He didn’t miss Akito’s growing blush, but decided to spare Akito even more embarrassment than what he already felt. The silence draws on a little longer as he scratches behind one of Hoko’s ears and sips the juice that was brought along. However, Hiro was patient. He understood Akito had a harder time expressing his thoughts and unlike his father who was much more expectant of quick results, he wouldn’t pester him into speaking. 

His eyebrow raised when Akito did begin to speak. Hiro was ready to reassure him that he was definitely cute but didn’t interrupt, not wanting Akito to become closed off and not talk anymore. However the slow speech soon became a spill of rambling and uncertainty that even caught Hiro by surprise for a few moments. “I-” He couldn’t quite get a word in to calm his betrothed down, so he waited until Akito was buried deep into his own arms, obviously regretting ever last bit of it. 

Hiro stared at him for a few moments before smiling softly. Quietly, he shifted the box in between them out of the way and scooted a little closer to Akito. He moved slow, not wanting to frighten the man more than he already had been. Hiro tried to think of what to say, while Akito began to close himself off. “I’m glad you don’t think of me as some prize to be won.” He crossed his legs and looked up at the sky for a few moments. He loved the days like this one where the sky was clear and the breeze was forgiving, but he couldn’t help but like stormy days a bit more. “When I was younger, a little after my father was remarried, we went to see the neighboring kingdom. It was the same time the princess of that kingdom was finding a suitor. I remember hearing the men all talking about the princess as if she was just a pretty face to be bossed around. And, well, the princess thought the same. Wasn’t very tasteful in my opinion, but that’s how traditions work I guess.” He shrugged to himself, unsure of why he was telling Akito this. He wasn’t sure that would help ease his blushing, but it was something to get his mind off of it at least.

Glancing down at him, Hiro gently tapped Akito’s shoulder and smiled. “So, yeah. Thank you.” He had the urge to kiss the other to express his thanks, but he refrained, not wanting to give him a heart attack or something of the sort.