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One, two. The sound of clashing swords echoed through the corners of the sparring hall as Prince Yunho took all of his knight slash sparring partner, Mingi, with careful attacks on him. Yunho lunges forward all the while avoiding his swift attack to his left, stopping the blade midway. Mingi spun around to go to his blind spot but he was quick to act, his tongue clicking as he blocked another soft blow. ‘He’s being soft on me again,’ Yunho concluded. The sound of their footsteps almost sounded like they were rehearsing for a dance, the clicking of the clock serving as their beat as it landed on 12 nn.
But Mingi doesn’t have any time to think of a next attack as Yunho seemingly fades into thin air, the tip of the blade suddenly resting atop his nose and just like that, its six out of four loses, reigning Yunho as the champion. Again.
“Ya, I told you not to go easy on me, Mingi!” a hoarse chuckle, and Yunho shuddered, thanking the heavens above that Mingi decided to turn his back away from him as his usual pale skin now tinted to a rosy glow.
“Not my fault you have been improving on your sword skills, your highness.” Mingi might not be facing him, but he can feel the intensity of his glare burning at his back right now. But before he could receive an earful from his prince slash best friend (as Yunho would like to emphasize btw), a loud knock interrupted them.
“Your highness, a letter has arrived.” San bowed as he extended his arms, showing the white envelope with a shiny gold seal. Breath now slowing down to a normal pace and his usual prince aura returning now that they’re not on their own, he opened the content.
“Oh, so it’s tonight then?” he could feel his breath tickling his ears that Yunho fought his all just so he can avoid being a blushing mess around his ‘best friend’ that he could only mutter a small “yeah” before pacing towards the safe zone and chugging down a glass of water as if it was beer. It was just them again, he noticed, as San was nowhere in sight.
It was just them again, and Yunho can’t believe he’s acting like a damsel in distress fawning over her knight in shining armor. He can’t help it, not when Mingi’s like that . Sure, they’re both sweaty, but he’s different. Hair tousled with locks sticking at his forehead, labored breath slowly steadying as he unbuttoned his vest to let him breathe, he was beyond hot and perfect . He gulped down those thoughts away and decided to focus on the letter on his hand.
But no matter how obvious his big crush for his knight is (San respectfully told him one time to close his mouth as Mingi sheathed his sword after showing off his skills to the king before bowing directly to him as his father appoints him as his new knight, which is their very first meeting mind you), Mingi still thinks of him as the prince he vowed to protect, nothing more, nothing less. Unless…
“It will be hard to turn this one down, Yunho. It seems that it was Prince Wooyoung who had personally invited you-“
“I’ll attend it, then.” Mingi blinks twice, as if he’s not hearing it right, and Yunho just gives him his usual smile.
“You don’t have to force yourself-“
“Did you not hear me right? I said that I’ll be there,” another innocent smile, “and you’re coming with me.”
It was the first time Yunho had accepted an invitation from the royal masquerade ball. Seeing the prince walk through the red carpet with his knight at the back was a surprise to say the least. His black suit topped with one long-armed red vest, his left arm out in the open with black cloth circling around it to showcase his biceps along with his black slacks. And to top it off, his gold mask perfectly completed his look and Yunho’s proud to say that he’s hot as fuck tonight.
Hot enough that he could earn a kiss from his crush by the end of the night, hopefully.
And well, it was not far from impossible. In his defense, he saw the way his knight’s eyes darkened when he came out of the room as he asked him how his look was. And he’ll admit, he had seen that look many times already, but he knew Mingi. He knows how much he respects him so that he will not cross that hidden line. And he liked it, the affirmation that yes, they both feel the same; but he wants more .
And tonight, Yunho will test his limits and push him to the edge; he no longer wants this silly game of theirs to linger. He wants it to be real . And here, in this royal ball where many will notice his charm, is where it’ll happen.
And oh, definitely not because he wants to see Mingi wearing these almost couple-like suits they wore. A blush crept on his neck that intensified when he felt that warm, familiar feeling near him, preferably his ears.
