;what was that? || Closed RP@Kageros-Perdition

                      คs he walked ahead, he had to look back (more often than not) to check if Kai were still there. He was, and Ren was considerably more at ease. He doubted there were actually beds in this dilapidated house, but maybe there were mattresses or something. Maybe a futon with blankets if he looked hard enough. 

                       ℬut as soon as he turned the corner, the sound of a lightbulb shorting out meters down the hallway he just came from made him jump, earning an involuntary yelp from him. “Maaaaybe it’s best we search together, Kai!” He exclaimed, in an (futile) attempt to try and divert his attention from the spooky phenomenon as he turned around back to where Kai was. “The mattress might be heavy after all, and I’m not sure I could lug it around by myself.”

The boarded-up windows and the general state of uncleanliness in the house got to Kai a little bit, but really only due to the occasional neat freak tendencies he had. After all, he kind of needed to develop those due to living with Miwa for years, and especially with Ren. Though at Ren’s comment of the temperature, Kai couldn’t help but nod in agreement. It was a bit too cold for his liking, and this was coming from the one who took cold showers in the morning to wake up easier.

“Ren, if there’s a heater anywhere around here, it’s either going to be in the basement or the bedroom. And I’m sure you’re not going to the basement, right?” A quick chuckle, almost inaudible if it weren’t for the emptiness of the house, and the very short distance between his lips and Ren’s ear. 

Kai saw Ren visibly pale at the sight of...whatever it was that he’d seen, letting out another small laugh at his panicking. He would be sure to tell himself to be ready to leave in the middle of the night if Ren got too scared. He quickened his step to catch up to where he was, reaching a hand out to grab Ren’s own quivering one. Ren could try and put it off all he wanted, Kai knew when he was scared, it was practically plastered on his face.

“Yeah, I don’t mind you joining me. I don’t think it’s too much farther down the hall anyway. You’re helping set the room up, though.”

;what was that? || Closed RP@Kageros-Perdition

                         "ί thought as much. Ah, Kai really is fearless, isn’t he?“ Ren commented, more loudly than usual in an attempt to fill the deathly silence of the haunted house. His torch found a light switch and he went over to flick it on, a dim yellowed light filling the house. Ren pulled off his torch to save the batteries, glancing around. "Well, that wasn’t so bad! This house actually looks quite comfortable. Why don’t we start looking for a room to live in?”

Yeah, it would only be one night, what was there to worry about? Ren seemed a little nervous to Kai, but that was to be expected considering the Suzugamori boy’s experience with horror. To say it didn’t go well would be an understatement, and Kai also couldn’t bring it up in conversation without mentioning he’d taken advantage of that before. He was a bit guilty of falling into Ren’s shenanigans, usually scaring him half to sleep. It was one of the few things that could make Kai smile consistently, which was something he always appreciated.

“Sounds like a decent course of action. I’ll find the shower and you find the bed, alright? And don’t bother finding two, I’m joining you, Ren.” Kai made no effort to be subtle, as there was no one else around, despite what Ren’s overactive imagination might say. He didn’t bother acknowledging the whole ‘fearless’ comment with much more than a shrug and a smirk, knowing that Ren indeed meant well, but Kai was far from fearless.

“Unless you’re scared and want to join me, that is.” 

;what was that? || Closed RP@Kageros-Perdition

                       ίt had started out as merely a dare following a drunken whim, though Ren couldn’t really remember if he were really drunk or not. Perhaps he had, perhaps not. But if he couldn’t remember, that meant he was drunk, right? (And he frankly could not remember drinking that much; was his alcohol tolerance really that low?) Either way, he’d somehow managed to rope Kai in to the dare, boasting that he wasn’t afraid of ghosts at all. It was just one night in the most haunted house in Tokyo; how bad could it possibly be? That being said, however, his imagination was probably the more fertile out of the both of them, and he wasn’t afraid to tell ghost stories. Being on the receiving end of horror, however… 

                        ℛen shone a torch through the musky hallways, rubbing at his nose. He fought hard not to sneeze, then nudged Kai in the arm. “It’s pretty dark, isn’t it? Are you scared, Kai?”

Kai had no idea how he’d gotten himself into this mess, other than the typical Ren factor. He really needed to learn how to pass on going places with the Suzugamori boy, dammit. It didn’t seem all that bad though, considering there wasn’t much to worry about but dust, it seemed like. Though this place was called a haunted house for a reason, Kai assumed it was just rumors, as usual. Weirdly enough, Ren seemed a bit scared already, though he might have just been playing it up. He never did do well with scary places, though, Kai remembered.

