[Ohmiya Oneshot] A vow in golden snow II
Captain Machida’s ship returned to the docks.
“I’m so sorry, Kazu.” Ohno repeated for the hundredth time and meaning it no less. “I didn’t know you were the seasick type.”
“I didn’t either. First time on a boat.” Letting Ohno take all of his weight, as they walked from the pier to land, adding woozily, “And last.”
“I’ve never seen someone puke so much. Not even the old drunk nobles at the balls.”
“That makes me feel better.”
They reached a pile of wooden cargo boxes, and Nino eased himself onto one, hunching forward in case he needed to throw up again.
Uncertainly, Prince Ohno sat beside him, rubbing therapeutic circles into his back. “Machida went to get a carriage; it should be here any minute.”
Nino stared at the dirt building up in the cracks between the dock‘s cobles. He dug at it with the point of his shoe. “It’s weird that he calls you ‘Prince Satoshi’ when everyone else calls you ‘Prince Ohno.’”
Ohno’s massage stopped for a minute, but started up again half a heart beat later. “We’ve known each other for a while, and years ago I asked him to just call me Ohno, or just Satoshi, but he says he couldn’t because I’m his prince and he’s my subject.”
The pain in Ohno’s voice was unmistakable, and Nino felt guilty for feeling jealous of the friendship Ohno had wanted to share with Machida. “It can’t be helped that that is the way of things.”
“I know.”
That night back at Ohnopia castle, Prince Nino found his mother reading in her guest chambers before bed, and plopped into a plush arm chair beside her. She looked up from her novel and gasped. “Kazunari, your skin!”
“I wanted you to see it, because it will probably never happen again.”
His mother stared at him, absolutely flabbergast, “But how on earth did you get so….so tan?”
Prince Ohno for his part was enjoying a very relaxing bath when his mother burst into the bathing room.
“Mom! We talked about this.” Shifting uncomfortably in the tub, Ohno tried to pull all of the bubbles in from the edges of the tub.
“Oh hush, it’s nothing to hide from your mother.”
“But-”
“You’re getting along well with Prince Ninomiya, I hear?”
“Y-yeah.” Ohno stared at his reflection in a bubble, feeling his ears grow hot. Which was strange. He didn’t like it when it mom barged in on his baths, but it only made him feel a little uncomfortable, not painfully embarrassed.
“It would be good if you two could be friends. You’ll strengthen the relationship between our countries if your bond as friends is strong.”
“I know, mom.” Ohno sighed, running a hand through his wet hair. “I’ve only been a prince all of my life.”
“Have you now?” The queen chuckled, exiting the bathing room and closing the door behind her.
Even after she had gone, Ohno felt strange. Extracting himself from the tub, Ohno’s toes found the luxurious rug on the marble floor, and grabbed an equally luxurious towel with which to dry himself.
Friendship was what he had with Advisers Aiba and Sakurai. It was what he had wanted with Machida.
But with Prince Ninomiya the word friendship just didn’t feel right.
The following evening there was another ball, and the Princes conceived of escaping together with an elaborate plan of wearing the guard’s uniforms and everything, except they happened to have been overheard by Adviser Aiba who tattled to Sakurai who told Matsumoto.
As a result both princes were grounded to Ohno’s chambers for the remaining hours of the afternoon until the start of the ball. Which, Queen Ohno added in her punishment, was to include attending the royal procession too.
“You have nice rooms.” Commented Nino, plopping on Ohno’s bed. The mattress could easily fit ten people across, so Nino had to crawl to where Ohno had thrown himself in the center.
“Thanks.” Replied Ohno, fluffing a pillow for Nino as the other prince arrived. “What are your chambers like in your castle?”
“About like yours, I’d say.” Nino snuggled his cheek into the pillow, and closed his eyes, thinking about home. “Although my side-chamber is filled with my board game collection instead of canvases and easels.”
“A whole room full of games.” Ohno wondered aloud, starting at his ceiling. “That must be amazing.”
“It is.” Mumbled Nino, his eyelids growing heavy. It was so quiet and peaceful in Ohno’s wing of the castle, and the lazy afternoon light that filtered in through the window shears made him feel pleasantly lethargic.
The same was true for Ohno who was well aware that at this time of day his bedroom was entirely too conductive to a nap-like environment. In fact he had designed it that way because, aside from meals, afternoon nap time was his fourth favorite time of the day.
And so the Princes took a lazy afternoon snooze.
Not long thereafter, Nino awoke to a bristling feeling on his chin. Blearily, he forced his eyes open to discover the cause of the abnormal sensation.
Prince Ohno had curled up in his sleep up against Nino’s chest, the tips of his hair just barely brushing against Nino’s chin.
Blinking, Nino realized he felt another unusual sensation.
Moistness on his chest.
Ohno was drooling.
“Princes aren’t supposed to drool.” Nino quietly admonished, more amused than disgusted, “Especially not on other princes.”
Prince Ohno didn’t respond to the soft willed scold, and Nino wasn’t entirely compelled to wake him up either. Aside from the drool spot, he was comfortable and warm.
The tickling due to Ohno’s hair on his chin, however, needed to stop. Nino tried to move back, but Ohno’s position was such that Nino feared too much movement would wake the slumbering prince. Carefully extracting a hand from under the fine blue sheets, Nino brushed the tips of Ohno’s short hair away. Despite the short length, Ohno’s hair was soft and fine, slipping through Nino’s fingers like the finest of silk.
“That feels good.” Ohno’s voice was groggy, and he wrapped an arm around Nino’s middle to pull him closer as if the prince’s belly were a pillow.
“Hey, I’m not your royal pillow to be snuggled and slobbered on as you wish.”
“I hereby appoint you as my pillow.” Ohno mumbled, his eyes still closed, though he added with a small smile, “And royal scalp massager.”
“If you appoint me like that, I won’t be able to go home.” Nino laughed.
Slowly, as if his limbs were heavy, Ohno pulled away, detaching his hold on Nino’s middle. He was thoroughly groggy and confused. “You’re going home?”
“Of course I will eventually, right? ” Nino’s smile faded and he realized what exactly he was saying. An aching feeling began to pulse in Nino’s chest; even though he wanted to go home, he didn’t want to leave.
Ohno was having a hard time wrapping his mind around the idea of returning to life as it was before he met Nino. It made sense, in fact it only made sense. But for some reason, it was difficult.
“Of course.” Ohno said, sullenly fingering his sheets. “Of course. You’re a prince too after all. You have to go home and do your prince things.”
