Chapter Text
Rin
Shiki was going on about…something. It was currently 6 am, which I was confused about because this is very unlike my brother. We were all alerted by radio to get ready and ascend the elevators to access the boardroom. I was not even aware that existed, usually, my brother just demands everybody to come where he’s at. So here I was, with Nano, trying not to pass out as I slept like shit due to the yelling, I heard him doing at Akira last night. I didn’t bother finding out what the argument was about. Honestly, even though Nano and Akira were united, he was still in a relationship with Shiki. Keeping the peace there was more important if he wanted to keep his affair going. I, on the other hand, had no prospects whatsoever. I would say I was jealous but I was too old for that sort of thing now.
I tuned in briefly for what I assumed was the tail end of this dick stroke. Shiki said that he was having a visitor who was bringing someone with him. He informed us this visitor was Shinokumi, a place I had never paid attention to for any reason. My brother then got a look of hate on his face as he said the visitor was “the King”. The double Emperor situation was something that all of Asia knew about. Maybe this some sort of weak ass challenge to that. I had never heard of the individual named “the King”. I had to hold back a giggle. I hated my brother so much but even I was taken aback by whomever this guy was labeling himself that. As I was thinking about this, my brother’s voice cut through me,
“Besides being on your best behavior…” He launched a small dagger of some kind across the room which stuck into the wall. Douchebag. But alas I knew that brother did not threaten, he promised, “We have had a special request, he’s bringing his second in command, a person known as “the Angel”.” My brother rolled his eyes, admittedly, this was getting ridiculous, “Nobody is to touch the “the Angel”, he has promised death to anyone who does.” It was then Shiki grinned in amusement, “Even though I’m sure you are all aware of the futility of this promise. Still, you are to obey this rule, only I can humble this so-called King.” Nano gave a dead-eyed stare when Shiki said ‘humble’. I couldn’t use our secret language right now, but if I could have, I would have confirmed shit was about to get insane.
Shiki talked some more then dismissed us to start preparing the place for the guests, who would be arriving in two days on short notice. Fortunately, we were assistants so we followed Akira around. Shiki stormed off after the meeting and who knows what room he went to in this massive place. I was unexpectedly dying to get the deets from Akira as I realized this wasn’t the usual nonsense. We spent time in the main entrance area. He ‘commanded’ us to do menial labor like mop the floor and polish Shiki’s ugly statues. I was grateful Shiki decided to seal himself away, he was really pissed about something for the first time in a long time. As the other soldiers moved about, Akira suddenly announced that we were all going to clean the entirety of the bedrooms on the third floor. Okay! Something beyond weird was happening.
Akira gestured to us and we followed him. We entered one of the master suites on the 3rd floor. It was probably the biggest one, given the massive bathroom. Akira led us in there and then left for a minute. He came back with a massive number of towels. He sat them down and then closed the door. Saying to the guard to leave as the preparation for this room was a top secret.
“I can tell you’re dying to know,” Akira said to me, “Well Shiki is extremely pissed and I expect to be basically unable to walk tomorrow.” He took his hat off and sighed. Nano’s first instinct was to go over and comfort Akira. It reminded me that they are two parts of a whole. “Don’t get too handsy.” Akira sat on the bed and Nano resolved to lie at Akira’s feet. Yes, like a dog. Just one of Nano’s many weird things, “So, what first? Angel or King.”
“Both,” I replied.
“Well, King first then. He was not crowned King such as Shiki and I were crowned emperors. This is a name he gave himself. From what I know, he’s worse than Shiki in terms of abuse and brutality. I received the chance to speak to him today with Shiki…”
“How bad?” my heart skipped a beat.
“Well, the reason they get this entire floor to themselves is because of the sex they have.” I was not liking where this was going. “Well, they like to have a lot of blood when they have sex, I guess the Angel has some weird thing about him where the King can only get him to submit to sex via extreme violence.” I was having an anxiety attack now what kind of fresh hell -! Nano looked up at me and said,
“Remember who you are.” With his eyes.
“I hate that you two know how to silently exchange sometimes.” Akira huffed, “Anyway, Shiki gave them permission to make this whole floor a blood bath if they want to.”
“What the fuck?” I said in shock.
