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Ice & Fire - Chapter 11

Series Masterlist

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Glossary & Character List (contains spoilers)

Main Pairing: Eren Jaeger X Yuuta Okkotsu

Minor Pairings: Megumi Fushiguro x Rika Orimoto, Satoru Gojo x Suguru Geto, Toji x OC, other pairings TBA for the sake of spoilers ❤️

Genre: Fantasy AU, romance, smut, angst, fluff, a crossover between Attack On Titan and Jujutsu Kaisen, loosely influenced by Game of Thrones and Eragon. Crack taken seriously 😉

Series Summary: Yuuta Okkotsu, the kind-hearted firstborn prince of the kingdom of Nymeria, finds himself stranded on an island that had been thought to only exist in legend. It is there he meets the last of the Valyrians, a dragon-blood named Eren Jaeger. While their days on the island are happy, they can’t last forever. Yuuta has a duty as prince to his kingdom that he must fulfill, and it is this duty that ultimately tears them apart.

Content Warnings/Themes: BL/Yaoi, hybrids, monsters, magic and other supernatural elements, polytheism (gods, demons), infidelity, power imbalances & classism, warfare, graphic depictions of violence and death, brothels/sex work, explicit sexual content (blow job, anal sex, rimming, cunnilingus, exhibitionism, monsterfucking, knotting, foot play, heat cycles, 69, cum-eating, spit play, deep-throating, double penetration, sadism, masochism, blood consumption, use of weapons during sex, choking/asphyxiation kink, master/slave kink, handjob, drunk sex, orgy), dub-con, non-con, pregnancy, virginity loss, drugs (alcohol, smoking, poisons), traumatic backstories, mentions of torture/genocide/experimentation on people, unrequited love, arranged marriages, drowning, murder, suicide, yandere tropes, corruption arc, major character deaths

Co-written by Aleks from @erenergic/@princess-okkotsu and Kana from @ficsforeren/@sundaysundaes

The poster for this chapter was commissioned by Aleks from @/ilameys on instagram

THE COUNCIL OF SEVEN

Several days have passed since the prince’s visit to Gojo's estate, and with the Master of Ships having returned to the palace from the southern border, the council convenes. Led by the King’s Hand, the six men gather in one of the great halls within the palace, ready for an audience with the prince and his dragon. The room is spacious, with a wooden table at its center and large windows reaching from floor to ceiling lining the wall behind the seat of the table. The warm summer sun pours in through the windows which overlook the expansive greenery. Heavy threaded curtains border the windows, dark cotton woven with golden threads. Behind the seat of the table is the Nymerian sigil, the head of the direwolf cast in silver. Each seat at the table has a golden chalice filled with wines, servants at the ready to top off the goblets as the councilmen drink their fill.

Before he goes to the hall to attend the gathering, Yuuta stops at the dragon’s chambers. He’s anxious, a gnawing feeling overcoming his stomach and a slight tremble in his hands. He greets Lieutenant Aoi Todo at the door, who by now has already come to expect his visits, having been stationed as the dragon’s guard since their arrival. He steps aside for the prince with a curt nod.

When Yuuta steps past the knight and enters the bed room, Eren is dressing himself, wearing a pair of pants and nothing else. When they catch sight of each other, both of them are surprised.

“You cut your hair?” Eren asks first, pointing to the prince’s shorter raven locks. Yuuta had allowed his hair to grow longer over the years on the island, keeping it around shoulder-length. But for his meeting with the council, his steward had advised him to perhaps cut it, to give him a more regal presence. His hair now frames his face, the ends falling just below the cheekbone. “It suits you, Yuu.”

“Never mind my hair,” Yuuta starts, eyes examining the dragon from head to toe. “You look… human?”

No longer does Eren have a pair of curved horns on the crown of his head and iridescent scales on his face, nor does he have a tail that comes from his lower back. His fangs, too, have seemingly disappeared. Eren had mentioned it when he told Yuuta the story of the blonde boy who had left the island and brought the outsiders upon them, that those with mastery of their dragon magic could willfully change their appearance to look like their human ancestors. It’s something that Valyrians have always known how to do, but Eren has never performed this ability in front of Yuuta before. Yuuta finds himself taken aback.

Did Eren always know how to do this? Why did he never show me?

“I never had to hide from you,” Eren replies. He ties his hair back into a ponytail, tightening his hair high above his neck with a ribbon. “I had no reason to, Yuu. But in front of Nymeria… I don’t wish to scare them.”

Yuuta frowns. Already his plan of having Eren be himself is failing miserably.

“You don’t have to do that, Ren.”

“I don’t have to do anything,” Eren agrees, “But I want to be by your side, and I will do whatever I have to do to convince them to let me stay. Even if I must appear to be something I’m not.”

After Eren finishes dressing himself, the pair steel themselves and leave Eren’s chambers for their meeting with the council. Once they arrive, escorted by kingsguards, Yuuta enters first with Eren trailing behind. Eren’s eyes immediately catch sight of the Nymerian sigil above the table, its silver reflecting the afternoon sun that beams into the room through the windows, casting shadows behind the seat of the table. The six men which sit around the table immediately stand as if on command once Yuuta enters the room, stunned to see the young royal looking so regal and refined before the council. Eren watches, both curious and startled, as they all bow their heads when Yuuta takes the king’s seat at the head of the table.

Eren stands for a moment, not sure where to sit, as everyone in the room simply stares at Yuuta, silently marveling at the king’s son. It is not spoken aloud, but all the men who serve the king are thinking the same thoughts: just how unsettling it is to see the prince, a spitting image of Yuuki Okkotsu, taking the place of his father.

Eren, meanwhile, feels so awkward and out of place among the council, yet when he looks at Yuuta, the prince shows him a semblance of a smile, calming his racing heart. Yuuta gestures towards an empty chair and Eren sits in it, feeling like a child in a room of adults.

“Good afternoon, Your Highness,” Lord Nanami speaks first, garnering the attention of the group. Eren can feel just how intimidating a man he is even from across the table, his serious face paired with some important-looking pin on his breast catching his eye. “As you may know, we have gathered here to discuss the matter of your return.”

“I understand, Lord Nanami,” Yuuta nods.

Nanami motions to each council member as he introduces them, a formality as this is Yuuta’s first time attending such a meeting. “We have the audience of the Grand Maester,” Nanami gestures to Gakuganji, who nods. “And the Master of Coin,” he says as he gestures to Ijichi. “As well as the Lord Commander,” he adds, pointing to Toji. Then, he moves to introduce the men across the table. “The Master of Ships, and the Archmage, who you had met with some days ago.” Each man nods as they are named, though Yuuta already knows who all these men are, as they had all served his father in some capacity before his disappearance.

“Thank you for attending, lords,” Yuuta replies.

“Welcome home, Your Highness,” the Hand says. “We are glad to see the Gods have allowed you a safe return to us.”

“I wouldn’t have been able to return if it weren’t for Eren,” Yuuta gestures across the table to Eren, and all the men in the room turn towards him. Eren stays so silent perhaps even the sound of his breathing is muted—watching the formalities of a council meeting keeps the dragon captivated, especially when he sees Yuuta acting as a leader.

“Can you tell us more about him, Your Grace?” Lord Gakuganji asks. He is always a skeptic, and this is no exception. “Many are weary of a man who can turn into a beast. Word has spread through the palace and the local villages of your arrival. There are some who have unresolved fears, my lord.”

“I understand,” Yuuta starts. “But there is nothing to fear, that I promise you. When I had fallen off that ship six years ago, I landed upon the shores of an island called Valyria.” There is hushed discussion among the lords at the mention of the island. They had never heard of such a place, and begin to question the validity of Yuuta’s claims. Yuuta instantly quells them by adding, “The island has been shrouded by magic for centuries. His people have never left the island. There is no reason to believe anyone knew about their existence until the massacre.”

“Massacre?” The Lord Commander asks the question.

Yuuta looks toward Eren, sympathy in his gaze as he knows what he is about to ask Eren is something that is hard for him to speak of. “Eren, if it’s all right with you, why don’t you tell them what happened to your island?”

The men don’t actually expect Eren to speak Nymerian, as every time that anyone has seen Yuuta and Eren interact, they speak to one another in the language of the dragons. But the brunette rises from his seat, looking even more tall and imposing than they had imagined. He looks at the men seated before him with eyes greener than the beautiful summer landscape outside, full of an emotion they cannot seem to interpret.

“Yes, Valyria,” Eren says the name of his home aloud. His voice is deep, immediately commanding the attention of the councilmen. “Until nine years ago, we lived in peace. We knew nothing of the outside world, besides the occasional treasures from the outside which appeared on our shores. No one was ever curious enough to want to learn more, simply accepting these as gifts from the Gods. It was only until one of our own, a young boy, found a book among the treasures which described this outside world. He wanted to know more about this world and left the island. He ended up in contact with humans and brought the outsiders upon us when they found that he was dragonblood. The outsiders came for us, killing every man and woman they could find. I—” Eren’s words get caught in his throat at the memory of the day he left his home behind.

