way, even when it wasn't touching the ground in places, and got to me in no time flat.”

He smiles, reaching out to rub between Hoko's eyes, totally forgetting that he's essentially reaching inside his betrothed's kimono. “See, I had heard of units having dogs, and even battle cats, and I knew I couldn't exactly have him fighting, but tracking. Tracking is something I could tell he'd be good at and when I got back with my witnesses and they testified, Father gave me one hard, long look before laughing and saying, 'Well, you made him useful. Welcome to the unit Hoko.'. He even saluted!” He laughs again, pulling his head back. “So, since then, I've been training him, and he really is the most useful partner one could ever ask for.” He lets out a sigh, looking up at Hiro. “What about you? Have you had any pets?” He'd not noticed any around the palace but he figures that maybe he had one in the past that has passed away since.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Hiro beamed at the story, well minus the saddening parts. “He’s smarter than he looks. How-” He raised an eyebrow when Akito reached over to his kimono, but continued his thought. “Cute. It has to be something nifty with him being small too. Easier to be a sneaky little rascal.” He laughed and poked Hoko’s nose when his finger was nipped at. Towards Akito’s question, Hiro shook his head. “Never had an actual pet before. Not if you count the horses we have. When I was younger my dad used to take me horseback riding around the palace grounds.” With a chuckle, Hiro added. “I’ve asked for a tiger a few times. Going for the exotic pets. Of course, that was a no.”

He remembered all the times he was younger and he’d pester his father about getting a tiger. The older he got, the more it turned into a joke. “Huh, haven’t asked in a while. Who knows, maybe he’s changed his mind.” Hiro spoke in a lighthearted tone, only joking. He would have no clue what to do with a tiger.

“Although, in retrospect, having a pet may have been a good companion while being stuck on palace grounds. Wouldn’t have been as… bored.” He started to say ‘lonely’ but decided that certain things were better left unsaid. “It’s a fun idea. I’m not sure what the old man will say now that I’ve got a sibling on the way.” In a mocking, yet pretty convincing impression, he ‘scolded’, “It’s much too dangerous for a pet. We have to be sure that the baby won’t get sick because of it. Maybe when she’s at least five… Or you know, something like that.” He shrugged a bit and stretched his arms over his head.

“I remember the servants bringing in a stray dog once. Well, they took it to the servants quarters. It was an old dog, but still lively as ever. I got to play with him for a few weeks until one servant decided strays weren’t healthy for a royal to play with and that they’d all get in trouble for it. Something like that. They ended up taking him to the village. Not quite sure what happened after that.” He simply shrugged, not thinking much of it besides that being the closest to a pet he had.

With a blink and a raised finger he added, "Oh and lots of fish. Lots and lots of fish. There was one giant catfish that we had but it's been gone for awhile."

~~~~~~~~

Smiling gently Akito listens silently as Hiro talks about the animals in his life, chuckling ever so slightly at the idea of having a tiger around the palace for a young prince. 'A kewal may have been okay, but tigers are a little too wild. . .' Faint thoughts stir into like as he thinks this and he places them away in the back of his mind to be mulled over later. He nods at the worry over a baby getting sick from new pets and hopes that Hoko won't be a problem. He's not sure what he would do if he suddenly had to get rid of his partner.

His brow furrows a bit as Hiro talks about the stray dog and wonders about exactly how overprotective the people in the palace are. 'A good dog shouldn't be put out like that. . .' He feels a small twinge of real sadness that such a thing happened to the poor beast after what was likely the best days of his old life. If nothing else, a life in the palace is lavish, and a dog wouldn't have the same uncomfortable worries that he has.

He's not sure how much to count fish as pets, but he's seen the pond where they live and has at least admired their beauty. Nodding with a smile as Hiro wraps up the talk about the animals around the palace Akito looks back at the rain and sighs softly. “Hoko was a pet for a little while, but now he is my partner. He is clever and seems to always know what's going on better than I.” He smiles, eyes falling half closed. “I am sorry you did not have a real pet growing up, but I hope that Hoko can at least prove he is not just a pest who demands attention and treats.” Hoko grunts at this but stays put.

Looking at the sheets of rain Akito regains his feet and stretches. “Perhaps we should walk a bit more. Get a little closer to the road just in case this lasts until sundown so we do not have to worry about trying to find the road in the darkness?” He turns back to Akito, raising an eyebrow curiously. He will of course stay here if his betrothed would rather, but he feels that the more responsible action would be to at least find the road before nightfall.

~~~~~~~

Hiro waved the apology away, claiming it to be no big deal. “Ah, he’s no pest. Just takes some getting used to is all.” The prince gave a small shrug. “Not everyday there’s tiny feet crawling up my clothes.” He chuckled and followed Akito’s line of sight to the rain. It was a rhythmic sound, the worst of it avoided in their retreat into the forest. Hearing the plan, Hiro nodded, trusting that Akito knew what was best for them. He did make note that the last time he walked through the forest in the dark was when he had to go looking for Akito, and that could have ended with him tripping over nearly everything or falling in a hole. “Hm, not walking through the forest in the dark does sound like a better idea.”

