#dc comics#dc#batman#bruce wayne#dick grayson#batfam#tim drake#dc fanart#batfamily
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Tee hee I love rin so much :’))) it’s super rude
Hidden Blades
TW: Mention of Assault
Officially, only certain guards could carry weapons within the Palace of Two Moons, but it was no secret that the courtesans had a vast array of weapons at their disposal. It was part of the unspoken deal that kept them in the palace; they would protect themselves if needed, and the court wouldn’t fuss. If the courtesans left, the palace would be very boring indeed.
The courtesans’ weapons were small, easily hidden in elaborate hairstyles, sleeves, or trousers. And, rumor had it, they were scattered throughout the Courtesan Pavilion behind vases and artwork. With all that, trouble was rare. The courtesans were allowed to deny service to anyone and their list of banned guests was on full display in the entry. But when trouble occurred, the courtiers were more than happy to take their complaints to the monarch.
Or, more accurately, to Prince Kensei. Since his mother’s passing, the prince served as the head of house, keeping peace between the court and the army of workers. It was a well-known secret that the king was too drunk on courtesan wine and dance to be much help since her death. However, the prince had not fully dealt with the wrath of a courtier on the receiving end of a courtesan’s hidden weapon.
“Prince Kensei,” Tannon, the unofficial advisor to the unofficial king, bowed. “Lord Fenmain wishes to speak with you. He says one of the courtesans attacked him.”
Kensei looked up from his dinner. “Fenmain? He’s a creep, of course they attacked him.” Unsurprising, but still worrying. Which courtesan was it?
“He’s bleeding all over the floor and he won’t leave,” Tannon sighed. “It’s really gross.”
Kensei frowned. “Very well. Lead the way.”
The very instant the door to the receiving room opened, before Kensei was even in the room, Lord Fenmain began to scream his version of events.
“I paid! I paid good money for this wretch’s services and he-”
“You will maintain yourself in front of the prince,” a guard snapped. “Or I’ll stab your other hand!”
Fenmain paled and dropped into a bow.
Kensei looked over at the courtesan in question and his stomach sank. The courtesan's name was Rin; exactly who he had feared was involved. Kensei had paid for Rin’s services himself several times. Rin was a professional. He looked bored with the entire proceeding; his hair was swept up in a messy ponytail, his cobalt robes hung open in the front and fell down one shoulder. Dark blood stains covered the cloth over his hip and groin.
“Are you hurt?” Kensei asked, bitter bile rising in his throat.
Rin bowed before answering. “The blood isn’t mine. I’m not hurt.” he crossed his arms and glared over at Lord Fenmain. Icy venom seemed to drip from his words and expression. “I expect you to pay for my clothes.”
“I will do no such thing!” Fenmain grumbled.
“You will do what I determine just! What happened?” Kensei ignored Fenmain, looking instead to Rin.
“He paid for a dance and got handsy,” Rin said. “I told him no, he didn’t remove his grubby hands. So I pulled out my hairpin and stabbed him. It’s still in there. I want that back.”
Kensei raised a brow. “Let me see.” he turned slightly to Fenmain who lifted his hand with a silver hairpin jabbed straight through his palm. The pin was a beautiful piece, branches twisted out from the top and each little branch was set with a brilliant blue pearl. Smaller pearls formed a flower. His heart jumped at the sight. He’d given Rin that pin as a gift! Had he really liked it enough to wear it in front of other clients? Liked it enough to sharpen the point and turn it into a weapon? Of course, Rin liked him well enough to continue seeing him, but this was something unexpected. Rin’s eyes softened slightly, and Kensei was sure no one else would really notice. It made him want to sweep Rin into his arms, to hold him and kiss him. Hide him. But he was the prince and etiquette was required. And there was the little issue of not being sure his feelings were reciprocated.
“I demand compensation!” Fenmain shrieked, bringing Kensei out of his thoughts. “I demand my-”
“The courtesans are allowed to defend themselves,” Tannon replied, his tone bored and disgusted. “He clearly felt threatened enough to take such action. Prince Kensei, what do you think?”
Kensei turned away from Rin. His eyes flashed dangerously. “I agree. The courtesans keep me well abreast of their troublesome clients and you have been at the top of the list more than once. You’re lucky he did not take your hand entirely. Now, get to the doctor. Once your hand stops bleeding all over my father’s palace, you will give Rin the money to purchase new robes.”
