The two walked to the garden, silent until there were no more guards surrounding them, and only the birds in the trees were there to witness the duo.
"So," Kai gnawed on the inside of his lip, hands shoved in his pockets. "Are we gonna talk about all this, or what?"
"Sure, but I don't know what there is to discuss," Zane turned his gaze to the side, looking at his boyfriend with neutral eyes.
"You just running off back to the palace! You didn't show any signs of wanting to actually go back, you just kinda left."
"It wasn't as sudden as you think."
"Then what made you leave?" Kai asked, his voice breaking in the middle, and Zane realized with horror that his boyfriend was on the verge of tears, although he shoved his fear down to allow himself to remain collected.
"Kai? I'm sorry, was it something I said?"
Zane reached over and grasped his partner tightly, not quite understanding the sudden crying. Kai squeezed the prince back, burying his head next to Zane's.
"Is this all because I got mad at you? I'm sorry I didn't mean to make you leave I was just... just... I don't even know," Kai was so relieved to hold the prince beside him, even if it had only been a little over twelve hours. "I'm so sorry I got so mad at you. I was so busy focused on the fact that people were dead that I didn't process why you even killed them in the first place."
"I guess too late is better than not at all," Zane mused, gently rubbing the Fire Ninja's back, unsure of what emotions he was feeling as his boyfriend held him.
"But, uh," Kai said bashfully, pulling away with red tinging his cheeks. "There's really no use in worrying about the past, right? I mean, you're at the palace now whether I like it or not."
"Indeed, very astute of you."
If it were anyone else, Kai would have taken it as sarcasm. But by the way Zane nodded as he spoke, he was being genuine.
"So, would you mind explaining why you went back then? If it's not just because of me, then I'm pretty lost here," Kai swiped away stray tears from his eyes, a little embarrassed that he had broken down so easily. "I know that Karen told you to distance yourself, but this still feels a little extreme."
"I suppose, in part, it was due to your outburst yesterday," Zane reasoned, and Kai's face fell beside him. "I realized that I had overstayed my welcome at the Bounty, and that it would be best for everyone if I left."
"What? No, no, we'd still love to have you," The Fire Ninja suddenly felt small next to the prince's dress clothes and stiff posture. Just like he did back when they first ran into each other at the ball.
"And that's the problem," Zane sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I am incredibly sorry, Kai, it was selfish of me to engage you in a relationship. I knew I had to return to royalty someday, and you have expressed your distaste for palace life multiple times, so it was foolish of me to think that this would turn out alright for anyone."
"It's not selfish to want love, Zane," Kai insisted. "I guess I just didn't want to think that far in the future. I thought it would be further away, at least."
"It's better for you just to move on," The prince contended, stone cold eyes not daring to look in his partner's direction, lest they crumble. "The last thing I want to do is hurt you more, and as of right now that's all I've done. So, please, go back to the Bounty, and try and find love somewhere else. I don't care what our clocks say, you deserve someone that can live a life that you want to live."
Kai chewed on his lip, reflecting on the words as they walked for another minute or so.
"Was that your way of breaking up with me?" He finally asked, emotion threatening to block his throat.
"I don't want to, but we have to for your sake," Zane's hands twitched, and tears threatened to run down his face at the thought of being alone once more. "This is what's best for us in the long run. You find somebody who's not your soulmate who can provide you with what you want, and I'll stay in the palace."
"But I want you," Kai turned and clasped both of Zane's hands tightly in his own, forcing the prince to turn towards him. "I came to get you because I wanted you to come home with me, but that's not possible anymore."
"No, it's not," Zane set his jaw, fingers trembling in Kai's.
"So what do we do?" Kai asked softly, and Zane looked up at him with tears in his eyes, coldness replaced with warmth.
"If you'll let me..." Zane trailed off, reaching a hand up to brush Kai's face, thumb pad rubbing against the corner of his lips.
"With pleasure, your highness," Kai mumbled, and leaned over to meet Zane in the middle, lips colliding in desperation, the two clinging onto each other as if they could disappear at any moment. When they broke away, they embraced each other tightly, afraid to let go.
"I don't want to be alone, Kai," Zane admitted, cheeks dusted a slight red to contrast with the cool undertones of his skin. "But you don't deserve a life in a place that you hate."
