It was a bright summer evening and Lukas was rushing over to the fountain as usual. Michael was waiting on the bench, reading a book while waiting for his closest friend. Something strange was on Michael's mind. But what?

Lukas's POV

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Michael said he wanted meet up at the fountain today. It was a nice suggestion since I get this day to relax and it's an absolutely gorgeous day out. Since I get to relax and be a tad less formal I decided to wear my tan trousers and a simple white button up polo along with my normal boots. I finally reach the fountain in the rose garden and find Michael sitting on a bench reading a certain book I happened to lend him. It was about the Moon. Michael said he had gained a peculiar interest in the Moon. Already being interested in astrology I was extremely excited to help him. He looked so peaceful there. I didn't want to disturb him but at the same time I was excited for our meet up. Michael quickly noticed me as approached him and turned to me with his charming smile making me grin my goofy smile. Seeing this made Michael laugh. "Well you look very casual today Prince Charming~." Michael said teasingly. "You're one to talk Michael!" I said laughing back. He was wearing tan trousers with a navy blue buttoned up long sleeve shirt plus his normal black boots. "Well why wouldn't we? We always have to wear a more formal attire and also it's such a nice day out. Why not try to relax a bit?" Michael said as he closed his book and faced me.

"I feel like I've been getting to see you less lately." Michael said somberly. "I have to agree with you. As we've grown up together our lives have gotten filled with more and more with responsibilities as each of us gets older and closer to becoming full adults." I said. "Yeah I agree." Michael replied. "My Father has been bringing up marriage so much lately. He wants me to marry the girl of the Ice Kingdom. And while yes Vanessa is a wonderful maiden I don't think I'm ready for marriage." I said. I noticed when I mentioned marrying Vanessa, Michael looked even more distressed. "Just cause we're both princes doesn't mean we should have our partners chosen for us. We should get to choose just as any other would!" Michael said passionately. "Yeah you're right!" I said back. I feel the gentle breeze blow on my cheeks and then I got an idea. "Hey Michael?" I asked. "Yes Luka?" Michael replied. "Don't you agree it's a lovely afternoon for I walk along the field?" I asked. "Yes indeed it is." Michael said. Michael up and walked in front of me holding his hand out to me. "So then shall we go, my prince~?" Michael asked with a charming smile along with his soothing voice. I smiled back while grabbing his hand and standing up. "We shall."

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Michael's POV

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We made it off the castle ground and off in the the endless fields. There happened to be a hill near by with a tree at the top. This might be a good opportunity. "Hey Lukas. Race you to the top!" I said as I pointed at the hill with the tree. I start dashing towards the hill. I look behind me to see Luka following. I have better stamina though causing him to fall behind. I make it to the top of the hill. Standing under the tree I wait for the tired Luka. Luka finally makes it up the hill and walks towards me. "You meanie!" Lukas said while giving me a light punch on my shoulder. "Hehe sorry." I said to him. "Now you owe me a song!" Luka said playfully. "Eh...well I'm not sure." I said as I sat down against the tree with Luka following. "Aw come on! Your voice is so beautiful." Luka said making my face flare up causing me to cover it with my hands. "You're just saying that aren't you." I mumble. "No I'm not!" Luka shouted catching me off guard. Luka put his hand on mine while taking my hands off my face forcing me to look at him. "Your voice is really pretty so don't ever say it's not! Just ten seconds and I'm already in a deep trance. Singing or not your voice always calms me and puts me at ease. Luka said. Hearing the made my heart burst out of my chest. I tried to take my hands back to cover my face again. But...Luka wouldn't let go of my hand. For the remainder of time we rested there feeling the breeze on our faces and enjoyed the shade the tree gave us. "You know Luka...there's been something I want to tell you." I said. "Huh." Luka said. "Yeah I've been thinking about this for a while but I've been worried to say a word." I tell him more. Luka lets go of my hand looks forward. I look the too. There running up the hill appeared to be a servant. "Prince Lukas your Father has been expecting you for quite sometime. He demands you meet him in the front hall. I'm sorry about your day off but this is urgent." She said. Luka faced me. "I'm sorry Michael but I most go. Maybe I'll see you here in a few weeks though." Luka said as he stood up. "Right, I guess I'll see you then..." I said disappointed. Lukas walked off with his servant following him close behind. I know even if I said it. It still wouldn't have made a difference but still. I wanted him to know the way I feel.