“I know, some people are just so damn grandiose.” Nano flinched and Akira looked down at him, “I’ll try to restrict them as much as possible, but these two are wildly unpredictable I guess…” Akira sighed, “About Angel…”. He pushed back a tear, “I was given permission to speak to him alone on the phone, Shiki promised King that Angel and I both know how to behave.” He sucked in a breath, “Angel didn’t have a lot to say…except a soft intelligible cry for help.” Nano sat up and I sank through the floor. 2
“What does that mean?” I replied.
“I don’t know…but we were only alone for 10 minutes as I listened to whispers before King came back and started screaming.”
“What did he say?” Nano asked, a dim light in his eyes,
“I only caught a little but he said, “do not let conversations with those two and their little marital bullshit clog your mind.” I looked down before I spoke and made an ‘I’m sorry’ face before asking my question. Akira spoke again aimlessly, “Something about him, I felt a strange connection to him.” Here we were getting over sentimental about nothing AGAIN. But I had other things on my mind,
“Hey Akira...?”
“Wha-” Akira was cut off as it sounded like a herd of bulls was running around downstairs and then Shiki screamed in anger. What was with him today? He was usually never like this. I had not heard that in a long time, but it was terrifying even I had to admit. Akira bolted downstairs and we hurriedly followed him.
“Shiki!!!” Akira yelled, returning to his side. I look to see a room full of high-ranking military officials and some foot soldiers all cowering. “Shiki what’s wrong?” Shiki snapped his head at Akira and shoved him away when Akira tried to touch him. I grabbed Nano’s hand; since we were of equal strength, it was a draw to try to escape me until he stopped struggling. The generals tried desperately tried not to react to seeing one of their rulers so weak. Shiki glared down at Akira,
“I’ll deal with you and your fucking bullshit later.” A wash of dread came over me. Had he found out? How would he had found out. Nano and Akira hadn’t sex in many weeks. I remained realistic that was probably not what that was about. If I knew my brother, if that was the case a bloodbath would have already broken out. He turned back to the sea of underlings, “Now, all of you. I am wondering which one of you thought it was good idea to play spy and ruin that entire fucking cargo because they think they’re the fucking main character?!” There was a mumble, “Don’t you act like you don’t what I’m talking about.” There was another mumble and then I saw one of the generals and his soldier come to the front. Shiki stepped down and held his sword to the general’s throat. I was a little unnerved for a moment. The last time I saw that thing, I was supposed to be dead. The soldier spoke up,
“We want to be together!!!” Shiki glared at him,
“Bullshit.”
“It’s not bullshit!”
“Really? Because this fool always reeks of women’s perfume and the most girlish of shit wines.” My brother has had sex with women? I mean, I know Nano has but…. the man didn’t know how to respond. “Answer me!”
“N-no…Sire.”
“That’s what I thought.” Shiki looked over the crowd and spoke, “And don’t any of you jokers ever try that shit, it will only get you in more trouble.” Shiki’s sword cut through the air and sliced open the soldier’s chest. A deep, but nonetheless, only flesh wound appeared and he cried out in the pain as blood poured out. “Like so.” The general flinched as the sword returned his throat. I looked over at Akira who was giving a glassy eye stared off in the distance. He wasn’t here mentally. I wish I could leave the room like that sometimes. “Why shouldn’t I kill you right here and now?”
“You should. There is nothing left now.” The general sighed in defeat. Shiki lifted his sword but then stopped,
“No.”
“What?”
“I’m not going to execute you, no. I’ll save you for my deranged company.” He panicked but he was dragged away and the army was dismissed. Shiki turned to Akira. “You right now.” He grabbed Akira’s arm and headed up stairs. For the first time I looked over at Nano. I saw his eyes deeply tired,
“Exhausted?”
“Yes.”
“Alright let’s go rest.”
Akira
What the fuck did I do? He has not handled me this roughly outside of sex for past 2 years. He was pissed. Why? He was taking me to his main study. Was he now suddenly disgusted with me? I was confused. I flung into the study and he came in, locking the door behind him. I was glaring at him as he began pacing with his hands behind his back.
“Tell me, Akira, do you understand you are married?” My stomach dropped, oh no, he hadn’t found out, had he? “Because it seems to me like you don’t. Why am I married if my spouse does not love me?” This is it. I’m going to die.
