"Pretending like you're head over heels for someone doest require much more than a lot of smiling, daydreaming of things that make you happy, and some staring like they're the only person in the world that you see," He replied with a tiny smile, "I can show you how it's done later, if you'd like. As for your other point, I think that would work best, just playing it off as being a love struck fool."
Akito smiled, eating when Korren talked and watching Koji with bright eyes. The cat still amazed him, plus he was a cute little animal and Akito had a bit of a weak spot for cute little animals, though he normally tried to hide that weak spot when possible.
"How many days do you want to wait before we start this game of convincing and I get to meet your family for the first time?"
He pushed around a small bean as he asked his question, quickly scooping it up and eating it afterwards though. After all, his bowl was already quite empty, and he was trying his best to savor every remaining bite.
“I don’t really know,” Korren murmured after swallowing another bite. Koji was already nearly done with his own plate, beginning to eye Korren’s mischievously.
“They know I’ve been gone relatively all day,” he explained, gesturing with a free hand. “So, being their ‘intuitive’ selves means they know I ‘found someone.’ It’s not like I could just show up with you tonight and say ‘hey we’ve been dating in secret…,’”
He trailed off at the last part, considering for a moment what would happen if he did.
“Actually, that’s a possibility. It’s not like I’ve exactly ‘come out’ to my sister, yet. She knows, but I haven’t told her directly. I could play my ignorant card and just say I’ve wanted to keep it a secret. I’m not sure how plausible that is…”
He fell silent for a moment, then a small smile flickered across his face.
“However, there is one thing my mother loves more than her children, and it’s hearing that she’s right. Perhaps I use that to my advantage. She told me, this morning, that world views change based on who you love. Maybe I just reword her speech, and send it back. I know my mother well enough to know what she wants to hear.”
Akito grinned and nodded. He was a little nervous about the idea of meeting the Queen tonight, as well as Korren's sister, but had to admit that it was a pretty good plan, pretending they've been dating in secret and showing the queen that yes she was right, all by just telling her what she wanted to hear.
"Do you think I should tell them outright about being a dock worker, or will they figure it out and not like it either way?" He asked genuinely, motioning to his outfit, "This doesn't exactly scream 'royalty' if you wanted me to be fancier."
He shrugged, cleaning out the rest of his bowl and setting the now empty thing near the middle of the table as he leaned back and relaxed once again.
"I do have one or two sets of casual clothes, but they're well worn and definitely still don't portay fanciness."
“Both of them could care less about class, but I’d say keep it on the lower,” Korren said, nodding along. “Just for the sake of secrecy.”
The prince began stroking Koji once more, the cat now happily purring in his lap. “As for the cover story… perhaps you just arrived today? And maybe we had been sending letters back and forth before this? Say we met… about a month ago, or so?”
He twirled around one of the beans, although his eyes were still on Akito, just absently fiddling with whatever was in his hand.
“As for your clothes, I have friends that we can go see,” he explained. “They can help fix you up. When you’re ready, of course. We don’t have to be back anytime very soon.”
(A little short, sorry!)
(You're all good, sorry for the wait on this response, I had to work all day)
"I can play a worker or merchant who came to the capital to trade on the day that we met, and we hit it off out of pure luck and have been writing to each other for a while. This could be the first day I've been back in a while," Akito offered, trying to get a little more in depth with his cover story. After all, if anyone asked, he wanted to have a good story to go behind it.
He focused on the table just in front of Korren as he talked, a hint of an excited smile on his face.
"As for the clothing, I have to go back and finish off my day at the docks so I get paid before we go anywhere. After that though, I'm free to go anywhere."
Akito knew money wasn't really going to be an issue if he was living in the palace, and both his food and clothing was going to be covered, but he wanted to be safe. The last thing he needed was for things to go downhill and end up back on the streets without a penny to his name.
(don’t worry, you’re all good!)