“That’s right.” Nino watched Ohno’s nimble fingers pick at the fabric, and he resisted the urge to pull the sheets out from under his hands.
“When-” Ohno’s voice trembled a little from the force it took him to sound neutrally interested, and he cleared his throat, “When are you leaving?”
Nino opened his mouth then closed it; he didn’t remember. He was positive that he had been told at some point, but he had been so determined on getting out of the trip to Ohnopia he didn’t remember when it was they said he could go home.
What if they were to leave tomorrow?
“You should come with me.” Nino blurted, grabbing Ohno’s hands (but only because they had really been bothering him, they way they were so intently folding the sheets into perfect little lines.) “It’ll be a diplomatic exchange. You showed me Ohnopia, I’ll show you Miyaiya.”
“Go with you.” Ohno repeated, his nose twitching as he thought through the idea. “To Miyaiya.”
“You should.” Nino nodded, adding a hopeful, pleading look that reminded Ohno distinctly of a whining puppy.
“Iyaaa, but it’s like a two week trip right?” Ohno reclaimed one of his hands to scratch beneath his ear. “That’s a whole month round trip. You should just stay here and save us both the trouble of travel.”
“And what, move in with you?” Nino laughed at the absurdity. “You know that’s impossible.”
“Excuse the interruption, Highnesses, but it is time to begin dressing for… the ball.” Ohno’s chamberlain swept in abruptly from a side room but suddenly came to a stop as he stared at the two princes on the bed.
Under scrutiny, Nino became aware of the tangled sheets around them on the bed, Ohno’s messy hair, and clothing and the fact that not only were they still holding hands, but at some point their fingers had laced together.
The chamberlain began to turn red, and hastily retraced his steps, croaking weakly, “I am sorry, I didn’t realize it was an…intimate…. moment. I-I’ll just wait outside.”
“An intimate moment?” Ohno wondered, turning back to Nino.
“I don’t know. That guy must have been thinking something weird.” His face growing hot, Nino withdrew his hand and began the long crawl across the massive bed. “I should get going before someone comes to fetch me.”
“I guess I’ll see you at the ball then.” Ohno said behind a yawn.
“Yeah.” His feet touching the floor at last, Nino wouldn’t, couldn’t look back. “I’ll see you there.”
As soon as Prince Ninomiya disappeared, the chamberlain resurfaced, uttering more apologies that Ohno simply tuned out. Silently he removed his day clothes and dawned the elaborate suit that had been laid out, letting the chamberlain make any adjustments.
Even though he knew he’d be seeing Nino in a matter of hours, he couldn’t escape a strange heaviness that had fallen and remained over his heart when Nino mentioned he was returning to Miyaiya.
He didn’t want Nino to leave.
In a depressed haze, Ohno was lead from his room across the castle to the ballroom’s royal antechamber. He caught sight of the back of Nino’s head for a moment as the procession was put into order, but the briefness of the stolen glance only further weighted his chest.
Usually he was too nervous to think clearly, standing before the great ballroom doors. He dreaded the moment they were to swing open, and hundreds of judgmental eyes would mercilessly stare at him, waiting for him to stumble or fall or look stupid. They wouldn’t just laugh, they’d be disappointed.
But when the doors swung open, Ohno barely paid attention. He couldn’t really feel his sister’s arm, even as he automatically held it aloft as they descended the great winged stairs. They reached the bottom, where the subjects bowed as they passed.
The royal Ninomiya family was announced. Ohno turned to look back, even though he was supposed to stand perfectly poised.
Queen Ninomiya swept down the stairs with all the royal elegance of the queen she was, in a shockingly bright, but still beautiful sapphire gown.
Ohno’s eyes few quickly behind her, to Prince Ninomiya.
Nino wore his face in a perfect princely smile. Not too wide to look stupid, but a perfect blend of warmth, and wit. He took each step down without looking, as confident as if they were the stairs in his own castle.
He was a perfect prince. Stunning. Handsome. Perfect. So much so that it hurt Ohno to watch him. His heart squeezed uncomfortably, not exactly the way jealousy usually did, but Ohno didn’t know what else it could be.
Nino reached the ballroom floor, and their eyes met. Crinkles appeared around Nino’s eyes as his smile grew.
Suddenly the music began, and Ohno found himself dancing in arm with his sister, his eye contact broken as she pulled him around.
“You are so out of it today.” She whispered as they danced. It was an up-tempo song that kept them swinging across the floor, but still close enough to hold a private conversation. “Do you want to talk about it?”
“I don’t want Nino to leave.” Ohno admitted, hoping, as he twirled his sister around once, that the confession would ease the burden on his heart. “But just now I felt a really weird pang of jealousy.”
“You?” She scoffed, “Jealous? I think you were born without that emotion, dear little brother.”
“That’s not true.” Ohno said, distractedly as he kept trying to steal a glance at Nino who was also dancing with his sister on the opposite side of the ballroom floor. Ohno knew it was dangerous to stare so much while in the middle of a fast moving dance but he couldn’t help himself. Nino danced well, with talent, and Ohno wanted only to stand off to the side and watch.
“Besides,” Ohno added, more to himself, “if I’m not jealous than what am I?”
She didn’t answer. They danced until the song ended, at which point Ohno gladly relinquished his dancing partner to his brother in law.
Meanwhile Prince Ohno’s chamberlain, who had somehow convinced the cook he fancied into being his partner at the ball, recounted the events of the afternoon to her in an attempt to boast about his close and trusting relationship with the prince, but the cook had only agreed to the ball with the chamberlain in order to be able to see the fabled face of Prince Matsumoto and in hearing the gossip, recognized her chance.
From across the ballroom Prince Nino saw the moment Ohno and his sister parted ways. If Ohnotopian customs were at all similar to those of the Ninomiya Kindom, than after the dance between the royal family should be the one between those married into, or betrothed to the royal family.
A little girl, surely no older than six, in a rose pink, puffy dress and a little gold tiara approached Ohno and curtseyed. Prince Ohno bowed back, smoothly but regally. And then Prince Ohno laughed, and even at such a distance, Nino could see the fondness in his eyes.
Nino turned his back on the mismatched couple, and the wall of people behind him instantly parted, and bowed their heads.
It wasn’t unheard of, for betrothals to have such a wide age gap. A servant appeared at Nino’s elbow with a platter of refreshments and wine. Nino declined them, and cast about for his mother. He found instead Adviser Sakurai nearby, bobbing to the music while looking over several sheets of paper.
