Chapter Text
This was normal, it was just another day in Inarizaki kingdom. The skies were a vibrant baby blue and it was peaceful as it could be with a war on the outskirts of the territory that belongs to the Miya Royal family. The cities closest to the castle never saw the destruction though. Their military forces were determined to never let the battle rage farther than the border.
It was a war that lasted generations, it was in every history book and anyone could tell you of their own stories and involvement in battle, the princes of Inarizaki were very well versed in this, as the knowledge was forced inside their heads, along with other things, like why the war started all those years ago, Inarizaki’s allies and enemies that had been forged during this war. And the fact that they were supposed to be the generation that ended the war one way or another. Two identical twin boys stared at the board and at a young age were honored to be the generation to end a war that was going on for more years then they could count. But as time continued it became a source of dread.
It was a lot of pressure. Everyone had high expectations of them, seeing as they were appointed the solution to a long and tiring problem. The people were tired of seeing their sons and husbands and brothers go to war to not come back for a situation that was long dead, the only reason the war continued was pride. And one side would have to give in sooner or later, both sides were hoping for the former.
Twins boys were seen as the solution, they were known as the Miya twins, Atsumu and Osamu. They didn't actually know much about Itachiyama’s royal family and if their Heir is seen as some savior like they were. But they didn't think too much of it. They were only 12.
They had bigger problems.
“Samu’ if you don't hand me over that book right now”
“You’ll what? Call me a scrub?”
“Yeah ya scrub! I was looking for that!”
“I found it first, so finder keepers”
“That's not how that works, I should have gotten rid of you when i had the chance!”
“I should have eaten you in the womb, then I wouldn’t have to hear you whine”
Atsumu tackled Osamu to the ground, rolling and wrestling on the library floor, Osamu with his hand above his head as he kept the book out of his twin's reach. But the book was soon forgotten as they just fought for overall dominance. Osamu did have the Upper head, he was born an alpha and in a year or two when their puberty hit Atsumu would be at a bigger disadvantage than he is now. He cursed himself again for not eating the other when he had the chance, this all could have been avoided then. Maybe if he ate his twin he would be an alpha.
They were grunting and the verge of low echoed growls coming from the chest. New bruises would definitely be apparent on their sides and maybe Atsumu’s left shoulder, Osamu would need to wear long sleeves to hide the already forming bruising on his elbow and forearm.
It was a normal day in Inarizaki.
The Twins fought and would begrudgingly apologize over shared food, they would study, fight some more, the daily trash talk was inevitable. They would have dinner with their parents, go to their shared room and talk about the things that rattled their mind and scent mark before bed, before starting the day again.
What broke the normal was when their appointed and favorited butler, or nanny of sorts showed up in the middle of one of their brawls, announcing they would need to speak to their parents soon, then requested their presence in the throne room. They stopped and fixed their clothes, thanked the man as they left their unfinished homework on the library floor. No one would touch it.
“What did ya do this time?” Osamu's light shouldered the other, his glare held no heat but a spark of curiosity.
“Why do you assume it was me! Maybe it was you and you're just dragging me down with ya” Atsumu shoved him back a little harder, his glare did not hold any heat either, but it was more confusion than curiosity, what couldn't wait two hours till dinner to be discussed? Why in a formal place like the throne room?
Maybe it was about the banquet they were having for their 13th birthday next week..
“What could i have done? it’s always your stupid ideas that get us in trouble”
“Your the one that goes along with them, nobody side ya had to”
“Ya well, i'm your other half, it would only be a half-assed plan if i didn't help your dumbass”
“Ya scrub! If i'm a dumbass then your -”
“Boys!” A voice echoed through the hallway, it was a soothing and familiar voice that was like your favorite blanket. They stopped their bickering and quickened their pace into the throne room. They bowed their heads slightly when they stepped in front of their mother and father, in respect before lifting their heads in sync and waited for someone to explain why they were called.
