Chapter Text
Once upon a time, there once was a very wise, very adored king. All of his people of Sumeru loved him and knew he would bring in a time of prosperity to the land. There were even talks to return land that was wrongfully taken centuries ago to the very people who deserved their independence. A king so widely loved that his birthday was considered the biggest holiday that one nation could have.
Once upon a time, that very wise, very adored king unfortunately came to an untimely end.
Bandits attacked his caravan while he was traveling from Natlan and the king sacrificed himself to save the men he brought with him. He was regarded as a hero, beloved even in death. The king left behind a beautiful wife, who was absolutely devastated upon the passing of her perfect husband. Faranak was widely regarded as the most beautiful maiden in Sumeru and with her husband’s passing, her sorrows aged her immensely.
Not only did he leave his soulmate behind, but a dashingly adorable young prince as well. Hair spun from the sun, light and warm. A bubbly laughter that could make the kingdom laugh too. A prince who adored his father with everything his tiny body was able to. A prince who did not understand why his father never came home nor why his mother, wracked with depression, had to leave Sumeru for a while to get better.
She returned a year later with a new husband, one who called himself the little prince’s new father. A duke from the kingdom of Fontaine by the name of Émile. He was considerably older than his mother, but rather agreeable still. He was kind to the little prince, calling his name oh so sweetly when he came home with the queen.
“Sweet, perfect, Prince Kaveh.”
While Kaveh didn’t understand for a while who this man was, he was happy to be adored like his father once did. But it wasn’t long until his mother fell ill once more. She stopped spending time with Kaveh more and more until it was unbearable for her to leave her bed chambers. Soon enough, she was sent back to Fontaine to get better.
Émile changed after that. Becoming that of stories: wicked and cruel. A step father that left a little prince trembling in his boots, wishing for the love of his parents once more. A love Kaveh had noticed left when his mother did.
For years, Kaveh waited on his stepfather, hand and foot. A prince reduced to a servant, locked away in a tower when he was deemed useless. Which was far too often. Years upon years–the kingdom of Sumeru fell into despair and there was nothing a little prince turned into a grown adult could do. Not without possibly calling upon his step father’s wrath. Maybe called a traitor to the crown and left to hang in the city’s square for all to see.
It was easier to play a part to stay safe.
A hum, a twirl, and a bit of soapy water splashing onto his self-mended clothing. Kaveh often enjoyed the moments he was able to clean the floors on his own. Not that he didn’t trust the other servants to do a wonderful job. Truly, he thought they deserved so much more for how hard they worked. It was just a moment of peace for Kaveh, able to spend time on his knees and scrub, scrub, scrub. Humming tunes from his childhood he longed to hear in his parents’ off key voices just once more.
Cleaning was fine. It was the easiest chore he was given. Kaveh didn’t have to worry about getting in anyone’s way like he did in the kitchen. Less opportunity for him to accidentally slice open his palm while cutting vegetables too. Cleaning allowed his mind to wander, to think of better times and better places. An imaginary world just for Kaveh to disappear into.
“Your highness, please. It’s not proper for you to be on your hands and knees like me,” chuckled one of the castle’s maids. Kaveh’s head perked up at the sound, a sweet smile blossoming on his face. Radiant like a flower, Kaveh’s smile had her stopping in her tracks to look upon him with fondness. He tucked a loose strand of blond hair that slipped from his braid behind his ear.
“Inanna, let me help. He gets upset when I don’t anyway and it’s never a problem to assist you all,” Kaveh beamed, believing every word he said. Émile was a cruel man after all. Kaveh had plenty of marks, new and old, from various times he dared defy his father’s orders. Émile wanted the floors cleaned? Kaveh would scrub until his body was aching down into his marrow. Émile wanted him to jump? He’d ask ‘how high, Your Majesty? ’
“I promise it’s alright. Why don’t you get cleaned up for supper, hm? I know you’ve been hard at work for hours. A little break here or there isn’t a bad thing, my prince,” she smiled, ruffling the prince’s golden hair. With his own weak laugh, he waved her hand off him.
“Alright, alright. But you will fetch me if you need my assistance?” Kaveh asked, narrowing his eyes at her playfully. Kaveh bat long, blond lashes at her, ruby eyes glistening like gemstones in the sunlight. Inanna’s cheeks were nearly the same shade of red as she looked away from the fair prince.
“Of course, but I promise I won’t need it! Go, go. Rest up, please,” she giggled. Kaveh saluted her, before kissing her cheek and handing off his bucket of lukewarm soapy water. Inanna was one of the older maids who often took care of Kaveh as he grew up without a proper parent. Most of the servants in the castle took turns taking care of Kaveh, making sure he grew up with his birth father’s kind heart.
Kaveh dried his hands on his patchwork brown pants, his well-worn, too-big, dirty boots dragging across the stone flooring. He continued to hum his mother’s lullaby through the corridors, making his way to his tower where he might rest before supper. It wasn’t often he got to enjoy a meal with Émile, but he never turned down the opportunity to. It was one of the rare times he could eat to his heart’s content.
He made his way down the spiral staircase, fingers tracing over the bark of the tree the castle was built into. Vines snaked their way around the bark, a beautiful green to the warm browns and greys of the rest of the castle otherwise. His tower was across the outdoor pathway, above the view of the citizens of Sumeru City. Though, Kaveh looked like the help more days than not; it was like no one ever noticed their prince was just flitting around the castle. Cleaning, rearranging, pretending he was anyone else.
