Harebell (3/3)
The flowers bloom the first week of April. The cold of winter passes slowly with each day. It still becomes chilly in the mornings and nights but winter is behind the town now. People smile more at the warm weather and children run outside to play when they wake. The air no longer smells of snow but is filled with flowers and fresh rain. Even on rainy days when the sun hides away, it is still brighter than winter.
Zitao and Sehun keep busy at the shop. Word of the wedding had reached the rest of the country by the end of February and people took interest. Sehun spends an afternoon repainting the outside with a brighter pink to attract more attention. Zitao paints the name of the shop on the window with the help of a young child. Jongdae brings an abundance of flowers each week and they disappear within three days. Even with the larger shelves, they empty quickly at the end of each day.
Sehun gets enough money to buy himself a new outfit from the clothing shop in the city. It’s no where near perfect but it’s better than the torn one he had been wearing. Zitao quits smoking and spends his money on books to read. On the weekends he spends his time telling Sehun of the story he’s read. They sit together and have tea on Monday afternoons and dinner with Jongdae on Friday’s. Eventually the two of them have money to buy a bottle of wine. They share it together in Zitao’s house on Sehun’s birthday.
Jongdae laughs as he tells them about his new girlfriend from the city. “She is gorgeous I tell you! Rich beyond belief too!”
“Is she royal? Jongdae I knew you would find a perfect woman for yourself,” Zitao says as he finishes his third glass of wine.
“Says she’s related to Yixing but I am not certain. They truly look nothing alike. Perhaps a distant cousin.”
They laugh and Jongdae proceeds to tell them about the first time they had sex. Sehun scrunches his nose up at the fine details that Jongdae doesn’t have a problem with sharing. Zitao thinks that it’s fascinating and asks for Jongdae to tell more each time. He gets yelled at and reminded that he’s had sex before as well.
Jongdae turns to Sehun with a face that Sehun dares to look at. “Sehun, have you got with a woman yet? You are twenty-one now! It is far past when your first time should have been.”
Sehun runs his finger down the wine glass. He watches as the oil from his finger makes a small streak against the clear glass. He doesn’t want to answer the question. He’s tired of being asked it.
“I have.”
The two sitting across from Sehun erupt in drunk happiness. Jongdae pats Sehun on the shoulder and Zitao offers Sehun another glass of wine. They talk to each other while Sehun stays in his own silence.
“I was beginning to think you had fallen for that Prince! You were spending hours and hours with him.” Sehun looks up to see Zitao slurring his sentences while leaning on Jongdae. “I knew you would come to your mind eventually. A woman will do you good, Sehun. Trust me!”
He continues to sit in silence, his own mind catching up to him. He wonders what the Prince is doing at the moment. Perhaps he’s admiring the flowers outside from his window even if it is dark out. Could he be helping Minseok with getting ready for the baby to enter the family? He could be reading his favorite book again in the library. The one he read to Sehun three times in one weekend perhaps. Sehun wonders for only a moment if the Prince is as lonely as he is. The last time they had talked was when Luhan ran out of the room crying. That was the end of beginning of March and it was now the middle of April.
Eight days later the royal carriage arrives in front of the flower shop. Zitao wipes his hand with a white cloth before jogging outside to see who was arriving. Minseok steps out with a bright smile and a bow to the people who gathered around. Sehun fiddles with a ribbon on a bouquet of tulips. He’s chosen a blue ribbon to go with the darkest of reds. Cold and warm colors together goes well, he thinks.
Sehun washes his hands quickly when he hears Minseok’s voice from the main area. He wipes them on his pants before walking from the back and standing next to Zitao.
“I apologize for the short notice, Zitao and Sehun, but I would like to invite you to my brother’s birthday celebration.”
“Of course! We would love to attend. When is it?”
“It is today.” Minseok and Zitao turn to face Sehun as he mutters to himself. “His birthday is today. April twentieth.”
“Yes, well, It was meant to be a surprise for him. He has been locked in his room for over a month. I have only seen him twice. The poor child. I felt as though we must do something for him.” Minseok smiles and points to a rack of flowers. “Please, bring the most fitted flowers and quickly come with me. I am sure my brother will be happy to see you two at his event.”
Zitao and Sehun bow in silence. Sehun watches as Zitao gathers blue cornflower and bright yellow gerbera. He places vases upon vases in a tray to be carried out into the carriage. Sehun taps his fingers against the counter, watching as Zitao calls him from the street. He sighs and flips the open sign to closed and locks the door to the shop. As he slides in the carriage next to his friend, Sehun thinks he’s in no place to go to the palace.
