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Prince Seungkwan sighed as he did his third walk-through of the palace grounds.
One would think that the prince would have a million things to do, the wedding between his royal bestie Prince Jihoon and the allusive Prince Soonyoung looming imminent over his head and all, but nope. Jihoon, who usually needed him nearby to use as a shield from extenuating (read: any) social engagements, didn’t need him anymore. And although the surprise engagement to the Earth Prince seemed rushed, Seungkwan knew his friend. Jihoon never did anything he wasn’t sure of. What was more, Seungkwan had an implicit trust in Jihoon he didn't have in anyone else. So when Jihoon asked Seungkwan to take a step back from sticking his nose in every aspect of the pre-nuptial rites and celebrations typical to Jihoon’s native planet Teptury, he readily agreed. He thought he’d have down time, a reprieve from managing everyone else’s lives, but that wasn’t the case.
He was bored.
He had been reduced to walking through the same halls he’d spent half his childhood in, looking at the same art carefully arranged on walls, sidestepping the same stupidly placed vases in the middle of hallways. At least the earlier meet-and-greet was fun.
Then, Seungkwan spotted the handsome guard from earlier in one of Prince Jihoon’s private gardens. He froze, partially hidden by one of the columns lining the daisies.
Should he approach? Seungkwan wasn’t usually the one to approach his conquests, quite the opposite, but he might make an exception today. Han–something. Han..sol? Hansol!
Anyway, Hansol seemed nice enough from a distance. Seungkwan had seen how he went out of his way to help a little lost girl find her way to her worried parents. He’d made silly faces and gallantly declared himself her “knight in shining armor” before giving her a piggyback ride to some extremely worried dignitary.
Two hours later they had an official meeting. Jihoon introduced him as one of the newer guards entrusted to his personal safety. And he was definitely new; Seungkwan would have remembered him.
Sparks flew. Hansol was handsome and had a peculiar charm about him that threatened to draw Seungkwan in. In turn, Hansol’s eyes didn’t stray from Seungkwan for long, following him around the room, making sure he was doing well, even bringing him little snacks and drinks as Seungkwan worked the room. But nothing more familiar than that.
It was towards the end of the night that Hansol tried to approach him, but by then, Seungkwan was already being dragged away by Soonyoung, who insisted they should get acquainted.
It was only a few hours, and call Seungkwan a helpless romantic, but he was optimistic about what he felt. He may have found the one.
He steeled himself to approach when, from behind the large bushel of flowers obstructing Seungkwan’s view, a woman approached Hansol. He gave her a lovely white daisy and looked at her the same way he had looked at Seungkwan earlier that day.
“Aw, Hansollie.”
Hansol smiled, wrapped an arm around her waist, and kissed the girl.
Seunkwan’s eyes widened, then he ran to hide behind a pillar.
Had he misread the situation? Hansol was so attentive and kind–but maybe a little too flirty, now that he thought about it. No, he didn’t misread anything. Hansol just used his face on unsuspecting people for his own…self-interest. Seungkwan rolled his eyes and straightened his shirt and posture. This wasn’t how a prince should behave himself. With his head held high, Seungkwan walked away; Hansol wasn’t worth it. Seungkwan knew trouble when he saw it.
1
Hansol could not stop thinking about Thighs–Seungkwan–since they met yesterday. He had such cute round cheeks, and a charming aura about him, and the sweetest twinkle in his eyes, an ass to die for, and an alluring, fighting spirit.
Hansol had to have him.
But he was the prissy type.
Hansol knew Seungkwan was a little stuck up–but who could blame him? He was pretty as hell, he was a neighboring prince, and he knew his worth. It was hot as fuck. Hansol would have to bring his A game–which, of course, led to today.
This was the plan:
First: Ask Seungkwan to meet him outside the guest chambers near the garden. A combination of the favorable weather they were having and the sweet fragrance of the surrounding flowers would set the mood, and that was already half the battle.
