Chapter Text
"Good morning, Kuzcotopians!"
The voice crackled over the P.A. system of the school, as the emperor kicked up his feet, hands casually crossed behind his head. The teen laughed out loud, drawing the gaze of a few classmates, before he thought to himself, "He knows me so well…" a grin plastered on his face as the voice on the system droned out, muffling in comparison to his own thoughts. Brown eyes lazily opened as they fell on the empty seat belonging to his fellow classmate, Guaka, almost admiringly, before a female voice brought him back to reality.
"Earth to Kuzco?" Malina stared him down, as she snapped fingers next to his ear. His gaze moved to her amidst confusion, a smirk returning seconds later, despite her slapping a pop quiz face down on his desk. "Mr. Moleguaco said we're doing a quiz on yesterday's homework… you did do yesterday's homework, right?"
"Naaawww, I can just copy from Kronk!" Kuzco responded cheerfully, as if it was the best idea he'd ever had. Happened more often than not. "Uhhh…" the larger male in the seat next to his began to protest, though Kuzco didn't care. His eyes were on the door, spotting the man of the hour stepping into the classroom considerably late.
"He has an excuse to be late… maybe I should do morning announcements… aww but then I'd have to be here early…"
Guaka made his way to his seat, after Malina had moved on with a roll of her eyes, continuing to pass out the quiz papers. Kuzco's eyes remained fixed on Guaka, as he leaned over his desk. "Good job on the announcements this morning, buddy." The Emperor complimented, though of course he didn't really mean it. The words he truly meant were, "Love what you did there, Kuzcotopians… that was great."
"Y-you really think so, sir?" Guaka stuttered as his cheeks tinged red. His whole life, or as much as he could recall, was dedicated to first meeting Kuzco and now doing anything to please him. To be liked by the man, and hopefully one day become more than just a peasant under his foot. To receive a compliment like that, while Kuzco grinned just like that, staring at him… just like that… so maybe it was more than a desire to serve.
"Yea, love that line ya started with… say it again?" Kuzco requested as he turned his gaze to his fingernails, pretending to pick out grime while he waited.
"Uh… good morning Kuzcotoe---" The portly boy began with a questioning tone, cut off by Mr. Moleguaco clearing his throat at the front of the classroom, and Malina returning to her seat.
"No talking during the quiz. We'll go over it in fifteen minutes." The man announced, as Guaka drew in a sharp breath, and Kuzco was forced to return to his seat boredly.
Kuzco flipped the sheet, looking at the first question in front of him. "Name 3 primary exports the empire is known for."
Kuzco chewed his pencil eraser, before trying to lean forward to see what Malina wrote. He couldn't see around her back, making him sigh exasperatedly, turning attention to Kronk, who had taken the time to swing his chair into the aisle and sit with his back to Kuzco as well. "Great, no cheating…" he thought bitterly, lazily turning his gaze to... Guaka!
The other male had just turned his page over to signal he was done, and was now doodling on a scrap of parchment. Kuzco had to act fast, there was only seven minutes remaining until the 15 minute deadline Mr. Moleguaco had set. He bit the eraser clean off of his pencil, flicking it with two fingers at the back of the boy's head.
"Huh?" Guaka glanced up, touching his neck where it had hit, then glancing behind him to lock onto Kuzco's gaze. Silently, the emperor held up his blank test (save for his name) and shrugged with a fake nervous expression. Guaka quickly glanced to the front of the class, before jotting his answers to the four questions on the back of his doodle, crumpling it up and tossing it back.
"You're the best, remind me to tell you later. " Kuzco thought with a grin as Guaka flashed a smile and a thumbs up. He retrieved the crumpled paper from under his desk, unfolding it to find --- "Aww, a doodle of me…" --- before flipping it over and copying the answers Guaka had written down, reordering a few to make it look like he hadn't copied.
"Alright, class. Please pass your paper to the left and we'll grade it together." Mr. Moleguaco stated, as Kuzco finished in the nick of time.
"Riiiihhgt." Kronk hummed, making the emperor roll his eyes, the older male's page being set in front of him.
"Mr. M? What do I do if there's nobody to my left?" Kuzco asked, being the last one in the back row, nobody beside him.
