A/N: Hey, guys! For those of you who read the other story in this series "All in the Cards", I hope you enjoy this "brief" BokuAka prequel story. There's some more world building in this one!
For those new to this series, awesome, thanks for reading. Most all of the important parts of the Card Universe should be mentioned in this first chapter. But, to help, here is a five key points:
-The Card Kingdom is made up of four minor kingdoms that rule together: Spades, Hearts, Diamonds, and Clubs
-Minor kingdoms are ruled by their Suit, each having a King (the leader), a Queen (the mage), a Jack (the smartest), and the Ace (the warrior)
-No gender classifications for the Suit so a woman can be King and a man can be Queen.
-Queen and King are nor married positions so no arranged marriages here.
-The Suit knows they are destined to rule by the Mark (symbol on hand, heart, neck, or arm) and the Mark is Claimed when they take over the ruling position and the Mark gets a letter in the middle. If person becomes Unworthy to rule, the letter disappears.
I swear it's a lot less confusing in context! Thanks for reading!
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The Card Kingdoms Stand United.
Bountiful and plenty be the Southern fields of Spades to gain the land their feast. Strong and shrewd be the Western ports of Hearts to bring the sea to shore. Tall and sharp be the Northern mountains of Diamonds to guard the country's heart. Rich and shining be the Eastern cliffs of Clubs to adorn the nation's crown.
But who shall lead the kingdom-powerful and sure?
On the King's hand to point the way; Over the Queen's heart to light the path; By the Jack's head to plan the journey; At the Ace's arm to hold up the rest.
These Marks are how we know our leaders.
Yet listen closely and hold it dear, we hold one truth above all others:
The Card Kingdoms Stand United.
Opening from "The Tale of the Card Kingdom" (277 A.E.)
ooooo
"The Suit has come to a decision."
Akaashi waited.
"In a year's time, you will Claim your title and take my place as Clubs' Queen."
Satoshi Akio, Queen of Clubs and Mage of Earth, sat perfectly straight behind his desk, the lines of his face pulled down with the gravity of his words.
Akaashi schooled his face not to let the surprise show.
"I understand. Thank you for this honor."
His old mentor nodded back, approvingly.
"It is the will of Fate," Satoshi recited before a touch of the formality fell away and he shifted in his chair, joints protesting as he did. "...and it's the sensible choice. You'll be 20 by the time of the festival-a touch young, to be sure, but only a year younger than the rest of your Suit so that should work fine." He frowned. "I was 24 at the time my former Suit decided to retire; but, Fumiko was only 21 when she became Ace so at least there's some precedence." He waved a hand. "We've spent too long waiting for your King to arrive anyway."
This time, Akaashi didn't try to hide his surprise.
"The next King was found?"
The former King of Clubs, King Susumu, had died three years ago of complications with illness and old age. As far as Akaashi knew, the next king-known by the Mark of Clubs across his hand-had not come forward. Certainly not too unusual, especially before the five year mark and with a Queen, Jack, and Ace still in place to rule, but still a mystery that Akaashi had expected to hear when it resolved.
Satoshi looked at him sharply. "Yes. They approached Fumiko before Club's fall festival last month. It's the reason the Suit voted to schedule the Claiming for next year." He pressed his lips together. "Despite the limited schedule that means for the next King-to-be's training."
Akaashi bit down on a smile, opting to stay quiet rather than to question if the Queen had been outvoted.
Satoshi raised an eyebrow. "Not that the next King's arrival should change anything about your plans."
"Of course," Akaashi soothed and Satoshi looked appeased.
Of all the Card Kingdoms, Clubs was the most unique in how their Suits went about Claiming their titles. While the other Card Kingdoms did typically follow Clubs' way of having the King, Queen, Jack, and Ace begin their rule at roughly the same time-hopefully with only a few years between each Claiming-Clubs was absolutely the only kingdom that tried to keep their next rulers from meeting until after they Claimed their titles.
The reasoning behind this was many and varied, with the most quoted logic being that it helped the Suit grow separately as people before learning to work together, it all tended to come down to one thing: Tradition.
If there was one thing besides Clubs and his Suit that Queen Satoshi was particularly fond for, it was tradition.
Satoshi sighed. "Since she says her replacement Jack is already close to trained, Aratani has chosen to stay in the capital while Fumiko and I stay at this particular University branch."