“Why would you ask that? I’m not scared of a little dust and cobwebs, Ren.” Kai gave him a quick nudge in the arm, possibly to get a cheap scare out of him, possibly just to tell him off a bit. There was no way he was just going to get scared off of this little. He’d seen worse cobwebs in his old attic, for crying out loud!

child [ Closed RP @ Kageros-Perdition ]

                      Ɖespite his current feverish state, Ren was fully conscious of what Kai was saying. He always had a habit of blaming himself, of thinking he was at fault when it really wasn’t. He used to tease Kai as a kid because of that – that he was making a mountain out of a molehill when it was really nothing much. Like when he’d had a really bad stomachache in class and had to see the doctor, and Kai was all worried because he thought Ren had an infection. That side of him was cute, but he appreciated it all the same. It was what made Kai, well, Kai.

                       Ɯhat Kai said made him frown. He wasn’t the only one at fault. If anything, Ren was the one who had made bad decisions in the past. Giving in to Psyqualia, trampling their friendship, almost calling it quits right there and then. Aichi had been the one to save him from that dark power, and the same went for Kai when he was under the influence of Link Joker. Ren had tried to save him but ended up failing, his body unable to withstand being Reversed. Back then, neither of them had been strong enough. But they weren’t perfect, either.

                      ℛen moved his plate without Kai having to tell him to do so, placing his own hand over Kai’s on his belly. A soft thump resonated through his belly which made him flinch, but he leaned forward to meet Kai’s lips all the same. He pulled away slightly, touching his warm forehead against his lover’s. “Kai. You’re perfect as you are. There’s no need to beat yourself up for what happened in the past. Besides,” he bonked his head lightly against the other with a slight pout, “you aren’t allowed to frown indoors, remember? Tonight’s your turn to read Rei a bedtime story, Kai. As punishment.”

Kai sighed at Ren’s frown, knowing he’d likely pushed a button again. If there was one person who could barely manage to keep Kai in line, even in rare occasions, it was certainly the red-haired Suzugamori. For some reason, whenever Ren frowned like that, it tended to make Kai a bit unhappy, and gave him the urge to make it up to him. If it was anyone else, you could be assured that he would have no trouble just walking away, but Ren... Ren was a special case. After being friends for so long...and a brief on-again-off-again relationship, they’d finally managed to settle, as much as two world-class cardfighters could, anyway. It was nice whenever they just got to spend a day relaxing, even if their excuse was Ren being sick.

“Oh come on, can’t we just lay here? I really don’t feel like doing much else tonight anyway. And you know I’m not perfect, Ren. Everyone knows that.” Kai wasn’t kidding, he was exhausted from the errands he’d run that day, and he honestly felt like just collapsing on Ren and using him as a pillow at this point. He had a small feeling it wouldn’t be appreciated all that much though. “Ren, how are you feeling tonight anyway...? I don’t want you to stay up if you’re having issues. You need your rest too, especially if Rei decides to keep you up again.”

A small sigh escaped Kai’s lips, a contented one this time, on account of feeling their child’s kick resonate in Ren’s belly, reminding him of what they had in store for the future, which was indeed something the brunet was anticipating, though he was still a bit worried. “Ren, I think I can put my concerns aside for you and Rei. I might just be overreacting, I don’t know. I just worry a lot, you know that. I worry that I’ll make mistakes again, that I’ll lose you again.” Another surprise kiss, a short one, but sweet nonetheless. He wanted Ren to know that yes, he was still worried, and not much was going to change that, but he could power through it for them...as a family.

(( Just helped kageros-perdition with his HR7-infinity and beyond urgent. Boy do I dislike fighting Dalamadur… ))

((Awww what’s the matter? I thought you liked snakes~? ))

Order In The Court||Fantasy!AU with Sxzugamori

                      Ɖeath was a rather odd sensation. Ren felt numb, in between this world and the next. The sight that greeted his weary eyes was the stuff of nightmares, for lack of a better word. A dragon, black as the night sky, with pulsating green marks on its body. The feared dragon of the Abyss – the very same one who fed his parents with power until they were drunk on it and let themselves be eaten for its power. And now it was coming for him – the dreaded Phantom Blaster Dragon.

