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Dusk had creeped its way into the cottage of Ten and his mother, the bluish purple light dancing into the dirty tudor windows. The thatched roof rustles in the autumn breeze, alerting Ten to set down his novel and head into the main room of the cottage to prepare their evening meal. Ten flips his book onto his nightstand, and shakes out the white blanket covering the end of his bed, certain that his mother would have been done working on her latest creation by now. He twists the rusty handle of their bedroom, and enters the living space. But nothing can prepare him for what he sets eyes upon across their dining table.
A gorgeous, embezzled long coat was splayed across the wooden table, with golden roses lining every edge of the white silk fabric. Faint green leaves weaved between each shining flower, gently directing his eyes across the elegant piece. Smooth white ruffles fold gracefully into gentle curves, peeking out from the ends of each sleeve and the center of the neckpiece. Faux gold trim is interlaced with nearly every part of the fabric, swirling through the smooth, crème-colored silk.
Ten's jaw drops promptly at the sight of the masterpiece. Of course, he expects nothing less of the kingdom’s finest seamstress.
"Mother... It's... incredible. The most gorgeous suit I've ever seen, really."
Ten's mother chuckles happily to herself, and cranes her neck backwards to better view her work.
"I'm pleased to hear you like it." She stands from her seat at the table and lifts the coat upwards in front of Ten's figure. "It is made for you, after all."
Ten’s mother gently transfers the gorgeous suit into his hands, and Ten's open-mouthed expression gains ever closer to the floor.
"It's beautiful, Mother. What have I done to deserve such a thing? How did you even find the materials for this? Or the time? Especially with the-"
"Ten." The seamstress places a hand on her son's shoulder, and calms him from the excited blabbering. "Listen to me, now."
"This suit is for you to wear to the royal ball. It is, as you might have hinted at, the finest suit I've ever created. Of course, I would never send my son to the royal ball without anything other than the most striking garments possible." As she lifts the matching trousers and shoes, Ten's eyes grow wider, but his mouth remains shut.
Ten has only ever dreamed of attending a royal ball. Each citizen of the kingdom is permitted, but only those who are deemed reputable and presentable are allowed to pass the guards of the looming front gates. Ten has no doubt that any suit of his mother's would grant him access to a royal ball, seeing as though many of the kingdom's wealthy citizens commissioned ballroom garments from his mother. Her work alone was enough to deem them both reputable enough as well.
Ten's heart begins to flutter at the idea of the royal castle. The sparkling chandeliers, the intricate golden walls of the ballroom, the sound of a masterful orchestra filling the room with elegant songs of movement and laughter. He'd only ever heard whispers of the whimsical nights, and now he was nearly beaming with anticipation of the ethereal experience.
"You will undoubtedly catch the eye of every royal subject in the ballroom, but you should be aiming to catch the eye of the Crown Princess."
The romantic symphony dancing within his ears screeches to a halt. Ten faces his mother with questioning eyes, and her expression soon becomes ridden with guilt.
"Even with the earnings from this year's ball, the winter approaching will surely tear our cottage apart. Look at what the last storm did to our home!"
Ten sighs as he knows exactly where to look, at the cracking windows and the rusty tin pail beneath a continuously dripping stream amidst the woven straw roof.
“And while I know you want to marry for love, it can’t hurt to try with the Crown Princess. You have every quality of a lovely husband; I don’t know who wouldn’t want to marry you!” Ten's mother says with a pair of exasperated but genuine gestures.
Ten’s eyes lock on a pair of songbirds outside the window, chirping in harmony under the chill cast of the setting sun.
“Ten, are you listening?”
He jerks his head back towards his mother. “Yes.”
“Please promise me you’ll at least try?”
“I promise.” Ten hides his sigh with a smile.
“That’s my boy.”
But with every ounce of his body, Ten wishes to forget the promise. His heart soars at the thought of meeting someone to love at what may be the most exquisite night he'll ever experience, but he can't resist the guilt trickling between the folds of his thoughts. If there's anything he's ever dreamed of, it would be true love. But this time around, Ten doesn't know if his dream will come true.
