Archive of Our Own ^beta

The ringing of metal on metal was almost louder than the ringing in Kyoutani’s ears.

Almost.

But as Yahaba snarled, his sword solidly connecting with Watari’s shield, his hair falling in an annoyingly pleasant looking shape around his face, it was clear which one was louder.

He ignored the way his heart hammered in his chest, which it had no business doing since he wasn’t even doing anything strenuous, as he watched them spar and wondered how the hell he had gotten himself into this situation.

Though it could be worse, he reminded himself. He could be in Watari’s position. And, while Watari was handling it with his normal nonchalant efficiency, Kyoutani knew that if he was the one sparring Yahaba, he would’ve already either been exiled for stabbing Yahaba, or been the one that got stabbed.

It was like they couldn’t stop escalating.

If there was any kind of competition, neither of them seemed capable of backing down. They both fought with what seemed to be twice their normal effort. And Kyoutani wished that made him like Yahaba less. But it hadn't yet, and showed no signs of doing so in the future.

If anything, Kyoutani mused, it might be making him like Yahaba more.

Kyoutani was pulled from his thoughts by a particularly loud grunt, followed by laughter.

“Well done.” Watari said, grinning up at Yahaba from where he’d been knocked down and pinned under his shield.
“I did better yesterday.” Yahaba muttered as he got up and offered a hand to Watari, who took it.
“Maybe.” Watari shrugged. “But you still did well today.”
“Yeah, jackass. Take the compliment.” Kyoutani called from the edge of the training grounds where he had been watching them.
“I don’t wanna hear that from you!” Yahaba called back.
“Tough,” he responded. “Now hurry up and go get changed. We were supposed to leave five minutes ago.”
“Oh? Got somewhere to be, do you?”
“Yeah. Babysitting.” Kyoutani deadpanned. “Not that that’s your business, your highness”
“You just called me a jackass, don't start busting out formal titles now,” Yahaba said, nose wrinkling up as he breezed past Kyoutani and towards the barracks. “Give me five more minutes.” he called over his shoulder as he slipped inside, leaving Kyoutani and Watari outside.

“So,” Watari said, turning to Kyoutani. “You’re just as smitten as ever.”
“Shut up.”
“Ooo, you’ve moved past denying it?” Kyoutani sighed.
“Doesn’t matter.” he responded. “He’s a prince. And he’s abrasive and loud and horrendously competitive.” Kyoutani rattled off, and Watari whistled.
“And yet,” he started. “You still like him.”
“...Of course I do.” Kyoutani grumbled. “Because he’s also hardworking, clever, and sucks at hiding his softness under his aggression. But nothings gonna happen. We only met because he needed a riding partner anyway. Once he’s a little better, they won’t need me coming around anymore.”
“You say that like you’d be able to keep Blizzard and Spark away from each other.” Watari laughed. “Even if you two are done with each other, I don’t think those two’ll be done with each other for another while. I swear, they just do whatever they want.”

“Sparks a good girl.” Kyoutani countered. “She listens to me when it counts.”
“Then I guess you don’t say much worth listening to.” Watari grinned before clapping Kyoutani on the shoulder. “Anyway, good luck. I’m gonna go get cleaned up. Want me to swing by your place tonight?”
“Please. I don’t know why, but the twins only listen to you.”
“It’s my magic.” Watari said with a grin. “I’ll see you tonight. Good luck out there.” he added with a knowing glance towards the obstacle course to the east, not even visible from the main castle.
“I’ll be fine. If there’s anyone you need to worry about, it’s the cream puff.”

“You know, I think I liked jackass better.” Yahaba said, seemingly materializing about five feet away from Kyoutani, now dressed in his simple cloth and leather riding clothes, his armor and weapons, except for a small knife on his waist, back in the barracks.

“Good, cause it’s a little more fitting.” Kyoutani shot back, fighting off his blush as Watari had the decency to turn his laugh into a cough as he slipped away.
“We’ll see about that, jackass.”
“Can’t even come up with your own insults?”
“Why do the heavy lifting if it’s already been done?” Yahaba shrugged with that annoyingly nice smile. “Now let's get out of here already.” he said, striding head towards the stables, forcing Kyoutani to hurry a bit to catch up with him. “Is it precision again today?” Yahaba asked once he had caught up.
“Yeah. You’re still weak on your rolls.”
“When am I ever going to need to roll?” Yahaba complained, and Kyoutani rolled his eyes.
“Trust me, that one’s a skill you’d rather have and not need than need and not have.” he said, and Yahaba grumbled slightly, but didn’t actually say anything. “And…” Kyoutani said, going against his better judgement. “We can race today.” Yahaba perked up at that. “If,” Kyoutani said quickly. “We get everything else done early and it all looks good. No cutting corners and no rushing.”
“Do tell me,” Yahaba said with a grin as they arrived outside the stable. “What corners there are to cut in the sky?”
“Just go get Blizzard saddled up already.” Kyoutani groaned, already regretting the offer as he slipped into Spark’s stall.

“I don’t know what that guy's deal is, Spark.” he said, shaking his head.

She just stared at him, and he sighed as he grabbed her saddle off the wall with a grunt. “Right, right, you’re a dragon. Not exactly known for being talkative, huh?” he asked before falling silent as he worked.

It didn’t take long for his earlier thoughts and conversation with Watari to creep back into his mind, despite his efforts.

He almost wished he hand’t been assigned to work with Yahaba and help train him, honestly.

Though, he wasn’t complaining.

Well, he was externally, but that was just to help disguise what was going on internally.

He was well aware that thinking he and Yahaba could really be anything was a foolish pipedream.

But that didn’t make Yahaba’s laugh any less nice to listen to. It didn’t make soft looking, starlight colored hair any less gorgeous. It didn’t make his analytical reasoning and straightforward problem solving any less impressive.

In short, like so often happened, the logic of the situation had very little bearings on the feelings it had created.

So Kyoutani was left to do his best to keep them to himself. He had kept his mouth shut, feeling confident Yahaba didn’t feel the same. The enthusiasm with which he usually returned or started japes or little squabbles of his own with Kyoutani served as proof enough in his mind, no matter what Watari said about the situation. Because even if he did, he was a prince. His desires mattered far less than his parents rights now. Yeah, thinking anything like that could happen between them was a pipedream.