Second: Pick some flowers from the royal gardens to give to Seungkwan–the receiver of such flowers always think he’s a hopeless romantic or a bad boy rebel for picking flowers from one of the royal gardens and risking serious punishment (the fact that Prince Jihoon literally gave him the idea and a half-hearted warning of ‘As long as my garden doesn’t look ugly’ notwithstanding).
Third: Give Seungkwan The Look™.
Then it’s in the bag. Sure, it may sound kind of dumb when laid out like that, but, while Hansol is very aware of what Seungkwan looks like, Hansol’s also aware of what he looks like. And he looks damn good.
Seungkwan won’t know what hit him.
Except–
“Do you think I like this?” Seungkwan sneered, an unassuming white daisy (Hansol knew he should have picked something flashier. The peonies had been right there) was crushed in his hand and his face was starting to turn an amusing shade of red. Not good.
“Like what? It’s a nice, romantic gesture.”
“You’re treating me like–like a common whore!” Seungkwan’s glare deepened at Hansol’s widened eyes. “Don’t think I don’t know this is what you do for all your conquests, Hansollie. Don’t think you have a chance with me. This,” he motioned between them, “is not going to happen. It’s never going to happen!” With a tiny grunt, a stomp of his foot, and a fifth of Hansol’s dignity, Seungkwan turned his heel and disappeared down the hallway.
Huh.
Hansol was going to have to try a little harder.
2
Hansol was fine. Other than a minor blow to the ego, he came off relatively unscathed from his last encounter with Seungkwan. That’s more than he can say for some other hopefuls who had tried their luck with Seungkwan. Oof.
On the bright side, Seungkwan didn’t seem inclined to castrate him which, if some of the rumors were to be believed, was a possibility.
He had a winning idea this time, so there was nothing left to do but push forward and hope for the best. The box he held behind him would have to do the heavy-lifting this time around. He hoped it would be enough.
“Seungkwan.”
“Yeah–oh. You. And it’s Prince Seungkwan.” The prince raised his eyebrows high, crossed his arms, and gave Hansol a once over, unimpressed. It was fine. Hansol looked more like a knight in shining armor when he was in his uniform. He couldn’t blame Seungkwan for disliking his tie-dye t-shirt, red sweatpants, and purple shoes combo.
What?
He was off the clock.
“I have something for you.” Hansol grinned as he swung the box forward, spindly arms rushing forward quickly. He presented the box to Seungkwan. “I heard you like coffee, and nothing goes better with coffee than pastries. So…” Hansol’s smile started to slip. Seungkwan remained impassive. “Here–um–here you go.”
“I’m on a diet.”
“Oh.”
“And you thought you’d win me over with junk food and sugar?”
“Hey, if you want my opinion–”
“I don’t.”
“You don’t need to diet. You’re super attractive already.”
Seungkwan rolled his eyes. “I’m detoxing. For my health. It has literally been all I talk about to anyone. You’re pretending to be so interested in me, but you didn’t even know this?” Seungkwan huffed out a last breath before turning around and walking away, leaving Hansol alone with a sad box of pastries.
He didn’t even look back.
Actually. In Hansol’s humble opinion, the prince left with a little too much sway in his step. Walked a little too enticingly.
It was weird, he totaled two rejections now, but he wasn’t being shut out completely. Seungkwan could bring this up to Prince Jihoon at any moment and get Hansol to leave him alone for good. Or get him fired. But he hadn’t. This was starting to get a lot more interesting.
And maybe–maybe Hansol was starting to like the chase.
3
So. Maybe this wasn’t the coolest thing Hansol could have done.
He looked at the matching pair of pajamas laid out on his bed.
Hell, he had beat up some of the losers in middle school for less than dressing up the exact same way as their significant others (not that Seungkwan was his partner yet. Or that he had actually beat anyone up. His [solid] stay in the bottom-most rung of the social hierarchy ensured that, if anything, he should have been the one getting beat up).
But Seungkwan.