The ballroom has been decorated in beautiful spring colors. Bright and happy, a large difference from the rich red and gold he’s used to seeing. Sehun and Zitao place the flowers on tables and along banisters. Minseok instructs them carefully on where to hang ribbons and where to place flower petals. When they are finished, the room looks complete. Even the King compliments the way the room feels. He leaves with a smile along with Minseok.
The party begins promptly at seven. People that Sehun’s seen too many times before arrive. He mingles with Joonmyun and Yixing for the first time. Yixing tells compliments Joonmyun’s singing and they both bow deeply at one another. Sehun stands awkwardly in the middle of them, unsure what to say or how to talk. They compliment the flowers, saying how the palace has had an increase of decorations since the wedding. Sehun begins to do what he knows and tells them about the flowers. When they part, he thinks it’s the only thing he’s good for.
Sehun sits against the table in the back corner. Zitao chats with one of the Princesses from York. Sehun believes it’s Yixing’s sister because of the familiar dimple on her right cheek. They begin dancing minutes later.
An hour goes by and Minseok still is absent from trying to get Luhan to come downstairs. The guests don’t seem to worry that the main person is missing from the party and continue having a good time. Sehun continues as well, hiding in the corner, away from the rest. He plays with the napkin resting on his lap. It’s thick and has the family name sewn into the corner. He uses it to wipe at the dirt on his knee from the shop.
Sehun stands up, ready to tell Zitao that he is going back to the shop when he hears a loud eruption of clapping. The crowd parts to reveal a flustered silver Prince in the middle. Luhan’s cheeks are bright red and his eyes full of worry, much like the first time Sehun saw him. Minseok rubs his back and attempts to calm him down. After a few moments, Luhan smiles and bows. He greets everyone one by one, not missing a single guest.
When he comes face to face with Sehun, his cheeks heat up even more. Sehun presses his lips together as he bows, his hand resting against his chest. The Prince does the same before backing away.
“Sir, I would like to apologize for my actions the last time we met,” Sehun knows he doesn’t need to apologize. He hadn’t tried for the month he didn’t see Luhan but for some reason while he was in front of him, Sehun felt as if everything was his fault. “I was out of line. You may not forgive me but know that I am truly sorry.”
As Sehun looks into Luhan’s eyes, the Prince runs. He runs out of the room and as far as his feet will take him within the castle. Sehun blinks because the silver Prince is gone in an instant. He has no right to follow him but he does anyway. He runs out of the room, ignoring the looks he’s given from the many royals in the room. He runs until he can hear Luhan’s footsteps in front of him. Sehun runs until he reaches the Prince’s room where the door is left cracked open. He doesn’t knock nor does he announce his presence as he enters.
Sehun walks over to Luhan with long strides. Luhan doesn’t back away or tremble in his spot. Sehun walks with determination because he’s figured it out. He’s figured out why the Prince hides away. Why he is scared of going out of the palace with Sehun.
“Sehun-”
The Prince is hushed as Sehun grabs his cheeks and pulls him into a firm kiss. Luhan’s hands grip at Sehun’s jacket, holding onto the fabric as if he was going to die if he didn’t. He kisses back just as hard and lets a gentle whimper out to press against Sehun’s lips.
Sehun attempts to pull away but Luhan keeps him close. Luhan buries his face against Sehun’s shoulder as the elder one holds him tightly. They stand together, bodies pressed against one another for longer than Sehun thought could be possible. Luhan does nothing but breathe softly into the curve of Sehun’s neck. They stay quiet, letting the action sink into both of their minds.
“Is this why you hide away, sir? Are you worried that someone will find out?” Sehun doesn’t have to elaborate for Luhan to understand him. Luhan pulls his head back enough so his eyes meet with the taller one’s.
“My father will be disappointed in me. Everyone will be disappointed in me.” Luhan pulls back enough that Sehun’s fingertips are the only things left on his back. “He expects me to marry a Princess and have a family. I have no desires to marry a Princess. I never had. It scared me, Sehun. I was afraid they would be able to tell. They would look at me and know that I am interested in men. For what would I do then?”
Sehun pulls Luhan into another tight embrace. The Prince wraps his arms around Sehun’s lean figure as Sehun speaks. “I too, am worried for myself. Jongdae and Zitao tell me I must find a woman because I am getting old. I have no desires for women. I have had interest in you, sir, for many months now. I was ashamed of myself.”
Luhan breathes quietly for minutes against Sehun. For a short amount of time, Sehun thinks the Prince has fallen asleep against him. But when Luhan pulls away, there’s determination in his eyes.
“Run away with me. We will go away from the city and live on our own. We are both outcasts. I would like to be with you Sehun.” Sehun’s lips part in surprise for he did not think the Prince would suggest something as outrageous as running away. “I would like to see how it feels to not live in fear of being with you. I would like to be free.”