“Are you sure you still want to stay, your highness? We can still make a run out of this-“
“ No - we will stay, Mingi. Whether you like it or not.” his knight might not see it but he knew how much he’s pouting right now that all he can do is chuckle at his persistence.
Yunho could feel his insides churning so he quickly made his way to the dance floor, leaving his knight to find a spot on his own away from the crowds. He almost felt guilty for he knew how much he hated crowds but he didn't let it eat him up. When he wants something, he will get it.
At first, Yunho dances to the song as little as he can, careful not to bump into the couples that are surrounding him. He almost wished Mingi’s here but he stopped himself from pouting. He must have patience if he wants this to work .
As the song progresses, he finds himself dancing confidently until someone finally approaches him, asking for his hand to which he gladly takes. It was a princess from another kingdom that apparently chose him as his partner because he looks lonely dancing on his own. He chuckled as if it was to hide his irritation because of course, he does not want to end everything that he planned all because of an arrogant dance partner. And so they dance, roaming around the dance floor but careful enough not to be away from Mingi’s perspective.
Just like how the song jumps from one beat to another, Yunho’s partner also changes. Some say it’s because of his ‘appealing height’, others because they want a touch out of his biceps. He is respectful to some, especially to women, but he can also be daring; hands traveling down to each other’s personal spaces with flirty comments here and there. And every time he does this, he does not fail to meet Mingi’s burning gaze.
Yunho cannot deny how much of this situation is making him lose his cool because damn , his gaze felt like electric shock on his body, as if these hands weren’t strangers but his and – fuck he shouldn’t be this affected. Why does it seem like it’s working but the other way around?
“-but it’s my turn now to dance with Prince Yunho.” hearing his name being called made snapped him back to reality. Ah, so they’re changing partners now.
Except that this, maybe, is his worst decision tonight.
“Hello~” this voice- of course he would be here. He’s the one who had invited him, after all. He snickered, not hiding how his eyes rolled at the newcomer.
“Prince Wooyoung, it’s a pleasure to be your dance partner.” he sarcastically said, and Wooyoung just giggled. They both bowed before taking his hand and letting himself be led again to the flow of the sweet ballad music. Since when did the music change?
“Not too long ago, but how would you notice that if you’re too busy making out with your knight by sheer looks alone?”
“What are you talking about-“ Wooyoung rolled his eyes, tiptoed and let his lips rest at his cheeks for a while as their bodies continued swaying intimately, both hands wrapped around his neck for support.
“Oh please, don’t try to fool me. I know those exchanges of looks very well - ooh by the way the look he’s giving us is intense – damn he’s definitely killing me in his head right now.“ followed by a teasing whistle. With those words out in the air, Yunho stopped giving half his attention to Mingi as he finally focused on the guy dancing way too intimately with him. He must have sensed the panic rising up at Yunho as he giggled for the nth time today.
“Aw, not new to this, eh? Fear not, hyung’s here to guide you, little bird.”
“Shut up, Wooyoung. And don’t forget that I am older than you .” Wooyoung’s words might have worked as he quickly regained his senses, irritation slowly showing at his face yet their dances proved otherwise.
Of course, Wooyoung is that good at dancing, it’s his forte and he’s proud of it. Too proud that Yunho wanted to outshine him now, if not for his silly little mission holding him back. Calm down, Yunho, remember what you came here for.
“What are you even doing here? And don’t tell me you’re here to ‘help’, I wouldn’t buy it.” despite their conversation, their bodies seem to be working well with each other; it might seem like they’re whispering nothing but sweet words. Yunho may not outshine him for personal reasons, but he’s not one to back down to Wooyoung, all right.
“Of course, same reason as yours,” he chuckled as he followed his gaze towards… San? When did his father’s right hand man arrive here? Also that’s his type, huh? Not bad, Prince Wooyoung!