"So, we're staying here for the entire year, then," Akaashi asked absently.
That was….fine. He'd miss the travel, he supposed-taking in the different branches of the University or resting in the capital he somewhat viewed as his home. But, he would manage, of course. If it was what Clubs needed.
Satoshi nodded. "Until we travel back to the capital for the next fall festival." He waved Akaashi's next question away. "It's typical to try to keep incoming Suit members fairly close together. Even for the other kingdoms. It helps the current Suit train them more easily."
"Why not just stay at the capital?"
Satoshi hummed, spreading out his hands in a gesture Akaashi recognized far too well from countless lessons. "You tell me?"
Akaashi thought back to his strategy lessons.
"A precaution," he guessed. "A safety measure to not have the entire incoming Suit in the same place as the current. Too easy for everyone to be attacked."
"Correct." Satoshi gave him a small smile. "There's wisdom in tradition, Akaashi. Always look for it."
ooooo
The University of Clubs was made up of seven different branch locations, all dedicated to the most noble pursuit of understanding the human condition be it through art, history, the study of the mind, philosophy, or music.
Which, of course, meant they loved a good piece of gossip.
"Did you hear that the new King is here," whispered an apprentice.
"I heard!" A fairly young master rolled his eyes. "Finally, if you ask me. Not that someone as new as us will ever get the chance to see them before the festival."
The apprentice merely hummed; but, it was that teasing kind of hum that begged someone to question it.
Unseen on the balcony above, Akaashi rolled his eyes before turning back to his book.
"What do you know," the master pressed.
The apprentice grinned like the cat that caught its prey. "I happen to know that Queen Satoshi already asked my Master Hekima for assistance with the new King's history courses."
"You're kidding," the master's voice lowered. "So….have you actually met them?"
Unbidden, Akaashi found his eyes drawn to watch the apprentice's grin
The master swore. "Fates! I knew I shouldn't have graduated early! Well, out with it, what are they like?"
The apprentice giggled, leaning in conspiratorially. "Hmm...he's certainly unusual, I'd say. Not at all what I was expecting. Especially considering...well, no, I shouldn't mention that part."
"Come on, Eiko! Don't be a tease!"
"No, really, Master Hekima would skin me. You'll have to wait for the festival." The apprentice hummed again, contemplative this time. "He's handsome, though. I'll give him that."
Akaashi tuned the rest of the conversation out, going back to his work rather than eavesdropping on University gossip.
ooooo
The history of Clubs was carved and etched in the cliffs that stood along Cards' eastern border. Hundreds of feet tall and elevating the land far above the rough and teaming ocean so different from the calmer western shores of Hearts.
But, Clubs history had never been one of sea travel even for the braver souls. Instead, the cliffs that separated them from the sea were the same that made Clubs prosper. The caves that lined and weaved along the cliffs were the richest resource the entire continent had to offer, giving Clubs the name "The Jewel of the Card Kingdom".
Mining made Clubs' fortune. In fact, it was nearly the only thing that made Clubs' name until the rise of the University during the Sixth Reign of the Cards' Suits. With that, the people of Clubs could be split into two amicable groups, working together to give the kingdom its' name:
The miners that enjoyed long days, working with their hands until their bags were filled with precious stones.
And those of the University that studied long into the night, reciting poetry and crafting novels until the entire continent from Hyakuzawa to Nohebi knew of Clubs' schools.
And, of course, there was Clubs Suit to serve over it all. The Queen as the best Mage in all of Clubs. The Jack as the smartest. The Ace as the strongest warrior. And The King to lead them all. Such was the way of the Card Kingdom.
Never had there been a King of Clubs from a miner family. An Ace, fairly common. A Queen, a few times. Even a Jack once. But, never a King-not since the University first began over four hundred years ago.
ooooo
Akaashi was having a fairly pleasant afternoon when someone fell off the cliff.
Curious enough, the cliffs were normally a fairly pleasant place to visit. Sure, a bit windy but less with a lower spot where the wind was normally cut off. And, really, even if not, it was a good trade off when it came to the peace and quiet since normally there wasn't anyone around the cliffs far enough from the major mines.
Normally, Akaashi would find, was not his word of the day.
The stretched out cursing hit his ears first and he looked up more out of curiosity than anything.
Of course, then, seeing a man falling from the much taller cliffs around him and at least five hundred feet up became his next concern.
