Bokuto set down the man he'd been holding, careful as ever. Akaashi was deep in sleep and needed to be covered up.

Bokuto's mother paused, confused. "Kotarou?"

"I found him outside. His lips were blue and he's sick Mama. We need to help him." Bokuto reached under the bed and grabbed his blankets. He put it over the younger male and tucked him in. Akaashi coughed, shivering. He wasn't awake but it was still concerning.

"Did he have a coat?"

"Mhmm." Bokuto held it up. "It's got vomit on it."

"Oh poor thing."

Bokuto put more wood in the fire and got a bucket, filling it halfway with snow and putting it close to the fire. It melted within no time and he washed away the vomit. He hung it up and found a glass that he filled with snow that he melted down so Akaashi had some water. This all took just over an hour and the whole time Akaashi slept, his breathing shallow. Bokuto felt of his forehead and frowned. "Mama?"

"Yes honey?"

"How do I get his fever to go down?"

"It'll go down over time. His resting will help. I have some extra food and I'll give it to him." She picked up a bowl and ladled some soup into it. "Wake him gently."

Bokuto leaned over and tapped Akaashi's shoulder. "Hey hey hey, time to wake up. Are you hungry?"

Akaashi hummed softly. He stretched and Bokuto chuckled. He tapped his shoulder again. Akaashi's eyes eased open. "Mm?"

"We have some food and some water if you'd like?"

Akaashi nodded. He took a deep breath. Bokuto eased him up and gave him some water. Akaashi was then given the bowl, which he couldn't exactly hold from how weak he was.

"You need some help?"

Akaashi looked up to Bokuto, eyes pleading.

"It's okay, it's okay. I get how it feels. I used to get sick a lot."

Akaashi nodded. Bokuto helped him out, helping him lift the spoon. Akaashi's strength came back a bit and he became slightly more aware of his surroundings. Was he in a shed? This space was so tiny...

"How are you feeling?"

"Better I think. May I have some more water?"

Bokuto handed him the cup and Akaashi sipped at it. He noticed Akaashi's little shakes and sighed. He must not be used to the cold yet.

Akaashi on the other hand was surprised he wasn't being scolded. Was this man a servant? He'd heard that some of them lived downstairs and had small rooms but this had a tiny kitchen. Was he in a peasant house?

Bokuto gently lifted his chin and checked his face for any scratches. "You must have been out there for a while. Your lips were blue."

Akaashi shrank back. No one really touched him unless it was nurses or family. He didn't know this person.

"Oh I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. You must be a little confused."

Akaashi nodded.

Bokuto lowered his voice a bit. "I found you while I was clearing trails and you had collapsed. From what I saw you got all the way up to a tree and passed out again. You were very sick and still are and I brought you back to my home to help you."

Akaashi nodded again. "And um... where... where is your house located?"

"It is on a similar field that the castle is. I live closer to the farming areas than the gardens and stuff. I guess you live closer to the castle?"

"Mhmm."

"If you're feeling up to it I can get you back to the castle."

"Do you mind if I stay here for a moment? I'm sensitive to the cold, especially now."

"No problem!" Bokuto backed away to give him space. "I have to go help my mom with washing clothes but it's okay. I'll be back. You just rest here and come get me when you feel better."

Akaashi thanked him quietly and laid down. He was warm here but he was bothered. He didn't know that the people out here were living in such conditions. A man walked in and saw him curled up. His eyes widened and Akaashi realized he'd been recognized.

"Are you Akaashi Keiji?"

"Yes sir."

The man turned to the door and Akaashi rushed to sit up. "Wait! Don't tell anyone, please! I'm not supposed to be here. I can leave on my own. I'm so sorry if I did anything. I can pay you." He put his hands in his pockets and discovered that it was way too large. He gasped. Not his coat. He shrugged it off and grabbed his coat. He held out a gold piece, terrified. "Please, I can't get in trouble."

Bokuto's father bowed. "It's alright. My son told me you weren't feeling well. Just rest."

