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“Mother sun!” he shouts as he enters the castle’s throne hall, promptly bending on one knee as soon as he got to the foot of his mother’s golden seat.
“Ah, my son,” she rises and begins to step down, her ivory draped gown flowing to the movement of her body. She stands before Soonyoung and gestures for him to stand with a tap of her palm to the apple of his cheek. “Barging in again at this hour.”
In the glow of noon, her gem encrusted crown twinkled with every shift of her head, and her rich bronze hair appeared its strongest, deep and full of life against her cream skin.
“We both know your heightened enthusiasm only arises when you ask of something,” Soonyoung’s mother starts, to which he replies with a laugh, the bubbly sound bouncing against the marble walls. “Well, on with it. What brings the moon here?”
He grins and makes sure that his eyes sparkled as he talked, knowing how his mother liked it when he gleamed. “So, you see… I’ve already finished lunch with my cousins…”
“Yes. Was Seokmin a bother to you?” she asks as she walks, signaling her son to follow. They proceed to stroll towards the castle grounds, the green always a pleasant sight amongst all the blue.
Soonyoung chuckles and continues. “Surprisingly not. However, now that I remember it, he did steal an apple strudel from the kitchen after breakfast.” Upon his account, his mother let out a breath of laugh.
“But- anyway, I was wondering, since my archery mentor has taken ill, and the heavens look wonderful today…” he drags out, hoping that his mother silently understood his request.
As expected, she did. “Then be back before dark,” she answers with a smile, gently holding his hands in hers. Soonyoung squeezes upon registering her response, jumping with joy before giving her an embrace.
“Thank you, mother!” Soonyoung exclaims, clinging on to his mother’s shoulders. She always said yes whenever her son requests to explore, but Soonyoung still leaps in delight every time he was allowed outside the castle.
Soon, he bounds his golden chariot and sets off, leaving the castle perched upon the clouds and venturing out of his kingdom. Like him, his winged horses also enjoyed this precious time, feeling alive up in the sky as they whisked by one cloud after another. His raven hair flowed in the wind, moving around atop his head. The white epaulettes on his black tailcoat glinted, but not nearly as strong as the flare his small silver crown exuded under the light.
He took his time, occasionally reaching his arms out to touch the clouds, or stopping to stare at how the blues and whites mixed in the sky, with the small hints of yellows and pinks peeking every now and then. As he was just about to guide his horses back to the direction of the castle, a sudden flash from his peripheral vision caught his attention, prompting him to look back and squinting to see where it came from. He then realized that it came from below, just as a few clumps of clouds broke apart.
Now, promise me, do not travel down. Never take the path where the sky meets what’s below.
His mother’s words from long ago played back on his head, the memory of his first independent trip coming back to him quickly, reminding him of what he mustn’t do. Before he was allowed to ride his chariot alone, his mother always came with him, making sure that Soonyoung doesn’t stray from their territory.
Not once had he broken the rule, always afraid of his mother’s wrath and the unknown of what’s below. But he was no longer a child, and he can surely take care of himself when danger arises.
So he finds himself moving downwards, far different from how he always travelled forward. He could feel his horses’ hesitance, momentarily fueling his doubt before he shakes his head and kept his resolution high.
“It’s alright, we won’t be in trouble,” he reassures, maybe more to himself than to them.
As soon as they broke out of the thick layer of clouds that separate up from down, he felt his mouth fall open and his eyes widen. Right below him was a deeper shade of blue, far different from the light-toned one he always saw above. The vast blue swayed, appearing soft and pliant just like the clouds he was used to.
He has learned what the land below looked like from one of his private tutors, always telling him how the waters were vast and mediocre, and how the sand was dull and the trees were lifeless. What he sees now was far from what he was told, for everything that his eyes met were of pure beauty. There was nothing lackluster about the way the air smelled of salt and earth, raw and crisp under his nose.
He soon chooses to land in the middle of a small island, the palm trees waving to welcome his arrival. He steps down and breathes in the new scent, closing his eyes and enjoying the moist breeze. He looks up and spots how different the sky seemed to be from where he was, calm and distant, like it was a thousand worlds away.
Soonyoung moves back towards his chariot, letting his fingers run down one of the horses’ furs to smooth down their black coat. As he finished patting both of them, he bids them a short good bye, opting to wander briefly before the sky turns dark.
Jihoon excitedly swims to the surface, his body longing to feel the sand under his feet and to hear the birds’ songs as they glide above.
He finished today’s training with success, his father beaming at him for how much he had improved, along with the high commander’s usual words of approval.
“Will I be right to assume that you’d be running off again?” his father, the one and only lord of the seas, asks him just before he makes a move to slip past his father’s line of sight.
Upon getting caught, he displays a shy smile before apologizing.
“There is nothing to be sorry for, son. I… simply wish that you notify me next time,” his father continues, crossing his arms in feign hurt.
Jihoon responds with equal playfulness. “Oh please, father. You would easily forget where I was a minute after I inform you of it.”
His father laughs, hands adorned with precious rings were clutching his stomach as he cackled. “Jihoon, I am not that old,” he says in between his sounds of glee, eyes disappearing into crescents as he stepped closer to his son. “Although, I really do hope that you tell me whenever you leave. You know I won’t forbid you from going.”