The sounds of Sumeru City below the castle were like music to Kaveh’s ears. He could smell the various scents of food and people, wafting up into his nose, even so high above the others. His arms swung as he walked, matching the beat of his song. He could feel a breeze in a new hole of the shirt a knight once loaned him that he had yet to give back. That was alright, as he had gotten decent at patching up his own clothing. Inanna and some of the other women taught him how at a young age so that he might patch up the king’s clothing as well one day.
The entrance of the stairs to his tower were right across the way. Kaveh stretched his arms above his head, groaning at the tightness in his back. Perhaps he had been too low to the ground for too long of the day. His fluffy bed was calling his name, fitted with freshly laundered sheets by his own hand too. Oh, how appealing.
Kaveh took one step into his side of the castle, his mind only concentrating on the nap he was going to take. The wind was pushed out of his lungs in an instant as he was forcefully shoved against the stone wall. A splintered part of the brick jabbed into his back and he just hoped he wouldn’t bleed. Getting the blood out of his cream colored shirts was never his forte.
He shouted out in pain, gritting his teeth as the back of his skull collided with the wall. Kaveh forced his eyes open, wanting to feel the force that pressed onto his chest, keeping him against cool stone. Before he could even speak, ice-cold metal was pressed to his throat. Every word on his tongue died in that instant. With his eyes open, he was able to see the person who stopped him dead in his tracks.
What caught him off guard first were the fox-like ears flicking every which way, possibly hunting for different sounds. It was just the two of them in the corridor and for once, Kaveh was almost wishing his father’s guards were glued to his hip like they usually were. Brown eyes that faded into the most impossible hue of green were planted on Kaveh’s face. He could feel the delicate grab of a tail wrapping around his leg, keeping him more firmly planted than the knife, if not by fear then by the weird sensation alone.
Those eyes were filled with a fire Kaveh had never seen before, yet burning with a rage that he was all too familiar with. Before the fox man could even speak, Kaveh knew what he was after. Rebels were constantly trying to assassinate the king; why would this be any different?
“Where is he? Where is the king?” hissed out the man, pressing the knife closer to Kaveh’s throat. Kaveh jerked his chin up, choking on his own breath in a desperate attempt to pull his skin away from the blade. Many people sought the king’s head on a silver platter. It was a rare occurrence for the prince to sneak out, but when he did, he was no stranger to his people discussing their hatred for the man. Secret rebels especially, even with their own plots to enact exactly that.
If the rebellion knew the prince was still there, desperately wishing for a way out–would they kill him too?
“He’s in his chambers. Bathing for dinner,” coughed Kaveh, standing nearly on his tiptoes. His thighs shook with every fiber of his being to keep him upright and against the wall. Perhaps this young man, probably no older than the prince himself, did not recognize their nation’s prince in these ‘lowly’ clothes. Clothes his father preferred him to wear. They were not equals, after all. Kaveh couldn’t squeak out another word, too terrified to move; his Adam's apple was bobbing dangerously close to the knife with each breath. His heartbeat was so loud in his ears, thrumming over and over. He almost missed the scoff the fox man gave him.
“Where is that? Speak, and I’ll let you live,” the rebel snarled, the grip from his tail tightening around his leg. Kaveh gasped in a desperate breath of air, shakily pointing down the opposite end of the hall.
“Far from here. He wants to be as far from me as he can make it,” Kaveh whispered, squeezing his eyes shut. The knife did not slice him, but the pressure was enough to leave him trembling in dirty shoes. One false move and the prince’s life would be over before it ever really began.
“Your Highness! ” called an all too familiar voice. Kaveh breathed a sigh of relief as the knife was reluctantly pulled from his neck. The man’s arm was still pressed tightly into his chest as the sounds of clattering armor caught up with them. The man ‘tsk’d as he pushed off Kaveh. Kaveh doubled over, clutching at his chest so hard his knuckles whitened.
His guards rounded the corner just in time to see the fox man. Kaveh pointed at him, unable to speak a word. The head guard simply pointed his polearm at the offender.
“You are hereby under arrest for the assault of this kingdom’s prince,” said the head guard, his blood orange eyes narrowing on him.
“The prince? Him? ” the criminal scoffed, pointing at Kaveh in disbelief.
“Hi, yes. Still the prince of Sumeru, despite what most believe,” Kaveh sighed, defeated. He watched the man juggle the knife around, threatening Kaveh with it. Kaveh pressed himself flush against the wall, eyes unable to pry themselves off the blade. With a clearly trained skill, the fox flipped the knife back into its pouch before launching himself through the window beside Kaveh’s head.
“Chase him!” the guard commanded, pointing for the two other guards on his flanks to chase after the man. They nodded and immediately scurried off to hopefully catch up with the would-be murderer. When it was just the two of them, the head guard breathed heavily, a bit of relief, a bit of worry.
“Your Highness, are you alright?” he asked, placing a well meaning hand on the prince’s shoulder. Long, silver hair half pulled into a low ponytail, bangs almost swooping in front of his red eyes. Kaveh placed a hand over a tanned one, giving him a firm squeeze.
“I’m fine, Cyno. Really. He scared me more than anything. I’m just glad you guys showed up when you did. Two more moments and I might have soiled myself,” chuckled Kaveh. Cyno made a disgusted expression at that, but shook it off to give the prince a cheeky little grin.
“You’re just lucky I tail you like a puppy. C’mon, let me get you to your room,” Cyno said, motioning for the prince to walk ahead.
“Think it was another rebellion assassination attempt?” Kaveh asked as they walked up the stairs to the top of Kaveh’s tower.
“Most certainly. They’re getting more… zealous as time goes on,” Cyno sighed, his eyes darting every which way to keep an eye out for more potential threats. Kaveh felt relief with the head guard by his side. The head guard who had always been by his side.
