Donghae never thought his boldness would result in Hyukjae kissing his lips so sweetly.

He felt the alpha's hand caressing his cheek. He felt the brush of his nose against his jaw and felt mostly their fingers touching. Everything was so good and unreal at the same time. The omega feared he was just having an illusion. Donghae didn't want any of it to be something his mind created.

To get Donghae out of his thoughts that were far away, Hyukjae cupped the omega's face and kissed his cheeks and nose. Then he kissed his forehead, his chin and his lips again because he couldn't stop. Donghae's lips were simply soft and beautiful. They had a natural cherry flavor that matched his scent.

And if one day Hyukjae thought that a relationship with an omega wasn’t so important, since they mocked him by saying he was a ruined alpha, now he didn't think so. Being there with Donghae made the alpha understand that his heart wanted much more than just the warmth that family provided. He wanted another kind of warmth, another kind of comfort.

And it was a comfort that only Donghae could give.

- I really like kissing you, Hyukjae. – Donghae whispered and blushed when the alpha kissed his bottom lip – Do you like to kiss me too?

- I love to kiss you.

Donghae smiled.

- Why?

- Well... Your lips are beautiful and soft. Why do you like to kiss me?

- For the same reason. I... I've never kissed before so I can't compare. But if kissing has always been like this, I want so much more.

Hyukjae chuckled.

- And do you want to kiss me or do you intend to kiss someone else?

Donghae hugged Hyukjae's neck and whispered against his lips:

- I want to kiss you and only you.

Hugging the omega's waist, the alpha replied:

- I'm happy, because I also just want to kiss you.

They chuckled softly and were about to kiss when they heard:

- As I suspected… – and it was Chaeyeong who laughed when the two looked at her with wide eyes – Now we need to talk better about what you guys intend to do.

- You're not even angry. – Donghae said.

- You're right, but let's take into account that I didn't hear anyone ask if he could court my son. – she looked at Hyukjae who swallowed hard – Is it really like that?

- N-no, C-Chaeyeong-ssi. I-I...

Chaeyeong laughed even harder.

- No need to panic, my dear. I am just kidding. – she put her hands on her hips – Let's go inside before this rain wets you. I imagine you didn't even notice it started to rain.

Hyukjae and Donghae looked and finally realized that the rain was already present. They then got up and followed Chaeyeong who was very pleased with how things were going. She'd hoped so much to see alpha and omega together even in that time when they were at her house.

- Very well. Who will be the first to explain?

Donghae raised his hand.

- I kissed Sir Lee, omma.

Chaeyeong was surprised at her son's boldness, but was glad he took the first step.

- And I didn't back down. – Hyukjae said and held Donghae's hand – Kissing him was the best thing that ever happened to me and I'm happy now that we're like this.

- And do you have a plan to be together?

Moment of silence. They knew very well what meaning that question carried.

- The Emperor won't let me court the prince because I'm not part of a noble family.

- But I can come live with omma. Living with her, I won't need appa's permission for anything else. I am the son of a concubine and I have no claim to the throne.

- What if he punishes me for thinking I corrupted you?

- You did not corrupt me.

- We know that, but will he accept it?

Donghae pressed his lips together and hid his face to cry while Hyukjae didn't know what to do. They were so excited that they didn't think further. But Chaeyeong was there to make sure everything worked out. She held her son's hands and said:

- Calm down. You two need to calm down. I will support you both and give Hyukjae permission so he can court you.

Donghae hugged his mother and Hyukjae smiled.

- Really? Would you do it?

- Of course I will. I like Hyukjae and I think he will make a good husband for you. – then she looked at the alpha – But you must promise me that you won't give up on my son if Hyunjung says you can't court Donghae.

Hyukjae nodded.

- I'm more than ready to fight for Donghae.

Donghae seemed to be on cloud nine, so he smiled and hugged Hyukjae.

- And I'm more than ready to fight for Hyukjae.

Chaeyeong smiled widely seeing the two of them.

- Then you have my blessing, permission and support. I want to see you happy together and I can even see a little place for you to live around here if need be.

- Thank you, omma.

- Thank you, Chaeyeong-ssi.

- You’re welcome. Just be happy, please. Happy and strong.

