In a tiny kingdom—

They found;

The greatest freedom.

Three tiny hearts;

That would really—

Never part.

_______________________

The boy was never really happy. But that was before he knew that happiness was simpler than he thought it was.

Just like baking.

It wasn't that hard after all.

He liked it.

He quite liked it.

But the boys his age liked other things. They liked soccer. And computer games, and baseball, and—

Girls.

They liked girls.

"Rachel's cupcakes are the best."

"Shut up, she only gives them to you."

"What? Not my fault I'm better looking," He laughed.

"Liar."

"I really wanna try one of her cupcakes one day."

"I-I can bake," A small voice piped up sheepishly, a tentative smile on his face. "My family owns a bakery."

The rest of the boys blinked at the one who always stood by the side. The one who never really talked, but listened a lot.

"Um...you?"

"But isn't baking for girls?"

"My mom bakes. Dad doesn't."

"Yeah. You're right."

Chip's gaze lowered, eyes averting and dulling. "Oh..."

His smile faded slightly.

"Dude. Are you trying to become Rachel?"

"W-What? No—"

"Then stop baking! C'mon, you should play soccer. With us or something," One of them demanded, a soccer ball under his arm.

"Yeah, honestly...no wonder you smell like Rachel. It's kinda girly."

"But—"

"What's so hard about not baking?"

But he liked baking.

He quite liked it.

He wasn't like Rachel.

He wasn't like a girl.

He was just being...himself.

"S-Sorry."

And that was how Chip had learned—

To be sorry for being himself.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Beyond Love Chapter 3: Princes, and a Princess

[Chip]

How to be happy—

"Chip!" Ace laughed as he entered the bedroom with a cardboard box in his arms. "I swear, you have no idea what I found."

I blinked, straightening up from the box of clothes I was transferring to the wardrobe. "E-Eh? What do you mean? Oh, and thank you so much! It must be really heavy..."

Ace grinned, handing me the box effortlessly. "Nah. Er, actually—while I was unloading the boxes from the van, Blake slapped my...nevermind. So...I dropped the box, and some stuff fell out...sorry man. I didn't mean it," He bowed his head sheepishly.

"Uwa!" The moment Ace released his grip on the sides of the box, I felt its entire weight threaten to floor my frame. "I-I'm fine! I'm fine..." I straightened up quickly, flashing an awkward smile.

"You don't have to apologize Ace, we're the ones here who troubled you and Blake," I didn't know what to make of the unfinished sentence by Ace, but I...h-had my suspicions.

"Soo...I placed everything back in the box and guess what? You guys seriously need to hide your night-playtime stuff in a less conspicuous place. I mean—right at the top of the box? Honestly?" Ace snorted, shaking his head.

I blinked.

Opening the box for a quick peek, I felt my ears grow hot at the object in sight. "T-This! This...Xander...he..."

"Blake laughed at the strawberry-flavored bottle of—"

"Wha—no way...I-I...that wasn't...I didn't buy that," I hid my face in my hands, embarrassed beyond measure.

This isn't good for the heart!

"Aw, don't be shy. 'S cute," Ace patted me on the back, eyes smiling. "You're loved. I think that's all that matters."

I glanced up, noting the smile that seemed dimmer than before; like the sun that was about to set. Reaching out, I felt the urge to ask his heart what was wrong—and that if, perhaps, he needed someone to talk to.

But—

"Oh yeah, Xander wanted you in the kitchen. He said you'd nag at him if he placed the plates in the wrong order."

I paused, lips slightly dry.

"Un! Okay, I'll...I'll go now," I smiled in thanks, a thought reaching deep and passing the mind into the heart.

And as I watched Ace's back retreat down the stairs, I wondered if perhaps;

I was a terrible friend that no one really liked.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"My cupcakes are better!" The girl insisted, shoving his lunchbox aside.

It dropped to the floor with a crash—contents scattering.

"O-Okay," The boy nodded, too shocked to continue as he bent down in attempt to retrieve the now disfigured cupcakes.

"Hey!" Another one of their classmates marched in—the one who loved soccer. The one who always received her cupcakes. "Are you bullying Rachel again?"

"No! I...I wasn't," Chip backed away, glancing fearfully around the classroom—wishing someone would speak up;

Speak up for him.

"What? Then why is she crying?" The boy snapped, shoving the small frame.

He noticed the box of retrieved cupcakes in his arms—but did not see the crumbs on the floor. "You're still baking?"

He quite liked it.

