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yume_to_ame2017-03-11 01:34 pm
lilly0) wrote in yume_to_ame2017-03-11 01:34 pm
Matsumoto's shop of hopes and dreams - enter on your own risk: Chapter 12
Title: Matsumoto’s shop of hopes and dreams - enter on your own risk 12/13
Pairing: Sakumoto, Aimiya, (hints of past(?)Ohmiya and Matsumiya and Juntoshi? (but... well... you'll get it, when you read it. It's not a love triangle (promise!!) or anything, it's rather plot-relevant)
Rating: up to R
Genre: AU, romance, fantasy (There are no vampires or alike. It's more like a fairytale meets our world meets romance meets Nino in a tight gothic-like outfit)
Plot: When you have no other place to visit and lost all your hope, you'll go to a mysterious, little shop. Dealing with hopes and dreams and with his protector Ninomiya at his side, Jun keeps his real identity a secret, constantly on the run. No one knows who he is, what he runs from and where he comes from. One unfortunate day though a young doctor demands his services, asking for a piece of sunshine. It's the beginning of something... like the ticking sound of a clock you can't turn back...
Note: This whole story was inspired by yukitsubute writing me a message: *grumble* it's raining. - with my answer: Buy us some sunshine then :D
“He is not a bad man,” the Princess says quietly. “I mean, my husband, the Dark Prince. He always treats me with respect. He is just used to defend this place here to the outsiders.”
“Hm,” Nino answers, trying not to be too obvious that he doesn’t know what he should say now. What is he supposed to answer her: Yeah, it’s awesomely nice that he probably beat our prince either to death or almost to death! Nino winces at his own thoughts. He wonders what he will do once they find Jun. Not even in his farthest mind he can imagine not having him around anymore. Once this is over and Jun is back, they really need to think about how this is never going to happen again.
“Eat something,” the Princess says and hands him something that looks like a hot pot with potatoes, meat and vegetable. For the Dark Fortress not bad, and it’s hot. He can almost feel how his body gets warm again after even a few bits, and when he shifts his gaze to his friends, he can also see how their pale faces slowly get back some livelier colours.
His stomach feels warm again, and with the warmth hope comes back. If Jun wasn’t alive anymore, they would know it. Ohno was talking since forever with the Dark Prince, all in private, and no guards left and came to the counselling room till now. There is no ruckus happening at all, another rather good sign. “What’s your name, princess?” Nino asks politely. “How may I call you?”
“Nana, that’s my name.”
“You should see the sun more often,” Nino points out bluntly. He has never cared much for diplomacy. Heck, she is way too pale.
To his surprise she chuckles. “There is not much sun here.”
Yes, Nino thinks, and the whole land is divided, so there is no chance for her to go to their part of the country and actually see some light. Pretty sad actually. He is about to say something when the door gets opened, and Ohno comes outside, fast-paced.
“We can get him back,” he breaths out, turning towards the guards. “Where?”
One of the guards steps forward and bows, much to Nino’s surprise. What kind of weird deal did Ohno actually make? “I’ll show you,” the guard offers politely.
What the hell? Why is everyone so polite all of a sudden? Nino shoves the thought aside though in favour of finally being able to see Jun again. His top priority now is not what Ohno promised and how he promised it, but to get back his stupid best friend and prince.
Nino is up his feet immediately and basically runs into the pointed direction. He can hear the others follow him. Before any of them can go through the door though, Ohno basically pushes them aside and hurries inside.
When Nino steps into the room his heart stops beating for a second. Jun is lying on the ground, there are strains of blood on his back and shoulders. Sho moves into the room too, eyes widened in horror when he approaches Jun. Before anyone can do anything Ohno pulls Jun into his arms.
“Why are you always going so far? And you never listen.” Ohno mumbles, eyes shimmering in tears. “Why? Just like our mother.”
“Mother?” Sho’s eyes widen all of a sudden, like realisation hit him finally. “You are brothers?” he asks in disbelief. “Brothers… So, you… are a successor to the throne!? Did you claim the throne for real? And…” He brushes through Jun’s hair softly. “So that’s why,” he mumbles.
Nino watches them for a while, not able to move. Hell, is Jun even breathing. He approaches them, moving him slightly in Ohno’s arm and touching his neck softly. “He is still alive!” he yells, taking over the command immediately, knowing that the others were in no state of mind to decide anything. He turns to the guards. “Fast,” he huffs at them. “Take the prince! We need to go back fast.”
He watches them securing Jun to a soft stretcher. Before they can get moving, he takes Jun’s hand. He bends forward nuzzling his nose into Jun’s hair. “Don’t dare to die on me, you hear me? Don’t you dare to let go.”
Nino’s heart sinks when there is no reaction at all, not even a slight movement of Jun’s finger. Then however Jun’s eyelids flutters slightly. “You took long,” he mutters in his weird daze.
“Sorry,” Nino says softly, feeling like he will burst in tears soon.
Jun’s right index finger points at the pocket of his trouser before he passes out again. For a moment Nino doesn’t understand at all, then however realisation dawns on him. He can’t be serious!? At that moment he thinks of his job? He is about to just huff at him to shut up, no matter if Jun can hear him or not, and take a rest and not be like that anymore, but he knows this is Jun. And he wouldn’t love Jun like he does if he was any different. He takes the little item out of Jun’s pocket and hides it in his own. Jun has probably used a lot of the power of his mind to hide it. He should respect that.
