Last chapter would've been a nice way of ending it, had it been the end.

On. A. Roll. Look at me go. Also special thanks to user37133326 and purplefishes who are scarily fast when it comes to this story. And of course the person who helps me brainstorm, came up with the title, and who always pushes me to do the best I can. abby378 love you!

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Yixing's POV

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You will always be my forever.

I sighed, gently toying with Ying Yue's hair as she slept. She mumbled, turning over and burying her face in my shoulder. I smiled slightly, feeling like I should be having a different reaction to all of this. It was the first night I was sleeping with my wife. It was the first time I'd seen her in her pajamas. First time I'd seen her asleep like this. Felt her presence next to me. Yet I could only seem to focus on one thing.

You will always be my forever.

And damn of those words didn't go straight to my gut. And my heart. I'd been hoping, praying, that he could move on. This feeling of guilt was stifling. But it seemed no matter what he did, or who he was with, it always circled back to me. But was I any better? After all, here I was, laying in bed with my wife, thinking of a boy so beyond my reach it was laughable.

I carefully sat up, releasing Ying Yue in the process. I gazed down at her, so pretty in the moonlight. So delicate looking. I trailed my fingers down her exposed skin for a second, marvelling at the feeling. It still kind of blew my mind. We were married now. And living under the same roof.

You will always be my forever.

I rose quietly, not bothering to locate my robe. I left the room, closing the door softly behind me. Milky light cast distorted shadows across the hall. I passed familiar artwork and doors, things I'd seen a million times or more. I paused at one door, shaking away the temptation to knock or let myself in. I couldn't. Not now. And not ever again.

You will always be my forever.

I made my way to the only place of sanctuary I could think of. Out here, the light was nearly blinding. I sat beside the fountain, dipping my hand into the murky water, feeling it swirl beneath my touch. I breathed in the scent of damp earth and clean air. A familiar scent indeed. I settled comfortably against the basin, turning my gaze to the sky. I closed my eyes, soaking in the moonlight. A light breeze ruffled my loose clothing.

"Can't sleep either?" I froze when I recognized the voice, but I didn't dare open my eyes for fear of what was to come. Another body sat beside me, and Hyeja sighed. "I always wondered why Junnie seemed to favor spending time outside when he needed to think. I see it was a learned habit."

"I may have something to do with that," I admitted. "Back when we first met, I told him how much I loved it out here. Because out here, no one expects anything from me. The flowers and the trees don't care if I'm prince or king or whatever."

"I see," Hyeja said. I finally dared glance her way, and she seemed unusually troubled. I wanted to ask what was wrong, but I also didn't want to intrude. No matter how I felt in the matter, this was the girl that Junmyeon adored. "Is it hard?" she suddenly asked, swinging her gaze to meet mine. "Please be honest because Junmyeon always shuts down when I ask. Is it hard to be married when you love someone else? Was it hard to be in a relationship with Ying Yue when you knew you wouldn't ever feel the same way about her as you did him?"

Hot damn girl this was not the kind of questions I was expecting at nearly three in the morning.

"I wouldn't say it was easy," I said at last. It seemed like a safe enough answer. "Some days were harder than others for sure. But I think we've finally...parted ways if you will. I'm married now. And he has you."

"Does he really?" she asked with a straight face, but there was no mistaking the edge of hurt in her voice. "Some days I don't even know. I know how much he still loves you. And even if he's been nothing but faithful, I still worry sometimes. But I also want him to be happy, and I worry I don't make him happy."

"Are you kidding?" I asked her. She tilted her head to the side thoughtfully. "He positively adores you. It may not seem like it, but trust me. He loves you. Even if he's stubborn and won't show it all the time. You know how he is. Bottling up his feelings until they explode." She chuckled quietly, nodding. "And he's going to pick you. Every time."

"Thank you," she replied. I blinked at her, not comprehending. "Thank you for saying those things. It puts my mind at rest a bit." She finally tilted her chin towards the sky, closing her eyes. I took the moment to study her. She was a stunning girl, really. Clever and witty, but also deeply caring. "And thank you for taking care of Junmyeon," she added. "Both now and back in the day." I glanced down, picking at the grass beneath me.

"Of course," I said. "I couldn't picture a life without him in it." It was strange to think about. Three years ago we didn't even know each other. But he'd become one of the most important people to ever enter my life. He left his mark without doing anything remarkable. He made me feel special and loved. I could never describe out loud how much I'd needed that until he was there.

"Your friendship with him is quite endearing, actually," she said. "It's clear you're important to him." She finally rose. "I'd better get back inside. See you tomorrow, Prince Yixing." And without another word, she marched inside. But I remained, utterly speechless and utterly lost. It wasn't that I hadn't enjoyed the conversation. I had. I just...wasn't expecting it.

You will always be my forever.

I groaned, letting my head fall back until it hit the concrete of the fountain. I hopefully what I told her was true, at least a little. Otherwise I feared we'd never get anywhere.

...

Junmyeon's POV

...

Hyeja had joined me in my room around seven (I'd been up anyway) and we were now sitting around enjoying each other's company. She was laughing at something on her phone, and I was watching a drama on my tablet on my stomach on the bed. I glanced up to her perched at the edge and smiling at seemingly nothing. A warm feeling exploded in my chest at that moment, and I had to take a second to reflect on how lucky I really was.