Yuuta can feel the pain that radiates from Eren, his hands balling into fists as he grits his teeth in anger.

“I watched them murder my father and feed my elder brother to their dogs,” Eren continues dejectedly. “My mother, she… She told me to flee. I did as she said and hid in a cave on the far side of the island, protected from the outsiders. I was the last remaining Valyrian on that island. Everyone else was killed.”

The men sit back in stunned silence. They know this cannot possibly be the workings of Nymerian men, as the Master of Ships would have heard of his men making such an endeavor to an island. They feel sympathy for the man who stands before them, and offer their apologies. Eren sits back down in his seat, looking downcast at having to relive the memory of the end of his people.

“Eren was living in that cave when I fell off that ship and washed ashore six years ago. He found me and made sure I was alive,” Yuuta says. “Knowing what the outsiders did, he could have killed me, but he didn’t. Eren may have the power to turn into a beast, but that is not who he is.” Eren looks up at Yuuta, surprised. “You may be afraid but truly there is nothing to fear—Eren is kind. He would never use his power to bring harm to others, especially to my kingdom.”

“How can we be sure?” Higuruma asks. “He possesses a power which no one understands or even believed to exist. How can we know we’ll be safe?”

Nanami turns to Gojo. “Have you learned anything about this in your own research after speaking with the prince?”

Gojo leans forward over the table, addressing the men in the room. “Truly, no. We all know the story of a dragon king centuries ago who united the realm, but there isn’t anything else to that story. I searched whatever texts I could find, but there is nothing on this legend—perhaps it was too long ago for written records of it. But based upon the dragon’s abilities, I will say that I believe this is some sort of curse. An act of dark magic.”

Dark magic? Eren questions. To him, Aegon’s dragonblood was a gift from the Gods, not a curse.

At the sound of Gojo's words, the men in the room grow silent. The words “curse” and “dark magic” are words that they do not take lightly, not after what had happened to Emperor Yuuki Okkotsu. The king going mad, killing his wife, exterminating the Dricans, becoming bedridden—these were all the result of dark magic. The implications of Eren being cursed with dark magic only further frighten them.

“So there’s another cursed man in our kingdom, Archmage?” Toji asks fretfully. Having been a close friend to the king, and watching Yuuki’s downfall play out before his eyes, the thought of being put in that situation again worries him. “Is he dangerous—capable of going mad like the king?”

Yuuta and Eren glance at each other—they know if Gojo explains the way Eren’s magic works, it may lead to a discussion about the bond between them. Yuuta hopes it will not go that route, as that gives the men ample room to discuss using Eren for their bidding. Yuuta does not fully understand the extent of the magic that links him and Eren together, nor does he wish to divulge it to others. The less they believe that Eren can be used as a weapon, the more likely Eren can live a normal, peaceful life in the kingdom.

Gojo answers the Lord Commander’s question. “No, I don’t believe his ability to turn into a dragon would affect his mind.”

“We should still consider if there may be a way to control him,” Gakuganji says, sparking a wave of anger in the prince though Yuuta doesn’t speak it. “If one day he were to be out of control, then—”

“Maester,” Yuuta interrupts him, his voice a pitch lower with his annoyance. “Eren would never do such a thing, I assure you.”

“Respectfully, Your Highness… Can you truly assure us that the dragon is under your control?” Ijichi asks. “If even the archmage does not understand the extent of the dragon’s magic, how can you tell us to believe in him?”

The men start to whisper among themselves as Eren protests, “I would never harm Yuuta, I swear it to the Gods. My only wish is to protect him.”

Interrupting the hushed words of the men is Gojo, speaking with a wave of his hand. “I believe I can offer a solution to this.” All the men turn towards Gojo, curious as to what he will propose. “I have given it some consideration… Mages, we have the ability to manipulate the minds of others. I believe if I can imbue a talisman for the prince with magic, I can give him the ability to force the dragon to his will.”

Yuuta frowns. “Absolutely not.”

“Your Highness,” Nanami interjects, a bit fretfully as he sees Yuuta’s expression become more and more indignant with each passing second. “I believe what the archmage is offering you is worth considering.”

“I will not be forced to treat my closest companion as if he were a slave,” Yuuta spits the word with disgust. Eren has never seen Yuuta so angry before. He never imagined someone as gentle as Yuuta had such a side to him. “I do not need any talisman. Is it not proof enough that I am here before you, brought here safely because of him?”

“I can create the talisman,” Gojo starts, hoping to quell Yuuta’s growing fury. "But you do not need to use it, Your Grace. If Eren is as loyal and kind as you say he is, you will never need to use such a power.”

“I’ll do it,” Eren says, cutting in before Yuuta can reject the proposal. Yuuta looks at him with eyebrows raised, lips agape. He hadn’t expected Eren to agree to such a ludicrous proposition. “It is as the mage says. You will never have a reason to use it, Yuuta. I swear it to you. Take the talisman, and prove to them that you would never need it. That they can trust me.”

Eren offers him a small smile, mentally adding, Don’t be angry. We can earn their trust. You said we’d have to prove them wrong about us, right? So let’s prove them wrong.

Yuuta finds himself calming down at Eren’s encouragement, a deep sigh leaving his chest as he unclenches his jaw. Okay, Eren.

Gojo continues, “Perhaps even Eren can be trained as a soldier. If he is as devoted as he seems, his abilities could be used for your protection, Your Highness. This way he can remain close to you, and with the talisman, you will be able to guarantee that it is safe to keep the dragon within our borders.”

Before Yuuta can try to protest this, wishing for Eren to live a normal life, Eren nods. “I would like nothing more than to dedicate my abilities to his protection. The prince, he is…” Eren looks toward Yuuta. The real meaning of his words is quite apparent in his fond gaze when he continues, “He has become very important to me. I’d lay down my life for him.”

Gojo, seated close enough to Eren, sees the look he gives Yuuta and smirks. Perhaps his intuition about the pair serves him right, he thinks.

“Let’s see if you can become a soldier then,” the Lord Commander says, leaning forward once he hears Eren’s proclamation. Toji knows just from seeing Eren’s build that his strength alone makes him more than capable. But he also knows, from his time spent as the king’s closest knight, that devotion creates the most dedicated kingsguards. If Eren cares for Yuuta as much as he says he does, Toji thinks, then Eren would truly lay down his life for the prince as he declared. Just as Toji himself would do for the king. “If you are as strong as you look, you’d make a fine kingsguard.”

Although the other men in the room are apprehensive about allowing a stranger to join the ranks of their infantry, they don’t say it aloud. Gojo’s reasoning is sound: if the dragon can be reasoned with and controlled solely by the prince then it stands to reason that the dragon should be kept close to him. Yuuta doesn’t argue with such logic—in some ways, selfishly, he actually wouldn’t mind if Eren became his kingsguard. Then Eren could remain by his side, faithfully sworn to protect him both on the palace grounds and if he were to travel to other kingdoms. If Eren were to remain a civilian, he would not have such a privilege to be Yuuta’s closest companion without garnering unnecessary suspicion.

“I will agree with you then, Archmage,” Yuuta finally says. “I trust Eren with my life. If he is trained to be a knight then I have hopes to make him my kingsguard.”

The discussion of the dragon seems to end with a resolution that seems to be satisfactory to all. But Nanami has another pressing topic at hand, one that he brings up once a moment of silence has passed.

“There is another pressing matter at hand, Your Highness. Your coronation.” At this, Yuuta grows stiff. Eren doesn’t know the procedures and formalities involved with naming Yuuta the crowned prince, so he does not understand the implications of Nanami’s words. “I am aware that you have been away for all these years, but now that you are here, we must proceed with naming you heir to the throne. Your father’s condition is worsening with each day. If he is to pass without a crowned heir—”

“I understand, Lord Hand,” Yuuta replies. “I am prepared to wear the crown.”

“We will be preparing the ceremony for your coronation in two months’ time—that was originally the date for your sister’s. We had intended for her to be coronated by now, but the issue of her betrothal was more difficult than we had expected. I presume the same will happen to you, Your Grace. We should start the proceedings as soon as possible, as you know it is tradition for—”

“Yes, I am aware,” Yuuta cuts off Nanami’s words, not wanting to hear them spoken aloud, especially in front of Eren. He already knows what Nanami will say: It is tradition for a crowned prince to be wed before their ascension to emperor. What a ludicrous tradition.Yuuta had expected a potential marriage to be forced upon him, but perhaps not so soon.

“Then you must understand why your coronation and betrothal are of utmost importance. Once your coronation ceremony is complete, we can extend offers to ladies you may find suitable, Your Grace. Or you may meet in person, if it pleases you, of course.”

Eren simply stares in stunned silence as Yuuta nods in agreement. Less than two weeks since their own ceremony on the island and already the council speaks of Yuuta finding a wife?

