Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Changbin stood in the doorway, watching as Hyunjin’s long fingers delicately tied the white ribbon in his black hair. He stared at the prince’s reflection through the mirror in front of him. His tongue poked out between his soft pink lips as he concentrated. The sunlight shining in through the tall windows that lined his bedchamber walls was strong enough that through the fabric of Hyunjin’s white shirt, Changbin could vaguely see the curves of his slender frame. He felt his hand twitch at the thought of being able to trace those lines. 

Hyunjin soon whipped around, the woolen fabric of his loose poet shirt following his sharp movement. You could tell he was a dancer just from the way that he moved. 

“Mother better have picked a pretty one this time. I swear on my father’s grave, if I have to spend the evening with someone unfortunate looking the least they should be is funny!” The prince complained while putting on dangly pearl earrings. They probably cost more than Changbin’s house. 

“I’m sure she has. You do complain about it enough.” He mumbled that last part.

“Don’t mumble, Binnie, it’s impolite and you know I don’t like it.”

He couldn’t help that the corners of his lips upturned when Hyunjin would scold him. 

“If it’s truly that bad, you can make up an excuse and leave.”

“Oh my mother would have my head and you know it!” He tutted as he put on his rings. “She loves showing me off to the other kingdoms, it’s practically the only way she can get what she wants.” He attempted to fasten his necklace but considering he didn’t have eyes on the back of his head, it proved troublesome. His eyebrows furrowed in great frustration. It never took much to frustrate the prince who almost always got his way. But as much as Changbin liked watching him struggle with something so simple, he took this opportunity to help. 

He stood behind the prince and gently took the necklace from him, their fingertips brushing ever so slightly. Hyunjin let out a breath and held up the bottom half of his hair, that he had previously left down from the ponytail, so Changbin could see better. 

His skin was so flawless even this close up. The nape of his neck was warm on the back of Changbin’s fingers as he fiddled with the clasp of the necklace. On the left side of Hyunjin’s neck there was a beauty mark. Normally his long hair or a high collar would cover it. But not right now. 

Right now, Hyunjin’s shirt was barely buttoned in the front except for one measly middle button or two. It seemed ready to slide off his shoulders at any moment.

Changbin finally clasped the necklace and stepped to the side before his thoughts strayed any further. 

Hyunjin mumbled a very quiet ‘thank you’ and sat in front of his vanity table. His entire room was extravagant but he took his vanity very seriously. It was never a mess and no one was allowed to sit there except him. He opened a compact and started applying light concealer to his face with a small cushion puff. The palace did have makeup artists but he always chose to do it himself. The prince added a subtle shadow to the corner of his eyes and a very light red to his lids. He does it so intricately you can barely tell he’s wearing it. To top it all off he used a light pink lip stain, not too different to his original shade, more to highlight it. 

He straightened his posture like a ferret and looked around, “Where’s my waist chain?”

“Your waist chain?”

“Yes,” He got up from his vanity chair and started searching his room, “I wore it last night. He better not have broken it.” He knelt and reached under his messy bed. Eventually the prince unearthed an intact silver waist chain. It was very dainty but finely decorated in small diamonds and pearls.

Changbin composed himself before he made a face he would regret, “Who did you have here last night? I was at your door all night and you never came out once.”

“Chan.” He leaned against the end of his grand bedframe, lifted the bottom of his shirt and hooked the waist chain around his midsection. 

“And how did he get in?” Changbin’s voice sounded more stern.

“I told him to use the servants' doors.” He responded flippantly.

“You told him where the servants’ doors are!?”

Hyunjin side-eyed him, “Do not yell at me!”

“Your Highness, it is my job to keep this castle secure, especially at night. If you are to have visitors you must inform me! I am sorry but no tantrum can get you out of those rules.” 

He looked up from the square piece of tile he directed his voice at to see Hyunjin pouting. His bottom lip and apologetic eyes almost immediately softened Changbin’s expression and his stupid heart. Hyunjin’s face evolved into a cheeky grin at that.

“It won’t happen again, Mr Lieutenant~” His eyes turned into crescent moons as he cackled. 

Changbin shook his head, “It better not.” Whether he liked it or not, he couldn’t help but find the prince’s cackling rather endearing.

“Come on, Binnie! Let loose. Tonight is going to be fun, I promise.” He began buttoning up the remaining buttons on his shirt, his honey skin disappeared from view.  

“Maybe I’ll even let you dance with me~”

Chapter Text

And so the evening began. Well, after Hyunjin took another hour to ready himself for dinner. Any time he left the confines of his bed chamber, he had to look perfect. It’s what his mother taught him.

He walked into the dining room, as always, with his shoulders back and his head held high. Warm enough to seem inviting but elegant enough so everyone else knew their place was beneath him. Everyone was standing around, engaging in light chatter and lots of wine. Wine was essential for these get-togethers the Queen held. It’s easier to butter someone up if they’re a bit plastered. Hyunjin greeted Prince Felix with a small bow. Prince Felix put out his hand.

Changbin watched as Hyunjin’s eyes darted across the man’s features, subtly analysing him. Shoulder-length blond hair. Deep brown doe eyes. Freckles scattered across his nose. A very pretty smile. And a fashionable white and gold ensemble with a high collar.

Hyunjin took his hand and bowed lower, pressing a kiss to his knuckles.

“Aren’t you a beauty.” Hyunjin whispered before looking up at him. Felix’s lips only twitched to smile even wider at that.

“I could say the same about you-”

“And so you should!” Hyunjin interrupted with a laugh before standing up straight again and placing a glass of wine in Felix’s hand. He grabbed another off the tray for himself and clinked their glasses together.

“If everyone would sit now for dinner!” The queen spoke from across the room.

Everyone shuffled to their assigned seats. Changbin stood against the wall across from where Hyunjin was sitting. Prince Felix quite eagerly sat beside him.

The dinner went as they all go. Courses upon courses of the finest meats, fish, and fruits splay across the grand table. Hyunjin was flirting, as usual. Making sure to look at Felix’s lips when he’s talking and then back at his eyes to make him stutter. It always worked like a charm. He could get any person to bare their soul to him. No matter what came out of his mouth, everyone was always drawn to the Prince.

Queen Soojin kept the business talk with Felix’s parents light but firm. She said something a while back about running low on iron and some kinds of gems. Changbin didn’t mean to eavesdrop but he had a habit of being places. He didn’t care what imports they could bring to the kingdom, he was only trying to discern if their son was any good. Because one of these dinners will eventually be the last and the Queen will finally choose someone for her son to marry. He definitely didn’t look forward to that day.

When Changbin looked back to Hyunjin’s seat, he wasn’t in it. The seat beside it lay empty too.

Heavens forbid a man get lost in his thoughts for one second. He left the room and headed to the library.

It wasn’t long before he found them.