"Pass it to Kronk, Kuzco. There's nobody to his right." The teacher answers with annoyance, making the emperor lean forward.
"Where's Kavo?" Kuzco asked, only now noting the vacant seat.
"Haha, Kavo never showed up this morning. Whole family came down with Llama flu." Kronk replied, laughing on behalf of Kuzco's unawareness, not because of the Llama flu. "It's tragic, really."
"Ew, gross." Kuzco shuddered, handing off his paper.
While the teacher and other students participated in marking the tests, Kuzco flipped the answer sheet Guaka had given him back over. He caught himself smiling stupidly at the crudely drawn figure of himself, glancing at the back of Guaka's head, then back.
"Kuzco, you uh...didn't mark my test."
"Huh? Oh yeah. I'm not doing Mr. M's job, that's his job. The hell is he getting paid for?"
"I'll just do it." Kronk traded off Kuzco's page for his own, the emperor noting the checks in purple ink. It was no secret that Kronk worked with Yzma, though it did annoy him.
"Wait, I got an A?" Kuzco asked, eyes widening as he sat upright.
"Yeah, well, you got every answer right hence why you got an A. You deserved an A, if I had stickers I would give you a sticker, but uhh, I don't have stickers which is why I drew a smiley face." Kronk gave a rambling answer as he marked his own page, finding he had gotten question number three wrong.
"I got an A!" Kuzco proclaimed, jumping up in his seat excitedly. For someone that cruised by on D's and C's, he was overly ecstatic of course, and drew attention of the classroom due to the outburst.
"Very good Kuzco, since you're standing you can collect everyone's test and bring them to the front." Mr. Moleguaco mocked, making the teen scowl. No point arguing, he made his way up and down the aisles to collect, dropping the messy pile on the teacher's desk at the front, then headed back to his seat. Not before stopping at Guaka's desk and slamming a hand down onto the surface.
"You, me. Lunch." Kuzco demanded with a grin, making Guaka jump nervously and quickly attempt to stash something or other.
"You want to have lunch? With me?" The boy asked, staring up at the emperor as if he was a forbidden god. "Yes sir!"
"Perfect… See ya round Gecko." Kuzco knew his name, purposely getting it wrong. Something about the reaction every time got him in a good way, and he dwelled upon that as he took his seat once again.
~🦙~
Lunch hour rolled around, and as Mr. Moleguaco dismissed the class, Kuzco was immediately up. He leaned back against Guaka's desk as he examined his nails, arms crossed as the one before his face poised upwards. "So,"
"We're still on for lunch, sir?" The other asked, gathering up his supplies and shoving them into a backpack. "Better get to the cafeteria, so we can get a seat." He added, reaching out to grab Kuzco's arm, snapping his hand back as he noted Kuzco staring as if being intruded on, with disinterest.
"Only if you promisey no touchy." Kuzco said back, eyes raising to meet the other male's. "Not going to the cafeteria. Not up for whatever chicken fish is. Mudka's?"
"Bu-but Mudka's is kind of far, we won't have time to get there and eat before we have to be back, sir!"
"That's the point. Skipping out, you in?"
"Skipping?!"
"Yea, didn't do Mrs. Upachal's homework, don't feel like dealing with it."
"I guess so... Let's go?"
Kuzco headed out without another word, the other scrambling to head after him and keep up. He nearly ran head first into the taller male when Kuzco stopped out front, pulling a few kuzcoins from his pocket. "Hey, Guak? Think ya can get us a taxi cart? I'm a little short."
"Yes of course I can!" Guaka replied without hesitation, hailing a cart from nearby. "Mudka's meat hut please!" He told the driver as he stepped aside to allow Kuzco to sit first. He then climbed on as well, taking note of how his larger frame meant he was somewhat squashed against the lithe male on the small cart.
"I thought I said, no touchy." Kuzco groaned.
"I can't help it, sir."
"Ugh fine."
~🦙~
"I lied." Kuzco admitted once he climbed off of the cart outside of the diner, as Guaka was busy paying the cart. "Ain't going to Mudka's."
"But we're here…" Guaka stated, hesitating.