“Do as you must. However, I know our kingdom’s relationship with the remainder of the realm is strained after the war with the Dricans. After my coronation, I wish to extend a hand to the other kingdoms and offer them a vow of peace. That is important to me, to mend the damage my father caused. After I am crowned, my priority is to show the realm what kind of king I will be. To me, a potential queen is less important than the safety and happiness of my kingdom.”

Yuuta’s words to Eren on the island so long ago, where he had said that he wished to be a better king than his father—Yuuta puts his ideals to practice now, and it makes Eren happy. Even if the talks of Yuuta’s potential engagement do not.

“I believe you can do both, Your Highness,” Gojo shrugs. “Foster your relationships with the other kingdoms as you wish. And Nanamin here can work on securing you a wife while you do it.”

Nanami sighs, once again annoyed by Gojo’s casual butchering of his name.

“I agree with the mage,” Ijichi says. “Your words of wishing to achieve peace are admirable, Your Highness. But the matter of becoming king is also one that cannot wait for the stability of the realm. If anything, becoming king with a queen at your side only strengthens your rule, my lord.”

Yuuta stands from his chair, towering above the seated councilmen, his shoulders hunched over as his palms rest on the wooden table. It has not even been but a fortnight since his vows to Eren. Yuuta can’t help but feel incensed by the councilmen’s words, even if they are right. It’s selfish of him to be upset by exactly what he knew would happen if he were to accept the role of the crowned prince, but he feels upset all the same.

“Let us move forward with the coronation,” Yuuta sighs exasperatedly. “Send out the invitations to the other kingdoms and make the necessary preparations. Once I am named heir I will personally tend to improving the relationships with the other kingdoms. And at that time, we may further discuss this issue of searching for a wife.”

Nanami nods, not wanting to press the prince any further for today. “Very well, Your Highness.”

The meeting quickly comes to a close after such a discussion, the lords sensing that Yuuta no longer wished to talk about the issue any further. With words of thanks and wishes of good health, the council ends its gathering for the day, leaving Yuuta to ruminate over the life-changing events that are soon to come.

***

“Good evening, Your Highness.”

Yuuta winces at the sound of Aoi Todo’s voice cutting through the quietude of the hall. Yuuta, the observant one that he is, has learned the time at which the change of the guard occurs, and uses such a time to find his way from his own chambers to the comfort of his dragon’s arms. Typically (or, at least, he believes) he goes undetected—but tonight Yuuta had grown careless. His steps through the halls had been noticed by the kingsguard stationed in the hall leading to Eren’s chambers.

“Pleasant evening, Lieutenant,” Yuuta nods, a strained smile upon his lips.

“Visiting the dragon, are you, my lord?” Todo asks.

Yuuta blanches. “U-um… I just had some words I wished to speak with him.”

“At this hour?” Todo lifts a brow.

“Y-yes, it is… urgent,” Yuuta replies, crossing his arms over his front. He knows how strange it looks right now—he’s wearing nothing but his bed robes, sneaking around the palace to slip into another man’s bedroom. How stupid could he be, getting caught doing something so—

“Oh, I get it,” Todo shoots the prince a wink. Yuuta feels as if his heart has leaped out of his rib cage. “You’ve got very important business to discuss, yes… Eren's told me all about it.”

“H-he did? What did he tell you?”

“Nothing of consequence, Your Highness.” Todo steps aside, allowing Yuuta passage towards the dragon’s chambers. “Have a pleasant evening, Your Grace.”

***

Aoi Todo wasn’t surprised to find that, once Eren had settled in, he was assigned by the Lord Commander to watch over the dragon—after all, he was the strongest of the knights, the one with the best chance if any to handle a man as large as Eren. What did surprise Todo was that, upon their first meeting, he learned the man was quite stoic, perhaps even shy, simply greeting the knight before returning to his chambers. Since his arrival, the dragon had spent most of his time alone (when he wasn’t keeping his bird, Vhagar, company), just waiting around for the prince with his tail tucked between his legs as if he were one of his pet direwolves waiting for its master.

It wasn’t until yesterday that Todo made a breakthrough, while he was in the great hall sharing a meal with the dragon hybrid.

“Hey, Eren.”

Eren looked up from his meal, a lavish spread of meats along with whatever side dish his heart could desire. He wasn’t used to the way the palace operated just yet, especially not the food—going from hunting his own food on the island to having a three-course meal served several times a day was a shocking change of pace. He struggled to choose what to eat and especially figuring out how to eat it, but he did so in silence. The knight watched him pick at his food with uncoordinated hands, the dragon looking awfully out of place amongst the lavish food fare. After some time of awkward silence, Todo could not take anymore and decided he would at least try and befriend the man, despite how all the other soldiers and knights were afraid of him.

Eren could feel the knight's stare on his face. He looked up at him and asked, “Yes, Todo?”

“What’s your type?”

Eren’s eyebrows threaded together in confusion. “What do you mean?” Eren replied—he thought perhaps his Nymerian still wasn’t perfect, that he misunderstood the question.

“What’s your ideal type of woman?” He questioned the hybrid, his face incredibly serious. Under his voice, he added, “Or if you’re inclined to other tastes too, I could care less.”

“Ideal type…?” He wondered aloud, brows threading together in confusion. He had never really thought about what kind of person he liked before. The only person he had ever felt attracted to in any way was Yuuta.

“You know, big breasts, or smaller ones—or maybe you prefer the roundness of a woman’s ass? Preferences say a lot about a man. Mine is a tall woman with a big ass. Don’t give me a boring answer like Fushiguro always does,” Todo added sarcastically. “He says he only cares if they are compassionate.” Leaning over the table, he spoke to Eren in a hushed voice, “If you ask me, I think he just didn’t want to say he likes men too.”

Eren sheepishly asked, “I thought it was forbidden to have those kinds of interests, Ser Todo?”

“Publicly, yes. But I don’t judge what a man does in private,” Todo told him. Eren smiled, the first time he’d done so in front of anyone who wasn’t Yuuta or Rika.

“Well… I’m not really sure about my… tastes…” Eren started, speaking in a low, hushed voice. Todo’s eyes widened just a bit at the implication of Eren’s words, surprised to think that someone who appeared as manly and brawny as him would favor the company of men. Eren remembered then, the time on the island when Yuuta had settled down on his lap, and he had held Yuuta firmly within the expanse of his palms. Eren smirked, holding up his palms in a squeezing motion. “But I most definitely prefer a nice, round ass.”

Todo’s smile turned wide, tears prickling his vision. “I KNEW YOU WOULD BE A MAN OF TASTE!” He practically shouted, silencing the remaining people in the hall. Todo reached across the table, holding Eren’s hand firmly within his two palms. “I expected nothing less of my best friend.”

Best friend…? Eren wondered. Despite Todo’s eccentric personality, the fact that someone had so quickly called him a friend—an outsider, no less—made Eren incredibly happy. And someone who would accept his feelings for Yuuta, too? Maybe Nymeria won’t be so bad, he thought.

***

Yuuta slips past the front door of Eren’s chambers, confused over Todo’s words but he chooses to ponder them later. He finds the room shrouded in darkness except for the sliver of moonlight that cascades into the room through the glass windows. He sees reflections of the stone walls, the golden accented furniture, and the dark curtains which frame the windows. Typically his lover greets him the moment he steps into the room, with a wide smile and a “ñuha qēlos” uttered by the dragon, his words laced with affection.

Yet tonight when he steps into the room he’s embraced by silence.

“Ren?” Yuuta whispers, shutting the door behind him. Is Eren asleep? He wonders.

His question is answered when his eyes tilt over to the bed, a vibrant pair of greens looking back at him through the darkness. Eren's silhouette is barely distinguishable in this lighting, but Yuuta would know it was him even under the darkest of moons, as it’s Eren's smile he sees when he rests his eyelids and Eren’s pretty emeralds that invade his dreams. Eren props himself on his elbow, taking up one-half of the bed, very obviously leaving space for Yuuta to crawl in beside him.

“Hey, Yuu,” Eren murmurs. His voice doesn’t have the typical layer of excitement and playfulness that Yuuta expects to hear—something about it sounds different tonight. Yuuta, already dressed in his bed robes as he had been prepared for bed before sneaking away, slips under the covers beside him after removing his shoes.

Yuuta settles in beside Eren’s chest, the dragon not making a sound save for his slow breathing. Yuuta gnaws on his lip pensively before he speaks, “Is everything okay? I know the meeting today was—mmph!”

Yuuta’s words are cut off mid-sentence as Eren leans over to kiss him, a kiss warm and languid as Eren’s hand frames the prince’s cheek. For a moment, Yuuta is surprised, but then he returns his kiss with fervor, wrapping his arms around Eren’s neck and pulling him close as he sighs into the kiss. The way Eren kisses him so hard, with fingers digging just a bit roughly into Yuuta’s soft skin, conveys a sense of need, an urgency with which Eren needs to feel Yuuta against his body.