Jihoon hugs his father then, forever thankful for how considerate the king was. Jihoon was one of the lucky few who had a permissive father, which allowed him to openly explore the seas he was birthed from. This can also be due to his status, a prince of the sea, which lets him have full right to the waters around him.
“I know, and I will. I promise.” Jihoon says as he pulls away, looking up to his father with respect. “I will be heading up, as per usual.”
There was one thing that he hasn’t told his father, and it was that he actually emerges from the water, stepping onto land and staying above the sea. His father only assumed that he went to shallow waters to swim with the dolphins, or to glance at the mountains from afar.
But now here he was, sand crunching under his feet as he dried his hair and stretched his limbs, fleetingly gazing at the sky and visualizing what the kingdom above would look like.
He absentmindedly touches the pearls on his neck, the smooth finish easily gliding across his fingertips. It was a gift from his mother, given to him a year before her death. He misses her every day, and would always remember her stories about the kingdom and people in the heavens. Back then, she would tell Jihoon various tales before he went to bed, and every night even if she wasn’t there with him anymore, Jihoon would still envision how smooth the clouds could be until he fell asleep.
As he slowly walks along the shoreline, he spots a moving figure from a distance. Upon further inspection, he finds out that the figure was a man, crouched down and carefully reaching out to touch the waters. As soon as the man fully dips his right hand, he giggles and lets his left hand immerse as well.
Jihoon thinks the behavior to be bizarre, so he decides to approach the man to ask what he was doing.
“Hello. May I ask-“ Jihoon hasn’t even finished his question before the other ran away, briskly hiding behind a nearby tree. All he caught sight of was the other man’s dark clothing, a contrast to his own blue loose-fitting sheer blouse.
“I am terribly sorry for scaring you,” Jihoon adds as calmly as possible, holding his hands up in the air to show that he was not armed. The other man’s head slightly peeks from the tree, but still retreats back to its original place, hidden from view.
“I’m Jihoon, son of the sea, and I don’t bring any harm,” he says, in the hopes that revealing his identity would put the other at ease. He knew it wasn’t right to immediately disclose his status, but he figures that the other must be from another land, with how he appeared to be puzzled by the mere sight of water. “You don’t seem to be from here.”
At that, the other man finally went out of hiding, hesitantly meeting Jihoon’s eyes.
Jihoon has never seen anyone like him before. He had the darkest hair that Jihoon had ever put his gaze upon, and the other was literally glowing, from the way his clothing had silver accents, to how his brown eyes reflect the light from above. Jihoon could almost swear that even the other’s own skin seemed to be shining back at him.
“Yes, I am not from here. I assume that this is your domain, and I’m very sorry for having disturbed you,” he says, head bowing down as a sign of apology. “I must be going now.”
“Wait,” Jihoon speaks up as soon as the other begins to turn around. “You have not caused any trouble. It’s alright.” He touches his pearls again, a small sliver of hope suddenly making its way to his veins, thinking that maybe he was already talking to someone from the heavens.
The dark-haired man turned, and with renewed confidence, started to advance toward Jihoon. “It was completely inappropriate of me for not introducing myself after you’ve told me who you were,” the man says then reaches his hand out. “I’m sorry. My name is Soonyoung. Soonyoung, the moon, child of the sun.” At this, Jihoon finally notices the dainty crown on the other’s head, a royal diadem adorning Soonyoung’s head, making him sparkle all the more.
Jihoon shakes his hand, the feeling of Soonyoung’s smooth palm against his immediately pulling him in, making him crave for more.
“Welcome to our kingdom, Soonyoung.”
Soonyoung comes back before dinner just as promised, his cheeks blushed and his heart racing.
Seokmin notices, and immediately asks him what happened on his trip amongst the clouds.
“Nothing. It- it was just very beautiful,” he replies with bright eyes. He, was beautiful, Soonyoung thinks. Muted gold hair framing his face handsomely, smooth pale skin that mimicked glass, eyes as deep as the sea, scent as fresh as-
He was pulled out of his thoughts when Seokmin snaps his fingers in front of his eyes, then sits back again after Soonyoung finally looks up. “Ah... you and your love for the sky.”
He quickly finished dinner, and instead of heading to his chambers, he chooses to stay at the gardens. Soonyoung sat down with his palms flat against the grass, closing his eyes and picturing himself back on the island, sat next to Jihoon as they introduced their own worlds to one another. As he described the way he flew with his horses and danced with the wind, Jihoon, in turn, told him what it was like to swim in the waters, to gaze upon the coral reefs, and to race with the creatures of the sea.
Jihoon seemed to be very intrigued about the clouds, stating how he always thought about them before he closed his eyes to sleep. So Soonyoung offered to take him along for a ride on his chariot a week later when they meet again. In return, Jihoon suggested to teach Soonyoung how to swim the week after that.
That was how they came up with their rendezvous, every week at the same hour, they would meet at Jihoon’s island to spend their time together.
Soonyoung knew that they weren’t supposed to meet, that the people of the heavens and the people of the sea were separate entities, not to exist at the same space, let alone mingle with each other. That was how the rules were written, way before he even came into existence.
But there was just something in the way that Jihoon looked at him softly, like he was more than just the moon, like he was the whole universe. There was something in the way that his skin flared up every time it would accidentally graze against Jihoon’s, sending sparks throughout his whole body. Jihoon unconsciously pulled him in, making him want to learn more about the other, from the smallest details to the grandest of secrets.
