[FIC] A Whisperer's Love: Chapter 12
Title: A Whisperer's Love
Author: isha_mabin
Pairing: AKAME
Raiting: PG-13
Genre: Romance, Fantasy
Disclaimer: I only own the plot, nothing (or no one) else
Summary: The King's only son, Prince Jin, is gravely ill and it is said that only a kiss of life from a Whisperer - immortals who are able to wield magic - can cure the Prince. But Whisperers happen to be wiped out in the old times due to the decree passed by the previous royalties. Or so they thought until a Whisperer was caught. But there's a catch - this Whisperer happens to be a male.
A/N: Comments makes me happy and motivates me to write more ^^
Previous Chapters: Prologue, Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 6, Chapter 7, Chapter 8, Chapter 9, Chapter 10, Chapter 11
Chapter 12: Repentance and Forgiveness
"Jin? Why are you crying?"
He raised his head to see Kazuya looking at him worriedly from the open door of his room. He forgot to close it.
It was morning and a few hours away from his coronation.
Everyone was busy - arranging the place of ceremony, entertaining the guests that had arrived early, making sure everything was in place...
But since his presence wasn't needed until at the actual ceremony, he opted to stay in his room. Seeing the people hurrying from one place to another was making him dizzy.
Besides, he had been developing a headache since he woke up.
Might be the stress.
He turned to look out the window once again in hope that Kazuya would leave but the Whisperer remained standing at the door. Jin knew that without looking in his direction. Kazuya's stare was intense and hard to ignore.
"Jin? What's wrong?"
Don't look at me like that. Don't look so worried about me. I don't deserve it.
"I'm fine." He smiled. "I'm just feeling nostalgic all of a sudden."
If Kazuya knew he was lying, he didn't give any indication. Instead, he entered the room and sat on Jin's bed. "Come here please." He patted the space next to him.
Jin complied and sat beside Kazuya without another word.
He shouldn't have. The close distance was killing him. He wanted so badly to take Kazuya in his arms but he already made a decision. He shouldn't waver now.
I finally understand what the phrase 'so near, yet so far' means.
Kazuya turned sideways so that they were facing each other.
"I miss you, Jin. Not the defeated, guilt-written you now but the you that's full of life. That's what I miss." Kazuya touched his cheek.
"You miss me? Why? I- I let you down." Kazuya's softly voiced confession tore down Jin's defenses immediately.
"You'll be letting me down more if you don't stop blaming yourself. "
"You deserve someone better, Kazu. Yamapi was right. I'm being incredibly selfish in my insistence in keeping you here. My actions have harmed you and I am a danger to your life. It's time I let go. Y-you can leave anytime you want to. I...wont be selfish anymore. Whatever makes you happy, even if it means you won't be with me, I'm okay with that," Jin said, looking down.
Saying the words out loud made it all the more real, final. It hurts, it hurts so much for him to let go of the one person who could make him the happiest man in the world with just a simple smile. But Kazuya's happiness and well-being always comes first to him.
Kazuya's punch to his shoulder made him look at the Whisperer in surprise.
"How could you say that!? How could you give me up so easily? Anytime I want? That's not what I want Jin! Not even close! What I want, and all I will ever want, is to be with you," Kazuya declared.
"I'm sorry. I just thought you wouldn't want to be with me anymore after what I did," Jin said, sobbing.
"Idiot." Kazuya said the word affectionately. "I admit I was upset when you didn't come for me through those days at Lord Ryo's house but I understand. You're young, Jin and human. You'll tend to make more mistakes."
"I'm not that young," he muttered, the pain in his chest slowly leaving him as Kazuya caressed his face with his hand.
Kazuya's touch was healing his emotional scars.
"To me, you are. I'm years older than you after all." Kazuya laughed.
"You're bluffing," he said pouting. He was feeling much better now though he still vowed to take better care of Kazuya. He carefully embraced his beloved and placed a kiss on his cheek.
"When have I ever lied to you?" It was said in a teasing tone.
"How old are you exactly?" He pulled back to raise an eyebrow at Kazuya.
"45."
"Yes, and I'm a new born baby," Jin said, sarcastic.
When Kazuya didn't laugh and just looked at him, his eyes widened.
"Y-you're really 45?"
"25 years older than you, yes," Kazuya confirmed.
"Wow." Then he remembered a dream he had of Kazuya. "When I was 15 and asked you why you didn't age, you told me you age differently. Is that true?"