Felix was sat on the edge of one of the mahogany desks, his once high collar hanging open as Hyunjin sucked hickies into his golden skin. He stood in between the shorter man’s thighs, one hand pulling on his blond hair, to reveal more of his neck to mark up, and the other palming him through his trousers. Low moans escaped Felix’s parted lips.

Changbin’s feet felt like they were glued to the floor. He stood in the doorway not knowing what to do. He felt protective of Hyunjin, as is his job. And he had no idea who this Felix guy even was. Whose to say he didn’t have a knife in his jacket? He could be dangerous.

Just then, Hyunjin’s eyes met Changbin’s.

He slowly kissed up Felix’s marked up neck and gave Changbin a grin before kissing the prince, his eyes closing again as his hands undid Felix’s belt. Changbin watched as the shorter one kissed Hyunjin back with all his might. His hands grabbed at Hyunjin’s toned body underneath his now completely unbuttoned shirt. As if he was the hungriest man alive and Hyunjin was the last thing on earth. His cheeks were flushed red. Whether it was from the wine or Hyunjin’s presence, Changbin couldn’t fathom.

The next thing he knew, Hyunjin was on his knees. The prince’s cock sprang free from his pants. Hyunjin rubbed his thumb gently over the bubble of precum already leaking from Felix’s tip, spreading it around. The blond shuddered at that. Hyunjin was looking right up at him. He liked having this control, you could see it in his eyes. He knew how attractive he was and how little it took to rile people up this way.

“Are you a good boy?”

Changbin’s throat went dry.

Felix’s eyes widened slightly before he started nodding breathlessly, “Mhmm.”

A smirk swiped across Hyunjin’s lips as he matched the prince’s vigorous nodding with a less needy version, his eyebrows upturned in pity, “Yeah?”

Felix got more frustrated, his thighs twitched, “Yes!” That clearly came out louder than he meant it to by the way he pressed his lips together after. He even closed his eyes and threw his head back for making so much noise.

That’s when Hyunjin wrapped his lips around the head of his cock, earning a gasp and a hand grabbing his head.

Changbin had to stop himself from lunging forward at that.

Hyunjin gracefully used his free hand to grasp Felix’s wrist and subtly moved his hand to grip a lone book on the table instead. He quickly took in more of his length and pumped what he couldn’t fit. Felix was a mess. His eyes rolling back in his head and his back arched at the pleasure of Hyunjin’s wondrous tongue and skilled lips. It really sent him over the edge when Hyunjin started moaning around him, spit dribbling out the corners of his mouth. As he worked, along with the vibrations of his moans, Felix’s moans became deeper.

After a while, a final moan left his lips before he came, his abdomen tensing. Hyunjin lapped it all up, panting.

“You’re perfect-”

“I know.” Hyunjin responded, already fixing his hair and buttoning up his shirt.

Felix sat on the desk, completely undone. His clothes a mess and his makeup smeared. He was still coming down from his high. Hyunjin began smiling looking at the prince’s expression. He looked sort of lost in a way. Hyunjin couldn’t help but laugh a bit.

“Oh darling. You really are just precious, you know that?” He held Felix’s small face in his hands and made him look at him.

“I’m nervous, you make me nervous.”

“I just gave you a blowjob.” Hyunjin tilted his head.

“I know!”

Hyunjin pressed a soft kiss to his lips and gazed into his eyes once more, “I think we are going to be friends.”

Felix nodded along as Hyunjin tidied up his clothing for him.

“I’d like that.”

Hyunjin clipped his collar back together with his brooch then brushed his fingers through the blond’s hair and analysed him once more, “Presentable.”

“Now come on," He clapped his hands together, "My mother has most likely convinced your parents to stay the night by now.”

“Stay the night?” Felix questioned, hopping off the desk.

“She’s friendly with guests.”

“Seems you are too.”

Hyunjin paused in his tracks and looked at Felix.

“You’re funny… I’m keeping you.”

Chapter Text

Changbin didn’t hear any more of their exchange as he turned heel and left as soon as his feet unglued from the floor. He went down the vast hall and out onto one of the palace’s many balconies.

The tall trees swayed under the moon’s light, giving Changbin something to look at as images of what he just witnessed flashed by his mind. His heart began to race. Hyunjin saw him. Like looked directly in his eyes and grinned saw him. He saw him and he fucking smiled. Was all of this a game to him? It clearly was to his mother, and she had taught him every single trick in the book. Every bow and kiss to the knuckles. Every calculated grin. Every beguiling look. Hell, probably even when to get on his damned knees.

Changbin shook his head free of that thought. Don’t think about him like that. The Queen wouldn’t do that. Surely not. I mean Hyunjin does have a habit of sleeping around with the sons of his mother’s business partners. But that doesn’t mean she’s making him do it. He seemed quite happy just there in the library. Changbin had always been the one on the other side of the door. Whether he was privy to who was in there with him or not. It wasn’t clear then, but he never had a front seat until now.

“Binnie?” Hyunjin called from the archway of the balcony. Felix stood beside him, holding on to his arm.

Changbin cleared his throat and ripped his eyes from the stone floor, he bowed his head, “Sirs.”

Hyunjin grinned ear to ear seeing Changbin bow to him. He smacked his shoulder with a drunken cackle, almost toppling him over. “You don’t have to act so polite, it’s only Felix.”

Felix perked up at that and smiled, gripping Hyunjin’s arm even harder. He seemed very excited just being there.

“He is a prince.” Changbin said through almost gritted teeth.

Hyunjin gasped, “As am I! But we all know I’m your favourite.” he smiled down at the drunken Felix with a pout before looking back at Changbin, “You and I have a… special relationship.”

“Awwww.” Felix let out before slapping his hand over his mouth, “I’m so loud. No-! You guys are so cute.”

“Right! I’ve known Binnie here since I was just fourteen. His father took over the castle security after my father mysteriously died.” He said that last part as if it were a joke. “We have been the best of friends ever since!”

Felix then cooed at the pigeon that had just landed on the balcony, causing Hyunjin to burst into laughter, “He’s so funny- Binnie, isn’t he cute?”

Changbin pressed his lips together, “Yes, he is cute.” He couldn’t stop remembering what he had seen. He wasn’t supposed to be there. Or was he? Hyunjin didn’t have a habit of running off without informing Changbin of at least the room he’s going to. But looking at Hyunjin right now, Changbin couldn’t decipher a single thing. Hyunjin wasn’t an open book by any means but Changbin normally knew how to read him. For the first time, the prince seemed obnoxious.

“I want more wine.” Felix whispered, slumped into Hyunjin’s shoulder.

“Of course, darling.” Hyunjin cooed before walking him back to the dining room. Changbin followed, walking a pace behind both of them.

Back in the dining room, Queen Soojin was in the midst of convincing Felix’s parents to stay. Hyunjin brought Felix to the alcohol cart and poured a concoction into two glasses, looking rather unsure of the contents but he swigged it back nonetheless. Felix’s eyes practically sparkled watching Hyunjin finish his drink like that. He copied him but almost choked.