He was restless for the entire week, head aloof during their lessons and often missing his target during archery. His mentor looked at him with exasperation, but was quick to forgive him when he hit a bullseye with his final arrow.
Soon, the next week finally came and Soonyoung hurriedly excused himself from a walk with his cousins, voicing his want to be alone for a while. They didn’t pay him any mind, and he heard Seokmin wishing him a safe trip outside before he went to his chambers to freshen up.
He decided to remove his navy trench coat and chose to depart in his white tunic, the large frills and bishop sleeves enough to keep him warm. He made sure to visit his mother before he went out, to which she replied with an enthusiastic yes.
His horses seemed to detect how excited he was that they suddenly neighed cheerily. Soonyoung grins and briefly brushes their manes before finally leaving, glancing at the castle once more before diving down.
He expected himself to be the first one on the island, so he was genuinely surprised to find Jihoon already resting under the shade of a tree, one arm under his head with his eyes closed and hair rippling in the breeze. Soonyoung thought that he looked like the sea himself, tranquil and soothing like the gentle waves that hit the shore.
He quietly made his way over, silently lowering himself to sit beside the other, his crossed legs right next to the crown of Jihoon’s head.
“Hello, Jihoon,” Soonyoung voices out his presence as he looked down, his breath ghosting against Jihoon’s eyelids. They soon flutter open, eyes wide as he looked up at Soonyoung, then suddenly disappearing behind a smile.
With the way that Soonyoung spent so much time with equally bright people as him, being with Jihoon gave him an unfamiliar exhilaration, despite Jihoon being the perfect personification of serenity. Jihoon gave him that look again, one that doesn’t burn like Seokmin’s or was dynamic like his mother’s, but one that wrapped him in an embrace, soothing him, stripping him of his worries.
Soonyoung leads Jihoon to his chariot, the other’s eyes lighting up upon catching sight of his golden carriage and his black as night steeds. Jihoon lifts his hand towards one of them, looking up at Soonyoung to silently ask for permission.
“You may,” Soonyoung answers and gestures for Jihoon to continue. He watches as Jihoon gently strokes one of the horses’ neck, long fingers lightly scratching behind its ears. His horse perks up in delight, tail swaying and jaw loose, clearly comfortable with the other.
As they sail the heavens, Soonyoung could sense the building feeling in his heart, amplified by the way that his horses seemed to grant their seal of approval towards Jihoon. It thrilled Soonyoung that the prince of the seas looked perfect beside the clouds, and beside him.
For their next meeting, Jihoon decides to prepare a gift.
Before they bid each other good bye, they’ve had a talk on how Jihoon couldn’t teach Soonyoung to swim, in fear that the scent of salt would stick to the other’s skin and raise questions when he got back. Soonyoung drying himself off and bringing a change of clothes was also a risk to consider, hence they decided on taking a stroll along the seaside the next time they were to see each other.
As their feet were both digging against the sand, and Soonyoung crouching down to watch the ghost crabs skittle around, Jihoon grabs for the gift he’d hidden on the side pocket of his trousers.
“Soonyoung?” He starts, making Soonyoung look up at him with a questioning smile.
“Well, since you took me up to the sky, and I, unfortunately, couldn’t take you below the waters, I thought... why not bring something from my home to you?” He pulls out the bracelet, a bangle made out of twisted strands of metal, and a single black pearl adorning its middle. He lets his thumb brush against the pearl, softly rubbing it to remove any grains of sand. From his peripheral vision, he sees Soonyoung fully stand up and look down to where Jihoon held the bracelet in his palm.
Jihoon extends his hands, and Soonyoung offers his wrist.
“I have always been poor with my words, especially at stating my gratitude, so I hope this is enough to show how deeply thankful I am, of you,” Jihoon bashfully smiles up. “I understand the dangers of you coming here. But still, you choose to spend your time with me. So it is only wise that I gave you a black pearl, a rare amongst the white ones.” He puts the bracelet on Soonyoung’s wrist, the latter letting his fingers smoothly stroke over it.
“I also thought it would look perfect on you, the one and only precious moon.” Jihoon adds again, eyes locked at the way the pearl stood out against Soonyoung’s skin. In hearing this, Soonyoung lightly scoffs and softly gives Jihoon’s shoulder a push.
“Stop with the honeyed words.” He then laughs, the sound music to Jihoon’s ears.
“But it is true!”
Soonyoung then sighs, and suddenly envelopes the other in an embrace, arms locking above Jihoon’s shoulders while his head rests near his neck. Jihoon steps back due to the force, but soon regains himself and places his hands on Soonyoung’s back, hugging with equal vigor.
“Thank you, really. I’ve... never received anything like this,” Soonyoung utters when they pull back. Jihoon saw how the other visibly brightened, turning pink on the edges like a flower. Seeing Soonyoung smile in a way that his cheeks bunched up and his teeth peeked behind his lips made Jihoon feel the intensity of a vibrant morning even though it was nearing dark. “I don’t know how I would be able to repay you-“
“Oh, please, there’s no need for such,” he quickly reassures.
“But surely there’s something that you want?” Soonyoung pushes, not backing down. His insistence caused Jihoon to look at him endearingly.
“You being here is enough,” he eventually says, reaching for Soonyoung’s hand to guide them both back to shore.
On the next week though, Soonyoung runs to Jihoon upon his arrival and voices out how he brought a gift himself. Jihoon felt the tips of his ears burning, surprised at the thought of Soonyoung’s admiration.
