I hate that I forgot to mention their ages just like in Junjou Hearts!
Misaki is 15 when he begins working at the castle and 20 when he leaves
Akihiko is 17 when Misaki arrives and 22 when he is banished (I thought I'd have them 2 years apart instead of 10)
Haruhiko is 22 when he is mentioned as General and 27 when he takes over
Takahiro is also 18 when Misaki leaves and 23 when his brother comes back
Reaching the quiet village by near nightfall, Misaki noticed that it hadn't changed much in the last five years. The only things that had changed were a few food stalls and an added stable that looked new. "We should hurry before they find us." Misaki ignored the curious gaze of the king and quickly pulled him down a few streets before reaching a small wooden house near the edge of the town. "Well… here we are." He felt extremely nervous and terrified of his brother. Taking a deep breath to calm down a bit, he knocked on the door and waited. He remembered what it was like living in the village before he left to find a job at the castle. No one in the village would talk to him or even look at him; even his own brother rarely said anything to him. He had tried so hard to fit in with them but he realized the more he tried, the more people ignored his existence…
"Brother?" Misaki carefully approached the black haired man. "I have to tell you something."
Takahiro looked up at him, pausing in trying to figure out what to eat for dinner. "What is it?" He sighed, not really caring about what his little brother wanted to say.
Wringing his hands together, he looked down at the dirt path he stood on. "I can't stay here anymore. I have to leave the village. I know you don't care. You never really have and I know that if I leave, no one will even notice. But I thought I'd let you know seeing as how you've taken care of me. I heard from one of the knights that had come here a few days ago that the castle needs more workers so I've decided to see if I can get one there. I might be ignored there too but at least I'll have something to do to forget the other workers." Misaki looked up at Takahiro for approval but his brother had returned to looking at the vegetables and meats.
"Okay I'll take this" was all Takahiro said before handing the merchant a few coins and taking a small piece of lamb meat.
Upset that his brother had completely drowned out his voice, Misaki headed back to the wooden house he called home. "It shouldn't hurt to be ignored but it does." He grabbed a knapsack and stuffed a few clothes in before heading back outside and towards the large and beautiful structure. 'I'm gonna start a new life. I won't come back here. I can't.'
The sound of a door opening brought him back and he tightened his grip even more on Akihiko's hand. Takahiro stood there, staring at him with angry brown eyes. "I haven't seen you in five years. I didn't expect you to come back."
"Well, you see, brother…" Misaki turned his green eyes towards his only sibling. "We need a place to stay for awhile. It's dark out and we don't have much money on us right now. Can we just stay for a few days, please? I promise I won't bother you or anyone else." He could feel his lover's curious gaze on him but tried to ignore it.
"I heard that the previous king was overthrown by his brother. It's laughable really. I mean how could he let himself be taken down so easily? Maybe his brother will be a better king." Takahiro smirked while Misaki had tears in his eyes.
Akihiko was getting angry, knowing how Misaki felt. The boy he loved so much was blaming himself for being the cause of his downfall. But it wasn't Misaki's fault. It was Haruhiko's.
The king walked into his room, seeing Misaki standing there with fear and tears in his large bright eyes as General Haruhiko stood behind with a sword to his throat.
"I'm sorry master." Misaki's voice trembled. "When I came in, he was already here." A few tears fell from his cheeks landing quietly on the floor.
"What do you think you're doing, Haruhiko?" Akihiko demanded calmly. He didn't move for fear of Misaki being hurt.
Frowning the general tightened his grasp on Misaki. "I should've been the one crowned king when father died, not you! I'm the oldest so why did father pick someone like you? I did everything I was supposed to when I first came here! I lived up to father's expectations unlike you who would run off and hide just to avoid everyone!"
Akihiko could see that his half-brother's anger was getting out of control, so, to save Misaki, he removed his golden crown slowly. "You know, I never really wanted the throne." He lied while frowning. "It wasn't my decision. It was father's." He placed it on the king sized four poster bed. He felt his brother's eyes on his back, watching his every move. "You can let him go now." He turned back to see Haruhiko's grip loosen.
"Sir?" Misaki stared at him with curiosity and worry. But all Akihiko did was smile gently at him.
'I won't lose him to my brother.' The king thought before hearing his brother's voice.
"Why? What is he to you? He's just a simple servant. Why do you care if he lives or dies?" Haruhiko demanded. Akihiko would have laughed at his brother's questions if they hadn't been in this position. Simply glaring at him, he said "More than you'll ever know."
Releasing Misaki, Haruhiko smirked as he now held the crown in his hands. "Ah, I see. He's your… what should I call him? Play toy?" He placed the crown upon his head of black hair as his used to be captive ran to his brother's side.
"Think what you want." Akihiko turned his back. "But there is one thing I know father was right about." Seeing the glare the on his brother's face, he knew that the new king figured out what it was.
Growling, Haruhiko yelled "As king, I banish you!"
Akihiko just shrugged, not even seeming fazed by it. But on the inside, he was seething with anger and hatred. "Fine." He said as calmly as he could before walking out the door with Misaki following closely behind.
"Explain to me sir, why you would go and give up your right as king just to save me, a low life servant worth nothing." Misaki was angry and had to know.
Sighing, he stopped and faced Misaki with concerned and sad eyes. "How many times must I tell you before I get it through your head? I love you." The silver haired man placed a gentle hand on the boy's cheek.