“Oh, understood,” Korren replied, nodding profusely. “Don’t let me take you from your work, at all. The clothing can wait, and like I said, I can be home… relatively any time. My family actually may get some lingering suspicions the longer I’m not home, so perhaps that becomes part of the plan.”
He glanced down from Koji, then back up to Akito, mulling over the plan in his head. It seemed like a solid one.
He then nodded, continuing.
“And, I like your idea. Perhaps a worker who’s back after a while. Seems fool-proof. As for the clothes, it won’t matter. For me, they’re open at any time. Just… be warned. They’re a few girls who might start swooning, and lord knows we have to fool them, too. Apologies for such the short notice.”
He shrugged, his smile turning even brighter and even more excited, "It's probably good that we practice fooling people before we meet your family, to make sure that we can get this down. We don't need to embarrass ourselves by messing up on the one shot we get at making a good first impression."
Akito chuckled, winking at the prince and adding a charming grin with his next line, "I want to make a good boyfriend to the prince, real or not."
As much as he had enjoyed talking with Korren and agreeing to do this insane plan over some delicious food, he was also nervously waiting for Angus to get back with how much they owed. Too much longer and he would get an earful when he got back. And so he leaned back, messing with his shirt as his arms crossed in the way they normally did when he was bored and had nothing to occupy himself with.
"One last question before we get to the real thing, am I required to stay in the castle once our 'relationship' get's more serious? Or am I free to go into the city where I want."
Korren had to admit, his heart fluttered more than he appreciated when Akito offered his charming smile. It took all he had in his will to keep from screaming. So, instead, he simply did it internally.
He was blushing profusely as well, wishing it, along with his fast beating heart, would calm. They didn’t, thus making his voice slightly shakier as he replied.
“You’ll always be able to go wherever you’d like,” he responded, Koji’s tail curling around his hand. “I will never keep you stuck to one place. You won’t even have to room with me, if you’re uncomfortable. I can get anything arranged. While you’ll be living in the castle, you won’t be confined to its walls.”
Korren shied his voice quieter as Angus walked over once more, eyeing the bowls and then gingerly plucking them from the table, after seeing them empty. He gave Koji one last scritch on the head before picking up the cat’s plate, and looking happily over to Korren.
“Alright, Prince Seka, that’ll be 7607 mon, but since you bring me such good service, I’ll lower it to 5707,” Angus began, holding the dishes with one hand and a small rag with the other.
“You’re much too kind, Angus,” Korren replied. “You treat me too well.”
“I’m just happy to see you with someone else,” Angus beamed, propping the rag on his arm and holding a hand out on Korren’s shoulder. He then looked over to Akito. “Little Kor here is more of a lone wolf.”
Korren narrowed his eyes, raising a hand and beginning to say something before putting it back down again and squinting.
“What’s wrong?” Angus mumbled with a fake whimper. “Koji got your tongue?”
“You’re playing a dangerous game, Gus,” Korren murmured, stifling a laugh.
"I don't mind rooming with you, or at least nearby if you want your own personal space, I just wanted to make sure I wasn't trading away my freedom for this. I have a thing with needing to be able to go where I want and not being stuck anywhere," Akito replied, almost admitting the last part quietly.
He perked up when he saw Angus though, putting on a small smile and watching the male pick up the empty dishes.
"I'll actually be paying, it's my treat to the prince. After all, the lone wolf has to deal with me."
It was interesting to hear the banter between Angus and Korren, but it was a comfortable banter. Definitely one that Akito could get used to as he dug into his pockets and pulled out enough to pay what was needed. He pushed the money towards him, still leaning back in his chair comfortably, even though he knew that soon he would have to get back to work.
“Ah, I see,” Angus said, an eyebrow raised. “Where did you manage to latch on to this one, Korren? I’d say he’s a keeper.”
Korren had to keep himself from hiding his head in his hands as he replied, “That’s the plan, Gus. I’d like to keep him around as well.”
