Work Text:
soobin took a slow breath before making his way through the castle.
the halls were quiet this early.
servants carried baskets of fresh bread toward the kitchens while maids hurried past with folded blankets.
no one paid much attention to him.
he was just another soldier.
after a few minutes, he stopped in front of two large wooden doors.
two royal guards stood on either side.
one of them looked over.
“your the new one?”
soobin nodded.
“yes.”
“good luck.”
“…good luck?”
the other guard let out a small laugh.
“you’ll understand.”
before soobin could ask what they meant, one of the doors suddenly swung open.
a young man rushed out, nearly running straight into him.
“watch out—”
they both stopped.
the prince blinked.
soobin immediately stepped back and bowed.
“your highness.”
beomgyu looked at him for a second before smiling.
“your new.”
“yes, your highness.”
“what happened to the last guard?”
“he was reassigned.”
“probably because he got tired of chasing me.”
soobin wasn’t sure if that was supposed to be a joke.
“…maybe.”
beomgyu laughed.
“your serious.”
soobin stayed quiet.
beomgyu tilted his head.
“what’s your name?”
“soobin.”
“just soobin?”
“yes, your highness.”
“hm.”
beomgyu looked him up and down before nodding to himself.
“i like it.”
soobin didn’t know how to respond to that.
another voice called from inside the room.
“your highness? the tailor is waiting.”
beomgyu sighed so dramatically that even one of the guards smiled.
“see?”
he looked back at soobin.
“this is exactly why i leave.”
“your highness…”
“they’ve been making me try on clothes since sunrise.”
“they’re doing their job.”
“and i’m trying to escape mine.”
before soobin realized what was happening, beomgyu started walking down the hallway.
“come on.”
soobin stayed where he was.
“your highness.”
beomgyu turned around.
“yes?”
“where are we going?”
“outside.”
“the tailor…”
“can wait.”
“i don’t think—”
“soobin.”
beomgyu smiled again.
“aren’t you supposed to follow me?”
soobin closed his eyes for a second.
somehow, only five minutes into the assignment…
and he already understood why the other guard wished him good luck. with a quiet sigh, he followed after the prince.
beomgyu smiled to himself.
maybe having a new guard wouldn’t be so boring after all.
soobin expected the prince to lead him somewhere important.
maybe the training grounds.
maybe a meeting with another royal.
maybe somewhere he could actually do his job.
instead, beomgyu led him through a hidden hallway behind the castle library.
soobin stopped.
“your highness.”
beomgyu turned around.
“what?”
“where did you learn about this passage?”
beomgyu smiled.
“i’m the prince. i’m supposed to know everything about my own castle.”
soobin looked at the dusty hallway.
“i don’t think the king knows about this.”
“exactly.”
soobin stared at him.
“that wasn’t supposed to make me feel better.”
beomgyu laughed quietly.
for some reason, soobin noticed that the prince laughed differently when no one else was around.
it wasn’t the polite smile he gave during royal events.
it was real.
the moment they stepped beyond the castle walls, beomgyu’s entire expression changed.
he looked happier.
like he could finally breathe.
and Soobin starts realizing:
everyone saw prince beomgyu.
but maybe no one saw beomgyu.
“why do you keep looking at me like that?” beomgyu asked.
soobin looked away.
“like what?”
“like your trying to figure me out.”
soobin stayed quiet.
because he was.
for the first time, he wasn’t looking at a prince.
he was looking at beomgyu..
the village was nothing like the castle.
the streets were louder.
children ran between the small houses while merchants called out from their stands. the smell of fresh bread and flowers filled the air.
soobin walked a few steps behind beomgyu, his eyes moving around the crowd.
he was used to protecting important people.
kings.
nobles.
commanders.
but he had never seen a prince look so happy just walking through a village.
beomgyu stopped at almost every stall, looking at everything like it was the first time he had ever seen it.
people, laughing and talking as they bought fresh bread, flowers, and handmade goods.
soobin stood near one of the stalls, speaking with a woman who sold herbs.
beomgyu watched from a few steps away.
he wasn’t sure why he was staring.
or why his mood suddenly changed when the woman smiled at soobin.
“she seems to like you.”
soobin turned around.
“what?”
beomgyu crossed his arms.
“the woman you were talking to.”
soobin blinked.
“the herb seller?”
“yes.”
“she was just explaining which herbs help with wounds.”
“i know.”
soobin looked at him, confused.
“then why do you sound upset?”
beomgyu opened his mouth, but no words came out.
because he didn’t actually know.
he wasn’t upset at the woman.
he just didn’t like seeing someone else make soobin smile so easily.
“i’m not upset.”
soobin raised an eyebrow.
“your clearly upset.”
beomgyu looked away.
“maybe i just don’t like how friendly you are with everyone.”
soobin tilted his head.
“everyone?”
“yes.”
“you mean the person who was helping me?”
beomgyu stayed quiet.
soobin stared at him for a moment before a small smile appeared.
“are you jealous?”
beomgyu immediately looked back.
“what? no.”
“you are.”
“i’m not.”
“beomgyu.”
“soobin.”
they stared at each other.
then soobin laughed softly.
beomgyu’s cheeks warmed.
“what are you laughing at?”
“nothing.”
“your laughing at me.”
“i just think it’s cute.”
beomgyu froze.
“cute?”
soobin quickly looked away.
“i mean… your reaction.”
beomgyu tried to hide his smile.
“well… maybe i was a little jealous.”
soobin looked surprised.
“why?”
beomgyu opened his mouth.
but again, he didn’t have an answer.
because he didn’t know why he cared so much.
so he just shrugged.
“i don’t know.”
soobin smiled softly.
“that’s okay.”
beomgyu looked at him.
“what?”
“you don’t always have to know everything.”
for some reason, those words made beomgyu’s heart feel lighter.
and as they continued walking through the market, he stayed a little closer to soobin than before.
“hello, aria.”
“you came back.”
“i said i would.”
the woman smiled.
“you always do.”
after talking to aria, beomgyu continues walking through the village.
soobin notices something strange.
people don’t fear beomgyu.
they don’t bow every time he walks by.
they don’t act nervous around him.
they just… talk to him.
maybe a little kid runs up to beomgyu:
“prince beomgyu!”
beomgyu immediately smiles.
“you got taller.”
“i did! look!”
the kid proudly shows him a wooden sword.
“i’m going to be a soldier one day.”
soobin looks at the kid.
then at beomgyu.
because instead of laughing, beomgyu kneels down.
“then you’ll have to train harder than anyone else.”
“i will!”
“good. but don’t forget to be kind too.”
soobin is surprised because princes usually talk about strength and victory.
not kindness.
they sit near a fountain or under a tree.
beomgyu notices soobin is unusually quiet.
“you’re thinking again.”
soobin looks over.
“am i?”
“yes.”
“how do you know?”
beomgyu shrugs.
“your face does this thing.”
“what thing?”
“the thing where you look like you’re trying to solve a problem.”
soobin almost smiles.
“you notice a lot.”
beomgyu looks away.
“someone has to.”
soobin asks:
“why do you come here so often?”
beomgyu is quiet for a moment.
“because everyone in the castle already knows who i’m supposed to be.”
“and here?”
“here, i’m just beomgyu.”
that line would hit because it connects back to your theme.
they return to the castle and soobin is expecting beomgyu to go back to acting like a prince.
but before walking inside:
“soobin.”
“yes, your highness?”
beomgyu pauses.
“when we’re outside… you don’t have to say that.”
soobin looks confused.
“say what?”
“your highness.”
a pause.
“just call me beomgyu.”
soobin hesitates because that feels too personal.