"Yes. Whisperers always look younger because it takes us about twice the time than humans to grow up. Then we stop aging a certain age. I think this is already the age I stop aging though since I haven't changed a bit these last few years."
"Would you still love me years from now when I become a wrinkly old man?" Jin asked. If Kazuya will never age then he can have a younger lover once Jin becomes old. Although it pained him to do so, he would have to let go of Kazuya at that point.
"Do you think I would replace you when that time comes? Is that it?"
He avoided Kazuya's stare. "You're gorgeous Kazuya," he said simply.
"Looks like I have a lot to tell you about the binding," Kazuya mused.
"You can tell me later." Jin said as he closed the gap between their lips.
He poured all his longing, all his love, all of him to that one kiss. It was gentle and yet passionate.
His tongue darted towards Kazuya's lower lip, asking for entrance. Oh how he had missed kissing this lovely man.
Kazuya moaned and parted his lips, letting Jin deepen the kiss. His hand reached up to Jin's nape and played with his hair.
Jin lifted Kazuya up to straddle him, still not breaking the kiss. He wanted Kazuya to be in control. After all that Kazuya went through, Jin knew the man needed it.
His tongue explored Kazuya's mouth, enticing Kazuya's tongue to respond. And respond, he did.
It was strange how every moan, every pleased reaction of Kazuya drove him right to the edge, like he could actually feel Kazuya's pleasure as his own.
After a while, they needed to pull away from each other to inhale air but the separation didn't last long.
Kazuya himself lightly bit Jin's earlobe before trailing kisses on Jin's face. Finally, their lips met again. This time, Kazuya was more aggresive. He unbuttoned Jin's shirt and roamed his hand on Jin's chest, lightly pinching one nipple.
Jin groaned and pulled away from the kiss, panting.
"We need to stop, love. I... I won't be able to control myself if this goes on longer." Jin took deep breaths to calm his raging heart.
"Then let go. Why do you need to control yourself?" Kazuya pouted.
"Because you're still healing." Jin smiled fondly at him. It's the first time he ever saw Kazuya be childish. It's endearing.
"I'm not-"
"Heavens!"
At the Queen's scandalized shout, Kazuya jumped off Jin's lap and accidentally fell off the bed.
"Mother! Don't scare Kazuya like that!" Jin scolded while lifting Kazuya to sit on his lap again.
"I'm sorry dear," the Queen apologized to Kazuya. "I was just surprised."
"No, it's my fault, your highness." Kazuya tried to wriggle out of Jin's lap but Jin only wrapped his hands around his waist to prevent him from leaving.
"What did you want to talk about mother?"
The Queen chose to ignore the position the two was in.
It's not like I've never been in love and young before. "Oh right. I just wanted to make sure Kazuya is fairing better. We have been busy with Jin's coronation so we have not been able to check on him before. And I came to apologize in behalf of the King for not coming to save you earlier."
Jin stiffened.
Don't feel guilty. Remember?
Kazuya's mental voice was like a soothing balm to Jin, making him relax.
"We could have gotten you but we wanted Jin to make that decision first. He is the next King so it's time he learns to make his own decisions," The Queen continued.
"I understand, your highness. But if I may ask, could we not bring up this subject ever again?" Kazuya stroked Jin's hand affectionately.
The Queen smiled upon seeing the gesture, understanding at that moment for whom the request was made for.
"Of course. It's the least we could do." She turned to Jin. "Both of you have a ceremony to attend so anything below Kazuya's waist is off-limits to you for now. Understand?"
She left the room, leaving behind two red-faced men.
-------------
"Jin, I didn't answer your question did I?" Kazuya asked after he and Jin got over the awkward silenced that issued after the Queen left.
"What question?"
"If I would still love you if you become old."
Jin avoided Kazuya's eyes. "You don't have to answer that."
Kazuya placed his hands on either side of Jin's face and turned his head towards him. "I want you to look at me while I say this. I won't ever replace you. No matter what form you become, I'll love you still."
"Really?"
The happiness he can see on Jin's face couldn't be mistaken.
"Really. Besides, no need to worry about your appearance. You won't be aging."
"What?"
"The binding. It shares my life force with you. So you won't age as long as I don't. You also won't have any sickness from now on. And you will be able to know my emotions," Kazuya explained.
"Yamapi mentioned something about that. He said we go through what the other experiences. But you shielded me from it when you were in Lord Ryo's place. Don't do that again okay? If something happens, don't prevent me from feeling it. When you healed me, you were sick for a week. I want to be able to share your pain that way too."