“What the fuck does that mean?” He stopped pacing to look me in my eyes like the silent violent exchanges from before.
“That mess down there was because of you not acting like my equal and doing what needs to be done.” I was silently relieved, he didn’t know. “Because of your fucking around, those two thought they were going to be heroes by defecting via cargo ship. But those ships would have never had sailed if you had been overseeing it.” Since when was I in charge of boats? Then it occurred to me,
“You don’t give a shit about boats, what’s actually your problem?” For an odd reason, distanced and quiet but aggressive piano music started playing but there was nothing on and there is no way you could hear that bottom floor piano all the way up here. What a weird thing to hallucinate.
“You haven’t shown any romantic interest in me in months.” That I could believe, I was lovesick for Nano who hadn’t connected with me either in a while. I was actually beginning to fear he did not want me anymore.
“What?”
“You haven’t been even remotely interested in me. It’s pissing me off.”
“What the fuck are you talking about?” I genuinely did know. He had apparently gotten a bit soft for me. I was never expecting this is be a genuine conversation with him. It made me feel a little bad for a couple moments.
“You used to lean against me in public, want me to kiss you, lay in bed waiting for me to come back.” Shiki was correct, I did find myself growing an affection for him. I mean it was inevitable. He was the only one I had for a long time. In many ways he still ways. I could never tell Nano and Rin the truth that Shiki was the one who styled my whole life and spent money on me. I let them believe this playing field was more fair that it actually was, mostly because I too needed this delusion.
“Well, we can’t be on all the time.” I realized the mistake I just made as soon as those words left my mouth. He pulled me to my feet and made me look at him.
“On? You think you can make me turn off just because it’s not convenient for you?”
“Isn’t this just how it is with you?”
“How it is?” He was getting more upset. I wondered if I could open the door and jump out the window in a timely fashion. He grabbed me and crushed me against his chest. His immense strength overwhelming my senses. That thought more fleeting than usual in this moment “I don’t care what you think you know goes on in my head.” His voice got softer and I heard his heart calm down in his chest. It was weird to hear it so clearly, I always regarded him as not really having one. “I do not love the way regular people do. But it does not mean I don’t.” What was happening?! Where did this sudden sentimentality come from?! This was not like Shiki. What had changed?! “You are my one and only. I would let this world burn for you. I thought you felt the same for me.” He pulled away to look me in my eyes. Those cold red eyes had a bit of glow right now and I was unsure what to think. “Tell me Akira if that is not the case, shouldn’t I send you away forever?” This Shiki scared me more than angry Shiki. I was at a loss for words. He was searching my eyes trying to gauge me.
“What has happened to you?” I finally asked,
“Nothing.” I felt like I was gently paddling a vessel in the pitch black. Uneasy, but not concerned for some reason. “What are you thinking?”
“I have nothing to say.” I was at a genuine loss for words. He huffed then let go. A brief aura of sadness was in the room but it evaporated quickly,
“I don’t want to see you or speak to you.” He went back to his usual cold self and left the room, the door open. I was actually feeling a bit bad right now? I needed to get away from this place. Somehow, knowing I had been wrong and the dry spell was going to continue both relieved and unnerved me.
“The king” and “the angel” (I wanted to know those two’s actual names because God it was annoying saying that) met Shiki downstairs the next day. I didn’t bother meeting them myself. I didn’t care about them. I was hunting down Nano. I went down into the garden, where Nano was helping the gardener. The gardener was getting ready to address me and I waved my hand so he stopped. Nano didn’t notice. He looked so beautiful, my heart skipped a beat. Shiki was suddenly off my mind. I told the gardener to go tend to the vines that were crawling up the sides of the castle, which looked nice to me but horrible to Shiki. Once I was sure he was gone, I approached Nano. He turned to look at me and suddenly I realized my own arrogance, the person who stood before me was not someone I recognized. There was a disconnection. What have I been doing that things are falling apart like this? I figured I didn’t have the means nor the time to figure that question out.
“What is it, Akira?” He stood straight before me. I felt like I hadn’t heard in his voice in ages. I am not paying attention to anything.
“Hey um…” His stare was so intense. Nano leaned in.