"Yeah we are. Got a stop first." Kuzco teased, glancing around before snatching up Guaka's arm. He tugged him with some urgency, eyes on a window watching Yatta and hoping she didn't see them yet.
"Kuzco, I---"
Kuzco slammed the male back against the side wall of the diner, away from any windows. With an arm on either side, he pinned Guaka in place, reaching into his pocket for the page with the answers from that morning. Turning it over and showing the image drawn crudely on the other side.
"Why ya drawing me huh?" The Emperor asked. The reverence he normally expected… before his second semester at the school. He had come to learn that while in the academy, he was no different than anyone else. This was now out of the ordinary, believe it or not.
"It's not what it looks like!" Guaka quickly jumped to blurting out, shrinking back against the wall.
"Heh… what does it look like?" Kuzco asked with a chuckle.
"Uhh…"
"Do you like me? Huh?"
"No. I mean...yes. I mean...not like that."
"You don't sound so sure about that." Kuzco remarked, though he did let the other leave the wall, turning around and feigning being distracted.
"I was just practicing, I'd like to be as good as… wait, what about Malina? You like her, I thought---" Guaka began, pausing when the emperor shot him a sidelong glance.
"Yeah, so? Didn't say I only liked girls." The taller male rolled his eyes as if annoyed. "Look, all I want is a straight answer."
"Yes?"
"Yes what?"
"I...uh...do like you?"
"Great, that's settled. How about lunch? You're buying."
Never even crossed Guaka's mind that he was being taken advantage of, while Kuzco ordered the entire menu. Well, save for the vegetarian dishes. What could he say? He was a carnivore.
With some convincing, Kuzco did return to school after lunch. Well, only after Guaka "helped" to quickly finish Kuzco's science homework. Surprisingly not too late, walking into the classroom only twenty three minutes after it began.
"Traffic, got hung up coming back from Mudka's." Kuzco said as an excuse, though there hadn't been a single cart on the return.
"Alright, that's fine. Take your seats." Mrs. Upachal told them.
"Malinuhh…" Kuzco crooned, as he leaned towards her next to his own seat. "No hard feelings, Iguana is my partner today."
"You can't even get his name right!" She whispered through gritted teeth. "It's Guaka!"
"I really don't mind." The boy in question chimed in. He really really didn't mind at all. Somehow he knew that Kuzco knew his name, and thought it a somewhat stupidly endearing act. Like they were random nicknames instead of the other "forgetting" his name.
"Fine. I was going to partner with Moxie anyway." Malina spat back, turning her attention back to the front of the class.
"Enh?" Kuzco grinned, jabbing an elbow into Guaka's side.
"Please pay attention, boys!" The teacher called at the front, staring in Kuzco's direction.
"Yes, Mrs. Upachal." Both Guaka and Kuzco said in unison, the taller slumping into his seat as Guaka sat upright with his hands folded on the table.
~🦙~
"Hey." Kuzco actually wasn't the first one out of the classroom at the end of the day, hanging back to wait for Guaka. "Hey, Guaka?" He called again, wiggling his fingers in a sort of farewell to Malina.
"Yes Sir?" The other replied, turning his attention to Malina as well, both watching her disappear from the room, and the others clear out.
"About earlier." Kuzco began, his eyes moving to the boy beside him.
"What abo---"
"Don't tell anyone."
"Don't...tell...an...Why?"
Kuzco shrugged, not being able to think of words to explain it. He didn't think it was a good idea for others to know he wasn't an all ladies man all the time. Especially if word got out to the wrong people, or… person. Yzma definitely couldn't know, that would be horrific. She would definitely take advantage of it. Hey, why not use that as an excuse?
"Yzma." Kuzco said out loud at last.
"Ah. Yea, that."
"Great, see ya Gecko."
Kuzco left the room, almost as if he forgot they all took a cart home together. Kuzco sidled next to Malina, eyes on Guaka across from him. He was silent, though did flash a side smirk when their eyes met. He just liked the thought that someone possibly liked him as much as he liked himself, if not more. His thoughts were quickly abrupted when he felt an elbow jab into his hip. He snapped attention to Malina, finding her glaring at him.
"What did you tell him today?" She demanded, as if nothing escaped her observation.