“Luhan, you can not run away from your duties. What will you do if your father sends for you? He will be very upset with you.”
“Please, Sehun. Please run away with me. I am no good as a Prince. They will hate me if they know I desire to be with you. I will be no use. I want to live your life. We will live comfortably in the forest somewhere, deep away from everyone. Where we both do not have to worry anymore.”
Sehun takes a deep breath and Luhan lets it out with him. Sehun cups Luhan’s cheeks and he can see tears at the corner of his eyes. He kisses the peony pink lips for a second time.
“I will run away with you, Luhan,” he whispers so quietly the he thinks only the vibrations of his words will get to Luhan. But the Prince smiles and wraps his arms around Sehun’s neck, pulling him down even closer as they kiss for minutes.
Luhan holds a sunflower close to his chest, his nose brushing up against the petals in the gentlest of ways. He laughs as he sneezes from the sensation. Sehun watches him from the other side of the field, smiling when Luhan begins running over to him. He wraps his arms around Sehun’s neck and pulls him down into the grass. They lay next to each other, hands intertwined and others pointing at the clouds in the sky as they pass.
They’ve walked for several days, only stopping to sleep and eat pieces of bread along the way. Luhan doesn’t complain once. He smiles the whole time, happily holding Sehun’s hand in his as they walk down the dirt road together. He doesn’t mind that his feet are sore with blisters or that the only thing he’s eaten in almost a week is bread and apples. He seems content and Sehun can’t complain either.
Luhan tells him that when he turned fifteen is when he learned about his interest in men. Prince Jongin had come one evening to have dinner with the family. Luhan had brought him up to his room to play and talk since they had not seen each other in several months. Jongin always liked to play rough and they begun wrestling. It was then that Luhan found himself getting aroused at the way Jongin looked and felt against him. It’s when he begun hiding away, scared that other men would make him feel the same way.
He tried going to brothels every few weeks to attempt to get aroused by women. Trying to see if he was truly broken or if it had been a mistake. After several times of going, he found that it brought no interest to him. Luhan blushed as he told Sehun of the girl he tried to sleep with. Sehun tried not to laugh when Luhan was explaining how touchy she was to him. It earned him a hit on the arm but he quickly made it up with a kiss.
On the ninth day they come across a cabin in the woods, long abandoned and old. Luhan claps and jumps in happiness as he explores around the tiny rooms. There is a kitchen, table, bed, and bathroom. Sehun examines each room to make sure it’s suitable for living. Luhan jumps into Sehun’s arms when he agrees for them to live in the cabin.
For days they work on cleaning it up. Sehun makes a broom out of hay and sticks and Luhan happily sweeps the entire cabin. He smiles as he pushes the dirt out, happy at his work. Sehun travels miles everyday for food in the neighboring town while Luhan picks strawberries in the field outside the forest. They work together on providing a suitable place for them to stay.
The leaves change and begin to fall as autumn arrives. Luhan gives Sehun a hair cut in the dining room during a rainy day. Sehun smiles and rewards Luhan with a warm kiss that makes him blush. They light the fire and begin making dinner. Sehun cuts the turkey as Luhan mashes the cranberries and adds a handful of pine nuts. They share Thanksgiving dinner together at their small two person table.
When the first snow falls, Luhan wakes Sehun up in the early morning. He follows the younger one outside in bare feet, smiling as Luhan jumps around in the large snowflakes. Sehun leans against the doorframe only to be pulled out by Luhan. They dance together, snow making their hair turn wet and white as the sun rises.
Three days before Christmas, Sehun tells Luhan he has something for him.
“What is it, Sehun? Have you gotten me a Christmas gift? I thought we agreed that being together was simply enough.” Luhan pouts and Sehun quickly wishes it away with a kiss.
“It is a gift but not a Christmas gift.”
Luhan’s face turns into confusion as Sehun grabs his hand and kneels down on one knee.
“Luhan, we have been together for several months now. I tell you every day and I hope to continue to tell you every day how much I love you. We may be outcasts, but we are outcasts together and I would like to spend the rest of my life with you if you allow me to. I do not have a ring but I hope my word is enough for you. Will you marry me?”
Sehun looks up at the Prince when he hears sniffling. Tears stream down Luhan’s cheek as he nods as fast as Sehun thinks he can. Sehun smiles and stands up, wrapping his arms around Luhan tightly. The younger sobs into his shoulder and mumbles ‘yes’ until the sun sets.
The first time Sehun sees Luhan naked is when they have sex for the first time. It started with simple kisses whilst Luhan sat on Sehun’s lap in the morning. They were waiting for the tea to finish brewing when Luhan suggested they go further than just kissing and small feels. Sehun agrees because he’s never wanted Luhan as much as he does that morning.
