@opaldelight Sorry this is so late, I pretty much had a lot of hospital issues and university deadlines which delayed it but I hope you enjoy it nonetheless! :) Merry Late Christmas and Happy Late Year! :>
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Cherry Trees
The Black Paladin walked leisurely down the small walkway, each step as slow and nonchalant as the next, allowing himself time to take in the candylike beauty around him. He wasn’t allowed to walk on the opulent looking grass, the elders had forbid it, saying it would dirty himself to walk on the same ground as the servants. He knew this wasn’t true, as he spoke to them as often as he could, even if they spoke with their heads bowed.
There was one though, one which would come close, one who would look him in the eye. There was a hint of rebellion that shone in those eyes, which pulled him in, wanting to know more. They had begun to speak frequently, creating a bond that was deeper than that of comrades, they had both tasted the forbitten fruit and savoured it thoroughly as they did.
The one time they’d been caught chatting, he had taken the blame, allowing himself to be punished. He didn’t want the servant to be harmed, he could hide his injuries in the shadows of night, but someone so openly wounded in the daylight would be an easy target for the others in his house who were open to publicly displaying their power.
The Black Paladin was a warrior of the night, and the servant was a defiant caretaker of the day, they both knew the consequences that their actions would bring; but their curiosity was too enticing. They had both taken to scheduling their free time around one another, to guarantee they’d have an opportunity to at least be in the presence of one another if they couldn’t talk.
He lightly touched the scar on his face, a remnant of the last punishment he served; If I could stay with him in the sun a bit longer, then perhaps these scars would fade He thought, then perhaps…
He paused momentarily, bringing his bruised right arm down from his face to examine it as he continued to walk. He had gotten off lightly this time, but next time there would be blood to pay. He was a soldier, a damn good soldier, however that didn’t allow him to break what the elders had built, no matter how absurd their rules were.
Suddenly, almost as if he’d been shot, he let out a small spurt of stifled laughter. We don’t even know each other’s names! He mused, how long had they known each other by this point? This revelation was far beyond awkward, and bordered the absurd.
‘Your burst of insanity made me jump!’ The servant chimed, not turning from his work.
Unbeknownst to the paladin, he had unconsciously stopped right next to the servant in question. His skin flushed a deep pink, as he stared blankly at his cherished partner.
 ‘Shiro’ he announced, trying to hide the embarrassment in his voice, cupping his throat in an attempt to help it not waver.
 The servant paused abruptly, and gradually lifted his head up from his work. Time seemed to have stopped for the pair, but the wind continued to blow as defiantly as the servant, scattering the cherry blossom petals around them softly.
The freshly dubbed Shiro felt his throat knot and his stomach tighten whilst waiting for a response. Did I go too far? Did he not want to know? Did he not want this!? He debated, as panic began setting in at the thought of him potentially ruining everything with his revelation.
The retainer twitched his head a little, causing Shiro to tense and refocus. A noticeable sigh was heard, as the servant leant back against the small walkway.
 ‘It’s Keith’, he stated proudly, dipping his head slightly contrasting his almost regal declaration.
 Shiro’s eyes glistened as he bit his lip slightly, trying to hold back a smile he thought he couldn’t possess.
 ‘Thank-you…’ he uttered, forcing the words through his overwhelmed throat, as his entire being was overcome with joy.