Xiaoven Royal Au

22

Albedo took the peaceful environment as a chance to paint a perfectly gold sunflower, just because it reminded him of what he loved and cherish the most. He couldn't help but smile at the thought of his lover smiling while holding a sunflower in his soft hands. He wanted to finish this painting as quickly as possible, he wanted to see the reflection of this art right through Aether's eyes.

He's been keeping this ongoing art of him from Aether for a while since his surprise would be wasted once he finds out. Even having to take a sunflower in his room secretly just so he didn't have to paint in front of the sunflower field where Aether would usually stay at. He was just... So grateful for him, that he wanted to do anything to make him happy, even if he had to paint on this canvas while standing on top of the castle, or while riding a horse. He's ready to do anything.

"Hey Albedo~ when will you show me that sunflower painting of yours?" Aether asked, his chin placed on top of his palms. "How did you know about the sunflower painting?"

"Hmm... Maybe I saw a little canvas in a room because somebody forgot to hide it?" He gave shit looking grin, and Albedo could only smile instead of getting disappointed. "That was supposed to be a surprise..." He then sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Ya, it's okay. I'm happy now, I'll get even happier when I see the finished version." An ocean-like eye made its way to lock itself from the sight of the golden one. Staring deeply into it, "I love you."

"Aether- Aether!" Kazuha shouted with a hard slap on Aether's skin, finally causing the other to snap out from his intense thoughts. "You're crying, you good?" Kazuha asked, staring at Aether's wet and teary eyes. "Yeah... Yeah, just remembered some memories." The white-haired man clicked his tongue before sitting next to the prince. "You know... The only option is to be happy while thinking about those golden memories. Why should your tears fall because of those happy times?" He wiped those tears away gently, Aether could only hold onto Kazuha's wrist as he tried his best not to let out more of his emotions. "Here take it, I always do this to relax myself."

Aether was handed out a leaf... What is he supposed to do with this? Where did Kazuha even get this from? "I use it as an instrument... It doesn't sound so good just like a real one, but it can do."

"How do you do this?"

He chuckled, patting Aether on his head before he demonstrates what was needed to do in order to call this an 'Instrument.' He inserts the leaf in his mouth and started blowing gently — the sounds it made were mesmerizing, and yet surprising. How could a leaf be this useful? Of course, since the prince was so shocked, he did what Kazuha did, it wasn't very easy at first — but he got through it. Playing along with Kazuha's melody, closing his eyes to take advantage of this peaceful moment.

He notices how the melody of Kazuha that he was only following stopped, but surprised to see that he still kept going. And the sounds he made were also very pleasing. His leaf was folded when another lip decide to give him a kiss... Though this kiss wasn't a direct one, he still felt how sweet the contact was. The leaf was only a barrier between their delicate lips, but they couldn't help but still feel their own hearts beat faster than ever for it.

Finally realizing what was going on, Aether opened his eyes and pushed away the man away from him. This doesn't feel right. This isn't right. "Why did you do that?!" He covered his lip with his arm, feeling the hot temperature of his own face. "What a scandalous action! I can get you killed anytime you know?!"

"And yet you don't." He sighed and then stood up to look at the sky. "And what if I do?"

"Then kill me."

"Do you think it's okay to still long for someone who's already forgotten about you?"

Aether's eyes widened. The storm feeling inside of him coming back. How dare he topic this? How dare he question the prince? "W-what are you trying to say..." He heard a chuckle, followed by a sigh. "I like you, prince Aether." Kazuha smiled, a gentle one, a warm one. Warm like his heart. Calm like ocean waves — while Aether was burning wood, melting from his words. "I would always look at you from afar, and every time captain Beidou brings me to the castle to have dinner with her I would see you smile. But that smile is for the King of dragonpine. That cheeky and bright smile wasn't because of me."