Genre: fluff

PG

[inspired by anastasia] 

Yifan and Luhan are the biggest con artist that take advantage on Lay who is trying to look for his family

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YEAR 1916

 

 

 

The kings confidant runs on the halls of the palace to the Kings chambers, scared for his life. As he runs he hears windows breaking, and people shouting. The confidant opens the door so loud, it wakes the King and the Queen. “your majesty! their attacking the palace” the King gets up from bed, and goes to the side where his wife is standing. “grab the kids and go!” the queen grabs her husband’s hands, and shake her head. “no, not without you”

 

“its to late your majesty, they got the kids…” the confident says, he grabs the King as soon as one of the maids grab the Queen. “we need to get you out of here” and with that the King, and the Queen get separated. “but my children!” the Queen yells in tears, trying to push the maid. “please my Queen let me take you somewhere safe” “my children…” and the smell of smoke enters their nose, all the maid knows is she should take the Queen out of here. With all her strength she pushes the Queen out of the castle, hoping for the best for all the children.

 

As the servants run, and scream one of the small children who works as a servants enters the Prince room. “your majesty! wake up!” he was the youngest of all the children in the kingdom, the smell of smoke haven’t reach to his room, so he didn’t know what was going on. “majesty!!” Prince Yixing opens his eyes in terror, “whats going on?!!” “we have to go! an enemy is attacking the palace! we have to go!” the servant grabs Yixing’s hand, and pulls him out of bed.

 

“where’s my mom and dad?”

 

“they already left the palace” the servant opens a hidden door from the wall, he pushes Prince Yixing to go in first. “what about my brothers?” “…their….” and with a small silence from the servant, Prince Yixing knows the unsaid words. “now we have to go!” Prince Yixing goes in, and the servant follows after. The vents are barely big enough for both of the small children, so they try their best to move fast and quiet. But it was hard when all Yixing can hear is the screams of people who he used to know.

 

The sound of them being torture. “keep going” the servant whispers in Yixing’s ear, Yixing nods and keeps on crawling. The necklace keeps on bouncing around in Yixing’s chest, maybe that was the reason why Yixing keeps on going. Hoping in the end of this tunnel, his father or mother are waiting for him. The necklace was in a shape of a compass, it was specifically design for Yixing. It was the key to open a music box that his father had giving to him.

 

He was the youngest of his brothers, he was the Prince of Changsha. The baby of his father and mother. Yixing stops when he sees a door, “push it” the servant speaks, with all the strength the eight year old has, he pushes the door. And sees the outside. “hurry!” Yixing gets out, and the servant follows after. “we have to run to the forest” both small boys run to the only place they could think it would be safe. As soon as they run, the people who are patrolling the palace sees them.

 

“there goes the Prince!!” Yixing has never felt his heart beating this fast, all he could wish is to not get catch. Five of the soldiers run after the two children. The guns are slowing them down a little, it didn’t make a difference since both small children have short legs. “run Prince!” the servant yells, Yixing stutters a little before he tries to run faster. The forest was just in front of them, but the servant knows he had to do something or they both would get caught.

 

“Prince!”

 

Yixing stops, “right ahead theres a river, cross it ones your are in the other side you would be safe! now run!!” “what about you?!” Yixing has never been alone, and now that he need someone with him no was there. “i have to make them chase me” Yixing bows to the servant with gratitude, “before you go whats your name?” “my name is——“ and the servant gets cut short when he hears the sound of the gun going off. The soldiers are still a bit far, so the bullet didn’t hurt them. “go!” and Yixing vibrates before he starts to run.

 

The Prince enters the forest, and he can hear the water flowing. He was safe, but in what cost? Yixing was scared, but he also wants to live. Although he doesn’t know if there was a reason to continue to live, since all of his brothers are dead. And he doesn’t know where could his father and mother be. As far as he knows, he was left all alone. Yixing sees the river, and its like he imagine it would be. It was really wide, and he could see the big rocks. One wrong step and he could break his neck.

 

So careful as he can be, he goes into the river. The fresh water hit his bones, he tries to swim but the rocks that under water are too slippery. Yixing hears two gun shots but it was the echo of them, so he didn’t know where they come from. And not knowing frighten Yixing, as he lets his emotions get the best of him he slips, and hits his head with one of the rocks. The river takes his unconscious body.

 

 

 

10 YEARS LATER.

 

 

 

“i got you a job in a fish factory in town, you start today so make sure you walk fast” the caretaker from the orphanage says, she walks ahead making sure she says her goodbyes. When she doesn’t hear a response she turns around, “are you listening Lay?” Lay raises his head, “um….yes?” “stop with that stupid necklace!” she smacks Lay’s hands, “I’m sorry, this is everything i have from my past…” the caretaker rolls her eyes, she has heard this story a million times.

 

“yeah yeah, this is everything you have of your family. A family that you don’t even remember”

 

“i don’t remember them, but they have to remember me….” Lay says hopeful, it was the only words that keep him alive. That one day he could find his family, the family that gave him that necklace. A compass. “if it wasn’t for me you wouldnt have a home” “yeah, i know” but by law the caretaker has to kick Lay out of the orphanage since his 18 now. “now go” the caretake opens the gates, and waits for Lay leave. But he doesn’t, although the caretaker was a bit mean it was the only ‘mother’ figure Lay had.

