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White marble is gently illuminated by candlelight, shadows flowing over the glossy floors and pillars like unsteady ocean waves. A soft breeze is moving the equally white curtains, curling like clouds and feathers in the air. There is nothing that would be more beautiful than the castle of the Moon Kingdom, looking across the universe in all of its sparkling glory and faint harp music.
There is, however, one thing that is rumored to be even more stunning, more elegant and handsome than the Kingdom and that is its Prince himself. Hair just as silver as the Moon, eyes sparkling gray like the stars across the firmament, tall and thin, that’s how the few people who have seen him describe him. Always has been frail, protected by his mother, locked away deep in the castle. They say nothing compares to him, not even the most luscious garden of moonflowers.
There are hearsays, whispers, throughout the whole Kingdom, that this year might be different from all the thousand years that have passed. That the Prince will show his face soon, his mother eager to crown him the King as her time is fading. It becomes more and more obvious when servants are ordered to decorate the castle in its native moonflowers and white roses, night-blooming jasmine branches that leave a sweet scent wafting through the hallways, quietly announcing the change that is to come.
“My son,” the Queen herself addresses her son one of those days and Ricky slowly opens his eyes from where he was smelling one of the roses, thick and heavy in his hand. She’s ethereal, even at her age, of which Ricky only knows that she has lived longer than most of the Kingdom has, as she steps over to his side, the tail of her dress dragging over the floor without noise.
“Mother,” he inclines his head in greeting, voice deep in the silence their garden carries. He can’t deny that his heart is heavy with his mother’s plans, weighing on him like it’s going to drag him into the depths of the waves and drown him. Never before in his life has he had to carry so much responsibility. He can’t imagine a life without her, even though he knows that a life isn’t endless, no matter how long you have been in this universe.
“Would you join me on a walk?” she asks and holds out her elbow for him to take, tilting her head with a small smile. A smile Ricky knows all too well, has seen too many times recently. Reassuring and nurturing, to dim his worries. Deep down, he’s scared, his teachers could only tell him so much about the other planets and their Kingdoms that he soon will have to engage with. He has never encountered anyone outside of the castle in his life and now he’s supposed to be King and negotiate with everyone…
Nevertheless, he accepts the invitation, carefully links his arm with the Queen’s, before they proceed to stroll through the Moon Kingdom’s garden. It’s one of the few places that has greenery, trees and bushes and grass, flowers blooming in all colors of the rainbow, apparently a present from the Earth Kingdom that was cultivated over the centuries, the palace otherwise filled with lots of marble, fountains and soft lights. Ricky always wondered how it might look on Earth if their small garden was already filled with so much life. He has spent hours upon hours in their library, reading about Earth, all of the animals there, the bugs, the weather, the large oceans and deserts, all of it sounding incredible to his imagination. Never could tell if it was only the need for a change, the urge to explore or his plain hope that maybe elsewhere something better was waiting for him, that made him so curious.
If only he could go there someday…
But he knows better and has been told almost every day of his comparatively short life so far. No one from the Moon Kingdom is to ever descend to the Earth Kingdom, no foot will touch its plain or they will all have to fear the consequences. What those consequences are, no one ever dared to explain to Ricky, too severe to even think of or so he’s been told countless times. He never quite could grasp the meaning of that, too young to understand, always frustrated by everyone he asked avoiding giving him a proper answer to his questions.
“My son, I’m afraid my time is nearing.”
Ricky’s heart stumbles in his chest and his fingers tighten their grip around his mother’s arm. Has it always felt that thin and frail? They’re all aware of the rumors, but to hear it from his own mother… To face that reality when it could have simply been chatter from outside the castle, having to accept the inevitable…
“We will be holding a reception, both to introduce you to the other Kingdoms and to announce you officially as my successor.”
Again, Ricky struggles for a long moment to process everything he’s being told. Yet he doesn’t say anything, words failing him and tongue bound in his mouth since his fate has been decided long ago and there is nothing he can change about it.
“Zhang Hao from the Venus Kingdom will help you with any assistance and advice you might need in the future, my son. He has been by my side for a very long time and I promise he is very reliable and trustworthy.”
Ricky has heard of him before. His mother surely has mentioned him fondly and still, this isn’t soothing him right now at all. At least he won’t be entirely alone once his mother is… gone. Just gone. Leaving behind a hole in the Kingdom that he will have to fill with his own presence.
