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When Hikari first meets Partitio, it’s at a small encampment just three days' horseback from everything he’d been forced to leave behind; his entire life torn asunder over the course of a single night. He doesn’t know what it is the merchant sees in him when their paths cross by way of Mugen's men accosting an innocent civilian of his decimated kingdom, only that he and his two traveling companions readily agree to offer their assistance. With the four of them together, the soldiers are easily dispatched and proper introductions exchanged around a nearby campfire.
The first to introduce herself is Agnea Bristarni, an excitable young dancer hailing from the Leaflands just to the north. She’s sweet as she is beautiful with a heart warm and pure like sunshine -- her dream in life to become a star like her mother to spread hope and smiles all across the land. The second is Castti Florenz, an apothecary they’d only just acquainted themselves with in Canalbrine. There isn’t much she can tell him about herself due to amnesia, but nonetheless takes pride in her craft to extend a helping hand to those in need. Incidentally that's what led them to Ryu to lend aid however they could.
Last but certainly not least is the humble merchant they’ve taken to traveling alongside, one whose height and muscular build reminds Hikari of Benkei. Like Agnea, Partitio Yellowil is from the north as well, born and raised in a mining town called Oresrush located in the Wildlands -- a deduction easily made by the accent thick on his tongue. His goal is just as noble as that of his companions, and one that strikes a chord deep within the prince.
Having spent years of his life residing within Ku's lower districts and befriending its residents, he is of course no stranger to the devil called poverty that Partitio speaks of. Those born outside the palace walls suffered through no fault of their own; toiling and scraping by only to be cursed and spat upon by those who thought themselves better by virtue of their blood. Killed, even, for no reason at all just like Ritsu and Mikka’s father. His own mother as well. The peace and prosperity Hikari envisions for his people once he ascends to the throne is the same as Partitio’s dream -- only his ambition reaches far beyond a kingdom in the desert. No, he intends to eliminate poverty throughout the entire world.
Hikari doesn't wish to trouble them with the details about how he came to Ryu (the dark presence that manifested while facing Ritsu, the senseless slaughter of innocents, his father cut down by Mugen, Benkei's sacrifice ensuring his escape), and instead sticks to looking towards the future by focusing on two key allies he'll need to secure it.
"Well if it's friends yer lookin' for, why not come share the dusty ol' trail with us?" Partitio offers without skipping a beat. Agnea and Castti voice their agreement, clearly happy to welcome him should he choose to do so. "We sure wouldn't mind the extra company, 'specially with that there sword of yours. Even if it's just supplies you need to set off on your own, we gotcha covered. Don't mind sharin' that, neither."
Hikari blinks while looking over the three travelers effortlessly willing to spare whatever they can towards his cause.
"I'm afraid I have little to offer you all in exchange aside from my sword." He replies truthfully, but Partitio shakes his head.
"Not sayin' that won't come in handy, but I'd reckon your companionship ought be more than enough." The way he says it so earnestly, like he truly does mean it when they've only just met, it heals something inside Hikari he hadn't noticed was broken with how numb he'd become over the loss of everything he's ever known and loved.
"Whaddaya say, Hikari? Partners?"
The warrior smiles in return, a small but sure thing while accepting his hand to shake.
He doesn't think he could ask for anything more.
While Ryu's residents are tended to by the apothecary and their troubles momentarily forgotten by Agnea's dancing, Partitio invites Hikari to join him in preparation for the next leg of their journey. The merchant strikes up a conversation with his fellow entrepreneurs struggling to make ends meet and pays for their wares for more than the asking price. Most of it goes towards ensuring Hikari is properly fitted for the dangers that await him, and the warrior insists he'll find a way to repay them. Partitio just shakes his head, claiming he can't in good conscience let him face whatever awaits them on the road without proper equipment and gear. It’s an argument Hikari has no way of winning since he makes a valid point. All he has by means of personal effects are his sword, spear, and the clothes on his back.