 

Since he couldn’t remember how his mother was. “fine” the caretaker could read Lay very well, she opens her arms and waits for the hug. Lay hugs her very tight, “thank you for everything” “you be good” Lay takes the warm smell that belongs to her, in case for some crazy reason he would miss this orphanage. “now go” Lay chuckles, and finally walks through the gates. Lay starts to walk to his new journey. But in the back of his mind, he knows he want it to find his parents.

 

“Somewhere out there someone is missing me, right? someone out there is still waiting for me right…” Lay sighs, talking to himself always made him worried more. Since the orphanage was outside of town, Lay still has time to think, he could turn to the right and go to town. Or he could walk straight ahead, and go to the city where a family could be waiting. There was also a chance that no one was waiting for him, or that no one is missing him. Which kills a part of Lay just thinking about it.

 

“okay i can go to town and work,” Lay gives a step to the right, “but i would always wonder if i belong to something, to someone.” he gives a step forward, “i don’t want to wonder all my life, asking ‘what if’. If theres no one waiting for me in the city, at least i would know.” Lay starts to nod, “yeah! theres nothing wrong with trying” Lay holds his necklace “I’m coming, please wait for me” and with that being said, he follows to the direction to the city.

 

Lay looks at the window, not taking his eyes away from the view of the city. The train very full, but the city lights blight him. As they enter the city he sees the big palace, the lady who was sitting next to him describe the palace as the ‘Mona Lisa’. Because no matter where you are in the city, no matter what view your looking, you would always see the white palace. And although its in ruins it was still beautiful for Lay. The train stops, and ten people counting with Lay, get out of the train. 

 

Lay stops and stares, and sees how fast is the city. People don’t even say ‘excuse me’ they just pass though him. Lay moves around, so he won’t be in people’s way but no matter how many times he tries, he always ends up bumping them. “um… exc——okay…I” Lay stands by the wall of a small store, he studies the people so he knows what to do. Its not like Lay could spend all of his days standing by the wall. He does in fact notice the boy with black hair thats standing next to him.

 

His features are a bit strong, and they show more when his smoking. Lay smiles to him, but he doesn’t get a smile in return. Knowing that thats how far of a conversation they gonna have Lay bows to him, when his eye catches a glimpse of a paper that says ‘HELP WANTED’. Lay knows that his not going to find his family in a day, first he has to get a home and money. He has never work in a store, or work in general. But he knows he has to start somewhere.

 

With all the will in the world, Lay enters the store and talks to the cashier. “hi, i would like to work here” the cashier was about 40/50 years old, he looks down at Lay and he has to admit the boy had motivation. “show me your papers” the older man waits for Lay. Lay stands there confused, "papers" the older man repeats again, except Lay didn’t have any of that. “I’m sorry but i don’t have any…see i need money to buy a place to stay” and with that response the older man puts to the exit “get out of my store”

 

“but——“

 

The older man continue to point at the door, and Lay knows what he means. He signs and leaves the store. The person was still standing there, but his cigar was almost done. “hey, you need papers?” “huh?” the person puts his cigar on his mouth, and lets the nicotine enter his body. He takes his cigar from his mouth and lets the smoke escape his mouth. “if you need papers to work, you should go see Luhan.” “where can i find him?” the person throws the cigar to the floor, and steps on it. “he lives in the palace”

 

“i thought the palace was abandoned”

 

“it is, thats why you have to keep it a secret”

 

“oh, right” Lay puts his finger in his mouth, and makes a ‘shh’ sound. “thank you” he whispers, before he leaves. 

 

Instead of the palace having doors and windows, their block with pieces of wood. But yet the white walls still bring the hidden beauty. Lay breaks the wood so he could go in, everything is full of dust and has that wet smell. Some of the walls are burn, but most of them are cover with blood. There was nothing valuable and Lay knows people probably stole all of that. As he goes more inside the palace, he can hear laughter thats not really there. It also gives him a sense of home, but he knows it was because he doesn’t have one.

 

“hello?!” Lay yells, and it echoes around the walls. At the end of the hall Lay sees a painting of what it seem of a very happy family. Five happy boys, a King and his Queen. The painting is half rip, and Lay can’t really see the face of the King, nor of three boys. But the smiles are scaringly familiar. Like part of him knew them better than himself. Lay stretches his hand to touch the old painting, when he hears a very loud ‘hey!’. The loud voice makes him scream, he turns around touching his speedy heart.

 

“who are you? and what are you doing here?”

 

“I’m Lay, and I’m looking for Luhan…”

 

“what do you want with him?”

 

Lay cleans his throat, and leaves his shaky voice behind. “someone told me that he can give me working papers, but i can’t tell you who. He said it was a secret” when Lay finishes speaking a very tall handsome man joins them. “I’m Luhan, i can get you the papers as long as you have 400 coins” “400 coins?!! i don’t have that kind of money” Luhan shrugs, “oh well i guess you should get going then” When Luhan turns around, and sees Yifan behind him he takes a step back. The tall handsome man likes to stand to close to Luhan, like a shadow. Which it only bothers the latter, since Yifan is so tall.

 

“Luhan, wait” Yifan pulls Luhan close to him, so Lay won’t hear them talking. “did you look?” “look at what?” Yifan turns Luhan around, “look how familiar Prince Yixing looks to him” Yifan points at the painting of the 8 year old, then back to Lay. After all thats their plan, find someone that looks like the lost Prince, teach him what to say and take him to see the Queen. So they can get the big reward. It was a plan that couldn’t fail.

