DBSK oneshot
Jan. 6th, 2006 04:49 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
snoozing_kittenBand: Dong Bang Shin Ki/ Dong Band Shin Gi .... etc.
Pairing: Changmin (Max) X Yoochun (Micky)
Title: Sunset Romance
Rating: R?
Chapters: 1/1
Word count: 4109
Summary: In a far away land, a place of magic and love, a princess waits for his prince.
Notes: Requested by Maki on TonHyuk and JunTa forum
Once upon a time in a far far away land, one known as the land of the setting sun to some, and to others a whole long list of names that found their origin deep in the mythology that surrounded this land. Indeed the only thing more impressive about this land then its panoramic view was the deep mythology that surrounded it. One could spend days locked away in the grand old castle library sifting through the ancient tombs, sifting through the past. Even the eddies of dust that danced in the falling sun had a tale, of magic, of mystery of the greatest feat of all: pure love.
In this land of great tales and pure untainted wilderness there is a tale that rises among the others, told over and over again by the people. A favourite of sorts. Mothers tell it to their children, hoping that the great virtues of the hero would inspire her children. Little girls would spend long afternoons sitting in the fields weaving the wild flowers into crowns then taking turn pretending they were the princess, whose unfailing belief in true love was more then they could muster with their entire hearts.
A tale of love, of deception, and most of all two boys who truly loved each other.
Princess Yoochun was known all around far and wide for his wit and his looks. The people loved their princess, he would often spend afternoons wandering around the local village poking his head in and talking with the people. A visit from the princess could brighten any day, lift anyone’s mood. Just as the people loved him, his parents loved him too. The pride of their kingdom rested with their daughter, and ignoring all possible faults they lavished him with gifts and their love.
“We shall hold a competition, it will be the grandest competition ever held in these lands, one to be remembered through the echoing halls of time!” Yoochun’s father boomed through the great hall, his voice was heard by the gathered officials there, and the queen, smiling so hard his face might just crack. “The competition will last for days on end, with competitors from all around.”
“Mother what is the meaning of this?” Yoochun asked lowly, leaning over in his throne chair to speak by his mother’s ears.
“You will see my, my dear, now hush and listen to your father.”
“It is now time for Princess Yoochun to pick a husband and marry, as his 18th year fast approaches this will mark his passing into adulthood. For the eve of his birthday will be the conclusion of this competition, for his birthday then will also become his wedding!”
There was a great roar of cheering from the assembled people, a grand competition, and the accompanying wedding of their most cherished princess. It would be a day to be remembered in the future!
“Tomorrow we will discuss in more detail the plans, things must be arranged. For now I’d like to take the time to congratulate my most precious daughter, and wish him well.” There was another round of cheering, Yoochun smiled and waved at the people.
“Mother?” He asked again as his father began to talk to the crowd again, “May we talk later?”
“Yes, now listen to your father.”
A week passed, it seemed like a blink the course of time to the princess who spent a lot of his time hiding from the people who had endless questions for him, endless preparations to be made. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to get married, and it wasn’t that he didn’t want to grow; it was that he’d always had this image in his mind. An image of himself, aged gracefully like his mother, standing under a tree, the sun setting behind him like a great ball of fire, there beside him, holding one of his hands and watching the sun set as well. That would be his husband, the man who could watch the sunset with him, smiling at him like no other man could. Ever since he was small Yoochun had wanted that, he wanted to fall in love, secretly of course. Princesses had to marry a prince, most the time they would learn to love or at least tolerate the man their married.
“Is this about the wedding?” His mother had asked him, they were in the Queen’s quarters, his mother had shed his usual attire and donned instead a silky robe.
“I guess, I don’t think I’m ready to marry,”
“No one is, I wasn’t I married your father when I was only 14,”
“Why were you that young?”
“I was promised to him as a baby, we were married as children when his father suddenly passed away and he became king at 15.”
“…”
“I think you’ll do fine, you’re a smart boy, and I’m sure no matter what happens you’ll be happy.”
“Thank you mother.”
Yoochun sighed, if only it were that simple. He had given up on dreams of being free as a child, he was a royal princess and exploring far off places is not what princesses do. This was like digging them up and killing them again, only to bury them deeper, he now knew they would never come true.
~~
“I come from a land far across the sea, it took me two weeks to reach this place plus one week by horse. I come bearing trade agreements from the king of my land, my father.”
“May I look over those?” The foreign prince smiled and handed the papers over; here he was after such a long journey. The country was beautiful lost deep in the meadows and forest of a valley, complete with a rushing river. The only unsettling feature of this land was the people themselves. Skin like the whitest sand from the beaches that lined his home, each and every person he had encountered thus far. It disturbed him, considering at home he the people had skin that was kissed by the sun.
“Of course, anything you wish to change can be written in a letter to my father.”