“But I want to remind you,” the Queen carefully chooses her words, stopping in her steps to take Ricky’s hands between hers. Letting his eyes drift over his mother’s face, he realizes how old she has grown, how the times have carved themselves into her skin, each wrinkle a proof of past events. “We have always had a deep connection with the Earth Kingdom and this will continue with your reign. Their King will be as loyal to you in the future as he was to me, our fates have been linked since ancient times. But do never visit the Earth Kingdom, do not attempt to go to Earth, no matter how many invitations they send out of courtesy and no matter how tempting it might be. They know you can’t attend their events and will invite you out of kindness and loyalty, so do not worry about declining each of them. They aren’t bad people, quite the opposite, and you can trust them, even though it might feel a little intense and overwhelming at first, but the consequences of you setting foot on Earth would be severe.”
Again, with the consequences that no one ever bothers to explain to Ricky. His eyebrows pull into a small frown and he lowers his glance to their hands between them. He doesn’t mention how badly he wants to see the Earth with his own eyes, wants to smell the change of seasons and feel the icy breeze in his hair during winter, the sweat sticking to his skin during summer. How can a second of him on that planet have such a bad effect? As far as he remembers, his mother never has been to the Earth Kingdom either, but the more he hears about him not being allowed to visit, the more he thinks the problem must be himself and not the consequences it might bring.
“Your Majesty,” one of their servants interrupts their walk and with that takes away Ricky’s chance to ask once more, the Queen excusing herself with a last gentle squeeze of her son’s hands.
The days after that pass too fast, his eyes constantly trained on the planet they’re orbiting. He wonders what their Prince will be like, if he’s as trustworthy as his mother told him and if he’s carrying the scents of the Earth with him. Perhaps, he’s imagining it all a little too vividly and finds himself blushing at the thought of someone smelling like pine trees and fire and their skin feeling like rain puddles warmed by the sunshine to the touch, smooth and gentle. Pretty surely that’s not possible, but it paints a nice picture on his mind, something he wants to hold onto when he eventually meets the Earth’s Prince. At least, if the Prince isn’t anything like his imagination, then he won’t be tempted to visit his Kingdom anymore.
What follows are royal duties that Ricky fulfills with grace and patience as he has done his whole life long, fittings for new robes, the writing of his speech for the announcement of him being the future King, and more lessons about politics, relationships and personalities. It’s tiring, but he’s used to it and he enjoys watching the hallways and the ballroom slowly filling with more and more decorations every day. He does meet Venus’ Prince Hao about a week before the other guests arrive at the Moon Palace, indeed a quite pleasant character that Ricky can tell he will get along with in the future.
The sun is shining pleasantly where they sit together on one of the balconies one of those days, birds singing in the trees in the gardens under them. It’s still quiet during that time, his mother being the one who is busy with preparations for the event currently, so Ricky is left to his own devices. He finds himself not minding too much, now that he has a newfound friend with him, Hao enthusiastically sharing some gossip from the Venus Kingdom with him that Ricky has some difficulty keeping up with, too many new names and too many details. But he’s trying, because Hao is adorable, his bright smile and the uncharacteristically deep laughter betraying his cute looks, the confidence that is shining from within him contagious. Ricky is easily captured by the older one’s personality.
“And you know what?” Hao continues and Ricky by now has learned that this is how he introduces a sudden topic change. “The Prince of the Earth Kingdom?”
Oh… Ricky feels himself tensing up slightly, leaning closer. He’s so curious, he honestly should do something about that. Any mention of the Earth makes him prick up his ears, especially now that he’s so close to meeting someone from there. Nervously, he’s chewing on his lip, until Hao reaches up and gently pats his cheek like he might pet a cat’s head, making a small motion to signal Ricky to stop that. For the past few days, Hao truly has been taking the best care of the Moon’s Prince, both mentally and physically.
“What about the Prince?” Ricky asks instead, his lip indeed already pulsing with pain a bit. If Hao hadn’t reminded him, it surely would have been swollen soon.
At least the question gets Hao back on topic, his lips pursing into an amused smirk at the same time as he raises his eyebrows. Ricky is intrigued. “He seems to have found a liking in you already…”
“Huh?” Ricky replies unintelligently, eyes bulging, before he quickly covers his gaping mouth with his hand. What? How? They’ve never met before! Suddenly his cheeks are feeling hot and he’s blinking rapidly at Hao, shaking his head. “How would that be possible!”
Hao being Hao, his laughter rings clearly and loudly, probably all the way down the balcony and into the wide gardens. Somewhere a bird shrieks as if the noise offended it and flaps away into the distance. Ricky doesn’t feel as flustered as he usually would with anyone else when Hao is laughing like that, he can tell there’s no harm behind it. If anything, the arm wrapping around his and Hao pulling the Moon Prince close against his side, only comfort him into listening attentively again.
