Faking Family: Part 1
TITLE: FAKING FAMILY
PAIRING: MATSUMIYA, BROKEN SAKUMIYA
GENRE: SLIGHT ANGST, ROMANCE
DISCLAIMER: WISH I OWN THEM, BUT I DON´T :(
SUMMARY: WHEN ONE LOVE IS PUNISHED, ANOTHER ONE CAN BE YOUR SALVATION
Ninomiya Seiji knew it was over. The small happiness he found working as a servant in the palace had disappeared in one blink of an eye, and now he found himself locked in a cell, waiting for his execution to take place. He had been arrested that morning, then stripped of his clothes and tortured like he had committed the worst crime ever. Maybe he did, if love was a crime.
He forced himself not to cry, lying on the cold floor dressed in old rags that a guard had threw at his face, relaying in the sweet memories of his lover to forget the pain. They knew the risks, of course they did, but that didn’t stop them, they just couldn’t. When it was just the two of them there was no difference in class or position, his lover wasn’t a prince and he wasn’t a servant, they were only Sho and Seiji, and that was all that mattered.
Somehow the king had found out and they were forced apart. He hadn’t been with the prince the moment it happened, but when the guards were dragging him out of the castle he heard the screams and loud bangs coming from the hallway that leads to the royal chambers. At least he has the consolation that the king would never hurt his oldest son, he loves him too much for that… just not enough to let him chose who to love.
Nino, as his lover calls him lovingly, has only one regret, he won’t be able to say goodbye to his prince nor kiss those luscious lips that have trailed his body countless times for a one last time. He doubted he’d even get to see him when the execution takes place as the sun rise. He only hopes his prince would find a new love soon, someone who could make him forget all the pain and make him smile that beautiful smile he adores. Someone who loves him with all his heart and soul. Someone… someone like him, only better.
Minutes passed, maybe hours, one doesn’t know in that pitch dark cell, when the door opened slightly and a man in a hood who didn’t look like a guard at all came hastily to kneel in front of him, urgency in his voice “Come on, we don’t have much time” he helped Nino stand up and with an arm around his waist rushed him to escape.
“W-who are you?” the prisoner tried to look and recognize the hidden face.
“There’s no time for questions, I have to take you out of here before it’s too late”
Nino knew better than to keep asking, for also the pain in his right leg was really distracting. They didn’t walk much through the passages of the prison when they came across a false door that led them to a narrow corridor that was in darkness. The man on the hood pulled out a small looking torch and with fire taken out of nowhere he illuminated the road. It was all like magic. As they advanced, the ceiling was getting lower, so far that at some point they were almost bend over in half, but they kept walking non-stop as fast as Nino’s leg allowed them to be.
Maybe half an hour later, Nino didn’t know anymore, they saw some light proper of the moon that was high in the sky. He barely recognized the place they ended up as the limits of the city capital, were few houses were scattered next to the woods where the king likes to hunt. There was no light inside the closest house, that looked more like a shack, but his savior took him to the entrance. When they were steps from the door another man appeared scaring the fugitive.
“You’re late” the second smaller man reproached the first
“His leg is bad, really bad; he needs to see a doctor soon”
The other sneered “As if there was a possibility of that happen”
“But-”
“There’s no time, the guards probably had noticed by now and soon they’ll be everywhere... I got everything ready”
The taller one nodded and turned to look at Nino “Boy, you have to hang on, okay?”
Nino broke his silence “Why are you helping me?” he asked the pair, but especially the one who took him out of there, because he had a gentler expression at the moment.
His savior smiled “Prince Sho loves you very much” he stated with amused eyes that crinkled at the sides, surprising Nino, but before he could ask more about his lover a piece of paper was shoved in his hands and his body was carried inside a charge carriage and covered by light boxes and old clothes. He stayed quiet in the darkness again, listening to the farewell of the other two.
“Take care brother” said who Nino assume was the hoody man “and keep the little one save”
“You know I’ll do. Just return to the palace before they notice your absence, Masaki”
“On my way” the other responded.
The fugitive lover vowed to himself to never forget that name, as he’s eternally in debt with him and his brother. Maybe one day he would be able to turn the favor, but the chances of that were almost none. He knew they were taking him out of Kastra to never come back.
