Chapter Text
It started as it always did, with Suo being an utter ass. Actually, it started with Kiryu bringing a portable projector to school to play an anime he loved. It was based on one of his games, about a princess who had gathered a group of people to defend the common people from her father’s corrupt court. Sakura thought it was called Royal Combat. Either way, it was some ridiculous plot where the princess got help from a fairy god mother who transformed them into heroes and then they went around beating the shit out of all the corrupt power within the kingdom, while leading a double life as a princess to keep up to date about the schemes going on behind doors.
Sakura could admit, it was mildly interesting. Just enough to keep his attention on the makeshift screen, but not enough to distract him from the ongoing chatter around the room.
“Seriously dude, I’m telling you that the black smith character is Sugishita,” Anzai stated softly to his friends, trying not to wake the very person he was talking about. “A silent, but grumpy behemoth with an obsession for one person. Fits him to a tee.”
The group around him chuckled; a voice Sakura vaguely recognized said, “Okay, then what about the rest of the characters, who’s who?”
“Oh, easy, the princess’s brother is definitely Umemiya: Overprotective big brother with a scarily sunny disposition.”
“Disposition is such a big word for you, good job!” another classmate joked.
“Fuck off asshole!” then there was laughter.
“Okay, back on topic, the handmaid is Nirei.”
“Wait, why am I the handmaid?” Nirei cried out.
It was Kiryu who said teasingly, “Hmm, because she’s a chronic over-thinker who also hoards information, obviously.”
Nirei huffed, “Fine, if that’s me then the young nobleman who’s a teasing flirt is definitely you Kiryu-kun.”
Kiryu just smiled, “Why thank you.” He then smirked. “As for Suo-kun, if he had to be any character, I’d say he’d be the undercover prince from the neighboring kingdom. Aloof and mysterious, with a panache for sadistic tendencies? Pretty sure he wrote the book on that.”
Sakura could hear how bland Suo’s smile was as he said, “Was that meant to be an insult or a compliment, I couldn’t tell?”
“Wait, who do you guys think the princess would be?” Someone else asked. The class grew quiet as they watched the princess, in her transformed state, aggressively smash her enemies, hurling insults and declaring how she’d never loose to corrupt people like them.
Sakura felt a chill go down his spine when he heard Suo’s sly chuckle as he said, “Well isn’t it obvious…the princess would be Sakura-kun of course.”
Princess
His breath hitched.
Spine shuddering.
Eyes fluttered.
Emotions swirled inside him as their classmates agreed with Suo’s assessment. Shock was the most notable, and his face bloomed with embarrassment; something unknown and hungry settled in him. He’s not sure what, or rather he didn’t want to name the dark beast that suddenly was cradled just beneath his ribs.
Princess
“W-wh—Why am I the princess?!” Sakura shouted as he slammed his hands on the desk, turning to his classmates. He hoped no one caught on to his reaction. Unfortunately for him, Suo happened to not only be the most observant of the group, but also the closest one to Sakura currently. His face went blank as he stared at Sakura for a moment, before a cold smug smirk pulled at his lips. Sakura felt his stomach drop as he saw the expression turn to one of false innocence.
“Why, I just meant that you’re similar to the princess in personality! You’re both stubborn, brash, fiercely kind people always willing to help those in need!” Suo goaded, his one eye closed tight for a moment, before he opened it to look at him.
Sakura felt disturbingly like a bug under a microscope, yet he still looked Suo right in the eye even when he felt himself flush. Narrowing his eyes, Sakura waited for more commentary, something that would give the other boy the reaction he typically liked to rip from Sakura.
But…he didn’t say anything more. His other classmates agreed with Suo, but soon their attention returned to their individual conversations. They paid no mind to their captain and vice captain having their own stare off and slowly, ever so slowly, Sakura felt himself relax. Clicking his tongue in annoyance, he sat down back in his seat. Drained from the whole ordeal, he dropped his head into his arms, intending on taking a nap instead of watching the show.
He should have known that that had been too easy.
Despite what people said, Suo was no gentleman. He was more like a shark waiting to strike at the first smell of blood, and wouldn’t let go until he’d gotten his fill.
In his attempts to doze off, he didn’t notice the presence of someone closing in until he felt the tickling of a tassel on his face. He felt the warmth of Suo’s breath on his ear before the other boy whispered in a tone that, for whatever reason, made his toes curl. “Of course, we both know that’s not all, now is it, princess?” he all but purred out.
Even if he tried, Sakura couldn’t hide his reaction with how close the other was; a shiver coursed through his body, his ears burned, and a muted whimper slipped past his lips. Fuck…fucking hell…he was irrevocably, indisputably fucked!
He went stock still and barely noticed the soft but sharp inhale that Suo took. They sat there for what felt like millennia but was truly only a moment, before Suo let out a quiet laugh, one that sounded oddly hysterical.
