wei junseo x yohan 

art can say what words cannot 

prince junseo longed to dive into the realm of art and in doing so found himself a masterpiece 

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   Junseo knew the second that boy stepped out of the car that he would be danger; that the boy, with his stupidly perfect black hair and obnoxiously beautiful physique, would screw up everything, make his life a living hell, become the biggest threat to his future. And the boy checked every box. He did ruin his life - well, not until Junseo's parents find out, but they've kept it a secret for four years now, what's one more?

   Junseo can remember it like it was yesterday: he was lounging in the library, book draped across his chest in boredom, eyes trailing after the birds dancing across the sky, when one of the cleaning staff - he didn't like calling them 'maids' or 'servants' because the words felt degrading - popped her head in and hollered for the boy. He came jogging out from behind a shelf and was informed he was requested by his father in the foyer. With quirked eyebrows and a curious upturn of his lips, Junseo followed the woman. He usually wasn't requested unless it was serious, for his father or mother would tell him at dinner or whenever they crossed paths, but being called for by his father sent electricity through his veins. Junseo was excited to see what it could be, yet at the same time he was nervous because what if he made some mistake that had resurfaced, and boy did he dread the consequences.

   All his worries, and his thoughts at that, were washed away the second he walked up to his father's side. Being the nosey boy he was, instead of waiting next to his father, he stood for a second before flying down the stairs and stomping onto the gravel driveway before a slick black limousine. Heads of other staff members turned and gave the prince polite smiles before lugging some suitcases and a rolled up blanket up the stairs. His head followed them but quickly snapped back to the car when he heard someone clear their throat.

   "Hello sir," A bow, then, "I'm a new addition to your staff!"

   Junseo was speechless, and it was notorious that he never got his breath taken away. Junseo was a prince that had seen it all, yet it baffled him how he hadn't seen him. The boy looked around his age, which added to his bewilderment. How could someone 16 work here? Are there really no job offerings down in the city? He had black hair that swooped into waves around his face and a pair of glassy eyes that glittered each time he blinked. He had plump, peach colored lips and that's the farthest Junseo got for when his father placed a hand on his shoulder, he flinched and tore his stare away.

   "Welcome, Yohan. It's a pleasure to finally have you working here."

   The boy, Yohan, opened his mouth, but Junseo was quicker. "What's his position?"

   His father chuckled as Yohan cleared his throat again. "Well, sir,-"

   "Please, call me Junseo."

   Yohan paused and Junseo swore he saw his ears bloom a shade of pink. "Well, Junseo," The prince would be lying if he didn't say he loved the way his name rolled off the other's tongue. "Remember when you voiced your interest in the arts? More specifically painting." He paused.

   Junseo immediately nodded.

   "Welp, here I am. Your art tutor - teacher? Mentor?"

   "A new friend."

   His father chortled whilst Yohan let out an anxious laugh; Junseo wasn't wrong, for they did become friends, close ones at that. It took a while - mostly because Junseo would be more preoccupied with staring at his face rather than listening to instruction; cliche, he knows, but he swore he'd never seen anyone as pretty as him.

   Junseo had expressed his longing to get into the arts about a month prior to Yohan arriving; whether it was drawing or painting, using oils or charcoal, on a canvas or, hell, the walls of his room, Junseo was very adamant on delving into his creative side. So, when his parents hired Junseo a teacher, what did he do? Fall in love with him, or become as passionate about painting as his teacher is, place your bets.

   Like most romance authors write, Junseo couldn't pinpoint a day nor week when he started finding Yohan really attractive. Don't get him wrong, Kim Yohan was undeniably handsome, it was universally known, but Junseo woke up one morning, ate his usual breakfast - buttered and jellied toast with whatever protein was cooked that day with a glass of either orange juice or green tea, whatever he was in the mood for - then walked into the studio and nearly tripped over a crate of paints.

   Yohan was dressed no differently than he usually was: collared shirt in a different color each day - that day it was an olive green - black slacks and brown shoes littered with paint flecks. His back was turned, busy with the canvas before him, when Junseo entered, saw the boy, and stumbled over his feet prior to knocking into a bucket of watercolor paint and an easel. Yohan jumped slightly and whipped around; just as the younger flicked his eyes up to send an apologetic grimace, the other just smiled and sighed, shaking his head with a chuckle that sounded like birds chirping. The smile sent a wave of emotion over him - vague, he knows, but he couldn't describe how he felt; his legs faltered as he walked, his hands tensed up as Yohan guided it around the canvas, and it was incredibly hard to keep his eyes on his own work.