He steps to the side, letting Sho slip through. Sho takes Jun’s hand, eyebrows furrowed while he tries to feel Jun’s pulse. Sho places a kiss on his hand, and holds it throughout the whole way back.
For a while Nino is right behind Jun, watching him all the time, then however he falls back a bit and joins Ohno. “Did you really claim the throne,” he says.
Ohno nods. “There still needs to be the official crowning ceremony though. But I’m the last legitimate successor of the throne. May they like it or not, the minister just had to shut up.”
“You never wanted to.”
“True,” Ohno says quietly. “I’ve been running away from my responsibility. At the same time I demanded from Jun to take his. I didn’t see how much of a contradictory this actually was. I can never make amends for what I did to him and how I treated him. Or how I treated you.”
“I think, in his weird twisted mind,” Nino says dryly. “Jun loves you. I don’t get why and how, but he always kept insisting that you aren’t a bad person. Delusional craziness runs in the family I guess.”
“Then I should be relieved, I guess?” Ohno smiles slightly. “Today we were just lucky though. Really lucky.”
“It was close,” Nino agrees. “Please let me yell at him when he wakes up!”
“Like you would ever do that,” Ohno chuckles.
“Would you?”
“No way,” Ohno grins and for a tiny moment he looks like the old Ohno again, the one who Nino once respected so much. “You know he is my biggest weakness.”
“So what did you promise the Dark Prince?” Nino asks carefully.
Ohno is quiet for a while, obviously thinking deeply. “To sum it up: Diplomacy,” he answers after a while. “I gave them money. And I promised them better diplomatic relationships, and a better commercial relationship between our countries. It’s not really a sacrifice though. I always thought that it was a mistake to cut the Dark Fortress from our world.”
“Keep your enemies close,” Nino muses, thinking of the Princess for a moment. She might just be able to see the light soon.
“Don’t let them become too isolated,” Ohno points out. “I always thought if I was king, I would work on better diplomatic relationships between the countries. While in the shadows the Dark Fortress became even rougher and more dangerous.”
“And the Dark Prince agreed?” Nino asks.
Ohno grins. “Well, seems like he has a weakness too. His wife. And she seems to be pregnant. No healthy child can be born in such a surrounding.”
Nino nods, then he lets out a deep sigh. “You were brave today,” he says quietly. “Really brave, Satoshi. I know you never wanted to become king and be in the spotlight like that, but today you not only saved Jun but also prevented your country from chaos. The people will immediately accept you as king. It was brave.”
“It’s nothing,” Ohno answers quietly. “And it was almost too late. Nothing about it was brave, it was just in time.”
“No,” Nino says softly and shows him a warm smile. Ohno returns it slightly surprised. “It was brave. I wouldn’t say if I didn’t think it was.”
~~~
Jun had various dreams, weird ones. He dreams of being captured at a dark castle, of being tied up there. His brother came to save him. Weird enough. He dreams of Sho’s arms around his body, and how he loses consciousness. Sometimes though he wakes up from this dream, and he sees Sho indeed.
“Sleep,” Sho says and kisses his temples. “Sleep. It’s going to be alright.”
What’s going to be alright? He doesn’t get it, but it feels nice in Sho’s arms, so he doesn’t question it and just snuggles into his embrace. He drifts into sleep again, not able though to tell what he dreams and what he really lived through. It’s weird for him not to be able to see reality.
His body feels cold when he wakes up again. He shivers. This time he sees Nino. “Are you cold?” Nino asks appalled. “That’s the fever. I’m getting you a blanket.”
What the hell is he talking about. “Fever?” he mumbles.
“Yes, but don’t worry.” Nino puts a warm blanket over his body. “It’s getting lighter. It’s going to be alright.” He squeezes his arm.
Was he supposed to worry?
The third time he remembers waking up, Satoshi is there. The fourth time it’s Sho. His body feels warm. Somehow the haze in front of his eyes is less this time. He tries to push the blanket away, but Sho tugs him under the blanket again, so he gives up. “You are cute, Sho-san,” he mumbles. “I probably really love you.”
He can swear he sees Sho smiling. This time he is able to remain awake for a few minutes, all the while he feels Sho brushing through his hair softly and whispering encouraging words full of affection.
In his following sleep he basically dreams of nothing. It’s just dark around him, but soothing. No images that stress him and he can finally sleep in peace. He wakes up by the sound of the wind against the window and of weird chimes. His eyelids feel heavy when he opens them, but this time there is no haze in front of them anymore, no fog. His surroundings are clearer. He coughs a little, trying to sit up, but when he does so, his body is struck by pain.
“Wait,” he hears a voice. “Be careful.” A hand grabs his arm and helps him into an upright position.