It annoyed Changbin how obsessed everyone was with Hyunjin all of the time. Not even just his conquests. The entire kingdom was obsessed with him, men and women. It had been that way since he came into this world. Praised for his looks, then his dancing, and then his paintings. He was way too good at so many things. It was ridiculous to be honest.

While Felix was busy making his own concoction, Hyunjin traipsed over to Changbin. He took his hands and pulled him out from his corner of the room. He placed the guard’s hands on his hips and began dancing with him.

“I promised you a dance, didn’t I?”

“I saw you in the library.” Changbin cut in.

Hyunjin tried not to smile at that, “Well, I saw you too. Peeper.”

“I wasn’t peeping! I was looking for you.” He responded in a hushed tone, pulling Hyunjin closer to him. Hyunjin’s hand found Changbin’s chest to steady himself.

“And you found me~” He giggled.

“You couldn’t bring him to your room like the others?”

“My room is so far… The library was right there!”

“Don’t lie to me, you love the risk.”

Hyunjin looked down at Changbin with that stupid smile on his face. The one that said I know more than you do. One that said I’m better than you and I know it.

“So what if I do?” Hyunjin retorted, his right eyebrow raised.

Changbin couldn’t find his words. He didn’t know why he was questioning him so diligently. His heart had begun to race again. The way it races when Hyunjin isn’t around. But the prince was standing in front of him, quite literally pressed against him, unharmed. A little drunk, sure, but he was safe. Hyunjin stared at him with his alluring eyes. They were sharp but something about them was so calming. This close, Changbin noticed a small mole under his left eye. His hair was falling over his eyes just a bit too, he looked almost messy. Seeing him like this was rare. He was normally so put together, sometimes to a fault. He was most beautiful like this.

Then Changbin’s gaze fell to the prince’s plump lips.

His tint had been smeared.

Changbin broke their embrace and cleared his throat.

“I must go to bed.”

Chapter Text

Felix watched as the guard left the room. The prince looked confused but his expression quickly changed as he turned to face the blond. He smiled like it was only for him to see. As if he knew something Felix didn’t.

He took a bottle of wine out of the tub of ice that sat on the lower part of the alcohol cart, “Wanna see my room?”

Felix’s head was already spinning quite a bit. He felt like he was blinking slower than usual but as soon as he heard that question it’s like a switch turned on in his head. He perked up immediately, grabbing another glass from the cart, “Of course!”

Hyunjin pushed open the double doors and skipped into his bed chamber, messily kicking off his shoes.

Felix did the same but carefully left his shoes near the door.

It was so much bigger than Felix’s room. He held the glasses close to his chest as he walked around.

A grand canopy bed with a gold headboard and sheer white curtains tied to all four poles. Art decorated the walls, scenic landscapes and flower vases. A body-length mirror was mounted on the wall between the four tall windows. A roaring fireplace took up most of the wall opposite where the bed was. Candles were dotted around, setting a warm glow over the room, casting perfect shadows.

Hyunjin took the glasses from him and placed them on the mantlepiece. He had opened the bottle of wine already. Felix looked up at him, “Can I have some?”

The prince lifted a hand and tucked a stray piece of blond hair back into its rightful braid. His eyes followed his own movement as he softly ran the back of his slender fingers down the sculpted side of Felix’s face. He traced his jaw with his index finger and placed his thumb on the blond’s bottom lip. Felix instinctually parted his lips and opened his mouth. Hyunjin tipped the wine bottle, letting the dry taste run down his throat. Felix swallowed and looked at him again with unknowing doe eyes and a pout.

“You take it so well.” Hyunjin praised, his eyes burning into Felix’s being.

Felix’s breath caught in his throat for a moment, he found himself nodding. It’s all he could get himself to do around this guy. Just nod along to everything he says. Blush stupidly scattered across his freckled cheeks. Nothing Felix could say in response would ever elicit such a reaction out of him so what was even the point in trying. He was better than him in all senses of the word and he knew it. He thought himself lucky to even be here.

Hyunjin gently took the blond’s hand and walked over to the bed. He sat on the edge, manspreading. It looked rather inviting. Felix watched as the man took down his ponytail and let the rest of his hair fall free. He reached his hands out and Felix felt himself being pulled in. He took the prince’s hands in his and straddled him. He was trying so very hard to not come off desperate. He worried that it was practically dripping off him. But from the look of it, Hyunjin enjoyed seeing him desperate for just a taste of him. His cockiness made Felix want him even more.

He looked down at the prince’s shirt as his fingers found the buttons. He opened them one by one, revealing more of the man’s toned body. Felix tried to keep his breath steady but he could still feel his eyes on him. When he let the fabric of the shirt fall open, he finally met the man’s eyes. They never left Felix’s face for a second.

“Are you always this shy?” Hyunjin whispered, beginning to undo the buttons of Felix’s jacket.

“I haven’t done this that many times…” Felix mumbled as Hyunjin pushed his jacket off to the floor behind him.

Felix looked down and watched as the prince delicately removed his family brooch from his collar, “I’ll be gentle.”

Felix nodded along.

Hyunjin put the brooch in his nightstand and held the blond’s face, “I promise.”

Felix wiped the smirk off his face by kissing him. Hard. He couldn’t stop himself any more. He didn’t care what games Hyunjin wanted to play, he needed him too badly.

Hyunjin’s hands eventually found Felix’s newly bare waist, his shirt discarded to the floor while they carelessly undressed each other between kisses.

The feeling of Hyunjin’s hands roaming his body and grabbing at him was beyond thrilling. He was gentle, but Felix could feel his desire through his fingertips. The way they ran up and down his sides, pulling him as close as possible.

Hyunjin soon tossed Felix onto his back and grabbed a bottle from his nightstand. He opened it and let the oil coat his fingers. Felix couldn’t help it and began touching himself. He was so hard. Hyunjin only grinned when he looked back at him. Laying there with his legs spread, tugging on himself to ease the pressure.

Hyunjin scoffed and removed his hand, replacing it with his own. The slick oil felt warm on Hyunjin’s hand as it wrapped around Felix’s cock. He soon felt the man’s fingers enter him, causing his back to arch. He let out a shuddered moan, “Fuck—”

Felix could only grab at the sheets as the prince slowly rocked his fingers in and out of him, his other hand teasing his length. He bit down on his bottom lip to not moan so loud but he wasn’t in control any more. Every whimper Hyunjin siphoned from the blond, no matter how quiet, seemed to echo off the walls. It could’ve been his imagination but the embarrassment of hearing himself only made him harder.

Just then Hyunjin stopped his motions and positioned his hips between the blond’s thighs. He poured more oil into his hand, lathered his cock, and smeared the extra down Felix’s front. His hand trailed over the blond’s abs and down his happy trail before stopping so rudely. Felix whined. He wanted to be touched so badly he ached.