 

After all Yifan and Luhan are biggest con artist in all China. “your right” Luhan puts his devilish smile. He starts to walk towards Lay, which it only made the latter nervous. “i change my mind, you can have the papers for free” “really?” Lay smiles, he opens his mouth to thank Luhan when he gets stop. “sure, put tell me something about you first.” “um…i used to lived in a orphanage, they kick me out when i turn 18. My caregiver found me walking around lost. See i don’t remember nothing about my past, thats why i came to the city to find my parents”

 

Lay couldn’t see how Yifan was throwing his fist up to the air. It was perfect, a boy who didn’t remember who he was. The sad story, and the other things. Yifan and Luhan can teach him, they can fool the Queen. “you don’t remember your parents, huh…” Luhan puts his arm around Lay, and makes the latter turn around. Both of them are facing the old painting, “you know who they are?” Lay shakes his head, “they used to lived here, a long time ago. All of them died, except for two people” Lay puts his head down a little to show respect for the lost of all of them. 

 

“the Prince, and the Queen”

 

“they said the Prince might be still be alive, they just can’t find him” Yifan joins in in the story, “and you have an awful resembles to the Prince” Lay steps away from Luhan, and points at himself. “me? no way” he drops his hand, and looks at the half face of the little Prince. “why not? no one knows where he is, you don’t know who you are. Your about the same age he should be. Look at the curve of your chin to the curve of his chin.”

 

Lay was getting manipulated, and very well. He was starting to doubt everything he knows. “sure, i mean everyone wishes to be a Prince, or a Princess but me?” Lay gets closer to the painting, and every step just makes him shake. And he knows it was probably him that just trying to believe in something. To believe that he belongs to someone. “your right, maybe we are wrong. Well you stay here, and wonder all you want. I’ll get your papers”

 

Luhan makes a sign for Yifan to follow him, at first Yifan didn’t want to leave Lay alone. He want it to push him more, but when Luhan makes a second gesture and Yifan ends up following him. “what are you doing?” Yifan whispers harshly, “don’t worry, we have him where we want him. Just wait” “are you sure?” Luhan raises one finger up, “1,” “2,” and “wait!” Lay’s voice echoes in the hall, and Luhan just shows his smirk to Yifan.

 

“if I’m not the Prince they won’t be any harm right?” Luhan turns around and shake his head, “of course not. It be an honest mistake” “thats right, but do you guys really believe I’m a the Prince thats missing?” Yifan tries his best not to laugh, and he does a very good job. “yes, we do.” “then take me to see the Queen!” Lay runs to Luhan, and Yifan. “first of all, we need to prepare you to see her, and second of all she’s not here. She lives in Seoul, Korea.”

 

“which means we gonna take a ship”

 

Luhan snaps his fingers, “thats right! come one people, lets get everything ready! we gonna go to Seoul!”

 

 

 

 

Since Lay has fake papers for protection they decide to take a train, then a ship to take them to Seoul. “here is our section” Yifan opens the door, they had order a private place for the three of them. It wasn’t really big, but it was enough space for them. Yifan puts his suitcase down, and decides to take a sit since Luhan is making him carry all the heavy things. I have never been in a train before, Lay walks around in awe.

 

“okay, i think we should start teaching you” Luhan puts his hands in Lay’s shoulder so the latter can stop moving, “you are born in a palace by the sea” Lay tries to imagine it, “really?” “yes, thats right. You rode horseback when you were only three” Yifan adds on, “horseback riding? wow” Yifan stands up, “and the horse he was white!” “you and your brothers would do pranks to everyone who worked on the palace” Lay laughs, “really?”

 

“yes, but you would behave when your father would give you a look” Yifan frowns and points at Lay, trying to make it easier for Lay to imagine his ‘father’. “what else?” “you would cry when your brothers didn’t let you play” Lay looks at Yifan, to see if Luhan was telling the true. Which Yifan nods too, “was i a cry baby?” Luhan chuckles, “no” “what about my brothers?” Yifan pulls Lay to take a sit, he takes a family album that belong to the palace.

 

“the oldest, Zhang Yaoting. He was going to be the future king” Yifan points to the picture, there was a resembles to him and Lay. It was in the part of the eyes, but Lay just thinks is funny and that everyone has the same kind of eyes and eyebrows. “the second oldest Zhang, Yongzheng. You would always be with him, his the one who teached you how to ride a horse” Lay whispers a ‘wow’, and lets Yifan continue. “the third one is Zhang Yaozu, you would make pranks with him. And every time a servant would see you too together, they would get nervous since you two mean trouble”

 

“and the second to the last, Zhang Yingjie. he was only two years older than you” Lay takes the family album away from Yifan, and keeps on looking at his brothers. They are all wearing what it look like a military suit. But only the oldest had medals on his uniform. The only thing the five brothers had in common was they are all wearing a necklace, it wasn’t necessary the same it just everyone had one. “okay its time to go to sleep, the train ride is long and we still have to take a ship.”

 

Luhan pulls on the couch that becomes a bed, “I’m going to eat something before i go to sleep” Yifan says right before he leaves. Lay feels a bit awkward to sleep in the same room with Luhan. Its not like in the orphanage he had a room for himself, but he would shared his room with all 10 years old. Who Lay practically saw them grow. “um…Luhan can i ask you something” Luhan puts the blanket in top of the couch, when he turns to Lay.

 

“sure”

 

“why is the Queen….i mean my mother, in Seoul? why didn’t she stay?” 