“What’s wrong?” He said like he was correcting himself. I felt like I wanted to turn away, like I couldn’t handle anymore. “Whatever you are thinking, you are safe to absolute trust in me.” There was more silence before he spoke again, “Do you not feel safe out in the open like this? We can go somewhere to be alone.” He reached out to hold my hands and I snatched them away. Nano sighed, “Why that?” Yeah, why that?
“I’m sorry.” I spoke back to him and he pulled me, holding me gently. “Aren’t you scared of getting caught?”
“No, not right now.” Somehow, I trusted him more than myself and I relaxed a bit, hugging him back. Did I even deserve this kind of affection after all the things I’ve done? I wasn’t sure. But I’m just as selfish as the next person and wanted intimacy. I looked up at him before taking both hands and on either side of his face and kissing him on the lips which he returned. He smiled at me gently. He still loves me; I am being paranoid. We pulled apart. I was glad for Nano’s social and emotional illiteracy for once as I don’t even think he picked up anything besides that initial awkwardness.
“Did you see the guests today?”
“No. I don’t have any interest in people like them.” His cold tone returned but it didn’t matter.
“Why is that?”
“People who believe this life is all about mindless self-indulgence.”
“But what about what you said to Shiki so long ago now?” Nano folded his arms,
“I haven’t had such nihilism since I saved Rin.” I lightened up,
“You know sometimes I think about that and it’s a bit hard to imagine.” Nano stared off into the distance,
“Fate’s a funny thing, Akira.” Just then Rin came running like he had been waiting for us to stop being romantic.
“You guys!!” he yelled, “Oh my god you guys, those guests! I’m having an awful time!”
“Why?” I replied,
“I swear to god the one only has one eyed and his stare made me stop dead in my tracks, it was like he was hypnotizing me or something!”
“Oh, stop being dramatic, it’s just the boring days around here making anything new seem more exciting than it is.” I replied, brushing him off.
“God damnit Akira you never fucking change.” He glared, “You’ll believe it once you seem him.”
“I don’t fucking plan on seeing them. I don’t give a shit about them and their edgy knife games.” I was getting annoyed.
“What the hell is wrong with you?!” Rin snapped,
“What do you mean what the hell is wrong with me?! You’re the one fucking talking about how two dipshits who call themselves Angel and King are extra spooky, only feeding into whatever stupid fucking roleplay they have going!” I yelled back,
“WHY ARE YOU BEING SO DENSE AKIRA GET OVER IT!” Then, Rin struck me across the face which hurt a fucking lot because he’s a Nicole carrier. This prompted Nano to fling into action and slam Rin against the wall to the right of us, the stone cracked but Rin seemed unphased.
“And just who do you think you are?” Nano asks, trying to seem calm but I could hear the barely concealed rage.
“I don’t give a shit about this fucking thing anymore! What happens if you get your fucking happy ending?! I just get left as some kind of footnote in your fucked up fucking lives!” While he raged, I saw for the first time how Shiki and he were brothers. I saw Shiki in him, a familiar cold stare. Nano didn’t let go, “Kill me if you want Nano, I don’t care. More and more I wished that fucking sword had killed me!” Then came the water works. Why did this have to be happening in the garden of all places? I walked up to Rin,
“What is going on with you?!” He looked at me with hate in his eyes,
“You know what Akira, here’s the fucking gag!” He smiled like a crazed demon, “You ain’t going fucking anywhere.”
“What the fuck are you talking about?!” I was solely reactive now.
“Yeah, um hm yeah, those two clowns calling themselves angel and king?! Well, they are just like you and Shiki. It was actually kind of spooky. That stupid one-eyed fuck refused to even speak a bad fucking word about his partner. Despite looking like a fucking traffic victim!” Bitter laughter escaped Rin. I saw Nano grab on harder, I was worried he was going to break Rin’s bones. I leaned in close,
“Your purpose here is done.” I wasn’t sure if I meant that but I was so blinded by anger I didn’t care. I put my hand on Nano’s shoulder “Please let go.” He didn’t reply or stop, “Please let go.” I said softer. Then he did, Rin ran off to God knows where. I looked at Nano who didn’t look me in the eyes and quietly left the garden. Trainwreck.