Chapter Text
Attending court is painfully boring. It's all formalities and pandering - dozens and dozens of nobles all trying to get in his good graces only because his father is the king. Hokuto can't stand it.
Like now - an older noble of some sort is introducing Hokuto to his son. They're both finely dressed even though their house colors are a bit drab. White and a light beige. He supposes it looks alright on them with their tanned skin and light brown hair. They seem somewhat familiar. The father must've been here before, and his son is new. He looks maybe a touch younger than Hokuto himself with wide, rounded eyes.
"Pleased to meet you, your highness," the son bows deep. "We very much look forward to speaking with you tomorrow."
Oh great, they're attending the trade agreement meeting tomorrow morning. A night of needless festivity and a subsequent morning of politics. Hokuto's favorite. He says something polite in return, though the words don't stick in his mind. He's always saying the same things over and over - it's a script long since memorized. Manners were (metaphorically) beat into him since infancy, after all.
The young man smiles. His cheeks flush. It is not an unusual reaction. Hokuto is an asset of his kingdom - unmarried and handsome. His parents have been trying to marry him off for ages, but he's refused time and time again to their choices. This one… he isn't so bad. A cute face and a soft voice wouldn't be terrible to rule beside. It's the rest of it that Hokuto is less interested in.
Not that he's interested in ruling his kingdom at all - the king and queen have left it a mess. They're known for shirking their duties in the name of the love between them. It's a wonder Hokuto is their only child. Their good friend and advisor is probably the only thing holding the country together.
Worse still are the expectations of upholding the marital devotion the crown is famous for. Hokuto cannot see himself falling in love, whether it be with someone he picks on his own or a political match. He is more than content being his own man and doing what he pleases when he wants. With a wife or husband, his freedom will be stymied. Cut short while he's still relatively young and wont for novelty. The daily in and outs of running a kingdom alongside waking up to the same person day after day to have the same old conversations in the few minutes they have to themselves - it sounds terrible.
Hokuto would rather be with his friends, staff of the castle, forever. He'd rather continue to sneak off with them for adventures in town, in the neighboring fields, and the flowering plains farther still. They make him laugh. They make his heart feel full. He doesn't need something romantic.
The father and son leave him to speak to other, more talkative nobles. Hokuto does not miss the look the son throws over his shoulder - a shy smile. Yeah, he's interested. What a slog.
An elbow digs into his side and Hokuto almost forgets to performatively frown. Nobody but his best friend dares to touch him like that. "Akehoshi," he scolds in but a single name.
"Hehe," the young man giggles. "You look to be having a lovely time, your highness."
Subaru wears the Hidaka royal livery. He's the advisor's son, after all. The deep ultramarine contrasts nicely with his tangerine hair and makes his sky blue eyes even brighter. He doesn't always dress this nice - prefers to wear something he can roughhouse and run around in - but it's required of him at an event like this.
"Sure," Hokuto deadpans. He cannot say what he truly thinks, not with so many critical ears surrounding them. But he will not feign enjoyment.
"Oh c'mon, that guy just now was pretty cute, don'tcha think?" Subaru smirks.
Hokuto rolls his eyes minutely. Subaru will be able to clock it, as familiar as he is with Hokuto's tiny expressions of annoyance. "He was perfectly fine." Meaning, I have no interest.
"You gotta pick someone one of these days," Subaru chuckles. "You know your father would let you run off with just about anyone at this point."
Subaru doesn't usually call the king that. He has a nickname for Hokuto - Hokke. So naturally, in Subaru naming convention fashion, Seiya Hidaka is Hokkepapa. It'd be his head if he said it in public. He's at least that tactful.
Their other friends are around here somewhere, serving sparkling mead and small bites of delicate pastry. They're lower in the castle ranks but dear companions nonetheless. The king and queen have never minded, much like with everything Hokuto does. As long as they have each other, Hokuto is pretty sure he could be the kingdom fool without consequences. His betrothal is the one political piece of him they care about.
"Do you think anyone would notice if we left for the gardens," Hokuto whispers out the corner of his mouth.
Subaru shakes his head slightly enough to pass as a rearrangement of his hair. So Hokuto turns on his heel and beelines for the balcony door, knowing Subaru will follow.