And it was one that was really starting to wear on Kyoutani, despite his best efforts. But there wasn’t much to be done about it, was there, he thought to himself, except for the rather embarrassing pining he’d been doing.

Spark snapped him out of his thoughts by snorting loudly and gently bumping her snout into his chest.

“Right,” he said, shaking his head as a rueful smile made its way onto his face and he patted her nose. “I’m done, I’m done. You’re all ready, lets go.” he told her

Yeah, he didn’t need to let these thoughts take over right now. Better to think about something else.

Like how frustrating and stubborn Yahaba could be.

That would work, he decided as he and Spark left the stable. And this would be a good lesson, and he would make sure everything went smoothly and he got home on time and enjoyed dinner with his siblings and Watari.

He would make sure of it, he thought with a nod.

But, just like feelings and logic liked to but heads, so too, did plans and reality.

---

“Why is he like this, Blizzard?” Yahaba complained as he leaned against the silver and white dragon's side after tightening the last saddle strap. “It’s like he’s deliberately messing with me. Why even offer me the race if you’re gonna tell me you don’t want it to happen?” he muttered and Blizzard huffed, sending a puff of cold air to ruffle Yahaba’s hair and drag him back to reality. “Yeah, sorry.” he sighed, straightening up. “Let's just go prove him wrong, huh?” he added with a grin, and Blizzard gave a small snort as they left the stable.

Kyoutani and Spark were already waiting for them, Kyoutani leaning against Spark in almost the exact same way Yahaba had been leaning against Blizzard seconds ago.

“Ready?” he asked, pushing off and straightening up. Yahaba nodded.
“Blizzard, up.” he said.
“Hey,-” Kyoutani started, but Yahaba was already grinning as Blizzard gently bit the special section of the toughest leather on the back of Yahaba’s shirt, lifting him up like a kitten and dropping him onto her back. He quickly settled himself into the saddle, grateful to not have Kyoutani in his line of sight anymore, even though he heard him saying something to Spark, probably asking to mount.
“C’mon Blizzard,” he said with a grin.
“Hey, what are you-” Kyoutani shouted as he landed in Spark’s saddle.
“Let's show these two how it’s done.”

Blizzard didn’t need much more urging and complied happily, launching them into the sky, despite Kyoutani’s protests behind them, and Yahaba let himself laugh brightly as, for a moment, he was aware of nothing but the thrill and freedom of flight.

The cool air of the early winter morning rushing around him made his eyes water and reminded him that his goggles were still in Blizzards saddlebags, but he hardly cared as she level off, her steep ascent turning into a gentle glide just below the clouds, and Yahaba’s breath hitched.

Below him, was just about everything he’d ever known.

The familiar castle and neat city that surrounded it, the mostly empty fields that had been harvested a few weeks ago that stretched into skeletal forests that had just finished losing their fall leaves and melted into the distance as far as he could see, even from up here, to the west. The mountains out to the north, rising on the horizon like a jagged spine or a row of teeth, and, when he craned his neck around, the sea, just barely visible by the way the low cliffs by it suddenly dropped away into nothing.

“Wow.” he managed, barely even feeling his face starting to sting or his hands starting to go numb, as his gloves were still in Blizzard's saddlebags too.

Yahaba had been afraid of heights when he was young, and had tried his hardest to refuse Blizzard when she was given to him on his fifth birthday and was already half his height. He had been terrified at the prospect of flying, and putting so much trust in someone or something else.

But here he was, eleven years later, his head hardly reaching Blizzard’s knee, and absolutely drinking in the sky.

He had never been happier to have overcome a fear. The fact that it was one of the only one’s he’d successfully overcome definitely didn’t have anything to do with it either, he told himself.

He reached out and patted Blizzard’s neck.

“Thanks,” he said with a grin. She twisted her long neck around to face him, putting her left eye just a few inches in front of Yahaba’s face, and held it there for a moment before twisting again to put her nose in front of his face and send another puff of even colder air over his head, making him laugh.

“What the hell was that?” A familiar voice called from behind them, and Yahaba didn’t even bother looking over his shoulder.
“Well, you said we were already late.” he responded. “I was just trying to get to the training grounds as quickly as possible.” he said, barely managing to keep a straight face as Kyoutani and Spark arrived off to his left and slightly below him.
“Yeah, but that doesn’t mean you can take off that close to the stables.” Kyoutani grumbled, barely audible over the beat of their dragon's wings.
“Eh, I mean, no harm no foul.” Yahaba shrugged.
“And what about your hands? They’re already red as fuck. And I know your eyes have to be burning.”
“And?” Yahaba challenged, finding that infuriating cocktail of feelings starting to swirl in his stomach as his wonder from earlier drained away.

Why did he like Kyoutani again?

“And put your gloves and goggles on, jackass.” Kyoutani scoffed. “I don’t want the prince losing a hand or an eye on my watch.”

Yahaba snorted, and leaned down closer over Blizzard.
“I have a better idea.” he said, closing his eyes as he all but laid against her neck, adjusting his arm so it mostly covered his face.
“What are you about to-”
“Blizzard, Kyoutani doesn’t want to race after training. So I guess we better just race beforehand.” he said. “Training ground, as fast as you can.”
“Yaha-” was all Yahaba heard before Blizzard dropped into a near vertical dive, all but ripping the air out of Yahaba’s lungs.

They flew for a few intense moments at a breakneck pace, the only sound the rushing air and huge beating wings, before Yahaba heard Kyoutani again.

“Yahaba!” he yelled, and Yahaba cracked his eyes open against his better instincts, peering through a small opening under his elbow.

Kyoutani and Spark weren’t very far behind and were gaining ground. With the goggles, Yahaba wasn’t sure if Kyoutani was pissed or just really focused on winning the impromptu challenge.

“Yeah?” Yahaba yelled back, starting to grin as Spark sped up, making Yahaba think it was the latter.
“... Winner gets to pick the race path for after!” Kyoutani responded, expression staying just as intense, but shifting into a slightly manic grin, and Yahaba laughed.

Oh.

Yeah.

This was why he liked Kyoutani, he remembered, watching as he and Spark dropped like a stone, Spark tucking her wings in and rotating a few times before flaring her wings out, only making Yahaba’s grin widen.

“Show off!” he yelled down at them as Blizzard dived again as well, quickly shrinking the gap.
“Slowpoke!” Kyoutani returned with a laugh.