Hyukjae and Donghae looked at each other and couldn't stop smiling. They really wanted to fight for everything they felt and they still needed to discover themselves so they could say they loved each other. But still it was a wonderful feeling to see that Chaeyeong already supported them.

~~~
Later...

After dinner, Ryeowook went to Donghae's room and tickled his brother's waist, chuckling as the older omega startled and placed his hand on his chest. The blond-haired omega sat on the bed, looked at the pink-haired omega and wiggled his eyebrows playfully.

Donghae knew what that meant.

- What information do you want?

- You know.

Donghae smiled.

- We kiss and I feel I’m in an unreal story. There's no way I could have found an alpha so…Amazing. – he sighed as he fell on the bed and looked at Ryeowook – I can't wait to spend the next week with him.

- And I want all the details. No matter what you do, I want to know everything.

- I can't tell you everything. – Donghae laughed and slammed the pillow against his younger brother.

- Oh! So are you thinking of doing inappropriate things with Sir Lee? – Ryeowook had to laugh when Donghae covered his brother’s mouth and widened his eyes.

- Don't say those things.

And the blond omega managed to break free.

- Of course I say. You don't want to tell me everything, but I'm going to need details because I'm going back to the tedium of a palace life. – and so something made Ryeowook think – And what do you intend to do now?

- What do you mean?

- If all this goes well, what do you intend to do? How are you going to tell appa that you like the guard?

Donghae pursed his lips.

- Well... My only option is to abandon all the life I know in the palace and come live here. We both know I have no claim to the throne, so I don't necessarily have to continue a life I'm not sure I want.

- What if appa says you can't come?

- I'm a very old omega, Wook. I should have gotten married when I was sixteen, so I don't think appa can force me. He didn't force me when I was younger.

- And is that what you want?

- What?

- Leave the palace.

- If it's my only option, I'll leave. – and so Donghae hugged Ryeowook – But you are welcome to my house. And maybe, if all goes well between me and Sir Lee, we're going to have babies and you're going to be a really nice uncle.

Ryeowook laughed.

- Cooler than Heechul?

- Much cooler than Heechul. – they laughed together – Just don't be sad, right? I know I'm asking a lot of you, but I don't want you to suffer if I have to leave the palace to be happy. You are very important to me and I consider every one of your feelings.

Ryeowook pressed his lips together and thought through part of the situation. He'd had enough time to understand that he couldn't force his brothers to stay by his side until the end of their lives.

- You know... Appa will force me to marry someone and I will see my husband or wife occupy the throne in the future. – Ryeowook sighed – I just wanted him to find someone who will like me for who I am, not for rumors or what happened. – and he sniffed – It hurts too much to know I have no choice, but I don't want you to be unhappy because of me.

- What if you ask for time to find someone?

- And who will like me? I have a tarnished reputation, remember? – Ryeowook mocked himself and wiped his face with his shirt sleeve – I'm scared.

Donghae bit the corner of his mouth, hugged Ryeowook tighter and said:

- Then you come live with me.

Ryeowook looked at his brother.

- How? With you and Sir Lee?

Donghae laughed and wiped his brother's face.

- It doesn't matter who I'm living with. You won't be alone out there helpless in the world. I promised I would protect you and that's exactly what I intend to do.

Ryeowook smiled and hugged Donghae who certainly didn't want to consider what the Emperor might choose for their future. But he didn't even want to think about it. Donghae just needed to make sure everything worked out for everyone in the end.

It was what he needed to do.

- But let's stop it. It's like we're both crying over something bad that happened. – Ryeowook said – All I know is that I'm going to start doing all the planning for your wedding. What color do you like the most?

Donghae giggled.

- It's still too early to think about marriage.

- Who said? I'm your little brother and I need some distraction. And honestly, I have to say that I never thought you would be interested in anyone.

Squinting, Donghae slammed the pillow at Ryeowook and said:

- Don't be cruel to me.

Ryeowook just laughed and shrugged, already picking up a paper to make plans. Donghae shook his head, but smiled and made a few guesses as to why he wouldn't let his brother plan everything. And as strange as it sounded, the older omega was excited about the possibility of one day marrying an alpha as good as Hyukjae.

***

- You what? – Jongwoon asked while changing his soaking clothes – This is too bold even for you.

- I know that, but… – Hyukjae sighed and smiled – You don't know how I feel right now. It feels like I could float.

Jongwoon laughed, finished dressing and sat on the bed.

- So I'm gone for a few hours and you're ready to court an omega and have his mother's blessing?

- I also find it hard to believe, but that's exactly what happened and I'm happy. I just don't know yet how I'm going to court the prince.

- Luckily your best friend is here to help, so take a deep breath and listen to me carefully. – Hyukjae nodded and Jongwoon continued – First: you want to court an omega with simple gifts that don't remind him that he is an omega.

- Do they hate it?

- Yes. It's like you're saying that he's below everyone else and that's where he belongs, so be simple on your first gift and the prince will like it.

- It's alright. And what can I give him?

- I don't know. This is with you. You need to be a gentleman, but not overly irritating. Remember: an omega likes their privacy.

- And how do you know that?

- I grew up in a family where most of my uncles are omega and they taught me everything I know. But moving on: you have to be polite and respectful. Please never, and I repeat, never let your gross instincts of a dominant alpha drown the prince.

- And how am I supposed to know what it's like to have the gross instincts of a dominant alpha?

- You'll understand when you feel your alpha growling at anyone who approaches the prince.

Hyukjae swallowed hard. He wasn't considering the fact that Donghae was still a prince and that the Emperor would bring suitors so the omega could choose. But knowing that Donghae already had him in mind, Hyukjae smiled like a fool.

- I think I'll do fine.

- I hope so. You are a good catch, after all. – they smiled – But let's talk about Chaeyeong-ssi, since you have her permission and blessing to court the prince.

- What do I need to know about her?

- You need to show that you are a good man to her son, Hyukjae. As much as she likes you, she will watch your every step. Chaeyeong-ssi needs to reassure her that she leaves the prince in good hands. Don't forget that he's going to leave the palace and re