In another life Hyukjae thinks that Donghae may have been a wolf. It is in the way that he abandons all pretences of grandeur to roll around in the grass like a pup, laughing as he chases away a jackrabbit with his loud cry of excitement from being released from his duties. It is in the stretch of his body when the sun hits his bare skin and the prowl like movements as he treads silently through the oak tree groove. Donghae may think that his companion carries the scent of the wild untamed nature, but Hyukjae thinks that his prince is a part of it. The man was never made to sit inside a palace, he was never made for anything but this right here. Hyukjae watches him, amusedly following the uncoordinated movements as Donghae tries to decide what needs his attention the most. After some time the prince kneels by the still lake to test the water with his fingertips. the glittering surface of the cold clear pool makes the water cast sunlit reflections on his face and Hyukjae finds that he cannot look away. This is their favourite place to visit during the summer and they have spent many nights here in secret, swimming and stealing kisses from one another under the pale moonlight. 

Tension eases out from Donghae’s shoulders as he shifts to lay on his back next to the water, fixing his companion with an intensive gaze that silently beckons Hyukjae closer until he is kneeling next to his lover. The prince’s dark blue tunic is rumpled and strewn with clumps of grass clinging to the velvety fabric and it is in moments like these that Hyukjae finds him the most beautiful. He knows that the prince is tired. It has been weeks since they had any time away from the palace. Their days and evenings alike have been filled with work as ambassadors from the neighbouring countries have been meeting to discuss new trading routes. 

‘Rest.’ Hyukjae tells him knowing that the gentle breeze around them will chase away any remaining weariness from being confined to the palace for such a long time. His slender fingers comb through Donghae’s soft hair, sliding down to teasingly across thin eyelids to make them close. 

‘I am too excited to rest.’ Donghae shakes him off with a small smile and rolls over only to land in a cluster of flowers.

Hyukjae cannot help but laugh as the prince shifts to rests his head on his crossed arms. His cheeks are tinted yellow from pollen and Hyukjae gently brushes it away with his fingertips before laying down on his side to face his lover. In the sunlight Donghae’s eyes glow like the dark amber. I reminds Hyukjae of the gems that adorn the crown worn for political ceremonies. During those times Donghae’s eyes are dark and void of emotion and watching from his side Hyukjae knows that neither of them can wait for the first opportunity to escape the dreary conversations. The prince will always crave his freedom and whenever Hyukjae can he will do his best to give them this. There is a distant sound of crickets coming from the taller grass by the edge of the forest and as Hyukjae watches butterflies and bumblebees float from blossom to blossom in a graceful dance across the clearing. It is peaceful and it does not take long for the prince to pull him in and fall asleep by his side, one arm resting protectively over Hyukjae’s chest. For some time Hyukjae stays still, basking in the sun as he watches the man smile in his sleep. All around them Dandelions bloom and for a moment Hyukjae is lost in memories of his mother gathering the flowers in her garden. She can still hear her explain as she walks along the grass. Petals and leaves for food, the milky substance of the stems for treating cuts and burns and the roots for tea. Not one part left unused. Gently withdrawing from the prince’s hold, Hyukjae slowly makes his way around the clearing gathering dandelions as he goes. His thoughts are on his childhood home and he thinks that he must take Donghae there to visit soon. His mother loves the prince just as fiercly as she does her own son. With his hands full of flowers Hyukjae once again sinks to the ground next to the prince and starts to carefully twist and bend the stems into a shape that comes naturally from years of play. He doesn’t look up until he sees a hand carefully touching one of the buds.

‘What are you making?’ Donghae asks, voice softened by sleep as he studies Hyukjae from beneath his lashes. 

‘A wreath.’ Hyukjae smiles down at him. ‘You can make one too, I will pick more flowers.’

Donghae is silent as he studies the braid of flowers before pushing himself up to sit cross legged in the grass. 

‘I do not know how.’ He says softly.

‘You never made these as a child?’ The question is asked before Hyukjae remembers.

Sometimes he forgets that the prince is not like him. It is not simply status that divides them both. Donghae has lived a sheltered life. A life filled with studies and duties. Yet even knowing his lovers strict upbringing, it still surprises Hyukjae that Donghae would have never done such a simple task as braiding wreaths.