“Atsumu, Osamu, we apologize for pulling you away from our studies for the moment but this was urgent and needed to be discussed now,” their father started was looking down at and piece of paper, it was crisp and clean, the edges sharp and the writing was neat and almost looked typed rather than handwritten.
“We sent a letter a few weeks back to the Itachiyama Kingdom, Asking for a peace treaty to be made under conditions and set rules, this is their agreement letter” Their mother continued and stood up taking the paper and showing them, they quickly scanned over it but were interrupted before they could read it all.
“Isn’t that amazing news mom?” Atsumu pressed on, there was something. His mother and father should be in tears of joy, the war would soon be over. Why were we not celebrating?
“Yes it is, but Itachiyama is old-fashioned and wants a marriage binding the countries together, a statement of true peace and alliance, offering marriage has always been in tradition to prove such.”
Coldwater, colder than cold, ice, Atlantic water was dumped and felt like it drenched Atsumu to the bone, He knew what this meant. He had learned about old weddings and arranged marriages, but those ways left behind at least 30 years ago, He had been happy he missed that generation and those traditions were being left in those ages and new ways were being formed, modern ways of showing alliance.
Itachiyama has an heir and they know Inarizaki has two. Atsumu looked at his brother for any clue as to how to react. If his immediate reaction was justified. They had briefly talked about this before, metaphorically. They were learning about how one of their ancestors had been in an arranged marriage to unite kingdoms that were powerful and wanted to make one absolute power. It didn't end well.
They never thought they would be faced with this, Osamu had made a face that mirrored Atsumu, panic, dread, confusion
“Mom”
“Mom Ple-”
They looked at each other and faced their parents again and before they could argue, she had held her hand up and they stood, Atsumu wanted to continue. This was their freedom they were talking about, their love life and their future that was being decided for them.
“It has not been decided who will be married to the prince of Itachiyama, he is an alpha, the same age as you two actually. It was decided that it would be up to you two to choose, you have a few years, we pushed to wait til the appropriate age of 18 to wed the heirs and begin our alliance at full. For now both militaries are to fall back and take it front there. Your 13th birthday is in a week and that will mark your 5 years to decide. We won't push either of you, you two are close enough and old enough to be mature about this. That is all”
“Mom this.. There has to be something different we can do!”
“Atsumu you know the history, this has been the only attempt to create peace and there may not be another one. We have to take it, I know you dislike the idea but this is for the best of the country.” The father's voice was gentle but firm and although Atsumu wanted to keep fighting, he wanted to argue about it and try to find a different way, any other way.
They were still kids for god's sake. One of them would have their future set in stone and taken from them. They wouldn't get a choice because it was for the good of the country. Atsumu bit his lip and Samu’ elbowed him in the ribs to pull him out of his thoughts, they bowed even though Atsumu’s wasn’t as respectful as it could have been but nobody commented on it and let them leave.
The air was different, the hallways were just as empty as ever but as the pair walked down them they felt suffocating, Osamu has a stone face, not letting his emotions show on the outside. It gave him a neutral almost bored feature on the outside world but his twin that had been by his side for the past almost 13 years could see the distraught behind the facade, they had the same face for crying out loud. Atsumu doesn't try to hide his anger and emotions, he doesn't care if people knew, his colors were on his sleeve and they were painted red.
Who does this Itachiyama Kingdom think they are? They demand a marriage because of what? For old traditions that are being left in the dust? It was unfair for both parties, and how did they expect a pair of twins to make the choice of who would get married off to a person they have never met before while the other would be able to find love of their choice. Although maybe it was better than someone choosing for them, but still the point.
Neither boy said anything, the book was long forgotten when they reached the library once again, Atsumu could focus anymore and Osamu was no better just twirling a pencil around, staring at the page like it caused the war that led them here.
Atsumu sighed dramatically, and packed his homework, if they were gonna drop this bomb on them today then he was talking the day off. He got off the floor and shoved everything into a declared school bag and hastily threw it over his shoulder, Samu followed suit.
“Where are you going Tsumu’? Dinners soon.”
