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“Have you heard the news?”
“About what?”
“About the exiled prince from the kingdom far east! C’mon, Seonghwa-hyung, the news has been blowing up since a month ago!”
“ Of fucking course , I know about that– would that be all?” the exasperated man forced a smile to the petite man covered in black cloak, ignoring his friend that’s obviously still not done with his newfound knowledge , fully ignoring the fact that Seonghwa’s too busy to care.
“I heard he’s been accused of something, but now they want him back after kicking him out.” his friend, Hongjoong, whispered loudly.
Seonghwa notes how the man in the cloak flinched at what he heard. Ah, a royal blood guising themself huh? This day and age?
“But they can’t find him, aye?” the younger man snickers, setting down the last batch of boxes he’s the carrying around ever since the gossiper started disturbing his and his brother’s job, “typical.”
“Thank you for coming!” the man in the cloak just took his change and walked out of the stall, maybe a little bit too obvious that he’s affected by what he heard.
“Wow, rude . These elite people, aish.”
“Jongho.” his older brother hissed as if to keep him in place. Jongho raised both his hands to admit defeat.
And Hongjoong finally stopped rambling. Ah, right. He’s still here.
“Wait- what ?! You- I- is that man a royal blood ?!”
“This is why I told you to shut your trap. Also there are far more boxes up there that need to be carried, stop lazing around!” Seonghwa massaged his temples as he continued entertaining more customers, another smile masking him up.
“Why didn’t you guys tell me?! It’s a royal blood buying what- your apples ?” he half shouted half whispered because of course, he’s still sane enough to keep this a secret between them.
“So what,” Seonghwa chuckled at his friend’s shocked face, throwing an apple to make him come back to his senses, “maybe he liked ours better than in the palace.”
The town of kingdom Utopia, where the busy streets and crowded stalls will never fail in obtaining the rumors inside and outside of their kingdom.
The man in the cloak avoided most of the shopkeeper’s enthusiastic persuasion in buying their products with a specific destination in mind: the forest separating the palace and the slums. He had gotten what he needed, far more greater than what he bargained for.
He’s been used to this, dressing up to blend into the crowd, admiring the beauty of his kingdom. It’s a whole new world for him, and he’ll always be in awe whenever he sees the wave of people coming in and out of the shops, the shouting and laughing of the people enjoying their time together, and the kids running around as they play with each other.
It was a refreshing sight for San, seeing the kingdom he will rule being this… lively. Loved- as they should be, and free from the wars of the past. Unlike that place…
He shook his head as if it could make him forget… everything . He pinched himself back to reality, inhaling the serenity around him.
And he would like to keep this peace all to himself because this is the place he vowed to protect, whether there’ll be an oath or not.
All for him .
But today, a different feeling bubbled as he finally walked inside a cabin after making sure that no one trailed him. He sighed, feeling the weight of the apples he bought was a little bit way too heavy than usual- was it really just the apples though?
His thoughts were cut short when his eyes landed on the guy frantically coming down the stairs, fear and affection pooling in his eyes as he frowned at him and- wait, what is he doing here?
“Why are you here-“
“Where have you been?” the two inquiries float in the air as they both stare at each other, both fighting for authority and neither of them are backing down. It was so unlikely for Yeosang to be this agitated, he knew, but for some odd reasons he doesn’t want to lose.
“San, your wounds are not fully healed yet . You shouldn’t just-“ the tightness in his chest is now bearable as Yeosang removes his cloak and gets the stuff he bought at the market, him finally closing their distance as he carefully looks into his wounds, “you shouldn’t just move around. Go back to bed and I’ll peel some apples for you.”
“And let you stay here? Yunho would be mad, you know.” San ignored how the prince flinched at his remark, even more as he felt the scorching gaze at his back when he proceeded walking at their kitchen, “he said that you should distance yourself from me-“
“For now .”
“… for now, and let the rumors simmer down. Or do you want me to leave?” he felt his heart ache when he saw his crestfallen face that he wanted to sprint across the room and gave him a tight hug but he stopped himself.
“But your wounds…” he can hear concern lacing at his words that San almost wants to obey him– almost , but he didn’t.
“Just because I’m no longer a prince doesn’t mean I’ve turned into a damsel in distress.”
“That’s not what I mean…” Ah, shit. Great, he just made him feel guilty for something he shouldn’t be .
“Sorry, just- just sit for now, I’ll peel these for us- and no, you can’t help. You’ll only wound yourself.” San can’t help but be blinded at how Yeosang smiled when he gave him indirect permission to stay.
He chuckled as Yeosang followed him like a little puppy, wagging his tails and begging his master for a pet to his head. He gave him just what he wanted before shooing him back to his seat.
“How did you even manage to escape Yunho’s sight?”