“Eren—” Yuuta calls for him when they break apart, but Eren only becomes rougher with his kiss. Yuuta sinks into the mattress as Eren moves, hovering over him and slotting himself between his legs. Eren’s hands are as greedy as his kiss—they yank at Yuuta’s robe, tugging it down the prince’s shoulders and letting it pool against the sheets. Yuuta groans when Eren’s fangs brush against the soft plush skin of his lip, so dangerously close to nicking him. Yuuta doesn’t know what to make of Eren’s feverish movements but he goes along with it, fingers tugging Eren’s hair free of its tie and pulling at the strands.

Eren.

Eren’s thoughts are as blank as a fresh white parchment. Yuuta doesn’t hear anything within the link of their minds. He only feels Eren’s tongue slip past his lips, plundering every bit of his mouth eagerly. Eren pushes the fabric of Yuuta’s bedrobe up to his waist with slow drags of his palms up Yuuta’s thighs. Yuuta reaches down to untie the sash holding Eren’s robe closed, wishing to feel the heat of Eren’s skin against his own. When he feels Eren grind down his hips, the prince can’t help but gasp against his lover’s lips. Eren’s nails dig into the skin at his backside as Eren squeezes his supple flesh tight within his fingers. He’s never been like this before with him—and while part of Yuuta wonders why Eren is touching him so roughly, there’s another part of him that surprises even himself… because he enjoys it.

“Ah, E-Eren—” Yuuta whimpers his name, tugging at his hair once more. The dragon presses their bare chests together until it becomes smothering, until the only breath Yuuta can take is through Eren’s lips. “Mm—why—”

Each time Yuuta tries to speak, Eren cuts him off with another searing hot kiss, consuming the rest of Yuuta’s words before he can utter them. Yuuta’s hands slip from Eren’s strands to his shoulders, and Eren can feel a force against his body as Yuuta tries to push against him, to create some distance between them. Eren, stronger than Yuuta, gathers the prince’s hands and places them above his head. With one hand, Eren wraps his fingers tight around Yuuta’s wrists, holding them up against the headboard of his bed. His other hand holds Yuuta’s jaw in place as he twists their tongues together in a feverish dance.

I need you, Yuuta.

Hearing Eren’s voice in his mind calms him enough for his body to relax into the sheets below him. Eren’s teeth tug on Yuuta’s bottom lip before he ends their kiss. Both men groan when Eren moves his hips, making their lengths rub against one another between their bodies. Yuuta looks up at him, his eyes lidded and sweat breaking on his temple as Eren releases his hold on Yuuta’s jaw. Instead, he wraps his fingers around both their cocks at once, giving them a tug from the base up to the tip.

“Ren,” his name comes out as a whimper from the prince’s lips as Eren’s thumb brushes over his slit. Eren leans down, pressing their foreheads together, and closes his eyes as he reels in the feeling that is the friction between them. His hand strokes them both together, filling the room with the sounds of his ragged breathing and Yuuta’s soft moans against his lips. Eren kisses him again, muffling the louder moan that leaves Yuuta’s throat when Eren’s fist grips them tighter, dragging up and down their lengths in a frenzied set of strokes.

Yuuta’s hands struggle against Eren’s hold above his head. Eren, I wanna touch you… Please.

But Eren pays him no mind. In fact, he decides to do the complete opposite of Yuuta’s request, lacing his fingers with Yuuta’s above his head, keeping Yuuta from being able to use his hands. He latches his lips onto Yuuta’s neck, kissing and nipping though careful not to use his fangs. Eren’s deep breaths fan over Yuuta’s neck, turning his skin to gooseflesh. Yuuta’s legs press tighter against Eren’s sides, his back arching off the sheets as Eren strokes them both with his hand, his palm blazing hot like a fire.

“R-Ren,” Yuuta speaks his name so breathlessly. “I’m close, Ren.”

Just as quickly as he says it, the coil wound tight in his body snaps. He leans his head back against the sheets, mind spinning and eyes rolling back as his release spills out of him, coating his stomach and Eren’s hand. Eren brings his fist down, coating himself in the sticky mess Yuuta’s left him with, and Yuuta groans with the overstimulation as Eren continues to rub them together. He then lets go, both of Yuuta’s wrists and their lengths together, letting his mouth trail down from Yuuta’s neck to his chest. He stops briefly at Yuuta’s nipple, just to flick his tongue over and tease the sensitive bud, and then uses his mouth to clean up the mess on Yuuta’s abdomen.

“What…” Yuuta’s panting cuts his words into fragments. “What about you, Ren?”

“Wanna be inside you,” Eren says aloud, the heat of his breath tickling Yuuta’s navel. He swiftly flips Yuuta over and lifts his body off the sheets. Yuuta’s robe slides off his body completely and he turns his head, his cheek plastered against the bed. What a compromising position to be in, he realizes as the chill of being exposed to the late-night air like this seeps into his skin. Eren’s never put him in this position before and the shame of it licks his skin, hot like a flame. His fingers curl into the bedsheets at his sides, and he gasps when he feels Eren’s hot tongue between his legs, flicking over his rim.

“Ren,” he whines. Though Eren can’t see, Yuuta’s face is flushed pink from his neck to his ears. Eren holds Yuuta’s cheeks apart with nails digging into his skin.

Feels good? Eren asks him silently.

“Y-yes,” Yuuta gasps.

Eren relaxes his jaw, and Yuuta can hear the deep groan that reverberates in Eren’s chest as he darts his tongue inside. Yuuta grips the sheets harder just as Eren's hands dig into the skin of his backside. Eren’s still being so rough with his hands, but Yuuta shamelessly takes it, unconsciously spreading his legs wider for his lover to continue to ravish him.

Don’t stop, Eren, please. I want you. I want you. I want you.

Yuuta stops breathing altogether when he feels Eren push his finger—damp with saliva—past the tightness of his entrance.

Gods, that still hurts so much. Yuuta’s fingers turn to tight fists against the sheets, knuckles ghastly pale, as Eren pushes deeper inside.

It won’t hurt for long, Eren reassures him. His finger slides in and out repeatedly until Yuuta adjusts to it, until Yuuta no longer feels pain but pleasure under Eren’s fingertip. Eren takes his time, but not more than necessary, to stretch Yuuta open for him, using his fingers and his tongue until Yuuta finds himself begging and whimpering for more than just Eren’s fingers.

I need you inside me, Ren, he begs within his mind. He feels almost delirious as he drives his hips back against Eren’s fingers—when had he grown so desperate for his lover’s touch? He bites his lip, hard, to stifle the moan perched on his tongue.

At the sound of Yuuta’s thoughts, Eren retracts his hand. He stands on his knees between Yuuta’s thighs and spits onto his palm. His cock is still wet from having Yuuta’s release on him from before, as well as his own arousal leaking from his tip—when he rubs his wet hand up and down his shaft it makes a lewd, sticky sound. Yuuta tries to use his arms to push his chest off the bed, but Eren pushes down his shoulder blades with one hand and aligns his tip against the crease of Yuuta’s ass with the other. Eren is normally much slower, much more merciful, but tonight he pushes his length inside Yuuta in one full thrust that has tears forming in Yuuta’s eyes and a scream leaving his lips that’s only muffled by the bed sheets. No matter how much time Eren dedicates to preparing him, nothing could ever prepare Yuuta for the feeling of being filled and stretched like this.

Eren practically growls when he feels the warmth and tightness that surrounds him, the pleasure maddening. He gives Yuuta just a few slow thrusts, allowing him to adjust to his size, but then Eren turns impatient. There’s a reason he’s so quiet, so rough with his touch tonight: the reality of their positions and Yuuta’s duty hadn’t hit him until that meeting earlier today. Seeing Yuuta lead the council… seeing how the council could so easily dictate his own future in the kingdom… and more importantly, the issue of Yuuta’s marriage…

He knew Yuuta had to be wed one day, but Yuuta had never told him the bitter truth—that Yuuta could not become king without taking a wife and bearing an heir. That his marriage would be mandatory and would be soon. Perhaps it’s his selfishness, perhaps it’s him being such an idiot that he believed things could work out in their favor despite the odds—but the thought of having to watch Yuuta love someone else digs into his chest, deeper than any knife. To him, the vows they swore less than a fortnight ago mean more than any birthright, and he can’t understand why Yuuta doesn’t feel the same way. The image in his mind of Yuuta one day doing this with someone else, professing love and lust between the legs of another—it makes him so upset he clenches his jaw and grits his teeth, his fingers digging so hard into Yuuta’s hips he paints marks, dark like the petals of a rose, against the pale canvas of the prince’s porcelain skin. Yuuta is his, before the Gods and in his heart, and he feels upset not just at their situation but at Yuuta.

Why didn’t you tell me the truth? Why did you take a vow before the Gods knowing you would have to break it the moment you stepped foot out of Valyria?

