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It had been a normal day of training. Kage worked on the daily chores as usual. The day had flown by and soon enough it was time.
“They should be done by now.” Kage thought out loud.
Kage brought out his board on a wheel. Ready to catch Bojji as always. Just like clockwork the training room doors opened. A “good work today” could be heard as Bojji stumbled out with a tired yet warm smile. His eyes peered downward at the floor, no matter how exhausted he was, he always had it in him to smile for Kage, he was genuinely happy to see him at the end of every session.
Kage carted him back to their shared room, wheels clacking on the cobbled floor. He looked back at Bojji as he pulled. Bojji’s determination to train every day was truly inspiring. He couldn’t have been more proud of his friend. As they made it back, the prince gathered the little strength left in him to climb back into bed. He lay there for a few minutes, his chest raising up and down from exasperated breaths. Kage climbed up after him and rubbed his head. His fingers sunk into the boy's fluffy hair.
“You must’ve done super well if you’re this tired huh. You’re getting so strong Bojji!” Kage was always quick to praise him.
Bojji however, said nothing. He turned his head and stared hazily at Kage, a hint of something in his eyes but the blob couldn’t tell what.
Kage had never seen Bojji look so serious before, the prolonged eye contact made Kage look away a bit flustered. He felt an odd flutter and a tinge in his cheeks. What was with that look anyway? A few seconds passed. Seconds that felt like an eternity. Kage had been avoiding eye contact but every time he took a quick glance back at the boy’s face, his expression was still the same, still sleepy, but still staring at Kage.
He thought he had gotten used to Bojji looking at him, he needed it to see what he was saying anyway! But never for this long. He needed to find a way to change the subject, he didn’t know how much more he could take at the moment.
“S-So Bojji..” he scratched his cheek. Trying to hide the rising blush on his face. “Are you tired? I can tuck you in right now if you want.” Kage didn’t wait for his friend’s answer and took it upon himself to start pulling the covers over the boy. The little blob draped the sheets up to Bojji’s neck and flattened it out with his hand (mostly to keep his mind busy). “I’ll let you go to bed, you need your strength for tomorrow.”
Kage excused himself, awkwardly scooting away but something stopped him right in his tracks. He looked back. A faint grunt followed by a hand peeking out from under the sheets grabbed his. The shadow boy paused immediately. Kage could feel the heat rising up from his fingers. Bojji squeezed his hand a bit more, urging him to stay.
“Bojji?”
“Kage..” Bojji mouthed. He paused a moment. Kage waited expectantly.
“Despa told me something important today. He told me with this training, I’ll have the power to protect those I care about. It made me think. When we get back to the surface.. back to the castle... I want to protect you with everything I got!”
Bojji’s eyes sparkled with determination and adoration as he spoke to Kage. His first friend had helped him get this far through his journey, Bojji couldn’t have appreciated Kage any more than he already did. Protecting him was the least he could do.
Kage watched as Bojji leaned closer and held both his hands now, squeezing them tighter. A flurry of emotions washed over the little shadow.
How could Bojji say something so profound?! And so close to his face?!?
Kage’s heart felt like it could beat right out of his body. Kage knew he secretly admired Bojji ever since they met, though he could never admit it. He figured as long as he could stay by the prince’s side, even as his friend. That would be enough. Bojji however, was not making it easy for Kage to continue that way.
Overcome with emotion, Kage felt the blush rise further up his face, and his form became a little wobbly, almost like a puddle. It was so hard trying to keep his composure in the moment.
Something about Bojji just made him feel so comfortable, and safe, he hadn’t felt so loved in a long time. Now that he had, the blob wasn’t sure what to do with himself, it made him too happy.
Kage stuttered. All the flustered blobby mess could fumble out was another “B-Bojji…”
He felt the same hands wrap around him and pulled him into a soft, warm embrace.
“I want to protect you, Kage.” Bojji repeated. “I really do.”
It was Kage’s turn to say nothing. The pair stayed just like that for a few minutes. The room was peacefully silent but they were close enough together to hear each other's breath. It was calming.
Kage thought for a moment. He sighed. “Bojji is so wonderful.. and so warm too.” The words Bojji had said to him replayed in his mind,
“I want to protect you”
“I want to protect you”
“I want to protect you”
and oh, the feeling of being held so tenderly, he savored the moment.
“I... I don’t want to let go.” He thought to himself as he nestled more into Bojji’s arms.
He turned more puddle-like by the minute. If Kage hadn’t known any better he would’ve thought Bojji’s body heat was melting him. Kage finally dared to look back up after a while.
“I want to protect you too Bojji!”
Silence.
“...Eh? Bojji?”
Upon closer inspection, it seemed the boy had fallen asleep at some point. Kage chuckled to himself, he took another look at Bojji. His peaceful face lay on the pillow, absolutely still and tranquil. It made Kage’s heart smile knowing he was so comfy.
“Bojji..” he spoke quietly, even though he knew full well it wouldn’t be heard anyway.
It was only a phrase the night heard. But Kage’s heart was full. He took one more look at the prince, his prince, and drifted off after whispering those fateful words.
“I love you so much.”