They traded the lead several times as they flew, both largely leaving the most efficient path up to their dragons, and not questioning their dives and climbs or the way they tended to mimic one another, except for Blizzard's refusal to roll. A few more good natured shouts were exchanged as well, but they both fell silent after about ten minutes, when the training ground came into view, and Spark and Blizzard dived in perfect unison.

After a beat of silence, Yahaba gave one more shout.

“Winner is the first to touch either of the high loops,” he yelled.
“You’re on!” Kyoutani returned, urging Spark onward, and getting another small burst of speed.

And the next thing he knew, they were hurtling towards the wooden circles. He laid as flat against Blizzard as he could as she tucked her wings and pulled her legs in. Yahaba stuck his hand out with a sharp exhale, and felt his hand brush wood.

He laughed as Blizzard flared her wings out, killing her momentum as the cleared the obstacle and hovering, Yahaba looking back just in time to see Spark and Kyoutani clear thiers.

“I win.” Yahaba announced with a grin. Blizzard snorted as Spark flared her wings out as well. “Oh, yeah, sorry. We win.” Yahaba corrected as they approached, and Kyoutani slipped his goggles off, revealing his full scowl.

It was way cuter than it had any right to be, like a pouting puppy.

“Only because you had a head start.” he grumbled, but, oddly enough, didn’t dispute Yahaba’s victory, like he normally would have.

And, oddly enough, Yahaba found no desire to tease him about his loss.

“Then beat me after training, when neither of us have a head start. And when you’ve been able to get warmed up, I know it takes you two so long.” he said with a grin.

Ok. no desire to tease him that much, just a little.

Kyoutani rolled his eyes.

“If anyone needs extra time to warm up, it’s you and the literal ice dragon.” Kyoutani countered. “Speaking of which, put your goggles on already. And your gloves.” he added, and Yahaba scoffed as he dug into Blizzard's saddlebag.
“What are you, my mom?”
“No, but she’ll kill me if you come home missing a hand or eye.”
“Touche.” Yahaba sighed as he tugged his gloves on and suppressed a wince. But hey, some mild wind burn was a small price to pay for his victory.

“Good.” Kyoutani said. “Now, once you’re ready, you two should start with sharp banking. You were a little shaky on that earlier.” he said, and the Spark flew up to the observation perch, a large wooden platform that allowed a good view of the entire training area and all it’s obstacles.

Spark let him off before flying up and breathing a small column of fire.

“What are you waiting for?” Kyoutani called down to Yahaba, and he rolled his eyes as he hid them behind the goggles.
“You to stop watching your dragon!” Yahaba called back. “Come on Blizzard, let's get to work.” he added, gently patting her neck and getting an affirmative snort in response.

Yeah.

They needed to get to work so that Kyoutani would make good on both of those promises from earlier.

The thought brought a smile to Yahaba’s lips, and a slightly unusual enthusiasm to his precision training as they began.

---

Yahaba was actually doing well, Kyoutani had to concede from his perch, looking down at him and Blizzard as they tried their third short distance fall.

He had been focused, kept the bickering to a comfortable level, and was actually on track for Kyoutani to have to race him in a few minutes when they finished up.

“How was that one?” Yahaba asked as he and Blizzard rose to Kyoutani’s level, panting slightly as he pulled his goggles up, messing his hair up in a way that could only look good because Kyoutani was painfully whipped for him.

“It was good.” Kyoutani responded, forcing those thoughts out of his mind. “But try to let yourself get a little farther away from her before you get back in the saddle, if you can.” Yahaba nodded.
“C’mon snowball, one more time.” he said, urging her up as he tugged his goggles back into place.

She obliged, and Kyoutani watched as they got into position before she dropped, and Yahaba undid the small tether, gently pushing himself off of her as she fell, and he separated from her.

“Farther!” Kyoutani yelled, and Yahaba pushed just a little harder, sending him about three feet above her, free falling, and Kyoutani smiled. “Perfect!” He called, and then they were nearly to the ground, and Blizzard flared her wings out partially, slowing herself so Yahaba could land back in the saddle, before fully extending them and truly pulling out of the dive, heading back up towards Kyoutani.

“That one?” Yahaba asked, and Kyoutani nodded.
“That was really good,” he said. “And you too, Blizzard, that was perfect.” he said, smiling at her.
“Every time,” Yahaba sighed, tugging his goggles off, again, in that annoyingly nice to watch way. “The dragon gets more praise than her rider.”
“And I’d say she deserves it for putting up with you for a over a decade.” Kyoutani countered as she lightly pushed her nose into his chest, and he patted her head.
“Then what do you deserve for putting up with me for six months now?” Yahaba asked with a grin.

Kyoutani hated that he went slightly red.

Yahaba knew that it had been exactly six months today, too?

“A break.” he finally scoffed.
“Then let's take one.” Yahaba said, extending his hand.
“I can get Spark.”
“Yeah, but she’s having so much fun.” Yahaba pointed out, glancing up to where she was still practicing her fire breath, sending large swathes of flame into the open air, and Kyoutani sighed.
“She is.” he conceded, taking Yahaba’s hand. “But don’t pull anything like you did two months ago. We’re going down to the clearing and landing. That's it. Full stop.” he added as Yahaba pulled him up in front of him.
“In my defense, that was fucking hilarious.” Yahaba said with a grin as Kyoutani settled himself in front.
“We have very different senses of humor.” Kyoutani grumbled, going red as they both settled into their new seats, Yahaba shifting back to give Kyoutani a little more room, but still being almost pressed up against his back.
“Maybe.” Yahaba conceded. “But hey, no harm no foul.” he added, throwing an arm around Kyoutani’s waist and dropping his chin on his shoulder.

And Kyoutani only refrained from spontaneously combusting through a sheer, massive amount of self restraint and the knowledge that if Yahaba knew Kyoutani liked him, he would certainly either become obnoxiously insufferable about it or extremely awkward about it.

They flew the shot distance in silence, and after what was somehow simultaneously an achingly long time to have his crush draped over him, and the blink of an eye, they were landing, and Yahaba’s chin was off his shoulder, his arm slipping off of Kyoutani’s waist as Blizzard reached around, gently lifting Yahaba up and carrying him down to the ground before doing the same for Kyoutani.

By the time Kyoutani was on the ground, though, Yahaba had already managed to toss his goggles haphazardly on the ground and run to a nearby tree, all but collapsing at the base of it, sprawled out in the dying grass.