 

“the night when it happened, the Kings confidant took the King, an a maid took the Queen. Which it was all part of the plan. The confidant took the King, right to group of people who wanted to killed the King. The palace was burned, her kids were dead, her King was dead. She didn’t have anything, all she wanted was to take revenge towards the confidant,” Luhan sits down on the couch, and Lay does the same. “did she?” and Lay knows it was bad to wish someone death, but it was all the confidant deserved.

 

“she did. She ordered for his death, then the revolution came. And it was best for her to apply for refugee status in South Korea, and she did. She then got the news that maybe her son could be alive, from that moment she’s been waiting for him” Luhan turns to see Lay and he didn’t notice how close they are both to each other, and without noticing Luhan gets closer because he can see it. How similar Lay looks to Yixing.

 

And as Luhan continues to look at Lay’s features, he doesn’t notices how Lay is trying to push his head back. But the moment ends with Yifan enters the room, making Luhan realize how close his to Lay. And how nervous he was getting. Luhan cleans his throat, “goodnight, Yifan turn off the lights” Lay stands up from the couch, and goes to the other one. He doesn’t bother trying to make the couch into a bed, since his used to worst.

 

Yifan looks at Luhan, and Lay not knowing what just happen. But he just blames it on them being tired. Yifan turns off the lights not before he makes his couch into a bed. “goodnight” and the lights are off. Luhan turns to the other direction so no one would see his expression. Love, nor romance was something Luhan was used too. Not since he was young. Because there was only one person who he was in love with. And it was forbidden love.

 

Not to mention stupid. Because why would a Prince end up with a servant?

 

 

 

 

The train makes the first stop, the three boys grab their things and exit the train. “now where?” Lay ask, “lets eat first, we still have to walk to the port to take the ship.” And since there was a train stop, there was a place to eat. The place didn’t have any luxury, but they are hungry and they didn’t care. The three of them take a sit, and wait for the older lady to come and take their order. “so do i have a favorite food?” “yes, you’ll make the cooks make you a bow of rice porridge”

 

Lay smiles, “i did?”

 

“yeah which gave you a stomachache, and your mom would make you lay down and she would rub your stomach until you would feel better” Luhan keeps on talking, “your brothers would make fun of you, like ‘you’re such a baby’, and ‘oh little Yixing is sick again’.” before Lay could ask more, the older lady comes. “what can i do for you handsome man?” “i would have a bow of rice porridge” the older lady nods to Lay, as she waits for Yifan and Luhan.

 

“we would have the same” Yifan announce, the older lady smiles to the handsome boys before she leaves.

 

After eating, Luhan suggest to start walking so they would have enough time to arrive to the port. Yifan and Luhan walk in front of Lay, making the last arrangements. “you’ll think the Queen would believe us?” “Lay seems a bit slow, but what did she expects when his son was in a orphanage” Yifan looks surprise, he didn’t know that they were going to mention that Lay was in an orphanage. But it does seem logical to say, since they have to put a gap between the timeline of his disappearance.

 

“what do you think they would do to Lay if they find out his not the Prince?”

 

Luhan shrugs, “send him back to China? maybe”

 

Yifan turns around, “Lay keep up” and Lay only grunts as a response, “maybe?” Yifan continues with his conversation with Luhan, “are we getting soft Yifan? who cares what they do to him, by that time we would be somewhere else wasting all of that money” Luhan hits Yifan’s arm, hoping he’ll see the bigger picture. No more leaving in a cold(yet comfortable) palace, in fact they would so rich they can be royal. “I’m not getting soft, I’m just asking”

 

Luhan rolls his eyes, and says a sarcastic ‘uh huh’, “come Lay hurry up” Lay touches his stomach, and thats when Luhan stops. “are you okay?” Yifan looks between Luhan and Lay, “no my stomach hurts” and with a pout Lay rubs his stomach. And it was like looking in a picture, a single memory that was stuck in Luhan’s mind. Because he remembers Prince Yixing, making the same face. Making the same gesture. And sure everyone can make the same gesture, but not exactly like the original person.

 

Because Luhan remembers hearing Yixing’s brothers making fun of him, and Yixing pouting. Crying, almost, for his mother. Luhan running to the kitchen trying to find the Queen, anything for the Prince. His Prince. But Luhan shake his head, because Lay couldn’t be Yixing. And because Lay knew that Yixing gets stomachaches when he eats rice porridge. “i guess we can stop a little” Yifan comments. Luhan stops thinking, and just nods.

 

Lay sits by the side of the rode, and tries to make his stomach stop hurting by rubbing it. “since we are waiting here, we should memorize names of the royalty” Yifan takes out a list he knows pretty well. His a con after all, and he has stole some money from them. And his pretty sure they remember him well too. “Kim Jongdae, Kim Kyungsoo, Kim Sehun. There all the Prince of Seoul.” Luhan leans over the tree as he cuts the grass with his hands.

 

As he hears Yifan’s voice, reading the list of the royals. Sure Yifan knows them because he stole money from them, but Luhan was the only one who actually knows them really well. For the fact that his parents would always visit the Zhang’s palace. Prince Kyungsoo loved to play with Yixing, as the other two brothers would ride horses with Yaoting, and Yongzheng. And Luhan would hide behind the trees as he would look at them playing.