                      คs a child, he’d always been fascinated by it, despite it being a harbinger of death and despair. And he knew that the dragon was some kind of ‘guardian spirit’ that watched over him. Sometimes he felt that Phantom Blaster Dragon had no choice but to carry out his duty. And he often pitied him. He glanced up at the dragon, and Ren could not help but feel pity emanating from its emerald eyes. I have not expected you to succumb to death so easily, last born of the Suzugamori bloodline. It is unfortunate.

                      ℛen laughed and lowered his head, absently scratching his cheek. “Sacrificing myself for my king…I believe that would be the epitome of being a Shadow Paladin. Or is it not?” He knew that he should not joke about this, not when he was about to be sacrificed once again for Phantom Blaster’s powers. He would be replaced, and another knight would be chosen to take up the title of ’Blaster Dark’. This was the end of the road for him, wasn’t it?

                      ℬut something weird was happening. The walls surrounding him were starting to crack, shattering piece by piece. Phantom Blaster himself was also beginning to fizzle, and he heard the voice rumble in his skull, as if he were speaking directly in his head. It seems that it isn’t your time to die, after all… You are needed on the other side. Perhaps it would do you well to be more careful, Suzugamori heir.

                       ℇverything went black, then Ren felt warmth pulsating through his body. On the outside, blood around him seeped back into the open wound, and it slid shut like a zipper with a dull hiss. His heart started to pound – first slowly, then with increasing velocity. His fingers started to twitch, his lips moved. And when Ren inhaled his first breath, he choked, coughing and spluttering as he spat out excess blood while he gradually peeled open his crimson eyes. His face was wet with something, and the first thing he saw was his king’s tear-stricken face glancing down at him, painted in utter worry and anguish. “Kai…?” He murmured, still feeling far too unstable to properly get up. “Kai, I just had the weirdest dream…”

Kai was on his knees, arms limp at his sides as he stared at Ren’s body, almost praying that he’d wake up, that all the effort hadn’t been for nothing. He heard a faint splash when he looked down, noticing a couple drops of water had been moved. He jolted his head up to look, but it was only a desert bird taking a drink. Damned nature faking him out into believing that it could work...Though he had to hope, which was almost a foreign concept to the young ruler.

“Goddammit Ren, wake up!! You can’t die on me, you can’t...! Not after all we’ve been through...not after how far we’ve gone together...” Kai slammed a fist into the sand, getting some carelessly blown into his eyes, blinding him temporarily as he tried to get it out. As he actually managed to open those blue-green gems again, he heard a miraculous sound, as well as noticing that Ren’s body was moving again. Was it a mirage? Was he seeing things from the sand and or heat exhaustion?

“Ren...? Is that really you...? Please, please tell me you’re alive...” Kai stumbled forward from his position, wading into the pool to the pedestal he’d set Ren on in the center, reaching an arm out to the...now warm arm of his adviser, albeit wet and covered in soaked cloth.

“It...It worked...”

Order In The Court||Fantasy!AU with Sxzugamori

                      ℋe felt cold despite Kai’s arms around him, and he realised belatedly that they were on Kai’s chariot – a sight he’d always enjoyed as a child and even now. He always looked forward to Kai’s birthday each year because of the chariots, when the town hall would be lit up with the flames of the royal steed dragons. And that was the one day each year where Ren would look upon his king and regard him as the true ‘Dragonic Overlord’.

                      ίt felt odd that tonight, they were using the chariot for a completely different purpose. They sailed through the air, Ren’s fingers pressing against the cloth against his chest, his other hand pulling at Kai’s shirt in an attempt to stay conscious. But as he glanced up at his king, he did not see that fierce brown hair, those emerald eyes filled with determination. Instead, memories started to play. Memories of his childhood, of his parents claimed by the Abyss in exchange for power. Of him finding himself with the young Kai, of them playing together as children, of them growing up and being inducted into the royal court, of Kai wanting him to be his aide.

                       ℸhose memories were slowly blackening around the edges, and he knew that he could not hold on much longer. He’d tried, but evidently he’d failed. The pull of the Abyss was strong, and he was eventually losing the battle. The moment they ground to a halt (supposedly at their destination), Ren tugged at Kai’s sleeve once more, forcing the two words out of his mouth with every ounce of energy he had left. “…I'm…sorry…” And as soon as those words reached Kai’s ears, his eyes slid shut, his body fell slack in his king’s arms, and his heartbeat slowed to nothing. Ren had stopped moving altogether.