Although the man seemed to think naught of it, just laughing and nodding a ‘thank you’ to Akito as he took the money.
“You two have a good night,” Angus said, beginning to walk back. Although the way he said it lead Korren to believe the statement wasn’t as innocent as it seemed. Ren grit his teeth, trying to keep his nerves at bay.
He then looked back to Akito, nodding.
“Don’t worry, you’ll have all the freedom you’d like,” he said, nodding along to his words. “In fact, you’ll most likely have more freedom than before. There are various places within the palace that are now free for you to explore. I, myself, happen to really like the stone courtyard. It’s a place out behind the wall, filled with a sort of garden. The perfect spot for reading—“
Korren suddenly cut himself off, realizing he was rambling. He gave a sheepish smile.
“Apologies for my lax jaw,” he said, bowing his head. “I just get excited about things like that.”
Akito smiled and listened silently, shaking his head as Korren apologized, “No need to apologize for things you get excited about, I’d love to see this perfect spot in a garden for reading sometime. It sounds wonderful. If you want to show it to me that is.”
He slowly sat up as he talked, rolling his shoulders and finally getting to his feet slowly. Glancing over at the prince, he nodded his head and shot him another small, charming smile but didn’t say anything.
Before they departed he knew they would have to arrange what time to meet again, but Akito found himself wanting to stay longer. And so he didn’t bring up arranging details, just studied Korren and Koji, trying his best not to get caught up and stare even if it was a very hard task.
“Thank you for joining me for lunch.” He eventually said, motioning around the building, “I would’ve never found this place on my own or even would’ve thought it had such good food.”
“Yeah, Angus here works wonders,” Korren said joyfully, taking Koji in his arms and pushing himself to his feet as well. The small cat scaled his chest, waddling up to his shoulders once more. Korren had never understood the cat’s intentions, but figured his own neck was warm and it was a high place, so why wouldn’t the cat like it?
“I’ve loved this place ever since I was just a small boy. I used to come here with my sister, and Angus always fixed us up right. It’s a hole-in-the-wall, but it’s ours. I’m glad to hear that it’s impressive even without sentiment tied to it.”
He shifted back on his heels, holding a hand on the back of the chair before glancing back up to Akito. Didn’t the man have to leave? He said he had had work to do.
Well, not that Korren wanted him gone. In fact, it was quite the opposite.
“And, thank you for joining me, as well,” Korren replied, flashing one of his own smiles. Perhaps it was less charming than Akito’s, but he tried his best. “And for taking care of the expenses. And for… much, much else. I’m so glad I came across someone just as crazy as I.”
(Oh my gosh I'm so so so sorry I thought my reply went through again >-< I hope this works even though it was nowhere as amazing as my original reply)
"It's nothing, I'm glad I agreed to both help and even just hear your question," Akito said with a soft laugh, meeting Korren's eyes as he asked, "Well, when shall we meet next? I can meet you somewhere after I finish at the docks, but exactly where and when is completely up to you, prince."
Meeting again with the male in front of him was something he was excited to do, not just because they would start this huge game of disguise but also because he already liked spending time with the attractive man in front of him. He was fun and clearly wasn't the spoiled person he had always assumed most royals to be. Korren was nice, and he not only could be seen in the city, but he seemed to want to help the empire.
Akito started towards the door as he talked, hoping that the other male would follow with him, at least to the doors so they could talk a bit longer, "Dock bell sounds just before the market shuts down for the night, sometimes right as it closes."
(Oh, don’t worry about it at all! My replies do that sometimes too, I get it. No worries!)
Korren nodded, beginning to walk forward as well.
For some reason, when Akito said ‘prince,’ it induced a different feeling than normal. When anyone else addressed him with that, it made him feel like a complete stranger. Like they were just addressing him with his class, not even bothering to use his real name. After all, he was a person as well, not just royalty.
But, when Akito used it, it felt different, and he didn’t know exactly how. He liked it.