Prince Ninomiya had met Sakurai when he wore his title of Crown Prince of Sakruaionia many years before. A disease had been plaguing the famous cattle of the Ninomiya kingdom, and despite his young age at the time, Prince Sakurai had accompanied the doctors Queen Ninomiya had sent for. Nino had enjoyed his presense in Miyaiya, as Prince Sakurai would not only participate in Nino’s board games, but lose in successively spectacular ways each time. Nino had noticed when the five princes had gathered to play the Ailando game that the split between his serious and silly personalities remained as obvious and conflicted as ever.
“Is the party so boring you had to bring something to distract yourself with?” Prince Ninomiya asked.
“Not at all,” Chuckled the adviser, indicating the contents of the papers. It was a long list of names, the guests at the party. “Just making sure that everyone who is here should be here, if you know what I mean.”
Prince Nino did. He also knew that to ask if they were expecting unwanted guests would be to implicate the Ninomiya Kingdom. Although he felt a little prickle of fear, Nino remained calm. If someone wanted to assassinate Ohno, they could easily have already done so during one of his escapades to Ohnopia.
For all that Ohno had told Nino of his insecurities about being a prince, they were all pointless worries. Nino needed only to look around to see that to his subjects, Ohno was far more than the perfect prince.
“She better grow up to look good by his side.”
“What?” Adviser Sakurai looked up, and around.
“Those two.” Nino nodded to the ballroom floor where Ohno was dancing with the little girl standing on his shoes.
“She probably will, if she inherited Princess Ohno’s and Prince Okada’s genes. Ah, I’m being summoned, excuse me Your Highness.”
Nino frowned in an effort not to smile, and folded his arms despite the wrinkles it would cause to his jacket. “I knew that was his niece this whole time.”
The cook meanwhile had found the prince she had been looking for, and despite the chamberlain’s embarrassed pleads, conveyed the gossip the chamberlain had told her. To her great disappointment however, once the story had been told, Adviser Matsumoto, after correcting her as to use of the improper title, gave only a polite word of thanks and excused himself.
Before reporting to Queen Ninomiya, Adviser Matsumoto wanted to verify the rumor with Prince Ninomiya himself. He spotted the prince standing alone near a pillar. As he made his way over however, excited whispers drew his attention to the dance floor.
When the song ended, his niece ran off to play with Adviser Aiba. He quickly glanced around the room and noticed the Queens chatting happily to each other on their way to their thrones, and Prince Ohno made his way between pairs of people across the room to where he had seen Nino watching him.
Usually Ohno used the chaos of bodies between songs to make his escape, but tonight, instead of miles from the shore, the only place he wanted to be was beside Nino. He didn’t know how much time they had left, and he didn’t want to lose another minute of it.
“Dance with me.” Ohno extended his hand. The people nearest, who had given respectful way to royalty heard, and whispered to their neighbors. Instantly, the whispers spread around the room.
“That would break every prince law on the unwritten books.” Nino said, “Advisers Matsumoto and Sakurai will be in hysterics.”
Ohno frowned, feeling a little awkward with his hand just out there, “That is a price I’m willing to pay.”
Nino grinned, “Me too.”
Prince Nino placed his hand in Prince Ohno’s. Ohno clasped it gently, but firm, and led Nino to the dance floor.
The aristocrats around them weren’t sure what to do. Where they supposed to dance like normal, or swap for same sex partners? Were they even supposed to follow the princes or let them dance alone?
Ohno didn’t notice the hesitation of his subjects. What he noticed was a pink tint spreading over Nino’s cheeks and up to his ears. Ohno felt guilty at once. He hadn’t meant to embarrass Nino. Except Nino didn’t seem to be exactly embarrassed. Nino held his face in mock sternness, as if two princes dancing together was a matter of serious tradition rather than being absolutely unheard of. Ohno decided to use the same expression, as it was terribly amusing.
The uncertain guests around them took their positions on the dance floor. Nino found himself in the lady’s position, but he didn’t mind. Ohno still held his hand, aloft and between them, in the starting pose just like all of the other couples.
By the time the music started, Advisers Matsumoto and Sakurai had nearly fainted no less than seven times each before finding each other and apologizing profusely for the breaches in conduct and that no offenses were intended.
Adviser Matsumoto did not, however, inform Adviser Sakurai of what he had just heard from Prince Ohno’s chamberlain via the cook. The situation needed to be dealt with delicately.
Instead he went straight to Queen Ninomiya. He no longer needed to hear Prince Nino’s side of the story behind the gossip; it was on display in the middle of the ballroom floor.
As Adviser Matsumoto began to whisper into the Queen’s ear, the two unprincely princes continued dancing with each other on the floor.
Prince Ohno was very, very obviously showing off. He was an excellent dancer, as Prince Nino had seen earlier by catching glimpses of Prince Ohno’s dance with Princess Ohno. But the way he was leading Nino around was different than the regal way with which he had danced with his sister. He would let Nino twirl out of his grasp until only their fingertips were touching, but on the next beat would draw Nino back in so close that a person would be hard pressed to slide a leaf of paper between them. This wasn’t the way that people normally danced in Ohnotopia, Nino knew as much just from observing those dancing around them. It was just Ohno showing off.
“You’re very good.” Ohno said, during one of the intervals in which they were very, very close. Ohno held his hand aloft and to the side. Ohno’s other hand was firmly on Nino’s lower back. It drew just a little of Nino’s attention.
“Oh, I’ve had a few lessons.” Nino shrugged away the compliment. Ohno chuckled. Princes never got away with only a few lessons. “You’re pretty good yourself for skipping out on so many balls.”
“I enjoy dancing.” Ohno admitted, absently running his hand along the small of Nino’s back. “I just don’t like balls.”
Nino let his free hand slide down from Ohno’s shoulder, to his side, to his waist. He stopped. Ohno started blushing.
Nino tried to ignore own painful blush. His heart was beating entirely too fast to blame just on the exertion of the dance. Ohno’s hand was still very low on his back. Nino sort of wanted to hold Ohno that way to. Maybe a little lower. He wanted to see the face Ohno would make, how Ohno would react.
Ohno felt altogether strange, and just holding Nino’s gaze made him uncomfortable. Except Nino’s eyes were very handsome, and Ohno wouldn’t mind gazing at them for just a little while anyway.
“What are you staring at?” Nino breathed, not willing to even blink because he just realized Ohno’s eyes were a most attractive shape and color.
“Hm?” Ohno hummed, distractedly.