“i don’t think that’s appropriate.”
beomgyu smiles.
“i know.”
“then why ask?”
“because i wanted to know if you would.”
soobin has no answer.
the next morning, soobin stood outside the prince’s chambers like he always did.
at least, that was what he told himself.
he was only there because it was his duty.
because he was a soldier.
because protecting prince beomgyu was his assignment.
nothing more.
the large doors opened.
soobin immediately stood straighter.
beomgyu stepped out, already dressed for the day.
for a moment, neither of them said anything.
then beomgyu smiled.
“your here early.”
soobin looked at him.
“i am supposed to be here.”
“i know.”
beomgyu tilted his head.
“i just didn’t think you would actually show up.”
soobin frowned slightly.
“why wouldn’t i?”
beomgyu shrugged.
“most people eventually get tired of me.”
soobin stayed quiet.
he didn’t know why those words bothered him.
because the prince said it like it was normal.
like he was used to people leaving.
“i am not most people.”
the words left soobin’s mouth before he could stop them.
beomgyu looked at him.
for a second, he looked surprised.
then he smiled.
“no.”
he said quietly.
“you’re not.”
soobin looked away.
“what are your plans today, your highness?”
beomgyu immediately sighed.
“there it is.”
soobin looked back.
“what?”
“the serious soldier voice.”
“i don’t have a serious voice.”
beomgyu smiled.
“you do.”
“i do not.”
“you sound like an old man.”
soobin stared at him.
beomgyu tried to hold back his laugh.
he failed.
and somehow, soobin found himself watching him.
not because he was the prince.
not because it was his duty.
but because beomgyu looked different when he laughed.
happier.
real.
later that day, soobin followed beomgyu to a royal gathering.
the room was filled with nobles.
everyone smiled when beomgyu entered.
“prince beomgyu, you look wonderful today.”
“the kingdom is lucky to have someone like you.”
“your father must be proud.”
beomgyu smiled at every person.
he thanked them.
he laughed at their jokes.
he looked perfect.
but soobin noticed something.
his eyes didn’t match his smile.
he looked tired.
when the event finally ended, beomgyu walked back toward his room.
soobin followed behind him.
“you looked tired today.”
beomgyu stopped walking.
“i did?”
“yes.”
beomgyu looked surprised.
“everyone told me i looked happy.”
soobin looked at him.
“i don’t think they were looking closely enough.”
silence filled the hallway.
beomgyu stared at him.
no one had ever said that before.
everyone always told him what they wanted him to be.
happy.
perfect.
royal.
but soobin was the first person who noticed when he wasn’t.
“why do you do that?”
soobin blinked.
“do what?”
“notice things.”
beomgyu looked down.
“why do you notice me?”
soobin didn’t answer.
because he didn’t know.
he was supposed to notice everything.
that was his job.
but
this felt different.
that night, beomgyu tried to sneak out of the castle again.
of course, soobin noticed.
“your highness.”
beomgyu froze near the window.
“how do you always find me?”
“because you are not very good at hiding.”
beomgyu looked offended.
“i am excellent at hiding.”
“you left your door open.”
beomgyu paused.
“…that was intentional.”
soobin almost smiled.
almost.
before beomgyu could climb down, his hand slipped against the stone wall.
“wait.”
soobin immediately stepped forward.
beomgyu looked at his hand.
a small cut had formed.
“it’s nothing.”
“you’re bleeding.”
“soobin.”
“hold still.”
beomgyu went quiet.
because soobin sounded worried.
not like a soldier protecting a prince.
like someone who actually cared.
beomgyu smiled softly.
“you worry about me.”
soobin froze.
“i worry about keeping you safe.”
beomgyu looked at him.
“that’s not what i said.”
soobin had no answer.
so he looked away.
“your highness.”
beomgyu smiled.
because he knew.
maybe soobin didn’t realize it yet.
but he was already starting to care.
beomgyu looked at the small cut on his hand before pulling his sleeve over it.
“see?”
“it’s already fine.”
soobin frowned.
“that is not how injuries work.”
“i’m still alive.”
“that is also not the point.”
beomgyu laughed.
“your impossible.”
“i have been told that before.”
“really?”
“no.”
beomgyu smiled.
“i knew it.”
soobin carefully wrapped a clean strip of cloth around beomgyu’s hand.
his movements were gentle.
careful.
like he was afraid of hurting him more.
beomgyu watched him quietly.
“you really care.”
soobin didn’t look up.
“i care about my duty.”
“mm.”
“what?”
“nothing.”
beomgyu’s smile was small this time.
“i just think your lying to yourself.”
before soobin could answer, footsteps echoed down the hallway.
both of them looked up.
a servant hurried around the corner before quickly bowing.
“your highness.”
beomgyu stepped back.
the smile disappeared almost instantly.
“what is it?”
“his majesty is requesting your presence.”
“now?”
“yes, your highness.”
beomgyu nodded.
“i’ll be there shortly.”
the servant bowed again before leaving.
the hallway became quiet.
soobin looked over.
beomgyu hadn’t moved.
“your highness?”
“…do i have to go?”
soobin blinked.
it wasn’t said like a complaint.
it sounded tired.
like someone asking a question they already knew the answer to.
after a long moment, soobin answered.
“yes.”
beomgyu smiled again.
the same perfect smile he always wore inside the castle.
“i know.”
he turned toward the throne room.
“come on.”
as they walked through the castle, servants bowed.
nobles smiled.
everyone greeted the prince.
“your highness.”
“good evening, your highness.”
“its an honor.”
beomgyu greeted every person with the same perfect smile.
soobin watched from behind.
it was strange.
twenty minutes ago…
beomgyu had been laughing over a tiny cut on his hand.
now it was like someone had flipped a switch.
he looked perfect again.
too perfect.
when they reached the throne room doors, beomgyu stopped.
he took one slow breath.
then another.
only then did he push the doors open.
soobin noticed.
he always took a breath before becoming the prince.
and somehow…
that made his chest feel heavier.
after meeting with the king, beomgyu comes back much quieter than usual.
soobin notices immediately.
instead of trying to sneak out or joke around, beomgyu just walks through the castle gardens.
soobin follows a few steps behind.
after a while, beomgyu suddenly asks,
“soobin.”
“yes, your highness?”
“did your father ever decide your future for you?”
soobin thinks for a moment.
“no.”
“lucky.”
they keep walking.
then beomgyu says,
“my whole life has already been planned.”
he points toward the castle.
“who i talk to.”
“where i go.”
“what i wear.”
“what i say.”
he laughs quietly.
“i don’t even know what my favorite color is.”
soobin looks at him.
“what do you mean?”
“every room i grew up in was chosen for me.”
“every outfit.”
“every lesson.”
“every hobby.”
“people keep asking me what kind of king i want to become.”
he smiles, but it doesn’t reach his eyes.
“no one has ever asked me what i wanted.
instead of answering right away, soobin notices a small wildflower growing beside the path.
he kneels down and picks it.
beomgyu looks confused.
“what are you doing?”
soobin stands back up.
he holds the flower out.
“here.”
“…for me?”
“yes.”
beomgyu carefully takes it.
“why?”
soobin shrugs.
“because no one has to choose that for you.”
beomgyu just stares at the flower.
it’s such a tiny thing.
but it’s probably one of the first choices he’s ever gotten to make.
whether he keeps it.
throws it away.
presses it between the pages of a book.
it’s his choice.
he smiles.
a real one.
“…thank you.”
the next morning soobin is called in the king’s office alone.
beomgyu doesn’t know.
soobin is welcomed into the king’s office.
the king is sitting on is throne while soobin walking in carefully.
