Thoughts encompass the world, whether we like it or not.

Our world is contrasted of thoughts and ideas that we all follow mindlessly. Like a never ending choreographed existence, always afraid to mess up or else you'll force everyone else to start over with you. You could feel the angry glares and hear the annoyed mumbles as you inhale one more time and get back into position.

No wonder Rin wakes up so late.

He tossed and turned, trying to not wake up the sleeping figure beside him. He huffed, annoyed as to not being able to find a comfortable spot. It was a warm night to be sleeping and persevering any type of remotely cold air had been proven to be quite a challenge.

The gathered hot air created sweat that periodically dripped down his face. He pushed the sheets he was covered with and placed them over Korekiyo, also figuring that he would enjoy the sweltering temperature more than he did. Rin was usually desensitized to heat like this but sweat create itches

And that was one thing he wouldn't want to deal with whilst sleeping.

"You move a lot if your uncomfortable, don't you Rin?"

Korekiyo turned on his side, lingering sleepiness and a hint of annoyance in his eyes but he still managed a small, almost microscopic smile.

"I'm just itchy, no worries," Rin smiled sheepishly and waved it off.

"Well, if it's from gathered sweat, it would be more effective to take off your shirt. It looks a bit layered for the circumstance anyways," As soon as Korekiyo finished his sentence, Rin was still taken aback. They'd had taken baths together before but Korekiyo just telling him to take off his shirt was alien to him for some reason.

"It's not required, I just posed a suggestion, is all," It seems it was the same for him also.

There was no use thinking about it do late in the night, so he threw off his shirt and stuffed it under his pillow. Korekiyo continued to idly stare at him, somewhat unknowingly.

"Ah, much better," Rin stretched as he nestled further into the mattress.

"Maybe now you can finally sleep, " Korekiyo commented in a joking tone.

"Hopefully, good night, my prince," Rin snickered and turned around, Korekiyo figuring he would've fallen asleep instantly.

Something blossomed in his chest as the words 'my prince' fell precariously from Rin's mouth. What boundaries did break to make him feel this way? Was it because he felt more comfortable being here? Was he warming up to him unknowingly?

Whatever it was, it was... nice?

It didn't help that his cheeks turned warm thinking about it, but he brushed it off. He'd figure that it would go away in the morning. Forgotten and done with, or at least until he had his situation figured out, hopefully.

Rin had woken up first, and earlier than he'd usually wake. He sat up and jumped a bit when he realized his shirt was off before rummaging under his pillow to find it. Making use of the spare time, he got out of bed, careful not to wake up Korekiyo like he'd done a million times before and search for anything useful in the area.

They were pretty well off right now since neither of them eat much or use any important resources but it was more of an excuse for him to be by himself. He was an avid thinker and sometimes spaces out on his own, that eventually turning into him requiring five to ten minutes by himself every few days.

He walked around the perimeter of the cabin, admiring little things like the leaves on the ground and how the dirt almost sinks into the heel of his shoes. The breeze that shook the leaves on the branches made it feel homey, as there wasn't any other human beings for miles.

He sighed and relaxed as the breeze flew his hair back and his overcoat. He couldn't even believe that he was supposed to be an heir anymore.

Rin smiled and walked in the direction of the river, breaking his peaceful mindset. He didn't even remember the direction he came from - was he really outside for that long?

He combed through his greasy hair with his hand, keeping an eye out for the any edge of the stream so he could at least walk across it. Not long after though, he could here the soft running of water. He promptly took off his clothes and carried them in his arms.

He squinted to see strands of dark hair floating across him, picking one up to examine it sleekness, noticing the style anywhere.

He started to run across the river, careful not to step in any rocks.

"Korekiyo, my prince! I'm coming!" He yelled.

He slowed his pace to see Korekiyo sitting in the river, the water covering half of his face.

"Ah, I was wondering where you went. Though, I am grateful for the alone time I got," Korekiyo stood up and started dragging his fingers through his hair.

His smirk from his previous comical comment stood and made Rin's heart slightly leap in the process. He wouldn't even deny that the prince was attractive, but his attitude didn't match the word 'attractive'. Elegant, beautiful and other words of the sort fit him more and made him the little bit more magical.

"I would say the same," Rin put his clothes on the edge of the river and started working on the prince's hair, per consent if he so wishes.

"I had been thinking about the recent events, and I feel like I'm at an impasse," He sighed, defeated.

"Take your time, no one is rushing you," Rin slowly dragged his fingers over the braid he made before undoing it to create another.

"I would like to think so. Time waits for no one, not even for royalty," He chuckled, every huff of supposed joy came out dry and empty.

"Well, it makes us equal in a sense then. Wouldn't it matter if I waited for you?" Rin grinned innocently.

The feeling blossomed in Korekiyo's chest again, coupled with a hotter feeling blooming across his cheeks. Why did that sentence just awaken this sensation again? It didn't mean anything - it was just a friendly proposition. It shouldn't make him feel like this:

Right?

"No, it wouldn't, so, I would take you up on your offer."

"Especially when no one else would?"

He knew what he was grasping at. He didn't blame him for worrying about his relationship with his parents but an impasse was an impasse, and he wouldn't give them up like that.

But what if...

When he fought the battle between whether or not to go back, he would defend his parents starting with 'what if...' and a slight alteration at the end. Fighting definite facts with probabilities was something he knew he shouldn't do, but he always held onto whatever sliver of hope he had for his parents that they didn't just abandon him just like that. That they had at least a reason that made the slightest bit of sense.

But, what if this wasn't the case?

He couldn't believe he didn't catch that disastrous flaw with one of the sides of the battle. As if a war was about to commence and one side realized that their guns weren't reloaded or their swords didn't have blades.

He was fighting an imaginary war.

He didn't notice that he kept Rin in silence whilst he was having the fast succession of thoughts that led to his permanent stay.

"Yes."

Rin raised his eyebrow, a quiet 'hm?' sounded from his throat.

"I would allow you to wait for me, even when no one else would."

"Why the long pause?" Rin chuckled.

"I was testing your truthfulness," Korekiyo turned his head to face the other man, water droplets dripping from his forehead and temple. A visible and sure grin was beautifully crafted into his face, skin and all.

"You are as honest as could be."

Rin wanted to apologize a million times over for what he's doing to him. Fear and reluctance created a barrier between them, ever separating until Rin could break this habit.

He promises that he would end this charade. For Korekiyo, himself, and whatever future they could have after that.