Kai had just arrived at the oasis, which he had thankfully just realized was real, and picked Ren up with both arms, one arcing around to hold his pained adviser’s hand, when he noticed...he was going cold. The brunet panicked, quickly kneeling down to the sands nearby to warm him up, but to no avail. He felt a stinging sensation behind his eyes...one he hadn’t felt in years, one that he wished would never come again. He was crying, and only shortly after he started, he heard Ren gasp out those two words of apology, which made the trickle turn into a stream. As Ren went limp, Kai froze. He froze in the middle of the hottest desert on the planet, because his blood ran cold at what he just witnessed.

“Ren...Ren!! REN!!!” Kai had resorted to screaming the name he’d grown to love more than his own well-being in futility, burying his head into Ren’s shoulder, soaking his clothes in hot tears in remembrance of the memories that they’d forged together. There was only one option now, and Kai was barely able to muster the strength to stand at this point, let alone carry the freshly-deceased corpse of his lover to the oasis. There was no choice, though. After a few seconds to dry his tears, the young king hoisted his aide into his arms, carrying him into the beautiful scenery that was the oasis. If he wasn’t more heavily preoccupied, Kai would have taken the time to enjoy the natural beauty of the place, but it was the furthest thing from his mind at the time.

“Please...please let this work.” Kai spoke hesitantly, gently lowering Ren’s body into the pristine pool, hoping against all odds that for once, he wouldn’t lose someone he’d spent so much time with.

“I won’t the Abyss take you, Ren. Never.”

Order In The Court||Fantasy!AU with Sxzugamori

                        Қai’s arms felt warm around Ren as he struggled to breathe, which wasn’t easy when his lungs and breathing passage were slowly being filled with blood. The blade was pulled out of him and he flinched, blood spraying through the gaps in his clenched teeth and on to the pristine sheets. His lips quivered with weakness and a mixture of blood and saliva, but he had to fight for his life. He didn’t want to lose Kai, and likely, his king thought the same way. Fingers let go of his blade and it clattered heavily to the floor, alerting the guards that Ren had brought with him.

                        ℸhe sight that greeted them was shocking – no one had expected the mysterious aide who seemed like he would betray the king to actually save his life. And they were subsequently brought to attention when the king himself ordered them to ready his chariot and his steed dragons. Not only was that rare (only once a year at the annual ceremony to celebrate his birthday), but it was also to save his precious aide. For a moment, none of them moved, then quickly made haste for the royal stables to prepare the dragons for flight. Ample supplies of food and water were loaded on to the chariot, as well as emergency medication, if needed be.

                         ℛen’s vision swam with the blood loss, and despite knowing he shouldn’t speak to conserve his energy, he felt like he needed to assure his king of his safety. You shouldn’t worry so much, Kai, was what he wanted to say, but all that escaped him were more bubbles of frothed blood. In all his young life, he’d never considered death a possibility, even if his family line were cursed by the Abyss and he was the sole survivor. But now, it was very real a possibility. He could feel the very life being drained from his veins.

                        ℸhe dragons were ready, the chariot was properly oiled and prepared. Two guards returned to the king’s room, knocking out of respect on the door. “We’re ready, my lord. Do you require assistance?” A moment of silence passed, then one of the guards spoke up. “Is he going to be all right?”

Kai could sense a dark energy flowing from the wounds Ren had been inflicted with, likely the Abyss trying to take back the last remaining member of the Suzugamori bloodline left alive. Kai was having none of that, there was no way he’d let Ren die after he’d taken a blow like that for him...not after he spent the great majority of their lives together. He was going to save this one person’s life, no matter how far he would have to go.

“Everything’s ready, Ren. We’ll be off in a second, just save your strength.” Kai spoke in a gentle voice, rarely heard coming from his lips, in an attempt to soothe his injured adviser. He quickly cut off his sweet nothings, however, when he noticed the guards walk in while Kai was still holding the crimson-haired male in his arms. “He’ll live. I’ll make sure of it. Now then, out of my way, quickly!”

Kai quickly carried Ren from his room down to the castle entrance, making sure to keep him in an elevated position to keep him from bleeding any further. He could tell there were likely some serious internal injuries as well, from the frothed blood spewing from his mouth, and this just made him more determined to save him. A swift hop from the last step and Kai mounted the chariot, grabbing the reigns with one arm and propping Ren upon his side with the other. It was about a mile’s ride, one that wouldn’t take long with the speed of his steeds.