“Assuming we want to get you your new attire, then there’s a small shop just down and through the market. I’ll be there when the bell tolls, making sure they don’t close shop,” he replied. “We’re very good family friends, and I’m positive they’d do anything for the prince’s… boyfriend.”
He said the word like it was foreign to him, his face taking on a reddish hue as he adverted his eyes. He lifted a hand to behind his head, scratching Koji for a moment before giving a small bow to Akito.
“And, for everything, I don’t think I can thank you enough,” he continued. “You’re… well, I’m happy that I can do this with you. I’m extremely glad I made your acquaintance.”
Akito bowed back, flashing another charming grin and nodding, "I'm glad I made your acquaintance as well Korren, and I'm honored to play your boyfriend for as long as needed. I'll meet you at the shop, or somewhere in the market. Have a nice day."
Before he started on his way, he smiled at Koji as well, and winked at the prince, calling out as he stepped away, "Say hi to your family from me as well."
Then, as much as he wanted to stay and chat, or even just spend time with the prince, he walked off, making his way back through the streets at a quick pace until he spotted the docks. And a very grumpy looking boss who immediately smacked him upside the head and scolded him for taking so long once he was near. Even though he got scolded, Akito set back to work with new energy, eager to get the day to go by fast so he could see the prince once again. It seemed like it was going to take forever for time to pass, but he ignored it and got to work, trying not to think about the time.
After going home and explaining to his mother that he would be out later than usual, he made his way to the clothing shop. Sure, he had more time, but he was eager to do something. He was too fidgety and too nervous and too excited and he just couldn’t stay home and do nothing. So he decided to get things on a little faster, possibly prepping himself for anything he needed to do. Just anything.
His mother had actually taken his declaration a lot better than he had expected. Of course, he didn’t tell her about Akito just yet— he needed to wait until she could meet him.
Even so, upon explaining to her that he needed to be out longer, she simply pushed him out the door waving her hand and saying it was totally fine. Apparently concerned that her son hadn’t had enough social interaction, she was. Korren barely understood it.
He made his way down the market, which was nearly closed. He had changed into something just a little more formal, wanting to make a good impression. Plus, his mother and sister were waiting on him for dinner, so possibly when they all sat down, and both he and Akito were decked out in some sort of royal garb, they’d be more apt to accept.
He had a flowing black robe, making his hair look even darker in contrast to his pale skin. It was clear he tried to hide the scars across his face, but at least it had looked better than before. He had combed his hair over to the side as well, perhaps putting in too much effort, but he didn’t care. He wanted to look nice.
No matter what Akito tried to do, he couldn't stop thinking about lunch with Korren. It had been exciting, and the more he thought about what he had agreed to, the more he was eager to meet him again as well as both the queen and princess.
It was nice to have something to focus on other than work though, and taking his mind off of the blazing sun and hard work was amazing. He didn't even notice how fast time had gone either. At least not until the market bell tolled and he was officially done for the day. Sore and tired, he made his way over to his boss, making sure he was free to leave before dashing off as quickly as he could for the market. He didn't want to make Korren wait, and if he was already waiting, he didn't want it to be for long.
On the way, weaving through market stands that were closing up, and customers that were going the other direction than he was, he tried his best to fix his hair. Even if it was messy, he brushed through it with his hand and did his best to get it to follow some semblance of direction. Before he got too far with messing with his hair though, he spotted the person he was looking for, a large smile pulling onto his face at the sight of the prince. Especially decked out in royal robes and with nearly combed hair.
Korren was nervous. For many, many reasons, but the most of them stemming from the women running the shop. He hadn’t planned on ‘acting’ this early, but they were a curious bunch. They were… ‘nosey,’ was the nicest term he could use, but only to say the least. They asked many questions, and frankly, he wasn’t very apt to answer any of them.
All the women here— which was only four, but they had enough energy to power the empire— were like close sisters to Korren. They were friends with Aoi, as well, and probably closer to her than they were to Korren. Still, it seemed as though they were all family nonetheless. And, for the most part, they acted that way.