“It may take some time to go over all of this.”
“Go ahead, though I would like to request some time to rest from my long journey and to recover the strength of my men.”
“The son of a friend is more the welcome in my castle. You may rest here and recover your strength; your men are welcome in the guest quarters. I bid you, stay awhile, enjoy the scenery, in fact stay for my daughter’s birthday, maybe if you feel up to it you can take part in the competition, it starts in two days.”
“Yes, that sounds nice.” The foreign prince smiled at the king and was ushered out of the throne room by a servant and shown to his own room.
Than night the prince could not sleep. He missed home, he missed his friend, and he missed feeling the small body in his arms, comforting. This castle was cool; the walls locked in the cool morning air and would not release it, the people wandered around looking like ghosts. It was most unsettling. A servant at his door knocked, and curtly informed him that his presence was requested at dinner by the king. Dressing quickly but pleasantly he mad his way down to the dining room after the servant.
The hall was large but only a small corner of it was being used currently, the royal family sat at one end of the table. King and queen side by side, an empty chair beside the king and one beside the queen, for the princess perhaps? Various ministers sat with them, chatting idly within themselves.
“Welcome Prince of a faraway land, Changmin, sit here beside my lovely wife.” The king stood then sat again, Changmin took his seat offering the queen a charming smile.
“Welcome to our lands prince Changmin.” The queen said lifting his goblet to his lips and taking a delicate sip.
“It’s a beautiful place m’lady.”
“Yes, it is.”
“Princess!” The king cried rising again as the large doors opened and a boy walked through. Not any boy but one of the most interesting boys that Changmin had ever seen, he had narrow eyes, almost black. Eyes that called to him, what a beautiful boy he was, he walked up to the table. Dark eyes watched Changmin for a moment, barely restrained curiosity. “You finally arrived, now we may eat.”
“My dear, you do not know the prince yet?” The queen asked, the princess only shook his head, a small smile on his smooth features. “This is prince.”
“Changmin.” He rose to greet the princess, taking one pale hand in his own tanned ones; he smiled at the princess, his smile charming and shy at the same time.
“Princess Yoochun, charmed to meet you.”
“Likewise.” They held eye contact for a heartbeat longer then necessary; Yoochun sat beside his father and Changmin beside the queen.
“Prince from a faraway land, may I speak with you after dinner?” The queen said, Changmin looked up from his soup, he nodded silently. He could see the other’s eyes in his mind, intrigued, curious, adventurous; oh so beautiful.
~~
“Prince, I asked you here, because I want to ask a favour of you.”
“What it is m’lady?” Changmin asked politely,
“I ask you to enter to the competition being held here in two days time. It will be worth your time, if you win; the prize is my only daughter the princess Yoochun.”
“The princess?”
“Yes, it is the princesses 18 birthday in a week’s time,”
“The queen wishes me to enter?” Changmin blushed lightly,
“Yes,”
“If she wished it, I will.”
“Thank you, kind prince, I’ll inform my husband.”
The queen gave him a nod and exited the room leaving Changmin with his thoughts. He would not say no to the queen, but what was he to do? He was entered in a competition for the hand of the princess… He decided that the best thing to do is be patient and to be brave, everything would work out with time.
~~
Yoochun snuck out of his room after dinner, he was intrigued by that prince- the one with the dark skin. He had never seen a man that looked like that before, he was tall and thin, his smiling charming and sweet. Yoochun wanted to find him, to talk with him; see where he came from, what lands he went too.
He hadn’t expected to find him wandering the halls.
“Prince Changmin?”
“Good evening Princess.”
“Are you lost sir?”
“A little…” Yoochun smiled when the other’s face looked sheepish.
“May I offer my services?”
“Thank you kind princess.”
“Think nothing of it, where are you heading?” Yoochun walked side by side with the prince picking up the direction he had been walking in.
“I had no real destination, just curious.”
“I’ll show you, where might you want to go then.”
“I’m not sure where to begin, does this castle have a library?”
“Yes, this way…”
Yoochun ran a hand over the spine of a book that protruded slightly from one of the shelves. There had to be over a hundred huge volumes lining one wall alone, the library was impressive to say the least.
“This place is wonderful.” Changmin said with awe looking from one shelve to the next.
“It’s very old…” Yoochun answered, he didn’t spend a lot of his time in here; he liked to go beyond the castle walls much better.
“Can you read this?” Changmin looked at an open book on the table, it was in some script that he could not understand. Yoochun stood beside him, leaning over the book he nodded.
“It’s a story, of a prince and a dragon.”
“What’s this?” Changmin pointed to a picture of the land, it was bathed in the mix of reds and oranges that only sunset could produce. Yoochun smiled, there; the specks in the distance on the hill in the picture, the prince and the princess stood holding each other, their happily ever after right there beyond the next curve.