 

“then theres the King Joonmyun——“

 

“oh yes! i remember him, he’ll would always make funny faces” Lay interrupts Yifan, and the latter just roll his eyes and continues to read along. It was only Luhan who jump alitle from the ground. “wait,” and Yifan stops talking. “repeat what you said” Lay looks at Yifan for some help, but he was just as lost. “um….King Joonmyun he would make faces during dinner.” Luhan stands up and walks up to Yifan. “its true” he whispers.

 

“what?”

 

“what he said about King Joonmyun, its true”

 

“what!?” Yifan whispers hoarsely, “why would he know that? it doesn’t make any sense. He probably heard someone talked about it” “yeah, yeah your right” but there was not a single truth in his words. Because he didn’t even believe it. But he knows he shouldn’t take anything seriously, and more when it comes from Lay. “okay, i think we rest enough, lets keep going or we gonna miss the ship.” and this time Luhan leaves his two partners behind.

 

 

 

 

Lay has never been in a ship, and thats why Luhan finds the latter looking at the water. The orphan boy looks at the small waves hitting the ship, and theres a crack in his smile as he says ‘wow’. Luhan keeps on staring, and a picture would last longer but he doesn’t care. Lay excited looking at the water, he doesn’t pay attention to Luhan. And it comes to a big mystery to Luhan, that this boy would take this chance. Which brings Luhan the conclusion that Lay is stupid to believe all of their words.

 

But he also knows that Lay is trying to find what Luhan is trying to look for too. A home. “staring much?” Yifan says as he stands behind Luhan, Luhan shakes his head. “I’m just looking to see if Lay is ready” “sure” this time the sarcastic is Yifan. “hey Lay!” Lay turns around, “lets get through the final things” “okay like what?” Yifan walks towards Lay, “shoulders back and stand up tall” Lay feels a punch just above his waist.

 

It makes him jump but he catches what Yifan is trying to do. “now walk” Lay walks but it was still sloppy, “And do not walk, but try to float.” Luhan adds on, “float? okay…” Lay steps become light, and tries to float. “am i floating?” “chin up” Lay feels very foolish, and more when the people on the ship start to look at them. But he guess its okay, as long as Luhan and Yifan keep encourage him. “let me borrow this” Luhan winks to the little girl, before he takes the book from her to puts it in top of Lay’s head.

 

Lay tries to balance the book, as he also tries to float and everything comes to him like if the big world hits him. Which it ends up with him on the floor. It comes like a big joke to Yifan, but it only takes a second for Luhan to be next to Lay. “are you okay?” and although those are the most common words in the english language, for Luhan it brings him back to an old memory. With his Prince. “yes” “not bad Lay” Yifan stands in front of both boys, “but we are still missing something else.”

 

Yifan throws a coin to the small band that was in the ship. Hearing music Luhan stands up, and moves away from Lay and Yifan. “the waltz” and thats when Yifan pushes Luhan to be close to Lay. “you are a better teacher than me” and Yifan puts that stupid smirk that Luhan hates so much. And Luhan is not going to give Yifan the pressure of messing with him.

 

“first you, You give a bow.”

 

“What happens now?”

 

Yifan smiles a little, “Your hand receives a kiss” and Luhan makes a small grunt, as he bows ones Lay puts his hand out. Luhan gives him a gentle kiss, that makes both of them uncomfortable.

 

“i’ll lead”

 

He puts one hand in Lay’s waist and he grabs the other one.

 

Nervously Lay nods, because wow Luhan look so handsome up close. And the serious features Luhan always uses, apparently disappear and now he was this gorgeous boy. “1, 2, 3” Luhan counts, and it helps Lay. Luhan spins Lay around, and the people who are still around them give them encouraging claps. While Yifan looks at them, he can see the plan getting ruin. Because there was a special glow in Luhan’s eyes that he has never seen.

 

It was the way his gentle fingers are place in Lay’s waist, it was the way there was a tiny smile on his lips. And it was all because of clumsy Lay. “goodbye plan” Yifan whispers, as he takes his leave. He wasn’t mad, because bigger money was coming. Lay passing as the Prince, and the Prince being in love with Luhan. That screams money, for the rest of Yifan’s bastard of a life. “um,” Luhan cleans his throat. “good job” Luhan takes his hands away from Lay.

 

“i have to go” and Luhan runs out of the scene, leaving Lay with his heart beating so fast. So fast, as he slowly falls for Luhan.

 

 

 

 

They arrive in the morning. The three of them look at the beautiful city of Seoul. “from here, and on your life has change Lay” Yifan comments, and Luhan can’t help to think his rode has end it too. The ship stops, and for Lay the city looks busier than back home. “now we need to catch the Queen” Yifan has the suitcase on his hands, and tries to catch up with speedy Luhan. Lay hesitates for a second. The moment he has always dreamt of, was finally here.

 

He was going to meet the familia(that Yifan and Luhan made him believe he has) “i guess from now on, i should leave the name Lay behind, and be call Yixing” Lay sighs but a smile is built in his mouth. And He runs after Luhan. the trains, and the cars makes it impossible to move. Not to mention the people. “where are we going?” Lay finally asks, “the Queen always comes to watch the opera, we gonna get tickets so we can get close to her”

 

“but first we have to pass through the test” Yifan finally tells the small problem. Kim Minseok was the person who put out the flayers that the Queen was looking for her missing son(following the Queen’s orders) and since then Minseok has been in charge of looking at all the boys who supposedly are ‘Prince Yixing’. Pass the test, you get to see the Queen. “test?” “you’ll be fine, don’t worry” Luhan says. “Yifan you buy the tickets, i’ll take Lay…i mean Yixing to see Minseok.” Yifan nods, and stands in line. Sure they can just buy the tickets and meet the Queen in the opera. But that would be 50/50 chance. Going to Minseok first and slim the chances to 10/90.