He’d overheard Seungkwan complain to Prince Jihoon about his dislike of the itchy pajamas provided to him by the castle. Jihoon had offered to switch them out, but Seungkwan refused, He didn’t want to be a bother, he was sure Jihoon and his staff had “plenty to worry about without fulfilling some superficial whim some minor royal had”. He quickly distracted Jihoon with questions about Soonyoung (the best and, sometimes, only way to distract him these days).
Hansol felt bad.
Every night, Hansol had the best night of sleep.
Hansol grew up in an orphanage with lumpy, uncomfortable beds, and hardly any hope. It wasn’t until Prince Jihoon became a teenager and insisted that the orphanages needed more funding, more resources allocated to them, ways for the kids to grow out of the system to fend for themselves, that life there became bearable. The programs instilled were so successful, Prince Jihoon continued working on them until the kids growing out of the system had the opportunity to pursue higher education–including a quicker training route and preference when hiring for the palace. He applied to the guard’s academy as soon as he was able to.
He owed the prince everything.
But sentimentality aside, he knew what a difference good sleep made. Maybe that’s why the prince had been so quick to reject his advances so far. Of course he would reject Hansol. He was cranky and couldn’t sleep well.
The pajamas though…maybe a tangerine print was too on the nose?
Seungkwan’s planet was known for its many fruits and vegetables, and tangerines had always been a staple export for his people.
And the pajamas were cute. The bright orange of the fruits, soft pinks of the backgrounds, and deep greens of the foliage would look lovely on Seungkwan. Hansol was even considerate enough to buy Seungkwan matching fuzzy orange slides.
He hadn’t thought it through though.
“Why in the world,” started Sungkwan after he had presented his gift, brow furrowed and head slightly tilted, “would you think it was a good idea to get us matching ones?”
“Why?” Ummm. “Well–”
He didn’t know either. He had mentally beaten himself up over being a loser when he got them and called it a day. He didn’t know his own intentions–why would he? Hansol wasn’t much of a thinker. He was more of a doer.
“...they were too cute to pass up?”
Seungkwan scoffed, but Hansol spotted the twitch of a smile tugging at the edges of his lips.
Hell yeah.
Hansol grinned.
Seungkwan held the items in his hands for a second before feeling for the softness of the fabric. Seemingly without noticing, he let out a satisfied hum.
Then he snapped out of it.
“Nothing has changed.” Seungkwan said with a sharp look at Hansol while quickly stuffing the pajamas in the satchel he was carrying. “Stop bothering me.” His words didn’t match his tone, though. He gave Hansol an assessing look before turning his heel.
It may have been wishful thinking, but Hansol could have sworn he heard a quiet thank you as the prince walked away.
“You’re gonna sleep with me soon!”
4
Look. Seungkwan needed it, okay?
Hansol didn’t love accessories (aside from the odd beanie to hide his bedhead or the occasional surprise shaved head) but what was he supposed to do? Leave it?
He admired the elaborate handiwork of the embroidered canvas bag. There was a beautiful songbird on the face of it, iridescent wings catching light as he moved the bag to and fro. He ran his hand down the bird and reveled in its loveliness. Seungkwan needed it.
He threw it down on the bed and sighed, then flung himself alongside it.
He covered his eyes with a forearm. What was he doing? Seungkwan looked so happy earlier. What if he meant it when he rejected Hansol? What if he didn’t want anything to do with Hansol at all? What if he was with someone else?
Up until now, Hansol had liked his chances. The pretty prince would, at some point, realize that Hansol could be fun. He would change his mind, they would have an incredible few days, then they would part ways. At least, that was how it was supposed to happen. Instead, Hansol started dreading Seungkwan’s upcoming departure more and more, upset at the possibility of not seeing Seungkwan for a long, long time.
Sengkwan was incredible.
Hansol, in pursuit of his pursuit, learned all he could about the prince. He even developed the (non-stalker) tendency of following him around. He was like an abandoned puppy, desperately vying for the prince’s attention. And Seungkwan graciously tolerated him. But that was enough.