The pain in his leg worsened through the journey but he never complained, he remained silent grateful for the bread and water they had provided to him in that small space. They never stopped; they couldn’t if they wanted to survive. Nino was eager to read what he imagined would be a letter from Sho, but he couldn’t in the dark and it was probably better to leave it until they were safe; in the meantime, his heart danced in hope that maybe Sho will follow him, that he too would escape and reunite with him in some fixed location described in the paper. Yes, he believed that, and for the first time since this nightmare started he grinned happily.
It seemed like a day when the carriage finally stopped and the covers and boxes were lifted out of him. Nino looked around; they were in the middle of a clearing in the crack of dawn. The brother helped him down and gave him a bag filled with clothes and food.
“This is as far as I can go” he said “the next village is that way” he signaled with his finger “we didn’t expect your leg to be like this, but you have to walk anyway. Take this” he pulled a small bag out of his coat and handed it to Nino “it’s not much but it’s all we can give you, use it wisely”
Nino looked at the bag of coins, feeling more ashamed for all the trouble he had put on that family “I-I can thank you enough” he murmured tears threatening to fall as his heart was filled with gratitude.
“The best you can do to thank us is live, live happily and with honor, boy” his tough attitude had change to one of an older brother “Be smart, you’re not in Kastra anymore, this is Gatria, where you’ll start a new life. Get a new name and keep safe, okay?” As he finished talking, the man was again on the horse ready to leave.
“Thank you. Thank you so much” Nino was crying and bowing repeatedly “and thank your brother for me, please”
The other smiled lightly “I’ll do so. Good bye boy, and remember what I told you”
Nino saw the cargo carriage rushing away, leaving him in this strange place with no much in his hands, but he was alive. He stood there for a few minutes, trying to recapitulate all that had happened until now, knowing he was still in the middle of his journey.
Even if the Kastra and Gatria were neighboring kingdoms, they didn’t have the best diplomatic relationships. They weren’t in war or anything, but they have a long history of disputes and disagreements that started centuries ago. In short, people of Kastra weren’t well received in Gatria, and the other way around. It really was the last place they would look for him, but you never can be that sure.
He started walking in direction of the village Masaki’s brother had signaled to him, there was no sign of it in the distance so he knew he was still very far, his right leg set him back a great amount of time, but at least he had the strength to get going. When the village was finally at sight his leg gave up on him so he had to stop, he sat under a tree and drank of his pit of water. Nino knew he wouldn’t be well received there; he looked like a beggar who had rolled on the mud had been beaten just for fun. He sighed trying to get the depressing thought out of his head, and instinctively his hands reached inside his bag.
He took the paper out; it seemed his prince wrote it in a hurry for the way the letters were scribbled. He read it tracing the paper from top to bottom with his eyes, feeling his heart tightening in a pain so indescribable, he thought he would die then and there. When he finished it, his arms sacked at his sides and his face was covered in tears. He allowed himself to cry loudly, sobs and yells filling the air and clouding the morning sky, as if he was sharing his grief with the world. Still sobbing, he laid and curled up on the soil, looking like a fetus and not caring at all when the rain started to fall. Drenched in water he didn’t stop crying, even when the tears run out he continue whispering a mix of sobs and words that only made sense to him. Nino’s body started trembling and his head felt so dizzy, he felt so drained and broken, his hope of a happy future was only a fool’s illusion so dying felt like a good option to him at that moment. He smiled tiredly; there he could wait for Sho, there it won’t be any pain, there he could dream of being again in the arms of his lover. As all conscious was leaving him he vaguely heard sounds of casks and then he was lifted of the surface and let himself fly and enjoy this new sensation… At last, he was in heaven.
*
He felt so cold, more like freezing, he heard voices around him, urgent voices but he couldn’t see a thing. Again, he felt into unconsciousness.
Next time he woke up, he felt hot and the voices were still there, filled with distress. His eyelids felt still too heavy and he felt again.
The third time, there wasn’t so much noise, it was close to silence. His body ached everywhere and with great effort he managed to see two people near the bed he was lying on. One man was napping on a chair with arms crossed in a self-hug like mode, the other one was leaning on a table close by apparently arranging some bottles there, his back to the bed.
