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Chapter Text

The plan was simple. Get inside, steal a pair of earrings, get out. In any other scenario, this was something Minho could do in his sleep. He had done it countless times before, and had always come out of it not too scattered. The plan was simple, and Minho was perfect for it. His abilities had never let him down. Yet, as he looked up at the endless brick walls he was facing, he started doubting himself. Felix's words kept coming back to his mind. 

"Don't test your luck this time, hyung. We can't afford to have you locked in here." 

Felix was right. He always was, annoyingly so. Still, when he told him that, Minho had disregarded the remark, pointing out that the dungeons inside the castle were probably more comfortable than half the towns outside the Royal grounds anyway. Felix had not laughed at the remark like it was intended, so Minho had simply ruffled his hair and kissed his forehead, and that was the end of the discussion.

He couldn't show the shadow of a doubt in front of Felix, the guy was already filled with anxiety, but he couldn't escape the goosebumps once he was alone, facing his destiny. He reluctantly took his grapple out of his bag, securing a Double knot around his waist, judged the distance quickly, and secured his way up on the balcony he was targeting first try. Well, technically, it took him four tries, but when Felix would ask him, he would say he managed first try. He did enjoy seeing the pretty stars fill his eyes every time he embellished the truth.

What he would also forget to tell Felix is how quick his heartbeat was the whole way up, or how he could feel sweat dripping down his back. Details, really. Semantics. He would however tell him the way up took an eternity, because that's what it felt like. By the time he managed to set foot on the balcony, his arms were sore, and he felt hot all over. It was summer after all but he suspected the adrenaline and physical effort were to blame for the heat wave, despite knowing he had done much harder labour before. Pretty much every day at the farm was harder than this, physically.

It took seventeen breaths for his heartbeat to settle a little bit. He wasn't having a panic attack, thank you very much. It was just very, very high, and Minho wasn't a big fan of heights. In fact, he wasn't a fan at all. Felix had laughed at his face when he had complained about climbing the first time because "you are a Stealer, hyung. How did you think you'd get inside, by the front door? You're funny." But Minho wasn't laughing. He took time to readjust his mask, and dust his pants, while very carefully not looking at the ground. Or the view. Or anything but himself, really. 

"Who are you?" 

Minho whipped his head up faster than ever. There was a man standing in front of him. Panic was quick to fill his body once more, because this was not part of the plan. The plan was perfect, because tonight was the monthly royal ball, and everyone living in the Castle was invited. Anyone who dared not to come would have to deal with the consequences with the Royals themselves, and that was scary enough to discourage anyone in the Palace. Minho had chosen this night specifically because the only souls he would have to deal with were distracted guards who wished they could go to a ball as well instead of guarding empty corridors, waiting for everyone to come back. 

Minho judged his counterpart quickly, and came back with strictly nothing. There was nothing in his appearance to tell him who or what he was. He could tell what he wasn't: a guard. Not with this build, not with the nightshirt he was wearing, not with his posture which screamed "I don't know how to defend myself". He couldn't be a Royal, because he would be at the ball, and his outfit was way too simple. But he didn't really look like staff either; something about his aura making Minho uneasy. And Minho wasn't easy to fluster. The thief had to think of a quick, clever way to get out of this. 

"Who are you?" 

Not very clever, but at least it was a genuine question. Who was he? He couldn't be older than him, if his full baby cheeks were a clue, but he couldn't be that young either, almost as tall as the thief. Minho was generally a really good detective when it came to people, but the evening was already well underway and the lack of light wasn't helping. Hands, for example, were a good clue to know what kind of life a man had been leading, but right now, the man's hands looked like black blurry shapes. And Minho wasn't really willing to take them, or even simply come closer. The man suddenly let out an incredulous laugh, bringing Minho back to earth. 

"Who am I? You're on my balcony and you ask who I am?"

"This isn't your balcony, it's Haknyeon's."

It was complete bluff. Minho hard heard Felix mention that name while planning this night, and was half sure it was the name of the person living here. Or rather, the person who used to live here because he recently got fired. Another reason why this night, on this balcony was a perfect plan, and why it didn't make sense for anyone to be here right now. But, for all he knew, Felix could have very much mentioned a friend of him during that conversation whom had nothing to do with the Royal Castle. Or worse, this could in fact be Haknyeon. Minho really had to start paying more attention. 

The man tilted his head a little, scanning the other. Minho felt like he was getting stripped under his intense gaze, and he hated it. He felt like he very much did not control the situation, which he despised. He had to quickly gain the control back because being in control was what he was good at, what he was used to. Luckily, the man's posture relaxed the tiniest bit, but in such a tensed situation, Minho felt like it was a huge improvement. 

"My apologies, Haknyeon left a few days ago, this isn't his room for the time being."

Minho whispered a small "Oh.." like this was brand new information. He figured, acting as the friend of the room owner was the least risky role. He had played a lot of roles throughout the years, this would be a piece of cake for him. 

"I think I know all of his friends, however you don't look familiar. What is your name good sir?"

Now Minho was fucked. He couldn't give his name, he was undercover. But he couldn't invent a name either, what were the chances of finding the perfect name on the spot? The irony was that 'Minho' was actually the perfect name to go with. Everyone knew a Minho. But the risk was too grand, so he did what he did best : Test his luck. 

"I am truly hurt you don't remember me my Lord for we have met, and I remember you."

The man frowned, taking a step forward. Minho froze. He didn't like proximity with humans. However, the only option other than letting it happen was to take a step back, and that meant getting closer to the edge of the balcony, which was simply not an option. Minho hated humans a little less than falling to his death.The man continued to scan Minho silently, but quickly took a step back, allowing Minho to breathe again. 

"You may have seen me before but I've never met you, I never forget a face."

"You can't see my face," Minho deadpanned. "I'm wearing a mask."

"I'd remember your eyes," he smiled.

Minho startled at the sentence, as well as the smile. Was this considered flirting? What was this man thinking? A random guy fell on his balcony and he flirts with him? Minho couldn't believe his ears. He felt like he was completely falling behind, losing control over the situation. The only thing he could think of to gain it back was to play the game, so that's what he did. He took a step forward this time, smirking.

"You like my eyes?" he lulled, taking another step forward. They were much closer than Minho considered comfortable, but it was okay, because he knew what he was doing. He had used flirting before to have control. Women were quick to be flustered when he showed interest; but men were even worse. He wouldn't admit it, but Minho liked seeing men get fidgety under his words. 

"I adore them."

Minho was going to pass out. Out of everything he could have imagined, this wasn't it. No one ever flirted with him! He was "cold" and "scary", and incidentally, he was a thief. People were intimated just speaking to him, let alone do anything else. Felix always joked about him being his human shield. His brother was the one people flirted with, not him. The cute freckled Sunshine who looked like he wouldn't hurt a fly. But Minho couldn't show his distress. He had to pretend like this interaction was going exactly how he planned it. So he leaned on the railing, relaxing his shoulders. 

"Kiss me, then," Minho whispered, looking deep into the stranger's eyes.

Minho wasn't used to having to be this bold with someone. When it came to thievery, he didn't think of anything as bold (much to Felix's despair), but this was very much not his area of expertise. He figured, if he had to flirt with someone, at least he should be glad it was with someone this pretty. The night didn't let him see much, but what he could see, he liked. It was a bummer the man was obviously insane, flirting with strangers on balconies, for Minho could have actually been interested otherwise. The man suddenly guffawed, taking a step back, looking down. When he looked back at Minho, his cheeks looked darker. 

"I don't go around kissing just anyone! You've refused to give your name, or say what you're doing here-"

"You never asked what I'm doing here." Minho interrupted, taking one more step forward. 

That was it, Minho thought. He was back in control. He could see the doubt in the man's eyes, in his posture. His smile faltered just enough for Minho to notice. He was glad they were back to a normal conversation, without a flirting undertone. He was also glad to be wearing a mask which covered his bright red cheeks. Another thing he would forget to tell Felix. Or anyone else, ever. No one could know about this. They wouldn't let him live if they knew some random guy had him blushing madly just by complementing his eyes. 

"What are you doing here?" The stranger complied to ask.

Minho shrugged. "I'm here to steal all your possessions, leave unharmed and redistribute the bounty to whom I find worthy of it."

The man froze. It was the first time that night he looked actually taken aback. There was something more in his eyes, but Minho wasn't sure what it was. What he did know for sure was that by now the stranger must know who he was. His reputation preceded him. 

"My possessions?"

There was something so vulnerable in his voice, that it made Minho regret his words immediately. In fact, he regretted every decision which led him to this very moment. He felt ashamed for the first time in forever, and had to look away, to recompose himself. he didn't want to make this specific stranger sad, for some reason. He wished for his eyes to go back to that gleeful glint they had earlier on.

"Well not yours.. The Royals," he explained quickly, his eyes still fixated on the brick wall, which felt better than looking into the Stranger's big sad doe eyes. "I can feed a whole village with only one pair of the Queen's earrings."

"Oh," the man exhaled. He crouched over the railing, but Minho couldn't figure out if it was out of relief, or helplessness. After all, Minho might not be an hourglass, but it was very obvious who had the advantage if it came down to that. Once again, his reputation preceded him. "Have it your way then."

He was gesturing to the door which led to the room, and was therefore his only way into the castle. Minho froze, lost. He could not understand this man. Anyone in this situation would at least try to lecture him on stealing, right? The man had just given up, that quickly? Didn't even try to call for guards?

"You're letting me in?"

The man shrugged. "I know who you are. Robin Hood, the thief with a good heart."

Minho felt a little dumb suddenly. He just realized the stranger must have known the whole time. After all, he was wearing his signature outfit, had gotten up by climbing and had a bow on his back. That's why the stranger was acting so weird, why Minho felt the control seep out of his fingers. The man had a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips when he looked Minho up and down again.

"I always wondered if the rumors about the green were true."

There was a rumour going around saying Robin Hood always wore green. Most said he wore forest green to hide better in the woods. They were right. Minho had to admit it sounded like a better idea when he started the job. By now, it was more of a signature than anything else. 

"Maybe you should try a different colour now that everyone expects you in green."

"Are you giving me fashion advice right now?" Minho was once again completely overpowered by the situation. The man had obviously known the whole time, maybe he even kept the conversation going to stall him, and Minho had been oblivious. "Who even are you? I just told you I'm going to steal from your Queen and you-"

"She's your Queen as well." The man cut him off. His voice was harsh for the first time. It sounded like the stealing was okay, but he had to respect her title. Minho was too stunned to answer, so he just waited for the man to keep going. "I suppose my mother won't mind losing a couple earrings."

Minho's whole body, including his brain froze. My Mother. My Mother? No... No there was no way. He heard it wrong, surely. It was impossible. If the guy he had been talking to was in fact one of the princes, he would have stopped him. He would have called security by now and Minho would be stuck in the dungeons. In fact, he wouldn't even be here because who wouldn't attend their own parents' ball? Besides, Jeongin had been very explicit on how hideous the Royal family was, not only mentally. He had joked that they were lucky they were rich because they "didn't have the looks to save themselves" multiple times. This man could not be a prince. Not only did he have the looks, but he obviously wasn't that bad. Sure they had just met, but nothing pointed out to him being a bad person. A weird one, yes, for sure, but not bad. 

"Your mother?" was all that came out of Minho's mouth. It was a miscommunication problem, surely. His adrenaline and anxiety were messing with his hearing, obviously. Or maybe it was the guy who didn't understand. Instead of hearing "The Queen" he had heard something else. They were talking about two distinct people who had nothing to do with each other, that was the only way. 

"You know, it is quite rude to come into the Palace not knowing what I look like, but I'll let it slide this time." He smiled. He was smiling again. Minho had to have been dreaming. "I suppose you don't really care... Plus, I really do adore those eyes."

Minho was speechless. He had been talking -flirting!- with a Royal Prince this whole time, and he didn't know. No wonder he felt coy under his eyes. No wonder the man had control, he was probably used to controlling others since he was an infant! Minho couldn't believe it. He didn't even know if he was talking to the Crown Prince, or the younger one. The only thing he knew was that there were two Princes, but he didn't know their age or what they looked like, obviously. 

"Well, go on then!" The man continued, laughing. "The longer you stay out there, the less time you have to.. Get what you came for, right?"

Minho walked to the door on autopilot, his eyes not leaving the prince. The man had given him access and permission to steal his mother's jewelry. The Prince said he liked his eyes. Minho had been a complete moron to not know the face of who he came to steal from. When he got to the threshold, one foot in, one foot out, he paused again, his brain slowly coming to terms with the whole ordeal. 

"Well then, your Highness. It was a pleasure to meet you, but of course if anyone asks, we didn't." 

"Of course." Was the last thing Minho heard before he quickly, but quietly entered the room, and ended up in a corridor. What had just happened? He had met a Prince. He had talked to a Prince. A Prince let him in. He had to get over it, and go back to focusing on his task. He had already had one mishap, he couldn't afford another. The Prince liked his eyes! No- focus. 

Luckily, the night went pretty smoothly afterwards. He managed to steal two pairs of earrings, one made of diamond, and one of ruby. He chose those because there were dozens others of the same category, so he figured it was a safe bet. Although of course, nothing about this was safe. He wondered if the Prince would have his back after this. Would he think of him? Would he defend him? And more importantly, why didn't Minho see him again when he left the Palace, using the same route? 

When Minho got home that night, Felix couldn't figure out why he looked so out of it. He asked his brother if the blueprint of the Palace was correct, if Minho met many guards, or none at all, but he never answered. No matter how many questions he asked, Minho refused to talk about it, only giving him the earrings and locking himself in his bedroom for the night. 

Chapter Text

Jisung's POV.

Jisung was woken up by his mother's staff this morning. His mind was groggy and grumpy because of the lack of sleep. He'd usually wake up by himself, at eight on the dot, but he fell asleep terribly late last night. It was all Robin's fault.

Jisung had planned to stay in Haknyeon's room the whole night, sulking away, and falling asleep before the ball was even over. Instead, he got on his balcony to see the man dusting himself, completely unaware of his presence, and the rest was history. Jisung didn't think he'd ever get the privilege to meet the gentleman, but maybe he could dream a little. It wasn't his fault he spent hours after he left, daydreaming about him instead of falling asleep. He even chose to go to the ball instead of sulking in his friend's room. He didn't know what time it was when he fell asleep, but he couldn't have gotten more than four hours of sleep. 

"So the sulking is over?" his mother singsonged once Jisung arrived for breakfast, last in the family. 

It was not. Jisung didn't reply, didn't even look at her, spreading butter on his toast quietly. Younghoon snickered from across the table. The Queen knew Jisung wouldn't be mad at her for too long, but he supposed four days was already too long for her. They had always gotten along so well. She probably thought he had gotten over it because after saying he would never go to that stupid ball, he had decided to join the others downstairs after a while. But he sure as hell wasn't over the whole ordeal. He wasn't going to let this go so easily. His father had fired his friend for some stupid reason and he was going to sulk for however how long it took to have Haknyeon reinstalled. 

"You're not even going to tell me what made you so cheery last night?" his mother pressed, desperate for an actual conversation with her son, instead of the monologues she was forced to give out the past four days. 

Jisung wasn't going to tell his mother that he had let Robin Hood enter the Palace and steal from her while she was dancing with the King. He hadn't even told Younghoon yet, even though he was the one who taught Jisung about Robin Hood, sharing stories and legends he heard going around town from his close servant. As the Crown Prince, poor Younghoon couldn't really give the silent treatment to his parents, even though he was the one truly saddened by Haknyeon's departure, so Jisung had taken on the job instead. It was more believable for everyone anyway. Jisung couldn't wait to tell him he had actually met Robin, talked to Robin. He was sure he wouldn't even believe him. 

"You answer when your mother talks, young man. It's a matter of respect." the King said. He sounded mad. But again, he always sounded mad. 

"Yes sir," Jisung complied. The first words his parents heard from him in a while. 

Jisung heard his mother sigh, but he was paying attention to his brother now, who was staring at him, trying to figure out himself what had happened last night. The good thing about Younghoon was that they didn't need to talk, so it took exactly one look to understand he would tell him later, when their parents weren't around. Younghoon seemed satisfied because he got back to his food, smiling, while Jisung was back to his daydreaming. He wondered if Robin actually went through with it, or if he bailed. He did look out of it once Jisung had given out his identity. Would he ever see him again? And what if he did? Robin probably never wanted to talk to him again. He was part of the Royal family after all. Jisung didn't need to be told to know only the noblesse tolerated them. He wished people would see him for him, instead of seeing him as the "son of", but how could they? He barely ever stood up to them in public. Would Robin think of him as a separate part of the family, after last night? 

Jisung had to stop thinking about him. He already had barely enough sleep last night because of him, he couldn't mess up his day too. But those eyes... What if he never got to see those eyes again? And why was everyone saying Robin was ugly, old and violent, when he obviously wasn't? The nobility had started those rumours, surely, to paint him as a crook. He had to learn not to trust everything he heard. Did Robin think Jisung was good looking? Did he like his eyes too? Would he try to see him again, one day? 

"Jisung!" his mother exasperated. "I asked if you borrowed any of my diamond earrings?"

Jisung slowly came back to earth, feeling his thoughts slip away. It took a few seconds to recompose himself. Jisung hadn't borrowed anything from her recently, because he didn't want to wear anything too prince-like. Besides, every time he did borrow, he always made it a point to ask beforehand. She knew her son enough to know this much, so he didn't really know why she asked to begin with. He shook his head. The Queen sighed, turning to her husband to continue the rant she was having.

"I swear they were on my dresser yesterday, but couldn't find them this morning!" 

"If you tidied up all your belongings, this wouldn't happen as much." The king answered, unamused with her antics.

Jisung had to physically stop himself from laughing. Only he knew what happend to the earrings. Or he thought he knew. Let's say it was a weird coincidence hearing Robin talk about stealing earrings the night before and now having his mother search for them. It was good. Robin would be able to feed a lot of people for a long time. Jisung didn't know which earrings exactly they were talking about, but any diamond earrings she owned were a treasure. 

"I swear I saw them on my desk not too long ago, maybe they fell somewhere."

"You said they were on your dresser," Younghoon corrected, laughing at how unamused their father looked. 

"No they were definitely on my desk."

"You don't even know where you put it, how should we?" The King sighed. 

Jisung stayed silent. He didn't have anything to say anyways. He wasn't going to rat Robin out before his parents had even realised there was something wrong. To be fair, his mother did have a lot of jewelry and this wasn't the first time she lost something. She had too many things and especially earrings, which is why he knew it was a safe bet for Robin. If Robin had mentioned necklaces, Jisung was pretty sure he would have tried to convince him to go for earrings instead. He hoped the earrings had been dismantled by now and he would soon hear about a village who somehow, magically managed to get enough food to not starve for once. 

Jisung didn't know why his parents were so greedy and unwilling to share their fortune, but he couldn't wait for Younghoon to become king, because that would change. Although, that did involve his father falling sick, which wasn't really that great. Even though Jisung had never really been close to him. His mother was still going on about which pair of earrings she could wear instead with this specific dress she wanted, if she couldn't find these earrings she swore she had put on the dresser when Jisung excused himself, closely followed by Younghoon.

"You will tell me what happened last night, right?" He immediately asked when they were out of their parents sight. "You met someone didn't you?" 

Jisung snickered. His brother was the best at figuring out exactly what was going on just by looking at him. He didn't guess as far as who Jisung had met, given he started listing all the guards on post last night he knew from Jisung's bedroom to the ballroom. Younghoon knew Jisung had always had a thing for guards. He enjoyed being in the presence of someone who could physically protect him.

"I didn't meet just anyone, hyung. I met The One." Jisung finally cut his brother off. He didn't look convinced.

"What does that mean? Who's 'the One'?" 

Jisung had to be careful, he couldn't simply say "Yeah Robin was here last night and I let him in". Walls had ears, they said, and when you lived in a Royal Castle, everything you said out loud became rumours. He got closer to his brother, just to make sure none of the guards close by would be able to make it out. 

"The One wearing green and a bow," he whispered in his ear.

Younghoon's shocked face was priceless. Jisung couldn't blame him for looking so taken-aback, because he too, had been a little shocked. It took Younghoon two to three business days just to start walking again, his hand still hiding his wide-opened mouth. 

"He was here?!" 

"Mother's earrings were definitely on her dresser yesterday."

"Oh my god!" 

