solidify // minsung

{11}

Walking around the palace gardens, Seungmin began wondering about his older brother. He noticed Minho had been smiling a lot more than usual and he looked a lot brighter too. Sighing, he wished he had someone special in his life like Minho has right now.

Walking over to the forest behind the palace, he inhales deeply, the oxygen rich air soaking into his lungs. The further he walks from the palace gardens and out into the forest, the more the air filled with the local wildlife calls and songs to each other.

I wish I had someone in my life to make me happy... Seungmin pouts, sitting down on a large, smooth rock by the stream.

"What's the matter with you?"

Seungmin looked up, surprised by the familiar voice. "Woojin, why are you out here?"

"You looked down, so I followed you." Woojin said, shrugging as he sat beside him.

"Well that's not creepy."

"I was concerned for you Seungmin." Woojin grumbled. "I only care about you and Minho. If you need to talk to me, I'm here for you."

Seungmin sighed and looked down on the ground, his right foot scraping on the ground. "Lately I just feel so alone."

"Really?" Woojin questioned.

Seungmin nodded. "Yeah, I don't know why, I mean I have you and Minho but I just... feel lonely."

"I suppose being a prince doesn't mean you can't be lonely even if you do have some people around you." Woojin mumbled. "I don't really know what to say in the situation but just know that I'll be here for as long as I can, so please come spend more time with me even when I'm teaching Minho, you can join in. I'm sure he wouldn't mind."

Seungmin smiled. "Thanks Woojin, you're a good guy."

"I am?" Woojin asked, eyebrow raising.

"Yes, definitely. I'm glad Minho has you, my brother has a hard time in the palace ever since he was young and I never was able to fill his void except when you came."

Woojin went quiet at the statement. He knew from the start that Minho had trust issues because of growing up with his abusive king of a father. He was expected to stand up to Taeho's expectations but he found himself struggling. Woojin stepped in and became the father and hyung figure to Minho that king could never be. Woojin was quite surprised at how quickly the young prince fell for the local jeweller artist in the local city, it was obvious the younger had a charm that was irresistible to Minho.

"You know you helped him cope as well." Woojin said, giving a supportive smile. "He has a hard time talking with the rest of your brothers, you're the only one he can get support from in your diverse family."

Seungmin nods in agreement. "Yeah... our family is... what you would call it... I guess, fucked up?"

Woojin's eyes widened slightly at the sudden language coming out of the young prince's mouth.

"Watch your language Seungmin." He warned, giving the prince a stern look despite agreeing with him. He did admit the royal family was indeed, 'fucked up' as Seungmin described it.

"Oh come on Minho says crap like that all the time!" Seungmin whined and begun to pout.

"He's older."

"AND?!"

"He is allowed to swear. You know what his temper is like and how there is no filter between his brain and his mouth, Seungmin." Woojin states – in a matter-of-a-fact tone.

"I don't care, I want to swear too." Seungmin pouts, pulling the cute look on Woojin.

"No." Woojin doesn't budge, that look wasn't going to work.