(A/N: Finally finished writing this chapter! Enjoy! ^_^)

“Mother, how come he isn’t waking up?”

She looks down at her son and slightly smiles with a glimmer of sadness and hope. Then she took her son into an embrace and patted the boy’s head. The boy didn’t understand as to why the other boy wasn’t waking up. All he wanted to do was play with the other boy.

His mother pulled away and patted the boy’s cheek.

“He is a little bit sick and needs some rest. When he wakes up he will play with you. Can you be a good boy and wait until he wakes up?”

The boy nodded his head and smiled like any other child would. He was about to walk away but took one more glance at the closed room. He said a prayer in his heart and proceeded to go back outside.

He looked up at the sky and saw how cloudy and grey the world looked like. It was raining too as one of the palace servants came to cover him. His reaction was nothing as he continued to look at the grey sky.

To him it looked like the sky was crying. Like the rain were the sun’s tears. His reasoning the sun was crying was because the clouds were covering it up and the sun’s reaction was to cry. The sun cried because it wasn’t able to shine. It wasn’t able to shine on the world it brightens every day.






Myungsoo woke up with a start and saw the sun had come out. He felt like he has been sleeping for a long time. More than he usually would, though, it’s around the same time he wakes up.


The servants were out and about getting breakfast ready for the king, queen, princess, and two princes. Myungsoo only got news after his test, which he passed with flying colors (that’s what Woohyun said), and he felt bad not knowing how Sunggyu was doing.

Ever since he started getting ready to become the next king, he has forgotten about his brother. He remembers since he was little that he wanted to be like Sunggyu when he grew up. But when he realized that Sunggyu won’t become the next king and he would have to

He got up from his bed and at the same time the servants came in with his clothes. They helped him put them on as he watched them with empty eyes. As the dressed him, he saw how they were around him. Their bodies were stiff and they didn’t dare meet his eyes.

Myungsoo sighed at this and told them to leave after they finished. After he was finished, he took a step out of his room and headed to the building where his father and the officials have their meetings about the country and their people. Though, Myungsoo wasn’t too excited about attending this meeting. And these meetings were boring and there was no exception this one will be too.

The servants opened the door for him as he silently entered. Everybody turned their head to Myungsoo as he entered except for one person. Myungsoo’s father didn’t even turn his head towards Myungsoo as he sat down next to him. Then the king noticed that everybody’s attention was focused on his son so he slammed his hand on the table causing everyone to look at him. Except for Myungsoo: father like son.

From the corner of his eye, Myungsoo saw Sungyeol sitting way in the back. Sungyeol smiled at Myungsoo who replied back with a nod of his head. It wasn’t much but Sungyeol was glad that he got that much out of Myungsoo. Even though he still wanted more from him.

While the meeting continued, Myungsoo drifted off to his own little world. From the sideline, Sungyeol watched the prince look out the window from the room. He directed his eyes towards there and caught a glimpse of two birds flying off to the sky. Suddenly, Sungyeol felt weird. Like he wanted to follow where the birds were flying. As if he belonged with them. But he wouldn’t ever match that because the people would think he was crazy.

And was afraid that Myungsoo would think that he was crazy too. Sungyeol didn’t want that at all. He wanted to be in Myungsoo’s heart however large or small that piece of heart is. Wherever Myungsoo is, he wants to be there right next to him. Even if it’s in another country; he will follow him. However high or far Myunsoo goes; Sungyeol is following him. Like a shadow stuck following wherever the person goes.

The meeting felt like forever to Myungsoo as he stared out the window. He glanced to his side and saw Sungyeol staring at him. The latter turned his head like a lightning bolt making Myungsoo question what is with Sungyeol these days. Myungsoo can’t help but feel like Sungyeol is keeping something from him. But whatever it is, he wishes he can know soon.

Once the meeting was finished, Myungsoo stormed out of the building wandering to who knows where. Sungyeol immediately followed wondering where he went to. There was no trace of where Myungsoo went to so Sungyeol just sighed in defeat. He kicked at the ground blaming himself for not being quicker and being polite to the officials who got out first.

