Archive of Our Own

Snap. Snap.

Cale blinked as he was startled out of his thoughts by the sound of snapping fingers.

“Huh?”

“What’s with you?” The Crown Prince frowned as he looked at Cale’s blank face, “It’s not like you to be so out of it. Just what mischief are you thinking of now?”

Mischief? If only that was what it was.

But no, it had to be the voices in his head.

-You know, you two spend so much time everyday. You might as well just tell him.

-Just tell him.

-Look at how much money he has hahahaha! You think he’ll be willing to spend all that if you tell him?! Kahahahaha! Throwing away money is the best!!!

-Not for the money, but for your own feelings. You should tell him.

-I already told you!! If you want to XXX him—

This is the part where Cale decided to self-censor the crude voice in his head and hold back a sigh as he looked at Alberu’s beautiful face sporting a frown again. 

Had he been too nice with these Ancient Powers? Maybe he shouldn’t have admitted his feelings to himself, then all this could have been avoided.

-Not really, we can still tell your feelings for him even if you don’t wanna admit it. 

Cale dragged his hands down his face with a sigh on hearing the glutton priestess’ voice in his head.

Alberu, who saw his dongsaeng suddenly sigh and drag his hands down his face, frowned even more, “You punk, do you know how rude you are being right now?” 

Cale smiled at him, it was so sudden but natural that it almost felt like his expression earlier never existed at all, 

“Your Highness, the star of our kingdom, the future of Roan, our shining beacon–”

“Enough.” Alberu touched his forehead as if to shoo away a headache, “What is it. What do you want from me now?”

Cale feigned offense as he spoke, “Your Highness, surely you don’t think I’m merely spouting flattery to get something from you–”

“That’s exactly what I think.” Alberu said without missing a beat, “What do you want now.”

But in all honesty, Cale really hadn’t come here with the thought of asking something from his hyung-nim, he just dropped by because he felt like it. But for some reason, he didn’t think he should admit that fact to the Crown Prince.

Instead, he decided to flop down on the sofa in the Crown Prince’s bedroom and shrug, “I was bored.”

“So?” Alberu had already resumed his paperwork, not even caring about Cale’s disrespect as he switched back to work mode.

Cale did not reply, only staring at him while thinking.

‘Look at him. A guy like this who is always working so hard and has a kingdom to run— how can someone like him spare time for useless stuffs like relationships.’

-Hey hey Cale, don’t give up without even giving it a go. This isn’t like you at all.

The cheapskate loudly declared. Cale could almost imagine this guy shaking his fists in frustration.

Although the voice wasn’t wrong, there was still the fact that Alberu was the future king of the Roan kingdom, no, it might be the Roan empire soon, ah, then Alberu would be the emperor.

-Heh, a king or an emperor, we have already gone against dragons and gods, well, one god. Don’t worry at all.

Cale’s brow furrowed on listening to the Dominating Aura’s voice. It seemed like this guy had gotten chattier since they returned from Aipotu.

‘What nonsense is he saying now.’ Cale thought subconsciously. As if in response, the Dominating Aura’s imposing voice spoke again,

-You know what I mean. It’s not like you will need to scam the Crown Prince in this matter–

‘I wasn’t planning on?’ Cale was really baffled at this scammer’s unbelievable thought process.

-What the XXX is this XXX crazy aura guy saying! Cale isn’t the type to XXX scam someone into a relationship!

The Sky-Eating Water seemed angry at the fact that the Dominating Aura would even suggest such a thing.

-What no of course not!

The Dominating Aura, who always seemed to be a bit scared of the crazy water lady, rushed to explain,

-Besides, I am ninety eight percent sure the Crown Prince already has feelings for Cale too.

Cale, who at some point had just tuned out the eccentric voices arguing in his head, stiffened up on hearing that, too shocked to even say anything in reply.

-Actually, I am a hundred percent sure about it. 

The glutton priestess chimed in.

Cale scowled as he heard that. 

“Speaking nonsense again.” He said out loud without realising it.

Alberu, who had been scribbling away at his desk, paused with a frown and looked up at Cale, intending to ask what the hell he was saying to the Crown Prince of Roan kingdom now. But seeing the red-haired man’s oddly focused look as he sat completely still on the couch and stared ahead into nothingness as if he was very deeply contemplating something—made Alberu hesitate.