It also doesn’t go unnoticed that Soonyoung was wearing the bracelet, making Jihoon blush further.
“But... you really didn’t have to,” Jihoon coyly replies upon hearing Soonyoung’s news.
“Don’t be so alarmed, Jihoon,” Soonyoung laughs and clasps both of Jihoon’s hands, looking at him square in the face. “I really wanted to give something back.”
With a retired sigh, Jihoon finally agrees and Soonyoung jumps with glee, turning Jihoon’s worried frown to a grin from ear to ear.
“Alright, now close your eyes...” Soonyoung firmly says, unexpectedly serious compared to his boisterous energy before.
“Is it really necessary?” he asks, almost afraid of what was to come. Soonyoung’s grip on his hands soften, thumb tracing circles against Jihoon’s skin. With a nod of encouragement from Soonyoung, he closes his eyes and waits.
Then the feeling of warm lips suddenly pressed against his, smooth and supple, just as how Jihoon imagined them to be. He stills, unsure of what to do with the instantaneous action, but when he felt Soonyoung about to pull away, he chases the other’s lips and smiles into the kiss. He hears Soonyoung giggle after his enthusiasm before leaning back.
“Did you like it?”
“Of course,” Jihoon said, a little breathless. “Perhaps... we can do it again?”
Soonyoung chuckles, letting his head fall back to let out his laughter. Jihoon just smiles, glad to have heard the other’s laugh, and glad that he’d caused it.
Soonyoung lays on his bed, exhausted but couldn’t sleep.
He traces his fingers on his lips, relieving the feeling of Jihoon’s lips and the gentle friction it caused not long ago. His hand trails down to his neck, thinking back to how Jihoon’s hand held him there, fingers twirling with the hairs on his nape as they kissed.
It was magical and Soonyoung thought about it on every waking moment, and every time before he closed his eyes to sleep. He could tell that Seokmin definitely noticed, with how the other always looked at him with amusement whenever they ate and he would get lost on his own thoughts, or when they would have their walk in the gardens and his mind would run off to the thought of Jihoon’s hand in his own.
“What has gotten into you?” Seokmin questions as they were both putting on their arm guards, Soonyoung with a smile on his face. Uncharacteristic of him, he knew. He liked their lessons, but he often complained about having to do it every other day. Hence, the way he seemed lively was indeed peculiar.
Soonyoung’s mind jumbles as he thought of an excuse. “Well, mother… allows me to go around the heavens more often.” He smiles, hoping that it was enough of a reason.
“That is because you go outside more often than usual.”
It wasn’t enough, so Soonyoung thought if he could trust Seokmin enough to tell him his secret. Just as he was about to open his mouth to hint at it, their mentor emerges and beckons them to prepare.
“Just so you know, I found a strand of blond hair on your doublet a few days ago… when I entered your chambers to fetch my belt.” Soonyoung looks back with wide eyes, panic starting to simmer on his chest. There was no one else in the family that had hair like Jihoon’s.
“I didn’t mean to pry around. It was just that, you placed your clothing near the window and the strand of hair glared at me because of the light,” the other adds. He should’ve always checked, Soonyoung thinks to himself. With how his clothes often came in dark shades, surely Jihoon’s golden hair would be noticeable.
Seokmin registers how flustered Soonyoung was and he quickly reassures. “Don’t worry. I won’t tell.”
The other softly smiles to Soonyoung, not a trace of mischief on his eyes. This completely erases Soonyoung’s doubts on him. Seokmin understood him unlike anybody else in the entire castle, even though they occasionally fought over the little things. Behind the light banter was pure understanding and respect, one that Soonyoung was very grateful for.
With this, the next few days consisted of Seokmin’s endless teasing whenever they were given the chance to be alone. He soon surrenders and reveals small parts of his secret, from how the waters and sand feel on his feet, to how his undisclosed companion’s eyes could make his heart race with just a glance.
Seokmin listens intently, and would sometimes wish he could go down and see the island for himself. Like Soonyoung, he had a curious soul, always asking more than what is needed, and always looking for a way to reshape was has been made. So Soonyoung indulges him and tries to describe pieces of the island, leaving out some details due to the promise that maybe, there would come a time when Seokmin could get to experience it himself, and a time when he can display Jihoon and his adoration for everyone to see.
As time passed by, nothing seemed to be out of the ordinary, except for how he would always meet the other prince every week. Each time they met, even though the island was the same, each other’s company made things exciting. Nothing more was needed for their growing relationship took everything to greater heights.
That is, until, his mother calls him one morning to the throne hall.
Whenever the sun goddess wanted to have a chat, she would do so during dinner or when they choose to spend time in the garden as she tends to her beloved lilies of the valley. To be called to the throne meant a formal discussion, and Soonyoung’s hands have gone cold as his steps echoed throughout the palace.
He enters and there she was, sat on her throne with her chin held high. Soonyoung smiles to her, mostly as an attempt to ease his worries. His joyful expression soon falls when he sees his bracelet on the hands of his own mother, tightly clasped on her right as her knuckles start to visibly whiten. He had hidden it on a compartment below his dresser, safely out of sight from probing eyes. Now it was out in the open.
“A pearl, Soonyoung. Well, I assume you know what it is,” she says, her voice surprisingly calm but stern. Her light was no longer warm, it was aflame.