He tried to talk but only a low grumble left his mouth, it was enough though to make the standing man turn around. He came close and put his hand on his forehead and cheeks, letting out a relieved sigh. “Shhhh, don’t try to talk, is too soon, just sleep that the worst is over” Nino blinked still wanting to know more of where he was and how he got there, but sleep claimed him again.
The sun high up on the sky woke him up, he was lying with his head facing left and he felt a nice king of warm traveling his body seeing the beautiful clear sky through the big window. He turned his head when he felt another presence in the room. It was the sleeping man from before, but now he was fully awake and leaning closer to check on him. “Hello” he saluted politely “how are you feeling now? Can you talk?”
Uncertainty started to fill Nino’s mind, and he tried to talk, his throat sting and the words sounded strange and so weak even for him but at least he was heard “W-where am I?”
The man gave him a soft smile, relief washing over his face “That’s good, very good. Now, eat this” he helped him sit up and tried to feed him. “Questions for later, okay? First you have to eat, you’re too weak” he said when Nino didn’t open his mouth.
He was really hungry so he did as he said. When he finished it, he asked again “Where am I a-and who are you?”
The man sat on the chair next to him after putting the tray on the table “You’re in Lord Matsumoto’s country house and my name is Ikuta Touma at your service” he bowed respectfully.
“H-How-”
“Lord Matsumoto found you in the woods and brought you here, you are under his protection now. If your next question is why” he added seeing Nino opening his mouth “then you are not asking the right person”
Nino just nodded, still in a daze from the remains of the fever and for the information given to him. There were still things he didn’t understand and more he didn’t want to recall just yet.
The man analyzed him for a moment before he walked to the door “I’ll tell the lord you’re awake. I’m sure he’ll come to see you soon” and with that he left, the wooden door closing behind him.
Nino got scared, a stranger with no name or past in the house of a lord of Gatria most definitely will get arrested when found out. He can’t rely on the kindness of a person who brought him here and saw for his health, can he? Certainly, questions would arise and he has no answers, at least none that can assure his survival. He remembered Masaki’s brother advice, find a new name he had told him, right now it seemed the moment to do so. So lie was his only choice.
Minutes later, as Touma said, Lord Matsumoto entered the room. He was tall, dressed in elegant clothes that accentuated his slender but firm body. However it was his face that stroke Nino the most, expressive brown eyes marked thick eyebrows, white porcelain skin and red fleshy lips. He was definitely handsome. His demeanor witch he carried himself signaled that he was of noble birth, just like Sho, he thought suddenly remembering his prince-
“They tell me you’re feeling better” the lord sat down in the chair.
“T-thank you my lord, I-”
“The doctor said you shouldn’t talk too much. Food and rest is all you need. He’ll come to check out on you tomorrow, if you have any question for him. Your leg would heal soon too, if that’s your concern” he interrupted him.
Nino shook his head quickly, this man sure talks fast “I trust you my lord, it’s just t-”
“I told you not to talk too much” he reprehended him “I just need one answer from you” he looked deep into Nino’s eyes as if he could look into his soul “What’s your name?” he inquired without breaking the contact.
Nino knew he had to lie, but somehow in that moment he didn’t wanted to, after all he had done for him he didn’t deserve a lie. But he couldn’t say the true either, so he decided to keep quiet, shamefully looking down in a silent apology.
The lord waited until it was clear Nino wouldn’t talk “So, you can’t tell me” he concluded “there must be a big reason then”
Nino nodded still with his gaze down.
The lord stayed quiet too for a minute, deciding his guest’s fortune “Okay” he broke the silence “but you still need a name. Look up” he ordered
The fugitive did as told, and again those piercing eyes were on him “Kazunari” he stated firmly “If anybody asks just say that, from now on your name is Kazunari”
Nino nodded slowly, he liked that name.
“But someday I expect you to tell me who you really are” Kazunari’s eyes flashed with fear “when you feel ready to trust me” Lord Matsumoto added, somehow he didn’t like seeing the younger man like that, he only wanted to protect him.