"I can't promise you something like that, Jin. I love you and it's natural for a man to protect the one he loves."
"Then I won't give you any reason to do that. I'll make sure you're well taken care of."
"I'm still a man Jin. I can take care of myself. But thank you for wanting to take care of me. And Jin?"
"What is it Kazu?"
"Do you accept what I am? Are you really okay with me being a Whisperer?"
"And I was wondering why I was feeling your anxiousness," Jin commented. He sighed. "For years, I hated your kind because I thought one of you had killed Xenon. He was my friend and almost my father."
"Listen Jin. That's not true. Whisperers can't kill humans."
"I know. The matter was cleared. Remember those kids you saved from town? They were my friend's children and the older sibling remembered everything that happened the day their parents died. Turns out we were wrong all this time. The Whisperer didn't harm their family. In fact, she saved them from the one that did."
"I don't think you completely understand." Kazuya sighed. "Jin, I don't want any secrets to come between us again so I'm going to tell you a secret. We whisperers can't kill humans. We literally can't. Our ancestors vowed never to kill humans and to us Whisperers, a vow is something we can't break."
Jin was stunned at the revelation. But when he replayed the past accounts of Whisperers, it made sense. The Whisperers that were caught never harmed humans. They were always on the defensive, never fighting back.
"Thank you for trusting me this much Kazuya. Even though I probably don't deserve it." The last sentence was said in a whisper.
But of course Kazuya still heard it.
"Are we back to this again?" Kazuya stared at him with clear, unwavering determination. "Humans may be my weakness but you Jin, you are my strength."
Kazuya looked at his beloved's eyes. Then he saw a vision. It was the same place that Kazuya first met Jin in the Prince's dream - wide field with magical creatures freely roaming around. Only this time, Jin was dressed in royal clothings and the King's crown on his head.
"You will also be the strength of a lot more people - magical creatures included."
The certainty with which Kazuya told him that made Jin believe in those words. "You will be there, at my side, when that happens," he stated rather than asked.
"I'll be there for sure," Kazuya confirmed.
"I'm lucky that you chose me as your partner," Jin said, more to himself.
"So am I, my charming Prince."
--------------------------------
to be continued...
--------------------------------
I absolutely adore the Queen's character! Who's with me? ^^
And yey! Jin and Kazuya's happy together again! ^^
Author: isha_mabin
Pairing: AKAME
Raiting: PG-13
Genre: Romance, Fantasy
Disclaimer: I only own the plot, nothing (or no one) else
Summary: The King's only son, Prince Jin, is gravely ill and it is said that only a kiss of life from a Whisperer - immortals who are able to wield magic - can cure the Prince. But Whisperers happen to be wiped out in the old times due to the decree passed by the previous royalties. Or so they thought until a Whisperer was caught. But there's a catch - this Whisperer happens to be a male.
A/N: Comments makes me happy and motivates me to write more ^^
Previous Chapters: Prologue, Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 6, Chapter 7, Chapter 8, Chapter 9, Chapter 10, Chapter 11
Chapter 12: Repentance and Forgiveness
"Jin? Why are you crying?"
He raised his head to see Kazuya looking at him worriedly from the open door of his room. He forgot to close it.
It was morning and a few hours away from his coronation.
Everyone was busy - arranging the place of ceremony, entertaining the guests that had arrived early, making sure everything was in place...
But since his presence wasn't needed until at the actual ceremony, he opted to stay in his room. Seeing the people hurrying from one place to another was making him dizzy.
Besides, he had been developing a headache since he woke up.
Might be the stress.
He turned to look out the window once again in hope that Kazuya would leave but the Whisperer remained standing at the door. Jin knew that without looking in his direction. Kazuya's stare was intense and hard to ignore.
"Jin? What's wrong?"
Don't look at me like that. Don't look so worried about me. I don't deserve it.
"I'm fine." He smiled. "I'm just feeling nostalgic all of a sudden."
If Kazuya knew he was lying, he didn't give any indication. Instead, he entered the room and sat on Jin's bed. "Come here please." He patted the space next to him.
Jin complied and sat beside Kazuya without another word.
He shouldn't have. The close distance was killing him. He wanted so badly to take Kazuya in his arms but he already made a decision. He shouldn't waver now.
I finally understand what the phrase 'so near, yet so far' means.
Kazuya turned sideways so that they were facing each other.
"I miss you, Jin. Not the defeated, guilt-written you now but the you that's full of life. That's what I miss." Kazuya touched his cheek.