“Ah,” Suo hummed, “very well then.”
Then he stepped back, leaving Sakura be to the other boy’s confusion. He heard soft footsteps fade, then…“Oh, is Sakura-san sleeping?” Nirei asked Suo.
“Mmhm, it’s best to let him be, so no one go bother him while he’s napping.” Suo stated. Sakura didn’t know why but his tone sounded stern. It seemed the others thought so too judging by their hasty compliance.
Maybe…maybe Suo was going to let this go? Yeah he probably wasn’t expecting Sakura’s reaction and figured it was best to act like it never happened. As Sakura felt himself finally dozing of, he wasn’t sure…but the thought of Suo never calling him princess again left something acrid in his mouth.
**********
Of course he wouldn’t let this go! Why the fuck would that even be a possibility? It’s Suo for fucks sake! Sakura thought deliriously. His past thought of him being safe from Suo’s brand of torture was utterly wrong. This past week had been one of the most frustrating, frazzling weeks of his life.
Any time him and Suo were alone together the other boy managed to find a way to invade his personal space. Every. Single. Time.
It started off simple enough, like whenever they were the last people in the class, Suo would come up to his desk then lean in to call him that blasted petname. He simpered each time at Sakura’s reaction. And he’d only grow bolder by the day.
Like the other day when they’d been alone, painting another defaced business.
Sakura watched as everyone split into their groups. The graffiti that littered the walls covered such a large area that it would take ages if they had stuck to larger groups. It was just his luck that he was paired with who else, Hayato-Fucking-Suo. The presence of his eye-patch wearing vice captain prickled at the back of his neck, making him even more jumpier than usual. Growling in frustration, Sakura threw himself into his task.
He zoned out while painting, the manual labor easing his thoughts into nothingness. Time passed in a blur. Done with this portion of the wall, he stepped back to assess his work. Only, he tumbled back quite literally, he might add, when a forgotten crate caught his heels.
Sakura braced himself , eyes closing tightly in advanced as he waited to meet the concrete below. But he never did. A strong arm wrapped around his waist, stopping his decent mid-fall. Sakura was suspended on one foot, the other in the air as his back was arched, pushing his chest into the solid body of the person who caught him.
Opening his eyes in shock, silver and gold eyes met the single red ruby looking at him, with a small but sly smile. There was a beat of silence, just them in their own little world, when Suo murmured, “Careful, princess, we wouldn’t want you to fall and hurt yourself.”
Sakura couldn’t tell you what happened the rest of the day, as that incident had him in such a tizzy that even his classmates looked concerned when they met back up. That wasn’t even the worst of it though. Out of everything, yesterday had been far more mortifying.
Sakura felt odd as he watched from the sidelines from the ongoing fight. He would’ve been out there kicking ass, but the two brats that had been accosted by the thugs Suo was currently…in his own words…teaching a lesson were now currently attached to his legs hugging so tightly, he couldn’t move.
While ruffled that he wasn’t able to get in on the action, Sakura had to admit that watching Suo fight was a beauty all its own. Suo’s fighting style mesmerized him as much as it made his blood race for a chance to go against him. Every bit of the young man was nothing but precision and control. His second in command had a deadly grace about him…Sakura couldn’t help but be drawn to this boy whose every fiber screamed “dangerous”.
By the time that Suo finished off the small gang and they’d foundthe kids’ parents, Sakura was all but vibrating with the need for bruises and blood. He wanted to fight, specifically against Suo. And he tried!
He prodded, and bitched, and groaned at Suo to fight against him. To challenge him, because he knew…deep down, in his bones…that it would be a something far different than what he had so far, even against Togome or Endo. They turned down an alley way, which was the moment Suo chose to strike.
Sakura was saying something to convince Suo. He’s not sure what, because as soon as they were between the brick buildings, Suo whirled around, slammed a hand just slightly above his head and slotted himself up against him. A leg slid between his legs, his other hand coming to pick up Sakura’s now trembling hand as he pulled it up to his lips. Said lips were pulled in a wicked smile, and the look in his eye…Sakura felt his very breath stop as liquid fire raced through his veins.
“So eager to fight, Princess. Are you certain you’re prepared?”
Sakura stuttered, “Wh…I can hold my own, assho— ”
A wicked chuckle interrupted him. “I wasn’t lying when I said fighting you would be a hassle, a challenge, but are you prepared for the outcome, Princess?” Suo’s words set something ablaze inside him just as much as they confused him. Suo leaned into his space.
He was so close that he definitely heard the hitch in his breath. Silver and gold eyes locked onto sly lips as Suo whispered honeyed words, “Just so you’re aware, my Princess, I play for keeps.” Then he pulled back, mild facade set in place as he left Sakura there frazzled.
Safe to say, Sakura was losing his fucking mind! What’s even worse beyond his reaction to that stupid petname, is the fact that Suo…cool-as-a-fucking-cucumber Suo…never seemed to get ruffled or react with anything other than control. Just once, he’d like to see Suo break a little, for him to lose his cool just a smidgen.