"Nothing, owww that hurt." Kuzco whined, pressing his palm to his side.
"No, you told him something. He's been more...clingy than usual." Malina replied under her breath, watching Guaka focus on the scenery.
"Just the announcements stuff, and that I'd help him get better at doodling. Nothing else I swear!" Kuzco lied, his eyes moving to Guaka as well, then back.
"You're lying." She called him out immediately.
"Am not!"
"Uh-huh."
"Nuh-unh!"
"Fine. But if you hurt him…."
Kuzco swallowed hard, knowing that Malina meant business even though she never finished that threat. He was silent as she got off at the first stop on the hill, watching her bitterly as if she had just denied him a date yet again. He faked a smile and waved as she glanced back, scowling again as soon as her back was turned. Next stop was Guaka's. As the cart slowed again, the chubby boy stood, lifting a foot to step to the end of the cart. Kuzco's hand twisted with the back of his uniform, yanking him back onto the seat, not glancing in his direction at all. His other hand hung between his knees, his expression still sour.
Guaka seems to catch onto the intent all the same, settling back into his place, and calling up to the driver. "I'm not getting off yet!" The man grunted and nodded, continuing onward to drop off Yuu and Tuu, then Kronk, finally riding up to the top of the hill.
"Are you okay, sir?" Guaka asked, as they were now alone, save for the driver and the llamas.
"I'm fine." Kuzco replied edgily, scooting away from the other boy on the bench.
"Really? Because you don't seem fine…"
"Malina needs to stop putting her nose into other people's business. So what if I---" he cut himself off there, eyes turning to Guaka next to him as his fingers tightened on the edge of the bench.
"If you what?"
"If I….want your help with my homework and not hers." Kuzco answered quickly, though that's not what he was going to say originally.
Pacha happened to be outside with Chicha in the garden, Chaka and Tipo running around them shouting something about tag. They never traveled home with Kuzco, in different grades than he was and hence taking a cart home an hour earlier. Before anyone could spot them, the emperor grabbed for Guaka yet again, as Guaka tried not to think too much about it being the third time in a single day. Kuzco pulled him to the exterior basement door, down to his bedroom, letting it slam shut behind them.
"This is your room?" The other asked as he stepped forward, staring in awe.
"Yeah, pretty sweet huh? Even got my own hot tub." Kuzco bragged, though his expression changed the second he spotted something he didn't want Guaka to see on his bed. A worn old doll, that he had named Whompy, lying where it had been discarded that morning. A quick dash, he was able to shove the doll into a nearby drawer before it was even seen. Then casually sat on his bed as if that had been his intention all along.
"So…" Guaka began, eyes falling on Kuzco on the bed.
"So?" Kuzco repeated in question.
"Why did you want me to come over?"
"I dunno, something to do?"
"What do you wanna do, sir?"
"Use you as a footrest while you do my homework, and we talk about how you're going to praise me in the announcements tomorrow morning…"
"Do we have to do anything?" Kuzco answered instead, dropping back into his pillows and closing his eyes. Only to sit up a moment later to toss aside his green poncho, then lie back down.
Guaka still hadn't moved. It was almost as if he didn't plan to unless personally invited to, and thus stood, poking his fingers together nervously. The last thing he wanted was to upset Kuzco in any way. But it seemed the man had intentions of taking a nap, leaving him to his own devices. Gingerly, he made his way to the hot tub and poked a finger into the heated water, eyes falling on a button nearby on the wall.
"What's this do?" He asked in his mind, pushing the button without thought. The lights dimmed, replaced by colorful ones that spun around the room, music playing. "Oops!" His eyes darted to Kuzco on the bed, worried that the other would be upset. He had just woken him up completely by accident!
"If you're done…. You can come over here. Y'know, instead of touching all my stuff?" Kuzco called calmly, not opening his eyes at all, shifting in the pillow pile.
"Y-you weren't sleeping?" Guaka asked nervously after pressing the button again. The music stopped, lights returned to normal, and he sheepishly took a step towards the bed.
"Nah, just relaxing." Kuzco replied, one eye opening to stare past his feet at the other. "Well?"