“They really didn’t teach you a lot during all those lessons, huh?” Hao tsks quietly but then continues. “There’s a legend out there or maybe it’s more of a retelling? History repeating itself? Either way, the Earth and the Moon are forever connected. Your Majesty the Queen of the Moon is also very close to the Earth’s current King, albeit not as close as you might imagine now. But some tell stories about past generations having become very close with each other over time.”
And when Ricky only stares in confusion, Hao lightly pokes his nose. “As in lovers, my dear Prince. Fate might determine the connection between those two Kingdoms, but it can’t stop relationships from forming or where love falls in the end. And while they might not have shown you anything about the Earth Prince, I can promise you that he’s heard and seen a lot of you and has studied the Moon Kingdom and its customs thoroughly. And he’s definitely excited to meet you soon.”
It’s Hao, too, who leans closer a day before the big event to whisper in Ricky’s ear that the Earth’s Prince has arrived and would like to meet with Ricky beforehand.
“Outside? In the garden?” Ricky repeats Hao’s words, voice equally hushed and Hao nods at him, a smile gracing his lips.
“He will be waiting for you if you don’t deny him this request. But I promise he means no harm to you in any way, your Majesty.”
Ricky is… confused. He doesn’t know what to think of this, truly, he rarely has had contact with anyone within the castle, not to mention outside of the Kingdom. Why would the Prince want to meet him before the event tomorrow? What could there be that they need to meet for in private, away from prying eyes? Could it be about their entwined fate? Will he be like what Ricky has been imagining…? Endless fields and blossoming flowers…
“I will go see him,” Ricky decides and Hao nods diligently, leading Ricky through the castle to the mentioned garden where the Prince is waiting at for him. His curiosity about the Earth yet again wins, his heart fluttering in excitement. He has so many questions, maybe this is the only moment he will get to ask them and maybe the Prince even knows why Ricky is not allowed to ever visit him in his Kingdom.
Or maybe they won’t like each other at all and fate will have betrayed them, oh, how horrendous that would be…
When they arrive, Hao points at one of the benches in the shadows of the castle walls overlooking the garden and excuses himself, leaving Ricky alone to speak to the Prince. That does make him even more nervous, not used to introducing himself as everyone in the castle already knows who he is even if they have never met him before. The figure in the shadows doesn’t give away much, not before Ricky gets used to the change of lights, stepping into the dark from the sunshine that is making the green around them appear even more vivid.
Despite his slow approach, he doesn’t have a lot of time to react when the man in front of him suddenly jumps up from his seat with a thrilled noise, pretty much running over to Ricky to throw his arms around the Moon Prince. Ricky can only blink at that, freezing on the spot when warmth engulfs him in a hug, taking him off-guard. He should be scared and call for help, because who knows what the Earth Prince is going to do if it’s the Prince at all, but Ricky does none of it. Too much is he intrigued by the scent. Like soil warmed up by the sun, a rose freshly bloomed. It shouldn’t feel as familiar as it does to him and yet it does, makes him relax in the Prince’s arms. And his laughter in Ricky’s ears, so bright and pure, Ricky’s heart pounding in his chest like it never has before.
“Prince Ricky of the Moon Kingdom!” The man eventually exclaims, letting go of Ricky slightly to get a good look at him which leaves Ricky’s cheeks flushing from the intense gaze. That’s the first thing Ricky notices after the comforting scent, the Earth Prince’s eyes, dark and still sparkling at him like they carry a million stars. “I’m so happy that we can meet already! But where are my manners, let me introduce myself. I’m Prince Hanbin from the Earth Kingdom and I’m more than pleased to meet you.”
To say that Hanbin bowing at him in the most polite, elegant manner, just like Ricky has always been taught during his lessons, would get him any less flustered, would be an understatement. If anything, he blushes more, his ears burning under his silver hair, but he can’t deny himself a good long look at Hanbin either. Long limbs and strong muscles under his regal, dark blue uniform, the raven black hair perfectly styled on his head. When the Earth Prince lifts his head again, Ricky realizes that they’re almost at the same height, staring directly into each other’s eyes. Hanbin’s smile is warm and welcoming, just like his hug has been and Ricky quickly drops his gaze, inclining his head in a small nod.
“I’m pleased to meet you as well,” he mutters, forgetting about courtesy in all of his confusion and shyness, but Hanbin doesn’t seem to mind if the way he’s tilting his head is any indication.
“Do you know why I called you here?” Hanbin asks instead, gracefully ignoring the Moon Prince’s odd behavior and Ricky shakes his head at the reminder that they likely shouldn’t even be here together, not before the official introduction tomorrow. “I was curious, you know? About you and this Kingdom. I’ve visited a lot of Kingdoms in this universe so far, but the Moon has always been my father’s duty. This is the first time I am here. Well, from what I remember. Did you know that we’ve met before?”
