Aki's master, Zephyr only shook his head. "There is nothing to apologize for, young prince." He helps why young boy up and Aki backs away, looking down at the floor. "Your father is… To say the least, annoying." He hums before looking to Aki. "Are you alright, my student?" He asks. Aki nods. "A few bruises but I'll be fine."
Cas fidgeted with the crown in his hands, looking around nervously at the crowd. Many of them hadn't even noticed, and the ones who had were no longer watching. The king was like mad king Ludwig, but he was just violent for the most part. Cas had decided that he was going to try and put a stop to all the wars his father had started as soon as he took the throne.
Aki looked ashamed of himself. "Forgive me master. I didn't like seeing the King hurting Cas…" He whispers softly. Zephyr shook his head. "You did well." He says gently. Aki walked over to Cas. "Are you alright?" He asks quietly.
Cas snapped out of his daze, a bit startled. "Oh! Um, yes. F-Fine. Feeling just, uh… good. I'm good." He stammered, mentally slapping himself for it.
Aki sat beside him. He dug around in his little bag and offers a small cake to him. "Eating helps a little." He offers kindly. "And…" he pulls out a small necklace. "West this. And if you ever need me, just say my name. I promise I'll be there. Whether it's to help or just talk." He says softly.
"Oh, um… th-thank you." Cas tentatively accepted the cake and the necklace, blushing a bit. "Thanks. Sorry I'm a little disoriented at the moment, but I do appreciate it."
"It's alright." He replies with a gentle smile. "The necklace will also protect you. It'll make sure that your father cannot harm you. It only works if you wear it though, so keep it hidden." Aki warns gently. "But it's also a way to talk to me if you get lonely." He says quietly.
Cas nodded in understanding, jumping when his father announced the end of the ball. "I hope to see you soon, Aki… thank you again." He bowed politely and went off.
Aki nods and watches him leave. "Aki." Zephyr calls gently. The kitsune hurries to his masters side as they exit the ball. "That was a very brave thing you did back there." Zephyr says gently. Aki looks down. "Yeah… But I might not see Cas again…" He says sadly.
The king gripped Cas's arm tightly and dragged him away, Cas looking very nervous. The heavy doors closed and sealed off the room, Cas's yelps of pain not audible from the outside.
Aki looks around, sighing softly and looking down before leaning into Zephyr. He sighed softly and looked down before looking back at the castle. He wanted to see Cas again.
(Do you wanna time skip or something?)
(Sure!)
(to when?)
(I can have Cas contact you via necklace if you want)
(That works)
Cas ran into his room, panting. He was bleeding in several places and he could already feel the bruises forming. He pulled the necklace out of his drawer with shaking hands and put it on, curling up in a corner. "H… H-Hello? Aki?" He stammered, trying to force himself to calm down.
There was a second hesitation before a soft blue light and Aki appeared in front of him, seeming to have appeared out of nowhere. He smiled before his grin fell and he hurried to his side. "What happened?" He asks gently, resting his hands on the wounds, slowly but surely healing them. "Are you okay?" His ears are flattened back in concern as he gazes at Cas.
"H-He found out… ow…" Cas winced when Aki touched the wounds. "That… that I don't like girls… he's furious…" He was very pale and seemed pretty shaken up. There was a large cut on his side that was bleeding badly. "I… I don't know what to do…"
"Sh, sh. Let me heal you. It's okay. You're safe now." He whispers as he gently cups the wound and heals it, his eyes soft as he helps the other up. "I know a place you can stay." He mutters as he gently pulled the other into his embrace. He knew the other must be terrified at the moment.
(Hey Bleu, could we do a O/O with this prompt?)
"Where's that…?" Cas asked weakly, his voice muffled from burying his face in Aki's shoulder. He was trembling violently, although his wounds being healed meant he wasn't moments from collapsing anymore.
(Hey Bleu, could we do a O/O with this prompt?)
(Sure!)
(Thanks)
"Where's that…?" Cas asked weakly, his voice muffled from burying his face in Aki's shoulder. He was trembling violently, although his wounds being healed meant he wasn't moments from collapsing anymore.
Aki ran a hand through his hair. "I'll show you." He whispers softly. He extended his hand and focused. A rift appeared in the wall and he smiles. "It's safe here." He gently takes Cas into the rift and they appear in what seems to be a world of color and vigor. It was filled with energy and magic. It was peaceful.
"W-Where are we?" Cas tentatively looked up from where he was clinging to Aki. All he knew was this place was safe, which was mildly reassuring, but he was still uneasy and confused.
Aki gently supported him, helping him walk. "It's the spirit realm." He says softly, assuring him gently. "It is safe here. This is my masters little pocket of the realm. It's a place of healing and safety."
"…Am I supposed to stay here forever?" He asked, staying very close to Aki. "Or is this like, the road to somewhere else?"
"We can stay here for a little while. It travels to all worlds, to all places. It's how I got to you so quickly." He mutters gently as he helped Cas. "How do you feel?" He asks gently. He knew the spirit realm helped heal someone faster, while also strengthening magical abilities.
"A little better… still kinda anxious, though." Cas ran his trembling fingers through his hair, exhaling shakily.