Akaashi did not stop, he didn't even give himself time to think. He just planted his feet down to grip the stone below him, sent out his magic to feel the cliffs around him, made a plan, and pushed.
There was...there was a very good reason fate chose Akaashi to be the Queen of Clubs, Mage of Earth.
The rock shifted.
The entire side of the cliff shifted until it could catch the tiny speck that was the man, pulling his momentum forward into something like a slide, smaller stones stumbling around him, until finally the speed bled out and dropped the man down in front of Akaashi's feet.
"Fates," the man swore, hands gripped in the grass below as he tried to catch his breath.
Akaashi watched him, trying mentally to put his own self back together since it probably wouldn't do to see the future Queen out of breath and still slightly panicked.
The man was a mess of white and black hair, clothed in loose, dirty clothes, and with finger-less black gloves still gripped around part of a rope.
A miner, then. Though a good bit away from the usual mines.
"Fates...Fates...thanks, the ropes broke and I-" the man looked up, gold eyes meeting Akaashi and froze.
Akaashi tried to smile encouragingly. "Good thing I could catch you in time."
The man swallowed, eyes wide. "You're….you're…"
Ah, Akaashi thought, resigned. He'd been recognized. Technically not supposed to happen; but, when he'd traveled with Satoshi for nearly fifteen years, it tended to be an open secret of who Akaashi would come to be.
He nodded. "Yes, I'm-"
"You're beautiful," the man finished and Akaashi blushed a bright red.
"Oh."
The man spluttered. "Oh, crap, no, sorry! Ah, I meant-Hey, you're the next Queen of Clubs, right?"
"Um...yes," Akaashi admitted before blushing deeper. He breathed out, composing himself. "Yes, I'm Akaashi Keiji."
"Yeah, yeah, I know! I'm-" The man paused, frowning. "Wait, do you know what I am?"
A miner was Akaashi's guess.
"Yes, I believe I do," Akaashi gestured to his gloves as he extended his hand, trying to help the man back to his feet. "Though a name would be helpful."
The man followed Akaashi's gaze before he himself blushed, finally moving his right hand forward to grip Akaashi's. "Ah, right. Yeah, I guess….I guess that would be good. I'm Bokuto Kotaro. It's...it's really nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you, too," Akaashi agreed, putting the same poise and grace behind the words as he did the few times Satoshi pulled him in to talk to the citizens.
"Wow, you really look like a Queen, too," Bokuto mumbled, low enough that Akaashi wasn't sure if he was supposed to hear.
"Well...not yet," Akaashi answered anyway, giving him a polite smile.
Bokuto huffed out a laugh. "Ha, yeah, guess we've gotta wait a year. Huh?"
Interesting, Akaashi didn't know that the news had spread outside the University yet.
"I suppose," Akaashi said into the silence before nodding up to the cliffs. "Though, hopefully, be more careful next time you climb. No stone is worth your life!"
Bokuto grinned, the gesture seeming far too alive for someone who was just falling to his death. "No worries, I've been climbing the cliffs for my entire life. Never had both my ropes break on me." He winked. "Suppose it was just an act of Fate?"
"I'd hope the Fates wouldn't want to see you dead."
"Not dead if you caught me, is it? Just good timing!" He dug in his pocket to pull out a dark stone. "Besides, the cave I found has black opal in it. Entire clusters. That's worth a few risks, here and there."
Akaashi hummed. "If you say so."
Bokuto stopped, looking up at Akaashi with a smile that was almost shy.
"I, um, kind of hoped I could meet you in a bit different circumstances." This time the smile was definitely shy. "Thank you, though. For catching me."
Akaashi felt heat rising in his cheeks even though blushing anymore would be completely ridiculous.
"Of course." Akaashi smiled back. "Glad I was here."
ooooo
"Wake up, Keiji! Time to greet this Fates blessed day we have!"
Akaashi groaned, just as his curtains were thrown back and glaringly bright sun struck him straight in the face.
Despite trying, Akaashi was not a morning person.
"No, seriously, get up! I don't have much time until the actual servants come."
"You're not even supposed to be here," Akaashi muttered, obstinately shoving his face back into the pillow.
"No, I'm not," the pillow was removed and the face of Konoha Akinori looked down at him, "but, I don't see Satoshi anywhere to complain now, do I?"