It seemed Younghoon would take a while longer to get over the matter. Jisung understood, this all happened to him yesterday and he still couldn't believe it. He wanted to tell his brother everything that happened, in details, but there was still an awful long way until his bedroom and anything said in the hallways could be heard by at least two guards, so he settled for code, still whispering, just in case.

"He was rock climbing, you know?" 

Fortunately, Younghoon did know. They understood each other on a deeper level than anyone else. He nodded vigorously, urging Jisung to keep going, his eyes still as big as saucers.

"I told him to get inside because... You know he was cold." 

"Of course. How thoughtful of you!"

"And huh... yeah. Once he was warmed up I went to the ball."

Younghoon stopped walking. "That's it?" he frowned. "You're missing out on all the details, aren't you?" 

Jisung shrugged walking faster. He heard his brother ask "what else?" Five times before they finally got to his bedroom and Jisung could fangirl like he had meant to. He told his brother everything about how he's probably his age, and he's thin but obviously toned, and his eyes, the eyes. 

"Do you reckon he only stole one pair? If I were him I'd steal a few things."

"I don't know," Jisung shrugged. "He mentioned taking one pair of earrings and then Mother mentions one is missing, so.."

"If I were him I would have taken that hideous sapphire necklace she refuses to part with."  

Jisung laughed at his brother's antics. He mentioned how hideous her sapphire necklace was every time he had the occasion. But if Jisung was Robin, he would have taken as little as possible, to make sure it would at least take her a few days to realise something was missing. 

"You didn't think of going with him? You could have spent more time talking then." 

"By the time I thought about that he had left already. He's really fast.. And quiet. I wish to see him again, though."

"Yeah that would have to be because he's, you know, a thief." 

Jisung rolled his eyes. Younghoon could pretend to disapprove of it, or make fun of him as much as he wanted, Jisung knew he would have done the exact same thing in his place. Anyone would have, except for his parents, obviously. Or probably anyone who had been stolen from him in the past. Robin did have a lot of ennemies. 

"You know what we should do? Ask Father to extend the invitation for the next ball to Robin."

Now, this was the dumbest idea Jisung had ever heard. Not only were the Balls reserved to the tenants of the Palace, but they were strictly forbidden to anyone who didn't fit in, and Robin, despite his gorgeous brown eyes, did not fit in.

"Are you out of your mind?" 

"No because you see, Father would love the idea because it's arrogant, and he knows Robin would never take the bait. But what if he does?" 

"He wouldn't. It would be insane."

"It's insane to come into the Royal Castle to steal from the Queen." Younghoon reasoned. "It's insane to climb your way up, I still can't believe he did that!" He continued, looking out the window to the Gardens which seemed miles away. "It's also insane to plan to steal from the Royals, not knowing what they look like... I think he might have a death wish, actually."

"You actually think if he gets an invitation he'll come?" 

Younghoon seemed to think about it, sitting back down close to his brother on the bed. It was about time they changed things up. The Balls had been happening every single month for years, they were getting boring. If it worked, Jisung would get the opportunity to see the gorgeous masked man again, and that's all he wanted. 

"Maybe I can convince Father to throw a Ball for his people," he thought out loud. Jisung was simply watching him, amused. He only had to say he wished to see Robin again for his brother to start scheming. "I'll tell him that apparently, the people don't even know what he looks like, that will make him extend the invitation." Younghoon nodded, seemingly liking where his thoughts were taking him. "And then I'll say we have to extend the invitation to Robin, because he isn't one of his people but we're not scared of him!" 

"That will never work," Jisung answered. Because it wouldn't. 

"Watch me," Was all his brother answered before sprinting out of his room. 

Jisung laid down on his bed. His brother was just being silly. Not only would their Father never make a ball for the people, Not only would he never extend the invitation to Robin, but even if he did, Robin would never show up. He might have been a daredevil, but Jisung didn't think he was that daring. He would just have to accept he would never meet him again, and cherish the memory of last night as long as he could.

He really wished he could see him again though. Just once. Or more than once. Every day if he could. He must have been crazy, wanting to talk to a Stealer, someone who had stolen from so many people he knew, but he couldn't help it. It wasn't just the eyes, it was his posture too, and his voice. Jisung wished to hear him talk again, maybe touch him. It was all wishful thinking. Robin would never come to the ball.

Chapter Text

"I look ridiculous."

"You look great Hyung, turn around?"

Minho sighed for the fifteenth time that day, hoping for Felix to finish the job already. They were invited to the monthly ball. How sarcastic, wasn't it? Minho knew it was more of a joke than an actual statement; inviting "everyone in the Kingdom including Robin Hood", but Felix had been so excited to attend, he couldn't say no. It was all a trick to get the people to like the Royals, and a ruse to look down at Robin, but Minho couldn't resist Felix's puppy eyes. 

"Do you think we will see the Princes? Apparently, Han Jisung, the second prince is really good looking. Jeongin said so." 

Minho sighed. He sure hoped they wouldn't. After coming back from that night, Minho couldn't stop thinking about the Prince. He hadn't told anyone what had happened or who he met, but he did question Jeongin about the Royals' looks. Jeongin had told him that, obviously, only the King and Queen were hideous, the sons were perfectly fine. More than fine, even. He had gone into details about Prince Jisung's smile which according to rumours, enchanted anyone who was lucky enough to see it. Felix had been entranced by his story, while Minho wondered if it was possible to actually put a spell on one of your features, because if so, he sure as hell had been enchanted. 

"You should hope they won't see us. If they discover who we are we're doomed."

"They won't recognize us Hyung, the whole point of a mascarade is that everyone is dissimulated." Felix laughed while he attached another pearl on Minho's mask. "Plus, you're not wearing green, no one will suspect you."

Minho was wearing black. An all black outfit created by Felix's hands. One of the reasons he was so excited to attend a ball was that he knew he could make the outfits himself, and that was a gift for a little sewing genius like himself. Minho hoped Felix was right. No one would think Robin Hood would actually come to a Royal Ball, a few weeks after stealing from them. Well, he wasn't sure anyone knew about the theft, because he didn't hear anything about it. Maybe the Royals were so ashamed he passed through security that they covered it up. But still, it was crazy to even think of attending. Minho sighed.

"Just to be sure, when we're there, you pretend you don't know me, okay? If I get caught, I get caught alone. That means you as well Jeongin, you hear me?"

"Yeah, yeah I know hyung" was heard behind the closed door of Jeongin's bedroom. When Minho looked back at Felix, he saw him pouting. 

"I don't like pretending not to know you." 

"I know, I know." Minho sighed, ruffling his brother's hair. "But it's for the best."

Minho could deal with being imprisoned, but he could not deal with the thought of his baby brother being in trouble. He would go to necessary lengths to make sure it never happened. Jeongin suddenly emerged from his bedroom, finally dressed up, after he spent the whole day complaining he didn't like his suit after all. He was wearing a gorgeous white suit with gold details embroidered everywhere. 

"How do I look hyungs?" 

"Young," Minho sighed. 

He was against Jeongin going to the ball. What if an old rich hideous woman found him attractive and got into his head? What would they do then? He was a baby, and very easily influenced. Jeongin kept telling him there was no way this would ever happen, but they couldn't be too safe. 

"And you look old but you don't hear me complain about it all day long." 

Minho threw a napkin in his general direction. Of course he missed, Jeongin had the reflexes of a fox, but it was the thought that counted. Felix kept babbling about how Jeongin would make them all fall for him, as well as Minho thanks to his very special suit. Felix had planned to spend the whole night close to the buffet because all he wanted to know about royalty was what they ate. Minho had a bet going on with Jeongin about how long he could actually stay at the buffet before someone saw him and stole him to dance. 

"Your mask is done hyungie" Felix smiled, handing Minho his mask before putting his own in front of his face.

"Okay," Minho clapped his hands. "Let's go to a royal ball."

*

Everything about the ball was too much. The room was the size of a village, the people were wearing gowns that looked to be the weight of cows, and there was more light than in broad daylight. Minho felt very inadequate. He was used to working alone during the day, spending time with his thoughts only, and working alone at night, while everything was peaceful. Now, someone came to spark a conversation with him every two minutes. It was hard to keep eye contact with either of his protégés, because Jeongin was jumping everywhere quickly like an excited puppy, and Felix had many admirers trying to get to him. He was not even close to the buffet.

Minho excused himself from the tenth lady who was talking to him, and finally went to catch some food. His hunger was making him even more sour than he usually was. He had time to eat one 'amuse bouche' before an excited Felix threw himself at him.

"Hyung can you tell me what the guy wearing dark blue does?"

"Felix I'm supposed to be a stranger." 

Felix hesitated, obviously unhappy with that answer. As much as he was Minho's safety net, Minho was his. The younger one sighed, bringing a glass of champagne to his lips. Minho didn't like that his brother was drinking alcohol, but Felix would never let him stop him.

"Hello, stranger. My name is Felix, nice to meet you. See? Now we are acquaintances!" 

Minho laughed at his brother, wondering how many glasses he had before this one, happy he had decided not to drink so at least one of them (where was Jeongin now?) Would be sober and thinking straight. He looked at the guy wearing dark blue, who was very obviously staring at Felix, despite being in a conversation with another gentleman wearing silver. He had long blonde hair, tied up in a ponytail, and a gorgeous silver mask he had gotten tired of wearing, dangling around his wrist. It was a natural situation, Felix coming to his brother to ask what he knew about this or that person. Minho usually could tell with one look if the person in question was worth talking to or not. 

"I think he's a servant, but a high one. And the guy he's talking to is obviously his special someone."

"What?" Felix exhaled. 

Everything in their posture showed they were involved with each other, except for the first guy's eyes, still stuck on Felix. Besides, Minho had seen them kiss earlier. He knew Felix would come ask him about the man at one point, he had noticed his brother's interest, but even the couple's outfits were obvious. The tall blonde man was wearing a silver mask with his blue attire, while the shorter brown haired man was wearing silver and a dark blue mask. Minho wondered how many people the tall man looked at like this, unknowingly to his boyfriend. 

"Don't waste your time on him." 

Felix pouted. It wasn't surprising for him to catch anyone's -including taken people- eyes, even though he was utterly and blissefuly ignorant of that fact. He gave Minho a lot of anxiety. At least, as long as he was next to him, he could protect him. There was one more person he wanted to protect however, who wasn't in sight.

"Do you know where Jeongin is?" 

"He's talking to the guard here, look," Felix snorted, pointing at the far left corner of the room, where Jeongin was indeed annoying a guard, while also feeding him something. The guard was trying to look upset, but Felix and Minho could see his dimples from here, so they figured he musn't be that bothered at all. 

"Excuse me?" Someone said, interrupting both Minho and Felix's train of thought. They both turned to look at the newcomer, and Minho felt his heart drop. Prince Han Jisung was looking at him. He felt Felix tighten his grip around his wrist while he tried not to look too alarmed. He still had his mask on. And he had a mask on that night too. The Prince could not recognize him right now, he was fine. 

"May I ask for your next dance, or is it reserved to this gentleman?" He continued, momentarily switching focus to Felix. 

Oh no, Minho was going to die on the spot. He could feel his heartbeat in his ears and his blood pumping in his throat. He had to calm down. This was just another one of the situations he had not seen coming. Or rather, he had seen coming but hoped wouldn't happen. They had been here for three hours and he hadn't seen the prince once! How come the Prince always took him by surprise? 

"Oh no no, your Highness. We were just getting to know each other, he's all yours!" Felix exclaimed, pushing Minho towards him.

The Prince didn't wait a second to take a hold of his arm, leading him somewhere. The band had just started a new melody, a softer one, which didn't align at all with Minho's heartbeat. He let the Prince guide his hands where they should be placed, and they started dancing. Or rather, the Prince started dancing, and Minho was trying to follow, while wishing his brain would start working again.

"What do you look so stressed for? Never learned to dance the waltz with a Royal?" The Prince smiled, and Minho was once again wondering if he had put a spell on it, because he was sure time was slowing down around them every time he smiled at him.

"Never... had the opportunity no, why are we dancing?" 

"It's a ball what else are we supposed to do?" 

"I meant why are you dancing with me?" 

"I told you, I adore your eyes."

He knew. Minho had every reason to be stressed because he knew. He had managed to recognize him, despite his mask, in a room full of people because of his eyes. Minho was going to be sick. He halted every movement, the realisation drawing on him that he might very well be in huge trouble right now. Thank god Felix and Jeongin weren't with him, they were safe. The prince laughed at his obvious panic.

"Relax. If I wanted you arrested, you'd be in a dungeon by now. Did you come alone?"

"Yes." 

An immediate answer. Too quick even, Minho could tell the Prince was intrigued, but he hoped he wouldn't dwell on it. He also hoped he wasn't bluffing, and would in fact not arrest him. Jeongin was still a baby he needed a grown-up to look after him. 

"So if I want to keep you to myself, I can do that? No one you have to go back to?" 

Minho hesitated. He wasn't sure he completely understood the situation he was in. His legs were working better than his brain, keeping up with the waltz easily, while Minho's mind was still entranced by the confusion of dancing with a Prince.

"No one, no." 

"Not even the... pretty freckled man from earlier?"

"Never met him in my life."

"Splendid."

Minho was still confused, his brain felt fuzzy. He was answering on autopilot, his mouth having a mind of it's own. What did he want from him? Maybe get the earrings back? If that was it, he was doomed because he had already taken them appart and got the money out of each piece. So he figured he would just ask.

"I'm confused as to what's happening right now?"

"We are dancing."

It seemed the Prince was having lots of fun and was not planning on making it easier for Minho to understand any time soon. He had a joyful spark in his eyes, and the side of his lips was tilted slightly up.

"We are dancing, because..?" 

"Because I like your eyes." 

"What do you want from me?" Minho asked, exasperated at the fact that he could not understand this man at all. He was the first person to leave him completely clueless. Minho could look at his pretty eyes for as long as he wished and yet couldn't figure him out.

"I want to see the rest of you, see if your face is as pretty." 

"I'm a thief."

"I am aware, yes." 

"I can't take my mask off." 

"If you can't grant me that wish, then I'll ask for something else, let's see." The Prince hummed, looking away from Minho for the first time since they started dancing. Minho's brain was still not working quite well yet. Annoyingly, his heart was working too well, keeping his confused body on alert. The Prince tightened his grip around Minho's waist, shortening the distance between them, and Minho's breathing started malfunctioning too. 

"A gift," he whispered, close enough to Minho's ear that his breath sent chills down his spine. Had his voice always been so low, or was he purposely trying to fluster Minho?

"A gift?"

It was a wonder he managed to get a word out, for his throat suddenly felt tight and dry. When the Prince hummed, still too close to his ear, Minho wondered if his legs were going to give out. He didn't know exactly what spell the Prince had up his sleeve but it was obviously a strong one because never in his life had Minho felt completely overpowered this way before. 

"It's my birthday in.. About two weeks. I want you to come back to the castle and get me a gift." 

There was a glint of humour in the Prince's eyes, but also something else, deeper; a hint of doubt. Minho realized he was actually, genuinely asking to see him again, and feared the rejection. He didn't really know what a Prince could want from him, apart from giving back what he stole, but he didn't want to make his eyes sad again. He was so pretty, dancing under the red lights with a relaxed smile, Minho couldn't bare to change that.

"What do you want then?"

The smile he got in return was worth anything. He had definitely put a spell on it, like Jeongin had said. It brought warmth to Minho's heart.

"Surprise me." 

Minho didn't like that answer at all. The only way he knew how to surprise people was stealing from them. He didn't possess anything that was worth of a Prince. He didn't really have anything to begin with, honestly. He was the opposite of a hoarder, the less he had, the happier he was. Thank god Felix and Jeongin lived with him, otherwise his cottage would have looked abandoned. 

"I am afraid I must take my leave, now." The Prince sighed, unhappy with the turn of events. "My father has been gesturing at me to go to him for quite a while now." 

Minho froze at the thought that the King had been looking in their direction. It was lucky he hadn't done anything worth getting beheaded. He could have looked behind him, where Jisung was looking but the thought of sharing an eye contact with the king was too much to handle. Minho only realized his grip on the Prince's shoulders was too strong when he had to nudge at him to let him go.

"Oh, sorry," Minho whispered, embarrassed. His focus wasn't exactly back to normal yet. The Prince gave him one last dashing smile before he left him in the middle of the room, heart and brain still not quite working yet. It took a few breaths, but eventually, Minho was back in motion. First reflex was to find his kids. Jeongin was by the buffet, talking to another guy with dimples (how come he always found the dimpled ones?), and Felix was nowhere to be seen. Minho approached the youngest, setting a hand on his shoulder softly. Jeongin smiled at him, his mouth full.

"Hyung this is Changmin hyung, he says I can ride one of his horses if I want!" 

"Pleasure." Minho bowed to the other, scanning him. He looked adorable and according to the previous statement, had to be wealthy enough. Maybe Jeongin's future wouldn't be too uncomfortable if he managed to befriend everyone so easily.

"Do you know where Felix is?" He asked, focusing back on Jeongin.

"Saw him leave through that door with a blonde guy earlier."

Minho didn't like this at all. 'Blonde guy' had to be the taken man from earlier and he was now alone somewhere with his baby brother, and Minho didn't know how many champagne glasses his brother had drank.

"Say your goodbyes, I'm getting Felix and then we're leaving." 

Jeongin pouted, but Minho couldn't see it for he was already sprinting out of the room to get to his brother. He had to walk quite a while through dim-lighted corridors before he saw them. Felix was on the guy's lap, kissing him. Minho saw red.

"Lee Felix," he roared, harshly forcing him off the man's lap. It took exactly half a second for Felix to turn beat red and start spluttering. 

"No hyung it's not what it looks like I swear-"

"Well it doesn't look good from here. We're leaving." 

"Sir, may I-" 

"No you may not." Minho cut off, not even looking back at the man, instead focusing on his brother, who was still trying to make coherent sentences, looking like he wished to disappear. He pushed him towards the ballroom without another word. He would have to wait the next morning to have the whole story, but if it turned out the man had taken advantage of his baby brother while he was drunk, Minho would add murder to his list of wrongdoings. 

He took a hold of Jeongin's wrist when they got close enough and left the room without another word. Jeongin looked confused as to why he looked enraged and Felix looked like he wanted to bury himself, but he knew better than ask questions when Minho was mad, so he just followed them out silently.

Chapter Text

Jisung's pov.

Jisung was once again laid on his bed, smiling like a fool. His parents couldn't figure out why his mood had suddenly gone up the past week, and thankfully, neither of them had paid attention to who he danced with at the ball. He still told them to give Haknyeon his job back every time he saw them, but the tension was not as stuffy. 

One more week and hopefully, hopefully he would see Robin again. He hoped he could see his face this time, he really wanted to see his face. He wondered what he would gift him, if he would gift him anything. Jisung would be fine with just his presence, honestly.

His daydreaming was once again interrupted by his brother knocking on the door. It was only a formality for he never waited to be let in. This time, he was followed by his servant and friend, Hyunjin, looking bashful, while the Crown Prince was smirking. Jisung wondered what his servant had done this time. He was famous for always getting in trouble. He even had to get away for a few months after a lady told everyone he flirted with her. It turned out she was lying, and thanks to Younghoon's stubbornness, he was reinstalled quickly after. The lady however, was history. Younghoon's power was scary sometimes.

"What's up?" Jisung asked, making no effort to stand up. 

"Hyunjin wants to ask you something," his brother immediately informed pushing the aforementioned towards him.

"Hyuunng..." Hyunjin sighed, immediately blushing. He looked like he wanted to become invisible, and refused to look back at Jisung who had sat up patting the bed next to him. He eventually went and sat down, while Younghoon leaned against the door, arms closed. He looked smug, like he knew a lot more than what he was supposed to. Jisung liked it when his brother looked like this, because it meant gossip.

"I was just wondering if you knew the name of someone you met at the ball is all.." 

"He's been bugging me about him for a week straight," Younghoon snickered. "Cute guy this and cute guy that... Tell him the name so I can hear something new." 

"Who are you referring to?" Jisung asked, enjoying his brother's annoyance, as well as his friend's blush. He had met at least fifty people at the ball, he had to make the effort as the Prince, even though he hated it, and didn't remember the name of half of them. But if Hyunjin gave him a description he could get his mother's help to find the name. She knew everyone who crossed the Palace's threshold.

"You danced with a guy who had a black suit and pearls on his mask-"

Jisung lost his smile. Out of everyone he had met, Hyunjin had to ask about Robin. What were the chances of his brother's servant asking about the one person he should not ask for? What was he going to do now? He didn't even know the guy's name! But even if he did, he would never betray him, giving anyone his name. Once he would know the name, he would keep it for himself only.