"You know, Misaki," Akihiko rubbed his tired violet eyes when a voice reached his ears. Looking over at Misaki's brother who was staring at him, he gave him a curious gaze. "It's rude not to introduce your friend." Seeing the brunette hesitate, the silverette spoke up. "Forgive me for not introducing myself. My name is Usagi. I worked with your brother."
"Yeah, Usagi and I became fast friends. He lived at the castle his whole life." Misaki laughed nervously before his brother shut him up.
"Whatever." Takahiro roughly said, his arms crossed. "You can stay as long as you want but you and your friend sleep in your 'room'."
Misaki looked down, frowning as he remembered where he had begun sleeping after their parents had been murdered. "I understand, Takahiro." 'I knew it. I knew he hadn't changed his attitude towards me. What will Akihiko say when he finds out I used to sleep in the barn?' Still holding his hand, he led his lover towards the filth infested byer. Sighing, he looked up to see Keiichi Sumi, a boy he had seen and heard about around the village. His family was upper class so Misaki didn't know why he was sitting out here in the dark in front of the barn. For some odd reason, Keiichi was wearing a white tunic with a rope tied around his waist and his skin was pale. His hair was lighter than Akihiko's and his eyes were dark. And from what he had heard five years ago, Sumi was a year older than the brunette. He didn't know what Keiichi's family did but they were important.
Wanting Keiichi to be safe, Misaki walked up to him. "You should go home. You know it's not safe at night."
Looking up at the sound of a familiar voice, Keiichi's eyes widened in horror. "I – It's you!" He quickly stood, knocking over the chair he had been sitting on. "I have to go!" And without another word, he ran off without looking back.
Akihiko looked down at the brunette worriedly. "Misaki," he began but received a sigh "why was he afraid of you? And why was your brother so mean?" But he didn't get a response until the smell of hay and manure hit him.
"I never told you about my life here because I was happy at the castle. I didn't want to be reminded of my past. It would only upset you if you knew how everyone here treated me." Misaki looked over his shoulder at Akihiko with sad eyes. "After our parents had been murdered when I was five, everyone started avoiding me, like I didn't even exist. Even Takahiro, my brother, avoided me but he did speak to me though it was rare. He made me sleep here and the only way I earned food was if I took care the animals. I groomed them, fed them, and even cleaned up after them. I know it sounds horrible and it kind of was which is why I decided to leave and no one even noticed; not even Takahiro when I told him. He had just ignored me." Tears ran down his cheeks as he threw down the sack of what little money and clothing he had grabbed from his room before he and Akihiko had been thrown out by some guards.
"Come here." Akihiko said softly, his arms open wide just for Misaki to run into them. He held onto the brunette tightly, not letting go as the young man cried heavily. "You don't have to worry about being ignored. I'll always be here for you, no matter what. I don't care what people say or do as long as they don't hurt you. You're mine for as long as you live."
Sniffling and burying his face into Akihiko's chest for a moment, Misaki looked up with red eyes and asked "Can I ask you something?" He got a slight nod and continued. "Earlier, when you were presenting yourself, why did you say your name was Usagi? You know it means rabbit, so why that name?"
Thinking about it, Akihiko said "it kind of just slipped out. I wasn't really thinking at the time but…" he smirked seductively, "I remember when I pulled you into my room when you were passing by one night and tossed you onto the bed before jumping; trapping you so you couldn't escape." The boy's face was completely red at this point, making the 22 year old glad he wasn't upset anymore. He remembered when their secret relationship began, causing him to smile and his eyes shine.
"I was wondering, Misaki," the silver haired king began as he hovered over the boy he had known for only four months so far. "Would you stay with me no matter what happens?" His voice was soft yet curious.
Misaki's eyes widened in shock. He had never expected his master to ask such a thing. He was still a bit afraid of General Haruhiko after being thrown into the dungeons just two months ago but what he had been even more afraid of was being asked by the king to be with him! The brunette didn't know why he was afraid even though he fell in love so quickly with his lord and it hurt.
Seeing him in shock, Akihiko simply said "I'll let you think about it." He pecked Misaki on the lips once, bringing him out of it and quickly kiss back. The king knew how Misaki felt and it made him fear what the boy's answer would be. 'Perhaps asking him this early was a bad idea.' But he had wanted to ask since the moment they had actually met.
But he waited for Misaki's answer for almost a month until one night the fifteen year old came to his room just as he was getting ready for bed.
"S – Sir?" Misaki interrupted nervously as he stood in the doorway. Akihiko looked at him curiously before he continued on speaking. "I've been thinking about your question for quite awhile now and, um, is it too late to say yes?"
The king just stood there, hoping he had heard right. "Master?" Misaki looked a tad worried before Akihiko reached out to him and grabbed him, pulling him into a deep and passionate kiss. Both needing air, they pulled away, not even an inch apart from each other's lips. "I love you." Akihiko whispered as a deep blush covered the boy's cheeks before they kissed again.
"Hey, Akihiko?" Misaki tugged his lover's silver hair lightly, drawing his attention. "I'm going to have to start calling you Usagi, you know that, right?"
"I don't mind." He smiled happily. "Now, let's try and get some shut eye." He saw Misaki slightly frown before nodding.
AND THAT IS CHAPTER TWO! FINALLY, RIGHT? AND FIVE PAGES! ANY QUESTIONS LET ME KNOW!