Cyno was brought to the castle in the time of his birth parents’ reign. An orphan who needed a home, somewhere safe to be. His father’s head guard at the time, Cyrus, took him in and taught him everything he knew. Cyno was only a few years Kaveh’s junior, so Kaveh took to him like a proud older brother. They grew together, learned together, and Kaveh relied so heavily on his friend. There were too many instances where Cyno had saved his behind when the going got tough. Cyno was his rock and Kaveh was always thankful for his best friend. Even when it hurt so dearly to watch Cyno accept the head guard position where he would be working even closer with his wicked step father.
Once safely inside Kaveh’s room, Cyno shut the door and breathed a real sigh of relief. His palms touched the wood as Kaveh could feel Cyno’s eyes watching his every move. It would certainly be a few days of tower lockdown if this truly was another rebel plot thwarted. Kaveh hated being confined to his tower. It was his father’s command more often than not, and it drove him insane. His only friends to visit could only be Cyno, Inanna, and occasionally the castle’s prime entertainment: Nilou .
“You know what I’m going to say to you, Your Highness,” sighed Cyno. Kaveh groaned, flopping onto his bed, arms spread out as he looked up into his bed’s canopy.
“And you know I’m not going to listen to you. Cyno, there’s a festival in town tomorrow night!” whined Kaveh. It was hard sneaking out of the castle when the king’s guards watched him like a hawk often. But those rare moments,–ones when he could pretend to just be a regular citizen of Sumeru–those were his favorite . It was the end-of-harvest festival tomorrow night and Kaveh just knew there was delicious food to be had. Drinks to be shared! How could he stay cooped up in his tower when that was happening?
“It’s too dangerous and you know that. What if the people discover your identity? I can’t protect you all the time, Kaveh,” Cyno said, pushing off the door to sit beside Kaveh.
“Then they stone me to death in the courtyard. Big whoop. It’s my only chance at freedom!” Kaveh said, tossing his hands to the air. Nothing was like it was when his father was alive. A once beloved royal family–scorned. Loathed. Kaveh chewed on his inner lip, staring up at the ceiling.
“I want to see a festival for myself. Do you know how long it's been? I can’t keep painting what thirteen year old Kaveh saw so long ago. Over and over and over again. It’s so frustrating being here all the time, Cyno! I want to be free,” Kaveh whined, abruptly sitting upright. His face pinched together in frustration, red dotting the tips of his ears and tops of his cheeks. “Art is beautiful. It keeps me sane, but it is not the festival I dream of.”
Cyno placed a hand on his friend’s thigh, giving it a soothing squeeze. It did nothing to quell the anger boiling in Kaveh’s system, just under his skin. Only Kaveh would want to break out the day after an assassination attempt. It was almost as if he had little regard for his own life. What was life trapped inside the castle anyway?
“Will you bring me back a pita pocket? A good one,” smirked Cyno. Kaveh felt a weight fly off his chest as he flung himself at his friend. Kaveh was practically giggling as he enveloped Cyno in a tight hug, flopping onto their backs.
“You’re the best for covering for me,” Kaveh whispered, burying his face in the crook of Cyno’s shoulder. Cyno patted him softly, so warm against Kaveh’s skin. He truly was putting his neck on the line by always covering for Kaveh when he snuck out. Whether it be watching over him in the city below or keeping his father occupied so that Kaveh could enjoy unrestricted time under the sun.
Or rather, the moon with the festival tomorrow night.
“As long as you promise to come home, Your Highness.”
“Don’t I always?”
Though, there were often days when he was already off castle grounds where Kaveh thought about running away and never looking back. Perhaps to a farther off nation like Snezhnaya, where he could change his name and dye his hair. And never have to face his step father’s wrath again. But the pull of returning home to Inanna, to Cyno, always drew him back.
Always.
₊˚ ✧ ━━━━⊱⋆⊰━━━━ ✧ ₊˚
The moment the moon was high in the sky, Kaveh could feel his nerves coming alive. He was giddy with excitement, thrumming in his veins as he watched his father enter his chambers for the evening. Cyno stood post outside his door until it was firmly shut behind him. He gave the prince a little nod, letting him know it was now or never. Kaveh bit down on his bottom lip and spun around on his heeled boot. Cyno had lent him a purple cloak so that he might cover himself up more.
Sumerians had not seen the prince properly since he was but a child. Émile was good at keeping him hidden, and while he had his father’s ruby eyes, he was hoping no one would get a close enough look to recognize them. Kaveh was content being a bystander in the festival, watching everyone have fun around him. The sounds, the sights–it would be enough for the sheltered prince.
Kaveh tugged the hood over his blond hair, tucked neatly in a low bun out of the way. Cyno’s cloak covered up all parts of him, a perfect disguise to weave through the city streets below. He slipped out of his castle, the biggest pep in his step. Music slowly grew louder and louder as he made his way down ramps connecting his castle to the massive tree in the center of the city. Kaveh brushed past people, excusing himself as he did; so far, everything was going smoothly.
Hooting and hollering were the first things he heard outside of the music. Bustling crowds danced and swayed throughout the streets. The air was sticky sweet with aromatic food, the soothing smell of padisarahs, and syrupy-thick humidity. Kaveh could feel his hair sticking to the back of his neck, but he couldn’t find it in himself to care at all.
Drinks sloshed onto the road below, creating little puddles, but no one cared about that mess either. Men danced with women, women giggled behind their hands. A band in the center of the town continued playing lively music that enchanted the gathered audience. Kaveh’s attention, however, was immediately drawn to a simple booth selling meat on a skewer. His stomach rumbled at the exact moment, ripping through him like claws. His father didn’t exactly share his meal tonight, but Inanna made sure he ate something small at the very least.