“I'm not hungry, tell mom and dad”
“Who said I was hungry” Osamu shot back and followed the heavy footsteps of his twin to their room.
This was their safe space, it smelled like cinnamon dashes of spice, it was their scent when mixed together like it most times since they spent most of their time together. They had shared a space together since they were in the womb, when they were seven their parents tried to get them to have separate rooms but three nights was all it took to change their mind. The first night they both had nightmares and were crying nonstop, the next night they would not go to bed and were constantly clinging and the separation anxiety during the day meant if they were out of sight of each other it would cause screaming tantrums til they holding the other, scenting their newly forming scent on each other.
Their parents stopped trying to have separate rooms saying when they wanted to they could get their own rooms. But that wasn't even a thought at this point, maybe some people would think it was weird but when you have someone that you are so familiar and safe with you don't want them to leave. At this age and because of their second genders people would be bewildered and probably concerned but this was home, and there was no other real way to live if it wasn’t with his brother pestering him about his clothes being on the floor.
Atsumu and Osamu may fight like they would give the world to be rid of each other but they’d kill if someone tried to separate them. They were a package deal and if you wanted one you would have to be able to deal with the other, or you got neither. Osamu was always by Atsumu’s side even if he knew he would get into trouble and it was stupid because he couldn't let his brother be stupid by himself and take the blame by himself, Atsumu would always have Osamu’s back and only his because that was his 1:36 minute younger brother that was apart of him and he would give everything for him even his happiness.
They both knew that and that's why this was gonna be so hard for them.
When they entered their room Atsumu went straight for his bed and slammed down into the bed, his pile of blankets and the mass amount of pillows falling around him and engulfing him in the calming familiar scent of safety. Atsumu was a neaster, he nested in times of stress and when he was anxious, not all omega did this, but it wasn't uncommon for omegas to seek comfort in soft to the touch items that could retain scents. Not a single item in Atsumu’s nest didn't smell like his mother or brother, and the dashes or pine that would be his father's strong scent.
Osamu had fewer pillows and less blankets (In Atsumu's opinion not very soft, or as soft blankets as his) on his bed but enough that made it comfortable. He had a few childhood stuffed animals that fell off the bed as he jumped on the bed and face-planted the pillow.
Someone would knock the door and call them three times, probably for dinner but neither twin made a move to get up or even verbally respond, eventually, they gave up and left them alone for the night.
It could have been 30 minutes or 30 hours later but it was quiet the entire time, Atsumu was beginning to believe that the (ugly) twin was sleeping and was actually getting jealous that Osamu was sleeping because Atsumu couldn't. His brain would not stop, wouldn't let him sleep, wouldn't let him think about anything but what would happen, what could happen, which twin? Will they be forced apart after the wedding? they wouldn't do that right? But then again nobody expected them to want a marriage, what else would they want? If it was Osamu would he be treated right..would he be happy? He was always better at taking orders and making the best of them. Atsumu wasn’t, Atsumu wanted to argue and change the order to fit him and his purpose. It was how they would end up getting caught by the guards climbing the castle walls and acting like it was a balance beam or a tight-rope once they got to the top. It was how they would sneak extra snacks from the kitchen and would hide extra rice balls in a canister for Osamu cause they were his favorite.
He took the rules and bent them backwards til they met his standards, but this was something that he couldn't just go behind the staff’s backs and grab to go snacks or wait til no one's looking to act like the strong man they saw at the circus that one time as children. This was on someone else terms and he wasn't allowed to bend the rules.
Osamu was the obvious choice for this, he would take the role and would be a good partner and leader, he would complain to Atsumu but not to anyone else, or in front of anyone else, he would continue to be the poster child out the two of them but at what cost. Atsumu knew Samu wanted to marry someone for love, they rarely talked about it since there weren't many people to choose from at the castle and they weren’t really old enough to be in a relationship but he knew his brother and knew that he wanted that kinda life, that kinda story to say to other’s, how they met when they first said i love you.
