Wooyoung watches in horror as people scream, some running away and others deciding to fight too. He had no idea his mother would take it this far. There is no time to think about it as the guards around them struggle to block the endless spells.

"Wooyoung, Yeosang you need to hide. You two are the biggest targets you can't stay outside like this!" The king shouts, leading them inside.

"No! We have to fight too- our friends are out there!" Wooyoung says, trying to resist the guard's strong arms. Yeosang starts to panic at the thought of Mingi and Jongho having to fight out there.

Suddenly San appears, out of breath. "You two need to go! I've got everyone together and we have it under control. There's not that many on the queen's side. The most important thing is you two hiding" he pushes them inside.

"You can't get hurt! Promise me" Wooyoung cries, it's logical for him to hide but he doesn't want to leave his friends alone.

"I promise Wooyoung, we won't separate and we've already agreed to keep each other safe, now go on," San says before running outside.

Tears roll down Wooyoung's face and Yeosang wipes them away with a frown. "I'm sorry Yeosang, I didn't know my mother was crazy like this".

"I didn't expect this too but it's okay, we have it under control," Yeosang says, trying to hide the fact that he's scared to death. He's only been introduced to magic a month ago and now he just had to block lethal spells.

A loud bang is heard as a spell hits the vase beside them, Wooyoung widens his eyes and grabs Yeosang. The king appears, grabbing both of them. "They've started to notice you missing and are attacking inside now. I'll take you to a hiding spot no one knows about".

Wordlessly, they are led to a hidden room. The king breathes heavily after running and casting spells. "You two don't come out until someone you trust comes and gets you okay?" He stumbles on his feet, turning to run out back into the battle.

Wooyoung holds his father's arm. "You can't go out there! You're weak! Stay here with us, please!"

The king avoids his eyes, he probably wouldn't last long if he continues to fight. But he doesn't want to stay in hiding. He doesn't want to face Yeosang.

"Please father". Wooyoung cries, he doesn't want this to be some tragic story where this is the last time he sees his father.

The king sighs, it technically is the only option that would keep him alive. He nods and Wooyoung sighs a breath of relief, pulling him into the room and locking the door.

Contrary to what's happening outside, the room is silent. It looks like a jail cell, a single bed and a toilet on the other side of the room, with a shelf of canned food. The king sits on the bed, trying to regain his strength while Wooyoung and Yeosang sit on the floor leaning on the wall.

Wooyoung can't stop thinking about what his mother created, all this because she wants their reign to continue. He thinks about his friends- if they're okay. He worries for his Seonghwa hyung, the softest and most gentle person having to fight and dodge potentially fatal spells.

He looks at Yeosang, silent and frowning in his thoughts. He thinks he's probably thinking about all this too, praying that his friends are okay.

After a while the king speaks up, his voice hoarse. "Yeosang".

Yeosang looks up in surprise, glancing at Wooyoung who also looks surprised.

"I know this is incredibly overdue and I in no way deserve your forgiveness but... I'm sorry" he sounds weak, voice trembling. "I betrayed your father who was my best friend and ruined you and your mother's life. All because of my greed. I know it's too late for me to regret it but before I leave, I just wanted you to know that I would do anything to reverse time. I hope that after this, you can live the life your parents would have wanted you to".

Yeosang is silent, taking everything in. He knows it's wrong to already feel bad for him but he can tell he's being genuine. Especially after today what he did for him. "Thank you." He says quietly. He can't forgive him yet but he thinks with time, he'll be able to. For now, he's just acknowledging that he recognises the guilt and regret he feels.

~

Jongho blocks the spell coming at him, they come relentlessly with no break in between. He would have found it difficult if it weren't for San behind him, blocking the attacks coming from behind him. The pair are standing back to back, holding hands so that they won't accidentally separate and because its easier to block from one direction rather than having to worry about what's behind you.

They all keep an eye on each other, although it's difficult when there are so many people fighting with them. In any other circumstance, it would be sentimental to see so many people helping them fight the queen and her supporters, to see so many people on their side. But they have no time to think about it as they have to protect each other from the spells attacking them.

A spell almost hits Jongho as he yelps in surprise, feeling unsettled now that he's been caught off guard once.

"You okay?" San shouts from behind him, it's too loud to talk normally, people's screams and shouts filling the entire kingdom.

