Ky gyrated his neck to eliminate the tension it received from the daily duties of being the 1st King of Illyria. It was a excruciating trail for a man like himself, who was born and raised to fight in a mass scale war, to fulfill the mentally exhausting tasks of negotiations, treaties, economics, maintaing an acceptable quality of life for all citizens, and various other non battle related duties.
All for the sake of reaching a better future.
("How I wished the world was kind enough to grant me some peace for myself...")
His body knew to carry him above the well adorned carpets of his home without taking note of his surroundings. It was an unconscious habit that has been engraved into his nerves way before he was crowned the 1st King.
Right now, he wanted to do nothing but to reach his kitchen and serve himself a hot cup of tea to soothe both his mind and body from the torture of politics.
"Wait, so this is how you actually do it... right?"
"Yes, you finally got it right, Sin!"
A wooden surface receiving a harsh slap permeated through the door of the heirs' bedroom. "That's what the hell I'm talking about!!!"
The consciousness of the 1st King was brought back so his body could make its stop to his son's bedroom.
Ky's exhausted expression was mixed with curiosity by the cheerful celebration his son expressed to the praise of his tutor/newest best friend, Shun.
Forgoing his desire to relax for the day, he headed into Sin's room and see what activity the two young boys were engrossed in.
"Oh, hey dad! Didn't know you got back from work." His son greeted him, his upper body turned to directly meet the soft yet tired gaze of his father, who silently responded with a soft smile.
"It's good to see you, Ky". The green haired teen who was tutoring him also turned to greet him with a hand wave and a smile that was as bright as the sun.
"Likewise, Shun." Ky waved back to the green haired youth, finding himself relaxed at the presence of the young man.
The only pair of blue irises traveled to the wobbling stack of homework books that were resting near the left edge of the desk. It didn't take Ky a second to figure what the two young men were occupied with.
"You usually don't do your homework around this hour, Sin." He pointed out.
The only eye of Sin widened once his brain fully sunk in the fact that he and Shun have spent the entire day working on his homework. Even more so when he saw the absurd amount of homework books he and Shun have just completed.
"Did we really complete all of those today!?"
It was Ky's turn to be surprised by the revelation. ("He and Shun completed that much homework... in just under a day?")
"We did... though I wasn't expecting for us to be working until sunset." Shun said as he too gyrated his neck to relax the muscles within.
The young Gear looked at the stack of books for a second before looking at the homework problems he and his friend were working on.
For the past year, he and his father would work together to solve the different subjects and topics all of the books stored. At first glance, Sin thought it would be the most boring thing one would have to endure, but in reality, it repaired the rocky relationship he and his father had.
Even though both of them wouldn't complain about that benefit, Ky could not neglect his duties as King. So he had no choice but to cut down the amount of time he and son spent on completing his homework.
The younger version of Sin would have resented his father for cutting down the time he spent with him. He, thankfully, has carried no such feelings as of recently.
The young Gear understood why his father had to carry his role as the ruler of one of the biggest nations of the world.
It irritated Sin when Ky had to leave, but he wouldn't let his temporary absence weigh him down. The old man has taught him, albeit harshly, how to rely on oneself.
Though that self reliance instantly died when his newest best friend offered to become his tutor. And once he accepted within a heartbeat, the rest was history.
An understandable yawn caused by spent energy was released from Sin; the eyelid of his only eye opened and closed.
"Jeeeez, I never thought pencil scribbling would be this tiring!"
"Your mind is the one that's tired, Sin. Not the other way around." The green haired tutor lightly chided to the messy haired blonde.
"I could care less." Was the tired retort of Sin before he brought back his focus to the halfway done book of the day.
The 1st King couldn't stop himself from chuckling to the harmless banter of his son and his friend.
"Come on, Shun! Let's finish this bullcrap so we can both go and do something else.
"That won't be necessary, Sin."
Ky's intervention made both the young Gear and Saint of Athena turn to look for a clarification. "What do you mean, dad?"
"As your father, I recommend that you take a break."
"Why? I'm not even done with this-"
Ky's hand gently clasped over the broad shoulder of his son, interrupting his defense.
"Sin, you have worked too much for today. And that is more than enough for me. So go on and have some fun for the rest of the day." The 1st King said to his heir with the softest yet proudest tone his tired state could muster.
"You really mean that dad!?"
A nod of confirmation came from him.
Sin's energy instantly replaced his previous tiredness, prompting him to almost jump from his chair and encase his father in a tight hug.
"Thankyouthankyouthankyou!! Come on, Shun! Let's go and play blindfolded marco polo!"
The Knight of Andromeda did not have the chance to react as his friend ripped him from his seat, slung his thin body over his shoulder, and sprinted out of the room.
Ky moved out of the way and quickly reprimanded his son's exit. "Sin, try and watch your step!!"
"OKAY!!"
A light laugh was the natural response for the father of one.
His soft gaze turned to meet the stack of books that he never thought would have been completed under a day. All thanks to a green haired youth that has stumbled into their lives.
("You deserve a reward of your own, Shun")
...
Nighttime arrived; the crescent moon cascaded it's white, dim light through the windows of the Kiske manor.
Through one of those windows, the 1st King, now relieved from all the mind numbing stress, strolled proudly across the halls of his home, one of his arms carrying two separate blankets.
Before he retired to his bedroom with his wife, he had to deliver these blankets to a pair of young men that have become spent.
Passing the door that led into the main living room, Ky's eyes moved to the sleeping forms of Sin and Shun; their bodies laid across the long cushions of the couches.
The left arm of the young Gear hung loosely off the edge along with his leg as his mouth was hung wide open.
For the Knight of Andromeda, his form was much more preferable as both of his arms and legs were tucked in. The only limbs that stuck out from the edge were his delicate hands.
Ky would have gently woken the two so that they could rest on the comfort of a bed, but because they spent the entire day completing homework, he would make an exception for tonight.
He unfolded and spread the blanket over the bulky body of his son; the wide piece of cloth sunk down onto the large frame, only leaving the head exposed to the cool temperature of the room.
Ky got down on one knee and moved aside the blonde locks of his little boy, fully revealing his forehead. "May God bless you with sweet dreams, Sin."
After saying his prayer, he planted a tender kiss. The affection of the father caused the son to release a muffled giggle.
"Noooooo... I'm not... ticklish!"
The smile of the father widened.
He rose from the floor and made his way to the other sleeping young man, spreading out the blanket and letting it fall onto his thin frame.
Once the head was left exposed, Ky kneeled down to the young man's level and moved his luscious green locks to the side.
"May God bless you with sweet dreams as well, Shun."
His head leaned in, his desires set on making the 1st King place a tender kiss on the exposed forehead of the resting Saint-
("What am I doing!?")
-until rationality took over his mind, stopping his actions and quickly rearing back his head away from the young man.
("Get hold on yourself, Kiske! This young man is not related to you. You don't have the right to give him a father's affection.") The 1st King scolded to himself.
He'll admit that he enjoys the warm company Shun brings, but he wasn't going to create an awkward air between the two.
Shun would only remain as a friend and ally. Nothing else, nothing more.
No matter how appealing the reality of a second son sound-
Ky shook his head to get rid of his desires. ("I need to get some rest. That's the real issue.")
With that, he rose and walked away to leave the boys to their slumber.
He turned one last time to see the peaceful slumber of the young men. The older man felt his mind relax and his heart soar; to see the young relaxing after a normal day in this accursed world they were born in was an accomplishment he would fight to achieve.