He really did.

"I bake better cupcakes than you!" Rachel cried, gritting her teeth as her friends nodded in agreement.

There was a scream in the silence.

But no one heard it.

"You're just trying to compete with Rachel, aren't you?" The boy hissed, snatching the lunchbox out of Chip's hands.

"N-No! That's not—"

"You should give up."

?

"Why can't you do something like soccer instead?"

Yes, why couldn't he?

"Yeah! Must you bake?" His friend added with a frown.

"It's not even meant for you in the first place."

"Stop making Rachel upset."

"Her cupcakes are better anyway—"

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

How to be happy—

One:

I descended the stairs tentatively, used to having a mere two-room apartment for the past five years of my life. But as soon as I entered the living room, I swore I would have slipped down the stairs even if I was careful to hold on to the railings.

"X-Xan! Blake—why aren't you...where are your...I-I mean...shirt, where?" I stumbled over my words intelligently, turning red from embarrassment at the sight and at my blunder.

Xander laughed, setting the box over his shoulder on the floor with a loud 'thump'. "Sorry Angel. It was getting a little hot in here. It's been long since I had stairs in my home," He leaned down, touching his lips to my forehead lightly.

"—And Blake's hopeless. He just wants to show off, so I guess we'll have to give him a chance," My fiancé whispered additionally, "Since Ace is almost as naïve as you anyway—"

I punched his shoulder, giving him my best glare. "Y-You! It's not as if you don't like to show off every single time..."

Ow. My...my knuckles hurt.

Xander smirked, straightening up with a shrug. "Can't help it."

"G-Go do your work," I rolled my eyes, smiling all the same. "And put on a shirt after! Uwa, what will the neighbors think..."

He smiled; laughter in his eyes.

"Strawberries."

I blushed.

.

One:

I tottered into the kitchen with a pair of house slippers, noting the boxes labeled 'plates', 'utensils' and 'baking tools ^0^' stacked on top one another.

Uwa...I told him not to do that already, this dummy. I sighed, quickly unstacking the boxes and opening the one with baking tools first.

It was a comforting sight, in a yet-to-be familiar home.

After a couple of minutes—with whisks and rolling pins tucked away neatly in the first drawer, I noticed that was something wrapped in papers at the bottom of the cardboard box.

Not remembering that it had been there while I was packing, I placed it on the counter carefully.

The sound of glass coming in contact with the surface was clear, so I naturally assumed that it was a jar.

Oh.

As I began to remove the papers wrapped around the object, I realized what it was—

The empty jar. Xander's Jar of Happi—

We should fill it.

Perhaps we'll bake some chocolate chip cookies tomorrow.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

I exited the kitchen; having placed everything in its rightful position and finding that there were several empty cabinets left. The house was large indeed—but I had thought that since it housed three people; it wouldn't seem all-too-big anymore.

I-I guess I was wrong.

It might even be able to fit another person...

Uwa! What am I thinking? No no no Xander and I aren't even registered yet, I can't possibly be thinking of...

"What do you want?"

Xander's tone left a clean cut in the air, sharp edges like that of a sword.

I paused, feet stopping before the living room.

Eh?

"Easy. I'll be getting a new number as soon as I resign. In fact, I'll be resigning tomorrow."

Oh. He's talking on the phone...but—

"That's none of your business."

Who?

He's fierce. Someone he doesn't like...

"Don't you dare."

Startled by the sudden fear in his voice, I emerged from behind the door—rushing over to his side.

A glimpse of his face easily told me that something was wrong.

The storm was in his eyes.

But the moment he saw me approaching, he smiled. Xander took me by my waist, pulling me closer.

No...I can't see his face.

I bet he's forcing it again.

That smile.

"Fuck off," He said with a certain finality, ending the call and dropping his phone on the coffee table.

I paused in his arms, and so did he.

My fiancé breathed. "You smell good."

Does that mean he doesn't want to talk about it?

But we're together now.

Does it give me the right to ask?

"D-Don't...um, eat me," I commented lightly. "By the way you're not wearing a shirt."

Xander laughed—since when did I notice the difference?

"I know. You said that already."

"Yes, but it's been thirty minutes so...I thought you'd have worn something by then!" I protested, voice slightly muffled in his chest.

He caressed my head gently, leaning over so that his face remained hidden.

For all I knew—he could be scowling.

"I-Is something wrong?" I tested the waters, hands going around to rub his back. Ugh, but it was too broad.