"Yeah," Jongho says, feeling disappointed that he wasn't focussing, what if it hit San?

"Hang in there baby, we outnumber them, it's only a matter of time before it's over" San squeezes his hand while the other one is attacking and shielding.

~

Yunho stands in front of the castle, trying to block the spells that try and hit it. He also has a good view of everyone, constantly doing headcounts, making sure his friends are okay. There are a few other strangers with him preventing anyone from entering the castle where the others were hiding.

He scans the crowd, looking at San and Jongho together, then a bit further away from where Seonghwa and Hongjoong fight too. He searches for Mingi, who is supposed to be in the middle.

He had just seen him a minute ago, it isn't too difficult to look for him since he's tall but its been a few minutes of Yunho thoroughly scanning the crowd and Mingi is nowhere to be seen.

Yunho panics, they all agreed not to go anywhere from the crowd and Mingi isn't someone who would just leave alone like that. His stomach churns as he tries to think where he could be.

He's so deep in thought that he doesn't realise that a spell is hurtling towards him, hitting his shoulder and slashing it like how a knife would. He yells in pain, running inside to hide from the battle for now.

Yunho breaths heavily, clutching his shoulder. When he lets go, his hand is stained red, the gash deep and painful.

With a shaky hand, he closes up the wound. But magic isn't enough for a deep cut like this. He winces when it heals, leaving a scar. The pain is still there, the spell only closing it and removing the bloodied mess so he struggles to move it without crying out in pain.

But he has no time to think about this, he groans as he stands up, he needs to look for Mingi. He examines his surroundings, there are a few people that managed to get into the castle, he definitely saw some fighting going on inside.

Yunho decides that this is his best shot, Mingi couldn't have left outside so he must be inside. He starts running, not wanting to waste any time. He frantically checks every room, every hallway until he sees lights flashing from one of the kitchens.

His heart races as he slams open the door, the first thing he sees is Mingi dodging another man's relentless attacks. They come so quickly Mingi just blocks without thinking, hoping that nothing will hit him.

Yunho widens his eyes as Mingi is slowly getting backed into a corner, it looks like he's about to lose this duel. He points his hand at the other attacker, not even knowing that he had come in, and attacks him.

With the advantage of his diamonds, Yunho only needs one spell before the man is flying across the room, back hitting the wall and falling unconscious.

Without thinking, Yunho grabs Mingi's hand and runs, the other looking at him in shock, also not noticing that Yunho had come in.

He leads Mingi to a hiding place he and the others use from time to time and after checking that it's empty, he shuts the door quickly.

"Are you okay, why did you come inside!" Yunho says, teary-eyed. If he had been a second late- he doesn't even want to think about what could have happened.

Mingi frowns, "I saw that guy follow after Yeosang and Wooyoung went inside, I know we promised not to leave the crowd but-"

Mingi doesn't get to finish his sentence before Yunho is grabbing his arm and pulling him forward, connecting their lips. At first, he stays still, eyes wide open, but when Yunho cups his face, he closes his eyes, tears falling down with the action.

Yunho pulls away after a moment but keeps their foreheads touching. "I was so worried- when I say you there I-" Yunho bites his lip, not wanting to cry. "I'm just glad I came on time, Mingi- I don't know what I would have done if I were too late". It's when Mingi wipes his tears that Yunho realises that he's crying.

He kisses Yunho this time, it's soft and sweet, too different to what they just went through. "It's good you came then, my hero" He tries to cheer him up, not wanting to continue the depressing conversation.

Yunho smiles, and Mingi just now registers that they kissed.

Yunho kissed him... he kissed Yunho.

Yunho brushes his thumb against his cheek, both admiring each other, simultaneously thinking about how beautiful the other is. Yunho pulls him in for one last kiss, savouring this special moment before they have to go out again.

With careful steps, they go outside. Mingi gasps when he sees that there is barely anyone left. The pair immediately look for their friends which luckily doesn't take long as San is running up to them, the others following behind him.

"Where were you two!" He says, angry and upset.

"Sorry San, I couldn't find Mingi so I went to look for him"

San widens his eyes. "Are you okay Mingi?" He feels bad for telling Yunho off after finding out the reason. The taller just nods with a smile, glancing at Yunho, who also gives him an odd smile. He has no time to question them as Yunho bombards them with questions.