There are a few people out here enjoying the cool spring breeze of the night. There's a grand marble staircase leading down from the low ledge into the expansive yard of hedges and flowers. Hokuto and Subaru are able to descend it without anyone stopping them for a chat or to keep them captive at the festivities. Scattered nobles in the first rows of foliage help them blend in as just a couple of men looking for a quieter venue to have hushed talks in.
That might be what they do anyway - Hokuto never tires of speaking with Subaru. His closest friend drives him mad frequently and pulls him into ridiculous arguments that leave him fuming. He has never been able to admit that he enjoys it, even in the heat of harsh words and mean looks. There's something liberating about being able to be so frank and rude with someone when you're the prince of a prestigious kingdom.
Better yet would be if they could abscond to the deepest reaches of the gardens and run through the rows of well-kept plants, playing some game they haven't specified just for the joy of it. Hokuto may be twenty five, but he loves nothing more than acting out inane fantasies as though he were a theatrical child.
Subaru always plays a prince or king, if only to piss Hokuto off. Hokuto prefers to be a knight. Their friends Makoto and Mao often pick something magic aligned, like a witch or court mage, realistic to their personal studies. They can go on grand adventures despite being confined to the acres surrounding the castle.
They find like minded people so rarely, but once as children they did play with a princess who they still send letters to this day. Anzu - she is a gem. If Hokuto were pressed to marry someone of status immediately, it would be her.
Hokuto and Subaru venture past the delicate lanterns adorning the first rows. They wander without a destination and find one of the small gazebos surrounded by particularly tall hedges. These are used for tea times and, supposedly, clandestine meetings. Makoto and Mao say they have stumbled across lovers sitting out here all the time.
At first, it appears empty. But as they approach, Hokuto spots a young man sitting on one of the wrought iron chairs, bent over and resting his head on the table. Subaru swears under his breath.
"I'm leaving this to you," he whispers to Hokuto. "He's above my rank. Good luck, your highness."
Hokuto has complete intention to turn around and leave with Subaru but the man inside the gazebo looks up at precisely the wrong moment and spots him just as Subaru has made it around the corner of the high hedges.
"Your highness," the man says, surprised, and straightens up. "Please, come sit if you'd like."
Hokuto sighs and accepts the invitation. He enters the small pavilion and sits. Up close, no longer quite as obscured by the night, the young man's identity becomes clear. He's that son of a noble Hokuto just met inside.
"I excused myself and meant to only take a moment's respite somewhere quiet, but it's so nice out here away from it all," the man sighs then his eyes go wide. "Not that I mean to insult your party, your highness!"
Hokuto waves a hand. "No offense taken. I myself needed a break."
The young man's eyes widen impossibly further. They're already so big, it gives him an expression of childlike wonder. "Forgive me, but I did not expect the prince to be so forthcoming." His face relaxes some, and he smiles slightly. "Maybe we're not so different."
Knowing not what else to say, Hokuto nods. The man continues.
"I must admit I was horribly nervous to meet you. The people of our station can be so difficult to connect with."
Our, he says. Then… is this man also a prince? Hokuto missed that entirely. There's something to be said for paying attention to introductions, even if he loathes them.
It's strange to sit here with someone of his own status. Does he still need to pretend to be proper and refined? Does he have to represent his kingdom quite so well? Or can he let down his hair and be frank like is his nature?
He settles for a middle ground. "I cannot say that I am a sociable type, and I find my time best spent with more casual company. But I do hope to attend to my duty as well as I can."
The man blushes. Hokuto really wishes he had heard his name earlier. "Me as well, your highness. I fear for my competence as a prince. Our kingdom is a humble one, if that is not already apparent in the shortcomings of my propriety."
He does speak like a prince, if a bit self-effacing. Hokuto has never met a noble so willing to identify their faults. It's refreshing in a way that reminds him of the companionship he keeps by choice. Maybe, just maybe, he'd like to make an acquaintance of this prince.
"I envy that. I'm not suited for my lifestyle," Hokuto shares candidly. If this man is going to become a friend, he has to show his true colors and gauge the response.
He balks. "Your highness, I promise you are far too good for our kingdom. We don't have much standing, and even less to offer." He catches himself with a hand over his mouth. "I really shouldn't be saying this, in the face of our negotiations tomorrow."