While Sungyeol was being like a child and kicking at the ground, Sunggyu had come out of his room and into the sunlight. He squinted his eyes at how bright the sun was and because he was really tired. Earlier he was given medicine because he wasn’t feeling so well.

“Sunggyu-goon?”

He turned his head toward the source of whose voice it belonged to. Sunggyu saw that it was Sungyeol and smiled. Slowly he made his way forward towards Sungyeol as the other bowed at him.

“Sunggyu-goon, are you feeling better? I heard you fainted yesterday. Are you sure you should be moving about? Woohyun-hyungnim and Myungsoo-wanja would be worried if they knew you were out and about like this.”

Sunggyu patted Sungyeol’s shoulder and smiled. “Don’t worry about me, Sungyeol, but worry about yourself instead. I can tell you already have a lot on your shoulder so you don’t have to worry about me. I can take care of myself.”

Sungyeol deeply bowed feeling a bit embarrassed. He scratched the back of his neck and smiled at Sunggyu who chuckled back at him. This even made Sungyeol flush a bit more trying to hide it but didn’t know how to hide it.

“O-Of course! But it’s also my duty to worry about you too! You are also a prince of our country too.”

At those words, a flash of pain shot through Sunggyu’s eyes. Sungyeol caught it but was taken back when the other simply smiled. Sunggyu got closer and pressed his hand to Sungyeol’s chest; right above his heart.

“This sound... The feel of it is beautiful. Make sure to take care of this and don’t ever be heartbroken. I’m very sure Myungsoo wouldn’t be able to live if you weren’t alive anymore.”

Sunggyu backed away and nod his head. Sungyeol watched him as he left the palace gates and into town. It wasn’t his business to pry into other people’s lives, but he was curious. He has always been curious since he was little, though now he has little time.

Then he thought of Sunggyu’s words. He placed his hand above his heart and slowly breathed taking in the counts of his heartbeat. It felt normal to him yet why was Sunggyu talking about taking care of his heart? Sungyeol knew he wasn’t sick because the last time he has ever been very sick was when he was little. Back then it was a life or death situation as well.

“Sungyeol!”

He snapped out of his thoughts and saw Myungsoo yelling out his name. Myungsoo had changed his clothes into something much more simple. Sungyeol tilted his head confused as to why he had changed. It wasn’t the clothes a prince would wear but more of a commoner.

So Sungyeol ran up to Myungsoo gesturing as to what he was wearing.

“Myungsoo-wanja, what are you wearing? Why did you change out of your clothes?” Myungsoo was wearing a light blue and white hanbok. For some reason Sungyeol couldn’t help but awe at how wonderful Myungsoo looked in a simple hanbok.

The prince crossed his arms and sighed. Instead of answering Sungyeol’s question, he walked out of the palace grounds. Sungyeol finally snapped out of awe and ran after Myungsoo. Luckily for Sungyeol, Myungsoo wasn’t far off. He was able to catch up to the prince because it was at least his duty to watch over the prince.

“Can’t I have at least some time to myself?” Sungyeol shook his head and smiled. Of course Myungsoo didn’t understand as to why he was smiling. There was no need to smile at a boring situation like this. To him anyways.

“There has to be someone to make sure nothing happens to you. That is my duty. Also-”

Myungsoo turned around and glared at Sungyeol. “I don’t need for you to protect me. I have enough of that at home so I don’t need it here. Now, leave me alone. I don’t need any assistance from you.”

Sungyeol just sighed but didn’t leave. They just continued walking with each other. There wasn’t a single word from either of them. It’s not like it was awkward, but right now Myungsoo wanted peace despite being in a crowd of people.

There were many shops they looked through. Myungsoo had bought some food because he hadn’t ate much this morning. But these were the food he had enjoyed as a child. Sure he didn’t smile as he ate them, but he remembers of those days when he ate such simple food like this. Then there was Sungyeol there who stood right next to him. He didn’t buy any food but just simply watched. Like a shadow he reminds himself.