Kyoutani rolled his eyes as he followed, but a smile was tugging at his lips.
“Why are you falling over like you just fought a battle? Blizzards the one who did all the heavy lifting.” he pointed out as he approached, and Yahaba raised his head up enough to give Kyoutani a playful mock glare.
“I’ll have you know, free falling takes an immense physical toll.” he said.
“You know that I'm the one teaching you how to do it? Which means I’ve done it a lot, lot, more than you?” Kyoutani said as he sat at the base of the tree, Yahaba within an arms length.
“So then you know I’m right.” he said, laying down all the way, flat on his back, one hand on his stomach and the other slipping behind his head, pale early winter sunlight falling through the skeletal branches without much hindrance and illuminating his soft silver hair and his sharp brown eyes as he turned them towards Kyoutani. “Right?” he asked, and Kyoutani scoffed, looking back towards Blizzard.
“I guess,” he admitted. “But this won’t be too long of a break. You two still haven’t worked on your rolls.”

Yahaba groaned.

“Oh my god, you were the one who wanted a break, come on and enjoy it.” he complained.
“Fine, fine.” Kyoutani relented as he relaxed against the tree. “You’re right. It’s actually pretty nice out this afternoon.”
“Ah, weather small talk.” Yahaba said with a grin, and Kyoutani groaned.
“You got a better idea?”
“Yeah.” he said, rolling onto his side so he could properly face Kyoutani. “Let's play truth or lie.”

Kyoutani rolled his eyes.

“Isn’t that more of a group game? It’s not as much fun if only one other person learns embarrassing stuff about one person.” he pointed out.
“Maybe. I still want to play.” Yahaba responded, and Kyoutani looked down at him.

It was only a moment before he relented, sighing.

“Fine. You go first.” he said, and Yahaba grinned.
“Ok. The scar on your left arm is actually from something really embarrassing.” Yahaba started, and Kyoutani hesitated.
“...Truth.” he finally admitted, and Yahaba’s grin widened.
“And? Keep going. You know the rules, I get it right, you have to elaborate.”
“It was two years ago.” Kyoutani recounted. “I was out on a hunting trip. I ended up tripping while holding a knife, and opened myself up. My older cousin had to stitch me up in the middle of the woods..” he admitted, going faintly red at the memory. That had to have been his least favorite hunting trip.

Yahaba laughed lightly.

“Hey, it’s not exactly dignified, but I’ve heard of way more embarrassing injuries.”
“Yeah? I bet you’ve got a few of your own.” Kyoutani responded, lightly kicking Yahaba’s leg. “And it’s my turn. So. You dye your hair.” Yahaba’s expression shifted at that, into something Kyoutani couldn’t quite read.
“Lie.” he said as he ran a hand through it absently, and Kyoutani blinked.
“Really. Huh.”
“Really. Now, lets see…” Yahaba said, easing himself into a sitting position in front of Kyoutani. “You don’t really like little kids.”

“Lie.” Kyoutani said immediately, and Yahaba arched an eyebrow.
“Really?”
“Hey, you got it wrong. I don’t have to elaborate.” Kyoutani countered with a grin. “Now… you like being a prince.”

Yahaba was quiet for a long moment at that, staring down at his lap, surprising Kyoutani, who had thought it would be a quick, simple question to move the game along.

“Lie.” Yahaba finally said heavily.
“I-”
“Got it wrong.” Yahaba interrupted. “So I don’t have to explain anything to you.” he said, finally looking up with a tired smile. “My turn. You and Watari are dating.”
“Ugh, we’re getting to the romantic questions this early?”
“I’m treating this like a speedrun. You’re the one who said the break needed to be short.”
“...I am.” Kyoutani conceded. “And, lie.”
“Really now? You two seem awfully close.”
“And we are. But not like that. Not right now at least.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“None of your business. You got it wrong, anyway. My turn.” Kyoutani countered. “You…” he said, coming up empty on a question to ask.
“We already established we’re onto the romantic stuff, just go with that.” Yahaba suggested.
“Fine. You have a future spouse already lined up.”
“Lie.” Yahaba said, not sounding quite as relieved as Kyoutani might’ve thought. “You like someone.” he said, and fucking fuck.

This was exactly where Kyoutani had hoped to keep this from going.

“....We should be done. Breaks over.” he said, standing.
“Hey, what? Come on, at least answer the last one.” he said, standing as well.
“Why? This is a pointless game. We could both just be lying.”
“You trust me that little?”
“With something this trivial? Yeah.” Kyoutani said as he started heading back towards Blizzard.
“That's funny coming from the one who refuses to answer the first really personal question this whole time.” Yahaba scoffed as he followed him, and Kyoutani scoffed.
“Like you would answer that one honestly.”
“Fucking try me.” Yahaba said, and so Kyoutani stopped, turned, and faced him.
“Fine. You like someone.”
“Truth.” Yahaba answered evenly, staring directly at Kyoutani, and making his heart trip over a few beats and his mouth go just a little dry as he stood in silence.

“Good for you.” he finally managed, turning his back and heading towards Blizzard even faster than before.
“That's it?” Yahaba called after him. “You got it right and you’re not gonna ask any questions?”
“Why would I want to know who you like?” Kyoutani snapped, shoving his hands into his pockets. “All I want to know about you is that you can do all your riding work with Blizzard.
“Fine.” Yahaba said. “But you’re not playing fair.”
“Spark!” Kyoutani called, and she stopped her fire breathing, banking towards the clearing.
“You didn't answer my last question.” Yahaba insisted.
“And?”
“And? And you owe me. I answered the question honestly, so now you have to too.”
“...Fine,” Kyoutani conceded as Spark landed nearby. “Truth.” he barely managed before booking it towards Spark.
“Wait, Kyoutani!” Yahaba tried to yell after him, but this time Kyoutani was the one climbing onto a dragon prematurely. "Come on!" Yahaba yelled behind him.
"Nope." Kyoutani called back as Spark lifted him up and he risked a glance backwards, finding Yahaba settling into Blizzard's saddle.

“Cheater!” Yahaba called as they both rose into the air, and Kyoutani ignored him, going brilliantly red as he pulled his goggles on.
“Oblivious jackass.” he muttered to himself, wondering why Yahaba seemed so determined to all bu torture him, always seeming to know the perfect button to press to annoy or embarrass Kyoutani.

