Fates Entwined (A TodoBaku ff) ✔

LXXXI

Late in the evening, once dinner had been eaten and late night biscuits were indulged by the three siblings in the private parlour, Shoto found himself leaving his own quarters by candlelight and heading towards Fuyumi's. After finishing Katsuki's letter, he had been determined to make his announcement at the table that evening, but as the day passed more doubts began to appear in his mind, ones he had tried to bury long ago but now resurfaced before he could take the next step forward in his life. He had eaten quietly, and partook in his siblings' conversations when he could, but they sensed he was deep in thought and only made sure he ate well before offering him their partings for the evening.

But whilst Shoto returned to his quarters and spent far too long laying on his bed trapped in his thoughts, thoughts even a long hot bath could not dispel, he was now retracing his steps, turning at the second corner and heading towards Fuyumi's quarters. Natsuo's were a little further, but Shoto knew that the quietest ring of the bell hidden behind her curtains would have him come running. He wanted to speak to both of them, to hear their opinions and also their support, but out of the pair Fuyumi was the better listener. And this was a conversation that couldn't be filled with distracting jokes. 

He felt guilty knocking on her door so late in the evening, knowing she spent her days caring for the castle workers and educating herself on the topics their father refused to give her access to. But when his sister opened the door, her face did not seem disturbed nor displeased, instead she smiled and let him in, gesturing to the teapot where the last traces of steam were vanishing into the air.

"I was caught up in my reading." She confessed, pouring a second cup for Shoto. The smell of fresh green tea greeted him, the temperature perfect enough for the cool night. They both settled on the velvet chaise lounge, small enough that their shoulders brushed but long enough that they could recline their legs and relax. "What did you want to talk about?" she asked, quietly. 

"I received a letter from Katsuki today." He began, Fuyumi nodding with an encouraging smile. "It made me very happy to hear from him, and it is good to hear all of my friends still think of me even when we are apart."

"It is truly wonderful to have such strong bonds with them." His sister agreed, taking a slow sip from her cup. "So why do you sound sad about it?"

Shoto sighed, watching the tea in his cup ripple slightly with the rise and fall of his chest. 

"I want to set a date for the coronation. Two weeks from now, so there is enough time to prepare. I recall Katsuki telling me their spring festival will be a few weeks after that, and I think having two celebratory occasions between our kingdoms would be a good way to increase our good connections with them."

"It would be an opportunity to increase travel between our kingdoms." Fuyumi agreed. "Even though people from all kingdoms are welcome to our home, as the new treaties are being put in place, it would be a great occasion to host multi-cultured festivities. I would also love to see the Tribe lands' spring festival, especially those fireworks you mentioned... And yet, this isn't what troubles you, is it?"

"No." He confessed. "I want to become king, and I want to help my people. But at the same time I want to see my friends, and spend carefree time with them whenever I wish."

"You want the childhood you never had." Fuyumi spoke aloud the truth that laced his words, and he nodded with another long sigh. "We cannot regain what was taken from us, but being apart from your friends and still having such deep connections with them is a sign of long-lasting friendship. You all have your duties, both to your kingdoms and to your hearts, but you have your whole lives ahead of you." She reminded him. "Plus, isn't an occasion such as your coronation the perfect time to have everyone come together again?"