"He came with a guy also in black, never wore his mask... He had freckles? That's who I'm looking for."

"Oh," Jisung could relax, Hyunjin wasn't actually looking for Robin, but for someone else he talked to that night. "They didn't come together actually, they met at the ball."

"They left together though?" 

Jisung frowned. The man in black was the one who had allowed him to dance with Robin, but Robin had said he had never met the guy. He had lied to him? Or maybe they did get acquainted at the ball and left together... Were they involved now? Did Jisung lose his chance?  

"I'm sorry, Hyunjin, I do not know his name. Are you sure they were acquainted beforehand?" 

"I think the guy in black was his guardian or something. He was pretty mad when he saw us kissing-"

"You kissed someone?!" Came from both Jisung and Younghoon at the same time. Forget Robin knowing someone or not, this was more important. Hyunjin hid his face behind his hands, but both brothers could still see his bright red ears. Now this was gossip.

"You didn't know?" Jisung asked his brother, who shook his head. "You just said he kept talking about a cute guy!"

"I thought he wanted to befriend him!" 

"Don't you have a boyfriend? The one who works in the stables?" Jisung recalled, turning to Hyunjin again, having seen them kiss in more than a few places, even when they weren't supposed to. One of the many things Hyunjin got in trouble for, and yet one of the many things he kept doing anyway. 

Both brothers refused to have staffs if they couldn't get along with them. So, naturally, they knew everything about them. It was a well-known fact that Hyunjin had been in a very happy relationship for two years now, starting right after that stupid rumour had gone around. And Changbin, too, was pretty popular, especially with the ladies because he didn't act remotely awkward or pushy with them, so they felt comfortable around him. Jisung had even seen him take dancing lessons with a few of them.

"Changbin is fine with it," was muffled because of his hands still hiding his mouth, but the brothers heard it. 

"Your boyfriend is fine with you cheating on him?" Younghoon questioned, very judgmentally, while Jisung was trying to pry Hyunjin's hands away from his face.

"No I mean... He noticed him too at the ball."

Jisung and Younghoon shared a look, which allowed them to realise they were both not following him at all. Both boyfriends noticed someone at a ball and one made a move, without the other being upset? It simply didn't make sense. Jisung looked back at his friend, still trying to take his hands away from his face. 

"Okay, walk us through it."

Hyunjin sighed, but eventually let Jisung take his hands away from his face. "Changbin saw him at the ball and made a joke about how if he weren't dating me he'd go for it. Then I saw him and I said I didn't mind sharing.."

"Oh my god, you want a trouple!" Younghoon exclaimed from where he was still standing, laughing at his servant's flushed face. Hyunjin had never looked like he wanted to bury himself more than he did right now. He spluttered for a while, his face only glowing harder by the second.

"Well I just-... If we are all okay with it I don't see a problem..." 

Jisung snorted. "So you made a joke to your boyfriend and then went and kissed the guy? Efficient." 

"Well, Changbin and I played rock paper scissors to see who got to go talk to him. He always goes for rock," Hyunjin giggled, his voice laced with endearment. "He hasn't realised why I keep winning yet. But I guess.. well I don't know we were talking at first but I had a lot of wine, okay?" 

Jisung snickered at his friend's inner struggle. He was obviously not going to judge him. He could have told him he did in fact cheat on his boyfriend, and Jisung still wouldn't have been in a place to judge. Not only did he flirt with a complete stranger, he had also let that stranger in, despite knowing he came to steal from his parents. And said stranger had a bounty on his head. A bounty Jisung's own parents had set!

"Wait, you kissed him and never asked for his name?" Jisung asked, in awe with his friend's boldness.

"Well... I'm pretty sure I did, but I had a lot of wine... I think it was something like Eric? Or Phoenix?"

"You are hopeless. And I'm sorry but I don't know his name," Jisung sighed, setting a sympathic hand on his friend's shoulder.

"What about the one you danced with?" 

Jisung saw Younghoon hide a laugh from his peripheral vision. "No I don't have his either." 

"You're judging me for forgetting his name but you didn't even ask your guy for his!" 

"I didn't stuck my tongue in his throat either! You and I are different!"

"Bet you wish you did, maybe then he would have told you his name-"

"You know what Hyunjin-"

"Well we're going to take our leave, then." Younghoon said loudly, stopping the petty fight they were starting, forcing Hyunjin off the bed. "Father wants to talk to you, by the way." 

*

Soon enough, Jisung was back to daydreaming alone in his room. He supposed if his brother had time to try and solve his servant's misery, he had time to mentally prepare himself before going to speak to The King. It was always mentally scarring when he called for him. 

He didn't make a sound as he entered his father's office, simply bowing and sitting in front of him, waiting. His father was in the middle of signing an important document, so he had to wait a while. It's not like he had much to do anyways, but it annoyed him that his father always did everything according to his own schedule, not caring about Jisung's. But as of right now, this was the least of his worries. 

"So," he eventually started, setting his feather aside. "Your mom and I were talking about your birthday and we figured, outside from the presents, you might want to spend the day with someone else than your parents." 

Jisung's eyebrow twitched. It was true he didn't really look forward to spending a day with his parents, but only because they didn't care for him. At least the king didn't. Jisung was surprised they even remembered. Two years prior, he had to remind them over dinner and sulked through their apologies. 

"So we set a date for you!"

Definitely not what he expected. He visibly paled. Something along the lines of "you'll get a free day with your brother" or "you can go outside of the castle's walls for the day if you wish" was what he had expected; what he had wished for. His father chuckled at his reaction.

"Do not fear my child, for your mother has picked the perfect lady! She is very beautiful, and she reads quite a lot, so I'm sure you will want to courtship her, don't worry"

Would he like her? Maybe. Want to courtship her? Probably not. Although he did appreciate the emphasis on her reading hobby, because that was in fact a requirement for Jisung to even consider the person as interesting. He wondered if Robin read. He definitely found him interesting. But then again, if Jisung had to choose between someone who reads and someone who can shoot arrows, climb walls and hold galaxies in their eyes, he didn't have much to consider.

"Hmm.. you know father, I was kinda hoping to spend the day alone, actually." 

And patiently wait for Robin in his room. Or in Haknyeon's room, he wasn't sure yet. But waiting was on the program for sure. Did Robin even know which room was his? Would he even come to his room if he did? Would he come at all? Maybe he didn't even consider Jisung's words at all. Maybe he thought he was joking. Or insane. 

"Well no worries, you won't spend the whole day with her, just lunch and the afternoon." 

But what if that was the moment Robin chose to come see him? He couldn't miss his chance, when would be the next time he'd see him? But again, Robin would probably wait for the evening. He was probably more comfortable coming at night. He was used to going places at night after all. That was if he came at all. 

"Okay, yeah, sure. I can do that," Jisung eventually agreed.

He didn't really have a choice. No one could actually say no to the king. Maybe Younghoon could, but he wasn't Younghoon. It was one of the Crown Prince privileges, he was only the younger brother. If his brother had been here with him, maybe he could have tried, hoping to get backup, but he was very much alone now.

"Really?" 

His father looked genuinely shocked he had agreed. Jisung had shown no interest in courtship his whole life, asking his mother not to set him up with anyone. His father hadn't yet tried to set him up because his mother had dissuaded him, and must have assumed he would refuse. Jisung figured, as long as he had the advantage, he might as well use it.

"Yes, I will, if you reinstall Haknyeon, that is."

The king let out a deep, tired breath. Jisung might have been in a better mood, and he rejoiced in knowing he took after his mother a lot, but there was one thing he had in common with his father, as well as his brother : his stubbornness. The king must have known that, because eventually, he caved in.

"Only if you promise not to make a fool of yourself this time." 

Jisung nodded, even though he knew he hadn't made a fool of himself. He hadn't done anything, really. He left the office soon after, trying to keep his smile at bay. He must have saved someone in his last life, to have such luck nowadays. Meeting Robin, twice, hoping to see him again soon, and now this! 

And that's when it hit him. His parents had had balls every month for years, and Robin had started his... Business years ago as well. It was one hell of a coincidence that Robin had decided to come steal from the Royals, on the very days Haknyeon's room was vacant, using it as his passageway. Was Haknyeon an accomplice? Was he the reason Jisung had the privilege to meet Robin? 

Jisung couldn't believe it. Haknyeon was his friend for years and he never knew he was on Robin's side! Well, maybe he wasn't. Maybe Jisung was wrong about this. After all, for all he knew Robin could have been in the Palace many times before and he just never saw him, but he thought it weird. He would definitely have to ask Haknyeon about it. Now he knew he could actually do that, once he got reinstalled. 

Chapter Text

Minho deadpanned at Jeongin. 

"No but it's funny because he's a prince, hyung!"

"I am not going to give the Prince of the Kingdom a flower crown, Jeongin." 

Jeongin grumbled unhappily, taking off the flower crown to put on the table, and went to sulk in a corner. It had been a week that Minho, Jeongin and Felix spent every day wondering what Minho could gift the Prince. They couldn't think of anything. Minho didn't have anything to gift the Prince, even if he did have the money to buy something (which he didn't), he didn't know the Prince's likes and dislikes. 

The first idea was to give him a flower bouquet but Minho hated that. He hated giving something that would die in a week. He liked the idea of flowers, sure, they were nice, but they were bound to fade. If Minho was going to give something that would disappear, he'd go for food. Minho set his chin on the table, desperate. He would never find something worth of a Prince.

"Hyung, I know!" Came from Felix's room. He appeared in the room as quickly as lightning, the door of his bedroom smashing against the wall behind him. He rushed to the table next to his brother, and gently -which was confusing with the rest of his attitude- set something in front of his face. 

A small glass Calico cat. It was a sculpture Minho had done a year prior for Felix's birthday. Originally, this was Minho's job, glass making. Before he had to give it up, he ran a shop downtown with a friend of his and made all sorts of glass objects. They were pretty popular too, before the economy crisis began. 

"I should make him a cat?" 

Minho heard Jeongin snort from the other side of the room, but he didn't have the heart to scold him for now, so he just threw a napkin in his general direction. He missed of course, like he always did. Minho could never hit him. 

"Nooo, hyung! Make him a glass bouquet! Right? It's a good idea! Glass flowers don't fade!" 

Felix was the cutest when he was excited, so Minho didn't resist the urge to pinch his cheek. It wasn't a bad idea. It was a good idea, even. It had been a while since Minho had made glass sculptures, though. He had done it once a year ago for Felix, only because he had mentioned he missed his art for weeks before his birthday, and Minho could take a hint, but other than that, it had been too long. 

He had probably lost his touch, but he could try. Even if it looked bad, at least it was Minho-made, so hopefully the thought would count. The prince couldn't be the type to only like the best of the best, after all, he had let Minho enter the castle when he wanted to steal from his parents. 

"That's a good idea actually."

"Yeah you can ask your friend to lend you the shop at night, he still works there, right?" 

"I'll ask to go tonight, then. I'll get home pretty late if he says yes, you'll be okay?" 

"Of course, don't worry..." Felix rolled his eyes, sitting down. 

*

Minho spent the whole day with Felix following him everywhere he went. Each year, Felix pretended birthdays were just one day of the year and they didn't mean much, but each year without miss, a week before his, he would bug Minho and Jeongin about it, every day. He'd spend hours asking them what they had bought for him. Jeongin always caved and told him. Minho never did. He did have to leave the room once Felix started puppy eyeing him, though. 

"You are going to give me something, right?" 

"Of course I am Felix. You're my brother." 

"I just mean... If you're still mad..."

Minho suddenly felt very tired. His brother and he had had three fights in the past week which was two more than in the past six months altogether. And all of them had been about the same subject : the guy from the ball. Felix had explained the situation to Minho, but Minho felt like his brother had once again been a little too naive. Some guy had pretended his boyfriend and him both wanted to get to know Felix, and then went and kissed him, with the boyfriend entirely out of sight, and Felix had believed him! For all they knew, the boyfriend didn't even know and the guy -"Hyunjin, hyung. His name is Hyunjin!"- just wanted to cheat in peace. Besides, from what Felix told him, the guy was very drunk that night, which didn't play in his favour.

Although, no matter how upset Minho was that his brother had kissed a stranger, and got entangled in such a complicated situation, he couldn't stay mad for long. Not at Felix. He was too cute for his own good. 

"I'm not mad, kiddo. I just don't want you getting disappointed and depressed like that time with Taemin-" 

"Okay that was my fault, and I was stupid back then! This is different! I won't get disappointed. You know what's better than a boyfriend, hyung?"

"What?" 

"Two boyfriends!" 

Minho groaned. He still had to take care of his brother, and he felt like he couldn't really do it properly in the situation he found himself. But, nonetheless, he had decided to trust his instincts. Minho might be protective over his brothers, but he above all wanted them to be happy. He couldn't help but feel careful, given Felix's history. 

A few years back, Felix had fallen enamoured to another kid in the village, Taemin, swearing to his brother that he was "the one" and Felix would die without him. Not only was Taemin not interested, he had also been dating someone the whole time. Felix had been depressed for a month straight when he discovered it.

"Now go home and stop bothering me, I'm falling behind on schedule." 

*

Minho arrived to the shop quite late, right before Chanhee was going to close it for the night. He was greeted by a warm hug and a huge smile, which reminded him he had to stop by more often. He wasn't one of those people who only visited their friends once a year, but he did feel like he could stop by more often. 

"I'm here to ask for a favour, New." 

"Anything for you, boss!" 

Minho smiled at the nickname. When they started the journey together, Minho had indeed been his boss. Only when his parents died and he had to take on the family business did he have to leave the shop. It had cost him great grief, but he didn't have a choice. Chanhee had made the choice to keep the shop going, and given it was still there, Minho assumed he wasn't doing too bad for himself. 

"I need to use the shop tonight if possible, to make a little something, is that alright?" 

"Oh for Felix? Tell him to come visit, he never stops by!" 

"Just get him a gift for his birthday, he'll come running."

Chanhee laughed while closing the front door, lowering the blinds and was back to Minho's side quickly. He kept taking care of closing down the shop for the night while Minho waited for him. 

"Well, you'll have to ask Kevin, actually. He always stays during the night because his 'inspiration doesn't work during the day' or whatever. But he's cool he'll say yes." 

"Who's Kevin?" 

"Oh yeah I didn't tell you! I got an apprentice! He was around every day before, drawing what I made -he's an artist- and then asked if I could teach him. The business is kind of back on track now, thanks to Robin, so I said yes." 

Minho hummed, following Chanhee to the back shop where he supposed he was to meet the new worker. He was glad his own 'business' had helped a friend of his. If Chanhee was now able to have someone to work with, he supposed he was doing something right. 

He followed him to the room where he exposed most of his art before they were ready to show the public. This time, the shop looked really different than when Minho had stopped by before. Dozens of drawings decorated the walls, drawings of flowers, animals. Minho could see the sculpture equivalent of most of the drawings in the room, which made him smile. He figured Kevin always drew a sketch before he got to work. 

There was a sketchbook laid on one of the tables, which Minho picked up. It was already opened, so really, it wasn't his fault he saw what was inside. On the page it was opened to was a drawing of Chanhee himself, as he was working. Minho snorted. He showed the sketchbook to his friend, smirking.

"This something he plans on making?" 

The blush which automatically greeted his friend's features was laughable. He brushed his nape with his hand looking embarrassed and snapped the sketchbook out of Minho's hands to put it back on the table. 

"Yeah he-.. he does that sometimes.. I'll go get him."  

Minho hummed, amused with the whole ordeal. He waited for his friend to be back, gazing at all the sculptures in the room. There were at least a dozen different animals, which were all the work of Kevin, if Minho was correct. He could tell how different his style was from Chanhee's. It was simpler, a beginner's work, which made sense if he hadn't been there long. 

Soon enough, Chanhee came back, followed closely by a taller man with darker skin. Well, it wasn't hard to have darker skin than Chanhee, but he could easily pass as a farmer from how tan he was. The man quickly approached Minho with a smile, shaking his hand.

"Nice to meet you, I'm Kevin. New tells me we'll work together tonight? That's cool, I could use some company. Grandpa here locks up at nine and goes straight to bed!" 

"People work during the day, Kevin. You're the only one who wants to work at night." 

Kevin rolled his eyes but didn't answer. His smile proved he wasn't that annoyed, though. Soon enough, Chanhee left the shop and Minho was left alone with a complete stranger. He didn't know if it was the stress of being alone with a stranger or if he was usually this talkative, but Kevin would not stop talking. It was good, because he didn't really wait for answers, so Minho could work while told stories. His favourite topics included Chanhee, his previous job, Chanhee, his family and Chanhee. If he thought he was being sly about it, he was seriously wrong. It made Minho smile. 

"Minho-ssi, say, I feel like I've seen you before what do you do?" 

"I am a farmer, up west. I doubt you've stopped by the farm, I'm usually good with faces." 

"Oh that's so cool, a farmer!" 

Minho smiled. It was such a lowborn reaction, to amaze at farmers. Minho thought it was logical, for farmers were the ones getting everyone the food they needed after all, but he was used to higher ups reactions : disdain. He didn't think his work was worth being overlooked or laughed at, he was proud of what he was, but it was always nice to be acknowledged.

"But, no I mean you look familiar like I've seen you somewhere specific before, been to an event recently?" 

"I'm a farmer, Kevin. What events could I get invited to?" 

Okay so this was a little lie. But only because he could in fact not say he had been part of the Royal Ball a week prior. Besides, this was most definitely not where Kevin knew him from. He wore a mask, and he doubted anyone would have recognized him right now just by seeing him that one time. Plus, he was sure Kevin hadn't even take part in it, if he spent all his evenings in the shop. 

"There was the royal ball the other day. Everyone was invited! The bloody king was showing off for real this time. I didn't go, my older sister was sick that day so I stayed with her. She really wanted to go you see, so I didn't want to do it without her. Would break her heart."

"Balls are a lot, after a day at work it would be very tiring to go." 

Kevin hummed, going back to his sculpture. If he didn't believe him, he didn't show it. Technically, Minho didn't lie. And when he went to that ball, he was very tired afterwards. 

"Why quinces?" 

Minho looked up, frowning. Kevin was gesturing to his sculpture, a branch of quinces. Minho had debated for a long time on which flower he could make. Roses were too obvious. Then he thought of sunflowers, but they reminded him of Felix. So he had documented himself and he came up with quinces. 

"He's born on the fourteenth of September, so quinces." 

"Like the prince!" 

Minho froze. "What?" 

"Yeah Han Jisung the younger prince is born on September the fourteenth. You're not making a gift for him, are you?" Kevin laughed. It was a joke. 

Minho fake laughed. "I wish." 

"Right!" 

The silence after was awkward, but probably only on Minho's part. His laugh sounded genuine he thought, and Kevin wasn't serious. Besides, even if Kevin figured out the truth, what about it? The Princes probably got a lot of gifts from random people anyways, he'd just be one of them. he didn't have to know the prince had directly asked him for one.

When he was finally happy with his design, the night was well underway, but Kevin was still here, now creating a grey bunny he planned to give to a 'very close friend and roommate' of his. Minho looked around, trying to figure out what he could make for his brother, quickly enough that he could get home and sleep not too late. He settled on a small baby chick holding a sunflower. Felix liked cute stuff like that. 

*

Minho barely remembered the way home. When they had both finished their work, hours later, Kevin and he had gone for a beer at the pub next door to relax their muscles after working so long, and that mixed with the tiredness had him gone for. He still stopped by his brother's room before going to his, setting the glass chick on his nightstand as silently as he could. He kissed him on the forehead, wished him a good night (even though it was the middle of it for him) and left the room as silently as he entered. 

He then stopped by Jeongin's room and set a tiny fox he had made on a whim while he was waiting for Kevin to finish up what he was doing. Little fox had been his nickname since he was younger. He had brought a baby ginger fox home on day as a kid, convinced it was a stray cat, and had been terribly hurt when Minho's parents told him they couldn't keep it inside. 

Minho finally entered his own room and all but threw himself on his bed, happy he could finally relax, at least for the four hours he had before he had to go back to work. Sometimes he wished he didn't have to work so hard. He wished he could take a day off. But he couldn't, the fields needed him every single day. If only his parents were still there. He slept much better when his mother was around. 

Chapter Text

Minho was stressed. He had been all morning, all afternoon, all day. Felix had tried to ease his mind as best as he could but only ended up stressing him more. 

"You have to be back before midnight, it's my birthday then!" 