So far, Seungkwan had visited the nearby orphanage (the one Hansol grew up in) three times. Everytime, Seungkwan brought a new delicacy for the kids to taste, and new toys for them to play with. Twice, he volunteered to stay afterwards to help run the kitchen and feed the children. And the children loved him. Hansol understood how desolate it could get in there, how hopeless things could feel. Seungkwan brought joy. Seungkwan rediscovered laughter for the kids in a way Hansol recognized he had lost long ago too. It was healing seeing the care he lacked as a child be given so lovingly, so freely to others who need it. Hansol, of course, stayed out of sight. He couldn’t risk making Seungkwan uncomfortable. He seemed so happy there as well. He couldn’t take this from him.
Seungkwan’s walks through the palace were a whole other story. There, Hansol could ask and prod and poke at the prince. It was upsetting that Seungkwan wasn’t very forthcoming with his responses, but at least he wouldn’t send him away anymore. Well, he wouldn’t send him away most of the time. Well, he wouldn’t send him away some of the time.
But Seungkwan was so bright. He cared so deeply, and he put his friends first, and Hansol saw now how Seungkwan was the only person capable of keeping Jihoon from losing his absolute mind at royal parties or gatherings. Seungkwan, for all that he had a proclivity for dramatics, had a good head on his shoulders. He was the most socially astute person Hansol had ever met, able to manipulate any situation as if it were molding clay. Everywhere he went a gaggle of followers trailed behind. As they should. He never shied away from them, and usually didn’t turn anyone down when they wanted to talk. He always sought the spotlight but was willing to share it with just about anyone. He’d constantly talk about his world and friends with such fondness. Seungkwan was golden, blessed beyond belief because he deserved it. Seungkwan loved the universe he lived in, but the universe adored him. Hansol couldn’t say he blamed it.
Anyway, Hansol was being attentive and caring and he was being all sappy and shit now, but still, somehow, he was getting in the way.
Jun.
Sure, Jun was only there sometimes, but every time, without fail, he had Seungkwan in stitches. He was the reason for Seungkwan’s smiles earlier. It was the worst.
Jun came in, made a joke (sometimes a stupid joke that didn’t even make sense), winked (why was he winking so much? Was there something in his eye?), then was gone for a day or two.
Hansol used to not care about Jun. He used to think, wow, that guy’s kinda weird and then get on with his day. That was it. Now, it’s like he’s spending every waking hour he’s not thinking about Seungkwan, thinking about Jun. What did he say to Seungkwan? Why did Seungkwan seem to seek him out so much? Where was he going for days at a time when he could stay and have Seungkwan’s full attention on him? Why didn’t he bloom under said attention? Was he stupid? In his place, Hansol wouldn’t leave Seungkwan’s side ever. Jun’s very presence was rewarded with the most special smile in the universe. Wasn’t he addicted? Wasn’t that a source of light for him? How could it not be?
Anyway.
Hansol needed an edge.
Seungkwan responded positively to his last gift (or, well, it wasn’t negatively, so he’ll count it as a win) so he needed to continue giving him things. So. The bag.
Better now than never.
He got up, grabbed the bag, and put his hoodie up. He had to put up a fight if he wanted to have Sungkwan.
Now to find his prince.
***
“Did you know that trying to find you is like trying to find a needle in a haystack? I ask people for a prince, and people give me directions to get to three completely different people.”
“And how is your lack of specificity my fault, exactly?” Seungkwan asked without looking up. His attention was fully on the task at hand: a complicated looking game involving cards, dice, and a Jenga tower. His opponents, Minghao and Seokmin, grunted in agreement.
“It’s not. I’ve just been looking for you for a while. I have a present.”
Seungkwan perked up before quickly masking his reaction. Too late. Hansol noticed.
“Well. What is it?”
