Chapter Text
Xiao woke up with flinch and the first thing he felt was throbbing pain from the back of his head. He moaned out in pain, trying to focus his vision on the surrounding. It was when he tried to touch his head when he realized his hands are tied. When his sense came back more and he felt less dizzy he realized it wasn’t only his hands tied up, but also the rest of his body. His hands were holding a helm, and his body was rope up to tall spar. “Boat? What?” he said out loud, even more confused. He tried to remember what exactly happened before he ended up in this situation. He was at the beach waiting for…
“Aether!” frantically looking around, to his horror the blonde was nowhere in sight on the boat. Was this some cruel joke played on him? The boat suddenly hit something and only then he realized where he is. The boat was now at the port of Solaris. The loud thud of boat hitting the wooden platform didn’t go unnoticed by the knight patrolling the area. “Who’s there?” he called out while Xiao struggled to get out of the bounds.
“Dammit!” he cursed out loud, the ropes tightly holding his hands and torso in place. He looked up to the port, the knight running to him with a lantern in his hand, shinning in front of him. “What’s going on here?!” the guard called out with grumpy voice. When the man arrived at the front of the boat, the shine of the lantern finally reached the princes face.
The guard froze dead in his tracks when he recognized who made such ruckus late in the night. “M-m-my prince!” he called out in shock. Xiao’s shoulders slumped in defeat. “Help me out,” was the only answer he gave to the knight.
“Of course!” the knight woke up from shock and was next to him in a second, freeing him from the bounds. “You gave us quite some scare, my prince!” Xiao heard the knight say, but everything felt like it was from afar. The only thought going through his mind was that he needed to find Aether.
“I need to go,” he murmured while he pushed away the guard, exiting the boat. He needs to get to Aether as soon as possible.
“I’m afraid that’s not possible!” called out the knight from behind him. He hurried out of the boat after the prince, trying to stop him. “We got command from his highness to bring you back no matter what,” he run in front of prince, barricading the way to the bridge.
“As if I cared about some order from my father. Get out of my way if you don’t want any problems,” Xiao snarled and saw the knight shiver under his gaze. Still, he stood like a statue, not moving an inch out of the prince’s way. “I command you as your prince, step away and let me pass,”
“I must apologize, but that is not possible. It’s a word of my highness and it’s my priority to comply,” the knight reached out to prince. “Now please, if you could follow me,”
“It’s foolish of you to think I’ll go willingly,” Xiao retorted harshly and swiftly dodged the guards attempting to catch him. Running as fast as he could, he reached the end of the port. He saw two knights standing guard at the entrance of the kingdom. If he’s going to be fast enough-
“Stop him! It’s our missing prince!” the knight behind him screamed, alerting others at the gate. Before the boy could react, he was surrounded by knights, giving him no chance to escape.
And that’s how Xiao ended up back at the castle, standing in front of the doors leading to crown room. With deep breathe he entered, his father already sitting at the throne. His face didn’t show any emotions. Next to him stood his mother and opposite to the king, worry was written all over her face.
“Son,” said father after Xiao stopped before them.
“Father…” the prince answered and bowed to show respect.
“Your decisions will never stop surprising me. What in the archon’s name were you thinking?! Do you realize in what position you put whole kingdom? How easy it is to target the only prince of our kingdom? Endangering not only your life but the whole future of Solaris?” the king said, anger appearing in his voice. “I’m very disappointed. Your mother and I raised you better. When will you start acting according to your age and position you were born in,” Xiao bit his bottom lip, eyes casted down.
‘Exactly. It’s not position I wanted. I never asked to be prince. I was born into this. To live with no freedom. Living by rules and being viewed as someone people should be afraid to even approach just from fear of title I have! That is not the life I want. And after meeting Aether I finally got the courage to stand up for myself,’ thinking of Aether, he felt warm feeling on his chest. But the warmth didn’t last long when his mind put him into reality. Aether is not here with him. His Aether. His Aether that is most definitely in danger.
“I need to save him,” he said quietly.
“What are you saying?” the king said, anger visible in his voice.
“I said I need to go. I met someone dear to me that is now in danger,” Xiao looked up at king, his eyes full of determination. “And I’m going to save him.”
“Wrong. You are not going anywhere. You are not leaving the castle anytime soon. Not until I allow it myself. Go immediately into your chamber. Your doors shall be guarded so you won’t attempt anything foolish.” The king waved hand behind him calling for two guards standing at the entrance to the room. “Take him there. And don’t you dare leaving the door without surveillance,”
“Yes sir,” the guards bowed and went to the prince.