“Satoshi-san?” Jun asks in surprise, finally able to take in his surroundings. He is in a broad, light room. The curtains move in the wind which is coming through the open window. Jun frowns slightly, trying to focus. That’s the castle! He knows this place. It’s the freaking castle, the place he avoided for years now! He is about to panic when his gaze shifts through the window right next to his bed and he sees Nino sitting somewhere in the park. Nino is here too, and looks calm. And Satoshi. And… “It wasn’t a dream,” he muses, eyes widening. “Oh my god, I didn’t dream!”
“Well.” Ohno smiles softly and takes the glass with water from the table and moves it to Jun’s mouth, forcing him to take a few sips. “I’m not sure what you dreamed, but I’m afraid you indeed saw what truly happened.”
“I’m here, in the Castle,” Jun stutters. “You and Nino, and Sho and Masaki, you saved me! What did you do? How? Oh my god,” He takes a deep breath. “I put you into so much danger! I’m sorry, I-“
“That’s nothing you need to worry about,” Ohno shuts him up casually. “What happened happened, and everything is alright now, so no need to worry.” He pauses, shifting around nervously.
“What?” Jun asks carefully.
“I’m sorry,” Ohno says. “I pushed you so much that even though you came to ask me for help, I didn’t. It’s my fault that you were so afraid to going back home. My fault that you went to the Dark Fortress. I didn’t see your position because I didn’t even try to see your point. I refused to. What the candidates for the election to the throne did was wrong. You and Ninomiya were right, they wanted to use you. Can you forgive me?”
“Are they still here?” Jun wants to know.
“No.” Ohno shakes his head. “No one will lock you into this Castle anymore, and no one will cut your energy. I deeply apologize for not doing anything earlier. You are probably the only person in this world who I unconditionally love. I just wanted to know you safe and close to me, so that I wouldn’t need to worry. That’s why I didn’t react to the things the Castle did to you, although I promised our father to always watch out for you. How much did I ruin it for the both of us?”
Jun lets out a sigh of relief. No one will hunt him anymore? It sounds almost too good to be true, but the fact that he remembers seeing Sho and Nino here when he woke up occasionally, proves to him that it might be the truth. He smiles slightly at Ohno. “What happened happened, right? Let’s just start from anew.”
“I wonder if it’s that easy.” Ohno chuckles. “Kazunari said you would react like that though. He knows you a lot better than I do. I need to tell him you are awake.”
“No need to hurry,” Jun tries to joke. “He is probably mad at me.”
“I think he forgot to remain mad,” Ohno grins.
“And Sho and Masaki?”
“They had to return to their world. Sho-san was a great help though. He is a good doctor. I will try to remember that he is a good man.” Ohno smiles. “This world is not a place for Humans, it’s taking a Human’s life energy, you know that. I had to send them back for now…for them to be safe.”
Jun nods. That’s true, still his stomach tugs painfully. “So…” Jun wants to know. “What happened? Why are we here? Why are the ministers and candidates to the throne away?”
“Well, you went to the Dark Fortress, remember? They caught you.”
“Yes, and tied me up and interrogated me, and whipped me,” Jun summarizes. “How did you safe me?”
“Let’s just say I finally decided to take my rightful position and-“
Jun sits up immediately, groaning in pain when he does so. “You did WHAT!?”
“Well, guess I just became King. I’m sorry, I had the crowning ceremony while you were still asleep, but I wanted everything to happen as fast as possible,” Ohno explains casually. “A dream came true,” he adds sarcastically.
Jun’s eyes are wide-opened in shock. “You never wanted to!”
“I changed my mind,” Ohno answers simply.
“You did it for me, didn’t you?” Jun sighs deeply. He feels guilty, but at the same time weirdly relieved. The times of chaos are finally over. Satoshi is going to be an unusual but good king. “Oh dear.”
“You being captured and in danger was the trigger for my decision, yes, but I should have done it a lot earlier,” Ohno explains earnestly. “I’m actually glad that this situation forced me to finally act. I put all the pressure on you and Mao, while it was actually me who was supposed to take the responsibility.” He smiles carefully. “I’m probably going to need a lot of help and guidance,” he muses.
“You are going to rule this country well,” Jun says with emphasis. He really means it.
“I’ve already decided on something,” Ohno says earnestly.
“And what did you decide on?”
His lips tug nervously. “We’ve all relied on the collectors way too much. I’ve realized that throughout the last days. It’s not only you, but also the other two. You know, one of them even lost his mind and had a nervous breakdown. He is only recovering slowly. It should have never happened like that. We used to cherish you guys, but at one point it turned into a competition, you turned into tools, and it was a really horrible thing to happen. For not preventing it from happening, I’m sorry.”
“Satoshi,” Jun mumbles, not sure what to answer. What Ohno just said is true, and when Jun thinks about the past years he feels the old fear and the old tension coming back. He fights it back though. There is no place for this kind of negativity now.
“So,” Ohno says earnestly. “I want to tell you: Do what you want to, little brother.”
“What!?” Jun blinks.
“You are a free person, just like everyone else. You can come and go as you please.” He smiles brightly. “But promise me, when I need you, you’ll be there for me. This should be your home and you shouldn’t be afraid to return.”
~~~
He finds Nino on the balcony of his own room, sitting on a bench out of stone and reading a book. “Romance novel?” Jun teases. “Be glad I’m the only one to know your weird addiction to those.”