   The painting he made that day was hung in Yohan's room ever since, him saying it was "something out of a children's book"; Junseo took that as a half complement. He didn't piece together why all his paintings were being hung in Yohan's room rather than his for as long as it took to realize the older likes him back: way too long. It started with his messy excuse of a field, then a detailed sketch of bouquet of roses - Yohan's favorite flower, a little basic if you asked Junseo but he could care less - a watercolor skull, then Junseo's self portrait that he specifically remember leaving in the art studio, so how did it end up hung right next to the older's vanity in his room?

   Everyone in the castle always told Junseo he was oblivious to things: signs on doors, hints from his cleaning staff, even his mother's elbow nudges left Junseo with cinched brows and questions afloat within his head. He always fought back, saying it wasn't his fault that the signals were too vague, but now that he thought back to the day, the younger can confidently, yet begrudgingly, admit he was so oblivious.

   It was a day no different than the last: Yohan diligently scribbling on his paper and having to sharpen his violet pencil every minute or so, and Junseo staring mindlessly at Yohan's working hands whilst his own were still atop his paper. He was instructed to draw, in very great detail, the cup of wine before them, but his focus only lasted for 15 minutes before his eyes started their usual routine of flitting between the object they're painting, and Yohan. It was stupid, Junseo knew that all too well, but he couldn't help it when the color of the wine looked exactly like the color of Yohan's hair when the sun shone upon it.

   "You could draw me if you'd like. Since I doubt you'd like to continue with the cup," Junseo blinked. Yohan was staring back at him, a faint smile ghosting over his lips; Junseo's neck started to itch. "And you seem to be sketching something different." A laugh followed his words, and the younger looked down to find the beginnings of an eye. Fuck that's embarrassing, he thought.

   "Oh, um..." Junseo nervously chuckled. Why was he so hot? Him, not Yohan...well-

   "Could I ask you a question actually?" Yohan set his pencil aside and sat up. He arched his back, heard a couple pops and cracks, a wince, then the older was looking back at him.

   Junseo nodded - a bit too enthusiastically - and discarded his pencil by the edges of his paper. "Anything Han."

   The nickname pulled the smile on his face wider. "The city is having this lunar eclipse festival 'cause it's happening like...in a week? Five days?" Yohan looked at the younger.

   "I had no idea the festival was going on to begin with. I don't enter the city often, y'know, 'cause the crowds."

   "No, no, I get it, but I was wondering if you'd like to go with me?" He sounded so confident, Junseo thought, so sure of himself that I made the scratchy feeling travel up his neck to engulf his ears. Yohan's leg was bouncing furiously.

   "Yes! I'd love to. I haven't been down there in ages, is it still the same?" Junseo leaned forward with wide, sparkling eyes.

   Yohan smiled fondly. "It's missing its prince."

   The festival came rushing up and flew by; Junseo felt like when he blinked, another hour passed, but did he regret any of it? No, because it was all spent with his boyfriend. Yes, you heard him right. Boyfriend.

   It still baffled him how someone like Yohan - so perfect and pretty - liked the prince back; sure Junseo was handsome himself (totally not bragging), but everyone who told him such was his family, and he just perceived it as an automatic compliment rather than something with meaning.

   The festival was something Junseo never knew he craved. The booths with yelling middle-aged merchants sent a jolt of adrenaline through him; the drifting aroma of meats and steamed veggies caused his stomach to make noises he never heard while in the castle; the fits of laughter and shrieks of elated children made his heart beat faster than he ever thought was possible; the strings of soft, twinkling lights that were strewn across the town square like ribbons made Junseo smile so wide that it hurt his cheeks. As he trailed through the crowd of people - all of which were saying hello and greeting him with robotic kindness - he felt overwhelmed, yet at the same time, he felt so ecstatic; never in his seventeen years of living has he felt this much joy, this much excitement, this much love.

   He remembered Yohan pulling him away from the makeshift dance floor and over to the side of a shop. He fell against the bricks with a huff and Junseo just stood there staring like he always did.

