I'm just gonna write until I get a title. Who knows when that will be though. Hopefully soon so you guys get to start seeing this.

Current jams: Kai's Mmmh. I've been waiting for his solo debut and it's just so freaking catchy. I'm so in love. Treasure is also kinda sneaking up. And Enhypen. Might as well get it all at once right? Lol. (You can clearly see how long I've had these chapters)

One more cause why not.

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Li Jie's POV

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"We're going to Korea?" I asked skeptically. We hardly ever left the palace anymore. King Yixing said he felt better if we were here to help keep it running smoothly when he wasn't present. But pop just burst through the doors, babbling on about some party that they were throwing. And apparently we'd been invited. "I don't even remember the last time I've been to Korea," I added. "Aren't we going to be a bit out of place?"

"Not really," pop said with a shrug. "It's not like this is out of the realm of something you would do with them anyway. When King Yixing was your age we were already traveling all over together. Granted I'm seven years older than he is. But still. Sooner or later you are going to start accompanying either DaeHyun or ChaoXing on their travels." I knew that of course. I'd always known it. And the thought should have filled me with excitement and anticipation. Right now, however, it filled me with dread. DaeHyun and I, alone? Truly alone?

"You also finally get to meet Shotaro," mom piped up. I swiveled to look at her. "Emperor Yuta's boy. He is younger than you though. I think he might be closer to ChaoXing's age. But Yuta hasn't brought him around much." Interesting. Naturally news of Emperor Yuta's son spread like wildfire when it was first announced. Most of us assumed that he wouldn't have a child at all. But then he and his wife announced they were expecting. "And Sungbin of course," mother forged on. "You know Baekhyun and Chanyeol will be there."

"Of course," I replied. I expected nothing short of a natural disaster would keep Baekhyun away. Over the years I observed him being one of King Junmyeon's closest companions. Aside from King Yixing of course. "Then Dae and I can tease ChaoXing about it." Sungbin and ChaoXing had an...interesting dynamic. One I wasn't fully sure I understood. He seemed to like her just fine. She, however, wanted absolutely nothing to do with him most days. "It should be fun. Oh! Can I bring Mei Zhen along?" I turned a pleading eye to mom, who pursed her lips. "Please? I never get to bring my own company along to these things. Please?"

"Dear?" Mom caught pop's eye next. He crossed his arms over his chest. I turned my puppy dog eyes to him. It would feel entirely less awkward with her there. With someone close by to keep my attention focused and not let it wander. "I personally don't see the harm in it," mom finally admitted with a shrug. "So long as Wu Lan is okay with it."

"I suppose..." Pop barely finished before I whooped and shot out their door, racing down the hall to my own room. Mei Zhen could come! Oh happy days ahead. Just me, mom, pop, Mei Zhen, and of course every royal from every country. It would still be fun regardless. I lept onto my bed and snatched up my phone.

"Guess what!" I exclaimed as soon as she picked up. "As long as Wu Lan is okay with it, you get to come to Korea with us! You get to meet some royal families."

"No way, really?" she asked, excitement pitching her voice up. "Oh I hope dad approves. I want to go so bad. But why did you invite me? Aren't you going to be busy with the royal family? You're their servant after all."

"I know," I replied with a sigh. "I'm sure they'll need us at some point. But it's also about us having a good time. And I want to spend my time with you too." I also wouldn't admit this, because I did miss DaeHyun, but I also still kind of wanted to avoid him. We were still awkward around each other. I just hoped it wouldn't ruin anything.

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DaeHyun's POV

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The palace buzzed with activity tonight. A few royal families from out of country had already flown in and occupied the guest rooms. BaekHyun and Chanyeol also showed up early to help dad and pa get ready. Since so many people were here at once, ChaoXing and I had to wear our fancy clothes. She was dressed in a cute little purple dress. And I had a navy suit with no tie.

I wouldn't say I was watching the door per se. But I definitely knew that Luhan and his family hadn't arrived yet. I sighed, leaning against the railing and peering over the side. I wanted to see him. Even if he didn't want to see me at all, just knowing we'd be in the same building made me feel better. I stood upright, smoothing down the wrinkles in my suit, adjusting the small crown pinned awkwardly to my hair. We didn't wear them often. So when we did I never quite knew what to do. I pushed away from the staircase and strolled down to my room, swinging the door open. I glanced around.

"DaeHyun hyung!" I whirled around, coming face to face with a grinning Sungbin. ChaoXing trailed behind him, shrugging when I caught her eye. "What are you doing in your room? Do that you want to go help set up? Dad said we could be big helpers!" He bounced on the balls of his feet. I chuckled, reaching down and ruffling his hair. He went crossed eyed trying to follow me.

"You guys can," I told him. "I'm...not feeling the greatest right now. I think I'm going to lay down for a little bit. Maybe try and take a nap." Sungbin pouted, crossing his arms over his skinny torso. He sort of idolized me right now (pa said it was because I was six years older than he was), so he probably felt cheated of time with me. "You've got ChaoXing," I added. He turned to look at her, wrinkling his nose. "Aw come on. Don't be mad at your girlfriend."