The prince stretched his arms over his head, being careful enough so Hoko didn’t fall farther into his kimono. He stood and made his way to their horse who was comfortably sitting off to the side. “Alright Akito~ lead the way.” He took a few steps forward to get the horse to follow. “After all, you are much better at this than I am.” He waited until Akito had started moving before following right after him. For the most part, he stayed silent, looking around at the trees and listening to the sounds around them. It seemed like they were the only two- well four counting the horse and Hoko, creatures in the forest at first. But he took a moment to really focus and he noticed a few squirrels shuffle into trees and a few shifts along the ground. Thankfully it was bright enough out for him to see where he was going, but he was a lot more conscious about it compared to before.

The rain filled most of the silence and Hiro didn’t mind very much. If he had been home, he’d probably have dozed off at the sound of it. A thought did cross his mind though. Hopefully the storms would pass before the wedding. While a delay sounded like a nice idea, it would more or less be a catastrophe for everyone involved. So much of that planning and preparation being scrambled or put on hold seemed like a headache to deal with.

The later it got, the dimmer it became. Unfortunately, the rain didn’t give any hint of letting up anytime soon. Hiro didn’t mind it too much, however he wanted to avoid the fretting as much as possible. “It’s probably best to head home, yeah? We’ll be out here all night and it’ll get colder if we don’t.” Hiro smiled. “It’s just rain. We should be fine right?”

~~~~

“It’s getting late…”

“Love, it’s pouring. They’ve more than likely found shelter. Isn’t it too dangerous for them to be travelling in this weather?” Jezura set her book down. “You said it yourself. Aki is a more than capable of protecting Hiro.” The Empress watched her husband pace about the room. With a sigh, she scooted her way towards the edge of the bed and hoisted herself onto her feet.

“You shouldn’t-”

“Ssh, ssh, you worry way too much.” She silenced him with a kiss. “I know you’re worried about your son. I’m worried too, but you have to have a little faith. Hiro is a smart boy and Akito is the best of the best! A little rain can’t stop them.”

The emperor stared at his wife for a moment, letting out a small sigh. “You should really be resting.” It was his own way of saying she was right, without having to admit it. It made her smile and nod, happily allowing him to guide her back to bed. “You get some rest. I’ll wait a little longer for them.”

~~~~~~

“Hmph. When I said ‘it’s just rain’, I feel like it would have been a good time to mention that maybe that was a bad idea.” Hiro was standing next to Akito in front of the palace, soaked to the bone. A few guards had hurried to greet them and take their horse. He wasn’t upset, far from it actually. The prince gave a lighthearted laugh as he tried ringing out parts of his kimono. “Ah well, we made it back in one piece. Good enough.”

The two hadn’t even taken five steps into the palace before the Emperor and a few servants had hurried in. Hiro started to put his hands up in defense, about to explain what happened until he felt warm hands on his face. “Are you boys alright? You’re not hurt are you?” The genuine look of concern in his father’s eyes made Hiro pause for a moment, allowing the emperor to look over at Akito as well. He wasn’t as intimate with his son-in-law, but he still held the same amount of concern.

“Oh- uh, yes. We’re fine. Just a tad bit wet. A little cold.” He chuckled a little and glanced over at Akito, seeing if he wanted to say anything.

After he was assured of their well being, Kaede bowed to the both of them and ushered them along. The emperor was left to go back to his room. “We’ve started a bath for you both. Hurry along so we can take those clothes from you.” Her hurried pace made the prince quicken his own, now really feeling the uncomfortable feeling of walking in wet, cold clothing. He wasn’t sure what the rush was, but getting out of wet clothing sounded better than being in them any longer than necessary. “If you don’t hurry, you’ll get sick.”

“You’ve met miss Kaede right, Akito?” He fumbled with the tie of his kimono while she passed him and loosened his ponytail. His hair fell when he looked over at his betrothed. “Another mom I tell you. If not that, then a lady who cares not about the royal status.”

The woman simply rolled her eyes. “I’ve been given the liberties as a nanny to do what I must to keep you in line your highness. You’re still a rowdy child as ever. I just don’t have to bathe and dress you.” She ignored Hiro’s snickers and pointed out the door towards the large indoor bathhouse, her attention on Akito. “Just leave your clothes with me. I’ll have servants bring you both towels in a few minutes.”

“No need to worry Akito, she doesn’t bite.” Hiro called out, already having stripped down and walking out to slip into the warm water. He ended up sinking up to his chin and resting a small warm towel over his eyes. “This is… much better.”

She folded the clothes Hiro set aside and then looked over at Akito. A little more curious now that the prince had disappeared, the nanny spoke up. “I’ve worked… a number of years in this palace and have seen suitors and royalty alike come and go. Though I’ve never seen many- or any of them for that matter catch his attention quite like you have.” She continued collecting their things, only sparing Akito a few glances. “It’s nice to know he has someone that understands him. And by the looks of it, I can guess that it is working in your favor as well.”