Atsumu wouldn't let some war and a kingdom that has done nothing for them take that away from his brother. The situation at hand wasn’t fair but it was just cruel to do that to Osamu, and he could make-up reasons on why he would do it, good ones that would make Osamu agree so his brother didn't feel guilty like he was the oldest so the responsibility fell on him to do this.
He wasn't the responsible twin, but he could be, just this once.
“I can hear you overthinking from here”
“I'm not overthinking”
“You sure? you look stupid”
“We have the same face dumbass, you just said you look stupid too”
“but i'm not the one making the face.” Osamu gets up from his bed and creeps over to Atsumu’s bed a couple feet about from his, he lifts a blanket gently, asking for permission that is always granted. He still silently asks every time. When Atsumu lifted the blanket higher and moved over to the right side of the bed rather than the middle, Osamu climbed into his designated spot and they curled around each other like they have since birth.
“You know it's going to all work out”
“but what if it doesn't and-”
“Tsumu’ what’s the worst that could happen? One of us gets married, big deal it was gonna happen one day.”
“It wasn't supposed to happen like this though”
“Well, it's happening now, so I guess we should prepare for it. Well I should”
Atsumu visibly flinched at that idea and it made him want to vomit. He had already made up his mind. Nothing would stop him now.
“What makes you think you're marrying that Itachiyama scrub?”
“The fact you said ya never wanted to marry anyone literally yesterday and you tried to fight our father about this topic a little while ago. It only makes sense that I do it. Sure it won't be fun but nobody can force ya to do something you don't want, we all know it.”
“There ya go again”
“What?”
“Nothing, you’re not marrying anybody you're not going to be happy with. And ya wouldn't be happy, not in a marriage like that.”
“and you would?”
“I would make sure to annoy the crap out of them and get a kick outta making their life hell for the rest of mine.”
“But that's not being happy Tsumu”
“Don't you have that beta noble kid who comes by once a week you like?”
“Suna?”
“Ya that one, we hung out with him last week when he was here. I know you like him.”
“I never said anything of the sort.”
“You don't have to say it, I see it, and I don't like nor will I ever probably like someone. So let me be a good big brother, and take this responsibility. I'll marry the itachiyama scrub and you can marry Suna or whoever you like next and we’ll all live happily ever after.”
“You're older by one minute and 36 seconds don't start acting like you're supposed to be my senpai or something!”
“Is that all you got outta that!”
The days were cramming together it seemed like. The conversation about the itachiyama business was never brought up after the skipped meantime by their parents, seeming to get the memo about not bringing it up or any news involving it. Their birthday was now tonight and it was mostly just allying kingdoms consign to show their acknowledgment and respect toward the heirs that are coming of age soon.
Thirteen was the year that young adults started presenting, Although it was assumed among most that Astumu would be an omega due to his nesting tendencies and ever so slightly softer features then Osamu who would likely be a beta or alpha.
There would be relatives he hasn't seen and many strangers he was supposed to get to know and make connections with. He was still hung up about what this day meant now, instead of celebrating it felt a lot like a rope tightening around his neck and from now on every year the rope tightened just a little more till he would be suffocating.
Osamu still is arguing with him about if he is being serious and doesn't think he should do it for him, but Atsumu would hear any of it and for the next 5 years he wouldn't. He had a set vision now, and as long as he could stay with his brother he didn't mind an extra person in the castle, although they wouldn't be an extra person it would be his mate and it would be the new king of Inarizaki unless he was taken to Iachiyama, which is a little more likely because he is their only heir, an only child. Osamu would rule here and be hundreds of miles away.
He couldn't think of that, he wouldn't. He wouldn't allow it and his parents wouldn't do that to them.
He had 5 more years to make sure, he would obey and agree to whatever as long as Osamu didnt marry that bastard and they were at least close to each other. He would fight for that. And settle for that.
The castle ballroom was decorated in adorning colors light yellow and matte silver, complementary colors and were close to the colors of their eyes, one of the only ways to tell them apart was their eyes. Osamu had light ashy eyes that looked gray from far. Atsumu had more amber-gold eyes in the sun but otherwise were only a shade or two lighter than Osamu’s.