Well, when he wasn’t frustratingly great to hang out with, like their race to the training ground or the break before Yahaba had steered the topic to an area Kyoutani, personally, thought it had no business being.

“Geez, fine, you don’t have to tell me,” Yahaba called suddenly, only a few feet away from Kyoutani and Spark, goggles in his gloved hands instead of on his head. “Just don’t bail on me.” Kyoutani and Spark slowed slightly. “My mom would kill me if I came home early today.” he added, starting to grin, and Kyoutani rolled his eyes.
“Oh don’t worry. Like I said, you and Blizzard haven’t practiced your rolls yet. You’re not getting out of that so easily.” he said, letting himself grin a bit as Yahaba sighed.
“Right.” he said, getting a mischievous look in his eyes before they disappeared under his goggles. “Unrelated, when we’re done training, we’re gonna race, right?”
“If we have enough time.” Kyoutani said carefully, and Yahaba’s grin widened.
“All I needed to hear.” he said before facing forward and leaning down, low over Blizzard's neck. “Let's go snowball.” he said, and then gently tapped her neck four times, making Kyoutani blink in surprise.

They surged forward and banked left as Kyoutani reigned Spark in just a bit, so that they were almost hovering, as Yahaba and Blizzard adjusted course so that they were perpendicular to Kyoutani and Spark before they sped up again.

And, right in front of Kyoutani, at full speed, Blizzard tucked her wings, and neatly corkscrewed through the air, four full rotations before coming out of it with a flourish, and Yahaba yelling in triumph, leaving Kyoutani paling.

That had been… Kyoutani didn’t like the word perfect, but that was just about the closest thing to it he’d seen.

“Well?” Yahaba asked with a grin as he and Blizzard circled back around. “Good enough to win me a race?”
“Do it again and maybe.” Kyoutani managed, because, hey, flukes happen, right? Maybe that was all that had been and maybe he wouldn’t have to race Yahaba and spend even more time with him when he really needed to cool down before he did something foolish like being honest with him.
“Fine. C’mon, we can do that again.” Yahaba said, quickly circling around with Blizzard.

And they did it again, almost perfectly.

“How about that one?” Yahaba asked, tone all but dripping with well warranted confidence.
“One more.”
“Boooooo! Why?” he asked.
“Three in a row, that’s the line, remember?” Kyoutani responded, swallowing. “If you can’t do it three times in a row, you don’t have it down yet.”
“Fine. But you better make good on that.” he said.

And then they did it.

Again.

Virtually perfect.

Kyoutani got the feeling this might not end well.

“Well,” Yahaha called. “You ready for a race?”
“...Fine.” Kyoutani managed. “Where to?”
“Let's say… Reapers cliff?”
“Ugh, you would pick there, wouldn’t you.” Kyoutani muttered, shaking his head. “Alright, let's just get this done.” he said, approaching Yahaba so they were level with each other.
“On three?”
“One.”
“Two.”
“Three.”

And off they went, Kyoutani feeling pretty sure they left his stomach behind, above the training ground as they careened away, towards the mountains, and whatever else awaited them at the end of this race.

---

Finally.

Finally, all that extra, secret practice Yahaba and Blizzard put in had paid off, and here they were, just barely ahead of Kyoutani and Spark.

But Yahaba was finding it strangely unpleasant.

He had thought that being ahead might’ve helped the way his stomach burned after the abrupt end to their game earlier, and Kyoutani’s apparent complete lack of interest or trust in Yahaba.

But it didn’t. It just made it squirm even more. So Yahaba decided to test something else. He twisted around in his saddle, and shouted.

“See? I don’t need a head start to win!” he called.
“And you haven’t won yet!” Kyoutani returned.
“Neither have you!” Yahaba pointed out. “Blizzards faster!”
“Maybe, but me and Spark actually fly together. You just sit on Blizzard and let her do all the work!”

That made the burning in Yahaba’s stomach increase.

Why did he like this guy again? Why did he want anything to do with him? He was abrasive, blunt, and more than a little snarky.

“Because I realise the one who knows the sky better is the literal fucking dragon, jackass!” Yahaba shot back. “And-hey!” he yelped, Blizzard suddenly veering off course, banking right, and Spark following suit.
“What the hell?” Kyoutani shouted as well.
“Blizzard, what are you doing?” Yahaba asked as she headed away from the designated finish line.
“Spark, come on,” Kyoutani tried, evidently having a similar problem just a few meters behind Yahaba.

Both dragons just snorted and kept flying, ignoring their riders.

“Hey, is this you?” Kyoutani shouted, sounding much more worried than accusatory.
“No! Why would it be? Is it you?” Yahaba called back, hearing a matching note of worry in his own voice.
“Any idea where they’re taking us, then?”
“None! You?”
“Nothing.” Yahaba responded, and then they were diving, steeply towards the ground, getting a yelp out of both riders.
“Spark, where are we going?” Kyoutani asked again, getting a small, snappy growl in response.

The next thing Yahaba knew, their dragons were landing atop one of the foothills, near the base of the mountain. It was clear and open, a great landing place, and before Yahaba could even speak, Blizzard was grabbing him like a kitten and depositing him on the ground, Spark doing much the same for Kyoutani, dropping him directly in front of Yahaba.

They both immediately turned away from each other, moving back towards their dragons.
“Blizzard,”
“Spark,” they started, but both dragons took off again, flying up quickly.
“Are they fucking leaving us here?” Kyoutani asked incredulously, all but ripping his goggles off.
“No.” Yahaba said firmly, slipping his off as well. “There's no way.” he muttered, watching as, sure enough, they flew up before starting to glide in circles, high above their riders.
“Well...now what?” Kyoutani asked. “Why did they drop us here?”
“Maybe they were hungry and wanted to hunt?”
“Then they wouldn’t be circling.”
“I know. Do you have a better explanation?” Yahaba challenged, and Kyoutani huffed.
“No.”
“Ok. So what do we do?”
“How the fuck should I know?” he snapped.
“Well you never seem to like my ideas, so-”
“Wait, wait.” Kyoutani said, taking a deep breath and rubbing a hand over his face. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have snapped at you like that.” he said evenly, exhaling.
“Yeah, would’ve been nice if you hadn't interrupted me too.” Yahaba muttered.
“Dude, I’m trying to apologise. We can’t fight right now.”
“Why not? It’s almost all we ever do anyways.”
“We’re not normally stranded over a hundred miles away from the castle.” Kyoutani shot back.