Now Ricky is outright staring at the Prince in front of him in disbelief. Hanbin releases another laugh, ringing so lightly that it sounds like a dove’s wing flap to Ricky. The Earth’s Prince crosses his hands behind his back and Ricky follows him along as he starts strolling through the garden, looking around with wide eyes, apparently in awe at what he’s seeing.
“No, I… I didn’t know,” Ricky stammers, trying really hard to remember, but nothing comes to mind. No one has ever mentioned anything in his lessons either.
“I’m not surprised. I was born only a couple years before you and at the time my parents brought me along to a visit here on the Moon, I was barely a toddler. They told me you were still a baby, so to be fair I don’t remember a lot from here or you either. But I’ve been eager to see this beautiful place again all this time.”
That long ago…? Ricky has some trouble believing that, but it makes sense that they’re around the same age and thus might have met in the past.
“Why didn’t we meet again after that…?” He wonders out loud and Hanbin stops in his tracks, smiling at Ricky. There’s some melancholy on his face that Ricky might as well only be imagining, he only knows Hanbin for a good five minutes after all. Or maybe there actually is more behind it? Why is everything about him so confusing?
“They didn’t tell you?” Hanbin asks and it feels like a heavy weight has been dropped on Ricky. He knows, the Earth’s Prince knows something…? Could it be? The melancholy slowly melts into pity before Hanbin’s gaze moves away from Ricky, drifting over the garden instead. Ricky’s hand moves to Hanbin’s sleeve all by itself, tugging slightly.
“Tell me, please…” Ricky’s voice is shaking at the implications, Hanbin’s eyes back on his, more schooled and patient than before. Someone who can tell Ricky, someone who knows… “Tell me about the consequences, please, what happens if I visit your Kingdom? Why haven’t we met again, why haven’t I met anyone else before?”
All those years of never being told, are they finally over? He must sound and look desperate to Hanbin, Ricky seemingly being the only one who’s never been brought into the loop about something so severe that only he himself could cause. The wind stills around them, silence settling like a heavy curtain, wrapping them in a space that is only for them and shutting everything else out. Hanbin’s hand settles over his, fingers wrapping around Ricky’s. Holding his hand gently, the smile on his face as sad as it’s forgiving, loving, almost.
“Prince Ricky, that-”
The second of hesitation from Hanbin is what takes away any chance Ricky had of hearing the truth, one of the servants suddenly interrupting them as she calls for the Prince’s attention. Ricky wants to curse and send her away, but he can’t act out now, not one day before his announcement as the King. Not when it would disappoint his mother so much.
Hanbin keeps holding his hand, eyes unwavering on his, until Ricky eventually is forced to nod his head as he excuses himself, heart stumbling and pounding in his chest with both frustration and newfound hope. And maybe something else that he can’t quite name yet as he feels Hanbin’s eyes following him along through the garden until he disappears from his sight.
It pains him for the rest of the day, that he might know the truth by now if only they had had more time. Night arrives faster than he likes it to with all the duties he still has to fulfill the day before the event, among them a last moon water bath and a ceremonial blessing by his mother and a moon priestess. He’s supposed to sleep after that, keep his mind empty for tomorrow by getting some rest, but…
“Hao-hyung?” Ricky calls for his fellow Prince instead, the older one appearing by his side immediately. “Can you bring Prince Hanbin to me?”
The former eagerly expecting expression on Hao’s face quickly turns into one of hesitation. They might not be from the same Kingdoms, but Ricky’s mother must have informed Hao about the rituals of the Moon’s initiation process.
“I don’t think you should see anyone tonight, you should stay al-”
“I am aware,” Ricky cuts Hao’s words short, guilt gnawing at his heart a little, because he didn’t mean to sound that harsh. But he doesn’t have enough time and might not have another chance. He wouldn’t be able to find any sleep tonight with his mind so occupied. “Please, Hao-hyung. Please, I promise I will make it as short as possible.”
There must be something in his eyes or maybe the Venus’ Prince is pitying him, either way, he sighs after a moment and excuses himself again. He doesn’t give Ricky a direct reply, making his heart sting with worry, but now all he can do is trust. And maybe he should be concerned that he’s breaking one of the ritual rules and about what his mother will do when she finds out, but he just can’t find it in himself right now. Not when there’s so much more at stake.
What will he do when he finds out what his being actually means? Will he break down? What if it’s all not as bad as he’s been told? Or worse? His mind is a mess, questions over questions that no one ever seems to have an answer for. All he knows is that he will have some peace of mind tomorrow if he hears the truth today. And that, his heart says, is better than to start his new life without having filled that void about himself.