Instead of answering, he shoved the canvas bag, bird side up in Seungkwan’s face. “Here. I thought you might like it.”
“Why?” He asked, his face hidden behind the bag. Hansol regretted the choice to put the bag directly in front of Seungkwan. The prince’s face may have distracted him, but maybe then he could have gauged Seungkwan’s reaction to the present.
“Because. I heard you say before that these birds are your favorites. Besides, they remind me of you. You sing just like them.”
Seungkwan shoved the bag down, mouth agape, locking his narrowed eyes with Hansol. Searching.
Suddenly, Hansol was exposed. Every thought was laid bare before Seungkwan. The prince could have easily scooped Hansol’s beating heart into his hand to do as he pleased, and Hansol would not have even pretended to put up a fight. He was all in.
“I–um,” the prince looked away and tucked a piece of hair behind his ear, “I’ll accept it. Thank you–but only because my old one is ripping! I needed a new one anyway.” Seungkwan’s blush ran high on his cheeks and his lips were in a stubborn pout. It was adorable.
“Okay. I’m glad you’ll be able to find some use for it. Bye, Seungkwan.”
“Wait. You’re leaving?”
“Yeah,” Hansol said, trying to hide how desperately he wanted to stay. Maybe it was time to take a page out of Jun’s book. Leave him wanting more by going away, or whatever. “I figured you’d want to finish your game.”
“This round is over anyway. I will head to my room. Would you be so kind as to escort–?”
“Of course!” Hansol held his arm out for the prince to hold as they walked. He couldn’t wipe the stupid grin off his face.
Seungkwan accepted with only slight trepidation. His delicate fingers wrapped around Hansol’s arm in a way that felt right. Like he belonged there.
As they walked away, the pair heard Minghao and Seokmin talking.
“Man, we weren’t even done with our game!”
“Shut up, Seokmin.”
“And hadn’t Seungkwan just told us about his super cute new satchel? It’s still in its original packaging and everything!”
“Shut up, Seokmin!”
Seunkwan’s blush deepened.
Hansol grinned bigger.
5
This thing was getting out of control.
This Jun thing.
Seungkwan flirts back with Hansol sometimes. Seungkwan smiles at Hansol like he could be feeling what he’s feeling. Seungkwan sings for him (“He sings for anyone~” Shut up, Soonyoung). It’s so monumental and important and all-consuming and he could lose it all to Jun.
Jun sucks.
He casually holds Seungkwan’s hand. What was that about? What kind of relationship did he have with Seungkwan that gave him the right?
Hansol had to do something.
But what?
Time was running fast and he had to lay it all on the line for Seungkwan soon. If not, he would leave without hearing Hansol’s feelings.
But that would be tomorrow.
For today, he was determined to find the prince at the ball.
He knew Seungkwan preferred to wear pastel colors, so he looked for a soft blue or green frock among the crowd.
“Hey, Hansol!”
“Hi, Seokmin.” He said, eyes still glued to the dancefloor where he knew Seungkwan would be.
“What are you doing?”
“Looking for Seungkwan.” There was a foreign princess laughing as she twirled a different princess towards the left side of the dance floor. They were in complementary outfits–the one being twirled in a light blue suit, the other in a dress of the same color, and both adorned with silver. Hansol sighed. Maybe one day he could convince Seungkwan to do something like that too. Dress–not the same, but in a way that showed they were together, two pieces of a whole. They would seem so inextricably intertwined they’d make more sense together than apart.
Obviously, outfits that matched completely were for sleeping.
He kept looking.
“Really? Why?”
“Maybe he’ll dance with me if I ask nicely.” The princesses accidentally tripped over each other. Their eyes widened simultaneously before they burst into giggles, holding onto one another as they shared in the silliness of the moment. Seungkwan was so cute when he giggled.
“I wouldn’t count on it.”