Nino’s eyes snap up, he eyes Jun in surprise. “Since when are you awake? And why didn’t anyone tell me? Who told you, you could get up and move around!?”
“I did,” Jun says calmly.
“You can’t be serious,” Nino huffs and stands up to move Jun to a huge cushioned bench. Once they settled down Jun leans against Nino, smiling when Nino wraps his arms around him. “I’m just so glad you are alright,” Nino mumbles. “Your mind was already so far gone that I was afraid that it wouldn’t return.” He smiles. “And before you annoy me with asking this stupid question: Yes, I gave Shun-sama the star. Mao is already feeling better.”
“Thank you,” Jun says. “I’m sorry for doing this to you.”
“Why the hell didn’t you tell me?” Nino scolds, slight anger in his voice. “I mean, did you really believe I would call the guards?”
“Not at all.” Jun smiles. “I was worried when I told you about it, you would accompany me.”
“I’m your bodyguard,” Nino huffs. “Please stop thinking about my safety!”
“Thank you for forgiving me,” Jun chirps, grinning when Nino looks annoyed and amused at the same time. Then Nino bursts into giggles too.
“You are so stupid,” Nino smiles.
For a while they just keep sitting next to each other. “It’s beautiful here,” Nino says after a while. “I’ve almost forgotten how beautiful it is.”
“I’ve thought a lot,” Jun says.
Nino eyes him curiously. “What did you think about?”
“It’s true that the situation between me and the High Castle escalated, but to be honest, I haven’t done much to prevent it from escalating.”
“Jun,” Nino says earnestly. “This is not your fault. On the contrary. They were horrible. Did you hear about Jinko-san losing his mind?”
“Yes,” Jun nods. “I just wonder if I had tried to talk to Satoshi before, really talk to him, maybe I could have prevented some things from happening.”
“Well,” Nino frowns. “I wonder if it’s that easy.”
“Satoshi made a deal, and it’s my fault,” Jun intervenes earnestly. “He also became King to save me. It’s true that during the last years I feared him, but in one day he did all this, only for me.”
“Yes, he is an idiot,” Nino snorts. “But he loves you, in his weird idiotic way. You don’t need to feel guilty about him,” he adds dryly.
Jun chuckles. “Will you go back to visit the human world?” he asks.
Nino is silent for a long while, then he bites his lips. “He is a good guy, he deserves a good guy,” he finally mumbles and Jun knows exactly who he is talking about.
“What makes you think you aren’t a good guy?”
Nino’s smile is tensed. “We both know that as a warrior and watchman I’ll never be a good catch to anyone, except maybe for you, because you are just as freaking difficult to be with. A good catch… It’s not what I am.”
“If I have learned one thing then what you are doesn’t define who you are,” Jun points out.
“That’s true,” Nino smiles warmly. “But this world here is dragging energy from Humans, you know that. And Masaki has his own life in his own world, his future. He has a bright future in front of him.” He pauses. “Jun,” he says earnestly. “Being with me will only make him unhappy. It’s going to destroy him – mentally and physically, we both know that, we both know it’s true. Sometimes loving someone means to let go.” He looks at Jun thoughtfully. “This goes for me. You have your own decisions to make.”
“Yes,” Jun answers earnestly. He has been thinking a lot while he recovered. He has thought about his options over and over again. “I’ve not made up my mind yet.”
“I’m sure you’ll make the right decision,” Nino says softly. “Except for heading to the Fortress alone, I trust your judgement. I’ll come with you wherever you want to go. Just tell me what you decide, and don’t dare to leave me behind!”
Jun nods. “I promise.”
A/N: Jun is safe :D Finally! And we know who Ohno is :-) Plus, he indeed claimed the throne ^^ So, it was not a trick he used, it was actually the truth he told the Dark Prince.
On the other hand Aiba and Nino seem to be over. And Jun and Sho?
Pairing: Sakumoto, Aimiya, (hints of past(?)Ohmiya and Matsumiya and Juntoshi? (but... well... you'll get it, when you read it. It's not a love triangle (promise!!) or anything, it's rather plot-relevant)
Rating: up to R
Genre: AU, romance, fantasy (There are no vampires or alike. It's more like a fairytale meets our world meets romance meets Nino in a tight gothic-like outfit)
Plot: When you have no other place to visit and lost all your hope, you'll go to a mysterious, little shop. Dealing with hopes and dreams and with his protector Ninomiya at his side, Jun keeps his real identity a secret, constantly on the run. No one knows who he is, what he runs from and where he comes from. One unfortunate day though a young doctor demands his services, asking for a piece of sunshine. It's the beginning of something... like the ticking sound of a clock you can't turn back...
Note: This whole story was inspired by yukitsubute writing me a message: *grumble* it's raining. - with my answer: Buy us some sunshine then :D
“He is not a bad man,” the Princess says quietly. “I mean, my husband, the Dark Prince. He always treats me with respect. He is just used to defend this place here to the outsiders.”
“Hm,” Nino answers, trying not to be too obvious that he doesn’t know what he should say now. What is he supposed to answer her: Yeah, it’s awesomely nice that he probably beat our prince either to death or almost to death! Nino winces at his own thoughts. He wonders what he will do once they find Jun. Not even in his farthest mind he can imagine not having him around anymore. Once this is over and Jun is back, they really need to think about how this is never going to happen again.