Without either making a conscious move they drew even closer to each other, until their noses nearly touched.
Nino blinked. He had the sudden impulse to just shove Ohno away. Pretend he suddenly felt sick, pretend something, anything. Maybe if he pretended hard enough, Nino would believe the reason behind it was something else too. That he was feeling a much less dangerous emotion, much more controllable emotion.
But before he could, Ohno drew back, blinking hard as if he’d just woken from a nap.
Nino burst out laughing, startling the nearest dancers.
Ohno laughed too.
Queen Ohno for her part, smiled as she watched her son and Prince Ninomiya dance. Out of the corner of her eye, she watched as Queen Ninomiya’s face fell as her young adviser whisper something urgent in her ear, and had a feeling it had something to do with the motivations the young princes had for dancing with each other.
“My dear, is something out of order to concern you so?” She asked, once Adviser Matsumoto had disappeared.
“It would appear my son’s chastity has been compromised.” Said Queen Ninomiya, cooly looking down her nose.
“He’s a virgin at his age?” Gasped Queen Ohno. “But he’s such a handsome boy!”
“Whether he’s been with women is beside the point! Your son has compromised his honor!”
“My Satoshi?” Queen Ohno repeated, with swelling anger. “I assure you my son is incapable of such a thing!”
“He must have you fooled then my darling, as the rumor from his chamberlain suggests otherwise!” Queen Ninomiya rose to her feet, shaking with rage.
“I am aware of what you are implying.” Queen Ohno refused to stand. Her eyes narrowed. “However my Satoshi would ever compromise anyone’s honor. At least not without their consent.”
“How dare you suggest that my Kazunari-“
Queen Ninomiya was interrupted however by a roaring peal of laughter from the ballroom floor. Both queens turned, and found that the music had stopped and their sons were left alone in the middle of the floor, surrounded by the other guests.
Prince Ohno was performing a striking impersonation of a rooster.
Prince Ninomiya made a remarkable fish.
Other guests around them began imitating other animals, until the whole ball consisted of a human zoo. A delighted Adviser Aiba was teaching the little princess how to be a convincing gorilla.
“So that’s why you’ve never brought him before. How embarrassing.” Queen Ohno chuckled into the back of her hand.
“I can say the same to you.” Queen Ninomiya sniffed. “Thank you for all of your hospitality, but it appears it is time for us to return to Ninomiya Kingdom. We shall depart tomorrow.”
“It’s been our pleasure to have you.” Queen Ohno smiled stiffly. She and Queen Ninomiya had been friends since they were young princesses, but no friendship would ever be strong enough to allow her to forgive insults about her Satoshi.
In the chaos of turning the ball into a menagerie, Nino found Ohno’s hand, and with a wink, they snuck out of the ballroom.
“Ah, that was fun.” Nino sighed, swinging their still tangled hands between them. “My mom’s going to kill me for embarrassing her in front of all those people though.”
“It was fun. And embarrassing.” Ohno added, knowing the full blow of the mortification would hit him later on when he was alone in his chambers.
Alone.
Ohno slowed to a stop. “Nino.”
“Hm?” Nino didn’t look up. His ears were red again.
“Nino.” Ohno said again, taking Nino’s other hand. They were in the middle of a poorly lit, drafty hallway. It was deserted. Ohno was glad there was no one else around. It was difficult enough to say this alone with Nino.
“What?” Nino stared at their hands. He didn’t like the soft, needy tone of Ohno’s voice. Actually, he liked it a lot.
Ohno took a deep breath, and closed his eyes. “I’ll go.”
“Go where?”
“With you. To Ninomiya Kingdom.”
Nino blinked, feeling light from happiness, “You just decided that all by yourself, didn’t you. Maybe you should have asked permission first.”
“I can’t?” Panic struck Ohno’s heart. “You don’t want me to go with you?”
“I do.” Nino said quickly, and honestly.
“Oh good.” Ohno sighed with relief.
“What changed your mind?” Nino asked, playing with Ohno’s fingers. “It still takes two weeks you know.”
“I just….I don’t know.” Ohno stared at their hands, watching Nino’s fingers wiggle between his. He liked the sensation. His throat felt tight, so he cleared it. He was pretty sure he hadn’t blushed so much since his mother found out about his naughty books.
And then Ohno made the connection.
He disentangled his hands from Nino, and abruptly walked to the nearest wall tapestry, and hid behind it.
“What are you doing?” Nino laughed, following him the whole way.
It was stuffy and warm under the tapestry, and Nino could only barely see Ohno’s face. What he could see spelled fright and confusion and apology. But then Ohno turned around, and edged his way out of the tapestry.
Only to hide behind another tapestry across the hall.
Nino followed.
“Would you stop following me!” Prince Ohno suddenly exploded, nearly tearing the tapestry off the wall in an attempt to flee.
Nino was faster. He caught the edge of the fabric before Ohno could, and held the center of the tapestry on Ohno’s other side. Ohno’s eyes went wide as he realized there was no escape.
“Let me go!” Ohno threatened, pulling frantically at the tapestry, and clawing at Nino’s hands. “Let me go, or I’ll do something terrible to you!”
Nino didn’t let him go. In fact he gathered more fabric in his grasp, decreasing Ohno’s mobility further. “Like what?”
“I…I don’t want to. I really don’t. You’ll hate me.” True panic was in Ohno’s voice now, and Nino nearly let go. A lump grew in his throat that Nino had to swallow away. He didn’t know he meant so much to Ohno that he’d genuinely fear Nino’s dislike.
“Who could ever hate you?” Nino said, quietly, increasingly knowing how much he felt it.
Ohno stopped struggling. He took a sharp breath.
He kissed Nino.
It was hard and desperate and over as fast as it began.
Nino dropped his hold on the curtain around them.
“There.” Ohno said, sounding broken. “There. Now you hate me.”
“I can’t believe you.” Nino wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and stared at it.
“I’m sorry.” Ohno turned, wanting to run far, far away.
Nino caught his wrist.
Shoved him up against the wall.
And kissed him.
But he did it slowly, and softly, with little licks and nibbles.
Ohno gasped,then simpered. Nino took that as an invitation. Nino wasn’t exactly shy with his tongue.
Ohno wasn’t exactly shy to let him either.
Neither were sure exactly how long they were making out when the tapestry was rudely pulled away.
Adviser Matsumoto looked stern, Sakurai concerned, and Aiba, worried.
Prince Ohno pulled his suit jacket back on. Prince Ninomiya tucked his shirt back into his pants.