“I know way to my own chamber,” Xiao retorted, turning around after he glared at his king. But of course, this is not going to stop him. He holds Aether too close to his heart now. No guards are stopping him from going after Aether. Already making up plan for his escape, he rounded the corner to corridor leading to his chamber.
When Xiao finally arrived in his room and the door closed behind him, he started hoarding as much fabric he could. Tearing his bedsheets and curtains into wide stripes and tying them together, he made rope long enough so he could reach from his balcony onto the rooftop. To his luck his chamber was very closely located to the stables with also his horse Atlas. Now just to execute the plan correctly and possibly without any complications.
※※※
Aether was sitting on his bed, looking at the ground, feeling ashamed. His mother was taking out last few flowers entangled in his hair and brushing them out. “My poor darling, what did they do to your beautiful hair. Putting them into such braid,” she tsked.
“I liked it, mama,” Aether said quietly.
“Nonsense! How could you properly appreciate your hair if they looked like this.” She caressed the hair affectionately. The blond stayed silent, scared to anger his mother even more.
Lisa sighed out loud and stood up. “How about I cook you your favorite food, hmm? When you were younger, it always made you happy,” she looked down on Aether, who was still looking into the floor. “You know I love you right? Aren’t you glad I saved you from those men? Imagine what could’ve happen if I didn’t come on time!” she massaged her temples, trying to stay calm. “Anyway, go ahead and keep sulking. I’ll call you when the food is finished.” She left the room, leaving Aether alone.
The blond laid down on bed, looking up at the ceiling, scanning his paintings filling almost all room. He realized how quiet it suddenly is. He got so used to Xiao’s presence, his warmth always radiating when they sit closer than just friends would. His soft smile forming on his face while watching the blond. He probably thought Aether wasn’t paying attention to him. And the secret glances they gave each other and almost every time their gazes meeting. Xiao would go bright red, averting his gaze, while Aether would shily giggle. Aether loved every second he spent with Xiao. Finally, he experienced all the love he always read in the books in his little library. He was sure this was true love. He loved him. Truly loved him, from the bottom of his heart.
His thoughts kept wandering, remembering as many details as possible from last evening. The surprise Xiao made for him, taking him on boat to have the best view and giving him the lampion.
Xiao is anything like the people his mother warned him from. Not only by his looks, but also his behavior towards him. He protected him, took care of him. He showed him there’s more to life than repetitive tasks he did around the tower. Showed him that taking risks is worth it.
That’s when Aether realized. What Xiao did, it didn’t add up to his actions he made until now. After all, in the end Xiao did confess his true self. And honestly, Aether understood his reasoning. It must’ve been so hard. If he thought about it more, he had quite similar reason. He always wished to for at least one day feel like a normal boy. The prince made him feel like that. He didn’t care for his hair. Not like those men or… or his mother.
His chest squeezed with anxiety. It was true, ever since he could remember, very often it seemed like his mother cared more about his hair than himself. Was the reason he was kept in the tower truly only dangerous people wanting the magic he was carrying? Or was there more ulterior motive. Keeping him close, but for what? Dark idea passed his mind.
“No, she wouldn’t do that. Right?” he shivered, looking at the entrance to his room, hearing sounds of his mother cooking. Maybe the real danger was his mother. Or was she even his mother? They looked nothing alike. He swallowed, sitting up. Naïve as he was until now, he was more than certain about one thing right now. He needs to get out of the tower. Away from his mother. The world outside was anything like his mother said. And if he had Xiao next to him, he could overcome anything.
Now it was time for him to finally risk. Just like he did when he met Xiao. The dark-haired male was now his light in the dark. He was like the first lampion rising he saw on the sky last night. Standing up, he was full of determination. He’s going to stand against his mother. Finally stand up for himself and his wants. Walking to the curtain, he pushed it so he could walk out.
“Finally stopped sulking, hm?” his mother looked at him from the meal she was cooking. No, that was not his mother. She looked more like a stranger than ever.
“I can’t believe you lied to me,” Aether whispered, his eyes casted down, afraid to look in that woman’s eyes.
“Aether, stop mumbling and say it properly. You know how I hate when you speak like this,” she said with annoyance and suspicion in her voice.
“You are a liar. You lied to me this whole time!” looking up at her, Aether said out loud. His voice still a bit shaky from anxiety and adrenaline.
“What are you saying? That’s absurd and you know it!” she crossed her arms over her chest and rolled her eyes.
“The world outside is nothing like you said. The people I met there are anything but what you said!”