Sungyeol looked at the ground and saw there shadows right next to each other. Even to him Myungsoo’s shadow seemed like a prince too. He was Myungsoo’s shadow and his shadow was Myungsoo’s shadow. It doesn’t make sense to others who may even think about that, but to Sungyeol it did. Other people’s opinions didn’t matter.

“Sungyeol, hurry! I want to go-”

Without looking, Myungsoo had bumped into someone. He quickly caught the person. His eyes widen as he realized who the person was: Sungyeol’s sister Naeun. Myungsoo placed her back on her feet and bowed. Naeun was flustered to meet the prince, a faint blush across her cheeks.

“Naeun-sshi, I’m very sorry to bump into you. I did not see you. Please excuse me.”

“Wait!” Naeun pulled on Myungsoo’s sleeve still blushing. “Um, I heard from my father that you passed the king’s last test. C-Congratulations.” Myungsoo blinked his eyes at her a couple times and lifted his lips into a smile. It wasn’t truly genuine but he forced it that way he would disappoint her. That’s what his father told him anyways.

“Thank you Naeun-sshi, but I must get going now. It was nice meeting you again,” Myungsoo pulled away and looked over to Sungyeol who was a distance away, “Sungyeol, I told you to hurry up! Get over here this instant!”

Sungyeol saw everything that happened. He saw the flicker of affection in his sister’s eyes. His sister is loved by many because of her kindness, innocence, and her sense of justice. There was a day that he remembered when they were younger when his brother, Sungjong, was getting harassed by these other boys. They were calling him a girl because of his feminine looks, but then Naeun stood up for Sungjong.

After then Sungjong wasn’t bothered by those boys. Sungyeol deeply admired his little sister very much, and believed whoever married her would get a gift from god. Yet he knew deep inside his heart where her eyes will always drift to: Myungsoo. The one who always receives her signs of affection even if the other didn’t notice.

“I’m coming! Please wait for me!” Sungyeol ran after Myungsoo passing by his sister. He quickly waved at her and caught up.

“I told you not to lag behind. What if I lost you here?”

“Myungsoo-wanja, why would you lose me? I should be the one afraid of losing you. Not the other way around.”

Myungsoo turned his head and glared at Sungyeol. Those ice cold eyes always made Sungyeol’s heart stop beating for a second. Even if Myungsoo’s eyes lost the warmth as a child, Sungyeol couldn’t help but accept these new eyes.

“Like I said before, I won’t get lost here. Now, I want to go visit somewhere. Follow me.”

Like a puppy following it’s owner, Sungyeol followed Myungsoo everywhere. They bought some fruits and flowers. Sungyeol questioned what Myungsoo was doing but decided to keep it to himself.

As they were walking the outskirts of the village, they came upon a burial. Sungyeol feels like this place is familiar but can’t put a name to it. He watches as Myungsoo sets down the flowers and places the fruits down too.

Both of them bow to it but Myungsoo bows a couple more times. Then Sungyeol remembers that this is where Sunggyu’s mother was buried. There were some other flowers here too and realized that Sunggyu must have been here yesterday.

“Hello, it’s Myungsoo. It has been a while hasn’t it? I’m sorry that I can’t pay more visits. But I will try to to make it for my father. He should be here visiting you but I guess your only visitors are Sunggyu-hyungnim and I.”

Myungsoo got on his knees and smiled a little bit. At the same time Sungyeol got on his knees too right beside Myungsoo.

“Hello, you may not remember me but it’s Lee Sungyeol. I hope you are happy up there. Um, I don’t have much else to say but please watch over Myungsoo-wanja and Sunggyu-goon.” Myungsoo glanced at Sungyeol but there was no reaction. He just watched Sungyeol ramble on.

After they made their last goodbyes, both of them decided to head back before anybody notices that the prince is gone. Neither of them would want the palace servants and the king to start to panic wondering where Myugnsoo was.

The way back was quiet. Many people were out and about in the streets but neither of them didn’t mind it. They needed the noise to cover their heads as to what they were thinking about. Also both of them felt comfortable like this. Just the two of them.