“come in soobin.”
soobin knelt before him.
“your majesty.”
“how long have you served in the royal guard?”
“five years, your majesty.”
“and in those five years, what have you learned?”
soobin answers something like:
“to protect those who cannot protect themselves.”
then the king says:
“that is a good answer.”
“but my son is not someone who needs saving from danger.. he needs someone who can remind him of his responsibility.”
“you know soobin.”
“most guards would say they learned how to fight.”
“how to win battles.”
“how to follow orders.”
a pause.
“but you said protect.”
soobin didn’t know what to say.
the king looked down at the papers on his desk.
“my son has always been difficult to understand.”
soobin looked up slightly.
“your highness?”
“beomgyu.”
the king sighed.
“he smiles often.”
“he jokes.”
“he acts like nothing bothers him.”
his expression softened slightly.
“but he carries more than people realize.”
soobin stayed silent.
because he knew.
he had seen it.
the way beomgyu changed when he entered the castle.
the way his smile became perfect.
the way he took a breath before becoming the prince.
“i noticed something yesterday.”
soobin froze.
the king continued.
“my son came back from the village happier than he has been in a long time.”
soobin looked away.
“i only did my duty.”
the king studied him.
“is that what you believe?”
soobin didn’t answer.
the king stood from his throne.
“soobin.”
“yes, your majesty.”
“be careful.”
soobin looked up.
“my son trusts easily when someone makes him feel seen.”
a pause.
“and i do not want that trust to be broken.”
“yes your majesty.”
“i promise to not break that trust.”
“good, thank you soobin. you may leave.” the king said softly.
soobin bowed before walking out the heavy door unaware beomgyu is lurking behind him.
“where were you?” beomgyu asked loud and firmly.
soobin nearly jumps out of his skin.
“your highness. were you looking for me?”
he tried to sound normal.
beomgyu stared at him for a second before giggling.
“did you just get scared?”
soobin looked away.
“no.”
“you did.”
“i did not.”
beomgyu smiled.
“that was funny.”
soobin sighed quietly.
“anyways… yes, i was looking for you.”
beomgyu tilted his head.
“i want to go back to the village.”
soobin went quiet.
beomgyu noticed.
“what?”
“nothing.”
“that wasn’t a normal nothing.”
soobin looked at him.
“you are very observant.”
beomgyu smiled proudly.
“i know.”
soobin sighed quietly.
“your highness…”
“don’t.”
beomgyu frowned.
“don’t what?”
“don’t tell me i cannot go.”
soobin paused.
because that was exactly what he was thinking.
beomgyu looked away.
“everyone always says no.”
his voice was quieter this time.
“the castle.”
“the servants.”
“my father.”
a small smile appeared on his face.
“i thought you were different.”
soobin felt something twist in his chest.
because he didn’t like hearing beomgyu sound disappointed.
“i didn’t say no.”
beomgyu looked back at him.
“you didn’t?”
soobin shook his head.
“i just said you need to be careful.”
beomgyu stared at him for a moment.
then his smile returned.
“so you’re coming with me?”
soobin looked away.
“that is my duty.”
“right.”
beomgyu smiled.
but this time, soobin noticed something.
he looked a little happier.
and soobin realized…
maybe it wasn’t the village beomgyu wanted to return to.
“you… already asked the king?”
beomgyu smiled proudly.
“of course i did.”
“i knew you were going to say no if i asked you first.”
soobin let out a quiet sigh, shaking his head.
“your highness…”
“what?” beomgyu grinned. “it worked, didn’t it?”
soobin couldn’t even argue with that.
“my father said i could go as long as i wasn’t alone,” beomgyu continued. “and he said you were the one he trusted the most to keep me safe.”
soobin looked away for a second.
“he trusts me that much…?”
“he does.”
there was a brief silence before beomgyu clapped his hands together.
“so, are we going?”
soobin smiled faintly.
“yes, your highness.”
“good.”
beomgyu grabbed soobin’s wrist without thinking and started pulling him through the castle halls.
“come on!”
“your highness, please slow down.”
“if i slow down we’ll get there later.”
“the village isn’t going anywhere.”
“but the bakery might sell out.”
soobin laughed quietly.
“is that what this is really about?”
beomgyu gasped dramatically.
“how dare you accuse me.”
“i’m sorry.”
“you should be.”
they walked through the castle gates together, the guards stepping aside as they passed.
waiting outside were two horses already prepared for them.
soobin frowned.
“you planned all of this?”
beomgyu looked away, pretending to admire the sky.
“maybe.”
“you planned all of this.”
“maybe i wanted to spend the day with my favorite soldier.”
soobin froze for a second.
“…your favorite?”
beomgyu shrugged like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
“well, i don’t really know many soldiers.”
soobin rolled his eyes.
“i figured.”
“are you getting on the horse or not?”
soobin smiled to himself before climbing into the saddle.
“after you, your highness.”
beomgyu grinned.
“race you there.”
before soobin could respond, beomgyu’s horse took off down the road.
“your highness!”
soobin quickly followed after him, unable to stop the smile growing on his face.
the village was louder than soobin remembered.
children ran through the streets, merchants called out their prices, and the smell of fresh bread filled the air.
beomgyu looked completely different here.
he wasn’t the prince everyone bowed to.
he was just beomgyu.
he smiled at the villagers, greeted the shopkeepers, and stopped to talk to people like he had known them his whole life.
soobin watched quietly.
“your staring.”
soobin looked over.
“i’m not.”
beomgyu raised an eyebrow.
“you are.”
“i was just surprised.”
“by what?”
soobin looked around.
“your different here.”
beomgyu’s smile softened.
“different good or different bad?”
“different good.”
for a moment, beomgyu didn’t say anything.
before he could respond, two villagers walking past them lowered their voices.
“is that really him?”
“the prince?”
“yes. i heard the rumors are true.”
soobin’s expression changed slightly.
“rumors?”
the villagers noticed them and quickly looked away.
beomgyu’s smile faded.
“let’s keep walking.”
soobin looked at him.
“beomgyu…”
“it’s nothing.”
but soobin knew that wasn’t true.
they continued through the village until they reached a quieter street.
“you don’t have to tell me anything you don’t want to,” soobin said softly.
beomgyu looked at him.
“your not curious?”
“i am.”
soobin paused.
“but i’d rather hear it from you than from people who don’t know you.”
for once, beomgyu didn’t have a joke ready.
he looked down at his hands.
“people talk.”
“about what?”
a small silence passed.
“about me.”
soobin waited.
“about who i love.”
soobin’s eyes softened.
beomgyu took a breath.
“i know what people expect from a prince. they expect me to marry a princess, have heirs, and pretend that’s the life i want.”
he looked away.
“but that’s never been me.”
soobin stayed quiet, letting him speak.
“i’m tired of everyone acting like i’m something that needs to be fixed.”
“you don’t.”
beomgyu looked up.
soobin’s voice was calm.
“you don’t need to be fixed.”
for a moment, neither of them spoke.
and somehow, that meant more to beomgyu than any grand speech ever could.
“are you going to look at me differently now?”
soobin frowned.
“why would i?”
“because now you know.”
“i already knew you were stubborn, annoying, and impossible to keep up with.”
beomgyu blinked.
“that’s your response?”
“yes.”
“your horrible.”
“but you’re smiling.”
the ride back to the castle was quieter than the ride there.
not an uncomfortable silence.
just peaceful.
beomgyu rested against his horse, watching the village slowly disappear behind them.
“soobin.”
“yes, your highness?”
“today was fun.”
soobin looked over.
beomgyu smiled softly.
“thank you for coming with me.”
soobin nodded.
