Snippet #1968482

Fa Sheng urged his stallion after Daiki's, falling into an easy trot. The sun shone brightly, glittering off of the silver and gold thread in his imperial robes, shining off of his hair which, in spite of the gray, still glowed lush with youth. He was smiling, positively jovial at the recent turn of events. For just one, short instant, it seemed as though all of his troubles had come to a very sudden, satisfying end.

Until his brother mentioned children.

Fa Sheng's smile faltered, then faded away, replaced by the eerie calm which had come to be known as the face of Emperor Fa Sheng. He glanced away from Daiki, surveying their surroundings with a crease of worry in his brow, a look of sadness in his eyes. His entire demeanor changed, and when it did, somehow he ceased to be Katsuro.

"I suppose there will have to be," he whispered, watching a bird fly overhead. "The throne is insecure."
He sounded for all the world as though he did not want children. A ridiculous thought, to anyone who knew him - since he himself had been a child, Fa Sheng was always caring for the little ones. Looking after those smaller and more innocent than he. Nobles in the court had joked that he was "their little father". He had always said he wanted to fulfill that image, that role. Now that the opportunity presented itself for him to actually become a father...
His reluctance made little sense.
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Kisei shook his head slightly, rustling against the pillows. He did not dare speak. Arguing. He should never argue. Nor should he allow himself to become excited. He cursed himself, silently, for letting his emotions running away from him.
Slowly, painfully, he drew breath. His throat constricted, fighting to cut off his air. Kisei closed his eyes. Twice a day. That was the minimum for this sort of thing. This was why he had never left the palace before. The slightest trigger sent him to the ground...

Shuddering, he reached behind him and seized Kazumi's hand. Not to request something, not because there was anything she could do. It was merely a source of comfort.