They were clearly in very big trouble.
[Part III]
“I’m so sorry, Kazu.” Ohno repeated for the hundredth time and meaning it no less. “I didn’t know you were the seasick type.”
“I didn’t either. First time on a boat.” Letting Ohno take all of his weight, as they walked from the pier to land, adding woozily, “And last.”
“I’ve never seen someone puke so much. Not even the old drunk nobles at the balls.”
“That makes me feel better.”
They reached a pile of wooden cargo boxes, and Nino eased himself onto one, hunching forward in case he needed to throw up again.
Uncertainly, Prince Ohno sat beside him, rubbing therapeutic circles into his back. “Machida went to get a carriage; it should be here any minute.”
Nino stared at the dirt building up in the cracks between the dock‘s cobles. He dug at it with the point of his shoe. “It’s weird that he calls you ‘Prince Satoshi’ when everyone else calls you ‘Prince Ohno.’”
Ohno’s massage stopped for a minute, but started up again half a heart beat later. “We’ve known each other for a while, and years ago I asked him to just call me Ohno, or just Satoshi, but he says he couldn’t because I’m his prince and he’s my subject.”
The pain in Ohno’s voice was unmistakable, and Nino felt guilty for feeling jealous of the friendship Ohno had wanted to share with Machida. “It can’t be helped that that is the way of things.”
“I know.”
That night back at Ohnopia castle, Prince Nino found his mother reading in her guest chambers before bed, and plopped into a plush arm chair beside her. She looked up from her novel and gasped. “Kazunari, your skin!”
“I wanted you to see it, because it will probably never happen again.”
His mother stared at him, absolutely flabbergast, “But how on earth did you get so….so tan?”
Prince Ohno for his part was enjoying a very relaxing bath when his mother burst into the bathing room.
“Mom! We talked about this.” Shifting uncomfortably in the tub, Ohno tried to pull all of the bubbles in from the edges of the tub.
“Oh hush, it’s nothing to hide from your mother.”
“But-”
“You’re getting along well with Prince Ninomiya, I hear?”
“Y-yeah.” Ohno stared at his reflection in a bubble, feeling his ears grow hot. Which was strange. He didn’t like it when it mom barged in on his baths, but it only made him feel a little uncomfortable, not painfully embarrassed.
“It would be good if you two could be friends. You’ll strengthen the relationship between our countries if your bond as friends is strong.”
“I know, mom.” Ohno sighed, running a hand through his wet hair. “I’ve only been a prince all of my life.”
“Have you now?” The queen chuckled, exiting the bathing room and closing the door behind her.
Even after she had gone, Ohno felt strange. Extracting himself from the tub, Ohno’s toes found the luxurious rug on the marble floor, and grabbed an equally luxurious towel with which to dry himself.
Friendship was what he had with Advisers Aiba and Sakurai. It was what he had wanted with Machida.
But with Prince Ninomiya the word friendship just didn’t feel right.
The following evening there was another ball, and the Princes conceived of escaping together with an elaborate plan of wearing the guard’s uniforms and everything, except they happened to have been overheard by Adviser Aiba who tattled to Sakurai who told Matsumoto.
As a result both princes were grounded to Ohno’s chambers for the remaining hours of the afternoon until the start of the ball. Which, Queen Ohno added in her punishment, was to include attending the royal procession too.
“You have nice rooms.” Commented Nino, plopping on Ohno’s bed. The mattress could easily fit ten people across, so Nino had to crawl to where Ohno had thrown himself in the center.
“Thanks.” Replied Ohno, fluffing a pillow for Nino as the other prince arrived. “What are your chambers like in your castle?”
“About like yours, I’d say.” Nino snuggled his cheek into the pillow, and closed his eyes, thinking about home. “Although my side-chamber is filled with my board game collection instead of canvases and easels.”
“A whole room full of games.” Ohno wondered aloud, starting at his ceiling. “That must be amazing.”
“It is.” Mumbled Nino, his eyelids growing heavy. It was so quiet and peaceful in Ohno’s wing of the castle, and the lazy afternoon light that filtered in through the window shears made him feel pleasantly lethargic.
The same was true for Ohno who was well aware that at this time of day his bedroom was entirely too conductive to a nap-like environment. In fact he had designed it that way because, aside from meals, afternoon nap time was his fourth favorite time of the day.
And so the Princes took a lazy afternoon snooze.
Not long thereafter, Nino awoke to a bristling feeling on his chin. Blearily, he forced his eyes open to discover the cause of the abnormal sensation.
Prince Ohno had curled up in his sleep up against Nino’s chest, the tips of his hair just barely brushing against Nino’s chin.
Blinking, Nino realized he felt another unusual sensation.
Moistness on his chest.
Ohno was drooling.
“Princes aren’t supposed to drool.” Nino quietly admonished, more amused than disgusted, “Especially not on other princes.”
Prince Ohno didn’t respond to the soft willed scold, and Nino wasn’t entirely compelled to wake him up either. Aside from the drool spot, he was comfortable and warm.
The tickling due to Ohno’s hair on his chin, however, needed to stop. Nino tried to move back, but Ohno’s position was such that Nino feared too much movement would wake the slumbering prince. Carefully extracting a hand from under the fine blue sheets, Nino brushed the tips of Ohno’s short hair away. Despite the short length, Ohno’s hair was soft and fine, slipping through Nino’s fingers like the finest of silk.
“That feels good.” Ohno’s voice was groggy, and he wrapped an arm around Nino’s middle to pull him closer as if the prince’s belly were a pillow.
“Hey, I’m not your royal pillow to be snuggled and slobbered on as you wish.”
“I hereby appoint you as my pillow.” Ohno mumbled, his eyes still closed, though he added with a small smile, “And royal scalp massager.”
“If you appoint me like that, I won’t be able to go home.” Nino laughed.
Slowly, as if his limbs were heavy, Ohno pulled away, detaching his hold on Nino’s middle. He was thoroughly groggy and confused. “You’re going home?”
“Of course I will eventually, right? ” Nino’s smile faded and he realized what exactly he was saying. An aching feeling began to pulse in Nino’s chest; even though he wanted to go home, he didn’t want to leave.
Ohno was having a hard time wrapping his mind around the idea of returning to life as it was before he met Nino. It made sense, in fact it only made sense. But for some reason, it was difficult.
“Of course.” Ohno said, sullenly fingering his sheets. “Of course. You’re a prince too after all. You have to go home and do your prince things.”