Eren slams his hips repeatedly against Yuuta’s backside, so hard Yuuta can barely draw breath, each thrust so loud his thoughts are drowned out by the sounds. He knows that Eren’s upset, he can hear it in Eren’s thoughts and feel it through his touch. Yuuta hadn’t realized it until he heard the questions Eren began to ask himself, and now he realizes why it is that Eren’s so hurt.

“Eren, wait,” Yuuta begs, his voice breathless. This… this isn’t like you, Ren. “Let us talk about this, please…” He reaches out behind him, wrapping his fingers around one of Eren’s wrists. “Eren, please stop.”

Yuuta’s desperate words break through the fog in Eren’s mind and he stops his rabid pace at once, guilt taking the place of his inner turmoil. He leans forward, wrapping his arms around Yuuta’s waist and pressing his forehead against Yuuta’s spine. All traces of his anguish vanish with a simple few honeyed words from his lover. Even if he feels hurt himself, the last thing he wishes to do is hurt his prince.

“I’m sorry,” he says, his voice lighter than even the softest breeze. He already feels remorse at his actions, his fingers trembling against Yuuta’s skin.

“Ren, it’s all right just… Let me see you,” Yuuta asks. It’s all he asks for; Eren being rough with him? He truly doesn’t mind it—he always wants Eren just as he is, whether he’s as gentle as a feather or as rough as stone. But the only thing he wants is to feel like they aren’t just satiating lust—but making love. And being forced to face away doesn’t feel like love at all.

Eren pulls away, just enough to give Yuuta the space to flip onto his back. Eren hovers above him, and Yuuta pulls him close, tangling his legs back around his waist. Yuuta can see the hurt in his lover’s eyes, causing a frown to form on his lips. “What’s upsetting you, Ren?”

“I don’t want to lose you,” Eren replies, his voice so pained it sounds as if his throat were full of needles.

Yuuta’s palm frames Eren’s cheek. “I haven’t left you, Eren. I never will—”

“Stop saying such things if they aren’t true,” Eren cuts off Yuuta’s words. “Stop keeping secrets from me, Yuuta.” His hurt melds into impatience and frustration. His dark eyes bore into Yuuta’s, the greens swirling as his emotions sway tumultuously.

Yuuta’s surprised by his words, dropping his hands to his sides. “W-what are you talking about?”

“You didn’t tell me that you had to wed to become king. Why did you keep that from me?”

“I didn’t, I just—”

“Did you think I’d be selfish, keep you in our cave forever if I knew?”

“No, it’s just that—”

“Did you not believe my vow to you, that I’d stay by your side?”

“Listen to me, Eren.” Yuuta’s voice dips lower, uttering his words harshly between shaky breaths. “I didn’t tell you before because I thought I could change this tradition. That I could be king without a queen.”

“Can you?” Eren asks, his words full of bite. His fingers curl into fists in the sheets beside Yuuta’s head, knuckles turning pale. “At the council, you sounded as if you’d agree to it. That you’d let them marry you off to some stranger.” Eren’s voice breaks at the end, emotions welling up in his voice. Yuuta sees his eyes turn glassy, though Eren does not let his tears fall.

“I won’t let that happen, Ren.”

“How can you be so sure of this? When you’re the king, would they let you just change the traditions they’ve held for so long, to just do whatever you want? And what about an heir? There’s no way they would let you rule without a family.”

“As long as my father lives, there is time to figure this out.” Eren’s hold on the sheets loosens, and Yuuta lifts a palm to frame Eren’s face, to stroke at his cheek. “I will try to find a way so I don’t have to wed, okay?” Yuuta pulls Eren down towards him, capturing Eren’s lips with his own. When they break apart, Yuuta holds him close, the tips of their noses against one another’s as they share the warmth of their breaths. “I don’t want to be wed to anyone else but you. I’ll try my hardest—even if we can’t be together publicly, I want to be faithful to you, ñuha valzȳrys.”

Eren averts his gaze. Is it really possible? At least for now, hearing Yuuta say that he’ll try soothes his anger.

“I’m sorry for being selfish like this, I just—”

“I am selfish too,” Yuuta murmurs against his lips. Eren looks back down at his lover, entranced by Yuuta’s heartbreaking smile. “Taking you away from your home, expecting you to just go along with everything and letting the council dictate our lives—it’s unfair to you. I know. I know it’s all for my sake.”

“Yuuta—”

“But I don’t want to let you go. I need you here. I love you… I… I just can’t.”

Eren takes Yuuta’s hands into his own, lacing their fingers together above his head, but this time it isn’t rough nor it is to restrain him. His touch is tender, his thumbs rubbing against Yuuta’s skin affectionately.

“Then don’t,” Eren replies. He kisses him and this time it’s full of devotion. Don’t ever let me go. Be as selfish as you want with me.

“I’ll try to get out of this, Ren, I promise you… I’ll try to find a way to rule without a queen. Jaelan naejot sagon aōhon mērī, sytmirre.”

I wish to be only yours, forever.

They quickly pick up where they had left off, sighs and moans traded between them as Eren buries himself inside his lover once more. Eren’s palms find purchase behind Yuuta’s knees, folding his legs down against his chest. He feels such relief as if a weight were lifted off of his chest, hearing that Yuuta will try to defy the council's wishes and subvert traditions for their sake. He doesn’t want to share Yuuta with anyone else. That beautiful face that Yuuta makes as he’s enraptured with pleasure, the soft, breathless gasps and moans that leave his pretty pink lips, that rosy blush on his cheeks, and the cute giggle that he makes when Eren worships his most ticklish spots—all of those are for him.

As he rocks his hips back and forth, feeling such intense pleasure swirling in his core, he presses his lips against the sides of Yuuta’s foot resting on his shoulder, worshipping every part he can touch. His hand lingers over the supple skin of his thighs, moving higher and higher until he wraps his fingers around Yuuta’s ankles. Eren brings Yuuta’s foot closer to his lips. Yuuta watches in stunned silence, his face red from his nape to the tips of his ears, as Eren wraps his lips around the prince’s toes. With a gaze so intense it makes Yuuta’s stomach lurch, Eren sucks on them, groaning in satisfaction.

“Ren,” Yuuta whimpers—there is a part of him that is embarrassed at Eren’s actions but he doesn’t ask for him to stop; he belongs to Eren, in every which way of the word. Eren sees Yuuta’s warmed face, even in the shadows cast by the moonlight, and chuckles softly against his skin. Eren leans down closer at the sound of his name, until there’s no room between them, and Yuuta feels as if Eren’s never been this deep inside him before. The weight of Eren’s body above him folds his legs down even more against his chest, making each tattered breath a desperate gasp. Eren’s slow, purposeful thrusts brush against a spot inside him that pulls out the kind of moans Eren’s never heard before. Gods, he doesn’t think Yuuta’s ever sounded like this.

Yuuta can hear Eren’s inner thoughts—how he’s restraining himself, how he wants to finish but he wants to go slow—and he wraps his arms around Eren’s neck. He, too, wants more. He kisses Eren, as deeply as he can before he has to part to take a breath. He looks up at Eren with eyes half-lidded and the prettiest blush blooming over his skin.

“Faster, Ren,” he asks, determined despite the surprised look that Eren gives him. “I, ah, I want you to—to move faster.”

“Are you—”

“Yes,” Yuuta nods.

Eren pulls away and Yuuta uses his arms to hold his knees to his chest. Eren holds the sides of Yuuta’s legs with his palms and looks down, watching how his length disappears inside him with each stroke. He groans, Yuuta’s body clenching tight around him. He takes Yuuta’s words as a command, moving his hips faster. The otherwise quiet chambers are soon filled with the noises of their lovemaking—between the repeated slap of Eren’s pelvis to the back of Yuuta's thighs, the sounds of Yuuta’s whimpers and Eren’s grunts, and even the gentle rocking of Eren’s bed frame. For just this one moment in time, the two forget that they are indeed supposed to be quiet, too lost in chasing the high that quickly comes crashing down on them.

“I love you,” Eren chants, deep breaths ragging his throat as his abs tighten and his hold on Yuuta’s legs turns almost painful. “Yuuta—I—”

Yuuta can’t grace him with a reply, too busy biting down on his lips to stifle his moans. He simply nods, mentally telling Eren to let go. Then, Eren snaps, burying himself deep inside with a drawn-out groan, his cock pulsating with each shot of cum that spills out of him. He grinds his hips slowly into Yuuta, riding out his orgasm, and the feeling of Eren’s warmth and slow, torturous grind makes Yuuta whimper—suddenly he thinks he may cum a second time tonight.

Eren, despite the overstimulation, hears Yuuta’s thoughts and picks up the pace again. This time it’s messy, liquid spilling out each time Eren pulls back. Eren does strictly whatever makes Yuuta feel good, angling his hips so he can brush against that spot that has Yuuta seeing stars.

“Feels good, Yuu?” Eren asks, thrusting upward, making Yuuta gasp. “I-I want you to feel good, too.”