The pair walk along for a time, just listening to the rain and their own foot steps. Akito is relatively calm, but as the rain shows no sign of retreating he can feel slight nerves beginning to dig at the back of his mind. He thinks of how the last empress died of illness, and how he knows sicknesses can sometimes carry on to the children in a family. He worries for Hiro's health and despite still being calm and relaxed for the most part, he encourages the prince to mount up as soon as they reach the road. He knows they can not go too quickly in the rain, but at least with Hiro sitting in front of him he can provide a bit of warmth despite the chill of the rain.

He doesn't spend any breath in talking on the trip back, the whole of his attention on keeping the horse at the fastest pace it can go in the rain while also keeping an eye on the road to keep all three of them safe. When they arrive he helps his betrothed down and stands a bit stiffly, as if waiting to get yelled at. None of the guards say anything however, though he does notice some clearly less than pleased looks from them. He's not sure if it's from them having to come out in the rain or if it disapproval of letting Hiro get into such a wet and cold state.

Either way no one says anything and they walk inside and Akito lets out a slight sigh, thinking them in the clear. His heart jumps to his throat however as he spots the emperor's long, sharp stride as he sweeps over to his son. He stands stiffly once more, just barely refraining from standing at full attention, and watches the familial exchange out of the corner of his eye. He notices the glances, but he's too worried to speak up and simply nods that he's fine. His insides burn that his neglect to keep an eye on the weather worried his soon-to-be father-in-law, thinking that his beloved son may have been hurt, and he closes his eyes with the effort to not hang his head in shame.

They are once more released without direct chiding, but Akito most definitely has a distinctive sag to his stance as he trails along behind his intended. He doesn't even really realize what they are up to until he sees a couple bits of cloth being loosed from the other man's figure and he feels his heart jump into his throat for an entirely new reason. He's seen his fair share of unclothed men in his day, most of them he's fought wide-by-side with them in battle and seen them at both their best and their worse. But for him, there was never a response quite like this as he tries to listen to Hiro's words while fighting back his urge to flee the room at top speed.

“We have met.” he murmurs, keeping his voice steady in an effort to not look like a trapped rabbit in a wolf's jaws. His hands stay at his sides even as Hoko slips to the ground and creeps over to him, curious as to what's going on. He looks down as soon as Hiro is no longer looking his way and keeps his gaze firmly off the delicate body moving away from him as Hiro makes his way to the bath in nothing but his skin.

He has no idea what to do with himself, standing rigid with his eyes locked on the ground. He knows what is being asked of him, or more like, offered to him, but he's not sure what to do. There is no instructions to be had here, he needs to make his decision. His insides twist and heave and he's not sure how long he can even keep his feet as he stands undecided. But then, the servant, Kaede, speaks up, pulling him from his raging thoughts.

Her words make his face burn hot and he looks once more to the floor. 'I'm nothing special. He just isn't fighting it because I am who he's stuck with, and I'm not a copy of his father. . .' Swallowing, he blurts out randomly, “I should have kept better track of the weather. . .”

Her soft laugh makes him look up, meeting her twinkling eyes. “Even if you had, if Hironori wanted to stay out and enjoy himself outside of the palace, nothing you had to say would have gotten you two back any sooner.” She shakes her head, chuckling again. “He has a strong will, and don't you go feeling bad that you're not quite caught up to it yet.” She smiles up at him warmly, still waiting to collect his clothes.

Akito takes her words to heart as best he can but it takes him a long moment to realize why she's still in the room. Flushing again he looks out towards the bath and mumbles something unintelligible. She prompts him to repeat with a tilt of his head and he mumbles out, “I don't know if I can. . .I've never been undressed around anyone but my unit. . .” He glances her way and sees a sympathetic smile. The smile however is almost worse than if she'd laughed at him and he moves over to a bench to flop down pathetically. Burying his face in his hands he lets out a long, slow breath.

Walking closer she speaks up softly. “A bit of advice, if I may, young lord?” The emphasis on the words makes him flinch, looking up at her with a wide eyed gaze, silently asking if he really has to give her permission. She doesn't press the issue however and gives her advice without permission. “He will be your partner for life, very soon. I can think of no more peaceful and neutral way to get used to that face than an innocent little bath.” With that said, she goes back to tidying up the room.

Akito suppresses a whine and instead takes a moment to fortify before standing and beginning to remove his clothing. He keeps his eyes down and works slowly, but eventually he's in the buff, his flush spreading over much of his upper half and with a little bow wanders out towards the bath. Swallowing, he keeps his eyes carefully averted as he moves a good six feet away from where Hiro is before slipping into the water and sinking down up to his nose. Hoko decides he needs a bath as well and slips into the hot water, paddling along the surface and diving under to get himself completely wet before rolling over to float on his back.

'She's right. I mean, the wedding isn't too far away, and everyone's going to expect. I mean, it's how the whole thing works. The public ceremony, the party, the blessings, and then, con. . .consu. . .' He somehow manages to flush even deeper red and he hopes that it just looks like his skin is red from the heat. He's tempted to try and hide under the water, but instead he forces himself to look over at his betrothed. He knows if he doesn't make himself, all he will look at is the man's face, so he tries to focus on other parts of his body that are relatively safe.