Kaveh dug around in his pockets for the small pouch of mora he saved for trips exactly like this. He took his place in line, humming along to the music and tapping his foot to the beat. The couple in front of him held each other, whispering and giggling. The girl kissed her boyfriend’s nose and he just nuzzled her with it in response. His heart sagged in his chest, heavy like a rock. Oh, what Kaveh would give to have something like that. It was hard meeting one’s true love locked in a tower for most of his life.
He waited his turn very politely, bobbing along in a pseudo dance while waiting. When it was Kaveh’s turn, he ordered two chicken skewers, handing over the correct mora exactly. Yet, just as he was about to take his precious skewers, a speedy hand snatched one of them up. As soon as it was grabbed, the perpetrator was already on the move. Kaveh gasped, jaw hanging to the ground as he grabbed his other one and started chasing after the person.
“Excuse me! I don’t believe that belongs to you!” scoffed Kaveh, stomping his boots onto the stone below. The figure he tailed after was taller than him, maybe even a bit broader too. They wore their own cloak, teal in color, hiding their identity. Kaveh hadn’t even a chance to bite into a skewer, too focused on reprimanding the person.
The person tossed the empty skewer onto the ground, shuffling away faster from Kaveh. Seriously? Littering? Kaveh huffed, picking up the stick as he waved it threateningly at the stranger running from him. They turned down an alley and Cyno in the back of his mind was telling him that following an unknown figure into a mostly empty alley was a stupid idea. But then how was he going to tell him off for being rude? Not ask for compensation, because if the person was truly hungry then Kaveh would have happily shared his chicken skewer.
“You are lucky the king’s guards did not catch you!” Kaveh hissed. The figure halted at those words, spinning around to look at Kaveh. Kaveh skidded to a stop, nearly toppling backwards as the figure seemed to try and tower over him. As if he were trying to make the prince seem small, when really their height difference was negligible. “What then, hm? I know the king is not kind to petty thieves.”
The hood of the stranger flew back, revealing the man he was chasing. Kaveh’s breath caught in his throat when he got a good look at his face. His palms immediately grew slick with a nervous sweat. Kaveh blinked up at him a few times, his own hood slipping off to reveal golden hair. Ruby eyes were locked with a teal, maybe a hint of something warm inside that color. Thin lips were pulled into a tight line, grey hair ruffled and messy from his hood.
“Guards have never caught me and I don’t intend to break that streak tonight,” huffed the man, whipping around and letting his cloak billow dramatically.
“Wait!” Kaveh barked, without even thinking. His hand wrapped around the man’s wrist, his skin boiling hot to the touch. It was almost like he was burned, especially with how fast his hand snapped back to himself. The man did pause in his tracks, looking at him from over his shoulder.
“I’m not going to apologize for taking your food, if that’s what you’re hoping for,” he said flatly. There was an almost monotonous quality to his voice, only catching certain inflictions. Kaveh was actually caught off guard with his sentence, upper lip curled in confusion as he squinted at him.
“What? No–what? Right, I don’t actually care about that. What do you mean they haven’t caught you yet?” Kaveh breathed out, in utter disbelief. His father’s guards were now under Cyno’s command and he whipped them into quite the shape.
“I mean what I said. They never seem to bother me. As if I blend into the background,” shrugged the man, arms crossing defensively over his chest. “You aren’t going to try and rat me out, are you?”
It was almost offensive that the man thought Kaveh would be a tattle tale. To his step father’s men no less! He made the most dramatic face of disgust as he shook his head at that.
“No. I was going to scold you for a moment, but something tells me it would go in one ear and out the other,” shrugged Kaveh. The man looked him up and down, a puff of a laugh escaping his lips.
“You would assume correctly.”
“Great, now that that’s settled–are you hungry? Do you need me to buy you food?” Kaveh smirked, shifting his weight to one hip. He would do it in a heartbeat even if the man hesitated to say something; that was just the kind of person Kaveh was. But the man was quick to speak.
“As if I need handouts from you.”
“But stealing is fine?”
“There’s art in stealing.”
“Mm, I could assume you don’t care much for the arts. What with the mismatched shirt to cloak,” Kaveh teased, poking at the man’s chest. The maroon peasant top with the teal cloak certainly did not match, nor was it a signifier of one’s love for the arts, but still. It was fun watching the man’s eye twitch when Kaveh said something to poke at him.
“Are you seriously making fun of the wardrobe of the man who stole from you? What if I have a weapon? What if I wanted to steal the mora pouch you have tied to your waist band? Hm?” he said, stepping closer towards Kaveh. Flinching in the slightest, Kaveh shook his head to clear his mind. He couldn’t explain it, but there was something about him that just breathed… wet kitten. There was no way the man would lay a finger on Kaveh, but it was eating at him that he just couldn’t place why.
“You won’t hurt me,” Kaveh challenged, arching a brow at the man. He seemed taken aback by his brazen statement, upper lip twitching just the slightest. Maybe it was the buttery tone from Kaveh, or the way honesty poured out of every pore of the prince. Kaveh truly believed what he said.
“What is your name?” asked the man.
“You first.”
“You’re irritating.”
“That’s not exactly answering me.”
A smirk. “Maybe we don’t reveal our names, then.”
Kaveh’s eyes glittered in the lantern light, twinkling like precious stones. How exhilarating was this man? A mystery in all ways. He was almost envious. If he was able to evade his guards as easily as the man claimed to, maybe he’d be able to escape once and for all. Kaveh grinned, clapping a hand on the man’s shoulder.