They stared each other down for a moment, Yahaba trying to figure out the burning mess in his stomach and if he should listen to it or not.

“...Fine. you’re right.” he relented after a moment, tamping it down. “I’m sorry too. I’ll quit mouthing off every chance I get.” he said, stuffing his goggles into his pocket, and Kyoutani snorted.
“Just until we figure this out.”
“What's that supposed to mean?” Yahaba asked. “You don’t think I could stop permanently?”
“I don’t think that's an important question right now.”
“Well then what is?”
“How the hell do we get home?”
“Wait a little bit and then see if we can get Blizzard and Spark to come back?” Yahaba suggested.
“But what if they don’t?”
“I don’t know? Maybe we just live here now.” he snorted. “There's enough room for two people here.” he added, laughing lightly.

He headed a little ways up the hill before sighing as he sat down, sticking his legs out.
“...Yahaba, what the fuck are you doing?” Kyoutani asked heavily as Yahaba stretched out, laying on his back again, just like he had under the tree.
“You said it yourself, we’re too far to get home today. We’d be stuck in the forest in the middle of the night if we tried to walk back now. We’ve got pretty good visibility up here and warm enough clothes.”
“No food or water.” Kyoutani pointed out, but he sat next to Yahaba nonetheless.
“Eh, we can go one day without that stuff.” Yahaba said, waving a hand dismissively.
“Says the pampered prince.” Kyoutani said with a grin, and Yahaba groaned.
“Please god never call me that.” Yahaba said, shifting to smack at Kyoutani lightly.
“Why not?" Kyoutani asked with clear amusement mixed with genuine interest.

Yahaba let himself stay silent for a moment, staring up at the sky as he tried to figure out how to respond. If their game from earlier was any indication, it might not go so well.

But Yahaba was getting less and less sure that he really cared about that.

"I try to not be like that." he finally said. "You know, only living in the castle, trying to run away from what life is like for a lot of people. It just doesn't sit right with me."
"Yeah? You do a lot of camping or something?" Kyoutani asked, and Yahaba snorted.
"That's not what I would call it. But I guess so." he shrugged. "Its mostly just stuff like roughing it for a couple days. But my parents never let me do it for long."
"Why's that? and is this supposed to explain why you’re taking this so well and making it really hard for me to panic right now? Which, for the record, I really feel like we should be doing.” Kyoutani said, and Yahaba laughed.
“Hey, panicking has never been helpful in situations like this. Healthy concern, fine, but not panic.”
“You didn’t answer my question.”
“Maybe I don’t want to.” Yahaba responded, but then he sighed. “No, it’s just… it kinda sucks.” Yahaba said.
“What, your parents? Princehood?”
“I’m gonna sound really, really pretentious if I answer that, you know that, right?”
“When do you not sound pretentious, exactly?”
“Haha.” Yahaba deadpanned, but a small smile tugged at his lips at the familiar back and forth.

“I mean it, though.” Kyoutani added after a beat, Yahaba watching Blizzard and Spark as they circled far overhead. “I really don’t care how pretentious it makes you sound.”
“Alright, but you asked for this.”
“I did.” He confirmed, with a little more intensity than Yahaba had expected, and he glanced towards him, finding Kyoutani staring down at him with an oddly genuine expression on his face.

Yahaba had to look away just as fast, hoping that would keep his blush to a minimum.

“...I just have everything except for the things I want.” he sighed. “I mean, I don’t really have any freedom to do the things I like, I just have to do the things my parents tell me. I can’t make friends with the people I want to, I have to hang out with the people my parents tell me to. It feels like I’m more of a doll or puppet than a person.” Yahaba explained.
“Ok, fair, that does sound pretty shitty.” Kyoutani conceded.
“And since I’m not even the oldest, it’s almost like it’s all for nothing.” he continued. “I’m never going to rule or be able to do much more than what I’m doing right now. I just get to stay in that pretty little well furnished castle my whole life.” he said, but then he winced. “Well, unless they decide to marry me off. But, they haven’t decided which option benefits them more.” he added.
“So that's why it was a truth earlier.” Kyoutani muttered. “What do you think they’ll do?”
“I have no idea.”
“...You also said you liked someone.” Kyoutani said, and Yahaba didn’t even try to fight his blush.
“Yeah.”
“Would that be a possibility? Seeing if your parents would let you two be together instead of sending you somewhere else?”

Yahaba snorted.

“No way. They’re not really into me, but, eh, hearts are gonna want who they want.” he shrugged.
“Ya got that right.” Kyoutani sighed, and Yahaba remembered something.
“Hey, wait, yours was true too.” he said, rolling onto his stomach and pushing himself up onto his elbows.
“Yeah. And?” Kyoutani asked, looking down at Yahaba.
“Aaaaaand, is it someone you’re with or someone you’re crushing on?” Kyoutani huffed and looked away, going ever so slightly red.

And something in Yahaba’s chest constricted as Kyoutani spoke.

“We’re not together.” he said.
“Well. Their loss.” Yahaba responded.
“I don’t think that’s how they see it.” Kyoutani sighed, watching the dragons.
“Why not?”
“...I don’t wanna talk about this right now.”
“Well I do.” Yahaba said, a rather reckless hope growing in his chest. “Do you wanna know who mine is?”
“Not really.” Kyoutani said with a light wince.
“Really? I think you’ll agree that I have great taste once you know.” Yahaba said, resting his chin on both of his hands.
“I doubt it.” Kyoutani scoffed, sparing him a glance. “You don't make the best decisions. I can’t imagine you’d be inclined to fall for the best people.”
“Ah, but I might be. Aren’t you curious?” Yahaba asked with a grin, despite his hammering heart and the decision he had just made and the terror it sent coursing through him, just like when he’d gotten onto Blizzard for the first time as a child.

But he didn’t care. He was done with hiding and getting defensive and covering and lying.

He was going to try honesty.

He was going to face this fear, right now, right here.

