Guarded Whispers (GiyuuSane)

24

The palace had been a whirlwind of activity ever since Sanemi inherited the throne. Meetings with advisors, discussions with nobles, and endless decisions weighed heavily on him. Every day was a blur of responsibilities, leaving little time for anything else.

Tomioka watched from the sidelines,he saw the toll it took on Sanemi. He understood the importance of Sanemi's role, but he couldn't help feeling a pang of longing. Their hidden moments felt like a distant memory, replaced by long stretches of loneliness.

One evening, Tomioka stood at the window of his chambers, gazing out at the bustling courtyard below. Servants and guards moved about, their faces reflecting the urgency of their tasks. He sighed, turning away from the window and sinking into a chair. The emptiness of the room echoed his feelings.

He thought back to the times they had shared, the quiet moments of tenderness that now seemed so far away. He missed the sound of Sanemi's laughter, the warmth of his touch, and the comfort of his presence. His fingers absently traced the pattern on the armrest, lost in thought.

As the days turned into weeks, Giyuu's longing grew. He knew Sanemi was doing his best, and he admired his dedication, but the absence was hard to bear. He kept himself busy with his duties and training with the guards, but it did little as a distraction.

One night, unable to sleep, Tomioka decided to take a walk through the palace gardens. The moon hung low in the sky, casting a silver glow over the flowers. The air was cool and fragrant, a soothing scent for his troubled mind. He wandered aimlessly, his thoughts consumed by memories of Sanemi.

He reached the Wisteria Grove, the place where they had shared so many secret moments. The sight of the familiar tree brought a bittersweet smile to his lips. He sat down on the soft grass, leaning against the trunk and closing his eyes. The silence of the night enveloped him, but it did little to ease the ache in his heart.

Lost in his thoughts, he didn't notice the figure approaching until a shadow fell over him. He opened his eyes to see Sanemi standing there, looking tired. "Tomioka." Sanemi's voice was soft, filled with a mixture of relief and apology.

Giyuu's heart leaped at the sight of him. "Sanemi," he breathed, standing up quickly. "What are you doing here?"

Sanemi stepped closer, his eyes reflecting the same longing that Tomioka felt. Giyuu's throat tightened, and he reached out, pulling Sanemi into a tight embrace. "I've missed you." he whispered, his voice choking with emotion.

They held each other for a long moment, the world around them fading into insignificance. Sanemi pulled back slightly, his hands cupping Tomioka's face. "I'm sorry, Tomioka. I've been so caught up with everything..."

Giyuu shook his head, covering Sanemi's hands with his own. "I understand. You have a kingdom to lead." Sanemi's eyes softened. "I'll make more time for us," he promised. Tomioka leaned in, pressing a tender kiss on Sanemi's lips. Giyuu nodded, his heart swelling.

As dawn approached, they knew they had to return to their separate lives. Sanemi pressed a final kiss to Tomioka's forehead, his touch lingering. "Bye." he whispered. Giyuu smiled, squeezing Sanemi's hand. "Bye."

With a last, lingering glance, they parted ways. The palace was waking up.

°˖✧*☆*✧˖°

The king sat in his study, surrounded by documents and letters, his mind weighed down by the endless responsibilities of being king. The door creaked open, and he looked up to see his younger brother standing hesitantly in the doorway.

"Genya," Sanemi said, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Come in. Why are you up so early?"

Genya stepped inside, closing the door behind him. He moved to a chair opposite Sanemi, his expression serious. "I wanted to talk to you about something important."

Sanemi leaned back in his chair, sensing the gravity in his brother's tone. "What is it?" Genya took a deep breath, his eyes meeting his brother's. "It's about Princess Kanae."

The mention of her name made Sanemi's heart clench. He had been avoiding this topic, knowing the weight it carried. "What about her?"

Genya hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "Everyone knows you're supposed to marry her. It's what Father arranged before he passed. But I can see how it's affecting you, Sanemi. You're not happy."

The king sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It's complicated. The alliance with Kanae's family is crucial for the stability of the kingdom. It's what's expected of me."

The youngest shook his head, his eyes filled with concern. "But is it what you want?"

Sanemi's gaze faltered, the weight of his brother's words pressing down on him. "It's not that simple. As king, I have responsibilities that go beyond my personal desires."

Genya leaned forward, his voice deep. "I know you care about the kingdom, but you deserve to be happy too. I've seen the way you look at Tomioka. You love him, don't you?"

Sanemi's breath caught in his throat, the truth he had been trying to hide now laid bare. "I do," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "But that doesn't change anything. My duty to the kingdom comes first." His voice rising with every syllable.

Genya reached out, placing a hand on Sanemi's arm. "There has to be a way, Aniki. Maybe Kanae would understand. She's kind and wise, maybe she would support you in finding another solution."

Sanemi shook his head, a bitter smile on his lips. "I wish it were that simple. But breaking the engagement could lead to political dispute. I can't risk that."

Genya's grip tightened, his eyes pleading. "But living a lie will eat you alive. The people need a king who is strong and confident, and you can't be that if you're constantly torn apart inside."

Sanemi looked into his brother's eyes, seeing the depth of his concern. "I know you're right, Genya. But finding a solution feels impossible."

Genya's expression softened, and he squeezed Sanemi's arm reassuringly. "Talk to Kanae and see if there's any flexibility. And don't push Tomioka away."

Sanemi nodded, keeping his bubbling anger hidden away. "Thanks, I'll try to figure something out. I just need time."

As Genya left the study, Sanemi leaned back in his chair, his mind racing. The conversation had stirred a storm of emotions within him.

°˖✧*☆*✧˖°

Later that night, the two men found each other in the prince's chambers. They stood close, the world around them fading into the background. Tomioka reached out, his fingers gently brushing against Sanemi's. The simple touch sent a shiver down Sanemi's spine, and he intertwined their fingers, holding on tight.

"It feels like forever since we've had a moment like this." Sanemi murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. Giyuu nodded, his eyes never leaving Sanemi's.

They sat down on the bed. Giyuu leaned his head against Sanemi's shoulder, closing his eyes as he savored the quiet moment. Sanemi's hand found its way to Tomioka's hair, fingers gently threading through the soft strands.

"I wish we could do this more often." Sanemi sighed, a hint of longing in his voice. Tomioka's grip tightened slightly. "I know. Me too."

They sat in silence for a while. Sanemi felt the tension of the day melt away, replaced by a warm feeling of contentment. Giyuu turned his head slightly, pressing a soft kiss to Sanemi 's neck.

Sanemi smirked, tilting his head to give Tomioka better access. "You're getting bold." he teased, his voice laced with amusement. The raven-haired fought the urge to bite down.

Tomioka grinned, pulling back slightly to look into his lover's eyes. "Only when I'm with you."

Sanemi's expression softened, and he leaned in, capturing Giyuu's lips in a tender kiss. When they finally pulled apart, both were breathing a little heavier, hearts pounding in unison.

"Giyuu," Sanemi began, his voice soft but strained, "I need to tell you something important."

°˖✧*☆*✧˖°