"You miss me? Why? I- I let you down." Kazuya's softly voiced confession tore down Jin's defenses immediately.
"You'll be letting me down more if you don't stop blaming yourself. "
"You deserve someone better, Kazu. Yamapi was right. I'm being incredibly selfish in my insistence in keeping you here. My actions have harmed you and I am a danger to your life. It's time I let go. Y-you can leave anytime you want to. I...wont be selfish anymore. Whatever makes you happy, even if it means you won't be with me, I'm okay with that," Jin said, looking down.
Saying the words out loud made it all the more real, final. It hurts, it hurts so much for him to let go of the one person who could make him the happiest man in the world with just a simple smile. But Kazuya's happiness and well-being always comes first to him.
Kazuya's punch to his shoulder made him look at the Whisperer in surprise.
"How could you say that!? How could you give me up so easily? Anytime I want? That's not what I want Jin! Not even close! What I want, and all I will ever want, is to be with you," Kazuya declared.
"I'm sorry. I just thought you wouldn't want to be with me anymore after what I did," Jin said, sobbing.
"Idiot." Kazuya said the word affectionately. "I admit I was upset when you didn't come for me through those days at Lord Ryo's house but I understand. You're young, Jin and human. You'll tend to make more mistakes."
"I'm not that young," he muttered, the pain in his chest slowly leaving him as Kazuya caressed his face with his hand.
Kazuya's touch was healing his emotional scars.
"To me, you are. I'm years older than you after all." Kazuya laughed.
"You're bluffing," he said pouting. He was feeling much better now though he still vowed to take better care of Kazuya. He carefully embraced his beloved and placed a kiss on his cheek.
"When have I ever lied to you?" It was said in a teasing tone.
"How old are you exactly?" He pulled back to raise an eyebrow at Kazuya.
"45."
"Yes, and I'm a new born baby," Jin said, sarcastic.
When Kazuya didn't laugh and just looked at him, his eyes widened.
"Y-you're really 45?"
"25 years older than you, yes," Kazuya confirmed.
"Wow." Then he remembered a dream he had of Kazuya. "When I was 15 and asked you why you didn't age, you told me you age differently. Is that true?"
"Yes. Whisperers always look younger because it takes us about twice the time than humans to grow up. Then we stop aging a certain age. I think this is already the age I stop aging though since I haven't changed a bit these last few years."
"Would you still love me years from now when I become a wrinkly old man?" Jin asked. If Kazuya will never age then he can have a younger lover once Jin becomes old. Although it pained him to do so, he would have to let go of Kazuya at that point.
"Do you think I would replace you when that time comes? Is that it?"
He avoided Kazuya's stare. "You're gorgeous Kazuya," he said simply.
"Looks like I have a lot to tell you about the binding," Kazuya mused.
"You can tell me later." Jin said as he closed the gap between their lips.
He poured all his longing, all his love, all of him to that one kiss. It was gentle and yet passionate.
His tongue darted towards Kazuya's lower lip, asking for entrance. Oh how he had missed kissing this lovely man.
Kazuya moaned and parted his lips, letting Jin deepen the kiss. His hand reached up to Jin's nape and played with his hair.
Jin lifted Kazuya up to straddle him, still not breaking the kiss. He wanted Kazuya to be in control. After all that Kazuya went through, Jin knew the man needed it.
His tongue explored Kazuya's mouth, enticing Kazuya's tongue to respond. And respond, he did.
It was strange how every moan, every pleased reaction of Kazuya drove him right to the edge, like he could actually feel Kazuya's pleasure as his own.
After a while, they needed to pull away from each other to inhale air but the separation didn't last long.
Kazuya himself lightly bit Jin's earlobe before trailing kisses on Jin's face. Finally, their lips met again. This time, Kazuya was more aggresive. He unbuttoned Jin's shirt and roamed his hand on Jin's chest, lightly pinching one nipple.
Jin groaned and pulled away from the kiss, panting.
"We need to stop, love. I... I won't be able to control myself if this goes on longer." Jin took deep breaths to calm his raging heart.
"Then let go. Why do you need to control yourself?" Kazuya pouted.
"Because you're still healing." Jin smiled fondly at him. It's the first time he ever saw Kazuya be childish. It's endearing.
"I'm not-"
"Heavens!"
At the Queen's scandalized shout, Kazuya jumped off Jin's lap and accidentally fell off the bed.
"Mother! Don't scare Kazuya like that!" Jin scolded while lifting Kazuya to sit on his lap again.