“of course.”
before beomgyu could respond, the sound of horns echoed through the distance.
both of them froze.
soobin’s expression changed immediately.
that wasn’t the sound of a normal announcement.
that was a warning.
as they approached the castle gates, something felt different.
soldiers rushed past them.
guards stood at every entrance.
servants whispered nervously among themselves.
beomgyu’s smile faded.
“what’s happening?”
soobin didn’t answer.
he already knew.
a soldier approached them quickly and bowed.
“captain soobin.”
soobin straightened.
“report.”
the soldier hesitated.
“a message arrived from the northern border.”
beomgyu looked between them.
“what message?”
the soldier looked down.
“the enemy has crossed into our territory.”
silence.
beomgyu stared.
“what?”
soobin’s hand tightened around the reins.
the peaceful day they had just shared suddenly felt far away.
“the king has ordered all soldiers to prepare.”
beomgyu looked at soobin.
and for the first time, he saw something different in his eyes.
not calmness.
not patience.
fear.
not for himself.
for what he might have to leave behind.
the throne room felt colder than usual.
soobin stood in front of the king, his hands resting at his sides.
“you understand what this means?” the king asked.
soobin nodded.
“yes, your majesty.”
“the northern border cannot fall. our soldiers need someone they trust.”
a silence filled the room.
“you will lead them.”
soobin lowered his head.
“i won’t fail you.”
the king studied him for a moment.
“that is not what i am worried about.”
soobin looked up.
“then what is?”
the king’s expression softened.
“whether you will remember that coming home is also part of your duty.”
soobin didn’t answer.
because he knew exactly who he was thinking about.
outside the throne room, beomgyu stood completely still.
he hadn’t meant to listen.
he was only looking for soobin.
but those words kept repeating in his head.
you leave at sunrise.
for once, beomgyu had nothing to say.
that night, soobin packed quietly.
his sword rested beside him.
his armor was prepared.
everything was ready.
except he wasn’t.
a quiet knock came from the door.
soobin looked up.
“come in.”
beomgyu stepped inside.
neither of them spoke for a moment.
“your leaving.”
soobin looked down.
“yes.”
beomgyu nodded slowly.
“right.”
but his voice was quieter than usual.
soobin noticed.
“your highness.”
“don’t.”
“don’t what?”
“don’t tell me everything will be fine.”
soobin stayed silent.
beomgyu looked away.
“because you don’t know that.”
the room went quiet.
then beomgyu walked closer and held something out.
soobin looked down.
a small piece of fabric rested in his hand.
“what is this?”
“just take it.”
“beomgyu—”
“please.”
soobin froze.
he rarely heard beomgyu ask for anything.
carefully, he took it, their hands touching lightly.
“why are you giving me this?”
beomgyu looked away.
“so you have a reason to come back.”
soobin stared at him.
“i already have a reason.”
beomgyu looked up.
their eyes met.
for a second, neither of them moved.
then soobin gently folded the fabric and placed it safely away.
“i’ll bring it back.”
beomgyu smiled faintly.
“you better.”
the sun had barely risen when the castle gates opened.
the air was cold.
too cold.
soobin sat on his horse, surrounded by soldiers preparing for the journey ahead.
everything felt ready.
the weapons.
the armor.
the horses.
everything except the one person he was waiting for.
then he saw him.
beomgyu stood at the top of the castle steps.
for a moment, soobin forgot about the soldiers around him.
he only saw him.
beomgyu looked different.
not like the prince everyone knew.
not like the person who always had a joke ready.
he looked scared.
soobin slowly walked his horse closer.
“your highness.”
beomgyu tried to smile.
“your leaving without saying goodbye?”
soobin looked at him softly.
“i was hoping i wouldn’t have to.”
beomgyu looked down.
“that’s a terrible thing to say.”
“why?”
“because now i don’t know if i’m supposed to be mad at you or miss you.”
soobin’s expression softened.
“beomgyu…”
the moment his name left soobin’s lips, beomgyu’s eyes started to water.
he quickly looked away.
“don’t.”
“don’t what?”
“don’t look at me like that.”
soobin stayed quiet.
beomgyu laughed quietly, but it sounded broken.
“this is stupid.”
“it’s not.”
“i’m a prince.”
“i know.”
“princes aren’t supposed to cry when soldiers leave.”
soobin pulled beomgyu’s chin up lightly so they make eye contact.
“your not crying because a soldier is leaving.”
beomgyu looked up.
“then why?”
soobin’s voice became softer.
“because someone you care about is leaving.”
beomgyu went silent.
he wanted to deny it.
he wanted to make a joke.
but he couldn’t.
a tear slipped down his cheek.
“come back.”
soobin’s heart tightened.
beomgyu wiped his face quickly, embarrassed.
“that was an order.”
soobin smiled sadly.
“yes, your highness.”
beomgyu looked at him.
“i mean it.”
soobin placed a hand over the small piece of fabric he had given him.
“i know.”
a horn sounded in the distance.
the soldiers began moving.
soobin looked back one last time.
“i’ll return.”
beomgyu nodded.
but he didn’t say anything.
because if he did, he wasn’t sure his voice would stay steady.
soobin turned his horse and began riding away.
beomgyu watched until he disappeared beyond the gates.
only then did he finally let the tears fall.
because for the first time in a long time…
he was afraid of losing someone.
once soobin left, beomgyu cried harder.
he had tried to stay strong.
he tried to remind himself that soobin was a soldier, and that this was something he had to do.
but the moment he could no longer see him beyond the castle gates, the fear he had been holding back finally broke through.
he hated how quiet the castle felt without him.
no one was telling him to slow down.
no one was reminding him to be careful.
no one was there to listen to his pointless stories or laugh at his jokes.
beomgyu wiped his tears, but they kept falling.
“you promised you would come back…”
he whispered the words to himself, holding onto the small hope that soobin would keep his promise.
for the first time, beomgyu wasn’t afraid of being alone.
he was afraid of a world where soobin wasn’t in it.
the first night without soobin was strange.
not because anything was different.
the castle looked the same.
the halls were still filled with the same golden candlelight.
the guards still stood at every entrance.
the servants still whispered as they passed by.
everything was exactly how it had always been.
so why did it feel wrong?
beomgyu sat on the edge of his bed, staring at the empty chair near the window.
it was stupid.
soobin had never sat there for long.
sometimes he would only stop by for a few minutes.
sometimes they wouldn’t even talk about anything important.
sometimes they would just sit in silence.
but somehow…
that silence had become something beomgyu looked forward to.
now it felt too loud.
he looked away, shaking his head.
“ridiculous.”
he said it quietly, as if saying it out loud would make the feeling disappear.
he was a prince.
he had spent years being alone.
he knew how to do this.
he knew how to eat dinner without someone making him laugh.
he knew how to walk through the castle without someone beside him.
he knew how to fall asleep without hearing another person’s voice.
so why couldn’t he do it now?
beomgyu laid back against his pillows, staring at the ceiling.
his room felt bigger than usual.
too big.
his eyes drifted toward the door.
for a moment, his heart betrayed him.
a small part of him expected a knock.
expected soobin to walk in with that same calm expression and ask if he was causing trouble again.
expected him to say something simple.
something that somehow always made everything feel easier.
but the door stayed closed.
and the silence answered for him.
beomgyu pulled the blanket closer, letting out a quiet breath.
he hated this.
he hated that one person could change so much.
he hated that he noticed every little thing now.
the empty chair.
the quiet room.
the missing footsteps.
he hated that he missed someone who wasn’t even his to miss.
because soobin was a soldier.
and he was a prince.
there were lines between them that neither of them were supposed to cross.
but nobody ever told his heart that.
beomgyu closed his eyes.