“Prince Kensei!”
“I have made my decision,” Kensei growled. “Hanno, take that pin out of his hand and escort Lord Fenmain to the doctor.”
In one swift movement, the nearest guard yanked the pin from Fenmain’s hand and used the noble’s sleeve to wipe off the blood. Hanno silently held out the hairpin for Kensei, then bowed.
“I will get someone to clean up the blood,” Tannon followed the guards out, leaving Rin and Kensei alone.
“You’re alright?” Kensei stepped closer.
“I’m fine,” Rin nodded. “He didn’t hurt me. I wanted to teach him a lesson. Because if I just walked out… he’d do it to the others. Maybe to the younger ones.” He shrugged. “Pieces of shit like that won’t learn without a little blood.”
Kensei laughed quietly. “I suppose you’re right,” he sighed. “I’m sorry, Rin. I-”
“Don’t,” Rin said firmly. “I’m unharmed.”
Kensei nodded. “You like the pin?”
“I told you I did. You know me well enough by now to know I tell you when I don’t enjoy something,” Rin said.
“I know, I just… I worry about you,” Kensei murmured. “All of you.”
“It’s why we have weapons,” Rin shrugged. “And the banned list.”
Their eyes met and Kensei sighed. He knew Rin, and most of the courtesans for that matter, would brush off his concerns. They took care of themselves and each other. It was a conversation Kensei would need to have some other time.
“You are a kind man, Prince Kensei,” Rin stepped improperly close. Kensei could smell the flowery oil he used in his hair. “I hope you never lose that.” He leaned in to press a feather-light kiss to Kensei’s cheek.
“And I hope you come to see me soon.” Rin bowed and departed, leaving the prince rooted on the spot in a confused haze.
I will die on the hill that KLab cannot dress Rin well in casual clothing-
The Dead God’s Curse: Last Light, Pt. 81
It has been a week and Rin still wasn't used to waking up alone. He'd roll over and reach into the cold space where his husband was supposed to be, groping blindly until he remembered Kensei wasn't there.
He slipped out of bed and skipped across the freezing floor to the low couch Kensei slept on. His right arm had fallen out of his blanket, and Rin got a painfully clear view of how far the illness had spread. Everything from his elbow down was rotted with the dead god's curse.
"Seisei?" he called softly. "Wake up, darling." Kensei woke with a wince, instantly reaching for his injured arm.
"Not a bad dream?" he asked.
"Not a bad dream," Rin admitted sadly.
"Don't look so worried. The Raymor will be here tonight. They'll tell us how to fix it." Kensei gave him a smile neither of them felt. He struggled to dress on his own with one hand.
"Let me help you-" Rin reached for him but Kensei scrambled back.
"Don't! You know it's spread by touch!" He fastened a cloak to hang over his injured arm.
"We talked about this, Rin. You can't touch me, and you have to keep Arro from doing it as well. If the Raymor can't heal me tonight-"
"They will!" Rin didn't want to hear it. Kensei was going to be okay. He had to be.
They walked side by side to the throne room. No one said anything about the fact that Kensei had moved Rin’s seat from his right to his left, or the cold way the once affectionate king acted, though they all noticed it.
“Are the Raymor here?” he asked his advisor who was waiting off to the side with the morning news.
“Not yet, but scouts spotted them just outside-”
“Her revered highness Princess Minru!” A harold announced, cutting Tarron off. Minru didn’t move as smoothly as her father was used to. In fact, she had to lean so heavily on her necromancer escort he thought the man had to be doing a poor job keeping her sustained outside the necropolis.
“Get someone who can give her enough energy!” Kensei ordered but Minru shook her head as a servant ran off to carry out his king’s order.
“I’m fine,” she said in a tone that clearly said she was not fine.
“What’s happened? You’re not supposed to arrive until the celebration begins.”
“There won’t be a celebration tonight! Arro is gone!”
“Gone?! That rascal ran off?! Let me guess he went to his uncle? Or to that spa he loves?”
Father and daughter stared at each other for the briefest of moments; the sort of moment that only a parent could share with their child, that silent conveyance of unspeakable grief.
Kensei’s face went grey as his mind raced to the worst possibilities.
“Minru,” he whispered. “What happened?”
“Father… He went through the Gate.”
Arro’s parents! The gentleman with the white hair is Rin, the second Kensei! (made in artbreeder while Pinks was supposed to be studying)