But Minho was paralyzed again, looking up the terrifying walls of the Castle. He had gone around it twice, and even went inside, but to get to the prince's suite he would have to go through the whole castle, and that was more dangerous than climbing the walls. And, because Felix was so needy, he didn't have that much time either! 

"Ok, I did it once, I can do it twice." 

And up he went. This time, it took him many more tries to finally reach the balcony he wanted, because of course it took longer when he was in a rush, but eventually he made it. The way up was even worse than the first time, because it was September now, the weather wasn't as forgiving, and Minho had a fragile sculpture in his backpack which brought him great stress. He almost went out without his bow and arrows to lose a little weight, but he couldn't exactly treat this like a vacation. Better safe than sorry. 

He cursed the workout Jeongin had obliged him to do earlier when he had to straddle and climb over the railing for he could feel all his muscles beg for mercy. What an annoying little cutie. Once he was safe and sound on the balcony, and he was sure the sculpture was fine, he could relax. But still, one problem remained. How could he get to the Prince? 

He looked through the French window, but the room was dark and empty. Felix had sworn to him this was The second Prince's room. Minho didn't know how he knew so many random facts about the Royals, but he had never been wrong yet. So Minho had trusted him. Should he break an entering and put his gift on that round table he could see through the glass? Or should he wait for Jisung to get back to his quarters for the night? What if Felix was wrong this time and the other prince, Younghoon came in and saw him? 

The door he could see on the other side of the room opened while he was trying to unlock the French window. Minho retrieved his hands away from the lock, pushing his body a little off of the window to not be seen. It was Jisung, thankfully, getting inside. He was talking to someone, a woman, who didn't cross the threshold but continued to converse with him. She was pretty. Minho didn't like her. 

Suddenly, Jisung looked directly at him. Minho caught his breath, completely frozen. There was a second where both looked at each other, before Jisung turned to the woman, bowed to her and closed the door. He turned back to Minho, who had to remind himself to breathe, and quickly marched to the balcony door, to open it. Jisung bowed, smiling handsomely, once again taking his breath away. Minho spoke before he even realized this time.

"Friend of yours?" 

He wasn't jealous, simply curious. If the person who had been renting his brain for the past month and a half was courting someone, he thought he had the right to know. They would make a really pretty couple, too. Minho tried not to overthink, which was surprisingly simple enough, because once more, the prince was looking at him and everything Minho could think of now was : pretty, pretty, pretty. 

"Are you jealous?" The prince asked, an obvious twinkle brightening his eyes. 

"No." 

"... Well, that's disappointing," Jisung answered, turning back to his room.

"What?"

"Get in," he continued, entering the room, closely followed by Minho. "Miyeon is the Crown Princess of a Queendom not far from here. She is a friend.. I think?" Jisung sat down at the round table, his eyes still fixated on Minho, who was still standing not far, looking back. "We were set up, but she is interested in someone else... And so am I." 

The smirk while uttering this sentence could have meant nothing, but Minho knew it did. The Prince had been fairly straightforward up until now, and Minho might have had some understanding issues when met with a handsome man, but he wasn't completely stupid. 

"Well, sit. You still have to give me my gift." 

Minho eventually sat down next to the other, setting his bag on the table. He was assailed by anxiety once more as he opened his bag, taking out the poor excuse of a package that wrapped the present. Minho couldn't wrap presents to save his life, to the point where it became an inside joke in his family. However, Minho didn't want to give the prince such a bad package, so he asked Jeongin to do it for him. It turned out Jeongin wasn't any better. 

Only when the prince made grabby hands did Minho's mind focus back on the present. He reluctantly slid the package towards him, hoping he wouldn't be too regardant. Minho did notice the small smile playing on the Prince's lips when he saw the terrifying package but he didn't say anything about it, so Minho considered it a win. 

The prince gasped once he saw what was inside. He carefully took the glass sculpture, slowly turning it around to see the whole thing, and then set it back on the table. He was silent for a while after that, which gave Minho plenty of time to get anxious again. 

"They are quinces," he informed Minho, his eyes still fixated on the gift.

"Yes." Minho answered, fully aware of the fact, given he was the one who made it. 

"It's my birth flower," he continued, finally looking up at Minho. 

"Yes." 

Minho didn't quite see where his thought process was going, but he let him speak. The prince's eyes went back to the sculpture, his fingers brushing it almost imperceptibly, with the lightness of a feather. 

"Where did you get this?" He eventually asked, frowning. Minho paused. Right. Everyone in his life knew he had started his life with a glass shop, but the prince wasn't technically part of his life, so he couldn't know. 

"I made it." 

The prince's frown deepened for a second, before his expression morphed into one of shock. He looked back at the sculpture, then Minho, then the sculpture, before he focused on Minho's hands this time, taking one of them into his. He took off the glove without even asking for Minho's approval, staring at it. He brushed his own fingers against Minho's, sending waves of chock into his body before he slouched back on his seat. 

"You made it?" He rhetorically asked. When Minho nodded again, barely registering the question because he could still feel the ghost of the Prince's fingers on his, he laughed. "Is there anything you can't do?" 

Minho blushed profusely. Thank god he was wearing a mask again. He wasn't used to getting compliments from anyone but his brother, because everything he did he had been doing for years. It was old news to everyone in his life. He looked down at his lap, at a loss of words. 

"I mean you're a good archer, a good climber, a good dancer.. and now you're telling me you can also make art?" 

"I'm actually a terrible climber, I hate it." 

The prince smiled fondly at him, not that Minho could see that because he was still looking down at his lap. He took a hold of the discarded glove on the table, once again taking Minho's hand in his to put it back on. Minho's body would never recover from the amount of chills he got. Was this what people called butterflies? 

"And you have nice hands. A little rough but pretty."

"You know you could just say you like the gift.." Minho remarked, starting to feel uncomfortable from how hot his cheeks felt. 

"I do like the gift. But I think I like the gifter even more." 

Minho didn't answer. He couldn't, his face would soon be able to be considered a usable heating device. His outfit was starting to feel hot too. He stood up. He couldn't stay indefinitely to begin with, because of Felix's promise, and he supposed his current lack of words wouldn't be too entertaining for the prince either.

"Wait!" The prince caught his sleeve the second he stood up, stopping him in his track. "You're not leaving already, are you?" 

"I can't stay too long. Being here is dangerous. If the king knew I was in your room he'd have my head."

"The king already wants your head." Jisung answered. He stood up, inevitably coming closer. "And you're already here, might as well stay longer."

".. Do you enjoy my company?" 

"I do. Have I not been clear enough?" 

"Why?" 

The prince paused. He stared at Minho for a second, trying to find something in his eyes but all he could see was honesty. Minho wasn't stupid and the prince had been clear enough, but what wasn't clear was why he would choose to stay with Minho, instead of anyone else he could have, which was pretty much anyone in the country. 

"I don't know. You're nice, and smart, and obviously very talented, and-"

"A thief." Minho cut off. It seemed like the prince kept forgetting this fact. Minho wasn't ashamed of his life choices, but he knew the prince couldn't possibly consider him as anything else than what he was. Minho had probably stolen from half the people he knew. Did he wish he hadn't? Not really. He had done it for the greater good. Did he wish he had met Han Jisung under different circumstances? Yes. 

"I know," Jisung sighed. "But is it really thievery if who you give it to needs it more?" 

Minho gapped at the other. This was the exact argument he had given Felix at the beginning, when his brother had refused to help him because 'stealing is bad'. It had taken this argument, and one of his friend's little brother dying of famine for Felix to turn around. 

"Do you enjoy my company?" The prince asked back, his hand brushing up Minho's sleeve and setting on his shoulder. The thief was completely and utterly swayed by the prince. He realised it wasn't just his smile that was enchanting, it was his everything. His wandering hands were particularly hard to overlook. 

Minho thought about it. Did he enjoy the prince's company? Yes, he did. He had spent a month pretending he didn't, but really, he couldn't stay in denial anymore. He was quite literally risking his life right now, just to give someone a gift after he had mentioned his birthday once, two weeks prior. No one he had ever met could make him act so stupidly. 

"I do, yes." 

"And yet I am part of the Nobility. If I am crazy for wanting you to stay, you are crazy for coming at all." 

"Well, I never said I wasn't," Minho grumbled. It was true, he had never pretended to be sane, but he did assume the Prince of the Country would be. He had never really been sane, after all, stealing from powerful people was very stupid in a way, and dangerous.

"I like that about you," the prince said. Minho had forgotten what the conversation was about, because the prince had tightened his hand on his shoulder and he could feel warmth spreading in his entire body from this touch alone. The prince must have sensed his confusion because he explained himself. "I like that you're weird."

"You like a lot of things about me," Minho realised, suddenly feeling a little pride on top of his shyness. 

"There's one thing I dislike," he answered, however his smile didn't quite match the sentence. Minho waited for him to elaborate, curious as to what he had to change in the future. Not that he would ever confess this had been his first thought. "I dislike this," he explained, hooking a finger under Minho's face mask. 

Minho took a step back, harshly forcing the other's hand away, as a reflex. If he thought about it, he was sure the prince wouldn't actually take his mask off, for if he wanted to, he would have done it a long time ago, but when it came to his identity, Minho acted on instinct. 

"Ouch.." 

Minho realized he had been holding the prince's wrist quite forcefully and let go once he heard his whimper. "Sorry. Can't take it off." 

"How long do we have to know each other before I can see you without it?" 

Minho thought about it. No one could see him without his mask. No one, except for Jeongin and Felix who were the ones who created the mask to begin with. He would risk everything if he was found out, and out of every person in this country, the Prince knowing his face was a little too risky for Minho, even if he usually was a daredevil. 

"I see," the prince continued, after Minho had remained silent a little too long. "And your name? Still no?" 

"Minho." 

He didn't know what urged him to answer. Maybe it was the hope in the Prince's eyes, or maybe it was his own sadness. He had to keep his identity a secret, but he didn't want to. Not with him. He didn't know why the Prince was so different from everyone else he had met in his life (except for the obvious 'part of the royal family' aspect), but he wanted to make the Prince happy. He only ever wanted to see his gorgeous smile when with him. 

"Ahah. Very funny."

Minho stuttered. "Seriously, that's my name." 

"Your name is Minho?" 

Minho nodded. If he knew his counterpart wouldn't believe him, he would have given him his name on the very first night they met. The Prince looked displeased with this information. 

"What an awfully common name, for such a unique person." 

Minho shrugged. Where he came from, people thought his name suited him perfectly, because he was just a normal person. Just one youngster amongst a young society, just one farmer amongst a dozen others, just one sibling in a family. Although of course, Felix disagreed because he thought his brother was very special. 

"I'm Jisung."

Minho snorted. "I know." 

"I want you to call me Jisung," the prince smiled, clarifying his point. "Go ahead." 

Minho hesitated. He was not supposed to do that. But oh well, he could simply add it to the list. After all he was not supposed to be in his room, nor talk to him, he was sure if they asked the King, he would tell them Minho wasn't even allowed to breathe in his direction. Minho cleared his throat, feeling eager. He didn't know how many people had the privilege to be on first name basis with one of the princes, but he assumed not many. When he was about to speak however, a knock on the door startled them both.

"Fuck," the Prince -Jisung!- whispered, looking around the room, certainly for a place to hide Minho. But they didn't have time to go anywhere, because the door opened almost immediately after the knock.

"Jisungie, father wants- oh my god." 

And here entered the crowned Prince of the Kingdom. He stared at Minho with eyes as big as saucers, and a jaw almost down to the floor while Minho wondered how long he had now before his head got cut off. However, instead of calling for the guards, the older Prince quickly shut the door behind him.

"Okay, I see your confusion but it's just because-" Jisung tried, but with one simple hand gesture, his brother shut him right up.

"What is he doing here?! Father was going to come but I told him I would come get you instead! What if I let him come, what would you have done then?" 

"Probably jump off," Minho whispered, looking back at the balcony behind them. It was more of a private remark than an answer, but both brothers heard him, because they both turned to stare at him. Minho could swear the older brother had the shadow of a smile on his lips. 

"You have five minutes to get out." The Prince informed Minho, who only nodded in response. His presence was no joke. His Highness Younghoon turned around and opened the door, but stuttered before he left. "It is a pleasure to meet you, though." the prince bowed before getting out, closing the door once more. 

Minho quickly got into movement, not dwelling on the Crown Prince's words even for a second, taking his bag and going back to the balcony. He threw one leg over the railing before freezing, turning back to Jisung who had followed him.

"He's not going to snitch on you, is he?" He asked, wondering if Jisung himself would be safe if the word ever got out that he was helping Robin. 

"He won't, don't worry."

Minho threw his second leg over, securing his cord around his waist and hands. He looked back at the prince sadly. Now that he had to, he didn't really feel like leaving anymore. Jisung looked like he didn't want to part ways either.

"You know, I don't think a prince is supposed to use such bad speech, don't think I didn't hear you." 

Jisung's face brightened once more as he chuckled. "Let's make a deal. I don't tell anyone your name, you don't tell anyone I swore." 

Minho nodded eagerly. He supposed he could trust him to keep his name a secret even without this small piece of bribery, but it couldn't hurt. Jisung held him back by the shoulder when Minho got ready to descend. 

"When am I going to see you again?" 

There was such yearning, such genuine hope in the Prince's eyes that Minho felt obligated to set a date. He wished he could see him often without going through all this trouble, but their situation was so complicated and different.

"My birthday is on the 25th of October. I'll come by so you can give me my gift." 

"Okay! Okay, it's a date." 

"See you, Jisung." Minho chuckled, actually going down this time. He only heard a fond "oh my god.." from the balcony before he was too far to hear anything anymore. Now he had to hop down his little cloud to get home to his brother. 

Chapter Text

Jisung was desperate. He couldn't think of a single good gift idea, and Younghoon wasn't helping at all. They sat opposite from each other at the dinning table, trying to come up with a plan, but nothing sounded even remotely good to Jisung.

"His job is literally giving things to others, what am I supposed to give him?" 

The older brother simply shrugged while Jisung dropped his head on the table. He had been in such a haze during his birthday that he didn't blink twice at the thought of seeing him again. But now that the adrenaline was down, he had realized he was fucked. He had a little under three weeks left to figure it out and no idea whatsoever. The only things Jisung could offer were items he could buy, but that was precisely what Robin -Minho- wouldn't want. 

"Just give him your presence."

Jisung deadpanned at the other. "He's the one who's coming to the castle, I'm not giving it to him, he'll be getting it himself." 

"Just go for the bouquet of flowers then, everyone loves flowers."

"Oh you're so boring!" Jisung sighed. He would not gift a bouquet of flowers. He sighed. He wasn't really good with his hands so he couldn't make him something the way Robin -Minho!- had made him the best thing he ever owned. Or at least he thought he wasn't good. To be fair, there were plenty of things he had never tried, given he spent his childhood buried in books, but the birthday of the person he fancied didn't sound like a good opportunity to try and find out. 

"Hey guys!" Hyunjin exclaimed, entering the room. Jisung barely even acknowledged him, still drowning in his despair. "Why are the guards outside?" 

"We are having a private conversation," Younghoon answered. "But feel free to join!" 

The servant came to sit next to Younghoon, laughing at Jisung's obvious laments. There was literally nothing Jisung could give him! He was one of the wealthiest people in the Kingdom and had to fall for the one person who wasn't impressed by it. He hadn't even recognised him the first time they met. Jisung could still not believe it. What a peculiar gentleman he was.

"We are in a pickle. You see Jisung here is trying to come up with a gift for someone but nothing is good enough." 

"You're a prince, you have everything," Hyunjin frowned, obviously not understanding how Jisung could have such a problem. The younger prince sighed heavily. If only it were that simple. 

"We are pretty sure he is not interested in anything Jisung can afford." 

"Oooh are you talking about Minho-hyung?"

Jisung looked up at Hyunjin, in utter shock. How on earth did he know that name? From what Jisung knew, the only possible link between the two was the one freckled stranger Minho had left the ball with, whose name Hyunjin had tried to acquire. And he called him 'hyung'? 

"Well, it does look like he doesn't care about frivolous things..." Hyunjin continued, unaware of Jisung's inner struggle. "Maybe just do something for his brothers instead." 

"What?" Both Jisung and Younghoon questioned, both feeling alien to the situation.

"Well yes, he is very protective of them, you could give them a job as high servants or something, I don't know.." 

"What brothers?" Jisung asked, utterly lost.

Hyunjin hesitated. "Felix and Jeongin, I... I thought you knew, the guy I told you about is his brother, Felix. And there is a third one who was also at the ball but I don't think you saw him, the youngest, Jeongin." 

Younghoon and Jisung exchanged a look. Neither were aware of this. Last Jisung heard about the man in question was when Hyunjin tried to get his name, but that was it. He didn't know his name, didn't even know if they truly came to the ball together. Robin -Min-ho!!- had said they didn't know each other and Jisung hadn't really had the occasion to ask again. And there was a third brother? 

"How do you know this?" Jisung asked.

Hyunjin looked like a deer caught in headlights. He clearly hadn't expected this kind of reaction from the others. "Well he.. -the guy you danced with- came to see me the other night-" 

"What?!" Came from both Jisung and Younghoon again. 

"He... I didn't recognize him at first but he introduced himself and said he came to talk to me and Changbin about his brother, Felix. I don't even know how he knew where to find me.."

Jisung's brain went into overdrive. Minho had come up to Hyunjin recently, and he didn't know? He looked at his brother for answers, but he appeared equally as shocked, as confused as him. 

"Wait, so the man who danced with Jisung at the last ball came to talk to you about his brother, who is the guy you kissed at the ball?"

Hyunjin nodded. His wide eyes kept switching between the two princes, full of confusion. Jisung sighed, slouching back. This situation was so much more complicated than he thought! He was barely just registering the freckled man he met briefly at the ball was his crush's brother, that he now discovered Minho had come up to Hyunjin to talk a few nights ago. 

"What did he tell you..?" Jisung eventually wondered, his brain slowly grasping the situation.

"Hmm.. Threatened me, kind of," Hyunjin force-laughed. "Said that he came to talk to me 'despite his better judgment' because Felix likes me and wants to get to know me and Changbin more!" Hyunjin proudly stated, his cheeky grin annoying Jisung just the tiniest bit simply because this was not the point of the conversation. "..And that he was going to trust his brother's instinct but if we ever hurt him in any way no one would ever find our bodies... I think he meant it too, he's kinda scary..." 

"When was this?" Younghoon questioned, seemingly lost in thought.

"Hmm.. On the 14th, I remember because I thought maybe he was in the castle to see Jisung for his birthday."

"He was," Younghoon snorted, "he went to see Jisung right after you I'm guessing."

"What was he wearing?" Jisung asked, slowly realising something terrible.

"I don't remember, but if he came to see you, shouldn't you-"

"Was he wearing a mask?" 

Hyunjin looked at Jisung like he didn't make any sense. For someone who didn't have half of the context, this question surely didn't make sense.

"No..?"

"Oh my god.." 

Jisung dropped his head back onto the table. Hyunjin had seen Minho before he came to see him, and he saw him without his mask! Jisung had to see him wearing his damned mask every damn time and Hyunjin had seen him without! Hyunjin had talked to him once and already knew much more than Jisung! He knew what he looked like, what he sounded like without a mask altering his voice, even knew his brothers' names! He called him 'hyung'!

"This is so unfair!"

"Was he wearing a mask with you? Why would he do that?" 

Jisung fell silent. He knew very well why he had a mask on for him but not for Hyunjin, if he thought about it. He knew him as Robin, Hyunjin knew him as "the brother of the guy I like". Unless Jisung told him he was Robin, Hyunjin couldn't know, therefore seeing Minho's face was not a big deal, besides, they had to know each other's faces if Hyunjin ever managed to get Felix. Had Jisung met Minho at the ball, maybe he would have seen his face by now. He looked at his brother for help.

"He doesn't want Jisung to see his face yet, he's self conscious about it," Younghoon explained quickly.

Jisung was surprised at how quickly Younghoon thought of it, and nodded when Hyunjin looked back at him. That was the simplest, and yet most believable answer they could have given him, although Hyunjin looked perplexed.

"What's he self-conscious about?" The servant frowned. "He's hot." 

Jisung whined louder than ever before, knocking his head on the table a little too harshly. He knew it! He heard Younghoon laughing -probably at him- but didn't raise his head to verify. He was sure Minho was totally his type but he couldn't see him because of his damn upbringing! How much longer would he have to wait to see it?

Jisung sat up. "Could you describe him to me, Hyunjin?" He heard his brother make a disapproving sound, but he was focused on the servant for now. 