“goodnight, soobin.”
the words came out softer than he expected.
there was no answer.
of course there wasn’t.
for the first time in what felt like forever…
beomgyu fell asleep wishing morning would come faster.
the battlefield was nothing like soobin imagined.
the sound of swords clashing.
the cries of soldiers.
the endless nights where sleep never lasted long.
he had fought in battles before.
he knew what it meant to risk his life.
but this time felt different.
because this time, there was someone waiting for him to return.
soobin sat beside the fire, his armor resting beside him.
his hand reached into his pocket without thinking.
the small piece of fabric was still there.
beomgyu’s gift.
he had kept it safe through every battle.
through every moment where he thought he might not make it out.
a small smile appeared on his face.
“you really are troublesome, your highness.”
he could almost hear beomgyu complaining.
“don’t lose it.”
“that was an order.”
soobin looked down.
he missed him.
not just the prince.
not just the person he was sworn to protect.
him.
beomgyu.
the way he laughed too loudly.
the way he pretended not to care when he cared too much.
the way he trusted soobin with the parts of himself he hid from everyone else.
soobin’s smile slowly faded.
because suddenly, he understood.
this feeling wasn’t just respect.
it wasn’t just loyalty.
it wasn’t just because beomgyu was someone he had to protect.
his chest tightened.
“i love him.”
the words left his mouth before he could stop them.
soobin froze.
he stared into the fire.
he had spent so long convincing himself that he only worried about beomgyu because he was his prince.
but soldiers didn’t think about their kings before falling asleep.
they didn’t remember their voices during battles.
they didn’t carry a small gift from them close to their heart.
soobin looked down at the fabric again.
he missed beomgyu.
and for the first time, he wasn’t afraid to admit why.
the next battle came sooner than expected.
the enemy advanced before sunrise.
the air was heavy with tension as soldiers lined up, weapons in hand.
soobin stood at the front.
his expression was calm.
but his mind was somewhere else.
come back.
beomgyu’s voice echoed in his head.
it was an order.
but it sounded more like a promise.
the battle began.
everything moved too quickly.
the sound of metal clashing filled the field.
soobin fought like he always did.
focused.
calculated.
protecting the soldiers around him.
but even the strongest soldiers could make mistakes.
he didn’t see the attack coming.
pain shot through his side.
his voice was strained.
he forced himself to stand.
he couldn’t fall.
not here.
not now.
because someone was waiting for him.
the battle continued around him, but all he could think about was the castle.
the quiet halls.
the village bakery.
his voice was strained.
the battle continued around him, but all he could think about was the castle.
not because he was fearless.
not because he wanted glory.
but because there was someone he needed to see again.
days later, after the battle ended, soobin sat inside the medical tent.
the wound was painful.
but he was alive.
a soldier approached him.
“captain, you should rest.”
soobin looked down at his hand.
the small piece of fabric was still there.
untouched.
safe.
he let out a quiet breath.
“i told him i’d come back.”
the soldier looked confused.
“who?”
soobin paused.
for a moment, he almost said it.
almost said his name.
but he smiled softly instead.
“someone important.”
and for the first time since leaving the castle…
beomgyu sat at his desk, staring at the unfinished letter in front of him.
a letter he had started for soobin three times.
and thrown away three times.
he didn’t even know what to say.
are you eating properly?
too much like he cared.
are you safe?
too obvious.
i miss you.
impossible.
a knock pulled him out of his thoughts.
beomgyu looked up.
“come in.”
the door opened slowly.
a soldier stood there.
not soobin.
his heart sank before the man even spoke.
“your highness.”
beomgyu was on his feet immediately.
“what happened?”
the soldier hesitated.
and that was enough.
beomgyu’s face changed.
“what happened?” beomgyu asked with a slightly louder tone.
the soldier lowered his gaze.
“captain soobin was injured during the mission.”
the room went still.
for a second, beomgyu didn’t even understand the words.
injured.
such a small word.
too small.
like it wasn’t enough to hold what it meant.
“how injured?”
the soldier stayed quiet.
beomgyu’s hands curled tighter.
“how injured?”
“he took a serious wound to his side.”
the air left beomgyu’s lungs.
his fingers dug into the edge of the desk.
“is he alive?”
the soldier looked up fast.
“yes, your highness. he is alive.”
alive.
that should’ve been enough.
it should’ve made him breathe again.
but it didn’t.
because all beomgyu could think about was soobin standing there, smiling like nothing was wrong, saying:
i’m fine.
like he always did.
like pain didn’t matter.
like he wasn’t allowed to fall apart.
“when did this happen?”
“two days ago.”
beomgyu went still.
two days.
two days since soobin got hurt.
two days since he was bleeding.
two days since beomgyu had been sitting here, not knowing a thing.
“he didn’t send word?”
the soldier hesitated.
“no, your highness.”
of course he didn’t.
because it was soobin.
he would rather hurt in silence than make anyone worry.
beomgyu looked away, trying to steady his breathing.
a laugh almost slipped out.
not because it was funny.
because it hurt.
“of course he didn’t.”
the soldier glanced at him.
beomgyu stared down at the unfinished letter on his desk.
suddenly, the words meant nothing.
all those times he wanted to tell soobin he missed him…
and he hadn’t.
all those times he wanted to ask if he was okay…
and he hadn’t.
because he was scared.
scared of what it meant.
scared of how much soobin mattered.
but now?
now all he wanted was to see him.
soobin allowed himself to imagine returning home.
weeks later, the castle gates opened.
a familiar figure entered.
soobin.
he looked tired.
his armor carried the marks of battle, and there was exhaustion written across his face.
but he was alive.
beomgyu stood frozen for a moment.
he had imagined this moment so many times.
but now that soobin was actually standing in front of him, he didn’t know what to do.
before he could think, his feet moved.
he walked toward him.
then stopped.
because suddenly, he remembered.
he was the prince.
he was supposed to be calm.
composed.
but soobin noticed the way his eyes softened.
“your highness.”
beomgyu looked at him.
“your back.”
soobin smiled gently.
“i told you i would be.”
for a moment, neither of them spoke.
then beomgyu stepped forward and wrapped his arms around him.
it wasn’t a tight hug.
it wasn’t dramatic.
just a small, quiet embrace.
but it said everything they couldn’t.
soobin froze for a second, surprised.
beomgyu had never done something like this before.
then slowly, carefully, soobin hugged him back.
warm.
gentle.
like he was reminding him that he was really there.
that he was safe.
that he came home.
beomgyu closed his eyes.
he had spent weeks wondering if he would ever get this moment.
and now he finally had it.
“you scared me.”
his voice was quiet.
soobin’s expression softened.
“i know.”
“don’t do that again.”
a small smile appeared on soobin’s face.
“i’ll try.”
beomgyu pulled away, quickly looking away like he suddenly remembered who he was.
“good.”
soobin looked at him.
“were you worried about me, your highness?”
beomgyu cleared his throat.
“i was worried about the kingdom losing a good soldier.”
soobin smiled.
“of course.”
but neither of them believed that.
and somehow…
neither of them needed to say it.
it was a month since soobin returned to the castle.
his wound still ached if he moved too quickly, but he was healing.
which meant beomgyu had already started making plans.
“come on.”
soobin looked up from the book he had been reading.
“where are we going?”
beomgyu smiled.
“you’ll see.”
“your being suspicious.”
“and your asking too many questions.”
soobin let out a quiet laugh before standing.
“alright.”
—
they reached the village just as the afternoon sun began to soften.
something immediately felt different.
bright banners stretched across the streets.
lanterns hung above the market, waiting to be lit.
children ran between the stalls wearing little flower crowns while merchants laughed with one another.
music drifted through the air as a few musicians tuned their instruments near the town square.
soobin looked around.