 

Lay’s hand begin to sweat, and the nice clothes that Luhan was nice enough to let Lay borrow might start to stink. But he couldn’t keep his cool, after all he was going to take a test. And he didn’t know what kind of questions they are going to ask. How was he going to know the answers when two days ago he didn’t know who he was. “come” Luhan cleans the jacket off, before they start to walk again. The good news was that the place they are walking to, there was less people.

 

The palace was about the same size as the one back in China. But this one look more alive, and it didnt hold a sad memory. Luhan stands in front of the guard, and Lay tries not to get so close. “I’m here to see Kim Minseok, i have found Yixing.” the guard looks at Lay, and how scared he was. He thinks that the kid won’t last a second before they kick both of them out. “come in” the guard opens the door, and Lay follows behind Luhan.

 

They didn’t get to go inside the palace, but they could see it. They had put a special place where Minseok would ask the questions, and if the person would pass they would go to a room where the Queen would be waiting. “Luhan I’m not sure if i can do this” Lay stops, he knows it wasn’t so late to turn around and forget this. “listen to me La——Yixing, this is the moment you been waiting for.” “i know, i know thats why i can’t do it. What if they tell me I’m not Yixing, that in reality I’m no one….All this time this necklace has keep me alive, but what if it means nothing?” Lay takes the necklace out from his shirt.

 

And Luhan recognize it, how can he not. There was a big party the day the King gave that necklace to Yixing. “where did you get that?” “i had it since i can remember….its the only thing i have of the family that i thought was waiting for me.” in that moment the door opens, before Luhan could say something to Lay. Minseok lets Lay go in, but makes Luhan wait outside. There was a tender feeling inside of him, because the person he first loved, it was Lay.

 

All of this time, he has in front of him. The biggest con artist was a fool. 

 

“okay lets start. where did you used to live?”

 

“in a palace by the sea”

 

“how many brothers did you had?”

 

“four”

 

Luhan looks around trying to see if there was a way to hear the conversation inside. He runs around the building, when he finds a window open. It was from the first floor, so it was easy for him to go in. It was not the first time he has done this, so there was no shame. Ones inside Luhan quietly walks up to the room where they are asking questions. “okay one last thing, how did you escaped?” Luhan waits for the answer as much as Minseok.

 

“um….there was a boy.”

 

Minseok looks at Lay, as Luhan does the same. “he came into my room that night…..he open a secret door? which let us outside….” and Luhan’s heart stops. There was no doubt in his mind, that Lay was the Prince of Changsha. His one and true love.

 

 

 

 

Luhan and Yifan wait outside the opera for Lay. Apparently Lay had the questions right, but the Queen was getting tired of meeting all of those people who keep saying are her son. And when she thought that she had finally had found her son, new hope would built up just for it to die down. She was getting older, and she had decided that her few good years she was going to live them remembering her family. Not trying to find what can’t be found.

 

But since Yifan had already tickets for the opera, they decide it to try their luck here. Lay was to nervous that he just kept on changing clothes, so Luhan and Yifan told him they are going to wait for him in front of the opera building. “Yifan i have to tell you something.” “that you like Lay, yeah i know” Luhan shakes his head, “not that….Lay is…his actually is Yixing” Yifan gets down one step so Luhan wouldn’t feel so short.

 

“he was that good in convincing huh?”

 

“no your not listening to me, Lay is truly Yixing. He has the same necklace the King gave to the Prince, and he remembered how we escaped that night. No one knows about the secret door. And he did” the seriousness in Luhan’s face, and the fact that Luhan did believe Lay was Yixing, made Yifan believe it too. “so all of this time, we had been in the presence of the Prince?” Luhan nods, “are we gonna tell him?” “tell me what?” both boys turn around.

 

But only Luhan has his mouth open. Lay in a black suit, with his hair comb to the side made Luhan speechless. He look like a true Prince. “that you look good” and Lay blushes. “lets go, and meet your mom” Yifan whispers, but Luhan hear it. So he chuckles a little so there won’t any silence and Lay won’t ask about what Yifan said. Yifan opens the door for Lay, and Luhan. Inside everything was brighter, like if they had built the room with diamonds.

 

“im nervous”

 

“you’ll do fine” and Luhan gets a hold of Lay’s hand. And it didn’t feel foreign, but familiar. “keep Minseok away from the Queen” Luhan says, Yifan nods and walks ahead of them as the tree of them go up the stairs. “Yixing,” Lay smiles “hey you got it right this time” “listen, you have to know something” Lay stops walking but Luhan moves him to the aside. So they won’t be in the way, of the people going up the stairs. “that night….the boy….” Luhan wants to tell Lay that he was the boy who saved him.

 

Because he knows later on, ones Yixing takes his rightful place he won’t be able to see Yixing anymore. Maybe this was more for him, than for Yixing. Maybe he thinks if Yixing knows, who Luhan truly is. Yixing might love him back. “what about the boy?” but Luhan just breathes and shake his head, “nothing. just forget it.” Yifan passes down with Minseok holding his hand, Luhan hurries up to the vip room where the Queen is.