“That’s right.” Nino watched Ohno’s nimble fingers pick at the fabric, and he resisted the urge to pull the sheets out from under his hands.
“When-” Ohno’s voice trembled a little from the force it took him to sound neutrally interested, and he cleared his throat, “When are you leaving?”
Nino opened his mouth then closed it; he didn’t remember. He was positive that he had been told at some point, but he had been so determined on getting out of the trip to Ohnopia he didn’t remember when it was they said he could go home.
What if they were to leave tomorrow?
“You should come with me.” Nino blurted, grabbing Ohno’s hands (but only because they had really been bothering him, they way they were so intently folding the sheets into perfect little lines.) “It’ll be a diplomatic exchange. You showed me Ohnopia, I’ll show you Miyaiya.”
“Go with you.” Ohno repeated, his nose twitching as he thought through the idea. “To Miyaiya.”
“You should.” Nino nodded, adding a hopeful, pleading look that reminded Ohno distinctly of a whining puppy.
“Iyaaa, but it’s like a two week trip right?” Ohno reclaimed one of his hands to scratch beneath his ear. “That’s a whole month round trip. You should just stay here and save us both the trouble of travel.”
“And what, move in with you?” Nino laughed at the absurdity. “You know that’s impossible.”
“Excuse the interruption, Highnesses, but it is time to begin dressing for… the ball.” Ohno’s chamberlain swept in abruptly from a side room but suddenly came to a stop as he stared at the two princes on the bed.
Under scrutiny, Nino became aware of the tangled sheets around them on the bed, Ohno’s messy hair, and clothing and the fact that not only were they still holding hands, but at some point their fingers had laced together.
The chamberlain began to turn red, and hastily retraced his steps, croaking weakly, “I am sorry, I didn’t realize it was an…intimate…. moment. I-I’ll just wait outside.”
“An intimate moment?” Ohno wondered, turning back to Nino.
“I don’t know. That guy must have been thinking something weird.” His face growing hot, Nino withdrew his hand and began the long crawl across the massive bed. “I should get going before someone comes to fetch me.”
“I guess I’ll see you at the ball then.” Ohno said behind a yawn.
“Yeah.” His feet touching the floor at last, Nino wouldn’t, couldn’t look back. “I’ll see you there.”
As soon as Prince Ninomiya disappeared, the chamberlain resurfaced, uttering more apologies that Ohno simply tuned out. Silently he removed his day clothes and dawned the elaborate suit that had been laid out, letting the chamberlain make any adjustments.
Even though he knew he’d be seeing Nino in a matter of hours, he couldn’t escape a strange heaviness that had fallen and remained over his heart when Nino mentioned he was returning to Miyaiya.
He didn’t want Nino to leave.
In a depressed haze, Ohno was lead from his room across the castle to the ballroom’s royal antechamber. He caught sight of the back of Nino’s head for a moment as the procession was put into order, but the briefness of the stolen glance only further weighted his chest.
Usually he was too nervous to think clearly, standing before the great ballroom doors. He dreaded the moment they were to swing open, and hundreds of judgmental eyes would mercilessly stare at him, waiting for him to stumble or fall or look stupid. They wouldn’t just laugh, they’d be disappointed.
But when the doors swung open, Ohno barely paid attention. He couldn’t really feel his sister’s arm, even as he automatically held it aloft as they descended the great winged stairs. They reached the bottom, where the subjects bowed as they passed.
The royal Ninomiya family was announced. Ohno turned to look back, even though he was supposed to stand perfectly poised.
Queen Ninomiya swept down the stairs with all the royal elegance of the queen she was, in a shockingly bright, but still beautiful sapphire gown.
Ohno’s eyes few quickly behind her, to Prince Ninomiya.
Nino wore his face in a perfect princely smile. Not too wide to look stupid, but a perfect blend of warmth, and wit. He took each step down without looking, as confident as if they were the stairs in his own castle.
He was a perfect prince. Stunning. Handsome. Perfect. So much so that it hurt Ohno to watch him. His heart squeezed uncomfortably, not exactly the way jealousy usually did, but Ohno didn’t know what else it could be.
Nino reached the ballroom floor, and their eyes met. Crinkles appeared around Nino’s eyes as his smile grew.
Suddenly the music began, and Ohno found himself dancing in arm with his sister, his eye contact broken as she pulled him around.
“You are so out of it today.” She whispered as they danced. It was an up-tempo song that kept them swinging across the floor, but still close enough to hold a private conversation. “Do you want to talk about it?”
“I don’t want Nino to leave.” Ohno admitted, hoping, as he twirled his sister around once, that the confession would ease the burden on his heart. “But just now I felt a really weird pang of jealousy.”
“You?” She scoffed, “Jealous? I think you were born without that emotion, dear little brother.”
“That’s not true.” Ohno said, distractedly as he kept trying to steal a glance at Nino who was also dancing with his sister on the opposite side of the ballroom floor. Ohno knew it was dangerous to stare so much while in the middle of a fast moving dance but he couldn’t help himself. Nino danced well, with talent, and Ohno wanted only to stand off to the side and watch.
“Besides,” Ohno added, more to himself, “if I’m not jealous than what am I?”
She didn’t answer. They danced until the song ended, at which point Ohno gladly relinquished his dancing partner to his brother in law.
Meanwhile Prince Ohno’s chamberlain, who had somehow convinced the cook he fancied into being his partner at the ball, recounted the events of the afternoon to her in an attempt to boast about his close and trusting relationship with the prince, but the cook had only agreed to the ball with the chamberlain in order to be able to see the fabled face of Prince Matsumoto and in hearing the gossip, recognized her chance.
From across the ballroom Prince Nino saw the moment Ohno and his sister parted ways. If Ohnotopian customs were at all similar to those of the Ninomiya Kindom, than after the dance between the royal family should be the one between those married into, or betrothed to the royal family.
A little girl, surely no older than six, in a rose pink, puffy dress and a little gold tiara approached Ohno and curtseyed. Prince Ohno bowed back, smoothly but regally. And then Prince Ohno laughed, and even at such a distance, Nino could see the fondness in his eyes.
Nino turned his back on the mismatched couple, and the wall of people behind him instantly parted, and bowed their heads.
It wasn’t unheard of, for betrothals to have such a wide age gap. A servant appeared at Nino’s elbow with a platter of refreshments and wine. Nino declined them, and cast about for his mother. He found instead Adviser Sakurai nearby, bobbing to the music while looking over several sheets of paper.