Akaashi sent a dry look to the future Jack of Clubs. "Why are you here ?" He frowned. "Actually, when did you get here? I thought you were still in the north?"
"I got in last night." Konoha perched at the edge of Akaashi's bed. "Apparently they're gathering all of our Suit here, did you know? Though, I imagine I'll have more time than you and whoever our new Ace is since Aratani's staying up in the capital."
Akaashi made a noncommittal noise, chasing away the last edges of sleep and trying to draw himself to a more poised position.
Konoha gave him a look that told him it was only partly effective.
"It's good to see you," Akaashi admitted. "...even if you shouldn't be seeing me."
"The tradition's already lost, Keiji," Konoha dismissed. "So, what if we weren't supposed to meet until we Claimed our titles. It was an accident. We met two years before I even came to the palace. Even crotchety, old Satoshi knows that. From there, honoring the old tradition of not talking is pointless. No, worse than pointless, it's annoying."
"Historically-"
Konoha cut him off. "Oh, don't you dare. I've been studying history practically before you were born."
Akaashi's found it was particularly annoying to try to win any kind of information based arguments with a future Jack. Especially one that was practically raised in the University with two parents as teachers.
Konoha smiled like he knew he won. "Anyway, have you heard they found the King?"
Akaashi fought back a shrug. "He was always going to come forward eventually."
"He?"
"I overheard some University gossip."
"So you are curious."
"I suppose."
Personally, other than mild interest, Akaashi didn't really care much. He'd meet the future King at the festival. Puzzling over it until then was a waste of time when he could be doing better things.
Konoha sighed in annoyance. "You really are the worst person to gossip with, Keiji."
"My humble apologies."
"And no one ever believes you're the mean one." Konoha rubbed at his chin. "Truthfully, I kind of expected our King to come for another couple years. He had to have a reason to wait this long, didn't he?"
ooooo
Akaashi did not expect to see Bokuto again.
He especially did not expect to see him crouched down in Akaashi's favorite alcove, eyes darting around the hall as if trying to catch someone.
Akaashi pulled to a stop, surprise momentarily loosening his tongue. "What are you doing here?"
Bokuto's eyes landed on him before brightening. "Akaashi!"
And that's how Akaashi found himself pulled roughly into the alcove with heavy curtains falling behind him.
"Wha-"
Bokuto's hand covered his mouth and Akaashi could feel the fibers of the glove against his lips.
"Shh," Bokuto whispered. "I'm hiding!"
There was the sound of heavy footsteps outside of the curtains followed by a pause before the grumbling voice Akaashi recognized as Master Osamu. "Check the gardens. He can't have gone too far."
There was the sound of receding footsteps and then Bokuto's hand fell away from Akaashi's face and Akaashi unexpectedly couldn't think of a single thing to say.
Bokuto sighed, falling into a small heap on the window seat with his hair lit by the afternoon sun. "Sorry...ugh, Akaashi, they've been lecturing me since sunrise. I just needed a break to get my head back straight."
"You're studying here," Akaashi blurted out.
Bokuto cocked his head. "Well...yeah? Aren't you?"
"With Queen Satoshi, yes."
But, Akaashi was being trained as the future Queen and he thought Bokuto was…
"I thought you were a miner," Akaashi admitted.
"I am!" Bokuto said immediately, the sound echoing in the small space and causing Akaashi to wince. Bokuto gave him a sheepish smile, purposely lowering his voice. "I mean...I was a miner." His shoulders hunch. "Sorry, I'm still getting used to this place. It's, um, a lot different than what I'm used to."
Oh, a new student to the University, then.
"I understand," Akaashi sat next to him, offering a small smile. "Be careful about running from the Masters, though. Master Osamu is old-his knees creak."
Bokuto winced. "Yeah...I know they're just trying to do their job. I know it's important." He groaned. "I just kind of feel like my head's going to explode and they'd keep lecturing to it, anyway."
Akaashi laughed before he could stop himself and Bokuto's eyes shot up, mouth pulling up into a smile.
"It gets easier," Akaashi reassures quietly. "I think I felt the same when Queen Satoshi first signed me up for classes."
"Yeah?" Bokuto's smile brightened a little more, looking up at Akaashi like he hung the sun in the sky.
Akaashi cleared his throat, purposefully changing the subject.
"So, why the gloves?" Akaashi gestured down to where the same worn finger-less gloves contrasted with the fine University linen of the rest of Bokuto's outfit.