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When they got back to the palace, the servants scrambled their way to Myungsoo making sure he wasn’t hurt. The latter just rolled his eyes and proceeded to his room to look at some papers the king probably left for him. Sungyeol stood there and waved goodbye to Myungsoo’s back.

Just like that they went on their own separate ways. Sadness etched its way into Sungyeol’s heart but was able to suppress it. Like every other time he was disappointed, angry, or any other negative feeling; he pushed it down. It wasn’t polite to show those kind of feelings...well that is what he was taught.

Since there was nothing else to do for him, he just wandered around. Then he decided to visit the temple that wasn’t far from here. One of his friend’s father takes care of it so he can make visits whenever he wants to.

On the way there he decided to grab some candy for his friend. His friend has quite a big appetite always asking for food. He kind of looks like an animal of sorts, but he wouldn’t say that in front of him or else he would get beaten up. His friend is older so he has to respect his elders.

“Sungyeol! What are you doing here?!” The friend dropped the broom and ran over to Sungyeol. With arms wide open, Sungyeol caught his friend in a hug. Both laughed to their heart’s content as Sungyeol handed over the bag of candies.

“Is this for me?” His friend took the bag and smiled like a child as he saw the content of the bag. There were a variety of candy but saw that there was a lot of his favorites.

“Yes it’s for you Dongwoo-hyungnim. I thought I should buy you some before I come over here. Where is your father?”

Dongwoo took a piece and chewed on it smiling at the same time. “My father is out buying some things. I don’t know what but it’s okay since you are here to keep me company now!”

Sungyeol laughed at his friend’s child side and ate some of the candy too. During the time he was there they continued to eat and reminisced about the days when they were younger. How they would play games and make fun of the girls. Also when they would sneak out Myungsoo from his studies so that they could play with each other. Or the times when Sunggyu was sick so they kept him company on those days. Another one was when they had a sword fight to see who was the best sword fighter and that of course went to Woohyun. Second was Sunggyu which everybody was surprised about.

Dongwoo leaned back and looked at the sky. He sighed at how beautiful it was out today. No clouds and a bright sun shining down on them.

“Today has been a good day. Don’t you think so?”

“It has been a fun day with you. Thank you very much.”

Dongwoo lightly hit Sungyeol’s shoulder making them both laught. At that same moment Sunggyu was walking up the steps. The two of them didn’t notice until Sunggyu cleared his throat catching their attention.

“Sunggyu-goon! What are you doing here?” Sungyeol ran over to Sunggyu checking all over to see if Sunggyu was okay.

“Sungyeol, I’m perfectly fine. No need to worry about me. I just came here to pay a visit to an old friend.” Sunggyu walked pass Sungyeol and made his way over to Dongwoo. “It has been a while since I paid a visit hasn’t it?” Dongwoo nodded with a soft smile.

“It has been too long. I was worried that you were never going to come visit me. How have you been doing? Is your health getting better?”

Sunggyu directly stared into Dongwoo’s eyes and smiled. But Dongwoo caught it, and he knew he shouldn’t say anything about it. A smile may be covering it, but Dongwoo knew better than that. The two of them have been friends for so long they practically knew what the other was thinking about.

“I’ve been doing well Dongwoo. How about you? Is everything doing well here?”

“Yes, it’s been a bit lonely but now that I have seen my two friends I feel like my day got brighter. Thank you very much for coming to visit me. Please... Please come visit more.”

Dongwoo took Sunggyu’s hands into his and gave it a firm shake. It wasn’t after a while that another friend came to pay a visit too. All three of them turned their heads to see Woohyun walking with Seunghyun. Sungyeol and Dongwoo caught the flicker of hurt in his eyes. Woohyun and Seunghyun were laughing together and to Sunggyu it seemed like the other was enjoying his time with Seunghyun.

Without thinking, Sungyeol pulled Sunggyu out of there. There were other stairs on the side so Sungyeol pulled him towards there. Thankfully the pair didn’t notice them as they left. They kind of felt guilty leaving Dongwoo alone but Dongwoo understood the situation.