His neck, arms, shoulders. . .So smooth, and pale, and the tendrils as his hair as they cling to his skin. Using the excuse of having forgotten to let down his own he looks away quickly and pulls the tape from his hair. Far longer than Hiro's, it floats about the surface of the water like a stringy version of Hoko as he goes back to barely having his eyes above the surface with the whole mess floating around him.

Hiro’s eyes were still covered by one of the fluffy, warm towels that one of the servants left for thm so he didn’t notice Akito approaching until he was submerged in the water. The other wasn’t exactly loud, but the gentle splashes still gave away where Akito was. It wasn’t surprising that he was on the opposite end of the tub either. Hiro wasn’t going to question it so long as Akito was comfortable. Speaking of comfortable, the prince hummed a greeting, much too comfortable to peek from under his towel. “S’one thing I do love is a nice hot bath after the cold weather. Feels nice. Then again, hot baths after long days are quite nice as well. Almost as good as the massages, which also sound like a nice idea.” Hiro spoke loud enough for Akito to hear should he want to respond, but he was mainly speaking his thoughts aloud. It was something he was used to doing, not really expecting much of a response either way.

His arms stretched over his head and he stay up straight so he wasn’t mostly submerged. “It was really fun though Akito, than-” The towel fell into the water as he stretched, leaving him to finally gaze at his betrothed across from him. It had only been for a short few moments, but he stared wide eyed at the ex-soldier in surprise and in silent awe.

He wasn’t sure if it was the heat of the bath after being in the cold for so long or thanks to that particular moment, but he was sure he could feel the faint flush in his cheeks. Why was he getting so lovestruck now? He had seen Akito countless times. He had memorized those timid expressions far too well. Hiro was well aware of just how cute Akito was. Nothing had changed, had it? Surely it was obvious Akito had long hair judging by his ponytail alone, but it hadn’t dawned on him that he had never seen it down. And for some reason, the soon to be prince looked even more lovely than he had known he could. ’Wow, I’m getting a bit sappy now, aren’t I?’

“Ah, yeah.” He laughed a little sheepishly before clearing his throat. “It was really fun. Rain and all. Thanks for joining me today.” He knew that his dad would fuss over his health at some point, but in the end Hiro thought it was worth it. Being in the rain was fun, a little too cold, but the moment was nice.

His gaze went downwards to what was floating out the corner of his eye. “Oh?” Hiro paused for a moment, sinking neck deep into the water as if to get a closer look. “Aw how cute, Hoko floats.” He focused on the animal, not wanting to send Akito in some sort of tizzy for accidentally staring. Hiro had missed Akito’s inclination to get in the tub before, but he could imagine it must have taken a little push from Kaede. As gentle as Hiro could be, he nudged Hoko in order to alter the animal’s float back.

The sound of Hiro's voice causes the nervous man to jump slightly. His eyes dash to the man's face, worried that the prince would be upset with him looking over his body. The other man's eyes are covered however and he's able to relax slightly. Coughing, he sits up a bit and rests his back against the side of the large tub, His hair is still trailing in the water a bit though he's now only submerged from his collar down. He takes a moment to consider the assessment of how pleasant the hot bath is after the cold weather, then with a soft smile nods, looking towards his betrothed. “Yes, it is nice. . .” His voice luckily doesn't break despite the nerves, and he even manages to not duck back into the water as Hiro shifts.

He does however, against his will, take on a more bashful expression as the towel falls from Hiro's eyes, splashing softly in the water. He wills himself desperately to not look away, but he can't help but avert his gaze slightly when Hiro pauses mid sentence and stares. His hands fidget beneath the water. 'Is it really so shocking to see me like this? Is it bad I let my hair down? Maybe I should have waited, or maybe I was suppose to be wearing something like a towel. I've seen people in the public baths wear towels. I never used one, but I had work in a few of them. . .' He swallows, looking back up as the prince goes on to finish what he was saying, and sees that at least he doesn't look upset.

Instead, his interest seems to be caught by his partner. Hoko lets out a little noise at Hiro's touch, but doesn't seem bothered by being used a bit like a bath toy. The little nudge is enough to cause Hoko to drift towards his human partner and Akito lets his smile return as he reaches out to rub his belly. “Yes. He's surprisingly buoyant.” He gives Hoko's midsection a few little pushes to show how he just pops back up without having to exert any effort. Hoko lets out a few little squeaky whistles at the treatment, but looks more playful than anything else. The little critter ducks under the water and begins swimming around in the hot water.

Following his progress Akito flushes as his eyes land back on his intended and he has to force himself not to look away again as he trails up to look at Hiro's face. “I, um. . .”He tries to think of something to say. “On the march, almost all the baths we had were either with cloths only, or in rivers, so hot baths were always a rare luxury. . . .” Biting his lip he laughs softly, clearly still nervous despite his efforts. He looks back down at his hands, seemingly trying to strangle one another beneath the surface. “Forgive me. . .” he murmurs softly. “I must seems such a pathetic mess at the moment. . .” He closes his eyes, insides on fire as he tries to reconcile with feeling so alone and vulnerable around the man he's suppose to spend the rest of his life with.

