The kingdom of Teikou was well known for its cold winters, full of raging blizzards that would cut off all news of the town for days, and it was just as well known for thriving regardless of them. Now, in the midst of September, the kingdom's weather had already begun to drop, though not enough to sway the prince from his usual haunt – a little known balcony looking down upon both the forest and village.

He perched on it like a statue, only moving to turn the pages of the book in his hand. He could stay here for hours if he wanted, enjoying the cool breeze and silence before more pressing duties would drag him back into a world full of responsibilities.

Kuroko pried his eyes from his books to check the time. The sun was halfway in the sky – a sign that he needed to return soon.

"Have you been sent to find me, Akashi?" Kuroko asked without turning. He had been aware of the familiar presence for a while now, though it seemed that both of them had been waiting for the other to make the first move.

"Tetsuya," Akashi greeted in reply, taking Kuroko's words as an invitation to approach. As Kuroko turned his head around, he found a jacket placed upon his shoulders. The military stars that adorned it left no question about whom it belonged to, and the fabric radiated with warmth – Akashi must have just taken it off. "No one has ordered me, I was just concerned that our crown prince is alone when war is on the horizon."

"But I'm not alone," Kuroko pointed out with a small smile while adjusting the jacket to fit more securely so that it would not fly off with the wind. "I know you're always watching."

Akashi does not deny it. His eyes were always alert, and there was no one that deserved their attention more than his prince. Unfortunately, his claim was not exclusive. Despite Kuroko's attempts to keep a low presence, becoming named the new crown prince inevitably drew attention, both good and bad.

"I may not be the only one watching."

"But right now, you are. Isn't that right, Seijuurou?" Their eyes met, exchanging an understanding that needed no words. Akashi would never call him Tetsuya if they were being watched. Kuroko's eyes shimmered with amusement when Akashi noticed his slip.

"Observative," Akashi commended. "And if you wish it so, I would destroy anyone who dare lay their eyes on you."

A small chuckle escapes Kuroko's lips. "Sometimes, you say such frightening things Seijuurou."

"They are not empty words."

The prince began to walk to the castle door. He didn't need to see Akashi's face to understand his sentiment.

"I know."

Akashi was gifted in combat in a way Kuroko never would be. He was a peerless prodigy in both magic and swordsmanship, a one man army that decimated his foes with ruthless efficiency. The red demon, or so his enemies would call him.

But more than that, he was Akashi Seijuurou, who had equal parts kindness and cruelty, who nursed Kuroko wounds with as much care and skill as he when handling a sword, who had the softest touch despite the calluses on his weathered hands. And it was this part of Akashi that fueled his strength, because he needed that strength to protect what little he loved.

And sometimes...

Kuroko clenched his fists.

...Sometimes, Kuroko wished he, too, had that strength.

A/N: This was a small drabble I did for a friend on tumblr. Set in an AU where Kuroko is a prince and Akashi is his guard. I had plotted a longer AU for this but...LOL NEVER GONNA GET ANY OF MY WRITING FINISHED *jumps off bridge*

Just posting this for the sake of having all my writing in one nice place and trying to hit my 100k words published goal by the end of this year