The sun barely peeked over the horizon, casting a pale golden glow over the quiet room where Ren and Shinomi lay tangled beneath silk sheets. Morning birds sang faintly in the distance, but inside, everything was still—except for one clingy prince who refused to let go.
"Shinomi," Ren said gently, shifting to sit up. "It's time."
"No," Shinomi muttered, tightening his arms around Ren's waist. "Don't go. Just skip today. One more day won't kill anyone."
Ren sighed, trying to wriggle free, but Shinomi only pulled him closer, burying his face into Ren's back like a sulking child. "You said we'd spend time together. You promised."
"I did. And we did." Ren turned, brushing fingers through Shinomi's tousled hair. "But I have duties too, remember? My father arranged this training with the best fencing masters. I can't run from it."
"I'll come with you."
"You can't come with me."
"Why not?" Shinomi pouted harder, now sitting up and glaring with genuine heartbreak. "I'll just sneak behind the bushes and watch you. Or—better—hide in your luggage!"
Ren couldn't help but laugh, reaching out to tug gently on Shinomi's cheek. "You're the future king, and you sound like a spoiled child who lost his toy."
"You are my toy!" Shinomi whined. "And my pillow. And my favorite meal. And—"
"Stop." Ren pressed a finger to Shinomi's lips, eyes soft. "Listen. I want to stay too. But if we start avoiding responsibilities now, how will we rule in the future?"
Shinomi's expression faltered.
"I'm not saying goodbye forever," Ren said. "Just for a little while. When we get married, we'll be together every day. You can cling to me in the morning and beg me not to get up—and I'll actually listen then."
Shinomi looked at him quietly, then reached out and cradled Ren's face between his palms.
"Do you promise? That one day I won't have to let you go like this again?"
Ren nodded. "I promise."
With a sigh, Shinomi finally let go. He leaned in, placing a lingering kiss on Ren's forehead, then one on his lips—slow, deep, as if trying to memorize the shape of him.
"I'm going to miss you like hell," Shinomi murmured.
Ren smiled and whispered, "I already do."
As Ren stood to get dressed, Shinomi sat on the edge of the bed, watching him like a heartbroken puppy. The robe slipped down one shoulder, but he didn't care. His entire attention was on the boy folding his clothes and tying his boots.
At the doorway, Ren turned one last time. "Don't sneak into training, okay?"
"No promises," Shinomi called out. "But if you get hurt, I will barge in and carry you off like a bride!"
Ren laughed, shaking his head. "I wouldn't expect anything less."
And then, with a last wave, he was gone.
Shinomi sat there, alone in the room that still smelled like Ren—lemongrass and soft linen—and sighed dramatically. He fell back onto the bed and stared at the ceiling.
Two days without Ren.
He was going to go mad.