“How would you know when you’re too busy stripping down your-“
“I am not !” another blush crept on that his ears are practically heating up now. Wooyoung sassily rolled his eyes back with a snicker.
“Yeah, whatever. We’re here with the same goals so let’s work together and hopefully get ourselves a well-deserved head after this,” the prince seems to be so easily flustered nowadays, Wooyoung concluded, “what? Don’t tell me you didn’t fantasize being manhandle-“
“Oh my god, will you please just shut up and dance .”
For some reason, he did not question why Wooyoung playfully pinched his butt cheeks as they spun around. He just let himself be touchy towards him yet he cannot bring himself to look back to his knight. Not now, when all that he can think of is Mingi being stripped off his suit, his abs all over his vision as his belt slowly-
Oh my god, Yunho! Now’s not the time! Clear skies, clear skies.
So when he felt a heavy tug at his arms as he got dragged out of the dance floor with Wooyoung waving goodbye, mischievous glinting at his eyes as he mouthed something- like what the fuck should he do ‘later’ ?, he started questioning himself: (1) why is he being roughly pulled out to the darkened hallway, (2) when did Mingi get so hot holy shit Yunho’s so turned on-
Lucky for him, Mingi’s ready to provide all the answers he needed.
“Ow- Mingi what’s the prob-“
Soft and luscious lips shut him down completely as his hips were pulled closer, the other hand guiding his nape and fuck – how many times had Yunho replayed this specific scenario at the back of his head again? He could not bring himself to remember, not when Mingi’s hand started roaming at his butt and started squeezing it tightly that Yunho left out a groan because fuck – he’s way too weak for this.
The air he breathes at his nose is starting to be less and less and he’s getting dizzy. He felt that the hands he circled around his knight’s broad shoulder was no longer enough to make him stand. And it seems that Mingi caught up to this so he lets go for a second to press him further to the cold wall. After making sure that he’s standing well, he proceeds to dive back in as if Yunho’s lips were a snack that needs to be consumed. And Yunho doesn’t mind, he dreamt of this a thousand times and he will not let this be another wet dream that he’ll jerk off later when he wakes up.
In the end, it was Yunho who made a move to let Mingi know that he’s literally out of breath and he’s dying . It took three taps at the shoulders to finally snap his knight back to reality.
“Wha- what just happened.” Yunho asked dumbly. Mingi chuckled and oh god not that hoarse laugh again .
“We just had our first make out session?” Yunho hated how those words made his face flushed even more, if that’s possible, “stop blushing, I know you intentionally want this to happen .”
“Just- just because I’ve wanted this to happen doesn’t mean you can actually kill me with your kiss!”
“Not my fault you’re making me impatient baby,” he almost whined as the hands roaming at his lower back left the proximity, but he did not, he’s still sane thank you very much , “and I’m just claiming what’s mine.” his hands brushed off the lipstick stain Wooyoung left when he gave him a peck earlier.
Oh.
Oh .
“Were you jealous because of that?” is that why you also pinched my butt was what he wanted to add but the thought itself is making him hard he felt like he’ll just moan instead of saying it out loud.
When Mingi didn’t reply, he busted out a laugh like he just said something funny (and well, nothing’s funny for Mingi.)
“Oh babe- pfft, he’s actually latched onto me because of San.” Yunho said after recovering from his laughing spree, gentle fingers caressing his cheeks as if it was an assurance.
“I don’t care. I’m very possessive of what’s mine, y’know? Would you still even want me-“
Yunho shushed him off by kissing him once, twice, then another deep kiss. When Mingi’s tongue was about to make an entrance, that’s when he cut it short he swore he heard him whine. Fuck, he didn’t know his Mingi to be this goddamn cute .
“Why did you stop? Do you perhaps not want me anymore-“
“Oh babe, as much as I would like to suck you off right now, we can’t,” he slid his legs between his thighs, the friction of heat causing him to groan and holy shit Yunho is so fucking turned on – “at least not in this place.” he winks.