“For stealing my skewer–do you think you could teach me how to evade castle guards?!” Kaveh asked, his voice like an over-excited child. The thrum of doing something bad vibrated under his skin, spicy and prickly. The man’s face fell even flatter, if it was even possible, as he tried to look away from Kaveh’s gaze.
“What would you need to know this for? You look like you could blow over in the breeze. That mere, petty crime could make you ill,” he teased, looking Kaveh up and down. Kaveh pursed his lips, squinting at him. Well, he wasn’t wrong, but how else would he learn good evading techniques if not to do as the other did?
“I’m planning to run and I need to be good at it,” Kaveh nodded.
“Run? What, troubled past?” he asked with a thoughtful hum.
“You could say that,” sighed Kaveh, rubbing the side of his neck. The mere thought of living in the castle for the rest of his life… It sent chills down Kaveh’s spine. Perhaps he wouldn’t even make it to thirty at this rate. It wasn’t like Émile planned on giving up the throne any time soon. The man stared at Kaveh in silence for too long. He squirmed uncomfortably, unable to pry his own gaze away from the man’s face.
He was… pretty to say the least. It wasn’t like Kaveh had much experience socializing. When he made trips to the city below, he kept to himself. Kaveh was quiet and kind. Never one to draw attention to himself, lest they find out his identity. Kaveh didn’t spend much up close and personal time with his subjects. This one… well. He was striking, actually. A strong nose with piercing teal eyes. High cheek bones and sun kissed skin, smooth all over. His hair fell like silk over his face, a beautiful grey color with hints of teal. A beautiful stranger, one that had Kaveh’s heart skipping a beat in his chest. One who stole his chicken skewer and he wasn’t even mad at it anymore.
“Well? What do you say?”
The man still paused, as if mentally chewing on his words. “...Fine.”
Kaveh grinned and reached out to grip the man’s hand. He forcefully shook his hand, raising it far too high for a proper handshake. The man looked almost uncomfortable at the touch, but he didn’t pull away from him. Kaveh thought, for a moment, he might have wiped his hand on his pant leg once he was free, but Kaveh might have imagined it.
“First lesson, blending in with a crowd. No offense, but that looks like a nobleman’s cloak. You make for an easy target,” he scoffed, picking up the offending fabric with two fingers like it disgusted him. “You stand out too much.”
Kaveh felt his cheeks warm, hoping it wasn’t too obvious he was the crowned prince. “Really? This is a loan from a friend.”
“So you aren’t a noble? Makes sense. What nobleman of Sumeru wishes to run from their life of luxury,” the man said, a judging sniffle following with it. Kaveh groaned, shrugging his shoulders forward in annoyance and defeat. If he denied it, he would be a liar. Kaveh could not tell a lie to save his life. If he told the truth, the man might react badly. Might immediately hate him. And as Kaveh looked at those darling teal eyes, he wasn’t sure if he’d enjoy having them look at him in hatred.
It was easier to ignore the question.
“C’mon, let’s slip through the festival and see if you can be undetected,” he sighed when Kaveh didn’t reply to him. Kaveh nodded firmly, pressing himself close to the man to follow his lead.
For most of the festival, they wiggled in and out of groups of people. The man showed Kaveh how to swipe something off of someone and even return it all without them noticing. Kaveh was instructed never to harm his fellow poor man, but nobles and scamming merchants were fair game. It wasn’t an apology for stealing from Kaveh, but his words implied that if he knew Kaveh was a poor man, he wouldn’t have stolen from him.
The man told him he did pretty good at slipping about. Not nearly as silent as himself, but good enough. Kaveh felt a surge of pride swell through him at the minor praise. He clenched his fist excitedly and offered to buy the man a little treat as thanks.
Kaveh bought them a bag of candied nuts to share as they stood up and off to the side of the festival. His legs swung off the raised patio, munching on nuts as he did so. They continued to people watch, all the smiles and laughter being shared. It was so starkly different to how Kaveh would normally see his people. Sullen faces, silence in the streets. The festival was almost like how it was when his real dad was alive. How joy was shared throughout the land and his people were proud to be his people.
“It’s different being in the city during a festival. Beautiful, even,” Kaveh sighed happily.
“You’re right. For a moment, we can forget our oppressive rulers,” the man hummed. Kaveh turned to look at him as the man shoved candied nuts into his mouth.
“Do you hate the royal family so much?” Kaveh asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
“Don’t you? Don’t we all? The king ruined our lives. Our peaceful, easy lives. And where’s our prince? He’s grown now, right? Why isn’t he fighting back? I believe he likes Sumeru exactly how it is and doesn’t care,” he shrugged. Though his tone was neutral, there was a fire in those eyes that told Kaveh he truly was furious for the hand the people of Sumeru were dealt.
“Well, we don’t know that for a fact, do we? How do we know he isn’t fighting battles inside the castle?” Kaveh said, turning back to look at the people. His heart was weary in his chest. Did his people really think he turned his back on them? “What if the prince is going through something we couldn’t imagine?”
“Then I’d be inclined to send people to help, but let me offer what you said: we don’t know that for a fact, do we?”
Kaveh snapped his mouth shut at that. It was better to just enjoy the nuts and not speak at all. The man’s leg brushed against his, hot to the touch. Kaveh sucked in a small breath at the sensation of sparks traveling up his spine. Despite the man’s harsh words against the royal family–Kaveh felt drawn to him still. Perhaps it was because he was the first pretty face to ever draw him in. Not that Cyno was ugly by any means, or rather that anyone on the castle grounds was ugly. No, they were simply family. The only ones he had. This was an enticing stranger. New, and almost comforting in a way.