 

“wait here” Luhan lets go of Lay’s hand, and he goes inside the vip room. “my Queen” Luhan bows, the Queen looks around the room trying to find Minseok. “most people don’t address me like that, you must be from China” “i’m. and I’m here to tell you i have your son” the Queen shakes her head, “i don’t want to hear it, not anymore. I have heard that line 500 times, and those 500 times its not my son. I don’t want to go through that again.”

 

“i know that,” Luhan takes one step to stop the Queen from moving. “but this time its true” now that the Queen is close to Luhan, she can finally recognize him. “i know who you are, you are the person who stoled from the Emperor.” “well, its not quiet stealing since they catch us before we could run. But this is not the point, i really have your son” the Queen raises her hand, “stop. just let this poor woman live her few years in piece”

 

“yes, Luhan leave her” Luhan turns around, finding Lay almost in tears. “you used me? didn’t you?” “yes, but—” Lay walks up to the Queen and gets on his knees. “I’m sorry, i didn’t know anything.” “you trainee him good to be polite and get pity from me” the Queen walks pass Lay, but Luhan stops her. “listen, please” “you want money? you would go this far for money, huh” the Queen drops a bag with golden coins. “there, that should be enough for your troubles” and the Queen leaves the room.

 

“I’m so stupid.” Lay hits the ground with his hand, “I’m so stupid, this was just part of a plan. You made me believe that i had a family.” tears color the carpet in a deep red color. “listen Lay, you are truly the Prince” “stop!!!” Lay stands up, “stop with your lying. i don’t want to hear it anymore” Lay pushes Luhan so hard, the latter ends up in the floor. Lay runs as fast it as he can, out of the opera. Yifan sees Lay running, then Luhan running after him.

 

“wait, wait what happen?” Yifan stops Luhan, “we need to make the Queen listen” “i have a plan” Yifan pulls on Luhan’s shirt, and they both run to the Queen’s car. Luhan gets in the backseat with her, while Yifan pulls the driver out of the car. “hurry, we can catch Yixing in the hotel” “stop this car!” the Queen yells, “not after you see him.” and Yifan drives fast, so fast he almost hurt the people who are trying to cross the street.

 

When they finally arrive in front of the hotel, the Queen stays there. “please, you have to talk to him” “no.” Luhan takes a music box out of his pocket, “here” he puts it in the Queen’s hand, it was heavier than the Queen remembers. “talk to him” Yifan gets out of the car, and opens the back door. The Queen sighs, and gets out. There was a big curiosity inside of her, but she knows she couldn’t trust Luhan. But she still goes inside the hotel. And knocks on room #204.

 

Yixing opens the door and sees the Queen in front of her, “can i come in?” Yixing stands there for a long pause, when he sees how the Queen waits patiently. “oh yes, I’m sorry” he moves to the side, and the Queen gets inside. “your friend is very persuasive” “i wouldn’t call him my friend” the Queen shows the music box to Yixing, and Yixing opens his eyes so huge. “my music box” he runs towards it, by this point the Queen is not convince.

 

“i remember not being able to go to sleep without it when father would leave the palace. and Yaoting would stay in my room, and play the music box for me.” the Queen looks at Yixing’s features, a mother would know her own son. Yixing takes the necklace, and it finally made sense for him. It wasn’t a compass, it was the key for the music box. He puts it inside the hole, and twist it until the music box flies open.

 

When the music starts to play, the words his father and Yixing would say comes to him too. “Soon you'll be—-“

 

“Home with me” and the Queen finishes.

 

“my son!”

 

“mom!!?”

 

The hug is to tight, and the tears are to strong.

 

 

 

 

The next day the Queen calls Luhan to meet her, she need it to thank Luhan before she goes back home with Yixing. It was time for the palace to be bright again, and for Changsha to have their new King. Luhan knocks on the golden doors, and he hears a soft ‘come in’. “my Queen” and Luhan bows, “i want to thank you” Luhan doesn’t move, because if Luhan can be honest with himself he regrets giving back Lay to the Queen. Now the only way Luhan could see Lay, it would be in the newspaper.

 

“no need, my intension weren’t pure”

 

“i want to ask you something, why did your feelings change?”

 

“…..”

 

“now i remember you, you were the servant weren’t you?”

 

“yes, my Queen”

 

The Queen takes a box, and she opens it. Inside there was a lot of money, but than the reward promise. “well thank you for saving my son, Yixing told me” “I’m sorry my Queen, but i can’t take the money.” Luhan bows. All he wants is to leave this, as fast as he can. “one more question,” Luhan sighs, “why did you save my son?” “because he saved me first” In this world no one showed Luhan kindness. A poor boy leaving in the streets, who would only die in the streets. And his body would only decompose, making his body be just be part of the concrete.

 

Until that day, the day that Luhan met Yixing. The King had taken his family to the city, and Yixing was playing around with a small ball. The ball bounce to one of the alleys, which the Prince followed. There was Luhan sitting on the floor, dirty and hungry. Yixing didn’t showed fear, instead she showed concern. “are you okay?” Luhan hugs his legs, the only person who was afraid it was him. “i bet your hungry, huh? here” and Yixing gives him an gold coin. Enough for Luhan to eat today, and maybe even tomorrow.

 

When Luhan took the coin, Yixing grabbed his ball and run back to where his father was. That moment Luhan wanted to keep Yixing close, and to protect him. Just like Yixing had saved him. But when he got the job in the palace, everyday he would look at Yixing. The cared develop to love. Young love. “i’ll take my leave now” Luhan gets out of the room, as his past leaves too. He didn’t want to think of Yixing anymore.