Soonyoung couldn’t answer so his mother continues. “One of our stablehands discovered sand on your horses’ hooves, and on your chariot."
“Mother, I…“
She doesn’t let him continue, standing up from her throne in rage. “I thought you were fully-grown to understand, hence I never repeated my rules to you. Yet you disobey me, going off to mingle with people unlike us, you-“
“Is that what you think of them?” Soonyoung responds, brows furrowed to show how disheartened he was with the statement. “Is that why you-“
“You know the law, Soonyoung!” she suddenly shouts, making Soonyoung curl in on himself. “You, are a god, a prince, the moon. Your place has always been here, and should never be anywhere else.”
Soonyoung kneels down and clasps his hands together, already perceiving what may come next. “Please, you can’t just keep me here. I may never understand why the laws were written this way, but I assure you, the land and the seas are beautiful, mother. And… the prince… he is the most kindhearted. He brings me joy, and he can never be inhumane.”
However, his mother merely looked down at him, eyes devoid of expression. She glances to the side and nods, calling the guards to escort Soonyoung back to his chambers.
“You are not to leave this palace ever again,” was the last that he’s heard from his mother before she turns around, leaving her son to be dragged away. He screams his pleas, but his mother was long gone.
He was soon alone, sat on his bed with tears streaming down his cheeks, turning his vision into a blurry mess. Throughout the remainder of the day, he stays under his linen, curled up and hidden. He was only allowed out of his chambers when it was time for his meals, and he was always led back to be concealed again.
That same night, as he was sat near his window to gaze on the distant castle grounds, he hears a voice from below.
“Soonyoung!” Seokmin whisper shouts with his hands cupped around his mouth. “Let me help you!”
Jihoon steps out of the water, running his fingers through his hair to get them out of his eyes. He then vigorously moves his head back and forth, as well as side to side, in an attempt to dry them faster. He remembers how Soonyoung would always laugh at him whenever he did so, and in turn he would repeatedly clarify that it was an effective method.
He sat on the grass just a little beyond the island, not too far from the beach but enough to clearly see the vast expanse of the shoreline. They’ve made this patch of land theirs, a place where they can rest and stare at the sky and the sea simultaneously.
Jihoon waits, but Soonyoung doesn’t arrive. He even stays beyond their allotted time together, but the other was not to be seen.
He feels a heavy weight on his heart, the possibility that Soonyoung might be in danger sweeps through his mind. He didn’t want to jump into conclusions, in fear that he might do something irrational due to his worry. So instead, he doubtfully brushes it off and decides to pay the island a visit tomorrow, in the hopes that Soonyoung might come then.
Tomorrow arrives, and he still stays patiently. He’d been wandering around for hours, only to wait in vain.
He tries again the next day, the weekly rendezvous long forgotten, with Jihoon choosing to surface from the sea every noon despite the danger it may bring. As soon as he rises, he doesn’t bother to smooth out his clothing and dry his hair like he used to, in lieu of rushing to where they usually convened.
Soonyoung was nowhere to be seen, the space still the same as how he had left it the day before. The uneasiness makes his skin shiver, the heavy weight he felt before blossoming throughout his entire body. He rushes to the shore and looks up, hoping to catch a glimpse of Soonyoung’s chariot, or the black of his steed. Although, the heavens were as clear as any other day, as if nothing was amiss.
From the back of his mind, he knows he should wait for the next week. But his body screamed at him to run and seek the other, instinct taking over and mind full of Soonyoung, as if their hearts have fused over the few months, making him feel this bizarre ache from the other.
Jihoon looks down and brings his palms up to his view, reminiscing on how Soonyoung was just there, the moon’s delicate skin touching his own not long ago. He wonders if Soonyoung was really tangible, and not some thought he’d conjured.
He shakes his head and fights the idea, determined to believe in the existence of his newfound happiness. Just then, he sees the faintest of movements from his right. He swiftly turns his head, squinting at what seemed to be a man trudging towards him. Jihoon’s eyes widen in anticipation, ready to welcome Soonyoung into his arms.
But the distant figure separated into two, indicating that there are now three people on his- their, island. He then discerns the metal bands, the blues and greys, then the longer arms and broad shoulders, a distinct trait of the seafolk because of how they propelled themselves underwater.
He wanted to get away from his father’s men, wanted to run and dive back down, but his feet refused to follow his thoughts, bare soles covered in sand as he awaited his fate. The men grabbed him by the shoulders and led him back to where he rose from a while ago.
Soon, he was forced down to both his knees before his father, stone cold as he looked down at him from his throne. He refuses to meet the other in the eye.
“What do you have to say for yourself, Jihoon?” his father’s voice pierced right through him, lacking emotion, just like the way he would speak with strangers. Jihoon closes his eyes, his head still bowed down. The thought of his father seeing him as merely a commoner bruised him.
He needed one question answered. “How… did you know?”
To his surprise, his father answers with honesty. “I had a few of my men follow you for some time. That is because… a messenger was sent to me, from the heavens, from the sun herself,” Jihoon glances up upon hearing the sun goddess’ involvement, realizing that their affair has been revealed. His thoughts go back to Soonyoung, wondering if the other was safe.
He was brought back to the present by his father’s voice. “You are well aware of the repercussions. Visiting the island frequently is in and of itself a grave disobedience already.”