“…what’s all this?”
beomgyu smiled.
“the harvest festival.”
“you knew about this?”
“of course.”
he looked at soobin proudly.
“that’s why i brought you.”
before soobin could answer, beomgyu grabbed his wrist and pulled him into the crowd.
“come on!”
“beomgyu—”
“faster.”
“your walking plenty fast.”
“not fast enough.”
soobin shook his head with a smile.
“your impossible.”
“and yet your still following me.”
“i don’t think i have much of a choice.”
“exactly.”
they wandered through the crowded streets together.
every stall seemed more exciting than the last.
one sold fresh pastries dusted with sugar.
another had jars filled with homemade jam.
there were tables covered in carved wooden toys, handmade blankets, and little glass bottles filled with dried flowers.
beomgyu stopped at nearly every one.
“look.”
soobin leaned over his shoulder.
“that’s the third bakery we’ve stopped at.”
“and?”
“you’ve already bought enough pastries for a week.”
“i don’t see the problem.”
soobin sighed dramatically.
“your going to make me eat everything here.”
beomgyu grinned.
“that’s the plan.”
he broke a warm pastry in half and held one piece toward soobin.
“here.”
soobin accepted it with a quiet thank you.
“…it’s good.”
beomgyu smiled proudly.
“i know.”
they continued walking until they reached a small game stall.
wooden bottles stood on a table while a basket of rings rested nearby.
“oh.”
beomgyu’s eyes lit up.
“i want to try.”
the old man running the stall smiled.
“three rings.”
beomgyu accepted them confidently.
“watch this.”
he threw the first ring.
it bounced off the bottle.
the second missed completely.
the third landed… on the edge before falling onto the table.
beomgyu stared.
“…i was close.”
the old man chuckled.
“very close.”
soobin smiled to himself.
“my turn?”
beomgyu crossed his arms.
“fine.”
soobin picked up a ring.
without much effort…
he tossed it.
it landed perfectly around the bottle.
beomgyu gasped.
“…what?”
soobin blinked.
“what?”
“you’ve done this before.”
“i haven’t.”
“liar.”
the old man laughed before reaching beneath the table.
“pick a prize.”
soobin looked over the small stuffed animals before choosing a tiny white rabbit.
he turned toward beomgyu and held it out.
“…for me?”
“you kept looking at it.”
beomgyu carefully took it into his hands.
his smile was so bright that soobin forgot about the game entirely.
“thank you.”
they continued wandering through the festival.
after a while, they heard quiet sniffles.
a little girl sat near a fountain, wiping tears from her face.
beomgyu immediately crouched beside her.
“what happened?”
she looked up sadly.
“…i lost my flower crown.”
beomgyu looked around before spotting a few wildflowers growing nearby.
“don’t worry.”
he smiled gently.
“we’ll make another one.”
he carefully picked a few flowers before weaving them together.
his fingers moved slowly until a small crown began taking shape.
once he finished, he placed it gently on the little girl’s head.
she looked up at him with wide eyes.
“…it’s pretty.”
“just like you.”
the little girl threw her arms around him.
“thank you!”
then she happily ran back toward her parents.
soobin watched quietly.
his chest felt warm.
beomgyu stood and brushed the dirt from his clothes.
“what?”
soobin smiled softly.
“…nothing.”
“your staring again.”
“am i?”
“yes.”
“…i just think your kind.”
beomgyu looked away, suddenly embarrassed.
“i only fixed her flower crown.”
“exactly.”
the sun slowly began to sink behind the rooftops.
one by one, villagers started lighting the lanterns.
golden lights filled every street.
music grew louder.
people gathered in the square.
some began dancing together.
beomgyu watched them for a long moment.
“…i’ve never danced before.”
soobin looked over.
“really?”
“they taught me royal dances.”
he wrinkled his nose.
“those don’t count.”
soobin laughed quietly.
“probably not.”
beomgyu looked at him.
“…dance with me.”
soobin blinked.
“…here?”
“yes.”
“everyone is watching.”
beomgyu smiled.
“let them.”
soobin hesitated.
then slowly…
he held out his hand.
beomgyu smiled before placing his hand in soobin’s.
they stepped into the open space together.
they weren’t very graceful.
beomgyu stepped on soobin’s foot.
“…sorry.”
“it’s alright.”
a second later…
soobin accidentally bumped into him.
beomgyu laughed.
“see?”
“i’m worse.”
they both laughed together.
for once…
neither of them cared who was watching.
when the music ended…
they didn’t let go.
their hands stayed together.
comfortable.
warm.
just as another song was about to begin…
a loud crack echoed across the sky.
everyone looked up.
fireworks.
bright colors burst above the village, painting the night in gold, blue, and red.
beomgyu’s eyes widened.
“…they’re beautiful.”
“they are.”
without thinking…
beomgyu stepped a little closer.
their shoulders brushed.
then…
soobin gently intertwined their fingers.
this time…
beomgyu squeezed his hand without hesitation.
they stood there quietly, watching the fireworks together.
after a while, beomgyu noticed soobin wasn’t looking at the sky anymore.
he was looking at him.
“…what?”
soobin smiled.
“nothing.”
“your smiling.”
“i know.”
“tell me.”
soobin looked back toward the fireworks before quietly answering.
“…i’m just happy.”
beomgyu smiled.
“…me too.”
they stayed until the very last firework faded into the night.
neither of them wanted to leave.
for just a little while longer…
there was no prince.
no captain.
no expectations.
just beomgyu.
just soobin.
and the quiet happiness they had finally found together.
the castle was quieter than it had been in weeks.
soobin sat on the edge of the bed, still adjusting to being back.
back in the castle.
back home.
“you should sleep.”
soobin looked over.
beomgyu stood by the door, arms crossed.
“i’m fine.”
“you always say that.”
“because i usually am.”
beomgyu rolled his eyes.
“you almost got yourself killed.”
soobin went quiet.
beomgyu immediately regretted saying it.
the room became silent.
“i was scared.”
soobin looked at him.
beomgyu looked down.
“when i heard you were injured.. i thought-“
his voice stopped.
soobin softened.
“beomgyu.”
“don’t.”
“don’t what?”
“don’t make me say it first.”
soobin froze.
because he knew exactly what he meant.
after a moment, he moved over slightly.
“come here.”
beomgyu looked surprised.
“what?”
“you look tired.”
“that’s your excuse?”
soobin smiled faintly.
“maybe.”
beomgyu hesitated.
then slowly sat beside him.
for a while, neither of them spoke.
they just sat there.
close.
comfortable.
like they had been waiting for this moment without realizing it.
“soobin?”
“yes?”
“when you left…”
beomgyu swallowed.
“i hated how much i missed you.”
soobin’s heart tightened.
“i missed you too.”
beomgyu looked at him.
“no. i mean…”
he took a breath.
“i missed you in a way i wasn’t supposed to.”
silence.
soobin looked down.
because those were the exact words he had been afraid to admit.
“beomgyu.”
“i know it’s complicated.”
“it is.”
beomgyu’s expression fell slightly.
until soobin continued.
“but not because of you.”
he looked back at him.
“because i spent so long pretending i only cared because you were my prince.”
beomgyu’s eyes widened.
“and now?”
soobin smiled softly.
“now i know i care because your you.”
for once, beomgyu had no joke.
no teasing.
nothing to hide behind.
“i like you.”
“a lot soobin”
the words were quiet.
but they were honest.
soobin looked at him.