Kazunari again nodded reluctantly, wondering if it would come the day when he could trust anyone enough to share his deepest secret.
“Now sleep Kazunari” The lord told him in such a gentle tone he couldn’t refuse, and he really felt tired. He expected the other to leave but the lord stayed seated there, in a comfortable silence the now boy named Kazunari felt into a deep slumber again.
The days passed by quickly all settled into a daily routine; Touma, who was the house butler, was the only one allowed to enter his room, take care of him, feed him and keeping him company. The town doctor came everyday in the morning to check on his leg and his overall condition. By afternoon, it was the lord that came through the wooden door to expend a few hours there; it was utterly strange to see someone of his importance just sitting in the chair with a book in his hands. They barely spoke, but Kazunari got used to his calm presence every day.
When the doctor told them he was fully recovered already a month had passed. Without wasting any second, Kazunari ask for a word with the lord. Half an hour later, Touma led him to the studio where Matsumoto sat behind a big desk, expecting for him. He felt very nervous, and after being allowed to sit, he took a big breath and started talking “My Lord, I thank your hospitality and apologize for all the troubles my stay had caused your eminence; I hope I can pay you somehow but I don’t have enough money, so I offer my humble service if you would allow me. I can clean very well, my cooking is not the best but-”
Matsumoto lifted his hand stopping midway “No” he stated in an authoritarian tone “you cannot stay as a servant”
The boy lowered his head in defeat and acceptance “I understa-”
“But you can live here… as my family”
Kazunari’s head shot up at those words “Eh?”
“You don’t have a place to call home right now, do you?”
Nino shook his head, still not believing his ears.
“And you want to keep your past hidden for what I can tell” Kazunari again lowered his head and nodded lightly. The lord sighed “Then, this is the best place for you”
“B-but why your eminence would do that… for me?”
“I have my reasons, as you have yours. From now on you’ll be Kazunari Matsumoto, my cousin if anyone asks, and believe me they won’t once I say so”
“Your cousin? But that… that’s too much, my lord. I don’t deserve such an honor. I shouldn’t-”
“That’s up to me to decide. So what do you say Kazunari, would you stay and be my family?”
Nino thought he noticed a tingle of uncertain in the lord’s voice, he didn’t want to hurt such a good person and being himself a orphan, the idea of calling someone family, even if was just a cousin, warmed his heart and help him decide “I-I’ll stay”
Matsumoto smiled “Good. Now Touma would take you to your new bedroom. Prepare yourself Kazunari, being a Matsumoto is not easy task, but I believe you can handle it”
The boy stood up and after bowing walked to the door, however a thought came to his mind making him turn “My lord?”
The man looked up at him “If-If I could ask your name”
Matsumoto flushed a little and spoke softly “Jun. You can call me Jun” Kazunari smiled and turned back leaving the lord in his studio, the smile never leaving his face.
As Matsumoto said, no one questioned him, at least not in his presence in the house nor in the town. Kazunari learned a lot from his “cousin”, as he showed him how to run the businesses and lands the family owns, he learned about the customs of the people of Gatria and molded himself to pass as one of his own. He learned that the lord was one of the King’s best friends since childhood and that fact made everyone around them more respectful toward the name Matsumoto.
But he didn’t know much about Matsumoto himself, other than Touma told him and what he heard from people of the village. His family was one of the most powerful ones in the kingdom, but a tragedy came upon them when his parents die when he was only a teenager, leaving him alone and in charge of his real state, with no close relatives around. Of course opportunistic people tried to trick him but the time prince then came to his help and since then people of court knows they shouldn’t try to fool Lord Matsumoto or else.
Even with the time they spend together Kazunari couldn’t get too close. At meals they would just sit and eat quietly, after finished Matsumoto would ask him to stay with him in his studio and make him company while he reads some book, so Kazunari took that time to just do the same and study more. Sometimes, in the middle of their after dinner routine, the little cousin would steal glances at the lord imagining what happens in the other’s mind and what he could do to make him feel more at ease. He knew the other man craved for company and family love, but they still haven’t figure out the way to be just that. He wanted it, but there was something there that was making it impossible and he didn’t know what it was.
Part 2