“It’s a picture of the sunset, this land is famous for them.”
“I’d like to see that.”
“I can take you, tomorrow, before dinner,” Yoochun’s heart beat faster, what was this?
“I’d like that very much, thank you princess.”
“Don’t mention it.” Yoochun said, trying to smile back at Changmin’s breathtaking smile. It was hard; he was having trouble breathing properly.
~~
Lips touched, so softly it didn’t seem like it even happened at all, so they pressed again, harder this time. They stood, like a pair of statues in the setting sun, intertwined, the prince’s hand clasped with the princess’ lips moulded together. Under the tree, under the failing light, they continued to kiss until no longer did the sun shine and the moon began to rise. Only then did they stop, so many kisses had melded into one melody of love, played out under the sinking sun and the rising moon. Dinner had come and past, another kiss, sweet and warm pressed to the smooth skin of one pale cheek. Changmin smiled as his lips found swollen pink ones again.
“We should return to the castle.” He said between kisses, the taste was addictive; he could only sit there and kiss the princess repeatedly. He was a slave to those eyes that smiled at him and told him not to worry.
“We should,”
“I… want…” Changmin felt the heat rise in his cheeks, he knew what he wanted; he wanted to stay here with Yoochun and kiss until the sun rose again.
“Would you like to come back too,” Yoochun trailed off, when he met Changmin’s eyes again he spoke slowly and clearly so his intentions would not be mistaken, “my room?”
“…I think I would like that very much.”
~~
The next day had them both hiding in one of the highest towers in the castle, maids ran around looking for the princess, preparations needed to be made for the next day was the start of the competition. Prince and princess remained there hiding, ignoring the world and drowning in the pleasures they could pull from each other’s body.
Princess Yoochun, for him this wasn’t the first time, but he had decided, defiantly could be named one of the best. He liked how Changmin would smile that sweet smile as he was poised above him, ready to take them both to paradise. They lay together on the blanket spread on the floor, basking the heat of each other’s bodies. Yoochun kissed the curve of one of Changmin’s collarbones; he liked the taste of dark skin.
Changmin grinned and pulled Yoochun close to him, feeling the hard plains of their bodies match up. He hugged his pale princess close, running his hands over soft skin, was this his destiny?
“I want to win you.” Changmin said suddenly, Yoochun froze for a moment; he dwelled on the thought, and with a smile answered.
“I want you to win.”
Their fate was put in motion, the prince wanted to win the princess’s hand.
~~
Yoochun watched all the competitors as they assembled, men of every age and every kind. His eyes gravitated to his champion; Changmin’s tanned skin was like a beacon setting him apart from the other competitors. He smiled at all of the people; letting his eyes remain on the tall prince from another land.
“Assembled people.” The king boomed, letting the people settle until all eyes were on him, “On the first day of trials, I would like to wish all who are brave enough to compete for my daughter’s hand well. The best of luck to all, and may the best man win.
After the first day of small competitions it was clear that Changmin wasn’t going to win, not on his own. He wasn’t faster or stronger then any of the other men gathered for a chance at the princess. He tried and felt frustration well in him; he just wasn’t going to cut it. If he couldn’t win, Yoochun was going to slip through his hands like the delicate white sand back home. He wanted to hold the princess, to love him, to take him back home and show him off like the rare beauty he was. Yoochun came to him that night, descending like the dusk outside in a flurry of soft kisses, and gentle caresses.
After they lay together as the night set on, darker and darker.
“I’m sorry my Princess, it doesn’t look like I can win your love…” Changmin sighed and kissed the corner of his lover’s mouth.
“…You may still yet… we just need to interfere a little.” Yoochun snuggled closer to his prince.
“To cheat…” Changmin thought, the idea weighed heavily on his mind, the thought of loosing Yoochun to another man weighed heavier.
“Tomorrow, it is the archery competition, followed by equestrian. The next day the obstacle course…” Yoochun sighed and rested his head on Changmin’s chest.
“I can ride…”
“I can teach you the steps of the obstacle course, set little… traps, broken planks, mud…”
“I’ll win you, not matter what I have to do.” Changmin said with a conviction that could only be born of such spontaneous and instant love.
“Okay tonight I shall; fix the bows…”
“Alright.”
“Tomorrow we will go over the course, make sure you know where to go. You must win…”
“I will win, don’t worry my princess.”
The queen stopped outside the foreign prince’s room, he listened to the soft voices within. A small smile graced his lips; he wished he’d been able to change his destiny some days. He dearly loved the king, but he couldn’t help but wonder what could have been. He couldn’t change the past, but he could help a young couple in love.
~~
The next of competition went much smoother, with the blessings of the royal family it seemed the contest went down without a glitch. With the private blessing of both the princess and the queen it seemed that the prince from the far off land was unstoppable. Determined he was, to win the princess he loved so true, she would return with him.