The days leading up to the royal ball send Ten's brain into spirals. His mother would spend hours each day adjusting and readjusting the suit to fit Ten perfectly. She tailored the suit down to every last seam, every last ruffle, every last golden thread. It was exhilarating to see the golden swirls trace his figure perfectly, but the exhilaration comes at a price. He knows that he has a purpose to fulfill in these garments, and it wrenches his stomach as small as one of the golden buttons lining the center of his tunic.
When the night of the ball arrives, Ten and his suit have been preened to perfection. His hair has been curled gently into sleek, dark waves, with a golden ribbon interlaced at the crown of his head. The suit was finally tailored to perfection, glittering at every angle and flattering each line of Ten's body. And as the sun lowered in the western sky, a carriage arrived for Ten, with the same spiraling patterns as the ones dancing across Ten's long coat.
-+-
The royal palace was even grander than Ten had imagined it. Pale stone brick towers reached into the sky, adorned by greyish blue roofings that narrowed to needlepoints. Golden ornaments lined each detail of the castle, from the trim along the windows to the arches beneath the balconies.
As the carriage entered the circular pathway of the palace garden, Ten's heartbeat began to race. Golden candlelight poured out of every window and doorway of the enormous castle, and most notably, along the grand staircase leading to the entrance of the palace.
With the help of the carriage driver, Ten descended from the golden transport, and approached the illuminated staircase. The royal palace was beckoning his name, and to the sound of its call, Ten followed. At the base of the staircase was a guard waiting to be Ten's escort, who undoubtedly caught his eye.
The guard is dressed in black formal attire, certainly of royal standards. Golden trim also entails every edge of the guard's garments, the metallic finishes perfectly contrasting the depth of the smooth, dark fabric, but the suit is hardly the eye-catching element.
The man's black hair lies gracefully in gentle waves, much like Ten's own. He greets Ten with an open hand, and smiles incredibly charismatically, in a way that makes it that much easier for Ten's heart to skip a beat. Ten elegantly places his hand atop the charming guard's and within seconds, his reality shifts. A smile grows to match the other man's, and his heartbeat begins to race and calm all at once. He hardly notices as they ascend the glittering staircase, and the ever-looming castle begins to shrink in comparison.
"May I ask your name?" the guard asks politely.
"Oh!" Ten's reality widens to process the sound of the man’s voice. "Yes, of course. My name is Yongqin, but you can call me Ten if you'd like." Ten curses mentally for the excess words he couldn't control.
"Yongqin. Well, Ten. Both are beautiful names," the guard replies with a smile, locking his gaze with Ten's eyes.
A shy smile sneaks into Ten's expression, along with a faint blush that brightens in the warm glow of the candlelit posts.
"My name is Kun. It's lovely to meet you."
Another charming smile presents itself to Ten, whose heart quickens pace with every glance at Kun. Kun's own ears find a rosy tint amongst Ten's presence, especially from the faint touch of Ten's hand gently cupped in his.
"It's a delight to meet you as well, Kun."
As Ten says Kun's name, his voice softens, as if he wishes to keep this greeting a secret for only him and Kun to share. Kun's beaming smile grows at the sound of his name, and Ten contemplates saying it again to see if Kun would smile like that even for a moment longer.
"Your suit. It's..." Kun begins, but is unable to find the right word.
"Ah yes, it's incredible, isn't it?" Ten glances down at the masterpiece, appreciating the fine details closest to him during his quick glance.
"Indeed it is. Are you from a royal family?"
Ten widens his eyes at the compliment, breaking free of the shared gaze to watch the marble staircase as his cheeks grow pink when he realizes it was a genuine statement.
"No no, I'm only the seamstress's son."
A woman passes Kun and Ten during their unintentionally slow ascension and says, "The best seamstress in the kingdom you mean!"
"Thank you, on her behalf of course."