Prince Ninomiya had met Sakurai when he wore his title of Crown Prince of Sakruaionia many years before. A disease had been plaguing the famous cattle of the Ninomiya kingdom, and despite his young age at the time, Prince Sakurai had accompanied the doctors Queen Ninomiya had sent for. Nino had enjoyed his presense in Miyaiya, as Prince Sakurai would not only participate in Nino’s board games, but lose in successively spectacular ways each time. Nino had noticed when the five princes had gathered to play the Ailando game that the split between his serious and silly personalities remained as obvious and conflicted as ever.
“Is the party so boring you had to bring something to distract yourself with?” Prince Ninomiya asked.
“Not at all,” Chuckled the adviser, indicating the contents of the papers. It was a long list of names, the guests at the party. “Just making sure that everyone who is here should be here, if you know what I mean.”
Prince Nino did. He also knew that to ask if they were expecting unwanted guests would be to implicate the Ninomiya Kingdom. Although he felt a little prickle of fear, Nino remained calm. If someone wanted to assassinate Ohno, they could easily have already done so during one of his escapades to Ohnopia.
For all that Ohno had told Nino of his insecurities about being a prince, they were all pointless worries. Nino needed only to look around to see that to his subjects, Ohno was far more than the perfect prince.
“She better grow up to look good by his side.”
“What?” Adviser Sakurai looked up, and around.
“Those two.” Nino nodded to the ballroom floor where Ohno was dancing with the little girl standing on his shoes.
“She probably will, if she inherited Princess Ohno’s and Prince Okada’s genes. Ah, I’m being summoned, excuse me Your Highness.”
Nino frowned in an effort not to smile, and folded his arms despite the wrinkles it would cause to his jacket. “I knew that was his niece this whole time.”
The cook meanwhile had found the prince she had been looking for, and despite the chamberlain’s embarrassed pleads, conveyed the gossip the chamberlain had told her. To her great disappointment however, once the story had been told, Adviser Matsumoto, after correcting her as to use of the improper title, gave only a polite word of thanks and excused himself.
Before reporting to Queen Ninomiya, Adviser Matsumoto wanted to verify the rumor with Prince Ninomiya himself. He spotted the prince standing alone near a pillar. As he made his way over however, excited whispers drew his attention to the dance floor.
When the song ended, his niece ran off to play with Adviser Aiba. He quickly glanced around the room and noticed the Queens chatting happily to each other on their way to their thrones, and Prince Ohno made his way between pairs of people across the room to where he had seen Nino watching him.
Usually Ohno used the chaos of bodies between songs to make his escape, but tonight, instead of miles from the shore, the only place he wanted to be was beside Nino. He didn’t know how much time they had left, and he didn’t want to lose another minute of it.
“Dance with me.” Ohno extended his hand. The people nearest, who had given respectful way to royalty heard, and whispered to their neighbors. Instantly, the whispers spread around the room.
“That would break every prince law on the unwritten books.” Nino said, “Advisers Matsumoto and Sakurai will be in hysterics.”
Ohno frowned, feeling a little awkward with his hand just out there, “That is a price I’m willing to pay.”
Nino grinned, “Me too.”
Prince Nino placed his hand in Prince Ohno’s. Ohno clasped it gently, but firm, and led Nino to the dance floor.
The aristocrats around them weren’t sure what to do. Where they supposed to dance like normal, or swap for same sex partners? Were they even supposed to follow the princes or let them dance alone?
Ohno didn’t notice the hesitation of his subjects. What he noticed was a pink tint spreading over Nino’s cheeks and up to his ears. Ohno felt guilty at once. He hadn’t meant to embarrass Nino. Except Nino didn’t seem to be exactly embarrassed. Nino held his face in mock sternness, as if two princes dancing together was a matter of serious tradition rather than being absolutely unheard of. Ohno decided to use the same expression, as it was terribly amusing.
The uncertain guests around them took their positions on the dance floor. Nino found himself in the lady’s position, but he didn’t mind. Ohno still held his hand, aloft and between them, in the starting pose just like all of the other couples.
By the time the music started, Advisers Matsumoto and Sakurai had nearly fainted no less than seven times each before finding each other and apologizing profusely for the breaches in conduct and that no offenses were intended.
Adviser Matsumoto did not, however, inform Adviser Sakurai of what he had just heard from Prince Ohno’s chamberlain via the cook. The situation needed to be dealt with delicately.
Instead he went straight to Queen Ninomiya. He no longer needed to hear Prince Nino’s side of the story behind the gossip; it was on display in the middle of the ballroom floor.
As Adviser Matsumoto began to whisper into the Queen’s ear, the two unprincely princes continued dancing with each other on the floor.
Prince Ohno was very, very obviously showing off. He was an excellent dancer, as Prince Nino had seen earlier by catching glimpses of Prince Ohno’s dance with Princess Ohno. But the way he was leading Nino around was different than the regal way with which he had danced with his sister. He would let Nino twirl out of his grasp until only their fingertips were touching, but on the next beat would draw Nino back in so close that a person would be hard pressed to slide a leaf of paper between them. This wasn’t the way that people normally danced in Ohnotopia, Nino knew as much just from observing those dancing around them. It was just Ohno showing off.
“You’re very good.” Ohno said, during one of the intervals in which they were very, very close. Ohno held his hand aloft and to the side. Ohno’s other hand was firmly on Nino’s lower back. It drew just a little of Nino’s attention.
“Oh, I’ve had a few lessons.” Nino shrugged away the compliment. Ohno chuckled. Princes never got away with only a few lessons. “You’re pretty good yourself for skipping out on so many balls.”
“I enjoy dancing.” Ohno admitted, absently running his hand along the small of Nino’s back. “I just don’t like balls.”
Nino let his free hand slide down from Ohno’s shoulder, to his side, to his waist. He stopped. Ohno started blushing.
Nino tried to ignore own painful blush. His heart was beating entirely too fast to blame just on the exertion of the dance. Ohno’s hand was still very low on his back. Nino sort of wanted to hold Ohno that way to. Maybe a little lower. He wanted to see the face Ohno would make, how Ohno would react.
Ohno felt altogether strange, and just holding Nino’s gaze made him uncomfortable. Except Nino’s eyes were very handsome, and Ohno wouldn’t mind gazing at them for just a little while anyway.
“What are you staring at?” Nino breathed, not willing to even blink because he just realized Ohno’s eyes were a most attractive shape and color.
“Hm?” Ohno hummed, distractedly.
Without either making a conscious move they drew even closer to each other, until their noses nearly touched.
