Lily and The Cardinal

Peace

"What other stuff... Can you create?"

Tadashi couldn't help but wonder. Putting his heart-wrenching fear to the side, he subconsciously leaned closer. Kei gulped and bashfully rubbed at the back of his neck.

"The other stuff isn't very child-friendly."

"It's a good thing im not a child then, right?"

Kei frustratedly groaned.

"You won't stop asking unless I show you huh?"

"That's right. You brought me here, entertain me."

"What am I, your servant?"

"I prefer the term 'friends with benefits'."

"Didn't you just say friends don't touch each other in such naughty ways?"

"This isn't naughty, my hands aren't touching you."

"But your legs are."

Kei pointed down at their chaotic mess. Their legs somehow became tangled like spaghetti. It was comfortable, Tadashi had no intention to move.

"I've been meaning to ask. How did you lift me up here all by yourself?"

"It wasn't a challenge. The vines can mold into anything I want. I just put together some stairs... Plus, you don't weigh that much."

"I see, so right now, if I asked you to recreate those stairs so I can go home, would you?"

"No... No, I wouldn't do that."

"I figured."

"Now, it's my turn to ask. You were crying earlier, why?"

Damn, he just had to ask that question. In no way could Tadashi tell him the real reason why he was upset.

How could he explain that he was crying because he was afraid that he could be the cause of the Prince's demise?

"I guess it's just been a long day."

"That's not an answer."

"What do you want me to say?"

"I want to know why you were crying, that's it."

"I was missing my Mom. There, happy?"

Although it wasn't exactly true, it wasn't really a lie either.

He did miss his mother, he missed her dearly. But she's been out of his life for so long that memories of her don't bring enough sadness to make him shed tears.

Kei frowned, he quieted then looked down at their entangled legs. Every so often he would furrow his eyebrows, glance up at Tadashi, then quickly dart back to staring at his fingers which rhythmically tapped on his knee.

The sweet-scented boy was beginning to regret lying about such a heavy topic. He didn't enjoy the awkward atmosphere. He'd rather listen to Kei's voice than sit in suffocating silence.

"So...-"

"I don't have one either... I don't have a Mom."

Kei tilted his head upwards.

Tadashi's breath hitched.

It seems he may have judged Kei a little too early. He gaped at the glossy glisten gleaming in the Prince's eyes.

Goddess, he felt terrible.

His body moved on its own.

He instantly encircled his arms around Kei's neck then flopped down on his back, pulling the sad Prince along with him.

"H-hey! What are you doing!?"

"I don't know."

Kei made several attempts to free himself from Tadashi's surprisingly tough hold.

Eventually, he wears himself out and gives up on trying to escape.

His muscles went limp, his jaw tightening. Tadashi stiffened when he felt Kei burrow his nose into his neck. He's never been the best at comforting.

Hinata was usually there to be his shoulder to cry on, he didn't know how to be that shoulder to someone else.

"Sorry. I'm sorry Kei."

The Prince just shrugged his shoulders, shoving his nose deeper into the crook of Tadashi's neck he lifted a quick thumbs up into the air.

"Does that mean im forgiven?"

Kei nodded, Tadashi merely sighed and tightened his hold around the blonde's neck.

"Jeez... And I thought I was a crybaby."

"I'm not crying, the air is just stuffy."

"Sure."

"It's true."

"Mhm."

"Stop that! It's the truth!"

"I never said you were lying."

After a few more moments of civil arguing over who was the bigger crybaby, Tadashi began to feel the familiar exhaustion make an appearance. He tiredly yawned and gazed at the grand man-made canopy above.

The therapeutic feeling of Kei's feather-soft hair weaved between his fingers was slowly lulling him to sleep.

He didn't know how it was possible.

The Prince somehow managed to burrow his face so deep into his neck that he could feel the gentle flutter of his eyelashes every time he blinked.

That little feature wasn't helping Tadashi stay awake in the slightest.

It was far too similar to the way his butterflies tickled his skin.

"Lily?"

"Hm?"

"May I ask you a question."

"Anything."

Kei released a breathy sigh while he traced a vein in Tadashi's neck with his finger.

For once, he felt at ease.

Truly, he only wanted to ask the sweet-scented boy if he'd stay.

But instead, he decided to ask a safer question.

"What's your name?"

"Tadashi."

"Tadashi?"

"Yes?"

"I think Lily suits you better."

Tadashi's mouth quirked into a cheerful grin.

He lightly chuckled then gave Kei's head a soft pat.

"Goodnight, Your Highness."

And that was the last time Tadashi spoke before drifting off into a much-needed slumber.

Soon shortly joined by Kei who removed his glasses and comfortably positioned himself in-between Tadashi's legs. The size difference didn't prove to be an issue as he curled himself into a small ball and burrowed his face impossibly deeper into the sweet-scented human's neck.