Korren suddenly caught eye of Akito, his breath caught in his chest as the man jogged over. he let out a stutter breath, awkwardly waving a hand. Okay, perhaps he was just a little more nervous than he let on.
“Hello,” he said, trying his best to seem casual. It didn’t work very well, but he gave it his best effort. “You ready? These people are… an interesting lot. You’ll probably do fine, but just a warning.”
"I'm ready for this," Akito replied, nodding as he stopped in front of the prince and glanced at the shop that he assumed they were going into, "Are you ready for this? This is the start of something huge, for the both of us and for the Empire."
He straightened out his work clothes a little more, then casually stepped closer to the prince and held out a cautious hand, unable to hide the flush in his cheeks from even just offering out his hand for the other to hold. After all, even though they had to act like a couple, the two of them were far from an actual couple. In relaity, they were just two unexpected acquantiances.
Having the prince by his side both made walking into the shop easier and more nerve wracking. He felt comfortable having someone with him that knew what they were doing, but he also knew that the two of them would have to put on quite a show to convince people that they were together. Even though Akito swallowed his nerves as they took the first step in, he couldn't help but wonder why he agreed to this, no matter how much he enjoyed the idea or intentions.
“I know, but… It’s been a long time coming,” he replied. With that, he took the man’s hand, leading him through the market to the small tailor’s shop.
There were many hanging paper lanterns out front, casting a wonderful warm pink and orange glow upon the wooden door. They cut through the newly dim night, bringing life to the small shop in a menagerie of colors. Hesistantly, Korren pushed open the door, drawing Akito a little closer as he did so.
The shop looked nothing special, just a little tailor’s place. There were racks and racks of clothing on the right side, then a few fitting places off to the left, and a sort of elevated stage nex to those, with mirrors around it.
“S—Saya? Tone?” he asked tentatively, ringing a small suspended bell by the door as it shut behind them. After no answer, he called, “Kuroki?”
“Figured you’d get it right after three tries,” another, much more feminine voice called from the back.
Korren looked moderately surprised. “Suko? You’re barely ever in the shop. Where’s Saya?”
Suddenly, a woman came shuffling out from the back room, carrying a few robes. Her face was rounder, her hair mostly pulled back, but her eyes still holding that somewhat defiant look. She looked probably tougher than she seemed, arms crossing as she set down the robes, eyes gazing over the two men.
“Oh….? Who might this be?” she asked, offering a sly smile, brown eyes gleaming. “Korren, you never told me you met anybody. And Saya’s out, with the rest of the girls. They’ll be back soon, but for now, I’m keepin’ watch.”
“Ah, I see. And, as a matter of fact, I did meet someone,” Korren replied, much more casually than he thought he could. He actually played it extremely well. “His name’s Akito. I’m going to introduce him to mother and Aoi tonight. Think you might be able to fix him up? Not… not that he needs fixing anyway.”
Korren glanced over to Akito, giving him the sweetest smile he could muster.
“Of course, your majesty,” Suko replied, bowing slightly. Although, her words dripped with sarcasm as she drawled Korren’s title. “Nice to meet you, Akito. How did you manage to hook the princey here?”
(Pardon the shorter response..writer's block hit me like a train today)
Akito's hand tightened on Korrens when he was introduced and he politely bowed, as well as offered her a small smile, "Nice to meet you too, Suko." He chuckled at her question and shrugged, glancing over at the male beside him with a happy smile this time, "I don't know how I managed to get lucky and snag him in particular, just luck I suppose."
As much as he was trying to come off as calm and happy, he was nervous, as well as worried that Suko would see right through their act. He didn't let it show though, just glanced around the shop.
"This is a gorgeous shop by the way," He added, both to just say what he meant about the store and also to compliment the lady, "Korren's said good things about it too."