"I'm not really good at describing people.."

"You're an artist, right?" Jisung pressed, getting desperate. "Could you draw him?" 

"Jisung."

Jisung turned to his brother when he heard the warning tone. He sighed. His brother was right. He didn't want to see his crush's face for the first time ever on a piece of paper. He wanted to see him face to face; maybe even take the mask off himself. He wanted it to be meaningful. Besides, Minho had clearly stated he didn't consent to Jisung seeing his face and Jisung respected that. 

"You're right. I shall respect his desire to remain faceless for now." 

Hyunjin snorted, taking a piece of bread off the table to stuff his mouth with. "It's a bummer 'cause he really is hot."

"Oh, do shut up!" Jisung exasperated, stealing the bread from Hyunjin's hand. He ate it purposely slow before something else came to mind. "Do they look alike though?" 

"What?"

"Felix and Minho. You said they are brothers. Do they look alike?"

Jisung had never seen Minho without his mask, but if he looked like Felix, he could imagine. He had only seen Felix once, but his beauty was hard to overlook. Jisung had been very bummed out on that night when he finally caught sight of his Robin and had seen him talking to the prettiest man in the room. 

"Not at all." Hyunjin answered, tying up his hair. "Actually, I think Minho looks more like Jeongin, which is ironic because he's adopted."

"The youngest brother is adopted?" 

"Hmm. His parents died when he was four so Minho's parents took him in but now that they are gone too, Minho takes care of him."

Too many pieces of information for Jisung to fully grasp everything. First of all, his crush had two brothers, but one of them was adopted. Second of all, his crush's parents were gone and he was the caretaker of the family. Third of all, he was hot. Jisung sighed. He wished he had met Minho under different circumstances. He wished they had become friends simply and he could have learnt all of that during long conversations where they were slowly getting to know each other. Why was everything in his life so complicated?

"How do you know all of this, he told you all that that night?" 

"No, Felix did. He's very chatty." 

Younghoon, who had been silent for a while made a confused sound. Jisung understood wholeheartedly. Every time they talked to Hyunjin about something important the conversation took very long to get where it was supposed to go, because Hyunjin got lost in the details and forgot to tell them the important facts. 

"You talked to Felix recently?" Jisung asked, to make sure he understood the situation. 

"Yeah, Minho gave me their address 'cause he doesn't want Changbin and I to meet up with Felix without his supervision." 

"Wait, what?! You went there?" Came from Younghoon. Jisung was equally as shocked. 

Hyunjin nodded. He looked like he had been caught red-handed again. 

"Hyunjin, how many times did you see Minho since the ball?" Jisung reluctantly asked. He felt like he wasn't going to like the answer, but he needed to know. 

"Hum... Counting the time he came to the castle on your birthday I'd say... Maybe six times?"

Jisung was going to die of jealousy. He finally had taken a liking on someone, after twenty three years of boredom, and his brother's servant had managed to see him twice as many times as he did. He had managed to see him without a mask, go to his house, see his family and Jisung had done none of these. 

"Why? Wha- What's wrong?" Hyunjin asked seeing Jisung's expression. The situation must have been as confusing for him as it was for the princes. 

"Minho never mentioned Jisung when you were over there?" 

"Well... He's not very talkative, honestly. Felix takes up most of the conversations.." 

Jisung was sad. He had been talking about Minho every single day to his brother. He didn't want to talk about anything else, Minho was the most important part of his life right now. He supposed he had to come to terms with the fact that he was more interested in Minho than the other way around.

"Although now that I think about it..." Hyunjin continued slowly. "He did look very shocked when I said I work directly under the Princes. He was very quiet after. Well, even more than usual.. and Felix gave him a look." 

"A look?"

"Yeah, you know. A look. Like you do with Jisung sometimes. I don't have brothers so I don't know how it works but it's like telepathy, right?" 

Younghoon smiled, sharing a look with his brother. They did know what he meant. Jisung thought he understood a little better. Minho had shown himself without a mask to Hyunjin before he knew what Hyunjin worked as. When Hyunjin mentioned who he worked for, Minho must have realised it was a wrong move and regretted it. Was his brother aware of his night business? Or did he simply give him a look because Jisung had danced with his brother at the ball? He wasn't sure. Robin had always been said to be a loner, but Jisung supposed getting out during the night would be hard without his brother noticing at one point. He would have to figure it out later.

"Well," Jisung started, going back on subject. "I did want to gift him something, not his brothers. I don't even know them." 

"I can ask Felix what he would want next time I see him." 

Jisung whined again. "Can't believe you're going to see Minho again and I won't be there." 

"Just come with me then," Hyunjin deadpanned. 

Jisung looked at Younghoon hopefully. Now this was an idea! Unfortunately, his brother shook his head quite vigorously the second he saw the excitement in Jisung's eyes. 

"You can't leave the castle, order of the King." 

"What the king doesn't know can't hurt him," Hyunjin shrugged. 

"Oh my god, you are so right!" 

"Okay so, I'm never allowing you two in the same room again," Younghoon grumbled, standing up. He took Hyunjin's sleeve and forced him up quickly. "You're giving each other terrible ideas. We're leaving. Jisung think of a gift alone in your room in the castle. Please." 

Jisung rolled his eyes. He had time to catch Hyunjin's wink directed at him before they left the room, leaving him to mope by himself. He'd have to ask Hyunjin when he meant to see Felix again. Maybe then he could join. As long as the King was occupied the whole day, and Younghoon was as well, no one would stop him. 

Chapter Text

Felix sighed as he left the bedroom, paced to the kitchen and slammed the tray on the counter. He grumbled while washing his hands unhappily. Minho would never get better if he was going to be this stubborn about it. It was bad enough he had decided to go to work today, and almost passed out on the field! 

Someone knocked on the door when Felix was wondering if it was possible (and morally acceptable) to force someone to eat and drink in their sleep. He strolled to the door, drying his hands on the apron around his hips. When he opened the door, his dark expression lightened in a second. 

"Hyunjinnie! I thought you were only coming tomorrow?" 

"Yeah I was but someone was eager to come today," Hyunjin rolled his eyes, motioning to someone next to him. 

Felix smiled, knowing he meant Changbin. He had warned him he was coming alone this time, but maybe Changbin had wanted to tag along this time! Felix had to crane his neck a little to see who Hyunjin was talking about and gasped when his eyes fell on the figure. This was not Changbin. Not even close!

"Your highness!" 

The Prince of the Kingdom Han Jisung bowed to him, smiling graciously before Felix had the chance to bow himself. "Glad to see you again, Felix-ssi. Hyunjin has talked about you often." 

Felix could have made fun of Hyunjin for the blush on his cheeks, but he was still trying to process seeing the Prince standing in front of his house, smiling at him. He looked at his soon-to-be boyfriend for an explanation but nothing came from him for he was silently scolding Jisung, judging from his dark eyes. He could not offer to have a Royal in the house, what if it was a trap to get Robin? And Felix hadn't even cleaned the place!

"I am very honoured to have you here Your Highness but-"

"You can call me Jisung." 

"I will not," Felix frowned. The Prince didn't look pleased with this answer, however, despite his upbringing, Felix was educated enough to know it would be outrageous for a person like him to first-name the Prince. He would never fall for that trap. Not in front of witnesses anyways. "To what do I owe the pleasure?" 

"Oh, I'm actually here to see your brother, Minho. If that's alright, of course." 

Felix frowned. The prince was there to see Minho? This couldn't be... He looked at his maybe-not-that-soon-to-be boyfriend for an explanation again, but Hyunjin was simply smiling at him, probably waiting to be invited inside. Had they been talking? Was Minho in trouble? Was the prince here to arrest him? Unlikely, Felix reminded himself. The Prince liked his brother. He wouldn't do that. Felix ever so slightly brought the door closer to his body, unconsciously hiding the inside of his home from them.

"Why do you want to see my brother, may I ask?"

Jisung looked at him, unmoving, for a little while, before something close to realisation crossed his features. His eyes widened just the tiniest bit, and a smile appeared just for a second before it left. 

"I wasn't sure before, but you know! You're in it with him." 

Felix felt his throat close in. Minho had met the Prince at the ball, and then for his birthday. What Felix hadn't known back then, was that they had met once even before that, on the night Minho went to steal from the Royals. His brother had confessed just a week ago, on how the Prince had known he was Robin when he asked to dance at the ball, which is why he had been so uneasy that night. He had explained how he also knew he was Robin when asking to see him again for his birthday.

At first, Felix had yelled at him. Well, he spoke a little louder than usual because Felix couldn't yell for the life of him, but his heart was screaming alright. The Prince of the Country had seen his brother as Robin on a night he was going to steal from their family. Robin had been discovered on a mission! This was exactly what Felix feared every single time he bid goodbye to his brother for the night! 

But then, Minho had explained that if the prince wanted his head, then he wouldn't be here anymore, and how the Prince kind of flirted with him, and how he 'kind of liked' spending time with him himself. And Felix had calmed down, because he was a sucker for a great love story, and this sure as hell looked like it would turn out to be one. He had scolded his brother for lying to him, but then they had hugged it out and had since then spent every day talking about how crazy the whole thing was. 

Minho had asked Felix to be very careful around Hyunjin because he didn't know how close the two were. They were close enough that the Prince was now in front of him asking for Minho, apparently. And because Felix had learned a lot from spending so much time analysing human body language, he knew that the Prince had just realised Felix knew about Robin.

"And you know," Felix rhetorically questioned. He knew the answer, but his reaction would help make sure they were both indeed talking about the same subject. The prince nodded solemnly. 

"And I don't know, what's going on?" Hyunjin asked, confusion spread all over his features. Hyunjin didn't know about Robin, and Minho didn't want him to know. If Felix let them both in, it would certainly be very awkward. Felix now had to decide if he was ready to let in someone who knew his brother, one of the only people in his life he cared about, was the man with the highest Bunty on his head. 

"I'll only let you come in if you promise my brothers and myself won't suffer the consequences."

"Felix, what?" Hyunjin exclaimed, completely lost. 

But the prince wasn't lost. He very seriously looked at Felix and nodded. "I promise I only mean good." 

Felix's shoulders relaxed a little, but his heart was still beating very fast. But to be fair, his heart always beat very fast when Hyunjin was around. He opened the door wider, gesturing at them to come in. Felix followed the prince with his eyes as he happily hopped in, looking everywhere. 

"Excuse the mess, we weren't expecting any visitors today." 

"Where's the boss?" Hyunjin asked, sitting on the counter, referring to Minho, who would have scolded him if he had seen where he had chosen to set his butt down. The prince was still looking everywhere curiously when Felix answered. 

"Actually, today is a bad day, Minho is ssick." 

"What?" The prince exclaimed, immediately worried. "What's wrong with him?" 

Felix smiled at the reaction. "He didn't feel good this morning so I told him not to go to work, that I would take care of field with Innie but nooo he went anyways!" He rolled his eyes, getting worked up at the memory. "He's always like this, I've seen him work for years I can do it myself for one day, thank you very much! He was so pale when he came home it's a miracle he even made it to his bed without fainting! And now he won't eat!" 

Hyunjin had come closer to Felix while he spoke and stroked his cheek lightly to settle his ranting. Felix calmed down in a second, but still took the opportunity to hug him. He was upset because his brother pampered him or Jeongin like babies anytime they showed the slightest hint of faintness, but refused to take care of himself the same way. It was infuriating. 

"Which room is his? Maybe I can try to get him to eat." The prince thought out loud, his eyes begging Felix to say yes. 

The only problem was, Minho was probably half asleep and delirious, now. Felix wasn't sure it was the right moment for the Prince to see him. But he did want him to eat at least a little and he couldn't get him to, he had tried and his brother was more stubborn than a horse. Felix didn't know when Jeongin would get home either, so he gave in. Anything to get his brother to eat. But there was one problem.

"I don't know if you are allowed to see him yet..." 

"So it's true?" Hyunjin asked. "Minho refuses to show his face to Jisung because he's self conscious?" 

Felix looked at Jisung who nodded at him. He must have let it slip out that Jisung had never actually seen him, and had to make up a lie about why. Sure. If this was the explanation he had given Hyunjin as to not reveal Minho's identity, then so be it. Felix didn't think his brother did feel self conscious about his looks, but they could keep up with the lie now that Felix knew what Hyunjin had heard on the situation. 

"The reason he refuses to show me is stupid, it's not like I'm going to..." The prince searched for his words for a while. "Laugh at his face." 

Both Hyunjin and Felix nodded solemnly. Hyunjin ought to believe the whole thing, whereas Felix knew what the metaphor used was refering to. Minho was awfully careful and paranoid around people, so it was only natural that, being who he was, he protected his identity. 

Minho had told the prince his name, but a name like his wasn't easily found. However a face, now that was a dead giveaway. If the prince did mean evil, and he knew what Robin looked like, he could cause great damage. However, it was pretty clear by now, at least to Felix, that the Prince was simply just whipped for his brother and didn't care at all about what he did at night. He was motivated by interest, not ruse. Besides,

"I'm pretty sure he was going to come to the castle without his mask for his birthday anyway." 

The look on the Prince's face was worth it. With the way he reacted, one would have thought Felix had just promised him the moon. He chuckled. He was sure the prince would never hurt his brother now. Not intentionally. Hyunjin poked at Felix's shoulder.

"When's his birthday, again?"

"In two weeks." 

"And I still don't have a gift." The prince whined, clearly unhappy. "Do you have ideas Felix-ssi?" 

Felix took off his apron, humming. His brother's birthday was always problematic. He never wanted anything, complaining that birthdays were worthless because 'each day I grow older just the same amount'. Felix had it easy though because he could simply bake cookies and Minho would spend every day of the next week thanking him for them. 

"Nothing comes to mind-"

"Lixie-hyung, oh my god!" Came from the front door which opened with enough force to have the door knock against the opposite wall, creating a great ruckus. "The craziest thing happened-"

A startled Jeongin stood still on the threshold, instead of pouncing on Felix like he usually did. He was staring at the Prince, eyes as big as saucers, jaw on the ground. 

"Jeongin, how many times?! If you keep mishandling the door you'll leave a mark on the wall! Minho won't be happy!" 

Felix quickly went to check if the wall was okay, and when he decided it was, forced Jeongin inside the room, while closing the door properly. The little one had dirt spots on his face and hands, and as his shock had not yet substituted, he currently looked like a lost forest child.

"Where have you been? You're dirtier than usual."

"Hyungie, Prince Han Jisung is here." Jeongin whispered to him, his eyes however not leaving the aforementioned, while Felix was dabbing the dirt on his neck away with a cloth. 

"I am aware, yes." 

"Pleased to meet you, Jeongin-ssi." The prince bowed, his face now filled with immense joy. He seemed to enjoy Jeongin's reaction quite a lot, judging by his obviously large smile. Jeongin did have the ability to easily make people smile.

"Why is the prince here, hyungie? Where's hyung?" Jeongin continued to whisper to him, although it didn't really serve any purpose given the room was small, and the overall silence made it very easy for anyone to hear perfectly well what was said. 

"I came to visit your brother of course, I hear he's sick." 

Jeongin made big eyes at Felix, who understood exactly his thought process, for he had gone through it just a few minutes prior. But then, his expression changed to one of worry. 

"Hyung's still sick?" 

"I see you set your priorities straight." 

"I was going to go get him to eat something," the prince continued, now that Felix had kind of given him permission. 

"He's not eating??" 

"It's okay Innie," Felix lulled, taming his brother's hair. "What he really needs is sleep and he got it all afternoon. He'll be fine tomorrow." 

He wouldn't. He very much needed to eat, but Felix figured he didn't need to put more worry on Jeongin's mind. The youngest grumbled something Felix couldn't make out, going to sit at the table. He did properly bow to the two strangers in the room before he did so, drawing a smile out of them. 

"So... Shall I try to get him to eat?"

"Yes, please. The tray is on the counter. Even one spoon will be an improvement."

The Prince hopped to the kitchen happily, and when Felix pointed out to the room he had to enter, left their sight in seconds. There was silence for a few seconds, during which Jeongin stared at the two other men in the room.

"Never thought I'd see the prince of the Kingdom jump like that," the youngest thought out loud, drawing a smile out of both men.

It was silent for a while, Felix slowly going back to sit at the table. Then, Jeongin shot up, and left for his room. They could hear ruckus inside it for a while before he got out, and sprinted to the front door.

"I'm going to Soobin's tonight, that's okay right?" 

"Sure. Be back by seven tomorrow."

Felix didn't feel comfortable with setting boundaries, it was usually his brother's thing, but he could settle for a few if they ensured Jeongin's safety. Meaning, if Jeongin came back before Minho woke up the next day. Minho didn't usually let him stay the night at his friends house too often on week days, which was probably why Jeongin had been so eager to go tonight. That and the fact that Hyunjin was visiting. Anyone, even Jeongin could take a hint and chose to leave them alone for once. 

Felix watched as Hyunjin sat next to him, immediately taking the opportunity to set his head on his shoulder. This was the first time he was in a room alone with Hyunjin. The last time this happened was at the ball and... Well. 

"Soo.. The boss is away, Jisung is away... What do you wanna do?" 

There were many things he wanted to do. Many things he wanted to talk about too, because recently they had gotten to know each other but what Felix really wanted to understand was how the whole thing between them and Changbin would work. They didn't have much time, guessing Minho wouldn't want someone in his room for too long, even if it was the Prince, but it was plenty enough to have a real, honest conversation. 

Chapter Text

Turning the doorknob with one hand while the other was balancing a tray proved to be a hard task, but Jisung managed to do it. He pushed his back to the door to close it, not wanting to try his luck again. The room he entered was dark. The blinds were drawn halfway, which only brought in very little light. Jisung could make up a bed on the left, and a side table next to it. He hurried to it to set the tray down, happy he didn't drop anything, and kneeled next to the bed.

On the bed, he could see a lump. A plaid had been thrown over the blanket, and Jisung couldn't see a single limp poking out. Not even a head, which would mean Minho was still alive and breathing. Jisung placed his hand on one of the bumps, hoping he was not touching anything he shouldn't, and gave it a little shake. 

Jisung thought he heard a protest, but it was too mumbled to be sure. The prince realised he had been shaking his shoulder once hair started appearing, followed by a face, close to his hand. Jisung smiled at how adorable the sigh was, but soon lost his smile. Damn. Minho was gorgeous! His features were delicate, his lips plump and his eyelashes long. Jisung was properly shocked. Hiding such a work of art behind a mask should have been forbidden by the law, he thought.

Minho opened his eyes after a while, which seemed like a great effort, to look at the intruder. He didn't put in the effort to open them fully, happy with halfway. It took two business day before he picked up his head to get a better look, and frowned. After a second, judging the situation, he dropped his head back on the pillow and sighed. 

"Great. Hallucinations." 

".. What?" 

Minho didn't clarify what he meant. Instead, he freed one of his hand from the cover, and quicker than it took him to open his eyes, sneaked his hand around Jisung's shoulders. He then pulled him to himself, causing Jisung to crash into the other. Jisung lost his breathing once his second hand settled behind his shoulder blades. He assumed Minho wouldn't have as much strength as he usually did, but if he was that strong even when he was sick, Jisung wondered what he could do on a good day. 

"Hmmm. Good hallucination." 

Jisung took a second to understand, for his brain had seemed to go into overdrive. Because they were hugging, hugging! And Minho had been in bed for a while, and he was warm and he was pretty and Jisung felt overwhelmed. On the first day he saw his crush, he didn't think he would get a hug, a hug! He must have saved a country in his past life to be this lucky. Eventually, his brain reconnected to his mouth. 

"What? I'm not a hallucination!" 

"Hmm?" 

Jisung looked at the other as best as he could and realised it was a terrible idea for they were very close. Too close. Luckily, Minho didn't use that much strength anymore, and Jisung could free himself from the hug to be able to look at him without fearing tachycardia. Minho was frowning. His eyes were still barely opened and Jisung saw one strand of hair fall after sticking up on top of his head by sheer willpower. 

"Dream, then?" 

"No I'm... I'm real. I'm here." 

Minho looked displeased with this answer, and Jisung found him furiously adorable when he scrunched his nose, still frowning and confused. He couldn't believe the person in front of him, the one who looked so tiny right now, was the person with the highest Bunty on his head. His reputation had been one of terror. He was said to show no mercy, killing as he pleased, and yet he was now curled up in a big blanket, not understanding what he was seeing.

"Don't think so." 