Once their tasks are all seen to, they reconvene back around the campfire for the exiled prince to once more express his gratitude for the humanitarian aid shown to his people. As expected, Castti insists extending a helping hand towards her patients was the least she could do, and Agnea happy to provide even a semblance of hope for better times just on the horizon. Hikari carries that same hope with him in that when he next returns to Ryu, it will be to usher in an era of peace. He himself is aware of the perils of traveling at night, and takes no quarrel with the decision to leave at early morning light before the desert’s heat begins to rise. Compared to the sun’s scorching rays during the daylight hours, the significantly cooler night air is welcome despite its chill even as they unwind around the fire and converse with Hikari like they’ve known one another all their lives.
It warms the warrior’s wounded soul more than any flame could ever hope to, and for the first time since fleeing Ku in the dead of night, the shadow in his heart is quiet.
Their numbers grow upon leaving the Western Continent.
When their vessel makes an unexpected detour to Toto’haha, they take to exploring the island where they soon run into a young beastling hunter and her lājackal animal companion also seeking to set sail on an adventure. Inviting them to a meal of freshly hunted and prepared jerky, Ochette tells them about her quest to seek out the Beasts of Legend scattered across Solistia. Like his companions she’s delighted over the prospect of making new friends and ecstatically accepts the offer to join their merry band with a mighty powerful howl for one so tiny.
(That said, Hikari wagers her strength far surpasses his own watching her take down beasts thrice her size.)
Continuing to make their way East, their travels eventually lead them to three more each welcomed into the fold -- or in Osvald's case, nursed back to health by Castti after they'd found him face down and unconscious in the snow. Hikari learns something more about Partitio with each additional party member whose reasons for setting out are far darker than making the world a better place. Throné's search for freedom means those who raised her must perish if she's ever to be rid of her collar. Temenos seeks to solve the murder of the late pontiff and the corruption he's certain exists within the church. Osvald carries the fire of vengeance within his breast for the man who took everything from him. Rather than deny possible danger of allowing these strangers to share in their travels (pot meet shadow), Partitio instead chooses to embrace them as they are -- just people in need of help like anyone else they've assisted along the way.
And they have helped plenty of people.
Even within their own traveling party, Hikari finds there to be no shortage of gratitude felt towards Partitio always finding ways to help out through gestures both big and small -- even little things that generally go unnoticed but no less appreciated. He can’t even begin to imagine all the work that goes into splitting their funds between the eight of them to ensure everyone eats, drinks, and has adequate lodgings if ever they rest at an inn for a spell. Not to mention keeping track of and accommodating part of their budget towards supplies -- anywhere from a variety of healing items to new protective gear and equipment. What’s worth more than its weight in leaves, however, is whenever Partitio takes a moment to check in on each of their companions from time to time -- typically to boost their morale or chat about whatever weighed down on their minds. Or, in most of their cases, simply talk about nothing at all.
It was what Hikari admired most about him, if he were honest.
As to when those feelings of admiration turned to infatuation, Hikari does not know. Perhaps they were all along since the moment they first met in Ryu and he simply pretended not to notice since his personal happiness played no part in rallying forces to fight beneath the banner of Ku. It would only serve as a distraction, he reasoned and, most importantly, Partitio deserved far better than the likes of him who struggled with control over his own shadow -- a wicked, vile thing as much a part of him as his own blood. It whispered temptation in his ear whenever its hold guided his blade, goading him into giving into the darkest desires of his heart to see blood spilt from those threatening his friends harm.
At first it was simple to silence, though no less a struggle to keep secret from his companions who cared just as much about him as he did in turn. As each of their journeys progressed towards greater peril along with their troubles barely surmounted, the nightmares he endured seemed closer and closer to becoming reality -- those too in no shortage of supply with all the endless ammunition life provided. Hikari cannot say for certain the number of times Partitio has left his own bed to comfort him throughout the night and into the day, just that he is undeserving and pathetic enough to helplessly cling back each and every time. Partitio never asks for answers the pained prince isn’t ready to give, but Hikari knows that doesn’t stop him from worrying, from wanting to keep him safe, somehow. Cowardice prevents him from correcting Partitio’s murmured reassurances that it's himself they need to be kept safe from.