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Lukas's POV

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I am escorted to our main hall where I see my father at the very front. He looks as if he's been expecting me. My servant leaves me in the main room with my father and mouths me good luck. Whatever she meant by that doesn't make me feel very calm. "Come here son." I make my way to where my father is standing in the room. "Lukas Princeton can you explain why you were talking with the heir of the Card Kingdom instead of doing as I instructed earlier and going to visit the Kingdom of Ice?" My Father asked me. "W-Well um you see Michael happened to ask me if I wanted to hang out today since we haven't been able to see each other in two weeks. I thought it'd be alright and that after I visited him I could see Vanessa." I carefully explain. "Lukas that is not an excuse. If you don't ever spend anytime with your bride we will never have an alliance with the Ice kingdom! If you marry Princess Vanessa we could finally have the entire Kingdom of Subcon united again! Don't you want to make history?" My Father said. "W-Well I hadn't really put much thought into it." I said worriedly. "Lukas I am asking a serious question!" "Of course Father I couldn't want it less than you do." I said. "Good. I'm honestly starting to get worried about you Lukas. Whenever I bring up the idea of marriage, you start talking about instead strengthening our alliance with the Card Kingdom." Father said in a distant tone. "Although it may not seem like it, I quite understand you after all I was once like you. A rebellious teenager who's only interest was hanging out with my rebellious friends. I had no interest in the kingdom or helping with any of my important duties. One day I was introduced to your Mother. At first I was very hesitant to get to know her but once I did, she taught me how to be a real prince and later a great king. I'm sure if you get to know Vanessa she could do the same thing for-" "No! If you only see me as a rebellious teenager only interested in my friends. You're wrong! I have followed every rule you gave me to a tee and not once acted in a was that would be considered 'rebellious'. You made a choice that should have been mine! Choosing to marry me to Vanessa was wrong! All you care about making history and fixing a broken kingdom that has been broken for almost an entire century! And besides Michael is a very respectable young man and nowhere near rebellious!" I exclaim. "Lukas Princeton." Father asked. "Yes, Father?" I ask. "I never said you were allowed to speak. Go to your room now and get changed. We are expecting Vanessa's family for dinner." My Father said sternly. "Yes, Father."

"Yes we are so happy we you could make it for dinner!" My Father announces to Vanessa's family. "Lukas since there is still time you should take Vanessa for a walk around the garden." Father said cheerfully. "Of course." I reply. Me and Vanessa walk outside to the garden and begin to walk through it's beautiful mazes. "It's so wonderful to see you again my prince! Are you excited to see me again too?" Vanessa asked. "Yes, indeed." I reply back. Sbeve. (I know only a few might get that meme lol.) Me and Vanessa talk for a little while in the garden I do my best to charm her so Father will be happy but at the same time I don't want this. Occasionally I would mention Michael in our conversations but it didn't mean much. She's not the one I love. "Hmm we should probably get back for dinner. It should ready around now." I said. "We should hold hands on the way back.~" Vanessa said. "I- okay." I grab her hand. It's cold unlike the one I love. "It's raining." Vanessa said. I notice that a drizzle is starting to come down. "Ah I didn't notice. We should take the short cut to avoid getting wet." I said. Vanessa smiled and gripped my hand tighter. I walk through the fountain area as a quick way to reach the castle entrance but as we pass the fountain my eye catch's a glimpse of the bench me and Michael were sitting on earlier causing me to stop in my tracks. "My Prince? Why have you stopped?" Vanessa asked me. "Ah sorry. My deepest apologies. I just happen to have many fond memories of me and a friend here." I apologize. Thinking about what happened between me and Michael makes me blush a bit. Vanessa seems to catch hold of this but looks to brush it off. Quickly me and Vanessa run off to the castle to join our parents for dinner.

Over dinner our parents made conversation over me and Vanessa's hobbies, interests, and skills. Vanessa could cook, sew, and garden. She was also good with her town's citizens. My Father and Mother mentioned how I was loyal to my duties, was going into law school soon, and briefly mentioned I love astrology. Both our parents agreed how good of a couple we would be. It sickened me. "Father I'm not feeling so well. May I please be excused?" I ask. "Yes of course Lukas." Father replied. I hurried up the stairs and entered my room. I laid down on my bed hoping it was all over for the night. But unfortunately it wasn't quite yet. I heard a knock on my door and then her voice. "Lukas is it alright for me to come in?" She asked. I could just say no and it'd be all over now but that would be extremely rude. I sat up. "Yes you may." I told her. Vanessa entered closing the door behind her. "I thought so." She said. "Huh?" I said in a confused tone. I heard the rain start to come down harder outside. "You weren't actually feeling sick were you Lukas. You just wanted to get away from dinner, correct?" Vanessa said with an icy glare. "I- What makes you think that?" I ask. "That boy you were talking about. Michele was it?" She asked. "It's Michael actually." I added. "Whatever Miguel. When we were in the garden all you could ever talk about was Miguel this Miguel that! You didn't even seem that interested in me at all. Let me guess. You don't even want our marriage?!" She snapped. "I didn't even realize I talked about him that much." I said. "Well either I'm not coming back here until you cleared up your head about Miguel!" Vanessa said on the way to the door. "It's still Michael, Vanessa." I added. "Whatever go find mike or something and take him on a better date than me if he's so important!" Vanessa said as she exited my room. Well I guess Mike's close enough.