His arrows shot straight, hitting his targets with aim he himself didn’t know he possessed. His horse was swift and nimble; it too seemed intent on his winning the competition. And every time he would look to where the royal family sat he would meet the eyes of the princess and feel his spirit renewed.
Yoochun could barely sit through dinner; he kept sneaking glances at Changmin and wishing he would look back. Changmin smiled and chatted with the king, he learned more and more of this place. This kingdom with the pretty scenery and the pretty people. He learned of it; and came to realize he was falling for it, he fell for it when he first saw the sky on fire with the blazing sun and soft lips touched his, one long fingered hand clutched in his own.
He fell in love then. Every time he looked in the princess’s eyes he could see the entire country reflected, green trees, singing birds, and a sky on fire. He was in love with those eyes, and the fact that he was cheating didn’t press him as hard as it should. Instead he saw himself as fighting for love, fighting for his fair maiden. And his fair maiden caught his eye over the shoulder of the king and winked, he knew he was being visited after supper was over again- he just couldn’t wait.
~~
Soon it became clear that the winner was going to be Changmin. He got congratulations from the others; the queen gave him frequent smiles. The king, he would hug him and smile affectionately. The princess acted accordingly in public, favouring not one of the contestants. While in private helped his knight to his victory.
The last trial of all could win or lose the victory for them, Yoochun was worried, even he didn’t know what the trail was. Only that it was the most important of all the trials.
“I’ll do whatever they ask.” Changmin said in their now ritual post dinner meetings.
“I know.” Yoochun grinned and kissed him, “I know you can do it my prince.”
They met in a sweet kiss, Changmin knew he would do anything, he just didn’t know if the others were willing to go as far, and if they were could he still win?
The next day the people assembled to watch the finale of the competition. The contestants stood in a row, each smiling out at the crowd. It was a sunny day and easy to see why this was called a beautiful land, the air almost sang with anticipation.
“The final test is called: the kiss of life.” The king said, he motioned to the obstacle course, which remained standing. There standing on the top of the highest platform a figure could be seen swaying dangerously. The queen came to stand beside the king, his face a mask of concentration.
“Sleep my child, and sleep until your destiny comes and touches your lips like the kiss of the rose.” The queen threw his arms up in the air casting the spell. Changmin’s heart missed a beat as the figure of the princess collapsed.
“Princess Yoochun is under a spell, and only the one who is truly meant to wed him can wake him.” The queen declared, there were gasps from the crowd; murmurs that spread through them like a wave.
“1 … 2… 3… GO!” The king bellowed and the contestants were off.
Changmin ran like the hounds of hell nipped at his heels, indeed it was his love at stake. If any other man awoke the sleeping princess his heart may just burst then and there. The obstacle course seemed so much more trying, and he found his feet tangled repeatedly. He could only press on and pray that Yoochun would wait for him.
The queen watched this all, a small smile on his soft lips, he leaned his head on the king’s shoulder –who watched the proceedings avidly. It really was a clever trick, like a tale from a storybook. This was his little way of ensuring that Yoochun had his choice, he could choose to wake up to any of the men. The queen had no doubt that Yoochun would choose his beautiful prince, but this was more for show, to tell the people, that it was true love.
The man who reached the princess touched his lips to the delicate ones, they didn’t respond. Yoochun lay still as a stone under his kiss. Even the next one did not stir a response from the enchanted princess. When at last Changmin reached the princess panting from exertion and sweating the crowd fell silent. Indeed it felt as though the very wind was holding its breath to see what would happen. The king inched forward in his seat, eyes trained on the two. Everyone waited with bated breath as Changmin walked slowly.
It was like the perfect picture of a fairy tale, prince poised kneeling beside the sleeping princess. Lips hovering scant centimetres from slightly parted lips. Like a dream lips touched, like a memory of the first kiss, so tender, so soft. Yoochun smiled into the kiss, feeling Changmin smile back.
“My prince…”
“You are my princess.”
And then everything melted; the sun and the blue sky all fading to back. Trees warped together and disappeared in the void where colour goes when you close your eyes. Changmin’s smiling face as he lifted his princess off his bed, Yoochun’s face as he knew he was starting a new life. It all faded away as if it never began, as if the love never existed.
Yoochun opened his eyes to see the closed ones hovering above his; lips were soft and tender on his. He kissed back gently, and he could feel Changmin smiling in return.
“Did I wake you?”
“How could you not?”
“Well you fell asleep on the couch, and you just looked so cute! I had to give you a little wake up kiss!” Changmin laughed and Yoochun felt something in him twist, it was so familiar. He wanted to tell him something; it was on the tip of his tongue, like a half forgotten dream. There, and then it was gone. Oh well, couldn’t have been that important.
