#hein

He’s exhausted. They’ve been traveling for days and much to everyone’s dismay, were unable to find anyway around the frozen wasteland that spreads throughout Rah’s boarder. It’s the farthest he’s ever been from the hot desert sands and he can already feel his fire clamming up. This isn’t going to be easy. But he can see the end in sight and that keeps him going. That, and the faith of his friends. They are his strength, even if Ryuji keeps telling him this is a terrible idea and the second he steps foot in Rah he’s going to be caught. Takashi knows he’s just worried. It’s not that he doesn’t share that worry, it’s just that it’s less about him and more focused on Hein and the others. He’s grateful they stumbled upon an abandon campsite where, as luck would have it, had supplies, clothes, and a small amount of food left. It’s not a lot, but it’s enough that they can disguise themself in Azeanean garb and fuel themselves for the next part of the journey.

Focus, he breathes, messing with the collar of the deep blue tunic he’s wearing. It’s going to be fine. He picks at the knot on the sash, wondering if he should just try to re-tye it again when he notices a shadow outside his tent.

“Come in,” he calls out trying to tighten the knot back up.

“Is everything alright Master Takashi?”

“Yes,” Takashi grunts. “Just trying to get this sash to work. We’re you able to find something that fits?” He asks.

“Yes,” Hein answers.

“Oh, great, then should we—“ the question fades as he turns towards his Essence.

A light blue, shortsleeved tunic hangs loosely overtop of a tight, darker blue long-sleeved shirt. Delicate strands of silver and iridescent beads weave a design around the boarder of the tunic. They sparkle light starts when they catch light. He looks like the night sky reflecting in deep ocean and for a moment, Takashi forgets how to breath.

“How do I look?” Hein asks.

“I think blue is my new favorite color.”

Pink rises to the Essence’s cheeks.

“I, on the other hand,” Takashi continues, “fear my features clash terribly.”

“Are you worried you will be recognized?”

“A little. I’m wondering if I should ask Ishida to spell them. What color do you think would look best?” He looks back down at the water. “You know, my mother had blue eyes, maybe that would work. What do you think?”

“I think you would look fine with any color Master…,” Hein starts.

“But?”

“I prefer the color they are.”

“The color of a tyrant,” Takashi says lowly, squinting as his reflection in the water morphs into his father.

“The Kings eyes are angry,” Hein tells him, “full of hate. They are nothing like yours.”

“Oh? And what are mine like?” He asks, turning to watch Hein approach him, his hand reaching to move hair from his face.

“A bright morning sun, full of hope, and the breath of a new day.”

Takashi lets the words melt into his heart coating the years of self-hate in an impenetrable wax. Warmth explodes through him, his mind racing with all that his heart is screaming, but his tongue is too slow to say. He leans forward, holding Hein’s hand to his face. To his relief, his Essence doesn’t pull away, but takes a step forward. The rush of acceptance surges Takashi forward. He wraps his arm around Hein’s waist and crushes their lips together. Any anxiety he had about traveling through the tundra is lost in the feeling of Hein’s body against his own and the tickle of his breath on his skin.

I can do anything, he thinks. I’ll survive anything. So long as I have you.

Doubling back, he takes a left where he had taken a right, and that’s when he sees a small glass paned door. It leads to terrace, and there, leaning onto the stone wall is his master. Hein holds his breath, controlling it so it doesn’t come out in short huffs as he approaches with quiet footsteps. His master keeps his eyes on the land, tracing the sandy dunes and jagged cliffs. The champagne in his glass has lost its bubbles and as Hein gets closer, he can see how his Masters fingers have sunk into the glass giving it a warped shape.

“Master Takashi?” He tries.

His master twitches and downs the flat champagne in one gulp, grimacing at the no doubt warm liquid. When he doesn’t turn to face him, Hein takes a tentative step forward.

You need to apologize, he tells himself. He’s angry because of you. Because you ruined everything. He grips his hands in front of him, digging his nails into his skin. It was supposed to be so simple. He’s been to countless parties before, this one shouldn’t have been any different. And it wasn’t, at first. He was the perfect doll, silent, poised, and lifeless; everyone was impressed. His master was the picture of royal power. Then he tripped on a woman’s dress. A criminal offense, one he should have been punished for, but instead they turned the insults to his Master. He shouldn’t have been standing so close to the other guests. He’s to remain in his Masters shadow - he knows this - but he got distracted when another woman nuzzled into his masters arm. Stupid, he thinks, squeezing his hands. You ruined everything, he tells himself. You have to make it right. Taking a deep breath, he lowers his head and bows.

“I’m deeply sorry for my behavior,” he says, “I was careless and—“

“We’re leaving.” His master says flatly.

“Wh-what?”

“We’re leaving.”

No, Hein thinks, panic making his head spin. They can’t leave, then it will all be for nothing. Master Takashi’s reputation will be further ruined. Fix it. He has to fix it. He steps to the side to block the door.

“Master Takashi, please, I know you are angry with me and you should be. I’m truly sorry for my mistake, but I think if you just go back-“

The glass in his masters hand is turning orange and Hein watches as, in a huff, Master Takashi sets it down and presses his palms flat to the concrete. He can hear them sizzle from the heat.

“I, have no intention of going back there.”

“I don’t understand,” Hein admits. “Everyone is so happy to see you and they all seem to be eager to speak with you. I know I made a mistake, but everything is going so well I-“

His master chuckles, bitterly, and shakes his head. “Do you think this is easy for me?” He asks turning to face him.

His eyes are bright against the evening sky.

“Do you think I enjoy watching you suffer for the sake of claiming a title I never wanted in the first place? Do you think I’m happy, parading you around like a trophy, knowing you’re inches from me but I can’t touch you or console you, or even defend you?”

It should be easy, Hein wants to tell him. Because you are a Prince and I am an Essence. You shouldn’t worry about me. My fate was decided the moment I was left on the island, just as yours was decided by the blood in your veins.

He opens his mouth, only to hear another voice call out.

“Your highness, there you are!”

It’s a woman Hein recognizes, the same woman who distracted him. He lowers his head and steps to the side as to not stand in between them.

“We’ve been wondering where you ran off to, you must come meet my sister she came all the way from off the mainland!”

“I’d be honored,” his master says, a smile plastered on his face like clay on stone. “Go and fetch her, I’ll be there in just a moment.”

“Of course,” she curtseys, and retreats back into the hall.

Master Takashi runs a hand through his hair, steam rising up into the air. He lets out a quick huff before turning back towards the door, his shoulders squared, eyebrows raised, with a flat smile on his face. Hein lowers his head back down, counting his masters steps, waiting for him to pass.

“If I could find a way out of this situation, I would in a moment,” he hears him say as he stops just beside him. “But I can’t. Because if I do anything, I risk losing you…and I couldn’t bear that.”

Hein counts ten steps as his Master walks away before following, a heavy lump in his throat.