Forever With You

Because Yuki had absolutely refused to let her go, even after both his dads tried to take him from her, she was offered a chair off to the side on the dias while each nation’s representatives made their way from the harbor to the palace. She held Yuki close, rubbing his back and making sure he knew she was alright. Yuki stubbornly stayed unconvinced, and unmoveable, so Prince Tsuki insisted on taking Aiko, who marveled at her new, even higher view. And, of course, she made it her mission to randomly grab at his hair, ear, and even tried to reach for his crown. Prince Tsuki took it all in stride, and even tried not to laugh.

Their guests came in order of precedence, and Duke Semi had to come in like the rest of them. Though he’d whispered to her on the way to the reception hall that he would much prefer to stand by her for the duration. Unsure how to take that, she simply smiled, and suggested that he could once he was introduced, but she couldn’t guarantee it.

“Their Royal Majesties of Japan, King Kaname Moniwa and Queen Mai Moniwa; Crown Prince Souji, and Princess Sen!”

Hitoka smiled as they slowly made their way down the deep red carpet, with their children being looked after by their nanny. Their majesties had only visited once since she had become part of the household, so she was immediately starstruck from they’re grandeur. Even the children wore little gold circlets! After they greeted Prince Kuroo and Prince Tsuki, they each bent to greet little Haru, who cheered happily as he met the kids. Their majesties were obviously curious about little Aiko, but didn’t ask, though their faces remained politely… confused.

As their majesties moved off to the right, another nation was announced:

“Prince Koutaro Bokuto and Prince-Consort Keiji Akaashi, from the Principality of Fukurodani! Crown Princess Mirai and Prince Taiyo!”
“Grand Duke Eita Semi of the Duchy of Shiratorizawa!”
“Grand Duke Tooru Oikawa and Consort Hajime Iwaizumi of the Duchy of Aoba Johsai! Duchesses Akira and Daitan!”
“Barons Atsumu and Osamu Miya of the Barony of Inarizaki! Lord Isami, Atsumu’s son!”

When they were announced, a hush fell over the crowd, and everyone’s faces took on a sympathetic mien. Hitoka had no idea what was going on, because even the children were quiet. Prince Kuroo and Prince Tsuki spent a little extra time speaking with the brothers, and doted just a little more on little Isami, before they finally moved to the side, Baron Atsumu took his son from the nanny and held him tight. But she didn’t know who to ask, or even if she should, so she kept her curiosity to herself.

“Thank you so much for coming, everyone!” Prince Kuroo announced after everyone gathered around. “We have a late lunch waiting for you in the dining room, and you may spend the rest of the day getting comfortable in your suites. I’ve been told supper will be served at 8pm, also in the dining room, so please, bring the family and come prepared to eat!”
“If you wouldn’t mind,” Prince Tsuki spoke up from Prince Kuroo’s side. “We would love it if the children could come to the nursery to play! We have snacks and plenty of toys, plus, our nanny and her helpers have arranged a playdate in the garden!”

Hitoka took that as her cue to stand up, and quite a few eyes landed on her… and Yuki, who was now sleeping, still clutching her dress. Even more confused expressions crossed royal faces, but she stood still, smiling at everyone.

“Follow me!” young Runa said to the kids, who ran straight to her. The nannies and nursemaids followed behind, and Runa led them away, with Kiyoko and Eri taking turns explaining sleeping arrangements and giving them an idea of what to expect for the week. Before she left, she noticed Prince Kuroo waving at her, and she went to meet him off to the side.

“Everything okay?” he asked, stroking a hand through his son’s hair. “I didn’t get a chance to ask, especially because he’s been clinging to you all day.”
“I’m fine, your highness. I had a bad dream this morning, and apparently I screamed and woke them up.”
“Bad dream?”
“Just of when I was younger, your highness.”
“Ah. Well, maybe when Yuki wakes up and realizes there are more kids to play with, he’ll see fit to let go of you.”
“Maybe. But… I don’t mind, at all.”
“I know.”
She started to turn away, thinking she was free to leave, when Prince Tsuki and Duke Eita joined them.
“Yacchan, would you mind it if we asked you to stay in the nursery tonight?”
“No, of course not,” she replied, but he looked concerned. “May I ask why?”
“We didn’t think about the invitations too much before we left for home,” he started explaining. “We had so many other things to tend to that we didn’t consider our guest list. Of who to invite… and who not to invite. And because we authorized the invitations to be sent while we were gone, they were.” If Prince Tsuki could fidget he would. As it was, he toyed with Aiko’s little hand after she tried to pat his face. “We couldn’t uninvite him. I’m sorry.”

She felt the blood drain from her face and she swayed on her feet. She had no idea why she thought she’d be able to be here and not eventually have to see him again. This was bad; this was really bad! Was there a way to stay in the nursery the entire week? Could she get away with it, even though she was the host nanny, and therefore in charge of everything? She wanted Aiko; she needed to hold her daughter. Her daughter, not his. Never his. And if she had her way, he’d never find out about Aiko. She swayed again, the edges of her sight fading to dark. She felt her arms slackening; she was losing her grip on Yuki!

“Help me,” she pleaded, but she wasn’t sure if anyone heard her. Not before her world went entirely dark.