Xander laughed low—half-hearted. "Just a bitch."

"Eh..."

"Yeah."

"You don't need to call her that."

"Angel, Trudy is a bitch. And so is that pathetic excuse of a father," He insisted, and I felt his arm tighten around my waist.

I reached up in effort to pat his head. Hmm...too hard. I'll just pat his back.

"Don't worry Xan," Make sure to smile. "Everything's going to be fine—"

I think Xander has always been worrying over things—despite acting as if he was indifferent towards the rest of the world.

But I guess what he thought about most;

Was the fear of being alone.

I think it's my turn to say it now—

Now that he has said it to me many times.

"—You're not alone anymore."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"That's not true!" It was a girl's voice. "I think Chip's cupcakes are better!"

She had come up to him after school.

Quiet, and small—she tapped him on his shoulder just as he was packing his bag.

He blinked;

Vision beginning to blur.

"Really?"

She nodded, glancing around the now empty classroom. "When you gave one to me yesterday. It was the best I ever had."

He couldn't believe his ears.

"Better than Rachel's."

She flashed a toothy smile.

.

But—

"Lisa! Come on, let's—" Rachel walked in.

She frowned immediately.

"Why are you talking to him?"

Lisa jumped;

And she took a step away from Chip.

The boy saw.

He saw that she backed away from him.

"Oh! Um, nothing. I was just returning something I borrowed..."

"Really? Then hurry up. The car's waiting," Rachel rolled her eyes at Chip, then smiled brightly at Lisa. "I'll show you my Bakery today."

"Okay!" The girl beamed, grabbing her backpack and dashing out of class without a second glance back.

So the boy was left—

Behind.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

One:

"Giselle?"

I found her fast asleep; in the midst of the many easels, stray canvases and boxes containing her special, tiny tins of paint.

And then there was Berry, who was snuggled up the satisfied girl.

I closed the door to the painting room carefully, not wanting to wake her. After all, it has been a long day indeed.

"Xan?" Turning into the living room, I had expected Xander, Blake, and Ace to be resting—sprawled out on the floor I had mopped.

It was Ace who answered straight away. "Oh, Xander and Blake went to get takeout Japanese for dinner. They left 'bout twenty minutes ago while you were upstairs unpacking."

He was the only one in the living room, slouching against the coffee table with his phone in one hand. "I told Blake to get me some cold soba, but I'm not sure if Xander knows what you want. Call him, maybe?"

"..."

"What?"

"Was the last one intentional?" I facepalmed with a sigh.

Ace blinked, then he must have realized. "OhmyGod no it wasn't! Haha I guess I'm a natural after all."

We laughed, and I poked his side.

"Hold on, I'll text Xander."

"Yeah, sure! You do that," Ace nodded, eyes instantly resuming to the screen of his smartphone.

I wonder if Xander's bought dinner already.

I was going to share a sushi box with Giselle or something...

________________________

[18:10]

To: Your Mortal

Subject: Dinner

Xan! ^0^ Have you guys bought dinner already? D:

_________________________

I looked over at my companion, whose gaze was still fixated on the screen of his smartphone.

"What are you doing?" I asked, curious.

"Uh—stalking Blake...I-I mean! What? Did I seriously just say that? Uh, I mean I was just...Instagram...yeah," Ace stumbled over his words awkwardly, turning to me with a sheepish smile.

I laughed.

"Blake has an Instagram account? He doesn't look the type..." I sat down beside him, peering over as he made space for me.

"I know right! I totally didn't expect it either. I mean, I know he's hot but he's actually a very simple guy. Like, he still uses Facebook, can you believe that?" Ace commented incredulously, and I almost burst out laughing.

"H-Hey! I use Facebook too, okay? Besides, Xander doesn't even bother with social media," I pointed out, heart lifting at the ease of our conversation.

I've never had anyone I could talk to about Xander before.

Not like this.

"What? Seriously? OhmyGod what is with these people? Wait, I don't mean you—I mean...like...if Xander had an Instagram or Pinterest account, people would be all over his abs," Ace rolled his eyes exasperatedly.

I paused, thinking.

"O-Oh...then I'd rather he didn't," I stated quietly after a while.

Ace burst out quickly in defense. "N-No! That wasn't what I meant, actually, if you and he set up a shared account or something, and take a lot of cute pictures together, more people would be all over both of you!"

I laughed small, turning to Ace with a smile. "I was just kidding!"

My friend pouted, scrolling through Blake's pictures on Instagram.