“Think you’re ready for your final test?” the man asked, just as people started gathering around for fireworks. Oh, how Kaveh loved fireworks. Brilliant displays of colorful light amongst the stars. He loved painting them, and it would be the first time in years he was going to be able to see them up close. He almost wanted to say no to the man, just so they could remain in their peaceful bubble.
The final test was supposedly simple. Steal fruit from a merchant who was overcharging his patrons on purpose. Right in front of him. Kaveh wasn’t the most confident in his swift fingers, but for some reason the idea of the man praising him again sent a warm tingle down his spine. Kaveh pushed off the patio, huffing as he did. The man followed closely behind, their hoods back up as they slipped into the crowds once more.
Perhaps these lessons from him were exactly what Kaveh needed. This was the most free he had felt in years. All the times escaping out of the castle to wander the city for a few hours led to this. A real shot at learning to escape for real! A taste of freedom as sweet as zaytun peaches.
Kaveh split off from him, watching the teal cloak disappear. It was amazing how good he was blending into the background. Silent, slippery–Kaveh was almost envious . No wonder his skewer was out of his hand before he could even realize. His eyes flickered forward, already knowing the man they had targeted. Kaveh was supposed to grab just a few pieces to see if all their training during the festival worked. Meanwhile, the man was going to grab a handful to share with those who truly needed it.
Quiet. Calm. Always watching. Kaveh slipped close to the booth, eyes trained on the seller. A flash of teal was all he saw before it was gone as quick as it came. The man had been successful, and adrenaline coursed through his blood. This was Kaveh’s chance. He waltzed beside the table, as if he was just passing through the crowd to get by. Dainty fingers reached for the harra fruit, ready to tuck it into the inner pocket of Cyno’s cloak.
Alas, the prince never had the best of luck.
His knuckles brushed another piece of fruit and it slipped to the floor, tumbling below. All eyes were on him now, harra fruit nearly tucked into his pocket. Busted.
“Hey–Hey! He’s stealing!” the merchant called out when he realized what was happening. Suddenly a blazing hot hand was wrapped around his wrist, tugging him in the opposite direction.
“ Run ,” the man said, taking off in a full speed run. A light laughter passed Kaveh’s lips as they ran off towards the exit of the city. The man wasn’t laughing, but Kaveh couldn’t help himself. Guards were certainly on their tails, but it was the most magical thing he had ever experienced. Kaveh had never been intentionally bad before. It was exhilarating. Sure, they were being bad in the name of being good. He almost felt bad the poorer folks they were going to give the overpriced food to weren't getting as much as planned.
The pair ran and ran until they were well outside the city limits and the sounds of the knights’ armor no longer clanged in their ears. Kaveh was still doubled over laughing as they hid in the darkness of the rainforest at night. Only a bit of moonlight peeked through the trees, their only source of illumination aside from the distant lanterns lighting the safe path. The man leaned against a tree, panting.
“Why in god’s name are you laughing?” the man hissed, glaring at Kaveh.
“That was fun. Oh god, I’ve never done anything like that before. Anything like today,” Kaveh breathed excitedly, swinging his arms out in a circle happily. His smile was wide, taking over every bit of his face.
“You almost got us caught,” he huffed.
“Almost. We weren’t caught,” snickered Kaveh.
“That was foolish. You should have been more careful.”
“Jeez, we’re fine . Neither of us were arrested and I’m sure you got some fruit to share!”
“...That’s beside the point.”
Kaveh rolled his eyes, stepping towards the man. The sounds of fireworks filled the air, illuminating the sky even more with the prettiest of colors. It illuminated the man even more, moonlight and hues of red and orange highlighting his hair. Kaveh held his hands behind his back, smiling oh so sweetly.
“Thank you for today. I think I learned some valuable skills from you,” Kaveh grinned, his eyes crinkling. The man blinked at him, his flat expression shifting into something softer . A slightly dropped lip, wide eyes. If Kaveh knew any better he would have said he was almost mesmerized by the prince. Though, who wasn’t?
“Are you still planning to run?” he asked Kaveh.
Kaveh sighed, spinning on his heel to face the fireworks and the moon. “I think so. I don’t know if this place is for me.”
Suddenly the man was standing behind him. Kaveh shuddered at his sudden heat, unsurprised he didn’t hear him move again. Kaveh wrapped his arms around his shoulders, watching the festivities from far away.
“Where would you go?”
“Dunno. Mondstadt? Snezhnaya? Something that doesn’t touch Sumeru. Maybe even Inazuma, though I’m not sure how I’d get there quite yet,” hummed Kaveh. There was silence from the man.
“What if I said there was somewhere for you to go?” he asked. Kaveh turned around, his turn for his lip to drop. He blinked his eyes at him, head cocked so slightly. He waited for him to continue, breathless. “If you’re willing to fight for Sumeru, that is.”
A rebel? Oh, this was dangerous territory. The man was a rebel?! If he recognized who Kaveh was, it could get too dicey. Kaveh gulped thickly, unsure of how he would respond to him. He couldn’t reveal his identity–who knew what would happen? Instead, his eyes caught something that helped him change the subject.
The tree before him looked like it was going to give way at any moment. It didn’t match the natural vibrancy of the trees around him. Like it was slowly dying from the inside out. Was it sick? Was the soil not good enough? Not enough rain?
“What–What is this?” Kaveh asked, stepping past him. His hand reached out to touch the bark of the tree, feeling it immediately crumble under his touch. It was almost like a coarse ash, nothing he had ever seen before. Or felt. He rubbed his fingers together, a low quizzical hum. There was now a wound-like mark on the tree and the sight had his heart aching in his chest.