He closed his eyes again, like he was done with the conversation. Jisung snorted. He had just been the witness to a show of strength and yet, with his fluffy hair pale skin and confused speech, Minho looked like he could break if mishandled. 

"I'm not a dream."

" 's what a dream would say." 

Jisung chuckled. He brushed the strand of hair away from the man's forehead. Usually, he didn't really like touching people, or people touching him, but he couldn't recognize himself when he was with Minho. He saw himself use any excuse to touch him, even just for a moment, and felt a little silly at the thought. Minho didn't push his hand away, or look upset with the gesture so he figured it was welcomed. 

"I came to the house with Hyunjin."

Minho raised his head again and creaked one eye open. He scanned the room slowly, and dropped his head back. "No, you're alone." 

"Yeah, Hyunjin stayed back."

"Sound like a dream." 

"Is that so?"

"Hmm. Sound familiar."

"Oh, I see. Do you often dream of me, Minho?" 

Jisung really liked saying his name. It rolled off his tongue like he was meant to pronounce it. Sure, he had used that name before, he had met about a dozen Minho before, but this one was different. This one felt exhilarating. Minho curled up tighter in his blanket, and Jisung wondered if he would ever properly wake up. 

"Sometimes." 

"Are they good dreams?" 

"Hmmm. Very." 

Jisung swore if Minho wasn't sick, if he was fully conscious and consented to it, he would have kissed him right there and then. He really wanted to. He had been dejected up until today, persuaded his infatuation was one sided and Minho only barely tolerated him because of his status. But seeing him like this brought some clearance to Jisung's cloudy mind. Surely, if Minho had dreamt of him, he liked him at least a little.

"I dream of you too, you know." 

"Good dreams?" 

"Very," Jisung echoed, trying not to smile too wide, for his jaw was starting to hurt. "But this is better than a dream." 

Minho gave a tiny nod. He looked more and more tired with each passing second. Suddenly, he coughed, which reminded Jisung why he was really here. He should stop getting sidetracked and tend to the sick like he told Felix he would. 

"Come on, sit up, you need to eat something." 

Minho grumbled something that Jisung couldn't make out, while the prince sneaked an arm below his shoulders to help him sit up. It seemed to take all his energy but eventually, Minho had his back to the headboard and his eyes open. He looked to be slowly waking up this time.

"I don't feel like eating."

"It's porridge, you're fine."

"It takes effort." 

"It takes shutting up." 

Jisung took advantage of Minho gaping at him to raise a spoonful to his mouth. He had to be very slow with each spoonful because Minho took all the time in the world to chew and swallow. Jisung was sure his sickness made him slower, but he was also surely making a show out of it to annoy him. It didn't matter really because with each spoon, Jisung could see colour coming back to Minho's face. Jisung wondered how long he had refused to eat to be this food-deprived. 

"It wasn't that bad now, was it?" 

"It was excruciating."

Jisung hid a smile while putting the almost empty bowl back on the tray. He not only looked better but also was back to sarcasm, which surely meant he felt better. Jisung still took the glass to get him to drink because he did need as much fluids as possible. It took two sips before Minho was pushing it away like a child. 

Jisung rolled his eyes. "Baby." 

"Honey." 

Jisung froze for a second, his ears heating up. "I-... I wasn't pet-naming you, I'm calling you a baby!" 

"And I'm calling you my honey." 

Jisung was the one gaping now, while Minho was nonchalantly slithering back under the blanket to lay down. Jisung had been blaming it on the sickness and grogginess but maybe this was just how Minho always was. He wasn't like this with him usually, though. Jisung wished this was a natural occurrence, then he wouldn't have worried he had been pining for someone uninterested. 

"You're going back to sleep?" 

"Hmm. I need rest." 

"So I'm leaving, then?" 

"No."

Once again, Minho reached out to Jisung and, grasping his shirt, pulled him in. The prince wasn't as surprised this time, so he didn't crash as hard as the first time, but he did immediately feel flustered again. Minho hugged him and Jisung felt his cheeks heat up and his heartbeat accelerate. 

"I sleep better when I'm hugging something," Minho explained, like this was a completely reasonable reaction, to pull the Prince of the country into a hug. To be fair, Jisung being in his room was unreasonable to begin with, so they were both at fault. 

"That's funny, so do I." 

"We can be hugging buddies, then." 

" 'Buddies'?" Jisung exclaimed, taking his distance from Minho, almost ready to get out of the room this instant.

"Or hugging sweethearts, that's fine... That's better." 

Jisung let Minho pull him back, satisfied with that answer. Hugging sweethearts was okay he supposed. He would much rather be sweethearts, simply, and get hugs out of it. But it was still better than "buddies."

So Jisung stopped moving around, simply enjoying his human pillow at the moment. He could feel his breathing slowing down, as well as his heartbeat (which had started off almost as high as his, but he had assumed it was the sickness' fault, not their proximity). If he stayed longer, he was sure he could fall asleep like that, kneeling next to the bed with only his torso up on the bed. 

It was something he couldn't do. In fact, every passing minute meant he had more chances to fall face to face with his brother when going home, and would have to pay the consequences. But he didn't want to move! And Minho said he slept better while hugging something, which could have very well been a trap, but Jisung was okay with getting trapped.

Eventually, as his conscience -and his knees which started to hurt- continued to tell him to leave, he unhooked Minho's arms from around himself, and instead hooked them around another pillow laying around on the bed. The other complained loudly, but let him do it. He probably knew Jisung had to leave at one point. Before he left however, Jisung felt the urge to be very honest with the other. He couldn't pass the opportunity. 

"You're really pretty, you know?" 

"Hmm, I know. Should see me when I'm healthy."

"I sure hope I will." 

"I'll sweep you off your feet then." 

"Can't wait." Jisung snickered, as he reluctantly left the room, closing the door slowly behind himself, just to be met with Hyunjin on Felix's laps, kissing him hungrily. Jisung loudly cleared his throat, making both of them jump. Felix became the colour of a tomato in an instant, while Hyunjin more so looked annoyed he was once again interrupted. He did have the decency to stand up from the man's lap.

"No wonder Minho threatened you after the ball. If I were him I would have done worse." 

That remark did manage to fluster Hyunjin a little, but not quite as Felix who by now looked about ready to jump off a bridge. He pretended to be very busy with his hand just to not look at the prince. 

"So, he ate. Drank a little. Pretty sure he's sleeping now. And we have to get going, unfortunately." 

"Oh, already?" 

Felix' big doe eyes and the desperation in his voice could have almost made Jisung change his mind and stay longer. That, paired up with Hyunjin's pout was a deadly duo. Which is why Jisung looked at neither of them when he concluded that yes, they had to go. Hyunjin reluctantly gave a kiss goodbye to Felix who stood up to open the front door for them.

"It was a pleasure to meet you, Felix-ssi. Where's the younger one?"

"Oh Jeongin left a while ago, he's barely ever home these days." 

"Well, you'll convey my good wishes to him, then. Come on Hyunjin, we're off." 

The sun had already started to set when they got outside. They didn't say anything until they got to the carriage waiting for them, and were off to the castle. It took exactly ten seconds before Hyunjin started complaining.

"No because you could have waited at least ten seconds, seriously, you're mean."

"Were you trying to devour him? That's what it looked like from my point of view, I was just making sure you didn't eat my future husband's brother." 

Jisung could only see the faintest shadow of a blush before Hyunjin turned his head away, grumbling unhappily. 

"Changbin said to give him twice the loving cause he couldn't be here today." 

He couldn't see it, but Jisung could hear the smile in his voice. He rolled his eyes. It did sound like something Changbin would say. 

"You're disgusting." 

"You are 'jaloux, mon ami'."

"What was that?"

"It's french for jealous. Felix teaches me french."

"Is that code for makeout?" 

"Shut up!" 

Their banter continued until they reached the Palace. If they were trying to get back without people noticing, they failed miserably. Luckily, both the King and Younghoon were still in meetings, so Jisung was safe. It took less than a minute of meeting Changbin before Hyunjin explained how mean Jisung was, and that because of him, Hyunjin couldn't give Felix the love he deserved. Luckily, Changbin was on Jisung's side, telling his boyfriend he was supposed to talk with Felix more so than make out with him. Jisung left them when they started discussing how kissable Felix really was.

Chapter Text

"It's been two weeks hyung, he probably forgot. Besides, I'm sure he found it endearing!" 

"You weren't there, Felix. I totally ridiculed myself." 

"I'm sure you didn't!" 

Minho sighed, not convinced in the least. They were once again talking about that night Jisung had come to his room while he was sick, like they had been doing for the past two weeks, every day. Minho was so sleep deprived and sick, he had been so sure he was dreaming! Had he realized he wasn't dreaming, he would have never said anything he said, would have never done what he did. And now he had to go see him, because it was his birthday and he had set the date after all, over a month ago.

"What if I pretend to be sick and just not go?" 

"Then he'll come himself again and you'll ridicule yourself more!" 

"Felix!" 

He heard his brother laugh from the kitchen but was too focused on his bag to care. It felt too light. Sure he wasn't going on a mission, technically, but the lack of weight was throwing him off. It was the fact that his bow was missing he was sure, that's why it felt wrong. Even though his bow was not really that heavy at all to begin with. He left his room soon enough, his bag secured on his back and dragged his feet through the living room. 

"Don't look so disheartened, hyung, come on. You're going to see your 'sweetheart' after all," Felix laughed. 

"Stop embarrassing me!"

"I don't need to, you're doing just fine by yourself it seems." 

"You know, you've gotten a lot more attitude ever since that kid started seeing you, not sure I should continue to allow it." 

Felix gave him the most shocked, disappointed and upset look at once and Minho immediately regretted his words, even though he was joking. And Felix had in fact been more daring ever since that stupid tall servant had started courting him. 

"His. Name. Is Hyunjin. Besides, if you don't allow it I'll just go behind your back." 

Minho didn't regret his words anymore. He was almost entirely sure Felix was bluffing, because one, he was too excited to keep stuff to himself and two, he was a terrible liar. Minho still approached his brother with sad puppy eyes, which according to Felix made him look like "a stray kitten". 

"Would you, really?" 

"Stop that, it won't work on me." 

It did work on him. It always did. Minho might be self-conscious about a lot, but when it came to his brother, he knew exactly how to handle him. He had known his whole life, had to, to take care of him. Felix could sway Minho's opinion with one look because he was the person he cared about the most, and the feeling was mutual. Minho hugged his brother for good measure.

"I'm sorry. You know I'm only joking. Your happiness is my happiness." 

"I know, I know. Now go, before the sun sets entirely. You know I hate it when you wait for the complete darkness before leaving."

"It will be pitch black when I come back anyways."

"Maybe you shouldn't come back at all." 

"Are you trying to keep me out of my own home?" 

"I'm telling you to go get some!" 

"Lee Felix!" 

His brother laughed eerily while pushing him outside, closing the door just as soon as Minho's feet were on the porch. What a little devil. Hyunjin definitely had a bad influence on him. Maybe Minho should stop by his chambers again before going to Jisung's, just to have a little talk. 

*

Automatically, Minho chose not to stop by Hyunjin's room. Minho didn't stop anywhere. In fact, he couldn't even remember the way to the castle, only realizing he arrived when he had to take his grapple out. He had been on autopilot the whole way, deep in his head. 

The way up was not that bad this time, because that too, he did on autopilot. He was figuring out which apology sounded the best all the way up, and was on the balcony in no time. He barely had time to dust himself before something -someone- jumped on him, hooking their legs around his waist and arms around his shoulders.

"Hi!" 

"Jisung!" 

Thank god Minho had fast reflexes and a strong core because the force alone Jisung had used could have made him stumble back and fall to his death, taking the prince with him.

"We're on a balcony, be careful!" 

"I am, everything is under control. Why are you wearing this awful thing again?" 

Jisung eventually unhooked himself from Minho, letting go of the other to set his feet back on solid ground. He was looking at his apparent arch nemesis: Minho's mask. The thief rolled his eyes and took it off, stuffing it back in his bag. 

"Can't be too careful, what if someone saw me on the way up?" 

Jisung nodded, taking Minho's hand to lead him inside his room. He was wearing gloves (because he would never climb so high barehanded) but still felt the prince's body heat seep through the fabric. The heat continued its way up to his cheeks and settled there. Jisung turned to him to stare for a while before talking.

"Gorgeous indeed. Ten times better than when you're sick. When are you gonna sweep me off my feet?" 

"You already did that by yourself," Minho joked, trying very hard to overlook the awkwardness once he realised Jisung had not only not forgotten that night, but also obviously planned to use it against him. He had to be strong, two could play that game.

"It doesn't count I did that myself." 

"Yeah, may I ask you to warn me beforehand next time?" 

"No, I won't. You have to always be on the lookout when you're with me." 

"So what, I can only look at you, nothing else, no one else, ever?" 

"That's the plan." 

Minho looked the other up and down. His pretty eyes, cute cheeks, and inviting lips. As well as his straight frame and, what Minho had only realised five minutes ago, his very tiny waist. Every time they had met beforehand, Minho had paid such attention to his face that he had never noticed this very interesting detail. Had he not jumped on him, Minho wouldn't have put his hand around his waist to settle him and would still be blissfully ignorant. Jisung was blushing when Minho's eyes settled back on his face. 

"That's a plan I can get behind." 

"Okay, well, humm... Sit down," Jisung stuttered while he turned around, looking for something in the room. His eyes settled on a big package on his bed. "Got a gift for you, obviously." 

Jisung brought the package while Minho sat down and settled his bag at his feet. He came back to the table quickly, and set the gift in front of Minho before sitting down himself. 

"I.. I'm not a skilled craftsman like you so... And I know you already have one but-"

"I'm sure I'll love it," Minho smiled, setting his hand on the other's arm. The contact alone seemed to calm his wandering thoughts a little, so Minho took the opportunity to take the gift. 

The second his hand was set on the package, he knew what it was. He had to open to make sure he wasn't dreaming of course, and gaped at it. He moved it around, looking at the details in awe.

"Happy birthday."

"You made me a bow?" 

Jisung looked sheepish, his eyes cast down and his hands fidgeting with each other. "I know you have one but I thought maybe- cause you're Robin Hood so you know-"

"No, it's perfect. Jeongin broke my bow two days ago." 

"Oh, really? Woah, I'm so smart."

"Yeah I was going to make myself a new one but... This is perfect!"

Minho stood up, bow in hand, to get a proper feel for it. If anyone told him a few months ago he would be gifted a bow by the royal Prince, he would have laughed at their face. Life really was full of surprises. Looking closely, Minho could tell it wasn't the work of a professional, the work wasn't as delicate as could be and some parts were a little rough around the edges, but in a way, it made it even more valuable in Minho's eyes. 

"Is it orange osage wood?"

"Yeah."

"Fancy." 

Minho couldn't really be surprised the prince of the Kingdom could offer to make a bow out of one of the most expensive option of woods, but it felt almost too precious for his hands. He set it back on the table and sat down, although his hands never left the precious object. 

"I asked the archery team which wood I should use cause it's not exactly my range of expertise, you know." 

"Thank you very much. I love it." 

Jisung's flustered smile made him look quite possibly the most adorable Minho had had the chance to see him so far. The gesture alone could make him forget to be mad at Jeongin for stealing his bow without permission and breaking it, but not quite. 

"You're welcome." 

"You're cute."

"Oh, stop it."

"What, I have to look at you but can't make remarks on what I see?" 

"Shut up.."

The game was on. Minho hooked one hand below Jisung's chair, and brought it close to himself. Damn that thing was heavy, but he managed to do it anyway. The look of pure shock Jisung sent him was priceless. Once the chair was at a desirable distance (which meant there was barely any room between them two) Minho let his hand fall on the other's thigh. 

"Sorry, didn't hear you, what was that?" 

It seemed like his remark (or perhaps it was his hand) sent Jisung into shock for he gaped at him for long seconds while Minho was trying not to laugh at the sight. Eventually, Jisung ended the eye contact and cleared his throat.

"Are you always going to be like this from now on?" 

"Like what?" 

"Flirty." 

"I'm always like this."

"Not with me." 

Minho sighed. It was true he had been too shocked the first times they met to be anything but confused, but now that he had already ridiculed himself, he didn't have anything to fear. Besides, he figured going back would be counterproductive.

"You caught me off guard the first times we met, but I'm prepared now. I was going to apologize originally but you're the one who jumped on me so really-" 

"Apologize? What for?" 

"My behaviour when you came to the house. Very inappropriate." 

"What you're doing now is worse." 

"As I said, you jumped on me first. So I assumed whatever I did that night mustn't have upset you that much." 

"Well..." 

Jisung was looking everywhere but Minho, who found it very endearing. It was his turn now. Jisung had turned Minho into an overthinking panicked gay mess the past two months, so now that Minho had gained back his ability to speak, and most importantly think, in front of the prince, he'd turn the tables. If the prince reacted so lovably every time he did so, Minho would find it hard to stop, surely. Minho gave a quick squeeze to the man's thigh, as if to end the conversation, before he stood up.

"You're not leaving are you?" A panicked Jisung questioned immediately. 

"Of course not," Minho smiled, happy to know he wanted him to stay. "I'm exploring."

Minho looked around the room curiously. It was his second time here, but the first time he could actually take time to look around. The first time he was here he was first of all too focused on Jisung, and second of all, had been shooed out of the room too quickly. 

Everything about the room was marvelous. The bed looked three times as big as Minho's, and ten times more comfortable. There was an imposing marble fireplace, with lots of little trinkets on the counter. Minho was sure any of these individual little things were worth more than his entire life. He was convinced that the thing in the corner was a Fabergé egg. He didn't dare to touch anything. 

"If I didn't know you, I'd steal everything on here," he thought out loud.

"Even Leebit?'

"Leebit?"

Minho had not heard Jisung stand up nor come closer to him, and only realized his presence when his arm appeared in front of his eyes, to reach the other end of the counter, where a plush was sitting. It was very old, and therefore didn't really look like much anymore, but Minho was almost sure it was a bunny. It must have been white at first, now a washed-out grey. 

"Your childhood treasure?"

"Hm Hm. We were inseparable." 

"I had a quokka. Still sleeps on my bed."

"You mean that brown lump? I was wondering what it was!" 

"Show some respect to Quokka please, he's older than you. Had him since birth." 

"His name is Quokka? Very clever."

"Yeah I wasn't a very inventive kid.."

Jisung snickered, putting Leebit back where he belonged. Minho turned around, looking at the paintings in the room, the rich carpet, the heavy curtains, the intricate cornices, wondering once more how he ended up in this situation, knowing where he came from. 

"Why Robin Hood?" 

"Hm?" Minho turned to Jisung, suddenly remembering he was not alone, the prince standing close to him. "Well, no offense but your parents are shit at their job-"

"I meant why did you choose that name," Jisung cut Minho off to clarify, rolling his eyes.

"Oh! I wanted Raven Hood but Felix said it sounded too ominous."

"Hm. He's right." 

Minho shrugged. He still thought he could have pulled it off. At the beginning of his "career", people had still pretended he was a bloody murder despite his name, so really, it didn't change much. If people wanted to gossip, they would find a way to do so. 

Minho walked himself to the bathroom, continuing his inspection. There, proudly set on the marble counter was his glass sculpture. It was surrounded by various intricate perfume bottles and the whole thing looked like it belonged in a museum. Minho was very proud of himself. Jisung soon followed him, amused to see him staring at his art. 

"My father asked where I got it you know, says it looks like years of practice." 

"It is. Your father might not be good with the economy but I guess he has a good eye for art. I like your counters by the way."

"They're simple." 

"They're made of marble." 

"That's normal here. You are in royal chambers after all." 

"It's cold though, right?"

"What? I guess so?" 

"So if I do this-" Minho snatched Jisung's waist with one arm and raised him to sit on the counter. He should have used both arms and felt a strain in his shoulder right away, but he wanted to show off. He gently placed his own body in between the prince's legs, only allowing a small distance between them. "It's not very comfortable, is it?" 

Jisung gained so much colour in so little time that Minho almost feared for his health. He spluttered for a while, not creating any sentence that made sense, hiding his face with his hands. 

"What was that, doll?" 

"When people said you are a menace I didn't realise this is what they meant." 

It came out a little muffled because Jisung's hands were still covering his mouth but Minho managed to understand. He tried to pry his hands away, to see his face but it turned out to be a hard task. He did manage to, eventually, but Jisung still kept his eyes down as to not look at him.

"If you don't like it, I'll stop." 

"No, it's... I just need to get used to it I guess."