   "Really, you just stood there, Jun?!"

   "There's more to the story!"

   Junseo was sprawled across the newly cleaned sheets of his bed. His favorite staff member of his, a man that went by the name of Hyeon, was folding his freshly dried towels across the room.

   "Then he took my wrist, pulled me close, whispered that he had an amazing time with me, and I replied the same. We chatted for a second with our noses practically touching Hyeon, oh my God!"

   "And you're positive he doesn't like you?"

   "I don't think he'd date another man." Junseo said with a defeated lilt.

   "Love is love, Junseo, so if he falls for you, he falls for you. You can't control one's feelings." He plopped down the last towel and seized the basket. "Before I go, because you suck at telling stories," The prince let out a 'hey' to which Hyeon ignored. "Did y'all kiss?"

   Junseo paused, lips apart, and felt his ears burn. "He...might have given me a small one," He caressed his cheek with his pointer finger, "right here."

   Hyeon smiled fondly and started backing up towards the door. "I'm giving you one week to make it official."

   "But Father can't know!"

   "I'll help you, along with Mrs. Hwa. Now go get Yohan."

   Junseo felt a little confident - scratch that, not confident - but he was determined, so that's all that mattered right? He was intent on taking their relationship a step further, but every time he got a sliver of courage tight in his grasp, Yohan turns around with his stupid doll eyes and stupid rosy cheeks and stupid perfect smile and ruins it all. The courage slips away like water, the words he had planned out and repeated to himself in the mirror vanished, and the air in his lungs glued to his throat. He was screwed, royally screwed if you will.

   But since Yohan is so perfect, he ended up doing it himself. Instead of having that week's class in the castle, the older decided to move it outside in the castle's garden; it was a lovely day - rays of sunlight wiggling through the old oaks that scattered themselves among the bunches of roses and lilies and chrysanthemums - and Junseo jogged over to the rotting, yet someone elegant, gazebo to find his mentor already at work. A faint smile tugged at his lips as he hurriedly rushed over to his canvas - which so happened to be abreast the older's. Junseo was a tad anxious to be so close to Yohan, when the last time they saw each other he gave the prince a peck on the cheek, but the younger picked up his paintbrush and brushed aside the thought with each stroke of green.

   About halfway through their scheduled session, Yohan set down his paintbrush - which spiked Junseo's nerves because 'fuck he never stops midway through a painting' - and exhaled quietly.

   "Junseo."

   He tensed and slowly looked to his right. "Yes?"

   And then words started pouring out of Yohan's mouth like someone poked a hole in a dam; Junseo could barely hang on to a word, as they came gushing from his lips and flooding over him so fast that it left him drowning. He said everything Junseo thought: how the second they locked eyes that foggy morning when they first met that he swore he never saw someone as beautiful as him; how each time he smiled or giggled or simply talked with him that he felt all warm and jittery inside, like he was on a constant sugar high; how that night when they walked back to the castle, hands intertwined and silence thick between them, that he never felt happier in his entire life; how that sitting next to each other, doing the one thing he loves with the person he's grown he have intense feelings for, and for the other to not know, was driving him nuts.

   "All of this doesn't make sense, I know, but what I'm trying to get at is -"

   "I like you too." Junseo blurted out.

   Yohan went as red as the roses in the garden. "Pardon?"

   Junseo chuckled. "Drop the formal talk, Han! I like you! A lot." He mumbled the latter part, but Yohan heard it nonetheless.

   There was silence, deafening, piercing silence, before the older took a hold of Junseo's hand, rubbed his thumb atop it, and said, "How would you like to go into town again?"

   It was like the last piece of the puzzle was finally pressed into place; Junseo finally felt whole, he felt like his time before Yohan didn't matter because the most important thing in his life didn't exist, at least in his world. Both boys were so happy. They, at last, felt complete.

   Junseo won't bore you all with the last year of his life, but he will let in you on some highlights:

   About halfway into their first couple months of dating, Hyeon walked in on Junseo slung over Yohan's back, arms around his waist while the older scribbled on his table-sized paper. Junseo jumped so high that he knocked his arm on Yohan's chin, causing the younger to fall to the ground in a theatrical shriek and Yohan to curse and stare bug-eyed at the man. Hyeon found it all hilarious, so much so that about five minutes later, he was still clinging onto the door frame in hysterics. Junseo rushed over to him to plead he would keep it a secret, and he did, but at the time he merely gave the prince an affectionate ruffle of his hair and walked out.