Ah, so his kingdom is involved in the trade agreement, beyond being guests and bystanders. Hokuto should know their family name, at the very least. … Mashiro, he thinks it was. Their heir is indeed unmarried. He's one that Hokuto's mother has mentioned as a good match before. Hokuto will never, ever validate her opinion, but in this one case she might not have been so far from correct.
Hokuto rests his head in his hand. "Our nation would do well to have a prince with such a realistic demeanor. And to travel all the way here for negotiations when you don't even have the crown, you must be dedicated." Hokuto nods decisively. "You would be better at being me than myself."
The young Mashiro looks absolutely shaken and laughs nervously. "It is such an honor you would say so, your highness."
"Drop the title," Hokuto demands more than asks. "I do not care for it."
"W-what should I call you?"
"Hokuto is fine." It's what all his friends call him in private. With this prince, it might even suffice in public if they make a friendship between them known. It would be so nice.
His eyes look about to pop out of his head. "Surely not!"
"Surely so."
The man sets his jaw stubbornly. "Then you must call me Tomoya as well."
Ah! The name mystery solved. "Tomoya it is," Hokuto smiles. It is genuine. This is a wonderful development, and just the pick me up Hokuto needed before tending to the rest of the party.
Tomoya smiles back and must be thinking the same thing, because he offers, "may I escort you back? I'm sure people are looking for the both of us by now."
Hokuto stands and allows them to link arms. Tomoya is a touch shorter than he is, but they fit well together and his pale dress with Hokuto's dark is striking. They make their way to the front of the gardens and up the stairs to the balcony. Each step they take back into the fray, nobles are looking up from their conversations and staring. It might be a bit scandalous that they emerged from the dark corners of the garden arm in arm without a chaperone. Hokuto revels in it. He's not sure Tomoya understands the implications.
Inside, people pay them a little less attention. Tomoya's father does look up and smile at them, first politely then wide and happy. To a king of a small nation, this must be a truly exciting development. Hokuto watches his own father do a double take across the room and make a terribly embarrassing face. Hokuto looks away immediately and erases it from his memory.
Subaru approaches and Tomoya extracts his arm to bow. He can't know Subaru is below them, only seeing the color of his garb. It's very endearing. Subaru places his hands on his hips and grins. He winks at Hokuto before Tomoya straightens back up.
"Well, well. Someone made a friend. I hope you have a fruitful relationship, your highnesses."
Tomoya stiffens beside Hokuto and blushes fiercely, as though he's just realized the scene they made. His flush will only increase the spectacle and rumors will probably surge about after this. Hokuto finds that he does not mind. Let them talk - it might even anger his parents.
"I-I must return to my father," he stutters suddenly, uneager to to continue the show. He turns and bows to Hokuto. "Have a good evening, your highness."
The name didn't stick. A shame. But Hokuto is in a remarkably better mood the rest of the night. He even laughs at an earl's terrible joke. Tomoya has made things a bit more bearable. He doesn't dread the meeting tomorrow anymore.
Hokuto wakes to a call of his title through the bedroom door. A maid coming to rouse him for the meeting, no doubt. He squirms in bed and stretches his limbs for the first time that day, joints popping. Something feels off. He must've slept funny. Nothing to do about it but hope the sensation goes away - he has a busy morning ahead.
He slips off the side of the tall bed and stumbles forward. His legs feel very off. He's starting to become concerned. He looks down at them and finds they're clothed in loose white pants. That's not what he wore to bed last night. He has a favorite blue dressing gown that he wears almost always, until it's pried away to wash.
He squints into the dark room, unlit by a sun that has not yet risen though the windows. It too is different. The furniture is the right style and color, but it's all in different places and the space is significantly smaller than it was yesterday. There is still a mirror next to the wash basin in the corner, though, and he clumsily walks toward it.
Panic had already began to seep into his heart, and his reflection sends it exploding though his veins. Because that is not his face. The eyes are brown and doe-like. The nose rounder. The cheeks more curved. And even in the shadow, he can tell the skin stretched across all those features is tanned. Staring back at him is the face of one Prince Tomoya Mashiro. He can't help it - his internal screaming slips out in one startled yell.
A maid comes bursting in through the door immediately. "Is everything alright your highness?" she says frantic, concerned.
