I'm sitting at my friend's work while I write heck yeah.

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Junmyeon's POV

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Prince Yixing, what the hell were you doing to me?

Every time I was around him I felt like I was slowly losing my sanity. But the strangest part of this whole ordeal was that if anything were to take him away at this point, I think it would mess me up worse. It was almost like something squeezed my insides every time I even thought about it. Even now, despite the fact I knew he had to return to his home country in a few weeks, I was already dreading that fact.

"Sire?" I looked up to Heechan. I waved him off, not in the mood to play his game of twenty questions. Yixing looked at me in confusion, but I just flashed him a smile. He glanced down, his cheeks dusting pink. Cute.

What? I shook the thought aside. Stop that Junmyeon. You've long grown passed that stage in your life. Or so I told myself. But I knew that whatever feelings I still had left from my early teenage years weren't fading, even though I tried to tell myself they were. I just had to hope and pray I could get passed it. I sighed, suddenly not hungry once again. I pushed my food around on my plate.

"Sire?" Heechan tried hesitantly. I glanced up at him. "There's a matter that needs addressed, and since your father is away on business..." He trailed off. I rose. That meant the matter fell on my shoulders in my father's place. "There's been a bit of a dispute," Heechan continued as we exited the dining hall.

"Where?" I asked, but he shook his head.

"The countrymen have arrived at the palace," he replied. "They've been instructed to wait for you." Another sigh escaped my lips and I nodded. I pushed open the doors of the throne room, scanning the three unfamiliar faces. They all rushed me at once. Before they could utter a word, however, I held up a hand.

"I will not have you talking over yourselves like a bunch of children," I said calmly, in what Heechan liked to call my "authority voice." I pointed towards my throne. "I'm going to sit down. And then, and one at a time without interruptions, may you tell me what's going on." I strode to my throne, sitting down carefully, aware of everyone's eyes on me. I beckoned the trio forward. They came wordlessly, clustering around me. "You," I pointed to the first man on the right. "What seems to be the problem?"

"I want to build on my land," he explained. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the third guy opening his mouth to interject. I shot him a withering look, and his jaw snapped shut. "It would be an addition to an already existing building."

"But Your Majesty," the second guy cut in. I closed my eyes and mentally counted to five. "His building rests on the edge of our properties, and adding the addition to it would put it over the property line." I tried my best to hide my annoyance. A quarrel over land.

"Can you not just build the addition the other way?" I asked. "The way facing into your property?" The first two men shared a glance.

"I hadn't thought of that," he mumbled sheepishly. I simply waited, letting him come to his own conclusion. "Yes, that would work," he agreed at last.

"Then the matter is closed," I said, waving a hand. "You are dismissed." A guard quickly ushered the three of them away, and I turned to Heechan, who had remained silent through the whole thing.

"You did well," was all he said at last. I inclined my head. "You can go back to relaxing now. That was the only thing I had for you. If something else comes up, I'll ring." I nodded, rising. I found my way back to the dining hall, peeking inside. Yixing sat with Luhan, talking comfortably. His gaze flicked to mine, and he broke into a huge smile.

"Junmyeon!" he called. Then he seemed to compose himself. "I mean, Prince Junmyeon. Welcome back." I hid my smile as I took my place at the head of the table once again. "Is there anything else you have to do?" he asked.

"Not so far," I replied. "I'm yours for the time being."

"Good," he mumbled, glancing down at the table. I chose to ignore the butterflies in my stomach at that one word. God damn why did he affect me so much?

"Is there anything you want to do?" I asked kindly. He was the guest after all. He pondered that, playing with his chopsticks, his lip jutting out in the cutest little pout. I wanted to coo at him, and then I was kicking myself for even thinking that way. It would never happen. Not in a million years. Not even in my dreams.

"Can we just stay here for today?" he asked at last. "I'm still feeling a little jet lagged. We can go do something substantial tomorrow."

"Alright," I agreed, an idea already forming. "I actually just remembered I have one more thing to do." I watched his face fall. "It'll be quick," I promised, feeling panic bubbling in my chest. I didn't like seeing him upset. Not one bit. "I'll come get you as soon as I'm done."

"Alright," he agreed reluctantly. Luhan put a hand on his shoulder, and by some silent agreement, they both made their way out of the dining hall. I watched them go, then fled into the innards of the palace. I knew father had it hidden around somewhere. I just wasn't sure where.

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Yixing's POV

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I lay on my temporary bed, my legs dangling over the side, staring at the ornate ceiling. I was bored. I mean, sure, I had plenty of things to occupy my time. But I didn't want a lot of things to keep my attention. I wanted someone. I wanted Junmyeon. And it killed me to even think it because I knew I shouldn't have felt this way. Junmyeon and I? Never gonna happen.

And yet whenever I saw his smile it felt like the whole world was lit just a little brighter. Whenever his name crossed my mind it felt like I was being lit on fire. I just wanted him near me all the time. But that was impossible. I scrubbed my face with my hands. Why? Why couldn't I feel this way about someone else? Anyone else.

"Are you alright?" Luhan asked. I'm sure several minutes of watching me mope was about driving him wild with worry. I sighed heavily.

"What's it mean when my mind says one thing, but my heart says another?" I asked him, sitting up so I could gauge his reaction. He seemed to ponder that. I drew my knees to my chest, wrapping my arms around them. "Because my heart really wants something my mind says I can't have."