   Jump to exactly two years after they met, and about six months into their relationship, both boys were out on Yohan's balcony - which Junseo was extremely jealous of - when he pulled the prince in for their first official kiss. Fireworks, explosions, whirlwinds, it felt so surreal to him; his body felt hollow and he only noticed when they parted that, holy fuck my heart is beating so fast, and oh my God can Yohan kiss. Junseo, in a sort of drunk daze, grabbed Yohan by the neck and pulled him back in. They spent that night discovering how magical and how well the other can kiss, and that it should be illegal to feel this good.

   Now their relationship wasn't always glitter and rainbows. No, for even the most perfect relationships have their rocky bits, and one of the major rough spots was his father catching him. Junseo wasn't doing anything wrong, he was simply laid across Yohan's chest while the older was spread out along a couch nestled in the backs of the library, but his father caught him nevertheless. He'll save you the pleas and shouts, but his father ultimately declared that Yohan's class be halted until his father saw fit, or, and what he actually meant was until Junseo got over Yohan, he wouldn't be allowed to meet with him.

   It even went as far as Junseo going days without seeing the artist, leaving him to wallow in his tear-stained pillows and to gaze longingly at the paintings hung around his room. It was a long 4 months without Yohan, and just as his father - after being pestered for hours on end - was starting to warm up to the idea of letting his weekly session pick up again, Junseo spotted Yohan in the kitchen one day after helping Mrs. Hwa chose a roast recipe for the reception that night; he felt himself jolt with excitement, beginning to dash over with an elated smile before noticing he was talking with someone he's never seen before. Sure his father told him they hired a few more gardening staff, but he'll meet them all eventually, right? He could keep that information shoved in the depths of his mind until he'll need to wriggle it back out, all crumpled and creased, at a later date.

   Yohan was perched on the island in the middle of the kitchen, hands clasping the granite countertop, as he leaned down, seemingly interested in what the other person was saying. Junseo, now plastered against the wall and eyes peeking around the threshold of the room, couldn't quite make out who his boyfriend - should he still be calling him that? - was talking to until they took off their hat; her hat.

   She had short, almost black hair - when she messed with it it shone a deep brown, much like Yohan's hair - and the top of her head grazed the middle of his arm. She was tiny, Junseo thought, and it sent a pang of hurt through him when he remembered Yohan telling him that he liked that Junseo was smaller than him. He looked back up at the two, for his eyes drifted elsewhere, and heard the girl let out a hollering laugh, swaying side to side before stumbling into the older's side, face buried in his arm. It caused something within the younger, stirred something the wrong way, hit something so hard that it reverberated throughout his body; the girl picked herself off Yohan, ran a hand through her hair, and sighed before patting his leg and scurrying off.

   Junseo was gripping the door frame by then; he wasn't angry, far from it, he was simply...hurt? Jealous? Confused? Yes, very confused. He didn't understand. Why wasn't Yohan pushing her off? Why wasn't he saying something to her, that he was seeing someone else? Why wasn't Junseo confronting the older about this? Well, to answer the last question, it was because when Yohan hopped off the counter, he locked eyes with Junseo and froze. He looked relieved almost, but mostly surprised because, holy shit it's been months since I last saw him. But Junseo didn't look the same, and Yohan immediately caught on, but when he stepped forward, the younger ran off. He sighed, rubbing his hands together before walking off.

   But what Junseo didn't consider was: Why was he assuming everything?

   Why was he assuming that Yohan liked the girl? Why was he assuming Yohan fell out of love with Junseo - yes, they were in love, but they didn't know at the time. Why wasn't he going up to the other, and bluntly asking 'what the fuck happened that day?'? To be frank, Junseo wasn't the most mature prince - he was the youngest after all - but was it common sense to one, is more of a challenge to another.

   So, after mustering up every ounce of courage he had, Junseo walked himself up to Yohan's room after a particularly awkward dinner and stood burning holes into the door while picking at his fingers. He knew he was being a baby, that he should just man up, knock on that damn door and get his boyfriend back, but he was used to shying away and waiting, so it was just habitual for him to resort to such a thing. However, Junseo wasn't going to let this simmer any longer; it's been over a week, and it's beginning to drive him mad.