He didn’t know what to do. Usually, any emotion he didn’t understand would turn to anger, which in turn made him want to punch away his problems. But what really pissed him off was, despite all the teasing and embarrassment, the way Suo treated him didn’t really make him want to punch him at all which added to his confusion. If he couldn’t punch the problem away, he didn’t know what else to do.
Sakura, as pained as he was to admit it, was completely out of his element.
He needed help.
**********
The café Tsubakino brought him to wasn’t somewhere he had been before. It wasn’t exactly on Keisei Street, more on the fringes towards the entrance. Simply named ‘Bunny-chan Café’ it was unassuming on the outside, the interior, however, made Sakura blush. It was a maid-café.
Straightening his spine, he followed his sempai and the hostest to a semi-private booth in the corner. Once seated, they were given menus, but Sakura felt lost at the many options. He looked up to see Tsubakino give him a comforting smile.
“Would you like me to order for you, Sakura-chan?” Tsubakino asked him gently. His smile brightened at the shy nod. When the waitress returned, he put in their order quickly, and waited till she left to turn back to Sakura, “So you wanted to ask me something?”
When Sakura first realized that he needed help, his initial instinct was to go to Kotoha. She’d been the first one giving him solid advice on relationships and becoming more open to other people, but…this wasn’t about being more open with people. This was him wanting to get a rise out of one specific person, one that he had some sort of feelings going beyond friendship. As such, he needed to go to someone willing to put themselves out there, no holds barred, who used their emotions like a weapon in and of itself.
That made Tsubakino the obvious choice. So Sakura texted him, clumsily asking if he could talk to him somewhere private, away from his friends and classmates.
Now, here they were.
Sakura bit his lip hesitantly. After a moment of thinking he spoke, “So…I need help.” he stopped abruptly as his cheeks flushed red when Tsubakino looked at him in pleasant surprise; it took him a moment to regain his composure and continue. “I’m in a bit of a situation, and I don’t know what to do.” It took him a moment to gather the courage to explain everything that had been going on between him and Suo.
Tsubakino, for his part, listened silently with no judgment on his painted up face. By the time Sakura finished explaining the situation, his whole face was burning something fierce and his fists were clenched tightly on the table. There was nothing but silence for a few moments.
“First off, before I give any advice, I have a question. Do you want Suo-kun to stop?” The tone Tsubakino used was guarded with a hard edge to it that surprised Sakura.
Though what surprised him even more, and Tsubakino as well considering the way his eyes widened, was Sakura’s immediate vehement response, “NO!”
Sakura hunched in embarrassment, only relaxing when Tsubakino beamed at him, the older teen easing at Sakura’s answer. “Oh goodie! I’m glad I don’t have to kick Suo-kun’s ass for making you uncomfortable.” Sakura choked out a laugh. They paused when their order came and when it was just them, Tsubakino then asked, “What exactly are you wanting to accomplish then?”
Sakura picked at his food first, trying to cool his heated face by distracting himself. Considering the raised eyebrow he got it wasn’t working. Sighing he muttered, “I want…I just don’t want to be the only one being so affected by this. Suo always looks so composed and he turns me into a fucking mess with just words alone. With a fucking petname! I wanna…just level the playing field a little.”
Tsubakino nodded. “So you need advice on how to break Suo-chan’s composure.” Then eyebrows wrinkled in thought, he said, “You do know this will change your relationship with him right? Like…I don’t wanna stick my nose in too much unless you want me too, but this isn’t exactly a friend thing to do. More of a potential boyfriend thing…”
Sakura inhaled unsteadily because, yeah he knew…at least on some surface level that this wasn’t how normal friends behaved. He might be oblivious and naive to many aspects of friendship and romance, but he wasn’t a complete moron. Sakura knew that what he and Suo were doing went beyond friendship. He knew without a doubt that Suo wouldn’t play him like this.
Suo was many things, and cruel was definitely one of them, but he wasn’t malicious. Sakura had grown up with malicious his entire life, he’d know the look of it in anyone’s eyes, and what Suo’s eye shown wasn’t that cold, jagged hatred that haunted him. No, it was something else, dark and dangerous, but heated and just a touch soft.
And though Sakura was accustomed to pain, he still craved connection too much to not want everything that their changing dynamic entailed. Fuck it, because he might be an easy target, but he wasn’t a fucking coward.
He would meet this…game they were playing head on even if it ruined them.
Sakura pulled himself out of his thoughts and looked at Tsubakino in the eyes. His resolve solidified as he said, “I know, and I wanna hit ‘im with everything I got.”
Tsubakino’s smile turned conspiratory as he stirred his drink with his straw, “Then how about we fight fire with fire?”
Sakura tried not to gulp at how sinister that sounded.