Ten replies with a sweet laugh and watches as the woman passes them as she approaches the entrance of the castle, but neglects to watch the curving staircase ahead of him. The thinning steps evade Ten's gaze, and his shoe nearly slips off as he loses his balance, only to be caught swiftly by Kun's arms.
Kun's left arm is looped around Ten's lower back, his left hand holding onto Ten's waist delicately. His right hand never leaves Ten's touch, intertwined perfectly as he continues to hold him close, still cradling his waist as if it was fragile enough to slip away without his support. Ten remains leaning back, but only to bask in the gentle reassurance of Kun's touch.
And all at once, Ten realizes just how entranced he truly is. His heartbeat pounds within the walls of his chest, but his breathing slows as his eyes meet Kun's. There is nowhere else in the world that he would rather be, nowhere else where every detail is filled with a magic too ethereal for Ten to describe. Gravity strengthens, but in the opposite direction, pulling him closer and closer to Kun as his eyelids flutter shut.
As the warmth of Ten in Kun's arms draws them ever closer, their faces merely inches apart, a burst of cackling laughter within the castle jars them both, and startles them from each other's arms. The two of them blink rapidly, avoiding each other's eyes as the intimacy dissipates into the air. After a few glances at the entrance to the castle, Kun and Ten find it upon themselves to head their separate ways.
"Ah, well... the royal palace awaits." Kun ascends the final steps of the staircase with Ten, before turning around to return to his post.
"...Perhaps it does. And... Thank you for catching me." Ten is sure his face is blooming with a rose garden.
"Of course, Ten. Enjoy the ball." His goodbye is polite, as polite as each of his words had been before, but the farewell tastes bittersweet as the words escape his lips. Ten faces the once-again foreboding doors, but only for a moment.
"I will. Hopefully... perhaps... you'll join me." Ten pivots around a final time with his wish, but by the time he faces the staircase once more, Kun has descended back down their path.
And so, Ten finally approached the grand entrance of the castle, heart racing like the moment he had arrived. But this time around, his heart wasn't leaping at the sight of a grandiose palace, or a star-lit stairway, but rather at a gentle, charming man, far away from the ballroom.
-+-
Grand columns surround the open ballroom. Delicate arches frame the walls, giving the ballroom the shape and effect of an outdoor pavilion. Majestic chandeliers hang from every opening imaginable, rows of candles lining the rims as sparkling jewels reflect the golden flames. Balconies branch from the far wall of the ballroom and allow some of the night sky to weave itself with the brilliant candlelit space. Vivid bouquets of flowers fit snugly into every corner, bursting from the golden vases they are centered upon.
Ten inhales slowly, sure to allow himself time to comprehend the breathtaking view. The fragrance of fresh flowers surrounds him, and the dreamlike aura of the ballroom grows with each step.
Another grand staircase leads to the open floor, and with a breath to hold for courage, Ten descends down the polished stone steps.
The attendees of the ball turn to Ten, one by one. Faint gasps and murmurs echo throughout the room as all eyes face the gorgeous man on the staircase. Ten descends gracefully, his breaths slow and calculated as he approaches the crowd of people. He attempts to pay no mind to the weight of the stares, albeit positive, but there is one gaze he simply can’t avoid.
The gaze of the Crown Princess.
Crown Princess Yuqi was finally of age to be married, and the royal ball also celebrated such an event. Princess Yuqi was seated elegantly on her throne, observing the bustle of the crowd from the elevated perch. And now, her gaze had fallen upon Ten, just as every other onlooker was.
But within seconds, her eyes drifted to another figure closer to her, and Ten felt the weight of the world float away from his shoulders. Ten knew that he should hope to attract her attention, which he had done unintentionally already, but he wasn’t quite ready to introduce himself to a royal.
As Ten passes through the cluster of noble people, a few women smile at him hopefully or with an underlying giggle, but Ten pays them no attention. He weaves through a number of people, hoping to find a partner to accompany him for a dance, but as face after face passes, Ten realizes his heart isn’t up for it yet.