“Well, first of all, you shouldn’t underestimate my skills!” he squeaked, puffing his chest as if he just became the king of this land.
And well, soon he’ll be, San knew.
He knew that he isn’t just another elite boy that is miraculously close to the heir of the throne- he is the heir of the throne himself. He can’t hide it, not when he’s always clothed in jewels and fancy suits, skin as clear as a porcelain doll that no beauty can compare to his alone.
He always knew that Yeosang was the prince of the kingdom Utopia. That he is more than just his savior, him- the exiled prince of kingdom Aurora.
The same exiled prince the rumors’ spreading around.
It’s been a month now since his god saved him from the scythe of death, his life playing dangerously between the line of heaven and hell. His whole body was covered in bruises and wounds so deep that Yeosang thought what he had found was nothing but a skeleton of what used to be a prince.
And when San finally saw the daylight, caressing soft whispers of assurance and fondness, it became clear: he will serve his whole life protecting this new found light that is him – his lifeline.
But what if his presence itself would be his fall from grace?
“-stop!” Yeosang’s warmth made him go back to reality, his parted lips is too close for comfort that San started scrambling away from him. That was dangerous (for his heart and sanity).
“Don’t move away! We need to stop the bleeding first.” San did not register what he meant with that , not when he was led in front of the running sink, water turning into crimson red.
Red. Blood…
And suddenly, he was brought back to the time when uncertainty is what the path is leading him to. Too much dark, too much pain. It hurts, it hurts, it hurts.
He shakily clenched his fist as he stopped letting his hands be cleaned, he doesn’t even care if Yeosang’s looking at him as if he’s looking at a brittle glass– useless and burdensome. San’s breath hitched as the air suddenly froze.
That murky, bleak future he had pictured when he was sentenced with “guilty” all coming up to him, body getting dragged out of the comfort of his own home. The same home who had betrayed and stabbed him in his back, literally.
He suddenly can’t feel his arms, mind going numb as countless memories come rushing through his aching head, not even his daylight can save him from this painful execution he’s going through. Just like that time .
Can’t breath, too much– it hurts hurts hurts hurts.
And then, a bright light lifts him up from his misery. As if it can sense that he’s back, that he needs something, someone, who’ll save him.
Except that it appeared in the guise of Yeosang’s lips.
Yeosang- the guy who saved him with his dazzling light, is now kissing him as if he’s reassuring him that he is enough, he’s not a burden. That he is here for him, always.
It was an innocent one, a kiss so pure like him that he shyly turned his head as if he’s giving San permission to dive deeper.
And he did.
He slowly tilted his head, a frantic hand grabbing onto his hair while the other rested on his hips to steady his weakening legs, a tiny whimper escaping through his lips as San pulled him closer. Lifting him with ease, he lets Yeosang sit down at the table. Yeosang cupped him in his cheeks as he moaned when their tongue met halfway, both hungry for warmth as if they’ve been waiting for this their whole life.
And well, San does. He’ll be lying if he said he’s not attracted to the prince; not only is he kind and smart, he’s also pretty– beyond pretty – inside and out.
The way his nose crunches whenever he’s in deep thought, or the way his ears flushed whenever he’s embarrassed with San’s excessive praises, or the way his eyes lit up he sees San looking at his window as he arrives home sneakily; he loves all of that about him.
How he makes him feel at home.
Home . Ah, yes. This is what home’s supposed to feel like. Easing down his worries, assuring him that he’s more than enough, and he will always be enough that no rumor can make him go back to that hellhole just to feel something.
He can almost hear a whine escaping Yeosang’s lips when their mouths part ways, it took everything for San to not bring their lips back again.
But not now, not when Yeosang’s eyes’ filled to the brim with tears and– holy shit did he just make him cry?
“Oh god, please don’t cry, Yeo. I’m sorry, I- I thought it was okay- it was fine to- to kiss you because- shh, please don’t cry baby.”
“You scared me,” Yeosang said between sobs, “I thought you’re gonna leave and I- I can’t save you just like before and- and I can’t bear to lose you . Not now, not ever .”
And suddenly, San could feel himself bathing into his light, the walls no longer in its stand and the feelings he piled up now out in the open as he hugged him tightly.
“I will not leave you, not in this lifetime or the others. I will be your knight if it means it can stop you from hurting. I will lay down my life for you, my prince,” he can feel him flinch at his sudden declaration, but he cannot stop, “if it’s you, then I’ll stay . Here, right where home is.”
For what seems like eternity, clarity is what he can see. It no longer matters if his kingdom turned their back on him. As long as he’s with him, then all’s well.
As long as he can see him shine, then he’ll be his lifeline, even if it means he’ll fall like Icarus.
“Is that a promise?” he sniffled down a sob as San crashed their lips again, a small smile stretching.
“Yes, it’s a promise.”
And finally, the weight lightens.