Ever since Aki returned from his two-day vacation, all he thought about was Adkin's offer. A chance to see the world he missed out on for almost a decade for just a day. He had bottled up the desire to visit Earth and kept the tap on tight. But with Adkin's words, Aki wasn't sure if he wanted to stop it from exploding.
"Aki. You've been wiping that window long enough. Move onto something else." Yani's voice brought Aki out of his daydreaming as he stared at his reflection.
"Sorry master…" he mumbled before taking another bucket to clean the table.
"You've been unusually quiet these last few days. Is something bothering you?" Yani asked.
Aki bit his lower lip at his question. 'Yeah! I'm not sure if I want to betray your orders and go back home with Adkin. You know that guy you hate?'
As if saying that would ever happen…
"No, master. I believe the weather is getting to me. Thank you for asking. Would you care for tea?" Aki asked with his back to him.
Yani sighed. "Alright. Bring me tea when you finish. I'm bored." Aki listened carefully as his steps becoming distant. He felt relief replace the fear in his chest. He sat his bucket down and began cleaning the coffee table.
Lying was something Aki hated doing, but at that moment, he couldn't think of what else to say. Adkin told Aki so many things about Earth that he could never ask Yani. He did want to trust Yani that this was for the best. Aki swore his life to Yani, which he couldn't do if Aki was frequently wanting to leave his side to see another world.
While taking a step back, Aki knocked the bucket over. Causing someone from behind to scream in annoyance. Aki looked back in horror to see Yang glaring down at him.
"You stupid clutz! I'm about to go to a meeting and you just have to make me late!" Before Aki had the chance to apologize, Yang grabbed the handle of the bucket and dumped the remaining cold soapy water onto Aki. "Now I have to change! You're so useless you can't even clean a table properly!" As Yang was stomping off, Aki looked down to see the bottom of his pants. Against his dark grey pants, the small spot was hardly noticeable.
"Don't get mad, Aki. It's your fault…" he spoke to himself before moving his soaking hair out of his hair, as his eyes stung from the soap. Even though he kept trying to assure himself that it was his own fault, it frustrated him.
Aki finished his daily duties of cleaning before changing into dry clothes. His eyes were still irritated and annoyance was written on his face.
Even as he delivered his tea to Yani in his study, Aki couldn't get himself to fake a smile. Yani took a sip of his tea and rest his elbows on the desk.
"Your hair's damp. Were you bathing?" Yani asked.
Fed up, Aki didn't bother to lie again. "No. I didn't have the time. Yang dumped water on me for getting a small spot of water on his stupid pants."
Yani simply chuckled at his answer. "You're much cuter when you don't try acting nice. You're pissed, right?" he asked with a look of amusement.
"Of course I am! All I ever do is serve to the best of my ability and tie myself in knots to complete any task given to me with perfection. Even with little mistakes, he lashes at me and I have to take it! It's not fair I get to be treated like trash when I've done nothing wrong!" Aki bit back his tongue before he let his feelings out.
All Yani did was laugh as he shook his head. "How surprising. Fairness isn't an obligation. What does Yang get out of being nice to you? You'll still tie yourself in knots and would never dare to give him improper results. Even if you never made a single mistake, in his eyes you'll always be a worthless human who invaded his home."
His words cut deep into Aki's heart. What Yani did make sense, Yang would always hate him. But that never justified being treated so poorly. If Michi were still alive, Aki could've been more open with how he felt…
"It's still not fair. I hate that I hate seeing him. Hatred isn't something I want to have towards someone I have to live with until I die. All I want is to enjoy my servitude and not be reminded that I'm not welcomed…" Aki hugged himself as he felt his eyes became blurry from his tears.
"Do you want to cry?" Yani asked in a kind voice. Holding out his arms with a kind smile. "You've always been there for me, naturally I'll be there for you as well."
Aki hesitated before moving behind his desk and accepting the hug. "It's just so stressful. I hate how they treat me like this. I want to keep proving myself to them, but it's hard knowing it's for nothing." He buried his face in Yani's shoulder. He had no tears to shed, but it still felt nice holding someone. "I feel like you're the only one here who cares about me…" he admitted.
"Of course I am. We are the only ones who understand each other's true feelings in this world. You have human flaws, but that's what makes me like you even more," he whispered in Aki's ears, making him shiver.
"You've always been supportive and I'll always appreciate it. B-but I also have other's who understand me. So I don't always feel so isolated! Which I'm also thankful for…" Aki spoke in a shaky tone. Yani's grip became tighter and became uncomfortable.
Yani's hands pushed Aki back enough to see his annoyed face. His dull eyes staring up at Aki. "It better not be that worthless mistake. No living sin could ever understand someone like you."
Aki became annoyed as he scowled at him. "Adkin isn't a worthless mistake or a sin!" He shouted. "He's troubled, but that doesn't make him bad! You're just being petty by taking your anger out on a dead man's kid!"
The king sat below him with his face expressionless. With his lifeless eyes, Yani looked like a corpse. It made his skin crawl the longer it lasted.
"Ha. Of course. I'm the petty one. Why don't you look out the window? Tell me what you see," Yani suggested.
Aki sheepishly looked back at the window before looking at Yani. "There's no need-"
Yani shoved Aki harshly, causing him to stumble back. Already, Yani had his hand on Aki's shoulder and spun him around to face the window. Where all he saw was destruction and instructions barely staying together. Many with burnt markings. "Tell me just how beautiful and happy our kingdom is! Look at the gorgeous buildings! The smiles amongst our bustling residents!" He kept Aki looking at the window, denying the chance to look away. "Shall we go out to see the castle? I promise the cracks and rubbles really add to the aesthetic of pure fucking perfection huh?!" He threw Aki to the ground. Standing over him with piercing eyes.
Fear swelled up in Aki's chest as he struggled to part his trembling lips. His arms struggled to support him as he attempted to stand. Yani walked closer to him and knelt beside him with a twisted expression. He was grinning wildly with no sign of hesitation.
"Adkin isn't innocent. He enjoys every second of his attacks. Destroying the homes of those who already fear him. He may have hated that Red King, maybe even more than me–" Yani gently caressed Aki's cheek with his cold hand. "But he's still complacent in the desire to make others suffer. He may be part human, but he's a full-blooded monster. So don't try excusing the enemy's actions. Or else I'll have to punish you for being a traitor. Do I make myself clear?" Yani asked.
Aki felt paralyzed, unable to move his head to nod. All he could do was stare at Yani with fear embedded in his eyes. Yani sighed after waiting and walked out. Aki wasn't enough aware he was holding his breath until he exhaled.
He brought his hand up to see them trembling vigorously. His teeth kept chattering every time he opened his mouth to speak.
Tomorrow was the day Adkin would be waiting for his answer.
"I-I'll feel miserable either way…"