Hiro watches Hoko float around for a bit before leaning against the wall of the tub again, listening to Akito. Without missing a beat, the prince replied, “Adjusting to a new life doesn’t make you a mess Akito. It just,” He turned his head to look at the man across the tub and raised a brow. “It just means you’re learning and well, adjusting. There’s no need to apologize for it.”

He really wanted to find a way to help his betrothed relax, considering it was a roller coaster of ups and downs with him. A few times, he’d seem fine and calm while more often than not, he was high strung. With about three days left before the wedding ceremony, Akito would definitely need to be able to stand in front of other royals without feeling like he needed to escape. But really, Hiro just wanted Akito to be more comfortable around him. There was no audience, no one to impress, and no one that would judge and Hiro felt a little bad that Akito couldn’t consider that as a safe space to relax.

The gears turned in Hiro’s head while he gently nudged a floating Hoko until an idea popped into his mind. He wasn’t sure if it would work, but he figured it was worth a try nonetheless. “You know, Akito,” He started with a soft voice, not wanting his tone to imply anything and spook the male. “Rivers and bathing with your unit... may have been relaxing in their own ways, I wouldn’t know for sure, but I always found hair washes relaxing and calming sometimes too.” He sat up a bit, giving a genuinely curious look. “You seem tense, so I figure it might be worth a try? If you don’t mind me washing your hair of course?”

A small smile appears as Hiro immediately tries to make him feel better. 'He really is a kind man. . .' The smile lingers as they fall into a more comfortable silence, Akito relaxing a bit and letting himself sit comfortably in the tub. He looks over at the mention of his unit and nods, remembering all the fun times of water wars with them. His body tenses however, eyes fixing on a spot in the water as his betrothed asks to wash his hair. He can feel his skin getting tight, ready to either decline or run, but a thought keeps him from doing either, forcing it way to the front of his mind.

'Kaede was right. I'm going to have to get used to being around this man. We are. . . We are going to be together for life, so what's wrong with letting him. . . touch me in some small way? I mean, we will have to. . . . Eventually, but maybe this? Maybe I could. . . I mean, all I have to do is stay still and let him work. And it's not like I have to worry about him going too far. I'm stronger, and he's too kind and considerate for something like that. . . . I have to get used to it, and it's not like I can just ask him at random for some contact, so, he's offering, so. . . .This is a good time, right!?' He keeps his breathing under control, looking over at Hiro with shy eyes. “Um, sure. That sound. . . I mean, I've never had anyone help me since I was very young, but it sounds nice.” He pauses, then adds quickly, “As long as I can return the favor!” He shrinks a little, realizing he was talking a little too loud and fast at the last part.

Hiro watched for a moment, slowly inching back to lean against the wall, almost expecting him to decline his offer. So when Akito agreed, Hiro couldn’t help but look pleasantly surprised. And when Akito offered to do so in return, the prince smiled even more. “Yes… Yes, of course. That sounds nice.” Well, he wasn’t going to deny a generous offer like it. Hiro sat up again, and waded closer to Akito, settling by his side and gesturing for him to move in front of him a bit. At first, Hiro’s hands rested on Akito’s shoulders, just for the sake of adjusting his legs in order to be comfortable. The moment he started, he began to hum a soft and gentle tune that Kaede sang to him often when he was a child. He didn’t know the words, but he enjoyed the melodic tune nonetheless and not knowing exactly what to say to Akito, he figured he’d fill the silence with a soft tune. His fingers gently combed through his betrothed’s hair, being careful of any tangles that may have been there. He was no professional, but he had gotten his hair washed enough times to at least know what he was doing.

He's glad to see Hiro looking pleased and forces himself not to curl into a little ball as the other man approaches. He follows the direction to shift in front of the prince, tensing against his will as he feels hands settle on his shoulders. 'Relax, relax, he's just shifting, calm down!' Breathing slowly, he adjusts so his hair is easier to reach and closes his eyes. Fingers begin moving through his hair, making his skin tingle. He feels himself tensing more, but keeps his eyes closed, trusting the other man. Then, music starts. It's only a soft humming, but it's soothing and helps Hiro keep his calm. Despite the enjoyable feeling of his hair being worked on, he can't quite calm down completely. Visions of the man behind him keep flashing through his mind, images of what he's seen, and what he hasn't. He worries that his tenseness will cause problems, but as Hiro doesn't chide him, he does his best to focus on the nicer feelings.

Aware of the movements under him, Hiro raised a brow every now and then as Akito tensed but never said anything of it. In fact, he didn’t stop his washing, trying not to make it seem so obvious that he was focused on it. Hiro was just happy that he didn’t shy away, so it was a start. And besides the lighthearted kiss he had given him days before, he realized this was about as close as he had been to Akito since they met. ’Baby steps as they say.’ He had met other suitors that wouldn’t hesitate to get so close to royalty so it was a different and relatively nice change of pace to say the least.

His focus didn’t stay on those subjects for too long, as he found Akito’s long hair much more lovely to focus on. At some point, the song had ended as Hiro washed through his long hair. “How do you manage such nice long hair with a job so dirty?” His question was rhetorical, as he was simply admiring Akito’s hair, but he did offer him a moment to respond.