"We'll figure something out," Kai promised, nodding into the prince's hair. "It'll just take some tweaking, that's all."
"Indeed," Zane breathed out, eyes fluttering shut against Kai's warmth. "It was strange sleeping alone last night. I had gotten used to you beside me."
"Yeah, same," Kai smiled, his anxiety dying down slowly, but a sudden thought made it spike again. "Hey, your Captain, are you sure it's a good idea to keep her around?"
"Karen?" Zane confirmed, and received a gentle hum in response. "I don't want to do anything yet, at least until I'm coronated."
"Right, you're gonna be king," Kai's smile turned sad for the boy standing in front of him.
"Yes, I am," Zane quirked his mouth, looking at the trees around him with longing. "At least now I can leave the palace of my own free will. Who knows how often it will be, but there is no higher authority telling me I cannot."
"Yeah, and who says that your monarchy has to look anything like your parents' did? You could hold meetings in the garden and no one can tell you not to," Kai suggested jokingly, but Zane stared at him like he suddenly grew a second head.
"Monarchs have always ruled in the style of my parents, Kai. Changing how the palace is run would overturn decades of established rule."
"Yeah, but is that a bad thing?"
Zane just blinked at him, processing his words.
"I- I don't know. My parents have always conditioned me to rule in their footsteps, I've never considered an alternative."
"Well, give it some thought. I think you might be more willing to play dress-up with some foreign dignitaries if you're comfortable with your home turf."
"I don't play dress-up," Zane responded, cheeks slightly red at the accusation. "I dress formally, there's a difference."
"Chill, Frosty, I'm just poking fun," Kai slung an arm around Zane's shoulder, the two continuing on their way. "Well, we have a few more hours until they're expecting us back, so we can hang out here for a while longer."
"How do you think the others are getting along with Karen?"'
"Eh, I'm sure they're fine."
Back in the palace, the group had migrated to the holding area for guests, Jay enjoying himself as he bounced lightly on the plush sofas the castle had to offer. Cole was next to him, staring at the portrait of the former royal family on the wall. The late queen and king stood offset and behind their son, who was looking straight ahead at the camera with the same sharp blue eyes as his parents. Cole understood why they had hung it in here; the photograph radiated regality, the crisp white clothes and hair of the monarchs adding to the authority of the rulers.
Lloyd and his uncle were on a different coach together, the blonde's eyes darting nervously around the room as Wu rested an easy hand on his shoulder. Finally, Nya and Karen sat across from each other, both ladies on the defense and offensive simultaneously. Karen defending her home turf, and Nya defending her brother.
"So," The captain rested her hand easily on the sword sheathed at her side, a silent message to the girl sitting opposite. "What did you all do with Zane when he was in your custody?"
"Brought him shopping, played some games, helped him deal with the trauma of hearing his parents get beheaded, that sort of thing," She replied sweetly, and Karen's eyebrow raised.
"Hopefully he realized that his parents had to die for his own good. After all, aren't you happy that he and Kai are reunited? This wouldn't be happening if he was locked in his room because his father put him there."
"I'm happy that my brother is getting to spend time with his soulmate, I'm just expressing that Zane suffered obvious stress and anxieties from the instance."
"It was necessary."
"He's traumatized."
Both were locked in a staring match, gazes unwavering.
"Perhaps you're both correct," Wu piped up, and the eyes snapped over to him. "The king and queen needing to die for Zane to move forward may be true, but not without leaving psychological scars on their son, no matter how swiftly done. But either way you look at it, you two fighting is not going to make this a very pleasant visit for anyone, and I would rather not have one of my students imprisoned by the end of the day."
Both looked surprised, but nodded in understanding. They attempted to stay away from touchy subjects after that, instead focusing on some social media to ease off of heavy conversation. Soon, they heard a knock at the door, and a familiar pair were entering, fingers intertwined like they had never been separated in the first place. Karen looked dismayed for only a split second before she smiled, standing to join her prince by the door.
"Will our guests be leaving now?"
"Well, mostly."
"What do you mean, 'mostly'? They entered and will exit as a team, correct?"
"Actually, Karen," Zane looked at Kai, and Zane smiled genuinely, his boyfriend nodding in silent agreement. "Kai's going to be staying here at the palace with us."