His Other Half (KiriBaku)

Chapter 21

October 1, XX84
-Katsuki's Bedchambers-

        This time, Katsuki was expecting someone to come to knock on his door. Though, maybe because he was already expecting it this time, he also had an early warning system.

        "I can knock, you know. I'm not an animal." Katsuki giggled at Eijiro's sarcastic retorts, folding another of his books. Neito, nosy prick that he was, had been surprisingly helpful with the financial problems of yesterday, and now Katsuki was reading a historical scripture the blonde had recommended. Nosy, but he had good taste, at least. "Seriously? Do you think I'm going to run? Where do you think I'm going to go? If I'm going to escape, I'm going to do it through a window, and there aren't any of those around here."

        Katsuki opened his chamber door of his own free will, covering a snort at the two defeated guards escorting Eijiro. He hadn't been in such a great mood a mere second ago, but this certainly helped. They looked utterly miserable, as though they would rather jump out the closest window to escape themselves. Upon noticing Katsuki, one of them snapped to attention so abruptly that he accidentally hit his partner's visor down over his eyes. The other man snapped at him and flailed his fist while trying to correct the issue, unaware of the prince's presence. 

        Eijiro found his side like a loyal puppy, grinning at the scene. He looked like he'd spent a good portion of his afternoon causing all sorts of mischief. "Good Evening, Your Highness."

        "I told you to stop calling me that," Katsuki retorted sourly, watching with concealed glee as the guard who couldn't see tripped over his own foot at the sound of his voice.

        He fell onto his ass with a restrained squeal, scrambling to get back up. His partner had gone white in the face, sweat beading across his brow. Eijiro winced in sympathy while the prince took entertainment in their embarrassment.

        He waited until the guard managed to raise his visor, flushed such a deep shade of red Katsuki wondered if he might pass out. "I'm assuming the both of you were unaware that you don't have to wear your helmets indoors, for this exact reason."

        "Actually--oof--"

        Guard number two, with the broken visor, elbowed guard number one hard in the ribs. "We apologize. Very, very sincerely, Your Highness."

        Guard number one looked confused. "But--ow, stop it!"

        "Please, forgive us--"

        "He made us climb the fucking flagpole!"

        Katsuki bit his tongue and snapped to look at Eijiro, who seemed to be looking for windows. "You did what?"

        Ei blinked. "I was having a perfectly fun day outside--"

        "You were throwing apples at a stable hand," the guard tattled while his partner looked like he'd rather die.

        "A perfectly fun day outside," Eijiro repeated, "and then I was joined for a quick game."

        "You ran--"

        "You chased me," he retorted. "And you caught me, so I do believe that makes me 'it.'"

        "Get..." Katsuki struggled, unsure if he was suppressing a laugh or a growl. "Get out of my sight. Not you--" he corrected, snagging Eijiro's collar as the redhead predictably tried to bolt.

        The guards were all too happy to oblige, all but sprinting down the corridor. They were scarcely around the corner before one began shouting at the other about 'back talking the prince, are you serious, do you have any idea the consequences your sassy ass can get us into--'