"Huh? Guess it's just habit mostly." Bokuto flexed his fingers. "Besides, guess I've worn them so long at this point, I wouldn't feel like me without them, you know?"
Akaashi didn't really.
Bokuto's eyes met his again. "You...you don't mind, do you? It's not like rude or offensive, right?"
Akaashi frowned, confused. "No, I don't mind."
Bokuto grinned.
"You might get a few odd looks," Akaashi said cautiously.
Bokuto shrugged with a laugh. "Like I'm not used to those!"
ooooo
It seemed that Bokuto Kotaro, for reasons as yet unknown, had decided to become a decided fixture in Akaashi Keiji's life.
Akaashi himself was rather unsure how he felt about this.
Probably because every conversation he had with the man left him feeling somewhat unbalanced and Akaashi hated feeling less than put together.
"Whatcha reading?" A head ducked over his shoulder, far too close for casual acquaintances and Akaashi stopped himself from another ridiculous blush.
"'A History of the Cards' Educational Rise in the Post War Years,'" Akaashi commented, subtly moving to the side of the bench for more space.
Not that it mattered when Bokuto flopped down next to him with that particular grace of a young puppy. "Hey! No way, Master Hekima just assigned me that last week!"
Akaashi's head shot up. "Really?"
"Yeah? Why?"
"Nothing." Akaashi frowned. "That's...a lot more than I expected for her beginning class."
"Oh." Bokuto shrugged. "Well, you know, I guess they have me on a bit of an advanced track since I came so late."
Akaashi continued to frown. Really, most of the University students started in their mid to late teens. Bokuto wasn't that much older than the general student.
"What do you think of it," Akaashi asked curiously, gesturing back to the book.
Bokuto paused. "It's...alright, I guess." He looked down, rubbing the back of his neck. "Would help if they stop mentioning whatever they mean with comparative philosophies."
Akaashi nodded, already pulling out some parchment. "It's because their references are way too much if you haven't gone into comparative foundation practices between the Clubs' University and the Diamonds' Institution." He scratched out a list of books. "Here, try these from the library. They should help."
Bokuto took the list, looking between it and Akaashi with large eyes. "I….Thank you, Akaashi."
Akaashi smiled. "It's no problem. Honestly, I'm not sure why Master Hekima didn't start with-"
"Eep!"
And that's all Akaashi heard before Bokuto practically dove off the bench and into the bush behind them.
"Don't tell him I'm here," Bokuto hissed from the bush.
"Who?"
"Satoshi!"
Akaashi's eyes drew up just in time to see the Queen gliding across the University gardens until his eyes landed on Akaashi.
Akaashi stood, bowing his head in greeting. "Queen Satoshi."
"Akaashi, good." His mentor gave a faint smile of approval when he saw the book in Akaashi's hands. "How are your studies going?"
"As expected," Akaashi said smoothly, shifting the smallest bit to cover the bush that Bokuto was hiding in. "I have my lessons with Master Hekima and Master Osamu this afternoon."
"Excellent." Satoshi nodded. "So you're aware, I've informed Master Isamo that I've cancelled your morning lessons for next Friday. I'd hope you could find the time to indulge me for breakfast."
Akaashi smiled, a break for his birthday. "I'd be honored, My Queen."
His old mentor's face softened slightly. "It's good to see you enjoying the gardens."
"They're beautiful," Akaashi agreed.
"I'm sure the University gardeners would be happy to hear you think so," Satoshi said in his way of suggesting without the impoliteness of a demand.
"Then, I shall endeavor to tell them," Akaashi agreed.
Satoshi inclined his head, eyes warm. "And I shall leave you to your studies. Farewell, Akaashi."
"Farewell, My Queen."
Akaashi watched him leave, trying very hard not to notice the way the bush was shifting suspiciously behind him.
"He's gone," Akaashi finally reported.
Bokuto stuck his head out, picking the leaves out of his hair. "How are you soooo good at that?"
"Covering for people in bushes," Akaashi asked lightly.
"No, you know," Bokuto waved a hand, falling back onto the bench, "all the polite royalty stuff! You're amazing."
"Oh." Akaashi was definitely not blushing. "It's just practice, I suppose. Queen Satoshi's been training me since I was five, after all."