Nino blinked. He had the sudden impulse to just shove Ohno away. Pretend he suddenly felt sick, pretend something, anything. Maybe if he pretended hard enough, Nino would believe the reason behind it was something else too. That he was feeling a much less dangerous emotion, much more controllable emotion.
But before he could, Ohno drew back, blinking hard as if he’d just woken from a nap.
Nino burst out laughing, startling the nearest dancers.
Ohno laughed too.
Queen Ohno for her part, smiled as she watched her son and Prince Ninomiya dance. Out of the corner of her eye, she watched as Queen Ninomiya’s face fell as her young adviser whisper something urgent in her ear, and had a feeling it had something to do with the motivations the young princes had for dancing with each other.
“My dear, is something out of order to concern you so?” She asked, once Adviser Matsumoto had disappeared.
“It would appear my son’s chastity has been compromised.” Said Queen Ninomiya, cooly looking down her nose.
“He’s a virgin at his age?” Gasped Queen Ohno. “But he’s such a handsome boy!”
“Whether he’s been with women is beside the point! Your son has compromised his honor!”
“My Satoshi?” Queen Ohno repeated, with swelling anger. “I assure you my son is incapable of such a thing!”
“He must have you fooled then my darling, as the rumor from his chamberlain suggests otherwise!” Queen Ninomiya rose to her feet, shaking with rage.
“I am aware of what you are implying.” Queen Ohno refused to stand. Her eyes narrowed. “However my Satoshi would ever compromise anyone’s honor. At least not without their consent.”
“How dare you suggest that my Kazunari-“
Queen Ninomiya was interrupted however by a roaring peal of laughter from the ballroom floor. Both queens turned, and found that the music had stopped and their sons were left alone in the middle of the floor, surrounded by the other guests.
Prince Ohno was performing a striking impersonation of a rooster.
Prince Ninomiya made a remarkable fish.
Other guests around them began imitating other animals, until the whole ball consisted of a human zoo. A delighted Adviser Aiba was teaching the little princess how to be a convincing gorilla.
“So that’s why you’ve never brought him before. How embarrassing.” Queen Ohno chuckled into the back of her hand.
“I can say the same to you.” Queen Ninomiya sniffed. “Thank you for all of your hospitality, but it appears it is time for us to return to Ninomiya Kingdom. We shall depart tomorrow.”
“It’s been our pleasure to have you.” Queen Ohno smiled stiffly. She and Queen Ninomiya had been friends since they were young princesses, but no friendship would ever be strong enough to allow her to forgive insults about her Satoshi.
In the chaos of turning the ball into a menagerie, Nino found Ohno’s hand, and with a wink, they snuck out of the ballroom.
“Ah, that was fun.” Nino sighed, swinging their still tangled hands between them. “My mom’s going to kill me for embarrassing her in front of all those people though.”
“It was fun. And embarrassing.” Ohno added, knowing the full blow of the mortification would hit him later on when he was alone in his chambers.
Alone.
Ohno slowed to a stop. “Nino.”
“Hm?” Nino didn’t look up. His ears were red again.
“Nino.” Ohno said again, taking Nino’s other hand. They were in the middle of a poorly lit, drafty hallway. It was deserted. Ohno was glad there was no one else around. It was difficult enough to say this alone with Nino.
“What?” Nino stared at their hands. He didn’t like the soft, needy tone of Ohno’s voice. Actually, he liked it a lot.
Ohno took a deep breath, and closed his eyes. “I’ll go.”
“Go where?”
“With you. To Ninomiya Kingdom.”
Nino blinked, feeling light from happiness, “You just decided that all by yourself, didn’t you. Maybe you should have asked permission first.”
“I can’t?” Panic struck Ohno’s heart. “You don’t want me to go with you?”
“I do.” Nino said quickly, and honestly.
“Oh good.” Ohno sighed with relief.
“What changed your mind?” Nino asked, playing with Ohno’s fingers. “It still takes two weeks you know.”
“I just….I don’t know.” Ohno stared at their hands, watching Nino’s fingers wiggle between his. He liked the sensation. His throat felt tight, so he cleared it. He was pretty sure he hadn’t blushed so much since his mother found out about his naughty books.
And then Ohno made the connection.
He disentangled his hands from Nino, and abruptly walked to the nearest wall tapestry, and hid behind it.
“What are you doing?” Nino laughed, following him the whole way.
It was stuffy and warm under the tapestry, and Nino could only barely see Ohno’s face. What he could see spelled fright and confusion and apology. But then Ohno turned around, and edged his way out of the tapestry.
Only to hide behind another tapestry across the hall.
Nino followed.
“Would you stop following me!” Prince Ohno suddenly exploded, nearly tearing the tapestry off the wall in an attempt to flee.
Nino was faster. He caught the edge of the fabric before Ohno could, and held the center of the tapestry on Ohno’s other side. Ohno’s eyes went wide as he realized there was no escape.
“Let me go!” Ohno threatened, pulling frantically at the tapestry, and clawing at Nino’s hands. “Let me go, or I’ll do something terrible to you!”
Nino didn’t let him go. In fact he gathered more fabric in his grasp, decreasing Ohno’s mobility further. “Like what?”
“I…I don’t want to. I really don’t. You’ll hate me.” True panic was in Ohno’s voice now, and Nino nearly let go. A lump grew in his throat that Nino had to swallow away. He didn’t know he meant so much to Ohno that he’d genuinely fear Nino’s dislike.
“Who could ever hate you?” Nino said, quietly, increasingly knowing how much he felt it.
Ohno stopped struggling. He took a sharp breath.
He kissed Nino.
It was hard and desperate and over as fast as it began.
Nino dropped his hold on the curtain around them.
“There.” Ohno said, sounding broken. “There. Now you hate me.”
“I can’t believe you.” Nino wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and stared at it.
“I’m sorry.” Ohno turned, wanting to run far, far away.
Nino caught his wrist.
Shoved him up against the wall.
And kissed him.
But he did it slowly, and softly, with little licks and nibbles.
Ohno gasped,then simpered. Nino took that as an invitation. Nino wasn’t exactly shy with his tongue.
Ohno wasn’t exactly shy to let him either.
Neither were sure exactly how long they were making out when the tapestry was rudely pulled away.
Adviser Matsumoto looked stern, Sakurai concerned, and Aiba, worried.
Prince Ohno pulled his suit jacket back on. Prince Ninomiya tucked his shirt back into his pants.
They were clearly in very big trouble.
[Part III]