‘Has this crazy bastard finally lost it– no, he was never sane in the first place.’ Alberu continued to look at Cale for a little while longer, his annoyance turning into amusement as he watched the red-haired young man’s usually stoic or smirking face go through a variety of emotions within a span of less than five minutes, as if he was reacting to some conversation or information only he could hear.

Alberu shook his head, albeit fondly, ‘I guess all that dimensional travel is finally messing with him.’ He then paused in his act of signing a document and looked at Cale again, who had an expression between a frown and a doubtful look, followed by a scowl and an annoyed expression as he scoffed and sat back with pursed lips. 

Alberu’s amusement only grew. He decided to set aside his pen and stood up from his chair, blinking in surprise when he realised Cale hadn’t even noticed that.

‘Have I been overworking him?’ Alberu wondered vaguely as he walked over to a cabinet in a corner of his room, ‘Or maybe he has been overworking himself? This punk, he only says slacker this slacker that but never really rests properly.’

Meanwhile, Cale was dealing with a headache, no, several headaches of his own.

-As someone who is always keeping a close eye on the state of your heart, I can say with confidence it always beats faster when the Crown Prince is close to you. Oh, and your face gets warmer too, even though you hide it well.

This crybaby old man’s voice sounded so profound and firm for once that Cale decided he preferred him better when he was sobbing and complaining about the state of Cale’s body after an overwhelming fight.

-Yeah you tell him youngest! Hey, hey Cale. Think about it…..think about how much the Crown Prince has given— someone like that is the real deal I tell you. He is very sincere and rewards you properly. I approve of this guy. He knows your worth very well.

The cheapskate seemed to be speaking nonsense as usual.

-Cale, didn’t you say you don’t want any regrets this time? I am sure the Crown Prince is also someone who prefers to live without regrets. You should give it a try. We are all right behind you.

‘I don’t need you to be???’ When did this Scary Giant Cobblestone become someone who gave out relationship advice….

-I usually don’t interfere in matters like this……but I agree with them.

Even the thief’s usually calm husky voice which Cale found peaceful was making him clench his eyes in annoyance.

-I’m hungry.

At least one of them was being normal.

-What the XXX did you just say to me??? Hey Aura guy, if I catch you I’ll XXX and XXX. You better XXX watch out—

-Wait, wait hey hey I didn’t mean to offend you– woah, woah calm down. Cale, tell this crazy water lady, ahem, kind water madam to calm down, will you.

Cale sighed into his hands and lamented out loud, “Ho my goodness…..” Was this all even worth it. Is this the real test of being the holder of ancient powers, Cale started wondering if he should try and just use embrace on all of them.

-!

-!

-!

-.......we will be quiet for now.

Almost all at once the voices in his head quieted down. Cale finally felt like he could breathe now.

Clack.

Cale blinked and looked up, meeting Alberu’s amused gaze as the Crown Prince set down two empty glasses and a bottle of wine on the table.

“Your Highness, are you treating me to a toast when you are still so busy with work?” Cale smirked, “I am so touched.”

 Alberu scoffed, “Seeing how you look like you are having an internal battle with yourself over god knows what…..I think you need this more than I do.”

Cale’s smile almost faded. ‘Dammit he saw that?’

Fortunately, none of the ancient powers reacted this time so Cale could speak without interference, “....I’ve been struggling with an issue lately.” He said vaguely, thinking Alberu would likely let it go on hearing that.

“What? Have you been hearing voices out of thin air?” The Crown Prince said jokingly as he handed a glass of wine to Cale, who looked as if he had swallowed something sour as he replied to Alberu,

“I always hear voices out of thin air.”

“Well that at least explains half of your madness.” Alberu said without missing a beat, and then he looked up to see Cale seemingly lost in thought again. ‘This punk…..he is usually not like this.’

This time, Alberu was a bit worried, “Cale.” He called out in a stern voice, making Cale snap out of his reverie and look at Alberu, “Your Highness?”

Alberu watched him, leaning back to be comfortable as he spoke, “How good is your alcohol tolerance?”

Smirk.

Cale smiled in that insufferable way that Alberu couldn’t stand yet couldn’t look away from.

“It’s pretty good.” Cale, who knew his alcohol tolerance was beyond comparison to most of the people he had met so far, lied, “Decent, I’d say.”