Bokuto groaned, head falling in his hands. "I'm terrible at remembering all the etiquette stuff. Master Isamo tells me all the time!"
Akaashi hummed. "Master Isamo's always been strict, especially with the new University students. Don't worry, I'm sure you're not as terrible as he says."
Bokuto grimaced. "Nah, he's….actually got a point with that one. Etiquette's never been my thing, even my mom used to scold me about it."
"Even so. It's a new skill," Akaashi reassured lightly. "You have to give it time. No one's perfect in their first year, you shouldn't worry about trying to be."
Bokuto looked up at him, face shifting to an oddly vulnerable expression that Akaashi couldn't quite understand. "You don't expect me to be? By the end of the year, I mean?"
"Of course not." Akaashi frowned. "It's only your first year here, you always have more time later."
Bokuto was still giving him that open expression that Akaashi didn't know what to do with so Akaashi coughed lightly. "Why were you hiding from Queen Satoshi? I promise he's not as scary as he looks!"
Bokuto laughed, ending with a silly grin. "Okay, one, that's a complete lie, Akaashi! I have classes with him, too! He's terrifying!"
"He's not!" He blinked. "Wait, you have classes with Satoshi?"
Satoshi normally only taught classes to the really advanced students or the ones the University thought had high potential at working with the University or palace one day.
"Well, not on magic, obviously." Bokuto shook the question away. "Anyway, two, I'm not supposed to be talking to you, right? Why wouldn't I hide?"
Akaashi tilted his head, confused.
He knew some of Clubs' commoners had trouble talking to the Suit members, even future Suit members, but he never really expected Bokuto to be the type intimidated by formality.
"I'm fine with you talking to me," Akaashi said softly.
Bokuto beamed. "And I'm fine talking to you! But, best not let Satoshi find out, right?"
"...Alright?"
Akaashi wondered if he was just doomed to feel unbalanced around one Bokuto Kotaro.
He suspected he was.
ooooo
Akaashi was fairly ambivalent about his birthday.
It was another day in a year of his life. He didn't really understand why it should hold more significant than that.
He did enjoy having an easy morning, though, being able to have a series of unrushed hours to sit on the balcony outside the Queen of Clubs' suite and talk idly with Satoshi without having to watch the time until their next commitment.
It reminded him of the earlier years of his life, back before King Susumu's death when Satoshi used to take them more to travel along the different University branches rather than spending most of their year tied down to the capital.
"Did I tell you?" Satoshi sipped as his tea. "For the fall festival, Nekomata offered to bring another case of champagne along with the usual Diamond vodka. I swear the old man may truly be trying to get the entire kingdom drunk."
Akaashi smiled back. At 95, there weren't many that Satoshi could call 'old' except for the Queen Nekomata of Diamonds and in an odd way Queen Suga of Spades.
Satoshi hummed. "I suppose it would be most fitting to start the festival with the champagne then since it's the most unusual of the gifts. What do you think, Akaashi?"
Akaashi thought that champagne always tickled his nose in a weird way that made him constantly feel the need to sneeze.
"The champagne will work fine," Akaashi agreed.
There was a loud sigh suddenly coming up from the courtyard below and Akaashi and Satoshi both tensed in their seat at the sound of raised voices.
"He can't be that bad," said a laughing voice that Akaashi recognized as Master Tamane, the University master of poetry.
"He is," Master Isamo groaned back. "He absolutely is!"
"But, it's such an honor," Tamane teased back. "Be more grateful, Isamo!"
"It should be an honor," Isamo corrected. "It would be an honor if the idiot could even learn the simple difference between the place setting for a meeting of the Suits and one for visiting dignitaries! He's hopeless, Tamane, I might as well be teaching the wall behind him rather than a future King."
"Excuse me," Satoshi said to Akaashi, face tense and eyes dark.
Akaashi nodded, an undignified jerk of his head.
"You have a year," Tamane consoled, still laughing.
Isamo huffed. "No, he has a year! Then, the idiot can go ahead to Claim his Kingship for all the good that will do and-if there's any common sense at all left among the Fates-they'll declare him unworthy and we can go back to finding a real King for Clubs!"
Tamane's echoing laughter cut off with an abrupt halt as a third voice entered the mix.
"Master Tamane, Master Isamo," Satoshi murmured, voice as cold and unforgiving as the seas beyond the cliffs. "If you would not mind, I've found I need to speak to the both of you...about your future at the University and, more particularly, your future with the Suit."