“But, father, have you ever asked why?” He stands up, courage flooding his senses as he spoke for himself. “Why the laws are this way? Why we follow this order?”
His father sighs, clearly exhausted of Jihoon’s questions, and because he himself didn’t have the answers to them.
“I do not know, but… I am sorry, son,” his father says with finality, then he was hoisted up to his feet and led to a sea cave below their palace, to be locked up just because he was fond of the heavens, and of the man that lived there.
As he sat in silence, unshed tears resting behind his eyelids, he realizes that maybe he wasn’t just fond of the moon, for maybe he loved him.
After several days’ worth of deliberate arrangements, Soonyoung finally slips away tonight.
The first night he’d been sealed away at his chambers, Seokmin came to be of company. They’ve struggled in getting him to climb up Soonyoung’s window, with how well built of a grown man Seokmin was, which proved that he was heavier than anticipated. Eventually, with the help of Soonyoung’s linen and covers, Seokmin finally sat next to Soonyoung on his bed, providing a warm shoulder to cry on. Seokmin continued to visit every chance he got, which Soonyoung greatly appreciated. He wasn’t much of a bothersome cousin after all.
They’ve been continuously discussing Soonyoung’s escape, in which he would pay the island a visit and return just before anyone had noticed. Unfortunately, they could only do this during the dead of night, and Soonyoung doesn’t find it in himself to complain for he was willing to do anything just to get back down.
Soonyoung was pacing back and forth, uneasy as he waited for Seokmin’s call. Soon after, he finally hears his cousin’s shout.
“Your chariot is ready,” Seokmin adds just as he gathers his makeshift rope, a long strand made out of different kinds of fabric. He fastens one end to the foot of his bed, hoping it would hold his weight until he was on the grass below. “And everyone seems to be in slumber.”
“Really, what would I do without you,” Soonyoung replies as he finally looks down. With one final huff, he clutches at the rope and makes his way down, feet flat against the walls of the castle as his arms burned in carrying his weight. As Seokmin informed him that he was nearing the ground, he lets go and jumps, finally landing safely.
He laughs, and Seokmin follows, both in glee that one portion of their plan was complete.
Soonyoung hastily trails behind Seokmin, the other guiding them through the castle’s courtyard and towards the stables. Upon seeing his horses, Soonyoung rushes to them and strokes their necks, to which they stomp the ground in enthusiasm.
“Hurry before anyone learns we’re here.” Seokmin reminds in a hushed tone.
With the guide of a small lamp that Soonyoung had snatched from the opening of the stable, he ventures off into the dark skies. Seokmin waves him good bye.
The second his chariot met the damp dirt, he frantically searches for any sign of the other. He checks his and Jihoon’s place on the island, which was expectedly empty.
He clutches at his bare wrist, where his pearl would usually be whenever he was here, with Jihoon. A sob starts to make its way to his throat, followed by the prickling behind his eyes, signaling the arrival of fresh tears. Was he too late?
Soonyoung stares off to the sea, holding out the lamp and squinting for any sign of anything. With darkness enveloping him, it was difficult to make out the curve of the water as it gently rippled in the midnight wind.
He missed the sight, how the afternoon light met the deep blue, creating a beautiful picture before him. He missed how one drying leaf would find its way atop Jihoon’s hair, how he would pick it out and tuck back the other’s straying hair behind his ears, and how the prince would blush to the gesture.
His face contorts with the ache of his heart, knees dropping down and hands digging themselves on the sand below the water. The ends of his sleeves were drenched but he no longer cared.
“Jihoon!” he shouts, pouring his sorrow through his voice. “Jihoon, I’m here!” He grips the wet sand, hoping that someone would hear, that maybe the sea would carry his message.
He felt his tears trail down his cheeks, soon dropping to join the waters under him.
Then the waters rose and got stronger, definitely more aggressive as the sounds of the waves got louder, crashing as if they were lamenting with him.
In the succeeding days, he continues to occasionally visit, losing count of how many days had gone by without Jihoon’s presence. The waves continue to respond, calm before he comes and unsteady when his skin dips on the water by the shore. In this his hope remains, in the thought that Jihoon would come soon.
But until then, not a single being arrives every night.
Jihoon hears, the waves carrying Soonyoung’s voice to him deep beneath the surface in an echo.
As Soonyoung waits, the waters around him grow tense, telling Jihoon that he shouldn’t be down at the cave, but up above with the moon.
He tries to show how he longs to be with the other, screaming to the darkness around him and making his cave tremble. Jihoon knows his cries would be of no use, with how far off he was from the island. His voice would just be mere bubbles, floating around him and eventually bursting to nothing.
But even with the growing hopelessness, every night when Soonyoung visits, Jihoon chooses to keep bellowing. His loud voice coming from deep within his heart.
And every time, his father hears. He knows everyone at the palace probably does, but never once did he bother with his actions.
One night, as his voice made the cave and the waters around him vibrate, his father approaches quietly.
“He would never hear you, Jihoon.”
With a puff of his breath, he stops his actions and bows his head, momentarily defeated. “Yes, but he would feel me, through the waves as they rise. I know he would.”
His father waves his hand, gesturing for the guards to leave them for a while. When they were alone, his father’s voice morphs into something softer, more understanding.
“Why, do you choose to stay at land? Why are you so persistent with the goddess’ son?”
Jihoon knows his father aimed to empathize, that what he was seeing was genuine. So he decides to be sincere himself.