Hokuto swallows around nothing. It too feels strange. The tangibility of it all - he's not dreaming. This is truly happening. He has no choice but to play it straight until he can find Tomoya.
He looks at the maid in the mirror and smiles the way he thinks Tomoya does. "I'm fine, thank you." His voice is so soft. The cadence slightly different.
The maid does not look convinced, but with nothing to go off of, she curtsies and exits the room with a quiet closing of the door. Hokuto closes his eyes and sighs. If Tomoya is in his body, all he has to do is make it through the morning to the meeting where he can pull him aside. They must've sat under a disastrously unlucky star last night to end up like this, but they can fix it. He hopes they can.
The royal mage, Makoto's mother, might be able to do something about it but telling her is a danger in and of itself. If it's just the two of them that have been affected, this could become an international emergency. A curse upon two royal bloodlines that Hokuto could see causing horrible political upheaval. No, he will keep it to himself for now, at least until they can meet and discuss.
Hokuto stares at his reflection for a bit longer, waiting for an attendant to come and dress him. But nobody else knocks on the door. Is he expected to dress himself? Do his parents not provide assistance for their guests? That is incorrigibly rude, in his opinion, and directly inconveniencing him at this moment. How can he be expected to put on his own livery? No, the livery of a completely different kingdom?
He finds the wardrobe and searches the lightly colored outfits. He'd like to pick one of the simpler ones because they have less ties and buttons, but that might come off as a slight at the meeting. He grumbles and takes out the nicest looking suit. It's so many layers of white and cream and beige, he might not be able to get it all on before the sun rises. But he will have to try.
He slips on the tights. That he can do. He shrugs on the undershirt, then go the pants. They only have a short, single line of buttons going up the front. Easy enough. The vest has a few more buttons and it's not so bad. It's the overshirt that he glares at. Two rows of the tiniest buttons he's ever seen go down the entire length of it. With great struggle and numbing fingertips, he pops them into place. He looks down at Tomoya's hands once he's done. They're not red with the exertion. He wonders if Tomoya dresses himself every day.
He toes on his shoes and exits the bedroom. As expected, the maid from earlier is waiting for him and eyes him warily.
"Are you sure your highness is alright? It's been some time. We need to hurry if you're to make it to the negotiations."
Hokuto nods and confirms again that everything is ok. It figures he spent too long getting dressed, but he's not the one to blame. It's his damned parents as always. Simply unbelievable they didn't assign anyone to Tomoya's dressing.
The maid leads him out of the rooms and down the hall. The guests are always situated in the left wing, while the castle's regular occupants are on the right. Hokuto doesn't come over here very often. It's in the same style as the rest of the place - grand silver filigree over the walls painted with various scenes from their history. The images here seem more subdued - mostly vistas of their land and depictions of inoffensive notable figures. It would be unwise to depict anything political over here, considering the vast array of nobles that may visit.
Hokuto's legs are the slightest bit shorter than he's used to and he has to take quicker steps. The maid is rushing anyway, so hopefully he doesn't seem too ungainly. They make it to the center of the castle without incident, where the maid leads him to the large room on the ground floor, beneath the banquet hall where the party was held last night. It's used for all sorts of things, but meetings are its primary function.
Inside, the table is already mostly full of those expected to be in attendance. Hokuto almost falls over when he catches sight of himself sitting beside his parents. They lock eyes. The deep blue of Hokuto's looks deeply panicked. It must be Tomoya inside his body after all. He'd love to whisk him away immediately, but he dutifully goes to sit beside Tomoya's father.
The man instantly eyes him with worry and leans over to whisper, "I was wondering where you were. Are you unwell?"
Hokuto shakes his head. He's not sure how close Tomoya is with his father and is afraid to speak. He would most certainly be wrong to speak to him as he does to his own father, which is with great malice and disdain.
A few more nobles trickle in and the king and queen begin. They thank everyone for coming and introduce each family. It's redundant considering they all would've met at the party, but Hokuto is glad for it. He actually pays attention and tries to ingrain each name in his mind.
They get to business quickly. Seiya invites each region to present their trade proposals. It's standard affairs for all the lands within their kingdoms. They list their needs for grain, wood, tools, and the like. A lot of the Hidaka's kingdom is agricultural in nature, but the regions each compliment each other well. It's easy to redistribute things here and there - so easy that Hokuto's parents can't possibly fuck it up.