"What's going on? Where is everyone?"

Jongho appears from behind San with an excited smile. "We outnumbered them! Eventually, all the guards managed to arrest everyone that was part of this, they even arrested the queen- King's orders"

Mingi and Yunho widen their eyes as they look around, there is barely anyone around, just guards looking around for the remaining of the queen's supporters, searching in the castle too.

"It's over?" Mingi asks, everyone else nodding.

"Once the queen was arrested, it was easy to get everyone else too. It seems like we have a lot of people on our side". Jongho says cheerfully and San smiles at him lovingly. It was fortunate that this didn't last long and none of them got hurt, well except for Yunho but he'd never tell anyone.

With the mini-battle, the evening is suddenly here, the sun already set and stars slowly being revealed. The others went to retrieve Yeosang and Wooyoung from their hiding place, the pair almost breaking down upon seeing their friends uninjured, reuniting tearily. The guilt of them sitting there being protected almost got too strong to handle.

With the help of magic, everything is almost back to normal, Yeosang watches in fascination as he watches servants fix broken walls in a second. Guards are roaming the hallways as they leave the hiding place, the king following them slowly. As they all walk to the entrance, they are stopped. "Wait," the king says.

"This castle doesn't belong to me, it's yours Yeosang. From today I won't be living here anymore, I don't want to keep taking things that aren't mine"

Yeosang glances at Wooyoung, raising his eyebrows. "Are you telling me to live here?" He pales at the thought of living in such a ginormous and scary place, now that he's revealed the truth and avenged his parents, he just wants to continue living his quiet life in his little home.

But the king just nods. "I'll move out and take the queen with me, she's already in the dungeons so I'll go to her. This is your father's home, where he wanted you to grow up happily. I hope you can do that now".

"But- why would you move out? Who's going to run the kingdom?" Yeosang splutters, not wanting to hear what the King is insinuating.

"You will Yeosang, you're the true royal." The king says and everyone glances at each other in surprise, Yeosang panicking. "I know it sounds crazy but no one else can, and it's okay, you have so many people around you to help you, you don't have to do it alone. My son's quite knowledgeable about the kingdom, and you have many supporters." Wooyoung smiles at the praise, thankful that his father has changed for the better.

"We can hold a coronation tomorrow for you, just think about it okay?" Wooyoung's father says, letting a guard lead him out.

"Wait where are you going?" Wooyoung says in confusion.

"To the dungeons, I need to have a talk with my wife. There are inns nearby where I can stay so don't worry about me" he replies.

Wooyoung watches with a frown, his father is so ill he needs someone to hold him as he walks. He's too weak to be staying in a measly inn, he needs treating. "Father just stay here! You can't go out like this, you'll suddenly collapse".

The king smiles at his son's concerns, it somehow makes him feel elated. "Alright, instead of an inn I'll head to the infirmary and stay there". Usually, he wouldn't listen to anyone but since his son is worried about him, he does what he says.

Wooyoung doesn't even have time to argue back as the king is walking out, a guard closing the door with a thud. Annoyed, he turns to the rest who are still shocked at what the kin- Wooyoung's father said. Yeosang is in deep thought he doesn't even notice Wooyoung calling him.

"Yeosang?"

He blinks, suddenly aware of his surroundings again, everyone is looking at him. He feels pressured to make a decision, which makes him realise that this is what a king goes through 24/7, pressure to make a decision. He doesn't think he can do this.

Seeing Yeosang blank out again, Wooyoung holds his waist. "It's too dark for you all to go home now so how about we all sleep in guest rooms? And I'm sure you all are too exhausted to teleport". In reality, they could probably have managed to teleport, but Wooyoung secretly wants everyone to stay today, not wanting to be separated from his friends after everything that happened today.

Fortunately, everyone agrees, deciding to sleep in pairs instead of taking up eight rooms. Wooyoung watches Yunho curiously as he takes Mingi's hand, pulling him to the room he uses when he stays over. He doesn't think too much of it, no one wants to sleep alone tonight.

After they say their goodnights, Wooyoung takes Yeosang to his room. The pair are too exhausted to do anything other than quickly change into comfortable clothes and go to bed.