“What?” He whipped his head around to find Seungkwan staring him down with a raised eyebrow. Hansol’s mouth went dry. Seungkwan was in a stunning dark red patterned blazer and black dress pants ensemble, the black dress shirt underneath with the first few buttons undone and his hair slicked back attractively, eyes lightly lined. He looked dangerous. Hansol’s own formal uniform was a simple, but complementary, red and black ensemble. They looked good together. Hansol grinned. “You look good.”
“Good? I expected more from a man trying to dance with me.” This was it right? Seungkwan was going to admit he was in love with Hansol and that they were going to live happily ever after until the end of time and ride into the sunset or whatever. Hansol grinned wider.
“You look absolutely ravishing. It’s devastating how amazing you look. A million sunrises could not compare to the sheer beauty of–” A delicate hand was slapped over his mouth.
Seungkwan blushed. “That’s enough.” He turned his head to the side, sheepish but pleased, and lowered his hand.
“So will you?”
“Will I what?”
“Will you dance with me?”
“Hm.” He gave Hansol a coy look. “Maybe later.” And he walked away. Hansol’s eyes trailed after him dreamily.
“Sorry, dude.” Seokmin winced sympathetically.
“Why? It wasn’t a no.”
“It basically was.”
Hansol rolled his eyes. Seokmin didn’t get it. It was a game they were playing–the push and pull of ocean waves before the eventual crash.
“It really wasn’t.” He walked away. Seokmin didn’t need to understand.
*
Hansol’s fist was clenched so tightly it was starting to hurt. It was fucking ridiculous.
Jun was here.
Of course, Hansol figured he would be: Jun always showed up where he wasn’t wanted, but today? Today stung. Because today, Jun was wearing a suit to complement Seungkwan’s.
Hansol didn’t have the money the rest of the guests seemed to be able to burn away so easily. That was fine, he didn’t need much in his day to day life. But the stark difference between himself and Seungkwan was blatant. Only made more obvious by his and Jun’s very evident outfit coordination. Jun’s shirt bore the same pattern as Seungkwan’s blazer, his suit was the same black, his hair was styled softer than Seungkwan’s, but his eyes were lined in the same way.
There was an endless amount of space between him and Seungkwan, and Wen Junhui put it there.
Hansol marched himself over to where the two were talking, glaring at Jun the entire way there, and took hold of Seungkwan’s hand. “Hey, babe. You promised me a dance.” He started leading him away.
Seungkwan snatched his hand out of Hansol’s grasp, angry. “I said maybe. And who do you think you are just coming up to me like that?”
Hansol ignored him and turned to Junhui. “You should leave.”
“Sure. I was going to leave soon anyway. Bye, Kwannie!” He smiled at both of them and waved enthusiastically before leaving.
“What the fuck was that?”
Hansol faced Seungkwan. He took a breath. “Should I give up?”
“What?”
“Should I give up? I know you’re unsure about me for some reason, but do you really dislike me?”
“What do you–?”
“Because I like you Seungkwan. A lot. And I’m trying, I really am, but if I don’t have a chance, you should tell me to give up now.”
Seungkwan’s eyes shot to his. “You mean it?”
Hansol nodded.
Seungkwan bit his lip and timidly reached for his hand. He tangled their fingers together.
“I like you too.”
Hansol beamed. From where they were holding hands, Hansol pulled Seungkwan in, let go, put his hands on either side of his face, and kissed his lips. He was pushed away immediately.
“What are you doing?!” Seungkwan’s eyes were perfectly round from how wide he opened them.
Hansol happily grabbed his hand again. “You’re never getting rid of me," he said, giddy. "C’mon. We’re going on a romantic walk now that Jun’s finally gone.”
“Hey.” Seungkwan pulled at Hansol’s hand, rooted to his spot. “What’s your problem with Jun? He is literally one of my favorite people and I need you to get along with him. Otherwise this definitely won’t work.”
Hansol’s face went cold.
“Hey! I don’t know what your problem is with Junnie, but he is my favorite cousin, and if you’re not nice to him–”
“COUSIN?!”
Hansol hit his own forehead.