 

Prince Yixing now.

 

As Luhan walks downstairs, he meets Yixing. They both stand there awkward. But the anger inside of Yixing was stronger, “i hope you spend your money wisely” “i will” Luhan bows, and leaves. Leaves and swears to himself to never come back. And he knows ones his back to China, he won’t have a home anymore. There was nothing holding him in China. It was time for him to find something else.

 

 

 

 

Changsha celebrates having the Queen again with her son. The soon to be King, (which means the Queen would have to drop her title) The palace is back to light, just like the small memories Yixing carries. The painting of his family, and him is restore. Although Yixing swears he won’t ever forget them again. “who are you looking for?” the Queen stands behind Yixing, “no one” Yixing keeps his face compose, and tries to enjoy the happiness of the palace again.

 

“his not here”

 

“oh i know, his probably busy wasting his money”

 

The Queen smiles, “he didn’t take the money” Prince Yixing turns his head so fast, he knows tomorrow it would hurt tomorrow. “what?” “he didn’t take it.” it didnt made any send, all of this show was because of the great reward. “do you like him, my son?” Prince Yixing shakes his head, “i have more things to worry about, like to rule Changsha” “my dear boy,” The Queen caresses her son’s cheek. “Changsha can wait”

 

“mother….i can’t leave. Not only i’m the King now, but i just found you”

 

“we would always have each other my son” and the Queen drops her hand to the necklace, “this compass would always point back home” All the Queen want it was to find her son, and now that she seen how her son grow up to be a handsome strong man, it makes her happy. And she knows Yixing is not ready to be a King, but the thing about time is that you always have a lot. “go” Prince Yixing smiles, and lets her mother kiss him in the forehead.

 

He had no idea how was he going to find Luhan, or if Luhan was still even in China. All he knows is he should go to the store, where he first found the dark eyed boy. Now that Yixing was familiar with the streets, and that people know who he is, is faster for him to run. Since everyone who sees him tent to bow to him. “hi, do you know where Luhan is?” “he should be getting ready to leave” Yixing can hear his heart beat in his ears.

 

“where is he?!!”

 

“he has a small apartment by the old cinema”

 

“thank you” and Yixing runs. He has no idea of what to say, nor if Luhan would even take him. All he knows is that he doesn’t want to be without Luhan. It was a tender feeling every time the boy would come to Yixing’s mind, and he didn’t want to let go. Although Luhan used him, he was the only person who took a chance with him. Apart of saving his life along time ago, and there was only one way of thanking him. And that way was to giving him everything, to give him his love.

 

And the scary thought was, Luhan not taking his heart. And it hurt him, although he didn’t know the answer yet. And that feeling make Yixing want to stop running, but his legs didn’t listen. Because his stupid heart was right. When Yixing gets to the old cinema, he opens all the doors. It was just empty dirty rooms that smell bad. Mostly of drugs. There were cold, and it made Yixing sad to think Luhan was sleeping in this rooms. When Yixing tries to open the last room on the left.

 

He knocks, and hears a ‘come in’. Luhan was waiting for someone. Yixing thinks Yifan. “hi” “Yifan is that you?” Luhan yells from the restroom, “no, um…” Yixing cleans his throat. “they told me you can help me get fake papers” there was a huge noise, like someone was throwing things. “sorry, i can’t help you. Im not in the business anymore” Yixing hears the small noise again, and he realize what it was. It was boxes thrown to the floor.

 

“can i ask why?”

 

“sure you can ask, but i won’t tell you”

 

“is there someone else who can help me?”

 

“sorry the person who was helping me also left the business, that bastard left me for someone”

 

Yixing cracks a smile, “you mean he fell in love?”

 

“yeah” Luhan’s voice sounds more distance, Luhan probably move to the main room. “how about you? are you in love with someone?” “I’am…….i was, but no one falls for the servant boy, not even in stories” Luhan finds himself feeling stupid, for telling someone about his sad love life. “maybe it can be different, maybe you can write your own story,” Luhan drops the shirts that was in his hand, and walks towards the door.

 

“maybe that Prince has feelings for you”

 

“how did you——“

 

Luhan stands there embarrassed, “what are you doing here?” “I’m here for you” a smile wants to appear in Luhan’s mouth, but there was something stopping him. Reality. “your a King now Yixing” “no, I’m not. I left that…..for you”

 

“why would you do that?”

 

“because…..”

 

Luhan takes small steps towards Yixing, “because?” Yixing bites his lip, “um….” Luhan puts his hands in Yixing’s neck, as his thumbs caresses Yixing’s cheeks. “say it” the small wind that comes from Luhan, enters Yixing’s mouth. And it was soft, and it fills him. “i love you” as the magic words move around the room, Luhan’s lips travel to Yixing’s lips. The kiss was nothing but slow, it was lips moving in sync. The feeling of belonging was finally there.

 

Luhan on Yixing’s bottom lip, and Yixing’s saliva was even sweet. And the kiss would slow down to pecks, but then scale. Because Luhan has been dreaming of this since forever, and finally his forever was here. Changsha was not ready for a King, as Yixing was not ready to be King. But Luhan had gain something, he gain Yixing. And deep inside he knows one day Yixing would return to the palace, to be the great King he was meant to be.

 

But as long as Luhan can, he’ll keep Yixing close to him. Until the time comes for Yixing to rule Changsha.