“Yes, Ren,” he replies, breathless. “Just—mm, just a bit, ah, more.”

Eren brings one of his hands to Yuuta’s cock, and strokes it at the same pace as his thrusts. Yuuta doesn’t last very long at all after that, his fingers clawing at his own thighs as his orgasm washes over him in waves. His length throbs within Eren’s palm, spilling out over his hand, and then, finally, they stop. Eren plops down and lays against Yuuta’s chest between his legs, his body weary. Yuuta giggles, wrapping his arms around Eren’s shoulders and tangling his legs around his waist.

“Finally ready to sleep now?” Yuuta murmurs, placing a kiss on his lover’s temple.

“Is this how we can sleep every night?” Eren mumbles against Yuuta’s neck, a drowsy smile worming its way across his lips. “I will gladly take that, love.”

“Not every night,” Yuuta protests. “Todo caught me in the halls tonight, Ren.”

“You don’t have to worry about him,” Eren tells him. Eren's hands come down to squeeze Yuuta’s ass, and Yuuta lets out a yelp. “I think he’s a very understanding man.”

They lay in bed for a while, their hearts content as they have come to an understanding, at least temporarily, over the issue that had weighed so heavily on Eren’s heart. They talk about everything and nothing—Yuuta’s duties, snobby nobles, Eren’s past few days adjusting to his new life. For a moment, just the two of them cuddling under the veil of darkness like this—it almost, almost feels like a normal night in the sanctuary of their cave again.

Yuuta says something that makes Eren snicker. As Eren’s chest rumbles with his deep, tired laugh, Yuuta’s fingers idly thread through Eren’s hair. Even though it is shorter now than when they first met, it’s still just as unruly, spilling over the man’s shoulders and tickling at Yuuta’s skin. Eren lays his head against Yuuta’s shoulder, and Yuuta brings his hand up, to push Eren’s hair away from his face. Their eyes meet as they trade the softest, most adoring of smiles.

“You’re beautiful, Ren,” Yuuta murmurs, stroking his hair. Tonight, Eren still uses his magic to disguise his dragon features. But even if they were there, Yuuta would feel the exact same way. “Whether you try to hide your looks with your magic, or your face with hair—you never have to hide anything from me. Human or dragonblood, I love you all the same.”

Yuuta smiles when he sees that, for once, Eren is the bashful one. Eren averts his eyes at the compliment, but a tint still adorns his warm skin.

“I remember the very first time you ever tied my hair for me,” Eren recalls, his voice laced with affection. He takes Yuuta’s hand and threads their fingers together, kissing his knuckles. “Why’d you do that for me? You couldn’t even understand Valyrian then.”

“Well first, it was in the way. It kept getting in your face, in the way of your hands,” Yuuta replies. Eren parts his lips to speak but Yuuta continues, “But more importantly… You kept hiding your face from me.”

Eren picks up his head, and just like that very first time, Yuuta tucks his strands behind his ears. The prince continues, “I guess I didn’t realize it at the time… We were so young, what did we know about love?” Yuuta cradles Eren’s face in his hands. “But maybe even back then… maybe I had already fallen for you. The fact that you are dragonblooded, or a man… Even back then as a child, it didn’t matter to me—I never looked at anyone before the way I looked at you.”

If he wasn’t already, Eren’s face is certainly aflame now. Eren already knows that he had so easily fallen for Yuuta practically the moment he had seen him—the boy was gorgeous, a prince in all but title at the time. Back then, he didn’t recognize such feelings, but how else could he explain all his actions? His adoration for him, wanting to impress him, feeling bashful at times around him… and years later, when he hit puberty… all those thoughts he had about Yuuta too. He had been in love with him from the very start, he knows it for sure. But he had never thought that Yuuta had feelings for him for as long as he had.

“E-Even back then?”

“I think that very first night we held each other—that night that you shared your ‘thank you’ custom and kissed me… I think you took a bit of my heart with you when you pulled away from me.”

Eren leans down and captures his lips in a kiss, so sweet it would put their entire island’s kasta berries to shame. He asks, “Then how many kisses will it take for me to own your entire heart completely?”

Yuuta smiles against his lips and pulls him down for another kiss. You already do, he tells him through their mental connection. You already have it all, Ren.

***

“So he truly hasn’t even so much as held a sword before?” Toji asks incredulously, arms crossed above his chest as he stands on the sidelines of the sparring grounds outside the palace. Yuuta, shorter than the Lord Commander though not by much, stands beside him, both of them underdressed in a simple set of trousers and a thin linen shirt. They observe the soldiers and knights sparring against either wooden blocks, straw training dummies, or each other, with dull swords and thin wooden shields in their arms. It is not wartime, but the soldiers and knights still actively patrol the towns and villages and settle skirmishes and disputes, especially if they turn violent. Though not a fan of cruelty, The Watch also doles out punishment to criminals who pester the peasantry and the nobles. Safe to say, the men still have much to train for even without there being active fighting amongst the kingdoms.

“Eren is quite adept at archery and welding daggers and spears. It’s only swords that he’s never used before,” Yuuta replies, his eyes dancing from one soldier to another as he watches their swords clank against each other. “He could be of use to you.”

“Swords are the preferred weapon of choice, Your Highness.”

“What’s so hard about using a sword?” Eren pipes up, the dragon using his sensitive hearing to pick up on their conversation. He, too, dresses in a thin set of shirt and pants, as it is now coming up on the beginnings of fall but still some warmth lingers. He holds the sword in his hands as he stands before a training dummy, twisting it back and forth within his hands. The sword is heavier than expected, but he handles its weight with ease. “I could learn this easily. It’s just a giant knife.”

At this, Yuuta chuckles, his eyes crinkling with mirth. “It is a bit more difficult than just a giant knife, Eren.”

Eren turns to Yuuta, playfully asking with an exaggerated wiggle of his brows: “Would you like to show me how to wield this sword then, Your Highness?”

Toji exhales a sigh in annoyance as the prince and the dragon fall into playful banters. Again. Despite being terribly unfocused, at least Eren does have the makings of a soldier, to Toji’s relief. Besides the knight Aoi Todo, who just almost rivals the dragon, none of his soldiers are as tall nor as muscular and strong as he is. If given the proper training, Toji knows deep down that Eren would make a fine knight—perhaps even a kingsguard after some time.

Plus, the prince turns to him now, ignoring Eren’s words. With eyes that glisten and beg like his wolf Scarface does when he wants a treat, he pleas for his friend’s case. “I ask that you train him, Commander. Think of it as a favor from me personally. I promise I shall spend extra time training him myself if need be.”

“Before I accept,” Toji replies, dark eyes training on the dragon. “I will test his abilities myself.” While Yuuta’s lips gape in surprise, Toji turns to his soldiers. “That’s enough for today,” his voice suddenly thunders across the grounds. The soldiers and knights who were sparring lower their dulled, wooden swords. They stand still, catching their breaths, before moving to return their training swords and break for the afternoon.

Eren, who had been swinging his sword at a wooden training dummy nearby, brings his arm up to his forehead, wiping at the sweat that beads over his skin with his forearm. The sun barrels down upon the soldiers, drenching them in sweat. Eren, quite used to the heat as his island was typically quite hot in the summer months, doesn’t feel the fatigue. He does, however, feel the pointed gaze of the Lord Commander.

Toji stands across from Eren, inspecting his form. “Your technique is shit. You won’t be able to serve your future king if you can’t even wield a sword properly.”

Eren hears Yuuta chuckle and frowns, his grip tightening on the sword. “Well then I’ll have to just keep training harder, won’t I?” He lunges towards the wooden training dummy once more, clenching his jaw. The tip of the training sword pierces through cloth and sends bits of hay flying into the air.

Toji turns to his side and takes a wooden sword for himself. “Enough of hitting the dummy. You’ll spar with me next.”

Eren pauses for a moment, surprised. He hadn’t seen the Commander spar with anyone else during the last few days of training sessions that he’d observed. “With you, Commander?”

“What, are you afraid?” Toji smirks.

“No, Sir,” Eren replies, holding on tight to the hilt of his sword.

Toji takes a few steps back until he’s standing in the middle of the sparring grounds. The only men left beside the two of them are Yuuta, Todo, and the Commander’s son, Megumi. They stand off to the side, interested in seeing the rare sight of the Commander himself on the sparring grounds. Toji calls Eren to follow him.

“If you wish to be the prince’s protector,” Toji starts, taking a stance with his sword. Eren follows his lead, bending his knees slightly as he holds up his wooden weapon. “You need to be prepared for anything.”

Before Eren even has the chance to nod, Toji lunges forward with his wooden sword. He aims for Eren’s chest, but to Yuuta’s relief, Eren dodges it easily, turning to his side and holding his sword forward to parry the blow. Eren finds that he’s surprised at just how strong the Lord Commander is as he struggles to push back against the wooden sword. Toji pulls back and skillfully swings his sword with his backhand, moving so quickly Eren can’t block it. He ends up hitting Eren on the shoulder.