After what feels like hours to Ricky, but probably were only a couple of minutes, there’s a knock on the door. His heart almost jumps out of his chest, before he carefully pulls the door open to Hanbin standing before him. The Earth’s Prince doesn’t look much different from their time together in the garden, with the same pants and white button-down shirt, but the jacket has disappeared.
“I apologize for having called you, I hope I didn’t wake you,” Ricky mumbles as he lets Hanbin inside, realizing too late that he has never let anyone aside from the Moon folk in here before, except for Hao. His eyes drift over his room, the white and gray furniture, silver silk and blueish hues with golden accents across the decorations, wonders if it’s clean enough to welcome a prince. Something about Hanbin seems to fluster Ricky every time they meet, the Earth’s Prince sticking out from his surroundings with his dark hair and yet fitting in so well that it confuses Ricky even more.
“Don’t worry, your Majesty, I wasn’t asleep yet,” Hanbin easily replies, shrugging Ricky’s worries off. “What is it that you wanted to see me for?”
His mind is twisting and turning, coming to the conclusion that this is stupid. Ricky must have lost his mind and he must have turned back into a naive child. Why would he trust someone he talked to for five minutes and barely has known for a couple of hours? What if Hanbin actually doesn’t know anything and only wants to sneak his way into Ricky’s chamber? His heart is fluttering so much, unsure of what to do suddenly. But isn’t it too late to turn back now?
“Can I trust you?” The words tumble off his tongue and trickle down his lips like dew drops in the morning, fading into Hanbin’s gaze on him. If Ricky didn’t know better, he would think those dark eyes are absorbing the words, letting them sink in slowly.
“I am loyal to you, Prince of the Moon Kingdom. There is no reason for me to lie to you or hide something from you as I will always be honest with you. Our fates have been decided long ago and I am willing to follow its path that inevitably was bound to cross and intertwine with yours. That isn’t to say I’m not my own person, I am here by my own will and not because fate or the royal court want me to be.”
Ricky releases a shaky breath. His eyes don’t leave Hanbin’s for even a second until the last bit of his doubt has melted away and the Earth’s Prince allows him that time. Dropping his gaze and the last bits of his hesitance, swallowing down the rest of it, he points at the couch in his room.
“Let’s sit, I think I need to sit for this…”
Ever so politely, Hanbin inclines his head and holds a hand out for Ricky to gently lead him over to the couch to sit down together. It’s almost laughable that Hanbin treats him like the prince he is in his own rooms when it should be Ricky being more accommodating towards his guest. But right now he appreciates Hanbin taking over the lead, his mind struggling too much with everything going on.
“I assume this is about what I said earlier,” Hanbin concludes once they’re seated and the Moon’s Prince nods at that. “Why we couldn’t meet again all those years…”
Ricky’s eyes glimmer with hope and anticipation, carefully holding back any rushed words. “I’ve never been told why I couldn’t visit anyone. Why no one has come here to visit me… I thought it’s me, that I am… the problem…”
“Oh Moonchild…” Hanbin’s voice is full of regret and guilt when he gently holds Ricky’s hands in his once more, caressing them like they’re very precious to him. Like Ricky is someone he truly cares for. And Ricky wants to believe it, at this moment, even if it’s irrational. “I’m sorry that they didn’t tell you and I will share my knowledge with you, but first I want to make sure that you know that this is not about you personally, okay? You are not at fault for any of this. And I will do everything in my power to protect you in the future.”
“Why…?” Ricky’s eyes drift over Hanbin’s face, looking for any signs of his words not being true. There aren’t any. Only pure honesty and determination are what he finds on the other one’s face. And his heart, it wants to trust so badly, wants to follow the small smile tugging on Hanbin’s lips.
“While most of it might sound bleak at first,” Hanbin explains patiently, “it is my duty as the Earth’s future King to support and guard the Moonchild from any harm. That, in turn, will protect the Earth.”
That’s what Ricky can do as the King…? He did, of course, learn international relationships and politics, but he never was aware that his presence would play such a significant role, in protecting a whole planet and its Kingdom. Kind of difficult to believe when in the same breath they always reminded him to never meddle with the Earth Kingdom…
“Listen, the thing is…” And this time when Hanbin continues, his face is serious. “You can not visit the Earth. It would disrupt life in itself, from what I know it could cause severe changes in nature, like tidal forces increasing and the gravitational pull losing its balance. Even the Moon itself would be affected. To put it short, you are so powerful that your sheer presence on Earth might destroy both planets.”