The question is unexpected, but after a moment, Akito realizes Hiro was actually talking to him. He flushes, trying to think, his mind scattering after being focused on staying calm for so long. “I, when I had the time, would rinse it every night, and then my father had oils I could use to keep it from tangling. I would brush it before and after I slept, and then it would spend most of the day tied up, as you saw. I mean, it would get dirty, but I found it relaxing to have something to do, a kind of ritual I suppose, when I went to bed at night and woke in the morning. Just a little time all about me. . .” He scrunches a little. “Sounds a bit selfish, I know, but, I felt good about it. . . . Still do actually.” His hand comes up, running through his hair thoughtfully. His hand stills as it comes into contact with Hiro's. He freezes, then gently squeezes the man's fingers before quickly pulling his hand back. 'Keep going. Keep trying. Have to get used to this. . . .' His heart thuds against his chest, his slow breathing the only thing keeping him from panic.

Hiro couldn’t help but smile at the answer and continuing his soft smile when Akito squeezed his hand. His answer was cute and it was rather amusing he thought that as selfish. “Akito I’m a prince,” He chuckled softly. “That’s far from a selfish thing to do. It’s just you taking care of yourself.” He hummed in thought for a brief second. “If you’d like some of those oils, feel free to ask. Kaede is usually who I go to when I need things, but any of the servants will be able to fetch things for you.” He gave a small nod, even though Akito couldn’t see before adding. “And you should be, your hair is lovely.” He continued washing Akito’s hair, moving much slower now that he found something to talk about. “I cut my own hair when I was younger.” He chuckled at the memory. “It was always in the way and I managed to always get twigs and leaves in there. Not very… prince-ly I know.” He scratched his own head for a brief moment before continuing.

“It was also a rebellious thing I suppose.” His laugh was a little sheepish again as he remembered it thoroughly. His father would constantly say that he looked ‘just like his mother’ and in one fitful event the young boy had a messy and disastrous haircut and a few scratches from not using a sharp enough knife. It was why his hair was layered now. He let it grow out to his shoulders, but refrained from letting it grow any longer and now that it wasn’t completely even, his hair had a tendency to fall over one side of his face quite often. Realizing he had slowed, Hiro came to a complete stop and put his hands at his sides. “Ah, I think you’re good to go.”

He would never dream of calling the man he's to marry selfish, but thinking about it more realistically, he supposes the man is right. If he were a prince, Akito supposes he would have far more wants and luxuries. 'Well, I am, now, kinda. Or I will be. . . . I suppose I will soon have more time for relaxation, and maybe I could stop feeling so bad about time to myself. . . .Though I suppose much of my life will become about Hiro too. . .' He smiles at the thought, wincing a little at the idea of his betrothed lopping off his own hair haphazardly. He keeps his mind on thoughts of what Hiro must have looked like as a child until at last his hair is finished.

“Thank you.” he murmurs, shifting away and standing up a bit to check Hiro's work. The hair feels smooth and without tangle as he runs his fingers all the way through, and he smiles gratefully at his companion, hair falling against his chest, shoulders, and back like a shroud. His flush returns as he takes the spot Hiro had just been in and he stays completely still as the prince settles in. He takes a moment to relax before setting to work.

There's a lot less hair to deal with than he normally has to mess with. It feels a bit strange, but as he slips his fingers slowly over and over the ends of the longer bits after the tiny end knots, he finds himself relaxing in the same way he does when working on his own hair. Smiling to himself he lets out a soft sigh. “Um, by the way. Taking care of my own hair has helped me become quite skilled with trimming hair. So, if you ever feel the urge to attack yours again, I would be more than happy to help save some inches from early graves.” He tries to make a slight joke, working his fingers further and further up towards Hiro's scalp.

Hiro returned the smile and sank a little lower into the water to get comfortable. The prince immediately relaxes under Akito’s touch, only to cover his mouth and begin to laugh. It was a genuine laugh compared to his soft chuckles and it was one he tried to stifle. “Fortunately, I’ve learned my lesson. I believe I am one and done with that experience, but I trust you and you’ll be the first I go to should I feel my hair has gotten too long for my liking.” When he had settled again, he absentmindedly pushed hair out of his face and relaxed again. “Thank you, by the way. For offering to do this.”

The laugh concerns Akito for a moment, but he relaxes when he realizes it was his joke striking home. He lets himself laugh a little as well and murmurs, “It would be a pity to lose it now it's come in so pretty.” He flushes again, but focuses on his work. A warm fire settles in his belly as Hiro thanks him and he realizes he's more than happy to be assisting the prince in this manner. It feels genuinely good to not only help out, but to enjoy the feeling of hair between his fingers as he does so. His fingertips finally reach his betrothed's scalp when he responds. “It's my pleasure. . .” His voice is lower than usual, more calm, relaxed, and honestly pleased sounding. “I think. . .” He flushes a little more. “I think, I could get used to this. . . If you don't mind my helping on occasion. . . .” he coughs a little, embarrassed, but not upset. His fingers scrape gently along the skin beneath them, working on the bits of sweat and grime that their outing worked in there.