“Are you crazy? Did you forgot what happened last night?! What did that loverboy of yours did to you? If I didn’t come on time, you would-“
“You are lying! It must’ve been a trap! Did you make a pact with those men? Xiao would never do that to me! He loves me and he confessed everything to me. Are you even my real mother?” he barked back, eyes tearing up. Stomping down the stairs, he passed his mother, approaching the window leading out. But of course, it wouldn’t be so easy. Lisa won’t let him leave. She grabbed harshly Aether by his arm and dragged him back.
“O-ho-ho, so now I’m the mean one huh…” the witch growled. Aether struggled against her hold and to his surprise, his little friend flew into the room, attacking Lisa. Paimon was jabbing her at arm that was gripping Aether painfully. Lisa swatted away the sparrow in annoyance, which send him flying across the room, crashing into wall.
“Paimon!” cried out Aether, trying to get away from the witch to check on the bird now laying on the floor without moving. He harshly broke out of the grip, the force sending him few steps back. He crashed into the mirror behind him. It fell upon the impact, crashing on the cold floor, jagged pieces of glass everywhere.
“You are not leaving me! You are mine!” Lisa screamed in fury. “In fact, we are leaving. Where, you ask? Somewhere where he’ll never find you,” she tied up Aether’s hands behind his back with a chain, which burned Aether’s skin. Before the blond could do anything, she covered his mouth with a cloth, preventing him from saying anything. “Shall we go?” she smirked and started to drag Aether to the secret trapdoor leading down. Aether struggled as much as he could but to no avail. They both stopped dead in their tracks when they hear voice coming from outside the window.
“Aether! Aether, it’s me, Xiao! Are you okay?” the blond teared up and his heart squeezed. He was relieved to hear that voice but at the same time horrified. Why is he here! It’s not safe for him.
“Well, well, well, if it isn’t the prince. Shall we give him a warm welcome?” with evil smile she took Aether hair, throwing them around the hook and out of the window.
※※※
When Xiao arrived at the entrance to the cave, he jumped off Atlas, petting him. He took the lesson from last time and tied him to the nearby tree. He didn’t want him to wander away yet again. Then he took off running, passing through the ivy curtain. Soon the tower came into full view. Xiao couldn’t help but notice how it looked much gloomier than before.
“I need to hurry up. Please Aether, be okay,” he whispered to himself, running up the path to the tower. He cleared his throat and called out. “Aether! Aether, it’s me, Xiao! Are you okay?” there came no answer and Xiao felt anxiety creeping up his back. Luckily, he was prepared. He pulled out the two arrows, about to do the same tactic as he did last time. But before he could start climbing up, suddenly long golden hair was thrown out of window. The prince felt relieved. It meant Aether was alive. And hopefully safe.
Quickly grabbing the hair, he made his way up the tower wall. Reaching the window, he quickly jumped over the windowsill. The room was dimly lit, light only coming from behind the window he came through. He had to wait for a little bit before his eyes accumulated to the darkness around him. His attention attracted sound of somebody’s muffled calling in distress. He turned head after it and to his horror it was Aether. He had hands tied behind his back. “Oh god, Aether!” he was about to run up to him when the blind finally managed to loosen the scarf around his mouth.
“Xiao, run, it’s a trap!” but it was too late. Lisa came out of the shadow behind Xiao, pulling out dagger from behind her back.
“You shouldn’t have come back, your highness,” she said with evil smirk on her face before she stabbed Xiao in his side. The prince cried out in pain, falling to the ground while pressing on the deep wound. He slowly pushed himself to lean onto the pillar, breathing heavily. He locked eyes with Aether, who was crying.
“Xiao!” he screamed out loud, voice full of pain, trying to get close to him, but the chain was stopping him.
“Well, now that we have this out of the way, let’s go, my dear flower,” Lisa said, touching Aether’s hair affectionately. She untied the other end of the chain, which was tied to the railing and started to drag the blond yet again to the trap door. Aether was calling after Xiao and trying to resist the witches’ harsh pulls of the chain to get to the prince, who was slowly bleeding out.
“Stop it! Stop, please. Let me help him. Let me help him and I will go with you willingly. I’ll never try to run away again, and it’ll be the same as before. Just you and me, mother. If you don’t let me help him, I’ll never listen to you. I’ll always try to run away from you and won’t listen to you. I’m going to make your life hell. But it won’t happen if you let me help him. “
“Aether, no!” Xiao said and started to cough right after. “Don’t do that!” but Aether ignored him, still looking back at Lisa.