Ten finds himself on one of the balconies overlooking the royal gardens, and takes a moment to breathe in relief away from the clamorous crowd. A wash of peace flows past him as he observes the star-lit gardens from his perch. The gardens are far quieter in comparison, only the sound of rustling leaves and weather-worn fountains fill the open space. Ten places his hands on the stone railing of the balcony, surprised at the warmth of the stone despite the late hour of night. He sighs heavily, aware of the rise and fall of his chest as his breaths become shallow and peaceful.
“Why aren’t you dancing?”
Ten recognizes the voice immediately, turning to his right to see Kun posted at the column besides the open doorway. He considers questioning how Kun came to be posted there, but seeing as though he was only pretending to be on the lookout, Ten knew his guard was down.
Ten smiles as he says, “I’ve been waiting for the right partner.”
Ten looks upwards at Kun, the sparkling light reflected from the chandeliers dancing in his eyes, and this time, Kun is caught with rosy cheeks and a smile that nearly buckles Ten’s knees. After a millisecond of contemplation, Kun does something he never realized he’s wanted to, and offers a hand to Ten with the same elegance he did at the castle gates. Ten agrees silently, gently placing his hand on Kun’s, gracefully stepping down the staircase alongside him.
The warm light of the ballroom candles slowly trails away from them, as they walk hand in hand through the glittering gardens of the royal palace. They glance into a detailed marble fountain, a faint galaxy mirrored in the water, but their gazes are averted only to each other.
Kun’s eyes trace the faint curve of Ten’s jaw as Ten’s eyes study the shy dimple of the older man’s growing smile. They continue their stroll through the gardens, soon finding themselves in an open patch of slightly unkempt grass.
“May I have this dance, my Prince?”
Ten’s breath slows as he inhales, an infinite happiness reaching him as he feels like a true royal.
“Of course, Your Highness.”
Kun smiles that damn enchanting smile Ten has fallen for since the moment he arrived. The two partners step closer, hands soon intertwined, the stars twinkling above them in anticipation. And so their waltz begins.
-+-
Kun and Ten begin to circle one another, swaying together like the faint breeze winding through the open garden. They float through the open grass, the warmth of the palace light only a fading fleck in their revolving dance.
Kun swears he hears a coterie of violins playing the melody of their waltz, and a harp’s strum that guides the flow of their footsteps. He smiles to himself, thanking the stars above for the perfect accompaniment. But even then, a full, master symphony was hardly enough to play the emotions enchanting Kun from the inside out.
As their swirling pattern takes them past precisely-trimmed hedges and leaf-speckled pathways, Ten finds himself smiling brightly at Kun, for no other reason than happiness. His sense of reality ties only to the moment, to Kun’s hand perched on his waist, to the dazzling stars in Kun’s eyes.
Their waltz takes the two partners on a path through open grass, along a stone path, and under every star in the open sky. Kun and Ten dance as one, two halves of a whole functioning perfectly together. Ten finds himself blushing as Kun holds him tighter, as the warmth of Kun’s hands becomes ever present. Kun discovers that his view grows increasingly lovely by the moment, the view of feline eyes paired with a dainty nose, and a smile that sends his heart soaring into orbit. The view of the royal gardens is indeed spectacular, whimsical truly, but even the sparkling constellations above them fail to take Kun's attention away from Ten.
As the royal grounds begin to slope and wind, Kun and Ten’s waltz unravels. They begin to stroll through the empty pathways, admiring the view of the vast, green space. They walk above a flowing stream onto a bridge that arches smoothly, ascending the slope with one another’s support.
Ten steps to the side of the bridge, overlooking the flowing water, his hand still wrapped around Kun’s. Kun turns to face Ten, his gaze surely noticeable as Ten can sense its sweet presence. Ten turns to the water shyly, his heart still fluttering wildly at the mere feeling.
As they slow to a stop, Kun places his hands gently on Ten’s waist from behind, holding him close but with little force. Ten accepts the touch, rather, he revels in it, and covers Kun’s hands with his own. Kun rests his head on Ten’s softly, and Ten returns the gesture ever-so-slightly. They rest that way as they watch leaves travel down the open stream, as the stars gleam in the folds of the water, as their reflection becomes clear amongst the water’s movement.
