We're gonna jump forward a small bit, just because it feels like it'd getting repetitive, and the last thing I want to do is to get stuck in a rut.

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DaeHyun's POV

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~several months later~

"Hey." I perked at the sound of a voice calling into the calm, peeking over the top of the desktop monitor. Hojun let himself into my "office." Which honestly was nothing more than a desk and a computer in one of the many spare rooms we had around. "What's up love?" he asked as he settled himself into a plush chair opposite me. An addition I insisted on having, just in case one of my few friends happened to pop by. Though usually it was just Hojun or maybe ChaoXing. Sometimes Weimin of he was in town.

"Just pouring over the notes from my last lesson," I answered without missing a beat. Hojun hummed, picking a trinket up off my desk and inspecting it. "We've been tracking the orbits of the planets this time and Mr. Kim wants me to see if I can accurately guess where Jupiter would fall in two weeks time." As with any time I talked of my schooling, Hojun listened with rapt interest, hanging on every word like it was the most fascinating thing on Earth. "Enough of that," I said at last. "We had q date planned today didn't we?"

"Yes we did," he replied, beaming. He really did have a nice smile. I powered the monitor down and rose from my place, groaning ever so slightly as I stretched. A lot of my days lately had been crammed up in here, pouring my attention into whatever topic happened to catch my fancy. "We were going to go out. But." He paused for a moment, cheeks tinting the cutest little shade of pink. I cooed, pinching them. He playfully swatted my hand away. "It's not a place with reservations so I hope you don't mind that I changed things ever so slightly." I arched an eyebrow. "Just trust me Dae. When have I ever steered you wrong?"

"What about last month when you literally almost took the limo down a cliff?" I deadpanned. He looked momentarily wounded until I burst into laughter. "I was kidding that was actually really hilarious." He chuckled to himself. "No I trust you Hojun. You know I do." He nodded, but he appeared troubled regardless. I circled around the desk and took his hands in mine. "I was kidding Jun. You always plan such nice things for our dates." 

"That's true," he agreed, smiling oh so softly. He brought my hands to his lips and gently kissed the fingertips. I inwardly shuddered at the motion, not because I didn't like it, but because I did. And maybe that was the problem. "Go get ready," he added after a moment, gently patting the back of my hand. "I'll get the final preparations together." He stood from his seated position, and we walked hand in hand until we reached my bedroom. He pecked my cheek as we parted. My hand flew up to where his lips touched, feeling the smallest flames of warmth nestled in my belly.

Right. That. Well, the story isn't as complicated as you may believe. I just kept asking to accompany me places. He complied, and as the months passed by a mutual respect turn into a kind of school type crush. His was obvious from the get go, and over time I just found I treasured his company above most everyone else's. One of the many times he asked me out I finally said yes, halting him dead in his tracks. Then he whooped and launched into the air, pumping his fists in excitement. I laughed and brushed it off. But at the same time I was so incredibly happy someone thought that much of me to be this elated over the prospect of a date with me.

"Dashing as always," Hojun complimented as I approached. I rolled my eyes. All I'd done was switch from a more casual outfit to one better fitting a day out and combed my hair. But I could have honestly shown up in a trash bag with tissue boxes on my feet and he'd still say that. "I took care of things. We just have to get in the limo." He ushered me down the stairs. "It's a surprise."

"Looking forward to it," I told him. He fell silent, and if we hadn't spent so much time together I would assume that it was an uncomfortable kind of one. But it wasn't. Far from it. We tumbled out of the house together and into the waiting limo. We settled in together, and Hojun immediately had his head on my shoulder, our arms linked together. I sighed contently. It wasn't what I was expecting coming into this year, but it was more than I could hope for. "Hey, you coming to my party next week?" I suddenly asked, spoiling the quiet.

"Of course," he replied automatically. "I wouldn't miss your birthday for anything." At that I smiled, taking one of his hands in mine and giving it a squeeze. "Besides you're going to need a special date after all. Someone has to keep all the boys at bay."

"Right, because they'll come flocking," I joked. He laughed. It wasn't much of anything really. Just an extra couple breaths, but the flames ignited again. I batted at them, telling myself over and over again that they mean nothing. But the more I tried to fight them the more they seemed to grow until they almost overflowed. Hojun hummed a tune to himself. Quiet little evenings were my absolute favorite. When everything else dropped away and it was me and my loved ones.

"Hmm?" We pulled to the side, and for a moment I was horribly confused. But Hojun disentangled himself from me and exited the limo, extending his hand and offering me guidance as I climbed out after him. The Han river. A popular destination to be sure. "What do you..." But my question died when I saw him rummaging in the trunk, producing a basket and blanket. "A picnic."

"What's more romantic than a picnic along the Han river?" he said with a little shrug. I chuckled, taking the basket from him. He led the way along the banks until we found a good place to set up. He spread the blanket out, and we both settled upon it. "I hope you don't mind that I changed things last minute," he suddenly blurted as we pulled food and drinks from the basket. "I know how you get when plans change but we've been going to the same like fove restaurants for months now so I thought..." I cut his ramblings short with a kiss. He seemed stunned. Which in all honesty was a rarity for him.

"It's perfect," I assured. And it was.

...

ChaoXing's POV

...

"You're back," I observed as DaeHyun slunk up the stairs. He promptly jumped, something I always found amusing. He looked momentarily annoyed before that dropped into a neutral expression. "Le Jie was looking for you," I added, leaning against my doorframe to watxh him. But there wasn't much to watch tjis time. He gave no physical reaction.

"Okay?" He didn't seem so confident in that. Not that my big brother was the most confident person on the planet anyway (a trait people assumed he also picked up from daddy). But when it came to Li Jie he at least seemed to have it together. "Do you know why?"