"I don't want him to know. I beg of you, do not tell anyone that I am here."

"Of course."

Akaashi watched him leave before taking the money out of his pockets and hiding it under the bed. He got comfortable again and prayed that he'd get the strength to actually walk back home.

Later when Bokuto walked back in he was asleep again and Bokuto covered him up properly. His father was sat at the table, drinking coffee. "Hey dad."

"Hey."

"Do we have anymore blankets?"

"No but he can use my coat."

"You sure?"

"Positive."

Bokuto shrugged and draped the coat over Akaashi. He was sleeping in the fetal position and just overall hunched into his own body. "Poor guy looks so exhausted."

"He'll be just fine."

Akaashi started to whine and Bokuto set a hand on his back to calm him down. "Great. Now a bad dream."

Akaashi stilled and Bokuto let go. It took hours for him to wake up again and by that time it was getting dark. Outside Bokuto could see more and more lights and people with candles around the castle, which concerned him. "Hey I think there's something going on at the castle."

Bokuto's father looked outside and pointed to Akaashi. "Take him back to the castle. Take him to a maid or servant, not a guard."

Bokuto looked back at Akaashi, who wasn't even half awake. "Dad, he's still very tired."

"Oh well, you need to go."

"But dad-"

"I said NOW! Go!"

Bokuto startled before scooping up Akaashi, moving away his blankets and just wrapping him in a sheet. He made sure to put his coat on him too, worried. "Hey, hey, hey let's get you back home, yeah?"

Akaashi nodded and rested back against Bokuto. Bokuto walked up the hill with Akaashi in his arms. He rubbed his back, trying to keep him calm and warm and asleep. Akaashi yawned and burrowed into his neck.

"Are you okay?"

Akaashi nodded. "Sleepy."

"I see."

"Mm."

Bokuto got close to the gate and heard shouting.

"Someone is here! Over here!"

So much for not getting a guard. Bokuto saw a woman running in a dress and his eyes widened. "Oh shit. Princess."

Akaashi's head perked up. "Princess?"

"Yep. Holy Hell she can run."

Akaashi put his head down. That had to be Amaya. The gate flung open and a guard rushed up with Amaya. Amaya covered her mouth, sobbing. Her pretty proncess facade was completely gone as she helped Akaashi down out of Bokuto's arms. "Oh my God. Oh you poor thing. Are you okay? Don't run off like that again! You're ill!"

Bokuto stared, confused.

The guard lifted Akaashi and Amaya looked at Bokuto. She glared. "You! Did you take my brother from the castle?! Do you think you're a good person for stealing away a royal?!"

Bokuto looked to Akaashi, eyes begging for forgiveness. Akaashi coughed. "Amaya. He helped me."

Amaya hiccuped, wiping her nose with her sleeve.

Bokuto eased himself onto his knees. Never before had he expierenced fear like this. He had stolen the Prince from the castle on accident. Bokuto bowed, touching his forehead to the floor. "Please forgive me, I was not aware of who he was. I found him outside against a tree. His lips were blue and he had sick across his front. Please forgive me for taking him I did not mean to cause any harm."

He felt a hand on his back and looked up. His heart skipped a beat as the very Queen herself smiled at him. "What is your name young man?"

"Bokuto Kotarou."

"Well Kotarou, thank you for taking care of my son. Would you like to come inside and relax? I understand that you may be scared or cold."

"I have to go to my parents your highness," Bokuto whispered.

"Come to this gate tomorrow morning and let them know. I will let you in and you can eat breakfast with us. I only see it fit."

"Will that really be okay?"

"Of course. Stop bowing."

Bokuto sat up and stared up at her still. "Thank you."

"No problem of course. Go ahead and head home. I will see you first thing in the morning."

"Yes ma'am." Bokuto stood slowly and brushed himself off. He walked back down to his home, incredibly nervous. He'd just treated a Prince like that? The Prince had slept in his bed? And since when had he gotten so violently sick?