   He inhaled, exhaled, and knocked on his door. He heard another door close prior to the one before him swinging open only for it to halt midway.

   "Junseo."

   "Yohan." Junseo looked up from the carpeted floor to finally lock eyes after so long; and, even when months passed, the older still had that gleam, that dazzling sparkle in his eyes that always accompanied him looking his way. "Were you expecting me? You sounded relieved." He tried to smile.

   Yohan mirrored the attempt and shook his head. "Would it be bad if I said yes?" His head tilted ever so slightly, as if he was teasing the younger.

   Junseo opened his mouth, snapped it closed, licked his lips, and let it all fall out. Everything he had bottled up, all the repressed feelings and longing thoughts, even his gripes and complaints that only Yohan could swallow because he always listened. And, Yohan did listen. He listened to every word the prince blurted out, took in his frantic explanations and rushed clarifications that weren't needed, but he didn't want to stop Junseo, for he looked too cute.

   "And I should have walked into that damn kitchen and asked who she was and -"

   "She's my cousin, Junie." Yohan said flatly.

   He paused, eyes the size of dinner plates. "Oh," he peeped, then "Wait, that makes sense cause..." Junseo pointed at Yohan's hair and wiggled his finger.

   The older smiled fondly, shook his head, and snaked his hand around the other's wrist. "C'mere my little oaf."

   Junseo was pulled into a hug that felt like a warm fire on a chilly winter night, a hug that had his arms heavy and chest fuzzy, a hug that felt so comforting and reassuring that the only thing the younger wanted to do was fall asleep on the other's shoulder. And that's exactly what he did. Junseo spent the night tangled in Yohan's arms, both boys beyond thrilled to be with each other once again. At times Junseo would close his eyes and feel as if he was floating, but a delicate rub of his back brought him rushing back to the ground, and much less reality.

   He knew that that morning and going into the future that both would need to be extra careful, double check the halls and triple check around corners; Junseo knew what he was risking: his life. He was risking everything for Yohan, his title as king-to-be, the rules teetering on his shoulders, and biggest of all, his father's trust. The boy remembered frantically promising that nothing would happen between them ever again, but that was when he was 18, and as of right now, he was 21.

   An adult in the eyes of many, but to Yohan, he was still the child he met five years ago.

   "Quit staring at me, it's weird."

   Junseo blinked twice. He fished himself from his thoughts to find himself staring at Yohan, big glassy eyes glaring down at him. He smiled, adjusted his head atop the older's thigh, and reached up to pinch the older's nose. The boy made a face, swatting at the younger's hand and holding onto his wrist.

   "I told you to stop doing that."

   "But you make such cute little faces." Junseo tried to palm Yohan's cheeks, but the latter was faster; he clamped onto both of his wrists and held them upright.

   "It hurts." His voice sounded stern.

   "Oh, bullshit. You're just embarrassed that it makes you blush."

   Yohan pressed his lips into a thin line, inhaled sharply, and let go of Junseo's wrists. The boy smiled cheekily and turned so that his head was on its side.

   "Got anything else to do today?" The boy draped across Yohan's lap asked.

   He shook his head, a hand instinctively going to comb through Junseo's hair.

   "Then can we go camp out in the garden again?"

   "Junie, I have really bad allergies -"

   "Aw, you big party pooper, cut it out." The boy sprung up and grabbed Yohan's face, shaking it and whining like a toddler. The older found it cute.

   "Hey," He peeled the other's hands off his cheeks, which stopped the spastic swaying. "Will you shut up if I say yes?"

   "No, but it's a yes nevertheless." Junseo smiled, big and wide and cheery. Yohan loved that smile, and it took everything in him not to ruin it with a kiss.

   The younger hopped off the couch and pulled the other onto his feet. "Meet me near the gazebo at 10."

   "Alright love."

   Junseo scrunched his nose. "Ew."

   Yohan placed a sweet kiss on his forehead. "You love it." 

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holy shit i think this is the longest short ive written 😳

everything is cute except the ending we dont look at her she dont exist what ending??

stream dessert??? yohan outsold??? kick me???

oh and happy valentines day <33 

till next time <3