Hyunjin lowered himself to hover over Felix, a muscled arm to either side of him. He spread Felix’s legs more by pushing with his and carefully slid into the man, a moan finally escaping his lips.

Felix inhaled sharply and grabbed the prince’s biceps.

“You okay?” He whispered softly, his eyes suddenly caring and studying Felix’s face.

“Mhmm,” Felix caressed his muscles, “I’m great.”

Hyunjin’s expression softened as he pressed his lips together not to laugh, “That’s good. Shall I continue?”

Felix nodded viciously.

The prince did as he was told and began to gently rock his hips in and out of the blond. Felix’s hands gripped Hyunjin’s arms harder as he continued thrusting.

Copious moans and curses left their lips, between thrusts and sloppy kisses.

Felix’s legs were wrapped around the prince’s hips as he pounded into him. Each time Hyunjin’s hips met Felix’s ass, the blond moaned.

“Harder~” Felix moaned directly into Hyunjin’s ear, he dragged his nails down his sculpted back. Hyunjin hissed at the pain and thrust into him harder.

“Slut.” He whispered.

“Whore.” Felix breathlessly responded with a laugh.

Hyunjin scoffed and sat up on his knees. He gripped Felix’s thighs from behind and flipped him over. Pulling his ass up in the air and pushing his back down he slammed himself back into the blond.

“Ahh-!” Felix couldn’t help that his yell was laced with pleasure. Nobody had handled him like this before.

Hyunjin started pounding into him from behind, kneeding his ass like the slut he was. He liked being fucked into the mattress far more than he should.

The prince wasn’t relenting as Felix’s moans only got louder as the pleasure built and built.

Felix’s cock was rubbing against the silk sheets and he couldn’t take it anymore, he came with a prolonged whimper muffled by a pillow.

Hyunjin pulled out eventually and finished on the blond’s back, “Good boy~” he cooed as he reached for a rag.

After cleaning up Felix’s back, he laid beside the blond. But he was so fucked out of it, he could barely speak.

Chapter Text

Felix woke up the next morning to a piece of paper on the pillow next to him. He reached out and opened it, blinking the sleep out of his eyes as he sat up against a mountain of pillows.

‘I had a great time last night. Feel free to use my bathroom to freshen up, I left things for you.
Xxx -H’

The memories of last night flooded his mind. He felt his cheeks burn. Actually being in this room right now was crazy. He didn’t do this kind of thing regularly. He couldn’t believe he was naked in someone else’s bed. It took him a few seconds to drag himself off the bed and onto the floor. The sheet was messily wrapped around his frame. His legs ached something terrible as he walked to the bathroom.

He was shocked when met with his reflection. Hickies were scattered across his collarbones and up his neck. That prince must be a vampire. Felix took out his frizzy braids and let the bed sheet drop to the floor. He ran a bath and got in. The water encased him warmly. He looked through the small cart of products that sat in a tiered trolley beside the clawfoot tub. Countless fragrances, oils, and lotions from the farthest of places, some Felix had never even heard of before.

The blond thought for maybe three seconds before pouring things into the water and pampering himself. After he had washed, he towel dried his hair and brushed his teeth. He only tucked his blond hair behind his ears as he couldn’t be bothered braiding it. He re-entered the bedroom and put back on his clothes from last night before entering the hall.

Upon turning right, he bumped into someone.

“I’m so sorry,” He kneeled and helped the man pick up his books. Or at least tried to. The man made a point of doing it himself.

He mumbled something under his breath.

“Pardon?”

“Nothing.” The fox-like man responded, shrugging his broad shoulders.

Awkwardness briefly hung in the silent air.

“Ahh! Jeonginie~ I see you’ve met Felix.” Hyunjin said, quickly coming to the rescue. He put his hands on Felix’s shoulders, looking over him at the man.

“Mhmm, another one.” Jeongin looked Felix up and down.

“I think Seungmin needs you in the library, hm?” Hyunjin nodded his head in the direction Felix assumed was the library. Last night had its blurry moments.

The younger man rolled his eyes and walked past Felix.

“He’s a little bit impolite, I apologise. He doesn’t like being the youngest.” Hyunjin stood opposite Felix. The prince had his hair tied back into a ponytail, leaving his fringe covering his forehead. He was wearing a black apron that had splotches of colours marking the lower half. Underneath that he wore a plain oversized blue shirt and black trousers.

“Was that your brother?”

Hyunjin nodded, “He’s always studying. No matter!” The prince took the blond’s hand and started walking down the hall, “Are you hungry?”

Felix followed along, nodding, “Uhm, sure.”

As they rounded a corner, Hyunjin whispered, “I think we might be—”

“Late for breakfast!” The Queen chimed as the boys turned the corner. Felix’s parents were sitting at the table, enjoying fresh pastries and jams. They looked pleased.

“Sorry, mother.” Hyunjin sat Felix down at the table and patted his head once before picking a pastry for him. Felix took a bite of the croissant, “Mhm!”

“You’ve been in the greenhouse again?” She questioned as she sat at the head of the table, her chair being pulled out by staff.

The prince nodded, “Started early and lost track of time.”

Felix plated a pastry and handed the plate to Hyunjin.

“Thank you, Lixie.” He only held the plate as his mother and him stared at each other for a little bit. It made Felix uncomfortable so he decided to look at the tabletop and the lines of the wood. The new nickname did make his ears perk up though.

“I’ll attend the Bahng dinner.” He sighed.

She smiled and turned to her meal.

Hyunjin’s shoulders dropped slightly as he took a bite of waffle.

“I’ll see you next time, yes?” He asked Felix, seemingly genuine in his asking too, a hand placed on his shoulder.

The blond nodded, “Of course.”

The prince smiled a small smile and bowed before leaving the room.

Soon after breakfast, and after Felix’s father had signed a contract of some kind, the prince and his parent’s carriage pulled up outside the front door. They all clambered in and bid the Hwang’s goodbye. Felix watched as the palace became smaller and smaller through the carriage window. Just before they completely left the palace grounds, he spotted the body guard from earlier.

⋆.˚

Changbin didn’t get much sleep that night. First, he couldn’t stop thinking about how he had left his post too early. He should have stayed with Hyunjin until he went to bed. Second, he kept thinking about what he had seen. And what had most likely transpired after he left.

The two princes in each other’s embrace. Hot and sweaty. Skin on skin.

He should probably not think about them like that.

It didn’t help how he was feeling.

Now what exactly he was feeling, he couldn’t pinpoint for the life of him. But it was fine. He would go to work like he always did. And tried not to ask too many questions.

Changbin entered the prince’s bed chamber to find the maids changing his sheets. Not a great sign. But who was he kidding, of course they had sex. They always have sex. Everyone Hyunjin brings into his room he has sex with. And who was Changbin to say anything about it, really.