"Nope, he was just frantically looking for you, but when he couldn't find you he went back to the staff's wing." If anything that just made DaeHyun more confused. His eyebrows bunched together. "What's going on between you two?" I finally asked. Rather bluntly of course. It was my nature. "I've barely seen you interact the lsst few weeks. Is it Hojun?" Now he looked pissed. He ballrf his hands at his sides.

"No," he snapped. I jutted my chin out. If he thought he could intimidate me he had another thing coming. "And I'd appreciate it if my kid sister would stay the hell out of my love life. You don't even know what love is yet Xingie. You don't need to be prying into mine."

"But Li Jie protects us both," I pointed out. "And your absence has affected him." He bristled, and I was confused. Shouldn't that have been a good thing? Shouldn't he have wanted that? He did just a little while ago. He TOLD me he wanted Li Jie to miss him. "Come on bro, this is what you wanted, isn't it?"

"It is," he agreed. "But I don't anymore. He proved that whatever is between us was strictly business when he stayed with Mei Zhen even though he knew how I felt. And now I've found someome who I like very much and suddenly THAT'S a problem. Well too little too late. Hojun and I are dating Xingie. And there's nothing anyone can say to change that." I held up my hands. He was right about thing. I didn't get love. But I didn't need to "get it" to see what it was doing to him and Li Jie. He whirled around and stormed into his room. I watched him go.

"Xingie?" I turned. Sungbin studied me for a moment. I felt exposed even though I had nothing to hide. I'd been feeling like that more and more, especially whenever he was the one who did it. "Is Dae okay? That seemed...intense?" He actually didn't seem like he knew the word to use at all. I didn't either.

"He's fine," I replied. "I think."

...

Li Jie's POV

...

"His party is next week," pop mumbled. But at this point I hadn't the faintest if he was talking to me or himself. "It has to be perfect. There's going to be a lot of important people around. Royalty from other countries and wealthy business tycoons." Definitely talking to me. I set my pen down, watching as he paced. I was seated on their bed, writing in my journal. "And you..." Pop spun to me, pointing a finger. But in the next instsnt he fizzled. "Just keep an eye on ChaoXing okay? And Sungbin."

"Of course pop, I always do." Why he felt the need to remind me I hadn't the faintest. I'd been doing this since the day DaeHyun was born basically. "I can't believe he's turning sixteen next week." Pop paused his pacing. He studied a framed photo on his wall. I knew it well. A photo of DaeHyun and I, six years old at best. Sandwiched betwen us was ChaoXing, just a baby. A little family photo. I didn't have recollection of our time when I was younger. At least, not much. But pop remembered everything.

"It just reminds me you're not little anymore either," he finally said. "I mean, I've known that for a while, obviously. But now it just FEELS real. You and DaeHyun aren't children anymore. Not really. And soon enough you won't need us anymore." Pop wasn't a sentimental soul. Not really. We didn't often talk about this kind of stuff together. But I listened as he rambled. "How is the prince? I don't see you two together all that much anymore."

"Ah, no, not really," I agreed. I felt a lump forming in my throat, and for what? I didn't have a claim on him. And it was dumb to keep making him run circles when it was all for nothing. "I've been spending more time with Mei Zhen. He's been keeping Hojun company." I stuttered over Hojun's name. I prayed pop didn't catch it. But of course he did.

"Oh. Hojun." Even he didn't sound particularly enthused by that. "It's not that I dislike Hojun," he added. "I do. I just..." And I got that. I didn't dislike Hojun. Especially if he was something in DaeHyun's life thst brought him great delight. But the thought of him made my skin crawl. And it shouldn't have. "They're dating, right?" Pop asked. "Hojun and DaeHyun."

"Um. Yep." I pursed my lips. When DaeHyun told me THAT I tried my best to be enthusiastic and supportive. But I found it really hard when my heart still raced laps around my ribcage whenever he opened his mouth. But I also understood that he deserved his chance to be cherished and taken care of. And Hojun would hang the moon for Dae of he even so much as though it up. "It's been like...three months now?" I wasn't sure. The days were kind of melding together. I just knew it lasted longer than I wver thought it would. "Well, I'd better get down to the staff quarters," I added after a long, uncomfortable pause. "Kyungsoo is tackling the cake ordering this year, so I promised him I'd help."

"Okay." Pop came over and kissed the top of my head. "Tell him hello for me." After promising I would, I left. But instead of heading downward I headed upward. Up passed even King Junmyeon and King Yixing's room. Up the spiraling staircase to the towers. Every step creaked as I climbed. I shoved the trap door open as I crested the top, releasing a cloud of dust into the air. I waved my hand in front of my face, coughing and sputtering. I waited while my eyes adjusted to the darkness, but still used my phone for light so I wouldn't trip. I wondered if it was still here.

But then I found what I was looking for. A sheet thrown over several boxes, blending into the background from all the grime and dirt piled up around it. Some ratty blankets and thinning pillows. A string of old Christmas lights that may or may not work. A few colored pages from a book, proudly displayed on the flimsy walls like we'd painted the next Mona Lisa. A blanket fort. My blanket fort. And DaeHyun's.

"I miss this," I whispered, dropping to my knees and crawling inside. I did miss this. I missed the times in which not getting caught up here was our biggest worry. I missed when we used to climb up here in the middle of the night to tell each other scary stories only to keep each other up all night. I missed the times in which feelings didn't come into play. I missed THAT DaeHyun. But I'd ruined everything we worked nearly fifteen years to create. I placed my forehead on my folded knees, squeezing my eyes shut. Maybe if I thought hard enough I'd shrink in size until I was eight again and the thought kf DaeHyun next to me was enough to make the whole world turn.

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Hiya ya'll. Enjoy the update!