(Don’t worry ‘bout it! Always just write whatever, honestly. If I don’t give you much to go off of, you can always let me know.)
Suko nodded, giving Akito a smile of her own.
“Why, thank you! I run it with my sister and a few friends,” she replied. She then glanced from Akito back to Korren, batting him with her hand. “And Korren I didn’t know you complimented us! I’m absolutely flattered.”
“Don’t take it to heart,” Ren joked, shaking his head.
With that, she turned, folding her arms back in front of her and looking from rack to rack. Her eyes danced across the large selection, then back to Akito, trying to see what style would suit him best.
“So, we have to get you something fancy, huh?” Suko muttered to herself, squinting at the hanging robes before unfolding her arms and sifting throuhg them.
“Yes. We’ve got a… big night, I guess. It’ll be the fist time he meets the family,” the prince replied.
“I see,” she mumbled, nearly inaudible. She then held up sort of a red version of what Korren had chosen, except it seemed much better-fitting and had less of a regal look, more of a utility look. Like something someone could actually move around in without much hinderance. It was a deep crimson with golden trimming, and even despite its look, it still seemed much fancier than normal.
“This…?” Suko asked, more to herself than Akito. She then held up a black one, that looked much of the same style.
Akito smiled, chuckling at the light banter once again. Clearly Korren and Suko were close, just by how they talked to each other, and it made him smile even more.
Even as Suko turned and looked through the robes though, he didn't take a step away from the prince. His hand was still holding Korren's, and he only shifted how he was standing while he watched the woman do her job. She was skilled, that much he could tell as she pulled out two robes that Akito very much liked the style of, and both were in colors that would complement the prince's own outfit.
"I like both of those, if my opinion is needed," He said, shrugging to hide just how much he liked the two choices, "They look much better than whatever I would've chosen on my own."
Normally, he didn't mind trying or looking at clothing, but he was almost eager to try them on, though he wasn't going to ask if he could until Suko had done what she needed to do and had chosen what she thought would be best.
Suko nodded, but it seemed like she hadn’t even heard him. She kept muttering to herself, Flipping through clothes but keeping the two robes in her free hand. Finally, after coming to the conclusion that those were the keepers, she turned around, holding them up.
“Alright, glad you like them,” she said kindly, walking back up to the two. “I was trying to find something that would match your princey here.”
Korren rolled his eyes, but the statement ‘your princey’ cued the light blush across his face. His heart jumped slightly as he grew more and more aware of Akito’s hand in his.
“You can just take these, try them on in that back room over there,” Suko continued, gesturing a hand behind her to a small door toward the back of the shop. “Come out once you have one on that you like— then I’ll help get them fitted, if they don’t already. You seem just a little smaller than Korren here, so I have a pretty good idea on what will fit or not. I’ve done plenty of jobs for this guy.”
She then held up the robes to Akito, as if checking how they’d suit his complexion before actually handing them over.
“Here you are, hope you like ‘em. This style should be pretty comfortable.”
"Thank you," Akito said politely as he took the robes from her hands. It did require him to let go of Korren's hand, and he did so slowly, then followed Suko's directions back to the small door at the back of the shop.
Even before he had the robes on, he could tell they were nice quality. They were soft, and like she had said, they seemed like they would be easy to move around in. Quickly, he slipped out of his work clothes and into the red robes, quite impressed at how little they would need to be fitted to fit him as well as the shimmering gold trim that contrasted with just how deep red it was.
"How does this one look?" He asked as he stepped out of the room, glancing between Suko and Korren for both of their reactions. A small smile was on his face, and he turned in a slow circle so they could see the entirety of the robes, "Be honest too, please."
Even with whatever their opinions were, Akito knew he liked the style of the outfit. If he ever got the chance, this was going to become one of his favorite outfits. It was easy to move in, like his normal clothing, but it was fancy, or at least formal enough that he no longer looked like a random dock worker. He could pass as someone of a higher status.