“He’s in the greenhouse.”

Changbin flinched at the voice behind him and turned.

“Don’t sneak up on me.”

“You shouldn’t be so easy to sneak up on. It’s literally your job.” Jeongin retorted. He was holding a stack of books, and it took everything in Changbin not to knock them out of his hands. The younger shouldn’t annoy him so easily but he’s too damned good at it.

Changbin opened his mouth to speak but was cut off, “He’s in the greenhouse.”

Jeongin walked away before Changbin could respond. He was so weird.

The bodyguard opened the rusty greenhouse door with a creak before stepping in and quickly shutting it behind him. The wind had been picking up and dark clouds rolled in overhead. Vines dangled from the glass ceiling and lined the window panes. Wind whistled through the cracks of the structure. Hyunjin stood in front of an easel that held a large canvas. A paint palette in one hand and a small paint brush in the other. Oil paint splattered the floor beneath, the old quilts that had been put down weren’t protecting much of the mosaic tiled floor. He added final touches to the painting. Roses in a glass vase.

“Didn’t expect you to be here.” Changbin said after clearing his throat.

Hyunjin kept dabbing the brush on the canvas, “I come here quite often. When I get time to myself.”

Changbin found a stool to awkwardly sit on. He was much too big for it. His uniform didn’t help.

“How was last night?”

“You would know if you had stayed.” Hyunjin changed his paintbrush for a smaller one.

“Stayed for what? You bringing him to bed? With all due respect, I didn’t love the idea of sitting outside your door for that.”

“I missed you.”

Changbin scoffed, “What?”

“I like knowing that you’re there.” He put his palette and paintbrush down, “It makes me feel safe.” He took off his apron and hung it over the back of a chair, “In case things go wrong.”

Changbin recalled the last time something went wrong.

“Oh.”

“Yeah, oh.” Hyunjin wiped his hands with a damp towel and threw it over his shoulder, finally turning around and looking at him.

“But it’s okay. I forgive you.”

“You forgive me?”

Hyunjin nodded, “Felix was nice. Does what he’s told.”

The bodyguard cringed and put his hands up as if they could fight words, “More than I needed to hear!”

Hyunjin laughed, “So, did you come to save me from the storm?”

“Why of course. Saving you is my job."

Chapter Text

Changbin brought Hyunjin inside along with a suitcase full of his art supplies, safe from the oncoming storm that brewed above the mountains.

Palace staff bustled through the halls, securing balcony doors and windows. Changbin couldn’t imagine the level of preparation necessary to protect such an old palace from a storm as large as this. The clouds were darker than he had ever seen. He had to stay calm, though, it would only panic Hyunjin.

The prince lay like a starfish on his newly made bed, “Come.”

Changbin flopped himself down and lay beside him, staring up at the landscape of a forest that had been painted on the underside of the canopy bed. In the middle, a constellation from the northern sky, Perseus and Andromeda.

“Did you paint this?” Changbin asked.

“When I was fourteen. Father had just passed. He built me this bed. I was… childishly sad one night and all I wanted to do was paint.”

“It’s beautiful.” Changbin said without a second thought.

A smile crept onto the prince’s lips, “…Thank you.”

The window suddenly shattered as a tree branch burst through it. The two immediately sat up, Changbin jumping to his feet.

Another man then entered the room.

“The storm is taking a turn for the worst. We must shelter. Now.”

Changbin’s entire posture straightened up upon hearing his voice, “Yes, Sir.”

He ushered Hyunjin to walk between him and the man. After going down many staircases, they eventually reached the cellar. The queen, Jeongin, and everyone’s personal body guards were down here. Including the leader of security who brought them here, Changbin’s father.

“We shouldn’t be down here long. But just in case of emergency, we have prepared water and dry foods.”

Jeongin barely looked up from his book to acknowledge, well, anyone. The queen was getting her nails painted by some terrified woman. And Hyunjin was still covered in paint from being out in the shed. He sat on a stool, one leg thrown over the over, and his chin in his palm. He was bored so easily. He probably wanted to shower and change out of his painting clothes. Changbin liked the mess of it all though.

The guard stood beside the bored prince, his posture perfect. Normally his father would be on the other side of the palace working on defence and gathering militia, so he would never have to see him. But everyone was in rather close proximity at the moment. It was the most awkward emergency bunker ever.

Wind could soon be heard whistling through any crack it could manage to get through and the rain had begun battering the small windows near the ceiling. Hours went by like that. The storm only got worse as each minute passed by. Thunder and lightening had begun as the sun went down.

“Gregory!” The queen yelled. Everyone flinched except her sons, used to her antics.

“What?” Captain Seo looked at the woman.

“Her cat.” Jeongin said, monotone.

“Oh! Somebody must rescue him!” She was getting herself quite visibly bothered over this cat. But then her eyes landed on Changbin.

And so did his father’s.

“It is much too dangerous, you cannot be serious!?” Hyunjin piped up in his bodyguard’s defence.

“It’s alright!” Changbin stood up, he could feel his father’s piercing gaze, “I’ll go get Gregory, and I’ll be right back.”

Hyunjin sunk back into his stool with a scowl.

“Please, be careful.” He gave Changbin’s arm a squeeze. Changbin nodded before he went up the stairs of the cellar.

The storm was much louder upstairs. Doors rattled with the power of the wind coursing through broken windows. Rain was lashing through the broken glass and onto the floor. This is what they get for having a palace right on a cliff. Why do rich people feel the need for such extravagant locations? Changbin didn’t even want to begin to think about what the sea below looked like right now.

He eventually found the Queen’s chambers in the maze of hallways and staircases. But he couldn’t find Gregory. He had never even seen Gregory in all his time here now that he thought about it. Nevertheless, he still Pspspsp’ed around her room. Under her bed, in her closet, in the bathroom. Gregory soon crawled out from under a dresser. He looked very scrungly. Changbin crouched and Pspsps’ed some more. Gregory just took a seat on the floor and looked at him blankly.

Changbin went to pick him up but the black cat jumped away from him and ran out the door. Changbin quickly chased him. Who knows, he could find an open balcony door and fall to his death.

He was a fast little thing. Changbin was running around like an idiot, slipping on the wet patches left by rain. Running into the library, he watched as Gregory scaled one of the book shelves. He was Pspspsing a lot harder now.

The windows of the library burst open, the locks breaking. The storm had made its way inside, blowing out any flames that were lit. Changbin had lost track of Gregory and was trying to make his way around in the dark. But he soon heard the creaking of wood and something fell on him.

He was pinned to the floor by a bookcase. From his waist down, the wood and countless books crushed his legs. Changbin tried to lift it off but considering it was more than double his height, his efforts proved useless. He needed another person. He couldn’t lift this and drag himself out on his own. So, he just laid there.