Sehun lays Luhan down in their bed gently, making sure his ankles don’t hit the wooden frame. They kiss gently, lips melting together and soft breaths pressing against moist lips. Sehun’s hands run down the Prince’s slim body, feeling every curve and small bruise he has. Luhan flushes as Sehun takes off his shirt and places it on the chair in the corner. They both become fully naked in a matter of minutes.
Instead of taking it slow like both of them had originally planned, their actions are hot and fast pace. Luhan squirms and squeals beautifully as Sehun takes his cock in his mouth. He pushes away the odd feeling and taste and focuses on how good it makes his fiancee feel. Luhan comes too soon and releases into Sehun’s mouth. The Prince sobs quietly and apologizes until Sehun laughs.
Sehun uses some of Luhan’s lotion he brought with him from the palace as lube. It works well and he watches as his fingers move in and out of his entrance. Sehun silently thanks Jongdae and Zitao for mentioning how to finger a woman for it applies to men too, Sehun learns. Before long, Luhan’s begging and moaning for Sehun’s cock.
“Please, Sehun. I want you so badly. It is painful. Please.”
He pushes in the Prince in one go, the lube doing it’s job to make things less painful. Luhan still bites his lip hard, trying to hide the pain he does have for Sehun is well blessed below. When Sehun can’t hold back any longer, he moves his hips in quick movements. Skin slaps against skin and Luhan cries out into the morning silence. He moans and whispers things Sehun thought he would never hear a Prince say. Sehun snaps his hips quickly, cock sliding in and out of Luhan with obscene noises. Luhan comes first, thick, white, streams of come landing against his milk skin and over Sehun’s stomach. Sehun finishes moments after, his come leaking out of Luhan’s tightness and onto the floor. They both fall asleep until after lunch where they become distracted again and Luhan screams into the pillow.
They explore each other’s body every day after that. Luhan gives Sehun hand jobs in the morning when he wakes with an erection instead of letting Sehun take a cold bath. Sehun bends Luhan over the kitchen table one night after dinner and Luhan curses that they’ll have to clean the table well the next morning. When spring comes in March, they make love in the fields. Luhan ends up with green grass stains on his hands and knees but Sehun washes them off after dinner. Soon they know each other’s bodies perfectly. Luhan even knows how many hidden freckles Sehun has.
Luhan surprises Sehun on his birthday with a cake. Chocolate cake with fresh picked strawberries on top. Sehun smiles and thanks Luhan for the cake. They store it on the counter until after dinner but it only lasts until lunch when Sehun finds Luhan with chocolate icing smeared on his lips.
“How does it feel to be twenty-two, Sehun,” Luhan asks between bites of his slice of cake.
“Not any different, truly. It feels better than my last birthday, however.”
“Why’s that?”
Sehun smiles and leans over the table, pressing his lips to Luhan’s. He licks at the plump lips, tasting the mix of chocolate and strawberries. “Because I am spending it with you, of course.”
Luhan flushes and shovels pieces of cake into his mouth to try and make the pink go away from his cheeks. “You are too sweet, Prince Sehun.”
Sehun stares at Luhan with a confused face, his lips parting and he clears his throat. Luhan simply smiles at him and laughs.
“Well you are married to me, remember? I am a Prince so that makes you a Prince too. Or did you forget that I am royalty?”
The summer heat fills the cabin and the fresh scent of flowers pushes against it. Sun brings light into the dark rooms often hidden by the shade of the trees. Birds land on the small porch that has been recently swept by gentle hands. There is no more people begging to buy their food or torn up dresses and knees. No more chatter of busy streets and unclean conditions blocking the smell of nature. There is silence when no birds chirp or no wind blows to ruffle the trees.
Hidden far away from the palace and town known, live two young men in a forgotten cabin built years ago. They have no family anymore, simply themselves and that’s all they need. Far away in the forest live a flower boy and a silver Prince, two outcasts that found each other through the scent of nature.
Hidden far away live Prince Sehun and Prince Luhan. A forgotten commoner in charge of bringing spring when the winter cold falls and brings gifts to those who wed and those who pass. A young man that thought nothing of himself whilst living in a lonely town. He lives with the city’s Prince who ran away from home. Ran away from his duties to live a simple life. He hid himself away from the world for years, scared and alone. He hides himself away now for better reasons. He hides himself to be happy and loved.
Hidden far away in the forests beyond the city live Prince Sehun and Prince Luhan. Two forgotten and remembered people who choose now to ignore the world around them. Instead, they choose to live their own life, a life that always smells of flowers and fresh strawberries.
{ I } | { II }
-I have a big thing for Prince Luhan
-really awesome to read when listening to MID Orchestra vers.
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