Once they were a good distance away, they slowed down their pace. Suddenly there was the sound of a thump. Sungyeol turned his head to see Sunggyu on his knees. He scrambled to the other’s side checking to see what was wrong.

“S-Sunggyu-goon, what’s wrong? Are you hurt?” Sunggyu nodded his head. “Where does it hurt?” He clutched onto his head and groaned.

“My h-head. It hurts a lot.”

Nobody else was around so Sungyeol wrapped Sunggyu’s arm around his neck and his around Sunggyu’s waist. Then he carried him back making sure not to catch anyone’s attention. Also he made sure he covered Sunggyu’s face as they made their way.

When they got back, Sungyeol was able to get the help of the servants. They laid Sunggyu in his room as one of the servants placed a cold, wet towel on his forehead. Sungyeol stood there as he watched. He remembers that Sunggyu used to be like this when they were younger but then it became less frequent when they got older. Now, though, it has been acting up.

“Sunggyu-goon, I should tell Myungsoo-wanja what state you are in.”

Sunggyu grabbed onto Sungyeol’s sleeve and shook his head. “Please, don’t tell him. He already has a lot on his shoulders. I don’t want him to worry about me. Sungyeol, please don’t tell him.”

“Are you sure?” Sunggyu nodded his head. “I understand. I will not tell him. But when the time comes, you must tell him. He has the right to know too.”

“I understand. I will tell him myself when the time is right. Now, please, I will like to rest alone.”

Sungyeol left Sunggyu bowing to him as he walked out. Before he knew it night had fallen. Lanterns were hanging lighting up the way. Slowly he walked over to where Myungsoo’s room is. He could see the outline of Myungsoo and it seemed like he was still awake. It probably was a bit creepy that Sungyeol was watching from a distance but he didn’t want to disturb the prince.

After a while he left and went home. His mother and sister had prepared dinner by the time he arrived. They were already waiting for him as he sat down next to his father.

“Sungyeol, what took you so long to come home?”

“I was studying father.”

Simple and short. Just how he liked it. He didn’t say much but he felt like there was no need to. It was his father he was talking about. Sungyeol remembers as a child that he used to look up to his father. Though now it’s different. There isn’t that father-child relationship between them. Over the years they have drifted apart. Now, Sungyeol doesn’t know what to think about their relationship.

“I’m going to my room, I don’t have much of an appetite. Thank you you two for making the dinner. It was great.”

His family watched him leave. Sungyeol retired to his bedroom and changed into his sleeping clothes. He blew out the lantern and laid on his bed. Many thoughts were running around his head as he laid there.

Sungyeol reached for the ceiling imagining he could see the stars through it. Every single star out there; he wanted them. A bit selfish, but then who isn’t selfish in this world. People use others and lie for their own greed. He learned that when he was little from his father of course.

It was getting darker by the minute and to Sungyeol it felt like the stars were getting covered in front of him. Once there wasn’t a single ounce of light in his room, he closed his eyes and tried to fall asleep. One of the secrets he wishes for others to know is that he doesn’t like the night or more like the darkness.

He has gotten better at it since he was a child. Sungyeol used to have to sleep with a lantern but then he tried to grow out of it because he didn’t want the house to start on fire. If that were to happen, he wouldn’t be able to forgive himself. This fear of the night made him feel weak and like a fool.

When he was a child, other children would make fun of him and for some other reason that he doesn’t remember very well. Though I do remember that father scolded them. Maybe I was out of it because I truly don’t remember why father scolded them for. But that time it felt like it was more serious than usual. After that those kids left me alone.

Sungyeol turned to his side and sighed. It was getting harder for him to sleep but once he did he started to have a nightmare. It felt too real though. The nightmare was like deja vu.
 

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Sungyeol’s POV:

“Sungyeol-ah! Please save my child! Please save him!”