“Shit,” Eren mutters under his breath as he clasps a palm over the aforementioned shoulder.

“Stay focused, Eren,” Toji says, moving on his feet a few paces to the right. “No enemy is going to stop for you in the middle of a battle.”

“You’ve got this, best friend!” Todo calls out from the side. Eren’s gaze quickly flicks over to where his audience is standing, and Todo flashes Eren a wide smile and a thumbs up while Megumi simply rolls his eyes at Todo’s antics. Yuuta’s smile is where Eren’s gaze lingers, and Eren would have smiled in return if it wasn’t for—

“I told you to stay focused,” Toji reminds him, not just with words but with another blow to the shoulder.

“Fuck,” Eren huffs out, grinding his teeth. Eren shrugs off the pain in his shoulder from Toji’s hit and takes his stance once again, determination in his gaze. “You’ll have to do more than just that to wound me, Commander.”

“Well at least you’re persistent, I’ll give you that,” Toji suppresses a smile. “You’ve got decent reflexes when you’re paying attention. Work on your form,” he says, looking down at Eren’s arms. “Hold the sword higher, elbow up. Now swing at me.”

Eren lunges forward this time, but the Commander easily dodges the wooden sword. He turns his body so he ends up behind Eren and kicks out toward Eren’s leg, making Eren fall to the ground with a loud thud. As Eren hits the dirt with a groan, Toji presses his boot between Eren’s shoulder blades, keeping him down.

“You have a lot of training to do, kid,” Toji says, pointing his sword to the back of Eren’s neck. “You’d be dead. And dead isn’t going to do shit when your king is in danger.”

“I’d just turn into a dragon. I don’t need to rely on the sword,” Eren mutters, his face turned to the side, dirt smeared across his face. He makes eye contact with the three men watching him off to the side, slightly embarrassed by his easy defeat. Toji removes the boot from Eren’s back and once Eren flips over onto his back, Toji scoffs.

“You can’t always rely on turning into a dragon, Eren. Enemies come when you least expect them to. You may not have the chance to do anything but wield a dagger. Or do you intend to run away like a coward when someone threatens your king?”

Eren’s eyes meet Yuuta's when he answers, “No. I’d die for him.”

Toji steps back as Eren begins to push himself off the ground. “Then work hard. Make yourself worthy of standing at his side.”

Eren looks up at the Commander, not understanding the look in his eyes—as if he were looking somewhere that wasn’t at him. But Eren nods, agreeing. “I will.”

Toji lets Eren leave the sparring grounds as he himself reminisces of the time when he had said such words to Yuuta’s father:

“‘I’d die for him,’” Yuuki Okkotsu mimicked the sound of Toji’s voice, deeper than his own, complete with exaggerated gestures of his hand pressed against his chest. “How chivalrous of you, Toji. My savior.”

The young knight gave the raven-haired prince an unamused roll of his eyes as they walked along the palace grounds. The countryside that surrounded the palace was as green and lively as ever, the scents of freshly bloomed cherry blossoms and tulips filling their noses. It had been several days since the ceremony, but the prince continued to make jest at Toji’s vow he had made as his sworn protector.

“Must you always poke fun at me, Yuuki? I meant every word of my vows.”

Yuuki, who was once walking beside the soldier on their path, jumped in front of him. Toji stopped abruptly, meeting Yuki’s smirk with a frown. “You sound as if an assassin is poised to strike at any moment, ready to take my life and seize the crown.” Yuuki chuckled as he turned back to Toji’s side, wrapping an arm over Toji’s shoulder. With a confident smile, he continued, “Our kingdom hasn’t seen war in centuries, you have no reason to worry. The worst fighting you’ll ever do by my side is fighting back the head-pains after a night at the brothel.”

Toji scoffed. He looked to his side and saw two maids walking past, eyeing the pair before they averted their gazes, as they were lower in station than the prince and his sworn protector. Toji shrugged off Yuuki’s arm, hoping not to appear too close to the prince in public. The prince shot the maids one of his signature charming smiles.

Lowering his voice, Toji said, “You know I’m not one for courtesans.”

“A shame, that is,” Yuuki replied. Matching the low timbre of Toji’s voice, he leaned in closer to his ear, adding, “The ladies at the Dancing Dryads are lovely. If it’s losing your virtue you’re so nervous about, I can always accompany you, Toji. I can promise you a good time. Isn’t that what best friends are for?”

Toji coughed, dipping his head so that his hair would frame his face. It covered the warming of his cheeks and hid the hint of jealousy and shame in those green eyes of his.

“I have no interest in your nightly pastimes.” Yuuki chuckled at the sound of Toji’s words being spat out from behind gritted teeth. Louder, Toji added, “More importantly, there may truly be threats from the other kingdoms one day. Have you forgotten about the squabble with Drican to the north a month ago? Tensions are rising, my prince. One day we very well might have to—”

“Nonsense.” The young prince’s ocean-blue eyes were nothing but mirthful. “I’ve just been crowned, remember?” As if Toji could forget the opulent ceremony just a few days ago that was more than befitting of Yuuki’s station. “I’ve already spoken to my father—I’ll be signing peace agreements with them as soon as I’m king, and they will pull back their poking and prodding at our lands. I won’t stand for it. My father may have been weak in action but I will defend our lands from those pompous Dricans.”

The two men continued to speak of politics—mostly Toji’s fears, met with Yuuki’s confident, easy-going rebuttals. As they spoke they walked the path beside the palace, leading them to the empty sparring grounds where the knights and soldiers spent their days training their abilities. Because of the prince’s coronation just a few days prior, the infantry was granted a reprieve for several days of festivities, leaving the grounds empty save for their equipment: training logs, hay dummies, and practice swords.

Yuuki quickly glanced at Toji, a mischievous smile dancing upon his lips. “Why don’t we spar, you and me? Like old times.”

“But Your Highness—”

“Yuuki,” the prince interrupted him, placing emphasis on calling him by his name.

“Yuuki.” Yuuki’s smile turned boyish, pleased with hearing the sound of his name rolling off Toji’s lips.

“Toji. Don’t say that we can’t.” He walked into the dirt field, sullying his shiny black boots with mud. Not that he cared much for appearances in front of his closest friend. “If you’re so worried about assassins and enemies, should we not be at the best of our abilities?” Toji followed, a sigh leaving his chest as the prince pulled a pair of dulled swords out of the nearby barracks. “Let’s see how prepared my knight is, hm?”

“I am more than prepared,” Toji protested. Yuuki threw a training sword at him, which Toji reflexively caught by outstretching one hand. The two stood before each other on the dirt grounds, hands wrapped around the hilt of their swords.

“Then I’m sure you’ll easily kick my ass.” As Yuuki lunged forward, swinging the sword toward Toji’s chest, Toji dodged it easily.

“I’ve learned never to underestimate you, my prince. I may be bigger in build but you’ve always been more cunning,” Toji replied. He twisted his torso as the prince pulled back, swerving on his feet. He thrust his sword forward, the wooden blade easily blocked by the prince’s backhand. Yuuki laughed, enjoying their little skirmish. The two stood before each other, feet apart in a combative stance with wooden blades drawn.

“Then you’ve learned well.” Another lunge forward from the prince—close, but still not quick enough to reach the knight. “A cornered wolf will always do what it takes to win, Toji.”

Toji quickly stepped to the left and swung at the prince, hitting him in the shoulder. Yuuki grabbed at his right shoulder with his left hand as Toji stepped back, grunting at the pain that shot from the site. Toji stopped his movements and looked at Yuuki with concern taking over his features.

“Yuuki, are you—”

Yuuki gripped his sword again with both hands, quickly swinging at Toji’s chest. As Toji had let his guard down, he was not prepared for Yuki’s quick recovery and assault. He grunted, stepping back as he clutched at his chest where Yuuki had struck him.

“That isn’t fair,” Toji replied, heavy breaths leaving his chest as he shot a glare at the prince.

“Enemies never fight fair, Toji,” Yuuki replied with a smirk. “Did you not say you were prepared?”

“Yes, for an attack, not for cheap tricks, Your Highness.”

Yuuki once again swung his sword at Toji, only to be blocked with a backhand. Then, Yuuki spun on his feet in the opposite direction, aiming for the side in which Toji was not blocking. He struck Toji backward, then kicked out his foot, tripping the knight. Toji landed on his backside, his back flat against the dirt. Before he could even register what was happening, the prince had him pinned to the ground, straddling his waist, the wooden sword pressed against his neck.

“Looks like I’ve won, Toji,” Yuuki smiled, his chest rising and falling with each of his deep breaths. “Cheap tricks or not, you’d be dead.”

Toji, with his body still back against the dirt, looked up at his prince. Yuuki was sitting atop his waist, confidence beaming from his smile as he pressed the practice weapon to Toji’s neck. Even with dirt on his clothes and sweat making his dark hair plastered to his forehead, the prince was still as handsome and charming as ever—annoyingly so. Toji turned to the side, opting to look instead out into the forest behind the grounds, avoiding the prince’s insufferably cocky gaze.