Alberu narrowed his eyes suspiciously. For some reason, he felt a strange, ominous feeling on the back of his neck, but nonetheless he spoke, “I am pretty good at holding my alcohol, you know?”

Cale pretended to be marvelled, “Really, Your Highness?” 

Alberu, who could see through his act, scoffed, “You don’t believe me?”

Cale smiled, “I never said that, Your Highness.”

Alberu smiled as well, “You will see soon enough.”

—--

Fuck.

Alberu, for his case, knew his assessment of himself wasn’t flawed.

It was just that….this punk, this bastard—Cale Henituse…..

He always managed to go far and beyond Alberu’s expectations.

“Fuck….are you even human?” Alberu grumbled as he pinched the bridge of his nose while trying to steady his dizzying head, “......how are you still sober….”

“I wouldn’t say fully sober,” Cale said nonchalantly as he popped open the fifth bottle of wine between the two of them, “I’m at least a little bit tipsy.”

Alberu, face flushed and vision blurring, squinted as he looked at Cale’s red face but crystal clear gaze, “You punk…..are you lying to make me feel better?” Alberu mumbled in annoyance again.

“I wouldn’t dare to lie to the sun of our Roan Kingdom, Your Highness.” Cale said shamelessly as he poured another glass for both Alberu and himself.

“Haa….” Alberu leaned back, “....although your face looks red….you are definitely at least ninety percent sober.”

“Heh,” Cale shrugged his shoulders, “The best wine in the Henituse territory. I spent an entire night drinking it, you know? It had no effect at all.”

Alberu’s eyes clouded over, “Crazy bastard…..”

Alberu sighed, thinking, ‘I shouldn’t have invited this bastard for a drink.’ Even if he had been worried about Cale and wanted to help him let loose a bit….in the end, the only one to end up drunk and wasted was him.

“Dammit,” Alberu mumbled in a tired voice, “There’s still some work left…..” Saying so, he stood up, albeit a bit off balance, staggering as he stepped away.

“......are you really going to get back to work in this state?” Cale, who had ended up by his side at some point, commented in an astonished tone.

‘What a scary guy.’ Cale thought as he felt Alberu try to push him away, “I can still finish some more…..” The crown prince mumbled as he tried to head towards his desk.

Alberu….realised how out of it he was…..somehow he ended up on the cool wooden floor instead of by his desk.

“...” Cale, who had watched his dear hyung-nim take one step towards the desk before tripping on the carpet and falling down, was a little bit at a loss for words.

He sighed and shook his head while filling up an empty glass with cold water, and then he walked over and crouched next to Alberu, “Your Highness.”

Alberu, who had been silently staring at the ceiling, opened his mouth, “Why don’t you call me hyung?”

Cale blinked, and then opened his mouth, “Hyung-nim.”

“What is it?” Alberu asked in a calm tone. One could almost ignore the way he was lying with his back to the wooden floor if they heard the feigned rationality in his voice.

“Please sit up,” Cale instructed him, “And drink this glass of water.”

Alberu seemed reluctant, but he must have had at least some sense left, as he slowly sat up and accepted the glass of cold water.

Cale watched him, and then said, “You’ve been working hard, hyung-nim.”

“And because of who is that?” Alberu muttered as he blinked his eyes and put the glass away.

It seemed as if he was planning on lying back down on the floor, Cale reached out to pull him away from the floor, “At least go to your bed.” Cale mumbled as he tried to drag Alberu up.

“...”

“Pfft-” Alberu held back a chuckle as he looked up at Cale’s annoyed face.

“This is why everyone tells you to exercise, you know?” The wasted crown prince teased him while Cale stood in place, unable to move Alberu from his spot by even half an inch. 

Cale breathed out, and then he put on his radiant smile as he let go of Alberu, “It seems you are in a better state than before, Your Highness, which, obviously means that I don’t need to help you.”

“Wait, wait—” Alberu seemed to be in a rush as he grabbed Cale’s retreating hand. Surprised, Cale looked at the Crown Prince’s flushed face, and ignored how his own face felt warm due to factors unrelated to the alcohol while Alberu spoke with an uncharacteristically mischievous smile, “I don’t think I can get up. Why don’t you lend me a hand?”

