After a while Akihiko got used to the mundane routine he would set out to do. The highlight of his days usually consisted of learning new skills and writing stories. Usually, they (or rather he, mostly) would communicate back and forth between notes-Misaki asking questions out loud, and Akihiko answering the ones he chose to answer through writing-his spelling and grammar still needed work, so he figured he could use the practice. There were some questions he would not give the answers to. However, he usually couldn't keep up with the questions that the young boy would fire off, round after round.

"Do you have a family?" Misaki had asked, to which Akihiko gave a response, handing over his spiral notebook with the clean, curvy lines that he had attempted to copy from Misaki's examples. "Onse" it simply stated. Misaki shook his head and gave it back, "this should say this Once, with a 'c' not an 's'. You're still confusing letters with the same sounds..." Akihiko retrieved the notebook back into his possession and nodded, filing the information away for later as he crossed out the word and rewrote it to match the suggestion.

Some days, he would even accompany the boy outside, and watch as he flaunted his freedom around the grounds-showing him this and that, all the while he relished the lack of attention that the guards usually showed him.

It was time for him to leave for the castle-to Misaki's room, where he usually worked-(unless summoned to other parts of the castle; by now-he had seen all the parts where the servants worked). He was already late, his previous tasks had taken more time than usualy. He walked out, past the guards, who usually let him alone to go to complete his duties. Only this time, one of them spoke up.

"Going somewhere?" he chuckled, stepping in front of Akihiko, stopped in his tracks and stared up at the man for a beat then attempted to sidestep him., then continued a few steps before he realized that the guard had approached closer without him realizing, had reached out and was now holding his arm-fingernails digging in. He leaned in "Don't think you can get away that easily." he whispered, as he was ragged back to the cottage, through its living area, and into the bedroom.

He was forcibly thrown on the bed, the force knocking the air out of him. The man knelt above him, grinning maliciously down at him. He pulled out a small dagger, pointing at him.

Then they were interrupted, as the faint sound of knocking coming from the front door.

The guard looked down at Akihiko and put a finger to his lips, indicating for him to keep quiet-(he resisted the urge to roll his eyes as if he had the voice to call out). He saw the guard's body tense as they strained to listen for any further movement, waiting for whoever it was to leave. Slowly, the guard seemed to deem it safe, and that they were alone once again.

He leaned in closer to Akihiko, pulling his hair up, while cold, rough hands glided up under Akihiko's shirt, flat against his smooth chest. "This time, I'll make sure to leave a mark," the dagger pierced into the side of Akihiko's face, he flinched, his eyes flickering down to the sword the still lay at the guard's side, waiting for him to do something with it-and trying to plan on taking it for himself somehow.

Then he heard it, the familiar, and loud sound of the young boy shouting in the room. "Akihiko-I heard you were sick and just wanted to-'' Akihiko felt his heart stop, as he stared wide-eyed up at the presence of the young boy. His mind raced, as he tried to comprehend what to do next...whose side the young boy would be on, and how he must look to him at this moment, as the man above him stuttered. He almost smiled to himself, had he not still been keenly aware of the dagger-cool against his check. It was almost laughable, that this small boy could make this grown man stutter like that; a part of him marveled at the power he held. If only he could figure out how to use it to its extent.

"Get. Out ." Misaki's harsh tone surprised Akihiko and caused a small shiver to run up his spine. He had never heard his voice like that before. Like the calm before a storm, level, and quiet, but on the brink of destruction that was soon to follow. "Don't ." Akihiko watched the man flee the room, then kept a steady gaze on Misaki who seemed unsure of what to do, until he made his way to the edge of the bed. He waited. For what he wasn't sure. A small part of him thought that Misaki would subject him to something far worse than he had recently come to experience. Considering their difference in stations. He flinched away from the thought, but the seed was already planted-waiting to be watered.

"Are you alright?" Misaki asked, concern laced in his voice. Of all things, Akihiko hadn't expected... that. What did his well-being matter? He obviously wasn't physically hurt, and why did he sound so...concerned? Slowly, he shook his head in response, unsure if that was the correct answer.

"Does that happen to you often-?" Akihiko shrugged and looked away-how often was often? Since he first arrived, or all the times since? Minor occurrences, usually but still...It surely wasn't something to be worried about, considering who he was and who the boy next to him was. There was a power dynamic there-and Akihiko was starting to see the gears turn in Misaki's head as he realized this. He let the silence stretch on as he waited to see what the boy would do. Everything Misaki did always ended up surprising him somehow-perhaps that was one of the reasons he enjoyed the company so much.

Akihiko felt Misaki lay his hand on his shoulder-a surprise indeed. He resisted the urge to brush it away out of embarrassment, willing the sudden heat that formed throughout his body to calm down, along with his now too-fast beating heart.

ThumpThump-thump it went.

"I'll protect you!" Misaki grinned at him and he felt his heart explode at the sight.

ThumpThumpThumpThump.

It may have seemed like a small gesture, but to him, it meant the world or at least one safe corner of it. Akihiko's eyes softened and he gave a small smile, in admiration and adoration at what this boy was putting him through-and how little of it he was aware of.