“You know how... mother used to tell me stories, about the life far beyond our sea?”
His father smiles on the memory, both of his mother and of the stories she would eagerly tell.
“They’re just as magnificent as how she described them to be,” Jihoon reaches out through the opening of his cave, hand unfurled for his father. The god eventually takes it, giving in with a little hesitance. “The land, and the skies, how she said they were -“
“A blend of colors, spilling around you and pulling you in,” his father continues, a flash of nostalgia sweeping across his eyes. Jihoon beams at the memory, and surprised with how his father remembered.
“And, Soonyoung. Father, I think...this might be the kind of love mother had described to me long ago,” he steadily says, afraid of what his father might say.
His father doesn’t lash out, nor does his face show wrinkles of disappointment. Instead, he sighs knowingly, well aware of Jihoon’s being.
“One of the very reasons why I’ve loved your mother was because of her passion to explore. She would often take me to land, long ago,” his father looks up, relieving the memories on his head. “I am very glad, that you seem to be just like her. And, well, just like me, with how you’ve fallen for another who’s as curious and relentless as you.”
Jihoon suddenly felt the sadness that had washed over his father the moment the queen of the seas died. His heart clenches at the pain of losing someone who showed you the world, instantly staining everything around you for it would no longer be the same without them.
“I know you’ve grown distant, father. After what had happened, every detail related to her, you choose to ignore. I was too young to understand...”
“It is not your fault Jihoon,” his father instantly reassures, the hands clasping his stronger. “And, it is wrong of me to deprive you of something I can no longer have,” he sadly smiles.
The waters around them have visibly calmed, signaling another unfruitful night for Soonyoung. Jihoon feels how heavy Soonyoung must feel as he went back to the heavens. His father’s voice pulls him out of his thoughts, and Jihoon has never felt this hopeful in all his years of life.
“So immortal laws be damned, Jihoon. I’ll rewrite them myself.”
Soonyoung was the first to stand and leave, heading straight to his chambers for the night. His mother says a small good night as she wiped her lips with a napkin, but he doesn’t bother to look back as he nods in acknowledgement. Soonyoung, however, brushes his hand across Seokmin’s shoulders as he passed him, a gesture to remind the other of their usual plans.
There was this stretching silence later that evening, as they both weave their way through the courtyard with Soonyoung anxiously leading the way.
“Soonyoung... perhaps...” Seokmin starts once Soonyoung steps onto his chariot. The dark patch of skin under his eyes were becoming more evident, and he appeared to have lost a portion of his light.
“No, Seokmin,” Soonyoung answers, finality piercing through the other. He wouldn’t accept defeat just yet, possibly never.
Seokmin places his hand atop the other’s, which were resting on the edge of the carriage. “I care for you, Soonyoung,” Soonyoung furrows his brows, disappointment resting on his face for he didn’t exactly want to continue this discussion. “As much as I want you to meet your prince, I would also wish for you to take care of yourself. You cannot keep persisting when... he-“
“I know,” Soonyoung’s face then softens, his heart warming at his cousin’s concern. “But, this is what I... itch to do, Seokmin. I want to do this. My soul seeks for him and if I didn’t make an effort to chase, I would feel even more burdened.”
Seokmin looks at him with sadness, maybe even of pity. Soonyoung makes an effort to make his smile brighter, to ease the other’s worries and to express his unyielding commitment.
As he had predicted, he was met by cold darkness yet again. His horses had sensed his sorrow since the first night they rushed to the island. From then on, they’ve also become less lively as they’ve missed another hand on theirs, preferably someone who was of the sea.
Soonyoung notices how the waves appeared to have retired tonight, too hushed compared to his previous visits. His hearts sinks at the thought of their surrender.
“....nyoung?” He hears a distant cry, too far away for him to distinguish its owner.
“Soonyoung!”
His eyes widen and he abruptly turns his head to the source of the sound, to Jihoon.
He meets the other halfway, rushing to him with vigor. Soonyoung didn’t even notice the tears on his cheeks until the pads of Jihoon’s fingers swept them away. He clings unto everything of Jihoon’s that he could touch, cupping his face, grasping his firm arms, clutching at his hips, then finally settling on the other’s hands which were settled just below his jaw, weaving his fingers between them. He closes his eyes as he breathes in the other’s scent, the familiar salt under his nose making him feel safe.
“I’m sorry, I am so sorry I took so long,” he hears Jihoon express his apology with a strain on his voice, clearly shedding his own tears as well. “I've heard you, every time you come. I’m sorry I failed to reach out to you sooner...”
Soonyoung shakes his head, pulling Jihoon closer to him and lacing his arms on the broad stretch of the other prince’s shoulders. Jihoon tucks his head on Soonyoung’s warm neck, nose nuzzling near the lobe of Soonyoung’s ear. He feels Jihoon grip on him tighten, never wanting to let go. “No- I am sorry. I was not careful enough. My own negligence took me away from you.”
He digs one of his hands to Jihoon’s hair, finally having the chance to run through the smooth locks once again.
“Don’t say such things, Soonyoung. It was bound to happen anyhow. You’re here, with me, I cannot ask for anything more,” Jihoon pulls away and smiles, the act overturning Soonyoung’s woeful night. “I have to tell you something.”
“What is it?” Soonyoung asks apprehensively.
