~Incomparable~

Summary: Minhyuk loves sunflowers best. Hyungwon thinks the other resembles one because even in their last wilting moments they're both still so blindingly bright.

Pairing: HyungHyuk (Hyungwon X Minhyuk)

Genre: Sad, Character Death, Kingdom!AU [Prince!Minhyuk, Guard!Hyungwon]

            Sunflowers represent happiness.

            A happiness that is such a far contrast from reality. Dark and sufferable reality that can't be altered or changed no matter how desperate.

            Hyungwon doesn't understand himself sometimes. Of all things to bring his beloved Prince, his beloved Minhyuk, he brings the latter a sunflower from the royal gardens to place in the vase beside the night table.

            It's a terrible gift. One of the worst gifts possible.

            But Minhyuk still takes it from him with a smile so warm and genuine that Hyungwon couldn't bring himself to throw it away when the Prince wasn't paying attention. The blonde royal rushes to place the freshly cut flower in the bright orange vase filled with clean water. He takes careful attention to position the flower towards the direction of the sun so it could soak up it's essence.

            Minhyuk smoothes his fingers across the velvety yellow petals, he smiles briefly. "Do you think this sunflower will outlast me? I think they only last twelve days if they're well kept in a vase."

            Hyungwon remains silent, unsure how to respond aloud but his mind speaks volumes. 'No. It shouldn't. You should live longer. You should be happier. You're the one that should be basking in the sun's warmth. You don't belong here locked up like this in your room for simply doing what was right.'

            There is a brief silence. Minhyuk is admiring the flower and Hyungwon watches with evident concern in his eyes. The blonde sighs quietly but in such a big room with only the two of them Hyungwon can hear it all the same. When Minhyuk turns back to face Hyungwon, the latter is smiling again. It reaches his eyes in a superficial kind of way that fools anyone but Hyungwon.

            "It's okay. It doesn’t even matter anymore. My death sentence is set regardless."

            Hyungwon makes a desperate grasp for hope, "Maybe the King will reconsider-"

            Minhyuk shakes his head, stopping Hyungwon's words and crushing the last of any intangible hope. "Accept it. There is nothing more we can do."

            "Never. Why would you ask me to accept your death of all things when you haven't even tried other options?"

            "Because that is your only choice."

            It takes a sunflower at minimum five days and at maximum twelve days to live and wither once it's cut from it's roots. The sunflower sits within the orange vase with the same amount of petals it's started out with two days ago when Hyungwon cut it.

            Hyungwon guards Minhyuk's room from the inside with him everyday since the announcement of other's death sentence. Maybe it's his own punishment too; to be trapped with Minhyuk on his numbered days. The only times he ever leaves is to get the Prince's meals; on his last meal trip Hyungwon stopped by the garden to grab the flower which he now arguably regrets getting because it's only serving as a reminder that time is running out.

            "We could run away," suggests Hyungwon one evening. The sun is setting as he stares out the window at the collage of vibrant reds, muted oranges, and warm yellows of the sky. "In the dead of night. We could leave it all behind and start somewhere new. We could run."

            Minhyuk can't see Hyungwon's expression. And if he was being truthful, he doesn't want to see it because the moment Hyungwon gazes at him with a pleading determination he knows he'll give in. "We can't. I can't. What kind of example would it set for the people if I run away from my own punishment."

            "It'll cost you your life. You have every reason to just run away and leave it all behind. Your act of so called treason saved this Kingdom! They were going to declare a war!" lashes out Hyungwon angrily. He's so frustrated with how things tur