‘I did not have anyone to teach me.’ Donghae tells him with a rueful smile. ‘Donghwa was busy with the demands of being the crown prince and you know that mother never wanted me to stray from the palace.’ 

Hyukjae’s knows that his place as companion has given the prince more freedom. The queen now feels safe in the knowledge that Donghae is protected even away from his home. Yet no amount of freedom can change the past and at times like these Hyukjae feels saddened by the thought of what has been missed. He places his half finished wreath on the ground and gathers the remaining flowers in one hand before reaching out to Donghae with the other. 

‘Come.’ He says, as he takes Donghae by the hand and leads him to the water’s edge.

For a while the wreath lies forgotten as Hyukjae shows his lover how to tear the stems of Dandelions into long strips before placing them in the cool water. Together they watch as the stems slowly curl into spirals and Donghae seems to find an infinite amount of joy in scoping them up and stretching them out only to watch them curl back up again. 

‘This is such a waste of flowers.’ He playfully grumbles by Hyukjae’s side.

‘Hush now’ Hyukjae amusedly shushes him before placing the flower buds on the water’s surface. They float away like golden beacons for the butterflies to follow. He leans towards Donghae, pressing a soft kiss to the mans jawline before letting his head rest on a strong shoulder.

‘Can you show me how to tie the wreath?’ Donghae asks him after some time.

‘Of course.’ Hyukjae says, tilting his head up to smile at the other man.
 

♦

Hyukjae’s hands are gentle as they guide Donghae to bind the Dandelions together in a symmetrical pattern. The prince quickly learns how to loop the stems around each other and soon he has a long yellow braid of flowers that he lets Hyukjae link together with slim strands of grass. Smiling at his companion, Donghae takes the wreath and places it on Hyukjae’s head, letting his hand smooth over the red tresses before caressing the mans cheek. A soft kiss lands on his lips and Hyukjae exhales in a content sigh. 

‘Is it not customary for the prince to wear the crown?’ he asks teasingly against his lovers’ lips.

He tilts his head into Donghae’s hand and the man draws back just enough to clearly see Hyukjae’s brown orbs looking back at him. There is something uncertain in them that Donghae has seen before. The part of him that sometimes whispers that he is not worth it, that Donghae is a prince and he is not.

‘You are more worthy of a crown than anyone else I know Meldanya’. My beloved.

Donghae’s voice is warm as he speaks and Hyukjae smiles even though his eyes become bright with emotion. The prince has a way of binding their hearts together just as Hyukjae binds the flowers. With his every little touch, fingers intertwined, tangled in strands of hair, in every word spoken and whispered in the dark he makes Hyukjae feel whole. He makes him feels loved. He makes him feel equal. Taking a deep shaky breath, Hyukjae steadies himself and allows the sudden overwhelming feelings to settle. He kisses his prince once more, lingering in the embrace before slowly pulling away to stand up. Donghae’s eyes follow him with interest as Hyukjae bends to pick more flowers in silence, now gathering delicate white daisies in his hands. He knows the subject is an upsetting one and he allows Hyukjae the serenity he finds amongst the flowers. He lays back down on the grass, watching lone clouds make their way over the bright blue sky and waits for his loved one to come back to his side. When the sun has moved to stand high, a petal tickles his lips and rouses him from his dreams. He opens his eyes to find Hyukjae crouching next to him with a circlet of white blossoms in his hands. The man is still wearing the golden flowers in his hair and the sight makes Donghae smile. With clasped hands Hyukjae helps him stand before he reverently places the white crown on the prince’s head.

‘Lle naa vanima.’ You are beautiful.

Donghae gives a sloped smile at the words and reaches out to embrace Hyukjae in his arms. The golden petals in the mans crown have already started to wilt, yet Hyukjae is still the most majestical person he has ever seen. Hyukjae will always steal his breath away, he will always make him feel safe when Donghae sleeps by his side. To him, his companion is worth so much more than any crown could ever live up to. Donghae lets all his love for the man show as he tightens his hold, bringing his lips to the shell of the other mans ear.

‘As are you.’ He whispers softly.