As their heartbeats race and slow in unison, Kun’s lips inch closer to Ten’s right cheek.
When Kun’s lips finally meet Ten’s cheek, it’s slow, achingly slow, but still ignites a fire within them. Heat floods throughout Kun and Ten, through the laces of their tunics, through the curves of their ears, through every inch of their skin. Ten squeezes Kun’s hands faintly, and his eyes shut to ensure that all he can feel is Kun. Kun tenderly returns the touch, pressing his lips just slightly further into Ten’s cheek, soon pulling him closer into his arms. Kun’s nose tickles Ten as his lips are pressed gently against the smooth skin, and when Kun pulls away, the sound of his lips parting Ten’s cheek rings faintly in their ears.
Ten’s heart rate skyrockets, flipping endlessly in his chest as he lets out a faint gasp. Kun’s pulse is quick to do the same, and both of them are aware of the toothy smile that breaks onto Kun’s face afterwards. Kun feels his ears growing with heat, and after noticing Ten’s equally rosy ear, he presses a delicate kiss at its crown, before resting his head beside Ten’s once more.
After taking a moment to bask in Kun’s touches, Ten turns his head to face him, heat still rushing throughout his entire being. Their eyes lock, and he cannot help but notice the dust of the stars in Kun’s eyes. The shimmer is full of, well, love, and Ten beams in the spotlight.
Ten faces the water once more, admiring the image of Kun wrapped around him, the gleam in Kun’s eyes far sparkling brighter than any gold interlaced into Ten’s suit or any moonlight cast into the water’s ripples. He sinks into Kun’s touch, the butterflies within his stomach now fluttering peacefully as he soaks in the warmth of the embrace.
The laughter of a woman echoes in the distance, and a sudden pang of reality strikes Ten. Guilt creeps between his fingers, through his now-flattened waves, around the tip of his ear where he longs for the ghost of Kun’s lips. Ten had forgotten his mother’s wish entirely, and now he was wrapped in the arms of another, someone who was certainly not the Crown Princess.
Ten’s muscles grow tense, and the smile that he had donned all evening fades away. His eyes steer away from their reflection, their galaxy-filled gleams now shameful and wavering.
“Ten? Is something wrong?” Kun whispers, his own voice shaken from the visible change in heart. He loosens his grip on Ten’s waist, but Ten locks his hands firmly atop Kun’s, unwilling to let go just yet.
“It’s just that…” Ten begins. “This will sound absolutely ludicrous I’m sure. But… my mother had sent me to this ball, crafted this suit for me… all so I could hope to win the heart of the Crown Princess.” His words are fainter than the breeze that pushes a tuft of his hair into his regretful eyes. Ten cannot even bear to say the princess’s name, knowing the guilt that would further consume him with the syllables.
Kun’s eyes widen before relaxing once more. He cranes his neck beside Ten to catch a better glance at his expression and sweeps the stray hairs out of Ten’s eyes.
“Your mother is the finest seamstress of this kingdom, no? She’ll fit in perfectly at the royal palace.” Kun’s words are calm and sincere, and the tone of his voice alone is enough to shatter Ten’s heart.
“Kun… I-” Ten’s voice aches as he says Kun’s name.
“Ten, please. Let me explain.”
Kun watches Ten’s eyes shift from distress to puzzlement. Ever relieved to see the anxiety leave Ten’s expression, Kun turns Ten to face him, one hand still wrapped around his waist, the other gently cupping Ten’s cheek. The pad of his thumb traces Ten’s cheekbone gently, urging his worries away with every stroke.
“I think what I’m about to say is far more absurd than what you’ve said.” Kun smiles with every word, and Ten giggles in disbelief.
“I am not quite… who I’ve presented myself as. I’m not a guard for the royal castle.”
Ten’s expression grows bewildered, and Kun can’t help but chuckle at the sight of it.
“My name is Kun, Prince Qian Kun of Fujian.”