“Withering. The rainforest is dying,” the man said, right next to Kaveh’s ear. Kaveh jumped out of his skin, a little yip escaping him. He spun back around, back pressed to the tree as the man invaded his personal space.
“Dying? Is this happening elsewhere in the rainforest?” Kaveh choked out. How had he not heard of this? Did his father know? The royal family must have some sort of plan to combat it, right?
“It’s happening all over the rainforest. Some spaces are worse off. It’s like the rainforest is slowly becoming the new desert. Sumeru is being sucked dry, turned to ash and sand. You–You don’t know about this? Have you been living under a rock?” he said, arching a judging brow.
Kaveh laughed without humor, “You could say that. Well, isn’t there anything anyone can do?”
“Not without the fairy godmother’s help. But no one has seen her for years,” he shrugged, “She’d probably be able to reverse all the damage that is done, but I worry it’s too late.”
Anger boiled inside of Kaveh. Fiery and white hot. His hands immediately clenched into fists, shaking with rage. He knew he would be red in the face; his emotions always presented with red tinted skin. Kaveh let out a frustrated sigh, reaching for his hair.
“No, that can’t be it. There has to be more we could do! The king must know about this–”
“And if he did, I doubt he would care. He’s sucked our mines dry. Ruined our crops. King Émile is destroying Sumeru, all so he can stay powerful and rich,” he said, his voice tight. Kaveh felt like he was going to throw up. All the beautiful greenery he had been painting since he was a child was withering away? How long did they have until Sumeru was nothing but a barren desert?
“I-I-I have to do something ,” Kaveh stammered out, still boiling.
“What can you do? Are you secretly a fairy? Or do you just have a massive hero complex?” the man asked sarcastically, drily. Kaveh jabbed a finger in his chest just repeating, ‘you’ over and over as words failed him.
“I can’t just let Sumeru fall.”
“Your Highness!”
Oh. Oh shit. Kaveh froze up, all the heat from his anger immediately freezing over with fear. A hand slipped over Kaveh’s mouth, the man growing silent. Kaveh pressed himself against the tree, already recognizing the voice. It was Cyno, coming to fetch him and return him home. The man pressed his body against Kaveh’s, still burning hot like his touch from before. His shoulders were broader, even if their height was rather similar. Kaveh felt only a little bit small, sweat dripping down his back.
“The prince is close by. Be quiet.”
Kaveh trembled slightly under the man’s touch. His skin burned from the direct contact, hot and almost delicious . Their closeness had want ripping through his system. Kaveh had never been in a situation like this before. It was surreal and he didn’t want it to end.
“Prince Kaveh! ” Cyno called out, stepped out from a tree. The man whipped around, placing himself directly in between Kaveh and Cyno’s spear.
“The prince isn’t here, Knight. You should leave already,” he hissed.
Cyno gave him an incredulous look, hip cocked out as he used his spear almost like a cane. Kaveh mentally slapped his forehead at this whole situation. Almost wishing he was being stoned to death in the courtyard.
“He’s… right there. Your Highness, I can see you. What, were you planning to run away with him?” Cyno snorted. “Your Highness, you’re like the tree who tried to run away from home. Not out of the woods yet!”
Oh my god. Now was really, really not the time for one of his jokes. Kaveh groaned, dragging a hand down his face. He could feel the man’s eye leering at him from over his shoulder. Kaveh never felt more pathetic in his life. He stepped around him, hands held up.
“Alright, alright. You got me. Sir Cyno, let’s go home,” sighed Kaveh, rubbing the side of his neck.
“You’re… the prince?” the man gasped out. Kaveh turned to look at him, hurt to see disgust plainly written on his face. Kaveh reached out for him, almost desperate to touch him once more. The man took a step back, his upper lip twitching.
“Please, I am not what you think of me,” Kaveh pleaded, hoping that their time together would have proved it.
“You’re him,” he said, stepping back once more.
“Your Highness, we have to go. Leave him. You’ve been gone too long,” Cyno said, behind the prince with a hand on his shoulder.
“Wait–sir, will I see you again?” Kaveh asked, his hand still extended towards him. The man didn’t say another word, but simply hightailed it out of there. Kaveh’s fist closed with a sigh, his last chance at freedom was fleeing from him. He was offering him a spot with the rebels. Maybe if he just ran quicker–kept his identity hidden–maybe he could have been truly free. Kaveh sullenly turned back towards Cyno. “Let’s… go home.”
Cyno placed a supportive hand on his back, leading the prince back to the castle in secret. Kaveh’s heart felt heavy in his chest. There was so much he learned today–so much he wished he could undo.
₊˚ ✧ ━━━━⊱⋆⊰━━━━ ✧ ₊˚
Kaveh was a good son, always had been. He was dressed in his servant’s clothes, kneeling beside the throne, his head and eyes downcast. The throne room doors were thrust open, banging against the wall. Kaveh flinched at the sound, though he dared not look at his father. He could hear the sound of his heeled boots clicking against the stone floor. Closer and closer. The sounds of his royal cape swished, flicking Kaveh as he took his seat on the throne.
“Kaveh,” was all he said, hatred dripping in his voice. Like hot coals from a fire, singing Kaveh’s skin. Kaveh rose to his feet, but he dared not look at him. Not unless he was given permission.
“Welcome home, Father,” Kaveh said flatly, his hands held together politely in front of him, rolling his shoulders forward.
“Are your chores completed?” Émile asked, crossing one leg over the other.