“Here, let me tell you a little more about them, and then see if you’re still not interested.” Yahaba offered.
“I can’t really stop you.” Kyoutani groaned.
“Alright. They’re very straightforward and competitive.” Yahaba started. “They’re more caring than they look at first glance, and they’re great with animals.” Kyoutani seemed to tense up, eyes widening slightly as Yahaba continued. “They’re not quite as tall as I am, and, overall, I haven’t really known them for that long.” he added, and Kyoutani swallowed. “Ya wanna know who it is?” Yahaba asked, his heart all but trying to break his ribs.
“...Do I?” Kyoutani asked, looking at Yahaba with a slightly pained expression.
“Holy fuck, oh my god, I can’t believe this.” Yahaba groaned, folding his arms and dropping his forehead onto them, rapidly reddening face hidden, resolve wavering.

Did he really like someone this oblivious?.

“What?” Kyoutani asked, and Yahaba forced himself up so he was sitting on his knees in front of Kyoutani.
“I can’t believe you’re making this so hard.” he muttered.

And yeah, yeah, Yahaba did like someone this oblivious. He really, really did

“It’s you.”

Kyoutani’s eyes widened.

“I like you. A lot.” Yahaba continued, running a hand through his hair as he exhaled. “I’m not really sure why? It kinda came out of nowhere, but, it feels like it’s here to stay.”
“I-I,” Kyoutani tried, going red as well.
“Look, you don’t have to say anything,” Yahaba muttered. “Just, like, hit me if I made this weird, or kiss me if you-”

And Yahaba never got to finish that sentence, because Kyoutani was already surging forward, doing the latter with enough force to send them both all the way to the ground.

Fortunately for Yahaba, one of Kyoutani’s hands had also come up to the back of his head, keeping him from hitting it as they hit the ground, though he doubted he would’ve noticed if it had because holy hell Kyoutani was kissing him, and then all of a sudden, he was kissing Kyoutani and then holy fuck now they were kissing each other.

Yahaba’s heart was absolutely having a fit in his chest, but he hardly cared, because this was even better than he'd wanted it to be when he’d daydreamed about it.

But then it was over, Kyoutani flinching back like he’d been burned and all but scrambling off of Yahaba, leaving him on his back on the ground, more than slightly confused and disappointed.
“Dude, what was that?” he asked, swallowing as he pushed himself into a sitting position, Kyoutani looking at him in something suspiciously close to horror. “I’m that bad at kissing?” he asked, halfway hoping to lessen whatever weird tension had just sprung up, and halfway out of genuine worry.
“I can’t believe I just did that.” Kyoutani whispered, expression not changing much.
“Well, then that makes two of us.” Yahaba muttered. “...Why did you stop?”
“What?” Kyoutani asked. “I think the better question is why the fuck did I do that what was I thinking?” Kyoutani said, now sounding more angry than anything else as he rose to his feet.
“What do you mean?” Yahaba asked again. “What’s going on with you right now?”
“What's going on?” Kyoutani asked, all but incredulously. “I just majorly fucked up is what's going on.”

Yahaba wanted to be mad at that, he really did.

He wanted to yell at Kyoutani and give him the cold shoulder, all of it.

But he was so, so, tired of that.

He wanted to be angry, but he was so, so tired of directing any anger towards Kyoutani.

So he didn’t.

He just let his eyes fill with tears as his feelings had an all out brawl inside of him, keeping him from doing much else.

---

Kyoutani had done plenty of things that he regretted, but none as instantly as what he had just said.

The way Yahaba’s expression shifted, at first like he was going to scowl, to start shouting, before falling into something so, so hurt, his eyes watering, his face still red from his confession blush, had been more than enough to immediately make Kyoutani feel like a monster.

But anything he wanted to say, tried to say, just stuck to the insides of his throat, leaving him staring down at Yahaba, both of their chests still heaving.

He really had made a mess of things, hadn't he?

One impulsive decision, and now it looked like he’d ripped a heart in half with his bare hands, and he couldn’t tell whose it was, as his own pain and fear began to course through him even stronger, like ice in his veins.

“Yahaba, I-” he tried, finally finding his voice. “I didn’t mean that...like.” he tried, and Yahaba gave a big, shuddering sigh.
“Then what did you mean?” he asked. “How did you mean it? Because I’m listening, Kyoutani.” he managed as a tear fell.
“I-I-you-we,” Kyoutani tried, Yahaba's behavior completly throwing him for a loop.

Honestly, he would’ve preferred if Yahaba had gotten mad. At least he knew how to deal with that.

“We what?” Yahaba asked. “We’re not really anything. We’re almost friends, I guess, and I just told you what I want us to be, but it looks like you think us being anything is a mistake. A fuck up.” he said bitterly as he rose to his feet.
“Yes-No!-Fuck!” Kyoutani tried, all but growling at the end as he rubbed his face, his own eyes starting to water, and Yahaba snorted.
“Yeah. That about sums today up. Yes, no, fuck.” he muttered, shaking his head as a few more tears fell. “Look, I’m just gonna go sit on the other side of the hill. We’ll leave for the castle at first light if Blizzard and Spark don’t come back for us before then.” he said heavily, turning his back.

He had only made it three steps before Kyoutani fully came back to his senses, and surged after him.
“Wait, please,” he said, grabbing Yahaba’s wrist. Yahaba tensed, and Kyoutani immediately let go of him.
“For what?” Yahaba asked. “Waiting was what I did for the past four months, and that was ok. But then all this shit happened when I stopped waiting.”
“Please, just, give me a second to-to figure out how to say what I need to. Please. I don’t wanna mess this up any worse than it already is.”

Yahaba sighed, tipping his head back and running a hand through his hair.

“Yeah.” he finally groaned. “Of course. Take your time.” he added, sitting down and crossing his legs.
“Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me until we have all this worked out.” he cautioned as Kyoutani sat behind him, pressing their backs together.

And so they sat there in silence, Kyoutani fighting a battle he almost always lost. He had never been the best at putting things into words, and the more important it was, the farther the words he said were from the ones he meant.

But he had to try.

This was Yahaba, for fucks sake.

He was going to try.

He wasn't sure how long it took him, but eventually, he felt confident about the words he had managed to piece together.

He took a deep breath.

“I’m ready.”
“You want a medal?” Yahaba asked and Kyoutani rolled his eyes.
“No. But I kinda want you to hold my hand.” he admitted, shifting his left hand back a bit, so it bumped Yahaba’s.

Yahaba silently adjusted his hand, letting their still gloved fingers tangle together as their hands rested lightly on the ground.