Ten blinks rapidly. Fujian was the prosperous neighboring kingdom, and also the home of a mysterious prince who had never before been seen in the public eye, until now.
“And I apologize if you feel as if you’ve been deceived. That was never my intention.” Kun continues on, a hint of guilt slipping between the spaces of his words.
Ten smiles sweetly with a short sigh. “Not at all. Just a minor detail, is all.”
The two of them chuckle lightly as Ten places his hands flat on Kun’s chest. Kun pulls Ten towards him, the gap between them merely inches.
“I think you would be an incredible figure of royalty, if you would like to be, by my side.” The fondest smile perches upon Kun’s lips, and Ten cannot help but return the expression, even with the thousands of thoughts racing within his mind.
Kun and Ten exchange a few slow breaths, relief in every inhale and hope in every exhale. Ten feels the thump of Kun’s heartbeat underneath his hand, his smile increasingly sweet with their shared warmth.
With the same lovesick smiles, Kun and Ten lean towards each other, entirely enchanted in each other’s presence. As the space between them disappears, sparks ignite in its place. Stars glint in Kun’s eyes, and as Ten’s eyelids flutter, the gleam reflects across his batting eyelashes. Ten’s hands slide upwards to cup Kun’s face, tilting his head downward to meet Ten’s. Kun tightens his grip on Ten’s waist and ensures that there is no space left between their chests. Just after their noses brush lightly, Kun and Ten’s lips meet and slide together.
The kiss begins sweet, and chaste, just as their first meeting had. It feels as if sunlight finally parts the overcast clouds, birds sing the tune of their touch, and the spark of a flame becomes a true fire. Their heartbeats soar as they feel they can reach the shower of stars they had danced in moments ago. Passion traces every rise and fall of their lips, every crossing breath enlightened. They pull each other as close as possible, heat surging throughout each vein and dancing across their skin. After a mere second of separation to breathe, Kun and Ten meet once more for a deeper kiss.
This kiss is slower, stronger, and full of life. The force that compels them together enchants their every thought, and sends a knee-buckling rush into the two of them, which would have knocked them over if they hadn’t held onto each other so tightly. Ten’s lips beckon for Kun’s fervidly, and Kun is always glad to fulfill his demand. Ten’s back arches slightly as Kun’s hands gravitate towards his spine, his skin burning under the touch.
A song begins, of a miracle born of unlikely circumstances. The melody swells as Kun and Ten share a mesmerizing kiss, invigorating touches, a truly divine instant. Wisps of string instruments gather, the buzz of brass instruments joins them, and the ethereal voices of a full choir highlights the shimmering melody. As their kiss grows dreamlike and whimsical, the perfect major chord crescendos and emanates from the two of them. The vibrant sounds emerge together, the volume of the symphony soaring and diving in exact coordination with Kun and Ten.
When the kiss fades into a sweet lull, the harmony shifts into an angelic hum. The twinkle of the stars accents each short breath they share, and the symphony decrescendos into the opening melody, and as Kun and Ten separate to breathe, and they smile.
-+-
Hours after wedding bells ring with the gallop of a royal carriage, the ballroom of the royal palace fills with people. The voice of a royal announcer cuts through the blend of chatter, and gasps float into the air as two princes, dressed in stunning white and gold suits, descend the grand staircase hand-in-hand. The grandiose room quickly grows silent, carefully observing the newlywed couple who has graced them with their presence.
The shimmering golden chandeliers seem meager in the princes’ presence. They exchange sweet glances as they approach the center of the brilliant ballroom floor. The bright white fabric of their wedding suits reflects in the pristine stone floors and displays two people who are only full of love.
As they reach the center of the dance floor, the two princes exchange bright smiles, pure joy lining their every feature. The audience of the ballroom smiles and murmurs at their romance, but Kun and Ten’s gazes are locked only on each other.
Without any further hesitation, Ten offers a graceful hand to Kun, his smile ever growing.
“May I have this dance, my Prince?”
And with all the love in the world, Kun replies.
“Of course, Your Highness.”