His Other Half (KiriBaku)

Chapter 32

October 21st, XX84
-Eijiro's Bedchambers-

The investigation behind the prince's attack took the palace guard the full three days to absolve. During which, of course, Prince Katsuki didn't feel comfortable staying in his own rooms, so it wasn't a surprise to Eijiro that his prince took to sleeping in his bed.

He didn't complain either. Katsuki slept in Eijiro's clothes, in his arms, tucked under his chin and victim to each of Eijiro's careful kisses. There were the soft, warm mornings he awoke tangled in limbs and sheets, Katsuki laid across his chest and drooling adorably onto his night shirt.

But then there were the mornings Katsuki woke screaming again, thrashing and fighting against threats Eijiro couldn't defend against. He could only pull Katsuki out of the panic and soothe away his fears, promising him safety until he believed him and settled back into the redhead's warmth. And the other night that Katsuki refused to sleep at all, choosing instead to read quietly by candlelight on the window bench, kidnapping the giant duvet off the bed and using Eijiro as a massive pillow. Iida made him promise not to let Katsuki do that again after the prince spent the whole day snappier than usual.

The investigation concluded that Tama Shindo had attacked without provocation and the Shindo family had been given an ultimatum: disown their child or lose their title. Katsuki warned Eijiro that the Shindos would choose the latter, and they had, using their second born son as a sacrificial lamb. The Cour matches would resume again today, and Eijiro wondered if he would see sign of this Yo Shindo, the second son.

Katsuki shifted on his chest, fully recapturing Eijiro's attention. He was finding he loved waking up with Katsuki again and preferred waking up first so he could watch the vary expressions of confusion and irritation move across his love's face. Katsuki opened an eye with a lazy glare, not really directed anywhere, and Eijiro answered with a kiss that seemed to cheer him up.

He barely got out his morning greeting before Inko stormed through the doors, huffing and puffing and all in a twist. "Time to get up, you reckless brats. I've got tea and I'm spilling it."

She did have warm tea laid out on her small breakfast tray, but that likely hadn't been what she'd meant. Eijiro laid back as Katsuki grumbled and forced himself up, accepting a cup from Inko. "What is it?"

"Surprise, surprise," she began with an irritated huff, "Tenya is furious. One of your Cour suitors was found attacking a member of the guard."

Eijiro blinked and sat up, matching Katsuki's look of sudden confusion. "Which Cour? Is the guard alright?"

"Oh, Denki's fine, I'm sure he started it. Poor Tetsutetsu; claims he woke up to the thief in his rooms rifling through his things. However, now they're both in trouble because the electric dolt decided to kiss the fool and now there's a scandal on our hands."

Katsuki rolled his eyes, leaning back against Eijiro's chest. "Is this something I have to deal with today?" He complained as Eijiro kissed his head sympathetically.

"Would you prefer Tenya deal with it? Because Tenya wants to tie them together for a day and force them to get along."

"Then Denki wins, Inko. That's exactly what he wants. He thinks Tetsutetsu is stupid and stupidly attractive."

The matronly maid sighed, shaking her head in disappointment. "Eijiro, honey, drink your tea. You go back to fighting today and I will not have you passing out again. Katsuki, you need to be up and not dressed like a heathen child so you can defend your friends from each other."