It was clever and Atsumu and Osamu didn't mind, they mostly let their mother plan things like this, they didn't really see the point of stuff like this but it was fun and they got to meet new people, sometimes there would be people their age and it would be a blast.
As people filled the room he only recognized a few people, older royals, that we had business with often. He couldn't remember them by name but they were people that would want to talk to them for sure.
He was tired already and nothing had even happened, this week had just been draining and he wasn't looking forward to today like he was or should have been. He looked over to Samu’ and he wasn't any better. His mother spoke and then his father. They stood up and bowed and thanked everyone for coming, and the music started, Samu and Tsumu made their way through the crowds, slowly making it through the mental checklist of memorable people to talk to. Staying together not to get to lost and in the almost endless crowd, they were always within a few feet of each other and people would confuse them call Atsumu “Prince Osamu” and samu would be mistaken of “Prince Atsumu”
They were used to this though, this had been a problem since birth. They let it slide about would count and laugh about how many people would mistake them and couldn't even say who was who standing next to each other.
Just when Atsmu was feeling the music and finally feeling like he could breathe rather than struggle to untie a knot that wasn't there before. Someone just had to bring IT up.
“So i heard about Itachiyama and Inarizaki finally ending the war, is it you or Osamu who will marry Prince Sa-”
“I'm sorry, umm how did you know that?” Atsumu had to act calm, he had to act, his heart wasn't about to explode out of his ribcage. I thought it wasn't to be broadcasted? Does everyone know?
“Uh well.. I know people from itachiyama and they wrote to me about the peace treaty and alliance being sealed with a wedding and their only heir is Sak-”
Atsumu didn't was to know his name and didn't want to hear any more at all. He needed to breathe, air, the air was what he needed. Like they had twin-telepathy Osamu turned around from his conversation and was concerned about his brother's state when he saw him.
Atsumu gave him a look, it was the look only he would understand, if he gave this look to anyone else or if anyone else in this room saw them they would think he was just fine but Osamu knew. Osamu created a distraction, He was always right there when he needed him.
Osamu took his drink he had been so careful with so far and without hesitation dropped it, people gasped and with all eyes on his twin he fled. He could hear the murmurs and the somes saying “Atsumu is the clumsy one, I wonder what happened?” but he could care to stay. He ran outside to the garden to the back. The willow tree that was as old as the war was back there, it was calming there and he ran. He collapsed against the tree and fell to his knees. Maybe running wasn't a good idea because it felt like he had no air. He went outside to have air so he could breathe but it felt like that was nothing now. Less than before.
Dots. black dots were forming around his vision. His blood was pumping and his heart would not slow down. This has never happened to him before. What was this feeling. It was being trapped in an open space, breathing, how did atsumu breathe again. He forgot.
He gasped but there wasn't anything to fill his lungs with after that, his vision was less dots and more spots, large sports, was the black from the sky, it couldn't be that late could it? For the sky to be that dark it would have to be midnight and it was only 9 when that banquet had started.
What was this feeling?
Suddenly there was a presence next to him, he could smell them, the sweet scent of honey with a bitter aftertaste that was intoxicating. He wanted to breath it in again but he couldn't find a way to. The presence was touching him, his knees, slowly carefully like the presence wasn't even actually touching him, light as a feather. It was slightly grounding, was atsumu touching the ground? He couldn't tell.
Were they talking?
It kinda sounded like someone was talking, maybe it was the presence, he gasped again, air was a necessity and he just couldn't figure out why.
Talking. Someone was talking, they were touching his face, his face, what did they say? It wasn't gentle anymore, was he shaking or was someone shaking him.
Why couldn't he tell?
He gasped again but this time, it was it, he caught the scent and it was grounding, the firm touch on his face was finally registering, it was him that was shaking, and someone who smelled like honey straight from an unopened jar with an aftertaste that was hard to explain. The presence was a person with one hand one his knee and the other on his face. They were wiping away tears. He had been crying? When had that started? He was so tired all of the sudden. How long had he been out of it.
