SUNOO | Crown ✓

twenty-one

"Hey Jake, are you feeling better?" Yeri approached the black-haired boy, who struggled to sit up.

"Well, getting beat up and shot by some bald man was what I least expected. What's even more shocking is those three guys! I can't believe they work for baldy," Jake spat out before finally sitting up.

Shooting the three boys a glare, Jake sighed in annoyance as he struggled in his torn and blood-stained clothes. The young prince couldn't help but feel foolish for trusting the boys at first sight. Heck, they were even the masked attackers as said from the vile man he met.

"They worked for him, they came back to save your ass Jakey," Yeri said softly causing Jake to scoff out in disbelief.

"And what are you doing here? They're deciding who'll be King in 2 days! Every King needs his Queen and Yeri, you're first in line," Jake reminded as he discarded his blazer, leaving him in a bloodied loose white blouse.

"Well-"

"I already have my Queen, she doesn't need to go back Jakey," a voice butted in from the dining area.

Looking behind them, there Sunoo sat with his boys with a smug expression on his face. Yeri rolled her eyes before shooting a glare at Sunoo. The blonde-haired boy immediately dropped his sarcastic act before pointing to a bowl of gummy bears.

"That's your breakfast you kangaroo," Sunoo uttered out before standing up from his seat.

"Who's that?" Jake mouthed to Yeri, his eyes wide after sensing a familiar aura around Sunoo.

"That's the destined King, Kim Sunoo. First Prince of this country and apparently my first kiss as well!" Yeri explained loudly, spiralling for the first time since she was stuck there.

Clasping a hand over his mouth in shock, Jake's eyes expanded even more before looking behind Yeri. As he scanned the faces of the four boys, he couldn't help but stare longingly into a particular boy's eyes. For some reason, the boy returned Jake's gaze with a soft smile formed on his face.

Everything that happened in that short moment made their hearts race, time stood still and Jake had completely drowned out Yeri's rambling.

"Earth to Jake Sim? You need to shower so I can clean your wound," Yeri waved a hand in front of the boy's face.

"Huh? Oh, right," Jake quickly stood up but regretted it after accidentally bumping his knee against the living room table.

Looking up from his food, Sunghoon's eyes found his way back to the Prince. A small blush had crept up in his face as he set his cutlery down, hoping to be of help to the struggling royals.

"You handle the princess, I'll handle the prince," Sunghoon uttered to Sunoo, who was busy scowling at the clumsy Aussie boy holding onto Yeri.

"Jealousy suits you Sun!" Ni-ki snickered boldly before fist bumping Heeseung mischievously.

"Sun jealous? Look at Hoonie drooling over Aussie boy," Heeseung added playfully, causing Sunghoon to drop his smile.

Puffing out their cheeks in annoyance, Sunghoon and Sunoo glared at the chaotic duo before them. Meanwhile, Yeri and Jake had now begun bickering over his gunshot wound; with Jake making a big hoo-ha over disinfecting his wound while Yeri refused to listen.

"Fine! Then just wear this hoodie if you refuse to shower! You'll smell of peaches instead of gunpowder and blood," Yeri groaned as she took off Sunoo's hoodie, leaving her in Ni-ki's black graphic shirt instead.

"You're going to freeze without a hoodie on-"

"You can borrow my clothes instead Jake, it's the least I can do for you after the shit you've gone through because of us," Sunghoon intervened as he approached the bickering royals.

Raising a brow in suspicion, Jake eyed Sunghoon up and down as he contemplated whether he should trust the raven-haired boy. Placing a clean bath towel on the prince's hand, Sunghoon grabbed a hold of Jake's hand before pulling him towards the bathroom.

"Thanks Hoonie!" Yeri called out in satisfaction before smiling to herself.

"Isn't that Ni-ki's shirt?" A voice questioned from behind Yeri.

Huffing in annoyance, Yeri turned around to meet the blonde-haired boy's narrowed eyes. It was as though he was trying to act tough from the way he crossed his arms and his typical cold aura. However, Yeri only laughed at Sunoo who towered over her, unable to resist the one obstruction that she couldn't take seriously.

"Aw aren't your cheeks cute! Have your hoodie back, I'll borrow clothes from Riki instead—or even better! Give them to the other girls who slept in your bed before!" Yeri rambled as she pinched his cheeks harshly.

"Sunoo?! Girls?! Please, the kid can't even fall asleep let alone fall in love!" Heeseung chortled before him and Ni-ki burst out in a fit of chaotic laughter.

Standing patiently before Yeri despite the stinging pain on his cheeks, Sunoo typically enjoyed the moment. Needless to say, he absolutely hated for anyone to squeeze his cheeks knowing very well it's what gave him a baby-face. Though in general, Kim Sunoo never allowed anyone to touch him unless he was initiating skin ship.

For once, he was comfortable in her hold, even if it was a mere gesture.

"Anyways Ri, I'm not giving you anymore shirts! Sunoo told me he's bringing you out to buy all your princess necessities and what not," Ni-ki lazily added as he mischievously looked at Sunoo.

"What happened to being an asshole?" Yeri narrowed her tired eyes at Sunoo, unable to figure out the sudden change in his attitude towards her.

Taking a hold of her wrists, Sunoo gently pried off her grasp on his cheeks before partially dropping his guard down. Smiling softly at her, Yeri couldn't believe but admit he looked like a Heaven-sent angel instead of the Devil everyone claims him to be.

"When we reach the friendship stage, I'll tell you. For now, we have to leave before your brother and best friend arrives later in the evening," Sunoo responded as he let go of her wrists.

For some reason, Yeri complied. Though she scoffed at his sudden saint-like persona, that day she realised he had finally let her in someplace in his cold heart. However, it was a pity that out of the four boys (excluding Jake Sim whose painful cries echoed in the bathroom) who witnessed the brief yet sweet moment between Yeri and Sunoo, only two greatly cared about them.

While one absolutely hated the sight of Sunoo's newfound happiness; one who finally found Sunoo's possible Achilles heel taking in the form of a sweet princess.