“Eat something,” the Princess says and hands him something that looks like a hot pot with potatoes, meat and vegetable. For the Dark Fortress not bad, and it’s hot. He can almost feel how his body gets warm again after even a few bits, and when he shifts his gaze to his friends, he can also see how their pale faces slowly get back some livelier colours.
His stomach feels warm again, and with the warmth hope comes back. If Jun wasn’t alive anymore, they would know it. Ohno was talking since forever with the Dark Prince, all in private, and no guards left and came to the counselling room till now. There is no ruckus happening at all, another rather good sign. “What’s your name, princess?” Nino asks politely. “How may I call you?”
“Nana, that’s my name.”
“You should see the sun more often,” Nino points out bluntly. He has never cared much for diplomacy. Heck, she is way too pale.
To his surprise she chuckles. “There is not much sun here.”
Yes, Nino thinks, and the whole land is divided, so there is no chance for her to go to their part of the country and actually see some light. Pretty sad actually. He is about to say something when the door gets opened, and Ohno comes outside, fast-paced.
“We can get him back,” he breaths out, turning towards the guards. “Where?”
One of the guards steps forward and bows, much to Nino’s surprise. What kind of weird deal did Ohno actually make? “I’ll show you,” the guard offers politely.
What the hell? Why is everyone so polite all of a sudden? Nino shoves the thought aside though in favour of finally being able to see Jun again. His top priority now is not what Ohno promised and how he promised it, but to get back his stupid best friend and prince.
Nino is up his feet immediately and basically runs into the pointed direction. He can hear the others follow him. Before any of them can go through the door though, Ohno basically pushes them aside and hurries inside.
When Nino steps into the room his heart stops beating for a second. Jun is lying on the ground, there are strains of blood on his back and shoulders. Sho moves into the room too, eyes widened in horror when he approaches Jun. Before anyone can do anything Ohno pulls Jun into his arms.
“Why are you always going so far? And you never listen.” Ohno mumbles, eyes shimmering in tears. “Why? Just like our mother.”
“Mother?” Sho’s eyes widen all of a sudden, like realisation hit him finally. “You are brothers?” he asks in disbelief. “Brothers… So, you… are a successor to the throne!? Did you claim the throne for real? And…” He brushes through Jun’s hair softly. “So that’s why,” he mumbles.
Nino watches them for a while, not able to move. Hell, is Jun even breathing. He approaches them, moving him slightly in Ohno’s arm and touching his neck softly. “He is still alive!” he yells, taking over the command immediately, knowing that the others were in no state of mind to decide anything. He turns to the guards. “Fast,” he huffs at them. “Take the prince! We need to go back fast.”
He watches them securing Jun to a soft stretcher. Before they can get moving, he takes Jun’s hand. He bends forward nuzzling his nose into Jun’s hair. “Don’t dare to die on me, you hear me? Don’t you dare to let go.”
Nino’s heart sinks when there is no reaction at all, not even a slight movement of Jun’s finger. Then however Jun’s eyelids flutters slightly. “You took long,” he mutters in his weird daze.
“Sorry,” Nino says softly, feeling like he will burst in tears soon.
Jun’s right index finger points at the pocket of his trouser before he passes out again. For a moment Nino doesn’t understand at all, then however realisation dawns on him. He can’t be serious!? At that moment he thinks of his job? He is about to just huff at him to shut up, no matter if Jun can hear him or not, and take a rest and not be like that anymore, but he knows this is Jun. And he wouldn’t love Jun like he does if he was any different. He takes the little item out of Jun’s pocket and hides it in his own. Jun has probably used a lot of the power of his mind to hide it. He should respect that.
He steps to the side, letting Sho slip through. Sho takes Jun’s hand, eyebrows furrowed while he tries to feel Jun’s pulse. Sho places a kiss on his hand, and holds it throughout the whole way back.
For a while Nino is right behind Jun, watching him all the time, then however he falls back a bit and joins Ohno. “Did you really claim the throne,” he says.
Ohno nods. “There still needs to be the official crowning ceremony though. But I’m the last legitimate successor of the throne. May they like it or not, the minister just had to shut up.”
“You never wanted to.”
“True,” Ohno says quietly. “I’ve been running away from my responsibility. At the same time I demanded from Jun to take his. I didn’t see how much of a contradictory this actually was. I can never make amends for what I did to him and how I treated him. Or how I treated you.”
“I think, in his weird twisted mind,” Nino says dryly. “Jun loves you. I don’t get why and how, but he always kept insisting that you aren’t a bad person. Delusional craziness runs in the family I guess.”
“Then I should be relieved, I guess?” Ohno smiles slightly. “Today we were just lucky though. Really lucky.”
“It was close,” Nino agrees. “Please let me yell at him when he wakes up!”
“Like you would ever do that,” Ohno chuckles.
“Would you?”
“No way,” Ohno grins and for a tiny moment he looks like the old Ohno again, the one who Nino once respected so much. “You know he is my biggest weakness.”
“So what did you promise the Dark Prince?” Nino asks carefully.