In truth Hikari remembers very little of clashing blades against General Rou, the Wild Bull of Ku. The real battle was with his shadow violently calling for the man's head, for his blood to soak the earth at their feet and paint the woods red. Its will had grown stronger since clearing Kazan of his debt in Montwise, and this time, be it both a blessing and a curse, he had no friends fighting by his side to look towards and strengthen his resolve for peace. Somehow he finds a way to persevere, but only just barely. Grievously wounded, the General issues a chilling warning that the shadow will someday soon consume him before retreating alongside Ritsu who utters a threat of his own. Hikari isn’t certain how much time passes after their departure, only that his friends finally come to find him.
Partitio finally finds him, all darting crimson eyes and darkness convulsing around his entire being. The merchant breathlessly calls out his name once, that deep-seated concern as much a balm as it is a bane rooting the warrior to the spot; torn between the desire to run towards him or away. Just like when they first met those months ago, Hikari knows not what Partitio sees in him. Here the warrior stands, armed and dangerous and thoroughly unpredictable, and yet his friend chooses to approach him, step by careful step, holding out his hands to show he means Hikari no harm.
"It's alright, Hikari," He says, voice low and hushed like plenty of times before where the stakes were so much lower. The risks. "Those two fellas hightailed it outta here. S'just me, see? You're alright, partner. I ain't gonna hurt ya."
That isn't what the prince cursed by the blood of his clan is afraid of; what makes his hand clutching his blade tremble.
"Go away." Hikari whispers, uncertain to whom he's speaking to. Partitio just shakes his head with a helpless little smile.
"'Fraid I just don't know how to quit when my friends are sufferin'." He explains softly and Hikari wonders when it began to rain as a single droplet trails down his cheek. Partitio exhales like he's taken a punch to the gut as he opens his arms; opens himself to whatever happens as the sword shakes in the warrior's grasp.
"I trust you, Hikari."
The weapon falls, and so does he.
Right into Partitio's arms.
The merchant easily accommodates his weight as the warrior slumps boneless against him, lowering them both onto the forest floor with all the care in the world. It's all Hikari can do to curl his fingers into the fabric of his suit vest as Partitio idly runs his palms up and down his back in gentle comfort.
"There, see? It's alright." He soothes by his ear like this really is nothing more than a bad dream while holding him close as if he wasn’t moments away from cutting him open.
"I gotcha, Hikari."
"Why?" The shaken swordsman dares ask aloud, his voice hoarse while trying not to choke on the tears he's just barely keeping at bay while pulling back to meet his gaze. "Why do you not fear me?"
"You're still you, ain'tcha?" Partitio replies like it really is as simple as that, the softness of his eyes reflecting the tenderness of his soul firmly believing in such.
Too overwhelmed by unfathomable relief to think better of it, Hikari surges forward to meet their lips. At Partitio's genuine stutter of surprise does he realize just what he's done, and a million apologizes over his inappropriate actions run rampant in his head. Yet before he can withdraw to tell the merchant as such, one of Partitio’s gloved hands rises to cradle his cheek and wipes the loose tear away with a swipe of his thumb that surprises Hikari in its gentleness even though it’s something he’s long since come to expect from the man. It’s then that Partitio moves his head ever so slightly to the side; leaning forward just so to return the kiss in kind.
As far as kissing goes, Hikari has never been much of an expert. He simply lacked the experience as it wasn't something Ritsu was particularly fond of during their time together -- instead preferring his prince's mouth be occupied elsewhere. Partitio's lips are as warm and inviting as the man himself as they draw Hikari in further like the sun after a storm. Like the dawn after an eternity spent in shadow. He wonders if kissing someone ever leaves a person so breathless as they break apart, their lips remaining inches apart as their foreheads press together.
"Hooey," Partitio exhales like he's just run across all of Solistia and back with a dizzying smile spread wide across his face. "Now wasn't that somethin'."
"It was." Hikari says for lack of anything better, and yet smiles shyly nonetheless back at him.