"What are you staring at silly?" she suddenly asked, and with a start I realized I'd been spacing off while staring at her. I felt heat rising to my cheeks and ducked my head, her musical laughter floating around me. I couldn't help but smile, however. Something about her drove me nuts in the best way possible.

"Just admiring how beautiful you are," I answered, and for a brief moment she looked utterly taken aback. But not too long after, a huge smile broke out on her face. I felt pleased, like I'd finally done something right. I risked a glance at the time, and sighed. "We'd better start getting ready to leave," I told her, and right on time, the door slammed open, revealing a grumpy Baekhyun.

"Good, you're up," he said, looking like he'd thrown himself together in a few seconds. His hair looked like a bird had made its nest there. But at least he was up and moving of his own accord. I chuckled at the sight of him, rising to a sitting position. We were already dressed for the day. All we had to do was finish packing. Hyeja rose.

"I'm going to get my suitcase," she said over her shoulder as she left. "I'll be back." Baekhyun scooted over to make room for her to pass, then made his way inside my room.

"Ready to go home?" I asked him. All he did was nod. "We have to say goodbye to the Zhangs first though. Especially Yixing and Ying Yue. They've been wonderful hosts the last couple days."

"Of course," he agreed. "Though after your little display last night, I assumed you wanted nothing to do with either of them anymore." I winced. Not my crowning moment, that was for sure. But being overwhelmed with so many emotions so suddenly had a way of messing with me, for better or for worse.

"Yixing's one of my best friends," I said at last. "Second only to you. Even if we squabble, we'll make up. We always do. I wouldn't be able to stand it if he wasn't in my life at all." For the first time ever, calling him those dreaded two words didn't cause a pit in my stomach. It felt nice to talk about him like this without thinking the world was going to collapse around me.

"Ready?" a voice spoke from the doorway. Baekhyun and I rose as one, and when we met with Hyeja, I couldn't resist pecking her cheek. She smiled, and again my insides turned to mush. We made our way passed paintings and rooms that had somehow become familiar and comforting. I was the first to stop in front of the grand double doors leading to the throne room. Soft voices filtered out from beneath the door. Hyeja patted my shoulder, and when I turned to look at her, she offered a comforting smile.

"Oh, Your Majesty," I heard when I finally opened the door. King Zhang sprang up from his seat and met me halfway up the walkway to his throne. I bowed low when we met, an instant and gratifying sign of respect. "Are you finally leaving?" he asked when that was over. "Did you enjoy your stay?"

"It was lovely, thank you," I said sincerely. "Yes, I must return to Korea. I came to bid you all farewell, along with my companions." King Zhang focused his attention on Baekhyun next, while Queen Zhang walked gracefully down the aisle to us.

"It was a pleasure to have you with us," she said to me, reaching out for an embrace. I accepted, feeling tears suddenly spring when her arms wrapped around me. I missed mother. More than I realized. "Thank you," she whispered aside to me. "Thank you for always making my Yixing so happy. Thank you for loving him like you have." I jerked back, but she had nothing but a warm, welcoming smile on her face. She moved on, leaving behind way more questions than answers. But I couldn't focus on that now.

"Ying Yue," I greeted. I'd admit, my feelings towards this girl had been anything but fond. But I also had to realize that this was the girl that Yixing adored beyond all measure. And she made him happy in ways I could only fathom. "It was a wonderful wedding," I said at last, embracing her as well, which seemed to shock her. "And you were stunning. Please, take care. And best wishes."

"Thank you, King Junmyeon," she replied, finally wrapping me in a hug as well. "Good luck back in Korea. And congratulations on the girlfriend." I smiled fondly at that. "She's very pretty."

"Thank you," I said. "I surely think so." Ying Yue chuckled lowly, moving off to talk to my girlfriend. And finally, the person I'd been looking forward to seeing the most stood in front of me. Yixing smiled, and that was enough for me. I surged forward, wrapping him up before he could utter one word.

"Thank you for allowing us to stay," I said to him. He laughed, a sound that still melted my insides. "I'm gonna miss you."

"Then let's make time to meet up this time," he said, holding me at arm's length and studying me. "Double dates, visiting for a day, heck meeting up for coffee." I shuddered at the mental image that brought, but shrugged it aside. "Let's vow together, right now, that we will make time to see each other this time around."

"Alright," I agreed. "We'll arrange something after that king crown graces your head." He shot me a lopsided smile, and I laughed. "So, I guess this is goodbye, huh?" I asked him.

"Guess so," he replied, his happy demeanor slipping for a second. "Kinda poetic in a way. This time around, you leave me behind." He forced out a laugh, but, even though it shouldn't have, something inside me broke all over again. Yeah, I was leaving him behind. But this time, I wasn't running back for him. Not like in the past. This time, he stayed here.

"Yeah," I finally said, also stuttering out a laugh that I hoped mask what turmoil I felt inside. "We should probably get going. Kingdoms don't run themselves after all." I turned, closing my eyes for a split second. "Goodbye Yixing."

"Goodbye Junnie." I grabbed Baekhyun and Hyeja and made my escape, but not before the force of those two words hit me square on the shoulders, and I faltered for a step.

Leave it behind, I reminded myself. Leave it all behind.

...

Again, a bit of a melancholy way to end it. I think it works though.