Ohno is quiet for a while, obviously thinking deeply. “To sum it up: Diplomacy,” he answers after a while. “I gave them money. And I promised them better diplomatic relationships, and a better commercial relationship between our countries. It’s not really a sacrifice though. I always thought that it was a mistake to cut the Dark Fortress from our world.”
“Keep your enemies close,” Nino muses, thinking of the Princess for a moment. She might just be able to see the light soon.
“Don’t let them become too isolated,” Ohno points out. “I always thought if I was king, I would work on better diplomatic relationships between the countries. While in the shadows the Dark Fortress became even rougher and more dangerous.”
“And the Dark Prince agreed?” Nino asks.
Ohno grins. “Well, seems like he has a weakness too. His wife. And she seems to be pregnant. No healthy child can be born in such a surrounding.”
Nino nods, then he lets out a deep sigh. “You were brave today,” he says quietly. “Really brave, Satoshi. I know you never wanted to become king and be in the spotlight like that, but today you not only saved Jun but also prevented your country from chaos. The people will immediately accept you as king. It was brave.”
“It’s nothing,” Ohno answers quietly. “And it was almost too late. Nothing about it was brave, it was just in time.”
“No,” Nino says softly and shows him a warm smile. Ohno returns it slightly surprised. “It was brave. I wouldn’t say if I didn’t think it was.”
~~~
Jun had various dreams, weird ones. He dreams of being captured at a dark castle, of being tied up there. His brother came to save him. Weird enough. He dreams of Sho’s arms around his body, and how he loses consciousness. Sometimes though he wakes up from this dream, and he sees Sho indeed.
“Sleep,” Sho says and kisses his temples. “Sleep. It’s going to be alright.”
What’s going to be alright? He doesn’t get it, but it feels nice in Sho’s arms, so he doesn’t question it and just snuggles into his embrace. He drifts into sleep again, not able though to tell what he dreams and what he really lived through. It’s weird for him not to be able to see reality.
His body feels cold when he wakes up again. He shivers. This time he sees Nino. “Are you cold?” Nino asks appalled. “That’s the fever. I’m getting you a blanket.”
What the hell is he talking about. “Fever?” he mumbles.
“Yes, but don’t worry.” Nino puts a warm blanket over his body. “It’s getting lighter. It’s going to be alright.” He squeezes his arm.
Was he supposed to worry?
The third time he remembers waking up, Satoshi is there. The fourth time it’s Sho. His body feels warm. Somehow the haze in front of his eyes is less this time. He tries to push the blanket away, but Sho tugs him under the blanket again, so he gives up. “You are cute, Sho-san,” he mumbles. “I probably really love you.”
He can swear he sees Sho smiling. This time he is able to remain awake for a few minutes, all the while he feels Sho brushing through his hair softly and whispering encouraging words full of affection.
In his following sleep he basically dreams of nothing. It’s just dark around him, but soothing. No images that stress him and he can finally sleep in peace. He wakes up by the sound of the wind against the window and of weird chimes. His eyelids feel heavy when he opens them, but this time there is no haze in front of them anymore, no fog. His surroundings are clearer. He coughs a little, trying to sit up, but when he does so, his body is struck by pain.
“Wait,” he hears a voice. “Be careful.” A hand grabs his arm and helps him into an upright position.
“Satoshi-san?” Jun asks in surprise, finally able to take in his surroundings. He is in a broad, light room. The curtains move in the wind which is coming through the open window. Jun frowns slightly, trying to focus. That’s the castle! He knows this place. It’s the freaking castle, the place he avoided for years now! He is about to panic when his gaze shifts through the window right next to his bed and he sees Nino sitting somewhere in the park. Nino is here too, and looks calm. And Satoshi. And… “It wasn’t a dream,” he muses, eyes widening. “Oh my god, I didn’t dream!”
“Well.” Ohno smiles softly and takes the glass with water from the table and moves it to Jun’s mouth, forcing him to take a few sips. “I’m not sure what you dreamed, but I’m afraid you indeed saw what truly happened.”
“I’m here, in the Castle,” Jun stutters. “You and Nino, and Sho and Masaki, you saved me! What did you do? How? Oh my god,” He takes a deep breath. “I put you into so much danger! I’m sorry, I-“
“That’s nothing you need to worry about,” Ohno shuts him up casually. “What happened happened, and everything is alright now, so no need to worry.” He pauses, shifting around nervously.
“What?” Jun asks carefully.
“I’m sorry,” Ohno says. “I pushed you so much that even though you came to ask me for help, I didn’t. It’s my fault that you were so afraid to going back home. My fault that you went to the Dark Fortress. I didn’t see your position because I didn’t even try to see your point. I refused to. What the candidates for the election to the throne did was wrong. You and Ninomiya were right, they wanted to use you. Can you forgive me?”
“Are they still here?” Jun wants to know.
“No.” Ohno shakes his head. “No one will lock you into this Castle anymore, and no one will cut your energy. I deeply apologize for not doing anything earlier. You are probably the only person in this world who I unconditionally love. I just wanted to know you safe and close to me, so that I wouldn’t need to worry. That’s why I didn’t react to the things the Castle did to you, although I promised our father to always watch out for you. How much did I ruin it for the both of us?”