Jihoon smooths his cheeks again, easing off any remnant of sadness from his face. “I... do love you, Soonyoung. I’ve loved you for longer than I’ve realized. I know I am not from the heavens, and I am yet to know much of your kingdom. Still, I hope and yearn to be yours.”
All worry falls off Soonyoung’s shoulders. “You are so precious. You once said you weren’t too good with your words.” He lets himself chuckle at the memory.
“Oh please...” Jihoon replies as he sheepishly hides his face back to Soonyoung’s neck, causing another rumble of giggles to spring out of Soonyoung.
“Yet, I love you too,” Jihoon looks up at Soonyoung’s confession, his eyes dazzling. “I would be equally glad to be called your moon.”
“My moon,” Jihoon tests the words, and Soonyoung relishes on how natural it flows, like the words were waiting for this moment to be spoken.
He finally brings their lips together, letting them meet in a searing kiss. It was unlike any kiss they’ve had, mouths dancing in a burst of desire and longing, having been deprived of each other’s touch for so long making their actions all the more powerful.
As they collapsed to the ground, Soonyoung then lets himself drown in the sea, lets Jihoon envelop him whole. He cannot be bothered by the graze of the grass against his body, the incomparable velvet of Jihoon’s skin masking all discomfort. The other covers him in all the right places, making him feel lightheaded in ecstasy, like he was afloat water. His radiance met Jihoon’s cool, haze building up around them as the air thickened, appeasing their carnal need to touch, to be one. Soonyoung felt every sighed breath and hushed moan crawl under his skin, each a spark that ignited him in fire.
His dewy eyes gazed up at his prince, the other staring back as he controlled his ragged breathing. Soonyoung recognizes how beautiful Jihoon was in his state, parted lips the color of ruby and hair a wonderful flurry around his head. He finally lets a tear slip past his right eye, satiated and loved.
He stays until tomorrow came, refusing to let go. Jihoon heavily proposed that he did, to which he declined profusely.
The consequence of his choice soon followed, through the presence of his own mother.
As the morning has settled, they walked hand in hand, the space between them filled with loving glances. A tremendous break in the clouds prompted their attention to the skies, flooding everything with white as the brilliance of the heavens shown through. She was perched on a mass of clouds, descending down towards where they stood. The island instantly became hot under the sun’s direct presence, magnified by the goddess’ incoming fury.
Soonyoung shields Jihoon. “Stay back. I will talk matters through with her,” he says with as much stability as he can muster.
As the queen finally steps on land, the clouds she’d been on wisped into thin air. Although, the grace of her being doesn’t match with her resentment.
“How dare you defy my orders?”
“Mother, I am sor-“
Just like their previous dispute, his mother cuts him off.
“I cannot believe you’ve involved Seokmin into your affairs!” she says in disbelief, brows knitted together.
Soonyoung thinks back to his poor cousin and his only intent to help. “Seokmin wanted to be of assistance. He had helped me on his own accord, and…“
“It does not matter whether he had been willing or not. You are coming home this-“
“Mother, please!” His anger finally bubbles up to the surface, breaking out from him. He had contained himself for long, but he refuses to be shut down continuously. The queen was visibly taken aback by her son’s surge of boldness.
“Please, would you listen to me? You did not open your ears to me the first time, but please do so now.” He was practically begging, pleading to his mother with resilient eyes. She seemed to have softened with his declaration, forehead unwrinkling as she gave a curt nod. Soonyoung knew his mother was still there, the woman he knew to be compassionate and prudent.
“Mother, I love him, with all of my heart. And with him, I have grown to love the sea and this island, like how I love our own kingdom. I am wise enough to know the rights and wrongs of our existence, I know you are well aware of that. So, I am asking of you, to trust me that this is right, that there is nothing wrong with the love that I feel.” Soonyoung exhales a breath he’d been holding, waiting for his mother’s response. He had thought this through, and he hopes his emotions had come across without fail.
Instead of directly acknowledging Soonyoung, the queen instead turns her head to Jihoon with curious eyes. “Do you love my son?”
“Oh, of course,” Jihoon smiles to Soonyoung, then hides his self-consciousness with a bow of his head. “Why wouldn’t I? It is quite easy to fall for someone as lovely as he is.”
Soonyoung’s face warms up. His mother sighs, satisfied with the answer.
“Seokmin… appealed to me earlier, before I had left. He wanted me to understand the emotion in your eyes, and on how legitimate your admiration was. Seeing it for myself at this moment, well… it is the truth after all.” She says in a tone somewhat akin to fondness. But Soonyoung still couldn’t shake the sadness in the way she spoke.
Then it comes to him, that perhaps his mother was afraid for there was only one moon in the skies.
“Mother, you are not going to lose me.”
A speck of a smile appears on the curve of her lips. “Well, it seems I have been mistaken a while ago. You are fully-grown.”
Soonyoung finally rushes for an embrace.
“Make your own path, Soonyoung. If this is what makes you feel contented, then I’ll be pleased to welcome you with open arms every time you come back.” She steps back, then recognizes Jihoon’s presence with a bow.
“And, I believe,” she pulls Soonyoung’s hands to her. “…this belongs to you.”
The bracelet was back on his hands, the pearl’s glistening a sight he had missed for so long. He steps back towards Jihoon, letting the other put it on his wrist once again, where it truly belonged.
And he was glad that he himself was now completely where he belonged, in the hands of both worlds, in the hands of Jihoon, which he can now call his new home.