Cale narrowed his eyes; he was perhaps the person who knew Alberu best. That suspicious grin on his hyung-nim’s face had Cale wondering for a moment what new trick this crown prince was going to pull….

“You aren’t gonna help your poor, drunk-out-of-wits hyung-nim, hm?” Alberu asked him cheekily.

“To be honest with you, Your Highness,” Cale said even as he shifted his hold to grasp Alberu’s hand properly, “You don’t sound all that wasted right now—” Cale’s words trailed off as he tried to pull Alberu up again but failed, “You are doing this on purpose.” He finally said with a frown as Alberu chuckled again.

“It’s fun to see you struggle.” The crown prince admitted, making Cale scoff. The red-haired man tried to pull his hand back from Alberu’s hand but the prince did not let go. Cale looked at him, at his mischievous smile. That half smirk of amusement that seemed to leak out of the real Alberu hidden beneath the facade of a holy looking crown prince— the playful and teasing dark elf that remained hidden away under the light of the sun. It was only a split-second thought, because Cale noticed a glint in Alberu’s eyes and realised he should pull away right away—

But, ah, the prince was, of course, faster than him. He tightened his hold on Cale’s hand and….

….pulled. 

Cale’s eyes widened, and he barely had time to react as he stumbled forward and landed…..right on top of the Crown Prince, who seemed pretty satisfied with the outcome as he laughed, the vibrations of his shaking shoulders brushing against Cale’s shoulders as well as Alberu spoke, “You really are as delicate as a shaky leaf on a branch. I didn’t even have to put in an effort to pull you down.”

Cale, despite how rapidly he could feel his heart beating, and despite the spreading warmth on his face, was able to keep his voice steady as he looked down at the laughing Crown Prince’s face and spoke, “It really is easier to pull down people than lift them up you know.” He grumbled, but made no move to pull away from Alberu.

“Really?” Alberu stopped laughing and looked up at Cale again. He did not seem to mind their precarious position at all, “I think I can pick you off the floor pretty easily.”

Cale opened and closed his mouth, trying to push away the sudden image that popped up in his mind when he heard Alberu’s words, “Your Highness…..either you are pretending to be half drunk, or you are pretending to be barely sober. Which one is it?”

Alberu sighed, leaning his head down, the dyed golden strands of his hair brushing against Cale’s neck as he did so, “I don’t know, dongsaeng…..would you rather I be sober or drunk in this situation?”

Cale froze up for real this time. It felt as if Alberu’s question held more than just an approximation of his sobriety at this moment. He opened his mouth.

“To be honest with you, Your Highness, it doesn’t really matter to me.” He then pulled back a bit to take a better look at Alberu’s face, frowning as he noticed the dark circles under the crown prince’s eyes, “...it feels your eyebags get worse every time I see you.”

“You….” Alberu scoffed, but also laughed a bit as he sighed and leaned forward, resting his head against Cale’s shoulder.

Cale, a little bit unsure, shifted his position to sit up a little more comfortably while continuing to let Alberu lean against his shoulders, “There there,” He said in a soothing voice as he patted the crown prince’s back, “Have you been eating well at least?”

“Hah look at this funny punk,” Alberu lifted his head to look at Cale, “Have you?” 

Neither of them replied.

“...”

“...”

“At least I have a child who feeds me soggy apple pies even when I faint. Who will feed you and take care of you when you faint, Your Highness.”

Alberu pursed his lips and closed his eyes, after a long, drawn-out breath, he opened them again. Cale’s face was still in front of him, a slight frown visible on his forehead, and his reddish-brown eyes looking at Alberu intently while the flushed state of his cheeks seemed to stand out even more under the moonlight.

Alberu sighed and muttered, “For someone who is sober….you sure look red.”

“It’s just the natural disposition of my body,” Cale waved it off, and then leaned a little closer to Alberu, “Are you feeling sober now, Your Highness?”

Alberu watched Cale silently for a moment longer. And in that silent moment, it almost felt like he could change something fundamental in the way they were with each other right now. Cale, sitting opposite to him, so casually, looking at him so closely. Alberu who hadn’t shown any signs of backing away, but rather had been the one to pull Cale closer in the first place–

‘That’s right.’ Alberu thought to himself, ‘I was the one who pulled him.’

Almost as if he were in a trance, he moved closer to Cale, “Maybe I am still a little bit drunk,” He mumbled while his eyes narrowed. 