The guard didn’t realise it until he was being shaken awake that he had passed out. A very worried and panicked Hyunjin was freaking out above him. Knelt beside him, trying to lift the million tonne bookcase. He had tears in his eyes. Changbin had no idea he cared this much.

“Gods, why is this so fucking heavy!” He cried.

Profanity from the prince? He must really care…

Changbin went in and out of consciousness as this went on. Hyunjin kept swearing at the bookcase. His clothes were soaked from how much rain was pouring in the open window and his hair was being blown around by the wind. The next thing he knew Hyunjin was wedging things beneath the bookcase and the floor. He was stronger than he seemed. Changbin had never heard him yell and grunt this much outside of his bedroom. He was trying very hard.

Changbin next awoke in the palace infirmary.

Golden light poured in the tall windows behind the bed.

Hyunjin was asleep, curled up in a sofa chair beside the bed.

He was still wearing his painting clothes.

“Hyunie?”

The prince’s eyes blinked open and when he realised whose voice was calling for him he jumped forward to the bed, sitting beside Changbin, he fell into his arms.

“You’re okay—”

“I’m—”

Hyunjin pulled back from his embrace to smack his shoulder, “You shouldn’t have went!”

“Ow! I literally just woke up and you’re already scolding me!” He laughed, diffusing Hyunjin’s panic slightly. He smiled at him.

The prince scoffed and tucked his hair behind his ears, “It’s been two days. You need to rest for another while and then you can go back to work. Whatever way the bookcase landed on you, you broke your foot.”

Changbin winced and looked down at his foot that was now in a cast, “Yaouch.”

“Yaouch is right. That stupid cat.”

“Was he okay?”

“Greogory was fine. He would survive the end of the world. I can’t believe mother made you go.”

“She’s my boss.”

“I know… but you’re mine. She can’t just put you in harm's way for a cat. You’re supposed to protect me.”

“And look, you ended up protecting me.”

Hyunjin played with the blanket, looking down, “I am pretty cool…”

★

Many days had passed, but the blond could not stop thinking of the prince he spent the night beneath. His touch lingered on Felix’s skin, along with the bruised marks he had left behind on his neck.

He longed for more of him. So he made up a lie that he had forgotten something at their palace. He also insisted that he be the one to go and personally collect it. Sure, it could be handled by the palace staff but since there was nothing to actually collect, that would prove difficult.

The carriage breached the palace grounds and was soon stopping at the front door. Felix felt nervous. Excited but nervous. The palace guards opened the carriage door and now he had to get out whether he could muster the courage to do so or not. It was getting late in the day because it took so long to get here. A dark blue sky hung above the castle. It was dusk. The air was crisp.

He traversed the bending halls in search of Hyunjin. God, maybe this was too desperate. I mean coming here unannounced, he could’ve at least had the decency to send a letter. But letters took far too long.

The blond eventually spotted the large bodyguard, standing outside Hyunjin’s bedroom door. He was relieved to see him. All these doors looked way too similar.

“Changbin!” He smiled with an air of awkwardness.

The bodyguard bowed to the prince nonetheless, “Sire.”

“Can I see Hyunjin?” Felix pointed gently at the door to his right, his eyes bright.

Changbin rapped his knuckles on the large wooden door.

“What!?”

Felix jumped at the prince’s loud voice, his eyes widening. Changbin only briefly closed his eyes to keep his composure and seemingly to not yell back.

“Someone is here to see you.”

“Hello-!” Felix called shyly.

At that, the door swung open. The prince stood wearing only a robe. He took Felix’s wrist and dragged him inside before shutting the door again. His clothes were scattered all over the floor. Copious garments of all different colours, fabrics, and textures were hung over the backs of chairs, couches, and anything else it could hang from. He leaned against the back of the couch, trying to appear nonchalant.

“What brings you here?”

Felix stuttered trying to find his words, “I had to see you again.”

“Oh.” A certain expression flashed across his face, one Felix couldn’t particularly read. His head hung low as the prince went to undo his robe but the blond sprinted over and grabbed his hands, “No-!”

The prince stared at him, eyes wide. Felix stared back at him with his small pout and doe eyes, he took a breath before continuing, “I must know more about you.” His voice fell off into a whisper towards the end. He was serious.

“…What?” Hyunjin looked entirely confused.

“I am utterly enamoured by you.” The blond admitted.

“Why?”

“The way you behave, your mind, how you speak. And I don’t know, I haven’t stopped thinking about you since we met.”

Hyunjin studied the man’s face for a moment, leaning closer, “Are you mad?”

“No, I am not mad. I want to be your friend.”

That word made Hyunjin lean back as if he had never heard it before, “My friend?”

Felix nodded, realising too late that he was still holding Hyunjin’s robe closed. He let it go, allowing for the prince to retie it himself.

“Is it so wrong that I want to be your friend?” Felix questioned.

“It’s not wrong. It just isn’t something that I normally do. You… you took me by surprise.” He nodded to himself as he walked over to the cart next to the fireplace. He poured bourbon into a cup and took a sip.

Hyunjin sat on the floor between the couch and the table.

A good few seconds passed before he looked at Felix.

“Ah!” Felix quickly joined him, sitting on the floor next to him but not too close.

“We’ve had sex, you know?” Hyunjin spoke, his voice getting quieter.

“I know. I was there.” Felix crossed his legs to get comfier.

“And you still only want to be my friend?” He asked, raising his eyebrows.

Felix nodded, “I feel like I could have a lot to learn from you. You’re very fascinating.”

“Y’know you’re still looking at me a certain way that’s confusing me even more.” The prince’s eyes squared in on him.

“How so?”

“As if you can see right through my robe.”

Felix blinked at the accusation, “I-”

“I can see it in your eyes.” He briefly sighed.

The blond slouched slightly, “You’re an attractive man. The mind… wanders.”

Hyunjin nodded slowly, “It gets tiring, does it not?”

Felix watched as he downed the last of his bourbon and got up to take the bottle from the cart before sitting down again.

“People look at me like that sometimes too.” The blonde admitted. Hyunjin’s ears perked up.

“Mainly when meeting potential marriage arrangements. They really only want one thing so you kind of just have to…”

“Give it to them?” Hyunjin finished his sentence.

“Yes. It all feels rather shallow.”

“Well, my clothes are all over the floor, because I have this dinner I have to go to with my mother. And I’m afraid that this will be the man she wants me to marry.” He poured another glass, “I like him.” The prince nodded to himself as if to convince himself, “But do I love him?” He shrugged his shoulders and laughed dryly, “What even is love?” His gaze went from the fire to Felix. “What is it supposed to feel like?”

Felix went to speak but realised he didn’t have anything to say on the matter. He just shrugged, an absent smile on his face. Hyunjin scoffed, “What life is this for us? Being paraded around dinner parties by our pare— mothers, in search of a partner that is a welldoer but also has assets and land. As if that’s all that matters?”