"You're all shy now, but a few weeks ago you were all over me." 

"Well I had to! You looked completely uninterested. I'll have you know I'm not used to this at all, I never pursued anyone before." 

"I'm honoured," Minho smiled, looking deep into Jisung's eyes. And he was. The thought of such a pretty, bold and intriguing person pursuing him felt like the best compliment he had ever heard. Jisung didn't answer, only looking back at Minho, and right there was when Minho understood at last what people meant by 'getting lost in one's eyes'. It's not that he couldn't look away, it's that he didn't want to. Like looking away would hurt him more than any physical labour imaginable.

Suddenly, both men heard the door handle jingle harshly, making them jump. Minho let his head fall on Jisung's torso once the sudden freight passed, letting a breath out. "Always interrupted."

"Jisung did you lock yourself in?" A voice called, muffled behind the door.

"Good thinking!" Minho smiled, happy that it was just a voice behind the door, and not a person entering like last time. "Is that your father?" 

"Unfortunately." 

"Well, I'm out."

Minho held his hand out to help the other off the counter, which the prince gladly used, before he rushed to his bag to put his mask on, grabbed his newly acquired bow and went back to the balcony. 

"When do I get to see you again?" Minho asked the other who had followed him out.

"Bring your siblings to the next ball, I'd like to meet them properly." 

"Well it's good you wanna meet my family but you know I don't really feel comfortable meeting yours." 

"Jisung, what's taking so long?" The voice shouted through the door.

"In a minute!" Jisung shouted back. "So deal? It's next week." 

"Sure. See you then, Prince."

For good measure, Minho kissed the other on the cheek before he had to go down. A week was fine. He could wait one week. He had done worse. He just had to ask his siblings now if they would be okay with it, but he was sure they would say yes. 

Chapter Text

"Innie if you don't move your butt right now I swear I'll beat-"

"Language!" Minho screamed from his room. Felix had been on edge all day, meaning he had been swearing all day. It didn't help that Jeongin had decided to take the longest possible time in the bathroom, fifteen minutes before they were supposed to leave, creating even more chaos.

"Hyung, tell Jeongin to stop being annoying already, he's been in there for half an hour! Some people need to pee!" 

"Jeongin get out of there now or see me break the door down." Minho shouted in the general direction of the bathroom, looking for his jacket. He was sure it was on the sofa this morning? It was nowhere to be seen.

"That's an awful thing to say hyung, cause I kinda wanna see that," Jeongin laughed, sitting at the table while Felix ran to the now vacant bathroom.

"You're out, aren't you? Seen my jacket?" 

Jeongin threw the jacket (which was hanging on one of the chairs' back) to Minho immediately who luckily caught it mid air, and easily slipped it on. Minho could finally look up and see amused that Jeongin had spent a while in the bathroom to braid his growing hair. He had been working out with friends of his recently, and had lost some baby fat. That and the long hair changed his face drastically.

"When did you grow up?" 

Jeongin rolled his eyes, but he was smiling. Felix soon came out of the bathroom, finally wearing a smile. He was dashing as always and Minho already dreaded the number of people he would have to keep away from him. Although maybe this time, Hyunjin and Changbin would take on the job themselves. 

"Are we all ready?" Minho asked, confused as to how they managed to be ready so early when they usually had to rush out, way too late to be considered fashionable. 

"You're not," Felix immediately answered, like it was an offense Minho even thought so.

"I am..?" 

"You're not going with that hair, right?" 

"My hair's okay."

"It's not prince worthy," Jeongin lulled, happy that Felix's focus was now on the oldest in the room. 

"He's seen me snotty and almost asleep, he'll be fine." 

"Yeah but what if you meet the king?" Felix pressed, like Minho's hair was a national problem.

"That won't happen." 

"It's your funeral." 

"Will you get over my hair already, let's go!" 

*

This time, Minho felt more at ease. He was so focused on not being recognised the first time he attended the ball that he barely had time to enjoy it. The ball had started a while back, and everyone was already in a joyful mood. If it was socially acceptable, Minho would have run to Jisung in seconds, and spent the night close to him. Unfortunately, he couldn't do that. Besides, it seemed the Prince was pretty popular for there were always people at his arm, holding conversation.

"When are we meeting the Prince?" Jeongin asked between two mouthfuls.

"We can't come up to him, we have to wait until he comes up to us. Besides, you already met."

"Barely, and I was out of it, I forgot what he looks like already. Can I go talk to Channie in the meantime then?"

"Who's Channie?" 

"The guard, there, see?" Jeongin was pointing out to one of the room's corners. Minho recognized him instantly.

"Is that the guard you fed last time?" 

"It's ridiculous really, he says he's on a diet. Can you believe that? Like he needs it! Besides, you need lots of food to grow muscles."

"Okay, okay go feed your friend." 

Jeongin was gone in an instant, bringing a plate of soufflés with him to the guard. Minho saw the guard's face lighten up the second Jeongin was in his vision, and smiled knowing his brother made at least one person's evening better. Felix stayed close to him for a while, excitingly pointing out to pretty dresses and gorgeous tuxedos. 

"Hello, Minho-hyung. Lix." 

Minho bowed to the newcomer, Changbin, with a smile. If anyone asked, he would deny it, but Minho actually had a soft spot for him. Unlike Hyunjin, he was very straightforward, he didn't look to be hiding anything. Hyunjin was complex, always hard to understand, at least for Minho, while Changbin was easy to read. 

"Where's blondie?" Minho asked, looking around but not seeing a trace of that ferret anywhere.

"His highness asked for something from his room, he'll be back in a minute. Lixie, care to join me for a dance?" 

Felix immediately agreed but still waited for his brother's approval, who gave it immediately. They left soon enough, excitedly hooking each other's arm with their own. Minho rolled his eyes and went back to the buffet. He even had the nerve to take off his mask. The thing usually didn't bother him -he was used to wearing it-, but with the stuffy air around him, the music, the people, he felt better without it. He looked around for a while before he found something of interest, a glass of wine.

"Minho! I thought I recognized you!" 

Minho turned around to see a very excited Kevin rushing to his side. The shock was short lived thankfully, and soon Minho was bowing to him.

"You're here this time." 

"So are you! My sister could make it so, we came too. Oh, let me introduce to you my former roommate, I mentioned him remember? Ju Haknyeon!" 

Minho immediately bowed to the man standing next to Kevin whom he hadn't noticed before, for he was standing shily a little behind Kevin. He had never seen him, nor met Minho was sure -he never forgot a face- but somehow, he felt like he did.

"Nice to meet you, do I know you? Your name sounds familiar." 

"Pleasure. We haven't but I know your brother, Felix. He's mentioned you often, is he here too?"

Suddenly it all came back to Minho. Haknyeon. His original ticket to the royal jewelry. Minho had heard his name before because he had used it with Jisung. Minho tried not to let his shock show. He had in fact never met the man, and given the royal family didn't even know they had been robbed (a piece of information Felix had gotten out of Hyunjin), Minho had no reason to worry. 

"Haknyeon, of course! The.. hum.. royal servant, correct?" Minho questioned, taking a sip of his drink.

"That, I am." 

"I thought royal servants lived inside the Palace, how come you two were roommates?" 

Kevin and Haknyeon looked at each other silently for a second too long. Minho could figure out why by himself of course. He had been inside the castle the first time because Haknyeon had been fired, therefore had left his quarters. But it was always safer to play the clueless card, and Minho excelled at that.

"Haknyeon was momentarily laid off so he had to leave his quarters, and came to stay with me." Kevin quickly explained. "He's back now though, the Royals can't function too long without him!" 

"Ooh, right. Felix mentioned a friend having this kind of trouble, so that was you? May I be very bold and ask how you got your job back? I hear the Royal Family is not the forgiving type." 

"It's all thanks to Prince Jisung. You see I was his servant originally, but someone started this rumour... Anyways I came back because he specifically requested me to be reinstalled! A great man, he is. I could introduce you two if you wish?"

"No need. We are acquainted actually. Prince Younghoon's servant is.. friends with my brother."

Minho could see realization fill Haknyeon's eyes quickly. "Wait, Hyunjin's Felix is your Felix? Waouh. Small world." 

"Indeed it is." 

"Where is this Felix I keep hearing about?" Kevin questioned. He must have heard about Felix from everyone he knew. Even Chanhee, his boss at his job knew Felix and must have mentioned him before. 

"Dancing somewhere I presume. He's wearing green and definitely not wearing his mask. If Hyunjin has come back, you'll find him with him," Minho informed Haknyeon, because he wasn't sure Kevin knew who Hyunjin was.

They both nodded, scanning the room. Minho found him in an instant. He wasn't too far off actually, still dancing with Changbin. Hyunjin was nowhere to be seen yet but Minho figured it was only a matter of minutes before he came back and got his hands all over his baby brother. 

"Oh I see him," Haknyeon exclaimed. "It was nice to meet you, Minho. I'll introduce Kevin to Felix now! Have a pleasant evening." 

Minho bowed to the two before they were gone. Haknyeon looked like a very nice and gentle person. Minho almost felt bad he had used his name to get his way, months ago. But, using his name had allowed him to meet Jisung so he wasn't that sorry after all. Minho saw his brother's eyes widen when his friend was close enough and he hugged him. How did Felix know that many people, from such different backgrounds, Minho would never know. 

Felix was now surrounded by bigger men than himself who meant him no harm but could definitely protect him, so Minho could relax. He looked around to find his second protégé, who was also still in the presence of a big man, for he hadn't moved, still talking to the same guard. A third party had joined them. Maybe Minho should introduce himself? 

"Hello, hyung. You look dashing tonight!"

Minho turned to see a slightly disheveled Hyunjin smiling at him. Sucking up to him was something he always did for he knew Minho was still not a hundred percent on the ship with him. Looking disheveled, that was a new one. 

"You don't. What happened?" 

"Prince Younghoon needed something from his room but it's on the other side of the castle, so I ran because I didn't wanna lose too much time. Where's your brother?" 

"Tame your hair first or Felix will faint. He's over there with Changbin and Haknyeon. I'm watching you."

Hyunjin bowed to the other and quickly took off to get to Felix, while trying to settle down his hair. Minho snorted. At least he had the decency to look sheepish under Minho's stare, so he couldn't be that shameless. Minho sighed and decided to go see Jeongin after all. Every time he saw "Channie", it was from far away, he had to be a little closer to judge character.

He put his hand on his brother's shoulder silently, before bowing to the guard. Both him and the man next to him bowed back, bringing a smile to Minho's face. The guard, simply put, looked like a golden retriever. Minho was sure he could attack anyone who deserved it, he certainly had the build for it, but he also looked like he wouldn't want to. The man next to him, a smaller man with Auburn hair and glasses, had a fierce look in his eyes, and looked like he couldn't technically attack anyone because he lacked the muscles, but would find a way to do so if needed.

"Hyung, this is Channie-hyung and Seungminnie-hyung. He's a librarian." 

"Pleasure, sir! I'm Bangchan. This is Seungmin. You must be his brother, you look so much alike!" The guard exclaimed.

Minho and Jeongin shared a look. Many people had told them that before, not knowing the truth. When they were younger, it had caused a big stir with Felix who was jealous of their resemblance. Every time someone mentioned the adoption, people always assumed Felix was adopted. Now, luckily, Felix thought it was funny. So did they.

"Thank you, only one of us got our mother's dimples, unfortunately!" Minho answered, embracing his brother's shoulders. It was true his mother had dimples, and that was another reason people always assumed Jeongin was indeed her legitimate son. Jeongin smiled, as if to prove he had in fact inherited her dimples. All three men smiled back, as a knee reaction, because Jeongin was simply too adorable not to react. 

"I was just telling Jeongin that if he is looking for a job, the royal library could use someone. It gets lonely there," the ginger man mentioned, catching Minho's attention. 

"Marvelous idea!" Minho turned to Jeongin. "Wouldn't that be a great opportunity for you?"

"I don't wanna work for the Royal family.." 

Bangchan snorted, but tried to hide it behind a cough. Seungmin, on the other hand, didn't even try to hide his smile, seemingly at peace with his disdain for royalty. Minho decided he liked him.

"We all work under the Royals, one way or another, fox," Minho told the youngest. "Can't escape it." 

"You know what I mean..."

"The king and Queen never stop by the library, usually. Only the Princes do, mostly his highness Jisung actually, and he is of very decent company!" 

"I know, right? He's cool!" Jeongin excitedly answered.

"You've met?" Bangchan questioned. 

"He's 'cool'?" Minho repeated, in awe with the youngest's choice of words.

"He took care of you when you were sick, he's cool," Jeongin explained, like this was the most senseful thing he had ever said. Their two counterparts looked completely taken back, so Minho took it upon himself to explain.

"Our brother, Felix is acquainted with Hyunjin, his highness Younghoon's personal servant. We got to meet Prince Jisung through them once. I was sick that day, Prince Jisung was... Attentive to it." 

Both men nodded while Jeongin was the one trying to hide his smile this time. Anyone could still see his dimples miles away, though. Sure, Minho was bending the truth a little, but in the big lines, this was what happened. He didn't know where his 'story' with Jisung was going, and didn't know if he was comfortable yet telling people they were more than acquaintances. Better safe than sorry. 

"Well, it was a pleasure to meet you both gentlemen, I was just making sure everything was okay," Minho explained, looking at Jeongin who nodded. "I'll be off, then. Have a pleasant evening." 

Everyone bowed and Minho was off. A quick scan allowed him to see Felix was still surrounded by taller, buffer men. He needed a glass of champagne. The liquid had barely touched his lips when someone cleared their throat next to him. 

"Are you trying to torture me?" 

Minho looked at Jisung, utterly confused. He swallowed the liquid quickly and lowered his glass. That was one weird way to say 'good evening Minho', but it wasn't the first time Jisung surprised him. 

"Did you take it upon yourself to talk to all the handsome men in the room?" The prince continued, crossing his arms unhappily.

Minho took a little longer to understand. Once he did, he smiled adoringly. He hadn't realised Jisung had been watching him, he had looked so busy, talking to so many people. Minho hadn't even been able to notice him of their arrival, and yet the Prince had managed to find him first, like the first time.

"And with your mask off, too!"

Minho adored him so much. He could tell Jisung wasn't really serious on the issue, more so using it as icebreaker, but if he even thought of it, surely, it meant there was some truth in it. The Prince of the Kingdom was jealous because he had talked to other men. How lucky Minho was. He sneaked an arm around the Prince's waist to bring him closer. 

"You're the first handsome man I see this evening. How are you, darling?" 

"Don't pretend. Guard Bang has been turning heads every day since he started the job. And who was the one with black hair?" 

"Not my type. I tend to go for princes, not guards," Minho winked, gaining a small, almost imperceptible smile at the corner of Jisung's lips. "The one with black hair is Kevin. First of all, I'm pretty sure he is interested in someone, second of all, it's partially thanks to him I could make you a birthday gift, so really, you should consider him a friend." 

"Well, I guess he's alright, then... It's been hours, you talked to everyone in the room but me," Jisung whined, pushing Minho's shoulder with his hand, just to lower it to his torso when Minho didn't flinch a centimeter.

"I can't just come up to you, I'm a nobody! You could have come to me instead," he answered. He didn't mention the prince's hand on him, but his entire body, most specifically the tingling he felt everywhere because of it, was acutely aware of it.

"Well I just did." 

"So what are you complaining for?" 

"Shall we get away?" 

Minho stood silently. Did Jisung mean go out of the ballroom? But that meant Minho would be leaving his brothers alone to fend for themselves. A quick look around assured him that Jeongin and Felix were now reunited, close to the spot guard Bangchan had to stay in, everyone seemingly introducing themselves to each other. Surely they would be fine for a while without him. 

"I thought you wanted to meet my brothers?" 

"I have a lifetime to do that, I'd rather be alone with you now. Enough talking to other people." 

"Ok, let's get away," Minho laughed, keening on the obvious possessive tone.

And with that, Jisung led Minho out of the room.

Chapter Text

"You wanna go to your room?" 

"Yeah, why not? You've been there before."

Minho shared an eye contact with one of the guards in the corridor they were currently walking in. Yes, he had. But he had used the balcony to get in, no one had seen him. The only one who knew he had been in Jisung's room was Younghoon, and that was an unplanned mistake. 

"Everyone will know if you bring me to your room now.."

"Good. I want everyone to know." 

"Are you sure? Hyunjin says that when you're the one targeted by rumours, it's kind of hard to recover."

"They're not rumours if they're true," Jisung reasoned, opening the door of the room they had reached at last.

"Actually, speaking of rumors," Minho started, entering the bedroom before Jisung who was holding the door for him. He could have waited a little to know about it, but ever since Haknyeon had mentioned it, he had been curious. "I heard about the rumour between you and Haknyeon-"

"You didn't believe it, did you?" 

The panicked tone Jisung used had Minho stop in his track. Truth is, he had no idea what the rumour was. All he knew was that the rumour got Haknyeon fired, and he got to meet Jisung, and that's all he cared about. But now he knew Jisung had panicked over it, he did want to know about the rumour in more details.

"I don't know, is it true?" 

"Of course not! I was covering for Younghoon the whole time! The dumbass asked me to!" 

"Right," Minho answered, still confused. He didn't know Jisung was covering for his brother, and he didn't know why he was covering for him, so he pushed further. "You want me to believe that?" 

"Yes! I mean sure we are friends, but he's my servant! I'd never mess around with my servants!" 

"So that was the rumour? That you messed around with him?" 

"You... Didn't know?" 

"No, Haknyeon just mentioned a rumour. Thanks for clarifying everything, though." 

"Minho..." Jisung whined as he threw himself on his bed. Minho snickered. Had he heard the rumour from someone else, he might have believed it too. After all, he was aware Jisung had had a life before him. His job was to make sure he wouldn't have a life after him. 

"So are they involved? Haknyeon and Younghoon?" 

"They're oblivious about it. Younghoon says they get along like normal 'friends', but what kind of friend asks you on a picnic date and asks his brother to pretend he went with you instead to 'not raise suspicious'? It did raise suspicions too, because everyone thought I was the one trying to date him when the word got out."

Minho hummed. What were the chances of both brothers having the same sexual orientation. What was to happen to the bloodline? It was like Jisung read his mind, because Minho didn't have to ask before he answered.

"Younghoon is bi. He knows he'll eventually need to produce heirs, I think that's why he doesn't really try anything with Haknyeon, because he knows it can't last.. Maybe they could adopt though. I don't think father would be too keen on the idea though."

"Hm, hm."

"Oh by the way, you do know Haknyeon then? I was wondering, actually. I asked him about Robin once he was reinstalled but he didn't look like he knew much. So he does know about you?" 

"Nop, not at all. I didn't even know him at all before tonight. Felix knew him, I don't know how. But no he doesn't know about me. And I plan on keeping it like that. In fact you are one of the only three people who know." 

"Oh, so I am privileged?"

"Very much so." 

"Come on," Jisung smiled, patting the bed next to where he sat. "Come next to me. I have a business proposition I wanted to share with you first." 

Usually, this remark would have sent Minho into an anxiety attack, but Jisung's smile helped settle it quite easily. He followed the movement and sat next to the prince, waiting to know what exactly was the business in question. 

"I heard your brother got a job proposition-"

"How did you hear that already? He was asked less than an hour ago!"

"News travel fast." 

"Did you have someone listen in on us?" 

"If I said yes, would you be mad?" 

"Not really, I think it's hot."

Jisung visibly buffered at the remark, obviously not expecting this answer. He had to look away before he could go back to what he was saying, a shade darker around the neck.

"Anyways... I was going to do the same with you.. Plenty of fields around the castle which need a farmer's expertise.."

"I already have fields."

"But these ones are closer to the castle."

"Well that's no good for me, then I would have to travel between home and work everyday.."

Jisung deadpanned at Minho. It only took a few seconds before he saw the small smile tugging at the robber's lips and understood Minho was just trying to make him work for it. Felix always told Minho he should stop teasing everyone but, it was in his nature.

"Okay, how about you move in the castle, close to me and work here, so I can see you more often than once every month?" 

Minho smiled and kissed the other's forehead, simply because he could. He would lie if he said he hadn't thought about it before. Even before he met Jisung, he wished to provide for his two babies and what would have been a better way than living in the Royal castle. But it had been too unattainable a goal, so instead he just started to steal things. And it did help, a lot, and not only they benefited from it, but maybe it was time he offered his brothers a more permanent future plan. 

"What about Felix?" 

"I'm sure Hyunjin will find a job for him in less than a heartbeat." 