The hard part is dealing with another kingdom. When Tomoya's father stands, so does Hokuto. He stays calm and quiet as Tomoya's father speaks his piece. They want grain as well, but in much greater quantities, and also fabric and metals. They have livestock and leather goods to offer in return. Their nation must excel in animal husbandry and processing. It is not enough.
Seiya sighs and says as much. It's not an even trade even to him, who is so blind to the simplest duties of a king. Hokuto knows it best that his father has never cared for ruling. But Seiya puts on a good show. To the average person, he might even appear to know what he's doing here.
"There's simply not enough on the table, I fear." Then he smiles deviously. Hokuto does not like that face. It portends something meddlesome at best and heinous at worst. "We are interested in something else you can offer though."
Tomoya's father replies with great enthusiasm. Maybe he hadn't expected a yes at all. This is giving him hope. Hokuto is not sure that's a good thing.
"What about a betrothal?"
Oh no.
Tomoya's father surges forward in his seat. "Your majesty, that would be the highest honor! Our daughter is not yet eligible, but our son would be delighted to join your house. What personage do you have in mind?"
"My son, of course."
King Mashiro looks as though he might faint. "Your only son? The prince?" he wheezes.
Seiya nods enthusiastically. "Just so! They hit it off so well last night, and Hocchan has never shown such interest. It could be the best shot either have at a love match, and you know how romantic we are over here."
Hokuto looks to his body across the table. His own face is pale and sweating. It's an expression of absolute terror. Hokuto can't say he doesn't feel the same way. This is so sudden. His parents didn't speak a word indicating this intention last night. And if they said anything this morning, it would've been to Tomoya.
The table breaks into chatter. A noble tries to get Seiya's attention and asks if he's quite certain. But the king ignores it all and continues smiling at Tomoya's father, who is gaping like a fish. A minute after he fails to give a response, Seiya clasps his hands and looks out upon the table.
"Well, I think that will be it for this morning. We will confirm details via letter, for those that must depart immediately." He glances at Hokuto specifically. "For the rest, we will discuss again soon. Let us not get too bogged down in the details today."
The room is still loud with speculation as people file out very slowly. Hokuto excuses himself softly to Tomoya's father, who remains stunned, and rounds the table to his body. He puts a hand on his own shoulder and leans down.
"I'm sure they won't think it odd if we go off for a moment," he says softly.
Those blue eyes still look deeply shaken as they slide over and his head nods. Hokuto's body pushes back from the table and rises. It's a strange feeling to stand beside it, slightly shorter. Hokuto has never seen himself from this angle.
They walk quietly out of the room. Everyone they pass is staring, some with encouraging looks and some not so much. They break away from the nobles lingering in the hall and Hokuto leads the two of them out of sight and through a servant's door into a small storage room.
They stand there for a moment, staring at each other and breathing deeply as though to collect themselves. Hokuto's body is the first to start.
"You're me," he marvels. "I never- This is-"
Hokuto places a hand on his elbow. "Indeed. I am you and you are me, are you not?"
Tomoya nods shakily.
"I do not know how this came to pass, but I think it wise we keep it to ourselves for the time being."
Tomoya frowns. "I don't disagree, but I'm supposed to go home in a few days. And the engagement! What on earth are we to do? What if we're stuck like this?"
It's a danger to both of them and their kingdoms, no matter how they parse it. They have only moments before their disappearance is suspect, not that great surprise is likely. Seiya has just all but declared them lovers. But Hokuto would like to keep the drama at a minimum. If they're gone for long, people will begin to think certain things are occurring.
First things first. "Do you oppose our betrothal?"
Tomoya straightens and flushes. "No! But it's just so sudden. Your parents - all they said this morning is they have a surprise for me. Or, uh, you! But I guess it was both of us…"
"Neither do I. I think it's best we let them continue the talks and lay low. You know how slow these sorts of things are - it'll be ages before we have to commit. By then, hopefully this curse has worn off."
Tomoya's brows turn up. "So we pretend to be each other?"
"Yes, and stay out of trouble however possible. If we could just take a second now to go over the basics-"
The door to the room opens and a servant squeaks. They look behind them then lean forward and whisper, "the lords and ladies are wondering where you are. I don't mean to speak unduly, but it may be best if you rejoin."