“i like you too.”
and for the first time in a long time…
neither of them had to pretend.
the room stayed quiet.
soobin thought beomgyu had already fallen asleep.
but then he felt him move closer.
slowly.
carefully.
like he was still making sure soobin was really there.
“soobin?”
his voice was barely above a whisper.
“yes?”
“can i…”
beomgyu stopped.
soobin looked down at him.
“can you what?”
beomgyu looked away, suddenly embarrassed.
“never mind.”
soobin smiled softly.
“beomgyu.”
“what?”
“you don’t have to ask.”
for a moment, beomgyu didn’t say anything.
then he moved closer, resting against soobin’s chest.
soobin froze for a second.
not because he didn’t want it.
because he did.
he just wasn’t used to having someone choose him like this.
carefully, he wrapped his arms around beomgyu.
warm.
gentle.
protective.
beomgyu relaxed almost immediately.
“your warm.”
soobin let out a quiet laugh.
“that’s what your thinking about?”
“yes.”
“after everything?”
“yes.”
soobin shook his head.
“your unbelievable.”
“you missed me being annoying.”
“maybe.”
beomgyu smiled slightly.
“maybe?”
“fine.”
soobin looked down at him.
“i missed it.”
the room became quiet again.
but this time, it wasn’t the kind of silence that felt lonely.
it was peaceful.
beomgyu held onto soobin’s shirt lightly.
“i really thought i lost you.”
soobin’s expression softened.
“you didn’t.”
“but i could have.”
“i know.”
a small silence passed.
then soobin rested his hand gently against beomgyu’s back.
“i’m here now.”
beomgyu closed his eyes.
“promise?”
soobin smiled.
“promise.”
for the first time in weeks, beomgyu believed it.
he didn’t have to wonder if soobin was safe.
he didn’t have to wait for letters.
he didn’t have to pretend he wasn’t scared.
because soobin was right there.
and this time…
he wasn’t going anywhere.
eventually, beomgyu fell asleep like that.
safe.
comfortable.
still holding onto him.
the morning came.
soobin stayed awake for a little longer, watching the person in his arms.
the same person he once called “your highness.”
the same person he swore to protect.
but now…
he was just beomgyu.
his beomgyu.
the person he loved.
the morning came, and soft sunlight slipped through the window.
it landed gently across beomgyu’s face as he slept peacefully against soobin’s chest.
in the warm morning light, he looked almost unreal.
beautiful.
soobin smiled to himself.
“my pretty beomgyu,” he whispered.
beomgyu slowly woke up blinking slowly still sleepy.
soobin smiled softly saying “good morning.”
”good morning”
”oh my god, did i fall asleep on your chest?”
”yea you did.”
”why did you not wake me?”
”you look pretty.”
beomgyu stayed silent.
”that’s- that’s not an excuse.”
soobin laughed lightly.
”come on let’s get up i have something planned out.
—
the village was quieter than usual.
soobin walked a step behind beomgyu as they wandered through the small market.
for once, there were no royal guards.
no servants.
no formal meetings waiting back at the castle.
just the two of them.
beomgyu had insisted on wearing plain clothes again, his hood pulled low enough that no one would recognize the prince wandering around buying pastries like everyone else.
he looked happier this way.
lighter.
he stopped in front of a small stall selling flowers.
rows of white daisies, blue cornflowers, and tiny wildflowers sat in wooden buckets.
beomgyu crouched slightly, smiling as he gently brushed his fingers across a white daisy.
“look.”
soobin stepped beside him.
“they’re pretty.”
“they remind me of the castle gardens.”
soobin nodded.
“except these aren’t surrounded by walls.”
beomgyu looked at him.
“…i like that better.”
without another word, the old woman running the stall smiled warmly before picking out a single daisy.
“for your sweetheart.”
beomgyu froze.
“…oh.”
soobin’s ears immediately turned pink.
“i… i don’t think—”
the woman laughed.
“don’t worry. it’s free.”
before either of them could stop her, she placed the flower in soobin’s hand.
“make sure he smiles.”
then she waved them away before either could argue.
they stood there for a few seconds.
completely speechless.
beomgyu finally looked over.
“…well?”
soobin blinked.
“well… what?”
“i think she gave that to you for a reason.”
beomgyu grinned.
“are you just going to hold it forever?”
soobin looked down at the flower before letting out a tiny sigh.
then, with careful hands, he tucked the daisy behind beomgyu’s ear.
“…there.”
beomgyu’s smile disappeared.
not because he disliked it.
because his heart suddenly felt too full.
“…how do i look?”
soobin stared for a second longer than he probably should have.
“…beautiful.”
the answer slipped out before he could stop himself.
both of them immediately went quiet.
beomgyu looked away first, trying very hard to hide the smile spreading across his face.
“…thank you.”
they continued walking.
this time, their shoulders brushed every few steps.
neither of them moved away.
after a while, they reached the river that ran along the edge of the village.
the water sparkled beneath the evening sun.
a large tree leaned over the riverbank, its branches swaying gently with the breeze.
“can we sit here?” beomgyu asked.
“of course.”
they settled beneath the tree.
for a few minutes, neither of them spoke.
they simply listened.
birds singing.
water flowing.
children laughing somewhere farther down the path.
it was peaceful.
beomgyu leaned back against the trunk.
“…i wish i could stay like this forever.”
soobin looked over.
“here?”
“here.”
beomgyu smiled softly.
“no titles.”
“no meetings.”
“no expectations.”
“…just us.”
soobin didn’t answer immediately.
instead, he watched the sunlight reflecting across the water.
“…i think i understand.”
beomgyu looked at him.
“really?”
“i’ve spent most of my life following orders.”
he smiled faintly.
“this is probably the first time i’ve walked somewhere without wondering if i was doing something wrong.”
beomgyu’s expression softened.
“…then we’ll do this more often.”
“if the king allows it.”
beomgyu laughed.
“he will.”
“your very confident.”
“i have to be.”
he nudged soobin’s shoulder.
“otherwise i never would have convinced you to come.”
soobin quietly laughed.
“…that’s true.”
beomgyu smiled proudly.
“see?”
another comfortable silence settled between them.
the breeze became cooler as the sun slowly dipped lower.
beomgyu rested his head against soobin’s shoulder.
he didn’t think about it.
he simply did it.
the second he realized what he had done, he froze.
“…sorry.”
he started to pull away.
soobin gently stopped him.
“…you don’t have to move.”
beomgyu slowly looked back up.
“…i don’t?”
soobin shook his head.
“…i don’t mind.”
beomgyu smiled to himself before relaxing again.
this time, he stayed.
they watched the river together as the sky slowly turned shades of orange and pink.
after a while, soobin quietly spoke.
“…are you cold?”
“a little.”
without saying anything else, soobin removed his cloak and carefully draped it over beomgyu’s shoulders.
beomgyu blinked.
“what about you?”
“i’ll be alright.”
“…liar.”
soobin smiled.
“maybe.”
beomgyu opened one side of the cloak.
“…come here.”
soobin looked confused.
“what?”
“the cloak is big enough.”
“…unless your scared.”
soobin raised an eyebrow.
“scared?”
beomgyu nodded dramatically.
“very scared.”
“…i’m not scared.”
“then prove it.”
trying not to laugh, soobin moved closer until they were both wrapped beneath the same cloak.
their shoulders pressed together.
their arms occasionally brushed whenever one of them moved.
it was warm.
comfortable.
safe.
beomgyu looked up at the sunset.
“…this is nice.”
“…it is.”
“…thank you for coming with me.”
soobin looked at him for a long moment.