“You win this round, Yuuki,” Toji muttered in defeat, a hint of shame blooming across his cheeks.

“You’ll win the next one, I’m sure,” Yuuki replied, tilting up his chin so that the bangs that had fallen over his eyes would fall back out of his face. Toji simply chewed on the inside of his cheek, flustered. Yuuki dropped the sword and reached down, pinching the knight’s jaw between his fingertips. Toji’s eyes widened in surprise as Yuuki pulled his face to the side to face him directly. “You’re not angry with me… Are you, Toji?”

“Why would I be?” Toji’s words were muffled as he spoke while the prince still held his face. Realizing that he was still touching him, Yuuki released him, his palms settling limply atop Toji’s toned chest.

“Today you seem… cross. And you yielded so easily,” Yuuki said, peering into Toji’s green eyes quizzically. He suddenly slapped his hand lightly against Toji’s chest. “You weren’t trying your best, surely. Unless… Don’t tell me this is all the effort that ‘I’d die for him’ gets me?”

Yuuki smiled down cheekily at his knight. Toji scoffed, turning his eyes away. “Maybe it’s all the effort you deserve.”

Yuuki had a habit of pushing at Toji’s barriers, always poking at that steeled, hardened exterior of his. Every time that Toji wanted to avoid speaking, turning his eyes away, the prince would simply find a way to capture his attention again. Once again, the prince moved his hand to touch the knight’s face, pinching his chin between his thumb and his pointer finger.

In a low voice, Yuuki sneered, “Is that any way to speak to your future king?”

Toji pushed his shoulders off the ground, digging his elbows into the dirt at his sides. His gaze traveled from the prince’s hands up to his face, past the fading bruises on his neck and chest that were just barely visible from the neckline of his shirt. Toji didn’t need to ask questions to know where those came from. His stare lingered for just a second on Yuuki’s lips which were curled into a smile. Yuuki was as observant as he was confident, but he said nothing of Toji’s gaze. Toji stared at him for a while, the emotions in his green eyes unreadable.

Then, he sighed. “I apologize for my rudeness, Your Highness.”

“Toji,” the prince leaned in closer as he spoke the knight’s name. “We’re friends, are we not? I was just making jest… You don’t need to apologize. But you can always tell me what it is that burdens you.” Yuuki’s voice suddenly grew less playful and more concerned. He was looking down at his hands on Toji’s chest when he added, “Maybe I can help ease your burdens. I am the crowned prince after all… There is nothing out of reach, just ask it of me. Just as you had sworn to protect me, I had sworn to care for you as if we were family. So don’t push me away, and don’t make that tiresome face.”

Toji parted his lips as if to speak, the words on the tip of his tongue. But then to his left, a pair of guards began to walk down the trail that he and the prince had just walked on, chatting aimlessly as they took their afternoon stroll. If they were to see the prince straddling Toji, he was sure they would spread false words about the pair. So Toji swallowed his words, asking, “Why are you still sitting on me?”

“Ah, sorry,” Yuuki replied, pushing himself off of Toji’s lap. “I forget that you are still a man of virtue. Wouldn’t want anyone to believe any differently,” Yuuki winked. He grabbed his wooden sword off the ground and retook his stance, leaving Toji to flush red from his position on the ground.

Toji began to rise to his feet, dusting off his dark pants. “It is for your sake. It’s only because you are so reckless that I have to worry about your reputation. Though you would not care in the slightest if the servants spread rumors, would you?”

“I already know what they think of me, Toji. And all rumors have some truth in them, do they not? Besides…” Yuuki bent down to pick up Toji’s discarded sword and then rose back to his feet, offering Toji the weapon by pointing the hilt toward him. Toji took it wordlessly. “The reputation of a man means nothing in that regard. You know as well as I do that it is only a woman’s virtue that matters.”

“Yes, well—”

“Which is why,” the prince smirked, gripping the hilt of his sword tight within his curled fingers. “You should stop sitting atop your sword and worrying about enemies or palace rumors. You may be sworn to me, but that does not mean that is all you are.”

Toji took his stance, holding his sword before his body in a defensive position. The prince dashed forward, clashing his sword with Toji’s once more. Toji replied as he blocked Yuuki’s lunge forward, “You know as well as I do, Yuuki. That all I’ve trained for thus far is to protect you.”

Another loud clash of wood against wood interrupted their words as Toji pushed back against Yuuki’s swings. “There’s more to living than just your duty, Toji.”

“And what is that, spending your evenings gallivanting in the brothels—drinking pints, and taking maidens?”

“What I meant,” Yuuki started, jumping back as Toji took a swing at his midsection. The two shared a smile as Toji almost struck him. “Is to live for yourself too. I didn’t ask to be born a prince just as you didn’t ask to be who you are. But I take joy where I can find it—perhaps that joy lies at the bottom of a pint and the pleasures of sex,” Yuuki snickered as Toji rolled his eyes. “You wouldn’t know if it would bring you joy unless you tried it.”

Toji swung again at the prince, this time with a backhand, cutting underneath his sword, lifting up his arms and sending it flying. The prince stood with his hands in front of his face as Toji pointed the edge of the sword at his neck. Toji’s lips curled up in the faintest of smiles. His first thoughts to Yuuki’s words were, ‘I’m happiest like this… spending time by your side,’ but he didn’t have the heart to voice them.

Instead, he replied, “Though I know the knights love to venture to the capital, I don’t desire to spend my nights with ladies at the brothels, Your Highness.”

Yuuki wrapped his fingers around the edge of the sword pointed at his nape. He stared directly at Toji, challenging him, as he asked, “Then what is it that you desire?”

Toji swallowed the lump in his throat, his gaze tilting down to the prince’s lips for the briefest of moments. He pulled away his sword, holding it limply at his side. Then he turned away, avoiding the prince’s pointed stare. “I just wish to protect you. You saved my life, I owe you mine.”

“Is that why you’re so keen on dying for me? That happened so many years ago now, and it was never a debt to be repaid.”

“I still feel indebted. To you, to the kingdom. A place that wasn’t my home, but welcomed me all the same. There’d be no greater honor than to serve its prince.”

As Toji spoke, he walked back to the side of the sparring ground to return his sword. The prince picked up his own training sword off the ground and followed along. As Yuuki returned the weapon to its station, he turned to Toji. His voice low, he said, “You’re an honorable man, Toji. The makings of a Lord Commander someday, I’m sure of it.”

“What about Masamichi or Kusakabe, or any of the other kingsguards before me? They’re older, more experienced, more—”

“But would they die for me?” Yuuki asked, peering into Toji’s eyes. “Many men become soldiers for money, or honor, or political power. But the strongest men? They’re like you, Toji.” Toji’s eyes widened at the prince’s words. “Selfless. Perhaps even a bit weak-hearted. Don’t you agree?”

“Well… I suppose,” Toji added sheepishly.

“Ah, and humble too,” Yuuki shot Toji a smile. “Humble to a fault.”

Having put away the training equipment, the two of them turned to walk off the field, their clothing sullied and their bodies slicked with sweat. Yet, they wore soft smiles as they walked beside each other.

Toji gave him a light shove on the shoulder to which the prince scoffed playfully. “Better I humble than you a pompous little prince.”

“I am not that pompous, am I?”

“Says the man who comes back from the capital most nights bragging to me of the sheer number of conquests you’ve made, or how many drinks you’ve had, or how many jousts you’ve won, or—”

Yuuki shoved Toji in return, earning a low chuckle from the knight. “Alright, alright, I get your point.”

Toji, reminiscing over his days as Yuki’s knight so long ago, shakes his head and chortles under his breath. He usually isn’t one to dwell on past days, but hearing Eren’s words during their little skirmish brought him back to a time when he had said such things to the last prince. He watches as Eren, done for the day after suffering his defeat at the hands of the Commander, leaves the training ground for the sidelines and chats with the prince and the two knights. He can see, even from a distance, the devotion that Eren holds for Yuuta and though he would not admit it aloud, he remembers a time when he too, had felt such fealty to Prince Yuuki. And mentally, he agrees with Yuuki’s words—perhaps it is true, that the strongest men are made of the weakest hearts.

***

Tagging: @brujaovermoxy @aki-and-saltfish @starry-supernova @itsalicewickedmcgee @jaeger-xo @whore4jean @broken-freedom @raechulashleigh @fqiryspit

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Also, this is what we imagine Yuuta's father to look like hes such a heart throb <3

#eren smut #yuta smut #yuta fluff #eren fluff #eren yeager smut #eren jaeger smut #yuta okkotsu smut #yuuta fluff #aot smut #snk smut #yuuta smut #jjk smut #jjk fluff #aot fluff #snk fluff #eren jaeger #eren yeager #yuuta okkotsu #ice & fire canon

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