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Vanessa's POV

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The thunder and rain is pounding outside. As the wheels in my carriage turn, it's clicking keeps me awake to ache at my thoughts. Why does my Prince not like me? I'd love him more than anyone else could. Our parents said we'd be perfect for each other. That boy. The Prince of the Card Kingdom. From the royal family of diamonds. He's my problem. If I have a say in this. I'll make sure his next drink will be his dance with death. And by the end of summer he will be no more then just a memory. I look down at my hands to notice ice starting to form. I quickly put on my gloves before my parents notice. And from there the clicking stayed in my head for the rest of the ride.

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Lukas's POV

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Tonight felt like an utter flop. Not only did I cause the princess of ice to get mad at me, I've let down my Dad. I can't seem to clear my head about this nonsense. I think some fresh air will help. I step out onto the balcony to feel the fresh air. The night stars are beautiful. Maybe I'll star gaze for a while. I grab a book and my chair from my room and sit out on the balcony with my telescope. I chart some stars for a little while until I start to feel a little sleepy. As I bring my chair inside I notice. There is a crescent moon out there. Is it a waxing crescent? Michael had mentioned something about these. Instead of going back into my room I decided to stay there and gaze at it for a little bit. As I stare into it's beauty I happen to notice someone in the court yard. They have dark brown hair. And are wearing a navy blue cloak. Wait. "Michael!" I yell from my balcony. He looks up and waves at me. What is he doing in the castle grounds at this hour? "What are you doing here? It's late." I ask. "I wanted to visit you. Don't tell me you didn't want to see me too?" Michael said. "Can you give me a lift up." Michael asked. "Sure. I believe I have so spare rope." I said. I scavenged through closet to find some rope in the bottom drawer. I return to the balcony and let the rope run to the bottom to reach Michael. Michael grabs the rope and starts to climb up. Once at the top I grab his hand and help him onto the balcony. "Isn't this a bit out of line?" I ask while chuckling a bit. "Well no one has to know." Michael said laughing a bit too. I grab the rope and Michael and head inside.

"So Michael what's the really reason you came here. I know you wouldn't just come here out of the blue." I said to him curiously. "Well there was something on my mind that just kept pestering me. Also, I still owe you a song don't I?" Michael said. My eyes lit up at this. "Yes please!" I tell him. "Hmm. I know! I came up with this song a while back. I like to call it Subcon Masked." Michael said. "Would like to listen to it, your highness?~" Michael said with his soothing voice. "Yes, especially if you made it." We sat down on my bed as he warmed up.

https://youtu.be/QfGUPRvDeqA

Michael began to sing his enchanting melody. Hearing his voice put every sense of mine at ease. The light melancholic feelings intertwining with the grace of this song played gently with my heartstrings. Each verse put me into an unescapable trance. As Michael began to finish the song, I felt tired and rested my head on his shoulder. Michael didn't bothered and finished the song without moving at all. As I rested there I felt his fingers begin to run through my amber hair. I looked up into his frost blue eyes. Feeling enchanted by this moment, I beg in my mind for this moment to never end. His song echo's in mind my as I begin to fall asleep on his shoulder. "Hey Lukas." Michael said. "Yes, Michael?" I asked fading in and out of sleep. "I love you." Michael said. "I love you too." I responded half asleep. Michael didn't say anything else and left me to sleep. He pulled me closer and we rested there for the rest of that moment.

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Snatcher and MoonJumper POV

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I awoke from a dream. No a memory. One of which he was in. The last memory of what we once had been. Even if I told him how I feel again, it wouldn't change anything. He wouldn't feel the same. And any memories or form of relationship we have now would be all over. But maybe one day. If their voice reaches me deep down again. Maybe I'll be strong enough to tell them.

Hi guys! Happy Valentines Day! (late now lol) Hopefully you guys all liked this chapter. This was really different but I had so much fun writing about MoonJumper and Snatcher while they were still alive. See you guys soon! ❤💕