He got up rather passionately to stand on the couch before yelling, “Oh, it’s driving me mad!”

This Hyunjin took Felix by surprise. So full of unbridling passion.

“How many men do I have to try out before I find the one! She said that’s how it happens and in the moment, you’ll somehow just know— but that’s insane! How are you supposed to know based off of that?”

He hopped off the couch, “They’ve never seen me paint! Never seen me dance or cry! There’s a lot more to me than what meets the eye, Felix!”

“Yongbok.” He said as if the name had been crawling up his throat this whole time.

Hyunjin stopped prancing around, “What?”

“My name.” He let out a breath, “You can call me Yongbok.”

Hyunjin began smiling, one Felix hadn’t seen before. This one was genuine. He kneeled in front of the table, across from Yongbok, “Why, that is a lovely name.”

Yongbok’s chest felt lighter.

“And what does Yongbok do for fun?”

“I bake!” The blond reciprocates Hyunjin’s giddy state, “Father’s always forcing me to practice archery and other sports but,” He tilted his head in indifference, “I really don’t want to. I come down to the kitchen at night to bake. I make sure to clean up, of course, but some nights, I leave a rogue pile of flour so that I can look at it during the day and remember what I love.”

“That! You see,” The prince jabs the table with his finger, “That is passion!”

“What are yours?”

“Oh, I love to paint. I love to make paint, make my own paper and bind my own sketchbooks!” His smile was so wide, “I could spend hours in the library, reading anything at all!” He began pacing in front of the fireplace, “Romance, horror, even textbooks! I recently found this one about plants that I have been obsessed with. I force Changbin to bring me on walks through the forest so I can spot different ones.”

The blond continued listening intently to the prince. It was so refreshing finally seeing the real him.

Felix had made a friend.

Chapter Text

After Felix and Hyunjin had finished their very long and fascinating conversation, Hyunjin had finally settled on something to wear. A velvet red suit, fitted perfectly to his body. A cape fell from his shoulders.

They both stood in front of the mirror as Felix helped him clip in silver cufflinks.

“Do you think he will like it?” The blond asked, working hard.

“He’d better.”

“Well, I think you look fabulous.”

“Thank you, darling.”

Felix looked up at him after clipping in the final cufflink. He smiled at the taller prince, “I hope you have fun! I must be off now.”

The blond hugged Hyunjin tighter than he’d ever been hugged before bowing a little and going to the door.

“Come back soon, okay?” Hyunjin turned to say.

Felix nodded surely, “Okay. I promise.” He wiggled his picky finger at the prince before leaving.

After Felix had left, Hyunjin touched up his makeup for quite a while. Changbin stood in the doorway of his bedroom, observing as he liked to do.

“You’re covering your beauty marks?” He spoke from just before the threshold of the door.

Hyunjin sighed, “Are you always watching me?”

“It’s—”

“Your job! I know!” He stood from the vanity table.

“Why did you agree to this dinner, if it’s stressing you so?”

“Because I have to! You don’t understand.” This was the beginnings of a tantrum.

“I understand your duties perfectly well. I just hate to see you like this.”

“Then stop watching. Take the night off!” He yelled

“You know I cannot do that.” Changbin kept a levelled tone.

The prince huffed and stood in the doorway with his guard.

He looked into the man’s eyes, “Stay close then?” He whispered.

Changbin nodded as a small smile crept onto his lips, “Always.”

The noise of chatter could be heard from the landing. They were here. Changbin followed Hyunjin downstairs, he watched as his posture straightened up and his head was held high. Everyone greeted each other in their fancy ways, bowing and shaking hands. Exchanging pleasantries and all of that. When Hyunjin got to Chan, the man had a certain look to him. First of all, you could tell that Chan wanted nothing more than to have him right there on the staircase. Changbin could see it in his every movement. The way his hand lingered a bit too long on the small of Hyunjin’s back. As if he owned him.

Hyunjin stayed close to his side during the entire walk to the dining area. The two shared looks that said more than any words could. Every word out of Chan’s mouth had Hyunjin giggling to himself and smacking his shoulder. His shoulders were very broad, Changbin would give him that, the man was built. He had a nice smile too. But Changbin could take him, he thought to himself.

Soon everyone sat down for dinner and the courses rolled out. Everyone only picked at their plates because this wasn’t really about the food. It was never about the food.

The queen spoke to Chan’s father while Chan’s mother organised the pieces of chicken on her plate. Chan permanently had a hand on Hyunjin’s thigh. The two were sat beside each other, but they found a way to be as close as possible. Changbin couldn’t understand why Hyunjin was dreading this so much, he seemed to be having fun. Everything Chan whispered to him had him blushing and playfully pushing him away by pressing a hand to his chest. The other prince seemed to be quite charismatic too, from the looks of things. All of these observations were ‘the looks of things’. Changbin couldn’t hear a single word shared between them the whole dinner.

He followed plenty of paces behind them when Hyunjin brought Chan outside. The path to the shed was barely lit.

“Are you going to kill me?” Chan asked as he was led down the path, Hyunjin holding his hand.

Hyunjin laughed, “No, just have some patience.”

The prince opened the creaky greenhouse door and stepped inside, sitting Chan down on a stool. Changbin stood outside to the left of the door, trying to find a way to awkwardly not be a part of this but also to continue doing his job.

Hyunjin searched around for matches and eventually found them, lighting candles around the old greenhouse, illuminating the canvases hung on the walls. Older canvases took up the floor and were stacked against painted plant pots. Chan looked around. Vines hung from the ceiling along with some daisy chains. Cracked panes of glass helped Changbin hear inside.

“This place yours?”

Hyunjin nodded, shyly sitting on another stool, he played with his cufflinks, “I come here to paint. It’s quiet, and I read out here too. Sometimes the castle feels too big and—”

“It’s quite cold out here, no?” The man wrapped his arms around himself.

“Uh.. it can be.” Hyunjin chewed on the inside of his cheek before responding, “But it can be refreshing too. Especially when I’m mixing different paints, some of the chemicals they—”

“Why don’t we go to your room? The fire’s nice there.”

Hyunjin’s shoulders fell the slightest bit, “I guess it is.”

“It’s rather messy right now, I’d be embarrassed to allow you to see it.” The prince deflected.

“We are going to end up making a mess of it anyway. Besides, I’ve seen you in plenty of states, all of them I liked.” Chan taunted, getting up from the stool.

Hyunjin scoff laughed, “You do have a way with words.”

“And you love it.” Chan took the prince’s hands and helped him stand up too. Placing the prince’s hands around his shoulders and his own snaked around Hyunjin’s waist, he pulled him closer.

Hyunjin leaned in to kiss him but stayed barely an inch away, teasing him. Chan took the bait and kissed him, not being able to hold back another second. Hyunjin’s eyes fluttered closed as he leaned into it more, pressing his body against him.