He had the oddest sense of… déjà vu.
Pairing: Changmin (Max) X Yoochun (Micky)
Title: Sunset Romance
Rating: R?
Chapters: 1/1
Word count: 4109
Summary: In a far away land, a place of magic and love, a princess waits for his prince.
Notes: Requested by Maki on TonHyuk and JunTa forum
Once upon a time in a far far away land, one known as the land of the setting sun to some, and to others a whole long list of names that found their origin deep in the mythology that surrounded this land. Indeed the only thing more impressive about this land then its panoramic view was the deep mythology that surrounded it. One could spend days locked away in the grand old castle library sifting through the ancient tombs, sifting through the past. Even the eddies of dust that danced in the falling sun had a tale, of magic, of mystery of the greatest feat of all: pure love.
In this land of great tales and pure untainted wilderness there is a tale that rises among the others, told over and over again by the people. A favourite of sorts. Mothers tell it to their children, hoping that the great virtues of the hero would inspire her children. Little girls would spend long afternoons sitting in the fields weaving the wild flowers into crowns then taking turn pretending they were the princess, whose unfailing belief in true love was more then they could muster with their entire hearts.
A tale of love, of deception, and most of all two boys who truly loved each other.
Princess Yoochun was known all around far and wide for his wit and his looks. The people loved their princess, he would often spend afternoons wandering around the local village poking his head in and talking with the people. A visit from the princess could brighten any day, lift anyone’s mood. Just as the people loved him, his parents loved him too. The pride of their kingdom rested with their daughter, and ignoring all possible faults they lavished him with gifts and their love.
“We shall hold a competition, it will be the grandest competition ever held in these lands, one to be remembered through the echoing halls of time!” Yoochun’s father boomed through the great hall, his voice was heard by the gathered officials there, and the queen, smiling so hard his face might just crack. “The competition will last for days on end, with competitors from all around.”
“Mother what is the meaning of this?” Yoochun asked lowly, leaning over in his throne chair to speak by his mother’s ears.
“You will see my, my dear, now hush and listen to your father.”
“It is now time for Princess Yoochun to pick a husband and marry, as his 18th year fast approaches this will mark his passing into adulthood. For the eve of his birthday will be the conclusion of this competition, for his birthday then will also become his wedding!”
There was a great roar of cheering from the assembled people, a grand competition, and the accompanying wedding of their most cherished princess. It would be a day to be remembered in the future!
“Tomorrow we will discuss in more detail the plans, things must be arranged. For now I’d like to take the time to congratulate my most precious daughter, and wish him well.” There was another round of cheering, Yoochun smiled and waved at the people.
“Mother?” He asked again as his father began to talk to the crowd again, “May we talk later?”
“Yes, now listen to your father.”
A week passed, it seemed like a blink the course of time to the princess who spent a lot of his time hiding from the people who had endless questions for him, endless preparations to be made. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to get married, and it wasn’t that he didn’t want to grow; it was that he’d always had this image in his mind. An image of himself, aged gracefully like his mother, standing under a tree, the sun setting behind him like a great ball of fire, there beside him, holding one of his hands and watching the sun set as well. That would be his husband, the man who could watch the sunset with him, smiling at him like no other man could. Ever since he was small Yoochun had wanted that, he wanted to fall in love, secretly of course. Princesses had to marry a prince, most the time they would learn to love or at least tolerate the man their married.
“Is this about the wedding?” His mother had asked him, they were in the Queen’s quarters, his mother had shed his usual attire and donned instead a silky robe.
“I guess, I don’t think I’m ready to marry,”
“No one is, I wasn’t I married your father when I was only 14,”
“Why were you that young?”
“I was promised to him as a baby, we were married as children when his father suddenly passed away and he became king at 15.”
“…”
“I think you’ll do fine, you’re a smart boy, and I’m sure no matter what happens you’ll be happy.”
“Thank you mother.”
Yoochun sighed, if only it were that simple. He had given up on dreams of being free as a child, he was a royal princess and exploring far off places is not what princesses do. This was like digging them up and killing them again, only to bury them deeper, he now knew they would never come true.
~~
“I come from a land far across the sea, it took me two weeks to reach this place plus one week by horse. I come bearing trade agreements from the king of my land, my father.”
“May I look over those?” The foreign prince smiled and handed the papers over; here he was after such a long journey. The country was beautiful lost deep in the meadows and forest of a valley, complete with a rushing river. The only unsettling feature of this land was the people themselves. Skin like the whitest sand from the beaches that lined his home, each and every person he had encountered thus far. It disturbed him, considering at home he the people had skin that was kissed by the sun.
“Of course, anything you wish to change can be written in a letter to my father.”
“It may take some time to go over all of this.”