“Are you with me? Can you hear me?”
“Ahh i.. Uhh.. honey”
“Honey?”
“What's happening?”
“You're coming out of a panic attack, I need you to try and breathe with me” The person said and they exaggerated their own breaths and Atsumu tried his best to copy, it took a couple of tries before his lungs decided they wanted to function again.
A minute passed and the person continued, “can you tell me what day it is?”
It's.. it's his and his brother's birthday.. He's supposed to be at the banquet. He should answer the helpful stranger.
“Me and my twins birthday”
“Correct, do you know where you are at”
“The garden, the willow tree?”
“Yes you are, what do you see?”
“a beautiful stranger” he wanted to say and he might have, he didn't have a brain-to-mouth filter right now, not that he had much of one anyways but right now his brain was fuzzy and all he could see was a man.
He was in a black suit, fancy and clean, nothing on it not a spot of dark or a stain, new. It had to be new. He was crouching down in front of him and it gave Atsumu the perfect view of the man's face. There was a mask hanging by an ear giving him the full view of his face. He was placed in the moonlight and he was slim but broad. He must have been Atsumu’s age, maybe older. He was gorgeous and looked young, his feature were still indeed of filling out but in Atsumu’s Opinion he was just fine. More than fine.
His fingers that were still on Atsumu’s face were long and thin like a pianist would have, they were smooth and soft and carried that heavenly scent.
Black dark curls, they looked soft and bouncy, Atsumu wanted to reach out and touch on those that fell in front of his face, it was obstructing the view. Dark eyes maybe a shade or two lighter than his hair, they were mesmerizing. Atsumu so badly wanted to get lost in them btu the stranger was looking at him like he expected an answer and was very concerned. He should answer first.
“You, I see you”
“Thats.. A good answer I guess, are you feeling better?”
“Umm yeah, I can breathe again. Woah that’s never happened before. Thank you alot, you didn't have too help me but i'm glad you did”
“I've had anxiety attacks before, they're not fun. I wouldn't want someone to suffer if i could help” the stranger pulled away taking his hand, which he just realized was gloved. He took one look at the floor and cringed and stood up dusting himself off and looked like he was about to have what atsumu was having. What did he call it.. A panic attack? Yeah the dude looked like he was going to die. But he offered a hand to Atsumu and he took it gratefully.
Once they were up Atsumu rubbed his eyes and tried to make sure it didn't look like he just cried. How would he explain that to anybody?
“Uh weird question but how do i look?”
“Like someone who just went through something traumatic”
“Oh shut up ya ass, I don't need people on my ass do i look decent?”
The stranger paused, they just looked at each other. The other took Atsumu in looking up and down, watching him for a moment before fixing his mask and looking away. “You look fine”
“Fine? Ya know what i'll take it, come on i'm guessing you're here for the party?”
“You could say that”
“Cool come on then, they're probably looking for me and I can't leave Osamu by himself like that for long.” Atsumu went to grab the person’s hand and drag them back with him but he retracted for a moment, before seeming to second guess himself and take the hand. Atsumu smiled and jogged back.
The mess that Osamu had made was gone and people were murmuring looking around..Atsumu had been gone too long. He was about to find a way in when the stranger tugged his sleeve, “open your hand” he said, his voice was smooth and like his scent was dripping honey. It was not the time to be having gay panci but oh well, he had trusted this man so far might as well continue. So he opened his hands and the man gently placed a box in his palm.
Atsumu was going to question it, he wanted to ask why he was giving it to him personally, who was he, what was his name. All his actually conscious thought now that he was 100% back but he didn't get to. He was grabbed and dragged by someone none other than his twin. He watched as the stranger gave a small very small wave and disappeared into the crowd.
“Where the hell did you go asshole??”
“Uh the garden?”
“wait.. Have you been crying”
“No?”