Cale, whose mouth had gone dry when he realised Alberu was even closer now, was struggling just the slightest bit to keep up his cool as he replied, “Shall I help you to bed?”

“Mm….” Alberu’s gaze flitted away from Cale’s face, “I really must be drunk….” He mumbled to no one in particular.

Really…..Alberu thought, it was probably an awful idea to get drunk around Cale like this. Not that he didn’t trust the young man but rather….

….he couldn’t help but pay attention to certain feelings he did not quite want to think about.

“Dangerous..,,,”

Cale blinked, even forgetting he was flustered a moment ago as he furrowed his brow again, “What? Are you calling me dangerous?”

“I’m not wrong,” Alberu said with satisfaction, he looked up at Cale again, a little more confident than before, “You have been a danger from the very first moment we met.”

“...” Cale felt like he should be offended right now, “Are you talking about that Young Nobles meeting back then.” 

“Mm.” Alberu vaguely nodded and then lifted a hand to flick away a stray strand of Cale’s red hair that had escaped to dangle over his eyes.

“Hey–”

Unfortunately, his finger also struck Cale’s temple a little lightly, who scowled with a displeased look towards Alberu.

“Pfft–” Alberu laughed again, “There you go. Speaking so disrespectfully to me again.”

“Why do you seem oddly happy about it.”

“Haa…..what can I do?” Alberu lifted a finger and brushed away another strand of red hair from Cale’s face, “Your reactions are really fun to watch sometimes.”

“Fun?” Cale’s scowl deepened.

“Mm…..sometimes….” Alberu seemed to be contemplating as he spoke, “....even cute?”

Thump.

Cale took a deep breath, “Are you so drunk that you are speaking nonsense now?”

“Nonsense?” Alberu sighed, as if he couldn’t believe what Cale was suggesting, “Why is it nonsense?”

Cale did not quite know how to respond, or react. The crown prince’s wandering hand was now twirling a lock of his hair falling on his shoulder…..it was a strangely absurd yet peaceful setting. The two of them sitting on the floor of the Crown Prince’s study, in the middle of the night, the smell of alcohol still lingering between them, and a strangely comfortable silence but oddly lingering tension that drifted in and out amidst their calm conversations.

Alberu’s eyes were fixed on that single strand of red hair twirling between his fingers. Cale was unsure of how to proceed with their conversation now, so he chose to remain silent, also observing the crown prince while Alberu continued to silently play around with Cale’s hair.

For what it was worth, Cale was at least grateful he wasn’t hearing any voices right now. You know, those voices.

Finally, Alberu breathed out, leaning down again, but not enough to rest his head against Cale’s shoulder again. His hand had shifted from playing with strands of Cale’s hair to rest on his shoulder. Cale swallowed as he wondered what he could even say in a situation like this.

‘Mm…..’

Cale was at least half-sure that Alberu’s drunkenness had mostly subsided.

Still….

“What do you want to do now, Your Highness?” He asked again, in a low voice.

“Hah,” Alberu’s hand on Cale’s shoulder tightened and he lifted his face, to look right into Cale’s reddish-brown eyes, “Call me hyung.”

Cale oddly felt like he was dealing with a stubborn child, even though he knew Alberu wasn’t as drunk as before at the moment, “Shall I help you to bed, hyung-nim?”

“....I don’t feel sleepy.”

This guy….

Cale finally felt a bit frustrated. His mess of emotions, the strange atmosphere between them, Alberu’s annoying but oddly endearing actions, as always, this Crown Prince once again made Cale feel like he was at a loss for words as he watched the slow smile that spread across Alberu’s face.

“It’s really fun when you make a face like that.”

Cale was really torn between being annoyed and being flabbergasted at Alberu’s words, “....are you having fun, Your Highness? Teasing your dongsaeng like this?”

“Yes.” Alberu replied shamelessly as he straightened up a bit, looking down at Cale with satisfaction, “My dongsaeng looks very cute when annoyed.”

Cale blinked, “What nonsense–”

-It’s not nonsense at all. This Crown Prince has a good eye.

???

Cale was frankly more flabbergasted at the glutton priestess’ nonchalant voice than Alberu’s admission.

-Our Cale is indeed very cute. This Crown Prince at least knows that much.

?????

Even the Sound of the Wind’s matter-of-fact voice added on.