"Look, Yixing," he began. But a knock at my door cut him off. He exchanged a look. He went and threw open the door. "Oh, Your Majesty," he greeted, bowing low. I smiled at Junmyeon's expression. He looked equal parts uncomfortable and unsure. "What brings you here?" Luhan continued when he finally straightened, although he could've probably guessed.

"I, uh, planned something," he mumbled. He jiggled something hanging off his arm, and with a start I realized it was a picnic basket. "You love being outside," he said, now addressing me directly. "I thought what better activity for the two of us than a picnic?" He refused to meet my eyes. I resisted the urge to coo at his embarrassment. Instead I rose.

"That sounds lovely Prince Junmyeon," I said softly. "Shall we get going? Luhan, you're dismissed for the afternoon." My assistant seemed at a loss for words, but he nodded nonetheless. I followed behind Junmyeon, a comfortable silence settling over the two of us. I was just happy to be back in his presence. He did a lot to calm my nerves. I was very grateful we'd managed to warm up to each other. "Are you this nice to all your guests?" I joked.

"Only the ones I like," he replied. But he sounded serious. And it caused my heart to plummet. It meant he'd done this before. And then I was kicking myself for ever believing I was special.

Of course he's done this before, I berated myself. He's the Prince of Korea. He has to do this kind of thing. Don't go getting your hopes up. You're nothing special. This is just another typical day for him. So why did my heart hurt so bad if I knew this was all part of his same routine. I watched him spread his blanket on the lawn. Watched his lips curl up into a pleased smile as he turned to face me. I plastered on a smile of my own, hoping it didn't appear as forced as it felt.

"What a beautiful day," he commented as we both sat down. I had to agree with him. The sun shone brightly, making everything vibrant and clear. I breathed deeply, enjoying the smell of Earth and foliage. Junmyeon leaned back on his hands comfortably, legs put in front of him, face tilted ever so slightly up to soak in the sun's rays. I admired his profile for a moment before laying back, lacing my hands behind my head. "Time like this is nice," he whispered. "I didn't know how relaxing this could be."

"Mmm hmm," I hummed, closing my eyes. Now that we were outside basking in the warmth, I was getting drowsy. Maybe it had something to do with the fact I really hadn't slept well last night, but no one else needed to know that.

"Are you tired?" he suddenly asked, startling me once again. I flinched. "Sorry," he apologized. "You can nap if you want," he offered. "I'll wake you up when it's time for us to go back inside."

"Alright," I agreed, already feeling myself be pulled into Dreamland.

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Junmyeon's POV

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I studied Yixing's sleeping form, a soft smile making its way to my face. He really was something. And I wasn't a fool. I could sense how his mood dropped before we got here. I bet I even had a hunch as to why, but I didn't dare hope. The only thing I did fail to mention was that he was the only one I'd gone this great of a length to make comfortable and happy while he stayed here.

"Well well," a voice said. A very familiar voice. I scrambled to stand, immediately dropping into a bow.

"Hello father," I greeted, straighting after a few seconds. "You're back early." Very early. I wasn't expecting them back until dinner time. I watched my father scanning the scene, a feeling of anxiety rising up.

"What seems to be going on here?" he asked casually. I swallowed the lump in my throat. One wrong move and I was done for.

"Just showing Prince Yixing a good time," I replied carefully. "He likes being out here. Besides, it'll look good when he goes home and tells them how well taken care of he was while he stayed with us." Dad nodded in approval.

"So you do that by letting him sleep?" he asked, and I swore I could almost hear a playful edge in his tone. I smiled sheepishly, shrugging. Who was I to tell him to stay up all day when he mentioned he still felt jet lagged. "By the way, you have a date tonight," father added. My stomach heaved.

"I have a date?" I asked like I couldn't believe it. "Tonight? But what about Prince Yixing? Isn't the point of him staying here so we can spend some time together and learn about each other's customs?" I hadn't the faintest if that was the reason, but if it delayed my inevitable doom just a little longer, I'd take it.

"I'm sure the young prince can entertain himself for the evening," father answered, and his tone left no room for arguments. "He'll understand I'm sure. He's going through the same things you are, relatively speaking." I bit my tongue, not trusting myself to speak. I simply dipped my head. "I know you won't disappoint," my father boasted. "You always leave a fine impression on your dates."

"Thank you," I said weakly. "I will go get ready shortly. Let me rouse Prince Yixing first." I bowed low as father took his leave. Only after the double doors close did I let out the breath I'd been holding. I ruffled my hair, turning to Yixing. I didn't want to go out on a date tonight. I wanted to stay here with the Chinese Prince, enjoying the simplicity of nature and talking about unimportant matters and sharing little secrets only we knew. This was the happiest I'd been in so long, and I didn't even know how to handle it.

"Yixing," I whispered, gently shaking his shoulder. He grunted, his eyes opening ever so slightly. "We have to get going inside," I said. "Or at least I have to. You can stay if you like. I packed fruits and breads and waters if you want them."

"Where are you going?" he asked, voice thick with sleep. He sat up, rubbing his eyes and blinking at me. I made a face at him.

"I apparently have a date tonight," I informed him. He made a face at me. "It's not ideal, but it's only for one night. You know how they are." I tried for a smile, but at his crestfallen look it faltered. "Are you alright?" I asked him.

"Yeah." He waved a hand. "You should go get ready. Don't want to keep the lucky girl waiting." He smiled, but it never reached his eyes.

How could I properly say that deep down, I didn't want this. I wanted him. How, I wasn't sure, but I did.

...

Now for that awkward tip-toeing around each other we all know and love.