"I'm sorry dear," the Queen apologized to Kazuya. "I was just surprised."
"No, it's my fault, your highness." Kazuya tried to wriggle out of Jin's lap but Jin only wrapped his hands around his waist to prevent him from leaving.
"What did you want to talk about mother?"
The Queen chose to ignore the position the two was in.
It's not like I've never been in love and young before. "Oh right. I just wanted to make sure Kazuya is fairing better. We have been busy with Jin's coronation so we have not been able to check on him before. And I came to apologize in behalf of the King for not coming to save you earlier."
Jin stiffened.
Don't feel guilty. Remember?
Kazuya's mental voice was like a soothing balm to Jin, making him relax.
"We could have gotten you but we wanted Jin to make that decision first. He is the next King so it's time he learns to make his own decisions," The Queen continued.
"I understand, your highness. But if I may ask, could we not bring up this subject ever again?" Kazuya stroked Jin's hand affectionately.
The Queen smiled upon seeing the gesture, understanding at that moment for whom the request was made for.
"Of course. It's the least we could do." She turned to Jin. "Both of you have a ceremony to attend so anything below Kazuya's waist is off-limits to you for now. Understand?"
She left the room, leaving behind two red-faced men.
-------------
"Jin, I didn't answer your question did I?" Kazuya asked after he and Jin got over the awkward silenced that issued after the Queen left.
"What question?"
"If I would still love you if you become old."
Jin avoided Kazuya's eyes. "You don't have to answer that."
Kazuya placed his hands on either side of Jin's face and turned his head towards him. "I want you to look at me while I say this. I won't ever replace you. No matter what form you become, I'll love you still."
"Really?"
The happiness he can see on Jin's face couldn't be mistaken.
"Really. Besides, no need to worry about your appearance. You won't be aging."
"What?"
"The binding. It shares my life force with you. So you won't age as long as I don't. You also won't have any sickness from now on. And you will be able to know my emotions," Kazuya explained.
"Yamapi mentioned something about that. He said we go through what the other experiences. But you shielded me from it when you were in Lord Ryo's place. Don't do that again okay? If something happens, don't prevent me from feeling it. When you healed me, you were sick for a week. I want to be able to share your pain that way too."
"I can't promise you something like that, Jin. I love you and it's natural for a man to protect the one he loves."
"Then I won't give you any reason to do that. I'll make sure you're well taken care of."
"I'm still a man Jin. I can take care of myself. But thank you for wanting to take care of me. And Jin?"
"What is it Kazu?"
"Do you accept what I am? Are you really okay with me being a Whisperer?"
"And I was wondering why I was feeling your anxiousness," Jin commented. He sighed. "For years, I hated your kind because I thought one of you had killed Xenon. He was my friend and almost my father."
"Listen Jin. That's not true. Whisperers can't kill humans."
"I know. The matter was cleared. Remember those kids you saved from town? They were my friend's children and the older sibling remembered everything that happened the day their parents died. Turns out we were wrong all this time. The Whisperer didn't harm their family. In fact, she saved them from the one that did."
"I don't think you completely understand." Kazuya sighed. "Jin, I don't want any secrets to come between us again so I'm going to tell you a secret. We whisperers can't kill humans. We literally can't. Our ancestors vowed never to kill humans and to us Whisperers, a vow is something we can't break."
Jin was stunned at the revelation. But when he replayed the past accounts of Whisperers, it made sense. The Whisperers that were caught never harmed humans. They were always on the defensive, never fighting back.
"Thank you for trusting me this much Kazuya. Even though I probably don't deserve it." The last sentence was said in a whisper.
But of course Kazuya still heard it.
"Are we back to this again?" Kazuya stared at him with clear, unwavering determination. "Humans may be my weakness but you Jin, you are my strength."
Kazuya looked at his beloved's eyes. Then he saw a vision. It was the same place that Kazuya first met Jin in the Prince's dream - wide field with magical creatures freely roaming around. Only this time, Jin was dressed in royal clothings and the King's crown on his head.
"You will also be the strength of a lot more people - magical creatures included."
The certainty with which Kazuya told him that made Jin believe in those words. "You will be there, at my side, when that happens," he stated rather than asked.
"I'll be there for sure," Kazuya confirmed.
"I'm lucky that you chose me as your partner," Jin said, more to himself.
"So am I, my charming Prince."
--------------------------------
to be continued...
--------------------------------
I absolutely adore the Queen's character! Who's with me? ^^
And yey! Jin and Kazuya's happy together again! ^^