After a while, Misaki got used to his routine with the new presence of Akihiko. The days started out normally, with this new routine where Misaki would casually teach Akihiko how to read after his tutoring had finished. Akihiko would linger behind after his teacher had left and they would spend their evenings reading and writing. Misaki got especially excited once Akihiko would start to write notes to him, answering his questions, and even daring to ask some of his own. Misaki's heart fluttered at the note he got, as he realized they were finally communicating.
Until one day, Akihiko didn't show up. Misaki had answered his door, looking around for him but his tutor had just said he was sick and not coming today. Misaki tried to hide his disappointment. Halfway through he had the idea to visit Akihiko once his lessons were done, which led to him being antsy for the rest of the session. Once he was free, he practically tripped over himself running out the door. He had never traveled the path to where Akihiko resided in the daytime before. He was glad to have remembered the way.
He came to the door, his heart hammering at the excitement to see his...friend? He supposed. At least he had hoped they could be friends. There weren't many other kids around the castle, and he had never really had anyone else to play with. He always had to entertain himself or the poor person who had been put in charge of watching him. He knocked and waited.
And waited.
There was no answer.
Confused, Misaki wondered if he had left, but where would he go? Or maybe he was too sick to get up and open the door on his own. Misaki suddenly felt guilty for not thinking to bring soup or anything. Sick people liked it when people brought them soup-right?
Misaki put his ear to the door to listen for sounds of anyone inside, he didn't hear anything, but maybe he could wait inside? He reached for the doorknob, hoping it wasn't locked-which seemed likely since it didn't seem like these servants were really given the privilege of privacy. It slowly opened, and Misaki went inside.
He had never been inside before. There was a small kitchen off to the right. There was a kitchen island counter in front of the kitchen appliances, with two bar stools, that served as the only dining table. In the middle of the room was a simple couch, with a blanket thrown over it. There were only two doors off to the side, one was halfway open to reveal a bathroom. The other door was closed, and most likely led to a bedroom. Misaki went to the bedroom door and listened once again for any sounds he heard rustling this time, and figured Akihiko must still be in bed. But then he started to hear what sounded like muffled voices. He had never heard Akihiko use his voice before so that could only mean...that there was someone else in there with him.
Misaki reached out and put his hand on the doorknob. His heart pounded. He shouldn't be here. What would he find on the other side of the door? But also, what Akihiko was...in trouble? Or being hurt? Most likely, he wouldn't be able to scream for help-even if he did, Misaki doubted anyone else besides him would really care. That's how those stories went…
Misaki took a deep breath and swung the door open, hard with a bang.
"Akihiko-I heard you were sick and just wanted to-" Misaki shouted hoping to explain his presence in case Akihiko was in an awkward state. But then stopped, his eyes wide as he took in the scene before him.
For there, on the bed was a man, much older than either of them. It took a minute, but Misaki recognized him as one of the King's Guards. He wore his guard's uniform, his sword was at his side. But that wasn't what surprised Misaki. For underneath him was Akihiko who looked just as surprised by Misaki's sudden appearance. The man was holding a small dagger to his neck, his other hand appeared to be under Akihiko's shirt.
"Your-Your Highness," The man stuttered nervously, "I was just teaching this- boy a lesson. In manners, you see he-"
"Get. Out." Misaki said through gritted teeth. Red. He was seeing red. He had never known he could feel so... angry. All he knew was that his-friend-at least to him-seemed to be being hurt and he just wanted it to stop. The image of Akihiko's back with those hideous scars flashed into his mind. " Now ." He added, his voice cold and authoritative. He knew this man didn't have much of a reason to be scared of a small boy, but he did have reason to be afraid of a kid with power, such as a royal prince who could use his royal power against him. He could tell his brother. He could order other guards to imprison him, or worse. And if the man didn't know this, then he was a fool. "Before I tell my brother-"
"Ye-yes of course I was just-I am leaving." The man rushed past Misaki, but then turned to him, "Please, your highness, if this could just stay between us-"
"Don't." At the tone of his voice, the man quickly took off. Misaki was left standing in the doorway, unsure of what to do, while Akihiko continued to lay there. Eventually, Misaki slowly made his way towards the bed and sat at the edge. He looked at Akihiko, then quickly away-blushing at the sight of Akihiko being so...disheveled, he made no move to readjust himself. Instead, he just stared, as if waiting for Misaki to do or say something.
"Do you…" Misaki swallowed, then looked back at Akihiko, with a concerned expression, "Are you alright?" Akihiko blinked at him, then gave him a quizzical look before finally sitting up and shook his head no. Misaki sighed, "That's….good. How...Does that happen to you often-?" He winced, not sure if he wanted to know the answer. Akihiko shrugged then looked away. The silence dragged on as Misaki was unsure of what to say to that.
He looked up at the ceiling hoping for something to come to him. Something of comfort he could provide. He felt useless. After all, he was just a kid, only somewhat younger than Akihiko though he still didn't know by how much, he could just tell. Plus, Akihiko had obviously been through a lot more than him. He understood now; in Akihiko's eyes, he was just a spoiled rich kid with power that he could abuse if he wanted. Meanwhile, Akihiko was a poor kid, who was abused. The image of those scars came to his mind once again. Misaki felt a pang of guilt in his chest. He sighed, then slowly he reached out his hand and lay it atop of Akihiko's shoulder, who finally turned to look at him surprised. "If...if anyone ever hurts you again...I'll….You tell me and I'll protect you!" He grinned. It was all he could offer, really. He was still too small to really fight anyone, and he wouldn't learn sword fighting or other combat lessons for a few more years. Adults he went to might even overpower him in some decisions, but he was still the prince of this castle, and if he had a say he would make sure others knew about it. He would fight to protect the people he cared about.
Akihiko's eyes seemed to soften at his pathetic attempt to make him feel better, and he gave a small smile and nodded. Misaki thought he felt his heart skip a beat, he couldn't remember seeing Akihiko smiling, at him no less. "Umm...do...do you want to...go play now-or something?" Misaki asked in a small voice, not really sure what else to do. He didn't know if Akihiko wanted to be left alone, but he also didn't feel ready to leave him just yet. Akihiko nodded, and Misaki grinned in response. "'Kay." He led the way outdoors, where maybe, just maybe he could give Akihiko a sense of a normal childhood, even for just a little while.