“…thank you for asking.”
beomgyu smiled.
he didn’t realize it, but his hand had slowly found soobin’s beside him on the grass.
their fingers rested only inches apart.
neither of them reached for the other.
not yet.
but neither of them moved away.
and somehow…
that felt like enough.
the sun was beginning to set as they walked back toward the castle.
for a while, neither of them spoke.
they didn’t need to.
their footsteps stayed in rhythm.
side by side.
beomgyu looked down for a moment.
then, without saying a word, he reached for soobin’s hand.
their fingers brushed.
soobin looked over.
beomgyu pretended not to notice.
but he didn’t pull away.
soobin smiled softly.
instead…
he held his hand.
and neither of them let go.
once, soobin believed his place was behind the prince.
now…
he knew it was beside beomgyu.
always.
that night, neither of them said much they went back to beomgyu’s bedroom.
the silence between them was comfortable now.
beomgyu sat on the edge of the bed, watching soobin finish folding the blanket.
“your still doing that?”
soobin looked over.
“doing what?”
“making sure everything is perfect.”
“old habits.”
beomgyu smiled.
“come here.”
soobin walked over.
“what is it?”
beomgyu patted the empty space beside him.
“sit.”
soobin did.
their shoulders brushed.
for a moment, neither of them spoke.
beomgyu looked down at his hands.
“can i ask you something?”
“anything.”
“will you stay tonight?”
soobin smiled softly.
“of course.”
beomgyu let out a quiet breath.
“good.”
they climbed beneath the blankets together.
the room was dark except for the moonlight spilling through the window.
beomgyu turned onto his side.
“i’m still getting used to this.”
“to what?”
“to knowing i don’t have to wait for you anymore.”
soobin’s expression softened.
“you won’t have to.”
beomgyu moved a little closer until their foreheads almost touched.
“promise?”
“promise.”
a small smile appeared on beomgyu’s face.
without thinking, he rested his head against soobin’s shoulder.
soobin wrapped an arm around him.
carefully.
like he was still afraid beomgyu might disappear if he held him too tightly.
“your doing it again.”
soobin blinked.
“doing what?”
“treating me like i’m going to break.”
soobin let out a quiet laugh.
“after everything that happened… i think i’m allowed to be a little careful.”
beomgyu smiled.
“maybe.”
he reached for soobin’s hand beneath the blanket and intertwined their fingers.
“this is nice.”
“it is.”
they stayed like that for a while.
no talking.
no worrying.
just listening to each other’s breathing.
soobin closed his eyes.
for the first time in a long time…
he didn’t fall asleep wondering if tomorrow would be his last.
he fell asleep knowing that when morning came…
beomgyu would still be there.
and somehow…
that was enough.
“soobin..”
“yes beomgyu?”
“i.. really want to kiss you..”
soobin looked at him quietly.
there was no teasing in his expression, no rush, only a softness that made beomgyu’s chest tighten.
for a moment, neither of them spoke.
then a small smile appeared on soobin’s face.
“then do it.”
beomgyu looked up at him, searching his face as if he still couldn’t quite believe he was allowed to want this.
“really?”
soobin nodded.
“only if it’s what you want.”
beomgyu’s shoulders loosened a little.
“it is.”
slowly, he closed the small distance between them.
the kiss was soft and warm.
soobin slowly trailed his hands up to beomgyu’s waist.
beomgyu carefully settled into soobin’s lap, his knees resting on either side of soobin’s hips still kissing him.
beomgyu pulled away to catch his breath.
but soobin had other plans.
the second beomgyu pulled away, soobin pulled him in for another kiss.
“i’m not going anywhere you know.” beomgyu said slightly laughing.
“i know. but i don’t want to stop.”
”lets not stop then.”
beomgyu and soobin kept kissing, not losing the softness between them.
soobin wanted more and beomgyu understood.
beomgyu bit on soobin’s lip, making him inhale and open his mouth.
with that beomgyu took the chance to slip his tongue into soobin mouth exploring every bit of it.
soobin was exploring beomgyu mouth too.
both of them making slight moaning sounds.
still sitting on soobin lap, beomgyu pulled away and wrapped his arms around him.
”i love you soobin.”
”so much.”
soobin smiled and hugged him back.
”i love you more beomgyu.”
beomgyu had tears in his eyes.
”don’t cry. i love you so much beomgyu. my pretty beomgyu.”
”soobin..?”
”yes baby?”
”are we boyfriends now?”
”isn’t obviously?” soobin said giggling.”
” just making sure.”
beomgyu couldn’t stop smiling.
it almost didn’t feel real.
for so long, all he had done was wish.
wish that soobin would look at him the way he looked at everyone else.
wish that one day he would be more than just the prince.
wish that someone would love him simply because he was beomgyu.
and now he was sitting safely in soobin’s lap with his arms around him.
he had everything he had been wishing for.
“what are you thinking about?” soobin asked after noticing how quiet he had become.
beomgyu looked up at him.
“that i’m really lucky.”
soobin let out a small laugh.
“i think i’m the lucky one.”
“no.”
“yes.”
“no.”
“beomgyu.”
“soobin.”
they stared at each other for a second before both of them burst into laughter.
the room that had once been quiet was now filled with nothing but their smiles.
when the laughter finally faded, soobin gently brushed a few strands of hair away from beomgyu’s face.
“your beautiful.”
beomgyu’s cheeks immediately turned pink.
“don’t say things like that.”
“why?”
“because then i get embarrassed.”
“good.”
beomgyu lightly hit his shoulder.
“your mean.”
“only a little.”
beomgyu shook his head before resting against his chest again.
outside, the evening sky slowly changed from soft gold to deep shades of blue.
the castle had grown quiet.
servants finished their work for the day while guards changed shifts outside the walls.
for the first time in what felt like forever, everything seemed peaceful.
neither of them felt the need to speak.
they simply enjoyed being together.
after a while, soobin softly spoke.
“can i tell you something?”
beomgyu nodded.
“of course.”
“i used to think someone like me wasn’t allowed to have this.”
beomgyu looked at him.
“what do you mean?”
“a normal life.”
he smiled sadly.
“someone to come home to.”
his hand gently held beomgyu’s.
“someone to love.”
beomgyu squeezed his hand.
“you deserve all of that.”
soobin looked into his eyes.
“and now i have you.”
beomgyu felt his heart swell.
“and you always will.”
the words came so naturally that neither of them questioned them.
they both knew.
whatever tomorrow brought…
they would face it together.
beomgyu reached for soobin’s hand and carefully intertwined their fingers.
“promise?”
soobin smiled.
“i promise.”
“even when i sneak out of the castle?”
“i’ll probably be the one following you.”
“even when i steal food from the kitchens?”
“i’ll help you eat it.”
“even when i annoy you?”
soobin laughed.
“especially then.”
beomgyu grinned.
“good.”
they sat there until the last bit of sunlight disappeared beyond the castle windows.
the stars slowly appeared one by one, covering the night sky.
beomgyu looked out the window before smiling to himself.
once, the stars had been something he could only admire from far away.
now they reminded him of hope.
of second chances.
of quiet moments that somehow became unforgettable.
he turned back toward soobin.
without saying anything, he leaned forward and pressed one last gentle kiss against his forehead.
“thank you,” he whispered.
soobin smiled.
“for what?”
“for seeing me.”
soobin rested his forehead against beomgyu’s.
“i’ll always see you.”
beomgyu closed his eyes, listening to the steady beat of soobin’s heart beneath his ear.
it was warm.
safe.
home.
and as the moonlight spilled through the castle window and wrapped around the two of them, neither prince nor soldier mattered anymore.
they were simply beomgyu and soobin.
two hearts that had finally found each other.
and for the first time, the future didn’t feel uncertain.