“Go ahead, though I would like to request some time to rest from my long journey and to recover the strength of my men.”
“The son of a friend is more the welcome in my castle. You may rest here and recover your strength; your men are welcome in the guest quarters. I bid you, stay awhile, enjoy the scenery, in fact stay for my daughter’s birthday, maybe if you feel up to it you can take part in the competition, it starts in two days.”
“Yes, that sounds nice.” The foreign prince smiled at the king and was ushered out of the throne room by a servant and shown to his own room.
Than night the prince could not sleep. He missed home, he missed his friend, and he missed feeling the small body in his arms, comforting. This castle was cool; the walls locked in the cool morning air and would not release it, the people wandered around looking like ghosts. It was most unsettling. A servant at his door knocked, and curtly informed him that his presence was requested at dinner by the king. Dressing quickly but pleasantly he mad his way down to the dining room after the servant.
The hall was large but only a small corner of it was being used currently, the royal family sat at one end of the table. King and queen side by side, an empty chair beside the king and one beside the queen, for the princess perhaps? Various ministers sat with them, chatting idly within themselves.
“Welcome Prince of a faraway land, Changmin, sit here beside my lovely wife.” The king stood then sat again, Changmin took his seat offering the queen a charming smile.
“Welcome to our lands prince Changmin.” The queen said lifting his goblet to his lips and taking a delicate sip.
“It’s a beautiful place m’lady.”
“Yes, it is.”
“Princess!” The king cried rising again as the large doors opened and a boy walked through. Not any boy but one of the most interesting boys that Changmin had ever seen, he had narrow eyes, almost black. Eyes that called to him, what a beautiful boy he was, he walked up to the table. Dark eyes watched Changmin for a moment, barely restrained curiosity. “You finally arrived, now we may eat.”
“My dear, you do not know the prince yet?” The queen asked, the princess only shook his head, a small smile on his smooth features. “This is prince.”
“Changmin.” He rose to greet the princess, taking one pale hand in his own tanned ones; he smiled at the princess, his smile charming and shy at the same time.
“Princess Yoochun, charmed to meet you.”
“Likewise.” They held eye contact for a heartbeat longer then necessary; Yoochun sat beside his father and Changmin beside the queen.
“Prince from a faraway land, may I speak with you after dinner?” The queen said, Changmin looked up from his soup, he nodded silently. He could see the other’s eyes in his mind, intrigued, curious, adventurous; oh so beautiful.
~~
“Prince, I asked you here, because I want to ask a favour of you.”
“What it is m’lady?” Changmin asked politely,
“I ask you to enter to the competition being held here in two days time. It will be worth your time, if you win; the prize is my only daughter the princess Yoochun.”
“The princess?”
“Yes, it is the princesses 18 birthday in a week’s time,”
“The queen wishes me to enter?” Changmin blushed lightly,
“Yes,”
“If she wished it, I will.”
“Thank you, kind prince, I’ll inform my husband.”
The queen gave him a nod and exited the room leaving Changmin with his thoughts. He would not say no to the queen, but what was he to do? He was entered in a competition for the hand of the princess… He decided that the best thing to do is be patient and to be brave, everything would work out with time.
~~
Yoochun snuck out of his room after dinner, he was intrigued by that prince- the one with the dark skin. He had never seen a man that looked like that before, he was tall and thin, his smiling charming and sweet. Yoochun wanted to find him, to talk with him; see where he came from, what lands he went too.
He hadn’t expected to find him wandering the halls.
“Prince Changmin?”
“Good evening Princess.”
“Are you lost sir?”
“A little…” Yoochun smiled when the other’s face looked sheepish.
“May I offer my services?”
“Thank you kind princess.”
“Think nothing of it, where are you heading?” Yoochun walked side by side with the prince picking up the direction he had been walking in.
“I had no real destination, just curious.”
“I’ll show you, where might you want to go then.”
“I’m not sure where to begin, does this castle have a library?”
“Yes, this way…”
Yoochun ran a hand over the spine of a book that protruded slightly from one of the shelves. There had to be over a hundred huge volumes lining one wall alone, the library was impressive to say the least.
“This place is wonderful.” Changmin said with awe looking from one shelve to the next.
“It’s very old…” Yoochun answered, he didn’t spend a lot of his time in here; he liked to go beyond the castle walls much better.
“Can you read this?” Changmin looked at an open book on the table, it was in some script that he could not understand. Yoochun stood beside him, leaning over the book he nodded.
“It’s a story, of a prince and a dragon.”
“What’s this?” Changmin pointed to a picture of the land, it was bathed in the mix of reds and oranges that only sunset could produce. Yoochun smiled, there; the specks in the distance on the hill in the picture, the prince and the princess stood holding each other, their happily ever after right there beyond the next curve.
“It’s a picture of the sunset, this land is famous for them.”