What nonsense. 

“What are you thinking now?” 

Cale suddenly found his face cupped by Alberu’s hands and pulled close. He could feel his heart skip a beat at the action and blinked up at Alberu’s frowning face while the Crown Prince spoke again, “There’s that disrespectful look on your face.”

Cale closed his eyes. Man, drunk Alberu was not good for his heart at all. 

He began thinking….he was sure Alberu was at least half sober now….even then….wasn’t this too….affectionate?

Cale opened his eyes, Alberu was still looking at him with a smile.

“Your Highness…..”

Cale felt a strange bold urge, “Hyung-nim, what are you thinking right now?”

Alberu, who had been staring at Cale a little too long, blinked, “Hm?”

Cale’s lips twisted into a smirk, “Hyung-nim, are you really still drunk?”

Alberu’s gaze changed, “Mm….would you prefer me to be?”

Cale’s breath hitched. It was such a simple statement, and yet….he felt like it held a very heavy weight. After all, they were so close, and Alberu had Cale’s face in his hands, and Cale had made no move to push away or pull back, in fact, he had even dared to lean in a little closer. 

At this moment, Alberu’s earlier comment of ‘dangerous’ echoed in Cale’s mind again.

It really did feel that way at the moment. That they were playing a risky game, and that the stakes were beyond what either of them had dared to imagine. Cale, truly, thought he was the only one who was on this playing field but the current situation…..as his heart stuttered in his ribcage, he wondered…..

…..how long had Alberu been here? 

Cale swallowed, thinking, over and again, just what the hell. Was this real? Was this a dream? Or was he imagining all that he saw on the Crown Prince’s face, the emotions leaking out through his usual mask— his gaze that remained on Cale with emotions shifting from amusement to affection to happiness to….longing? Cale didn’t know whether he was deluding himself.

Cale….really hated beating around the bush.

“Your Highness, what are you thinking?” He asked straight away.

“You didn’t even answer—mm?” Alberu’s words were cut off as Cale suddenly grabbed him by the collar and pulled him close, looking into his eyes with a very, very serious look, something usually unlike Cale when with Alberu, “Tell me, Your Highness. What are you thinking?”

Could it be….?

Cale did not want to make assumptions, but he also did not want to remain unsure. So the only solution…was to clarify everything.

“M-me?” Alberu was really surprised. Seeing the composed Crown Prince lose his demeanor like this was always a bonus for Cale.

Cale’s eyes glinted with an emotion Alberu hadn’t seen before. 

Cale wondered why Alberu wasn’t answering…and then he wondered if there was some other way he could confirm it.

Alberu, for his part, was trying to ignore the heat of Cale’s breaths against his face as he spoke. Forget disrespectful, what this punk was doing now was something far beyond that. 

'This is driving me nuts.'

Really, the distance between them….

Alberu felt like his senses were clouding over.

Cale’s dark red eyes watching him, his delicate hands still tight on Alberu’s collar, a look of determination on the red-haired man’s face.

Alberu couldn’t help the corners of his lips from twitching up.

Cale, for his part, narrowed his eyes, “What’s so funny?”

“Hahaha….” Alberu grabbed Cale’s hands and then….with one smooth move…..flipped them over.

“Really, dongsaeng,” He teased Cale, whose wrists were now pinned to the wooden floor beneath them, while his face seemed to be blanking out in surprise, “You should have realised by now that your physical strength can’t compare to mine at all.”

“That….” Cale looked up at Alberu, now hovering above him…..did this cheerful hyung of his even realise the position they were in….

….ah. That slight red tint on the tips of his ears…..Cale was sure that wasn’t because of the alcohol.

Alberu released Cale’s hands, gaze shifting away, clearing his throat, “Ah, I got carried away—”

Alberu’s words trailed off again as he was yanked forward, Cale had grabbed him and pulled him close again, “It’s not like you to leave things unfinished, hyung.” He said calmly as he sat up halfway through. 

There seemed to be….an implication in those words.

Alberu wasn’t sure. He felt like he would do something he could never get back from if he let Cale do as he pleased now.

But at the same time….he really couldn’t bring himself to pull away.

“I’m not even drunk anymore,” Alberu admitted as he smiled wryly at Cale, “You shouldn’t say such things to me, Cale.”