Someone must have opened a hole under Ricky’s body because it feels like he’s losing all of his senses all at once, his heart suddenly in a free fall that leaves him dizzy. His breath doesn’t reach his lungs anymore and his mind is playing the same awful images over and over again, making him suffocate slowly. Him? Destroying anything? He never even has left the castle once in his life! How can this be possible, how could he ever hurt anyone… Whole planets that he both loves so much… The tears springing to his eyes don’t help at all as he tries to seek out Hanbin’s guidance once more, shaking his head desperately.
“I would never do anything like that…!”
“I know, love, I know…” He must be truly losing his mind after having heard that reality, because Hanbin’s hands reaching for Ricky’s face, cradling it so gently between his palms and wiping away the tears from the corners of Ricky’s eyes, it actually feels comforting and he finds himself leaning into the touch. Some tears still run down his face when he closes his eyes, everything feeling too much and not enough at once. “Breathe for me, Ricky…?”
Leaving one hand on Ricky’s face, Hanbin reaches for one of Ricky’s hands and places it on his own chest, breathing in and out deeply for him to follow along. If only his heart wasn’t choking him all the way up in his throat, but he tries, tries so hard, until his breaths eventually even out with time, his thoughts, his heart calming down and his chest stopping to feel like it’s collapsing in on him.
“I promise, no, I swear by my own life that I will be by your side whenever you need me, Ricky,” Hanbin whispers with an intensity that makes Ricky shudder, shaking his head once more, but the hands on his cheek and against Hanbin’s chest remind him of the Earth Prince’s presence, that he is here with him already, keeping his word when he simply could get up and leave. “I will bring you the most beautiful flowers and the ripest fruits, I will trap the wind for you and collect seashells at the beach, I’d even catch you whatever animal you’re asking me for and bring everything to the Moon for you if that’s what your heart is longing for.”
What his heart is longing for… At the thought, Ricky releases a wet, frustrated chuckle, leaning closer blindly, too exhausted to hold himself up any longer, until his head meets Hanbin’s shoulder and arms wrap around him in a comforting hug. What his heart has been longing for is now not possible anymore, never had been to begin with and they’re both aware of that. All his life, his only wish has been to visit the Earth Kingdom someday, so what is his future supposed to look like now? His whole life will change in a couple of hours and suddenly, he doesn’t feel prepared at all anymore.
He has never felt so scared and lost before…
“Stay with me, please…? I don’t want to be alone tonight…”
“I promised I’ll be by your side, right? I’m right here and I won’t leave if you don’t want me to.”
The last time he slept in someone’s arms must have been when he still used to sneak into his mother's bed for cuddles at night ages ago. Ricky has offered Hanbin a pair of his own pajamas and they fit surprisingly well, but Ricky isn’t allowing himself to think further about someone wearing his clothes and the implications of that. Not that there are any, really, he reminds himself several times. Actually, he’s quite eager to go back to following the rituals, now that the gap in his life has been filled. He doesn’t want to anger his mother even more than will inevitably happen when they wake up in the morning and Hanbin gladly supports him with that, so they go back to what Ricky was supposed to do - go to sleep and wait for a sign from the Moon Goddess.
Ricky didn’t ask for it, but when they’re settled in bed, Hanbin’s arms again securely around him, the Earth’s Prince starts humming a song. It’s low, but melodic, reaches Ricky’s ears perfectly with how close they are, without keeping him awake for long. The light taps of Hanbin’s hand against his back make him fall asleep faster than he has done in a long while, sending him into depths of his mind that he hasn’t visited before.
He knows he’s doing something right when he finds himself in a dream that feels a lot like the moonlight has wrapped itself around him, waves surrounding him, cool to the touch. He feels Her presence all around him, but can’t see Her, which is something his mother has described to him before, so he’s not scared. It’s part of the ritual, the Goddess showing herself in a dream and thus accepting the successor of the throne. Oh, how many times he tried to imagine this moment and yet it feels nothing like it, so much more ethereal than a simple brain can come up with.
“I accept you, Moonchild.”
To his surprise - something his mother hasn’t told him about - the scenery slowly changes around him. Now there are fields of green grass and wheat swaying in the breeze, flowers growing around his feet and trees throwing their shade, sunlight sparkling through the leaves above him. Mountains, harsh and spiky, rivers that rush through forests and valleys, animals that jump away as if they have noticed Ricky’s presence. The full moon in all of its silver glory illuminating this side of the planet above him, accompanied by countless stars, as it watches Ricky’s presence in a place he will never truly be at.
It takes him a moment to realize that the Moon Goddess is showing him life on Earth, graciously granting him a peek at what he always wanted to experience himself, but won’t be able to. And it fills his heart to the brim, makes him take in a breath so deep that it fills his lungs all the way down to the furthest cell. A gentle kiss against his forehead from Her, full of love and acceptance, a silent promise that it will be okay.