Jun lets out a sigh of relief. No one will hunt him anymore? It sounds almost too good to be true, but the fact that he remembers seeing Sho and Nino here when he woke up occasionally, proves to him that it might be the truth. He smiles slightly at Ohno. “What happened happened, right? Let’s just start from anew.”
“I wonder if it’s that easy.” Ohno chuckles. “Kazunari said you would react like that though. He knows you a lot better than I do. I need to tell him you are awake.”
“No need to hurry,” Jun tries to joke. “He is probably mad at me.”
“I think he forgot to remain mad,” Ohno grins.
“And Sho and Masaki?”
“They had to return to their world. Sho-san was a great help though. He is a good doctor. I will try to remember that he is a good man.” Ohno smiles. “This world is not a place for Humans, it’s taking a Human’s life energy, you know that. I had to send them back for now…for them to be safe.”
Jun nods. That’s true, still his stomach tugs painfully. “So…” Jun wants to know. “What happened? Why are we here? Why are the ministers and candidates to the throne away?”
“Well, you went to the Dark Fortress, remember? They caught you.”
“Yes, and tied me up and interrogated me, and whipped me,” Jun summarizes. “How did you safe me?”
“Let’s just say I finally decided to take my rightful position and-“
Jun sits up immediately, groaning in pain when he does so. “You did WHAT!?”
“Well, guess I just became King. I’m sorry, I had the crowning ceremony while you were still asleep, but I wanted everything to happen as fast as possible,” Ohno explains casually. “A dream came true,” he adds sarcastically.
Jun’s eyes are wide-opened in shock. “You never wanted to!”
“I changed my mind,” Ohno answers simply.
“You did it for me, didn’t you?” Jun sighs deeply. He feels guilty, but at the same time weirdly relieved. The times of chaos are finally over. Satoshi is going to be an unusual but good king. “Oh dear.”
“You being captured and in danger was the trigger for my decision, yes, but I should have done it a lot earlier,” Ohno explains earnestly. “I’m actually glad that this situation forced me to finally act. I put all the pressure on you and Mao, while it was actually me who was supposed to take the responsibility.” He smiles carefully. “I’m probably going to need a lot of help and guidance,” he muses.
“You are going to rule this country well,” Jun says with emphasis. He really means it.
“I’ve already decided on something,” Ohno says earnestly.
“And what did you decide on?”
His lips tug nervously. “We’ve all relied on the collectors way too much. I’ve realized that throughout the last days. It’s not only you, but also the other two. You know, one of them even lost his mind and had a nervous breakdown. He is only recovering slowly. It should have never happened like that. We used to cherish you guys, but at one point it turned into a competition, you turned into tools, and it was a really horrible thing to happen. For not preventing it from happening, I’m sorry.”
“Satoshi,” Jun mumbles, not sure what to answer. What Ohno just said is true, and when Jun thinks about the past years he feels the old fear and the old tension coming back. He fights it back though. There is no place for this kind of negativity now.
“So,” Ohno says earnestly. “I want to tell you: Do what you want to, little brother.”
“What!?” Jun blinks.
“You are a free person, just like everyone else. You can come and go as you please.” He smiles brightly. “But promise me, when I need you, you’ll be there for me. This should be your home and you shouldn’t be afraid to return.”
~~~
He finds Nino on the balcony of his own room, sitting on a bench out of stone and reading a book. “Romance novel?” Jun teases. “Be glad I’m the only one to know your weird addiction to those.”
Nino’s eyes snap up, he eyes Jun in surprise. “Since when are you awake? And why didn’t anyone tell me? Who told you, you could get up and move around!?”
“I did,” Jun says calmly.
“You can’t be serious,” Nino huffs and stands up to move Jun to a huge cushioned bench. Once they settled down Jun leans against Nino, smiling when Nino wraps his arms around him. “I’m just so glad you are alright,” Nino mumbles. “Your mind was already so far gone that I was afraid that it wouldn’t return.” He smiles. “And before you annoy me with asking this stupid question: Yes, I gave Shun-sama the star. Mao is already feeling better.”
“Thank you,” Jun says. “I’m sorry for doing this to you.”
“Why the hell didn’t you tell me?” Nino scolds, slight anger in his voice. “I mean, did you really believe I would call the guards?”
“Not at all.” Jun smiles. “I was worried when I told you about it, you would accompany me.”
“I’m your bodyguard,” Nino huffs. “Please stop thinking about my safety!”
“Thank you for forgiving me,” Jun chirps, grinning when Nino looks annoyed and amused at the same time. Then Nino bursts into giggles too.
“You are so stupid,” Nino smiles.
For a while they just keep sitting next to each other. “It’s beautiful here,” Nino says after a while. “I’ve almost forgotten how beautiful it is.”
“I’ve thought a lot,” Jun says.
Nino eyes him curiously. “What did you think about?”
“It’s true that the situation between me and the High Castle escalated, but to be honest, I haven’t done much to prevent it from escalating.”
“Jun,” Nino says earnestly. “This is not your fault. On the contrary. They were horrible. Did you hear about Jinko-san losing his mind?”
