Chapter Text
7 year old
A small prince was wandering in the garden. His heart felt a bit proud that his personal guards have lost him in the garden maze. his father’s castle was too big, but definitely majestically magnifent.
Until he could hear a crying boy along with some harsh teasing remarks.
From the trimmed bush, renjun discreetly peeked through to see what was happening. It was a black-haired boy, he was crying and the sadness made renjun’s heart ache, but more than anything angry.
The dark regal robe worn by the sobbing boy seemed to indicate his royal status, but he was surrounded by three bigger boys throwing insults and unpleasant remarks at the crying boy on the ground.
‘They’re so mean.’ He mentally gasped.
Renjun was merely a young boy with a strong sense of justice. His thinking was more impulsive than wise.
With the smallest bit of fear, his small body stepped out from his hiding place, storming over to boldly push one of the sturdy older kids with his weak thin arms.
“Whatever you’re doing, stop!” He glared at all of them, “at once.”
All of the high-pitched insults immediately ceased, and so did the sobbing.
The pushed boy was irked that some weakling dared to push him.
He turned around to have a look, ready to give whoever it was a lesson.
“How dare you—,” the bully stopped as soon as he landed his eyes on the petite boy.
Rather, all of the older boys were rather in awe.
The smaller boy, with his small stature and stern face, was a beauty.
He’s breathtaking.
All four boys were rather in awe.
“How dare you make a ruckus in my father’s palace,” Renjun scolded.
Rather than getting annoyed, the older boys’ hearts felt ticklish.
They weren’t afraid. Not the slightest bit.
They just couldn’t find it in their hearts to hurt the delicate-looking boy.
They were speechless, not knowing how to respond.
After all, deep in their hearts, they didn’t want the petite beauty to hate them.
Amidst of everything, pink dust-like sparkles subtly swirled inside renjun’s dark brown irises. “Apologize, this instant.”
He eyed the dark-haired boy sitting on the ground. “To this boy you had mistreated, promise you’ll never do the same, never again.”
Ha stared at them, chin high, as if they’re below him. As if they were mere dirt he’s stepping on.
The bigger boys dared not to disobey, apologizing profusely.
A sudden group of footsteps could be heard, they were getting closer, but it was from the other side of the tall, wall-like trimmed plants.
“Prince Jeno!”
It made the three bullies gasp, eyes widening in fear.
“Let’s get out of here!” the older boys scurried, leaving the two younger boys alone.
Renjun approached the boy on the ground who was looking up at him, hiccuping in every half minute.
The boy’s eyes glistened, perhaps due to the shed tears, but otherwise they sparkled in admiration for the kind beauty in front of him.
“Are you okay?” Renjun’s gentle, child-like voice snapped him out of his reverie and he found the smaller boy leaned in to check for any injuries on his face.
Whilst Jeno.
Jeno was caught off guard by their close proximity, cheeks reddening in shyness.
He saw how the petite’s eyes shone with worry.
Renjun’s face was so cute that Jeno couldn’t stop the little squeezes he felt on his chest.
Jeno managed a small and shy nod.
For a few seconds, Jeno attempted to subtly stare at the beautiful boy before him.
“Amazing..” Jeno muttered under his breath. He didn’t realize he was holding his breath all this time.
Renjun’s expression showed his slight confusion.
Jeno blushed a little.
“What you did.. it was amazing,” pure admiration was evident from his small voice, his round eyes staring straight into renjun’s enchanting eyes.
Renjun’s expression softened.
“From now on, you too, can become amazing.” His tiny hand hovered over Jeno’s bruised knee. A subtle white glow appeared under his palm.
And then Jeno could feel it.
A sudden surge of cooling sensation engulfed the slightly stinging pain on his knee.
The moment the white glow ceased, Jeno’s eyes widened at the sight.
The bruise was completely gone as if it was never there in the first place. His skin was as smooth as a baby’s and it was scar free.
He thought the smaller couldn’t surprise him more than ever.
Until the beautiful boy leaned his head lower to place a gentle kiss to the blemish-free knee.
Jeno stopped breathing. 'God, what is this boy doing to me?'
The smaller boy’s eyelashes fluttered as he looked up to meet Jeno’s eyes. “You have to kiss it better.”
‘Oh lord .’ Jeno couldn’t hold it anymore.
A chuckle escaped Jeno’s lips. Until he broke into a fit of giggles, cheeks red and eyes forming crescents.
The mole below his eye was so charming, Renjun had thought.
He looked so much better smiling than crying. It made Renjun sigh in relief, and he too, smiled and laughed.
Jeno was mesmerized by the beautiful boy, once again. (And in the future, again and again).
He gulped, feeling his heartbeat getting faster in every passing second.
His gaze lowered to stare at the plump, smooth skin of the smaller boy’s cheek. It was so tempting to just. Kiss it.
He squeezed his eyes tight.
Riding on his adrenaline, he leaned forward to plant a rushed, innocent kiss on the baby-soft skin of his newly formed crush.
Slowly, Jeno opened his eyes to see a shocked Renjun.
Jeno suddenly felt embarrassed, but he also couldn’t help how his heart swell in pride to make the pretty boy caught off-guard.
The black-haired boy looked down, cheeks dusted in red. “Me too.. I want to become amazing, one day,”
‘Just like you .. To protect you.’
Jeno twiddled his fingers together.
It was a beautiful serene moment, just the two of them, in a garden maze filled with greenery and red roses.
It was a pity to Jeno when their moment was interrupted when a sudden shout startled the both of them.
“Your highness!” Renjun’s royal guards had found them earlier before Jeno’s guards did, who were, still lost in the large garden maze.
“Forgive me Your Highness, but His Majesty is looking for you,,” and just like that, Jeno watched with teary eyes, his first ever love interest was taken away from him.
‘..And I didn't even get his name.’
Later on in the night, Jeno tucked himself in his temporary chamber.
‘The youngest prince of Gaia, Prince Renjun .’ As young as he was, Jeno's stomach churned, heart fluttering at the the visual imagery of a certain beauty.
‘A year younger than me, yet, so.. magical.’
His heart was on the verge of bursting at the thought of his rather bold kiss on the cheek. He had been such a coward and crybaby for so long, he didn’t know where the courage came from.
“Stupid!”
“Stupid Jeno! Stupid, stupid, stupid!”
Jeno rapidly rolled around on his spacious bed, screaming into his pillow in embarrassment.
“Stupid Jeno..” he muttered.
“But,” he touched his lips.
‘It was so soft. His skin.’