“Ren, just hold out for me for five more minutes. You’ll be safe.”

child [ Closed RP @ Kageros-Perdition ]

                         ℬut as soon as he was about to come up with a retort to Kai’s teasing, smooth lips interlocked with his, making him unfold his arms instinctively. The kisses were sudden but not unwelcome, and he leaned forward into the kiss willingly, fingers threading through Kai’s as he subconsciously moaned with pleasure. He truly appreciated this side of Kai, even if it was hidden behind an aloof facade in public. Still, that didn’t stop Ren from openly teasing him in public for said side.

                        Қai broke off the kiss, and Ren watched as he took a bite of his own cooking. He leaned back against the bed frame, exhaling with the effort. Having a baby inside of him made it hard to breathe sometimes; he sometimes felt like his windpipe was blocked or something. And it honestly felt like forever since the first month of pregnancy. This was…tiring. “I’m surprised you eventually agreed to calling him Rei, Kai. Nehalem’s a poor choice and you know that. We’re not calling him Dragonic Overlord either.”

“Yeah I pretty much assumed that wouldn’t go over well after the first little...fiasco with naming. Besides, Rei’s a cute name anyway, I like it.” Kai had a very hard time saying that word...cute, but it was exactly what he thought of the name Ren had eventually decided on. It was much better than anything he could come up with, that was a fact. That was one of the things Kai appreciated the most of being with Ren, the fact that that enthusiastic boy he’d met all those years ago had such a great imagination and mind, one that he still didn’t fully understand...though that was likely his fault, as he’d left for a few years on account of the Psyqualia incident. He was back now though, and nothing was going to change that as far as he could help it.

“You know, Ren...I’ve been thinking for a while on things. Ever since I heard the news from you about five months back, I’ve just been wondering how I’m going to be a good father, honestly. I guess I might be paranoid, but I don’t think I’d make a good parent, especially with my track record.” He took another quick bite from his plate, this time practically ignoring the flavor, which was something he hardly ever did unless he was deep in thought...or distressed about something. A sigh escaped his lips as he slowly managed to move his plate over to the bedside stand to make room for him to show Ren how much he wanted to stay by him, though.

“I promise you this much though...I won’t leave again. No matter what happens, I’m not leaving again, I made that mistake once...and it’s not worth making again, especially with Rei on the way.” Kai gestured for Ren to move his plate too, before reaching an arm to Ren’s belly and stroking gently, trying to soothe his lover a bit, as he’d noticed a bit of discomfort cross his face. Kai’s other arm, however, reached around the back of Ren’s shoulders and swiftly pulled him into a passionate lip-lock from Kai’s end. He was always good at surprises, but this time it was quite heartfelt, and somewhat melancholy due to Kai’s mood.

If we could stay like this forever, that’s all I would ask for. Just the three of us.

child [ Closed RP @ Kageros-Perdition ]

                      คfter several moments of panting and scrabbling for support on Kai’s shoulders, Ren finally managed to take control of the situation, placing a hand on his oversized belly to try and calm their unborn child. “I’m fine. I read somewhere that expecting mothers have weaker immune systems…maybe that’s it.” He felt feverish and ill, wanting nothing more but to just drink something warm. Yet, he knew he needed to eat as well, but it was clear Kai’s famous fried rice wasn’t going to get his sore throat or flu out of the way at all. Still, it was a wasted effort if he did not eat the food Kai had so meticulously prepared, and it did have some form of gravy to it after all…maybe it wouldn’t be so bad.

                       ợpening his mouth as instructed, he realised that he couldn’t taste much of the rice, anyway – his nose was far too blocked to taste or smell anything, for that matter. Swallowing a portion of it, he offered his lover a smile, satisfied that their baby had calmed down and the kicks had receded to dull thumps and throbs. He could feel the heartbeat if he stayed still long enough. In slightly lesser than three months, their baby would be born. They’d probably have more problems, but nothing they couldn’t fix, right? “Kai,” he began, after clearing his throat and nudging at his own plate of fried rice, “Aren’t you going to eat as well? You look rather pale…”

Kai gave a bit of a sadistic laugh in response to Ren’s comment about having a weaker immune system, as he knew Ren never really was one to get sick prior, despite his quite frail constitution. It almost baffled Tetsu at one occasion how during flu season, Ren never seemed to catch anything. Now he was just getting sick with everything possible, it seemed. “I guess this is making up for all the times you just sort of ignored getting sick, huh? Explains a lot, honestly.” Another laugh as Ren took a bite of the food Kai had prepared, knowing that he couldn’t taste much of it from his expression, which didn’t light up as it usually did when Kai made his fried rice for him.