“Yes,” Jun nods. “I just wonder if I had tried to talk to Satoshi before, really talk to him, maybe I could have prevented some things from happening.”
“Well,” Nino frowns. “I wonder if it’s that easy.”
“Satoshi made a deal, and it’s my fault,” Jun intervenes earnestly. “He also became King to save me. It’s true that during the last years I feared him, but in one day he did all this, only for me.”
“Yes, he is an idiot,” Nino snorts. “But he loves you, in his weird idiotic way. You don’t need to feel guilty about him,” he adds dryly.
Jun chuckles. “Will you go back to visit the human world?” he asks.
Nino is silent for a long while, then he bites his lips. “He is a good guy, he deserves a good guy,” he finally mumbles and Jun knows exactly who he is talking about.
“What makes you think you aren’t a good guy?”
Nino’s smile is tensed. “We both know that as a warrior and watchman I’ll never be a good catch to anyone, except maybe for you, because you are just as freaking difficult to be with. A good catch… It’s not what I am.”
“If I have learned one thing then what you are doesn’t define who you are,” Jun points out.
“That’s true,” Nino smiles warmly. “But this world here is dragging energy from Humans, you know that. And Masaki has his own life in his own world, his future. He has a bright future in front of him.” He pauses. “Jun,” he says earnestly. “Being with me will only make him unhappy. It’s going to destroy him – mentally and physically, we both know that, we both know it’s true. Sometimes loving someone means to let go.” He looks at Jun thoughtfully. “This goes for me. You have your own decisions to make.”
“Yes,” Jun answers earnestly. He has been thinking a lot while he recovered. He has thought about his options over and over again. “I’ve not made up my mind yet.”
“I’m sure you’ll make the right decision,” Nino says softly. “Except for heading to the Fortress alone, I trust your judgement. I’ll come with you wherever you want to go. Just tell me what you decide, and don’t dare to leave me behind!”
Jun nods. “I promise.”
A/N: Jun is safe :D Finally! And we know who Ohno is :-) Plus, he indeed claimed the throne ^^ So, it was not a trick he used, it was actually the truth he told the Dark Prince.
On the other hand Aiba and Nino seem to be over. And Jun and Sho?
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Yes, finally they managed to save Jun and now... the only thing missing is Jun's decision :-)
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I'm so glad they were able to save Jun and also have better ties with the Dark Fortress. I think Ohno will be a non-conventional but great king. But I do want to know what will happen to Sho and Jun and also to Nino and Aiba. T___T My heart!
I never looked at the numbers and I just realized that this is the second to the last???? I'm also caught off-guard with this! >_<
Thanks for writing this one!
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I also think Ohno will be a great king. Now the only thing left seems to be Jun's decision, right? :-)
And, yes, next chapter will be the last :-)
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In the end the bond between the brothers was really strong, right? It saved Jun after all :-)
You are right, the only thing left is Jun's decision!
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Oh wow! Didn't expect Satoshi to be Jun's brother!!!! :O
I wonder what Jun will do now... hmm...
And next one is the last! *gasp* I'll be looking forward to it! :D :D :D
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Jun will definitely make his decision in the next chapter...
It's going to be a difficult one, right? OO
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Jun and Satoshi are brothers? I think you just made one of my dreams come true.
I wonder what Jun will decide. Obviously Sho can't stay with him, but I hope that he will go to Sho.
And Nino and Masaki? If Jun returns to Earth then Nino will have to go with him for protection...right?
I am looking forward to the conclusion.
Thank you 💕💕
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Yes, Jun and Satoshi are brothers. In my mind Jun was carrying his mother's name, which is why the were having different surnames in this story :D
Jun will need to make a decision now... it's going to be a tough one...
Thanks so much for your lovely comment! ♥
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Aww finally..... Hashanah...
Oh my.... soooo that the brother of jun is satoshi??! Wkwkwkwkwk the Kiiing!!!!!
Phh thanks God that jun is alright.....
Aww Nino.... you're sooo cuuteee.....
Hahahahaha
And why youre feeling like that? Well I think Masaki is really love you....
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Yes, they are brothers, which is why Satoshi is so obsessed with Jun :-)
Now we only need to know Jun's decision...
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Jun ----- Go with SHO. PLEASE. Doctor Sho will take care of you <3 Heeheee.
Ahhhhh 1 part left? Congratulations on the progress with this fic! :D You're nearly there. Thank you so much for writing this.
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Now the only decision missing is Jun's. It will be a difficult one, I think.
(and I agree, Ohno will be a great king!!)
Thanks so much for your comment! ♥
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But finally Jun is safe! Thank goodness! He's beaten quite badly, yeah?
So much has been reveal but is Nino and Aiba's relationship cannot be saved at all? That's too bad because they make a good couple and it made me fear of Jun and Sho's relationship.
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Sho and Jun... well, Jun has to make a decision now, doesn't he? It's going to be a difficult decision for him...
Thanks so much for your lovely comment! ♥
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Oh, Aimiya broke up? That's so sad 😭😭 I wonder what Jun does? Will he try to keep his relationship with Sho? It's really sad that they don't stay in the same world. :(
Thanks for this update ❤