Akaashi waited silently on the balcony above, heart hammering loudly in his chest even though he couldn't quite pick out the exact reason beyond the cause.
Satoshi returned barely ten minutes later, laying his napkin back down in his lap and returning to his meal as if nothing had happened. "Akaashi, Master Katsumi will now be your teacher for court etiquette due to Master Isamo's unfortunate resignation from this branch."
"I understand," Akaashi said, not quite able to tap down on the slight shake in his tone.
Satoshi sighed, looking up. "It would be in all of our best interests if you forgot you overheard that, Akaashi. Further, I encourage you to keep a sharp ear away from the University gossip this year. You should get to form your own opinions of your Suit. Don't let your mind be clouded by others' praises and criticisms."
ooooooo
Bokuto grinned, collapsing next to Akaashi to lay on the grass of the cliff. "See, I told you Satoshi was terrifying! Did you hear he fired Master Isamo?"
Akaashi's hands tensed around his book. "I'm sure if he did, then Master Isamo did something that deserved it."
Bokuto hummed. "Yeah, maybe so, I still just kind of feel bad for the guy, you know? Gotta be hard starting over again after spending so much time at one place?"
Akaashi looked up, taking note of Bokuto's looser clothes and the way sweat curled at the ends of his hair. "You were out climbing again, weren't you?"
"Yep!" He smiled up at him. "Best way to relax."
"It's dangerous," Akaashi said, struck suddenly with the idea of Bokuto falling only without Akaashi's magic there to catch him.
Bokuto boosted himself with his arms. "Nah, not really. I mean not unless both of your ropes break on you; but, that's like an insane coincidence." He winked at Akaashi. "Don't worry about me, Akaashi, I've been doing this all my life. I know how climbing like the back of my hand!" He laughed, holding up his gloved hand as he grinned at Akaashi. "Actually, scratch that, I know climbing even better than I know the back of my hand."
Akaashi let himself smile back. "You love it that much?"
"Yeah," Bokuto looked out at the sea, grin falling gradually. "Hey, Akaashi, you want to know a secret?"
"Okay," Akaashi said and wondered when his voice got softer.
"I was really scared to come here." Bokuto didn't look back at him. "Like terrified kind of scared. I just...this is stupid, I know this is stupid...it's just I'm good at mining. I'm good at climbing and knowing which rocks to choose and how best to cut a stone and...I know that stuff. I don't know…," he made at a vague gesture back at the University, "I don't know all of this. I'm not good at it. Even if I want to be. Even if I want to be more than anything in the world." Bokuto let out a slow breath. "It's really hard to leave something you know you're good at it for something you're not."
"That's not stupid." Akaashi's hand came to his shoulder, a light touch but just enough for Bokuto to look over in surprise. "That's not stupid at all. So, what convinced you to come?"
"I wanted to," Bokuto blurted out before blushing. "I mean...I needed to, you know? I was never just going to abandon all of this here just because I was scared." His eyes dropped back down. "I I know I should have probably come earlier."
"You're here now," Akaashi said quietly.
"Yeah, but I should've come sooner." Bokuto shrugged. "My parents were old. I mean like they were already kind of old when they had me so I guess...It doesn't matter. Mom knew more about gem cutting than anyone in the town and Dad showed me everything he knew about climbing." He looked back to the ground. "But, Dad died when I was a kid and Mom needed help and I could help so…," He rubbed the back of his neck. "I waited. I figured all of this stuff would be fine until I could come so, I stayed back to help Mom."
Akaashi hesitated, not wanting to ask the question.
"She died last summer," Bokuto answered anyway. "It's alright, we knew it was coming. She was...it was a really long life." He gestured back at the University, this time with a small smile. "She always wanted me to come here. Both her and Dad, they tried to convince me when I was a kid."
He turned to Akaashi then and his smile grew like seeing the sun from parting clouds.
Akaashi swallowed around the lump in his throat. "And are you happy you came here?"
Bokuto paused, tilting his head as he considered.
"Yeah," he said slowly. "Yeah, I think I am. Besides….I got to meet you, right? And I'm definitely glad about that."
Akaashi breathed, realizing as he did that he'd been holding his breath.
He smiled back, warm and sincere and nothing like the polite smile he normally gave.
"I'm glad I met you, too."