~*~

“Yacchan? Yacchan!!” Kei cried out as she started to crumple to the floor. “We need help!”
Tetsu snatched Yuki from her, doing his best to calm his son who was suddenly awake, screaming and crying and reaching back for Yacchan. Eita was immediately there, catching her before she fell. He eased her to the floor and sat down beside her.
“What happened? What’s going on?” several people asked, gathering around them, seeking answers.
“She was lightheaded,” Kei lied gracefully. “Hadn’t eaten yet today, and stood up a little too fast. She’ll be fine, we just need to wait for her to wake up and we can get her to her room.” He turned to a servant and gave him an order. The man ran off, presumably to fetch a physician.
“Lunch is still waiting for you in the dining room, if you wouldn’t mind going to eat before our cook gets cranky?” Tetsu suggested, with just a hint of steel in his voice. The others took the hint and began filing out of the reception hall, but not without looking back at him, audibly wondering why he wasn’t coming, too.

Eita refused to budge, and paid zero attention to anyone; all of it was centered on Yacchan. There was quite a bit more to her story than he knew, and he couldn’t help but want to know what it was. What happened in her past to give her bad dreams, to make her panic like she just did? He didn’t dare move her, now that she was on the floor, so instead, he held her hand, and tended to her, brushing her hair from her face, wiping away the tears that fell before she passed out.

“Your grace, is she okay?” he heard Taichi ask from beside him. “Do we need to send for a doctor?”
“I think Kei already took care of that,” he replied.
Taichi didn’t say anything for a few minutes, and then, “you’re half in love with her, aren’t you, Semi?”
“I wouldn’t say that,” he hedged, glancing around for Tetsu and Kei. “Consider me… greatly intrigued.”
“Oh, right, okay,” Taichi humored him. “Greatly intrigued totally explains why you’re holding her hand, and being so protective of her.”
Eita rolled his eyes, and leveled his best friend with a look. “Are you telling me you wouldn’t offer her something to hold onto? Wouldn’t make sure she was comfortable?”
Taichi hummed. “To be honest, I probably wouldn’t have been quick enough to catch her like you did.” He chuckled and then nudged Eita’s shoulder. “You owe me a story,” he said as he rose to his feet. “I’ll divert Kenjiro and your taciturn guards. See you later?”
“Yeah. Later.”

He stayed with her while the physician looked her over for any injuries. When he pronounced her safe to move, Eita carefully lifted her in his arms, holding her close to his chest. Tetsu, who looked almost as ragged as his exhausted and sleeping son, gestured with his head that he should follow, and they led him out of the room and into the hall. He followed them up to the second floor, and to the smaller nursery near the royal suite. The one he’d spent time with her just last night, making tea and helping her with the kids. He didn’t need anyone to tell him which room was hers; he went directly to it, pushing open the door and gently laying her on the bed.

Another servant followed him in, and quietly suggested he leave while she made Yacchan comfortable. He did so only so far as stepping out of the room and turning his back. When the servant was finished, he went back into her room, pulled up a chair, and sat down.

“Oh, but your grace, I can stay with her,” the girl insisted.
“It’s fine. I’ll stay with her,” he said, his tone brooking no refusal. He reached out and took her hand in his again. The servant curtsied and left quietly.
“We really should go back down,” he heard Kei say. Whether it was to him, or Tetsu, he neither knew, nor cared.
“I’ll stay with her,” he insisted. “I’ll keep an eye on her, and let you know when she wakes up.”
“If you’re sure…”
“I am. Give everyone my apologies. I’ll see them tomorrow.”
“Right.”
“Hey, Eita,” he heard Tetsu this time. He glanced back to see his friend standing in the doorway, his eyes glimmering with silent warning. “Be careful with her. Don’t scare her anymore than she already is. She’s under our protection…”
“I get it, Kuroo,” he replied, using his friend’s family name to stop him from whatever he might say in anger. “I’d never hurt her, or scare her. You have my word.”
“Right. Sorry, it’s just…”
“Don’t worry, Tetsu. Go. Take care of your son. If he still wants to stay with her, let me watch him.”
“You’ll probably get Haru as well,” his friend warned gently.
“That’s fine. Oh! She’ll definitely want her daughter when she wakes up. You can leave her with me.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah.”
Kei reappeared and came to hand over the baby. Eita took her in his arms, happy to hold this little angel, and smiling at her wide-eyed curiosity.
“Her name is Aiko, in case she didn’t tell you,” Kei murmured.
“Aiko,” he repeated, smiling at the adorable little cherub in his arms. “Your name means ‘beloved one,’ did you know that?”
“Never thought I’d see the day when you’d be holding a baby, much less cooing at one,” Tetsu teased him.
“Liar. I did the same with your kids when they were babies.”
“True enough. Well, I’ve got to go. Kei will make sure Aiko’s bottle is ready, and lay out a few more items so you don’t have to hunt around for them.”
“Thank you.”
“We’ll take the boys with us. You don’t need their kind of chaos right now.”
“Thanks again.”
“Good night, Eita.”
“Yeah. Good night.”

Tetsu was gone first, and then a little while later, Kei followed. The only way he knew was from the soft click of the door behind him.