There was a faint pink to Hiro’s cheeks that he could play off as the heat. Nonetheless he smiled with eyes closed, replying with, “Thank you.” Hiro further relaxed under the touch, debating if he should or could lean back against him. But, he figured that wouldn't be a good idea so he stayed right where he was. The suggestion of this to become a regular thing made Hiro open his eyes in slight surprise. It was much too good an offer to pass up. So with a purr-like tone. Hiro stretched his arms forward. “Youuu can do this as much as you like love, trust me I won't complain~” He had a cheeky grin as he settled back and let Akito work. “Feels wonderful.” He was no stranger to being pampered and it wasn't something he was against. However instead of servants this time around, this was a lot more personal and a lot more intimate. It was definitely nice and he could get used to it. He couldn't help but wonder why he was so eager to help than be helped but decided it was curiosity for later.

The prince's tone sets a heat deep inside Akito's chest and he wonders if the man even realizes he is causing such a response in his betrothed. He swallows hard as the man between his knees shifts in closer, but his fingers continue working diligently, unwilling to do a sub-par job just because he's feeling warm and tense. He makes sure to get to all the grime he can find, running his fingers over and over through Hiro's hair until he's absolutely sure that he's gotten out ever bit of dust and every snarl. Testing himself, he reaching down and gives Hiro's shoulder a squeeze once he's finished. “All done.” he manages to say without sounding completely pathetic and smiles as he draws his hands back to rest on his knees. He feels good. He did a good thing, and did it well. 'Not only did I help him clean and detangle his hair efficiently, but I. . . . I touched him without shaking, even thought we're both. . . . Less than decent' He smiles wider, letting himself relax a little as Hoko comes over to see what's going on.

Hiro’s eyes slowly open when Akito stops and tells them they were done. As he drifted forward, he playfully pouted. “Aw, but I was soo comfortable.” He laughed a bit and ran fingers through his own hair. “Ooh, it feels softer and cleaner. I gotta keep you around, you do good work.” Of course, he was only joking, but nonetheless he had a grateful look in his eye. It was hard to say whether or not Hiro knew just how flirty he was being, but after their bath, the prince playfully smiled and turned to stand and get out of the cooling tub. “Ah, this was nice.” He looked over his shoulder, back to Akito. “I wouldn’t be opposed to doing this again if you aren’t.”

Servants had slowly began to file in, staying close to the walls and out of the way. It was a sign that they were ready to clean up after them. As Hiro got out, he was handed a towel to dry off and his new set of clothes- nightwear - had been set out in the room to change into. The servants followed suit for Akito as well, waiting for him to step out. Just as he was finished dressing, Kaede stepped in. “Your father insists you have soup for dinner this evening your highness. Consider it a sickness prevention.” Before Hiro could actually take the towel, she dabbed it on his neck and head You as well, young lord.” She acknowledged Akito as he filed in just after Hiro. The rooms were close in proximity so she was sure he had heard as well.

This was also an acknowledgment that the dinner was approaching and it was best that the two headed that way. After her message, she left the boys to their own devices. Hiro patiently and quietly waited for Akito, admittedly trying not to let his eyes linger too long and make him uncomfortable.

“I’m not terribly hungry, but soup won’t hurt.” Hiro commented and gestured out the door. “Shall we head to dinner?”

Knowing the palace like the back of his hand, Hiro had his eyes closed with his hands behind his back while the two walked together. The servants that passed stopped to bow or nod in respect, but he paid them little mind. Instead, he hummed that familiar tune from the bath only to stop when he heard the shuffling of utensils and smelled food.

“Are you two-” The Emperor raised a brow at his son, who seemed a lot more peaceful than most times he had come to eat meals. “Hm, you look well. How are the two of you feeling?” The Empress, of course, next to him gave a gentle smile and wave. She was quiet for the most part, seeming to be catching her breath from the movement she had been doing before. There was a woman close by, a nanny of some sort most likely, quick to check on her every so often.

“Well, I feel fine. A little tired after the trip and the bath, so I don’t think I’ll be here too long.” He had managed to ‘nab’ Hoko as they walked and now the furry little creature crawled through his clothes to find a place in his lap, sniffing a bit for food.

“And what about yourself Akito?” The Empress chimed in while her husband raised an admittedly curious brow.

Still quite flush from the extended close proximity, Akito does his best to smile back, his ears burning a bit when Hiro expresses that he wants to keep him around. 'Well, if it winds up being my best trait, I guess I won't complain' He coughs slightly, rubbing the back of his head before grabbing up a wash rag and scrubbing his body. As Hiro moves to leave after both are thoroughly clean, the former soldier flushes a bit deeper as he is able to see even more of the man he's going to wed soon, and nods. “Sounds nice.” he manages to respond without squeaking. He averts his gaze a bit as servant file in, and he wonders if he's going to be able to convince himself to climb out of the tub, or if he'll have to wait/ask the servants to leave. 'No, idiot, you need to get used to this. You can't be selfish and make them do something special for you. They have seen the whole royal family naked regularly. You're not special'

Only half a minute behind his betrothed, Akito gets carefully out of the tub, covering up with the towel right away and scooting over to where his set of clothing is waiting. His brows furrow a bit as he sees no hakama with his nightwear, but once again, he has to remind himself that he needs to begin abiding by the palace way of things and doesn't complain. Keeping his back to Hiro, he works on drying himself quickly, only pausing at the sight of something white flying at him from out of the corner of his eye. Years of training and instinct cause his hand to snap up and he grabs the white thing out of the air. Looking at it, he realizes what it is, and turns slightly to give Kaede a smile of thanks.