Wooyoung carefully reaches a hand towards Yeosang, not knowing if he's in the mood for cuddling or not. Luckily, Yeosang understands what he's trying to do and wraps his arms around the prince's shoulders, Wooyoung happily placing his head on his chest, hugging his waist.

Yeosang kisses the top of his head, causing him to look up at him with a smile. As always, Yeosang's heart races upon seeing his beautiful smile. Now that they're looking at each other he can lean down and kiss him.

Wooyoung shivers, they haven't kissed in a while, and they've just been through 101 traumatising things so Yeosang kisses him with so much passion his body turns to a puddle.

They pull away and Wooyoung frowns at the tears falling down Yeosang's face. "What's on your mind?" He wipes them away, hand resting on his neck and thumb brushing his cheek gently. He knows its an absurd question when there are a million things on his mind, but he hates seeing Yeosang upset.

"I don't know what to do- what your father said. There's no way I can be king but at the same time... I can't leave the kingdom without a ruler, my father wouldn't want that. He would want the kingdom he ruled to be a safe and cheerful place."

Wooyoung smiles sadly. "Think about what you want, and if that's going back to your old life, then that's completely fine too. Being King is scary, don't pressure yourself and besides, you can always change your mind, you don't have to make a decision by tomorrow." He kisses his forehead, wishing for his stressful thoughts to dissipate. "And if you do choose to become king, you have us, we can make our own group and share the responsibilities, I also know some great advisors, and I'm sure Beomjoong's council would be more than happy to help too".

Yeosang nods, feeling emotional that he has all this support. Just a few years ago he was completely alone and depressed from being cooped up and angry at the world. Now he has something he'd never thought he would ever have gotten, friends, a boyfriend, an answer to his identity. He doesn't think it would be too bad becoming king if he has everyone he loves with him.

~

Two months later

Wooyoung feels like he's having Deja vu as he watches the maids get Yeosang ready for his coronation. After a couple of months of discussing and planning, Yeosang decided to carry on his family's royal reign.

He ended up moving into Wooyoung's room, sometimes staying at the castle but also going back to his house to take care of his garden, and because it's his house he's lived in his whole life, he can't leave it that easily.

The others have been busy too, preparing the public for his crowning, making sure everyone supports him, which luckily everyone does, except for the minor groups of people but no leader has 100% supporters anyway.

Wooyoung's father bought a little house along with the queen being on house arrest instead of being jailed in the dungeon, with Yeosang's permission of course.

Yeosang feels sorry for Wooyoung's father, this frail and sick man is constantly checking up on them, making sure they're doing well instead of taking rest himself. He's already forgiven him, it's clear to see that he deeply regrets what he did and that he can be trusted. Of course, Wooyoung's father didn't accept the forgiveness, saying that Yeosang should never forgive him. But it's what his father would want, he's sure that if he saw how broken his friend was, he'd want Yeosang to forgive him.

"Yeosang"

He's pulled out of his thoughts when Wooyoung calls him, looking around to see that the maids have already left and it's just the two of them.

Wooyoung wraps his arms around his neck. "What are you thinking so deeply about?"

Yeosang smiles, capturing his lips for a second. "Nothing"

Wooyoung pouts, not because he's not telling him but because the kiss was too short. So he pulls Yeosang into another kiss, this one being nice and long.

Suddenly, Jongho is opening the door. "You guys are late! Everyone's already outside waiting- STOP" he yells when he sees what they're doing.

Yeosang catches Wooyoung's bottom lip with his teeth as they pull away, watching it snap back as he lets it go. Jongho screams again, both of them laughing when he runs out of the room.

~

At the coronation, Yeosang feels his heart race in fear as he looks at the crowd. The whole kingdom has come to watch. The last time he was here a battle broke out.

Wooyoung takes his hand and it pushes away any nervous thoughts. They meet San on the podium, who will be carrying out the coronation. He takes a deep breath. He's surrounded by the people he loves, the rest are on the stage too, sitting in a corner and whispering encouraging words to him. San smiles proudly at him and Yeosang forgets about everyone in the crowd. If he has this kind of support when he's king, he thinks he'll be just fine.

With Yeosang's request, Wooyoung's father is also on the platform, smiling at him. He didn't know if he would come or not because of how weak he's gotten, the nurses saying he doesn't have much time left. He feels strange knowing that even though he's so sick, he still came.

Maybe it's happiness.