Hokuto sighs. If only they had a bit more time. Oh well, maybe they'll get another chance before he has to leave to Tomoya's kingdom.
But they don't get a second more alone together. The day is a whirlwind of thinly veiled negotiations wrapped up in noble pleasantries. The best they get is tea time. Hokuto and Tomoya sit across from each other at the very same gazebo they first spoke as equals. Their family and peers are all around the small courtyard - standing and admiring the greenery, sitting with their own cups of tea and trays of sweets. They cannot speak loudly, but they can at least converse some.
The nerves are clear on Tomoya's face. It's strange to see such an expression on Hokuto's skin. He has never once looked at himself in a mirror like this, he thinks. Is the stretch of his mouth uncomfortable for Tomoya? Muscles unused contorting it into a thin, worried frown?
"You should know I have a sister," Tomoya says hushed. Hearing it from that voice is almost amusing. Hokuto most certainly does not have siblings. "She's pretty oblivious and I don't confide much in her since she's younger. It's unlikely she'll find out. Who you really have to watch for is my personal attendant."
Hokuto nods. "Fair enough. Those who wait on us notice far more than we know."
It won't be the end of the world if this attendant finds out anyway. A simple servant will not be able to cause any significant stir. It's more likely they'd become a laughing stock if they said anything out of turn, at best.
"What about you? Anything I should keep in mind?"
He thinks. His friends are likely to be suspect, but it's improbable anything ill would come of it. Subaru might be an exception. He'd find a way to cause mischief somehow, and that always comes with consequences.
"My friends might realize quickly. They're good people, though. Keep an eye on the redhead if he does anything stupid about it."
Tomoya giggles under his breath. "He did seem playful at the party."
That's one way to put it.
"Oh, I write letters to her highness the princess Anzu monthly. You can be honest with her - those letters are kept in strict confidence. I hope you don't mind if I try to send her my own letters from your country. Do you think that possible?"
Tomoya agrees - nobody goes through his correspondences to his knowledge. His kingdom is not the shifty, conniving sort. He says, if anything, people are too innocent and trusting there.
They're picked up by their fathers to take a promenade. Seiya makes no attempt to be humble about the large, well kept estate. Tomoya's father, to his credit, does not appear cowed. He demonstrates gracious appreciation of the land and its splendor. He's even able to point out some of the plants by name, praising their health and beauty. Hokuto wonders if he'll be expected to know as much about crops and animals when he returns to Tomoya's kingdom. If it's something they're known for, surely the prince has been educated on it. He'll have to learn quickly.
There is more walking, more unsubtle bragging from Hokuto's father, and then dinner. It's always a fanciful affair at this house, but it feels like really they pulled out all the stops this time. Tomoya's eyes go wide at the bounty on the table and he politely takes a little bit of everything. Hokuto himself keeps to his favorites. He hopes they are not things Tomoya is known to dislike. If they are, his father thankfully does not notice.
The man clears his throat after a drink of wine and smiles at everyone in turn, landing on the king and queen. "Thank you so much for your generous hospitality and an offer we would never hope to refuse. I regret to say we must make the journey home in the morning. I received a note from my wife and my daughter is ill."
Gasps sound around the table and Tomoya's father raises a hand. "It is nothing serious, but I am serious about my family. It would break my heart to be away from her should it get worse."
Seiya nods with a smile. "I completely understand. Why, if my Hocchan were to have but a cough I would be beside myself!"
He pats Tomoya's shoulder and Tomoya looks up at him fondly. Hokuto suppresses the urge to yell at him not to do that. He should've said something, anything, about the devil. Ah, well nothing too bad should come to pass. His mother and father spend most of their time with each other, pretending the rest of the world doesn't exist. It'll be fine.
Hokuto's sleep that night is fitful. His flexes his fingers under the bedding, still in amazement at their lack of hurt after unbuttoning Tomoya's terrible clothes. Hopefully his riding outfit for the journey home is simpler and less time consuming to don. He tosses and turns, thinking of that and a host of other things, mentally preparing himself to act as someone he barely knows for an indeterminate amount of time. Steeling himself to perhaps remain this way forever and be wed to his own body.