"Dae! Ew. Now way!" ChaoXing hollered. I roared with laughter. But it quickly stopped when she shot a woflish grin my way. She was not someone to mess with regularly. "So. What do you want me to tell your boyfriend when he arrives? That you're sick. You know he'll come running to answer your every beck and call."

"ChaoXing," I hissed, ears burning with embarrassment. The Korean palace staff, and most of our friends, still didn't fully know what happened over in China. And I wanted to keep it that way. "I knew I shouldn't have told you anything."

"Told her what?" Sungbin inquired, his gaze whipping back and forth between us. ChaoXing and I locked eyes. She finally placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Big kid stuff," she said. "Come on Bin. Let's go bug dad and papa. I'm pretty sure they're getting the cake delivered right now. I want a piece."

"Alright!" he agreed, easily distracted. Off they raced, leaving me in my doorway. I released a breath I'd been holding, slumping against the frame. I still had no real idea of how to handle all these big feelings sometimes. Dad and Pa always told us to let things out and express ourselves. But how did you accurately express feelings that didn't feel like...anything. I raked my fingers through my hair, shoving away and slamming my door shut. I stalked down the hall to Luhan's room (a room custom designed for him and Yu Yan to stay in when they visited). I threw it open instead, kicking my shoes off by the door and padding across the hardwood. I paused at their bed, studying the top blanket with passive interest. I didn't often find myself invading Luhan's privacy. Not since I was little anyway.

But here...so many memories had been made in this room. Some of my earliest memories anyway. Of nights traveling between rooms, climbing in between sets of parents. Of tiny giggles and the sounds of small feet pounding against the hardwood floors. Of seeking refuge with Luhan on nights it stormed and hiding out with dad and pa on the nights the monsters in the closet decided to spook us. It was a reminder of a time when stupid, messed up feelings didn't get in the way and all Lie Jie was to me was my best friend.

"Sorry Luhan," I apologized out loud, peeling the covers back and sliding under. I closed my eyes and breathed evenly. It still smelled faintly of Luhan and Yu Yan, a large source of comfort as I grew up. I slid a hand under my head, already feeling drained from the day. A small nap wouldn't hurt anybody. In fact, it would just make me even more ready for the party later.

...

"DaeHyun." I groaned, rolling onto my back, blinking up at ceiling. I winced when the overhead light blinded me. "Morning pumpkin," dad said. I finally turned my attention to him sitting on the edge of Luhan's bed, running his hand along my stomach. I yawned. "It's almost time to go downstairs. Guests are starting to arrive in rapid numbers." I sat up, letting the comforter tumble away from me. "Have a good nap?"

"Where's Luhan?" I asked, completely bypassing his questions. I was sure I'd get an earful about it later, but right now I just wanted answers. "Where's Yu Yan? Have they come yet?"

"Yes," dad replied, frowning at me. "They arrived a little while ago." I leapt from the bed, running to the mirror in Luhan's room and smoothing all the wrinkles out of my shirt and tux. I hurriedly fixed my crown as well. "Dae..." Something in dad's tone had me pausing. "I'm just going to warn you ahead of time, alright? I've seen Luhan and Yu Yan. And Lie Jie." He paused to suck in a breath. "And Mei Zhen."

"Mei Zhen?" I asked in disbelief, feeling my stomach tie itself into about a million knots. "But..." I trailed off, cutting the selfish thought before it could fully form. Dad winced in sympathy. "That's... great," I forced out, plastering on a smile that I hoped fooled him. "I haven't seen her in a little bit. It'll be good for us." But that wasn't what I wanted to say. Not at all. I wanted to stamp my feet and wail about how that wasn't fair. About how this was supposed to be my time with him. But I'd also always known this would eventually happen. Li Jie would find someone and they would share our time together. I thought I could handle it. I really did. But every time he shot Mei Zhen a smile or they laughed together over something he'd said I always felt sick to my stomach even if I wanted the very best for him. I wanted to be that person he showed that affection to. I wanted it for myself.

Fuck why did it have to sting so badly?

"I'd better get going," I said, bowing a little to dad. "I'll see you downstairs."

"Dae." But I straightened and practically sprinted out of there. Down the hall. Down the stairs. Ran until I burst out into the garden. I startled a couple birds nesting in the bushes not far from the door. A few people mingling around looked up, bowing when they saw who it was. But I ignored them, instead finding a quiet corner and planting into the grass. Mei Zhen. He brought Mei Zhen with him. To my palace. When he knew we were all going to be here. I sulked to myself, stewing in my emotions longer than possibly necessary.

I felt hurt. Betrayed. But it was ridiculous because it wasn't like I had a claim on him. He was free to do as he pleased. But it still felt like he did this knowingly and intentionally necause he knew what I felt towards him. He knew my real feelings. The most vulnerable part of me. And he took that information and stomped on it. But I refused to let any tears fall for this. I'd already cried enough over this boy. This seemed insignificant in the grand scheme of things.

I really wanted, more than anything, to get my best friend back. The one I confided in every time something felt wrong. The one who would stay up late into the night talking with me about anything and nothing all at the same time. The one who would crawl in bed with me every time we were together and it was no big deal. I wanted that companionship back.

Why did I have to fuck up so bad? Why?

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Kinda a filler chap I guess.