"Reckon we're in agreement, then." The merchant concedes with a light chuckle matching his jovial mood while regarding him like he's the most precious ore he's ever laid eyes on. "I mean I'm right giddy as a fool thinkin' I might be on the money 'bout this, but a man's still gotta ask. Is this here somethin' you want? 'Cause if you don't I'm gonna need you to speak your piece now so I don't be gettin' the wrong idea."
Hikari blinks, decidedly stunned as if never having once considered that Partitio would ever feel the same.
"You would have me?" He questions with none of the boldness used in initiating the kiss. The brokenness of it makes Partitio's expression falter as if he can't believe his own ears listening to one of their greatest fighters be insecure about himself.
"I gotcha right now, don't I?" Partitio murmurs quietly while moving the hand from his cheek to lay flat against his back once more and pulls him gently against his person. A kiss is planted atop his silky hair. “Can’t say this is the best spot for discussin’ matters of the heart, but I’ve had my discernin’ eye on ya for a long while now. Reckon since we first met, if I’m bein’ honest. ‘Course with things bein’ what they were and considerin’ everything you’d just gone through, I shoved those feelin’s’ aside. Swore to myself I wouldn't act on anythin' 'til I knew it was mutual, and woulda been just fine if I took 'em to the grave."
The merchant shifts and Hikari tiredly leans into the palm of his hand moving to cradle his cheek once more.
"I meant what I said back then 'bout your companionship bein' more than enough. You're a good friend, Hikari. A good man. Now I don't know what that was all about, and you don't hafta spill 'til you're ready, but it doesn't change a thing. You're still you, and I like ya just as you are."
Hikari searches for something to say in response, to voice his gratitude, to tell Partitio he also likes him the way he is. Of all the thoughts running through his head, he can't seem to focus on just one. Instead he chooses to let them all speak for him by ducking his head beneath Partitio's chin and embracing him tightly. If his merchant’s vest becomes damp, he makes no comment while humming reassurances that he means every word, and that’s a Partitio Yellowil guarantee.
Their fellow travelers call out in the not-so-far distance in search of them, and Hikari can’t help but grow tense even as Partitio smoothes a hand up and down his spine.
“I ain’t gonna tell ‘em nothin’ you don’t want me to.” He promises as if the swordsman has ever been given any reason to distrust him. “All your secrets are safe with me -- including this if you don’t want it gettin’ out just yet.”
Heat rises to his cheeks.
“It is not that I don’t have faith in our friends not to make jest.” Hikari begins, certain his face is red as the raspberries Throné adores so much while Partitio helps him to his feet. Strange how he feels like the man could sweep him off them if he chose to do so. “No, that is not entirely true. There are a select few of whom would be delighted, yet would find no qualms in becoming utterly insufferable.”
“S’long way a’ sayin’ Temenos.” The merchant surmises and the swordsman finds it in himself to chuckle lightly. “Castti’ll bully me more than she already does, but I won’t mind much.”
“You won’t?”
“How could I, when I’m the luckiest fella this side of Solistia?” Partitio replies with a radiant smile that sets his face ablaze and makes his knees buckle. The merchant readily offers himself as support to help keep him upright. “Whoa there, partner. Didn’t take ya for the swoonin’ type.”
“Apologies. I...It would seem the day has caught up with me.”
The warrior is honest between putting an end to the arms’ deal, wrestling with his shadow, and his feelings reciprocated. Partitio hums sympathetically and before Hikari can protest, scoops the warrior up into his arms. It isn’t the first time he’s been picked up and carried so he knows the others won’t question it, but it doesn’t necessarily stop him from weakly protesting all the same. The merchant won’t let him down, however, and part of him is secretly relieved. Though the ordeal with his shadow has left him painfully vulnerable at the thought of losing control and hurting his friends, he feels safe and secure in Partitio’s hold where the darkness can’t reach.
“Tell me if this sounds like a deal. We get these here weapons situated to where they’re s’pposed t’go, and then you and me have ourselves a nice relaxin’ time at the inn to talk about the two of us?”
Hikari smiles, a small but sure thing while accepting the offer with a grateful nod.
He doesn’t think he could ask for anything more.