“Yes Father. Dinner is being prepared for you as we speak,” Kaveh nodded.
“Very good. You are dismissed,” he hummed, waving Kaveh off. This was when Kaveh looked up, face twisted in agony.
“Actually, Father, can I talk to you about something?”
Émile looked at him the way one would look at animal feces at the bottom of their shoe. Putrid, horrific. Unwanted. Kaveh gulped, drawing more into himself. That free feeling he felt not too long ago was all but forgotten. He traced his top row of teeth with his tongue as he thought about how to proceed with this.
“Have… you been to the rainforest lately?” Kaveh asked, rubbing his hands together until it burned. Émile scoffed, raising a brow as if to say ‘are you serious?’ . “Right, of course not. Father, I have… heard of something happening to the rainforest. The people call it the Withering. It means everything there is dying. Turning to sand. Our land is sick, Father.”
Émile stared at him like he grew a second head. “Am I supposed to care?”
Kaveh blinked rapidly, his jaw dropping. “You… don’t?”
“Of course not. So what if the rainforest turns into the desert? Maybe it’ll be less rainy. I left Fontaine to avoid all the water,” he scoffed. Kaveh was so taken aback. He knew his father was cruel, unkind, but it was always shocking to hear him so blatant about it.
“Father, it could cause famine–unrest. The rebels are certainly up in arms about it!” Kaveh gasped.
“So let them come. We killed off more of them just now,” laughed the king, like it meant nothing. Kaveh’s heart dropped to his feet, his body going cold.
“K-Killed them? You killed people?” Kaveh stammered. Killing innocent people. Letting the rainforest die. How far was his stepfather going to go? Until all of Sumeru fell? Kaveh pressed his tongue tightly against his molars, wishing he was anywhere else. How was this fair? Why did his real father have to die? Why did Sumeru have to fall into Émile’s hands?
“What? You oppose it now?” Émile said, accusing Kaveh.
“I have always opposed it! They are innocent people,” Kaveh snapped, but he bit his tongue right away when he saw his father’s expression. Pupils so small all he could see was cerulean irises, filled with anger and hatred. Wide, flared nostrils, face pointed right at Kaveh. Émile rose to his feet, ringed hand raised high.
“Innocent ? Need I remind you that they are who killed your father, Kaveh? Attempted to kill the both of us numerous times?!” Émile roared.
“Rebels never killed my father. It was bandits . There was no need for a rebellion until you stepped in for him!” Kaveh retorted, fiery, but small. The burning sensation of his father’s palm against his cheek was what he felt first, then the sound rang in his ears. Kaveh gasped, grasping his cheek in pain.
“Go to your tower, Kaveh. Do not come down until I send for you. Am I clear?” Émile hissed. Kaveh looked up at him with glassy eyes, wanting to say more. Of course his father wouldn’t do anything about the rainforest dying. Of course he didn’t care if his subjects suffered. He never did.
“You truly are wicked,” Kaveh said quietly, turning and rushing off to his tower. If Émile said anything else, then Kaveh never heard him. Blood rushed in his ears as he stormed off, already plotting his escape. God, all he wanted to do was to be free.
He threw himself onto his bed, muffling his scream into his pillow. There was a knock on his door and then Cyno’s voice called from the other side. Cyno always checked in on him when Émile laid a hand on Kaveh. As if it would truly make it any better. Nothing would make Kaveh’s life better than being removed from this life entirely.
“Go away, Cyno. Just–not now. Please,” Kaveh grumbled at the door. There was silence for a moment, like Cyno was pondering it. But the sound of retreating footsteps told Kaveh he was alone once more. Always and forever… alone.
Kaveh had always wondered what it would be like to run away. There were often nights he had the most beautifully vivid dreams of it. Feeling the dirt under his feet, wind in his hair as he just ran . Kaveh would run as far as his legs could take him and his lungs threatened to give out. There had to be somewhere in Teyvat where his father didn’t have eyes on him. Where his guards could not reach him.
What would Kaveh do then? For a majority of his life, he had assumed he would become king after his step father passed on. Seeing as how he wasn’t giving it up willingly. If there was no throne to claim, what would he do? Kaveh would dream in watercolor, runny and colorful like his own paintings. Perhaps he would do portraits of other people for money on the streets of Fontaine. Peddling for mora, excited because it meant he was finally doing something for himself.
Oh, to go home at night to a home with a balcony overlooking the Court of Fontaine. Or peering out a window in Liyue Harbor, listening to the gentle waves and docking of boats. His dreams were so vivid it was like he could taste the dandelion wine of Mondstadt on his tongue, despite only having it once before. If there was no need for him to be king, Kaveh could be free .
The idea of sticking around for his people kept him firmly planted in the castle. That one day there would be festivals and joyous laughter in the streets all the time–like his childhood. The more he experienced the cruelty of his step father, the more he longed for better times. For a new king. Kaveh had never been the type to wish ill on anyone , but as things grew worse and worse, not only for himself, but for Sumeru … it was getting hard to remain kind. His warm heart beat and beat, with all the goodness and love his biological parents poured into it, sometimes soured and turned icy when he would think of what would happen if he were to become king early.
Kaveh would dream of running away. Of leaving Sumeru and her people behind. It would feel like icy crystals forming on his heart, as they carved into his chest. Scraping against the confines of his chest and hollowing him out from the inside. He could never leave his people behind, even if he dreamed of greener pastures.
He curled into a ball on his bed, clenching his teeth so hard he feared they would crack. How much longer could he last? Could Sumeru last? His arms wrapped tight around himself as he silently cried himself to a restless sleep, wishing one of those running away dreams would allow him a moment of peace.