"I don't know..." Minho stood up. He had to think about it. Sure, he had dreamt of it before. He might be Robin Hood, but he was still human and just like everyone else, he wouldn't mind living in easy mode. But living here meant leaving everything he knew behind.

"If it helps, being part of the castle gives you easy access to Rich people's properties." 

Minho laughed at Jisung's insight. It did help. The worst part of his night work was always the traveling. Felix was always uneasy about the long road he had to take before and after each time. 

"You do realise if I accept, that would make you an accomplice."

"I've been an accomplice ever since the first day we met."

Minho smiled, looking at the treasure of a man he was talking to. It was true that simply letting him enter the castle, when he knew why he came would be considered an accomplice job.

"Why did you help me that day? And your brother, he didn't rat me out when he saw me here?" 

"I was upset when we met because the rumour about Haknyeon and I had just been out, and my parents chose to believe it, even though I told them it wasn't true, and fired him. Besides, Younghoon and I have been your fans ever since you started!"

"Oh, is that so?" 

"Younghoon always said he would make the country rich when he grows older. The whole country, not just the people inside the Palace. He was really happy when he heard about someone trying to do exactly that." 

That did explain a lot. The Poor in the country didn't really question the princes. The King and Queen let them starve, so surely the whole family was rotten. Only those who had connections with them, or interested themselves in them could have known the princes had a good heart. Minho sat back on the bed, setting his hand on the Prince's thigh.

"If I come to live here, and I get caught, I'm also right in the trap."

"Honey, if you get caught my father will find you whether you live in the castle or flee the country." 

"That's kind of scary."

"But if you live here I can protect you!" 

"You can be really persuasive." 

"I try." 

"I'll talk to my brothers about it, see what they think."  

Once again, they were interrupted by knocks on the door. Minho wondered if he was very unlucky or if being the prince just meant he always had people to talk to, places to be. He retrieved his hand from the other's thigh before Jisung told them to come in. A tall dark-haired man opened the door and bowed to them. They bowed back.

"Your highness, a sir Yang Jeongin says he has an appointment with you right now."

"I don't have any-"

"It's my brother," Minho cut Jisung off, realizing Jeongin had gone to the extend of asking for a guard to get the prince for him. 

"Oh!" Jisung smiled. "I do have an appointment with him, we'll come down to the ballroom quickly. Thank you San-ssi."

The guard smiled before leaving the room and Minho rolled his eyes when he saw it. Jeongin really was collecting dimpled men like his life depended on it. It's like he could smell them.

"I'm sorry, I knew Jeongin was eager to talk to you properly this time, but I didn't think he would bother your guards over it. He can be pretty persistent," Minho sighed, following Jisung into the corridor.

"I like him already." 

"Don't tell him that, he won't let you breathe." 

"I plan to get along with my future husband's siblings."

Minho gaped at him. "Future husband?" 

"The law can go fuck itself I'll chose who I marry."

"Ask me first before you go and make plans, oh my god!" 

"I don't date just to have a good time, if you think I'm that type you got me wrong. Every person I spend time with, I consider part of my future." 

Minho didn't answer. Truth be told, he was the same, but it felt different once someone said it out loud. Besides, the word marriage had never been in Minho's mind, always having known what his sexuality allowed him, and what was forbidden unfortunately. Minho had crossed out mariage from his future plan when he was ten and had his first gay awakening because of his neighbour and older friend, Sangyeon. 

"Do you think we can actually get married, despite the law?" 

Jisung stared at Minho weirdly. He probably didn't think Minho would entertain the idea and was shocked he considered the problem to be in the law itself, not the fact that they could count on their hands the number of times they had talked, or seen each other, already planning their proposal.

"I'm part of the Royal Family, we make the laws. If I want to make gay marriage a thing, I can. I think Younghoon was planning on making it legal once he gets to the throne anyway."  

Minho hummed, still deep in thought. He wished the law had never made it illegal to begin with, but oh well, no one can change the past. Had he ever thought he could get a prince, maybe he would have thought about marriage before, but he had never been this bold, even with his own fantasies. He shrugged.

"Alright then. I'll wait for his Highness to make it legal, and then I'll propose to you." 

Jisung looked scandalised. "What do you mean you will propose? I'll be the one proposing!"

"Hmm... Getting proposed to doesn't sound like my style. I'll steal a really cool ring for you." 

"You're gonna propose to me with a stolen ring?" Jisung deadpanned. 

"Alright I won't... I'll make one." Minho saw the way Jisung's face became brighter as a smile slowly greeted his lips, and was internally glad he was able to provoke such a reaction from the other, without even trying.

"If you make it, then I accept being proposed to."

"You never had a choice, I'll be the one proposing." 

"Proposing what?" Was shot from a few meters away, where Jeongin was running towards them.

"Nothing, baby fox, how are you?"

Minho settled a hand on his brother's hair the second he was close enough, massaging his scalp. In return, the youngest grabbed his brother's arm gently, which was the closest to a hug Minho could ever hope to get.

"I wanted to go to you but I didn't know where you were so I asked for the prince instead. I wanna go home."

"Oh. I thought you just wanted to meet Jisung properly." 

Jeongin looked like a deer caught in headlights when he looked up to the Prince, like he was just now noticing his presence. He blushed ever so slightly.

"I did! I do. I'm just tired, you said the second I'm tired you will take us home." 

"I know I did. We'll go home soon, okay? Do you know where Felix is?"

"You can stay, if you want."

Both brothers turned to look at Jisung who had spoken for the first time in a while. He looked sheepish for once, but continued speaking once he had the attention."We have more guest rooms than you can imagine, if you want to rest here tonight, you can."

"Can we?" Jeongin excitedly asked his brother, all traces of sleepiness seemingly lost the second he heard he could sleep in the royal Palace. Minho looked back at Jisung speechless. He didn't know they could crash here tonight. He didn't know if it was a good idea either, the Palace was a big place, and they would have to leave early tomorrow anyways-

"I think I can arrange a carriage tomorrow morning to send you back home after breakfast.."

Jeongin had launched his entire body onto Minho's arm, obviously very excited at the idea of using a royal carriage for the first -and maybe only- time in his life. If Minho was honest with himself, he really liked the idea. He himself wasn't tired persay, but he already dreaded the way back to the cottage.

"There's three of us, is that okay?" Minho asked, starting to get in tune with the idea. He felt Jeongin squeeze his arm again out of happiness, and figured if it made the youngest this happy, it had to be the right decision.

"Sure. There's actually a room not too far from my quarters with a Queen sized bed and a single."

"Are you allowed to decide who sleeps there by yourself?" 

Jisung smiled, a glint in his eyes. "Not technically but Mother will say yes." 

"Oh hyung, can we?" 

Minho could hardly refuse Jeongin's puppy eyes so he nodded. "Go ask Felix if he is okay with the idea though, it's all of us or no one." 

Jeongin didn't even answer, opting to run to the ballroom instead, disappearing from their eyes in seconds. Minho sighed before he turned to Jisung.

"You don't play fair. They'll never want to leave now." 

Jisung was smiling again, though, and Minho couldn't pretend like it wasn't the prettiest sight he could hope for.

"Shall I go ask my Mother alone or do you want to introduce yourself?" 

"For a prince you don't sound like being polite is any of your business," Minho remarked, "I'm not sleeping at someone's place without introducing myself to them."

"Sure you're ready for that?"

Minho thought about it, following Jisung to the ball room they hadn't even reached before Jeongin had found them. "Do I have to introduce myself to your father too?" 

"No, I won't put you through that. Besides, he doesn't care." 

"Then yes." 

Jisung smiled and took Minho's hand in his as to not lose him while they crossed the big room, slithering around numerous people. Luckily, the night being well underway, most people didn't pay them any attention and they were both free to advance quickly. Minho saw the Queen of the Country soon enough, currently speaking to a bunch of ladies who looked more expensive than Minho's life ever would be, and felt his entire core freeze. They were close enough to her way too quickly for comfort, and Minho wondered how on earth he went from stealing from her a couple months ago, to having to introduce himself to her now.

"Mother," Jisung started, immediately stealing his mother's interest. Luckily she welcomed him with a bright smile, which helped settle Minho's panic a little. "Can I have three friends over? They live quite far and would like to stay tonight."

"Of course my dear, the room in the hallway next to you room is always empty!" 

The second the woman's eyes were on him, Minho bowed deeply, shocked it had been that easy. He wasn't sure he understood royalty perfectly. Was this not the same person who fired someone a few months prior after a mere rumour including her son? Yet she agreed to let said son have friends over, even though she had never met them. 

"I think she is a little tipsy, she usually at least asks for a name before she says yes," Jisung whispered to him once they turned to leave. 

"Well I'm not gonna complain." 

Minho scanned the room, hoping to find his brother's quickly, but he wasn't that lucky this time. He did, however, share an eye contact with a dumbfounded Kevin, gaping at his and Jisung's joined hands, which had him snicker. For once, Felix and Jeongin were the ones who found Minho, running to him at full speed.

"Is it true hyung?" Felix asked, out of breath but still smiling prettily. "Jeongin says we're sleeping in the Palace tonight!" 

"He was supposed to ask you, not inform you," Minho rolled his eyes, not even mad at him for being too energised.

"I'm so excited, I've always wanted to see a bedroom inside the Palace!" Felix giggled happily.

"I'll show you all to your room," Jisung smiled, his hand still tugging on Minho's. 

Chapter Text

"Hyung, it's bigger than the house."

Minho only nodded because he couldn't find words to answer. Jeongin was barely exaggerating, the room itself was almost the size of their entire house, not including the walk-in closet and the bathroom attached. Felix had been giggling non-stop, leaping to every corner of the room to touch the expensive walls, expensive drapes and expensive furniture.

Jisung's bedroom -a royal bedroom- wasn't even that big, which granted was a room for one, but Minho was still in shock. They get to sleep here, because Minho had decided to steal from the Queen one day. Roughly, this actually was what happened. Minho was almost scared to touch anything, thus why he had stayed on the threshold next to Jeongin, stuck in awe.

"You know you can enter the room, right? Follow Felix's example," Jisung snickered, amused at their reaction.

Minho and Jeongin shared an eye contact, and slowly but surely walked into the room. Felix had disappeared into the bathroom, which Minho could only tell from the gasps he kept hearing coming from that general direction while Jeongin jumped on the Queen sized bed face first, and stayed there, face buried into a cushion as Minho looked around to appreciate the view. His eyes went back to Jisung quickly however, for he was worth much more than even the biggest room in the castle.

"Why are you so shocked?" Jisung laughed. "You were in my room, and I'm pretty sure in my parents' room too, this is nothing compared."

"Yeah but this room is where I'm sleeping tonight."

"If it makes you uncomfortable, you're more than welcome to stay at mine," Jisung smirked, enjoying the way Minho's eyes widened. The stealer put his hand in front of the prince's mouth, scandalised that he could say such things in front of his babies.

"Yeah hyung, why are you here anyways?" Came from Felix, who of course had chosen this very moment to come back into the room, sharing a knowing look with Jisung.

"I have to make sure you don't leave tonight to go to someone else's room," Minho answered firmly, crossing his arms. Felix pretended to be hurt by that remark but soon enough let himself fall on the bed dramatically, on top of Jeongin. "Wash up and go to sleep while I walk Jisung back to his room. You better both still be here when I'm back."

"Really hyung, you don't have to bother coming back-"

Felix stopped talking the second he saw Minho's dark warning eyes and only nodded silently. The oldest turned around, and, taking the prince's hand in his, left the room, closing he door behind him. He never unlocked their fingers, but Jisung didn't complain, so he figured he wasn't upset at him.

"Everytime we are together, our moments are timed. I wish you would follow your brother's advice."

Minho smiled at the other lovingly. "I have to show a good example. I'm a poor excuse of an older brother for showing 'stealing is fine' so I have to be irreproachable in every other aspect of life."

"I'm sure you are a wonderful parental figure."

"I don't know... It's hard you know.. Being the oldest meant always being a third parent but it's harder now because I'm the only one they have. And I've never been a parent, never even wanted to become one... But I have to because our parents are gone.. which I'm realising now I never told you!"

"Hyunjin did a while back. I'm sorry for your loss."

"Hyunjin did? That ferret needs to learn to stay out of people's businesses."

"He can't help it, people are always up in his business because he's so popular so he can only reciprocate. Cut him some slack."

"Oh so you're on his side?"

"I'll always be on your side, love."

Minho smiled brightly, once again not believing his luck. He had had such a poor start at life, who could have thought he would end up being called "love" by a prince?

"Well, this is me."

Minho was confused only for an instant before he realised they were in fact standing in front of Jisung's bedroom door. The walk had been a small one, and Minho wanted to be selfish a while longer. He trusted his brothers -to a certain degree- to not do anything reckless, even if he allowed himself ten more minutes with his beloved.

To be honest, leaving Jisung was always the hardest part. It wasn't only the fact that Minho felt comfortable around him now, or how lovely he thought his voice to be, but also simply him. The thought that Minho had the privilege to even stand close to someone like him was dumbfounding. It was his eyes, his nose, his lips. It was the way his hair had blue undertones hidden below the black. The way his cheekbones would raise ever so slightly when he smiled, how his eyes closed, how his shoulder shook as he laughed.

"If you keep looking at me like that I might do something reckless," Jisung whispered, his cheeks lightly dusted pink. Minho hadn't realised he had made Jisung take a step back, his back pushed against his door as he stared at him, taking in his beauty.

"Sorry," he mumbled, taking a step back. He took a quick look around and saw one of the guards quickly look away, as if to pretend he wasn't staring at them up until then.

"I wasn't complaining, just warning you."

"We should go inside the room, Jisung-"

"Ooh getting spicy, are we?"

"Jisung!"

Jisung let out a chuckle as he opened his door to get inside, taking a hold of Minho's sleeve to force him in the room swiftly. Once Minho pushed the door closed behind him, Jisung pushed him against said door with a smile, his arms coming to rest on each side of him, caging him.

"Can I do something reckless now? I'm assuming you didn't like the guards watching."

Minho felt very flustered. He had to take a few breaths before his brain reconnected with his ears. "I see," he whispered. "You are the type who goes for what he wants."

"Of course, I have to. Would you have ever come back to the castle after the first time, if it wasn't for the invitation to the ball?"

"That was you?" Minho exclaimed, always having assumed that invitation to be a petty joke. He thought the King was once again showing off his power and threatening nature.

"Technically it was Younghoon, but I was the reason he thought of doing it... So?"

"So what?"

Jisung rolled his eyes but his smile had not yet substituted. "I'm asking if I can kiss you, Minho."

Minho felt lightheaded. He hadn't prepared himself for the possibility that one day, the Prince of the Country would ask his permission to kiss him. He hoped his heart rate would slow down a little, because he could barely focus. However, he could focus enough to know exactly what he wanted to do.

And so, without asking for permission himself, for his previous question gave him enough context, Minho set one hand on the other's nape, bringing him closer to himself. Their lips connected slowly as Minho closed his eyes, feeling as Jisung hesitated at first, but soon reciprocated the kiss. He could feel him smile against his lips, and felt very shy, but not shy enough to disconnect from the other. His hand hesitantly slid up to the other's hair, playing with a few strands while his other hand settled on the man's slim waist.

Minho didn't know how long they stayed there, kissing, all he knew was that he didn't want to stop touching the other, even for a second. However, Minho's overthinking never coming to a stop, he detached himself from the other unhappily soon enough, too soon, to catch his breath properly. Jisung looked deeply displeased with him.

"I can't stay too long. I have to go back."

"You can't say that to me, that's abuse," Jisung frowned. Minho chuckled as Jisung dropped his head on his shoulder, feeling his hot breath on his neck. Minho took the proximity to his advantage to hug the other, taking in his warmth. He felt a small kiss on his neck which set his entire body in fire. He took a few more seconds to gain back the ability to speak.

"The good point is that I'm literally down the hall."

"Yeah, tonight. But tomorrow you will leave again," Jisung whined, and Minho wanted to give him the world if it meant he would never have to hear him be this sad.

"We'll see about that."

Jisung raised his head slowly, a questioning look plastered on his features.

"I mean I do have to work tomorrow, but... I don't know the kids were pretty excited about staying here... And if you say there are job opportunities..."

Jisung's face brightened in an instant as he crushed Minho's frame back into a bone-crashing hug. "I swear you won't regret it! And we can see other often, and I can show you around the castle too!"

"Jisung calm down," Minho laughed. "I still have to get my brother's approval. I mean Felix would say yes to anything that brings him closer to Hyunjin and Changbin I think, but Jeongin... I don't know we'll see."

"Ok, ok. You have to ask them, okay? The sooner the better! Go!"Jisung opened the door suddenly, almost pushing Minho outside his room excitedly.

"Waouh, you use me and then throw me out!" Minho exclaimed, laughing.

"Don't say that, the guards will think you're serious!" Jisung whisper-yelled, his eyes big with worry.

"Well, I'll report to you in the morning, hopefully. Unless they are already sleeping, in which case I'll talk to them tomorrow."

"Alright, then," Jisung hesitated, his hand coming to grasp Minho's sleeve again. He smiled shyly this time, a much difference attitude than a few minutes ago, when Minho could feel his hands everywhere on his body. "I'll see you tomorrow, then.. I love saying that."

"Oh shut up, I wanna kiss you again."

"Minho!" Jisung flushed, pushing Minho's shoulder jokingly. Minho laughed brightly, and, as quickly as he could muster, kissed the Prince's temple, before he turned around to walk down the corridor to his room for the night.

**

There wasn't much of a decision. Felix took less than a second to agree once Minho asked him what he thought of coming to live in the Palace, and Jeongin, less than a minute. Minho had expected a little more conversation if he was honest, but he wasn't going to complain about his brothers and him being on the same wavelength.

Minho still had to leave the castle often after the decision was made, to take care of all the legal stuff considering his lands. Luckily, Chanhee had friends looking for fields to take care of, and Minho could easily rest assured his properties would be well look after. He had been hesitant at first but Chanhee had assured him Yeosang was the best farmer he could ever get, and to just trust him, so that's what he did.

Jeongin ended up working in the library, like planned, and he came to see Minho every night to tell him about how exciting it was, and how funny Seungmin was. Minho had little to worry about for he once came into the library during the day and saw Seungmin yell at someone after she had tried landing a hand on Jeongin. Minho could have almost felt scared of him at that moment, wondering what exactly had the woman do to make him that enraged. Almost.

Felix ended up working as a seamstress, surrounded by women who complimented him everyday on his skin and hair. He had become best friends in a day with the other male seamstress working with him, Wooyoung, whom he 'couldn't live without' as he told Minho.

All in all, life in the castle wasn't so bad after all.  The easiest on Minho's part was knowing he could just walk down two corridors and end up in front of Jisung's door, a knock away from seeing his favourite person.

Jisung had complained often that Minho still decided to go back to his lands to check up on them, because it was far, and Minho usually stayed there long enough to be able to check up on his friends living there, but Minho always shut him up by kissing him breathless.

"You know, it's been a couple weeks since anyone heard anything about Robin."

Minho looked up from the book he had buried his nose into to look at Jisung, who sat on his bed, a smile on his lips.

"Yeah, I've been busy..."

"There's this one duke on the left wing who hit on me the other day, did I tell you that?"

"What?" Minho dropped his book on the table to stand up and go to the other's side quickly.

"Yeah I told him I was seeing someone and he said, and I quote, 'it doesn't matter'. Wild, right?"

Minho sat next to Jisung on the bed and kissed his forehead. "Love, are you suggesting I steal from him because he made you uncomfy?"

"You make what you want of it. I'm just saying he has a lot of possessions for someone who hits on people in relationships."

Minho snickered as he stood up. "I think you're right. It's about time Robin gets back in the game."

"It's Jonghyun, third door, left corridor of the third floor.." Jisung smiled shylu, like he wasn't telling his boyfriend to go steal from someone right now. "You should climb up my room again when you come back, I wanna see you."

"Oh is that the real reason? You miss the outfit?"

Jisung shrugged. "I wouldn't mind taking it off you is all I'm saying."

Minho stayed frozen where he had been walking to the door, gaping at the other. He was still not used to the other being so straightforward with him, and once again took a while to function. Once he did, he sighed heavily.

"You can't say stuff like that to me right before I go on a mission, I won't be able to focus.."

"Sucks to be you I guess," Jisung shrugged again, before grabbing a book on his bedside table and started reading, like he didn't see the big deal.

That night was the fastest Minho had ever completed a mission.

Fin.