“Yeah, of course I’ll have some. I guess I just felt like I needed to take care of you first, Ren. Where would you be without me, anyway?” A quick nudge in the shoulder, followed by wrapping an arm around Ren’s back and pulling him in for a surprise, passionate kiss...which was quickly followed by another, and another. As usual Kai would be mortified if someone found the two of them like that, but while they were alone in their shared apartment, he felt like he could let loose on the romance and somewhat...brutal nature of his courtship. He knew the redhead could handle it, though. They’d been friends for years, after all.

“Seems like little Rei’s calmed down, huh? Haven’t heard any complaints from your end.” When Kai had finished his surprise makeout session, he did as he was told and bit into his own plate of fried rice. After all the years of making it for himself, somehow the flavor of his typical dinner never got old, likely because of the new spices he consistently added to it in attempts to make it better than it already was. Though he’d always make the original for Ren, knowing that’s what he liked best.

Order In The Court||Fantasy!AU with Sxzugamori

                       ℇverything was in place, everything was ready. Armed guards were at every possible corner of attack around the doors to Kai’s expansive living quarters, and the air was so palpable with anticipation that Ren could almost taste it. It left a bitter, uncomfortable feeling inside his mouth, much like that familiar metallic taste of his own blood years ago when he was first inducted into the royal court. Everyone suspected him of treason, everyone expected him to the the core suspect when it came to major crimes. He sometimes wondered why Kai still kept him around, even if they were childhood friends.

                       ℱingers gripped his ornate blade, enhanced with the powers of the Abyss. He knew the title he was bestowed upon, and with it the suspicious glances of the various other aides who failed to capture Kai’s attention. But those were inconsequential. What mattered was that the king, his friend, his secret affair, was safe.

                       ℬut for now, it was quiet. Very quiet. Too quiet, perhaps. And that was when it finally hit him. He’d been too focused on attacks coming from beyond the door that he failed to realise that Kai slept with his window open. Ren burst into the room with haste, just in time to see a shadowy figure approach Kai’s sleeping figure. The gleam of the assassin’s blade sent Ren’s adrenaline levels on high, and he leapt forward in alarm, praying he made it in time. “Kai–!!” He cried out, and without thinking, placed himself in the middle of the blade and Kai’s asleep frame.

                        ℘ain shot through his back and seared through his chest, blinding white-hot agony filling his vision. I’ve been stabbed…! Still, he had to fight. He sidestepped, peeling the assassin’s fingers from the handle of the knife and brought his blade up, the black steel shining in the moonlight. In one sweep, Ren cut down the assassin, and he disintegrated into fine black dust. In the split second after that, he fell to the bed, crimson blossoming from his shirt as he fought hard to breathe. “I did it…my– no– Kai…I protected you. I-I've…done my job…”

Kai awoke quickly to the sound of pain resonating through his beloved Ren’s voice, which normally would be filled with warmth and kindness at this time of night. The surprise of the sound was so alarming, it sent Kai bolting straight up to be hit by a shock of blood that splattered across his face. After his eyes adjusted he was horrified at the source of the hot, metallic-tasting liquid. It was Ren’s blood. The sight of a blade piercing his lover’s chest sent a mental message of panic throughout Kai’s body, causing him to tremble with adrenaline, telling him to take initiative.

“Ren...Ren, why did you do that...? You didn’t have to protect me, you know that...But I know what I’m going to do. Save your breath, I’m going to save you, by any means necessary.” Kai quickly took action, tearing a large cluster of fabric from the chest of his sleeping garb to staunch the profuse bleeding as soon as possible. Thankfully the bleeding was good for one thing, it stuck the fabric to the wound like some sort of adhesive, which likely meant Ren would take a while to bleed out.

“Guards! Get my chariot and the steed dragons, now! I’m going to save Ren’s life, so hurry!” Kai was still coursing with many emotions: rage, hatred, concern, panic, and unrelenting will to keep the crimson-haired adviser alive at any cost. He’d heard tales of an oasis hidden deep in the desert surrounding his palace, one that could heal any wound and cure any ailment. Some say it could even bring back the freshly dead. Kai however knew that it was no fairy tale, he’d been given a map pointing out the alleged location when he was a child by his parents. 