“I’d like to see that.”
“I can take you, tomorrow, before dinner,” Yoochun’s heart beat faster, what was this?
“I’d like that very much, thank you princess.”
“Don’t mention it.” Yoochun said, trying to smile back at Changmin’s breathtaking smile. It was hard; he was having trouble breathing properly.
~~
Lips touched, so softly it didn’t seem like it even happened at all, so they pressed again, harder this time. They stood, like a pair of statues in the setting sun, intertwined, the prince’s hand clasped with the princess’ lips moulded together. Under the tree, under the failing light, they continued to kiss until no longer did the sun shine and the moon began to rise. Only then did they stop, so many kisses had melded into one melody of love, played out under the sinking sun and the rising moon. Dinner had come and past, another kiss, sweet and warm pressed to the smooth skin of one pale cheek. Changmin smiled as his lips found swollen pink ones again.
“We should return to the castle.” He said between kisses, the taste was addictive; he could only sit there and kiss the princess repeatedly. He was a slave to those eyes that smiled at him and told him not to worry.
“We should,”
“I… want…” Changmin felt the heat rise in his cheeks, he knew what he wanted; he wanted to stay here with Yoochun and kiss until the sun rose again.
“Would you like to come back too,” Yoochun trailed off, when he met Changmin’s eyes again he spoke slowly and clearly so his intentions would not be mistaken, “my room?”
“…I think I would like that very much.”
~~
The next day had them both hiding in one of the highest towers in the castle, maids ran around looking for the princess, preparations needed to be made for the next day was the start of the competition. Prince and princess remained there hiding, ignoring the world and drowning in the pleasures they could pull from each other’s body.
Princess Yoochun, for him this wasn’t the first time, but he had decided, defiantly could be named one of the best. He liked how Changmin would smile that sweet smile as he was poised above him, ready to take them both to paradise. They lay together on the blanket spread on the floor, basking the heat of each other’s bodies. Yoochun kissed the curve of one of Changmin’s collarbones; he liked the taste of dark skin.
Changmin grinned and pulled Yoochun close to him, feeling the hard plains of their bodies match up. He hugged his pale princess close, running his hands over soft skin, was this his destiny?
“I want to win you.” Changmin said suddenly, Yoochun froze for a moment; he dwelled on the thought, and with a smile answered.
“I want you to win.”
Their fate was put in motion, the prince wanted to win the princess’s hand.
~~
Yoochun watched all the competitors as they assembled, men of every age and every kind. His eyes gravitated to his champion; Changmin’s tanned skin was like a beacon setting him apart from the other competitors. He smiled at all of the people; letting his eyes remain on the tall prince from another land.
“Assembled people.” The king boomed, letting the people settle until all eyes were on him, “On the first day of trials, I would like to wish all who are brave enough to compete for my daughter’s hand well. The best of luck to all, and may the best man win.
After the first day of small competitions it was clear that Changmin wasn’t going to win, not on his own. He wasn’t faster or stronger then any of the other men gathered for a chance at the princess. He tried and felt frustration well in him; he just wasn’t going to cut it. If he couldn’t win, Yoochun was going to slip through his hands like the delicate white sand back home. He wanted to hold the princess, to love him, to take him back home and show him off like the rare beauty he was. Yoochun came to him that night, descending like the dusk outside in a flurry of soft kisses, and gentle caresses.
After they lay together as the night set on, darker and darker.
“I’m sorry my Princess, it doesn’t look like I can win your love…” Changmin sighed and kissed the corner of his lover’s mouth.
“…You may still yet… we just need to interfere a little.” Yoochun snuggled closer to his prince.
“To cheat…” Changmin thought, the idea weighed heavily on his mind, the thought of loosing Yoochun to another man weighed heavier.
“Tomorrow, it is the archery competition, followed by equestrian. The next day the obstacle course…” Yoochun sighed and rested his head on Changmin’s chest.
“I can ride…”
“I can teach you the steps of the obstacle course, set little… traps, broken planks, mud…”
“I’ll win you, not matter what I have to do.” Changmin said with a conviction that could only be born of such spontaneous and instant love.
“Okay tonight I shall; fix the bows…”
“Alright.”
“Tomorrow we will go over the course, make sure you know where to go. You must win…”
“I will win, don’t worry my princess.”
The queen stopped outside the foreign prince’s room, he listened to the soft voices within. A small smile graced his lips; he wished he’d been able to change his destiny some days. He dearly loved the king, but he couldn’t help but wonder what could have been. He couldn’t change the past, but he could help a young couple in love.
~~
The next of competition went much smoother, with the blessings of the royal family it seemed the contest went down without a glitch. With the private blessing of both the princess and the queen it seemed that the prince from the far off land was unstoppable. Determined he was, to win the princess he loved so true, she would return with him.
