Chapter Text
Akashi had been duped.
It was something that hadn’t happened to him in years. That it had happened here, on this tiny planet that exported nothing but wood and carrots, made it even more ridiculous.
They all sat in the grand state hall of their largest settlement, which was small and very modest compared to even average towns on Akashi's capital planet. He had expected people fighting each other or trying to talk just for their own benefit. Yet they all spoke with one voice and about issues that concerned them all. The cause? Somehow one young man had created alliances between the formerly fractious people of this backwater. Instead of easily dealing with competing villages, they put up a united front and found the courage to question Akashi’s demands.
Still, it terrified them to stand their ground against him. The people sitting around the oval wooden table looked weary and tired.
Save one.
That seeming nobody had kept his eyes down throughout all the discussions and sat motionless in the corner. Kuroko Tetsuya was the grandson of a village elder and only here because his grandmother had taken ill. Or so Akashi had been told.
Akashi felt almost no presence there. Yet when he had stated his last demand, all others in the room had thrown glances at Kuroko Tetsuya. Young as he was, he wielded influence and carried respect.
Sitting back, Akashi caught Kuroko’s glance. As others spoke and made requests, Kuroko noticed Akashi’s smile.
He did not avert his eyes now, but met Akashi’s evenly. A shock of excitement ran through Akashi. Kuroko was either foolish or extremely brave to challenge the Emperor of Three Systems like this.
Granted, if this had happened on one of his more important planets, he would not be so amused. Furaku was a backwater that threw little weight in the grand scheme of things. Yet for these people, it was the world.
Their world.
But his world first.
Akashi rose abruptly, shocking the others into getting up as well. “I will deliberate and give you my answer tomorrow.”
They all bowed. Some with hidden resentment, yet others with despair.
Before he left through the wooden door, he turned around. “I’d like to meet Kuroko Tetsuya on my roof tonight. Ten o’clock.”
The oldest lady present dared glance up. “He’s just…”
“I know what he is now. Ten o’clock.”
All others mumbled. He had expected a reaction, sure, but they seemed too affected. Akashi almost opened his mouth, to demand an explanation, but he deemed it better not to seem ignorant before them all.
Kuroko nodded. “I will be there, Your Majesty.”
Ah, that soft voice. Was it artifice too?
Akashi spent a pleasant evening in the wooden house he occupied for this short visit. Everything smelled like spring on Furaku and the air was clean. Most the small planet was forest, with large lakes for fishing. High above the trees, he could see little insects travel, lightning up the night.
Its only moon was large, so big that some astronomists viewed the two as a binary system, instead of as a planet and a moon.
When he had been a young prince, Akashi had visited once and loved the temporary lifting of stress and responsibility on this backwater. He had that same feeling now as he watched the moon rise and the day fall.
Just before ten, he spotted a little shadow outside. It was only now that he was looking for it, that he could distinguish Kuroko.
His guards let him in downstairs. Akashi leaned back in his chair and drank wine he had brought from his capital planet, as Kuroko entered the roof. He wore a long white robe, giving him an even more exotic appearance.
He sank to his knees before him, and bowed his head. “Greetings, Your Majesty.”
Akashi looked down on him. “You got me good.”
“Your Majesty?”
“Don’t play dumb..” Akashi handed him his glass. “Drink.”
“I…”
Akashi frowned. “It is considered an honour to drink with me, or so I’m told.”
Kuroko took the glass with both hands and took the tiniest sip.
“Do you like it?”
“I do not know yet.”
“Drink more.”
A feeling that he did not entirely recognize took hold of Akashi as he watched as the young man drink the red liquid.
Akashi took the glass from him and put it on the ground. “Rise, Kuroko.”
They both stood up. Akashi took Kuroko’s hand, which made the other tense up. How afraid were these people of him?
“Come,” he said gently and walked him to the edge of the roof.
They watched the moon for minutes. Akashi could tell that Kuroko had to fight the urge to look at him.
“You wish to speak?” he asked.
“May I?”
“You may.”
“We are simple people.”
“And try to keep your traditions?”
“Not so much traditions, as our happiness and health.”
Akashi gave him a look. “You suffer under my rule?”
“If you allow your corporations to take hold here, we will be marginalized.”
Akashi opened his mouth, but Kuroko held up his hand. “You allowed me to speak. Didn’t you?”
“I…did.” He frowned. Not even Akashi’s most trusted inner circle had ever silenced him. Yet Kuroko had a point. He was also intrigued where this might lead, even if he got the sense that getting too pulled in by this young man was dangerous.
“We are willing to sell wood and have people visit our planet as guests that will abide by our laws. But nothing will be build in stone.”
“You demand a lot.”
“Not a lot. Our freedom to live as we have always.”
“In that case, I will offer you independence. Full and total.”
Kuroko swallowed, looked at him with wide open eyes. “You…would?”
“I will sign tomorrow if you want.”
Silence reigned for a long time.
“I did not mean to go that far,” Kuroko whispered.
“You remembered then. That it was your people who once requested to join us for protection?”
“I remember.”
“Independence will mean your freedom. Yet, if someone else attacks, I will not help you again. Your planet of wood dwellers would not stand the slightest chance against even a moderately advanced society.”
Kuroko knelt down. “I beg your forgiveness.”
Akashi took his hand, raising him up. “Do not feel ashamed. You did well against an adversary with a stronger position than yourself.”
“My apologies. I did not mean for you to think of us as...”
“I will grant you your wishes.” Akashi cut in. “Yet, I ask in return that you shall take up and raise two hundred orphans of our poorest planets.”
Finally, Kuroko’s face relaxed for it was a mild demand. “I think that might be arranged.”
Akashi turned back to admire the view. “Last time I was here, people from neighbouring villages barely spoke to each other. You did well in creating this council, Tetsuya.”
The young man gasped at the use of his first name.
“From now on, we will not be enemies, will we?”
Kuroko gave him another surprised look, before he bowed. “Of course not, My Emperor.”
“Then answer me truthfully: what will be the consequences of you visiting me?”
“Please convey your meaning?”
Akashi’s eyes narrowed at this evasion. “How will this affect your standing with your compatriots?”
“You imagine they think I’m being bribed by you?” Kuroko asked, after a pause.
“I think there is something more to this.”
Kuroko glanced at him, realized this was a test and they both knew it. One lie, and Kuroko would destroy any possibility of trust.
“They will think you summoned me to have sexual intercourse with you.”
“Oh?”
“My village is crossed by many streams that originate from our tallest mountain. The water are tears from the moon. It has been considered holy for centuries.” Kuroko looked up at the sky, which was dominated by the large moon. “Having sexual relations with one of my people is said to bring long life.”
Akashi was intrigued despite himself. “And this is believed by all on this world?”
“A century ago, perhaps. Now most consider it nonsense.”
“Until today.”
“Yes, until the most powerful person they will ever meet, chose to have me, or so they’ll assume.” Kuroko knelt to kiss his hand. “My visit to you will elevate the standing of my village.”
“You are most welcome.” Akashi smiled. “Now off you go.”
"Your Majesty." Getting up, Kuroko’s gaze crossed his once more, before he left the roof.