A last image is shown to him that makes Ricky’s ears burn even in his sleep, his heart pounding fast in his chest. Are you sure? He wants to ask the Goddess while he’s watching that familiar face surrounded by his own palace on Earth and while no actual words leave his lips, a small white bird lands on his shoulder and whispers into his ear.
“Trust and love, youngling, you will find your place in this world and beyond.”
He wakes up by sucking in a breath, similar to how it felt whenever he dived into the moon lakes for too long, breaking the surface between dream and reality. Hanbin’s hands are still on him, rubbing soothing circles over his back, grounding him.
“You started glowing overnight. That’s a good sign from the Moon Goddess, right?” Hanbin asks in a whisper, voice still a little hoarse, hair tousled and eyes swollen from sleep, but very much wide with awe at Ricky’s sight. He’s the epitome of everything Ricky’s dream showed him, the true representant of the Earth Kingdom and when Ricky lifts his fingers to the Prince’s face, his moonly glow is just fading away, drawing a light trace of silvery shine over Hanbin’s skin where Ricky’s fingertips touch it.
“I saw you in my dream,” he speaks softly, a smile tugging on his lips at Hanbin’s surprised expression. “And I am ready for today, I am not afraid of my future anymore. She showed me how to trust last night.”
In any other situation, Ricky might have elaborated and would have waited for Hanbin to ask him about the dream and its details. But he’s captivated, eyes following the dark eyes and long lashes so up close, the rosy cheeks, down to the soft smile where they linger. Not once in his life has Ricky felt like this, warmth spreading from deep within his stomach and reaching all the way to his fingertips that tingle nervously.
Of course, he’s heard about falling in love and read endless amounts of novels from the castle’s libraries about heroines and heroes, foreign princes and princesses, fairies and pirates and merpeople, who all found love among themselves or in strange places. All this time he never truly cared about any of that, wondered if he’d ever experience anything more than a silly crush on someone he was observing from far away.
To now be in the same bed, having slept in each other’s arms, only knowing each other for less than 24 hours, it feels like Ricky’s heart has skipped a couple of big steps while making its decision to present the Prince his first love. Fate, sure, but something tells Ricky he might have fallen for that smile and gentle attitude sooner or later either way.
To their luck or dismay, they get reminded that there is duty waiting for Ricky when Hao calls through the door - specifically only mentioning Ricky’s name in a bit of an exaggerated manner, so he assumes that some of the servants are already waiting for him. And that Hao will take care of them outside the door while they get up, giving Hanbin a chance to escape unnoticed. Ricky will have to thank him for that later.
“I guess I should leave before someone finds me in here…” Hanbin whispers into their private moment, hand reaching up to wrap around Ricky’s and lowering the Moon Prince’s fingers to his lips, leaving the softest kiss on them. “Hao-hyung will scold me if I occupy you all for myself any longer, Moonchild.”
“Will I see you later?”
The question is silly and Ricky realizes so a second after he posed it, blinking rapidly as he’s fumbling for better words. Of course, he’ll see Hanbin later, today’s event is the whole purpose of him being here to begin with, Ricky’s brain is not working properly so shortly after waking up…
Clearly, Hanbin doesn’t seem to mind, if his sweet laugh is any indication, soft lips pushing against Ricky’s forehead a moment later, right where the Goddess had caressed him in his dream. His heart and stomach tremble so much that a whole kaleidoscope of butterflies must be hiding in his chest, ready to burst free and fill the room with shy flutters.
“I will be there for you later and forever, Prince Ricky, future King of the Moon. And I hope your day will be filled with laughter and happiness, your Majesty.”
Upon another knock on the door, they do eventually part and Hao lets the Earth’s Prince escape from Ricky’s bedroom without giving any further comment past an amused, raised eyebrow directed at Ricky.
Once he’s been dressed, the ceremonial clothes of the Moon Kingdom flow over his skin the same way her Goddess’ touch had felt in his dream, silky and cool and for the first time in his life, Ricky doesn’t mind wearing them. They never felt comfortable before, too heavy on his young shoulders, too long to walk in them without stumbling. Now they seem to fit, made for him, layer over layer in silvers and grays and light blues, accessories that shine even in darkness, jingling quietly whenever he moves.
Ricky would be lying if he said his whole outlook on this event hadn’t changed overnight. It’s still incredibly scary and he still doesn’t know how to handle his mother leaving soon, but now he knows that he won’t be alone and that both Hao and Hanbin will be by his side whenever he needs them. He will focus on his duties properly to prove himself to his Kingdom.
