A Demon's Way w/ クローバー (Clover)

[クローバー (Clover)]

"I-It's nothing." Masaki said, though he couldn't deny that something was bothering him. "Do you mind if I stay with you for a couple days?"

He wiped his eyes and tried not to look too unhappy.

[azuneko]

"Stay as long as you like. I won't throw you out. Your cute even when your crying." Hiroki said as he kissed his cheeks. "You are so cute Masaki." he said blushing. He picked up the other and smiled. "I though prefer the smiling Masaki better. Now where is he?" he asked wanting to see the other smile.

[クローバー (Clover)]

"Th-thanks..." Masaki said, smiling faintly. "I'll go with you when you leave. For now, let's go swimming."

Masaki continued to lead Hiroki down the path until they arrived at a clean spring that had a rushing waterfall on the left side that fed it constantly. The trees around it had leaves of a healthy green hue. There were not many flowers around.

"We're here at last." Masaki said, removing his shirt and hanging it on a tree. He slipped behind a large tree to take his pants and underwear off. He hung those on the same tree limb before sliding into the water completely naked.

[azuneko]

Hiroki smiled as the other did. He followed him down to the water. It was nice seeing such a lush and sparkling area. He took off his clothes and folded them neatly before resting them beside a shrub. He then enters the water. His eyes dart over towards Masaki. "Come over here. I've seen you naked this morning so don't hide."

[クローバー (Clover)]

Masaki blushed even more and waded over. He was currently waist-deep in cool, natural water. He almost had a siren-like appearance to him with his more feminine figure.

"Hiroki..." he said, a soft blush coloring his cheeks. His porcelain-colored skin almost seemed to glow in the sparkling water. "You look beautiful. Do you think... I'm beautiful?"

[azuneko]

Hiroki pinched Masaki's cheeks when he spoke. "I am not beautiful. That's too girly for me. Though I will admit that your are breathtakingly beautiful in this type of setting." he said then kissing where he pinched the other. He was finding the other's simple reactions to him adorable. "So you come here often or is today just extra special?"

[クローバー (Clover)]

"I do, but the season wasn't appropriate before now." Masaki said. "Though... It feels special because you're with me."

He blushed when he finished the second part of his statement.

[azuneko]

Hiroki pulls Masaki closer to him. "Oh so me being here makes today special? That makes me happier than you can imagine." he said holding the other in his arms. He was really enjoying this time with the other. Despite having to return home later he was glad he wouldn't be leaving alone. "So besides swimming what else does Masaki the cute prince do in his spare time?" he asked

[クローバー (Clover)]

"I-I'm not a kid. I'm over 18 years old." Masaki said, pouting. "But if you must know, I also take walks in the town and speak with my servants."

He wasn't as much annoyed with being called cute as he was with being treated like a child. His princely status made this dislike much stronger.

[azuneko]

Hiroki lets the other go. "I guess you have a point. You aren't a child." he said before sinking into the water. He looked around and noticed how crystal clear everything was. He could sit under there for days. It was truly peaceful here. As he came up, he looked over at Masaki. "Its obvious you and your servants have a close relationship. Most servants are far too afraid to share a meal with their master. They would be more on edge than how relaxed your servants are." he mutters softly

[クローバー (Clover)]

"They're all rather recently hired. I decided to do things differently from the royal family." Masaki said. "Though Seiji has been here for a while. According to what I heard about him, he's been here since the princess was alive. I guess he adapts well to change."

He put on a thoughtful expression when thinking about Seiji.

"Honestly, Seiji kinda confuses me. He's not a demon, I know that, but he's not exactly human either." Masaki said.

[azuneko]

Hiroki looked at him. "You really should pay attention to whom you hire then. That guy is far too pure to be working for or around demons so easily. He is either that of an angel or a demon within a pure ring. So he could be a demon just one who's never done anything to make him appear like one. Thus a demon with a pure ring. I would have been one as well but hey things happen." he said softly

[クローバー (Clover)]

"The problem is that I didn't even hire him. He's been around since the princess was still alive, so the king and queen would've had more say in who gets hired." Masaki said. "He was probably their choice, not mine."

Masaki continued to think about Seiji's presence in the house.

"Come to think of it, I don't always notice it, but I sometimes feel unsettled around him. It's almost like he has a knife concealed in his uniform waiting to stab the right person in the back." Masaki continued.