“Let me safe him and I’ll love you as before. Please… mamma,” he breathed out, but couldn’t ignore how bitter it felt calling that woman mamma. But he was willing to do anything if it meant saving Aether.
“Very well then…” Lisa went silent for a little bit. “Let me just do a little precaution.” She let Aether out of the makeshift handcuffs and approached Xiao. She bounded his torso and his free hand to the pillar he was leaning on. “That’s just precaution. So, you wouldn’t get the idea to come after us anytime soon.” She smirked and gestured to Aether. “Hurry before I change my mind,”
Aether scrambled towards Xiao, not seeing properly over the tears running down is cheeks. “I’m so sorry, this shouldn’t have happened,” he tried to take Xiao’s hand off the wound, but the prince lightly pushed him away. “Everything is going to be okay, just let me help you,” Aether sobbed in frustration.
“No, no Aether, I can’t let you do that,”
“B-but please- “
“No, I won’t allow it.”
“You must trust me, Xiao. Please, I can’t let you die,”
“But if you do it, you’ll die,” he grunted in pain, trying to push away from Aether, but to no avail. He grew more and more weak and when Aether pushed his hand away from the wound, he let his hand fall to the ground.
“Everything will be okay,” Aether smiled at him sadly and placed strand of his hair on the wound. He opened his mouth, about to sing when Xiao stopped him yet again.
“Wait,” he raised his chained hand to Aether’s cheek, softly caressing it. He reached up to push away hair out of Aether’s face, getting proper look on his face. Slowly sliding his hand into his hair he pushed up, leaning up as if he was about to kiss Aether. The blond complied, slowly closing the space between them. What he didn’t notice was the shred of glass Xiao grabbed, which was laying close to him. With quick motion he collected Aether’s hair with his restrained hand and cut them off.
“Xiao-” Aether whispered in disbelief. “What did you- “he started to grab hair that were quickly turning brown.
“NO!” the witch screamed out loud. “NO, NO, NO!” trying to but failing to stop the hair turning brown, she looked at her hands holding now dark brown hair quickly turning old. “What have you done?” she scrambled towards the broken mirror laying on the ground. She watched in horror how her hair turned white, and face became sunken and full of wrinkles. “What have you done!?” she screeched. She started to wail, pulling the cape in frustration and anger over her face, stumbling around, unknowingly backing up to the open window. In all the mess, it was Paimon, which finally came back to her senses. Watching the scene, she reacted quickly, seeing the witch being very close to the window, she flew to one part of the cut off hair and pulled them, so the now old witch tripped over them. That finally send her over the edge, and she fell out of the tower. Before she even hit the grass under, she turned into ashes. Only reminder was black cloak laying on the ground.
How ironic that Aether’s hair, which gave her longer life was also the very thing that led to her death.
Aether was watching this whole thing in shock before he got back to his senses and turning back to Xiao laying on the ground, breathing softly.
“No, no, no. Xiao please. I’m right here. Stay with me. Don’t leave me.” he propped up Xiao’s body on his knees, taking his hand in his own. He put it on his now short brown hair, and quickly reciting the magic song. “Flower, gleam and glow, let your power shine,” he sobbed. “Make the clock reverse, bring back what ones was mine. “but nothing happened.
“Aether,” Xiao said quietly.
“What?” Aether said defeatedly.
“Aether, you,” Xiao coughed. “You were my everything. You were my dream come true,” he smiled weakly, his eyes growing more and more heavy, still he tried his best to held Aether’s face in his palm.
“And you were mine,” Aether connected their hands, pressing Xiao’s palm closer to him. “You were my everything,” his heart squeezed painfully as their gazes connected for the last time before the prince’s eyes closed and his whole body went limp in Aether’s arms. Slowly letting down the hand he was holding, he held Xiao’s face in his palms.
“Heal what has been hurt, change the fate’s design, save what has been lost. Bring back what once was mine, what once was mine,” he whispered the last phrase, tear falling onto Xiao’s cheek. He sat in silence, clinging to Xiao as if his life depended on him. What was life if it was without Xiao. Slowly opening his eyes, he noticed something strange. Soft glow was coming from where his tear met Xiao’s skin. The light started to travel down his body leading to the open wound. Bright light shined from the prince’s body and soon after golden rays shoot out, lightening up the whole room. They spread out slowly forming some kind of flower. But as suddenly as it happened, the glow slowly merging back inside Xiao’s body. Aether watched in shock how the wound closed, it was like it was never there. Full of hope he looked up at Xiao’s face, trying to notice any sign of life. And then it happened.