Most of them were of his dog, and some ranged from the beach to volleyball and the gym.

It seemed like a pretty standard Instagram account, but the quiet smile on Ace's lips told a different story.

"There's nothing wrong even if you were serious, you know," He said suddenly.

Then, added. "I get jealous too."

I paused.

Then after a moment, ruffled Ace's hair. "I know. I guess everyone does."

He stuck his tongue out childishly, not really saying anything.

"So...I guess you have to go back to Facebook soon huh?" I hinted subtly, nudging his side with my elbow.

Ace seemed confused. "What do you mean?"

"To change your relationship status," I looked up, flashing a playful smile that I've kept hidden for a long time. "You know. To—in a relationship?"

Without warning, my companion's face lit up in a bright shade of red—eyes avoiding mine. "W-What? Huh? No. Not really."

"Not really?" I teased, almost feeling the second-hand embarrassment he was going through. P-Partly because I know what it feels like. "Come on."

"I...I really don't know, okay? 'Relationship' is an ambiguous word. I don't even know what to make of what...like...what we are, now."

I nodded in understanding.

"And, I guess...you could say we are more than friends...BUT what if we're friends with like, benefits? OhmyGod no."

"Friends with benefits?" I prompted in confusion.

If Ace's face could turn a shade any darker than this, it did. "W-Well...we. Uh. We did the thing."

"Um, the thing...?"

"You know! The night thing."

"Eh?"

"Oh for goodness sake—sex! We had sex ohmyGod," Ace buried his face in his hands. "Just kill me already this is so embarrassing."

It was my turn to feel the heat on my cheeks. It rushed up to my ears quick enough, and I felt really guilty for raising this subject.

"U-Uwa," Was all I managed.

This isn't good for the heart!

We remained in this manner for a long time—both unsure of what to do or what to say.

Gosh, why must I be so awkward? Why am I always so awkward? Just when we were getting along well...

Ugh, I'm the worst.

"And he told me that he was straight," Ace said quite suddenly, in a quiet manner. "It confused me."

I nodded. "I think he's confused too."

Ace sighed, putting away his phone and resting his head on the coffee table. "Maybe."

"I just don't know if we're friends or more than friends or, like...what are we even," He added.

I thought for a while.

"Human?"

It seemed like an unexpected answer for Ace, because he burst out laughing.

"H-Hey! It...it was a serious answer..." I pouted.

He laughed.

Laughed, and laughed...and laughed.

"Humans are stupid," He concluded through sharp intakes of breath, eyes laughing still.

I nodded with a smile. "Un."

"But I like them."

"They can be nice."

"They can be amazing."

"They can be beautiful creatures."

________________________

[18:31]

From: Your Mortal

Subject: Re: Dinner

Yeah Angel. I got you and Giselle a Sushi box to share. Hope it's fine ;) That's what you used to get all the time.

Love u.

________________________

"They are."

"They are—beautiful," I smiled.

_________________________

[18:31]

To: Your Mortal

Subject: Re: Re: Dinner

Me too /.\

__________________________

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

[Trudy]

Only fools think that fairytales exist.

Only fools think that dreams come true.

"Mr. Jaxon! Yes, how may I help you?" I answered the call, perfectly pleasant. "Yes. Ah, I see."

"Oh I think he wouldn't dare. He'd be hopeless if he resigned," I laughed, nodding in agreement. "I'm sure Xander isn't that foolish."

Or is he?

"Yes. You have my word. Then, I'll see you on Saturday."

Dropping the call, I resumed typing my email to one of the many Rachels I knew.

This one, I was sure—would work.

Only fools think that fairytales exist.

Only fools think that dreams come true.

I'm not a fool.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

[X]

One:

There is—

No 'one'.

For there is no instruction to Happiness.

There is no one; no two; and no three.

There is, however—'for'.

For who?

For what?

For me? For you? For him? For her? For them?

No.

—For us.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

A/N:

There is a conventional view; and that is—Humans are ugly, horrible, vile, cunning creatures.

And then there is the unconventional one, which is often viewed as perhaps, a little naïve—Humans are beautiful.

I think the strongest people in this world are those who have the strength to say that Humans are beautiful; despite having experienced how horrible they can be.

Message to self?

Be kind.

Be kind;

Be kind, and no matter what—

Be kind.

Getting hurt doesn't mean that you have to hurt them back. ^^

-Cuppiecake.

P.S, Please recommend some male bakers on Youtube here ^0^/ I know none ;_;