“Look, I like you too.” Kyoutani admitted. “I didn’t mean it was a mistake because I don’t want to be with you. I meant it was a mistake because I do want to be with you. You’re a prince, and like you were saying earlier, you don’t exactly have a whole lot of say in a whole lot of things. You could get in trouble. I could get in trouble. I just don’t want either of us getting hurt.” he sighed. “And, for the record,” Kyoutani added, face warming. “You’re actually a really good kisser.”
“Kyoutani,” Yahaba started, in a very measured, even way, Kyoutani feeling as he shifted around without separating their hands. “Please turn around.”

Kyoutani slowly obliged, finding Yahaba staring at him with what was probably the weirdest expression Kyoutani had ever seen. He looked like he was either about to burst out laughing, cry even more, punch Kyoutani, or maybe kiss him.

“Kyoutani,” he said.
“Yahaba.”
“You are simultaneously the kindest, meanest, smartest, most oblivious, most observant person I’ve ever met.”
“Is...that an insult or a compliment?”
“It’s me asking to kiss you, jackass.”

Kyoutani blinked in surprise.

“But, all the stuff I was-”
“Saying? Yeah, does it look like we’re in front of my parents right now?” Kyoutani shook his head. “Then I don’t give a fuck. But, I mean, if you don’t want to, that’s fine.” Yahaba added quickly, looking away.
“No! I-I mean, I...I want to, too? I’m jus-”

His next words were muffled, and he hardly even had the heart to care, as Yahaba’s mouth was over his, Yahaba taking his turn to be the one who pushed Kyoutani to the ground with a kiss, a hand behind Kyoutani’s head to keep it from hitting the ground, just like Kyoutani had done.

But as Yahaba pulled back a bit for a breath a few moments later, Kyoutani returned to his senses a bit.
“Wait, Yahaba-”
“Shigeru.” he corrected, smiling down at Kyoutani, who somehow went even redder.
“...right. So, you just...don’t care? About what might happen? If we do this?” he asked, his heart hammering in his chest and the butterflies in his stomach busy brawling.
“Not really.” Yahaba shrugged. “I have enough pull to make sure they don’t hurt you, so you don’t need to worry about that,” he added. “I'm just. Done. Ya know?”
“Done?”
“Done.” Yahaba confirmed. “Done being scared. Done dancing around you and being mean to you so I didn’t let slip that I was into you. Done trying to please parents who never really cared about me in the first place.”
“Done.” Kyoutani repeated breathlessly, and Yahaba’s grin widened.
“Yeah.” he said. “But, let's maybe not make out in the throne room or anything, ok?” he added with a laugh, and Kyoutani snorted.
“Damn, that was half the reason I wanted to date you.” he deadpanned.
“Do you have to ruin every moment?” Yahaba asked him, sitting up, though he really didn't sound very upset at all.
“Maybe. But feel free to fix it, Shigeru.” Kyoutani responded, sitting up as well, gaze flickering to Yahaba’s mouth.
“With pleasure.” he said, leaning in slowly, giving Kyoutani plenty of time to correct him if that wasn’t what he’d meant by fixing the moment, and then their lips were pressed together again.

And Kyoutani just let his eyes fall closed as he wrapped an arm around Yahaba’s shoulders, the other still tangled with Yahaba’s as Yahaba’s free hand came up to the back of Kyoutani’s neck and they both pulled each other closer, Kyoutani finding himself getting tugged into Yahaba’s lap, and not even caring.

And it was everything Kyoutani had wanted, but nothing he’d expected.

His heart was full to bursting, but at the same time, oddly calm. The whole thing was oddly calm, oddly soothing, and relaxing, though Kyoutani knew he was still blushing and his stomach was still fluttering a bit, his whole body still feeling like it was buzzing.

Before he was able to mentally wax more poetic about kissing Yahaba Shigeru holy fuck he was kissing Yahaba Shigeru, he was pulling back and smiling up at Kyoutani.

Kyoutani stared down at him.
“Why’d you stop?” he asked, and Yahaba’s grin just widened.
“Can I use your first name?” he asked, and Kyoutani’s blush increased. As he looked away from Yahaba.
“...Yeah.” he finally muttered, and Yahaba laughed.
“And can I get back to kissing you?”
“Yeah.”

“I,” Yahaba started, and then Kyoutani felt Yahaba’s smile as he leaned in and kissed Kyoutani’s forehead. “Love” he said, before kissing Kyoutani’s right cheek. “You.” left cheek. “So,” right between Kyotunai’s eyes. “Much.” the tip of his nose. “Kentarou.” His lips, and Kyoutani encouraged them to stay there a little longer, moving the hand that wasn’t still tangled with Yahaba’s to cup the back of his neck, so that Yahaba wouldn’t be able to see just how red that made him go, if for no other reason.

However, they didn’t end up staying there for much longer, because the next thing they knew, strong gusts of wind that they both immediately recognised were washing over them, and Kyoutani was scrambling out of Yahaba’s lap.
“Spark!” he cried.
“Blizzard!” Yahaba yelled as he jumped to his feet as well. “What the fuck were you two doing up there?” he demanded as they both raced to their dragons, who had landed next to each other on the other side of the hill.
“Are you ok, you really scared us.” Kyoutani added as they arrived in front of them, and Spark lowered her head to Kyoutani’s level, bumping her nose gently and affectionately against his chest, and he melted, gently scratching her brow bone as he exhaled. “Yeah, I love you too.” he said. “But why did you strand us here?” he asked, and she leaned back slightly, snorting and sending a puff of almost uncomfortably warm air over Kyoutani, before swinging her head towards Yahaba, who was currently talking to Blizzard in a low voice. She snorted, sending a small jet of flame in his direction, and Kyoutani blinked. “What do you mean because of Yaha-Shigeru?” he asked, and then watched as Blizzard did the same thing Spark had done, huff at Yahaba, and then turn towards Kyoutani, snorting again, sending out a tendril of frost towards him.

Yahaba and Kyoutani slowly made eye contact, and then their respective dragons gently pushed on their backs, sending them stumbling a few steps closer together.
“Did-did our dragons…” Kyoutani trailed off as understanding dawned in Yahaba’s eyes as well.
“Just play matchmaker?” he said, starting to grin. “I think they might’ve.” he laughed, and Kyoutani let himself grin ruefully as well.

Hey, it made for a pretty good getting together story, at least.