Xiao’s eyebrows scrunched and finally, he slowly opened his eyes. Those eyes which Aether thought he’ll never see again. “Aether?” Xiao said with hoarse voice.
Aether’s eyes widened and his whole face lighted up. “Xiao!”
“Have I ever told you that I prefer short hair?” Aether laughed out loud at that and jumped on Xiao, tightly hugging him. But this was more than other hugs they shared. This hug felt like home, like their souls connecting and their hearts beating for each other. They loosened the hug for a bit and looked at each other, their faces so close they could feel each other’s breaths crashing on the others face. Aether was the first that closed the already little gap between them and kissed Xiao. Their kiss was full of passion, long yearning for each other and love. When they separated, they spend good amount of time just watching each other, grinning like little kids. Their moment was interrupted by Paimon’s chirping, jealous of Aether only paying attention to Xiao. The now brunet extended his hand for Paimon to sit on it.
“Thank you for being so brave, my little friend,” he stroked the sparrow under his beak and got happy chirping in return.
“Are you able to stand up?” he asked Xiao, who just nodded. With a bit of grunting and help from Aether, he stood up. “Shall we go?” Aether smiled sweetly at Xiao, and both headed down the trap door, descending the stone stairs to the bottom. Xiao took Aether’s hand and held it tight, showing him support when they went further away from the tower.
But Aether didn’t feel any regret anymore. Not when he had Xiao next to him. And he was sure with him, they could overcome anything.
“Xiao, what will happen next?”
Xiao stayed silent for a bit, seemingly deep in thought. He only broke the silence when they were out of the cave, passing the ivy curtain. “I made offer to you. I promised to make up for you all the time you lost. To travel the world together. What do you say?”
“But Xiao, you are still a prince. You have quite a lot of responsibilities. And who knows to what lengths your father might go to find you yet again,” Aether said.
Then idea came over Xiao. “Aether, would you like to meet my parents?”
※※※
“Your highness,” one of the knights hurried into the crown room bowing right away to show respect. In the room distraught queen was pacing back and forth while the king was just sitting on his throne leaning on his hand in complete silence. “Apologies for the interference, but your son prince has returned. And might I add he’s not alone,” the king took sharp breathe in, trying to calm his anger.
“Let them in then,” he waved his hand, dismissing the guard. The knight bowed yet again, leaving the room. Not long after they heart hushed conversation and hurried steps. Second later there he stood, the troublemaker of a prince. The king sighted loudly to make it clear how disappointed he is in Xiao. But Xiao didn’t react much, confidently striding into the room. That’s when they noticed he was holding hands with another boy, who was shily looking around the room with tall ceiling and flashy decorations. The queen stopped pacing, curiously looking at the two boys, but not in a hurry to break the almost awkward silence.
“So, you came back, huh? After yet another escape… you are as impudent as ever,” the king crossed his arms.
“My king,” started Xiao and bowed, Aether mirroring him a bit confused. “Let me explain,”
“Go ahead then,” said the king, keeping his cold facade.
“Weeks ago, you gave me ultimatum. Either I’ll find partner for myself, or it’ll be you, who will choose for me. Do you remember?” the king just nodded. “This is who I choose. I want him as my partner. I want him to be next to my side while I rule Solaris. If you reject, I’m leaving with him. No matter if you agree or not.” Xiao stood proudly, gripping Aether’s hand, who squeezed it back in support.
It’s true that the king truly said for Xiao to find suitable partner. Contracts he made, no matter who it was, he never in his life violated. With deep breathe he nodded, feeling defeated. As strict of a king he always was, he boasted himself for being always true to his words. “Very well then, if that’s your decision, I shall respect it.” he grumbled.
Xiao suddenly felt light as a feather, and he turned to Aether who was already grinning at him. “Then if you don’t have any other terms to discuss, please excuse us,”
“Get out of my sight before I change my mind,” the king still quite grumpy answered, not meeting none of the boys’ gazes. Xiao and Aether bowed yet again before turning around and almost running out of the room. Before the doors closed behind them, they could hear the queen softly talk to the king: “Don’t be too harsh to him. He’s your son! Aren’t you happy for him! Aren’t you glad he’s back and-“ they didn’t hear anything else, doors being closed with loud CLACK.
But they didn’t really care anymore what’s happening behind those doors. Right now, they had eyes only for each other. Xiao led Aether through the castle, trying to show him around as much as he could, but to Aether it felt like one big labyrinth. It’ll take some time before he gets used to all these new things. But with Xiao next to him, he wasn’t afraid anymore.