I was looking from a distance. Father, mother, and the servants were running around. Then I saw myself when I was a child. It was when I was sick... That was when my parents thought I was going to die. I remember because I could barely move. My body was in so much pain.

“Please move her out of the way. I need to give the child medicine!”

My eyes followed the servants pulling out my parents. Then I looked back at myself. That was when I felt my knees buckling as I fell to the floor. I still kept watch on my child self: he was coughing out blood. Something warm was trailing out of my mouth too.

I touched the side of my mouth to see that it was blood. The pain was becoming too much. I scanned everywhere trying to pull myself out of this nightmare. Then I found it...standing a few feet away from my body. It wasn’t something, though, it was a person. Someone I know very well.

“M-Myungsoo?”

The figure was Myungsoo as a child. But when he turned around fully, I let out a scream because where his heart should be, it was empty. Like a hole in the ground, there was a hole in his chest. His eyes were empty and cold as ever.

“Sungyeol? Take care of it, okay?”

“H-Huh? Take care of what?”

He pointed right at my chest.

Then everything turned black and I was pulled out of my nightmare.


Nobody’s POV:

It was the next day when Sungyeol’s family went over to the palace. He questioned as to why all of them were going but when they arrived, he couldn’t help but feeling something bad was going to happen. Not to his family or to Myungsoo’s family, but only to him. A gut feeling that he couldn’t get rid of.

Sungyeol’s parents were being entertained by the queen, Sungjong ran off wherever, and his sister followed the king along with three other girls. Sungyeol couldn’t help but be curious as to where his sister was going with them. Then out of nowhere, Myungsoo appeared behind Sungyeol scaring him in the process.

“M-Myungsoo-wanja! Please don’t scare me like that!”

“Sungyeol, you’re too easily scared. You need to improve on that.”

Sungyeol glared at the prince but gave up. He was right. After what happened last night, I started to get scared. Suddenly a piece of dust flew in Sungyeol’s eye. Sungyeol tried rubbing it out but he was only making it worse. Then his eyes started to water because of it. Myungsoo of course saw how Sungyeol was failing at this so he stepped out of his prince self and into Sungyeol’s friend.

“Here let me do it.”

The distance between theme closed as Myungsoo got closer. Their faces were inches apart, bodies too close for Sungyeol’s comfort, and then Myungsoo blew into Sungyeol’s eye a couple of times. Once the dust was out of Sungyeol’s eyes, he backed away from Myungsoo feeling flustered.

“T-Thank you Myungsoo-”

“Don’t. I told you that you don’t have to be so formal to me. We are friends so I’m ordering you, as future king, to call me by name.”

Sungyeol got startled by Myungsoo’s tone. Sure he has heard this many times but when he added future king, he suddenly felt...sad? Was that even that right word? Many emotions were running through him that he didn’t have enough time to respond back. Everybody had come back but this time his sister came alone with the king.

Sungyeol stood next to Myungsoo while his family stayed together. The king and queen stood next to each other with bright smiles on their faces. Then the feeling in Sungyeol’s stomach started to churn as the king started to speak to all of them. His breathing shortened and Myungsoo started to worry for the other.

“Sungyeol, are you-”

“Myungsoo, please don’t interrupt while I’m speaking.”

Myungsoo bowed to his father. “I’m sorry. I won’t do it again. Please continue.”

“As I was saying. Naeun has passed the test and will become Myungsoo’s wife.”

Everybody started celebrating except for Myungsoo and Sungyeol. The prince was wide eyed not believing what he just heard. Sungyeol... Well, he ran out of there where nobody will find him. He didn’t want to believe any of this was happening. He didn’t want to believe that Myungsoo, his best friends, was getting married to his sister.

He slumped down behind a tree, pulled his legs in, and sighed. Then he started to cry but he didn’t know the reason why. Maybe he was ecstatic that his sister was finally getting married. Or maybe that he was a bit sad that the prince wouldn’t have time for him before and after the marraige. However, deep inside, there was a whole new feeling that Sungyeol was afraid to reach for. A feeling forbidden that he was scared what would happen if he embraced it.