Changbin turned his back to the greenhouse.

It wasn’t long before the door creaked open, the two walked out and made their way back to the castle. Changbin followed behind them. The next hour or so ahead consisted of him standing outside Hyunjin’s bedroom door. He eventually went and got a stool and nodded off to sleep.

★

Hyunjin bit down on his lip, stifling his moans, as he sank down onto Chan’s length. His back arched as he rode him. Chan’s hands had a firm hold on the prince’s thighs. The glow from the fire behind Hyunjin was the only thing that lit the room. Every curve of his frame was backlit beautifully. He threw his head back as he rocked his hips more, his lips parting, he was getting breathless. His legs were already tired from previously being bent over the couch. Chan began thrusting upwards and a shooting warmth soon filled Hyunjin. A hand wrapped around Hyunjin’s length to finish him off.

He slumped to lay on top of the man. The two came down from their highs, Chan’s big arms wrapped around the prince. Hyunjin traced shapes into his chest.

“Do you love me?” Hyunjin whispered into the man’s chest, his fingers halting their tracing of shapes.

The air hung heavy for what felt like forever.

“What kind of a question is that?” Chan looked down at Hyunjin.

“I..” Hyunjin moved from him and sat up, holding the sheets up to cover himself, “Our parents obviously want us to marry. I am asking you, do you love me?”

Chan’s eyebrows knitted together as he shook his head, exhaling, his back now resting against the headboard, “Of course I do. You’re perfect.”

Hyunjin briefly sighed at the word, “But do you actually like me?”

Chan briefly hesitated to answer, pity took over his face, “We had fun tonight, did we not?”

“Don’t look at me like that, as if you feel sorry for me.” He scoffed, “We have fun plenty of nights, but it’s all we do.”

“Was I not kind to you?” Chan asked, his hands reaching out.

Hyunjin only brought the sheets up higher, “You couldn’t even manage to listen to me speak about myself for more than ten seconds before you were asking me to bring you up here!”

“I was cold!” He shrugged his arms.

“Oh fuck off, Chan. You’ve been undressing me with your eyes all night.”

“Oh my god, Hyunjin, you love it. You’ve always loved it.”

Hyunjin laughed in his face, “You speak as if you truly know me at all!”

“I don’t understand why you’re being like this! We do this all the time! It’s supposed to be for fun—”

“Am I just fun to you? I’ve tried for so long to get to know you, but you won’t even give me an inch.”

“You bring me up here every dinner to get on your knees, why is tonight any different?”

Hyunjin’s throat went dry. He took a moment and let out a shaky breath, he regained his composure, “I suppose it’s not.”

★

The guard woke up to an empty hallway. But something felt missing.

He knew Hyunjin would be in the library.

He entered quietly. Surely enough, Hyunjin was sat on the sofa hugging his knees underneath his chin. Even the back of his head looked sad.

The room was only lit by the warmth of the fire’s light, casting a flickering orange glow on the walls. As Changbin walked over to stand behind the couch, Hyunjin stayed still.

“Hi.” Hyunjin let out in a quiet whisper, staring ahead into the fire.

“Are you okay?” Changbin asked before he could even filter the thought first. The words tumbled out of his mouth like it was the only thing he cared about.

The prince looked back and up at him before gently patting the spot beside him. Strands of black hair fell over his eyes. They were glassy and soft. He looked like a child.

“Will you sit with me?”

Changbin’s body began moving without him and he found himself sitting beside Hyunjin. What took the guard by surprise was when Hyunjin snaked his arms around his right arm and rested his head on his shoulder. Changbin didn’t sense much hesitation from Hyunjin, but his own body went rigid. He didn’t want to make one wrong move. His mouth went dry at the prince’s warmth at his side as he tucked his knees up, resting them partially on Changbin’s thigh.

The guard tried not to even breathe at first as if it would scare the affection away. It wasn’t like any other time, this felt so much more. So, although he was still very conscious of how close Hyunjin was right now, he forced himself to relax a little bit.

The two stared into the fire for a while. Quietly comforted by the others' presence.

“She wants me to marry him.” Hyunjin finally spoke, dejectedly.

Changbin pressed his lips together, trying to find the right words, “Do you want to marry him?”

Hyunjin shrugged, exhaling shakily as if the need to cry was strangling him, “I need to.”

Changbin only listened.

The prince rubbed his eyes with his sleeve, “But he doesn’t love me. Not really.”

“Christ, I’ve tried everything. To show him more of myself,” His voice wavered more as it broke, “My hobbies, my interests, anything, but he just doesn’t care. He barely even likes me.” Hyunjin kept wiping away his tears as soon as they fell, “It’s not like it’s his fault, I mean, it’s all set up, isn’t it?”

“We’re all just finding our way, trying to figure out who we are. I’ve been trying to manage it, so that if we were to marry, you know, I… I could put up with it. But… he only desires one thing.” Too many tears were welling in his eyes for him to stay in control of his own voice.

“And sometimes, I think to myself,” The next words passed through his lips as if he had never spoken them to another soul before, “What if that's truly all I have to offer?”

Like the poison that dripped from those words, the prince finally shattered. His facade was nowhere to be seen. Shuddering breaths left him as he cried. He quickly sat up, unlinking himself with Changbin’s arm, “I’m sorry—” Hyunjin faced away in an attempt to gather himself. He gripped the sofa cushion with one hand as the other used his sleeve to tend to his now puffy face.

“That is not true.” Changbin said, placing his hand on the prince’s.

Hyunjin turned back to look at him. He seemed so exhausted, “It’s obvious.”

Changbin was incredibly serious and stern like always, but his words had so much vehemence.

“Listen to me. You are infinitely more than what he desires.” He gently took the prince’s hand in his.

“Your precision when you paint; no matter how small the detail, you give it as much time as it needs. That is how you create those masterpieces. And it’s like nothing I’ve ever seen.”

Hyunjin shook his head at the compliment but Changbin didn’t relent.

“You are like the morning’s sunrise. Capable. Warm.” He looked at Hyunjin’s soft features as he frowned. His cheeks were wet and his eyes glistened with such pain. Before he knew it he had softly swiped his thumb underneath the prince’s eyes to clear his tears.

“While beautiful, you inspire people to get up in the morning. There’s a reason that the staff at this palace love you. You are so very bright, you spend so much time in this library. Yet, people underestimate you. But I see it!” Changbin couldn’t contain his passion.

“They take you for granted because you continuously show up all the time, always presenting your very best self. You give all of yourself into your work and into the bonds you have with the people around you. The person you marry should be able to see past the pretty clouds and through to the man underneath. Because he is the warmth of the sun on a winter’s day.”

Hyunjin was speechless. For the first time in his whole entire life, the prince hadn’t a word to say. He just looked between Changbin’s eyes.

“And I mean it, Hyunjin. With all of my being.”