[azuneko]

Hiroki listened to the boy's concerns. "Well then its a good thing I am inviting you to my place. Its a chance to get away from your worries and focus on me only. Besides, I will be around from now on so you'll have nothing to worry about. Whatever he is I won't let him harm you." he said swimming close and kissing Masaki's cheek

[クローバー (Clover)]

Masaki blushed and draped his arms over Hiroki's shoulders.

"But... He's never done anything to me." Masaki said. "He's always been kind to me... But I feel weird around him. I don't know what to think."

He looked up at Hiroki with a confused expression.

[azuneko]

"Have you ever tried just asking him? If he's so kind to you then being honest with you as well should be easy for him. You are a smart demon so telling if he's lying to you should be easy. Though if he happens to be someone with an ability then lying could be a skill of his. Anyway try asking and see what happens. Then we can go from there." Hiroki said smiling at him.

[クローバー (Clover)]

"I haven't thought to ask. Maybe I will. However, I don't want to suddenly get on his bad side." Masaki said. "He doesn't like talking about himself much for some reason. Not even the king and queen could get much from him save for what they heard in his interview."

He looked to the clear water and back at Hiroki.

"Maybe I'm just thinking about it too much." he said.

[azuneko]

Hiroki stares at him. "I could ask for you. Just out of curiosity. If it makes you feel comfortable and not to strike up and bad blood. I don't mind if he dislikes me or not. Only your feelings for me matter." he said before going under the water again. He swam up behind Masaki wrapping his arms around his waist.

[クローバー (Clover)]

"No, I think I should." Masaki said. "It won't sound as suspicious if it comes from me. I've known him for a long time."

Masaki's hands rested on Hiroki's as the cool water from Hiroki's body dripped into his own. The scars on his friend felt rough, but an oddly nice kind of rough in comparison to Masaki's own soft skin.

[azuneko]

Hiroki glanced down at Masaki. "I think we should head back now. If we stay here too long I'll lose my voice of reason over to the voice of desire. Can't let that happen." ha said trying to slowly inch his body from Masaki's. He hadn't had a reaction to another person in so long.

[クローバー (Clover)]

Masaki didn't quite get the innuendo, but agreed anyway.

"Yeah, let's go." Masaki said. He got out, dried off and put his clothes back on.

"Ready to leave when you are." he said.

[azuneko]

Hiroki nods as he slowly got out the water. He dried off and got dressed. His gaze drifted towards Masaki. He smiled a bit as he looking at him. "Yeah lets head back. I could enjoy a little rest before we head to my place." he said softly. He was curious about the servant of Masaki's now. Though he wouldn't pry too much.

[クローバー (Clover)]

Masaki led Hiroki back to the castle, entering through the front, where the red-headed head butler was waiting for them.

"Good evening, Master. We have prepared dinner for you and your friend." Seiji said.

"Thanks." Masaki replied. "May I talk to you a little before we eat?"

Masaki then motioned for Hiroki to go to the dining room, where dinner was being served.

[azuneko]

Hiroki followed the other back to the castle. He slowly entered seeing none other than the servant they were talking about. He went along to the dining room so the two could talk. he kept his attention in that direction just in case Masaki was in need of help.

[クローバー (Clover)]

"Seiji, you've been here for how long?" Masaki asked.

"Since the king and queen's coronation." Seiji replied.

"That makes almost 180 years." Masaki said. "You still look great."

"Thank you, my prince." Seiji accepted the compliment. "Why ask?"

"I just want to know your secret. What keeps you from aging like that?" Masaki asked.

Seiji looked shocked. His hand went to the back of his head and he tried to calm himself down.

"Seiji?" Masaki asked.

"Y-young master..." he responded. "I need to show you something."

He unbuttoned his collar to reveal a bite mark on his neck.

"You were... Attacked by a vampire?!" Masaki asked. "But... You never told me!"

"I had to keep it a secret from you at the time since you would've spilled the information somehow." Seiji said. "He would've had my neck as well as yours if he found out that we were demons."

"You knew I was a demon all along?" Masaki asked.

"Yes, but I kept it a secret from the royal family at your request." Seiji said.

"You're really loyal to keep it secret for so long." Masaki said. "Anyway, that's all I needed to know. Thanks. Let's eat."

Masaki walked to the dining room. Seiji stayed behind for a while to think to himself for a while.

"Young master..." he said.

Why not me...? Why him? he thought before following Masaki to the dining room.