His arrows shot straight, hitting his targets with aim he himself didn’t know he possessed. His horse was swift and nimble; it too seemed intent on his winning the competition. And every time he would look to where the royal family sat he would meet the eyes of the princess and feel his spirit renewed.
Yoochun could barely sit through dinner; he kept sneaking glances at Changmin and wishing he would look back. Changmin smiled and chatted with the king, he learned more and more of this place. This kingdom with the pretty scenery and the pretty people. He learned of it; and came to realize he was falling for it, he fell for it when he first saw the sky on fire with the blazing sun and soft lips touched his, one long fingered hand clutched in his own.
He fell in love then. Every time he looked in the princess’s eyes he could see the entire country reflected, green trees, singing birds, and a sky on fire. He was in love with those eyes, and the fact that he was cheating didn’t press him as hard as it should. Instead he saw himself as fighting for love, fighting for his fair maiden. And his fair maiden caught his eye over the shoulder of the king and winked, he knew he was being visited after supper was over again- he just couldn’t wait.
~~
Soon it became clear that the winner was going to be Changmin. He got congratulations from the others; the queen gave him frequent smiles. The king, he would hug him and smile affectionately. The princess acted accordingly in public, favouring not one of the contestants. While in private helped his knight to his victory.
The last trial of all could win or lose the victory for them, Yoochun was worried, even he didn’t know what the trail was. Only that it was the most important of all the trials.
“I’ll do whatever they ask.” Changmin said in their now ritual post dinner meetings.
“I know.” Yoochun grinned and kissed him, “I know you can do it my prince.”
They met in a sweet kiss, Changmin knew he would do anything, he just didn’t know if the others were willing to go as far, and if they were could he still win?
The next day the people assembled to watch the finale of the competition. The contestants stood in a row, each smiling out at the crowd. It was a sunny day and easy to see why this was called a beautiful land, the air almost sang with anticipation.
“The final test is called: the kiss of life.” The king said, he motioned to the obstacle course, which remained standing. There standing on the top of the highest platform a figure could be seen swaying dangerously. The queen came to stand beside the king, his face a mask of concentration.
“Sleep my child, and sleep until your destiny comes and touches your lips like the kiss of the rose.” The queen threw his arms up in the air casting the spell. Changmin’s heart missed a beat as the figure of the princess collapsed.
“Princess Yoochun is under a spell, and only the one who is truly meant to wed him can wake him.” The queen declared, there were gasps from the crowd; murmurs that spread through them like a wave.
“1 … 2… 3… GO!” The king bellowed and the contestants were off.
Changmin ran like the hounds of hell nipped at his heels, indeed it was his love at stake. If any other man awoke the sleeping princess his heart may just burst then and there. The obstacle course seemed so much more trying, and he found his feet tangled repeatedly. He could only press on and pray that Yoochun would wait for him.
The queen watched this all, a small smile on his soft lips, he leaned his head on the king’s shoulder –who watched the proceedings avidly. It really was a clever trick, like a tale from a storybook. This was his little way of ensuring that Yoochun had his choice, he could choose to wake up to any of the men. The queen had no doubt that Yoochun would choose his beautiful prince, but this was more for show, to tell the people, that it was true love.
The man who reached the princess touched his lips to the delicate ones, they didn’t respond. Yoochun lay still as a stone under his kiss. Even the next one did not stir a response from the enchanted princess. When at last Changmin reached the princess panting from exertion and sweating the crowd fell silent. Indeed it felt as though the very wind was holding its breath to see what would happen. The king inched forward in his seat, eyes trained on the two. Everyone waited with bated breath as Changmin walked slowly.
It was like the perfect picture of a fairy tale, prince poised kneeling beside the sleeping princess. Lips hovering scant centimetres from slightly parted lips. Like a dream lips touched, like a memory of the first kiss, so tender, so soft. Yoochun smiled into the kiss, feeling Changmin smile back.
“My prince…”
“You are my princess.”
And then everything melted; the sun and the blue sky all fading to back. Trees warped together and disappeared in the void where colour goes when you close your eyes. Changmin’s smiling face as he lifted his princess off his bed, Yoochun’s face as he knew he was starting a new life. It all faded away as if it never began, as if the love never existed.
Yoochun opened his eyes to see the closed ones hovering above his; lips were soft and tender on his. He kissed back gently, and he could feel Changmin smiling in return.
“Did I wake you?”
“How could you not?”
“Well you fell asleep on the couch, and you just looked so cute! I had to give you a little wake up kiss!” Changmin laughed and Yoochun felt something in him twist, it was so familiar. He wanted to tell him something; it was on the tip of his tongue, like a half forgotten dream. There, and then it was gone. Oh well, couldn’t have been that important.
He had the oddest sense of… déjà vu.