Cale, who felt like this moment might slip away quickly if he didn’t hurry, spoke, “I already know you sobered up a while ago, Your Highness.”

“Then are you drunk right now?” Alberu asked with a doubtful look. 

“I am not.”

Hm? Then….Alberu opened and closed his mouth.

Cale decided he had had enough of his hyung-nim’s hesitations until now. He had already given him way too many chances and well….if what he would do next would end up as the wrong choice, then he could just run away. There was always running away no matter what.

“Huu…” Cale readied himself with a deep breath, and then….

….He pulled Alberu toward him.

The moment their lips touched, Alberu’s mind blanked out. 

It really did. He did not even realise what was happening right away. He blinked and moved his face, and realised that yes, he really was kissing Cale right now….or rather, Cale had pulled him into a kiss. Alberu, head spinning, did not react immediately, hands frozen awkwardly in air as he tried to calm down the nerves tingling all over his body.

Cale, for his part, was trying his best to only pay attention to Alberu’s lips against his own, really, he was trying his best. The distractions were a little too loud though.

-Holy shit.

-He did it.

-This daring punk!

-Ajhskjhdihfkdjhdfsk

-Sob sob he did it I am so proud of him

-Huh what what’s happening- holy fucking god you go Cale!!!

-Ahem, I know we are happy for Cale but let’s leave him be for now. He needs some privacy.

As always, Super Rock’s voice of reason finally quieted down the rest of the punks and Cale did not hear anymore voices in his head as his attention was brought back to the issue at hand.

It seemed, at some point, Alberu had taken control of the situation. Cale was being pushed back against the wooden floor while a surprisingly agitated Alberu Crossman was tightly holding his wrists and kissing him with a gentle yet overwhelming amount of strength.

Cale had wondered about this fact before too, but Alberu’s physical strength was really no joke at all. As expected of his hyung-nim who never missed a day of training while even being so busy with administration of the kingdom.

“Mmf…” Cale gasped as Alberu pulled back for a second, but only a second, he was already down on Cale and kissing his mouth again while his hands moved from Cale’s wrists to intertwine with his fingers. Cale did not mind the action, even curling his own fingers to tighten his grip on Alberu’s palms while he tried his best to keep up with the speed and force of Alberu’s open-mouthed kisses. 

Cale didn’t even realise when Alberu’s hand had ended up in his hair, or when his own hand had reached up to settle itself on Alberu’s shoulder, every moment or so their gazes met amidst the fervour of their mouths meeting, and really, seeing such intensity in Alberu’s eyes like he had never seen before—it made Cale resist a shiver, but he was no better in the way he assessed Alberu either, eyes twinkling and narrowing as he finally managed to spit out a word in between the short breaks between their kisses, “Your Highness….”

“Hyung.” Alberu corrected him, while kissing the corner of his mouth to let him continue speaking.

“Haaa….hyung,” Cale seemed to be exasperated but there was a smile on his mouth as he spoke, “How long have you been fantasizing about this?"

There was no way it was the first time Alberu had thought of something like this…..the urgency in his movements, the fierce actions of his hands and mouth, the confidence in his movements…..Cale really felt like Alberu had already decided what to do the moment he flipped the situation and took control.

Alberu breathed out a chuckle against Cale’s throat, “Enough times.” He admitted, finally lifting his head to look at Cale, the crazy bastard who started all this in the first place.

Cale was smiling while laid out under him.

‘As expected.’

“Just with me, right?”

Alberu scoffed, “Is there anyone else who would dare?”

“No,” Cale replied confidently, “There isn’t,” He accepted it so easily, “And there shouldn’t be.”

Alberu had an amused look on his face. It turned out even this guy could have a jealous side?

“It should be the same for you too.” Alberu returned the sentiment.

“Of course,” Cale agreed, “No one but you, Your Highness.”

Alberu smiled, a truly radiant smile, but not the sort that made him look holy and pure, rather, it was his real smile, filled with delight, disbelief and affection as he chuckled and leaned closer to Cale again, “Call me hyung.”

Cale’s lips twitched, but he relented as he lifted himself a little off the floor to bring his face closer to Alberu’s.

“Hyung,” Cale said, “Kiss me again.”

“Pfft–only you would dare order the Crown Prince like that,” Despite his words, Alberu tilted his head down and kissed him again anyway. 

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