Guaka silently moved forward, seating himself on the foot of the Emperor's bed. He was silent, though glanced over his shoulder to find that the other had closed his eyes again. He let out a sigh of relief, distracted when Kuzco moved again, kicking at his sandals that refused to come off due to being tied.
"Allow me, sir." Guaka piped up, his cheerful I'm helping Kuzco tone returning, as he leaned forward and untied one carefully so it wouldn't knot. Kuzco sighed contentedly as his feet settled, a soft smile trickling across his face as he muttered something incoherent. Guaka smiled in return, as he slipped off the first sandal then worked on the other. As soon as both were off, Kuzco wriggled his toes then groaned with disdain.
"Could you---" he didn't even get a chance to finish the request, before Guaka interrupted with "Right away, sir!" And began kneading his right foot between fingers and thumbs.
"Oh...ohhh yeah…." Kuzco hummed with pure bliss, occasionally jerking his leg when Guaka hit an exceptionally sensitive spot. "That feels so...good…." The Emperor said breathily, shifting as if to allow the male better access to his feet.
Guaka was deep crimson, glad that Kuzco couldn't see it. He couldn't help but think things he knew he shouldn't think. "If he makes sounds like that over a foot rub...I wonder…"
"Guakuhh…" His thoughts interrupted by Kuzco whining a moment later.
"Y-yes sir?" Guaka tried not to stutter, but he couldn't help it due to his previous thoughts. As if Kuzco had been aware of them.
"C'mere?" Kuzco asked in the same whiny tone, lifting an arm as if to reach for him.
"I am here?"
"Closer?"
"Like….?"
"Up here."
Kuzco patted the pillow next to him, making Guaka swallow nervously. He slowly turned himself on the bed, knowing that Kuzco could probably feel the weight shift with his every move. He had never been so conscious about his own weight as he was now. The second he was high enough up on the bed, he felt hands push him over and Kuzco wrapped around him with a content sigh.
"I'm not sure I---" Guaka began, as Kuzco nestled his cheek against his belly, fingers lazily grazing his hip as he was snuggled into.
"I thought you liked me…" Kuzco said quietly, not moving in the least, save for what was definitely beginning to feel like soft caresses against his side.
Guaka was caught in a difficult place. He did like Kuzco, no doubt about it. He just always thought that the emperor had a crush on Malina, and that he would never be interested in him considering he was another boy. Not to mention the duty of the empire and whatnot, that Kuzco would be required to marry a woman and bear children so he'd have heirs. Yet here he was, entrapped by the object of his wildest dreams, who was acting far more lovingly than he could have ever imagined.
"I do, I just…" Guaka was careful with his words, cutting himself off there before he said something he'd regret.
"Malina hates me…" Kuzco spoke again, the same soft tone used, but tinged with a crackle as he forced back a whine.
"She doesn't hate you, she---"
"She told me it would never happen ."
"That doesn't mean she hates you, she just...rather be friends?"
"Fine. Then she hates the idea of dating."
"That's not what I---"
"But you don't hate me… right?"
"Of course not, Sir!"
"Heh, yeah...you know everything about me...you worship me…" Kuzco had begun pushing himself off of Guaka's stomach with those words, now looking him in the eyes as he supported himself over him with both arms. "You… actually want me. Seems like a lot of people don't…"
"I---" Guaka wasn't given the chance to actually reply, freezing as lips pressed against his. He'd thought about it so many times while alone, but to have it actually happen for real now, he couldn't move. Couldn't think, couldn't function. As if it broke him completely, and the only movement he was capable of was his fingers gripping the bed sheets below him tighter.
Kuzco pulled away, his tongue swiping across his lips as he fell back next to Guaka on the bed. There was silence, though for the peasant boy it was growing quite awkward. He hummed as if to break it, before turning his head to his side and opening his mouth to speak, hesitating again and looking to the ceiling.
A moment later, he admitted softly, "That was my first kiss." Trying his hardest to keep his tone level while he said it.
"Mine too." Kuzco replied a moment that seems forever later.
Guaka kicked at his foot, holding back a laugh. "Was not!"
"Yeah it was!"
"What about when we did the musical and---" Guaka was cut off when Kuzco rolled his eyes and replied, "Fine. My first real kiss."