Everything goes smoothly, Yeosang saying taking some oaths, saying some vows. The crowd are pleasantly silent too, probably stunned watching an unmarked person about to be crowned as king.

It seems to go so quickly as suddenly, he is saying his last vow and San is placing the crown on his head. The crown that once belonged to his father.

He fails to suppress a gasp as cold air rushed through his body. Wooyoung seems to have done the same.

When he turns to look at him, he widens his eyes. The hearts on his cheeks that were once purple, are now blue. "Wooyoung your-" he pauses, he knew it would happen but he's still surprised.

Wooyoung touches his cheeks. "I can feel a difference". He's not a prince anymore, just a regular blue citizen.

Yeosang turns to Wooyoung's father and not surprisingly, his spades have turned blue too.

But that's not what makes him gasp. Wooyoung's father looks normal again, his eyes aren't sunken anymore, his body looks strong his face looks bright and youthful instead of pale.

Everyone else seems to notice too, murmuring excitedly. Wooyoung's father examines himself with wide eyes, even more surprised when he can stand up so someone supporting him.

"It's a miracle," he says, elated that he's back to his old self. "The purple magic must have been consuming my body. Now that it's out and I'm blue again- I can't believe it, I'm back to normal!"

Wooyoung's father embraces Yeosang, who stands frozen in surprise as everyone in the crowd cheers.

When the king excitedly goes back to his seat, Wooyoung examines Yeosang with a frown. "You still don't have any marks?"

Yeosang touches his cheek. He could tell that nothing really happened but he doesn't mind, he's not missing out on anything because of some silly shapes. He doesn't need to prove his worth because of some marks.

After the shock of what happened dies down, San turns to the crowd with a wide grin. "Introducing your new royal, King Yeosang".

Cheers and screams erupt, everyone having softened up to him because of his story and the people surrounding him. Seonghwa had even told him that word has been going around that the new king is drop-dead gorgeous, which made him laugh, Wooyoung not so much, clinging onto him protectively.

Now that Yeosang has his father's crown on his head, he wants to make him and his mother proud. He'll live the life he was supposed to, even if it's without his parents, he's sure they're proud of him.

They have a small party with just the eight of them. Yeosang now owns the castle which is completely empty apart from him and Wooyoung living in it, along with a few stay at home maids and guards.

He had made some food from his garden for the gathering, everyone loving it as usual. It made him nostalgic thinking about how this is how it all started.

He watches everyone chatting happily, then looks at the crown on the table. He had taken it off because it was so heavy but it's replaced with one of Wooyoung's crowns, which is much more comfortable.

Speaking of his boyfriend, Wooyoung comes up to him cheerily. "Hello, handsome". He says, pecking his lips. "How are you feeling?" He takes a seat next to Yeosang now having a full view of everyone having fun too.

"Overwhelmed but in a good way," Yeosang says and Wooyoung nods. "Of course, if I were you I would have locked myself in my room as soon as the coronation is over". He leans on his shoulder, taking his hand. "I know I'm not a prince anymore and wasn't really a good one- but I'm always here for you no matter what".

Yeosang hums, playing with his fingers." what if you were royalty again?"

Wooyoung frowns, sitting up to look at him.

Yeosang exhales slowly, using a spell to amplify his voice a little. "Wooyoung, how would you feel about getting your purple marks back?"

Everyone goes silent, not one person has their mouth closed as they stare at Yeosang in shock, Wooyoung included.

Yeosang picks up the crown on the table and places it on Wooyoung's head, the other widening his eyes upon feeling the sacred crown on his own head. "Do you want to bond with me? Be joint kings together?"

Wooyoung opens his mouth to say something but nothing comes out. It's only when San squeals in excitement that he snaps out of his shock and nods frantically, the crown making it difficult. "Yes! Oh my god Yeosang"

He throws his arms around him, kissing him deeply, Yeosang sighs in relief, holding his waist. Everyone is elated, Mingi and Yunho dance happily, Seonghwa and Hongjoong clapping sentimentally since they've experienced this before, San and Jongho cheery loudly.

"I love you" Yeosang whispers into the kiss.

"I love you more" Wooyoung teases, peppering kisses all over his face.

~The end

Thank you for reading! This took me months to write but I'm happy with how it turned out, I hope you did too!! ily ♡