Setting aside the hair tape, he finishes drying and dresses quickly. Hearing a yelp from the other room, he lets out a whistle and Hoko comes trotting into the room. Hiding behind one towel to keep his clothes dry, Akito works on his partner until he's at least not dripping any more, then stands and begins work on his hair. 'So, soup tonight. . . I like soup. . .' His insides twist. 'I hope his highness isn't still mad at me. . . .' He knows the man wasn't exactly mad before, but he still feels bad getting them trapped in the rain for so long. Once his hair is slicked up and tied in place, he pockets the tape to give back to her when he sees the serving roman again.

Slipping out of the room, Akito feels a bit naked without his hakama, but does his best to not look too uncomfortable. Sliding his sword into place, he looks to Hiro and nods. “Food sounds good.” he murmurs, trying once more to smile and relax in front of the man. Hoko follows him out, but when he whistles to see if he can climb in his partner's kimono, Akito lets out a sound to tell him that he'll have to walk for now, and after an unhappy grunt, Hoko begins winding his way back and forth across the hall while they walk to dinner. Hoko spooks a few of the servants, and he is ready to call him back, but then a small, quiet voice in his mind reminds him that Hoko, too, is becoming a part of this family, and the servants will learn to know his partner as well as him in the coming years, and calling him back could have the effect of making them think he's dangerous. So instead, he tries to just politely smile at all the bowing and nervous servants, to make them both seem more peaceful.

The gentle song from the bath comes back as they walk, and the sound helps Akito's smile and feel a bit less nervous as they make their way towards the smell of food. He lets out an honest chuckle when his intended scoops up the wet critter and lets him settle his cool, wet, furry body inside his night clothes. He knows the man will likely have to change again before bed, which is why he didn't do the same, but seeing him be so kind towards the beast who's saved his life several times fills Akito with warm appreciation for the man. Then, they are in a more well lit room, full of movement and smells. Akito gets a little stiff, but takes a seat beside Hiro and does his best to just eat like a normal human being. He's eyeing the soup, sniffing a spoonful when he gets asked about how he's doing, and with some grace he manages to not drop the spoon and put it back without spilling on himself.

“Me? Oh, I'm doing okay. Things got a lot worse on long marches before, so I have a rather hearty constitution.” he responds, smiling at the empress softly. Glancing over, he sees Hoko sniff at the soup before moving over to his lap. Finding only soup again, he scurries right on over to the empress for his nightly handout, to which the woman seems particularly pleased. Glancing at the emperor, he swallows slightly, and does his best to not straight up hang his head. “I know, we should have headed back sooner, but. . . But it was a nice, walk, besides the rain. . . I mean, the rain was pretty, but it was cold. . .” The last words come out as a bit of a mumble, and the empress' chuckle, though kind hearted, doesn't help.

The Emperor, at first, didn’t seem to believe Hiro’s statement, until he was eating the soup ever so casually. Eventually, he gave a nod and turned his attention to Akito instead. For a few moments, the Emperor gave an unreadable gaze as the soon to be prince apologized. It wasn’t a noticeable moment, at least to the Empress or Hironori, but it was still a quiet heartbeat before the Emperor gave Akito a wide grin. “Ah, my boy I don’t expect you to control the weather! You kept Hironori safe and happy and that’s what’s important.” He let out a hearty chuckle. “As a soldier you and I have to be strong against sickness, I’d expect nothing less from a champion such as yourself!” His laughter died down a bit, but he kept his smile. “It’s these two,” His hand gestured to Hironori and his wife, “we have to keep an eye out for. They’re not as sturdy as us, have to keep them safe.”

Both Hiro and the Empress looked up at the same time, the latter raising a brow. “Is that so dear?” She smirked. “Surely, because of my pregnancy you don’t think of me as weak?” She was teasing him, but the surprised look on his face made her give a smug grin.

“No love of course not! You’re a very strong woman. It’s just that you’re due any day dow and we can never be too careful about yours and the baby’s safety.” He pouted when she began to laugh, realizing she was teasing him but relaxed when she gave him a soft kiss on the cheek.

The Empress turned her attention back to the boys and smiled. “Did you find anything interesting out there in the wild world Hiro’s father boasts on about?”

The young prince had been silently eating, not paying much mind to the antics. When his stepmother chided her husband his gaze went back to his food. Though when he heard his name he looked up, with the spoon in his mouth. “Hm? Oh, lof o’ ni’e sc’ery-” He paused and removed the spoon when his mother scrunched up her nose. “A lot of nice scenery and a peaceful conversation. With the preparations taking place, it was helpful to have it be a little quieter. Just for a moment. It’s been a long time since I’ve gotten caught in the rain but it wasn’t so bad. Nature’s really pretty.” He sounded a bit dreamy for a moment, before turning his attention back to his food. “I’m glad we got to go.”