And everyone is keeping him so busy that he doesn’t even have the chance to think a lot, which is probably for the better because it prevents him from becoming nervous. Everything happens so fast that he finds himself standing in the ballroom suddenly, every bit of it filled with faces he’s never seen before. Only when they reach the part of his mother stepping onto the podium at the head of the room, announcing Ricky’s name, that’s when he starts feeling anxious. He’s not used to having so many eyes on him, so much responsibility to carry. What if he messes up, if the people of his Kingdom don’t even want him as their leader?
Future King of the Moon, it rings in his ears, the pride he could hear in Hanbin’s voice, even though Ricky truly hasn’t achieved anything grand just yet. Maybe never will, but Hanbin seemed to be so sure of Ricky’s abilities and his future position, that his eyes now seek out the Earth’s Prince in the mass of people staring up at him, looking for some reassurance.
The moment he spots him, the same proud smile on his lips, the formal uniform of the Earth Kingdom in its greens and browns and dark blues making him look even more impressive, it all brings the fluttering feeling in Ricky’s chest back. When Hanbin sends him an encouraging nod, Ricky is unable to stop a smile from spreading on his own lips.
Where everyone in the room so far had been quiet before, skeptical of Ricky and the changes his reign would bring to the Kingdom, that smile seems to change everything. It’s as if it unlocks something, a wave of oohs and aahs going through the audience, words of praise and amazement reaching Ricky’s ears as he takes the last step to the podium to greet everyone personally and introduce himself. He’s doing so properly, knows his speech by heart and yet his eyes stay on only one person, finding the strength and confidence he needs in Hanbin’s gaze on him.
Oh, how much his life has changed in a couple of hours…
The more time Ricky spends talking to every guest afterward, the more his body tingles. He’s following his duties, of course, finding himself enjoying it even, but the amount of faces and names he has to remember is slowly making him dizzy, too much for one evening. So many people he will be working with from all kinds of Kingdoms when he will be King and yet his mind is yearning for only one of them.
The faces in the room are turning into a blur, when there’s a gentle hand on his lower back and Hanbin’s face appears in his vision, smiling politely this time. Finally, everything inside of Ricky is screaming, finding relief just in seeing the Earth Prince after such a long time. Now that he thinks about it, he hasn’t seen Hanbin ever since he started greeting everyone…
“Your Majesty, I hope you have enjoyed yourself tonight,” Hanbin says, dipping his head slightly in a greeting that takes Ricky off-guard for a second because it’s a little too stiff and not at all like they have interacted before. “As the representative of the Earth Kingdom, I am excited to meet you. For the first time.”
Right, Ricky completely had forgotten about that… Neither of the two times they’ve met was official and not introducing himself in front of everyone else would have looked absolutely impolite, rude even. So Ricky inclines his head as well, trying to hide how happy he is to see Hanbin. He’s probably failing miserably because everyone around them disappears from the little bubble they find themselves in.
“I’m in need of some fresh air, let’s talk outside for a little bit?” He suggests as politely as he can manage and Hanbin immediately offers him his arm to take, leading him towards one of the balconies. Away from prying eyes and ears.
“You were wonderful tonight, your Majesty,” Hanbin’s hushed voice reaches right down to Ricky’s core once they’re out of reach, the joy so audible in it that it sends goosebumps all the way up the Moon Prince’s arms and not because of the cool air out here.
They chose the right side of the ballroom, Ricky realizes when he sees the earth at the horizon, greens and blues not representing his wish to escape anymore. Now they will mean he’s longing for someone instead.
He shakes his head, leaning subtly against Hanbin’s side as they both watch the planet in the distance. Hanbin’s home, a place Ricky was only allowed to visit in a dream. The small sigh he releases is his final goodbye to his former wishes and Hanbin reaches out to take Ricky’s hand into his, fingers crossing. The familiar warmth spreads throughout Ricky’s body from there and when he turns his head away from his past desires, he knows that he has found what he was always looking for right next to him.
“Only fate might have brought us together, but I’m truly glad you’re here with me now and in the future, Prince Hanbin… But did you know that a little bird showed me your planet?” Ricky asks, unable to hold back a small smirk of his when Hanbin looks at him with wide, surprised eyes.
“Oh? I hope it only showed my Moonchild the most beautiful places?”
“Hmm, I suppose it did,” Ricky agrees, swinging their hands between them a little. “It also showed me someone who has nestled deeply inside my heart and who I’d like to keep with me for a very long time.”
They stay silent for a moment before Ricky has gathered enough courage to turn and lean in, leaving the most tender kiss at the corner of Hanbin’s lips. He lingers, just long enough for wide smiles to bloom on their faces as their foreheads touch and for the kaleidoscope of butterflies to spread between them, delicate flaps of their wings tinkling in their ears and love blooming in their hearts.