All he could do now was hope the place was real. 

Order In The Court||Fantasy!AU with Sxzugamori

                       Қai paused beside him then, uttering words that made Ren’s heart thump loud in his chest. Rare was it that the king voiced concern for him so openly (they were technically still in the royal court and Kai had not left for his living quarters yet), but it was appreciated. His lips cracked into that familiar, reassuring smile, though he made no body contact with him. “I will. I only ask the same for you, my lord.”

                        ℸhe moment Kai departed for his living quarters, the messenger returned by pigeon-mail, and Ren unrolled the small piece of parchment. The message scrawled hurriedly on the paper made his eyes widen. A rumour was a rumour, but when it came to the king’s very life, it was no joking matter. “Check all the food thoroughly before serving it to the king. The best four men – come with me to the king’s living quarters.”

Kai’s living quarters were quite lavish, although the bed was a bit...large for his tastes, as it once belonged to his parents. Looking at the large couple-sized bed always brought back memories of two specific couples who had spent nights in that bed: his parents, and himself and Ren. One set of memories being painful, the other being loving and cherished. Either way, Kai quickly changed out of his more formal attire into his sleeping uniform, which didn’t consist of much, simply a white shirt and thin silk leggings for comfortable rest. After the news of today, he certainly needed rest.

“Damn...I look worse than expected.” After a quick once-over in the mirror, the young king realized the large dark circles under his eyes, likely from the lack of sleep over the situation plaguing his higher-ups, and the worry he held for Ren in particular. Despite everything pointing to someone in his upper echelon, and his other advisers telling him to be wary of the Suzugamori boy, Kai never suspected Ren for a second. They’d known each other since they were children, after all, and there was no way he’d turn his back on the person he trusted most in the world. 

After a few more minutes of examining himself for any more tolls his insomnia could have taken on him, Kai decided to collapse on his bed, hoping that possibly Ren could join him later. If he did, he knew that he would be woken up in the middle of the night by that sweet voice he’d come to know and love, but for now he just tried to drift off, disregarding what he’d been shown and told that day.

Order In The Court||Fantasy!AU with Sxzugamori

                       "Ɯith all due respect, Ka– my lord, would you perhaps be interested in enforcing security around the kingdom, namely the palace? This kingdom would not be here if not for its king.“ Almost letting his casual name for Kai slip out, Ren hoped he didn’t get berated for this. If anything, Kai was a little too complacent. He knew he valued power and strength, and wielded formidable fire magic, lighting up the flames of the people’s hearts with his presence, but there were times he’d let it go to his head. And he hoped this would not be that time.

A small smirk quickly came and went from Kai’s face, noticing Ren had almost let their more...casual nature slip out, though it wasn’t exactly a problem in the young king’s mind. He knew he couldn’t let it slip either, for fear of being chastised for his...choice of ‘suitors’ as it were. Though his adviser did have a very good point in at least increasing the security around the palace. It would probably be a good idea to at least hear him out---better than causing a fight, anyway. “...Yeah. That sounds like a decent course of action, Ren. Do whatever measures you see fit to keep this place secure, I trust you.”

Kai walked closer, looking somewhat concerned and downtrodden at the situation, which was very uncommon for him, to say the least. In truth he was simply worried for his own safety, and for Ren’s, as the last reported assassination was quite close to the palace, and there was no way he’d let either of them get hurt if he could help it. There was a good chance the assailant was currently in the palace walls, however, and that’s what made him question his own skills as a king. Maybe he wasn’t cut out for this, after all...? As he walked past his crimson-haired adviser, he whispered something into his ear in passing, hoping that he spoke loud enough for Ren to hear it.

“Keep yourself safe, Ren. That’s what matters.”

#254, Sceptile

The feline continues to purr and nuzzles into the boy’s chest, he was warm and comfortable. He always enjoyed Kai’s company not to mention the male was really good at petting him.

Kai didn't understand why other people didn't like hanging around with the sub-manager that much. Maybe they just thought Shin was crazy, that was always a possibility. In any case, he really was a nice cat, and was yet another very good reason to come to Card Capital. 

MEOWS

Pets the cat.

He purrs intensely and rubs up against your leg while you pet him.

Picks up the cat and continues petting. Cats are amazing stress relievers.