Advertisement
Not a member of Pastebin yet?
Sign Up,
it unlocks many cool features!
- Takumi was so tired.
- He was always tired, at least a little. Sleep evaded him constantly, and when he finally caught it, his body quickly drove it out. Last night had been no different, but it didn’t matter as long as he could function. As long as he could fight, he was fine.
- “The first squad has spotted the outpost, your highness,” a soldier suddenly told his brother, who marched a few paces ahead of him. Takumi saw him nod.
- “Thank you. Tell the others to get into position.” Ryoma sounded as official as ever. He was never tired, or at least he masked it well. The soldier gave a short yet deep bow, then began to follow his new order.
- Takumi knew Ryoma never got much sleep. He was late to bed and early to rise. He could remember toddling out to the main garden when he was little and finding the first prince slicing the air with a wooden sword. The grass was still dewy, and he’d be shining too from sweat as the rising sun lit him from behind. He could remember the nights he sat shoulder to shoulder with his brother under the eaves. He would desperately try to fight off sleep by naming constellations, but in the end Ryoma would end up carrying him to bed. He never knew how he could manage it. When he’d asked, the answer had been that meditation refreshed him better than most sleep did. This hadn’t been helpful advice for someone who had trouble clearing his mind.
- Long marches always gave the second prince time to feel like a sluggish ball of exhaustion and misery. But, though his feet hurt and his throat screamed for water, he couldn’t complain. Ryoma wasn’t complaining, his wide stride hadn’t staggered for a second. Marching alongside the other foot soldiers made a leader look like he was willing to share more burdens with his people. Little actions like that were critical in gaining trust and respect. Ryoma followed this and more like a life code. Even after all these years, Takumi couldn’t wrap his head around how he could be so straight and narrow.
- “Takumi.”
- Upon hearing his brother’s voice suddenly next to him, Takumi snapped to attention. He whipped his head to the right and found himself shoulder to shoulder with Ryoma.
- “U-uh, yeah?” Very dignified. Being lost in his thoughts like that was the quickest way to get killed. Ryoma’s gaze flickered behind them before he lowered his volume.
- “Are you alright? You look distant and I haven’t seen you take water in a while. It shouldn’t be much longer until we’re there, but no one will fault you for riding with one of the sky knights.” When he said that, Takumi realized why he’d suddenly seemed wary of his words hitting anyone else’s ears. He barely managed to stop himself from scowling.
- If you think what you’re saying would embarrass me, don’t bring it up in the first place.
- “I’m fine,” was what he actually said. “Like you said, it’s not much further.” He tried to swallow, but there was nothing for him to take down. Hopefully the heat didn’t make his skin flush.
- “Alright, but at the very least, get some water. You’ll have to be fully attentive when they brief us on the situation.” With that, he strode back to his position, where other soldiers soon began discussion with him. Takumi stared at the back of his crimson armor, at his wild brown hair. He hadn’t seen him have anything to drink.
- Begrudgingly, he turned and asked Oboro if anyone nearby had water.
Advertisement
Add Comment
Please, Sign In to add comment
Advertisement