"You should have left me to burn."

Donghae watches the smoke fill the air and imagines that he can feel the acrid burn in his throat.

He can still hear the screams of his people.

"Your Highness, we must keep moving."

There is no sound now, only their footfalls in the forest.

"Did you know?"

Eunhyuk does not answer and instead keeps an eye out for threats, his hand on the pommel of his sword.

"Your Highness, be careful here of the slope, it is quite steep-"

"Answer me!"

Donghae stops, frustration palpable as he stares at his head knight's back.

Eunhyuk's back. 

Always so dependable. Always so distant.

Finally, Eunhyuk turns to face him.

"... I knew too late. There was only enough time to save you."

"Any amount of time to fight back, to save people, anything at all would have been better than fleeing like cowards!"

Steely hard gaze, wavering eyes, silence in the air.

"They would've killed you, dragged your body through the streets."

"... If it meant saving everyone else, you should've let them."

"It is my duty to protect you, my king."

"And it is my duty, as king, to protect my people!"

Donghae pants, gritting his teeth.

"If my death would've spared my people's lives, my head should have been served on a platter!"

Eunhyuk stares at him for a beat, eyes indecipherable.

"You have always been too soft for your own good."

Eunhyuk moves closer, hand reaching out.

"My king, we must hurr-"

"Do not call me your king. I am no longer one."

Donghae's jaw is tight, eyes shining with unshed tears.

"What king rules without his country, without his people?"

Donghae takes an unsteady step back.

"Who am I now?"

Donghae loses his footing and falls.

Donghae is tumbling, branches whipping past him, and he braces himself for impact.

Rather than hard earth, he finds himself in Eunhyuk's arms.

Shaky breaths, hearts thumping, a moment to ensure they're alive.

Donghae's face is pressed into Eunhyuk's chest, hiding his expression.

A calloused hand, tender in its touch, gently holds his head.

"You are Lee Donghae. A good man, joyful with child-like wonder. Funny too, although no one realizes it."

Eunhyuk's voice is muted, pensive, a tone Donghae has never heard.

"And too self-sacrifing most of the time."

"If you are no longer king, then I am no longer your head knight. I am simply Eunhyuk. And you are my most important person."

Donghae pulls his head back to look at Eunhyuk, tears openly flowing.

"So please, Donghae," Eunhyuk's eyes bore into his, "please, let us go."

Donghae slowly nods and allows himself to be selfish for once.